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Tag: Labaran Maku

  • Boko Haram: FG rules out foreign military assistance

    Boko Haram: FG rules out foreign military assistance

    The Federal Government will not seek foreign military assistance in the fight against terrorism, Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku, has said.

    The minister, however, said the government would continue to seek the cooperation and collaboration with foreign powers in the areas of training and information sharing.

    Maku, who is also the supervising Minister of Defence, stated this on Tuesday at a briefing in Abuja to mark the 2014 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations.

    He spoke against the backdrop of Tuesday’s attacks on military bases in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital by the Boko Haram sect.

    Military aircraft were destroyed and several people killed in the attacks.

    Describing the Boko Haram as a local wing of international terrorist organisation, Maku assured that the nation’s armed forces are adequately equipped to counter the insurgents.

    He, however, admitted that the nation had never experienced security challenge of this magnitude since the Nigerian civil war, even as he disagreed with foreign analysts on the classification of Boko Haram insurgency as a civil war situation.

    Maku said: “We are facing a very stubborn enemy that is really committed to destabilizing the peace of the country. But I can say with pride that the incident was not only repelled but that those who participated in the operation faced the fire from our armed forces.

    “The point must be made that Nigeria is facing an international enemy that has a long line of supply and that we are not taking it lightly. Insurgency of this type is not easy to overcome.

    “But I must say confidently that our armed forces are doing everything possible not only to ensure we deal decisively with this incident; but indeed to be sure that the larger war, which is to secure the northeast of Nigeria and to secure our boundaries, is on.

    “I can assure Nigerians that occasionally, you may have things like this because we are in a state of war and we are dealing with an enemy that does not wear uniform. We are dealing with an enemy that will occasionally strike by surprise.

    “It is a guerrilla warfare and in this type of urban guerrilla warfare, we will have occasional incidents. But what is most important to us is that we are combing this entire region.”

     

     

  • ‘FG surpasses targets in eight broad sectors’

    ‘FG surpasses targets in eight broad sectors’

    The Federal Government said on Tuesday that it had surpassed its growth targets in eight out of the 14 broad sectors of the Nigerian economy under the Transformation Agenda.

    The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, stated this in Abuja at the monthly news conference on the performance of the economy and the power sector.

    Maku listed the sectors as solid minerals, financial institution and insurance, building and construction, transport, education, road and estate, public administration and agriculture.

    According to him, the feat acheived is an indication that the Transformation Agenda is on course and that the economy is growing in the right direction.

    He said that claims by some analysts that the nation had gone bankrupt and that the economy was performing poorly was deceptive.

    The minister said that apart from the unprecedented growth recorded in some sectors, other micro and macro-economic indices sanctioned by reputable global organisations had indicated growth in the economy.

    Maku said the most interesting thing about Nigeria’s economic growth pattern was that the Gross Domestic Product growth was largely driven by the non-oil sector.

    “There is something that Nigerians need to know about this economy that has been run down by some pessimists, and that is the growth, which is driven largely by the non-oil sector of the economy.

    “Agriculture has recorded 27.64 per cent, wholesale and retail trade has 28.4 per cent, telecommunications – 24.38 per cent.

    “Foreign Direct Investments averaged 7.97 billion dollars in 2011 and 2012 from 6.10 billion dollars in 2010 and is still the highest in Africa.

    “Home remittances increased from 19.20 billion dollars in 2009 to 20.61 billion dollars in 2011 and 21.89 billion dollars in 2012, Gross External reserves improved from 32.34 billion dollars in 2010, to 48.8 billion dollars as of April 26, 2013,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minster as saying at the briefing.

    On anti-corruption campaign, Maku said the administration had adopted electronic means to block leakages in the system and minimise waste.

    According to the minister, N118.9 billion has been saved from 215 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under the electronic payroll system.

    He reiterated government’s resolve to block avenues for corruption in public service, hence the resolve to adopt automated means of resource management.

     

  • 3rd Mainland Bridge to undergo comprehensive test

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N290, 745, 000.00 for a comprehensive test to be carried out on the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of Federal Executive Council  meeting in Abuja, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku  said that the Council took the decision based on a memo submitted by the Federal Ministry of Works.
    Maku explained  that the job done on the bridge last year was to address specific problems identified on the road while the new approval is to carry out a comprehensive test on the road in order to detect any possible need for repairs.
    “The Minister of Works tabled a memorandum to seek approval for the comprehensive underwater inspection, assessment of pilings, river bed bathymetric survey, profiling and echometric test on Third Mainland Bridge.
    “The bridge is a vital artery on the Federal Highways network connecting Lagos mainland to the island. Following reports of oscillation and excessive vibrations of the bridge under traffic load, investigations and tests were carried out by experts on the bridge in 2008 and the reports indicated that the bridge was structurally sound but required the replacement of damaged expansion joints and bearings.”
    “The ministry decided that Advanced Integrity Assessment including echometric (sonic pulse) tests on piles was inevitable in order to authenticate the findings of the Nigerian Submarine Divers Limited (NSD).”
    “In order to save the bridge from extensive deteriorating condition, council approved the award of contract for the consultancy services for the comprehensive underwater inspection, assessment of pilings, river bed bathymetric survey, profiling and echometric test on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State in favour of Messrs ICECON (Nigeria) Limited in the sum of N290, 745, 000.00 only with a completion period of two months,” he stated
  • FG has no plans to gag the press – Maku

    FG has no plans to gag the press – Maku

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Labaran Maku, has given the assurance that the Federal Government has no plan to gag the press.

    The minister gave the assurance on Thursday in Asaba at the opening of the 9th All Nigeria Editors Conference.

    Maku said the media had been operating in an atmosphere of freedom and vigorous debate.

    He said the media had remained the freest in Africa, adding that even in the military era; it operated with a considerable degree of freedom.

    “Nigeria has remained the leader in terms of press freedom in Africa and gagging of the press in this country is not practicable,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister saying at the conference.

    He expressed worries over some unethical practices among some journalists as well as poor quality of reports and urged the Guild to do all it could to reverse the trend.

    “We must worry about the quality of our reports and we need strong ethics for the profession to survive,” he said.

    Maku said also that government was favourably disposed to discuss issues pertaining to press council with the Nigeria Guild of Editors and other stakeholders.

    The minister said security remained a very serious challenge to the country and called on the media to join hands with government in fighting the menace.

     

  • Why Boko Haram is yet to be fully wiped out- Maku

    The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku has  urged Nigerians not to expect sudden end to the insurgency of Boko Haram in the country.

    Speaking to State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, he pointed out that some countries facing similar terrorists attacks have been battling with the menace for several years.

    Even as they have been dislodged from their bases, he said that it will take some time before Boko Haram, which is adopting gorilla style of attacks, to be fully wiped out.
    Maku said: “Every operation against a guerrilla styled insurgency is not something that can be contained over night. In Iraq we are still having occasional attacks after the Americans left just as we are having in Pakistan and other places.”

    “The presumption by Nigerians is that the incidence will end tomorrow. No. We are regaining territories; we are regaining confidence and stability. What the insurgents are doing is to go to remote places and start striking at innocent people like they did recently at Danboa.”

    He continued: “That shows the desperation of these people. We must be proud of our security forces. As we clock three months of the state or emergency, the military has just announced the creation of a new division which means that the operation would further go up from what it is.”

    “It will be more orderly and the military will gain further control which was shared with other security services. This also show the emphasis by the military to ensure complete success. What is significant is that not only in Nigeria but internationally the performance of our military has been commended.”

    “The criminality of these insurgents have also come under international opprobrium when the International Criminal Court accused them of crime against criminality. One of the fall outs of the declaration of state of emergency is the increase confidence by member of the public to come out clearly to interface with the security forces in identifying some of the hide outs of the criminals and murderers involved in the terrorist attacks on innocent Nigerians. You have very crucial roles being played by youths in the area.”

    On the claim that Shekau has been killed, he said: “Relating to the story that we have read, I think it is better we leave it at that. These people are on the run and we will allow the military to tell the story. The military said that it would appear that in one of their operations, the leader of the insurgent was mortally wounded and they were rushing him from place to place and they believe that he could indeed be dead. There is no question of losing confidence. It should give us more confidence.”

    “What it means is that the security forces are closing up on some of the king pins of this murderous group that has denied thousands of Nigerians their lives. Some of the key leaders have been pronounced dead. I think that rather than losing confidence, we should continue to pray for the military and continue to hope that in the end they succeed and they are succeeding.”

    “What is remaining is for the media to support the military. It is the most important thing we need in Nigeria because if there is no peace in the northern part of the country there won’t be peace in Nigeria.

    “Economic activities in Borno and Yobe have resumed significantly in the aftermath of the activities and the good work being done by the special operations forces. Today leaders of the insurgents are running from pillars to post because the area is no longer conducive for them as it used to be.” He added

    Maku also disclosed that the Federal Executive Council  approved the domestication and ratification of three UN treaties on arms, terrorism and hostage taking.

    The ratification, he said was sequel to memos brought to the Council by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru.

    According to him, the Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke was therefore mandated to prepare the final documents for the ratification.

  • No take-off date set for subsidy removal, says FEC

    No take-off date set for subsidy removal, says FEC

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) said the Federal Government, has not approved any take-off date for the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and removal of fuel subsidy.

    The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, made the clarification while briefing State House correspondents, after the meeting of the council, presided by President Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Maku said that the meeting, the last in 2011, reviewed the conversation on the proposed deregulation and arrived at the conclusion that the president should continue with dialogue on the issue.

    He said that the council, however, maintained that given the current budgetary constraints as well as the under-development of the downstream sector, the policy was inevitable.

    ‘No take-off date has been announced but the truth of the matter is the fact that our country is in a very difficult economic position.

    “To continue to run Nigeria with one third of the budget set out to subsidise one product is absolutely a path to greater difficulties in the economy.

    “We have been talking about this because we see that every sector we opened up has produced results and this is a fact..’’

    According to the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the issue was beyond fuel subsidy but about further growth of the oil industry by encouraging value addition to crude oil and making the nation a hub in petrochemical business.

    “About 20 companies that have got licence and have been itching to establish refineries and related industries in Nigeria could not take off because of price control.’’

    The minister said that following the situation, prospective investors in the industry had begun to move to neighbouring countries, particularly Ghana and Niger Republic.

    He said the recently opened refinery in Niger Republic was constructed by a Chinese company, which had earlier expressed an intention to site the refinery in Nigeria.

    Maku said the Federal Government had already approved fund for the turn-around maintenance of all existing refineries in the country, noting that it would be carried out by the original builders.

    He said they had given 18 months to 24 months period to turn around the refineries for optimal production.

    The minister also said that three additional refineries would be built by the Federal Government in Kogi, Lagos and Bayelsa.

  • FG to inaugurate 10 power plants by Dec – Maku

    FG to inaugurate 10 power plants by Dec – Maku

    The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, says the Federal Government is expected to inaugurate 10 power generating plants by December 2013.

    Maku stated this on Monday when he inspected N78 million Maigora electrification expansion projects being executed by the Katsina state government in Faskari Local Government Area (LGA).

    The Minister, who is on `Good Governance Tour’ in Katsina state, said other separate power generation projects were awarded in Niger and Adamawa states with combined capacity to supply huge megawatts for nation’s consumption.

    Maku expressed satisfaction with Katsina State Government’s preparation to maximally harness the Federal Government power generation projects.

    According to him, such efforts will surely boost economic activities of the rural areas.

    `When the plants became operational, Katsina will be among the high benefiting states from the development on the ground.

    “The effort would facilitate active performance of local entrepreneurs, cottage industries and other small scale businesses that would rejuvenate economic growths in the communities.”

    Maku also inspected the ongoing N167 million Yankara water supply project in Faskari LGA awarded by the state government.

    The minister expressed optimism that the initiatives would improve the wellbeing of the people.

    He also inspected the 35 km Yankara-Maigora road, 40 km Shema-Kankara road as well as the 45 km Kakume-Guga-Bakori road, among others in Katsina south senatorial zone.

    Speaking during the inspection tour, Katsina State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba, reiterated the state government’s determination to provide people oriented projects, aimed at enhancing the standard of living of the people.

    He said the projects executed have touched all aspects of their standard of living, such as education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and economic growth.

    Abdullahi said that all projects were in line with the Federal Government development policies as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) initiative.

    Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of Faskari LGA, Alhaji Isiyaku Faskari-Ahmad, said that adequate arrangements were made to ensure that people benefited with the electrification project.

    He said that rice processing mills and other agro-allied industries as well as domestic businesses would be encouraged at the grass root.

    NAN reports that the Minister was received by Katsina State Deputy Governor at the Zamfara state boarder.

  • Boko Haram: FG urges northern leaders to be more courageous

    The Federal Government has challenged Northern leaders to be more courageous in the efforts to end the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

    The minister of Information, Labaran Maku also  reminded northern leaders that the peace in the Niger Delta did not come easy but for the courage and direct involvement of leaders from the region who went to the creeks to talk to the boys.

    The minister spoke during the pre-briefing on the planned Niger Delta stakeholders’ forum slated for Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state.

    The stakeholders conference and inaugural meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta is to launch the Niger Delta Action Plan, a set development milestones to be achieved in the next few years.

    The plan contains a comprehensive, integrated infrastructure framework which will involve everybody, which is meant to give ownership of projects in the region to the people through collective involvement.

    Speaking at the occasion, the minister stressed that the people must understand that it is impossible to have development when peace in the absence of peace.

    He noted that with the return of peace in Niger Delta, the region he said in the  next 10-15 years would have achieved a lot in terms of development.

    He urged all the leaders in the country who believed in one Nigeria to join in the search for peace in the country.

    “Whenever violence becomes a way of life development can never be visible”, he said stressing that resources of other region are equally significant, but without peace the country cannot see development.

    He therefore charged Northern leaders to follow the steps of Niger Delta leaders who had to go all the way even as far as into the creeks to talk to the militants to embrace peace.

    The result he said is evidential now as the country is benefiting from improved production of crude oil which translate to improve income for the country.

    He also added that for the fact that the Niger delta are moving forward,we all we move forward because if we move forward,Nigeria will move forward and if any part of this country is moving backward we can’t move forward so that if the Niger Delta  presents an example of what  we can achieve when leaders stand up and  become courageous and identify with the problems” in the country

  • Super Eagles’ supporters club gets N5m gift from Fed Govt

    Super Eagles’ supporters club gets N5m gift from Fed Govt

    For playing a key role in the Super Eagles’ victory and winning of the trophy at the just concluded African Cup of Nations in South Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday announced a N5m gift to the national team’s Supporters’ Club.

    Jonathan made the announcement at a special opening session of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.

    The President had on Tuesday night announced national honors, cash and plots of land for the players and technical crew.

    Jonathan yesterday said that he would have announced the donation during the dinner he organised in honor of the players.

    According to him, since the Super Eagles have gone this far, they must ensure that they did not only qualify for the next World Cup but also ensure that they qualify for the final match of the tournament.

    The President said: “I want to thank the Minister of Sports and of course the NFF which has always been associated with a lot of stories for this feat. If you had lost, you would have been humiliated.

    “I know that it is challenging to manage a team. We will continue to praise and encourage the boys and charge them to ensure they qualify for the World Cup and get to the final.

    He continued: “We also commend the supporters’ club. This really escaped me yesterday (on Tuesday) when we were announcing gifts for the players.

    “Government will give the club N5m to encourage them. It is not easy supporting a team, be singing and dancing even when it seems the team is not winning. We need to encourage them.”

    Recalling making request for prayers when he made a presentation to FEC on the team’s preparation about three weeks ago, the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi noted that President Jonathan gladly obliged.

    He said: “We can conveniently say that God has answered our prayers after 19 years of waiting. With the winning, the mood of the country has changed. God rewarded the President’s passion and commitment because before now, past administrations tried without success. God ordained it that this will happen during your (Jonathan’s) time.”

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, said that Nigeria has been re-branded among comity of nations with the Super Eagles’ victory.

    According to him, Nigeria does not need to spend money on external publicity since the match was watched worldwide.

    “With this victory, Nigeria has been re branded  for the next six months, we do not need to spend money on external publicity because that match was watched all over the world,” he stated.

    On his part, Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku while stressing that football is very crucial to national development, noted that the nation stood still for the final match.

    He said: “When the match was being played, we were here and we watched it. The whole country stood still for the match. Even Boko Haram and kidnappers suspended actions during the match. Football has always been crucial to national development,”

    Agitation for the actualization of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election and the civil war, he said, were stopped for a period of time because of football matches.

    The Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “It is a fantastic win. It signaled an opening up of the sports sector under your (the President’s) leadership where we can create jobs though it. For our young people, the spirit of negativism that tends to prevail has been turned around. This is just the beginning,”

    Minister of Interior, Aba Moro, said that prayers and hard work were responsible for the nation’s victory at the tournament.

    “A combination of patience as exemplified by the First Lady (Mrs. Patience Jonathan) and the resilience of the President gave us the goodluck we are celebrating. Those were the things that saw Nigeria through this crystal moment. Prayers and hardwork saw us through. The lesson for us is that if we are patient, committed and work hard, Nigeria will go places. We will continue to assist you to achieve greater things for the country,” he added