The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Anambra needs N150bn to complete roads 

    Anambra needs N150bn to complete roads 

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka 

    Anambra State government says it requires at least N150 billion to complete both old and new road projects in the state.

    The government also declares  that no road project has been abandoned in the state, adding that the present administration would complete all the ongoing projects soon

    The state Commissioner for Works , Marcel ifejiofor, stated these while briefing reporters at the government House, Friday in Awka, Anambra State

    He said, “No road has been abandoned in Anambra. All the projects are still going on both those awarded by the previous and present administrations.

    Ifejiofor, said roads in Nigeria were divided; federal, state, local and community, adding that they were based on weight.

    According to him, “Federal roads are most times interstate and need approval to be worked on, including the state one and they go with different specifications.

    Read Also: Abia governor seeks action on federal roads

    “Before the federal government  works on state roads, they seek our approval and we give them our specification. Our standard here is drain to drain, and for us to allow anyone, he must meet these specifications.

    “In Nnewi, the chairman of the local government  wrote us that some people are working on a road and there are a lot of obstructions.

    “We sent our team to know the kind of road. There is a set engineering standard. You must cut in squares with a cutter and not with a digger or bulldozer.

    “The road being worked upon by some people in Nnewi  is a federal road, so we wrote to the federal controller who said they are not aware.

    He said the State government should be happy that some roads were being worked on by individuals which he said had been the mantra by Governor Willie Obiano’s administration,  adding that the person must seek approval first

  • Innoson Group lauds Ugwuanyi for favourable investment climate in Enugu

    Innoson Group lauds Ugwuanyi for favourable investment climate in Enugu

    Our Reporter 

    The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innoson Group of Companies, Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for “ensuring an enabling environment and a favourable investment climate for commercial activities to thrive within the state.”

    Chief Chukwuma who made the commendation during the launch of the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd’s novel city transportation service in the state, “aptly christened IVM Cruise”, thanked Ugwuanyi for his presence at the epoch-making event, stressing that it was an attestation to his commitment to business development and youth empowerment.

    Represented by a Director of the Board of Innoson Group, Mr. Alfred Nwosu, the chairman disclosed that flag-off was “indeed auspicious as it is the realization of our company’s vision to among other things contribute to the financial empowerment of our people while transforming the city transportation system of our beloved Enugu.”

    Read Also; ‘No govt has developed Uzo-Uwani like Ugwuanyi administration’

    He explained that the IVM Cruise service “is a unique technology-driven ride hailing service which offers our pilots a good chance of becoming dignified transporters and owners of brand new Innoson Connect Vehicles after an initial period of three years.”

    Launching the service, Governor  Ugwuanyi noted that it was reminiscent of global brands such as Uber Technologies, inc. and Lyft inc., and will go a long way to improve transportation in the state, create jobs for the teeming youths, reduce poverty and offer opportunity for startups in transportation business, “as the beneficiaries could become owners of the vehicles after initial three years.”

    The governor, who announced that his administration was prepared to provide training for the drivers engaged in the IVM Cruise service, directed the state ministry of transport to recruit more staff for the State Traffic Management Authority.

  • Ex-Anambra Governor Obi to appear before panel

    Ex-Anambra Governor Obi to appear before panel

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is to appear before the State Judicial Panel of Enquiry on police brutality, extra-judicial killings and other related matters.

    The panel hinted this on Thursday following allegations leveled against him by a victim of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and owner of the demolished Upper Class Hotel in Onitsha, Chief Bonaventure Mokwe.

    The hotelier alleged that Obi ordered the police to demolish his hotel without prior investigation indicting him.

    Read Also; I was locked in SARS cell next to a shrine, witness tells panel

    He alleged that the former governor was influenced by some powerful people in Onitsha.

    Following his narration, the panel chairman, Justice V. N. Umeh, told the victim’s counsel, Prof Umeh Nweke, to seek an addendum to their earlier petition instead of the narration that would gulp the panel’s time.

    The chairman assured the victim that everyone mentioned in the case, including the police, would be invited to appear before the panel.

    Before the panel moved to other petitions, it gave Mokwe up to 26 November, 2020, to file his addendum.

  • REA100kw project attracts milling plant in Ebonyi

    REA100kw project attracts milling plant in Ebonyi

    By John Ofikhenua, Abakaliki

    The commissioning of 100kw solar hybrid mini grid in Eka Awoke in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi has attracted a rice milling plant in the community.

    The Minister of State for Power, Mr. Jedy Gody-Agba, who revealed this at the ceremony, said: “it will attract industry. The MD Cloud Energy has promised to establish a rice milling plant here. While we were coming the MD said this time next year, he will establish it.”

    The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) project was implemented by a private sector firm, Clouds Energy Photoelectric Limited through public private partnership.

    Ebonyi Governor David Umahi said the solar power plant would trigger industrialisation in the community .

    According him, the impact of the project was already changing lives positively.

    His Deputy, Barrister Kelechi Igwe, who represented him, said: ” This project has also provided jobs for indigenes of this community and will create more during its expansion.

    Read Also: A decade after, Ondo South sets to get electricity

    “We look forward to witnessing and commissioning more of this projects that will improve the quality of life for the people of Ebonyi and revolutionize the face of our economy.”

    He said since the project is a clean energy, it would culminate in the attainment of improved health and environment in the state.

    Umahi commended the Federal Government and REA for providing reliable electricity to the unserved and underserved community with electricity.

    The REA Managing Director, Salihijo Ahmad, said the project was designed to provide jobs for the community.

    He urged the people to put it to productive use because the Federal Government was looking forward to assessing its positive impact on the rural community.

    According to him, the project was designed with some economic impact assessment measures.
    The REA boss said the project would run the healthcare facilities in the community.

    He said the project was implemented from the first set of grant to the Rural Electrification Fund for off-grid electrification across the country.

    Salihijo said the essence of the project is to promote economic activities in rural communities.

    “As you have hear Cloud Energy is going to develop a rice mill here just because of this power plant,” he said, stressing “this is exactly why REA goes into this kind of project to stimulate the economy and create jobs.”

    HRH, Ezeh Omereoha I of Eka -Awoke Unweueka Ikwo, said there was no electricity in the community until the project illuminated it.

    He said there had since been 24 hours daily power supply, noting his domain had never had it so good.

    The traditional ruler, who expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for siting the project in his domain, promised that to provide security for the solar project.

    He said: “I have been doing my best to ensure that the property of the government is protected in this area. We have vigilante group. We haveNeighbourhood Watch that take care of day and night security guard.”

    He described his people as agrarians. According to him, “this project will help us now to make sure our crops are being transferred elsewhere. As my people are agrarians.”

  • Anambra threatens to ban tricycles over increased crime

    Anambra threatens to ban tricycles over increased crime

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka 

    Anambra State has threatened to ban tricycle operations if the operators fail to heed government directives.

    The government also lamented the increase in kidnapping, murders and other crimes.

    About 15 persons have been killed since the EndSARS protests, while kidnapping and other crimes have risen. The government said the criminals perpetuate their mission using tricycles.

    Secretary to the State Government Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu gave the ban hint yesterday in Awka at a meeting with tricycle operators at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square.

    Read Also: Kidney centre launched in Anambra

    Chukwulobelu urged the tricycle operators to join the ATMC registration to stem crime. The government insisted that the registration would aid easy identification as security reports received in the last few weeks showed that tricycles were being used to commit crime.

    He said: “If the operators refuse to identify the bad eggs among them, government will ban the operation of tricycles.”

    Former Commissioner for Transport Uchenna Okafor announced the cancellation of all monthly dues paid by the operators.

  • Ilaboya retains EdoJobs award

    Ilaboya retains EdoJobs award

    Hassan Otinau, Sabongidda-Ora

    Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, has received “The most supportive local government chairman” award by EdoJobs, the hub that drives Governor Godwin Obaseki’s job creation scheme.

    The award was presented by Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Duties  Damian Lawani with Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy Philip Shaibu and key members of the State Executive Council in attendance.

    The awards ceremony took place during the 4th Alaghodaro youth summit at New Festival Hall, Benin City.

    Managing Director of EdoJobs,  Mrs Ukinebo Dare, noted the Owan West boss was receiving the recognition for the second time, having won it in 2019.

    She expressed profound appreciation to Ilaboya for believing in the  EdoJobs project and unprecedented level of support he has given to the agency.

    Ilaboya expressed appreciation to Obaseki for creating EdoJobs, which he said has become a veritable platform for youths in the state to excel.

    He thanked the agency for  finding him worthy to receive the award for the second year  among the 18 Local Government Areas, saying he considers this a huge challenge to do more for the youth in his council.

    “I am excited winning the award back to back. I am grateful to the management of EdoJobs for this huge recognition, and for me, it is another challenge to do more for our youths.

    “I have consistently advocated for a robust youth scheme that will give hope and guarantee the future of the youths. And that was why we as a local government  keyed-into the government’s visionary youth empowerment policy.

    “We will continue to make youth empowerment  our cardinal focus in Owan West as we remain committed to providing opportunities for the youths in the Local Government.

    “We are already working on a robust policy that will make Owan West Youths the envy of all. The programme will be rolled out early in December 2020,” he stressed.

    His wife, Patience, gave glory to God for the award and assured residents of Owan West her husband will not let the them down.

  • Diri to Bayelsans: have confidence in our administration

    Diri to Bayelsans: have confidence in our administration

     Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

     

    BAYELSA State Governor Douye Diri has urged the people to be confident in his administration’s poverty alleviation scheme, ‘Diri Boost’, to enhance the state’s economic fortunes.

    Diri spoke on Wednesday at the 12th State Executive Council (SEC) meeting. He stressed that the scheme was intended to enable the people create economic value out of the state’s vast agricultural and commercial potentials.

    Represented by Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor urged Bayelsans to shun baseless rumours about the intervention programme, saying the administrative bottlenecks were responsible for the delay in its kick off.

    Read Also: Diri hails Buhari for debt repayment to states

    A statement by Ewhrudjakpo’s media aide, Doubara Atasi, reads: …”we thank Bayelsans for their understanding, and ask for more understanding and support. Let us not give attention to those rumours out there. Governor Diri means prosperity, and this government also means prosperity.

    “Nobody should be in doubt as to the determination of this government to pursue the prosperity agenda having had a good foundation from restoration. The delay in the ‘Diri Boost’ scheme is due to administrative bottlenecks which are natural and, as soon as they are cleared, ‘Diri Boost’ will start.”

     

  • Ikpeazu sacks council chair

    Ikpeazu sacks council chair

     Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

     

    ABIA State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has sacked the Transition Committee Chairman of Arochukwu Local Government Area, Emmanuel Kanu.

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Chris Ezem, directed Kanu to hand over property and affairs of the council to the Deputy Transition Chairman.

    Ezem added that the governor has approved the recall of the suspended Transition Committee Chairmen of Aba North and South Local Government Areas – Victor Ubani and Cherechi Nwogu.

    The directives take immediate effect, he said.

  • Shaibu’s brother regains freedom

    Shaibu’s brother regains freedom

    Bisi Olaniyi, Benin 

     

    FREDERICK Shaibu, younger brother of Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, has regained his freedom after a huge ransom was paid.

    Sources said Frederick, who was released on Wednesday, is in good health but traumatised.

    One of the sources said: “The family is happy to have Frederick back. He is also excited to rejoin his family after his ordeal.”

    Read Also: Shaibu’s wife, Oshiomhole in war of words

    Media aide to the deputy governor Benjamin Atu, and police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor refused to confirm how much was paid as ransom. Nwabuzor insisted that investigation into the incident was on.

    Fredrick was kidnapped about 7am on Monday while driving his children to school at Aruogba,  Irhiri axis of Benin.

    The children were left in the car while the hoodlums took their father away.

  • Imo to get science and technical college

    Imo to get science and technical college

    Our Reporter

     

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a Federal Science and Technical Secondary School in Imo State.

    Commissioner for Information Declan Emelumba and his Education and Health counterparts – Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha and Mrs. Damaris Osunkwo – said the government was grateful to the president and the Federal Ministry of Education for finding Imo suitable and worthy to site the school.

    The ground breaking ceremony held at Umuaka in Njaba Local Government Area has been done.

    Emelumba hinted that the government was considering a resumption date for tertiary institutions ‘so that students who have been at home due to the prolonged ASUU strike can resume and continue with their studies’.

    Read Also: Fire guts Ajimobi’s wife’s store

    The commissioner added that security agencies have been empowered to enforce the use of facemask to curtail the spread of Coronavirus. He reiterated that wearing of face mask, observation of other COVID-19 protocols were to avoid resurgence of Coronavirus.

    According to Emelumba, the COVID-19 Community testing is still on in all the 27 local government areas. He noted that reports from the exercise show that the rate of spread from areas covered is very low, hence the need for the people to obey all the protocols.