₦airaland Forum

Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammed Babandede, yesterday said the service would commence a clamp down on irregular migrants, who had failed to undergo biometric capturing by 20th January, 2020.

Babandede, who made the declaration during an interactive session with the Senate and the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Interior, said all irregular migrants found to be in default would be arrested and deported to their country of origin. 

According to him,   President Muhammadu Buhari had given the migrants six months’ grace which started from 18th of July this year and ending on 19th of January 2020.

“During this period, biometric data of concerned migrants are to be taken and documented. Information to that effect has been sent out to all the affected migrants   that whoever refuses to comply, will from January 20, 2020 be on the radar of Immigration operatives for arrest and deportation,” he said.

According to Babandede, the agency received a total of N3.4 billion out of the N13.175 capital votes appropriated for it in 2018 budget while nothing has been received from the N8.214 billion appropriated for capital projects in 2019.

He, however, lamented loss of N18 billion the service had incurred over the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement it had with some private companies.

Babandede said the agreements were signed on   behalf of the NIS by Ministry of Interior.

According to him, attempts made to jettison the agreement were frustrated by the beneficiary companies who proceeded to challenge it.

He said: “The sharing formula in the agreement between NIIS and the private companies was skewed in favour of the companies which to us, is economically injurious to the Nation.

“Expectedly, Immigration as a body has vehemently protested against the whole arrangement but the fact that the agreement was signed on our behalf by the Interior Ministry , the private companies have continued to have upper hand.”

Source: https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/10/fg-to-clamp-down-on-irregular-migrants-in-2020/

This Day (Lagos)

The Kaduna State High Court has freed nine members of the Sheikh El-Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites arrested following the proscription order by the Kaduna State Government in 2016.

The nine shi'ites members, including two women, were arrested precisely three years ago while on their way to attend the Islamic religious rite of Ashura mourning in Kaduna and have been in detention since 2016.

Justice Shiri Nyom discharged and acquitted the sect members of the charges levelled against them, a statement by the President Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa stated.

According to the statement, Justice Nyoms, said the prosecution didn't prove any of the charges against any of those standing trial.

The group noted that the judgment added to the number of landmark cases in which the government had failed to convict any member of its members for any crime in various courts across the country since the Zaria massacre of December 2015.

It added that so far, hundreds of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have been discharged and acquitted for alleged crimes including that of culpable homicide among others after proper trials in courts.

According to the movement, since the persecution of the members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria led by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky commenced, the High Courts in Kaduna and Sokoto, as well as the Court of Appeal have discharged and acquitted 309 members of the Islamic Movement and dismissed the frivolous charges brought against them.

"Today, exactly a week ago the Kaduna State High Court presided by Justice Nyoms has discharged and acquitted 9 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria arrested precisely three years ago while on their way to attend the Islamic religious rite of Ashura mourning in Kaduna.

"All the nine, including two women, stood trial in the Kaduna State High Court since September 2016.

"They were accused of being members of the Islamic Movement, unlawful assembly and intent to disturb the public among others.

"On July 2, of 2015 the Sokoto Judicial Division - Court of Appeal - has discharged and acquitted 112 members of the Islamic Movement of any offense.

"On Tuesday 30/07/2018 Justice David Shiri Wyom at the Kaduna State High Court cleared over 80 Shiite supporters of the Islamic Movement of criminal charges linked to a violent protest in 2015.

"He ruled in favour of the defence's no case submission, saying that the state did not present enough evidence to go ahead with proceedings."

This, according to the IMN, "explains why the government has resorted to employing delay tactics in the prosecution of the remaining cases left in court, including the one trying the leader of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky through deliberate attempts at frustrating the legal team of the Islamic Movement, led by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN and Mr. Maxwell Kyon, who have so far successfully defended and won all the cases against the government."

The group also reiterated its call on the federal and state governments to withdraw the charges against El-Zakzaky and others standing trial, adding that toying with the lives of innocent citizens, remained an aberration in any democratic polity.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/10/17/court-frees-nine-shiites-members-in-kaduna/

PREMIUM TIMES has obtained the audio of the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, where he called for the shooting of anyone who blocks his convoy.

The governor made the statement on Saturday while narrating how his convoy was blocked the previous night by mourners at a wake-keep in the state.

He spoke while receiving some guests at the State Executive Chambers in Abakaliki on Saturday.

The governor spoke on primary health care, training of teachers, security and other matters. Other officials of the state also spoke at the event.

Below is an abridged transcript of Mr Umahi’s speech, as well as the audio, focused on the part where he complained about his convoy being blocked and the need to shoot such people in future.

Transcript

Security are doing very well, Yesterday I was coming back by 12 midnight of course I had to stop at the college to inspect project and I am happy that I make some certain corrections and I took over some projects over there.

But when we got to Onitsha, they blocked the road.

Even with the litany of army and the police and everything, they did not even want to open the road. Then I said they should arrest all of them, but most of them ran away. But I think they even took a gun of an army officer.

So the chairman of local government and the house of assembly members and coordinators are working very hard, they are working all there to sort it out. But I said, all of them will go to prison, they will bring them here we will prosecute them and show example.

And I want it to be announced that henceforth, no wake keep should past 10 p.m., if it’s a law you want to make, if it’s a policy, if you must pass 10 p.m., then take written permission from chairman of local government and the person that requested will be held responsible if anything happens.

This should be widely circulated and properly announced. My problem is not that they blocked the governor, but my worry is supposing that it was a smaller person that was passing, who had no army and police, they would have robbed the person.

That’s what it means. The next time, the ADC should order for a shoot, it is very illegal to block a governor and if anyone should be killed in the process. It is in accordance with the law.

It is not me that’s the problem, it is the common man. Nobody should be oppressed and nobody should be denied his or her right.

Again I want to thank Ameachi, you have provoked our thoughts in term of how to take care of our downtrodden people, we will expand your scope and we will assist as much as you want us to do.

But I will drag you to my wife’s programme because I told her you will come.

Thank you

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/356479-what-ebonyi-governor-said-about-shooting-anyone-who-blocks-his-convoy-audio-transcript.html

SLAP44:
Or illiteracy. Many of them won't even understand the meaning of the journey.

It's more about economic desperstion. These crimal syndicates know how to target these females. The girls that wind up in Italy are literate.

Its good they're free. It just shows the need for border security. Alot of these girld lured by job postings.

Arrangements have been concluded by the Katsina State government for the return of 24 victims of human trafficking from the state who were sold into slavery in Benin Republic and taken to Burkina Faso.

The state government disclosed yesterday that they would return to Katsina today.

The director-general on Media and Publicity to the governor, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, who revealed this  in a statement he issued yesterday, said that seven of the 31 victims had earlier been assisted to return to Nigeria by the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso.

Malumfashi said that the seven victims were already in Katsina, stressing that “contrary to the news making the rounds in the social and new media, the 31 Katsina State indigenes were not kidnapped but tricked and sold into slavery in Benin Republic to a Beninoise lady by one Alhaji Usman from Kankara Town, now at large, but whose mobile phone numbers are in the possession of security and other government officials.

“The Benin (Republic) lady thereafter took her ‘slaves’ to Gaoua, a town 150 kilometres from Ouagadougou, the Burkina Faso capital, where she kept them in servitude without food or money. The lady has been apprehended by the local authorities in Gaoua,” he said.

The governor’s aide said that the remaining 24 victims were due to arrive in Katsina today, where Governor Aminu Bello Masari would receive them in the Gen. Muhammadu Buhari House.

According to him, “their release was facilitated by the Nigerian Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Hajiya Rahmatu Ahmed, who contacted and informed the Katsina State government about the plight of the trafficked victims, currently under the care of the chief of the Hausa community in Ouagadougou.

“On receiving the information, Governor Masari dispatched the special adviser on Drugs, Narcotics and Trafficking, Alhaji Hamza Brodo, with a 30-seater luxury bus to Ouagadougou to bring back the remaining 24 victims,” he said.

Source: https://leadership.ng/2019/10/01/24-nigerian-slaves-return-from-b-faso-today/

LKO:
It beats me hollow that no is talking about the evil man in Cross River. The short man is so intolerant of divergent opinion, a disgrace to the academics. No press statement from Kola Ologbodiyon, condemning the evil action of Ayade, let El Rufai do same, hell would be let loose. Our problem is neither PDP nor APC, we are our own problem.

Post stories about him if you notice juicy ones. Im just sad the people elect limp wrist yes men to state houses of assembly. They're the people who should be restraining these executives but they're only interested in getting paychecks and frivolous allowances.

Mr Ayade’s spokesperson, Christian Ita, denied the governor’s involvement in the arrest and detention of Mr Odok.

It's funny how journalists who are critical of the state moonlight as terrorists. Im sure you guys have no clue about why the police are after this guy.

“The police said they have been trailing him for about two weeks; they have been tracking his phone line,” she said.

The police can went through the trouble of wire tapping this guy. If ony the cared about all the victims of kidnapping that much. Let's see if thid guys trial will be interesting. This guy probably wont get the press Sowore gets sadly.

The police have arrested a Nigerian lawyer, Joseph Odok, over allegation of ‘terrorism’.

He has been in police detention in Calabar, Cross River State, South-South Nigeria, for four days now.

Mr Odok, a native of the state, is an avowed critic of Governor Ben Ayade.

He was arrested by two police officers on Thursday in Abuja and taken to Calabar by road, his wife, Cecelia, told PREMIUM TIMES, Sunday evening.

“The police said they have been trailing him for about two weeks; they have been tracking his phone line,” she said.

She said Mr Ayade was behind her husband’s arrest and detention. “Somebody warned my husband on Facebook that they will soon give him the same treatment they are giving to Agba Jalingo,” she said.

Mr Jalingo, a journalist and publisher of CrossRiverWatch, an online newspaper with focus on Cross River State, is in prison in Calabar, charged with treason, over a report about an alleged diversion of N500 million by the Cross River governor.

“They (Cross River government) have a hand in my husband’s arrest,” Mrs Odok insisted.

Mr Odok’s counsel, Oliver Osang, corroborated the claim made by the wife to the detained lawyer.

“From the way the police put it, it is coming from the government of Cross River State,” Mr Osang said of his client’s arrest.

“As at yesterday (Saturday) when I was at the police station, they said it is terrorism. It’s frivolous. You know, they want to look for anything possible to charge him,” he told PREMIUM TIMES, Sunday evening.

“They are yet to provide any evidence. He was still writing his statement at the police station.”

Mr Odok fled Cross River State two years ago after an attempt was made on his life, and has been in Abuja.

His lawyer said the police were yet to state whether the ‘terrorism’ he is accused of took place in Calabar or Abuja.

Dennis Ibe, an inspector of police who is investigating Mr Odok’s case, declined to comment on the case when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him.

Mr Odok’s Facebook page is contains critical remarks on Mr Ayade.

READ ALSO: POLICE ARREST THREE ‘CLERICS’ FOR ALLEGED FRAUD, RAPE

In one of his posts on the social media site in September, the lawyer described the governor as a “joker”.

“Ayade keep getting it wrong with lofty projects. Why talk of Spaghetti flyover when you have not maintained or completed a single road project from your first administration.

“A man that can’t complete a single road keeps talking Super High Way, Deep Sea Port and now Spaghetti flyover. This joke is getting out of hands,” he wrote on Facebook.

Mr Ayade’s spokesperson, Christian Ita, denied the governor’s involvement in the arrest and detention of Mr Odok.

“It’s wrong for people to describe as the governor’s critic, anyone arrested by the police. The governor does not know anything about his arrest, the police are in a better position to tell you why they have arrested him,” Mr Ita told PREMIUM TIMES.

Paul Ifere, another critic of Mr Ayade’s administration who was similarly arrested and detained last year by the police for criticising Mr Ayade, condemned the incarceration of Mr Odok.

Mr Ifere said the governor was clamping down on his critics because of his intolerance to criticisms and opposing views.

“If you criticise Ayade, he will come after you, that’s what he has been doing,” Mr Ifere said.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/355126-police-arrest-another-critic-of-gov-ayade-accuse-him-of-terrorism.html

Zubi10:
Are you a human being at all..this a holy book not a novel.y can't you close your mouth if you've nothing to say

Lol your story book more important than lives and property of citizens. This why you're giving bandit's amnesty and hunting down who dared destoy a book. You guys are hilarious keep the comedy coming.

FarahAideed:
Why mention PDP ? I thought you were non partisan?

Why shouldn't I mention who did it? It's the policy they decided to prioritize. I mention who does it to offend PDP supporters. It's always hilarious to get mentions asking why I'd dare bring up party in politics section.

I dont care much for party. Its policy that matters.
Im sure both parties agree since APC zamfara hasn't given pushback. Read my 1st comment on thread for more serious thought.

“The state government will not take it lightly with anyone found to have a hand in this ungodly act however highly placed such a person or persons may be in the society.

PDP Zamfara isn't playing games. If you're a bandit they'll will give you amnesty. If you dare tear book they really like they're coming for you. Lol who ever tore that Quran better flee the state before some tells on them. Go somewhere the state cant extradite you.

“Security agents from various security agencies have been deployed to monitor people’s movements and arrest anyone found attempting to abuse the holy book in any form.

Lol the stories out Zamfara never cease to be amusing. Did the State offer these kind of rewards for information about bandits or property crimes like cattle rustling. They're prioritising police man power to investigate this matter instead of violent crimes.

The Zamfara State Government has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the situation where some pages of the Qur’an were found in the sewage in a primary school on Friday.

The discovery at Shattima Primary School, Gusau, led to the immediate closure of the school and the indefinite suspension of the teachers on the orders of the state governor, Bello Matawalle.

The governor, currently attending the Africa Investment Summit in the U.S., directed the Universal Basic Education Board to set up a committee to investigate the matter.

In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Maru, in Gusau on Sunday, the government announced a 23-member committee, headed by Jafaru Makau

Other members of the committee are senior Islamic scholars, representatives of security agencies, relevant ministries and associations, including Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The government promised to reward anyone with useful information about those involved in the act with two million naira.

It urged members of the public, especially in Gusau, to report any sinister or suspicious movement in their surroundings to the nearest security agency for prompt action.

“The state government will not take it lightly with anyone found to have a hand in this ungodly act however highly placed such a person or persons may be in the society.

“Security agents from various security agencies have been deployed to monitor people’s movements and arrest anyone found attempting to abuse the holy book in any form.

“Similarly, the state government appeals to the citizenry to continue to pray for Allah’s intervention in exposing all those behind these acts of desecrating our Holy Book,’ the government said. (NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/355076-zamfara-investigates-quran-in-sewage-promises-n2m-reward-for-information.html

This going to be an interesting election. A vote for Bello is vote for Ruga/NLTP. Im not sure PDP is running an anti Ruga/NLTP platform in the state though. It could be like Zamfara where both major parties support the policy.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has adopted Governor Yahaya Bello as its candidate for the forthcoming Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.

The National Organising Secretary of the group, Aliyu Saleh, who made the declaration at a news conference in Lokoja on Saturday, directed Fulanis in the state to immediately embark on Ruga-to-Ruga campaign for the re-election of Mr Bello.

Mr Saleh said the group decided to support the governor for providing a secure environment for Fulanis to operate in the state.

“We are also supporting the governor for approving free Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) vaccination for over 23,000 cows belonging to our members in the state,” he said.

The group also commended Mr Bello for putting in place measures which had led to a reduction in clashes between farmers and herders in the state.

It also stated that the governor had given its members a sense of belonging by appointing one of them into his cabinet and by making their leaders members of the traditional councils at the state and local government levels.

The national organising secretary, who was flanked by the state Chairman of MACBAN, Umaru Jaido, also said they decided to endorse Mr Bello’s candidature because of their love for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Ohere, who received the endorsement document on behalf of the governor, thanked the group for adopting Bello as its candidate.

Mr Ohere described Gov. Bello as a leader with a large heart, saying that his priority had always been to provide security for all, irrespective of tribe and religion.

He said that Mr Bello decided to include Fulani leaders in the traditional council to reduce communal clash, especially between farmers and herders.

While thanking the association for the endorsement, the commissioner said the gesture would propel Mr Bello to do more for the people of the state.

(NAN)

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/north-central/354941-kogi-election-miyetti-allah-endorses-governor-bello.html

wowcatty:
I posted about the Uygurs few weeks ago on how fulanis are probably using same tactics on Yoruba, though they are just about 8 millions against almost 2 billions. They even make them entertain tourists and moved 3 millions Chinese to Uygurs region in Xanjuan or whatever its called at the Turkey border.The world won't say anything about it because China is using money made from the US to shut people's mouths. The UN is not even saying anything about it because they are all about global agenda and how to reduce the world population to 500 million.

Yeah they moved Han Chinese into their homes to spy on them. The funny thing is it's Trump that calls them out on their actions at UN. The UN cant do much about it since China will veto and place pressure on them.

I dont know you mean about Fulani and Yoruba. Elaborate if you care to.

The kingdom’s guidelines for tourists does not specify a dress code for women, saying that it is not mandatory for a woman to cover her hair or wear the long, loose garments known as abaya.

Citizens of Germany, the United States and China are among those who are eligible to use the new system.

It's amazing how money talks. There always room to negotiate when securing the bag. Lol they might start selling beer and pork if the price is right. What does it take to import it.

It's the same reason muslim majority countries dont criticize China for declaring islsm mental illness. China is holding 1.1 million Uighur Muslims in concentration camps. They're having them eat pork, drink beer, shave their beards and sing communist party songs.

However, no black African nation, including Nigeria, is included in the offer.

Tourists will be allowed to stay for up to three months per entry but can only spend a maximum of 90 days a year using their one-year multiple-entry visa.

Lol that's funny. The Saudi's know not to give Nigerians kind of freedom to enter the country. They dont want a migrant crisis on their hands. Just do your government sponsored pilgrimage then go home.

Saudi Arabia will open its doors to international tourists under a new visa system that allows people from 49 countries to apply for e-visas and visas on arrival, an official said on Friday.

However, no black African nation, including Nigeria, is included in the offer.

The chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Ahmad Al-Khateeb, said the move was part of the kingdom’s efforts to wean its economy off oil.

“Riyadh aims to increase international and domestic visits to 100 million a year by 2030. Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country,” said Al-Khateeb.

The tourist visa system will take effect from Saturday, Saudi newspaper, Okaz, reported. The new visa system will be available to citizens of 49 countries, the report said.

Citizens of Germany, the United States and China are among those who are eligible to use the new system.

Tourists will be allowed to stay for up to three months per entry but can only spend a maximum of 90 days a year using their one-year multiple-entry visa.

Saudi Arabia has long been one of the hardest countries for tourists to enter, with visas granted only for short-term business trips, religious pilgrimage, or for travellers with family in the country.

The ultra-conservative kingdom is on a push to attract holiday makers.

In 2016, Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, launched Vision 2030, a grand scheme aimed at diversifying the monarchy’s oil-reliant economy.

Mohammed has presented himself as a reformer who has been easing social restrictions, especially those targeting women.

He championed major decisions, including allowing women to drive for the first time in the kingdom as well as easing the guardianship rules by allowing women to get a passport and travel outside the kingdom without the approval of a male guardian.

The kingdom’s guidelines for tourists does not specify a dress code for women, saying that it is not mandatory for a woman to cover her hair or wear the long, loose garments known as abaya.

“Both men and women are asked to dress modestly in public,” and women “should cover shoulders and knees,” the kingdom said.

The kingdom hopes that by 2030, the tourism sector would contribute more than 10 per cent towards the kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP), compared to three percent now.

The tourism announcement comes less than two weeks after drone attacks targeted two facilities operated by Saudi state oil giant Aramco in the eastern province of Buqyaq, forcing the kingdom to halt about half its oil supplies afterwards.

Saudi Arabia and the US have blamed the attack on Iran, a regional rival of Riyadh. Tehran has denied involvement.

Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/saudi-arabia-shuns-nigeria-okays-tourist-visas-for-49-countries/

Front page: Lalasticlala

Wow is it a rule that you have to compromise everything. There's no wasted opportunity to extort cash out of people.

Travellers in commercial vehicles moving in and out of Maiduguri,
Borno State, are currently being extorted the sum of N200 per person
for failing to provide their national identification cards for
clearance to enter the city.

Daily Trust reports that travellers have to pay N200 at some
checkpoints situated on the outskirts of the metropolis.

“This practice has been in place for four to five years. A combined
team of Immigration Service and the military working at the entrance
of this town have been collecting N200 from all passengers who could
not produce their national ID cards,” said a Hiace bus driver on
arrival at a checkpoint in Maiduguri.

The driver, who parked by the roadside at Jimtilo area, awaiting his
passengers to do their clearance with some Immigration personnel,
added that it was only “that type of National ID cards” that were
being required for the identification clearance at the checkpoint.

“Any passenger, who fails to produce the National ID card must pay
N200 at this checkpoint whether they are coming in or going out of
Maiduguri. And therefore, we have been experiencing delays on our
journeys to and from the city.

“Because, the authorities here insist on one type of identification
cards which many passengers do not possess, and most of the passengers
are not willing to pay that N200 as a fine and so, the authorities
would ask the drivers to offload all the luggage belonging to the
erring passenger which is very difficult and time-consuming,” the
driver explained.

A passenger, Rebecca, who was aboard a Hiace bus along Bama road,
heading to Gwoza town, told our correspondent that she has been paying
N200 for failing to produce her ID card.

“Since the road to Gwoza was reopened, I have been paying this N200 at
some checkpoints till I reach Gwoza town. I do have two other ID
cards, but they only require that specifically, which I couldn’t get
time to obtain,” she said.

However, the Operation Positive Identification which was inaugurated
on Monday by the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafiya Dole did not
specify the 'national ID card' as the only means of identification.

“Troops are directed to strictly check legitimate means of
identification such as national identification card, voters
registration card, drivers’ license, and passport or other valid
official identification before allowing such persons passage,” said a
statement on Monday by the Nigerian Army spokesman at the command,
Col. Ado Isa.

“Consequently, Operation Positive Identification is seriously ongoing
across the North-East. Members of the public are requested to
cooperate with the troops by moving along with valid identification
cards and present same to the troops in the efforts to rid the
North-East zone of criminals fleeing for safety,” the statement added.

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2019/09/26/boko-haram-nigerian-troops-extorting-n200-travellers-without-id-cards

There's always an excuse for delays. M What are the laws regarding these mous and why they allowed to halt progress on work already under contract? Compensation is supposed to be worked out before work begins for this reason. These workers need to get back to work.

Engr. Adeyemo Ajani, the Controller, Federal Ministry of Works in charge of Anambra State, has called on government and other concerned stakeholders to intervene in the agitation in Onitsha over the second Niger bridge between worried communities and the government contractors.

Ajani who spoke to newsmen at his office in Awka, on Wednesday said if there is no quick intervention, it might affect the completion of the second Niger bridge on time.

He disclosed that work has stopped at the site because of some demands being made by the communities and workers.

According to him, the project does not have any issues in terms of funding but the communities are trying to delay the project completion through their agitations and demands.

“Among all the presidential Initiative funding project,  second Niger  Bridge is the only one that has no problem in terms of funding” he stated.

Recall that some communities from Anambra and Delta states had forcefully stopped work on the site, alleging that the project manager has not given them their dues.

According to Ajani, the demands of the communities are about N500millions  and wondered how much money could be raised from, for those communities.

He said the project may be delayed now, due to the crisis being created by the communities and workers.

According to him, the Memorandum of Understanding between the communities and the contractors are not yet signed due to demands of N500 millions of community projects.

“The Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the contractors and the communities has not been signed. One of the reasons for not signing it was that the communities are demanding a 50Million naira project in each community, which total up to N500 millions.  We are asking the government to step in and resolve the problem” he said.

According to him, work at the second Niger bridge has stopped and we are asking for government and stakeholders intervention so that work can continue and the bridge completed as scheduled.

He also urged workers on the site to be patient with the contractors on their demands for an increase in transportation allowance and promotions of junior workers.

Ajani said their demands are not supposed to create a problem since they are looking into them.

It could be recalled that a few days ago, the workers and host communities of the ongoing Second Niger Bridge project in Anambra and Delta states have shut down the Julius Berger yard office at the bridgehead, Onitsha, the Anambra state capital.

The protesters during the protest said they were marching against noncompliance to agreements with the host communities in regards compensation, employment of ad hoc staff, skilled and unskilled staff as well as supplies.

The leader of the protesters and the host communities Liaison Officer (CLO), Mr Peter Okafor, also demanded the sack of the Project Director of construction firm Julius Berger, Mr Friedrich Josef Wiser, over his alleged highhandedness and neglecting the plight of the host communities.

Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/communities-agitation-may-affect-completion-of-second-niger-bridge-―-fg/

9jaRealist:
Did you inquire how they arrived at that conclusion...
Or did you just assume without basis (as you criticize them) that the conclusion had no statistical basis?!
>

Yes I look at publicly available stats. They never cited any statistic or percentage like I said. Where are the 2018 crime stats? They dont quantify any of they're statements even when directly asked. Read the link below.

https://www.nairaland.com/5428298/violent-crimes-reduce-across-nigeria

Im not surprised the statement is false. Nigerian police like saying stuff without any stat to back up statements. They recently said violent crime has reduced in 2019 without quantifying it.

A recent spate of kidnappings and violent crimes has shaken Nigeria's capital Abuja, regarded as a relatively safe haven in a country facing major security challenges.

The national police chief, Mohammed Adamu, has sought to allay concerns by saying that Abuja actually has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Is he right?

Before we start looking at the numbers, it's important to consider the reliability of Nigeria's crime statistics.

Experts don't rate them highly - a recent United Nations report analysing homicide statistics describe existing Nigerian data as "patchy and divergent".

Security experts say many crimes go unreported in Nigeria because of distrust in the police, a lack of police presence on the ground, and a general feeling that reporting a crime will be unlikely to lead to redress.

The International Police Science Association, a group of security experts and researchers, ranks Nigeria bottom in a global index that measures factors including confidence in the police, corruption and security outcomes.

So the likelihood is that official statistics would significantly under-report crime rates in Abuja and across Nigeria.

Now, let's look at the available data, starting with the recorded murder rate in Abuja compared with other major cities around the world.

On this measure, Abuja does not rate among the safest cities, as the Nigerian police chief has claimed - and there are plenty of other cities we could have chosen as comparisons to make the point.

The government's own data suggests that the murder rate in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, is lower per capita than it is in the capital, Abuja.

How about other measures of safety?

The Economist Intelligence Unit publishes an annual report on urban crime that ranks 60 cities across 57 indicators.

The safest ranked African city is Johannesburg in South Africa at 44. They haven't included Abuja, but Lagos is at the bottom of this list.

There are certainly more crimes committed in Lagos than Abuja - three times as many per head of population, according to Nigerian official data for 2017.

But Lagos is a much bigger city, and remember - the official recorded murder rate per capita was higher for Abuja.

So Abuja is clearly not as safe as Tokyo, Singapore, Osaka and Amsterdam - which are considered the safest cities in the world.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-49728321

igbodefender:
I look forward to the day some LG chairmen would be considered as important as state governments because of the IGR they generate through creative and brilliant policies.

Cc: Lalasticlala

They will eventually but they have alot of room to improve. Most are very dependent on allocation, they're aren't transparent with finances and they dont have websites. They also need to start holding city council meetings.

Lol state governments better step their game up. LG chairman will start gunning for your jobs.

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

With the financial autonomy granted to local government areas in the country, Keana Local Government of Nasarawa State has commenced a 24 Kilometres electricity connection from the 330KVA national grid to Giza and Kadarko towns.

 This was even as the council also embarked on the construction of five Kilometres of road network across some towns, as well as the construction of a befitting palace for the paramount ruler of Agaza chiefdom.

 The chairman of the council area, Adamu Adi, inaugurated execution of the projects yesterday at Agaza town with the optimism that all the projects embarked on would be completed within the span of his administration.

 He gave a breakdown of the projects earmarked for execution by the local council area as roofing of the Osana of Keana palace, construction of the Osoku’s palace, connecting Giza and Kadarko towns with the 330KVA national grid, construction of Kwara – Angwan Sida, Aloshi town and Kadarko market side road.

 Adi however disclosed that the Keana council area under his watch had two years ago embarked on the construction of a two kilometres township road in Keana, as well as fencing of the Local Government secretariat. – The council chairman concluded by commending President Muhammadu Buhari for granting financial autonomy to Local Government Areas in the country which, according to him, “the Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, complied without hesitation.”

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/09/21/autonomy-keana-lg-begins-eletrification-road-constructions/

Softcash:
Thing never makes you happy until you ask stupid questions

Lol get off you're rag loser. The questions are valid. The state should be generating enough IGR to pay for education without any levy. Even the governor claims he didnt see point of levy.

Abiodun said his education team would critically look into the items on the list of what necessitated the introduction of the N3,700 levy.

samento:
What rubbish are you writing! Is he the one that introduced the levy? And why don't you ask Otedola and Dangote why they send their children to private schools.

Who cares if he did or didn't? Why did the state need levy in the first place. Byw He didnt think it fit to remove the levy till he recieved backlash for it despite his free education promise. If they're on thread they're free to answer.