The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Council inaugurates economic advisory committee

    The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdullahi Candido has inaugurated a 15-man high powered Economic and Advisory Committee to facilitate rapid development of the council.

    Candido, while inaugurating the committee which has the council’s vice chairman, Mr. Lawrence Onuchukwu as its chairman, described it as the most important and critical committee constituted, since he assumed office as AMAC chairman.

    He disclosed the committee’s terms of reference which includes to ensure prudent management of AMAC resources, to act as vanguard against corruption and corrupt conducts, to monitor joint AMAC and Private-Public Partnership (PPP) projects, as well as to explore further areas and to enhance revenue generation to the council.

    The AMAC chairman explained that the idea behind the setting up of the committee, was primarily to ensure that the resources of the council are properly harnessed and used for the benefit of the common in the council.

    “This committee is mandated to do anything within the law to ensure that AMAC gets resources outside the statutory monthly federal allocation accruing to the council.

    “As major stakeholders in the management of this council, we must be seen judiciously spending their money. We have a mandate to ensure the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

    “This cannot be achieved until we have resources, and we cannot just sit down and keep asking where the resources are, because, resources are in abundance outside there.

    “If the staff of this Area Council is not paid, I will hold you responsible; and if we are not able to do one or two things for the people, I will also hold you responsible,” he said.

    The committee chairman, Lawrence Onuchukwu, while responding on behalf of the committee members, assured the AMAC chairman that the team will do everything humanly possible to deliver the mandate given to it.

    “Even though we as new administration met a dilapidated area council, we are not afraid of the challenges therein,” he said.

     

  • NASS to receive Food Hygiene bill

    A bill on the Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria (FHIN) will be presented to the National Assembly next week, National President of FHIN Mr. Nicolas Karimu has said.

    Karimu said there will be a meeting with the lawmaker on the bill before the official presentation.

    He spoke in Abuja at the passing out parade ceremony of 500 officers in Abuja.

    They were trained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), at their academy.

    Karimu said they have been working with the Federal Ministry of Health and currently in 21 states.

    He said, “It is about seven months we have been working on the bill. Our lawyers are through with the bill and in the next two week it will be presented to the National Assembly. We have put together a very good bill that would assist the country fight against food and water diseases. The bill is called Food Hygiene Initiative of Nigeria, (FHIN) Act 2016. By next week we will have meeting with the lawmakers At the National Assembly before the presentation of the bill.

    “We are in about 21 states, we are creating awareness, organizing workshops, training food vendors, inspecting their activities on daily basis and reporting back to the Federal Ministry of Health. We have saved a lot of lives.

    “This organisation was established in November 2014. We have up to 1000 staff across the country. We are hoping to train more because our target is to get up to 7,000 staff that will cover the entire country. My message to the graduating people is that they should come and apply and stop saying that there is no job when there is job. Like now what we are going our staff is allowance and we do have our source of income.

    “After training those food vendors we issue them certificate of training. With that certificate we generate little revenue that comes into the purse of the organization.”

    He disclosed that all the security agencies except the military are aware of FHIN activities with strong collaborations for effective delivery.

    The Provost of Civil Defense Academy, Commandant Waheed Popoola expressed optimism that FHIN would be diligent at discharging its duties.

  • ‘Every state, council viable’

    Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Dr Muritala Awodun has said that many states and local governments in the country are in a financial mess because of their over-reliance on  federal government allocation funds.

    He added that every state and local government area is viable because they are blessed with abundant resources.

    Dr Awodun said this in Ilorin, the state capital, at an interactive session with the local government joint account committee members. The former Kwara State University lecturer said: “There is no state or local government area in Nigeria that is not viable. It is the function of the perception of management because Nigeria is a blessed country. And every nook and cranny of Nigeria is blessed.

    “However, the way and manner we are used to management; where we collect money from the federal and until money comes from federal there is nothing again, then you can say that some states are not viable. By the virtue of what they are now collecting you can say that some states or local councils are not viable. But is it just collecting money from federal that is the only source of revenue generation?

    “The answer is no. The reality when we look down into what we can do within our various local governments, then you realise that all local governments are viable, but because we have been so used to being fed we don’t know how to prepare food ourselves. Now because nobody is feeding us we are crying of hunger that we are going to die and the food is there for us but we have refused to prepare it.

    “The reality is, are ready to tap into those resources available there and transform the various local governments. Whether we like it or not we don’t have a choice; that is what all of us will start doing now.

    All local governments are viable and we can make them viable. That is why we have to look internally, because viability is not external. As far as external support from federal government and others are concerned we are not viable. But internally we are viable. So let’s look internal and survive.”

    Dr Awodun added that KWIRS has signed  a memorandum of understanding with the 16 local government areas in the state to shore up their revenue generation.

    He said, “We are ready to go the whole hog in all the local governments but we have a perfect understanding with all the 16 local governments and we are desirous of working with them to move their revenue from where it is right now to where we think it should be particularly in terms of capacity.

    “All the 21 revenue items by the MoU we signed with the councils have been surrendered since February. But not all the revenue items we have started collecting, we are only collecting the revenue items that we feel we should test the water with and we started with four, progressively we are in about seven now.”

  • Plateau monarch’s murder heightens insecurity worries

    Plateau monarch’s murder heightens insecurity worries

    The death of Da Lazarus Agai, a Plateau State traditional, has intensified concerns on safety and whether his murderers will ever be found. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    IT is starting to feel like double tragedy. First, prominent people are murdered, one after another. Then, all the people hear is that their killers are unknown. That was how Plateau State residents felt when Da Lazarus Agai, the Saf Ron Kulere, was killed in Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.

    The first-class chief, who chaired the Bokkos council of traditional rulers,  was murdered alongside three others.

    The list of victims of assassins in the state is growing alarmingly, triggering questions as to whether those murderers are indeed unknowable. Will the security agencies ever find them?

    Protesters in Bokkos and Jos  amplified these fears on their placards. One read, “We want to know the unknown gunmen”. Another asked, “Who is next on the list of the unknown gunmen?” Yet another demanded, “Security agencies should wake up”. There were others.

    Senator Gyang Dantong representing Plateau North, and   Hon James Gyang Fulani in the state House of Assembly were murdered in 2012. Their killers have not been found.

    The killing of the Bokkos monarch shook up the people afresh, considering the manner the 75-year-old chief was silenced by unknown assailants.

    Many have scoffed at security claims that the killers are unknown. Such excuse is no longer tenable in the state which has witnessed more attacks than any other in the federation. The people are becoming frustrated with the unending incidences of unknown gunmen that have sent hundreds of Plateau citizens to their early graves.

    The state police command, in their preliminary report, said three persons were killed alongside the chief while five others were injured. Of the three that died with the chief, two were members of his family, the only one that has no blood relation with the Da Agai was his police orderly.

    The death of the chief sent a wave of fear across the state. Everyone feels not safe if top community leaders could be trailed and hacked to death in such a manner.

    Every sympathiser trooping into the palace has been reminding the security agencies that this killer or killers should not go unpunished like others.

    A member representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Istifanus Gyang offered his condolences.

    He said, “The news of the daylight terror attack that claimed the life of our royal father the Saf Ron Kulere  HRH Da Lazarus Agai, a first-class monarch reputed as an advocate of peace has thrown Plateau State into a mournful state of shock.

    “The unfortunate and condemnable incident came at a time Plateau people were getting  accustomed to an atmosphere characterised by God- given peace. This tragic incident has again amplified and brought to the fore the atrocities of the notorious “unknown gunmen” as a topical issue of national concern and discourse.

    “Questions begging for answers in the minds of many a Plateau citizen are many. For instance, for  how long will the so-called unknown gunmen continue to attack and overrun  communities across the nation, killing with reckless abandon and imperial gusto, manifesting  devastating terror and displacement capacity comparable to and in some instances even superior to Boko Haram,  remain unchecked by the elaborate  state security apparatus of our nation? When will the Nigerian state show and extend the needed empathy and attention to the minority victim communities whom after being heavily devastated and displaced by violent  terror attacks watch helplessly as national and international resources are massively  being mobilised to develop the Northeast region ravaged by Boko Haram?”

    The killing of the chief of Bokkos coincided with the meeting of Northern Traditional Rulers Committee in Jos. Leader of the group, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III challenged the federal government to fish out the killer as soon as possible.

     

     

     

  • 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.

     

  • Freed inmates ponder future

    Freed inmates ponder future

    What next for 40 prison inmates after their release?

    They were jailed in Suleja, Niger State prisons but have been freed  after a non-governmental organisation paid their fines ranging from N10,000 to N50,000.

    Their joy knew no bounds when the 38 men and two women were let go courtesy of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN), led by its National Commandant Dickson Akoh.

    They were happy to be free after varying lengths of time, but they have also been wondering what life holds for them.

    Most of them told Abuja Review that they do not know where to start from.

    A few of them spoke on how they got arrested, how long they were in prison and what they expect from outside the prison walls.

    Abu Muhammed, 36, was arrested at Kubwa two months ago, according to him, by police at about 8pm.

    He said, “When they arrested me they collected my bag, my set and my money, N26,000. They said I was arrested with India hemp, but that is not true. My fine was N10,000. I do not have anybody to pay because they are far away in Adamawa State. I am happy that Peace Corps of Nigeria came to my rescue and paid the fine. I am grateful. I am going home to Adamawa now. My family will be happy to see me. I wonder how I will face my family because for two years now I have been in prison. “

    One of the two females, Aisha Ismail said, “I was arrested in a hotel dancing in a night club before Abaji. I am from Jos. I am 22 years old. I am happy that I am leaving the prison. As I am leaving the prison I will not go back to my old ways again. I give thanks to God. But I do not know how to start my life again. This development is double-fold for me. I am happy and at the same time sad. May God help me.”

    Another freed convict who spoke with Abuja Review, Yakubu Adamu, 32, said he was arrested by the police at Sabo Wuse for wondering, adding that he had been in prison since February this year. Adamu said he was being held back because of N30, 000 fine.

    On his part, Akoh expressed sadness over the level of congestion in prisons across the country, calling on the government to act fast before the situation gets out of hand.

    He said in the spirit of the season, PCN felt that 40 of the inmates should regain freedom while others still in custody should feel happy and celebrate Sallah.

    He called on the National Assembly to enact a law that will: “allow suspended imprisonment in Nigeria because situation where petty criminals are jailed and held behind bars, while people who stole billions walk away from the court with little bail conditions is unacceptable to the society.

    “This will further help the decongestion of prisons across the country. Government should please look into this because it would be against the law of natural justice for someone who steals just a goat end up in prison for six or seven months and people that are stealing billion walking away freely.

    “These [freed inmates] are youths between the ages of 18 and 30, we felt like coming to show them sympathy.”

  • 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.

  • $100m cassava plant coming to Kwara community

    Residents of Edidi, Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State have rolled out the drums to welcome American investors and their Nigerian partners in their community. The partners plan to build a $100m cassava production and processing plant there.

    The residents beat their talking drum and fired celebratory gunshots into the air to express their joyous mood. One of the American visitors also broke into a dance, drawing admiration from the locals.

    The event took place at the palace of Eledidi of Edidi land, Oba Gabriel Aboyeji.

    Receiving the visitors, Oba Aboyeji assured that the investors would not regret investing in his domain, adding,”there will be no hindrance of any form.

    “I urge you, therefore, to consider first indigenes of the community as soon as the project kicks-off. We are assuring you of our cooperation as the community is peaceful.”

    The two American investors, Ecotech-rab and Tranfeed Group along with their Nigerian partner, Satco Global Group promised to, in the next 18 months, establish cassava production and processing factories in the community.

    The factories which will be sited in Edidi, Irepodun Local Government Area of the state are expected to gulp a sum of $100 million

    The factories when completed are expected to create about 2,500 jobs, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Satco Global Group, Femi D Philips said.

    Mr. Philips said, “We are the sponsors of this project and it is going to cost us about $100 million. We intend to complete it in the next 18 months. The project is expected to gulp about five thousand hectares of land. The first phase will about two streams of 120 tons per day and there will be an upgrade of 48 tons per day; giving us about 168 tons per day for a stream.

    “We are going to bring our expertise into planting cassava in a manner that will allow for optimum yield. So we are bringing our species from outside Nigeria and blend with the local species in Nigeria. We are looking at working with IITA in this area.

    “We are going to be producing starch powder, ethanol and production of feeds for livestock and others. It is an agro-business kind of.”

     

     

  • Dangote’s relief materials for vulnerable persons

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has received relief materials from the Dangote Foundation for distribution to vulnerable persons in the FCT.

    The Acting Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Adebola Irene Elegbede, received the relief materials on behalf of the Minister at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture.

    The items donated included  Dangote sugar, salt, spaghetti and 3,000 5kg bags of rice, among others.

    The Minister appreciated the kind gesture of the foundation, reiterating that the items would be judiciously distributed to the needy and vulnerable groups in the territory.

    According to the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, Bello noted that the gesture of goodwill and generosity extended by the foundation to the less privileged is a recognition of the efforts by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to provide succour to the IDPs.

    He said, “We are ready to partner with well-meaning individuals or groups in order to provide meaningful living conditions to the vulnerable persons in the territory.”

    According to him, “we are deeply grateful to the Dangote Foundation for always setting the pace in these collaborative efforts,” and called on other organizations to emulate Dangote  oundation’s magnanimity”.

    The Minister assured that the FCT Administration would make judicious effort to ensure a widespread distribution of the donated items.

    He emphasised that the FCT administration respects any non-governmental organisation that is committed to uplifting the welfare of the people particularly the less privileged in the society.

    Malam Bello restated that the gifts to the vulnerable and displaced persons would definitely touch the lives of the downtrodden.

    While presenting the items, the Director of Health and Nutrition of the Dangote Foundation Dr. Azeez Oseni, who represented the Chairman of the Foundation, Aliko Dangote said that the items were meant to support the poor and indigent.

    He commended the Minister for according the delegation a warm reception; especially by providing standard storage facilities for the items.

    “The adequate plans put in place to receive the consignments including warehousing of the food items and logistics for distribution to the poor and indigent is highly commendable too,” Oseni said.

    The FCT administration has immediately started the distribution of the donated items to the vulnerable persons in the territory.