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Tag: warns

  • ACN warns against extortion of contractors

    The Action Congress of Nigeria, (A C N), has condemned the harassment and extortion of contractors working in various parts of Lagos by communities and area boys. This, the A C N said, was inimical to the growth and progress of the state.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe, the party expressed worries over persistent complaints of increasing harassment and extortion of contractors handling roads,drainage,bridges by communities in collaboration with street urchins.

    “In recent times, we have been receiving worrying reports of unrestrained harassment by contractors working for the Lagos State government; that host communities where they are working are putting undue pressure and impediments on their works and this has got to a stage that government projects are stalled as a result of the inability of contractors to meet the indecent demands of the host communities,” Igbokwe said.

    He added: “An agency of the Lagos State government in charge of optic fibre technology has reported consistent running battles with communities, area boys, Community DevelopmentAssociations (CDAs), resident associations, estates and even prominent Lagos residents that impede on its works in their areas, which involve laying of facilities for improved network, until certain fees are negotiated and paid.

    ” We have a letter from the Magodo Residents’ Association to the Telecoms Infrastructure Development Limited, a contractor handling the laying of fiber optic cables for MTN Nigeria. The Magodo Residents’ Association is demanding N500,000 for work permit to lay fibre optic cables in the state.”

    “Lagos ACN warns those engaged in this act to desist henceforth as the government is taking due cognizance of this and will come down hard on any group or community sabotaging the realization of the lofty dreams of the Lagos State government for Lagosians,”the party warns.

  • PDP chief Onwe warns Tukur against flouting court orders

    PDP chief Onwe warns Tukur against flouting court orders

    Lawyers to the former acting National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Solomon Onwe have warned the party’s National Chairman Bamanga Tukur against flouting court order’s following his removal from office.

    Onwe lost his position to the recent forced mass resignation of some of the PDP national officials following the disapproval of their election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In a letter to Tukur, by Ajibola Oluyede Jonathan of the International Commercial Lawyers & Arbitrators, Onwe said his removal was in contempt of a court.

    The Federal High Court, Lagos, on April 19 ruled that, “ The 1st Contempnor ( Tukur, Chairman, PDP, representing the party) shall purge itself of contempt of this order by confirming the appointment of the alleged 2nd contemptnor (Barrister Solomon Onwe), as Acting Secretary of the party and retain him in that position until a new National Secretary is nominated from the Southwest zonal congress and elected in accordance with the constitution of the party.”

    Onwe’s letter warned: “It is, therefore, imperative if the various steps being taken by the party to remedy perceived irregularities is to amount to anything, that Dr. (Remi) Akinloye be removed immediately and Mr. Solomon Onwe returned to his position as Acting National Secretary in compliance with the court order”, adding that Onwe only “resigned from his substantive office as Deputy National Secretary( which was one of the positions INEC queried) and not from the office (of National Secretary) which he was merely on an acting capacity”.

    He said the appointment of Dr. Akinloye to replace him was null and void.

    The letter reads: “Therefore, any activity of the party in which Dr. Akinloye participates will also be a nullity, including the forthcoming Southwest Zonal Congress/ Special National Convention.”

    The letter, which was copied to President Goodluck Jonathan, INEC chief Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman, PDP Special Convention Prof. Jerry Gana and Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees Chief Tony Anenih, added that: “Onwe is expected to act as Acting National Secretary until a new nominee from the Southwest Zone of the party is produced to take the position substantively…in order to avoid further citation of party officers for contempt of court and to establish a valid premise for the forthcoming Special National Convention”.

    Onwe was elected Deputy National Secretary (Southeast) at the last PDP convention in Abuja but was later appointed Acting National Secretary after the election of the former substantive secretary, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was nullified by the court.

  • Flood: Lagos warns residents

    A piece of advice came yesterday from the Lagos State Government for residents of some flood-prone communities. They should seek refuge elsewhere for fear of floods.

    The advice was issued for residents of Ajegunle, Owode-Onirin, Owode-Elelede, Kuramo Beach, Alpha Beach, Okun-Mapo, Okun Ajah, Mende in Maryland, Ijora-Badia and Iwaya, among others.

    Commissioner for The Environment Mr Tunji Bello, who gave the advice, specifically urged those living on flood plains, low-line areas and other riverside areas to be extremely careful in the coming months.

    He said: “As we approach the second half of the year, Lagos residents are being alerted to prepare for high-intensity rains with accompanying wind and thunderstorm from the month of July,” the commissioner said in a statement by Mr Fola Adeyemi, a director in the ministry.

    The government’s warning came on the heels of a Nigeria Meteorological (NIMET) report, which lists Lagos was listed among other states prone to heavy flooding this year.

    Besides, it was part of the precautionary measures being adopted by the state to sensitise Lagosians ahead of the peak of the rainy season.

    He further said: “As the intensity of the rain increases in July, Lagosians are advised not to panic whenever it rains as they will start to experience accumulated water concentration on some parts of the roads and highways, depending on the intensity of the rains.

    “Lagosians are, however, assured that the accumulated water will recede in no time.”

    According to the commissioner, the downpour since January has raised the water level in the state, thus weakening the retention capacity of the soil.

    Bello, however, assured that whatever level of flash floods recorded during the rains, will gradually be discharged within 24 hours after, adding that the drainage channels had been cleared to accommodate large volumes of storm water.

    The commissioner explained that Lagos, being a coastal state, cannot but be susceptible to flash floods anytime there is torrential rainfall, adding: “However, what is of utmost importance to this administration is to ensure that whatever flash flood experienced is effectively discharged through the channels that have been dredged and cleaned up in anticipation of this year’s rain.

    “Lagos residents are further encouraged to relate effectively with deployed resident engineers and drainage maintenance officers whose phone numbers were recently published in the print and electronic media, for the public to alert them whenever they have flooding challenges.”

    The commissioner urged Lagosians to be safety-conscious in the days ahead, advising them to avoid going out during the rains except when compulsory.

    Restating that his ministry had intensified its mid-rain cleaning and maintenance programme, Bello assured all that the government would not to relent until zero tolerance is attained on flooding.

  • State of Emergency: Senator warns Fed Govt against using state funds

    THE Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hassan Barata yesterday warned the Federal Government against spending funds belonging to states under emergency rule.

    Barata who represents Adamawa South in the Upper Chamber, told The Nation in Abuja that he is opposed to the declaration of state of emergency in Adamawa State.

    He said that leaders from Adamawa State were made to believe that the state would be used as a “buffer zone” to trap insurgents and Boko Haram members fleeing from Borno and Yobe States during the emergency rule.

    The lawmaker however called on the Federal Government to restore telephone services in the Adamawa to ease business activities.

    Barata said: “The position of the Northern Senators Forum is that the funds from these states should not be touched and when you look at our votes and proceedings of that particular time the Senate President in his own report of our executive session said we have all agreed that the money from the states should not be touched.

    “We were surprised about all the things that happened later. Based on the agreement we had at the executive session that the money should not be touched, we thought that our agreement will reflect in the emergency law.

    “But later we learnt that our Senate version is saying that we have allowed the President to use the states money, which was not so.

    “You know when you are talking about a version in a situation like this you always talk about what you have discussed and it is not necessary for you to read the complete version.

    “But as far as you have discussed this thing with someone and agreed on something and he said the other side has adopted your version based on your agreement, it is not something you can go back again and say you have not agreed. This is our problem…”

  • Fashola warns against food wastage

    LAGOSIANS were yesterday warned against food wastage.

    Governor Babatunde Fashola gave the advice during the celebration of the World Environment Day at the Blue Roof Hall, LTV8, Ikeja.

    The theme of the event was: “Think, Eat, Save”.

    Fashola, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said food wastage has financial and environmental impacts.

    He said: “Food wastage leads to the squandering of resources, such as fertilisers, pesticides and fuel, used for transportation. The volume of food going into landfill sites is enormous and this creates methane, which is one of the most harmful contributors to climate change.”

    The governor said statistics of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, an agency of the United Nations (UN), show that 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted in a world where one in every seven persons go to bed hungry daily.

    He said: “This is equivalent to the amount produced in the entire Sub-Saharan Africa. As if this is not enough, they said one out of every seven people in the world, including Nigeria, go to bed hungry and more than 20,000 children below age five die daily from hunger.

    “This report, for me, is unacceptable, unfair and harsh on posterity. Wastage occurs because many producers, retailers and consumers discard food that is still fit for human consumption. That is why Nigerians must make informed choices in buying and consumption.”

    Fashola urged residents to guide against food wastage to ensure efficient land use, improved water resources management and curb climate change.

    “The loss of property and livelihood is one that we must proactively guide against to mitigate global warming,” he added.

    The governor urged the hospitality industry, especially restaurants and food marts, to carry out waste audits and product loss analysis for high waste areas; offer discounts for near-expiration items; limit menu choices; introduce flexible portioning of food and follow storage guidelines to preserve food items.

    Commissioner for the Environment Mr. Tunji Bello regretted that while the world is struggling to feed its seven billion inhabitants, a third of the food produced globally is wasted.

    He urged Lagosians to eat less of canned and processed food.

     

  • David-West warns Jonathan over plot to impeach Amaechi

    David-West warns Jonathan over plot to impeach Amaechi

    A former Petroleum Minister, Prof Tam David-West, at the weekend urged President Goodluck Jonathan and those allegedly plotting to impeach Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to shelve the idea or face the wrath of the people.

    The former minister warned that if the governor is impeached through illegal means and concocted political reasons, Dr Jonathan will not be able to contain the anger that will follow.

    Prof David-West spoke on phone with The Nation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on the alleged plan to impeach Amaechi by those said to be loyal to the President.

    He said: “My candid opinion is that Jonathan should not try to impeach Governor Amaechi. But if he tries it, he will not be able to contain the tempest that will follow. They (anti-Amaechi elements) should not concoct some flimsy political reasons to impeach him. If he should be impeached at all, they should follow the constitution; that is, if he has done anything to warrant it.

    “But now, Nigerians know that Amaechi has not done anything. He is doing very well and he is very popular among Nigerians because of his performance. This is a man who is loved by the people. And the voice of the people is the voice of God. If anybody now plans to impeach him by illegal means, the person is fighting God.

    “There is a limit Nigerians will tolerate this executive rascality and irresponsibility. Jonathan has done enough to Amaechi. If they go ahead to impeach him, then Jonathan himself must be impeached because he has committed impeachable offences too. He took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the country.”

  • Lagos warns Mile 12 traders

    Lagos State Government has urged traders at Mile 12 market, to desist from street trading and illegal parking that may cause traffic gridlock during Easter.

    General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Babatunde Edu, and Chairman of the Task Force on Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit), Bayo Sulaiman, met with stakeholders and the market leaders. They asked them to comply with the directive in their interest.

    Failure to comply, they said, would compel the government to take drastic actions.

    Edu said the government was worried over illegal parking, charging the traders to devise ways through which they can operate without obstructing traffic and inflicting pain on road.

    “You must also provide a place where your customers will park; you can’t expect them to park outside or on the road. The excuse that truck drivers are waiting to collect money from their customers before leaving the market is not tenable. They must leave on time to allow other trucks to come in. The payment can be done in banks; we have developed beyond that.

    “There are blockades on the service lanes because of the activities of traders and commercial drivers. Things will not change until we change our attitude and ways of doing things”

    He also warned LAGBUS and BRT buses against illegal parking, saying LASTMA officials had been empowered to take photographs of the erring drivers and their buses.

    Sulaiman warned the National Union of Road Transport Workers and traders to desist from operating on the service lanes, insisting that government would not condone illegality on the axis.

    Sulaiman told the market leaders: “Find a way to regulate the way you are doing your business; you can’t continue to operate while you make people to suffer. Our job is to ensure that things are in order in the market so that you will not disturb others while doing your business.

    “We are worried by the complaints of other citizens who can no longer reach their homes on time following your business activities”, he said.

    The chairman of Perishable Goods Association, Alhaji Haruna Muhammed, blamed the traffic gridlock on some shop owners whom he accused of also selling on the roads despite having their shops inside the market.

    He also identified the nuisance constituted by commercial drivers (Danfo Drivers) whom he said, often park on the Expressway to pick passengers.

  • Provost warns students

    Provost warns students

    The Provost, Federal College of Agriculture (FCA) Akure, Ondo State, Dr Mary Ogunkoya has said it is obligatory for matriculating students to maintain law and order in the college.

    She spoke at the 12th joint matriculation of the college where 182 National Diploma (ND) and 91 Higher National Diploma (HND) students took an oath of allegiance to be of good behaviour.

    Dr Ogunkoya said: ”Becoming members of the college community entails certain rights and obligations on the part of the students. As full members of the college, you can access academic facilities; you can participate in students’ union politics and represent the college in any occasion.

    “In as much as the college will create the enabling environment for you to enjoy your rights, you must take the discharge of all the above obligations very seriously.

    She advised the students to be law-abiding and conduct themselves peacefully on campus.

    The Provost said the college’s philosophy is built on the vision of being a world-class agricultural institution that will produce competent and self-reliant graduates.

    She urged them to shun examination malpractices and cultism, and engage in constructive activities.

    The institution’s Registrar, Dr Pius Adebisi urged the students to face their studies squarely in order to come out in flying colours.

  • David-West warns Jonathan on fuel subsidy

    Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Tam David-West, yesterday warned President Goodluck Jonathan against increasing the pump price of petroleum products under any guise.

    David-West’s warning came on the heels of President Jonathan’s promise to remove the entire fuel subsidy after consultation with the public.

    Reacting to the development in a telephone chat with The Nation yesterday, the former minister said the idea of fuel susbsidy is a fraud, stressing that investigations conducted by the Federal Government last year also confirmed his assertion.

    David-West expressed disappointment over Jonathan’s new promise, saying he (Jonathan) was only planning to inflict more pains on the suffering Nigerian masses.

    According to him, government has given 10 different figures on the so-called subsidy to lend credence to the alleged deceit.

    He said he expected the president to have been converted to the side of the public by now, given the quantum of facts and figures confirming that fuel subsidy is a scam in Nigeria.

    He said: “I expected the President to have been converted by now that there is no subsidy and that it is all fraud. He should be converted to save the poor people from suffering. Even the government investigation has confirmed that there is no subsidy. The government has also given the public 10 different figures. It is like an amoeba; the subsidy has no fixed shape. As amoeba changes shape, so does President Jonathan’s fuel subsidy change. This shows that they are not sure.”

    David-West gave the president words of caution. He urged him to remember that “Nigeria is no Liliput with nitwits. In fact, a lot of Nigerians are more knowledgeable than him. He cannot take Nigeria for a ride.”

    He added: “President Jonathan should remember the old Latin aphorism that whom the gods want to destroy, they first make mad. He should never add more burden to the already suffering people. It will be the last straw for the suffering masses.”

    Oil workers and civil servants yesterday resisted the Federal Government’s proposed fuel price increase.

    In telephone conversations with The Nation, the oil workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) called for the Finance Minister’s resignation, saying that was the only way out of the subsidy crisis.

    NUPENG President, Comrade Igwe Achese, said the minister has failed nation, as she has told Nigerians contradicting stories on subsidy. He said she should resign if things must be done properly.

    He recalled the Farouk Lawan committee, other failed committees, and how government said some oil marketers would be prosecuted, but to date, nothing had happened.

    The senior civil servants under the umbrella of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) said they would resist a new increase in petroleum product prices “with everything humanly possible.”

    The Secretary-General, Comrade Lawal, said: “We are preparing to meet government for upward review of salaries. Now that they are proposing fuel price increase, it’s like they are telling the workers to go and commit suicide. We are not going to accept that.”

  • Rector warns students

    Rector warns students

    The Rector Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Prof Mathew Idowu Ajibero has warned that the school authority has zero-tolerance for deviants or violence of any kind in all its campuses.

    The Rector, who said this during the matriculation for students admitted for the 2012/2013 session, said the institution would continue to wage war against crimes such as cultism, theft, fighting, examination malpractices and rape among others.

    He warned that any student caught committing any of the crimes would not only be expelled from the school but handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.

    While stressing that “there is no liberty without corresponding responsibility”, Ajibero called on the students to take their personal security seriously, saying that “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom”.

    Warning the students not to constitute themselves into nuisance, he said any breech of the school rules and regulation would be met with the appropriate disciplinary measure.

    “Management would therefore, not tolerate any situation whereby any student or group of students constitute themselves into a body that terrorises, harasses or intimidates other law-abiding students for whatever reason. Anyone caught in such despicable acts would be summarily expelled,” he warned.

    The Rector, who praised the Kogi State government and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for their assistance in the provision of basic infrastructures in the polytechnic, said management would continue to make all its campuses conducive for teaching and learning.

    “As you settle down on our campuses, it would become clearer to you as the days go by that management has also ensured that you are provided with conducive environment to carry out your academic activities to enable you accomplish your mission here within the time specified,” he said.