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Tag: Vandals

  • How to fight war against pipeline vandals in Nigeria – Chevron engineer

    How to fight war against pipeline vandals in Nigeria – Chevron engineer

    With over 20 years in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, Idowu David, an expert mechanical engineer and thought leader, discusses solutions to pipeline vandalism, safety lapses, and regulatory gaps. In this interview, he advocates for digital tools, community involvement, modern infrastructure, and sustained Corporate Social Responsibility, drawing from his experience with Chevron and technical expertise in pipeline welding and facility management. Excerpts:

    In your experience, what are the main causes of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in Nigeria, and what measures can be taken to address them?

    Having worked in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector for over two decades, I’ve come to understand that pipeline vandalism and oil theft are rooted in both socio-economic and infrastructural issues. Unemployment, poverty, and a feeling of marginalisation among host communities often contribute to these problems. Technically, the sheer length and isolation of many pipeline networks make them susceptible to illegal tapping and damage.

    To combat this, I believe a multi-layered strategy is required. The use of real-time monitoring technologies such as drones, SCADA systems, and smart sensors can greatly enhance our ability to detect and respond to breaches quickly. Equally important is involving local communities by employing residents as surveillance contractors. When people have a stake in protecting the infrastructure around them, they are less likely to harm it. Moreover, both government and oil companies must prioritise visible and sustained community development to bridge the gap between expectations and reality.

     From your technical background in pipeline welding and maintenance, how can Nigeria enhance pipeline security and integrity?

    Pipeline integrity, from a technical standpoint, begins with quality materials, precision fabrication, and strict maintenance. Unfortunately, many pipelines in Nigeria have exceeded their designed lifespan without proper refurbishment.

    To improve this, we must invest in upgrading pipeline infrastructure with corrosion-resistant materials and advanced welding methods like automated orbital welding, which offers consistent, tamper-resistant joints. Regular inspections using intelligent pigging technology can help detect weaknesses early. It is also vital to train and empower more local technicians with the skills needed to handle modern repair techniques. Building this local capacity is key to ensuring sustainable improvements in pipeline safety and reliability.

    What impact do you anticipate the removal of petroleum subsidies will have on fuel storage and distribution from a technical and safety perspective?

    Removing petroleum subsidies will likely lead to more competition and efficiency in the downstream sector. However, it also presents risks, particularly the temptation among some operators to cut corners on safety to reduce costs.

    There will be a growing need for tighter regulatory oversight to ensure storage facilities and distribution fleets adhere to international safety standards. To safeguard lives and property, investments in depot modernisation, reliable product testing, and robust inventory management will be essential. I also foresee a need for clearer safety guidelines and closer collaboration between regulators and industry stakeholders to protect the public and the environment.

    How can Nigeria reduce the frequent tanker explosions and fires on its roads?

    From my experience, many of these tragic incidents are avoidable. Common causes include poorly maintained vehicles, overloading, and untrained drivers.

    Mandatory annual inspections for all petroleum tankers should be enforced. Drivers must be properly trained in safety procedures and emergency response. Tankers should meet strict roadworthiness standards and be equipped with GPS tracking and driver fatigue monitoring systems to reduce human error. Public awareness campaigns along transport routes can also help communities understand how to respond in emergencies, potentially saving lives.

    Based on your background in HVAC and facility management, what improvements can the oil and gas sector make in workplace safety and operational efficiency?

    Workplace safety in the oil and gas sector can be significantly enhanced by improving air quality and ventilation—particularly in confined spaces where dangerous gases may build up.

    Installing smart HVAC systems with gas detectors, auto shut-off valves, and predictive maintenance tools can help ensure equipment is running safely and efficiently. Regular facility audits, emergency drills, and ongoing employee training are all crucial in fostering a culture where safety comes first. A proactive approach not only prevents accidents but also improves overall operational performance.

    From your experience with safety compliance, what are the main gaps in Nigeria’s oil and gas safety regulations, and how might they be addressed?

    One of the most pressing issues is inconsistent enforcement of existing regulations, often due to limited capacity within regulatory agencies. There is also a lack of localised safety standards that reflect Nigeria’s specific environmental and socio-economic context.

    To address this, I recommend reviewing and updating safety codes in collaboration with stakeholders. Training inspectors, improving reporting systems through digital platforms, and offering incentives for voluntary adherence to higher safety standards would all help foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

    How can the use of digital tools and predictive maintenance improve safety and reliability in the Nigerian oil and gas industry?

    The integration of digital technologies like IoT sensors, AI-based predictive maintenance, and real-time data analytics has the potential to revolutionise how we maintain equipment.

    Rather than waiting for something to break, these tools allow us to anticipate problems and carry out timely interventions, which reduces downtime and enhances safety. In an environment like Nigeria where reactive maintenance is still prevalent, embracing a predictive maintenance culture could significantly reduce equipment failure and improve both safety and efficiency.

    Based on your experience working with Chevron, how would you assess the company’s role in corporate social responsibility and community development?

    From my years working with Chevron, I’ve witnessed the company’s commitment to capacity building, local content development, and health initiatives. For example, Chevron built a medical waste incinerator for the Lagos State Government in Epe. I have been responsible for about 60% of the plant’s operations and maintenance under our Facility Management team since 2009.

    Their Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) model has been particularly impactful, giving host communities a voice in determining their development priorities. Chevron has also contributed to educational programmes, skill acquisition schemes, and environmental protection. While there is still more to be done in terms of inclusiveness, their efforts stand out and have set an example for others in the industry.

     Pipeline leakage and underground pollution—what advice would you offer in situations like the one in Baruwa, Lagos?

    The situation in Baruwa, where leaking pipelines have polluted groundwater, is a serious reminder of the urgent need for infrastructure renewal. The government must act swiftly to replace old pipelines with modern, corrosion-resistant alternatives.

    Equally important is empowering communities to play an active role in protecting these pipelines through initiatives such as Community Pipeline Protection programmes. Establishing local environmental health monitoring teams can help detect issues early. For residents already affected, access to clean water, soil remediation, and fair compensation must be prioritised. Lastly, environmental regulations should be updated to hold both vandals and negligent operators accountable.

     Can you tell us a bit about your personal background and what led you into the oil and gas industry?

    I was born and raised in Aiyetoro City, Yewa North Local Government Area in Ogun State. As a child, I was always curious about how machines worked. At the age of 12, I began an apprenticeship in welding and mechanical engineering. That early exposure to hands-on technical work laid the foundation for my career.

    Over the years, I’ve developed a deep passion for mechanical systems particularly pipeline welding, fabrication, HVAC systems, and facility management. My experience with HVAC mechanical systems has equipped me with the skills to ensure proper ventilation, climate control, and workplace safety in complex industrial environments. It complements my core expertise and plays a vital role in supporting health, safety, and operational efficiency.

    One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that success in this industry demands constant learning. As technology evolves, so must we. I remain committed to professional growth, and I take pride in mentoring others and contributing to a safer, more efficient oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

  • Vandals destroy rebuilt towers along Damaturu-Maiduguri line

    Vandals destroy rebuilt towers along Damaturu-Maiduguri line

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Sunday, July 7, said that vandals have destroyed two towers along Damaturu-Maiduguri line.

    This was contained in a press statement its Public Affairs, General Manager, Ndidi Mbah issued.

    She said: “The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, hereby states that two of its towers, T193 and T194, along the Damaturu -Maiduguri  330kV Single Circuit Transmission Line have again been destroyed by vandals.”

    The incident, she said, TCN believes happened at about 10:15pm, yesterday night, when the 150MVA power transformer at Molai Substation tripped at the same time as the 330kV transmission line supplying bulk power to Maiduguri from Damaturu Transmission Substation.

    The statement also noted that after the line tripping, efforts were made by TCN engineers to close the Mulai – Damaturu line to enable bulk transmission of electricity, which failed repeatedly. 

    Mbah further said early on Sunday, however, TCN lines engineers along with security operatives patrolled the line and discovered that towers 193 and 194 along the 330kV transmission line were brought down using an explosive device, whose fragments are scattered at the site of the incident.

    Read Also: Troops nab 47 rail track ‘vandals’ in Kaduna

    TCN revealed that the area affected by this incident is Maiduguri and its environs. 

    It recalled that that on the 28th of December, 2023, towers T193, T194 and T195, were destroyed on 28th December, 2023 using similar improvised Explosives IEDs.

     Two out of the towers in question, said Mbah, “are the towers affected by yesterday’s vandalism attack, which were rebuilt after that incident.

    TCN is currently assessing the situation with the view to deciding on the best approach to ensuring the temporary restoration of the power supply while a contractor is mobilized to rebuild the two transmission towers. 

    “We will continue to do everything possible with the assistance of security operatives to protect our transmission towers and we are also calling upon the government and well-meaning Nigerians to join in the fight against the destruction of our collective national assets.”

  • Gas, vandals and TCN

    Gas, vandals and TCN

    There are sundry woes besetting the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in its operations by which it feeds the national power grid. Consequently, power supply in most parts of the country has been severely epileptic.

    Prolonged blackout occasioned by grid failure hobbled the nation early last week following many days of fitful energy supply that the transmission company blamed on constraints in gas supply available to the thermal generating companies. Coincidentally, Nigeria is in dry climactic season when water levels available to hydro stations are at lowest ebb. TCN spokesperson, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, said in a recent statement that shortfall in gas supply to the thermal stations had depleted output from those stations and impacted bulk power available on the transmission grid for onward transmission to the distribution load centres nationwide. According to her, the transmission firm is collaborating with sectoral stakeholders to ensure the grid keeps running despite the low level of power currently being generated into the system. “Consequent upon the current load on the grid, load distributed to the distribution load centres have also reduced as TCN can only transmit what is generated,” she stated inter alia.

    Read Also: How Herbert Wigwe helped in building RCCG City of David, by Iluyomade

    TCN also said it was contending with hoodlums vandalising its transmission assets in parts of the country. Mbah, in another statement, said TCN’s tower number 388 along the Jos-Bauchi 132 Kilo Volt (kV) single circuit transmission line was vandalised, resulting in its collapse and power outages in Yobe and Borno states. The incident was suspected to have occurred on February 1st. A line trip in Jos, according to her, prompted an investigation by enlisted security operatives who found remnants of explosives detonated by vandals by tower legs, which had caused the tower to collapse. The spokesperson further said the February 1st incident replicated another on December 21st, 2023, that brought down towers T372 and T373 along the Gombe-Damaturu 330kV single circuit transmission line. The towers were only fully restored on February 2nd after TCN engaged one of its contractors to quickly mobilise to site to commence reconstruction and restringing of the affected line and tower. “It is pertinent to note that the continuous vandalism and theft of power equipment is a constant setback to ongoing implementation of the transmission system expansion plan. This is because funds earmarked for grid expansion are usually diverted as a matter of emergency to repair vandalised power infrastructure, and sometimes to avert grid collapse,” Mbah said.

    While the challenges faced by TCN are understandable, they do not assuage expectations among Nigerians of improved power supply. The transmission company cannot throw up its hands and whine about challenges. It is its duty to overcome those challenges, however it will, and deliver power to consumers. No amount of excuses will relieve it of that responsibility, so it has to shape up.

  • Enugu DISCO to punish vandals

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has said it will prosecute any of its workers indulging in corrupt practices.

    It also said there would be no hiding place for those sabotaging power supply through the vandalisation of its infrastructure.

    This came amid complaints from customers that some officials of the EEDC were asking for money, ranging from N20,000 to N30,000, to install pre-paid meters.

    The allegation and high estimated billing topped complaints at the company’s customers’ forum at the weekend in Enugu.

    EEDC’s Head of Communications Mr. Chukwuemeka Ezeh said the company had launched a whistle-blowing policy against corrupt officials.

    He said: “Our meter is free; the installation is also free. So, anyone demanding money from customers is a fraudster and should be treated as such.”

    The spokesman said the customers’ forum “is part of EEDC’s engagement strategy to reach out to its customers, intimate them of activities of the company, feel their pulse on the quality of service and also address their concerns”.

    Ezeh listed some of the projects EEDC had embarked on to improve the quality of service to customers.

    He said these include “asset registration and customer enumeration, massive metering of its customers, de-loading of feeders, construction of new feeders, deployment of relief transformers, construction and upgrading of injection substations”.

    Ezeh urged EEDC’s customers “to be vigilant and protect the electrical installations within their neighbourhood from vandals”.

    EEDC’s Head of Audit and Compliance Mr. Ade Odunmbaku said the company “looks into corruption very seriously; however, most customers encourage this because they are always in a hurry”.

     

  • Firm confirms arrest of four suspected vandals

    MANAGEMENT of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) has confirmed the arrest of four suspected vandals in Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

    Corporate Communications Manager Mr. John Onyi told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket yesterday that members of a vigilance group apprehended the suspects.

    He said they were caught  trying to steal the company’s armoured cables on May 4.

    Onyi, who decried the spate of transformer vandalism in Eket, hailed the vigilance group for the good work.

    He said 13 armoured cables had been vandalised in Eket and Ikot Abasi local governments in the last two months.

    Onyi attributed the epileptic power supply to vandalism of sub-stations in Eket and solicited the cooperation of the community in providing security for PHEDC’s facilities.

    “There is nothing the PHEDC management can do. The community should tighten security around the firm’s facilities, to avoid vandalism.

    “We will write to the State Security Service and Police commissioner that it is the duty of the community to protect its facilities against vandalism.”

    He said every community should have a chairman, whose responsibility should be to take care of PHEDC’s facilities.

    Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Eket Mr. Bello Zaurah confirmed the arrest, saying the culprits were being prosecuted.

  • Civil Defence apprehends suspected rustler, vandals

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto State has apprehended a suspected cattle rustler, Aliyu Danzuru, the Commandant, Mr. Babangida Dutsinma, has said.

    He told reporters yesterday in Sokoto that the corps also nabbed two suspected cable vandals: Shehu Ibrahim, and Abubakar Sani.

    Dutsinma said the arrest of Danzuru, who had been on security watch, followed a tip off on March 24.

    He said Danzuru was popular among bandits and was said to have masterminded cow rustling in Raba Local Government and its environs.

    The commandant said Danzuru led the corps to apprehend the gang’s arms supplier, Alhaji Yale, who died after in hospitalised following high blood pressure.

    He said before Yale’s death, four locally-made rifles, ammunition and machetes were recovered from his home.

    Dutsinma said the deceased refused to say where he got the AK 47 rifles mentioned by Danzuru.

    He said Danzuru had named eight gang members: Babangida Audu, Amadu Bello, Isa Kusar-Hausawa, Jammu Kusar-Fulani, Basiru Bello, Gyade Dutesen-Kusra, Lawwali Kusar Gobirawa and Salisu Hanci.

    The commandant said the suspects were residents of settlements in Raba Local Government.

    He said the arrest was made possible by the joint security agencies against kidnapping and cattle rustling.

    Dutsinma said Ibrahim and Sani were apprehended on the same day, with cables stolen from installations on Raba-Sokoto Road.

    He said investigation was on. The commandant enjoined the people to give security agencies information to assist them in their duties.

    NSCDC in Ondo State has pledged zero tolerance for pipeline vandalism on government facilities.

    The Commandant, Mr. Pedro Awili, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Akure that the command would protect government’s assets and infrastructure, while making the state crime free.

    He said: “Our target in the first quarter of the year is to consolidate on the activities we carried out last year.

    “We gave ourselves the target of ensuring that there is very little or no vandalism in respect of pipeline and critical assets and infrastructures of the government.

    “We want to ensure that there is no more vandalism of high tension cable, transformers and other installations of the government.

    “We have achieved these by deploying our men in the nooks and crannies of the state, especially at the local government.”

    Awili said clashes between herdsmen and farmers had reduced due to intervention by men of the corps.

    “Those perpetrating crime should leave the state or face the wrath of the law,” he added.

  • Fed Govt to go tough on highway vandals

    The Federal Government may have concluded plans to arrest  criminals terrorising users of the  road, The Nation has learnt.

    Sources close said the government was not happy with the artificial portholes and gullies  on the roads created by vandals with intent to rob.

    One of the sources, a Manager with the Federal Emergency Roads Management Authority (FERMA), said as part of the plan, the government summoned the authority’s chief executive officer.

    The manager, who declined to be mentioned, said the government was worried at the rate highway vandals were destroying street lights and bridges that the government spent huge amount on their repairs.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, directed that that people who illegally occupy the federal roads and highways should vacate them

    He said the government would arrest those destroying public assets, especially roads.

    The minister said the Federal Government was concerned with the deplorable state of its roads  sometimes caused by the activities of vandals.

    Fashola said: “The government has come up with a law to stop vandalism of equipment and other unwholesome practices on the highways. Very soon, the government will enforce the law with a view to arresting some culprits and also deter others.”

    He said government, for now, is leveraging Information and  Communication Technology (ICT) facilities, such as android phones, digital cameras to deal with the situation.

    “Recently, we informed government officials to capture the faces of anybody found damaging federal roads with the aid of their phones and report the matter to designated agencies or departments under the Federal Ministry of Works. When the issues are reported to us, we will prosecute the offenders,” Fashola added.

    According to him, the government has set up what he described as “Right of Way Public Committee,” stressing that the committee has started work.

  • Navy uncovers new vandals’ haven

    •1,330 fuel-laden kegs recovered 

    •I am not aware of it, says Topline boss

    Nigerian Navy (NN) operatives at the weekend uncovered a new pipeline vandals’ haven around Atlas Cove Island in Lagos.

    Ilado, Ilashe, Corner Loss, Sarkin Juju and Idi Mangoro  were raided on Thursday and Friday, after the Navy monitored the area for about three weeks.

    It was gathered that a resident on the Island tipped off naval personnel about activities of vandals, who had vandalised the pipeline flowing from Atlas Cove to Mosimi.

    The Nation gathered that the vandals were in collusion with officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the private security firm contracted by the government to safeguard the pipelines in the theft.

    During an on-the-spot assessment of the areas on Saturday, it was observed that the vandals constructed bunkers  and lived among the locals.

    Also observed were lorry tracks, charms, hundreds of empty jerry cans tied together and packed inside sacs.

    Briefing reporters after a tour, the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Maurice Eno said on December 14, a detachment of personnel raided the locations and discovered a storage facility having over 1500 jerry cans.

    He said: “One thousand, three hundred and thirty (1,330) contained products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) believed to have been siphoned from the NNPC pipelines laid on the island.

    “At the time of the raid, no person was found on the storage facility. The product was evacuated to NNS BEECROFT. The team also discovered the siphoning points where valves were connected by the vandals to steal the product.

    “It is pertinent to note that the NNPC pipelines laid on Atlas Cove Island are under the supervision and care of Top Line Security Limited/ Kings Guard Security Company. It is opined that these heinous acts may not have gone unnoticed by these private security outfits.

    “The Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is committed to assisting NNPC deal with the issue of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

    “Pipeline vandals and other criminal elements particularly in our maritime environment are warned to desist from the acts and pursue lawful means of livelihood. Otherwise, they will surely be brought to justice. The crude products would be handed over to NNPC.”

    Contacted, the Administrative Officer of Topline Security, John Udeme said he was unaware of the development.

    He said: “I am not aware that vandals were operating there. I am not aware the security men on ground were colluding with vandals. I have contacted our officer in Lagos but I haven’t gotten a clear picture yet. You are the one that has given me this information and we would investigate it.”

  • Vandals at the court gate

    Stained judges, preening from the Bench, are akin to barbarians sacking the Rome of Justice.

    Yet, that’s the path of self-ruin the National Judicial Council (NJC) is treading.

    Vandals at the gate of Rome — that echoes the Goth siege to Rome, preceding the 410 AD sacking of the city.

    By 476 AD came final eclipse: the Barbarian Flavius Odovacer, of Germanic descent, sacked Romanus Augustulus, the last emperor of Western Roman Empire; and named himself king of Italy.

    Why did the Rome, of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and Augustus Caesar, it of the famously proud citizen-army, wilt so badly?

    Once lean and vigorous, Rome became soft and soggy.  Its citizens, pumped full of empire gravy, became too soft to fight.

    So Barbarians (non-citizens), soon peopled its army, as fighting serfs.  In due course, the conqueror became the conquered — thus ended classical Rome, after 500 years; though its Middle Ages variant would not expire until 1453, when the Ottomans killed Constantine XI Palaiologo in battle.

    The Judiciary, under the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, appears merrily baiting a Rome-like ruin.

    Like Ancient Rome, the Nigerian judiciary of Taslim Elias, Chukwudifu Oputa, Kayode Esho and other greats, hitherto a glittering star among peers, is getting so flabby it doesn’t even recognize its core of straight-and-narrow.

    In a throwback to the classical tragedy, severe gift from Greece and Rome, the judiciary, suffused with sleaze and rumours of sleaze, is about committing institutional suicide. For that, however, polite society would pay a hefty price.

    Proof?  Look no farther than the June 1 National Judicial Commission (NJC) order, that indicted judges return to their courts.

    Emerging from its 82nd meeting, the NJC, with CJN Onnoghen presiding, had ordered heads of courts to recall judges, indicted for alleged sleaze but yet to be formally charged, six months after the media brouhaha over a “sting” operation by DSS.

    That looks more like a grudge call against DSS and the judges’ pre-trial media-roasting; than a wise decision to preserve the sanctity and integrity of the judiciary.

    The beneficiary judges: Justice John Inyang Okoro (Supreme Court), Justice Uwani Abba Aji (Court of Appeal), Justice Hydiazira A. Nganjiwa and Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court) and Justice Agbadu James Fishim (National Industrial Court).  The high court has discharged and acquitted Justice Ademola, though the prosecution has signified it would appeal the verdict.

    With no prejudice to the innocence or guilt of the affected judges, that they sit in almost every cadre of courts is a piquant symbol of how much the judiciary has fallen in public perception, as some rarefied house of graft.

    Which makes it all the more surprising — NJC pushing all that aside, and assuming an arch-legalistic view, on a matter that has scaled the narrow precincts of the courts into a burning moral matter, in the public space.

    All the judges may well be innocent.  Indeed, the Nigerian court system presumes they are, until duly convicted by a competent court.

    But the courts themselves are no fiat from space.  They are a creation of society: a set of legal Leviathans created by law, to adjudicate disputes and punish crime. Remove that societal moral cover, and all the courts, with their arcane procedures and scholarship, become hollow jokes.

    If that would affect judges and lawyers alone, it would be fair comeuppance for NJC’s rashness.  As the Yoruba would say, you don’t counsel a wilful child against growing crooked fore-teeth.  The paralyzingly ugliness would impress him soon enough!

    Rather, it is the sad case of a wayward child, whose rascality soon entraps his community in avoidable ruin.

    The moment the docked — many of them hardened criminals — start a tragic huff, taking His Lordship on a biting tutorial in moral rectitude and integrity, polite society would have lost it!  Sad!

    Still, it is amazing how NJC actions, since the era of CJN Alloysius Katsina-Alu, continue to reinforce the good old aphorism that a fish rots right from the head.

    Under CJN Katsina-Alu, NJC was the illicit special duty vehicle (SPV), used to hound a straight-and-narrow jurist, Justice Ayo Salami, from his Court of Appeal presidency.

    His crime?  His court’s audacity to return stolen governorships from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vote-heisting machine, to which the normally feckless Goodluck Jonathan presidency took terrible exception, and for which an innocent and dutiful man must pay with his career.

    Under CJN Onnoghen, the NJC appears being forged into another SPV to give judges, facing allegations of graft, some judicial bolster, under crass legalism.

    It’s way down the nadir, from those lofty heights of 2007, when former CJN, Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, beatified the NJC with that singular honour of recommending the electoral chief, a power his Electoral Review Panel wanted taken from the president.  What forlorn hope, given NJC’s later actions!

    Their Lordships, with the equally misguided Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which pushed, and has been trumpeting support for this outrage, probably fancy themselves hoisting their own brand of judicial dictatorship, over long-suffering and long-abused Nigerians.  What hubris!

    The Buhari presidency do should everything lawful to redress this outrage.  Neither should the rest of society rest, until these judges are kept from court, pending the time they are cleared by the judicial system.

    That is the due process they swore to.  That is the due process they must abide by.  Any other way is not only unwise, it is a fast track to anarchy.

     

    Biafra, Oodua and allied acolytes (6 June 2017)

    Reader: Good morning.  I’ve been reading your pieces in The Nation for long; and in fact came to the conclusion that you’re the only one of its columnists, who is not a hatchet writer.  But today’s piece shattered that assumption.  You also crossed the line by simply being disrespectful of Okurounmu’s age, even if he was a demagogue.  It’s obvious you took sides with Tinubu in this issue of 2014 national conference.  This is sad and not to your credit. You could still canvass your opinion on the old man’s interview without insulting him.  Cheers — Olakunle Tajudeen

    Ripples: Thank you for your remarks.  But you know, the issue is in the public space.  Elders should be wise and not say stuff that would endanger their people, even when they themselves feel they are secure.  Yoruba youths live everywhere, not the least in the North.  When an elder dubs a whole people “Yoruba enemy”, then some counter voice of reason should prevail.  I didn’t insult the old man.  I only faithfully described what he did.  If he was innocent, that shouldn’t rankle anyone.  As for supporting or opposing Tinubu, that’s no crime the last time I checked.  But if you have been reading my pieces as you said, you should have known I’m a person of conviction, and names, to me, don’t really matter.  Only logic does.  Still, thanks for your comment.

  • Vandals of Abuja

    Vandals of Abuja

    The theft of electricity facilities has put the authorities at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in quite a fix, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU.

    ‘We are still battling with vandals, whose activities are interrupting the seamless flow of traffic planned by the administration for the city. On the average, the FCTA replaces traffic lights three times a year, because when we replace a vandalised traffic light, the vandals come back to vandalise again and again’

    Since thieves turned their attention to electricity fittings in the nation’s capital, the authorities have been worried. The administrators have an obligation to light up the city but the vandals are making things difficult. The city is thrown into darkness, increasing the frequency of not just regular crimes but also even hit and run incidents.

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has decried the development, saying traffic light components are frequently stolen and vandalised, triggering traffic challenges in the capital city.

    In particular, the administration while expressing serious concern over the situation, revealed that on the average it replaces traffic lights three times in a year, which costs as much as N15 million to install at a single road intersection in the city.

    Making this point during a press briefing in his office, the Acting Secretary of FCT Transport Secretariat, Suleiman Abdulha-mid declared that the Administration is doing all within its powers to contain the menace.

    He said, “We are still battling with vandals, whose activities are interrupting the seamless flow of traffic planned by the administration for the city. On the average the FCTA replaces traffic lights three times in a year, because when we replace a vandalised traffic light, the vandals come back to vandalise again and again.”

    He disclosed that in the last two years, the Ministerial Task Force on Environmental and Traffic Matters has helped to ensure seamless traffic flow in the city as well as checkmating the activities of hit and run drivers, who are notorious in destroying installed traffic facilities. The secretary further stated that with the assistance of a standby Maintenance Team created by the Department of Traffic Management the Secretariat carried out routine monitoring and maintenance of all traffic light installations in the city and its environs.

    He said the secretariat also converted all the traffic light signals from Light Emitting Diodes (LED) to solar power system, which ensures constant availability of power; adding that since the conversion, calm seems to have been restored to the infrastructure.

    “We have put in place other traffic improvement measures to ensure the safety and orderly flow of traffic in the city. These include road markings, installation of traffic signs and signals, installation of delineators and other traffic control devices. Others are; provision of cat-eye road signs, construction of bus shelters, installation of red light cameras, removal of speed bumps where necessary, etc,” he stressed.

    A total of 7,833 motorists were apprehended by the officials of FCT Directorate Road Traffic Services (DRTS) otherwise known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) for traffic light defiance and other traffic rules and regulation violations in the Territory.

    According to the Director, Road Traffic Services, Wadata Aliyu Bobdinga, who made the revelation while delivering its performance report for January–December, 2016, also said no fewer than1,547 motorcycles and 199 tricycles were impounded for violating the restriction bans, while 65 illegal car marts and 66 unlicensed car wash centres were dislodged. Furthermore, he revealed that DRTS generated a total of N1, 988,121,017.81.

    In a related development, the FCT Administration has so far paid the sum of N57.6 billion to contractors handling various projects in the Federal Capital Territory in the areas of water provision, roads and railway construction as well as health, education and environmental sanitation structures and services.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello disclosed this during a press briefing, saying there has been a massive return of contractors to site following these payments.

    The Minister who spoke through the Director of Treasury, Malam Isiaku Ismaila said the Administration put in place strategic plans to ensure that all on-going projects that conform to the Abuja Master were completed.

    According to him, indigenous contractors who were owed N100 million and below have all been paid, especially those with matured bills that were provided for in the statutory budget, adding that funding for these payments were mobilised through transparency, diligent and judicious management of funds without leakages in the system.

    He said, “627 indigenous contractors being owed N100m and below, who have matured bills and which provisions were made in the statutory budget were paid the sum of N6.9b in the last quarter of 2016.  Another N3.3b billion has been paid to 403 other contractors with bills less than 100 million in the first quarter of 2017’.

    “Happily, from the last quarter of 2016 to the first quarter of 2017, the number of liability is coming down, in fact more than 50 per cent because there were some that their bills were not matured as at the time we were making payments in December. So, we felt that every contractor within the statutory year who has been able to perform and shown good faith on site is able to raise bills’.

    He added that Road construction, city cleaning and environmental sanitation are being given adequate attention by the current FCT Administration as they are seen as very critical to the capital city.

    The Minister also disclosed that funds have been fully released for the health insurance scheme of all FCTA workers, while all counterpart funds have been appropriately paid to development partners of the FCTA.

    Bello said the FCT Administration has also taken very seriously the issue of Pensioners’ outstanding arrears which he said have been paid up-to-date. ‘The current FCT Administration so far has released some N2.3 billion for this purpose. All forms of entitlements to retirees under the FCT Administration have been paid up to date with no arrears at all’.

    “The FCT Administration has also reinvigorated the school feeding programme. Some N980m has been disbursed towards feeding of students under the FCT Secondary Education Board.”

    He disclosed that in order to access funds for counterpart projects in the FCT, the Administration has so far made payments of N2.4 billion being part of its obligation to on-going counterpart projects.

    Malam Bello revealed the FCT Administration has so far released the sum of N7.009 billion to contractors handling the Abuja light rail project, adding that the first phase of this project would be completed and ready for use by January 2018.