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Tag: residents

  • Bayelsa educates residents on Ebola virus, Hepatitis

    Bayelsa educates residents on Ebola virus, Hepatitis

    Bayelsa State Government on Friday commenced an enlightenment campaign on Ebola virus and hepatitis, as part of it efforts to checkmate the diseases.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ayibatonye Owei, told newsmen in Yenagoa that members of the public should be cautious on the state of the foods they eat.

    He said being sensitive to such things would go a long way to prevent infections from the two killer ailments.

    “I call on all people of Bayelsa to take all necessary precautions against Ebola virus and hepatitis.

    “This campaign will reach out to every nook and cranny of the state; we have jingles on radio and television; so, make good use of it.

    “And you must know that Hepatitis-B is a silent killer; the diseases caused by Hepatitis-B can be prevented by vaccination.

    “Immunisation has gone over 80 per cent in the state on Hepatitis and all the eight local government areas are benefiting,” Owei said.

    Owei commended the organisers of the 2014 World Hepatitis Day in Bayelsa, adding that the theme “Hepatitis: Think Again”, was a wakeup call to control the disease.

    “Hepatitis vaccination is free for everybody; go to any health centre and immunise yourself; all beneficiaries should ensure that they receive the required three doses for complete protection.

    “Ebola has also become a threat to the society; I urge Bayelsans to also inculcate a good washing hygiene of hand, cloths, body and maintain cleaner environment.

    “Everything you do, make sure you wash your hand, avoid using needle or razor blade used by another person,’’ Owei said.

    The commissioner said the state government had placed the health sector on priority list to achieve standard health care delivery system for the people.

    He said that work was ongoing in all the referral hospital projects in the eight local councils of the state.

    “I must remind you once again that `health is wealth’ and the best way to empowerment people is to give them good health.”

  • Residents call for construction of drainage

    Residents of Dutse and Kubwa in Bwari Area Council have urged the council authorities to construct drainage system by the sides of the various roads constructed in the area to avoid flood washing off the newly constructed roads.

    They noted that erosion which causes damage to some of these roads, has become a common trend in some of the communities, even as they attributed the phenomenon to lack of drainage systems.

    “The road at the All Saints Catholic Church, Dutse where I am staying is about to collapse because of erosion. Vehicular movement has become difficult around that area,” Ejike Ugbo, a resident of Dutse said.

    Also speaking, Kenneth Igor, a resident of Kubwa complained that roads leading to various places in the town have been left at the mercy of flood. He called on the area council to expedite action on construction of drainage system before the road would become worse.

    “It is better to solve the problem now before it gets out of hand or difficult to remedy. I think the rain has been heavy this year and it has been the cause of this problem. I have never experienced a case like this before,” he said.

    Igor further said there was need for residents to avoid activities that would block the drainage which he said was one of the reasons for flooding, adding that the authorities should also embark on clearing of drainage in order to reduce the problem.

    “I know that most roads around this area have no drainage systems. It is very important that drainage systems are constructed. The residents are also to blame because sometimes, they pour household wastes into the existing ones, thereby blocking them. We should learn to avoid that. It is very important. Drainage systems are not waste dumps,” he said.

  • Residents turn blast scenes to tourists sites

    Residents turn blast scenes to tourists sites

    •As norlmacy returns to Kaduna

    •Checkpoints spring up 

    As normalcy returns to Kaduna after Wednesday twin bomb blasts that rocked the metropolis, residents have turned scenes of the explosion to tourists sites.

    Meanwhile, normal business activities have since commenced at the densely populated Kawo Market where the second bomb exploded, killing scores and leaving almost 50 people injured.

    The Nation recalled that explosions generated tension in Kaduna city before Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero quickly declared a 24-hour curfew to calm the nerves of angry youths who were threatening protest.

    It was believed that the first explosion was targeted at the revered Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, as the suicide bomber tried to penetrate his convoy before the bomb went off, killing the bomber and 24 others.

    Similarly, Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari confirmed that the car bomber who detonated the second bomb that killed scores targeted his life.

    The Nation, however gathered that the 24-hour curfew, which lasted for only about 20 hours before it was lifted, was initially imposed to prevent a degeneration into crisis, following the anger expressed by supporters of the personalities targeted by the explosions.

    Meanwhile, when our correspondent visited the scene of the blast at Kawo yesterday, residents were seen trooping to the scene to catch glimpse of the damages done by the explosion.

    When our correspondent visited the scene, a resident said: “My brother, nowhere is safe any longer. If you say because they bombed here,  so you will not pass here again, you are just deceiving yourself.

    “Let me tell you, whether we like it or not, we are living in an atmosphere of fear and tension. We can be bombed anywhere and at anytime. We should only pray that God brings these killings to an end.”

    In the same vein, the Kawo Market was full to its usual capacity, as the people went about their usual businesses.

    However, security check has been intensified at Kawo motor park, while a new military checkpoint has been introduced between the park’s exit gate and the headquarters of 1 Division Nigerian Army.

  • Panic in Ogun community as robbers threaten residents

    Panic in Ogun community as robbers threaten residents

    Fear has gripped residents of Elerinko Estate in Ijoko-Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State following a letter written to them by suspected armed robbers.

    The armed robbers, according to residents, promised to visit them.

    They appealed yesterday to Police Commissioner Ikemefuna Okoye to provide them with adequate security.

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi the development, saying adequate measures have been put in place to secure the lives and properties of the people.

    According to Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “ The CP has acted on it.”

  • Ondo riverine residents to benefit from NDDC health scheme

    Ondo riverine residents to benefit from NDDC health scheme

    About 5,000 people in the riverine area of Ondo State are to benefit from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) free health programme.

    The state’s representative on the Governing Board of NDDC, Mr Amuwa Benson, spoke with  reporters in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend.

    He said the programme would kick-off before the end of this month. Amuwa said Igbekebo and Zion-Pepe have been chosen as centres for the programme.  He said the exercise was part of the commission’s responsibility to the oil-producing communities.

    Amuwa said: “It is responsibility of the commission to bring qualitative health services to the doorstep of the people in the mandate area and that is why the commission has chosen Igbekebo and Zion-Pepe as meeting points for the programme. Our target covers those with minor and severe ailments because health is wealth”.

  • Residents demand improved power supply

    The Gwagwalada Area Council has been urged to provide electricity transformers for the residents of the area in order to curb the incessant power outage bedeviling the area.

    Some of the residents of the area who spoke with our reporter stated that the city has been suffering from incessant power outage while some had been without light for months, adding that it was affecting the economic development of the area.

    One of the residents, Soji Nkanu attributed the epileptic power supply to the inadequate supply of transformers to make power available in the area, adding that the  power supplied to some areas were  not always useful to them since most times it comes at midnight and would not last for a long time.

    “Gwagwalada has been suffering from lack power supply for a very long time now.  Some parts have not seen light for some months while some in some areas, light only comes at midnight which could only last for two to three hours,” he said.

    Nkanu added that the experience has pushed most of the residents into buying electricity generating sets and lamented that even with the epileptic power supply, they had to pay huge amount of money as electricity bills.

    “Light can never be stable in this area. It is not a new thing for power to cease for almost 100 times a day. It is unfortunate, yet we pay huge amount of money as electricity bill,” he said.

    Another resident, Maryam Alkali stated that the power supply which was supposed to be rationed so that various areas will use light, do not come regularly. She called on the government, particularly the area council, to fulfill the promise of provision of basic amenities for the people.

    “People are lamenting. It is always a total blackout at the area. A times, they will flash it for five minutes in the morning and you wouldn’t see it again until  around 1:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. Sometimes, the light comes in form of candle light” she said.

  • Residents jittery over bomb scare in Osogbo  

    There was a bomb scare in Ido Osun in Egbedore local government area of Osun State yesterday following the discovery of an object suspected to be an explosive device.

    The object was allegedly discovered around the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

    It was learnt residents of Ibikunle estate in the town allegedly vacated their homes to escape the anticipated explosion.

    The police from the bomb disposal unit of the Osun State police command were quickly deployed to the area.

    Anxious residents were not allowed access to the area for the better parts of the day.

    The police used bomb detectors and other devices to discover where the explosive device was planted.

    A source however said the police operatives did not find any explosive after intensive search.

    It was learnt that residents of the area who did not abandon their

    houses stayed indoor all through the day.

    The police spokesperson for the state police command, Mrs. Folashade Odoro, said there was no cause for alarm because the object was not a bomb.

     

  • Shelter for Enugu residents

    Shelter for Enugu residents

    There  is one more thing to cheer in Enugu State: shelter.

    The state government has continued to make steady progress in the implementation of its four point agenda a road map produced to guide it in the committed efforts to serve the people of the state better.

    Apart from roads and urban beautification, one other area the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime has made a difference in the provision of affordable houses for residents of the state.

    Chime commissioned the 384 flat Maryland Estate in Enugu comprising two and three bed rooms built by the State Housing Development Corporation. The estate is for low income and middle level workers in the state. It consists of 324 two bedroom and 60 three bedroom.

    The Maryland Estate is one among the many estates developed and being developed in Enugu to meet the demand for shelter from Enugu residents. The administration had developed such estates like the Coal City Garden, Greenland and Ekulu East, popularly known as Zoo estates. The Palm Beach Estate, near Nsukka  is almost coming to completion and it was the first suburban estate. The buildings included thirty and fifty units of self contained bungalows.

    And in line with the governor’s determination to provide affordable and decent accommodation to workers in the state, the  state government had approved a  N2 billion loan

    offer from the Federal Mortgage Bank  for the development of the Enugu State Workers Estate at Ogbeke Nike, Enugu East local government area.

    The project which will be executed by two Estate developers, Ceebt World Development and Kayllods Limited, will consist of two bedroom, 3-bedroom bungalow, 4-bedroom duplex and 2-bedroom block of flats.

    The Maryland Estate was started by the administration of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani but the project was abandoned by the same administration after putting up only two blocks. Nnamani christened the estate Loma Linda after his school in the United States. But upon taking over the completion of the estate, Governor Chime returned its original name of Maryland.

    Chime while commissioning the Maryland Estate has this to say: “I am delighted to be here to commission one project that is so dear to our heart, in fulfillment of our part of obligations to our people. We are here essentially here today to commission this laudable project which was commenced by the past administration. We have been attacked severally for abandoning projects started by the past administration.

    “I believe all those attacking us will today realise that it has been long all these while, that it has been the policy of this administration to continue with projects that will endure to the benefit of the people of Enugu state,

    “When we came in, we saw a project that was started, although no serious effort had been put in to realise that project. The contract was then awarded to a not too serious contractor. The whole concept of it was wrong. And we took it over, and today, we have this to show for our efforts.

    “The same thing happened at the Ekulu East Estate, popularly known as Zoo Estate. That was what happened there. We came newly, we met a beautifully conceived estate but the machinery that was put in place to build the estate was so poorly executed. What was intended for that estate was not fully realised. We took it over. People who were given free plots, who were not actually intending to develop those plots; we have to revoke and distribute them to more serious people who immediately developed that place.

    “If you go there, it is about the best estate we have, not just in Enugu but in the country. So in developing estate, it has to go with passion and you must be serious about it. It is not just about dashing people or giving people plots. If you want to develop an estate for the use and benefit of our people, you have to do so seriously.”

    He poured encomiums on the the managing director of the Enugu Housing Development Corporation saying: :We want to thank the Managing Director of the Enugu Housing Corporation, Ikeji Asogwa, who had already told us what we have been able to do in the past two years. I will not repeat them. All the accolades that we have in the housing sector, we can easily say thanks to you. You have been a shining star. You have shown that your appointment was not a mistake. If given the opportunity, I will appoint you a million times over.”

    He expressed  hope that the incoming administration would “continue in this aspect to ensure that our people are fully accommodated. In Enugu we have this policy of not saying no to any application for land. Some people, when they get their approvals for land, they will say thank you. They believe it is a right. We all have a right to own land in Enugu if you can afford it. So a  matter of policy, we have been giving approvals, but the problem has been availability of land.

    “But recently, we have been able to earmark a place to be able to meet the demand for lands. All the efforts we made in the past, once upon a time, we acquired some thousands of hectares of lads to meet the demand of our people in respect of lands. But one big project took it over. We have recently also, dezoned an area and in a very short while, we should we should be able to meet all the demands of already approved applications for land to ensure that our people explain themselves and do what they want to do. But at the same time, I encourage the Housing Corporation in this area of developing, and letting people buy developed properties.”

    Also speaking at the occasion, the state commissioner for Housing, Mr. Victor Okolo said th intention of the government was to ensure that the teeming people of Enugu state can say at least, ‘we can have a roof of our own.”

    He said the essential thing about Enugu was that Enugu had been the capital of everything viz the capital of the Southern Protectorates, capital of Eastern Region, capital of East Central state, Capital of aol Anambra state and Old Enugu state regretting: “And our people, the indigenes of this state kept catching up, but not as fast our colleagues who were there before us.”

    According to him, the situation made it that “most of our people are still under other peoples roof.”

  • 100 new buses for residents

    100 new buses for residents

    In order to mitigate the hardship caused by the ban of mini-buses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Administration (FCTA) has fulfilled its promise by purchasing 100 new mass transit buses for its residents.

    Vice-President Namadi Sambo flagged off the 100 brand new mass transit buses to be used by the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited.

    Launching the buses at the Eagle Square, Sambo commended the FCT Administration for evolving policies and programmes that are people-oriented. He added: “These new buses would go a long way in ameliorating the transportation problems of the residents of the FCT, especially thousands of workers staying in the Satellite Towns and other suburbs of Abuja.”

    Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, noted that the event was a fulfillment of the pledge he made to the FCT residents last year.

    He further said his administration would not relent in its effort to build and administer the Capital City in compliance with the Abuja Master Plan, through the establishment of an effective and enduring service-oriented administration that can respond to the needs and aspirations of all residents and stakeholders.

    He said: “These buses would assist in the realisation of short-term target of reducing travel time to 20 minutes and transport between 1.2 million to two million commuters in and around, including the satellite towns by 2015.

    “The FCT Administration is working assiduously to ensure a timely completion of the Abuja Metropolitan Rail Transport network, Lots 1A and three which are at over 50 per cent completion stage.

    “The launch of additional 100 high capacity buses into the fleet of the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) marks another milestone in our quest to make public transportation safer, more comfortable and more accessible. The FCT Administration made 40 per cent payment on the buses with another 10 per cent totaling 50 per cent.”

    Senator Mohammed added that the remaining 50 per cent would be defrayed through the business plan and cash flow of AUMTCO over agreed timeline of two years because Yutong Hongkong Company has given the FCTA a loan with a three per cent interest rate.

    He said: “The 100 high capacity buses are fitted with all the essential security apparatus to make them safe, air-conditioner to make them comfortable and electronic payment system to make it convenient for our commuters.”

    Managing Director of the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company, Mr. Abdulrazaq Oniyangi promised to make the company live up to its bidding by providing international standard services to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

  • Residents sue ASCON over filling station

    Residents sue ASCON over filling station

    •‘It’s abuse of court process’

    Residents of Lekki Phase One  have gone to a Lagos High Court,  to stop ASCON Oil Company Limited from building a petrol station in the area.

    They are praying for an interlocutory injunction against the firm.

    In a motion brought before Justice Kazeem Alogba, the claimants, Rasheed Williams, Kayode Aderinokun, Alhaji Useni, Malachy Ezeoke, Mrs. Ogunmokun and Olujide Kuti, are praying the court to mandate ASCON to stop work on Block 36, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme I in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and the Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development are other defendants.

    In their statement of claim, the claimants through their lawyer, Osaro Eghobamien (SAN)said the petrol station will pose a great environmental danger to the residents.

    They argued that, despite protests by residents, ASCON has fast-tracked work on the property based on a development permit purportedly obtained from the Ministry of Physical Planning.

    “The first defendant has intensified the construction of the petrol station both day and night with a view towards completing same and commencing operation of the station in a bid to frustrate any opposition to the petrol station.

    “It is the claimants’ contention that the construction and operation of the petrol station on the particular land have serious environmental impacts which cannot be adequately mitigated.

    “The environmental consequences of the situation of the petrol station on the land in issue range from environmental degradation, pollution, fire outbreaks and explosions, health hazards, huge traffic congestion and increased insecurity,“ they argued.

    According to them, an environmental impact assessment ought to have been carried out on the land before the development permit was granted by the authorities for the construction of the petrol station, with a comprehensive report produced to the same effect.

    In its notice of preliminary objection to the claimants’ suit, ASCON said the suit was premature, adding that the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter, because it is an administrative issue.

    ASCON averred that the case was an abuse of court process since another suit it instituted against the claimants was pending before the same court, urging the court to strike out the matter.

    “There is a strong likelihood of judicial embarrassment if the action in this suit is allowed to co-exist with the action in Suit No: M/83/13.

    “In the premises, the instant action constitutes a gross abuse of judicial process which this Honourable Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain,” the firm stated.