The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Capital Territory

  • 22 years after, FG delivers housing project to Bonfrere Jo

    The Federal Government will on Wednesday fulfill it’s long time promise to the former Super Eagles Coach, Bonfrere Jo for winning the Olympics football gold medal in Atlanta 1996.

    The previous administration as at the period promised a befitting housing apartment for the ex-Super Eagles Coach but it remained unfulfilled until now

    Read Also:I miss coaching Nigeria – Bonfrére

    According to the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing, Theodore Ogaziechi, the house which is located in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory is completed and already painted.

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola is to personally hand over the keys to the Coach Wednesday in Abuja.

    Details later…

  • Residents relish flood-control interventions

    With the ravages of 2012 flooding fresh in mind, there is a sense of relief in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the federal government launches erosion and flood control measures. OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN reports

    It may have happened six years ago, but the 2012 flood across the country is alive and well in memory. It took many unawares, washing away homesteads and farmlands. It claimed lives, forced people from their homes, leaving hunger and sorrow in its trail.

    Will there be an end to flooding? The answer is no and this is due to increasing climate change impacts and continuous rising sea level. These are testimonies that affirm that climate change is real and can only be mitigated through adaptation and resilient measures.

    No wonder residents of the Federal Capital Territory largely hit by flooding, gully erosion among environmental challenges could not hold their enthusiasm during the commissioning of erosion control projects funded by the Ecological Fund Office under the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The intervention was at three project sites which cost over N1 billion fully paid for by the Presidency. The projects located in Bwari Area Council and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) costs N650 million, N280 million and N110 million respectively.

    The Vice Chancellor, Veritas University, Prof. Michael Kwanashie was full of appreciation over the Bwari project. He pondered over magnanimity of the government to have interceded in their situation despite being a private university.

    For over four years of the school 10-year existence, creating an access road had been an herculean task due to the huge gully erosion.

    Prior to the intervention, the Varsity community could not access other sections of the institution due to the huge gully erosion. hostel and other building construction was at a halt.

    The VC, who pleaded for more of similar intervention corroborated that for years, the school struggled to erect bigger structures yet persistently hit by severe flood and gully erosion.

    “The University community and our host community will forever be grateful for this intervention. We are happy that the Federal Government considered us despite being a private university, we are able to benefit from government support.”

    Kwanashie was the representative of Conference of Catholic Bishop at the event. He said the intervention made so much impact on the institute’s 220 hectares of land.

    Kwanashie, who is also the VC of Veritas University, expressed satisfactions by the students, management and rural farmers residing in the locality.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha while handing over N750 million erosion control project to Veritas University described the intervention as part of commitments of the present administration to delivering on its various campaign promises.

    He said the country has witnessed tremendous improvement in all spheres compared to the past.

    “The project which is one of the three ecological intervention projects approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2015 was awarded by the Ecological Fund Office Tenders Board on 31st August, 2015.

    “The project is expected to check erosion and flooding menace in the institution.”

    Mustapha added, saying, “The enormous challenges faced by the Veritas University Community as a result of bad roads and gully erosion over the years cannot be overemphasised. The federal government’s intervention has therefore brought a huge relief to the suffering in the university.”

    The SGF reminded the people of President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise that no part of the country will suffer any neglect owing to its geopolitical location or political consideration.

    Describing the project as sincerity of the present administration towards promoting justice, equity and fair play to each geopolitical zone in the country irrespective of the political lining, he advised the community to avoid indiscriminate dropping of refuse into the drainage channels.

    The enormous challenges faced by Veritas university community as a result of bad roads and gully erosion over the years cannot be overemphasized. The federal government intervention has therefore brought a huge relief to the suffering in the university.” He noted.

    At Jikwoyi and Suberu communities in AMAC, residents applauded the federal government for similar interventions describing it as timely and relevant to their survival.

    The SGF commended the contractor Gaffar Worldwide Resources Limited for executing a good job before the delivery date.

    In his remarks, the Project Manager, Michael Chibuzo explained that both projects were delivered in two months despite its six months contractual delivery deadline.

    He lauded the federal government for its confidence on local contractors stressing that such gesture will further create jobs and boost the economy.

    The Permanent Secretary, EFO, Mrs. Habiba Lawal advised the communities to jealously guard the projects.

    “The commissioning and handing over of this laudable project to the befitting institution will no doubt make them take over the ownership of the project to ensure maintenance and sustainability.

    “The resources which the federal government had committed must not be allowed to waste,” she stated.

    Beyond Abuja, similar project was carried out at Ifedayo/Boluwaduro/Ila in Osun and 14 other locations.

    Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the commissioning reiterated Federal Government’s commitment that no project will suffer setbacks owing to its geopolitical location or political consideration.

    The intervention project is also expected to boost social economic wellbeing and development of the people in the erosion prone areas.

    “I have no doubts in my mind that the successful completion would enhance holistic control of soil erosion and flood menace in the communities. This would at the same time reduce dangers to lives and properties associated with erosion and persistent flooding that has been experienced in recent times.”

     

  • Police recover 4,000 prohibited firearms – IGP

    The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday said the police had recovered more than 4,000 prohibited firearms across the country.

    Idris had directed Commissioners of Police of State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory to commence the recovery of prohibited firearms in the country.

    The categories of the prohibited arms include artillery, apparatus for the discharge of any explosives of gas diffusing projectile, rocket weapons, bombs and grenades, machine guns and machine-pistols and military rifles.

    Others are calibers 7.62mm, 9mm, .300 inches, revolvers and pistols whether rifled or unrifled (including flint-lock pistols and cap pistols), pump action gun of all categories and any other lethal weapons fabricated to kill.

    Idris, who announced the recoveries at the monthly meeting with commissioners of police and above, said the exercise  would reduce the level of criminality and violence in the country.

    He commended all assistant inspectors-general of police and commissioners of police of commands for their roles in the recovery of prohibited firearms.

    Also read : Police parade 40 for car snatching, robbery

    On the 2019 general elections, he said that the police had  major roles to play in providing security for hitch-free elections.

    “Every police officer should consider it a duty to the service of this country,” he said.

    The police boss restated the organisation’s commitment to provide adequate security for Nigerians by enforcing the country’s laws.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force said that 100,529 officers had been promoted since Idris’ assumption of office.

    The Spokesman for the force, ACP Jimoh Moshood, disclosed this at the I-G monthly meeting with commissioners of police and above.

    He said that the officer cadre were 4,959 while inspectors and rank and file were 95,570.

  • Court strikes out $2.8m suit against ex-NSITF boss, Olejeme

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has struck out a $2.8m suit filed against an ex-Chairperson of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, by businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, through his company,  Oranto Petroleum Ltd.

    The plaintiff had, in its statement of claim, stated that the money, in addition to another N240 million, formed part of an interest-free loan granted to Mrs. Olejeme by Prince Eze.

    In a ruling, Justice Peter Affen struck out the suit following a notice of discontinuance which was moved by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Nwachukwu Ibegbu.

    Mrs. Olejeme had, in a motion filed in the suit, complained of being subjected to acts of intimidation, harassment and blackmail by security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the alleged instigation by the plaintiff.

    Read Also: NSITF to ensure safe work environment

    She also wrote to the EFCC Chairman on April 16, 2018, complaining about how the plaintiff was allegedly harassing, intimidating and threatening her life over a matter, which he had taken before a court, through his company.

    The letter titled “Re: Case of illegal and unlawful invasion of the home of Dr. Ngozi Olejeme and threats to her life by officers and men of the EFCC, Enugu Zonal office led by one Mustapha Yusuf” chronicled the alleged acts.

    In the said letter written on her behalf by the law firm of Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mrs. Olejeme wondered why the Enugu division of the EFCC allowed itself to be used to harass, threaten and intimidate her on a purely civil matter which resulted from a transaction that took place in Abuja.

  • A bright, new world for 7000 homes

    The upgrade of a power substation in Apo district will extend electricity to 7,000 homes in the Federal Capital Territory, reports OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is home to everyone but not every resident enjoys the glitz and glamour of the seat of federal power. While some live in the swanky parts of town, a lot more are quartered in less-flattering locations where they daily battle with every imaginable social challenge. One of the things they lack is electricity.

    But it won’t be long until the era of darkness rolls away in some 7,000 households in the FCT. An upgrade of a power substation will ensure that those 7,000 homes have power supply. By June they will be relishing what the upscale parts of the territory have been enjoying.

    Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing II, Mr Hassan Zarma this will be possible with the improved power supply through a 60MVAR 132 KV capacitor bank installed at the Apo Power Sub Station, Abuja.

    Zarma disclosed this at the project site in Abuja during an inspection tour of infrastructure projects provided by the Federal Government in the North Central part of the country.

    The minister explained that the capacitor bank would improve credit rate of the country in transforming power supply in quantity and quality.

    According to him, prior to the current administration, the capacitor bank at the Apo substation stood at about 190MW but now increased to 290MW with the intervention of the ministry.

    The minister described the feat as one of the achievements recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government, saying it was a promise kept.

    He restated Federal Government determination to improving power supply in the country.

    In his remarks, Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Usman Muhammed, unveiled that the project was an intervention project executed with supports from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), through mutual cooperation between the Nigerian and Japanese governments to improve electricity supply in the FCT and Nassarawa state.

    Muhammed, who conducted the minister round the facility, said aside the capacitor bank, they are putting up additional 330KVA in the FCT in addition to the existing ones to ensure improved power supply in the territory.

    Muhammed also gave the assurance that the company would complete the capacitor bank project currently ongoing in Keffi, Nassarawa state by June this year to improve power supply in the area.

    The power capacitor banks in Apo and Keffi substations are valued at N1.317 billion Japanese.

  • Banks must repay excess charges with interest – CBN

    Since banks have refused to heed warning against illegal charges, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has resolved that banks that deduct monies illegally from their customer’s account for products and services would be made to refund the money to the customer with interest.

    Mr Fada David, Consumer Complaints Manager, Consumer Protection Department, CBN, made this disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The apex bank’s new stand is coming on heels of sustained complaints from bank customers of excessive charges by their banks for withdrawals from Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

    According to Mr. Fada David, “the Monetary Policy Circular of the CBN gives certain guidelines as to how much should be refunded to customers if excess charges are discovered. Part of the punitive measures is that if excess charges are discovered, they are refunded to consumers with interest,” he said.

    He also encouraged customers to read the CBN’s Guide to Bank Charges circular to know those charges that their banks were allowed to charge and the correct amount.

    According to him, “bank costumers should consult this document to know how much they are expected to pay for services. When you go through it and in a situation where you see charges that you do not understand, you have the right to write your bank and get them to explain what the charges are.”

    He added that “in a situation where it is clear that the customer was charged excessively, the customer should get them to reverse it. You have the right to know how much you are charged from operating your account and make sure that the bank only charges the specified amount,” he said.

    Also, Mr Oludamola Atanda of the Consumer Education Division, Consumer Protection Department, CBN, urged bank customers to demand for their statement of account monthly, this he said will help customers to monitor their accounts closely.

    Atanda noted that bank customers “have the right to demand for the right product and services. The banks cannot force you to go for a specific product or loan facility. You have the right to choose. If they give you a product you do not like, you do not have to take it. Its important for us to understand this.”

    “There is also the issue of right to privacy. My bank should not share my details with just anybody. For instance, a wife cannot come and say she wants details of her husband’s account.

    “Only by court order can an account details by revealed to a third party,” he said.

    Atanda said at times, customers complain about certain bank products because they were not properly informed about the products.

    “If I am taking a product, my bank has the responsibility to educate me on that product.

    “If it is a savings product, a customer should know how it works, how many times to withdraw in a month, how much interest to expect and the minimum deposit on the account.

    “We are saying that you have the right to demand good service. Those are the things we want to let customers know,” he said.

    In recent times across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), bank customers have lamented that they now dreaded making withdrawals using other banks ATMs because of the continued charge of N65 for every transaction.

    The customers complained that most banks within the city centre have rigged their ATMs to dispense only N10,000 or less per transaction, thus ripping off customers withdrawing more than that amount.

    The customers complained that if they had to withdraw N100,000 or more through other banks ATM, it meant they would lose so much money.

    They, however, called on the CBN and other relevant authorities to look into the matter so as to help poor Nigerians.

  • Abuja residents turn vehicles to mobile shops

    Some residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)have turned their vehicles into mobile shops.

    According to our reporter, the trend has become widespread in the Federal Secretariat car park, Area one secretariat, gardens and recreational parks.

    When our reporter visited the FCT Federal Secretariat, which housed some Ministries, Departments and Parastatal Agencies (MDAs), on Monday, various items including clothings, shoes, jewellery, electronics, and phones were on display.

    Others include cooking ingredients such as spices; crayfish, dry fish, as well as drinks, snacks and bread.

    Those who spoke expressed divergent views saying that the cost of renting a shop has become a nightmare in the FCT, while there was also an unhindered access to reaching prospective buyers.

    Malam Isiaka Maiyadi, a textile dealer and a shop owner at the Garki market, said he still preferred mobile shop due to easier accessibility to customers.

    “I sell more goods here than my shop because not everyone likes the stress of going to the market to buy materials.

    “Workers can easily come out from their offices to buy materials and I even link them up with tailors to sew for them,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Inuwa Aminu, a shoe merchant, said lack of patronage in his rented shop, spurred him into converting his car boot into an automobile shop.

    “Even though I am here often, I am not restricted or confined to a particular place as I move around to any gathering; Before, I used to stay in the shop without people coming to buy from me.

    “On Fridays, I usually go to Central Mosque, while some days I go to any gathering with my goods in my car trunk to sell, Aminu said.

    Similarly, Mrs Joy Nwosu, a civil servant said she started selling food items in her car trunk because the cost of renting a shop in Abuja has become a nightmare.

    “I want a business that will generate more money for me in order to add up to my salary not the one that all my money will go into renting of shop.

    “But I don’t have enough capital to place order for large quantity of goods and rent a shop, I decide to start selling in small quantity to my colleagues.

    “So I usually move these food items like crayfish, dry fish, palm oil, and melon around in my car.

    “Sometimes, I will park at the secretariat and my daughter will be selling the goods.’’

    Also, Mrs Bose Adeyemi, who deals in hair products and other accessories, said rather than rent a shop: she preferred to use the money to buy stuff and sell from her car boot.

    Adeyemi however said that there were challenges including arrests by law enforcement agencies, theft by some customers and selling below what shop owners would have demanded.

    “It is still far better because I don’t have to pay for a shop, sales person or utility bills.

    According to her, selling from the vehicle was more convenient for her as it affords her the opportunity to sell her products anytime and anywhere there is a gathering.

    “Most times, I attend occasions uninvited and when I see ladies that look easily approachable, I will walk up to them and market my products.

    “Moreover, I always make contacts at every occasion so that when the need arises, I can respond.’’

    NAN

  • Abuja hawkers plead with govt. to provide affordable shops, loans

    Hawkers in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have pleaded with the government to provide affordable shops and soft loans for their businesses to curb street hawking within the territory.

    Some of these traders, while fielding questions from our reporters on Thursday decried the hazards they encounter while carrying out their trade.

    They said a lot of their colleagues have lost their lives, incured severe injuries, lost properties and were arrested by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other government officials for hawking on highways and streets within the FCT.

    Hassan Inuwa, a cold drink vendor, said providing conducive business environment would go a long way to stop street hawkers, improve the livelihood of traders and the risk involved.

    “ We also don’t like the fact that we put our lives at risk in our quest to sell our products on the road.

    “A lot of our colleagues have lost their lives or sustained injuries while carrying out their trades.

    “ If the government will assist us with low interest loans or shops to sell our things, we will stop running after cars to sell things and stay in our shops,’’ he said.

    Simon Emmanuel, a school dropout, who sells wrist watches and eye glasses said he would continue his trade in spite of the risks involved, several arrests and extortion by government officials.

    “ I have been arrested several times by government officials and they release me after paying some charges, but I will still go back to the street and carry on with my business because it fetches me money, instead of going to steal,’’ he said.

    According to him, assistance from the the government will compel them to leave the streets and all the risks involved, adding that the proceeds from the business enables him support his mother, who is a widow, and other siblings.

    “If the government assist us by providing alternative places or money to rent a place, we will definitely move out of the streets,” he said.

    Mrs Charity Sikiru, a food vendor, along Area 3, said she sells food on the street because she could not afford renting a shop and with this she supports her husband in providing for the family.

    “ We cannot afford to rent a shop and our customers are mostly cab drivers, who ply the road and other hawkers, so it is easier for us to sell on the street, where they can easily access us, while carrying out their businesses as well,’’ she said.

    Similarly, Umar Maiwaka, a Compaq Disc seller, said though he owns a shop in his area at Nyanya, but he prefers to sell on the street when there is gridlock.

    “ I get more patrongage on the street during traffic hold-ups; that is why I usually lock my shop and sell on the street during traffic hours in spite of the risk involved,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the Head of Information, AEPB, Mr Mustapha Ibrahim, said the 1997 Act, Section 35, subsection B establishing the agency, specifies that all types of trading in the FCT requires the authorization of the board.

    According to him, the N5, 000 fine or six months imprisonment for offenders is not stringent enough to serve as deterrent for those found guilty of the offence, as they still return to the trade after being arrested, prosecuted or made to pay fine.

    “ We had warned members of the public against embarking on street hawking because they also endanger the lives of people coming in and out of traffic in their bid to sell their products, but they still return,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim stressed the need for a review of the AEPB ACT to include a more stringent punishment and harsh fine to deter offenders, since the present Act was too soft on offenders.

     

  • Many injured, vehicle smashed as Shiites protest in Abuja

    The members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) popularly known as the Shiitees, were said to have had it rough and bloody in Abuja this morning, when they were said to have insisted that their daily sit out protest at the Unity Fountain must continue.

    The development was after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command had cordoned off the whole area last Friday with crime scene tape banning all manner of protest from taking place.

    It was also gathered that their insistence to regain control of the Unity Fountain and  go ahead with their peaceful protest against the orders of the police,  however,  sparked off violence and riot that got many people injured and vehicles smashed.

    The daily sit out protest of the Shiites had lasted for over two months at the Unity Fountain, and just a week ago, a new dimension was introduced into the protest, where the protesters March in large numbers that obstruct traffic flows, to different restricted places in Abuja to make a case for the release of their leader.

    The Police that had heavily mobilized its officers, Armored Personnel Carriers and security dogs to enforce the ban in the area, while  applying force to disperse the rioting protesters by firing tear gas and using hot water tanks against at them.

    An eye witness, a taxi driver who ran into the cross fire, but escaped death my whisker, said that the protesters were not dissuaded by the tear gas and the hot water that police was using against them.

    He stated that the protesters faced the police, hauling stones and sticks at them, and also smashing vehicles that were around.

    “I didn’t know what was happening, but I before I could realize it, I was already in the midst of the protesters with the passengers I was carrying in my car. I hurried reversed my car and escaped from hurt.

    “The Shiites faced the police with stones and sticks, in fact it was when the soldiers came that they disappeared, and some of them flew with injuries and blood on their bodies”, he noted.

    The protesters had presently been dispersed, but there was heavy presence of Soldiers, Civil Defence Corps, the Police and other plain clothes security agents, who were mounted right from the Federal High Court Junction, to the Nigeria Communication Commission office in Maitaima.

    There were also various signs of violence, with canisters of tear gas, stones and sticks, even smashed car glasses along the roads in these areas.

  • LG pays WAEC fees for 200 indigent students in Enugu

    The Igbo Etiti Local Government Council in Enugu State has paid the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for 200 indigenous students in the area this year.

    The council Chairman, Mr Malachy Agbo, disclosed this in an interview with our reporter on Thursday in Enugu.

    Agbo said the council did not discriminate along political party lines in the payment.

    He said that all students, irrespective of their background, would benefit from the educational provision as a means of making them feel the benevolence of government.

    According to him, the gesture was aimed at carrying everybody along and to make them feel part of the day to day governance of the local government.

    He explained that the council took the roll-calls of all the students in senior secondary three (SS3) classes, who are indigenes of Igbo Etiti.

    “We register them free of charge for the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    “We did not consider whether you are from the less-privileged or not,’’ Agbo said.

    He also promised that the council would provide desks in all the primary schools in the area to encourage reading and learning among pupils.

    Agbo explained that the council was running an inclusive government.

    “The old, the new and the adult have a say in what is happening in the council area.’’

    The chairman said all stakeholders and traditional rulers were also being involved to contribute their quota in projects implementation.

    According to him, this has promoted good governance in all ramifications in the council.

    NAN