Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Nigerian banks still facing challenges, says Fitch Sanusi

Jordanian outpunches Nigerian Subsidy scam:

Two more oil marketers arraigned

P.4

P.27

Vol. 1 2 N0. 115 415

P.5

Ogunbambo...docked

Tuesday, July June31, 7, 2012 2011

As Jonathan leaves for the Caribbean:

N150 N150 AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST,

AZA MSUE AND INUSA NDAHI

Gunmen attack VP G Sambo’s residence Suicide bombers hit Sokoto police hqtrs

unmen and suicide bombers yesterday struck almost simultaneously in Sokoto, Kaduna and Yobe states with at least five deaths reported as violence continued to rock the North in the holy month of Ramadan The residence of VicePresident Namadi Sambo in Zaria, the police headquarters and a police station in Sokoto as well as CONTINUED ON PAGE 2>>

Destroyed office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at Marina, Sokoto.

Tukur: ACN, impotent, clueless opposition –PDP

Calls for Lagos Speaker’s resignation P.2

A victim of the attack.

1,277 NYSC members relocate from Kano FG evacuates Nigerians from Syria P.6

Dana crash: Lack of equipment stalls inquest

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News

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tukur: ACN, impotent, clueless opposition –PDP OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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he Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday described the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, as an impotent opposition and a clueless group.

This was in response to ACN’s call for the resignation of PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, over the ongoing trial of one of his sons, Mahmud, in the pe-

troleum subsidy scam.

The party also challenged the ACN to demand the resignation of the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, over his trial for N500m fraud.

The ACN had on Sunday in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, called for Tukur’s resignation, saying his continued stay in office would place a burden on him and affect the on-

going prosecution of his son.

But the PDP said the call by ACN for Tukur to resign was not only an assault on his fundamental rights but also “a wild misadventure by a clueless group that is ignorant on the workings of due process.”

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said as the party holding the mandate and trust of the peo-

ple of Nigeria, “we shall continue to show example on all matters of morality and good governance.

“We shall, however, not allow the integrity of our leaders to be wantonly violated; neither shall we succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition.

“While we are not surprised at the propensity of the ACN to make political capital out of every passing event in Nigeria,

Remnant of the car used by the suicide bomber at the AIG’s office in Sokoto State, yesterday.

we find this posturing hypocritical, laughable and a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands very tall in his contributions to the development of our country.”

The party explained that it reacted to the statement by ACN just to set the records straight.

According to Metuh, “Our initial disposition is to ignore comments like this. However, in order to set the records straight, especially in the minds of those who may be swayed by the ACN’s warped logic, we wish to state categorically that the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, is not on trial, neither has he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials.

“We have stated severally that the son of the chairman currently facing trial is an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. We shall, therefore, not allow the name and dignity of our revered national chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about.”

Metuh said the ACN in

its call for the resignation of Tukur has failed to rise above pettiness.

He said: “It is interesting that the ACN, which has been on record as casting doubts over the Federal Government’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in fuel subsidy matters, is suddenly enmeshed in a juvenile frenzy, dishing out judgements even before trials are concluded.

“What is expected from a responsible opposition, like it is done all over the world, is to give credit where it is due, and criticise where necessary.

“The decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to bring to trial those who have allegations standing against them is a clear signal that the government has nothing to hide, and there are no sacred cows.

“We thought that the ACN will for once rise above petty partisan considerations and acknowledge this fact. Unfortunately, they have once more missed another opportunity to earn the status of a decent organisation.”

visional Police Station was said to have been attacked by another suicide bomber barely two minutes after the first bomber struck at the police headquarters.

It was gathered that the suspected suicide bomber could not gain entrance into the station due to the heavy barricades mounted there.

Confirming the attack, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kudu Nma, said the attacker could not gain access into the police station.

He said only the attacker died after the bomb-laden car exploded at a nearby Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, shop.

The spokesman of the Sokoto Police Command, DSP Sani Salisu, confirmed the death of the fourth person, a woman who ran a hair dressing saloon at the POWA shop near Unguwar Rogo police station.

National Mirror learnt that about 12 victims of the blasts are on admission at the State Specialist Hospi-

tal, along Sultan Abubakar Road.

A medical doctor in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department, Dr. Efe Rihiano, confirmed that 12 victims of the blast were brought to the hospital, out of which two were later referred to the Usmanu Dan Fodio Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, due to severe cuts on their heads.

Efe described the condition of the remaining 10 victims, including two police officers and other passersby, as “stable as they are now responding to treatment.”

Among the victims were two policemen whose names were given as Waji Sarubutu, a constable attached with the MOPOL Squadron 7, and Bashir Ibrahim, an inspector.

In a related development, gunmen yesterday ambushed Joint Task Force, JTF, patrol team in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, killing one of its personnel and fled without

Gunmen attack VP Sambo’s residence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

military personnel were the worst hit.

In Kaduna, the gunmen engaged security operatives in a gun battle at the residence of Vice-President Sambo in Zaria, killing a passerby and injuring two mobile policemen.

National Mirror gathered that the incident happened about 11:30a.m.

The gunmen, numbering three on a motorcycle, were said to have opened fire on getting to the frontage of the residence, killing the passerby indentified to be a cobbler and injured two mobile policemen guarding the building.

The house, located on Baba Ahmed Road in Tudun-Wada area of Zaria, was razed during the postelection violence last year and was still undergoing reconstruction at the time of the attack.

An eyewitness, who did not want his name mentioned, said the cobbler was shinning the shoes of one of the policemen attached

to the residence when the incident occurred.

“The gunmen stormed the house and opened fired on the policemen guarding the house. The cobbler was actually shinning the shoes belonging to one of the policemen attached to the house. They shot at the policemen.

“They actually got the two of them, one on the leg and the other one on the hand. I don’t think the cobbler was their target,” the eyewitness said.

Unconfirmed reports, however, said that one of the policemen attacked by the gunmen died on reaching the hospital, although the police authorities denied this.

The police said the two policemen were rushed to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH, Shika, for medical treatment.

Acting Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Kaduna State Command, Mr. Balteh Abdulrazaq, confirmed the incident on the

telephone.

He said: “Yes, there was an attack. But the house was under construction.

The policemen were guarding the house. A cobbler was killed by a stray bullet as a result of the exchange of fire between the three gunmen and the policemen.

The cobbler died while one of the policemen was shot in the leg.”

A team of security operatives comprising the police, State Security Service, SSS, and combat-ready soldiers, are said to have taken over the entire vicinity where the house is located and hindered both human and vehicular movement.

In Sokoto, four persons, a police corporal, two suspected suicide bombers and a hair dressing saloon operator died yesterday following two coordinated suicide bomb attacks on the Zone 10 Police Headquarters and Unguwar Rogo Divisional Police Station.

National Mirror learnt that a male suicide bomber hit the zonal police head-

quarters, located at the Marina area of the city, with an explosive-laden Honda Accord saloon car about 11.43a.m., killing himself, a corporal and a woman, while scores of others were injured.

The Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police, AIG Zone 10, Muhtari Ibrahim, confirmed the incident and the death of the corporal and the suspected suicide bomber.

He said five offices and other parts of the one-storey building, the gate, the nearby Marina police station and some neighbouring houses were shattered.

Ibrahim said that the suicide bomber drove a Honda Accord car and forced his way into the premises after he was denied entry.

The AIG said that only the suicide bomber was in the vehicle, adding that investigations were ongoing on the development.

Eight policemen and a civilian were reportedly injured in the attack.

The Unguwar Rogo Di-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5>>

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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Photo News

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatimah Bamidele; Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and Special Adviser to the President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, during the briefing after a presentation on the 2012 budget implementation to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye; Governor Babatunde Fashola and Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, during the signing the Land Use Act Regulation Bill into law for the state in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Special Guest, Mrs. Yoyinsola Makanjuola; former Lagos State Deputy Governor and founder, GFR Educational Services Limited, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan and Guest Speaker from Republic of Ireland, Mrs. Rosalyn Brady, at the opening of free Training Workshop for Lagos Teachers in Lagos, yesterday.

L-R: Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Egbeda, Rotn. Sylvester Bakare; President, Rotn. Mike Okonkwo and Charter President, Rotn. Abdullahi Lawal, during the installation of Okonkwo as the 10th President in Lagos, at the weekend. PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

National News

Nigerian banks facing challenges despite AMCON support, says Fitch AYO OLESIN, OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO AND ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

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nited Kingdombased ratings agency, Fitch has said that Nigerian banks may be inadequately capitalised when benchmarked against environmental risks in spite of recent reforms that has seen huge non-performing loans removed from the banks’ books.

Fitch, in a newly-published special report titled: “Nigerian Banking Sector: Rapid Credit Growth Returns”, said that the recent rapid credit growth in the country’s banking sector may give rise to weakened asset quality and higher impairment charges if left unchecked.

“There was a marked improvement in banks’ asset quality during 2011 following the sale of problem loans to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria,” Denzil De Bie, a director in Fitch’s Financial Institutions team, said in an abstract posted on its website.

“However, rapid underlying credit growth of 30 per cent to 66 per cent was evi-

•IGI, City Trust Pension fail N1bn recapitalisation test dent in most of the Fitchrated banks in 2011 which the agency considers will be a negative credit driver if it continues,” he added.

The special report highlights some of the key rating drivers for Nigerian banks in the context of their mostly ‘b’ range Viability Ratings.

“Fitch considers that many Nigerian banks have thin levels of Fitch Core Capital, which are lower than is appropriate for Nigeria’s difficult operating environment. Sustainable Fitch Core Capital ratios will be a key rating driver for any future positive action on the banks’ Viability Ratings,” De Bie added.

In addition, the agency considers that improved efficiency will be a key differentiator for the more successful banks and will support earnings growth and ultimately contribute to better internal capital generation.

However, analysts said yesterday that the fears raised in the report appeared to be exaggerated.

Chief Executive, Financial Derivatives Company,

Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said: “I think there is some merit to the argument and I cannot say the fears are unfounded but they are exaggerated.

Nigerian banks have enough core capital and the Capital Adequacy Ratio is between 10 per cent and 15 per cent so if there are shocks, they can absorb it.”

Rewane said that banks could have asset of deteriorating quality but since AMCON has become a permanent feature in the financial market, they do not need to wait for a huge portion of their loan portfolio to go bad before seeking fresh capital.

He said: “There is no need for bad loans to crystallise into a time bomb. AMCON has come to stay. If bank has N100bn loans and N10bn goes bad, it can sell to AMCON and free up capital, so there is no cause for alarm.”

Some of the Fitch rated banks include: First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank and Union Bank.

Zenith and GTB have the highest stand-alone Viability Rating, VR, among the banks at ‘b+’. The VRs

on both banks reflect their strong domestic franchises, superior asset quality relative to peers and acceptable levels of capital.

First Bank’s VR was upgraded just a fortnight ago from ‘b’ to ‘b-‘following the sale of significant loans to AMCON, which has resulted in material improvement in the bank’s asset quality and reduced the concentrated problem loans that were constraining the VR at ‘b-’. The VR also reflects First Bank’s dominant domestic franchise and acceptable levels of Fitch Core Capital.

Union Bank VR was also upgraded from ‘ccc’ to ‘c’ in acknowledgement of the restoration of the bank to solvency through the injection of capital from AMCON and a private equity consortium.

Meanwhile, the National Pension Commission, PenCom, said yesterday that Industrial and General Pension Fund Managers Limited and Citi Trust Pension Managers Limited have failed to meet the new N1bn minimum capital requirement for licensed Pension

Fund Administrators, PFAs. Consequently, the commission has issued 28 days notice of its intention to revoke the operating licences of the two PFAs. In a statement detailing the status report of compliance by each of the PFAs as at June 30, 2012 and signed by the Head, Communications Unit, Mr. Emeka Onuora, Nigerians were assured of the safety of their pension fund assets in the event of the revocation of the licences of the PFAs. The statement, however, disclosed that First Guarantee Pension Limited has been under regulatory intervention.

It reads: “PFAs that met the minimum capital requirement before the June 30 deadline are ARM Pension Managers PFA Limited, Leadway Pensure PFA Limited, Premium Pension Limited, Sigma Pensions Limited (Sigma), Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited and Trustfund Pensions Plc. “Others such as Aiico Pension Managers Limited, APT Pension Fund Managers Limited, Crusader Sterling Pensions Limited,

Fidelity Pension Managers Limited, Future Unity Glanvills Pensions Limited, IEI-Anchor Pension Managers Limited, NLPC Pension Fund Administrators Limited, Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Oak Pensions Limited (Oak), Pensions Alliance Limited, Penman Pensions Limited and Royal Trust Pension Fund Administrator Limited met the minimum capital requirement after the deadline.”

The statement further reads, “The Commission has issued 28 days notice of its intention to revoke the operating licences of the two (2) PFAs in category D pursuant to the provisions of Section 54 of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004.

“The Commission would like to assure the public, particularly the contributors of the two affected PFAs of the safety of their pension fund assets even in the event of the revocation of the licences of the PFAs. This is due to the fact that the pension fund assets are securely in the custody of Pension Fund Custodians licensed and strictly supervised by the Commission in accordance with the PRA 2004.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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Subsidy scam: Two oil marketers, firm arraigned FRANCIS FAMOROTI

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wo more oil marketers, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Habila Theck and their

company, Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, were yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja High Court for fraudulent practices in the importation of fuel worth about N976m.

The defendants, who were charged before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were alleged to have conspired and defrauded

the Federal Government of the amount through false pretences.

One Olugbenga Adesanya, who was supposed to have been charged along with them, is, however, still

L-R: Minister of Information, Mr. Labran Maku; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Bello Adoke; Mr. Atedo Peterside and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at the National Council on Privatisation meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Gunmen attack VP Sambo’s residence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

being arrested.

This happened as President Goodluck Jonathan departs today for the Caribbean to attend the Emancipation Day in Trinidad and Tobago and the Independence anniversary of Jamaica.

The incident, National Mirror learnt, took place about 7:30a.m., barely two days after some gunmen attacked another JTF patrol vehicle, killing a mobile policeman and injuring two soldiers.

Police in Damaturu have confirmed yesterday’s killing and that of the MOPOL on Saturday night by some gunmen alleged to be members of Boko Haram.

The acting Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Mr. Toyin Gbademosin, said: “Some gunmen laid an ambush on some of my men who were on their way for duty within Damaturu on Monday morning where they succeeded in killing one of my personnel.”

He said it was unfortunate that there was no arrest made because the police found it difficult to repel the attack as it would have caused more harm than good on innocent civilians around the scene of the attack.

He, therefore, called on the public to give maxi-

mum cooperation to the security agencies in their quest to fight terrorism in the state.

On last Saturday’s attacks in Nasarawa ward of the metropolis, he said that apart from the killing of one mobile policeman, two soldiers were wounded with gunshots and are currently receiving treatment at the Gen. Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.

Also speaking on the attack, the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Patrick Egbuniwe, said, “Yes, some gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Harem sect ambushed a patrol vehicle about 9.45p.m. on Saturday night killing one mobile policeman. Two soldiers were seriously wounded and are receiving treatment at the hospital in Damaturu.”

Also yesterday, gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect attacked the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, staff bus, in Damaturu, killing a 60year old widow and injuring a ten-year old child on Gashua road.

Egbuniwe also confirmed the incident, saying the terrorists ambushed the bus, while conveying workers to the office and the widow was shot dead.

“Our bus conveying workers to the office was

this morning attacked by these Boko Haram boys on Gwange ward of Damaturu and on Gashua road.

The attackers just opened fire on the bus. It is unfortunate that the bullets hit the old woman who worked as a cleaner with us. She was sitting at the back of the bus with one other small boy.

“The two victims were immediately rushed to the hospital, but the old woman was certified dead while the little boy was treated and discharged,” he said.

In Kano, authorities of the State Police Command have disclosed that after the bloody confrontation on Sunday with suspected Boko Haram militants, which left four of the sect members dead, assorted dangerous weapons abandoned by the gunmen have been recovered by bomb experts drafted to the scene.

A statement issued yesterday by the command’s public relations department said that 10 live explosive devices abandoned after the attack at the Rigiya Zaki area of the university town of Kabuga, have been recovered while the area was thoroughly mopped up by the bomb disposal unit of the police command.

The state Commission-

er of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had earlier confirmed the Sunday night gun battle at the Rigiya Zaki Jamblock Estate, saying the gunmen targeted a prominent mosque in the area but were repelled by the JTF on duty in the area and policemen on patrol.

The command’s statement said items recovered at the scene of the incident were three motorcycles, one AK47 rifle, an assault rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition.

“Officers of the command’s anti-bomb squad combed the entire area and also recovered 10 undetonated explosives,” Police said in the statement made available to journalists.

The statement reads in parts: “The Kano State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that on July 29, 2012 at about 20:30hrs, gunmen on three motorcycles attacked a patrol team stationed at Gate II at the Jamblock Estate in Rigiya Zaki.

“The police patrol team responded appropriately following which a gun battle ensued.

Three of the attackers were gunned down by the police while the other two died from explosives they were carrying, one of them was burnt beyond recognition.”

at large.

This brings to seven the number of oil marketers and three, the oil firms so far charged out of the 17 oil marketers and seven oil companies indicted in the fuel subsidy scam being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency.

The defendants were arraigned on a six-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and use of false documents.

The agency had earlier preferred a seven- count charge against them but a prosecuting counsel, Mr. Francis Usani, asked the court to strike out one of the charges and the request was granted.

Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the defendants and Fargo Oil and Gas Limited “on or about February 10, 2012, with intent to defraud, conspired to fraudulently obtain N976,653,110.28 from the Federal Government by falsely representing the said sum as subsidy accruing on importation of 13,627,084 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, purportedly purchased from Sealac Petroleum Limited and imported into Nigeria through MT Diplomat Ex MT Milleura which representation they knew to be false.’’

Besides, the agency said the defendants and Fargo Oil and Gas Limited “on October 14, 2011 at Lagos and within Ikeja judicial division, with intent to defraud and in order to facilitate your obtaining money

by false pretence from the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the Petroleum Support Fund, forged a document titled “Certificate of Origin, Port of Loading Antwerp Belgium” dated October 14, 2011, purporting the document to have been issued by Seatac Petroleum Limited”.

The EFCC said that the offences were contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (1)(2)(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

It added that the offences were contrary to Sections 363 and 364 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria No 11, Laws of Lagos State 2011.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr. Babajide Koku (SAN), told the court that there were two pending bail applications filed on behalf of the defendants and he urged the court to strike out the motion for bail dated July 25, 2012.

In its place, he prayed the court to retain the bail application filed on Monday as substitution with the new application.

EFCC’s lead counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, also sought for time to react to some fundamental issues raised in the new bail application.

Justice Onigbanjo granted the request and adjourned further proceedings till tomorrow.

Tukur: ACN, impotent, clueless opposition –PDP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

The PDP called on the ACN to do an internal cleansing of its party and members before dabbling into others’ affairs.

“Contrary to insinuations by the opposition, it is on record that the PDP is the only party in Nigeria that does not unduly interfere in judicial processes involving its members. The same cannot be said of the ACN. “ For instance, when the educational qualifications of Senator Bola Tinubu, the ACN’s National Leader, were questioned, the entire party machinery, operating

under its earlier metamorphosis as Alliance for Democracy, AD, rose up and vilified anyone that called for a mere investigation. Every effort was deployed to frustrate the investigation.

“The ACN has also turned the other way in the case of a N500m fraud allegation against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. There has been no call for the Speaker to resign. Till date, there is no record of any ACN official or chieftain standing trial in any ACN controlled state despite the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states.”

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National News

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

1,277 NYSC members relocate from Kano -Coordinator

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bout 1,277 of the 2,150 corps members posted to Kano State for the 2012 ‘Batch B service year have so far sought redeployment to other states.

The state Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Alhaji Bashir Yakasai, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kano yester-

•FG evacuates 50 Nigerians from Syria

day.

He said that of those who sought redeployment, 1,108 were posted to other states on health grounds and for security reasons, while the remaining 169 were redeployed on marital ground.

He, however, said that

the state NYSC had also received more than 50 corps members redeployed from other states to Kano.

On the issue of rejection, the coordinator said that the number so far rejected by employers was negligible considering the number of corps members, who relocated to oth-

er states.

“With the population of Kano, the remaining 873 corps members are grossly inadequate to cater for the state,” he said.

The coordinator, however, assured the corps members serving in the state of adequate security during their one year stay in the

state.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, said yesterday that about 50 Nigerians had so far been evacuated from Syria following the ongoing crisis in that country.

Ashiru told NAN in Abuja that the evacuees complied with government’s directive to leave

Jonathan off to Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, leave Abuja today to attend Trinidad and Tobago Emancipation Day and Jamaica’s Independence anniversary celebration.

Jonathan is expected to review the Kambule Street Procession, the major event marking the Trinidad and Tobago Emancipation Day tomorrow with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, the President, during the four-day visit, would present a Goodwill Message to the Procession, pay a courtesy call on Prof.

George Maxwell Richards, President of Trinidad and Tobago and his wife, Dr. Jean Ramjohn Richards.

The statement added Jonathan and his wife would attend the Emancipation Day Cultural Programme at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village, and be hosted to a state banquet by the President of Trinidad and Tobago.

The President’s visit to Jamaica would commence on Thursday with a Special Commemorative Session of Parliament in his honour, after which he would be hosted by the Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson-Miller.

Jonathan’s activities in Jamaica would include participation in a Mello Go Round at the National Stadium, a bilateral meeting in the Prime Minister’s office, a meeting with the Nigerian community and a luncheon hosted by the Governor-General of Jamaica, Patrick Allen.

He is expected back in Abuja on Saturday.

Oluwaseun Ogunbambo (left) and Habila Theck after their arraignment by EFCC for fuel subsidy scam at the Lagos High Court in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: YINKA ADEPARUSI

Dana crash: Lack of equipment stalls inquest WALE IGBINTADE

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he inability of the Lagos Coroner’s Court to watch clips of the Dana plane crash scenes stalled further inquest into the matter yesterday.

Three television stations had appeared before the court with the tapes, but failed to come with necessary equipment to play the tapes.

The Lagos Coroner had summoned Television Continental, TVC, Channels Television and the Africa

Independent Television, AIT, to appear before it with clips of the crash scenes in their custody.

Consequently, the Coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, re-scheduled the appearances of the television stations and adjourned the matter till August 1, to enable them show clips of the crash scenes.

Earlier, a counsel from the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Akinjide Bakare, told the court that it was better to watch the video in court.

“Let’s watch it here and jot down our questions and ask the concerned parties involved relevant ques-

tions,” he said.

But counsel to Dana Airline, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, suggested that more copies of the video tapes be made and circulated to counsel.

Ayorinde also urged the court to thoroughly go through the process and avoid any form of rush.

While adjourning, Komolafe directed the television stations to make copies of the video tapes and circulate them to counsel.

The coroner also directed the television stations to come to court with their equipment at the next adjourned date.

The magistrate further said the video tapes could not be accepted as exhibits until they were shown in court for parties to see.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, Julius Berger and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, are to appear before the coroner today.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, is to appear on Thursday, while the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is expected to appear on Monday.

icant delay in implementing the ministry’s capital budget to the sundry constituency projects inserted into the budget by the National Assembly.

This is coming on the heels of the threat by the House of Representatives to impeach the President if he did not ensure full implementation of the 2012 budget by September.

Also yesterday, the Minister of Housing, Ms. Amma Pepple, said her ministry would generate N4.9bn this year through services being rendered.

She said that N6.7bn had so far been released for capital projects, which represented about 16 per cent.

Speaking on the constituency projects of the lawmakers, Chukwu explained that new National Assembly members used to initiate fresh constituency projects to replace those started by their predecessors, which were under construction or yet to be completed.

According to him, these projects usually fall under the ministry’s primary

healthcare programmes.

He said that when new ones were started, there was hardly any fund to complete ongoing projects.

The minister, however, disclosed that Jonathan had indicated a preference for completion of old projects, instead of initiating new ones.

Chukwu also bemoaned the reduction of the budget of the ministry by the National Assembly which made it difficult to discharge some of its responsibilities.

2012 budget: Health ministry records 36% utilisation ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA

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he Federal Ministry of Health said it had recorded 36 per cent performance in the utilisation of N287bn appropriated to it in the 2012 budget.

The Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, made the assertion yesterday while speaking with State House Correspondents after his ministry’s budget performance presentation to President Goodluck Jonathan.

He also attributed signif-

Syria.

The minister advised other Nigerians to vacate the Middle East nation.

He said: “We have evacuated quite a lot of Nigerians from Syria; it was not an airlift exercise like we did in the case of Libya because they are very few. From the report I got, those moved so far are less than 50. Long before the situation deteriorated we advised them to move.

“Some have decided to stay behind but it is their choice.’’

The minister also said the families of the Charge d’Affairs and officials at the embassy had been relocated to Lebanon.

The Syrian conflict began on March 15, 2011 with public demonstrations as part of the wider Arab spring and developed into a nationwide uprising.

Nigeria and Syria established diplomatic ties in 1961.

Judiciary won’t survive without public confidence – CJN EMMANUEL ONANI, ABUJA

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o restore public confidence in the judiciary, judicial officers have been advised to live up to their responsibility.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, gave the advice yesterday while addressing chief registrars, secretaries of Judicial Service Commissions and directors of Area Sharia and Customary Courts at the National Judicial Institute, NJI. The CJN, who spoke through Justice Olufunmilola Adekeye, enjoined judicial officers to lead according to the dictates of their oath, as that would help in ridding the sector of corruption.

She said: “Once public confidence on which the judiciary relies on to enforce its judgment is eroded, then that society is no doubt set for extinction.

“Remember that the judiciary, as an arm of government, does not have a garrison of soldiers or police to compel compliance with its orders. Rather, the judiciary relies and survives only on public confidence. This public confidence will be eroded by your actions and inactions.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Police smash armed robbery syndicate

Robbers attack Nigerian Compass editor, snatch car

•Arrest 13, recover 7 vehicles FRANCIS SUBERU

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he Lagos State Police Command yesterday said it has recovered nine vehicles and arrested 13 armed robbery suspects in different parts of Lagos metropolis last week.

The suspects, Ahmed Abdullahi, Olusoga Taiwo, Azeez Abiodun, Makinde Lateef, Wasiu Azeez, Dele Balogun, Yusuf Ganiyu, Adekunle Adeyiga, Omoniyi Adelaja, Adebiyi Mafimisesin, Lekan Aibinuomo and Okanlawon Akinpelu, were arrested on July 20, 2012.

According to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, the matter leading to the arrest of the suspects and the eventual recovery of the stolen vehicles was reported at Ikorodu Police Division by an unnamed complainant, who was attacked and robbed of his Toyota Sienna Space bus at gun-point penultimate week.

The commissioner of police said officers attached to the division immediately swung into action after taking statements from the complainant, leading to the recovery and arrest of the bandits.

While parading the suspects, Umar said the bandits have chosen Ikorodu town as their operaton area, where they pick cars of their choice from innocent residents at gun-point and sell same to their buyers at Ibafo in Ogun

State.

Vehicles recovered from the suspect include: A Toyota Sienna car with registration number GJ 556 EKY, a Toyota Corolla car with registration number RSH 689 AE, a Honda Accord car with registration number LSD 537 AM, an unregistered Toyota Camry car and a Honda Odyssey car, equally unregistered.

Other exhibits recovered from the suspects include three singlebarreled locally made short-guns and 24 live cartridges with one expanded cartridge. In the same vein, The police commisioner said on the same July 20, one Faruk Umar, was attacked by five armed men and his Honda Accord saloon car with registration number KSF 461 AL and a cash of N7, 000 was carted away from him at gun-point.

He, however, said that the suspects were arrested the following day by police officers attached to the State AntiRobbery Squad, SARS while acting on a tip off.

According to the police commissioner, the suspects, Lateef Alade, Omolaja Lawal and Monday Johnson, were arrested at their hideout at Agbado-Ijaye area of Lagos.

Exhibits recovered from them include one Honda Accord Saloon car with registration number KSF 461 AL, two locally-made single barrel gun, seven live cartridges, four wrist watches and four handsets.

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L-R: Director of Infrastructure, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Otito Ewi; Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe and Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Esan Funso, at a news conference on the East-West Road in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Unity Colleges: Wike urges adherence to admission guidelines IJEOMA EZEIKE ABUJA

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inister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Wike, yesterday in Abuja, urged principals of the 140 unity colleges in the country to strictly adhere to the Federal Government’s guidelines on admission into such colleges.

Wike said this at a meeting for the placement of candidates into JS1 and SS1 of the 104 of Federal Government Unity Colleges for the 2012/2013 academic session.

He said this year’s selection and placement exercise is justified by the overriding need to admit the best candidates among the pool of qualified applicants without compromising the rationale behind the establishment of the colleges.

He said the aim is to ensure a balance between available facilities and the number of learners admitted so as to enhance

the quality of learning. the minister, however, noted that effective selection and placement of prospective learners into unity colleges is a challenging task and called on the principals not to unfairly deny placement to any qualified candidates who satisfy the mandatory requirements to the college of their choice.

Wike advised principals of colleges with cases of under-subscription to use the opportunity to make their carrying capacity by offering placements to candidates who might not find space in the over-subscribed colleges.

He said the policy thrust of President Goodluck Jonathan was to ensure that the unity colleges became the best possible places for education and training of the children irrespective of parental background or status.

The Director, Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Chike Uwaezuoke, said that the focus of the meeting

was to ensure that qualified candidates were selected into the unity colleges.

According to him, “This will be a stepping stone to addressing the issue of poor performance in external examinations and poor students’ conduct.

Uwaezuoke said the increasing rate of hooliganism and other forms of unacceptable behaviour in federal unity colleges had been empirically traced to the admission of poor quality candidates.

“We therefore need to be strict and yet objective in this selection exercise, you are expected to adhere to the selection criteria, taking into consideration national merit, state quota and the environment.”

He added that there would be no screening test for JS1 candidates in this year’s placement exercise, adding that they would be thoroughly screened through an interview aimed at determining age, background and performance.

obbers in police uniform on Sunday night attacked the editor of the Nigerian Compass, Gabriel Akinadewo and snatched his Toyota Avensis car.

The incident happened at Amara Olu Street, beside Zenith Bank, Agidingbi, Ikeja at about 10.00 pm.

The bandits, numbering four, used flash lights to flag him down. Thinking that they were policemen, he stopped. One of them told him to open the boot of the car with registration number CP 11 AKM. As he alighted to do that, he was ordered to hand over the key and told to enter the back seat.

He was sandwiched between two of the bandits.

They drove through Wempco Road, Oba Ogunnusi Road, Stadium Road, Pen Cinema and to Abattoir at Agege, where he was told to alight. They then sped away.

Items stolen include Ipad 3, driver’s licence, his purse containing FCMB Mastercard, London Train Station Oyster card, Nigerian Compass ID card, complimentary cards, newspapers and an undisclosed amount of money.

Immediately he alighted, he called the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Prince Umar Manko, who mobilised policemen from Pen Cinema, Alausa and Ikeja police stations to trail the robbers.

Akinadewo

NESREA seals 22 telecoms masts nationwide

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he National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) yesterday said it has sealed 22 base stations nationwide for flouting environmental laws.

Chief Press Secretary of the agency, Mr. Sule Oyofo, made the clarification in Abuja while reacting to the allegations leveled against NESREA by the National Com-

munication Commission (NCC).

The NCC had earlier accused NESREA of shutting down 52 base stations of various telecoms operators, truncating smooth operations by the affected service providers.

Oyofo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the agency did not shut down any telecoms’ base station for the pur-

pose of truncating its operation.

He said various base stations had been sealed up due to the violation of environmental laws in setting up those base stations.

According to him, most base stations were sited indiscriminately, close to residential areas without regards to environmental health hazards of those living around those places.

“Their actions have demonstrated utter disregard to extant environmental laws and regulations in which public complains on them remained unabated.”

Oyofo said there were court cases going on in respect to 20 base stations which represented one percent of the total base stations in Nigeria.

He said the agency would not be deterred

by any mischief by any agency, as NESREA would continue to carry out its legitimate duty without any recourse to blackmail.

Oyofo also told NAN that the Gilmor Construction Company, which NESREA shut down its offices in Abuja, had paid its fine of N1 million.

NESREA earlier shut down Gilmor offices for its refusal to present its

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate for verification.

He advised those companies which remained adamant to the NESREA’s request to respond so as to avoid public embarrassment.

He said the EIA was not restricted to only private companies, adding that even public organisations were not left out in the enforcement.

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South West

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Lagos to sanction builders of collapsed structures MURITALA AYINLA

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etermined to curtail the incidence of building collapse in the state, the Lagos State government yesterday said that henceforth, professional builders whose buildings either collapse during construction or after erection would be sanctioned by the state.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists yesterday, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and

Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, said the move was part of measures to guide against building collapse which sometimes claimed the lives of residents and construction workers.

The commissioner, who noted that the state derives no benefit in pulling down defective structures, but was desirous of preventing avoidable disasters that may result in loss of lives, urged corporate organisations to ensure that construction of buildings spon-

sored by them are of high standard.

Ayinde said government was committed to mitigating disasters resulting from collapsed buildings through the demolition of distressed buildings instead of allowing them to collapse on occupants.

His words: “As a government, it behooves us to protect the lives and property of the citizens, hence the reason for demolition of defective structures. Our goal is saving lives and property,

not for the fun of it.”

To achieve this, he said efforts are in top gear to hold meetings with stakeholders on how they can initiate sanctions against erring members whose works fail to meet approved standard, especially when the buildings they are working on or have erected caved in, to sanitise the industry.

He also called on residents who have moved their activities to the right of way in the state metropolis to desist from doing so to pave

way for smooth traffic flow.

His words: “Government is working hard to save the environment and infrastructure and is not just the owners of collapsed buildings that would be penalised, but also the professionals involved in the construction work.

This is because once a professional knows that he will be penalised when he commits any infraction, he will be more cautious and serious.

“We are also working with banks because they are im-

portant to investment in the sector. We are inviting banks to let them know that they must have necessary permits for buildings they wish to invest in and also that they build according to the permit specifications,” he stressed.

He added that the meetings would also be held with banks as well as other organisations that invest in the industry to know and ensure that contractors get required approvals and permits for buildings they wish to invest in.

ACN can’t win election in Ondo –Omoluabi group HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

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L-R: Immediate past President, Association of Stock-broking Houses of Nigeria, Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf; Managing Director/CEO, Lotus Capital Limited, Mrs. Hajara Adeola and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, at the launch of NSE – Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII) in Lagos, yesterday.

Ajimobi woos investors at London forum KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

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yo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday identified the state as the choice destination for foreign investors in agriculture who may desire to come to Nigeria.

He made the remark while speaking at the New World Nigeria Investment and Business Summit at the Dorchester Hotel, London.

The governor said as the largest producer of cassava and poultry in Nigeria and its arable 27,000 square kilometer land mass and a market population of over six million people, the state holds great prospects for any investor in agriculture.

Ajimobi, who said the participation of Oyo State in the forum put together by the Nigerian Bank of Industry (BOI) was to further drive the quest for foreign investors in the state, said he was overwhelmed by the response of prospective investors.

According to him, the focus of the state in seeking foreign investors is in

the areas of agriculture, solid minerals, mining and infrastructural development, particularly in the construction of the 110 km Ibadan Circular Road and the proposed Ibadan Cargo Airport.

He said the state was also placing emphasis on power, conversion of waste to wealth and the provision of gas for domestic and industrial use in the state.

The governor added that the focus on agriculture was to leverage on the comparative advantage of the state as the largest producer of cassava and poultry

and a leading producer of cocoa, yam, rice and fruits in the country.

Governor Ajimobi said the state has put in place incentives to attract investors, including a liberalised regime of land allocation, tax holidays and state collaboration in the form of financial guarantees and partnerships.

He said in the last one year, his administration had been able to set the foundation for industrialisation by ensuring peace and tranquility, a far cry from the sordid tale of the past when the state was

renowned for violence and brigandage.

The governor said his government had been encouraged by the identification of Ibadan as one of the top 10 destinations of foreign investments in Africa by the Financial Times of London, assuring that he was committed to translating this potential into reality through proactive measures.

He said he had come to the conclusion that the rapid development of the state requires massive inflow of investment funds to create employment for the people.

Daniel berates Amosun for merging polytechnics MOJEED ALABI

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ormer Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has condemned his successor, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, for merging the stateowned specialised polytechnics, which he said he created while in office to address the nation’s needs for experts in information and communication technology.

Daniel, who stated this yesterday at the conference on chemical engineering to commemorate the 70th birthday of Prof. Ayodele Ogunye, his former lecturer at the University of Lagos, attributed the development to what he termed the nation’s problem of leaders being unable to sustain credible ideas.

It will be recalled that in February, the Ogun State government had an-

nounced the merger of all Information, Communication Technology (ICT) polytechnics established in 2006 by the Daniel administration.

The Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, was also said to be scrapped and that it would be converted to an institute affiliated to the Faculty of Education of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.

former governorship aspirant under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Dr Olu Agunloye, yesterday said the ACN as a party would make no impact in the forthcoming election slated for October 20, in the state.

Agunloye said this in a statement signed by the spokesman of his Omoluabi Platform (OP), Wemi Ajegbemiga, who said the withdrawal of the Omoluabi group has reduced the popularity of the party in the state.

He said the group was made up of about 70 percent of the ACN, adding

that with the withdrawal of the group from the party, the ACN was sure to kiss the dust in the next October 20, governorship election.

Ajegbemiga blamed the leaders of the party for Agunloye’s exit from the party, stressing that the intrigue in the ACN would work against its candidate, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, in the election. He said the leaders of the party would soon abandon its candidate once they know he would not be able to win the election.

The spokesperson maintained that Agunloye’s exit was as a result of the actions of the ACN leaders who have arrogated power to themselves within the party.

Police arrest three pipeline vandals FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

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he Ogun State police command has arrested three suspects who were said to be specialists in vandalising petroleum product pipelines in the state.

The suspected vandals, whose names were given as Lateef Ayoola, Abelat Dayo (18) and Adekoya Azeez (17), were said to have been arrested about 8.00 pm last Thursday at Ogere area of the state.

A statement from the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects were arrested along Ajura/Ogere axis of the state while waiting to transport the petroleum products stocked in about 20 numbers of 25litre jerry cans.

Adejobi further said that Lateef, who is the kingpin in the pipeline

vandalisation business, has been on the wanted list of the command.

PPRO further said that the suspects were already cooling their feet at the state Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Eleweran in Abeokuta, the state capital ‘for discreet investigation.’

The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Ikhemefuna Okoye, has however warned criminals to stay away from the state, stressing that the command would not tolerate any act of vandalism and criminality.

Abubakar

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Youths seek social security, council autonomy

I’ll complete abandoned projects – PDP candidate

ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AND TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

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he governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has promised to complete all abandoned projects in the coastal areas if given the mandate to rule the state.

Oke made the plaedge in Ode Irele in Irele Local Government Area while receiving hundreds of members of the Labour Party, LP, into PDP in Irele.

The governorship candidate said the present administration had marginalised the people from the area in the scheme of things, adding that most of the projects embarked upon by former Governor Olusegun Agagu had been abandoned.

Oke listed some of the projects to include Oloto -Igbegunrin Road, Alape Bridge, Olokola Free Trade Zone and the University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, OSUSTECH. He said that the Ondo South Senatorial District remained the only area without a higher institution.

According to the governorship candidate, Ondo North has Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko while Ondo Central has the Federal University of Technology and Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.

He also said the moribund firms in the zone such as Oluwa Glass Industry, Okitipupa Oil Palm Company and Araromi/Ayesan Oil Company would be revived to create employment for the youth in the area.

Oke blamed the youth restiveness in the area on joblessness and vowed to tackle it headlong if elected governor.

Oke

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L-R: Acting Chairman, Egbe Omo Igogo,Mr. Michael Jide Ajayi, Onigogo of Igogo-Ekiti, HRM Sunday Olusola Adewumi and Bobajiro of Igogo, Matthew Femi Ogunyeye, at a press briefing on the coming Igogo Day in Lagos, yesterday.

Minimum wage: LG workers give Ekiti 14-day ultimatum ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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ocal government workers in Ekiti State have given the state government 14 days to pay them N19,300 minimum wage or face their wrath.

The workers, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, said failure to pay within two weeks would force them to take action to compel payment.

The NULGE Secretary, Mr. Victor Ade Ade-

bayo, said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that the state government had promised to pay N19,300 to all the workers in its employ since December 2011.

He, however, regretted that while the minimum wage was implemented for the state civil servants, workers at the local government level were yet to be paid the minimum wage.

Adebayo also expressed displeasure with the government’s inability to pay health workers at the local government level their allowance, especially on

the Consolidated Health Service Scale, CONHESS, and the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale, CONMESS, one and a half years after it promised to pay it to all categories of health workers in the state.

He said: “But to the disbelief of all discerning minds, when the implementation commenced, workers in the service of the 16 local governments were excluded.

“It would also be noted that the leadership of NULGE in the state has since 2011 been appealing to the state govern-

ment to be compassionate with the workers at the council level and approve the payment of the health workers the CONMESS-CONHESS and N19,300 minimum wage as applicable.”

However, the state government said it had no plans to deprive workers at the local government the new minimum wage.

The Commissioner for Information, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, said the workers would be paid after completion of the ongoing biometric data capturing of workers in the state.

War on fake drugs: Lagos shuts 38 illegal stores MURITALA AYINLA

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agos State Government has shut 38 illegal stores to rid the state of substandard and expired drugs by unauthorised and unregistered drug and pharmaceutical outlets.

Officials of the Lagos State Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, at the weekend, sealed the illegal drug stores in Ajegunle, Iganmu and Apapa in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government and ApapaIganmu Local Council Development Area.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, told our correspondent at the State House, Ikeja, yesterday that government’s

resolve to streamline the activities of operators in the drug sector was borne out of its zeal to ensure that Lagosians were not exposed to inherent dangers associated with the peddling of fake, substandard and expired drugs.

The commissioner added that some of the drug stores failed to comply with the stipulated conditions for their operation, saying failure to fulfil certain requirements on location of the stores, placement of drugs, the kind of structure and personnel in place and ability to obtain licence for their operations led to the closure.

He said: “We cannot fold our arms and do nothing in respect of the excesses of these illegal

drug operators that is why we will not relent in our drive to sanitise the drug distribution system in Lagos hence the mandate of the Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.”

Idris wondered why the people still chose to stay on the wrong side of the law when the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act of 1992 and the Registration of Pharmaceutical Premises Regulation La w of 2005 outlined the requirements for the registration and renewal of pharmaceutical premises, culpability and punishment for offenders.

“The provision of the pharmaceutical law stipulates that pharmaceutical premises cannot be

located in motor parks and environment where commercial activities take place like market places, kiosks, road-side stores and containers and the law also frowns at pharmaceutical stores standing and growing very close together,” the commissioner added.

He listed the sealed drug stores to include Gabez and Sons Pharmaceutical Limited, Zimak Pharmacy, Samnto Pharmacy Nigeria Limited, Morlife Pharmacy, Obidimma Pharmacy, Niocuno Pharmacy Limited, and Nel Bright Pharmacy.

Others are Almart Pharmaceutical Limited, Emacity Pharmacy, DaniLon Pharmaceutical, C. U. Innoma Pharmaceuticals Limited and Moody Drug Co. Limited.

ouths from the South-West have called on the National Assembly to include a comprehensive social security package for Nigerian youths in the constitution review.

The youth under the aegis of Oodua Youth Movement, OYM, SouthWest Youth Leaders Association and Yoruba Council of Youths, YCY, advised Nigeria to take a cue from developed countries which have such package for youths in view of its benefits.

The OYM President, Comrade Yinka Dada, said on behalf of the groups at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that institution of life-transforming social security scheme for the youth would address youth restiveness and boost the country’s productivity and revenue generation.

The former National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, president also canvassed support for full autonomy for all the 774 local governments in the country, saying such would deepen the country’s democracy and federalism.

Dada also regretted that the councils, as the closest tier of government to the grassroots, were being deprived of service to the people by governors of many states by misappropriating their funds under the guise of joint accounts.

He said: “Rather than conduct local government elections, most governors prefer to install cronies as caretaker committees thereby turning the councils into glorified agencies which exist only on paper without the necessary political and financial powers to implement any meaningful project that can improve the lives of the people.”

The youth leader also sought financial autonomy for the state judiciary and the legislature, saying a situation where they went to the governors cap in hand for finance was unhealthy for separation of power and independence of the judiciary.

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South East

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Okorocha, LG chairmen’s parley ends in stalemate CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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overnor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the 27 reinstated local government chairmen met yesterday in Owerri, the state capital, without definite conclusion on how to resolve the verdict of the Appeal Court which gave the chairmen victory.

At the meeting held at the Sam Mbakwe Extended Chamber, Government

House, the governor appealed to the chairmen to do away with vengeance and embrace peace to move the state forward.

Okorocha implored them to be concerned with positive development that would impact positively on the lives of the people.

He said: “We are not here to find out who is right or wrong but to find ways to fight poverty, ignorance, lack and underdevelopment.”

Earlier, the state Chair-

man of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Mrs. Ruby Emele, told Okorocha that they were absent from the earlier scheduled meeting because of “improper invitation” but not to spite him.

While expressing willingness to work with the governor, the ALGON chairman disclosed that certain issues needed to be addressed.

According to her, the governor must look into

the statement credited to the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General that the government had filed an appeal against the judgment of the Appeal Court, pending before the Supreme Court.

She said: “Your Excellency had also alluded to these alleged pending appeal processes to the Supreme Court even in your latest state-wide broadcast of Friday 27 July 2012.”

Mrs. Emele added that

the chairmen were now worried if they could safely conduct deliberations with the governor over the matter that was said to be sub judice.

She noted that since the judgment of the Appeal Court, “the illegal transition committee chairmen are still functioning as council chairmen and are still in possession of official vehicles and properties of the LGAs. “All the Directors of Administration, DAGs,

treasurers, heads of department and other cadres of staff of the LGAs have been absent from duties at the councils. The principal officers are being sighted in company of the transition committee chairmen conducting official business on behalf of the councils on the directives of the state government.”

Mrs. Emele said all these were efforts of the government to frustrate the elected chairmen from performing their duties.

No room for corruption, Anambra CP warns officers, men

Part-time programmes: Civil society groups tackle NUC

NWABUEZE OKONKWO

CHARLES OKEKE

ONITSHA

AWKA

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nambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ballah Nassarawa, has warned officers and men of the state command that corruption, unlawful detention or detention of suspects longer than the period specified by law would no longer be allowed.

He said with the present zero tolerance to corruption in the force, police authorities would no longer listen to the usual excuse of the “devil tempted me or I was tempted by the devil slogan whenever an officer is facing an orderly room trial”.

Nassarawa, who gave the warning during his maiden official visit to the Police Area Command headquarters and the Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha, said it was either a police officer complied with the ethics of the service or was shown the way out.

He said the police hierarchy, in its quest to redeem the battered image of the force and restore public confidence, had adopted a policy of “do your job well and get rewarded accordingly or engage in corruption and be weeded out of the force”.

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L-R: Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and representative of SABmiller Brewery, Mr. Henry Rudd, at the Nigerian Business and Investment Summit in London, yesterday.

Court injunction: Umeh knows fate today DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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embers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday stormed the Enugu State High Court over the court’s interim order restraining the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, from convening any meeting, convention or expel anybody from the party.

Though the hearing of a counter-application could not hold yesterday, Umeh will today know his fate on

the order of the Enugu High Court restraining him from conducting the affairs of the party.

The court presided over by the Enugu Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, last Thursday issued the injunction against Umeh.

But the APGA chairman has challenged the jurisdiction of the court and the locus standi of the applicant, Mr. Jude Okoli, to institute the suit.

Umeh contended that the applicant was no longer a member of APGA as he was

expelled long ago for antiparty activities.

Although hearing on the substantive suit was earlier fixed for July 31, it was brought up yesterday due to the urgency of the matter.

Mr. Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), leading a team of lawyers for Umeh, urged the court to entertain the application yesterday due to its urgent nature.

This, he said, was on the grounds that everything had been put in place for the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the party slated for tomorrow.

Contending that the application which led to the injunction handed his client was in bad faith and frivolous, Ikwueto asked the court to hear the party’s application yesterday.

However, Okoli’s counsel asked the court to apply the law, insisting that the law allows him seven days to respond in writing to the application.

After obtaining the consent of both parties, Justice Umezulike agreed to hear the case on jurisdiction, locus standi and give ruling today.

Imo gives N10m interest-free loan to Keke operators CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

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mo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has unveiled a revolving loan scheme which will offer N10m interest-free loan to the operators of tricycles otherwise called Keke in the state.

The governor made the

disclosure at a meeting with the Keke operators at the Government House, Owerri.

Okorocha explained that the scheme would be supervised by the leadership of the Keke unions to ensure that beneficiaries did not default.

He added that the scheme would help to empower the

operators and make them earn respect in the society.

The governor solicited the operators’ support in ensuring cleanliness of the capital city and urged them to continue in the fight against crime by making available information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.

According to him, a hand-

some reward awaits those who give useful information on criminals to government and security agencies.

Okorocha disclosed that his administration had stopped the collection of all forms of levies from Keke operators, adding that a filling station would also be designated to provide free fuel to them.

Okorocha

coalition of civil society groups operating in Anambra State led by International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) and Campaign for Democracy, CD, have declared war against the National Universities Commission, NUC, over its decision to suspend part-time programmes of universities and temporarily withdrawing the operating licences of seven universities.

The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, had in June announced the suspension of all part-time programmes of all the universities in the country.

Also on July 4, the commission suspended the licences of some private universities – Joseph Ayo Babalola University, JABU, Tansian University, Madonna University, Caritas University, Lead City University, Achievers University and Obong University – for allege violation of its guidelines on physical facilities and academic programmes.

However, the civil society groups have asked the NUC to rescind its decisions suspending the part-time programmes and withdrawing operating licences of the said universities, or prepare for a sustained battle.

Speaking with journalists in Onitsha after releasing a protest research memo dated July 29 which was sent to Okojie, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Intersociety, Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi, said that the groups might resort to litigation if their demands were not met.

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South South

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

11

$15m Ibori bribe: Stakeholders disagree over FG, Delta row •Clark backs Uduaghan •Rights’ group to join suit SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

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takeholders in Delta State yesterday disagreed over the feud between the state and the Federal Government over the temporary forfeiture of $15million allegedly offered by convicted former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, to the pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, to stop his trial.

A federal high court ordered the temporary forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.

But, the state government has challenged the order, insisting that the bribe could not be taken over by the Federal Government since the jailed ex-governor robbed the state and not the central government.

‘Oshiomhole’s victory brought freedom to Edo people’

Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, supported the state government, saying that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was right to demand the repatriation of the funds to the state.

Clark said it would be unfair and unjust to pay the money into the coffers of the Federal Government to be shared with other states of the federation.

He said since Ibori stole the money from the state, it should automatically be returned to the state.

His words: “The money belongs to Delta State government since it is not Ibori’s personal money.

The salaries and other entitlements of Ibori in eight years is not up to one tent of that money. The money is our money given to Ribadu as bribe, even if he (Ibori) denied it. If Ribadu is not an honest man, he won’t return the money to the Cen-

tral Bank.

“The money should be returned to Delta and no other state government should claim the money. We are supporting the governor in claiming the money; the Federal Government does not have any money there. Money own by Delta State government, being stolen by a governor, will only revert to the state government where the money was stolen.

“It will be unfair and unjust to pay the money into the federation account, where everybody will share it. We support the governor in a bid to claim the money,” Clark added.

But, the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHD) disagreed with Clark, saying that the money should be given to neither federal nor the state government, adding that it should be kept in an interest yielding account or an

Ibori

escrow account till 2016.

FJHD’s National Coordinator, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, said it was laughable that Uduaghan, who denied that Ibori gave out the money as bribe to Ribadu was demanding for the same money.

Ikimi, in an e-mail to National Mirror stated; “We describe the u-turn by the Dr Emmanuel Uduaghanled Delta State government on the issue as both comical and an open admission and a confirmation that Chief James Ibori gave the money in question to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the then

chairman of the EFCC as a bribe.

We are not oblivious of the fact that when sometimes in 2009, when the EFCC arraigned Chief James Ibori at the Federal High Court, Asaba with a 174-count charge of money laundering, including attempting to bribe Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief James Ibori filed a counter affidavit through his lawyers to the effect that he never sent any official of the Delta State government to deliver the said money to Nuhu Ribadu even when ordinary Deltans knew that Chief Ibori was been economical with the true.

“As a matter of fact the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghanled government gave tacit support to Chief Ibori and even organised a thanksgiving party for him when Justice Awokulehin discharged him (Ibori) of all the 174-count charge, including the count alleging

M

ajority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Philip Shaibu (ACN-Etsako West), has said that Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s victory in the just-concluded governorship election in the state has brought freedom to the people.

Shaibu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Benin that the governor’s victory had defeated the promoters of ‘godfatherism.’

The majority leader while congratulating Oshiomhole on his well-deserved return as governor of the state, said the victory had brought freedom to Edo politics.

“I want to congratulate myself and the people of Edo State for the freedom; freedom from godfathers and wastage.

“We did not work or vote for Oshiomhole alone, we only defended our freedom, freedom to associate freely and contest any position without going through any godfather,” he said.

According to him, politically, I see myself as a free man now, I do not need to beg or go through a godfather to contest any political position.

“A party that does not believe in performance and in peoples’ oriented programmes cannot be trusted with power,” he added.

the said bribe of $15million. EFCC has no option than to keep the said money with the CBN for safe keeping while the Delta State government kept mute as it took sides with Chief Ibori.

“At the London crown court, Chief Ibori was never tried or charged for attempting to bribe Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the above sum as a count and as such the Delta State government’s argument that Chief Ibori robbed the state of the said sum, having been convicted in London of money laundering is of no meaning.

In the light of the above, we suggest that the money be kept in an interest-yielding account or an escrow account devoid of the Federal Government or the Uduaghan-led government for the benefit of Deltans till the Year 2016, when a new governor who have been sworn in.

NUPENG lauds FG for stance on outstanding subsidy

T

Ex militants protesting non-payment of their allowances in Benin, Edo State, yesterday.

Gunmen kill corporal, shoot teenager in Delta •Three kidnappers, robbers arrested in shoot-out

SOLA ADEBAYO WARRI

A

police corporal (name withheld) was killed yesterday in a gun-battle between kidnappers and men of the Delta State Police Command in Atuma Iga, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

Also, a teenager identified as Emma Okenze, sustained gunshot wounds in the shoot-out.

The police had mobilised to the scene to rescue Emma from the den of the

kidnappers.

Okenze, who is a former Senior Special Assistant in charge of Due Process to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan between 2007 and 2011, was abducted in company of his son in Asaba, the state’s capital, on Sunday.

Okenze was later freed apparently to enable him arrange for the ransom that would liberate his son from captivity.

However, the police officers, who stormed the suspected hide-out of the kidnappers, yesterday

morning, were confronted by the hoodlums.

The police corporal, who was attached to Isele-Ukwu Division, the headquarters of Aniocha North LGA, died in the gun-battle. Emma, who was shot on the leg in the bloody encounter, was rushed to a medical centre.

State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the report, said the three kidnapers, including a lady, were arrested after the hoodlums were overpowered by the police.

Muka said Okenze’s Toyota

Corolla car was also recovered, adding that the police were on the trail of the fleeing members of the gang.

Meanwhile, the command’s public relations officer said three robbers, including one dressed in complete NYSC uniform have been apprehended in the state capital.

According to him, a Lar Rifle, three battle axes, three cartridges, a laptop and a camera were recovered from the suspects.

Muka, in a telephone interview with National Mirror said the suspects would face ‘the full wrath of the law.’

he National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Port Harcourt zone, yesterday lauded the Federal Government for accepting to pay the outstanding subsidy to oil marketers.

Chairman of the Union, Mr. Godwin Eruba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that government’s gesture would leverage national economic activities.

“For the Federal Government to agree to pay the fund to the marketers, shows that Nigerians have a listening government,” Eruba said.

He said the union would continue to support any platform that would move the country forward.

According to him, “NUPENG is ready to parley with the government to ensure a healthy economy.”

Eruba said the suspended strike of the union was not to disrupt the economy, but to highlight serious issues hampering growth and development in the oil and gas industry.

“I am happy that the strike has been suspended and I believe that Nigerians will be happy as well,” he said.”

12

North

No rescheduled congresses in Benue –PDP HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

P

eoples Democratic Party, PDP, has denounced the purported rescheduled ward congresses of the party in Benue State allegedly directed by its National Working Committee, NWC, led by Dr. Sam Jaja, because of imposition of candidates during the last ward congresses.

In February, ward congresses of the party were held across the 23 three local government areas of the state.

But shortly after the election, some prominent party stalwarts petitioned the party’s National Secretariat, alleging imposition of candidates and other irregularities.

But the state Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, denied the purported fresh congresses in a text message to our correspondent in Makurdi.

He said: “There was no cancellation of any congress in Benue State. Except in some cases where we have about 15 pending wards congresses, there are no rescheduled congresses from any of our wards where congresses were held early this year.”

NCS generates N2.8bn in Katsina JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

K

atsina State Command of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, said it generated N2.8bn from January to date, with a minimum of N400m monthly.

Speaking shortly after decorating the newly promoted officers of the command yesterday, the Controller in charge of the command, Alhaji Umar Yusuf, said the service generated N2.1bn within same period last year.

Yusuf said the N400m being generated monthly translated to 200 per cent increase against the N200m generated in the past.

He gave the assurance that the command would continue to work to generate more money for the government.

Yusuf said that the command made seizure of illicit drugs worth N2m and arrested owners of the illicit drugs within the same period.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FG spends N31bn on new varsities –Minister JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

T

he Federal Government has spent N31.5bn on the nine newly-established federal universities, with each getting more than N3.5bn for projects’ execution and other expenses.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquayyatu Rufa’i, disclosed this yesterday at the first matricula-

tion of the students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Dutsinma, Katsina State.

She recalled that N1.5bn was first disbursed to each of the nine institutions, while another N18bn was recently disbursed.

Mrs. Rufa’i said the commencement of the new universities was a fulfilment of promise made by President Goodluck Jonathan in transforming the education sector

and ensuring that many Nigerians were educated to the tertiary level.

The minister said that her ministry had designed a four-year plan for the nine universities for the improvement of their educational activities.

She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to open access to tertiary education for all, adding that the establishment of nine new universities was

part of measures to ensure accessibility for all.

Prof. Rufa’i commended the Federal University of Agriculture, Dutsinma for being the first to commence full academic activities among the nine universities, assuring that the institution’s academic programmes would be tailored to reflect the needs of the host community.

Enjoining staff of the university to put in their

best to nurture the institution to maturity, the minister assured of adequate arrangements by government to give the newly established universities the needed support.

On his part, Governor Ibrahim Shema called on stakeholders to join hands in ensuring rapid growth of the university even as he assured that the state government would not waver in assisting the institution.

Emulate Ahmadu Bello’s virtues, Shettima urges politicians INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

G

L-R: FRSC Kaduna State Sector Commander, Olumike Olagunju; Zonal Commanding Officer, Charles Theophilus, and Deputy Corps Marshal, in charge of vehicle administration, Danjuma Garba, inspecting vehicles, at the launch of one-week special patrol in Kaduna, yesterday.

Kwara disburses N268.6m loan, sets up N2.7bn films’ village WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

K

wara State Government has disbursed N268.6m to 3,740 artisans and small business owners under its Micro-Credit Intervention scheme.

The scheme was designed for small and medium-scale enterprises. The N268.6m represents the first batch of the N500m intervention under the scheme launched by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in April.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abdulwahab Oba, said yesterday in Ilorin that the loan was disbursed to 374 cooperative organisations comprising of multipurpose societies, farmer associations, FADAMA associations, transporters and artisans.

The money, he added, was disbursed through the 10 microfinance banks

shortlisted for the exercise by the state government during the launch of the Micro Credit Intervention Scheme.

Oba also disclosed that another set of cooperative societies would soon be empowered under the scheme while there were plans to implement the next stage of the scheme which would accommodate entrepreneurs across the state.

Meanwhile, the government has inaugurated a seven-man board to coordinate a N2.7bn ($17,348,223.25) Film Village Limited which will be located in the Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete in Moro Local Government Area.

Ahmed, who inaugurated the board, described the project as a milestone in the short but very impressive history of the university.

The governor, who spoke through his deputy, Peter Kishra, pointed out that his administration’s vision of

making KWASU a foremost institution in expanding the frontiers of knowledge, nurturing the university to world class status and, retaining its local relevance, was on course.

He said: “The films’ village initiative will not only involve training students to acquire highest level skills and expertise required in the business of film making, it will also generate a whole chain of professional film directors, scriptwriters, broadcasters, film journalists and critics, cameramen, music recording artistes, and television personnel of all descriptions which will improve the overall quality of the rapidly growing Nigerian film sector.

“With this, the university places itself in good stead for making her mark in one of the largest industries in Nigeria - the entertainment industry. Tangible benefits of this project include

Ahmed

boosting the local economy and placing Kwara on the creative industry’s map, globally.

“It will provide an international standard film production infrastructure for international film production and collaboration, attract tourists to the state (as the state is already appearing constantly in movies) and also create an enabling environment for private sector participation through the Private-Public Partnership platform.

“To this end, this project should be seen as a strategy to strengthen innovative approaches to partnership building, resource mobilisation, youth empowerment and development.”

overnor Kashim Shettima of Borno State yesterday called on politicians to adopt the virtues of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

He said the adoption of the Sardauna’s virtues would address the root causes of the Boko Haram sect in the North.

Shettima made the call at the eighth Annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the Borno Radio Television, BRTV. The event was attended by scores of Islamic clerics and scholars in Maiduguri.

He said: “The late Ahmadu Bello worked and provided qualitative education and services to his people, irrespective of tribe or religion. That was why there was no ethnic or religious crisis during his time.”

The governor, therefore, urged the present leaders at the federal and state levels to provide an enabling environment for peaceful coexistence “through poverty alleviation and qualitative and functional education”.

Shettima, who spoke through the Head of Service, Alhaji Abba Ashigar, said: “Acquiring qualitative and sound education will enable us worship Allah properly and solve the socio-economic problems facing us.”

He promised that his administration would continue to give priority to the education sector in addition to the provision of basic social amenities such as roads, water and electricity.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

SUPER TUESDAY

13

Politics

Jonathan must honour House’s invitation – Jev

Nigerian political class should be in jail – Pat Utomi

14&15

43

Autonomy: Freeing LGs from bondage The agitation for the autonomy of the local government system in the country receiving a fillip penultimate week when the Justice Alfa Belgore Presidential Committee on the Review of Outstanding Constitutional Issues, recommended unfettered autonomy for the local government.

OLAJIDE OMOJOLOMOJU writes that despite the strident agitations, it is not yet uhuru for the local government system, given the hurdles ahead.

P

erhaps, the best recommendation from the array of recommendations contained in the report of the Presidential Committee on the Review of Outstanding Issues from recent Constitutional Conferences, submitted penultimate Tuesday to the president was the recommendation of “optimal autonomous and stable local government system for the country.”

The reason for this is not far-fetched.

The local government system is perhaps the most bastardised in the present democratic experiment since 1999. Regarded as the third tier of government after the federal and the state governments, the local government system is the tier of government nearer to the grassroots and therefore, its importance cannot be overemphasised.

This importance is underlined by the fact that in about 193 independent countries and 32 non-independent territories worldwide, the local government exists, though with various and different appellations and with divergent administrative patterns fashioned after the constitution of such countries or territories.

The 1976 local government reforms by the Murtala Muhammed/Olusegun Obasanjo regime unified the various systems of local government administrations run by the regions. The aim them was to ensure the rapid development of the people at the grassroots, and in a practical demonstration of the commitment of the regime, it made available N100 million to all the councils created at that time to accelerate their infrastructural development.

But 36 years down the line, the local government system has failed woefully to have truly served its intended purpose of bringing development to the grassroots. The system has rather became a tool to siphon and loot public funds by elected governors and their cronies.

It is therefore no wonder that quite

Jonathan

Mark

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM AS THE THIRD TIER many people welcomed the recommendation of the committee for an autonomous local government system.

The committee, headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Alfa Belgore, in recognition of the importance of the local government system to the polity as well as to the grassroots, said: “In particular, we put new visions into creating an optimally independent, incorruptible and stabilising local government system that shall always be administered by democratically elected officials that must be accountable, responsive to local needs, directed, controlled and sanctioned by appropriated laws. In our view, this is necessary in order to deepen principles of democracy and sound resource management at the grassroots where it really matters.

“In our view, this is necessary in order to deepen the principles of democracy and sound resource management at the grassroots where it really matters.”

The committee said that “the system of local government as a tier of government should be guaranteed, and its financial autonomy ensured, without prejudice to the creation and supervision of the state governments,” and also recommended that the power to create local government areas should be wholly vested in states.

But this recommendation came with a far-reaching caveat: the number of local governments in a state shall not be the criteria for allocation of national resources.

This, the committee said, is to prevent arbitrary creation of local governments by

OF GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN HIJACKED

BY THE STATE

GOVERNMENTS, THEREBY RENDERING THEM INEFFECTIVE AND UNABLE TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF

NIGERIANS

states for the purpose of collecting more allocation from the federation account.

It rather recommended: “Instead, allocation of revenue between the states shall be based on the established allocation principles of population, equality of states, internal revenue generation, and landmass, terrain, as well as population density, as already enshrined in Section 162 (2) of the Constitution.”

To give fillip to the above, the committee also recommended the scrapping of the State Joint Local Government Account Committee and called for the establishment of the States Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (SRMAFC), which will allocate funds to the state government, local government councils and between local councils of a state, using the same distribution principles for revenue allocation formula adopted by the

Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) when allocating funds from the federation account.

It is sweet music to the ears of stakeholders in the local government administration in the country, especially when viewed from the backdrop of an aberration that has become the norm in the running of local government councils in Nigeria: the use of caretaker/management committees to run the affairs of the local councils, instead of the democratically elected officials as provided for in the constitution.

Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution as amended states that: “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed.”

But in creating ambiguity, the same Constitution, in the concurrent legislative list, conferred powers on the National Assembly to make laws “with respect to the registration of voters and the procedure regulating elections to a local government council,” while in another breadth empowered the states Houses of Assembly to make laws with respect to election into the local government councils provided such laws are not inconsistent with those made by the National Assembly.

To compound the issue and sadly too, the Constitution also established the State/ Local Government Joint Account through which financial allocation from the Federation Account is jointly managed via a committee.

It was the provision for the joint account that most gladdens the heart of state governors, who rather than conduct elections to elect officials to run the local government councils, prefer to appoint their cronies as members and heads of caretaker or management committees to run the affairs of the local government councils.

The joint state and local government account became a ready-made avenue for the states’ chief executives to corner the larger chunk of the allocation from the federation account at the detriment of the development of the rural areas. They always make deductions from the account for questionable projects and at the end of the day always leave only what are enough to pay salaries of workers at the local councils and nothing for developmental projects.

The conspiratorial silence from the powers that be to call the governors to order in their penchant for unlawful use of caretaker committees has effectively stunted the growth and development of the rural areas, where the local government councils are supposed to have impacted positively. It is therefore not surprising that before last Saturday’s local government election in Ogun State, a whooping 648 local government councils out of 774 across the counCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

14

Politics

How has life been since 2011 when you made attempt to participate in the presidential election?

There are people who like to say that they are professional politicians and that life is politics 24/7; I think mine is a political animal, all of us should be politically engaged.

But I don’t see myself as a professional politician, I relieve in doing other things, but as a citizen, I am active politically. Today, we are watching a very sad development in Nigeria. I am more or less spending all my time in reflection about how best can one affect the dignity of the human being in Nigeria, which was the very reason I became active in the political life and not for acquiring power for the sake of power; being able to use power for self or anything like that. In that sense, I have given myself to other ways you can make the world a better place if you can as a human being travelling that track.

I have been very engaged in my work in civil society, social enterprise, working with young people on how they can avoid the mess we have made of their country in travelling a bit internationally, looking at people who have changed the world, not necessarily through deploying of political power but deploying the power of social enterprise. I have been doing all of that and I have been following all the goings-on in the Nigeria political arena and providing some thought on leadership. That is how it has been.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Nigerian political class Pat Utomi, a professor of Economics and former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), believes that Nigeria is in a mess and heading towards Somalia. In this interview with AYODELE OJO, he speaks on the state of the nation, House of Representatives’ threat to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan, corruption, trial of indicted oil marketers and other contentious issues. Excerpts:

When you mentioned the sad development in Nigeria, what do you mean?

I don’t think anybody who has a sense of self respect is happy about where Nigeria is. Today, Nigeria is now being classed alongside the Pakistans and the Afghanistans of this world. I can tell you this with a sense of authority as someone who has been all over the world. Mystery index is deepening in Nigeria. Clearly, Nigeria should not be where it is; with the kind of unemployment that is all over the place. The NIMASA, a government agency, tried to employ some people and on the day of the first test, the crowd that was supposed to take the exam in a school spilled over to the road outside the premises; many were injured, fracas broke out, just because people were trying to get jobs. And if you are not being chased by bombs in the Northern part of the country, you are being chased by kidnappers in the South-East or South-South. Generally, there is a sense of despair and despondency in the land. What is more shocking is not just that things are bad but that people in Abuja are still busy sharing money. They don’t even understand that the country is in deep crisis, they are carrying on as if nothing has happened. It’s a very difficult situation. To be frank with you, I have lived through Nigeria’s independence era but I don’t recall things being as bad as this, not even during the civil war which I lived through. There is a certain sense of despair that is quite unusual.

You said you lived through the Nigerian independence till date and you have never seen a situation as bad as this. Is this only in the area of security?

In a more sophisticated environment, people publish what they call confidence index and confidence decides whether you will make investments for example, plan long term and stuff like that. There isn’t a confidence index that I know of in Nigeria but if there were one, it will be extremely low. Everywhere you see two or three Nigerians; they are wondering whether Nigeria can actually survive.

So, from my personal rule of the thumb measure of the confidence index, I have never known it to be as low as this since independence.

But we have a government with a transformation agenda; how much of that do you see?

Every day you wake up; there is a probe about billions that disappeared. People read all of these things and you

Utomi

NM

You classified Nigeria with Afghanistan and Pakistan, why this?

It’s not me; it’s people. The number of people who have been killed in the last couple of months in Nigeria is more than in many active civil wars. Even in China they were saying Nigeria is not safe. The Chinese are tired of going to Nigeria because after they agree with one governor, there is a new governor the next day and everything is overturned. Our institutions are weak, our political culture is poor. Things are not as they should be. For many people, it’s about power over purpose, the very purpose is lost.

TUESDAY INTERVIEW

think it won’t affect them? They believe that they are being ruled by a gang of thieves. Whether it is correct or not, that is the perception – they are just victims in the hands of thieves.

I have not seen anything transformed. You have to reform before you transform. How can you be transforming when corruption is worse than yesterday? General Olusegun Obasanjo tried to change things in his first tenure and one of the things he suggested was the so-called low profile, they tried to cut down on the funding of public officials.

But now we have abuse of resources beyond measure at a time when Nigerians are just starving to death, we have public officials spending money like it has no value, hosting conference of First Ladies of Africa and you wonder whether the people in public life are giving any thoughts to the fact that those they are presiding over are having worse times of their lives. This is not pleasant.

The recent index on failed states featured Nigeria prominently though those on the government side argued that

it was incorrect. How do you see this as an economist?

Whenever indicators that involve all the countries of the world are published and one country denies the authenticity, you can only wonder if the people who designed it just wake up to make one country look bad, that is unlikely. Of course, there isn’t anything that is perfect or that is not subjective. But for anybody in good conscience to assume that life is wonderful in Nigeria is to either embark on self deceit beyond imagination or to live in denial about our reality. Things are bad in Nigeria, talk to any Nigerian on the street. American politics used to just resolve the matters simply by saying, ‘Are you better off today than you were four years ago?’ I am sure there are only few Nigerians, maybe those who have been receiving fuel subsidy, who can say life is better today than it was a couple of years ago. We all know from our experiences that life is worse off.

Many of the young men and women who were employed in the banking industry have been laid off, the banks are still laying off and will continue and that was self-inflicted. The manufacturing industries have remained in comatose for many years now, so where is the good sign that we have a growth rate of about six per cent? We know that there is a growth that describes Nigeria’s growth as a jobless growth.

The World Bank studied our index economic performance some years ago anchored by its chief economists and out of it came a book that was entitled ‘Putting Nigeria to work.’ The book described the Nigeria situation as

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Politics

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

15

should be in jail – Utomi a jobless growth situation. How can Nigeria be growing without creating jobs? If you do a breakdown of the sources of growth, the growth in Nigeria is not so much about what we were doing as managers of the economy but essentially by development. The rain has been so generous that sometimes in one planting season people are planting twice. And since agriculture makes up a huge part of our GDP, it leads to rising numbers. Two, Nigerians who live abroad are remitting a lot of money home. A relatives in the village receives $50, changes it into naira and goes to buy soap to bath. But that has not been affected by policy; policy could be dramatic in the way it pumps things up. If anything, people will tell you that government has done more damage to their businesses than to enhance it in terms of policy instability and all kinds of abuses in office.

How do you see the threat by the House of Representatives to impeach the President for failing to implement the budget 100 per cent?

The critical issue here is motive. What is the motive of the House? If their motive is driven by passion for development and improving the lives of the people as a result of budget implementation, then I am going to suggest that the people so passionate should seek a compensation for their work that is commensurate to their output. If I were to look at what the House members do, I am sure that if the members of the National Assembly gave back 90 per cent of what they are taking from this system, it will help economic growth and they won’t earn more than their peers working in the civil service and the private sector.

If they are really passionate about growth as a result of the implementation of the budget, I think they can show a good example by trimming what they cost the system. And if their motive is not pure as some people say, essentially the fact that they tag on huge amounts to the requests by the ministries and government departments and are therefore not happy that the monies have not be released, so they can go and blackmail the agencies and collect the money, then one wonders the basis for impeachment. However, if it can be established that they are really concerned about the well-being of the people, then I support their impeachment proceeding.

I HAVE LIVED THROUGH NIGERIA’S INDEPENDENCE ERA BUT I DON’T RECALL THINGS BEING AS BAD AS THIS, NOT EVEN DURING THE CIVIL WAR WHICH

I LIVED THROUGH.

THERE IS A CERTAIN SENSE OF DESPAIR THAT IS QUITE UNUSUAL cided that I wasn’t going to be commenting on the budget anymore.

How do you see the subsidy probe and trial of indicted oil marketers?

There is always something to learn from mistakes and we all make mistakes. That kind of probe, if it is managed well, will help bring out the reason why things have not gone the right way and need to be considered differently.

But watch and see; if there has been a lot of expression of pain, it is the fact that the people who are being tried think the whole thing is a joke; laughing in court and all of that. Worst still, I know somebody who visited them in EFCC custody, who thought the whole thing was a joke; I think they were almost drinking Champagne, making phone calls to anywhere in the world, joking with each other about the necessary part of arrival in Nigeria; that if you are not detained, locked up for a while you are not a real man and so now that they have been baptised properly, they will be the next governor of Central Bank or one state.

They were joking that the whole thing is a big joke.

Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world, the misery index of most of our people is so high and

Is there any justification for the impeachment?

I am trying to be objective and to give everybody the benefit of the doubt by saying if their reason is a passionate desire to make Nigeria move forward, if they have to impeach 10 presidents I would be up for it. But I fear that that may not exactly be the motive and that is where the problem is.

Do you think the president has done something that warrants impeachment?

You have to understand this in the contest in which we are discussing it. A president has sworn to uphold certain laws designed in the best interest of the people and he fails to, that warrants impeachment. But however that may not be the motive. But the point is; if the process of impeachment will best serve progress, whether Jonathan or anyone else, I have no objection to it. But if it is just part of the game of power, Nigerian people are slightly tired of that; they like to have people come to govern them and advance the common good of all.

What about the claim by the Minister of Finance that there is nowhere in the world where the budget is implemented 100 per cent?

That’s untrue; if the budget process is a serious process, it will be implemented seriously. If there is any shortfall it will be marginal. The truth of the matter is that the budget process in Nigeria has not been a serious process for many years. Back in the late 1980s, I used to be one of the regular commentators on budgets but a very long time ago I decided that I was making a fool of myself by commenting on the budget because it was pointless. The Nigerian system does not budget; the budget is a public relations document designed to get approvals. In truth, many government officials don’t follow the budget at all. For that reason I de-

you get a group of people in their 30s and 40s who don’t know what to do with money, they are buying one jet after the other just because they have access and they are involved in this huge scam. The reason I participated in the demonstrations of January is because I don’t think Nigerians understand how bad things are in this country, the shamelessness and the loss of conscience. The question of the subsidy is a misuse of the English language. What is going on in this country is a huge scam that is being perpetrated by some Nigerians and the Nigerian people are being asked to pay for it. People who have been there and older than me provided analysis; how much does it cost to produce a barrel of crude oil in continental shelf of Nigeria? The number is there. How much does it cost to transport crude from such a place to a refinery, the number is there. How much does it cost to refine a barrel of crude oil, the number is there. The total cost of refining crude oil in Nigeria is about N36 per litre. I am not saying that should be the cost of petrol, but I am saying don’t use opportunity cost to calculate price and call it a subsidy? And it is an opportunity cost that crude oil sells so much in the market. They say, ‘Oh, but we are importing the thing,’ but why are you importing the thing, why are you not refining it? Because there is an incentive for those who are ripping off ordinary people, not to have functional refinery, so that they can import. In Biafra we saw people refining petrol in their backyard, it is not rocket science. So, to have so much crude oil and be importing petrol is one of the first failures of government in Nigeria.

I said in January that there is a huge scam going on and to them they parade a few people and everybody is laughing at the matter, that shows contempt for the Nigerian people by a political class that should be jailed. Because they rule and take away the promise of a generation and they don’t realise they have done wrong. I can say without any doubt in my mind that my generation has betrayed the mission of this generation as a political class. As a result, the political class should be in jail. They should round us up.

But the political class is not willing.

If the madness continues, one day we will all end up in the refugee camp.

It is because we have defined access in Nigeria to be money without work. Because the political culture in Nigeria has somehow managed to suggest that if you have power, you have an entitlement and the entitlement is to live off a rent economy. Nigeria is an estate and through all kinds of roadblocks, access links, toll gates, the commonwealth is shared by a few who live in contempt of majority whose common patrimony they are squandering and it is accepted and we all clap for them until we end up in a refugee camp. That is my destination assurance for Nigeria unless something happens like Somalia. That’s where we are going.

So far, how would you rate the Jonathan administration?

Honestly, looking at the faces of people at the bus stops, people I chat with everyday, there is a sudden loss of confidence.

I AM SURE THERE ARE ONLY FEW NIGERIANS, MAYBE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVING

FUEL SUBSIDY, WHO CAN SAY LIFE IS BETTER TODAY THAN IT WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO

How do you see the jamboree that heralded the hosting of the First Ladies of Africa?

That is part of what I am saying, there is such a disconnect between those in power and the Nigerian people. At a time when people are going through so much pain and agony, we can afford this kind of plunge that is meaningless in the name of First Ladies. Even if they say African First Ladies are meeting and we would like to host them in Nigeria, given the time, they should just arrive quietly, be taken to their hotels and to the Villa where there are several halls to have their meeting. But to splash incredible amount of money in decorating Abuja with pictures of Mrs Jonathan, buy or lease series of BMW cars which, like the ones before them would disappeares into the custody of individuals, is very insensitive and smacks of the absence of good judgement in terms of what the resources could do for our people desperately in need of it. But we tolerate these things, so it goes on.

Politics

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

No hiding place for fuel subsidy fraudsters

ASO ROCK FILE

T

with

Rotimi FADEYI

Jonathan and the burden of crude oil theft

N

igeria is reputed to be the sixth largest oil producing nation in the world. The quality of her oil is also regarded as one of the best worldwide. However, the irony is that even with the enormous natural and human resources that abound in the country, a large number of its citizens still wallow in abject poverty while just a few swim in affluence.

Many countries which do not have the abundant and overflowing resources that Nigeria possesses are always in shock, disbelief and wonder that citizens of such a rich country like Nigeria still experience hunger, poverty, want, lack of medical care and deaths from preventable diseases.

While many people and citizens of other countries believe that no Nigerian should go to bed hungry, the reverse is the case as the reality is that many Nigerians lack food, basic health care and decent shelter while some even feed from the refuse dump.

This unfortunate situation is created by very few Nigerians who are privileged to be in certain positions of trust but who used such positions to steal from the commonwealth of Nigerians. They steal crude oil with the connivance of foreigners. This illegal, wicked and criminal alliance in turn make them super rich leaving the majority poor and wretched.

Oil giant, Shell, recently estimated that Nigeria loses about $5 billion (N775

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

billion) to the theft of 150,000 barrels of crude oil annually by highly organised gangs But last week at a Maritime Security retreat in Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan vowed that his administration would put a stop to the large-scale theft of the nation’s crude oil by Nigerians and foreigners, lamenting that the country was losing huge revenues from the criminal act.

While describing the situation as very embarrassing, Jonathan said that those who indulged in the criminal act should bury their heads in shame.

He noted that, “all over the world it is only in Nigeria that crude oil is stolen.

We are not the only oil producing country why is it, that it is only in Nigeria that people steal crude oil? This must stop” “In fact, if we have been doing well, by now Nigeria is supposed to have the best academies and institutions that will train Nigerians in the oil and gas sector because these are areas that in the 50s we were leading. Other African countries are supposed to be sending people here for training but now we are rather going out to train our people,” Jonathan added.

The President did not mince words about the importance of the maritime sector in the national economy, stressing that his administration has an uncompromising obligation to safeguard the territorial waters against all threats including poaching, piracy and pipeline

here seems not to be hiding place for oil companies and their owners who illegally benefited from the billions of naira spent on oil subsidy but who never imported any oil into the country.

Already, some of the owners of such companies have been arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

There is even more trouble for the oil marketers and trading companies going by the submission of the report of the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede-led Presidential Committee on Reconciliation and Verification of Subsidy Payments to the government in Abuja last week.

In the recommendations of the committee, 21 oil companies are to cough out a total of N382 billion, which was illegally collected as subsidy payment and even face prosecution if found wanting while auditors and government functionaries would be subjected to serious interrogation to determine the roles they played in the whole issue.

After a closed door meeting with President Jonathan, where the report of the committee was submitted, Aig-Imoukhuede disclosed that while the committee made 22 recommendations to the Federal Gov-

ernment, it also discovered that there was duplication of N18 billion as subsidy payments.

He stated that the committee was left with the task of verifying N403 billion instead of N422 billion subsidy payment earlier identified in the report of the Technical Committee after removing the N18 billion which were discovered to be duplication He explained that out of the N403 billion, N21 billion was cleared by the Presidential Committee while the sum of N382 billion was in contention for which the Presidential Committee recommended that the process of recovery should commence.

“Out of the N422 billion identified by the Technical Committee which I chaired, the Presidential Committee took steps to identify and remove duplication, which may have been contained in the Technical Committee’s report which was also discovered in the course of the panel’s interviews” “Of the N422 billion, N18 billion was found to be duplication. So, the actual amount that was being verified is N403 billion. Of this amount, N21 billion was cleared and that leaves N382 billion as the sum in contention for which the committee recommended that the process of recovery should be made.”

Furore over budget implementation

S

ince the beginning of the democratic dispensation in the country 13 years ago, one of the areas which the executive and the legislature always have friction is in the area of budget implementation.

Recenly, members of the House of Representatives threatened that impeachment awaits President Goodluck Jonathan if he fails to achieve 100 per cent implementation of the 2012 budget

by September.

Presidential Villa’s visitors 1. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole 2. Kano state Governor, Rabiu Kwakwaso 3. Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (PBE), Mr. Emeka Eze 4. Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi 5. Chairman, Presidential Committee on Reconciliation and Verification of Subsidy Payments, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede 6. Special Adviser to the President on Maritime Affairs, Mr. Leke Oyewole 7. Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar 8. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina 9. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

While the legislators believed that they have given to Nigerians a workable and implementable budget, having painstakingly and carefully considered and approved the funds to be spent to improving the lives of the people, the executive on the other hand believes that full implementation of the budget was not feasible considering other factors and challenges that may show up during implementation.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, declared that it was not possible to achieve 100 per cent implementation of the 2012 budget in September this year but rather, a substantial implementation of about 80 to 90 per cent at the end of the fiscal year.

While the minister stressed that government was committed to substantial implementation of between 80 to 90 per cent at the end of the year, 56 per cent of the budget had already been implemented as at July 20 while a total of N404 billion had already been released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) Jonathan had on Friday, April 13 signed 2012 Appropriation Bill of N4.697 trillion into law after it was passed by the National Assembly on March 15. The budget consists of capital expenditure of N1.34tn and recurrent expenditure amounting to N3.357tn.

L-R: President Goodluck Jonathan, Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar at the Presidential Maritime Security Retreat at the State House.

In defence of African First Ladies’ Summit vehicles

E

ven before the 7th Summit of the African First Ladies Peace Mission hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan in Abuja last week, there had been reports that the funds for the summit would come from the coffers of the Federal Government.

But in its defence, the government came out to explain that it was not funding the summit and even went ahead to refute claims that 200 new “exotic” vehicles were purchased specifically for the summit.

Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati in a statement issued on the issues said such report was utterly false and misleading, describing it as another attempt to incite public anger against the Presidency and the Federal Government While explaining the true situation, Abati said: “The African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) which is holding its summit in Abuja is a Non-Governmental Organisation. Its activities are funded by stakeholders and members of the private sector who support and identify with its objectives.

“In accordance with its modus operandi, the AFLPM set up several committees,

including a finance committee to raise funds and sponsorship for the organisation of its Abuja Summit.

“As part of its own contributions to the successful hosting of the summit by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Coscharis Motors Limited. offered to provide some cars for the event at no cost to the organisers or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Under an agreement signed by the committee and Coscharis Motors, all the cars will be returned to the company after the summit.”

President Jonathan who personally declared the summit open while tasking the African First Ladies on the challenge to ensure peace in the continent also urged more women in Nigeria to come out and contest for elective positions in the 2015 election.

He also expressed hope of female Service Chiefs in Nigeria, saying that the time has come for more women to make impact in all areas of life.

MORE POLITICS STORIES ON PAGES 42 - 44

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

17

Strong arguments for state police: A rejoinder GEOFFREY O. ANYANWU

O

n July 19, 2012, I was in my village, Umuodia-Umuegwu Mpam in Ahiazu LGA, Imo State. Recovering gradually from the loss of my beloved father, Pa Lawrence Maduaghaiheya Anyanwu, who died at the ripe age of 110 years (May his Soul Rest in Perfect Peace, Amen), I strolled to a popular newsstand to pick up my daily companion, National Mirror. On flipping to page 17, I was magnetized by an article titled Strong arguments for state police not because it was coming from a man of double toga, a professor of philosophy and an LLM, but because the title captured unequivocally his position on a burning national issue. It was the first article I read in support of state police coming from an independent analyst after the burial of my father.

After reading the article, I agreed with most of his views, but thought that the title should have been slightly adjusted to read Strong arguments for and against state police: The way forward. This is because he actually captured the extreme views before finally taking a position. However, he failed to allay the fears of those opposed to state police. I suspect space constraint could have been responsible for this.

I quite agree with him that the debate

IF THE JOKER OF IMMATURITY

IS TENABLE, THE ULTIMATE QUESTION SHOULD FOCUS ON THE MATURITY OF

MOHAMMED

ABUBAKAR TO BE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE on to be or not to be of state police is necessitated by the deficit of effective security in Nigeria and signaled the collapse of security network coordinated from the centre, and the legitimacy question marking hanging the central government. Thomas Hobbes, the 18th century political philosopher, for instance, says that the provision of security and peace is the first fundamental law of nature on which every other laws of nature is based and it’s the reason government was established in the first place. It is only in conditions of peace and security that man can safely pursue the satisfaction of his appetite.

To rescue a return into the state of nature, if we are not already there, where man was a wolf unto man, no knowledge of the face of the earth, no account of time, no arts, no letters, no society and the worst of all, continual fear and danger of violent death, the life of man was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short. In doing so we are left with two options: either to reform or transform the collapsed security outfit. Experience has shown that reforms of police over the years are not sustainable and have proven to be ready made conduit pipe of siphoning scarce funds into the hands of few, thereby leaving us with the option of peaceful or violent transformation of the existing police structure.

The creation of state police is one of the transformative strategies of policing structure because it aims at changing the foundational regime policing philosophy of centralized power control to more humane or democratic philosophy of decentralization which empowers various security stakeholders to conduct law enforcement activities and criminal investigations within a state or defined geographical region.

This enhances creative initiatives, fast decision making in the face of new challenges and proactive policing by line police officers. But we must be very cautious in selecting a model in order to avoid the multiplication of the problems at the center

by 37 states including the Federal Capital Territory. The model can be a unique one or borrowed from various models in the world and made to reflect our cultural realities. Before delving into a way forward in the seemingly logjam, it is pertinent we critically analyze the three different positions identifiable in the evolving national controversy.

Leading the opposition group’s view on the state controlled police is the issue of immaturity for the policing strategy.

Professor F.N. Ndubuisi aptly captured the scenario through the statement of the police boss himself, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, who says that Nigeria is not ripped for it. This is the most political, ubiquitous, unreasonable and ambiguous response to the issue.

Maturity in what sense; the short period of Nigeria’s independence, the evolution of humans within the geo-political zone is recent, or the mental immaturity of human resources within our scope of interest?

If the joker of immaturity is tenable, the ultimate question should focus on the maturity of Mohammed Abubakar to be the Inspector General of Police or Goodluck Jonathan to be the President of Nigeria.

Anyanwu, anyanwuforreal@yahoo. co.uk, is a PhD Researcher and Lecturer, University of Lagos

The Olympics as a metaphor TAYO OGUNBIYI

I

declare open the Games of London celebrating the 30th Olympiad of the modern era”. With these words, the British monarch, 86-year-old Queen Elizabeth 11, declared open the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games, amidst fanfare, colour and drama.

The transformation of the Olympic Movement in the 20th and 21st centuries has resulted in adjustments in the Olympic Games.

They include the creation of the Winter Games for ice and winter sports, the Paralympics Games for athletes with physical disabilities, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has had to adapt to the varying economic, political, and technological realities of the 20th century. As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by founder of modern of modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, to accommodate professional athletes. We have also witnessed growing corporate sponsorship and commercialization of the Games.

Nigeria’s first participation in the Olympics was at the Helsinki (Sweden) Games, in 1952. She has since sent athletes to every Summer Olympics, except for the boycotted 1976 edition in Montreal, Canada. Till date, Nigeria has won a total of 23 medals, mainly from athletics and boxing. Perhaps, the peak of the country’s success in the games was in 1996 at Atlanta, USA when the national U-23 football team won the soccer gold medal.

In an increasingly troubled and endangered world, the Olympics have become a magnificent metaphor for world cooperation because they bring together diverse

peoples from across the world. Its positive values of hard work, fair play, excellence and team spirit foster a communion that transcends borders, and cultures to unite the world during these troubled times.

The various skirmishes currently being experienced across the globe are distressing reflection of serious breakdowns in communication among countries of the world. On a daily basis, we read and hear of needless internal crises in many countries resulting into avoidable loss of lives. One basic lesson the Olympics teach is cooperation.

We see this mostly among athletes competing in team events like football, basketball, handball, rugby etc. Irrespective of their religious, ethnic and tribal affiliations, athletes representing their respective countries in these events collaborate to bring glory to their nations.

Using the relay race in athletics as a typical example, all the participating athletes have one thing in sight: to deliver the coveted prize for their respective countries. In like manner, all nations need to embrace cooperation in all ramifications for the world to be a wonderful place to dwell. Effective collaboration among countries of the world, like the one we see in the Olympics, is a precondition for the attainment of a less turbulent world.

The Olympics therefore, present a potent prospect for mankind to rise above past trials and strives to accomplish the triumph of oneness. To do this, we must heal the core wounds where our divisions have been sewn, to realize that our human struggles are the same and our cooperation makes us stronger. Unity, peace and stability, though still very elusive, are the most essential needs of the world today. Yet, the Olympics

THE OLYMPICS CREATE A UNIVERSAL FEELING OF

EXCITEMENT, OFFERING THE WORLD A MOMENT OF ENCHANTMENT AROUND PASSIONS AND SHARED DREAMS have taught us that we are one and that we can relate as such, if only we are ready to embrace the common elements that bind us together. In the next three weeks, athletes and administrators from various cultures and beliefs across the world will gather in London in an atmosphere of brotherliness, love and unity.

The symbolic significance of individual athletes’ achievements has sometimes proved more productive than the negotiations of diplomats or politicians. These examples illustrate the mission of achieving unity that is implicit and inherent in sports.

This mission is all the more necessary today because of the fragmentation of our societies. Sporting arena is one of the few spaces where people can learn about different cultures in a spirit of trust and friendship.

Today, sport remains a vast field of life that offers the youth an enduring opportunity for personal development and growth. It teaches endurance, discipline, hard work, tolerance, teamwork, focus, preparedness, ruggedness among numerous other noble virtues that

are currently in short supply across the world. But beyond the values and benefits of sport, the Olympics create a universal feeling of excitement, offering the world a moment of enchantment around passions and shared dreams.

The ruling and political elites across the world, most often, tend to compromise the peace and unity of their respective countries, and by implication that of the world, primarily for selfish motives. In Nigeria, for instance, the ruling elites play up the ethnic, tribal and religious card in as much as it suits their egocentric considerations. In most cases, the people out of intellectual and material poverty often fall victim of the antics of the ruling elites. Why, for instance, has zoning continued to be a recurring vocabulary in our political lexicon? Was the idea of zoning mooted because the power elites love their people so much and would like to preserve their interest through the instrumentality of power? We need to ponder on this.

In the spirits of the Olympics, now is the time for Nigerians leaders to rally together to save our nation from going down. Let the truth be spoken, if we allow the current fire of discord being fanned across the country to stand, none of us might live to tell the story.

Ogunbiyi is of the Features Unit, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs.

Pseudonyms may be used but must be clearly marked as such.

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

The tragic Rivers State petrol tanker fire incident

I

t is doubtful that life has returned to normal in Ula Okogbe, the community located in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, after the tragic petrol tanker fire disaster of Thursday, July 12, 2012. The said Thursday July 12 was a particularly horrific day in Ula Okogbe, a small, busy yet peaceful community on the bank of Orashi River on the ‘East West Road’ as fire from a petrol tanker that fell and spilled its content roasted no fewer than 200 people, among them women, including pregnant ones, and children. The petrol laden tanker, according to eyewitness reports, tried to avert a head-on crash with an on-coming vehicle when it skidded off the road, overturned and spilled its content in the process. As has been the characteristic reaction of most Nigerians to such dangerous opportunities in the past, the residents on ground swooped on the spillage to scoop free fuel. Not quite long into the fatal escapade, however, tragedy struck. Reports said 89 of the 200 casualties were burnt beyond recognition, while scores of others who survived the inferno sustained various degrees of burns. A nearby petrol station owned by Oando was also torched.

It is not as if the twin problems of petrol tanker and pipeline fires and their tragic consequences are strange to the nation. Some of those documented include the October 17, 1998 Jesse, Delta State, pipeline fire which killed about 1200 people; another incident near

Jesse on July 10, 2000 killed about 250 victims; while 100 others died when a ruptured pipeline exploded in Warri, also in Delta State on July 16, 2000. There was likewise the Ebute fishing village (near Lagos) leaking pipeline fire that killed at least 60 people on November 30, 2000; the June 19, 2003 Abia State pipeline fire that took 125 lives near Umuahia, the state capital; the pipeline punctured by thieves that exploded and killed dozens of people in Lagos State on September 17, 2004; the Atlas Creek Island fire of May 12, 2006 that killed about 150 people; another incident in Lagos on December 26, 2006 in which an estimated 500 people died; and the May 16, 2008 pipeline fire in Ijegun, a Lagos suburb that claimed at least 100 lives, as well as razed more than 15 homes and burned over 20 vehicles, among others.

Nor are petrol tanker incidents less fatal, from the Lagos – Ibadan highway to the remotest parts of the country. Indeed in March this year, a petrol tanker that exploded in Igwuruta near Port Harcourt caused the death of many and destroyed property of inestimable value. Following each of the said unfortunate incidents, the reaction of the government, both state and federal, depending on their moods, has been to relay condolences and offer some tokenisms by way of emergency relief, medical bills settlement and in very extreme cases, compensation for victims.

Yet, the roots of the problem, chief among which is the na-

BREAKING THE STRANGLEHOLD OF TANKER AND TRUCK OWNERS ON THEIR DANGEROUS ROAD HAULAGE BUSINESS MAY PROVE IMPOSSIBLE EXCEPT DRASTIC MEASURES ARE UNDERTAKEN tion’s decrepit highways under siege by tanker and other articulated trucks, have remained unaddressed. While the nation’s highways are scarcely maintained, heavy duty vehicles such as the aforementioned, travel very long distances to and fro Lagos to convey all manner of consignments to the hinterland; and have for long constituted public nuisance and a major source or fatal road crashes on all major highways in the country. Besides, apart from road accidents occasioned by human error and bad roads, mere looking at the rickety state of some tankers and articulated trucks speaks volumes on their road worthiness and the conscious incompetence of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in ensuring effective checks on those couriers of death.

It is no longer tenable blaming the mad rush to death at fuel spill

sites on providence or the poverty of citizens; and their impulsive desires for survival, considering the scant performance of the government in improving living conditions since the dawn of democratic rule in 1999. The federal and state governments should take urgent steps to stem the huge losses in human lives witnessed almost daily from such incidents. The starting point should be the criminalization of unauthorized presence in fuel spill sites. Only security, emergency management, traffic control and related personnel, whose duties should include cordoning off the dangerous sites, creating diversions and clearing the mess to ensure public safety, should have unfettered access to such sites.

Likewise is the need to revive the nation’s rail system to free the highways of deadly tankers and articulated trucks. Equally imperative is giving the highways the required routine maintenance and getting the FRSC to be committed to its crucial responsibility of effective and strict checks on the road-worthiness of huge tankers and trucks, especially, plying the highways; as well as keeping tabs on the mental state of their drivers, most of whom are often under the spell of alcohol, marijuana and other hard drugs. In a country, like ours, where heartless cabals rule in virtually all fields of human endeavour, breaking the stranglehold of tanker and truck owners on their dangerous road haulage business may prove impossible except drastic measures are undertaken.

ON THIS DAY July 31, 2007 The MV Arctic Sea, reportedly carrying a cargo of timber, was allegedly hijacked in the North Sea by pirates, but much speculation remained as to the actual cargo and events. The MV Arctic Sea was a merchant vessel cargo ship, formerly registered in Malta. On July 24, the Arctic Sea, manned by a Russian crew and carrying a cargo of what was declared to consist solely of timber, was allegedly boarded by hijackers off the coast of Sweden.

July 31, 2006 Fidel Castro handed over power temporarily to his brother, Raúl Castro. Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz (born June 3, 1931) is a Cuban politician and revolutionary who has been President of the Council of State of Cuba and the President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba since 2008; he previously exercised presidential powers in an acting capacity from 2006 to 2008.

Raúl Castro was a rebel commander during the 1950s; after his older brother, Fidel Castro, took power.

July 31, 1991 The United States and Soviet Union jointly signed the START I Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the first to reduce (with verification) both countries’ stockpiles. The START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was a bilateral treaty between the US and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. The treaty was signed on July 31, 1991 and entered into force on December 5, 1994.

Insurance operators disregard ‘No Premium, No Cover’ policy

Stakeholders disagree over proposed 15 years age limit for airplanes in Nigeria 35

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Multi-billion naira tobacco industry comes under fire With 20 billion sticks of cigarette valued at N200bn being consumed annually in Nigeria, the tobacco industry is sure a money spinner. However, this may not be for long as anti-tobacco groups mount pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the National Tobacco Control Bill into law.

ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI reports.

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T

he tobacco industry has been described as one of the most profitable in the world. According to a global industry analyst, Euromonitor International, the global cigarette market is valued at $611bn. To market their products, tobacco companies use their enormous wealth and influence both locally, regionally and globally to protect their investment. A stakeholder’s report made available to National Mirror by the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), affirmed that BAT is the world’s second largest quoted tobacco group by market share with brands sold in more the 180 markets, and sales estimated at 708 billion cigarettes globally in 2010.

This enormous output according to Euromonitor International is estimated to translate into a gross turnover of 4.84 billion euros for the tobacco giant in 2010. However, the tobacco company’s rev-

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Tobacco Point-Of-Sales

enues may come under pressure in Nigeria if President Goodluck Jonathan bows to pressure to sign the National Tobacco Control Bill (NTCB), which has been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

With increasing litigations against cigarette manufacturers, the bill is expected to enforce compliance with the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which Nigeria is a signatory to.

The bill was drafted by the former Minister of Health, Late Prof.

Olikoye Ransome-Kuti. Senator Olorunimbe Mamora later sponsored and presented the bill to the Senate in 2008. It passed the second reading in February 2009 and a Public

NIGERIA IS PART OF THE OVER 40 AFRICAN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE SIGNED THE FCTC WHICH FORMS A BASIS FOR NTCB Hearing was conducted on it on July 20 and 21, 2009.

According to The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) shadow report, “After manipulations

by BATN to stop the presentation of the bill to the Senate, the Senate Committee on Health eventually sent the bill back to the plenary in January 2011 and it was eventually passed into law on March 15, 2011.

The House of Representatives also

passed the Senate version of the bill on May 31, 2011. Some of the provisions in the bill are consistent with the key provisions of the FCTC and when the bill is eventually signed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it would have successfully domesticated the FCTC in Nigeria.”

The bills when signed into law will punish anyone who promotes, advertises or smoke cigarette in CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Cashless: Monthly PoS transactions surpass N6bn

Experts highlight interview skills needed by graduate job seekers

How govt can achieve one million housing target yearly

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Business & Finance

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Multi-billion naira tobacco industry comes under fire CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

public places among others. Promotion of tobacco in bars will also attract huge punishment, such as imprisonment with an option of fine. Nigeria is part of the over 40 African countries that have signed the FCTC which forms a basis for NTCB. As a result, antitobacco advocates insist that the country is obligated to adopt and implement effective legislation aimed at reducing tobacco use and tobacco smoke exposure.

The threat to tobacco industry came as a result of the rate at which consumption pattern continues to increase with the attendant health risks associated with smokers even though the revenues continue to sky rocket, and the industry continues to boom.

With the number of smoker declining in developed countries in the past two decades due to increased awareness about the dangers of smoking and stricter tobacco control measures including high-taxes on tobacco products, big tobacco multinationals have since turned their attention to Asia and Africa with high populations and lax tobacco control measures.

According to a document titled Tobacco Industry Profile – Africa Intended Uses of Report, made available to National Mirror “BAT’s regional structure was reorganised in January 2011 to increase efficiency across the company. The regional restructuring merged the Africa and Middle East region with Eastern Europe markets. Currently, BAT’s African operations are organised into four different areas.�

One of the regional structures, includes Nigeria. “West Africa area includes Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mauritania and Sierra Leone. Nigeria is the major operational centre for the area with two factories in Ibadan and Zaria and area offices in Lagos,â€? stated the report adding that, “in 2011, the region accounted for seven per cent of global cigarette sales by volume. The number of cigarettes sold in ‌Africa has increased by six per cent over the past five years, from 384 billion cigarettes in 2007 to 408 billion sticks in 2011.â€?

The report stated further that, “in SubSaharan Africa, overall cigarette volume has remained level and only increased by 0.3 per cent in the last five years. However, at least 26 countries in the region experienced a five per cent or more increase in cigarette volume over the last five years.

The top cigarette consuming countries are South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, consuming 47 per cent of the region’s cigarette retail volume in 2011.�

In order to meet regional demand, BATN invested $70m in the Ibadan factory in addition to the earlier $150m investment which was as stated in the Park Lane MoU to generate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, generating thousands of direct and indirect employment in addition to paying taxes to the Nigerian government.

The actual growth of tobacco industry was 5.4 per cent between 2007 and 2011 while it is expected to rise to 6.2 per cent between 2011 and 2016. National Mirror gathered that Nigeria produced 15.4 billion cigarettes in 2010 and imported 5.3 billion.

An estimated 0.1 billion was exported while 20.3 billion was consumed locally.

The Executive Director of ERA, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi calculated while speak-

Jonathan

Spencer-Obatoyinbo

Bassey

ing with National Mirror that with the 20.3 billion pieces of cigarette consumed at an average price of N10 per stick, the total industry revenue stood at N200bn in 2010.

Beyond Nigeria, market analysts anticipate that a shift in demographics will continue to contribute to the overall smoking population increase in Africa. By 2016, Euromonitor International predicts that there will be 91 million more adults in the region and that cigarette sales will grow by 11 per cent over the next five years.

Meanwhile, multinational companies like BAT, Philip Morris International (PMI), Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Imperial Tobacco Group (Imperial Tobacco) are increasing their dominance within Africa.

These four multinational companies increased their market share in the Middle East and Africa region by over 100 per cent in the last 10 years -- from 31 per cent in 2002 to 64 per cent in 2011. In 2006, African countries consumed an estimated 250 billion cigarettes, accounting for approximately four per cent of the total cigarettes consumed globally that year. It was also revealed that Africa has a number of regional free trade blocs aimed at increasing economic development between members According to reports, the top cigarette consuming countries are South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, consuming 47 per cent of the region’s cigarette retail volume in 2011.

But if the bill is finally signed into law, the tobacco firms, especially BATN, which is a major investor in the industry, is expected to lose its huge revenue and investment but this is not a certainty.

Apart from BATN who dominates the market, JTI, (JTA) investment will also be threatened. JTI is the fourth largest tobacco company in the world and controls 10 percent of the global cigarette market. It is the fifth largest in Africa and the Middle East in terms of retail sales volume. JTI sells cigarettes in 20 different African countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Algeria and Morocco and is actively expanding its presence in Africa through acquisitions.

BATN has devised many strategies to

Top Five Tobacco Companies by Retail Volume in Middle East and Africa Region Companies 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 British American Tobacco 16.8 17.1 18.6 19.0 19.9 20.4 20.7 20.8 21.3 21.7 Plc Imperial Tobacco Group Plc 3.8 3.7 4.0 4.0 4.2 3.9 13.2 18.0 17.1 17.3 Philip Morris International 8.5 8.9 10.3 10.6 11.0 11.2 11.8 12.8 14.0 13.8 Inc Eastern Company SAE 14.9 15.1 14.7 15.2 15.4 14.6 14.6 14.4 14.8 12.7 Japan Tobacco Inc 2.0 2.5 4.3 4.5 4.6 7.3 8.3 9.4 10.3 11.3 Total 46.0 47.3 51.9 53.3 55.1 57.4 68.6 75.4 77.5 76.8 2012 Euromonitor International $+#*(/

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foster a working relationship with host communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ad stakeholders through partnership and lobby. The firm invested heavily on Corporate Sustainability Projects through the BATN Foundation. Established 10 years ago, the Managing Director of BATN, Mrs. Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo, said in a statement to National Mirror, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The BATNF supports agricultural development and the reduction of poverty in Nigeria by providing sustainable means for communities to be self-reliant.â&#x20AC;?

But Akinbode believed otherwise. He said the Corporate Social Responsibility spree by the tobacco firm was a mere cajole and trick to kill more Nigerians with tobacco products.

As President Jonathan continues to delay the signing of the bill into law, the founder of ERA/FoEN, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the overwhelming support the bill received in the Senate and House

NIGERIA, MARKET ANALYSTS ANTICIPATE THAT A SHIFT IN DEMOGRAPHICS WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL SMOKING POPULATION INCREASE IN

AFRICA

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of Representatives, it is sad that till date, it has not been signed by the president. The intervention of the health minister is a singular action that generations of Nigerians will not forget. Giving Nigerians this gift as we mark the 2012 World No Tobacco Day will be remarkable,â&#x20AC;?

But an industry source told National Mirror that the delay in signing the bill into law is not unconnected with the effects such move would have on the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP. With the huge revenue the tobacco industry is contributing to the national product output, the source maintained that the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is taking his time to consider so many factors before he would sign the bill such that the articulation of FDI policy would not be undermined.

National Mirror further gathered from a BATN source that if eventually the bill is signed, the tobacco giant would look for other options to boost its sales in a way that will not violate the provisions of the bill. But he added that the firm is committed to ensuring the development of the communities where it operates. BATN said it embarks on continual sustainable agricultural development that entrenches modern farming techniques among farmers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business & Finance

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

21

Cashless: Monthly PoS transactions surpass N6bn KUNLE A ZEEZ

N

igeria continues to record steady growth in the rate of adoption of electronic channels of payment as average monthly transactions volume on Point of Sales, PoS, has surpassed N6bn.

With daily PoS transactions in excess of N200m, the country records over N6bn as the value of transactions over a period of 30 days.

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, disclosed the daily transitions value during the Nigerian Computer Society Computer annual conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, at the weekend, with the theme, “Towards a Cash-less Nigeria: Tools and Strategies.”

National Mirror had, on May 4, 2012, reported that monthly average transactions volume had reached N2.34m on existing PoS terminals in the country, according to sources from the apex bank.

However, the transactions volume, has since more than doubled to reach over N6bn with PoS terminals increasing from 5, 300 units as at June 2011 to 60, 003 units as at April 29, 2012 and to reach about 150,000 PoS as at April, 2012.

The CBN governor, who spoke through the bank’s Head of Shared Services, Mr. Chidi Umeano, said: “The Lagos Cashless economy has been very encouraging. About 150, 000 Point of Sales terminals have been deployed by CBN and the banks across Lagos while the transac-

tions on them on a daily basis are in excess of N200m.”

Sanusi said as part of efforts to ensure the successful implementation both the present pilot programme in Lagos and that of 2013 national application of the scheme, the CBN, in conjunction with the Bankers’ Committee, had embarked on a shared services programme with three objectives, including a drastic cost reduction of about 30 per cent across the country.

He said the shared services programme centre on cash management; payment system transformation; Information technology infrastructure and services; IT standards and back office operations.

The apex bank governor also justified the need to go cash-less in the country.

He said: “Cash-related transactions represented over 99 per cent of customer activities in Nigerian banks as at December 2011.

There are projections already that cash management in the country will cost the Apex bank about N192bn by end of 2012.

“Cash is an integral element that fuels several vices in Nigeria, including robberies and related crimes, high cost of processing borne by every entity across the value chain, revenue leakages arising from significant handling of cash, inefficient treasury management due to nature of cash processing, among others.

However, alternative payment channels will have considerable positive consequences on the economy.”

Meanwhile, the CBN has disclosed its current consid-

NDDC says banks sit on contractors’ funds

T

he Niger Delta Development Commission is to meet with chief executive officers of banks managing its accounts for deliberately sitting on funds due to its contractors The Managing Director, Dr. Christian Oboh disclosed this when officials of Keystone Bank led by its Managing Director, Mr. Oti Ikomi paid him a courtesy call in his office.

The NDDC boss who identified the banking sector as key in the task of developing the Niger Delta, frowned at banks whose actions, he said has impeded the smooth delivery of projects.

“We have situations where banks refuse to pay money to contractors for milestone achieved in the name of closing their books either for the month or quarter; this action is very unfriendly to our desire to bequeath enduring legacies”. He emphasized.

“We have also received com-

plaints from our contractors of banks requesting for additional APG’s outside the ones they have received before money will be released”, Oboh added.

He, therefore, warned that the NDDC would be forced to review its relationship with banks not willing to release the Commission’s money in their custody to contractors for project implementation.

Oboh said though the NDDC was ready to collaborate with organisations including banks, it can only do that with those that share the same vision with the Commission and sued for closer ties among development partners towards the growth of the Niger Delta region.

Earlier, the Managing Director, Keystone Bank, Mr. Oti Ikomi said they were at the NDDC to expand and strengthen the long time relationship between the Commission and the bank.

eration to extend the cashless economy scheme it planned for nationwide application by January 1, 2013, to only six states in

the country come next year.

“The whole idea at the initial was that the policy, by January 2013, would go live in all parts of

the country, but we have changed the plan because of implementation purposes. We are now going to start with six states.

Marketing Manager, KIA, Mr. Kayode Adejumo (left) receiving the Awards for Budget City Car of the Year’ for KIA PICANTO and KIA RIO, from Advisory member of the Award Committee, Architect M. Bua,during the 2012 Nigeria Auto Awards in Lagos recently.

Banks may lose profits for violating new lending guideline ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

A

ny Deposit Money Bank that obtain funds from the lending window of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and places same in interbank market may now attract sanctions the CBN has said.

The CBN issued this threat through a circular over the weekend signed by Mr. A. Idris, on behalf of the CBN Director, Banking Supervision.

According to the circular, “Commercial banks and discount houses that also place funds in the interbank market are not allowed to concurrently access the window.”

The apex bank warned that that any financial institution that violates the provision of the directive will be suspended from the CBN money market window

while such erring institution will also lose the profit it would have made on the transaction.

The banking regulator had earlier circulated an earlier circular to the banks that the government debt instruments will henceforth, guarantee transactions at discount window.

As part of the revised guideline, CBN said lending to banks will be based as usual on the temporary needs for liquidity support which it said must comply to existing guidelines.

According to the circular, “Discount window operations in overnight facilities will be backed by borrower-holdings of government debt instruments and other eligible securities approved by the bank.

“The CBN will maintain the provision of Standing Lending/ deposit Facilities to provide overnight accommodation for autho-

rized dealers in temporary liquidity shortage or liquidity surplus,” it said.

“Discount window operations in overnight facilities will be backed by borrower-holdings of government debt instruments and other eligible securities approved by the bank. The CBN will maintain the provision of Standing Lending/ deposit Facilities to provide overnight accommodation for authorised dealers in temporary liquidity shortage or liquidity surplus,” it said.

The apex bank, however, asked banks to employ the weighted average cost of funds computation framework while computing their cost of funds which include banks’ interest cost on the different types of deposit liabilities, borrowings from the inter-bank funds market, payments in respect of deposit insurance premium and costs due to reserve requirements.

Naira falls despite oil companies’ dollar sales ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

T

he naira fell against the U.S. dollar on the interbank market yesterday erasing gains made last week following monetary policy tightening measures by the Central Bank of Nigeria targeted at maintaining exchange rate stability and curbing the inflationary trend.

The naira closed at 160.80 to the dollar on the interbank market, weaker than the 160.35 it closed at on Friday.

The weak naira had received a respite last Wednesday, a day after the central bank took measures to stabilise the weakening local currency, closing at 160.02.

But traders told Reuters that strong demand for the greenback

coming from importers who are taking advantage of the initial appreciation in the value of the local currency to take positions in the market was responsible for the naira loss.

“The central bank measure was short-lived because when the naira appreciated initially, a number of importers rushed to buy the dollar to take advantage of the lower price and this put more pressure on the available dollars in the market,” dealers told Reuters.

The traders said unit of Royal Dutch Shell and Agip sold over $100m to some lenders on Monday, but demand in the market clear the available dollar.

“We saw some dollar flows from oil companies today (Monday), but not enough to support the level of demand in the mar-

ket,” a dealer told Reuters.

The CBN retained its benchmark interest rate on hold at 12 per cent on Tuesday, as expected, but took surprise measures to tighten liquidity.

The CBN raised cash reserve requirement for lenders to 12 percent from 8 percent and reduced net open foreign exchange positions to one percent from three percent to support the naira.

On the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction, the central bank sold $200m at 155.84 to the dollar, compared with $217m at 155.84 to the dollar last Wednesday.

It is expected that naira will continue to hover around the present level with expected further month-end dollar flows from oil companies.

22

Business & Finance

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Maritime security: We don’t have a single patrol boat, says NIMASA

MTN crashes tariff with new proposition

FRANCIS EZEM

KUNLE A ZEEZ

S

trong indications emerged that the increasing cases of piracy, sea robbery and other forms of illegality on Nigeria’s territorial waters may not be unconnected with the fact that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, government organ responsible for ensuring maritime safety and security does not have a single patrol boat.

NIMASA had, following an earlier Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Navy to form the Maritime Guard Command for the patrol of Nigeria’s waters entered into a N16bn concession con-

tract for the supply of platforms with Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Limited, a private firm allegedly owned by some former Niger Delta militants.

Under the contract, GWVSNL, will undertake the supply and crewing of the boats for the policing of the entire stretch of the Nigerian coastline from Lagos to Calabar, Cross River State, with an initial investment of $103m (N16bn), for 10 years in the first instance ‘under a no cure, no pay’ arrangement.

Legal adviser to the agency, Mr. Matthew Egbadon, who spoke in an interview, noted that for more than eight years, there was no single functional platform on the agency’s fleet

as the only four had been grounded.

According to him, in the face of this obvious challenge, the agency had to rely only hired platforms, which he said was very expensive and so the agency had to hire one when there are security issues on the waters, which implies that the waters were not patrolled 24 hour.

He also disclosed that following the grounding of the four platforms on the agency’s fleet, the management decided that it might be a sheer waste of public funds to acquire more, which might not be properly maintained, which was the major reason for the non-operational state of the existing four.

N

igeria’s leading telecoms company, MTN, has introduced a dynamic tariff plan to enable subscribers to enjoy as much as 100 per cent discount on their calls depending on where they are making the calls.

Tagged, MTN Zone, the service will allow customers to make significant savings on their phone calls and enjoy much more value for the money spent on the network.

The Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Larry Annetts, in a statement said, “MTN Zone is a service which offers attractive discounts to customers depending on the prevailing discount rates available on the cell site from which the customer receives signal.”

He explained that customers will be advised of discounts available in the area they are through

a service called cell broadcast.

Available discounts will be displayed on the screens of their phones.

“MTN Zone ushers our customers into another delightful era of control over their spend on calls. They can decide to delay certain calls till they get to their homes or offices where they usually enjoy generous discounts on calls,” he said.

Annetts said the service had been successfully run on a pilot phase in some select locations in the country and was later fully developed and activated in Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Anambra, Ogun and Bayelsa States.

“For customers to take advantage of the service, they would need to activate cell broadcast on their phones, which is a feature accessible via the ‘Menu’ of all handsets, and must be turned on to enjoy the service. To turn on the service, all a subscriber will have to do is to type and send a code numbers to a short code.

Dangote Cement’s expansion drive thrills Tanzania

F L-R: Executive Director, International Banking, GTBank, Mr. Demola Odeyemi; Director, Alhaji Batere Musa; Deputy Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Dauda Gotring and Deputy Controller (ICT), Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Ambrose Ukwuegbu, at the 2012 GTBank Settlement Customers Forum in Lagos, recently.

Experts support PENCOM’s takeover of PFA, seek transparency TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

S

ome financial experts have described the steps taken by the National Pension Commission to protect the interest of contributors through its takeover of First Guarantee Trust Limited as a desirable option to sustaining stakeholders’ confidence in the Contributory Pension Scheme.

However, analysts who spoke on the lingering face-off between the Commission and former directors of the PFA who were alleged to have violated the operational guidelines and provisions of the contributory pension scheme’s enabling Act warned that in its effort to sanitise the system, the regulatory agency should ensure that decisions of its monitoring and investigation activities are based on transparency and fairness.

While reacting to the current face-off between PenCom and First Guarantee Trust Limited which have become subject of

litigation, a chartered accountant and investment consultant, Biodun Ajayi, noted that, “the decision by the Commission over what it claimed happened at First Guarantee is desirable in order to maintain the integrity of the scheme and ensure safety of contributors’ funds “But it is important to say that PenCom should ensure that all its regulatory actions, especially when it has to do with any take-over or sanction of PFAs or Pension Custodians and their Directors or employees, are morally justified and in conformity with corporate governance and fairness principles”, Ajayi said.

According to him, there is need to ensure that appointment of management into PFAs or other entities involved in the management of contribution pensions is not based on mere selection of cronies but qualified management experts whose cognate experiences and integrity qualify them to run such PFAs as an interim ar-

rangement.

Another analyst, Bright Akinuli, said: “I think PenCom should be guided by recent experiences in the financial system whereby some people were appointed to manage rescued banks and after several months the impact of their intervention could not be felt in the affected banks either by improving the customer base or adding value to shareholders’ funds. We strongly support its efforts but it should be done transparently so that contributors’ confidence in the scheme will be enhanced” It could be recalled that PenCom had a few months ago, appointed new management for First Guarantee Trust Limited over alleged unsound practices by the owners over allegations that ranged from unilateral alteration of shareholdings, absence of statutory approvals from the regulators, breach of guidelines, and diversion of funds for personal usage and to companies related to its directors.

or setting up a cement plant in their land, the government and people of Tanzania have pledged their readiness to give all necessary assistance to Dangote Cement Plc to ensure the timely completion of the cement project in the East African country.

Wife of the President of Tanzania, Salma Rashid Kikwete who conveyed the message at Obajana Cement Plant during her tour of the factory at the weekend expressed appreciation of her people to Dangote Group for extending its pan-Africa operations to her country.

She said the people of Tanzania were happy that such a project was

being undertaken on an African soil by an African adding that the President of the Group deserved all the encouragements to ensure continuous growth of his businesses.

A 1.5 million tonnes per annum cement plant is currently being constructed by the Dangote Group in Tanzania and is expected to be completed next year.

After being conducted round the 10.25mtpa plant with her entourage which included the Tanzanian ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Msuy Mangachi, Mrs Kikwete expressed surprise at the gigantic nature of the plant noting that it was commendable that an African country is hosting the single largest cement plant in Africa.

Experts brainstorm on pension funds for infrastructural development OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

E

xperts in the country have called for more efficient ways to utilise and manage the pension funds as a buffer for infrastructural development.

The experts from pension and financial sector came together recently during a briefing organised by DETAIL Commercial Solicitors and Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) with theme, ‘Investing Pension Funds in Infrastructure Projects: The Key Drivers’ attracted many dignitaries.

The briefing was held in conjunction with UK Trade & Investment and the International Project Finance Association and took place at the residence of the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos.

Ehimeme Ohioma, a representative of the National Pension

Commission (PenCom), highlighted that Pencom has released an exposure draft of revised Guidelines on Regulation of Investment of Pension Fund Assets.

He assured that PenCom has been and will continue to be aware of and responsive to developments in the market to ensure Pension Funds can be invested in a diversified manner.

Mike Purves, Director of Trade of UK Trade & Investments, speaking on behalf of the Deputy High Commissioner, stressed the importance of the briefing as a means of bringing key stakeholders in the infrastructure financing sector to discuss pension funds as an alternative to infrastructure financing.

He said Nigeria has a considerable infrastructure deficit, and one of the major challenges faced by project developers is securing project financing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fresh graduates are entering the job market where many companies are building from the bottom up in an effort to safe cost thus, creating an increase in entry-level employment opportunities. Analysts said however, that being able to pass the inevitable interview stages of the job search is a first step towards getting those opporturnities, writes MESHACK IDEHEN.

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Experts highlight interview skills needed by graduate job seekers

A

lthough there is an increase in job opportunities for fresh graduates based on the views of experts, many also agree that there are still not enough opportunities to accommodate all entry-level job seekers that are continually poured into the labour markets.

In that regard, graduates seeking employment will be competing for entry-level positions alongside experienced professionals who are still seeking employment, despite the complaints of fresh graduate job seekers of not being able to get past the initial stages of their job search process.

Taken together, some employers and recruitment professionals explained that it is of utmost importance as a job seeker, to prepare for a job interview, adding further that investigating the most common likely questions that can be expected at interviews will go a long way towards addressing that challenge.

Explaining some of the regular job interview questions that are asked graduates job seekers, Managing Director of Find Jobs Africa.Com, Mr. Funto Akinkugbe said knowing a good answer for the questions to come, can give any employment hopeful the lead in any job interview, saying also that studying and preparation still remains the only guaranteed success option.

According to Akinkugbe, employers or recruitment agents usually like to first ask of fresh graduates job seekers to “tell us something about yourself ”, while also saying that graduate job seekers should in response to such interview questions be sure to highlight their interest and compatibility to job applied for.

For the experienced job seekers, Akinkugbe said interview questions like, “What kind of job did you have before and why did you stop working there?” are likely to be asked,

23

Adegbite

Akinkugbe

MOST EMPLOYERS ARE NOT KEEN ON JOB-HOPPERS, OR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE GOING FROM JOB TO JOB WITHIN A SMALL PERIOD OF TIME adding that the best response to such question is to try not to be negative and talk about (bad) working conditions that you had to endure from previous employments.

According to him, explaining to employers or recruiters about the desire for a new challenge and a job with more future perspective, or by saying such job seeker is on a positive outlook for the future is always better than putting up stories about a negative experience in the past.

Also highlighting interview skills for employment hopefuls, Recruiter, and Country Managing Partner of Antal Consulting, Mrs Fummi Wale Adegbite said questions like “Why did you apply for this job and why are you interested in working for our company?” are bound to arise.

Adegbite told our correspondent that the skill to apply in answering this type of interview question is for the job seeker to reply that the job application is based on the fact

and knowledge that the organisation applied to is an interesting company or business, and that it is because the position also offers new opportunities.

Other response, according to her, that a job seeker can give to the question of why he/she is interested in working for any organisation, is that such candidate may have personal affection for the product or service that the company offers, or that it is based on the good reviews the organisation receives from the media/colleague, adding also it important to be specific on such occasions and say something about personal interests that relate to the job.

The Antal Consulting managing partner said further that questions like, “you want to work in this company, what do you have to offer? And can you (job seeker) give an example of something that you have achieved that can be beneficial for us?”, can be responded to by the job seeker bringing up something he/she has achieved in previous job, by

thinking of a successful project or an award your company won and your part in it.

On his part, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria, Mr. Adeyemi Mapaderun said when confronted with the “tricky” question during job interviews like, “can you describe a good and a bad quality of yourself ?, Or can you give us an example in which this has been shown?” The recruiters are only trying to filter out your best quality, but also want to know if you are self aware and can name a bad quality.

“Your ‘bad’ quality shouldn’t be really bad, but just something you can work on. For example, your perfectionism that sometimes delay your other work. This is not per se a bad quality and it says something about yourself.

Just be positive in the entire conversation.

“Remember, they are lucky to be able to interview you, not the other way around,” he explained.

Speaking further, Mapaderun said job seekers, particularly at entry levels in responding to an interview question of “Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years time?” must first know that the potential employers want to know how long you will be interested in working at their company. He said since the company may invests in the job seeker’s education and experience and want to benefit from this as long as possible, that question, when it comes during interview, should be considered a green light or a positive sign of close to getting employed.

“Most employers are not keen on job-hoppers, or employees that are going from job to job within a small period of time. It is important to give an answer that will explain you are still looking to be working at their company by that time, and of course, in a higher and better function, this will highlight your ambition”, he added.

On the question during interviews concerning if the job seekers is analytical, creative, entrepreneurial or a team player,the ISMN chief executive officer said it is best to respond in the affirmative, but also important to explain and give examples of at least two of these points.

“You can say that you are a team player having proved your skills in a team in previous job. You can say you are creative because you offer new ideas and you are active in brainstorming sessions.

Try to think of examples you encountered in your previous job concerning these qualities”, he added.

On willingness to work overtime, as a job interview question, he said the job seeker can respond to the interviewers that he/she does not have a nine to five mentality, adding that employers and recruiters always want to hear that job seekers are flexible and want to work for their cause.

Mapaderun explained that it is important for the job seekers at the end of the job interview to ask the interviewers a question or two.

“Try to ask your interviewers at least one or two questions that involve the company and you. Do not ask about the salary or any additional benefits”, he said.

24

Jobs & Career

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Economic transformation is backward, says TUC STORIES: M ESHACK IDEHEN

T

he President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Peter Esele has said the nation’s workers have a major role to play in the elimination of corruption and other anti development vices from the country.

Esele said conscious moves must be made by employees in the public and private sectors to support effort geared towards raising the level of administration in the country.

Speaking while delivering an address in Lagos over the weekend at the Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Esele said the immense contributions of workers in the civil service have led the organised labour to the position it currently occupies in the country.

According to him, the character and dynamics of the ASCSN has always rubbed off on the leadership of the TUC, and the story behind the formation and evolution of the congress in particular cannot be complete without including the contributions of the association.

Esele said the fact that the

Okonjo-Iweala

Esele

ASCSN was holding its quadrennial delegates’ conference signposts the deepening and entrenchment of democratic culture and traditions within the trade union movement in Nigeria, adding that the move should be emulated by other unions that have found it rather difficult to toe that step.

Moreso, he said the con-

duct of the ASCSN as the foremost workers body in the federal civil service is a phenomenon that should be lent to the country’s political leaders.

He said it was important that the congress draws attention to the decay that has characterised politics and policies in Nigeria which has led to the parlous state of national security and the sorry state of the

economic indicators. According to the TUC president, the economy of the country is not good because decision makers have not been able to get policies right, adding that the nation’s politics has failed to produce the right kind of leadership that would transform the country’s economy.

Describing the ongoing transformation in the coun-

Firm to tackle unemployment with film making training

M

agnus Film Academy, said it is prepared to take youths out of unemployment, and that the company is set to embark on a nationwide free training programme on film making in order to empower Nigerian youths willing to make a career in the film industry.

The project, tagged, “Live Your Dream”, the company said, is being packaged as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme in conjunc-

T

he position of a Senior Recruiting Specialist (www.gcc.clients.pageup. com.au/job) tops the list on International job vacancies for this week.

The position which duties covers several parts of countries in Africa, is to be based in Angola, with some of the job description including performing a variety of assignments involving the recruitment, selection and placement of craft, Other responsibility includes administrative and clerical functions, technical, professional or designated assignments and coordinating internal placements and relocations.

tion with other corporate establishments as co-sponsors as well as key career artists, film producers and film directors from the industry.

The Chief Operating Officer of Magnus Media and Entertainment, Mr. Cyril Odenigbo in an interview with National Mirror said the project was designed to take Nigerian youths who have been facing challenges of unemployment off the streets and impart into them basic knowledge in film

making, acting and directing which they can continue to build on as a career.

He explained that the project which is designed to be nationwide, will take off in Enugu State where a 4-week programme is slated for August, and will be conducted for 1,000 youths in all aspects of film production business.

Odenigbo, who is the former Chairman of the Association of Movie Practitioners, Nnewi Chapter said Magnus

Media & Entertainment has a diverse business portfolio spanning music and movie productions, training on film making, corporate branding, modeling, talent and event management.

While calling on willing youths to register for the programme online, he said part of the motivation for the programme was the fact that the industry lacks formal training structure as most early callers in the industry grew

International job vacancies Apart from relevant qualifications, the incoming is expected to have and if maintain current knowledge of employment laws, governmental compliance/requirements.

Also on International job vacancies, is the position of Head of Processing (solid minerals) www.findajobinafrica.com) The job specifications for the post are the ability for preparing and implementing production plans and schedules, alongside leading and coordinating the mineral processing – refining, crushing, cutting, blasting

and polishing activities For this post, the qualifications include experience, skills and competencies, with good exposure to core mining activities including drilling, screening, crushing, blasting, rock cutting, knowledge of minerals and mining regulations.

First degree in Process engineering, chemical engineering mineral processing or chemical engineering or any equivalent qualification, and a minimum of 12 years of mineral processing, process plant or process design experience in mining will

come in handy.

The post of an Associate Director (www.findajobinafrica. com) at the World Economic Forum to be based in Geneva is also available on International job vacancies for the week.

The World Economic Forum which is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society, said the Associate Director responsibilities will include designing a work plan, implementing and devel-

try as “backward” the union leader said the transformation touted by the government is rather seen only in the papers, adding that the situation has snowballed into diverse manifestations of hunger, deprivations, diseases and malignant poverty that walk the streets and communities.

Esele said a strong, committed and directed ASCSN will be an effective tool in the battle to reduce corruption in Nigeria, saying also that there is hardly any corruption that takes place in the country that cannot be unearthed by members of the ASCSN. He said also that the union is in a strong position to reduce low quality governance and economic crimes against the nation’s workers, since there is hardly any of the crimes that can succeed without the passive or active connivance of members of the ASCSN. “This unique position therefore puts you and us in a position to effectively push forward the frontiers of the war against corruption. The quest therefore to rid Nigeria of this malaise called corruption and build a prosperous nation where its workers and peoples will enjoy the benefits of nationhood can begin from here”,Esele said. through on-the-job training which does not make for good professionalism.

He said the vision of the academy is to create a platform for talented youths to have the opportunity to build a career in film production and directing, as well as a chance to express themselves in the industry.

On co-sponsorship, the organisers called on corporate bodies who have been contacted to take advantage of the project to give back to the Nigerian society by contributing their quota towards youth empowerment in the country. oping efficient processes to see it through, and coordinating internal and external stakeholders to ensure delivery of the Grow Africa partnership’s objectives The incoming will also be identifying key deadlines and priority tasks, establishing responsibilities and ensuring quality control of the output produced by the team For qualifications, a strong academic background, including a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in business administration, economics, public policy or other relevant fields, alongside 7 to 10 years of professional experience is required.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

25

Real Estate & Environment dayoayeyemi@yahoo.com 08033312578

How govt can achieve one million housing target yearly

Units of low-income houses in Abuja.

I

t is no longer news that the Federal Government through its Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development has rolled out new policy to construct one million houses yearly.

What is news to majority of Nigerians is the level of preparation and strategies being put in place to see that the housing initiative see the light of the day.

From Housing for All by year 2000 to Vision 2010, Nigerians are tired of rhetoric; they want government to work the word.

Far more than any other sector, it is a fact that housing offers more opportunities for economic growth and the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while driving income generation and welfare of the people.

For these reasons, President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV),Mr. Emeka Eleh, has called on the Federal Government to carry out holistic reforms of the mortgage sector and land accessibility to achieve the set target of construction one million houses per year to bridge the nation’s housing deficit estimated at 16milion by United Nations (UN).

For government to realise the one million housing units per year mandate, Eleh, while briefing journalists on of the activities of NIESV, suggested some workable solutions to the Federal Government to make the dream a reality.

He pointed out that the policy is achievable if government can reform critical fac-

The Federal Government through its Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development recently rolled out a new National Housing Policy targeted at the construction of one million houses annually. In this report by DAYO AYEYEMI, President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers ( NIESV), Mr. Emeka Eleh, suggests ways to make the mandate realisable. tors militating against mass housing production in the country.

According to him, Federal Government must reform the mortgage sector and make it work so that individuals can access funds easily for home ownership, saying that idea of paying full money at once to buy a house has made it difficult for people to own a home, restating that government must develop the mortgage sector.

Besides, Eleh wants government to reduce bank’s interest rate on loan so that people can borrow money at single digit on long-term basis to purchase their houses.

He also challenged government and all stakeholders on high cost of building materials in the country, saying this has made housing unaffordable to the target groups.

According to him, if government is serious in building one million houses yearly, the cost of building materials must be reduced drastically.

He expressed concerns over high cost of

cement at N1,700 per bag despite huge local production, calling on government to see to this by ensuring that manufacturers bring their price down to enhance cheap housing production.

Eleh also called on government to develop basic infrastructure, saying that high cost of infrastructure couple with its deficit contributes to high cost of housing in the country.

IF THE NATION HAS

INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS GOOD ROAD, RAIL SYSTEM, IT WILL BE

EASY FOR HOUSES TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE SUBURBS WHERE LAND IS CHEAP

He said, “If the nation has infrastructure such as good road, rail system, it will be easy for houses to be constructed in the suburbs where land is cheap and move people enmass to workplaces to and fro.

For government to achieve the dream of constructing one million houses yearly, the president of NIEVS suggested the need for government to accelerate the process of giving title documents to land. According to him, government can create a platform and reform the land policy so that people can get titles, adding that all state government should make consent document less cumbersome.

While reiterating the support of his professional body for the social housing programme, he said, “We are interested though we talk of private sector but there are segments that government must cater for. The policy can work better at the local government level because of its closeness to the people.”

Also, he urged government to strengthen the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), to play its role of building houses at subsidised rate for the public.

“Subsidy can come in terms of free land or by helping it to develop primary infrastructure which is a major reason for high cost of houses,” he said.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a new National Housing Policy CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Real Estate & Environment

26

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

How govt can achieve one million housing target yearly CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 targeted at the construction of one million houses annually and acting as a catalyst to infrastructural development.

The new one replaces the 1991 Housing Policy, as well as the Urban Development Policy initiated in 1997.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, alongside his Housing and Urban Development counterpart, Ama Pepple, and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama, had told journalists at the end of the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo recently, that the new policy includes the introduction of mass housing for Nigerians, “irrespective of their financial status” and a social housing policy that will make funds available for people in the informal sector to buy their own houses.

Maku said: “For almost two decades, Nigeria has been struggling to bring up a new policy to facilitate the growth of housing provision in the country. In these two decades, we had not succeeded in getting this policy through. But the last one year has seen the ministry reaching out to all stakeholders including the finance sector to come out with a lasting effort to address the sector.

“The new policy came after a painstaking consultation with all the stakeholders including the organised private sector, the civil society organisations and National Economic Council. It hopes to bring about real mass housing, which the country has been dreaming of. This policy emphasises the central role of the private sector while the government concentrate on its role as a regulator. We believe that when you give a man shelter, you provide him with dignity.

“The new policy will bring about the development of about one million houses yearly. This policy introduces a new element that this country has never witnessed before. By social housing, what it means is that every citizen counts, because it is not just for the rich, or the low-income earner, but for the poorest of the poor. Indeed, it emphasises the type of housing that will ensure that all Nigerians will have a shelter.”

Pepple had remarked that the policy

Pepple

THE POLICY ALSO TAKE INTO

COGNISANCE THE NEED FOR MAINTENANCE,

PROPER PLANNING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF URBAN RENEWAL AND SLUMS UPGRADE would help the country to build capacity for the sector through the establishment of skill acquisition centres each in the six geopolitical zones in the country.

“The policy also take into cognisance the need for maintenance, proper planning of the environment and the need to address the issue of urban renewal and slums upgrade; including the establishment of infrastructure in the areas,” she said.

Eleh

On the activities of NIESV in the last one year, its president disclosed that by the last quarter of the year, the institution will be laying the foundation of its headquarter building in Abuja, disclosing that official planning approval of the structure is at the final stage.

He also canvassed that the process of land reform be expedited, while a Land Commission which is to be managed by an estate surveyor who will superintend all lands in the country be established.

He stated that the institution has held fora on how private sector can partner Federal Government to tap into land resources.

He said, “Land is wealth and if it is managed properly, it will generate revenue to government and individuals. Government has realised that unless it taps into land resources through taxation, there cannot be serious development.”

“This also formed the basis of stakeholders’ discussion at the River State conference early this year as private sector is looking at how to partner government. Ground rent is supposed to be paid on any available land in the country and because of lack of

title, people cannot raise money for their businesses.”

Another issue that is germane, he said is the maintenance of public infrastructure, urging the need to maintain them.

“We have infrastructure deficit and the little we have are not properly maintained. For example, Lagos- Ibadan Expressway that was built several years ago is not being maintained and that explains its sorry state.

“So, public buildings must be run the way we run our home. Roads don’t get damaged overnight but because of neglect, the road gets worse. So, government must pay attention to maintain these facilities. Estate surveyors are trained in facilities management,” he stated.

Eleh also disclosed that the process of creating mega firms among real estate firms has reached advance stage, saying the initiative would help them to create bigger firms where nobody can claim ownership with better arrangement of office and equipment to serve the public.

Abia govt partners ASO Investment to build 400 housing units A DEDEJI A DEMIGBUJIA

A

SO Investment & Development Company (AIDC), a subsidiary of ASO Savings and Loans Plc, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abia State Government for the construction of affordable mass housing.

Going by the new agreement signed last week , AIDC is expected to build 400 housing units of two and three bedroom detached bungalows in the proposed Ochendo Liberation Housing Scheme.

The housing initiative is in line with the state government‘s objective of providing affordable housing to its citizens all around the state through Public Private Partnership arrangement.

During the MoU signing ceremony in Umuahia, the state capital, Chairman of AIDC, Mr. Collins Chikeluba, who also doubles as Vice Chairman

of ASO Savings Plc, said his organisation is doing a lot in providing affordable housing schemes and viable mortgage options for the Nigerian populace.

He said, “We are partnering with the Federal and various state governments across the country through the PPP scheme to key into the vision of the present leadership in Nigeria to provide housing for all Nigerians by the year 2020.

It is for this reason that our organisations are collaborating with the Abia State Government to launch the state housing scheme. This is part of his Excellency, Governor Orji’s bold and ambitious housing programme to build new Abia for Abians.”

The Governor of the state, Chief Theodore Orji expressed delight at partnering with the two organisations. He was joined by some of his cabinet members to sign the MoU. He afterwards led his cabinet mem-

IT IS FOR THIS

REASON THAT OUR ORGANISATIONS ARE COLLABORATING WITH THE

ABIA

STATE GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH THE STATE HOUSING SCHEME

Orji

bers and the AIDC team to the construction site at Amaobi Community, few minutes drives away from the capital city, Umuahia for the official ground breaking ceremony of the housing estate.

Orji promised that the Ochendo Liberation Housing Scheme would be delivered in phases, with the first phase of 50 units of 2 and 3 bedrooms of exquisite urban architecture bungalow. “ It will be built on 38 acres of land, with modern infrastructures; and it is expected to be completed within 12 months,” he said.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Williams’ sisters shine

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

Sport

I believe Nigeria will bounce back again. The Super Eagles only need to win a major tournament - Ex-Manchester United striker, Dwight Yorke

30

T/tennis team leaves London

M

Lawal Lukman (in blue strip) receiving a punch from Almatbouli Ihab during their fight yesterday

Boxing: Jordanian outpunches Lukman

N

igeria’s Lawal Lukman’s awful display yesterday left many wondering if he was a journeyman.

Lukman and conceded points easily to his conqueror, Jordanian Almatbouli Ihab, who raced to a 5-3 lead in the first round.

Spectators had also thought that a pep talk by Lukman’s coaches would bring him back

but he continued to let down his guards and allowed Ihab who showed awesome power and speed to hit him with a flurry of punches.

The second round was pathetic as the Nigerian lost it 2–6. At this stage, it became apparent that the only miracle that would allow him to cross the hurdle would be a knock-out punch. He came out

smoking with some left and right combinations but the Jordanian was in mood to suffer humiliation.

Lukman’s loss ended Nigeria’s journey in the men’s boxing event following his compatriot, Muideen Akanji’s ouster in his earlier fight on Sunday.

Ogoke Edith Agu, the only female boxer, remains the only survivor in the sport.

Coach, player revel in D’Tigers’ victory

D

’Tigers’ Coach, Ayo Bakare, has said that beating Tunisia in Sunday’s opening basketball game of the ongoing Olympic Games has proved that Nigeria deserved its qualification for the Games.

Bakare, however, added that the victory over the Africa champions did not come easy.

“I must thank God for the grace of being here and winning our first match. We expected a strong Tunisia side and that happened. It’s not easy to be 16 points down and still come up the way they did,” the coach said.

Also speaking, D’Tigers’ big man, Ike Diogu said: “We are glad that we won. We came here to prove that we are the best in Africa and I’m happy we did that. But credit must go to Tunisia; they are a very good team. In the first half we got on to a 16 point lead and

Today’s fixtures (Men) Lithuania

vs

Nigeria

China

vs

Russia

Australia

vs

Spain

Great Britain

vs

Brazil

France

vs

Argentina

Tunisia

vs

USA

were doing a little bit one-onone. We are happy that we have made a lot of people happy at home. This is history. It is our first time in the Olympics and we won our first match. It feels good. This is history and I’m happy to be part of it.”

His colleague, Ade Dagunduro, said: “It was great that we won. We now have to stay focused. At a time we thought Nigerian basketball players acwe were coasting to victory. knowledging the crowd support after Sunday’s 60-56 victory over Tunisia. That affected our mentality and Tunisia closed up. It happens in basketball and that’s that was good.

“But we got sluggish and why I said we really need to they closed in on us. They were be focused in our subsequent excellent in defence and we matches.”

embers of the Nigeria’s table tennis team are expected to leave London today for their bases after the country’s only survivor in the event, Aruna Quadri, joined his colleagues in shattering Team Nigeria’s medal hopes.

Quadri, the only player who electrified the hall in his first victory over Spanish Machado, hit low form against Turkish Vang Bora, losing 4-2.

The youngster, who was making his Olympic debut, could not come to terms with reality.

“I can’t believe it’s over for me,” he lamented.

The four-players Nigerian team of two male and two females-Segun Toriola, Quadri, Funke Oshonaike and Edem Offiong-has thus ended the country’s expectation in ping-pong, a sport that Nigeria not only ruled Africa, but the Commonwealth during the golden era of Atanda Musa and Olawunmi Majekodunmi.

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012

Cauldron relocated, re-lit

T

he Olympic cauldron has been relocated and re-lit as it was moved to its permanent resting place in the stadium after the opening ceremony.

Following International Olympic Committee regulations-that the cauldron must be inside the stadium-the flame was taken out at 9pm on Sunday evening and placed into a miners’ lamp.

Work to move the 204 copper pots and steel pipes, which make up the cauldron, to the south end of the Olympic Stadium took 80 hours and was completed in time for the athletics events beginning on August 3.

However, there is criticism of the cauldron’s position-with many suggesting that those who don’t have tickets for the stadium are missing out.

But the organisers say that images of the cauldron will be placed on big screens around the park in order to recreate what spectators are seeing.

“We felt that sharing it with the screens reinforced the intimacy within it,” Thomas Heatherwick, who designed the 2012 cauldron, said.

“There is the precedent of the 1948 Games of the cauldron set within the stadium, to one side with the spectators. With the technology we now have that didn’t exist in 1948 it can be shared with everyone in the Olympic Park with screens.”

In a small ceremony, the flame was transferred from the miners’ lamp to the cauldron by original 1948 torchbearer, Austin Playfoot, a former athletics coach.

Giggs downplays anthem row

R

yan Giggs has insisted it makes no difference whether Great Britain’s Welsh players sing the national anthem at the ongoing Olympics after helping make Games history Sunday’s 3-1 victory over UAE at Wembley was Team GB’s first of London 2012 and therefore their first at an Olympics for 52 years, while captain Giggs became the oldest scorer in the tournament’s 88-year history when he gave them a half-time lead.

Giggs and fellow Welshmen, Craig Bellamy and Joe Allen, caused a row during the opening 1-1 draw against Senegal last Thursday by not singing ‘God Save the Queen.’ They were silent during the anthems again

on Sunday night and Giggs said afterwards: “It’s a personal thing.

The British anthem is the same for a Welshman, Scotsman or an Englishman.

“It’s difficult but it’s not an issue for us. It might be for other people but, once the game starts, we’re all pulling in the same direction and I think that’s the main thing.”

Giggs

28

Sport

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012

Medals table Country

G

S

B

Total

China

9

4

2

15

United States

3

5

5

13

Italy

2

4

2

8

France

2

1

3

6

Korea

2

1

2

5

Russian Fed.

2

0

3

5

DPR Korea

2

0

1

3

Kazakhstan

2

0

0

2

Japan

1

4

3

8

Romania

1

2

0

3

Australia

1

1

1

3

Brazil

1

1

1

3

Hungary

1

1

1

3

Netherlands

1

1

0

2

Georgia

1

0

0

1

South Africa

1

0

0

1

Great Britain

0

1

2

3

Colombia

0

1

0

1

Cuba

0

1

0

1

Mexico

0

1

0

1

Poland

0

1

0

1

Thailand

0

1

0

1

T

Kirsty Coventry managing a smile after her ouster in the 100m backstroke event yesterday as Rebecca Adlington (below) relishes her bronze

Swimming: Coventry loses final ticket

Z

imbabwean swimmer, Kirsty Coventry, saw her 100m backstroke Olympic record broken as she was dumped in the semi-finals in London yesterday.

Australia’s Emily Seebohm lowered the mark of 58. 77 seconds set by Coventry at the last games in Beijing as she clocked 58.23 seconds in the heats and backed it up with a dominant 58.39 in the semis.

Seebohm was easily the fastest through to the final ahead of Missy Franklin, of the United States, who, before the

Games began, many thought was unbeatable.

Coventry, who had sneaked into the semi-finals with the 15th fastest time of 1:00.24, came home in 1:00.39 which placed her 14th of the 16 semifinalists. She won silver in the event in Beijing four years ago.

The final will be contested by the top eight.

One of the seven Zimbabwean athletes at the London Olympics, Coventry however remains the country’s best hope of winning a medal, the 28-year-old still angling for

gold in her favourite 200m backstroke and the 200 individual medley.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain won The Olympic Cauldron has been move bronze from lane eight in the 400m freestyle.

It was a superb gutsy swim by defending champion Adlington, who only just scraped into the final on Sunday morning, as the 23-year-old came from sixth at halfway to touch in 4mins 03.01secs.

No Briton has ever successfully defended an Olympic swimming title.

Drugs pose threat to games

he 30th edition of the Olympic Games, London 2012 has become a reference point in the battle of sports officials against proliferation of banned drugs among athletes, as International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduced new strategies in battling the scourge.

The IOC reckoned ahead of the Games, which officially began on July 27, that there was a growing need for vastly improved medical innovations and increased manpower to confront equally advanced innovations in banned substances from escaping the eye of antidrugs experts at London 2012.

In pursuant of this conviction, the IOC teamed up with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) are other relevant bodies to set in motion the biggest ever war against banned drugs at any sports event across the globe.

Over the course of the London Games, the IOC said it expects to carry out some 5,000 tests– 3,800 urine and 1,200 blood, as the doping laboratory, which was expected to process

more than 6,000 samples, was given the seal of approval by WADA. The London 2012 organising committee also promised to conduct its anti-doping operation at a sprawling site owned by chemical giant GlaxoSmithKline, 30 kilometres north of the main Olympic hub.

One in two competitors will be tested during the Games, including all those who win medals with samples being processed throughout the day and night by 150 highly-trained technicians supplied by King’s College London.

On its part, WADA carried out a series of rigorous tests of London’s doping system over the past two years, including three formal inspections of staff and equipment.

The IOC’s zero tolerance on drugs in not only aimed at staging clean Games but also at protecting its lucrative brand and shielding sponsors and broadcasters who pay hundreds of millions of dollars to be associated with the Olympics.

A drive by anti-doping agencies across the world yielded

more than 100 cheaters ahead of the 2012 Games, as the IOC seeks to avoid major doping scandals that hit previous editions of the multi-billion dollar event and overshadowed the competitions.

Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins The first drugs cheat at Lon- Rebecca Adlington don 2012 was caught on Saturday, July 28, less than 24 hours after the opening ceremony, with Albanian weightlifter, Hysen Pulaku ejected for using an anabolic steroid.

The 19-year-old, who was due to compete in the men’s 77kg class, tested positive to Stanozolol and now faces a two-year suspension. Any sanctions or suspensions are issued by the athletes’ respective sports federations.

Records show that there were 20 proven cases of doping at the Beijing Games four years ago, including six horses, down from 26 cases in Athens in 2004 and, with the IOC eager to root out doping at the 2012 Games, testers started conducting random and target testing for months to ensure the July 27-August 12 event will not be tarnished by Uruguay player Ramon Aria (r) is beaten to the ball by Sadio Mane during the Men’s football f any high profile cases. match between Senegal and Uruguay

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

29

Nigeria’s Jonathan Akinyemi competing in the heats of the K-1 men’s kayak slalom at Lee Valley Whitewater Center before losing out of the medals range

d ready for track and field

of Great Britain break the Olympic best in the women’s Double Sculls heats

first round Group A

Sport

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Jacques Rogge

Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and Prince Harry watching the Artistic Gymnastics men’s team at North Greenwich Arena

Ye Shiwen of China speeds through heat 5 of the women’s 200m Individual Medley

30

Sport

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Home support favours Murray

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ritish star, Andy Murray, claimed his first Olympic singles victory as a noisy Wimbledon crowd helped him see off the challenge of Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 6-3.

It was exactly three weeks since Murray cried on Centre Court after losing the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer.

The pair, who practised together last week, had met 10 times before, with the British number one winning six times, including a five-set epic under the roof at Wimbledon three years ago-and

XXXTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

London 2012

EVEREST ONYEWUCHI REPORTING

July 27 - August 12, 2012

Rusty Djokovic advances

again the Centre Court roof was closed for their match.

Both players had begun a little tentatively, with Murray distracted by a flickering scoreboard and struggling with his footing, but he improved significantly as the set went on and served it out to love with an ace.

Things got even better for the third seed with another break at the start of the second, his fourth game in a row, and he saved a break point to make that five, and soon Murray was taking his second break point to cruise through to the second round.

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urrent US Open and Australian Open champion, Novak Djokovic, yesterday looked a bit rusty in the first round against Fabio Fogini of Italy but got his rhythm back to seal the match in his favour.

Djokovic dropped a set in his first-round match on a historic day at the London Olympics Novak Djokovic on court yesterday tennis tournament at Wimbledon, where the play took place indoors for the first time in the modern Games era as the Centre Court roof was closed due to heavy rain Sunday.

Thirty matches scheduled for Sunday were postponed because of rain while four other orld number and book a last 16 tie matches were suspended and were scheduled to one, Roger against Gilles Muller be completed yesterday.

Federer, took or Denis Istomin.

Djokovic, who is the world number and the After winning the express route into flag bearer for Serbia at the opening ceremony the third round of the Wimbledon for a reon Friday night, dropped the first set in his Olympics with a 6-2, 6-2 cord equalling sevmatch with Fognini but went on to win 6-7(7), victory over France’s enth time earlier this 6-2, 6-2. The two players had met twice before, on Julien Benneteau in month, Federer is clay and hard courts, and both times Djokovic just 58 minutes on Cen- desperate to complete won in straights sets. a career Golden Slam tre Court yesterday.

The Serb had won a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Federer admitted he by winning a singles Olympics. had struggled with the gold medal for the extra pressure of rep- first time.

The 17-time Grand resenting Switzerland at the Games after a Slam champion, who scrappy three-set win won doubles gold with against Alejandro Fal- compatriot Stanislas la in the first round on Wawrinka in Beijing in 2008, has been Saturday.

But this was a far handed a relatively more convincing dis- easy draw at this play from the world year’s Games and he number one as he was never troubled by took less than an hour a totally out-classed Andy Murray returns a serve to see off Benneteau Benneteau.

Federer rides over Frenchman

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Roger Federer relishes his easy

Williams’ sisters shine

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Williams’ sisters Venus (l) and Serena cool off after a pre-match work out

nseeded Venus Williams yesterday began her bid for a record fourth gold medal in Olympic tennis by beating Sara Errani of Italy 6-3, 6-1.

It was an impressive showing from Williams and drew a tough first-round foe. Errani has won four titles this year, was the runner-up at the French Open and is ranked a career-high No. 9.

But Williams was in fine form on the Wimbledon grass, where she has won five of her seven Grand Slam titles.

Twenty minutes after Williams won on Court 2, however, younger sister Serena closed out a second-round victory on Court 1, beating

Urszula Radwanska of Poland, 6-2, 6-3.

Serena had defeated Radwanska’s sister, Agnieszka, in the Wimbledon final this month.

Venus Williams was diagnosed last year with an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue, but she nonetheless began 2012 determined to make the Olympics for the fourth time. She won the gold medal in singles at the 2000 Games and teamed with Serena to take the gold in doubles in 2000 and 2008.

Because her opening match was delayed a day by rain, the senior Williams will have to play six consecutive days if she reaches Saturday’s final.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

31

We cannot wait for disaster to happen in Makoko, says commissioner Some of the agitations of the displaced residents of Makoko Water front were short quit notice given to them by the state government. How come they were not briefed before the demolition of their structures?

It is true that the state government issued them notice to quit the water body and their shack on the water. But prior to that, we had meeting with community leaders about a month ago and government’s plan was made known to them. They knew what the government was planning for the area and beyond that, the LCDA leader in the area also had meeting with us and we told them what the government plan on the area was. They got quit notice from the state government before we embarked on the clearing exercise in Makoko.

Why is government clearing the area at this point in time?

The question is why are we doing what we are doing now? The reason is for the safety of the areas and dwellers. To clear the environment and the entire vicinity of the danger that is looming in that area. I’m talking about rise in water level, global warming and the danger looming in that area with regards to thunder storm and heavy rain that we are having Lagos generally and if you look at that area properly, you will see that there is an electrical pilot in that area that goes across the shanties on the water. A spark from that pilot, everything will disappear overnight.

We all live in Lagos and we know the thunder storm that we have been experiencing. So, what we are doing there is to protect lives of the people on that water.

Now, should they be there at all? The answer is NO. It is not a fix address for anybody. If you ask me what plans do we have for them? Where we are relocating them to?

My answer to that is that these people came from somewhere. They didn’t just grow up on that water. They came from somewhere and wherever it is that they came from, they can easily go back to the place. That area is not a safe place for anybody to reside.

But what plans does government for the waterfront?

On government’s plan for the area, after the entire area is cleared, an assessment will be done by the Ministry of Physical planning and Urban Development and Ministry of Environment to carry out an environmental impact assessment before government can actually come up with a scheme or proposal for the entire area.

That is the plan we have for now.

Are you embarking on the exercise for security purpose?

No, not all, it is not related to problem of insecurity or Boko Haram threat at all. It is because of security and safety of lives of those living in the place. We observed that there is danger looming in that area. Like I said, the electrical pilot in the area, the rise in water level and the forecast of heavy rain in Lagos and other threats. And we don’t want people to live in the environment where they will sleep in the night and they would have drowned by the time they wake up in the morning.

Three weeks ago, the Lagos State Government began clearing the shanties located on Makoko waterfront which led to displacement of hundreds of people living in the slum. In this interview with MURITALA AYINLA, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Prince Adesegun Oniru, throws more light into the eviction of Makoko residents from the waterfront and other sundry issues.

Oniru

So, in order to avert danger in the area, we believe this is the good time for that clearance.

Are there any arrangements for them as to where they can be relocated to because some of the displaced claimed to have been living there for years?

People claimed that they were born there, is that area an avenue where people should be residing? Is that an area where people should be living and causing environmental degradation? Is that an area where anybody in this age mega city should be residing? We have visitors that are coming from all over the world.

That is not a good site for anybody to live.

But beyond that, the safety of people that claimed to be born there is more of concern to us as the state government. That is why we are carrying out the exercise.

We are not demolishing anything; we are clearing out shanties from the water that should never be there. Is it proper to continue to construct these shanties all the way to the Third Mainland Bridge?

As far as I am concern what we are doing is for the safety of the people residing there. Our concern is to avert electrical problem that may occur there as result of thunder storm. Our main concern now is for flooding and electrical problem that might happen in that area due to thunder storm and strike.

What measures are the state government putting in place to ensure that shanties are not erected on the waterfront again?

We started from Bariga, shanties in Bariga are now history. These same people started removing their shanties from

AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN, WHAT WE ARE DOING IS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE RESIDING

THERE.

OUR MAIN

CONCERN IS TO AVERT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT MAY OCCUR THERE AS RESULT OF THUNDER STORM

Bariga to Makoko because we were clearing the place as at that time. But things have got worse in that area. If you listen to international news, look all over Europe, you will discover that there is rise in the water level. There is flooding going on everywhere in the UK, in America. All over the world, there is problem with water.

There is problem with water everywhere. Should we not take precaution and embark on what we are doing now or wait till disaster happen before we start taking action? Which is the best option?

To me, the first is the best option. So, if you are saying that they were not going to move somewhere else. Yes, they will move somewhere else but I hope they will go back to where they came from. Not to any water body in Lagos State.

Still on the 72 hours ultimatum, isn’t that too short a notice for them to evacuate their belongings and look for somewhere else?

We held series of meetings with them.

We have the list of people that attended the meeting in this ministry and we told them what government’s plan was over the water front. We asked them to go back because we have about seven communities there. Each of them was told to go back to their communities and tell them to start moving away from the water body.

After the community leaders came they described themselves as the traditional rulers, Baales of the area. The LCDA also came after them and I told them the same thing of what we are planning to do in the area. So, it is not a 72 hours exercise. The 72 hours notice that was given to them was for the people that didn’t believe that anything was going to happen after they were spoken to by their community leaders.

Who is really carrying out the clearing exercise, is it your ministry or other ministries are involved?

Lagos State government is carrying out the exercise and the Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure Development is in charge of the clearance of Makoko and Iwaya. And you cannot have such exercise being carried out by civil servants without the law enforcement agents to forestall break down of law and order.

But one thing is clear we will not allow any shanties to be erected on our waterfront again.

What next after clearing of Makoko ?

We are clearing the entire waterfront not only of shanties, there are areas where you have manual sand miners that are constituting a lot of environmental degradation along the waterfront. We have to take charge of the entire waterfront. The reason is safety for the residents of this state.

Is the state government not worried about rendering hundreds of resident homeless following this exercise and considering the fact that many of them claimed they have nowhere to go?

I ‘m worried about that as well but the answer to that question is that, where did they come from in the first place? Wherever it is that they came from, they should go back there. When you look around that place, you will discover that majority of these people are not from Lagos State.

They came from somewhere, if they don’t have place to stay; they can easily go back to where they came from.

Aren’t they going to take up arms when they have nowhere to go and be ing evicted from their means of livelihood?

I pray that they don’t and if they do, the law enforcement agents are to make sure that is nipped on the bud. But as a person, I will rather want those people remain alive than to lose them to the disaster already looming in that environment.

32

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

THE KEY IS JUST

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evin Woodhurst, President and Chief Executive Officer of Precision Aquascapes LLC, explains that diligent care is required for extreme summer temperatures and yearround pools According to him, if you are lucky enough to live in the Valley of the Sun and own a swimming pool, there are some pool maintenance tips for keeping your pool sparkling clean, inviting, refreshing and ready for use every day. “ The key is just staying on top of it. This will save you from making mistakes that could cost you a great deal of money. Routine pool maintenance may also prevent frustration and will minimise the need to make emergency runs to the pool store for chemicals or other additives,” he said.

Here are the healthy swimming pool maintenance tips: • Check pool chemistry 2-3 times per week during the summer and once per week in the winter.

• Clean out skimmer basket(s) weekly, or as needed if conditions exist.

• Clean hair and lint pot in the pump every couple of weeks or as needed. Turn off pump to do this.

• Check and monitor water level at least once per month, adjust as needed. Water level should be at the center of the tile or skimmer.

• Check deck-chlor or inline chlorinator at least once per week for proper adjustment.

Check flow as needed while you check chlorine readings. Make sure chlorine tablets are in the Deck-chlor or inline unit, adjust as necessary to maintain adequate chlorine levels.

• Make sure light is on in the ozone unit, if you have one. Crack valve only slightly at the pump. Be careful not to break any of the connections -- they are fragile. Check flow-meter often to ensure adjustment is within range.

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STAYING ON TOP OF IT.

THIS WILL SAVE

YOU FROM MAKING MISTAKES THAT COULD COST YOU A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY • Add d catalyst tabs if you have one as needed following instructions for the gallons of water in your pool. Keep them in a cool dry place or they will turn into block form.

• Clean your filters. This may be necessary after a heavy storm or once every few months depending on conditions in your pool. It would be best to clean them about every 4-6 months. Just remind yourself to do it each time you come back from the dentist, or each time you change the air filters in your home, which should be about the same frequency. If you have an extra set of elements it is a much easier and quicker job. Soak dirty filters in a 10 per cent solution of muriatic acid or a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate). Use a rubber trash can. Wear gloves and eye protection. Be careful! Always add acid to water, NOT water to acid. Rinse until clean and let them dry. Put your supplies away until your next swap-out.

• As you are monitoring your pool, take note: •are your returns very weak? •is the infloor cleaning system not working very well?

•is the water clarity starting to look bad?

If any of these conditions exist, it is likely time to clean the filters. Most pools should only need this done a couple of times a year.

There are exceptions though based on bather load (pool usage).

• Wipe/clean tile line weekly. This will reduce build-up.

• If you have a salt water chlorine generator than you will need to check and clean the blades in the unit about every 30 days. If the red flow light or flow meter is on or reading less than normal, then the blades are likely calcified and producing little to zero chlorine.

Turn the pump off, bleed off any pressure, undo the unions and clean the blades per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Always keep chemicals stored out of direct sunlight. Keep them in a cool dry place.

Do NOT store acid and chlorine right next to each other.

• our pool should not need to be shocked on any regular basis if you have an ozone system. If you need to do it, do it at night.

Use non-chorine based shock if you plan on

swimming any time soon. Another way to shock your pool would be to run your pump for 24 hours using your ozone system. This works great! If you are on 24 hour circulation (2-speed or variable speed pump) than you should be just fine.

• If you start seeing any cracks around the perimeter of your pool between your deck and your tile, caulk it with a small bead of clear silicon. Do not allow the water to migrate from inside the pool in and under the deck through cracks at this joint.

• Keep vegetation, animals, chemicals (like fertilizers and ironite) away from and out of the pool. Nitrates from bird droppings and waste from animals and people are food for algae. Don’t feed the algae!

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

33

Technical committee to review implementation of Great Green Wall inaugurated STORIES: DAYO AYEYEMI

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inister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, has inaugurated a technical committee to review the current strategy and approach to the implementation of the Great Green Wall (GGW) programme in collaboration with the European Union.

Speaking in Abuja last week, the minister reaffirmed the resolve of the Federal Government to check the problems of land degradation, desertification, food insecurity and impoverishment of communities in the dry land regions of Nigeria, working in partnership with various organisations.

She said, “The Federal Ministry of Environment is fully committed to the implementation of the Great Green Wall programme in Nigeria and has already embarked on baseline studies, with a view to developing action plan that would ensure effective conclusion of the programme. We are also making efforts to mobilise funds

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rofessionals under the umbrella of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), have been tasked to promote modern building technology that will enhance mass production of houses in Nigeria.

This is one of the outcomes the Annual General Meeting of NIOB held in Enugu, Enugu State recently.

Governor, Sullivan Chime, had challenged builders on the use of modern building technology for mass housing production, saying it is one of the ways to bridge the nation’s 10 million housing deficit.

The governor was represented by the Chairman Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. I.K Uwuegede On the way to eradicate cases on building collapse, he urged the body to properly look for a way of identifying quacks in the profession, assuring government’s readiness to partner the institute in developmental projects.

Also speaking at the conference with the theme: “Transformation Agenda and Building Production in Nigeria,”NIOB President, Mr. Chucks Omeife, blamed the haphazard implementation of the National Building Code (NBC) since it received Executive Approval in 2008 on lack

Mailafia

from external sources in order to enhance the performance of the programme”.

Members of the Technical Committee on European support for the Great Green Wall Programme in Nigeria are: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment , Mr. Taye Haruna as chairman; Director, Drought, Desertification Amelioration in the ministry, Dr. Bukar Hassan, member; Deputy Director, Mr. E.C. Emecheta, member; Project officer, representing the EU, Mrs. Kate, member; and representatives of National Planning Commis-

sion (NPC) , Mr. Chamberlain Okoro and Mr. V.E. Malu, members.

The terms of reference of the committee are to review the current strategy/approach to the implementation of the great green wall programme; identify areas of interests of the European Union , as they relate to sustainable land management of dry lands in Nigeria; identify specific activities and location for EU intervention in the programme; develop a costed work plan for implementation in the country; and carry out any other activities that can add value to the programme.

The committee was given four weeks from the date of its first sitting to submit a report for the consideration of the Ministers of Environment and National Planning Commission, and the Head of the EU delegation.

The establishment of the technical committee is one of the decisions of the meeting of the Ministers of Environment, and National Planning Commission, with the Head of EU del-

Desertification in Nothern Nigeria

egation held on June 5.

The minister commended the European Union for taking a leading role in supporting the implementation of the Great Green Wall Project since 2007, particularly the EU support project of which Nigeria is a beneficiary.

She stated that the implementation of the Great Green Wall has commenced with support projects across the countries involved.

The African Union Commission is presently implementing two support projects in 13 countries to develop action plans and projects portfolio for the implementation of the Great Green Wall. The first project is funded and executed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), through a technical cooperation programme covering 5 countries, including Chad, Dji bouti, Ethiopia, Mali and Niger.

Builders tasked on use of new building technology for mass housing

Container buildings as alternative to sandcrete blocks.

of enabling law to bring violators to book.

Omeife lamented that non implementation of the building code has given quacks the courage to continue to create havoc, killing people and wasting resources which becomes a loss to the economy.

He also commended the interactive meeting convened by the House of Representatives’ House Committee on Housing and Habitat with all stake-

holders in the built environment, describing the meeting as encouraging, hoping that an enabling law that would make or non-compliance with the provisions of the National Building Code a crime punishable by law very soon .

He urged members of the National Assembly to accelerate work on promulgation of the law to assist Nigerians in the fight against quackery in the built environment and to

stop further deaths as a result of building collapse.

Stakeholders at the conference tasked Federal and state governments to promulgate the building code into law without further delay and make it enforceable in order to bridge various gaps in the regulatory process of monitoring development of buildings in the country.

Chairman of Council of Registered Builders of Nige-

ria (CORBON), Professor Akin Akindoyeni, further called for the review of National Urban Planning Law so as to take into consideration all policies and other laws relating to urban development, industrial practices, regulations and codes relating to relevant aspects of built environment. He enjoined state governments to enact urban planning laws which takes into consideration the building code and provides for a process of green building practice.

He told the audience that CORBON has forwarded a sample of the bill to every state governor for consideration.

To make it a reality, he appealed that the National Building Code Advisory Committee be inaugurated and empowered without delay to ensure that the code is technologically and procedurally current at all times.

Lamenting the dearth of fund confronting the regulatory bodies of the seven professions in the built environment, he urged the Federal Government to make provisions in its annual Budget for the operation of the charters granted the bodies.

He pointed out that lack of fund has limited the regulatory bodies to carry out their functions very well to ensure safe buildings in the country.

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Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Pocket listings: Real estate’s hidden market S

ome homes are bought and sold without ever being officially listed. This wordof-mouth technique,, which is once used mostly by the rich and famous, Leah L. Culler of MSN Real Estate reports that, is gaining popularity among sellers who want to avoid the perils of a down market. But agents warn it might not be the best route.

“Rumor has it that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are selling their homes, allegedly with the intent to cohabitate. Online gossip sites have reported that both homes are being sold via “pocket listings,” he said.

“Pocket listing” means that a home is not listed on a multiplelisting service but is instead marketed directly by the property’s real-estate agent or broker — it is in that person’s “pocket.” The seller and agent have more control over who knows the home is for sale, who can look at it and, thus, who may eventually buy it.

If the rumors are true, Kardashian and West no doubt chose this type of sale to keep things hush-hush. Many of the rich and famous with homes to sell aren’t interested in posting dozens of pictures online to be gawked at by millions, and they certainly don’t want hundreds of strangers traipsing through at an open house, opening drawers and closets.

But many not-so-rich and notso-famous homeowners also go the pocket-listing route.

“Some people don’t want their neighbours to know their business, so when it is time to sell their home, they do it under the radar,”

DAYO AYEYEMI

I

n the quest to jumpstart Nigeria’s real estate by highlighting untapped opportunities, identifying key challenges and offering practical solution through success stories and innovation, which will attract global investment, Messrs 3Invest Limited, has concluded plans to host real estate unite conference and awards to recognise key players in the sector.

In a statement made available to National Mirror by the Managing Director of the company, Mrs Ruth Obih, said the event billed for September 13 and 14, in Lagos, is designed to create an investable market for Nigeria’s real estate She said, “As an on-going movement to deliver what plans to be the most presti-

says Sep Niakan, a real-estate broker with HB Roswell Realty in Miami. “High end definitely has common pocket listings, but we have pocket listings for $200,000 properties, as well.”

These off-market listings have always been around. People may want privacy during a divorce or after a death, for instance, or a high-powered executive may not want his company to know he’s thinking of moving. But this type of sale has become more prevalent, and some agents and brokers don’t think that’s good for buyers or sellers.

“You want as many eyes on the property as you can get, so you get the best possible outcome,” says Penelope Huang, broker and own-

er of Re/Max Distinctive Properties in Menlo Park, Calif. “If you create some level of competition, you’re going to get the best offer in regard to price and terms.”

If privacy is truly the issue, Huang says plenty of rules are in place to protect sellers who list on the MLS. The seller can block the address from showing on the MLS. And the MLS only requires one photo of a home, so a seller doesn’t have to post photos that show the interior. A seller also can require that a potential buyer be prequalified for a loan before viewing a home and can restrict viewings to appointment-only.

A seller could also move into an extended-stay hotel or stay

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

with relatives while the home is shown.

“If they knew they were going to make an extra $50,000 or $60,000 or $100,000, they’d realize it’s a small inconvenience that’s worth it,” Huang says. “The seller actually doesn’t ever know what they could have gotten if they did expose it.”

But even those privacy measures aren’t enough for some sellers, and that’s where pocket listings — or exclusive listings, as they’re known in some circles — come in.

Heidi Dittloff, marketing director for Gloria Nilson Realtors in New Jersey, says many sellers have high expectations of privacy in real-estate transactions. “They can vary in needs of privacy: being discriminating and quiet, being a political figure, being in the entertainment industry, family member ill, just had a child,” she says. “Some sellers have their own reasons for not wanting to broadly advertise in conventional ways.”

L-R: Client Relationship Management Manager, AM Facilities, Dami Adefila,; GM, Corporate Services, Wale Odufalu, Principal, Akande Memorial Senior High School, Ikoyi, Mrs. M.O Mebude and Vice Principal , Mr. A.A Twins, during the Fire Safety Awareness programme held at the school as part of AM Facilities CSR project recently.

Firm opens awards nomination for real estate players gious real estate pavilion, 3Invest has announced the commencement of award nominations for real estate participants and organisations in Nigeria.”

According to her, the awards eligibility and evaluation indices plans to create an investible market for Nigeria’s real estate by setting defined standards through ownership, disposure and development of income-producing real estate that will form widely acceptable market standards.

She added that entries would be for active projects or projects delivered in the past 5 years.

According to Obih, nomina-

tion and adjudication process would be on projects that contribute to economic growth and development of the country, improve social and environmental performance, projects with level of investment desirability and accessibility with excellent concepts, innovative expertise and sustainable delivery.

Justifying the hosting of the awards, she said, “So for us, we discovered that the industry has been silent in this regards and we have resolve not just to reward performance through the awards but show to the world and other sectors in global economy that real estate industry, notwithstanding

its current status, has huge potentials and that the industry players are working assiduously to lift the sector”.

“Awards all over the world are sources of motivation to encourage performance and stimulate growth.

People must aspire and awards are instruments of aspiration and healthy competition. So if we say our industry is not yet matured for it; we might be shooting ourselves in the foot by discouraging performance and signalling to new entrants that anything goes in our industry.

“The 25 category awards segment covers all categories of players in the sector from

Dittloff says an agent with a pocket listing can customize the marketing of the property to reach certain types of clients.

She says one client had specific requirements for finding a buyer.

The firm built a confidential website for the property, then sent a few select people a private letter written through Christie’s International Real Estate, of which Gloria Nilson Realtors is an affiliate. A prospective buyer had to sign a confidentiality agreement, then received a password for the website that was valid for a short time. After that, the site was taken down.

“It pretty much was one of the only ways we were allowed to market the property,” she says.

Another reason for a pocket listing is that a seller might be hesitant to list a home in a down market but would be willing to sell to the right buyer, for the right price or both.

“Pocket listings are helpful in a down market because sellers don’t want to put their house out there at a low price. But if you have a select buyer, you can make a deal happen,” says Brian Capossela, president of Cap Equity Realty, a boutique real-estate firm that brokers properties for the entertainment industry. “[Pocket listings] are especially helpful right now because there’s not a lot of inventory on the market, so a lot of people are looking at off-market deals.”

While a home that’s on the MLS will be exposed to buyers and agents in the region and beyond, a pocket listing relies on direct marketing. Relationships are everything, which means it is vital to find a well-connected agent with a broad network of potentially interested parties.

Likewise, “to find a pocket listing you need an agent that’s connected that can contact many other agents to see what’s available,” Capossela says. core real estate practices in development and construction; to services such as finance, manufacturing, design and a host of other real estate activities.

“It is designed as a carefully managed process of identification, nomination, screening, adjudication and recognition aimed at engendering healthy competition in the quest to make Nigeria a conducive and habitable haven for investment, living and business.

“The Real Estate UNITE Awards aims to elevate the standards of the industry and practice by providing an opportunity to encourage promote and recognise spectrum of talents, achievements and excellence in the Nigerian real estate Sector. With these awards, we seek to expose the huge potentials, thus create an investible real estate in Nigeria,” she stressed.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Aviation

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

35

Stakeholders disagree over proposed 15 year age limit for airplanes in Nigeria

A

t a ministerial conference on aviation safety in Africa about two weeks ago, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah reiterated plans by the Federal Government to reduce the maximum age of operating aircraft in Nigeria from 22 years to 15.

She explained that this became necessary due to outcry from a section of Nigerians who felt that Nigeria could not operate safely old aircraft and assured that with the reduction, safety would further be enhanced in the country’s airspace.

Oduah, however, said while government was not unmindful of the impact the policy would have on its desire to encouage the growth of domestic airlines, she explained that the main issue was how to strengthen the carriers and enhance their viability as on-going concerns.

She said government would fashion out appropriate guidelines and institutional frameworks that would facilitate the growth of domestic airlines and the emergence of a national carrier driven by core private sector investment with substantial public ownership.

Stakeholders and professionals in the sector commenced a debate on the age of aircraft and safety performance after the Dana Air aircraft MD 83 with registration number 5N-RAM, which crashed at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos on June 3, 2012 killing over 160 souls onboard and on ground. The aircraft was 22 years old as at the time it crashed.

However, since Oduah made the pronouncement in Abuja, there have been various divergent views on the sensitive issue. While a section of professionals and stakeholders felt it was a right move by the government, others felt the step was a wrong direction and argued that the age of an aircraft does not affect its safety level.

The Managing Director, Business Traveller Africa, Mr. Richard Lendrum told National Mirror in Lagos that the age restriction of operating airline was a wrong move by the Nigerian government.

Lendrum insisted that the age of an aircraft does not determine its safety and maintained the most critical aspect of air operations is the strict adherence to maintenance schedules.

He said, “The age of an aircraft does not increase safety. It is not the age that makes the aircraft safe. There are many aircraft that are above 30 years old and are still flying and far safer than an aircraft that is 10 years old. Maintenance is absolutely critical and not the age.

“Generally, it is not the age that determines the safety of an aircraft, but rather, the strictly adherence to maintenance schedule by the operator.”

Also, the Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Steve Mahonwu emphasied that the age of an aircraft has nothing to do with its airworthiness, but rather mandatory regular maintenance.

Mahonwu insisted that the pegging of operating aircraft in the country to 15 years from 22 would not augur well for the industry, but would rather further lead to

Stakeholders and professionals in the Nigerian aviation industry expressed divergent views over the proposed 15 years age limit for operating airplanes in the country by the Federal Government.

OLUSEGUN KOIKI writes.

Oduah

Mahonwu

THE AGE OF AN AIRCRAFT DOES NOT INCREASE SAFETY. IT IS NOT THE AGE THAT MAKES THE AIRCRAFT SAFE. THERE ARE MANY AIRCRAFT THAT ARE ABOVE 30 YEARS OLD AND ARE STILL FLYING AND FAR SAFER THAN AN AIRCRAFT THAT IS

10 YEARS OLD. MAINTENANCE IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL AND NOT THE AGE

liquidation of airlines in the sector.

He noted that a new aircraft that is not regularly maintained is far more dangerous than an old aircraft that its operator adheres strictly to the manufacturer’s maintenance manual.

Mahounwu explained that if an airline regularly goes for all the mandatory checks, such as the “A, B, C and D,” during which the whole aircraft is overhauled, “it will come back like a new one.”

“Some preferred airlines, which some people made the passengers to believe, have new fleets, have actually not done their mandatory checks in recent times.

Some are in the last lap of the minimum time allowed for such checks, yet they were said to have new aircraft. It’s unfair to airlines that are regularly maintaining their aircraft, because those with new ones may take some things for granted, believing that, after all, the planes are still new.

“We need to go beyond pegging the age of aircraft to digging deep into when last each airline carried out the mandatory maintenance on each of their aircraft.”

President, Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria, Comrade Benjamin Okewu explained that age of aircraft does not affect its performance, positing that the global aviation

industry has a system of checks and balances, which must be strictly adhered to by operators not just in the country, but in the globe.

He emphasised that the International Civil Aviation Organisation has never banned any aircraft due to age and wondered why Nigeria, which is a signatory to ICAO could act differently from the global practices and standards.

He said, “The age of aircraft some said has a direct function with the efficiency of the plan, but it is not correct because the aviation industry has a system of checks and balances with its regular checks from A to D. “Most of the parts of aircraft have service lifespan, which means every part is changed after the expiration of the lifespan and it is made new. Nowhere is age of aircraft banned in the world.

ICAO has not banned any aircraft as a result of age. For instance, the BAC1-11 we banned in Nigeria are still being flown all over the world.”

But the Secretary General of Aviation Round Table, Mr. Sam Akerele said reducing the age of operating aircraft in the sector would further propel the industry forward.

He agreed that ICAO, which is the global minimum safety standards all operators must adhere to, never put age limit on aircraft, but insists rather on regular mainte-

nance of aircraft.

Akerele noted that with the dearth of technical personnel in Nigeria, it was necessary for government to act fast, stressing that if the government could place 10 years age limit on vehicles that are imported into the country, he wondered why the age limit on aircraft could not be stricter.

Also, Mr. Wale Ojerinde of the defunct Nigeria Airways called for the grounding of old aircraft in the country’s airlines fleet.

Ojerinde, an earonautical engineer said the move by the government was commendable, adding gradually, any aircraft that is older than 10 years old should not be allowed to fly in the country’s airspace.

He maintained that even the United States of America is gradually showing concern about the age of aircraft in its country and had commenced knowledgeable moves to introduce legislation, which may propose age limits for commercial airplanes.

He explained that the Federal Aviation Authority of U.S. proposed for the first time operating limits for commercial aircraft to help avoid the most serious agerelated metal fatigue cracks and other damage.

He said, “The FAA estimates the cost to industry at $360m over 20 years. Plane makers like Boeing Company and Europe’s Airbus would incur about 10 per cent of this while airlines and other operators would pay the rest. But regulators say airlines would save hundreds of millions of dollars on maintenance and other expenses.

He emphasised that even Boeing Aircraft Manufacturing Company said its planes are built to be commercially viable for 25 years and wondered why Nigerian operators still fly old aircraft within the country.

Also, captain with the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Airways and the immediate past Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Capt. Adebayo Araba emphasised that the age of an aircraft goes a long way in determining its safety level especially in the country where operators toy with regular maintenance of their airplanes.

Araba commended the government for the move, which he said was long overdue, stressing that it is more expensive to maintain an older aircraft than newer ones.

He said that with the facilities at the disposal of the country, it would be difficult for Nigeria to handle the supervision or maintenance of any airplane that is above 20 years old, observing that most crashed planes in the country were over 20 years old.

“We don’t have the capability to monitor or supervise old aircraft in this country.

Look at the airplanes that crashed in this country, they are above 20 years old. We should just do away with these airplanes.

If the airline operator claims he had carried out checks on his fleet, we don’t have the capability to cross check whatever he claimed to have done. We just rely on whatever he says.”

36

Aviation

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Aero calls for customs waivers on spare parts

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

AIRSIDE

shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

Domestic airlines need waivers on customs duties

I

Aero Aircraft

OLUSEGUN KOIKI

A

ero airline has joined other indigenous carriers to clamour for waivers on customs duties on any aircraft spare parts imported into the country by them.

The airline also said that the N300bn bailout funds released to the airlines by government through the Bank of Industry was only to enrich the banks, stressing that no airline was given cash to improve its facilities.

The Managing Director of the airline, Capt. Akin George in an interview with journalists in Lagos, last week during its facility tour wondered why government could grant waivers to some other aspects of transportation in the country and abandon the airlines,

which he said made the sector viable.

George also challenged the government to provide an enabling environment for the airlines in the country, which would enable them to sustain their operations.

He said, “If government could give waivers to other forms of transportation in the country, I don’t know why the same government can not do the same to airlines in the industry most especially on spare parts imported into the country by the airlines.

“For us to pay customs duties to the government amounts to double taxation because we have already paid duties on acquisition of the aircraft. What government needs to put in place is a conducive aviation environment, which

will make the airlines sustain their operations. Aviation is a driving force and people can’t move around without it.”

On the controversial bailout funds to the airlines, George insisted that no indigenous airline was given cash to improve its fleet or facilities, stressing that what the government did was to settle the debts owned banks by the airlines.

He explained that the financial sector in the country was in serious crisis as at the time the fund was released, maintaining that the strategy was to bailout the banks, but said that rather than the double digits the banks charged the airlines as interest on loan, the BoI through the Federal Government charged those that accessed the funds single digit interest.

Mish Aviation hosts British International on career guidance

Mshelia

A

viation as a transportation mode once again received a boost as students and staff of British International School, Accra, Ghana visited Mish Aviation for a facility tour and career lecture, to give them insights on the industry and what it takes to be an aviation professional.

Eight students and seven staff led by Head of Junior School, Daniel Ofori Mante, were received by Chief Executive, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia and his management team including one time Flight Instructor at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Capt. Mohammed

Tsadza.

Msheila explained that aviation industry globally grows on safe operations either on ground or in the air and advised the students to work hard and be the best in whatever they do.

The students who went round the Mish Aviation complex were treated to 10 minutes each on the simulator tagged, ‘fly it,’ which can simulate the environment of 24,000 airports across the world and all the different kinds of aircraft.

One of the students, Gold Isaac Igoma described the tour as a wonderful experience, saying that the knowledge had made her to refocus her attention in being a professional in the highly regulated sector.

A teacher with the school, Mr. Geoffrey Tetteh said that the experience was fun and should be replicated in schools, “my daughter would love this, she said she wants to be a pilot and if I can afford it, it would be wonderful. This experience will expose the students a lot.”

Another student, Dora Sam Jones, “It was wonderful, I felt just like being in the aircraft like the pilot and for some time, I could see but when the weather was simulated, I couldn’t see anything but I actually felt like I was moving but it ended so soon... it’s a life time experience , I loved it.”

t is no longer news that indigenous carriers are bleeding and their accounts are in red. But, ironically, the government feels unconcerned about their plights despite several calls made by the operators for palliative measures.

Several safety measures have been taken by the government in the last one decade to ensure safer airspace within the country and for the flying public. For instance, in 2002, the government introduced 22 years age limit for any operating aircraft within the country. Also, in 2007, the government embarked on recapitalisation exercise, which forced some of the operators to close shop. Again, the government is proposing 15 years age limit for operating aircraft in the country. All these actions are welcomed by Airside.

However, apart from what the airlines should do to beef up safety operations, what incen-

tives are in the offing for these airlines from the government?

So far, none.

All the airlines have spoken with one voice over the years for waiver on customs duties on imported spare parts and often describe the situation as absurd. It is a known fact that most countries give waivers on customs duties on imported spare parts to their airlines even neighbouring African country, Ghana does the same for its indigenous carriers, but the situation is different in Nigeria.

Airside appeals to the government to consider this plea from the operators especially when they have already paid customs duties on the acquisition of the same aircraft. If government could do this, it will further boost operations of the airlines and funds could be diverted for training and other pertinent safety issues in the sector.

Unchecked stench at GAT

T

he disgusting situation at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos has refused to give way despite the ongoing expansion exercise of the terminal by the Federal Ministry of Aviation spearheaded by the minister, Princess Stella Oduah.

All countries that are signatories to the International Civil Aviation Organisation are expected to operate to minimum recommended safety standards and practices, but the reverse is the case at GAT. Over the years, embarrassing stench have been emanating from every corner of the building without control.

Most affected by this stench is the terminal’s car park,

which is usually a no go area for any sane mind. In fact, a healthy person can be contaminated the moment he or she inhales the odours that regularly ooze out from the drainage close to the terminal’s car park.

This singular act has continued to constitute an embarrassment to the country as first time travellers into the country especially to the GAT have wrong impression of the country’s aviation industry. A change is urgently needed at GAT for convenient of users.

Airside appeals to Oduah to beam her search light in this direction so that the users can have a heathly environment to work in.

Etihad Airways lunches low fares, free night for Nigeria passengers

E

tihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates based airline has launched new low fare promotion for passengers travelling from Nigeria to the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America this holiday season.

The promotion, according to General Manager, Nigeria and West Africa, Maurice Phohleli is open to both Pearl business class and coral economy class passengers who book between July 18 and 15th August and travel until August 31.

According to Phohleli, “Etihad Airways prides itself on building strong relationships with its guests.

With summer and Ramadan here, we are pleased to unveil our latest fare offers for Pearl Business class and Coral Economy class travellers

in Nigeria. The special offers form part of the ‘welcome on board’ service in our first month of operations in Nigeria and we hope travellers will take advantage of them. ” The airline, he said also extended its summer Kids Fly Free offer to September 10, 2012, which allows children between the ages of 5 to 12 years, travelling with a paying adult, to fly free to the UAE, adding that one child between the ages of 12-16 can fly at 50 per cent of the adult fare.

“We decided to extend this wonderful deal to accommodate and encourage families who might be interested in travelling for the summer holidays and Ramadan. Our hope is that these fares will help to make travel plans more feasible,”

Phohleli said.

He hinted that available until the end of September, travellers can also enjoy a free one-night stay in selected hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, adding that Pearl Business class travellers flying to Abu Dhabi can stay at a selection of luxury hotels including the Yas Viceroy, Park Hyatt Hotel and Villas, Intercontinental, Beach Rotana, Grand Millennium Al Wahda, and at the Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Rose Rayhaan by Rotana in Dubai.

The general manager also explained that coral economy class passengers travelling to Dubai will be able to stay at Traders Hotel situated in Dubai’s historically rich district of Deira.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Insurance

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

37

Insurance operators disregard ‘No Premium, No Cover’ policy ALTHOUGH INSURANCE OUGHT TO BE A

SELLERS’ MARKET, IN REALITY, THE

MARKET POWER RESTS WITH THE BUYERS.

THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO COST REDUCTION STRATEGIES OF

CORPORATES, COUPLED WITH UNHEALTHY RIVALRY AMONG THE INSURANCE OPERATORS

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel

Ilori

Zacariya’u

Insurance operators in the country seems to have neglected the ‘No Premium, No Cover’ clause in the Insurance Act, 2003 as they trade their products on credit or at premiums that are below value of the risk. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO reports the implications and consequences for the nation’s insurance industry.

N

igerian insurance operators have continued to trade insurance policies on credit unabated, caring less about the implications on their firms and the insurance industry as a whole.

Policy pricing of insurance is also plunging despite increase in prices of goods and services in the country. This can be adduced to the rate cutting and unhealthy competition that is rife among them.

Insurance is a contractual arrangement by which one party, known as the insurer, promises to pay another party, known as the insured or policyholder, a sum of money if something happens which causes or results in some loss or damage to the person insured.

However, premium which is money paid by the insured to the insurers in return for the insurer’s promise on the happening of the insured event validates an insurance contract between the duo.

But this is never the case for many operators in the country as they violate the law and sell insurance policies for pennies, an effect from undermining one another and desperate quest to secure business.

The implication on the operators especially some who adhere to rules and regulations and in the industry is under-pricing of insurance products among others.

Section 50 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 states that the receipt of an insurance premium shall be a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there shall be no cover in respect of an insurance risk, unless the premium is paid in advance.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), is however constrained on imposing sanction on the operators because the law did not stipulate sanction for defaulters thereby making it easy for the operators to violate the law concerning payment of required premium.

Section 50 (1) of the Insurance Act pro-

vides that, “the receipt of an insurance premium shall be a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there shall be no cover in respect of an insurance risk, unless the premium is paid in advance”.

A case study is the Dana Air crash that killed 160 people in Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos on June 3.

After the crash, it was discovered that premium was not fully paid on the Dana Air flight 9J 0992 to the local underwriters before the aircraft crashed, but only settled the foreign reinsurer.

National Mirror gathered that Dana Airline and insurance companies, both local and foreign, agreed to a premium of $1,448,206, an equivalent of N225.92m for the insurance of Dana fleet of aircraft. The deal which was brokered by Aon Plc saw Lloyds of London taking 70 per cent of the risk which amounts to N158.14m ($1,013, 745) while 30 per cent of N67.78m was retained in the local market. For the local market, Prestige Assurance Plc is the lead insurer with eight per cent of the risk.

Leadway Assurance got seven per cent, NEM Insurance had five per cent, Sterling Assurance got three per cent; Continental Reinsurance got three per cent, AIICO and Standard Alliance got two per cent.

The premium, according to investigations, was paid to Prestige Assurance which remitted the 70 per cent due to Lloyds but was yet to remit the full 30 per cent premium of N67.78m to the local coinsurers generating concerns as to the legality of honouring the claims made on them as a result of the Dana air crash.

Dana Airline had reached an agreement with all the insurers involved to pay the total premium in four instalments and just paid the second instalment when calamity struck. At the time, some of the coinsurers which have their names enlisted in the account are yet to sign the contract

agreement with the lead insurer before the disaster.

But NAICOM intervened and mounted pressure on the local insurers to pay compensation to families of the victims based on moral persuasion. The commission persuaded them to pay so as to protect the image of the industry, which had being plagued with negative public perception over the years.

Chairman, Niger Insurance Plc, Alhaji Bala Zakariya’u while berating the unhealthy rivalry by insurers recently disclosed that renewals of insurance policies were still effected not strictly on cash and carry basis as required by law but at terms and conditions dictated by the client.

He said, “Although insurance ought to be a sellers’ market, in reality, the market power rests with the buyers. This is mainly due to cost reduction strategies of corporates, coupled with unhealthy rivalry among the insurance operators.”

He stated that the unhealthy rivalry among insurance operators resulting in rate cutting and other unethical devises has made it difficult for operators to play by the rules .

Also, the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) recently spoke on the attitude of operators who engage in unethical practice and rate cutting.

Chairman, Life Office Committee, (NIA), Mrs. Yetunde Ilori pointed out in a report that the insurers have resorted to rate cutting and unhealthy competition to have an edge.

She said the reduction of rates to secure business is inimical to the development of the industry.

Ilori noted that underwriters must learn to adhere to the rules in their quest to secure businesses, especially now that the industry is trying to find its feet after the crash of the capital market where most operators incurred huge losses.

A senior insurer who does not want his name mentioned said the law of no premi-

um; no cover is a mere academic exercise.

According to him, insurance products are not seen as basic needs because they do not have alternatives and so, it becomes difficult to sell.

“Credit sales are on the increase and premium is paid on instalment basis. Most time after two instalments, the client becomes the Lord in status except when there are claims to be made.

“You can only plead since you would want him to make renewal. At the industrial level, it is either the corporate consumers of insurance are watching their cash flow thereby result to instalment payment or if you say no, other companies are already fighting for your slot.

“On the other hand, the brokers may decide not to pay the premium or do part payments after the insured may have made payment. Until there is a loss or claim, they will not pay the balance.

“As for NAICOM, the military approach of imposing fine will not sustain sanity but suspension or withdrawal of license without room for favouritism having explored all persuasive means will bring sanity”.

He said it is unfortunate that this is the only industry where there is no trust. “We compete with everything and never complement one another,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Insurance Mr. Fola Daniel in the NIA report said most operators have thrown caution to the wind to secure businesses, especially government accounts, adding that misdeeds perpetuated by operators have reduced public confidence in the industry.

“At the time of budding prosperity, I am dismayed to hear us being called disparaging names – these people who share money – at the highest levels of government.

According to the commissioner, “These unprofessional actions are most prevalent in government accounts and if the NIA and NCRIB are not willing to call their members to other, the commission will.

“With respect to market conduct, there is an urgent need to address the challenges posed by improper conduct. Unarguably, our products are under-priced and serious undercutting by operators that reached its climax.

“The cost of these misbehaviours to us is enormous – loss of business, diminished goodwill and confidence of the insuring public,” it said.

38

Insurance

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

STI pays N439bn claims in half year OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO

I

n a bid to show its affirmed commitment to prompt claims settlement, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has settled claims worth N439.9m during the company’s half year operations.

Managing Director of the underwriting firm, Mr. Wale Onaolapo in a statement made available to journalists recently in Lagos, stated that the company has lived up to its responsibility by fulfilling its financial obligation to policyholders.

According to him, the total figure paid as claims settlement between January and June 2012 on Motor Insurance recorded the highest figure of N206.9m followed by General Accident portfolio which had N84.5m while N83.6 went into claims settlement on Fire and Special Perils.

“Marine and Aviation claims amounted to N39.6m, Engineering claims came to N23.3m while the Oil & Gas Portfolio settled the least claims of N1.8m. In all, a total of 1,018 policyholders, were beneficiaries of claims settlement in respect of the different classes of insurance policies under the stable of the underwriting firm”.

He further stated that prompt

settlement of claims enhances the reputation of any underwriting firm and as such, the brand equity and image of that organisation would receive a boost that can result to more patronage. We are serious about our business in Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc and we hold our customers dear in everything we do”.

He noted that the company will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring quality and exceptional service delivery to its various policyholders and admonished

the insuring public to consciously adopt an insurance culture for the betterment of their lives.

In the same vein, the Divisional Head, Technical, Mr. Tajudeen Rufai reiterated the company’s uncompromising stance towards prompt settlement of genuine claims.

He said that a customer-friendly claims process has been designed to facilitate timely claims settlement with the major intent of delighting their esteemed customers as and when due.

Onaolapo

A.M. Best affirms ratings of Continental Reinsurance Plc

A

.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb-” of Continental Reinsurance Plc (Continental Re) with the outlook for both ratings remaining stable.

The ratings of Continental Re continue to reflect its strong risk-adjusted capitalisation and underwriting results as well as its established position as a local reinsurer in Nigeria. The ratings also consider Continental Re’s exposure to the high political, economic and financial system risks associated with its operation in Nigeria.

Continental Re’s risk-adjusted capitalisation is expected to remain supportive of its business plans in 2012 and 2013, despite its ongoing trend of strong premium growth and high dividend payments. The company’s strong risk-adjusted capitalisation is underpinned by a large capital base.

At year-end 2011, Continental Re reported a modest rise in shareholders’ funds to NGN 12bn (approximately $75m).

Meanwhile, annual growth of approximately 25 per cent is anticipated in the near term as the company seeks to benefit from growth opportunities mainly within Nigeria and through di-

L-R: Fellow of the Insitute of Loss Adjuster of Nigeria (ILAN), Mr. J. D. Olawoye, past president, ILAN, Pastor T.F. Makinde, Current president ILAN, Chief Lebi Omonoyowa, past president, ILAN, Chief J. A. Komolafe at the institute Inaguration ceremony of Council Members held recently in Lagos

versification in Francophone West Africa, East Africa and North Africa.

According to A.M Best, Continental Re continues to produce strong underwriting results, despite its rapid expansion in recent years.

It stated that 2011’s pre-tax profit of N1.6bn was underpinned by a combined ratio of 83.8 per cent, in line with the company’s five-year average combined ratio of 81.1 per cent.

“Although prospective operating results are expected to remain strong and be supported by Continental Re’s improving risk management practices, A.M. Best remains cautious about the potential impact of the company’s planned growth on underwriting profit margins going forward.

“Continental Re benefits from a good business profile with approximately 50 per cent market share of local life business and a 10 per cent market share of local non-life business. Business derived from its core market accounted for 62 per cent of gross written premiums in 2011.

“Additionally, the company continues to develop its profile outside of Nigeria, through the establishment of regional offices. In 2012, Continental Re turned its Nairobi branch into a fullyfledged subsidiary in order to support its operations in Southern Africa and East Africa”.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Problems with insurance?

Send a text: 08086946621

Frequently asked questions on Transitional Arrangements from old pension scheme into new pension scheme (Part II) What happens to the retirement benefits of an employee who is already under a pension scheme existing before the commencement of the new pension scheme?

Employee’s right to accrued retirement benefits for the previous year’s he or she has been in employment is guaranteed by the Pension Reform Act (PFA) 2004. In the case of the public service of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, where pension scheme was unfunded, the right would be acknowledged through the issuance of a “Federal Government Retirement Bond” to such employee.

The bond will be redeemable upon retirement of the employee.

How will the federal government fund the redemption?? bonds?

The Federal Government has established a Retirement Benefits Bond Redemption Fund Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The Federal Government is already making a monthly payment into the Fund of an amount equal to 5% of the total monthly wage bill payable to all employees of the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory.

How will the accrued benefits under existing funded defined benefits schemes be handled?

In the case of funded pension schemes in the public service of the Federation and the private sector, employers shall undertake actuarial valuation of the employee’s accrued benefits and credit the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of its employees with such funds and in the event of any deficiency, the shortfall shall become a debt and shall be treated with same priority as salaries owed. The employer shall also issue a written acknowledgement of the debt and take steps to meet the shortfall.

What will happen to existing pensioners in the private sector?

Pension Boards in the private sector existing before the coming into force of the PRA 2004 will continue to administer the pensions of the existing pensioners and the National Pension Commission will supervise such boards.

What will happen to existing pensioners in the public sector?

In the public service, Pension Departments have been created to carry out the functions of the relevant pension boards or offices in the public service of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory with a view to making regular and prompt payment of pension to existing pensioners.

Where an employee that has more than 3 years to retire decides to retire now, how will his benefit be handled?

An actuarial valuation of his/ her accrued retirement benefits will be made and the amount plus his contributions to date will consist of his/her retirement benefits

in his or her RSA which can only be accessed at the age of 50 years.

Withdraws from the RSA will depend on the professional advice of the PFA having regard to the provisions of the PFA 2004 which provides for lump sum withdrawal, programmed withdrawals or purpose of annuity.

What happens to my RSA when I change jobs?

The RSA remains with the PFA of your choice for as long as you want. You simply notify your new employer of the details of the PFA that manages your account and thereafter your contributions will be sent to the custodian of the PFA. What happens to the pension funds contributed under the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) before the New pension scheme?

The pension funds contributed to the NSITF before the commencement of the new pension scheme including the income shall remain with the NSITF for a minimum period of five years from the commencement of the Pension Reform Act 2004. NSITF shall establish a company to be licensed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as a PFA which will manage the pension funds in accordance with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

Can A Contributor Move His Contributions Under Nsitf To Another Pfa? A contributor or beneficiary under NSITF Act can only move his pension contributions under NSITF to another PFA after a period of 5 years from the date of commencement of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

Can NSITF still handle pension matters under the new pension scheme?

NSITF will only handle pension matters of existing pensioners and those exempted by the Act who have contributed to the NSITF under the supervision of the National Pension Commission.

What will happen to NSITF after coming into force of the act?

NSITF will continue to provide social security services other than pension to the country.

What happens to existing pensioners who made contributions under NSITF? Retirement benefits shall be paid to existing pensioners under the rules upon which contributions were made, under the supervision of the National Pension Commission.

What happens to the contributions of those exempted from the new scheme but have made contributions under NSITF scheme?

The contributions into NSITF made by those exempted from the new scheme shall be computed and credited into their respective RSAs opened by the NSITF pending the retirement of such contributors.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Capital Market

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

39

Banks, others exclude from Lotus Islamic index JOHNSON OKANLAWON

D

eposit money banks, insurance and tobacco companies are excluded from the Lotus Islamic index launched on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday.

Others that did not make the list are gambling, alcoholic beverages and adult entertainment companies.

Speaking at the launching, the Managing Director of Lotus Capital, Mrs. Hajarat Adeola, said the index was created to track the performance of Shari’ah compliant equities trading on the floor of the Exchange.

She pointed out that the index comprises 15 stocks which have met the eligibility requirements of Shari’ah advisory board, adding that the stocks are rigorously screened and reviewed bi-annualy to ensure their continous compliance for inclusion.

The companies are;

Ashaka Cement Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Larfage WAPCO Plc, Nahco Plc, Unilever Plc, Nestle Plc, Cadbury Plc, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc, etc.

According to Adeola, each stock in the index undergone a two- stage screening process and those companies that pass the initial test are evaluated on the basis of Islamic financial screens to eliminate those with unacceptable levels of debt, cash and interest income.

“Only companies that pass the second stage are considered for further analysis. Other importnact criteria such as liquidity and market capitalisation of the equities also taken into account,” she added.

Adeola explained further that cnsituent stocks are ranked based on the highest market capitalisation and average daily volume traded over a six-month period with a minimum aver-

age volume of 100,000 units.

She said, “Each sector weight is capped at 40 per cent and each component stock is capped at 30 per cent and the index is rescreened, rebalanced and rviewed bi-annually on the first business day in January and July of every year.

“Companies owned by a groupop should not control more than 40 per cent of the otal index market capitalisation in order to manage key man and concentration risks.”

She stressed that companies included in the index are insectors with strong and consistent consumer demand and returns such as food and beverages and building materials among others.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, reinterated that the index consists of companies whose business practices are in conformity with the principles of Shari’ah and ‘we believe

that it will increase the breadth of the market and create an important benchmark for investments as the alternative non-interest investment space widens.’

He noted that the launching will bring on boardvarious ethical investors who were previously not sure about the suitability of investing in stocks,to embrace the market .

“The Index can serve as an important diversification tool forethically minded investors and portfolio managers both locally and from around the world, who seek to profitably invest in emerging African equities market.

“The Islamic Index could serve as a general benchmark for ‘ethical’ funds and could also be seen as a basis for creating Mirror Funds, Index Funds,Exchange Traded Funds, Index options, etc., which would broaden the range of financial instruments traded on the Exchange,” he added.

FCMB posts N7bn profit, as equities gain N3bn

F

irst City Monument Bank Plc has declared a profit after tax of N6.72bn for the half year ended June 30, 2012, an increase by 26.3 per cent when compared with N5.32bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

The bank’s gross earnings rose by 56.7 per cent, from N33.5bn in 2011 half year to N52.6bn in 2012, while interest income appreciated by 59.2 per cent, from N26.6bn in 2011 half year to N42.3bn in 2012.

According to the result presented to the NSE yesterday, net assets stood at N864.5bn in the review period, from N602.9bn in the

corresponding period of 2011, while deposits from customers increased by 37.1 per cent, from N410.8bn in 2011 half year to N563.3bn in 2012.

Meanwhile, trading in equities continued on bullish note on the Nigerian Stock Exchange yesterday, as more companies added substantial values.

Specifically, the All Share index gained 0.04 per cent to close at 23,302.22 points, compared to the increase by 0.76 per cent on Friday to close at 23,292.80 points.

Market capitalisation appreciated by N3bn to close at N7.42trn, lower

than the rise by N76bn on Friday to close atN7.41trn.

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc led the gainers’ table with 20 kobo or five per cent to close at N4.20 per share, followed by Glaxosmithkline Plc with N1.27 or 4.98 per cent to close at N26.77 per share.

BOC Gas Plc rose by 28 kobo or 4.91 per cent to close at N5.98 per share, while Portland Paints Plc appreciated by 14 kobo or 4.88 per cent to close at N3.01 per share.

AG Leventis Plc gained five kobo or 4.76 per cent to close at N1.10 per share.

On the flip side, Julius Berger Plc dropped by N1.38 or 4.99 per cent to close at N26.25 per share, while Vita-

foam Plc shed 16 kobo or 4.85 per cent to close at N3.14 per share.

Eterna Oil Plc dipped by 11 kobo or 4.82 per cent to close at N2.17 per share, while Avon Crown Plc fell by 11 kobo or 4.78 per cent to close at N2.19 per share. Continental Insurance Plc lost three kobo or 4.62 per cent to close at 62 kobo per share.

Transaction volume in equities rose by 2.3 per cent, as a total of 149.62 million shares valued at N1.31bn were exchanged in 3,657 deals, compared to 146.26 million shares worth N1.31bn traded in 3,862 deals on Friday.

Sterling Bank grosses N33bn in half year JOHNSON OKANLAWON

S

terling Bank Plc has announced gross earnings of N32.7bn for for the six months ended June 30, 2012, an increase by 59.3 per cent when compared to N20.5bn recorded in the same period of 2011.

The bank’s profit after tax increased by 38.4 per cent, from N2.19bn in 2011 half year to N3.01bn in 2012, while taxation stood at N239m in the review period, from N160m record-

ed in the corresponding period of 2011.

According to the result presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, interest income stood at N26.3bn in 2012 half year, from N14.6bn in the same period of 2011.

Further analysis of the result showed 4.5 per cent increase in net assets, from N192.3bn in 2011 half year to N200.9bn in the review period, while customers deposits rose by 12.9 per cent in 2012, from N500.7bn in 2011 to N564bn in 2012.

The Managing Direc-

tor of the bank, Mr.Yemi Adeola said that the results have been achieved against the backdrop of difficult global and domestic economic conditions, which continue to impact real sector investment, foreign investor participation, consumer confidence, and market risk appetite.’

According to him, ``The results also come in the wake of Sterling Bank’s recent integration with the former ETB, and the associated costs arising from technology upgrade and brand standardiza-

tion; the benefits of which are expected to kick-in during the last quarter of the year.

Analysts are optimistic that the bank will sustain current performance tempo to year- end by way of delivering broader figures in both the bottomline and the topline.

“With the second quarter performance, the stock holds great value over the medium to long term for income seeking investors or those eyeing capital appreciation,’’ Tunde Ladipo, an investment analyst said.

Source: NSE

Source: Afrinvest

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,302.22 points Market capitalisation 7,416trillion

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

UBN

4.00

4.20

0.20

5.00

GLAXOSMITH

25.50

26.77

1.27

4.98

BOCGAS

5.70

5.98

0.28

4.91

PORTPAINT

2.87

3.01

0.14

4.88

AGLEVENT

1.05

1.10

0.05

4.76

JAPAULOIL

0.63

0.66

0.03

4.76

IKEJAHOTEL

1.29

1.35

0.06

4.65

DIAMONDBNK

2.46

2.55

0.09

3.66

UTC

0.57

0.59

0.02

3.51

FCMB

3.20

3.29

0.09

2.81

CHANGE

% CHANGE -4.99

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

JBERGER

27.63

26.25

1.38

VITAFOAM

3.30

3.14

0.16

-4.85

ETERNA

2.28

2.17

0.11

-4.82

AVONCROWN

2.30

2.19

0.11

-4.78

CONTINSURE

0.65

0.62

0.03

-4.62

WAPIC

0.66

0.63

0.03

-4.55

PRESCO

15.35

14.70

0.65

-4.23

LIVESTOCK

1.37

1.32

0.05

-3.65

MAYBAKER

1.69

1.63

0.06

-3.55

ROYALEX

0.58

0.56

0.02

-3.45

Primary Market Auction TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

91-Day

34,888.90

13.85

26-Jul-12

182-Day

83,229.89

16.10

26-Jul-12

364 -Day

50,000.00

9.06

26-Jul-12

Open Market Operations TENOR

AMOUNT (N’mn)

RATE (%)

DATE

62 Days

14,116.00

14.50

2-Jul-12

-

-

-

-

Wholesale Dutch Auction System AMOUNT OFFERED

MARKET DEMAND

AMOUNT SOLD

DATE

$200m

N/A

$200m

30-Jul-12

$250m

N/A

$217m

25-Jul-12

40

Capital Market

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Stock exchange daily equities summary Equities as at July 30, 2012 1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Sector

Company name

No Of Deals

Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

41

42

T

Politics

he annual retreat of the Senate correspondents, which for obvious reasons takes place at the end of every session of the National Assembly and coincides with the annual vacation of the lawmakers, provides opportunity for the newsmen to take stock and review their coverage of the parliament in the past year with a view to charting fresh direction for the task ahead. This year’s programme was not any different. What was rather new was that the greater part of the two-day event was devoted to interactive discussions, which centred on the role of the media in promoting good governance in the country.

Conscious of making the event a purely media affair, organisers of the programme took time to ensure that all the resource persons were either current media practitioners and scholars or politicians who started off as media people.

The retreat, which was hosted by the Abia State governor, Theordore Orji, was declared open by the Senate President, David Mark, who attended with a retinue of senators, especially senators from the South-East.

Expectedly, Governor Orji in his welcome address, used the auspicious event to sound off about some of the developmental programmes of his administration. He reminded his guests how the state had been held hostage by godfatherism for many years and later insecurity. He said the state has been able to overcome the twin major challenges and was now on the path of legacy transformation.

The governor noted that before now, the state would not have been able to host the retreat because of insecurity but because of the timely intervention of the Federal Government, the state has gotten rid of the criminals that perpetrated the crimes. The governor said at the moment, Abia remains one of the safest states in the country, which has made his administration to pursue rapid transformation of the state. Some of the programmes the state government are currently embarking on, which the governor expressed optimism his administration would be able to complete before vacating office in 2015 are, the construction of a new government house and the construction of a new ultra modern market. Others, according to him, are the construction of a 2,000 sitting capacity international conference centre, expansion of the existing state secretariat, amongst others.

Mark in his opening address made a strong case for government’s intervention to assist the media in the seamless discharge of its onerous constitutional responsibilities. Recognising the importance of the media in the sustenance of democracy as well as the need to lessen the pains in broadcasting and publishing, he urged the Federal Government to consider the introduction of import duty waivers on media equipment such as newsprints, inks and other media related machineries.

Mark said the legislature, media owners and regulatory agencies must work together to come up with a strong legislation to support the media perform its constitutional role of being the watchdog of the society.

The Senate President noted that to play its role as public watchdog effectively, the media must be able to bark.

Besides, he said the media can arouse

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Parliamentary reporting, good governance et al THE

PARLIAMENT

At the 2012 annual retreat of Senate correspondents, which ended in Umuahia, Abia State last week, the issue of promoting good governance took the centre stage, writes GEORGE OJI. A VIBRANT, ALIVE AND ENERGETIC MEDIA, WHICH

EVERY DECENT SOCIETY CRAVES

FOR, MUST STRIVE TO STRENGTHEN THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE,

JUDICIARY AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS BY PRODDING THEM TO Orji

Eze

the consciousness of the people from their complacency to assert their rights and demand accountability from the authority.

Mark further noted that a vibrant, alive and energetic media, which every decent society craves for, must strive to strengthen the executive, legislature, judiciary and other institutions by prodding them to walk the talk, travel the narrow but straight path in keeping their covenant with the people.

Mark saluted the courage, doggedness and steadfastness of the Nigerian media.

He said the press has been in the vanguard for the promotion and sustenance of democracy in the country, just as he praised the media for pioneering and struggling for the nation’s independence.

While concluding that the media has generally fared well, Mark also insisted that the media can still do more by deliberately planning and sustaining the efforts to bridge the information gap between the leaders and the led.

He said: “The Nigerian media must uphold the sanctity of truth and fairness at all times as a cardinal contribution

WALK THE TALK towards strengthening good governance and democratic institutions in Nigeria.”

On the part of the legislature, he assured that it will continue to create a conducive environment that will assist the media to thrive as reporters in the parliament.

Senator Ayogu Eze in his lead paper entitled: “Reporting Nigeria’s legislature: the reporters’ challenge,” said the crux of the dilemma of the average journalists covering the legislature was that they are expected to meet the society’s minimum standard expectation of man-bite dog syndrome, which hallmark the yellow press for which Nigerians seem to have insatiable appetite. The implication, he said, was that the journalist hones his constructive initiatives in order not to be left behind, more so when his editor is probably in Lagos or elsewhere yelling orders that he or she must file stories that will catch attention on the newsstand the next morning.

Given the above scenario, Eze said the reporter gets restless and begins to look inwards. Then, muck-racking becomes the order of the day as he or she competes with reporters in other beats who file salacious stories on a daily basis.

Eze lamented that very often for the journalists covering the legislature attention is given to such mundane issues as the emoluments of members of the legislature to the detriment of fundamental development and transformation taking place within the legislature itself. According to him, “People will be certainly reluctant to patronise on regular basis a news medium that focuses on highlighting the stability and growth of our democracy, which may not sell the newspaper or attract patronage to the news medium.”

He said the legislature, being the youngest of the three arms of government as well as the press covering its activities are confronted by dearth of resources in the form of institutional memory and the right number and calibre of manpower.

He regretted that even basic facilities like

the National Assembly press is not functional, resulting in sensitive documents of the legislature being printed in commercial outfits with its attendant security implications. This he said often results in nearly every law passed by the National Assembly having so many versions selling on the road sides, including of course manuscripts that are obviously obtained by those to whom these sensitive jobs are contracted out to.

Finally, the lawmaker said it was the duty of the journalists covering the legislature to present information in a manner that will impact lives and the future of the society alongside dreams and visions of tomorrow.

Abuja Bureau Chief of the Guardian Newspaper, Martins Oloja, in a paper entitled, “Journalism in the 21st century series: Covering the news in dangerous and fast changing world,” dwelt so much on the challenges of globalisation, particularly the challenges posed by the internet wireless news agencies to the orthodox media outfits.

The conclusions drawn from his presentation were that the forces of globalisation have posed more threats to present journalism practitioners than the forces of insurgents and all the freedom fighters all over the Niger Delta and the North. He observed that readers, listeners and viewers can no longer wait till tomorrow before getting the details of the newsbreaks, and that sooner than later, market forces will tell traditional news media owners that they may not be able to rely on regular streams of incomes to pay salaries and allowances and even run their operations.

In all of these, Oloja said the hardest hit is the print media. He said the world’s largest English language newspaper, “The New York Times,” is currently not healthy because not long ago in 2007/2008, a Mexican billionaire, Carlos Slim, had to rescue the paper from collapse. According to him, it is only in India, Nigeria and a few other developing countries that newspaper business still booms. This phenomenon, he said, was caused by absence of broadband internet services in those countries.

Mr. Emeka Omeihe, a media consultant and political journalist who presented a paper on, “Implementing the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act for Good Governance,” observed that the authors of the Act were so moved by the unmitigated corruption ravaging the country that they thought that one of the strategies to stem it was through the Act. While he believed that a dutiful implementation of the Act could lead to a substantial reduction in the malfeasance, Omeihe said records of the actual testing of the Act have been largely scanty.

He said despite the existence of the FoI Act, cases of corruption have become a serious embarrassment not only to the nation but the National Assembly.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Hon. Emmanuel Jev is the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Poverty Alleviation and represents Bukuru Federal constituency of Benue State on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He speaks with TORDUE SALEM on the House invitation to President Goodluck Jonathan, Femi Otedola versus Farouk Lawan and Benue politics. Excerpts:

Jonathan must honour House’s invitation – Jev THE

PARLIAMENT

and solve it. Last year December, the President invited us to the Villa and we all trooped to the Villa to put our heads together to come up with an idea on the fuel subsidy matter and we all obliged him. It was not in the law, but we went over, so even if there was no section 88 to anchor our invitation on, we still could have invited him, because we are a part of the same government.

The same President in May last year, said that the National Assembly should not constitute itself into a rival government and to the best of my knowledge; we have never attempted to do that. If we were constituting ourselves into a rival government, we would have devised our ways and means of trying to tackle the insecurity in the country, but we said: ‘no, let’s reason together’.

The decision was for a close-door meeting, but I think the problem we have on our hands is that there is a situation where some people want to build our president into an emperor. If they had their way, nobody can question what the President does. Nobody can even come near the president. In America, the President knows almost all the names of members of congress because they interact regularly. But here the President has been taken to a level that a whole Congress asking to interact with their president has become such a big issue. Why are we meeting with him? Is it not to find solutions to the insecurity problems in the country? So, I think people are blowing this thing out of proportion. As for lawyers, I think it’s normal; lawyers would hardly agree on anything. Some disagree for just the purpose of being different. They know it. It is there in black and white.

It is not nebulous. That section is straightforward that anybody can be invited.

Several enquiries into misappropriation of funds and sundry anomalies in several sectors by the House have somehow ended up denting the image of the House.

What do you think should be done?

The truth of the matter is that I am reluctant to comment on this particular aspect that you just raised. I am a member of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges and I am also a member of the committee that is looking into Farouk Lawan’s case and if Hon. Simon Arabo’s motion is subsequently to be looked into, they would likely send it to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, and I don’t want to say anything that at the end of the day, will turn out to be prejudicial to those enquiries. So, I have to be very careful. I don’t want to say something outside and get into the committee and begin to try to defend it when I have already taken a position one way or the other.

When will the committee invite the SSS to testify on its role in the subsidy bribery saga?

The investigation that the Ethics and Privileges Committee is conducting is a cleansing mechanism that every organisation has. We are not conducting a general investigation to decide whether Femi Otedola is right or wrong or whatever, but all we are concerned about is our member. When the matter came up on the floor, Farouk Lawan was suspended as a member of the Education Committee and he was also removed as a member of the Ad hoc Committee on Subsidy. We have to look into some of these allegations to determine whether they are true or not. If at the end of the day we discover that indeed something like that happened, then we will make recommendations to the House. But we need to get to the root of the matter, by taking all those who were mentioned.

Hon. Lawan earlier gave extensive information of what he claimed happened surrounding the case and we needed to talk to other sides; everybody that was mentioned to get to the root of the matter, so that we determine who exactly is telling the truth and whether there is any blame to apportion and all of that. The secretary of the committee will have dates as to when particular individuals will appear.

Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution says that members of both Chambers of the National Assembly should not sit for less than 181 days a year, but some members of the House have not met that constitutional requirement.

What do you think should be done to stop this?

I am not in a position to speak for every member of the House, but I can only appeal to those playing truancy to give their people effective representation. But the truth of the matter is that most times, you find people who are not on the floor sitting in committee meetings, going on oversight functions and conducting investigative hearings and all of that. I agree that some lawmakers are playing truancy, but I can tell you that sittings are construed to include committee sittings, so the fact that somebody does not sit in the Green Chamber or the Red Chamber, does not mean he is not sitting, because there are sittings that take place whole the House is sitting. Sometimes, if you insist on deferring certain functions until the House rises from sittings, a lot of things may be defeated. So, people should try and appreciate the work of the parliament. I have visited one or two parliaments elsewhere and I have seen that it’s not exactly different from what we do here, but like I said, I am not holding brief for those who run away from their

43

Jev

work. There is a need for them to do their work, and I think Nigerians will continue to pressurise their representatives because we all know those we sent to the National Assembly. It is not difficult to see those who are properly representing their people. The call for a unicameral legislature may not solve the problem, because at the end of the day, it is still human beings that would man the unicameral legislature and things may still go wrong.

The House invitation to President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to raise dust and there are indications that the president may not honour the invitation. What is your reaction to this?

Let me tell you something, anybody, including the President can be invited to answer questions on anything. Section 88 says anybody can be invited. It does not say you can invite ministers or commissioners or whatever. It does not enumerate positions. If it enumerated positions, then you can say the President is not on the list, but the president is somebody. And apart from the crass illegality that people are trying to employ in this matter, we invited the President because there is an emergency on our hands. And we wanted to sit together

THE PROBLEM WE HAVE ON OUR HANDS IS THAT THERE IS A SITUATION WHERE SOME PEOPLE WANT TO BUILD OUR

PRESIDENT INTO AN EMPEROR.

IF THEY HAD THEIR WAY,

NOBODY CAN QUESTION WHAT THE

PRESIDENT DOES

But some people are even urging the president to challenge the summons in court.

If we begin to challenge every decision in court, the president will never do his work.

I don’t think the President should fall into that trap. If he goes to court, the House too can go to court. For God’s sake, when we made him Acting President through a Doctrine of Necessity, what section empowered us to come up with that? No section empowered us to come up with that. So, people should not mislead him into going into areas that would distract him from doing his job.

Recently, the House constituted a panel to look into what went wrong with the last National Identity Card Project and the justification for a new contract of N30 billion. What is happening with the panel’s work?

I am not part of that investigation. There are many committees that I belong to. I belong to about eight committees, but I am not a member of Rules and Business Committee, so I will never know and until such a matter comes on the floor. But the only thing I can say is that when work is given, sometimes along the way, you might have hitches and then reapply for more time, so I wouldn’t know why, but I share your concern. Nigerians should definitely know what is happening because most of these things happen in the open and if there are hitches, they should also know. Let it not look like somebody is trying to kill the report again.

What is your candid assessment of the Seventh House so far?

I was privileged to be a member of the sixth Assembly and I know that we had a lot of troubles; it was rancorous and we passed through a lot. We removed our first Speaker within less than six months and replaced her with another one. There were fights on the floor of the House and all that. But you can notice that with this one, we have a very stable House and a very loyal followership of members and we are almost tagged as one in spite of the party differences. Aminu Tambuwal has stabilised the present House and made it rancour-free.

44

Politics

CONTINUED FROM 13 try, scattered across 30 states were under the illegal caretaker committees arrangement. At best, the only voices against such practices have been lamentation over the perpetration of the illegality by the governors, from the leadership of the National Assembly.

The implication of this is that undemocratic structures and systems are deployed to administer an integral part of the country’s three-tier federal democratic system; and the outcome of this aberration in the past 13 years is that the councils have been emasculated by ambitious and power-hungry state governors.

It is against this backdrop that stakeholders have stressed the need for a total fiscal and administrative autonomy for the 774 local governments in the country.

One of such is the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The NULGE, while speaking through its National President, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel during an interaction with the Municipal Officer of the Public Service International (PSI), Mr. Rolv Hassen, said that the local governments must be independent of the federal and state governments to enable them function effectively. It therefore sought the intervention of the PSI in attaining the desired autonomy.

Khaleel said: “We are canvassing for the support of all Nigerians and international institutions, especially the PSI to collaborate with NULGE to ensure we have viable local government in Nigeria. We are looking forward to your good office to assist our union in these areas.”

But long before the Belgore committee recommendation, there have been strident calls and agitation for local government autonomy in the country. The civil society and the media have been in the forefront of such clamour for a long time and this also came to the fore earlier in July at a forum organised by the United Nations Development Programme in Abuja, where the coalition of several non-governmental organisations said that: “The local government system as the third tier of government has been hijacked by the state governments, thereby rendering them ineffective and unable to respond to the needs of Nigerians at the grassroots. There is therefore need to grant the local government full political and financial autonomy commensurate to its status as the third tier of government.”

Noting that the 1999 Constitution as amended “deprives local governments of autonomy, makes them too dependent on the state government and by extension the state governor, starves them of needed resources through the establishment of a joint local government account and renders them unable to initiate and implement any form of developmental programmes,” the coalition posited that being the tier of government closest to the people, if properly managed, autonomous and well-funded and organised local councils can greatly impact on the lives of the local communities.

The coalition therefore proposed an amendment to the constitution that would confer greater responsibility on the local government councils and at the same time also guarantee their autonomy and protect them from interference from state governors. It also said that such amendment must include the “abolishment of the State and Local Government Joint Account, enhance their access to more resources, pro-

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Autonomy: Freeing LGs from bondage HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THE LOCAL

GOVERNMENTS?

SHOULD THEY BE MADE TO FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY

TO THE STATES? IS THE JOINT STATE/

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT STILL NECESSARY?

mote democratic leadership at the level, ensure security of tenure and institute necessary controls for accountability.“ While inaugurating the 47-member Senate Ad hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution, the Senate President, David Mark, underscoring the significance of the local government and the various issues surrounding it asked: “How effective are the local governments? Should they be made to function independently to the states? Is the joint state/local government account still necessary?”

In the same vein, a bill for an Act to amend the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to provide for Financial Autonomy for Local Government Councils in Nigeria and for matters connected there to, sponsored by the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta and the senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, scaled second reading on the floor of the Senate, before it was referred to the committee on the review of the constitution.

The bill sought to give the local government councils a fresh lease of life from the stranglehold of the state governors on them.

Also, the Acting Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, during a town hall meeting organised for workers in Ibadan South West Local Government of Oyo State recently lamented the pitiable situation of the local government councils.

The House of Representatives has also called for a full reform of the local government administration to make it a full tier of government that is autonomous, efficient and viable.

The ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives on Constitution Review, in a 10-point communiqué signed by its chairman and Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, at the end of a fourday retreat in Port Harcourt, the River State capital, sought for local government autonomy against the subsisting arrangement where council are under the control of governors in the various states.

The communiqué, read by Hon. Hakeem Gbajabiamila, stated in part: “It has become imperative to amend the 1999 Constitution to make local governments efficient and viable. The system of local government administration instituted by the 1999 Con-

Belgore

Ihedioha

stitution should be reformed to guarantee the autonomy, efficiency and viability of the local government system.”

The National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Nwabueze Okafor, has also disclosed ALGON’s plan to send a memorandum to the National Assembly for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution with the view to ensuring financial autonomy for the local government areas from the state governments.

Okafor, while raising alarm over the deplorable state of the councils across the country, decried the level of impunity by the governors, noting that the development had continued to impact negatively on the 774 local government areas across the country.

He said: “To safeguard the future of the local government areas against executive dominance and control, memoranda to seek autonomy of the LGAs will be sent to the National Assembly Constitution Committee to seek total independence for the LGAs constitutionally.”

But there have been fears expressed by stakeholders that the governors, who have remained the beneficiary of the maladministration at the local government level, would not give up without a fight.

The state governors seem to be ready to fight to the finish in ensuring that the lo-

cal government councils are not granted autonomy, despite their strident call for the devolution of powers from the centre.

Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs, wrote in one of his lectures titled: “The Individual, the Party and National Unity,” that: “We have the issue of whether we have a two-tier government or three-tier government. The constitution is very clear because it refers to the third tier as a government but all the state governments are united as one in not regarding the local government as an autonomous tier of government. When all the governors speak with one voice for a change, I get very worried. But it sounds schizophrenic to me for the state governors to be consistent in loudly advocating that the powers and financial allocations to the centre should be reduced, that the Federal Government should get off their backs, and yet, at the same time, they are not prepared to sanction and recognise the autonomous status for the third-tier of government.”

It is with this at the background that stakeholders and political pundits have come to the conclusion that it would not be an easy ride to attain autonomy for the local government councils, especially with constitutional proviso that for any amendment to the constitution to scale through, it must have the backing of at least two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly in the 36 states.

Thus, it becomes herculean for the amendment seeking autonomous for local government councils to sail through given that almost all the states assemblies are in the pockets of the state governors. Moreso, utterances by some of the state governments in recent times are indicative of a tough battle ahead for the autonomy of the local government system to come to reality.

Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, in a recent interview with National Mirror, probably saying the mindset of his colleague, said: “On the issue of local government, there are two federating units in Nigeria, the federal and state governments.

The truth is that the local government is not a federating unit.”

However, if President Goodluck Jonathan could walk his talk, then a fresh breath of air might be in the offing for the local government system in the country.

President Jonathan, while receiving the Belgore committee report had said: “I am equally pleased that the committee has paid justified attention to local government administration. I am convinced, given my personal experience at national and subnational levels of governance in Nigeria, that the greatest asset of our democracy is the commitment of people at the grassroots to the ideals of transparency, accountability and good governance.

“Considering that local governments have the greatest potential for maximum impact on the lives of all citizens, the extent of their efficient development is the true measure of our democracy’s claim to being a government of the people by the people and for the people.”

Will the yearnings of the people for an autonomous local government system come to fruition? The days ahead would surely be interesting as the protagonists and antagonists of local government autonomy for the return to the trenches to restrategise.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Community Mirror FCTA seals orphanage, evacuates 25 children

“The government should consider import duty waivers on media equipment such as newsprint, inks and other machineries.”

SENATE PRESIDENT, DAVID MARK

46

Mudasiru’s Estate: Trustees have no legal certification –Court WALE IGBINTADE

J

ustice Doris Okuwobi, of a Lagos high court has held that trustees of the estate of former Military governor of Lagos State, late Air Commodore Gbolahan Adio Mudasiru are not yet legally certified as genuine executors of his will.

Justice Okuwobi held that the production of probate was the only way a person could be permitted to prove their title as executor of the will left behind by late Mudasiru.

Okuwobi also refused the application of the trustees asking the court to vary its order restraining G. Cappa Plc from collecting rents from tenants at a property situate at plot 1699 Sanusi Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, pending the final determination of a suit instituted before the court.

Okuwobi had in her ruling on a counter claim filed by Foluke Asani Mudashiru, widow of the late governor, directed G. Cappa to render accounts of all monies received by the firm as rents in respect of the disputed property from October 1, 2004 till date.

But, the 2nd -6th defendants in a Motion on Notice brought under Order 39 Rule 1 of the high court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules 2004 filed by their counsel, Mr. Osahon Idemudia,

urged the court to set aside its order.

Ruling on the Motion on Notice, Justice Okuwobi held that the trustee lacked the capacity to bring the application.

The court stuck out the Motion on the ground that the trustees have no standing in law to seek orders from the court.

“The pronouncement that the defendant was the duly appointed executors of the estate did not earn the trustee the title in law. The applicant not been competent parties in the suit, the court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate on their application and this will be an exercise in futility to consider other issues upon the finding that they are incompetent parties to seek relief in the suit’’, the court held.

They argued that a Lagos high court presided over by Justice Ayisat Opesanwo had in a judgement of December 15, duly appointed them as executors of the estate of late Mudasiru.

But, Chief Robert Clarke SAN, counsel to Mrs Mudasiru submitted that the purported trustees are not entitled to the reliefs sought as they are not properly before the court.

Clarke further argued that the court is functus officio in respect of the order sought to be set aside, hence, it has no jurisdiction to either vary or set same aside.

He submitted that the 2nd –

Street urchins riding dangerously at the bumper of commercial bus in Lagos.

6th defendants are busy bodies as they were not the ones the order was directed and therefore, have no competence to bring the application.

He further submitted that there was no evidence before the court that probate has been granted on the will of late Commodore Mudasiru under which the trustees claimed they have been admitted to probate.

Besides, he stated that the property is a subject matter of unresolved litigation adding that the

Council boss donates transformer, commissions road MUIRTALA AYINLA

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he chairman of MosanOkunola Local Council Development, Hon. Abiodun Mafe has opened a new road, just as he donated a 500KVA power generator set to residents of AB Street in the area.

Mafe who also apprehended two men vandalising the newly constructed road on Church Street, said his administration is committed to improving the lives of the residents through his propeople agenda.

Speaking while commissioning the road, named after a renowned educationist, Mafe said the decision to name the street after Mrs Omonike Doregos was

in recognition of her contribution to improving the lives of people around her. He added that Dregos‘s impact in strengthening the standard of education cannot be over emphasised.

“Our council knows the importance of good roads to the residents and development of the council economically. That is why construction of good roads and periodic rehabilitation of existing ones remain sacrosanct on our agenda. We are naming this road after someone who has equally contributed to the council in terms of education,” he said.

Mafe described the donation of transformer to the community as another landmark achievement of his administration, saying the goal of every leader is to

achieve result through meeting the needs of the led. He stressed the transformer would solve the problem of power outage in the area, as some streets may not need to adopt shifting strategy resulting from shortage of distribution equipment.

On the arrest of the vandals, Mafe reiterated that the state government has warned residents from digging public roads for any reason, saying he would not allow anyone in the council to break the law regardless of status.

He urged the residents to adopt modern ways of mounting road bump rather than digging public roads, even as he said that the council would not spare anyone caught in act of vandalizing the roads in any disguise.

order of the court was in not in conflict of the judgement exhibited by the trustees.

He argued that the application to set aside the order of the court was made in bad faith and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it.

Okuwobi had in her ruling directed that the money should be paid to the firm of Alonge Ogumoyero and Co, Estate Surveyors and Valuers who shall in turn pay it into an interest yielding account pending the final determination of the suit.

PHOTO: OLUFEMI AJASA

The court however refused Mudashiru’s request that the firm or any other persons be appointed as receiver \manager of the estate.

Justice Okuwobi held that the applicant [Mudashiru] has shown sufficient right to entitle her to the reliefs sought adding that there was no merit whatsoever in the argument of N L Mbanefo, counsel to G Capppa.

The matter has been adjourned till September 27, for further hearing.

Distressed citizen petitions IGP ABIODUN NEJO

ADO EKITI

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distressed Nigerian, Mr Sunday Ukoko, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, to rescue him from the continuing brutality of a police officer, Mr. Franklyn Orudiedike.

According to Ukoko, Orubiedike, a DPO at Ekiadolor Police Station in Benin City, drove dangerously on the Benin - Akure Expressway on December 13, 2011 and in the process crashed into his vehicle, leaving him with injuries.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, Ukoko said the police officer maltreated and abandoned him at the accident spot before he was later rushed to the University Teach-

ing Hospital, Benin for treatment.

Ukoko is therefore calling on the IGP to direct that Orubiedike repair and release his damaged car to him, even as he wants the DPO to return N157, 850.00 alongside his other valuables in police custody.

He is also appealing to the police boss to order the DPO to offset the N1.7 million medical bills he had so far incurred in the course of treatment.

According to him, other items being held at the police station include a bag, clothes, suit case, driver’s license and identity cards. He said two letters have so far been written in respect of the accident, one to the IGP on May 1, 2012 and another to Mr. Franklyn Orubiedike, without any response.

46

Community Mirror

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FCTA seals orphanage, evacuates 25 children OMEIZA AJAYI

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he Social Development Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has sealed Racheal Orphanage in Area 7, Garki District for illegal operation.

Owned by a staff of the FCT’s Universal Basic Education Board, UBEB, Mrs Rachel Alaja, the home was being operated in a multitenanted apartment on Nsadup Close, Garki.

According to the secretariat, it will also take custody of 25 children evacuated from the home.

Community Mirror learnt that the raid followed a tip off from residents in the area who had drawn the

attention of the secretariat to the activities of the Home for Orphans and Vulnerable Children.

FCTA officials said it was made up of a two bedroom apartment owned by the Alaja couple who occupied a bedroom with their children; while 25 vulnerable kids were cramped in the second room measuring 10” X 11” which the officials said was grossly inadequate.

According to the Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, SDS, Mrs Blessing Onuh, the home was found wanting in all ramifications as it did not obtain any approval for its operation.

“It is the mandate of the SDS FCT to manage orphanages and also ensure that private orphanages operate

based on approval. We got a hint that there was an illegal orphanage operating in the city and sent our officers who discovered that 25 children were cramped into a two bedroom with a single toilet.

They were evacuated and are now in our custody and we are taking them to our orphanages for proper care,” said Amina Abubakar, Director, Gender Development in the SDS said.

She said operators of orphanages are expected to have the necessary funds and space before they commence operation, adding that defaulters will be made to face the full weight of the law.

She, however, directed that the children be taken to the Gwagwalada Orphanage for proper emotional, psychological and medical attention.

LASAA redesigns Apapa Oshodi Expressway

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agos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), is revamping Apapa-Oshodi Expressway for outdoor advertisement. This move is in line with the agency’s plan for a new signage and outdoor advertising master plan in the state.

Speaking on this development, the Managing Director of the agency, Mr. George Kayode Noah stated that the initiative is part of “LASAA’s plan to redefine Out-of-Home advertising in the state is in line with the directives of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

“We have developed a new design for Apapa-

Oshodi stretch taking into consideration modern and innovative outdoor structures that will compliment the environment’’.

Noah noted that, “all outdoor practitioners whose structures have been affected particularly the spectacular types (Unipoles), have been notified of this exercise. We have engaged them on the benefits of the exercise to get their buy-in’’.

The agency’s managing director emphasised that all outdoor practitioners whose advertising structures are affected will have the first right of refusal on the stretch after the exercise is completed; adding

that the agency is proposing structures with Portrait design types, Tower designs, Cladded columns, V-shaped designs, Boundary wall signs, Bus shelters, and Street furniture.

The redesign of Apapa Oshodi-Expressway is one of the many steps to be taken by LASAA to implement the new outdoor master plan.

The current leadership of LASAA has been in the vanguard for the implementation of an outdoor advertising master plan which will specify the type and location for the placement of outdoor advertisement structures.

Rachel Alaja, however explained that she had earlier applied for approval but was yet to get any. She said the desire to alleviate the sufferings of the orphans made her take them into custody whenever they were brought to her.

She said as an orphan who went through excruciating

pains while growing up, she could not bear to see any child suffer, adding that she has been catering for them in the past 22 years and all orphans of school-age in her custody are in school, while three have already obtained Higher National Diploma, National Certificate in Edu-

cation and Ordinary National Diploma and they are now married.

She said she has over the years expended her salary on catering for the kids but regretted that her pleas for support from neighbours was what landed her in the hands of the SDS officials.

New designs for Apapa Oshodi-Expressway

Typical structure proposed for Apapa Oshodi

Ojokoro residents lament neglect by government MURITALA AYINLA

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esidents of Egbiri in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area have called on the Lagos State Government to come to their aid through execution of projects, just as the government said it will shut Oko-Oba cattle market if the shanties located on the drainage channels and roads are not demolished within one month.

The residents appeal led to members of the Lagos State Executive Council

led by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, during the environmental sanitation inspection exercise in the area.

A community leader, Chief Olu Omoshaye, said the neglect by government had led to environmental challenges, saying most projects in the community were carried out though contributions from development associations.

He said: “We don’t have roads, water or other amenities. The projects you see here were executed by the residents. And they are not enough to address our

sufferings. We have right to development just like any other area in Lagos because we pay our taxes. We have suffered enough and we appeal to the government to urgently address our needs”.

The residents particularly called for government’s prompt intervention on rehabilitation of a collapsed bridge linking residents of Shoyinka to Temple Avenue, Ogunshola Street and other residents in the community.

They said the community is usually confronted with floods whenever it

rains owing to collapse of the bridge, adding that several lives and properties have been lost whenever the river overflows. They added that some of their neighbours had equally abandoned their homes to flood.

Chief Omoshaye commended the government on security and provision of health facilities, reiterating that it should provide drainages in the area.

Bello who was accompanied by commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba and Special Adviser to the gov-

ernor on Environment, Dr Taofik Folami, decried the rate of environmental degradation at Oko-Oba. He blamed the problem of perennial flooding in Ojokoro area to topography of the environment, pledging government’s support to address the problem.

On his part, chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Mr Adeyemi Olabinjo, commended the officials for assessing the extent of environmental degradation in his council, saying it would not relent in playing its roles.

He appealed to the state government to come to the council’s aid, saying that intervention is needed to mitigate the effect of climate change in the council.

He said: “ I want them to come to our aid urgent because with the present problem of climate change, the rains could come anytime and from what we have seen before, that indicates that there is going to be a serious problem, but with the promise of the government, I believe something good will come out of it.”

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

47

World News

Iran sentences four to death in $2.6bn fraud case

48

“It appears increasingly unlikely that a comprehensive agreement on outstanding issues (between Sudan and South Sudan) will be reached” - US Ambassador to UN, Susan Rice

Mali’s sex couple stoned to death by Islamists

WORLD BULLETIN

Senegal elects Niasse as parliament speaker

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couple who had sex outside marriage has been stoned to death at the weekend by Islamists in the town of Aguelhok in northern Mali, officials say in a report from the BBC. The man and woman were buried up to their necks, then pelted with stones until they died.

The northern half of Mali has been overrun by rebels - Tuareg and Islamist following a coup in Mali’s capital.

Aguelhok in the region of Kidal was one of the first to be captured by Tuareg separatist rebels.

The Islamists in Aguelhok stoned the couple to death in front of about 200 people, officials said.

“I was there. The Islamists took the unmarried couple to the centre of Aguelhok. The couple was placed in two holes and the Islamists stoned them to death,” a local government official told the AFP news agency.

“The woman fainted after the first few blows,” he said, adding that the man had shouted out once and then fallen silent.

A Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali triggered a military coup in March and in the ensuing chaos Islamist groups seized control of several towns in the north.

President Dioncounda Traore spent two months in France after being attacked There has been international condemnation of the Islamists for destroying centuries-old shrines to saints revered by Sufi Muslims in the ancient city of Timbuktu.

Mali’s interim President Dioncounda Traore on Sunday evening called for talks with the militants.

He made the call in his first national address two days after returning from two months in France, where he was treated for injuries sustained when he was beaten by supporters of March’s coup.

Traore said he would lead talks to form a unity government in Mali and would spearhead efforts to open dialogue with Islamists.

Malian refugees resting in the shade of a tree, inside the Mentao refugee camp, in Photo: Getty Images Ouagadougou.

Ernestina Naadu Mills (R)

Photo: Morgana Wingard

Ghanaian ex-First Lady begged Mills to quit

PAUL ARHEWE

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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he late Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills’ National Security Advisor, Brigadier-General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, has validated speculations making the rounds that the erstwhile First Lady, Ernestina Naadu Mills, was against the continuous stay in office of the deceased president prior to his death, Ghana Guide has reported.

Apparently, the security chief had had countless encounters with the late president who had indicated his intention to relinquish his position as the president due to the countless criticisms targeted at him and his government as well as his failing health.

General Nunoo-Mensah, in an interview on Radio Gold last Friday, explained that on one occasion, he had a heartto-heart discussion with President Mills and in his native Fante dialect, the deceased president stated, “General, my wife says I should stop this job”.

This admission corroborated information gathered by DAILY GUIDE that in her grief after the death of her husband, Naadu Mills broke down in uncontrollable tears and in her vituperations, complained that she told her husband to resign but high party officials of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) would not al-

low it.

Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE indicated that when handlers of the late president went to console Naadu at their Regimanuel residence, she nearly drove them out asking, “What do you want from me? I don’t need you here. S3 asa! De3 mo p3 aa na mo nsa aka no. Go away!” literally translated, “hope you’ve gotten what you wanted”.

Naadu’s concern might have been due to the deteriorating health status of her husband as well as the daily insults heaped on him.

In an interview with BBC about two years ago, Naadu was heard lamenting over the insults on her husband, virtually calling for a truce. “My husband will not take Ghana anywhere,” she said in apparent anger.

Indeed, close friends of exPresident Mills had on several occasions tried to convince him to “take a rest” due to his declining state of health.

His close friend and Chaplain at the Chapel in the Presidency, Osu, Rev. Dr Nii Amu Darku, was widely broadcast last week, saying that when President Mills returned from his June 16 medical check-up in the United States, his doctors detected something unusual that would require him to take a long rest.

Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings also hinted that the

demise of the president might have been pushed beyond his capacity. According to Jerry Rawlings, Mills was suffering from a cancer that affected his sight and hearing; hence he could hardly work beyond three hours in a day.

His cleric, Prophet T.B. Joshua, was also said to have admitted the ex-president’s illness.

He said he had travelled with him on several occasions for spiritual healing.

NDC government officials and presidential aides at the Castle however strongly denied any such malaise, stressing he was in the best of health.

He himself admitted his exuberance and dismissed critics who thought he was not healthy enough to withstand the rigours of his responsibilities as a president and flagbearer for the 2012 elections in December.

A few weeks before his death, he was billed to retire to the plush Presidential Lodge at Peduase, up the Akuapim Mountains to rest before resuming work.

However, he sneaked back into town, complaining about boredom and the fact that his place was at the seat of government in the Osu Castle.

Not long after his return from the Peduase Lodge, he was whisked away by his aides to several official assignments including the inspection and commissioning of projects.

Former Senegalese Prime Minister Moustapha Niasse was yesterday elected president of the national assembly following legislative elections on July 1.

Niasse, a member of the presidential coalition, faced off against Oumar Sarr of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) which was the ruling party until March elections.

“We must be the worthy representatives of the Senegalese people,” Niasse told lawmakers after his election.

The 72-year-old is a veteran politician who has served every regime since independence.

He was a member of cabinet for the country’s first president Leopold Sedar Senghor, notably as foreign minister, prime minister for both Abdou Diouf and his successor Abdoulaye Wade and has also played a role as mediator in various crises on the continent.

Interim leader finalises Mali’s unity government Mali’s interim president put the final touches on a unity government yesterday, the eve of a deadline set by foreign partners, taking the lead in negotiations after sidelining his unpopular premier.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has given Mali’s interim authorities until July 31 to form the unity government, expected to be better able to deal with the occupation of the north by hardline Islamists.

Interim President Dioncounda Traore got straight to work upon his return to Bamako following two months in Paris recovering from an attack by opponents, announcing on Sunday the creation of new bodies tasked with ending the crisis.

In a televised address to the nation, he announced he would be in charge of a High Council of State, lead talks for a unity government himself and create a committee to negotiate with the Islamists controlling Mali’s north.

Moroccan king vows to carry out reforms Morocco’s King Mohammed VI vowed yesterday to press ahead with reforms, including strengthening the independence of the judiciary and battling corruption, in a speech to mark 13 years on the throne.

“Justice, regionalisation and territorial governance are among our top priorities,” he said in the speech broadcast live on state television.

48

World News

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

UK police arrest journalist during hacking probe

Briefs

Palestinians dispute Romney’s statement on Jerusalem

Palestinians accused U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney yesterday of undermining peace prospects by calling Jerusalem “the capital of Israel”, ignoring their own claims to the city and most world opinion, Reuters has reported.

Romney used the term on Sunday to sustained applause from his Israeli audience in the Holy City, during a trip to present himself as Israel’s closest ally ahead of the November 6 election contest with President Barack Obama.

“We condemn his statements.

Those who speak about the two-state solution should know that there can be no Palestinian state without East Jerusalem,” chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Reuters yesterday.

“What this man is doing here is just promoting extremism, violence and hatred, and this is absolutely unacceptable,” he said. “His statements are just rewarding the occupation and aggression.”

Apollo Moon flags still standing, images show Images taken by a Nasa spacecraft show that the American flags planted in the Moon’s soil by Apollo astronauts are mostly still standing.

The photos from Lunar Reconaissance Orbiter (LRO) show the flags are still casting shadows - except the one planted during the Apollo 11 landing.

This matches Buzz Aldrin’s account of the flag being knocked over by engine exhaust as Apollo 11 lifted off.

LRO was designed to produce the most detailed maps yet of the lunar surface.

Each of the Apollo missions planted an American flag in the soil at their landing sites.

Scientists had previously examined photos of the Apollo landing sites for the flags, and had seen what looked like shadows cast by them on the lunar surface. But this was not considered conclusive.

Syria’s diplomat in UK quits Assad regime Syria’s most senior UK diplomat has quit his post, the Foreign Office has said.

Charge d’Affaires Khaled alAyoubi told British authorities he was resigning over his government’s “violent and oppressive acts”.

The UK government said his decision represented the “revulsion and despair” of Syrians.

The announcement came after the UN said some 200,000 people have fled intense fighting in Syria’s second city Aleppo.

An FCO spokesman said: “Mr al-Ayoubi has told us that he is no longer willing to represent a regime that has committed such violent and oppressive acts against its own people, and is therefore unable to continue in his position.

“Mr al-Ayoubi was the most senior Syrian diplomat serving in London.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Iranian President Ahmadinejad (L), supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, center, during a prayer session, in Tehran, Iran recently.

Photo: AP

Iran sentences four to death in $2.6bn fraud case

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n Iranian court has sentenced four people to death and given two more life sentences on charges linked to a $2.6 billion bank fraud described as the biggest financial scam in the country’s history, an official said yesterday, in a report from the Associated Press.

The trial, which began in February, involved some of the country’s largest financial institutions and raised uncomfortable questions about corruption at senior levels in Iran’s tightly controlled economy.

But few specific details have been released, possibly to avoid exposing too much internal scandal while Iran’s leaders seek to assure the country it can ride out tightening sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Prosecutors have only referred to the linchpin defendant by a nickname and have provided just general information about his purported business empire. The main charges included using forged documents to get credit at one of Iran’s top bank to purchase assets, including major stateowned companies.

The official IRNA news agency gave no names at all for most of the other defendants in the Revolutionary Court, which deals with cases involving security and organized crime. The report quoted state prosecutor Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei as saying a total of 39 defendants received sentences, including four death sentences, two life terms and the rest of up to 25 years in prison.

The main defendant, referred to by a nickname “Amir Mansour Aria,” was among those charged with a potential capital offense. In February, state TV said he was accused of being “corrupt on earth,” an Iranian legal term that means that the defendant is an enemy of God, and which in practice is a catch-all term for a variety of offenses. The charge carries the death penalty.

Aria pleaded not guilty, but acknowledged that he has violated some laws, the Iranian media said.

The indictment described Aria as head of the Aria Investment Development Co. It

said the owners used “incorrect connections with executive and political elements” to accrue wealth.

“Dozens of instances of bribe payments to staff and managers of banks have taken place under various titles,” it said.

Meanwhile, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his hardline rivals traded blows in their political power struggle. A court stripped one presidential ally of his job while officials in Ahmadinejad’s government brought charges against the brother of one of his prominent critics, the speaker of parliament.

olice probing Britain’s phone-hacking scandal arrested a journalist yesterday on suspicion of handling stolen goods, Scotland Yard said.

British media reported that the arrested journalist was Nick Parker, 51, the chief foreign correspondent for Rupert Murdoch’s topselling daily tabloid, The Sun. Police said a 51-year-old journalist attended a London police station and was arrested by officers from Operation Tuleta, one of three investigations sparked by the scandal at the News of the World, The Sun’s now-defunct sister paper.

“The arrest relates to a suspected conspiracy involving the gathering of data from stolen mobile phones,” a police statement said.

Police did not name the journalist.

News International, the British newspaper arm of Murdoch’s US-based News Corporation empire, was not immediately available for comment.

Parker was also arrested in February by police investigating illegal payments to public officials and remains on bail for that charge.

Another Sun journalist, Rhodri Phillips, was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods on July 19.

British police launched an investigation into hacking in January 2011.

They have so far arrested eight people under Operation Tuleta, which is investigating criminal breaches of privacy, 24 people under Operation Weeting, the core probe into voicemail hacking, and 41 under Operation Elveden, which is investigating corrupt payments.

Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron’s ex-media chief Andy Coulson and former News International chief Rebekah Brooks were charged with phone-hacking along with six other people.

Brooks also faces charges of conspiring to hide evidence relating to the scandal.

Over 300 million suffer power cut in India

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massive power cut has caused disruption across northern India, including in the capital, Delhi, BBC has reported.

It hit a swathe of the country affecting more than 300 million people in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan states.

Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said most of the supply had been restored and the rest would be reinstated soon.

It is unclear why the supply collapsed but reports say some states may have been using more power than authorised.

Shinde said he had appointed a committee to inquire into the causes of the blackout, one of the worst to hit the country in more than a decade. The committee will submit its report within 15 days, he said.

The power cut happened at 02:30 local time on Monday (2100 GMT Sunday) after India’s Northern Grid network collapsed.

Shinde told the BBC that he had

Indian police arresting activists during a protest against government over power failure in Hyderabad, India.

Photo: AP

been informed about the problem at 05:30.

“Within two hours we tried to restore the railways, airport and Delhi Metro services and power supply to essential services, including the railways and hospitals, was restored by 08:00.”

The minister said the exact reason for the collapse had not yet been pinpointed but, in the summer, “states try to take more power from the grid” and at the time of

the collapse, the grid frequency was “above normal”.

“That is one of the reasons why the grid failed,” he said.

By early afternoon, 80% of the supply had been restored, Mr Shinde said.

Yesterday morning saw travel chaos engulf the region, with thousands of passengers stranded when train services were disrupted in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Emergency Update

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

49

NEMA commends Sambo for its achievements T

here are countless ways of attaining greatness, but any road to reaching one’s maximum potential must be built on a bedrock of respect for the individual, a commitment to excellence, and a rejection of mediocrity.” So says a former American Baseball Player, Buck Rodgers.

This quote aptly captures the personality of the humble politician, amiable humanitarian, the Nigeria’s Vice President and Chairman Governing Council of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Namadi Sambo.

In the last two years many achievement have been noticed in the area of disaster management in the country. While it is taken that credit over some of the accomplishments in tackling emergency and disaster situations in the country usually goes to the management and staff of the agency, only few realize that successes of some of this body are achieved through the unseen hands of its governing councils.

As a participant and contributor to public awareness campaigns on disaster risk reduction in the country, I have seen how volunteers, response agencies and staff of NEMA have been collaborating in the last few years in meeting the mandates of the agency.

Just as regularly reported in the media, the timely intervention efforts, of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) coupled with its relief distributions, and evacuation exercises even at odd times and different environments and also in the regular capacity building projects of the agency, the question is how are these task accomplished?

The answer isnot be farfetched.

While Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi is the Director General Vice President Sambo is the Chairman of the agency’s council who on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan always provides the necessary moral and logistic supports to NEMA. As the NEMA’s Chairman of Governing Coun-

TIPS AGAINST DISASTERS

CAUSES OF TOXIC WASTES DISCHARGE 1. Non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

2. Chemical reactions in the environment as a result of unfavorable weather condition.

3. Emission of sulfur dioxide from industrial processes, oil drilling and transport, and mining activities 4. Industrial and sewage treatment plants discharge wastes which contain toxic substances directly into waterways 5. Air emissions from manufacturing from fuel combustion, cars and other motors, homes and buildings.

6. Radioactive contaminations from plutonium processing plants, nuclear power plants, and nuclear waste dumps.

7. Toxic pesticides dispersed through the environment by rain running off chemical-treated land and flowing into lake and rivers.

8. Material from numerous human-made surfaces-roads and parking lots, city streets, buildings, cars and houses.

9. Household cleaning and disinfecting products flushed into sewage systems and out through treatment plant discharge.

10. Leakages from storage tanks and pipelines, and seepage from waste dumps.

PREVENTIONS AGAINST TOXIC WASTES DISCHARGE 1. Encourage strict compliance with environmental laws 2. Full implementation of Environmental Protection Laws and other Environmental Regulations 3. Prevent hazardous waste from entering the environment by following recommended disposal methods for any industrial or household hazardous wastes.

4. Return engine oil and other automotive items to your automotive or hardware store.

5. NEMA recommends reduction of waste discharge when it has a potential for causing pollution, rather than regulating it only after it has caused pollution 6. Always package hazardous materials such as broken compact fluorescent lightbulbs before disposal.

7. Never pour household hazardous wastes such as cleaning products, paints and solvents down your sink or into any water body 8. Always return to the appropriate authority unwanted medication that can pose serious environmental risks.

9. Understand manufacturing processes and the clean techniques to products.

10. Obtain proper precautions to prevent accidents or spills when using any hazardous substance.

Abubakar Jimoh is the Coordinator Youths Against Disasters Initiative (YADI), Abuja Abubakar Jimoh is Cordinator Youths Against Disasters Initiatives Abuja

NEMA officials on Rescue Operation at the Scene of a collapsed building at First Avenue Gwarimpa in Abuja. cil, Sambo is credited for the massive sensitization campaign on disaster preparedness and response across the six-geopolitical zones through the supports given to the management of NEMA. His office is also responsible for the approval of implementation of DRR programmes and policies in the country, especially in the area of development of sustainable frameworks on disaster management; institutionalization of early warning mechanism and establishment of Distress Calls Centres.

As the Chairman of the council and in deference to President Jonathan, Sambo ensures that presidential directives are adhered to with dispatch when it concerns human lives and properties.

The Presidency through his office monitors closely the evacuation of Nigerians from troubled countries , like the rapid evacuation of thousands of

stranded Nigerians from Egypt, Tunisia and Libya during the Arab spring before the situation degenerated into unsalvageable situations.

In the same vein, he has consistently assured Nigerians that the federal government would always do everything possible to map the nation’s geographical landscape to address disaster issues in the country and to achieve this objective, he had extended NEMA’s collaborative strategy with stakeholders to include the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.

While we continue to commend NEMA’s management led by Sani-Sidi, we must also appreciate and acknowledge the leadership dynamism of the Vice President who encourages and approves notable accomplishment in disaster management in the country.

We are living witnesses

to the fact that the government has encouraged and supported the participation of local emergency volunteers including youth corps members and students into a specialized corps on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Apart from the success story of prompt evacuation of Nigerians from troubled nations, in response to the various disasters at international level, the government also supports other needy countries. For example, the government provides relief materials to victims of ammunition deports explosion in Brazzaville, and the deployment of NEMA’s officers to Gambia for technical support for the take-off of its National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in that country.

Sambo was elected Executive Governor of Kaduna State in 2007. He has been seen as a man of few words, but of actions. In

spite of his rather modest posture, Sambo has an intimidating records of private and public services. Born on the August 2, 1952 in Zaria, Kaduna State. Sambo started his educational career between the year 1959 at Baptist primary school Kakuri, Kaduna and Kobi Primary School in Bauchi. He attended government secondary school now Alhuda-huda college in Zaria between 1967 and 1971.

A graduate of Architecture from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he did his national youth service corps at the Oyo State Ministry of Works.

At the age of 34, he was appointed Kaduna state Commissioner for Agriculture in 1986, and credited with transformation of the state into a major food basket in the country and later on as the state’s Commissioner for Works, Transport and Housing till 1990.

UN Commends NEMA In Jos

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he United Nations has commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its swift response and approach to disaster management in Nigeria.

Commenting after assessing the humanitarian situation of the displaced

flood victims in Jos with NEMA team, Mr. Ayo Ajayi of the United Nation (office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance) said he was happy with NEMA’s approach to disaster and its wisdom in inviting the United Nations to complement the Federal Govern-

ment’s effort in managing disasters in Nigeria.

In his earlier remarks,the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Alh. Muhammad Sani Sidi said the Agency has delivered relief materials worth millions of naira to the displaced flood vic-

tims.

The Director General who was represented Mr. Ben Oghena, assistant Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, noted that NEMA had earlier given early warning signal on flooding in the country including the affected areas.

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Ramadan Special

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Provide avenues for decent living to stem insecurity –MMPN SEKINAH L AWAL

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he Federal Government has been urged to take very decisive steps to bring insecurity to an end by ensuring protection of lives and property as well as provide avenues for decent living to millions of Nigeria trapped in ignorance, misery, poverty and unemployment.

This appeal came from Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun during the 7th Annual Ramadan Public Lecture of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Abuja Chapter recently.

Also speaking on; “The Challenge of Internal Security and Implications for National Development”, Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, Maj. Gen. Shehu Usman Abdulkadir reiterated the fact that poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.

He said that when 99.284 million Nigerians (60.9%) are said to be living in absolute poverty according to the National Bureau of Statistics, 112.519 million Nigerians in relative poverty conditions (69 % of estimated 163 million population), then there will be trouble.

“Ethno-religious intolerance, poverty, agitation for resource control, proliferation of small arms and political violence as well as the high rate of illiteracy makes it easy for large proportions of the populace to be brainwashed by unscrupulous elements who find it easy to fan the embers of intolerance amongst the uneducated and ignorant.”

Also, the armies of unemployed and despondent youths are easily recruited by militant sects and ethnic militias for nefarious purposes and they find it difficult to escape the vicious cycle of crime and violence

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that comes with poverty.

Alhaji AbdulKadir cautioned on the use of the media to spread hate and propaganda as News items are skillfully used to discredit people and groups.

“Some items of news are overhyped while others are underreported to achieve a lopsided view of aggressors and victims.”

According to him, Nigeria’s insecurity problems are myriad and hydra headed, hence, a single cure all solution is therefore not possible. Rather, a mix of social engineering, political consensus and economic progress is required. “However, wise and skillful use of force is also needed to stamp the authority of the people on those elements that remain recalcitrant.”

He called for a total eradication of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy because of its many benefits.

“People whose basic needs are met are less likely to be brainwashed. They are less intolerant and more confident to reach out beyond their ethno-religious comfort zones. Also, meeting the human development needs of the people has a ripple effect and it is selffulfilling.”

Also, he pointed out that fundamentalism and intolerance is born out of ignorance and only knowledge can cure it. It is therefore necessary that religious and traditional leaders begin to educate the people accordingly by preaching tolerance. Allah says in the Qur’an, “if you kill one soul unlawfully, it is as if you killed the whole of mankind”. This brings to the fore the enormity of shedding blood and the people need to be told accordingly.

Moreover, there is the need for the political class to recognize that democracy is an ongoing discussion and compromise is

an important component while it is high time for Nigerian media to be objective in their reportage. “Media practitioners need to educate the people and mobilize them for good rather than fan the embers of hatred and despair.”

Balogun said that injustice breeds terrorism. So it is expected that all lovers of peace and stakeholders in the Nigeria project should ensure justice, fairness and mutual understanding.

“Also, it is better to ``jaw-jaw than to war-war’’, we appeal to all concerned groups by whatever names to shield their sword and embrace dialogue while government at all levels should strive to reduce the level of poverty in the country by creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and redistribute wealth between the super-rich and the super poor in our country.”

He reminded the audience that Islam was not spread through force, bombs or killings. “That was not the practice of the Prophet in wooing people to Islam. The Prophet was commanded by Allah in Surah An-Nahl, (Chapter 16 verse 125): “Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.”

“As Media Professionals, we equally have our watchdog role to play in educating and sensitizing the public on the need of tolerance and mutual understanding.

We should exercise restraint and display maturity in the reportage of security matters in such a way that will not be sensationalized. Islam believes that good leaders breed good

MASHAUN

M

uslims have been called upon to start utilising an Islamic search engine, Al-Wahiy as it serves as a moral filter against por-

nography and other x-rated materials on the internet.

The Director, Purpose of Life Foundation, Shaykh Khalid Yasin said this at a Ramadan public lecture organised by Islamic Platform Organisation of Nigeria where he made it clear

Day 12

followers and by extension, good governance.”

L-R: Chief Missioner, Ansar Ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad; National Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), Chief AbdulKareem Bisi Akande; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sumonu and ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed during a Ramadan lecture at Oro-Kwara State.

L-R: Member, Lekki Muslim Ummah, Dr. Zulifa Odulami; Alhaja Muyinat Shopeyin-Akande; President, Mr. Yunus Raji and former President, Group Captain Lateef Lawal [rtd], during the Airwick Ramadan scent room in Lagos.

Chief of Standard and Evaluation, Nigeria Army Headquarters, Major General Usman Abdulkadir and Executive Secretary, National Mosque Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, during Muslim Media Practitioner of Nigeria’s 7th Annual Ramadan Lecture on the Challenges of Internal Security and Implications for National Development held in Abuja

‘Al-Wahiy will replace google’ LATEEFAH IBRAHIM-ANI-

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that such social media will help youths grow in faith and morals. “There is also a search engine in place of facebook, which is called; ‘Challenge your soul’.”

He mentioned the need for Muslims to spread the message of peace as exem-

plified by holy Prophet Muhammad and urged them to be good to people.

He said having a good relationship with the people helps to preach the message of the religion.

“There are thousands of people who are waiting for the message of Islam and the behaviour of individual Muslim speaks a lot

about the religion. Islam is not a religion for people in the bush alone. It is also for people of civility”.

He encouraged Muslims to spend to the course of Allah to attain the pleasure of Allah and advised Nigerians to be law abiding and faithful to their religion in open and hidden so as to achieve a peaceful society.

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North

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

51

NITT boss tasks port operators on maritime sector reform A ZA M SUE KADUNA

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he Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria, Alhaji Aminu Musa Yusuf, has tasked port operators in the country on the need to support the Federal Government’s maritime

sector reform.

Alhaji Yusuf, who said this yesterday during the closing ceremony of courses on “Forklift Operations and Safety Management, Port Operations Management and Advanced Transport Planning and Strategic Management” at the institute in Zaria, said the policy has given hope of

No imposition of candidates in Kogi LG poll – PDP ADEMU IDAKWO LOKOJA

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he Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Comrade Hassan Salawu, yesterday said the party will not allow the imposition of candidates in the December 8 local government election in the state.

Salawu, who was briefing journalists in his office in Lokoja, regretted that imposition of candidates has caused a lot of disaffections in the past, adding that for the party to be victorious in the state, there should be primary election to prepare candidates for

the poll.

“I am calling on those who are intending to fly our ticket in the December local council poll not to expect a miracle, but to work hard by campaigning throughout the nooks and crannies of their council areas to emerge as the party’s candidates,” he stated.

The chairman further said that the party will be more decisive on all issues pertaining to discipline of members who may want to go against the party’s decision.

To this end, the chairman said any member that takes the party to court will be outrightly expelled from the party.

Jigawa to spend N64.8m on Ramadan feeding

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igawa State Governor Sule Lamido yesterday directed all the 27 local government chairmen in the state to spend N64.8 million to provide free feeding to their people during this Ramadan period.

The Commissioner of Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Salisu Indirawa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, the state capital.

Indirawa said densely-

Gov. Lamido

populated local governments like Dutse, Hadejia, Birnin-kudu, Kazaure and Gumel, among others, were allowed to spend N50, 000 each day.

According to him, the less-populated ones are directed to spend only N30, 000 per day.

He added that the programme was aimed at providing free food to the lessprivileged in the society.

The commissioner enjoined the councils to hold the free food exercise in strategic locations like motor parks, market squares, mosques and major streets where food could be easily obtained by the people.

Indirawa said that the densely-populated local governments would spend N1.5 million each within the 30 days of the fasting period while the less-populated ones would spend N900, 000 each.

He said all together, the 27 councils would spend a total of N64.8 million for the programme.

better and improved services in the port sub-sector of the economy.

While commending the present administration for initiating the port reform process, NITT boss called on Nigerians to support the administration’s policy initiatives in this regard.

His words: “The country’s ports have over the years been characterised by series of bottlenecks such as congestion of cargoes, insecurity and excessive charges, delays in clearing goods and services, poor port work ethics, corruption

and bureaucratic bottlenecks, among others. All these have affected the efficiency and development of the ports.”

Yusuf implored participants on the port operations and management course to work assiduously towards ensuring best practices according to international standards, so as not only to improve port services, but also to increase the volume of international trade and launder the country’s image abroad.

The director-general said given the socio-

economic importance of the ports to the country as the gateway to international trade, port operators must engage in healthy practices that will ensure the provision of effective and efficient services to their clients.

He advised forklift drivers and supervisors to avoid unsafe practices that could jeopardise their work and cause loss of property.

The NITT boss also said Nigeria’s transport system required strategic planning and management not only to im-

prove the systems but the general economy of the country.

He reminded the participants that learning was a continuous process and implored them not to relent in seeking knowledge in their career.

Alhaji Yusuf expressed NITT’s commitment to review the content of its training programmes to fill transport and technology gaps and dynamisms as well as meet the needs of transport and logistics systems in the country.

Chairman, Petroleum Revenue Task Force, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Emir of Birni Gwari, Mallam Zubairu Jibrin, at a Ramadan lecture in Kaduna, at the weekend.

UNICEF to spend N420m on projects in Niger PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he UNICEF Country Representative for Kaduna field office, Mr. James Mugaju said the organisation will spend N420 million under the Programme Implementation Agreement between it and the Niger State government for year 2012 in the state.

Mugaju, who said this in Minna, during a call on the state governor, Dr.

Muazu Babangida Aliyu, said the projects to be executed, which will be in partnership with the state, will see the state government contributing N250 million, while UNICEF will cough out N170 million.

He commended the state government’s effort at implementing life saving interventions targeted at reducing maternal and child mortality in the state, while also applauding its determination in

the fight against the wild polio virus.

The country representative also acknowledged the state as the only one among the 36 states that has articulated strategic action plan for education, hence the decision by the organisation to institute a quarterly review on projects implemented as well as the strategies adopted in order to achieve success in its programme for other states.

He further added that

as part of measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in the whole system, Programme Implementation Agreement between it and the various states would now be based on performance.

Responding, Governor Aliyu said his administration would at all times continue to partner with relevant International Development Partners in an effort to improve on the living standard of citizens of the state.

Kogi varsity admits 3, 500 fresh students

K

ogi State University, Ayangba, has admitted 3, 500 fresh students for the 2012/2013 academic session.

The Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Joshua Edogbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in

Lokoja that the new intakes were among the 19, 305 applicants that sat for the post-UTME test conducted by the school on July 7.

He said those offered admission scored 45 percent and above, adding that this year’s admission was strictly based on

merit.

Edogbo also said that 22, 235 applicants made the university their first choice but that there was no way the school could exceed the 3, 500 capacity approved by the National University Commission (NUC).

The spokesman ex-

plained that the number of students showing interest in the university had been on the increase in recent years, saying that there was the need for stakeholders so sit down and look into the possibility of expanding the space for more qualified students to come in.

52

Cocktail

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Oddities

Man charged with manslaughter in butt-injection case

A

man who injected a woman in the buttocks with unknown substances during an illegal cosmetic surgery was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the woman’s death, authorities said.

Oneal Ron Morris, 31, of Hollywood, Florida, is known to have injected other women with substances such as bathroom caulk, cement, Super Glue and the tire product Fix-A-Flat, officials with the Broward

County Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities described Morris as a transvestite who went by the nickname “The Dutchess.”

According to his arrest affidavit, 31-year-old Shatarka Nuby died in March in Tallahassee from what an assistant medical examiner called “massive systemic silicone migration” due to “cosmetic silicone injections of the buttocks and hips,” according to the arrest affidavit.

Couple reunite 50 years after divorcing

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New York couple say they will be remarried at the age of 85 after they spent nearly 50 years apart.

Lena Henderson and Roland Davis met in Chattanooga, Tenn., when they were teenagers, married and had four children together, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News reported.

Then they divorced in 1964.

“The way they would act to each other never indicated there was anything but a friendship between them,”

said Renita Chadwick, their youngest daughter. “My mother never had a harsh or contrary word to say about my dad, and my dad never had anything but loving remarks to make about my mother.”

Davis remarried and moved to Colorado, but when his second wife died several months ago, Henderson and Davis’ oldest daughter, Johnnie Mae Funderbirk, worried about him being alone in Colorado and urged him to move back east.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wife accidentally baked hidden cash in oven

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ne man probably has learned a costly lesson about where he hides his cash.

The unidentified father from Sydney, Australia, sold his car last weekend. The $15,000 (approximately $15,652 in U.S. dollars) in proceeds was earmarked for his mortgage payment and other bills, according to Australian media. Opting

not to squirrel away the loot in a mattress or bury it in his backyard, he decided to hide it his oven, which rarely gets used.

Bad move: Turns out, his wife decided to use the oven that day, preheating it for chicken nuggets for their two children and, yes, cooked the cash.

“It was everything I had,” he told the news station. “I’ve got nothing

Australia man’s cash is baked in his oven. Photo: NineMSN

to my name. That money was supposed to go towards my mortgage.”

His wife was equally distraught and, reportedly, could not stop crying when telling her husband after she discovered what happened: The cash was baked into a colorful burnt mess.

The man reached out to his lender and the Reserve Bank of Australia for help.

The Reserve Bank advises people to take damaged currency to a bank. According to the Reserve Bank policy, “if several pieces of the same banknote are presented, the Reserve Bank’s policy is for each piece to be worth a share of the value in proportion to its size...

The combined value paid should be the face value of the original banknote.”

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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54

Features

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

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Gombe: Rehabilitating a generation of restive

Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Saidu Sambo (holding a microphone), showing weapons surrendered by Yan-Kalare gangs.

Some of the dangerous weapons on display.

Recently, the Gombe State Government launched an amnesty programme for thousands of restive political thugs commonly known as Yan-kalare. DANJUMA WILLIAMS was at the inauguration and writes.

W

hile variety is generally regarded as the spice of life, one spice in of politics especially in Nigeria is the participation of youths. In political rallies, campaigns and their likes, it is mostly the youths that one sees at these kinds of gatherings.

It is with the realisation of these that politicians of all shades recruit these youths to make their gatherings as lively as they want them to be.

Little wonder, that all over the country, political activities like rallies, campaigns, elections and congresses are never lively without mobilising the youths as supporters.

It happens that since politics is a game of numbers, politicians will always do whatever they can to showcase their popularity.

Fortunately, they always have willing crowds. These are the ignorant and unemployed youths to who are recruited and been paid peanuts to participate.

This situation has gained so much ground because of the prevailing level of poverty among young men and women who are mostly in their teenage years.

And of course, there are drugs which these young ones consume to keep them high and even influence them to carryout dangerous tasks including mayhem and to a large extent kill political opponents.

These categories of youths are definitely what the society regard to as thugs and who go by many names depending on what part of the country they come from.

In the Southern part of Nigeria, they are called Area, Egbesu and Bakasi boys just to mention but a few, while in the North they are the Yan-tauri, Sara-suka, Yan-Daba,

ECOMOG, Yan-Kalare among others.

In Gombe, these youths go by the name of Yan-Kalare. A little on how they came about, is that, 15 years ago, the Yan-Kalare were well organised hunters who went about the hunting business in groups.

But some years into the inception of the current political dispensation, they were recruited into political activities by greedy and selfish politicians basically to intimidate, influence and harass opponents and even force or overturn results of elections.

Their mode of operations included the snatching of ballot boxes at gun point, multiple thumb printing and underage voting among many others.

Since the tenure of the immediate past administration, the people of Gombe, especially in Damaturu, the state capital have known no peace as the nefarious activities of these hoodlums have continued to grow in dimensions and scope.

Another characteristic they have is that in the state capital, they exist in cells or groups in many areas in what is called temples as they engage in political assassinations and revenge missions.

Increasingly, they move about with small arms, especially knives and are known to have destroyed houses,shops and set properties on fire.

A recent case in point was the alleged setting ablaze of the house of the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Jack Gumpy in which no fewer than eight people were killed during the post election violence that swept across most parts of the North in April this year.

These and many more took place during those gory years of agony as the people cried without any help coming. Even with the setting up of the Anti-Kalare Squad by the past administration, a combined force of the military and police could not stop the menace.

The issue of Yan-Kalare pitted the former state chief executive with elders of the state who alleged that the former governor was responsible for the murder of a long list of people as published in some national dailies.

In 2003, these youths were used by politicians to achieve their ambitions at individual and party levels. Even those who had been at the helm of leadership since 1999 could not deny the fact that they did employ their services to realise their political ambition.

The boys had for long developed a psyche for achieving their end through whatever means, once assignments have been committed to their hands.

INCREASINGLY, THEY MOVE ABOUT WITH SMALL ARMS, ESPECIALLY KNIVES AND ARE KNOWN TO HAVE DESTROYED HOUSES,SHOPS AND SET PROPERTIES ON FIRE.

But on assumption of office, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo immediately banned the activities of Kalare boys who have almost institutionalized the intimidation and killing of innocent and law abiding citizens.

With pronouncement of the ban came strategies to look into the notorious activities of the Kalare which has given Gombe State a bad image.

The first act of the administration was the reform initiative in the education sector, from the lowest level, where most of the kalare thugs belong. While majority are school drop outs, others are known to be stark illiterates. At the same time, many secondary school students belong to the gangs, thus giving a bleak picture of the youths in the state.

Dankwambo warned any government official who bails any of the suspects, even as he told them to beware of the consequences as he urged the people to monitor the security agencies with a view to ensuring timely prosecution of the suspects.

He said his administration is not prepared to employ thugs to harass or intimidate anyone and will not allow the use of same in the state for any reasons.

He then revealed his administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to rehabilitate and empower more than 1,200 youths, with the aim of making them self-employed and productive in the society.

Dankwambo explained that the youths will be empowered economically through training and not by arming them with axes, cutlasses and cudgels to terrorize the society in the name of politics.

He declared that he had set the task of building a virile, united, and progressive as he announced an Amnesty Programme aimed at completely eradicating the activities of these restive political thugs.

The programme which witnessed the

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Features

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

55

youths through amnesty programme

IT HAS BEEN OUR SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD; WE ARE THE ONES THAT POLITICIANS USUALLY USE AGAINST THEIR PERCEIVED ENEMIES.

THEY

WILL SEND US TO UNLEASH MAYHEM ON THEIR POLITICAL FOES FOR A PALTRY SUM surrender of weapons from the Kalare boys would also see to the engagement of these youths as road marshal assistants, community sanitary and security workers and others after a three week rehabilitation programme to be held for them at the state NYSC orientation Camp in Mallam Sidi.

At a ceremony marking the launch of the programme in Pantami Township Stadium, the Commissioner for Youth and Poverty Alleviation, Alhaji Mijinyawa Sani Labaran, said that the state government had gone far in initiating a bill to the House of Assembly that will make it an armed robbery offence for anyone found engaging or perpetuating Kalare activities. Thus, after the bill is passed to law, suspects would be prosecuted appropriately.

The commissioner stated that more than N78 million had been earmarked for the programme and that those to benefit would be availed with medical treatment and many more in other to make them feel part of the society and not merely guinea pigs to be used and dumped by greedy politicians.

The People Democratic Party Youth Leader, Alhaji Kabiru Bappa Jauro said the amnesty programme and weapons retrieval from the repentant youths were part of the state’s transformation programme aimed at tackling youth unemployment and restiveness in the state.

He explained further that the 1,200 youths would receive all encompassing training in

the camp, adding that the retrieval of the arms succeeded after they were able to woo them to drop their weapons.

According to him, ‘’at first, they did not trust us; they thought we would call the police to arrest them. So, we accepted that they drop the weapons at an agreed place within five days”.

At completion of the camp period, the youth leader added that they would be placed on monthly stipends of N10, 000 and N15, 000 and explained that it was a deliberate plan to showcase the administration’s readiness to re-orient and rehabilitate the youths and return them into the society as responsible and respected citizens.

The programme which has the Deputy Governor, Mr. Tha’anda Jason Rubainu as chairman among its mandates has the vigorous pursuance of youth transformation that would ensure total eradication of Kalare activities.

He also explained that through the lofty programme, the government has been able to discourage the temples system from which they were recruited by past politicians for violent activities.

The government did not stop at that as it established 11 sector based committees to investigate and advise it on the way forward. These committees also included that of security under the chairmanship of former Assistant Inspector of Police,

Abubakar Adamu Gombe (Rtd).

According to Gombe, when Dankwambo declared that his administration has nothing to do with the Yan- kalare, the pronouncement was received with great relief, especially among those residing in the Gombe metropolis.

In their findings, he said the Yan-kalare phenomenon had resurfaced with ferocity and vengeance but commended the government for initiating the amnesty programme and other palliative measures for Yan-kalare.

A beneficiary of the programme, Adamu Musa said he wants to lead a decent and responsible life and has since embraced the amnesty programme, adding that it could not have come at a better time, especially now that politicians had used and dumped them.

According to him, “It has been our source of livelihood; we are the ones that politicians usually use against their perceived enemies.

They will send us to unleash mayhem on their political foes for a paltry sum”.

He continued that, “We get N 500 to N1000 but since the coming into office of this government, it has not been business as usual as the activities have stopped and we have to find alternative means of livelihood. That is why I welcome the government’s amnesty programme which seeks to train and re-integrate us into the larger society as responsible citizens.”

He said, though he has never killed anyone during the period of his militancy, he admitted injuring many others, even as asked for forgiveness from all those wronged in the course of their deadly activities.

He vowed never to engage in such activities that would be injurious to the society, noting that he is more informed and committed to live a useful and productive life.

He admitted that their membership loyalty cut across the major political parties in the state, notably People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), saying the rival factions engaged themselves in a free-for-all fights during what he called “a Flush”.

In his words, “We did flushing which is a

random invasion of a particular area.

You know people mounted flags, be it for the PDP, AC, ANPP or CPC. We are of the PDP, so wherever we see another flag, we burnt it, sometimes their members will take revenge and because we are more powerful, we would “flush” the area.”

He said in-fighting among kalare members, especially within the ruling party started as a result of allegiance to godfathers. “You know in each area, they have their groups even when government gives money, it gives it to groups and each has its own godfather.

So, if we go on campaign and I say “Sai wane” and they pronounced other candidates names, a free-for-all fight would ensue.”

According to him, they have now realised their mistakes, because they understand that those who gave them pittance to unleash terror on their perceived enemies were using them to achieve their selfish political ends and abandoned them when they are achieved.

“They don’t use their relatives and children, but they put others at risk. We have since regretted our actions. Many of our colleagues are presently languishing in jail, while others have permanent disability, even as many others have lost their lives fighting for politicians who later abandoned them,” he lamented.

The ex-kalare kingpin said that they have since laid down their arms and have resolved to educate their colleagues to end the dreaded activities because it longer pays with the new wave of political activity. They are full of praises for the initiative which will engage them meaningfully.

The programme seems to be succeeding because as at the last count, the former restive youths were already at the NYSC orientation camp.

But for how long this calm will be sustained, is only a matter of the sustained determination of the government which has vowed to continue funding the programme.

Saidu Sambo addressing some of the Yan-kalare youths.

WORLD RECORD

Tallest human chair stack Vol. 02 No. 415

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Tuesday, July 31, 2012

N150

The Peking Acrobats, of Peking, China, managed to create a chair stack 6.4 m (21 ft) high, with six people stacked onto seven chairs, holding a handstand for a full five seconds, on the set of Guinness World Records: Primetime, in Los Angeles, California, USA on 16 October 1999.

Trial of fuel subsidy cabal

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, made good its promise to prosecute those investigated and found culpable in the fuel subsidy fraud with the arraignment last week of few of those who fleeced billion dollars in the name of the subsidy meant for Nigerians. The fraudsters who, with their various organisations, had illegally converted the wealth of Nigerians to theirs were unveiled with the commencement of trial at two separate courts in Lagos.

Without mincing words, Nigerians must have been disappointed with the twist in the identity of those brought forward by the commission for the trial. In addition, the commitment of the Federal Government to the trial was again called to question with the absence of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Mohammed Adoke in court. By abandoning the trial, the AGF had given out gov-

TALKINGPOINT Seyi Fasugba

seyifasugba@yahoo.com 08053069514 (sms only)

ernment’s intention even before the names of the children of party stalwarts emerged among those facing trial.

In all, about 10 suspects representing various oil companies that collected the subsidies were docked at the Lagos High Court while Nigerians await others yet to be arraigned by the anti-graft agency. That the trial eventually commenced is commendable but what will assuage the feelings of populace and which will make everyone to believe government in this matter is the sincerity to ensure the logical conclusion of the trial without undue influence from any quarter to pervert justice.

Another 21 oil companies were equally indicted in the report of the panel headed by the managing director of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig –Imoukhuede to verify subsidy payments. These names were also included among those earlier found culpable by the adhoc panel of the House of Representatives, the report which is a subject of controversies at present. The lawmakers had insisted that the attempt to discredit the report was a covert agenda of the executives to protect sacred cows that were not only major beneficiaries of the subsidy scam but were also known sponsors of some of those in power.

The unveiling of the suspects has, however, brought another dimension to the tales hitherto trailing the subsidy fraud. Among the suspects were children of those close to this government and believed to have used their positions and to a greater extent, that of their parents to benefit from the fraud. Top on the list was Mahmud, son of the National

TO CONVINCE DISCERNING NIGERIANS THAT THEY WERE INDEED UNAWARE OF HOW THEIR SONS BECAME BILLIONAIRES OVERNIGHT Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and that of the

T

former chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, Mamman Nasir and Abdullahi Alao, son of business mogul, Alhaji Arisekola Alao. Of course, with their collaborators in the illegal deal, a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, Mr. Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer and a director of the accounting firm, Akintola Williams Delloitte, Mr. Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele, their emergence was a shocker.

The facts are being established in this matter but the genuineness of these facts is somehow doubtful. And as expected the children of the VIPs are being denied by their parents except for Ali who is yet to declare his stand on his son’s involvement. But denying them is not the issue in this matter but to convince discerning Nigerians that they were indeed unaware of how their sons became billionaires overnight. Would they say they have not benefitted either directly or indirectly from the deal? These suspects are, however, the small flies among the cabal. We however look forward to the time when the big players will be unveiled as well and arraigned with as much enthusiasm by the EFCC as witnessed last week. We are watching and eagerly waiting for the next phase which will parade the real masquerades.

Jamboree for First Ladies

he reckless display of affluence under the guise of hosting African First Ladies Peace Mission last week was a direct affront on the sensibilities of Nigerians majority of who must have been convinced that this government is indeed drifting from the realities on ground when compared to the hopelessness starring at the average common man on the street who is yet to see the silver lining in the promise for a better tomorrow.

This was coming on the heels of the charade of the sudden appointment of the same First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan as a permanent secretary in Bayelsa State in absentia; a decision that makes no meaning except to massage ego of wife of the President and to correctly positioned Governor Seriake Dickson for presidential favours. If not, what are the lessons to learn from these

events for which public fund would not have been spared. The display of arrogance as demostrated with the office of first ladies has been the source of hatred and annoyance in the land.

It is like elevating from obscurity wife of elected official to the office not allocated to such individual by the country’s constitution which ordinarily should be the guide particularly for the public office in the land. This is also a slap on the constitution which the President has sworn to defend. The most disturbing apart from its illegality is the subtle harassment of government officials to recognise their pet projects.

It won’t be a surprise if very soon, Nigerians are treated to another in the series of first ladies mission which may include wives of local government chairmen and even councilors.

Sport Extra

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C Milan midfielder, Riccardo Montolivo, yesterday said former Milan star Kaka would be welcomed back to the club should he complete a transfer from Real Madrid as expected.

Kaka, 30, is set to leave Real this summer-with Milan leading the

Kaka gets Italy welcome signal chase for his signature-and Montolivo believes he can be an important player for the Rossoneri.

“Anybody would want to have Kaka in their team as he’s an exceptional player,” Montolivo, who is a new signing from Fiorentina, said.

“Milan must get off to a positive start if we are to enjoy a successful campaign. We cannot afford to set off on the wrong foot and we must string together a positive run from the beginning,” he added.

“The new season kicks off with

Sampdoria at home and they will definitely come into the game full of enthusiasm after winning promotion to Serie A. “Juventus will still be favourites as league champions. But we will be in the title run-in this term.”

Kaka

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