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Tag: Borno govt

  • Floods: Probe spending of billions of ecological funds by Borno govt, SERAP tells Tinubu

    Floods: Probe spending of billions of ecological funds by Borno govt, SERAP tells Tinubu

    •State begin fumigation of Maiduguri
    •Radda orders swift mitigation against flood threats in seven local govts in Katsina
    •NIHSA warns of imminent flooding in Bauchi basi    n

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), as well as appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate the spending of the billions of naira under Ecological Fund collected by Borno State since 2001.

    It requested the Federal Government to include the N816 million the state collected between January and June this year.

    In a letter, dated September 21 by its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP also urged the President to direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to work with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to track and monitor the spending of Ecological Fund by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the 36 state governors, the 774 local government areas, as well as all emergency management agencies across the country funded through the Ecological Fund.

    “SERAP is concerned that the ecological funds collected by Borno State over the years may have been diverted, mismanaged or unaccounted for,” it said.

    Also, the Borno State government has begun the fumigation of Maiduguri, the state capital, as floodwaters around the town.

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    Addressing reporters at the Flood Disaster Situation Room in Maiduguri, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on New Media, Abdurrahman Bundi, announced that the exercise was going on in earnest as displaced persons returned home.

    Bundi said the measure was to contain the possibility of an outbreak related to the devastating floods that affected sewage systems and other dangerous items.

    “About 15 major areas have been fumigated, including hospitals, correctional service quarters, fire service quarters, and parts of Gwange and Shehuri wards,” he said.

    Also, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda has ordered a swift action towards mitigation flood threats in seven local government areas of the state.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SGS), Abdullahi Garba Faskari, announced this while addressing a meeting convened to implement the directive.

    He said the critical meeting was meant to intensify efforts to mitigate any unfortunate outcomes.

    The SGS said the proactive measures were taken to protect the affected local government areas, including Funtua, Bakori, Bindawa, Kaita, Katsina, Jibia, and Daura from possible flooding.

    Also, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has raised concerns about rising water levels along the River Benue Basin.

    It warned of a potential widespread flooding of the area any time soon.

    Data released yesterday by the agency to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed a steady increase in water levels, approaching the flood threshold.

    “Water levels recorded at key gauge stations are alarming, with Wuro Boki at 6.36 metres and Jimeta Bridge at 5.04 metres.

    “Ibbi station stands at 8.2 metres, Makurdi at 9.4 metres, and Lokoja (Niger River) at 8.68 metres,” the report said.

    It noted that the rising waters, especially at Makurdi and Ibbi, had placed the River Benue basin on high alert.

  • Marwa condoles Zulum, Borno govt over flood disaster

    Marwa condoles Zulum, Borno govt over flood disaster

    The chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has expressed his deepest sympathies to the government and people of Borno state following the recent devastating flood that has displaced thousands and damaged numerous properties.

    In a condolence message to Governor Prof Babagana Zulum on Wednesday, September 11, Marwa, a former Military Governor of the old Borno state, empathised with the governor, the Shehu of Borno, His Highness Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanem, and the affected residents.

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    Marwa assured the people of Borno that they were not alone in this difficult time and offered his prayers and sympathies.

    He also commended the officials of federal and state emergency agencies, NGOs, and individuals providing support and relief efforts in the affected communities.

    The flood, which submerged 70 percent of Maiduguri, the state capital, also affected other major areas, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, the state secretariat, the post office, the cemetery, and the university teaching hospital, among others.

  • Lawyers Alert sues Borno govt over demolition

    A human rights group under the aegis of Lawyers Alert’s Initiative for Protecting Rights of Children, Women and the Indigent (LA) has sued the government of Borno State for demolishing peoples’ buildings without following the due process.

    The case with suit number BOHC/MG/CV/68/2019 was filed at the Maiduguri High Court by counsels to the applicant, Rommy Mom, Bamidele Jacobs, Sunday Adaji, Richard Hwande and Ellen Onugha.

    Counsels to the applicant prayed the court to declare that the action of the state government by demolishing residential houses, restaurants, shops, hotels and other public places in Galadima area, Baga Road, and the entire Maiduguri metropolis amounts to a violation of the constitutional rights of the concerned citizens.

    The applicant joined the Government of Borno State as first respondent and joined the Borno State Attorney-General as second respondent in the suit, saying that government did not follow due process in the exercise and that the claim that it was on the ground of public interest was not tenable.

    One of the counsels, Rommy Mom said the suit was instituted to protect the fundamental rights of Maiduguri residents pursuant to Order II, Rules 2-5 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009; Sections 43 And 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).

    Mom said “We prayed the court to declare that residents of Galadima Area, Baga Road and indeed of the entire Maiduguri metropolis are entitled to own moveable and immoveable properties in Maiduguri and anywhere in Nigeria.

  • Borno govt disburses N200m bursary to students

    The Borno State government yesterday said  it has commenced disbursement of N200 million education allowance to over 14, 000 students in tertiary institutions in the country.

    Higher Education Commissioner  Abubakar Hassan , told newsmen in Maiduguri that the bursaries would be paid to the students through the state Scholarship Board in 20 institutions across the country.

    He explained that the disbursement was made to settle accumulated outstanding allowances since 2013.

    “The gesture is to motivate youths and women to further their education and encourage academic excellence,” he said.

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    Hassan said that a verification committee had been set up to facilitate smooth running of the exercise.

    According to him, the government will pay a minimum of N30, 000 to each student depending on their discipline.

    The commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to reinvigorating the education sector through execution of viable projects.

  • Borno clamps down on sex workers, others, arrest 62

    At least 52 sex workers and 10 drug suspects were on Wednesday arrested during raid on hotels and brothels in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    The state government had last year inaugurated a committee headed by the Anthony-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Kaka Shehu Lawan, and mandated it to rid the state of commercial sex workers, drug addicts and other criminal elements.

    The committee was also mandated to ensure that all illegal motor parks operating within Maiduguri move to designated motor parks approved by the state government.

    Wednesday’s operation was carried out by a combined team of security operatives and the members of the Kaka Shehu- led taskforce.

    The state government had also earmarked the notorious Galadima, (a safe haven for prostitutes and drug dealers and criminals) in the state for demolition.

    Governor Kashim Shettima ordered residents of the area two weeks ultimatum to evacuate the place.

    According to him, the decision was necessary to save the city from breeding new set of criminals after coming out of the horrific Boko Haram experience.

    While some residents commended the governor for the bold initiative, others urged the government to come up with a comprehensive rehabilitation program beyond demolition of the area.

     

  • Borno govt bans vehicular movement on three highways

    Borno govt bans vehicular movement on three highways

    The Borno State government has banned vehicular movement on three major roads in the state due to the ongoing military clearance operation against the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Commissioner of Home Affairs, Information and Culture Affairs Dr Bukar Bulama made the announcement yesterday in a statement  in Maiduguri.

    Bulama added that the government had prohibited vehicular movement on the roads to be observed between January 30 and February 4.

    He listed the affected roads to include Konduga – Bama – Banki; Bama – Gwoza and Maiduguri – Damboa – Gwoza.

    Bulama said the action was based on the advice of the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    He noted that the measures was imperative to prevent fleeing Boko Haram insurgents escaping military offensive in the Sambisa Forest from infiltrating the communities.

    “This is to inform the general public that, beginning from 30th January and 4th February, 2018, civilian vehicular movement on Konduga – Bama – Banki, Bama – Gwoza and Maiduguri (from Moloi axis) – Damboa – Gwoza road is hereby prohibited.

    “This action is taken in the interest of security of life and property of citizen of the state, based on advice of the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole”.

    Bulama added that the government regretted inconveniences the temporary restriction might cause the people.

    He reiterated the commitment of the government to the protection of lives and property as well as restoration of peace to the state.

    The commissioner called on the people to be vigilante and report suspicious movements or persons in their communities to security agencies.

    “The usual understanding, support, cooperation, prayers and strict compliance to the order by all and sundry is highly solicited,” he said.

  • Borno relaxes curfew in Maiduguri

    Borno relaxes curfew in Maiduguri

    The Borno state government has relaxed the three-week curfew imposed on Maiduguri, the state capital.

    The state Commissioner of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Dr. Muhammad Bulama, said on Saturday that the curfew would now be observed between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

    The review will give residents some measure of relief, as the curfew used to take effect from 8:00 p.m., till 6:00 a.m.

    There is, however, no reprieve for residents of Moloi and Muna Garage, target of attacks by Boko Haram fighters.

    Bulama said that the curfew would still be observed between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the areas.

    He explained that the action was sequel to the advice of the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole.

    The Borno Government on January 2, reviewed the curfew, hitherto, observed between 10: 00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in view of the prevailing security situation in the state.

    NAN