The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Illegal

  • ‘No ‘illegal’ recruitment in NHIS’

    ‘No ‘illegal’ recruitment in NHIS’

    The Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)  Prof Usman Yusuf has denied allegation of illegal recruitment levelled against him by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN).

    He said there was no illegal recruitment in NHIS, adding that he remained committed to delivering optimal health service to all Nigerians.

    He said the management was making efforts towards repositioning the scheme for effective service delivery.

    He said the aim of the scheme is to reposition the institution to deliver health care to all Nigerians, especially to the poor and vulnerable in the society.

    Yusuf said the scheme had a goal to reach the pregnant women, children under five, the disabled, unemployed and the internally displaced persons.

    ASCSN had threatened to shut NHIS unless its management reversed the alleged illegal decision, within 21 days, the ‘illegal’ secondment of staff to the organisation.

    In a statement in Lagos, its Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, regretted that efforts by the union to reach Yusuf to have a change of heart on the matter were futile.

    “As a responsible trade union that believes so much in dialogue in settling dispute in work places, we requested a meeting with the executive secretary to discuss the issue of illegal secondment with a view to resolving it only to be ignored on all occasions.

    “The executive secretary illegally imported officers into the organisation, some of whom were on grade level 10 in their former work-places and placed them on grade level 15 at the NHIS, positions that are inconsistent with their qualifications and experience despite the fact that there are qualified and competent serving officers that should have been made to fill the positions,” the union alleged.

    The ASCSN lamented that it had written four letters to the executive secretary on the need to summon a meeting to resolve the matter.

    “It is clear that the executive secretary is bent on running the organisation the way he likes. Indeed, he has been boasting that the organisation belongs to him and that he will run it as his personal estate,” the union said.

    The group had condemned the administrative style of the executive secretary, describing it as not being in tandem with public service rules.

    According to the ASCSN secretary-general,  the association had informed the relevant agencies to avail them of the ultimatum.

  • Stakeholders move to dislodge illegal settlers

    Barely 24 hours after a pro-environment non-governmental organisation, Safe Habitat called on the Lagos State Government and relevant stakeholders to show serious interest in the activities of aliens from neighbouring countries and criminals fleeing from other parts of the country in some riverine communities in the state, there are strong indications that efforts are on to dislodge them and remove their shanties any moment from now.

    The group with focus on environmental safety had in a statement by its Executive Director, Ade Williams on Saturday said “we are concerned about information reaching us that some aliens and criminals fleeing from law enforcement agencies have formed the habit of creating illegal settlements and shanties in some water front communities especially in Eti-Osa local government area of the state, where they constitute environmental nuisance and launch criminal attacks against residents of Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and others.”

    Williams said the earlier government and other stakeholders take decisive action against such settlements and shanties the better for the environment, lawful residents and business development of the area and the state as a whole.

    In a follow up statement on Sunday, Safe Habitat said “we are glad to update members of the public that further information reaching us after our statement on Saturday indicates that both the state government and the relevant stakeholders in Eti-Osa local government area of the state have started taking steps to remove the shanties in Ebute Ikate Elegushi to stop the entrenchment of environmental nuisance and security threats coming from the community.”

    While commending Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Elegushi Royal Family and the Ikate Elegushi Residents Association for rising up to the challenge, Safe Habitat noted that the Lagos government had taken similar action last year to rid Ikoyi and Victoria Island of such environmental nuisance.

    Williams said past government in the state had equally summoned the same will to cleanse Kuramo beach of criminal activities in 2007 by dislodging illegal settlers erecting shanties there.

    Williams said: “We are aware that the prompt response by the state and the relevant stakeholders is to disallow fleeing Boko Haram insurgents dislodged from the North East, Niger Delta militants and other criminal elements from neighbouring countries from having a foothold in Eti-Osa and indeed Lagos state. We indeed commend this and urge all stakeholders to mobilise support for the effort.

    “We can also remember that sometimes in September 2014, a fight reportedly broke out at the shanties at Ebute Ikate, Ikateland between rival groups of Delta/Eastern extraction on the one hand and their Egun counterpart on the other as a result of which one Ogosu, the Egun cult leader allegedly killed one Daniel Edet who belonged to the rival group; but due to the timely intervention of policemen from Ilasan Police Station, the clash was prevented from escalating into a full-fledged internecine, tribal war. These are just a few of the several incidences of environmental nuisance in that part of the state we can mention now, in addition to the current security threat these shanties constitute to the entire state at the moment.”

  • LASIMRA highlights dangers of illegal cables

    The Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), has highlighted the dangers illicit cables constitute to the environment.

    The agency in a statement explained that this issue, on-going utility infrastructure audit and the proposed Unified Duct System will be the focus of the one-day stakeholders’ forum scheduled for December 21, at the Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

    “It is designed to further enlighten stakeholders on these issues. The audit is aimed at having an up- to- date database for existing utilities network infrastructure by reviewing all underground cables/telecoms infrastructure in the state. It will also identify non-compliant infrastructure for removal to ensure orderly urban development and strict compliance with relevant standards; to guarantee public health/safety and environmental protection in line with the Mega City status of the state,” the statement added.

  • Govt to take over ‘illegal’ oil and gas free zones

    The Federal Government may next week take over Oil and Gas Free Zones that have failed to register with the regulatory Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), The Nation has learnt.

    It was learnt that the government decided to take this step after its use of moral suasion to make the oil and gas free zones comply to its regulations failed.

    An official of Lagos Deep Offshore Limited (LADOL), who pleaded not to be named, said the decision of the government  to force operators to register with the regulator was borne out of the need to provide standards.

    OGFZA’s Head of Operation/Technical, Mr Adekunle Ajayi, said the government had written  and visited Snake Island Integrated Free Zone(SHIFZ), Lagos Deep Offshore Limited, Lagos, and other oil and gas free zones across the country on the matter.

    He said the letter for the take-off of the operation was dated November 17,  this year, adding that the deadline is 30 days from that date.

    Ajayi said: ”Operators of Oil and Gas Free Zones can be said to have been operating unilaterally, when they refused to register as members with the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority. Such actions are contrary to the Article No 8 of the 1996 constitution that established the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA).

    He added that the body, in line with section 5, sub-sections 2 of the 1996 Constitution and other extant laws operating in Nigeria, is empowered to regulate the oil and gas free zones.

    “The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority will not hesitate to apply sanctions in order to instill discipline in the sector. Nigeria has over 100 oil and gas free zones. While many of the zones are doing well, others are not. The body wants to ensure that the zones generate huge revenues for the government and also help in promoting the economy”.

    Ajayi said oil and gas free zones, have generated N76billion yearly and created over 200,000 jobs, adding that the zones have a the multiplier effects of on the economy.

    Also, OGFZA’s Head of Trade and Investment Department, Mr Adamu Knotogora, said the agency was not duplicating the roles of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPZA), adding that the two organisations perform different roles.

    NEPZA regulates the non-oil sectors, while OGFZA supervises  the oil and gas free zones.

    LADOL Nigeria Limited, Chief Executive Officer,  Dr Amy Jayesinmi, said the oil and gas free zones can provide huge earnings for the country, urging the Federal Government to provide enabling environment for their operators.

    She advised stakeholders, including the government, to ensure that LADOL and other oil and gas free zones become industrial hubs in West Africa.

    The issue,  Jaiyesimi said, would make Nigeria play dominant roles in oil and gas servicing in the region.

  • NAF destroys illegal oil barges in Rivers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has destroyed another set of illegal oil barges in River State.

    A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said one of the barges, which was filled with stolen oil, was set ablaze by NAF helicopters on armed patrol around Okoromabie and Southeast of Port Harcourt refinery.

    The statement said the third barge, which was surrounded by canoes conveying drums, was sited at Onne.

    It said the third barge did not catch fire when the NAF helicopter fired at it.

    “While individuals around the barge and canoes fled when fired at, the barge and drums did not explode, indicating the possibility of being empty,” the statement said.

  • RISAA to seize illegal billboards

    The Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA) is poised to seize illegal billboards.

    Its Acting Managing Director, Mr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, said outdoor advertising structures’ owners should register before November 30, or risk being classified as illegal.

    He said unregistered billboard would be removed after a 30-day notice.

    Dimkpa said it was unlawful for anyone to erect or modify any outdoor structure for signage development without registering with the agency.

    He said owners and operators of  structures should apply for permit, warning that the cost of removing such structures would be borne by defaulters.

  • Biafra clamour illegal, says minister 

    Biafra clamour illegal, says minister 

    •Igbo leaders: respect Igbo, release Kanu

    Those clamouring for a Republic of Biafra are doing so without the mandate of Igbo people. Besides, they are carrying out an illegal activity, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama said at the weekend

    He advised the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to adopt laid down constitutional and diplomatic processes in their demand, rather than engaging in an illegal approach.

    He said though it was their fundamental right to clamour for Biafra, “they should be rational and not emotional in going about it”.

    Onyeama said there is a democratic structure in Nigeria and there exist the Senate and the House of Representatives “and only your representatives in the National Assembly can raise the issue of referendum regarding the sovereign state of Biafra”.

    Besides, he posited that those leading the agitation “are not speaking for Ndigbo, as they do not have the mandate of the Igbo race to do so.” He urged them to embrace dialogue rather than violence.

    The minister spoke with reporters in Enugu after a stakeholders/caucus meeting of the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Onyeama urged those spearheading the breakaway project to critically look at the rules governing secession.

    He called on Nigerians, particularly those from Southeast to keep supporting the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, stressing that the administration had the capacity to tackle the challenges facing the nation.

    According to him, the administration is set to address the present economic recession.

    The convener of the meeting and Enugu State chairman of the APC, Dr. Ben Nwoye, assured the national leadership of the APC that the state chapter was highly committed to wresting power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State in 2019.

    He said political structures were being oiled and strengthened at all levels in the state and called on true democrats and progressives to embrace the party so as to enthrone a better Enugu state in the next political dispensation.

    Nwoye urged Nigerians to exercise some patience with the Federal Government, as it makes frantic efforts towards stabilising the economy, damaged by the past PDP led administration.

    At the meeting were Special Adviser to President Buhari on Judiciary Reforms Mrs Juliet Ibekaku, Ambassador-designate  Major General Chris Eze, (rtd) and members of the state Working Committee, among others.

    Also at the weekend, Igbo leaders called for the restructuring of the country to give Igbo nation a sense of belonging.

    According to him, Ndigbo have made some of the biggest sacrifices and contributions for the development modern Nigeria and should be given a pride of place to operate freely as equal citizens without discrimination.

    The Igbo leaders also called for the  immediate release of the detained leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and others, saying what they are agitating for did not constitute threat to the peace.

    Speaking after a three-day 2016 World Igbo Summit held at the Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, the leaders condemned the destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen and urged governors and the lawmakers in Igbo states to enact laws prohibiting open grazing in Igbo land.

    They made their position known in a communiqué issued at the end of the summit.

    They urged Ndigbo to take full responsibility for the rebuilding of Igbo economy and development.

    The communiqué, which was signed by Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Col. Joe Achuzie, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chief Francis Ojih, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prof George Obiozor, Dr Greg Ike Ibe, Iyom Josephine and Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, called on Southeast governors to form a Joint Commission for the development of their areas.

    The communiqué, which was read by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, resolved that “since Biafran agitators are no threat to national security, the Federal Government should promptly release Nnamdi Kanu and all other prisoners of conscience in line with the rule of law”.

    “Ndigbo have made the biggest sacrifice and contributions to the building of the modern Nigeria and insist that henceforth will work for a nation where the Igbo are allowed to live and operate as equal citizens without any discrimination, bias or intimidation.”

    “That the 1999 Constitution should be repealed and a new one enacted that will recognise the inalienable right of each constituent group to self-determination and Regional autonomy as enshrined in the 1960 Independence Constitution and 1963 Republican Constitution”.

    “Ndigbo hereby resolve to take full responsibility for the rebuilding of the Igbo economy and development of Ala-Igbo and hereby shall adopt the digital economy as the organising paradigm and implementation framework for the sustainable development of Alaigbo.”

    “That in line with the recent resolution of the Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly, the National Assembly and State Assemblies should legislate the prohibition of nomadic grazing by herdsmen and the establishment of grazing reserves and ranches with public funds. We therefore call on the National Assembly to oppose the grazing bill in both chambers”.

    “That in view of the threat by the Fulani herdsmen which constitute present and imminent danger to peace and security in Igboland, the Igbo Governors and the States Assemblies should immediately legislate against any form of open grazing in Igbo land”.

    “The South East Governors should establish a Joint Commission for development of Ala-Igbo and be supportive of good Igbo initiatives”.

    “That Igbo Political leadership (elected and appointed) must act in the best interest of Ndiigbo and be prepared to be held accountable by the people for all their actions and inactions”.

    “That the principles of Igbo Social Justice–Akulue uno, Eziokwubundu, Onyeaghana-nwaneya, Igwebuike, Ezi-afaka-ego, Egbe-bere-ugo-bere, Ako n’uche, nwanyi-bu-ife, ntorobia bu-Ike Obodo would be fully applied in our interactions among Ndiigbo and our neighbours”.

    “That the contributions of the NdiIgbo in the Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia etc, to the achievement of our vision and committed to sharing their aspirations and challenges, is recognized and we encourage them to think home and invest at home”.

  • Illegal structures

    •Govt can further engage the settlers; but security of all Lagos residents is paramount

    Demolition of illegal structures and shanties in the country has hardly gone without hiccups. The Maroko incident in the 90s in Lagos was a case in point. Perhaps a more recent experience was the demolition of the Waterfront in Port Harcourt which used to be a criminals’ hideout, by the former administration of Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers State.

    This shows how emotive the issue can be. While those living in the structures claim justification by reason of their disadvantaged socio-economic status, the government argues that the imperatives of security and development make such positions a no-brainer. It is against this background that we want to situate the protest on Monday at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos, by people affected by the on-going demolition of shanty-settlements and waterfronts by the state government.

    Naturally, the protesters do not see themselves as constituting any security or environmental menace. And so, they argue that evicting them would push them into crime and destitution. They may be right.

    But, far from faulting the government for the latest measures, the position of the state government deserves understanding. First, it is a truism that government’s primary responsibility is the provision of security. To the extent that some of the shanties and waterways have increasingly been associated with the wave of kidnappings, it is unrealistic to expect the government to be indifferent to the challenge they pose.

    The issue of course is the acute shortage of houses to accommodate the huge number of people daily finding their way to the state in search of greener pasture, many of whom are too poor to find decent accommodation. This is perhaps the reason why people would insist on living in some of these structures that are hardly fit for human habitation. The state government’s request for special status to enable it cater to the needs of the ever-increasing population obviously underscores the challenge.

    But should inability to have decent accommodation be a licence for people to invade open spaces, waterfronts or even to build without observing the necessary town planning laws? The way most of these structures are built does not leave room for easy access in times of emergency – for the police, health personnel, fire fighters or other emergency responders. Indeed, the immediate impression one gets seeing these structures is that there are no town planning laws or regulations in the state.

    For all too often, we see people build under high tension cables, Right of Ways, setbacks and drainage channels. People who engage in such acts not only endanger their own lives, they pose a threat to the larger society. We cannot imagine the government folding its arms while watching such flagrant disregard of town planning laws, particularly in a megacity that aspires to world class.

    The issue could not have been better put than the statement credited to the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Steve Ayorinde: “The State’s Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2010, prohibits erecting structures within the Right of Ways and set backs of drainage channels, centre-line of over-head electricity wires and also states in very clear terms specified distance to be observed between a property line and a public utility”.

    This is the standard practice in many parts of the world. But what we have is a situation where some people just build wherever they please and later claim they have been in the place for decades when government decides to enforce the law; emotion then takes the centre-stage. While we may blame the government for looking the other way for so long, it is hard to pick holes in its decision to do the right thing in the current circumstances.

    However, we urge the state government to engage the protesters with a view to seeing how the pains of the settlers could be minimised. Between the quest to ensure beautification/security and the quest for survival by the people inhabiting the shanties, the challenge is to ensure that public policy is defended at all times. In other words, the safety and security of Lagosians as a whole must be seen as paramount.

  • 216 drug stores sealed for illegal operation

    The Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 216 illegal drug stores in Lagos State for non-compliance with the necessary laws. The stores comprised 46 pharmacies and 213 patent medicine stores.

    The areas visited were Abule Egba, Alagbado, Meiran, Hamadiya, Agege, Badagry, Morogbo, Ibereko, Wilmer, Kirikiri, Ajegunle, Orile-Iganmu, Epe, Lekki, Ajah, Ejigbo, Mile 12, Ketu, Ojota, Alapere, Oworonshoki, Iwaya, Makoko, Ebute-metta, Oyingbo, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Lawanson, Mushin, Ejigbo, Anthony, Maryland, Onipanu, Magodo, Shangisha, Ogudu, Ojodu and Berger

    Explaining why the illegal stores were closed down, the Director and Head of Inspection and Monitoring Department, PCN, Mrs Anthonia Aruya said the Council has observed that many of these drug stores in Lagos State are operating without fulfilling the minimum requirements. Since these premises have not been approved for the sale of medicines, the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines sourced from them by the public cannot be guaranteed. And if this trend is allowed to continue, it will impact negatively on the health of the citizens of the state in particular and the nation in general.

    Mrs Aruya said: “The exercise is part of efforts to reverse the ugly situation in which drug stores in operate without fulfilling the minimum requirements. The PCN enforcement team is in Lagos as a follow-up visit to the one held in August.

    “At the end of the exercise, a total of 216 premises, comprising 30 pharmacies and 186 patent medicine stores were sealed for various offences ranging from operating without registration with the Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria, failure to renew licences and dispensing ethical drugs without the supervision of a pharmacist, while 43 were issued compliance directives for offences ranging from poor sanitary conditions, poor documentation among other offences.”

    She enjoined all stakeholders to comply with the laws that regulate the practice of pharmacy across the country as the Federal Government will not tolerate the indiscriminate sale of drugs without submission to regulatory control.

    Mrs Aruya urged the public to purchase their medicines from licensed pharmacies and simple household remedies from licensed patent and propriety medicines vendor shops.  She also advised members of the public intending to carry out pharmaceutical business to get in touch with the PCN head office located on Plot 7/9, Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja or any of the state offices for proper guidance.

  • Bayelsa sets up task force on illegal acquisition of govt land

    Bayelsa State government has constituted a special task force to retrieve all government land illegally acquired by individuals, communities and companies within and outside Yenagoa, as part of efforts to create a planned modern city.

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the task force in the Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Dickson charged its members to commence the process of recovering all such land from trespassers in the next two weeks.

    The governor, who condemned individuals and communities who take over government land within and outside Yenagoa, even after compensation has been paid, noted that the development has contributed to making the capital city a slum.

    He directed the Committee for Urban Development, Board of Physical Planning and Development Control, the Ministry of Lands and Housing and their agencies, to notify owners of buildings that failed to conform with the state’s Master plan for such structures to be demolished.

    Governor Dickson, however, noted that the team responsible for recovering government land and property would carry out an assessment for structures already built on government land, and that if the development attracts a waiver, an appropriate levy would be paid.

    He said land developers were expected to follow due process by acquiring approved building plan from the Ministry of Lands and Housing and other relevant agencies, adding that it is the standard practice in any modern city.

    According to Governor Dickson, his administration is creating land for development purposes in the new Yenagoa city, Agbura and Ayama for low, medium and high density planned areas, which he said will be unveiled soon.

    To enable members of the task force carry out their duties effectively and successfully, the governor said security agencies would support them to deliver on their assignment.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Special Task Force, Mr. Bobolayefa Woupele, expressed gratitude to the governor for finding the members worthy for the task ahead and promised to work with all the stakeholders to meet government’s expectations.