Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) has hailed the removal of Governor Mai Mala Buni as Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it is a healthy development for the party.
Recall that Governor Sani Bello of Niger State took over control of the APC on Monday following the removal of Buni who is currently out of the country.
Sagay in an interview with newsmen said with Buni’s removal, the APC can now make progress and look forward to conducting a proper national convention.
According to him “I believe Buni’s removal is a very healthy development for the APC. Now, we can look forward to a proper convention for the election of the new party leadership. After that, we can have a proper convention for the primaries”.
“Buni is a man is who has too many axes to grind and instead of working for the interest of the party which asked him to do a six months job but he turned it into a permanent job.
He had too many unknown agenda which he was slowly carrying out”.
“So, it was clear to all that he was no longer operating on behalf of the party but for his own selfish interests. His removal to me is a very good news and I believe we can now make progress as a party”.
It will be recalled that Sagay in an interview last week had singled out Buni and John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the committee, as persons to be held responsible if the party loses the 2023 presidential election.
He also alleged that Buni is plotting to preside over the convention and presidential primary of the party so as to handover the ticket to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, who is yet to join the APC, with him (Buni) as running mate.
The plan, according to him was that if Jonathan wins the election, he will handover to Buni after four years.
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) hinted that not all approved metering schemes, currently active in the country, offer meters at no immediate expense to customers.
ANED’s Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Barr. Sunny Oduntan gave this hint while making clarifications to the media on the different channels through which customers can obtain electricity meters.
According to him, “Under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)’s “Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations,” Regulation No. NERC-R-11-2021, there are two metering programmes – National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) and the Meter Asset Provider (MAP). The NMMP is a policy intervention by the federal government, with funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This programme commenced in 2021 and the objective of the program is to expeditiously close the electricity metering gap. These meters are provided free of charge to customers and as loans to the electricity distribution companies (DisCos). The first phase of NMMP covered the delivery and installation of a million meters and concluded in October, 2021. In the second phase, four million more meters are expected to be installed.”
“The second route to obtaining a meter is under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme which was approved in 2018. This avenue is available to customers who are unwilling to wait for the availability of meters under the NMMP. Such customers can pay for a meter under the scheme. The amount paid by the customer will be amortised and refunded over a 36-month period via energy credits, ,” Oduntan explained.
“This twin approach is aimed at closing the metering gap in the next one or two years, so that estimated billing will be reduced to a minimum. However, of note is that under the second program, with the advantage of expedited delivery and installation, the customer has to first pay for the meter before being refunded. Ultimately, the meter is free to the customer, via the energy credits.
The implementation of Phase 0 (zero) of the NMMP has been concluded by all the DisCos, while waiting for the commencement of Phase 1. All the DisCos are finalizing the documentation and disbursement requirements of the funding for Phase 1, with an expected kick-off of the same soonest.
“It is important to clarify that the DisCos are operating within the regulatory guidelines established by their regulator, NERC, relative to meeting customer metering requirements,” he added.
The 2020 oil and gas industry audit report released by Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) on Monday, indicates that companies’ liabilities to the Federation stood at N1.32Trillion or $3.17billion as at December 31st 2020.
Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, the Executive Secretary of NEITI, made this revelation during the public presentation of the agency’s industry reports of the oil, gas, mining as well as the Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement in Abuja.
The public presentation of the 2020 NEITI reports was witnessed by Mr. Olusegun Adeyemi Adekunle, Chairman, National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mallam Umar Jiya, Chief Financial Officer, NNPC Limited, heads of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) among others.
This is the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Mr. Muhammad Nami, said collaboration with NEITI helped it generate N6.4 in 2021 using the information and data from the audit reports.
Orji, noted that compared to the N2.6Trillion owed in 2019 the revenues recorded a dip by 40 percent within the year under review, adding that the number of defaulting companies dropped from 77 reported by NEITI in 2019 to 51 in 2020.
The NEITI boss described the current debts as collectable revenues that are due to the Federation by the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, stressing that the latest reports outlined the specific revenue streams that accounted for the liabilities in question.
“These include royalty oil, royalty gas, concession rentals, Petroleum Profit Tax, Company Income Tax, Education tax, Value Added Tax, Withholding Tax among others.
“The courageous public disclosure of companies’ liabilities to the Federation by NEITI was in line with its national mandate and in fulfilment of its obligation as a member of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), and not in any way against the companies. ”NEITI’s disclosure seeks to draw the attention of the oil and gas companies to their obligations to remit all revenues due to government, especially at this time that government is in dire need of revenues to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure and improve the investment climate in the country” Dr. Orji explained.
Orji described the companies as the backbone of the industry. “Without the companies there will be no industry, no investments and no revenues to remit”. So NEITI will continue to support the companies and also expect that they live up to their obligations, as regard to payment of taxes, royalties and levies to the Federation, as they do in other jurisdictions of their operations.
The NEITI 2020 oil and gas report also revealed that Nigeria earned $20.43billion from the oil and gas sector in 2020. The figure represents a decline of 40% compared to the 34.22billion realized from the sector in 2019. On remittances to the Federation Account from the oil and gas sector, the report also disclosed that $14.65Billion, representing 71.17% of the total earnings in 2020, was remitted to the account, while total aggregate financial flows from the oil and gas sector to government in ten years (2011-2020) was $394.029 billion.
The report also revealed that the total crude oil production in 2020 was 646.7mmbbls, representing a 12% decrease when compared to the 735.24 mmbbls produced in 2019. Out of the above total production in 2020, 648.48mmbbls were lifted, and this was 11.85% lower than the 735.66mmbbls lifted in 2019.
Speaking on domestic crude allocation and consumption, the NEITI report also disclosed that 107.746mmbls was managed by the NNPC under the Direct Sale Direct Purchase arrangement. It also revealed that the value of the crude exchanged under the DSDP arrangement was $6.7billion, while the value of the refined products received for local consumption was $6.03billion, indicating a variance of $134.78million.
As regard to fuel subsidy, the NEITI report further disclosed that NGN106.9billion was paid as subsidy between January and June 2020 to sustain product availability with an outstanding balance of N26.74Billion yet to be paid. NEITI also reported that 20.01billion litres of petrol, 52million litres of kerosene and 5.33billion litres of diesel were respectively imported into the country for domestic use during the period under review.
Also speaking on oil theft and crude losses, the report made assessment based on the data provided to NEITI by 22 of the 69 covered companies. According to the result of the assessment, 39.16mmbls of crude valued at US$44.73million (N15.71billion) was stolen with 349 cases of pipeline vandalism recorded in 2020. This is an improvement when compared to the 1,387 cases of vandalism reported in 2019.
On Gas production, the report revealed that the gas sub-sector contributed over $1.5billion to the Federation account. According to the report, the total gas production in 2020 was 3.01million cubic feet. While 64% of this total quantity was sold, 8% was flared and 4% unaccounted for.
The NEITI report also showed that the oil and gas sector contributed only 8.16% to the total GDP in 2020. This represents a decline of 0.46% when compared to the 8.62% recorded in 2019. The report further revealed that the sector dominated the country’s export in 2020, contributing about 75% (N9.44Trillion) of the total export value of N12.52Trillion.
Furthermore, the report made far reaching recommendations including the urgent need for further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the transfer of the Federation’s stake in OML 24 operated by Pan Ocean and New Cross Energy. NEITI’s concern is on the value for money of the transaction, payment for the federation equity interest and recovery of the $309.1million that should have been paid for the asset.
The report also welcomed the Petroleum Industry Act and the prompt decision of President Buhari to set up a nine-member committee, including NEITI, to oversee its implementation adding that the courageous implementation of the reports of the Steering Committee when concluded will set the stage for a new oil and gas industry ready for competition and investment going forward.
This is the 13th cycle of independent oil and gas industry report by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in line with the NEITI Act 2007 and in fulfilment of Nigeria’s obligation to the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The report reconciled payments from eighty-three (83) entities. They included sixty nine (69) oil and gas companies, thirteen government agencies and the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).
The audit was conducted by Taju Audu & Co. (Chartered Accountants), an indigenous accounting and auditing firm.
Meanwhile, the transparency agency stated that though it unveiled three reports this Monday, it will release the details of the reports for the solid minerals sector and the fiscal allocation and statutory disbursements at a date to be announced soon.
The Nigeria National Office of the body has assured the public that it would further reduce the period for the processing of results of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
This is as the regional examination body, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) marks platinum jubilee.
The Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Mr. Patrick Areghan expressed the commitment at the pre-conference press briefing for the 70th annual council meeting in Abuja in March.
Areghan hinted that with the deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT), the organization has reduced the period for the processing of WASSCE results of WASSCE for school candidates from an average of 84 days in the past to an average of 45 days.
According to him, “Most aspects of WAEC’s operations and activities have been computerized. Its transactions and interactions with stakeholders across the globe are internet-driven.
“The Council has, therefore, continued to upgrade and install modern equipment and state-of-the-art facilities in line with global trends. It also seeks to satisfy the expectations of its stakeholders through efficient service delivery.
“Over the years, the Nigeria National Office of the Council has consistently maintained very active and informative websites, in addition to other Information Communication Technology (ICT) installations, towards the accomplishment of the Council’s goals,” he said.
The West African Examinations Council WAEC, has expressed dissatisfaction at the rate at which some schools still frustrate their efforts to end examination malpractices in Nigeria.
Speaking during a questions and answers session, expressed unhappiness that some schools predominantly, the private sector still fail to support WAEC in addressing the problem of examination malpractices in the conduct of its test and aided students and their accomplice to abet examination misconducts.
Areghan, however, expressed regrets that several private school owners still charge candidates outside the official fee announced by the Council in a bid to circumvent examination procedures and rules to assist candidates to cheat in various ways during the examination.
Besides, he identified non-compliance to the deadline for candidates’ registration by Principals of schools, saying such was not in the interest of the examination body’s preparations towards the conduct of the examination.
He , therefore, appealed to school authorities to do all that is required of them to avoid the late rush of candidates’ registration and unnecessary extension for the May/June WAEC examination.
Speaking on the platinum jubilee programmes, Areghan explained that the Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) rotated amongst the five-member countries is used to deliberate on providing qualitative and reliable educational assessment, encouraging academic and moral excellence, promoting sustainable human resource development and promoting international cooperation among the five member countries.
He attributed the successes recorded by the Council on the support it garners from the governments of the five-member countries, most especially the Nigeria National Office that flaunts its scorecard in the comity of Educational Assessment Institutions.
“WAEC owes a lot of gratitude to the governments and good people of its member nations. I, therefore, wish to use the opportunity provided by this occasion to express appreciation to all stakeholders in the education sector, for the huge amounts of funding, human and material resources, which have gone into the Council’s operations and activities in the past 70 years.”
He appealed for greater cooperation, support, encouragement and goodwill from all stakeholders to give the Council assurances of further successes, achievements and continued existence in the years ahead.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite has hinted that the roles played by the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) and the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geosciences (NIMG) would help in achieving the desired growth in the mining sector.
He made this known over the weekend during his working visit to the two organizations under his Ministry in Jos, Plateau State.
Adegbite in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Director Press, Mrs Etore Thomas expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two (2) Agencies, said he was not surprised by the achievements recorded since the assumption to office of the two Chief Executives, pointing out that results easily come when competent hands take charge of critical Agencies of government.
He referred to them as experts who have done a lot of researches in different areas relating to minerals and metals sector.
The statement reads: “On the contributions of NIMG to the economy, Adegbite disclosed that the Agency is currently training a lot of people in gemstones identification, cutting, polishing and so on, which according to him, would enable Nigerians make use of the gemstones that are in quantum in the country rather than exporting them in the raw forms.
“Some of the faculties in the School are also part of the jewelry making training that is ongoing in Abuja, adding that they are also a repository of knowledge and technical expertise on how different gemstones can be identified, cut, polished and made into jewelry.
“Speaking on the positive impacts the NMDC has played, the Minister said that any Nation that desired to be independent and wants to make progress, technologically, must have its own steel production.
“This Centre is a technological hub without which Nigeria cannot make it. A lot has been done here and a lot more needs to be done, where they are today is no mean feat, they have done so much and they can also do more”, the statement further stated.
He cited an MoU signed with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), on local production of armaments for the Nigerian armed forces as a step in the right direction.
According to him, “DICON had to look inward during Covid-19 restrictions and found out that what they have been importing into the country, could be done even better locally in NMDC, Jos.
He noted that the two Agencies need more funds to achieve their mandates and ensure Nigeria takes its pride of place in the global minerals and metals sector. He promised to address the funding issue before the current administration winds down.
In his remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NMDC, Prof Linus Asuquo said the activities of the Agency are crucial in value additions and development of processes for the entire processing chain; from exploration to extraction and to fabrication.
He stated that the mandate of the Centre vested the responsibility of the conduct of research and development work in minerals and metallurgy in all their ramifications in the Centre.
Asuquo said significant progress has been recorded since the inception of the current administration most especially in renewing infrastructure and building capacity which is aimed at bringing the Centre at par with similar Research and Development establishments in other developing countries such as Mintek in South Africa, CMRDI in Egypt and even Mefos in Sweden.
He appreciated the dynamic leadership of the Hon. Minister for the acquisition and supply of new state-of-the-art equipment. These equipment according to him, enhanced the Centre’s capacity for minerals identification, processing, metallurgical research and analysis as well the conduct of forensic science.
The DG however pointed out that a lot still needs to be done to succeed in Research and Development works for the diversification of the economy.
He appealed for Ministry’s continuous support to the Centre in its efforts at attaining the level where it will not only contribute effectively to government’s objective of transforming the minerals and metals sector into major contributors to GDP but also rely on itself by generating the income it needs to fund its expenses and research work
Meanwhile, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, NIMG, Prof Bolaji Hassan said the mission of the agency is to be an international centre of excellence in the training of manpower and the conduct of research in the exploration and exploitation of minerals for national development.
Hassan said NIMG is committed to the ideal of resuscitating Mining and Minerals processing Engineering and Skills Acquisition in Nigeria.
“To achieve these laudable programs, we must be proactive in developing our human capacity requirements to bridge the gap through training, research and skill acquisition, short courses specifically tailored to meet the present and future needs of our Mining, Minerals and Metal Sector”, he further explained.
He disclosed that the agency is committed to rendering professional knowledge and expertise through short duration courses, to enable them train and equip Nigerians with skills in specialized areas such as: Lapidary, Gemstone Cutting & Polishing; Jewelry Making, Basic Mining Practice for Miners and Quarry Management among others.
He solicited for more funding to assist the agency develop its infrastructure and deliver on its mandate.
…Says You Can Apply For Mineral Title World Over, MCO DG
The Director General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom has hinted that the partnership between the Federal Government and the World Bank has helped in upgrading the Agency’s system to international best practices
He stated that the best time to invest in Nigerian mineral sector is now as Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) is now online.
He also added that with electronic Mining Cadastre (eMC+) application based system, a ready-made platform has been provided for investors all over the world to come on board.
Nkom gave this hint when a delegation of Optiva Resources Limited, a London based Investment organisation, in company of their Investment Advisers, NPL Advisors recently paid a courtesy visit to the Agency in Abuja to explore investment opportunities for the development of mineral resources in Nigeria.
His words; “We ungraded from regular polygon to the online system we have now. We are talking about real time administration and these are the series of upgrades that will align with best international practices.”
“With the new system, you can apply for mineral title from anywhere in the world. Currently, we are crossing and dotting wherever is necessary for us to have a sustainable system.”
“We have also opened offices in the six geo political zones to equally receive applications from different zones and states.
“The creation of RDS unit for the purpose of ongoing mining research all over the world to be able to “look into the future of minerals and mineral application” and added that Nigeria is indeed far ahead in cadastre than most of the African countries”, he said.
The MCO boss also expressed that Public- Private Partnership can drive huge investment into mining to achieve the mandate of the present administration in the sector.
He listed types of Mineral Titles namely; Exploration Licence, Quarry Lease, Small Scale mining Lease, Water Use Permit and Mining Lease which is particularly open to foreign investors, the Director General assured of a more conducive environment, saying that the principles adapted by the Agency made the process very transparent.
He added that other principles of Security of Tenure, First Come First Serve and that of “Use it or Lose it” particularly triggered a publication of over 4,000 Mineral Titles to remedy their default, failure of which their licences would be revoked.
More so, the Director, Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade (IPMT) Yunusa Mohammed, earlier stated that the organisation’s courtesy visit is sequel to the Ministry’s participation in the London Mines and Money Conference in December, 2021, adding that participation at such conferences is in order.
The Chief Executive Officer, Optiva Securities Limited, Christian Dennis who led the Team to Abuja disclosed that the company has been across Africa stated that they are on fact-finding mission to Nigeria because of key interest in exploring investment opportunities in the precious metals and battery metals.
The members of the team include; Technical Director, Optiva Resources Limited, Charles Douglas Hamilton; Corporate Finance Executive Optiva Securites Limited, Mariela Jaho; Managing Director NPL advisors, Francis Nwokedi and Executive Director NPL Advisors, Confidence ShieluPresent at the Courtesy Visit were Management Staff of MCO and The Team from Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade (IPMT)Sade FatokeHead (Press)
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has taken over the leadership the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC).
He arrived the party’s Secretariat in a show of force, accompanied by gun trotting policemen and went straight to the office of the of National Chairman of the party, Mai Mala Buni.
About nine of the 12- member Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) are presently locked up in a crucial meeting being chaired by Sani Bello, who by the way is the Deputy Chairman of the Central Coordinating Committee of the March 26 convention. Senator John James Akpanudedehe, Secretary of the CECPC was also attending the meeting.
Some APC State Chairmen are also seen around the Secretariat. Some of those accosted said they are not aware of the reasons why they were summoned to the Secretariat.
Earlier Akpanudedehe had dismissed as fake news the trending online news that Buni has been removed.
The whereabouts of the Yobe State governor is not know as at Press time .
Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the Government of Republic of Benin.
He was released on Monday to a Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.
The Communications Secretary to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye confirmed this in a press statement on Monday.
The Yoruba group described the release of Ighoho as a Triumph of Truth over Darkness in Yoruba Land.
A frontline leader and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid courtesy visit on traditional rulers in the three Senatorial Districts of Ondo State and rained cash gifts on the Obas, which led to a rat race of sorts.
The huge political largesse, as at today, has created a wide gulf between the minority Class A kings and the majority 130 Crowns in the Sunshine State, who belong to the B and C grades.
A reliable source told our correspondent that, the Presidential aspirant and former Governor of Lagos State brought sacks of Naira as homage to the royal fathers in their domains.
His entourage’s first port of call was Ondo South Senatorial District, where they met the Obas at an Events Centre in Okitipupa.
After exchanges of pleasantries and declaration of his intention to contest the 2023 Presidential Election, Tinubu’s aides were said to have rolled in millions of Naira notes stacked in Ghana-Must-Go bags, for the kings to share.
A source alleged that N30m was allocated to each of the three political zones.
Whereas things went according to plan under the supervision of HRM Olugbo, what obtained in Central and North Senatorial Districts were outright row and chaos. A cold war indeed!
In Akure, 18 Monarchs met Tinubu in the Palace of the Deji of Akure, but only 3 of them are Grade A while 15 are in B and C categories.
Interestingly, we learnt from insiders that only a meagre N5m was doled out to the 15 rulers to share while the chunk was kept by the few three.
To worsen the situation, no information on the actual largesse was given to the second class Obas. Rage set in and the N5m offered, by a popular politician in Ondo State, was reportedly dumped at the doorstep of the Paramount ruler of Akure land. The protesting royals later staged a walk out without collecting the money.
Similar ugly incident happened in North Senatorial District meeting held in Owo, where Monarchs converged in the Palace of the new Olowo of Owo. The 7 Grade A Obas present were said to have outsmarted the 26 B and C kings, whom were blocked from knowing what transpired between the August Visitor and the royals.
At the end of the day, after Team Tinubu had left, a paltry sum of N5.7m was dished out by the Coordinating Grade A Oba Olowo, to the 26 representatives of the lower cadre royals.
Having failed to disclose the total monetary gift from the Lagos frontline politician; anger took the best of the cheated Grade B and C Obas, who politely declined collecting their own ‘share’ of the ‘Tinubu’s cake.’
As at press time, frantic efforts are said to being made by mediators to settle the matter equitably and fairly, in order to keep the issue off public notice.
The aggrieved Obas, who control majority of communities in the State, are said to be waiting patiently to do the damage to the electoral interest of the ‘chosen candidate’ of the First Class Obas, at the polls.
However, analysts see the visitations by Tinubu to Yoruba Obas in all the States, with huge kolanuts, as a political strategy to mark the South West territorial zone, as a safe haven for himself, in case any other aspirant wants to venture into the presidential race from the region.
A first class chief in Abuja Municipal Area Council ( AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Sakaruyi of Karu, HRM Emmanuel Yepwi has decried the alarming rate of illegalities in his domain.
While pleading that FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, immediately come to his domain to demolish the shanties where the suspects hibernate under different guises.
The Monarch who made this known when the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah paid a courtesy visit on him over the weekend.
He said that the illegalities being perpetrated by some of these criminal elements, who lived in makeshift shanties and other illegal structures around the community, while some who pretend to be traders have defied all rules and taken over the roadside for their activities.
Yepwi who expressed worry over the situation, said the suspects law breakers initially came in as law abiding citizens to the community, but over time has revealed their real characters, by disregarding procedures and extant laws.
He hinted that he has been mobilising the powers within his constitutional reach to fight the illegalities being orchestrated by these elements, but now needs government’s support to defeat them and restore sanity to his troubled domain.
He said with dismay, that some of the people who disguise as traders at Karu Market, but may have other nefarious plans, have taken over the roadsides, and are causing unbearable traffic stress and inevitable disaster.
Yepwi charged the Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation to quickly interven by removing all illegal structures within Karu, one of the largest satellite towns in FCT.
His words, ” karu is a major satellite town sitting on major road corridors in the FCT. Karu links to Orozo and up to karshi. It should be the best. Sadly most people choose to sell on the road and cause traffic problems”
” Please help us fully clear Karu of some illegal structures and batchers that are not good for our community”
” Tell the minister we support him fully for whatever he wants to do to remove all these traders from the roads. We have been warning them to leave but they refuse to.
Earlier, Attah said the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello had expressed worries over the illegalities in the Karu satellite town and would work in synergy with all stakeholders to address them.
He also disclosed that the visit to the Sakaruyi’s Palace was motivated by the myriad of complaints that have continued to trickle in from residents living in Karu axis.
Attah added, that more worrisome was a situation where some traders have arrogantly abandoned the empty spaces in the Karu Market, and opted to sell by the roadsides, not minding the traffic problems being created by their actions.
Attah hinted, ” It is a pathetic scene at the entry point into the Karu Model market as trader now occupy the entire road allowing only one care to pass at a time. Those selling fresh catfish and vegetables now occupy better part of the road”
He expressed worry that, ” some traders are selling directly under high tension wire. There are those who has decided to build makeshift shops and cover the Trasformer. All this, your Royal Highness are not good for Karu in particular and the city at Large”
“With sensitive security agencies having/ offices and residential quarters from Karu to Karshi complaints keep pouring in daily of difficulties crossing the Karu Market portion of the road. Also FCT residents including staff of the Satellite Town development Department at karshi waste manhours daily on the road.”
Meanwhile, the Head of Department of Works in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Architect Andrew Gaza who was with the team hailed plans of the FCT Administration to rid the area if those illegalities saying , ” we at AMAC has plans to clear areas in and around the market. Now that FCT Administration is coming in we support it fully. All these illegality must stop”.
Gaza added that, ” If you look inside the market, you will see that AMAC was the first to mark the worrisome illegal structures for demolition. They have completely and badly changed the approved plan for the market.”
