The Nation Newspaper

Tag: operation

  • 216 drug stores sealed for illegal operation

    The Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 216 illegal drug stores in Lagos State for non-compliance with the necessary laws. The stores comprised 46 pharmacies and 213 patent medicine stores.

    The areas visited were Abule Egba, Alagbado, Meiran, Hamadiya, Agege, Badagry, Morogbo, Ibereko, Wilmer, Kirikiri, Ajegunle, Orile-Iganmu, Epe, Lekki, Ajah, Ejigbo, Mile 12, Ketu, Ojota, Alapere, Oworonshoki, Iwaya, Makoko, Ebute-metta, Oyingbo, Yaba, Ojuelegba, Lawanson, Mushin, Ejigbo, Anthony, Maryland, Onipanu, Magodo, Shangisha, Ogudu, Ojodu and Berger

    Explaining why the illegal stores were closed down, the Director and Head of Inspection and Monitoring Department, PCN, Mrs Anthonia Aruya said the Council has observed that many of these drug stores in Lagos State are operating without fulfilling the minimum requirements. Since these premises have not been approved for the sale of medicines, the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines sourced from them by the public cannot be guaranteed. And if this trend is allowed to continue, it will impact negatively on the health of the citizens of the state in particular and the nation in general.

    Mrs Aruya said: “The exercise is part of efforts to reverse the ugly situation in which drug stores in operate without fulfilling the minimum requirements. The PCN enforcement team is in Lagos as a follow-up visit to the one held in August.

    “At the end of the exercise, a total of 216 premises, comprising 30 pharmacies and 186 patent medicine stores were sealed for various offences ranging from operating without registration with the Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria, failure to renew licences and dispensing ethical drugs without the supervision of a pharmacist, while 43 were issued compliance directives for offences ranging from poor sanitary conditions, poor documentation among other offences.”

    She enjoined all stakeholders to comply with the laws that regulate the practice of pharmacy across the country as the Federal Government will not tolerate the indiscriminate sale of drugs without submission to regulatory control.

    Mrs Aruya urged the public to purchase their medicines from licensed pharmacies and simple household remedies from licensed patent and propriety medicines vendor shops.  She also advised members of the public intending to carry out pharmaceutical business to get in touch with the PCN head office located on Plot 7/9, Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja or any of the state offices for proper guidance.

  • APC launches ‘Operation reclaim Ekiti’

    APC launches ‘Operation reclaim Ekiti’

    •Hundreds dump PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has launched ‘Operation Reclaim Ekiti’. This is aimed at membership mobilisation and sensitisation of the electorate towards achieving victory at the next governorship election.

    The Chairman, Olajide Awe, kicked off the exercise  at the weekend in  Okemesi Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government.

    Members of several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party  (LP), took part in the rally

    Among those who defected to the APC from the PDP were the former Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government, Gbenga Ogunleye and ex-House of Assembly member Ajibade Owolabi, who represented Ekiti West Constituency 2 between 2007 and 2011.

    Awe was joined on the podium to receive the defectors by his Deputy, Mrs. Keri Olaleye; Secretary, Paul Omotoso; Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun and other members of the executive.

    Ogunleye said he had no option but to take the “painful” decision of quitting the PDP, which he said had derailed from the dream of its founding fathers, and did not meet the expectation of Ekiti people.

    Owolabi regretted that the impact of the PDP government had not been felt in Okemesi, unlike during the APC administration, which he noted executed life-changing projects.

    He said: “I am interested in the development of this community. I believe if the APC should come to power, this state will be safe. We want to move along with the progressives because our people benefited more under the APC than the PDP government.”

    Awe said: “I congratulate all of you for leaving the locust party. Never again shall we allow that party (PDP) to come to power in Ekiti because our people have learnt their lesson.

    “We are here to launch ‘Operation Reclaim Ekiti’ from those currently destroying it, to send a signal that the APC is on ground. Our people have weighed both parties and they now know which one is better.

    “We (APC) did our best, managed Ekiti better and gave our people the best. Today, they have seen that ‘stomach infrastructure’ does not hold water again. By the grace of God, APC is coming back to give our people good governance again and make life better for them.”

  • Ijaw communities in Delta decry military operation

    Residents of Ijaw communities in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to restrain the soldiers on security operation in the areas from victimising the people.

    Our reporter received several messages from some of the communities, indicating that men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, currently on an operation in some communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, especially Oporoza, that the military had been tormenting the residents.

    In a telephone chat yesterday in Warri, the Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, said the military had built blockades against the residents, causing fear of food shortage.

    The community leader noted that although the people welcomed the military on the waterways to curb militants and other hoodlums, the military operations in the communities were allegedly stretching the people’s confidence and threatening their peace and freedom.

    According to him, passenger boats have been impounded and thoroughly searched.

    Mulade said: “As we are talking, no boat is coming in or going out. They have barred the people of Oporoza from fishing. The people cannot go out to get anything; they are intimidating the villagers, that they must produce members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

    “Also, students, children and women are in the forest. There is a deliberate blockage of the waterways; food shortage is on the increase. The military’s approach is not the best option; dialogue is the way to go.

    “The communities are deserted as more troops have been deployed to Oporoza and the surrounding hamlets, creating fears in the people.

    “We welcome the military because of the activities of NDA and pirates. We believe the military will stem the tide of the activities, but the humiliation and intimidation of innocent residents is unacceptable and unconstitutional.”

    He added: “NDA members do not reside in Gbaramatu. They have adopted guerilla tactics to perpetrate their evil acts. The people are living in abject poverty and the Nigerian state should not worsen the people’s hardship. The ecosystem is destroyed by the bombing. But, with the way the military is going, it will be difficult for the people to corporate with them. The people cannot be tortured and be expected to give information. It is not possible.”

  • Why private refineries are yet to begin operation

    Finance is one of the major reasons why the 18 refineries licensed in 2002 are yet to take off ,The Nation has learnt. Financial institutions do not want to provide long-term funding for operators in the oil and gas industry. There is a rigid mode of repayment of loans, besides.

    Industry observers said the failure of the refineries to come on stream, 14 years after, has further worsened the fuel situation in Nigeria. The Chief Executive Officer, Jehata Nigeria Limited (owners of Abuja Power Station), Mr. Jameel Jammah, said technical deficiencies and huge capital are some of the problems facing owners of private and public refineries globally.

    He said owners of private refineries are worse hit, because they do not have the money required to set up refineries. Jameel said dearth of skills and capital are some of the problems besetting the growth of private refineries.

    He said: “This explains why it is difficult for the 18 privately-owned refineries licensed by the Federal Government to take  off, 14 years after they were approved. Accessibility to credit facility is poor in Nigeria, coupled with lack of required manpower. When banks refuse to lend to firms that won the bids for the establishment, there is nothing they could do.

    “The demands from the banks, which want to fund the projects, are outrageous. For instance, in a situation whereby banks requested that people should repay the loans within five years, as against a period of say 10 to 15 years, there is a problem. Where did the banks want people to get the money to pay back the loans, which they were given to finance the building of the refineries within such a short period?’’.

    According to him, refineries’ operation is in stages, noting that both the existing and prospective owners of refineries globally pass though the stages. Jammel listed the stages to include getting and clearing the site for the project, carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) programme on the project, knowing the  capacity or output of the refineries, profit projection, let say in the next five years,  and others

    “I  can frankly tell you that many banks refused to lend money to us, when we conceived and started the building of our modular refinery in Abuja. The problem is the same all over the world. Nobody is ready to commit funds to a project that one is not sure of its immediate returns,’’he said.

    Also, the former President, International Association of Energy Economists (AIEE), Prof Adeola Akinnisiju, said a lot of things come into play when the issue of owning a refinery (whether traditional or modular) crops up.

  • ‘Operation car wash’

    What is what Brazilians call the ongoing graft investigation which unhorsed their president, Mrs. Dilma Rousseff. She was impeached yesterday by the country’s Senate stripping her off all immunity so she may face trial over the next six months.

    “Operation car wash” derives its origin from the fact that millions of dollars illicitly acquired from under hand contracts at the state’s oil firm Petrobras was being laundered through a currency exchange outlet in a gas station in Brasilia, the country’s capital. The gas station apparently has a corner car wash.

    Imagine the scenario: swashbuckling dark-goggled men who are fronts for big public officials come to a black market currency changer in a gas station to carry out their mega deals. While some are inside crunching large figures in dollars, others hang around a corner car wash tending their glistening four-wheelers and swaggering in the manner of million dollars men.

    Of course they are bound to attract attention and set tongues wagging. Only few mortals could sit on a million dollars without causing a stir. People must have noticed this ‘strange’ group; Brazilians surely noticed the strange, shadowy movements around a gas station. Hardball wagers that this was how come, “Operation car wash” took over the soul of Brazil since early 2014.

    When the scandal broke out in 2014, a judge, Sergio Moro, commanded Brazil’s Federal Police to commence investigation. Two years after, a big fish has been caught in the dragnet – Brazil’s number one personage, President Rousseff. Though she is specifically accused and suspended for breaking budgetary laws by taking loans to boost public spending, thereby masking the poor state of the country’s economy, she is also fingered in the Petrobras scandal.

    Dousseff, yes, the same President Dilma Dousseff had been chairman of the board of Petrobras between 2003 and 2010. Yet she claims innocence in a corruption scandal that came to a head in 2008 in which over $2.8 billion is stolen.

    It is a long-drawn criminal investigation which involves nine Brazilian construction firms, 48 sitting and former legislators, former president now a senator, Fernando Melo and former hero-president Lius Ignacio Lula da silva (Lula).

    But the plot is even thicker than you would imagine: apart from the fallen Dilma, her deputy who is now incumbent having taken over yesterday, Michel Temer, is in the Petrobras scandal loop. And so is the next (3rd) in line to him, the Speaker of the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies; and the 4th in line Leader of the upper house, the Senate. They all face criminal probes.

    Gee, corruption is an octopus isn’t it? It has a way of reaching as many people with its many tentacles. But dear smart reader must have drawn the parallel here between Brasil and Nigeria? Petrobras is staightaway, NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation). The way Brasil’s ruling elite poke grubby fingers into the coffers of Petrobras, so it is at NNPC.

    But the distinction is that while the system has institutions that can self-regenerate and unseat even a sitting president that is not the case for Nigeria today. In Brasil, even the president is beholden to institutions of state, but in Nigeria institutions are beholden to the president.

    Shall we call Nigeria “Operation wash, wash?”

  • Shettima hails military for counter-insurgency operation

    Shettima hails military for counter-insurgency operation

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima has hailed the military for its sacrifice in restoring peace to the Northeast.

    The governor, who addressed reporters in Maiduguri, said: “The military has recorded achievements in the last six months. We are consolidating the emerging peace.

    “It’s wrong for anyone to say Boko Haram is in control.

    Yes, you may have pockets of insurgents trying to foment mischief, but eventually, we shall overcome the hiccups.

    “We are living witnesses to what is happening in Borno. You and I know that in the last couple of months Ngala was liberated by the military, so also was Bama, Gwoza, Dikwa, Mafa and other communities hitherto under the terrorists’ control.

    “The military deserves commendation not condemnation.”

    He said it was clear that the Boko Haram insurgents had been decimated by the military.

    Shettima added: “Boko Haram terrorists have been decimated and President Muhammadu Buhari deserves commendation for this.

    “The Northeast people, especially those of Borno, are grateful to President Buhari for his commitment toward restoring sanity.”

    He said the military was making efforts to uproot the terrorists from their hideout in Sambisa forest.

    “The most important thing for us now is to support the Federal Government on the anti-terrorism war,” the governor added.

    He noted that it was difficult to end terrorism within a short time.

  • Operation keep lassa out

    Operation keep lassa out

    The authorities have released tips on containing the latest health threat. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has stepped up to keep the lethal Lassa fever out of the territory.

    The Health and Human Services Secretariat released some useful tips on how to effectively prevent the spread of the virus. A carrier of the virus who visited Abuja is said to have died.

    The FCT Administration noted that this proactive step has become necessary in order to halt the spread of the virus.

    The Administration has urged the residents not to spread foods to dry along the road as well as keeping the houses and surroundings clean by blocking all holes around the houses, clearing all bushes and disposing refuse in covered dustbins.

    It has advised the residents to discard all foods partly eaten by rats and tightly seal all animal foods in metal containers.

    It also urged the residents to cover all foods and water properly and set traps in and around the house to reduce rat populations.

    In the same vain, infected patients should be isolated from contact with unprotected persons until the disease runs out its course.

    Apart from avoiding contact with Lassa fever patients’ secretions, residents are advised to wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles when caring for patients.

    Following the confirmation of the disease in some states, the Health & Human Services Secretariat embarked on measures aimed at preventing its spread in the Territory.

    Meanwhile, the FCT Disease Control and Disease Surveillance as well as Notification Officers in the six Area Councils are on high alert as they have stepped up disease surveillance activities within their various localities, especially at the border communities.

    The Heads of Health Departments in the Area Councils have already been directed to step up sensitisation in the communities – markets, motor parks, churches and mosques; while the distribution of fliers is ongoing.

     

  • CBN policies take toll on ports’ operation

    CBN policies take toll on ports’ operation

    The Managing Director, Micura Stevedoring Services, Michael Ubogu has complained about the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), regulations denying importers of some select items, access to foreign exchange in order to shore up the value of the naira.

    Ubogu said the forex restriction on about 41 commodities has adversely affected the maritime industry, especially stevedoring companies. According to him, “41 commodities restricted from the forex is definitely affecting our business especially rice importation.”

    He also said the industry has been experiencing downturn due to the forex restrictions and lack of policy direction by the government. “Obviously, from January till now, if there is any sector that is worst hit, I will tell you it is the maritime sector.

    “According to a survey report of members of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and other operators in the private sector, there is growing inability of businesses to pay foreign creditors on account of items imported prior to the CBN policy.”

    The operators claimed that Form M opened for items on the list prior to the CBN policy are not processed for payment leading to credit defaults with foreign suppliers.

    They equally said vegetables and processed vegetable products used by quick service restaurants are included in the list and this has affected  the availability of forex to import these materials.

    The revenue of the largest revenue collecting command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) – the Apapa Area Command – plummeted for the third consecutive month due to CBN’s restricting the sale of forex to the importers of 41 select items.

    Its  out-going Area Controller, Comptroller Charles Edike, said the command collected N23.8 billion in September this year as against the N30.4 billion it collected in the corresponding period of last year, representing about 22 per cent revenue loss.

    He said: “Since the CBN policy was rolled out, for the first three months, the remnant that came in were the ones we have been clearing but the remnant is now dwindling, finishing and so that explains the situation we are,” he said.

    The President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu also complained about so many containers that are trapped in the port.

    Investigation also reveled that importation is very low based on the forex restriction.

  • Okada operation still suspended, says Ondo

    Ondo State government said yesterday that its suspension order on the operation of commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as Okada, in the state capital, Akure, and the ban on ticketing by the operators are still in force.

    In a statement, the Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade said the “suspension order stands until government is done with its reformation process on the operation of the commercial motorcycle operators”.

    “The clarification came following reports that the order is being flouted by some commercial motorcycle operators in the capital city, where activities of the okada riders have been suspended,” Akinmade said.

    The statement added that the ban on ticketing activities by the operators was still in force, warning that operators should guide against falling prey to the activities of illegal ticket handlers who have been duping unsuspecting motorcycle operators under the guise of working for outlawed bodies.

    It enjoined the operators to maintain the peace and cooperate with government in its determination to ensure they have a regularised and effective mode of operation.

  • ‘Operation Oil Palm’ in Imo

    ‘Operation Oil Palm’ in Imo

    The plan to diversify the Imo State economy has a life of its own. Palm trees are springing up in the state. Residents greet one another with a question: have you planted a palm? It is the state’s plan to diversify its economy and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.  It is the Operation Oil Palm.

    The programme, known as ‘Ikuona Nku?’, meaning, Have you planted a palm?, according to Governor Rochas Okorocha, was conceived to re-awaken the interest of the people in the cultivation of palm, which was once the mainstay of the state economy.

    The government has also revived other abandoned agro-based industries, especially the Ada Palm, the ailing oil palm plantation in the state.

    Before now the Ada Palm Plantation, with a sprawling 4310 hectares of full grown palm and arguably one of the largest in Africa, contributed over 60% of the total income of the state.

    The plantation established by the then Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Opara, was however abandoned as a result of the oil boom.

    However following the depleting oil fortune, the Rochas Okorocha led administration launched a new plan to ensure that every family in the state owns a palm plantation.

    The idea according to the Governor was to alleviate poverty in the state, especially in the rural communities.

    To ensure a smooth take off of the programme, the state government disbursed a takeoff grant of N3300, 000.00 to each traditional ruler in the 637 autonomous communities in the state.

    The fund was to be utilised in the cultivation of the new palm seedlings provided by government and the establishment of local oil mills for the milling of the palm fruits.

    The Governor while addressing a meeting of the traditional rulers, conveyed to brainstorm on the possible ways of returning to agriculture, said that Imo State before now was the largest producer of palm oil but regretted that palm cultivation was abandoned over the years.

    Highlighting the benefits of palm oil cultivation, the Imo Governor, hinted that with the decline in the price of oil and the need to diversify the economy of the state, it has become imperative that the people return to their former ways of making a living.

    He disclosed that the state government will continue to provide necessary incentives and grants to encourage the people to cultivate oil palm, adding that in the next ten years if the programme is sustained, the state will be a leading producer of palm oil and other produce that can be harnessed from oil palm.

    He urged the monarchs to engage in and encourage communal oil palm cultivation to create wealth and employment for the people.

    He said, “Our greeting at all times in Imo State now is ‘ikuona nku?’ This is to drive home the importance of palm oil cultivation, which will truly transform the economy of the state faster than oil. Imo State used to be the greatest producer of palm oil but we lost this position because our people ran after oil”.

    Today more farmers in the state are keying into the programme and massively planting oil palm trees in previously fallow lands.

    Chief Sylvanus Uguru, described the development as a right step in the right direction, adding that, “this is healthy for the state. I think it is a proactive measure against the falling oil price, the state will benefit immensely if the programme is sustained.