The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu State

  • Enugu State to pay N80m for illegal demolition

    Enugu State to pay N80m for illegal demolition

    Enugu State Government says it will pay N80 million compensation for the illegal demolition of a property belonging to Chief Fidelis Okoro within 90 days.

    The property situated at No. 11 Savage Crescent, GRA, Enugu, was demolished in 2005 on the orders of the then governor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani.

    Okoro, who was then representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone in the Senate, proceeded to court and obtained judgment against the state government for the payment of N140 million for the illegal act.

    However, the matter lingered as the last administration did not honour the judgment.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele said that the approval to pay the damage was given at the meeting of the State Executive Council on Wednesday.

    Briefing newsmen on Thursday on the outcome of the meeting, Udeuhele said that the action of the then administration was without justification.

    He said that the council made the approval to forestall further litigation as the ex-senator had threatened to approach the court for enforcement of the judgment.

    “Okoro got the judgment during the past administration in the state but the state government could not honour it.

    “The last administration could not pay the money and the senator had threatened to approach the court for an enforcement order.

    “The state government approached and negotiated with him after which he decided to forfeit N60 million from the original amount considering the state of things in the economy,” he said.

    Udeuhele said that the outstanding N80 million would be paid within 90 days of the approval and was free from Value Added Tax or any other deductions.

    The commissioner said that the ex-senator needed to be commended for his patriotism in forfeiting such huge amount to the state government.

    Okoro, who hails from the same senatorial zone with the current governor, was at the Senate from 1999 to 2007.

  • Union set to initiate Enugu House project in South Africa

    Union set to initiate Enugu House project in South Africa

    The Enugu State Union in  South Africa  says it is planning to buy a house in that country for commercial use and image branding of the state.

    The President of the union, Mr Mike Ugwu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday that the group would acquire the property in an upscale location  and it would be named Enugu House.

    “We want to acquire it or get a land and erect it the way we want. If we buy a house, we will renovate it the way we want.

    “Our aim is to use the house for image branding  of   Enugu State in South Africa. It is not also going to be an ordinary house, it will generate funds for the union.

    “One day, we will think of home and this project will make members have something memorable to reminiscence on.

    “Members have been told to adopt  a think-home philosophy,” he said.

    Ugwu said  while  the union could  not raise  enough funds at its  20th anniversary  last year, efforts were on to begin the project.

    “The union is already engaging some property firms in South Africa on the choice of house to buy.

    “The house will be renovated and  partitions created  for business centres while a  hall for events and offices for business outfits would be let out, ” he said.

  • Army inaugurates one million litre water treatment plant in Enugu

    Army inaugurates one million litre water treatment plant in Enugu

    The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a water treatment plant at Abakpa Cantonment in Enugu, capable of treating and supplying one million litres of water daily to the barracks and its environs.

    Abakpa cantonment is the headquarters of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who inaugurated the project on Wednesday, said the plant would solve the over 30-year-old perennial water problem in the barracks and its environs.

    Buratai said that the project was the first water treatment plant constructed solely by Nigerian Army Engineers.

    He said the Enugu State Government provided the transformer to power the plant and additional funds for its construction.

    Buratai also said that the state government had promised to construct the road leading to the treatment plant from the cantonment gate.

    The plant sources water from Miri Ocha River, flowing behind the cantonment.

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, who conceived and executed the project, said it was executed through direct labour by 44 Army Engineers.

    Abubakar said the plant used rapid filtration system, adding that water from the plant had already been certified fit for consumption by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said the state government would collaborate with the army to replicate the technology to upgrade the water supply scheme in the state.

  • Increased drugging of passengers, drivers in Enugu worries Police

    Increased drugging of passengers, drivers in Enugu worries Police

    The Police Command in Enugu State has raised alarm over increasing cases of passengers and drivers being drugged and disposed of their belongings and vehicles by unscrupulous elements in the state.

    The Command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said this in a statement on Monday in Enugu.

    Amaraizu said that the command was trailing such elements who engaged in the crime.

    “The command wishes to inform members of the public, particularly tri-cyclists or taxi drivers as well as other members of the public about the antics of hoodlums.

    “The hoodlums at times present themselves as doing good by way of offering of edibles, fruit juice and drinks to their victims.

    “Passengers and drivers are advised to be wary of this as it could serve as a ploy to make one eat and drink and thus, lose consciousness, thereby paving way for the victim deprived of his or tricycle, taxi or other valuables,’’ he said.

    He called on members of the public to report any suspicious person, movement, object as well as suspicious gathering in their localities.

    “Members of the public are further reminded on the need to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement and threat to peace in their environment to the police or sister security agencies.

    “The state command distress call numbers are: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 and 08098880172.

    “This can also be through our social media platforms: Twitter handle @policeNg_Enugu and face-book @Nigeriapoliceforceenugustatecommand.’’

  • ‘Partnership between Judiciary, Police command fast-tracks justice delivery’

    ‘Partnership between Judiciary, Police command fast-tracks justice delivery’

    The Police Commissioner in Enugu State, Malam Mohammed Danmallam, has said that the existing partnership between the state Police Command and the Judiciary is fast-tracking dispensation of justice in the state.

    Danmallam said this when he led officers of the command on a courtesy visit to the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Ngozi Emehelu, in Enugu on Friday.

    He described the relationship between the command and the judiciary “as the two sides of a coin which cannot do without each other’’, saying the judiciary was playing major role in maintaining peaceful co-existence in the society.

    Justice Emehelu hailed the efforts of the command at ensuring security of lives and property.

    She assured the commissioner of the continued co-operation of the judiciary with the police to facilitate the smooth discharge of the command’s responsibilities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Mr Godwin Akoh, and other principal officers.

  • Enugu awards N30m scholarships to 300 students

    Enugu awards N30m scholarships to 300 students

    The Enugu State Government has approved the award of N30 million scholarship to 300 students for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, told newsmen on Friday in Enugu that the beneficiaries were drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state.

    Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, held on Thursday, Udeuhele said the gesture was to relieve parents of the financial burden of training their wards.

    According to him, the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme are second year students in institutions of higher learning in the country.

    He explained that the scheme covered students studying Science and Technology, Medical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences and Special Education courses.

    He said that following an advertisement by the Enugu State Scholarship Board, 2,704 candidates were shortlisted for a written interview.

    “After the written interview, 300 successful candidates were chosen,’’ he said.

    Udeuhele said that each of the beneficiaries would receive N100,000 for the academic session.

    Also speaking, Prof. Uche Eze, the Commissioner for Education remarked that the scholarship was in line with the vision of the state governor of encouraging youth to acquire education.

    He said physically challenged students were given special consideration in the selection process, irrespective of their zones.

    “In selecting the beneficiaries, candidates were tested in English Language, Mathematics and current affairs with a cut-off mark of 40 points.

    “All those with one form of disability or the other that took the test were selected,’’ he said.

    Eze said that to make the selection process all encompassing, each zone was allowed to determine its distinct cut-off mark.

  • Enugu, EEDC disagree over N2.6bn electricity debt

    Enugu, EEDC disagree over N2.6bn electricity debt

    The Enugu State Government and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) are embroiled in debt row as each claims that the other is owing it.

    A Director and board member of EEDC, Dr Steven Dike told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday that the state government owed the company N2.6 billion in unpaid bills.

    Dike said that the debt was an accumulation over the years, the highest any organisation or government agency had ever owed the company in the state.

    He said that all efforts to get the state government to pay the debt had failed.

    The director accused some government officials in the state, including two serving commissioners and some hoteliers of power theft, adding that the debt had worsened the financial state of the company.

    “Two serving commissioners and some hoteliers intentionally by-passed their pre-paid meters and when you do this the masses suffer the consequences,” he said.

    According to him, instead of paying the debt, the government has resorted to unleashing the state assembly on the company.

    “The assembly passed a vote of no confidence on the EEDC because the state government does not want to pay the debt,” he said.

    Dike said what the company needed from the state government was cooperation and not vilification.

    He said that the state had the largest pool of staff in the company.

    “Ezeagu, Udi and Nsukka local government areas of the state have the highest employees in the company. Yet, the state government is fighting the company over debt it owed it,” Dike said.

    However, the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele in a swift reaction refuted the debt claim by EEDC.

    Udeuhele said that contrary to the claim, it was the company that owed the state government N300 million from over billings.

    The commissioner said when the debt issue arose, a joint committee was set up to sort out the matter as well as to find out the true position of the debt.

    He said that before the committee started work, the state government had in error remitted N100 million to EEDC as part of the supposed debt.

    “The true position is that the state government had paid N100 million out of the outrageous bills they brought.

    “The two parties then agreed to set up a committee to reconcile the bills.

    “The joint committee sat severally and observed that the EEDC was the one owing the state government N300 million in over billings.

    “Unfortunately, the representatives of the EEDC in the joint committee refused to sign the report of the committee they participated in and this gave rise to the intervention of the state assembly,” Udeuhele said.

  • Herdsmen/farmers clash: Association lauds Enugu govt.’s peace initiative

    Herdsmen/farmers clash: Association lauds Enugu govt.’s peace initiative

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has commended the Enugu State Government’s initiative for ensuring peace between farmers and herdsmen in the state.

    The Chairman of MACBAN in the South-East, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, gave the commendation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.

    Siddiki said this following the relative peace existing in the state between herdsmen and farmers for some time now.

    He revealed that the state government had well-funded the two commissions: Peace and Security Commission and Pastoralists and Farmers Peace Commission, which were established to ensure lasting peace returns to the state.

    ‘‘Enugu State is distinct in its expression of belief in our (MACBAN) regulatory capabilities.

    ‘‘The support we had received from the present Enugu State Government remains unprecedented and is ever cherished.

    ‘‘While we passionately thank Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for boldly and wisely pointing the way to healthy co-operation and interaction between our people and their landlords.

    ‘‘We plead with him not only to sustain his interest in us but to increase the logistic support he offers us,’’ he said.

    The chairman, however, called for support to enable the association to effectively monitor its members as well as intruders posing as pastoralists in the South-East.

    ‘‘I insist that with sufficient support from the three tiers of government; MACBAN has the capacity to drastically reduce unsavory incidences attributed to our members.

    ‘‘This will give us greater impetus to effectively monitor our people, enforce our accepted occupational code of conduct and effectively resist camp infiltration with the attendant repercussions,’’ he said.

    NAN recalls that farmers and herdsmen in Enugu State had fashioned out a workable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to streamline their operations and spell out conflict resolution conditions to promote lasting peace.

    The MoU, when signed by both parties, would underscore the need for farmers and herdsmen to understand each other even as the new farming season commences in the state.

  • ESWAMA urges Enugu residents to pay sanitation levies

    ESWAMA urges Enugu residents to pay sanitation levies

    Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA) on Friday urged residents of the state to promptly pay their sanitation levies to facilitate government’s efforts to make their surroundings dirt-free and habitable.

    “The quest to maintain a healthy environment involves the participation and contribution of everybody living in the state,’’ its Managing Director, Mrs Amaka Anajemba, said in Enugu.

    Anajemba made the appeal when she announced that monthly sanitation exercise for June would come up on Saturday, June 24.

    She said that one of the major challenges facing the agency was the failure of many residents to pay their annual sanitation levies.

    She, however, noted that there had been increased public awareness on the need for daily sanitation, adding that the residents’ participation in the monthly sanitation exercises had also increased.

    She also said that the people’s compliance with the regulations on bagging of waste and refuse disposal in authorised locations had increased, adding that the development was good for the environment.

    “The agency’s major challenge is the issue of late payment of sanitation levies.

    “The people living in duplexes in the Enugu metropolis pay between N5,000 and N6,000 per year for sanitation, depending on the amount of refuse they generate.

    “Those in flats pay N3,600; those in one room self-contain and one room pay N1,200 per year.

    “Residents are expected to pay at designated banks and collect their receipts from the agency,’’ she said.

    On the upcoming monthly sanitation, Anajemba appealed to residents to mobilise themselves to clear waterways and drains within their neighbourhoods.

    “The rainy season is here with us; so we must endeavour to keep our waterways and drains flowing so as to prevent flash floods and infestation of mosquitoes.

    “So, everybody is expected to stay at home within the period of the sanitation on Saturday and contribute his or her quota to the cleanliness of the state,’’ she added.

  • Eid el-Fitr: NSCDC deploys 1,500 in Enugu

    Eid el-Fitr: NSCDC deploys 1,500 in Enugu

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,500 officers and men to ensure adequate security in Enugu State during Eid-el-Fitr celebration, an official said on Friday.

    The Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mr Steve Amoga, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

    Eid-el-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.

    The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday public holiday for the celebration.

    Amoga said that the specially-trained NSCDC officers and men would protect critical national assets in their various duty posts across the state during the celebration.

    He added that the command would deploy patrol vehicles and work in collaboration with other security agencies during the period.

    “NSCDC is assuring all law-abiding citizens of adequate safety during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

    “The command has deployed officers and men to all flashpoints so as to nip any security breach in the bud.

    “NSCDC and other security agencies in Enugu State are poised to crush any act capable of undermining the peace in the state,’’ he said.

    Amoga warned troublemakers to steer clear of the state or risk arrest.

    He appealed to members of the public to report suspicious persons or movements within their localities to security agencies for prompt action.

    “Security of lives and property is the responsibility of all,’’ the commandant said.

    In Plateau, the NSCDC would deploy 2,000 officers and men in the 17 local government areas of the state to prevent breach of law during the celebration.

    Mrs Naomi Cishak, the Public Relations Officer of the Plateau Command of NSCDC, told NAN on Friday in Jos that the officers and men would be deployed at strategic places such as recreational and worship centres, and motor parks.

    She advised members of the public to be vigilant.