The Nation Newspaper

Tag: N200m

  • Ogun, FMC pay N200m compensation to landowners

    The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, and Ogun State government have paid over N200 million compensation to communities whose lands were acquired for the University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Odeda Local Government Area.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands, Mrs. Bimbo Oluyinka, presenting cheques to beneficiaries at the Bureau of Lands and Survey, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, explained that one of the cardinal points of this administration was to provide efficient healthcare to residents.

    According to her, “without well-being, wealth is nothing; resources are nothing, which is the reason for this laudable programme. Today’s gesture from the government is beyond financial compensation, it is a compensation that would be forever which your children will benefit from  and the creation of the University would provide employment”, She said.

    FMC’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu hailed the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and Governor Ibikunle Amosun for their support in making the compensation a reality.

    “The governor has done so much for FMC and presently connecting the hospital community to the power grid, for a 24 hour power supply.  To crown it all, Governor Amosun apportioned lands worth N5.2 billion to the hospital, free of charge for the project.  This will be the first time a Medical Centre will be establishing a full-fledge University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in the country,” he said.

    The CMD also thanked the host communities for their understanding and cooperation, promising that the university would consider them first in employment.

    Speaking for the beneficiaries, Chief Olukayode Ganiyu, the Baale of Asalu Kemta village, thanked the governments and CMD for the compensation.

  • Kwara keeps N200m for health scheme

    The Kwara State government has set aside N200 million, under the Kwara State Health Insurance Fund (KHIS), to fund its health insurance scheme, it was learnt yesterday.

    Governor AbdulFath Ahmed, who spoke in Ilorin at the launch of KHIS, said the scheme provides low, affordable premium and associated quality healthcare.

    “With a daily contribution of N25, no more will citizens and residents of Kwara State be unable to access critical treatment because they cannot afford to pay hospital fees or buy prescribed drugs,” he said.

    The governor stressed that his administration is committed to contributing one per cent of annual Consolidated Revenue Fund to subsidise premiums and service delivery to those considered part of the poorest in the society.

    He said: “We are boosting the scheme with 40 per cent of funds received through the “Saving One Million Lives Performance for Results Initiative” – an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health, supported by the World Bank and targeted at the improving maternal and child health in Nigeria.”

    Executive Secretary of the KHIS Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter said registration will begin on August 2 in the 193 wards in the state.

  • Emmanuel donates N200m to renovate barracks

    Emmanuel donates N200m to renovate barracks

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has donated N200 million for the renovation of Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government.

    He donated the amount at the West African Social Activity (WASA) held in the barracks at the weekend.

    The governor thanked the army for securing life and property.

    He said soldiers toiling day and night to keep the peace deserved a better place to stay with their families, adding: “We have enjoyed cooperation in terms of security.

    “Through this barracks, they (soldiers) have helped us to keep the peace within the community and state.

    “Through this barracks, they have enforced discipline. It will not be wise for me to be here as a governor and leave this barracks without our signature.

    “We will make available to you almost immediately N200 million, so that you can look at the quarters you want to renovate.”

    Emmanuel urged the 2 Brigade commander to pay attention during the renovation of quarters that would touch the lives of children and women.

    He hailed the Chief of Army Staff, GOC 6 Division and Commander 2 Brigade for upholding the WASA tradition.

  • Infrastructure upgrade to cost N200m at FGC Ilorin

    Infrastructure upgrade to cost N200m at FGC Ilorin

    The Federal Government is spending about N200 million on the upgrade of infrastructural facilities at the Federal Government College Ilorin, Kwara State, it was gathered.

    The government is tarring 10 kilometres of road within the compound of the school.

    Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Adesina told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that already the authorities of the college have called for tenders.

    Alhaji Adesina said that “contractors have applied. I assure you the job would commence when the school goes on vacation, as government wants the job completed before January 2017.

    “The advantage of the contract is that we will have additional classrooms and by extension student population will increase. With more classrooms more students will be accommodated.

    “Secondly, the investment will provide more conducive learning environment for the students. With this the student performance will be excellent.

    “The funds allocated by the federal government are for the college to execute policies, programmes and projects towards achieving the mandate of the college.

    “I urge the old students of the school to do more in the provision of more infrastructural facilities in the school.”

    He dispelled comments accredited to the National President FGC Alumni Association, Jumai Ndalugi that the school suffers from monumental infrastructural decay.

    Said he, “The PTA would beseech the old students association executive to pass vote of no confidence on Jumai Nadalugi since she does not have the interest of the school at heart.

    “She has displayed sterling moral bankruptcy to deform, defame and damage the image and reputation of this noble college. She has shown and proven beyond all rationale that she cannot represent and portray the noble objectives of the old students association.

    “Similarly, we entreat the Federal Ministry of Education to take action both civil and legal to caution the national president. She should be made to proffer proofs for her allegations.

    “Furthermore, the PTA is very proud of the Director/Principal, Mrs. Rita Okpaleke. She has become a litmus test for any principal that would take over from her. Her passion is untrammeled, her outstanding moral and ethical disposition is highly sought for in this demanding time.”

  • Navy to pay firm N200m for illegal detention

    Navy to pay firm N200m for illegal detention

    For illegally detaining an oil firm’s vessel, the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Navy and the Chief of Naval Staff to pay Mercury Oil Limited N200 million damages.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke held that the Navy illegally detained the firm’s vessel, M T SAPPHIRE 1, and allegedly siphoned 280,000 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) stored on it.

    The company, through its lawyer, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN), sought the enforcement of its rights and those of the vessel’s crew – Folorunso Olayiwola, Joshua Arthur, Asabalashe Johnson and Wale Alade.

    In a supporting affidavit, the company’s Managing Director, Osita Onumonu, said Mercury Oil was engaged in offshore operation to load AGO last February.

    He said despite obtaining statutory approval, the vessel and its crew were arrested on suspicion of engaging in illegal operations.

    Onumonu said the AGO was financed through a bank loan for N170 million.

    The applicants demanded N200 million as general damages and urged the court to declare their arrest and detention illegal.

    They also sought a declaration that it was unlawful to siphon the 280,000 litres of AGO from the vessel.

    Despite being served with the court process, the Navy did not file any defence. Quakers, therefore, urged the court to enter judgment in his client’s favour.

  • Unpaid N200m allowance sets National Assembly on edge

    Unpaid N200m allowance sets National Assembly on edge

    The non-payment of Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) totalling approximately N200 million is set to cause crisis at the National Assembly, if not properly handled, The Nation’s findings indicate.

    Many of the close to 3, 000 legislative aides who served 109 Senators and 360 members of the 7th House of Representatives have suspicions that a clique within the management of the National Assembly has perfected arrangements to divert a portion or the entire sums meant to pay their last DTA.

    However, officials of the National Assembly assert that the situation was only being misread by anxious persons.

    But suspicious legislative aides who sought anonymity assert that while the National Assembly’s management had dutifully paid the quarterly DTA of about N75, 000 – 90, 000 along with aides’ salaries in the past, payment of the April 2015 quarterly DTA has inexplicably remained in limbo.

    They attributed their suspicions to the fact that all Senators and members of the House of Representatives in the 7th National Assembly have received every kobo of all outstanding allowances while other payments worth millions of Naira have been paid to legislators who resumed in June this year.

    “The National Assembly management is harbouring people who are smart by half and because legislative aides’ attention is on the impending payment of severance benefits ranging from N1 million to about N4 million. These people want to ‘eat’ the outstanding DTA totalling approximately N200 million for all aides”, one of the legislative aides told The Nation.

    Findings by The Nation indicate that rather than calm nerves, an official memo signed by Director, Personnel Management Department Dr. I. S. Habu, on behalf of the Clerk of the National Assembly and pasted on various notice boards within the National Assembly further spurred suspicions as it unusually bore no date.

    The memo reads: “I am directed to inform all legislative aides to please be patient regarding the payment of their severance gratuity and duty tour allowance (DTA), as management is making concerted efforts to secure the funds from the Ministry of Finance.

    “I am to add that as soon as the monies are released, payment will commence without any delay.”

    When contacted, the Director of Finance and Accounts at the National Assembly, Alhaji Lasisi Bukoye, emphasized that there is no basis for allegations and suspicions, stressing that “no funds have been released by the Federal Ministry of Finance”.

    Also, the erstwhile chairman of the National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum (NASSLAF), Honourable Mahmud Mohammed, who became a member of the House of Representatives in June asserted that his leadership of the association would not have any reason to make compromises with any official who aims to short-change legislative aides.

    “The management has put up a notice indicating that they are yet to access the required funds. The rumour (allegation of diversion) was so much that I advised them to write and put information on notice boards so that it would not be as if they are deliberately refusing to pay (legislative aides’ DTA).

    “The funds are yet to be released, but they will pay because we had taken up issues with them.

    “We are not expecting 100% payment because it would now be payment for two months out of the three months that make a quarter.

    “Things have been worked out; we are counselling our people to just have little patience as the notice pasted by management underlines a commitment,” Honourable Mohammed stated.

  • SON seizes N200m sub-standard goods

    The  enforcement operations of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has paid off as substandard goods valued at N200million were siezed.

    The enforcement operations were targeted at major foam dealers, and suspected warehouses where fake Vita Foams and other products valued were hoarded in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The exercise spearheaded by the Inspectorate and Compliance Department (ICD)of the agency which was led by Mr  Bede Obayi, and with a combined team of SON workers made the storm in  the popular market, as well as other major hide outs, where fake foams are sold to unsuspecting consumers.  Apart from the fake foams, other counterfeit products seized during the raid were sub-standard shaving sticks as well as other sundry products.

    During the exercise, fake products of various ranges were confiscated while  warehouses were sealed and nine trucks suspected to be loaded with counterfeit Vita Foams and unregulated products were equally impounded. The one-day exercise, which took most of the shop owners by surprise coupled with the presence of stern looking security operatives, was a huge success.

    Obayi who heads the ICD, said  though it was part of SON’s routine activities to visit markets with a view to ascertaining the level of compliance of the products in circulation, it had become imperative to storm the locations in the fashion his officers did because the surveillance earlier carried out had indicted the places visited. According to him, the dealers in the fake products were operating in a hide out.

    He said:“Most of the operators of fake products operate in a hide out, the more we expose them, the better for everyone. We will not handle operators of fake products with kid gloves at all. We conducted intelligence survey, and the fake products failed test of various parameters. ’’

  • Oyo Senator empowers constituents with N200m

    Oyo Senator empowers constituents with N200m

    The agrarian communities in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State stood still for three days as the Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Hosea Agboola stormed the 12 local government areas he represents to empower his people and commission no fewer than 60 projects.

    Agboola who kicked off his trip with the commissioning of projects on the 13thý of August ended it with the empowerment of over 10,000 people on the 15th of August, in his home town, Igbojaye in Itesiwaju Local Government.

    The local governments he represents in the upper chambers of the National Assembly includes; Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Orire, Olorunsogo, Orelope, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Iseyin, Kajola, Iwajowa, and Itesiwajuý.

    At the empowerment program, several items includeing150 grinding machines, 150 motorcycles, 500 sprayers, 150 sewing machines, 150 deep freezers, 100 clippers, 150 hair dryers, 150 air conditioners, 150 clippers, mechanical tools, vehicles, among others were presented to the people.

    Also, bursary award worth N15 million was distributed to 1,334 students from Oyo North senatorial district.

    Presenting the items to the beneficiaries, Agboola, the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator from the south west, said poverty alleviation programmes must be a constant event in the grassroots, as they served as a way of reaching out to the people who are mostly in need of empowerment.

    He told the gathering that he has spent about N200 million on empowerment scheme and bursary award for students in his constituency.

    The lawmaker said most of the beneficiaries were selected by the hierarchy of the PDP in the senatorial district, adding that the rest were from various groups and other political stakeholders in the area.

    Some of the political heavyweights present at the event include a one-time Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, PDP leader in Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, former minister for Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, former deputy governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarunmi, Oyo PDP Chairman, Mr Yinka Taiwo, Mr Femi Babalola among others.

    Speaking at the event, the Oyo State PDP chairman, Mr Yinka Taiwo appealed to all elected or appointed office holders to let the people at the grassroots feel their impact, adding that politicians who distance themselves from the people cannot win election.

    Taiwo noted that the political structure of the state will be in the hands of PDP in 2015, saying that the people of the state are now politically awake and it would be difficult for any party to defeat the PDP.

    The party chairman called on political office holders in the state to redouble their empowerment and mass mobilization drives to ensure the victory of the party in the next year’s general electioýn.

    Lauding the initiative, Oluigbo of Igbojaye, Oba Zacheus Oladimeji said:”Senator Agboola is a gift to this generation and to the people of Igbojaye community as the legislator representing our constituency,  he has performed creditably well within the period he has spent in the Senate and we are proud of him”

    Also, the leader of PDP in Oyo State, Seriki Adeojo also described Sen Agboola as:”  a humble man who is full of accomplishments. He contributes very well in the National Assembly. He consults constantly with his constituency and makes contributions that reflect the opinion and aspirations of his constituency. I think we are lucky and happy to have him as one of our strong party members.

    “He executed many projects in the 12 local councils he represents, and projects like drilling of boreholes, solar lights, supply of transformers and building of classrooms with toilets, ICT centres have been done. He makes promises and fulfils them. This man has been supportive of the youth. He is taking care of the needy and we the traditional rulers are also well taken care of from his personal resources,”

    Earlier before the empowerment program kicked off, no fewer than 60 projects financed by the lawmaker were commissioned. These include a block of three classrooms and toilets each within 13 council areas, 10 ICT centres, 15 primary health centres, community museum, ýsolar light, bore holes among others.

    Lauding one the projects, the Principal of Gboro Muslim College, Saki, Mallam Alimi Hamzat said:”I want to appreciate your kind gesture. You have in a long way contributed to the development of education in this area, because what you are giving us is not just a block of three classrooms, but an executive block which is made up of modern toilets, furniture, electricity, slide windows among others.”

    Senator Agboola who was quick to remember his Alma Mata, Baptist High School, Saki, constructed a modern ICT centre fully equipped with computers and same was replicated at Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Are and Igbojaye Community High School.

    The schools commissioned include, the Apostolic Church Basic School III, Olopemarun in Ogbomosho South. Ori-Oke Community Senior High School, Ogbomoso North, UMCA Grammar School, Olorunsogo, Nybrosis Primary School, Oke-Suna Tege, Kisi in Orelope Local Government, Gboro Community Secondary School, Saki in Saki West Local Government, IDGS Secondary School, Iseyin Local Government, Nawarudeen Primary School, Okaka among others.

    Explaining how the projects would be sustained, Agboola said the schools will be maintained by the state government and the community, while the health centres will be handed over to the National Agency for Primary Health Centre.

    The Iba of Kisi, Oba Masoud Oyekola Arowoduye, Ounjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Adeitan II , and  Oolokaka of Okaka, Ayoola Azeez Olatunji, all commended the lawmaker and endorsed the him for second term when he visited them in their palaces.

    At Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Saki station, Agboola donated N55 million towards the upgrading of their equipment. And justifying the reason for the kind gesture the lawmaker said:” I have been assisting NTA since I was a commissioner and I always influence people to assist them. I will also do more because this is one of the means my people can have a view of what is happening all over Nigeria”

    In his appreciation address, the General Manager of the station, Alh Fatai Adiyeloja said:” Agboola has fulfilled his promises to his constituency with laudable projects, and a whooping sun of N55 million was lavished on our station for the rehabilitation of all our equipments, which is epoch in the history of this station and it’s the first time a lawmaker in Nigeria will be doing this for any television station in Nigeria. We now transmit regularly and we now have a wide coverage. We have refurbished two vehicles and our studio has been rehabilitated among others”

  • FAAN,Customs, others lose N200m to ports’ congestion

    As the protest by clearing agents and freight forwarders over air arbitrary charges by foreign cargo airlines lingers, the Nigerian Customs Service Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Aviance Plc Skyways Aviation Handling  Company Limited ( SAHCOL) and other  operators at the cargo wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos  have lost over N200 million as revenue because of the uncleared cargoes at the tarmac.

    The loss is sa a result of the refusal of clearing agents and freight forwarders to clear cargoes flown in by international cargo airlines.

    A source close to a Customs clearing agent said, the agencies earn about N22m daily from major international airport on cargo operations.

    The bulk of such earnings come from Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. Fifty percent of cargo volumes coming into the country are from the Lagos Airport, while Kano remains the second busiest in terms of cargo.

    For eight days, inbound cargoes piled up in Lagos and other airports, raising fears of further congestion if the matter is not resolved.

    Attempt by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to resolve the matter failed at the weekend, as a meeting between the affected airlines, clearing agents and freight forwarders ended in deadlock.

    Agencies affected by the refusal of the clearing agents and freight forwarders to clear cargo include Nigerian Customs Service, FAAN, NAHCO and SAHCOL.

    NAHCO Aviance said it has not stopped the clearing of goods in its warehouse.

    In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Sanya Onayoade, the firm stated that the clarification became necessary due to insinuations making the round that  it had stopped clearance of goods as a result of a disagreement between some major airlines and customs licensed clearing agents.

    While urging a speedy resolution of the issues by the parties, NAHCO Aviance said its facilities are open for business in both its export and import warehouses.

    It said to resolve the impasse, NAHCO had begun 24 hours cargo operations.

    ‘’This is sequel to the agreement reached between the organisation and Nigerian Customs Service to extend its hours of operation at the Cargo Airport Complex.

    ‘’With the commencement of the 24-hour cargo operations by nahco aviance, there would be prompt facilitation of cargoes.

    This would reduce the stockpiling of cargo at the tarmac and bulk breaking areas due to enhanced operational capacity.

    ‘This will also lead to proper maximisation of cargo potentials thus expediting on timely delivery to customers, smoother flow of operations and enhancing daytime capability,’’ it said.

  • Ogun approves N200m bursary

    •Indigenes in Law School to get N100,000 each

     

    The Ogun State Government has approved N200 million for the payment of bursaries and the award of scholarships to students.

    Indigenes in law schools across the federation would be paid N100,000 each.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun approved a 50 per cent increment on the N50,000 each student was formerly paid.

    Primary school pupils with special needs will now get N10, 000 each, instead of the previous N8,000.

    Their counterparts in secondary schools and tertiary institutions will get N20,000 and N30,000.

    Over 10,770 students are to benefit from the reviewed Bursary Scheme.

    Although 49,298 students applied for the bursary, 10,770 were verified as genuine.

    The beneficiaries comprises 226 law students, 432 physically-challenged persons (eight in primary schools, 314 in secondary schools and 110 in tertiary institutions), 235 state scholars, 4,782 final-year students and 5,988 on other levels.

    Commissioner for Education Segun Odubela, who spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, said the figures were arrived at after his ministry overhauled the payment process of bursaries, scholarships and other grants to ensure transparency.

    Odubela said: “I realised that if we want to increase the amount paid to the beneficiaries, we need to ensure that the figures are correct and cover only genuine beneficiaries.

    “So we requested the institutions to forward the names of students of Ogun State origin, their bank account details, names and addresses of their parents.

    “Each student was required to append his or her signature on the returns. This helped us arrive at realistic figures of beneficiaries and the amount required.”

    He said final-year students would get N10,000 each, instead of the previous N3,000, while those on other levels would be paid N5,000, instead of N1,500.

    State scholars will get N30,000 each instead of the previous N8,000-N25, 000.

    Odubela said the governor directed that the money should be taken from this year’s budget of the Ministry of Education.