THE NATION TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2012
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NEWS Three brothers, two others shot dead in Maiduguri
Amnesty programme saves N33.4b daily for government, says Kuku
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IGERIA would have been losing N33.4 billion daily but for the amnesty programme, the Federal Government said yesterday. The government blamed the intractable violent attacks in some parts of the country on the absence of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman, Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku who spoke yesterday in Abuja at a two-day workshop on CIP in Nigeria, said issue of infrastructure that impacts on people’s lives should not be taken with levity. Represented by his Special
From Dele Anofi, Abuja
Assistant Henry Ugbolue, Kuku cited the Niger Delta and the threat posed to to the nation’s economy by incessant violence visited on oil and gas infrastructure in the height of militancy in the region. He said: “There are 13 oil producing companies operating in the Niger Delta, there are 159 Oil fields in the zone, 1,481 oil wells and more than 7,000kilometres of pipelines and flowlines as well as 275 flow stations in the region (NNPC & AAPW 2004). “Had the persistent attacks on the infrastructure not abated through the amnesty progrmamme, the consequence
on the nation’s economy would have been monumental. “Indeed, in spite of the security challenges in the country today, the tranquillity in the once restive Niger Delta, particularly the cessation in the wilful destruction and vandalisation of critical oil and gas infrastructure in the zone, has led to an astronomic growth in the nation’s economy. “From a paltry production level of 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day at the peak of the Niger Delta crisis in the first quarter of 2009, Nigeria currently produces between 2.4 million and 2.6 million barrels per day.” To underscore the impor-
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•Kuku
tance of the Programme, he said it has not only safeguarded the critical infrastructure in the region, it has also saved the economy from a looming collapse.
Okogbe’s petrol tanker fire tragic, says NDDC MD
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HE Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Christian Oboh, has described the July 12 petrol tanker fire in Okogbe, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State as an avoidable tragedy. He admitted that there is poverty in the Niger Delta, but stressed that people of the region must act responsibly,
From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt
in their quest to suppress the hardship. Oboh spoke after visiting some victims of the tragedy at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The NDDC’s chief, who directed the immediate release of funds to assist in the procurement of drugs, described
the incident as pathetic. He said: ”We need to be responsible, no matter the situation. It is quite sad. We have seen the victims and our hearts are actually bleeding. We pray for God’s intervention, because the burns are quite severe.” Oboh lauded the management of the UPTH for rising to the challenges, while assuring that the NDDC would
partner with the hospital, to quicken the administration of medical services. Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Aaron Ojule, told Oboh that over 156 people died in the incident. “There are still some survivors and we are doing everything to ensure that we do not lose more,” he said.
38 die, 68 missing in Jos floods Continued from Page 2
ities and shall do what we can do immediately before getting to the headquarters,” he said. Police spokesman Mr. Emmanuel Abu described the incident as a “natural disaster”, saying, however, that he had not received full details of the disaster. “I will get back to you immediately we have the full de-
tails,” he told a NAN correspondent on the telephone. The affected settlements are prone to flood disasters with such cases reported every year. The Plateau State government expressed sympathy with the victims. In a statement by Commissioner for Information and Communication, Yiljap Abraham, the government said:
“The Plateau State Government commiserates with the families and surviving victims of yesterday’s flooding in some communities in the city of Jos which has resulted in several deaths, missing persons and displaced of many families. “Government is saddened by this unexpected natural phenomenon which has
brought grief to the people in its wake. “Consequently, Governor Jonah Jang has directed the state relief committee to step in with immediate effect and provide relief material for the surviving victims. “The governor urges citizens to pray against any situation that bring further pain and discomfort on the people.”
IVE persons including three brothers were yesterday shot dead by unknown gunmen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The three brothers were killed at Ganaram area of the town shortly after leaving their parents, whom they visited in their usual tradition to drop foodstuffs for the Ramadan fast. But they were attacked and killed, their Toyota Camry car snatched and taken away. There was apprehension and mourning with many contemplating relocating from the
Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri
area for fear of another attack. In another incident, there was shooting at Gamboru area of the town, known for incessant attacks from the notorious Boko Haram sect. Two people were shot dead around the Customs office in the area. When contacted to confirm the incidents last night, spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said he was not aware of the killings.
NECA tackles UNDP, ILO over expatriates
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HE Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)is angry over the United Nation Development Project (UNDP) and International Labour Organisation’s insistence that foreign trainers be used for the ongoing International Enterprise Development Training for young farmers in Ekiti State. Director-General of NECA, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, at a news conference in Lagos yesterday said the body is particularly miffed because ILO trained the Nigerian master trainers and certified them fit for the job. NECA
By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu
said both UNDP and ILO do not mean well for the unemployed, giving the job meant for local trainers to foreigners, even after they promise to engage indigenous hands. He said the action undermined the development of the country. Oshinowo said NECA will not take it lightly with UNDP and ILO because as the benefiting Ekiti State would not achieved desired result. The trainers, according to him, will only teach them the theory unlike local trainers who would practicalise the training.
‘I’ll meet Airhiavbere in court’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin
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DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has described as laughable decision of some lawyers to offer pro bono services for defeated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Major-Gen Charles Airhiavbere. He promised to meet his challenger and his lawyers in court. Oshiomhole, who spoke with reporters said lawyers only render such kind of services to the poor. His words: “I read today that some lawyers have volunteered to render legal service to my opponent in the election they said I possess only Standard Three, well we will know when we get to court.”
Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers
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