The Nation Newspaper

Tag: residents

  • Many headaches of residents of Abuja IDPs’ camps

    FOR Liyatu Ayuba, going back to Gwoza in Borno State is an ultimate ambition. Rather than stay back in an internally displaced persons’ camp, relying on the goodwill of others, she looks forward to the day she will be reunited with her people.

    Her husband, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), was one of the victims of the Boko Haram insurgents. Today, along with many others, she lives at the mercy of people. But that is not the only headache Liyatu has. She has been saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the affairs of many other IDPs from Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states residing at the Durumi IDP camp on the outskirts of Abuja metropolis.

    She told members of the Youth Arise To Create Harmony Initiative International, who were at the camp to make some presentation, that the over 2200 residents of the camp were battling with various problems ranging from lack of health care to education for the children and antenatal care for pregnant women. She narrated his they lost a woman with a seven months pregnancy because they could not pay the high fees demanded by the hospital.

    She is also concerned about the education of their children. Even though three different organisations have donated blocks of classrooms to them for use as primary school, they have no access to secondary education. The FCT province of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Coalition of Nigeria Muslim Women and the Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association have all donated makeshift black of classrooms to them at the camp. NAOWA also donated a medical centre to them, but according to her, the drugs earlier donated by them are exhausted.

    At the Durumi camp, the children could be seen trying to make the best use of the situation they found themselves. Little Maimuna, who said she hope to be a medical doctor, was engrossed in trying to paint a little drawing she had made, while other children were bush attending to one form of study or the other in the crowded classroom with the aid of two teachers.

    The chairman of the camp, Ibrahim Ahmadu, said they were looking forward to more people assisting them in the education of their children. Ahmadu was full of praises for organisations that had come to their aid, pointing out that through the assistance of such organisations, many of their women have been able to acquire some level of skills, but lack the required capital to start a business of their own.

    But the situation with the IDPs at the New Kuchingworo camp is slightly better. Their leader, Philimon Emmanuel, told the group that their only problem has to do with food and drugs. He said about 300 of their children were recently awarded scholarship and are expected to resume school in January. Another set, he said, are in school in Keffi, Nasarawa State. He said the some volunteer nurses came to assist them at the camp in the clinic donated by the German embassy in Nigeria.

    The president of the group, Mrs. Khariat Ajiboye, said they were at the two camps to see how they could be of help in ensuring that they had a good life. While lamenting the neglect and state of affairs at the two camps especially the Durumi camp, she said the group would analyse information obtained from the two camps and collaborate with other organisations in assisting the internally displaced persons. She said although they already knew the problem confronting them, they would focus on the immediate needs of the IDPs and also drawthe attention of other agencies to the plight of the IDPs.

  • Residents praise Senator Tinubu’s generosity

    Apapa/Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu for sustaining the Elderly Citizens Assisted Scheme (ECAS).

    Senator Tinubu, who represents Lagos Central Senatorial District, in the Senate floated the ECAS five years ago as a means of giving succour to the elderly.

    The Sole Administrator of the council, Mr Olumide Olayomi, said Senator Tinubu’s gesture, especially at this period of economic recession, is a testimony to the lawmaker’s kindness.

    He stated this during the distribution of gift items to 100 elderly men and women across the seven wards of the council.

    Olayomi said the council aligned with the lawmaker’s address at the event in which she lamented that the elderly have been one of the worst hit of the recession.

    “Our elderly men and women have had a fair share of this recession, with its attendant health challenges on them. I advocate that they should be given access to free health.

    “Nonetheless, I want to assure you that despite the recession, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a phase, and Nigeria shall get over it,” Olayomi quoted Tinubu as saying.

    At the event, cash and gifts were distributed to 100 elderly men and women.

    Others who attended the event were Mrs Abiola Adedayo who represented Senator Tinubu; former chairman of the council Hon. C. Z. Anago, former Executive Secretary, Mrs Funmilayo Muhammed and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader, Apapa Iganmu LCDA), Mrs Fadeke Otitolaye, among others.

  • Lawmaker empowers residents

    Lawmaker empowers residents

    As part of efforts to cushion the effects of the current economic recession, the Senator representing Ondo Central District, Chief Tayo Alasoadura has provided various empowerment facilities for the people of his constituency. The aim was to make them become economically self-reliant.

    Alasoadura’s supporters in the three local government areas of Akure South, Ifedore and Akure North benefitted from the phase one of the empowerment scheme.

    However, the remaining three local government areas namely Ondo East, Idanre and Ondo West would benefit from the empowerment programme during the phase two of the scheme in few weeks’ time.

    Among the items distributed were 11 assorted cars, 20 tricycles, 228 motorcycles, 89 grinding machines, 24 automatic sewing machines and 68 manual sewing machines and N2 million cash.

    Besides, Alasoadura granted scholarship to five post-graduates and PhD students who are studying petroleum-related courses in various universities.

    Speaking at the event, the lawmaker said the gesture was informed by his commitment to reduce the effect of the harsh economic conditions that Nigerians are experiencing.

    He said: “Regardless of what has happened in the past, our government has the responsibility of cushioning the effects of the past bad governance which affected our people.”

    Senator Alasoadura, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) said it was the situation that motivated him to contribute his quota towards assuaging the sufferings of his constituents and to appreciate their loyalty and support.

    He said the next phase of the programme would focus more on vocational and trade empowerment that would teach the people the art of catching the ‘proverbial fish’ after touching the remaining three local governments of Idanre, Ondo East and Ondo West with similar empowerment.

    At the event, both the governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) state Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke praised Senator Alasoadura’s generosity.

    They described the Senator as a grassroots politician who has been impacting on the life of his supporters and others in many ways. They urged him not to relent.

    Beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme were advised to make good use of the facilities in order to lift their respective families from the present hardship.

    The beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation to Senator Alasoadura for his kindness, promising to give him their support at all times.

  • Otuoke residents urge Bayelsa govt to repair road

    Residents of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have appealed to the state government to repair the Otuoke-Onuebum road, which has been in a deplorable condition.

    The residents spoke yesterday in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Otuoke.

    Mr Ologi Damiete told NAN that the road had worsened since the last rainy season started as vehicles found it difficult to pass through.

    Damiete, a worker at the Federal University at Otuoke (FUO), urged the state government to fix the road.

    He added: “The condition of this road has worsened since the flood submerged the community. There has not been any preventive measure to forestall a future occurrence.

    “We expect the government to put necessary measures in place to guard against future occurrence.

    “Students of FUO have resumed for a new semester and they have been finding it difficult to move in and out of the community.

    “I am calling on all the relevant authorities to look into the matter because we have become unbearable. Our vehicles have been damaged because of the road.”

    Another resident, Mr Oweifa Debekeme, urged the state government to accelerate the efforts to check flooding in the state.

    He said floods had destroyed many roads in the state.

    Debekeme said the people were suffering, adding that government had the responsibility to provide roads and other infrastructure.

    A taxi driver plying the road, Mr Babatunde Adeola, said the road was in a bad shape before the flood destroyed it.

    Adeola urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to repair the road to reduce the suffering of the people.

    He implored the Bayelsa State Government to come to the aid of the people of Otuoke and Onuebum communities as well as students and workers of the university.

    He said the youths sand-filled the bad portions, adding: “Commercial drivers now pay them for that.”

  • Kazaure Emirate Council distributes grains to residents

    The Kazaure Emirate Council in Jigawa State has distributed grains worth more than N8 million as Zakkat to additional 2,219 indigent people in the area.

    The spokesman of the emirate, Malam Gambo Garba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Dutse that the exercise was in continuation of the 2016 Zakkat (Islamic thanks giving alms) collection and distribution.

    Garba explained that the grains were distributed to deserving poor families in Karkarna district.

    The Emirate had on Dec. 1, distributed grains about N5.2 million as Zakkat to 2,041 less privileged people in Maraganta village in Gwiwa Local Government Area.

    He said that the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini, distributed the food items.

    According to him, the First Class traditional ruler reaffirmed the commitment of the emirate council toward the propagation of Islam to reduce poverty in the area.

    The emir urged wealthy persons to always support the vulnerable and the less privileged in the society to reduce poverty in the area, adding that giving Zakkat is one of the five pillars of Islam.

    Husaini commended individuals who voluntarily gave out alms in support of the needy, the spokesman said.

    He said that the emir also presented gifts to district, village and ward heads that excelled in the collection of Zakkat in their respective domains.

    The Emir was represented by the Makama of Kazaure, Alhaji Umar Adamu, at the occasion.

     

  • Residents urged to embrace ultra-modern market

    Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Abdullahi Candido has asked the residents to key into the affordable modern markets scheme embarked upon by his administration. This, he noted, would better their lives.

    He spoke when he led his cabinet to inspect ongoing work at Kurudu, site of the new market.

    According to him, the purpose of governance is to raise the standard of living of the citizens, adding that his administration will not relent in bettering the lot of AMAC residents.

    “Barely two months ago, the ground breaking ceremony was held and today’s inspection has truly shown the seriousness of this government, and AMAC-investment Company, of ensuring the allocation and raising the level of our revenue through business.

    “Therefore, I call on the citizens and residents of Abuja Municipal Area Council to key into this laudable project, to be business-minded and invest here by owning a shop,” he said.

    Managing Director AMAC-Property Investment Company Adamu Yakubu said the organisation is determined to complete the project within the six months stipulated time.

    “This modern market will cut cost of residents within AMAC and Nasarawa State,” he assured.

    Project consultant Abubakar Hairy, from Cost Tracker limited said the project is already 40 per cent completed.

  • Reps to residents: stop paying tax to unlawful collectors

    The House of Representatives has advised residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to stop paying tenement rate and property tax to consultants, explaining that the body responsible for tax collection in the FCT has not been set up.

    While condemning the unlawful collection of taxes in the FCT, the lawmakers said the crude method employed by the so-called consultants was designed to extort money from residents.

    The House has directed its Committee on FCT to conduct an investigation into the matter as well as establish the reason behind the non-composition of the FCT Internal Revenue Board (FCTIRS) despite previous resolutions of the House to do so.

    The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion by Emmanuel Oker-Jev (APC, Benue), who regretted that certain individuals have in various guises engaged in forceful collection of taxes and tenement rates without the consent of relevant authorities.

    According to him, the taxes and rates are arbitrarily collected by individuals brandishing forged court documents while threatening to lock up premises of defaulters

    Oker-Jev noted that such act was aimed at defrauding unsuspecting members of the public in these days of recession.

    “It is worrisome that the FCTIRS, the agency empowered by law to collect taxes and rates in the FCT has not been set up, thus allowing all manners of individuals to extort money from hapless law-abiding residents of the FCT,” he added.

    The lawmakers were unanimous in their condemnation of the illegality saying that a stop must be put to it immediately because to extort money from anyone in this period of recession is sheer wickedness.

    The lawmakers also noted that forcing residents to pay illegal taxes by the consultants, who were described as hawkers amounts to double jeopardy as the victims would have to pay such taxes again whenever the appropriate body is set up by the FCT administration.

    It was also noted by the lawmakers that extortion and forcefully locking up people’s businesses may lead people to self-help.

    The lawmakers advised that tax must be structured by relevant authorities saddled with the responsibility of tax administration and that Nigerians have the right to know who they are paying the tax to.

    The House also resolved that its investigation must also determine why the illegality has been been going on.

  • Residents petition Ambode over demolition

    Residents petition Ambode over demolition

    Residents of Magodo Estate under the aegis of Magodo Residents’ Association (MRA) are worried over plot to demolish a section of the estate.

    The residents are anxious over deployment of bulldozers and caterpillars at the area by the Lagos State Government.

    Their concern is that lives and properties will be exposed to danger, if the conservation, which shields the estate’s extension, is demolished.

    Southwest Report gathered that the residents were served with letter before the move to demolish the conservatory, but the residents alleged that the demolition was not authorised by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode or any designated authority.

    The letter, a copy of which was served to the MRA, dated October 18, with the title: “Removal of Endangering Bushes, Shanties and Creation of Access Road/ Channelisation of Canal between Magodo Brooks and Omole Phase 1” without any designated office.

    The residents, however, urged Governor Ambode to stop the planned demolition because “there are environmental implications to the host community if demolished.”

    According to the chairman of the association, Kunle Eludire, who debunked the subterfuge that the site is a shanty and a dangerous bush further explained that the conservation adds ecological value to the estate in particular and the state in general.

    He said: “The conservation covers the back of the estate. For security reasons, the reserve should not be removed because once it is removed; the entire estate, the residents and our properties will be exposed. We are not threatened by shanties and other things those that brought the letter claimed.”

    He, however, called on Governor Ambode to wade into the matter before the estate is unnecessarily exposed to security threats.

    “They earlier came with mobile policemen but we resisted them and now they came back with a letter which they hurriedly wrote. We can deduce that the letter is not from the governor or any of the commissioners or the Ministry of Environment and Lands,” he added.

    Jade Niboro, First Vice-Chairman said: “By the first meter they moved, we saw three big pythons. We have monkeys and crocodiles here. As we try to prevent flooding, here they want to create a larger problem.

    “We notice from the letter they brought that there is foul play because the letter was not from the governor or the ministry that supervises the environment; neither was it signed by any of the commissioners. We have written a petition to the governor and copied the various ministries and the Lagos State House of Assembly.”

    Bajo Osunubi, second Vice-Chairman of the association said: “The first time the people from Lagos State Land Bureau came, they said they wanted to access 12 plots of land here. We told them that if they should open this way, people will have easy access to the estate. After that they left. They came back the second time and we told them they can’t create an access road here. We know that government can’t destroy the estate. I know the governor has the power but what they are doing here is very wrong.

    “Secondly, they wrote us a letter that the governor gave them a right to link Brooks Estate to Omole Phase 1 and Magodo Phase 2 which is not possible. The moment you create an access road here, there will be general security threat.

    “The site only leads to Olowo-Ira and Agility Mile 12 which are very close to the estate. We believe the state government will always work with the Master Plan structured for development. The decision to demolish part of the estate was the handiwork of some dubious elements in government who are collaborating with land grabbers,” he added.

    Mrs Kemi Omotoso, the environmental secretary explained that there is a canal in the conservatory through which all waste water from the estate and its environs are channelled to. She said: “The canal serves Shangisha, Omole Phase 2 and Magodo Estate. So, if they demolish it, the neighbourhood will be affected.”

  • Water for Oyo communities excites residents

    Water for Oyo communities excites residents

    Residents of five communities in Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State have commended the chairman of the council, Mr Jesutowo Inaolaji, for providing potable water for their communities.

    They gave the commendation at the inauguration of the boreholes sunk for them by the council.

    The communities had grappled with lack of potable water for years until Inaolaji made it a priority.

    While inaugurating the projects, the council chief described drinkable water as a must for the health and wealth of humankind. He said he had always felt uncomfortable about lack of potable water in many of the communities, stressing that it was a major way to prevent diseases and ensure good health for rural dwellers.

    Inaolaji further explained that the discontent informed the council according the project a priority when he was given the opportunity to serve his people as chairman of the caretaker committee of the council by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    According to him, the project was in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) whose overall aim is to make life more comfortable for the citizenry.

    He urged them to make the best use of the facilities through proper maintenance.

    Leaders of the communities expressed their satisfaction with the water project, particularly with the additional power generating set that was a component of each borehole. The power generating sets, they said, would help immensely in overcoming poor power supply in the communities.

    The communities are Ajaawa, Pontela, Owode, Oniru and Moleru.

    While expressing gratitude to the council chief, the traditional ruler of Pontela, Oba Solomon Ogundipe, promised to ensure good maintenance of the facilities. He also pledged continued support for the APC in his community.

    One of the leaders who spoke on behalf of the Owode community, Elder Zachariah Olojede, said the project was a realised dream for the community.

    According to him, their children always trekked for about one kilometre to get potable water.

    He promised the community’s support for the APC government. Seven more boreholes are still being sunk for other communities.

  • Council provides medicare for residents

    The Sole Administrator of Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Area), Rotimi Ogunwuyi has urged non-governmental organisations to support government’s health programme.

    Addressing reporters during the council’s free medical health service for residents, he noted that government alone could no longer provide all that the citizens need.

    He said: “The essence of the free medical programme is to promote the well-being of the people. The LCDA is collaborating with Christ the Rock Church, United States of America to ensure that Nigerians who have one health challenge or the other are attended to.

    “Though the exercise is expensive because the medical professionals are coming with their drugs, they found joy in doing it because it will go a long way in improving productivity of the people. We will ensure that the programme becomes a yearly event in view of the importance of health.

    “This is the first time such exercise is carried out in the council. I think the era when everything is solely provided for the people by the government is over. We are looking up to private sector and other religious organisations to come to the aid of humanity. People’s health challenges such as diabetics, glaucoma, prostate cancer, kidney and lungs will be examined.

    “We as government cannot do it alone. So, we had to invite those who share the same view with government, to come to the aid of the people in order to enable them to contribute to the development of the community,” he said.

    Leader of the group, Bishop Ayo Oduntan said: “We are here to examine people on blood sugar and other health-related challenges. We believe God that when we visit this area next year, we should be able to carry out some minor surgeries on people who presented extreme cases of health problems.

    “We have already made preparation on how we can bring some medical doctors to the country next year. We decided to embark on this medical programme because we discovered that people really need help. We have facilities in the USA, but here in Nigeria, it is very difficult to access medical facilities.

    “Nigerians are doing well over there, but in order to make their impacts felt in their own country, our members muted the idea to be back home to save lives of people.

    “Once the people have good health, they will not be violent, there will be no killing or kidnapping. It is about welfare and it is when the people are cared for that they will love the government. Healthy people go out to vote during elections. Healthy mind is a happy mind.”