Blog

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Arrest

By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike

Enugu, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Police Command in Enugu State says it has arrested an alleged burglary kingpin, named withheld, who has been on the trail of the police for over two weeks.

The command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Enugu.

He alleged that the suspect and his gang had been involved in most of the burglary incidents within Enugu Township.

The police image maker said that the police recovered from the gang, DVD, home theatres, cell-phones and laptops.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) explained that the police also recovered a hammer and a digger being used by members of the gang to break peoples’ homes.

Amaraizu noted that the alleged kingpin was spotted in Enugu and arrested by police detectives, following intelligent information on Thursday.

“Emmanuel has led his gang members to series of burglary within Enugu Township and its outskirts.

“They also invaded West-point Hostel in Mary Land Area of Enugu in the early hours of Oct. 16, and allegedly escaped to an unknown destination.

“Since then, police, has been trailing him and his gang members,’’ the PPRO said.

Amaraizu said that the suspected criminal had been helping the police in its investigation, adding that the command had intensified efforts in its manhunt on the other gang members.

NAN recalls that there have been complaints of burglary in some remote and less populated areas of Enugu Township in recent time. (NAN)

OJI/DUA/MO
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Morayo Omolade
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NAN-HE-11
Energy
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The  Sustainable Energy Practitioners Association of Nigeria (SEPAN) says channelling 50 per cent of the N213 billion CBN’s power intervention fund  into Renewable Energy  development can generate 10,000 MW of electricity by 2020.

The Central Bank of Nigeria had commenced disbursement of the power intervention fund to operators to enable the upgrade of their facilities and improve electricity supply to Nigerians.

Part of the  fund  have  been so far  disbursed to some benefiting generating, distributing and gas supply companies that are involve in the production electricity using the thermal plants.

To this end, the President, SEPAN, Dr Chidi  Onuoha, said the CBN’s  interventions  was solely channelled to improve thermal energy production, hence the nation was still battling with  4,000mw.

He said that the intervention fund was been channelled into developing the thermal grid system and fixing the constant transmission hiccups that had impaired sustainable development in the sector.

He said it was unfortunate that part of the money was not committed to developing renewable energy, noting that no developer in the renewable production had access to the fund.

According to him, channelling part of the CBN’s power intervention fund into renewable energy production will not only generate 10,000mw of power, but will also create employment opportunities for  teeming Nigerian unemployed youths.

“It has been proven that for every one mega watt of renewable deployed, you will be creating 3,000 jobs in the value chain in terms of solar inverters, artisans, technicians etc.

“ Then multiply 3,000 jobs by 10,000mw, your guess is as good as mine.“

Onuoha said Nigeria’s growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the largest economy in Africa with over S510 billion GDP was not commensurate with  the growth in energy Infrastructure.

He said that the energy infrastructure deficit had also been further compounded recently by transmission hiccups and vandalism.

He however  said it was cheery that government had shown interest in mainstreaming investment in  renewable energy as shown by the signing of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with 14 Developers in Res.

He said the PPA  agreement was designed to generate over 1,120mw.

“It is a welcome development. But PPA is just an instrument to go and source for fund. There may still be hiccups on the way to access the funds“,he said.

He said there was the urgent need for the implementation of  an accelerated  result oriented policy road map for the elimination of challenges inherent in the cost of funding renewable energy Infrastructure. (NAN)
KC/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-114

Infrastructure

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the presence of Private Public Partnership (PPP) in infrastructure delivery in the country was poor, with Ministries, Departments and Agencies lacking capacity to drive it.

He said this at the Knowledge Sharing Forum organized by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with African Development Bank in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by the Special Adviser to the President (Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu, the Vice President said few PPP projects had been delivered since creation of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission in 2015.

“As things stand there is very limited capacity within Ministries, Departments and Agencies to deliver PPP projects.

“It was the minimum MDAs should have in-house staff with requisite skills in financial, legal, technical, procurement and project management areas to be able to deliver on such projects.

“Capacity building efforts including training and availability of resource materials would be inevitable,’’ he said.

He said that one tested way to build capacity was learning by doing which could be achieved by contracting consultants to assist but in a manner that ensured eventual transfer of knowledge to the public sector.

According to Osinbajo, public servants have to be involved in actual transactions and negotiations while a key factor for attracting private sector finance is a predictable and enabling policy, legal and institutional environment.

He said that the forum presented another opportunity for a thorough analysis of government’s policy, legal and institutional framework for PPPs.

Osinbajo added that the analysis included assessing whether the current framework provided enough incentive for local and foreign investors alike.

“Nigeria clearly requires a PPP regime that matches its ambitions,’’ he said.

He, however, wondered if the country had appropriate framework to enable it to use the very large and growing public pension assets, of about N5.3 trillion, for the provision of infrastructure without putting the assets at risk.

Accordingly, Osinbajo declared that the number of PPP projects that had been concluded in the country so far was quite low.

“This is partly because of unwieldy project appraisal and approval processes.

“We have to find ways to help reduce the timeframe for delivering projects while still ensuring that only those of very high quality are delivered.

“One obvious solution is improved coordination between the different parties and institutions involved in project delivery.’’

Osinbajo said that difficulty in securing financing was a major hindrance to the financing of PPP projects.

“This has been attributed primarily to the projects not being “bankable” and often relying on government guarantees in order to progress to implementation.

“We must use this forum to discuss ways of ensuring that more projects become bankable and that we do not allow a project guarantee-dependent culture take root.

Osinbajo stressed the need to follow due process and leading international best practice when developing projects.

He also said PPPs must put people first and that it was essential to ensure public participation in the decision making process so that projects reflected the priorities of the populace.

Osinbajo said that paucity of funds was one of the major reasons for looking at PPP opportunities, adding that there were other advantages to be derived.

He gave the advantages to include a more efficient procurement regime, rigorous analysis and market testing of costs as well as more efficient operation and maintenance of infrastructure.

He said that given its significant infrastructure deficit, Nigeria would experience growth if investment was made in the building of roads, bridges, railways, ports, airports, housing, dams, telecommunications facilities and electric power. (NAN)

DCU/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

Alleged N2.2bn fraud: FG files charges against S’Court Chief Registrar, others
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Registrar
Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has filed  a nine-count criminal charge in an Abuja High Court against, Ahmed Gambo  Saleh, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and two others for alleged N2.2 billion fraud.

Saleh, had been pencilled down as the next substantive Secretary of the National Judicial Council.

The others charged with him  were Muhammed Sharif and Rilwan Lawal.

The defendants are being accused of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and taking gratification by Public officers.

The charge contravened Section 10 (a) (i) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

The charges reads:

“that you Ahmed Saleh, Muhammed Sharif and Rilwan Lawal‘M’, all of Supreme Court of Nigeria between 2009 and 2016 did agree to do an illegal act to wit: diverted N2.2 billion belonging to the Supreme Court of Nigeria into personal bank accounts domiciled at United Bank For Africa PLC a/c no 2027642863.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 LFN (Abuja) 2004.

Saleh, who is from Hadejia, in Jigawa State,  graduated from both Bayero University in Kano and Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.

(NAN)
WS/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-20

Players

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) Florence Omagbemi, Super Falcons’ Head Coach has  released players of Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens in the Senior Women National Team camp for the Federation Cup final on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams would lock horns in Sunday’s potentially explosive women Federation Cup final in Lagos.

This is according to a statement by Ademola Olajire, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF’s) spokesman and made available to NAN on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement quoted Omagbemi as saying that the ladies would be allowed to leave the team’s camp in Abuja to travel to Lagos for the big clash.

The game starts at 1 p.m. at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Sunday.

The decision by the coach has freed Angels’ half dozen of goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte, defenders Osinachi Ohale, Ugo Njoku and Gladys Akpa.

Also, midfielders Chioma Wogu and Glory Iroka would be part of the glamour event, to be attended by the Governors of Lagos, Anambra, Nasarawa, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

Bayelsa Queens’ duo of goalkeeper Alaba Jonathan and playmaker Osarenoma Igbinovia will also be on duty.

The involvement of the Super Falcons’ stars will certainly boost the quality of the final match.

It will also ensure the two teams do not miss their Falconets’ players who travel to Papua New Guinea for the 8th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup on the same day.

Coach Rolandson Odeh has to name replacements for Lilian Atule, Joy Bokiri and Yetunde Adeboyejo, while Edwin Okon will have to do without defender Patience Kalu. (NAN)

VO/YAZ

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Police beat Kenyan anti-graft protesters, fire tear gas – witnesses

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Protest
Nairobi, Nov. 3, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Police beat anti-corruption protesters with batons and fired volleys of tear gas to disperse them in Kenya’s capital on Thursday, witnesses said.

Hundreds of people rallied in the centre of Nairobi in response to reports in the local media and accusations by the opposition about graft and abuse of funds in public healthcare.

The government of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is expected to seek a second term in office in 2017 election, had made a campaign pledge to clamp down on corruption.

Opponents said he has been slow to act and failed to stop high-level graft.

“We supported the government before, but they let us down.

“Children are dying in hospitals because of corruption,’’ Beatrice Shiko, mother of two, who wore a red T-shirt with the slogan Act on corruption or resign said.

She joined others who sang as they marched towards parliament, before police fired volleys of tear gas and officers in riot gear charged the crowd, beating some with batons.

Many fled, some of them taking off their T-shirts that bore anti-corruption slogans as they ran away.

Corruption is seen as a major deterrent to investors in the East African nation and a daily frustration to ordinary citizens.

It is expected to be a focus for debate in next year’s elections for the presidency, parliament and regional posts.

Western donors have previously called for restraint by Kenyan police, who beat protesters attending other political demonstrations earlier this year. (Reuters/NAN)
OYE/AFA
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Felix Ajide
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NAN-ELS-4
Commendation
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Nov.3, 2016 (NAN) The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has commended an NGO called
“Love to the World Initiative’’ on its preparations to honour some distinguished personalities in
the country.

Mr Musa Chantu, the Director of Orientation and Behavioural Modification of the Agency made the
commendation at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

Chantu said NOA support the group’s move to award some Nigerians with the “Heal the Land/Bridge Builders Award, adding that it was a step in the right direction which could help in moving the country forward.

He said “we are in support of the objectives of the Heal the Land award because it is an initiative
to honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their different endeavors to the nation and humanity.

“We want to take away our attention from the negative scenario and stories about our country to something that is positive, thus the reward to the good among us a good step.

“With such moves, we can truly get the change that we desire; you are all aware that the president recently launched the “Change Begins With Me’’ campaign; change is no longer a slogan of a political party but a government programme for attitudinal change for us to change as a nation from where we are to where we want to be.

“No one is perfect but you can see the good in a person and bring it out in order to encourage him or her. ‘’

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Ms Josephine Abraham,
also known as “Anumbor’’ said that the purpose of the award was to portray the benefits of living together as one Nigeria.

Abraham said the award was also aimed at celebrating patriotic and detribalised Nigerians and
states.

The recently established NGO was aimed at building one big peaceful Nigerian society with people of great future and happy people who were self confident and live together in harmony.

Its vision is to break barriers and to make Nigerians to realise that they need one another no matter the class.

It aims to build an unconditionally loving society by utilising dramas, music, talk shows, motivational engagement and counselling.  (NAN)
CMY/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-HE-25
Growth
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Nov.3,2016 (NAN) Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the administration is investing heavily in infrastructure because it is convinced the effort will translate into economic growth for the country.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Minister of Finance, Mr Festus Akanbi, said Osinbajo made this known at the African Development Bank Knowledge Sharing Forum in Abuja on Thursday.

Osinbajo, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on the Economy, Dr Yemi Dipeolu, said there was a positive relationship between infrastructure and growth in the economy.

He said Nigeria would experience growth given the commitment of the present administration to invest hugely in infrastructure.

The vice president said,”there are also various estimates about the impact of infrastructure on growth but the broad consensus is that the relationship is a positive one.

“Accordingly, given its significant infrastructure deficit, Nigeria is most likely to experience growth if significant investment is made in the building of roads, bridges, railways, ports, housing, dams, and the likes.

“In the 2016 budget, government has proposed to spend N1.84 trillion on capital projects, amounting to about 30 per cent of the entire budget.

“Even though this is unprecedented in recent times, there is a realization that this figure is still way below what the country should ideally be investing in infrastructure.

Osinbajo explained that estimates showed that Nigeria required about 25billion U.S dollar annually for the next 10 years to grow its infrastructure to sustainable levels.

He said It was obvious that this could not be funded entirely by the public sector, hence the Public-Private Partnerships  model was brought to the forefront of considerations.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, restated the commitment of the administration to improve the operation of the Public, Private Partnership arrangement.

According to her, the Federal Government believes that Public Private Partnership is extremely important to the drive to restore and resolve the infrastructure of the country.

Adeosun said that solving the nation’s infrastructure problem would unlock the potential of the economy and get Nigeria out of the current challenges.

“As far as our financial strategy is concerned, we are very committed to PPP.

”And for us, the way to accelerate it is for the Federal Government to de-risk the involvement of the private sector and gradually, introduce the private sector to the PPP.

” This is because if we wait for every law to be changed and regulations to be amended, we will really not get any single project done,” she said

Adeosun said the Federal Government would start with a number of transactions in 2017, and would use the federal guarantee to simply take the risk away from the risky avarices of the projects.(NAN)
LCN/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

FG, World Bank sign risk guarantee agreement for $500m Calabar gas plant

NAN-HE-33

Agreement

Abuja, Nov. 3, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government and the World Bank on Thursday signed a Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) agreement for the supply of gas to the $500 million Calabar gas plant to boost energy supply by 500 megawatts.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who witnessed the signing of the agreement at the Presidential Villa, said the event is very significant for the country as it would encourage investment in gas infrastructure.

He said government expected that going by the current power situation, the investment was worth celebrating.

He said government was grateful to the World Bank and the investors in the Calabar plant for coming to the aid of the country in its quest for more energy supply.

“We are looking forward to the multiplier effect that will come from this investment,’’ Osinbajo said noting that the gas plant traversed Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

The Vice President also said the investment would portend greater things that could happen in the future.

Mr Chiedu Ugbo, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd., said the agreement was to tackle the gas supply issues in the plant built to generate about 561 megawatts of electricity.

He said the agreement was to enable the gas supplier to supply approximately 131 million cubic feet of gas per day to the Calabar plant from its field in Akwa Ibom.

Ugbo said it was the first PRG agreement for the payment security for the supply of gas to cushion the breach in payment for the supply of gas.

According to him, the Calabar Generation Company is owned by the NDPHC, concern of government, adding that in the event of breach, JP Morgan under the World Bank would pay and be reimbursed gradually in 12 months.

Also Speaking, Mr Philip Iheanacho, the Chief Executive of the Seven Energy, said this was the first gas-to-power guarantee that the World Bank had provided for encouraging investment in the gas sector in Nigeria.

He said it had unlocked about $700 million investment into gas infrastructure in the country.

“Seven Energy has committed its shareholders together with its banks for very significant investment on the back of this guarantee from the World Bank.

“It is a means of attracting capital into the gas sector, which is critical to the power sector in Nigeria,’’ he said.

Iheanacho noted that the World Bank had a programme of gas-to-power guarantees that could be used for further investments in the sector.

He said the big challenge for investors in the gas sector was their worry about payment risks.

“This structure enables investors to be confident that they would be paid on time because it is a guarantee from the World Bank.

“And that will unlock a lot more investment in the gas and power sector in Nigeria,’’ he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun and Ugbo signed for Nigeria while Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director and Iheanacho signed for World Bank.(NAN)
DCU/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Oyo State collaborates with CITN to improve IGR

NAN-HE-24
IGR

By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Nov. 3, 2016(NAN) Oyo State Government has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) to boost its Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).

Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi, Commissioner for Finance and Budget, stated this on Thursday in Ibadan at the Mandatory Professional Training Programme (MPTP) organised by the State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) in partnership with CITN.

He commended the CITN for joining hands with the state government in organising the Mandatory Professional Training Programme.

Dr Teju Somorin, the President of the Institute said that CITN is collaborating with the Oyo State Government to enlighten the people on tax payments.

Somorin, represented by Chief Otitoloju Ayodele, noted that only the private sector and government officials were paying their taxes regularly.

“We now want to bring in the informal sector into the tax net so that they can comply with the tax regulations and perform their civic responsibilities to assist the government.

This will give everybody the opportunity to enjoy the dividends of the government,” the CITN president added.

Mr Biyi Oloko, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Board of Internal Revenue, said that the collaboration was a good development.

He said that the programme would be used to enlighten the people on the different types of taxes and the need to pay regularly.

Mrs Tewogbade Deborah, the Head of Informal Sector at the BIR, described the programme as a good one, which would enable the people of the state to know more about taxation law and why they have to pay taxes regularly.(NAN)

TAA//OU/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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