THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012
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NEWS Kano to be decongested From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano
Kano State Government is to provide plots of land to cater for an estimated one million people under its urban decongestion programme, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has said. He said government has created three cities, namely, Kwankwasiyya, Bandirawo and Amana. They are sited on the outskirts of Kano city to provide decent housing for the citizens and develop the state. The governor, who spoke yesterday at the foundation-laying ceremony of Amana city in Dawakin Kudu Local Government, said the infrastructural development of the plots of land would cost the government N2.95 billion. He added that it would be completed within 18 months. Kwankwaso said the first phase of Amana city project covered over 200 hectares, while the original owners of the land were paid a compensation of about N528 million. He noted that the land, which comprised 1,987 plots, would be divided into 314 low density residential plots, 284 medium density plots, 1,307 high density plots, 35 commercial plots and one filling station. According to him, other facilities such as hospitals and markets would also be catered for.
Bomb kills suspected Boko Haram member A
MAN suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram sect, who carried an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a wheel barrow, was killed by the device yesterday in Maiduguri, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has said. The JTF in a statement by its spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said: “There was
From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri
an IED explosion today (yesterday) at the West End, Ramat Square General Area in Maiduguri. It was hidden in a wheel barrow by a man suspected to be a member of
the Boko Haram. “The owner of the wheel barrow was killed while trying to escape. The area has been cordoned off by the bomb disposal arm of the JTF.” Musa said an IED, suspected to have been
planted by members of the Boko Haram sect, was also discovered by the JTF in Gwange-Sabonlayi area of Maiduguri yesterday. “It was defused by the bomb disposal arm of the JTF. No casualty was recorded. Normalcy has been restored in the affected areas as people are going about their activities,” he said.
Police impound 11 trucks of crude oil
K
OGI State Police Command has arrested eight suspects and impounded 11 trucks conveying a substance suspected to be crude oil in Osara, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State. The vandals were accused of siphoning fuel from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipeline on Osara/ Okene/ Abuja Road. Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Musa Katsina, who spoke when parading the eight suspects and their trucks, said each truck was loaded with 333,000 litres of crude oil. He said the Federal Government has just set up a task force on pipeline vandals and bunkering, adding that it is determined to stop the illegal activity. Katsina said the suspects are working for influential people. He pledged his
From Muhammad Bashir Lokoja
command’s determination to get to the root of the matter by arresting their
godfathers. The police boss said the suspects would soon be handed over to the task force for further investigation.
Those arrested are, Attah Yakubu, Timothy Akpai, Danlami Sani, Usman Mohammed, Haruna Yakubu, Abdulkadir Musa, Kabiru Ahmed and Kazeem Abdullahi.
Suswam gets seven days to sack aide
B
ENUE State House of Assembly yesterday gave Governor Gabriel Suswam seven days to sack the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Conrad Kuhweikya Wergba. The Assembly arrived at the decision after a lawmaker, Iana Jato representing Katsina Ala West, raised a point of order 9, rule 16F, and drew the attention of the lawmakers to the effect that one of his resolutions calling for the resignation of the commissioner has been disobeyed. Kenneth Iyo(Gwer west), Minority Leader Paul Biam(Ukum) and other lawmakers who commented
From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi
on the debate expressed dismay that an order of the House has been breached. After the debate, Deputy Speaker Steven Omenche who presided over yesterday’s sitting, called for
a motion and Ode Onah moved a motion which was seconded by Baba Ode. In the absence of a counter motion, the Deputy Speaker ruled and gave Governor Suswam seven days to sack the Commissioner for Information and Orientation.
Doctors, nurses begin strike in Plateau
D
OCTORS, nurses and pharmacists at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, have embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest the implementation of a new tax system introduced by the Federal Government. They have given a 21-day notice to begin strike if their demands are not met. In a statement signed by Dr. Ewuga Ovye of the Association of Resident Doctors; Mr. V. Lohdip on behalf of the National Association of Nigerian Pharmacists and Mr. Dakwal Manglet of the Forum of Federation of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives in Jos yesterday, the workers
From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos
decried the insistence of the management of the hospital to go ahead with the implementation of the new tax law. The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of JUTH, Dr. Ishaya Pam, decried the strike. He said it was unnecessary. Said he: “President Goodluck Jonathan in June last year signed the new tax law and it was expected to commence immediately, but the circular got to the management last month and the implementation began with the August salary.” Pam advised the workers to shelve the strike and return to work in their own interest and in the interest of the public.
Council poll: ACN doubts electoral body’s credibility
A
head of the local government election
on November 24 in Benue State, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has expressed doubt over the impartiality of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BESIEC)) in the conduct of the poll. But the Chairman of BESIEC, Prof. Philip Ahire, said there is no cause for alarm as the commission would conduct a credible election. Addressing reporters in Makurdi yesterday, ACN Director of Publicity, Titus Zam, alleged that the poll has been administratively rigged in favour of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He alleged that there was a sinister move by BESIEC to rig the election in favour of the PDP.
From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi
“They have appointed Denen Mgende and Aonodo Atinginla who are PDP cardcarrying members as electoral officer and assistant electoral officer in Gwer West Local Government. We have vowed to challenge the appointments.” ACN also accused the chairman of the electoral body of being a cardcarrying member of the PDP at Mbanor Ward in Konshisa Local Government Area. The party alleged that some traditional rulers in Kwande and Gwer West local governments have said no ACN poster should be displayed in their localities. Prof. Ahire said BESIEC is determined to conduct a free and fair poll. He urged stakeholders to support the electoral body.
Illegal structures in Kebbi to go From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
THE Kebbi Urban Development Authority (KUDA) has vowed to demolish illegal structures built on drainages and water ways. The General Manager of the authority, Alhaji Babangida Garba Gwandu, said in Birnin Kebbi yesterday that this became necessary following the flood that ravaged the state capital. He said KUDA would not compromise public health and safety to avoid the anger of those affected by the demolition. Gwandu decried the building of structures on drainages and dumping of refuse inside gutters. The general manager called for attitudinal change from the people in terms of refuse disposal and good sanitation condition. He said KUDA would be ready to partner individuals and non-governmental organisations to clean Kebbi.
Council to beautify terminus THE Chairman of Surulere Local Government in Lagos State, Tajudeen Ajide, has renewed his call on members of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and other transport unions to vacate the Ojuelegba under bridge to allow the contractor engaged to give the area a facelift begin work. He said contract for the rehabilitation of the area has been awarded and the contractor is ready to move to site. Ajide said the transformation of Ojuelegba is one of the promises he made to the electorate when he contested the chairmanship of the local government on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He said: “Ojuelegba is a melting pot in Lagos. My administration wants to rehabilitate the area, but a few people are posing as a hindrance. “We will do everything within the laws of the land to make sure Ojuelegba is transformed to a modern terminus.”
Third year remembrance THE third year remembrance service for the late Rev. Samuel Owolabi Ogunbiyi, who died on August 29, 2009 will hold today in IgboleEkiti, Ekiti State. The late Ogunbiyi was buried on December 12, 2009 at Igbole-Ekiti in Ido-Osi Local Government, Ekiti State. He is survived by children and grandchildren. Among them is Pastor and Lady Evangelist Ademola Olufunke Fasuan.
The late Rev. Ogunbiyi