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Tag: Abuja

  • Why no record for N558.2m taken monthly by ex-Air chief

    Why no record for N558.2m taken monthly by ex-Air chief

    A key witness in the trial of former Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Dikko Umar, Air Commodore Salisu Yishau (rtd.) explained on Thursday why there are no receipts for the N558.2million allegedly diverted monthly by Umar while he was in office between October 2010 and September 2012.

    Yushau, a former Director, Finance and Accounts at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters, Abuja, had on Monday told a Federal High Court in Abuja how he always handed US dollar equivalent of N558.2m monthly to Umar.

    He also gave details of how he assisted Umar to buy five choice houses in Abuja, Kaduna Nad Kano from the money he (Umar) allegedly diverted from the NAF.

    Yushau, who was cross-examined yesterday by Umar’s lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN), said there were manual for financial regulations that provided that there must be receipt for every payment by the NAF

    He explained that all the payment to the COAS was upon his demand being NAF’s chief accounting officer. He added that there the payments were made without any authorising document, and hence, were never receipted.

    The witness agreed with Liman that the NAF’s Financial Regulations Manual contained a mandatory provision that receipts must be issued for all payments by the NAF.

    He explained that “in financial matters, payment means that there is a source document where a request for payment for expenditure is made through the Chief Accounting Officer and authority is given for the expenditure.

    “So, whoever is collecting payment for the expenditure, that payment must be receipted. But, where the Chief Accounting Officer is saying give me this and there is no document, that cannot be said to be payment,” Yishau said.

    The witness confirmed that he knew of the Financial Regulation of 2007 and revised 2009 “which regulates the financial dealings of ministries, departments and agencies, and other government establishments including the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

    He added that the military being a unique government institution, said the financial regulation had a limited binding force on the military.

    “The military is a unique institution and has its own norms, despite the financial regulations. The financial regulation is binding on the armed forces, so long as it does not affect the operational activities of the armed forces,” he said.

    Yishau said under the military’s financial regulations, he as the Director of Finance and Accounts, was the accounting officer for the NAF, but that the Chief of Air Staff was the chief accounting officer.

    The witness said by virtue of that, he was only responsible “for ensuring accountability, transparency, stewardship, probity and financial responsibility in all ramifications in the management of the finance of the Nigerian Air Force” through the Chief of Air Staff.

    In rejecting the suggestion by Liman that it was part of his duty to prepare the budget of the air force, Yushau said: “It is not part of my schedule to prepare and present the budget to the National Assembly.

    “I only give my input into the budget like other directors of the Nigerian Air Force. The budget office, when I was in the Nigerian Air Force was under the Chief of Policy and Plans and there was a Director of the budget under him.

    “My input into the budget was in the form of an extent of implementation for the budget year. What I mean by the budget implementation are the details of the money received within the budget year and the programmes that were executed by the NAF.

    “There were three main signatories to the Nigerian Air Force’s accounts. These were, the Commander Pay and Accounting Group, Ikeja Lagos; the Chief Accountant, usually a senior civilian account staff usually posted from the Accountant-General’s office; and the Air Force’s cashier,” Yushau said.

    The witness said although he had a supervisory role on the Pay and Accounting Group,  the Commander of the group “is responsible to the Chief of Air Staff.”

    He also said there was a time he was a signatory to “an account designated at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force for the construction of NAF Conference Centre.

    “There was also an account for a reactivation of that was Nigerian Air Force C130 fleet,” he said.

    Although the lead prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir opposed Liman’s move to tender the Manual for Financial Administration for the Armed Forces of Nigeria 2012 signed by the then Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, the judge overruled him (Tahir) and admitted the document in evidence.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in admitting the document, held that it was a was a subsidiary legislation which required no certification.

    He adjourned to March 28 for Tahir to produce Yishau’s statement sought to be tendered by the defence.

  • ‘Why ex-Presidential panel member can’t treat hypertension in South Africa’

    The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation yesterday urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to decline a request by retired Air Commodore Mohammed Dikko Umar to be allowed two months to treat hypertension in South Africa.

    Umar, an ex-member of the Presidential Committee investigating procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces, is being tried with his company – Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited, on charges of money laundering, illegal possession of firearms and violation of Official Secret Act.

    Umar’s lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN) had in February 14 application urged the court to allow his client travel to South Africa for two months to treat hypertension and other ailments.

    But, in a counter-affidavit to the application, a lawyer representing the AGF’s office, Shuaibu Labaran argued that Umar’s request was not only ridiculous, there was no credible evidence to support his claim to ill-health and that his ailment cannot be treated locally.

    He said Umar, while in detention, never complained of any medical ailment and did not show any sign of “either hypertension nor hyperlipidemia.”

    Labaran, who I the lead prosecuting lawyer, said Umar has not shown concrete evidence and an effective medical report from a medical facility in Nigeria to corroborate his claim to ill-health.

    He said: “The defendant/applicant attached to his affidavit, EXHIBIT A, a letter purported to be an invitation from one Dr. R. M. S. KAJEE, a Private General Practitioner of 173 Rivonia Road, Rochester Place, Block A, Sandton, South Africa, requesting the defendant/applicant to come for a routine medical checkup;

    “The defendant/applicant’s  medical condition can be effectively treated in any medical facility in Nigeria by any general practitioner;

    “The defendant/applicant’s  medical report EXHIBIT A was not precise and did not show any need for a medical checkup outside Nigeria;

    “The supposed medical report exhibited did not show reasons or a medical history that the defendant/applicant’s ill health could not be sufficiently attended by appropriate medical practitioners in Nigeria.

    “The defendant/applicant is merely looking for an excuse to delay the trial and if possible jump bail. This court has the power to refuse this application. Refusing this application will better serve the interest of justice,” he said.

    Although the court had planned to hear the application yesterday, the hearing was however postponed when Liman sought time to respond to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit.

    Justice John Tsoho consequently adjourned to February 28 for hearing.

  • FERMA boss to answer for unused N10billion in coffers

    FERMA boss to answer for unused N10billion in coffers

    A joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has threatened sanctions against the Acting Managing Director of the agency, Mr Peter Ibu.

    The committee handed down the threat on Wednesday as a result of non-utilisation of N10 billion allocation in the agency’s coffers, which was meant for projects in the 2016 budget.

    The dormant N10 billion allocation was uncovered during the agency’s budget defence session before the joint committee.

    A member of the joint committee, Mr Magaji Aliyu (Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency, has drawn the attention of members to the released to FERMA for road rehabilitation projects in different parts of the country but which was left untouched.

    The committee frowned at the action, against the background of the deplorable state of major federal roads in different parts of the country. 

    It accused the agency of insensitivity to the plight of road users who have been falling victim to fatal road accidents occasioned by the deplorable condition of the roads. 

    Peter IbuAliyu said, “The leadership of FERMA does not seem to be responsible. People are dying every day, six persons died along Kano/Kaduna road just yesterday (Tuesday) and the Agency had N10 billion released to it out of the N40billion appropriated in 2016 budget which was not utilised. 

    “Decisive action should be taken against FERMA. The Managing Director should be removed; those in charge of the agency should be changed because it is absolutely unacceptable for people to be dying on a daily basis as a result of the deplorable condition of the highways and FERMA failing to carry out the needed intervention with the  N10billion allocated to it.” 

    The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Magnus Abe also spoke in similar vein, declaring that FERMA had failed totally in its 2016 budget performance and charged the management to rise to its responsibilities.

    The committee, however, pledged to ensure adequate funding for the agency, insisting that FERMA must submit a clear cut budgetary expectation document for the 2017 fiscal year.

    Abe said, “Let’s say that we like to hear and understand the expectations of FERMA for 2017, believing that if we work together, we will be able to change narratives of the agency.” 

    The FERMA boss however responded by saying that the agency was hampered by a number of financial challenges, leading to its inability to meet up with its mandates in 2016.

    According to him, FERMA lacked trained accounting staff to handle the TSA regime, stressing the urgent need to satisfy certain requirements to secure sub-TSA accounts for field offices.

    He told the committee that the agency was almost grounded in 2016, owing to the difficulty in accessing funds appropriated to it, as well as a delay in budgetary approval which got started in May 2016. 

    Said he, “The challenges posed by the newly introduced zero-base budget process and the TSA policy, difficulties in accessing funds directly appropriated for direct labour, and delay in budget approval which took off in May last year were factors that hampered our activities.”

  • FG to boost revenue from oil bloc sale, licence renewals

    FG to boost revenue from oil bloc sale, licence renewals

    Collection of outstanding royalties and renewal of leases expiring in 2017 would form a major source of accelerating  Federal government revenue accruable from oil and gas resources, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu has said.

    Kachikwu, during the  2016/ 2017 budget defence session at the House of Representatives yesterday said oil and gas regulatory agencies are expected to attract investments, implement Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and investment road shows in the United States of America, Asia, Middle East and Europe.

    Furthermore, Federal Government is also expected to conduct oil blocks allocation and marginal fields’ award, track gas flare commercialisation and develop gas infrastructure and investments, he said .

    Saying that concerted efforts would be directed towards refinery revamp, focus on downstream issues in in and operations, resolve Niger Delta militancy issues, stabilise oil production, the Minister also explained that priority would be given to tracking of oil production to destinations, develop agreement/framework for attachment opportunities with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and partners as well as complete new Joint Venture Cash Call roll out system.

    kachikwu“In retrospective, 2016 was a challenging year for the Nigerian economy which relied solely on oil. It is imperative that lessons learned must inform our plans for reforming the sector to bring real change to the citizens.

    “Our focus must be in promoting efficiency, formulating relevant policies, putting in place string infrastructural development especially joint venture in gas and domestic refining capacities, attraction of new Foreign Direct Investments (DFIs) and stabilising the statutory and regulatory environment of the sector,” he said.

    In addition, he informed the Committee that attention would be focused on the gazette of new policies on PE and gas, fast-track the passage of petroleum fiscal policy and engage in various pre and post Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) activities for which N150m was appropriated for this year.

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    The Mjnister however listed some of the challenges confronting the Ministry which include underfunding and untimely releases of appropriated funds; weak oil and gas infrastructure which impacted on power to gas initiative; pipeline vandalism, oil theft and willful spillage; insecurity especially in the Niger Delta area; and absence of enabling law (PIB is still a draft form).

    He, however, assured that the Ministry is determined to achieve its set goals for  2017, saying, “There’s an urgency attached to the recovery of economy and petroleum sector is crucial to its attainment.

    “The sector must provide a very robust income stream for the economy through petroleum and gas in particular,” he added.

  • IDP bombing: Committee seeks extension

    IDP bombing: Committee seeks extension

    ‎The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) committee investigating the accidental bombing of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Rann, Borno state has asked for time extension to submit its report.

    The committee headed by the NAF Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Air Vice Marshal Salihu Bala-Ribbah had initially been given up to February 2, 2017, to submit its report.

    According to the Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, the committee has asked for an extension of its mandate in order to get all the facts.

    ‎The Air Chief said the committee has visited the affected area, interviewed all the relevant people and in the process of putting down a report. 

    Meanwhile, the (NAF) also revealed that a special phenomenon described as “Special Disorientation” was responsible for the tragic crash of the Donnier 228 aircraft with tail number NAF 030 which crashed shortly after take-off in Kaduna on August 29th,2015.

    According to the Chairman of a special investigations panel and NAF’s Director of Safety, Air Vice Marshal Sampson

    Akpasa: “We shipped the engine to the manufacturers, Honeywell Aerospace in Arizona USA, two board members observed the tear down of the engines between 30th O‎ctober to 4th November 2015. Also, analysis on the fuel used by the aircraft was done by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and we found that both engines were working well at the time of the accident also, the fuel was found to be safe,” he said.

    Seven occupants of the aircraft sustained fatal injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repairs.

    AVM Akpasa said special disorientation is a phenomenon in aviation which can happen to any pilot‎, it is a situation where a pilot suddenly loses concentration and is disoriented to the point of losing control of the aircraft. 

    Akpasa also said that the investigation is ongoing on an F7Ni incident in Yola in 2016 saying an “unexploded ordinance” carried by aircraft was buried underground and has not been exhume.

    On the Augusta 101 helicopter which‎ crashed in Markudi in October 2016, he said parts of the aircraft have been flown to the United Kingdom and Canada for analysis.

     The CAS said the NAF has put in measures to prevent such incidences by training more flight safety officers‎ to monitor flying activities on all the platforms. 

    Abubakar: ” On the Donnier aircraft, there was no engine problem, what happened was special disorientation, it is a phenomenon in flying and we are training more safety officers to monitor our flying activities.

    “On the‎ F7 jet, the pilot died and investigations are ongoing, we will get the necessary support from the manufacturers to get a conclusive investigation.

    “The NAF will continue to build ca‎pacity train and get the best of the equipment in our care.”

  • YouReport: ‘I found myself in Abuja uncovered manhole’

    YouReport: ‘I found myself in Abuja uncovered manhole’

    February 7th 2017 will be a day to be remembered by me.
    I was on my routine daily jogging in Apo around zone D  in the FCT when I found myself in one of these uncovered man holes. Only God saved me from death and potential life threatening injuries.
    It appears that no one is paying attention to this environmental and deadly situation.
    As a medical doctor, I have seen the effect on the lives of families who have lost loved ones as a result of this preventable accidents. Many have been maimed and some died as a result of injuries sustained from falling into these man holes.
    Thank God I escaped with minor injuries and was rescued by two good samaritans.
    We are well aware of the fact that this is the handiwork of thieves who sell them to  metal workers. There has to be sanctions and deterrents to this.  Thank you for bringing the attention of our FCT Minister to this issue.
    Do you have any experience you want to report about or bring to the attention of the authorities? Send to info@thenationonlineng.net with the subject line  YouReport . We waiting to hear from you.
  • Magu: Court urged to disqualify Saraki, others from confirmation hearing

    Magu: Court urged to disqualify Saraki, others from confirmation hearing

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to disqualify Senate President, Bukola Saraki and 10 other Senators being prosecuted and investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from participating in the process leading to the confirmation of Ibarhim Magu as Chairman of the EFCC.

    The request formed part of prayers contained in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/102/2017 filed in Abuja on Monday by a lawyer, Raji Rasheed Oyewumi.

    Other Senators named in the suit with Saraki, as defendants, include Godswill Akpabio, Jonah Jang, Aliyu Wammako, Stella Oduah, Theodore Orji, Rabiu Kwankwanso, Ahmed Sani, Danjuma Goje, Joshua Dariye and Adamu Abdullahi.

    Also listed as defendants are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Attorney General of the Federation and Magu.

    The plaintiff’s contention is to the effect that, since the Senators are either being tried or investigated for economic and financial crimes in various courts and tribunals by the EFCC under the leadership of Magu, he (Magu) will not be afforded fair

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki
    Senate President, Bukola Saraki

    hearing by the Senate headed by Saraki.

     

    Oyewumi stated, in a supporting affidavit, that Saraki exhibited bias against the confirmation of Magu when he (Saraki) failed to read the letter of the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, seeking the confirmation of Magu, on the floor of the Senate until July 14, 2016 even when he got the letter on June 17, 2016.

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    He said, in further manifestation of their bias and conflicting interest in the nomination of the 15th defendant (Magu) the 1st defendant (Saraki) together with 2nd to 11 defendants (other named Senators) did not consider the 15th defendant’s nomination until December 15, 2016 when they rejected Magu’s nomination six months after the letter was read on the floor.

    The plaintiff said the Senators flouted the Senate Standing Orders when they acted on the letter by rejecting Magu’s nomination without first, referring Magu to the appropriate committee of the 13th defendant (Senate), an executive or closed session instead of an open session.

    He added that unlike when he recused himself from the proceedings leading to the passage of the Bill for the amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act on October 27, 2016, because of his ongoing prosecution at the CCT, Saraki failed to recuse himself when the Senate was considering the confirmation of Magu.

    Akpabio
    Senator Godswill Akpabio

    The plaintiff identified some of the cases against the Senators, which Magu and his EFCC are currently handling.

    “The 1st defendant (Saraki) was investigated by the 15th defendant on an allegation of false declaration of assets which culminated in the 1ts defendant’s arraignment and ongoing prosecution at the CCT in charge No: CCT/ABJ/01/2015, and a prime prosecution witness in the trial, Michael Wetkas is an officer of the EFCC.

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    He said the 2nd defendant (Akpabio) was being investigated by the EFCC over the allegation of abuse of office, diversion of public funds and embezzlement in relation to a petition by a lawyer, Leo Ekpeyong.

    The plaintiff said the 3rd defendant, (Jang) was being investigated by Magu’s EFCC for allegedly awarding various contracts running into several billions of naira without due process and allegedly diverting N2billion Small and medium Scale Enterprises loan given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during his tenure.

    The reliefs being sought by the plaintiffs are:

    *A declaration that the 1st defendant is disqualified by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) from presiding over or participating in the deliberation, screening and voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of the EFCC due to the apparent conflict of interest arising from the 15th defendant’s active role in his ongoing trial at the CCT.

    *A declaration that the 2nd to 11th defendants are jointly and severally disqualified by the Constitution and the Senate Standing Order 2015 (as amended) from participating In the deliberation, screening and voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of EFCC due to the apparent conflict of interest arising from their pending or ongoing cases of financial and economic crimes, given that the 15th defendant is coordinating and supervising the investigation into or prosecution for the said financial and economic crimes.

    *A declaration that the 1st to 13th defendants jointly and severally violated the Senate Standing Order 2015 9as amended)n when they participated in the screening, deliberation and voting on the first or earlier nomination of the 15th defendant in the 13th defendant on the 15th day of December 2016 by not declaring their pecuniary interests in view of their pending or ongoing cases of financial and economic crimes, given that the 15th defendant is coordinating and supervising the investigation into or prosecution for the said financial and economic crimes.

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    *A declaration that the first and earlier rejection of the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of EFCC on the 15th day of December 2016 without first referring the 15th defendant to the appropriate committee of the 13th defendant and at an executive or closed session instead of an open session, is illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    *A declaration that the 15th defendant is entitled to be accorded fair hearing by the 1st to the 13th defendant during screening, deliberation and voting in the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his nomination for the position of Chairman of the EFCC.

    *An order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant from presiding over or participating in the screening, deliberation or voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of the EFCC.

    *An order of injunction restraining the 2nd to 11th defendants from or participating in the screening, deliberation or voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of the EFCC.

    The case is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

  • Reps seek stiffer penalties for illegal logging

    Reps seek stiffer penalties for illegal logging

    The House of Representatives Adhoc Committee Investigating Massive Deforestation and Corruption in the Environment Sector and its effects on Climate Change has said a bill seeking stiffer penalties for companies and persons involved in illegal logging in the country is underway.

    Hon. Bede Eke, Chairman of the Committee disclosed said because of the rapid deforestation recorded in recent years and its negative impact on poor rural dwellers, it has become necessary to update the laws regulating the logging business as the practice has left local populace with no source of livelihood as forests they once farmed and hunted in have are now threatened by illegal loggers.

    Eke while speaking with reporters on Tuesday, said his committee in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment has inaugurated a liaison committee on the export of wood, animal skin and endangered animal species.

    The lawmaker said the purpose of the liaison committee amongst other things is to collate stakeholders views and relevant data.

    The committee had in December 2016 conducted an investigative hearing on illegal logging, deforestation and corruption in the environment sector.

     The 20 -man committee, he said, had members selected from the Environment ministry, the ministry of Finance, the ministry of Trade and Investment, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Tropical Woods Exporters Association, among others, and was given six weeks to submit its report

    His words: “We have been to the sea ports to ascertain the number of containers of wood exported and we have set up a committee that comprises of all the stakeholders and our committee gave them six weeks to come up with a law that will guide this industry.

    “We are also looking at the issue of the implementation of CITIES an international convention, which Nigeria and China are signatories to, making it compulsory for countries receiving certain kind of imported wood to check for the signature of approval from the country of export.

    “As it is now, what we have is an all comers affair. Right now, we don’t even know the amount of wood exported out of Nigeria, monthly or in a year. There are so much irregularity and corruption in the sector. Those who should know, cannot even account for approvals for duty-free export of wood or the foreign exchange that should have been returned to the country since the wood was exported without duty charged on it”, the lawmaker said.

    Nigeria’s annual rate of deforestation is 3.5 percent approximately, 350,000 – 400,000 hectares, the Food and Agriculture  Organisation, FAO, has said in its 2015 Global Forest Resources Assessment.

  • How we turned the tide against Boko Haram- Army Chief

    How we turned the tide against Boko Haram- Army Chief

    • FG to establish Military Industrial Complex

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Turkur Buratai has revealed the strategy used by the Nigerian army that changed the tide against Boko Haram in the war against insurgency in the northeast.

    The Army Chief spoke in Abuja at the first Nigeria Army Research and Innovation Summit with the theme: Research and Innovation, Developing Synergy with Indigenous Institutions for Enhanced Capacity in the Nigerian Army.

    Buratai said on assumption of the command of the Nigerian Army, he set in motion a deliberate programme for the immediate repair and refitting of all the abandoned and unserviceable weapons and equipment in the Nigerian Army inventory using local resources.

    “ To this end, about 178 armoured fighting vehicles of various types were completely refurbished by Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at various Nigerian Army Workshops across the country.

    “ These were the weapons and equipment operated by well-trained, dedicated and motivated officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army that turned the tide of operations in the Northeast in our favour,” Buratai said.

    The Army Chief said summit is expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts to meet Nigerian Army’s operational needs areas of equipment, logistics and administration in line with his vision for the Nigerian Army.

    He said the Army has recognised the changes in the dynamics of modern warfare which requires constant innovation, research and advancement in technology and is prepared to develop local capacity for an enduring research and innovation process that will enhance its operations.

    “ Our experience in the Northeast and other theatres of operation has helped us draw useful lessons which have shaped the ongoing transformation process of the Nigerian Army aimed at developing and sustaining the right combat power for the professionally responsive force. We also learnt the hard lessons of over-reliance on foreign equipment and spares which was a huge setback in the initial stages of our operations,” he said.

    The Special Guest of Honour and Minister for Defence,  Mansur Dan-Ali in his speech said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari placed importance on research and innovation which is a key to unlocking the door to future technological and economic growth.

    The Minister said innovation is a major component of military technology as a critical aspect in national development. He said the Buhari administration has given priority to research development that will reposition the Armed Forces towards attaining excellence in research and innovation.

    The Defence Minister said the Federal Government would establish a Military Industrial Complex in Kaduna which is aimed at promoting research and innovation in the defence sector.

    “ My Ministry will also host a National Conference on Defence industrialisation in Nigeria to attract local and international stakeholders to brainstorm and come up with a roadmap that will guide the successful take-off, of our Military Industrial Complex which will be driven by research and technological innovations,” he said.

     He also revealed that the Ministry is working on a partnership between Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and some foreign original equipment manufacturers with a view to launching a pilot production line of some fast moving arms/ammunition for the Armed Forces.

    Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu who was a keynote speaker at the event said with the innovations in equipment manufacturing by the Nigerian Army, Nigeria will soon achieve self-sufficiency in weapons and ammunition.

    The Minister said Nigeria has no business begging to buy ammunition from developed countries while the same could be manufactured locally, he assured that the situation where Nigeria would not be able to buy ammunition will soon come to an end.

  • Petty traders’ lot on Abuja streets

    Some petty traders who sell along the streets of Wuse zone 6 have narrated their ordeal in the hands of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

    Some of the traders in the Wuse area of the Abuja Municipal Area Council said they are still selling on the streets despite the authorities stance against it because they give AEPB officials on patrol a token of about N200 daily for them to be allowed to sell on their various spots.

    These traders, who sell roasted yam, roasted corn, fruits and suya at night, disclosed that this has been a daily practice by the task force officials.

    The case of a yam seller who lamented her ordeal in the hands of AEPB officials has been the situation of many traders along the streets for some time now.

    Speaking on the situation, the roasted yam seller who sells on the street during the day revealed that she gives the task force men about N200 twice daily for her to be allowed to sell, adding that she has to do so to keep her business going else the task force officials will seize her goods.

    She narrated her ordeal as on one occasion she helplessly watched as the AEPB men took her goods away because she had no money to give them. She revealed that on a day when there are many task force officials sitting in the patrol van they will all be required to pay N2000 each adding that there is a particular group that does not accept money rather they confiscate their goods “some of them no dey collect money, when we see those ones they come we go just run and we go come back when them pass finish”.

    The suya sellers who set out to do business at the early hours of the evening into the night have not had much luck as well, as the task force men are sure to pay them a visit upon closure from their patrol.

    Speaking on how they convey the money to the officials, a suya seller disclosed that upon seeing the AEPB van one of the sellers will go round to collect the usual money, after which it will be submitted to the task force officials.

    These traders however said that they have no choice but to keep complying with these officials as far as after the settlement they are allowed to sell on their various spots.

    All efforts to speak to officials of the AEPB were futile as none was willing to talk.