News
2019: Politicians Hail INEC Over Innovation
Some politicians yesterday hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for introducing an electronic collation and results transmission system ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The politicians, who made the commendation in interviews with newsmen in Lagos, said that they would support innovations aimed at making the electoral system more credible and transparent.
INEC’s Director of Information and Communications Technology, Mr Chidi Nwafor, had last week, during a media parley, announced the introduction.
According to him, the e-collation system has four procedures.
The first is that results from polling units will be entered into an e-collation application on a smart card reader while the second procedure is that results are transmitted to a central server.
The third procedure is that results are auto-collated and can be viewed at registration areas, while the last is results audit and confirmation, which will take place at collation centres.
The National Chairman of Progressive Action Council (PAC), Chief Charles Nwodo, told our source “every effort to make the electoral system credible and transparent should be encouraged.
“Many Nigerians have condemned the use of card readers, especially during the last election.’’
Nwodo said that was the need to amend the Electoral Act to be able to stand the test of time.
He advised INEC to embark on demonstration of the use of the e-collation and result transmission system by conducting mock elections.
Alhaji Musa Umar, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Kano State Chapter, told newsmen that the new system would promote transparency in elections.
“INEC e-collation system will surely elevate the process of election conduct to the next level; it will fast-track the process and enhance election fraud detection.
“However, curbing election excesses may not be achieved by this singular innovation, stakeholders must all agree to have free and fair elections, “Umar said.
Mr Shola Omolola, Secretary, Lagos State Chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), said: “We give INEC the credit for the innovation, and we hope it will give election process the desired credibility.
“ We equally hope that the process is not skewed to favour a particular candidate or party,’’Omolola said.
The National Chairman of African Liberation Party (ALP), Chief Emmanuel Okereke, however, said that the innovation would not curb electoral malpractice.
“How will INEC collate results in rural areas and still transmit same?
“What INEC should be doing now is voter education and registration. Some Nigerians do not have permanent voter cards.
“Some people who became 18 years last two years are now 20, while more people are turning 18,’’ Okereke said.
News
Mba Seeks Closer Synergy To Check Road Accidents
Worried over the high rate of accidents on Nigerian roads, resulting in the death of hundreds of thousands of people, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr Peter Mbah, has called for closer synergy and cooperation among security agencies to check the ugly trend and ensure safety on all the roads within the country.
Governor Mbah, made the call in an address at the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course 2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command and Staff College, Udi near Enugu.
Represented by the state Commissioner for Information, Chief Aka Eze Aka, governor Mbah noted that closer security and intelligence sharing on incidents on roads within the country by various security formations and agencies both military and para-military would lead to greater security and safety of lives and property on roads.
He stated that the state government had keyed into the FRSC vision of reduction in road crashes and fatalities, adding that it had equipped the state traffic officers with the same set targets.
“As an administration, we are making all efforts to fix and improve on all roads and road infrastructure within the state; while we are calling on the Federal Government to do the same.
“Our partnership with the FRSC for training and retraining of our road traffic officers will continue and be strengthened so that as a state it will also build its own capacity to deal with road traffic issues and challenges,” he said.
Governor Mbah, however, congratulated the graduating participants of the course, while commending the FRSC management for being in the forefront of raising the standard and quality of its staff.
According to him, “my administration will continue to partner with the FRSC and strengthen existing engagements of mutual benefits”.
Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, said that the event was significant to the Corps as it marked its commitment to continuously improve its educational and operational standard and capacity.
Biu, represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Bisi Kazeem, who is in-charge of FRSC Training, said that the Corps was building resiliency and increasing its service delivery capacity by equipping its officers with quality and international standard training.
By: Canice Amadi Enugu
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.
-
Politics4 days ago
How Social Media Threatened My 40-Year-Old Marriage -Lai Mohammed
-
News4 days ago
We May Shut Down Universities Indefinitely, Non- Teaching Staff Threaten
-
Sports2 days ago
Immediate Relegation Awaits Man City, If…
-
Politics2 days ago
FEC Approves 10% Appointments For Youths
-
Politics46 mins ago
Tinubu Congratulates Senegal President-Elect Over Electoral Victory
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Africa’s Energy Leap From Fossil Fuels To Renewable Powerhouse
-
Sports4 days ago
All African Games: Nigeria Finishes Second On Medal Table
-
Rivers4 days ago
RSLCSC Boss Celebrates Fubara’s Supreme Court Victory