Month: October 2023

The Anambra Government has appealed for fresh intervention from the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), to tackle the challenge of flood in the state.

The Deputy Governor of Anambra, Chief Gilbert Ibezim, made the call when he visited the Director-General of NEMA, Malam Mustapha Ahmed in Abuja.

He said NEMA has played vital role in supporting the state in managing the growing impact and threats by loods hence the appeal for more support even as the water tides are rising in the state.

Ibezim, entended the appreciation of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to President Bola Tinubu for assisting the state through NEMA and also moves to strategise on flood preparedness and response in Anambra.

Giving insights on the flood-prone areas in the state and the potential risks associated with the rainy season, he called on proactive measures to mitigate flood-related disasters, protect lives, and safeguard property.

He said their was need to deploy resources, personnel, and equipment for effective flood response as well as a well-coordinated approach, early warning systems, and community engagement to enhance disaster preparedness and management in the state.

The deputy governor expressed their commitment to working closely with the agency to ensure the safety and resilience of the state’s communities during the flood season.

In his remark, Ahmed said the agency will surely look into the challenge in Anambra with the aim of preferring solutions to tackle the challenge.

“Your visit to NEMA is a significant moment and a practical display of efforts towards building a strong collaboration between Anambra state and NEMA on disaster risk management and building of community resilience

“This becomes more important in the face of significant disasters and crisis situations in Nigeria just as obtain in several countries of the world.

“Your excellency, we don’t pray for disasters to happen, yet disasters, crisis and emergency situations are part and parcel of societal revolution throughout the history of mankind,” he said.

Most disasters, Ahmed said, can be averted and mitigated with simple deliberate actions; avoid the dumping of refuse in waterways and drainages in our cities can reduce urban flooding drastically.

“We must rethink our environmental and ecological civilization to avoid potential disasters.

“Urban and regional planning must avoid allocating land and granting building permits along waterways,” among others to reduce floods.

Ahmed expressed NEMA’ commitment to working closely with the state government to ensure the safety and resilience of the state’s communities during the flood season.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Oilserv Limited, Pipelines and Facilities (EPCIC), the contractor handling the $2.5 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline Project says it will surmount every challenge to ensure it delivers the project in July 2024.

Chairman of the company, Mr Emeka Okwuosa, gave the assurance on Thursday during an inspection of the project sites in Pai community, situated between Gwagwalada and Kwali area councils, Abuja.

The inspection was led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister was on an inspection with some top officials of NNPC Ltd. and Oilserv to see the progress of work at the Pai River crossing session in the area.

Oilserv is handling the segment A of the AKK pipeline of about 614km-long natural gas pipeline being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to run from Ajaokuta, through Abuja-Kaduna to Kano.

Okwuosa, who was optimistic of the timely delivery, said the Linear section which would carry the gas, was about 80 per cent completed, while the overall completion of the entire project had reached 55 per cent.

He listed river crossing, rock blasting, drilling, security and construction on right of way, as some of the challenges, noting that it would continue to work closely with the NNPC Ltd. to ensure timely delivery.

“We have given commitment to the minister that the project will be completed by July 2024; we are working very hard irrespective of the challenges; challenges will always exist but Oilserv has repeatedly built gas pipelines for the nation.

“The AKK pipeline will make a lot of difference because gas is energy and energy is wealth, and Nigeria has it in abundance but we have to have delivery systems to get the gas to where it is required for commercialisation.

“That is what we are doing here, and we assure Nigerians that it will be completed as stated,” he said.

The chairman, who described the project as an economic prosperity venture and a priority project of the Group Chief Executive of the NNPC Ltd., said it was a segment of the Nigerian gas master plan meant to distribute gas across Nigeria and provide energy.

“After completion, we would be able to have gas and NNPC would be able to deliver gas to the Northern part of Nigeria and also spur development of gas in the southern part of Nigeria and create a lot of wealth as well in the south.

“With gas available, you have power, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles to run with, and reduce dependency on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), build urea and fertiliser plants, helping agriculture and so on.

“This project will change the landscape of energy delivery, and the economy of Nigeria will change,” he added.

Okwuosa, while commending the Federal Government and NNPC Ltd for their support, lauded the minister for his commitment towards the project completion, adding that the development of gas as a source of energy in Nigeria was unequalled.

“I can assure you that whatever we are doing will not be possible without the support of NNPC and we are always in sync, and they support and raise the funds to keep the project ongoing.

“Our commitment is more than 100 per cent. Though we have challenges, our job is to deal with the challenges and make sure the project is completed as scheduled,” Okwuosa said.

Mr Chigozie Obi, Group Chief Technical Officer, Oilserv, also briefed the officials on the schematic of the AKK pipeline and station installation.

He explained the progress of the project which comprised three spreads of Alpha, Brovo and Charlie with the level attained.

The minister was accompanied by Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority; Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, NNPC Ltd and other top officials of Oilserv Limited, among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Mr Dickson Akor, has commended the House of Representatives for passing the Peace Corps Bill to Senate for concurrence.

Akor gave the commendation while reacting to the passage of the bill to the upper chamber by the House of Reps in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the passage of the bill on Thursday was the third attempt at pushing the establishment bill to becoming law.

The proposed law is titled; a bill for an Act to Establish Nigerian Peace Corps to facilitate Peace, Volunteerism, Community Services, Neighbourhood watch, nation building.

Akor in his reaction said, this is the third time the House of Reps would be passing the bill, adding that It showed there is merit in the establishment of the corps.

He further said there is justification in what is before the National Assembly, adding that the peace corps is capable of addressing the socioeconomic challenges confronting Nigerian youths.

“The peace corps will add value to the security architecture in Nigeria, adding that the passage would rekindle hope of the vast majority of our memembers.

“We remain eternally grateful to the House of Reps for the expeditious manner they handled the bill under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

He recalled that the last attempt which did not get assent of former President Muhammadu Buhari was not because of any identified issues in the bill.

He said the Bill was transmitted close to the exit of the president.

NAN reports that Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader of the House during plenary said the bill when passed would encourage volunteerism.

He also added that it would get a good number of Nigerian youths engaged and reduced crime.(NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mazi Obi Okoli, the Coordinator, Obidient Movement, Europe, has urged their supporters in lmo to be focused in their resolve to bring a change in the state in the Nov. 11 governorship election.

Okoli said in a statement from UK, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that Sen. Athan Achonu, the Labour Party (LP) candidate stands tallest amongst other contestants in the Imo governorship race.

“Achonu has developed a programme designed to end hunger, insecurity and unemployment which is very prevalent in the state under the current leadership,” he said.

According to Okoli, Obidients in Imo have resolved to support Achonu and that no amount of deceit from any quarter will sway them to back any other individual.

“We hereby place a disclaimer to any individual or individuals claiming to be supporting any other candidate in Imo State elections under the deceit and claim to represent the Obidient Movement.

“We, the Obidient Movement, hereby state clearly that the only candidate Obidients support in Imo State for governorship 2023 is Senator Athan Achonu.

“We call on all Igbo; indeed, Imo citizens and our friends living in Imo state to stand behind the Labour Party Candidate, Senator Achonu, and help free Imo State from misery and pain.”

Okoli urged residents to remain resolute and resolved to bring change to the people of Imo State.

“We believe that a new Imo is Possible; a state where peace and security shall be paramount. A better Imo is ‘Athanable’, and Sen. Athan Achonu will emerge victorious.

“A state where the youths will be assured of their future and no fake political promises; a state where the resources of the state will be used purely for the development of the state and not for the personal use of a few.”

According to Okoli, Athan has promised Imo citizens ‘AIR’ Agriculture, Industrialisation and Reconstruction.

He, therefore called on Imo residents and their friends living in the state to stand behind Achonu and help rescue Imo from misery and pain.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Natural Gas Pipeline Project to ensure completion and deliver the project on time.

Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), gave the charge on Thursday while inspecting the AKK project sites in PAI community, situated between Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils of Abuja.

Ekpo inspected the progress of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) of the PAI River Crossing being executed by Oilserv Limited, one of the three major River Crossing work which advanced in stage and approaching the final stage of completion.

The AKK pipeline is a 614km-long natural gas pipeline being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to run from Ajaokuta, through Abuja-Kaduna to Kano.

Ekpo was accompanied in the visit by Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, top officials of the NNPC Ltd and the project contractor, Oilserv Limited, Pipelines and Facilities (EPCIC), among others.

The Minister said with more than 200 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves and unproven reserves amounting to 600 TCF in the deep sea and other areas in the country the AKK project was critical to be delivered on schedule.

“So far; I am impressed with what has been done, and the contractor has assured me that by July and August 2024 the project will be completed.

“And when completed, many ailing industries will come to limelight, there will be efficient power supply, availability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking, eradicating biomass (charcoal) while industries would equally come up.

“Today the global world is talking about gas and we have it in abundance, the reserve is enough to take us for next hundred years and service other nations. Nigeria should actually be the hub of gas resources.

“The prosperity of Nigeria depends on this very project. When completed, power plants in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano will be put into use guaranteeing energy security in long term with boost in investment.

“So we hold the contractor responsible for any slow rate of development. You are given the job on trust and there are bound to be challenges. The way you have been summounting challenges in other locations, apply it here, we will support you to complete it on schedule,” Ekpo said.

While appreciating NNPC Ltd and management on its efforts, Ekpo assured Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu, adding that the government was doing everything possible to mitigate hardship.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Malam Mele Kyari, said reiterated its commitment towards the delivery of strategic national infrastructure projects through responsive project delivery, active collaboration with security agencies and communities.

Kyari, represented by Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, NNPC Ltd, said it was focused on technology deployment in form of Human and Technical Intelligence for surveillance along the entire Right of Way to realise timely delivery of the project for the benefit of Nigerians.

He described the project as a major economic trigger of the nation assuring that the NNPC Ltd would continue to take right steps to ensure that facilities and resources required were deployed for its realisation.

Also speaking, Oilserv Chairman, Mr Emeka Okwuosa, gave assurance that the project would be completed between July and August 2024.

He said the site visited was peculiar because of its river crossing, adding that it would also deployed Direct Pipe Installation Technology to cross River Niger.

Okwuosa said the company was working hard to mitigate challenges to enable it to deliver the project.

He listed the challenges as river crossing, rock blasting, drilling and security, stressing that it would continue to work closely with the NNPC Ltd to ensure timely delivery of the project.

“We are also working with the NNPC Ltd to see how we can do night operations here to hasten the project by doubling the speed but we are only limited with day time operations.

“Some pipes are existing in the right of way example crude oil line to Kaduna refinery so we are careful not to damage anything. We are optimistic that by next year the linear section that will deliver gas will be done with,” he said.

The 2.5 billion dollars AKK Gas Pipeline and Stations Project is a flagship of the Phase -1 Trans Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) project.

It is designed to integrate the northern part of Nigeria with the Niger Delta, eastern and western regions of the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government is strategising to end out-of-stock syndrome of drugs in the country.

Prof. Mohammed Sambo, the Director-General, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) made this known in Abuja while addressing newsmen in collaboration with NAFDAC.

Sambo said that the authority has engaged several stakeholders including pharmaceutical manufacturers and companies to achieve it’s rebranding agenda with the aim of proffering solutions that

ensure eradication out-of-stock syndrome.

“I inaugurated the NHIA Medicines Supply Committee on Feb. 19, 2020.

“The committee submitted its report in June 2020 and adopted branding of NHIA medicines and other health products to ensure the quality of it’s medicines,” Sambo said.

He said that the branding medicines and other health products was aimed to facilitate the supply of affordable, acceptable, accessible, available, and quality medicines and other health products.

According to him, the initiative is to enhance the production of high-quality medicines to inspire users’ confidence.

He said that he also inaugurated Medicines Supply Implementation Committee to pilot the affair with relevant stakeholders.

Sambo said that 12 pharmaceutical companies was selected and would be branding 33 products for the health insurance ecosystem in the first phase.

According to him, the authority choose seven states which are Delta, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Niger, Osun and Sokoto states) and the FCT for the pilot phase of implementation of this initiative.

“This initiative is geared towards the strengthening of local pharmaceutical manufacturers, which will ultimately guarantee medicine security.

“It will help to reduce the cost of medicines especially that of intravenous fluids which will reduce by as much as 50 per cent of current market price based on NHIA negotiations with the manufacturers without compromising standards and quality.

“We kindly request NAFDAC to give the pharmaceutical companies branding products for the health insurance ecosystem a waiver to add the logo to their drug packs.

” This request is to avoid the transfer of the extra cost to the end user.Approve the collaborative post market surveillance by NHIA and NAFDAC,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC said that the collaboration between the two agencies was mandated to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture and advertisement

She said others are distribution, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, packaged water, detergents and chemicals.

Adeyeye said that government has just launched the operational guidelines for the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act as part of efforts to ensure all Nigerians have access to affordable healthcare services.

“The operational guidelines are crucial to clarifying the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of various stakeholders in the health sector because access to affordable quality health care for all Nigerians is key on the path to achieving Universal Health Coverage,” she said.

The director-general said the agency has collaborated with NHIA to ensure a sustainable access to affordable and acceptable quality medicines for our citizensThe Executive Order 3 (EO3) on support for local content in public procurement by the government.

She said that government required that the 33 drugs would be branded with NHIA inscription under the authority.

Adeyeye said that NAFDAC, through the Directorate of Registration and Regulatory Affairs would also ensure that appropriate and adequate labelling of the medicines are met in line with the Agency’s labelling requirements and in accordance with NHIA guidelines.

“NAFDAC will continue to collaborate with NHIA to ensure that the terms spelt out in Executive Order 3(EO3) will to be implemented to enable the attainment of Universal Health Coverage as specified in the National Drug Policy,” she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria