Day: September 24, 2024

Earlier this year as the rainy season approached the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in its weather forecast, as it has done in recent years, warned of impending flooding.

As forewarned, the rain is here so is the flood. The consequences, though not as massive as two seasons ago, is huge.

Mrs Aishatu Abu’s eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at the ruins that used to be her home. It has been submerged in the murky waters of the overflowing river.

The floods had come without warning, sweeping away her livelihood, her memories and her sense of security. She is not alone. The victims across the country are many.

Thousands of Nigerians, such as Abu, have been affected by the recent flood season with their lives turned upside down by the raging waters.

The floods spotlight the urgent need for effective disaster risk management in Nigeria.

Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), urges a comprehensive action plan to address disaster risks in Nigeria.

He
advocated a more comprehensive action plan for disaster risk management in Nigeria considering new and emerging hazards associated with it.

Umar spoke at a recent Expert Workshop on Early Warning For All, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategic and Action Plan 2023-2030 in Abuja.

He said Nigeria faced severe vulnerabilities due to poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change.

Umar said that the Sahel region, where Nigeria is located, is prone to various disasters, including floods, landslides, droughts, and conflicts.

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‘A review of NEMA’s existing plans has indicated an urgent need for a more comprehensive action plan for disaster risk management in Nigeria, considering new and emerging hazards.

‘This is to align with the Sendai Framework and African Programme of Action (PoA) to increase disaster resilience and drive sustainable development.

‘The current escalations of conflicts, banditry, annual floods, and e
xtreme weather events have triggered the desire to develop this DRR Strategy and Action Plan for Nigeria,’ she said.

One of the agencies at the centre of disaster mitigation, NiMet, is worried that many Nigerians do not heed to early warnings serious hence enormity of damage usually cost by flood and other disasters.

Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, spoke in Abuja, at a three-day Expert Workshop on Early Warning For All, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategic and Action Plan 2023-2030.

‘Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can strike at any moment, leaving devastating impacts on communities and livelihoods. Early warning systems are the first line of defence against disasters.

‘They provide critical seconds, minutes, or hours for people to seek safety, evacuate, or take necessary precautions.

‘However, an early warning is only effective if it reaches all those at risk. In Nigeria, we face various hazards, from floods to landslides, droughts, and confl
icts.

‘The impact of these disasters can be catastrophic, but we can mitigate them through proactive and inclusive approaches.

‘That’s why we must prioritise early warning for all. We need to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, language, or socioeconomic status, receives timely and accurate warnings,’ Anosike said.

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Anosike said that to achieve this, Nigeria should invest in robust early warning systems that leveraged technology and community networks and strengthen emergency response capabilities.

He stressed the need to conduct regulatory and public awareness campaigns, foster collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, and support disaster risk reduction education in schools and communities.

Anosike called on all stakeholders working on disaster management and prevention to cooperate for better results.

‘By working together, we can build a culture of resilience and reduce the risk of di
sasters in Nigeria. Let us commit to protecting our people, our communities, and our nation,’ he said.

As the country seeks to build resilience against disasters, it must prioritise the needs of affected communities and escalate investment in disaster-related areas.

By investing in robust early warning systems, conducting regulatory and public awareness campaigns, and fostering collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, Nigeria can reduce the risk of disasters and protect its citizens from their aftermath.

Anambra is one of the flood-prone states in the country and Dr Nonye Soludo, the governor’s wife wants residents of previously flood-hit communities to always take proactive measures during rainy season by moving to higher grounds.

Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, and Ogbaru are among the high flood risk areas.

She urged community leaders, churches, and well-meaning individuals to assist residents who may be affected by the flo
od.

In Niger State, the management of North South Power Company Limited (NSPCL) has sensitised communities around the Shiroro Hydro-Electric Power Plant to desist from water-based activities.

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Mr Olubunmi Peters, the Vice Chairman, North South Power Company Limited (NSPCL) identified poor maintenance of drainage system as part of the causes of flooding.

He, therefore, emphasised the need for government to start intensive desilting of drains and flood channels as well as intensify climate information services, especially to farmers.

As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of disaster risk management, it is clear that a comprehensive action plan is needed to address the challenge.

By working together, government agencies, NGOs, and local communities can build a culture of resilience and reduce the risk of disasters in the country.

Already, the Federal Government said it is taking the bull by the horn by supporting states in their eff
orts to manage flood disaster.

According to Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said in Birnin Kebbi that federal government would provide three billion naira to states to mitigate the impact of flood.

While this year’s rainy season is in its twilight it is important that more measures are taken to apply the lessons learnt this year in preparing for flooding and other disasters next season.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, the Director-General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has said that the construction of the 3.5 billion dollar Bakassi Deep Seaport would soon begin.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ifeanyi Nwoko, ICRC’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity in Abuja on Monday.

Ewalefoh made this known at a High-level Stakeholders’ meeting where a statement of endorsement for the port project was signed.

The ICRC D-G who said the construction would commence under the administration of Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River State, assured that the project would be completed in record time.

He said that his assurance was premised on four things which include the fact that the government of the state had demonstrated great commitment and zeal required for the project.

Others he said were the newly streamlined ICRC Public Private Partnership(PPP) processes; the securing of a financier for the project; and the support of all other stakeholders present.

Ewalefoh said the 3.5 billi
on dollar project whose funding has been secured from the African Import-Export Bank(Afreximbank), is to be executed as a PPP project.

He said that the ICRC had streamlined its PPP processes to ensure they were faster than before.

According to Ewalefoh, we are not compromising standards, we are only making the process more efficient which I have commenced as the D-G of ICRC.

He assured the Governor of Cross River that the project would be completed under his tenure with the support of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Shippers Council and all the stakeholders.

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‘You have demonstrated that you have what it takes to do it, just like President Tinubu has given confidence to investors to bring their funds to Nigeria.

‘This is not a project that you started, the baton was only handed over to you, but like the man on the last lap, you are running the fastest and you will cut the tape.

‘With the team you have assembl
ed and the activities that are going on, you will arrive at the destination of the Bakassi Deep Seaport.

‘I am convinced that in your tenure, with your team, Bakassi Deep Seaport will be a reality to the people of Cross River state and Nigerians,’ he said.

The D-G said that the port was very important as it would diversify the traffic from the Western Port and serve as a succour to the Eastern parts of Nigeria.

He added that the Bakassi Deep Seaport is an Agro-Value-Chain port that will explore the potential in the nation’s agricultural sector in the South-South part of Nigeria, the North as well as all of Africa.

Ewalefoh thanked Afreximbank for believing in the state and Nigeria as he reassured investors that Nigeria was a choice destination for investment opportunities.

The statement said a high point of the meeting was the signing of the statement of endorsement by all critical stakeholders to the projects including the ICRC and the Cross River State Government.

Others include the Nigerian Ports Aut
hority (NPA) and Nigerian Shippers Council, among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the construction of 14 roads and bridges, which were badly affected by floods, in Ekiti, Adamawa, Kebbi and Enugu States.

Works Minister David Umahi said this while addressing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting.

He said the others are in Cross River, Ondo, Osun, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo States.

He said the roads were awarded, in addition to a contract for the repair and rehabilitation of Gamboru Bridge along Gambor-Ngala/Kala-Balge road in Borno.

The minister said FEC also approved a new contract for the rehabilitation of Maraban-Kankara/Funtua road in Katsina State and construction of 258 kilometer three-lane carriageway, a component of the 1,000 Sokoto/Badagry Super-highway, Section 2, Phase 2A.

Likewise, he said FEC approved the contract for the construction and dualisation of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe road in Ebonyi, Abia and Imo States (Section 2).

He said FEC similarly approved the contract for Bodo-Bonny road in Rivers, to be executed by Julius Be
rger.

‘FEC approved additional N80 billion to complete that project, bringing the total cost to N280 billion.

‘The next is the Third Mainland Bridge, which was executed under emergency work,’ he said.

He said at the time the present government assumed office, the Third Mainland Bridge was a nightmare.

‘The deck had pavement differential of over one foot; that was causing a lot of accidents and hold up, and constituting dead load to the Third Mainland Bridge.

‘So, that has been done and it also extended to Falamo and Queens Drive. It came with solar light, CCTV cameras and relief stations, to eliminate road blockage,’ he said.

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He explained that when he came on board, Julius Berger sought to review the entire projects.

‘Don’t forget that the initial cost of the projects was N155 billion and the past administration reviewed it to N797 billion.

‘Berger insisted that the reviewed contract sum should to N1.5 trillion. We didn’t h
ave that money and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and myself went through the road and had strategic meeting with Berger,’ said Umahi.

He said he eventually sought the approval of the President to break the projects into three so that two sections could be done on tax credit and Julius Berger could do one.

‘So, the first section is 38 kilometer, it has not been brought to Council. It’s to be done with on concrete.

‘The second section is to be done by Berger and that is 82 kilometers by two, and it’s to be done with asphalt that they have been working with and the third section is, which is just 17 kilometers is to be done on concrete,’ he said.

He said FEC approved that of Julius Berger for a total contract sum of N740 billion. However, he said the other two were not presented for approval.

‘If you remove approximately N400 billion paid by the last administration, then what is left is about N340 billion. That is what the contract sum for the 164 kilometer will be and that’s what FEC approved t
oday,’ Umahi said.

The minister said the service lane on Lekki Deep Seaport road was approved for construction by FEC.

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Lastly, he said he discovered that over 3,000 of fuel trucks queuing to the lift fuel at Dangote Refinery were all parked on the newly constructed Lekki-Calabar coastal highway.

‘Technically and by design, the roads were never built for static loads, and so it has a lot of effects,’ he said.

He said FEC approved that the Federal Government land in the area should be concessioned , so that concessioners could build a park.

‘It’s a park that will be tolled, so that all the trucks can safely parked over there and the pavement of such a park is quite different from the pavement of the road,’ said Umahi.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, on Monday, said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved an economic stabilisation bill to be transmitted to National Assembly National Assembly.

Edun said this while addressing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting.

He said the bill proposed specific measures, draft laws, and policies on taxation aimed at improving the overall economic environment.

‘That was essentially based on the output of the fiscal policy and tax reform committee that was set up by Mr. President in August 2023 under the chairmanship of Mr Taiwo Oyedele,’ said Edun.

He said in order to implement the different recommendations in the bill; changes to various laws would be required.

‘It contains, for example, items that change the Foreign Exchange Act, give greater liquidity and encourage the use of electronic rather than cash means for transactions.

‘This gives the Central Bank greater ability to attract funds from international money transfer
organisations, and others that want to transact foreign exchange business, and remit funds to Nigeria,’ he said.

Similarly, he said there was a proposal to amend the Companies Income Tax Act to allow Nigerians with skills, expertise, and relevant relationships, provide services to foreign companies without those companies coming to register in Nigeria.

According to him, this will open up a vista of employment opportunities, income opportunities and entrepreneurship opportunities for Nigerians.

‘There are changes to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, as well that affect, in particular, the government-owned enterprises, and how they are to share their surpluses, and how they are to put in place reserve funds for building surpluses from their revenues.

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‘It’s very detailed, and of course, it will be available to the public at a later date,’ said the minister.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The embattled former governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been advised to avail himself in court on Wednesday over alleged N80.2bn money laundering case.

The former Kogi governor has been having a running-battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80.2bn fraud.

A source close to the commission on Monday told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Bello’s appearance at Federal High Court in Abuja, where the anti-graft agency is trying him, would enable him take his plea.

The trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, at the last sitting held that proceedings would continue in spite of the appeal filed by the defendant before the Court of Appeal.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter till Sept. 25, for arraignment.

According to the source, the appearance would afford the former governor to take his plea in the 19- count charge filed against him.

Bello has avoided court sessions scheduled for his arraignment for at least five times, specifically on April 18, April 23,
May 10, June 13 and July 17.

It would be recalled that the court on April 17, issued a warrant for his arrest.

However, operatives of the EFCC’s attempt to effect his arrest at his residence in Wuse District, Abuja was frustrated by the police attached to the premises.

Subsequently, the EFCC declared the former governor wanted.

‘The only saving grace and last opportunity is for him to show up in court on Wednesday, Sept. 25, to take his plea.

‘The commission is not perturbed about all his moves because charges have been drafted against him already, and his delay tactics about taking his plea could only worsen his case.

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‘His last opportunity is to make himself available in court. That is the only thing that can help his case,’ the source said.

It would be recalled that Ohaire Michael, Media aide to Bello, in a statement a week ago, said that the former governor was ready to honour the EFCC invitation to clear his name as he had nothing
to hide.

Bello, according to the source, came to the EFCC, but he was turned down due to his perceived calculated moves to compromise the operational procedures of the EFCC.

‘The EFCC is a highly professional agency with strict guidelines about arrest, bail, surrender of wanted suspects, investigation and prosecution.

‘Bello came carrying himself like an emperor in an environment where he is a suspect.

‘Besides, the commission reportedly stumbled on some intelligence regarding his motives for surrendering, which could jeorpadise his trial eventually.

‘All these made the chairman, Ola Olukoyede to act swiftly and turned down his contrived surrender offer,’ another source said

The EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the new court session had been slated for Wednesday but declined further comments on the matter

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders at the Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) have stressed the importance of efficient transportation networks in driving business success and ensuring economic growth.

The emphasis was made during the official opening of the AITF in Abuja, where the theme ‘Mobility: Options for Transportation, Trade Financing, and Taxation’ highlighted the critical role of transportation in today’s global economy.

Dr Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), noted that mobility solutions were vital to foster economic growth.

‘Mobility has become a critical factor in today’s global economy, influencing trade, finance, and taxation.

‘Efficient transportation options help businesses overcome logistical challenges, streamline supply chains, and reduce operational costs, all of which are essential for driving economic growth.

‘The fair aims to provide a platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and networking, bringing together industry leaders, government officials, in
novators, and entrepreneurs to forge new trade and investment relationships.

‘It also presents opportunities to explore new markets, establish valuable partnerships, and gain insights into the latest trends and advancements.’

Mr Dele Oye, National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), reiterated the importance of mobility to national development.

‘The significance of efficient transportation networks, accessible trade finance solutions, and fair taxation policies cannot be overstated,’ he said.

Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), commended the chamber’s efforts in organising the event, highlighting the crucial role of trade and industry in economic development.

He committed to creating a tax system that facilitated business growth and supported innovations, investment, and economic diversity.

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The event was attended by government officials,
heads of agencies, partners, and stakeholders from various fields.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria