The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Abia begins demolition of illegal structures

    Abia begins demolition of illegal structures

    Abia State government yesterday embarked on the demolition of illegal structures in Osisioma, Aba North, Aba South and Obingwa local governments.

    The demolition, which was carried out under the supervision of the executive secretaries of the town planning authorities in the affected councils, namely Chigoziri Ahaiwe, Ahuruonye Okezie, Charles Ezerah and Mrs. Constant Ekwuruibe, our correspondent reports, was part of the state government’s efforts to restore infrastructural sanity to the local governments that made up Aba cosmopolitan city.

    The exercise, which lasted for over five hours, saw the team demolishing and sealing off illegal structures (residential buildings, petrol stations and liquified petroleum gas plants) built in Aba and its environs without approval by the town planning authority.

    The team also served traders of line four and five quit notices, noting that their stalls are unsafe for trading,  with the discovery that the building is weak and can collapse on the traders and their customers.

    Our correspondent, who joined the team during the exercise, reports that the team sealed off a popular petrol station at Onwuka Nails, by Aba-Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, because the owner built without a permit and threatened to attack the town planning officials before the sealing off.

    A gas plant on Udeagbala road was sealed off for being erected on NNPC pipeline, while another one at Immaculate, by waterside, was erected on the railway line that passes the area.

    Over 26 lock-up stores built under an electricity high tension, near Saint Silas Anglican Church, Ayaba-Umueze, were sealed off by the team. They said it posed danger to those doing businesses under electricity cable.

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    At Okpu-Umuobo Comprehensive Secondary School in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government, a structure under construction, said to be a project of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), where the authority’s institute and a mini stadium are being constructed, was sealed off because it did not get any approval or the plan seen by the Town Planning Authority.

    The team in Aba South Local Government sealed off the premises of a four storey building undergoing construction and another property built at where Azikiwe Road Primary School was built.

    Addressing reporters on behalf of his colleagues, Chigoziri Ahaiwe, a town planner; said: “We’ve gone to sites and none of them has a planning permit. The authorities never permitted those sites. Some were constructed under high-tension lines; there are some we demolished that were built on a gas pipeline.”

  • ‘Why APC should zone ticket to Edo Central’

    ‘Why APC should zone ticket to Edo Central’

    A former commissioner for education in Edo State, Mr. Gideon Obhakhan, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone its governorship ticket to Edo Central ahead of next year’s election.

    Obhakhan, who is planning to join the governorship race next year, said public opinion in the state favoured Edo Central, adding that the party would not run against the opinion of the people, who would vote in the election and determine the winner.

    He said APC would not impose any candidate on the state.

    Obhakhan said besides, the leader of the APC in Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, believed in democracy and democratic fairness.

    He said the party’s interest in winning the election and providing developmental leadership in the state along popular lines could only be achieved by allowing the people to decide their leader.

     According to him, this has made the party aligned with the democratic reality and considerations, which take cognisance of age, capacity and regional diversity in the political development of the state vis-a-vis political fairness.

    He said developing Edo State remained paramount to the party and the only concession to electoral processes for the emergence of candidates would be followed according to the dictates of the electoral law.

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    He said: “I’m an accomplished private sector person and I’ve occupied political positions. I’m well educated with seven degrees and I’m prepared to provide the right leadership in Edo State.

    “I can assure you that Oshiomhole will not impose any candidate on APC in Edo State. From what we know, Oshiomhole is in support of power shift to Edo Central.

    “I believe I have a lot to offer and at the right time, we’ll tell our people what we have for them. I’m ready and prepared to offer myself in service to my people.”

    Obhakhan said he is joining the race with the aim of having the opportunity to add value and contribute to humanity, especially the people of Edo State.

    He said when he becomes the governor, his administration will focus on seven critical areas of intervention, which he considers to be key catalysts of an economically-viable state.

    Disclosing these key areas, the former commissioner for education under Senator Oshiomhole’s administration, listed agriculture at the top, noting that the sector, if well-developed, is capable of creating jobs for the people and generating revenue for the government.

    He also listed investment in road infrastructure that can support easy movement of people and agricultural produce as well as quality and impactful education.

  • Tribunal reserves judgment in petition by Ayade

    Tribunal reserves judgment in petition by Ayade

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Cross River State, hearing a petition brought before it by Sen. Ben Ayade against the election of Sen. Jarigbe Agom, yesterday reserved judgment for a date to be communicated to the parties.

    The parties are Sen. Ayade and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the petitioners; vs. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sen. Agom and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the respondents, who filed and adopted their written addresses in defence of their arguments.

    They were also given the chance by the tribunal headed by Justice M. A. Sambo to adumbrate on their written addresses as filed.

    Presenting his written address for adoption, Mr. Michael Ozekhome, SAN, counsel for Sen. Ayade, called on the tribunal to punish INEC for the misleading information sent to the tribunal.

    He said: “INEC should be thrashed with a whip legally for issuing us with Form EC 8 A and coming here to tell us that it should have been Form  EC8A(1), which is misleading and fraudulent.”

    Ozekhome said the 2010 Electoral Act provisions are in pari-pasu with those of the 2022 Electoral Act, therefore reference to the 2010 Electoral Act is not in error.

    He restated his position that the 2023 senatorial election for Cross River North was fraught with violence, mayhem and malpractices, which made it shambolic and should therefore be annulled in the interest of democratic growth and justice.

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    “We presented 43 witnesses who amplified, testified and identified the 770 exhibits tendered in the proceedings, which shows how the results of both parties were reached at fraudulently.”

    Ozekhome refreshed the tribunal on its pre-hearing rules that responses by counsel could not be filed after the agreed period and said: “Paragraph one to five of the First Schedule states that respondents’ arguments in this tribunal cannot extend the time which a party can do anything that relates to the Electoral Act and that is what the third respondent did.

    Therefore his argument should be dismissed because tribunal matters are special matters and do not allow the extension of time for a party to file his report.”

    Mr. Mba Okweni, counsel for Sen. Agom, said the petition lacked merit, adding that the result of the election showed that Agom scored 18,500 votes ahead of Ayade and the petitioner was not able to prove that the votes nullified in the election could upturn the votes with which Agom was ahead.

    The tribunal Chairman, Justice M. A. Sambo, called on the counsel to provide the tribunal with reference materials cited by them, which would facilitate a fast decision on the matter, “as the tribunal still has House of Representatives matters outstanding and has just three weeks left to round off all matters.”

  • Eno launches building of 4.2km internal roads

    Eno launches building of 4.2km internal roads

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has launched the construction of internal roads in Oron Local Government.

    The roads are 2.1km Ukpong Street and 2.1km Effiong Essang Street with 800m discharge drain.

    He said he was in Oron to keep to his campaign promise of continuing in the projects initiated by the past administration.

    He restated his commitment to providing funding and logistic support for the completion of the road projects, hence his decision to mobilise the contractors to site for the delivery of democratic dividends to the people.

    The governor reiterated the determination of his administration to meet the yearnings of the people by taking development to the grassroots.

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    “During our campaigns, we said we would continue with the projects the previous government had started. Today I am happy that we are fulfilling that promise.

    “My boss had approved that road. We could have said that we did not approve it and we could not fund it, but no, that is not the promise we made.

    “I promised that we would complete this project and today, we are launching the project that was approved by funding the project and ensuring that the contractor gets to site so that the people of this community will have full benefits of democracy. This is why we have come back here today.”

    Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi thanked Governor Eno for having Oro people’s interest at heart, saying she was proud to identify with a governor who kept his words.

    She lauded him for running an all-inclusive administration.

    Reviewing the project, Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Prof. Eno Ibanga, said the two roads were of great significance to Oron people, “as they connect the 100 units Federal Government Housing Estate, Maritime Academy and most of the residential areas of Oron.”

    He said the two roads, upon completion, would be eight metres wide with drains through their length and with the area being prone to erosion, the roads would be finished with an 800 meters outfall drain.

    The member representing Oron federal constituency, Mr. Martins Esin, expressing gratitude for the road projects, described Governor Eno’s inclusivity of Oron people in his administration as unprecedented, stressing that the governor had on his volition chosen to touch the lives of people in the constituency.

    The President, Oron Union, Bishop Etim Ante; Chairman, Oron Local Government, Effiong Ubokulo and Youth Leader, Eyoabasi community, Mr. Bright Afahakan, described the roads as significant and expressed the gratitude of Oron people to the governor.

  • ‘You’re losing N40b  by neglecting Ogbunike cave’

    ‘You’re losing N40b  by neglecting Ogbunike cave’

    A group, Team Make Ogbunike Great (TMOG), has urged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo to invest in Ogbunike cave in Oyi Local Government, to increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    It said the cave had the potential of adding N40billion annually to the economy of the state if its tourism possibilities were well harnessed.

    Speaking at a media parley yesterday, the Coordinator, Dr. Harris Chuma, regretted that previous governments’ approach to harness the potential of the town was more theoretical than practical.

    He described Ogbunike as a billion dollar economic hub, with gigantic but under-utilised tourism, urging Prof. Soludo to put action to words in the project, so as to leave an enduring legacy to his name.

    He said: “We wish to remind the stakeholders of this great state, especially our policy formulators, that there is need to effectively tap into the billion dollar Ogbunike economic hub, embodied in its gigantic but under-utilised tourism.

    “This has become very imperative, considering the need for diversification of the economy of our state to avail more income streams for the several developmental needs of our people.

    “As I have always said in the past, there is no other place to look forward to in Anambra than Ogbunike, when it comes to how cultural tourism can transform a society.

    “It is no longer news that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has acknowledged this fact by recognising Ogbunike Cave as a world heritage centre.

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    “This badge of honour is yet to be fully exploited by successive governments in the state, and has been lying fallow, not minding the enormous advantages therein.

    “It is pertinent to note that the location of our town, Ogbunike, is quite strategic. With close proximities to Onitsha, Asaba Airport as well as Anambra International Cargo Airport, it is a proof that this will be a gold mine when harnessed properly.

    “An independent survey carried out by TMOG has shown that Ogbunike town has the potential to add N40billion annually to the economy of Anambra State, if its tourism potential is well harnessed.

    “These will come from inflows from tourists, patronage of hospitality resorts and taxes from workers in the hospitality sector of the town.

    “While successive governments have only talked about harnessing the potential of Ogbunike in paper, I will urge the Soludo administration to put action to words in this regard, and leave this legacy to his name.”

    A stakeholder in the community, Anthony Aniebue, an engineer; expressed disappointment over years of neglect of the town by successive governments amid its potential.

    He said: “Any government interested in increasing the IGR of the state and doesn’t factor into the Ogbunike cave and other revenues surrounding the facility, including the market, parks and other businesses, is not serious.

    “Ogbunike holds a very powerful resource base for the state. If government builds a five-star hotel around the cave, just as it did at Agulu Lake, people will come from all parts of the world to explore the cave.”

  • Tribunal set to deliver judgment in Omo-Agege’s petition

    Tribunal set to deliver judgment in Omo-Agege’s petition

    Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, yesterday reserved judgment in the petition filed by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He is challenging the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

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    Tribunal Chairman, Justice C. O. Ahuchaogu, reserved judgment after all parties had adopted their final written addresses.

    Ahuchaogu said the date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties and their lawyers.

    Joined in the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission (1st Respondent), Oborevwori (2nd Respondent) and People’s Democratic Party (3rd Respondent).

  • Abia APC rejects illegal imposition of national welfare secretary               

    Abia APC rejects illegal imposition of national welfare secretary               

    Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the imposition of a new national welfare secretary.  In a statement signed by the state Chairman of the party, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu and the state Secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah, the state organ of the party called on the National Working Committee (NWC) to reverse itself and respect the party’s constitution.                   

    The duo said the constitution of the party was clear on who had the mandate to nominate a replacement in case of vacancy.

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    This, according to them, falls on the State Executive Committee.                           

    The party pointed out that following the death of the last occupant of the office, F. N. Nwosu, the state chapter in line with its mandate in APC Constitution nominated her State Organising Secretary, Mr. Obinna Atuonwu and forwarded same to both zonal and national organs of our great party for ratification. “The state chapter of the party is deeply worried that some stranger elements are trying to distabilise Abia State chapter of the party after their treachery and betrayals during the last election.”                      

  • Bayelsa to refurbish Imiringi gas turbine plant

    Bayelsa to refurbish Imiringi gas turbine plant

    Bayelsa State Government says it has begun the process of refurbishing the Kolo Creek Gas Turbine plant at Imiringi in Ogbia Local Government.

    The government also indicated its intention to build new gas turbine plants to create an enabling environment for the growth of electric-power-driven and dependent industries.

    The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known yesterday when he received a business delegation from Jumboogois Global Services Limited and their foreign partners at the Government House, Yenagoa.

    Ewhrudjakpo, who expressed delight that the energy consultancy firm was able to move down with its partners from the Republic of China, to assess the gas turbine at Imiringi, said there could be no industrialisation without sustainable and adequate power supply.

    According to him, government is prepared to leverage on the liberalisation of the power sector and take full advantage of the abundant natural gas reserves in the state to build additional power plants to meet the growing energy needs of the people.

    The deputy governor said the Imiringi Gas Turbine alone could no longer supply the volume of electricity demanded in the state in view of the expansion of the distribution network covering several communities previously not connected to the grid.

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    He explained that government had already signed a memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the firm as part of its commitment to the project geared towards improving power generation and distribution in the state.

    He, therefore, called on Jumboogois Global Services Limited to expedite action on the refurbishment of the gas turbine and the local assembling of pre-paid meters for electricity consumers.

    He said: “We are going to latch on the opportunity created by the law in the power sector. Bayelsa is in a hurry to develop, so we are excited about this project. The Kolo Creek Gas Turbine is among the first of such plants established in Nigeria.

    “Power is productivity, and productivity is progress. There is no industrialisation that can take place without power. As a government, we are happy that a son of the soil is spearheading this project, and we are quite encouraged by the steps taken so far.

    “You talked about the issue of smart prepaid meters. The prepaid meter is another way of making sure that we do not only generate revenue but also ensure that people will get value for money.

    “I also think that the power need of the state is beyond the Imiringi Gas Turbine, as it is now. So, we should be looking at establishing another gas turbine in the state because Bayelsa is gas, and gas is Bayelsa State.”

    The Managing Director of Jumboogois Global Services Limited, Mr. Timipere Gilbert Ogoibiri, said the firm and its foreign partners had inspected the state-owned Kolo Creek Gas Turbine plant, as part of the MoU that was signed in January this year.

  • Upgrade of STS prepaid meter  is free, says EEDC

    Upgrade of STS prepaid meter  is free, says EEDC

    Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has cautioned customers against falling victim to fraudsters, noting that the planned upgrade of STS prepaid meters in its network will be free of charge.

    This clarification was made yesterday in Enugu by the Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

    He said the warning became necessary because of information received by the company about activities of some unscrupulous elements, who are extorting unsuspecting customers in the name of upgrading their meters.

    He said customers should not “fall prey to these elements, as no customer will be charged a kobo to have his or her meter upgraded.”

    “The process of upgrade will be simply by punching into the meter the Key Change Tokens (KCT), which will be given to the customers alongside the credit token, when they go to recharge their meters.

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    “What we just did, as a matter of responsibility, was to notify our customers of this exercise and appeal to them to ensure their prepaid meters are upgraded before November 24, 2024,” Ezeh said.

    Earlier in the month, EEDC notified customers that by November 24, 2024, Standard Transfer Specification (STS) prepaid meters will cease to accept credit tokens, unless they are upgraded. An exercise, which will affect STS compliant prepaid meters across the globe.

    Ezeh therefore advised EEDC customers to ensure their meters are upgraded before the set date of November 24, 2024, as meters not upgraded before the date will no longer accept new tokens, but they will still be working till the credit already loaded in them is used up.

    “It is important to note that credit tokens purchased and not loaded into the meters before the upgrade will become invalid after the upgrade,” he added.

    EEDC appealed to its customers to remain calm, as adequate communication will be made on the process and modalities for the upgrade, reiterating that the upgrade is free of charge.

  • ‘We’re for accountability not witch-hunting’ 

    ‘We’re for accountability not witch-hunting’ 

    Anambra State House of Assembly yesterday said its Public Account Committee (PAC) was not created to witch-hunt any ministry, department or parastatal, but to ensure transparency, accountability and probity.

    The committee Chairman, Noble Igwe, said this when the Ministry of Power and Water Resources appeared before the Committee on Oversight and Review of the 2022 Audit Account of the Government.

    He said: “We’re not here to witch-hunt anybody. Our target is to ensure probity and judicious use of funds. We’re interested in looking at the papers vis-a-vis appropriation law and audited accounts and juxtaposing them to confirm their authenticity with the law. 

    “For example, you can’t appropriate what’s meant for borehole for electricity. It’s not done. We have specifics in our budget to ensure funds allocated for each purpose are used for such purposes.”

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    Expressing satisfaction about the ministry’s performance, Igwe, however, identified certain grey areas their payment vouchers did not tally with in the audited accounts, urging the commissioner and his team to go back and cross-check their records ahead of next sitting.

    Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Julius Chukwuemeka, an engineer; described the process as laudable and transparent, noting that it was in tandem with the current administration.

    to ensure transparency and accountability for the benefit of residents.

    “The issue of accounting also entails committee members visiting the project locations to see for themselves exactly what is on ground, which we’ll furnish them with the lists.” 

    Other ministries that appeared before the committee yesterday included that of Culture and Tourism as well as Sports.