The Nation Newspaper

Tag: intervention

  • NCC: why govt intervention is inevitable

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the government will not hands-off its intervention in the telecoms industry because of the important roles it plays in the economy.

    Liberal economists have argued that government has no business in business, adding that its role should be confined to supervision, regulation and provision of an enabling environment.

    But the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Garba Umar Dambatta, who spoke on: Broadband Penetration in Nigeria-Way Forward at the yearly Telecoms Executives and Regulator Forum (TERF) organised by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in Lagos at the weekend, said government would keep playing the role of an interventionist in the broadband sector to ensure that coverage is achieved across the country.

    According to him, the country currently has nine terabyte capacity of international bandwidth at the shores from MainOne, Glo One, Sat 3, African Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine communications cable, West African Cable System (WACS) and others

    ACE is a cable system along the west coast of Africa between France and South Africa managed by a consortium of 19 operators and administrations headed by Orange. The consortium agreement was signed on June 5, 2010. The cable was manufactured by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and was laid by ships from ASN and France Telecom Marine.

    The first phase of the 17,000 km-long fiber optic cable was put into service on December 15, 2012, with an official inauguration ceremony held on December 19, 2012 in Banjul, The Gambia.

    The ACE Cable will eventually connect 23 countries, either directly for coastal countries or through land links for landlocked countries, like Mali and Niger.

    ACE is the first international submarine cable to land in Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe and Sierra Leone.

    He said: ‘’We have duplicated inter-city back haul infrastructure deployed by global system for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and National Long Distance (NLD) operators.

    ‘’However, there are limitations and access gaps in metro fibre deployments to nodes and neighbourhood, and last mile connection to homes and businesses. This requires government intervention to breach this gap.’’

    According to Dambatta, the key objectives of this Next Generation Broadband Initiative of the Commission include achievement of high level of broadband penetration across all geo- political zones in the country; ensuring competitive and affordable pricing of high speed broadband internet; positioning Nigeria as a leading infrastructure hub in Africa; ensuring development of smart incentives to support industry players; and contributing to the growth and development of a knowledge economy in the country.

    Speaking on the key considerations for designing the industry structure for Nigeria, he said it was motivated by factors which include the presence of substantial inter-city back haul infrastructure covering trunk routes in the country. Leverage inter-city layer two transmission services and/or dark fibre capacity; limited fibre penetration and deployment in the metropolitan areas available at competitive prices; lack of end-to-end open access transmission services available on a widespread geographical basis; focus on bridging the infrastructure gap in the industry while ensuring minimal disruption to existing licences and licence conditions; and ensuring that optic fibre infrastructure is available on a fair, neutral and non-discriminatory basis to all operators at reasonable

  • Ayade seeks Buhari’s intervention in border crisis

    Cross River State Governor  Ben Ayade has sent a high-powered delegation to Danare 2 to de-escalate tension between the community and neighbouring communities in Republic of Cameroon.

    This followed reports of renewed hostilities between the community in Boki Local Government and their neighbours in Cameroon.

    The delegation, led by the State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji and Police Commissioner Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, met leaders of the community, including youths.

    Ngaji assured the people that the governor will seek President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention in the matter, as it involves a foreign country.

    Urging them to keep the peace, he said the governor would find a solution to their problems.

    “This is a border community. Governor Ayade will take the matter to President Buhari to ensure something is done as quickly as possible,” Ngaji told the people.

    He said the government would develop the area, to give them a sense of belonging.

    Inuwa said the visit was to reduce tension.

    The police boss, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said: “We have urged them to embrace peace and dialogue. The state and federal governments are doing everything to ensure that not an inch of Nigerian soil is surrendered to any country.”

    He said the command had deployed its men in the community to ensure peace, adding: “As police, we have deployed our men to restore peace.”

    A member of the House of Assembly, Itam Abang, said the governor had shown interest in the matter.

    “This is why you are seeing this high -powered delegation led by the state security adviser, the police commissioner and myself.

    “We are working towards restoration of peace in this area. Our people will not be abandoned. That was why we came to the last village to see things.

    “We want the United Nations to  re-deliniate and conclude what they started in 2013.”

    The village head, Chief Achibal Gabor, said his people wanted security presence at the land border between their community and Cameroon.

    “We want the land border to be protected. We don’t want to see any Cameroonian crossing to our land without checks because they will unleash violence on us. If you know we belong to Nigeria, then do something now.”

    The youth leader, Jabim Kekung, hailed the government for its response, saying the community should be protected.

    “We praise the government for sending this delegation. We have recorded casualties on account of this matter. As we speak, at least 15 lives have been lost. We are living in fear. Now that the government is here, please help us.”

  • World Bank lists intervention efforts in Northeast

    World Bank lists intervention efforts in Northeast

    •Confirms $8.5b portfolio across Nigeria

    The World Bank yesterday threw light on its rehabilitation efforts in the Northeast apparently in reaction to the controversy sparked by its President Jim Yong Kim that President Muhammadu Buhari requested its   special intervention in the zone.

    These include a $775 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for “restoring basic education and health services, agricultural production, and livelihood improvement opportunities through community support development and youth employment.”

    The IDA is an arm of the WB that helps the world’s poorest countries.

    Overseen by 173 shareholder nations, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions.

    The WB, in a statement on its website, said it had to first carry out a Recovery and Peace Building Assessment (RPBA) to enable it  “assess the needs of the nearly 15 million people in this region impacted by the crisis.”

    The assessment, it said was conducted in partnership with the United Nations, and the European Union.

    It said it was “working with federal, state and development partners on speeding delivery of critical interventions to the people of the North East who urgently need assistance.”

    But it explained that its assistance to Nigeria was not limited to the Northeast  as it “continues to be fully committed to helping the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reduce poverty and foster prosperity for all Nigerians.”

    It put its entire portfolio in Nigeria at “about $8.5 billion spread across the country.”

    It said: “Under IDA 18, the World Bank Group is doubling its resources to address fragility, conflict and violence at the subnational and national levels and help stabilize places that are affected by high poverty and influx of people.”

    Jim had  told reporters in Washington DC on Thursday that the bank was concentrating  on the north  in line with Buhari’s request.

    “You know, in my very first meeting with President Buhari he said specifically that he would like us to shift our focus to the northern region of Nigeria and we’ve done that.  Now, it has been very difficult. The work there has been very difficult,” he was quoted as saying.

    The statement immediately sparked a controversy in the country, prompting a denial from the Presidency.

    Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina said the issue was twisted by those who specialize in such act.

    He said what Buhari asked of the World Bank was assistance for  the Northeast which has been ravaged by years of insurgency by Boko Haram.

  • NGO to states: state areas for intervention

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)- Global Survival for Grassroots Development and Empowerment Initiative (GSGDI) has requested its members to propose areas, where their states need immediate economic intervention for the betterment of the citizenry.

    The National Chairman, Hon. Olalekan Eshinlokun, who made the requests after the executive members of the organisation took their oath of allegiance in Abuja, said  the United Nations (UN) has  asked his NGO to submit a N2.1billion for the purpose.

    Speaking with The Nation, he noted that GSGSDI was requesting for N1.5billion to lift so many Nigerians from poverty.

    According to him, the organisation will procure 30,000 wheel chairs for disabled Nigerians buy grinding machines for people, assist to take care of the sick people in the general hospitals across the nation.

    The National chairman said the organisation will empower youths and disabled Nigerians with  computer skill acquisition.

    His words: “Some organisations outside the country said we should write a proposal of N2.1billion but we believe that is too much so we are just writing a proposal of N1.5billion to them to empower our people.

    “We will use the money to buy grinding machines for people to grind pepper, to empower the women, youths and also buy 30,000 wheel chairs for the disabled . We will also go to the general hospitals to assist the sick that are also in need. And we will intervene in other economic areas that the states will outline for assistance.

    “Nigerians are suffering. The disabled people are suffering. Women are suffering. So we want this group to empower them.”

    He said that besides the UN, women in Canada, and almost 20 organisations outside Nigeria are supporting the GSGDI in its humanitarian service.

    Eshinlokun said his organisation will soon present a bill for the establishment of a security outfit that will absorb most Nigerians youths, urging the governments to provide camps in each state of the federation. He also urged the National Assembly to support the bill when it is presented to them.

    According to him, members of the organization are from the six geo-political zones of the country.

    Owing to Nigerians apathy to casting their votes, he asked members of the organization to get their voters cards for them to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming elections.

    He said: “With voters cards we will be able to gather all our members so that when election comes everybody will vote for the right person. This is because Nigerians are no longer interested in voting. In this coming election, we are voting for the right person not a party.”

  • 300 IDPs to enjoy NAF’s free surgical intervention

    300 IDPs to enjoy NAF’s free surgical intervention

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has begun another round of surgical intervention scheme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bama, Dalori and Banki camps, all in Borno State.

    The NAF authority, however, said the number of beneficiaries might increase because over 250 IDPs in Banki alone need varying degrees of medical attention.

    It added that the surgical intervention scheme followed series of medical outreach programmes organised by NAF in the affected camps.

    The scheme covers general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as ophthalmology.

    A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Abuja, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, noted that the first set of surgeries, mostly eye surgeries, being the most prevalent, was performed at the Medical Centre of NAF’s 105 Composite Group in Maiduguri, last Saturday

    The statement reads: “The scheme, which is the brainchild of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is to enable NAF win the ‘hearts and minds’ of IDPs.

    “The NAF’s soft power approach in fighting insurgency, in addition to its military campaign, has impacted greatly on the IDPs and has given them a sense of belonging.

    “The NAF’s Chief of Medical Services, Air Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi, said the surgical intervention scheme was part of NAF’s humanitarian service to the IDPs, towards providing them with the opportunity to have normal and productive lives again.

    “According to him, about 300 surgical cases were initially outlined for the seven-day programme, which is expected to cover 100 IDPs each from Dalori, Bama and Banki IDP camps.

    “However, there were indications that up to 250 IDPs in Banki alone required surgical interventions, and the period of the exercise might be extended to cater for the additional needs.”

  • Seek judicial intervention

    Seek judicial intervention

    Rancour between senate and executive over Magu is unnecessary; whoever feels aggrieved should go to court

    Just like we advised on the dispute over the federal budget, the disagreement between the executive and the National Assembly over the legal force of a motion passed by the legislature can only be resolved by the court. So, instead of threats or blackmail, any aggrieved party should have recourse to the court. Without equivocation, the 1999 constitution, (as amended) from which the two arms of government derive their powers, in section 6(6)(b), explicitly imbues the court with the prerogative for the resolution of disputes.

    That section provides: “The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section –  shall extend to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any person in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person.” In our view, the National Assembly and the federal executive are within the contemplation of this provision and instead of heating up the polity, any aggrieved party should seek judicial interpretation of the law.

    So, the resort by the senate to arm-twist the executive for neglecting a motion demanding the removal of the un-confirmed acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, is wrong headed. Last week, the senate, following the contributions of several senators in a plenary passed a motion not to allow the confirmation process of any other nominee from the executive, until the motion passed that Magu be dropped from his acting position is adhered to. The senate had on two separate occasions rejected the nomination of Magu as the substantive chairman of EFCC, but President Muhammadu Buhari’s government retained him in acting capacity.

    Unfortunately, because a sizeable number of senators are under moral disability over the Magu confirmation process, considering that they are under one form of criminal investigation or another, it is clear that the upper chamber is not acting under any noble value. But even at that, the senators know that a resolution of the legislature is merely advisory, and the executive is not under compulsion to obey it. So, instead of resorting to self-help as the senators have threatened to do over the neglect of their resolution, they should approach the court, to interpret the compelling force of a motion.

    With respect to the opinion of the Acting President, Professor YemiOsinbajo, with regards to the powers of the senate on confirmation of nominees, it remains an opinion, until the court gives it a judicial imprimatur. So, the senators should not feel offended that the Acting President who is a professor of law, like every citizen, holds an opinion. What would have legitimately angered the senators is that Lanre Gbajabiamila was appointed as Director-General, National Lottery Commission, and his name was not forwarded to the senate for confirmation.

    As to whether Magu can continue in acting capacity after his double rejection by the senate, in our view, that again should be determined by the court. So, instead of engaging in outbursts and issuing personal threats over a constitutional dispute, the courts are abundantly empowered to determine the propriety or otherwise of Magu’s continuation in office.

    If the senators are guided by opinions, Nigerians have severally expressed disgust at the humongous income and allowances which they cart away, all by themselves. Yet, regardless of that, and even judicial interventions, the senators have continued to enjoy untrammelled income and privileges. Despite well-reasoned opinion that it is the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission that should determine their emoluments, the senators have never threatened to boycott the self-serving emoluments.

    So, instead of refusing to do their jobs, even when they are already overpaid, they should go to court to determine the extent of their powers, as provided by the constitution. Like we advised over the budget matter, the Attorney-General of the Federation or the aggrieved party, the National Assembly, should approach the Supreme Court under the provision of section 232(1) of the constitution, on exclusive jurisdiction, to determine between the executive and the legislature who is right, over the retention of Magu.

    Clearly, the statement credited to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, that: “as a society, we can’t pass laws and say these laws should not be obeyed. It is very clear these resolutions as passed must be acted upon by the Acting President” remains presumptuous, unless confirmed by the courts. As the senate president knows, there is a huge difference between laws and resolutions. Even more embarrassing is the statement credited to Senator Isa Hamma  Misau (Bauchi North) linking the police raid of the houses of the Deputy Senate President and Senate Appropriation Committee chair to the issue at stake.

  • Group seeks intervention in public healthcare

    The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPH) has called for the improvement of primary healthcare services nationwide.

    The association made the call during its yearly conference with the theme:  Revitalising the grassroots, held at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

    Chairman of Lagos State chapter Dr. Oladoyin Odubanjo said primary healthcare services are useful in the treatment of common diseases in communities.

    “When we talk of burden of disease, that is, the kind of diseases and how much of them the people have, you find out that most of them are common diseases that can be treated at the very basic level of treament.That is they don’t require very expensive type of treatment.  That means, if government takes care of the primary healthcare, most people will be healthy, and our general community health outlook will be pleasant’’

    He added that the association is working closely with Lagos State Ministry of Health towards achieving public healthcare service

    “We are working very closely with the Lagos State Ministry of Health which is why we have the commissioner for health here with us but our job is to collaborate with the ministry, offer advice as necessary and support the ministry in achieving very good healthcare delivery especially at the primary care level and that I must say is happening in Lagos State. We are constantly being consulted on issues” he said.

    The keynote speaker, former Minister of Health, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, described public healthcare as the foundation which should not be ignored but made strong. The former minister said: “You have the secondary, the primary and the tertiary. The primary is the foundation, the secondary is like the wall of the building and the tertiary is like the roof which makes the foundation most important because even if you make the roof with gold and the walls with silver and the foundation is weak, the building will fall. Ninety percent of the problems that take people to seek formal healthcare can be taken care of by an effective primary healthcare system but right now people by pass the primary, they even by pass the secondary because its either they are not functional, so if we really must attack and provide and attain universal health coverage, we have to first address the primary healthcare system and make it strong

    “We have a federal system and the constitution or the law has not been enacted to spell out the roles of each of the levels of government as far as health is concerned.  So if somebody says local government is for primary healthcare, state government for secondary healthcare and Federal Government for tertiary healthcare, do ask where it is written. It’s not written anywhere except the first national health policy of 1998.

    “So, until we clearly and the best place to define this in the constitution. I’m not saying the constitution should spell it out fully but at least let the constitution say primary healthcare is largely local government, secondary is largely state, and tertiary is federal because if you don’t spell it out, everybody’s business is nobody’s business and you cannot hold anybody accountable but when you spell it out, then we will know who to hold accountable” Lambo concluded.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said the state government supports the primary healthcare service and it is working towards making it a better place for healthcare.

    “Lagos State fully supports the primary healthcare system and the core function of that is community mobilisation and there is no way you can have effective primary healthcare service without community involvement of empowerment and I also agree that that aspect has not been fully addressed but it is about time to do so

    “I can’t give you a time limit because we all know the challenges we are facing nationally, one major aspect of that is the behaviour of the people and that was why I said trying to change behaviour is part of empowerment and you can’t change behaviour overnight, it requires constant education and enlightenment ,so I can’t put time on it’’.

  • ‘NNPC intervention crashes diesel price by 42%’

    ‘NNPC intervention crashes diesel price by 42%’

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it has crashed the price of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as Diesel, to about 42% nationwide.

    Its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said this in a statement yesterday.

    Ughamadu said the price cut was a huge downslide over the last six months, following key strategic interventions by the NNPC.

    In the first quarter of this year, retail prices of AGO, which is one of the deregulated products, shot to an all-time high of N300/litre in major demand centres across the country.

    He, however, said following strategic intervention efforts by the NNPC towards sustained improvement in the supply of the diesel, the product’s retail prices as at the end of May 2017 ranged from N175 to N200 across the country (a significant price drop of about 42%). Ex-depot prices also dropped to between N135 and N155, Ughamadu said.

    Shedding more light on the achievement, the NNPC spokesperson said some of the corporation’s strategic interventions include improving the supply of AGO and remodeling of the product distribution to address sufficiency issues across the country.

    “Since January this year, we have worked very hard with relevant stakeholders to improve distribution from refinery depots, by implementing a robust loading programme,” he affirmed.

    The corporation was also able to resuscitate its critical pipelines and depots in places such as Atlas Cove-Mosimi, Port-Harcourt Refinery-Aba and Kaduna Refinery-Kano.

    “Efforts are also ongoing to revamp and commission other critical pipelines across the country,” he said.

    Another key intervention that has enhanced supply and distribution of diesel, the NNPC spokesperson noted, was the corporation’s robust engagement with critical downstream stakeholders, where salient issues were raised and duly addressed.

    These stakeholders include: Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) as well as Independent Petroleum Marketers.

    He added that as a result of consistent positive engagement with the Central Bank, NNPC extended the expansion of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) Foreign Exchange Intervention Scheme to accommodate diesel and aviation fuel.

  • CBN to sustain intervention

    CBN to sustain intervention

    Naira’s continued gains against the dollar will not deter the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from sustaining its intervention in the interbank market, the apex bank said yesterday.

    The CBN has since February been pumping in dollars in all segments of the interbank market to ensure liquidity and availability of forex. More than $5 billion has been injected into the market.

    The naira has gained substantial ground against the United States dollar, selling at N363/$1 compared to the previous rate of N378/$1, the apex bank said.

    According to market sources, the CBN is determined to ensure a convergence between the interbank and Bureau de Change (BDC) rates soon, hence the move to continue its intervention in the interbank market.

    The regulator had last Tuesday intervened in the inter-bank market to the tune of $482.6 million with the Retail SMIS allocated the sum of $285,779,350, while the $100 million was offered in the Wholesale SMIS auction window.

    The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) window got an allocation of $52 million, while the invisibles segment, comprising Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), Personal Travel Allowance, medicals and tuition fees, among others, was allocated the sum of $45 million.

    Speaking at the weekend, CBN spokesman Isaac Okorafor said there were indeed plans by the CBN to make necessary interventions in the forex market, in line with its earlier resolve to achieve forex rates convergence and liquidity in the market.

    On how the Bank hoped to sustain its interventions, Okorafor said the CBN had enough forex to meet the requirements of all customers, who had genuine need for the dollar. He also expressed optimism that the current policy of the bank and the cooperation of all stakeholders would check the unwholesome activities of speculators.

    Okorafor reiterated the bank’s commitment to ensure that there is enough supply of forex to genuine customers to achieve the goal of forex rates convergence.

    Indications at the weekend suggested that the rates between the interbank and BDC may soon converge, with the difference now down to a few naira. Observers, while commending the bold move of the CBN, urged the bank to remain committed to its goal for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.

  • $150m forex intervention coming

    $150m forex intervention coming

    •N140b bonds for auction May 10

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plans to offer $150 million on the spot and forward markets within the week, traders said, citing a notice from the regulator.

    The apex bank has been intervening on the currency market since February in a bid to boost dollar liquidity and narrow the spread between official and black market naira rates.

    The regulator said it has suspended several lenders from its weekly dollar interventions after they made it difficult for small firms to access foreign exchange. The naira yesterday closed at 306.25 on the spot window and the black market rate was quoted at 391/$ .

    Also, the Debt Management Office (DMO) plans to auction N140 billion in bonds on May 10, the Debt Management Office said.

    The debt office will sell N40 billion of bonds due in 2021 and N50 billion each of bonds due in 2027 and in 2037, using a Dutch auction system. Settlement is expected the day after the sale. The bonds are re-openings of previous issues.