Another multimillion naira college abandoned by the Akwa Ibom state government has been discovered in the state, few weeks after PREMIUM TIMES revealed how a top technical college in the state has been shut down and left to rot away for more than seven years now.
PREMIUM TIMES recently ran an investigative series on the poor state of public schools in the oil-rich Akwa Ibom state.
The latest discovery, located at Issiet Ekim community, Uruan Local Government Area of the state, is one of the model science and technical schools conceived and built 15 years ago by the administration of Victor Attah, the second civilian governor of the state.
The college, which covers a large expanse of land, and has more than 30 buildings, including classroom blocks, dormitories, and staff quarters, has never been put to use after its completion.
It is unclear why the Akwa Ibom state government has refused to make use of the school.
Because it has been abandoned for more than a decade now, the college premises has turned into a thick bush.
Women and children were seen farming in some parts of the school premises when this reporter visited the place on Friday.
“We are still thinking of what we can do to get the government to come and start the college,” Iyire Abasi, a community chief and a member of the Issiet Ekim Village Council, told PREMIUM TIMES.
The chief said the village has written several letters to the state government, and the lawmaker representing Uruan in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The community is yet to get a response from the government, he said.
“It worries us in the village that government could build such a school, with so many beautiful structures, and then abandoned it just like that. “We don’t understand why the government would abandon the school. For us in Uruan, we have been very supportive of the government and the PDP.”
The chief said since there was no public secondary school in Issiet Ekim, their children travel a distance to other neighbouring villages to attend school daily.
“After God, it is only the government that can do things for the generality of people. I am making an appeal to the government to come and open the school. There is nothing that is difficult for the government to do if they have the love and the desire to do it,” he said.
The member representing Uruan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Anekan Bassey, did not respond to calls and text message sent to his phone line.
When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Commissioner for Education in the state, Victor Inoka, he said the government would soon “reactivate” the school.
The Attah administration had built similar colleges at Ikot Ntuen in Oruk Anam, and other parts of the state.
The one at Ikot Ntuen was also abandoned and left to rot away for several years until the Nigerian Navy acquired it and turned it into a military school in April this year.
“The Nigerian Navy Military School (NNMS) Ikot Ntuen was originally meant to be a Technical College by the Akwa Ibom State Government. The School was built Fifteen years ago by the then Governor of the State Obong Victor Attah.
“The Technical College never took off as envisaged and the partially completed structures were left to deteriorate,” the navy said on the school website.
Today, the facilities in the school – the administrative block, officers’ accommodation, students’ hostel, kitchen, sickbay, assembly hall and the classrooms – have been renovated and put to use through the assistance of the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration.
Back to Uruan. At Adadia community, a few kilometres from the abandoned model college, the only government secondary school in the area is in need of urgent help – the three classroom blocks, including the small-size administrative building, are all dilapidated.
A room in the main school block is unfittingly labeled ‘Physics Lab’. It has no doors and no ceilings.
Except for the sinks, two school desks, and a lonely shelf, the ‘laboratory’ is completely empty. More so, it is flooded with water whenever it rains, because of its leaky roof.
Four buildings in the school are completely dilapidated and abandoned in a thick bush.
In contrast with others, the only attractive building at Adadia Secondary school is the school clinic built and donated in May this year by a young woman who did her National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme in Uruan.
The donor, Esther Akpan, told journalists that in the course of her national service she had realised that many schools in Uruan didn’t have health posts, and also that school children were sitting on bare floor to learn.
Mrs Akpan, a graduate of Zaporozhye State Medical University, Ukraine, also set up sickbay in two schools, as well as donated desks to another school in the area.
She narrated an experience that inspired her to embark on the community development projects.
“We were on a community development service at community secondary commercial school, Ifiayong Usuk to enlighten the students on sex education.
“I was selected as one of the speakers. While we were interacting with students in a class, suddenly the whole school became rowdy; the students were shouting and running to and fro. We were all distracted. Classrooms suddenly became empty. We were scared.
“The next thing I heard was, ‘please, where is that corps doctor?’ Behold it was the compound mistress. I was the only corps doctor among us. I ran to her and she said to me, ‘please come and help us, a female student has slumped’. I demanded for a first aid box, but she said they didn’t have it. The principal came out and said ‘take her to her parent’. I turned and asked the principal, ‘madam, what if she dies on the way?’
“She said to me, ‘Corper, as you can see, we don’t have any medical facility, government has not provided that for us’.
“I was confused. As a medical doctor, I knew the child might die. So, I decided to rush her to Nigerian Medical Association Clinic, which was my place of primary assignment. That was where we resuscitated her”.
Inibehe Effiong Drags Akwa Ibom Education Commissioner To Court To Compel Release Of Records Of Funding For Public Education.
A Lagos-based Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Mr. Inibehe Effiong has filed a lawsuit against the Commissioner for Education of Akwa Ibom State seeking the leave of the court to compel the Commissioner to furnish him with information and records on funding for public education in the State during the eight years dispensation of former governor Godswill Akpabio and under the three years of the present governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
The case which was filed on Thursday 19th July, 2018 at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State in Uyo with Suit No. HU/MISC/316/2018 is brought pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the High Court of Akwa Ibom State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009 and under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the Court.
In a Motion Ex Parte, Effiong who is the Applicant is seeking an order of the Court granting him leave to apply for judicial review by way of Mandamus to direct and compel the State Commissioner for Education who is the Respondent to furnish him with information and records on capital expenditure, contracts and projects awarded for public primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State; the number of teachers recruited and the number of pupils in Akwa Ibom State from May 29, 2007 to June 1, 2018.
In a 15 paragraph affidavit in support of the application for leave, Mr. Effiong stated among others; that he had made a Freedom of Information request to the Commissioner for Education by a letter dated June 14, 2018 requesting for the information and records following a mind boggling investigative reports published by online Newspaper, Premium Times, chronicling the total collapse of public education in Akwa Ibom State.
The rights activist also stated that he attended public primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State and also graduated from the University of Uyo and that as a public interest campaigner, he is deeply troubled by the embarrassing sights of decayed infrastructures in public primary and secondary schools in the oil-rich State as revealed by Premium Times which prompted him to write to the Commissioner for Education seeking information and records on funding for public education in Akwa Ibom State.
Effiong also disclosed in his affidavit that the Commissioner for Education refused, failed or neglected to furnish him with the information and records sought within seven days as required by the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 which has made him to file the lawsuit to seek the permission of the Court to commence judicial review by way mandamus to compel the Commissioner for Education to furnish him with information the and records he is seeking.
Recently, a Magistrate Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State discharged and acquitted three members of the association of Next-of-Kin of Late Primary School Teachers in Akwa Ibom State 1991 – date who were arrested and prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force for protesting in front of the Government House in Uyo over the non-payment of their entitlements by the government. The three members were represented pro bono in court by Mr. Effiong’s law firm throughout the duration of the trial.
The motion is also supported by several Exhibits, a statement, verifying affidavit, certificate of authentication of computer generated documents and a written address.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
This clown annexed the western region in his coke filled ambitions.
He listed the areas where there would not be election in 2019 to include Southeast, South-South, Western region, Bakassi Peninsula, Middle Belt, saying they are part of the Biafra territory.
Lol these clown is going back to jail in August. They've already started the trump and Israel lies again. BZM can walk in the sticks and get hit with the boom. They think they cant get shot because a facebook meme says so.
“The implication of that order is that we have defeated Nigeria. They can no longer shoot at us.
●…Says Trump ordered his release, barred police, army from shooting at them
By Chinedu Adonu
ENUGU – THE Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF, on Friday vowed that no election would be conducted in the defunct Biafra region during the 2019 general elections.
This came from the self-acclaimed President of the BZF, Barr. Benjamin Onwuka.
He spoke to journalists in Enugu a day after he was released from prison, where he also boasted that he would take over Enugu government house on August 20 to announce Biafra Independence as President of Biafra.
Onwuka was arrested on May 30 alongside 32 members of his group in front of Enugu government house where they had gone to declare Biafra Independence.
They were discharged and acquitted by a Magistrate Court in Enugu.
He said nothing would stop him from “ceasing Enugu government house on that day as President of Biafra as Enugu remains the capital of Biafra land.”
He stated that the struggle for the actualization of Biafra has received a fresh momentum from the support of the United States of America (USA) and Isreali government, stressing that on August 20, they would “enter government house, Enugu with carrots and sticks with Isreali forces.
Onwuka said: “We will return back to Enugu government house on August 20. The Nigerian government has 31 days to run and wound up. Enugu is the capital of Biafra.
“The Enugu government house is the property of Biafra. It does not belong to Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, it does not belong to Mohammadu Buhari and also does not belong to Nigeria. I will cease the place on that day and the Isreali forces will be backing us on that day and we are inviting all Biafrans, students, Middle Belt, South-South and South west to come out and receive their freedom on that day.”
Onwuka, who confirmed that they were charged with treasonable felony after their arrests, stated that the United States of America (USA) ordered their release from prison last month, adding however, that the order was not carried out until Thursday night.
“The Magistrate who had earlier declined jurisdiction on the matter and sent us to prison, suddenly pronounced us discharged and acquitted. We simply walked out of prison and we thank the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, who issued the order.
“Nobody believed we will return from prison. We went in and we have come out. They can’t do anything and we are going to show that we have the power of Isreali behind us.
“The implication of that order is that we have defeated Nigeria. They can no longer shoot at us. That order has reinforced the struggle and Biafra has gained momentum as Southeast, South-South and Middle Belt are now asking for it,” he disclosed.
He announced a ban on all political activities in Biafraland, stressing that elections won’t hold on Biafra territories in 2019. He listed the areas where there would not be election in 2019 to include Southeast, South-South, Western region, Bakassi Peninsula, Middle Belt, saying they are part of the Biafra territory.
Onwuka added, however, that the Nigerian government was free to conduct elections in ten northern states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Boronu and Yobe states.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has sought public opinions on his performance in the transportation sector.
Amaechi disclosed this in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Israel Ibeleme in Abuja.
Amaechi
The Minister, however, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and the general public for the opportunity given him to serve.
“I wish to express my gratitude for this opportunity given me to serve the Nation as the Minister of Transportation.
“However, I would like to get feedback on our overall performance from you; where you feel we have succeeded or should improve on.
“It is our duty and desire to serve you better. Kindly email me on chibuikeamaechi526@yahoo.com.
“I will deeply appreciate this gesture,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the minister, few days ago, received the award of the Blueprint Newspaper for his contribution to the transportation sector and construction of the first monorail in Africa. (NAN)
Theres always one great hottake in these stories. Assuming this is true what would abuja do anyway if Lagos flex muscles on these guys. They couldnt make a go make a media statement without look like clowns. If they decide to fine, tow away vehicles and arrest offenders then what?
Speaking on the situation and the harrowing experience most motorists and commuters suffer, an NGO, Leadership Watch, said it could only happen because truck drivers believe they are untouchable since owners of the businesses are highly connected in government.
By Our Reporters LAGOS — Over 12,337 tankers and container-laden trucks are at present illegally parked in different parts of Lagos, just as the entire stretch of the dual carriage Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, inward Tin Can/Apapa, has been invaded and seized by over 5,000 articulated trucks. Consequently, traffic on the ever-busy road has been totally paralysed with attendant untold suffering for motorists, commuters and other road users.
Vanguard’s on-the-spot counting of illegally-parked trucks and tankers on roads and bridges within Apapa and environs, including far-flung places in Lagos, shows that no fewer than 12,337 of them are scattered in different locations in the areas visited. A breakdown of this shows that from Iyana Isolo to Tin Can, there are 3,200 trucks parked on the road; Ijora to Palmgrove, 3,485; from Marine Bridge to Ijora, 1850 and down the bridge, 1050; from Stadium to Eko Bridge, 874; from Costain—Stadium-Alaka—Fadeyi, 865; from Berger Suya to Kirikiri Road(New Road Bus stop, 678; from Wilmer Bridge to Awodiora(Ajegunle), 187; from Coker to Costain Bridge, 63. The entire Berger area has 671 of these articulated vehicles of which 210 are parked on the bridge.
Invasion, seizure of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway
The permanent shutdown of traffic on the expressway began on Monday when the articulated vehicles descended on the road in seeming vengeful fury, forming tight-parking queues that stretched all the way to Coker Bus stop, denying other motorists and road users going to Mile Two, Berger and beyond access to the road. By Tuesday, it extended to Ilasa and got to Iyana Isolo yesterday. And with no official reaction to check the trend, many worried road users have expressed the fear that the siege of trucks was sure to get to Oshodi by today.
Cause of gridlock, NPA’s suspension of shipping companies
The unfortunate situation which seemingly reached its excruciating climax yesterday has been linked to the recent suspension for 10 days of four major shipping lines by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA. The companies which suspension which took effect from July 14, 2018, are Maersk, Cosco Shipping, APS and Lansal.
Although NPA had indicated that the suspension was part of efforts to resolve a protest by truck drivers at the Lagos Ports Complex and the Tin Can Island Port, Mr Isah Suwaid, Assistant General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications Division of NPA, had in a statement also informed that following investigations by the Authority, it was found that the four companies failed to fully comply with the directive to acquire and operate holding bays. According to him, their shortcoming in this regard implied that they have either failed to utilize their holding bays or do not have adequate capacity to handle the volume of containers that they deal with. He did not stop there. “Some of these companies have also been found to import a larger number of containers than empty containers exported thereby, making the country a dumping ground for empties.
“This has contributed to the persistent congestion around the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port spreading to other parts of Lagos metropolis where truck drivers with no immediate business at the ports now park their trucks on the expressways.
“Stakeholders have agreed that while the call-up system through the ports management as advised by shipping companies will remain in force, personnel of the Nigerian Navy will discontinue the issuance of call ups, even though they will remain on the traffic management team.”
But rather than solve the problem, the NPA action has instead complicated it as the suspended companies had no choice but to unleash their horde of trucks on the expressway and surrounding roads, causing horrendous traffic congestion. With NPA adamant and still threatening that the companies can only be permitted further use of the port area after review of the level of compliance to its directives and to determine further actions at the expiration of their 10-day suspension, the situation is likely to remain dire and may get worse as the days go by. AMATO’s reaction
But reacting to the alarming gridlock of articulated vehicles on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, the President of the Association of Maritime Transport Owners, AMATO, Chief Remi Ogungbemi blamed the development on the deplorable roads leading to the port, coupled with the closure of the Wharf bridge from Apapa to Ijora.
Ogungbemi also said the situation will remain the same for some time so as to allow for the repairs of the closed bridge. The AMATO boss suggested that the only way out of the current quagmire is for the government to move away from the current analogue system of port operation and replace with a digital system. He further explained that for 50 years since the ports were built, there has not been a corresponding expansion of infrastructure despite increase in population and businesses.
He said : “The roads cannot accommodate the traffic of vehicles that call at the ports daily. We need to go digital. We need to move out of the current analogue stage we currently operate.We need to put in place a modern technology that will monitor and regulate the movement of trucks that enter and exit the ports.There is no way all the terminals can accommodate the numbers of trucks that call at the port at once.”
Speaking on the situation and the harrowing experience most motorists and commuters suffer, an NGO, Leadership Watch, said it could only happen because truck drivers believe they are untouchable since owners of the businesses are highly connected in government. “They are untouchable and if you’re going to do anything you have to take permission from the powers that be in Abuja. I saw what happened Tuesday and Wednesday. People trekked for hours to get to their places of business and other destinations because of that traffic gridlock on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. I know Lagos State government is not happy about it, but there’s nothing they can do as things stand right now. The situation can be reversed only if Abuja is interested in finding a solution to it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the suffering of motorists and commuters continue as they are now being forced to use alternative routes which are few and far between. Most of those heading to Mile Two and beyond have resorted to driving against the traffic with the attendant risks of accidents resulting in fatalities in some cases. But with no better option, one-way driving as it is popularly known, appears to have come to stay.
Commuters too scared to board buses and motorcycles, aka Okada, plying the one-way route took to trekking long distances to get their destinations. “My brother, what else could I do,” a lady trekking from the Cele Bus-stop to Second Rainbow told our reporter adding “The only thing I can do is trek. I’m too scared to board these buses driving one-way because the many accidents I have witnessed on this road were caused by them”.
Another unfortunate fallout of the trucks invasion was that it provided hoodlums the opportunity to attack stranded motorists and commuters. This was the case in the Alakija axis of Lagos/Badagry Expressway and Satellite Town.
Many vehicles that were trapped in the attendant traffic gridlock had their windscreen shattered by the robbers. At the same time, many lost valuables to the traffic robbers.
Also, traders and residents in Satellite Town, now live in fear as a result of trucks and tankers that now occupy every available space. Many traders have been forced to close shop while residents have since resigned to their fate.
LASTMA reacts
Meanwhile, the General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, Wale Musa, who spoke through his Public Relations Officer, Mamud Hassan said moves were on to restore sanity in the area. “In the wake of the present situation, a special squad to be led by General Manager Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, has been dispatched. Since Tuesday, we have commenced 24 hours operation.
“The task of the squad is to complement and create at least a corridor in the interim for other motorists to have movement. I can assure you that by tomorrow(today), we should have about 50 per cent sanity in that area.
“Though, the problem was created by the failure of the management of the Ports Authorities and depots, it is beyond our control but our responsibility is to ensure free movement of vehicular and human traffic. Let me assure you that plans are on to ensure sanity returns to the area,” he said. Efforts to reach Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson, for comment was unsuccessful as he was unavailable at press time but a source in the ministry said efforts were on to address the situation.”I can assure you that we are aware of the situation, the ministry is on top of the situation and will make comment at the appropriate time,” the source stated.
Umuahia – The Abia Economic Enhancement Team says the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two firms for the development of an industrial cluster tagged “Enyimba Economic City’’.
Ikpeazu Mr Chinenye Nwaogu, a member of the economic team, said this on Wednesday in Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the project, supported by the state Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi.
Nwaogu, also the Special Adviser to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu on Social Investment and Empowerment, said the firms included a Nigerian property developer, known as Crown Realities, and Chinese-based RUYI Group.
He said that Crown Realities had already completed the design for the project at a cost of 1.3 million dollars, while RUYI Group had also committed 2.5 billion dollars to the project.
Nwaogu said that the 2.5 billion dollars was invested on power generation, adding that the firm was also talking with Geometric Power Plant in Aba on the need to provide uninterrupted power supply to the city.
According to him, the project sited on 9,800 hectares of land, spread through Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo Local Government Areas of the state.
He described the area as most suitable for the project because of its proximity to Onne and Port Harcourt seaports, the Port Harcourt and Imo Airports as well as the huge gas deposit in Ukwa West.
Nwaogu said that government’s interest was to have the project completely driven by the private sector, hence it had not committed state funds to it.
He said that the companies had commenced claims survey to confirm the proportion of land belonging to each of the landowners.
The special adviser said that the survey would help in determining the appropriate compensation to be paid by the companies.
Nwaogu and Okiyi expressed joy that the Federal Government had also shown tremendous interest in the project and had set aside N10 billion to be invested in it.
Both officials also said that the state was waiting for Federal Government’s approval to the proposal to make the city a Free Trade Zone.
They said that the state House of Assembly had passed legislation on the project, known as “Enyimba Economic Development Law’’ in order to ensure its realisation, even after the present administration.
They said that the project would become the biggest economic hub in the South East when completed, adding that the first phase would commence in the last quarter of the year.
They said that RUYI Group, which was a conglomerate, would set up the city with more than 22 of its subsidiaries.
“The project will help to redefine the economic landscape of Abia with abundant job creation,’’ Okiyi said. (NAN)
Dangote will definitely use the dry port if the rail service is available. Going to seaport is time consuming and using trucks is expensive. The rest of the promises by NEXIM bank sound cool lets see them get some deals done. The should look to get a NEPZ established by the dryport if they dont already have one.
Bello also disclosed that discussions have commenced with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria and Dangote which are revamping the Kaduna automobile assembly plant to ship their cargoes, especially the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) parts through the KIDP
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council said on Friday that the quantum of exports that the Kaduna Inland Dry Port(KIDP)that was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in January this year is already handling is a big confirmation that the facility is doing very well.
The Council’ Executive Secretary; Mr Hassan Bello told Shipping Position Daily last week that the quantum of export being handled by the dry port is huge, even as he disclosed that the Council is also in talks with the Nigerian Export Import (NEXIM) bank for the establishment of packaging factories and warehouses for the huge volume of exports and businesses that are springing up.
“Nigerian Shippers’ Council has met about twice with NEXIM bank and we want NEXIM to structure a finance plan so that things like packaging factories, things like refrigerated warehouses and stuffing and consolidate areas can be built there”, he confirmed.
He added that the operators of the KIDP; Inland Container Nigeria Limited (ICNL) is already looking for offices in China and London. The shipping lines are just waiting for the rail, so that they can issue Through Bill of Lading for consignees from China and Europe can direct their consignments to KIDP.
Bello also disclosed that discussions have commenced with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria and Dangote which are revamping the Kaduna automobile assembly plant to ship their cargoes, especially the Completely Knocked Down (CKD) parts through the KIDP, even as he added that, already imported vehicles have started being handled at the Kaduna port.
He added that the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS 11) platform has been installed at the KIDP, even as it was confirmed that the port has been listed on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Electronic Form ‘M’ platform.
Shipping Position Daily also confirmed that the KIDP has been granted Port Code 02KD Location KD001 by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
Bello added that, apart from Customs, government agencies that have been granted permission to operate from the seaports are also pushing for same status at the Kaduna dry port.
The Nigeria Customs Service has accused unscrupulous importers and clearing agents of culpability in a recent case of container theft and diversion, saying that four containers that were recently on transit to Kaduna Inland Dry Port (KIDP) Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Kano are still missing.
Zonal Coordinator in charge of Zone ‘A’, Lagos, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Aminu Dahiru who raised the alarm also said that the service has begun a process of unraveling the cases of ammunition import through the Tin Can Island Port last week.
He said that the service has launched an investigation into the whereabouts of four containers on transfer which were cleared from Apapa Port to the Inland facilities in Kano and Kaduna, saying it would descend heavily on any importer, customs agent or officer of the service who has any connection with the missing containers.
According to him, checks by the service show that nobody exited four of the six containers while only two were accounted for at the terminal, an indication that four of the six containers are missing or have been diverted, under what he described as controversial circumstances.
He also disclosed that the zone is trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding some containers that left the Tin Can Island Port, also in Apapa, Lagos, which were later found in a private warehouse instead of the terminal the containers were designated for.
It was further gathered that some containers also got missing about six years ago, precisely in 2012, when the ACG was a Deputy Comptroller serving at the Tin Can Island Customs Command, a development the ACG has described as one too many.
The ACG warned that in the face of deliberate diversion of containers on transfer, the service would have no other option than to introduce a system whereby the bond paid on containers on transfer by the consignee would be the exact value of the container, as some corrupt people are taking the magnanimity of the service for granted.
He said: “There have been several issues on the transfer of containers to terminals in Kano and Kaduna, among several others and in several cases; agents are seen as major culprits in these matters. Recently six containers left Apapa Port for a terminal in Kano. On our checks, we discovered that nobody exited the four containers that had already left. When we also contacted the terminal, we discovered that only two arrived to my greatest surprise”.
“There were also movements of containers from the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, the said containers did not arrive the terminal they were designated for rather, we traced them to a private warehouse. Definitely we cannot continue like this, I can assure you because this is lawlessness and no society thrives on lawlessness.
“We may be compelled to reintroduce payment on loss of cargo on transfer. For some time now, bond is never close to the value of the consignment and we may likely begin a review of this bond issue, which I believe has become very important and imperative, especially at this time”.
While warning that agents should be careful with what they do with their licenses, he however noted that there have been cases where the licenses of some agents were blocked for crimes they did not commit, which made him direct that the affected licenses be unblocked, warning that the service will not fail to wield the big stick where it has been established that a license was used in compromising trade processes.
He urged importers and their agents to keep their records and processes neat and straight, hinting that the service would re-invigorate its post-clearance audit unit, while warning that the long arm of the law must catch up with those who subvert the system whether now or in the future..
Akwa Ibom already has MRO it should bid and have National carrier patronize it. If they need to invest to bring it up to their standards ok. They should also continue investing to make sure cargo opperations start asap. Then maybe we can have some International flights take place at that airport.
The cargo terminals in general since most of them arent functional. They failed at mission of moving agricultural product.
The ICRC provides further information on its website with regard to other aviation sector projects including the development of an aerotropolis, the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul centre (MRO) and the development of cargo/agro-allied airport terminals.
I'm interested in amcon's plans concerning the other 3 Airlines in manages. It sounds like a good idea to use the planes in its fleet to as first 5 planes as starter for national carrier. It wouldnt have 300 million dollar price tag. The other questions will be answeres tomorrow at the conference.
One of the usual features on Nigerian social media is the nostalgic passion with which Nigerians often distribute pictures of the old Nigeria Airways and how that company once considered one of the best in Africa was mismanaged and made to fail. Established in 1958, it was liquidated in 2003. I have seen pictures of old tickets, images of Nigeria Airways pilots and crew, and for anyone who travelled with Nigeria Airways, you cannot but be moved to pity. Pity yes, because while Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa can no longer manage an airline of its own, the African skies are dominated by such airlines as Ethiopian airlines, Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, and South African airlines. Rwanda has a functional airline too. There is also Air Namibia.
Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika
The assets of the Nigeria Airways of old have not only been liquidated; most of its former staffs are wasting away. In the aviation sector, Nigeria has the biggest market in Africa, and has signed Bilateral Air Service Agreements with over 70 countries, but it lacks the capacity to compete. Even the few private airlines operating within the country are barely struggling to survive.
The agony of the Nigerian air traveller is not something to be imagined: we all face a daily grind of disappointment from airlines that cancel flights at will and offer no explanation. When you complain, the airlines simply tell you that things are very hard. So, if things are hard, are they supposed to be so shabby?
The other month, the door of an aircraft on the domestic route flew off as the plane landed. That has not stopped Nigerians from patronizing that same airline. Most of the country’s airports are also poorly equipped and poorly maintained. The air-conditioning rarely works; the toilets are a nightmare. Aviation is big business but more than that, it is a major catalyst for economic growth and development. If there is any sector that is in urgent need of rescue, the Nigerian aviation sector is that sector.
It is therefore a thing of interest that the Federal Government says it is now determined to revitalize the aviation sector and bring back Nigeria Airways or Air Nigeria as it has been referred to. This much was disclosed when the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika received a certificate of no objection, an Outline Business Case certificate of compliance it is called, from the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC). Tomorrow July 18, in London, Minister Sirika is launching a Road Show to attract investors, and formally unveil the name, the logo, the colour scheme and the structure of the national carrier It all sounds so exciting and I am sure many Nigerians who agonise daily over how other African countries seem to succeed where we keep failing would like to see Nigeria run its own national airline and create opportunities for the business sector. The only problem that I see is that there is so much that is opaque in the proposals that have been put forward so far by Mr. Sirika. Being a former pilot, the Minister is definitely not a tyro in the business, but as he engages both the local and international audience, there are many questions that must be addressed. I intend to raise a few of these in this preliminary comment.
The Ministry of Transportation and ICRC, the regulatory body, do not seem to be on the same page. The ICRC and similar institutions involved may face challenges with their own reputation. The Outline Business Case Certificate by the ICRC seems to agree only in principle that a national carrier can be established. It goes further to give specific conditions under which this may be done, and the Minister himself has quoted some of these conditions which the Ministry under his watch seems to be breaching already. Having noted that the business case and market study submitted to it are “in substantial compliance with the ICRC Act, 2005 and the National Policy on Public Private Partnership”, the ICRC avers: “This certificate is granted on the condition that the Federal Government demonstrates her commitment to leverage private sector capital and expertise towards the establishment of the National Carrier through the provision of an upfront grant/Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to fund aircraft acquisition/start-up capital. The FGN also agrees to zero contribution to airline management decisions and zero management control by the government. Any attempt to impose government control over the management of the Airline invalidates this certificate and the entire process”.
It goes further: “In view of the fact that the mitigating conditions for the project may change over time, this Certificate is valid for 12 months from the date indicated below. This certificate is therefore issued to enable the Ministry commence an international open competitive bidding process to procure a world-class strategic investor to manage, operate, maintain, and invest in the National Carrier.” The ICRC provides further information on its website with regard to other aviation sector projects including the development of an aerotropolis, the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul centre (MRO) and the development of cargo/agro-allied airport terminals.
Except the role of the infrastructure concession regulatory body is a mere formality, I do not see any evidence that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Transportation (Aviation) is keen about compliance with the strict provisions outlined in the Certificate of No Objection. The Road Show scheduled for Farnborough, London, tomorrow, does not sound like “an open competitive bidding”; it is a launch. Do you do a roadshow for a transaction that does not yet exist, or for a company that is not yet in existence? Minister Sirika and whoever his transaction advisers may be have already determined that the proposed airline would cost the Nigeria government $8.8 million. How was that arrived at? He has also talked about a take-off grant of $300 million to purchase 5 aircraft to be delivered by December 19? There certainly must be some known best practices in the setting up of a national carrier. Whatever business model, that we are following does not look like the very best. Who starts an airline by first buying aircraft at full cost? Hadi Sirika reportedly met with officials of Boeing, the aircraft maker in May. Would it not be better to lease the proposed five aircraft from Boeing and enter into a partnership agreement with them, with a private investor in charge of the new airline?
The ICRC says the Federal Government must not operate or control the proposed airline. This is precisely what Hadi Sirika and his team are already doing. And if they say no, and insist that the private sector is already involved in the project, perhaps Mr. Sirika will disclose this tomorrow in London! But let him also disclose basic information about when the tender was placed for an “open competitive bidding.”And if there was no tender, who is that person who may have appropriated the power to determine the private sector partners for the national carrier? And when Mr. Sirika talks about a N300 million for the purchase of five aircraft to be delivered by December 2018, he should be asked where that money is coming from? Is it provided for in the 2018 budget? And if so, under what line entry, or will the money come through virement? The National Assembly should raise these questions. Nobody should use taxpayer’s funds to buy some end-of-life aircraft and claim that they are setting up an airline for Nigerians.
I also find it curious that all the relevant persons and agencies that should be involved in the planning of something as important as a national airline have been quiet. Did the National Economic Council headed by the Vice-President discuss the matter for example? Is the Ministry of National Planning aware of it? Is the proposed airline part of the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP), and what is the framework in place to ensure fairness and transparency? Is the substantive Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi even involved in this at all; his studied silence is odd. Or abi the thing no concern am?
If Nigeria must have a national airline again, then we must get it right. This is my point. The ICRC is obviously insisting on private sector control and management, because it was government inefficiency that killed off the old Nigeria Airways. The airline became a gravy train for the big men in high places. They used the planes for their private purposes, including going for weekend parties in London at government expense. Directors of government agencies and departments travelled with the airline on free tickets. Nigeria Airways was supposed to provide a hub for the aviation sector in Africa, its eventual mismanagement made that impossible. We must learn from history in order not to repeat it. Sirika says the proposed airline will take advantage of the African Single Air Transport Market. The Open Skies Agreement is part of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement – 44 countries signed up to it in Kigali in March. Nigeria wants to benefit from this agreement, but it is yet to make up its mind about the value of African integration and free trade. You see our people? “We want to buy aircraft, we want to buy aircraft…” That’s all I hear them saying as if an aircraft is a toddler’s toy.
I raise another poser: why do we even have to create a brand new national airline from the scratch. The Federal Government, through the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) is already in possession of three airlines that are indebted to AMCON: Arik Air, Aero and whatever is left of Virgin Nigeria or Air Nigeria. AMCON’s mandate is to rescue these airlines and put them back on their feet. Can they not form the nucleus of the proposed national carrier; and turned, surviving assets and all, into one airline that Nigeria can brand for national purpose under the management of competent investors, and with government providing the needed oxygen? Would this not be more advisable than embarking on a new set of opaque transactions? Government can rescue moribund airlines such as the ones I have mentioned, encourage quality private sector participation, and just ensure a level playing field. A national airline that will be under the control of the Minister of Transportation in charge of Aviation, will sooner than later constitute itself into a threat to industry competitiveness.
What remains is a moral question. Whatever the Federal Government decides to do eventually, it would be most unfair to set up a new national carrier without resolving the lingering matter of the unpaid entitlements and benefits of the old Nigeria Airways staff. When that company crashed, many lives were destroyed. Some of the pilots ended up as taxi drivers; many of the crew had to go and learn new trade, a few got jobs with the new commercial airlines. There was a time former Nigeria Airways staff formed a union and they used to carry placards to lament their fate and the injustice that they suffered. I don’t see those placards anymore; they have probably given up hope, and some of them may have died. Not to pay their entitlements – calculated at a total of N45 billion, and already approved for payment by the Federal Executive Council more than a year ago, would be an assault on their memory and an act of cruelty.
How much will all these services cost the herdsmen?they'll have to pay taxes obviously afterwards. The government is promising a bunch of amenities and basic inputs for their business.
There will be water, there will be fodder, and there will be electricity and some accommodation for the herdsmen.
‘‘So we have the land and we are committed to developing it by providing water and protecting livestock from rustlers,’’ he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to finding a lasting solution to the frequent clashes between herders and farmers in the country, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Audu Ogbeh, said Monday in Bleiswijk, in the western Netherlands.
The minister gave the assurance during an interactive session with Nigerian postgraduate students studying in Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR), Netherlands, widely regarded as one of the world’s top agricultural research institutions.
He was responding to concerns raised by the students about the security situation in some North Central States in the country, particularly the clashes between pastoralists and farmers.
Mr Ogbeh, the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredeolu of Ondo State who are part of President Buhari’s official delegation to the Netherlands, had visited the Research Centre for greenhouses in Bleiswijk, operated by WUR.
After a guided tour of the Centre, Mr Ogbeh told the students that Nigeria was looking forward to their innovation, learning, expertise and knowledge to address some of the current challenges in the agriculture and food security sectors.
‘‘We congratulate you on coming here to pursue your studies, and we expect that when you get back, you’ll find a different situation in the country because we will need some of you to manage the ranches.
‘‘When you do return, it’s people like you whom we hope we can organise to manage the ranches. There will be water, there will be fodder, and there will be electricity and some accommodation for the herdsmen.
‘‘Believe me, after six months, when the herdsmen realise that this new life is better than roaming through the bush, you will have to force him to leave that place.
‘‘It’s going to be slow, it’s going to be a bit expensive but we must end the crisis. We have to stop it because the crisis is unnecessary. The killings are undesirable,’’ Ogbeh said.
The Minister also explained the Federal Government’s decision to encourage ranching in the States, following recommendations by the National Economic Council in March this year.
‘‘We want to have large ranches because we discovered in our research that we have 450 grazing reserves created from 1952 to 1966.
‘‘The entire land mass is 5 million hectares some of which has been encroached upon leaving some 4 million hectares. This is more than enough to keep 80 million cows, assuming if we have 17 cows per hectare.
‘‘So we have the land and we are committed to developing it by providing water and protecting livestock from rustlers,’’ he said.
On his takeaway from the tour of the Centre, Mr Ogbeh said Nigeria had a lot to learn, and replicate at home, on agricultural innovation from the Netherlands, which is the second largest exporter of food, second only to the United States.
Speaking to the students, the NSA encouraged them to consider the ‘‘security angle’’ in their agricultural research to improve the situation at home, in terms of diminishing water, shrinking of spaces, insecurity and others.
‘‘We have spent years from 1964 till now, doing feasibility studies on how to get water back into Lake Chad. Something is wrong if we keep going on and on in perpetuity without getting any result.
‘‘If we are able to solve the problem of lack of water in the Lake Chad, it will discourage people from migrating in large numbers to other places.
‘‘I think we also have to ask young people like you, young men and women, new generation to begin to interface with people in this environment, your colleagues from the Netherlands on how we can deal with this problem,’’ Mr Monguno said.
Ex-Militants, under the aegis of Forest Boys, from the Niger-Delta area of Ondo state, on Monday picketed the Ondo State Governor’s office protesting alleged non-payment of their amnesty entitlements.
The Ondo ex-militants submitted their guns and ammunition under the federal government amnesty programme on November 17, 2017. The ex-militants held placards with inscriptions like “please give us amnesty’, ‘fulfill your amnesty promise’, and ‘we will go back to crime’ among others.
The ex-militants, who came in buses were dancing and chanting different songs while they blocked vehicles and human entrance into the Governor’s office.
Speaking with journalists, General Osi, the leader of the ex-militants, alleged that the state government had collected their guns and ammunition during the previous amnesty exercise, but refused to pay their entitlements.
“We are protesting because the Ondo State Government refused to fulfill its promise after collecting our guns and ammunition.
“Let them give us our entitlements. We have done as the federal government instructed, but they didn’t honor any of our agreements like releasing our detained members.
“When we met with the Deputy Governor, Ajayi Agboola, he assured and promised that all our demands would be met, but till now nothing has been done.
“What aggrieved us the most is that Agboola doesn’t pick up our calls any more. We will be here until Governor Akeredolu attends to us,” he said.
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Ajayi Agboola were absent as at the time of the protest.
However, Jimoh Dojumo, Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Security Matters, met with the ex-militant and appealed to them to be calm.
He assured them of government intervention on their grievances.
Lol this must be sarcasm. Theres nothing wrong with grass in north. How does Niger Republic right above Nigeria export cows to us. If you're referring to Tse Tse thats a nationwide issue. Lastly the states in SS and SE rejected prosal.
Its weird the people calling for ranches are falling over themselves giving land to government. They also have option of setting it up themselves.
Ejimagift: Muric and Muslims nationwide has been vindicated. Only ranching can solve this crisis. The ranches should be Established in the South east, South South. The west and north grasses has diseases that kills cattles.
This article has alot of great hot takes. Which politicans are sponsoring these guys? The NIA are failures if they can be sponsering killers for years without them know before Ahmed said something. I disagree with absolving Buhari of blame considering secruity is part of his job. All the secruity forces answer to him afterall.
Any state that want to participate in federal governments grazing reserve is free to. The government also has sambisa and other federal lands to work with. The ones that dont want to have already spoken.
He said the recent revelation by a lawmaker, Ahmed Maje, that certain politicians sponsored killers and assassins who were trained in Israel has completely absolved President Buhari in the killings.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised Nigeria to borrow a leaf from Ghana by establishing cattle ranches to resolve the deadly conflict between farmers and herders.
The conflict has led to gruesome killings especially along the Benue River valley in the North-central part of Nigera, with Benue and Plateau states most affected.
Following similar deadly clashes, the government of neighbouring West African country, Ghana, last week announced it was establishing cattle ranches in the areas worst affected.
In a statement on Monday by its Director, Ishaq Akintola, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, MURIC urged Nigerians to adopt a holistic approach to killings occurring in the country.
“Farmer-herder clashes are common everywhere, particularly in West Africa and Nigeria is not an isolated case but we are behaving as if Nigeria is an island.
“Take Ghana as an example. Earlier this year, cattle rustlers invaded farmlands in Ashanti, Volta, Brong Ahafo and the Eastern regions leading to killings and the destruction of farms.
“But Ghanaians did not crucify their president because of the clashes but solve the problem by establishing their first cattle ranch last week at Afram Plains in the eastern region. It plans to establish more in the Volta and Ashanti regions.
“It is time to face realities. We must borrow a leaf from Ghana. That country is as multi-religious and multi-cultural as Nigeria,’’ Akintola said.
Mr Akintola said herders and farmers clashes can be avoided if Nigeria objectively considers the recommendation for the establishment of ranches.
He said Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo had in March expressed his administration’s intention to establish cattle ranches to curb the menace of herders.
“He has succeeded in doing that because Ghanaians did not look at their tribe or religion. They considered what will benefit them,’’ Mr Akintola said.
Mr Akintola blamed politicians, tribal bigots and a section of the media on the spread of wrong information about killings around the country.
“Nigerian lawmakers should take the lion share of the blame, followed by the citizens and the media.
“They should all accept their culpability in this peculiar mess instead of blaming the executive since the latter has done what is humanly possible within the law,’’ Mr Akintola said.
He said it was unfair to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigeria’s inability to stop killings because security was a collective responsibility, particularly the different arms of government.
“The executive, judiciary, legislature and the press as the fourth estate of the realm also has a vital role to play as well as the citizens.
“The legislature, instead of cooperating with the executive, is an open enemy even in a sensitive matter like the security of lives and property.
“As killings occur on a daily basis, Buhari made a move in April to procure more weapons to fight insecurity but the senate turned down the request.
“National Assembly made so much fuss about Buhari’s request for $1 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, threatening to impeach him for approving its release without its consent. “The same self-serving legislature delayed the budget for seven months just to get back at the executive and of course no money can be released before the Appropriation Act is signed into law.
“NASS also declined to accede to Buhari’s request to approve the sum of $496 million for the procurement of Super Tucano aircraft from the United States.
“Yet Nigerians failed in their duty to question the right of their lawmakers to endanger their lives,’’ Mr Akintola said.
He said the recent revelation by a lawmaker, Ahmed Maje, that certain politicians sponsored killers and assassins who were trained in Israel has completely absolved President Buhari in the killings.
This is as dumb as asking where can 50 kilos of cocaine. Just go find a plug in real life preferably a smuggler who specializes in megreb or central africa. Big orders like that will be hard to gove across border quitely so ve ready to pay.
Your other option is to listen to average nairaland posters and get it through dry port in kaduna. According to them nobody going to check it. Do it there hope for the best.
Katsina State governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari yesterday said his administration had no fund to provide as its counterpart funding for takeoff of Funtua Dry Port. Masari revealed this while receiving Funtua Consultative Forum at Government House. The dry port was launched in August 2014 by immediate past administration, with a 30-month completion period and is expected to commence operation by February 2017. Our correspondent reports that at present, the project is yet to reach 30 percent since its launching four years ago. Governor Masari told the forum led by its grand patron and district head of Funtua, Alhjai Sambo Idris Sambo, that his administration was facing scarcity of funds and could not provide needed money for the project. He said government was sourcing for an investor to finance the project and ensure its completion. Earlier, chairman of the forum, Shehu Sani Babajo called on thestate government to provide the needed money for the completion of the project, emphasising that the project, if completed, would boost economic activities of the state and generate employment. Babajo further called on the government to complete ongoing construction of Funtua Motor Park to enhance revenue of the state and local governments. He, however, commended Governor Masari’s administration for renovation of schools in Funtua, completion of Katsina township roads among others. He assured him that people of Funtua Local Government would massively vote for him come 2019 in view of remarkable achievements recorded by the APC administration in the state.
A near 2hr firegight without reinforcements coming. These guys need better intelligence unless they like getting lit up. Its hard to believe other troops didnt notice this movement. A small rag tag group can't get 700 soldiers to retreat. If soldiers cant get help it would be crazy to think average joe will when calling for help. Arm and protect yourself.
The terrorists came in huge numbers around 7:30 pm (1830 GMT) and overran the base after a fierce battle that lasted till 9:10 pm,” said the military source.
“We learned that they drove from Lake Chad through Gubio (in nearby Borno state) and attacked the base,” he said.
Boko Haram jihadists overran a military base in northeast Nigeria after a ferocious firefight, military and vigilante sources said Sunday, the second assault on the country’s forces in two days.
The militants on Saturday evening invaded a base holding hundreds of soldiers in Yobe state — where they abducted over 100 girls from a school earlier this year — in an attack that lasted for hours, a military source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops of the 81 Division Forward Brigade at Jilli village in Geidam district. The terrorists came in huge numbers around 7:30 pm (1830 GMT) and overran the base after a fierce battle that lasted till 9:10 pm,” said the military source.
“The base had 734 troops. Currently the commander of the base and 63 soldiers have made it to Geidam (60 kilometres away) while the remaining 670 are being expected,” he said.
“We don’t know if there were any casualties among the troops. That will be known later,” he said, adding that the base was new and the troops had recently arrived from Lagos, the commercial capital.
A leader of a local anti-jihadist militia said that the soldiers sustained casualties, but was unable to give a toll, attributing the attack to the Abu-Mus’ab Al-Barnawi faction of Boko Haram, which is known for targeting Nigerian forces.
“We learned that they drove from Lake Chad through Gubio (in nearby Borno state) and attacked the base,” he said.
Geidam resident Fannami Gana said that Boko Haram jihadists “overwhelmed” the troops.
“We don’t know the details of what happened but we learnt they were overwhelmed by hundreds of Boko Haram gunmen,” said Gana.
The attack on the base took place just days after Boko Haram fighters ambushed a military convoy in neighbouring Borno state on Friday.
23 soldiers are missing after the ambush, in which the Nigerian military also lost several vehicles.
The two attacks highlight the tenuous hold Nigerian forces have on the remote northeast region and the persistent threat of Boko Haram, despite claims from Muhammadu Buhari’s government the country is in a “post-conflict stabilisation phase.”
The former military ruler came to power three years ago on a promise to defeat Boko Haram, which is aligned to the Islamic State group and threatens security in the Lake Chad region.
But while there have been clear military gains since a counter-insurgency was launched in 2015, suicide bombings and raids remain a constant threat, particularly to civilians.
The Federal Government said that all parts of the country would benefit from projects to sustain its fairness and equality policy.
President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this on Saturday at the Alex Ekwuem Federal University Ndifu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) Ebonyi, while inaugurating ecological projects in the institution.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Buhari, represented by Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, Minister for State for Budget and Planning, noted that the projects were executed by the Ecological Fund Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The president said that the inauguration was a confirmation that no part of the country would suffer neglect owing to geographical location or political considerations.
“”To further consolidate on this effort, the government would continue executing projects across the country to demonstrate the sincerity of this administration to enthrone justice, equity, and fairness to all and sundry.
“”This administration will continue with all genuine government policies, agreement and contracts at both local and international levels entered into by the previous administration.
“”We aim to lay a solid foundation for a virile and prosperous nation on the path of a sustainable economic development.
“”Projects such as this would provide windows of opportunities for improved learning at this critical period of our nation building and economic recovery,” he said.
The president said that the project was aimed at solving the institution’s ecological problem.
“”The project is one of the 18 ecological intervention projects approved by this government for the last quarter of the 2017 and approved in April 2017.
“”It is aimed at checking flood and erosion menace at the university as this age-long problem had affected effective learning in the institution,“” he said.
He said that there were on-going efforts to review all federal government abandoned projects across the country.
“”There would be stringent measures to ensure that such projects are brought to fruition as we congratulate the contractor and consultant for a speedy and durable job,” he said.
He urged the university community to cherish the project, avoid indiscriminate disposal of refuse inside the drain and ensure maintenance of the projects to serve the intended needs.
Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Vice Chancellor of the University thanked the president for the intervention and described the occasion as a milestone in the university’s history.
“”These roads are the first set of asphalt roads to be constructed and commissioned in the university since its inception in 2012 and we are happy that the ecological office acceded to our request.”
He appealed to government to ensure that contractors awarded jobs in the institution completed them on time.
Newsmen report that the ` projects included six kilometres of roads, culverts, walk-ways and some erosion slow protection works.
The grant sounds good since it seems like covers everything. Pigs and poultry would be great to focus on since they dont require as much land as cows and reproduce much faster. Bee keeping would also be great considering how much honey Nigeria imports yearly. Then the bees can also be used to pollinate crops for farmers.
Im interested in what he means by ranching will be treated like private business but at same time imterested in federal governments grazing colony scheme. The governments is comfortably sitting on fence since it doesnt know details.
He, however, said: “Ranching for herders will be treated as a private venture. The Land Use Act of the Federal Government has neither been amended nor repealed as the Act still vested on the state governor ownership of land to hold in trust for its citizens.”
Ps: lol people reading dont know what to make if this news.
Lol enemies of progress are at fault. I seriously can't understand why they wouldn't use rail if it saves them time, money, and its safer. These hot takes are funny.
NRC Managing Director Fidet Okhiria told The Nation last week that beyond the question of inaccessibility, the tank wagons might have been caught in the web of what he described as “the Nigerian factor”, which seeks to cripple any good initiative.
Politics › Re: Akwa Ibom Govt Abandons Another Multi-million Naira College (Photos and videos) by Blue3k2(op): 8:13am On Jul 22, 2018*. Modified: 8:31am On Jul 22, 2018
