The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Nyanya Park reopens, two years after blast

    Nyanya Park reopens, two years after blast

    Two years after terrorists bombed a popular bus terminal in the FCT, the facility comes alive again, reports GRACE OBIKE

    It was a sad day to remember. Residents of Abuja, on February 14, 2014 woke up to a loud bomb blast that killed over 120 people and left 200 injured. Two more blasts occurred simultaneously beside the park. It was as if the heavens were falling. People started running for safety not knowing if there would be another blast.

    Ever since the explosion, Nyanya Park, once famous for its activities, with vehicles ferrrying passengers from there to other parts of Abuja and states like Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, among others, became abandoned and eventually overgrown with weeds. It was a sudden end to a place that once boomed with trading activities. It was cordoned off against any form of vehicular and human movement.

    Now, it is coming alive.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration is trying to put the pains of the past behind it and move on in a part of town where severe traffic gridlock is the order of the day. The administration is working on ensuring the security of the abandoned park which has been out of commission since the bomb blast.

    Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammed Bello made the revelation in Abuja during an inspection visit to Nyanya Park. He said that the park affected by the bomb blast will be reopened to reduce the parking challenges along the Nyanya Road corridor, pending when the permanent Nyanya terminal is completed.

    Bello stated that in order to tackle the notorious traffic congestion along the Nyanya axis, the FCT administration will work assiduously to complete the multi-million-naira modern transport terminal, adding that the permanent Nyanya park is presently at 62% completion while also cautioning the staff of FCT on ensuring that all provisions are put into place before projects are conceived.

    He expressed displeasure over the commencement of the project without taking into account the construction of an access road to the new terminal. He wondered why such a gigantic project would have started without the award of contract for the construction of the necessary road network to connect motorists in and out of the terminal.

    The bus terminal which was stipulated to commence on February 26, 2015 and expected to be completed on May 25, 2015 is still on 62% completion. A certified amount advancement of N68,685,852.68 with a total amount paid of N49,384,812.68 and outstanding balance of N19,301,040.00 was paid and Bello has revealed that the rest of the project is expected to gulp a total sum of N628,265,998.63.

    He added that the development of the new Nyanya bus terminal was conceived by the FCT Administration to provide a secure and convenient facility with adequate services for use by commuters, sequel to the series of bombing at the old Nyanya Motor Park, which led to the loss of many lives.

    Bello therefore, reiterated that everything would be done within his power to ensure that the terminal is completed and made operational to not only tackle traffic congestion in that axis, but to also improve security of the motoring public.

    He said, “Since we are presently having parking challenges along the road corridor, we want to improve on the security situation of the park, we will be clearing the place for use pending when the permanent site is ready.

    “Part of the security that will be put in place will be erecting a perimeter fence, securing the access to the park and setting up CCTV cameras.

    “We will also open up the blocked road if we check and decide on how secured the place is because we have to take into account the vehicular movement in this area.”

    The construction work which began in the first quarter of 2015 is expected to provide arrival terminal building, departure terminal building, security block, Bank, Driver’s lodge, maintenance block, communication block and commercial block. Other structures under construction also include a church, a mosque, an administrative block as well as public conveniences.

     

  • Water supply: Solar plant to the rescue

    Water supply: Solar plant to the rescue

    A solar-powered plant will boost water supply and save millions of naira, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

    A SOLAR-POWERED  plant at the Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment facility in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will enhance water supply and save the country about N305 million.

    This will be a huge relief to residents of the nation’s capital who, especially those in the suburbs, search hard to find life’s most precious liquid.

    The Director, Renewable and Rural Power Access in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Adebisi Adebayo made, an engineer, announced the development while inspecting the introduction of clean energy by solar electricity generation system project at the plant.

    He said the project funded with a grant of 8.8 million dollars from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will on completion, be linked to the national grid, thereby reducing the cost of  power supply.

    He said the government is working to explore the solar energy in the North and hydro in the South as sources of clean energy in ensuring stable electricity supply in the country.

    His words: “There is a technical capacity going on whereby engineers from the ministry, from water board, from Abuja discos and some other engineers are being trained in the maintainance of this but we realised that this project is sited in the water board so the engineers here are well-trained so that they can take over to sustain the project.

    “The project is about 918 million Japanese yen. It will save Nigeria N305 million per year. In the day time you can be guaranteed constant power but in the night it may not be. It reduces the cost of electricity to this station in particular.

    “One of the things we have done in my department at the ministry is to have what we call (REMO), it means Renewable Energy Micro Greed Utility. It is a form of utility on its own that can be readily deployed to areas and villages that a far in the Remote Areas from the greed which in the next 20 years they may not have electricity.

    “But you can bring electricity to them by using powers that are below 1MW. Like this one new you can have it in some communities. 1 Mega Watts in a particular city or in a local government headquarters can solve the problem of that local Government.

    “We are also working on a method that you do not even need to go and print bills. You can recharge like your telephone with your handset and pay for your bill. It removes the human element and the issue on return on investment is now guaranteed.”

    The president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Shinichi Kitaoka while reiterating the commitment of the Japan to ensuring the stability and development of the Nigeria said the development of Africa is hinged on how fast Nigeria develops.

    “Without the development and stability of Nigeria it may be difficult to expect the development of Africa,” he said.

    He said clean energy is important and the location of project inside the water treatment plant is quite commendable, “this is a very good idea to have water treatment plant and power station in the same place.

    “Japan as a global power express sympathy for Nigeria and supports the country to ensure its stability and progress. The world is also more concerned about energy.

    “We are a rice production country and we have high technology of rice production. My first impression after inspecting here is that this is a very green area and Nigeria has great potential in agriculture and it is strange that Nigeria is importing rice. You could export rice with this weather. So we are hoping that we can cooperate more so that we can produce more rice and export rice.”

    The director of the FCT Water Board,  Hudu Bello said though the board has been supplying water regularly to the residents, the project when completed would augment the efficiency of the board.

    He said the board can now conserve energy and reduce the cost of buying diesel to power the water treatment plants.

    “It will guarantee continuous water supply,”he said.

  • Rail to generate huge revenue

    The ongoing rail transportation project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has the potential of fast-tracking growth in Abuja and generating huge revenues for government when it becomes operational, FCT Minister Malam Muhammed Bello has said.

    Bello expressed this optimism in his office, while receiving a delegation of Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF) led by its Technical Team Leader, Mr. Michael Mutter, who visited to make a presentation on public transportation in the territory.

    The Minister reiterated that the rail system, from the signaling, powering, managing the investments on the rail corridor and of course the various rail stations are all aspects of the system that are very significant in terms of investments with huge potential for revenue generation.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister specifically stated that the transit oriented development, which has the capacity to service over 1.5 million people daily along the eastern and western corridors of the FCT, including the feeder system along the Karshi/Nyanya axis, would play a very significant

    role in the city in the near and far future.

    His words: “It’s something that I find very interesting. We are talking of areas of almost 1.5 million people, if you look at the eastern and western corridors, including the feeder system and the Karshi Nyanya axis. I’m sure other feeder systems will also come in the areas not captured here”.

    The minister, who noted that the administration was working to avoid some of the pitfalls it encountered in the management of the bus system, said a lot of work has been done in the rail transportation policy with all the other related items captured in the draft paper that has been sent to the National Assembly.

    While appreciating the support the FCT Administration has been receiving from NIAF, the Minister assured that his Administration would support the International Donor Agency to achieve more results.

    He, however, called on NIAF to help in carrying out a study by giving attention to the Satellite Towns in terms of transportation to better the lives of residents dwelling in such areas.

    The Minister emphasized that his Administration intends to give priority attention to the provision of basic infrastructure in the Satellite Towns, considering the huge population resident in such places.

    He urged NIAF to take a closer look at the operations of the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company (AUMTCO) to give professional advises on how to improve their services, because efficient mass transportation is very significant to the smooth running of every municipality.

    Speaking further on the challenges facing the operation of Bus Rapid Transit system in the FCT, the Minister lamented that its maintenance has been quite stressful, owing to the quality of the buses as well their suitability for the terrain they are operating.

    “Even if the buses were up and doing, we’ve realized that the way the company is structured now, their revenue stream cannot pay for their expenses. So, these are the challenges that we are facing”, he added.

    “Especially on the Central Business District to Masaka corridor, I’ve read some reports from the FCT Engineering Department, from Federal Road Safety Commission as well as the Federal Ministry of Transportation; the general feeling is that the road as presently designed is not wide enough to meet up on the requirements of BRT operation. It’s not as wide as the 10 lanes that we have on the Kubwa and Airport Expressways. These are areas that people have raised concerns,” he stressed.

    “But, overall, I’m so pleased that we are relating and partnering with a very reputable organization like yours, with the full support of the UK AID and also the government of the United Kingdom. I’m happy that you consider the FCT as one of your best clients,” the minister remarked.

  • Ending cattle rustling

    They storm communities and villages armed with sophisticated weapons and usually on motorcycles. Some of the criminals use dane-guns and other locally-made weapons to kill, maim and rape their victims,  and steal cattle and other livestock.

    This was the hallmark of cattle rustlers in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Nassarawa, Benue, Plateau and other states.

    Initially, cattle rustling, which was carried out on a minor scale, was traced to the beginning of Boko Haram attacks and believed to be carried out to cater for the insurgents’ food needs.

    But it has gone haywire in the past few years as some people have claimed to have seen helicopters dropping attackers and their sophisticated weapons in the bushes mostly at nightfall.

    Apart from responses by the local security agencies, various vigilance groups also sprang up to check the trend in the communities. But they are recording less success.

    With obstacles placed in their way by the local authorities, the cattle rustlers were said to have scaled up their strategies and plans to include kidnapping.

    Kidnapping for ransom that was well known with the southern part of the country, became the order of the day in the North.

    It came to a head when an army colonel, who was kidnapped from Kaduna State, was found murdered.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, while linking cattle rustling to kidnapping in the North had said: “The culprits may have decided to go into kidnapping since they have been blocked from stealing cattle.

    “Instead of stealing cattle, the rustlers either kidnap a member of the herding family and demand ransom or send a letter asking for protection money, which is always huge,” he said.

    Most often, many victims of the attacks have pointed the finger of accusation at nomadic Fulani tribesmen.

    But the pan-Fulani socio-cultural group, the Meyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, have severally denied the involvement of its members in the killings and attacks.

    According to the group, the assailants only hide under Fulani garb to carry out the attacks.

    When cattle rustling and kidnapping became unbearable in the areas despite the efforts of the authorities, northern governors had to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to assist in bringing the attacks to an end.

    On behalf of the North, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai during the 21st Nigeria Economic Summit (NESG) in Abuja had said that the situation has become worrisome and one of the biggest threat to security in the North.

    Their appeal was said to have led to the creation of Operation Sharan Daji (Operation Sweeping of the Bush), a military task force mandated to end the incidents of ethnic killings, cattle rustlings and farmers-herdsmen conflicts.

    The Operation was claimed to have resulted in arrests of cattle rustlers, armed bandits, and recovery of stolen cattles and other livestocks, arms and ammunitions.

    While the incidences of cattle rusting were still being recorded in some communities with the Operation in force, President Buhari in Zamfara State last Wednesday, after witnessing a live Field Training Exercise to clear remnants of cattle rustlers and armed bandits in the area, believed that the military has what it takes to end the menace.

    He said: “I sympathise with the people of this area for the enormous losses they suffered as a result of the incessant activities of the insurgents and cattle rustlers whose actions have made farming, livestock management and other economic activities more difficult even in the face of the general economic challenges.

    “I am quite optimistic that the operations of the last few days will surely lead to the restoration of economic activities of surrounding communities bedevilled for some time now by the menace of cattle rustling and banditry. I therefore commend the Chief of Army Staff for this foresight and initiative and for mobilizing adequate resources to ensure precision in the conduct of the exercise. I also applaud the collaboration with sister services and other security agencies in order to degrade and decimate the miscreants.

    “I urge you to intensify and perfect current strategies, approaches, techniques and tactics towards curtailing all forms of lawlessness across the country.  It is quite gratifying to inspect the equipment displayed which showcased the robust capability of the Nigerian Army to ward off internal and external aggression against the nation. I am pleased at the dexterity, prowess and level of professionalism displayed by various components including the combat airborne jump by personnel of the Nigerian Army supported by the Nigerian Air Force.

    “I am quite confident that the Nigerian Armed Forces have been amply repositioned more than ever before to resolutely confront contemporary and emerging security challenges in the country.

    “The involvement of private partners in the defence sector especially in terms of provision of specialist equipment under the Public Private Partnership is a welcome development.” He stated

    Nigerians, will no doubt, heave sigh of relief when cattle rustling among other crimes are brought to an end in the country.

     

    No free money

    Nigerians and many communities and villages in the country have been told that it will no longer be business as usual.

    The communities that have abandoned their businesses and ways of life for money from oil over the years have been told to retrace their steps.

    The North, which was known for its cultivation of many agricultural produce and contributed greatly to the mainstay of the Nigerian economy in the 1960s, was neglected for oil exploration in the south.

    But the present realities and dwindling income from oil, which the Nigerian economy was largely dependent on for several years, have now made many Nigerians to believe that oil was rather a curse than blessing to the country.

    It went a long way to change the attitude and way of lives of Nigerians, especially in the villages and communities who decided to wait for free money from Abuja rather than till the land.

    President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday in Wanke under Gusau Local Government area of Zamfara state told Nigerians not to wait for such free money again.

    Buhari declared: “There is no easy money to throw around, we must go back to farming, livestock rearing so that we could develop the industries. We must put our hands on deck to ensure success of our mission in engineering Nigeria.

    “If efforts were made in the past to diversify the economy from our absolute reliance on a single commodity, we would not have found ourselves in our current situation.”

    Going back to agriculture and solid minerals he insisted will create employment, lead Nigeria out of the woods and return the country to path of growth and greatness.

     

  • Minister hails $15m Korea model school

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello has praised the 15 million USD Korea Model School being built along Airport Road, Abuja via bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Korean government.

    The Minister who spoke in his office while receiving a delegation from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) led by the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Noh Kyu-duk, said it is the largest bilateral project between the two countries.

    Malam Bello noted that the school when completed would serve as a landmark and would strengthen existing a cordial relationship between Nigeria and Korea.

    While assuring that his administration would strive to provide the counterpart fund as at and when due, the Minister said that the FCT Administration would give all the necessary support to make the project successful.

    Malam Bello also praised KOICA for the intended capacity building programme planned for the would-be teachers in that school; saying that would surely create quality managers whose by-products would positively impact on the development of the country in the future by the time the school comes on stream in 2018.

    The Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration was working at creating a special unit in his office that would communicate directly with all the multilateral agencies and countries that are doing projects on joint venture with the FCT Administration to smoothen their operations.

    While noting that the geometric rise in Abuja’s population was posing serious challenges in the areas of managing the city’s traffic movements, waste disposal and electricity generation, the Minister said the Korean government could consider the possibility of investing in these areas to deepen its relationship with Nigeria.

    According to the Minister, “electricity supply is a huge challenge and we need it for basic security issues like the street lights in the night, traffic lights for interchanges as well as the hospitals and so many other areas.”

    “I can assure you that any project that any of the Korean companies is interested to do in Abuja to provide power, we are equally interested because power is needed now more than ever in the city for all the public facilities, we get the power from the national grid and it’s not enough.”

    Speaking on public transportation in FCT, the Minister said running the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has been quite a challenge as substantial numbers of the huge fleet of buses in the system were down and non-functional.

    “We are thinking that if we can get the company that is very experienced in managing urban mass transit system that uses buses, they may want to come in and we can go into partnership,” he stressed.

    His words: “We own the bus company but if we get serious investors, we can reduce the percentage of ownership because what we are interested is not to make money out of the business, but to improve the movement of the people within the city.”

    Speaking earlier, the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Noh Kyu-duk said the Korean Government would build certain parts of the Model School, while the FCT Administration will handle other parts.

    Mr. Kyu-duk said the programme is so unique in a way that it would serve as landmark in educational sector between Nigeria and the Korean Republic.

    The Ambassador recalled that the electricity situation in the FCT was much better some 20 years ago when KOICA first came to Abuja, but regretted that the agency is now running on generators at present to sustain its activities.

    “Some of the Korean companies have good experience and technology to build this kind of power plant if the opportunity could be given to us,” he added.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye and other top officials of the FCT Administration also joined the Minister to receive the Korean delegation.

     

  • A feast dampened by cash crunch

    A feast dampened by cash crunch

    Residents who wanted to celebrate Sallah outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were held back by cash constraints, reports GRACE OBIKE

    They wanted to celebrate the end of the Ramadan fast in their hometowns in the Northeast. Boko Haram is on the back foot, and it would have been a great idea to see their homes again and relish the return of peace there. It was not to be. Money was such a big obstacle that much as they wanted to travel for the feast, they could not. People travelling to other parts of the country during the period had similar challenges.

    Usually, Abuja is empty during the holidays and full again thereafter. But in the past few years, more people have been streaming into the city from the Northeast and other parts terrorised by the Islamist sect. However, with the weakening of the group, life is returning to the northern flank, with residents celebrating the Eid el-Fitri in peace. That was why many Abuja residents, especially those who hail from the region, wanted to travel home for the feast. Cash crunch stood in their way.

    Most motor parks in Abuja lacked the level of activities that were always associated with them during the holidays. The Utako motor park is an example. From there, people travel to virtually every part of the country. But during the Sallah holiday, it was a shadow of itself. Drivers complained of low patronage, while those who were bent on travelling, pleaded for fares so low the transporters could not accept.

    Secretary, Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Utako branch, Isaac Ishola explained that this year’s turn up of travellers was low because the economy is affecting everyone.

    “We definitely had the lowest turn-up of passengers this year; the present economy is affecting everyone mostly, we the drivers with the current fuel hike and the fact that we don’t have passengers travelling; it is making us suffer.

    “The problem with this country is that our leaders are always in a hurry to create laws that do not favour the poor man. They need to learn to implement such ideas gradually because the way they are presently going about things, they are simply increasing the hardship of Nigerians,” he said.

    Saadu Abubakar, a driver that plies Abuja to Jos route complained bitterly of how the lack of passengers was making them idle away at the park instead of working.

    “During this time last year, I would travel to Jos, return and go back for another trip before the day ends but now, I will be lucky if I can get enough passengers to make a trip.” he lamented. “There are no passengers this year. If you had come here last year, you will not meet any vehicle at the park at this time of the day but look at it, the car is filled with vehicles in the park with no passengers and no money.”

    A shop owner at the park, James Julius, who also attributed the low volume of passengers to the economic downturn, said that most passengers now prefer standing on the road and waiting for vehicles which they believe are cheaper than going into the parks where they are required to pay more.

    He said, “People are complaining of money, transport fare was not increased, it has not been increased since the last hike that followed the fuel price increase but drivers in this park are complaining of no passengers; they complain that when they go to some of these states, they don’t get passengers to drive back with and end up coming back empty.

    “One of our drivers that went to Sokoto for the last three days is not yet back because no passengers and most of the passengers that come here spend time begging for a reduction in the fare that is not even enough in the first place.”

    One of the passengers travelling to Zamfara, Isa Yusuf, complained of being at the park for hours due to lack of passengers.

    “I have been here since morning; there are no passengers and these drivers will not move until the car is filled up. I came to the park early so that I can arrive Zamfara early but now I might end up arriving home late due to the delay.”

    Most of the Eid observers that stayed back to celebrate the holiday in Abuja decided to take take their families out to most of the parks around town. The Jabi Lake Park, for instance, was packed with families and traders on hand to take advantage of the huge stream of people. Children had a field day playing the available games and some with money took fun trips on the boat rides around the lake.

    Activities at the Monalisa Amusement Park, Millennium Parks, Magic Land Amusement Park, the zoo, shopping malls and cinemas around town were jammed with families trying to give their children a good time.

    A parent of three having a picnic at the Jabi lake with her family, Aisha Mustapha explained that they could not travel for the holidays but decided to take the children out to make up for it.

    “Things are difficult, and these days, we can’t all do most of the things we usually did like travelling back and forth for the holidays, so we brought the children out to have fun and enjoy themselves.”

     

  • Buhari and the less privileged

    The bond between President Muhammadu Buhari and the masses appears to be growing.

    Determined to make the state resources accessible to the less privileged in the society, Buhari at every given opportunity had blamed the elite for the woes the country is going through, which resulted from many years of mismanagement and corruption from one administration to the other.

    He is so endeared to the masses that they did not only stood solidly behind him in the period leading to the 2015 Presidential election, which he won, but have also continued to make sacrifices in the last one year as Buhari and his team strove to revamp the already battered economy.

    If not for the trust and love the masses have for Buhari, hell, for instance, would have been let loose with the increase of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also called petrol, from N87 to N145 in May, 2016.

    Organised protests championed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with the support of the masses have shut down some past administrations, which attempted to implement a slight increase in the pump price of petrol.

    In most cases, those administrations were forced to reduce the pump price down to an agreeable price to all the stakeholders.

    But the move by the NLC to organize protest against the increase in pump price in May was not effective partly because the masses believed in Buhari’s administration’s genuine intention to rebuild Nigeria.

    Beside the vital role they played in Buhari’s victory at the polls against a sitting ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, the masses and the less privileged, no doubt, have continued to see the current administration as theirs.

    They were however not disappointed by President Buhari last week Monday as a cross section of the less privileged in the society including taxi drivers, hair dressers, traders, motorcycle riders, barbers, transport workers, butchers, tailors, Keke NAPEP riders, junior staff of the campaign office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were hosted at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Theirs was the last of the series of breaking of fast dinner President Buhari had with various groups during the just concluded Ramadan fasting period.

    Like saving the best for last, the dinner with the less privileged Nigerians witnessed many memorable aspects that the invitees won’t forget in a hurry.

    The dinner with the less-privileged was also different in many ways from other breaking of fast dinners Buhari had with other groups.

    While dinners for other groups  were held in the less spacious new Banquet Hall of the State House or the President’s residence, the dinner for the less privileged was held in the largest hall in the State House, the old Banquet Hall.

    The choice of the hall was a result of the large number of the less privileged persons invited for the dinner, which was about 300 in number.

    Unlike the dinner for other groups, President Buhari during the dinner for the less privileged momentarily assumed the role of a steward.

    After observing the necessary Muslim prayer preceding breaking of fast with the less privileged invitees and at the end of rendition of the opening national anthem in the hall, Buhari took over a food serving point in the hall from the State House stewards.

    Holding a giant food serving spoon, Buhari stood behind trays of variety of food and personally served the physically-challenged invitees their choices of food for the night.

    The privilege of being served their meals by the number one citizen was cherished and appreciated by the invitees.

    The action will, no doubt, remain in their memories for a long time to come.

    Appreciating Mr. President’s love and care to the less privileged in the society, one of the disabled invitees, Musbahu Lawal Didi, who gave the vote of thanks during the dinner, reechoed the feelings of the invitees in the hall.

    He said: “Mr. President, thank you very much for giving us this opportunity and for serving us what we used to break our fast today. I believe what I will say to the President and this government is merely appreciation.

    “As person with disability, in the history of Nigeria, it is only President Muhammadu Buhari that has appointed persons with disability as his Senior Special Assistant.

    “Because he believes we are important in the society, he also added another appointment. We really appreciate Mr. President and that really shows your concern for us people with disabilities. I believe this government is working hard to ensure improvement of welfare and security of Nigerians.

    Replying, Buhari said: “I assure you that the leadership of this country is conscious of you. I’m being told that more has to be done.

    “Be mindful that we care about you on daily basis. We will try to improve health services so you will spend less time looking for medical care. This government is concerned about your welfare and will work hard to improve it.”

     

    Homage

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday received the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents on Eid-el-Titr Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was the first time Buhari was receiving the Muslim community on Sallah homage under the current dispensation.

    The President was not able to receive the Muslim community during the Eid-el-Kabir festival in September, 2015 as he spent the period in his home town of Daura in Katsina State.

    But since then, he has received the Christian community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during the Christmas homage last December.

    Being the first for Muslims, the excitement of the occasion was very obvious on the faces of members of the delegation last Wednesday.

    Dressed in their beautiful attires, some of them accompanied the President to the praying ground around 9a.m before the homage.

    Back from the praying ground, they were joined at the President’s residence by other Muslims and non-Muslims from the FCT.

    The President’s sitting room was filled beyond capacity while many who could not find space or came late for the function had to wait outside for the homage to end.

    Those who were able to gain entrance to the President’s residence were entertained with light refreshment.

    At the end of the homage, they also took turn to pose, one after the other, for photographs with the President and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as they filed out of the President’s residence.

    This will also remain in the memories of some of the delegation members for some time to come.

  • Streetlight contractors told to sit up

    Streetlight contractors told to sit up

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has warned contractors handling the maintenance of streetlights to sit up or have their contracts terminated.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello gave the warning during an emergency meeting with the contractors.

    Represented by the Acting Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Hajiya Safiya Umar, the minister reiterated that the FCT Administration would not condone any further lackadaisical attitude from the contractors as they either perform or face outright termination of their contracts, adding that it is no longer business as usual.

    Bello in a statement issued by the Deputy Director cum Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule said: “All streetlight contractors in the Federal Capital City must brace to the terms of their contractors of illuminating the city especially the major streets or face termination.”

    According to him, the FCT Administration is not in default of any of their payments as it has met all its contractual agreement, and therefore expects the contractors to be up and doing to fulfill their own obligation.

    “Our payments are up to date and therefore we expect effective service as no street in any part of the city should be in darkness, when there is electricity supply by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company,” he emphasized.

    Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has written official warning letters to all the contractors to show the seriousness it attaches to the efficient functioning of streetlights in the city.

    A meeting was also held with the supervising officers in the Department of Facility Management and Maintenance to warn them of the consequences of not effectively supervising the contractors.

  • IDPs learn entrepreneurial skills

    IDPs learn entrepreneurial skills

    Knowing that handouts from the public are not enough, internally displaced persons have embraced skills acquisition, GRACE OBIKE reports

    Give a man a fish, as they say, and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and you feed for a lifetime. At a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Abuja, this Chinese proverb has a literal meaning.

    The IDPs depend largely on charity, but even as they cherish every handout, they still lack most of life’s basic necessities.

    Things are changing. The truth of the Chinese saying is sinking in, and the IDPs have started learning trades in order to be able to support themselves. And they are doing quite well.

    Some well-meaning entrrepreneurs have dedicated  their time and knowledge to  training the displaced persons to be self-reliant.

    The government of the Federal Capital Territory says the displaced camps are in the wrong places, meaning it is not obliged to take care of them. This attitude inspired a lot of Nigerians to take up the responsibility of giving to the displaced out of the little they have which has so far been sustaining them but some residents in some cases have gone a step further in providing education, health facilities and empowerment programmes to the IDPs. One of such organisations, the Life Builders Initiatives formed by a couple, has erected structures in Durumi and presently teaches over 1000 children. The organisation also feed the IDPs  ones a day.

    Whereas most of their parents, especially mothers, have nothing to do, a few people have taken to training the mothers as well. Recently, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) empowered 43 women in different skills ranging from bead-making, soap making, making of hand wash, bags, flower vases and a lot more.

    The training which took place at the Maria Centre Abuja, located around the Durumi camp was coordinated by Rev. Sis. Anne Falola who explained that she had always visited the camps to provide them with relief materials but she felt that they should not simply be reduced to simply relying on people’s hands out.

    She said, “I was coming to the camp like every other person to give food and clothing but I felt that no human being should be reduced to just handouts, I feel that these people’s lives have been disrupted, their normal way of livelihood, they have lost everything in the crises and felt they should be re-equipped to face life so that the time that they are in transition and away from home can be put into a useful purpose.

    “Each time we spoke with government agencies about them, they always told us that this was a temporary thing, that we should not invest too much on them and I feel that is not right because every human life is precious. I feel that where we need to invest in our country is not in buildings but in persons; that is our greatest resources, so all this put together made me say that the little people gave to me for my birthday, let me divert it to use. I saw how downcast the women where and decided to give them a space to play and talk which brings healing in itself and in the process learn something that they will not need a lot of money to invest in, many of them are very happy because it is useful for them, it takes their minds away from being depressed now they see that they can do things, sell and make money.

    “Today 43 women graduated after three months and we were able to give a small start-up for 11, others are waiting and we want to give to all of them, with as little as N20,000 we can put something beautiful for them.

    “My dream will be that in all the suburbs, there should be empowerment centres because we don’t look at the potentials in people in this country, we look at people as problems which is a mistake, the women where really surprised when they made their first purses, they never believed it was possible before then, I have seen people from other countries come here today to say that they can actually take the items home and tell people that they bought in from Nigeria. In all the suburbs where joblessness is the daily song of people, where depression is bitting hard and people are unable to think because they don’t see a future, people need to learn to start little things, different handwork, this was how Indonesian shops where developed and now they supply to chain stores in Europe, there are wasted spaces everywhere in this country, even a little poultry will bring down the price of chicken in the market, we need to learn to stop importing stupid things in the name of joblessness, we do not actually need big money to start a lot of things.”

    Coordinator Governmental and Public Relations of the IDP camp in Area 1, Idris Ibrahim Halilu, explained that even though they appreciate being provided with food and clothing items, they will love to be self-reliant.

    He said, “The sisters of the Ladies of Apostles contacted us that they wanted to organise a skills acquisition training for our wives, widows, sisters and we welcomed the idea, we spoke with our people and got the number required to register and I had the privilege of being the translator and it has been a success story so far.

    “This is an opportunity for our women to acquire skills to enable them become self-employed and trainers to other, so they can be a relief to the society instead of depending on NGOs, individuals and the government to come to feed us, with something to do, for instance, if she is a widow, she can make use of her skills to take care of her children, which is good because the men are equally being trained because when a man gives you food, it is just for a day but being thought skills is being given food for life. If you bring a hundred thousand trailers of food, it will finish but these skills will always remain and can be imparted to others and the impact is on the larger society.

    “When they return home, this is what will sustain them and they will be eager to teach others, as we train them.”

    Executive Secretary of Caritas Nigeria, a relief and development agency of the Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, added that the problem with the country is that, unemployment and the level of hardship in the country makes it difficult for a lot of people who would have ordinarily want to help the needy in their midst, to help because people with jobs in a family have a lot of dependants which makes it difficult for a lot of people to make much to give after providing for their families.

    His said, “We have supported the project financially and in terms of guidance, we have made substantial donations like the container with toilet facilities, sewing machines for the women etc.

    “The philanthropic culture in Nigeria is very poor, many Nigerians give so that their names can be mentioned, they give when it is relatives but to give not knowing where it will be used is poor here it is something we have to work on but it could be linked to poverty, when one has employment or a means, he has lots of dependence, so before he can take care of these dependents and reach out to people outside the circle is challenging, there is a lot of extended family and community dependency, it’s probably the reason and not that we are not generous but there are still people that can reach out and help those in need.”

    One of the beneficiaries, 17-year-old Fatima Ali from Gambarongala Local Government, who appreciated the opportunity, stated that she now believes that she has something that she can one day use to take care of not only herself but family.

    “I decided to learn because it can be a way of taking care of myself in future; if I don’t have anything doing, with this I can work for myself and get enough money to pay my bills instead of depending on anyone, with this I can become a businesswoman who can afford to take care of her family; it took me five months, now I can make bags, belts, flower vase, ear rings, bangles, key holders and lots more.”

    Another beneficiary, mother of five, 27-year-old Mariam Isah, said that she now believes that what she learnt will keep her going.

    “I learnt to make bags, soap, hand wash, vase and a lot more, they thought us a lot of skills, formerly we used to just sit at home doing nothing but now we can confidently call ourselves business women, now when I return home, I have a craft to keep me going, I have a business to use in taking care of my children.”

     

  • Time for peace

    For months, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other aggrieved militants have sustained their attack on oil and gas pipelines and other facilities in the Niger Delta.

    The fresh attacks have not only destroyed infrastructures in the region, but have been having negative impacts on the country as a whole and the region in particular.

    They have resulted in a sharp reduction in Nigeria’s oil production, which in turn, further decreased its incomes from sales of the product in the face of the falling prices of oil in the international market.

    The hostility, apart from making existing foreign investors and workers in the area to flee the region and in some cases, Nigeria, for safety, the destructions and war-like atmosphere are also scaring away new prospective foreign investors.

    Power outage has become a normal occurrence in most states of the Federation in the past few weeks as gas scarcity, which was caused by the bombings, was hindering power generation.

    Not only power outage alone, they have also indirectly worsen water supply in some states as equipment could not be powered.

    Many businesses outside the region, which are mainly dependent on electricity supply have also been badly affected.

    But the negative impacts of the pipelines bombing seemed to be more in the Niger Delta area itself.

    Peace has eluded the region as there are now threats to lives and properties.

    The attacks are also already creating humanitarian crisis in the region with thousands of refugees displaced from their communities.

    There is increased health hazard from the bombings, thereby compounding the effect of the oil spillages in the Niger Delta region over the years, which have been estimated to take up to 50 years to clean up.

    Fishing and other businesses in the region are also not having the best of times with the renewed hostilities.

    The destroyed facilities and installations will also cost billions of naira to repair, thereby wasting the money that could have been utilized for development and other meaningful purposes.

    As a concerned father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari has used almost every available opportunity in the last one week to appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other groups to stop the destructions and allow peace to reign.

    He severally made reference to the attacks during his breaking of fast with various groups at the Presidential Villa.

    During breaking of the fast with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership at the State House, Buhari said: “Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the militants themselves should plead with them in the name of God ýAlmighty to take it easy.

    “We need to stabilise to create employment, we need to stabilise the economy etc. I agonize over these things,” he said.

    The President has not only promised his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the region but has also given assurance to ensure the amnesty programme is continued with.

    Receiving a delegation of Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group, led by His Royal Highness, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, at State House, Abuja last Thursday, Buhari said that the gazette on the Niger Delta amnesty programme by the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration is being studied to determine what had been fulfilled, promising that whatever is left would equally be addressed.

    “I want to get as much intelligence as possible on the situation in the Niger Delta. I have encouraged law enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you in order to have enough information to deal with the issues once and for all, “the President said.

    It is hoped that the militants would really allow peace to reign now and not allow themselves, as being alleged in some quarters, to be used by any person(s) to achieve any ulterior motives.

    Peace in the area will not only ensure the well-being of the nation as a whole, but it will stop the health hazard risks from the bombings and fast-track development in the region.

     

    Saraki and the cabal

    What began as a rumour two weeks ago bordering on the relationship between the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Presidency, became a reality last week.

    There is no doubt now that a wider crack exists between Saraki and the seat of power.

    Some Nigerians became alarmed two weeks ago when news filtered in that a scheduled breaking of fast dinner by President Muhammadu Buhari for National Assembly leadership, led by Saraki, has been called off.

    The Saraki camp saw no reason to attend such a dinner when the following Monday they will be tried in court by the State for forgery of the Senate standing rules.

    The rumour and tension that arose then was doused by a statement from the Presidency stating that the breaking of fast dinner with the lawmakers was not cancelled but postponed till a later date.

    It succeeded in showing that there was no rift between the two arms of government.

    But that did not last long, as Saraki last Monday showed that there was a real crack between the two arms of government, alleging that the Presidency has been hijacked by a cabal.

    The Presidency wasted no time to challenge him on the same day to name those that belong to the cabal.

    It is however very important for the polity not to be heated up as the man on the street will be at the receiving end like the grasses that suffer when two elephants fight.

    There is no doubt that the allegation of a cabal went too far especially when there are no names and evidence to back it up.