Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
More than 2,000 Nigerian cattle grazers migrated to Cameroon and the Central African Republic between January 2009 and July this year due to the recurring conflicts between farmers and grazers in the North-East region. Dr Walia Hamman, the North-East Coordinator of the National Livestock Development Projects, toldnewsmen in Yola that no fewer than 2.3 million cattle, sheep and goats were lost to the two neighbouring countries.
He listed the most affected states as Taraba, Adamawa and Borno, saying that the 2007 livestock and grazers census showed that most of the affected pastoralists were Nigerians while only four and three per cent were from Chad and Niger Republics respectively. Hamman said the major flash point of the migration was in the Sardauna (Mambila) Local Government Area in Taraba where, in the years under review, no fewer than 1,200 pastoralists fled. He said the combined efforts by the federal and the affected states to get them back had failed. “Most of the pastoralists contacted refused to come back, alleging poor security of their lives and property.”
Bauchi
Residents of Tudun Salmanu in Bauchi have expressed dissatisfaction over the indiscriminate disposal of refuse and the lack of a designated dump site in the area. Some of the residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (newsmen) in Bauchi last Thursday, said that the development had resulted to the dumping of waste materials in undeveloped plots. Commenting on the situation, Malam Baba Adamu, a resident, said:“If you move round, you will see what I mean.
“We dump our household waste in people’s plots because we don’t have the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) containers to dispose waste.” Adamu said that the practice had been on for a while due to the lack of an alternative, leading to the littering of the environment with all sort of wastes.
In her contribution, a house wife, Mrs Maryam Abubakar, decried the behaviour of some members of the public, whom, she said, had imbibed the bad habit of dumping refuse indiscriminately. She attributed their action to laziness and ignorance and advised parents and guardians to instruct their children and wards to dump refuse in appropriate places.
FCT
The Bwari Area Council of the FCT has awarded scholarships to 1,649 students in the area in the 2011 academic year, the Chairman of the council, Mr Peter Yohanna, has announced.
Addressing a news conference in Bwari, near Abuja last Thursday, Yohanna said that the council spent about N17.6 million on the scholarship scheme.
He said that the council had also embarked on various projects to improve the quality of lives of people residing in the area. Yohanna said that enrollment in schools had improved remarkably in the 2011 academic year, assuring that the council would sustain the development. He said that public libraries, orphanages, health centres and many construction projects were also completed in the area in 2011.
Gombe
A member of the Gombe State House of Assembly,Mr. Lasare Lewi says he has spent over five million Naira in constructing three blocks of classrooms in his constituency. Lewi who is representing the Billiri West Constituency disclosed this to newsmen in Billiri.
He said the projects comprised two blocks of classrooms in Sabon Layi, one block of two classrooms in Baganje South and another block of two classrooms in Tanglang village. The PDP member said more blocks of classrooms would be constructed in the remaining three wards that made up his constituency in due course. “I was an Education Secretary of Billiri Local Government, so I know the problems of education in the area. “That was why when I was elected, I decided to intervene in the area of education, starting in three wards. “Later I will execute similar projects in the remaining wards which will cost almost the same amount,’’ he said.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State government is to convert four Junior secondary schools in Kazaure to senior category. Alhaji Sani Yahaya, Director in-charge of Education in the state, disclosed this during a stakeholders meeting between officials of the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the ministry of Education in Kazaure on Wednesday. Yahaya named the schools as Government Secondary Schools in Fuji, Karayal, Amaryawa and Gwiwa. He explained that a team from the state ministry of education would soon visit the schools to assess the infrastructure.
Kaduna
The Chief Executive Officer, Obita Visual Industry, Mr Adeniyi Ekine, says the industry will complement the Federal Government’s transformation agenda through art forms. Ekine told newsmen on Wednesday in Kaduna, that arrangements had been concluded to showcase a talent hunt reality television in February.
He said that the programme tagged,“Live in Peace,” would create awareness on the need to embrace peace. “The show will be transmitted on NTA, AIT and KSTV and will feature acts in dance, song and comedy.’’
Ekine said registration forms were on sale at the rate of N2,000 and N5,000 for single and group participants, respectively.
Lagos
The Lagos State Government said on Wednesday that it had begun an all-year-round drainage clearing and maintenance in the 20 local government areas and 37 local development areas. The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello announced the plan in a statement issued by Mr Fola Adeyemi, the Public Relations Officer of the ministry in Ikeja. Bello said the measure was aimed at checking flooding which usually accompanied heavy rains in the state. He said the clearing programme, to be carried out by the Office of Drainage Services of the ministry, would mainly entail de-silting of the channels to allow free flow of water, especially during the rainy season. The commissioner said that the government was implementing the programme to avoid the kind of flooding that accompanied the July 10, 2011 rainfall, which claimed lives and destroyed properties in the state. He said the programme was also a proactive response to experts‘ prediction of a heavy rainfall in the state during the year, adding that the government decided to begin the work in earnest to avert flooding. Bello identified some areas where drainages would be cleared as Adekunle Fajuyi Road, Ikeja, Works Road GRA, Ikeja, Kodesoh Road, Ikeja, Simpson and Sandgrouse streets on Lagos Island. Others are Lanre Awolokun Street, Shomolu, College Road, Ifako, Arowojobe Street, Oshodi, Agric/Oja Road Ikorodu, Gemini/Coker Surulere, Adeniji Adele Road (both Sides) on Lagos Island and Ogunmokun Street in Mushin.
Niger
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has urged the people to embrace the ongoing immunisation exercise by the government to eradicate poliomyelitis, saying that the vaccines were safe. Aliyu made the call in Minna during a stakeholders’ forum on eradication of Poliomyelitis in the state. He enjoined parents and guardians to ensure that their wards were immunised against the polio virus and to embrace routine immunisation in order not to continue to lose abundant human resources to the killer disease.
The governor also inaugurated the state committee on eradication of poliomyelitis to ensure that the state remained polio free.
Osun
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has said that the proceeds from the removal of oil subsidy would be used to promote the social wellbeing of Nigerians. Mrs Oluremi Wilson, the Director of the agency in Osun, said in Osogbo at a prayer session to mark the new year that appropriate social security would be extended to Nigerians. “If there is social security in place, many Nigerians will afford to live comfortably without the tendencies for banditry and other forms of social vices. “Now the railway system is gradually coming back to ease public transportation while waterways are being dredged to check perennial flooding,’’ she said. She observed that lack of “a holistic social security” had in the past largely been responsible for the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, saying the deregulation of the oil sector would address the problem.
Plateau
The Plateau Police Command recovered properties worth more than N100 million last year, Mr Emmanuel Ayeni, the Police Commissioner in the state, has said.
Ayeni told journalists in Jos on Thursday that 42 cars, estimated at N52.6 million, were recovered out of the 81 cars that were reported stolen. He said the Command also recovered N39.4 million from people who purchased stolen property.
Ayeni said that about N5 million worth of property was recovered at robbery scenes, while 117 assorted firearms and 558 ammunitions were recovered from riot scenes. He said that 72 persons were arrested and charged to court for various offences ranging from public disturbance to outright mayhem, adding that an unspecified number of people were being prosecuted.
Ayeni expressed happiness that the efforts of his men had not gone unnoticed or unrewarded, saying that“Four Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) were promoted to Superintendents; 13 Assistant Superintendents (ASP) to Deputy Superintendents, while 195 Inspectors were elevated to ASPs,’’ he said.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Eastern Zone, has applauded the appointment of Hon. Benibo Anabraba as Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) by His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara,
The Socio Cultural Organisation described the appointment as a masterstroke of leadership and wisdom.
MOSIEND in a statement by the Acting Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Gibson, and the Assistant Secretary, MOSIEND Eastern Zone, Dr. Tams Longjohn hailed the appointment as a reflection of Governor Fubara’s Eagle-eyed discernment, belief in merit, and unwavering commitment to building a peaceful and people-centered administration anchored on excellence and integrity.
“Hon. Anabraba is a statesman in every sense, an accomplished lawyer, a tested grassroots politician, and a man of Peace whose record of service stands tall,”
The statement noted that “from his days as a grassroots politician to his election as a legislator, his tenure as Minority Leader in the Rivers State House of Assembly, and his service as a Commissioner, Hon. Anabraba has remained a model of maturity, courage, and dedication to the Rivers project.”
MOSIEND expressed confidence that Hon. Anabraba will bring his trademark calmness, intellect, and wealth of experience to bear in his new role, assuring that the people of Rivers State will feel the positive impact of his leadership.
The group commended Governor Fubara for his strategic and inspiring commitment to peace, stating that the appointment once again demonstrates the administration’s preference for competence, loyalty, and results over political convenience.
“We are proud of this choice,” MOSIEND affirmed. “It signals continuity, stability, and a renewed focus on people-oriented governance.”
The organization congratulated Hon. Benibo Anabraba and prayed for divine guidance, good health, and strength as he takes on this vital assignment in service to Rivers State.
Chinedu Wosu
Nation
HYPREP Remains Steadfast In Adhering To International Standards—Zabbey …As Regulators, Asset Owners Hail Project
The Project Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has said that the Project remains steadfast in adhering to international standards, processes and protocols, contending that it would continue to engage all stakeholders transparently to achieve set goals and targets.
This is even as regulatory stakeholders, regulators and asset owners have expressed satisfaction with the work so far being carried out by the Project in Ogoniland, commending it for sustaining the momentum of the ongoing cleanup project.
Zabbey, who gave the indication during the third quarter meeting of HYPREP with regulators and asset owners in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said as an interventionist and community-based project, HYPREP would continue to engage all stakeholders transparently, as it addresses challenges that may arise during project implementation.
To this end, he noted that the continuous support and constructive feedback of regulators and asset owners remains vital in helping the project coordination office overcome challenges and sustain the momentum of progress.
Zabbey said the quarterly meeting with regulators and asset owners serves dual purpose of providing a platform for the Project to share updates on the status of the cleanup project, highlighting areas where further support is required; and allowing “regulators and asset owners to provide constructive feedback that would help our collective approach.”
According to him, the meeting is ultimately designed to catalyse deeper collaboration and synergy between HYPREP and its regulatory stakeholders.
While appreciating and recognising the invaluable roles of the regulators and asset owners in the project’s Quality Assurance and Quality Control(QA/QC) framework, the Project Coordinator said their consistent oversight, technical input, and commitment to upholding standards have remained essential to the integrity of the Ogoni cleanup efforts.
He noted with a sense of satisfaction that Quality Assurance and Quality Control are being given increased attention at all levels of the cleanup project, and solicited for the continuous support of the regulators and asset owners.
“QA/QC considerations are a key part of HYPREP’s policy framework, from the Governing Council decisions to field-level work,” he said, emphasising that this focus ensures that HYPREP’s interventions and activities are executed professionally, safely, and in compliance with national regulatory standards and global best practices, guaranteeing value for money.
“As we continue to consolidate the gains made so far, I want to reassure you that HYPREP remains steadfast in adhering to international standards, processes and protocols”, he said.
Zabbey announced that considerable progress is being recorded across various thematic areas of the cleanup project, including remediation of hydrocarbon-impacted sites; mangrove restoration; provision of potable water; public health interventions; the Ogoni power project; and the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; among others.
He said these coordinated interventions are gradually restoring confidence in the cleanup effort and bringing renewed hope to Ogoniland.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the performance status of the cleanup project by HYPREP’s Evaluation and Monitoring Unit, which put the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration at 92.5 percent completion, among other legacy projects.
In their response, the regulators and asset owners were unanimous that HYPREP has recorded remarkable improvement so far in the cleanup efforts, and solicited for more support of the project.
Environmental Resource Manager of the Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development(CEHRD), Mr Meshack Uyi commended the Project Coordinator and his team for the remarkable improvement recorded so far in the area of environmental remediation and mangrove restoration, describing the Ogoni cleanup as one of the most robust in Africa.
He applauded HYPREP for its human capacity building initiative, saying, building the capacity of Ogoni people and training them to become mangrove vanguards are boosting their economic wellbeing.
Uyi said what is going on in Ogoniland is a learning process for the Niger Delta, saying, “those who think that nothing is happening in Ogoniland, they should come closer and see that a lot is indeed going on, and this can impact on Nigeria, the Niger Delta and Africa.”
He called on people all over the world to come on board to support HYPREP to achieve far greater milestones.
Also, the representative of the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Mrs Doris Wilcox Balafoma commended the Project for doing very well, working and collaborating with its partners, saying, “We are always with them in the field.”
She scored HYPREP 90 percent for its cleanup efforts, insisting, however, that the abandonment of some ongoing water facilities in some Ogoni communities is due to cost variations.
For the Executive Director of the Society for Women And Youth Affairs(SWAYA), Dr Stella Amaine, HYPREP has recorded a great improvement in the area of women inclusion and livelihood restoration.
She, however, noted that she looks forward to the realisation of the 45 percent empowerment quota for women as promised by the Project Coordinator.
The National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), a recognized trade union, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Minister of Labour and Productivity to urgently investigate alleged tax deduction fraud by the management of Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited.
The union, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), through its law firm, Everlaw Associates, Abuja office, raised an alarm about “unwholesome events” at the Nigerian LNG Limited Train 7 project site in Bonny, Rivers State.
The petition, signed by O. Marx Ikongbeh, Esq., the Principal of Everlaw Associates, and supported by a five-point affidavit deposed by NAPO President Mr. Harold Benstowe, alleges that the management of Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited has been making unusual deductions from workers’ salaries for Pay As You Earn (PAYE) purposes.
According to the workers, despite the deductions, the taxes have not been remitted to the Rivers State Inland Revenue Service (RIRS) to their credit. When the workers approached RIRS to process their tax clearance certificates, they discovered that the taxes had not been remitted.
The workers further alleged that the management of Daewoo E&C Nigeria Limited and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited misappropriated the deducted PAYE taxes, running into billions of Naira, for three years, to the detriment of both the federal and state governments.
The union urged the anti-graft agencies to investigate the management of NLNG Limited, Daewoo E&C Ltd and Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited, and their subcontractors, to bring the perpetrators of this tax fraud to justice.
However, in a press statement, the management of Daewoo E&C Limited claimed that the tax matter had been completely resolved, stressing the company’s commitment to transparency, due process, and sound corporate governance, adding that the company remains dedicated to maintaining a compliant trust worthy and proactive working environment as it continues the successful delivery of the NLNG Train 7 project.
Akujobi Amadi