The Nation Newspaper

Tag: threatens

  • Community threatens violence over abandoned project

    The people of Okerenkoko Community in Warri South West Local Government of Delta State have given a 30-day ultimatum to the government to compel contractors handling projects in their communities to return to their sites.

    The warning is contained in a letter to the Commissioner for Works, Funkekeme Solomon.

    The letter, signed by James Tangbowei and Joel Ekpebide, Chairman and Secretary, said the threat was necessitated by the state of affairs in the community.

    The letter reads: “We are deeply constrained to alert your ministry about the desire of our peace-loving people to take our destiny in our hands by confronting your ministry, should you fail to direct absentee contractors to report back to their project sites in Okerenkoko federated communities within the next 30 days.

    “Six years after the James Ibori administration awarded the Okerenkoko-Peppeama-Kokodiagbene Road project to Wokson Nigeria Limited, we are pained to report that the project has been abandoned and the contractor demobilised from site.

    “Also, of very important note to our community is the Okerenkoko rebuilding multi-billion naira project awarded to Accelerated Building Technology (ABT) since 2009 after the Joint Military Task Force air bombardment that reduced the community to rubbles.

    “Nothing tangible is on ground as the contractor has also demobilised from site,” they lamented.

    “The history of Okerenkoko in the Niger Delta struggle is well known and our efforts to resolve this issue amicably is proving abortive.

    “We have no choice than to resort to confrontation and violence, which remain the only language that your government understands,” they added.

    The aggrieved community leaders also recalled that during his electioneering campaign, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan promised to rebuild and make the Okerenkoko Cottage Hospital functional.

    “We have decided to resort to this medium to address you and the State Executive Council because all efforts made by the leadership of the Okerenkoko Federated Communities to table these issues have met a brick wall,” they said.

  • Firm threatens to demolish telecoms’ facilities

    A firm, Gbaruka Resources, has threatened to demolish MTN Nigeria’s facilities in the Niger Delta region over its failure to honour the contractual agreements it reached with Procomtel Limited, one of its contractors.

    A copy of a petition endorsed by the Managing Director, Gbaruka Resources, Comrade Charles Taylor and addressed to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, alleged that following the huge debt MTN is owing Procomtel Ltd, its sub-contractor, it can no longer service the bank facilities it obtained to execute the job.

    “After fruitless efforts to get our wages from Procomtel Limited, we have resolved to return to doing a little bit of what we knew best before going gentle as a corporate outfit. We shall therefore embark on the following if Procomtel Limited does not pay us our money on or before February 15: Begin the demolition of MTN Nigeria installations in Rivers State, which Procomtel Limited engaged our service to erect; begin the demolition of MTN installations in Baylesa and Delta states and extend our demolition to other states in the Niger Delta next month,” the petition, which was copied to the Presidency, JTF Commander Niger Delta, National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General, State Security Service (SSS) and Procomtel Limited, reads.

    Reacting to the threat, MTN said Gbaruka Resources was unknown to it, wondering why it would be held liable for the debt allegedly owed it by Procomtel.

    The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, MTN, Funmi Omogbenigun, who responded through e-mail to The Nation’s enquiries, said only Procomtel was engaged by the telco as a contractor.

    She said: “We do not have any direct contractual relationship with Gbaruka Resources as we do not know them. We understand that they are sub-contractors of Procomtel, a company that did work for MTN. MTN cannot be responsible for Procomtel’s indebtedness to its sub- contractors. Such a situation is unknown to law or commercial practice.

    “With respect to Procomtel, the company was engaged as a site build contractor with the following terms of reference: To carry out specific work as may be required by MTN; Upon completion of the work, Procomtel shall advise MTN’s representatives, who shall verify work status and issue Certificates of Completion where work has been carried out in accordance with MTN’s requirements; Upon the issuance of the Certificates of Completion, Procomtel shall forward invoices to MTN for requisite payments to be made; and In the event of delays, non-compliance or non-performance, the contract between the parties allows MTN to take over any job, which ought to have been performed by Procomtel and invoice Procomtel for the cost of same.”

    According to her, MTN suffered losses arising from Procomtel’s delays and failures in job execution, adding that the telco had to complete the job for which the firm was seeking payment.

    She said: “MTN suffered losses occasioned by Procomtel’s delays and failures. To mitigate against same, MTN, at its own expense, procured the completion of some services, which ought to have been performed by Procomtel. This formed part of the contractual terms between the parties and in such instances, Procomtel could not have been entitled to receive payments for services not rendered.”

  • Afe Babalola threatens Ogun PDP chair with N25b suit

    Legal luminary Chief Afe Babalola has given the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State seven days to retract a “libellous advertorial”.

    In a letter by his counsel, Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN), to Ogun PDP Chairman Chief Adebayo Dayo, Babalola said should he fail to retract the statement and tender a public apology within seven days, he would sue him for N25 billion.

    He advised others concerned about the publication to complain to law enforcement agencies and secure the arrest and prosecution of the PDP chairman and his cohorts for infractions on Sections 125, 126, and 375 of the Criminal Code Act Cap c38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    In the advertorial, entitled: “Ogun PDP raises alarm over plans to influence the Appeal Court”, Dayo reproduced the contents of a letter dated January 16, 2013.

    Adenipekun said the content of the letter was understood to mean that “Babalola conspired with some persons to influence the outcome of a pending judicial dispute in an attempt to pervert justice.

    He said his client takes exception to the publication and “considers the allegation false, unfounded, baseless and reckless”.

    “My client is amazed that you could fabricate such falsehood without regard to the consequences of your action”, Adenipekun added.

    He said Babalola is not in any manner affiliated with or connected to any dispute among Ogun PDP members, neither is he a member of the PDP.

    Adenipekun said: “It is pertinent to refer you to the reaction of Obasanjo and Justice Amina Adamu Augie. Upon becoming aware of the allegations, Obasanjo issued a statement in which he denied your claims and described them as tissues of lies.

    “Justice Augie also denied the allegations. In open court, she described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Justices handling the appeal.

    “Babalola has carved a niche for himself in law practice in Nigeria. In his actions and utterances, he is always guided by a need to maintain the highest professional standard in the administration of justice.”

    Adenipekun said it was in realisation of this that Babalola was appointed a member of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, the body saddled with the appointment of SANs.

    He said: “You will therefore agree that his reputation, which has been built over the years, should not be trifled with under any guise.”

  • Ohanaeze: MASSOB threatens to stop next Saturday’s election

    The Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has said the group would resist the conduct of another election by the Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, next Saturday.

    The MASSOB leader told The Nation that the group would take over security at Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s secretariat to ensure that no election holds on Saturday.

    Declaring last Saturday’s election, which produced a new national executive for Ohanaeze Ndigbo as free, fair and credible, Uwazuruike berated those who he said succumbed to external influence to ridicule Ndigbo.

    He said: “In my presence and the presence of other prominent Ndigbo, the election was held. In my presence and the presence of other prominent Ndigbo, Ralph Uwaechue publicly handed over to the new President-General, Garry Igariwey. Yet, some mercenaries tell us they are going to conduct another election.”

    Uwazuruike said last Saturday’s election, which was monitored by past Presidents-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, could not be said to lack credibility.

    Uwazuruike yesterday reacted to a radio announcements, reports and advertorials by the Ebonyi State Government that there would be another election into the office of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    The government is said to be sponsoring Senator Azu Agboti.

    The MASSOB leader said the group would not tolerate the plan.

    The MASSOB leader warned that the group would deal with any other group that attempts to hold a parallel election to divide Ndigbo.

    He urged Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi to hands off Ohanaeze Ndigbo because the state alone cannot dictate for the organisation.

    Uwazuruike said: “All the seven Igbo-speaking states participated in last Saturday’s election and elected Igariwey, who they say is their choice from Ebonyi State. Any imposition of another person on the Ohanaeze, single-handedly by the Ebonyi State governor, will be resisted fiercely by the MASSOB.

    “Governor Elechi should be held responsible, should there be any ugly incident on Saturday, because MASSOB will be all-out to resist any attempt to hold another election anywhere.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s election has been conducted and completed. Past Presidents-General, including Justice Eze Ozobu and Amb Raph Uwechue, among other prominent Igbo sons, were in attendance when Chief Garry Igariwey was elected unopposed. His compatriots from Ebonyi State stepped down for him. It is quite unfortunate that the governor is planning another election. As an Igbo leader, I am warning him that Ndigbo shall no longer continue to suffer in the hands of the governors.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not an appendage of state governors and MASSOB has come out to identify with Ohanaeze Ndigbo. There will be no other election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo anywhere, any place and anytime, because the election was conducted last Saturday in Enugu.”

    The newly elected Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, yesterday said there is no crisis in the Pan-Igbo organisation, following last Saturday’s election of its new executives.

  • TV TELECAST MATCHES: N1.4bn threatens Nigeria’s coverage

    TV TELECAST MATCHES: N1.4bn threatens Nigeria’s coverage

    Soccer loving Nigerians may not watch their darling Super Eagles team at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a result of the exorbitant Television Rights fees for the three weeks competition holding in South Africa.

    Barely 10 days to the kick off of the competition in South Africa, Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria (BON) has not resolved the matter with CAF agencies handling the matter. But BON Chairman has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to wade into the matter so that soccer loving Nigerians could watch the matches.

    The Chairman of BON Abubakar Jijiwa has told SportingLifeof its efforts made so far to resolve the matter.

    “We have been talking (with CAF representatives) since October last year and have made efforts at reaching a conclusive solution. We have looked at our market and made an offer of $1.2 million to JCM-African Sports Consulting via a letter dated November 1st, 2012 which they rejected.

    “We went further and upped our money to $1.5 million through our letter with reference BON/ES/Vol.III/12/27 to Mr. Jean-Claude Meyer of African Sports Consulting and that too was rejected. They are sticking to € 8 million (N1.6) billion but we said the amount is not acceptable by us because we cannot market such a massive sum of money. We would run into a loss at the end of the day”, the BON boss disclosed.

    He also explained that BON received an E-mail dated December 5th, 2012 from LC2 directing BON to negotiate with CFOOT limited and BON replied through a letter dated December 12th, 2012 with reference BON/ES/Vol.III/12/48 offering $1 million for all the 32 matches as well as $3000,000 for selected matches. But Jijiwa said all these were rejected by CFOOT in a letter dated December 21st, 2012.

    The BON boss said the CFOOT in January 4th, 2013 came up with an offer of 8 million euros for the entire 32 matches but BON responded to CFOOT’s letter reiterating their earlier offer of $3000,000 for the selected matches.

    “So, what we are suggesting to them now is that they should give us selected matches involving Nigeria including the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony of the 2013 AFCON, and the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final matches of the competition at $300,000. So we have only a week to market this sum of money since the tournament is just about 10 days away. We don’t have the luxury of time to go on an advertisement drive and the global melt down has also affected most industries now which has made them to cut their expenses including advertisement”, Jijiwa said .

    The BON boss, however, blamed the ridiculous figure being charged was to fleece Nigeria based on the premise that it is a rich country which is passionate about the game.

    “ These people think Nigeria is a fat cow that they could milk dry. So we detest this shylock attitude and we cannot subscribe to it”, Jijiwa screamed.

    He, however, believes there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. “We have briefed the Minister of Sports, Honourable Bolaji Abdullahi and the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation and we believe that there is going to be some room for dialogue. I understand that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is going to protest to CAF in Cairo over what is happening. So, I expect some last minute surprises and I would say we are open to dialogue. .

    It is insulting that a foreign company will exploit Nigeria. It is the right of Nigerians to watch the Cup of Nations, more-so, when Nigeria is participating.”, he summed up.

  • Oyo CP threatens to demolish Auxiliary’s house

    •11 suspected robbers held

    Oyo State Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu has threatened to demolish the house of a factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Lamidi Mukaila, a.k.a. Auxiliary, if he fails to report at the Police Headquarters to explain his role in the clash at Iwo road a year ago, in which many people, including students, were killed.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, Mbu said if Mukaila does not surrender himself before the week runs out, his house would be demolished and he would be forcibly arrested.

    The police chief said: “His rival, Alhaji AbdulLateef Akinsola, also known as Tokyo, has appeared at the police headquarters to explain his role and has been granted bail with reliable sureties while investigation is ongoing.

    “Auxiliary is still wanted by the police. Until he shows up and explains his roles in the crisis, we would continue to declare him wanted. Tokyo has many cases to answer but we treat him with honour because of his age. He is 63.

    “He was released on bail after interrogation, having surrendered himself freely for investigation. Whenever we need him he shows up. If he refuses, his guarantors would be called to question. If Auxiliary does not surrender himself, I will look for him and, if I am pushed further, I will demolish his house.”

    Eleven suspected robbers were paraded.

    Mbu said five locally made pistols, 1,501 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition, pump action guns, five cars, N91,000, seven mobile phones and clothes were recovered from the suspects.

    He said a “soldier”, Bada Yusuf, attached to 2 division in Auchi, Edo State, with No. 11NA/66/10245, who was part of a kidnap syndicate, was arrested last Wednesday.

    Mbu said Bada, dressed in army camouflage, was arrested on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway while trying to collect ransom from the family of an Indian victim, Mr. Manoj Singh.

    He said commercial motorcyclists, who carry more than one passenger, would, henceforth, be arrested.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • MASSOB threatens protest over Apo Six

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said it will make Nigeria ungovernable, if the case of the six Apo Village, Abuja, traders is not concluded by the end of the year.

    It also declared every June 8, the date the six Igbo traders were killed in 2005, as a work-free day for Ndigbo.

    The organisation explained that this is to signify the injustice Ndigbo allegedly faces in Nigeria.

    MASSOB leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike addressed reporters yesterday in Enugu on the organisation’s plans.

    He said MASSOB would be involved in the matter, which has been in an Abuja High Court for about seven years.

    Uwazuruike noted that justice delayed is justice denied.

    The MASSOB leader decried what he called the application of two variants of the law – one for Ndigbo and another for the others – in Nigeria.

    He cited the example of the condemned preacher, Rev. King.

    According to him, the popular preacher’s case did not last one year before it was concluded.

    He added that King is awaiting execution.

    Uwazuruike solicited accelerated hearing for the suspected killers of the Apo Six.

    The MASSOB leader said gone are the days when Ndigbo were slaughtered like animals and the perpetrators allowed to go scot free.

    Though the families of the slain Apo traders were paid N3million each, Uwazuruike said the money was recommended by the Justice Olasumbo Goodluck Panel of Enquiry as burial expenses for each of the victims.

    He added: “It is not a matter of compensation but a matter of wasting Igbo lives like animals by a category of Nigerians who are interested in killing our people and boasting that nothing will come out of it. The issue is the way they slaughter Ndigbo.”

    The MASSOB leader alleged that the brain behind the killing of the traders has been on bail while the other less privileged seven police officers charged with him are in detention.

    Uwazuruike said: “A man was alleged to have killed six people and he is allowed to walk the streets of Nigeria free. This is not acceptable to us. MASSOB has taken up this matter and Ndigbo wants to see the end of it before this year closes. Justice must not only be done but seen to have been done.”

    The MASSOB leader said he would attend court proceedings whenever the matter reopens.

    “If by the end of this year the case is not concluded and justice is not secured, we will make Nigeria ungovernable for them,” he added.

    The Apo Six, including a woman, were killed by policemen on June 8, 2005, when they were returning from a party.

    The police said they were armed robbers but a commission of enquiry set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, proved the contrary.

    The five men were Igbo while the only woman victim was from Edo State and the fiancée to one of the victims.

     

  • Cement glut: Lafarge WAPCO threatens to shut down plant

    Cement glut: Lafarge WAPCO threatens to shut down plant

    There are indications that Lafarge WAPCO Cement may shut down its Ewekoro 11 plant due to a glut in the cement market.

    This is because the N75 billion plant, which was inaugurated this year, is producing in excess and there is no demand for the product.

    Speaking with reporters during a visit to the plant at the weekend, the Plant Manager, Lakatabu 11, Mr. Lanre Opakunle, said the glut was caused by the increase in local production of cement and the continued importation of subsidised cement.

    He said the company was experiencing low sales and high inventory, adding that over 60,000 bags of cement are waiting to be purchased.

    Said he: “The market was dull during the rainy season. The current period is supposed to be the peak of production and demand. But the reverse is the case as there is no demand. It means something is wrong. About 220,000 tonnes of clinker are on ground not being used.

    “Most of our workers are roaming. Ninety per cent of our trailers are idle. We are operating at less than 50 per cent capacity. The cost of production is high. Our plants are experiencing challenges. The situation is terrible.

    “Some of the clinkers are being moved to another place. Once the place is filled up, we have no choice but to shut down.”

    Opakunle said energy cost accounts for over 35 per cent of production cost in Nigeria compared to less than 10 per cent in China.

    He added that the price of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) has increased from N25 per litre in 2009 to N107.76 per litre in November, an increase of 331 per cent.

    He said: “Haulage is another factor out of the control of the manufacturers. Its cost accounts for between 20 and 25 per cent of the open market price of cement. Bulk products are affected by this factor due to the deplorable condition of Nigerian roads.

    “Despite this disadvantage, local cement manufacturers have kept their ex-factory prices constant, an average of N1, 450 per bag since 2009. Input costs continue to rise.

    “The manufacturers have been absorbing considerable cost, which, put differently, is a form of consistent reduction in the ex-factory price of cement, by keeping the price stable despite the rising cost of production.”

    Opakunle said it was sad that despite the glut in the local market, cement importation has continued, calling to question the implementation of the backward integration policy introduced to encourage local production.

    He said production in countries, such as China, is lower than in Nigeria, adding that cement plants in China use coal, which is very cheap compared to the LPFO used in Nigeria.

  • Floods: Kogi ACN threatens protest over N2b relief fund

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday gave Governor Idris Wada one week to explain how over N2billion donations for flood victims were spent.

    The party threatened to organise a mass protest, if the governor failed to account for the donations.

    In a statement in Abuja by its Chairman Haddy Ametuo, the party accused the Wada administration of using the rice for the flood victims as Christmas and Sallah gifts.

    But Wada faulted the accusation.

    Through his Special Adviser on Media, Jacob Edi, the governor said the “ACN is crying more than the bereaved”.

    Ametuo said: “It has become obvious that Captain Wada is insensitive to the people’s suffering. It will surprise you to hear that more than N2billion realised through various donations to aid and assist those affected by the recent floods in Kogi State are yet to get to them.

    “The recent protest by the flood victims in Lokoja, the state capital, showed that the money for relief and resettlement of those displaced has been cornered into private pockets.

    “The rice for flood victims was used by the Kogi State Government as Sallah gift and is now being used as Christmas gifts with bold inscription: Donated by Dangote, which is unfortunate and shows open diversion.

    “If Captain Wada refuses to address the suffering of the flood victims with over N2billion realised from donors to cater for the affected persons, we are giving the government one week to make it public how the money was spent or ACN will be left with no option than lead a mass protest. Enough is enough of this looting.”

    ACN accused Wada of refusing to treat Kogi State residents fairly as their governor.

    It noted that despite huge funds allocated to the state and the deductions from the allocations to local governments, there was nothing to show for these.

    ACN added: “It is no longer news that this government lacks merit, as seen and witnessed in a state where workers’ salaries are not paid; there is no developmental achievement in all spheres of governance in the state.

    “The only achievement is the private jet and a plane purchased by Idris Wada to boost his air transport business, which has since collapsed, and the N900million property he just acquired in Abuja; that will soon turn into hotel.

    “His deputy also has just bought a hotel, which is popularly known as Grand Mirage and Properties in Abuja.

    “The continued suffering of the masses is evidence that Governor Wada lacks the requisite capacity to pilot the affairs of Kogi State.”

    But Edi said: “The flood is not a political incident. So, it is a shame that the entire leadership of the ACN has a very shallow understanding of the issues around the flood incident. Let them not cry more than the bereaved. The flood victims are part and parcel of the decision on how the funds that came for the management of flood crisis will be administered.

    “Let them not waste time to politicise what is not politics. The fact that they may be able to gather thugs or hire a crowd to come and protest cannot fool anybody.

    “The real victims of the flood disaster are more interested in the plans of the government to address their problems. So, nobody can or will be deceived. We will not stop advising the ACN members to direct their energy into more productive and constructive adventure. We hope they will learn.

    “The allegation that the rice for flood victims was being diverted as Sallah and Christmas gifts is cheap blackmail. We will not dignify them with more response.”

  • Activist threatens to sue expatriate for racial abuse

    A woman activist, Ms Abigail Kakyes, has threatened to sue an expatriate firm, Bollore Africa Nigeria Limited, over what she described as ‘unlawful termination of appointment’ and ‘violation of her rights’.

    Kakyes, who was the former Assistant Manager, Customer Service of the company in Lagos, is demanding for an apology and a sum of N100 million as damages for the ‘wrongful termination’ of her appointment.

    In a letter written to the Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer of the expatriate firm through her solicitors, Akinremi A. Fabunmi & Co., and made available to THE NATION in Jos, Kakayes alleged that she was harassed, racially abused, victimised and sacked for ‘no just cause’ by the firm.

    “Our client whilst in this employment, at a certain period knew no rest, to the extent that she would be addressed in negative terms as ‘Black Monkey, moron and so on. After sometime, advances were made at our client by her former boss in Kano of which she declined and was termed ‘Miss High quality’ and thereafter victimised all with the aim to force her into leaving the firm, “ the letter alleged.

    According to her, while on leave in July this year, she carried out some philanthropic activities at Dogo Nahawa village in Jos, where over 300 people were allegedly massacred in March 2010, by donating to the victims.

    But that when she notified the expatriate firm of the gesture, she was instead queried and suspended for six weeks against the firm’s rules of two weeks.

    Kakyes, who is the Chairperson, Project-Do-It-Yourself, a non-governmental organization, claimed that on completing the suspension, her appointment was subsequently terminated even when she thought the gesture offered at Dogo Nahawa was to portray the company as being caring and putting back into the Nigerian community after 13 years of the company’s operations in Nigeria.

    Contacted, the Managing Director, Bollore Africa Nigeria Limited, Mr Tranchenpain Jean-Christophe, declined comments, but directed our correspondent to the company’s lawyer, one Mrs. A. Adebanke, who also declined to speak, saying “the issue is in court.”