Tuesday, 29 September 2020
FG Recovered N700bn Through Whistleblower Policy
Buhari orders extension of Itakpe-Warri rail line to North, South
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, virtually inaugurated the 326 Km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line for commercial operation and directed the Ministry of Transportation to ensure that all the nation’s ports are linked to the rail line.
He listed the ports of origin and destination to be linked to the rail network to include Apapa, Tin Can, Warri, Onne, and Calabar Ports.
The presidential aide also quoted the President as saying that he had approved the prioritisation of viable railway routes in the country.
He also directed that the Itakpe-Warri rail line should be extended to the northern region of the country before the expiration of his tenure in 2023.
The President said, “Accordingly, I have approved the prioritisation of viable railway routes for either new rail lines or the reconstruction and rehabilitation of some, to achieve effective and efficient train services supporting the country’s trade and commerce.
“The railway Infrastructure that I have the honour to commission today is the rail line from Itakpe via the steel town complex of Ajaokuta to Warri, and is an important link for the country’s economy as the central rail line.
“This government has also approved to link this line further from Itakpe to Abuja, thereby, connecting the Northern Zone of the country and also extending southwards to link the Warri Ports.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled “After 30 years in limbo, President Buhari inaugurated 326Km Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail line for commercial operation.”
“At the virtual opening of the rail line linking Itakpe to Warri, President Buhari directed the Federal Ministry of Transportation to link all the nation’s ports of origin and destination – Apapa, Tin Can, Warri, Onne, Calabar Ports- to the rail network in order to significantly improve overall transportation and economic capacities.
“The President declared that his administration recognised the importance of the railway mode of transportation as a vital backbone to support industrialisation and economic development,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the President expressed confidence that the project, which serves as a vital link of South-South geopolitical zones of the country to the Northern zones, would be completed during the tenure of this administration.
”It will link people across the cultural divides and expand the frontier of trade and commerce, which will lead to better standards of living for our citizens,” he said.
Buhari enjoined all Nigerians in the transportation industry, especially the railway sub-sector, to continue to support government in its stride to achieve other railway infrastructure projects.
He also enlisted the support of all at realising this milestone of a functional and full-fledged central railway, after more than 30 years during which the project has suffered several setbacks and false starts.
”I implore those who work on this line to uphold maintenance and safety culture necessary for long-lasting service in this difficult terrain.
”By the same token, I urge other sectors who will be primary beneficiaries of this transportation backbone, including, the iron and steel sector, stakeholders in agricultural and mining sectors on this corridor, as well as the host communities to protect and sustain this infrastructure and maximize the benefits that could be derived from it and which is readily available at their doorsteps.
”This project will increase the volume of their trade and kickstart and resuscitate the iron and steel complexes.
”All these, I hope will improve our industrial potentials and capacities as well as boost employment,’’ he said.
Buhari said projections indicate that the commencement of operation of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail line will account for close to one million passengers annually and also unleash approximately 3.5 million tonnes capacity of freight annually that will service all off-takers on the corridor and beyond.
Congratulating the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and his team on successfully completing the project, the President recognised the host communities on this corridor for their patience during the long wait of over 30 years for the realization of the project.
He also commended the host communities for their cooperation during the completion works by the Federal Government.
He assured Nigerians that his administration would continue, within available resources, to judiciously connect commercial and industrial hubs to boost trade, generate wealth and create employment.
Monday, 28 September 2020
Laycon Emerges Winner Of BBNaija Lockdown 2020
Olamilekan “Laycon” Agbeleshe yesterday beat 19 other housematesc including Dorathy, Vee, Neo and Nengi to emerge winner of the Big Brother Naija season 5 and clinched the coveted prize of N85 million.
After 70 entertaining days, Laycon was declared winner of the third season of the Big Brother Naija show.
He beat finalists Dorathy, Vee, Neo and Nengi to win the grand prize worth 85 million naira
.
Lycon was announced as the winner by Ebuka Obi Uchendu during the Live Finale show, which was held on Sunday, September 27, 2020.
He was followed by Dorathy and Nengi, who emerged first and second runner-up, respectively.
He is a 26-year-old singer rapper from Lagos and graduate of philosophy from the University of Lagos who started his musical journey at an early age and has now emerged as one of Nigeria’s most promising new school acts.
As winner he gets N30m cash prize, a two-bedroom apartment, Dubai trip for two, SUV from Innoson Motors, trip to Dublin, a trip to watch di UEFA Champions League finale, home appliances courtesy of Scanfrost, one year supply of Indomie noodles, Munch it chin-chin and Colgate toothpaste, one year supply of Pepsi and branded chiller, brand new Oppo mobile smartphone among other mouth-watering prizes.
We Will Soon Reopen Land Borders – Says Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that the federal government will soon reopen Nigeria’s land borders.
Speaking during a webinar organised by The Africa Report, Osinbajo said the federal government is working towards reopening the borders.
The webinar, which was themed “Bouncing back: Nigeria’s post-pandemic recovery plan”, focused on issues regarding government frameworks to be adopted towards economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic which affected countries globally.
Reacting to a question on the continued closure of the land borders despite preparations for the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the vice president said the government is working with neighbouring countries on the terms of reopening the border.
“We are working with our neighbours to see on what terms we would reopen those borders. At the moment, we are undertaking joint border patrols to control smuggling along the borders and we think it is working and I am sure that soon enough we should have the borders opened,” he said.
“We are committed to the AfCFTA but we are concerned about threats to security and the economy and we had to take certain actions that would satisfy the immediate needs of our country. It (border closure) certainly wasn’t meant to be permanent and we are looking forward to reopening as quickly as possible.”
Recall that the federal government had In October last year closed land borders to check the smuggling of goods and arms into the country.
CBN, BDCs And Exchange Rate Stability
Strike Averted as FG, Labour Reach Compromise on Palliative
The nationwide strike by organised labour scheduled to commence today will not happen as the unions and the federal government reached an agreement this morning on the contentious issues over the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry and electricity, which led to a rise in petrol price and electricity tariffs.
The meeting of the disputants which was adjourned last Thursday till today was, however, rescheduled for yesterday in a desperate bid to reach an agreement in order to avert the strike.
Yesterday’s meeting among the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the federal government agreed on a two-week thaw for the rejig of the implementation of the policy on deregulation.
Specifically, measures to alleviate the impact of the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry was agreed upon, while the federal government committed to a two-week suspension of the implementation of the electricity sector’s cost-reflective tariffs, which came into effect on September 1.
Among the agreements reached after several hours of talks which ended in the wee hours of today were palliative measures to cushion effects of the deregulation of the downstream sector, the timeline for revamping of refineries, suspension of newly introduced reflective cost regime in the electricity tariff.
In a communiqué signed by federal government side and labour representatives, it was agreed that based on the agreement that the strike and protest earlier scheduled for today be suspended.
“Consequently, the NLC and TUC agreed to suspend the planned industrial action, “Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who read the communiqué said.
The communique said that after exhaustive deliberations on the issues raised by Labour Centres, the federal government stated: “That it has fashioned out palliatives that would ameliorate the sufferings that Nigerian workers may experience as a result of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments and deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. The palliatives will be in the areas of transport, power, housing, agriculture and humanitarian support.”
It said after negotiations on various issues raised by all parties, the following resolutions were reached and mutually adopted:
On electricity tariff, the parties agreed to set up a technical committee comprising ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), NLC and TUC, which will work for a duration of two (2) weeks effective Monday 28th September 2020.
The committee is to examine the justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost reflective tariff as a result of the conflicting information from the fields, which appeared different from the data presented to justify the new policy by NERC; and metering deployment, challenges as well as a timeline for massive roll out.
Members of the technical committee are Minister of State, Labour & Employment as chairman Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN); Minister of State Power, Mr. Godwin Jedy-Agba; Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission, Prof. James Momoh; Special Assistant to the President on Infrastructure, Mr. Ahmad Zakari as Secretary, Dr. Onoho Ebhohimhen (NLC); Mr. Joe Ajaero (NLC); Mr. Chris Okonkwo (TUC); and a representative of DISCOS.
The terms of reference (ToR) include examining the justification for the new policy on cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments; to look at the different Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) and their different electricity tariff vis-Ã -vis NERC order and mandate; examine and advise the government on the issues that have hindered the deployment of the six million meters; and look into the NERC Act under review with a view to expanding its representation to include organized labour.
The technical sub-committee is to submit its report within two (2) weeks.
During the two weeks, the DISCOs shall suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments.
The meeting also resolved that the following issues of concern to labour should be treated as stand-alone items: “40 per cent stake of government in the Discos and the stake of workers to be reflected in the composition of the Discos boards; an all-inclusive and independent review of the power sector operations as provided in the privatization MOU to be undertaken before the end of 2020, with Labour represented.
“That going forward, the moribund National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) be inaugurated before the end of 2020 to institutionalize the process of tripartite and socio dialogue on socio-economic and major labour matters to forestall any crisis.”
On the downstream sector deregulation, the communique said all parties agreed on the urgency for increasing the local refining capacity of the nation to reduce the overdependence on the importation of petroleum products to ensure energy security, reduce the cost of finished products, increase employment and business opportunities for Nigerians.
According to the communique, “To address (1) above, NNPC is to expedite the rehabilitation of the nations four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and to achieve 50% completion for Port Harcourt by December 2021, while timelines and delivery for Warri and Kaduna will be established by the inclusive Steering Committee.
“To ensure commitment and transparency to the processes and timelines of the rehabilitation exercise, the management of NNPC has offered to integrate the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) into the Steering Committee already established by the corporation.
“A Validation team comprising the representatives of the NNPC, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), NUPENG and PENGASSAN will be established to monitor the progress of the rehabilitation of the refineries and the pipelines/strategic depots network and advice the Steering Committee periodically.”
It said that post-rehabilitation, NNPC shall involve the PENGASSAN and NUPENG in the process of establishing the operational model of the nation’s refineries.
The federal government also said that it will facilitate the delivery of licensed modular and regular refineries, the involvement of upstream companies in the petroleum refining and establishing a framework for financing in the downstream sector.
“NNPC is to expedite work on the Build Operate and Transfer framework for the nations pipelines and strategic depots network for efficient transportation and distribution of petroleum products to match the delivery timelines of the refineries as agreed,” it said, adding: “The federal government and its agencies are to ensure delivery of 1 million CNG/LPG AutoGas conversion kits, storage skids and dispensing units under the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme by December 2021 to enable the delivery of cheaper transportation and power fuel.
It said a governance structure that would include representatives of organized labour shall be established for a timely delivery.
With the general intervention, the federal government agreed to cushion the impacts of the downstream sector deregulation and tariffs adjustment in the power sector.
It said that a specific amount is to be unveiled in two weeks time which will be isolated from the Economic Sustainability Programme Intervention Fund and be accessed by Nigerian workers with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC for participation in agricultural ventures through the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture. The timeline will be fixed at the next meeting.
Also, the federal government said it will facilitate the removal of tax on minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest vulnerable.
It agreed to also make available to organized labour 133 CNG/LPG driven mass transit buses immediately and provide to the major cities across the country on a scale-up basis, thereafter, to all states and local governments before December 2021.
“10% of housing be allocated to Nigerian workers under the ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance initiative through the NLC and TUC,” it stated.
In his remarks, NLC President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, expressed the belief that the resolutions will be implemented to the letter.
TUC President, Olaleye, said the strike has been suspended for two weeks for both sides to implement the resolutions.
He, however, said the strike was only being suspended, adding that labour reserved the right to go back to the strike without notice if any of the resolutions is not implemented.
Labour had pushed for a commitment by the government on a roadmap for revamping of the country’s refineries.
On the issue of electricity tariff, both federal government and labour seem to have agreed on principle to reconsider the new tariff regime.
The federal government team was led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, Ngige, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammad; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipreye Sylva; Keyamo, and Jedy-Agba.
While summing up proceedings at the meeting, Mustapha thanked organized labour for its understanding.
He assured it that the federal government will try to meet its own part of the bargain.
Friday, 18 September 2020
EDO POLL: Refrain from being used for election rigging, CUPP cautions security operatives
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has cautioned the Nigeria Police, the Army and other security agencies to “refrain from using their personnel to rig” tomorrow’s election in Edo State in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a press release issued by the coalition’s national co-spokesman, Comrade Mark Adebayo on Friday, the coalition said, “A practice whereby the government at the center would unleash security agencies on a state to help its candidate to rig and win elections through voter intimidation, aiding and abetting thugs to snatch boxes or disrupt votes where their main opponent is strong or engage in indiscriminate arrests of strong non-APC politicians on the eve elections as witnessed in Kogi State election and other states can no longer be tolerated.
“All such actions are inimical to the development of our democracy and are direct threats to the Nigerian State itself. The duties of security agencies at elections are limited to providing a safe atmosphere for the conduct of an election and the safety of the election officials and the voters. Engaging in anti-democratic activities like supporting the candidate of the Party governing at the center against the opponent is not only criminal but directly injurious to our democracy and national stability”.
The CUPP called on the international community to monitor the Edo governorship election with utmost attention and ensure that anyone seen committing electoral crimes be comprehensively sanctioned immediately
“We commend the American government for the recent sanctions imposed on all those identified as election criminals in some states and we call on the European Union countries including the UK to follow suit by imposing comprehensive sanctions on all electoral criminals in Nigeria.”
It Noted that the sanctions by the United States did not go far enough because there were still many election offenders walking free in the country, some of whom, it said “are occupying high government positions. All these ones must be captured in the sanctions to serve as deterrent for others”.
The group appealed to all voters in Edo State to conduct themselves peacefully while staying vigilant to protect their votes in order to ensure they were not shortchanged.
“We caution the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct the election professionally and avoid any act that is tantamount to bias against any candidate. As the regulator of our electoral processes, INEC is expected to be transparent, impartial and just to all players in our elections,” CUPP said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had also on Thursday warned voters, political parties, election officials and security personnel, against “the do-or-die mentality to politics.”
He said he was passionately committed to free and fair elections, but that his own commitment was not enough if other actors at ground zero refused to abide by the rules.
Bayelsa youths shut down SPDC’s flow station
Members of Agbidiama Community Youth Council, host of Opukushi, Tunu and Clough Creek flow stations operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have shut down activities at Opukushi flow station.
President of the aggrieved youths in Ekeremor community, Torke Ekpetun, said after Thursday’s action, the youths called for dialogue to resolve the face-off between them and the oil major.
He explained that the protest followed the refusal of the oil service companies operating in the area to meet their development obligations to the community.
Ekpetun said the obligations included provision of jobs and empowerment of the residents, engagement of a non-indigenous firm by Shell for catering services, and neglect of community leaders by the oil major’s management.
SPDC’s Media Relations Manager Bamidele Odugbesan said the oil company valued a cordial relationship with its host communities and would not do anything to jeopardise this.
He said: “It is a long-standing policy of SPDC to provide opportunities for its host communities, including but not limited to community contracts, scholarships at different levels, economic empowerment programmes, such as LiveWIRE, healthcare support, like the Oloibiri Health Programme and COVID-19 equipment donations to Bayelsa and other states.
“We also have GMoU community development programme that funds community projects decided by the communities.
“As we strive for a stronger relationship with our host communities, we are open to discussions on any complaints for an amicable resolution.”
Make Edo poll a model - Wike to Buhari
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to make Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State a model.
Wike, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for the poll, spoke during a live television programme in Port Harcourt.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, quoted the governor as saying that the outcome of the election would provide hope for 2023 general election.
He said: “Everyone that loves this country should ensure that tomorrow’s election is credible, free and fair.
“The police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should show Nigerians that they can support credible elections.
“INEC should ensure that result sheets are not in the hands of individuals. Security agencies should not whisk away collation officers and later bring them back with cooked results.
“Manipulation of the electoral process causes violence. No politician will cause violence if the police and INEC do not compromise.”
Wike said there would be a high turnout of voters tomorrow because the people were prepared to end ‘godfatherism’.
He said he carried out an independent assessment of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s achievements and was satisfied that he would win the election convincingly.
The Rivers governor said no amount of money or intimidation would make the people not to vote massively for Obaseki.
He enjoined the people to be vigilant and protect their votes “because enemies of the state are planning to truncate your will.”
“The agenda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to win at all cost, for us to go to the tribunal. This is why Edo people must be vigilant.
“I hail the United States and the United Kingdom for the visa ban placed on election riggers.
“They should publish their names so that a lot of things will change in our electoral process.
“Election rigging is worse than armed robbery. So whatever sanctions that can be imposed will be welcomed by the PDP,” Wike said.
Buhari Signs Police Bill into Law
The president, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, communicated his assent to the bill to the National Assembly, through a memo to the Clerk of the National Assembly, dated September 16, 2020,
According to the statement, the new Act repeals the Police Act Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation, 2004.It also provides for a more effective and well organised Police Force, driven by principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources.
The statement added: “Among others, the Act establishes an appropriate funding framework for the Police in line with what is obtainable in other federal government key institutions, enhances professionalism in the Force through increased training opportunities, and creates an enduring cooperation and partnership between the Police Force and communities in maintaining peace and combating crimes nationwide.”
Delta State govt gives updates on resumption of tertiary institutions
The Delta State Government says tertiary institutions in the State are free to reopen between now and Oct. 2, depending on the school’s arrangements.
The Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, made the clarification on Thursday in Asaba, while briefing newsmen on the government’s preparedness for tertiary institutions in the State to reopen for academic activities.
According to him, the directive is that tertiary institutions should reopen between now and Oct. 2, meaning that by Oct. 2, all the tertiary institutions should have resumed fully.
“We decided that they can resume in phases, depending on the school’s arrangements; we gave them between now and Oct. 2.
“They are not going to resume all programmes and levels at the same time, except those that have the facilities that can accommodate social distancing,” Muoboghare said.
The commissioner explained that the students’ resumption would be in phases and by Oct. 2, resumption would have been completed in conformity with the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Muoboghare also explained that the media had earlier reported that the institutions would reopen on Oct. 2, whereas what the government was saying that they could resume in phases or before Oct. 2.
According to him, the ministry is making a plan to ensure that the education sector in the state does not suffer more than it had, as there are losses already.
“Secondary schools started with the external examination, and so when WAEC decided to fix a date for the final year students to write their examinations, Delta has to key into it.
“If the principals can manage those younger ones, because of what the government has put in place, we hope that we can manage the older ones.
“From June/July, we have been having interactions with the heads of higher institutions in preparation for the resumption and meeting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines.
“So that if there is any suspected case, the school can isolate and immediately contact NCDC.
Recall that the institutions in the state were shut down in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the country to contain its spread.
Wednesday, 2 September 2020
Oba of Benin holds peace meeting with Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu
With the Edo State September 19 Governorship Election barely two weeks away, the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on Wednesday, held a meeting with the All Progressives Congress candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu; and the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The monarch met with the two leading candidates at his palace in Benin City, the state capital, according to a tweet by @OfficialPDPNig.
The tweet read, “The Oba of Benin, HRH, Oba Ewuare II, is currently in a crucial meeting with the two leading candidates in the September 19, 2020, guber election in Edo State, @GovernorObaseki and @IzeIyamu4EdoGov at his palace.”
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the monarch said he would invite all the candidates participating in the governorship election to his palace to sign a peace pact.
This, he had explained, was in an attempt to stem the violence being recorded prior to the governorship election in the state.
The election is about two weeks away but the political temperature in the state is heating up, with the players engaging in verbal attacks.
The state House of Assembly has also been embroiled in crisis of late with different political camps trying to outdo one another.
Obaseki, who is seeking reelection, will face Ize-Iyamu, who has the backings of the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); APC stalwart, Bola Tinubu; and former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
Obaseki has since been at loggerheads with his predecessor, Oshiomhole.
DSS denies questioning Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage
The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports it invited Marvin Record boss, Michael Ajereh alias Don Jazzy and music sensation Tiwa Savage for questioning over political utterances against President Muhammadu Buhari.
The duo, until recently, has been vocal about their displeasure with insecurity, bad governance and other issues plaguing the society.
Although it was not clear when the alleged invitations and interrogations of the artists were carried out, an online medium on Tuesday night claimed the meeting held in Lagos two-weeks ago.
It also claimed questioning by the DSS and the Police forced both music stars to tone down their social media activism as they were warned to be careful with their posts.
But The Nation observed irregularities in the post, especially with respect to the claim that Zubairu Muazu was Commissioner of Police (CP) who invited the artists to warn them.
Muazu, now an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), was redeployed from Lagos Police Command last November after his promotion.
Dismissing the allegation, an irritated spokesman for DSS, Peter Afunanya, who did not allow the reporter ask her question yelled: “We did not invite any musician.”
Asked if the DSS has never invited or detained for questioning in recent times, Afunanya simply hung the phone. Further calls to him were rejected.
Don Jazzy took to his official Twitter page to mock news of his alleged interrogation.
In an 11-second video, he whimsically asked “what is quizzes?” in reaction to the headline of the online news site.
At the time of this report, neither of the musicians has publicly denied nor confirmed the story.
Police spokesman, Bala Elkana, did not pick several calls to his telephone numbers.