The Nation Newspaper

Tag: pledges

  • ‘Honour your pledges to people’

    The Olota of Ota, HRM Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege has advised politicians to always fulfil electoral promises when they get to power.

    He said fulfilling the electoral promises” is very essential and a means to bring about good governance”.

    The monarch gave this advice at his palace when Ogun State Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Ladi Adebutu, and the party chieftains paid homage to his palace in Ota, Ogun State.

    He said the majority of politicians forgot their pledges immediately they got to powers.

    He said: “I am a monarch. I am not a politician. I cannot campaign for any politician. Mine is just to advise you, political leaders, to always remember your promises to the electorate.

    “Most of you forget your promises. You even  neglect or abandon the people after getting to  power.”

    While presenting the gubernatorial candidate to the Olota, former Commissioner for Work in Ogun State and the PDP senatorial candidate in 2015 general elections, Hon. Waliu Olayiwola Taiwo, stressed the need to support a Remo man to pilot the affairs of the state.

    Chief Layi Taiwo assured the Olota that Hon. Adebutu would surpass the achievements of past PDP governors in Ogun State and would put an end to the sufferings of Ado-Odo/Ota people.

     

  • NPDC pledges compliance with Nigerian Content guidelines

    The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration and production arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has promised to comply with the provisions of the Nigerian and Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and other guidelines of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

    Its Managing Director, Mr. Yusuf Matashi, made the commitment in Abuja during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Kesiye Wabote. He said the company would not be seeking waivers from the board for its projects, rather it would abide by the provisions of the Act, especially as it relates to carrying out competitive bidding and utilising Nigerian oil and gas service companies and locally manufactured goods and services.

    Matashi said the company would approach the Board to obtain Nigerian Content Plan (NCP) approval as required by the NOGICD Act for all its future projects that is in excess of one million dollars. NCP sets out work scopes that would be executed in-country and guides project execution and monitoring. He promised to direct the company’s personnel on the primacy of Nigerian Content guidelines to project execution.

    The NPDC chief also solicited the Board’s support to develop and institutionalise Nigerian Content systems and processes within the NPDC to ensure compliance. Part of the support his company would need, he noted, includes workshop or training for staff of NPDC on Nigerian Content requirements and processes.

    The Managing Director of National Engineering & Technical Company Limited (NETCO), engineering arm of NNPC, Mr. Yakubu Mustapha, stated that his subsidiary is a major beneficiary of the Nigerian Content Act. He added that NETCO could not have been able to compete with its international counterparts but for the Nigerian Content Act which has enabled it to grow and build requisite capacity.

    Wabote underscored the need for close collaboration between the Board and NPDC. He charged NPDC to be a role model for the industry in terms of Nigerian Content compliance, considering especially that the NNPC played leading roles in the development and enforcement of the Nigerian Content policy and establishment of the NCDMB.

    Top management of the board at the meeting were the Director Planning, Research & Statistics, Mr. Daziba Patrick Obah; Director Monitoring & Evaluation, Mr. Akintunde Adelana and General Manager, Projects Certification and Authorisation Division (PCAD), Paul Zuhumben and Abayomi Bamidele, Special Technical Adviser to the ES & General Manager Strategy & Special Projects.

    The NPDC chief was accompanied by the Executive Director, Asset Management, Mr. Raifu Oyewole Oyedele, while the NETCO boss was accompanied by the Manager Projects Controls, Mr. Isokariari Soibi.

  • ICRC pledges suport for Lekki Deep Water Port project

    ICRC pledges suport for Lekki Deep Water Port project

    The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has pledged support for the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos.

    Its Acting Director-General, Chidi Izuwah, made the promise during a visit to the project site.

    He said on completion in 2020, the port would position Nigeria as a hub for port operations in the West African sub-region in 2020.

    Describing the Lekki Deep Seaport as the largest in the region, the ICRC chief said the project, when operational, would create over 170,000 direct and indirect new jobs as well as contribute positively to the revenue drive of the Federal and Lagos State governments.

    said the promoters of the project were targeting about 1.5 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) container capacity  yearly, which they expect to grow to about 2.7 million and 4.5 million TEUs.

    Izuwah explained that the promoters of the project planned to dredge the port channel to 16-metre draught, which is not obtainable in any seaport in the country, adding that this, in itself, was an indication that larger ships would visit the port andthis would generate more revenue for the economy.

    He however expressed concerns  that several years after the execution of the contract, the concessionaire was yet to attain financial closure on the project as a result of certain contingent challenges.

    “The project promoters had earlier planned to attain financial close by second quarter, 2016 and commence full operations by second quarter, 2019 therby giving a pariod of three years for the construction work.

    ‘’We, at ICRC, firmly believe that if all parties to this contract demonstrate utmost commitment toward this project, the goals and wonderful picture painted above will become a reality in less than three years.

    “Bearing in mind the enormous work which has already been done by the project promoters and the quantum of resources committed to the course, I promise that the ICRC under my leadership will go above and beyond the call of duty to assist you reach financial close. We are willing to join you on focused lender/investor roadshows to seek additional debt and equity capital,”he added.

    The acting DG promised to play a key role in driving the creation of an inter- government and agency high impact team to solve son of the project’s immediate problems like a high capacity evacuation and goods arriving at the ports will be evacuated flawlessly and efficiently.

    “We have gone too far on the project, so we can’t afford to fail or slow down. If we fail to lay a good foundation for the upcoming generation, not only will posterity hold us accountable, but you and I will not be able to sleep peacefully at night with our eyes closed,” Izuwah said.

    The concession agreement for Lekki Port was signed on April 21, 2011 by Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA), the Lagos State Government and Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise.

  • Lagos pledges improved health care

    The Lagos State government has said it is set to improve the quality of health care delivery across the state.

    It urged patients to report feedback on their experiences to hospital managements.

    Health Commissioner Dr Jide Idris said this at the inaugural stakeholders’ forum hosted by Alimosho General Hospital Igando, with the theme: Improving Quality of Healthcare Delivery to Our Clients.

    Idris, who was represented by a Service Improvement Officer in the ministry, Mrs. Joan Oluyemi, noted that the satisfaction of patients should be made a priority of every hospital in the state.

    The commissioner said the determination of the state government to provide satisfactory service to Lagos residents informed the Service Charter initiative in the state’s public service, especially in the Health sector.

    He noted that the initiative, which is aimed at meeting with clients’ satisfaction, allows for compliant redress and feedback.

    According to him, compliant boxes have been placed at strategic locations on hospital premises for patients to lodge their complaints, make remarks or commendations.

    Idris noted that to further improve healthcare delivery among the residents, the state government introduced health insurance scheme, which will kick off next year.

    The commissioner said the periodic training and retraining of medical personnel by the state government had enhanced effectiveness and efficiency in the Health sector.

    The Medical Director of Alimosho General Hospital at Igando, Dr. Madewa Adebajo, emphasised the need for the public, especially the patients patronising government-owned hospitals, to always insist on quality service delivery and provide necessary feedbacks for service improvement to hospital management.

    He said the inaugural stakeholders’ forum underscored the state government’s approach and interest in the Health sector.

    Idris urged Nigerians to imbibe a good diet culture, regular exercise and medical check-up, at least once in a year.

    The commissioner said precautionary measures were safer, cheaper and better for improved health of the residents.

    A representative of State Health Service Commission and pioneer Medical Director of Alimosho General Hospital at Igando, Dr. Adewale Adebiyi, lauded the government’s overhauling of the hospital and the provision of more workers, infrastructure and equipment.

    He added that for the nation’s health care delivery system to be effectively improved upon, serious attention must be paid to workers’ attitude as well as the employment of more competent medical workers to match the state’s fast-growing population, besides the provision of adequate infrastructure and state-of-the-art equipment.

  • Council chair pledges more developmental projects

    Council chair pledges more developmental projects

    Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Comrade Engr. Valentine Buraimoh has promised to implement more programmes to enhance social and economic development of the council.

    He made the promise while speaking to journalists on activities marking his 100 days in office.

    Buraimoh said his administration has done a lot to touch the lives of his people socially and economically be empowering them and rehabilitating roads.

    He listed some roads rehabilitated as 1st Avenue road, Patching of 11 Road, 3rd Avenue roads while others to be worked on in phase include: 32 Road, 4th Avenue Road, all in Festac Alarasopo Road in Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Mile Two.

    Answering questions on illegal structures springing all over Festac, Buraimoh said the council is working with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to bring back the lost glory of the estate.

  • Southwest group pledges support for Buhari

    THE Southwest National Committee of Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) has pledged to keep supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

    Its Coordinator, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the fervent prayers and solidarity showered on President Buhari during his medical vacation.

    He issued a statement in Abuja yesterday welcoming the President back to the country after his medical vacation in London.

    Boroffice expressed optimism that the President would continue to lead the country along the path of “purposeful leadership and economic revival”.

    “The euphoria, enthusiasm and widespread jubilation that heralded the arrival of Mr. President from the nooks and crannies of Nigeria represent a spontaneous testimony that the support base of Mr. President has expanded across zones.

    “Also, his popularity has risen higher and his acceptability rating has soared higher.

    “The NCBSG is particularly delighted that at every opportunity, Mr. President has shown Nigerians that he is as much a trusted democrat as he is a firm believer in the rule of law.

    “With the transfer of presidential powers to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in accordance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Mr. President has further enriched his democratic credentials.

    “In the light of the above, we likewise, salute the leadership acumen of the vice president and commend his outstanding efforts, which addressed secessionist agitations in the absence of Mr. President,” he said.

  • $43.4m: Osinbajo’s panel shuns lobbyists, pledges fairness

    $43.4m: Osinbajo’s panel shuns lobbyists, pledges fairness

    The Presidential Investigative Committee probing two suspended government officials resisted some pressure, it was learnt yesterday.

    The panel, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,  probed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General  Ayo Oke, who have been suspended.

    Also yesterday, it was learnt that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives are yet to vacate Apartment 7B in Osborne Towers, Lagos where $43.4 million was recovered.

    The  anti-graft agency said its operatives were still in charge of the apartment to prevent anyone or group from tampering with some evidence.

    Lawal is being probed for a N200 million contract awarded to a company, Global Vision Limited,  allegedly linked with him by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) for the clearing of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State.

    Oke is being investigated for the $43.4 million.

    The committee yesterday tidied up its report, it was learnt.

    The source said: “There were many lobbyists trying to reach out to the committee but the vice president and his team shunned them. The panel is going ahead with the submission of its report.

    “Although some of these lobbyists came up with religious and ethnic sentiments, the panel was not swayed by their arguments in any manner whatsoever.

    “All the vice president kept on saying to those who appeared for interrogation was that the panel will be firm and fair to all.”

    The panel is expected to make “far-reaching” recommendations, not just on the $43.4 million and PINE but how to  protect key institutions.

    “The panel has come up with suggestion to strengthen the nation’s institutions. Some of these institutions have been  bastardised and weakened,” the source said.

     

     

  • Govt pledges to stand by workers

    Victims of the Owode-Onirin scrap market fire will not be abandoned, the Lagos State Government said yesterday.

    Some of them are at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja.

    The government pledged its commitment to its workforce well-being, particularly in time of need so as to get the best out of them.

    A statement by Lagos State Fire Service Public Relations Officer Bola Ajao said the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations Permanent Secretary Dr Ibironke Sodeinde made the pledge when she visited the victims on Friday.

    Sodeinde, accompanied by the Director Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe said her visit was to assess the victims‘ conditions and their needs.

    She thanked LASUTH for its care, saying government’s decision to foot the victims’ bills showed its commitment to their well-being.

    Sodeinde said government was aware of fire fighters’ exposure to risks, adding:

    “Fire fighters are essential to public safety; they engage in putting out fires and pulling people from burning cars, buildings and other dangerous situations. To this end, government has insured them, improved their welfare package and expended a lot of tax payers’ money on equipping facilities to meet the mega city challenges so as to reduce their vulnerability to dangers,”Sodeinde explained.

    The 11 victims, among them fire fighters and traders, were rushed to the hospital following gas explosion at the market last Thursday.

    Fadipe described fire fighters as unsung heroes who sacrifice their lives to ensure that lives and properties are protected.

    He praised the residents and traders for their support during the incident, adding that their intervention and call for medical assistance saved many lives.

    Seven of the victims, he said, had been discharged, adding that the others, including two fire fighters – Olugbade Titus, 48 and squad leader Dare John, 58 – and two traders – Adewale Nureni, 56 and Kamal Jimoh, 33 – are in stable condition.

  • Lagos pledges facelift for orphanages, others

    Lagos pledges facelift for orphanages, others

    Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf has assured inmates of less privileged homes of improved infrastructure and welfare.

    She spoke during a tour of some rehabilitation homes.

    Mrs Akinbile-Yusuf led officials of the ministry to the Special Correction Centre for Boys at Oregun; Rehabilitation and Training Centre for Destitute and Mentally Challenged in Owutu, Ikorodu, among others.

    The commissioner promised that government would help the inmates exhibit some items produced for their economic uplift.

    “I have come here to see things for myself and look at how our administration can enhance the operations of the centres as well as boost the lives of inmates. We shall give some of the centres and home currently grappling with infrastructure decay facelift,” she said.

    The commissioner said: “I want you to know that there is ability in disability; therefore, you should not be discouraged about life. Instead, you should engage in positive things that would not only add value to your lives, but make you better persons.”

    Principal of the Rehabilitation and Training Centre for Destitute and Mentally Challenged in Owutu, Ikorodu, Mr Sunkanmi Hassan requested for more funding for the home; provision of drugs and accommodate for its teeming population.

    “The centre was built to accommodate 500 people, but we currently have about 1,221 inmates including 40 children with just three doctors,” Hassan said.

     

  • Foreign affairs minister pledges to increase FDI, promote Nigerian products abroad

    Foreign affairs minister pledges to increase FDI, promote Nigerian products abroad

    Foreign Affairs Minister  Geoffery Onyema plans to focus on attracting more foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country.

    Onyema who formally took over at the ministry yesterday alongside Minister of State Khadija Ibrahim is also keen on   promoting Nigerian products abroad by facilitating access to world market.

    The minister said operations of the ministry would be structured on the three pillars of security, economic development, and fight against corruption, adding that economic development was “absolutely crucial”.

    He said: “We as a ministry should play an enormous role in promoting economic development in our country and it has to be more than just attending meetings.

    “We have to engage with all the ministries and plan with them, identifying goals, concrete deliverables, timelines for delivering on those goals and the expected results from those goals with each ministry.

    “And then we have to go out to the outside world and see and engage directly with all our development partners, making new development partners and identifying two key things.

    “How to attract foreign direct investment into the country and market access, how we can promote Nigerian goods, access other markets.

    “Mr President has made it very clear, we cannot just depend on oil; we have to diversify.”

    Onyema urged staff of the ministry to be proactive and dynamic by engaging other ministries to access foreign markets.

    “It cannot be just about expecting foreign countries to make us rich by investing in our country,” he said.

    The minister added that efforts would be made to efficiently engage Nigerian foreign missions and turning them into economic hubs for the nation’s economic development programme.

    “We have missions and embassies in so many countries around the world and we have to turn them into hubs for our economic development programme.

    “They have to play an important and major role in promoting access to markets in countries where they are situated and also in helping to promote foreign direct investment into Nigeria.”

    On security, Onyema said that Nigeria had to “quickly and efficiently” engage with foreign partners to address the security challenges in the country.

    “We will never be at peace if there is no security.

    “So, the ministry will have to leverage our contacts, our permanent engagement with the outside world to work coherently and together in tackling this scourge.”

    He said that the ministry also had an important role to play in fighting corruption in Nigeria.

    “It is about discipline, integrity and respecting the law.

    “First of all, we have to start within our ministry here, imbibe a completely new culture and set of values that conform to the vision of Mr President.

    “We have to block leakages within the ministry and also all of our diplomatic missions abroad.

    “We also have to have a new mind set, not always about entitlements but also about making a sacrifice for the greater good of our country.

    “We really have to put in place the rule of law and imbibe a culture of good governance, discipline and integrity and our country will be the better for it.”

    In her remarks, Ibrahim urged the staff of the ministry to contribute their quota to the success of the ministry and that of the nation as a whole. “We are all here to see that our country progresses. There a lot of things that need to be changed.

    “We have, for too long, been exposed to a lot of negative things which we have to make positive in order to achieve the change that Mr President so desperately wants us to.

    “We are all contributing our quota to see that this change is achieved.”