Despite owing retired civil servants pensions and gratuities for several years, the Osun State Government has bought new Toyota Camry XLE 2019 cars for the 26 members of the state House of Assembly.

The expenditure is at least N266 million, going by the unit price of $29,175 for each in the U.S.

Considering the cost of importation, the expected profit by the supplier, and inflated prices associated with government expenditure in Nigeria, the state government is expected to have paid much more for the cars.

A spokesperson to the Osun State governor refused to disclose the exact amount paid for the vehicles and the company that supplied them.

Critics described the government's action as a "misplacement of priority" for a state said to be cash strapped, but Governor Gboyega Oyetola has justified the expenditure.

PREMIUM TIMES in January reported the complaint of neglect by retirees in the state who are being owed their entitlements.

Some have died, some said they had been ejected from rented houses while others said they had withdrawn their children from schools.

After serving two terms of eight years, Rauf Aregbesola bowed out as Osun governor in 2018 and handed over to Mr Oyetola of the same All Progressives Congress (APC).

Many civil servants who retired between 2015 and 2018 under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) told PREMIUM TIMES in January that they were neither receiving monthly pension nor the lump sum due them as bond.

Questionable Accountability

Checks by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that the state under Mr Aregbesola gots several bailout funds from the federal government but still defaulted in payment of salaries and pensions.

To assist them in payment of salaries and owed arrears, President Muhammadu Buhari disbursed N338 billion to states in 2015. Osun State got N34.9 billion.

Also, in November 2016, the Osun government received N11.74 billion as refunds from the Paris Club.

Again, Mr Buhari approved the release of more funds from the London-Paris Club refund to state governors across the country in 2017 out of which Osun State received N6.3 billion as the second tranche of Paris Club refund in July.

The president had advised the state governments to give priority to offsetting salary arrears as well as pension and gratuity liabilities in spending the bailouts.

In 2016, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said the Aregbesola administration disbursed only N16.3 billion out of the N34.9 billion bailout released in 2015.

The report added that the commission was investigating allegations that the state had not paid salaries since July 2015. Mr Aregbesola countered the allegations of diversion but did not dispute that only N16.3 billion was disbursed.

The Senate in December 2016 promised to investigate the allegations but nothing was heard of the probe.

Governor justifies purchase

In his first term, Mr Aregbesola also bought official cars for the state lawmakers.

However, many of the current lawmakers were not in the assembly then.

Justifying his action for the purchase of Toyota Camry XLE 2019 for the current lawmakers, Governor Oyetola through his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, said the government was controlling its expenditures.

"The state is not rich but we have a governor who is creative financially in ensuring that governance did not stop. It is even by a miracle that we are paying salaries. Mr Governor has control over his expenditures. He is also making personal sacrifices to make sure that workers' welfare is being taken care of.

"Just two days ago, we presented the bond of N1.2 billion to retirees under the contributory pension scheme. We appreciate the fact that we have a backlog but the fact that we are paying shows that the government is committed to the welfare of the workers and the retirees. If we are not paying anything at all, then critics can make criticism."

Mr Omipidan said: "it would be unthinkable to say lawmakers got cars eight years ago and they should continue to use the same thing. Don't forget that it is not the same set of people in the house eight years ago that are there now. Even for the ones re-elected, there's always a budget and emoluments of office which must be provided. It is a three-arm government and everybody must be taken care of."

He refused to disclose the exact amount the state paid for the vehicles

but assured that the expenditure on cars would not affect the running of government and payment of workers and pensioners.

A source at the government house, however, told PREMIUM TIMES that the state government had not fully paid for the vehicles.

"There is what we call leasing... The govt leased the money they used to get the vehicles for the lawmakers. It is not that they got the money in cash.

"There is an agreement that is signed and it will be deducted from the account of the government on monthly or yearly basis. It is a loan," the source said asking not to be named.

Recklessness - Critics

Critics and public affairs analysts said the action of the government although not new in Nigeria is "recklessness that has becomes the norm."

"It is quite unfortunate that we have a weird system of government in Nigeria and unless the people demand what is actually theirs," a social commentator, Jide Ojo, said. .

"Beyond the fact that it is a waste of money, none of those lawmakers are poor. But when you see members of the executive cabinets riding big cars, it is expected that the lawmakers get same.

"My father retired from Osun service in 1995 and died three years after. He never collected pension and gratuity. The sad thing is that the situation still remains the same today. If those that have retired are finding their pay difficult, what message are we passing to those in service?"

A rights lawyer, Tope Akinyode, in his reaction said: "the reckless act of government in Nigeria continues to contribute to poverty."

He said many state governors give their lawmakers such expensive gifts at the expense of citizens.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/377656-despite-owing-pensioners-osun-govt-splashes-over-n260-million-on-cars-for-lawmakers.html

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has affirmed its readiness to partner the Ekiti State Government on the establishment of an International Agro-Allied Cargo Airport in the State. This was revealed today, 11 February 2020, by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubarkar, while playing host to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in his office at Headquarters NAF, Abuja.

In his remarks, Air Marshal Abubarkar expressed delight over the strategic initiative to construct such an airport in Ekiti State, while noting that the project would not only provide economic opportunities but also boost security in the Southwestern part of the country by enhancing the NAF’s Air Power projection capability. He stated that the NAF already has presence in Lagos, Oyo and Osun States. Adding Ekiti State to the list, he said, would undoubtedly enhance the operations of the Service in the Southwest.

Speaking further, Air Marshal Abubakar remarked that, in addition to utilizing the Airport for enhanced Air Power projection in the Zone, the NAF would equally deploy some of its Regiment and Special Forces (SF) personnel to ensure the protection of the Airport and air assets as well as add value to internal security operations in the area. Highlighting the nexus between security and development, the CAS emphasized that there could be no tangible development in a state without the security of lives and properties. According to him, “security and development are 2 sides of the same coin. It is difficult to have one without the other”, he added. The CAS further disclosed that, as a show of its commitment, a Team would visit Ekiti State to assess the proposed site for the Airport in order to ascertain areas where the NAF could be of assistance towards the successful execution of the project. He added that the NAF would immediately initiate statutory processes and seek necessary approval for the establishment of a Base in Ekiti State.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Fayemi, commended the CAS for his astute leadership, which, he said, has led to unprecedented transformation of the Service and resulted in repositioning the NAF for more effective employment of its assets for the protection of Nigeria and Nigerians. The Governor noted further that 40,000 Acres of land had been secured and the process for the construction of the Agro-Allied Airport had already commenced with support from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Ministry of Aviation and other relevant partners.

According to Dr Fayemi, the Airport Project, which was being coordinated by a seasoned retired NAF fighter pilot, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Ojuawo, would have a Category IV runway which can support all levels of civilian and military air operations. He said the Airport could also serve as Base to enhance the NAF’s Air Defence capability in the Southwest.

Source: https://airforce.mil.ng/news/naf-to-partner-ekiti-state-on-proposed-international-agro-allied-cargo-airport74606291

Caseless:

I wish he's a peace time governor.

He can be if Nigeria defeats boko haram. He has 3 years left in office.

You'll know war is wrapping up when refugees voluntarily return back. What has NEDC beem doing?

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has visited the Niger Republic to discuss modalities for safe and dignified repatriation of 120,000 refugees.

Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Relations and Strategy, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Maiduguri.

Gusau said that the governor had on Saturday, visited Diffa District of Niger Republic and met with the refugees who fled their homes due to the Boko Haram insurgents’ attack since 2014.

He said that the visit to Niger was to contribute to arranging modalities to fast-track the safe and dignified return of the refugees for resettlement in Borno.

Gusau said that the governor held a similar meeting in the past weeks in Abuja with officials of the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs; Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The governor’s aide added that the meeting centred on the discussion for dignified repatriation of Borno citizens taking refuge in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger Republics.

“With that meeting in mind; Gov. Zulum traveled to Bosso, Garin Wanzam and Tumur, all in Diffa province, to meet with the refugees.

“Host governor of Diffa, Isa Lameen, led Zulum during the visits alongside Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly.

“Zulum traveled to Diffa from Malam-Fatori, headquarters of Abadam Local Government Council of Borno, which had been a stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents until it was recently regained by the military.

“The visit to Malam-Fatori, is the first time in more than five years by a civilian, it happened the same day the governor entered Diffa province in the Niger Republic,” Gusau said in the statement.

According to him, Zulum expresses gratitude to the Nigerien authorities and host communities for their hospitality to citizens of Borno, taking refuge in their country.

Source: https://m.guardian.ng/news/zulum-visits-niger-republic-plans-repatriation-of-120000-refugees/

Contrary to some media reports, one of the world's largest container carriers, Maersk and its sister company Safmarine have denied stopping their services at the ports in Lagos.

In a Customer Advisory they issued separately in Lagos, both shipping lines said calls to Lagos ports continue across their global network despite challenges facing operations at the ports in Lagos.

"The West Africa market continues to be dynamic and market demand fluctuates significantly from quarter to quarter. Currently we are experiencing severe delays in Lagos due to highly utilised terminal yards, crane breakdowns and long trucking queues.

"We continue to work proactively with all our terminal partners across West Africa and specifically with Nigerian Ports Authority to assist where possible to mitigate the congestion currently being experienced in Lagos.

"As was communicated in early January, we would like to reiterate some adjustments made to various services across our Far East to West Africa network to deliver a stable and reliable product to our customers," the company said.

According to the company, "FEW1 will serve Cotonou, Abidjan, Tincan and Lome. FEW2 will serve Walvis Bay, Apapa, Tema, Apapa and Pointe Noire while FEW3 will serve Tema, Lome, Cotonou, Onne and Walvis Bay."

Maersk added that the changes to its service rotation was to ensure, "we can continue to call at all West African ports that we have in the past whilst ensuring we limit the impact of the delays on your cargo."

"Additional to the above mentioned we will continue to call in Lagos with our Middle East product (MESAWA) and our Europe service (WAF6)," Maersk stated further.

The company said it would continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any future changes to its vessel schedules, "as is the norm across our global network".

In the same vein, Safmarine, in its own Customer Advisory said its service rotations within West Africa before returning to the Far East include: FEW1 serving Cotonou, Abidjan, Tincan and Lome; FEW2 serving Walvis Bay, Apapa, Tema, Apapa and Pointe Noire; and FEW3 serving Tema, Lome, Cotonou, Onne and Walvis Bay.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/02/14/maersk-safmarine-deny-dumping-nigeria-lagos-ports/

States have the power to reintroduce history back into the curriculum anytime they please. It's been this way for decades. Pretending the FG is the sole cause would be silly. The Kwara governor said he's going to reintroduce the subject. Nobody is stopping him.

Are we handling them from a sentimental point of view or from a purely academic point of view that is research-oriented?"

The problem isn't the bias but how well sourced is your research. History isn't math so it leaves room to interpretation. As long the work is peer reviewed or well sourced in a book it's can be considered decent.

The Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has attributed the travails of democracy in Nigeria to the abolition of the study of history in schools in the country.

Mr Soyinka said the abolition commenced when five political parties decided to dissolve into one.

He was referring to the five parties in 1998 which came together to adopt the then military dictator, Sani Abacha, as their sole candidate for president.

He recalled the late Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bola Ige, referring to those parties as "five fingers of a leprous hand."

"Was It is just a coincidence that these parties decided to merge themselves at the same time when history was abolished as a subject? To me, it is not a coincidence. To me, the government at that time only felt that Nigeria had arrived at the end of history, so what is the point? "

Mr Soyinka said this Tuesday in his keynote address to the African Humanities Programme's Regional Assembly in Abuja. The three-day programme, which was the fourth in the series, ended on Thursday.

"Even if history is a waste, there is one good reason not to ignore the waste because it may turn combustible when no one is looking. Don't ask me what we are doing in this afflicted nation when things happen to us and history was abolished," he said.

He said the lack of historical background has created a gap in the formulation of young minds of new generation students.

"There was a kind of decontextualisation of experience, even the processing of information," he said.

He said the government also lamented the abolition of history in the curriculum "but it seems the pronouncement is passing into history too."

Mr Soyinka said Africa today supplies the largest percentage of global migration, but added that the phenomenon affects the entire world and not just Nigeria.

"Does anyone need reminding of the response from the leadership of this latter-day cattle coloniser known as Miyetti Allah? No price for guessing! A recourse to history to justify the serial brigandage and massacres. I wonder what may lie in the heads of this spokesperson, they invoke history to justify dehumanisation," he said.

At the event, a professor of theatre and film studies at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh, said Africans cannot divorce their collective existence from ethnicity and religion "because it gives us identity."

"I believe that what we should be talking about is the way humanities scholars are handling production concerning ethnicity and religion. Are we handling them from a sentimental point of view or from a purely academic point of view that is research-oriented?"

"And then we should try to locate our studies in the global scholastic space. We need to read what other people are writing because what is happening in Nigeria is not just Nigeria, it happens all over Africa.

"Religion is a way of life, we cannot depart ourselves from there. I cannot pretend that I do not have a religion. Likewise, I cannot also pretend that I do not come from an ethnic group. For us to move forward in Nigeria, we have to remove ethnicity sentiments, especially as scholars, from our writing because our writing has the ability to mobilise, incite, bring together, to unify, to heal and so what do we want our writings to be?"

She said it is essential for the academia to be objective in their presentations.

"Even if it is a historical fact, we have to go into the field research and make sure that what we are presenting is not from a sentimental point of view as scholars, because you cannot equate us with people out there. But in research, we can right some of these wrongs.

"We are not segmented by ethnicity or religion, rather we are unified and that makes us unique. We have an ethnic group we cannot deny. We have an identity, we have a collective identity and that makes us Nigerians. So how are we bringing our religiosity and ethnic group together to give us a unified peaceful nation," she said.

ACLS speaks

The Director of International Programs, American Council of Learned Societies, Andrzej Tymowski, said the AHP programme has more than 400 fellows of faculty of arts from Nigerian universities who take off one year of teaching to devote themselves to research and writings.

"One of the big problem for Nigerian scholars is that they have to teach and do service, they cannot finish their dissertation and the books they need," he said.

The African humanities programme started in 2008 and it is currently running in five countries - Ghana, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/377333-abolition-of-history-contributes-to-travails-of-democracy-in-nigeria-soyinka.html

Just taking a casual look at the maps shows there's a needs to do more strengthen navy. All the crime is around Rivers and Lagos. Then we should cooperate more with neighbors to keep region sage.

budaatum:

Well, as you might have noticed, Nigeria is not so lawless that "Anyone that wants one can should be allowed to do so", since we all know how that tends to end!

A professional police force would act better. Again if your state assembly are too incompetent to regulate the police dont bother. Nobody is forcing your state to establish one. It's not like the federal police force doesn't harass, extort or kill people unjustly. When these crimes happen they should be prosecuted. It's that simple.

#endsars was popular for these reasons.

budaatum:


You keep calling my question redundant, yet, it is what's making you delve deeper into this to find a holistic solution. Is it your position that only you is "holistic", I wonder..

This crime is not only for Buhari to solve! As you yourself point out, "State governments also taking more Initiative. Improving the economy would also help".

Your question to me on amnesty was redundant. There's no debating that. Your erroneous claim thst strong navy wouldnt reduce piracy was debunked. Now shifting goal to crime in general since you can't defend that arguement. No your redundant questions didnt make me delve deeper. I already made threads on these topics dont give yourself credit.

Buhari is the commander in chief. These security concerns are his responsibility since the agencies answer to him. Again you do a good job restating some of my positions. Try making good points own.

You're position on state police doesn't matter to me. If you dont want in your state let the federal police protect your state. Your stste assembly may not be competent enough to write laws to reign in the executive. Anyone that wants one can should be allowed to do so.

budaatum:

You are talking about "how to reduce piracy on this thread", but you do not dictate what others are talking about, especially if your solution just seems to push piracy into other crimes.

Do note that piracy is "crime in general", and those who wish to reduce it should consider "other holistic solutions".

Your switching from asking redundant questions to shifting goal post ok. If the criminals in question switch to land based crimes they'll have to content with security forces already on the ground. If Buhari is interested in tackiling crime he could use security vote money more responsibly. Increasing the police presence. State governments also taking more Initiative. Improving the economy would also help.

The ultimate solution is to amend the constitution to allow any tier of government to have their own police force and prisons. It also be smart to amend exclusive list item 2 and 1990 fire arms act.

budaatum:

"These same steps" just moved them on to other criminal activities!

We're talking about how to reduce piracy on this thread. If these solutions reduce piracy that's success. Nice try shifting goal post. The overwhelming pressence of navy did just that. They even went back in fishing. Crime in general requires other holistic solutions.

Ps: Somalia a failed state. Their government would naturally have a harder time tackling crime.

budaatum:
I was not responding to any suggestion of yours, but stating one solution that did not work. These people were paid lots of money to reskill and retool but they didn't retool and reskill, least not most of them, though I do know some who got scholarships to study at home and abroad and who are now doing very well indeed.

You can arrest as many as you want, but the rate at which we breed will always mean replacements are waiting in the wings. What is required is proper education so that they can find useful things to do with their lives. Same with alimanjeri who have no skills to do anything better than what they currently do.

You asked me a redundant question to point out something that doesn't work? Ok we both agree futher amnesty isnt a solution hence why nobody suggested it. The only people who haven't learned the lesson are government officials who decide to pay off criminals and or give the blanket amnesty. Boko haram traitors being another example. We'll see what becomes of the rehabbed mongrels.

I disagree the strong arm of the law is what's needed most. There's already schools in the state. They can sign up for skills courses. If more is needed that can be addressed. The claim they'll just be replaced like nothing is false. These same steps took down pirates in Somalia. The Gulf of Guinea should simply copy.

budaatum:

The point of my question is they were retrained and reskilled and they are now back, so that perhaps isn't the solution.

I'm sure you'd agree that it is not working in the North either, though, amnesty is not quite "reskill and retrain".

I didn't suggest futher amnesty or reskilling so the question is redundant. Criminal recidivism is a big issue since these guys dont face any real consequences to their lifestyle. The best course of action is to gather intelligence on the criminals gangs on land and arrest then. The navy also needs to have a smothering presence at sea.

Aside the boot licking this was an informative piece. I wonder who told him Buhari would do the ground break in March. If he's right he has good sources. Other that that highway seems well planned.

budaatum:

Were they not paid to go and retrain and reskill?

Weren't the bandits not given amnesty and yet they're rampaging in the north west. What's the point of your question?

Citytrend:
Not sure that will go away anytime soon expecially when you have our u inform men working with them

If there's leakers simply start coloring the water expose them. The issues in the niger delta must be dealt with if the nation wants new seaports to be sucessful. Piracy and illegal fishing can be dealt with by simply increasing their budget as I always suggest. These criminals should go find honest jobs or sit in jail.

Different reports have recently highlighted security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea. One was published by the International Maritime Bureau, another by the French Navy’s Mica centre and another by the US Maritime Administration.

These reports come against a backdrop of pirate attacks against merchant ships in West Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea between Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon. They have also led to attention-grabbing headlines about a “piracy surge” or even “waves of terror”.

In 2019, kidnappings of seafarers in the Gulf of Guinea reached an unprecedented number. Attacks against merchant ships were recorded off Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. The area is often described as “the world’s most dangerous seas”.

Piracy is a significant threat for shipping companies operating in the region. Industry organisations have pointed out that urgent action is required and that seafarers should not be “exposed to such appalling dangers”.

The human cost is significant and hostages aren’t the only victims. Representatives from seafarers’ unions have pointed out that their members are at considerable risk for just doing their jobs, and even crews on ships that are merely transiting are on edge.

Based on a thorough analysis of attack patterns and overall maritime activities in the region, I am convinced that it will be impossible for navies and other security agencies to improve maritime security as long as root causes are not addressed. Many security incidents at sea, and notably kidnappings of seafarers, are merely an extension of land-based issues.

At the heart of the problem are activities by criminal groups based in the Niger Delta where kidnappings on land have long been a security challenge. Unless the massive security problems in the Delta are resolved, no significant headway will be made at sea.

The numbers

Beyond attention-grabbing headlines there’s no consensus on figures. Not even the reports mentioned above include the same numbers. That matters because shipping companies make commercial decisions based on official statistics, and budgets for security agencies are allocated depending on the scope and scale of the problem.

For example, the International Maritime Bureau reported that 121 seafarers were taken as hostages during attacks in the Gulf of Guinea in 2019. This represented more than 90% of global kidnappings at sea recorded by the centre.

At the same time, the organisation only reported 64 attacks in the Gulf of Guinea last year. This was a decrease of 19% compared with 2018.

The US Maritime Administration highlighted a similar trend in a recent advisory even though the overall numbers are much higher. It reported that there were 129 attacks in 2019 after 145 attacks in 2018, representing an 11% drop.

The French Navy’s Mica centre, on the other hand, reported a 20% increase in attacks against ships across the Gulf of Guinea between 2018 and 2019 (from 90 to 111 incidents).

Overall, numbers differ due to reporting standards and categorisations aren’t comparable. Similar events are often classified in different ways. For example, the IMB recorded four hijacked ships in 2019, the US Maritime Administration noted six, and the MICA centre classified 26 incidents as hijackings.

Annual statistics are further complicated by increased awareness. Incidents that would not have been reported a few years ago are now included in publicly available data, even though they may be linked to other criminal activities at sea.

During my own research, I have come across many cases where such activities were linked to incidents broadly described as “pirate attacks”, without a detailed analysis of individual circumstances.

Such differences underline that annual statistics are not necessarily a valuable tool for understanding issues in the Gulf of Guinea. Rather, security agencies have to gain a broad understanding of all maritime security challenges. Based on such knowledge, a transparent analysis of incidents is possible, providing the necessary background for commercial decisions or law enforcement operations.

Extension of a land problem

Attacks at sea are generally conducted by criminal groups based in the Niger Delta. Throughout the region, there is an ample supply of foot soldiers and campsin remote locations where hostages can be held during negotiations, the prerequisites for a lucrative business model.

Violent attacks affected various countries in 2019. These are almost exclusively linked to Nigerian perpetrators.

Highlighting the direct link with Nigeria is important. On the one hand, neighbouring countries are unable to solve the problem unless security on land in the Niger Delta improves. On the other hand, spikes in attacks are possible at any time. For operators of merchant ships, the threat level can change within weeks, depending on factors such as weather, changes in traffic patterns or naval operations as well as the general situation on land in certain areas in the Niger Delta.

Furthermore, insecurity at sea is an overarching problem for regional governments. Pirate attacks may be particularly visible. But other concerns, such as fuel smuggling, illegal fishing or unregulated shipments of pharmaceuticals like Tramadol, are usually more pressing for government agencies.

Solutions

The West and Central African region has made significant progress in fighting all types of illicit activities at sea. Various types of maritime security issues are mentioned in the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, adopted in 2013 and aimed at improving maritime security in West and Central Africa.

However, human and financial resources are scarce and maritime security is generally regarded as less important than land-based security challenges which directly affect domestic populations.

But insecurity at sea has a significant economic impact by hurting activities related to the maritime environment. Maritime business plans therefore must include security-related expenditures for navies, coastguards and other government agencies. These are needed to maximise the potential of the maritime environment. This, in turn, would show that better maritime security has direct benefits for economic growth and development.

Source: https://theconversation.com/amp/gulf-of-guinea-fighting-criminal-groups-in-the-niger-delta-is-key-to-defeating-piracy-130480

Front page: Lalasticlala mynd44

By: Emmanuel Nicholas

….The Ibom Deep Seaport and Industrial City is a signature project of the Udom Emmanuel administration.
Considering that Industrialization has formed the focal point of his governance, it is fair to view it as uppermost in his heart.

That is to say by inference, that, everything Governor Udom Emmanuel sets about to achieve in his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State is largely anchored on Industrialization, with the Ibom Deep Seaport and Industrial City projects being an integral part of the actualization of the celebrated, composite 5 point agenda that cuts across critical sectors of the state’s economy.

Without a doubt, the Governor has made these lofty objectives more realistic by the volume of quality commitment he so far has invested in the Ibom Deep Seaport mega project. Imagine that, in prospecting the multicomponent Seaport and industrial City project, the Governor generously approved the construction of a 55.5 km superhighway in 2016. This was a discreet act in providence considering the strategic role a road like that will play in advancing the functionality of the project at the preliminary, midterm and longterm courses

The Superhighway begins from Ukpenekang in Ibeno and empties onto the East West Road in Oron, with a flyover connecting it to Okopedi – Oron Dualization in what could best be described as a masterful web of quality roads aimed at making dreams a reality.

So far, the Construction firm handling the project has cleared and sand-filled well over 17km of the road expanse, providing initial access for the commencement of Construction of the Port considering the swampy nature of the terrain.

The Road which provides access to the Ibom Industrial City traverses four Local Government Areas that are closest to the Seaport and industrial City at the Southern coast and moves on into the northern border of the state. The Local Government Areas along that axis or within the stretch include Ibeno, Esit Eket and Mbo, Udung Uko and ends up in Oron Local Government Area .

By the conception and strategic design of the Superhighway, it provides three exit points to commuters: Those going to Rivers State from the port will use the exit window on Eket- Ibeno Road and connect back to the East West Road.

On the other hand, traffic from the port to the Eastern Region of Abia ,Imo , Anambra and Enugu will be most comfortable using the Mbo exit point, also leading to the East West Road through Uya Oron. Hence the flyover becomes a nexus of options for those who might choose to go back to Uyo through the Okopedi – Oron, Okopedi – Uyo Dual carriageway

The Ibaka superhighway at completion will be a 12 lane ultramodern thoroughfare with 6 lanes on either side of the divide. 4 of the lanes will be medial speed lanes and will have a toll gate. The tollgate itself is expected to be another economic net for income on full operation. Whereas the other 2 lanes on either side will be service lanes for exits into surrounding communities. The road concept being one of the latest in the world, provision had also been made for rail track development.

On recent inspection visit to the site by a team of regulators and partners led by the Director-General of ICRC, Mr. Azuwah, to see the level of work done, strong assurances were given that the Ibom Deep Seaport and Industrial City project, which runs through Mbo, Ibeno and Esit Ekid waterways, will commence operations in March 2020, with President Muhammadu Buhari expected to be on hand for the flag off of the operations.

The goodness is that, as announced by the State Government, already two port construction giants from China have won the building bid of the seaport.
It must be emphasized that a superhighway of this nature has countless benefits. Other than the immediate benefit of facilitating fluid movement of personnel, goods and freight from the port with associated income, it holds innumerable advantages not only to Akwa Ibom State, but to the rest of Nigeria and by extension the more landlocked West African countries of Mali, Chad , Cameron and Benin .

Due to its complimentary natural draught, the Deep seaport is designed to be a transshipment hub, the biggest and best in West Africa. This implies that large numbers of ships will berth at Ibom Sea Port and transfer cargo to smaller ships that will then feed the other ports on the West and Central African coast.

This automatically implies enhanced volume of traffic from other countries straight to Akwa Ibom and to the Sea Port .

The idea of a superhighway of this magnitude must be lauded. This will be complemented by the already excellent road network in Akwa Ibom State which the present administration is dedicatedly upgrading and expanding to all nooks and crannies in expectation of the greater future.

There is the anticipation that huge trucks would roar through streets and roads in the peaceful towns and cities in Akwa Ibom, turning the state into some sort of a dense jungle of unperturbed traffic.

Besides, the industrial layout will host many manufacturing factories generating diverse commodities for intra and international merchandize.
The essence of the superhighway therefore becomes more obvious as it will serve as an open ended corridor for evacuation of goods from this industrial district to other states. Besides, where raw material may exist in other distant parts of the country and state, the highway will serve to feed the industries with their daily supplies .

The railway component of the highway is an added incentive by extrapolation. All over the world and through several ages, railways have proven to be highly efficient in aiding industrialization. Its cost effectiveness and easy movement of resources with a – 0.5 accident ratio makes it enviable. Rail transport saves cost and reduce the risk of losing your goods to Road accident.

The toll gate will serve as an efficient source of Internally Generated Revenue for the State. That aside, the 2 outer lanes on either side of the road easily pinpoints to the rapid development of surrounding towns and empowerment of youths.

That the federal government expressed approval and adoption of the project emphasizes its relevance in the socioeconomic discourse of the country. In particular, it would be an understatement to say that the mega project with its manufacturing and allied services the industries will certainly be a blessing that Akwa Ibom people will remember the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration for through generations.

Source: http://ibomplazanews.com/ibaka-superhighway-a-visionary-concept-to-enhance-accessibility-of-ibom-deep-seaport/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut2ZErcyR8E

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://yourbudgit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Economic-Alternatives-to-Cross-River-Superhighway.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj4nOiRlsLnAhUPIKwKHay0DAMQFjABegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw2LfDkc73YN_QFO5IpqqjV7

Just email him and see if he's ok.

Nigeria expects its mining sector to account for 3% of GDP over the next five years from just 0.3%

These guys should moderate their expectations. That 10 increase is alot. By his projectin we should see massive growth in mining sector this year.

Adegbite said the government would require mining companies to sign agreements with local communities, who remain unhappy with a perceived lack of development and benefits, before investing.

Lol if you're so interested in their benefit dont waste the tax revenue generated from mining companies. If the government didnt monopolize ownership in minerals they could benefit more. The government owns all the lavd minerals rights so individuals arent entitled to royalties that would accrue.

By Wendell Roelf

Feb 5 (Reuters) - Nigeria expects its mining sector to account for 3% of GDP over the next five years from just 0.3% currently as the government seeks to diversify the economy away from oil, the minister for mines and steel development said on Wednesday.

Olamilekan Adegbite said he expects "exponential growth" in the mining sector, with gold, lead, zinc, limestone and coal among seven strategic minerals identified for investment.

He said the West Africa nation had already attracted $600 million to develop an iron ore project from African Natural Resources and Mines, the largest single mining investment in years.

Nigeria has been trying to boost the sector as part of efforts to diversify its economy. But insufficient geo-data, weak infrastructure and limited enforcement of regulations has held the industry back.

"The short-term goal...is to raise the contribution of the mining sector from 0.33 percent to 3 percent within the next five years," Adegbite said.

"We've seen steady growth ... and we're now poised for exponential growth as investments start crystallising," he told Reuters on the sidelines of an African mining conference in Cape Town.

Africa's largest economy has largely untapped deposits of minerals including gold, tin and zinc but some 80 percent of mining is carried out on an artisanal basis. Gold in the northwestern state of Zamfara is routinely smuggled out of the country illegally to neighbouring Niger and Togo.

Adegbite said the government would require mining companies to sign agreements with local communities, who remain unhappy with a perceived lack of development and benefits, before investing.

"We've learnt our lessons from the oil industry and we're not repeating that mistake, so one of the major fundamental requirements before you can do anything in Nigeria is local community agreements," he said. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf writing by Chijioke Ohuocha, editing by Louise Heavens, Kirsten Donovan)

Source: https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSL8N2A53IU

It's more important the rail connects Mbo. That will reduced the trucks moving east and west at least. A north south railline what's needed aswell.

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Patrick Ifon has called on the Federal Government to extend its on-going rail project to the coastal areas of Eket and Oron in Akwa Ibom.

Ifon, representing Eket Federal Constituency, made the call while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Eket.

He noted that the call had become necessary in view of the reports `in certain quarters’ that the proposed Niger Delta Development Masterplan had been distorted.

The lawmaker said that was unacceptable to the people of the state that the rail designed to pass through Eket to Oron had been removed, thus cutting out the entire Eket Senatorial District.

According to him, a situation of diverting the rail line out of Eket Senatorial District amounts to an act of injustice to the people of the area.

He charged the federal ministries of works and transportation to consider the economic importance of the rail line passing through Eket and Oron and its benefits to the oil installations and the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport located in the areas.

“Over 504, 000 barrels of crude oil, amounting to over 50.4 million dollars is been extracted from Eket Senatorial District in Akwa Ibomevery day while the people live in polluted environment.

“A rail line which would have brought economic benefits to the people of Eket senatorial District, considering the strategic position of the district as the hub of oil and gas in the country, has now been diverted to pass through Uyo to Calabar. This is unacceptable.

“We cannot fold our hands and allow such injustice be meted on us as oil producing communities that bear the negative effects of oil exploration. The rail line must be restored, for the sake of justice and development,” he said.

According to him, “the bane of Nigeria’s development is the politicisation of the economy through uneven implementation of projects as well as policy inconsistency.’’

While condemning the continuous killings of innocent citizens in some parts of the north, the lawmaker called for the full implementation of community policing as part of long term measures to address insecurity in the country.

He said that traditional ruler and community leaders should play major roles in community policing and commended law enforcement agencies in the state for their role in the reduction of crime

Source: https://nnn.com.ng/lawmaker-calls-on-fg-to-extend-rail-line-project-to-akwa-ibom/

In 2017, US$43 million cash meant for covert operations by the National Intelligence Agency was discovered in a private building in Lagos. 

Lol EFCC let the former NIA director and his wife escape. I doubt a spy would be idiotic enough to hangout in Abuja like Maina did. There's so many scandals that can only be dealt with a total overhaul of the security system. Buhari simply isnt the man for the job.

Military spending is usually not audited due to its sensitive nature. The secrecy that surrounds it encourages misappropriation.

Conflict entrepreneurs in the security sector also allegedly operate through the award of fictitious procurement contracts

They can always start by auditing just to see the level of waste going on. Other than that people should be fired and prosecuted.

 a rethink of the excessive militarisation of counter-terrorism operations in the country's north-east zone.

I wish the author expanded on this topic.

Despite massive expenditure by the Nigerian government over the past decade, counter-terrorism operations by security forces have achieved limited success and the country is still ranked on the Global Terrorism Index as one of the states most affected by terrorism. Is the problem one of bad policy, strategy and tactics, or is corruption in the leadership ranks of the security forces also to blame?

It is estimated that terror groups have killed over 30 000 people in Nigeria since 2003, causing the displacement of more than 2.4 million people. These groups include Boko Haram, operating in the Lake Chad Basin region, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Ansaru, also called al-Qaeda in the Lands Beyond the Sahel.

In December 2019, ISWAP beheaded 11 Christian hostages to avenge the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by United States forces. In January this year the group killed the chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lawan Andimi. It also kidnapped three university lecturers in Yola in eastern Nigeria, and carried out several coordinated attacks in Borno State.

Nigeria’s government allocated over N6.7 trillion to the security sector between 2010 and 2017 to strengthen its capacity for counter-terrorism operations. This amount doesn’t include extra budgetary allocations such as the US$1 billion the government borrowed in 2013 to fund counter-terrorism operations and the US$21 million approved for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in June 2015.

Despite increased money for the security sector, counter-terrorism operations by the Nigerian military in collaboration with multilateral agencies such as the MNJTF of the Lake Chad Basin Commission have achieved limited success. The military did for a time succeed in pushing terrorist groups out of major cities, as was seen when the frequency of attacks in urban centres dropped between late 2015 and early 2018.

However, terror groups found operational bases in the large civilian populations in rural and remote areas from where they launched a barrage of attacks on poorly secured villages, military units and critical state infrastructure. After suffering a ‘technical defeat’ by the military in three local government areas in Borno State, a resurgence by extremists has given them control of these regions.

Why are Nigeria's counter-terrorism operations failing? Some say it's because of strategic and tactical imprecision due to poor intelligence and rivalry among security agencies involved in the operations. However, evidence suggests that corruption in counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria may also be to blame.

Conflict entrepreneurs within the hierarchy of military leadership and the ministries, departments and agencies in the security sector apparently use military funds meant for counter-terrorism operations to enrich themselves. Military spending is usually not audited due to its sensitive nature. The secrecy that surrounds it encourages misappropriation.

Examples include the probe into the alleged diversion of US$2.1 billion meant for arms procurement by the Office of the National Security Adviser, and another N3.9 billion by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, both in 2015.

In 2017, US$43 million cash meant for covert operations by the National Intelligence Agency was discovered in a private building in Lagos. And in 2018 there were investigations into US$1 billion that went missing after being appropriated to the Nigerian Army for arms procurement from the Excess Crude Account.

Conflict entrepreneurs in the security sector also allegedly operate through the award of fictitious procurement contracts , and illegal extra-military activities such as extortion and collusion with militants in illegal fishing in the Lake Chad area.

These activities undermine effective security force action by hollowing out the military's capabilities. For instance, because they don't procure by approval, and sometimes procurements aren't even made, the military may be lacking in weapons and logistics, making it difficult to adequately counter terrorism.

Despite huge financial allocations for arms procurement and logistics supplies, military sources blame the death of 83 soldiers in a 2016 Boko Haram ambush and a similar 2018 attack on the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Borno State, on equipment shortfalls, poor weapons and logistics supplies, and low morale among combatant officers, who sometimes aren't paid. Over 118 soldiers including the battalion commander died in the attack.

This failure of counter-terrorism operations may account for the resurgence of terror attacks in Nigeria's north-east, especially Borno State. And despite significant financial allocations for these efforts, the terror threat in Nigeria remains huge.

Questions need to be asked about whether counter-terrorism funding is being used wisely, and whether the operations themselves are effective. Unless Nigeria's government stops the activities of conflict entrepreneurs, violent extremism will probably remain a major security threat in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin region.

To do this, the state needs to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks for dealing with corrupt practices in the security sector, especially in counter-terrorism operations. It also needs to investigate and prosecute those who have taken advantage of their positions in the counter-terrorism campaign to enrich themselves.

Most fundamentally, a strategic change in the leadership of the military may be needed, along with a rethink of the excessive militarisation of counter-terrorism operations in the country's north-east zone.

Maurice Ogbonnaya, Senior Research Consultant, ISS Pretoria

Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202002040750.html

nurey:
FRSC VISION 2020

At least this one is realistic.

He said railway transportation for passengers was usually subsidised but was uncertain if cargo would be subsidised, adding that the cost of construction must be paid back.

The FG better purge the ridiculous idea of subsidizing freight services. These same businesses find money to pay these truckers with the subsidies. Freight services is what supposed to help the government at least break even on rail. The federal government is just going raise taxes to pay for it.

Nike Popoola

The Federal Government plans to ban the movement of certain category of cargoes on some roads after the completion of major railways in the country.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said this in Lagos during a panel session on infrastructure development and financing at an event organised by Deloitte on Nigeria Economic Outlook 2020.

“As soon as we finish these rail projects, there are some types of cargo that will not go on road, whether you like it or not,” he said.

While giving an account of ongoing rail construction and other new ones to be constructed, he said it was important to transfer the cargo movement to the rail track.

This, he said, would enable the roads to last longer.

He said railway transportation for passengers was usually subsidised but was uncertain if cargo would be subsidised, adding that the cost of construction must be paid back.

“No matter what we charge, it will not be the same as what we charge you on goods,” he said.

The minister said that movement of goods would be faster when they were moved by railways than roads, which would also be time-saving for businesses.

“When the FG does rail projects, it is the job of the state governments to do roads to (connect to) the different railway stations,” Amaechi added.

In their last meeting with states governors, he said Transportation Ministry agreed that it could construct some level of roads that would take the passengers out of the stations.

He stressed that it was essentially the duty of the state governments and not the Federal Government to do the inner roads in their states.

The minister said that they also agreed that contractors could construct some few metres of roads out of the stations, but others were to be done by the state governments.

Amaechi said the government was investing in human capital development to enable Nigerian citizens to take over the construction of railways in the country in the next five to 10 years.

While noting that currently, the Chinese engineers were involved in major construction projects in the country, he said about 150 Nigerians were being trained in China to develop knowledge in this area.

Ameachi said the Federal Government would build railway universities in the country, and bring English-speaking Chinese to teach in the institutions.

Source: https://punchng.com/rail-fg-to-ban-heavy-cargo-transport-by-road/