The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ben Murray Bruce

  • First aircraft lands in Bayelsa International Airport

    …..Governor Dickson says airport built with N65b

    ….Faults claim by Senator Heineken Logbobiri

    Twenty-three years after it was created the first aircraft on Thursday landed at the Bayelsa State International Airport.

    The 3.5 kilometer runway airport according to the Governor, Seriake Dickson was built at the cost of over N65 billion.

    Dickson said it is the first aircraft to land in any airport in Izon land, the heartland of the Ijaws.

    He said the clarification over the cost of the airport project had become imperative because of allegations peddled by Senator Heineken Logbobiri who said the project gulped between N120 to N150 billion.

    The senator had alleged that the airport was flooded.

    Speaking at the airport when an Air Peace Embraer Regional Jet that flew from Lagos landed at the runway, to the tumultuous welcome of Bayelsa indigenes, Dickson said the facility will open the state to the world; through attraction of investments; export of agricultural produce; tourism and other economic activities.

    Dickson said he was more than excited to receive the first aircraft into the airport as a Valentine gift to the good people of the state as well as a fitting achievement to commemorate the seven years anniversary of Bayelsa.

    He said the project was conceived, developed and built with scarce resources from Bayelsa State Government at austere times like this.

    He said its completion is part of the promise of his administration to accelerate the economic development of Bayelsa State, which deserves a better deal in the Nigerian project.

    He said the airport will resolve inconveniences associated with connecting flights by Bayelsans through neighboring states.

    Dickson said the Federal Government which promised to build an airport terminal in the state reneged in its promise, a development, he said pushed his administration to think out of the box to deliver the project.

    He said previous efforts by other governors to have done this did not materialize, hence the zeal and deterministic. By his administration to complete the airport in record time.

    Though the airport has not been officially commissioned, Dickson said a date will be fixed to celebrate the infrastructural revolution in Bayelsa State.

    Dickson said the airport will generate jobs for thousands of Bayelsa indigenes and others who are poised to contribute to the economic development of the state.

    He said though work in progress , some issues about the airport concerning compensation to host communities and contractors were yet to be resolved.

    He commended aviation agencies including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) for this cooperation and relevant approval for the project.

    Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace, Mrs Toyin Olajide commended Bayelsa State Government for the feat assuring that the Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) signed with the state will facilitate regular flight services on the route.

    She urged people of the state to take advantage of the fight services to stimulate business for the state.

    She said the airline like the state government has scored many firsts by venturing into feats that have accelerated economic growth for Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Senator Ben Murray Bruce said Bayelsa International Airport will stimulate economic growth for the state ; attract investment opportunities and boost tourism.

  • Buruji Kashamu, Ben Murray-Bruce remain an issue on social circuit

    The friendship radiating between Buruji Kashamu and Senator Ben Bruce is waxing stronger by the day. The two are now so intimate that hardly can you see one without the other at public functions.

    Buruji, a PDP politician from Ogun State, represents Ogun East at the Senate and he is the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on States and Local Government. Ben Bruce, who owns Silverbird Group, is a strong voice in the Senate.

    While Buruji’s attraction to the Niger Delta senator is mutual, it is obvious that the relationship is purely based on ‘commosense’! After all, Senator Ben-Bruce has the power of the media, to a large extent, and his friend is a deep pocket. A good blend, so to say.

  • Police invite Melaye, Ben Bruce over protest

    THE Police have asked Senators Dino Melaye and Ben Murray-Bruce to report to the office of the Commissioner of Police in charge of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) today for questioning.

    The invitation is in connection with the protest in front of the Force Headquarters on Friday by some  People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members .

    The police, in an initial statement on Friday, summoned the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Melaye and Murray-Bruce for questioning.

    But, in a statement in Abuja yesterday by the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, an acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Saraki’s name was omitted from the list of those invited. The senators were initially expected to appear before the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters for investigation today.

    However, the Police, in its latest statement, said Melaye and Murray-Bruce should report at the FCT Commissioner of Police office today.

    The Police also said invitation letters have been sent to the two senators, adding that the FCT Police Command has the statutory jurisdiction to investigate the matter.

    The statement reads: “Melaye and Murray-Bruce are to report to the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Garki, Abuja by 1000hrs on Monday, October 8, 2018 for investigation and not the IGP Monitoring Unit as earlier stated in the press release from the Force Headquarters on October 5, 2018.

    “Preliminary investigation carried out so far by the police into the above mentioned incident reveals that Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, who were captured on camera for their active involvement in the disturbance of public peace and public safety, unlawful blockade of Shehu Shagari way for several hours preventing motorists, road users and other members of the public from having access and passage on the highway, thereby disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety and violent attack on policemen posted to ensure security of the Force Headquarters, pushing and hitting the policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters to cause damage to police equipment and government properties; have case to answer.”

    It added: “Police invitation letters Melaye and Murray-Bruce for them to report to the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Garki, Abuja, have been sent to them for compliance.

    “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has the statutory jurisdiction to investigate the matter.”

    The Police also said further investigation was ongoing to determine the level of involvement and culpability of other individuals and personalities, who were seen at the scene of the crime on the date of the incident.

    When The Nation sought to know the position of the police on Saraki’s invitation, the Force Spokesman said: “Those are the two that have case to answer right now.

    “So, if further investigation proves that anybody is involved in it, we will equally invite the person and that is why we said investigation was ongoing to determine the level of involvement and culpability of other individuals and personalities who were seen at the scene of the crime on the date of the incident.”

  • Breaking: Ben Bruce withdraws from senatorial race

    The commonsense Senator, Ben Murray Bruce, has withdrawn his ambition to return to the Senate for a second term in 2019.

    The Senator abandoned his ambition to represent the Bayelsa East Senatorial District following widespread rejection of his candidacy by the stakeholders of the district.

    In a letter written on the eve of the senatorial primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Bruce thanked his district for giving him the opportunity to serve.

    Read Also:Ben Bruce welcomes Saraki back to PDP

    The letter said: “I thank God and the good people of Brass, Bayelsa East Senatorial District who offered me the golden opportunity four years ago to represent them and the state in the Senate, Nigeria’s highest lawmaking chamber.

    “It is without doubt that I have tried to discharge my duties as a legislator and representative of my people creditably to the best of my ability so far.

    “My voice has been very loud on the issues that matter to our people and our country at all time.

    “My support to our party, my people and state government is unquestionable. I am humbled that the national leadership of my party supported by the State chapter in appreciation of my efforts offered to support my reelection to the senate to continue my service.

    “I have also intensified consultations in the last couple of week in the course of which I have come to realize an existing local rotational arrangement of over 20 years beginning with the late Great Chief Melford Okilo, by which arrangement the Senatorial seat rotates per local government area among the three councils for four years in the Senatorial District.

    “Even with the support of my party at the National and state levels with the full backing of my state government and leadership, as a man of honour interested in the well-being of my people, I hereby announce my withdrawal from the Senatorial race.

    “I do not want whatever reason to appear to have used my privileged position and influence to do anything other than the well-being and the stability and the good of the people.

    “I am in all of these for the people, not for myself.

    “Once again, I thank the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebelo Jonathan, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, my colleagues in the Senate and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson for their support and encouragement.

    “I also thank the leadership of my Senatorial District and state, for being there for me.

    “I thank specially the people of my constituency for their trust and confidence in me to serve and represent them in the Senate.

    “By trusting me with this mandate, I have come to know them and our people even better, an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life.

    “I am indeed grateful to my darling wife, my children, and other members of my family for their support and prayers. I appreciate the efforts of my hardworking campaign staff for their support and dedication.

    “Again, I thank the leadership of the party for their continuing support. I also assured the party of my availability and readiness to serve at any capacity when the opportunity comes”.

  • Gunmen abduct Melaye in Abuja

    Senator Dino Melaye has been reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in Abuja.

    Senator Ben Murray Bruce disclosed this on hi twitter handle – @benmurraybruce – on Thursday.

    According to him, the Kogi West senator was abducted on his way to Kogi from Abuja.

    He said: “I have just been informed by Moses Melaye, @dino_melaye’s brother, that Dino has been abducted by unknown persons in a Toyota Sienna that blocked their car and overpowered them on their way to Kogi to answer to Dino’s court case. Let’s be on the watch out. Will keep you updated.”

     

  • ‘Come home, help build Nigeria’, Obi, Murray-Bruce task U.S.-based Nigerians

    ‘Come home, help build Nigeria’, Obi, Murray-Bruce task U.S.-based Nigerians

     

    Nigerians in the U.S. have been tasked on the need to change their negative mindset about Nigeria and join hands and resources to help build the Nigeria of everybody’s dream.

    Former Governor of Anambra Peter Obi, Senators Ben Murray-Bruce and Shaaba Lafiaji, and motivational speaker Fela Durotoye, made the call at the Nigerian-American Business Forum at Florida.

    Others who spoke on: ‘Investing in Nigeria from the Diaspora: Challenges and Opportunities’, were the Nigerian Stock Exchange Council President Abimbola Ogunbanjo and Nigerian-American entrepreneur Biodun Shobanjo.

    They all challenged the diasporas to invest at home and help to build a better Nigeria of everybody’s dream.

    Murray-Bruce, in his speech, said the diasporas could not sit idly by and watch the country run aground, adding “you must be willing to come home, invest and fight for Nigeria to be better.

    “In the coming election, Nigeria must be better – no more business as usual. Nigerians in Diaspora constitute the largest foreign direct investment to Nigeria – 22 billion dollars – while NNPC contribute 30 billion dollars.

    “So I am sponsoring a bill that you must be given the right to vote. Call your senators to support my bill. If Nigeria must be successful, you must be successful”.

    Read Also:  Nigeria  leads global equities rally with N2.3t gain

    Durotoye, on his part, said it was not too late for Nigeria to get it right, saying Nigeria could still be the most desirable country to live in the next seven years – 2025.

    He challenged the diasporas to be like the Diaspora Jews and Indians who succeeded together and were able to go back to impact same on their respective countries.

    Leadership coach and motivational speaker Fela Durotoye speaking at the Nigerian-American Investment Forum at Florida

    “No nation in the world has been able to realise its potential without the involvement of its diasporas; Awolowo, Nkrumah, Kenyatta – were all diasporas. Don’t be escapist. As long as you want to escape, Nigeria is a ‘hole’ to you.

    “Be an expertise, think of what to bring back home. Invest in each other, start investing in Nigerians who are here.

    “So invest in young Nigerians at home; they are moving forward in spite of government. Search them out and mentor them.

    “Nigeria was born with a wing but just put in a cage in the past 57 years but the cage is about to be broken,” Durotoye said.

    A cross-section of Diaspora Nigerians at the Nigerian-American Investment Forum at Florida on ‘Investing in Nigeria from the Diaspora: Challenges and Opportunities’

    Also speaking, Ogunbanjo said the Nigerian Stock Exchange was the best-ranked stock globally in 2017 according to Bloomberg adding, Nigerian economy is on the verge of outperforming the 2017.

    Lafiaji, in his speech, highlighted the investment opportunities in Kwara and Nigeria and challenged the diasporas to stop lamenting over the country but proffer workable solutions to its challenges.

    Speaking in a similar vein, Shobanjo said there was absolutely no reason why the diasporas should not come and invest at home, saying the opportunities in Nigeria are vast.

    “I’m imploring you, please come home and invest. The more people like you come and invest, the GDP – Gross Domestic Product – will grow and we will make Nigeria a better place,” Shobanjo said.

    NAN

     

  • Wike, Lamido, Murray-Bruce warned against ‘reckless speech’

    Wike, Lamido, Murray-Bruce warned against ‘reckless speech’

    The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has cautioned Rivers State Governor Nyesome Wike, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce against statements that can negatively inflame passions in the country.

    It said “reckless statements and hate speeches” by Nigerians in leadership positions could plunge the nation into internal strife or tarnish its image internationally.

    The BMSG, in a statement, said: “While recognising the rights of citizens to freedom of speech under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we believe it is imperative to condemn recent unjustifiable and careless statements by those who ought to be aware of the implications of making unguarded public statements.

    According to the group, in “one of these reckless statements” Wike allegedly claimed that voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections “would amount to digging the grave for the burial of Nigeria.”

    It said the governor also claimed that there had been a nationwide breakdown of security, especially in APC states, which he cited as an example of the Buhari administration’s inability to productively manage natural resources.

    “The BMSG considers those comments as untenable and totally against the available evidence in the public arena. The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration was embarked on to save Nigeria from continued wastage of its foreign reserves in mindless consumption of foreign goods and services through importation.

    “The results of that policy thrust by the administration are already yielding fruits to the national economy, particularly in the areas of agriculture and manufacturing.”

  • Saraki, Ben Murray-Bruce, others grace Gbenga Makanjuola’s 50th birthday

    Saraki, Ben Murray-Bruce, others grace Gbenga Makanjuola’s 50th birthday

    In soccer circles, everyone is dazzled by the magical feats of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. But without the trainers and coaches to grease the wheels, so to speak, and without the teammates who provide the platform for these super athletes to excel, there would be no Messi or Ronaldo. The same situation applies to politics.

    A politician of the stature of Senate President Bukola Saraki is dependent on his backroom staff to keep things running smoothly. One of them is his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Gbenga Makanjuola, who recently turned 50. It is a measure of his importance to the Senate President that he dragged some principal officers of the Senate, like Ben Murray-Bruce and Dino Melaye, among others, to the venue of Makanjuola’s birthday celebration.

    Although it was a modest affair, Hon Makanjuola was undoubtedly delighted to host to such big names on a landmark occasion in his life. Amid the cutting of the birthday cake and exultant refrains of “Happy Birthday”, he was the very picture of ecstasy as he profusely thanked all the guests for gracing him with their presence.

  • Senate Committee commends Egbin Power project

    Senate Committee commends Egbin Power project

    The Senate Committee on Privatisation has commended the ongoing transformation at Egbin Power Plc The Committee made the commendation during a recent oversight visit to the facility.

    Describing Egbin Power as a “well-run world class facility”, the Committee’s Chairman, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce said the turnaround of the facility was indicative of the huge impact the private sector brings to the quest of transforming businesses.

    “We are pleasantly satisfied with the state of the facility which is first class and shows the difference the private sector can play in our quest for economic growth and development. The task before us now is to examine how the challenges of the sector can be solved with all stakeholders working together to ensure we achieve a stable and reliable power sector,” he said.

    Speaking on Egbin’s post privatization achievements, Dallas Peavey, Chief Executive Officer said, prior to the privatization of the plant in November 2013, Egbin averaged generation of below 300-MW due to the dismal operational state of its six units and at its lowest point, only two of the six units were partially operational.

    He further highlighted major investments made since take-over 3years ago such as the successful operational restoration of Unit 6 which had been out of operations for 10 years, utilizing state of the art technology in total overhaul of other Units and upgrades of the Distributed Control System (DCS)  which enables the Units peak at its 220-MW of  originally installed capacity while Environmental Impact Assessment is on-going for Egbin Phase II expansion project aimed at increasing generating capacity with an additional 1800MW to the grid.

    According to Peavey, there has  been a significant reduction in unscheduled shut-downs, unit forced outage occurrences, and improvement to Unit efficiency making Egbin capable of generating an average of 1,100-MW with gas availability and restoring the power plant to its installed capacity of 1320MW by the end of  year 2016.

    He stated that in addition to inadequate gas supply and high cost of alternative fuel (HPFO), the ineffectiveness of Power Purchase Agreements, grid instability, non-cost reflective tariff are some of the operational challenges facing the company.

    Accompanied by the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Vincent Akpotaire and other top BPE officials, Murray-Bruce noted that the privatization of the sector remained a move in the right direction adding that the Committee is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensuring the optimization and efficiency of all privatized assets in the nation.

     

     

  • All set for Ben Murray-Bruce’s 60th Birthday

    All set for Ben Murray-Bruce’s 60th Birthday

    The current face of the entertainment industry in Nigeria owes a lot to Ben Murray-Bruce. Not only has he been actively involved in the transformation of the industry, he has set up one of the biggest entertainment companies in Nigeria. In a few weeks from now, the affable Senator will turn 60 and the Nigerian high society cannot wait to celebrate him.

    Ben Murray-Bruce has not only done well for himself and the entertainment industry, he is also passionate about the country’s development. To honour the versatile lawmaker, A- list politicians and entertainers are warming up for the D-day.

    Born on February 18, 1956, Ben Murray-Bruce is the founder of Silverbird Group.  A member of the People’s Democratic Party, he was elected to the Senate in March 2015 and currently represents Bayelsa East at the Upper Chamber.