The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Mace Saga: PDP calls for urgent inquest

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for urgent inquest into the security breach that characterised Wednesday’s invasion of the Senate and forceful removal of its mace.

    The party made the call in a resolution at its emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

    In the resolution released on Friday, it said that security at the National Assembly complex was compromised during the incident, and that it should be expeditiously addressed.

    The party described the invasion as treasonable and direct attack on the sovereignty of Nigeria and her integrity, which must be jointly condemned by all Nigerians.

    It charged security agencies to arrest and prosecute all persons involved in the embarrassing incident “notwithstanding status’’.

    The party also resolved that the PDP leads a strong conversation and discussion towards a formal coalition of democratic forces to guarantee Nigerians the much-desired all-inclusive platform ahead of 2019 general elections.

    It directed the NEC to commence action towards the establishment of a shadow cabinet to pilot its roadmap towards national economic recovery and good governance.

    According to the resolution this should be done in line with the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians, ahead of 2019 elections.

    “In the same vein, the NEC also strongly condemns the branding of Nigerian youths as lazy by President Muhammadu Buhari. It is a direct injury on the sensibility of the youths.

    “Nigerian youths are known worldwide to as hardworking.

    “The PDP reaffirms its belief and confidence in Nigerian youths and boldly announces to the world that our youths are resourceful and agile.

    “Our nation is blessed with hardworking young men and women,’’ it said.

    NAN

  • Senate: mace theft a positive development

    Sen. Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katsina South) has described the Wednesday’s invasion of the Senate Chamber by hoodlums as a “positive development’’.

    He stated this on Friday while he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja.

    Some hoodlums had on Wednesday entered the Senate chamber during plenary, attacked some persons and made away with the mace.

    The legislator, however, observed that the attack was a blessing in disguise as the incident had revealed the security lapse at the assembly.

    “Obviously, what has happened is a concern to every Nigerian politician. But, at the same time, we have to accept in Nigeria or all over the world politics sometimes can create a situation of this kind of what happened.

    “But this has given us two opportunities; one, to look at the security of the National Assembly itself whereby I think Nigerian National Assembly is the most insecure assembly I have seen in my life.

    “Wherever I went to there was good security, you can’t just go in, you cannot access, you cannot go to officers.

    “But now if you go to our offices, like my office yesterday there were over 50 people waiting for me and I didn’t give anybody appointment.

    “So, this has probably influenced us in the leadership to sit down and critically examine the security of the National Assembly itself. So, it is a positive development.’’

    He said the second `benefit’ of the Mace saga was that members of the senate became more united, and they renewed their pledge to abide by the constitution and rules of the national assembly.

    According to the senator, the incident has also afforded the senators opportunity to ask themselves questions on what happened and why it happened.

    He said: “Secondly we sat at executive session as senators, we asked ourselves what happened and why. And we told ourselves the truth.

    “We even pin-pointed culprits in what led to this and we came out with a promise that everyone of us will support and abide by the provision of the constitution.

    “Our rules in the national assembly in the senate and obviously we accepted that we are all senators, the same rank, elected by our people and we have the same right and privileges.

    “Therefore, this is the second benefit if we can call it benefit of what has happened what we saw two days ago.’’

    On the activities of the Buhari Support Group, Ibrahim disclosed that the group would be inaugurating its offices in Edo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States on Monday.

    He added that the group’s campaign buses would also be inaugurated at the same time.

    NAN

     

  • Dickson vows to hand over healthy public sector to successor

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson on Friday vowed to hand over a highly professionalized, disciplined and motivated public service sector to his successor.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, the state capital, Dickson told residents that the ongoing reform was not witch-hunt but designed to rid the service of all forms of irregularities and sharp practices.

    He said: ‘‘The mindset that you can keep your name on the payroll without coming to work is negative and we have to draw the red line now because we want to leave behind a reformed, repositioned, motivated and efficient workforce that can stand the test of time”, he said.

    He Commended the various labour leaders in the state for identifying with the process of sanitizing the public service at the state, local government levels and all the educational institutions.

    The governor assured that the exercise would promote efficiency and increase productivity.

    He lamented that over 1,090 workers with teaching qualification were redundant at the local government councils despite the the urgent need for teachers in the state.

    He said such workers had been penciled down for redeployment in schools after going through some trainings.

    He directed the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to formulate a template that would ensure the employment of fresh graduates into the vacancies that would be created arising from the reforms.

    Dickson also directed the committee handling the verification of the state workers to release the salaries of identified genuine workers who were affected by the suspension order.

    Dickson asked the people of the state to brace up to the ongoing public sector reforms insisting that his administration.

    He lamented the rots in the sector and likened the state’s payroll to the voter register where he said all kinds of names could be found.

    He said in 2012 he inherited over N5bn monthly wage bill in the service and N1.6bn in the local government area but worked very hard through various verification committees to bring it down to N3.7bn for state and N1.1bn for the council.

    He said all his efforts were geared towards handing over a disciplines, efficient public service to the incoming government adding that the motive was not to sack anybody.

    While saying that genuine workers affected by the exercise would be re-absorbed and redeployed to other areas, he insisted that persons who had no reason to be in the service must go.

    “We want to leave behind a reformed, repositioned, motivated and efficient workforce.

    Whatever is good for this state, we are going to get it done.

    He said: “Those who would be affected are citizens, we have to look at genuine issues. We are working in avenues to ameliorate the hardships and create other avenues for survival.

    “Many states are sacking workers. The central focus is not to sack. It is repositioning.

    In this reforms, those with teaching qualification, working in the parastatals, who can teach, the state needs all of them.

    “We have ways of absorbing people on the condition that they must be existing workers, they must be committed workers. If you are workers in Abuja, Lagos Port Harcourt, this state has fed you enough for the past 20 year. Enough is enough”.

     

  • Delay in connection project stalls completion of Kashimbilla Dam – Official

    The Federal Ministry of Water Resources says the delay in the connection of power transmission lines to the national grid was responsible for non-completion of the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam in Taraba.

    Mr Lawal Muhammad, the Acting Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations, in the ministry, said this on Friday in an interview with our reporter in Abuja.

    Muhammad said that the dam and the power generating components of the project had been completed.

    He said that the outstanding aspect of the project was the erection of power transmission lines that would convey electricity to the national grid, adding, however, that this was the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

    He said that work on water supply component of the dam had gone far, while work on the reticulation network had reached an advanced stage.

    Muhammad said that the irrigation component of the dam had been designed, while work on it had also reached an advanced stage.

    “We are studying the design; after the approval of the design for the contractor, we can then give him the go-ahead to start the construction,” he said.

    The acting director said that the dam had been completed, while its water had been impounded.

    He said that the dam project was also executed to control water surge whenever water was released from Lake Nyos in Cameroon.

    He said that the water, which was recently released from the lake, was intercepted by the dam in order to prevent flooding in the downstream parts of River Benue.

    “So now, instead of allowing the body of water to stay idle there, we can now utilise it to provide potable water for the people in Takum village and other areas of Taraba State,’’ he said.

    Muhammad said that when the dam was completed, it would have the capacity of generating 40 megawatts of hydro-power.

    He added that the power generation would be a plus to electricity supply to the citizens.

    Our reporter recalls that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved an additional N46.15 billion for the completion of the remaining 10 per cent of the Kashimbila Dam project.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, described the project as one of the ministry’s flagship projects, adding that it would be completed and put to use in 12 months.

    “The dam was identified by the United Nations (UN) as one of the key projects that we need to do to provide a buffer against flooding along the River Benue, which of course you remember in 2012 was quite devastating.

    “Certainly, flood around the River Benue has always been a recurring decimal, in view of the dams which have been constructed by Cameroon. Whenever water is released unsystematically, it continues to cause a lot of damage.’’

    Adamu stressed that the Federal Government was more committed to completing all ongoing dam projects across the country, rather than embarking on the construction of new ones.

    He said that the Federal Government was also not in a hurry to take up new water projects, adding that the construction of new dams invariably involved a lot of planning and design.

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  • SGF commends motor dealers N400bn to nation’s GDP

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has commended motor dealers in the country, for contributing N400 billion to her Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Boss gave the commendation on Friday in Abuja in a statement by Mr Lawrence Ojabo, Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The SGF spoke when he received a delegation of the Association of Motor Dealers’ of Nigeria (AMDON), led by the National President, Mr Ajibola Adedoyin, in his office.

    He thanked the association for also reducing the rate of unemployment and encouraging economic diversification.

    “Your annual turnover of N400 billion is a welcome development in this administration’s drive for economic diversification away from oil.

    “I commend you for the many multiplier effects of your business, which provided the citizens with access to the needed vehicles,” the SGF said.

    The national president of the association solicited for waiver on customs duties on imported vehicles by the members.

    Adedoyin said that the association would reorganise its structure and business outlets as well as review its membership, to help reduce crimes and contribute to economic development.

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  • Abuja hawkers plead with govt. to provide affordable shops, loans

    Hawkers in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have pleaded with the government to provide affordable shops and soft loans for their businesses to curb street hawking within the territory.

    Some of these traders, while fielding questions from our reporters on Thursday decried the hazards they encounter while carrying out their trade.

    They said a lot of their colleagues have lost their lives, incured severe injuries, lost properties and were arrested by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other government officials for hawking on highways and streets within the FCT.

    Hassan Inuwa, a cold drink vendor, said providing conducive business environment would go a long way to stop street hawkers, improve the livelihood of traders and the risk involved.

    “ We also don’t like the fact that we put our lives at risk in our quest to sell our products on the road.

    “A lot of our colleagues have lost their lives or sustained injuries while carrying out their trades.

    “ If the government will assist us with low interest loans or shops to sell our things, we will stop running after cars to sell things and stay in our shops,’’ he said.

    Simon Emmanuel, a school dropout, who sells wrist watches and eye glasses said he would continue his trade in spite of the risks involved, several arrests and extortion by government officials.

    “ I have been arrested several times by government officials and they release me after paying some charges, but I will still go back to the street and carry on with my business because it fetches me money, instead of going to steal,’’ he said.

    According to him, assistance from the the government will compel them to leave the streets and all the risks involved, adding that the proceeds from the business enables him support his mother, who is a widow, and other siblings.

    “If the government assist us by providing alternative places or money to rent a place, we will definitely move out of the streets,” he said.

    Mrs Charity Sikiru, a food vendor, along Area 3, said she sells food on the street because she could not afford renting a shop and with this she supports her husband in providing for the family.

    “ We cannot afford to rent a shop and our customers are mostly cab drivers, who ply the road and other hawkers, so it is easier for us to sell on the street, where they can easily access us, while carrying out their businesses as well,’’ she said.

    Similarly, Umar Maiwaka, a Compaq Disc seller, said though he owns a shop in his area at Nyanya, but he prefers to sell on the street when there is gridlock.

    “ I get more patrongage on the street during traffic hold-ups; that is why I usually lock my shop and sell on the street during traffic hours in spite of the risk involved,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the Head of Information, AEPB, Mr Mustapha Ibrahim, said the 1997 Act, Section 35, subsection B establishing the agency, specifies that all types of trading in the FCT requires the authorization of the board.

    According to him, the N5, 000 fine or six months imprisonment for offenders is not stringent enough to serve as deterrent for those found guilty of the offence, as they still return to the trade after being arrested, prosecuted or made to pay fine.

    “ We had warned members of the public against embarking on street hawking because they also endanger the lives of people coming in and out of traffic in their bid to sell their products, but they still return,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim stressed the need for a review of the AEPB ACT to include a more stringent punishment and harsh fine to deter offenders, since the present Act was too soft on offenders.

     

  • Court jails mechanic over attempt to steal generator

    An FCT Area Court Judge, Abubakar Sadiq, on Thursday sentenced an auto-mechanic, Sa’ad Yahaya, to two months imprisonment for attempting to steal a generator.

    The court sentenced Yahaya of Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal trespass and attempt to commit theft.

    Yahaya had begged the court for leniency after admitting to the crime.

    The judge, who found the convict guilty as charged, held that the sentence would serve as deterrent to other would-be offenders.

    Read Also: Court stops planned sale of 9mobile

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Dalhatu Zannah, had told the court that on April 11, one Nuhu Haruna of Benson crescent Utako, Abuja, reported the incident at the Utako Police Station.

    Zannah alleged that the defendant and three others now at large criminally trespassed into the complainant’s house and attempted to steal his generator.

    The prosecutor told the court that while the defendant was arrested, his accomplices escaped.

    He said the offences  contravened Sections 348 and 95 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • NUC sets up committee to make varsity education accessible

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) says it has constituted a committee to make university education accessible to the teeming population, who are seeking tertiary education in Nigeria.

    Executive Secretary NUC, Prof.  Abubakar Rasheed, said this at a stakeholders’ seminar organised by the University of Bradford and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in Abuja.
    Rasheed, represented by Mr Chris Maiyaki, a Director in his office, said the commission was worried over the country’s growing population and the high demand for tertiary education.

    He said that Nigeria’s 143 universities could only accommodate 500, 000 students which is 6.7 per cent of admission seekers.

    “Nigeria is projected to be the third largest population by the year 2050. The concern of NUC is how to educate this number of population when the time comes,” he said.

    “The NUC just commissioned a committee headed by Prof. Peter Okebukola to bring out a blueprint that will help the country to survive the population.

    “As you know that on annual basis, we have 7.5 million students aspiring to get admission to the universities, unfortunately the available 143 universities put together can only admit 500,000 students,” he said

    The Executive Secretary said the commission was making efforts to ensure that Nigerian universities catch up with global happenings.

    He commended some Nigerian universities for partnering with UK’s University of Bradford for joint research and teaching.

    Seven Nigerian universities have signified interest to join the World Technology Universities Network (WTUN) led by the UK varsity.

    They are University of Benin, Edo; University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers; University of Calabar, Cross River; Akwa Ibom State University; University of Uyo; Niger Delta University and African University, Bayelsa.

    WTUN is a consortium of universities committed towards the provision of professional and vocational courses with excellent job prospects for graduates in the country.

    University of Bradford’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Brian Cantor said the school was developing links with its Nigerian counterparts to use the instrumentality of science and technology to solve national and global problems.

    “Because we live in an age of technology, worldwide knowledge-based development either in social or economic sphere, universities play a big role. And partnership is the way to do it,” he said.

    He said that the global university network would run students and staff exchanges as well as joint teaching and research programmes.

    The Director General of IPCR, Prof. Oshita OShita, at the meeting stressed on the need for the country to entrench peace education in its institution’s curriculum.

    Oshita said that education was vital to the promotion of peace and mitigation against conflict in the country.

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  • Enugu U-18 beats Rangers feeders 2-1 in friendly encounter

    The Enugu U-18 football team for the upcoming National Grassroots Sports Festival in Abuja, on Wednesday defeated Rangers Feeders 2-1 in a friendly match in Enugu.

    Following the victory, the team’s coach Anistar Izuikem, told the newsmen that his team would do well and probably win the football event of the festival.

    “Apart from Rangers Feeders team, we recently defeated another Nationwide League One ( NLO ) side, Lamray FC and they are a force to be reckoned with.

    “I feel honoured to have outwitted the two clubs in the test matches and besides, we are going to the festival with positive results,’’ the coach said.

    He added that the players were ready for the festival and would win the football trophy, just like the state had been doing in grassroots football competitions.

    The newsmen reports that Rangers Feeders dominated the match and took the lead before the interval through Kenechukwu Okolie.

    Read Also: Suspected robber nabbed in Enugu

    The U-18 team, however, equalized through their Captain Chidera Pius in the 57th minute after an enterprising buildup.

    The team’s leading goal scorer, Promise Eze, eventually took the match beyond Rangers Feeders, by scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute.

    Izuikem told the newsmen that 18 players and three coaches would be making the trip to Abuja.

    He said the team would depart Enugu on Thursday, instead of Wednesday the earlier scheduled day for departure.

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  • Cost of Buhari’s London treatment: CBN, Emefiele know fate June 5

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 5 for judgment in a suit seeking to compel the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its Governor, Godwin Emefiele to provide information on the amount the country paid for President Muhammadu Buhari’s treatment in London last year.

    Justice John Tsoho chose the date on Tuesday after parties adopted their final written addresses and made their final submissions.

    Chukwuwike Okafor, for the applicant – the Incorporated Trustees of Advocacy for Societal Rights Advancement and Development Initiative (ASRADI) – urged the court to discountenance the respondents’ argument and grant his client’s reliefs.

    Babafemi Durojaiye, for the 1st and 2nd respondents (CBN and its Governor), prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

    He argued among others, that the applicant’s grievance was misdirected.

    ASRADI had filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1142/2017 last year following the alleged failure of the CBN and its Governor to respond to a Freedom of Information request on what the bank released for the payment of Buhari’s treatment in London.

    ASRADI stated that the CBN and its Governor refused to honour its Freedom of Information request contained in a letter of October 19, 2017 for information on the amount released for Buhari’s medical treatment in London and the amount paid on behalf of the Nigerian government as parking fees for keeping the presidential aircraft and crew in the UK while the President’s treatment lasted.

    The group wants the court to declare that the failure of the respondents to provide it with information it sought through its letter of October 19, 2017 (on the expenditure of the President’s London treatment) “amounts to a wrongful denial of information and is a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011.”

    The applicant also seeks an order compelling the respondents to furnish it with information sought in the letter of October 19, 2017, and a further order, mandating the CBN and its Governor to pay the plaintiff N10million in damages “for the wilful refusal of the 1st and 2nd respondents to release information in respect of the applicant’s letter dated 19th Ocober 2017.”

    The applicant hinged its prayers on the ground that the applicant, being a civil society organisation, that advocates for public interest issues and engages in anti-corruption and other related campaigns, was entitled to the information sought under the FOI Act.

    In a supporting affidavit, ASRADI’s Executive Director, Adeolu Oyinlola stated that his group had, through a letter of October 19, 2017 filed under the FOI Act, applied to the CBN and it Governor for information on the country’s expenditure on President Buhari’s treatment in London, but was ignored by them.

    He stated that it was within the responsibilities of the CBN and its Governor to provide the requested information they “are responsible for all foreign currency transactions of the Nigerian government or transactions involving the Federal Government of Nigeria and foreign institutions as it concerns transfer of money outside the shores of Nigeria.”

    Oyinlola further stated that it was in the interest of the Nigerian public that the court grants his group’s prayers to compel the respondents to declare the requested information because ASRAD was daily inundated by demands from the public to investigate the amount of tax payers’ money spent by the Federal Government in the course of the treatment of President Buhari in London and what it cost to keep the Presidential aircraft at the Stansted airport for the duration of the treatment.