The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • PHOTO: Confab in pictures

    PHOTO: Confab in pictures

     

  • Even in Abuja, Mbu continues battle with Amaechi

    Even in Abuja, Mbu continues battle with Amaechi

    the ex-Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, in spite of his transfer to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as commissioner, is still unsparing in his attack of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Rivers Government.

    Till Mbu’s redeployment, Amaechi, maintained that the Cross River State-born police officer is a politician and card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), thereby taking sides.

    In an interview in Abuja, the controversial police commissioner declared that the officials of the Rivers government were hiding in vehicles with tinted glasses to perpetrate criminal activities.

    Mbu insisted that he remained a professional police officer, not a politician and not taking sides, while describing Amaechi as a tyrant and a dictator, who wanted him to be his errand boy.

    The Rivers government, however, described the ex-Rivers commissioner of police as a tout, who would fail psychiatric evaluation.

    By moving Mbu out of Rivers, it was alleged by the Amaechi’s administration that his ego had been battered and now looking for how to amend it.

    The Rivers government, through the Commissioner for Land and Survey, Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi, stated in Port Harcourt that the ex-Rivers police commissioner ignored professionalism and acted like a politician, while in Rivers state.

    Ezekiel-Amadi, who is an ally of the NGF chairman, declared that Mbu must be sick, for stating that officials of the Rivers government were hiding in vehicles with tinted glasses to perpetrate criminal activities.

    The land and survey commissioner said: “If I describe him (Mbu) as a lunatic, then I am definitely describing who a lunatic should be. Here is a man, who 13,000 newly-recruited teachers had gone to collect their letters of engagement and he went there and shot teargas canisters at them.

    “Here is a man who claimed that he is a professional and that he has the powers to either grant approval for rallies under the Public Order Act. He claimed he had such powers, he did not know that Justice Anuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, upheld by the Court of Appeal, had nullified the Public Order Act. He did not know and he said he was a professional.

    “Here is a man who, while he was here (Rivers State), hardly paraded any criminal arrested by him. While he was here, he did not do his work as a Commissioner of Police. He made himself the Chief Security Officer of Nyesom Wike (the Supervising Minister of Education).

    “Mbu was following Wike about and yet he said he is a professional. Go to Oyo State and find out how Mbu did his work and you will know that the man definitely needs some psychiatric attention. If he goes for a psychiatric evaluation, he will fail. I challenge Mbu to submit himself for psychiatric evaluation and let us see if he will not fail.”

    Ezekiel-Amadi also stated that shortly before Mbu left Rivers state for Abuja, he (land and survey commissioner) recently visited the site of the Lister Housing Development in Trans-Amadi Industrial layout, Port Harcourt and he went on air to draw attention to the giant strides the Amaechi’s administration was making in the housing sector.

    He noted that two days after he left the site, Mbu sent policemen, who went there and arrested everyone and also withdrew the security personnel on duty, while ordering that Ezekiel-Amadi be picked and locked up, but he travelled.

    The land and survey commissioner stressed that his crime was that he visited a site where a government project was ongoing on, wondering if such a police commissioner was stable.

    Ezekiel-Amadi, who is also a lawyer, said: “I challenge Mbu to show Rivers people the JTF-arrested men, who were armed and who claimed that they were working for some politicians in the state. How far has the matter gone? And he goes on air to go and say agents of government drive tinted vehicles.

    “In Rivers State under Mbu, between 2013 and 2014, policing in the state was all about tinted glasses and revolving light, and you call that policing.

    “We were all in this state when other Commissioners of Police were here. There was Felix Ogbaudu, there was Bala Hassan, there was Mohammed Indabawa; there was Suleiman Abba. They were all here; they can be interviewed, to verify the claims by Mbu and about the state he met the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers State.

    “There was no time we had the kind of trouble we had in this place under Mbu. Unknown to him, some of the people he thought he was working for have expressed embarrassment and frustration about his activities.

    “How do you explain a Commissioner of Police who orders teargas canisters to be shot into the Government House, Port Harcourt? I was a victim and you call that man a Commissioner of Police. It is a good thing that Mbu has been redeployed. It is a good riddance to bad rubbish.

    “I am advising Nyesom Wike, if he is employing Mbu as a security man, he should be careful, because he is not stable. He has been under the enunciation that he is going to be appointed an Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and that is why he had to do what he did in Rivers State. Which person will appoint Mbu an IGP?

    “Mbu came to Rivers State with a script, an assignment. Can you not see that he failed in his assignment? He bungled it, because he does not have the brain to put together an action plan. So, can those people who sent him look at him again and give him a higher assignment? Yet, he said he is a professional. Mbu is a tout.”

    The Rivers Land and Survey Commissioner also described Mbu’s successor, Tunde Ogunsakin, as a professional police officer, with what he had exhibited since he resumed in Rivers St

    He insisted that there was no basis to compare Ogunsakin with Mbu, stressing that the new police commissioner had assured Rivers people that he would not take sides.

    Ezekiel-Amadi said: “In Ogunsakin, you can see a man who knows what to do. He has started well. He is meeting with everybody and that is what Mbu was expected to do. Not taking sides with anybody; remain neutral and allow politicians do their things and on the appointed day, allow the electorate to cast their votes and choose their leaders.

    “That was what Mbu was supposed to do, but he came here (Rivers State), just because they promised to appoint him the IGP and he took sides. He is still talking from every side of his mouth.

    “Since Governor Amaechi came to power, the only assassination that has to do with a politician in this state was even his friend, and investigations tilt towards the police, who might have shot Charles Nsiegbe. After that, there has not been any other politically-motivated assassination or the assassination of a politician in Rivers State. So, where is Mbu getting his information from?”

     

  • Swatch unveils new wrist watch in Abuja

    Swatch unveils new wrist watch in Abuja

    The Swatch Group has launched its latest 2014 swatch collection called the Swatch Valentine watch. It was presented to some of its premium customers, including one of the front runners of the Yoruba movie industry, Aremu Afolayan.

    The Swatch group is a manufacturer of finished jewelry, watches and watch movements and components and has been in Nigeria for the past 16 years.

    Speaking at the Ceddi Plaza in Abuja, the Brand Manager, Martin Osime, described the brand as sweet Valentine, saying the reason was because the brand came with some peculiar features in it.

    “The first one is the colour red which depicts love, typical for Valentine. And if you look inward, the watch has a hard shape which depicts candy. Candy on its own when put in the mouth depicts sweetness,” Osime said

    He said the brand is limited in supply at the moment. “We just want to unveil it for the first time in Nigeria, Ghana and possibly the whole of West Africa,” he explained.

    Afolayan expressed joy over the ideal of unveiling the new Swatch, saying Swatch remains his number one brand. Admiring the new watch and even promising getting one for his wife, Afolayan said: “Personally, there is no partiality here. I love Swatch and I am a friend of the family here at Ceddi Plaza, so when I was called for this unveiling, I was so happy, even without nothing, I can always come and make sure that everything is done perfectly. For the new one, it is very lovely for the ladies. I am sure I am going to get one for my wife.”

    Another customer, Hon. Atu Osamwonye, commend the group for its uniqueness, saying: “I have been using Swatch Wristwatch for a while including all my children.”

  • Dimeji Bankole gears up

    Dimeji Bankole gears up

    JUST when he appeared to have disappeared from the minds of many, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, who took a sabbatical from the political and social scenes after he left power, is staging a comeback.

    Those who should know say Bankole is quietly putting structures in place to re-launch himself into political reckoning. They say he is still very close to the powers that be, especially in the House of Representatives.

    According to an inside source, he is now shuttles between Abuja and Abeokuta, Ogun State as he nurses a tall ambition for 2015.

  • From Kuwait with shocking discoveries

    From Kuwait with shocking discoveries

    After cruising aboard an Egytian Airline from Abuja, Nigeria, for eight hours and landing safely at the Kuwait International Airport, simply referred to as KWI, my negative impressions about the oil-rich small Arab country fizzled out, even at my first feel of the country.

    I had nursed a lot of negative impressions about the tiny oil-rich country all my life. Would you blame a first-time visitor like me? Pardon my initial wrong judgment. It is typical of a first time visitor. Your negative or positive impression about a place may not change until you are there yourself.

    After my visit, I started wishing that my new Kuwaiti friend, Niyaz, could also visit my country, Nigeria, some day to see things for herself to reverse her low opinion about the country.

    The decision to spend part of my 2013 annual vacation in Kuwait was borne out of curiosity to explore and see things for myself. My fear of being ignored and looked down upon as an unwanted guest from a black continent of Africa and, indeed, Nigeria in particular, through possibly hidden resentment and snobbish glances at me gradually dissolved into strong confidence and courage, following my sudden discovery of Kuwaiti with black skin! My initial fear had arisen from the fact that racial discrimination the world over has been a serious issue; an embarrassing nightmare.

     

    Socio-culture

    Kuwait, which has about 10 per cent of the world’s oil reserves, with a population of about 2.7 million, is a country with citizens who are naturally lively, courteous, friendly and quite accommodation. And the foregoing attitude is in tandem with my own unreserved, communicative and interactive nature. Hence I found myself blending and relating well with my hosts so much so that I developed sudden affection for the country and its people.

    If you have too much love for money, men and women, do not go to Kuwait, because you would be tempted. Men and women mix freely. A typical Kuwaiti man or woman spends money lavishly, and Kuwait remains the best and the cheapest place for shopping in the world. The average Kuwaiti man and woman is given to a flamboyant lifestyle. They like talking big and hardly leave Kuwait for other countries to seek employment, except for further studies or holiday.

    Armed with enough money, they can easily fund their social lifestyles. Who says the Arabs don’t party? It is necessary to repeat the warning: do not go to Kuwait if you have a self-control challenge with money, men and women because you might be in trouble. Little wonder the country has a very high number of foreign nationals.

    Both men and women tend to have equal rights and freedom. The women, who are commonly seen in their black attire or ‘abaya’ with or without the head cover, do most of the things their male counterparts do. Unlike most other Islamic societies, their women occupy political offices, drive their own cars and engage in business activities like their male counterparts. Some of the women even believe that they work harder than the men.

    Miss Niyaz, an official of Bayan Palace, the seat of power and official residence of the Amir of Kuwait, said: “My dream is to visit Nigeria, which is in Africa, but I am afraid of the news I hear about Nigeria every day concerning corruption, bombing and insecurity.”

    But after educating her properly about Nigeria, Niyaz said: “I am surprised and happy to meet a person like you to change my ugly perception of Nigeria.”

    She added: “Some of our men tend to be lazy. Our women are more hardworking than some of our men. I wonder if you have the same experience with your men in Nigeria. But we are still very proud of our culture.”

    The writer visited one of Kuwait’s biggest and most popular malls, called ‘Avenue’, where all the designers often meet. Besides, my visit to one of the country’s local old markets, Al-Mobarakia, in Kuwait City, the country’s capital, exposed me to some of the local delicacies of the people, and I did not hesitate to savour or help myself to some of them. Some of the most enjoyable Kuwaiti delicacies include the traditional flat bread called khubz, normally served with Mahyawa fish sauce and biryan, prepared from rice with spices. It was gathered that biryani is the national cuisine of Kuwait.

    Every meal served is usually accompanied with pure natural green tea in a small glass cup, an equivalent of a cup we popularly refer to in our local parlance as ‘short’, used in serving our local gin commonly called shepe, ogogoro, kai kai or Sapele water. In fact, I had more of the delicacies in the hotel I lodged in: Courtyard Marriott Kuwait City. Interestingly, they would serve you in one fell swoop a minimum of five delicacies and maximum of 15; an illustration of the prosperity and affluence of the country.

    It was understood that the Kuwaiti revel in affluence so much so that they hardly do menial jobs. They leave those for foreign nationals.

    Commenting on life expectancy of the average Kuwaiti, a Kuwaiti government official who identified himself simply as Mr. Khaled, said: “Our men have lower life expectancy than women due to comfortability and lack of physical exercise. It is the opposite in Nigeria where you see both men and women on their feet walking, jogging and engaging in all kinds of physical activities. Nigerian men find the time to go to the gyms in spite of their tight official schedules.”

     

    Economy

    Until my visit to the country, I did not know that the Kuwaiti currency, Dinar, written simply as KD, is the highest in value in the world. 1 KD, for instance, exchanges for N600, 2.16 pounds and 2.59 Euros respectively. At the Bureau de Change in old market Al-mobarakia, you can see the nation’s currency openly displayed in showcases.

    Right from the Kuwait International Airport, you begin to see the names of famous designers, ranging from the designers of jewellery to those of perfumes and clothes, with Arab translations. I also gathered that even though the country’s 80 per cent gold is 22/24 carat, it is where you can buy the cheapest gold and diamond.

    The minimum wage a public servant earns monthly is equivalent to N1.5 million and it is tax-free. Tax-free wage is not enjoyed by Kuwaiti nationals only but also by foreigners who work in the country. The banking system and the national policy governing the ownership and use of motor vehicles is very favourable and encourages people living in Kuwait to acquire new cars with very flexible payment terms that make it difficult to find old cars on the roads.

    The commonest brands of cars are mostly the latest American cars, from Lamborghini and Ferrari to BMW, Toyota to Ford. Kuwait is among the 10 richest countries in the world with high income economy, according to a World Bank report.

    Housing

    It is also gathered that in every 15 years, houses are demolished and replaced with new ones.

    Nigerians in Kuwait

    The total population of Nigerians resident in Kuwait, according to my findings, stands at about 500, as at today, including professionals and artisans. Investigations further showed that they are so handsomely paid that they are not interested in returning to Nigeria or going to any other country of the world.

    Nigerians there are obviously not complaining. Apart from being economically comfortable, they are accepted heart and soul, appreciated and respected by Kuwaiti people, as they continue to live and work within the ambit of the country’s laws.

    The special regard the Kuwaiti society has for black people is believed to have stemmed from the uncommon bravery and commitment the blacks in the US Army and the Allied Forces displayed in reclaiming the independence and sovereignty of Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, which occupied it in the 90s, during which 773 Kuwaiti oil wells were destroyed.

    Kuwait, which got its independence in June 19, 1961, was annexed by the deceased and ex-president of Iraq who was chased out of Kuwait and humiliated out of power by the United States and Allied Forces in 1991. He died shortly after.

     

    The media

    The Kuwaiti media is regarded as the most vocal and transparent in the whole of the Middle East. In 2013, Kuwait was adjudged the 77th freest country in the world for journalists to operate, out of 179, according to Reporters Without Borders, in the Press Freedom Index list. Thus, Kuwait remains the freest regarding the freedom of the press in the Middle East region.

    Some Kuwaiti citizens are very excited about Nigeria, agreeing to the fact that this most populous black nation is, no doubt, the giant of Africa. Hence it is part of their life-time dream to visit Nigeria.

    According to Bandar Al-shellahi, Managing Director, Kuwait News Agency, “I have travelled all over the world but have not come across a Nigerian journalist. I look forward to meeting one, and even visiting the country someday, for I believe also that Nigeria is the giant of Africa because of its enormous positive impacts on its continent and on the globe in general”.

    Religion

    As would be expected, majority of Kuwaiti people are Muslims, and very good ones for that matter. They exemplify true love and peace, even towards people of other faiths. Kuwait has a native Christian community with a large number of expatriate Christians estimated at 450,000. Indeed, there is no difference between the faithful of the two religions in Kuwait, as they mix freely.

     

  • ‘My idea of relaxation is spending the day with my husband in a quiet lovely location’

    ‘My idea of relaxation is spending the day with my husband in a quiet lovely location’

    CREATING the best of fashion designs and then striding the length of a runway with an array of top class models is Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi’s natural past time. Youthful-looking Lanre Da Silva as she is also fondly known is the founder of the fashion label ‘LDA.’ And as far as the African fashion industry is concerned, she is a towering personality.

    As an icon in the Nigerian fashion industry, the top fashion designer has been able to elevate her talent to the international fashion scene. With local and international participation in many outstanding shows and exclusive runways: To her credit is the fact that her products are available at notable places outside the country. One of such places being the Dolce & Gabbana Spiga 2 Concept Store in the heart of Milan, Italy, the hubbub of international fashion.

    We met her a few weeks after her successful participation at the wave making ‘Runway Abuja’ held at Transcorp Hotel in Abuja late last year, where she showcased some of her highly rated stuff. It was easy there and then, to understand why the designer with a model-like body features is so admired in the fashion industry and why so many young designers find inspiration in her works.

    “I love creativity, and I enjoy working with my hands,” said Lanre Da Silva in an outright display of simplicity. As a fashion designer, her early life dictated a lot in what she is at present. “Whilst living in England, I became more interested in couture. The fascination for garment making became more established in me. I was quite aware of my flair for fashion designing at a tender age. But I also knew I wanted education. I wanted a university degree since I already had fashion designing as a part of me.”

    So off to Coventry University, United Kingdom, she went for a degree in Business Administration. Not satisfied, she later moved to the University of Leicester for a Master’s degree in Finance.

    Despite her designing talent and creativity, Young Lanre Da Silva was keen on pursuing a career in the finance world. “At the time of study, I was quite good in mathematics and I liked professions that had relations to it.” To prove herself, she worked in the banking/finance sector both in the UK and Nigeria.

    However, her life was to gradually change on arrival in Nigeria. The country had great attraction for her creative talent. And it was a pull which commanded her attention, one that she could not resist. “On getting to Nigeria, I made a couple of outfits for my friends, and felt the public interest in my designs. I decided to pull resources and develop my passion for fashion further. It was not easy to find dressmakers to make the kind of garments I liked to wear for me then. As known, my style is not ordinary. There always had to be an element of character.”

    Unknown to her, the young designer had discovered her path to fame through fashion. “It was the beginning of my label, though I wasn’t entirely sure who will be buying.” However, if there was one thing the young designer knew then, it was that, “I had to define my target audience.”

    Like great brands, Lanre Da Silva started with friends and family as her clientele. She said: “Gradually, word got out there. Fashion definitely has an element of confidence that comes with it. I started off with avant garde pieces. I was really thankful for the feedback I received. Today, I will say that the average Nigerian woman is more confident to show off an avant garde piece as compared to eight years ago when they were not so sure of themselves as regards fashion. Good news for the fashion industry in Nigeria.

    “In terms of my early designs, they were conspicuous avant garde and very much grounded in 1940’s English couture. Some of the designs came as a shock to the average Nigerian woman. However, there were people that understood my early style and the signature of my label and they have stuck around to see me grow to what it is today.”

    But how ready was the Nigerian fashion scene then to receive her new look designs? “At the beginning, the fashion industry was like a new born baby. I had to source for tailors locally, re-educate them and train them as it was difficult for them to understand why I wanted certain patterns in a particular way.”

    Even then, Lanre Da Silva realised that success in her calling was not just going to depend on her creativity alone. Experience had taught her that much. “I knew that media exposure towards fashion had just started, and I thank God for a lot of goodwill from existing clients that helped to spread the word about my works then.”

    “The fashion industry is growing at a tremendous rate.” That much the trend setting fashion designer believes. “I would say it has been so far, so good. It has been very adventurous. And we have a lot to be grateful for, especially for the ban on importation of fabrics from abroad, which enabled us to look inward to source materials.”

    “With the popularity of our own ankara, for instance, we have been able to create and re-create fabulous designs that have challenged us sometimes beyond ourselves. There have also been a lot of support for the designers through the media, the ever faithful clients and definitely individuals and companies that have aided the industry to where it is today and all the international runway shows, Omoyemi Akerele of Style house files, has helped a lot of designers through the shows and exhibition platforms. Not forgeting, Mr Kola Karim who facilitated the coming of Franca Sozanni and Roberto Cavalli to Nigeria, and so many others.

    “So the industry is daily growing, and that is something to be proud of. There have been contributions into its development from all sides. It is something to give thanks to God for. Nigerian fashion designers have indeed contributed their quota to see the industry grow here at home and also outside the country. We have worked hard. It is something to be proud of because our works our making a lasting impression outside this country too.”

    Lanre Da Silva is a designer that enjoys what she does. She cherishes the passion that creates each of her work, just as much as she believes that designers in Nigeria are doing very well. However, according to her, she does not see any challenge to her works coming from any of the other designers. She is happy to see that designers in the industry are up and doing and, “this is good for the industry that more and more designers are coming up. This does not pose any threat at all to the existing designers. There is always room for more.”

    We asked her what special moments in her work and life so far has left a lasting impression in her? Her response expressed the joy she enjoys in her work. “Every moment in my career has been a milestone for me, all the runway shows both locally and internationally. However, I will like to particularly point out that showcasing at the pitti imagine W held in Florence Italy, through style house files, which has led to the LDA brand being the first African fashion label to stock at the Dolce and Gabbanna multi concept store in Milan, was definitely a proud moment for me. I am very grateful to God for the success.”

    For an acclaimed established designer that she is, we asked Lanre Da Silva what expectations she has for each of her creative works. And over the years, what impact she has seen it have over her clientele. The designer was quick to reply thus: “An LDA woman can be described as bold, confident and classy. I use a lot of colours and being African, you see the blend of my African roots merging with the signature English couture in the garments I create. Like any established fashion designer in the world, I forecast trends based on history and seasons in fashion. My designs evolve continuously as it is important to keep the label fresh and interesting all the time.

    “I work with almost every known fabric from silks, velvet, lace, wax prints, sheer, aso oke, just name it. That is the power of couture, being able to turn simple fabrics into beautiful creative work.”

    Her personality, success and popularity immediately put her in a class of her own. And so do imaginations run riot about what her clientele may look like. True, Lanre Da Silva may be upscale and caters to high profile clientele, but she is also quick to let you know that, “my clientele cuts across all the classes. I cater to the high earners, the middle class earners and the low-income earners. What you require to be done for you could be different from what another person wants. Taste differs from one person to another.”

    For one who brings out the best designs for each of her clients, Lanre Da Silva’s personal style speaks for itself through the clothes she wears. Blessed with a figure that stands out, she believes that style is individual and a stylish person is one who accepts herself. She loves clothes and materials that flatter the body. “Style does not need to be forced, it comes naturally,” she said.

    Being married is a source of joy to her. “I am happily married with two children.” The designer added that she is naturally a home maker despite her passion for her creative work. Much as she has been a career woman over the years, she remains particular about enjoying the comfort of her home and family life. “I love cooking for my husband. My idea of relaxation is spending the day with my husband in a quiet lovely location. I also do enjoy spas and reading too. My husband has been wonderful and supportive.”

    Does she have anything that she would rather not do without? Yes she does! “The essential items I can’t do without are my blackberry, sketchbook, pencil, an oversize leather hand bag. I also cannot do without my lip gloss, lip stick, a pair of heels and sunglasses!”

    The top designer also has a pattern for spending her money. “I spend a fortune on buying fabrics and trimmings. I love to shop in Italy. I believe Italians have a keen sense of style!”

    As a parting shot for upcoming designers, Lanre Da Silva says “the sky is wide enough for all birds to fly!” And they should learn from her lifestyle. “I don’t see anything as a challenge. I am blessed and grateful to God to be doing what I love most!”

  • Patients abandoned at UCTH as nurses begin strike

    Patients abandoned at UCTH as nurses begin strike

    Patients at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) were left unattended to yesterday as the over 300 staff nurses, matrons and auxiliary nurses embarked on a three-day warning strike.

    One of the leaders of the nurses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were embarking on the strike because of the backlog of unpaid salaries, better remuneration and promotion of newly-employed nurses over the old ones.

    “By this strike, we are only warning and drawing the attention of the management of this hospital and the Federal Ministry of Health to our plight.

    “We want them to address the lingering issue of our salary as a result of the new pay system, which has either de-listed some of our names from the pay roll or reduced our pay.

    “Many of us have travelled several times to Abuja to regularise our names and salary records in the new pay system, to no avail.

    “We are also unhappy that fresh nurses from schools and newly-employed ones are given higher grades and pay above us, who have been in the system for years,” she said.

    Some of the doctors complained that the nurses locked up essential medical and surgical equipment.

    “We can treat and dress our patients, but they have locked up essential medical equipment,” one of the doctors said.

    Some of the patients have resorted to hiring nurses from outside to treat them or visit clinics.

    “The nurses returned our drugs to us and told us to take care of ourselves,” one of the patients said.

  • Live in Kaduna, work in Abuja

    Live in Kaduna, work in Abuja

    The idea of having a fast rail track linking the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna was first mooted by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo when he was the governor of Kaduna State. Then, the rail track was to be designed to link the Kaduna Millennium City on the eastern flank of Kaduna metropolis and to provide easy transport for people who might want to live in Kaduna and work in Abuja. But it was evident that the state government will not have the amount of money needed to execute such a huge project. Considering the fact that rail transport in the country has been almost an exclusive preserve of the federal government, the Sambo began a subtle move to get the federal government to buy into the project and his plans materialised when he was appointed the Vice President. He sold the idea to the federal government under President Goodluck Jonathan who bought into it. But rather than terminate at the Millennium City, the fast rail track was diverted to Rigassa, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis believed by many in Kaduna to be a no go area for Christians. President Goodluck Jonathan was billed to flag off the construction of the fast rail track at Rigassa during his presidential campaign to Kaduna in 2011, but cancelled the idea at the last minute due to security reports. In buying into the project, the government decided on carrying it out along with a total rehabilitation of existing rail lines across the country. The project was awarded to the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) at the cost of about 850 million dollars.

    The project which is already 70 percent completed is about 186 kilometres long with about nine stations along the line from Kaduna to Abuja. The construction of the track is expected to be beneficial to the various communities through which the fast train is expected to pass through, but many of them are not convinced that about government sincerity completing the project especially the fact that there are limited information about the project.

    The Federal Director of Railways, Engr. Barau Gafar said that the project was initially awarded in 2006 as part of government plans to revitalise the railway sector to run from Lagos to Kano, adding that the government decided to segment it to six parts namely Lagos to Ibadan, Ibadan to Ilorin, Ilorin to Minna, Minna to Abuja, Abuja to Kaduna. He also told the good governance tour team which visited the project recently that the government decided to commence with two segments which are Lagos to Ibadan and Abuja to Kaduna, saying “we started Abuja to Kaduna in the year 2010 precisely. The contract was awarded to CCECC at total cost of 849 million US dollars”. He disclosed that when completed, then fast train would run at a speed of between 120km to 150 km per hour, and anyone living in Kaduna will be able to travel to Abuja in approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Spokesman of the construction company, James Lee, said the project has not suffered any setbacks since its commencement as there was no land acquisition problem while funding from the government has been regular and coming as and when due. Lee said that even in China, projects like the rail project are handled for about three years, describing the government as good clients assuring that the project will be handed over to the government in December 2014.

    However, a tour of the project by The Nation revealed that communities that are supposed to benefit from the project have mixed feelings about the project. While some are not comfortable with government sincerity and commitment to the project, others think it is a blessing to them, believing that when completed, it will open up their communities. For example, residents of Rigassa which is the terminal point of the track in Kaduna are not happy that President Goodluck Jonathan failed to come to the community in 2011 to flag off the construction of the rail tracks. The date for the flag off coincided with the presidential campaign in Kaduna.

    Even though the contractors said that they have not had any problem with acquiring land for the project, some of the farmers complained that they have lost large portion of their farm land to the project without any form of compensation by the government. Former Minister of Transport, Yusuf Suleiman under whose tenure the project began was quoted by a national daily newspaper as saying that when completed and put to use, the project will afford a lot of residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and those that have business in the nation’s capital, to reside in Kaduna or any of the railway towns and villages along the rail line to visit the FCT, do their businesses and return the same day. There is the belief however that this will help bring down the cost of living within the FCT, especially cost of residential accommodation which has continued to be on the rise. Suleiman was also quoted as saying initially; the manufacturers of the fast train had offered the Nigerian government a faster train which they rejected. He said “when we went to China to negotiate about the trains, the manufacturers offered us the engines that cover 450 kilometers per hour but we rejected that. We consulted President Jonathan who agreed with us that electric train engines that can cover 450 kilometers per hour will not be the best for a country like ours where animals graze freely and in most of the villages the train will pass through, people are used to crossing railway lines with their animals in a way that of the speed of such trains will be dangerous. We therefore, opted for the type that can cover 200 to 250 kilometers per hour. With that type, it means when you leave Kaduna by 7am you are sure of being in Abuja by 8am. By that you may even arrive your office and start work before someone that lives in Abuja. Government will make sure that the fare is affordable. We planned to have nine railway stations between Kaduna and Abuja where the trains will be making brief stop-overs to drop and pick passengers”. The former minister said further that as part of the transformation agenda of President Jonathan which is targeted at improving the living conditions of Nigerians and other foreigners living in the country, the transport sector is being transformed in a way that will yield dividends and improve the nation’s economy.

    Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo who flag off the laying of the fast rail track at Idu in the Federal Capital Territory said the government was committed to completing all rail projects across the country as part of its transformation agenda. Sambo was unhappy that the sector which is key to the development of any society has been neglected over the years. He said “as you are fully aware, this Administration accords top priority to the development of infrastructure as a component of the Transformation Agenda as well as the Vision 20:2020. In that regard, several projects covering critical sectors in transportation like Roads, Waterways, Aviation, and in Power Supply, Housing and the development of critical projects and programmes are being undertaken by this Administration and are at various stages of completion. This is an administration that keeps to its promises”. Sambo said that the government was committed to adequately fund the project, pointing out that part of the funds will be provided through the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) and an additional $500 million concessionary loan from China EXIM Bank, who are co- financing the project. While regretting the neglect of the rail sector over the years, the Vice President said that with the articulation of the 25 years Strategic Rail Vision and in partnership with the private sector, the railways would return back to its glorious days, saying “in our efforts to ensure adequate funding for the Transformation Agenda, Government has created the enabling environment for the private sector to play significant roles.  This Administration is determined to concession the railway facilities upon completion.  Similarly, opportunities abound for Foreign Direct Investments in this important sector”.

     

  • PHOTO: Jonathan receives Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay

    PHOTO: Jonathan receives Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay

  • NFF Technical C’ttee to meet on Friday in Abuja

    NFF Technical C’ttee to meet on Friday in Abuja

    The Technical Sub Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will on Friday meet in Abuja to deliberate on crucial issues and chart a way forward for the country’s football in 2014.

    Nigeria excelled in most of the international competitions participated in 2013 with the heights being Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets’ conquests at the African Cup of Nations in South Africa and the FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in February and November last year respectively.

    The country also qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Turkey, though the coach John Obuh tutored lads got booted out in the second round.

    The female national teams were not left behind in the strings of successes with the Flamingoes qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica without kicking a ball.

    To maintain the country’s ratings in 2013 and work towards surpassing those feats, the Chairman, Technical Sub Committee of the NFF, Barrister Christopher Green told SportingLife that the meeting on Friday is to harmonise, cogitate and make recommendations on the activities of the various national teams.

    Barrister Green noted that the NFF deemed it necessary to consolidate on the feats achieved in 2013 hence the decision to meet very early in 2014 to come up with another roadmap the nation’s teams would be working towards this year.

    “The Technical Committee will meet on Friday in Abuja to discuss crucial issues bothering on how not to lose track in 2014 because of what we achieved in 2013. So many issues would be well deliberated upon by the committee with the interest of Nigerian football the priority,” Barrister Green told SportingLife.