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PDP Raises Alarm Over Plots To Scuttle FCT Elections

By
Ola Akinola
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ha raised the alarm over plots by some people to scuttle the forthcoming Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

This is coming days to the February 12th Area Council’s elections in the nation’s capital.

The Director of Publicity, PDP Chairmanship candidate campaign for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Emmanuel Inyang, while briefing newsmen in Abuja alleged that intelligence report has revealed that the rulling All Progressive Congress (APC) was working to scuttle the success of the polls.

He, however,called on the Police and other relevant agencies of government to nip the brewing trouble on the bud, to avoid any violence that could disrupt the arrangement already made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he alleged that certain governors of the ruling party had been drafted into the sinister plot.

Inyang hinted that there are plans to import thugs from neighboring states of Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi, for the purpose of disrupting the February 12, polls.

He also stated that the relevant security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must act fast so as to gain the trust of residents and genuine electorates in the forthcoming election.

He raises concern that should various relevant security agencies fail to stop the plot, residents and electorates may be scared away, thereby, recording a very low turnout on the day of elections.

Inyang alleged that plot to scuttle the success of the polls, follows the intra-party crises rocking the party which had put them at a disadvantage position.

He however, said that the FCT elections will serve as a litmus test for the off season elections and the 2023 general election, to be conducted by INEC.

According to him, “We are happy that FCT residents are really eager to vote.

“We are aware from security report reaching us that there are group of people planning to recruit thugs to ensure that on the day of election, after voting, people come in to disrupt the process.

“We want to plead with the security agencies to ensure that security is maintained on, before and after the elections.

“We don’t want anything that will bring the level of insecurity faced in other parts of the country to manifest in the Federal Capital Territory. We are happy with the security agencies haven’t kept the peace of this land and we want the peace to continue.

“President Muhammadu Buhari needs a legacy to take home. The legacy is to ensure that there is credibility in our elections. They should ensure that FCT election is free, fair and violence free, because we are aware that some persons have already planned that there will be violence on the day of election. We are appealing to Nigerians not to be intimidated by anybody. They should come out en mass and vote for the preferred candidate.”

Meanwhile, a Member of the House of Representatives AMAC/ Bwari constituencies, Hon. Jiba Micah said that no act of violence would be tolerated during and after the election.

Micah urged all stakeholders to comply with all the regulations already set by INEC to ensure that the elections were conducted according to international standard, upholding the tenets of democracy.

Ogoni Cleanup: FG Assures On Completion, Says Contracts For 21 Lots Awarded For Remediation

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Federal Government has assured on completion of the clean up of Ogoni land while adding that the Muhammadu Buhari administration is setting up strong institution to ensure that the the exercise would be duly completed even after the expiration of the administration.

Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharon Ikeazor in her Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja said a total of 5,345,766 cubic meters over an area about 314 acres.

The Minister, who briefed the press in company the Mohammed Yaya, the Nigeria’s Representative, United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP), Mu’azu Samboh the Minister of State for Works and Housing, and heads of agencies in the Ministry, noted that in 2019, contracts for 21 lots were awarded for remediation covering 12 of the 65 listed sites in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report.

“These lots covered an area of 276 acres. To date 18 of these lots have been completed and certified by National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). Three of the lots are currently undergoing certification process and one lot is still undergoing remediation” she said.

So, she stated, an additional 29 lots were awarded for remediation of eight sites in February 2020. The area covered is 289 acres. Six of these sites, according to her, have been completed and certified by NOSDRA while two outstanding sites at Bdere and Ogale are above 60 per cent completion.

According to Ikeazor, acting on the report of UNEP in 2011, the Federal Government flagged off the Ogoniland cleanup in 2016.

Her words: “The cleanup of Ogoniland was flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2016. The Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydro Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP) (for the management of Environmental Restoration Fund for Ogoniland) were inaugurated in August 2016 and the project coordinator’s office was established in 2017.

“The ministry is accelerating the remediation project, expanding on the livelihood programme of the hydrocarbon impacted communities. Preliminary remediation activities had commenced in early 2018, and work is at various stages of the remediation processes, with successes despite delays encountered.

“The project implementation status is between 2019 and 2021 and covers three -core areas, which are contaminated soil remediation, sustainable livelihood programme and portable water supply” she said.

On government’s support for Ogoni communities, Ikeazor said that the government has provided alternative livelihood development for Ogoni youths, women and able- bodied men as well as the physically challenge.

“Both artisanal refiners and other youths are entitled to be given the opportunity to develop and expand their existing skills or acquire new skill sets to build their capacity and empowerment.

“In 2020, a set of 400 women commenced training in agribusiness at Songhai Farms in the areas of aquaculture, poultry, cropping and food processing. The plan is to train a total of 1,200 women in agribusiness” she assured.

FCTA Shares N3,668,506,659.36B To Councils, Stakeholders

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has distributed a total sum of N3,668,506,659.36billion to the Six Area Councils in the FCT and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of December 2021. 

This figure indicates a decline in revenue from N3,726,007,503.49billion disbursed in the month of November to N3,668,506,659.36billion in the month of December, representing about 1.54 percent decrease.  

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who presided over the 161st Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), commended all stakeholders for their cooperation, despite challenges recorded in the past.

The figures released also indicate that the sum of N1,615,340,273.24billion was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N2,053,166,386.12billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N3,668,506,659.36billion.  

However, distributions to area councils show that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N328,034,790.92million, while Gwagwalada got N284, 273, 669.49million and Kuje received N259,674,786.45million.  

Other area councils include, Bwari Area Council received N250,649,903.10million, Abaji got N250,646,804.73million and Kwali received N242,060,318.55million bringing the total sum to N1,668,506,659.36billion disbursed to the six area councils.  

More so, distribution to other stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers which gulped N1,682,152,924.31billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57 million, One percent Training Fund gulped N36,685,066.61million, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849,405.63million, bringing the total sum to N2,053,166,386.12billion.  

Aliyu, however, used the occasion to harp on the ongoing FCT primary school teachers strike over the nonpayment of promotion arrears since 2013, stressing that the arrears predate the present administration.  

She, however, assured members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) that a workable template has been put in place to offset the debts for over a period of time, adding that a 7-Man committee would be set up to look at the operation of the template.  

According to her, “our primary school teachers are at home over the nonpayment of their arrears that predates this administration. However, the quality of a good leader is to take responsibility, and we must work out ways to resolve this protracted issue. Workable template to offset the debts over a period of time has been put in place, and a seven man committee to look into the operation of the template will be set up”.  

She called for more commitment and synergy on the part of all stakeholders, the minister however commended them for showing understanding in the distribution of monthly allocation to area councils and other stakeholders.  

Those present at the 161st Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), meeting include the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Adamu Mustapha, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services, Malam Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, FCT NUT Chairman, Comrade Stephen KnabayI, amongst others.  

NHIS Resolves Tariff Dispute Between Healthcare Providers, HMOs

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) on Monday amicably resolved the dispute between Health Care Providers (HCPs) and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in the country in an effort to avoid possible service disruption

Recall that hospitals under the aegis of Health Care Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) and other associate bodies had announced plans to drop Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) had imposed a new tariff structure for private health insurance from February 1, 2022, which development had created anxiety within the health insurance ecosystem.

Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof Mohammed Sambo, at a meeting convened at the instance of the the parties reached an interim but mutual understanding aimed at ensuring that a potential crisis is averted and persons operating health insurance on a private basis are not stranded.

Private health insurance is a practice where HMOs buy health care for interested persons under pre-determined arrangements. Usually, it is outside NHIS system.

Sambo stated that NHIS was the only legally recognized body that has the authority to come up with services tariffs for health insurance in the country, noting that the primary objectives of social health insurance was to limit the rising cost of health care services and protect people from financial hardships of huge medical bills.

This was contained in a statement by DGM, Press , Emmanuel Ononokpono which a copy was made available to newsmen in Abuja,however indicated reservations that the system had tolerated HMOs to run “Private Health Insurance” which brought distortion to social health insurance implementation, expressing the optimism that the expected passage of the NHIS bill making health insurance mandatory will permanently resolve all such distortions.

“Social health insurance is the only vehicle by which every Nigerian can access quality and affordable health care. Therefore any element that will threaten the smooth operations of social health insurance scheme in Nigeria must be eliminated”.

Sambo further hinted that taking the issue to the public space in the manner which the stakeholders did left much to be desired, adding that disagreements can be resolved when parties listen to each other’s positions and make effort to reach a compromise.

Speaking on behalf of Health Care Providers, Dr Jimmy Arigbabuwo stated that HMOs had foisted their own tariffs on providers without regard for inflationary realities, insisting that HMCAN had not acted in good faith even as they provide services to their clients.

For their part, the spokeman for HMCAN Dr Leke Oshuniyi said that members of the association were open to negotiations with the view to bringing the dispute to a close.

At the end of the meeting, representatives of Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), Health Care Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), Guild of Medical Directors, AGPMPN and other stakeholders agreed to propositions presented by the Executive Secretary of NHIS.
The parties agreed that: A reconciliation exercise will be conducted by NHIS to ascertain the level of Indebtedness by HMOs to providers. A media advertorial will precede this activity; A rapid assessment of HMOs’ private plans will be conducted to ascertain their level of conformity with the NHIS prescribed arrangement;

In addition, HCPAN will immediately withdraw its announced tariffs while other stakeholders who had their own tariffs will withdraw same; HCPAN and HMCAN are given two weeks to negotiate and agree on a mutually accepted tariffs structure; A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for February 7, 2022 to evaluate progress made.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) intervened in the crisis in its capacity as the regulator of health insurance practice in Nigeria.

UNICEF Hails Release Of Abducted Girls In North-east Nigeria

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Peter Hawkins
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria

UNICEF has welcomed the release of four abducted girls by armed groups in Borno State, north-east Nigeria.

While calling for the immediate release of all conflict-affected children held in captivity across the region.

It would be recalled that the released girls and others still in captivity were abducted from the Kautikari community earlier this month in the Chibok Local Government Area.

Chibok came to global attention in 2014 when 276 schoolgirls were abducted from their school. About 173 of the Chibok girls are still missing.

Earlier this month, an unconfirmed number of children were reportedly abducted in Pemi, another community in the Chibok LGA.

UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins said, “UNICEF is very relieved for the released girls and their families’.

“After their harrowing experience, it is good news that the girls are back with their families and friends, where they belong. But sadly, dozens of children in north-east Nigeria remain in captivity; the victims of an armed conflict they have nothing to do with. This is unconscionable. Children have the right to a safe environment, health, education and freedom from abuse and torture – all of which remain compromised when they are in captivity.

“Children are not the spoils of conflict. All children in captivity must be immediately and safely released to their families,’’ said Hawkins.

Children in Nigeria continue to face unprecedented violations of their rights, including abductions, torture, killings, recruitment into armed groups, and forced marriages, among other abuses of their rights. In the north-east, more than 1,000 children have been abducted since 2014, with at least 100 still missing or unaccounted for.

Between December and July of last year, at least 1,450 children were abducted, most from their schools, across central and north-west regions of the country. 

2023 Presidency: Tinubu Meets APC UK Leaders

By
Ola Akinola
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0

Former Lagos State gover­nor and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on Sunday met with leaders of the party in the United Kingdom (UK).

Details of the meeting is not made public but some of his aides said it is part of his consultation for the 2023 presidency.

Security: Aliyu Inaugurates 30 Operational Vehicles In AMAC

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu , the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State has inaugurated 30 units of operational vehicles donated to commands and divisions of the Nigeria Police Force by the Abuja Municipal Area Council, (AMAC) in Abuja.  

While inaugurating the project, the minister said the donation arose from the chairman’s desire to contribute in assisting the police force in fighting crimes within the area council in particular, and by extension the Federal Capital Territory.  

She observed that with the increasing reliance on technology, it is becoming more and more essential to secure every aspect of the environment, noting that security begins with good prevention and basic knowledge.  

Aliyu also affirmed that since the outbreak of the coronavirus and government declaration of state of emergency, commercial burglaries have almost doubled in major cities across Nigeria, adding that in times like these, swift and smart operations are more important than ever.  

She hinted ; “In this wise, the handing over of these operational vehicles is in line with our mandate not just to deliver dividends of democracy to our people, but also to protect lives and property of citizens”.  

She, however, used the occasion to pledge the FCT Administration’s commitment in the provisions of basic amenities, as well as maintain the existing ones, while tasking residents to justify government’s investment in their communities.  

The minister commended the leadership of Abuja Municipal Area Council for equipping the police in fighting crimes, just as she called on residents to assist the police with useful informations that would aid them for the overall peaceful coexistence of their various councils.  

Also, Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, hinted that the imperativeness of the donation of the security vehicles to the police formation lies in the burning desire to collaborate with other actors in the fight against crimes that are building empires in the nation’s capital.  

The AMAC boss stressed that the creation of AMAC Marshal Guards, a security outfit is geared towards tackling the security challenges in the council and ultimately to provide intelligence gathering to other conventional security outfits, engaging in surveillance activities and rendering security services.  

Candido revealed that since the creation of AMAC Marshals in 2016, the outfit has employed not less than 600 youths from the council, noting that the increasing unemployment rate has heightened insecurity in the society.  

His words , “this has helped to reduce unemployment rate of our youths drastically and has also lessened criminal activities within the council”.  

The highpoint of the event was the official handing over of the keys to the Inspector General of Police by the FCT Minister of State.  

FCTA Burst Another Drug Ring, Appreheds Two, Seizes About 45kg Suspected Marijuana

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Another drug colony at Kubwa-Dutse road interchange was bursted by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday.

Our correspondent gathered that, two person were appreheded with 45 kilograms suspected Marijuana.

The sting operation that came immediately the team of FCT Ministerial taskforce on City Sanitation, concluded clean up at the Dutse market, got many passersby talking, because the destroyed drug hideout was situated few metres away from one of the Police stations along that axis.

Comrade Attah Ikharo, Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, hinted that the drug colony was exposed by security intelligence, warranting a marching order from FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello for it’s destruction.

He, however, expressed displeasure over the persistent lawlessness activities of some residents, the suspects and the siezed drugs have been handed over the operatives of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation.

He stated that the efforts have been intensified to track down all criminal elements, and everything that constitute security threat, through aggressive monitoring of all parts of Abuja.

He, however, lamented the illegal activities of roadside traders which he said had returned to the Dutse market, after it was tackled some months ago.

His words, the chaotic situation at the Dutse market which the FCTA invested so much resources and time to tackle, was begining to return, due to the compromise of some market Managers and Unscrupulous officials.

He described the situation as a ticking time bomb waiting to be detonated, he reiterated the administration’s determination to deal ruthlessly with all contravention and those promoting it.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director , Enforcement of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Kaka Bello, said the enforcement team won’t backtrack in it’s mission to restore environmental order to the city.

Bello stated that the destroyed drug colony is suspected to be managed by high profile drug syndicate, going by their confidence to peddle drugs in such highbrow area.

He added that the illegal activities constituting nuisance, have persisted because the city was large and population growth surging high.

PDP Accuses APC, FG Of Hiding Under Fuel Subsidy Scam To Siphon N3trn For 2023

By
Ola Akinola
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0

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of hiding under fuel subsidy to siphon and fritter a staggering sum of N3trillion ahead of 2023.

The party described the bare-faced move by President Buhari-led administration as outrageous and unpardonable crime against Nigerians.

The PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said that while it is not against subsidizing petroleum products for Nigerians, it rejected the plot by the APC government to use a heavily padded fuel subsidy claims to surreptitiously funnel trillions of naira into the pockets of corrupt APC leaders and their cronies in government ahead of their shameful exit in 2023.

The statement reads: “Demanded a full disclosure of specifics of the subsidy templates including details of cost of importation of petroleum products into the country to warrant the additional N2.557 trillion being requested by the APC administration.

“The PDP already has information of how corrupt APC leaders pushed for the additional N2.557 trillion to the N443 billion already approved for fuel subsidy in the 2022 budget just to create a surplus as slush fund ostensibly for APC leaders to share as well as deploy to rig the 2023 elections.

“The APC government cannot justify the proposed increase in fuel subsidy in the face of incontrovertible evidence of slowing economy and consequential decrease in consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria due largely to the rudderless, irresponsible and insensitive economic policies of the APC as well as the adverse effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Nigerians have already noted that the proposed increase is consistent with APC’s typical padding of fuel subsidy ahead of every election cycle. Is it not revealing that while fuel subsidy was N24 billion in 2016 and rose to N144.53 billion in 2017, it spiked to N878 billion in 2018 ahead of the 2019 elections; remained at N551.22 billion in the election year of 2019, only to drop to N102 billion in 2020, after the elections?

“It is clear that the APC increased fuel subsidy to N1.4 trillion in 2021 and now barefacedly seeks additional N2.557 trillion to have a cumulative subsidy bill of N3 trillion in 2022 to prosecute the 2023 elections having realized that it has a tough battle with Nigerians because of its monumental failures.

“It is even more disturbing that the proposed increase is to be funded through external borrowings, which will further impoverish Nigerians, mortgage the future of our nation and burden future generation of Nigerians just to finance the insatiable greed of APC leaders,” the party said.

The PDP, has, however, rejected the bandying of incoherent, unsubstantiated and heavily doctored figures by the APC government in its desperate lies on domestic consumption and landing costs.

The party challeged the APC to present the details of importation costs to Nigerians as no genuine pricing template can support such criminal increase in fuel subsidy beyond the appropriate pricing which experts posit cannot be above N500 billion.

The PDP therefore called on the National Assembly to stand with the people and reject the scandalous N2.557 trillion addition for fuel subsidy at this critical time as approving such would be a great and unpardonable disservice to Nigerians.

FG Cancels Marginal Oil Field Of 33 Firms Over Signature Bonus

By
Mosali Edunosa
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0

No fewer than 33 oil companies lost right to the Marginal oil fields on Thursday for failing to meet up with the 45 days deadline required to pay the signature bonus for the fields.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) made this known at a meeting at a meeting with the awardees in Abuja, declaring that the marginal oil field had been revoked.

The 2020 marginal field awards which was unveiled last May by the then Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) had 57 fields on offer with 665 companies indicating interest to acquire them.

Giving an update on the award process , the Chief Executive of Officer of NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe said of the 161 companies shortlisted for the awards only 119 awards were fully paid for with nine awards partly paid for.

Engr. Komolafe explained that “the marginal field guidelines provided for 45 days for the payment of signature bonus which has since elapsed, and we have issued a public notice to that effect as well as notified the relevant potential awardees”.

He stated that N174 billion was realized from the signature bonus paid by the companies for the fields.

He hinted that given the high cost capital and government’s desire to achieve first oil in the fields, the Commission was making concerted efforts “to ensure that the 2020 MFBR exercise is completed within the shortest possible time”.

He, therefore, pointed out that “this engagement with Marginal Field awardees and Leaseholders is for the Commission to state the policy position on the 2020 Marginal Fields Bid Round (MFBR), to enable successful awardees progress to field development phase in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021”.

While stating that no new marginal field or farm-out agreements were envisaged under the PIA, he explained that prior to the enactment of the Act, fields were classified as marginal when: they are not considered by license holders for immediate development due to assumed marginal economics under prevailing conditions.

“Similarly, those with exploratory well drilled on the structure and reported as oil and/or gas discovery and left unattended for more than 10 years.

“Fields that leaseholders consider for farm-out due to portfolio rationalization. Lastly, fields which the President may, from time to time, identify as such”.

On what would happen to the fields which signature bonuses were not paid for, he said the fields would be returned to the basket of fields available for awards.

“Accordingly for any field that is in the market, we are going to equally ensure a transparent process of getting across to new awardees. Essentially, one of the challenges that we observed in the review and post mortem exercise is that it is critical that bidders and interested bidders are able to provide proof of fund and proof of funds for field development.

“That will be a key consideration for future awards and the Commission will do its due diligence to ensure that such presentation are genuine so that we do not experience this kind of situation again”, he added.

Engr. Komolafe stressed that the Commission was ready to ensure that disputes amongst parties were quickly resolved to ensure that the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) needed to move the process forward were set up.

“Furthermore, the Commission through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) offers opportunity for co-awardees of marginal fields to resolve issues speedily and amicably”, he stated.

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