Nation

THE STATES

Published

15 years ago

December 30, 2011

Adamawa

Governor of Adamawa State has Murtala Nyako said that many lives have been lost in recent clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in five local government areas of the state.

Nyako, who stated this in Yola on Monday when the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Isa Abubakar, paid him Christmas homage, also said many people were reported injured in the clashes.

The clashes occurred in Mubi South, Maiha, Madagali, Gombi and Song local government areas.

He warned that the government would not fold it arms and watch some few elements destabilise the peaceful atmosphere in the state, adding:“Government is well prepared to deal with any group or individual found wanting”.

The governor expressed dismay on the activities of Fulani herdsmen who cling to the old habit of moving about with their herds, saying it was time for them to abandon the habit and stay in one place.

Bauchi

The Chairman, Bauchi State Revenue Board, Alhaji Muazu Usman, says civil servants will enjoy 50 per cent tax relief under the new Personal Income Tax Act assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Usman said this in an interview with newmen in Bauchi on Monday.

He explained that the act would reduce the burden on tax payers in the public and private sectors, saying it has provided a lot of tax reliefs for workers, especially on the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE).

“The effect of this amendment will greatly reduce Pay-As-You-Earn tax. The PAYE tax will come down from the current level.

“It also specifies stiffer penalties for non-compliance, so the idea is for it to reduce the tax burden and also to ensure that everybody participates in the tax payment, the drop in tax relief averagely, about 50 per cent will come down”, he added.

He also spoke on the state’s expected internal revenue in 2012, saying the N7.3 billion figure was realisable.

“And if you look at the average monthly collection, it comes to about N410 million, so I think we can achieve seven billion in the year ahead.

“We intend to take other measures, not necessarily taxing the non-taxable entities, but there are taxes that are not being collected, we really have to introduce them and collect them in the coming year.”

FCT

The Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) says it arrested, and arraigned 600 motorists before mobile courts between December 20 and December 23, for contravening various traffic rules and regulations.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Nseobong Akpabio, the organisation’s Public Education Officer, in Abuja.

The statement quoted the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Commission, Mr Osita Chidoka, as saying that the exercise was part of efforts to ensure free flow of traffic during the festivities.

“Chidoka, however, said that some road corridors including Abuja-Lokoja, Lagos-Ibadan-Ore, Asaba-Onitsha, Obollo–Affor- 9th Mile and the Enugu-Okigwe-Port Harcourt highways, experienced slight traffic hitches during the period.

“He attributed the hitches to lack of patience among road users and urged motorists to abide by traffic rules and regulations,’’ it said.

The statement also quoted Chidoka as saying that the ongoing aerial surveillance by the FRSC had provided it a platform to be acquainted with the traffic situation nationwide and in the deployment of operatives and logistics.

Gombe

The former Chairman of Billiri Local Government in Gombe State, Mr Rabenson Wasa , has urged people in the area to be security conscious, so as to avert further breach of the peace.

Wasa, who was recently appointed commissioner by Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Billiri on Monday.

The former chairman, who spoke against the backdrop of recent attack of some villages in the area, said the issue of security should be a collective responsibility and not that of the security agents alone.

He, therefore, urged the people to work closely with security agents to make the area safe, but warned against giving false information, saying such would mislead the security agents and create avoidable tension.

“I want to advise my people to report any case of insecurity to the appropriate channel; I believe it is by coming together to sincerely report security problems, that the security agents will act accordingly.

“People should avoid spreading rumours which will mislead the security agents.”

He appealed to the people of the area to support his successor in the council, so as to sustain the gains recorded in moving the area forward.

Wasa, who would take charge of the state Ministry for Works and Transport, pledged to ensure improvement in the transport sector in the state.

Kaduna

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has commenced intensive patrol of major highways in Kaduna State to curtail road accidents, the Ag. North West Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Ilallah, has said.

Ilallah, told newsmen in Kaduna that the yuletide period was prone to accidents due the heavy traffic and fatigue on the part of motorists returning to their places of work from long distances.

He said it was part of the agency’s tradition to coordinate resources in response to road accidents during festivals, such as the Christmas.

The patrol tagged “Operation Eagle Eye” would compliment the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in tackling the menace, Illalah said.

He said that the patrols would cover the Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Kano and Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highways and would continue until January, 2012.

“Our officers will be in strategic places on these roads to monitor and ensure that road users comply with traffic rules and are moderate on their speed limit.’’

Katsina

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Katsina State arrested 340 persons for different drug-related offences in the outgoing year, an official said.

The State Commander of the agency, Mr Ahmadu Garba, told newsmen in Katsina on Tuesday that 58 of those arrested were convicted by the courts and jailed.

He said 38 cases were pending at the Federal High Court, Katsina.

Garba said the agency seized 603 kg of drugs, comprising Indian hemp and other psychotropic substances during the year.

He said NDLEA counselled 188 drug users, rehabilitated and integrated them in society.

“Our aggressive enlightenment campaigns on the danger of drug abuse as well as our patrol on highways will continue with renewed vigour to check the menace,’’ he said.

Kebbi

Governor of Kebbi Saidu Dakingari, has approved the hosting of the 2012 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival in the state.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Sani Kangiwa, in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, stated that the Argungu Emirate and other organisations would co-sponsor the festival.

It added that the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, would chair the 2012 festival, noting that the festival was last held in 2009.

The festival, the statement noted, would commence on March 19 and end on March 21.

It stated that events lined up for the festival included grand fishing, the Kabanji display, an agricultural and traditional trade fair, a durbar, cultural dances, traditional boxing and wrestling, as well as camel, horse and donkey races.

Lagos

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure effective implementation of the 2012 budget to regain public confidence.

The Secretary General of the association, Mr Solomon Onaghinon, told newsmen in Lagos that only about 34 per cent of projects earmarked for implementation in annual budgets were usually carried out.

“What happens to others and their allocations?’’ Onaghinon asked.

He said that the inability of the government to live up to its words had made many Nigerians to lose confidence in it.

Niger

The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Suleja Business District is set to collect its N1.1 billion debts from customers, the PHCN Business Manager, Alhaji Mohammed Shakur has said.

Shakur told newsmen in an interview in Suleja on Tuesday that the district was poised to collect the debts in order to complete on-going network upgrading.

“The present revenue generation is about N40 million as against energy worth N90 million and that is what has led to the present staggering debt portfolio of N1.1billion.’’

He appealed to customers to settle all their outstanding bills promptly to avoid the embarrassment of being disconnected from the network.

Osun

Osun Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has disbursed N38 millon to 22 communities for implementation of development projects.

The governor said that the projects were being facilitated by the World Bank to enable the state achieve its six-point Integral Action Plan.

Aregbesola, represented by the General Manager, Osun Agency for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Mrs Funmi Abokede, said his administration intended to eliminate poverty, hunger and unemployment as well to restore communal peace and progress.

Oyo

Governor of Oyo State Abiola Ajimobi , has called for collaborative efforts among states in the South-West to build an Independent Power Project (IPP) to improve electricity supply in the zone.

Receiving the Chief Executive Officer of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Ibadan Zone, Mr Bolaji Oyesiku, who paid him a courtesy visit, Ajimobi said, states should be allowed to invest in PHCN.

In a statement, issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Festus Adedayo, in Ibadan on Sunday, the governor said the South-West would reap immense benefits if they jointly invested in the power sector.

He urged the states to work closely with Lagos State and tap from its economic advantage to make the project a reality.

Ajimobi said if states could be allowed to acquire shares in a privatised PHCN, it would create a pool of funds that would boost the operations of the company.

He also urged the company to exploit the potential of Ikere George Dam and the Dandaru Waterfall in Ibadan for power generation.

Plateau

The Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr John Dabwan, has said that any ministry or parastatal agency, which fails to perform in 2012, will be sanctioned.

Dabwan told newsmen in Jos on Tuesday that the assembly was dissatisfied with the performances of most government organisations.

“We have directed that each ministry, parastatal and department should submit a quarterly financial report to us beginning from next year to monitor the implementation of the budget.

“Anything that falls short of our expectation in terms of performance will attract serious sanction from the house.’’

He said that many of the agencies performed below 50 per cent, stressing that such a “dismal record should not be allowed to repeat itself in 2012’’.

Dabwan said the lawmakers believed that the submission of quarterly reports by the government agencies would assist them in assessing the progress in the implementation of the budget.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

4 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.

Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.

He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.

“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.

“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”

Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.

According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.

“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.

Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.

SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.

Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

4 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.

The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.

Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.

Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.

“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.

She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.

Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.

She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.

According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.

She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.

Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.

While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.

“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.

According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.

“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.

Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.

He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.

According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.

Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.

Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.

He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.

“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.

According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.

In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.

Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.

Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.

He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Nation

Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

Published

4 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have recounted how Thursday’s torrential rainfall left them stranded, submerged homes and cut off access to major roads.

The residents, who spoke with Tide source, on Friday called for urgent government intervention to tackle the recurring flooding blamed on poor drainage infrastructure.

Along Mobil Road in Ajah, Mrs Rukayat said floodwaters submerged about 200 metres of the road, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water.

“The water level was almost up to my lap. People literally had to wade through it to get home,” she said.

According to her, many motorists turned back, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot.

“The only way to pass through the water was by walking or using a tricycle. Even then, the tricycles broke down and had to be pushed,” she said.

Rukayat said some youths assisted stranded tricycle operators by pushing their vehicles through flooded sections for a fee.

She said residents had repeatedly alerted authorities to the flooding but little had changed.

“We reported this when the rains started, but apparently nothing has been done about the problem,” she said.

She attributed the flooding to poor drainage and possible blockage of a major canal serving the area.

“There is a big canal here, but I don’t know what is preventing water from flowing through it properly,” she said.

According to her, overgrown vegetation and sand deposits might have obstructed the canal, reducing its capacity to discharge stormwater.

She added that although floodwaters usually receded after a few hours, sections of the road remained waterlogged.

In Mafoluku, residents said several streets, homes and access roads were submerged, leaving many unable to return home after going about their daily activities.

Mrs Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said what began as a short trip to buy household items became an hours-long ordeal.

“I left my house to buy a few items nearby, but the rain started suddenly and flooded the entire street.

“I was stranded for hours because there was no safe way back home,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Mukaila Idris, described the flooding as both dangerous and distressing.

“The current was very strong. I watched people pay young men to carry them across the water because they were afraid of being swept away or falling,” he said.

According to him, only physically fit residents could navigate the floodwaters safely, while many others waited several hours for the water level to subside.

Mr Williams Ekpo, who lives in the Eyinogun area, said the flood extended beyond the roads and entered residential compounds.

“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged some household items.

“This happens almost every rainy season, yet nothing seems to be done to address the drainage problem,” he said.

The residents urged the relevant authorities to investigate the persistent flooding and improve drainage infrastructure to prevent a recurrence during the rainy season.