The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Minister directs reopening of Karu General Hospital

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has directed that the 135-bed Karu General Hospital be opened for immediate use by the public.

    Bello, in company of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, inspected the health facility in Karu, a suburb of Abuja.

    Up and running, the Karu General Hospital is expected to take enormous pressure off the Asokoro District Hospital, Nyanya General Hospital as well as Maitama District Hospital.

    The Karu General Hospital was initially a 225-bed facility built by the FCT Administration with 40% of the hospital leased to the Primus Super Specialty Hospital (an Indian Hospital) for management.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister further directed that the hospital should immediately commence General Out Patent Department (GOPD) services, Antenatal services as well as the mortuary be opened to the public, in addition to the Behavioral Medicine Unit that had since been operational in the Hospital.

    The Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Mrs. Alice Odey-Achu and the Medical Director of the Karu General Hospital, Dr. Marcus Mamman led the Minister and his entourage round the entire secondary health facility.

    Meanwhile, the Minister paid an unscheduled visit to the Zuba Hospital where he instructed that the Hospital should commence operation by May 1, 2017.

    The Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Mrs. Alice Odey-Achu who led the Minister round the Zuba Hospital assured that the Secretariat is ready to commence operation on that appointed date.

    She reiterated that everything needed to enable the Hospital commence services is already on ground and that they are ready to hit the ground running.

  • Garki market reopens after crisis

    Traders at the Garki International Market have expressed their delight at the reopening of the market after an agreement was reached with the market managers.

    The chairman of the market’s traders association, Mr. Chibuzor Anukam who spoke on behalf of the traders said the market was reopened last Thursday and business activities as long commenced.

    He said the traders have agreed to work with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in ensuring that only defaulters are disconnected.

    “We are happy that the market is reopened it is just to take the necessary steps so that what happened the other time will not happen. It is just the issue of light and we are going to help NEPA that they disconnect only those that owes,” he said.

    The General Manager of Urban Shelter Facility Management Company, Hamisu Jumare said the market was reopened after series of meeting with stakeholders.

    He said the management regretted the inconveniences the close had caused to shop owners adding that necessary steps have been taken to forestall future occurrence.

    “The market was reopened after an agreement was reached by the operators that there will be no vandalism and they will be law abiding and provide guarantors,” he said.

    The market was shut last Sunday after a clash between some operators over the disconnection of a block by officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

  • Getting out of the woods

    Nigeria has lagged behind over the years.

    Just at post-independence it was more or less at the same level economically with nations like Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.

    But those nations have been able to put their acts together and gone far ahead of Nigeria economically and technological.

    Their economies are not only driven by strong infrastructural base, they also largely produce what they consume  while at the same time boosting export of their goods and services to other nations.

    By so doing, they have continued to create jobs for their populations at home and earned the needed foreign currencies, which have helped to stabilize and grow their economies.

    Nigeria, which was more endowed with natural and human resources, have remained crawling throughout those years. It was difficult for Nigeria to stand on its feet.

    Corruption, lack of political will and poor programmes’ implementation were among factors that have worked against economic growth of Nigeria.

    Rather than working for the development and general interests of the nation, most public office holders from one administration to the other, have not only abused their offices but stolen money and assets their next six generations cannot exhaust.

    Besides the absence of or decaying infrastructures across the country, most Nigerians have also been going through untold hardship due to these factors.

    With the substantial part of the commonwealth of the nation finding its way into private pockets, the Nigerian economy was pushed into recession while most of its recent national budgets are now been largely financed by external borrowing.

    To turn around the Nigerian economy,  President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017 – 2020.

    On paper, the plan, which aims to re-invigorate the economy, has 60 intervention and initiatives to be completed in the next four years towards tackling and removing impediments to growth; making markets function better and to leverage the power of the private sector.

    The plan,  however is projected to focus on five execution priorities, which are key to achieving 7% growth expected by the end of the Plan period in the year 2020..

    The areas of focus included (i) Stabilizing the Macroeconomic Environment (ii) Achievement of Agriculture and Food Security (iii) Expansion of Energy Infrastructure capacities (power and petroleum), (iv) Improving Transportation Infrastructure and (v) Driving industrialization principally through local and small business enterprises.

    As part of its broad objectives, the plan is to restore growth, invest in the people and build a globally competitive economy.

    Launching the plan, President Buhari said “As we all know this Administration inherited numerous challenges. Our political campaign was based on a recognition of the difficult situation Nigeria was in and the need to bring positive and enduring change.

    “And we remain committed to our electoral promise to change our way of doing things and to change Nigeria for good.

    “We are committed to delivering on the three key areas that we promised – That is improving security, tackling corruption and revitalising the economy.

    “Security in the North East, and other parts of Nigeria, is significantly better today than when we came in.

    “With regards to our fight against corruption, as you all know, our law enforcement agencies are prosecuting very many cases of corruption. Our successes in these two areas are clear for all to see.

    “I want to assure all Nigerians that we are approaching the solution to our economic challenges with the same will and commitment we have demonstrated in the fight against corruption and in the fight against terrorism and militancy.

    “The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan brings together all our sectoral plans for agriculture and food security, energy and transport infrastructure, industrialization and social investments together in a single document.

    “Our aim simply put, is to optimise local content and empower local businesses. We seek not just to take the Nigerian economy out of recession but to place it on a path of sustained, inclusive and diversified growth.

    “We are determined to change Nigeria from an import dependent country to a producing nation. We must become: A nation where we grow what we eat and consume what we produce. We must strive to have a strong Naira and productive economy.

    “The Plan I am launching today therefore sets out what we, as Government, are committed to do, to create the enabling environment for business to thrive.

    “The Plan is a national plan, hence the role of State Governments is critical to its success.” he added

    While implementation of well drafted programmes have been a major problem to past governments in Nigeria, there were assurance that the new plan will not face the same obstacles.

    To ensure this, a Presidential Special Delivery Unit would be established to monitor its implementation and remove all bottlenecks to the plan implementation.

    It can only be hoped that all these work well for Nigeria to rapidly take its position in the committee of nations, economically and technologically.

  • Prison boss to minister: we need solar energy

    The new Controller of the Nigerian Prisons Service, (NPS) Fedral Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche has urged the Minster of the Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello to install solar lighting in the Kuje Prisons.

    Mwakuche appreciated the FCT Minister for his immense assistance to the Nigerian Prisons Service.

    The minister assured that the FCT Administration will continue to support Para-military agencies operating in the Federal Capital Territory to enable them perform their statutory functions.

    The Minister gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Prisons Service, FCT Command, led by the new Controller, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche that paid him a working visit in his office.

    Bello reiterated that Para-military organizations and other security Agencies play very important roles in the maintenance law and order, peace and tranquility in the Territory and must be motivated to continue in that direction.

    He assured that his Administration would also continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property.

    “The FCT Administration will provide immediate succor to some of the challenges facing the Nigerian Prisons installations in the Territory to encourage the rehabilitation and reformation of convicts,” he said.

    The Minister remarked that he is in direct discussion with the Ministry of Interior on some of the issues raised by the Controller; adding that they will at the end, be of benefit to the Nigerian Prisons Service and other residents of the FCT when they come to fruition.

    According to him, “There are some issues in the pipeline for which we are in direct discussion with the Minister of Interior and at the end of the day, if they come to fruition, the benefit is going to be for all of us in the FCT”.

    The Minister promised to fast track the issue of land encroachment around the Kuje Facility to mitigate any negative occurrence, adding, “We will continue to speak and engage on how we can solve them one after the other”.

    Earlier in his remarks, the new Controller of Prisons, FCT Command, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche appreciated the FCT Minister for his immense assistance to the Nigerian Prisons Service.

    He appealed to the Minister to continue to support the FCT Command of the Nigerian Prison Service, particularly in the area of solar lighting within the Kuje Prisons Service vicinity.

  • Minister seeks investment in waste management, Abuja rail

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has called for foreign direct investments in waste management in the Federal Capital Territory as opportunities abound in that sub-sector for any would be genuine investor. Bello made the call while receiving a delegation of non-career Nigeria Ambassadors designate that paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    He reiterated that Abuja city provides one of the best economic opportunities for big businesses; saying that the sub-sector has enormous potentials to be harnessed.

    The Minister advised the Ambassadors designate that whichever country they are deployed to, they should always promote and project to their host nations various investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially the huge business prospects in waste management in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Bello said that the presence of good infrastructure as well as the relative peace and security in the Territory combined with its massive population, will surely make Abuja a preferred destination for investors to do business and reap huge benefits.

    According to him, “One area that we want you to consider as you discuss Abuja with your host nations is the area of waste management. For those of you that are in Europe, we understand there is a lot of funding for green projects of such nature. These are areas that the we would be very interested in.”

    Bello emphasized that apart from its huge population and location advantages, the Territory is well connected to Europe through a number of air carriers that fly in and out of Abuja on a daily basis as well as a number of other West African countries, including East and South African countries.

    The Minister said that although the Lots 3 and 1A of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit is well funded by the Chinese EXIM Bank, opportunities still exists in the Lot 2, Lot 4 and 5 of the on-going the rail system.

    His words: ”We have what we call the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System which is under construction on the basis of six Lots. Already, Lots 1A and 3 are being funded by the Chinese Exim Bank and hopefully that would be completed by the first quarter of next year. But there is opportunity for the Lots 2, 4, 5 and 6. So, these are some of the areas that when you get fully settled, we may be able to communicate with you on some of these issues.”

    The leader of delegation and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye said that the purpose of their visit is to introduce the Ambassadors designate to the Minister and to find out some of the potentials in the FCT in terms of the economic and investment opportunities.

    Ambassador Enikanolaiye remarked that the FCT Administration could assist the new envoys on how to project and promote the priorities of government, particularly, those in the Federal Capital Territory.

  • UN building almost ready

    The havoc caused by the insurgency is not limited to the Northeast. In Abuja, Boko Haram fighters caused lots of trouble too. They hit Nyanya, Efab and Kuje, bombing ThisDay newspaper offices as well as the  United Nations building. That was in 2011. Since then rebuilding the UN Househas been on.

    So far, the Federal Government (FG) through the Minister of the Federal Capital Terrtory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello, has expressed optimism that the House would be completed in time and handed over before the next anniversary of the United Nations.

    Now the job is almost done.

    Bello gave the assurance at the signing ceremony of the Federal Capital Territory Administration/ United Nations 2017 Annual Work Plan.

    Malam Bello, who described the signing ceremony as a very important milestone in the relationship between the FCT Administration and the United Nations, said it is a demonstration that the UN is fully committed to doing a good job.

    He said that the FCT Administration would work very hard to complete and hand over the United Nations House, Abuja to serve the purpose of Common Office for its Agencies before its next anniversary.

    Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary in the ministry, Muhammad Sule made the revelation in a press statement.

    He added, “The Minister promised that adequate budgetary provisions would be made in the 2017 budget to accelerate realisation of set targets and bridge the deficiency gaps in performance in the previous years.”

    According to him, “We definitely will make adequate budgetary provisions to match your funding for 2017. We will also try to make sure that the budget is well funded so that work goes on.”

    “It’s something we take seriously and we are actually looking towards creating a small unit in my office headed by somebody senior enough that coordinates all our relationships with the various UN Agencies so that it becomes easier to take decisions faster. Somebody from my office will always be part of it so that we can fast track the process, based on your recommendation,” he said.

    He also added, while acknowledging that previous issues being jointly handled by the FCTA and the United Nations remain beneficial, the Minister stressed that newer projects would likewise be given priority consideration due to the impact they would have on the FCT.

    Malam Bello remarked that urban solid waste management; slum upgrade and smart city are other issues that would be given attention in subsequent annual work plans between the two bodies.

    Earlier in his remark, the UN Representative Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon thanked the FCTA for its efforts at reviewing the UN Under 3 Annual Work plan for signing; adding that implementation of the activities has started already.

    He described the signing as an attestation of the FCTA’s commitment to nurture its cooperation with the UN for sustainable socio-economic development in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Mr. Kallon expressed the hope that some of the challenges that hindered the implementation of the previous work plans would be adequately addressed.

  • New strategies to track Boko Haram

    The terror group may have been dealt a mortal blow, but with hotels, schools and workplaces now keeping record of immigrants, it is clear that the hunt for Boko Haram fighters is still alive, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

    Boko Haram, illegal immigrants, kidnappers, and other terrorist groups are in for it as the Federal Government has launched fresh immigration regulations to help grab perpetrators and bring them to book.

    The new 2017 Immigration Regulations replace the old ones signed in 1963.

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau who presented the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS Regulation 2017 said there is no doubt that the current management demands a new proactive approach to handle immigration matters.

    The new 2017 Immigration Regulation contains 80 sections and divided into 10 parts. Some of its innovative provisions especially those complimenting the way of doing business and sustaining internal security include temporary work permit, visa on arrival, entry for business purpose, immigrants register to register all immigrate in Nigeria, restriction of immigrant movements, hotels and boarding houses to have record of all immigrants, that are accommodated and employment of immigrants.

    He said, “This new immigration regulation replaces the old immigration regulations signed in 1963. Shortly after the migration policy came into force I remember that May 2015, there was an immigration policy, following that immediately the Immigration Act was passed into law. This Act contained far reaching innovative provisions aimed at positioning the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) to achieving its vision as an Information Technology, (IT) driven entity that can immediately address the operational challenges of modern migration. And its mission of given the NIS a new sense of direction that can make it relevant at all times towards security order and responsive to a global trend.

    “The objective of this new migration is to provide legal framework for the effective implementation of the Immigration Act of 2015. And the second objective is to consolidate the existing immigration regulation which was signed in 1963.

    “I assure you that effective implementation and the enforcement of this regulation and I ask for your continued support to my ministry and immigration service. There is absolutely no doubt this new Immigration regulations will enhance the protection of our borders against cross-border crimes particularly trafficking in arms, drugs and humans and also movement of terrorist groups and individuals.

    “It will enhance internal security to provide the right environment for development. It will conform to the Executive Order recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the ease of doing business.”

    The NIS Comptroller General, (CG), Muhammed Babandede said the NIS shortly after coming out of the Nigeria Police in 1958, got its first legal instrument, the Immigration Act, passed by the parliament on August 1, 1963.

    Babandede said: “Until May 21, 2015, when the reversed Immigration Act, was enacted, the NIS has operated with the 1963 Act which was not only obsolete, but grossly inadequate to contain the unfolding migration realities.”

    He said the minister of Interior signed the document into law on February 27, 2017 adding the Immigration Regulation 2017 is a vital document that operationalizes the Immigration Act, 2015.

    At the presentation were top government functionaries, members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders.

  • ‘We provide info for military, DSS, others’

    A para-military non-governmental organi-sation (NGO) under the auspices of Neighbourhood Enlightenment and Safety Organisation (NESO) has pledged to continue giving vital information to security operatives in the country.

    Corps Commandant General (CCG), NESO, Comrade Sani Aliyu gave the assurance at the passing-out parade of NESO officers.

    Aliyu said NESO is a pioneer registered para-military NGO focused on “anti-terrorism and anti-insurgency in Nigeria and indeed first of its kind in Africa. Our major modus operandi is that we source and obtain credible security intelligence and provide such information to the conventional security operatives like the police, DSS and the Military.

    “We make bold to state that NESO has been in the frontline in the fight against terror in Nigeria and have made modest contributions in areas of divulging critical intelligence on security threats as early warning mechanism that led to many arrests of terrorists, militants, kidnappers and cattle rustlers. In addition, some of our actionable intelligence has led to many debauched bomb attacks in parts of Nigeria.”

    Speaking further, he said, “Nigeria is facing unprecedented security challenges and threats that we used to watch only on television or hear in the news that happen in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, these challenges are now in Nigeria and they include terrorism, insurgency, militancy, blowing up pipelines, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other heinous crimes. Boko Haram has ravaged the northeast for about eight years, and the region was salvaged just few months ago because of the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari. Suicide bombers are killing many Nigerians with bombs; militants are blowing up pipelines in the Niger Delta that contributed in pushing Nigeria into recession; many people were kidnapped and those who were lucky were released with the payment of ransoms or the intervention of the security operative.

    “Nobody is spared, whether big or small; adults or children; men or women; and even uniformed personnel. You may recall that about two years ago, a serving Army Colonel was abducted in Kaduna and he was found dead few days later; a former Minister and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, was kidnapped and released after some days with the intervention of the police. There are many other instances but to mention a few.”

    NESO he said must continue the partnership and collaboration with security agencies of this nation to ensure security, safety and peace in our communities adding that: “Seeing that the total numerical strength of all the conventional security agencies is about 1 million a far cry to the population of 174,000,000 Nigerians, these numbers amongst which the Nigeria police has the highest manpower of about 370,000 officers and men expected to provide security for 17million population,  considering our land and sea size. Indeed, it is an overwhelming situation requiring serious collaboration and support in order to help them achieve their constitutional mandate.

    “In our today’s society, the sophistication displayed or deployed by terrorists are those things we once used in our national defence mechanism or structure. Terrorists now have equal or sometimes even better access to arms and ammunitions like AK47, GPMGs, anti-aircraft missiles, gun boats, etc. There is a dire need to deny them or limit their access to these modern “weapons of mass destruction”.

  • Youth leadership through philanthropy

    Youth leadership through philanthropy

    A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Promise Iroabuchi has demonstrated remarkable leadership and philanthropy by building a health centre for a community in need, reports TITILOPE FADARE

    The thrill is neither in the size of the gift nor the neglect and squalor of the recipient community. It is in the fact that a youth saw a need and filled it whereas the rich and powerful saw and looked the other way. They say youths are leaders of tomorrow but the one in question has already started leading.

    That is the story of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Promise Iroabuchi who built and donated a primary health care centre to Gishiri community in Gwarimpa ward of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the FCT.

    Iroabuchi who is serving at the Maitama district hospital said the idea to build the health Centre came up when she went in search of accommodation that would be close to her place of primary assignment. The search took her to Gishiri community which she discovered lacked a lot of basic amenities.

    “While looking for accommodation in Gishiri communty, I realized that some basic social facilties were deficient in the community. I immediately thought of how  I could maximize my service year in line with Tony Robin words that ‘ it is only those who have learnt the power of sincere  and selfless contribution that can actually experience deep joy  or fulfillment

    “I returned to the village and discussed with some members of the community as well as opinion leaders who identified various needs of which a primary health care centre was their most felt need.”

    Speaking on the source of funds for the project she said, “It was not easy getting funds, but I am grateful to God that today, we have commissioned this health post with facilities which includes a table, beds, and an examination couch, amongst others.”

    She is however not fulfilled yet, saying “Deep inside me, I feel my dream health post has not come true. Even after the commissioning of this place, I would still stand by the people of Gishiri community to ensure my dream health post for them comes true.”

    The NYSC State coordinator for the FCT, Abdul-Razak Salau commended her for looking out for the community in an era when the youths only search for how to satisfy their material needs.

    He said “She is the kind of person we should keep celebrating in Nigeria. If with nothing at least with N19, 800 per month and with that amount she is supposed to settle part of her accommodation, she is supposed to feed, transport herself and take care of her personal needs, out of it she still put something out.

    “Her kind are the set of people we are looking for in Nigeria, there are people that we would put forward to represent us anywhere because we know you are not selfish with your life.

    He appealed to the Abuja Municipal Area Council to complete the good work already started by helping the community with an access road to the health centre and look for channels to involve NYSC in projects for communities.

    The Medical Director, Dental Unit, Maitama Disitrict hospital, Dr. Adetoun Sotimehin expressed at the commissioning of the project and advised that Nigerians should help themselves and do what they can with what they have and not turn blind eyes to inadequacies.

    The Chief of youths in Gishiri community, Sunday Babuwa also appreciated the project as he said it would go a long way helping the community

  • Minister to INEC: make 2019 elections better

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has said that the credibility of the 2015 General Election has enhanced the image of Nigeria to the outside world and therefore should be improved upon.

    Bello stated this while receiving the Presidential Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reform led by its chairman, Senator Ken Nnamani in his office.

    He said that the election was largely made credible, because of the use of biometrics and card readers by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Minister therefore urged the Committee to look into strengthening the use of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in all subsequent elections in order to sustain the achievements.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister reiterated that the use of card reader in elections in Nigeria is a revolution that should be sustained, as it would go a long way in reducing the number of litigations after elections.

    He emphasised that Nigeria is ripe and Nigerians are now well educated and enlightened in the use of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in elections considering how the populace make use of mobile telephone in addition to internet data mostly for new media (social media).

    The Minister assured that the FCT Administration will support the Committee in doing its work to ensure that the subsequent electoral processes are fair and credible, and seen to be so.

    Bello appreciated the contributions of Senator Ken Nnamani to the country when he was the Senate President; saying that history will remember him for the role he played to ensure that democracy is sustained.

    The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reform, Senator Ken Nnamani commended the Minister for the effort of his Administration in completing abandoned projects across the 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory.

    He said that the Committee is in the FCT Administration to pay the Administration a visit as they were in Abuja to hold a National Public Hearing to collate more information from the residents before turning out an all-inclusive report to the government as well as bringing up relevant Bills for enactment by the National Assembly.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye and other top officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister in receiving the team.