₦airaland Forum

THE Managing Director of Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Achitect Aminu Ahmed Yar' Adua has said that the dredging of River Niger will soon be completed.

Architect Yar’Adua added that when completed the dredging would go a long way in improving water transportation and the economy of the country.
The MD, who also called Nigerian investors and other international cooperate business organisations to exploit the benefit of the dredging of River Niger, noted that the dredging will reduce tension on Nigerian roads as many goods will be transported via waterways.

He made the called while speaking with newsmen on the important of the dreging of River Niger to the people of Nigeria.

He said the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is discussing with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company NNPC and other cooperate multinational companies on how they could utilize the dredged River Niger to convey raw materials and finished products across the nation at no stress.

His words, “We are still discussing. It will not only safe them high transport cost, it will guarantee safety of both life and the goods such company or firm are conveying at that particular time.’’

He stressed the need for constant navigation on the dredged channels, a factor he said will help reduce the high cost of maintenance and expand the channels as well.

He stated that NIWA will soon commence full time waterways transport scheme across the Lower River Niger at a moderate price to demonstrate to all Nigerians that the waters are not only safe but also ready for usage.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER:

our millionaire wheel chair get sterling wheel abi na custom made

kettykin:
@bliss who are u . The same was done to ironsi what did u do. The best u can tell GEJ is to learn from ironsi mistakes. And not issuing empty threats like ojukwu did. If you don't know GEJ worst enemies are in the south west. And if the deed is done the will side the north

gbam

we are dividing Lagos state in two igbo/Hausa/ijaw on one side the other side will be yoruba/others we are so happy that finally we won

Some members of the Federal Executive Council have moved to ensure compliance with the presidential directive to remove, with immediate effect, the excess number of aides around them.


SATURDAY PUNCH investigations showed that President Goodluck Jonathan had expressed dismay at the high number of aides appointed by the ministers and the accompanying cost of maintaining them.


The President was said to have summoned the ministers to a meeting in Aso Rock penultimate week, where he chastised some of them for appointing more aides than stipulated by law.


The law states that each of the ministers of the federation is entitled to a Special Assistant and a Personal Assistant.


A source told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity on Friday that most of the ministers involved were those retained by the President.


It was learnt that Jonathan almost sacked some of the ministers when he discovered that some of them had engaged a ridiculously high number of aides and were maintaining them with public funds.


Investigations showed that many of the former aides of the ministers who besieged the offices of the reappointed ministers last week were disappointed as they suddenly found themselves out of job.


The reaction of the President compelled some of the ministers to promptly reduce their aides in obedience to his directive.


Before the presidential order, some of the ministers had more than 10 aides working under vague descriptions and were being maintained with public fund.


“Well, the minister has asked most of us to go. I think the ministers were summoned to Aso Rock and were asked to engage only the number of people prescribed by the law. That was two weeks ago.


“I fact, when my boss (name withheld) came back from the Villa, he said that he was left with no other option than to act in line with the decision of the President that the ministers should only appoint one SA and PA each,” a victim said.


The source said that the former aides of the ministers who were affected by the President’s call for financial accountability in ministries were earning between N150, 000 to N250, 000 per month.


The source added that the special assistants, who are rated as grade level 16 officers, normally earned other perks of office, especially when they travel with their bosses.


Similarly, a member of staff of one of the ministries said that while he was not aware of the presidential directive, he observed that most of the aides in his minister’s office were gone.


The shedding of the excess special assistants by the ministers came shortly after the declaration by the President on July 15, 2011, that he would not protect any of his ministers who got involved in corruption.


Jonathan who spoke at a two-day induction programme for the ministers and his special advisers, urged the ministers to be conscious of how they would use public funds, insisting that the funds should be used to the benefit of Nigerians.


“Let me reiterate that public funds are meant for public good, and I am quite pleased to note that this administration’s fidelity to the rule of law is common knowledge, because neither the Vice-President nor I will offer protection to anyone in government whose integrity is called to question.


“Transformation, in my view, is taking what you have and making the best of it. In so doing, you create a paradigm shift. We must, by our deliberate action, engender a paradigm shift and challenge that will steer confidence,” Jonathan had said.


Before the programme, the organised labour, comprising the leadership of the Trade Union Congress, the Nigeria Labour Congress and opposition parties in the country, had expressed concern about the size of the cabinet.


The labour movement and opposition parties had argued that a government which was out to reduce the cost of governance would not create additional ministries.





punch newspaper

too much drugs

Am happy with this development.
The states need more money especially states whose governors are changing the infrastructural landscape of their states. Imagine more mone for Fashola, Sullivan Chime, Danbaba Suntai and Rotimi Amechi-they'll certainly further transform their states within the next years.
The wasteful FG is just there feeding 'fat cats' that sit here in Abuja and do practically nothing than loot.




kUDOS TO GEAJ!!

breaking news
GOVERNORS have won their battle for more cash, with the President agreeing that the revenue allocation formula should be dumped for a new one.
After a “business-minded” session, President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday night backed the governors’ request to enable them pay the N18,000 minimum wage and address infrastructure.
The President and the governors also agreed to set up a committee to address the Sovereign Wealth Fund and its management.
Besides, the governors urged the President to prevail on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to provide records of crude oil being sold and the proceeds.
According to sources, most governors at the meeting canvassed for the review of the revenue formula to be able to pay the N18,000 minimum wage and meet other socio-economic challenges that could lead to better infrastructure, promote job creation and enhance standard of living.
It was gathered that the governors took note of the fact that the last review of the revenue allocation formula was in 2002.
They claimed that the present formula is not equitable and could leave most states crippled.
The revenue allocation formula is: Federal Government (52%); States (26.72%); and 770 Local Government Areas (20.60%).
A committee raised by the Nigerian Governors Forum, headed by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, has recommended a drastic reduction in the Federal Government’s allocation.
The governors are recommending this formula: Federal Government (35%); States (42%); and Local Governments (23%).
A source close to the Presidential Villa meeting said: “We were persistent in demanding for the review of the revenue allocation formula. We also submitted our proposed review to the President for his consideration and other relevant agencies.
“Armed with facts and figures, the President admitted that ‘the review is long overdue and it will be done.’ This assurance from the President gave us some hope.”
Another source at the meeting, however, said: “After the governors submitted their proposal on revenue formula to the President, he was non-committal on the percentage the Federal Government will concede to states and local governments.
“But he promised that the review may be early next year. That is still promising.”
Responding to a question, a third source said the governors sought to know the state of things in NNPC, especially the proceeds from crude oil sales.
The source added: “Governors are worried that the more oil prices rise per barrel, the more our reserve is depleted.
“They, therefore, persuaded Mr. President to compel the NNPC to make its records available so that we will know how many barrels of oil we are selling daily, the accruing revenue to the country, where the proceeds are kept and what goes into the Federation Account.”
A governor reportedly said: “We are after transparency in the oil sector because there is secrecy in how we manage our oil proceeds.
“The President told us that he has an audit report on NNPC and oil proceeds which he is willing to share with us. I think we may soon meet on the actual situation in the oil sector.
“We know that we have been benefiting from money made from oil, but as governors in a Federal system, we do not know how much the nation is making daily, monthly or per year.
“So, we cannot say whether we are actually getting our due or being shortchanged by those in charge.
“If we are fully in the picture of oil cash, we will appreciate when certain financial decisions are taken by the Federal Government.”
The Sovereign Wealth Fund and its management also came up at the session.
While some governors praised the spirit behind the Fund, others felt the principle of Federalism ought to apply to make it discretionary for states.
Another source said: “After arguments for and against, we agreed to raise a committee to look into all issues raised by the governors.
“The President and the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, will constitute those who will serve on the committee.”



    The nation newspaper

^^^
his cabinet is full of Yoruba people

SW and Benin republic can own their own banking system if they can SE region will support them why northerners like to play us like children we will find a way and fight them do worry SE got plans lined up already

Chintua:
Who cares?


Oh well.
The UNITED States of America was founded on Indian bones, blood, sweat and grime.
Or should we mention African Imported Slaves from the Trans-Atlantic.

Did it stop them from progressing?

What exactly is your point?

America nor tell lies for Iraq?

Abeg go ride ya Okada jeje. . . make we hia word.

i feel your position you set am well well the way you bend over my body dey do me one kind ehmm can i enter the place

what are you talking about

;d

nasoeb:
This igbos are becoming irritating, tribalistic and sentimental, now i see why the Yorubas hate them so much. always feeling they are Important.

Goats

is this one ok? na waoo for mental health this days

true i Jonathan needs to re structure this custom officers any of them found in the road or street should be sack with no delay

9ja voice:
ALA Igbo is not home for the weak nor the fools. you must be a good competitor to survive in alaigbo
I got the point they are making perfectly well:

1)in sw fed government solves for them 30% of problem while
state government solve for them 50% and individual fills the gap of 5% and the rest of 15% unattained.

2)in the north fed gov solves 60% and state gov 35% individual 1% - 2% and the rest unattained.

but in the east the hausa was giving a land to develope in enugu state (ugwuoba area), ananmbra state (atani) area, abia state (umuahia area) and delta state (asaba area) even in ebonyi state too. also in enugu yoruba's were giving a land too to develope.

dear friend after many years of land alocated to this people free of charge,go there to see for yourself not even a bungalo house is built by them.
look in the east the government don't give us free lands instead we buy them.

man you are right

thats a fine yoruba girl they are always well come