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Airport

Enugu, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Enugu State Government on Monday announced plans to constitute a stakeholders’ committee that will look into expansion of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe in Enugu on Monday said the plan was part of efforts by the state Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to encourage speedy intervention by the federal government.

Anikwe said the committee members would comprise officials of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority.

Other members are the State Ministries of Lands & Infrastructure, Commerce & Industry and the management of the ENPOWER Free Trade Zone.

The commissioner said the state government set up the committee because of the importance of the international airport to the people of the South East geo-political zone.

According to him, the state government will continue to support every effort to get the airport to function at optimum capacity and efficiency.

Anikwe said the committee would among other terms of reference unravel alleged disagreement among federal authorities operating in the state regarding ownership of vast hectares of land the state government had approved for the expansion.

“If at the end of the meeting, it is established that any of the parties still needed more land, especially for the airport project, the Enugu State government will promptly attend to this need.

“At the moment, it is important to emphasize that Enugu State has donated vast tracts of land for the airport expansion.

“The government is also working to relocate further identified encumbrances such as a local market in order to encourage the federal authorities to speedily complete the project,” he said. (NAN)

AOE/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Dana Air
By Adekunle Williams/Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Dana Air, on Monday, said it was making effort to boost its flight operations through strategic interlining and code sharing agreements with other domestic and foreign airlines.

The Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Lagos during the inaugural flight of the airline’s B737-700 aircraft which it recently added to its fleet through partnership with Asky.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the aircraft, which is being used by Dana Air’s for Lagos-Abuja flights landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos at about 5.20p.m with no fewer than 100 passengers.

Mbanuzuo said that Dana Air had in February signed a partnership agreement with Asky, a Togo based airline, to boost its fleet and also in area of aircraft maintenance.

According to him, the leasing of the B737-700 aircraft will help Dana Air staff undertake training on the aircraft type as its fleet was dominated by MD-83 aircraft.

He said that the arrival of the aircraft was timely because two of the airline’s aircraft were currently undergoing C-check in France and expressed optimism that one of them would be back by September ending.

Mbanuzuo said: “The interline agreement is part of our long term plan. We will be going further with code sharing with more foreign and local airlines by the middle of 2019.

“We already have an arrangement with Medview Airline and two other airlines have also approached us.

“Dana Air’s plan is not necessarily to fly to everywhere but what we are doing is to sell tickets on these routes and our guests will be flown by our partnering airlines under the code share agreement.”

He said by November, Dana Air would be celebrating 10 years of operations in Nigeria, adding that this was not an easy feat due to the challenges facing the airline industry.

NAN reports that statistics released by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) shows that Dana Air flew 330,370 passengers between January and August.

The airline came second behind Air Peace, which topped the list of domestic airlines operating within the period with the airlift of 340,664 passengers within the period.(NAN)
WAC/ASO/AOS/AFA
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Felix Ajide

 
Navy in Delta hands over vessel, 9 crew to EFCC
Vessel
Warri (Delta), Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA, on Monday in Warri, handed over a vessel laden with 524 metric tonnes of suspected petroleum products without valid approval, to the EFCC.
The Commander, NNS DELTA, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, said nine crew members on board the vessel christened “MV SKYE,’’ were also arrested for various crimes, including economic crimes.
Dewu said the vessel was laden with products suspected to be crude oil and Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO).
He said the suspects were arrested at the Escravos bay in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state this month.
The naval boss explained that the vessel was earlier apprehended by the Joint Task Force (Operation Delta Safe) in 2014 and handed over to the anti-graft agency for prosecution.
“However, the vessel was released on bond by a court in Port Harcourt with about 388 metric tonnes of crude oil on board.
“The bond was to enable the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to sell the product and return the money into the Federal Government’s coffers.
“This same vessel was, however, re-arrested and the captain, Ifeoluwa Jerome said it had 505 metric tonnes of product on board.
“While investigating, we realised that the vessel had 524 metric tonnes of products and not 505 in seven of the 12 compartments,” he said.
Dewu said the crew had told him that they were supposed to be heading to the high sea through Brass in Bayelsa to Port Harcourt to dispose the product after the court case.
“We found them off Escravos and they claim to be having machinery problem which led them to Escravos.
“Secondly, this vessel was released on bond with about 388 metric tonnes of products by the court only for us to find 524 metric tonnes.
“ Part of it is AGO instead of crude oil that was released by the court.
“Part of the problems the Navy faces is that vessels hide under bond to commit illegal activities,” he said.
The commander further said the navy had concluded its investigation, adding that the product on board had no valid approval.
Mr Richard Ogberagha, EFCC’s Detective Superintendent who spoke on behalf of the agency, said justice would be done to the matter.
“Officials of the DPR are already on ground taking samples; so we have started investigation already,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the captain of the vessel, Jerome, however, has denied the claims by the navy, insisting that he had not committed any crime. (NAN)
EDI/OMO/EMO
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Edited by Martins Odeh/Ejike Obeta
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Youths protest alleged brutality, extortion by Navy operatives

Protest
By Leonard Okachie
Umuahia, Sep. 10, 2018 (NAN) Angry youths on Monday barricaded the Umuikaa Junction on the Abia end of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, protesting the alleged brutality and extortion of from men of the Nigerian Navy in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports learnt that trouble started after Navy operatives allegedly manhandled a vulcanizer in the area, without any provocation.

According to an eyewitness account, the operatives at the checkpoint allegedly battered the vulcanizer working in the area.

“We don’t even know whether the man is still alive but he has been rushed to a nearby hospital,” the eyewitness told NAN.

The eyewitness said that the operatives fled their duty post because they feared that the victim might have died from the injuries inflicted on him.

The eyewitness said that the youths set bonfires on the expressway, hampering vehicular movement, while also accusing the Navy operatives of extorting money from commercial bus and motorcycle (Okada) operators as well as sexually abusing their girls and wives.

The protesters also were wielded big sticks and bottles, chanting anti-Navy songs.

NAN reports that it took the intervention of Mr Chikwendu Kalu, the Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, who was travelling at the time of the protest, to restore normalcy in the area.

When the protesters saw the speaker’s motorcade, they vowed not to leave the road, insisting that he must come down and address them.

Kalu, who hails from the area, later disembarked from his car and urged them to sheath their swords.

He decried the incident and pledged to liaise with the Navy authorities at Owerriinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area on the possibility of dismantling the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, efforts made to reach the Navy authorities for their reaction on the incident were unsuccessful. (NAN)
LEO/USO/NKO
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Edited by Sam Oditah/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Consumers
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN)The Federal Government has on Monday in Abuja taken further steps to enhance protection of telecommunication consumers against unwholesome practices of telecommunication providers in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a nine man Joint Investigative Committee (JIC) was inaugurated by Mr Sunday Dare, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to investigate consumer complaints.

NAN also reports that the committee was formed to also respond to a resolution by the National Assembly (NASS) requiring investigation and remedial measures on grievances by consumers.

According to Dare, a letter is received from the NASS on the increasing rate of dropped calls and other unwholesome practices by telecommunications operators robbing Nigerians of their money.

He said the committee, which comprised members of the NCC and Consumer Protection Council (CPC), would outline existing laws aimed at protecting consumers and how the laws were enforced.

He said it would review the various initiatives targeted at protecting consumers and the various resolutions jointly taken by NCC and telecom service providers to ensure improvement in telecom consumer experience.

“The committee will collate information from the industry working group on quality of service and the task force on call masking.

“It will also prepare reports on its findings which will be forwarded to the NASS and Secretary to the Government of the Federation in response to the letters received by them.

“ The committee, upon inauguration, has duration of one month to complete the assignment,’’ he said.

According to Dare, a consumer satisfaction survey will be carried out by the committee every two years on consumers to rate the performance of the various network providers in the country.

Dare expressed optimism that given the caliber of members that constituted the committee, it would complete the task in good time and provide acceptable responses to the issues.

Mr Babatunde Irukera, CPC’s Director-General, expressed optimism that the collaboration between NCC and CPC would ensure telecommunication consumers got the best value for their money.

“We recognise that the best approach to effective regulation is collaboration and this collaboration captures what is best for the industry.

“The technical knowledge and the skills of the CPC and NCC have the perfect combination of ensuring consumers get value for their money.

“We are very excited and I think this collaboration sends message to the industry that there is alignment by the regulators about what is important, which is the consumers.

“It also tells investors that there is clarity; they will see the country as a destination for investment and it helps consumers know they are the priority.

“I expect the outcome will improve consumer experience. We will bring everything in the CPC to support that process to the end and consumers will be the better for it. (NAN)
LCN/OMO/GY
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Edited by Martins Odeh/Grace Yussuf

Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
ABUJA, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted possibilities of thunderstorms and rainfall activities over most
parts of the country on Tuesday.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Monday, predicted moderate rains over the Central states of Abuja, Lokoja, Bida, Minna, Ilorin, Yola, Makurdi, Mambilla Plateau, Lafia, Jos and environs in the morning.

It added that isolated thunderstorm and moderate rains were likely over the region in the afternoon and evening period with day and night temperatures of 25 to 30 and 16 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

The agency predicted that Northern states would experience morning thunderstorms over Sokoto, Gusau, Yelwa, Kano, Katsina, Zaria and Kaduna axis with cloudy condition
over the north eastern axis.

It also predicted isolated thunderstorms over the region in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 28 to 32 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively.

According to NiMet, moderate rains are anticipated over Ado, Saki, Akure, Abeokuta, Ikeja, Osogbo, Ondo, Ibadan, Abakaliki, Umuahia, Uyo, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, Yenegoa and Eket axis in the morning hours.

The agency said the entire southern region had prospects for moderate rainfall activities in the afternoon and evening with day and night temperatures of 27 to 30 and 21 to 24 degrees celsius respectively. (NAN)
OYS/OMO/AFA

Edited by Martins Odeh/Felix Ajide
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Flood: Egbelu residents in Rivers seek govt’s intervention

Flooding
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Sept. 10. 2018 (NAN) Some residents of Egbelu community in Obio/Apkor Local Government Area of Rivers have raised alarm over the difficulties they are facing due to recent flooding in the area.

The residents, who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Port Harcourt on Monday, disclosed that their homes got flooded anytime it rained.

Mrs Kemdirim Chijindu, a teacher and resident of Ngbaraja-Egbelu, said that the road to her house and the entire compound had been flooded in the past two weeks.

“The other day, all the rooms in my house were flooded, my furniture have all gone bad, we had to drain the water after the rain.

“The way it is going, we may face a situation where the entire house will be submerged by water, something needs to be done urgently,’’ she said.

Another resident, Didinma Amos, a welder, bemoaned the damage on goods in his wife’s shop as a result of the flooding.

“We have closed the shop; all the goods in the shop, mainly foodstuff were spoilt by the water that took over the shop.

“This is not a very good experience, I cannot quantify the loss my family has incurred as a result of this flood,’’ he said.

Also speaking to NAN, Chief Kinikanwo Nwobueze, a resident, said that many residents were already living in the fears that the entire area may be submerged if nothing was done.

“We have heard about flooding in several areas, we are all living in the fear that similar situation may occur here,’’ he said.

Nwobueze urged the government at all levels to come to the aid of the residents by building drainage systems that would channel rain water out of the area.

Meanwhile, an environmentalist, Mr Iroulor Henry blamed the recent flooding in some parts of the state to the unfriendly environmental habits of some residents.

“Many people prefer to block the waterways, some build on it, other dump wastes on it, all these can contribute to flooding,’’ he warned.(NAN)
AZU/OOA/AFA
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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Felix Ajide

Forms

By Diana Omueza

Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018(NAN) The Alliance for Democracy (AD) on Tuesday announced the commencement of sale of its expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2019 general elections.

The national Chairman, AD, Mr Joseph Avazi, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Monday, and said the party primaries for all elective offices would hold between Sept. 28 and Oct. 7.

Avazi said that the National Working Committee (NWC), acting on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, reached the resolutions after extensive deliberations in Abuja.

He said: “women aspirants are exempted from paying for nomination fees.

“Youths with proven integrity who have demonstrated leadership traits and are not financially buoyant will be considered and exempted from nomination fees.”

AD national chairman said the fee for nomination form for President was N4 million while that of expression of interest for the position was N1 million.

He said that nomination form for Governor would sell for N2 million and the fee for expression of interest form was N500,000.00.

According to him, nomination for Senate would be sold for N1 million while that of expression of interest would cost N300,000.00.

For the House of Representatives, he said the nomination for would cost N750, 000.00 while the form for expression of interest was N250,000.00.

Avazi added that the nomination form for State House of Assembly would sell for N250,000.00 and that of expression of interest would sell for N100,000.00.

The party’s national chairman said all interested aspirants should contact AD national leadership through their respective state chairmen.

He said the party had dissolved the State Executives of Kogi, Enugu and FCT chapters and appointed Caretaker Committees to run their affairs.

The national chairman of AD said that the party also extended the tenure of the Oyo State chapter’s caretaker committee whose tenure had expired. (NAN)

DOM/AAB/EMO

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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Ejike Obeta

NSE: Trading on downward trend, market indicators down by 1.25%
Shares
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Equity transactions on Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed for the week on negative note on Monday with the market indices dropping by 1.25 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation shed N156 billion or 1.25 per cent to close lower at N12.270 trillion against N12.426 trillion posted on Friday.

Also, the All-Share Index, which opened at 34,037.91 on Monday, lost 426.22 points or 1.25 per cent to close lower at 33,611.69 amid price losses.

Nestle led the price losers’ table with a loss N145 to close at N1,355 per share.

Forte Oil trailed with less of N1.95 to close at N19.05, while GSPEC dropped 60k to close at N5.75 per share.

GTBank declined by 50k to close at N34.50, while Zenith Bank lost 40k to close at N20.50 per share.

Conversely, FlourMill led the price gainers’ table, gaining 50k to close at N22 per share.

Custodian came second with 10k to close at N50.50, while Honeyflour and UPL appreciated by 8k each to close at N1.52 and N2 per share, respectively.

NPFMCRFBK also lost 5k to close at N1.65 per share.

The volume of shares traded dropped by 11.75 per cent as 137.63 million shares worth N1.36 billion were traded by investors in 3,104 deals.

This was in contrast to the 155.95 million shares worth N2.10 billion exchanged in 2,715 deals on Friday.

NAN reports that UBA emerged the investors’ delight, exchanging 16.66 million shares valued at N122 million.

FBNH traded 6.640 million shares valued at N234.67 million, while Zenith Bank followed with 6.639 million shares worth N897.18 million.

Access Bank sold 6.56 million shares valued at N129.11 milłion, while Transcorp trailed with 2.95 million shares worth N98.71 million. (NAN)
LUC/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

Resignation
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) A former Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Mr Adejare Bello, has resigned his membership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

Bello, in a letter addressed to the PDP state’s Chairman, Mr Soji Adagunodo, on Monday in Osogbo, said he was resigning his membership of the party because “the party had been hijacked by some certain elements”.

The former speaker was one of the seven PDP governorship aspirants that stepped down during the party’s primary in July 21, 2018.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello contested as the party’s deputy governorship candidate to Otunba Iyiola Omisore in the 2014 governorship election.

Bello alleged that the party was shifting from the intendments of the founding fathers of the party.

“The recent events within Osun State chapter of PDP and the National PDP in general, are to my mind inimical and a total shift from the intendments of the founding fathers of the party.

“This intendment, which was built on justice, fairness and service, had caused me to reconsider my membership of the party, which I hereby resign.

“It is my sincere belief that some certain elements had hijacked the rudder of the party and changed its cause toward an unknown path, which I am not ready to take,’’ he said.

Bello, however, thanked the leadership of the party for the opportunities given to him to serve as the speaker of the assembly from 2003 to 2011. (NAN)
VE/OOA/GOK
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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Olagoke Olatoye