The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • NTA D-G urges youths to embrace technology

    NTA D-G urges youths to embrace technology

    The acting Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Alhaji Musa Mayaki has urged youths to take technology seriously, explaining that a nation without it is dead.

    The DG stated this at the Children’s Exhibition of Science and Technology (Expo 2012)  in Abuja.

    He said: “We want to bring technology to the forefront because Nigeria without technology is as if we are dead. There is nothing anybody can do over that; we are dead.

    ”So, we have to support these children who are coming up with these great ideas for the country.”

    This year’s exhibition was tagged ‘Power and Energy Generation for Sustainable Development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.’

    The DG who explained that the theme is worth exploring, as it begs for solution said, “our children are here drawn from all over the country to proffer what they know that could best lead us out of the doldrums of unsustainable power and energy generation not only in the sphere of small and medium scale enterprises but the Nigerian Economy as a whole.

    While commending the effort of the children, Alhaji Mayaki said: “They have made us proud with the exposition here and we must encourage them in the trajectory of educational development they have chosen.”

    He further said: “ It would have been much more pleasurable to me and our great nation if mentors could emerge within the polity to divest the pathway of their development effort and make it devoid of limitations that could make the Nigerian nation follow an untoward direction in degrading the incidence of unsustainable power and energy generation.

    “I have said it before that maybe we are going to invite the President himself and it will then be a national event because once the president comes once, we will have it globalised and nationalised.”

    The General Manager NTA-ETV, Lloyd Okoko decried the negative effect unsustainable power has had on sectors of the economy.

    He said: “There is need for the developing nations like ours to approximate the concept of appropriate technology, in the bid to degrade the unsustainable status of power and energy generation efforts which as corollary negatively affects sustainable development in all the discernable sectors of our economy”.

  • Residents warned against building on green areas

    Residents warned against building on green areas

    Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been warned against building on designated green areas, flood plains and disaster-prone areas to avert the damaging effects of global warming.

    The Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, gave the warning in Abuja at the launch of 2012 FCT Tree planting campaign in Ushafa, Bwari Area council. The theme was: Planting, a solution of global warming. She stressed the need for aggressive sensitisation on tree planting as the only natural solution to the menace of global warming.

    In maintaining ecological balance, Akinjide noted that the FCT Agric and Rural Development Secretariat in July this year freely distributed assorted seedlings of different species to the Young Forester Club in 20 schools and colleges which were planted in schools as part of measures to raise the FCT vegetation cover.

    In ensuring a secure and safe environment in the city, the minister said that the administration inaugurated a committee on the September 13 this year to check the menace of deforestation in the federal capital

    “Tree planting is a continuous and daily exercise if we are to make any meaningful impact in curbing the menace of environmental degradation. I urged all FCT residents and visitors to imbibe the culture of planting trees especially around their homes”, Akinjide urged

    In her welcome address, the Secretary Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Olvadi Bema Madayi, said that in a bid to sustain tree planting programme in FCT, the forestry Unit has established three forest nurseries in Bako, Kwali Area Council, Karshi in Municipal Area Council and Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

    The secretary added that the assorted seedlings raised in these nurseries are distributed free to FCT residents, religious organisations and various non-governmental organisations.

    “I enjoin everyone of us to imbibe the healthy habit of planting, at least five trees whenever we remove one, the habit will not only beautify our environment but will save the environment from the evil of deforestation,” Madayi added.

     

  • FCT secretariat seeks more funds

    The Secretary for Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Blessing Onuh, has appealed for more funds in the 2013 budget of the FCTA budget to execute its projects.

    Onuh, who made the appeal while receiving the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight Function to her secretariat, said lack of funds stalled some of its project in 2012.

    The House of Representative members praised the Federal Capital Territory Social Development Secretariat over what it described as proper budget implementation and its people-oriented programmes.

    The Chairman, House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Auxilliary Matters, Hon. Kamisu Melantariki said the Social Development Secretariat has performed well in several areas that touch life of ordinary people in the FCT Area Councils such as women, youths and vulnerable children.

    He, however, charged the secretariat to do more, saying that records are meant to be broken.

    Also speaking during the oversight visit, a member of the committee, Hon. Adenekan Taiwo urged the secretariat to upgrade the FCT Museum at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Art and Culture to international standard to attract both local and foreign tourists.

     

  • Anti-tobacco committee urged to enforce law

    Anti-tobacco committee urged to enforce law

    The Ministerial Committee on the Ban on Public Smoking in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been urged to enforce the law.

    This was the position of chairmen of the six area councils of the FCT at the 2012 Stakeholders’ Forum on the ban on tobacco smoking in public places in the FCT, held in Abuja.

    Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, Kuje Area Council chairman, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin, said if erring smokers are arrested and prosecuted, it would deter others from engaging in the act.

    “The committees should start enforcing the ban on non-smoking in the public places and if some are arrested and prosecuted, it will now serve as deterrent to others. The media also has a lot to do in carrying across this message,” he said.

    He condemned the act saying, “one doesn’t need to be told that tobacco smoking is dangerous to his or her health. If you feel it is necessary to smoke, don’t cause any hazards to those who don’t want to smoke. You have to find a hideout where you can do that”.

    He advised students from various schools in the FCT who attended the meeting to shun tobacco smoking to avoid the unpleasant effect to their health.

    “Don’t even go into it at all because it has nothing to contribute to your health, so why should you go into it in the first place?” he asked.

    He also charged them to take the message to their friends, just as he pledged the commitment of council chairmen to sustain the campaign in their domains.

    In her welcome address, the Secretary, Social Development Secretariat of the FCT, Mrs Blessing Onuh said the forum was part of the strategy of the FCT administration to consolidate and strengthen the campaign against cigarette smoking in public places within the FCT.

    She said the forum was to enable “us to put heads together to see how best to reduce the use of tobacco to its barest minimum in the FCT”.

    According to her, the secretariat has been able to sustain its enlightenment campaigns through the sponsorship of TV and radio campaigns.

    “Since the start of this campaign in 2008, it has yielded positive results most especially in the city centres where our activities are focused.

    “We have equally continued to interface with relevant stakeholders with a view to forging an effective synergy in the campaign. Perhaps one of our greatest successes is in reaching out to youths at the secondary school level,” she said.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of hotel owners, restaurant operators, night club sponsors, parks operators, transport workers, airport management, schools, security and other law enforcement agencies.

  • Of secret visit and cash splash

    Of secret visit and cash splash

    Last week, the secrecy surrounding the health of the nation’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was still an issue, but the Presidency seemed determined to manage it the best it knew how.

    President Goodluck Jonathan hopped off to Germany unannounced penultimate Saturday and returned to the country the following day, catching everyone off guard, only for the footage to be aired on the National Television Authority (NTA).

    The Nation Saturday had exclusively reported the uncertainty over the return date of the First Lady in spite of the fact that she was said to be responding to treatment.

    A Presidency source had, however, said the First Lady would likely remain in Germany for now so that she can fully recover before returning home.

    The source explained that the thinking in government circle is that once she returns to the country, she might start work immediately, denying herself the needed rest.

    The week also took precedence over all other issues. It was so serious that the regularly weekly Federal Executive Council was relegated to the background, giving way to the submission of the 2013 proposed spending to the National Assembly. Presidency had proposed to spend N4.92 trillion in the coming year.

    The budget proposal which is tagged “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation with Inclusive Growth” is premised on oil production of 2.53 million barrels per day, up from 2.48 million barrels per day for 2012.

    By the way, this is the first time in the recent years that the budget estimate is getting to the National Assembly on time. Though this does not guarantee early implementation, as it would likely be held up by the usual disagreement over what was submitted and what was passed and the usual jack-up of figures. Already, signs of dispute are already looming. A day before the presentation of the budget, the House of Representatives has pegged crude oil price benchmark at $80 per barrel as against Presidency’s proposed $75.

    The Presidency had argued that the benchmark price was based on a well- established econometric methodology of estimating oil price moving averages.

    The 2013 budget of N4.92trillion represent a modest increase of about five per cent over the N4.7 trillion appropriated for 2012.

    This is made up of N380.02 billion for Statutory Transfers, N591.76 billion for Debt Service, N2.41 trillion for Recurrent (Non-Debt) Expenditure and N1.54 trillion for Capital Expenditure. The capital expenditure represents about 31 per cent of the total budget.

    More so, projected gross federally-collectible revenue is projected at N10.84 trillion, of which the total revenue available for the Federal Government’s Budget is put at N3.89 trillion, representing an increase of about nine per cent over the estimate for 2012.

    Besides, government is expected to raise additional $1billion from the proposed infrastructure Euro Bond, apart from other grants and soft credits critical to infrastructure and other sectors in our medium-term external borrowing plan.

    Some key allocations are as follows: Works – N183.5 billion; Power – N74.26 billion; Education – N426.53 billion; Health – N279.23 billion;

    Defence – N348.91 billion; Police – N319.65 billion; and Agriculture and Rural Development – N81.41 billion.

    It was also a week the President showed compassion to victims of flood in some parts of the country. Apart from visiting some of the affected states, the President, in a national broadcast, announced the donation of the sum of N17.6 billion to states affected by flood and federal agencies to assist them in cushioning the effect of the flood disaster on the victims.

    However, an insight into why the President had to announce the donation of N17.6 billion on a national broadcast instead of through a mere press statement by his media aide showed the level of worries in the Presidency over the dare consequences on the people by the time the water recedes with about 25 per cent of the population being affected. Most of them are now sheltered in makeshift camps.

    Besides, the President also feared that the unfortunate situation will have adverse effects on agricultural production, hence the fear of food scarcity.

    Be that as it may, the President, however, assured that he would not allow those displaced to stay in camps longer than expected. He assured that efforts would be made towards resettling them in their communities once the waters recede.

    The breakdown of the Presidency’s largesse to the flooded states shows that N13.3billion of the sum will go to affected states while N4.3 billion will go to Federal Government agencies.

    The affected states were categorised into four groups based on the present assessment. Category A states will receive N500 million each, category B states, N400 million each, category C states N300 million each and category D states N250 million each.

    The President, who had turned down the advice of the National Assembly to table before it a supplementary budget asking for money to address the flood disasters in the country, also set up a 34 member National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation to raise fund.

    The committee, which was inaugurated on Wednesday, immediately hit the ground running, even as it promised to source at least N100 billion.

    The President also charged the Agriculture Transformation Implementation Council to provide plans to address the impact of flood on agriculture production in the country.

    The week was also a week of inauguration as the President inaugurated the board of the Sovereign Wealth Fund. The Board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is headed by Mahey Rasheed, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

     

  • Car theft worries National Assembly

    Car theft worries National Assembly

    Cases of car theft at the National Assembly car park are assuming a disturbing dimension.

    Security operatives attached to the park are having a tough time keeping thieves away.

    According to findings, an average of a car is stolen daily at the second car park of the Assembly complex. Due to the closure of access roads to the main complex by visitors and some categories of staff of the National Assembly, the two car parks have become grossly inadequate for the barrage of visitors that storm the complex everyday.

    Prior to the deployment of police to the second car park, staff and visitors that used the park.

    According to a security operative who pleaded anonymity, a new twist has been introduced to the crime. He said the new tactics employed by the rogues have made it difficult to stop the theft.

    “These days we have to practically go round the park looking for anyone that is staying back in the cars while the passengers have alighted. The new tactic employed by the thieves is to stay back in the car pretending that they are drivers waiting for their ogas to finish with the business they came here for. We, however, discovered that was not the case in some cases because some of these people have other motives. What they do is that they will stay back pretending to be waiting for their oga but after confirming that the owners of other parked cars have left and no one was looking, with the assistance of another accomplice, they will now begin to unlock their chosen vehicle and if successful, bolt away with it. As I am talking to you, we have caught many of them; in fact, last week, one was seen battling with a car door but before we got there, his accomplice gave him a sign and he escaped.”

    The operative however expressed concern over the inability of the security personnel attached to the park in arresting the situation, saying, most car owners are responsible for the helpless situation the security operatives found themselves in. “We have been trying to discourage people from staying back in the cars, we have to practically move round the park to tell them but some of them are always flexing muscles. They were always quick to tell us that they are the owners and not drivers and that when they finish with what they are doing, they will alight. But this is not right because it leaves us with no option than to leave them and watch from distance but how many cars are we going to attend to in that way with the size of the park”.

    While he appealed to car owners to assist the security operatives by not staying back in their vehicles, the officer pleaded with the Assembly management to consider paving the park. He also enlisted the cooperation of member sof the public.

    “The public has to help us, else cars will continue to miss, which will put a question mark on our presence here. I also want the management to think about making this park decent. With the way it is, it does not project a good image for this institution. Julius Berger is the main contractor here, they even have a yard right here; the management can ask the company to pave the park as part of its corporate social responsibility. It cannot be a big task for Julius Berger or the management. Better still, the management can award the contract. This park is just not decent. When it rains, both cars and their owners are always in trouble, and during the dry season, it’s dust all over everybody. I am sure, they can do it if they really want to assist,” he added.

  • FCTA to build abattoir in Tungan Maje

    FCTA to build abattoir in Tungan Maje

    In addition to the just-completed veterinary clinics, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled plans to construct an ultra-modern Abuja Central Abattoir in Tungan Maje area of Gwagwalada Area Council.

    The construction of the abattoir became imperative in order to ensure that the FCT residents consume beef prepared in hygienic environment.

    Speaking at the 2012 Professional Continuing Education Seminar organised by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria in Abuja, the FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed said arrangements had been concluded with a private investor that will execute the project.

    Mohammed said: “In order to further underscore the importance of providing wholesome meat for the FCT residents, arrangements have been concluded with an investor for the construction of an ultra-modern Abuja central abattoir in Tungan Maje.”

    He added that when operational, it will elevate the standard of meat management in the FCT as all abattoirs, both public and private, will have to upgrade their operations to that standard in order to continue functioning or risk closure.

    The minister stated that while the contract for the construction of a veterinary clinic in Abaji would soon be awarded, the FCT Administration is working on a proposal geared towards upgrading Nyanya Veterinary Clinic into a veterinary hospital.

    According to him, construction of a veterinary laboratory at the Nyanya Veterinary Clinic has been completed while the contract execution for equipping the laboratory and the clinic is in progress.

    Mohammed further stated that arrangements have been concluded for the launch of the pilot FCT meat haulage scheme through public-private-partnership (PPP).

    He disclosed that with the establishment of fish farm estates in the territory, it will be able to address the low production of dairy and beef in the country, which necessarily requires rapid and essential upgrading.

    The Minister, however, cautioned all veterinary medicine practitioners to take it very seriously as it is a pre-requisite for annual practising license renewal.

    In his remark, the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Professor Gabriel Ogundipe said that the aim of the programme was to continuously update the skill and knowledge of practising veterinarians, in terms of general knowledge, wildlife management including recent developments in veterinary medicine, thereby, improving their professional competence and efficiency.

    He lamented the level of illiteracy of his members stressing that about 500 out of 4,500 council members annually attend the programme.

    “The level of literacy and sophistication that prevails in any profession is a reflection of the quality of continuing education. For the veterinary profession in Nigeria, the level is still not good enough. Only 300-500 veterinarians out of about 4,500 veterinary doctors resident in Nigeria attend any form of continuing education each year. It is observed that many veterinary officers, several veterinarians employed in tertiary institutions and those in private practices do not attend.

    “They therefore deny themselves of the opportunities to learn new techniques and new innovations in the field of veterinary medicine. The situation must change,” he said.

    Continuing, he added that: “The council is decentralising its services by setting up state offices. The ones in Enugu, Port Harcourt and Ibadan are now functional. Similarly, the College of Veterinary Surgeons Nigeria (CVSN) is also in the process of being decentralised.

    “The CVSN accreditation committee is currently going round the universities to possibly accredit them for the specialities of Medicine, Pathology, Surgeon and Public Health and Preventive Medicine. This will enable civil servants, private veterinary practitioners and academic veterinarians to enrol for their fellowship training in their neighbourhood.”

  • FCTA seals monorail deal

    FCTA seals monorail deal

    The FCT Administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private firm, Trans-Globim Nigeria Limited for the development of the Abuja Monorail System.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohamed who signed on behalf of the FCT Administration revealed that this idea has been fast tracked to provide additional modes of transportation to the teeming population of the Abuja metropolis and its environs in tandem with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The minister disclosed that this system of transportation is to complement the Abuja Light Rail with promises to tackle the chaotic traffic problems in and around the Federal Capital Territory; adding that satellite towns in the contiguous states will be connected.

    Senator Mohammed further revealed that the entire Abuja monorail system would have no cost bearing on the FCT Administration.

    In line with the agreement, the minister said that the FCT Administration will provide all the required rights of way for the project.

    He challenged the private firm to complete whatever is required including the feasibility studies that will give way for the actual concession agreement within six months.

    Senator Mohammed described the occasion as momentous as the monorail system will go a long way in reducing or solving traffic problems in Abuja including the satellite towns.

    Responding, the Chairman of Globim Corporation, Dr. Jude Igwemezie promised to come back in less than six months to concretise the process for the signing of concession agreement with the FCT Administration.

    He appreciated the speedy way Senator Mohammed handled the entire process which began in 2007.

    The signing of the MOU was witnessed by the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed and other top government functionaries.

  • FCTA, Presidency partner on job creation

    FCTA, Presidency partner on job creation

    The Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide has disclosed that the FCT Administration would jointly develop a framework for job creation with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation.

    Akinjide, who stated this in Abuja while welcoming to her office the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Miss Josephine Washima, said job creation was a crucial part of nation building which in turn makes a virile economy.

    “The FCT Administration will work together with the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation to develop a template for job creation. This is an important assignment to which Mr. President attaches top priority.

    “The government wants to grow the economy and is seriously focusing on sectors that will provide employment to the people. The 2013 Budget has been christened ‘Fiscal Consolidation and Inclusive Growth’ by Mr. President. It shows the crucial nature of job creation and seriousness attached to it by the government,” she said.

    She noted that the government’s objective was to achieve inclusive growth by identifying and developing job creation opportunities in different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, housing, solid minerals, aviation and creative industry.

    The minister encouraged the presidential aide to collaborate with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government in carrying out her assignment.

    The Special Assistant explained that her office was established in order to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment in the country.

    She added that this would be done through monitoring and evaluating the various agencies and sectors, saddled with the responsibility of generating employment through their activities.

    “The aim of the Office of Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation is to develop strategic programmes that will generate mass employment of Nigerian youths and interface with all job creation agencies on policy direction of government.

    “We shall also be developing a strategy for self-employment and entrepreneurship with emphasis on agriculture and agro-industries, small and medium enterprises and mineral resources, among others,” Washima noted.

  • Investors to pay N350m in land swap deal

    Investors to pay N350m in land swap deal

    The commitment of the Federal Government to rapid infrastructural development and delivery of affordable housing in the Federal Capital Territory has received a boost with the pre-qualification of 13 companies in the novelty land swap initiative.

    Pursuant to the requirement of the land swap framework and preparatory to commencement of discussion with the technical committee, the successful 13 companies are expected to within 30 days of receipt of their letters, open a Project Account with a reputable bank with the sum of N350 million commitment funds.

    The land swap policy is a development initiative recently introduced by the Senator Bala Mohammed-led FCT administration under which the administration would give land to investors in exchange for infrastructural development.

    The document indicated that 13 companies that have received the nod of the government in the project are: Dangote Group (promoted by billionaire Aliko Dangote), Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Ltd, (already involved in infrastructure development in Guzape district), China Railway Construction Company Limited (CRCC) (backed by the Chinese), First Aries Crude Oil Limited, System Properties Development Consortium Limited and Adkan Services Limite

    Others are Edimo Group, Ridley Group, Afri-International Projects & Consulting Limited; Hongye Group; Rosehill Group; Nimec Investment Company Limited and Balmus International Limited.

    A letter dated September 28, 2012 and signed by Faruk Sani, Coordinator of Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre (AIIC) also directed the pre-qualified companies to “give specific and express instructions to the bank to monitor, inspect and take records of the account at any time without any recourse to the Project Account holders.”

    The letter indicated that a technical committee has been constituted to closely work with representatives of the firms to produce the following: survey plan, topography and contour maps; detailed site land use and layout; engineering design; demographic reports for resettlement and compensation and any other technical task critical to commencement of work.

    The letter also directed the firms to forward to the AIIC the list of their representatives for technical discussion after opening a project account with N350 million and mandating the banks to give specific and express instructions for the AIIC to monitor, inspect and take records of the account at any time without any recourse to the account holders.

    The Technical Committee of AIIC will only begin work at the expiration of the 30 days grace at the end of October hi.

    Investors, both foreign and local, had indicated interest in the land swap scheme initiative of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to accelerate delivery of affordable housing in the FCT.