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Tag: Abuja

  • Kerosene price decreases by 18.77% in February

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that average price per litre paid by consumers for National Household Kerosene, decreased by 18.77 per cent month-on-month in February.

    The bureau announced this in a “National Household Kerosene Price Watch (February 2017)’’ released on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The report, however, stated that average price per litre paid by consumers increased by 31.34 per cent year-on-year to N352.42 in February, from N433.84 in January.

    It stated that the states with the highest average price per litre of kerosene were Lagos, which sold the product for N455; Ogun N425.44 and Ondo, which sold it for N424.07.

    “States with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Sokoto State, which sold for N295.24; Gombe, N291.67 and Katsina State, which sold for N286.11.

    Similarly, the report stated that average price per gallon paid by consumers for National Household Kerosene, decreased by 4.77 per cent month-on-month.

    It also stated that the price increased by 81.92 per cent year-on-year to N1, 366.08 in February, from N1, 434.44 in January.

    “States with the highest average price per gallon of kerosene were Yobe, which sold for N1,800.00; Kebbi N1,687.50 and Akwa Ibom, which sold for 1,636.36.

    “States with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Sokoto State, which sold for N1,114.29; Ebonyi, N1,080.00 and Anambra, N1,068.18.

    Meanwhile, Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) Price Watch for February also released by NBS, stated that average price paid by consumers for diesel increased by 3.68 per cent month-on-month.

    The report stated that the product increased by 68.74 per cent year-on-year to N249.38 in February, from N240.52 in January.

    It stated that states with the highest average price of diesel were Adamawa, which sold the product for N280; Ebonyi, N272.5; Cross River and Borno, which sold the product for N271.

    Also, the report stated that states with the lowest average price of diesel were Oyo, which sold it for N226.67; Bauchi, N226 and Osun, N220.

  • Alleged N360m bribe: INEC officials challenge court’s jurisdiction

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned till April 7, hearing of an application filed by 23 INEC officials challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the bribery case filed against them.

    The 23 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were docked for allegedly receiving N360million from Gov. Nyesom Wike of River during the Dec. 10, 2016 re-rerun election in River.

    They were dragged to court on a seven- count charge bordering on money laundering and economic crimes.
    The defendants are: Shittu Lamido, Henry Owokure, Peter Ewatade, Mrs Mary Pennap, Gwatana Jibril, Ivase Stephen, Abdullahi Ogabo, Gayus Hassan, Hussaina Yahaya and James Oqwuche.
    Others are: Karimu Aminu, Adedokun Ayotunde, Najeem Ayotunde, Balogun Funmilayo,Adams Kadiri, Akinwande Adesoji, Lukeman Olabimpe and Tiamiyu Arowolo.
    The rest are: Akinwoye Amodu, Nwoha Yusuf, Patrick Anuke, Iro Abali, Nwosu Olucchi and Arukwe Chinelo.

    When the matter was called up for mention, Mr A.A Halilu, Assistant Chief State Counsel for the prosecution, told the court that all the defendants were present and they were ready for the matter.

    Mr Ahmed Raji, counsel to the 1st to 20th defendants, however, informed the court of his application which he filed, questioning the territorial jurisdiction of the court in the matter.
    Mr Raji said the offence took place in Port Harcourt, while their arraignment took place in Abuja.

    He also said that the defendants were not resident in Abuja and urged the court to hear the application.
    The other defence counsel, Mr Ukpan Ukaiso and Mr E. A. Nwagwa aligned themselves with the argument of Raji.

    The prosecution said they were aware of the issue of jurisdiction raised and ready to respond.
    Justice John Tsoho adjourned the matter till April 7 to hear the application.

  • Man in court for purchasing stolen beer bottles

    One Yusufu Mohammed of Kabusa village, Abuja, was on Tuesday arraigned in an FCT Upper Area Court, Gudu, for purchasing allegedly stolen empty bottles of beer.

    Mohammed was arraigned on a count charge of dishonestly receiving stolen property from one Sabiu Abdulraham.

    He denied committing the offence, while the judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted him bail in the sum of N20,000.

    The judge also ordered the defendant to provide one surety that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case till May 11 for hearing.

    Prosecutor Urom Out, had told the court that one Ogbona Collins of Kabusa village, reported the case at the Kabusa Police Station on Feb. 14.

    He said that a case of theft was reported against one Sabiu Abdulraham, while the case was later transferred to Apo Police Station.

    Otu said that police investigation revealed that the defendant purchased 30 empty beer bottles from Abdulraham, knowing that they were stolen.

    He said that the defendant purchased the bottles for N300, adding that the offence contravened Section 317 of the Penal Code.

  • Court remands man over ‘cow’ fraud

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, has ordered the remand of a 25-year-old cattle rearer, Haruna Idi, over alleged ‘cows’ fraud.

    The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, who gave the order adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.

    Idi of Karu, Abuja, was arraigned on a four-count charge of theft, criminal intimidation, cheating and criminal breach of trust.

    He, however, denied committing the offences. Prosecutor Umoh Inah, had told the court that one Mr. Uche Francis of Ministry of Defence, Abuja, wrote a petition against the defendant dated Feb.1, and forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police.

    He said that the plaintiff bought 40 cows in 2013 and gave them to the defendant to rear for him.

    According to the prosecutor, he bought more cows in 2014 and gave them to the defendant.

    Inah said that recently the plaintiff asked Idi for the cows; he said that he used the N530,000 given to him in 2013 to purchase two cows and one ram.

    The prosecutor said that Idi further threatened to kill the plaintiff if he demanded for the cows again.

    He said that during police investigation, more than 60 cows were found in Idi’s possession, while the plaintiff’s cows were yet to be recovered.

    The offences contravened Sections 397, 322, 287 and 312 of the Penal Code.

     

  • Ndoma-Egba vows to change public perception of NDDC

    Ndoma-Egba vows to change public perception of NDDC

    The Chairman of the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba says steps are being taken to change the negative perception of the commission by the public.

    Ndoma-Egbe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He regretted that the public image of the commission was not encouraging, adding that It would no longer be business as usual.

    According to him, members of the commission are being accused of collecting kick backs from contractors of the commission before paying them for contracts executed.

    “The story in the public is that the commission collects 10 to 15 per cent from contractors to get their payments for jobs executed.

    “This is absolutely wrong, if it is true, getting such payments from contractors would have become an industry by itself.

    “There is no reason why contractors who have met conditions for payment should not be paid without any gratification.

    “We are coming on board at a very challenging time.’’

    According to him, we must rebrand the commission and change the public perception of it as a slush fund, and this we must do through our honest work and single minded focus and discipline.Ndoma-Egba also pledged to reposition the board to enable it play its role effectively in the administration of the commission.

    He explained that the NDDC under his leadership would no longer serve as a place where things would be done without adhering strictly to set rules and order.

    “The bane of the commission seems to stem from the mentality of the leadership that once they are appointed, it is their turn to rip off the agency.

    “But the new Board and Management of the commission have understood where we are coming from and what the people expect from us and we have decided to depart from the ugly route of the past,’’ he said

    To this end, Ndoma-Egba said that on assumption of office, the management immediately swung into action by taking measures to put their house in order and change the way things were being done in the commission.

    He said this was done to show their seriousness and desire to stick to accountability and to ensure the much needed development.

    The chairman said the management assembled key members of staff and development partners for a retreat in February.

    This, he noted was part of efforts by the commission to reposition it for effective service delivery.

    “The three-day retreat, with the theme; “Collaboration for Sustainable Development”, held in Onne, Rivers State, and was attended by members of the Governing Board, directors, and strategic stakeholders from within and outside the region.

    “The retreat made it clear that the new Board and Management are solely dedicated to integrity, efficiency, transparency and accountability,” he stated.

    Speaking on abandoned projects in the region, Ndoma-Egba blamed the budget process for being “largely responsible for the spate of abandoned projects in the region.’’

    “The approach to projects has been ad hoc, arbitrary and self-serving, with very little end-user content. Many projects appear strange to beneficiary communities.

    “The projects are imposed on them and it creates crisis of ownership.

    “It will be apt to expect that with the combination of the chairman and the managing director in the saddle, a new era of rapid physical development driven by accountability will for once dominate the affairs of the commission.

    “Indeed, those who have taken time to look into the books of the commission are quick to point out that the amount of money received by the intervention agency since its establishment in 2000.“It is not commensurate with the quantity and quality of projects in the nine oil producing states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers.

  • 3 in court for alleged kidnap of 16-year-old girl

    Three people were on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly kidnapping a 16-year-old girl.

    The defendants- Ogei Blessing, Jennifer Ewenyor and Ogei Mabel all from Delta state, were arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and kidnapping.

    They all denied committing the offences.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko,
    however, ordered the remand of Ogei Blessing and Jennifer Ewenyor, while he granted bail to Ogei Mabel in the sum of N600,000.

    The judge explained that he granted the defendant bail because she is a nursing mother.
    He said‎ that Ewenyor and Blessing should file their bail application and adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.

    Prosecutor Umoh Inah, had told the court that one Mrs Cynthia Ogeide and Mrs Chioma Douglas reported the matter at the Special Tactical Squad, FCT Command in January.
    He said the defendants conspired and kidnapped a 16-year-old girl and further gave her out for “sex slavery.’’
    He said when the defendants were arrested; they gave the police false information, which misled the police from conducting a thorough investigation.
    The prosecutor added that one Miss Favour, who allegedly harboured the 16-year-old girl was now at large.
    The offences contravened Sections 97, 397 and 217 of the Penal Code.

  • Man in court for stealing refrigerator

    A 26-year-old security guard, Fidelis Guchong, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing a refrigerator valued at N40,000.

    Guchong of Spears Security Organisation, Kugbo village, is facing trial on a count charge of theft.
    He denied the charge, while the judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100, 000 and one surety in like sum.

    The judge adjourned further hearing till April 25.
    The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, had told the court that one Yerima Hassan, the Manager of Spears Security, reported the matter at Apo Police Station on March 6.

    Ogbobe said that the complainant alleged that the defendant, a staff of the company attached to a beat at Gudu District, dishonestly stole one nexus fridge worth N40, 000.

    According to the prosecutor, the defendant opened the warehouse where he was employed to guard and stole the fridge.
    He also said that during police investigation, the defendant confessed to have committed the crime.

    “He sold it to one Henry Danladi of Durumi II,’’ Ogbobe said.
    The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Section 289 of the Penal Code.

  • BREAKING: House of Reps Clerk slumps, dies

    BREAKING: House of Reps Clerk slumps, dies

    A Committee Clerk in the House of Representatives died in the National Assembly on Monday.

    The Clerk named Mohammed Shuaibu was said to have slumped at the NASS Annexe and brought to the Clinic in the White House. He, however, could not be resuscitated.

    Shuaibu, who was said to have driven himself to Abuja from Zaria on Sunday, also reportedly drove himself to work in the morning before his sudden death.

    According to reports, Shuaibu came in early yesterday ahead of the meeting of the Committee on which he served.

    The meeting was however said to have been postponed due to his death.

    He was said to have worked with the committee on Internal Security before he was moved to the House committee on Agricultural Production and Services,

    As at noon yesterday the Nass management was trying to decide if his body should be conveyed to Zaria or not.

    As at the time of filing this report, he was the Clerk of the House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, under the Chairmanship of Mohammed Monguno.

  • Airport closure: NAF increase air patrol on Kaduna-Abuja highway

    Airport closure: NAF increase air patrol on Kaduna-Abuja highway

    Following the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has assured of increased security for travellers on the Kaduna-Abuja highway saying it is increasing its air surveillance and patrol in the axis.

    The NAF also said following its four months of intense surveillance on the Kaduna rail line, incidences of kidnapping and cattle rustling have been substantially reduced assuring travellers of their safety.

     Speaking at the Kaduna Air Force base after an extensive tour of the civil and military air bases, the NAF Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abdullahi Ahmed Iya said the Air Force has made extensive arrangements to accommodate both the civil and military air traffic during the closure of the Abuja airport.

    AVM Iya who was in Kaduna with all the top specialist directors of the NAF on the orders of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said there was need to assess the operations of both the civil and the military air traffic after a few days of operation at the  Kaduna international airport and to bridge the gaps where necessary.

    Iya said: “Before the closure, we have been patrolling the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and we have substantially reduced the kidnapping and cattle rustling problems on Kaduna-Abuja highway from our constant patrol in coordination with the army, the patrol will continue it is just that now that there is increased traffic, we just want to make sure we cover everything so we won’t have issues during the closure of the Abuja airport.”

    He said monitoring the work operations became necessary as the  Abuja Air Force operations and the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) have been moved to Kaduna in order to avoid conflict with the civil aviation traffic.

    Iya: “We are here to assess the general arrangement after the relocation to Kaduna, we have just finished inspecting the Kaduna civil airport,  the helicopters are here they used to be based in Abuja, we have come to look at arrangements done now that they are here. The Presidential Air Fleet also relocated to this place, we want to re-assess the arrangements and security and then we will go back and brief the CAS.

    “The Kaduna base is where we have our primary flight training school so we share the airspace with the civil so we need to properly coordinate with the civil traffic so there will be no conflict  and there will be safe operations.”

    While assuring that there will be no conflict between military and civilian airplanes AVM Iya said the few gaps that have been noticed will quickly be closed.

    “I think from what we have seen so far, no major problems, there are a few gaps which the specialist directors have seen and we will close the gap. We did detailed planning before we move, on the whole we are satisfied with what we have seen so far,” he said.

     Later, two NAF Helicopters, Augusta and the Supa Puma embarked on a routine patrol of the Kaduna-Abuja highway and the rail line for about 30 minutes before returning to Kaduna, the exercise, according to the NAF would increase as Kaduna airport increases air traffic.

    Meanwhile, air transport activities are also increasing at the Kaduna airport, officials of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) who spoke to our correspondent in Kaduna said the logistics are getting better by the day.

    “We are improving, you just need to give us about one more week and everything will be perfect, there is increased traffic into this airport and some of the airlines are even saying they will stay in Kaduna after Abuja airport is reopened,” one of the officials said.

  • FG to save $200 million from fertiliser initiative

    FG to save $200 million from fertiliser initiative

    • Fertiliser cost reduced to N5, 500
    • To save extra N60 billion in 2017 budget
    The President of Fertiliser Producer and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), Mr. Thomas Etuh has said that the newly launched Presidential Fertiliser Initiative will save the Federal Government about $200 million of foreign exchange.
    FEPSAN President disclosed this yesterday while monitoring the fertiliser project in Kaduna State, adding that it was a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model meant to reduce fertiliser cost to N5,500.
    Etuh explained that the project was aimed to produce 1 million Metric Tonnes of NPK fertiliser for 2017 wet season farming and 500, 000 Metric tonnes for 2017 dry season farming.
    He stressed that it will save the federal government another N60 billion in a budgetary provision for fertiliser in 2017.
    According to him, as at December 2016, there were five fertiliser blending plants in the country, running at 10 per cent capacity but had been increased to 32 blending plants. 
    Major partners in this project are the Presidential Committee on Fertiliser and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). 
    Etuh said: “We are monitoring some of the plants of the presidential fertiliser initiative which is a public-private partnership. Some of you will remember that FEPSAN signed an agreement with OCP of Morocco to order phosphate as one of the raw materials for the production of fertiliser. 
    “We only import 37 percent of the inputs we don’t have in Nigeria which is Urea and Limestone to get fertiliser to the farmers. 
    “From that 14th December 2016 to 14th February 2017, we gave farmers free gift. They start to receive fertiliser at N5,500. Agro-dealers also get theirs, when they come to a plant like this, they will pay N5000, they are supposed to pay for transport and others so they will sale for N5,500.
    “This is a PPP arrangement, there is no subsidy at all. We will save government in six months about N60 billion and save the government about $200 million in foreign exchange.” 
    He added that “Thousands of jobs have been created within two months and more jobs will be created. There is a movement of trucks bringing raw materials from Lagos, Port Harcourt and other places to the blending plants.
    “There are two drivers and two motor boys, multiply it by 5000. Again, we have a loader and off-loader of 15 persons. So, if you multiply it, we will arrive at 1.4 million jobs already created. This is the direct job being created and others that will be created outside the factory”
    The initiative will be executed in five batches. 
    “In the first batch, 11 plants would be engaged. Three in Kaduna, two in Kano state, one in Funtua, Katsina state, one in Bauchi state, one in Plateau state, one in Niger state, one in Lagos state, one in Ebonyi state and production has commenced in the 11 plants across the selected states,” Etuh stated. 
    In his remarks, Managing Director, Fertiliser and Chemical Company, Kaduna, Prekash Pandya said the fertiliser processing plant has about 500, 000 capacity but will blend about 300, 000 metric tonnes for the presidential initiative. 
    He described the intervention as beautiful, such that it created jobs across the value-chain to the end users. 
     
    Pandya, while commending the federal government efforts, noted that about 50 trucks are being produced daily. 
    He said about 250 employees have been employed and extra 100 labours were engaged to load and off-load the fertilisers.