The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Providing a stable economic platform for Kwara

    Providing a stable economic platform for Kwara

    In the last few days, I have engaged myself with the Kwara State Medium Term Stimulus Plan (KSMTP) which was designed to demonstrate the full picture of the state’s capital expenditure plans until 2019, towards eradicating or reducing the current statewide N255 billion infrastructure deficit. Thanks to the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service which has made the document available to the public through the Nov/Dec 2017 edition of its special publication.

    Looking back to the years 2011-2015 as a base, the KSMTSP considered three key principles relative to the continuity mantra of the incumbent administration: consolidation of gains made under the Bukola Saraki administration, strengthening the foundation of trust and performance and then activating and executing preliminary activities to anchor future actions leading to a string of the 2015-2019 agenda.

    The stimulus plan is targeted at two broad platforms viz: basic infrastructure for social services such as education, health, power, road, sports and water and strategic infrastructure for economic transformation which would include broadband irrigation, mineral resources, tourism and transportation, etc. Giving a breakdown of the infrastructure deficit by sector, the Plan indicates that  the state would need N33.3 billion for the provision of water, N66.53 billion for transportation and logistics, N103 billion for education, N30 billion for energy,  N3.6 billion for sports, N12.24 billion for health and N6.2 billion spread across agricultural mechanisation enablers, power infrastructure enablers and ICT enablers. This amount represents what is needed to achieve a standard availability and accessibility benchmarks according to international best practices, across the 16 local government areas of the state.

    For a state whose internally generated revenue in 2014 was a meagre N12.37 billion  and even a mere N7.9 billion in 2015, raising N255 billion in four years without literarily selling the state to creditors, must be a daunting task, if not an impossibility. A governor without a strong will and passion and an agility to literarily squeeze water out of the proverbial stone would have buckled. But not Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed.

    The challenges gave birth to the recreation of the state’s internal revenue machinery, culminating in a repositioned Kwara State Internally Generated Revenue Services, KWIRS that would be a key drive in the eventual emergence of a Kwara state that would rank comfortably among its peers in the country.

    Governor Ahmed reformed the processes, changed the human resources and automated the techniques to reach the current level of efficiency. And without additional burden on the people, but merely effectively blocking the leakages, the result is already manifest; in 21 months (October 2015-October 2017), KWIRS madeN36 billion, dsspite the challenging economic climate. This demonstrates beyond predictions that with a better economic atmosphere, the dream of an annual IGR of N36 billion is now not impossible in the state.

    When this is achieved, the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed would have created a legacy that future regimes in the state would continue to leverage on to build the Kwara of our collective dream.

    But beyond KWIRS, there is another legacy of the Gov Ahmed’s administration that stems from the stimulus plan. The concept of the financial vehicle designed for execution of infrastructure development in the state, tagged, Infrastructure Fund Kwara (IF-K) is novel idea. The model emerged following the exit of the state from payment of outstanding capital development bond and the realisation that moving to commercial loans with its huge interest rates would not support the desire to significantly reduce the N255 billion infrastructure gaps.

    Under If-K, the state sets aside N500 million from the IGR every month and every quarter shares the accumulated N1.5 billion among contractors on high-end capital projects. The beauty of the model is that contractors are assured of payment and are therefore are confident of doing business with the government, seeking short-term funding for projects until the three-month maturity of their slots in the IF-K. As expected, the N500 million monthly is actually not idle, but invested to yield rates to the government.

    Governor Ahmed led the team that developed the model and he is confident of its  success given what he said is the  overwhelming successes of such schemes in other economies that have adopted it to meet their  infrastructure needs.

    It is this model that is funding the ongoing capital intensive projects such as the Diamond Underpass in Geri Alimi, the dualisation of Sango-UITH road, the two campuses of KWASU, the new secretariat complex, among others, simultaneously without the state having to borrow either from the capital or commercial market.

    When the model was unveiled to the public, stakeholders and project partners present at the event expressed confidence over the funding model. For instance, representatives of major banks such as GTB, Sterling Bank and contractors who have partnership with the state, said it will provide comfort for contractors, generate job for the youths and put an end to the negative experiences of abandoned projects in the state.

    Mr. Nicholas Gamade, Managing Director of Investment One, has been approved by law to oversee the utilisation of the fund as well as marketing it to prospective investors.  According to him, from experience, the IF-K model has not been done anywhere in Nigeria.

    During the event, Gov Ahmed assured stakeholders about the call for transparency in the utilisation of the fund. The governor also disclosed plans by his administration to inject over N5.8 billion into the state’s economy through the IF-K within 10 months, expressing confidence that the fund injection will help keep contractors in business and have a spiral effect on employment generation.

    Investment One is also to market the fund to potential investors and mitigate against payment risks by ring-fencing the funds and limiting their utilization to the approved purposes for which they have been earmarked.  In other words, the trustees are independent of the state government, and will only disburse funds upon the presentation of a certified certificate of completion and at agreed project milestones. As an added measure to ensure quality standards, the certificate of completion is also subject to further authentication by an independent project inspector. IF-K is therefore not susceptible to interference from any other party.

    Given the benefits of a stable and reliable funding provided by IF-K, I state without any equivocation that the era of abandoned projects is over in Kwara State. Dr Ahmed assured the public that as a demonstration of this determination, all ongoing and new projects will be funded to completion under the IFK before the end of his tenure. No doubt, apart from a rejuvenated internal revenue generated platform, the creation of a  unique model to spend accrued income from the peoples tax, is also another milestone of the Ahmed administration. These are enduring legacies of Gov Ahmed.

    • Oba is Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor

     

  • FCTA tackles Bwari crisis

    FCTA tackles Bwari crisis

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has been meeting with stakeholders in Bwari Council Area, which was caught up in crisis late December.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello while addressing Bwari stakeholders at Sarkin Bwari Palace, commended them for maintaining peace thus far, noting that what was needed more was action.

    “We want to see action,” he told them. “We may have preached peace, and talked peace enough. We want you to act peace. Sustain and maintain the current peace we have in Bwari.

    Malam Bello who was represented by Secretary for Area Councils Services Secretariat, Adamu Abubakar Bappah stated this and added: “We did not celebrate Christmas because of the incidence and we have not slept since 25th December, last year, but we can see that peace has returned to Bwari”

    According to him, the Bwari peace stakeholders would also meet next week Tuesday in Esu Bwari’s palace; after which another meeting would take with the traders, shop owners and renters, possibly in the market place, while the final meeting will be held at a neutral venue within the council area.

    The Minister therefore urged the security agencies to keep keeping an eye on the principal actors, even as he tasked all the village heads to report all unusual activities within their environment, suspecting that there was something fishy they were all hiding.

    He said: “up to today, all we hear is rumours. Not even the traditional rulers can say what it is. These people have been living together peacefully for the past 30 or more years; so what is the problem now? Something must have happened!”

    Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Hon. Musa Dikko while addressing the people, disclosed that the return of peace to his council was as a result of series of meetings and unflinching support of the FCT Minister, adding that Bwari was the most peaceful in the FCT, because it was the food basket of the FCT, “which is also security because when people are hungry, there is no peace.

    Dikko also disclosed that his government was: “ensuring that the traditional institutions are properly handled to enable them handle their responsibilities effectively,” including 100 percent upgrading of Bwari chiefs’ salaries among others.

    Bwari Chairman however warned against incisive and provocative messages, adding that his council was doing its best in the area of providing relief for the affected traders in line with directives from the FCT Minister.

    On his part, the Sarkin Bwari, Muhammed Awar Musa Ijakoro II, regretted that the crisis resulted into the burning of Bwari market.

    “I wonder why such things happen because the history of Bwari involves the Gbagyi, koro, Hausa, and all the other tribes living together in peace. We married among ourselves, I wonder why such a problem happened, but it is gone now. I pray that such a thing should not happen in our midst again”.

     

  • Bittersweet ride on Abuja-Kaduna train

    Bittersweet ride on Abuja-Kaduna train

    The Abuja-Kaduna train ride has solved some problems but the upward review of its fares has created fresh worries for passengers.

    When it was launched in 2016, passengers heaved a sigh of relief. The road trip was fraught with dangers. Armed robbers and kidnappers were on the prowl. Crashes were also frequent. But when President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Abuja-Kaduna railway, those worries were swept away, in addition to the fact that the train ride was quite affordable as the President had promised.

    The tale has, however, changed with the review of the fares. Barely two weeks ago, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) reviewed the fares and introduced charges for luggage and parcels, a move which has been greeted with mixed reactions.

    The Nation went to the train stations in Abuja to observe passenger’s reaction to the new fare. Making her way to one of the stations, a lady passenger who looked worried asked if there was an ATM or a bank around the station. Further chat with her revealed that she only had the old fare.

    The new fare  which is contained in a notice signed  by the management of Nigerian Railway Corporation, reads: “This is to inform the general public and our esteemed passengers that the management of Nigerian Railway Corporation has approved the a new fare regime for passengers and parcel service with effect from Thursday, February 1, 2018.

    “Express service for adult ticket charges Idu/Kubwa-Rigasa and vice versa are; Executive class; N3000 and standard class is N1500 while for shuttle service; the executive class is N2500 while the standard class is N1300.”

    For luggage or parcel rates, the notice indicated that a rate of N7.5 would be applied on passenger’s luggage and parcel. It also noted that flat rate applies for all seats in the executive class coaches while minor and special needs tickets have been abolished.

    The old fare for executive was N1500 while standard was N1050.

    To some passengers, the corporation is unreasonable with the increment, while others for the sake of safety said they don’t mind the new fare.

    Some others complained about payment for luggage, arguing that there is no way they would travel without luggage.

    To Mrs Helen Olayioye who appears to be in her 60s, the new fare is fair compared to road transport. She said: “I just paid N1300 and I feel it is okay because the commercial car from Mabushi motor park is N2000. For safety sake, I prefer it because drivers of the commercial cars or buses speed a lot. I also don’t mind the fare because it brings back old memories.”

    One of the passengers travelling in VIP class, Ibrahim Bello said government should put the poor masses into consideration before making decisions.

    According to him: “I have been  going on the train since it was introduced in 2016 and the reason why I go on train is because I am scared of kidnappers. The purpose of this train was to decongest the population of Abuja and make life easy for those who cannot afford to pay rent. The commencement of the train service meant that one can stay in Kaduna and work in Abuja but with this increase, it would be difficult for someone residing in Kaduna to cope except for the rich and fortunate ones.

    Let’s do the calculation, one comes to work on economy class which is N1500 because it is express and goes back with express too because the first and last train according to them is express while the two that run around 9am and 2pm are shuttle. So let’s do the calculation, a worker spends N3000 daily on transport fare and that is minus the okada or bus he takes to his place of work. How much is his salary that he would spend that amount daily? For a civil servant that works in Abuja and resides in Kaduna, in truth, they are not considerate with the fare and they know that.

    Bello further said: “If NRC is complaining about maintenance, let’s talk about how much they generate from passengers; let’s assume they make a million, do you know there are lots of agencies in this country that do not generate a naira and federal government pay them salary and overhead through the revenue and other sources of income. What is the source of revenue of police for instance and how is government funding them?  Personally, I am not happy with this, though I can afford it but when you look at some of the passengers, you will know that they only ride on the train because it is  comfortable.”

    A National Youth Service Corps member, Otito Eze simply said: “The service is good but the truth is, the cost is high.”

    Also reacting to the increment, Salimah Nuhu, a journalist with Radio Nigeria, who seemed angry with the new fare said: “Who will say he is okay? I am not okay with it and I am sure most people are not okay too because it is supposed to be for the common man to enjoy. The fare especially the first class is on the high side. We heard that some people called for the increment and they are even thinking of making it N5000. This government is not considerate at all. They tend to give attention to the high and mighty before the common man which is not supposed to be. If you want to enjoy first class on the day you want travel, you can decide to buy all the seats on a first class coach instead of calling for a general review of the fare”, she said in high tone.

    To Kabiru Musa of Dangote Group Company explained that if one considers safety, then one would understand why the fare is what it is.

    “If you go by road, you would understand that the fare is reasonable because if you go by road, there are no securities and one is prone to kidnapping and accident.”

    On Alhaji Tafida’s part, the price is fine. “The only issue I have is that they should make it possible for passengers to buy tickets online and they should make ticket available all the time instead of making passengers line up when it’s 30 minutes to take off time and make it look like we are on Assembly ground.

    Reacting to the complaints, an official at the train station in Idu said they presently run at a loss.

    According to him: “The cost of maintenance is high. We have nine stations and only a station consumes 300 litres of diesel per day and most station operate on generating set because of the epileptic power supply. As it stands, we are even running at a loss but because it is government-owned, we still try to subsidise the price. Going by road in Zuba Park is N1500 and most times, passengers are sandwiched in the car.  So I really feel the fare is reasonable.

    On the payment for luggage, he said: “We only charge for luggage above 50kg because we know that there is no way passengers will not travel without travel bags or other items. The idea of luggage is to encourage people to travel with luggage no matter the weight which was not the usual practice. We are only trying to encourage them to come with their luggage irrespective of the size because we have van to convey them to their destination. Even if you go to some Motor parks, if your luggage is in excess, they charge you and in our case, we charge N7.5 per kilogram.

    On whether the patronage has dropped since the new fare, he said: “Despite the increment, we have noticed moderate passenger’s turnout which has in a way brought sanity to our operation because we used to allow people stand before but since we reviewed the fare, we have not witnessed people standing.”

     

  • Herdsmen/farmers clashes: NSCDC trains 1,500 in arms

    Herdsmen/farmers clashes: NSCDC trains 1,500 in arms

    After a three-month training in arms-bearing, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has graduated about 1,500 officers who will be engaged as agro-rangers to check the herdsmen-farmers clashes in the country.

    The corps has also decorated about 3,953 promoted officers, two of whom now Assistant Comptrollers-General, and 45 Commandants.

    Speaking during the decoration ceremony in Abuja, Comptroller General of the Corps, Gana Muhammadu, said part of the newly trained officers were expected to be deployed to ensure the success of the agro-rangers programme.

    The CG said: “The staff welfare is my topmost priority which includes training. Just last week Friday, 1,500 of our men graduated from a three months arms training in preparation of the commencement of agro-rangers and solid minerals protection.

    “And part of which we also intend to deploy to Borno to join the earlier 3,700 of our men posted to liberated areas in the North-east,” he said.

    While urging the newly promoted officers to be dedicated to duties, the Gana said the federal government has given the corps additional tasks, “so you must not fail the federal government and the Board who ensured your promotion.”

    While congratulating the staff on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, Secretary of the Board who stood in for the Minister, Bassey Emmanuel tasked the promoted officers to live above expectations.

    According to him, “promotion is a privilege why because you may meet all the criteria but no vacancy for you. So, for those of you who are promoted it is recognition from the authority. So, you must not let the authority down. Your CG has recommended you.

    “This board which I am a member will ensure that highest standard is met. Now with your promotion you must continue to work harder except you are not aspiring to go higher. Again, you must be loyal to your organisation to the system, to the nation and all those that have been placed above you.”

     

  • ITF trains 11,000 youths

    ITF trains 11,000 youths

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has trained 11,000 youths in job skills under the Fund’s  National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), a nationwide plan.

    The Director-General of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari said the 11,000 youths were trained for three months in tailoring and fashion design, welding and fabrication and plumbing and pipe-fitting.

    He added that they would be given start-up kits to enable them set up their businesses.

    “The three trades were carefully selected based on their potential value addition to the individual trainees and to the growth and development of the economy.

    “The start-up packs that are being distributed should be viewed as our practical example and message to our stakeholders that training without corresponding support will not lead to expected outcomes.”

    The D-G, who was represented by the Director, Research and Curriculum Development, Mr. Zakari Peruma, stated that the current universal currency is skills which a lot of youths should make an effort in getting it and stop depending on the government to provide jobs for them.

    He added that the ITF will be implementing Technical Skills Development Projects, Women Skills Empowerment Programme and Agripreneur that will be targeted at job and wealth creation.

    The DG urged the beneficiaries not to sell the start-up packs given to them saying, “The start-up packs to be presented to you are of high standard and therefore cost ITF several millions of naira to procure. Do not contemplate selling any of the items presented to you. Your destiny is in your own hands, do not toy with it.”

    The Niger State Area Manager, Mrs. Ifeoma  Ihezue said 300 youths were trained in the state, “150 were trained in tailoring, 70 in welding and fabrication and 80 in plumbing and pipe-fitting.”

    The Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youths, Alhaji Husseni Ahmed urged the ITF to step up its monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the youths make good use of the training given to them and do not sell the start-up packs.

  • Ahmed scales up education in Kwara

    Ahmed scales up education in Kwara

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration is set to scale up education in the state.

    Late last year the state launched the International Vocational and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC) in Ajase-Ipo. It also started building two other campuses of Kwara State University (KWASU) in Ilesha-Baruba and Osi, Baruten and Ekiti local government areas of the state.

    The governor laid the foundation of the IVTEC in September 2012 in line with his commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development.

    The establishment of Malete main campus and other KWASU campuses is aimed at positioning the institution to produce highly skilled graduates that will become top players in the competitive global economy of the 21st century.

    All these capital projects in spite of the lean resources of the state government are being executed through the state Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK) established in 2016.

    The governor said, “When I inaugurated the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund (IFK) in 2016, I made a commitment to initiate and complete new and ongoing infrastructure projects.

    “Our government has since made good on that commitment with the commencement of new projects such as the Geri Alimi Diamond Underpass and a new campus for the Kwara State University at Ilesha Baruba.

    “As we flag off construction of Kwara State University, Ekiti Campus, this project provides an eloquent testimony to the fact that IFK has strengthened our government’s capacity to meet its obligations despite the current economic challenges.

    Also, this event validates our commitment to the three-campus model for KWASU, as enshrined in its blueprint, following the ongoing work at the Ilesha Baruba site of the university.

    “It similarly underlines our determination to expand access to quality higher education while providing cutting edge skills and research for industry.

    “In keeping with current local realities and global trends, the three campuses of KWASU are designed to eventually run on a sustainable platform without subvention from the state government.

    “This means they must run on a model that guarantees efficiency by offering courses that are market relevant and are in demand by the growing number of applicants within and outside the country.

    ”We are building on the legacy of the previous administration, which established the university, and bringing the KWASU multi-campus model to reality, among others, our administration has demonstrated, in concrete terms, the value and importance of continuity in governance.

    “Only a government of continuity like ours could have believed in and up-scaled the vision of the university’s founders.

    Indeed, the quality of infrastructure and programs at the institution, KWASU is at the vanguard of the state government’s resolve to make education functional and economy based.

    In this regard, the Kwara state government designed the curriculum at IVTEC in partnership with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) to guarantee that the education received at the center meets the mid-level manpower needs of today’s employers.

    “Similarly, the KWASU campus in Ilesha Baruba is strategically located in the agrarian belt of the state to provide students with the opportunity of hands-on experience and boost the region.

    “In addition, the KWASU School for Business and Governance, Ilorin is poised to provide middle level professionals with access to quality post graduate education that will enhance their leadership and professional skills.

    “On its part, the KWASU Ekiti campus will groom scientists and thinkers that will proffer practical solutions to the various problems that plague the country.”

    Governor Ahmed solicited for closer links between tertiary education and the country’s economic and technological aspirations to ensure that education is more relevant to our national objectives.

    On IVTEC, he said his administration needs a sum of N13 billion in the next five years, to expand the college.

    He added that the state had invested approximately N3.2 billion on campus construction, furniture, fittings, partnerships, basic training equipment and tools here at IVTEC.

    “We therefore seek the partnerships from local, national and internal bodies so that we can upscale IVTEC to the level envisaged as its establishment,”

    Governor Ahmed said that the vision to establish the College was to equip youths with skills for self-reliance, tackle unemployment, and ease access to vocational training of international standard for students from a variety of skills and educational backgrounds.

  • 43 inmates freed in Jos

    There was a breath of fresh air for some inmates of Jos prison as a non-governmental organisation, Kefiano Global Concept, deployed resources to guarantee the freedom of 43 inmates.

    The lucky inmates had been behind bars for several years due to their inability to pay the fine imposed on them by the courts.

    The NGO simply volunteered and offset the various fines for the affected prisoners to gain their freedom.

    Mr Kefas Ropshik, Chairman/CEO Kefiano Global Concept said the gesture will not only give freedom to some people but also help to decongest the overcrowded Jos prison.

    The philanthropist paid N1 million which is the sum of the fines and compensations the convicts were to pay for their freedom.

    In his remarks, Ropshik said, “I was moved to give back to the society by assisting the needy, I have passion to help people who are helpless like widows, the sick and less privileged.

    On the freed prisoners, Ropshik said that it is human to give people a second chance by helping them, as some of them were misled by different reasons.

    “As a Christian I am moved by what the bible admonishes us to do: to assist the needy and visit those in prison. I want those who are privileged like government appointees to step in and assist because you must not be a millionaire and a billionaire before you can do charity work”.

    Ropshik advised the inmates not to see their time behind bars as a punishment but correction. The prison is meant to be a correction centre and not a punishment centre, and I believe some of you made some corrections within the period that you have been here. I believe you will not repeat whatever took you here, because I am going to be happier if you leave today and become better people in the society.

    “This is the second time in six months that I have helped inmates regain their freedom. The last time about 67 were freed and today 43 of you will be going home. I want to promise here that those inmates who have acquired skills while here will be given materials to start up their businesses to prevent them from going back to their crimes and also help them not be a nuisance to the society.

    Ropshik also promised to pay the registration fees for inmates that may be writing Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSCE) as a way of encouraging them.

    Mr Daniel Naanlong, representing Mikang Constituency in the Plateau House of Assembly, appreciated Ropshik for the gesture. Naanlong appealed to the freed inmates not to indulge in criminal acts that will bring them back to the prison.

    Mr Noel Ailewon, Comptroller, Jos Prisons, thanked Kefas Ropshik for the gesture and called on well-meaning Nigerians to emulate him. Ailewon who was represented by the Welfare Officer of Jos Prison, Mr Pius Pokyes, said that the prison was in dire need of assistance as government alone cannot provide everything.

  • A Presidency voice for awaiting-trial inmates

    A Presidency voice for awaiting-trial inmates

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is seeking the decongestion of the prisons in which over 70 percent of inmates are awaiting trial.

    Everyone knows that Nigeria’s prisons are dreadful. Less obvious is the fact that over 70 per cent of people holed up in those woeful cells are awaiting trial. Then consider that the prisons have been overstretched for decades.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a professor of law, is worried by this and seeks an overhaul of the criminal trial system so that the innocent are not locked up indefinitely.

    Several administrations have tried to solve the problem but failed.

    Prof Osinbajo has asked the Department for Public Prosecution (DPP) to look at how criminal cases are tried. He is also worried by the investigation of cases.

    “If investigation is poor then the prosecution will be difficult, if not impossible. I am happy that the FCT chief judge is here, because we have a lot to do in criminal trial. Cases are unnecessarily adjourned. The prison system is just a warehouse for inmates…”

    He said this in Abuja at the presentation of the Nigerian Prisons Survey Reports by the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), in conjunction with the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA).

    Osinbajo expressed sadness that Nigeria does not have valid statistics hence the difficulty to carry out research that will answer questions within the criminal justice system.

    He revealed that the Port-Harcourt Prison, originally designed by the British colonial masters to conveniently take 800 prisoners, currently has almost 5000 inmates.

    Osinbajo also revealed that most of the colonial prisons built over 100 years ago across the country are now turning their inmates into animals due to their deplorable and gory conditions over the years.

    Most of the prisons especially those built between 1830 and 1918 were said to be lacking rooms and operating as mere warehouses to accommodate inmates.

    He said that for a long time the Nigerian Prisons were neglected by successive governments, thereby making their reformatory mandates to be defeated.

    On the Port-Harcourt prisons with over 5000 inmates, the Vice President noted with regret that 3700 inmates are awaiting trial and have been locked up in the prison for over five years.

    The Vice President who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau said: “We do not have valid statistics and that is why it is difficult to carry out research that will answer some of the questions we have within the criminal justice system. And this is a very important reason why we have not been able to advance and make progress within the system.

    “I was in Port-Harcourt and I used my stay there to visit Port-Harcourt Prison built in 1918 by our colonial master. What I saw was gory because the prison has no rooms but just serving as warehouse for the over 5000 inmates accommodated in it instead of 800 inmates designed as capacity for the prison.

    “From my finding, they say no room for prisoners and any human being that goes there would come back as an animal. My finding also reveals that prisons have been neglected over the years by the successive administration at the expense of the inmates.

    “It is however a thing of joy that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown keen interest in prison reform and has carried out tremendous progress on prison rehabilitation even though funds are not there.”

    The Comptroller General of NPS, Ahmed Jaafaru also noted that lack of data on inmates over the years was responsible for the congestion of Prison, but he however thanked the Presidency for unprecedented intervention and the National Assembly for improvement in budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Prison Service.

    The Chairman of the Board of PRAWA Chief Gabriel Tobi, described the Survey Report presentation as a momentous occasion because the issue of over-crowding of the prison would be urgently looked into when the reports are being implemented.

    He called for multi-sectoral cooperation among security agencies and those in the administration of criminal justice to rise to the challenges and give each other supports that would impact on the Prison reforms in the country.

    The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary, Justice Ishaq Bello noted that Nigerian Prison failed in the reformatory mandates issued out during their establishment but however called on appropriate authorities to help give legal needs to inmates in the Prisons.

    He commended PRAWA for its leading initiatives in conducting the survey and compiling the report with the assistance of experts and appealed to other relevant bodies to follow the gesture of the organisation.

     

  • Minister to new boards: be creative

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has inaugurated the newly reconstituted boards of 12 agencies and parastatals under the FCT Administration, urging them to improve service delivery across the FCT public service system.

    The boards inaugurated are the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT IRS), Abuja Property Development Company (APDC), Abuja Environmental Protection Agency (AEPB), Abuja Investment and Infrastructure Centre (AIIC) and FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB).

    Others are the Abuja Investment Company Ltd. (AICL), FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB), FCT Scholarship Board (FCTSB), FCT Primary Healthcare Development Board (FCT PHDB), Area Council Service Commission (ACSC) and Abuja Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

    Inaugurating the over 155 members of the boards of agencies and parastatals at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister charged them to come up with ingenious ideas that would generate revenue for government to continue to provide services and improve the living conditions of the FCT residents.

    The FCT Minister while welcoming the new board members on board the FCT Administration said they have been carefully chosen to bring their vast public service, corporate and business experiences to bear in the performance of their assignment.

    He called on FCT residents to support the newly reconstituted boards and make the necessary sacrifices in order to realize the vision of the founding fathers for a first class capital city comparable to the best in the world.

    Also speaking at the inauguration, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Ohaa, said the boards are coming on board to broaden the democratic space and provide the needed corporate leadership for most of these agencies and parastatals.

    His words, “ today indeed, marks a major turning point in the life of the present FCT Administration, as we witness the inauguration of these Boards. The occasion has a deeper significance for us as it is coming on the heels of the Administration’s commitment to focus on improving service delivery across the FCT public service system.  It is also designed to sustain growth as well as ensure good corporate governance and productivity in these organizations with anticipated multiplier effects in the economy.”

    Ohaa stated that the arrival of these experienced personalities would further strengthen the effort of the FCTA to fast-track the implementation of programmes and projects for the greater development of the territory.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, the Chairman of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Dr. Bawuro Yahaya thanked Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari and the FCT Administration for the opportunity of service given to members. He pledged that they would do their best to justify the confidence reposed in them.

     

  • Mining and diversification strategies

    It is no longer news that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had it very rough when it came to power in May 2015.

    Apart from complaining of inheriting an almost empty treasury, the government was ushered in when the prices of oil in the international market was nosediving.

    The price of oil which was over $100 per barrel for a better part of the the administrations before Buhari’s government, crashed to as low as $30 per barrel.

    Due to the magnitude of the problems and infrastructural decay on ground, the Buhari’s administration had told Nigerians in 2015 that it will take some time to clear the rots left behind by the past administrations.

    The government had said that it is after clearing the mess that Nigerians can begin to see appreciable progress in the various sectors of the economy and governance.

    What is new, though, is the progress being made in the mines and steel development sector.

    Against all odds, the Buhari’s government, which was propelled in 2015 by the falling oil revenue, started reformatory measures in the mines and steels sector.

    That move was part of the diversification strategy to keep the Nigerian economy afloat despite the long neglect of non-oil sectors.

    A great challenge in the sector had been inadequate tracking of resources from quarry operations, mineral resources exploitation, exportation and under invoicing.

    While the vast deposit of various solid minerals in the country was seen as a goldmine capable of giving Nigeria the desired economic breakthrough, the sector was left for too long in the hands of illiterates and locals.

    These Nigerians were said to have connived with straying expatriates to indulge in illegal mining and extraction of minerals for their own benefit.

    These illegal partnerships led to massive loss of revenue as the government hardly gets anything as proceeds or royalties from the sector.

    To block the leakages, the Buhari’s administration has engaged the services of about 100 revenue consultants to shore up earnings from the sector.

    To really bring about the desired all round changes to the mines and steel sector, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on August 31, 2016 approved the roadmap for the mines and steel development sector.

    The roadmap listed out the various variables and factors that will ensure turnaround in the sector.

    It contained the short, medium and long terms plans of moving the sector forward, focusing on geological data, highlighting location, qualities and quantities of solid minerals in the country, their commercial viability and how to explore them.

    It also showed how to develop the entire value chain from exploration to actual production.

    With two and half years down the lane, the Buhari’s government is now proud to say that things are now looking up in the Mines and Steel development sector.

    Giving the scorecard last Wednesday, the Minister of Steel and Mines Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said: “The approvals that we had cover ten policy and projects related initiatives.

    “Three policy initiatives around the road map for the sector which was approved was the first approval we got and then the establishment of the Council on mining and mineral resources development which the annual gathering of all the critical stakeholders in the mining sector from the states, the host communities as well as industry and the Federal Government.

    ‘The third policy approval that we obtained from Council which is making its way to the National Assembly now, the new bill on the Nigeria’s Mining and Minerals Commission which is the new regulatory agency that is going to house all of the regulatory institutions that are responsible for mining, licensing and administration and environmental compliance.

    “In talking about the ten approvals, that we obtained over the last two years, it is important to contextualize where we came into the sector when our government came into office in 2015 and the challenges that we found which necessitated the development of our road map and the linkage between our road map and economic recovery and growth plan.

    Being a frontier in that revitalisation and diversification strategy, mining is expected to contribute to job creation to building a globally competitive economy.

    “In order to do that, data is one of the critical thing that mining require being an international business and one of the very first memos that council considered and approved was the access to the natural resource Development fund which has enabled us to acquire data for out aero magnetic and electromagnetic survey  of the entire country which predated our time in office.

    “It was a contract that was given by the Obasanjo administration in 2006 but which was not delivered for lack of payment. It gives an indication of the minerals available, where they are available, the quantity in which they are available and the quality and then give a sense for investors who want to come into the sector what to focus on rather than going out in a blind manner seeking for minerals across the board.

    “The other area in which we have implemented approval from Council was in terms of illegal mining challenges in the country and council has approved vehicles procured from the ministry for federal mines officers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and for the establishment of a task force comprising of the police, the Civil Defence, the DSS, EFCC and the military.

    “It will help us with tackling the challenges associated with illegal mining and that is beginning to yield significant dividends. It helps us to move across the country.

    “In Taraba we have cause to clear illegal mining operations in the precious menthols and gemstones zone of Saudana local government, to Zurak in Plateau where we have to confront Chinese illegal operators colluding with Nigerians exploiting the lead, zinc resources in that area to the gold belt is Zamfara, Kebbi and Ilesha in Osun State,” he added.

    It is the prayer of all well-meaning Nigerians that the government gets it right this time around and breaks Nigeria’s age long dependence on the oil sector for revenue.

    As the year 2019 approaches, it is really hoped that the revenue to the government coffers from the mines and steel development sector will continue to improve.

    This also should extend to other sectors under the government’s diversification drive.