₦airaland Forum

NtoAkwaIbom:
Me igbo hater ?
Noo, never... I love you guys, a great lot..
The ish is, some of you are very dumb, when some of you say something and another disagress the other automatically because a yoruba mosslim, an ewwedu eater, an abooki, a fulaniii, a we the south south...etc.

Its very irritating, and no matter how much evidence the person brings, the dumb fuckks will still be bent on their beliefs... If i get frustrated like that, i try my best to leave reason and go bare knuckles.. You frustrate me,i frustrate you... I know its a dumbthing to do... But you cant frustrate me and i dont make you hate everything about urself... Its how i get even...

Apart from that i am very reasonable....at least i try tobe..

Cletus77:
Anyone that disagrees with NL igbos are haters..from hausa to yoruba..now Akwa Ibom

Lol you guys just noticed this behavior?

We all remember the bakasi peninsula issue, the people indigenous yo that area where Nigerians mostly Akwa/cross people, but then instead of relying on their occupation and control of the Peninsula as evident by the existence of a functioning government which regulated the area...(this in international law is sufficient means of prove of sovereignty over a territory )

Lol Nigeria lost Bakassi because Nigerian weren't ready to fight a war over it. I cant even find articles state cross river politicans calling for war. Sovereign states cant be forced into International court. Nigeria didnt even bother to appeal ruling in 2015. Nobody complained then.


On this topic. The indigenous igbo arguement is only interesting to those who are historians or anthropologists. I dont know of any igbo traditional rulers in state. Other than that the cyber beef isn't anything serious. The only way to take land by force is to conquer it.

Lol the government's doing fuel tax and Tolls then proceeds to burn the money with fuel subsidy. Cut waste and raise revenue.

grandstar:
It shows that the Chinese have been gouging Africans. However, French firms have first refusal for contracts from CFA countries.

The price the French quote is so low that it can't simply be argued away as trying to steal business from the Chinese. I'm sure the Chinese contract price is inflated to cover default and also they probably expected no competition.

That makes sense. The only reason Niger refused chinese firms is because Bolloré would have to be compansated anyway. With all the nonsense happening with this project on their end Im guessing Nigeria is in better position to get project done.

All Nigeria has to do Lekki port efficient to take business from Benin. The mouthbreathers will eventually catch on and demand North south rail lines. They'll cry Lagos given unfair advantage again.

Bolloré is actually preferred bidder of Ibom deep seaport. They're working with chinese. It's always the same groups.

BanevsJoker:
How are we "one Nigeria" if the Penal Code is used in the North, while the Criminal Code is used in the South? Who is deceiving who?

It's possible to have two sets of legal systems in a state. Whats unusual is hsving dual legal systems in same territory. In the USA Texas uses common law while Lousiana uses civil law. Whats unusual in my opinion is how sharia and common law are used in same territory.

grandstar:
I doubt Niger can afford it.

Actually, at that price they should

Yeah they should these guys have a contract with the Bolloré for around the same price. Benin was ready to side them for Chinese investors claiming the cost is 4 billion dollars suddenly. These African leaders are funny set of humans.

French firm Bollore will cover the entire 1.07 billion euro cost of building the rail link, according to the terms of the deal.

Bollore will own a 40 percent stake in the operator BENI Rail, in which the two countries will each own 10 percent. The remaining stake will be owned by private investors from Niger and Benin.

TheAfricaReport

In an interview last month, the Benin leader put the cost of the railway megaproject at $4 billion and said China had the "necessary financial means... and technical knowhow" to pull it off.

[url=https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjoyoCTp_zkAhVBKa0KHUIVDA4QzPwBegQIARAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Fbenin-niger-back-chinese-involvement-mega-rail-project-141453548.html&psig=AOvVaw1EGui2tXDRnAB5lHZg-1Jo&ust=1570062074358095]Yahoo News[/url]

NSNA:
Mention one

Brazil

By Adeyinka Grandson.

Nigeria's the only country in the world where its independence is older than its constitution.

Lol the author was too lazy to fact check before writing a buch of nonsense based off a false premise. There's dozens of countries with multiple constitutions.

FarahAideed:
Small small your agenda here is being exposed .pretending to be non partisan in a bid to drive sectarianist agenda here .

You're still crying? Why don't you tell me what you disagree with. I think the project is good based on the factors I mentioned all over thread. All you've been able to do is whine platitudes..

On financing infrastructure, the project is arranged under a 14 years buyer credit and long-term commercial loans with the borrower and the guarantor as the Federal Ministry of Finance of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Niger Republic should be asked to put money down if they're not already. The rail is mutually beneficial and they're willing to invest in Benin rail link. Nigeria should also collect ticket abd cargo revenue on the side they dont. There's no reason to be too magnanimous.

buhariguy:
na wa oo, development everywhere, this buhari sef, changing the face of nigeria within 4yrs and idiotic pigs are not happy about It

They're always an interesting bunch. The uninformed opinions are a fun read. Im guessing they forgot you're search before International travel and you must have travel documents. They smuggling and terrorism threats are mitigated that way. Can they answer why Benin wants a rail commection with Niger Republic?

They're acting like Niger Republic spawned boko haram. They already know it's a Nigerian creation and phenomenon that spread through the region. Lol you could argue they're in danger bringing in Nigerians. They're right about them potentially over staying ECOWAS stays. NIS will have to be on guard.

IGBOSON1:
Jeez!

Why is creating a rail link between Nigeria and Niger more important than creating one between Nigeria and Cameroun or Nigeria and Benin? Anyone?

They're after that port traffric from landlocked neighbor. It puts Lekki at an advantage compared to other ports in Nigeria and the region. The Ibom deep seaport doesn't have North South railway planned yet. Most people commenting conveniently forget Nigeria planned to have rail link back in 2013 with Niger Republic. Benin wants a rail with them for the same reason.

kayusely70:
I hope the company handling the project is genuine and credible unlike P&ID

Why are you hoping. Just look up the Mota-Engil and come to your own conclusion. I think they're credible just looking up their previous work and their finances on Wikipedia.

Its interesting to see how benin and Nigeria have been jostling for their port traffic. Benin has maintained the upper hand I've read. They're simply easier to do business with. Amaechi said Niger Republic is partnering with Nigeria but this article contradicts that. Niger also has proposed rail with Benin Republic.

Niger wants to ramp up its exports in general. Nigeria must also focus on making port efficient. The rail line world certainly make it easier to export goods like uranium. Gold and agro products. They wont bother using rail for oil since they're planning to build pipelines with Benin. Lol they're not dumb enough to trust Nigeria with that.

Ps: Niger Republic 2017 exports.

Olawale Rasheed,Director,African Railway Roundtable writes about a new rail corridor,the Kano-Maradi line that is to connect Sahelo Sahara region with West African coast through Nigeria.

The Nigerian government under Muhammadu Buhari is creating an economically strategic railway corridor between Sahelo-Sahara region and Nigerian southern coast through the construction of the Kano – Maradi railway corridor between Nigeria and Niger republics.The project is widely seen as a major effort to open up Nigeria to new economic opportunities through the tapping of historical ties with most countries of the Sahel and the Sahara region.

The significance of the project lies in creating a viable trade corridor between borderline region of Nigeria to link the Sahelo Sahara region represented by Niger republic and the rest of Nigeria, first from the Lagos-Kano line and second from Port Harcourt-Maiduguri-Kano line. The project slated to have 12 stations covers Dutse, Gaya, Wudil, Kano, Dambatta, Kazaure, Daura, Shargale, Marshi, Katisna, Jibia and Maradi in Southern Niger republic. The historic trans-Sahara trade route that has Kano as a major trading point is being recreated through the new railway corridor.

The project is for the construction of a standard gauge railway line with an alignment of about 387 km from Kano to Maradi and a branch line from Kano to Dutse. The 284 km Kano-Maradi Railway Line will connect three federal states in northern Nigeria, namely Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, and the Republic of Niger (Maradi), while the 93 km branch line will connect the capital of Jigawa’s State (Dutse) to Kano. Consequently, the northern region of Nigeria and the Southern part of Niger will benefit from an important connection to the Nigerian railway network under construction and to Lagos and Lekki Port.

The design and construction of a single track standard gauge rail line (with associated stations) between Kano to Maradi (284km) and a branch line between Kano to Dutse (93km), will be performed under an EPC contract. The design is for a single-track standard gauge rail line (with associated stations) between Kano to Maradi and a branch line between Kano to Dutse that comprises.

The company handling the USD 1.88 billion project, Mota-engil Africa had this week held a project mobilisation event in Switzerland, marketting the project to European companies, suppliers and sub-contractors with technical wherewithal. Reports indicated that the event was hugely successful with several companies across the value chains showing interest in the trans-national project.

The contractor, Mota-Engil is a company listed on the Euronext Lisbon, being part of the main stock index ( PSI 20). Founded in 1946, today the Group is a Multinational with operations focused on construction and infrastructure management in the segments of engineering and construction, waste management, transport Concessions, energy and mining. As a leader in Portugal with a a consolidated position in the Ranks of the 30th European Construction Groups, Mota-Engil is making its mark on three continents and in 28 countries.

The Nigerian government took the unsual step of engaging a European company as different from the Chinese companies which have dominated the Nigerian rail scene.The choice of Mota-Engil was however not a political decision. In October 2018,Mota-Engil Africa was listed as preferred bidder for the Project. After a due diligence mission conducted by a delegation composed by the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Nigerian Railway Company (NRC) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the company’s expertise to execute the Project was confirmed and Mota-Engil was recommended for the Project to be taken by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for final approval.

The project has significant positive contributions to make to the growth and development of Nigeria and neighbouring countries. To start with, a standard guage rail link between landlocked Niger republic and Lagos ports opens the prospect of Niger routing her imports and exports through Nigerian ports. With Port Baro on River Niger, subsequent rail link to the Lagos -Kano line and a functioning dry port in Kaduna, the Sahel-Sahara nations may turn to Nigeria for import and export businesses. While southern Nigeria is the hub for West African busineses, northern Nigeria may soon become the business hub for Sahelo Sahara region. Both South and Northern Nigeria can then combined linked by SGR rail link to enhance the nation’s status as the biggest economy on the continent.

Contrary to earlier politicisation by activists, the project has the very huge potential to make positive socio-economic and environmental footprint. As already noted by experts,this railway project is a trade enabling infrastructure which will facilitate intra-regional trade and contribute to the creation of socio-economic development of the Northern Nigeria, a region with high population density and agricultural production. The project is structured following the highest environmental and social requirements in line with International Finance Corporation World Banks standards, OECD common approaches and Equator principles.

The projected new railway line will impact a population of approximately 8.8 million people with many positive social and economic effects, including encouraging economic development through ease of access to goods and services, facilitate transport of raw materials and manufactured goods, and creation of employment for a wide range of personnel. In addition, the rail line and its ancillary facilities will create conditions for the growth of existing businesses and industrial facilities, internal and external trades and country integration.

On financing infrastructure, the project is arranged under a 14 years buyer credit and long-term commercial loans with the borrower and the guarantor as the Federal Ministry of Finance of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

As with all developmental projects, there are risks here and there.The overriding positive leverage are three fold namely the political will demonstrated and manifested by both Niger and Nigeria, the attested capacity of the contractor and the detailed financial, economic and environmental impact assessments already conducted.

In the spirit of big idea,some ambitious folks are already thinking of a Lagos – Kano high speed train in less than a decade time. Then Kano-Niger-Mediterranean High Speed train. Then, you can have a fast ride from Lagos coast across Northern Nigeria, up the Sahelo Sahara region to end in the meditteranean sea through Morroco/Libya/Algeria. And when you note that the King of Morroco and Spain are working to link Africa with Europe, you are then dreaming of a train ride from. Lagos to Europe.

Is it a dream? Not so really if the Chinese experience is anything to go by.

For now, breaking new ground is an interesting time in Nigerian infrastructure expansion history.

*Olawale Rasheed ,a Director of African Railway Roundtable, writes from Abuja,Nigeria.

https://railbus.com.ng/index.php/events/kano-maradi-railway-buharis-new-corridor-linking-sahelo-sahara-with-nigerian-coast/

Front Page: Lalasticlala mynd44

Nobodu is going to cry more than the victim? She got beat up and probably recieved her hush money. I dont see why she wouldn't file a civil suit against him to secure a nice payday otherwise.

I wish the idiot police officer who stoody by and didn't arrest the senator was punished. The prosecutors in the city refused to file crimal charges. Lastly the house of representatives is under no prrssure to do anything.

“Alstom SA agreed with the submission of the consultant that the first phase of the rail project could only become operational in 2022 based on proposed funding pattern,”

Source

The article forgot mention the state is getting a new company to build the light rail. Alsto. Is supposed have the rail ready by 2022. I doubt it based on all the previous missed deadlines. If lagos does have the funding they should get it done.

As part of Phase 1, Alstom will ensure the electrification of a portion of the line with third rail as well as substations.  After phase 1, Alstom and the Lagos State Government intend to work jointly on Phase 2 of the project by structuring financing from Export Credit Agencies (ECA) to provide metro trains, CBTC based signalling, the operation and control centre, passenger information services and the ticketing system in the stations.

Alstom press release

Bump

These guys can't even protect themselves. If they weren't busy budgeting cars and frivolous allowances they would have money for security. The place could have 2 or 3 policemen and few cameras. The other option is armed private security.

grandstar:
Protectionism isn't helping the country. It has failed woefully to industrialise the country. It is time the country finds another way

I didnt argue for protectionism. Im pointing out the fact they're suffering the natural consequences of their actions. They're complaining they cant access smuggled fuel. Benin government turned a blind eye to these issues.

If you disagree with thst point let me know why.

grandstar:
What of if Benin gets it right and tomorrow Nigerians start flooding there the way they did in Ghana.

Foe years, America has been fuming about the mercantilist policies of China but took little or no action because it realised it would be shooting itself in the foot. Re-exports from Benin are borne out of the senseless protectionism Nigeria practices that has failed miserably to industrialise the country (barely 10% of GDP) over the past 30 years.

Ghana, with a more open economy to trade has a more vibrant manufacturing sector.

Nigeria should shut up and stop blaming its tools.

Who cares Benin will deport them if need be. If Benin gets it's act together good. If they dont oh well. Nobody should cry when the rule of law is being enforced. Nigerians have bad habit of it hence why they constantly whine about Ghana.

America taking no action when China steals technology is stupid. It's a was a bad policy to let them break WTO rules without giving any consequences. There could be more tactful ways to handle situation but this issue had to be addressed.

Let's say Benin legalized weed tomorrow. If they're not doing enough to stop the illegal exports the same thing would happen. Nigeria should chsnge economic policy but Benin shouldn't mess with the bigger economy and expect no repercussions.

seankafor:
I wish it was south Africa or Ghana we were at trade war with...could have loved it.

Benin and niger are just infants..

We need to hit hard on these African backstabers

Nigeria doesn't have leverage on either of them. When it came to Ghana all they could do is whine about botherhood when Nigerians were being deported. They never cited any legal arguments. S. Africa just exposed Nigeria wont do anything either. The biggest clown will always be FFK talking about going to war with S. Africa.

Officially, exports to Nigeria represent 13% of Benin’s total export volume. But according to the World Bank, informal trade between the two countries accounts for 20% of its GDP.

Oh well big fish eats little fish. They were warned to get smuggling under control. Im all for securing borders. Everyone knows this will have economic consequences for both countries. I think Benin will suffer more from the shocks though.

“The current context confirms our determination to develop our economy through industrialisation and transformation. We no longer want to be a country of smugglers,” says a close colleague of the Beninese president.

Lol they knew better but choose not to better economy. I can't feel sorry for them.

Full legalization would be the best option. Its gives saves on enfircement cost, gain tax revenue abd gives citizens freedom. The government can benefit from tax revenue. The only issue is the few politicians in favor of it only want it for medical purposes. It just means you'll need to get a prescription if it ever happens.

signz:
Everything you said here is perfect.

However, Nigeria is notorious for always reneging on contracts signed. It has happened over and over given the reason why P&ID and the cabal that time agreed for contact to be under the UK law.

An Oil expert on radio program said that contracts like this have always been one of the ways our elites syphon oil money from the NNPC from inception.

A friend who's doing his MBA in LBS told me that because of this well publicised P&ID issue, there are fears by economists that most foreign companies wanting to do business with our FG may likely include that the contracts must be under the British law.

Nigeria shouldn't be trusted hence why companies opt for British law. Just recently NPA canceled Badagry deep seaport project. That's going to be another future lawsuit waiting for Nigeria. Its crazy how the state and people refuse to learn their lesson.

RealLordZeus:
Thanks for setting things right! The way people just made up baseless things on this forum is alarming without considering the impact it will made on some gullible minds who are ready to swallow every info line and hook.

People just believe anything. An ECOWAS passport is cheap. There's no logical reason to sneak into country. He's even conflating or makig up details. There's nobody from mali who visited during election if I recall correctly.

Racoon:
m

Remember, a delegation from same Niger & Mali entered Nigeria by road via Kano to partake in Mr.President campaign rally last year without any documentation by our security agencies

Come on you know this doesn't make sense. High level politicians in any country have diplomatic passports. Besides if they're part of the offical delegation they wouldn't need to illegally enter the country. Where did you get this information anyway.

These illegal miners need to simply get license. The only reason they probably wont is because they're no ready to pay taxes, obey environmental laws or the other regulations. Im actually surprised so many females are involved in this bust.

Mohammed stated, “It is a business that couples enjoy most in Niger State. All the men here were arrested with their wives. We have been in this business for more than six years without being apprehended.

I'm sure Mr. Mohammad isn't paying taxes after making all that good money either. After 6 years you guys should thought to go legitimate.

Enyioha Opara, Minna

A combined team of security operatives drawn from the army, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have arrested 92 illegal miners in Niger State.

The suspects were arrested at illegal mining sites in Tunga Goro in the Chanchaga Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent gathered in Minna on Thursday that the security personnel stormed the mining sites just as the illegal miners were getting ready for the day’s business.

Those arrested were 63 females and 29 males.

The operatives recovered two single-barrelled guns from two of the suspects, Aliyu Gajere, 40, and Garba Abubakar, 25, both of whom were said to be at large.

One of the suspects, identified simply as Mohammed, in an interview with our correspondent, described illegal mining as a thriving business in Minna.

Mohammed stated, “It is a business that couples enjoy most in Niger State. All the men here were arrested with their wives. We have been in this business for more than six years without being apprehended.

“It is like a union; we have rules and regulations guiding our activities. Honestly, we make good money from it.”

The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, confirmed the incident.

He said the suspects were taken into custody for illegal mining.

Abubakar explained that security operatives involved in the operation found weapons on some of the suspects.

He added that the suspects would be charged as soon as investigation into the matter was completed.

Source: https://punchng.com/security-operatives-arrest-92-illegal-miners-in-niger/amp/

Wow that's crazy. These guys must be bandits, drug lords, smugglers or something. Why would they escalate the situation by engaging in a shoot out.

Operation Swift Response, is yielding a positive result with arrests of irregular migrants, criminal elements and smugglers

I'd like numbers of arrest and nationality of irregular migrants arrested and deported. Im guessing most would just be smugglers and drug pushers.

Immigration arrests two Niger nationals with pistols, computers, phone at Katsina border

The operatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at Kongolam border in Katsina State have arrested two Niger nationals with pistols, computers and phones in a swift operation.

The operation occurred in the wake of the visit of the duo of the Comptroller General of the NIS, Muhammad Babandede and his Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) counterpart Col, (rtd) Hammeed Ibrahim Ali.

According to a statement made available to journalists on Saturday by the Spokesman of the NIS, DCI Sunday James, the NIS officers arrested the two Nigeriennes, who had attempted to open fire in defiance and to evade arrest by the immigration officers.

One of the Nigeriennes died after the ensuing shootout while the other is helping with useful information about their activities along the Nigerian border area.

“After due interrogation and profiling, the surviving criminal has been handed over to men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for further necessary action and investigation.

“The Comptroller of the Katsina Command of the NIS, Bin Umar and his men have been commended by the CGI, Mohammed Babandede.

“The CGI further asserted that the border drill exercise, Operation Swift Response, is yielding a positive result with arrests of irregular migrants, criminal elements and smugglers whose activities have been checked and security stepped up in the interest of the nation.

“The border communities were therefore advised to desist from conniving and sabotaging government effort the CGI reiterated.

“Meanwhile the nationwide spot assessment by the two Comptrollers General and representative of the National Security Adviser has been very successful.”

Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/immigration-arrests-two-niger-nationals-with-pistols-at-katsina-border/