The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger

  • Bridge collapses after two-day downpour in Niger

    A bridge at Daku Sabon Gida village along Minna – Bida road has collapsed following heavy downpours for two days.

    The bridge, which is about 16 kilometres to Bida, is not noticeable for heavy trucks, trailers and tankers.

    The Niger state Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Raji Egigogo, advised the motoring public to ply alternative routes to avoid hold-up and ensure free flow of vehicular movement.

    The statement explained there would be complete closure of the Minna – Bida road to ensure quick repairs of the bridge by the Niger State Ministry of Works.

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello assured of his commitment to fixing the bridge washed away by the heavy downpours.

    In a statement by the Media and Publicity Coordinator to the Governor, Mr. Jide Orintunsin in Minna, the governor expressed concerns over plights of motorists.

    He directed the state Ministry of Works to immediately provide alternative routes for motorists for free flow of traffic while a permanent solution is being readied on the failed sections of the ever- busy road.

    The statement attributed the incident to a natural disaster due to heavy downpours, pointing out the deteriorating effect of heavy duty and articulated vehicular movement on the road since it has become the only link between the south-west and the north also contributed to the collapse.

    Commissioner for Works Alhaji Ibrahim Kagara has visited the site along with the contractor handling the repairs of the road for on- the -spot assessment of the damage.

    The Commissioner directed the contractor handling the renovation to ensure the repair is carried out in the next 24 hours to alleviate sufferings of motorists plying the road.

     

  • Accident kills 11, injures 16 in Niger

    No fewer than 11 people were feared dead in an auto crash involving a bus, Toyota Corolla and a Hilux van on Ibeto/Kontagora Road in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger on Tuesday.

    Malam Abdullahi Ibrahim, Federal Road Safety Corps Unit Commander in Charge of Kontagora, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kontagora on Tuesday.

    Ibrahim said that 27 people were involved in the accident, 11 died on the spot while 16 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

    He said that the bus was heading toward Kebbi, while the Toyota Corolla and Hilux were going to Kontagora.

    He added that the accident was caused by wrong overtaking and speeding.

    He said that bodies of the deceased were deposited at the morgue in Kontagora General Hospital, while the injured were receiving treatment in the same hospital.

    The unit commander cautioned motorists against reckless driving, especially during the sallah celebration.(NAN)

  • Health minister’s PPP master plan for Niger

    To salvage the troubled health sector, bring in private investors with public interest, Minister of State for Health tells Niger State. JUSTINA ASISHANA reports

    Like other states of the federation, the health sector in Niger State could do with a lot of intervention. Government hospitals are few and far between. Where they exist, they are poorly equipped. Medications are short, as are personnel.

    This often drives ailing residents into the hands of unqualified people performing a myriad of roles, including those of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, even surgeons at huge costs to the patients and the nation. Many have died or maimed as a result of these unorthodox practices.

    What do you do?

    The answer is in PPP or public-private partnership in the health sector.

    That was the message Minister of State for Health Dr Osagie Ehanire delivered to a delegation of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida, Niger State on a visit to him in Abuja.

    This will accelerate qualitative healthcare delivery not just to the state residents but to all Nigerians, he told the visitors led by chairman of the board, Is’haq Usman Sarkin Shanun Jere.

    According to him, due to the inability of government to meet all the demands of the health sector, the Federal Government is seeking other stakeholders with the interest of the people.

    The nation’s healthcare system and facilities have been severely criticised for lack of proper staffing, and for lacking adequate equipment such as beddings and Durga for the teeming populace. This has caused a lot of people to patronise private healthcare centres where the fees charged are exorbitant.

    The Minister reasoned that this can be managed if there is PPP arrangement between the government and private investors.

    Ehanire stressed that in this era when the Federal Government is committed to “literarily rebuilding the nation from the ground floor after many years of missed opportunities”, it is difficult for government to still meet all the demands of the health sector, hence the government is encouraging private investors to partner government in providing effective healthcare services  to Nigerians.

    He advised that such proposal must thoroughly be screened by the Board and forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health for evaluat-ion by the PPP Desk   in the Ministry before final ratification, to avoid the implementation challenges that are associated with some PPP proposals, especially due to the complex nature of healthcare services.

    The Minister commended the Board of Management for its initiative in mobilising community stakeholders towards the development of the Centre’s permanent site observing that the Board’s effort in engaging the stakeholders within and outside the hospital within the short period of its inauguration was the   best step   in creating  the conducive atmosphere  for harmonious relationship that would engender peaceful coexistence and progress in the Centre.

    He stressed that this approach would assist the Federal Ministry of Health   in   diffusing tension and reducing strikes in its hospitals urging other Boards to emulate FMC Bida

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Board, Is’haq Jere assured the Minister that the Board would do its best to justify the confidence reposed in the members by the President, and dedicate itself to the improvement of health services in the Centre.

    He appealed for more financial intervention for the Centre to acquire additional specialised equipment in order to accelerate effective healthcare delivery.

  • 2019: I remain in APC – Gov Sani-Bello

    Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has said that he has no plan to defect from All Progressive Congress (APC) to any other political party.

    According to the Governor, there is no cause for apprehension in any quarters emphasizing that Niger state has remained predominantly an APC state and political affiliation in the state will continue to wax stronger.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Ndace, the governor maintained that he remained consistent in support of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government and committed to party ideals stating that APC remains the only political party to rescue Nigeria from the many wrongs of the past administrations.

    “In the last three years, we have shown commitment to the needs and aspirations of Nigerlites through restoration agenda predicated on agriculture, health, education, peace and security, youth and women empowerment and infrastructural development”

    Read Also:I will seek re-election – Sani-Bello

    “We demonstrated through completion of abandoned and uncompleted projects by past administration that government is about the people. It is on this account that i seek to renewed my mandate from Nigerlites.”

    He stated that President Buhari has and is doing well in terms of infrastructural development in the state and the country; while the state government is fulfilling the yearning and aspirations of the people, hence there was no justification to defect.

    ” President Muhammadu Buhari remains a stabilising factor in strengthening the nation’s unity. I and my colleagues have already set in motion a political strategy to lead a successful campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.“

  • Niger posts N8.59b gross premium

    Niger Insurance Plc has posted a gross premium of N8.59 billion in 2017 as against N5.96 billion recorded in 2016, its Chairman, Yusuf Abubakar, has said.

    He made this known at the firm’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, stressing that the premium moved by 44 per cent, which amounted to N2.6 billion.

    He noted that the underwriting profit closed at N1.1 billion from N888.9 million in 2016, adding that the total assets grew by one per cent from N22.5 billion in 2016 to N22.8 billion, the insurance contract liability grew to N10.02 billion from N8.86 billion in 2016 and shareholders funding standing at N7.84 billion.

    Abubakar said the underwriting firm, in compliance with regulatory requirements, had resolved to dispose investments in real estate. He added that due to cost control measures put in place, the management expenses came down to about nine per cent, moving from N2.75 billion in 2016 to N2.51 billion last year.

    He noted that the firm’s board has reached an advanced stage on discussions with investors, who will add to the capital and bring technical expertise to the company.

  • Police arrest man for allegedly killing wife in Niger

    The Police Command in Niger has arrested one Bello Muhe, 25, of Gurechi village of Borgu Local Government Area of the state for allegedly killing his wife.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Dibal Yakadi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday.

    Yakadi said that the suspect was staying at New Busa Fulani camp in Gurechi village which shared a boundary with Bagudu  Local Government Area of  Kebbi.

    He said the suspect had a misunderstanding with his wife, Husse Ali, as a result of which she fled to her father’s house at Gurechi.

    “The husband followed her to her father’s house for reconciliation after which he asked her to follow him back to Kebbi, but she refused,” he said.

    The commissioner said the suspect then drew out his machete and inflicted serious injuries on Husse’s head, neck and back.

    He said the suspect then crossed over to Bagudu local government area of Kebbi but that he was chased and arrested.

    “The victim was rushed to Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, for treatment, where she died.

    Yakadi said upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and would be charged to court after investigation into the matter.

  • Again, Senator wants Buhari to declare State of Emergency in Zamfara

    Says all is set to impeach Governor over killings

    In order to end killings, the Senator representing Zamfara Central Constituency, Sen. Saidu Dansadau, for the second time appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to declare state of emergency in Zamfara state.

    The Senator, speaking during a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja described the request as long-overdue considering the increasingly helpless situation of the people.

    Dansadau, who called for the impeachment of the Zamfara State Governor, Yari AbdulAzeez accused the state administrator of abandoning his sole responsibility of protecting the state.

    The lawmaker in 2016 had petitioned the President asking him to declare state of emergency in the state.

    According to him, Yari’s public resignation as the Chief Security Officer of the state made the declaration of state of emergency in the state inevitable.

    He said Yari has shifted focus from his primary duty to his political ambition, adding that he was willing to retain power at all cost.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill district head in Zamfara

    His words: “I appeal to Mr. President to invoke his powers under section 305 (3) & (5) of the Constitution and declare a State of Emergency in Zamfara State and appoint a competent administrator for the state until such a time when the President, through the administrator is satisfied that normalcy has been restored, anything short of this will turn the thick forest between the southern border of Zamfara state with Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi States into a national park of criminals and killers, worse than the nation has seen in Sambisa Forest”

    “The Zamfara State Governor’s recent pronouncement that he has resigned as the chief security officer of the state makes the declaration of State of emergency in the State inevitable. I make bold to say that we have finished all necessary preparation to impeach Abdulazeez Yari Abubakar, if inspite of this unprecedented breakdown of law and order and colossal loss of lives we do not persuade.

    “Mr. President, while it is acknowledged that similar tension exists in other states like Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states which shares common border with Zamfara, the approach of the governors of these states in managing the problem has substantially brought the situation under control…” he added.

  • Falana gets information on N4.6b fuel drained daily from FG

    The federal government has forwarded to Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) information on fuel importation and sundry matters.

    The requested information was forwarded to the lawyer by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which was acting on the directive of the Minister of state, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachukwu as requested in his letter to the minister dated April 17, 2018.

    A letter dated July 9  and signed by Kingston Chikwendo on behalf of the DPR  to Falana and titled “Re: Request for Information on Fuel Importation and Sundry Matter” stated in part: “We humbly referred to your letter dated 17th April, 2018 to the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum (HMSP) requesting for information on fuel importation and sundry matters.

    “The HMSP has directed the DPR to provide you with the requested information.

    “Consequently, we hereby forward to you the requested information as detailed in your letter”, it stated.

    In his letter dated April 17, Falana had specifically requested the minister to provide him with copies of the documents relating to: “ Bill of laden and DPR certified cargo discharged certificates of the imported subsidized petroleum products  into the country from December 2017 to March 2018;  Offshore processing  agreements pertaining to the sale of the 445,000 barrels of crude oil per day plus any additional crude barrels approved for domestic consumption from December 2017  to March 2018;  Volumes of domestic refined products by the nations’ local refineries against gross expenditure on refinery turn around maintenance(TAM)/ expended budget in 2017”.

    Others are  “Gross  amount of forex differential or forex subsidy (gap Between CBN rate and Special rate approved for fuel importation) from December 2017 to March 2018 and   amount expended by PEF on Project Aquila from inception aimed at tracking petroleum trucks nationwide to prevent smuggling of petroleum products”.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Falana seeks removal of service chiefs

    Falana’s request followed disclosure by the management of the NNPC that the nation’s  consumption rate of fuel was 28 million litres per day and that subsidy cost was N726 million per day,  that is,  N261.4b per annum.

    He also recalled that on March 5, 2018, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru claimed that the figure had metamorphosed to 50 million litres per day and that NNPC had spent $5.8billion (N1.7 Trillion) on fuel importation in January and February 2018 and that at a public forum held in Abuja two  weeks ago, the minister stated  that the consumption rate of fuel  has skyrocketed to 60 million and that the cost of  subsidy is N1.4 trillion per month!

    On the alleged subsidy of fuel importation, Falana reminded the minister that he failed to disclose the amount realized from the sale of the 60 million liters at N145 per liter.

    “You have also conveniently failed to account for the sale of the 445,000 barrels of crude oil allocated to the NNPC daily by the federal government.

    “Honorable Minister, the convenient defense of smuggling as cheap justification for a gap of 32 million litres a day (at N145 per litre is N4.6 billion daily) is untenable given the billions of Naira continually expended on Project Aquila Software by the Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF), a Parastatal under your watch in the Petroleum Ministry, to track every litre of petroleum product evacuated from the Depots and sold at retail stations in the country”, Falana stated.

    He argued “since the Project Aquila Software has capability to identify the owners and locations of all trucks loading petroleum products in Nigeria why has your office and NNPC continue to blame smuggling for the drain of N4.6 billion daily on petroleum products? How many of the Truck owners involved in the alleged smuggling have been arrested and arraigned in court since Aquila has the data base of all Truck Owners in the country?”, he asked.

    The federal government blamed the increasing consumption rate on the smuggling of fuel from Nigeria to neighboring countries by some economic saboteurs.

    Falana had insisted that the claims of the government does not explain the difference of 32 million litres per day between the consumption rate of imported fuel in December 2017 and March 2018 when it is assumed that

    The total volume of fuel consumed by Benin, Togo, Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Ghana is said to be less than 250,000 litres per day.

  • FG to take delivery of N10.7bn rice mill Dec 2019

    The Federal Government has said the N10.7 billion integrated rice milling machines procured by the Federal Government will be delivered in December, 2019.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this Monday at the pact signing with MV Agro Engineers, suppliers of the farm equipment, in Abuja.

    Ogbeh explained that the benefiting states would indicate interest as off-takers, make 10 percent down payment and express technical capacity to own and operate a mill.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) in April approved N10.7bn for the establishment of 10 new rice mills in the six geopolitical zones.

    The 10 participating states include Kaduna, Anambra, Kogi, Benue, Bayelsa, Niger, and Bauchi. Others are Kebbi, Ogun, Zamfara while the mills are expected to produce 100 tons of rice per day.

    Read Also:Fed Govt to rice millers: we’ll reduce interest rates

    The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) is expected to take over the loan repayment in the next 10 years.

    “As these people arrive, they will install these mills and the BoA will take over the loans repayment over a period of 10 years,” Ogbeh said.

    Asked if the 18 months deadline could be reviewed upward, the minister noted that, “building machines is not cheap. It’s a scientific thing. These people say they may do it faster but we give them 18 months, so there won’t be issues for delays.”

    According to him, there are about 16 existing large rice mills from the already procured 100 mills.

    The minister added that 16 large machines would mill 100 tons of rice paddy daily while others could mill about 300 tons daily.

    “Dangote just brought in 10 milling machines which will produce 1 million tons of rice per annum but there are smaller ones we gave out, about 200 mills of 10 tons and 20 tons per annum operating in villages and small corners equipped with the stoners.

    “We are buying smaller mills and giving them out because the smaller mills produce more rice than the big mills added up but they are scattered all over the country. Virtually every state has small rice mills somewhere, Niger, Bayelsa, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Katsina and Jigawa,” he stated.

    He commended the contractors advising them to supply adequate quality spare parts.

    In his remarks, the Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Kabir Mohammed restated commitment to ensure the project is successful while meeting the delivery targets.

    He said the project financing would not be a challenge.

    The Managing Director, Jamu Babba Dan’agundi, leader of the delegation commended the federal government for the gesture.

    He promised to deliver the machines as scheduled.

  • Customs intercepts truckload of 200,000 live ammunition in Niger

    The Niger, Kwara, Kogi Command of the Nigeria Customs has intercepted a Onitsha bound truck load of 200,000 live ammunition being brought into the country from Benin Republic.

    Two suspects who were identified as the driver, Bukari Dauda and the owner of the cartridges, Martin Anokwara were apprehended along the Wawa – Babana border in Niger state in a Iveco Truck with Lagos registration number AKD 904 XE

    According to the Command Controller, Comptroller Benjamin Binga said that his men intercepted the truck which entered the country through the Babana border at about 3 a.m on Monday morning.

    He said that the truck was disguised to be carrying over 100 empty gericans but on thorough checking, it was discovered that the truck had a false bottom which was used to hide the cartridges.

    “The checking was not from tip off, it was just out of sheer curiosity that my men decided to do a thorough checking and discovered that unlike other bottoms of trucks, this one had nuts and on removing the nuts, they discovered it was a false bottom which revealed the cartridges.

    “The cartridges are numbering thousands, it would take us hours to count it. We are now working to establish what the cartridges are really meant for and who sent them to bring it into the country. ”

    Interrogating the suspects, the driver of the truck, Bukari Dauda said he is from Cotonu in Benin Republic and he was employed by the driver, Martin Anokwara to drive the truck for him to Onitsha.

    Dauda said that he did not know the truck contained live cartridges as Martin only told him he wanted to take the empty gericans back to the Nigeria.

    The owner of the cartridges, Martin Anokwara confirmed that he is the owner of the cartridges just as he said that it is not meant for robbery .

    According to him, he supplies hunters and licensed owners of double barrel guns adding that he only sells them in Anambra.

    Martin explained that the driver of the truck fell sick which made him contract Dauda to drive him back to Nigeria saying that they had entered the country before they were apprehended by the customs.

    The Customs Controller of the Niger, Kwara and Kogi Commamd said that they would be interrogated before they are charged to court.