Blog

NAN-AE-18
Water
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, said on Wednesday that the state government would partner with the private sector to build more water works.

Adejare told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the private sector arrangement was in line with the state government’s Public Private Partnership (PPP).

“The Lagos State Government is not planning to privatise the Lagos State Water Corporation, contrary to the belief that it is partnering with a financial institution to sell the corporation.

“Rather than privatising, the state government will be partnering with the private sector to build water works under a Public Private Partnership arrangement.

“The private sector partner would build and charge reasonable amount,’’ the commissioner said.

Adejare said the move became necessary as the cost of building single water works had gone up, due to the exchange rate volatility.

He said that the government had limited resources with competing needs across sectors.

“We cannot afford to stick to the status-quo, as we are battling with vector-borne diseases, and we need to sort out the issue of appropriate pricing,” he said.

The commissioner said that currently, Water Corporation charged 5k per litre, as against N100 per litre being charged by the local water vendor.

Adejare said that water supply in the state was being given a new lease of life.

He said that most of the water works such as Ishasi, Adiyan and Iju now produced and supplied uninterrupted water to Lagos residents, following the repairs and restoration of power supply to the plant.

He said that the government was finding a lasting solution to the water-billing problems. (NAN)
ACA/FLP/AFA
Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Felix Ajide
=============================

Ebonyi Govt.’s plant for turning waste-to-wealth ready soon – Commissioner

NAN-AE-17
Waste
Abakaliki, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Ebonyi Government says it will soon commence the utilisation of waste materials from the state and other states with a view to turning them to wealth.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Mr Sunday Inyima, disclosed this on Wednesday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

While commenting on the progress of work on the mega pulverization plant located at Umuoghara, Inyima said the plant would be among the biggest in the country and would be ready soon.

He said the plant would be completed by December this year, adding that the people of Ebonyi would benefit from the project.

“By virtue of the location of that mega plant, a lot of people do not know that things have been going on there since last year September when the ground breaking ceremony was done.

“I tell you that if you go there today, we are at the roofing level.

“The beams are being stationed, all the stations are standing and we will put all the beams by December; God willing, we shall put that place in use.

“So many benefits are expected from the plant, a time will come when Ebonyians will derive value from the waste generated from their houses.

“Waste is going to turn into money and that is why it is called turning waste-to-wealth management.

“The plant is going to be big and the only place we have it is in Lagos, but what we even have here is the only one in the south east, “ he said.

The commissioner expressed the hope that as soon as the plant begins operation, it will be collecting refuse from other states and would be turning them to finished products.

“We are taking it bit by bit because fund is not readily available to the level we want it and everything we do is being properly scrutinised.

“At this level, we have spent N200 million from the foundation to the steel structure we have put in place. “

Inyima thanked Gov. David Umahi for giving the youths in the state some space in his administration. (NAN)
UVU/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
============================

Mrs Buhari condoles with family of Gen. Buratai over father-in-law’s death

NAN-H-109

Condolence

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari on Wednesday condoled with the family of Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai over the death of his father-in-law, Alhaji Mohammad Aliyu Baba.

Aliyu Baba died in Jalingo at the age of 70.

Mrs Buhari who visited the family at Niger Barracks, Abuja, the official residence of the Chief of Army Staff prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

She also prayed for the family to have the fortitude to bear the loss.

The wife of the president also commended Gen.  Buratai for the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

In their responses, Buratai and his wife, Ummu Qursum, expressed their appreciation for the visit (NAN).

AMU/OU/OU
==========

Edited by Obike UKkoh

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

Media chief urges NGOs, individuals to assist prisoners

NAN-HG-14

Inmates

By Muhammad Baba Busu

Lafia, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The General Manager, Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Alhaji Yusuf Musa, has called on good-spirited individuals and NGOs to assist the Federal Government by providing relief materials to prison inmates.

Musa made the appeal on Wednesday when he led the management team to present 10 bags of rice to inmates of the Nigeria Prison in Lafia.

“There is the an urgent need for well-to-do individuals and NGOs to complement government effort by providing relief materials to prison inmates in the country, to as well enable them have a sense of belonging,” he said.

Musa said it was the desire of government to give proper attention to the well-being of inmates in prisons across the country, hence the need for the support.

The general manager said his decision to assist the inmates with the food items was to ensure that they are as well served with three square meals, for them to be healthy even after their jail term.

He noted that the organisation deemed it necessary to present the bags of rice to the inmates following the efforts of the state Comptroller of Prisons Service, Mr Ekwere Ekanem, to give them better welfare.

He also pledged his organisation’s continuous support to the inmates through relief materials and necessary publicity on their plight while in incarceration.

“The comptroller is the first in Nasarawa state to visit our station, NBS, and explain the needs of the inmates for the public to know.

“We need to appreciate and pray God to bless him and move him to another level.

“We are charging the inmates not to lose hope in God concerning their plights and conditions,” he said.

He assured the inmates of better life outside the prison walls and urged them to remain focussed, seek forgiveness from God and pray for the state comptroller of prisons and leaders at all levels.

Ekanem had earlier said the Lafia prison has a total population of 619 inmates in their custody, expressed gratitude to NBS for showing love to the inmates and prayed God to reward them.

“They have confided in me that this is just the beginning of the journey, God helping them, they will love to be here most of the time because they are here to personally present these gifts to all of them.

“I know the inmates appreciate their coming,” he said.

He commended the general manager for the gesture and appealed to other spirited individuals and NGOs to come to their aid so as to give the inmates a sense of belonging. (NAN)

BAB/EAL/MST
Edited Ekemini Ladejobi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Pensioners urge FG to release N51bn accrued right for PENCOM

NAN-H-80
Pensioners
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has urged the Federal Government to release N51 billion accrued right necessary for National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to live up to its mandate to pay retirees.

The President of the union, Mr Abel Afolayan, made the call during the National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

Afolayan said that the problem of pensioners late payment was due to government inability to release the accrued rights of more than N51 billion to PENCOM to help them address the issues of pensioners arrears across the country.

“It has become an attitude among many government agencies and employers’ defaulting the remittance of contribution of workers to the PFA’s and this is affecting the progress of the scheme.

“I want to assure that we shall not rest on our oars until the government pays us all our entitlement to the last kobo.’’

According to him, the NEC meeting this year is a mixture of sober reflection and great celebrations, saying many pensioners had died.

“As senior citizens we pray that recession will not turn to depression and that Nigeria will quickly come out of it and become even much stronger.’’

He commended the past Director-General of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Mr Murtala Oluwatoyin, for the payment of 24 months arrears of 33 per cent and the 42 months to CIPO pensioners.

He noted that the new executive secretary of PTAD, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, had assured to pay the balance of 18 months of 33 per cent arrears in no distant time.

According to him, NUP and PTAD would enter into a new negotiation with government on the new pension review which had been due for another increment since July 2015.

He also commended state governors who had paid pensioners their allowance, listing the states as Jigawa, Anambra, Enugu,Yobe and Lagos.

He called on defaulting governors to live up to their responsible, adding that pensioners are dying daily because of lack of money.

The executive secretary of PTAD said they are tackling and resolving pensioners’ complaints by improving the complaint management system for effective tracking and resolution of complaints.

According to her, PTAD intends to make payment of all entitlement and benefits before continuation of the civil service verification in other zones.

She said that PTAD had established state offices to ensure that pensioners do not travel far to lay complaints.

Ikeazor noted that pension administration was in need of change and that the change would begin with PTAD, she therefore urged pensioners to be aware of pension fraudsters.

The National President of Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Mr Kiri Mohammed, commended NUP and promised to collaborate with the union to ensure its growth and stability. (NAN)

BOL/MST/MST

Edited By Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-106
Honour
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Young Achievers Nigeria Magazine on Tuesday honoured a 23-year-old, Islamiyat Abdulkadir, who emerged as the overall best graduating student at the International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdulkadir lost her parents at the age of six years.

She was able to pursue her education through a scholarship award received from the International University of Africa, Sudan.

Presenting the award, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela , the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, said that with dedication and hard work, one can attain greatness not minding the background one came from.

Olowofela said that while background may be challenging, one would achieve set vision with focus.

He urged students in Oyo State to work hard, saying there was no shortcut to success.

The commissioner also advised youths to imbibe the culture of hard work and choose a mentor who would help  them to attain success.

“The intention of the state government for cancelling automatic promotion was to promote excellence and breed people like Abdulkakir.

“Those against the cancelation are enemies  of progress and no stone would be left unturned in the move for Oyo State to be great,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the publisher of Young Achievers Nigeria Magazine, Mr Ibrahim Adeduntan, said that the publication showcases and celebrates uncommon Nigerian youths who had broken the ceiling of limitations to excel in their field.

Adeduntan said that Abdulkadir was being celebrated because of her outstanding academic excellence inspite of her challenges.

He said that this would encourage upcoming Nigeria youths and would also spur Abdulkadir to greater heights.

Adeduntan also said that the magazine had celebrated more than 1,000 youths in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

In her remarks, Abdulkadir expressed gratitude to the magazine for the award given to her, saying her academic achievements so far seemed like a miracle.

She also expressed gratitude to her mentor, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, the mmediate past Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, University College Hospital,Ibadan, and those who contributed to her success.

NAN reports that dignitaries at the occasion included Mr Toye Arunlogun,Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Mr Abayomi Oke, his counterpart in the Youths and Sports Ministry. (NAN)
SYS/OJO
=======
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-99
Railways
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Sen. Olugbenga Ashafa, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, says amendment of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Bill, 2016 will propel the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) in the transportation sub-sector.

Ashafa, representing Lagos East in the Senate, spoke on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He led the committee on an oversight visit to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.

NAN reports that the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, had last week urged the National Assembly to pass the proposed National Transport Commission Bill.

Amaechi said that this would enable the private sector to operate and manage trains, roll stock and have their own tracks.

He had explained that the 3,505 kilometres narrow gauges rail system, comprising Lagos-Kano; Port Harcourt-Maiduguri and Zaria-Kaura Namoda; had been slated for concession to a consortium of reputable international operators.

The minister said that this was to free the existing narrow gauge tracks from their sub-optimal conditions utilisation.

Ashafa said that the National Assembly had done what was not done in the last 25 years by considering and approving amendment to the NRC Bill, 2016.

He said, “That means we have now open-up the rail sector for PPP and it translates to a lot of direct foreign investment into Nigeria.

“Whenever you switch on your television or open the national newspapers, you will either see the President talking about rail, Minister talking about rail and legislators talking about rail, that is what we want at this moment.’’

According to him, huge revenue will accrue to the government through cargo and passengers rail, apart from simplifying movement of passengers and goods across different parts of the country.

“This movement will be cheaper, easier and stand the test of time; again, the pressure on our roads will be removed.

“We have a bad road network and that is why whatever the minister is doing or he has done now, was as if he has not done much,’’ he told NAN.

The senator said that with proper rail network, the prosperity Nigerians were yearning for would be a reality.

Ashafa explained that the committee’s oversight visit was to assess the progress work on the ongoing projects and capacity building at the NITT.

“There is a remarkable improvement compare to what we saw during our last visit in February.

“On our part, we will ensure legislative functions that will lead to productive training in the institute,’’ he said. (NAN)
KLM/AIB/GOK
Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Olagoke Olatoye

========

Synergos to use cassava peels to produce animal feeds in 3 states

NAN-AE-13
Cassava
By Kudirat Ogunyemi
Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Synergos, a Non-Governmental Organisation, says its project called State Partnership for Agriculture (SPA) will use cassava peel to produce animal feeds in three states.

Synergos analyst, Mr Oladapo Ajayi, said this at the commencement of Visual facilitation workshop for stakeholders on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ajayi said that the project was designed to assist people to solve the problems relating to poverty by converting cassava peels to animal feeds.

“The SPA is in three states of Kogi, Benue and Kaduna, but Kaduna has not been launched.

“Kogi and Benue focus is to transform cassava peel to animal feeds due to the excess of cassava production in those states. “

NAN reports that Synergos is a global non-profit organisation that fights poverty, and help to solve problems on health, nutrition, agriculture, education and employment.

He stated different groups organised and facilitated the process as core delivery, agriculture vision group and agriculture innovation group.

“The core delivery team is to make sure the target set by state had been met and agric. vision maps out in the agricultural interest of the state.

“All these can be achieved by training the key stakeholders on how to communicate to farmers in simple way through graphic and break the language barriers. “

Mr Micheal Agon, Project Leader in Benue, said that SPA in the state is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and MDAs to implement the project.

“Our focus is to change agriculture from subsistence to agribusiness and learn a new way to communicate with farmers.

“We also want to help the smallholder farmers to increase their income because basically the cassava peel has been wasting and spoiling the environment.

“We are bringing the transformation of the cassava peel into valuable feed for the livestock which the industries have already set up among business individuals and the company will start production soon, “ he said.

Also speaking, Mr Victor Adejoh, Project leader, Kogi, said the SPA was launched at the national level in March 2016 with the objective of turning agriculture to core business for farmers.

Adejoh said that the key stakeholders in the state meet forth nightly to discuss the challenges and opportunities in agriculture under the platform called Agric Vision Group.

“We have identified some key cluster production centres and we are currently implementing the project so as to turn waste-to-wealth among women and also engage in capacity building.

“We have develop Kogi State Agric Investment Policy which is the policy to be put in the portal to win the investors in the state and show what is happening in the sector.

“The other aspect of the project is to mainstream the nutritional agenda to the extent of engaging a consultant to support the platform on the gender as good nutrition practising and policy at the state.

NAN also reports that Synergos is partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to finance the project in Kogi, Benue and Kaduna. (NAN)
ROK/MOL/AFA
Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Felix Ajide
============================

Wife seeks payment of N600, 000 debt from ex-husband

NAN-H-104

Debt

By Usman Aliyu

Ilorin, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) A businesswoman, Afusat Taiye, on Wednesday prayed an Ilorin Area Court to order her estranged husband, Alhaji Baba Olarewaju to pay her N600, 000 debt he owed her.

The court had on Sept. 27 dissolved the marriage between Afusat and Olarewaju, who is the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ilorin West Local Council of Kwara for lack of love.

Olarewaju filed the suit for marriage dissolution based on a claim that he did not love her anymore.

But the divorced wife in her claims sought for order compelling the plaintiff to liquidate the N600, 000 she loaned the PDP chieftain before their separation.

She also sought a refund of school fees she had been paying on their only child, Bilkilsu since 2014.

The claimant wanted the court to as well grant her request of N10, 000 as maintenance allowance for the child from her ex-husband.

She explained that the respondent was not nice to her, saying he starved her sexually for nine years and did not also provide for the family.

The counsel to the respondent, Mr A. A. Ibrahim denied owing the claimant any dime.

The Judge, Mr AbdulQuadir Ibrahim adjourned the matter till Dec. 6 for the complainant to provide a proof for her claims. (NAN)
AUO/MNA/OU

===========

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Obike Ukoh

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

FCTA embarks on massive completion of road projects in Abuja

NAN-H-77
Roads
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Director of Engineering Services Department, Malam Adamu Abu, has assured the administration’s determination to complete all abandoned road projects.

Abu said this when touring the 10-Lane Airport (Umaru Musa Yar’Adua) and Kubwa (Murtala Muhammed) Expressways on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the two expressways would be substantially completed by the end of December.

“But auxiliary services like street lights and telecommunication ducts would be completed and handed over by the middle of 2017,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT Administration has resumed works on stalled major road projects within the Federal Capital City with the intention of completing them.

“Most of these stalled or abandoned road projects today have been captured in the 2016 budget.

“This is with additional impetus from the window of 2017 appropriation plan of the FCT Administration which has encouraged contractors to return and remain on sites,’’ he said.

The director said that the team’s visit to the construction sites must have given an insight into the on-going projects that have been abandoned for some time now due to lack of funds in the past.

Abu noted that with the efforts of the administration and the financial plan put in place through the windows of the 2017 budget, many contractors have been encouraged and have been working assiduously.

“This administration is also working vigorously to complete the on-going works at Tanks 1 and 6 to provide enough portable water to the districts in Phases I-III.

“The overhead bridge of the railway crossing before Kubwa where train from Idu moves to Kaduna would be completed by the end of the year,’’ he said.

An engineer with Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Mr Simon Agene, assured that the firm is now committed to complete the project by the end of 2016 and handover at least by the first or second quarter of 2017.

Some FCDA site engineers that led the team round the Bill Clinton Drive junction interchange led by Mr Murtala Greema, disclosed that they are always at the site to ensure standard and quality control.

NAN also reports that some of the sites visited were the locations of the massive on-going construction works for the completion of the Circle road around the Three-Arms-Zone.

The road is known as B6 and B12 in the Abuja Master Plan, which is the road from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to the Federal Secretariat.

Also visited was the road from the Federal Secretariat (Phase II) to the Presidential Villa coming under the bridge linking the Stadium which was hitherto abandoned for several years.

Two major underpass bridges where the proposed new City Gate is expected to be constructed to serve as another tourists’ attraction has almost been completed.

This is in addition to the road construction behind Grand Square to Leventis Super Store in the Central Business District.

The trumpet interchange at the Airport junction by Bill Clinton Drive is also being completed.

Just as efforts are being made to connect the loops (ramps) moving out from Bill Clinton Drive as well as motorists from Gwagwalada-Giri axis into the Airport and the city centre, respectively.

Meanwhile, all the tangents connecting the city centre, Gwagwalada and environs are completely ready and are currently being used by motorists.

The Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX), known as Goodluck Jonathan Expressway, from behind the National Christian Centre through the Central Bank of Nigeria, bordering the Central Business District and Garki I to Kaura Districts down to Galadimawa Roundabout (interchange) is witnessing remarkable construction works.

In a related development, the several knotty potholes in and around the city centre due to the age of the roads are simultaneously being attended to.

Such roads include those at the ever busy Power House Junction and AYA to Ring Road I (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway).

Others are Shehu Shagari Way by Ring Road I, Ladoke Akintola Boulevard as well as IBB Way by BPE Junction have all being mended. (NAN)

KM/AK/MST

Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola