The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Port operators groan over Apapa gridlock

    Port operators groan over Apapa gridlock

    Shippers (importers and exporters) are groaning over delays in business transactions at the Lagos port due to the harrowing gridlock they are going through with a large volume of cargo trapped at the ports.

    The gridlock has degenerated to increasing rate of cargo diversion to ports in neighbouring countries and the attendant huge revenue loss suffered by the Federal Government.

    The shippers lamented the breakdown of infrastructure at the ports coupled with the gridlock caused by the bad state of access roads leading to the two major ports in Lagos.

    Shedding more light on the problem, Mr Jonathan Nicol, President, Shippers’ Association Lagos State ( SALS ) said that the country lost an estimate of N1 trillion annually to ports in neighbouring countries due to bad access roads to Lagos ports and the gridlock

    “There is massive diversion of Nigerian-bound cargo to neighbouring ports.

    “There are also queues of vessels within the Lome waters awaiting call-up for berthing in Lagos ports.

    “This will attract port congestion levy on Nigeria-bound cargo, which is no fault of the shippers.

    “Demurrage on containers is increasing with no control from the respective maritime agencies. Importers and exporters are suffering,’’ Nicol explained.

    Read also: Nine ships arrive Lagos ports with petroleum products

    The shipper said that apart from the revenue loss, demurrage, terminal charges and storage fees incurred by shippers galloped into billions of naira daily.

    Nicol suggested that the contractor handling the rehabilitation of the Apapa Port road should expedite action to alleviate the problems encountered by shippers and truck owners.

    “Industrialists with their raw materials consignments are incurring huge expenses on haulage due to lack of access roads and they are counting more losses daily,’’ the shipper said.

    “There must be a minimal haulage fees control and ceiling. The Nigerian Shippers’ Council should please help.

    “No entry into the ports and no access out of the ports after loading, ‘’ Nicol said.

    The shipper added that truck drivers remained on queues for several days.

    Nicol said that the export initiative of the Federal Government was also under threat as export goods spent several days before getting to the ports.

    A report recently released by a Maritime Consulting firm, Ships & Ports Ltd.  revealed that more than half of the container trucks visiting Apapa, Lagos, daily had no immediate business to transact at the ports.

    The report issued by Mr Bolaji Akinola, the Chief Executive Officer of Ships & Ports Ltd., emanated from an independent study conducted by the firm and a don of the Lagos Business School, Dr Frank Ojadi.

    The report explained that truckers who genuinely had business to do in Apapa Port spent an average Turn Around Time of two days.

    According to the report, a total of 5,515 trucks were surveyed at both observation points – the start of Creek Road at the tip of Liverpool Bridge and the start of Wharf Road near Area B Police Command- over a period of two weeks.

    The report also found that there was no presence of a traffic management system to coordinate the affairs of the multiple government agencies responsible for traffic control in Apapa.

    It also explained that various stakeholders interviewed in the course of the study believed that the solution to the Apapa gridlock would be to compel shipping lines to receive all empties at their empty depots.

    “The collapse of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, which is the major entry and exit point for trucks accessing the Tin Can Island Port, the Apapa Port and several tank farms in the area, has led to an increase in the number of trucks accessing these facilities through the narrow Apapa-Wharf road.

    “This compounded the congestion on this stretch of road, ‘’ the report said.

    NAN

     

  • FIFA receives Atletico complaint over Griezmann approach

    FIFA receives Atletico complaint over Griezmann approach

    Football ruling body FIFA has confirmed receiving a complaint from Atletico Madrid who say Spanish league leaders FC Barcelona have illegally contacted their forward Antoine Griezmann.

    “We have received a complaint from Atletico Madrid about Griezmann’s case,’’ a FIFA spokesman told newsmen on Wednesday, without commenting further on the case.

    The 26-year-old Frenchman Griezmann renewed his contract at Atletico in summer until 2022.

    According to FIFA rules, he cannot be approached by interested clubs until the final six months of his contract.

    Read also: FIFA Rates Super Falcons World 37th Best Team

    Spanish news reports said Atletico have proof that Griezmann has been contacted by Barca over a possible transfer.

    Reports also said that Atletico were not seeking compensation or requesting sanctions for FC Barcelona, ​​but wanted to bring the matter to the attention of the football ruling body.

    Griezmann, who came to Atletico in 2014, has been linked with several top clubs, including Manchester United.

    His release sum was halved to 100 million Euros (118 million dollars) on September 1.

    At Barca, he can fill the void Neymar left in summer when he moved on to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee of 222 million Euros.

    NAN

  • “32 Year old Telecom Engineer Reveals How He Went From 2 Minutes to Lasting 37 Minutes,Permanently Cured Weak Erection..Without Viagra

    “32 Year old Telecom Engineer Reveals How He Went From 2 Minutes to Lasting 37 Minutes,Permanently Cured Weak Erection..Without Viagra

    A lot of Nigerian men cannot perform well or last long in bed without taking agbo jedi, opa eyin, or getting high on alcohol and different herbal mixtures.

    Many others have erectile dysfunction, weak erections and impotence.

    Even me… if anyone had told me, some years ago, that I would become the kind of man who is able to give women bed-shaking multiple orgasms, I would have silently screamed…

    Liar! Liar!!

    You see, for as long as I could remember, I suffered from a serious case of premature ejaculation.

    I’m not joking, it was serious. I couldn’t last more than a few seconds in bed.

    It was so bad that I would even ejaculate during foreplay, before action starts.

    I could only last about 2 minutes on my best days

    No matter what I tried, 2 minutes was the longest I could go.

    Even worse, I wouldn’t be able to get my penis up again – no matter how much she tried to suck or work it.

    I felt like I was NOT really man enough

    The women I dated would eventually get tired and leave me for other men.

    All the gifts and love could not make them stay.

    Then I finally got married

    Even though my wife was very supportive; I was always worried that, one day, I might eventually push her to the wall.

    Because, I knew she was only enduring it. She never enjoyed sex – not even once.

    Fed up of suffering in silence,

    I decided to take action

    I decided to do something about this problem – before it would ruin my marriage and my life.

    So, I bought and used every drug on the market including Viagra.

    Although some worked a little; most of them never worked at all.

    But what made me run away from them was that they all had negative side effects.

    That was when I decided to go for…

    Safe And Natural Ways To “Rewire” The Body System To Begin to Last Longer In Bed…

    So I began to read every information that talked about curing premature ejaculation – I researched like a mad man!

    Fortunately, during the course of research, I discovered some ancient herbs which claimed to work effectively.

    Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, there are no side-effects when you use these natural herbs.

    They are VERY safe.

    And, they work so well.

    You can ‘Google’ them and see the wonderful things people are saying.

    Some of the herbs are:

    • Ginseng
    • Yohimbe
    • Asparagus
    • Epimedium (Horny goat weed)


    How does it work?

    These herbs stimulate the body to produce more of a chemical nerve cell called serotonin which helps reduce the anxiety level in the body.

    They also control the secretion of Dopamine which gives you the ability to control sexual stimulation.

    After consuming these herbs, you are relieved of stress and tension, and control sexual stimulation, so you can perform better and last longer in bed.

    They also boost your energy level, and increase the flow of blood to your penis, for better erection and to prevent quick ejaculation.

    A lot of people have used it to increase their sperm count and cure impotency, too.

    But there was a problem…

    You can’t find any of these herbs here in Nigeria.

    I searched everywhere until I finally discovered a company who is in partnership with a foreign company to bring these herbs into Nigeria.

    The good news is:

    These herbs have now been developed into an easy-to-use herbal supplement.

    So now, let me introduce you to the VERY safe and VERY effective way that I discovered; which transformed my life and the lives of thousands of other men…

    From Bedroom Failures Into Rockstars In Bed!

     “M-Rok Herbal Capsule”

    … From Lasting 2 minutes To Lasting Up To at least 30 Minutes In Bed!

    M-Rok Herbal Capsule is made of a pure herbal ingredients in capsule form, there are 30 capsules in it, produced to boost male sexual performance. The main mechanism of M-Rok is to improve sex appeal is increase reflection of nerve condition. With M-Rok as I fondly call it, you enjoy bigger and harder erections,increase in libido and complete cure to your quick ejaculation!

    NO SIDE EFFECT OF ANY KIND Approved By NAFDAC A7-5794L  

    The M-Rok Herbal Capsule Kill Premature Ejaculation The Same Way Ota Pia pia kills Mosquito.

    Try M-Rok Herbal Capsule today and say Bye Bye to your sexual worries for ever and ever.

    The M-Rok Herbal Capsule Has been Evaluated and Approved by NAFDAC With Registration Number A7-0940L

    Some Interesting Facts About The M-Rok Herbal Capsule

    The M-Rok  Herbal Capsule, is a specially formulated herbal ingredients that will Make you Last Longer than 35 Min In Bed when having sex.

     The M-Rok Herbal Capsule is Strong at Boosting and giving you harder ERECTION So you can penetrated better, The Harder the Better.

    You will have erections when you ready to have sex, and be able to maintain a rock-hard erection that gives her mind blowing sex.

    Watery Sperm? Don’t Worry! The M-Rok Herbal Capsule Will Ensure your system is up to date and Watery Sperm will be thing of the Past in your Life. Just Take The M-Rok Herbal Capsule With Pure Natural Horney.

    You will be able to give your woman more rounds of deep satisfying sex and last longer for up to 35 minutes…

    No more embarrassing yourself or disappointing your woman due to cumming quickly…

    You will finally save your marriage or relationship with your spouse. She won’t look outside trying to cheat on you with another man, because you will be the only one that she craves for and satisfy her completely.

    It has No Side Effects Whatsoever!

    It is safe-to-use.

    It gives permanent cure.

    Even people with diabetes and hypertension can use it, without fearing any negative effect to their health.

    Truly, it is very SAFE.

    You Start to See Results… IMMEDIATELY!

    The 30 Capsules inside a pack of M-Rok  is enough to completely cure your quick ejaculation and give you harder erection, increase libido in male and female. It corrects weakness of the penis, lost of sexual desire, quick ejaculation. It boosts sperm count and give a super hard rock erection for better sex enjoyment.

    If you have ever wondered how to increase your man-hood size without pills and make the enlargement permanent.

    This Singapore  made enlargement oil is the answer.

    Here’s The MOST EFFECTIVE Way to Increase the Size of your Penis SAFELY…this Solution has helped over 834 Men Increase Their Man-hood size.

    …WITHOUT Any Side Effect!

    Vicsum Natural Enlargement Oil For Men

    This natural penis enlargement oil helps to easily increase the size of your manhood.

    All you have to do is simply use the oil to massage your penis before going to bed every night.

    According to scientists, the oil is made up of:

    1. botanical extracts,
    2. vitamin complexes, and
    3. antioxidants,

    It goes straight into the tissues of the penis for fast, targeted, and immediate results.

    In fact, to prove to you how effective the oil is…

    This is what you should do:

    Before you begin using the enlargement oil, get a measuring tape and measure the size of your penis.

    Write down the measurement.

    Then, after using it for 2 weeks, take out the measuring tape and use it to measure your penis again.

    You will be surprised at the difference.

    Then after you have used it for 4 weeks, measure your penis again.

    By this time, you will be jumping up and shouting for joy!

    But don’t stop there…

    At this point, I want you to confidently go give your wife, girlfriend or lover the most amazing sex of her life!

    I bet she would be shocked when she sees your new King-Kong-sized penis.

    But… she will LOVE it!

    The sex from now on will be so electrifying. She will be begging you for more.

    Why am I so confident about this?

    Because I KNOW it works – it worked for me.

    As at today, more than 563 Nigerian men have used it. And we have testimonies – from men like you – of how it helped them increase the size of their penis safely.

    So, I invite you to get yourself this natural solution right NOW.

    And The Results are permanent!

     No shrinking of penis. No side-effects.

    See some unsolicited testimonies of people that have used the M-Rok Capsule & Vicsum Oil:

    “An instant increase of .5 inches and she loved it”

    I bought the vicsum oil and M rok about 2 weeks ago and have been using it.

    Here’s where my results started to get interesting. and I was saying to myself DAMN my penis looks huge, very thick and heavy. My penis has NEVER been this thick before, so I went into the bedroom where my wife was watching TV.

    I grabbed her hand and put it on my penis and said feel how thick this is. She said in a scared voice “what did you do to it?”

    I did not tell her about the Oil or M-rok yet so I just said an exercise and told her to get her Pyjamas off quick I want to try this thing out.

    We had one of the best sex we’ve had in a while. She moaned like never before and I could tell she enjoyed it.

    When we were done she asked if I was on viagra or something I said “no” and laughed.

    Thanks , I owe you guys BIG,

    Uche

    Abuja

    Here is another

    “Immediate results in a week!”

    Hi ,

    I just started using the M-rok and Vicsum oil  for about a week now and wanted to fill you in on my progress. In that period of time, I’ve had definite immediate gains in girth. After each session, my manhood feels heavy which feels great!

    I have gained about half an inch in “width”. This is all in just a little over a week My erection has been superb.

    So as of now there isn’t anything bad that I can say about this amazing solution. I can only say good things.

     Thank you guys for helping getting me on the path to the penis I want!

    John from Enugu

    Yet another satisfied buyer

    “It works fast and hard..very hard!”

    It works fast and hard… very hard!

    During the first week there were no results, but after that I realized I had a firmer and stronger erection. Before, it would take some time to get an erection, but with M-Rok™, my erection comes fast and hard, very hard..I now average 26-31 minutes on first round.

    Unlike most that have used, the M-rok didn’t give me headache or any pains.

    Afeez

    I could fill up this page with unsolicited testimonials of people like you, this amazing breakthrough M-Rok Capsule and Vicsum Oil has helped.

    Now, I know you can’t wait to lay your hands on these GUARANTEED solutions…

    Hence, I’m ready to further make it easier and cheaper for you; if not for anything, to show you that the solutions actually work and will work for you guaranteed.

    We have Only 100 bottle pack of M-Rok herbal capsule and Vicsum Oil Available And Its Strictly First Come First Serve!

    The M-Rok Herbal Capsule is N15,000 payment On delivery If  you Order Today!

    Here is the break down of the price if you are ordering today

    M-Rok Herbal Capsule only is N15,000

    2 packs of Vicsum Oil only is N14,000

    So, if you order for the 2 solutions together today, you pay only N20,000 instead of N29,000 (that’s a extra discount of N9,000)

    if you order for the 2 solutions together today, you pay only N20,000 

    Do you want to continue to suffer from the shame and frustration caused by premature ejaculation and small penis…when you can do something about it now?

    Or…Would you rather pay higher later… when you can easily get it for the low amount today?

    Of course, I know you will make the smart choice!

     So, you have to hurry up to be among the lucky few, and place your order NOW

    And to help you sweeten the deal am giving you an amazing bonus that you can’t get anywhere else if you order today.

    Here’s how:-Once you place your order for both of them today at N20,000.You will also get the amazing product that cures STDs,UTI and other infections related to sex.

    Bonus  :  “Nomacin Broad Spectrum Antibiotic”

    The ultimate solution for stds like; stapph, gonorrhea, chlamydia.

    The one reason why this is very important is that; most times premature ejaculation is always caused my infections. And without treating them you only sabotaging your efforts.

    Best part is that you get this 100 percent herbal antibiotic for free when you place order today.

    However, I must warn that ONLY those who place their order right away gets this STD killer “Nomacin Antibiotic“. If you procrastinate further, you may not get it.

    So, this is a no brainer… Get the 2-in-1 solution now, get the extra FREE bonus.

    Before N28,000 Today price is  N20,000

    To erase the fear of been scammed we now offer Cash on delivery to any part of Nigeria.

    You will only pay when this product has been physically brought down to you face-to-face by our courier company. We call it ==> Pay on Delivery.

    All shipments are sent in discreet packaging without images or text that could suggest the contents. The shipping documents and invoice are discreet as well. 

    Warning: Before you send in your order details, make sure you meet the following criteria:

    1. You have your money ready with you.
    2. You are available within the delivery period, usually from 2-6 days depending on your location.(buyers in Lagos get it within the next day)

    How To Order

    Depending on the product that you are ordering for…

    *If you are ordering for only “M-Rok”… indicate the code MRok  in your text message…

    *If you are ordering for only “Vicsum Enlargement Oil”… 
    indicate it “Oil” in your text message…

    *If you want to order for the 2 products together…
    text “BOTH”…

    M-Rok ONLY(plus Nomacin) – N15,000
    Oil ONLY – N14,000
    M-Rok + Vicsum (plus Nomacin)- N20,000

    Here’s what to send to us…

    1. Your Full Name
    2. Your Phone Number (s)
    3. Delivery Address
    4. Product Code ( M-Rok,Oil,Both)

    Send This Information as a text message to 081-3739-7651

    NOTE: Your address must include local government and state. Detailed enough to make it traceable by our courier company that will come around to deliver to you.

    You will get a sms and call from us within 24 hours to confirm your order before we send it across to you.

    DELIVERY TIME!

    Once you get a call from us to confirm your order details your product would be sent to our courier partner and should get to you within 2-5 working days.

    If you have any question about this, Kindly Put a call Across to

    081-3739-7651

    You can also walk into Our Lagos Office to get your product @

    Larger Life Nigeria:

    17, Tokunbo Alli Street, off Toyin, Ikeja, Lagos

    That is all you have to do, you get your man-hood to the size you have always dreamt of, and last longer than you ever imagined.

    Dont slack, hence you might lose out.

    Regards,

    James

    081-3739-7651

    Larger Life Nigeria

  • Digital TV will generate N100bn for Nollywood – Lai Mohammed

    Digital TV will generate N100bn for Nollywood – Lai Mohammed

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says that Digital Television will generate N100bn annually for Nollywood through FreeTV distribution network.

    The minister made this known on Wednesday at the launch of digital switch over at the premises of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Ilorin.

    He said that Nigerians have watched Nollywood moved from VHS tapes to VCD to DVD, adding that the whole world has moved to digital consumption of content with its attendant benefits and democratisation of distribution.

    Nigerian TV viewers, the minister said have been constrained by limited penetration of internet in their homes.

    “With the middleware in our `Set Top Boxes’; homes will be able to buy and watch the latest Nollywood movies without the need for internet.

    “Imagine a film released on Monday morning being immediately available to all the households in Kwara at the touch of a button. That is the kind of experience we are talking about,” the minister added.

    Mohammed added that FReeTV has the capacity to grow TV advertising market by 400million dollar per annum through audience measurement.

    “In this regard, permit me to use this opportunity to throw the weight of the government behind the NBC in its efforts to create a viable currency by which producers of content and channels can be re-numerated,” he said.

    The minister said that the digital switch over will create tens of thousands of jobs through Technical and Manufacturing opportunities.

    “`Set Top Box’ assembling and ultimately manufacturing is an irreversible mandate by the government to the industry.

    “We expect this to extend very quickly to local Smart TV and Tablet manufacturing.

    “With our strong consumer base, we can quickly become the supplier of these equipments to the whole of West Africa,” the minister added.

    Mohammed added that Electronic Programme Guide will also be a platform for App developers to create products that will make life easier for the home consumers.

    “For the people of Kwara, we welcome the publishers of Apps to start looking for how to make living easier and commerce easier, using the technology that sits on these boxes,” he added.

    Mallam Ish’aq Modibo Kawu, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ), in his remark said the switch over in Ilorin was the third since inauguration in Jos, Plateau State.

    Kawu said that one of the reasons for choosing Kwara in the North Central was the presence of old broadcasting house and its closeness to international borders.

    He said the switch over will be done in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country, adding that Kaduna will be next to switch over to digital TV.

    The DG added that the Federal Government has imported 600, 000 Set of `Top Boxes’ at subsidised price.

    He said that when the 600, 000 boxes are exhausted, there will be no subsidy for subsequent ones as the boxes will be manufactured in the country.

    NAN

  • Kano Hisbah Board arrests 12 youths involved in Immorality

    Kano Hisbah Board arrests 12 youths involved in Immorality

    The Kano State Hisbah Board on Wednesday said it had arrested 12 youths allegedly involved in immoral acts in the city.

    Malam Umar Yahaya, the board’s Public Relations Officer, said in Kano that the suspects were apprehended on Monday evening at Maidile, behind Shagari Quarters in Kumbotso Local Government area during a special patrol.

    He said that a report was received from the community that six girls live in a rented apartment in the area and men visit them at night adding the community suspected the apartment was being used as a brothel.

    He said among the suspects were young men and women between the ages of 18 and 22.

    “Our men went there around 9:30 p.m. on Monday evening and arrested 12 suspects at the apartment ,”Yahaya said.

    He, however, added that they would be properly screened and taken to court for appropriate prosecution.

    Yahaya noted that most of the suspects were from different states which include Borno, Niger and Taraba and called on parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children, to enable them grow up as responsible citizens.

    He also advised youths in the state to shun all forms of immorality, be God fearing and strive to live a worthy life.

    NAN

  • DSO will grow TV advertising market by $400m per annum – Lai Mohammed

    DSO will grow TV advertising market by $400m per annum – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the Digital Switch Over (DSO) would grow the TV advertising market by 400 million dollars annually through audience measurement.

    The minister said this on Wednesday at the inauguration of the switch over from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting in Ilorin to cover Kwara.

    The facilities for the switch over were provided by Integrated Television Services ( ITS ), the signal distributor for the Ilorin DSO.

    Read also: Photo: Lai Mohammed  defends 2018 Budget in Abuja

    The minister said the DSO would also create a N100 billion per annum FreeTV distribution network for Nollywood.

    To achieve these, he said government would support the Nation’s Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in its efforts to create a viable currency by which producers of content and channels could be re-enumerated.

    Mohammed said with the middleware in the Set Top Boxes, homes would be able to buy and watch the latest Nollywood movies without the need for internet.

    “Imagine a film released on Monday morning being immediately available to all the households in Kwara at the touch of a button.

    “That’s the kind of experience we are talking about,’’ he said.

    The minister said the DSO would create tens of thousands of jobs through Technical and Manufacturing opportunities.

    “Set Top Box assembling and ultimately manufacturing is an irreversible mandate by the government to the industry.

    “We expect this to extend very quickly to local Smart TV and Tablet manufacturing,’’ he said.

    He noted that the Ilorin inauguration (DSO) had put the government back on track in digitisation efforts.

    “Let me assure you all that we will not wait for another year before our next rollout.

    “In fact, the next inauguration will be barely 48 hours from now, in Kaduna. We will then follow up rapidly to extend this digital television experience to all the six geo-political zones,’’ he said.

    He implored the ITS to rapidly extend the digital television experience beyond Ilorin and its environs, “so that the good people of Kwara can reap the digital benefits.’’

    The minister assured all stakeholders of President Muhammadu Buhari’s unwavering support for the growth and development of the industry.

    In his remarks, the state Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed said with DSO, the time had come to develop a television industry “that is uniquely Nigerian in content, orientation and style.’’

    The governor said the nation’s television must achieve the fame and spread attained by the fledgling movie industry, Nollywood renowned globally for its prolificacy, richness and entertainment value.

    The governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Babatunde Ajagbe, said the freedom DSO provided should not be used to spread falsehood and fake news.

    He specifically cautioned against the increasing dangers posed by uncensored political programmes in the state.

    NAN

  • FRSC: Traffic offenders to pay N100, 000 fine

    FRSC: Traffic offenders to pay N100, 000 fine

    Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) says plans are underway to compel traffic offenders to pay one hundred thousand naira as penalty for a traffic offence.

    Oyeyemi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Nigeria Road Safety Strategy on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “You cannot arrest somebody for using a phone while driving and he pays four thousand naira as penalty. And almost immediately he goes back to commit same offence.

    “Fines are supposed to serve as deterrent, which is why I said that I am in support of what the National Assembly is doing presently amending the Act of the FRSC to make the fines go up.

    “I was not the one that initiated it, it is the National Assembly that initiated it and I am in support and I will make sure that before the middle of next year this is pass into law.

    “I believe that by the time traffic offenders’ start paying between fifty to one hundred thousand naira for a single traffic offence, they will not want to commit such offence again,” said.

    The FRSC boss reiterated that penalties for traffic offences were to serve as deterrent adding that the present regime of fines and penalties do not serve as deterrent, hence the need to increase the fines.

    “Look at Lagos, the minimum fine is fifty thousand naira and people are complying. I am not a revenue generating agency but again we must ensure that those fines serve as deterrent for people not to do it again

    “When an offender pays fifty thousand or one hundred thousand naira fine, he or she will think twice before committing the offence again.

    “What is the essence of a person disobeying traffic light and pays four thousand naira only. In fact, some of them insult us saying ‘ is it not four thousand?’.

    “They will go to our office and use the POS to pay and walk away and you will see them entering their cars and using the phone again,” he said.

    Oyeyemi explained that aside fines, the FRSC also take traffic offenders to health facilities and court of law.

    He stressed that court usually gives its own penalty, “but the court is always liberal a bit; we appreciate them.”

    He said also that the corps was proposing community services as a punishment for traffic offenders.

    “This punishment is also in the amendment now; when you are convicted, in your suit and tie you will go for community services.

    “People think that the fines are high but they seem not to understand what we have been stressing; fines are to serve as deterrent.

    “If you don’t want to pay the fine, then don’t commit the offence,” Oyeyemi said.

    NAN

  • Fake products: Absence of interpreter stalls trial of Chinese men

    Fake products: Absence of interpreter stalls trial of Chinese men

    The absence of an interpreter on Wednesday stalled the arraignment of two Chinese nationals, Mr Zhoung Li Xin and Mr Zhoung Guomin at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s ( SON ) accused the two of marking some unapproved products as genuine.

    The accused persons had demonstrated to the court that they could only speak in their native mandarin.

    The charge had claimed that Zhoung Li Xin and Mr Zhoung Guomin placed an “ABB” mark on receptacle containing products marked as Chiko and Toyou.

    The Prosecution therefore alleged that the accused persons committed an offence under Section 378 of the Penal Code Law Cap. 89 Law of the Northern Nigeria.’’

    Mr Joseph Olofindare, Counsel to SON, said the defendants’ actions of making false mark on products and making such products to be believed to be of a particular quality was a breach of the law.

    He said the alleged action was with the intent to defraud the innocent public.

    “Likely punishment is three years imprisonment with or without fine’’, he said.

    On why an arrangement was not made for an interpreter for the defendants, Olofindare said it was his conviction that the defendants could speak English language.

    “We are aware that the defendants spoke English before now, but they denied speaking or understanding English when we got to the court.

    “At the appropriate time that will be sorted out and the interest of justice which we are concerned with will be served.

    “The interest of SON is to get rid of foreigners with the intention of bringing substandard items that may have negative impact on the citizens.

    “The mandate of SON is to move against that and to ensure that all the perpetrators are brought to book’’, Olonfindare said.

    On his part, Mr Amaechi Muonagor,  Counsel to the defendants, said his clients were not aware the case was coming up as they were served with the court process on the evening of December 19.

    He also said there was no preliminary arrangement for an interpreter.

    According to him, the prosecution has the false impression that the defendants could speak and understand English language.

    “We were prepared for the trial any way, except that there was no interpreter to interpret the language of the court to the defendants.

    “I normally communicate with them through an interpreter but what happened was that we did not liaise with SON to provide an interpreter because of the short notice to appear in court’’, he said.

    He said however, that the defendants were presently enjoying administrative bail.

    He said it was the right of the defendants to be heard in the language they understand, adding that the prosecution and the defendants’ counsel had agreed to interface to make that happen.

    The presiding Justice Sadiq Umar, had earlier ordered the parties to ensure the defendants were provided with an interpreter to facilitate the trial.

    However, no date was fixed for the commencement of the trial.

    NAN

  • Enugu revenue board seals 5 hotels over N6.6bn debt

    Enugu revenue board seals 5 hotels over N6.6bn debt

    No fewer than five hotels in Enugu State have been sealed by the state Board of Internal Revenue ( BIR ) due to huge tax debts.

    The hotels are Nondon Hotel, Allen Suites, Villa Toscana, Filbon Hotel and Hotel Codial, which allegedly owed N6.6 billion to the state government.

    Officials of the BIR swooped on the premises of the affected hospitality outfits on Wednesday and shut down their operations.

    The Chairman of the board, Mr Emeka Odo said the affected hotels had been recalcitrant in fulfilling their tax obligations to the state government.

    He said the debts were owed between 2011 and 2016, adding that government was poised at recovering all debts owed it by institutions in the state.

    The chairman said the BIR would embark on intensive revenue drive from the first quarter of 2018, adding that tax evasion and avoidance would no longer be tolerated.

    Read also: Enugu to recruit 700 teachers

    Odo said the creativity of the state governor was enough to encourage residents and enterprises in the state to discharge their civic responsibilities.

    The chairman said accruals of the state government from the federal allocation would not be enough to deliver meaningful projects, adding that government relied mostly on IGR.

    According to him, the state will take the issue of debt recovery seriously in order to change the mindset of the people toward discharging their civic obligations.

    Meanwhile, the state governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had disclosed that the government generated N17 billion between January and November, 2017.

    The governor made the disclosure at the recent launch of the automated tax system in the state.

    NAN

  • Court docked man over alleged furniture theft

    Court docked man over alleged furniture theft

    A 30-year-old unemployed man, Timi Daniel,  who allegedly stole a set of furniture valued at N65,000.00 was on Wednesday brought before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State.

    The accused, who resides at No. 4, Dada Street, Idale, Badagry is facing a count charge of stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Akpan Ikem, told the court that the accused had on December 8 stole the set of furniture from a complex located at Ibereko area in Badagry.

    He said that the accused committed the crime with two others now at large.

    “He committed the act by pretending that he wanted to buy the furniture; so, this served as a form of distraction for the attendant.

    “So, while the attendant was with him, the other accomplices took the furniture and ran away in a car,” he said.

    The offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    Daniel, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Mr Jimoh Adefioye, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    He ordered that the surety must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and adjourned the case until January 25, 2018 for further hearing.

    NAN