Blog

NAN-H-106
Water
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The multi-billion Naira water project in Zaria which has reached 90 per cent completion, will be completed in 2017, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Lere, has said.

Lere made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing newsmen during an inspection tour of the site of the project in Zaria.

He said: “governor Nasir El-Rufa’i is set to break the jinx of the multi-billion Naira Zaria water project that will supply water to eight local government areas when completed next year.

“The gigantic water treatment plant will be completed in December this year while the entire project will be completed next year to end decades of suffering by Zaria residents over lack of potable water.

“An estimated sum of N69 billion is expected to be spent on the entire project covering Zaria and its environs.”

The commissioner pleaded with residents to cooperate with the contractors handling the project to ensure speedy completion.

He assured that there would be lot of improvements in supply of water before 2017.

“The water requirements currently for Zaria and its environs is about 100 million litres  per day and what we have now on ground is 60 million litres.

“Even though, it is not operating at optimal capacity due to dilapidated nature of the old water works and the challenge of power, by the time this new ones come on board, we will have total capacity of 210 million litres a day.

“This will have the potential of not only supplying  Zaria and Sabon Gari with water, but six additional local government areas,” he said.

Dr Henry Kiemeg, Project Manger, Gamji Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling part of the project, complained that some residents had illegally built on its “right of way.”

He said that as a result of this development, the ongoing laying of water pipelines in some areas had become a challenge. (NAN)
KLM/FAT/AEA
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(Edited by Fatima Sule and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

$17 billion refinery: AFREXIMBANK assures funding support to Dangote Group
NAN-HE-25
Refinery
Lagos, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) on Thursday said that it would assist the Dangote Group to access foreign exchange and funding for its 14 billion dollars refinery projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dr Okey Oramah, the President, AFREXIMBANK, gave the assurance during a tour with its board members to the refinery which is projected to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The tour of the facility was held at its location within the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.
Oramah said that the board members decided to visit Dangote group which is a leading African conglomerate business in West Africa and provide upport to its ongoing refinery projects.

He said that Dangote was making tremendous impacts across the continent which included Tanzania, The Gambia, Zambia, Niger and other parts of Africa and changing lives.

“We are supporting them in what they are doing in those countries, so we are equally supporting them in this ongoing project, so, it is important for the Board of Directors of AFREXIMBANK to pay a courtesy a visit to the site.
“It is important to come and see firsthand the project that is ongoing because we are also planning to support them to ensure the project is delivered on scheduled.
“We are looking at providing all necessary support both financial and otherwise to ensure that the project is completed within the time frame.
“We are also looking at providing support widow for Dangote group that will be used to fund its projects to completion.

“The impacts of the projects are not going to be felt in Nigeria alone but across Africa,especially West African, so for us it’s a strategic partnership were building.
“If we help them to impact lives across the continent, they will equally help in delivering on our mandate to meet the objective of AFREXIMBANK.
“It’s a wonderful facility that needs to be publicised to the world, the projects is the largest in the world which will supply not only Nigeria but West Africa,’’ NAN quotes Oramah as saying.
In his remarks, Chief Operating Officer, Dangote Industries Ltd., Mr Olakunle Alake, said that the board members of AFREXIMBANK which he called partners from Cairo in Egypt came to see the level mof ongoing project.
Alake said that the Fertilizer plant project was gradually nearing completion stage, adding that work had also commenced on the refinery project.
He said that foreign exchange still remained a major challenge to the projects, adding that the forex had moved up from N280 per dollar to N 310 now, which had further increased the company’s losses.
According to him, there are still serious challenges in sourcing for foreign exchange.

“it s a challenge we found ourselves. We are posed to complete the projects within the time frame to ease the forex problem.
“ We are engaging the Federal Government to support the private initiatives by providing funding to the projects.
“Government through the Bank of Industry (BoI) schemes has given us credit facility of N50 billion to develop the fertilizer plant project.
“We have also gotten another approval of N75 billion for the refinery which we have not disbursed,’’ he said.
The COO of Dangote said that the $17 billion refinery project would crash the price of  petrol because the product would be refined in the country and would therefore save some costs incurred in the import market.
He urged government to sincerely pursue the diversification of the economy.

He said that projects such as these were needed to wean Nigeria from relying solely on oil as well as optimise government revenue.
According to him, the best way of diversification for Nigeria is agriculture and out fertelizer plant is in line with that goal.
“ By the time we finish out gas pipeline, it can generate about 12,000MW and we can export to other African countries.
“We would have the capacity to store four billion litres of products, and can load 2,680 trucks per day.
“ Nigeria will save 7.5 billion dollars yearly from the project when completed,’’ he said.
Alake said the plant’s basic engineering was currently at 98 per cent completion, while the construction stood at 30 per cent.

He said that the project would aid the country with about 7.5 billion dollars forex savings on import substitution; generate $5 billion forex earnings from savings and another 5.5 billion dollars export earnings.
The plant, according to him, will generate over 100,000 employment opportunities and revive over 11,000 filling stations that had been shut down due to shortage of products.
He said the project was designed to process largely variety of crudes including all African crudes, a range of Middle Eastern crudes and U.S crudes. (NAN)
YO/TA
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Edited/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-DS-10
Parade
By Edeki Igafe
Warri (Delta), Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Navy on Thursday paraded a suspected member of the Niger Delta Avengers at its base Warri, Delta.
Commodore Joseph Dzunve, Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, paraded the suspect identified as Mr Abraham Suru nicknamed ”Gabon” before newsmen.
He said that the suspect was apprehended on Sept. 20, 2016 in Sapele, Delta following a tip-off.
The commander said that the suspect had been involved in various criminal activities since 2011 in the creeks.
“The suspect has been involved in criminal activities including pipeline vandalism, sea robbery, illegal bunkering among others since. 2011.
“Currently, he is a member of the Niger Delta Avengers.
“The Navy is committed to ensuring safety in our nation’s maritime domain,” he said.
Dzunve said the navy was a committed component of Operation Delta Safe, adding that it was resolute in ensuring safe maritime environment.
The commander urged law abiding members of the public to go about their legitimate businesses as they had nothing to fear. (NAN)
EDI/ORO/AEA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-F-11

Solution

New York, Sept. 22, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that a solution for the decades-long division of Cyprus could be reached by the end of 2016.

He said this would be possible to achieve if all sides continued to engage constructively in negotiations.

“I do believe that this ambitious goal is achievable,” he said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was set to hold a meeting on Sunday with Anastasiades and his Turkish counterpart, Mustafa Akinci at the sidelines of the assembly.

Cyprus has been divided between north and south and along ethnic lines since a Greek coup and Turkish military intervention in 1974.

The internationally recognised and predominately Greek Republic of Cyprus is located in the Southern part of the Island.

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), which is only recognised by Turkey, occupies the North.

OYE/EEE

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Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Ese E. Ekama

ITF to begin nationwide graduate training programmes – Area Manager

NAN-HE-21

Training

By Nuhu Martha Asama

Jos, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) says it is making plans to begin graduate training programmes across the country to cushion the high rate of unemployment faced by the country.

Mr Sirpiya Yoila, Manager, ITF, Jos Area Office, announced this during the ITF/stakeholders interactive forum in Jos on Thursday.

Yoila said that the initiative, which would kickstart early next year, became necessary due to the high rate of unemployment in the country and the harsh economic times.

He said multi skill was at the front burner in these times, as having just a university degree was not enough, adding that most university degrees were no longer sell-able in the labour market.

“The graduate programme is very important because right now you will agree with me and discover that multi skills is what is on the front burner now.

“As we all know, the Nigerian economy is in serious trouble and unemployment is very very high, having a skill by the side is what will save the situation.

“So if you went to the university to acquire a degree in an area and discover that it is no longer sell-able anywhere, then the best thing is to have a re-think,” he said.

The manager explained that the ITF would ensure that 500 graduates who needed the required training were identified in every region to be re-skilled in various areas.

“ITF is now making sure that we identify with graduates in every region; we will train about 500 to re-skill them to make them independent entrepreneurs who in turn can employ others.

According to him, in line with the Fund’s corporate social responsibility, the trainees will not necessarily pay for the training programmes as the fund will take up most part of the funding.

Earlier, the Zonal Director, ITF Jos Area Office, Mr Peter Agbo, urged the stakeholders who came from the hospitality, education and medical sectors, to ensure that their staff were trained and re trained for optimal output.

Agbo said that the interaction was meant to enable organisers and participants to exhange views on current issues and trends in human capital development functions.

He added that the meeting was timely owing to the deep recession and depression the economy had sunk into, urging the stakeholders to make collective efforts towards ensuring the economy recovered quickly.

“The ITF as you are aware was established for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the acquisition of skills for national development.

“We are happy that today all sectors of the Nigerian economy recognise the importance of continuous training and re training of staff for optimal output and growth of the economy.

“It is in this line that we have invited you today so that we can rub minds and also encourage you on the need to train and retrain your staff, being that we have not liaised with you in recent times.

“This interaction would not have come at a better time than this, as we are all aware of the deep recession our economy has sunk into.(NAN)

ADY/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-DS-9

Refugees

By Ali Inuwa

Bama (Borno) Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Borno State Government says it will partner with the Danish Refugee Council to ensure the return of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes by May 29, 2017.

The state Governor, Kashim Shettima said this on Thursday when he received a team of officials from the Danish Refugee Council in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the move was to satisfy the yearnings of the IDPs who were eager to return home.

“Our people want to go back to their homes and pick up the pieces of their lives, especially in communities where there is semblance of peace.

“We have no intent to stampede people back home without their consent.

“Our intention as a government is to see that all our people are returned back to their communities on or before May 29, 2017.

“But our resources are limited, so we are willing to partner with you in the project,” Shettima told the delegation.

He said that the government’s plan was to rebuild Bama, the second largest town in the state.

“Our focus now is Bama. If you fix Bama and Gwoza, you have fixed half of the problems in the state.

“Because fixing the two LGAs, you might end up resettling up to one million people,” he said.

He also appealed to the council to help towards empowering the IDPs economically to enable them survive when they return home.

“We need your support towards our desire to resettle our people as most of them could not go to their farms for the current farming season.

“This is because we have to find a means of livelihood for them to survive when they return home,’’ Shettima said.

He commended the officials for traveling to Bama to meet with him.

“Your coming to Bama means a lot to us, because other organisations will have preferred to meet us either in Abuja or Maiduguri.

“But you came down to Bama with all the attendant risk. This bears testimony to your commitment to assist the people of the state and the country at large,’’ Shettima said.

Earlier, Mr Shah Litol , the Country Representative of the council, who led the team told the governor that their visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration towards rendering humanitarian assistance to the state. (NAN)

ABI/DO/EEE

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Edited by David Onilede/Ese E. Ekama

UN urges enhancing aviation security to thwart terrorist threat
NAN-F-25
Aviation
New York, Sept. 22, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Countries must prevent terrorists from targeting air travel by complying with existing international guidelines on aviation security and enhancing information-sharing, the UN Security Council said on Thursday.

In a resolution passed unanimously during a ministerial-level meeting, the council did not impose new obligations on counties.

The council stressed the importance of adhering to existing security guidelines developed and monitored by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The global aviation industry, which has developed just over the past century, now facilitates 3 billion air travels annually.

It noted that “states are dependent on the effectiveness of each others’ aviation security systems.

“This is because of the global nature of air travel, the council urged countries to strengthen security screening procedures and cooperate on information sharing and border protection,’’ the council said.

British Foreign Minister, Boris Johnson, said that the document and the meeting, which was the first time the council dealt with the threat of terrorism to air travel, were a “resounding call to action.

“Civil aviation faces an evolving danger from terrorists who probe relentlessly for chinks in our collective armour.

“We all depend on each other to provide a secure aviation environment,’’ he said.(NAN)

OYE/AMY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

Kia motors to penetrate Africa for more markets
NAN-F-24
Kia
Addis Ababa, Sept. 22, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South Korea’s Kia Motors Corp signed a deal with a local company on Thursday to embark on assembling cars in Ethiopia and considering similar operations in some other African countries.

“It is important to penetrate the African market.

“We are also looking at the prospects of opening similar plants in Algeria and other countries,” Soon Lee, President of Kia’s Middle East and Africa Headquarters, said.

Kia and Belayab Motors PLC, with whom it signed the agreement, said the plant in the town of Adama south of the capital Addis Ababa, will produce its first vehicle in January.

“We plan to produce 3,000 vehicles of three models every year, the amount could rise to 9,000 if extra shifts are added.

“The Rio subcompact model and the Sportage sports utility vehicle are among the models that will be assembled at the plant.

“It will be expanded through a 6.83 million dollars investment from Belayab,’’ Fikadu Girma, Belayab’s General Manager said.

Kia, whose only plant in the continent is based in Nigeria, said the move would enable it to establish a foothold in east Africa.

Ethiopia produces about 8,000 commercial and other vehicles a year for the home market, about a quarter of which are cars.

Among those present include Chinese firms Lifan and Geely.

Though a minnow in the continental market, the government wants to turn the industry into one of the biggest on the continent through incentives such as cheap labour and tax breaks. (Reuters/NAN)

OYE/AMY

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

Abuja DSTV subscribers agitate for“ pay as you go billing“

NAN-H-100

DSTV

By Bukola Adewumi

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) A cross section of Nigerian DSTV Multichoice subscribers have called on the National Assembly and the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to compel the company to commence “pay as you go billing”.

Some of the subscribers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said that this was the practice in South Africa, the country home of the company.

The subscribers spoke in reaction to the company`s recent directive that subscribers who might want to travel for 14 days, should apply for travel subscription suspension within 48 hours.

It would be recalled that DSTV MultiChoice had in a statement on Wednesday, indicated that Nigerians could now suspend their subscription while away from home.

According to the company, such privilege will be granted upon request and with 48-hour notice twice yearly.

Most subscribers, however, expressed dismay at the notice, saying that the company was taking Nigerians for granted.

Mrs Dorcas Adeoye, a civil servant and a DSTV subscriber, described the notice as unfortunate and called on relevant government authorities to look into the situation.

She added that the Federal Government should compel the South African company to embrace the “pay as you go billing” as was done in other countries.

Adeoye described DSTV action as an affront on Nigerians and blamed the National Assembly and the NCC for not enforcing the law.

Mr Muhammed Musa, an Abuja-based businessman, said that it was unfortunate that foreign companies dictate how they would serve Nigerians.

He added that such companies most times, did not consider the ill-feelings and complaints of the people about their services.

Another subscriber Mr Chinedu Ikedi, described the DSTV directive as an insult on the collective sensibilities of Nigerians.

He maintained that it was the responsibility of DSTV to know when subscribers were not using their decoders and “ when to do the needful“.

According to him, since the company normally calls subscribers to remind them to renew their subscription ones it expires, it should apply same method rather than asking Nigerians to apply for service suspension.

It would be recalled that DSTV Abuja Subscribers’ Forum in 2015 protested the company’s tariff increase at its Maitama office.

The protest was meant not only to push for tariff reduction but to also demand a prepaid tarriff plan for subscribers.

Also, in Ebonyi, DSTV subscribers while protesting the company`s decision to increase tariff on April 2015, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the activities of the company to save Nigerians from exploitation. (NAN)

BOL/EEM/NKO

Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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dumbuyas-audioAudio Attached

NAN-H-95

Powers

By Tope Ponle

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Speakers of some African parliaments have urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to confer legislative powers on the ECOWAS Parliament to enable it to function truly as a parliament.

The Speakers made the call at the opening of the Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday.

The Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament, Mr Sheku Dumbuya, stated that until the ECOWAS Parliament begins to perform legislative functions, it will be a misnomer to address it as a parliament.

Cue in audio (Dumbuya)

“I emphasise that the parliament standing on its own leg, apart from the authority, should be brought visibly to the people.

“Many national parliaments are not doing enough in this respect.

“I solemnly, passionately and at the same time firmly call on all  of you to spare no effort in making ECOWAS Parliament a veritable parliament worthy of what the word “parliament” denotes and connotes.

“I wish to submit here that a parliament that only advises or only exists to be consulted ceases to be a parliament in the traditional sense of the word.

“Parliament is principally all about legislating; the functions of oversight and representation are performed only after legislation.

“As long as ECOWAS parliament continues to serve only as advisory or consultative body, it is doing virtually nothing pertinent to a real legislature.

“Unless the ECOWAS Parliament is vested with full legislative powers, it would be a misnomer to refer to it as a parliament.”

  Cue out audio

The Speaker of the EALA, Mr Daniel Kidega, said it was imperative for the ECOWAS Parliament to function as a legislative body in order to realise integration to the fullest.

Kidega said that such functions would enable the parliament to enact laws that would influence change and respond to the demands of the population.

“I recall with vigour the third legislature sought the enhancement of its powers to include the power to legislate in co-decision with the Council of Ministers, budget appropriation and confirmation of statutory appointees of the community institutions.

“However, last year, reservations raised amongst some of the member states put on check the adoption of the signing of the Draft Supplementary Act on the Enhance of Powers of the Parliament.

“The fourth parliament has once again taken up on the spirited campaign to enhance its powers, and this is an initiative that has the full support of the EALA.”

He noted that the EALA functioned as a legislative body in the EAST African sub-region adding the “our experience as a regional parliament is unique”.

He further said that EALA had enacted more than 70 pieces of legislation which he said had contributed to transforming the live of citizens within the East African sub-region.

He called on ECOWAS to enhance institutional collaboration to facilitate the realisation of the ECOWAS Vision 2020.

EALA is the law-making organ of the East African Community.

As the legislative organ of the community, EALA is responsible for approving budgets of the EAC, debating audit reports, performing an oversight function, and initiating Bills in the Assembly.

The EALA representatives hold office for five years and are eligible for re-election once for a further term of five years.

Decisions in the Assembly are guided by a majority vote of the representatives present and voting.

Once a Bill has been enacted by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State or Government, it becomes an Act of the Community. (NAN)

TOP/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim

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