The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EU

  • NDDC partners EU on sustainable water

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will partner the European Union (EU), through the Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP) to resuscitate abandoned water infrastructure across the nine Niger Delta states, it was learnt yesterday.

    A statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, said the Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, spoke when a delegation from the EU-funded NDSP3 pilot project visited him at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    He stressed the importance of institutionalising community-based management structure for the maintenance and sustainability of basic infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

    Brambaifa reiterated the need to develop a framework to ensure community ownership of water projects, and praised the delegation for partnering the NDDC to ensure sustainability of water projects in the Niger Delta.

    “We are looking forward to strengthening the collaboration with the EU, because water is life,” he said.

    Brambaifa noted that the ground water in the Niger Delta was polluted, such that even with the abundance of water in the area, there was hardly enough fit for drinking.

    He said: “We definitely need sustainable water projects because it is part of our mandate to bring potable water to the inhabitants of the Niger Delta. It is one thing to organise a project like this, but it is another to ensure its sustainability. You don’t just start a water project and two months later you come to see that it had been vandalised.

    “We are committed to this partnership to work out modalities to ensure that any water project stands the test of time. We must find ways to safeguard our projects because it is one of our core mandates to bring sustainable development to the people of the Niger Delta.”

    The NDDC chief urged the delegation to convince the international body to increase its financial commitment to the water project to help the region with safe drinking water that would address the challenges of water-borne diseases.

    NDSP team leader Albert Achten noted the need to expedite action on the pilot project because its life span would terminate in May.

    He, therefore, enjoined the partners to push for an effective and timely implementation of the EU and NDDC-NDSP3 pilot project.

    Achten remarked that in the last two years, a synergy had been developed between the EU-funded NDSP and the NDDC, saying the key part of the synergy was the pilot project to revive 45 abandoned water schemes in the nine Niger Delta States.

    He recalled that the collaboration took off officially in November 2018 at a two-day Strategic Retreat for the Board and Management of the NDDC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. And on February 2, the NDDC demonstrated its commitment to the project by writing to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning on the programme.

    According to him, the project is up and running, as two very important tasks had been completed. He, however, stressed that time was running out since the contract between the EU and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning would end in the next few months.

    “We solicit the continued support of the NDDC for the project, especially as it concerns the release of funds. The NDSP part of the project is financed by the EU, but the logistics for some of the activities are expected to be taken care of by the NDDC,” Achten added.

  • UN, EU special envoys hail multinational task force troops

    THE United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have sent special envoys to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) troops against Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad region.

    It followed the success recorded by the regional military body.

    The special envoys, who visited the headquarters of the MNJTF in N’Djamena, Chad, described the success recorded by the troops against Boko Haram terrorists as encouraging.

    According to a statement issued by the Force spokesman, Colonel Timothy Antigha, the special envoys met with the MNJTF Commander, Maj-Gen. Chikezie Ude, applauding the feat of the troops in quick succession.

    Colonel Antigha said: “A high level United Nations and European Union delegation comprising the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to Central Africa, Francois Fall, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to West Africa and Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambas and the Special Representative of the European Union to the Sahel, Angel Losada, have visited the MNJTF Headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad.

    “Speaking during the visit, Special Representative Fall thanked the Force Commander for the successes recorded in the ongoing ‘Operation Yancin Tafki’, noting that the progress made so far was encouraging.

    “He observed that the Boko Haram problem requires more than a military solution, stressing that there is a need to also examine and address the socio-economic underpinnings of the crisis.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Money laundering: EU nations reject proposal to blacklist Nigeria, 22 others

    BRUSSELS–European Union member states have unanimously turned down a proposal by the EU executive Commission to blacklist Nigeria and 22 other countries described as posing a high risk of money laundering or terrorist financing.

    The EU member countries dismissed the blacklist recommendation as “not established in a transparent and resilient process.”

    Also on the discarded list are Saudi Arabia, North Korea and four U.S. overseas territories, which drew the ire of the U.S. government.

    The list is used to increase checks and investigations on financial transactions from those countries and territories to find suspicious money flows.

    The EU Commission will now have to set up a new list and take the concerns of the member states into consideration.

  • Buhari’s group urges EU, AU to caution Atiku

    The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) has urged the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) to prevail upon the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to jettison his plan of going to court to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.

    In separate letters addressed to the heads of EU and AU Observation Missions in Nigeria, the support group noted that the international bodies must act fast to save the country’s democracy from what it described as Atiku’s inequitable conduct despite the reports of fairness in the just concluded polls by the international observers.

    In the letters made available to reporters in Abuja yesterday by its Director of Communications and Strategic Planning, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, the BCO said Atiku ought to have congratulated Buhari instead of yielding to PDP’s politics of bitterness.

    The group noted that Buhari’s magnanimity in victory, which was demonstrated in his appeal to his supporters not to humiliate the opposition, was enough reason for Atiku to shed his obstinacy and congratulate the President on his re-election.

    It stated: “We are writing to inform you of the undemocratic tendencies of the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, who has chosen to take the electoral process in Nigeria backward after a peaceful and credible presidential and National Assembly elections conducted penultimate Saturday.

    “In spite of reports by foreign observers acknowledging the polls as free, fair and peaceful, the opposition party and its candidate have chosen to discredit the entire process and make the Observation Missions look as if they are biased in their assessment of the just-concluded presidential poll. Apart from blatantly refusing to congratulate the winner of the said poll, President Muhammadu Buhari, the PDP and its candidate have taken the battle to court apparently to cause distractions with a view to slowing down the wheels of governance in the country.

    “The PDP is still inciting the Nigerian public against the government of the day, irrespective of the fact that President Buhari had been magnanimous in victory. He has pledged to run an all-inclusive government and has even urged us, his supporters, not to gloat or humiliate the opposition, an enjoinder we have adhered strictly to the letter. We deem it fit to draw your attention to this brazen attempt to frustrate the democratic process, hoping that you will intervene by calling the PDP and its presidential candidate to order and ensure that the tenets of democracy are adhered to in the ongoing electoral process in Nigeria.

    “Atiku should follow former President Goodluck Jonathan’s example. Nobody’s life should be sacrificed for any politician’s ambition. He should abide by the agreement signed by all presidential candidates with the National Peace Committee to accept the results of the just-concluded presidential poll in good faith. Nigeria has in the past witnessed enough shedding of the blood of innocent Nigerians. If Atiku wants to help Nigerians, he should work with the Buhari-led government for a prosperous nation. He should not set Nigeria aflame with his inordinate ambition and insatiable taste for power.”

  • EU boosts agri-business in Nigeria, others with €45m

    The European Union (EU) has announced the provision of 45 million Euros to support smallholder agri-businesses in rural areas in Nigeria and other African countries.

    The EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, made this known during the inauguration of the support fund in Rome.

    The support, known as the new Agri-Business Capital (ABC) Fund, would help deliver on the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investments and Jobs.

    At the launch, organised by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mimica said the EU was committed to boosting agri-business investments in Africa.

    The Commissioner also expressed EU’s commitment to strengthening livelihoods and creating sustainable jobs in rural areas, especially among traditionally under-served communities.

    “The ABC Fund will help us achieve this – which is why it has our full backing. The EU has made 45 million euros available to the fund.

    “On top of this, the Luxembourg Government and the Africa Green Revolution Alliance, an international NGO, are contributing five million euros and five million dollars respectively.

    “The new ABC Fund, established by IFAD, is primarily geared towards individual smallholders and farmers’ organisations, with loan sizes from $25,000 to $1million (about €22,000 – €885,000), thus improving their access to finance.

    “This “missing middle” has the potential to be profitable and to impact development, but has lacked sufficient funding until now,” Mimica said.

    The Commissioner said the EU was expected to mobilise more than 200 million euros in investments and could benefit up to 700, 000 households in rural areas.

    According to him, the ABC Fund was a major blending operation for agricultural investments in developing countries.

    “It covers direct investments such as small-scale loans for small and medium-sized enterprises, farmers’ organisations and ‘agri-preneurs’, along with indirect investment in local financial institutions for subsequent on-lending.

    “It builds on existing IFAD development activities to screen opportunities and reduce the risk attached to subsequent investments.

    “It is expected to attract significant additional funding from other sources – private and impact investors alike,” the Commissioner explained

     

  • APC chieftain to U.S., UK, EU: solve your own problems first before helping us

    AN All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Yekini Nabena has asked the United States (U.S.) to concentrate on probing the alleged involvement of Russia in its 2016 presidential election instead of trying to dictate to Nigeria how to conduct its general election.

    Nabena also asked the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) to find ways of addressing the breakdown of the Brexit deal between them and many other serious challenges facing them.

    In a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja, Nabena reminded the western nations that they have enough already on their hands and therefore, their time and energy should be spent on the probe of alleged Russian interference in the immediate-past U.S. elections.

    He said: “In all elections conducted in the country, we have always welcomed local and foreign monitors and observers. In our view, this is a best practice and geared to ensure the transparency of our elections.

    “But comments on our election processes coming from some western diplomats and accredited foreign observer missions have been downright meddlesome and tantamount to interference.

    “Nigeria is a sovereign nation and such actions by these western countries negate the principles of international law, which outlaws interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign nation by another country.

    “While the electioneering process might not be perfect as seen with the last-minute postponement of the general elections, we must all work together to make it better. Statements and actions by these western diplomats and accredited foreign observer missions that erode confidence in the elections are inexcusable and strongly condemned. As a country, we will always find local solutions to our local challenges whenever they arise.

    “The U.S., UK and EU have enough already on their hands. Their time and energy should be spent on the probe of alleged Russian interference in the immediate-past U.S. elections, the breakdown of the Brexit deal between the UK and EU and many other serious challenges they face.”

    He, however, condemned the last-minute postponement of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He urged the INEC to correct the lapses, which led to the postponement to ensure hitch-free rescheduled elections on Saturday.

  • 2019 Polls: Buhari, Atiku peace accord ‘very strong message’—EU

    The European Union Election Observation Mission(EU EOM) says the final peace accord signed by the presidential candidates ahead of the 2019 presidential election is a very strong message to Nigerians.

    Maria Arena, Chief Observer, EU EOM, spoke with State House Correspondents, on Thursday in Abuja, after she led the mission to a private meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinabjo.

    She said that the participation of the two front runners at the peace accord was significant.

    The duo of President Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress(APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) alongside 70 other candidates signed the final peace accord on Wednesday.

    According to Arena, EU EOM is in Nigeria to monitor the process before, during and after the Election Day, Feb. 16.

    “The different contact we had with public organisations here in Nigeria and also with the authority gave us information on the election process.

    “We have a discussion today; first we say we have to congratulate Nigeria for signing the peace accord yesterday because it is a very strong message to the population. that all the political parties especially the two biggest presidential candidates took the commitment to have a peaceful process.

    “ We are here for this election and for Nigerians. It is important to have this strong message.

    “We have also discussed different issues on our observations, because Nigerians need to have a transparency process.

    “They need to trust the process; they need to be free to cast their votes during the election and this is just what we are going to observe as EU Observation Mission,’’ she said.

    Buhari, had, during the signing of the peace accord, appealed to his fellow presidential candidates to commit to the ideals of peace so as to keep Nigerians safe.

    He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already assured that it had done everything possible to ensure free and fair elections.

  • Buhari to PDP, EU: El-Rufai spoke in national interest

    KADUNA State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has stirred the hornet’s nest, with his warning that foreigners  should not interfere in the conduct of the general elections.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday threatened to pull out of the peace accord it signed with other parties before the National Peace Committee (NPC) chaired by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    The opposition party hinged its decision on the “death threats” issued by the governor, according to it, to officials of the United States (U.S.), United Kingdom (U.K.) and the European Union (E.U.).

    But the Presidency dismissed it all as a storm in a tea cup. “There is nothing more to sneeze at”, it said.

    Besides, the governor denied calling for violence.

    Also yesterday, the EU Election Observer Mission (EOM) said its men were in Nigeria on the invitation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that they will remain in the country to monitor the elections billed for February 16 (presidential/National) and March 2 (governorship/state Assembly).

    Speaking on an NTA live programme El-Rufai was reported to have threatened the foreign nationals who might interfere with Nigeria’s upcoming elections with violent attacks.

    “Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags,” he was quoted as saying.

    The governor, however, explained himself yesterday, insisting that his comments were not in any way calls for violence, but a defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

    El-Rufai said he merely stood up for Nigeria’s dignity as against those who would traduce their country and reduce it to a colony in their vain quest for power.

    In a statement last night, the Presidency said: “The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari would cooperate with election observers and would not let the international community down in the conduct of the coming elections.

    “The Presidency assures Nigerians and the international community that the President would do everything within his power to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    “We have taken note of the clarification to a reported earlier statement by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufa’i concerning opposition call for foreign interference in our domestic affairs and to say that latest statement by him should rest the issue for good. There is nothing more to sneeze at. The Governor spoke strongly in defense of of national interest. It is clear that El-Rufa’i, our party the APC and all its candidates have reposed their faith in democracy through general elections. They are all of the view that there is no place for violence against local people or foreign citizens in our midst.

    “Opposition PDP ought to own up to the mistakes of their own policies for 16 years which have led the country to a sorry pass that has cost lives, jobs and growth instead of dwelling on diversionary issues.”

    The PDP’s threat was issued at a news conference in Abuja. Its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan described El-Rufai’s comments as inimical to peaceful, free and fair elections.

    He said: “The PDP is left with no option than to consider a review of its signatory in the National Peace Accord, if no action is immediately taken to curb this trend.”

    But a pro-Buhari group, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), said neither the PDP nor its presidential candidate, was genuinely committed to any peace deal.

    According to the BMO, PDP’s presidential candidate signed the peace accord reluctantly.

    The main opposition party called on the international community to immediately impose a travel ban on El-Rufai for what it described as the inciting comments against peaceful elections.

    Ologbodiyan also called on the Gen. Abdulsalami to summon El-Rufai on the threat.

    He said: “The PDP holds that any situation that seeks to allow the APC to abuse the tenets of the accord will definitely force our party to review our signatory to the peace process.

    Read also: Lagos, Kwara, Kogi, others get new police chiefs

    “We therefore call on the NPC to immediately summon El-Rufai on his inflammatory remarks against peaceful election in our country.

    “In that regard, we might have no option left than to allow our members to defend their votes with whatever that is available to them.

    “This country belongs to all of us and no individual or group, no matter how highly placed, can subjugate other citizens, or seek to appropriate any sort of absolutism to himself.”

    The PDP also kicked against what it described as an alleged plot by the police authority to redeploy Kayode Egbetokun as Commissioner of Police to the Kwara State Command.

    The opposition party alleged closeness of Egbetokun to a section of the leadership of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This, according to the PDP, might lead to Egbetokun taking sides in the ongoing supremacy tussle between the PDP and the APC chapters in Kwara State.

    Ologbondiyan said: “This is in line with plans by the Buhari Presidency and the APC to effect a mass deployment of top security officers, particularly the police, to intimidate, harass and manhandle Nigerians that will not support the self-succession bid of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as aiding APC thugs to snatch ballot boxes and orchestrate violence in the elections.

    “Nigerians are aware of how CP Kayode Egbetokun was posted to Lagos State by the former Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim, to serve the same partisan interest and how that posting was stopped by the new IGP Adamu Mohammed. Now, he is being redeployed to Kwara State for the same ignoble plot.

    “It is necessary to state that the PDP is a party of peace and we are committed to the peace accord. However, the deployment of Kayode Egbetokun as Kwara CP directly negates the principle of the Peace Accord and can only hurt the fragile peace that currently exists in Kwara state.

    “We wish to remind the acting Inspector General, Adamu Mohammed, that his acceptability among Nigerians across party line was based on the pedigree, which was presented to Nigerians before his appointment.

    “These pedigree and exposure place on his shoulders, the responsibility to be just, firm, equitable and professional in the discharge of his duties. We therefore urge him not to allow his reputation to be mired in controversial political activities.”

    The party called on the National Peace Committee to note the alleged infractions by the APC and its leaders to the peace accord.

  • Atiku reports Buhari to US, UK, EU, France, Germany

    FORMER Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar took his case beyond the shores of the land yesterday. He reported President Muhammadu Buhari to word powers.

    The presidential contender cited what he classified as alleged constitutional breaches against incumbent President and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

    He chronicled the alleged breaches in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the ambassadors of the United States (U.S., France, Germany, the European Union (EU) and the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom (UK).

    Atiku accused President Buhari of serially breaching the provisions of the Constitution and undermining organs and institutions of state to advance his personal interest.

    The Presidency had counselled the international community against meddling in what are purely internal affairs of Nigeria.

    Only yesterday, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiohmole reminded the UK, U.S. and the EU Election Observer Missions (EOM) that Nigeria is not a colony.

    Atiku’s letter reads in part: “I am writing you as Nigeria’s international development partner working together to deepen and strengthen our democracy as well as to help in the transformation of our economies and societies for the better.

    “As a presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections that will be conducted and supervised by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, I feel the urgent need to share with you some of these key violations of the provisions of our constitution and to demand that you pile pressure on the Federal Government to desist from these violations and ensure a level-playing field for the general elections that are only a couple of weeks away.”

    He appreciated the stand adopted by some members of the international community on Nigeria, urging the envoys to speak against the alleged breaches.

    According to Atiku, some of the constitutional breaches allegedly committed by the President, was the recent suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen and his replacement by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

    He said: “For the records, Justice Walter Onnoghen is the head of one of the tripartite but mutually independent organs that form the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “To attempt to muscle out the Chief Justice of Nigeria using phony charges at a time when His Lordship was primed to play a central role in the fast approaching nationwide electoral process represents the boldest steps in the march to undermine our democracy.

    “This is undoubtedly an anti-democratic act which my political party and I reject without reservation and for which I urge Your Excellency to condemn unequivocally.”

    The PDP presidential candidate expressed the fears that the alleged unlawful suspension of the CJN might affect the outcome of the 2019 presidential election.

    He also accused President Buhari of illegal purchase of Tucano Aircraft for the Nigerian military.

    The presidential candidate said the aircraft, valued at $496 million, were bought without seeking prior approval of the National Assembly contrary to Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    But the National Assembly approved the $1 billion requested for the President to buy weapons for the military, especially the troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    He also accused the President of disregarding court orders on former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki and leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

    He stated: “The enactment of the controversial Executive Order No. 006 as an executive legislation which permits security agencies to freeze the assets of persons standing trial or undergoing investigation without recourse to court orders.

    “This is a usurpation of legislative and judicial powers of the National Assembly and the judiciary as enshrined respectively under Sections 4 and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and reminiscent of the military era of decrees.

    “The above, and many more that did not make it into this very short letter, are the unfortunate actions of the government of a man who merely pays lip service to being a reformed democrat.”

    He urged the international community to stand by the country. “I urge you to partner with Nigerians to defend our constitution and play an active role in building our country,” Atiku said.

     

  • 2019: EU tasks INEC, security on transparency

    The European Union ( EU)  election observation mission to Nigeria has demanded transparency and accountability from all institutions in the elections involved in the conduct of the general elections.

    Chief of EU Observer, Maria Arena, stressed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies must not only be neutral but must be seen to be neutral.

    Arena, who briefed reporters on activities and mandate of the EU electoral mission to Nigeria, also charged political actors to work with integrity.

    While noting that EU attaches great significance to the elections, she, however, stressed EU main concern is in the process and not the outcome of the elections.

    According to her: “We are here in the spirit of cooperation with Nigeria. We stand ready to deliver an impartial, objective assessment of the electoral process. If I have to key final messages, they are these:

    “The transparency and accountability of all the institutions involved in the elections are absolutely essential for public trust and confidence in the process. Thus we hope that INEC and also the security forces will provide clear real-time information on what they are doing and actions they have taken.

    “INEC and the security forces need to be seen to work neutrally in all their actions from the leadership down.”

    She added: “I hope that state bodies and political parties all play their part in promoting a fair and peaceful process before, during and after Election Day.

    “This means working with integrity for the sake of the nation, promoting a calm response to any problems or frustrations.”

    Reacting to criticism of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on the capacity of the electoral body, the EU Chief Observer said such was expected in political atmosphere but cautioned politicians on their utterances.

    “But we will be cautious in our comments ahead of the elections and monitor the situation without bias,” she stressed.

    She also explained the need for political actors to trust the institutions (INEC), especially when they are going to be working together.

    For the general elections, Arena said EU will be deploying 11 election analysts and 40 long-term observers.

    The observers, according to her, will be spread across the six geo-political zones of the country, covering twenty cities.

    In the last 48 hours of the arrival of the mission, she said they have met with relevant stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, religious organisations and security apparatuses, among others.

    Read Also: INEC to political actors: we’ll not be dragged into meaningless debate

    She further explained that the election observation mission is “completely independent of EU delegations and we will assess Nigeria’s commitment to electoral laws and international best practices.”

    The mandate according to her is “only to collect information concerning the electoral process and then publish our findings and make recommendations.

    “We are not interested in the outcome of the elections; we have no interest in seeing this or that candidate or party win.

    “We are here to observe if the electoral process was conducted in a transparent and credible manner.“