Tag: Fed Govt

The Nigerian Navy (NN) pleaded yesterday with the Federal Government to create special court to speed up prosecution of sea criminals.

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin made the call in Lagos after the inauguration of a patrol boat, NNS DORINA donated by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

Vice Admiral Jibrin said the justice delivery system at the moment was making the Navy pay for the lapses of orders, adding that the force’s account is garnished by the court for ships held beyond reasonable time.

“The NN is still pleading with appropriate authorities to ensure that criminals arrested are timely and completely prosecuted. This will help tremendously to deter and reduce significantly, the number of maritime crimes.

“You know the legal system we operate in Nigeria today is such that people must be given fair hearing. But along the line, some people abuse these privileges and waste other people’s time, hence, creating challenges in the dispensation of justice.

“So, what we are asking for is the establishment of specials courts where criminals caught at the maritime domain will be speedily tried and convicted. This is because the current situation has serious impact on the financial burden of the Navy.

“On daily basis for ships that are kept beyond reasonable time, NN’s account are garnished and so, we pay for the illegalities of orders,” said Jibrin.

Praising the NPA for donating DORINA (32m) and two-2 by 17m OCEA boats to the navy, Jibrin said the kind gesture will promote economic growth and national development.

“It should serve as a great moral booster or catalyst to encourage other agencies of government to adopt same pragmatic approach to jointly solve national problems.

Acknowledging that the nation’s maritime space was being threatened by crude oil theft, unreported and unregulated fishing, proliferation of arms, piracy, among others, the CNS however noted that these illegal activities were decreasing especially around the Lagos waters.

“Nevertheless, the criminals are not giving up and their sympathisers within and outside Nigeria are not helping matters, therefore, one of the best options for. The days ahead is the ability of the NN to deploy tactical forces and maintaining them at sea for sustained operations regularly.

“This further explains the need for projection of force in Nigeria’s maritime area and by extension the Gulf of Guinea. This can only be achieved with the availability of sophisticated surveillance systems, boats, ships and helicopters, all of which are capital projects that, in most cases, are beyond NN budget.

“It becomes self explanatory and undoubtedly that the NN could only optimize its operations with the support of local and international partners who share common beliefs, goals and. Interest,” said Jibrin.

In his keynote address, the Minister for Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau Mohammed reiterated government’s commitment to accord top priority to security, adding that it was one of the pillars of the administration’s transformation agenda.

Represented by his Minister of State, Musiliu Obanikoro, Gusau urged the boat’s crew commanded by Commander Mohammed Muye, to make appreciable impact in the war against illegalities in the nation’s maritime domain.

Built in France last year, NNS DORINA has a length of 32m and waterline of 27m. Its beam overall os 6.3m and depth main eck, 3.10m; the boat has a maximum draft f 1.14m, crew of 14men and maxmum speed of 30knots.

The boat, which arrived in Lagos on November 24, last year and was handed over to the Navy in January, has an armament designed for 20mm remote operated gun at the fore; 7.62 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) at the upper deck and 12.7mm Machine gun at the Aft deck.

The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain the House of Representatives from allowing 41 of its members, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) from participating in all activities of the House.

The request is one of the reliefs sought in a fresh suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN).

The government is urging the court to declare that in the light of the combined effects of sections 68(1)(g), 68(2) and 49 of the Constitution and the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Oloyo V Alegbe (1983) SCNLR 35, including the decision of Justice Adeniyi Ademola in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/4/14, the House is not properly constituted and lawfully composed as envisaged by Section 49 of the Constitution.

It also wants the court to declare that the House, in view of the authorities cited above, is not properly constituted or composed as envisaged by Section 49 of the Constitution to lawfully exercise its general legislative powers and functions under section of the constitution as distinct from proceedings.

The government is equally praying for a declaration that the House and Speaker, in view of the authorities cited above, cannot lawfully count the votes in the presence of the persons affected by the said decision of the Federal High Court, for purposes of determining if a bill is carried or not, and for purposes of quorum of the House or its committees under Section 62(2) of the Constitution respectively.

It urged the court to declare that the Speaker should not continue to accord the persons affected by the said decision of the Federal High Court, the rights and the privileges of the members of the House of Representatives.

The suit has House and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal as defendants in the Originating Summons filed on behalf of the AGF by Ade Okeaya-Inneh, Dr Fabian Ajogwu and Solomon Umoh, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

The government raised four questions for the court’s determination, which all relate to whether the affected law makers could continue to sit in the House in view of Justice Ademola’s judgment.

In an 18-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Kenechukwu Nomeh, a lawyer in the chambers of Ade Okeaya-Inneh and Co., government said despite the judgment by Justice Ademola, the Speaker “has failed, neglected, or refused to give effect to the decision of the Federal High court by declaring the seat of the affected members of the House vacant contrary to the provisions of Section 68(2) of the constitution.”

The Federal Government argued that unless the court compels him, Tambuwal would not comply with section 68(2) and declare the seats of the affected lawmakers vacant.

The Federal Government yesterday urged the international community to assist the country in the fight against terrorism ravaging the Northeastern part of Nigeria by cutting the sources of funds for the extremist Boko Haram sect.

Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro made the appeal while responding to questions from reporters in Lagos after the closing ceremony of Exercise Obangame Express 2014, held at the Western Naval Command (WNC), where he represented the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau Mohammed.

While acknowledging that the extremist sect has international sponsors, Obanikoro said the nation was collaborating with the international community because no single nation can tame terrorism.

“Despite being the richest nation in the world, America has not been able to tame terrorism in Afghanistan, Libya…same experience is what we are going through in Nigeria today.

“How to curb these challenges is the main reason we are cooperating and collaborating with the international community. Yes, it is happening in our country, but when funding is coming from oversees, that is not Nigeria.

“We are saying there is an international dimension to these crises that we are going through. We are not saying the whole world should come and join us in fighting but all we are saying is that the source of funding for these terrorists should be cut off and that will to a large extend, help us in bringing the challenge under control,” he said.

Acknowledging that the government has challenges in funding the military, Obanikoro said efforts were being made to emplace a military with the capacity-human and weaponry – to keep the nation safe.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin said the Nigerian Navy would leverage on the gains recorded in Obangame Express 2014, urging other African navies to sustain the cooperation and collaboration.

Vice Admiral Jibrin said cases of piracy within the nation’s waters will soon become history because the pirates’ hideouts have been identified and they will soon be fished out.

He said: “All the services are collaborating like we are doing in the northeast and we expect Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and report strange movement or objects to security agencies for prompt action.

“As long as there is no valid information, the military cannot act. These terrorists are amongst us and in most cases they are not in uniform. Hence, it is difficult for us to say that gentleman is a terrorist. So, Nigerians can do us the favour of looking around and reporting anyone with suspicious moves to security agencies for investigation. We have been training Special Forces for this purpose but we cannot do it alone,” he said.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, yesterday said the strategy the Federal Government was using to curb the Boko Haram insurgency was not working, urging it to seek help of experts both within and outside.

Dabri-Erewa said she was worried that there was no compassion in governance in Nigeria anymore.

Speaking at a “Girls in ICT Day” workshop at the Sheraton Hotels Lagos, the lawmaker described Jonathan’s visit to Kano to sing and dance a day after the Nyanya bombing and on a day 234 girls were abducted in Borno as insensitive, callous, preposterous and very annoying.

She called on President Jonathan to apologize not only to the families and victims of the Nyanya bombings but also to the families of the abducted girls and to all Nigerian woman.

Dabiri-Erewa also called on all mothers to be united and mobilise in demanding and pleading for the release of the abducted girls.

She noted that the need for Nigeria to seek outside help had become necessary following continued attacks on Nigeria by the Boko Haram sect.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said: “There are Nigerian experts on security in the Diaspora that could be contacted/consulted by government to assist.

“The recent bombing in Nyanya, an outskirt of the Federal Capital Territory, and the abduction of over 200 girls from a secondary school in Borno has shown that efforts by the nation’s security do not seem to be working effectively.

“The fight on terrorism is yet to curb the insurgency situation in Nigeria and such huge security challenge cannot be allowed to continue.

“Nigeria needs assistance even from security experts across the globe that must not necessarily be Nigerians.”

The lawmaker decried the abduction of school girls by the Boko Haram and appealed to them to set them free.

“The little ones are the hope and future of this nation. We cannot sit and watch them being destroyed daily,” she said.

A youth group, Youth Network for Peace and Good Governance, has urged the Federal Government to close the country’s borders so as to effectively combat insurgency.

The group working in collaboration with Youths, Adolescent Reflection and Action Center (YARAC) spoke at a news conference in Jos yesterday on the prevailing security situation in the country.

Its programme coordinator, Aondona Tor, said: “The sequence of the various coordinated terror attacks on innocent citizens is a reflection of porous nature of nation’s borders.

“We are not surprised to hear few days ago that the Nigeria Immigration Service announced the arrest of over 107 illegal immigrants within and along the Nigerian borders in Borno State.

“However, we are very concerned that with the poor handling of intelligence by security operatives in the country, the arrested illegal immigrants still found their ways into the country.

“We call on the Federal Government to refocus its attention to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended. The federal government must put together all resources within its power to ensure the safe release of the abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State.”

Minister of Information Labaran Maku yesterday said the Federal Government would install bomb detectors in markets and motor parks.

He added that the type of terror being witnessed in Nigeria is the worst in the world.

He spoke while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Maku wondered why the terrorists would kidnap 100 girls in a secondary school in Borno State if they were really fighting for Islam.

He said: “Well on the kidnapped students which we condemned, I also know that every effort is being made to locate those female students and those who kidnapped them. Security services are on for the girls who have been kidnapped. Council didn’t have the full report as the details of how it took place other than merely the media reports but we will get the detail.

“The thing with terror is that they go to places you least expect them. So, they go to areas they think nobody is looking at to soft target. But I know that awareness is increasing in the North East. The criminality of kidnapping young children is what makes this group of terrorists in Nigeria among the worst in the world. Complete non-respect for human lives, respect for even basic moral issues. What will terrorists be doing with female children if they claim to be pursuing a religious course.”

The minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed and the Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Alhassan, said deliberations at the meeting were mainly focused on the Monday bomb attack at the bus park in Nyanya, Abuja.

He said the purpose of the attacks was to cause confusion and make the government lose focus.

He also faulted how the media reported the Abuja bomb blast.

According to him, the 9-11 terrorists attack in United States never had such gory pictures shown in the media.

On media reports: “Let me also say that we observe with regret that inspite of the great job the media has continue to do, we saw that the way this incident was reported in the last two days has been very insensitive.”

“The council noted and this is very unprofessional that the papers and most of the television stations just unleashed on Nigerians gory details of pictures that should never have been published on the basis of humanity, on the basis of professional ethics, and on the basis of feelings for the sensibilities of our people.”

“We saw on some pages of newspapers the remains of shredded dead bodies printed on the pages of newspapers. This doesn’t happen anywhere in the world because journalism has responsibility to the sensibility of people.

“Newspapers, televisions are watched by children and minors and it is expected that in cases like this, that professional training, commitment, should be upper most in the way we report. We continue to urge the media that yes we expect that whatever happens must be reported but in reporting we must show extra care for the psychology health of our citizens and the image of our nation.

“So those gory pictures that were just splashed on the front pages of newspapers and even the inner pages as well as on television screens, we collectively feel that should never have been the case.”

He went on: “You will notice that throughout the 9/11 incident in the United States, hardly was any picture shown of the victims. It shows disrespect for the dead and disrespect for the living, and it showed absolute lack of sensitivity to the health of members of the public.”

Mohammed said 75 people died in the Abuja bus park bomb blast, 126 receiving treatments, while 47 motor cycles, 20 buses and 14 intercity mini buses were involved in the incident.

According to him, 100 new buses would be imported by the government and CCTV will be installed at the Nyanya motor park.

Markets in the FCT and motor parks, he also said, will be properly fenced and bomb detector devices to be installed.

The Minister of State for Health said one of the greatest challenges the incident posed was need for blood donation for the victims.

On why the bodies were moved without body bags, he said: “We were overwhelmed by the incident. We have body bags but they were exhausted.”

The Lagos State government has said it does not need the Federal Government’s permission to build bridges.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Dr. Kadri Hamzat told reporters yesterday in Alausa that the state consults relevant organs of government and individuals before embarking on projects.

Hamzat said: “We do not need the Federal Government’s permission to build a bridge in Lagos. That is the reality. We work with a lot of stakeholders when building bridges or roads, including the Federal Government, tenants and home owners on the road.

“If you recall the opening of the Ikoyi –Lekki Link Bridge, the governor thanked the former President, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, for giving up four Federal Government buildings to enable us execute the project.

“He gave us permission to remove the buildings to pave the way for the bridge. That shows that there is discussion. If those building did not belong to the Federal Government, we would have needed the permission of the owner and compensated him or her.

“We do not need the Federal Government’s permission to build a bridge in Lagos, but if the Federal Government owns an asset that will be affected, just like any other human being, we would need to talk to it.”

Hamzat said the state government had completed over 161 roads measuring 147 to 347 kilometres, from 2011 till date and 211 road projects are ongoing.

United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mr James Entwistle urged yesterday the Federal Government to rescue the girls abducted by members of the extremist Boko Haram sect at the Girls Senior Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

He spoke with reporters after the opening ceremony of exercise Obangame Express 2014 held at the Western Naval Command (WNC) in Lagos. Entwistle also described as horrible and shocking,  the Monday’s bomb blast at Nyanya bus terminus in Abuja.

He said that based on President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to US President Barrack Obama for assistance to stop crude oil theft, a report has been submitted to him (Jonathan) by the US Government.

Refusing to give details of the report, Entwistle said it contains the ability of the Nigerian Navy to control key check points; what happened to missing oil revenues and how the US could assist Nigeria to curb the menace.

“It is condemnable. That kind of incident along with the bombing in Abuja, just explains why my country stands with your country in the struggle against terrorism.

“We are willing to help in every appropriate way. But that kind of incident is shocking and that just underlies how serious this is. “But our heart goes out to those children and to their families.

“I am sure the security forces are already looking for them and trying to respond to the situation. I know your government is already doing everything it can but it is a horrible incident.

“President Jonathan last September in New York, solicited for the support of the US in containing oil bunkering.

“We were asked to help your government in the struggle against oil bunkering. We sent out an inter-agency delegation and have delivered a report to your government.

“One clear conclusion is that your Navy has a key role to play in fighting oil bunkering and that is one of those reasons we are so eager and proud to continue our close relationship with the Nigerian Navy.

“US remains absolutely committed to collaborating with and supporting Nigeria in its ongoing efforts to increase maritime safety and security in the region.”

“The US has an enduring relationship with Nigeria and the Nigerian Navy and we deeply appreciate your lead role in bringing the many nations of the Gulf of Guinea together to work co-operatively,” he said.

In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin said the Navy was engaging its available platforms to combat the problem of crude oil theft, adding that the objective of the exercise is to improve maritime interdiction capability and power projection.

Represented by Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, Jibrin said securing the “living and non-living resources” on the Gulf of Guinea has continued to pose a major challenge to Nigeria and other maritime nations in the axis.

He said Nigeria’s collaboration with international partners especially the US and other maritime nations will go a long way in securing the Gulf of Guinea.

“Regrettably securing those resources on the Gulf of Guinea have continued to pose a major challenge not only to Nigeria but also to maritime nations in the region.

“In the light of these recent collaborations between countries on the Gulf of Guinea and our international partners like the US Africa Command, we are using this military exercise to develop individual countries’ capacity to secure their respective maritime area.”

Similarly, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade assured all participants for the exercise of their safety and security, just as he reiterated the navy’s commitment towards ending illegality at sea.

He disclosed that over 53 vessels were impounded in 2013 for alleged oil theft, adding that over 30 have been arrested this year alone with necessary actions taken.

The Federal Government summoned yesterday the Zimbabwean Head of Chancery, Stanley Kunjeku, over remarks credited to President Robert Mugabe, which depicted Nigerians as corrupt.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Kunjeku in Abuja to protest against Mugabe’s comment.

The Permanent Secretary Dr Martin Uhomoibhi, described Mugabe’s comment as “vitriolic and denigrating on Nigeria and Nigerians”.

He added: “We were concerned when we read that on the occasion of the 90th birthday of President Mugabe, he took time to vituperate about Nigeria.”

The permanent secretary noted that Mugabe’s comments reflected “what we consider to be a strong aversion of our country, remarks which we consider denigrating …on Nigeria and Nigerians in general”.

Uhomoibhi said: “He (Mugabe) was reported to have said Nigerians are corrupt people, when he hosted service chiefs on his 90th birthday.

“We want to present the strongest protest against that statement; not only does it not reflect the reality in our country, but to come from a sitting President of a brotherly country is most unkind and very dishonourable.”

The Uhomoibhi said the Zimbabwean President’s comment was unfortunate, given the role Nigeria played in the liberation struggle of southern Africa.

He said Nigeria had always stood by Zimbabwe “shoulder-to-shoulder” since independence and was one of the first countries to congratulate Mugabe on his re-election.

“At the point sanctions were imposed on your country, Nigeria empathised with Zimbabwe,” Uhomoibhi said.

The permanent secretary told reporters that Nigeria’s reaction to the comment was not belated, because it had been in the public domain since March 15.

“In our diplomatic parlance, we do not react the way people would want us to react. We have to verify and articulate our position,” he said.

Kunjeku said Nigeria’s protest would be forwarded to Harare, the Zimbabwean federal capital.

Also, Uhomoibhi condemned last week’s attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

He said: “We condemn, in strong terms, any act of racism, xenophobia and discrimination perpetrated by whomsoever, including in that particular country.

“We are appalled that these incidents occur from a country we hold in highest esteem and which is a brotherly country to Nigeria.

“We hope that due processes would be taken so that this does not happen (again).”

The permanent secretary urged the South African Government to take appropriate actions against those responsible for the attacks.

He urged South Africa to abide by its commitment to international standards of behaviour and cordial relations between both countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on April 2 and 3, some Nigerians were hospitalised in Pretoria, after attacks by organised gangs in South Africa.

Also, 25 shops belonging to Nigerians in Johannesburg and Pretoria were looted by South African gangs.

Contractors handling power distribution projects across the country have only three months from now to deliver or be blacklisted  by the  Federal Government.

Vice President  Namadi Sambo warned yesterday that government would terminate the contract of any firm that fails to complete its project within the stipulated period.

He spoke at a meeting in Abuja with stakeholders and contractors handling the power transmission projects.

He expressed government’s disappointment  at  the inability of the contractors to connect and energize completed 33KVA feeders to inject Substations of Enugu, Jos and Port Harcourt DISCOs.

The government also directed that all  transformers currently lying idle at the warehouses of the distribution companies be distributed  at a fee to be spread over a period of time.

Besides,it  gave approval to the DISCOs to buy some of the assets owned by the former PHCN with payments spread over  15 years.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows  Igali, briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting  said: “ in the next few days, federal government team will be talking with the DISCOs on these transformers with a view to making them available to improve  power across the country.

“Any contractor who fails to deliver the project at the end of  two months will have their names blacklisted from executing  any contract in Nigeria any longer. And this information will be sent to the Bureau of Public Procurement in order to have them in their data bank. So that any time they see those names as potential contractor in the future, they will not be considered.”

Yesterday’s meeting,he said, reviewed the  power supply situation  in the country and “to work out strategies through which government investment through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in terms of various assets at the distribution level could be completed and transferred to the DISCOS at a price, not free of charge”.

The Managing Director of  NDPHC, James Olotu, said that the NDPHC through the NIPP, is handling about 297 distribution projects across Nigeria and that only 57 have been completed while the rest are at various stages of completion.None is less than 60 percent completed.

He said that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), was  at  the meeting  to review its  area of intervention in order  to ensure that the capacities of their transmission adequately meet the need of the DISCOs

He listed the challenges facing power supply to include non-availability  of 33 KVA bays at the 132/33KV substations, inadequate transmission capacity at the TCN substations of the Abuja, Ikeja and Port Harcourt DISCOs.

Others, according to him, include insecurity in the North