₦airaland Forum

Billyonaire: Not every thread deserve a response, this is one of such threads. Hahahahahaahah

The American Ambassador also condemned extra-judicial killings.

[b]The United States has for the umpteenth time told President Goodluck Jonathan to be serious about the fight against corruption, saying only if the president does so, will he be seen as serious about good governance.

The American Ambassador to Nigeria, Terence McCulley, stated this in an editorial published on the U.S. embassy website.

Mr. McCulley called on the government to show more sincerity in the fight against corruption; pointing out that corruption causes economic hardship and helps spread violence and other forms of violent criminality.

“Corruption in Nigeria diverts financial resources from building roads, hospitals, schools, and otherwise investing in infrastructure that would serve businesses, attract foreign investment, and create jobs. Ultimately, corruption serves to promote criminal and extremist activity by creating barriers to legitimate economic endeavors,” the ambassador said.

“By attacking corruption, Nigeria will send a clear signal the country is indeed committed to good governance, to the security of its citizens, and to its rightful place as a significant actor on the global stage.”

This comes about a month after the U.S. condemned the pardon granted by the Jonathan administration to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former Bayelsa Governor who was convicted of stealing state funds.

The U.S. said it saw the pardon granted the ex-governor, who is still wanted in the U.K. for money laundering after he jumped bail, and Shettima Bulama, a rogue banker as ” a setback in the fight against corruption.”[/b]

Condemns extra judicial killings

Mr. McCulley also advocated for more respect for human rights in the country saying “it is the keystone for peace and stability.”

He also condemned the senseless killings and attack by the insurgent Boko Haram.

In an apparent criticism of the planned amnesty for the sect members by the Federal Government, Mr. McCulley said “any persons or groups who use violence must be held accountable.”

He also raised concern at the growing complaint of extra-judicial killings levelled against the security forces fighting the insurgency. He called on the government to take appropriate action against those found responsible. He said that the use of excessive force by security forces could be counterproductive in the fight to flush out extremists.

“We remain deeply concerned about reports of extra-judicial killings, illegal detention, and destruction of property by security forces. Such acts create a deadly cycle of mistrust, harming the very citizens the security forces pledge to protect. We urge the Government of Nigeria to investigate reports of excessive use of force by security forces, and to take the necessary legal actions against those responsible,” he said.

“The fundamental principle remains that a nation’s security forces must protect its citizens: the government of Nigeria remains responsible for providing security for the people of Nigeria, and the United States remains a dedicated partner in this effort.”

Freedom of the Press

In the light of recent crackdown on media houses with dissenting opinions from that of the government, the ambassador said a free press and the freedom of expression are crucial to a functioning democracy.

“A vibrant free press is critical to illuminating public discussion on issues key to Nigeria’s democracy, including security and corruption. The silencing of journalists, political critics, and others, whether via arrest and detention, threats, or other forms of intimidation, has no place in a democratic society. Respect for the rule of law is paramount and must start with the government itself,” he said.

Mr. McCulley called on Nigerians to be united, irrespective of different ethnic and religious orientations, towards fostering of democratic principles and the respect of human rights.
https://www.nairaland.com/newtopic?board=20

Presidential aide, Kinglsey Kuku, said insecurity will return to Niger Delta if President Jonathan quits.

A presidential aide has warned of “dire consequences” in the oil rich Niger Delta should President Goodluck Jonathan fail to secure a fresh term in 2015.

In a startling remark to U.S. officials in Washington on Thursday, Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta, and chairman, presidential amnesty programme, Kingsley Kuku, said current relative peace in the Niger Delta is tied to the continued stay in office of Mr. Jonathan, and strongly urged the American government to back his presidency.



Mr. Kuku, who spoke at a session with officials of the U.S. State Department led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (Bureau of African Affairs), Donald Teitelbaum, told the Americans that only Mr. Jonathan can guarantee peace in the restive region and hence, the compelling need to persuade him to seek re-election in 2015.


“It is true that the presidential amnesty programme has engendered peace, safety and security in the sensitive and strategic Niger Delta. Permit me to add that the peace that currently prevails in the zone is largely because Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is from that same place, is the President of Nigeria. That is the truth.


“It is only a Jonathan presidency that can guarantee continued peace and energy security in the Niger Delta,” Mr. Kuku said.

The presidential aide said the consequences would be dire if the U.S. gets distracted by the activities of terror cells in parts of northern Nigeria, and takes its attention off the Niger Delta.


“Terrorism is a global phenomenon. President Jonathan inherited the situation in northern Nigeria and he has adopted a multifaceted approach to tackle this unfortunate situation. So far, profound results are being achieved,” he said. “But I insist that this must not distract the U.S. and the international community from giving the Niger Delta region of Nigeria the requisite attention.”


“I hope the U.S. is aware that with peace and stability in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economy will remain buoyant enough to empower the Federal Government to contend with terrorism and other forms of insecurity in other parts of the country.

“However if we allow anything to hurt the peace in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economy will be endangered and energy security in Nigeria and even America will not be guaranteed. The attention and interest of the U.S. in Nigeria must remain the stability of the Niger Delta and the easiest way to ensure this is to encourage President Jonathan to complete an eight-year term,” he said.


Mr. Kuku, who has pushed for talks with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, after the group warned of restarting fighting in the region, told the session that the Niger Delta continues to yearn for attention and development.

“In spite of the peace that prevails in the Niger Delta now, the issues that led to militancy in the first place are yet to be properly addressed. The issues of development, greater say in the control of the resource that comes from the place, issues of environmental remediation, youth unemployment among others are still there,” he said.

“However, the agitators are prepared to patiently await development as long as one of their own, Dr. Jonathan remains the President, and I think this is one thing the American government should reflect seriously on.”

In response, Mr. Teitelbaum acknowledged his country was worried about the activities of terror cells in northern Nigeria, but said the U.S remains committed to deepening of the peace in the Niger Delta.

He said that the U.S. views the Niger Delta amnesty programme as a huge success, and pledged that the State Department will brief other organs of the U.S. Government on possible ways of offering technical support to the amnesty programme.

At a separate meeting with members of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in Washington DC on Thursday, Mr. Kuku challenged investors, particularly Americans, to leverage on the relative peace that the amnesty programme has engendered in the Niger Delta to invest in the region.

He told the members that following the proclamation and the acceptance of amnesty by former agitators in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s economy witnessed astronomical growth as crude oil production, which had declined to as low as 700,000 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2009, has been rising steadily and currently stands about 2.6 million barrels per day.

Mr. Kuku however warned that unless the thousands of youths being offered skills and vocational training by the Amnesty Office become gainfully employed, peace may once again elude the Niger Delta.

“We were given the mandate to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate these ex-agitators. We are doing just that and peace has returned to the Niger Delta as several of the ex-agitators are now very busy in schools and vocational centres across the world. But what becomes of them after their training is our biggest challenge now. On our part, we have done our best but we now need the practical support of all persons and nations who truly seek and want peace in the Niger Delta, to join efforts to create employment opportunities for our youths,” Mr. Kuku told the American investors.

The CCA President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Hayes, said the Council was irrevocably committed to attracting American investors to Africa.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/131410-presidency-warns-of-dire-consequences-in-niger-delta-if-jonathan-is-not-re-elected.html

phantom: youre an embarrasment..lol....i actually gave you benefit of the doubt.big error on my part!

talktimi: Mr EKO ILE et eko ilee, how is freedom Teating you today ? I know its not easy to be a houseboy but seeing servitude runs in your veins, you should be used to it by now.
By the way, there's something obviously flawed with your education except you can correct me if I'm wrong but what is the meaning of "RETERDEEN" if you can't define it, your oga will bitc# slap you o

talktimi: this houseboy eko ilee is supposed to be busy washing his oga's boxers, what are you doing on the internet ? Silly boy because your oga is in Ekiti attending a funeral, you have the guts to come here, better go and do your chores before madam flogs the taste out of your mouth
P.S I always wanted to ask why you opened an alternate account ? Smh, its alliowed sha

talktimi: classic Gbawe by the way, how's your day going ?

Billyonaire:
You log in from different Monika, just to commence insults when you are defeated ?

Billyonaire: I am not sounding paranoid little man, I know you are against anything "Rich". I will tell you one more time, stop attacks on personality and focus on issues. You have no monopoly over insults, but I rather not join the pigs in the dirt.

Billyonaire: You want to continue name calling, you are just true to type. That is what ignorant people do, attacking personalities instead of issues. You learn well from your failing regional mentors who will never make it to the center in this life and in the next to come.

Billyonaire: You keep getting banned due to your attitude of name calling ? Have you ever seen me banned. No! Cos am a good guy, am a great guy. You have several monika due to your rants and insults. Do not insult m

e!

hardknockbroda: The duration of this project is 5 years,Construction started in 2010 and this is 2013 i dnt see what is "Unending" about this project.

phantom: interesting...so the people that built the water project couldnt build power plants to supply power to the water pumps...funny people! Blame your own inefficiencies on the federal govt.very convenient.you spend billions to build water projects but conveniently forget to power it...clowns!

Rather than help this country of 150 million people move closer to the MDGs, our investigations have shown that officials in government ministries, including that of water resources, are simply pocketing billions without executing projects for which they were released.

The water resources ministry (and the agencies under it) alone has mismanaged a huge chunk of the N320billion allocated to it to provide safe water for Nigeria ns and help the country attain the MDGs.

Water for MDGs

Provision of potable water is directly related to goal one of the MDGs and indirectly related to goals four, five and six. Potable water helps to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger while it also helps to reduce incidence of water borne diseases.

Due to the importance of potable water to the achievement of the MDGs, the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals (OSSAP-MDGs) chose the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) as one of the 10 beneficiaries of funds meant to achieve the MDGs

Smooyis: But they control water corporation. Do you get regular water supply in your area? For many areas in Lagos we depend on boreholes and wells. So it is better power distribution is giving to the private bidders for efficient running of the sector.

phantom: not surprised you didnt understand my reply.if you did, would have been shocked to my bones...lol.

omo-nla:
The contract for that road was awarded to Julius Berger while the rail track was sublet by Julius Berger to CCECC but I dont know what happen along the line that make JB give the entire project to CCECC but my understanding is that JB opt out because of the misunderstanding on who will foot the bill between the FG and LASG and if you look at the fact that the LASG is still depending on the FG refund some money to it on some road. Its a complicated issue.

No collaboration with FG on Lagos-Badagry Expressway, says works commissioner


Lagos State government has said there is no collaboration between it and the Federal Government on the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.


http://businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/homes-a-property/49687-no-collaboration-with-fg-on-lagos-badagry-expressway-says-works-commissioner-

phantom: you must have fallen from the moon...no offence!

Rossikk: It worked for telecoms.

Goddex: Let Fashola provide Lagosians with pipe-borne water.
Public water supply is almost entirely a state government affair.
We are forced to live on "satchet water" we don't know the source.
ACN propagada machine has a way of playing on our phsyche by blaming Fed Govt for every ill and making it look as if they love the people more.

Billyonaire: If Lagos State is serious, they should rather invest in GENCOs and not DISCOs, who will generate Power for them to Distribute. This is Greediness, Federal Government should not sell any DISCOs to Lagos. When other States were building IPPs, Lagos was busy building Toll-Gates.

Dede1: @OP

This is one of the most nonsensical write-ups I have come across on Nairaland. It is unfortunate that the crass stupidity flowing abundantly in Nigeria has found its way to Igbo land. In fact, the alleged author does not look like a person who resides in Igbo land. What a joke.

Gbawe: By selling DISCO to Abdulsalami and co with no previous capacity or expertise to operate in the sector? What caused the fuel subsidy scam again? Look, the privatisation of the power sector is a good thing but there should always be the flexibility to give deserving States the chance to craft unique solutions to match their own specific needs. State privatisation should be an option if we are in a purist federal arrangement. This will not be the first time the FG has played politics to impede the progress of Lagos. OBJ even made it virtually FG policy to say an outright No, even before he has considered the argument, to anything Lagos suggested.

Not too long ago on this forum we all praised the coming of legislation to allow States generate and distribute power. Is that not virtually State privatised power solution? Is it then not inane that States cannot submit bids to run Distribution Companies? What is the problem, when legislation is already in place giving States distribution autonomy in the sector, with letting Lagos acquire distribution Companies within it's border?

When has privatisation meant excluding States from bidding meritoriously for considerations that should be open to all? Is it not obvious that this is then no longer "privatisation" in the strict sense of the word? Look deeper and , like the fuel subsidy scam, you will see the same desire for a few to keep their hands in the cookie jar through favoured/selected cronies. Tell me where this rejection puts the thread below where virtually all Nairalanders, including myself, praised the positive effort of the FG. Logically inspected, without sentiments and in view of latest developments backed by legislation, does the refusal of the FG not appear like sabotage of Lagos to you?

https://www.nairaland.com/818599/states-begin-power-distribution-january