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Cholera spreads to FCT, kills two
By Tunde Odesola and Akin Oyedele
The fast-spreading cholera disease has claimed two lives in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, out of the reported 137 cases reported in health centres across the six area councils.
The Special Assistant on Communications to the Minister of Health, Ms. Rakiya Zubairu, confirmed this in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents, on Monday.
The two deaths were recorded at Gwagwalada area council, which is a densely populated area of the FCT.
The minister's aide said that the ministry was not relenting on its awareness campaign and education of the public to embrace basic personal hygiene.
She said, "We have not relented in the awareness campaign and from our findings more and more people are now more informed about causes of the disease.
"We are going to the grass roots by involving the people at the local government to speak in the language their people understands.
"With time, we believe that more and more people will learn to imbibe basic hygiene of washing their hands with soap and water after using the toilet."
Zubairu said that the ministry was also collaborating with the government of states where cholera had been reported on the provision of safe water and clean environment.
The cholera outbreak that ravaged the North-Eastern part of the country since June had claimed more than 600 lives in Bauchi, Bornu, Zamfara, Gombe, Osun, Jigawa, Yobe and five other states.
Meanwhile, the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Innocent Ujah, on Monday in Lagos advised Nigerians to be cautious of their personal hygiene.
Speaking at a news briefing on the spread of cholera to hitherto unaffected areas, Ujah said that proper hygiene would reduce the spread of the disease.
He said that findings by the NIMR Emergency Respond Team that visited Bornu and Bauchi States showed that the latter was worse hit.
He said that 17 out of 20 local governments in Bauchi State were affected, while many local governments in Bornu State recorded a significant spread of the disease.
He said that as of Friday when the team left Bauchi, about 3,291 persons were infected, while 104 had died of the infection.
According to him, children die faster due to the lose of water and electrolytes (salt).
In a presentation with the theme, "Cholera as pathology of poverty," Ujah said that the poor, who could not afford basic health, were the worst affected.
He said that with the alarming rate of the spread of the disease, the public needed to be educated on the health implications of living in an unhealthy environment.
Also, authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Monday, said the cholera outbreak that affected Sabo area of Ife had been brought under control.
Source: Punch, 7th September 2010.
Hoodlums Attack FCTA Officials
CATHERINE AGBO
Officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) department of development control were last weekend attacked and beaten by hoodlums at Gwarinpa Village, while on a routine check of illegal buildings in the city.
This is not the first time officials of this department would be attacked as recently too, a lawyer in Apo district launched an attack on the officials who demolished part of an estate, God's Own Estate, allegedly owned by the lawyer's husband.
The lawyer during the incident rained invectives on the director of the department, Yahaya Yusuf and the spokes person of the department, threatening to sue them and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the department, Mrs. Josie Mudasiru, the department's officials who were accompanied by the director, Yahaya Yusuf also visited Wuse I, II and Maitama districts for their routine management joint site visits.
The statement disclosed that in Maitama district, part of a building which is currently under construction on plot 3293, off IBB Boulevard was removed and the plot subsequently sealed up.
Deputy-director in charge of development permit, Alhaji Hamza Tayub Madaki explained that according to the building plan approval, the building is expected to be six meters away from the fence, adding that the developer did not obtain all the relevant setting out approvals from the department before commencing development.
In Wuse, Zone 6, a plaza on Herbert macaulay road was finally sealed after several notices for the owner to open up an alternative access were ignored.
The district offer, Mr. Caleb Bissala while explaining the reason for sealing the plaza said it was because the plaza is facing an arterial road (Herbert Macaulay), noting that according to the master plan, residential and commercial buildings facing arterial roads are not supposed to take access from it.
He added that an arterial road is a major road that connects in which case; vehicular access to properties is prohibited because of the volume of traffic.
Bissala said the properties are asked to take access from the back in order to decongest traffic as arterial roads are for fast moving vehicles and if properties located on this road are allowed to take access from it, they will be prone to accidents.
The district officer lamented the change of use on properties and reckless parking of cars which causes damage to public utilities like drainages, pedestrian walkways and flower beds.
The Director, Department of Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf, while reacting to the incident at Gwarinpa said a situation where government officials on duty are incessantly attacked is unhealthy.
Yusuf however said the attack on him and members of the management team will not deter the department from carrying out its duties.
He recalled that the minister of FCT Senator Bala Mohammed had in a town hall meeting with stake holders warned indigenes not to take law into their hands as government was committed to addressing issues affecting their welfare and urged the indigenes to reciprocate government's gesture by being patient while the resettlement process is ongoing.
Source: Leadership, 31st August 2010.
Nollywood City In FCT Will Give Practitioners Taste Of Power
Written by Chika Otuchikere, Abuja
A Nollywood City project aimed at providing housing accommodation in the nation's capital for Nigerian actors and actresses would not only ease the burden of accommodation which many Nigerians suffer but would give the practitioners a taste of power.
In a ceremony in Abuja to unveil the design of the 'city' projected to gulp over N60bn, Chief Mike Audu, chairman of Adiku Global Limited and initiator of the project told participants that Nollywood practitioners would have a sense of belonging as people contributing their quota to the growth of the country once the projected is completed.
In his speech during the event which held at the Nanet Suites, Chief Audu called on Nigerians to accord actors and actresses the honour they deserve as people whose role in building the nation is visible.
"While the Nollywood industry is growing in both quality and quantity, the practitioners are not accorded the kind of attention they needed considering their strategic role in nation building. For instance, Hollywood and Bollywood have their distinct locations in Los Angeles and Mumbai respectively. Nollywood is a floating industry without a base.
"Adiku Global Limited in conjunction with Actors Guild of Nigeria has taken the bold step to build the Nollywood City here in Abuja, the nation's capital. The Nollywood city is fashioned after the Hollywood of America where modern accommodation and working facilities would be provided for the stars"
President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Mr. Segun Arinze who was accompanied by his secretary as well as some prominent members of the industry to the event expressed enthusiasm over the project pointing out that Nigerian actors and actresses were willing and ready to contribute more to the progress of the country if only their conditions of living were enhanced. He disclosed that the guild signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Adiku Global Limited and was optimistic that the project would benefit the practitioners
The event which had a representative of the FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, was also graced by some businessmen, bankers and politicians.
Source: Leadership, 21st August 2010
Abuja collapsed buildings: FCT minister inaugurates building audit committee
By Adelani Adepegba
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, on Thursday inaugurated a 17-member ministerial committee to carry out a comprehensive audit of all buildings under construction in the Federal Capital City, Abuja. The committee, which has 60 days to submit its report, is headed by Dr. Austin Ike as chairman and Mr. Omotayo Ogunkuade as secretary.
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the minister advised its members to cover the challenges posed by the number of abandoned buildings, the security implications of their being turned into havens for miscreants and hoodlums that torment various neighbourhoods as well as the danger they pose to the lives of workers and even illegal occupants.
He lamented that such abandoned buildings also had a negative impact on the landscape of the FCT, the psychology of investors as well as aesthetic considerations. The terms of reference of the committee include determining the standard and quality of all buildings under construction; whether such buildings have building plan; setting out and stage approvals as well as level of compliance during construction.
The committee is to also determine the quality of materials used; the technical competences of building contractors and those supervising such projects; assess the impact of litigation on the abandoned structures; and advise ways of resolving same.
Source: Punch, 20th August 2010.
Disaster Averted At Abuja Airport
Written by Betrand Nwankwo, Abuja
What could have been a disaster was averted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday following the quick thinking of one of the pilots.
LEADERSHIP gathered that a collision would have occurred between an Arik Air which was coming from Lagos and an unidentified aircraft that was about to take off from the airport at about 5 p.m.
A source on the Lagos-Abuja-bound Arik Air (name withheld) told LEADERSHIP that situation was saved by the pilot of the Arik Air.
He explained that the Arik aircraft wanted to land at the airport but suddenly noticed that there was an aircraft at the runway waiting to take-off.
According the source, the pilot of the Arik Air with registration number W-3-156 sited the other aircraft at the runway where he was supposed to land and quickly took off again.
However, the spokesperson of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Akin Olugbuke, said he was unaware of the incident.
Mr Olugbule told LEADERSHIP in a telephone interview that it was the role of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to guide aircraft and not FAAN.
According to the FAAN's spokesperson, NAMA officials at the control towers had the task to make sure two aircraft did not collide.
The NAMA manager, Abuja Airport, who was simply identified as Jerry, denied any knowledge of the incident, the same for the spokesperson of NAMA, Mr Supo Atobatele.
However, a source at the Abuja airport, who craved anonymity,attributed the problem to loss of contact between the Abuja control tower and the Arik Air pilot.
Source: Leadership, 18th August 2010.
FCT moves to check building collapse
FROM TERHEMBA DAKA, ABUJA
• Raises panel to audit structures
BARRING any last minute changes, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, will tomorrow inaugurate a committee to audit all buildings under construction as well as abandoned structures with the aim of removing those that are structurally defective or unsuitable for human habitation in the FCT. The committee is to be headed by Austine Ike.
An FCT official who would not want his name in print told The Guardian yesterday that the Minister was also set to establish another panel to unravel the remote cause of incessant buildings collapse in the territory. The panel will determine the alleged culpability of some members of staff of the Department of Development Control of the FCT among others fingered.
The development is coming following last Wednesday's collapse of an uncompleted building at No. 2, Ikoli Street, off Gimbiya Street, Garki 2, in Abuja in which 21 persons lost their lives while nine were rescued alive.
The committee, according to the FCT Minister who spoke in Abuja yesterday, will be made up of professionals drawn from the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Builders, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, the Nigeria Institute of Architects as well as the Nigerian Institute of Facility Managers.
Mohammed disclosed that surveyors and other relevant stakeholders are expected to carry out a comprehensive audit of all buildings under construction and abandoned structures with the aim of removing those that are structurally defective or unsuitable for habitation.
The Guardian gathered that other members that would form the crux of the audit committee include representative of Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, FCT Police Commissioner, FCT Director of State Security Service (SSS), Directors of Public Building, Development Control, Parks & Recreation, Urban Affairs, Engineering Services, Monitoring & Inspection and Managing Director, Abuja Property Development Company.
An engineer, Omotayo Ogunkuade will serve as Secretary.
Mohammed, during the FCT Monthly Operations briefing at his Gwarinpa official residence yesterday explained that the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has also been directed to coordinate an inter-departmental audit of all buildings under construction in the FCT.
According to him, the FCT Administration will carry out integrity tests of all buildings under construction.
He however explained that the test will be conducted at the owners' expense using the services of accredited engineering firms.
Source: The Guardian, 17th August 2010.
I know nothing about land allocation in Abuja –Odom, ex-FCT Minister
From DENNIS MERNYI, Abuja
For sometime now, the thorny issue of zoning has dominated the national political space. Chief Chuka Odom, a journalist, lawyer and politician, who was the immediate past minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says zoning is not in consonant with democratic ethos.
Odom tells Daily Sun in this interview conducted in Abuja that the deafening calls for entrenchment of zoning in the polity are in total disconnect with the voting rights of Nigerians. Excerpts:
The major political issue at present is whether President Goodluck Jonathan should contest in 2011, what is your take on this?
Well, the law grants him and every other Nigerian an inalienable right to contest any election in the country. This is without prejudice to any internal arrangement a political party may put in place. And on the issue that is in our political lexicon at the moment, zoning, I see a total disconnect between zoning and the right of the President or any other Nigerian to contest election to any office in Nigeria .
Section 36 of the Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to free association and that freedom extends to your right to become a member of any political association of your choice. Any law or administrative rule that goes counter to the express provision of the constitution is null and void so I don't see where zoning can operate.
But is it only now you have realised it is at variance with the constitution when zoning dates back to 1999?
Now let me tell you, zoning and rotation are two different things. The truth of the matter is that rotation of political offices has always been with us even before 1999. Now if you are saying that the zoning arrangement of the PDP has been upheld and that principle has been upheld in all presidential elections, of course one would have cause to say respect it but in 1999 candidates from both the North and South contested elections. Now is that zoning? But it is all about struggle for power, and power sharing is about compromise and negotiation.
And I don't think zoning is what should be in the front burner now, what should occupy people's mind is the critical issue facing this country, one is security, the country is under siege by the mass of unemployed youth that have taken up arms in a criminal fashion against the sovereignty and integrity of this country that is a major issue, we have to worry about power, the President has assumed the position of Minister of Power in other to underscore the urgency to address this issue.
We should talk about unemployment which is at the key of this insecurity, when the state is no longer in a position to guarantee the safety of lives of its citizens then it becomes a failed state, these are crucial issue that true patriots should be addressing their minds to and not the narrow issues of who becomes President in 2011.
Sir, we know you were a member of the PPA, are you still talking to us on that platform?
I am a registered member of the PDP. Yes, PPA was a political party that delivered two states, the dynamics of politics at that time could not ensure its survival because the internal contradictions in our political culture where individuals are free to move from one party to another platform so when the party had lost its principal elected on that platform apparently it caved in.
You were a commissioner in Abia, and a two-time minister in the federal republic, do you intend to contest the gubernatorial position in your state?
Absolutely, I would certainly be participating in the next round of elections, what I cannot do right now is to declare my ambition, when I am ready you will be told.
You were minister of state during Senator Adamu Aliero's tenure as FCT Minister. He was recently indicted by a committee for allegedly being involved in shady land allocation, were you also involved?
Well I am sure you are very familiar with the issue of schedule of duties between ministers and ministers of duty, I as minister of state had nothing to do with land allocation, my views were not taken into account so I don't like commenting on something I am ignorant of so you can ask the minister himself.
What is the problem with conducting decent, free and fair elections in Nigeria ?
As far as I am concerned there are three reasons why we have not been able to have free and fair elections in Nigeria . One is that the institutions that are charged with the responsibilities are weak. We often times tend to equate personal integrity with institutional integrity, everybody is saying Prof. Jega is an honourable man and I agree but then that is personal integrity which has nothing to do with the integrity of the institution that he runs.
So for an election to be free and fair we have to have credible institutions and have the confidence of the people and how do you generate this confidence, you do so by a system of checks and balances, in-built mechanisms that will ensure a certain code of behaviour is not acceptable.
On the day of elections Jega will probably be in Abuja , he will not be in Aba or Taraba, if the institutions that are charged with the responsibility of the elections are not done in a manner to earn the credibility of the people, there is nothing Prof. Jega can do from Abuja.
Number two is our attitude to power, if we had addressed the issues of unemployment, power, insecurity maybe the rush for power would have been minimal because in a country where there are no middle class, no functioning businesses that can absorb up to 50 per cent of the labour market, that makes positions in government so attractive that people want to die because of it.
Number three is that we have not been able to create a sanction regime that works, if we have a functional judiciary, a criminal justice system that works fairly effectively coupled with a functional police system. This is a crucial element in electoral discipline; otherwise on election day the policeman is just a by-stander while thugs conduct the elections.
But what about all the endorsement for Goodluck Jonathan, is it healthy for our polity?
It is only a morale booster, it is also a statement of moral acceptability, it is done elsewhere but what I expected during the constitution review is the issue of security vote, who determines what amounts to vote as security vote? You see this is an expressway to corruption, no civilised system will allow or give an individual a freehand into public funds and decides what he wants as security vote and he gets some people in the House of Assembly to endorse it and then the party is on. In the US which we are using as a model, governors are paid salaries they can't dispense favours.
So if we continue to allow chief executives, whether at the federal, state or local government level can access funds and account at their own pace in the manner they think fit then the system will continue to witness massive corruption and it will translate to inefficiency and developmental issues.
What, in your opinion, do you think is responsible for the lack of a credible opposition in Nigeria ?
In the first place if we have a system that guarantees a level playing field then there will be no reason for people to run from pillar to post. Now the new chairman of PDP has said they have a credibility luggage that he is determined to discharge by ensuring there is internal democracy in PDP. Any day the system of elections become free and fair and free from interference then there will be no need of people moving from one party to the other.
The day governors will not use state funds to campaign, or use state security to guard his votes, or the police in his state as his personal army, that day there be no use decamping to another party.
Source: Daily Sun, 16th August 2010.
Abuja Can't Do Without Bumps – FRSC
The FRSC Sector Commander in the FCT, Mr Funmibi Olawoyin, says road bumps have helped significantly in reducing road accidents in Abuja metropolis.
Olawoyin told the media in Abuja that the new bumps, unlike those dismantled, were "user-friendly."
"It is much more friendly when you climb. You ascend, descend and go," he said, adding that the shock arising from the former bumps adversely affects vehicles.
Olawoyin pointed out that in spite of the shortcoming of the old bumps, they served the purpose of reducing road accidents.
He said many road users found it difficult to locate the former bumps as they were not accompanied by road signs.
The FRSC boss reminded road users to observe the 50 kilometre an hour speed limit in Abuja city centre.
Olawoyin also urged motorists and road users to study the Highway Code for safe road use.
"People panic over what they are not supposed to panic about during emergency, thereby leading to avoidable accidents," he said.
Some motorists and road users, who spoke to the media on the re-emergence of the new bumps, also described them as user-friendly.
Some, however, said they were unnecessary, adding that they contribute to the chaotic traffic situation being experienced in the FCT.
"These ones (new bumps) are better than the old ones but they are not necessary," Mr Adamu Sani, a taxi driver, said.
Mr Morgan Ekpe, a road user, said the bumps were unnecessary as the traffic light at road junctions were enough to check excessive speeding by road users.
Mrs Florence Arewa, however, commended the FCT administration for re-introducing the bumps, noting that they have helped in checking the recklessness of some drivers.
Source: Leadership, 15th August 2010.
FCT to Revoke Undeveloped Plots
•One rescued from collapsed building
From Kingsley Nweze in Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja Senator Bala Mohammed has said all undeveloped mass housing plots of land in the territory will be revoked.
Also, one more survivor was pulled out yesterday from the rubble of the collapsed three-storey building that claimed nine lives two days ago at 2, Ikole Street, Garki 11, Abuja.
About 40 squatters were said to be residing in the uncompleted building when it collapsed around 5 am, trapping the occupants, which included women and children.
Speaking when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Malaysian Gardens at Saraji District of Abuja, the minister said the Federal Government embarked on mass housing programme to accelerate development and provide decent and affordable houses for the residents of the territory.
But Mohammed said the reality on ground in some mass housing sites was unimaginable, wondering why instead of real estate development, some developers get the plots and keep them for speculation.
Frowning on such practice, he said the FCT administration was ready to assist any serious and willing mass housing developer to deliver such houses especially with the prevalence of housing deficit in the territory.
The minister lamented that Global Formwork Nigeria Limited, the developers of the Malaysian Gardens, was allocated 510 hectares of land about 5 years ago and had only been able to develop about 10 percent, insisting that such snail pace was unacceptable.
Henceforth, he said only genuine developers with practicable business plan as well as financial and technical capability would be allocated plots and allowed to participate in the housing programme as specified in the new Abuja Mass Housing guidelines approved by the Federal Executive Council.
Meanwhile, the unidentified male survivor from the Abuja collapsed building was evacuated in an ambulance provided by FCT Ambulance Services to the National Hospital , Abuja for treatment.
Eleven persons have been rescued so far. From all indications, rescue operations have effectively ended as construction companies operating in Abuja notably Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Dantata and Sawoe, Arab Contractors and Nigerian Army vehicles were seen evacuating debris from the place.
Some survivors, who spoke to THISDAY, claimed that contrary to the belief in some quarters that the place was a brothel that harboured prostitutes, building was inhabited by some government employees.
Some of the survivors also told THISDAY that they were planning thanksgiving services in churches this weekend.
The Development Control Department Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), however, said two sub-standard buildings, Plot 198 and Plot 1100, located in Mabushi and Apo Districts of Abuja marked for demolition are on the verge of collapse. It said it could not effect the demolition owing to pending court orders.
Source: This Day, 14th August 2010.
Death toll in Abuja building collapse hits 19
Bukola Amusan, Abuja
SEVEN more bodies were yesterday evacuated from the rubbles of the four-storey building which collapsed on Wednesday in Abuja. Twelve persons died on the spot. With this, death toll in the wreckage has risen to 19.
An emergency team, comprising officials of the Army, the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), were busy rescuing victims Thursday.
They finished at about 6am.
Survivors have since been taken to the hospital.
Between 1am and 3am Thursday, four more dead bodies were said to have been pulled out from the rubbles.
The bodies of a man, his wife and their toddler, including an unidentified man whose head was said to have been chopped off were brought out from the ground floor of the building.
The man, it was learnt had cuts all over his body, while his wife had her bowels ripped open. But their toddler who had pampers on, did not have a scratch.
It was gathered that the man and his wife had earlier made several phone calls to a friend while they were under the rubbles before they eventually died.
Source: The Nation, 13th August 2010.
Building collapsed in Abuja, kills nine
Joke Kujenya, Lagos
A MULTI-storey building collapsed and killed two people at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Several others are trapped in the rubble according to building officials in Abuja.
Yet-to-be-confirmed reports say that about nine people actually died in the collission.
Abuja residents sais that building authorities had once tagged the building as 'dangerous.'
The collapsed building was located at the Garki Area 11, Abuja, South in the central business district.
The crumbled building had four or five floors high before it tumbled around dawn on Tuesday.
Rescue workers had a hard task trying to rescue trapped residents. The legs of one person trapped in the debris hung out from the rubble.
While discussing with some people marooned under concrete floors and twisted wires, Head of a Search and Rescue Team from the Civil Defence Corps, Emmanuel Adeoye told the media agencies: "We have rescued about six people. Two are already confirmed dead. Others are still alive under the rubble and we are working to get them out."
The FCT Minister when on a visit to the site, Bala Muhammed said the building had been condemned by the authorities and that the developers had continued to add an additional floor despite the warnings.
"The building collapsed because it no longer has integrity to hold the foundation and they were making an additional floor.
"We had issued a warning that the place should be evacuated. Most of the people there are illegal and the developer did not heed the warnings."
Twenty-six years old Hussaini Abubakar who resides in the building, said he had just finished praying and was preparing for the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan when the structure started to shake.
"The building started coming down. I just picked up my phone, one shirt and jumped down from the second floor. I think I saw three dead bodies so far."
Source: The Nation, 11th August 2010.
FCT school gets N13m Japanese grant
JAPAN'S Ambassador to Nigeria, Toshitsugu Uesawa, will today sign the contract of N13.3 million (US$88,699) with the Nigerian Women Empowerment Network to implement the construction of a primary school in Gwako, Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The community-based project, which consists of two school buildings, four latrines and furniture supply, is part of Japan's efforts to improve primary education in the territory under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
The network, a non-governmental organisation, is the implementing partner.
Since 1960, Japanese assistance to Nigeria has amounted to about $4 billion, or approximately N600 billion.
Under the GGP, 108 projects costing $5,926,739 have been implemented throughout Nigeria since 1998.
Meeting diverse needs and bringing a direct impact on the wellbeing of grassroots communities, the GGP is designed to provide financial grant assistance to non-profit organisations and local councils implementing development projects at the grassroots.
The GGP is today a popular support programme for its swift and pro-poor approaches in the country.
Source: The Guardian, 6th August 2010.
Develop Your Plots, FCT Minister Charges Foreign Missions
From Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, weekend called on foreign missions in Abuja to expedite action on the development of plots of land allocated to them by the Federal Government.
He said the measure would reciprocate government's gesture of restoring such hitherto revoked plots. The minister made the call while receiving the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jean Michel, in his office.
He said the restoration of such title documents by the Federal Government to the foreign missions called for concerted efforts on the part of the missions to accelerate the development of such plots.
Mohammed said his administration would accord priority attention to foreign missions in the FCT and solicited their cooperation by encouraging investors in their home countries to come and invest in Abuja.
The minister noted that Abuja remained a haven for any genuine investor because the FCT Administration had provided an enabling environment for any investment to flourish.
According to him, the fast tracking development of such property would go a long way in not only accelerating development in such areas but add to their aesthetic value.
Commenting on the building plan of the proposed multi-billion naira French Embassy in Abuja, the minister said the proposed embassy was an architectural masterpiece and promised that the FCT Development Control Department would give them approval within two weeks.
He, however, charged the Ambassador to equally encourage his colleagues to borrow a leaf from his positive disposition by submitting their drawings early too.
Mohammed lauded the cordial relationship between Nigeria and France, noting that rapport that is more fruitful lay ahead.
Speaking earlier, the French Ambassador, Dunond, praised the action of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for restoring the foreign mission plots in the city.
He promised that the proposed gigantic French Embassy would be completed with 24 months from the date of getting the approval from the FCT Development Control Department.
Source: This Day, 26th July 2010.
Residents Want Indigene As Minister Of State
Written by Catherine Agbo
In spite of the short life span of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, FCT indigenes have urged the president to appoint a minister of state from the FCT as a way of correcting the constitutional breach.
The call was made recently by FCT indigenes at a consultative forum organised by the indigenes of Garki and Jiwa chiefdom, held at Education Resource Center, Zone 7, Abuja with the motive to enlighten their children on what went wrong as far as FCT settlers are concerned.
Spokesman of the Garki indigenes and also the Leader of the movement Mr. Lazarus Nyaholo revealed that according to factual evidence available to them there was no time any agreement was reached between the people of FCT and the federal government to take over their land.
He said that the federal government did not consult them before taking charge of their land for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory.
Nyaholo further revealed that the late Justice Timothy Akinola Aguda in 1976 led the federal government delegation that stopped at Suleja, the Niger State capital for the negotiation of the new Federal Capital Territory, but failed to consult the people that own the land.
"They said we sold our land but we are not the ones that sold our land to the federal government, it was the people of Suleja Emirate in Niger state and the people of Keffi in Nasarawa state that did the negotiation with the federal government. We did not collect any money from the federal government so let the federal government go to Suleja and Keffi to collect their money back, all we want is our land back. Those emirs they paid money to are not from Abuja" he said.
Speaking earlier at the meeting, Mr. Lanre Babafemi, a human rights crusader advised the federal government to desist from the habit of pushing the people of FCT away from the city, warning that time will come when the indigenes will see the people living in FCT as their number one enemies and the federal government the number 2 enemy which will not augur well for both the people living in FCT and the federal government itself.
Source: Leadership, 26th July 2010.
Bad Roads:Fuel Shortage Looms In Abuja
Written by Rasheed Komolafe, Lagos
- As NUPENG's 21-day ultimatum expires August 1
- Wants PPPRA top officials sacked
The dilapidated state of federal roads across the country has compelled oil workers under the aegis of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to threaten to cut supply of petroleum products to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
National President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achebe, said the Union had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government beginning Monday, July 12 to address the dilapidated federal roads around the country and also for government to tackle the anti-labour practices by oil majors or face the withdrawal of its members from supplying fuel to Abuja.
However, the federal government has constituted a trouble shooting team led by Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, Minister of State, Mr. Chris Ogienwonyi, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo and officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
After the initial peace meeting Wednesday, July 21, Mr Wogu announced that a meeting of all the stakeholders would hold on August 3, with a view to appealing to the oil workers to stay action on the threat.
Achebe warned that NUPENG will stop lifting of petroleum products to Abuja on expiration of the 21-day ultimatum noting that the action is being considered so that policy makers and top Federal Executive officials in Abuja will have no fuel to move around as against industrial action whereby poor Nigerians in other parts of the country suffered in the past.
"By the time we stop lifting of petroleum products to Abuja, there will be no flight by local and international airlines in and out of Abuja," he warned.
Besides repairs of the roads, NUPENG equally wants the FG to probe and sack top officials of the Petroleum and Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) over fuel importation approvals granted companies without jetties and depot facilities during the second and third quarters.
Majors and Depot owners had petitioned the Presidency over shady deals by the PPPRA in the award of fuel importation contracts to portfolio contractors without jetty and depot facilities. In the petition they also demanded for disclosure of the full list of companies granted fuel importation approval by the agency.
Achebe said in Lagos yesterday that President Jonathan Goodluck should constitute a panel to probe excesses of PPPRA in the award of fuel importation contracts to companies without depot and jetty facilities as a result of their connections to top Federal Government officials.
He said the Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Mr Abiodun Ibikunle and any other official indicted by the probe should be sacked to ensure fairness in the award of fuel importation contracts to genuine indigenous companies with investment in jetty and depot facilities.
The malpractices of the agency according to him is to the detriment of indigenous companies that invested billions of naira in the downstream sub-sector so as to ensure adequate fuel supply in the country. "Petroleum products allocation should be based on the platform of equity, transparency and justice so that the major stakeholders will have enough business to do and the capacity to face future challenges in the oil and gas industry," he noted.
Achebe who spoke during the inauguration of the Jetties and Tank Farm Owners Association of Nigeria (JEPTFON) in Lagos yesterday warned that the present PPPRA allocation will plunge the downstream sub-sector into troubled waters unless there is immediate intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to the NUPENG boss, these jetties owners took loans to invest in oil business and with courage remained in the business of fuel importation despite the global economic recession and previous delay in the reimbursement of marketers that participated in fuel importation under Petroleum Support Fund Scheme (PSF).
"The government should therefore show understanding and give absolute support to ensure returns on investment made by JEPTFON members complementing activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the importation and supply of petroleum products", he pointed out.
The trouble of Majors and DAPPMA members participating in fuel importation started when the Federal Government approved the issuance of Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN) as a guarantee for payment of the difference between the landing cost of fuel and the official pump price of N65 per litre. With these Sovereign Notes, marketers, who do not get their payment within 45 days as stipulated in the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) guidelines, will take the negotiable instruments to their creditor banks as cash to pay for their loans.
Industry analysts observed that these portfolio contractors are politicians taking advantage of the sovereign debt notes to trade in fuel importation without knowledge and investment in the downstream sub-sector. They also said that the plan to commence full deregulation by the Federal Government will not see the light of the day as fuel importation becomes attractive with the sovereign debt note.
The NUPENG boss also pledged the support of the members to JEPTFON in the downstream sub-sector so that huge investment made by them will not go down the drain. He expressed the hope that the Federal Government will look at the problems created by PPPRA for JEPTFON companies that entered into alliance as a branch of NUPENG. "The desire of JEPTFON to join hands with organised labour to run the affairs of the association is the right in the right direction. We will in turn give necessary support and right hand of fellowship to have a breakthrough in marketing and distribution", he promised.
He also gave the assurance that NUPENG will assist to create a conducive climate that will enhance business environment and economic sustainability.
JEPTFON members collectively control 65 per cent of installed private petroleum products receptor jetty facilities and at least 70 per cent of installed private petroleum products depot facilities in Nigeria. Collectively the companies account for over N1 trillion investments in the downstream and provide direct employment for over 5,000 Nigerians and 52,000 indirect employment.
Source: Leadership, 21st July 2010.
Rain Wrecks Abuja Communities, Kills 4
Written by Caroline Ameh, Abuja
Residents of some communities in Abuja were on Friday night thrown into confusion as the rains wrecked properties worth millions of naira and left four dead.
In Karmo, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, the bridge connecting the community to the city centre was almost washed away. The water, which was about 25ft above ground level, drowned two cars with its occupants.
The sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Patrick Nwanko, who was at the scene of the incident yesterday morning, said he had never witnessed anything of the magnitude. He explained: "So far we have recovered only two bodies, and rescue operation is still going on. The two cars have been recovered; one is a Carina II with registration No. BJ 889 BWR while the other is a Honda "Baby Boy" without a registration number".
Documents found in the car belonging to the latter identified her as Chioma Okoro. She was most likely a trader as several wares ranging from clothes to shoes and bags were recovered from the car.
An official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who said his
team arrived at the scene a few minutes before 6am, noted that some locals were trying to rescue the victims before his men joined in.
While stating that no official from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was present at the scene, he explained that the low level of the bridge was responsible for the flood. He further appealed to the government to do something about the bridge to stop reccurrence. He also used the opportunity to enjoin government to give them more rescue equipment as they had to get some from the nearest construction firm, which is SCC construction Company.
While reacting to the incident, the district head of Old Karmo, Chief Bello T. Danjuma expressed strong belief that there is some spiritual undertone to what happened. "This is not ordinary because close to the river is the groove where my people worship. However, some construction firms went into the place and destroyed it".
The ruler said on hearing of the ugly incident, he sent some locals to rescue the occupants of the vehicle since he is forbidden to visit such sites.
He equally called on the federal government to do something about the bridge, "because it usually happens two to three times during the rainy season. The bridge is too small, it needs expansion and the level is too low; this place is in a valley so they should please come to our aid."
In a similar incident in Gwarimpa Estate, the whole of Claude Ake Crescent on 14 Road was submerged in water. Odorume Erhovwo whose house was flooded blamed the whole incident on developers. "This same thing happens every year and the landlords show less concern about us," he lamented.
Water from other parts of the estate flows behind the crescent where the canal is located. However, the canal has been blocked by another building erected on it. LEADERSHIP SUNDAY observed that the fences of all the houses affected collapsed under the water pressure.
Erhovwo, who was lucky to have arrived home on time, rescued his one-year-old baby and his wife through the window. He said: "I was just lucky to have been outside the house at the time. I had to rescue my baby and wife throug this small window. This is unfair!"
The director of Yasmin School, Gwarimpa, Dr. Mrs. N.A Odoche, who suffered the greatest damage, said she has lost properties worth millions of naira. According to her, she had earlier contacted the Federal Housing Authority to look into the issue of developers blocking the only canal that allows free flow of water in the estate.
"It happens every year but not this much. My computers and every other valuable material including students' books and uniforms have been destroyed," she lamented.
Also blaming the incident on property developers, Mr. Dennis, a staff of Sahara Homes Limited, said surveyors should be contacted before any building is erected. "Incidents like this are usually man-made as a result of poor planning.
Source: Leadership, 11th July 2010.
Govt Seals off Firms in Abuja
FROM FLORENCE LAWRENCE, ABUJA
THE Federal Government yesterday made real its threat to seal any construction company's quarry site that fails to obtain Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other remediation plan as five sites were yesterday sealed off in Mpape, Abuja.
This was part of the enforcement exercise carried out yesterday by the National Environmental Standard Regulations and Enforcement Agency when it sealed off Dantata and Sawoe Quarry site, Cush Rock Industries Limited, ENL, Setraco, and Hong Yum Quarry Limited.
However, suppliers at the sites condemned the action, demanding reasons for the closure, stating that they were not informed that such exercise was to be carried out by the government.
Three weeks ago, the agency had visited the quarry sites giving all the companies a two-week ultimatum to present their EIA report, Environmental Management Plan and Environmental Audit since some of them began business before EIA became operational in Nigeria.
The Director, Environmental Quality Control, Maiwada Omar, expressed disappointment at the lack of cooperation demonstrated by the operators of the quarry sites.
"We sealed off the sites because they have erred by not producing their EIA report even after the ultimatum expired.
"We have withdrawn their machines, put a flag of seal and mark their offices sealed. There is internal plan to secure the place to ensure that they do not operate in the area until they comply with the directive," he added.
Source: The Guardian, 7th July 2010.
How Road Contract was Inflated to N257b, by Reps Panel
FROM AZIMAZI JIMOH MOMOH AND TERHEMBA DAKA, ABUJ
May delay passage of FoI bill
THE House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the expansion of roads in Abuja said yesterday that it had uncovered how the projects were allegedly inflated to the sum of N257 billion.
Also, the House may have foreclosed the passage of the Freedom of Information (FoI) bill as its Information Committee Chairman, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, yesterday declared that the piece of legislation might not see the light of day during the life of the current National Assembly.
At the public hearing on the issue in the National Assembly yesterday, the committee disclosed that the contracts, which were split into four lots had their rates increased above what was bidded by all the contractors.
In a remark during the interrogation of the contractors, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Abdulrahman Kawu, said that in lot one of the Abuja Airport road contract, the contractor quoted N58.6 billion but the contract was later awarded to him at N59.2 billion.
In lot two of the same airport road contract, the committee said the contractor quoted N48 billion and the contractor later got it for N49 billion.
The same thing was applicable to the Abuja Outer Northern Expressway contract where the contractor quoted N64.9 billion and got N66.8 billion.
However, some of the contractors who spoke at the public hearing stated that some of the figures could not be confirmed because there might have been some calculation errors.
They were therefore asked to submit their responses in writing to the committee within 24 hours to reflect the claims of calculation errors.
Meanwhile, the Debt Management Office (DMO) had clarified its involvement in the road expansion contracts.
In a submission to the committee, the DMO Director General, Mr. Abraham Nwankwo, said that "the DMO's involvement was as a result of a directive by the minister of finance to comment on the request for Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) in respect of the projects."
He explained why it proposed the raising of funds for the project through the issuance of Federal Government bonds.
According to him, Federal Government bonds were more economically desirable than the situation where it would have to provide for the 60 per cent financing by the contractors repayable within four years at an interest rate of 23 per cent.
The contracts for the project, which is in four lots, was awarded to the three contractors at total contract sum of N257,167,337,985 billion by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on April 29, 2009.
"It was initially awarded based on a planned 60:40 Private-Public contribution with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) funding 40 per cent of the contract cost during a period of the construction ranging from 24 to 30 months while the 60 per cent portion was to be funded by the contractors through their respective banks," said Nwankwo.
Nwankwo noted that since it is essentially a social infrastructure development project, the Federal Government was required to explore appropriate sources that ensure that funding of the project met the stipulated borrowing guidelines.
He added that the nature of the project could hardly be considered as commercially oriented unless it was seriously repackaged in way that enabled it to generate revenue.
"An evaluation of the contractors' funding sources showed that the project could hardly be considered as Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, but rather a contractor financing scheme, which required an Federal Government guarantee to cover their borrowings from the commercial banks at an interest rate of about 23 per cent.
"In essence, the contractors' contributions imply that the Federal Government was to take an expensive loan liability to be serviced from the national budget," he added.
Nwankwo further explained that the President therefore directed the DMO to source part of the funding of N46.50 billion in 2009 while N62 billion was to be sourced in 2010 and N46.50 billion in 2011 totalling N155 billion for the completion of the project."
Wadada, who addressed reporters at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday said that although the lawmakers were not against the passage of the bill, it would only see the light of day when the grey areas in the piece of legislation have been sorted out by the parliament.
"The more transparent the polity is, the better for all of us", he said, even as he urged Nigerians to be a little patient with the House, as it would do its best to see that the bill is passed into law.
He said although the objectives of the FoI bill are welcomed by every member of the National Assembly, "the bill as packaged is going through legislative process. The legislative process is what will sort out those grey areas, and once those grey areas are sorted out, the Freedom of Information Bill will eventually see the light of the day.
"For instance, we know today there are expectations and insinuations out there by the electorate that are not true. And it is only when there is free access to information that the people will know about the activities of the government. The FoI bill will be passed into law when those grey areas are sorted out,", he said.
Wadada also urged the federal government to cultivate the culture of effective information dissemination if it wants the 2011 elections to be successful.
According to him, credible elections cannot be achieved without providing information to the citizenry, adding that information dissemination agencies in the country must be equipped to perform their duties.
Another member of the committee, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, explained that in passing the bill, there was need to guard against the abuse of the freedom sought by the proposed law.
"It is all about how you get information freely, and how you manage it. If there is an abuse, there should be punishment also," the lawmaker added.
Source: The Guardian, 7th July 2010.
How The FCT Area Council Poll Went, By Transition Monitoring Group
Again Democratic Election Failed Test Of Legitimacy
By Mashood Erubami and Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
Introduction
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of about 400 Civil Society, Human Rights and Pro- Democracy Groups received INEC's accreditation to observe the April 10, FCT council elections.
Thus, TMG Secretariat in collaboration with its FCT Coordinator and working with other TMG members deployed and monitored the election in the six Area Councils of Abuja, in line with lay down rules and regulations and according to standard derived from basic principles and guidelines governing democratic elections contained in the universal declarations;
The TMG hereby issue the following reports.
Arrival of electoral officers and election materials
OUR Observers reported that voting commenced late across the territory. According to INEC, voting was supposed to commence by 8am, but this was not to be in most of the polling units covered. The explanation commonly given was that, Corps members who INEC largely relied upon for the exercise, insisted on being paid before they could move into their respective designated areas of work.
INEC, subscribing to this demand therefore caused late arrival of Officers, materials and late commencement of voting.
However, in a number of places, voting could not commence until afternoon. For instance, in Waru village Apo, Code 004, voting commenced at exactly 1pm. For this reason, officials agreed to extend voting till 5pm to accommodate voters who have been waiting since morning. In Kutuku area of Gwagwalada, voting materials and officials arrived by 1.11pm. In Lugbe Federal Housing Beggar Yard Primary School and King of Kings primary school voting stations, eligible voters gathered but no INEC officials were anywhere to be seen. Reports from Bwari, Karu, Biaji, Apo and many more areas experienced the same challenges.
Deployment of officials
CORP members constituted majority of the officials used for the FCT Election and they were seen doing their work conscientiously in most places visited. However in a place called Dutse Apo village (code 923) only one INEC official was seen attending to a large number of intending voters who were becoming impatient and becoming a threat to the only official present.
Although, there were police personnel in the station, apprehension was becoming rife. TMG officials had to put a call across to INEC officials to send some assistance. It was the same situation in Gwarimpa polling station 24b, where our observer reported that INEC officials reported late.
Voters Turnout
THE effects of little or no political campaign, played out, significantly in the low turn out of voters in the election; voters exhibited little enthusiasm over the election, as there was serious apathy, ambivalence and general indifference to the election. The day was used by majority of electorate as another public holiday, an indication that citizens did not place any hope on the outcome of the election and subsequently may not be conferring legitimacy on the emerging leadership.
Generally speaking, the voter turnout in this election was observed to be generally below average, with the exception in Bwari, where the turn out was observed to be appreciable and a long list of people were found on the queue. Even though the streets of Abuja were empty, it did not turn out into large voters' turnout in most of the polling stations observed by TMG, especially in the urban areas and estates. Although, in some public spaces where there are multiple polling stations, several hundreds of eligible voters were seen waiting to cast their votes, but by the time you cross-check the numbers against the actual number that registered and then the number of polling stations clustered there in, it becomes evident that there was indeed low turn-out.
This is partly because people no longer have the interest or keenness to even take the pains to look for or locate where to vote. Secondly, the aspiring politicians did not bother to spend time to identify with the electorates or even campaign for votes. Another important reason is that people's enthusiasm to vote has been eroded by perceived lapses in previous elections.
Police conduct/security in the elections
THE Nigeria Police in the FCT lived up to its promise, and deployed about 11, 000 police personnel for the FCT Area Council election. TMG observers generally reported that the police and other security operatives conducted themselves very well and were largely friendly. The distribution was also relatively equitable, but where there are clusters of polling units, more police personnel were noticed. The Police in FHA Nyanya Polling station (020) arrested a voter with fake voter's card. Generally, no incidence was reported to have occurred in most areas observed.
Ballot materials
BALLOT papers and other stationery materials required for the voting exercise were observed to be available and adequate; there were no shortages of election materials reported.
Voters' accreditation
THERE was less disenfranchisement of voters in most of the polling units monitored by TMG Observers, as most people who had temporary voters' card were duly allowed to vote. In some other areas, it took TMG observers with the cooperation of the Electoral Officers to clarify that such category of voters can go ahead and vote. However, in most polling centres visited, voters who have lost their voters' card were legally disallowed from voting. In PW polling station Kubwa however, several persons were reportedly denied the opportunity to vote due to noticeable discrepancy in their voter's card.
Secrecy of voting
IT was observed, that INEC provided cubicles, which ensured secrecy of voting in most polling stations. This is commendable.
Conclusion
Generally, the reports from our observers showed that INEC battled hard to do the right thing this time, but a combination of disinterested and disenchanted public who exhibited indifference to exercising their franchise and apathy to their civic duties, raised genuine questions on the legitimacy of the process.
The political parties and the politicians did not do much in terms of mobilization and conducting civic and voters education among their members and this reflected negatively in the way people turned out for the election.
For obvious reasons - adequate security, fair play on the part of INEC and continuous demonstration of zero tolerance by police -there was no significant observation of Ballot snatching, large recording of disenfranchised electorate, no ballot stuffing was observed and either by accident or design, nobody died or was killed during the election. Harassment and intimidation of Voters were nipped in the bud.
Candidates and political party agents were allowed to freely observe the election processes as voting was peaceful and no instances of violence was recorded in the polling station covered by the TMG Observers.
Counting and collation of ballot papers followed INEC guidelines and very few cases of ballot rejection was observed.
There is still a big gap left to be bridged by both INEC/Civil society and Political Parties in the area of increasing awareness of the citizenry on their duties and responsibilities during and after elections, enhance their awareness of voting system and the need to exercise the right to vote, so as to change the attitude of the electorate to election and build their response to participating in the election processes. INEC and Civil Society Groups need to come together to build the necessary synergy that can make the INEC overcome the usually re-occurring logistic problems- transportation and staffing- to be on top of late delivery and arrival of officials and election materials on voting days, including making all the polling units accessible in a timely fashion, so as not to make navigation of the polling units problematic.
Abuja council election has provided another adjustable template that can be faithfully improved upon, by all stakeholders to meet all conditions for genuine democratic elections.
INEC must therefore work in concert with all stakeholders, to adjust in all areas of its failings to ensure that future elections will be free from intimidation, violence, and fraud and must be genuinely democratic.
Erubami and Rafsanjani are the Chair and Secretary of the TMG
Source: The Guardian, 2nd May 2010.
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