₦airaland Forum

Kaduna State governor says there is need for state governments to disclose their security vote. Do you subscribe to that?

In the first place, governors have no security vote; the state, yes, has security vote, but it is not controlled by the governor. The security vote is controlled by the permanent secretary, security. In every state, there is permanent secretary, security and there is a security committee comprising the governor as Chairman and all the security chiefs operating in the state as members. There is the Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, the Chairman of the Traditional Council is the Emir of Bauchi. These are members of the Security Council.

Blue3k:
Report case to police in Abuja, contact court, DSS or Kanu probation officer if he has one.

It doesnt make sense to whine on Internet like wailers. If the man if breaking law put him back in jail simple. Assist the prosecution because they don't seem interested.

By Nwafor Sunday

The senator representing Bayelsa East constituency at the upper chamber, Sen. Ben Murray Bruce, has urged Nigeria politicians to give women chance in the political practices in Nigeria, thus to move with the pace at which first world countries are moving.

He made this known via his video clip, when he charged Nigeria women to unite and participate fully in the political system of Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria should not be left behind when countries like United Kingdom, Germany and France are producing female presidents. Nigeria is a third world country, but if we want to make this country a second world status in one generation we need more women in politics, he said.

According to him, “I watched the French presidential election with keen interest, because just like in the American elections, a woman almost made history by becoming the first female president of France at the April 23rd presidential elections.

“Marine Le Pen now has to run against Emmanuel Macron on the 7th of May. Women are already leading the two of the biggest economies in Europe, ‘Theresa May in the United Kingdom and Angelo Merkel in Germany’.

“Women have come of age in the world of politics and Nigeria cannot be left behind. “We most emancipate our women and empower them. “Look at the great work of Allen Johnson of Sirleaf is doing in Liberia.

“This cannot be replicated here, because it will never happen. “ If we do not take proactive steps to empower our women folk, I believe Nigerian women deserve an affirmative action that will help them narrow the widening gap between the genders in Nigeria.

“As such I call all the political parties in Nigeria to reserve 35% of all the elected and appointed positions for women, 35% of our Gubernatorial candidates in all parties should be women, 35% of our Ministerial candidates should be women, 35% of our Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates should be women, 35% of our Ambassadors should be women and 35% of Heads of parastatals and Agencies should be women.

“As men, we should not feel insecure in empowering our women. “The key to defeating poverty is by empowering our women. “Women are more tied to communities and the family unit than men.

“If we give them a chance, they will pull Nigeria from third world country to the second world status in one generation.

“Finally, I urge women to unite and consider voting only for those parties that empower women. “You have the population, use it to your advantage” he said.

7lives:
Even this one too is down?, the projects that could create mass employments are left to rot and we complain of high unemployment rates.
May God forgive the leaders of this country, their lack of foresight is second to none.

Blue3k2:
Delta Steel has been concessioned already from what I can tell. This plant maybe ready before Ajaokuta Steel . Stay updated. Get a Google alert of something on Delta Steel company news.

The resuscitation process of the moribund Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja is in top gear, as electricity power has been restored to the plant. The new investors, Premium Steel and Mines Limited (PSML), are working round the clock to ensure the plant is restored to production level.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/delta-steel-back-life/

Yungbitz:
Trust me BFIG is a consortium of Saboteurs who will not ever develop that plant.. the Americans never developed Ajaokuta when they had ownership for years nor did the Indians. Leave it the hands of the serious minded Russians whose government has no interest in keeping us as Slaves and underdeveloped nation

gnykelly:
the American are not interested in the working. they only want to keep the legal tussle to keep it down.

DrSuleiman100:
The summary that is as lengthy as the main article, is that one a summary?

Local governments should be able to provide police services. Either the Chairman, a Police Board, or some other local body will appoint a Commissioner of Police. The important thing is, someone closer to the people should do it.This way the people they protect directly hold them responsible.

The range of diversity and increased intra-settlements might present a problem. When there are religious or tribal crises, a local government that consists mainly of the majority ethnic group might be reluctant to protect the minority.

mapet:
Delta steel? then militants and ND yoots records of making the ND environment unattractive for business is a concern

The resuscitation process of the moribund Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja is in top gear, as electricity power has been restored to the plant. The new investors, Premium Steel and Mines Limited (PSML), are working round the clock to ensure the plant is restored to production level.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/delta-steel-back-life/

Agimor:
Same resuscitation should be given to Delta Steal Company(DSC) Ovwian.... That would definitely take off jobless youths roaming the street endlessly..

“There is no way we can compete with grazing. It is impossible for grazing to go along side with farming. And for several years we have pleaded with the herdsmen to stop killing people, but they continued killing.

Vows to ensure proper implementation
•Nobody has monopoly of violence — CAN

By Caleb Ayansina

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday, said the law outlawing open grazing was to promote economy, and protect lives and property in the state.

The Benue State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the bill for the prohibition of open grazing and rearing of livestock in the state. The bill was captioned: “Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.”

Ortom stated this while receiving in the Government House, Makurdi, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, who were in the state with relief materials worth N7 million for the victims of the Fulani militancy.

The Governor, who vowed to ensure proper implementation of the bill, when signed into law, called on the security agencies to cooperate with the government and people of the state.

He disclosed that 12 out of the 23 local government areas of the state came under siege of the Fulani herdsmen, adding that it is impossible for farming and grazing to go along.

Ortom maintained that the state was known to be the food basket of the nation, and whoever that is into livestock should embrace ranches as it is the standard all over the world.

His words: “What you see in that bill is a decision not just of the Governor, or the speaker or members of the Benue State House of Assembly, but the decision of Benue State because the bill was subjected to public hearing and the people were unanimous.

“Benue State has 23 local government areas. But 12 have been under siege by the Fulani herdsmen. Benue state was completely under siege for two years. It is not a crime that God gave us a green land and as we are known as the food basket of the nation , we are not going to farm in the air or on the sea, or any other place, it is on land.

“There is no way we can compete with grazing. It is impossible for grazing to go along side with farming. And for several years we have pleaded with the herdsmen to stop killing people, but they continued killing.

“Even before I became governor, the lasting solution to the constant clashes between farmers and herdsmen is ranching, that is what the bill passed at the National Assembly is saying.

“There is an increase in human activities, road networks, markets and other things, so it is unreasonable to think that grazing will continue in Nigeria.

“It is amazing that when you go to the nation’s capital, cattle were freely interfering with traffic in Abuja. I think it is high time they rare their cattle in a civilised way.”

Security forces are not doing enough to squelch the violence going on in Southern Kaduna, especially the guerilla killings. But to change that, SOKAPU and the rest of us in Southern Kaduna also have to change tactics. The Nigerian Police might have had enough men to storm the recent protest and try to end it. But they never seem to do enough to secure lives and property.

The biggest problem in Nigerian politics is accountability. How do we create a structure that really makes leaders accountable to the people? The way to do it in this case is with the creation of local police. If SOKAPU wants a change, partnering with members of the house to introduce an amendment and legislation to this effect will be beneficial for the whole country.

Local governments should be able to provide police services. Either the Chairman, a Police Board, or some other local body will appoint a Commissioner of Police. The important thing is, someone closer to the people should do it.This way the people they protect directly hold them responsible. In comparison, even if there was State police, a Governor that is unable to protect a certain part of the state might be re-elected by another part. In this case, the Chairman is out.

But it has other tangible positives. Officers can act quicker in a local police force with a shorter chain of command. They would know the terrain better since many would have lived there a long time. And they have friends and family in it so they are personally invested in the safety of the community. More volunteers and recruits will come up in the case of a crisis like that of Southern Kaduna.

On a regular non-crisis day, policing still has the problem of not covering everyone. Police are usually found at the Police station, far from where you can reach them. Or on the street- where you don’t want to reach them. Rather than only securing major streets and important places, a local police service will be able to be spread out across the town. Thereby actually securing the lives and property of the common man.

The flexibility will allow police services innovate on practices to better secure citizens. If they share this knowledge, it can increase competence across all police services in the nation.

Inter-Tribal Oversight

The range of diversity and increased intra-settlements might present a problem. When there are religious or tribal crises, a local government that consists mainly of the majority ethnic group might be reluctant to protect the minority.

The state and federal government would have the right to send in oversight or take over certain cases when the issue becomes inter-tribal or involves terrorism. The state/federal government can send in the Civil Defense or its own Police Force when there is rioting between tribes/ethnic groups and the local government seems to be helpless. There would be an emergency provision when the State/Federal Government can take over security for 24 hours. If they need to stay longer they can get a court order or a direct invite by the Local Government.

Nigeria is use to one large Police Force. But the present system ensures loyalty goes first to the President and the Inspector General of Police all the way in Abuja. And then after them a number of other DIGs, AIGs, Comissioners, before the Commands on the ground. There is a lot of room for slowness and error. And there is little repercussion for not protecting the ordinary man except when the President puts his eyes on the problem.

Nigeria is getting to a structural breaking point. We have to think outside what we are used to and take action we are not used to. Protests register our discontent but working with House Members and Senators to introduce legislation will provide a chance of sustainable change that will save lives and secure property.

Foxflames:
What is OP saying. Take a look at this picture

This week’s pledge by the Minister of Mines & Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, to work with a Russian firm to reactivate the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot-Abasi, is in clear violation of a Supreme Court judgement, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

BFIG is the Nigerian-American consortium that was declared winner of the bid for ALSCON in 2004 by the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, but was later disqualified by the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE, in controversial circumstances, triggering a lingering ownership legal tussle.

“On July 6, 2012, the Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict of 5 to 0, upheld BFIGroup’s legal right to acquire ALSCON and ordered BPE to comply. Again, on July 11, 2016, the Supreme Court rejected any arguments by BPE (Bureau for Public Enterprises) and UC RUSAL to vacate the judgment of 2012.

The minister cleared the Russians of accusations of asset stripping, saying “contrary to reports that UC RUSAL was involved in asset stripping at ALSCON, the fact on ground showed the Russian group maintained the plants as well as a small work force, since it stopped work.”

On the minister’s comment that the plant’s assets were not stripped, Mr. Jaja said that against the value of ALSCON in 2004, put at about $1.3 billion by the accounting firm, KPMG, its value had dropped significantly to less than $120 million.

On the continued closure of the plant, Mr. Jaja said in line with Supreme Court ruling, the BPE was supposed to provide the share purchase agreement for BFIGroup to execute, pointing out that the privatization agency was yet to come forward with the already developed agreement, for signature.

This week’s pledge by the Minister of Mines & Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, to work with a Russian firm to reactivate the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, in Ikot-Abasi, is in clear violation of a Supreme Court judgement, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

The Supreme Court, Nigeria’s apex court, had on two separate occasions ordered that the company be taken away from the Russian firm, UC RUSAL.

On Wednesday, Mr. Fayemi’s aides distributed a statement indicating the minister’s visit to ALSCON and his pledge to work with UC RUSAL.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of BFIGroup, Reuben Jaja, who was reacting to Mr. Fayemi’s visit to the plant, said the minister’s action was not only illegal, but contemptuous of the Supreme Court, which has ruled twice, sacking the Russians from the company since 2012.

BFIG is the Nigerian-American consortium that was declared winner of the bid for ALSCON in 2004 by the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, but was later disqualified by the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE, in controversial circumstances, triggering a lingering ownership legal tussle.

After a tour of the plant and its adjoining harbour, Mr. Fayemi commended UC RUSAL, led by its managing director, Dimitriy Zaviyalov, for ensuring the “machines were kept in good shape, despite the absence of production activities, occasioned by a legal tussle over ownership.”

Although the minister said government could not do anything about the legal tussle, he assured the Russians that government would “encourage the Supreme Court to expedite action on the ruling, which would free the complex of any encumbrances,” an indication Mr. Fayemi is either ignorant of the Supreme Court rulings or has decided to ignore them.

The minister cleared the Russians of accusations of asset stripping, saying “contrary to reports that UC RUSAL was involved in asset stripping at ALSCON, the fact on ground showed the Russian group maintained the plants as well as a small work force, since it stopped work.”

“Government is fully prepared to tackle other administrative issues that crippled production processes at the plant once the legal aspect had been resolved.

“Specifically, the ministry is ready to assist the company in resolving all administrative issues with some organisations, including the Nigeria Export Processing Authority, NEPZA, the Nigerian Gas Company and the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, in the bid to ensure the plant comes alive again.”

Although his action appears a clear violation of the Nigerian law, the minster restated the Buhari administration’s commitment to the rule of law.

“This is a government that believes in the rule of law. So, we cannot influence the judiciary over the matter. But we will help to resolve all other administrative issues that may arise between the company and other organisations in the interest of our economy,” he said.

“It is in our interest for the issues to be resolved. I am sure the Vice President, who is also the Chair of the Privatisation Council of Nigeria, would invite all the parties concerned once I brief him on my findings.

“We cannot have such a huge national asset like ALSCON and allow it to go into ruins. If privatisation must work, there must be sanctity of contractual agreement,” Mr. Fayemi said.

But in his reaction, Mr. Jaja faulted Mr. Fayemi’s stance on the ownership of ALSCON.

“The minister is being misguided to think the case against ownership of ALSCON is still at the Supreme Court,” Mr. Jaja said. “The minister should know the Supreme Court had ruled on the matter on two occasions, and the verdicts were very clear and unambiguous.

The businessman made reference to two Supreme Court judgements PREMIUM TIMES had reported about.

“On July 6, 2012, the Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict of 5 to 0, upheld BFIGroup’s legal right to acquire ALSCON and ordered BPE to comply. Again, on July 11, 2016, the Supreme Court rejected any arguments by BPE (Bureau for Public Enterprises) and UC RUSAL to vacate the judgment of 2012.

“So, for the minister to call for the Supreme Court to expedite action in the case now shows he is not up to date with the current information on ALSCON. If the minister believes in the rule of law, he should know that romancing with UC RUSAL on a matter the Supreme Court has already ruled twice is illegal and contemptuous. This a matter BFIG lawyers intend to take up with the minister,” Mr. Jaja said.

On the continued closure of the plant, Mr. Jaja said in line with Supreme Court ruling, the BPE was supposed to provide the share purchase agreement for BFIGroup to execute, pointing out that the privatization agency was yet to come forward with the already developed agreement, for signature.

On the minister’s comment that the plant’s assets were not stripped, Mr. Jaja said that against the value of ALSCON in 2004, put at about $1.3 billion by the accounting firm, KPMG, its value had dropped significantly to less than $120 million.

“What would be the minister’s explanation to this significant decline, if not the massive degradation of the plant by the company illegally entrusted with its management,” he said.

PREMIUM TIMES tried to reach Mr. Fayemi on why he appears to be ignoring the Supreme Court rulings on the matter. The minister did not pick or return calls, nor respond to a text message. His spokesperson, Yinka Oyebode, however, said his boss would await a letter by BFIG before making a statement.

Nnagha also said about 800 members of staff working in the company receive their salaries through the Integrated Pay Role and Personnel Information System.
He also said that the police had been providing security, while efforts were on to engage the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp personnel to beef up security in the company.

National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, Kogi State, says the Federal Government spends between N3 million and N4 million monthly to maintain the company.

Amoto94:
Thermal

mansakhalifa:
@Blue3k2 Since the thermal plant is in an integrated steel complex then I will guess at blast furnace exhaust gas. But since the Ajaokuta steel mill is not fully up and running at the moment,I might agree with just gas.

Caseless:
maybe it's gas for now. Since there's an abundance of coal in kogi state, it would be cheaper if used to power the plant.

ultra1:
This picture is not Ajaokuta Plants. You need to see Ajaokuta...

thingsyoudo123:
have u been to Ajaokuta before?? i doubt. ur ppiicture is not a picture of Ajaokuta power plant.

He also disclosed that the government had created 119,532 direct employments from mid-tier operators and established 63 private minerals buying centres across the country.

Towards the rehabilitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, the Federal Government has completed the first phase of the ACSL thermal power plant.

The immediate past Director of Mines at the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Dauda Awojobi, who disclosed this at a training session for journalists in Lokoja, Kogi State on Wednesday, said following the rehabilitation of the plant, it had now added 22MW to the national grid.

He also disclosed that the government had created 119,532 direct employments from mid-tier operators and established 63 private minerals buying centres across the country.

The Federal Government retrieved the steel complex from the concessionaire after a legal tussle.

Awojobi also stated that the Federal Government had taken several measures to ensure security of lives and property through the controlled use of explosives by companies operating in mines and construction sectors, including the classification of ammonia nitrate as an explosive.

The ministry, according to him, has also deepened and strengthened collaboration with security agencies in order to curtail the wrong use of explosives.

Following the new architecture, user certificate to import explosives is now issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser and endorsed by the Ministry of Mines and Steel and Development, Awojobi added.

The government has also introduced the use of Close Circuit Television cameras and floodlights at night to monitor activities around where magazines are stored.

There have been concerns about the wrong use of explosives in the country. The Federal Government recently ordered the sealing off of Messrs Nigerian Development and Construction Company, an importer and seller of explosives in Koko, Delta State, over illegal diversion of the materials.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also ordered the blacklisting of the company and the withdrawal of its explosive licences.

Source: Nigerian Oracle