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Expert charges shipping operators on proper management of ballast water

Ballast

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) A chemist, Dr Chukwuemeka Isanbor, on Thursday urged shipping operators to ensure proper management of ballast water to minimise its ecological, economic and health hazards on humans.

Isanbor, a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos, gave the advice during a Sensitisation and Awareness programme on Ballast Water, organised by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ballast water is water carried in ships’ ballast tanks to improve stability, balance and trim. It is taken up or discharged when cargo is unloaded or loaded.

When ships take on ballast water, plants and animals that live in the ocean are also picked up.

Isandor said studies had revealed that invasion of such organisms caused harmful ecological, economic and health challenges in the host environment.

“When ships were first built years ago, they carried solid ballast in the form of rocks, sand and metals.

“However, since around 1880, ships have used water as ballast principally because it is more readily available and much easier to load on and off a ship and is, therefore, more efficient and economical than solid ballast,” sanbor said.

He said the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) noted that over the past century, the impact of invasive alien species (IAS) had been particularly high on islands.

Isanbor said it was predicted in the assessment that the impact of IAS over the coming decades would grow in intensity, especially in inland waters and coastal areas.

He said IAS were recognised as one of the major direct causes of biodiversity loss and changes in the ecosystem.

Isanbor said there was need ensure that suitable sample port and sample probe were installed on vessels.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of NPA, Ms Hadiza Usman, said it was important for the authority to sensitise the shipping companies to avoid ecological health hazards due to lack of proper management of ballast water.

Usman, represented by Capt. Ebubeogu Ihenacho, General Manager, MD’s Office said the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) had a convention to regulate ballast water and to control the transfer of invasive species.

“The International Maritime Organisation adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) in February 2004,” Usman said.

The managing director said the purpose of the convention was to prevent, minimise and ultimately eliminate the risk of introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens which used the ballast water as a hub.

The Assistant General Manager, Health Safety and Environment, NPA, Mrs Kadijat Sheidu-Shabi, urged stakeholders to take advantage of the sensitisation and improve the management of ballast water. (NAN)

AIC/AOM/SA

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Salif Atojoko

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WISTA

Lagos, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) said it had secured a seat at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the apex regulatory body for maritime activities globally.

The President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs Mary Hamman, disclosed this during the association’s 2018 annual business luncheon in Lagos on Thursday.

Hamman noted that WISTA’s consultative status at the IMO would avail the association the opportunity to promote diversity, inclusion and women’s empowerment in the global body.

“WISTA can now formally contribute to the discussion for increasing capacity in the maritime industry, both shoreside and onboard ships.

“The association’s efforts is to support the overarching principles in IMO’s strategic plan, especially the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women,” she said.

The Chairman of the ocassion, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, urged the association to play more active role in the World Trade Organization (WTO), noting that the organisation was critical in the affairs of global trade.

Ihenacho, who is also the Chairman of Intergrated Oil and Gas Limited, urged the association to take steps that would give the association more significant representation at the IMO Council.

Also speaking, a veteran Master Mariner, Capt. Adewale Ishola, commended WISTA Nigeria for sponsoring the nation’s first female Master Mariner.

Ishola also lauded the association for empowering women groups with the purchase of fishing boats, fishing nets, boat engines for women in various parts of the country.

He also thanked the association for sponsoring female cadets which had led to the emergence of the first female Nigerian Master Mariner currently employed with oil giant, Shell.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that event also featured the launch of a WISTA magazine. (NAN)

AIC/WOJ

Edited by Wale Ojetimi

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Loan

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Charge d’ Affaires of China Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Lin Jing, says China is not a Father Christmas, but rather, looking for a win-win partnership with Africa and Nigeria.

Jing made this declaration on Thursday in Abuja at a roundtable on the Review Dialogue on the just concluded 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

At the roundtable organised by the Centre for China Studies, Jing shed light on the cooperation between China and Africa, particularly Nigeria with regards to free interest loan from China to the continent.

“China has never been a ‘Father Christmas’as you can see from the theme of the just concluded FOCAC, which is “China and Africa: Toward An Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation”.

“It is win-win cooperation and to join hands to build a closer and stronger community with a better future between China and Africa. So, our cooperation is mutually beneficial.

“Sometimes, China gives loan and takes later. Sometimes we give and ask in return,” he said.

Jing said that China-Africa relations were gaining global attention as their practical cooperation has brought about dramatic changes in the economic landscape across Africa and real benefits to both people.

While allaying the fear of another debt trap in Africa, he explained that China was ready to work closely with each African country to ensure that debt trap was avoided in Africa-China relations.

“Through consultation and dialogue, we have been able to solve problem in our cooperation including the debt payment; and we are ready to closely work with African countries,” he said.

The envoy further explained that China loans only accounts for 8.5 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign debt profile.

He said that China was committed to the development of FOCAC and to deepening China-Africa comprehensive strategy and cooperative partnership.

Jing said the success of FOCAC had fully demonstrated that the relationship between China and Africa has solid foundation, adding, “China Africa cooperation is strong and it is ongoing and never ending”.

Speaking, Amb. Usman Sarki, a former Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN,  called for better understanding of the relationship between China and Nigeria.

Sarki said that there was need to focus on how to explore the benefits of the relationship, especially the outcome of FOCAC and maximise it for the development of the country.

“We should have structural and administrative framework for implementing decision taken at level of heads of state and government in FOCAC.

“It very important to have parliamentary input toward setting up of mechanism at the national level to handle trade investment and other matters related to China –Nigeria relations.

“Financing and access to technology should be very critical consideration by Nigeria without it we cannot develop and attain the level of development that we are all yearning to attain,” he said.

Sarki said that the line of investments coming from China within the framework of FOCAC must target key pillars of development of Nigeria mainly infrastructure, agriculture, food security and human development.

He stressed that focus should be, especially in the area of education, health, healthcare, poverty alleviation, among others, noting that emphasis should also be on women empowerment in Africa.

According to him, in China today, women are aggressively coming to the forefront in terms of development, entrepreneurship even commercial activities, that women are targeted across the continent,

“We also attract and develop strategies for accessing the amount that has been granted by China to Africa.

“In 2015 at the Johannesburg, China pledged 250 billion dollars; in the last three years, we do not know how much of it has been accessed.

“There must be very clear framework and mechanism for accessing these funds; determining how far they have been used toward the intended purposes by which they were created,” he said. (NAN)

IAA/GOK

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Governing Council of Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki,  Oyo State,  has ordered the management of the institution to proceed on four years leave.

The council Chairman, Prof.  Moshood Tijani, gave the order in a statement  after an emergency  meeting on Thursday.

The statement said the leave order followed  the inability of the management to effect smooth running of the institution in the last couple of months with the attendant  strike of the academic staff .

“The Governing Council hereby, at its meeting today, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2018 decides that the entire management should go on their accumulated four-year annual leave with immediate effect,” it said.

The statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Ibadan  said  an acting management had  been instituted to run the affairs of the institution within the leave period.

It said further that  details concerning the development  would be made available to the public soon and  enjoined  staff and students of the institution to resume on Monday.

“ An acting management has been put in place to run the affairs of the institution within the intervention period.

“All lecturers are hereby enjoined to go back to work on Monday, September 17, 2018, while the students should go back to their classrooms on the same day,’’ the statement said.

The council assured all members of staff and students that their interests were of utmost importance to it.

NAN recalls that the crisis rocking the institution,  which bordered on workers’  welfare and non-payment of salary arrears, had resulted in prolonged strike.(NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NEMA collaborates military on disaster management, response

Collaboration

By Akeem Abas

Ibadan, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it is collaborating with the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on disaster management and response.

Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Director-General, NEMA, disclosed this on Thursday during an assessment visit to some military formations in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team visited the 671 NAF detachment and Nigerian Army 81 Battalion, Letmauck Barracks, both in Ibadan.

Maihaja, who was represented by Air Cdre Akugbe Iyamu, the Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA, said the recent red alert in the country over rising water level required such collaborations.

He said that the essence of the assessment visit was to deploy all facilities to ensure safety of Nigerians.

NAN reports that 12 states in the country have recently been placed on red alert by NEMA, due to the rising water level.

“As at yesterday (Wednesday), the rising water level is 10.66cm, a delicate threshold.

“We are going round to deploy all facilities to ensure Nigerians are safe during this threatening period. We are very passionate about this.

“Disaster management across the world cannot be carried out without the support of the military,” he said.

He explained the four stages of disaster management included preparation, risk reduction, rescue and relief, adding the situation was presently at the risk reduction stage.

He said that six teams had been constituted across the country to visit all vulnerable areas to evacuate affected Nigerians to safe areas.

“The on-going sensitisation is to prepare for response. The six teams constituted are to move vulnerable people across the country to a safe place prepared for such.

“We will also not relent in monitoring the water level for quick response to the disaster,” he said.

Rear Admiral Dolapo Kolawole, Director Search and Rescue, Defence Headquarters, said the team was in Ibadan to assess the capability gaps in providing assistance for disaster management and response.

Kolawole said that the defence headquarters, in conjunction with NEMA, would work together to bridge all gaps and ensure Nigerians were saved from disaster.

“Our visit is to assess logistical requirements in terms of land, Air and Maritime platforms. We will assess the manpower and training.

“We will also compile communication and medical equipment as well as other basic equipment for onward transmission to the defence headquarters,” he said. (NAN)

TAA/JTJ/IA

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Idris Abdulrahman

Primaries

Enugu, September 13, 2018 (NAN) The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has adopted direct primaries for nomination of its candidates for the 2019 general elections.

This was disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday by the Chairman of ADC in Enugu State, Mrs Stella Chukwuma.

The chairman said it was a collective decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to adopt the system.

According to Chukwuma, the party chose direct primaries because it is a grassroots party where everyone is a major stakeholder and has the right to make major decisions for the party.

“The founding fathers of ADC have recognised this and decided not to impose candidates but give everyone a level playing ground,” she ssaid.

She disclosed that the party had slated Sept. 25 and 27 for the conduct of primaries for state and National Assemblies across the federation.

The chairman said it also set aside October 2 and 6 for the conduct of the party’s gubernatorial and presidential primaries.

Chukwuma said the door of the party was still open to intending members and candidates alike.

She advised party loyalists to shun any form of violence before, during and after primaries and the general elections adding that they should avoid all forms of altercations with the opposition parties. (NAN)

AED/SAV/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Vote-buying, threat to Nigeria’s democracy – Political Scientist

Democracy
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Ra’uf Ayo-Dunmoye of Political Science Department, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria on Thursday identified “vote-buying” by political parties as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

He made the observation in a paper he presented during a public lecture organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zaria unit in collaboration with ABU Mass Communication Department held in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the lecture is: “The Role of Media and Political Parties toward ensuring credible, free and fear elections.”

Ra’uf-Dunmoye, who spoke on the role of political parties towards credible elections, said if what happened recently in Ikiti election was something to go by, such action would negatively affect the credibility of the nation’s democracy.

The Don said democracy allows people to select whoever they want to lead or represent them through the process of election without external influence, especially money or threat.

He observed that democracy was referred to as a universally recognised ideal based on values common to people everywhere, regardless of cultural, social, political and economic differences.

“Democracy is meant to protect and promote with dignity and fundamental rights of individual and instill social justice and social development.”

Ra’uf-Dunmoye stressed the need for political parties to step up efforts towards ensuring internal democracy through transparent primary elections to guarantee success of the forthcoming general elections.

He, however, lamented a situation where governors hijacked the leadership of parties and appoint their loyalists as candidates into different elective positions irrespective of whether they qualify or not.

In his paper entitled: “The Role of Media toward ensuring Credible, Free and Fair Elections”, Dr Yakubu Suleiman of ABU Mass Communication Department, observed that media had a greater role of enlightening and sensitising the public on the 2019 elections.

He frowned at a situation where journalists ask for money before publishing stories, lamenting that some editors collect inducements in the form contracts to get stories published.

Suleiman charged the media to be unbiased, corrupt-free and remain patriotic before, during and after the general elections for the good of all.

The ABU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, who was represented by Malam Sama’ila Shehu, Director, Public Affairs, said the lecture was timely in view of the forthcoming general elections.

While appreciating the efforts of the NUJ and Mass Communication Department for organising the programme, the VC urged them to sustain the collaboration for the benefit of both parties.

Ealier, the NUJ Chairman, Kaduna State Council, Alhaji Adamu Yusuf had said that there was perception that months preceding elections in Nigeria usually come with all kinds of disturbing reports.

He identified such disturbing reports to include; hate speeches, name calling, harassmen, killings, thuggery and intimidation among others.

“So, our gathering here today will no doubt find possible ways of preventing them. For an individual, group or nation to grow and develop, the enabling environment must be created.

“Such environment must be made free for all to serve, hence the need for these two major stakeholders in the country’s electoral process to come together.

“As one of the critical stakeholder in promoting democracy, be rest assured that the Nigerian Union of Journalists will promote free, fair and peaceful conduct of 2019 general elections,” he assured.

NAN reports that the occasion drew participants from across political parties, INEC representatives, lawyers, security agencies, traditional rulers and students among others. (NAN)
KLM/MZA
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Strike
By Ariwodola Idowu
AdoEkiti, Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ekiti will begin an indefinite strike on Friday.

The union said the strike followed the failure of the state government  to honour an agreement signed recently at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC)  meeting of Sept.  4.

NULGE also warned the outgoing Ayo Fayose administration  against fresh recruitment when it had yet to clear  the salary arrears owed workers.

The union said after a meeting in Ado-Ekiti that the strike would be indefinite until all contentious issues  were addressed.

It warned that it would not hesitate to deal with any worker  who disobeyed the directive.

A communiqué signed by the state’s President, Olubunmi Ajimoko, and  Secretary, Suleiman Alero, expressed concern that salaries had remained static and pensions unpaid.

” We again wish to stress that additional burden should not be put on JAAC until our various arrears are cleared.

“ The case of those termed “ hurriedly employed’’  in 2003 should serve as a lesson to all who remember history.

“In view of the insensitivity of this present administration, even at the point of winding up, when we feel that corrections of past errors should be made, it has become painfully obvious that no concrete agreement can be respected by this administration

“The union is therefore calling all its members in the 16 local governments, the related commission, boards and departments to proceed on an indefinite strike action from Friday

“We humbly wish to stress that this position will only be reviewed when we see a physical evidence of the political will to alleviate our members’  predicament, especially payment of all arrears of our salaries,’’ the communique said.

NAN reports that the union had earlier shelved a proposed strike in August after a meeting with representatives of the state government.(NAN)
ARIS/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Projects

By Sunday Bassey

Eket (Akwa Ibom), Sept. 13, 2018 (NAN) President Mohammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated gully erosion and flood control projects at Akpene Eket community in Eket, Akwa Ibom.

The president, at the inauguration, said the projects were aimed at checking flooding and gully menace at Akpene Eket and its environs.

Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, represented the president at the occasion.

Buhari noted that the projects were parts of the 26 Federal Government ecological intervention projects for the second quarter as approved on 10th April, 2017.

He expressed optimism that the projects would bring huge relief to the communities threatened by ecological challenges.

The four projects are located at Etim Inyang Etuk Street, Marina Street, Afiigh Iwaad Street and Parkins street in the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the projects were executed by the Federal Government through the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Buhari restated the commitment of his administration in ensuring that no part of the country would suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration.

“The age-long problem of gully erosion in this part of the country cannot be overemphasised.

“I therefore implore the communities to cherish these laudable projects by preventing indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage,” he said.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Iniobong Essien, commended the Federal Government for the projects.

He said that the projects were in line with the dreams of Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom to tackle menace of erosion in the state.

He added that the state had yearned for the presence of the Federal Government in terms of projects.

The commissioner disclosed that the state was going through erosion and ecological challenges in all its 31 local government areas, documenting over 1,000 erosion and ecological sites across the states.

“We have prioritised them in other of importance, impact and severity of the ecological sites,“ he said.

He advised the communities not to use the completed projects as dumping sites, reminding them that “;ots of infrastructure have gone bad because of lack of poor maintenance culture.

“My sincere hope is that in the execution of these projects, a special mention should be made about the maintenance and founds allocated for the purpose while somebody should follow the time line for such maintenance,” he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to involve the state in the implementation, planning and execution of such projects.

Dr Habiba Lawal, Permanent Secretary Ecological Fund Office, said the projects were awarded by Ecological Fund Office Tender Board (EFOTB), 2017 and completed in seven months.

“These projects were initiated through a request for an urgent intervention from the community forwarded to (EFOTB) to arrest the continuous flooding and erosion menace in Akpene Eket town,” she said.

Lawal said the timely completion of the projects was made possible through the efforts of the project contractor and consultant, who worked tirelessly to meet completion deadline.

Chief Inin Ekanem, the Village Head of Akpene Eket thanked the Federal Government for the projects.

He said that “anytime this kind of projects is being commissioned, we are always very happy, may God bless the Federal Government.” (NAN)
SDB/JTJ/DUA
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Dada Ahmed