The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Insurgency: NGO seeks cut in civilian casualties

    A non-governmental organisation, Centre for Civilians in Conflict, has bemoaned the high number of civilian deaths during counter-insurgency operations.

    Head of the centre in Nigeria, Sadiq Shehu said the figures are high and unacceptable, and urges the government and military to reduce them since it is virtually impossible to avert civilian deaths in such operations.

    He said he believed the Nigerian government and the military high command could cut down the casualty figures if they put certain measures in place.

    Shehu said, “We call on the Nigerian government to continue to ensure that the security forces carry out their operations that minimise harm to civilians. Where it still happens, it should be minimal because we know that conducting a military operation is no mathematics. So, even when precautions have been taken, it is still possible to have some civilian casualties. But we are proposing ways of minimising the casualties. When that happens, government should always acknowledge that civilians have been harmed, and do what is required by international best practices. [When civilians come to harm, they should consider] things like issuing a condolence letter to [relatives of] somebody who was accidentally killed during operations; it will go a long way in appeasing the family and the community and assuring them that the government does not support wanton killing of civilians and that it happened by accident. To the armed forces, we appreciate the openness and transparency we are seeing and the inculcation of international best practices in the conduct of military operations. This will endear the Nigerian military to the citizens and our foreign partners and NGOs.

    “If they cannot completely eliminate [killing], they should minimise causing harm. If measures to minimise fail and harm happens, we hold these actors responsible and should admit that civilians have been harmed and make amends to such people that have been harmed.”

  • Kwara to battle infrastructure deficit 

    The Kwara State government is set to plug the about N255 billion infrastructure gap in the state with the recent launch of its Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K). The state plans to achieve this through partnership with some banks, contractors, consultants and others.

    The state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said that the establishment of the IF-K was informed by his desire to ensure rapid infrastructure growth and the need for an appropriate savings as well as investment mechanism. He added that in the next 10 months, over N5.8 billion will be pumped into the state’s economy via the IF-K.

    “Our expectation is that this injection will keep our project partners in business and have a positive spiral effect on employment generation. In the medium term, the remaining N5.3b of government spending will boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for about 18 months while sustaining the multiplier impact on job creation,” he said.

    The governor has also launched the construction of a Diamond Underpass at Geri Alimi, Ilorin, promising to commission soon the state’s newly-acquired Asphalt plant.

    Ahmed said, “Once the rains are over, we will commence major projects in the road, education, energy and health sectors across the state in a manner that accelerates development and ensures its even distribution.

    “Following from the PPP, IF-K is the second phase of my government’s long-term strategy to diversify our local economy, stimulate economic growth via private sector participation in infrastructure development and create opportunities for collective prosperity.

    “The purpose of the IF-K, therefore, is to pool funds for infrastructure projects, optimally leverage private sector resources for infrastructure development and channel State Internal Revenue to directly impact economic diversification and growth strategies. IF-K is also designed to ensure maximum quality assurance for asset and services procured by government and encourage broader and deeper interactions with the Kwara State Government from private and non-private partners.

    “The fund will be financed through a N5 billion seed fund and a N500 million monthly contribution from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO). This implies that the money will be taken at source from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue and provides an additional layer of assurance to project partners.”

  • Kwara owes contractors N11b, says Ahmed

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has put the value of project debts in the state at N11.1 billion.

    He said his administration disbursed N1.7 billion to reduce the debts, noting that the balance is N9.4 billion.

    Ahmed spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during the launch of the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K).

    He promised that payment would resume in December, with ongoing and new projects targeted for completion by December, 2018.

    “As a demonstration of faith and a token of our commitment to pay outstanding contractor debts, this amount will be reduced on a quarterly basis until all debts are liquidated before end of the administration.

    “Simultaneously, contractors will drop off the IF-K grid as their obligations are terminated to allow for the introduction of new portfolio of fresh projects.

    “The fund will be financed through a N5 billion seed fund and a N500 million monthly contribution from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO). This implies that the money will be taken at source from the state’s IGR and provides an additional layer of assurance to project partners.

    “Additional non-IGR funds, such as those from the Federal Government and global development partners, will be added to IF-K as they become available.

    “Under IF-K, funds will be disbursed on a quarterly basis and are projected to grow by N6 billion by end of the year. In order to ensure accountability and insulate the funds from political control, the IF-K will be managed by a reputable investment company, Investment One, which has been appointed by law as trustee for the scheme.

    “Investment One is also to market the fund to potential investors and mitigate against payment risks by ring-fencing the funds and limiting their utilisation to the approved purposes.

    “I must also emphasise that we will continue to fund smaller projects through other platforms as only projects worth N300 million and above will be included on the IF-K payment grid.

    “Over the next 10 months, therefore, over N5.8 billion will be pumped into the state’s economy via IF-K. Our expectation is that this injection will keep our project partners in business and have a positive spiral effect on employment generation. In the medium term, the remaining N5.3 billion will boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for about 18 months while sustaining the multiplier impact on job creation.”

  • Man arrested for raping minors in Minna

    A 23-year-old man, Audu Mai Faskare, has been arrested in Tunga, Minna, Niger State, for allegedly raping two minors, aged 8 and 10.

    One of them, however, reported to her parents after he raped the two girls at the same time same day.

    She said the weekend episode was the second time Faskare forcefully had carnal knowledge of her; the first happened when she was sent on an errand by her mother.

    According to her, she met the other minor on the way when Faskare called them to help him run an errand. On getting to his house, he locked the door and asked them to strip.

    The second minor, who was reluctant to speak at first, opened up after her colleague’s confession. She said Saturday’s incident was the fourth time Faskare would rape her.

    She said it started some months back when she was going to school. He called her into his room to send her on an errand; he locked the door and told her to remove her clothes, she refused but was unable to scream because he shut her mouth. This happened three times.

    State FIDA Chairperson Magistrate Mairo Jibo described the incident as unfortunate, and lamented that it was reported a day after when all evidences would have been lost.

    She, however, said with the innocence of the girls, any judge could see they were telling the truth, stressing that the association of women lawyers would ensure that the culprit does not go unpunished.

    “Looking at the way the girls described the incident, it is evident they do not understand the consequence of what was done to them. It is unfortunate.”

    Director General of the Niger State Child’s Right Agency, Mariam Haruna Kolo, said the agency would ensure that justice is served.

    She called on parents to avoid sending their children out unnecessarily and to investigate when they return from errands late.

    Efforts to see Faskare at the police station were unsuccessful. A policeman, however, said Faskare denied knowing the girls or having any affair with them.

    The girls are at the police clinic in Minna waiting to be examined for evidences.

  • ‘We must rid councils, satellite towns of waste’

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello has directed that a comprehensive waste evacuation exercise be undertaken in all the council areas as well as satellite communities of the territory.

    The operation is scheduled to last seven days.

    The Acting Director of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) Mrs. Victoria Imande disclosed this, saying that the STDD has concluded arrangements to commence the seven-day exercise.

    Mrs. Imande stated that the FCT Administration is poised to clean up all the nooks and cranny of the satellite towns.

    She solicited for the cooperation and understanding of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory particularly those resident in the Satellite Towns, by keying into the exercise to make it a success.

    The Director urged the residents to take personal interest in the exercise by owning the initiative and making personal hygiene part of their daily personal lives.

  • Reflating the economy

    One constant issue on the lips of participants at the inaugural Presidential Quarterly Business Forum with the Organized Private Sector (OPS) at the State House, Abuja last week Monday was the recession in the country.

    The Forum, which was part of the Federal Government’s initiative to maintain a robust engagement with the private sector, was held with representatives of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (NACCIMA) and other businesses in the country at the old Banquet Hall.

    The business leaders, during the question and answer session, wasted no time in re-echoing the various problems their businesses are now facing mainly caused by the recession. The challenges they listed included lack of access to finance, high interest rate and high energy cost, lack of access to foreign exchange, transport and infrastructure deficit. Others are weak export support, inconsistent government policies and ease of doing business challenges, including approval delay bottlenecks, low support for domestic manufacturing, delays from Custom officials and security issues.

    Towards finding solution, they were asked to fill a feedback form naming their sector and listing top five challenges they are having with the Nigerian economy and doing business in Nigeria.

    President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Micheal Cole, in particular advised the government to show consistency in its policies if it really hopes to reflate the economy and place it on the path of sustainable growth.

    On his part, President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Frank Udemba, said the Forum has given them opportunity to air their views and concerns about the policies and how the government aim to get the country out of the current recession.

    “Already government has promised to sell off some assets to beef up the foreign reserve, that is key. We have a lot of challenges of doing business but basically they have to pump in a lot of money into infrastructure because that is a quick way to reflate the economy,” he said

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is the head of the Economic Management Team, did not fail to point out that the recession in Nigeria is peculiar to the country and cannot be compared to what other countries have gone through or going through.

    Besides heaping the cause of the recession on the militancy in the Niger Delta, Osinbajo said the Federal Government is devising home grown strategies to steer the nation out of the recession.

    The Forum had kicked off with other members of the EMT including the Minister of Budget & National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; and Minister of State for Industry, Trade & Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar and the representative of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, making presentations and proffering solutions to the problems.

    Udoma, in his presentation titled ‘State of the Economy’, traced how Nigeria got into recession and measures for economic revitalization.

    He was confident that the crisis could be turned into an opportunity to restructure and reset the Nigerian economy.

    To reflate the economy, he suggested fiscal stimulus and implementing the Strategic Implementation Plan.

    In her presentation titled ‘Economic Strategy and Outlooka’, Adeosun maintained that Nigeria’s economy is rebuilding from a trough which includes declining Gross Domestic Products (GDP) growth and increasing levels of unproductive debt.

    The reform strategy being adopted, she said, will solve both the historic and current challenges facing the nation.

    Besides diversification, she said she believed that reduction in the cost and composition of government financing will drive incremental savings.

    Represented by Senior Technical Adviser of the Ministry, Mr Johnson Awoyemi, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, said that the Petroleum Industry will be reposition by implementing seven big wins.

    The key focus areas, he said, included Niger Delta and security, Policy and Regulation, Business Environment and Investment drive, Transparency and Efficiency.

    He listed others as Stakeholders Management and International Coordination, Gas Revolution and Refineries and Local Production Capacity.

    Despite calls for sacking of Udoma and Adeosun, the National Economic Council last Thursday commended the duo for the way they are handling the economy and their plans to steer the nation out of recession.

    Just as it was noted that the recession is a blessing in disguise, it is hoped that the recession will really give Nigeria a chance of restructuring and rebirth of her economy.

     

    Man of the moment

    Before last Thursday, the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello mostly enters the Council Chamber for the National Economic Council meeting unnoticed. He will only locate his seat and exchange pleasantries with governors close to his seat and sit down.

    But Thursday’s NEC meeting was a different one for Yahaya Bello. He instantly became the centre of attention as soon as he stepped into the Council Chamber around 10:45 a.m.

    The only reason for this was that Yahaya Bello had his election as governor of the state upheld two days earlier by the highest judicial body in the land, the Supreme Court.

    As the man of the moment, Yahaya Bello, clad in white ‘Babanriga’ and brown-coloured designed cap to match, did not fail to seize the opportunity that came his way that day.

    He didn’t go straight to his seat when he came into the Council Chamber as he continued to receive handshake and commendation from his colleagues including Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, deputy governors of Katsina and Nasarawa states.

    After chatting for few minutes with them, Yahaya Bello decided not to sit down as he made his way to see other governors seated at the other side of the hall.

    On his way to the other side of the hall, he met and stopped to exchange pleasantries with Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, who also congratulated him for his victory.

    When he got to his destination, he was also greeted by Delta State Governor, Ifianyi Okowa and Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano for achieving the feat.

    On his way back to his seat, he met Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, who also congratulated him.

    While talking to el-Rufai, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi also joined them to congratulate the man of the moment.

    Yahaya Bello, definitely, won’t forget last Thursday in a hurry.

  • Wuse market to get two 500KVA generators 

    As part of efforts to address the numerous challenges facing traders in Wuse market, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured traders that the administration will provide two 500KVA central working generating sets in Wuse market to address the epileptic power supply in the market.

    Specifically, the administration said the move is aimed at enhancing the shopping environments of the FCT markets and to contain air pollution in and around the market    This assurance was given by the Managing Director of Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML) Abubakar Faruk during a stakeholders meeting of Wuse traders and other relevant agencies in the city management of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

    The Managing Director who was represented by the Head of Corporate Services, Ibrahim Uzaibat revealed that the stakeholders meeting was designed as a new and complimentary approach to municipal management with peculiar interest and attention on the retail markets within the FCT.

    He said, “Further to our mandate of ensuring that the FCT markets are safe, clean, aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly in line with the vision of the FCT Administration, we are currently retooling our market management strategy as they relate to enforcement and compliance within these markets.

    “It is our belief that this approach, when sustained, will add in no small measure to the attainment of government’s objectives for the FCT markets, thereby relegating enforcement and prosecution to a last alternative”.

    The M.D tasked the traders to tackle the menace of hawking, touting, fire hazards, proliferation of generators, general insecurity to attain a world class shopping environment for residents and visitors to the Federal Capital Territory.

    Confirming the development to our correspondent, the Ag. Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, Hajia Safiya Umar said that the FCT Administration has given approval for the procurement of two 500KVA generators to be installed in Wuse market, stressing that Abuja Investment Company Limited, AICL has been directed to perfect the project.   The chairman of Wuse Traders Association, Mr. Okorie Raphael, commended the FCT Administration for the initiative, noting that the move will in no small measure enhanced trading activities in the market.

  • ‘Some Gombe youths sell start-up kits’

    The Gombe State government has expressed its disappointment with youths who sell their skill acquisition start-up packages.

    Director, Planning, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Mr. Adamu Kala conveyed the government’s displeasure when he spoke in Gombe, the state capital, condemning the attitude of some youths to their start-up kits given by the state government to enable them kick off their entrepreneurship plan.

    He said, “Consider yourselves lucky because in Gombe we have a governor who has the interest of the youth at heart. When Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo came into office in 2011, he designed two programmes for youths: empowerment and skills acquisition. Some of the youths who had undergone training on skill acquisition sold the resettlement kits given to them by government to make them stand on their own and be financially independent.

    ”Also, some of them used the money given to them to marry, others bought leisure motorcycles and did things that are completely different from what they were empowered for.”

    But in spite of the youths’ attitude, he said government was not deterred hence it was collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to teach the set of youths who were trained in 2014 and 2015 on how to access funds and start their businesses.

    Speaking further, he said, “I want those that will participate in the training to know that, this is not the kind of training they would be given money at the end.

    “Consultants will only teach you how to access funds from the banks, to start business. People from other parts of the country go to the banks and look for loans on their own just to start business. I want you to emulate them, do something for your future.”

    The Director’s admonition became necessary because the UNDP had in collaboration with Gombe state organised a two-day Access to Finance Network meeting for the 200 persons who were trained on 10 different trades during the 2014 and 2015 Youth Skills Acquisition training and Women Empowerment programmes.

    Mr. Joshua Micha, spokesperson of Restcan Consults, which is in charge of the meeting, said the difficulty beneficiaries of skills acquisition and empowerment programmes often encounter in progressing on the business terrain due to lack of funds, necessitated the access to finance training.

    “The meeting brought together beneficiaries of 2014 and 2015 of the youth skills acquisitions and Women empowerment programme and given resettlement kits to start their own business. This meeting will teach them the critical importance of access to finance for business operations, especially the Small and Medium Scale enterprises.

    “Most often, beneficiaries of such skills and economic empowerment training programmes as this find difficulty in progressing from training.

  • Gunmen kill Benue monarch

    A traditional ruler in Vingir, Katsina-Ala Local Government of Benue State, Chief Awuhe Alev, was yesterday killed by gunmen.

    Police spokesperson, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident via text message, said they got the report about 8.30 pm that Chief Alev, the kindred head of Mbayongo, was shot dead at his residence.

    Yamu said more officers had been deployed in the area, and investigation was on.

  • Bauchi to resettle IDPs

    The Bauchi State government has volunteered to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at locations of their choice within the state.

    The government will also provide housing and other amenities, equip, and furnish the Permanent Displaced Persons’ Camp at Miya, Ganjuwa Local Government.

    Commissioner for Information Baba Madugu spoke when he met the Presidential Committee on the Northeast Initiative (PCNI) in Abuja.

    Madugu described his mission to PCNI as “a happy one”, adding that the state plans to empower the IDPs and their host communities through skill acquisition, handcraft and educational pursuit.

    “The government is determined to have the IDPs explore and exploit their potential to expand sources of revenue to the state and youth employment.