The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger

  • Niger inaugurates committee on E-WASH

    The Niger State government has inaugurated the state project steering committee on Effective Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (E-WASH) to salvage the problems bedevilling the water sector in the state.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, who inaugurated the 17-man committee, said the government is working hard to improve the availability of clean water in the state.

    He stated that sanitary conditions across the state need to be improved, as government intends to galvanise action towards salvaging water and sanitation problems in the state.

    Read Also: Nigeria is two countries in one: Backward north, developing south, says El-Rufai

    Matane then commended USAID E-WASH for working with the state government to deliver urban water services to the people.

    He charged the members of the committee to embark on aggressive sensitisation and enlightenment campaign on the importance of water and sanitation to the people.

    The committee’s terms of reference include providing effective water, sanitation and hygiene services E-WASH, ensure linkage and synergy in line with the Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs), monitor and review report on progress as well as enhance sector coordination, among others.

  • Council seeks maximisation of ginger, moringa potential

    THE Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC) has advocated the full utilisation of locally produced ginger (oleoresin) used as a base product in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector.

    At a workshop in Lagos on Thursday, with the topic: The utilisation of Locally Produced Ginger Oleoresin by Nigerian Industries, the RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Hussaini Dikko, unveiled a national strategy for Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials especially ginger.

    According to him, the country has the largest area in the world under ginger cultivation and ranks third in production after India and China. This, he said, underscores the need for a strategic plan by government to support producers of raw materials in terms of exploitation and development.

    He said: “Nigeria’s ginger is highly valued in the international market for its high oil and oleoresin content. Although ginger is mostly grown in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Oyo, Imo, Abia, and Lagos states, Southern Kaduna is the main producing area, with over 95 per cent of the country’s total production.

    “This position is supported by the Food & Agriculture Organisation Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) which stated that Nigeria produced 349,895 tons of ginger in 2017 with a world share of 11.5 per cent.”

    Represented by the Director, Technology Development Department, Dr. Abimbola Ogunwusi, he  said sadly, the bulk of ginger produced in the country is exported in slit-dried form. The importing countries further process it into industrial products mainly ginger powder, essential oils, oleoresin and re imported by manufacturers at higher cost.

    While underscoring the need for value addition to commodities within the country, he said statistics from Nigeria Customs Service Database in 2017 suggested that Nigeria spent over N182 million to import 524,991 kilogramme of ginger resinoids from January, 2016- February, 2017.

    He pledged the preparedness of the agency to promote, support and expedite industrial development and self-reliance through optimal utilisation of local raw materials as input to the nation’s industries especially ginger, who’s sector as a high employment opportunity.

    “RMRDC is seeking indigenous manufacturer’s buy-in as it promotes the utilisation of locally produced ginger oleoresin by user industries. Your buy-in will go a long way in developing the ginger value chain, reduce the importation of oleoresin into the country, save foreign exchange, and create job, wealth and diversify the economy,” Dikko said.

  • Niger inaugurates committee on open government partnership

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello has inaugurated the Open Government Partnership (OGP) steering committee in the state.

    Open Government Partnership is a voluntary, multi-lateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

    Open government proposed a new model of state reform and modernisation of public administration to improve the value to the public of the delivery of public services in an equal and reciprocal manner and is based in an innovative way of coordinating transparency initiatives, citizen participation and stakeholder collaboration.

    At the inauguration of the committee in Government House in Minna, Governor Sani-Bello said that the state is on an assured path towards increased openness and public participation.

    He added that the Open Government Partnership (OGP) will encourage the people to be more involved in government activities, take ownership and lead in their execution and monitoring which will lead to increased trust between government and the people.

    The Governor noted that he had always insisted that all government functionaries demonstrate the understanding of accountability and transparency in their various activities adding that the government is happy to foster increased collaboration between the government and external stakeholders with the main aim of improving the living conditions of the people in the state.

    Speaking to Northern Report after the inauguration, the Co-Chair Non State Actors of the steering committee, Samuel Yisa said with the inauguration of the steering committee, government have no choice than to be transparent and accountable.

    He stated that with the OGP Steering committee inaugurated would enable the people to be more involved in all aspect of government process especially the budget process.

    “The people will now be involved from the conception and be able to teach and monitor the budget until implementation is done. The government now have no choice than to be very transparent and accountable.

    “Nigerlites want to see result, they want to see develoent and how they can benefit from the essence of government, the non-state actors in the steering committee intend to ensure that there is an Open Niger.”

    The OGP Focal Person in Niger state, Alhaji Sirajo Sa’id said that the state government is willing and able to ensure openness at all levels adding that in inaugurating the committee, the government has shown its willingness to be fully involved in open governance.

    “Initially government worked on its own but today, government wants citizens to be part of the. It is no more like government officials will just sit down and decide for the state, now, the civil societies who represent the people, have more voice in the state.”

    Sirajo said that the open government partnership will make government as transparent and accountable as possible.

    The Niger state OGP action plan consists of four thematic areas and seven commitments which is structured within five thematic areas which includes fiscal transparency, access to information, citizen engagement and service delivery.

    Open Government Partnership was formally launched on September 20, 2011 with 8 founding governments, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Phillipines, South Africa, UK and USA. Nigeria became a member in 2016 as the 70th member.

  • 4-year-old boy electrocuted in Niger

    A four-year-old boy, Arafat Jibrin has been electrocuted in Niger state when he strayed into an electric transformer house.

    The incident occurred on Thursday night at the Senior Quarters of the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate in Maikunkele, a suburb of Minna.

    The Deceased was said to have been in a search of his sister who had gone to fetch water for the House when he strayed into the transformer house where he was electrocuted.

    An eyewitness said that it was a passerby who raised alarm when he noticed unusual activity in the transformer house but before the victim could be rescued, he had been burnt beyond recognition.

    Read Also: 446 Niger ians in UAE prisons, says ambassador

    The remains of the boy were taken from the transformer house and buried according to Islamic rite on Thursday night.

    The Public Relations Officer, of the Abuja Electricity Development Company (AEDC) Adamu Muhammad, confirmed the incident saying the Managing Director of AEDC had despatched a high powered delegation to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

    “We were in the residence of the family Friday morning to condole them and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed soul.”

  • Nigeria, 14 ECOWAS states to benefit from $8m forest protection project

    The Food Agricultural Organisation(FAO) announced on Tuesday that Nigeria and 14 other ECOWAS members are to benefit from an eight-million-dollar five-year forest protection project.

    The world body said that three agencies, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), FAO and ECOWAS had joined forces to protect West Africa’s forests to help safeguard the livelihoods of millions of people, depending on them.

    In a document reviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the organisation named Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ghana and other ECOWAS states as the beneficiaries of the planned support programme.

    It said the three institutions would carry out project, aimed at strengthening sustainable forest and land management.

    They would also address trans-boundary forest threats to maximise the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

    Tiina Vahanen, FAO’s Chief of Forestry Policy and Resources Division, said the project would be key to the rolling out of the ECOWAS-led Convergence Plan for the Sustainable Management and Use of Forest Ecosystems in West Africa.

    ”The ECOWAS-led Convergence Plan was adopted in 2013 by ECOWAS. It seeks to mobilise support to address trans-boundary forest issues across the 15-member states.

    He described the project as a concrete step towards improving the forest management in the region that would build on the momentum created in recent years to safeguard West Africa’s forests.

    Mr Ulla Andrén, Sida’s Head of Regional Development Cooperation in sub-Saharan Africa, said the project to be implemented by ECOWAS would be financed by Sida with over eight million dollars while the FAO would give technical support.

    He described the project as not only important for the people and governments of the region but also crucial for the global effort to stop climate change and loss of bio-diversity.

    Andrén expressed the pleasure of his organisation to be partners with ECOWAS and FAO on trans-boundary forest management in West Africa.

    Johnson Boanuh, ECOWAS Commission’s Environment Director, noted that West Africa’s forests and wetlands were an important source of livelihood for millions of people.

    Read Also: ECOWAS Bank to raise 25b francs in Q1

    He pointed out that about 72 million hectares were under treat.

    According to him, the forests and wetlands are also home to a wide range of vulnerable endemic animal species and more than 200 plant species.

    ”They are exceedingly affected by deforestation and degradation caused by various drivers, including unsustainable agricultural expansion and illegal logging.

    ”These are often exacerbated by trans-boundary issues such as trade between regions or within a region, which require strengthened forest governance and capacity at a regional level.

    ”The loss of forest cover in West Africa was four times higher between 1990 to 2015 than at the global level,’’ he said.

    ECOWAS Director said the project would develop a regional knowledge portal to improve access to data and share information on best forest management practices.

    ”It will also provide legal recommendations and guidelines on forest management, support community groups to implement sustainable forest and land management and build global capacity.

    ”The project will also support the implementation of other national and international commitments of West African countries, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals,’’ he said.

     

  • 15 die, 42 injured in Niger auto crashes

    No fewer than 15 persons have been confirmed dead when a trailer conveying cattle overturned as a result of over speeding along Minna-Bida road, Niger state.

    42 others were injured when a trailer carrying tomatoes and pepper overturned along Bida-Mokwa road.

    The two incidents, according to the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), occurred on Sunday afternoon.

    It said the victims and bodies of the deceased were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida.

    Apart from over speeding, no one can ascertain the cause of the first accident, which claimed 15 lives, including the driver.

    The Head of Clinical Services of FMC, Bida, Dr Adedeji Adekanye, confirmed 10 dead bodies were brought to the hospital from the accident spot but said no one gave him details of how the accident occurred.

    He said that the deceased were deposited at the morgue while five others who were brought alive later died due to the severity of their injuries.

    The second accident where 42 persons were injured was said to have occurred when the driver lost control in an attempt to negotiate a bend around Gbadafu community after Vida town.

    The trailer, said to be overloaded with people apart from the produce, overturned as the driver tried to gain back control of the trailer.

    Speaking to newsmen in Minna, the Director General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Inga, who also confirmed the crashes said that the victims are from Katsina and Zamfara states.

    He said majority of the injured persons were receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (Bida), while 13 people are on admission at the Umaru Ndayako General Hospital in Vida while others were taken to a private hospital within the town.

    The Head of Clinical Services of FMC, Bida said the Center could not admit all the injured persons as the Centre currently lacks adequate bed spaces.

    He added most of the victims were being attended to on the floor while those with minor injuries were treated and sent home while others who had severe injuries were taken to other hospitals.

    NSEMA Director General disclosed that the Agency has been able to reach out to relations of some of the deceased saying their burial have been slated for 4pm today.

  • INEC presents Certificate of Return to Niger governor

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger on Wednesday commended eligible voters in the state for their peaceful conduct during the 2019 general elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Samuel Egwu, made the commendation after presenting Certificates of Return to Gov. Abubakar Bello and his deputy, Ahmed Ketsu, in Minna.

    The REC also presented certificates of return to the 27 winners of the state assembly election of which APC won in 26 constituencies and PDP in one.

    Egwu said that the political maturity demonstrated by the voters paved way for the peaceful electoral process in the state.

    He also lauded the efforts of INEC officials for ensuring smooth implementation of the electoral process during and after the elections.

    Speaking after receiving his Certificate of Return, Bello commended INEC for providing a level playing ground for all the political parties during and after the elections.

    He said that the commission provided a great opportunity for eligible voters to elect leaders of their choice.

    The governor also commended the security agencies for ensuring peaceful atmosphere during and after the elections in the state.

    He promised to initiate policies and programmes that would enhance the wellbeing of residents.

    “We will initiate and implement people oriented programmes in the areas of water supply, education, healthcare delivery and provision of modern farming implement affordable to farmers,” Bello said.

  • ‘Those prodding Atiku to go to court after his money’

    Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, on Thursday said that those pressurising the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar to challenge outcome of the February 23rd Presidential election in court could be doing so to get money from him.

    He made the remark while speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the State House.

    According to him, he was at the Presidential Villa to congratulate Buhari on his victory at the poll.

    He said that with his victory in Niger State, people of the state should be assured his administration was committed to providing dividends of democracy to them and to complete ongoing projects.

    The new projects to be embarked upon, he said, will be of benefit to the general public.

    On the Atiku’s claim that he won the election, governor Bello said: “It is not unusual, when you lose elections, you go to court for so many reasons.

    “It could be that you think you won or it could be that someone is telling you that you have won or it could be that someone is telling you some miracles can happen.

    “It could also be that someone wants to get money off you. So there is no reason why after free and fair elections had been conducted and it is clear in the eyes of the world one still believes that there are shoddy dealings.

    “Anyone who feels dissatisfied is free to approach a court of law. It is a free world. Everyone is entitled to his opinion. But honestly, from what I saw in Niger, this election has been the fairest election we have conducted so far.”

    Despite the declaration of election inconclusive in some states by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governor said that the elections were the fairest election so far conducted in the country.

    He said: “I think INEC did extremely well, the security agencies did very well as well. It is not unusual when you hold elections in a country like Nigeria where you have so many units to have issues with one or two units.

    “If you look at the number of polling units, compare to the ones that have issues, probably, it’s less two or five percent. But generally, the elections went well.”

  • Niger spends N3.7bn on renovation of Government House

    Niger state government has disclosed that over N3.7 billion is being used for the renovation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Government House.
    The Commissioner of Works, Zakari Jikantoro made this known while speaking to newsmen in Minna.
    He said that the phase one of the renovation which gulped N2.1 billion had been concluded while the phase two has been contracted out at the cost of N1.6 billion
    Jikantoro said that the renovation was long overdue as the government house had been neglected and was gradually decaying adding that the volume of work needed to be split into two to ease the volume of work.
    He said that the second phase would cover three sets of three bedroom guest house, swimming pool, among others while the first phase covered the Government house, the front gate and the fencing.
    In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Transportation, Abdullah Imam said the ministry have made plans to purchase 14 yours if high capacity buses for intra-city shuttle and 50 units of medium size buses for long distance journey.
    He said that the whole buses will cost the Government N1.23 billion stating that the carriage capacity of the current buses on ground is grossly inadequate.
    Giving more details about the procurement of the vehicles, he said the 14 high capacity buses which would cost N282 million will be supplied through the Move Nigeria Scheme of the Federal government with interest rate of 5 percent.
    The Permanent Secretary further said that the 50 unit of buses will gulp N1.05 billion saying the money would be sourced from a commercial loan with a 22 per cent interest rate.
    He added that the NSTA is expected to sustain itself and pay back the loans in 36 months.

  • Abuja Disco promises uninterrupted power supply in Niger

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has pledged to supply 12 hours uninterrupted electricity to Minna and its environs.

    The action is part of agreement reached between the state government and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company which took place at company’s Headquarters in Abuja.

    Speaking after the meeting, the Deputy Governor of Niger state and Chairman of the Committee on Constant and Quality electricity, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso said he hoped AEDC will abide by the nine point agreements reached at the meeting.

    According to him, the 12 hours uninterrupted electricity would be for two months and would be reviewed afterwards.

    The Deputy Governor added that a special committee would be set up to monitor the implementation of the supply by the company.

    He then urged the youths in the state to remain patient with government’s effort to give them the best dividends of democracy.

    Ketso also said that the era of estimated billing would soon be over as pre-paid meters would soon be distributed to customers.

    The nine points agreements reached at the meeting include supply of 12 hours electricity, communicating and informing customers on bottlenecks faced by the company, enhanced relationship between the state government and the company among others.