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Tag: Nasarawa

  • LG polls: 448 aspirants jostle for APC tickets in Nasarawa

    Four hundred and forty-eight aspirants are jostling for APC tickets to contest chairmanship and councillorship seats in the May 26 local government elections in Nasarawa State.

    The primary elections, according to Mr Musa Dan-Azumi, Chairman, Aspirants Screening Committee, will hold between April 7 and April 11.

    Dan-Azumi, who submitted the committee’s report to the party on Thursday in Lafia, said that 69 persons were cleared for chairmanship positions, while 379 were interested in becoming councillors.

    “A total of 81 aspirants purchased nomination forms for chairmanship seats; 72 appeared for screening out of which 69 were cleared. Three were disqualified, while nine failed to appear.

    “A total of 445 aspirants bought councillorship nomination forms, 426 appeared for screening, 379 were cleared, 47 disqualified while 19 were absent,” he said.

    He said that the committee received 16 petitions which were “treated objectively”.

    Dan-Azumi said that the committee adhered strictly to the party’s guidelines and terms of reference in carrying out its assignment, and thanked the party for the opportunity to serve without interference.

    Mr. Philip Shekwo, Chairman of the party, who received the report, thanked the committee for doing a good job.

    “The committee has done a thorough job; I am happy that we are about to feature our best candidates in the general elections,” he said.

    Shekwo said that an appeal committee had been inaugurated to listen to appeals from aspirants that might feel unjustly treated by the screening committee, and advised those with complaints to approach it.

    He promised that no candidate would be imposed on the people, but said that the party would support wards or local governments that had agreed on consensus candidates.

    “But, even where a consensus is reached, we shall conduct a primary election if there is one dissenting voice,” he said.

  • 2019: Nasarawa Deputy Speaker declares for governor

    The Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Godiya Akwashiki, has declared his interest to contest for the governor in next year’s election.

    He made his declaration in Lafia, the state capital, during his visit to at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat.

    Akwashiki said he joined the race to consolidate on the gains of democracy achieved by Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

    He said: “We all know there must be a transfer of power by 2019 because our Constitution does not support a third term. So, I am here to declare my interest in contesting the 2019 governorship to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Al-Makura’s administration.

    “I am qualified and ready to go to the battle line in 2019. I have the support of my family, friends and lovers, who have given me the go ahead.”

    Akwashiki, however, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the executive and legislative arms of government, stakeholders and the public to ensure a credible election.

    The APC Chairman, Philip Sheckwo, congratulated Akwashiki for declaring his intention, saying that only courageous, ambitious and determined politicians can aspire for governor.

    He said: “Today, we welcome you wholeheartedly because apart from being an important day, you are a very committed party member.”

  • Lawmaker to reconstruct 22km road in Nasarawa

    A member of Nasarawa State House of Assembly representing Akwanga South Constituency, Alhaji Kassim Mohammed-Kassim, said he is reconstructing the 22-kilometre Gudi-Moroa road in the state.

    Mohammed-Kassim said this was to boost socio-economic activities of his constituents.

    He said the reconstruction of the road in Akwanga would also boost agricultural activities of his constituents and the state at large.

    He said the road if reconstructed would not only reduce the plight residents faced in transporting their goods, but would also fight unemployment and poverty as well.

  • Plateau, Nasarawa, Bayelsa pay highest price for Kerosene in February – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS ) says residents of Plateau, Nasarawa and Bayelsa paid the highest price for kerosene in February.

    The NBS disclosed this in its “National Household Kerosene Price Watch for February, 2018’’ posted on its website.

    According to the report, residents of Plateau pay an average price of N319.44 per litre during the period, Nasarawa, N316.67 and Bayelsa residents, N315.28.

    The report said the average price per litre paid by consumers for the product decreased by -0.10 per cent month-on-month.

    The report also said that the price of the product decreased by -18.12 per cent year-on-year from N288.85 in January to N288.57 in February 2018.

    It, however, said that states with the lowest average price per litre include Kebbi N257.29; Oyo, N260.53 and Niger, N262.50.

    Similarly, the report said the average price per gallon paid by consumers for the product increased by 0.54 per cent month-on-month and decreased by -24.58 per cent year-on-year from N1,024.83 in January to N1,030.33 in February.

    the report also indicated that states with the highest average price per gallon are Kebbi, N1,203.13; Borno, N1,187.50 and Niger N1,184.38, respectively.

    States with the lowest average price per litre of the commodity, according to the report, include Rivers, N828.26; Delta N858.33 and Abia N882.50.

    NAN

  • Police to deploy horses for patrol in Nasarawa

    The Nasarawa State Police Command says it will soon reintroduce the use of horses for patrols in parts of the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Bello made the disclosure on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit on the traditional ruler of Keana, the Osana, Abdullahi Agbo III.

    The commissioner who was responding to a request by Mohammed Ayitogo, Interim Management Committee Chairman, Keana Local Government, said the mounted troops would be deployed for patrol along the state’s border with Benue.

    Ayitogo had volunteered to buy the horses, saying it was important to track activities in the local government area in view of its closeness to Benue, which has been experiencing security challenges.

    The commissioner hailed the offer by the chairman and promised to fast track the deployment of personnel for the patrols.

    Bello agreed that deploying horse patrol teams to areas with difficult terrain would help protect people in remote communities from criminals and restore people’ s confidence in government.

    In his response, the monarch called for the deployment of more policemen to the area in view of the influx of people due to ongoing oil exploration activities by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

    The royal father pledged to support the police to ensure effective protection of lives and properties.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police commissioner who was on familiarisation visit to the area also visited Keana, Awe, Azara, and Obi Police Divisions.

    He told policemen there that the tour was to get first hand information on the security situation in their divisions, challenges confronting them and efforts to address the problems.

    Bello advised the officers to be civil and carry the people along in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

    Read Also: Police arrest four notorious kidnappers in Zamfara

    The commissioner, however, warned them to desist from acts capable of bringing the image of the police into disrepute and avoid delving into civil matters.

    He noted that there were lots of litigation against the police command arising from civil cases involving police personnel.

    Bello advised the personnel to build synergy with communities and other security agencies to enhance intelligence gathering and sharing for effective policing.

    “The era of security agencies trying to outdo themselves is over, we all have one goal, the security of lives and property, which can only be achieved with collective collaboration,’’ he said.

    According to him, plans are underway to build new police stations and barracks, as well as renovate and secure existing ones across the state.

    He also said that the command would deploy more personnel to various divisions for effectiveness.

    All the divisions visited, the Divisional Police Officers complained of shortage of manpower and operational vehicles.

  • Nasarawa farmers mourn Doma, say “genuine lover of agriculture is gone”

    Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, former Nasarawa State Governor, who died in an Israeli hospital on Tuesday, March 6, and was buried in Doma on Sunday, has been described as “a lover of agriculture”.

    Farmers in the state, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Doma, said that the late governor demonstrated deep commitment to the sector when he served as governor between 2007 and 2011.

    “We have lost a great friend; we have lost someone who was deeply interested in food security and deployed resources to actualise it,” a yam farmer, Dauda Ali, said of Doma, who died at 75.

    He said that the demise of Doma was a great shock to the farming community because he did not pay lip service to the agriculture.

    “When he was governor, he gave us fertiliser, tractors and assorted seeds. Doma will always be our hero,” he said.

    Another farmer, Mr Audu Akawu, said that Doma was indeed a very friend to farmers.

    “I cannot forget a governor that gave us loans, tractors, fertiliser, and every other thing we required to be great farmers.

    “He initiated a programme, `Badakoshi’, through which he gave us all that we required to maximise out potential as farmers. We cannot forget him in a hurry,” he said.

    He said that during Doma’s tenure, Nasarawa State witnessed high yields of agricultural production which ensured food security.

    “His attention to the agriculture sector also reduced unemployment and poverty in the state,” he said.

    Akawu said that farmers were sad over Doma’s exit,  but were proud that he left a very good agricultural legacy for others to emulate.

    Another farmer, Alhaji Sule Haruna, said that Doma did his best to attract more people to farming and urged his successors to emulate him.

    “Doma’s agricultural legacies impacted positively on the lives of the people which created stability and peace because indolence was minimised,” he said.

    Akawu described Doma’s death as shocking and heartbreaking, and prayed God to give Nasarawa residents the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Another farmer, Mrs. Juliana Omame, said that the death of the former governor was a big loss to farmers in the state.

    “Doma was a very good friend to farmers; we pray that we shall have another governor like him,” he said. (NAN)

  • FG to complete Loko-Oweto Bridge in November

    The Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing has assured that the 2.2-kilometre Loko-Oweto bridge across the river Benue linking Nasarawa and Benue would  be completed by November.

    The Federal Controller of Works in Nasarawa State, Mr Wasiu Taiwo,  disclosed this to newsmen in Lafia on Thursday.

    Our reporter,  reports that officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, on the instruction of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, had embarked on a media tour of ongoing projects in Nasarawa State on Wednesday.

    Taiwo said the completion of the bridge would create a shortcut for people  travelling from Abuja to the South Eastern part of the country.

    “I want to assure that the Federal Government is fully committed to completion of this project at the set date.

    “There are a lot of benefits that come with the completion and one is the option of going to the South East through here. The journey is three hours less from here,” he said.

    Read Also: 2017: Still a long walk home

    He said that the contract for the construction of the bridge was awarded at an initial sum of N36 billion with a revised sum of N51 billion.

    Taiwo also said that the 82-kilometre Nasarawa-Loko road,  linking the bridge to both states, would be completed by September to facilitate movement.

    “I want to assure that this particular bridge and the Nasarawa-Loko road are very important projects to the Federal Government. Our target is November and we hope by then, it will be ready for use,“he said.

    The controller said that the work was 85 per cent completed and assured that with the rate of work so far, the contractor was likely to complete it on or before Nov.29.

    NAN

  • FRSC seeks media collaboration in enforcing traffic regulations

    FRSC seeks media collaboration in enforcing traffic regulations

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called for a strong tie between it and the media in enforcing traffic rules and regulations in the country.

    Mr Peter Kino, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Jos zone, made the call at a press briefing on Tuesday in Jos.

    Kibo, who just assumed duty as the new zonal commanding officer, urged media organisations in the zone to support its course.

    Read Also: FRSC to embark on “Operation Show Your Driver’s Licence’’ in Lagos

    He said enlightenment was a cardinal function of the corps hence the need for the media to key into its mandate of public education for safer highways across the country.

    “Public education is key to our bid to ensure safer highways in the country. As an organisation, we can’t do it alone; so, we need stronger partnership with the media to achieve our goals.

    “So, I am calling on all media organisations, particularly those in the states under my control to support and collaborate with us to succeed in making our highways safe,” he said.

    Our reporters,  reports that the Jos zonal command comprises Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau.

    NAN

     

  • AEDC requires $150m to install meters for customers – MD

    AEDC requires $150m to install meters for customers – MD

    Abuja Electricity Distribution Company ( AEDC ) says about 150 million dollars is required to finance metering of  electricity customers  in its coverage areas of Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ).

    AEDC’s Managing Director, Mr Ernest Mupwaya, said this while making a presentation to House Committee on  Privatisation, who was on oversight visit to the company.

    Mupwaya said  the huge cost of metering was one of the challenges to mass metering of all the customers.

    He, however, said the company had a target of installing 120,000 meters yearly, adding that 146,000 meters had been installed so far.

    He told the  house committee  members that  AEDC was in the final process of  procuring another 320,000 meters  to accelerate  metering of  residential  customers.

    On Large Power Users (LPU), he said AEDC  had successfully  installed meter for all the 4,000 LPU customers; installed a technology to improve security and tampering detection on the equipment.

    He also said that the technology was designed to help monitor quality of power supply and power flow to the customers.

    According to him, the company has installed network capacity of about 870 MW above 710 MW peak power network received, adding that it has capacity to receive more power across its franchise area.

    He also said AEDC had also reduced its technical and commercial losses from 56 per cent at inception to 44 per cent in Dec 2017.

    Mupwaya further disclosed that the company had replaced and installed 630 faulty distribution transformers, totaling 208 MVA at the cost of N903 million to ensure improved services to its customers.

    He said that the company had consolidated its vending system into three separate systems.

    This, he said,  was designed to ensure increased payment tracking, flexible electronic solutions and convenience vending at any location, irrespective of meter type, brand or location.

    Earlier, House Committee Chairman on Privatisation, Ahmed Yerima, represented by Shadima Mutiu, said the committee was aware of the challenges faced by DISCOS  in the country.

    He, however, said the oversight visit was to ensure that objective of privatising the sector by  Federal Government was being  archived, especially in delivering power to Nigerians.

    Yerima said the visit was to ensure the DISCOS performed their duties and lived up to the terms of  the agreement  reached in the privitasation documents.

    According to him, part of the agreement is that AEDC reduces power theft, either technical or commercial.

    “We expect that you overhaul your obsolete equipment; we expect that you have metered majority of your customers.”

    He said it was important that Nigerians experienced the benefits of privatising the sector.

    He, however, said  the committee members were impressed  with the  level of achievements by AEDC  in its franchise areas.

    He urged AEDC to always present its operational challenges to the House for possible ways of resolving the issues.

    Yerima said the house would collaborate with the company, with the support of the executive, to help resolve challenges like energy theft, debts owed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through legislation.

    High point of the visit was the inspection of some of the facilities in the company by the committee members.

    NAN

  • Police nab 20 suspects in Nasarawa

    Police nab 20 suspects in Nasarawa

    •Firearms recovered

    Nasarawa State Police Command na bed 20 suspects and recovered firearms this month.

    Spokesman Kennedy Idirisu said yesterday in Lafia that the suspects were picked at locations for offences, such as robbery, culpable homicide, kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms.

    He said the firearms recovered included four rifles, six locally-fabricated pistols and 220 rounds of live ammunition.

    Idirisu said the feat was recorded through the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), with information from the public.

    He said some of the suspects had been arraigned, adding that others were being investigated and would be arraigned later.

    The spokesman said the command had given a 21-day ultimatum to those in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them or be prosecuted.

    He said the notification was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to police commissioners to begin disarmament and recovery of prohibited firearms, ammunition and weapons in the possession of groups and individuals across the country.

    “After expiration of the grace period, a joint task enforcement team will be constituted by the command to start mop-up, seizure and recovery of illegal and prohibited firearms and ammunition from individuals and groups, particularly the vigilance groups, neighbourhood watch, among others.

    “The command wants to state that persons or groups seen or found to be in possession of any lethal weapon will be arrested and arraigned,” Idirisu added.

    He stressed the need for citizens to support efforts at checking proliferation of arms and ammunition, to curb crimes, thereby reducing bloodletting.

    “The command implores all to cooperate with us by giving useful and timely information on local manufacturers of firearms, persons in possession of firearms illegally or persons trading in firearms through the following numbers: 08108795930, 08112692680 and 08123821571,” Idirisu said.