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Tag: facility

  • Lagos builds world-class critical care facility

    Lagos builds world-class critical care facility

    The Lagos State Government has built a high-tech Critical Care Unit (CCU) at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital  (LASUTH), Ikeja. The new unit occupies a three-floor edifice and has state-of-the-art treatment and monitoring equipment seen only in world-class CCUs.

    Right from the Ground floor, the automatic glass door opens and leads one to the elevators, which are designed to suit the patients as they allow for the easy movement of patient’s bed and accommodate the staff handling same.

    The First Floor has in-house laboratory, and the patient has no need to go out for such services. The laboratory also enables the medics to arrive at a quicker decision on the patient.

    The theatre has infrared light and medic compliant taps to curtail the spread of contaminants. The operating lights have recording device that help record the operations to be done, or allow for live transmission to any part of the world for teaching purposes.

    The operating bed is multi functional, as it helps a doctor to place his patient in the best position for surgery. The beds can be electronically adjusted- high, low, tilted or even angled. It can also be elongated to accommodate tall patients, or turned to a chair to suit the patient’s needs.

    The Anesthesia machine has an in-built Ventilator that guarantees reduction of post surgery complication.

    At the centre of the building is the Nurses’ station, where the nurses have direct observation of the patients and those in the isolation wards. It also has a close circuit TV.

    The Recovery room in the complex has adaptive and assistive equipment for full recovery of patients. The six dialysis machines are well laid out in a clean, comfortable and conducive environment, while the staff lounge is equipped with internet facility for quick research.

    The Second Floor is the Private Ward, which has a sit-out area where a patient can enjoy some fresh air, with a clear view of the surrounding area.

    The Third Floor hosts the consulting room for private patients who do not want to be attended to at the general clinic. The floor also houses the Pharmacy, the Call room and Administrative Offices for staff on night duty.

    Director, CCU and a Fellow of American College of Surgeons, Dr Ade Tinubu, said the concept of the edifice was his, but the funding came 100 per cent from the Lagos State Government, noting that there is power supply round the clock and the ceilings of the building are fire resistant.

    Some of the equipments at the unit are cardiac or heart monitors, pulse oximeter, which allows the critical care team to monitor the saturation of oxygen in the blood, There is also a Swan-Ganz or pulmonary artery catheter, for knowing the amount of fluid filling the heart as well as determine how the heart functions.

    Tinubu said: “Central venous catheter (CVC) is a type of catheter that is soft, pliable and is inserted into a large vessel (vein) in the neck (internal jugular vein), in the upper chest (subclavian vein), or in the groin area (femoral vein).

    “There is a Ceiling Pendant that supplies medical gases and electrical supply to the patient’s bed side. So also Intravenous (IV), which is a plastic catheter (tube) that is inserted into the veins (peripheral IV) or a larger size catheter inserted into the larger veins of the neck. Fluids, medications, nutrition preparations, and blood products are administered through IV catheters. Patients in ICU often have multiple IVs. Chest tubes are inserted through the chest wall into the space around the lung to drain fluid or air that has accumulated and prevent the lung from being able to expand.

    “Good quality chest tubes are available. Chest tubes are inserted through the chest wall into the space around the lungs to drain fluid or air that has accumulated and prevent the lung from being able to expand.

    “The CCU boasts of urinary catheters, often referred to as Foley catheters, which are inserted through the urethra into the bladder. Once in the bladder the catheter is kept in place by a balloon, which is inflated, at the end of the catheter. Urinary catheters continuously drain the bladder and allow for accurate measurement of urinary output, which is extremely important in fluid management and in assessing kidney function. Endotracheal tubes are used when mechanical ventilation is necessary.”

    According to him, the complex also has multiple ventilator, or respirator, a breathing machine that helps patients breathe when they can not breathe on their own. A patient is connected to the ventilator by an endotracheal tube (a flexible plastic tube that is inserted into the mouth and then down into the trachea).

    “Nutrition is very important for the critically ill. Even though the ICU patient is immobile and does not appear to require ‘food’ for energy, the illness or injury that has required the patient to be in the ICU increases the patient’s basal metabolic rate (a measure of the rate of metabolism). Adequate nutrition is essential to the healing process.”

    “Nutritional solutions can be administered through feeding tubes inserted through either the nose or the mouth into the stomach or through central venous catheters. The stomach route is preferred, as long as the patient’s GI tract is working and able to tolerate feeding. Special nutritional preparations are available to provide the nutritional needs of the critically ill. The nutritional needs are calculated and monitored closely by the nutritionist on the critical care team and are adjusted accordingly. This started with the former Health Commissioner, Dr Leke Pitan that showed interest in Open heart surgery which I was conscripted into. We offer first class services at the CCU,” said Dr Tinubu.

    At the inuaguration of the unit, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Wale Oke assured that with the huge investment of the state government in completing the complex, it will definitely result into a major improvement in patients’ care in the hospital.

    Commissioner of Health, Dr Jide Idris enjoined all to take ownership of the CCU, saying: “This belongs to us all. Refer your patients here. Nigeria is the next hub for Medical Tourism. Do not sabotage government’s effort on this.”

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello said the design and operation of the CCU will be deployed in the care of those in dire health condition that hitherto, predisposed people towards foreign medical tourism.

    “It will complement the capacity of the existing Intensive Care Unit (ICU) established over 10 years. The combined capacities of these two healthcare facilities will enhance the status of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Lagos State University College of medicine (LASUCOM) as true centres for medical training and research. Ultimately, the facility will save from our nation scarce foreign exchange, of about $3 billion US dollar, which are spent annually on foreign medical tourism by Nigerians,” he said.

    He added: “We are strongly committed to the task of reversing the trend of overseas medical tourism in favour of local medical tourism through the provision of the right and conducive atmosphere for qualitative medicare in our state.”

  • Sports facility for Lagos community

    Residents of Omi Tuntun community in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, especially the youth, were excited when the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 37 handed over a multi-purpose sports court constructed for the community to them.

    Facilities at the sports  court include basket ball, volley ball and badminton courts.

    Presenting the N1.3 million worth sports facility to the Commissioner for Sports and Social Development, Hon. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Idowu Ademosu, Pastor Adewole Ajayeoba of RCCG Lagos Province 37,  said the project was part of the church’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects which were aimed at giving back to the society.

    He stressed that the CSR programme was the vision of the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye who believes that the church must impart positively on the environment where it operates.

    Pastor Ajayeoba said he believed that with the provision of the sporting facility, the youth of Omi Tuntun community would have more recreational sites where they could put their youthful strength to positive use rather than engage in anti-social activities.

    Also speaking, Pastor Paul Olukunga of Elim Zone under RCCG LP 37 said the church decided to construct the multi-purpose sports court to provide more sporting facilities that would complement the football field in existence in the community.

    He noted that it was the responsibility of the church and other well-meaning individuals and organisations to ensure that they complement government’s efforts in engaging the youth positively in activities that would impact positively on the society.

    Pastor Olukunga urged the community to make judicious use of the facility and maintain it for generations unborn.

    Thanking the church for the gesture, Akinbile-Yusuf said the Lagos State government appreciates the church for its numerous CSR projects in the community.

    Secretary of the Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Akeem Ogunleye added that the provision of the sports court was a welcome development as the community had tried to put such facility in place over the years which had been impossible due to lack of funds.

    Afterwards, youths of the community played volleyball and basket ball matches on the new facility.

  • NEXIM MD unveils guidelines for N500b export facility

    NEXIM MD unveils guidelines for N500b export facility

    The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Bashir M. Wali yesterday unveiled the implementation modalities of the N500 billion Export Stimulation Facility and the N50 billion enhancement on the Rediscounting and Refinancing Facility.

    Speaking at the non-oil export stakeholders’ engagement session in Lagos, he said over the past few months, the NEXIM Bank has been working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review existing policies and strategies towards increasing funding support and stimulating additional investments in the non-oil export sector.

    He explained that during the course of this review, the bank has also met with various stakeholders, including exporters, commodity associations, bankers, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and other relevant government agencies to obtain strategic inputs and share perspectives towards achieving our common objective of diversifying the Nigerian economy.

    He said the approval of the two intervention funding schemes and release of the operating guidelines by the CBN represent the result of NEXIM Bank’s collective efforts.

    He said with the release of the guidelines and commencement of the schemes, Nigerian exporters and export oriented businesses will now seize the opportunity to expand and upscale their operations towards boosting the current low contribution of non-oil exports, which has remained at about five per cent over the years.

    “Let me also add that besides the issues of availability and access to funds, we have also intensified our collaborations and engagements with relevant institutions and stakeholders towards addressing other challenges affecting the export sector such as the problems of infrastructure, issues of packaging and labeling as well as improving access to market,” he said.

    He said the event was meant to create a forum for discussion of the implementation modalities, the role of all participants and the expected outcomes from the successful implementation of these schemes.

  • PZ donates Shea-butter processing facility to Niger State

    PZ donates Shea-butter processing facility to Niger State

    PZ Cussons Foundation on Tuesday formally handed over the PZ NasaraShea-Butter processing facility to a women co-operative group in Tungan Wawa in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.

    The Foundation’s Trustee and former First Lady of Nigeria, Justice FatiLami Abubakar, said the project executed by the Foundation was an intervention to empower women economically through encouragement of rural enterprise.

    She said the new facility is to upgrade their traditional method of production and make them internationally competitive. According to her, it will bring together local processors under one umbrella and organise them into a more formal structure as enterprise.

    The facility consists of raw material store, structures for drying, roasting, blending, finished goods store, borehole and other equipment and machineries.

    Justice Abubakar informed the gathering that PZ Cussons Foundation has executed over 52 projects spread in the six geo-political zones of the country since its establishment in 2007. The focal area of its mandate, she said, is in education, health care, potable water supply and road rehabilitation.

    The PZ NasaraShea-Butter Processing Centre is the first outside the Foundation’s focal area of social services and infrastructure. It is also the third project to be executed by the Foundation in Niger State.

    It would be re-called that PZ Cussons Foundation, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, constructed 500 metre Market Road in Minna and donated a Health Care Centre in Gbaiko, Bosso Local Government Area.

    In his speech at the occasion, Niger State Governor Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Sani Bello commended the Board of Trustee of the Foundation for sitting the project in the State. He said it will support government’s effort in diversifying the economy of the State by enhancing productivity in agro allied endeavours at rural levels, help in poverty eradication and employment.

    He promised to encourage other corporate bodies to do the same. Niger State has a large land mass suitable for agriculture. The Governor has unfolded plans to distribute new improved shea seedlings to encourage more cultivation.

  • AfDB plans $3b facility to improve food nutrition

    AfDB plans $3b facility to improve food nutrition

    The African Development Bank (AfDB) has taken a giant step toward improved food nutrition and security with plans to develop a $300million facility that will leverage about $3billion from banks and microfinance institutions across the continent to empower women and women-owned enterprises toward to improving access to nutritious diets.

    Its President, Akinwumi Adesina, told the B&FT in an interview on the sidelines of the third meeting of the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition in Accra that the move is part of efforts to address the surging rate of stunted growth on the continent.

    He said: “The African Development Bank is planning a $300million facility that will leverage $3billion of financing from banks and microfinance institutions across the continent to support, specifically, women and women-owned enterprises that will allow them to have higher incomes — which will be used in improving nutrition in their households.

    “We must begin to understand that when we say infrastructure it is not just about hard infrastructure like roads and ports, but brain matter infrastructure; the kind of infrastructure that is in the brain.

    “Currently, 20 out of 24 countries globally with stunting rates over 40 per cent are in Africa and the majority of them are children; but the message is simple — if African governments can boost economic growth, they must invest in nutrition.”

    An estimated two percent growth in global agricultural output against the rapidly growing population size, on the back of heightened climate change conditions which are harshly impacting poor farmers, threatens the prospect of improved nutrition for proper health and development.

    According to the AfDB boss, tackling this situation will require efforts in four different areas which should include investing in feeding children properly and ensuring that women have access to nutritious food to feed their households as that is what will be driving economies going forward.

    “In Africa, we have a situation today wherein well over 500 million people are living on less than a dollar per day…leading to unacceptable malnutrition levels.

    “Therefore, African countries should not invest only in hardcore infrastructure but also invest in feeding children properly; because when you have nutritious meals for children, then you are able to develop their brainpower to be able to stay in school, to excel in school and thus raise the economy,” he said.

    Mr. Adesina indicated that the Global Panel, of which he is a member, will help to look at ways that can improve the situation including ensuring that governments of the continent “do big things for women”— whether as farmers or as mothers — because they will require access to nutritious food to feed their families.

    The Global Panel on Agriculture for Food Systems for Nutrition is an independent group of influential experts with a commitment to tackling global challenges in food nutrition and security.

  • Sterling Bank secures $40m facility

    Sterling Bank secures $40m facility

    Sterling Bank has secured a $40 million facility from the Turkey EXIM Bank.

    The facility was granted by Turkey EXIM Bank following the conclusion of a due diligence on the bank which confirmed it as a reputable financial institution with capacity to meet its obligations.

    In a statement issued over the weekend, the bank indicated that the facility would be used to support trade businesses and projects with Turkish origin.

    With this development, members of the Turkish business community in Nigeria as well as Nigerian businessmen and women doing business with Turkish partners will have easy access to finance for  their businesses especially in the importation of necessary raw materials and other infrastructure for production. This, it said, would also serve as a catalyst for economic development in the country.

    The bank in the statement explained that the choice of the bank by Turkey EXIM Bank may have been informed by its role in international finance, its reputation as a stable and reliable financial institution and its capacity to support both local and international institutions.

  • NMRC’s N1b facility deepens mortgage refinancing

    Hopes of a brighter future for mortgage seekers has received a leap with the refinancing initiative of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), which saw the Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited (formerly GTHomes Limited) emerging as the first mortgage bank to be refinanced by the NMRC.

    With the finance, Imperial Homes would be able to provide affordable homes at good mortgage rates.

    In a statement in Lagos, Imperial Homes’ Managing Director, Mr. Ben Akaneme, described the effort as a milestone, adding that it was an outstanding achievement in the march towards the realisation of affordable and good interest rates for mortgages.

    He assured that the bank would continue to ensure housing for all.

    Akaneme said the development would further help the bank’s business philosophy, which are based on the four cardinal principles of customer focus, customer services, innovativeness and total quality management.

    He said the bank was made up of diligent professionals who provide quality mortgage and financial services to organisations, professionals, workers as well as cooperative societies and their members.

    “The landmark refinancing brings the vision of homes for all Nigerians within reach,” Akaneme said.

  • LMC solicits govt support for stadium facility upgrade

    LMC solicits govt support for stadium facility upgrade

    The League Management Company (LMC) has said its operations have been wholly funded from privately generated income and zero government financial contribution.

    Chairman of the LMC,  Shehu Dikko disclosed this and other initiatives of the league body when he appeared as a guest on Africa Independent Television’s (AIT) morning show, Kaakaki and explained that the LMC would love to see the government involved in the area of infrastructure upgrade while gradually divesting from club funding.

    “Since the LMC came on board, our funding has been sourced from commercial partnerships which is the practice globally and while we appreciate the companies that have bought rights from us, we are still not where we should be financially which explains our recent visit with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE),” Dikko said.

    Continuing on government’s role in football, the he said: “In the 90s, the government of Margareth Thatcher in the UK provided over £200m for the upgrading of stadia facilities across England and that contributed critically to what we have today as the best league in the world, and today the UK government is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the EPL, generating billions of pounds in taxes, football tourism, jobs and other socio-economic activities that are hinged on the EPL in the UK.

    “We also would seek government’s intervention in this direction and we are not asking for funds to be handed to anyone but for government to directly fund the upgrade of existing grounds and provision of required broadcast equipments and facilities in the stadiums.”

    Whilst acknowledging that foreign football, especially the EPL has over-shadowed the domestic league, Dikko also pointed out that it is a global phenomenon which some European countries are also facing.

    His words, “We are aware of the seeming preference for foreign football but it is not just football, Nigerians buy foreign cars instead of from PAN, we buy foreign rice  instead of local rice etc, but we are working on winning back the minds of the people. It is also not peculiar to Nigeria, go to Malaysia, China, Emirates and even at some point in Germany and Spain, everyone is trying not to compete with the English league”.

    He said the LMC has implemented and is also working on initiatives to uplift the league.

    “The club that wins the league this season will earn as much as N80million in revenue share, merit award, bonuses and kind and even the relegated club will earn a minimum of N55million. There are incentives for away wins, draws, attracting crowds to the games and we also provide official match balls to the teams including kit bags for the players.

    “More importantly, we are seeking pool sponsorship for all 20 clubs so their finances will improve and consequently, the welfare of players as well as drive the commercialisation of the clubs so as to make them attractive to investors,”he said.

  • N2b facility pits Unity Bank against Sterling Bank

    N2b facility pits Unity Bank against Sterling Bank

    Two lenders, Sterling Bank Plc and Unity Bank Plc, are at loggerheads over N2 billion facility, despite of the intervention of the Bankers’ Committee.

    At the end of last month’s meeting of the committee in Abuja, both banks were accused of not showing sincerity in the way they have handled the matter.

    The investigating panel that listened to the lenders, directed both banks to “go back and discuss amongst themselves as they had not shown sincerity on the matter.”

    The Nation gathered that at the last June meeting of its Ethics and Professionalism sub-Committee, the Bankers’ Committee went also ruled that Unity Bank was under obligation to honour its Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) to Sterling Bank and that Unity Bank should provide certificate of work done during the life of the APG by its customers to be able to ascertain the amount outstanding on the APG which could be legitimately claimed within the validity period of the APG.

    The banks’ customers were admonished by the Investigating Panel “to act in an ethical manner” and frowned at one of the customers Loh & Or Construction for failing “to do what was expected of it and also failed to honour the invitation of the arbitrators that were appointed in line with the contract.”

    While aligning with the decision of the panel on the case, the Sub-Committee on Ethics and Professionalism of the Bankers’ Committee wondered why Unity Bank “would refuse to honour its guarantee, as guarantees are payable on demand.” The sub-committee also concurred with the investigating panel that the case in court had nothing to do with the APG.

    The sub-Committee also ruled that “the amount covered by the Guarantee shall, however, be progressively decreased in terms of the value of work executed by the contractor within the life of the Guarantee” implying that the claims made by Sterling Bank needed to be reviewed.

    Sterling Bank Plc had petitioned Unity Bank Plc for the failure of Unity Bank Plc to settle obligations arising from Guarantee Nos UB/APG/338/Makurdi/6978/06/2013 and UB/PB/338/Makurdi/6977106/2013 issued in favour of Quintec Ltd/Sterling Bank Plc on behalf of LOH & OR (NIG) LTD. Both guarantees were each for the sum of N1,038,463, 521.66.

    Sterling bank had told the Investigating Panel that “Quintec Ltd (contractor), a customer of Sterling Bank Plc was awarded a contract by the Central a Bank of Nigeria for the development of a Branch building at Lafia, Nasarawa State with the original completion date of 25 April, 2014 was later extended to 27 March, 2015 by the CBN vide letter dated 31 March, 2014.”

    Sterling bank stated that a major portion of the project was sub-contacted by the contractor to Messrs LOH & OR Construction (Nig) Ltd, a customer of Unity Bank Plc and as “per the work schedule, the sub-contractor was expected to have completed procurement and installation of the materials by January 2014, a time line which was not achieved”.

    Due to the delay and the threat by the CBN in its letter dated April 22, last year to enforce contractual sanctions culminating in the determination of Quintec’s services, the contractor was constrained to request a call on the Guarantees and on May 5, 2014, Sterling Bank issued a Notice of Default to Unity Bank advising a seven day period for LOH & OR Construction to remedy the breach failing which the guarantees would be called in.

     

    The sub-contractor’s (LOH & OR Construction (Nig) Ltd) bank (Unity Bank) responded vide letter dated 14 May last year requesting 21 days to enable its customer resolve the issues but in a subsequent letter dated 20 May last year, Quintec Limited advised Sterling Bank of the termination of the sub-contract with LOR & OR Construction Nig. Ltd and reiterated its earlier position that the Guarantees should be called.

     

    Based the insistence of Quintec, Sterling Bank Plc in a letter dated 23 May last year demanded the liquidation of the guaranteed sum within the 14 days. “However, Unity Bank in acknowledgement letter dated 2 June, 2014 requested an extension of the APG and Performance Bond for 120 days from July 2014 on behalf of its customer – LOH & OR Construction, who promised to resolve issues with Quintec Ltd.”

     

    Unity Bank was advised of Sterling Bank’s inability to accede to the request in a letter dated 5 June, 2014 on account of the Contractors’s position, stating that the demand notice dated May 23, 2014 would lapse on June 6, 2014 and that Unity Bank was expected to make good its obligation. Follow up letters dated 17 June 2014 and 25 June 2014 were subsequently sent to Unity Bank stating Sterling Bank’s intention to refer the matter to the sub-committee on Ethics & Professionalism for redress.

     

    12. It was on the basis of this that Sterling Bank approached the Sub-committee for redress, stating that: Unity Bank’s liability under the APG and PB was N841,402,974.73 as at 6 June, 2014; that Unity bank’s failure to meet the said obligation after the 14-day notice period gave rise to the interest obligation which accrued at the commercial rate of 23 per cent per annum.

     

    Sterling bank added that the materials delivered in respect of the sub-contract financed by it “was N197,060,547.27 based on the sub-contractor’s pricing. The Client paid N285,620,232.67 in respect of the work of which N270,000,000.00 was deposited at Sterling Bank” and as a result, “Unity bank was liable for sum of N841,402,974.73 plus accrued interest at 23 per cent per annum from 6 June, 2014.”

     

    On its part, Unity bank told the Investigating Panel that Messrs LOH & OR Construction Limited is its customer and that in the course of the relationship, “the bank availed the customer several facilities amongst which are the Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) and Performance Bond (PB) in the sum of N1,038,463,521.66 each- the subject of this petition.”

     

    The issuance of the APG and PB Unity bank said was as a result of a contract awarded to a company called Quintec Limited by the Central Bank of Nigeria to develop a branch builnding in Lafia, Nassarawa State. Quintec (contractor) sub-contracted the Electrical, Mechanical as well as the supply and installation of Finishing Materials to LOH & OR Construction Nigeria Ltd.

     

    Subsequently, LOH & OR Construction Nigeria Ltd approached Unity Bank for the issuance of the APG and PB in favour of Quintec and their Bankers – Sterling Bank Plc, which was issued on June 26, 2013. On the strength of the APG and PB, the beneficiaries (Sterling Bank/Quintec Ltd) released the sum of N1,038,463,521.66 to the bank (Unity Bank) for onward disbursement to the customers.

     

    Unity Bank stated that “it was agreed between the customers and Quintec that payments arising from valuations done by the CBN consultants will be made directly into Sterling Bank Plc in full to reduce Unity Bank’s liability under the APG and PB.”

     

    Consequently, the customers were mobilised to site and they commenced work, “rendering qualitative works to the extent that site was adjudged the best and most progressed of all similar projects awarded by the CBN.” Unity bank said it was therefore, “surprised to receive Sterling Bank Plc’s letter dated 5 May last year informing Unity Bank of the customers’ default in the execution of the sub-contract. The beneficiaries further contended that all efforts to make the customers meet their obligation failed, hence they had to call in the APG and PB.”

     

    Unity bank admitted that “in a letter dated 17 June 2014, Sterling Bank demanded for the payment of the guaranteed sum balance and interest accrued at commercial rate from 6 June, 2014 and that “consequent upon the above Unity Bank immediately caused an investigation into the matter in order to ascertain what actually happened and the level of work executed by the customers.”

     

    Their investigations they said “revealed that there were disputes, accusations and counter-accusations between the customers and Quintec which resulted in the frustration of the contract.” This informed Unity Bank’s request on the customer’s behalf for an extension of the APG and PB to allow some time to sort out these issues while the customers continued with their obligations.”

     

    Unity Bank insisted that its “obligation under the APG and PB was for the payment of the sum outstanding not defrayed from the sum advanced to the customers as a result of the customer’s default. According to paragraphs 6 and 7 of APG and PB respectively where it was made explicit that “The amount covered by the Guarantee shall, however, be progressively decreased in terms of the value of work executed by the contractor to the employers under the contract”.

     

    Unity bank expected that before any call was made on it for the payment under the APG and PB, all works carried out by the customers ought to have been ascertained and valued. “This was not done by Sterling Bank Plc rather Unity Bank was called upon to pay an undisclosed “amount outstanding under the APG and accrued interest at 23 per cent per annum from 6th June, 2014”.

     

    In conclusion, Unity Bank stated that: much as it remained fully committed to its obligation under the APG and PB, the bank could not make payment of an undisclosed and unverified sum, which Beneficiaries had never stated in their demand; there was no understanding and/or commitment between the bank and the beneficiaries in respect of any interest element in the transaction. The bank never consented to same and such term was never in the APG and PB it issued; Quintec failed to remit funds paid by the CBN into Sterling Bank Plc to reduce the value of the APG as initially agreed by the parties. “This was what actually frustrated the contract between them; that Unity bank is only liable to the beneficiaries in the sum of N282,324,118.92, representing the outstanding sum on the sum advanced to the customers under the APG and that in the spirit of fairness, the bank recommended that an all parties meeting be convened in order to reconcile the obligations of relevant parties.

     

    The investigating Panel meeting of march 24, 2015, identified as areas of contention:

     

    1. How was the value of N282 million due to sterling Bank determined?

     

    2. Why did Sterling Bank demand an APG/PB from Unity Bank and why did Unity Bank refuse to honour its guarantee?

     

    3. What led to the determination of Loh&Or Construction’s contract? It was reported that the goods were still in China because Quintec had stated it would not take delivery of goods since the contract had been terminated.

     

    However when contacted, a staff of Unity Bank who pleaded to remain anonymous because he was not permitted to speak to the press on the matter told The Nation that “Unity Bank has taken advantage of the opportunity given by the Sub-Committee for us to bring up fresh facts that could lead to the change or retraction of the decision. Accordingly, the decision of the Sub-Committee will not yet be binding on the bank, since the Sub-Committee still has to review the fresh facts provided by the bank. We are confident that the outcome of the review will be favorable to the bank.”

     

    The Unity Bank official added that “the issues relating to the settlement of obligations under the Guarantee is already subjudice, in view of existing litigations and Arbitration known to all the parties. Therefore all parties should refrain from actions and making statements that could be contemptuous.” He noted “as soon as the Bankers Committee gets our letter revealing fresh facts of another suit, we are confident that the Sub-Committee will rescind its decision and allow for the Legal process to take its natural course. “

     

     

  • NGO threatens to withdraw facility over rent

    NGO threatens to withdraw facility over rent

    A free annual medical outreach in Amachara, a community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State may be withdrawn by the non-governmental organisation which administers it.

    Why? The NGO, Chike and Chinyere Onyekwere Foundation said the community is insisting on collecting rent on the space used by the foundation.

    The NGO was said to have spent up to N15m in medication and services given free to the residents in four years.

    Speaking with The Nation on the telephone, the chairman of the organisation, Chikeziri Onyekwere said that it is absurd that the elders of the community who have been receiving free medical care from his foundation for over four years are asking him to pay rent for using the town hall for the facility.

    Onyekwere said that since he started the programme for the people of his community, he has never asked any of the patients to pay for the health care treatment they have been receiving, “It is not as if we are making money from this venture and if they insist on collecting rent from me, then I will withdraw the facility from them”.

    He said that the free medical facility was established way back in 2013 to give 100% free medical facility to persons under the age of 50 years and above, including children, adding that he decided to give the facility to the people because of the high death rate on the old people and children.

    The NGO boss said that all the patients who come there for treatment are given free medicine as well without asking them for money, “Our own free medical scheme includes free drugs and the drugs we do not have we ask them to come back for it and not to go out to source for them”.

    Onyekwere said that the NGO decided to run the free medical care for the people of the area, “Because we believe that there is need to compliment the efforts of the state government to ensure that the citizenry and now the elders of the community want to charge rent from us for using the town hall which is discouraging and unacceptable in all ramifications”.

    He noted that the free medical service has treated about 7,000 patients with different ailments and that it has been personally financed with the resources from his family, adding that there has never been any foreign or local aid and called on the people to support them with prayers, as what he is doing is one of the ways he wants to give back to his community.

    Onyekwere explained that the free medical scheme has succeeded in handling cases of patients who in normal circumstances are not aware of the potential life-threatening diseases they have and could not afford the money to finance their medical treatment.

    He said that he also has about 20 students from the area in his scholarship scheme, saying, “I want to give a voice to the less privileged, not a voice to oppose government or anyone but a voice to live a meaningful life in the society”.

    In his reaction the traditional ruler of Umuokorodo, HRH Eze Akpunku Iheuwa said that the people of the community appreciated the gesture of the free medical services of the NGO, but that they have decided to charge rent on the space used in the civic centre hall because they believed that the NGO was winning foreign financial assistance with the programme.

    Eze Iheuwa said that the community has decided to relocate the free medical scheme centre to a two bedroom apartment behind the civic centre premises and insisted that the NGO must pay rent for the accommodation.

    In his own speech the chairman Amachara Welfare Association [AWA], Sunday Andrew said that the community was working hard to complete the construction work on the two bedroom apartment behind the civic centre hall so that the free health care service will be relocated.

    Andrew acknowledged that fact that the presence of the free medical scheme has helped in no small way to reduce the rate of death among the aged and children in the community.

    “However we must relocate the scheme to allow other activities of the community at the civic centre”.