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Tag: Our plan

  • Our plan for hitchfree Yuletide, by FRSC, FERMA

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) are not taking lightly the Federal Executive Council’s, FEC’s directive to ensure free flow of traffic during the Yuletide. Yesterday, the FRSC activated 201 mobile courts and unveiled plans to deploy 21,000 personnel for duty; FERMA identified 353 critical roads for repair . AUGUSTINE EHIKIOYA reports.

    THE Christmas and New Year festivities are around the corner again. To many Nigerians, the Yuletide is like a pressure cooker, with heavy movement of passengers and cargoes, across the country’s. Accidents have become inevitable  during the period.

    Last year, FRSC recorded 4,410 deaths from 7,937 road crashes with 23,392 injured. The figure is lower than the 4,527 deaths and recorded  in 2016. 26,749 injured.

    But the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, while giving a performance review in Abuja early in the year, described the reduction in crashes and fatalities as a success story. Oyeyemi attributed the result to the corps enlightenment programmes and the support from stakeholders, including the security services, media and the transport unions.

    He said: “The corps worked assiduously in 2017 to bring down the rate of road traffic crashes nationwide as we recorded 7,937 crashes as against 8,560 in 2016, indicating a decrease of 7.28 per cent, while the number of people killed in 2017 was 4,410 as against 4,527 in 2016. This represents a reduction pf 2.58 per cent.”

    But road accidents are mostly recorded during the Christmas and the New Year period

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) is, however, not leaving the annual pathetic scenarios to chance this year. At its meeting on Wednesday, it gave a marching order to the FRSC and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure that commuters enjoy a new experience.

    On the heels of the mandate, FRSC Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi and FERMA Managing Director Nurudeen Rafindadi, an engineer, briefed State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on measures put in place to ensure smooth movement of persons and goods during the season.

    According to Oyeyemi, the FRSC has activated 201 mobile courts and deployed 21,000 personnel across the country. The mobile courts, according to him, would prosecute recalcitrant drivers, who violate traffic rules and special patrol will last till January 15, next year. The Air Force, he said, has allocated two helicopters for aerial surveillance during the period.

    According to him, over 1,000 patrol vehicles have been deployed.  The Corps Marshal added that FRSC offices across the country would be shut down for operation, except for drivers’ licence.

    He said: “Further to the directive of FEC, FRSC and FERMA have been working together. We normally forward the FRSC audit report to FERMA so that appropriate maintenance aspect is being taken, especially at very critical areas. For the end of the year patrols, we have divided the operations into three segments – that is pre-Christmas, post-Christmas and post-New Year. So, this will stretch from December 15 to January 15 and we are deploying over 21,000 personnel to critical corridors with over 1,000 patrol vehicles, including recovery vehicles, ambulances and the bikes. The country has been partitioned into critical 52 corridors across the country.” The road safety boss noted that, in conjunction with FERMA, the focus for the end of the year will be on critical areas on the highways to ensure free flow of traffic.

    “Our principal responsibility during this period is to ensure free flow of traffic; that could mean that as you are travelling, you may likely experience some gridlock in one or two areas in the cause of the ongoing construction work.  So, we are not talking about enforcement; we are talking about the issue of getting the travellers getting home safely.

    “Also, the recovery vehicles have been deployed to critical locations and we are also working with private tow trucks operators so that peradventure if there is any breakdown of any vehicle or truck, immediately we will be able to remove all these obstructions which normally lead to gridlock. We are not saying there will be no crash, but the focus is that let there be zero death. If there is any crash, we will have our advanced life support ambulances deployed,” Oyeyemi said.

    The Corps Marshall also urged members of the public to make use of its toll free number, 122, whenever they get to a crash scene before FRSC personnel get there.

    “They should be able to call 122 and inform us so that we can deploy appropriate personnel and the required vehicle or whatever is required. I want to assure the public that we will be able to reduce the stress for the travellers. The government has done its own part, adequate funds have been provided and we believe that with proper deployment of personnel, principally for traffic control operations, we will be able to get everybody home safely.”

    On why the operation is in three segments, he said: “Because it peaks by the time it’s Christmas and don’t forget that December 24 is on Monday. So, a lot of movements will occur from Friday, Saturday, Sunday and will peak on Monday. One thing I want to advise Nigerians is for them to plan their journey but we are going to frown at overloading.

    Any vehicle that is overloaded, he said, will not be allowed to continue the journey.

    “Like we did during the last Sallah festival, we conducted periodic vision tests for the driver; that was when we raised the alarm that about 30 per cent of the drivers have vision problem.

    “Any of them that we see, we are going to ground them and look for alternatives for the passengers to get to their destination safely. We are already working with NURTW peradventure we see a driver with poor sight; you will have to provide the alternative because government’s interest is for everybody to get to their destination safely.

    “We believe that with the advocacy and the education that is going on, we will be able to get to everybody in all the motor parks.

    “For the mobile courts, 201 mobile courts will be activated nationwide next week. The essence is that peradventure, there are some recalcitrant drivers we will be able to deal with the situation.”

    He called on all road users to give maximum support to the corps and FERMA officials, noting that FERMA is still doing palliative work on the roads.

    Oyeyemi added: “So, areas where rehabilitation is going on, let us show a level of discipline and appreciate the efforts of government in ensuring that the roads are fixed during this dry season so that we can all get to our destinations safely.

    “We are also going to have about 40 road camps nationwide. Road camps are where the personnel will not go home. They will be running shifts, work late at night. They will be at the camps overnight so that as early as 4am, they will be up. We will also make use of the road side clinics. We have 26 of them nationwide in addition to the road camps we are setting up.

    “We have on Lagos-Ibadan expressway because it has the highest volume of traffic and because of the construction and rehabilitation of the roads, some two-lane carriage ways are comprised into a single lane. This will bring a kind of slow movements of vehicles.

    “So, we need more understanding, we will be giving traffic situation report every hour as from next week, but we need the support of the people to understand that it is not a crash. When you have three lanes reduced to one, especially during this period, we should not attempt to face incoming vehicle and go and face a logjam completely.

    “We need to warn that when we see those recalcitrant drivers, those are the ones we are going to take to the mobile courts for prosecution.”

    He said the FRSC will prosecute those found engaging in drink driving.

    “We have purchased digital alcoholisers. I want to assure members of the public that we will lessen the stress of this end of the year patrol 2018/2019.” he said

    According to him, the FRSC always collaborate with the military every year.

    “Every year, the Nigeria Air Force normally supports us with helicopters for aerial surveillance. One of the successes recorded is the ability to carry out aerial surveillance patrol during the festive period. This year is not an exemption that we are going to get the support of the Chief of Air Staff for the release of two helicopters for aerial surveillance,” he said.

    On the issue of sales of alcohol, he said it is a battle that must be won.

    On punitive measures for rules violations, he said: “That is why we have 201 mobile courts actually. Presently, we have the highest number of lawyers in the corps, but you don’t need lawyers to prosecute road traffic offences. We have about 120 lawyers and I think it is about the highest and for the recruitment we are making, we are taking another 50 lawyers, ultimately we hope to get 200 lawyers.

    “But we only need prosecutor. The Act gives power to any personnel of the Corp to prosecute traffic offenders. They have all been trained.”

    On the issue of bad spots, he said: “You do a lot of traffic controls at the bad spots and if you ensure proper traffic control at the dark spots, it leads to log down at this critical festive period. And like the MD FERMA said about the efforts being made, 353 critical locations is a major work and that is why FRSC and FERMA are working together. I want to assure that this year will be much better and effectively coordinated as directed by Mr. President.

    “It is not only in December that we intensify our work like this. We work 365 days a year and we have just raised the level higher a bit to shut down office by December. By next week Friday, FRSC offices will be shut down nationwide, except the drivers licences work stations; everybody will be on the road, including my humble self.

    “Look at the successes recorded on the Asaba Bridge. For the past two years, I assured Nigerians that nobody will sleep on the bridge and see what is happening and FERMA is already working on that small bad section before the Bridge itself in Asaba. Once there is free flow of traffic in Asaba, then the traffic is moving.

    “We must raise the level of end of the year patrol, which is combined because people are going for holiday and what have you because there is high density of traffic.”

    On military check-points causing long queues, he noted: “We are taking it up with the Chief of Defence Staff so that this can be relax a bit at the peak period. But we cannot jeopardise what the military is doing in terms of security, but we will work with them.”

    He said that overloading will also be prosecuted at the mobile courts.

    Rafindadi stated that palliative repairs would be carried out on 353 critical roads in 16 major corridors of the country.

    He said: “Consequent on the Federal Government and the Ministry of Works directives that roads, which are mostly used by commuters during the festive season, should be made motorable and comfortable to ensure safe passage and avoid the usually occurring perennial traffic gridlocks, there has been a series of coordination between the ministry, FERMA and the FRSC.

    “This coordination has been going on at least for the last five weeks. In addition to the major construction works that are being done by the Ministry of Works, the agency has identified about 353 critical roads that need palliative measures specifically during this period.

    “The bulk of this work has been allocated between the Department of Construction and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Works and FERMA. To realise this goal, the agency has been assigned 16 very critical and prominent roads that need to be addressed immediately within the period.

    “The agency has put in place an implementation plan for the maintenance and repair of these identified federal roads as well as other roads that are frequently used by motorists, especially during this period even the roads that are outside the ministries’ jurisdiction.

    “Efforts have been made towards deployment of resources and personnel for the repair of these roads that have been assigned to FERMA. Some of our field officers are already engaging workers for direct labour and those roads that we identified and agreed with the ministry, we designate into two priorities:

    “Priority one, a lot of the work are concentrated around 16 major routes, they include: Oyo-Ibadan road in Ogun State, Minna-Tegina road in Niger State, Sheda -Abaji road on the FCT/Kogi State, Abaji-Kotonkarfe road in Kogi State, Itakpe -Federal College of Education Road around Okene in Kogi State, Agbo-Asaba road in Delta State, sections along Benin -Warri road in Delta State, Lokoja-Ajaokuta road in Kogi State, Itobe-Ayangba-Ankpa -Otukpa road in Kogi State, Uyo-James Town road in Akwa Ibom State, Ogoja -Katsina Ala road in Cross River State, Biu road in Gombe State, Damaturu-Mauduguri road in Yobe and Borno State, Bauchi-Jos -Akwanga roads in Plateau and Nasarawa states, Bauch-Potiskum road in Bauchi and Yobe State; Katsina – Jibia road in Katsina State.”

    The FERMA boss added: “Like I have said, in addition to these roads, which we tagged as priority one because we identified them jointly with the ministry, there are other arterial roads that we know are frequently used, especially during the holidays season, they have been part of our work all along.

    “These roads, we are also deploying personnel and resources and arrangement are been made to move quickly from the first and second week of December. Some of these roads include: Onitsha dual carriage way, Abakalike -Ogoja-Ikom roads, Katsina Ala-Zakibiam-Ukari road, Akwanga-Lafia – Makurdi road, Akwaga-Keffi -Abuja road, Ibadan -Ilesha dual carriageway, Akure -Owo-Eluku road, Owo -Akumgba -Ibilo-Okene road, and Kabba -Amuwo road.

    “The implementation plan is in two parts: First part, which has commenced, from the first week of December involved stocking of road repair materials and subsequent palliative repair on identified road sections that are damage along these roads that I mentioned.

    “The second part of this implementation is to intensify and expand all ongoing direct labour, specifically along the roads that I mentioned and other major arterial roads with isolated potholes.

    “There are many roads that have become a perennial cause for attention for FERMA, especially roads that are leading into major population centres and major urban areas, for instance, Abuja-Keffi road, which is a major gateway into the FCT. This is a road that has a year round attention and by the nature of the problem, they require constant attention.

    “The final solution to many of the roads along this corridor should be addressed by total reconstruction of the roads and that project has recently been awarded and has been flagged off by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola about two weeks ago.

    “Meanwhile, before the major reconstruction goes into effect, FERMA has been in place and carrying out regular maintenance along the roads every year, particularly in the stretch between A.Y.A, Kugbo and Nyanya-Masaka road. We have undertaken palliative repairs and maintenance works on the road and we will continue to do so, especially during this season.”

    According to him, most part of the 36,000 kilometres federal roads have lived beyond their age, spanning above 35 years.

     

  • Our plan for Arepo’s growth, by CDA

    Residents of Arepo in Ogun State have unveiled plans to use technology to enhance security within estates in the community.

    Rising from a retreat, the Arepo Central Community Development Association (ACCDA) said it would liaise  with  the  Police  Community  Relations  Committee  (PCRC)  for  effective  security  arrangement  within the community.

    Among estates within the community is the Journalists’ Estate which came into being in 2004.

    A communique issued after the retreat by ACCDA President Mr Kehinde Adeyemo and General Secretary Mr. Jide Oke said there would be an alignment of activities of the component estates’ security units for an efficient networking.

    “ACCDA shall re-inaugurate a security committee that will comprise each component’s estate security team. The activities of okada riders shall be managed via rider registration and issuance of reflective jackets,” the statement said.

    The association, it said, shall collaborate more with law enforcement agencies to tighten security within and around the estates.

    To combat the perennial power problem, the association said it would work with the Ikeja Electric (IK) through electricity committee to facilitate the distribution of Pre-paid Meters (PPM) to residents, and follow up on replacement of faulty transformers in the community.

    “ACCDA shall support and encourage individual estates that may want to pursue Independent Power Project (IPP) in achieving their goals,” the statement said.

    It bemoaned the neglect of its road by the government, saying it would continue in its interaction with the government on the rehabilitation of the  road.

    “However, a structured plan geared towards palliative work on the road all-year round will be put  in  place, while  the  entrance  gatehouse  shall  be  given  a  facelift  to create  a welcoming view to visitors.

    “The retreat acknowledged the contributions of the erstwhile Road Project Committee on the project thus far, and decided that the committee shall be revived and strengthened to accelerate the association’s actions on the road going forward,” ACCDA said.

  • Our plan for 9mobile, by Smiles Telecoms

    The battle for 9mobile is not yet over.

    The Reserved bidder, Smile Communications, a subsidiary of Smile Telecoms Holdings, is pushing ahead with its bid to snatch the prize.

    Its Executive Director (Operations) Mr. Ahmad Farroukh said Smile has all it takes to reposition 9mobile and make it attractive and competitive again within 90 days.

    Farroukh who spoke to reporters in Lagos at the weekend, said 9mobile deserves the best and should be sold to an existing telecoms company with the right technical expertise and financial strength to turn it around for the highly competitive market in few months.

    According to Farroukh, Smile will bring three dimensional values to 9mobile if it is allowed to take its possession. “The first value is that we are Nigerian company already existing in the Nigerian telecoms space. So we will come up with our existing assets to boost the 9mobile operations. We will seek the permission of NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission) to flip our existing 800MHz frequency to 9mobile to enhance its operations. What we are bringing to 9mobile is huge.

    “The 800MHz frequency, which Smile Communications currently operates on, will be added to that of 9mobile to achieve the best frequency ever that will serve the customers better and help 9mobile to come out of its current challenges. Without exaggerating, we are sure to add additional 600 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, into the operations of 9mobile within a space of 90 days, if given the opportunity to acquire it.

    “We will from day one, integrate our existing facilities with that of 9mobile to get the company back to its good old days, when it was the best voice and data telecoms company in Nigeria. 9mobile currently has 500 BTS across the country, and by the time we add our 400 existing BTS and combine it with the 600 BTS that we can provide within 90 days, 9mobile will be having approximately 1,500 BTS, which will match the number of BTS that the largest telecoms operator in the country currently has. So should we acquire 9mobile, we will make it competitive from day one with unprecedented speed of service delivery.

    “The second value that we will bring to 9mobile is the monetary value. We will bring in fresh millions of dollars from foreign financing outside Nigeria, into 9mobile to pay off its indebtedness to the banks and also pay off any other group that the company is indebted to, and we will still have enough to invest in 9mobile and make it competitive. Let me tell you that several countries around the world still believe in the Nigeria story and we will reach out to them to get fresh funds to invest in 9mobile.”

    The third dimensional value that Smile Telecoms Holdings will bring to 9mobile, according to Farroukh, is about the firm’s long standing experience in telecoms business.

    “I have handled telecoms business in Nigeria, including being the CEO of MTN Nigeria from 2006 to 2011, before I was appointed as Director to oversee the MTN West African operations, before joining Smile Communications. Nigeria has made me what I am today and I am grateful to God and to Nigeria. In Smile Communications and Smile Telecoms Holdings, we have seasoned telecoms experts and we are bringing that expertise to 9mobile if given the opportunity to acquire it. We are convinced that our three dimensional values will make 9mobile a successful company if we are allowed to manage it,” Farroukh said.

    On 9mobile’s indebtedness to banks, he said Smile was much aware and had  a strategy to resolve it. “Yes we are very much aware of the debt profile of 9mobile and we are capable of handling it. What we intend doing, if given the opportunity to manage the telecoms company, is to split the debts and give a time frame to offset them. As for the banks who are the biggest creditors to 9mobile, we will ensure that they do not lose any money. We will enter into an agreement with them on the modalities of payment and we will surely pay them. We will come up with debt restructuring for both the banks and the vendors and they will get back their money. With 9mobile, we want to be the best data centric operator in Nigeria and we are sure we can achieve it,” he said.

    Smile Telecoms isthe Reserved Bidder on the sale of 9mobile, handled by Barclays. The company has however expressed some concerns over the handling of the transaction and has since written to express those concerns to Barclays.

     

  • Our plan to increase mining’s N400b revenue, by Fayemi

    Our plan to increase mining’s N400b revenue, by Fayemi

    •Minister pledges one million jobs, revival of Ajaokuta Steel Complex

    Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi yesterday said the mining sector’s N400 billion contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will soon go up.

    Nigeria has 44 mineral assets, including precious minerals, which, Fayemi said, could make the sector a key source of economic growth and diversified revenue base for Nigeria.

    He gave all mining licensees till March 1 deadline to use their licences or lose them.

    He said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex (ASC).

    Fayemi, who reeled out his plans at the ministry’s inaugural media conference in Abuja, said he was projecting about one million direct jobs from solid minerals.

    He said: “Today, we have at least 44 known mineral assets that include precious minerals, base metals, bulk minerals and what are known as rare earth minerals.

    “We have reasons to believe that available data of our reserves understates what the almighty God has blessed our country with many cases. We have barely updated some of the geosciences data collected 50 years ago or earlier. So, we are cautiously optimistic that our mining endowments actually exceed what is currently stated.

    “That said, based on current data, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector makes up about 0.34 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That means based on current official exchange rates, the mining sector contributes N400 billion in value to the economy.

    “While that is a significant role, it is smaller than its true potential as the vast majority of our mining assets are yet to be exploited. In fact, what has been happening is that the sector has more or less been operating sharply below capacity, with many mining operations manned by small-scale artisanal miners, as opposed to the large-scale players.”

    He pledged to sanitise the solid minerals sector.

    “We will work with stakeholders to review existing licences and bring them up to date where there are issues. Our goal is to get licensees, who are sitting on  the fence to have sufficient confidence to start investing real capital.

    “That said, starting March 1, 2016, we will start enforcing the “use it or lose it” doctrine enshrined in the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007. The period from today to March 1, 2016, should be considered an amnesty period to allow regularisation of papers,” he said.

    Responding to a question, Fayemi said all things being equal, the solid minerals sector could create about one million jobs.

    He explained: “I can tell you that the solid minerals sector is one that can provide at least a million direct jobs and much more than that in indirect jobs with people working in the mines and associated sectors like construction. We know that we can do it, but we need to formalise the jobs and we need to ensure that we bring them into the economy so that it can serve our nation better.

    “We have commenced discussions with the World Bank once again and the bank is desirous of supporting the sector. We need to be ready, we ought to show commitment ourselves as a government and that way, it will be easier for us to receive support from a whole range of players.

    “If we deliver on this vision, then we can build a mining sector that Nigerians can be proud of in 30 years or more from now. This sector should deliver double digit growth over the next decade, with important direct and indirect economic impacts on households.

    “We will focus on supporting and growing Nigeria’s position in mineral assets with commercially proven reserves. Our assets will then be used to serve two key markets: a domestic industrialisation market that is more beneficiation focused and an export market that is more focused initially on the export of ores and raw materials.

    “The mix of investors that will target Nigeria will reflect that preference of serving both the domestic and export markets. We anticipate that as we expand our geosciences databases and insights, we will also expand what minerals we compete in.”

    Fayemi said the Ajaokuta Steel Complex was not privatised, but was put under concession in 2005 for a decade.

    Fayemi added that it was revoked in 2008 and that led to the lingering legal issue facing the steel complex.

    “But I can assure you that this is a matter that Mr. President insists on and I am reasonably confident that before the end of the first quarter of 2016, we would have a direction as to whether we are taking it over and running it ourselves or resolving the legal issues involved and allowing this to determine who gets to run Ajaokuta.

    “I was in Ajaokuta last week and we were so distraught by the time we left, that how could a nation do this to itself? Ajaokuta in itself is a city; it has an airport, seaport and 60 kilometres of internal rail. It has a rail from Ajaokuta almost to Warri and another linking it to Itakpe 60 kilometres. How do you invest this amount of resources and then you walk away from it?

    “It is unacceptable to any sane human being and that is why for us, we just have to fix Ajaokuta. Unfortunately, the figures being quoted for fixing it is not a figure that the Nigerian state can come by easily.

    “We have to figure out a creative and innovative way of ensuring that we partner with people who can make it happen so that we begin to deliver liquid steel and its products to our country,” he said.

    “Fixing Ajaokuta is not just the plant alone, it is also a matter of the infrastructure, that will make Ajaokuta perform better, you cannot bring in cooking coal, which is what is needed in the manufacture of steel, except you do so in deep seaport and even when you produce the steel, the central rail line that we have now only stops in Abuja, you need the central rail line to also move from Abuja to Lokoja and then develop spur lines that will join existing standard gauge rail that exist.

    “So, even if I were to give you a figure for putting Ajaokuta in shape to run, that does not mean it will start to run.

    “For example, Ajaokuta has 110 megawatt power plant in it that could supply the whole of Kogi, possibly Ekiti and still have enough for its operation internally; but it is dead mostly. So, we need to do a total costing on it to determine what exactly it needs.”

  • Our plan for Kogi, Bayelsa polls, by APC

    Our plan for Kogi, Bayelsa polls, by APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is two years old. In this interview with TONY AKOWE, its National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, speaks on the journey so far and the proposed governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States.

    The party is planning to celebrate its second anniversary. What is the party celebrating?

    The party was two years by the 31st of July this year because the APC was registered by INEC on July 31st 2013. Last year when we wanted to celebrate our one year anniversary, we got tied up with preparations towards registration of our members, conducting congresses for our members across the federations, holding the national convention as well as the party primaries for the 2015 general elections which we won by the grace of God. This is the second year and the party wants to roll out the drums to celebrate our second year of existence as a party. It is unprecedented that within two years of being registered as a party, we have won the general elections. It is unprecedented that within two years of being registered as a party, we have twenty two (22) governors elected on the platform of the party. It is also unprecedented that within two years of our registration, we are controlling the two chambers of the National Assembly. These are the things we considered as giant stride  and achievements that call for celebrating our great party on its second year as a political party. The event to celebrate our party at two will hold by the end of this month (August) here in Abuja and we are getting world class resource persons to speak to us on the role of a political party in emerging government as well as talk about our change mantra and what to do to effect the change. We shall hear talks on the change our party is championing, is it change of altitude or otherwise, these are the aspects we will be looking at. We have secured the date and the guest speakers are fine tuning ahead of it. I can say authoritatively that one of the guest speakers will be Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Nigeria’s former permanent representatives to the United Nations. We are also finalising the arrangements to get other speakers from outside the country. So, it is true the APC wants to celebrate its second year anniversary. But it will not be only celebration. We also want to use the avenue for internal soul search to let ourselves know that the task ahead is more than the one behind.

    The Kogi governorship elections is coming up in a couple of months. How is the APC preparing for the polls?

    In the APC, we pride ourselves with our interest in internal democracy. The first ingredient that gave us victory in the last general elections is the openness of our presidential primaries. It was transparent and open to the extent that even those that could not make it immediately congratulated the winner and they started working together. Before the Presidential primaries, some people were thinking that APC had already anointed someone amongst the aspirants. But at the end of the day, you found out that no one was anointed because it was transparently done and the candidate emerged. That is what happened in all our governorship primaries across the federation. As the National Organising Secretary of the party, I have seen primaries conducted by the leadership without any crisis. We have done party congresses across the federation without any crisis; we had our presidential primary without any crisis so I don’t envisage any crisis springing up after the governorship primaries in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

    If you have been monitoring our activities so far, you’ll observe that we have painstakingly carry on in a manner that both the aspirants and the party leadership in Kogi State will be comfortable with the process.  It is public knowledge that we’ve had screening where we gave equal opportunities to all the aspirants. The screening committee cleared all the twenty eight aspirants for the primaries and that is okay by us at the national level here. There are basic things they looked at and were satisfied that all of them are qualified. So, we can not stop anyone in the name of disqualification. In this country, we have seen cases where an incumbent governor was not even allowed to run for primaries of his party. That is not the style of APC.

    We have made the aspirants to sign an undertaking which is optional and all of them have signed the undertaking to abide by the process of the primaries. What this mean is that we have a responsibility as a party to ensure that the primaries are free and fair. The aspirants also have the responsibility to do the right thing to ensure that the primaries are hitch free. Once you conduct a free and fair election, the losers will not mind congratulating the winner. People get upset when the process is not free and transparent. If it is free and transparent, a loser will lose gallantly and a winner win gallantly. We have put adequate measures in place and I can assure you that there’ll be no backlash after the primaries so long as we do the right thing. The party is poised to do the right thing by publishing the list of the delegates. It is not a matter of giving the numbers of the delegates, but making them known to the world. APC will publish the list of the delegates for the primaries and anyone who has questions on who is or who is not suppose to be on the list will raise the issue before the primaries and the party will address such dispassionately.

    We have guidelines on who qualified to be a delegate and who is not. But, for the avoidance of doubt, we’ll go ahead to publish the list to ensure transparency. I don’t think we are expecting any post primary issues as it never happened during our presidential election primaries.

    If you observed, only a few of APC controlled states are in court over primary election conflict unlike our opponents. So. in a nutshell, what the APC believe in is her cardinal objective of giving room for internal democracy to reign. As long as you don’t guarantee the membership of your party, internal democracy can not succeed. Even now that we are governing party, if we produce a bad candidate, the tendency is that the populace might vote for him or her but will he or she provide the positive change APC stands for? So when we talk about change, it must start from within. We are going to conduct a good primary and I can assure you that there won’t be a major fallout.

    Is there any alliance between the party and the former first lady as far as the election in Bayelsa Is concerned?

    Don’t even go far, I’m not aware of what you are talking about. It is not everything that the media report that you will take to be the truth. She (Patience Jonathan) is not even a member of our party and she has not indicated interest to support any member of our party. If there are things like that, you can just say they are media speculations.

    How can the APC leadership ensure unity in the Kogi chapter?

    There won’t be any crisis. A political party is just like a church. You don’t stop anyone from coming in to worship. We can’t stop anyone from coming to join APC because we are even looking for more people to join the party. If there so many bigwigs in Bayelsa or any other states coming to join our party, what that means is that our party is doing well. If we are not doing well, those bigwigs will not join us. How do we manage their entrance into the party? That is why we have code of conducts and guidelines for primaries. If anybody who is coming in now is qualified to contest, you can’t stop them from contesting the primaries. It is the delegates that will decide who becomes the candidate of the party. If you look at the delegates electoral college and those who constitute the APC delegates, you will discover that they are more inclusive than the other political party. The other political party will do a special congress to elect three people per ward. In our case, virtually all executive members of our party are delegates. If you have a large number of delegates, the tendency is that people cannot buy them over because the number is large. People cannot camp them overnight. How do you even do that when you have over four thousand delegates? If you are qualified to run for an election, you can run. We cannot stop any new person coming into the party not to contest. It is the delegates that will determine their fates.

    Mind you, we are not doing a new delegate list. It is the other political party that does a special congress to elect an adhoc-delegates that will elect the candidate. The scenario in APC is different from that. Our own is to ensure that the existing executives from the wards to local and state governments levels constitute the list of the delegates. That is our guideline. It is them (delegates) that will know whether an aspirant has worked for the party or not. I wouldn’t want to stress this point. The bottom line is that everybody will be given a level playing ground to operate, whether you are a new entrant to the party or not, as long as you are qualified.

    There was an incident where your party members in Rivers State took their protest to INEC headquarters, Abuja over the refusal of the State Residence Electoral Commissioner to allow them access the electoral materials, is there anything the party at the national level is doing or it is going to do on this issue?

    We at the national level find it very reluctant to comment on issues before the Tribunal. Our people in Rivers, Imo, Akwa-Ibom and other states who are having issues at the tribunals have been advised on what to do legally and they are doing that right now. However, I must say that it is condemnable to see some of our members being teargassed by the police. Nigerians have condemned it and we also joined Nigerians to condemn such treatment. They went to INEC to make a specific request and not to demonstrate. So, why won’t they be admitted to state their mission and for INEC to answer them? We know that it is not everything you request from INEC that it will oblige you. Buy if the court gave an order that such should be done, why can’t they obey the court order? We will refrain from commenting on those sensitive issues because it has gone beyond our domain and is now a judicial matter and we will allow them to finish and if there are issues, we’ve advised our people on how to follow them legally. We pride ourselves as law abiding citizens of this country. Our party is first and foremost a believer in the rule of law and that is the only way the system can be sanitised and nothing beyond that.

    Is there any other thing the party is doing to get the women more involved in the affairs of the party, especially in elective positions?

    Anything that has to do with gender is somewhat of agitation. When you are agitating for something, you will surely become an Oliver Twist. If you get this, you’ll still agitate for another one. If you say our women are complaining, then I’ll say it is not true.cIf there is any party in Nigeria that is more women friendly, then I’ll say it is our party. No major political party in Nigeria has ever given a woman the governorship ticket, but the APC gave it’s governorship ticket to a woman in Taraba State. She would have emerged as a governor. Even at that, it is never too late because her case is still in court. What does that mean? It means APC as a party doesn’t do lip services to the issue of gender. If we do, we wouldn’t have given our governorship ticket to a woman. The same APC elected a woman as the chairman of our party in Adamawa State. Today, the same person is now an elected senator from the same state. During the interim administration of our party, a woman in Enugu State was also appointed as the chairman of the party in the state. Within the last two years when the APC was formed, we’ve had two women as chairmen of our party in the states. Has that happened anywhere before? Even our major opponent, have they produced a woman chairman before; have they produced woman governorship candidate before? Even in the appointment that we are doing, you wouldn’t say women are relegated. A woman is currently the Acting chairman of INEC, the most sensitive electoral body in the country. Mr President has not appointed his ministers and I believe when he does, women will be.

    We don’t joke with the issues of our women. The APC is the only party than takes the issue of her women seriously. It is public knowledge that we don’t charge money for nomination form from any of our women who wish to vie for elective positions and the Kogi primary is a clear example. One of the contestants is a woman and the party didn’t collect a dime from her to obtain the form. If a woman is qualified to contest for any elective position on the platform of this party, she’s free to do so.

  • Our plan for the youth, by Osinbajo

    Our plan for the youth, by Osinbajo

    THE All Progressives Congress vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), said the party will tackle youth unemployment, if elected.

    The former Lagos State attorney general spoke at the weekend in Lagos when he was hosted by First Friday Group, an organisation comprising young entrepreneurs led by Mr. Lolu Adubifa.

    Answering questions from the youth about his plans for Nigeria and why people should vote for APC, he said unemployment would be tackled by creating an environment for business to thrive, stressing that this would create jobs.

    “The manufacturing sector and Small and Medium Enterprises will be adequately taken care of and loans would be easily accessible at preferential rates,” Osinbajo said.

    He also promised that power supply would be given the required attention.

    “We need to find a more innovative solution to this through decentralisation and diversification. We also need to rewrite some of the regulation,” the APC vice presidential candidate said.

    On education, Osinbajo noted that curriculum would be redesigned to suit national needs.

    His words: “There will be free education geared toward the enabling primary school pupils to be able to read and write. This will set them on a path that they cannot be stopped. Science and technology will be greatly encouraged.

    “We shall provide adequate security in the nation. The issue of insurgency will be a thing of the past. The military will be adequately equipped, funded and encouraged.

    “Nigeria needs a commander-in-chief, who understands the situation very well, to bring about peace and security. Insurgents will either surrender or negotiate. Social security shall be addressed and good healthcare system provided. Cheap and affordable houses shall be provided through modified mortgage financing.

    “Even in the face of dwindling economy, we shall do all these since Nigeria’s problem is not money, but management. Corruption will be tackled. Leakages will be blocked. Impunity will not be encouraged. There will be consequences for corruption and the rule of law will be adhered to.

    “To generate more revenue, agriculture will be encouraged and farmers shall be paid for crops produced so that they will produce surplus for export and local consumption. The entertainment industry will be encouraged both for local revenue and foreign revenue. Nollywood shall be encouraged to yield foreign revenue and propagate our culture worldwide.”

  • Our plan for Nigerians, by Jonathan, Buhari

    Our plan for Nigerians, by Jonathan, Buhari

    •President promises one man one vote            •APC candidate issues five-point agenda

    This year’s elections will be free and fair, the President has promised.

    Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is facing a major challenge from All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the February 14 election.

    The president is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Jonathan made the promise in his New Year message broadcast this morning. He said his involvement in the campaigns notwithstanding, the government would not be distracted from “its ongoing effort to significantly improve their living conditions”.

    Dr. Jonathan pledged to continue to take steps to insulate “the poor and low-medium income earners from the full brunt of measures included in the 2015 budget to ensure the stability of the national economy in the face of the current downturn in the prices of crude oil”.

    In his New Year message, Gen. Buhari urged Nigerians not to lose hope because change is imminent. Besides, he listed five ways on which he plans to make a difference – if elected.

    The President vowed that the government would deal with those who threaten the public peace before, during and after the elections.

    He said the economy – rocked by low oil price, low industrial production due to high energy losts and an unstable naira, among others –  had made progress.

    Jonathan said: “By the special grace of God, the Federal Government, under my leadership, has continued, in the past four years to lead our country forward, even under the most trying circumstances. The progress we have made in priority areas bears us testimony.

    “Our national economy maintained a steady growth rate of close to seven per cent in the past four years and millions of fresh employment opportunities were created for our people as a direct consequence.

    “Being very conscious of the inherent perils of our over-reliance on income from crude oil exports for national development, we have focused on accelerating the diversification of our economy.

    “The non-oil sector which has grown by an average of 8% in the last few years, is now a major driver of growth in our economy.

    “The 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening our efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.

    “The budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely. We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy.  We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt.

    “In 2015, this administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that ensure economic stability.

    “We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures.

    “We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers.  We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.

    “We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen risk-based supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system,” President Jonathan said.

    The President reassured Nigerians and the global community of his administration’s resolute commitment to free, fair, credible and acceptable elections.

    He also warned that a firm and decisive action will be taken against any individual or groups who attempt to disrupt the public peace before, during or after the 2015 elections.

    “The elections are very important for us as a country.  Their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions and place our beloved country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.

    “Given the challenges that have characterised some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.

    “I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.

    “Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch.  We will continue to do so for the coming elections.

    “We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the Commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs.  This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.

    “National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free.

    “I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualised.”

    The President emphasised peace, urging that the election should be violence-free.

    He said: “I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children.  The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

    “Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

    “Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.

    “After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections.”

    “All Nigerians, of voting age, are free to vote, based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will,” President Jonathan declared.

    Wishing Nigerians a happy and prosperous 2015, the President urged them to enter the new year with renewed  hope, patriotism and zeal to serve their fatherland.

    “As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable.  We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.

    “As we go into this New Year, I salute the indomitable and resilient spirit of our people in Nigeria and wherever they are in the world.  Our spirit of enterprise and the doggedness to succeed amongst all odds has been our strength.

    “Let us continue our march to the future, towards the attainment of our collective vision of a strong, united, prosperous and harmonious nation – a secure nation for us and for our coming generations,” President Jonathan  urged Nigerians.

    He praised the gallant officers, men and women of the Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.

    “I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed,” President Jonathan assured Nigerians.