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Tag: Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello

  • Niger Govt revokes 248 hectares of land around Zuma rock

    Niger Govt revokes 248 hectares of land around Zuma rock

    The Niger State Executive Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has revoked  248 hectares of land around the neighborhood of the famous Zuma Rock in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The Governor explained that the natural endowment of the area needs to be preserved for collective benefit.

    The approval for the revocation was contained in a memo to Mr Governor which was signed by the State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Haliru Zakari Jikantoro.

    According to the Commissioner, seven beneficiaries have been directed to return the grant or Certificates of Occupancy in their possession and settle amount outstanding within three months from the date of the revocation.

    Those affected include, Aso Savings and Loans Plc with 150 hectares, Minna Economic Regeneration Services with 50 hectares, Shelter Plus Nigeria Limited with 35 hectares, Grand Towers Plc with 10 hectares, U.A.I.A. Nigeria Limited and Umaru Bature with 3 hectares

    Jikantoro further stated that beneficiaries with proof of unexhausted improvement on their revoked plots may be entitled to compensation or alternative allocation of plot where appropriate.

    In a related development, the State Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Culture, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa warned those engaged in local crushing and quarrying of granite behind the famous Zuma Rock to stop  or face the wrath of the law.

  •  Bello assures Niger workers of prompt salary payment

    Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has assured the entire state work force of regular and prompt payment of their salary and allowances despite the lingering economic downturn.

    According to him, if it takes his government to borrow in view of the economic downturn to pay workers salary and allowances, he is ready to do it stressing that the payment of workers their dues is a first line priority of his administration.

    Speaking in Minna Wednesday during a farewell ceremony of the former Chief Judge of the state, the Governor said, “Under no circumstance should we deprive our workers, even if we have to borrow in view of the economic downturn to pay workers salary and allowances, we will do so. Payment of workers their dues is a first line priority of this administration”.

    The governor said this development informed his decision to approve the release of funds for the renovation of Court rooms in the state, as well as ensure the prompt payment of workers, including the judicial workers of their salary and allowances since he assumed office.

    “Our strong believe in the welfare of our Judges informed the various renovations carried out in some courts recently. We also make sure that our five newly appointed High Court Judges were provided with cars and befitting accommodation.”

    He commended the efforts of the retiring Chief Judge, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar in lifting the judiciary and instilling discipline in the sector.

  • Fuel Scarcity: Niger inaugurates 11-man task force

    Fuel Scarcity: Niger inaugurates 11-man task force

    Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has constituted a committee to monitor the delivery of Petroleum products and dispensation to the general public in the State, especially in Minna, the state capital.

    The 11- Man Committee was constituted on Monday by the governor, following the seemingly  intractable chaotic situations at the Fuel stations throughout the state in recent times.

    According to a Circular, with reference number SSG/ S/ 307 issued on Monday  by the Chief of Staff  to the Governor/ Acting Secretary  to the Government of Niger State , Hon. Mika’il Al- Amin Bmitosahi, a copy of which was obtained by  The Nation, the Niger State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abubakar Marafa is the Chairman of the Committee.

    The Commander, 31 Artillery Brigade, the State Director, Directorate of the State Security Service and State Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are to expected to nominate Senior Officers to serve on this Committee.

    The 11-Man Committee also has the state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists {NUJ}, Comrade Mohammed Mohammed, Special Adviser Special Duties to the Governor, the Zonal Coordinator, Department of Petroleum Resources{DPR}, representative of NUPENG, representative of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor in Chanchaga Local Govt. of the State/ Chairman, LGAs, as well as the representative of the State Ministry of Investment respectively.

    The Committee was urged by the governor to swing into action immediately adding that the era of sharp practices by petroleum marketers in the state should be cut down.

  • Niger Assembly passes 2016 Appropriation Bill

    Niger Assembly passes 2016 Appropriation Bill

    The Niger State House of Assembly Friday passed the 2016 appropriation bill with an increment of N10.3 billion to the total expenditure provision of the budget.

    The budget presented to the House of Assembly by the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello was N74.7 billion while the budget appropriated by the House is N85 billion.

    An estimated expenditure of N74,744,151,131 made up of  N39,501,796,081 as the recurrent expenditure and N35,242,355,032  as the capital expenditure was proposed for consideration and approval while the House recommended an expenditure of N85,092,122,133 made up of recurrent expenditure of N41, 433,666,593 and capital expenditure of N43,658,455,540.

    Giving reasons for the increment, the Chairman of the Committee on Planning and Appropriation, Honorable Muhammad Lokogoma said that the committee critically looked into various sources of revenue and discovered that there are areas of improvement in the Internally Generated Revenue.

    He said that additional N10 million can be generated from NSTA, N3 million can be generated from city metro bus service, N6 million can be generated from Mining activities in the state, N5 million can be generated from the water board and N35 million from Telecom Mast and New mast clearance form.

    Lokogoma also said that out of N100 billion withdrwan from the consolidated revenue account, N50 billion has been verified to be unaccounted for stating that the sum of N15.7 billion is recommended for IGR as against the N9.3 billion projected.

    The Committee then observed with dismay the over expenditure and extra-budgetary expenditure in the 2015 budget without recourse to the legislature adding that that will not be tolerated in the 2016 budget as all MDAs are to make quarterly presentations to the House.

    The House then called on the executive to ensure that budgets are presented to the legislature early to ensure proper scrutiny and timely passage adding that the submission resulted in hasty scrutiny to ensure speedy passage.

    The Speaker of the Niger state House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Ahmed Marafa after the passage of the bill said that the budget was seriously scrutinized page by page and sector by sector to give Nigerlites a budget that they can be proud of.

    He then directed the clerk to prepare copies and passed to the governor for his assent.

  • Niger Govt to re-organize agricultural informal sector

    Niger Govt to re-organize agricultural informal sector

    In a bid to boost economic activities in Niger state, the State Government has expressed determination to re-organize the informal sector of  agricultural value-chain.

    According to the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, government will  develop products like mango fruit and other perishable farm produces.

    The Governor stated this when he paid an unscheduled visit to Kwakuti and Paiko Mango fruits markets along  Minna-Abuja road of Niger state.

    He said, “It is important to organize informal sector of agricultural value-chain. This will boost economic activities in the state. It will also create employment opportunities and increase  Internally Generated Revenue(IGR).”

    Bello assured farmers, various stakeholders and investors in agriculture of his determination to develop the value-chain in the sector.

    Expressing delight with the activities at mango fruit markets in Kwakuti and Paiko, he noted that for the state government to have full benefit of the cluster, there has to be some investments in infrastructure which the government will provide.

    “I am very pleased with what I have seen in Kwakuti and Paiko Mango markets. A large number of people benefit from business transaction that go on between mango owners and buyers who come from far and near to buy mangoes in Niger state.

    “It is important that we intervene in providing infrastructure such as accommodation, mosque, fence, water and where necessary storage facilities.

    Bello then emphasized that development of small and medium enterprises would boost agricultural sector of  the state with the provision of  storage facilities to assist entreprenuers engaged in seasonal fruit trading.

    While briefing the Governor on their activities, some of the traders revealed that some of the packaged mangoes are taken to far places like Mali and other neighboring countries.

    “We are very happy with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello visit. We have been doing this business and transporting  mango fruit to Mali and other neighboring countries for the past 35 years from Niger state. No Governor has ever visited us. We commend him for the interest shown in our business. And his willingness to support us. We will cooperate with him.”

  • Jerry Gana is still a political force at 70 – Bello

    Jerry Gana is still a political force at 70 – Bello

    Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has felicitated with the former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana on his 70th birthday anniversary.

    Bello eulogised the leadership quality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader whose political affiliation cut across the nation’s political party, religion or tribal divide.

    The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Baba Ndace, said that Gana has remain politically relevant not only to Niger State, his place of birth in particular but to the country in general.

    Describing Gana as a bridge builder, Governor Bello stated that the Professor of Geography has continued to be a force in the political landscape of the country.

    “Professor Jerry Gana has over the years remained a relevant force in the democratic evolution of a modern Nigeria. He has within his adulthood age built bridges across the six geo-political regions of the country. A totally detrablised leader, our elder statesman, an erudite scholar, political mobilizer and administrator par-excellence has remained the shining light of our people.

    “I recall with nostalgia the way he handle his assignment at DIFRRI, which led to the opening up of many rural communities; his contributions to the development of modern democratic ethos as a founding father of one of the nation’s political parties, where he served as the founding Secretary to the party’s Board of Trustee (BOT) indeed qualified him as one of Nigeria’s bright leaders.

    “He injected a new drive into public information management during his stint as the Minister of Information. His ability to play with words remains legendary in recent time.

    “It is our prayer that God will preserve his life, so that the country can continue to tap from his wealth of experience,” the statement read.

  • Aliyu’s administration was rocked by fraud – Bello

    Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, on Friday disclosed that the immediate past administration of Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu was characterized with fraud, saying most of the projects and programmes reportedly carried out by the administration could not be traced.

    The governor added that members of the Peoples Democratic Party, government functionaries and private individuals feasted on state resources for eight years the party was in power in the state.

    Bello, who stated these in a state broadcast to mark his 100 days in office, said there were several questionable transactions the former administration must account for.

    The discrepancies, according to him, were discovered by the financial management committee set up by his administration, lamenting that one of such discrepancies was discovered in the state and local government joint account where a massive fraud was perpetrated.

    Bello said, “We instituted a financial management committee to look at all major financial transactions of the state and local governments from May 2007 to May 2015.  The committee has made substantial progress and the findings are quite revealing.

    [ad id=”403656”]“A review of the operations of some of the major bank accounts of the state and the Local Government Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) over the last eight years revealed some despicable patterns such as huge cash withdrawals by government officials, private individuals and PDP officials and members.

    “For example, an examination of only two bank accounts of Government House shows more than N70billion cash withdrawals by a few officials who must explain the purpose for which the withdrawals were made. The operation of the joint account was characterized by diversions and a misapplication of huge funds especially those paid to Ward Development Projects and 10km roads’ projects.

    “For instance, out of the total sum of over N11billion paid to the accounts of Ward Development Projects, the relevant officials of the ministry of local government could not account for N2.86billion, while N 613million was spent on ‘ghost’ vehicles and N675.50million was said to be lent to Ministry of Finance where the funds cannot be traced.”

  • Governorship poll: Peaceful APC primary in Niger

    The governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State took off peacefully at about 12:30pm in Minna, the state capital.

    Over 4,000 delegates from 25 local government areas of the state converged at the Trade Fair Complex in Minna as early as 10am while the electoral officers and voting materials arrived on time for the exercise.

    Addressing delegates, the chairman governorship primaries election committee, Hon. Mathias Umeh, said all arrangement have been made for a peaceful, free and fair election and advised them to abide by the rules of the exercise.

    Three aspirants are contesting for the party’s governorship ticket. They are – one time Commissioner for Commerce in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, Senator Musa Ibrahim and Sani Idris Aloma.

    Early arrivals at the congress include the party’s presidential aspirant from the state, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, Gen. Garba Idris, a member of the party’s board of trustees and members of the state executive council of the party.

    Nda-Isaiah, who is a delegate from Chanchaga local government area of the state, voted at about 1:37pm.

    Voting is still in progress as at the time of the filing this report.