Blog

NAN-H-76

Justification

Makurdi, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom  of Benue, on Wednesday, justified the project plan of a N38 billion Cargo Airport in the state, claiming that the government would not pay for its construction.

Ortom told journalists in Makurdi that the proposed airport would be a Public Private Partnership (PPP) driven project, aimed at boasting both agricultural and infrastructure development in the state.

The governor explained that government had nothing to do with the project, apart from providing the enabling environment for the consortium to build the facility.

He explained that the government had agreed with the consortium to build the airport and return 15 per cent equity to the government, which would be paid using the dividends upon completion of the project.

“We are aware of our inability to pay salaries as at when due and as a government, we are not insensitive to the people’s plight. No reasonable government would reject this type of opportunity during this time of recession.

“We had a good deal with the Cargo Polis Development Consortium (CDC), where they are to fund the project 85 per cent; N32.3 billion through the Chines Nexim Bank while we had equity of 15 per cent; N5.7 billion.

“We informed the consortium of our inability to pay the 15 per cent and the company has already sourced for the 15 per cent on our behalf, so that it would be deducted during the sharing of dividends on completion.

“We had a concession agreement with the consortium to manage the airport for 25 years,” he said.

The governor said that the feasibility study, compensations and other technical issues were being processed for effective commencement of the project.

He disclosed that the MOU signed between the parties made provision for the construction of housing estates, training institutes, dual road and other commercial activities around the airport.

Ortom urged those who had been criticising the project to think twice and ask relevant questions concerning the project rather than condemning it outright.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airport will have general cargo and cold storage warehouses to prevent waste. (NAN)

AEB/YMU/YEMI
Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-S-7
Falconets
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) Joy Etim, a former Assistant Coach of Super Falcons, on Wednesday described the Falconets 3-1 victory against Canada as a “good  comeback’’  for the team at the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Falconets had earlier suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Japan in their opening match on Nov. 7 in Papua New Guinea, host of the competition.

Etim told NAN in Lagos that she knew the team would bounce back and do the needful to remain in the competition.

“I’m happy the girls were able to defeat Canada and by so doing, it shows that they have learnt from their mistake in the first match.

“I didn’t write them off after watching the first match because I knew what they can do and they have done well,’’ she said.

The coach advised the players to remain resolute and approach their next match against Spain with all seriousness.

Also, Royals Olajide, Secretary of the Women Amateur Football Association (WAFA), told NAN that the victory against Canada showed the team’s willingness to remain in the competition.

Olajide said that a victory against Spain would seal the team’s progress to the second round of the tournament and urged the players to secure victory against their opponents.

“The victory against Canada has lifted the spirit of Nigerians and we are all hopeful the team will get to the second round,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Nigeria is in group B alongside Spain, Japan and Canada.

The competition will end on Dec. 3. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
=======
(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-55
Hyacinth
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) A fishery expert, Dr (Mrs) Parcy Mobatola, on Wednesday urged the Lagos Government to clear the Lagos lagoon of water hyacinth.

Mobatola, who is a Director with the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

She said that apart from making the water surface very untidy, it constituted a lot of menace to coastal communities.

“Water hyacinth affects the fishing economy and impacts transportation negatively.

“Water hyacinth, at times, damages the outboard engines of fishing boats and clogs the engine’s capacity to propel in water.

“The rate at which water hyacinth multiplies and spreads is alarming and needs to be checked,’’ she said.

The fishery expert said that the local means of using planks to fence off the water hyacinth to create a free channel was not enough to control its menace.

She said the government should have a water hyacinth harvester, to ensure that the water channels were always free of water hyacinth.

According to the fishery expert, the presence of water hyacinth on the lagoon and rivers led to a high rate of fish mortality.

“Water hyacinth needs oxygen like the fishes, and when they are many, they will be competing for oxygen.

“Water hyacinth is a fresh water plant and multiplies rapidly,’’ Mobatola added.

She said that clearing the waterways of water hyacinth would restore the aesthetic view of the lagoon and small water bodies surrounding Lagos.

The fishery expert said that people had been drowned and injured because they mistook a water body covered by water hyacinth as normal ground.

She urged the government to act fast as the water hyacinth menace needed urgent attention. (NAN)
ACA/COF/PIO
===========
(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Idonije Obakhedo)

NAN-H-74

Conference

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) is organising a conference to seek ways of reducing the high rate of electrocution in the country.

Mr John Onyi, the Head, Corporate Communications, PHED, made this known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The statement quoted the Chief Executive Officer of PHED, Mr Jay McCoskey, as saying that the conference, scheduled to hold on Dec. 1 in Port Harcourt, would seek to reduce the number of electrocution.

According to him, the conference will expose participants to international best practices with focus on public safety campaigns and quality control of electricity installations.

”About 120 people in the country die by electrocution in the country annually and a similar number sustain life threatening injuries from contact with electric appliances,” he said.

He warned the public against erecting buildings and facilities under power lines and urged them to avoid encroachment on power installations locations.

“Vandalism, energy theft and illegal connections are also factors that cause public fatalities in the network.

“Host communities of generation and transmission facilities need also be alerted on the risk of encroachment on power lines,” he said.

McCoskey explained that the conference with the theme “Reducing the Alarming Trend in Staff and Public Fatality in the Nigerian Power Sector” would be the second edition to be held in Port Harcourt.

He explained that the conference would bring together players in the electricity industry across the country  to tackle several health, safety and environment challenges in the sector.

“Key resource persons in the Nigerian Power and Energy sectors have been earmarked to make presentations at the event on a wide range of challenges in the sector,” he said. (NAN)

DES/JEO/NKO

============

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Nkechi Okoronkwo

===================================

NAN-H-72

Donation

Damaturu, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN)  First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari and the Yobe Committee on Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons, on Wednesday donated shirts, school bags, shoes and writing materials to schools affected by insurgency.

Alhaji Musa Jidawa, Secretary of the committee, while presenting the items to management of Yobe College of agriculture, Gujba,one of the schools affected, said government would continue to support students in pursuance of knowledge.

Jidawa, who is also the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the students were supported with 1,000 pieces of shirts to give them a sense of belonging.

On her part, Mrs Buhari, solar lamps and writing materials to female pupils and students to encourage girl-child education.

The Secretary said the First Lady also donated about 300 cartons of assorted milk products to Internally Displaced persons at Pompomari area of Damaturu metropolis.

“The state government through the resettlement committee appreciates the support extended by Mrs Buhari to IDPs in the state.

“This is just one in the series of support provided by Mrs Buhari, after many interventions with food and non-food items, to make life better for victims of insurgency who have relocated back to their communities,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other schools that benefitted include Government Girls College Damatuu, Government Girls Secondary School Buni-Gari, Government Secondary School, Damaturu, Government Secondary School, Babangida, among others.

NAN recalls that scores of students were killed by insurgents when the state was grappling with security challenges.(NAN)

MM/ASH/ASH

NAN-HE-25
Budget
By AbdulFatai Beki.
Ilorin, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara on Wednesday presented a revised supplementary budget of N103.7 billion before the state House of Assembly for approval.

The governor’s request which was contained in a message to the house, was read by the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, during plenary of the assembly.

According to the governor’s message, the supplementary 2016 budget earlier passed by the House was N128 billion, which represented 19 per cent decrease of the total budget size.

The governor, however, said that the figure affected the recurrent revenue and expenditure as well as effective development of the state and called for an upward review of the budget.

The Speaker after reading the message directed the members to carefully study the message for further legislative action.

Also during Wednesday plenary, the assembly urged the state government to give attention to the plight of widows and the vulnerable in the society.

The legislature called for the establishment of poverty alleviation office in the state to cater for widows.

The House stated this after considering a motion on promoting the welfare of Widows in the state sponsored by Hajia Aishat Ibrahim (Ilorin –East), Abdulrofiu Abdulrahman (Ilorin North–West) and Ahmed Ibn Muhammed (Kaiama).

The house implored the state Ministry of Women Affairs to reintroduce a sustainable widow’s day to better the lots of widows in the society.

The motion also called on the House to come up with a private bill that will protect the interest of widow as against the harmful traditional practices in the society.

It however, appealed to religious and Non Governmental Organizations to adopt programmes that would alleviate the plight of widows.

Speaking after adoption of the motion, the speaker, Ahmad urged the people to be passionate about the plight of widows in the society, adding that problems associated with widowhood were usually cultural. (NAN)
BEKI/MNA/IS

============
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Ismail Abdulaziz

NAN-H-71

Airport

By Adekunle Williams

Lagos, Nov.16, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it had inaugurated three ultra-modern carousels and conveyor belts at the D-Arrivals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

FAAN made this known in a statement by its Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in Lagos on Wednesday.

The statement said that the carousels were inaugurated by Mr Ephraim Nwodo, General Manager, Mechanical, of the agency, adding that installing the facilities was in conformity with global trends and international best practices.

According to the organisation, the inauguration of these facilities will reduce delays and fast-track departure formalities of arriving passengers.

The statement said: “The facility is one of many projects embarked by the Federal Government to facilitate passengers’ facilitation at the airports.

“It is aimed at keeping pace with the growing traffic which has been on the increase since the commencement of the remodelling project, and the immense growth of the country as the fastest growing economy in Africa.

“The timing of this world class facility is in consonance with FAAN’s readiness to thrill her esteem airport users with a fascinating travel experience, especially with approaching yuletide usually associated with increased in-bound passengers and luggage.”

The organisation assured airport users of improved quality services in line with global best practices, saying it was not unmindful of the need to provide world-class facilities in spite of economic challenges facing the country. (NAN)

WAC/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-61
Salesman
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, Nov. 16, 2016 (NAN) A 22-year-old salesman, Lateef Zubair, who allegedly bolted with the sum of N859,000 his employer sent him to deposit in a bank, was on Wednesday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The accused, who is facing two-count charge of conspiracy and theft, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, told the court that the accused, on Nov. 9, at about 10:45a.m. at Zenith Bank, Alakoro Branch, Lagos, conspired to steal N859,000 belonging to his employer.

He said that Zubair’s employer, Sade Akin-Johnson, sent him to deposit the said amount in her bank account.

Osijale said that the accused ran away with the money and switched off his phone, but was later apprehended by the police at Itire Police Station.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Magistrate, Mrs Memunat Folami, granted the accused N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

She said that the sureties must be blood relations of the accused, must not be below 40 years of age,
and must deposit N50,000 each into the Court Registrar’s account.

The case was adjourned to Dec. 6 for hearing. (NAN)

TME/BOLA/SOA
===============
Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-F-27
Bracelet
New York, Nov. 16, 2016 (dpa/NAN) A gold bracelet worn by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump during a television appearance in the U.S. has fuelled a debate about how the president-elect will manage his dual roles of president and businessman.

Ivanka, 35, wore a 10,800 dollar bracelet from her company Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry during the Sunday television interview for the programme “60 Minutes’’.

She appeared with her father and other family members on the programme.

On Monday, the company emailed a “style alert” accompanied by a photo of Ivanka wearing the bracelet on the programme which was watched by 20 million people.

“Style Alert: Ivanka Trump wearing her favourite bangle from the Metropolis Collection on “60 Minutes”, the alert said.

The email was also received by journalists, some of whom were unimpressed by the marketing strategy.

“It is already happening: Trump family sees President of U.S. as a marketing opportunity,” New York Times journalist Eric Lipton wrote on Twitter.

In July, Ivanka was criticised for promoting a dress from her own collection which she wore during one of her father’s campaign events.

Donald Trump’s children Ivanka, Donald Jr and Eric and his son-in-law Jared Kushner have also been selected for his presidential transition team, potentially creating conflicts-of-interest with their business ventures. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/GY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-70
Salary
Dutse, Nov 16, 2016 (NAN) Jigawa Government on Wednesday refuted  online media report that it was  among states owing backlog of salaries of  civil servants.
Fielding questions from newsmen in Dutse, the state’s Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Tahir, said no civil servant was owed salaries since the inception of the government.
Tahir explained that at a critical time when most states could not pay salaries, Jigawa was among very few that paid entitlements of its workers as at when due.
“The report is unacceptable and it a clear indication that the medium had no knowledge of happenings in the state”
“Jigawa is one of the very few states that did not collect bailout fund, yet it pays salaries as at when due because of prudent of Gov. Muhammad Badaru in managing the scarce resources available to us,” he said.
The Head of Civil Service said that in spite of the dwindling resources, the state government spent N3.8billion monthly in paying salaries of over 61,000 workers.
Tahir said that apart from salaries, pension and gratuities of retired civil servants were being settled as at when due. (NAN)
MS/ASH/ASH