Category: Featured

The Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference (CONSAC) points out the need to galvanise collaboration, improve synergy and plug loopholes for Nigeria’s economic prosperity, reports PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.

With a coastline of 853km, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) measuring 200nm, 12nm territorial waters and 10,000km inland waterways, Nigeria occupies a strategic location in international seaborne trade along the Gulf of Guinea (GOG), which is home to two regional economic blocks- Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) comprising 26 countries.

The country has an average of 5,000 vessel calls a year (approximately 70 per cent of the total cargo traffic to West and Central Africa), a region that also holds a significant percentage of the world’s total oil and gas reserves, and boasts of rich deposits of natural resources like Diamonds, Bitumen, Copper, Uranium, Granit, Quartz, Lead, Fluorite, Marble, among others.

More importantly, the region’s waterways serve as key navigational routes for international commerce, connecting the Far East to countries in the North and South of the Atlantic. It is the hub of extensive trans-Atlantic trade linking Africa with Europe and the Americas.

Thus, the GOG is a resource provider and critical contributor to the growth and prosperity of the countries lining its coasts as well as those inwards due to the access it grants them.

But for Nigeria, a key actor in the region, these abundant resources have remained huge potentials as the prevalence of maritime crimes, absence of legal/policy frameworks and inadequate equipment for agencies to function optimally have denied the nation the immense benefits derivable from the sector.

From available statistics, the country loses an average of $25.5b annually, including about $1.35b lost to illegal bunkering, an estimated $2b to piracy- stolen goods, security and insurance- and $70m to illegal fishing activities.

The conference

It was against this backdrop that the 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference (CONSAC), which was held at the Coronation Hall, Kano State Government House, focused on “Enhancing Nigeria’s maritime security for improved national prosperity,” with six thought-provoking thematic presentations, such as Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potentials for Sustainable Development: The Role of the Nigerian Navy; Improving National Maritime Domain Awareness through Inter-Agency Cooperation Models, Policy Options and Strategies and Enhancing Collaboration Amongst Stakeholders for Improved Maritime Security in Nigeria.

Others include Nigerian Navy Fleet Maintenance Culture: An Appraisal of Naval Engineering Commitment and System Ownership; Harnessing Nigeria’s Ship-Building Capability for Improved Maritime Security and National Prosperity, as well as Girl Child Education: A Strategy for Enhanced Gender Equality in the Nigerian Security Sector.

With more than 500 registered delegates and over 3,000 live viewers across online portals, the conference had frank interchanges that laid bare some of the navy’s strategic concerns and produced insightful directions, possibilities and suggestions on the way forward.

Setting the tone for discussions, Kano State Governor Dr Abdullahi Ganduje urged delegates to take ownership of the conference so that it would yield implementable strategies to enhance Nigeria’s maritime security synergy for sustainable socio-economic development.

Defence Minister Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd) acknowledged the challenges the navy was facing as a result of inadequate equipment, assuring that the government was working hard to address the issue.

“It is important to mention that notwithstanding the deficiencies in equipment holding, as a service you have diligently discharged your constitutional mandates. To this end, the current administration has demonstrated great commitment to addressing the challenges of the Nigerian Navy as testified in recent fleet acquisitions.

“The Federal Government is working assiduously to ensure that your past operational challenges regarding insufficient equipment and manpower become a thing of the past, soonest,” he said.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian Navy, which has seen the reduction of crude oil theft, violent crimes and other illegalities in the nation’s maritime domain.

He applauded the service’s initiative in inviting stakeholders to be part of the annual deliberations aimed at consolidating the country’s common maritime security.

“We are now working to ensure that we can produce our equipment and a lot of things. So many things are going on to ensure that we achieve the partnership with other countries so that they can transfer their technology to us and very soon, you will see some improvements,” he said.

Maritime Governance Architecture

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who presented the paper titled “Enhancing Collaboration Amongst Maritime Stakeholders for Improved

Maritime Security in Nigeria,” advocated for a robust maritime governance architecture in the areas of ship/boat building, fleet ownership and expansion, indigenous cargo affreightment, offshore/floating facilities spare parts and maintenance, freshwater bunkering and supply, bunker oils supply, aquaculture, fauna and flora, channel dredging, inland waterways and transportation.

Jamoh listed governance, infrastructure and maritime security as the enabling triangle for the realisation of safety and security for national development, just as he highlighted the negative consequences of maritime crimes on national growth and development.

The DG emphasised the need to plug leakages and ensure accurate collection of NIMASA’s statutory revenues through effective tracking of vessels; the requirements for the enforcement of regulations for maritime safety, security, maritime labour standards and marine pollution on Nigerian waters.

“Understanding the Gulf of Guinea and the enormity of its security demands must be considered an imperative by all stakeholders…

“The issue of maritime security requires a combination and optimisation of efforts and an understanding that suppression is not the same as a long-lasting solution. Those who commit illegal acts at sea are highly adaptable, increasingly sophisticated in their methods and often well informed. Therefore, local, regional and global efforts must be flexible, proactive and sustainable,” said Jamoh.

Navy’s efforts in curbing maritime crimes

In his lecture on the role and activities of the navy towards national development, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, said the service has ensured sustained patrols to curb maritime crimes and criminality. He said this year alone, the navy has recorded over 15,000 hours at sea, compared to the 27,758 hours recorded throughout last year.

“These initiatives have engendered several recorded successes in anti-piracy operations of the NN. For instance, from a high of 89 pirate attacks recorded in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) and 70 in Nigerian waters for 2016, the GoG in 2020 witnessed 44 cases with 22 in Nigerian waters.

“Furthermore, from January to August 2021, there were 10 pirate attacks in the GoG with only five within Nigeria’s waters. It is instructive to note that most of the attempted attacks in Nigerian waters were unsuccessful owing to the prompt response by NN ships on patrol using a robust Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) infrastructure.

“These patrol efforts coupled with maintenance of credible presence at sea has contributed to boosting shippers’ confidence and making our sea safer. Accordingly, on 14 Jul 2021, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) global piracy report indicates the lowest total of piracy attacks and robbery against ships in 27 years,” he said.

Through the NN’s Operation CALM WATERS and the government joint operation, SWIFT RESPONSE, Gambo said anti-smuggling efforts were intensified such that 79,817 bags of smuggled foreign rice equivalent to about N1.6b have been seized since 2015.

“For instance, in 2019, the NN arrested 24,935 bags of smuggled foreign rice and 25,601 bags in 2020. However, from January to July 2021, the NN has so far arrested 2,137 bags of smuggled foreign rice only.

“This brings the total number of foreign bags of rice arrested since 2015 to 79,817 bags which is equivalent to about 1.6 billion. Within the same period, 152 tankers/trucks and 405 vehicles involved in smuggling activities were also impounded.

“NN has been involved in the fight against Crude Oil Theft (COT) and illegal oil bunkering through operations conducted by its operations bases. The NN’s increased presence at sea and activation of Choke Point Management and Control Operations are yielding some results in countering the incidences of crude theft.

“For instance, from 2015 to July 2021, the NN has arrested 4,280 suspects with 439 arrested between January and July 2021 alone. A total of 165 illegal refining sites were destroyed during Anti-COT/illegal bunkering operations.

“In summary, the quantity of crude oil recovered from illegal refineries and illegal bunkerers in 2020/2021 is about three million barrels, including about 572,331 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 34, 260 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 3,599,551 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) all illegally refined with a total value of about N87.5 billion,” said the CNS.

Challenges

For the CNS, some of the constraints impeding the navy’s operations include inadequate platforms, lack of support infrastructure for maritime policing, difficult operating terrain and funding. He noted a huge platform deficit despite the government’s intervention in equipping the navy for effective operational engagements, just as he disclosed there was a general shortfall of about eight Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and about 80 Fast Attack Craft.

Gambo decried the presence of natural siltation and about 177 wrecks in the approaches to major ports, noting that they make navigation hazardous and maritime response difficult. He also noted that over 80 per cent of the country’s internal waters were uncharted.

The CNS advocated that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that collect funds for maritime security from the Federal Government should avail the navy funds since the service renders such assistance to them.

“These Ministries Department and Agencies include Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT), Department of fisheries and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation and its agencies in particular collect funding from the government for maritime security which is being provided by the NN. It would therefore be apt for funds already collected for maritime security to be availed to the NN to facilitate the attainment of its mission objectives.

“In addition, it is hoped that the Armed Forces Support Fund Bill being proposed by the National Assembly would also be an alternate source of funding for the NN.”

Way forward

At the conference, stakeholders agreed that as a medium to long term goal, the National Assembly should take legislative initiatives to bolster the development of the Blue Economy. For the immediate, they urged the navy to redouble its efforts to facilitate cross-sectoral policy initiatives to galvanise due action on the triad Blue Economy pillars of livelihood, national economic development and sustainable exploration and exploitation of the marine environment.

They called for the recalibration of the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy to incorporate the imperatives of the Blue Environment; that the navy should exercise all possible initiatives to maintain its leadership role in facilitating and promoting the Blue Economy to be duly recognised by maritime stakeholders to put potential conflicts over responsibility and jurisdiction at bay in legislative, policy, coordination and resource allocation.

Also, Forward Operations Bases (FOBs) should be upgraded or developed to have functional jetties, logistics support facilities and infrastructures to operate helicopters; the navy was charged with putting measures in place to optimise domain awareness, capacity and partnership for maritime safety and security.

It was further resolved that the navy explored all feasible options to improve terrain awareness of the backwaters; engage relevant stakeholders having Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) capabilities to integrate the facilities under one coordinating umbrella led by the service as well as engage relevant agencies to activate their respective desks under the FALCON EYE.

Given the enormity of naval engineering planning, execution and monitoring, stakeholders resolved that the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) should consider a mix of appointments into the offices of Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) and Chief Staff Officer (CSO) Logistics Command between the engineers and executive/logistics officers in the future, while deliberate efforts must be made to encourage reverse engineering in the production of critical spare parts.

The highpoint of the week-long event included medical outreach to the indigent population in the state, career talks with students at the Bayero University Kano (BUK), courtesy visits to prominent leaders, an ice-breaker cocktail, as well as the unveiling of a book titled “Developing the Security Conscious Mindset” authored by the CNS and his long-time friend, Abiodun Adebanjo which was reviewed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor.

Also at the conference were members of the Kano State Executive Council, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, former CDS Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, Commandant, National Defence College (NDC) Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, former CNSs- Vice Admirals Jubril Ayinla, Ishaya Ibrahim, Usman Jibrin- federal and Kano State lawmakers, as well as Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Princess Adejoke Adefulire.

Others include Managing Director, Ocean Marine Solutions (OMS), Rear Admiral AMEN Ikioda (rdt), former Commandant NDC, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade (rtd), Rear Admirals Ferguson Bobai (rtd), Henry Babalola (rtd), Sylvanus Abbah (rtd) and Joseph Oluwole (rtd); Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, as well as other serving and retired senior officers.

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka, Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia, Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki, Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu, Simon Utebor, Yenagoa, Chris Njoku, Owerri, and Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

• Southeast town unions plan protests against governors
• Ohanaeze: Ban ineffective without law
• We won’t repeal our grazing law, Benue tells Miyetti Allah

It seems to be business as usual for some herders in parts of the southern states especially in the rural areas, as they continue to graze their livestock in the open despite the ban on such activities.

Reports from our correspondents across the states suggest that little has changed in the way herders have been grazing their cattle , goats and rams since the take-off of the ban on September 1.

The only exception so far is Ondo State where the State Security Network – Amotekun –  on Thursday arrested three herdsmen and 56 cows for allegedly violating the anti-grazing law.

The suspects were arrested at Iwara, a community in Ikare Akoko, headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government, after allegedly destroying a farmland.

The Commander of Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the arrest and vowed that the law would be enforced across the state.

He asked leaders of herders’ associations to educate their members on how to conduct themselves without creating conflict.

The arrested persons were fined for their actions.

The Seriki Hausa Akungba Akoko, Alahaji Idris Jumil Ismaila, thanked the governor of Ondo State for allowing them to settle out of court and promised to get herders comply henceforth.

It was gathered that herders in the rural areas of the Southwest,Southeast and Southsouth are going about their  business unmolested.

A resident of Anambra State, Dr Elo Aforka, told The Nation that the pronouncement of Governor Willie Obiano on the ban was insufficient without a proper law.

“The only way to run a society is by law. Any civil society is run by law and not by utterances,” Aforka said.

He alleged that clashes between the cattle breeders and communities in the state persist and the people are yet to see the ban implemented.

Another social commentator in the state, Emma Okafor, told The Nation that the impact of the ban on open grazing had not been felt in Anambra State

He said the governor was expected to present a bill to the State House of Assembly, based on the agreement reached by the 17 Southern governors, yet, he refused to act.

Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner, C -Don Adinuba, had earlier told The Nation that the government inaugurated a committee to ensure harmony between herders and locals.

The leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, corroborated the government’s claim.

A farmer in one of the rural communities in Awka North Local Government Area of the state said herders still encroach on farms.

But the 62-year old woman, who does  not want her name mentioned, said harassment from the herders has reduced a bit, compared to two -three years ago, adding that the herders still move around the state with their cows.

The situation is not different in Abia State where a law banning open grazing is already in place.

Asked why violators had not been arrested, the Chief Press Secretary of Governor Ikpeazu, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the Police, Abia State Command should explain to the public why they have been unable to enforce  the law on anti-grazing as signed into law by the governor of the state.

A resident of the state, Mr. Ohaeri Stephen, said the Police should ensure compliance with the law.

Many herders exit Ebonyi

Investigation showed that a large number of herders relocated from Ebonyi State before the take- off of the ban on open grazing and following two attacks on residents of Ohaukwu and Ishielu local government areas earlier in the year.

A resident of Onicha Local Government Area, who gave his name as James, said the herdsmen were a terror in the area.

“They raped women, attacked and killed people and destroyed farmlands. They contributed to the increase in  food prices as many farmers suffered poor yield due to the destruction caused by cattle.”

Ban has restored calmness, says Bayelsa govt

Bayelsa State Information, Orientation and Strategy Commissioner Ayibaina Duba, says the enforcement of the anti-open grazing law passed on March 10, 2021 has been effective and restored calmness in the state.

“Since we started enforcing the anti-open grazing law more than six months ago, we have not had the frictions that we were seeing before,” he said in Yenagoa.

“I think for now there is some kind of calmness. We have not had any skirmishes anywhere so far that are reported to us.

“At the beginning, they (herders) were carried along in all the processes before implementation started. It is not as if they were left outside of the entire process. Several meetings took place. I think so far, so good, particularly with the movements of the herdsmen, we have not heard those issues we used to have before the law.

“I think there is considerable compliance because we have not had issues like we used to have before. We have some level of peaceful coexistence in the state.”

Herders, farmers peacefully coexisting in Imo

All through the  week, herders and their livestock were sighted on the Owerri-Port Harcourt road, Nekede, Ngor Okpalla and the  Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) .

Information and Strategy Commissioner, Declan Emelumba, said farmers and herders are  peacefully coexisting in the state out of  mutual respect and understanding.

He said the state already has an open grazing law which became operative since 2006, adding that  the law provided for areas that are restricted from open grazing and that the herders have been abiding by it.

Southeast town unions plan protests against governors

The Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU) has threatened to embark on protest against any governor in the geo-political zone who delays in  putting the appropriate law on anti-grazing in place..

Speaking with The Nation in a telephone interview, spokesman of ASETU, Collins Opuruzor, said the community leaders were disappointed that some of  the governors in the Southeast  were yet to act on the collective decision of southern governors on the issue.

Opuruzor accused the governors of paying lip service to the only law that gives protection to their citizens.

He said: “After the September 1 deadline, we’re already meeting to take a decision on that. We  may be forced to mobilize Ndigbo for protest against any Southeast governor who  is yet to legislate on that all important ban.

“To us, the verbal proclamation has no impact whatsoever on open grazing until a law is put into effect by the governors.

“As ASETU, our position has always been that there is a need for legislation that will ban open grazing in Igboland. We started this over five years ago and went ahead to dispatch letters to all the Southeast governors and their houses of assembly urging them to legislate on that.

“But we are disappointed that almost all the governors in the southeast are paying lip service to that.”

Also, the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that open grazing of cattle and its attendant consequences might continue in Southeast because of the absence of any law prohibiting it.

According to the spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, “You can’t be talking about the impact when the law is not in existence. It is only when the law exists that you think of how it is impacting on the people.

“For now, open grazing is still in operation until a law is brought into existence to that effect.”

Some residents of Amokpo and Ugwogo in Nike in Enugu East Council Area as well as Udi Ngwo, Night Mile Corner and Eha Amufu all in Enugu State said there is no indication of any ban on open grazing.

One of them said: “There has never been any time we stopped seeing herders in the  bush. So, we have not seen the impact of the ban here.”

An estate agent, Chuma Uzor, told our correspondent that Amokpo, Ugwogo and Nike seem to hold special attraction to the herders.

Uzor said: “The ban on open grazing by Southern governors was greeted with applause not only by farmers in the communities around the state, but by  us the estate agents and land speculators. This is because our members have been at the receiving end in the sense that we encountered these herdsmen in the course of doing our businesses as land sellers and buyers.”

The Enugu State House of Assembly last week passed the bill prohibiting open grazing.

The bill however, is yet to be signed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Benue replies Miyetti Allah: We won’t repeal our grazing law

The Benue State government yesterday insisted that there was no going back on the Anti- Open Grazing Law passed by the State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Samuel Ortom.

Reacting to comments by the   National Secretary of Meyitti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Ngelzarma, branding the law as a failure, Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary CPS, Terver Akase, declared that the law has come to stay and there is nothing MACBAN or anyone else can do about it.

His words: “The MACBAN National Secretary is not new to contradictory statements. It is on record that he and other officials of the group visited Benue State in 2017 and after a meeting with Governor Samuel Ortom, addressed the media where they pledged support for the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.

“On that occasion, Ngelzarma who spoke on behalf of the delegation, admitted that with their deeper knowledge of the law during their visit to Benue, it was now obvious to MACBAN that the legislation was indeed not targeted at Fulani or any other group. Their only appeal was for extension of the November 2017 deadline given for the commencement of implementation and enforcement of the law.

“That the Miyetti Allah mouthpiece now goes to national television to kick against the same law they once described as ‘a win-win for all’ only proves that he is a merchant of crisis and one of those bent on truncating the peace building process in Benue and other states of the federation.

“Miyetti Allah’s anger towards Governor Samuel Ortom is well understood. We expected the MACBAN National Secretary and his group to feel frustrated after the governor refused to accept their offer to betray his people and repeal the law in order to attract personal favours from their sponsors.

“Miyetti Allah ought to know that Benue’s law on open grazing has recorded tremendous success since it was enacted. Many people who own livestock in the state have ranched their animals, while over 400 law breakers have been arrested with some already tried by competent courts and convicted.

“The utterances of Miyetti Allah confirm what Governor Ortom has been saying all along that they are responsible for the killing of Benue people. Miyetti Allah are sacred cows who are not only untouchable but who also enjoy the protection and patronage of their sponsors; otherwise, they should have since been proscribed and their members put behind bars.

“Lastly, we must make it clear to Miyetti Allah groups and others who want Benue to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to stop daydreaming. The law has come to stay, and no amount of sponsored propaganda can compel the State Government to repeal it.”

By Alao Abiodun

Barring any last-minute change, the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS) has vowed to go ahead with the one million march in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.

NINAS is the umbrella body of leading regional self-determination groups in the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria.

In NINAS, a renowned historian, Professor Banji Akintoye is representing the South-West and Yorubaland; the Lower Niger Congress under the leadership of Tony Nnadi is representing the South-South, South-East and Middle-Belt Renaissance Movement under the leadership of Professor Yusufu Turaki is representing the Middle Belt.

The Nation learnt the self-determination body will storm the UN on September 14, to demand for a referendum on self-determination and abolition of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) holds from 14th- 21st September, 2021.

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It was learnt that Nigerians in diaspora from the South East, South South, South West and Middle Belt’s clans, living in the United States of America, are being mobilised to stand up for their Indigenous Nationalities.

Akintoye, during an interview monitored by The Nation said “We want to show the world our plight so that we can see solutions. We can’t keep quiet. The mega rallies held in Southwest was a success, and it is not enough, but we need the world to understand our current plight.

“The Federal Government has tried to clamp down on our rallies, and some of the peaceful protesters were attacked, and some were arrested. We decided the rally that we’ve held at home is not enough, we need to go international.

“This rally is coming at a time the UN general assembly is going to be meeting in New York. This rally will help in solidifying self-determination agitation.

“The rally is going to be an inclusive one, we’ve done the necessary. We’ve formed alliance — NINAS — and we’ve agreed on the rally. We’ll have Yorubas, Igbos, Middle Belt, other regions will be at the rally.”

By Grace Obike, Abuja

• Says states could only account for N14.73bn of N209.61bn

Of the N209.61 billion COVID-19 allocation made to Enugu, Sokoto, Delta and Kaduna states, only N14.73 billion was disbursed by the states, according to findings made by transparency and accountability civil society organisations, BudgIT and Follow The Money International.

They revealed that the sum of N50.13bn was earmarked for COVID-19 related spendings in Delta State in the 2020 budget but only N4.92bn was expended, creating a shortfall of N41.21bn.

Representative of Follow The Money International, Pearl Utuk, presented the findings at a press conference organised by BudgIT in Abuja on Saturday.

She said: “An allocation of N50.13bn was earmarked for COVID-19 related spending in Delta State 2020 budget, N4.92bn was expended, creating a shortfall of N41.21bn.

“In the same light, the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the agency saddled with the responsibility of administering the COVID-19 vaccine in the state, got zero out of the N1.45bn allocated to it for capital spending in 2020, according to the 2020 Financial Statement of the Office of the Accountant General of Enugu State.

Read Also: COVID-19 claims 108 lives in 10 days — NCDC

“Sokoto received the sum of N1.17bn as COVID-19 donations from different sources and allocated N525.47m to COVID-19 related initiatives.

“In the same light, Kaduna State spent just N9.29bn out of its N156.86bn COVID-19 budget, with N6.53bn spent on health and N171.54 on social protection.

“It was also discovered that funds were mismanaged and distribution of palliatives was largely hijacked by politicians for their party supporters rather than the vulnerable members of the society. This led to the vandalization of COVID-19 palliatives warehouses in the various states.

“On vaccine distribution, the civil society organisations observed that most Primary Health Care Centres responsible for the administration of the vaccine lacked required amenities and most health workers decried poor remuneration and inadequate personal protective equipment.”

In the light of its observations, BudgIT called on state governments to establish a dedicated fund for epidemic preparedness and health security as well as stipulated guidelines for accessing such funds.

“State governments should institute mechanisms to incentivise vaccine uptake by citizens. State governments should intensify collaboration with CSOs to improve the sensitization on COVID-19 acceptance.

“In the aftermath of the pandemic, state governments should improve investments in healthcare infrastructure to enhance the capacity of the states to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.”

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

• Anambra govt warns businesses to open to customers or be sealed

• Protests have decimated Southeast economy – Ebonyi gov

Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, have lamented the untold losses suffered by their states and the Southeast in general following the continuation of the Sit-at-home order issued by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to press for the release of their detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The governors feared that the directive could completely ground economic activities of the region if not immediately stopped.

Umahi described the losses suffered by Ebonyi State as unimaginable regretting that the sit-at-home protests have decimated the economy of the Southeast.

Disturbed that the protests are taking the turn for the worse, Anambra government yesterday declared that the state has had enough of the IPOB-induced Sit-at-home protests on Mondays.

It asked banks and traders to ignore further threats by the outlawed group and resume normal business activities from Monday.

Governor Willie Obiano threatened to seal any bank or market that joins in the protest again.

Obiano had met with stakeholders in the state over the implications of the weekly Sit-at-home protest.

The Nation gathered that the state may have cumulatively lost N30billion since the first ‘Black Monday’ as IPOB called its protest on August 9.

The group said its action was to pressurize the Federal Government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing treasonable charges in Abuja.

“The markets should open. If they do not open, I would sack the leadership of the market and shut the market,” Obiano told traders at a meeting.

“Invisible voice says ‘sit at home?’ And, you just comply and lose money. You don’t know who says sit-at-home, you just lose money.

“You need to help us to solve this nonsense. It is absolute nonsense. That’s a warning. If you don’t do that, we will change your leadership,”

Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner, C Don Adinuba, in a statement in Awka at the end of a meeting with security heads said “all markets as well as motor parks and commercial vehicles are henceforth to operate fully every Monday and any other weekday except any day declared work-free by the appropriate authorities.”

Read Also; Businesses shut, residents desert streets on Buhari’s visit

He added: “Before Governor Willie Obiano led a meeting yesterday between heads of security agencies and bank executives in the state, including those from the Awka branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he had personally held frank and rewarding discussions with a large spectrum of leaders of the transport union and market association in Anambra State on why they had for the past five weeks been shutting down their businesses every Monday.

“The transporters, for instance, attributed their action to the inability of commuters to come out for regular business owing to fear of attacks by unknown gunmen while traders explained that without banks opening on any day,  it was difficult to keep proceeds of the day in a safe place. The bankers, on their part, argued that without markets opening and people going about their normal business, there was no need to open their doors to the public.

“It is axiomatic that the good people of Anambra State and, indeed, the Southeast have for the past five weeks been grappling with a vicious cycle on a grand scale. Some pupils have missed terminal examinations, with all the grave implications for the competitiveness of the youngsters and for the future of our state. A number of small-scale restaurateurs have had their entire investments destroyed by these non-state actors for coming out to pursue their legitimate business, through which they feed their families, pay house rents, pay for the education of their children and take care of friends, relatives, associates and other dependents. Some have lost their cars and motorcycles, their sole means of livelihood, to these non-state actors. The less lucky ones have lost their limbs and even lives most gruesomely in other parts of the Southeast.

“Since no responsible government can stand akimbo while the future of its people is destroyed gratuitously, Governor Obiano held useful discussions in the last couple of days with relevant groups with a view to freeing members to pursue their legitimate businesses. After all, the leadership of the organization on whose instructions some persons claim to enforce the stay-at-home order has since rescinded the order.

“The Anambra State Government directive to banks, traders, transporters, other groups and individuals to resume full economic activity throughout the week with effect from Monday, September 13, 2021, was informed by the yearnings of these stakeholders. Adequate arrangements have been made with all security and intelligence agencies to provide adequate security for the people of Anambra State. All dark spots in the state have been identified and far-reaching measures taken to end the blights.

“Any person who observes any action that can lead to a breach of security is advised to immediately contact the Anambra State Police Control Room, regardless of the time of the day, on 07039194332. The Police Control Room is open 24 hours of the day and responds swiftly to every call. Ours is a state governed by the rule of law, order and civilized values.”

An Economist, Mrs Chika Opara, told The Nation that the state alone may have  lost more than N30 billion  on account of the protest   adding that the sit-at-home had taken a toll on Southeast economy

She said the situation had collapsed the economy of Ndigbo, while pleading with those in authority to step up and rescue the people

Opara said, if not checked, the Southeast situation would be worse than what was experienced during the civil war in the next few months

Ebonyi: Our losses are unimaginable

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State said the sit-at-home protests have decimated the economy of the Southeast.

He said the group does not have the interest of the region at heart warning that the group will end up destroying the region if not checkmated.

Federal Ministries, Agencies and Departments, according to him, no longer come to the state to carry out their functions.

He said:”The economy of the Southeast will be destroyed by the reason of very few that are self- seeking. We are known for trade and anyone advocating for sit-at-home in Southeast is evil because Southeast has not caused the problem of anybody.

“If anybody is waging war, that war cannot be in Southeast. It is important that our people should understand what is going on. It is not in the interest of Southeast”

“You can’t kill the people and destroy the economy and say you are fighting for the people. We must rise to say no to this evil plan to destroy our economy and destroy our people.

Commissioner for Commerce, Stephen Odoh said the losses are unimaginable.

He said his Ministry is still compiling data on the sit-at-home to find out the total of losses incurred by the state as a result of the exercise.

The Imo State government last week sealed some banks in Owerri as punishment for observing the sit-at-home protests.

It said its action was to let the banks appreciate the frustration they had caused   customers on Monday by refusing to open for transactions.

By ‘Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, Osagie Otabor, Akure, AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna, Damian  Duruiheoma, Enugu, Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba, Chris Njoku, Owerri, Nsa Gill, Calabar

The Southwest states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo may team up to present a common front on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT), it was gathered Saturday night.

Some other states, including Kaduna, Delta, Enugu and Cross River, are reviewing development of the last few days on the matter especially  Friday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal which  requires  parties in the VAT dispute  to stay action pending  the resolution of all legal issues in contention.

Sources said yesterday that Houses of Assembly in the Southwest are currently discussing how they could present a common front on the collection of VAT.

The discussions are being held by the Majority Leaders of the assemblies under the auspices of the Southwest Legislative Reforms and Implementation Committee (SLRIC).

Chaired by the Majority Leader of Lagos State, Hon. Bolanle Sanai Agunbiade, the SLRIC has as members all the Majority Leaders of assemblies in the zone.

The committee, according to a source, has resolved to discuss and work out the legal frameworks of how the states will react to the ongoing dispute over VAT collection as well as the implementation of the resolutions across the zone.

One of the key players in the talks said: “All the state assemblies in the Southwest are poised to toe the path championed by Lagos State House of Assembly.

“I can confirm to you that the issue is being handled by a high powered legislative committee established to ensure common fronts to all issues of common interest in the zone. The VAT matter is one of such issues and we are discussing it.

“The committee has started discussing the issue and we are coming out with a common position on the matter. What Lagos has done as usual is to blaze the trail.”

Responding to Appeal Court’s order that status quo be maintained on the issue,the source said: “this whole uproar is not just about collecting VAT but discussing, understanding and implementing the issues being raised about the matter correctly.

“We, as lawmakers, will not just act without considering the implications. That is why we are threading the honourable path of legislation. Lagos has started it as usual and I can tell you other states in the Southwest will follow suit. Not fewer than three other state assemblies have commenced the process of legislating on VAT as it concerns their states.

“As legislators, we will do the needful irrespective of whatever the status quo is. We know what the law says and we understand what the issues are. Without being sentimental, we are dissecting the matter and gradually, we are bringing out the various complications to be addressed. At the end of this whole uproar, I believe we will arrive at a common position nationwide.”

A separate source told The Nation in Akure yesterday that the Ondo State government might join Lagos and River states in the battle to collect VAT.

A top government official said plans were on to send a bill to the State House of Assembly on the matter.

The source stated that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was ready to support any move to increase government finances.

Another official said the Ondo governor was waiting for the final decision by the Supreme Court before making a move.

Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, could not be reached for comments.

Kaduna still studying VAT judgment

The Kaduna State government said it is studying the case at the Court of Appeal with a view to understanding its impact and ramifications for effective revenue collection.

It said it remains a champion of true federalism, anchored on significant devolution of powers to the states, including fiscal responsibility.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, said  Kaduna State’s interest in  devolution of powers to the states covers  fiscal federalism as an essential element of effective federalism.

He said: “the Kaduna State government is a champion of true federalism, anchored on significant devolution of powers and responsibilities to the states.

“This includes fiscal federalism as an essential element of effective federalism. That is why Kaduna State has also focused intensely on expanding its internally-generated revenue.

“The El-Rufai government has almost quadrupled IGR to N50.7bn in 2020, from N13bn in 2015.

“The Kaduna State government is studying the VAT judgment to understand its details, impact and ramifications for effective revenue collection. The conclusions of this study will inform the next steps for the state.”

In its own reaction to the VAT controversy, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths under the auspices of PDP National Youths Movement, said it is gross injustice to deny states like Lagos and Rivers the full benefits of revenue generated by them.

The youths, in a statement by their President,  Salahudeen A Lukman,  said: “Since there is pegged monthly allocation coming from federal purse not determined by amount contributed by federating  states, many governors are more than lazy in contributing to the pool of funds expected to be shared at the month end but sharp to claim glory for humongous voting figures during every general election.

“It is time to end the unfair sharing of allocation; the time is now to stop laziness of many state governors.”

Enugu to take decision on VAT soon, says commissioner 

The Enugu State government plans to take a decision on whether to align itself with the move by Rivers and Lagos States to assume control over collection of VAT.

Information Commissioner Chidi Aroh, told The Nation on phone that the state executive council would meet this week to take a decision on the matter and advise Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi appropriately.

He said: “I hope you know that matter is still in court. So, it will be inappropriate for us to discuss a matter that is currently before the court.

“Again, His Excellency Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is not in the state at the moment. So we have not met as an executive council. So, when we will meet at the state executive council, we will discuss and advise His Excellency appropriately.”

Delta to take decision after studying situation

The Delta State Government is also studying the situation, according to Information Commissioner, Charles Aniagwu.

His words: ” For us we will always believe in the rule of law. There has been a judgement in Rivers State.

“Although, we did not go to court, we will study the situation and know what steps to take. We will always support anything that flows in line with the law.

“As a state, we have always made a case for fiscal federalism. There are so many issues for us to deal with in our federal system for it to be more perfect. Beyond the issue of VAT, there are so many other issues. For the nation to work in a sustainable manner, we need to tow the path of fiscal federalism.”

Group urges S’East govs to emulate Wike

The Igbo National Movement (INM) says the present arrangement whereby the Federal Government collects VAT is not in the best interest of Nigerians.

National Convener of INM, Anthony Okolo, said in Owerri that the recent stance of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on the VAT issue is an eye opener.

“By successfully putting the case against the Federal Government’s unjust usurpation of the states’ rights to collect taxes in their area of jurisdiction, Rivers State has led the way in revealing that the Federal Government is involved in one of the greatest acts of fraud and larceny against the indigenous nationals of Nigeria,” Okolo said.

“It cannot also be viewed as justice to deny a state that has spent millions in developing planned neighbourhoods and estates the full value of their investment under the guise of remittance of Value Added Tax  to the Federal Government that  has neither spent a dime on  development of that neighbourhood, nor is committed to returning the value remitted to it, back to the state for re-investment in more infrastructure.

Cross River undecided yet

The Cross River State government is undecided on which way to go.

Commissioner of Finance in the State, Mr. Asuquo Ekpeyong, only responded to enquiry over the position of the state government by simply replying with a news post showing the decision of the Court of Appeal on the matter, which urged that parties should maintain status quo.

When asked the implication of his reply as it relates to the position of the state government, he did not reply the message nor answer calls made to his phone.

Diri faults IOCs on paying income tax in Lagos

For Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, part of his complaints is the decision of international oil companies (IOCs) to continue paying their employees’ income tax to Lagos State where they have their headquarters as against the states where they extract oil.

Speaking at the second edition of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Research and Development Fair, Diri said the IOCs should stop citing insecurity in the oil producing states as reason for their action.

He said: “Bayelsa State government still feels short-changed, in terms of what we are getting from the oil and gas industry, despite the efforts we are making to ensure peace and tranquility in the industry.

“We believe the relocation of the IOCs to Bayelsa state should not be further delayed.

“This is a pronouncement by the Vice President of our country, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, some three or four years ago. So, we believe the time for its manifestation has become very necessary.

“We strongly feel it is unfair for the IOCs to carry out their operations in Bayelsa, yet the PAYE income tax is collected in Lagos. That is a case of somebody eating the beans and asking another person to have diarrhoea.”

The governor was represented at the event by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.