The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal government

  • Scores of cattle rustlers, armed bandits flee Zamfara- Buratai

    Scores of cattle rustlers, armed bandits flee Zamfara- Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai in Gusau on Thursday said that intelligence reports indicated that many cattle rustlers and bandits were already fleeing the forest in Gusau.

    Buratai made the disclosure during activities to mark the Army Day celebration in Gusau.

    “We have also got the report that many of the criminals are already on the run in the forest.

    “We understand that they are trying to escape from the ongoing operation but this will not deter us from going on with the operations,” he said.

    He noted that the Army would sustain the offensive against the criminals until all known enclaves in the forest were cleared.

    The Army chief assured the people of the state and residents of the entire North-West that the present efforts would address the security challenge in the region.

    On his part, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari said local vigilantes and members of some border communities in the state had reported seeing some of the criminals escaping from the Dansadau forest.

    He said some of the bandits had informed the communities that they were fleeing their enclaves in the forest with plans to return in the future.

    Yari said there was need for the military to establish a unit near the troubled communities to forestall a re-occurrence of the attacks on communities by the criminals.

    “We have received reports from our people in the border towns and villages about the mass movement of the criminals.

    “Many of them are reported to have escaped to villages across the border outside Nigeria for fear of the Army.

    “Our worry is that they may return after the soldiers leave, they indeed wrote to the communities that they were leaving to return after the military operation.

    “The solution, therefore, is for the Federal Government to establish an Army unit in the state to deter these criminals from returning,” he said.

    He commended the efforts put on ground so far to address the menace of cattle rustling and armed banditry.

    Yari said the state had lost so much to the activities of both rustlers and armed bandits in the state.

    Scores of bandits and cattle rustlers have been arrested by the Army in recent operations in the North-West while thousands of cattle have also been recovered in different operations by security agencies in the region.

     

  • TUC in Oyo decries workers’ condition, threatens mass action

    TUC in Oyo decries workers’ condition, threatens mass action

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State has decried the living condition of workers in the state, vowing to embark on mass action if the situation persisted.

    The TUC Chairman, Mr Emelieze Andrew, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday that urgent steps must be taken by states and the Federal Government to tackle the development.

    He also said TUC would embark on a mass protest at the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum it issued on Monday.

    Lamenting that the economic challenges were biting hard on Nigerian workers, Andrew advised governors finding it difficult to pay salaries to rise up to the challenge or consider resignation.

    He recalled that Monday’s protest in Ibadan was against the backlog of arrears of promotion entitlement, gratuities and pension owed Federal Government workers.

    “The economy is bad to the extent that a litre of kerosene is now N200 and people are no longer finding it easy to cope with life.

    “This is the reason why we are pleading with President Muhammadu Buhari to work hard to restore the economy back to the path of growth.

    “We also appeal to governors, who are unable to pay workers’ salaries, to seek assistance from the Federal Government or evolve other strategies, ’’ he said.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress in the state had declared an indefinite strike over the non-payment of salaries and government’s education policy aimed at promoting private participation in the management of schools.

    The NLC is also seeking the withdrawal of the criminal suit instituted against some labour leaders over alleged destruction of public property in Ibadan.

  • Dialogue Way Out Of Niger Delta Crises- Ex-Deputy Gov

    Dialogue Way Out Of Niger Delta Crises- Ex-Deputy Gov

    Worried by the resumption of bombings of oil pipelines by militants in the Niger Delta, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, has warned against using strong-arms tactic to quell the problem.

    Militants’ groups in the region have resorted to blowing up oil and gas infrastructure in the region since former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 Presidential poll in a protest that has cut oil output from 2.2 million barrel per day to a staggering 1.5 million.

    The agitators, who are demanding for greater share of resources from the zone, have warned oil companies operating in the region to leave or be killed in a renewed campaign to draw Federal Government’s attention to series of environmental disasters plaguing the region.

    But Ekpenyong, though described the agitation as legitimate, has faulted the militants approach, warning that: “there is no amount of militancy that will help the Niger Delta.”

    Speaking in an interview in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the former Deputy Governor traced the history of arms struggle in the region to the 60s when the late Adaka Boro was at the forefront, noting that such confrontational postures only worked antithetically to undermine the development of the Niger Delta.

    While urging the militants to sheathe their swords, Ekpenyong advised President Muhammadu Buhari to convoke a parley where genuine stakeholders of the region will interface with the Federal Government team to resolve the problem.

    He noted that as the Buhari-led administration has set the tone towards the implementation of UNEP report on Ogoni clean up, it was unnecessary for the militants to further degrade by polluting farmlands and waters that would add to the problems of the long-suffering people of Niger Delta.

    He charged the Federal Government to work towards addressing the genuine concerns of minorities in the polity, recalling that the Willink Constitution of 1958 had provided for the minorities to be given a sense of belonging in the Federation.

    “Niger Delta should be given a fair share of what it is producing”, Ekpenyong stressed, lamenting that the management of oil resources in region must be equitably distributed and Niger Deltans allowed greater participation for greater benefits to the region.

    Besides, Ekpeneyong, who has joined the growing calls for the restructuring of the Federation, advocated for each States to have greater control of their resources, noting that the Federal Government’s overbearing influence on components States was partly responsible for the ongoing geopolitical wars in the country.

    According to him, dousing the current tension in the region through genuine dialogue would detract the President from his pre-election promises to Nigerians and also force public opinion against him -if he wishes to re-contest in 2019.

    He charged the Federal Government to work towards a new paradigm shift by diversifying the economy from oil to agriculture and solid minerals, pointing that such change in focus would reduce attraction from oil, while creating jobs and wealth for the people in other sectors of the economy.

  • FG reaffirms commitment to revive textile industry

    FG reaffirms commitment to revive textile industry

    The Federal Government on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to revive the lost glory of the country’s Cotton, Textile and Garment industry for sustainable economic development.

    Mrs. Aisha Abubakar, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment said this at the Textile and Garment Manufacturing Conference organised by Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) 2016 in Lagos.

    Abubakar said that the government was passionate about promoting growth in the industry and across its value chain.

    The minister said that the government would continue to create an enabling environment to promote the ease of doing business and active participation of the private sector to boost production.

    According to her, SMEDAN and BOI have been repositioned to implement NEDEP goals to boost SME development in the country.

    She stressed that government initiatives toward stimulating growth in the industry included tax incentives, harmonised tax, infrastructural development and financing.

    Abubakar said that the government was looking at creating production hub for Cotton industry and Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector.

    She said: “Nurtured MSMEs can contribute to GDP, job creation and wealth for the citizens.
    “We urge all stakeholders to contribute to economic growth by giving their best so that we can have a Nigeria that we can all be proud of.”

    Mr. Abiodun Akinkunmi, the Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State said that textile and garment industry had a strategic role to play in economic development.

    He said, “Africa is behind in terms of industrialisation because it has become over supplied with garments from China and used clothes from Europe and U.S. sold at give-away prices.’’
    “The low prices rather than boost the African market kills our cultural heritage. Our love for foreign clothes is destroying our economy.”

    He urged local manufacturers to improve the standards and quality of their products in order to discourage the dumping of foreign textiles and garments in the country.

    Akinkunmi also urged manufacturers to encourage the use of local materials like adire, aso oke, animal skin, ankara as major designs that must not go into extinct in order to boost the country’s GDP.

    He urged the Federal Government to exploit opportunities inherent in the African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) to boost the revenue of the non-oil sector.

    Prince Dapo Adelegan, the President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) said that increased investment was key to developing the textile and garment industry.

    Mr Joseph Babatunde, the Head, Large Enterprises, Bank of Industry, said that the BOI believed in the potential of the African textile industry hence it floated the N1 billion fashion industry fund.

    He urged fashion entrepreneurs to exploit the opportunity of the finance to promote the growth of the industry.

    “We need effective utilisation of the fund so that we can make the industry better.
    “Sam and Sara, United Textile Ltd. (UNTL) are some of the projects that the bank has supported and they are performing well in the industry,” Babatunde said.

    He urged the Federal Government to evolve more strategies that would expand and promote the textile industry.

  •  Earth tremor: National disaster looms in Nigeria if….AWDROP warns

    Nigeria may witness earthquake and sea intrusion in different part of the country if the state government does not partner with relevant agencies to curb indiscriminate drilling and drill borehole in line with code of practice.

    The National President, Association of Water-well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Michael Ale gave this warning in a communique issued in Ibadan on Monday.

    He noted that the earth tremor which occurred in Saki was as a result of illegal drilling, warning that if the issue is not well managed it may eventually lead to natural disaster such as earthquake.

    “AWDROP has observed indiscriminate drilling practice persistence in all nooks and crannies of the country and the industry is being turned into an all comers affairs. AWDROP is set to enforce the power vested on the it by the National Council of Water Resources to partner with state government on the rejuvenation and revitalisation of abandoned borehole and the application and enforcement of code of practice on borehole drilling among drilling practitioners.

    “AWDROP hereby direct all its state chapters to partner with their respective state government to ensure the implementation of Code of Practice in borehole drilling, using best subjected practice judgment. Indication is that all Borehole Drilling Contractors must be registered by States Agencies in their respective state, pay their registration fees and obtain a drilling permit before any drilling operation. Borehole projects are to be strictly supervised by a Comeg registered Geologist or Hydro geologist” Ale said

    He observed that the activities of the Federal Government, Non Governmental Organisation, development partners and the private sector in the industry is strained, because of lack of proper coordination of activities by the Ministry of Water resources.

    According to the AWDROP boss, many borehole projects do not last more than a year after commissioning because they are not designed to meet with the current standards and adaptive nature of the needs of the beneficiary community.

    Ale urged the federal ministry of water resources to shop for qualified companies that meet up the professional standard of bidding, especially human capacity, equipment and experience so as to record success in this year project execution with the ministry.

    He noted that the association is aware of the water intrusion along the land ocean boundaries in shorelines areas like Lagos, Porthacourt, Warri, Bayelsa, and Cross river, adding that AWDROP is ready to assist the government to manage expenditure on the provision of portable drinking water in those States.

  • FG declares nutritional emergency in Borno

    FG declares nutritional emergency in Borno

    The Federal Government has declared nutritional emergency in Borno state to save lives.

    It was reported that about 80 children die daily as a result of malnutrition.

    Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole announced the declaration Monday morning at the inaugural Board meeting of the Governing Board of the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Disease Control in Abuja.

    He also directed the country’s coordinator, Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi to dispatch a team to Borno state to help tackle the situation.

  • Military pensioners set for nationwide protest

    Military pensioners set for nationwide protest

    ‎Military pensioners have concluded a showdown with the Federal Government for the latter’s failure to meet its pension obligation to them.

    The military  pensioners are come with a nationwide protest that would climax  on Wednesday July 13, 2016, at Aso Rock gate, Abuja, by 0900 hrs.

    The cordinator of the protest, Col. Azubuike Nass (rtd) told The Nation in an interview : “We continue to demand our pension rights. We have paid our dues in patriotic service to this nation. We deserve our pension rights when we are alive, not when we are dead.

    “This nation (Nigeria) is not too poor to pay our constitutional pension rights. We can not be intimidated into silence on this matter.

    “We (military pensioners) are yet to see any clear sign of being paid part of our owed arrears. Available info (discreet and open sources) indicated parts of the arrears were collated by government  in September 2015 and included in Budget 2016 draft. 33% arrears which is Government -accepted and computed sum, with official  circular to relevant Federal government offices that deal with pension issues, was understood to be in the Budget.”

    Nass further queried : “Was our arrears a victim of bureaucratic falsification and mutilation that occured in Budget 2016?  Was it cut down or expunged by NASS in its ‘scrutinisation’?  Or is it covered in a different sub-head yet to be clarified?”

    The military pensioners were sceptical that  “Mr President is most likely unaware of the true situation”, adding “We need to do something to bring the issue to Mr President’s attention.”

    Insisting that 53% pay increase for pensioners was duly approved by Federal  Government in 2010, following similar public service pay increase of 2009, and in accordance with the provisions of Sect 173 of Constitution. They regretted that  government  resisted to pay it for years.

    Nass said : “While yet unpaid, government  in 2013 slashed off 20% as tax (remaining 33%). It was clearly illegal to tax pension. With much protest pressure, government  in January  2015 started paying it in bits spread over 3 yrs, as if to allow us slowly die off. We objected to it.

    “We suspended protest to allow the new government budget for payment of the balance in 2016. Budget 2016 turns out to be same token bits spread for 2 yrs. This is not acceptable. 33% is the smaller part of our unpaid pension rights. Harmonizing our pay rate with those of serving colleagues in line with 2011 Minimum Wage, is still dragging. Military pensioners will be set to resume protests at the Presidency to demand payment of balance of 33% this year 2016. We get set for series of protests.”

  • Avengers: Ijaw youths accuse military of violating ceasefire 

    Avengers: Ijaw youths accuse military of violating ceasefire 

    Lament military invasion of Gbaramatu communities

    The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, yesterday, accused the military of violating a ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    The IYC in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, said it was wrong for the military to invade some communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, at a time the government was planning to hold discussions with the Niger Delta region.

    Omare said the sudden presence of the military in the communities had raised doubts over the sincerity of the government to initiate peace in the region through dialogue.

    “The Federal Government cannot in one breath declare ceasefire and at the same time forcefully invade Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State allegedly looking for militants”, he said.

    He said in the early hours of Wednesday, the military stormed Tebujor community, a clan in Gbaramatu shooting sporadically into the air.

    He said the military operatives apprehended six youths from the community over allegations of pipeline vandalism.

    He identified the arrested youths as Eddy Ikpidi, Tekena Uka, Dboy Oboko, Jamaica Oboko, Coasta Kelly Tortor and Atani Yawuru.

    But Omare said: “While we do not support sabotage of oil facilities considering the negative effects on our environment, the IYC seriously frowns and condemns the continuous invasion and harassments of Ijaw communities and innocent people by the military under the guise of looking for pipeline vandals.

    “The military has no reason to embark on continuous invasion of Ijaw communities and arrest our people in the name of looking for Avengers or pipeline vandals. Our communities and people are peaceful and law abiding people.

    “The continuous invasion of Ijaw communities is a demonstration of lack of sincerity on the part of the federal government to genuinely dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta region to address the renewed militancy and issues affecting the region”.

    He noted that no meaningful dialogue could take place without sincerity of purpose and confidence in the process by the people of the region.

    “Events of the last few days are fast eroding our confidence. We call on the military to carry out deep intelligence gathering and stop the unlawful arrest and invasion of Ijaw communities. The arrested youths of Tebujor community, Gbaramatu Clan, Delta State should be released”, he said.

     

  • FG dissolves management of Niger Delta PHC

    The Federal Government has announced the dissolution of the Executive Management of Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria Limited.

    Notice of the dissolution is contained in a statement issued by Mr Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja on Friday.

    He then directed the Managing Director of the company, Mr James Olotu, to handover immediately to Mr Chiedu Ugbo, who had been appointed as acting Managing Director of the company.

    According to the SGF, all Executive Directors of the company and the General Manager, Audit, are to handover immediately to the most senior officers in their respective departments.

    He stated that the Federal Government appreciated the services of the disengaged officers during their tenure.

  • FG to train, engage 100 Niger Delta youths

    FG to train, engage 100 Niger Delta youths

    The Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs and Youths and Sports, in partnership with St. Georges UK, are sending 100 Niger Delta youths to European countries for a programme tagged `Train and Engage.’

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Usani Usani, made the disclosure during interview with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to him, the ministry is set to address the major problems confronting the region.

    “No fewer than 100 Niger Delta youths will be sent abroad for training as we have entered training agreements with various European institutions, including United Kingdom, for that purpose.’’

    The Minister added that the trainees would be readily absorbed and constructively engaged upon completion of their studies abroad.

    Usani said that the local content office of the Africa House in UK had entered into collaboration with the ministry to train the youths on NV Q Model Design.

    “NV Q Model Design is to train the youths in oil and gas industry need basis and youths from the Niger Delta will be given that special training”, he said.

    The minister, therefore, called on the restive youths of the region to put an end to destruction of national assets and embrace peace, adding “we can together achieve much in peace than in war.”

    The Federal Government is already in discussion with relevant stakeholders from the region on how to stop vandalism of oil pipes and other infrastructure in the region.