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General news

New Year: Abuja records low turnout of workers

New Year: Abuja records low turnout of workers
NAN-H-43
Resumption
By Funmilayo Adeyemi/Monday Ijeh
Abuja, Jan. 2, 2018 (NAN) Low turn-out of workers have been recorded in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after the New New Year holiday.
The Federal Government had declared Monday, Dec. 25, 2017; Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017; and Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, as public holidays for the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations to enable Nigerians enjoy Yuletide.
Workers were expected to resume normal duty after Yuletide holiday.
However, activities at the Federal Secretariat and various Ministries, Departments and Parastatals (MDAs), Abuja, was low as few workers resumed for duty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who went round the MDAs on Tuesday reports that the majority of the workers were yet to resume.
NAN also reports that commercial activities around the secretariat were low as many people who engaged trading were also not present.
Some of the workers who spoke with NAN were optimistic that the country would experience a better turnaround in the New Year.
Mr Tony Ihuoha, a civil servant, said that it was time for Nigerian workers to rededicate their lives to their work to achieve greatness in the year.
According to him, if we can work harder and add our input in terms of our human and mental resources to the job we do, Nigeria will be better for it.
He however said that the low turnout of workers could be because many travelled for the holidays and were yet to return.
At the Phase 3 of the secretariat, housing the Federal Ministry of Education, civil servants were seen treating files and attending to their schedule of work.
Mrs Dorcas Babatunde, also a civil servant, told NAN that the holidays had come and gone, and it was necessary for workers to be at their duty post for a successful outcome of the year.
Babatunde said that though work had resumed, but activities had yet to pick up in the offices.

“The year has started on a good note. Some workers has resumed while others are yet to resume.
“I believe that by Monday, activities would have taken shape at the secretariat. But all I know is that many are yet to return from their journey.
Miss Chinenye Eze, a recharge card seller, said that business was dull as many of her customers had not resumed work.
Eze, who was hopeful that things would get better as soon as many of the workers return, said sales were very low at the resumption of work.
Also Mrs Iyabo Agbaje, a food vendor, said it was a normal thing at the resumption of work to experience low sales.
“I have learnt from previous resumption of work that there will always be a low turnout of workers the first day work resume.
“What I did was to cook little food that I know I can finish selling before the close of work. This is because I have had experiences of having to throw food away because of low patronage,” she added.
NAN also reports that the ever busy car park at the Eagle Square was scanty with few vehicles parked.
A car park attendant, Mr Abdul Ilori, confirmed that the level of resumption of civil servants after the New Year holiday was poor.
Ilori admitted that patronage was also low, blaming the situation on the fact that most civil servants had not resumed.
He expressed optimism that normal activities would begin from Monday (Jan. 8) as it has always been the situation in previous years. (NAN)
FAK/IMC/ESAN/MST
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Entertainment

Abuja fun seekers optimistic of better Nigeria

Abuja fun seekers optimistic of better Nigeria
NAN-H-52
Fun-seekers
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Dec. 26, 2017 (NAN) As the Christmas celebration continued on Tuesday with ‘Boxing Day’, fun seekers at the Maitama Amusement Park in the Federal Capital Territory expressed hope that things would get better for Nigeria in the coming year.

They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while catching their fun in the park.

Mr Kenneth Bala, a resident of FCT, said the current hardship affecting Nigerians could not prevent them from enjoying the season.

Bala said that though its not easy but expressed optimism that things would be fine.

“After the pains, come the cheers. I believe that things will get better in the coming year by God’s grace. Life is not bed of roses. Sometime is good, sometimes is not.

“Right now its not, but I believe that the next phase will be good. Let’s always look at the positive side of life.

“Even when it is not so good, that does not mean we should be in mourning mode. I trust Nigerians, you can see a lot of people here having fun for the boxing day.

“It shall be well with Nigeria and Nigerians very soon. I have positive hope for this country,” Bala said.

Another fun seeker, Mrs Bintu Abubakar who came to the park in company of her five children, said everyone has the right to be happy.

“It is still Christmas celebration, and here we are in Maitama Amusement Park to have fun. As a human being, having fun has nothing to do with religion. We are Muslims but having fun with Christians here.

“That is how it is suppose to be, because we are one Nigeria. Even though times are hard, fuel is scarce, I am very hopeful that things will soon get better.

“Nigerians should learn to pray for the leaders. Being at the top there is not easy; our leaders also encounter temptations and distractions. Let’s pray for them to do good.

“With our prayers for them, they will perform better, because God can touch their hearts to change for the betterment of the masses,” Abubakar said.

Mrs Helen Kigbu, a housewife, also said she was in the park to celebrate Christmas.

“It is interesting to see many people in the park having fun as if there was no fuel scarcity. This is a sign of good things to come.

“I know that for some people, it is not easy, but I believe that 2018 will bring good tidings for Nigerians. I have trust on President Muhammadu Buhari to make Nigerians smile next year.

“Though it is not easy this 2017, but it will be better next year. I am sure that government is also aware that 2017 is not easy and it will try hard to make it up in 2018,” Kigbu said.

Mr Ifeanyi Ebuka, a spare parts dealer at Apo, said the country is going through hard period but added that it would give way for better things.

He expressed satisfaction with the services at the park, stressing that fun seekers have every reason to come and have fun.

“I believe in one Nigeria. We are blessed with many resources and our people are hardworking.

“Our leaders should wake up and do the right thing for the people to have confidence in the journey to the promise land.

`There is no fuel now, but I believe it will be over very soon. I believe the government has what it takes to resolve the problem and make Nigerians happy.

“I hope to see the condition of an average Nigerian improved in the coming year,” Ebuka said.

Meanwhile, the Manager of the Maitama Amusement Park, Malam Abdullahi Shettima, said he expected more crowd than what was recorded.

“Some people are complaining that it takes them time to get fuel before coming to the park. So that has affected the turnout of fun seekers.

“Also the economic challenges; people do not have enough money. There is no enough money in circulation. I think these are the reasons for low turnout.

“Nevertheless, this year is better than the last one because people are coming out now after realising that security challenges has been tackled by the government in the Federal Capital,” he said.

However, Shettima expressed hope that Nigeria would experience positive change in 2018.

“Nigeria will be better next year. The government is trying to put a lot of things in track. Now we have started seeing some level of confidence in terms of security.

“People have started getting use to situation of things, I hope that we will have a better Nigeria in 2018,” Shettima said. (NAN)
CMY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Abuja residents spend Christmas in petrol queues

NAN-H-38
Queue
By Nana Musa
Abuja, Dec. 25, 2017 (NAN) Most Abuja motorists celebrated Christmas on long queues at filling station as the scarcity of petrol continue in the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed long queue in most fuel stations visited on Monday, which included NNPC, Oando and Total filling stations.

Mr Chris Abiti, in an interview with NAN, said he and his family have been at the NNPC Mega Station in Central Area for more than an hour and it’s getting closer to his turn.

Abiti said that something urgent needed to be done to avert the recurrent scarcity during festivities, especially Christmas and New Year seasons.

“It’s not the leadership problem or government at fault. It’s a systemic failure of some private company and individuals causing the problems.

“Something urgent most be done to spare Nigerians from this yearly agony. We should not continue like this,” he said.

Abiti added that NNPC mega station was better than other fuel stations because the queue moving.

In a separate interview, Aminu Ibrahim, said he was not happy about the fuel situation, “festive season should be enjoyed and not spent in the fuel station”.

He called on the Federal Government to passionately look into the fuel problem in 2018.

Similarly, Mr Teso Joseph, told NAN that he has been at Oando filling station at Zone 4 for over five hours and that the queue is not really moving.

He said the station staff sell to some selected people and also in kegs.

NAN reports that fuel scarcity began in Abuja and other parts of the country since early December. (Nan)
NHM/IS
=======
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Health

Fire guts NAFDAC headquarters

Fire guts NAFDAC headquarters
NAN-HG-1
Fire
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Dec. 22, 2017 (NAN) The headquarters of National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Abuja has been gutted by fire on Friday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The Director, Search and Rescue of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Sonny Ohemu, who led a team to inspect the scene, said the cause of the inferno is being investigated.
Ohemu explained that the fire incident started at about 6.20 a.m and the cleaners as well as security guards in NAFDAC called the Federal Fire Service immediately.
“We arrived the place promptly to put out the fire,’’ said the director.
According to the director, the inferno touched only two offices.
“We must commend the management of NAFDAC for training people like cleaners to know what to do in case of fire disaster.
“We have to also appreciate the Federal Government for the recent purchase of equipment for Fire Service which has really helped to curtail the situation,” he said.
NAN however reports that security guards are preventing people from gaining entrance to the complex, while staffers of the agency are seen outside the premises.
The management of NAFDAC is yet to react to the incident just as the mobile phone of the agency’s spokesman, Dr Abubakar Jimoh, was switched off. (NAN)
MS/AOM/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Don’t serve for money, Cleric admonishes medical workers

Don’t serve for money, Cleric admonishes medical workers
NAN-HG-6
Service
By Muhammad Suleiman Tola
Abuja, Oct. 27, 2017 (NAN) Medical and health workers in the country have been admonished to stop serving patients for money.
Malam Abdulkadir Gambo, the Chief Imam of National Hospital Mosque, Abuja, gave the advice in his Juma’at (Friday) sermon as part of activities to mark this year’s Physicians’ Week in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Gambo said medical doctors and all categories of health workers were representatives of God on earth.
Citing several verses form the Qur’an and Hadith (sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad), the cleric enjoined them to abide by the code and ethics of their profession.
He reminded them that the oaths and signatures they signed to serve humanity have the hand of God to save lives.
According to him, a stitch in time saves life, while delays can cause death.
“You are therefore admonished against serving for Naira and kobo. You are also advised to regard your call to duty as a service to God and humanity,’’ Gambo said.
While praying for the unity and prosperity of the country, the cleric also prayed for unity of purpose among the various stakeholders in the health sector.
He specifically urged them to stop inter and intra-professional rivalry for the sake of service to humanity as well as disruptions in service delivery. (NAN)
MST/EEE
Edited by Ese E. Ekama

Health

NARD Strike: Doctors meet to review agreement

NARD Strike: Doctors meet to review agreement
NAN-HG-5
Meeting
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Sept. 13, 2017 (NAN) The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is meeting in Abuja to appraise the implementation of its agreement with the Federal Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEC scheduled to hold the meeting at 8 p.m on Wednesday in the FCT-Abuja to assess government response to the demands made by the association.
A source at the meeting confided in NAN that a position would be adopted at the end of the meeting.
The source appealed to Nigerians to bear the situation as members of the association were pressing government to improve the healthcare delivery system in the country.
NARD embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike to press home a six-point demand.
The association had on Sept. 6 laid out terms of settlement with the federal government after the two parties met to resolve the crisis.
Among other demands, the doctors are protesting the sack of some of their colleagues, non-payment of “skipping’’ entitlement, non-inclusion in the IPPIS platform and non-payment of their salary arrears.
The federal government at the meeting had agreed to terms of settlement with the association, assuring that it will pay the arrears and commence the inclusion of NARD members in the IPPIS platform.
In an earlier interview with NAN, Dr Arikawe Adeolu, a member of the National Executive Council of NARD, said the association was waiting on the federal government to redeem its pledge before the strike could be called off.
Adeolu said that more than half of members of the association were yet to receive their arrears, claiming that government is also yet to meet its other demands in the terms of settlement.
He said that the association would therefore hold a meeting to assess the response of government to its demands.
“We were supposed to hold a meeting on Sept. 8 but it didn’t hold because the essence of the meeting was defeated.
“We thought that government would have paid by then but we got nothing so the meeting has been postponed to September 12; it will be a closed door meeting to carry out an appraisal of events so far,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the meeting which was slated to hold on Sept. 12 was however rescheduled to hold on Sept. 13. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

Abuja residents complain over menace of rising scavenging

NAN-AE-5

By Tosin Kolade

Scavengers

Abuja, Aug. 15, 2017 (NAN) Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have complained about the unwholesome activities of scavengers in the territory and urged the FCT Administration (FCTA) to take steps check the menace.

A cross section of the residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday said the activities of the scavengers constituted health and security risks.

Mr Joshua Adeoye, a public servant, said there was need for definite laws that would help to reduce the indiscriminate activities of the scavengers.

He said the environmental impact of scavenging in the federal capital territory was inimical to the health of people.

“Although these scavengers help in waste disposal, they need to be checked because we have heard that some of them dump the waste into drains and open fields,’’ he said.

Adeoye said the FCTA should create a formal recycling site to enable the scavengers to dispose their waste effectively.

Mrs Eunice Aboki, a nurse, said the health status of scavengers raised a great concern to public health because they were potential pathways for transmission of communicable diseases.

“Waste scavengers are constantly in touch with the wider public during the course of their daily jobs.

“The health status of scavengers could be a public health concern, as they could speed up transmission of communicable diseases,’’ she said.

On her part, Mrs Ijeoma Osita said the practice had enormous security challenges, adding that most of the scavengers stole valuables in the neigbourhoods.

“We want government to put them in check. They should not be allowed to walk freely to search people’s waste bins; it’s dangerous,’’ she said.

She also urged the administration to create jobs for the unemployed youths, adding that the rise in the practice was largely hinged on unemployment.

Mr Alphonsus Chidozie, agreed with Osita and spotlighted the security risk of the practice, adding that scavengers had the propensity to steal from unsuspecting residents.

“They are a big security risk and therefore, the authorities must step up activities to curtail their spread,’’ he said.

However, Mr Joseph Adekunle said it was a fundamental right of a citizen to be free to search for livelihood.

Adekunle urged the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency to organise them into registered organisations that would be traceable and accountable. (NAN)

TAK/OMO/EMO

============

Edited by Martins Odeh/Ejike Obeta
 

 

Economy

Abuja Chamber kicks as Senate proposes N5 fuel levy

Abuja Chamber kicks as Senate proposes N5 fuel levy

NAN-HE-14

Levy

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, June 2, 2017 (NAN) The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says the Senate proposal to effect a N5 levy on imported petrol and diesel will further worsen the plight of the masses.

President ACCI, Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said that the proposal would cause untold hardship to the citizens, if implemented.

Ejinkeoyen quoted a media report that a Senate Committee had recommended fuel levy of N5 chargeable per litre on any volume of petrol and diesel products in Nigeria to fund road projects in the country.

According to the report, other sources of revenue for the Road Fund include: International Vehicle Transit Charges and Road Funds Surcharge of 0.5 per cent tax on the assessed value of any vehicle imported into the country, among others.

According to him, the bill is one of the 11 high priority economic recovery bills recommended to the National Assembly for passage by the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable.

However, he noted that budgetary allocations were not enough to fund road infrastructure in the country while several federal roads across the country were in very bad shape.

He said: “This levy should not be imposed now as Nigerians are already encumbered with lots of burden.

“This levy, if imposed, will worsen the plight of the masses because fuel plays a vital role in the life of an average Nigerian.

“Thus, any increase in the price of fuel which the levy will create, will have adverse implications on all other sectors of national life.

“It will lead to sharp increase in cost of transportation, food and other services that depend on fuel for running.

“And its multiplier effect would have grave implication for the economy and worsen the inflation rate.”

He said that the fuel levy no doubt would be exploitative and burdensome; therefore, government should spare the citizens the suffering that this fuel levy would impose.

He advised the government to look at other ways of saving money for roads infrastructure such as the reduction of corruption as well as cut in the cost of running governance.

He said that the legal principle was that ‘the power to tax involves the power to destroy’.

“So, whether called a charge, levy, dues, toll, tax, or whatever, any attempt at imposition of a financial burden on the people must be backed by law properly made.

“Parliamentary resolution or recommendation would not do. Attempts in the past to impose such levies failed for not being backed by law,” he said. (NAN)

IAA/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Buhari deploys medical experts to Abuja IDPs camp

Buhari deploys medical experts to Abuja IDPs camp

NAN-H-4

IDPs

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Abuja, May 9, 2017 (NAN) The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, had deployed medical experts to Durumi Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp, Abuja, to provide assistance to pregnant women, children and youths.

The gesture was organised by her pet project, “Future Assured” initiative, in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, Cry for Help, in Abuja.

Aisha also provided free drugs to no fewer than 2,000 IDPs for illness ranging from high blood pressure to blood sugar, hypertension and diabetics after test in the camp.

Besides, the wife of the president donated bags of rice, mats, wrappers and souvenaires for the IDPs.

The National Coordinator, “’Future Assured”, Dr Mohammed Kamal, said that the aim of the medical outreach was to improve the living condition of women and children in the IDPs camp.

While presenting the relief materials to the IDPs, Kamal said the gesture was part of Aisha’s passion to assist the less privileged in the society, especially women and children.

“We are here to provide essential medical services to IDPs, especially offer screening in hypertension and diabetics,’’ he said.

The health facilitator at the event, Mrs Maryam Hadi, said the wife of the president is committed to safeguarding the health of women and children, especially the less privileged.

The medical team comprised pharmacists, doctors and nurses.

The beneficiaries thanked the wife of the president for the gesture.

The IDPs spokesman, Mr Idriss Ibrahim-Halilu, expressed gratitude to Aisha for the kind gesture and urged other philanthropists to emulate her.

Ibrahim-Halilu also, called on wealthy individuals to assist them with farming tools to enable them continue with their farming activities.

Another IDP, Mr Mamman Ali, also appealed to relevant agencies to provide them with teachers as the number of pupils in the camp was more than the teachers. (NAN)

AMU/OFN/MST

Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Abuja Airport rehabilitation: Critical segment 100% completed – FAAN boss

Abuja Airport rehabilitation: Critical segment 100% completed – FAAN boss

NAN-H-29
Runway
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, April 16, 2017 (NAN) The Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh Dunoma, says that all the critical items of work on Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airoprt, Abuja, runway are 100 per cent completed.

Dunoma told newsmen in Abuja on Sunday that the remaining items to be completed were the marking, airfield lighting and surface cleaning.

He added that the marking of the runway had reached 70 per cent, the airfield lighting system had attained 80 per cent while the surface cleaning had commenced.

Dunoma also stated that the runway would be ready by April 17 for certification by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) before reopening on April 19.

According to him, there is additional work which has to do with the Airport Excellence in Safety (APEX) related items which FAAN is using the closure opportunity to achieve.

“Asphalt work is 100 per cent, markings have reached almost 70 per cent, the airfield lighting system has reached 80 per cent.

“All the critical items of work are 100 per cent except may be two items, which of course is the markings and the cleaning.
“Other critical item which is not works but the inspection by NCAA who will certify that the repairs that had been carried out is satisfactory and give us go ahead to bring in traffic.

“We are now leveling all the airfield lightings’ locations, all the installations and flash with the ground surface.

“In case of any skidding, there will not be concrete projection above the ground surface,” he said.

On the calibration of Navigational Aids, Dunoma said the work was only carried out on the runway, adding that NAVAIDS were not tampered with.

He explained that the airfield lightings that were tampered with were being restored; adding that the runway would be checked to ensure that there was 100 per cent illumination.

According to him, calibration is periodical and when the time for the calibration comes, the appropriate authority will calibrate the Instrument Landing System (ILS).

On the terminal building, FAAN boss said the authority would improve on all the services there by carrying out total repair of all the items that were bad.

“Most of the items there have been completed and we are just trying to clean up,’’ he said.

Dunoma assured that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja runway would be ready by April 17, two days before the reopening date of the runway for air traffic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government had on March 8 shut Abuja Airport for its runway repairs and subsequently diverted its flights to Kaduna International Airport.
According to the official records, Kaduna airport has recorded over 3,533 flights and 170,150 passengers since the beginning of the operation.

Traffic is expected to return to Abuja from April 19 as many airlines are already putting plans in place to return their operation to the airport. (NAN)
OYS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola