NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
On the left is representative of the SFG, Mr Simon Tyungu, Second to the left is representative of Niger Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Salisu, on the first right is Mr Efosa representative of Nigeria Governors Forum and on the second right is Mr Michael Ohiani Director-General of ICRC

Nigeria requires N348trn to address infrastructure deficit -ICRC D-G

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By Rita Iliya

Mr Michael Ohiani, Director-General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says Nigeria requires N348 trillion to address infrastructure deficit in the country.

He said this during a presentation at the Second Quarter 2024 Nigeria Public Private Partnership Network (NPPN) meeting in Minna on Wednesday.

The theme of the meeting was “Using PPPs in Infrastructure Delivery in the States to ensure National Food Security and Economic Growth”.

Ohiani disclosed that going by the Medium-Term Development Plan, the country required over N348.1 trillion investment in infrastructure.

He said the private sector would be able to provide the chunk of this investment to the tune of about N298.3 trillion while the sub-national governments can provide N49.7 trillion.

“This goes to show the importance of the private sector in infrastructure development,” Ohiani said.

He added that the revised National Infrastructure Investment Master Plan for the next 23 years envisaged that the country would require $2.2 trillion to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the country.

Ohiani said the various options available through which the government can raise funds were through borrowing, further repatriation of national funds and seeking further foreign intervention.

Other options, he added, were to raise more bonds, Sukuk, tax credit schemes, Public Private Partnership (PPP), both through solicited and unsolicited proposals.

In his keynote address, Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), commended state governors for embracing the benefits and opportunities of PPP as an alternative procurement method.

Akume, represented by Simon Tyungu, a Director in his Office, said the meeting was timely given the infrastructure deficit in the country and government’s efforts to invest in renewal and modernisation.

In his remarks, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger said his administration was focusing on farming, thereby taking advantage of the vast arable land in the state.

Bago, represented by Alhaji Abubakar Salisu, the state’s Head of Service, added that the state would continue to partner with the Federal Government and international agencies in respect of agricultural development.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Director-General of DMO, Patience Oniha

Ways and means securitisation responsible for N24trn debt rise – DMO

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By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Debt Management Office says the rise in Nigeria’s public debt stock from N97.34 trillion in December 2023 to N121.67 trillion in March 2024, is partly due to exchange rate fluctuations.

The Director-General of DMO, Patience Oniha, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

She was clarifying misconceptions about the recently released update of the country’s total debt profile.

She said that the securitisation of N4.90 trillion as part of the securitisation of the N7.3 trillion Ways and Means Advances approved by the National Assembly was also responsible for the N24.33 trillion increase in the debt stock.

According to her, there is also the interest rate, as well as new borrowing of N2.81 trillion as part of the N6.06 trillion provided in the 2024 budget.

She, however, emphasised that the debt stock included the domestic and external debt stock of the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The total public debt as at March 31, showed that the total public debt in Naira terms stood at N121.67 trillion compared to N97.34 trillion as at December 31, 2023.

“While detailed information was provided on the data such as the split between external and domestic debt as well as the fact that the debt stock includes the domestic and external debt stock of the 36 states and the FCT, it has become imperative to provide some explanations.

“It is important to recognise the fact that Nigeria has undergone some major reforms which have impacted economic indices such as the dollar/Naira exchange rate and interest rates.

“These two, in particular affect the debt stock and debt service,” she said.

Oniha said that the increase in Naira Terms of N24.33 trillion between the fourth quarter of 2023, and first quarter of 2024, did not strictly represent new borrowing.

She said that the total external debt stock was relatively flat at 42.50 billion dollars and 42.12 billion dollars in the fourth quarter of 2023, and first quarter of 2024 respectively.

“The Naira values were significantly different at N38.22 trillion and N56.02 trillion respectively, representing a difference of N17.8 trillion.

“This explains the perceived sharp increase of N24.33 trillion in the total debt stock in the first quarter of 2024.

“The difference in the exchange rate for the two periods also explains why in dollar terms, the total debt stock actually declined in the first quarter of 2024 to 91.46 billion dollars,” Oniha said.

She said that the debt report was an improvement from the past, before President Bola Tinubu government.

According to her, if you discount FX impact, the debt is moderate and within normal limit.

She urged the Federal Government to prioritise fiscal retrenchment, while assuring that the various measures to attract foreign exchange inflows would increase external reserves and support the Naira exchange rate. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

L-R: Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Popoola and the President of NOC, Habu Gumel, receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure

Paris Olympics: We’re ready to surpass previous achievements – NOC

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By Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) said on Tuesday that it has put everything on ground to surpass the achievements of the country at previous Olympics.

President of NOC, Habu Gumel, said this while receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure especially at Amuwo Odofin Olympic Sports Village in Lagos.

Gumel said that 80 athletes had so far qualified for the Olympics while additional five athletes were expected to join the team if they eventually qualify.

“We are calling this meeting to update Nigerians on our preparation for the Olympics scheduled to hold from July 26 to August 11 in Paris and to receive the reports of two committees set up for the progress of NOC.

“On the constitution review, NOC executive committee, the board, general assembly and the International Olympic Committee will look at the report before we say this is our final constitution.

“Those outside the country are already training and sports federations like boxing, weightlifting, wrestling and canoeing have started local trainings too.

“Some are in Germany, while some are in America; so, arrangement is on for us to achieve podium success; the Ministry of Sports Development and the NOC are collaborating seriously to achieve success in Paris.

“The last time we won two gold medals was in Atlanta, USA, in 1996, by Chioma Ajunwa, in long jump and the U-23 Dream Team, so, we are working so hard to break the jinx in Paris,” Gumel said.

According to him, winning silver or bronze has never been a challenge to the country’s athletes, but getting gold.

This, he said, was the reason behind the robust preparation designed for Team Nigeria ahead of the Olympics.

The Secretary-General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, on his part, pleaded with the Federal Government to release enough funds on time to enable the country to achieve the desired result at the Olympics.

“Our preparation is fair enough going by the understanding between the NOC and the Ministry of Sports. NOC is in charge of the Olympics and the Ministry is their partner, unlike in the past when there used to be a discretional kind of arrangement.

“But this time around, we have a strong synergy between NOC and the Ministry, and that has made a lot of things work better.

“For the athletes, they have done so well in the various international meets, breaking and creating records; the only thing we need to do now is to sustain it through positive media reports,” Popoola said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sani Garun-Gabbas, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the NOC constitution review committee, had earlier said the committee gathered a lot of experience while discharging their duty in the last four months.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

 

Police constables

Recruitment: Okiro urges harmony between PSC, Police

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By Joseph Edeh
Former Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mike Okiro has called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force to work in harmony for national security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police had alleged irregularities and corruption in the recruitment of Constables by the PSC during the 2022/23 batch.

Okiro, in a statement in Abuja, said that the fight against insecurity would remain a mirage, unless the commission and the police worked in harmony.

According to him, what Nigerians desire now is how the country will exit the ravaging insecurity pervading the land.

“I implore both parties to eschew whatever be their perceived bitterness and embrace the fact that their jobs go hand in hand.

“Their focus should be how to meet the overwhelming yearnings of the Nigerian people. That can only happen when mutual respect exists between both parties.

“I am very concerned that a minute issue that can be resolved through robust dialogue was allowed to fester to the level of washing dirty linens in public,“ he said.

He said that the lingering problem had done collateral damage to their public image, and ridiculed the international standing of Nigeria.

Okiro said that the powers of recruitment, discipline and promotion of police personnel other than the I-G, was vested in the PSC.

“It is not right for any police personnel to contemplate engaging in any misconduct in the course of performing assumed official duties,“ he said.

Okiro, who is a former chairman of the PSC, urged the commission to avoid over-flogging certain issues in the public domain.

“To move forward, it is imperative to work quickly and assiduously to address the real challenges facing Nigerians; else, the goodwill enjoyed by both parties will soon dissipate.

“This will further erode the fabric of confidence of Nigerians in our democratic process, which will spell doom for our economy too,” he said.

He urged the leadership of the commission and police to meet and resolve their differences, and give peace and national security a chance.

Okiro appealed to both parties to put the matter behind and rekindle the much needed cordial relationship for the successful candidates to start training on time. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sadiya Hamza

Kungaboku Village, Bwari Area Council, FCT

FCT farming community begs Wike for access road, basic amenities

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By Cynthia Okoye

The Kungaboku rural community in the Bwari Area Council, has appealed to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike for the construction of its access road and provision of potable water, other basic amenities.

Residents of the predominantly farming community, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

They urged the minister and other relevant bodies to safe them from being cut-off completely from the territory because of the bad state of the access road to the community.

Zephaniah Moses, the community youth leader said the only road leading to the community has been washed off by the rains making it very difficult for people to come in and go out .

“When heavy rains fall, the river across the road will be filled up. We will have to wait for at least, five hours, for the water to go down, before anyone can go out or come into the community

“What we need, is a bridge across the river. The palliative measures we have done on the road, through communal efforts have been washed off with the coming of the rains,” he said.

Moses also appealed for the provision of potable water, the rehabilitation of the only, LEA Primary School in the community, which he said the roofs of two of the blocks of classrooms, have been blown off by storm.

“Whenever it rains during school hours, the pupils will have to cramp in the few classrooms covered with roof for the rain to subside.

“The school also needs perimeter fencing to protect the pupils and their teachers from attack,” he said.

Mr Rafiu Akintoye, a resident and farmer, who said he has lived in Kungaboku for 15 years described the community as peaceful and the indigenes, accommodating.

On the poor state of the road, Akintoye recalled an incidence when the river across it washed away a car trying to go out of the community when it was raining.

According to him, it took the intervention of able-bodied young men in the community to rescue the occupants of the vehicle down the river.

He said before the community carried out the palliative maintenance on the road, there were times they would have to remain in the community for two days whenever there was heavy downpour.

Akintoye said that the primary healthcare centre in the community is also in dire need of rehabilitation, health workers and drugs.

Primary Healthcare Centre, Kungaboku, Bwari Area Council, FCT
Primary Healthcare Centre, Kungaboku, Bwari Area Council, FCT

According to him, the health carecentre built by government and equipped by the Rotary Club many years back is in a sorry state at the moment.

He said health workers are not readily available, especially in the night, putting sick residents at risk and there are no drugs to be dispensed for patients.

Primary Healthcare Centre, Kungaboku, Bwari Area Council, FCT
Primary Healthcare Centre, Kungaboku, Bwari Area Council, FCT

A poultry farmer in the community, Mrs Anna Jonah narrated how the bad access road has affected her business negatively.

“Coming in and going out of this community is the major challenge, especially for farmers who are dominant here.

“You have to trek a long distance before you can get “okada or keke” (commercial motorcycle or tricycle), many of them are not willing to come here.

On Saturday, I paid N5,000 to a “keke” man who brought in my chicken feeds, a distance of just 10 minutes. The fare will not have been up to that if the road is good.

People that come in here, to buy the birds also complain about the bad road and use the opportunity to underprice our birds,” she said.

She appealed to the Minister, the Bwari Area Council and other relevant bodies to come to their aid in fixing the road for ease of doing their business.

Mr Omerigwe Bartholomew, who did his national youths service’s programme in a farm in Kungaboku some years back, said he has remained in the village doing his own farming.

He said some of the big farms in the village are being leased out by the owners because of poor infrastructure and unfavourable business environment.

“I am into poultry, livestock and crops production. Right now, I am coming from my cassava farm

“I choose to remain in this village, after my youth service, because the villagers are peaceful and accommodating.

“We have not recorded clashes between farmers and herders here because we all live peacefully and when there is misunderstanding, the community head resolve it amicably,” he said.

Bartholomew appealed to the FCT administration to fix the infrastructure in Kungaboku village, particularly the access road, healthcare facility and potable water.

He also urged agricultural agencies to visit the village for possible  establishment of farm clusters.

He assured that such development would boost agricultural production in the area and attract many youths to site more farm projects in the area. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

AKK gas pipeline critical to Nigeria’s industrialisation, economic growth – Edun

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has described the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project as critical to the industrialisation and economic growth of Nigeria.

Edun stated this on Friday, during a working visit of three cabinet Ministers to the AKK gas pipeline project site where they inspected the River Kaduna crossing milestone of the project in Kaduna.

This is coming just as the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari, assured Nigerians that the project would be delivered by the end of the first quarter 2025.

This is contained in a statement by Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd.

Edun was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Malagi, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Speaking at the project site, Edun described the AKK gas pipeline as the pipeline of prosperity, which is very dear to the President, because it will deliver the critical infrastructure needed to trigger the nation’s economic growth and industrialisation.

“The AKK gas pipeline is crucial for this administration and its delivery is in line with Mr President’s strategy of bringing prosperity to the people,” Edun added.

Malagi said the AKK gas pipeline project was a testimony that the Federal Government’s “Decade of Gas” has commenced in earnest.

“Nigerians should be proud of the AKK Gas Pipeline project. With the delivery of this project, the prosperity that Mr President is always talking about is unravelling right here before our eyes,” he said.

Also speaking, Ekpo described the gas pipeline as part of the Federal Government’s many efforts to harness the nation’s abundant gas resources toward improving power generation, revamping ailing industries and creating employment opportunities.

Ekpo urged all stakeholders to support the NNPC Ltd. towards delivering the project and several other gas projects as the country depends on it to bring prosperity to the people.

The three ministers, who lauded the NNPC Ltd. and its project partner, Brentex/CPP Ltd (BCL) on the progress made so far, also expressed optimism that the NNPC will deliver as promised.

Earlier, the GCEO NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari gave the assurance the Project would be delivered by first quarter of 2025, as major segments of the job have been completed.

“Without promising too much, we assure you that this project will be delivered on schedule.

“Our mission is to work towards delivering it by December 2024. But we are confident this project will be delivered by first quarter of 2025,” Kyari said.

The GCEO, who said the NNPC Ltd. recognises the strategic importance and enormous value of the project to Nigeria’s economy, said the Company was bankrolling the project on the back of its own balance sheet.

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, represented by his deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said the completion of the AKK gas pipeline would herald the much-needed economic and industrial revival in the state.

“If you know about the Kakuri Industrial Area and how most of our factories there have become moribund, you will understand why we in Kaduna State are all excited about the AKK Gas Pipeline.

“Without doubt, the pipeline will revamp our industries and bring about a huge impact on our people. We can’t wait for it to be completed,” the Governor said.

The AKK gas pipeline is a 40 inch by 614km linear pipeline system running from Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Kano state.

It has associated intermediate terminal gas facilities and other related equipment to transport natural gas to off-takers at Abuja, Kaduna and Kano. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

R: Partner, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) Nigeria, Mr Kenneth Erikume; Rep. of Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Corporative, Trade and Investment, Mr Asiribo Rasaq; Director General NACCIMA, Mr Sola Obadimu; Chairman Ikeja Branch, Elder Robert Ugbaja; Rep. of Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Dr Hassan Samit and Public Relations Executive of MAN, Mrs Omotayo Okewunmi at the 2024 CEOs Breakfast meeting of Ikeja Branch

Manufacturing: experts seek end to overlapping regulatory functions

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Experts have called for the adoption of good regulatory governance principles to tackle the implications of overlapping regulatory functions on business operations and the manufacturing sector.

They made the call on Thursday in Lagos at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ikeja branch, 2024 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) breakfast meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the meeting had as its theme: “Harmonising Regulatory Compliance: The Impact of Overlapping Regulatory Function on Business Operations”.

Dr Muda Yusuf, Founder, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises(CPPE), said the call was particularly important as this was not the best of times for manufacturers and investors in the economy.

Yusuf stated that regulatory risk was one of the biggest risks that businesses had to cope with in the Nigerian economy.

This, he noted, could manifest as overlapping regulatory regimes, too many regulations, sporadic and frequent regulatory changes and absence of dispute resolution mechanism between businesses and the regulators.

“There are several cases of overlapping regulatory functions creating challenges for manufacturers and its impact is with respect to cost, irritation and distraction of having to attend to numerous agencies of government.

“Because manufacturing business is long term, regulatory risk is a major source of worry for manufacturers as manufacturers do not have the luxury of switching easily from one product line to another.

“Hence, the need for regulatory risk needs to be kept to the barest minimum,” he said.

The CPPE boss also stressed the urgent need to harmonise the applicable exchange rate for the computation of import duty.

He said the import prohibition of 41 items by the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was a classic case of overlapping and conflicting functions of the CBN and fiscal authorities on trade.

Yusuf noted that while the policy lasted, it created a lot of confusion in the international trade ecosystem as items that were on the CBN import prohibition list were not on the fiscal policy prohibition list.

He stressed that the regulator’s purpose and regulatory objectives should be clearly defined and communicated to the regulator, the regulated, and the general public.

“Governance arrangements for regulators should promote efficiency, effectiveness and integrity.

“Stakeholders should be able to predict, with a high degree of confidence, what decision a regulator is likely to make in particular circumstances.

“Regulators should engage systematically with stakeholders through transparent, formal mechanisms that guard against “regulatory capture” by one or more stakeholders.

“Also, regulators should be accountable to the government and parliament, the regulated entities, and the general public for their decisions and use of resources,” he said.

President, MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, said that while regulations were essential for safety and quality, the overlapping and sometimes contradictory regulations increased operational costs and ultimately hindered business growth.

He noted that Nigeria’s regulatory landscape was characterised by a multitude of agencies, each with its own set of rules and requirements.

Meshioye said that though the intention behind these regulations was often to protect the public interest, ensure compliance, and promote industrial standards, the lack of coordination and harmonisation among regulatory bodies created bottlenecks to businesses.

“These bottlenecks have adverse effects such as operational inefficiencies, increased compliance costs, delayed production, uncertainty and risks.

“It is pertinent to note that the need for harmonisation of regulations is not about reducing standards or compromising on safety and quality but about creating a more coherent, predictable, and business-friendly regulatory environment,” he said.

Elder Robert Ugbaja, Chairman, MAN Ikeja Branch, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing regulatory challenges and driving positive change.

Ugbaja called for the development of practical strategies that promote regulatory harmonisation that had the potential to unlock the full capacities of Nigerian businesses and industries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Court symbol

LASG arraigns ex-Punch worker over alleged N998m fraud

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By Ngozi Njoku

The Lagos State Government on Thursday arraigned a former employee of Punch Nigeria Ltd., Olusegun Ogunbanjo, charged with N998 million stationary fraud.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogunbanjo, whose residential address was not provided, was arraigned on eight counts bordering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit obtaining under false pretence, stealing and forgery.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his not guilty plea, the state Counsel, Mrs Qawiat Shomade, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison, pending the hearing and the determination of his bail application.

The Defence Counsel, Mr T.E. Okeke, informed the court that he was appearing for the first time in the matter and that he needed ample time to file the bail application.

Okeke pleaded with the court for a closer date for him to file and move the bail application on behalf of his client.

“My lord, I plead for a closer date to tender an application to grant the defendant bail,” he said.

Justice Ismail Ijelu, thereafter, remanded the defendant in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

Ijelu told the defence that the court would have looked into the bail application if it was ready.

“If you had your application, the court would have looked into it but while we wait for it, the defendant should be remanded at the correctional facility,” he said.

The judge adjourned the case until Oct.16 for commencement of trial.

Earlier, the prosecution told the court that the defendant with others still at large allegedly committed the offences between January 2017 and December 2022 in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The prosecution submitted one of the court count that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N417 million from one Mr Durodola Balogun on the pretext that he was going to use the money to purchase stationaries and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecutor also alleged the defendant fraudulently collected N581 million from one Mr Olusola lkuyajesin under the guise of purchasing stationaries and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.

The state counsel told the court that the defendant allegedly stole and converted the sum of $5,000, property of lkuyajesin to his personal use.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant forged Punch Local Purchase Orders.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences violate Sections 411 (2) 314, 285, 287 and 365 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The vice-chancellor, Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah performing the ground breaking of the 9600 bed space ultramodern students'hostels

UniAbuja to construct 9600 bed space ultramodern student’s hostel

271 total views today

By Uche Bibilari

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has commenced the construction of 9,600 bed space ultramodern students’ hostels to cost N16 billon, under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to be completed in September 2025.

Mr Philip Uzouku, the Chairman/Managing Director, Philkruz WA Ltd., disclosed this during the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of the students’ hostels on Thursday in Abuja.

Uzouku said that the company would build and manage the hostels for over 30 years, recoup their money before handing it over to the university.

“We have been on this journey for over eight years, pushing through thick and thin.

“This project will not stop until we finish it, so that by next year September, we will start taking new students to live in it.

“The 9,600 bed space will cost N16 billion and I have six slots in the University of Abuja that will cost about N48 billion to complete it.

“The landmark is 10 hecters per slot; each slot is 1600 beds spaces.

“When we build and manage it for over 30 years and recoup our money before we hand over to the university,” he said.

He said that the company’s motivation to embark on this project was not only to make profit and enrich their pockets.

According to him, the motivation is borne out of the desire to partner with the university to contribute in their efforts to provide modern, affordable and state of the arts students’ hostels.

Uzouku appreciated the Vice-chancellor, Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, for giving him the opportunity to be among the investors that have been selected to help alleviate the accommodation problem facing the university.

On his part, Na’Allah urged wealthy citizens to come and build facilities in the university, adding that public universities should not be a government business alone.

He said that the university could accommodate any PPP arrangement that would like to come and build hostels, staff quarters, and canteens among others in the university.

According to him, with enough hostels the university will make a policy that all students’ will be in the hostels, so that anyone who wishes to stay off campus will need to apply for exemption.

The Registrar, Yahaya Mohammed said that at the moment, the university could only accommodate 6,000 out of the 26,000 regular students.

Mohammed said that the hostels when completed would be a big relief to the students who were off campus.

“If there are enough hostels, many students will like to stay as this will help to ease the stress of coming from outside the campus.

“This will be a good market also for other investors to come and invest as they will recoup their money within a short period of time.

“It will not be a project that any investors would lose or regret partnering with the university,” he said.

He said that the university has over 63,000 regular and non-regular students.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UniAbuja and Philkruz signed the hand-over certificate and the project was officially handed over to the company. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Managing Director of NEMSA, Mr Aliyu Tahir,

NEMSA urges establishment of electricity offences tribunal

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Constance Athekame

The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) has called for the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal for faster dispensation of electricity related offences.

The Managing Director of NEMSA, Mr Aliyu Tahir, who made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a news conference, said that the tribunal should have an in-built appeal system.

Tahir said that NEMSA in house-counsel should be vested with powers to prosecute electricity offences.

“The establishment of this tribunal will assist NEMSA to enforce its mandate of ensuring that electrical materials, equipment and instruments used in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) are of standard and specifications.

“The sanctioning of violators is a long process as it involves several steps .To fast- track the prosecution, this tribunal will go a long in ensuring that violators are effectively prosecuted

“The establishment of this tribunal is not under NEMSA Purveyor and we have made a submission to the legislature on this,” he said.

According to him, as at March 31, NEMSA had inspected and tested 21, 681 electricity installations projects out of which 13, 154 were certified.

He said that 16,624 electricity networks were monitored, adding that about 4,921 factories, hazardous installations and public places were inspected, tested and certified fit.

Tahir said that 2,655,488 electricity meters were also tested and calibrated and 487 incidences were investigated.

The managing director said that NEMSA was taking several measures to enhance its enforcement activities.

He listed the measures to include the development of the Nigerian electrical and construction guidelines manuals, provision of the state-of-the art equipment for meter test statistics, expansion of NEMSA facilities across the nation.

Others, he said were the completion and inauguration of a new National Meter Test Station (NMTS) and the opening of a new Inspectorate Field Office (IFO) in Enugu.

“Construction of a new NMTS in Kano and Benin city, establishment of new inspectorate field office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Minna, Niger, Dutse, Jigawa,Oshodi Lagos, Owerri, Imo and Bauchi.

“NEMSA had issued an enforcement notice to Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), to disconnect from their networks all structures within the Right-of-Way(ROW) of transmission and distribution lines nationwide,” he said.

Tahir assured Nigerians of the agency’s determination to continue its statutory function of technical inspection, testing and certification of electrical materials in the NESI.

He, however, solicited the support of the media for effective coverage of NEMSA activities. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

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