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L-R: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (left), welcoming Vice President Namadi Sambo, during the three-day prayer for the late mother of FCT Minister, in Bauchi last Saturday.

L-R: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed (left), welcoming Vice President Namadi Sambo, during the three-day prayer for the late mother of FCT Minister, in Bauchi last Saturday.

Bauchi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on all
politicians and political parties to team up against insurgency and other security challenges bedevilling the country.
The union in a nine point communiqué issued at the end of its national executive council meeting in Bauchi recently urged politicians and the supporters to be mindful of inflammatory statements that are capable of jeopardising the corporate existence of the nation.
NEC further appealed to the striking lecturers of Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and the Federal Government to urgently resolve all the grey areas of disagreement, to enable the resumption of academic activities in the various affected schools in the interest of the students and the nation at large.

Benue
The Benue State House of Assembly has appealed to the
Nigerian Air Force, Tactical Air Command (TAC) Makurdi, to halt the demolition of houses at Akpen village and its environs. The village is in the suburb of Makurdi.
The appeal followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mr Benjamin Adanyi, a member representing Makurdi South constituency.
Adanyi told the house that the command had demolished houses at Akpen village, pointing out that as at the time he visited the area, five houses were demolished, rendering the occupants homeless. He said members of the community were in dispute with the command over the parcel of land, adding that the matter was before the assembly.

Gombe
The Society for Family Health (SFH), a non-governmental
organisation, says 35 per cent of expectant mothers in Gombe State delivers their babies in hospitals across the state.
The society said that the figure, which emanated from its monitoring and evaluation of public health facilities, represented an increase from the 28 per cent recorded in 2011.
Managing Director of the society, Mr Bright Ekweremadu, said this in Gombe while presenting the mid term report of the Gates Maternal and Neonatal Health Care project in the state.
According to him, at the commencement of the phase two of the project in 2011, only 28 per cent of expectant mothers accesses skilled care during delivery.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Kaltungo, Alhaji Sale Mohammed, said that because of the geographical topography of the state, many communities lacked access to quality health care service.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government said it recruited 1,564 teachers
for senior secondary schools across the State in the last six years.
The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Haruna Wakili, who made this known in an interview in Dutse said the employment, which started in 2008, was done by the administration of Governor Sule Lamido to address shortage of qualified teachers in the state prior to his assumption of office in 2007.
The commissioner said the state government had been collaborating with the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) for continuous training of teachers to improve their quality.
According to him, 440 classrooms in various senior secondary schools were renovated within six years to make the environment conducive for learning.

Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has signed the
law banning the operation of commercial motorcycles in Kaduna metropolis and some other major towns in the state.
Briefing newsmen after the weekly Security Council Meeting, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Ben Bako, said the ban was aimed at reinforcing security in the state.
Bako said that the ban followed the influx of commercial motorcycles in the state following a similar ban on their operations in some neighbouring states such as Plateau, Niger, Kano and the FCT.
The Commissioner listed the areas affected by the ban to include Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Chikun, Igabi, Zaria, Jema’a, Sabon Gari and Birnin Gwari local government areas.
Niger
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON)
has reiterated its call for local government autonomy in order to ensure speedy development of the councils.
The ALGON National Deputy President, Mohammed Kantigi, made the call last Wednesday, in Minna when he appeared before the Niger House of Assembly for screening as a commissioner nominee.
He said, “I will articulate myself of what is expected of me. I will not allow people that brought us into power to cry. “I know that the governor is concerned with the welfare of his workers and surely he will not do anything contrary to that.
“He will bring in best hands to work with him in the State Executive Council because there are specific assignments he gives to people.
“We want to see if we can improve on what has been on ground. “I know the local government system very well and have been playing a role as the state financial secretary of ALGON,” he added.

Ogun
The Ogun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board last Tuesday
assured this year’s intending pilgrims from the state of a hitch-free exercise.
The Chairman of the board, Dr Isiaq Yusuf, gave the assurance in Abeokuta at the commencement of a three-day screening exercise organised for intending pilgrims.
According to him, it is expected of a Muslim to perform the pilgrimage once in a lifetime after fulfilling all rights expected of a practising faithful.
He said pilgrims for this year’s exercise would be screened to meet required standards, adding that a total of 1,212 slots were allocated to the state by the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Abuja.

Ondo
A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Akure last Thursday
sentenced three Benin citizens to three years in prison each for attempting to sell a 13-year-old boy. They are Kareem Saibu, 39, (father of the victim), Abdullateef Mumuni, 24 and Kadir Rasaq, 24.  The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adebanji Ayeomoni, sentenced each of them without an option of fine.
The accused, of no fixed address, were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and attempt to sell human being, and they all pleaded guilty to the offences.
Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Zakari Ibrahim, told the court that the father of the victim and two others conspired to sell the minor for N8 million.
Ibrahim said the father brought the boy from Cotonou in Benin Republic to Nigeria to meet with the other accused persons, who live at Ibadan, to help him find buyers.
Plateau
Senator Gyang Pwajok, (PDP-Plateau), has condemned the
recent communal clash between the people of Irigwe and Rukuba in Bassa Local Government area of the state.
In a statement released in Jos by his Special Assistant on media, Chuwang Dung, the senator cautioned the communities to eschew violence.
Pwajok described “as sad and regrettable”  that the two tribes that had co-existed for decades needed to take arms against each other.
He said that the clash over land matters was uncalled for and urged for dialogue among the leaders of the communities toward resolving the issue through dialogue.
The Senator further advised the warring communities to shun other acts capable of breaching peace in the area.

Sokoto
The Sokoto State government last Tuesday donated four
Ford pick-up vans to the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The vehicles were handed over to the Commandant of the corps, Mr Yusha’u Yamel, by the Permanent Secretary, Careers and Special Services, Alhaji Tukur Mohammed.
Mohammed said the vehicles were donated to enhance the operations of the corps, and to encourage it to provide adequate security for lives and property in the state.
He appealed to officers and men of the corps to make good use of the vehicles, promising that the state government would continue to assist all security agencies in the state to function effectively.

Taraba
The Federal Government said that 400,000 farmers would
benefit from the subsidised fertilisers and seeds under its Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) in Taraba.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, who made this known at the commencement of the scheme in Jalingo said the Federal Government had subsidised the commodity by 25 per cent, while the state government further subsidised it by another 25 per cent.
Represented by the Regional Director, North-East, Alhaji Ibrahim Arabi, Adesina said each registered farmer would get two bags of fertilisers and a bag of seeds.
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, said the initiative would boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security in the state.
Umar said the state government would procure more fertilisers for the farmers to ensure food security and urged farmers to make good use of the inputs to ensure bumper harvests.

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MOSIEND Hails Benibo Anabraba Appointment As Rivers SSG

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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

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HYPREP Remains Steadfast In Adhering To International Standards—Zabbey …As Regulators, Asset Owners Hail Project

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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.

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Union Petitions EFCC, ICPC Over Tax Fraud Allegations Against Daewoo, Saipem

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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

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