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Tag: GOVT

  • Ogun govt cautions youths against drug abuse

    Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, has described as worrisome the increasing rate of drug abuse among youths.

    He said it was responsible for most social vices among youths.

    Ipaye, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in Ogun State Health Management Board, Dr. Ayinde Adesanya, spoke at this year’s United Nations (UN) Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with the theme: Listen First, jointly organised by the state government and the state’s command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The commissioner listed the social ills associated with drug abuse, saying parents and other stakeholders should interact with youths to inculcate the right attitudes and morals into them to check the trend.

    He said the state government’s Committee on Control of Drug Abuse would increase its campaign against the menace as well as other ills, including child trafficking.

    Ipaye said: “In the effort to rid our schools of hard drugs, the State Drug Abuse Control Committee has successfully established drug-free clubs in 20 secondary schools across the state.”

    The state’s NDLEA Commandant Bala Fagge said drug abuse had assumed non-conventional means.

    He said addicts had resorted to taking overdose of cough syrup and other dangerous substances to get high.

    The NDLEA officer added that it was imperative to vigorously pursue public enlightenment and prevention campaigns on drug abuse.

  • Govt privatises 142 firms, says Osinbajo

    Govt privatises 142 firms, says Osinbajo

    The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has since inception successfully concluded the privatisation and reform of over 142 public enterprises, the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

    Osinbajo, who spoke at the inauguration of the Fifth Council of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP),  said the event is a critical step in the process of putting in place part of the institutional framework necessary for the actualisation of the socio-economic agenda of the administration.

    In a statement yesterday by the Head,  Public Communications, BPE, Chukwuma Nwoko, Osinbajo said the inauguration is a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to public sector reform and the central role of the NCP in this process.

    He said even though the public sector has been at the centre stage in the provision of critical infrastructure and services cutting across the whole spectrum of the nation’s life since independence, “the emerging importance and centrality of the private sector to the actualisation of the economic agenda of the administration cannot be downplayed.”

    He said apart from playing a dominant role of generating employment opportunities, the intervention of the private sector enhances the process of industrialisation, delivers critical infrastructure and services the country, pointing out that the role can only be played when government’s duty of regulating and creating an enabling environment is undertaken.

    In his words:  “This will in turn offer the private sector the required comfort and assurance to make investments and expect a reasonable return  thereon,” pledging the administration’s commitment to giving all the required support to the NCP in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.

    He said the expectation of government is that the NCP will come up with creative out-of-the box solutions for addressing the numerous challenges facing the privatisation and commercialisation programme such as the non-performance by some privatised enterprises and post-privatisation challenges facing some of the privatised enterprises.

    As he put it: “Government also expects the NCP to make measurable progress in respect of the outstanding transactions affecting some of the areas critical to the economic recovery of the nation. You must make deliberate and conscious efforts to learn from past experiences and guard against avoidable mistakes of the past.”

    Osinbajo said over the years, the NCP had concluded significant transactions and carried out economic reform activities in key sectors of the economy, such as telecommunications, pension management, ports, power, etc.   “A mega reform process in the power sector is ongoing with ambitious expectations. Although there are numerous challenges trailing the process, the NCP is expected to critically analyse these challenges and come up with sustainable solutions as part of government commitment to make power available at accelerated rates and to wide sections of the populace,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex A. Okoh, said a trend has emerged where certain institutions engage in activities which are tending to compromise and conflict with the statutory functions of the Bureau.

    “We believe that regulatory agencies and commissions should manage regulatory compliance and not get involved in process as transactions managers or operators as this will clearly create confusion and possible conflict. The BPE operates as transaction managers and we shall submit our processes to the supervision of the relevant regulatory agency responsible for the particular transaction track we pursue to execute our mandate of enterprise reformation, including the SEC and the ICRC.”

  • Don to govt: establish national emergency centre

    Don to govt: establish national emergency centre

    There is need for the government to establish a national medical emergency service across the country to rescue people from avoidable death. The University of Benin (UNIBEN) Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Prof Pius Iribhogbe, made this call while delivering the school’s 188th inaugural lecture titled: Injury: Rumination of trauma surgeon.

    According to the professor of Trauma Surgery, Nigerians are dying daily from avoidable deaths because of lack of special emergency facilities. He said many patients died as a result of congestion of public hospitals’ emergency rooms, adding that late emergency response is rendering health workers to be incompetent.

    He also decried the discrimination against paramedics by health workers, stating that it was causing a problem in the health sector.

    He said: “When we started the paramedical training at the UNIBEN Teaching Hospital (UBTH), many of the health workers, including professors, thought it was waste of time. They fought against the programme. Even nurses were afraid that the paramedics were coming to take over their jobs. We educated most of them to understand that medical work cannot be completed by one professional. Everyone has a major role to play.

    “Some of those professors who fought against the paramedical programme were rescued during emergency situations by the same people they fought. I am happy to tell you that the work is now going smooth. Everyone has a role to play in patient management and we must give them the chance.”

    Prof Iribhogbe bemoaned the attitude of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) personnel towards paramedics, saying the federal agency needed the service of paramedics in its emergency response.

    While commending the Lagos State government for the establishment of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the inaugural lecturer said the agency could not serve the emergency need of millions of people living in the state.

    In his recommendation, he urged the Federal Government to “urgently establish” a National Medical Emergency Services as being done in developed countries, adding that paramedics are needed to be employed to operate emergency ambulances.

    He said: “Trauma surgeons have a role to play in trauma management. Beyond treating patients in the emergency room, trauma surgeons need to also create time to educate them on how to prevent injuries and tackle basic emergency conditions. The Federal Ministry of Health must ensure adequate supervision of the teaching hospitals to ensure the safety of emergency departments and also provide necessary equipment to avoid rendering the medical workers incompetent.”

    Prof Iribhogbe said there was need for law to check dangerous driving. This, he said, could be checked by random alcohol blood concentration test, which is to be carried out on drivers.

    He said: “We must also invest in trauma research and fellowship as this will boost knowledge in the field of trauma care for patients. There is also need for the FRSC to intensify advocacy aimed at behavioural change among motorists, with particular focus on enforcement of road rules, speed breaks, seat belts and the use of safety helmet by motorcycle riders.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Farady Orumwense, hailed the inaugural lecturer for his brilliance, describing the paper as a “masterpiece”.

    He said: “Inaugural lectures have transformed from being a mere ceremonial academic event to one where we bring the best of our product to showcase their work and educate the audience who comprises of both the low and high in the society. We will submit the recommendations of this inaugural lecture to the appropriate quarter for implementation.”

    Prof Iribhogbe is an alumnus of UNIBEN, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) in 1983. He specialised in General Surgery and obtained the certification of the West African College of Surgeons in 1998. He has served in various capacities in UBTH, before he was appointed the Deputy VC. He is a fellow of the International College of Surgeons.

  • Govt records progress in generation, says Fashola

    Govt records progress in generation, says Fashola

    The Federal Government has said it is recording progress in power generation and transmission network to improve service delivery to consumers.

    This is contained in a com-muniqué issued at the end of the 16th monthly meeting of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, with operators of the power sector held at Ugwuaji transmission sub-station in Enugu State.

    The communiqué noted that progress on incremental power was being made, adding that damaged transformers at Afam IV have been repaired and gas supply will restart shortly for additional 100megawatts (Mw) of power to the national grid.

    The East Power project at Afam III is also on course for completion with 240 Mw supply expected before the end of the year, while Azura 450 Mw is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018. About 160,000 households are expected to benefit from a more stable, effective and efficient power sector delivered by the inauguration of these plants, the communiqué added.

    It also stated that progress was being made on the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) line to Magboro in Ogun State, adding that the line was being tested and that power should reach customers from Oke Aro to the Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM) area within one week.

    The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) has also made considerable progress on the Okija distribution substation as transformer equipment are installed in Okija Town, close to the Police Station. Progress was announced on Alaoji to Onitsha line, which will bring power to the vital industrial clusters of Ihiala and Nnewi in Anambra State and Orlu community in Imo State, while also supplying the Onitsha metropolis, with completion slated for the first quarter of 2018. NDPHC announced that work to supply power to the Omotosho host community is expected to be completed by the third quarter of this year.

    The energy sector stakeholders agreed that energy theft is a limiting factor in quality service and also a small population bears the large cost of energy consumption. The minister directed that the public be encouraged to extend the whistle blowing policy of government to the power sector to ensure energy theft is brought under control.

    Stakeholders were also encouraged to name and shame energy thieves as a deterrent. The minister also directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to take decisive action with regard to disconnection of households with prepaid meters, as this action leads to low level of public trust in the sector.

    Operators at the ministerial meeting include NERC executives, Managing Directors and Chief Executives of Generating Companies (GenCos), Distribution Companies (DisCos), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). Others are the gas companies, government agencies such as the NDPHC, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

  • Expert advises govt to create 3m jobs yearly

    An economist, Dr Aminu Usman, has advised the Federal Government to create at least three million jobs yearly to address the high unemployment rate in the country.

    Usman, a lecturer at the Department of Economics, Kaduna State University, gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said the Federal Government initially promised to create three million jobs every year but in the last two years it had only generated less than a million jobs.

    The don said the unemployment and underemployment reports for the last quarter of last year still showed the negative effects of the  recession on the citizens.

    The latest unemployment reports released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), showed that the country’s unemployment rate rose from 13.9 per cent in the third quarter to 14.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year.

    Usman, however, argued that a number of factors must have contributed to the reports.

    He said that one of the contributing factors was the unfriendly government policies towards managing the economy.

    “When the recession began to hit hard on the state government, it resorted to increasing taxes and imposing all kinds of charges on the citizens.

    “This is against all known principles of managing recession, which requires lowering and or eliminating taxes to boost consumption.

    “One of the first casualties of the recession is employment because  lower consumption rate, factory closure and job layoffs are the hallmarks of any economy in a recession,’’ he said.

  • Akeredolu: Last govt owed workers, pensioners N79b

    Akeredolu: Last govt owed workers, pensioners N79b

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarortimi Akeredolu (SAN) has said the last administration under Dr Olusegun Mimiko owed workers and pensioners N79 billion.

    He restated his administration’s commitment to ensure that civil servants are paid the salary arrears owed them by the former administration.

    The governor said he considered the act as a commitment and sacrifice to the service of the state.

    He assured that his administration would give priority to the welfare of civil servants.

    Akeredolu, who spoke yesterday during the third session of the 11th Synod of Diocese of Akoko by Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at St. George’s Anglican Church in Okeagbe Akoko, recalled that all workers’ salaries owed by the former administration was N38 billion, while retirees were owed N41 billion as gratuities.

    Represented by the Government House Chaplain, Venerable Benjamin Babalola, the governor assured that despite the debts, the welfare of the workforce would get priority attention.

    He said: “By the special grace of God, our administration will soon offset the salaries owed the workers.

    “The salary arrears owed workers by the previous administration amounted to N38.57 billion, while N41.5 billion was owed to retired personal as gratuities.

    “To the workers, let me say it loud and clear once again that I am resolute in my commitment to make your welfare the priority of the administration.

    “I am aware of your pains and agony. I feel your pains and what you are going through. I can see your suffering. But with faith in God, I am re-affirming my promise that I will not collect a dime until civil servants are fully paid their salaries arrears.”

    Akeredolu stressed the need to improve on the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to enhance even development.

    He thanked the people of Akoko for supporting him during the last governorship election.

    Akeredolu assured them that they would not regret electing him as their governor.

    He said: “My people in Akoko land, you have supported and elected me as your governor to find solution to some of the challenges facing us in this state. I have seen the sorry state of Akoko Road; our roads are in bad shape. But I urge you to be patient and see how God will help us to restore the lost glory of Akoko land.”

  • Govt begins door-to-door grains sharing for IDPs

    Govt begins door-to-door grains sharing for IDPs

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday in Maiduguri unveiled a new and more effective distribution plan for delivering relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons in the Northeast.

    The new plan differs from the undignified practice of forcing people to queue up for food.

    Under the new plan, which Prof. Osinbajo kicked-off at the Bakassi Camp, camp officials will now be demanded to deliver food items to the IDPs at their door-steps in exchange for a pre-issued voucher.

    Acting President Osinbajo, while unveiling the new strategy, said the plan is part of the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari towards catering for the needs and welfare of IDPs in the Northeast.

    Osinbajo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said: “We are incorporating the voucher system, which do not only make the process of relief distribution transparent, it will improve our own data collection and our national capacity to plan for what will be a quarterly exercise.

    “As we restore and maintain security in the region, we must not lose sight of the need to provide social service, food, education, healthcare, shelter as well as resettlement and livelihood support.

    “Today, the Federal Government flags off what will be a quarterly grain distribution programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and by this, we are saying to our brothers and sisters in the Northeast that our country does not take their burdens lightly and we are not blind to their difficulties.

    “I am particularly pleased to say that the grains that we’ll be distributing, which comprise of Sorghum, Maize, Soya Beans and Rice, are produced locally; they are produced here in Nigeria by our own farmers.

    “This has always been the vision of Mr. President for our country, to grow what we eat, and to eat what we grow and to use what we make. These grains have travelled from various locations across the country, from as far afield as Ibadan, and as close as Gombe; escorted and protected by the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian military and in some cases will be airlifted by the Nigeria Air Force.”

    He said the Federal Government would work closely with states to provide other assistance to the IDPs including health services.

    He hailed the partnership support from international partners such as the UN, World Food Programme, NEMA, the military, the police, other security agencies and state governments in the region.

    He also thanked neigbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad and Niger for their support in the joint fight against terrorism.

    The Acting President, who on arrival paid a courtesy visit on the Shehu of Borno, Umar Abubakar Gabai Ibn El-Kanemi in his palace, told the traditional ruler and members of his Emirate Council that President Buhari sees the welfare of the IDPs as the responsibility of government.

    The Shehu of Borno thanked President Buhari for his commitment to the restoration of peace in the State and entire region.

    He noted the laudable efforts of the Buhari Presidency at recovering the kidnapped Chibok girls and attending to the welfare of IDPs across the region.

    Upon arrival in Maiduguri, the Acting President inspected the consignment of about 30,000 metric tonnes of the food items to be delivered across the region by 1,032 trucks.

    The distribution is for affected IDPs in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe states.

    Prof. Osinbajo during the visit also inspected some facilities such as the NEMA warehouse, the Bakassi IDP camp office and the premises of a school located within the camp.

  • ‘Govt to spend N3.4tr on petroleum products’ import’

    ‘Govt to spend N3.4tr on petroleum products’ import’

    • Requires $1.2b to fix refineries

    The Federal Government would spend N3.4trillion on the importation of petroleum products this year, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, has said.

    Kachikwu, who spoke yesterday in Abuja, denied reports ascribed to him that  government was concessioning its refineries.

    He said government has no plans to concession the refineries, but was only making arrangements for private financing of the their repairs, saying claims that Oando has won the contract for financing the repair of the refineries, is not true.

    He said Nigeria that currently consumes 35million litres daily, has domestic refining capacity of six million liters, which is about 25 per cent of the demand.

    He said: “The importation of products even between January and December of this year, amounts to 20million metric tonnes and amounting to N3.4 trillion. The logistic cost of that importation, shipping, clearing and all that is about N1.34trillion.”

    Kachikwu said owing to this domestic and demand situation, the government had to plan for the improvement of its domestic refining capacity, saying government raised a technical and steering committees on the financing of the refineries. He said the report will be presented to the National Assembly and Federal Executive Council upon conclusion.

    The minister said that from piping, about $1.1billion to $1.2billion (depending of the category), will be required to fix the refineries.

    His words: “Internally, we have been able to determine the amount we want to do this work, in terms of what work is required to be done. And the total cumulative amount, is the $1.1, $1.2b type category, depending on the refineries, with specific breakdown. That of course does not include the cost of piping.”

    On why government has decided to deal with Chioda, Sapiem and GGC, Kachikwu said that Chioda built Kaduna refinery, Sapiem built Warri refineries, while CGC built the PortHacourt refineries, stating that these companies, have the designs, engineering outlay and upgrade capability for the refineries.

    He said government opted for this arrangement because of rising cost, saying very few people will undertake the financing .  “So that is why we have created a business model that tie them to the Direct Sale, Direct Purchase (DSDP) Programme and that is still working and that is still work in progress.

    “When they finish this and are done with the analysis, I will expect that they will then invite everybody who is interested to the commercial terms, before we get to the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly and Mr. President. We haven’t reached there and so nobody can say contracts have been given.”

    Kachikwu advised the International Oil Companies to invest in building refineries in Nigeria in order to avoid the negative effects of dip in oil prices.

    More importantly, he said, “we need to address IOCs in terms of what they need to do to help local refining, because if you encourage all these refining capabilities whenever they run out of crude availability, we need to look at them, why are you taking out crude when you can get the same pricing equivalent in local refining.”

  • How govt can enhance natural medicine, by experts

    How govt can enhance natural medicine, by experts

    How can the government enhance the efficacy of natural medicine? It is by funding research institutes to have them determine scientifically the safety and efficacy of natural medicine products, participants at a public lecture have said.

    The lecture was organised by the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM) headed by Arch Bishop Magnus Atilade. It was attended by Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (MMR) officials, traditional medicine and alternative medicine practitioners. The participants, agreed to work on selected five priority diseases: HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Sickle-cell disorder, Diabetes and Hypertension.

    NIMR Director-General, Dr Babatunde Salako, said his centre would abide by the details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between it and Traditional Medicine (TM) and Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners.

    The Guest lecturer, Prof Adefulire Adefule-Ositelu in her lecture titled: “LAGOS STATE@50- Future of Natural medicine in Nigeria”, said the cooperation between traditional and conventional medical practitioners has to be a meaningful interaction because it is essential, unavoidable, possible and beneficial to all.

    Prof Adefule-Ositelu said: “To achieve cooperation there has to be a clear need for mutual understanding that the patient’s wellness is the goal of all involved and there is a clear need to get the patent well.

    There must also be a purpose of achievement for this need, the two groups must agree on certain accepted principles, codes and ethics. The target population’s interest must be sensitively considered. Also products of collaboration must be internationally effective and exportable.”

    Another lecturer, Dr Oyindamola  Oyesaga of University of Lagos College of Medicine, Lagos, said the decisions by the practitioners was in consonance with the resolution  of AFR / RC50 / R3 that requested member states to produce evidence of safety, efficacy and quality of natural medicine products and to strengthen research institutions to conduct relevant researches in the areas of natural medicine and disseminate the results.

    She urged those involved in the TM and CAM to release from higher institutions the researches done and proven relevant to the promotion of the health, adding that the researches and results should be merged for production of remedies.

    She said: “Government should give grants for the purchase of equipment so products can be well formulated for local use and exportation of only authentic and effective natural products”.

    NCPNM President , Prof Magnus Atilade described the council as a professional educational research and development organisation, registered and recognised locally and internally. “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has supported; promoted and assisted the development of traditional medicine in a bid to move African health agenda forward, particularly for the less developed countries of the world. This philosophy was reinforced at the Alma mata declaration of 1978 on primary healthcare.

    “NCPNM has recorded some achievements including the first national seminar on TM in 1979 by the Federal Ministry of Health; it had both conventional and traditional medicine practitioners in attendance. NCPNM, public and private institutions also organised various programmes and projects to further develop TM/CAM.

    “The successful records include- the establishment of the first state traditional board in 1980; the establishment of national investigation committee on traditional and alternative medicine; the establishment of Nigeria natural medicine Development Agency in 1997; the establishment of the Centre for Research and development in Traditional medicine in various universities and institutions including national Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The latest being the signing of the Memo of Understanding (MoU),” he highlighted.

    He appealed that the proposed traditional medicine council bill and the complementary alternative commission bills at the National Assembly be quickly passed.

    Some of the award recipients are wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, represented by Dr Ibironke Sodeinde of the Health Service Commission, Dr  Salako, Director-General, Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), Sam Etutavie, who was represented by Mrs Chinyere Ogbonna, among others.

  • Govt suspends NURTW activities in Oshodi

    Govt suspends NURTW activities in Oshodi

    After the one week violence which rocked Oshodi over the death of Rasaq Bello, aka Hamburger, the Lagos State Government yesterday  suspended indefinitely the activities of all National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) branches in the area.

    Hamburger was Oshodi Chairman of Motorcycle Operators’ Association of Lagos State (MOALS), an affiliate to NURTW.

    The affected branches are LOB A, LOB D, LOB J, Oshodi A, Oshodi B, Oshodi C and Oshodi D.

    At a briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Acting Commissioner for Transportation Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi said there would be no collection of tickets/fees from buses operating in the area while the suspension subsists.

    During the period, a team of the government officials and security personnel would oversee transport operations in the affected branches, he said.

    Elegushi said the action was taken after consultation with stakeholders, adding that the suspension ban would be lifted based on security reports.

    The commission said: “For the avoidance of doubt, police investigations are ongoing on the said death and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted in line with the dictates of the laws. It is important to also emphasise that all rumour mongering, insinuations and unfounded/unverified facts should be avoided for the sake of peaceful co-existence. Any escalation of the crisis arising from the ban will lead to government taking sterner actions against the branches where violence is recorded.”

    Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the state, Mr Imohimi Edgal, who was at the briefing, said those arrested were being interrogated.

    Anyone found culpable, he said, would be prosecuted, adding that the government, the police and stakeholders were working towards a lasting peace.

    Edgal added that the report of the preliminary investigation would be out before the end of the week.

    Lagos State Chairman of NURTW Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede said the branch was in support of the action, saying the union was consulted before it was taken.

    Agbede said: “I like to confirm that the decision of the government to suspend union activities in Oshodi was supported by us. We also want lasting peace in Oshodi and we know that with this decision, people can go about their duties without let or hindrance.

    “I am sure if the union had handled the issue of Oshodi, we would have arrived at the same decision to suspend activities for now and I want to urge our members to cooperate with government in its bid to ensure lasting peace.

    “Going forward, we have been educating our members on the need to eschew violence and we still want to reiterate it that anyone caught perpetrating violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law.”