The Nation Newspaper

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  • NDDC has 4,000 uncompleted projects

    NDDC has 4,000 uncompleted projects

    The board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) appeared yesterday before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs to defend its N322.6 billion 2014 budget.

    The board’s chairman, Senator Ewa Henshaw, regretted that the commission had over 4,000 uncompleted projects because of paucity of funds.

    He blamed the problem on a faulty budget process.

    The agency chief said NDDC was considering partnerships with reputable firms to enable it deliver on its mandate this year.

    He said the low pace of project completion compelled the board and management to seek partnerships with some reputable firms for infrastructure development, health care delivery and power generation, among others.

    Henshaw also said the partnerships with the private firms to co-fund the uncompleted projects would leverage on the funds available to the commission and ensure their completion on schedule.

    The board chairman stressed that the initiative would solve 80 per cent of the challenges militating against the programmes of the commission.

    He said the NDDC would seek a review of the 15 per cent mobilisation fees for contractors, adding that the practice caused the series of abandoned projects in the area.

    Henshaw said: “We have decided to lay an agenda for NDDC to enable us implement flagship legacy projects within the sub-region. What this means is that we will tackle very important jobs and developmental projects in the areas of roads, power, health sector and the environment.

    “We recognise the difficulty we confront with funding, but we have been careful in trying to identify the sources of funding that will finance this year’s budget.

    “In addition to that, we have decided to focus more on partnerships that will help us augment funding for the development of the sub-region. For example, on roads, we are looking at construction companies that will co-fund major projects with us so that we can leverage on what we have in the areas of available funds and the programme to ensure that the projects are completed on time.

    “We are also exploring partnerships that will facilitate power generation, because we believe that if we are able to achieve substantial increase in the provision of power, then we believe that at least 50 per cent of the unemployment problem within the region will be solved.

    “We are also looking for partnerships for intervention in the Health sector that will directly affect the health care delivery system and the efficiency within that system.”

    The chairman told the Senate that the NDDC was battling to surmount its major challenges.

    He said: “The first and perhaps most important is the provision of 15 per cent in the budget. What I mean is that if you have a project, say a N2 billion project that can be completed within 12 or 24 months, the current practice is that only 15 per cent, which is what is required for the advance payment, is provided for in the budget.

    “Usually, what happens is that the contractor will quickly go beyond 15 per cent value of work done within 12 months but there is no further provision in the budget to continue to pay for the work that he is doing.

    “The result is the delay and even abandonment, because after the 15 per cent, the contractor now has to wait for next year’s budget.”

  • Dana de-worms 3,000 pupils

    Dana de-worms 3,000 pupils

    To make pupils healthy, Dana Drugs Limited has de-wormed over 3,000 school children of Barikin Sale Primary School, Barikin Sale, Minna, Niger State.

    The gesture, according to the team leader, Godwin Ediagbonya, is to make the pupils healthy and avoid running stomachs during the course of their studies.

    Ediagbonya said the exercise was done in partnership with the state Ministry of Health and Hospital Services on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) programme.

    It was carried out by the wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajia Jumai Babangida Aliyu.

    She urged parents to always de-worm their wards to keep them healthy. Also speaking, Mr Gift Osiomwan, said Niger was the third to host to the firm’s state tour on de-worming.

    “Niger State played host as the third state on the series of the nationwide de-worming of school children by Dana Drugs Limited as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts,” he said.

    He said the firm will continue in its efforts at ensuring that pupils across the country are de-wormed.

  • Woman hides’ $240,000 in dictionaries

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a $240,000 cash hidden inside dictionaries at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

    A 39-year-old Congolese and fashion designer, Mfundu Angela, who attempted to export the suspected fake dollars to Congo-Kinshasa through Cargolux Airline, was arrested by NDLEA.

    NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar, said: “The suspect who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo brought a sewing machine and a bag containing clothes and five dictionaries for export to Congo. There was high suspicion on the consignment and in the process of searching, the dictionaries were found to contain 24 envelopes containing $10,000 each.

    The suspect, a divorcee and mother of two, said: “I am a fashion designer from DR Congo. I have two children, but my husband and I have been separated. I came to Nigeria in search of greener pastures in 2006. It was my boyfriend that gave me the dictionaries to send to Congo.”

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said: “This remarkable seizure is a big boost for our airport and border security. It is an indication that criminal groups are fast becoming inept based on our superior search operations.”

    At the end of preliminary investigations, the suspect will be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigations and legal action.

  • Group targets 10,000 pupils for ICT contest

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Talent Hunt in partnership with Siama Technologies Limited and Nova Strategy for School Growth, has pledged to involve about 10,000 pupils from both public and private primary schools in Lagos State in its 2014 talent hunt computer competition.

    The group’s National Coordinator, Mr Kingsley Kalu spoke at the second annual presentation of prizes to winners of 2013 talent hunt competition.

    Kingsley said the 2012 and 2013 editions were restricted to private schools because of limited resources, promising that with the two partners coming on board, more pupils would participate in 2014.

    A pleasant surprise for Kingsley and other judges was that the best contestants did not come from elitist schools.

    This means that pupils have what it takes to prevail irrespective of where they are from if given the necessary assistance and exposure, he also said the competition, though only in its second edition, has helped to expose the innate abilities of the children, none of whom are above 12 years.

    He urged other Nigerians and corporate bodies to work together to invest in children and stop waiting for the government to do everything.

    Five schools were presented with prizes at the event. The first prize of a laptop computer went to Evans Happy Home Nursery/Primary School, Ojodu. Double Glory Nursery/Primary School won a desktop computer for coming second; while Yemkem International Nursery/Primary School got a standing fan for placing third. The fourth and fifth placed prizes were taken by Children Home Nursery/Primary School and Spring flower Nursery/Primary Schools which got wall clocks.

    The chairman of the programme and proprietor of Barachel Group of Schools, Pastor Joshua Alonge, who was represented by Mr Agidi Albert Kayode, Head Teacher, admonished all school owners to take the issue of computer education seriously stressing that no meaningful development can take place without effective use of the computer.

    The Managing Director of Siama Technologies Limited, Mr Iyke Nwaneche assured schools in the state that the firm has a flexible policy aimed at assisting them acquire computers – including free installation of application and educational softwares, and free internet installation.

    Addressing school proprietors at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nova Strategy for School Growth, Mr Samuel Sayo Ajayi, said running a successful school business has gone beyond acquiring classrooms and gathering children and teachers together.

    He underscored the importance of relationship building and management to the success of schools.

    “To win and keep relationships, your sentences have to be appealing, you have to put in empathy, place yourself in the shoe of the clients. The modern school success is not only dependent on teaching of ABC but equally on relationship building and management. Thought on how to make your life a center of attraction and the way you present and relate with your clients (parents and staff members) is the key to the success you want for your school”, he said.

     

  • Boy, 2, needs N350, 000 for surgery

    A two-year old boy, Oluwafeyijimi Benson, who is battling a hole in his heart, requires N350,000 to live. The cash is the balance of the N1.7 million he requires for “a corrective surgery” in India.

    The Nation reported on October 16 that the boy requires N1.7 million for the surgery, prompting some Nigerians and groups to come to his aid.

    He got N500,000 from individuals. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, offered to foot half of the surgery bill.

    The tot now requires N350,000 to complete the money.

    Staring into space yesterday, his mother, Mrs. Toyin Benson, bemoaned her child’s fate, saying: “God, who will you send to save this boy for me?”

    At two, Benson cannot walk, stand or eat like his peers. His breathing is fast and often times, he breathes through his mouth. His eyes are purple and he rarely eats. “He feeds barely on baby foods, and has never taken breast milk, owing to his health condition,” Mrs Benson said.

    “A hole was discovered in his heart when he was barely two months old at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, when I took him there for treatment. However, financial challenges have not allowed us to do the prescribed surgery for him,” she added.

    A medical report from LASUTH’s Department of Paediatrics and Child Health shows that the boy, with hospital registration number 0210983, is a patient at the Paediatric Cardiology Unit, where he is being managed for Congenital Heart Disease, which requires surgical intervention.

    Mrs Benson has opened a First Bank account under the name: Oluwafeyijimi Benson, with number: 3071772551, for those that wish to help. She can also be reached on 08039151682.

  • Expect 10,000 megawatts next year, says Minister

    Expect 10,000 megawatts next year, says Minister

    Minister of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo has assured Nigerians that power generation would increase to 10,000 megawatts by December 2014.

    This, according to the minister, would guarantee 18 hours of uninterrupted power supply in every part of the country.

    Nebo spoke while briefing the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the activities of his ministry at the party’s secretariat on Tuesday.

    The minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Power, Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, lamented what he described as transmission challenges that could lead to system collapse.

    He said: “We envisage 10,000 megawatts by December 2014. With our short term, long term and immediate strategies that we have in place; in addition to working assiduously with other stakeholders in the power sector, we will get there.

    “We have the NIPP work going on, and the Niger Delta Power Company coming up for commissioning by December 2013, we look forward to 10, 000 megawatts come December 2014.

    Nebo went on: “If we succeed in making it more than that, we will be very happy. But we are focused on actually delivering 10,000 megawatts by 2014. And this by our calculations and data we have on ground.

    “We will give at least between 17 and 18 hours of power supply to Nigerians. The 24 hours power supply will happen but we are working steadily towards that”.

    The minister said the private sector is expected to inject more funds into the power and participate more in distribution.

    Also speaking at the forum, the minister of state said the current system collapse was caused by over grown shrubs around transmission areas, adding, however that the problem was being addressed by a technical team put in place by the ministry.

    The two ministers said that the process in the power sector is a sensitive one because every aspect of the process must be in place before transmission could be meaningful.

  • Kcee shocks fan with N450,000 wristwatch

    Kcee shocks fan with N450,000 wristwatch

    AS the 1st leg of the Star Music Trek regional concerts kicked off, Jite Open Field in FESTAC came alive as music lovers from the nooks and crannies of Lagos came in droves to watch their favourite superstars; Psquare, M.I, Sound Sultan and a few others perform live.

    One after the other, the music acts dished out popular songs from their collection of hits, reaching out to the crowd who swelled the ranks in appreciation of the stage craft and mastery of the entertainers.

    Expressing gusto, award winning artiste, Ice Prince, who has enjoyed a very successful musical year so far affirmed his appreciation of being part of this year’s tour. Self-acclaimed, ‘Africa number one rapper’ M.I, did not disappoint his fans as he rocked the stage in a stellar performance that lasted 42 minutes.

    Limpopo crooner, Kcee, also showcased not only talent but extreme generosity after an extremely energetic performance. “I love my wrist-watch, but FESTAC, I love you more.” the singer said as he threw the wristwatch into the crowd with one astonished fan instantly becoming the new owner of a $3,000 (approximately N450, 000) Hublot wristwatch.

    The Star Music Trek, according to organisers, ends with a major finale on August 10th at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

     

  • Minister orders probe of 445,000 domestic crude oil deals

    The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, has ordered the Group Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Bon Otti, to conduct an investigation into the management of the 445,000 Barrel Per Day (BPD) domestic crude oil purchase by and remittances to the Federation Account.

    To ensure the integrity of the exercise, she has directed Otti to immediately engage an independent consultant to conduct the investigation.

    According to reliable sources at the NNPC yesterday, the investigation became necessary due to allegations of corruption involving some top officials of the corporation with regards to the management and remittances of the said crude oil purchase.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke is said to have described the allegations as grave and directed that detailed investigations should begin into all aspects of transactions regarding the management of the 445,000 barrels of oil, the day allocated, sales to NNPC by the federation viz-a-viz the level of remittances made to the federation.

    The investigation will also cover, but not limited to the volumes and the value of crude oil purchased by the NNPC, the allocation of crude oil volumes into the following components-volumes and values utilised, exported oil, volumes and values of crude oil dedicated for offshore processing, volumes and values of crude oil dedicated to products swap as well as volumes and values of crude oil delivered to local refineries.

    The investigation is expected to also uncover the values of proceeds from crude oil purchase, volumes exported, volumes and values of various states of products yield delivered for crude oil and for offshore processing, product swapping and the quantity and values delivered for local refineries.

    The panel will also ensure that it determines the amount realised by the Petroleum Price Monitoring Commission (PPMC) from the sale of petroleum, remittances made by Corporate Treasury from the sale of petroleum products and remittances made by the Corporate Treasury to the Federal Allocation Accounts Committee (FAAC) from the proceeds of volumes of crude oil delivered to local refineries, offshore processing and crude oil exported.

  • Firm targets 5,000 tonnes of seeds yearly

    A firm, Da-all Green Seeds, Zaria, will produce 5,000 tonnes of seeds yearlly before the winding down of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA),its Chief Executive Officer Mr Steven Attah, has said.

    Speaking in Abuja, Attah praised the Federal Government’s ATA policy, noting that it was capable of improving agricultural production.

    His company,he said, produced 1,200 tonnes of seeds during the ATA’s first year as against the 500 tonnes it used to produce. He said the company would produce 2,500 to 3,000 tonnes of seeds this year. He futher said the ATA had built the confidence of the company in the area of trade channels and relationship with agro-dealers. ‘’We have been able to also increase our farmers’ population and our employees have been increased.

    ‘’We now have agro-dealers that we can trust to some extent because we know that they are under check and we also believe that only credible people will be sustained under this agenda. ‘’Before the winding down of the agenda, we are targeting the production of 5,000 tonnes of seeds per annum, which is 10 times our production level two years ago.’’

    Attah explained that even though the mobile phones might not be the ultimate thing the farmers need, it would be a platform to ensure that the government’s fertiliser reached them on time.

    “The mobile phones for farmers is not a luxury, it is a platform being developed to yield billions in the future.’’‘’It should not be looked at as if the seeds and fertiliser are more important because these things cannot get to the farmers without the e-wallet.’’

  • Dana Air: ‘Victims’ families can get over $100,000’

    Dana Air: ‘Victims’ families can get over $100,000’

    Families of victims of the Dana Air crash of last year in which 153 passengers died could get more than the minimum compensation, if they can establish reasons for such, the Deputy General Manager , Special Risk, Mutual Assurance Plc, Mr Kehinde Bello, has said.

    Though the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) set the minimum compensation of at least $100,000 per passenger, there is no limit for the residents of the Iju/Ishaga, whose properties were destroyed.

    Qualification for the compensation claim above the prescribed international standards would depend on the claim by the relatives of the victims to the airline and insurers beyond doubt that they qualify to collect a compensation regime above the threshold.

    This is coming at a time the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has set a two-month deadline for Dana Air and its insurance firm to settle the balance to relatives of victims who died in the crash.

    Bello said with proof, the families of the victims could press for more cash.

    He said: “To facilitate prompt payment of claims in the event of an accident, as in the case of Dana Air, the insurance company and the carrier can collaborate to fast-track the payment.

    “Airlines are required by law to have statutory cover. But, when there is a crash, the family of relatives could ask for compensation beyond the prescribed limit of compensation of N100,000, if they can show beyond reasonable doubt that the victim is worth more than the amount allowed as minimum limit.”

    He said this could be achieved depending on the statutory template established by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA), to ensure that the compensation is paid.

    He called for standard documentation by the airline and insurance.

    He said once there is proof that a passenger was on board any crashed aircraft, there must be a standard guideline to be followed to ensure that no claimant is denied payment of compensation.

    The insurance expert explained that there should be flexibility in the processes that lead to the payment of compensation by all claimant, provided all parties involved have understanding.

    He said: ”There must be cooperation between the airline and the insurance company to ensure that ground casualty are covered by the third party liability. All the owners of such property needs to do is to submit a claim to the airline for compensation.

    ”But it does not end there, the insurance company on its part must establish the real value of the claim. They will have to examine the value of the property by inviting an adjuster to ascertain whether the property owner has not inflated figures in the claim. The rationale behind this is to ensure that the property owner does not make profit from the loss of the property.”

    Also speaking, the Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, affirmed that there is no limit to the liability of claims by those affected on the ground.

    He said : “ Insurance is one of the no go items as far as aviation is concerned. This is because there are global laws that prescribe that nobody can operate an aircraft in scheduled commercial category without an insurance cover.