Category Metro

Shelter

By Kabir Muhammad

Abuja, March 28, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said it will provide a temporary accommodation for over 150 children orphans who were left homeless following an earlier demolition exercise in Kubwa satellite town of Abuja on Tuesday.

The Director, FCTA Department of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, stated this during a joint press briefing with the owner of the affected property on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the administration was more concerned about the welfare of the children, hence the need to provide the accommodation.

“In the beginning, we had sympathy and a kind heart for the children and we are looking for a way forward for the children, on how to cushion their hardships by relocating them so that they do not feel that they are rejected by the society.

“That is why the most important thing at this moment is the welfare of those children, which we are working seriously on.
“We want to provide succour for them, by getting them a temporary accommodation, even if it is for one year, so that our children will have a safe place to stay.

“This is because this government has a human face. We hope to do that as soon as possible,’’ he assured.

The director said demolition of Divine Wounds of Jesus Christ Orphanage and Rehabilitation Home, Kubwa, was because the property failed to comply with development control requirements in the nation’s capital.

He alleged that the owner disregarded “Several Stop’’ work and other notices served on the property, including a demand for the title document of the plot.

“When we received this complaint of encroachment, we visited the site and served all the relevant notices beginning from “Stop Work’’ notice, quit notice, to demolition notice.

“This is in line with our responsibility of ensuring strict implementation of the Abuja Master Plan.

“The owner did not submit any title document about the disputed property. If she had submitted, we would have put her title document together with that of the complainant.

“We will then send it to the department of lands administration to confirm who the rightful owner of the land was or is, because there are three plots she is sitting on.

“The issuing authority would now write us formally confirming the real owner of the land,’’ he said.

Galadima asked the owner to submit documents to his office for onward submission to Lands Department and the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) to determine the authentic owner the plot.

However, owner of the orphanage, Bishop Victoria Ezemoka at the joint press briefing produced another title document for the same property.

She denied claim by the department that she failed to produce the documents after several notices and demands.

According to her, trouble over ownership of the disputed property started immediately after the death of her husband.

She also claimed that her brother-in-law wanted to take over the property.

She insisted that since the case was still in court, there was no need for further action by any of the parties involved, including the development.

In its response, the department said there was already a court judgement with documented evidences indicating that the case had been struck out due to absence of all parties. (NAN)

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an orphanage located Opposite NSITF, Arab Road Kubwa; was demolished by the department on Tuesday March 23, a development which has generated widespread criticism.

KM/GOM/JTJ
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Julius Toba-Jegede

Shippers
By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni
Abuja, March 28, 2019 (NAN) Abuja Shippers Association under the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) on Thursday elected new executives to tackle the freight challenges in the sector.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was conducted at the NSC office in Abuja.

In his opening remark, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello said the Council was the nation’s port economic regulator.

He said that the council was committed to creating an enabling environment for shippers, service providers and ports’ users.

Bello, who was represented by the Abuja Laison Officer, Mohammed Abubakar, noted that the new executives must take the drive in ensuring that the association function effectively and tackle all challenges in the sector.

According to him, the council is committed to creating a platform to address the challenges shippers and other stakeholders face in the sector.

“But we have discovered as regulators that shippers themselves don’t comply with rules and regulations, which is the major challenge we are having.

“We will ensure that meetings are held on a regular basis to interact with stakeholders through this platform and resolve issues affecting freight,” he said.

Also speaking, the President of National Freight Haulers Association, Mr Jackson Bent commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for playing a ‘pivotal’ role in both the transport and Maritime sector.

He said that the country was drifting away from oil, noting that freight is one of the prospective aspect that can drive the economy aside mining and agriculture.

Bent, however, urged the new executives to broaden their knowledge on ways to move the association forward.

“I have to commend NSC for is commitment to this association, for the advancement in bringing shippers council to where it is today and the repositioning efforts to the economy of this country.

“I want to bring to our notice that what we are doing today is of utmost importance. I therefore urge all of us to broaden our mind in moving the association forward.”

Mr Emeka Madueke of the National Freight Haulers Associations of Nigeria (N.F.H.A) emerged as president, while Maaruf Idris of Mirays Integrated Services limited was elected as the Vice president.

Other members of the executive are – Mr. Sally Shittu as Secretary, Mr John Emmanuel as Financial Secretary, Mr Ifesanchi Andrew as Public Relations officer and Hajiya Rabi Gambari as Treasurer.

The life span of the newly elected executives is two years.(NAN)
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Trolley
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, March 28, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured passengers of free trolley and wheel chair services at the new terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, FAAN Corporate Affairs, told News Agency of Nigeria this would cater for increased activities as more airlines relocate flight operations to the new terminal.

Yakubu also disclosed that a total of 1,000 trolleys were being expected to add to the existing number on ground.

“Apart from free trolley, we are also bringing in wheel chairs in the next few days, in addition to the ones being provided by the ground handler.

“We are expecting 1,000 trolleys and the Rotary Club of Falomo, also donated 18 wheel chairs for us and we will deploy some to Abuja terminal,” she said.

A traveler, Mr Julius Idegwu, commended the federal government for the completion and opening of the new terminal with the state of the art facilities.

Idegwu said that it was the first time he had experienced high level if comfort in any Nigerian airport, adding that he had always paid to use trolley in Lagos and Abuja airports.

“This is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria, as far as air travel is concerned and I must commend the government for this.

“I also discovered that you don’t have to pay to use trolley here, unlike the old terminal which is highly commendable.

“There is also free Wi-Fi network here and I want to urge FAAN, to ensure that this is maintained and also extend it to other parts of the airport,“ he said.

Also, Mrs Patricia Akuriene, said the new terminal had added glory to Nigerian Airport, urging the authority to maintain the standard.

On the trolley and WiFi services, Akuriene commended FAAN, urging that the same services be extended to the domestic terminal also.

“This is good but I want to urge that attention should not only be on international terminal but the domestic travel also,” she added.

The new terminal, which was inaugurated in December 2018, is equipped with free Wi-Fi with the capacity to process 15 million passengers annually.

It is one of the four terminal projects being funded under the 500 million dollars loan agreement between Nigerian government and Export-Import Bank of China.

The other three airports are: Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, which was inaugurated in October 2018, while those of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano are at various stages of completion. (NAN)
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Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Ismail Abdulaziz

Anti-corruption
By Bukola Adewumi/Okeoghene Azubike
Abuja, March 28, 2019 (NAN) Hajia Gwamma Ahmed, the National President of Prisons Officers Wives Association (PROWA) says the prison staff school anti-corruption club will inculcate value reorientation in  children toward a more responsible behaviour.

Gwamma said this at the inauguration of the Prison Staff School Anti-Corruption Club tagged: “Catch them young” on Thursday in Abuja.

The programme was done in collaboration with independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Accountability Lab.

She commended the ICPC and anti-corruption unit of the Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) for the laudable initiative of inculcating the values of probity and accountability in the lives of younger Nigerian.

According to her, this approach of leaving no one behind in the fight against corruption is a bold statement of our collective determination to reject corruption and all forms of dishonesty.

Mrs Okpala Magdalene, the Deputy Controller of NPS said that the service had battled corruption for a long time, adding that it was trying to see how the NPS could combat it within the service.

She said that there was need to carry the children along in the fight against corruption, adding that it was not just a fight for the adults but should be all inclusive.

“If you have a house not having a good foundation, it will to collapse, so the risk of leaving this children behind while adults are fighting corruption is what we do not want to toy with.

“So, we decided that we have to bring these children up, because they are very honest, anything they tell you is the truth, so we need to work on their minds.

“We need to make them understand that the effect of corruption in their life is something they cannot play with,” she said

Mrs Hanatu Muhammad, a board member of ICPC said that the fight against corruption was not a one day affair, adding that it was a gradual process that needed to be painstakingly carried out.

“Everybody needs to be involved, it is not just for the anti corruption agencies, it is a fight for everyone in the country then can we see the impact.

“I will advice that children seek to maintain their good name because a good name is better than silver because your good name will outlive you, it is more than materials.”

Mr Samuel Emenogu, a member of accountability lab said the future of the county depended on the honesty built in the heart of pupil and students in the country.

He however urged the students to imbibe the culture and value of honesty.(NAN)
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

INEC issues certificates of return to 6 FCT area council chairmen, 62 councillors

Certificate

By Bukola Adewumi

Abuja, march 28, 2019 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday issued certificates of return to elected chairmen of the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 62 councillors.

Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who presented the certificates to the elected representatives, said they should justify the confidence repose in them.

He said that the presentation of certificates of return to the elected chairmen and councillors marked the conclusion of a successful democratic exercise in the FCT.

He commended the elected representatives for their victories in the keenly contested elections in the FCT, and the people for their exemplary conduct during the elections.

Malam Mohammed Bello, the Minister of FCT, who spoke, called on the chairmen and councillors to  key into the anti-corruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that all financial regulatory procedure must be followed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won four chairmanship seats, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 2

The area councils won by APC are: Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada and AMAC, while PDP is controlling Kuje and Bwari.

(NAN)

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Touts
By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni
Abuja, March 28, 2019 (NAN) Mr Celestine Anere, the Anambra Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) wants better synergy with Gov. Willie Obiano to curb the menace of touts and miscreants in the state’s transport sector.

Anere made this known in a statement issued by Mr Ben Ogbemudia, Special Adviser to RTEAN’s Executive President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday in Abuja.

The RTEAN chieftain congratulated Obiano on the recently-concluded general elections where All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) secured 26 seats out of 30 in Anambra.

He said that RTEAN as a trade union was responsible for the activities of all commercial vehicle employers in Nigeria.

Anere said that the association was willing to collaborate with the Anambra Government in achieving its aims in revenue collection.

He said with RTEAN fully in charge and with the support of the government, it would help to curb criminal activities across the state.

“RTEAN is ready to boost the revenue profile of the state with over N100 million monthly in the transport sector if the governor accedes to the request of partnering with RTEAN in eradicating touts and the cabals,’’ he said.

The RTEAN boss, therefore, called for an effective working relationship among the APGA national chairman, the lawmakers and Obiano who doubles as the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of APGA.

Anere noted that such relationship would fast-track the economic base of Anambra State. (NAN)
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Adeleye Ajayi

Project
By Uche Bibilari
Abuja, March 28, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) says it has engaged 14,000 youths in its on-going nationwide maintenance of highways tagged “Right of Way Maintenance Intervention Programme (ROW MIP)’’.

Mrs Maryam Sanusi, the Deputy Director, Communication and Public Relations, FERMA, made this known in a statement on Thursday.

According to Sanusi, the project is aimed at repairing the bad spots on the country’s highways.

She said that the bad spots on the highways had given hoodlums the opportunity to operate and cause problems for road users.

She said that the Right of Way (ROW) was 40 metres from the centre line which included the carriageway, road shoulders, and verges.

“This initiative, which has elicited positive feedback from stakeholders, is in consonance with the Agency’s mandate and the Federal Government’s drive to gainfully occupy the nation’s teeming youth populace.

“The intervention centres on vegetation control, cutting of over- hanging tree branches to aid vehicular visibility, de-silting of blocked drains and carriageways as well as carting away of refuse dumped on road shoulders.

“The initiative has garnered momentum and cuts across every state of the nation, being its first phase, a maximum of 14, 000 youths living around the road corridors identified for the intervention have been engaged.

“Thus, making it a singular government’s project that is taking these number of participants in its wake,’’ she said.

The deputy director said that the participants are viewed as partners with FERMA in ensuring the accomplishment of an aspect of the agency’s mandate.

She explained that the difference between the current programme and others in the past was the implementation strategy being used.

According to her, the on-going maintenance is labour-intensive and designed to provide safety net for the youths.

She said that the strategy being adopted made the repairs much more economical given that the usual practice of contracting the jobs had been eliminated.

“The programme has also encouraged some level of heightened economic activities in and around the areas where jobs are on-going, beneficiaries are paid through their personal bank accounts thereby also imbibing banking culture.

“At the successful completion of the first phase of the intervention programme, it is the goal of the agency to embark on a second phase.

“Though this will depend largely on availability of funds,’’ she said.
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Emmanuel Yashim

Amaechi Inspects Seme-Krake Joint Border Post in Cotonou

Border

By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni

Abuja, March. 28, 2019 (NAN) The Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, has inspected the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post (JBP) of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

Mr Israel Ibeleme, Special Assistant (SA) to Amaechi said in statement on Thursday that the inspection took place before a high level meeting between the minister and his Benin counterpart.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the assistance of the European Union (EU) had established the Seme-Krake JBP, aimed at facilitating trade and transit cross-border.

“The Republic of Benin and Federal Republic of Nigeria as stipulated by the ECOWAS Act, have the responsibility of overseeing the general administration of the Joint Border Post, upon the handing over of the facility to the two countries,” Ibeleme said.

He said both countries were expected to ensure the maintenance of the facility, its operations and the provision of operational and administrative equipment.

He further said in order to facilitate trade and free movement, all road blocks that constituted barriers to free transit were expected to be removed with the start of operations at the border post.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation is Nigeria’s Focal point and doubles as the Chair of the Joint Border Post Management Committee in line with the Act setting up the JBP,’’ he said.

He therefore said that the ministry would fulfill its obligation with regards to maintenance of the facility.

According to the SA, operations at the JBP will be carried out by selected border agencies of Nigeria and Benin Republic that will be working with other sub-committees. (NAN)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso

Terminal
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, March 27, 2019 (NAN ) Lufthansa Airlines has relocated its flight operations to the new terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

It is the first European airline to do so since the inauguration of the terminal in December 2018.

The flight, which landed at 5:30pm, had 110 passengers and 4 crew members on board the Air bus 300-200 series.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a March 31 deadline to all foreign airlines to relocate their operations to the new terminal.

Mr Mahmud Sani, FAAN’s Regional General Manager, North Central and Abuja Airport Manager, said that it was in view of the ultimatum recently issued to airlines that made Lufthansa to move its operations to the terminal.

Sani said that other international carriers were already making preparations to relocate to the terminal before the expiration of the ultimatum.

“For now we have six international airlines here and the rest six are coming in between now and March 31.

“We have Lufthansa today, Ethiopian Airlines is on, we have Emirate, Air Côte d’viore, Asky and Air Peace.”

Sani disclosed that the authority had provided free trolley for passenger in the new terminal, adding that free wheel chairs would also be provided for passengers with disability.

He also gave the assurance that FAAN had a strong team in Abuja Airport that would ensure adequate maintenance of the new facility.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the new terminal was a manifestation of the government’s commitment to the development of the country.

Ngige, who was on the flight from Geneva, said he travelled to attend the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Board Meeting.

He urged FAAN to continue to maintain the standard and not relapse to what Nigerins use to know in the airports.

“We have done the needful and we have emulated the good part of the world, we have joined them because this is what we see in Geneva and Frankfurt and so on.

“We have it now in Nigeria and so it is for us to maintain it,” he said.

Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Service of the Federation, also said the new terminal showed what President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been doing to bring Nigeria up to the level of developed nations.

She said the mode of operations on arrival at the terminal such as medical screening camera and immigration were impressive.

“In this age of Ebola and other viruses, the screening is very important to check those that are coming in to detect if they are carrying any virus.

“This is an international standard and I know that the airport authority is going to maintain it,” she said.

Mr Charles Okoh, another passenger on board from Vienna, Austria, commended FAAN and other agencies of government that provide services at the airport.

According to him, there is absolute professionalism in the way all the agencies handle things on arrivals.

“I am also impressed with the level of cleanliness because when I arrived, the first thing I did was to go into the convenience and it was clean.

“I am happy to know that our country has a worthy airport,” he said. (NAN)
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Show
By Emmanuella Anokam
Abuja, March 27, 2019 (NAN) The Convener of the 13th Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS) says the show will focus on driving sustainable housing finance models to achieve affordable houses.

Mr Festus Adebayo, Managing Director, FESADEB Media Group and the convener disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking on the level of preparation for the forthcoming show.

The AIHS would feature more than 400 foreign and local exhibitors and 35,000 participants across 20 countries, scheduled for July 23 to July 26, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The theme of the show is: “Driving Sustainable Housing Finance Models in the Midst of Global Uncertainties’’.

Adebayo said that the theme stemmed from the outlook of global economy that could tend toward another recession and the attendant impact such an event could have on Nigerian affordable market.

“The likelihood of global recession is on the level of increase of global death.

“According to International Monetary Fund (IMF), the global death has reached `an all time high’ of 184 trillion dollars in nominal terms.

“In addition to the likelihood of recession is the rising level of global uncertainties,’’ he said.

This, he said, were fuelled by nationalistic sentiments such as the ongoing tussle between China and the United States of America and also between European Union and its member states like United Kingdom.

“Coupled with the current monetary tightening it is expected to increase in Europe and USA,’’ the convener said.

Adebayo explained that the show had also introduced innovations in the 13th AIHS exhibition aspect that would give enough room for networking among participants.

“The second AIHS Chief Executive Officers forum will feature 100 high ranking CEOs of mortgage banks, real estate institutions and companies, construction companies’ professional bodies and international investment organisations.

“The international investor’s dinner will also feature delegations from Turkey, Rwanda, China and United Arab Emirate to deliberate on way to achieve affordable housing.”

On the successes recorded in the past by AIHS, Adebayo noted that its recommendations were taken and complied with by many states across the country.

“Our recommendations were well utilised in Osun where we now have a full-fledged mortgage bank owned by the state government.

“It is also working in many states including Niger state where the state is developing its mass city involving aggressive estate development to explore the opportunities of the population influx from Abuja.”

He expressed hope that the in-coming administration would do more in the area of housing to drive the country’s economy.

“We are also aware that most houses have been delivered under the present government.

“But we are adamant that our focus in the 13th AIHS will be more on the area of affordability of these houses that government is building,’’ he said. (NAN)
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Ismail Abdulaziz