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Develop Your Plots, FCT Minister Charges Foreign Missions
From Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, weekend called on foreign missions in Abuja to expedite action on the development of plots of land allocated to them by the Federal Government.
He said the measure would reciprocate government's gesture of restoring such hitherto revoked plots. The minister made the call while receiving the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jean Michel, in his office.
He said the restoration of such title documents by the Federal Government to the foreign missions called for concerted efforts on the part of the missions to accelerate the development of such plots.
Mohammed said his administration would accord priority attention to foreign missions in the FCT and solicited their cooperation by encouraging investors in their home countries to come and invest in Abuja.
The minister noted that Abuja remained a haven for any genuine investor because the FCT Administration had provided an enabling environment for any investment to flourish.
According to him, the fast tracking development of such property would go a long way in not only accelerating development in such areas but add to their aesthetic value.
Commenting on the building plan of the proposed multi-billion naira French Embassy in Abuja, the minister said the proposed embassy was an architectural masterpiece and promised that the FCT Development Control Department would give them approval within two weeks.
He, however, charged the Ambassador to equally encourage his colleagues to borrow a leaf from his positive disposition by submitting their drawings early too.
Mohammed lauded the cordial relationship between Nigeria and France, noting that rapport that is more fruitful lay ahead.
Speaking earlier, the French Ambassador, Dunond, praised the action of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for restoring the foreign mission plots in the city.
He promised that the proposed gigantic French Embassy would be completed with 24 months from the date of getting the approval from the FCT Development Control Department.
Source: This Day, 26th July 2010.
Residents Want Indigene As Minister Of State
Written by Catherine Agbo
In spite of the short life span of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, FCT indigenes have urged the president to appoint a minister of state from the FCT as a way of correcting the constitutional breach.
The call was made recently by FCT indigenes at a consultative forum organised by the indigenes of Garki and Jiwa chiefdom, held at Education Resource Center, Zone 7, Abuja with the motive to enlighten their children on what went wrong as far as FCT settlers are concerned.
Spokesman of the Garki indigenes and also the Leader of the movement Mr. Lazarus Nyaholo revealed that according to factual evidence available to them there was no time any agreement was reached between the people of FCT and the federal government to take over their land.
He said that the federal government did not consult them before taking charge of their land for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory.
Nyaholo further revealed that the late Justice Timothy Akinola Aguda in 1976 led the federal government delegation that stopped at Suleja, the Niger State capital for the negotiation of the new Federal Capital Territory, but failed to consult the people that own the land.
"They said we sold our land but we are not the ones that sold our land to the federal government, it was the people of Suleja Emirate in Niger state and the people of Keffi in Nasarawa state that did the negotiation with the federal government. We did not collect any money from the federal government so let the federal government go to Suleja and Keffi to collect their money back, all we want is our land back. Those emirs they paid money to are not from Abuja" he said.
Speaking earlier at the meeting, Mr. Lanre Babafemi, a human rights crusader advised the federal government to desist from the habit of pushing the people of FCT away from the city, warning that time will come when the indigenes will see the people living in FCT as their number one enemies and the federal government the number 2 enemy which will not augur well for both the people living in FCT and the federal government itself.
Source: Leadership, 26th July 2010.
Bad Roads:Fuel Shortage Looms In Abuja
Written by Rasheed Komolafe, Lagos
- As NUPENG's 21-day ultimatum expires August 1
- Wants PPPRA top officials sacked
The dilapidated state of federal roads across the country has compelled oil workers under the aegis of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to threaten to cut supply of petroleum products to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
National President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achebe, said the Union had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government beginning Monday, July 12 to address the dilapidated federal roads around the country and also for government to tackle the anti-labour practices by oil majors or face the withdrawal of its members from supplying fuel to Abuja.
However, the federal government has constituted a trouble shooting team led by Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, Minister of State, Mr. Chris Ogienwonyi, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo and officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
After the initial peace meeting Wednesday, July 21, Mr Wogu announced that a meeting of all the stakeholders would hold on August 3, with a view to appealing to the oil workers to stay action on the threat.
Achebe warned that NUPENG will stop lifting of petroleum products to Abuja on expiration of the 21-day ultimatum noting that the action is being considered so that policy makers and top Federal Executive officials in Abuja will have no fuel to move around as against industrial action whereby poor Nigerians in other parts of the country suffered in the past.
"By the time we stop lifting of petroleum products to Abuja, there will be no flight by local and international airlines in and out of Abuja," he warned.
Besides repairs of the roads, NUPENG equally wants the FG to probe and sack top officials of the Petroleum and Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) over fuel importation approvals granted companies without jetties and depot facilities during the second and third quarters.
Majors and Depot owners had petitioned the Presidency over shady deals by the PPPRA in the award of fuel importation contracts to portfolio contractors without jetty and depot facilities. In the petition they also demanded for disclosure of the full list of companies granted fuel importation approval by the agency.
Achebe said in Lagos yesterday that President Jonathan Goodluck should constitute a panel to probe excesses of PPPRA in the award of fuel importation contracts to companies without depot and jetty facilities as a result of their connections to top Federal Government officials.
He said the Executive Secretary of PPPRA, Mr Abiodun Ibikunle and any other official indicted by the probe should be sacked to ensure fairness in the award of fuel importation contracts to genuine indigenous companies with investment in jetty and depot facilities.
The malpractices of the agency according to him is to the detriment of indigenous companies that invested billions of naira in the downstream sub-sector so as to ensure adequate fuel supply in the country. "Petroleum products allocation should be based on the platform of equity, transparency and justice so that the major stakeholders will have enough business to do and the capacity to face future challenges in the oil and gas industry," he noted.
Achebe who spoke during the inauguration of the Jetties and Tank Farm Owners Association of Nigeria (JEPTFON) in Lagos yesterday warned that the present PPPRA allocation will plunge the downstream sub-sector into troubled waters unless there is immediate intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to the NUPENG boss, these jetties owners took loans to invest in oil business and with courage remained in the business of fuel importation despite the global economic recession and previous delay in the reimbursement of marketers that participated in fuel importation under Petroleum Support Fund Scheme (PSF).
"The government should therefore show understanding and give absolute support to ensure returns on investment made by JEPTFON members complementing activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the importation and supply of petroleum products", he pointed out.
The trouble of Majors and DAPPMA members participating in fuel importation started when the Federal Government approved the issuance of Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN) as a guarantee for payment of the difference between the landing cost of fuel and the official pump price of N65 per litre. With these Sovereign Notes, marketers, who do not get their payment within 45 days as stipulated in the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) guidelines, will take the negotiable instruments to their creditor banks as cash to pay for their loans.
Industry analysts observed that these portfolio contractors are politicians taking advantage of the sovereign debt notes to trade in fuel importation without knowledge and investment in the downstream sub-sector. They also said that the plan to commence full deregulation by the Federal Government will not see the light of the day as fuel importation becomes attractive with the sovereign debt note.
The NUPENG boss also pledged the support of the members to JEPTFON in the downstream sub-sector so that huge investment made by them will not go down the drain. He expressed the hope that the Federal Government will look at the problems created by PPPRA for JEPTFON companies that entered into alliance as a branch of NUPENG. "The desire of JEPTFON to join hands with organised labour to run the affairs of the association is the right in the right direction. We will in turn give necessary support and right hand of fellowship to have a breakthrough in marketing and distribution", he promised.
He also gave the assurance that NUPENG will assist to create a conducive climate that will enhance business environment and economic sustainability.
JEPTFON members collectively control 65 per cent of installed private petroleum products receptor jetty facilities and at least 70 per cent of installed private petroleum products depot facilities in Nigeria. Collectively the companies account for over N1 trillion investments in the downstream and provide direct employment for over 5,000 Nigerians and 52,000 indirect employment.
Source: Leadership, 21st July 2010.
Rain Wrecks Abuja Communities, Kills 4
Written by Caroline Ameh, Abuja
Residents of some communities in Abuja were on Friday night thrown into confusion as the rains wrecked properties worth millions of naira and left four dead.
In Karmo, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, the bridge connecting the community to the city centre was almost washed away. The water, which was about 25ft above ground level, drowned two cars with its occupants.
The sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Patrick Nwanko, who was at the scene of the incident yesterday morning, said he had never witnessed anything of the magnitude. He explained: "So far we have recovered only two bodies, and rescue operation is still going on. The two cars have been recovered; one is a Carina II with registration No. BJ 889 BWR while the other is a Honda "Baby Boy" without a registration number".
Documents found in the car belonging to the latter identified her as Chioma Okoro. She was most likely a trader as several wares ranging from clothes to shoes and bags were recovered from the car.
An official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who said his
team arrived at the scene a few minutes before 6am, noted that some locals were trying to rescue the victims before his men joined in.
While stating that no official from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was present at the scene, he explained that the low level of the bridge was responsible for the flood. He further appealed to the government to do something about the bridge to stop reccurrence. He also used the opportunity to enjoin government to give them more rescue equipment as they had to get some from the nearest construction firm, which is SCC construction Company.
While reacting to the incident, the district head of Old Karmo, Chief Bello T. Danjuma expressed strong belief that there is some spiritual undertone to what happened. "This is not ordinary because close to the river is the groove where my people worship. However, some construction firms went into the place and destroyed it".
The ruler said on hearing of the ugly incident, he sent some locals to rescue the occupants of the vehicle since he is forbidden to visit such sites.
He equally called on the federal government to do something about the bridge, "because it usually happens two to three times during the rainy season. The bridge is too small, it needs expansion and the level is too low; this place is in a valley so they should please come to our aid."
In a similar incident in Gwarimpa Estate, the whole of Claude Ake Crescent on 14 Road was submerged in water. Odorume Erhovwo whose house was flooded blamed the whole incident on developers. "This same thing happens every year and the landlords show less concern about us," he lamented.
Water from other parts of the estate flows behind the crescent where the canal is located. However, the canal has been blocked by another building erected on it. LEADERSHIP SUNDAY observed that the fences of all the houses affected collapsed under the water pressure.
Erhovwo, who was lucky to have arrived home on time, rescued his one-year-old baby and his wife through the window. He said: "I was just lucky to have been outside the house at the time. I had to rescue my baby and wife throug this small window. This is unfair!"
The director of Yasmin School, Gwarimpa, Dr. Mrs. N.A Odoche, who suffered the greatest damage, said she has lost properties worth millions of naira. According to her, she had earlier contacted the Federal Housing Authority to look into the issue of developers blocking the only canal that allows free flow of water in the estate.
"It happens every year but not this much. My computers and every other valuable material including students' books and uniforms have been destroyed," she lamented.
Also blaming the incident on property developers, Mr. Dennis, a staff of Sahara Homes Limited, said surveyors should be contacted before any building is erected. "Incidents like this are usually man-made as a result of poor planning.
Source: Leadership, 11th July 2010.
Govt Seals off Firms in Abuja
FROM FLORENCE LAWRENCE, ABUJA
THE Federal Government yesterday made real its threat to seal any construction company's quarry site that fails to obtain Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other remediation plan as five sites were yesterday sealed off in Mpape, Abuja.
This was part of the enforcement exercise carried out yesterday by the National Environmental Standard Regulations and Enforcement Agency when it sealed off Dantata and Sawoe Quarry site, Cush Rock Industries Limited, ENL, Setraco, and Hong Yum Quarry Limited.
However, suppliers at the sites condemned the action, demanding reasons for the closure, stating that they were not informed that such exercise was to be carried out by the government.
Three weeks ago, the agency had visited the quarry sites giving all the companies a two-week ultimatum to present their EIA report, Environmental Management Plan and Environmental Audit since some of them began business before EIA became operational in Nigeria.
The Director, Environmental Quality Control, Maiwada Omar, expressed disappointment at the lack of cooperation demonstrated by the operators of the quarry sites.
"We sealed off the sites because they have erred by not producing their EIA report even after the ultimatum expired.
"We have withdrawn their machines, put a flag of seal and mark their offices sealed. There is internal plan to secure the place to ensure that they do not operate in the area until they comply with the directive," he added.
Source: The Guardian, 7th July 2010.
How Road Contract was Inflated to N257b, by Reps Panel
FROM AZIMAZI JIMOH MOMOH AND TERHEMBA DAKA, ABUJ
May delay passage of FoI bill
THE House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the expansion of roads in Abuja said yesterday that it had uncovered how the projects were allegedly inflated to the sum of N257 billion.
Also, the House may have foreclosed the passage of the Freedom of Information (FoI) bill as its Information Committee Chairman, Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, yesterday declared that the piece of legislation might not see the light of day during the life of the current National Assembly.
At the public hearing on the issue in the National Assembly yesterday, the committee disclosed that the contracts, which were split into four lots had their rates increased above what was bidded by all the contractors.
In a remark during the interrogation of the contractors, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Abdulrahman Kawu, said that in lot one of the Abuja Airport road contract, the contractor quoted N58.6 billion but the contract was later awarded to him at N59.2 billion.
In lot two of the same airport road contract, the committee said the contractor quoted N48 billion and the contractor later got it for N49 billion.
The same thing was applicable to the Abuja Outer Northern Expressway contract where the contractor quoted N64.9 billion and got N66.8 billion.
However, some of the contractors who spoke at the public hearing stated that some of the figures could not be confirmed because there might have been some calculation errors.
They were therefore asked to submit their responses in writing to the committee within 24 hours to reflect the claims of calculation errors.
Meanwhile, the Debt Management Office (DMO) had clarified its involvement in the road expansion contracts.
In a submission to the committee, the DMO Director General, Mr. Abraham Nwankwo, said that "the DMO's involvement was as a result of a directive by the minister of finance to comment on the request for Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) in respect of the projects."
He explained why it proposed the raising of funds for the project through the issuance of Federal Government bonds.
According to him, Federal Government bonds were more economically desirable than the situation where it would have to provide for the 60 per cent financing by the contractors repayable within four years at an interest rate of 23 per cent.
The contracts for the project, which is in four lots, was awarded to the three contractors at total contract sum of N257,167,337,985 billion by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on April 29, 2009.
"It was initially awarded based on a planned 60:40 Private-Public contribution with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) funding 40 per cent of the contract cost during a period of the construction ranging from 24 to 30 months while the 60 per cent portion was to be funded by the contractors through their respective banks," said Nwankwo.
Nwankwo noted that since it is essentially a social infrastructure development project, the Federal Government was required to explore appropriate sources that ensure that funding of the project met the stipulated borrowing guidelines.
He added that the nature of the project could hardly be considered as commercially oriented unless it was seriously repackaged in way that enabled it to generate revenue.
"An evaluation of the contractors' funding sources showed that the project could hardly be considered as Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, but rather a contractor financing scheme, which required an Federal Government guarantee to cover their borrowings from the commercial banks at an interest rate of about 23 per cent.
"In essence, the contractors' contributions imply that the Federal Government was to take an expensive loan liability to be serviced from the national budget," he added.
Nwankwo further explained that the President therefore directed the DMO to source part of the funding of N46.50 billion in 2009 while N62 billion was to be sourced in 2010 and N46.50 billion in 2011 totalling N155 billion for the completion of the project."
Wadada, who addressed reporters at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday said that although the lawmakers were not against the passage of the bill, it would only see the light of day when the grey areas in the piece of legislation have been sorted out by the parliament.
"The more transparent the polity is, the better for all of us", he said, even as he urged Nigerians to be a little patient with the House, as it would do its best to see that the bill is passed into law.
He said although the objectives of the FoI bill are welcomed by every member of the National Assembly, "the bill as packaged is going through legislative process. The legislative process is what will sort out those grey areas, and once those grey areas are sorted out, the Freedom of Information Bill will eventually see the light of the day.
"For instance, we know today there are expectations and insinuations out there by the electorate that are not true. And it is only when there is free access to information that the people will know about the activities of the government. The FoI bill will be passed into law when those grey areas are sorted out,", he said.
Wadada also urged the federal government to cultivate the culture of effective information dissemination if it wants the 2011 elections to be successful.
According to him, credible elections cannot be achieved without providing information to the citizenry, adding that information dissemination agencies in the country must be equipped to perform their duties.
Another member of the committee, Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, explained that in passing the bill, there was need to guard against the abuse of the freedom sought by the proposed law.
"It is all about how you get information freely, and how you manage it. If there is an abuse, there should be punishment also," the lawmaker added.
Source: The Guardian, 7th July 2010.
How The FCT Area Council Poll Went, By Transition Monitoring Group
Again Democratic Election Failed Test Of Legitimacy
By Mashood Erubami and Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
Introduction
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of about 400 Civil Society, Human Rights and Pro- Democracy Groups received INEC's accreditation to observe the April 10, FCT council elections.
Thus, TMG Secretariat in collaboration with its FCT Coordinator and working with other TMG members deployed and monitored the election in the six Area Councils of Abuja, in line with lay down rules and regulations and according to standard derived from basic principles and guidelines governing democratic elections contained in the universal declarations;
The TMG hereby issue the following reports.
Arrival of electoral officers and election materials
OUR Observers reported that voting commenced late across the territory. According to INEC, voting was supposed to commence by 8am, but this was not to be in most of the polling units covered. The explanation commonly given was that, Corps members who INEC largely relied upon for the exercise, insisted on being paid before they could move into their respective designated areas of work.
INEC, subscribing to this demand therefore caused late arrival of Officers, materials and late commencement of voting.
However, in a number of places, voting could not commence until afternoon. For instance, in Waru village Apo, Code 004, voting commenced at exactly 1pm. For this reason, officials agreed to extend voting till 5pm to accommodate voters who have been waiting since morning. In Kutuku area of Gwagwalada, voting materials and officials arrived by 1.11pm. In Lugbe Federal Housing Beggar Yard Primary School and King of Kings primary school voting stations, eligible voters gathered but no INEC officials were anywhere to be seen. Reports from Bwari, Karu, Biaji, Apo and many more areas experienced the same challenges.
Deployment of officials
CORP members constituted majority of the officials used for the FCT Election and they were seen doing their work conscientiously in most places visited. However in a place called Dutse Apo village (code 923) only one INEC official was seen attending to a large number of intending voters who were becoming impatient and becoming a threat to the only official present.
Although, there were police personnel in the station, apprehension was becoming rife. TMG officials had to put a call across to INEC officials to send some assistance. It was the same situation in Gwarimpa polling station 24b, where our observer reported that INEC officials reported late.
Voters Turnout
THE effects of little or no political campaign, played out, significantly in the low turn out of voters in the election; voters exhibited little enthusiasm over the election, as there was serious apathy, ambivalence and general indifference to the election. The day was used by majority of electorate as another public holiday, an indication that citizens did not place any hope on the outcome of the election and subsequently may not be conferring legitimacy on the emerging leadership.
Generally speaking, the voter turnout in this election was observed to be generally below average, with the exception in Bwari, where the turn out was observed to be appreciable and a long list of people were found on the queue. Even though the streets of Abuja were empty, it did not turn out into large voters' turnout in most of the polling stations observed by TMG, especially in the urban areas and estates. Although, in some public spaces where there are multiple polling stations, several hundreds of eligible voters were seen waiting to cast their votes, but by the time you cross-check the numbers against the actual number that registered and then the number of polling stations clustered there in, it becomes evident that there was indeed low turn-out.
This is partly because people no longer have the interest or keenness to even take the pains to look for or locate where to vote. Secondly, the aspiring politicians did not bother to spend time to identify with the electorates or even campaign for votes. Another important reason is that people's enthusiasm to vote has been eroded by perceived lapses in previous elections.
Police conduct/security in the elections
THE Nigeria Police in the FCT lived up to its promise, and deployed about 11, 000 police personnel for the FCT Area Council election. TMG observers generally reported that the police and other security operatives conducted themselves very well and were largely friendly. The distribution was also relatively equitable, but where there are clusters of polling units, more police personnel were noticed. The Police in FHA Nyanya Polling station (020) arrested a voter with fake voter's card. Generally, no incidence was reported to have occurred in most areas observed.
Ballot materials
BALLOT papers and other stationery materials required for the voting exercise were observed to be available and adequate; there were no shortages of election materials reported.
Voters' accreditation
THERE was less disenfranchisement of voters in most of the polling units monitored by TMG Observers, as most people who had temporary voters' card were duly allowed to vote. In some other areas, it took TMG observers with the cooperation of the Electoral Officers to clarify that such category of voters can go ahead and vote. However, in most polling centres visited, voters who have lost their voters' card were legally disallowed from voting. In PW polling station Kubwa however, several persons were reportedly denied the opportunity to vote due to noticeable discrepancy in their voter's card.
Secrecy of voting
IT was observed, that INEC provided cubicles, which ensured secrecy of voting in most polling stations. This is commendable.
Conclusion
Generally, the reports from our observers showed that INEC battled hard to do the right thing this time, but a combination of disinterested and disenchanted public who exhibited indifference to exercising their franchise and apathy to their civic duties, raised genuine questions on the legitimacy of the process.
The political parties and the politicians did not do much in terms of mobilization and conducting civic and voters education among their members and this reflected negatively in the way people turned out for the election.
For obvious reasons - adequate security, fair play on the part of INEC and continuous demonstration of zero tolerance by police -there was no significant observation of Ballot snatching, large recording of disenfranchised electorate, no ballot stuffing was observed and either by accident or design, nobody died or was killed during the election. Harassment and intimidation of Voters were nipped in the bud.
Candidates and political party agents were allowed to freely observe the election processes as voting was peaceful and no instances of violence was recorded in the polling station covered by the TMG Observers.
Counting and collation of ballot papers followed INEC guidelines and very few cases of ballot rejection was observed.
There is still a big gap left to be bridged by both INEC/Civil society and Political Parties in the area of increasing awareness of the citizenry on their duties and responsibilities during and after elections, enhance their awareness of voting system and the need to exercise the right to vote, so as to change the attitude of the electorate to election and build their response to participating in the election processes. INEC and Civil Society Groups need to come together to build the necessary synergy that can make the INEC overcome the usually re-occurring logistic problems- transportation and staffing- to be on top of late delivery and arrival of officials and election materials on voting days, including making all the polling units accessible in a timely fashion, so as not to make navigation of the polling units problematic.
Abuja council election has provided another adjustable template that can be faithfully improved upon, by all stakeholders to meet all conditions for genuine democratic elections.
INEC must therefore work in concert with all stakeholders, to adjust in all areas of its failings to ensure that future elections will be free from intimidation, violence, and fraud and must be genuinely democratic.
Erubami and Rafsanjani are the Chair and Secretary of the TMG
Source: The Guardian, 2nd May 2010.
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