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Tag: Gbemisola Saraki

  • Amaechi, Saraki interact with maritime stakeholders

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday said that the Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki would personally be in charge of all maritime agencies.

    Amaechi made this known in Lagos at the 3rd Maritime Stakeholders’ Interactive Forum he hosted along with Saraki.

    He said that while Saraki was taking care of the maritime agencies, he would be focusing on the railway sector.

    Amaechi decried the delay in the take-off of the 195 million dollars maritime security contract awarded to an Israeli firm, HSLI.

    He said that the contractor had been coming up with excuses for the delay.

    `This is not good enough because we are losing man hours, human beings and business to insecurity on our waters,” he said.

    On the railways,  Amaechi said that government had approved 5.3 billion dollars for the construction of rail from Ibadan to Kano and was working towards connecting the rail to the sea port between December and January next year.

    He also said that there would be a collaboration between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to achieve efficiency, while more vessels would be bought.

    On security, he said that they would be working with the army, navy and other security agencies.

    He said that 10 per cent of issues on the waterways had to do with recklessness.

    The minister noted that in 2016, the President gave approval for single window, as Nigeria was the only country in West Africa without one.

    Amaechi said that before the end of 2020, the country would get a single window.

    He said it was a facility that allowed parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.

    Saraki, on her part, promised to work on issues associated with cadets having sea-time in Nigeria.

    According to her, having chaired the Senate Committee on Marine Transport for four years, she has .an idea of what to do, but will take her time because of new issues like insecurity.

    “We are going to look at the issues of cadets not getting sea-time. We are also going to look at the issues of ship registry and cargo tracking note.

    “We want to know how many jobs the maritime sector will create,” she said.

    Read Also: Amaechi, Abe renew face-off over Rivers APC congresses

    Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Hassan Bello said that by the  end of  October,  35 per cent of the costs in the sector would be reduced.

    He appealed to the Seaport Terminal Operators of Nigeria (STOAN) to also come on board to make the sector more competitive.

    “We are actually competing with the cost and demurrage, and 35 per cent of the cost will be removed by next month, that is with the shipping lines,” he said.

    According to him, there is the need to make the ports attractive, and government needs to improve on the infrastructure, while the private sector also play their part.

    He lauded the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for creating a truck transit park which  had reduced the freight rate in the sector.

    He said that in Apapa for instance, with the intervention of NPA by creating the truck park, things are a little bit easier now.

    “Before, truck from Apapa to Lagos was about N800, 000, but now it is a bit cheaper,” he said.

    Some stakeholders at the event requested for an intergrated transport system to help unlock the maritime potential in Nigeria.

    According to them, the manufacturing sector is dependant on maritime transportation and presently, majority of cargo destined for Nigeria go to other countries port.

    “If the country is regarded as the port of choice in discharging cargo, it will create opportunities for the maritime industry, for there will be more work.

    “Cost is driving shippers out of the ports, government need to create conducive automophere, sustain the reduced cost of the port, monitor excesses of government agencies especially with their charges.

    They also called for gender mainstreaming —  as a policy in the ministry and parastatals — where women would be given equal opportunities as regard projects, as their male counterparts in the industry.

    NAN

  • Fashola gets Works as Ngige, Amaechi, Lai retain portfolios

    FORMER Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola is minister of works and housing as President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated his second term cabinet.

    The ministry of power which he supervised was carved out and assigned to Sale Mamman as minister and Goddy Jedi-Agba as minister of state.

    Dr. Chris Ngige (Labour & Employment), Geofrey Onyeama (Foreign), Chibuike Amaechi (Transportation), Lai Mohammaed (Information), Hadi Sirika (Aviation) Adamu Adamu (Education) and Zainab Ahmed (Finance) retained their portfolios. The Finance minister got an added assignment of running Budget and Planning.

    Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola got the ministry of Interior while Mr. Sunday Dare is the minister of youths and sports.

    The southwest zone also holds the ministries of mines and steel headed by Mr Olamilekan Adegbite and Labour (State) Senator Tayo Alasoadura.

    The second Kwara state representative in the cabinet, Gbemisola Saraki, is minister of Transportation (State).

    The ministers unfolded their plans  after President Buhari constituted his second term cabinet

    Forty three ministers including seven women were inaugurated and assigned portfolios.

    Many of the ministers were at their ministries after taking the oath of office.

    Dr. Ngige, promised to clear the cloud over the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

    He said: “We have so many outstanding issues to be addressed, some of them urgently too. As we speak, SSANU, NASU are on strike and the university system is not bubbling, but going comatose. So, we have to address that issue urgently.

    Read Also: Be relentless, Buhari tells ministers

    “We also have the issue of minimum wage consequential adjustment. My Permanent Secretary is handling it and they have made some progress. By tomorrow (today), we will get the hand over note from him and myself and the Minister of State will study it and know how to key in.”

    Aregbesola pledged to work with the staffers and Service Chiefs to ensure internal security of the country.

    He noted that the issues of insecurity, economic development and the fight against corruption remained the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Aregbesola said security would be given the highest focus, adding that he would support the staffers to be more efficient in their duties.

    The minister expressed happiness for the rousing welcome from the staffers, saying “they gave me the best African welcome ever”.

    Minister for Police Affairs Mohammed Dingyadi pledged to work with staffers to fight insurgency and other forms of instability in the country.

    He promised to work in line with the cardinal objectives of the Buhari administration.

    He expressed optimism that the ministry would give priority to fighting insurgency in the Northeast and other parts of the country, noting that nothing positive could be achieved without peace.

    Inspector General of Police Muhammed Adamu expressed joy for having the Police Affairs ministry re-introduced by President Buhari.

    “It is a great joy for me that the Police has its own ministry out of the ministry of Interior. We are very happy today,” he said.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Mr Olamilekan Adegbite promised to lift Nigerians out of poverty by developing the nation’s endowed natural resources.

    “I intend to learn the robes quickly with the Minister of State, so that we can contribute our quota to the development of the country, especially with regards to lifting people out of poverty.

    “Mr President has promised to lift 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years, at the end of tenure of this administration which is four years. We want to at least achieve 40 per cent of that,’’ he said, adding: “I intend to learn quickly from all of you. I have been following the progress of Dr Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past minister of this ministry who did a lot of work.

    Adegbite expressed optimism that the administration would achieve a lot at delivering the dividends of democracy.

    The minister said he would stamp out corruption in the sector in line with the agenda of the Buhari administration.

    He said: “Corruption fight begins with all of us, if we can be disciplined in the little things we do in our privacy, it will be easier to fight corruption in the country.

    Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, the Minister of State for the ministry said: “We will all work as a team to take this ministry to an enviable position.’’

    Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, promised to work with aviation unions to advance the sector and position it to meet emerging challenges. .

    The minister commended the unions and staff for welcoming him warmly into office, declaring their support and solidarity as “amazing”.

    “I promise that there will be good understanding between you and me to drive the activities of our industry towards enhancing national development.

    “I will do everything possible to make the ministry grow up.

    “This task, I think, is for you as well; not for me alone. It is for all of us.

    “We will continue to hold stakeholders’ meetings with the unions, staff and the management.

    “We will make what you are doing better. The roadmap is there; we will make things better including your welfare,” Sirika said.

    According to him, Nigeria will work together with other countries to promote the aviation sector globally, pointing out that the sector contributes much to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any country.

    He also said that efforts would be made to improve safety and security in the sector.

    Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) advised the staff of the ministry to consider how they could reduce cost and  wastages.

    The minister said he expected all departments, agencies and parastatals under the ministry to evolve ways of cutting costs during project  implementations.

    The minister said the measure would assist the government to ensure utmost prudence in handling projects.

    Fashola also advised the staff to always ensure thoroughness while preparing the ministry’s annual budget to boost efficiency.

    “For this reason, members of staff will need to make their travelling   and going on annual  leave falling within  October and November very flexible to ensure successful budgeting,” he said.

    Minister of State, Abubakar  Aliyu, said  he had a long working relationship with Fashola, adding: “ I pledge to work harmoniously with him and the staff of the ministry.”

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio pledged his commitment to ensure effective development of the Niger Delta region, especially  infrastructure.

    “I love leaving marks wherever I visit, it is a great privilege on our part being selected to work with you, to see how we can turn around the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

    “Of course you know why this ministry was set up, specifically that region would have been like a golden egg but has been neglected for long.

    “If not because we’re just coming for the first time, I would have asked for your achievements so far,  especially in the areas of construction of bridges,  employment and others.

    “Being a Niger Delta person, I will ensure that things are better for further and effective development of the region.”

     

     

     

     

  • Saraki running Otuoke varsity without due process, say workers

    Saraki running Otuoke varsity without due process, say workers

    Workers in the Federal University, Otuoke, (FUO), Bayelsa State, have accused the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council, Gbemisola Saraki of running the university like a personal business without due process.

    The workers under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the university, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) faulted Saraki’s leadership style.

    They alleged that Saraki failed to receive a report of a properly-constituted Committee on Staff Verification established to look into the issues of staff welfare, promotions and salary disparity.

    The committee, which was also mandated to verify tax remittances, pension remission, statutory allowances, confirmation of appointment, was said to have submitted its report to the Governing Council.

    According to the workers instead of Saraki to work on the report of the committee, she abandoned it and unilaterally set up a separate Ad-Hoc Committee to consider staff welfare and complaints.

    Saraki’s ad-hoc committee was also asked to probe the protest that occurred in the institution on May 23, 2017.

    The workers in a communique issued last weekend after the end of their emergency meeting held at the ASUU Secretariat Complex of the university, rejected the new ad-hoc committee.

    They insisted on knowing the outcome of the first committee.

    The document was signed by Chairman, ASUU, Dr. Joseph Omoro; Chairman, SSANU, Kalizibe Joseph; Chairman, NAAT, Ama Uduma and Chairman, NASU, Bestman Egba.

    They further said that the pro-chancellor was conducting the meeting of the institution’s governing council in Abuja instead of FUO.

    They threatened to shut down the university if after 21 days ultimatum, with effect from Friday, June 23, 2017, the council failed to address all the issues raised in the communique.

    The communique said: ”Members of the unions demand the immediate release and implementation of the verification report. In this way, staff complaints, staff issues and staff welfare will be resolved and subsequent fallouts can then be addressed.

    ”We, therefore, wish to state that the constitution of another Governing Council Ad-Hoc Committee on staff complaints, staff issues and staff welfare is completely unacceptable and is, therefore, rejected.

    ”That the failure to release and implement the original reports on staff verification undermines the integrity of the council and breaches the trust between council and unions.

    ”We forbid any member of the four unions from participating in the activities of the Ad-hoc committee either as a member or as a respondent.

    ”The Pro-Chancellor should be reminded that the council is constituted on the basis of representation to include internal and external members of the university community, hence the decision of the council should be collective.”

    The workers argued that the establishment of the ad-hoc committee was deliberately conceived and designed to create industrial unrest in the university.

    They accused Saraki of making herself a ”demigod” and failing to move the university forward through collaborations and interactions and with stakeholders.

    The workers appealed to the council to carry out an assessment tour and audit of all projects in the university from 2011 to date.

    They lamented that the audit was necessary because of the number of abandoned projects in the institution, which had become a source of worry and concern to them.

    They also demanded the immediate constitution of the Central Appraisal and Promotions Committee (CAPC) to conclude all outstanding promotions, upgrades and proper placement of both teaching and non-teaching staff of the university.

  • Gbemisola Saraki seeks governorship ticket

    Gbemisola Saraki seeks governorship ticket

    The 2011 governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) in Kwara State, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, has signified her interest to take a shot at the seat again.

    But this time around, the senator, who is Senator Bukola Saraki’s younger sister, is seeking the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) ticket.

    In her letter of intent to the state PDP chairman, Ms Saraki said: “I have the pleasure to inform you that after several months of statewide consultations, I have resolved to contest for the position of the Governor of Kwara State on the platform of our great party, the PDP, in the 2015 general elections.

    “This decision is informed, on one hand, by calls by my family, friends and several thousands of members of our party, who are convinced about my capacity to lead the state out of its present hopelessness and stagnation, which the ruling party has deliberately thrown it into.

    “On the other hand, it is informed by the positive reactions received so far from majority of elders and stakeholders of our party, and other members of the public during my statewide consultations.

    “Thus, in obedience to their clarion calls, and a personal conviction that Kwara State can be better governed, I have decided to offer myself to the service of the people.

    “As an aspirant, I am under no illusion that the stakes are high, but I also know that we face an electorate that has been exhausted by broken promises, bad governance, collapsed infrastructure, an ailing economy, and a host of other problems that seem to defy solutions. But with God on our side, and the unalloyed support of our party, I believe I would bring my experience and connection to bear to salvage our dear state from the brink of collapse.

    “I assure you that I am committed to free, fair and transparent primary among my co-aspirants in the PDP. I must, however, be quick to commend the thoughtful decision of our party to exempt all female aspirants from the payment of the mandatory Minimum Contribution Levy, among other concessions granted the womenfolk by the PDP.

    “This is no doubt of the commitment of our party to the participation of women in politics in Kwara State and Nigeria at large. Nonetheless, it goes without saying that I have indeed contributed to the party beyond the minimum contribution levy of N500,000 that other governorship aspirants have had to pay.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Kwara PDP factions reconcile

    Kwara PDP factions reconcile

    The two warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State have settled their differences.
    The party had been polarised into Freedom and Unity groups before and after the state congress three weeks ago. Federal Character Commission Chair Prof Abdulraheem Oba led the freedom group; Senator Gbemisola Saraki led the other group.
    The freedom group protested the results of the congress, alleging irregularities.
    A statement yesterday by the freedom group’s spokesperson, Tajudeen Kareem, said: “At a reconciliation meeting held in Abuja between the Chairman, Iyiola Oyedepo and the groups’ leaders, everyone resolved to bury their grievances and work together.
    “The meeting examined the lapses in the conduct of the congress and reviewed the roles played by elders and officials. It was resolved that party members should support the new executive members to build a durable party structure.
    “Oyedepo denied that he was sponsored by some vested interests. He said his candidature received the support of opinion leaders and political heavyweights in the state. He also promised to run a transparent, democratic and an inclusive administration.”

  • Seven PDP governorship aspirants seek to influence Kwara exco

    Seven governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are seeking to influence the composition of the new executive members in Kwara State, it was learnt yesterday.

    They are: Prof. Oba Abdulraheem, Deacon John Dara, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Mohammed Dele Belgore, Senator Simeon Ajibola, Senator Suleiman Ajadi and Mallam Isa Bio Ibrahim.

    Leading this category is oil magnate, Hajia Muina Shagaya, who has reportedly committed huge funds to the party since a caretaker executive committee was assembled for it about three months ago.

    It was learnt that the aspirants yesterday perfected the strategies to install their loyalists in key party offices, especially as the party’s chairman and secretary.

    A source close to the state PDP said: “The Kwara State branch of PDP will elect a new executive committee on Tuesday (today) amid intense jostling for the soul of the party. Several meetings were held in Ilorin, the state capital, yesterday (Sunday) to review the list of candidates and assess their chances in today’s contest which has pitched old members of the party against those who defected from other parties, especially from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC)…

    “A few other political gladiators are also working behind the scene to determine the outcome of the congress, some to ensure that the party is not hijacked by those likely to create a hurdle for the aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Although key political leaders have met severally to harmonise their interests, there is a tough battle to avoid direct confrontation and possibly elect candidates through a consensus. If this option sails through, a former Acting National Publicity Secretary and member of the Goodluck-Sambo Presidential Campaign Council, Bode Ojomu, may emerge the state chairman. “

     

    “Former Kiama Local Government Area Chairman Musa Inuwa Kallah is tipped to be deputy chairman, while former General Manager, Kwara Environmental Protection Agency,Dr. Abdulsalam Salam, may be elected as state party secretary.

    “Others on the consensus list include one-time General Manager of Kwara Television, Mallam Tajudeen Abdulkareem, as state Publicity Secretary and Barrister Sharafadeen Ibrahim, for the post of state Organising Secretary.

    “The national secretariat of the party has dispatched a five-member electoral panel led by Senator Barnabas Gemade to the state to ensure a credible and transparent congress.”

    The source added that the PDP members in the state are determined to elect a strong executive committee with a chairman who will be fair to all and run the affairs of the party credibly.

     

  • Ripples over PDP membership registration in Kwara

    Ripples over PDP membership registration in Kwara

    There was confusion yesterday over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) membership registration billed to have started last weekend in Kwara State.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) described the non-commencement of the exercise as a sign of the party’s unpopularity in the state. The PDP insisted that the exercise had begun as scheduled.

    APC spokesperson Sulyman Buhari said: “We welcome the decision of the PDP to conduct its membership registration. However, we view the continued postponement of the registration by the PDP as a sign of rejection by the people.

    “This is a clear indication that Kwarans have forged ahead with the APC after the mass abandonment of the PDP. Why has the PDP postponed its membership registration four times?

    “The truth is that each time it attempts to conduct it – it is met with stiff opposition from the people who now have better understanding of the PDP and its ill-conceived slogan.

    “The politics of rented crowd has failed the PDP. Where are the rented PDP members who attended its last rally? Will they be mobilised back to the state to make the membership registration a success since the people have rejected the sinking PDP?

    “A party that cannot successfully register its few members cannot be entrusted with the management of Kwara State.

    “Even, with its target of 200,000 which is just 53.5 per cent of our membership strength, the PDP has failed to record any success.

    “When we registred our members, it was like a carnival. The youths participated, the aged were involved, the elders registered, market women, artisans, drivers and all classes of the society were involved.

    “We appeal to our members and supporters not to be distracted by the deceitful propaganda of the out-of-favour PDP. The administration of Governor Ahmed Abdulfatai and the APC will continue to make Kwarans the focus of policies and programmes.”

    But the PDP’s spokeswoman Mariam AlHassan debunked the claims, adding that she had been on air to repeatedly inform members that the registration was still ongoing.

    A source said the exercise was not cancelled, adding that some notable party leaders were expected in the state to witness the exercise.

    The source said: “I can confirm to you that John Dara is on his way and Gbemisola Saraki is also on her way for the exercise.”