Category Metro

Artist lauds poets’ doggedness in correcting societal ills

Poets
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, March 19, 2019 (NAN) Kolade Freedom, the Executive Secretary, Eriata Oribhabor, on Tuesday commended poets for their doggedness and skills in correcting societal ills.

The executive secretary in a statement insisted that poetry reading, writing and performance must be taken seriously.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Freedom’s commendation was in recognition of the World Poetry Day celebration.

“This genre of literature lies in creativity’s heart and soul. Reading a poem a day was likened to sipping lifesaving doses,” Freedom said.

He announced that Poets in Nigeria (PIN) Initiative in conjunction with Management of National Arts Theatre Iganmu, Lagos, will be celebrating the maiden edition of PIN.

The executive secretary said that the celebration of World Poetry Day is hinged on UNESCO’s proclamation at its Paris, 1999 session.

“As poets and lovers of poetry and the art, Poets in Nigeria joins the world in commemorating this special day towards highlighting poetry and its numerous advantages to humanity,” Freedom said.

He said that the event was scheduled for Queen Amina Park and National Arts Theatre Iganmu, Lagos State. (NAN)
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Felix Ajide

I have done my best for the transport sector, Amaechi declares

Transport

By Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni

Abuja, March 19, 2019 (NAN) The Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, says he has done his best for the transport sector which has recorded a lot of success since he became minister in 2015.

Amaechi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, in Abuja.

He listed the achievements of the ministry to include; the improved rail sub-sector, safer Nigeria waterways; as well as the improvement of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the area of regulation.

“I have done my best; there is nothing else I can do, I could not have done better than what I have done, they have been changes in the transport system.

“Now you can go to Kaduna from Abuja regularly and safely by rail; we are almost concluding the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge; and we are also renegotiating with a South African firm under a public private partnership to rehabilitate the narrow gauge lines.

“There is a lot of improvement in the waters. We contracted 495 million dollars to the Israelis to secure our waters for two years.

“That way, the cost of transporting goods into Nigeria will reduce and the delay time of cargoes at the seaport has started reducing.

“We are partnering with the Ministry of Works to work on the Lagos road that leads to the seaport; and that will tackle the traffic gridlock experienced on the axis.

“So far, we are satisfied that we have made our contributions,’’ the minister said.

Speaking on a likely cabinet change, Amaechi said the passion to work had been built into the system and that anyone could perform optimally in any sector.

He, however, said that before May, when the cabinet might be reshuffled, the ministry would push for the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail; and also get approval for the Ibadan-Kano Rail.

“We need to get the government to approve the Ibadan-Kano and see how far the China Exim bank can fight and give us a loan; we also need to establish the University of Transportation in Daura.

“The Ibadan-Kano is currently one track because the China Exim Bank said it does not have money for double track.

“We are funding 15 per cent and they are funding 85 per cent.’’ (NAN)

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Edited by Nyisom Dore

Activities
By Emmanuella Anokam
Abuja, March 19, 2019 (NAN) In view of the incessant building collapse in the country, an expert has cautioned Nigerians to avoid human activities that have adverse effect on environment and structures.

Mr Luka Achi, former National President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), gave the advice on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that a three-storey building located in Ita-Faji area of Lagos Island had on March 13 collapsed, killing many of its occupants being primary school children, while many were injured.

On March 15, another two-storey building collapsed along Bode area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The town planner said that some activities such as indiscriminate mining, drilling of bore holes and excavation, among others could have adverse effects on the subsoil and cause building collapse.

“There are times we take for granted the effect of environmental pollution substances and acidic materials like batteries, metals, even waste products and bury them carelessly.

“When we bury these acidic and waste products around a structure, they have adverse effects on the buildings. There are some trees when being planted around buildings, they tend to cause problem or blockage of the drain.

“There are some structures, no matter how strong they are but because the soil is porous, once trees are planted very close, their roots tend to find way through a crack into the building to cause serious damage,’’ Achi said.

He warned that for building collapse to be curbed, Nigerians must stop engaging in indiscriminate activities around buildings and environment and increase sensitisation on such.

According to him, allowing water to accumulate for a long time in a place without being drained and indiscriminate drilling of bore hole without proper supervision should be stopped.

“People who want to drill borehole are advised to consult the water board or appropriate authority before drilling to avoid problem,’’ he said.

He also called on housing developers to abstain from substandard materials, engage professionals and rely on integrity test to enhance building lifespan.

Achi, a former Director, FCT Parks and Recreation, explained that a building has a life span just like a living thing and should be checked or examined at intervals to avoid waste of resources.

“Developers should do the right thing in housing construction to enhance safety and should not wait to check the validity of a structure. Rather, they should meet the right authority to do so.

“Regulators should have a programme of cross checking validity of buildings at intervals for integrity test and always issue a certificate to proof. They should ensure that the right thing is done.

“If you do an integrity test and it fails, you should not blame the developer, rather you should oblige to advice if you are interested in sanctity of life, safety of life and property,’’ he advised.

He said that integrity test was necessary and could be used to ascertain the validity of building constructed several years ago with a questionable technology.

“That is why an integrity test should be done every now and then depending on the structure so that once there is stress in the building, it will be brought down to avoid collapse but usually we hardly do it,’’ Achi said.

According to him, the Development Control Unit in every state including the FCT has the right to ensure that integrity test is carried out on buildings and issuance of certificate approval of existence.

He further said that the weight that a structure could carry should also be taken into consideration during construction to avoid collapse.

“In some constructions, the weight could be much that they added to the problem of the building and sometime the way the design had been implemented might not follow the guidelines of the construction.

“A structural engineer has a lot to do in this aspect by guiding in the building production,’’ he said.

Achi advised that the carrying capacity of any structure should be put into consideration to maintain its lifespan and avert danger. (NAN)
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Edited by Angela Okisor/Adeleye Ajayi

Business
By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Abuja, March 15, 2019 (NAN) The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has inaugurated the REPORTGOV.NG App, an official public service feedback and complaints platform to support business climate reforms implemented by the council since 2016.

A statement by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant, Industry, Trade and Investment to the President, Office of the Vice President on Friday on Abuja, said the platform was also a website.

She said the platform would facilitate the escalation and resolution of issues encountered with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) towards ensuring a more business-friendly environment.

Oduwole said that the app was co-launched by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okey Enelamah; Chairman, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Mr Adedotun Sulaiman and herself at the Regulatory Conversations (RC3.0) event.

The presidential aide said the theme of the event was “Improving Transparency and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

Oduwole said that the event was hosted by The Convention on Business Integrity/The Integrity Organisation in collaboration with ActionAid, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and BusinessDay Newspapers.

She said it was in partnership with the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) of the Council.

She said that the programme featured a panel of discussants and stakeholders from the public, private sector and civil society, with a focus on issues bordering on transparency and efficiency of service delivery in Nigeria.

“PEBEC was established in July 2016 to remove delays and restrictions that come with doing business in Nigeria, and make the country an easier place to start and grow a business.

“Supported by Executive Order 001 (EO1) signed in 2017 to promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment, PEBEC has undertaken to drive EO1’s six directives, which aim to address specific limitations identified in the civil and public service systems.

“So far, a high level of success across several areas has been recorded, and MDAs have made significant improvements.

“Many have taken up the challenge to deliver more transparent and efficient services to their customers in alignment with EO1, with a number of notable milestones achieved.

“EO1 has been acknowledged as one of the Federal Government’s most innovative strategic initiatives to deliver quick, pragmatic changes in the doing business environment.”

She said EO1 sought to drive domestic and foreign investment that created employment and stimulates the economy, by aspiring to overcome the lack of trust in public systems.

Oduwole said that when fully implemented, EO1 would transform the way the Federal Government and its MDAs serve the business community and the public at large, as it was a blueprint for fundamental government reform in Nigeria.

According to her, the REPORTGOV.NG mobile app is available on the Google Play store, and is coming soon to the iOS store to enable users give feedback or complaint that will drive continuous improvement in service delivery and public protection efforts.

She said that Nigeria was currently placed at 146 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business index according to the latest World Bank annual rankings.

Oduwole said, however, as implementation of EO1 progressed and reforms were institutionalised, the aspiration was to place Nigeria in the top 100 and top 50 on the Index by year 2020 and 2025 respectively.

“More information on reforms delivered is available at www.businessmadeeasy.ng,” she said. (NAN)
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Research
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, March 15, 2019 (NAN) Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has called for a study and research on determinants of external migration.

Mustapha made the call on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Executive Intelligence Management Course 12 participants of the Institute for Security Studies.

The SGF, represented by Mrs Amina Shamaki, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, said that this would address and put the challenges of migration in proper perspective.

He urged the participants to embark on specific study on livestock systems including pastoralism and ranching to address the frequent clashes between herders and farmers.

Mustapha said that the Federal Government has a strong desire to reduce the spate of insecurity and economic challenges occasioned by the international migration.

According to him, innovative local initiatives are being developed in many parts of West Africa in order to facilitate and protect livestock mobility in a sustainable manner.

Mustapha said that government had increased stakeholders consultation towards the development of the identified 450 grazing reserves being provided with facilities and security across the country.

He said that large sum of money was recently provided by the Federal Government to rehabilitate the victims of the clashes in some parts of the country.

“It will be appreciated if you devote your time during the course to come up with research findings to assist government to address security and economic challenges in the country.

“The choice of course 12 theme, ‘Trans-humance and International Migration: Challenges of Good Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa’, bears a huge relevance to good governance.

“It goes without saying that good governance is key to sustainable development, peace and security of any nation. Accordingly, policies and programmes of government should be inclusive, participatory, transparent and accountable,” he said.

Mr Ayodele Adeleke, the leader of the delegation said that the institute had been running executive course on intelligence management since 2007.

He said that members of the delegation were highly placed officers drawn from the military, paramilitary, ministries, departments and agencies.

According to him, the visit is for the participants to interact with the SGF on the theme of their course. (NAN)
IMC/KTO/IS
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ismail Abdulaziz