Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

August 8, 2012

Adamawa

The Adamawa State House of Assembly last Friday in Yola, commenced public hearing on the abandoned rural electrification projects in the state.

Speaking at the commencement of the hearing, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, Alhaji Salihu Kabilo, said the measure was not to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure accountability.

Kabilo urged members of the public and stakeholders to make available necessary information on the contracts to help the committee do its work.

He said the house was committed to ensuring that contractors paid to execute government’s projects did the job they were paid to do.

The state’s Commissioner for Community Development and Rural Infrastructure, Alhaji Aminu Iyawa, lauded the house for the hearing.

Benue

The Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA), has sunk a borehole at Logo community in Akpehe area of Makurdi.

The borehole was sunk close to the Saint Joseph Catholic Church Akpehe in Logo 11, Makurdi.

The Managing Director of the Agency, Mr Ada Chenge, said while commissioning the project on Saturday in Makurdi, that the hand-pump borehole, would provide relief to the people of the community.

He said that the project was aimed finding a lasting solution to the perennial water shortage in the Benue State capital.

In an address, Rev Fr. Celestine Terfa, the Parish Priest of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Akpehe, commended the authority for the initiative and gave assurance that the borehole would be utilised by all members of the community

members.

Jigawa

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, has said that the success of his administration is based on the prudent management of resources.

Lamido made the statement in Dutse on Friday while breaking the Ramadan fast with supporters of Peoples Democratic Party.

“I never took loans from any bank, institution or foreign organisation to execute projects and my government is not owing contractors. “As soon as contractors complete their projects, our consultants evaluate them and we pay immediately,’’ he said.

The governor commended the citizens for their support and peaceful coexistence and stressed that “no development can take place in an atmosphere of violence and rancour.”

He promised to lead the people with the fear of God and give them their due by providing them the dividends of democracy.

Kano

The Kano State Government, said it would complete the seven uncompleted township roads it inherited from the previous administration before the end of the year.

Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning gave the assurance while answering questions from newsmen in Kano on Friday.

The uncompleted roads are: Sharada, Murtala Mohammed, Rijiyar Zaki, Mohammed Wase, Kabuga, Daula and Bank roads. ‘’When we came in we saw that the cost of the projects was outrageous,’’ he said.

Yahaya said that following the discovery, the State Government set up a committee of consultants to verify what had been done.

The commissioner said that the State Government had already paid all outstanding debts to contractors who handled the projects. He said government had also planned to dualize the Airport road from Ashton-pilgrims camp-Yahaya Gusau road to de-congest the road.

Kaduna

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, told graduating students of the Nigerian Military School (NMS) on Saturday that discipline and selfless service were the pathways to success for the Nigerian Army.

Speaking at the 54th graduation ceremony of the NMS in Zaria, Ihejirika said that no army would succeed in the absence of discipline, commitment, dedication and selflessness service.

The army chief, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Laurence Ngubani, Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters said, “as members of the Nigerian Army, discipline should be your watchword.

“Remember, success demands the highest level of discipline, commitment, dedication, perseverance and selfless

service,’’ he said.

Kebbi

Comptroller of the Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service Mr Sule Momoh, has said that 42 illegal immigrants, residing in the state have been deported in the last one month.

Momoh made the disclosure in an interview in Birnin Kebbi last Friday.”We identified and deported 42 illegal immigrants to their various countries during our routine duties within one month,” he said.

He said the immigration service in the state had intensified security surveillance at boarder areas in view of the security challenges facing the country.

“All the authoritative roads leading into neighbouring countries were monitored by immigration personnel and in many cases the illegal immigrants were identified, arrested and deported as most of them did not possess entry documents.”

Kwara

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, has extended the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in some areas in Ilorin by an additional four weeks.

The governor extended the ban on Saturday, following a violent protest by commercial motorcyclists in some parts of the state’s capital on Saturday.

At a meeting with officials of the protesting motorcyclists at the Government House, the governor explained that the ban was not punitive.

The commercial motorcyclists had earlier embarked on protest at Sawmill, Geri-Alimi and Taiwo Road from where they marched to the state’s House of Assembly and then to the Government House.

The state’s Chairman of the Commercial Motorcyclist Riders Association, Alhaji Toyin Alase, expressed displeasure over the restriction of motorcyclistsd in some areas of the city.

Niger

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, says the army is prepared to protect the country territory.

Wahab told newsmen after visiting Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Friday that the army would protect the territory in spite of its involvement in counter-terrorism interventions.

He said the army and other security agencies were prepared for their constitutional duties of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity as well as lives and properties of Nigerians and its visitors.

He assured the civil society that his officers and men had been trained to carry out their operations in line with their rules of engagement and in accordance with global best practices.

Ogun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has restated his commitment to ensuring good governance and even development in the state. Amosun made the remark on Friday at the Government House in Abeokuta at a meeting with traditional rulers from Ogun Central and Yewa Zone.

“Let me re-assure the good people of Ogun State that we will continue to work to advance the development of our state. “The work will continue as we have started and unprecedented development will be witnessed across the state as the mission to rebuild is on course,” he said.

He said that newly-elected Local Government chairmen and councillors in the state would work in line with the five cardinal programmes of his administration.

While thanking the electorate for their support, especially during the just-concluded local council elections in the state, he assured that good governance would be felt in the remotest parts of the state.

Sokoto

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 10, Sokoto, Mr Muktari Ibrahim, said on Saturday that the police had put in place improved security measures to sustain peace in the seat of the Caliphate.

Ibrahim said this while conducting the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminurity measures to be adopted in and outside the state for peace, progress and political growth of the zone as well as the country

at large.

He further said that all security officers in the zone had been put on red alert to confront any threat.

Yobe

The Emir of Fika in Yobe, Alhaji Mohammed Ibn Abali Idris on Friday in Potiskum, escaped an attack by suicide bomber at the Potiskum Central Mosque.

The Yobe Police Command’s spokesperson, Mr Toyin Gbadegesin, said the bomber tried to get close to the emir after the the Friday prayers, but was prevented by a policeman.

The spokesman said that upon falling down, one of the concealed explosives detonated and killed the bomber, while five policemen and two civilians sustained injuries, adding that the emir escaped unhurt.

Gbadegesin stated that the police anti-bomb squad, thereafter, detonated some other un-exploded devices carried by the bomber.

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.