Peace returns to troubled border towns of Benue, Ebonyi

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10.Sep.2014 DISQUS_COMMENTS Johnson Babajide –Makurdi
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Peace may soon return to the warring councils of Agila and Ngbo of Benue and Ebonyi states, respectively, following the mutual agreement by the two states to honour the controversial legal notice.

Agila council chairman, Mr Alex Okpokwu Ogaba, who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, expressed optimism that the boundary dispute between Benue and Ebonyi states might soon become thing of the past.

Ogaba said that the people of Agila and Ngbo had agreed to respect the agreement reached between the two states, in December last year.

He noted that the controversial legal notice number 126 of 1954 had been resolved so as not to disrupt farming activities.

The chairman stated that the people were only waiting for the National Boundary Commission to start the demarcation exercise, earlier slated for March this year but which had been put off indefinitely.

According to him: “the two communities have agreed to stop fighting in order not to disrupt farming activities, what we are waiting for now is the demarcation exercise by National Boundary Commission.”

“May I use this opportunity to call on National Boundary Commission to carry out the exercise, it was earlier slated for March this year but for one reason or the other, it was put off so we are waiting for them.”

He said sufficient number of mobile police men had been stationed at the boundary, adding that the agreement signed by the deputy governors of the two states last year, had helped in dousing tension.

He appealed to the two state governments not to relent in their efforts until the demarcation exercise was carried out, and urged the National Boundary Commission to hasten the process since the two sides had agreed to observe the said agreement.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/news/news-headlines/item/15633-peace-returns-to-troubled-border-towns-of-benue-ebonyi/15633-peace-returns-to-troubled-border-towns-of-benue-ebonyi

blished On: Fri, Jul 18th, 2014
Education | By

Imo Marine University comes on stream

A year ago, the Imo state government announced the establishment of the first ever Marine University in Africa situated at Ose-motto, Ogula local government area of the state, close to the federal government-funded seaport and naval base project sites. CHIDIEBERE IWUOHA takes a look at the challenges the young university may face

Governor Rochas Okorocha told the media during a visit to the proposed site that with the issue of land now settled, work would commence and the university which would be the first of its kind in Africa would be of benefit to the host community, Imo State and Nigeria.
The governor had revealed that the primary phase of the project would cost about N2.5 billion, comprising the construction of the perimeter fencing, landscaping of the administrative blocks, classrooms and hostels. He further disclosed that the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) would fund the project, stressing that the commission had sufficient resources to execute the project.

Okorocha had pledged that the university would be ready to admit its first set of students in the next two years, adding that the state Government was collaborating with the Korean Marine University after a visit by the ISOPADEC Board to the institution to understudy its programme.
He appreciated the efforts of the people of Ose-motto community in the donation of a parcel of land for the university’s project as well as the sitting of the federal government’s Sea Port and Naval base projects which he noted, would be of great advantage to the institution.
The Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Prince Dr. Henry Okafor, in his speech, said that the commission had the financial capacity to undertake the development of the first phase of the project. He expressed appreciation to the governor for approving the site and acknowledged that the Ose-moto people were anxious to witness the successful execution of the project. He further added that when completed, the project would guarantee them service in the oil companies.

Legal backing
It is no longer news that the necessary legal backing had been accorded the young university by the Imo state House of Assembly. The Majority Leader, Mrs. Adaku Ihuoma who also represents Aboh Mbaise in the lead debate on the law disclosed the economic and social benefits of the university if put in place, adding that the academic needs were enormous.
Hon. Ihuoma further stressed that advance learning in marine related areas would be a plus to the nation and beyond. After much deliberations on the desirability or otherwise to the establishment of the university, the speaker said the establishment of the institution would improve human lives..

More knocks against the varsity
The University has since then, started in earnest, with the first phase gone far. But there are still some Imolites who believe that the project should not have been midwifed in the first place or that the 13% oil derivation of the oil producing Local Government Areas of Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema should not have been touched or used for that kind of project which they regard as “uncalled for”.
One of them is erstwhile speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Goodluck Nanah Opiah. He queried, “Is the project for whom? Who is interested in going to a Marine University? In what ways would Marine University benefit the people who are poor, under developed, hungry? Who have suffered this age-long neglect of oil pollution and environmental degradation?”.

The ex-speaker, who hails from Ohaji Egbema L.G.A, had accused Okorocha of being interested in the business of acquiring cement and block as such contracts would be awarded to his brothers, in-laws and friends who by so doing would amass some wealth for themselves.
Also speaking the chairman of Awara Court Area Development Forum, Barr. Ikechukwu Ezekwe opined that the project was not well conceptualized; adding that such project should not have been sited just because of the presence of the Wonder Lake. He made it clear that there had to be the presence of maritime businesses or activities around there.
Ezekwe believed that several months after the sitting of the university, nothing could be seen as evidence for actual implementation, adding that the project initiators did not take into consideration the sensibilities of Ogula people in designing the project.
He was also sad that the whole 13% oil derivation was reserved for the construction of the institution, whereas it should have been divided into two, with state government keeping 60%, while the oil producing areas take 40% for the development of the basic infrastructure.

ISOPADEC factor
What could be regarded as the real situation report on the Imo Marine University was tendered by the Managing Director of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Prince. Dr Henry Okafor, also an indigene of Ose-moto, the host community of the university, sounded it loud and clear that construction work was on-going and that anybody who wanted to verify was free to visit the site. He however blamed heavy rains for the slow pace of work in the institution as no contractor would do a serious job during rainy season.
He said that the 1.8 kilometers dual carriage access road to the institution was being hampered by the rainy season, adding that only 1
Governor Rocha Okorocha of Imo state

Governor Rocha Okorocha of Imo state

kilometer had successfully been stone-based with tones of stone base heaped all over the place.
Okafor disclosed that a hostel of about 78 to 90 rooms, two classroom blocks, and Administrative blocks, a workshop and gate house were being constructed at the site, while thousands of blocks, irons, and rods were waiting to be used for construction.
He expressed optimism that by December this year, three or four blocks would be completed to ensure the first phase of its construction, while further construction could go on while learning commenced. But he was quick to mention that it was subject to the mercy of the rains.
On the need to have other maritime activities around the university, the ISOPADEC managing director said that a contract was awarded by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to construct an Inland Port and that it had reached 70% completion, adding that the project was situated 2 kilometers away from the Maritime University just like the one he saw in South Korea when he went to understudy the one in Pusam. He was hopeful that the students of the Imo State Maritime University would use the inland port for training.

http://www.blueprint.ng/2014/07/18/as-imo-marine-varsity-comes-on-stream/

FG Sites Green City Project In The City Of Onitsha

THE Anambra State government has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in developing an eco-friendly Green City Project of the corporation in the commercials city of Onitsha.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Anambra State, Chief Tony Onyima, gave the pledge when he led a 3-man delegation to NTDC secretariat in Abuja recently.

The Director-General of NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, while addressing the delegation described the Green City Project as a differentiating platform for Nigeria’s Eco-tourism credentials with bio-fuel refinery for conversion of waste to wealth. Others facilities will include demonstration farms; botanical gardens; hotels; housing estate; sports facilities; industrial parks; solar farms; water parks and health malls.

Mbanefo explained that the project, when fully developed, would create 20,000 jobs in two years and bolster Nigeria as a preferred destination for the growing eco-tourism market.

She disclosed that the Green City Project, which was earlier scheduled to take off in Abuja, was cancelled due to Abuja Centenary project.

NTDC boss noted that the strategic imperative of the corporation was to rebuild the corporation through skills acquisition and capacity building for the staff, growing the tourism value chain for revenue generation and job creation via domestic tourism.

She said the reason for promoting domestic tourism is to empower the local government to create jobs. “We are here to support you and make sure that tourism in Anambra State is a huge success, generating revenue for the state and creating wealth for the people in the state.”

Mbanefo was optimistic that Nigeria would overcome the current security challenges saying, terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria as other countries such as Israel, Egypt, Iran, United Kingdom are also affected by terrorism.

She assured that the corporation would create awareness for people to participate in tourism-related activities in Nigeria.

In response, Chief Onyima “For the green City project, Anambra State is the best place for the project. We are eager to see the project come home because that is where it belongs.”

He noted that the state government has a robust developmental programme in the area of agriculture and tourism, saying that plans were underway to amend an Act that would officially list Anambra as an oil producing State.

While disclosing the intent of the State government to build a refinery and airport, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism noted that the government has awarded a contract worth N4.5bn for the construction of road leading to the refinery, which would specialize in drilling Aviation fuel.

Onyima called on NTDC to assist the state government in the registration and classification of hotels, saying that the state would soon be agog with cultural activities like beauty pageantry by 1st October and Odenigbo Carnival in December, in collaboration with the private sector.

“Tourism is one of the enablers behind our developmental programmes and it cannot materialize without having a tourism framework. In terms of hotel registration and classification, we need expertise from NTDC to classify and register them.

“We are planning for cultural activities and by October 1, we will start major beauty pageant.

He further revealed that the government was constructing a five-star hotel at Agulu Lake and Ogbunike Cave Resort to boost tourism and attract tourists in the State even as he sought the collaboration of NTDC in achieving this laudable project.

“Apart from these, we have the biggest thing happening in tourism. We are putting a five-star hotel at Agulu Lake to be ready by December. Ogunike cave is a UNESCO Heritage site but we have acquired the land around it, which is about 100 hectares. We want to develop Ogbunike Cave Resort.

According to him, “The Nollywood started in Anambra, so we want to take the ownership back, but we cannot do it alone. That is why we are seeking NTDC’s collaboration. So, we call on you to open your doors because we will come back several times.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/saturday-magazine/travel-a-tourism/173320-green-city-project-anambra-govt-to-collaborate-with-ntdc

Wow.Onitsha is going places!.Now its market the largest in the Milky Way,is the greatest source of Tomahawk missiles for NATO

My joy is that we are progressing as a people, another thing that gladens my heart is that we don't have rusty roof like our brothers ....

CaptainOjemba: My joy is that we are progressing as a people, another thing that gladens my heart is that we don't have rusty roof like our brothers ....

Lol, Bros pls no trouble making here. Bfr dey come n spoil our beautiful thread with bad words. God bless

datibo: Lol, Bros pls no trouble making here. Bfr dey come n spoil our beautiful thread with bad words. God bless

the guy above u no see what he wrote? Anyway I will heed to ur advise, but do change ur moniker its an affront to call or describe me as Ibo as against Igbo. Shalom

FG asks contractors to expedite action on N21bn Owerri-Elele road project

on September 11, 2014 / in News 9:27 pm / Comments
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By Chris Ochayi

ABUJA — The Federal Government has asked the contractor handling the N21.4 billion dualisation of Owerri-Elele road to speed up work on the project in order to deliver the 35.7-kilometre road to the people on time.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Stephen Oru, who gave the charge in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the inspection of the project, being executed by the ministry in Imo and Rivers states, said the road was vital to communities in the state and the Niger Delta in general.

The contract, which had reached 57 per cent completion, was awarded in 2010 with an initial completion period of 24 months.
He emphasised that the project he inspected were part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dr. Oru assured the contractors of steady funding as the Federal Government “is determined to complete and deliver the road within the next few months for the benefit of Nigerians plying the route.”

The Minister was conducted round the premises of the company executing the project by the General Manager, Mr. Muhammed El-Edaros, who showed them construction materials stockpiled by the company for use on the project once the rainy season ceases in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the Minister and the Minister of State have expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of construction at the Elele Skills Acquisition Centre in Rivers State, where no contractor was active on the site during the inspection visit.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/fg-asks-contractors-expedite-action-n21bn-owerri-elele-road-project/#sthash.0lqDJZ7b.dpuf

‘Early completion of Fed Secretariat in Anambra not likely’

Posted April 3, 2014 6:08 pm by admin with 0 comments

The prospect of early completion of the federal secretariat in Awka, the Anambra State capital, appears dim as the chief executive officer of the company handling the project, Hon. Cosmas Agagbo, has complained that the project is under-valued and is being threatened by paucity of fund.

Agagbo, the Managing Director of Cosco Investment Nigeria Limited, said that the project may suffer a major setback due to poor funding and under-valuation.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Awka, Agagbo said that the three wings secretariat complex awarded by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration through the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in October 2012 with a completion period of 52 weeks may not be completed as stipulated if it was not adequately funded.

Agagbo, who disclosed that the project was initially awarded for N2.56 billion, took another financial dimension when it was discovered that the project was under evaluated due to lack of some essential designs such as the basement.

He said that the design and approval of the basement took over six months to secure thereby elongating the projected completion period and complicated the financial cost already approved by the Federal Government.

Agagbo said: “You see the cost implication of the basement became yet another crucible to pass and this is making the completion of the project to prolong more than necessary.”

He claimed that while the federal secretariat for Anambra was awarded alongside others in the six geopolitical for over N2 billion, that of Enugu State was awarded for N13 billion.

http://www.yohaig.com/nigeria-news/national-mirror/early-completion-of-fed-secretariat-in-anambra-not-likely/

FG blacklists firm, awards N1.79trn boats contracts

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem / September 4, 2014 / No Comments

Federal Government has blacklisted a contractor for allegedly abandoning an electricity project in Ebonyi State.

It has also concluded plans to retrieve the 15 percent contract sum already paid and ensure the directors of the company are not allowed to own businesses in Nigeria, in the future.

The contracting firm, whose name was given as Messrs Techno Electric and Engineering Company, had on the 1st of December 2010 collected a 15% mobilization fee from the federal government and later abandoned the project.

Speaking more on the abandoned power project, the Minister of State for Power, Mohamed Wakil said government has re-awarded the contract for the Engineering Design, Manufacture, Supply, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of 2X60MVA, 132/33KV at Amasiri and 2X132KV Line Bays Extension at Abakaliki for the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Council approved the re-award of the contract in favor of Messrs North China Power Engineering limited and NCEP (Nig) Limited in the sum of $5,835,368.47 (five million, eight hundre and thirty five thousand, three hundred and sixty eight United States Dollars and forty seven cents) payable at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment plus N505,788,083.58 (Five hundred and five million, seven hundred and eighty eight thousand, eighty three Naira, fifty eight kobo)

inclusive of N67,211,298.58 (sixty seven million, two hundred and eleven thousand, two hundred and ninety eight Naira, fifty eight kobo) for five percent contingency with a completion period of 24 months.

The project is designed to boost power supply to Ebonyi state and Parts of Cross River and enhance the socioeconomic development of the state. The funds are available under the Eurobond loan, 2014 appropriation and in the unutilized letter of credit earlier established for the terminated project to commence implementation of the project.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council ( FEC) has ratified the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, stating that it will need a total of $3.05 trillion (N485 trillion) over 30 years.

Briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil alongside the Ministers of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, National Planning, Abubakar Sulaiman, and the Transport, Idris Umar, recalled that Jonathan had in July 2012 approved that the National Planning Commission coordinate the preparation of the NIIMP for the country.

The plan, which will be implemented over a period of 30 years from 2014 to 2043, will be implemented in three phases. The first five years phase between now and 2018 will require $166.1 billion for implementation.

The plan will amongst others things, address the lack of linkages in the infrastructure sector. It focuses on core infrastructure, including energy (power and oil and gas), transport (roads, rail, ports and airports), housing, water and Information and Communication Technology.

Other infrastructure classes include: agriculture, mining, social infrastructure, vital registration and security.

Council also approved the award of contract for the design and construction of four 60 TON Bollard Pull Marine Tug Boats in favour of Messrs Depasa Marine International (Nigeria) limited in the sum of €42,968,864.70 ( forty two million, nine hundred and sixty eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty four euro, seventy cents) equivalent of N8,778,423,042.28 (eight billion, seven hundred and seventy eight million, four hundred and twenty three thousand, forty two Naira and twenty eight kobo) inclusive of all taxes with a completion period of 24 months.

The project is expected to generate 97 job opportunities for both professionals and non professionals during its execution and about 112 direct and indirect job opportunities when in full operation.
- See more at: http://nigerianpilot.com/fg-blacklists-firm-awards-n1-79trn-boats-contracts/#sthash.0JtxoSHq.dpuf

Growing import volume and imperative of rejuvenating dormant Onitsha river port
July 23, 2014 | Filed under: Features | Author: AMAKA ANAGOR

After what seems like a total overhauling of cargo handling operations in Nigerian seaports, which brought in private terminal operators in 2006 to handle cargo at the port, the nation’s seaport has been witnessing a stable growth in the volume of cargo imported cargoes. The growth in import volume has only become pronounced in the two major seaports (Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports) while other seaports are yet to key into the economic benefits of the boom.

With high level of traffic congestion that is currently taking place in the port city of Lagos (Apapa) due to the increased number of trucks coming and leaving Apapa at the same time either to take delivery of consignment or return empty containers, one will align with the school of thought that says Nigeria needs to start utilising other dormant seaports especially the river ports to decongest Lagos port.

Statistics has it that Nigeria is endowed with inland navigable waterways of about 3,000 kilometres and an extensive coastland of about 852km, which presents great potential for movement of goods from the coast to the hinterland by water transport. It is in this line that the Federal Ministry of Transport through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) initiated the river port projects, which brought about the ongoing port development in Lokoja; Degema; Onitsha; Baro; Okrika and Oguta.

Onitsha-port

The ready-to-use Onitsha River Port is located in the heart of the commercial city of Anambra State and it was developed to service importers and other South-Eastern based businessmen, after the Federal Government invested the sum of N4.6bn to rehabilitate the port. Unfortunately, the River Port, which was commissioned in 2012 by President Goodluck Jonathan to enhance timely cargo delivery and bring port facilities close to its target market, is yet to be put to use two years after it was commissioned.

Investing N4.6bn by the Federal Government for the rehabilitation and dredging of River Niger, was meant to decongest the Lagos ports, whose growing volume of activities have overstretched the available infrastructure and space. A recent BusinessDay visit to the port revealed that the port facility is still un-utilised as no business activity was seen taking place at the port.

Confirming this, Ifeanyi Obi, a Nnewi-based spare parts importer, stated that all the Eastern states have been waiting endlessly for the port to become active so that importers would start bringing in cargoes directly through the port. This, according to him, will save them the stress and cost of travelling to Lagos to take delivery of their consignments.

“The port needs to commence operations so that the River Niger, which government has dredged will not return back to a shallow state,” Obi added.

Explaining the important of reviving river ports especially Onitsha, Tony Anakebe, a maritime analyst, who noted that over 60 percent of the containerised cargo imported into the country annually were owned by South-Eastern based businessmen, urged Idris Umar, the Minister of Transport, to see to it that the port becomes active.

“This will help in growing the economy because if a ship berths in Lagos ports, containers can be carried by barges to the hinterlands for the importer to take delivery of his consignment without having to travel to Lagos. All the importer needs is to pay for the transfer charges and clear his goods,” he added.

The delay in putting the port into use, Tayo Fadile, public relations officer of NIWA, attributed it to the delay in concessioning the port, which basically was due to the inability of private sector people to take over the cargo handling operations of the port.

“We have appealed to private investors to come and invest in the port, we have also set an example by allowing our ferries to ply from Lokoja to Onitsha and we hope to do more. We have done our part which is to develop the port and it is not NIWA that would buy barges and tugboats that ply the water,” he explained.

He said that although the port has not been as busy as it ought to, there is a company called ‘All Transmarine International’ that currently moves tiles from Ajaokuta to Onitsha once in a while. The port, Fadile stated, is supposed to be a private sector driven port. “The private sector needs to step in to make the river port functional. However, the government is still on the process of concessioning the port to private operators but the concession date is yet to be known,” he added.

On the other economic benefits of ensuring that the port commences operations, Adamu Biu, former executive secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), said months back that Onitsha River Port will assist in reducing the cost of cargo clearing in the South-East. “The river port would effectively consummate the dreams of the Federal Government to create a platform for boosting the economy and create employment for the people in that area.

“As the River port takes off and people clear their goods there, it would automatically translate into a significant reduction of clearing process at the port such that most traders in the South-East, especially those without the capacity to go to Lagos, Port Harcourt, or Warri, could henceforth operate from Onitsha at a cheaper cost,” he noted.

To close industry watchers, concessioning the River port does not need to be a hindrance to the commencement of operation of the port as government can go ahead to commence the cargo operations in the port so that investors would be encouraged to invest their capital in the river port project.

This is owing to the fact that the river port will enable increased volume of ocean-going vessels calling Nigerian ports; bring efficiency service delivery; reduced the cost of doing business; reduce pressure on Nigerian roads and free Lagos port of congestion because imported goods would be transferred directly to the river port.

http://businessdayonline.com/2014/07/growing-import-volume-and-imperative-of-rejuvenating-dormant-onitsha-river-port/

Muruako Applauds FG for Ivo River Dam Project in Enugu State

Enugu, Sept. 19, 2014 (NAN) The acting Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Mr Victor Muruako, on Friday commended the level and quality of work at the Ivo River Dam project in Enugu state.

Muruako expressed the satisfaction during an inspection tour of the South-East Project Verification Team to the construction project site in Mpu Village, Enugu state.

He said the level and quality of work already executed at the site was commensurate with the monies so far released by the Federal Government.

He said the N2.14 billion project, when completed, would address the drought challenge in the area and boost economy of the area.

``I must tell you that I am quite impressed with this laudable dam project in Ivo.

``This project is in line with the transformational agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

``If you check, you will observe that this area does not have good natural water.

``It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for anyone to get water from this ground; so you can’t even dig a borehole.

``It will take a billionaire to be able to access borehole water from this area.

``So the government remembering this people and citing this dam project in Ivo is wonderful,’’ he said.

The chairman added that: ``This dam project is on course and from the documents we saw today it’s at about 60 per cent completion stage; I must tell you that we are impressed.

``And looking at the quantity of sum released we think it is also commensurate with the level and quality of work so far executed.’’

He said the federal government had committed over a billion naira towards the project.

``But I want to call on the federal government not to stop funding this Ivo river dam project.

``This dam project is critical and fundamental to the people of this community and its environs,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Director, Dams Projects, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Awo Emmanuel, who received the FRC team, said the contractor was not on ground because it was raining season.

He said that the area was not easily accessible so work was suspended until after the raining season.

Emmanuel noted that the hitches so far experienced in the completion of the project had to do with the ``irregular release of funds.

``And the fact that the contractor had to abandon previous site when he noticed that the terrain of the dam could be hazardous to the host community’’.

Emmanuel disclosed that ``due to unforeseen circumstances; the contractor exhausted the contract sum after reaching 62 per cent completion stage’’.

He, however, noted that the contractor had already applied for revision of the contract sum to enable them complete the project.

``The contractor is doing well. He is not working presently because of raining season. At this moment you cannot access the road leading to the dam and that is why he is not on site.

``But as soon as dry season sets in; all the remaining work will be completed,’’ he said. (NAN)

http://www.nannewsnigeria.com/muruako-applauds-fg-ivo-river-dam-project

FG Commences N19b Erosion Control Project

on September 02, 2014 / in News 2:44 pm / Comments
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By Funmi Olasupo
Abuja – The Federal government has commenced the implementation of the N19 billion Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project in 7 Southern states of the country.

The fund was contributed by the federal government and development partners including: International Development Association, IDA, the Global Environmental Facility, GEF, Trust Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund, SCCF.

The National Project Coordinator Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, Mr. Chikelo Nwune made the disclosure at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja.

According to him, the seven states to benefit from the fund are: Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu and Imo state respectively
Mr. Nwune said the project would target erosion erosion control in the affected states.

According to him, NEWMAP project has been specifically designed in response to President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to development partners for support in addressing the age-long and yet worsening problem of land and water degradation.

The project, he added would reduce vulnerability to ravaging gully erosion in targeted watershed hence support the country’s transformation agenda to achieve greater environmental and economic security.

His words: “The operation is an 8 year strategic investment loan of $508.59 million consisting of a $500M IDA concessional loan blended with GEF and SCCF grants totalling $8, 59 million.

“The areas on focus presently falls within the high rain fall belt and in that belt you find out that the vegetation you have tall green because of the duration of rain fall.

“Some of this gully sites are over 90 meters in dept and sometimes in weight it could be as wide as 300 to 500 meters wide and some of them in terms of length it could be up to 5 to 10 kilometres.

“We find out that some of them have devastated in their host communities, the devastation is not only affecting the roads.

“In that ecological environment, the soils are predominantly very week and the natural environment and the topography are included in the sense that it is not you and me that did it but nature allows the topography and tomopology to do that.

“This category A Project will take a multiscale and a multisector approach in implementation in the initial seven south eastern states of the federation.” Nwune stated.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/fg-commences-n19b-erosion-control-project/#sthash.yLDHEooO.dpuf

South Africans to Invest $200 Million USD in Edo, Enugu, Benue States
Posted on July 2, 2014 by NewsRoom in Business, Recent Posts
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A group of South African investors have indicated interest to plough $200 million in the agriculture sector in Edo, Enugu and Benue states.

The investors have therefore sort the acquisition of 5,000 hectares of farmland which at the end would provide over 2,500 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians especially the people of the three states.

This was disclosed when the board members of Nigerian Institute for Oil-palm Research (NIFOR) led by its chairman, Senator Lee Maeba, visited Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State at Government House, Benin City.

According to him “God did not make any mistake in citing NIFOR in Benin. NIFOR has on its roll over 2,000 employees and is very particular to mention that nearly 2,000 of these are from Edo State and so we can conveniently say that NIFOR is one of the major employers of labour in Edo State.”

Senator Maeba commended the governor in his determination to show commitment to the infrastructural development of the state and sued for its sustenance.

The Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) was established in October 1939 as a Research/Training Institute.

Responding, Oshiomhole told the board members of NIFOR to advise the South African investor to look in the direction of Edo State for investment of the $200 million in the cultivation and production of oil palm on 100,000 hectares of land, pointing out that the state has adequate land reserves and other infrastructure to meet the demands of the investors.

Oshiomhole who maintained that Edo is the safest in the entire nation and that her people are hospitable, noted that other agro-companies that have investments in the state are doing so well that they have asked for more land for expansion.

He told the NIFOR board members that government was willing to approve more land for the Institute if it applies for it.

Oshiomhole noted that government had cause to revoke reserved land from some landlords who were not actual farmers but were sub-letting such land to small-scale farmers and collecting rent on same, assuring NIFOR of government’s support whenever such is needed.
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- See more at: http://reportingnigeria.com/2014/07/south-africans-invest-200-million-usd-edo-enugu-benue-states/#sthash.kkXYJLGg.dpuf

SPARS, OTHERS TO OCCUPY ABIA MALL WITH CONSTRUCTION VALUE OF N3.1BN.

Spar, an international retail chain and franchise with approximately 12,500 stores in 35 countries globally, has indicated interest to take a large portion in the Abia Mall with construction value of N3.1 billion.

Spar is taking about 3,200 square metres in the mall to extend its outlets in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. According to the project developers, the mall which would have a 24-hour electricity and free parking space, considered as a one-stop destination for dining, shopping, entertainment, banking and telecommunications, would boost the economy of the state in the region.

The project, sited in Umuahia, which would likely be commissioned in April next year, is expected to open up the seemingly quiet Umuahia city as other retail merchants also indicate interest in the mall to reach the South Eastern market.

Speaking on the mall project which started in 2013, the director, Abia Retail Company, Chuka Okoye said the mall, which sits in 12,550 square metres, was a product of a study that showed that the city was in dire need of a mall.

Confident of the economic viability of the project in the state, Okoye said the mall alone would generate over 1600 direct and indirect jobs in the state capital, assuring tenants that the mall management had put in place arrangement to promote good business relationship, hence to encourage growing businesses.

“We have over 60 percent of the mall occupied already, we have dragged global brands like Spar and others to Abia State,” Okoye said, expressing delight that after answering government officials’ questions initially on the project, the Abia State government threw its weight behind the mall.

Okoye explained that the construction work was delayed when the job was taken from the initial contractor – New Technics Construction Company to Formwork in November 2013.

Also speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos on the mall, Chikamnayo Eze, commissioner for information, Abia State, said “the project is private partnership arrangement with the developers,” saying however that though Aba was the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, but the project was well positioned at Umuahia, which is fast growing and surrounded by cities and towns that would also patronise the mall.

He commended the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji for the enabling environment, which is necessary for investment, especially on security as Abia was now more peaceful for which the governor had received awards.

In his short speech at the meeting, the managing director of Spar, Haresh Keswani was happy on the peaceful nature of the state, saying this will ensure that business thrives, and called on other tenants who have indicated interest to start their design and construction on time so that the mall will begin full business the same time. He said retail as a business was the global largest employer, stating that oil and gas could contribute significantly to the economy but the sector cannot employ much.

According to a survey, the Nigerian formal retail industry has evolved significantly over the years, with investments in the sector growing to over N205.4 billion in the last two years.

Anambra plans town-hall meeting on agriculture

By Our Reporter on October 6, 2014 · COVER

Following the soar-away success the gov­ernment of Anambra State has so far re­corded in attracting signifi­cant investments into the ag­ricultural sector of the state, plans are under-way for a high-level town hall meeting on agriculture to be hosted by the government in col­laboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

The planned meeting is one of the highlights of a closed-door meeting that recently took place in Abuja between the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and a special delegation from Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture led by the gover­nor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.

The meeting came on the heels of a string of Memoran­da of Understanding (MoUs) the government of Anambra State recently signed with big-time investors who are cur­rently setting up shops in the food belt of the state to com­mence large-scale mechanised farming.

Giving assurances of the ministry’s readiness for the proposed meeting, Dr. Adesi­na said: “We are going to have a special agricultural engage­ment in Anambra State. I will come with a strong team and we shall have high-level delib­erations on agriculture.”

According to him, the Fed­eral Government had just ap­proved an agricultural mecha­nisation scheme estimated at N50billion, which would finally weed out the depen­dence on hoes and cutlasses by Nigerian farmers. The mechanisation support grant would enable the farmers to hire tractors and engage in modern farm practices.

The minister also declared that the Federal Government would fast-track the full reali­sation of the proposed Staple Crops Processing Zone that had been designated for Omor in Ayamelum Local Govern­ment Area of the state, de­scribing the mill as very im­portant to his ministry.

Dr. Adesina also lauded Governor Obiano’s achieve­ments in the past six months, saying the strides, had fully restored the confidence of the investment community, lead­ing to the recent acquisition of the moribund Omor Rice Mill by Joseph Agro Limited and the planned investment of $150million to revamp the mill.

Said he: “My ministry is one of the first few places you vis­ited when you were sworn in as governor of Anambra State. You are one governor that got it right. You came here to share your plans for the agri­cultural sector and I could see that you were very passionate to make an impact there. Your administration is moving at an incredible speed. I think it comes from your private sec­tor background. I followed your efforts to provide secu­rity in Anambra State and I am happy that the benefits have started pouring in now.”

The minister also assured of the readiness of his ministry to partner with Anambra State in aqua-culture, promising to lend critical support to Obi­ano’s plans to make the state a leader in the production of fingerlings in the country.

Earlier, in his opening re­marks, Obiano had appealed for the assistance of the min­ister to ensure that Anambra State was adopted by the min­istry as one of the leading ag­ricultural states in the country.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=84760

ALA IGBO AMAKA !!! PICTURES OF ABA

Coal: Group urges FG to compensate Enugu communities
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By PETRUS OBI, Enugu on September 16, 2014 · National

Oil Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) has urged the Federal Government to compensate Enugu State particularly the coal producing communities commensurately for bearing the economic burden of the entire country.

In a keynote address presented at the inauguration of Enugu State chapter of OMPALAN, the Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) and National leader of the group, Bishop Udo Azogu noted that Nigeria’s economic growth suffered a major setback because of overdependence on oil.

He noted that Enugu owed its geo-political significance to the discovery of coal in 1909, which necessitated the establishment of a colliery at the coal site in 1914 and construction of 150-mile railway to convey coal to Port Harcourt terminus harbor.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=81953

Bishop Azogu observed that the hard-earned peace process in the Niger Delta region risked derailing, unless drastic measures were put in place to address stiffening conditions of survival in producing communities which he said were casting dark shadows over the impact of robust mitigation schemes in the area.

“It is our shared desire that viable projects be sited in oil and solid minerals producing communities to cushion the harsh effects of worsening environmental impacts and reassure the people of government’s goodwill.”

Also speaking, the state Chairperson of OMPALAN, Mrs. Justina Aniagolu explained that the association was a holistic frame work that provided synergy among the oil/mineral companies, the government and the Oil/Minerals Landlords, stressing that it ensured sustainable exploration of the oil/mineral deposit with the least possible negative externalities.

She noted that they had come to broker peace and stimulate development in the state, adding: “In this era of neo-globalisation where there is liberalisation of trade and transfer of capital and technology, we know more eyes are looking at coal now coupled with the high energy requirement of our time.

“Smile Enugu people for the beacon of hope is here and the sun is risen for we definitely have a bright day ahead. It is not going to be business as usual, extraction of coal back in the days has rendered many valleys, many areas useless and with little or no development in the communities.”

Pictures of Umuahia, Abia State !!! Ala Igbo Mara mma !!! Ala Igbo wu Otu !!!

IMO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER OWERRI This big conference center recently hosted large number of lawyers who attended their annual general convention in Owerri

RareDiamonds:
IMO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER OWERRI This big conference center recently hosted large number of lawyers who attended their annual general convention in Owerri

this is one of d best in Nigeria

Charlesdonald:
this is one of d best in Nigeria

Yea !!! The Imo Intl conference center is beautiful !!! I love the paintings on the wall of women dancing and welcoming guest. It's really nice.

FG Underscores Commitment to Empowerment of Nigerians as Chief Wogu Commissions Power Training Institute Enugu

29 Jul 2014

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Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has stated that the development and empowerment of Nigerians in an equitable manner remains the top priority of the present administration.

Wogu made the remark recently in Oji, Enugu State, during the commissioning of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria’s Electrical and Communication Laboratory, built by the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), project of SURE-P.

According to the Wogu, the development and empowerment of Nigerians in an equitable way, will continue to be of top priority to the government, be it in the improvement of technical training infrastructure, enhancement of skills acquisition, provision of critical infrastructure or health care facilities among others.

He added that the present administration is concerned that the livelihood of the citizenry is not compromised.

The minister assured that despite pockets of security challenges in some parts of the country, the federal government is focused on building a nation where all can live happily.

While affirming the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan at ensuring judicious use of funds accrued from the partial removal of fuel subsidy, he said: “Given the volatile global economic situation, Mr. President is committed to ensuring that every funds saved from the partial removal of fuel subsidy is judiciously used and accounted for."

Speaking further, Wogu said that the completion of the project means an expansion to the facilities available to train workers in the power sector and help to meet the requirement for a reliable, sustainable and improved capacity building for the power sector.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, commended the vision and wisdom of president Jonathan, in establishing SURE-P which has impacted the lives of ordinary Nigerians positively.

He pledged the continued support of Enugu State Government to the transformation agenda of the federal government.

“This is another ample illustration of the fact that the vision and wisdom of President Jonathan in establishing SURE-P, is yielding and will continue to yield positive dividends. I pledge the continued support of the Enugu State Government towards the sustenance of this institute and any other Federal projects”, the deputy governor pledged.

Speaking on behalf of Chairman of SURE-P, Gen (RTD) Martin Luther Agwai, the Convener of the TVET Project, Comrade Peter Esele, lauded the intervention of SURE-P in various strata of national developments adding that President Jonathan has delivered on the promises he made to Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, Mr. Reuben Okeke, indicated that the building to house the electrical system and communication laboratory is the first of such project in Nigeria.

“This project accentuates the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria, not only to the development of training and capacity building in the power sector but also to the development of training infrastructure in the sector.

"I am also particularly delighted that this project is not only important in the sector, but also to the Country as a whole. This is because this building to house the Communication Laboratory and the Electrical System Laboratory that is being commissioned today is the first in Nigeria,” he said.


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-underscores-commitment-to-empowerment-of-nigerians/184790/

Op,you are truly the son of the soil,may God continue to bless you.

Continue,we are following.

Donmarrius:
Op,you are truly the son of the soil,may God continue to bless you.

Continue,we are following.

Thanks for your encouragement, let us promote Igbo unity on Nairaland by building this thread.

Build Film Village, Actors Guild Urges Anambra Govt

Article | June 2, 2014 - 5:31am | By Augustine Aminu
Chief Willie Obiano

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Anambra chapter, has urged Gov. Willie Obiano to construct a film village in Awka to serve as a tourist centre.



The Chairman of AGN in the state, Chief Samson Obidinma, made the call during the guild’s Democracy Charity Carnival in Awka on Sunday.



Obidinma said the centre would serve as a rallying point for entertainers as well as boost the state government’s revenue generation.



The chairman also appealed to the governor to assist the organisation to build a befitting secretariat as well to provide them with location buses.



He noted that the guild, also known as “Nollywood,” was raring to produce movies that would change the attitude of the people from the negative to the positive.



“As partners in progress with the government at all levels in job creation, nation-building and employment, there is no gainsaying that many graduates who should have been roaming the streets in search white collar jobs are now gainfully employed.



“As the third largest movie producer in the world after the United States Hollywood and Indian Bollywood, the Nollywood is equally a foreign exchange earner for the nation,” Obidinma said.



The Secretary of the chapter, Mr Eddiking Mbachu, appealed to non-governmental organisations and philanthropists to assist the guild by donating funds for movie production.



Mbachu said that such sponsorship could help curb youth restiveness, reduce unemployment, kidnapping and insurgency.



Earlier, the group visited the Awka Prisons, where it called for efforts to ameliorate the plight of the inmates.



Some of the items donated to the prison by the group included cartons of bar soap, bags of sachet water, beverages, bed spread, toiletries and the sum of N10,000.



The Deputy Comptroller of the prison, Mr Emmanuel Oguejiofor, represented by the Chief Warder, Mr Sunday Orji, thanked the group for the gesture.

http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/build-film-village-actors-guild-urges-anambra-govt

Abia Is Safe For Investments: Orji Assures ...Commends Hy-Lok Nigeria Ltd., For Investing In The State
By Nnaji Obed Asiegbu 18-02-2014

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, says his administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for businessmen to invest in the state.

Governor Orji gave the assurance when he received the Chairman and members of Board of Directors of Hy-Lok Nigeria Ltd at the Government House, Umuahia.

The Governor stated that since it is no longer fashionable for government to be in business, his responsibility will be to protect businesses that are in the state, adding that the private sector has a responsibility to complement the effort of the state government in development.

He commended the company for establishing in the state and pointed out that its presence will bring greater development to the state as well as create employment opportunities for Abians.

Chief Orji assured the company that Abia is peaceful while Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia remains a veritable place for it to market its products.

According to the governor, Abia as an NDDC state will benefit from the company which is into oil servicing and promised to be present during the commissioning of the company.

[b]Earlier, the chairman, Board of Directors of Hy-Lok Nigeria Ltd., Alhaji Garba Imam thanked the Governor for the opportunity given to the company to set up the state of the art factory at Obuaku City in Ukwa West LGA by granting them land for the project in addition to other support required to realize the project.

He disclosed that they have completed the first phase of the facility which is to be developed fully in four phases, disclosing that the first phase which includes a 720m2 warehouse/shop floor area, valve and fittings assembly line, equipment testing facility, training centre is currently being test run and has been audited by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

Alhaji Imam said the second and third phases of the project would be commenced in line with schedule and in the process contribute towards the enhancement of the Obuaku industrial layout as planned by the state government and informed the governor of the planned commissioning of the facility during the first or second quarter of this year.[/b]

http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/138561/1/abia-is-safe-for-investments-orji-assures.html

More Pictures of Umuahia