News
NUPENG Gives Panacea To Fuel Scarcity
The Nigeria Immigrations Service (NIS), has generated N10.2 billion from its services to the public in 2011.
The services include issuance of passports, re-entry visas, re-entry permits, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) residence cards and ECOWAS travel certificates, among others.
The Assistant-Comptroller of the Service, Mr. Joachim Olumba, disclosed this at a press briefing last Thursday in Abuja in reaction to media reports that the NIS was not remitting the exact revenue generated to government.
Olumba, who described the reports as “erroneous and misleading,’’ said that out of the amount, N7.2 billion went to technical partners and service providers, while approximately N3 billion was remitted to government coffers.
“The media reports under reference here emanated from a recent submission of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Mrs Rose Uzoma, to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior during the 2012 Fiscal Budget Defence.
“The reports contain some obvious misrepresentation and misinterpretation, hence, it is imperative to set the records straight,” Olumba said.
He said that the total number of 773, 642 standard e-passports and 3,580 official e-passports were paid for at the local unit price of N8, 750 and N4, 500, respectively.
“It is quite pertinent to remark here that the unit cost of e-passport ranges from N4,900 to N5,191 (which varies due to element of foreign costs taking cognisance of the volatility in foreign exchange rate), excluding the technology fee of N1,250 deducted from each e-passport sold,’’ he said.
The spokesman said that the technology fee was the amount shared among partners and the NIS.
He said that the revenue generated by NIS in local currency, most of which were earned from issuance of e-passports were duly appropriated as the management complied fully with the relevant financial regulations and all agreements.
Olumba said that NIS deserved commendation for not only running an efficient process, but for generating and remitting substantial revenue to Federal Government coffers, “without any budgetary commitment by government.’’
He noted that government was in no way being shortchanged, but was rather enjoying a process that did not impose any liability on it.
Commenting on the current face-off between Nigeria and South Africa, Olumba said that what was happening was not a “big deal” as immigrations had also repatriated 10,797 foreigners, including South Africans for various reasons between January and February.
He said there was, therefore, no retaliatory action by the service for now because of the face-off.
Shedie Okpara
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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