The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Amaechi

  • Flourishing illegality

    It is indeed most alarming that Nigeria is reported to lose at least $25 billion annually as a result of criminal oil bunkering, piracy and other illegal businesses on the country’s territorial waters. Coming from Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, a two-term governor of oil-producing Rivers State (2007 -2015), immediate past Minister of Transportation and now minister-designate in President Muhammadu Buhari’s forthcoming cabinet, this revelation cannot be dismissed out of hand.

    Speaking at a reception and book launch organised in his honour by agencies and stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry, Amaechi described oil bunkering merchants in Nigeria as the 7th largest oil producers in Africa because of the sheer magnitude of their operations.

    Despite her immense natural, mineral and human resource endowment, Nigeria is currently rated as one of those countries with the highest concentration of poverty-stricken citizens in the world. Quite apart from the chronic infrastructure deficit the country suffers in critical areas, including road, rail and water transportation, as well as electricity supply, poverty indices in the country as reflected in the degree of hunger and malnutrition, lack of potable water, prevalence of avoidable diseases, insufficiency of decent and wholesome shelter, illiteracy and ignorance for the vast majority of the people remain unacceptably high for a country with Nigeria’s immense potential.

    The country most obviously needs all the resources she can muster to meet these and other challenges, including properly equipping and motivating its military, police and other security agencies to contain the current grave threats to the continued stability and cohesion of the polity.  The minister-designate is right when he notes that if the money lost to bunkering and other illegal maritime activities were pumped into the economy, the problem of poverty in the country would be more effectively contained and the prospects for prosperity boosted. It would also help to reduce the rate of Nigeria’s growing indebtedness to fund developmental projects.

    It is, however, heartening that theFederal Ministry of Transportation has taken concrete steps to address the situation as Mr. Amaechi revealed that a maritime security contract of $195 million was awarded in 2018 to HSLI, an Israeli firm, to train and equip Nigerian security personnel to effectively check oil bunkering and other illegal activities in the maritime sector.

    It will also help to better secure shipping firms as well as vessels calling on Nigerian shores, which currently expend considerable amounts on procurement of escort services. The signing of the piracy bill by President Buhari, if properly implemented, will also hopefully help ensure Nigeria’s exit from the category of countries with the highest frequency of piracy attacks in Africa.

    These, in our view, are more transparent, accountable and effective approaches to contain the problem than the recourse of the immediate past administration to award humongous contracts to ex-militants and other groups with dubious capacity to police the country’s oil pipelines. Of course, such contracts were not accounted for and they had little mitigating impact on the illegal oil bunkering business, which continued to flourish.

    However, we call on the Federal Government to urgently rise to its responsibility of utilising its coercive capacity to restore order to the country’s territorial waters. The oil bunkering and other criminalities take place quite openly and brazenly in what can be described as an ungoverned, corruption- ridden space. Unfortunately, the military and security agencies deployed to enforce adherence to the law in these areas are sometimes themselves reportedly deeply entrenched in these illegal activities from which they reap stupendous pecuniary benefits. It is time for the requisite authorities to take decisive ameliorative and punitive actions.

  • Why ‘national carrier’ was suspended, by Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said the proposed national carrier was suspended because members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) were divided on the modalities for its establishment.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had last year September  announced the suspension of the proposed national carrier called ‘Nigeria Air’.

    Speaking during his valedictory press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Amaechi stated the project has not been abandoned.

    He said: “On national carrier, (the) cabinet is divided on the issue of modality. There are those who believe that the Federal Government should invest and then we can sell the equity later.

    “There are also those who believe that no, and from day one they say let us get investors in and give them the franchise of Nigeria Airways or Air Nigeria or whatever it is called. That is where we are and that is what held it down. But as for whether it is still in our plan, it is and has not been abandoned.”

     

     

  • Amaechi: Rivers always in the news for the wrong reasons

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has said Rivers State is now almost always in the news for the wrong reasons.

    Amaechi, who spoke yesterday in his Easter message, urged the people to have hope and a renewed commitment to wait till the resurrection morning.

    The minister said: “No doubt our state has endured a tortuous political season which saw political parties jostle and cajole Rivers people to make choices. Our state, which was known and respected as the Treasure Base of the Nation, is now almost always in the news for the wrong reasons. This is not the Rivers State of our dreams.

    “We must find our way back to the path of a glorious future. I am one of you. Therefore, as your father, son and brother, I beseech you to be of good courage and join hands to build and restore the glory of our state.

    “For us as Rivers people, this is a moment for sober reflection and forgiveness. I will implore that we all ask God for forgiveness and mercy for all the things done or left undone, and from the citizens for the pain and anguish that they have brazenly suffered, which most times are unreported.

    “The persistence of gang violence, kidnappings and killings has dealt a telling blow on the people’s psyche. People no longer feel safe or sleep with their two eyes closed.

    “For those of us who feel a sense of personal loss following the last election, I say do not despair, you have vital work to do in the Rivers project. Believe me; with wisdom and patience, you will own the future.

    “Always remember that the task of enthroning a party into power is not as high a calling of patriotism than the task of making personal sacrifices for the peace and general good of the state. Therefore, I appeal to all who truly love our dear Rivers State to join hands in building the state, irrespective of their party affiliations…”

  • Lagos-Ibadan rail’ll be ready in June – Amaechi

    Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has assured that by early June this year, the rail transport system would ready for use between Lagos and Ibadan. The Lagos-Abeokuta rail had been completed earlier in the year as passengers were offered a three-month free ride. The period of free ride was however later shortened.

    Amaechi who spoke to some journalists over the weekend noted that his commitment to the full take off of rail transportation in Nigeria is aimed at making life easier and better for Nigerians. He undertakes rail inspection trips at least twice in a month. The Ghanaian government recently sent a team led by its Minister of Rail Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey, to come and understudy the progress being made in Nigeria’s rail projects.

    The Lagos-Ibadan rail project is being executed at the cost of $1.6 billion, which is being funded from the loan from the Chinese government. He explained that the hitherto abandoned Itakpe-Wari rail line has been completed and has commenced operation. It shall, for a start, be carrying 100 passengers per trip, until more coaches are purchased. The Itakpe-Warri rail line was abandoned for 34 years.

    “It is one rail project that we did not borrow a dime to complete. President Muhammadu Buhari was and still enthusiastic in driving the rail project in Nigeria as a way of improving the nation’s economy. The Itakpe –Warri rail line was revived and completed with $200m. Presently, the Railway Village which was burnt is being rehabilitated, just as the Railway yard (which will comprise school, hospital and maintenance units) is being built in Agbor, Delta State,” he said.

    Amaechi further noted that the cost of land and other properties on the rail corridor have all gone up as many people are already scrambling to buy lands and properties along such places in anticipation of the economies that will be built within those areas.

  • Amaechi warns against use of tricycles, motorcycles for criminal activities

    Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has warned operators of motorcycles popularly called Okada and Tricycles also known as Keke NAPEP to guide against the use of the means of easy transport for criminal activities, measures are already being put in place to check such criminal activities.

    Amaechi also asked the leadership of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycles and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) to check the infiltration of its rank by criminal elements across the country who pose security risk to Nigerians.

    Represented by the Mrs. Anthonia Ekpa, a director in the Ministry of transport at the inauguration of the new leadership of the association in Abuja, the Minister also asked the association to embark on the training and rebranding of its members in line with international best practices.

    Amaechi  said that aside the many road infractions often committed by members of the association, its ranks were being infiltrated daily by questionable persons who pose security threats across the country, adding that regulations are underway to check this recurring decimal.

    He disclosed that the ministry was working to ensure reduction in the cost of operation through the introduction of solar powered tricycles, saying “you will have to ensure that your member operate within the laws of the land and within international best practices, such as it is obtainable in other parts of the world.

    “The ministry is also worried that some miscreants will use tricycles and motorcycles, posing as members of this very reputable organization to cause havoc and security challenges across the country. This is why we want to extract a commitment from the new president that your members will work with the ministry to be retrained and rebrand like our counterparts in other countries.”

    In his remarks, Chairman Senate committee on Land transport, Senator Olugbenga Ashafa tasked operators to be law abiding, placing safety above all else and sticking to designated routes, while commending members of the association for voting enmass for President Muhammadu Buhari in the just concluded elections.

     

  • FG needs $3billion to link Itakpe to Abuja by rail – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has disclosed that about $3 billion is required to link Itakpe to Abuja by rail.

    He also noted that the $3 billion will see to the establishment of a seaport which will be located in Warri.

    The Minister said this in Agbor on Thursday during an inspection tour to check the progress of work on the Itakpe-Warri rail project.

    The Minister who directed that commercial operation of the train service commence with immediate effect, also said the entire project will be ready by October.

    He said: “About $3 billion is needed to connect Abuja to Itakpe with a seaport at Warri.”

    On the progress of work, Amaechi said: “We have completed the track work, what is outstanding is the stations and if they continue with the pace of work, we will get it completed soon. We are not harassing them to complete it because we are owing them but when we pay them, we will harass them.

    “We have 12 stations. None has been completed but they are at different levels of completion. For some, they have finished the structural work. By September and October, the entire project will be ready.

    On the commencement of commercial services, he said: “Passengers should start paying because the free ride cannot be forever.”

    On the linking of Itakpe to Lokoja, he said: “It has to go to the cabinet first. When the cabinet approves that, then we will start because it is a different contract entirely but this (Itakpe-Warri) will be functioning before then.

    “What the project does is that it takes the people from the south to the north and it gets them out of Itakpe because Itakpe appears to be middle nowhere.

    He also hinted that the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria is making arrangements to create parking spaces for buses at Itakpe that will convey passengers from the train by buses to their various destinations.

    He also commended the contractors for the pace of work.

    Read Also: Amaechi, Malami plotting to void Rivers elections, PDP alleges

    According to him: “They have done filling, foundation work and even structural work. So what is left is for them to put roofing and do the finishing. This is the third visit, this place looked like a bush, overgrown by weeds during the first visit, at the second visit they had started but nothing significant had happened and now the third visit, they are almost completed.”

    On the affordability of the service since commercial activity has been directed to commence, he said: “All trains across the world are affordable because government all over the world subsidize. So, it is cheap. The problem is not the cost. The problem is whether we can even break even.”

  • Newspaper vendor commits suicide in Sapele

    A 42- year- old newspaper vendor Amaechi, was on Thursday morning found dead after hanging himself with a rope tied to his room’s ceiling fan.

    Although not much could be ascertained about the deceased person’s personality, The Nation gathered Amaechi, described as a rather withdrawn person who hardly interacted with his neighbours, was last seen on Monday.

    According to one of his neighbours in the one-bedroom apartment, Amaechi was a native of Kwale in Delta state.

    The neighbor said: “He was last seen on Monday when he was leaving the house; nobody knew when he came back to the house.

    “We never knew he had hung himself in his room. It was only this morning when we were beginning to inhale some foul odour and people came to ask of him that we suspected foul play”.

    Another source, who pleaded anonymity, said Amaechi was not known with any friend or wife, adding his only known family member was his older brother, who died in 2018.

    Read Also: Auchi Poly lecturer commits suicide

    According to the source: “He was much of a mystery man; nobody knew much about him.

    “We only knew him as Amaechi, not even his landlord knows his other name. He was not known with any friend or wife, the only family known with him was that his older brother, who died last year and since he died, we learned his family moved back to Kwale.

    “What I heard was that he was last seen at the newspaper distribution centre on Monday when those who used to give him paper demanded that he should pay up what he owed.

    ‘’You know that sometimes vendors owe money for papers for a while before paying in bulk.

    “They said he left the centre after he was asked to pay what he was owing and since then nobody has set eyes on him again until his corpse was found hanging in his room on Wednesday night.

    ‘’Like I was told, they said nobody at his place saw when he returned home or saw him again after that Monday morning.

    “They said people had been coming to ask after him ever since, but when they started perceiving a foul odour, someone suggested that they broke through his window to be sure he was not in. That was when his body was discovered,” the source said.

    Spokesman of the Delta Police Command, Mr Chris Orisewezie (ASP), said he was also informed of the development but could not immediately lay hands on details.

  • Railway interconnectivity may gulp $40bn – Amaechi

    Nigeria needs between US$36 to $40 billion to connect its railway to all state capitals, the Minister of Transportation Mr Rotimi Amaechi said on Friday.

    Amaechi while fielding questions on reasons for the slowdown in the Lagos – Calabar coastal rail said, though the project was awarded by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, the government does not have the money to handle it.

    He said: “The Lagos-Calqbar has been awarded but we have not gotten money. We are even still looking for money for Lagos to Kano. I come from South-South and I am emotionally attached to that project but it is unfortunate that we have not gotten money. It was awarded under President Jonathan and President Obasanjo awarded the Lagos-Kano rail line.  The directive of the President is that we should do everything possible to get the interconnectivity of the tracks and like I tell Nigerians, everybody has to be patient because we need between $36 to $40 billion to be able to do that connectivity.

    “Those who are criticising Buhari must remember that there was a point in time we had money and we were all enjoying that money by way of corruption.  Now you people are harrasing us and asking where is the money. So, it is a bit difficult.  We are trying to meet the challenges we are facing, finding solutions to them according to the directive of the President but Nigerians must realize that these challenges are only resolved by funds and those funds are not just readily available.”

    Addressing the progress on the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge, Amaechi expressed satisfaction. He said though President Muhmadu Buhari could ride on the train by end of May, yet, the works that are outstanding are still enormous. He said: “Yes, if Mr President want to ride on the train he could do by end of May, by which time, the dual tracks would have been laid to Ibadan all the way from Lagos, but that is not the focus. We are concerned not only with tracks, but in providing the stations. Put the trains on the tracks and build an efficient communications system.”

    Amaechi was accompanied on the trip by the Ghanaian Minister for Rail Development Mr Joe Ghartey, who led a high powered delegation that included the Deputy Managing Director (Engineering) Ghana Railway Corporation Mr Michael Anyeta Adjei, officials of CCECC Ghana and Team Consultants Ghana.

    Also on the trip are the Senate Committee Chairman on Land Transport Senator Gbenga Ashafa, the NRC MD, Mr Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director Nigeria Zhiopers Council Mr Ahmed Hassan, and top officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, led by the Director of Rail Mr Babakobi.

     

  • Amaechi, Ghanaian transport chief to inspect train project

    Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and his Ghanaian colleague, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, will be touring the Lagos-Ibadan speed train site tomorrow.

    It will be Asiamah’s first visit with his Nigerian colleague, since the $1.7 billion project began in June, 2017.

    The 156-kilometre long construction is being handled by the Chinese multinational corporation, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

    The two ministers will also be joined on the tour by the members of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, led by its chairman Senator Gbenga Ashafa, top management of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and top government officials from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

    Read also: Amaechi apologises to Nigerians over suspension of free Iju-Abeokuta train ride

    Others to accompany them are the members of the technical implementation committee, led by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria and the project supervising consultants.

    It will be Amaechi’s second visit this month, having earlier visited on March 8, when he issued a marching order to CCECC to get the rail tracks laid to kilometre 120, some 36 kilometres to the heart of Ibadan.

  • Wike is too desperate for power, says Amaechi

    Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi yesterday described Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as too desperate for power.

    He also accused the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Obo Effanga, as unrepentantly a PDP member.

    Amaechi, who is also the leader of APC in Rivers State spoke after voting in his hometown of Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

    He hailed the military, police and other security agencies for keeping the peace in Rivers.

    Amaechi, a former Rivers governor, said: “The militants have fled, because of the presence of the military and we are voting peacefully. One thing about the soldiers is that they are apolitical. They are neither supporting APC nor AAC or PDP. What they are doing is to maintain peace and ensure that nobody disrupts the electoral process.

    “Beyond the fact that the REC of INEC in Rivers State recruited PDP members as ad hoc staff, the process is a bit straight forward. For instance, in Khana LGA (of Rivers State), the people refused to vote, because all the ad hoc staff were known members of the PDP and the electorate said they would not vote.

    “Wike does not like the fact that the military is maintaining peace. Whereas, he stays in Government House with his security and people are dying on the streets of Port Harcourt. Wike is so desperate about power. Just yesterday (Friday), PDP thugs killed two people in my mother’s village.

    “The Rivers governor said there was voter apathy because of soldiers’ presence. There is no time we do not have voter apathy in Rivers State. What usually happened then was that PDP leaders would the write results and announce. Now, they do not have the opportunity to write results.”

    The transportation minister also stated that it was noteworthy that the soldiers were now escorting the result sheets and other electoral materials to the collation centre, thereby thwarting Wike’s rigging plan.

    However, Wike, after voting in his Rumueprikom-Port Harcourt polling unit in Obio/Akpor LGA, blamed the security agencies for the voters apathy during yesterday’s elections, stating that the voters were afraid to go to their polling units.