NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
CODE tasks INEC on improved logistics in off-circle election
Politics

CODE tasks INEC on improved logistics in off-circle election

136 total views today

By Angela Atabo

Connected Development (CODE),a Civil Society Organisation, has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve on its logistics management, ahead of the Nov.11 Kogi,Bayelsa and Imo governorship election.

Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive of CODE, said this at the presentation of the ‘Uzabe: Nigeria Decides Citizen Led Election Report’ and CODE’s 10 years Citizen-Led Social Accountability Impact Annual Report in Abuja on Monday.

Lawal, also the founder, follow the money, said that the target of CODE was to empower marginalised communities in Africa and to collaborate with government institutions to deliver improved public service.

He call for INEC to improve on its logistics management was imperative because of the gaps observed in the 2023 general election.

He also urged INEC to explore the possibility of conducting all elections in one day to deepen transparency and credibility of the processes.

This, he said, was because the two separate elections days for the Presidential, National Assembly and Governorship, States Houses of Assembly election was cumbersome and expensive for the country and the citizenry.

“As CODE , if we are saddled with the responsibility of undertaking electoral management, first, we will invest heavily in logistics, which is one impediment.

“The second is human capital development and training of ad hoc staff in time, not a few weeks to elections, this is because these are two major gaps we faced in the last elections.

“This is an off circle election so there should be no pressure on the commission,” he said.

Lawal said that CODE would deploy observers in Kogi,Bayelsa and Imo and establish a situation room hub in Kogi for the Nov.11 poll.

He said the situation room would coordinate observers in the three states that would send real time situation reports from all the local government areas in the states.

“Also CODE is expanding across Africa. In Liberia where we have follow the money, on Oct. 10 they will be going for their presidential and national elections .

“CODE will support civil societies in Liberia to deploy observers in the field, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and we will be working closely with the Federation of Liberian Youths to deploy observers.

“We will provide them with technical support, capacity building and a situation room to monitor the election,’’ he said.

Lawal said that although there were electoral tribunals going on, there was no need for tension or for people to take laws into their hands, rather, Nigerians should have confidence in the judicial process.

“I think there is no need for any tension and there is no cause for alarm. I have confidence in Nigeria’s judicial process, and we will continue to support that process and ensure that nobody takes the laws into their hands.

“I also want to speak directly to young people. Democracy is a process Nigeria’s democracy is still emerging, we have made history by ensuring nobody toppled our democracy for over 20 years.

“I believe that we should build on the gains while working to close the gaps,’’ he said.

Mr Emmanuel Njoku, the Director, Democracy and Governance, CODE, said there was a need for INEC to seek for more electoral reforms to capture some issues.

Njoku said that for example, INEC needed to find a way for workers on electoral duty to vote, possibly by seeking reforms in the Electoral Act so that they were not disenfranchised.

He said INEC hired about 1.5 million ad hoc staff across Nigeria ,in the last election and all of them could not vote on election day excluding security agencies deployed on election duty.

“If these people on election duty gets to vote,they will be more informed on how to vote ,but for over two million people not voting that is not good for our democracy and our elections.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Firm inaugurates Nigeria’s 1st insurance Whatsapp-enabled platform
General News

Firm inaugurates Nigeria’s 1st insurance Whatsapp-enabled platform

237 total views today

By Diana Omueza

BAS Insurance Brokers has inaugurated MAYA, a low-tech-enabled insurance product on WhatsApp to enables car owners have easy access to car insurance policy from their phones within 24 hours.

Ms Patricia Maigida, Chief Operating Officer (COO) BAS Insurance, said this at the inauguration of the product on Monday in Abuja.

According to her, the product is an easy and convenient whatsapp chatbox solution that saves time and money in accessing insurance.

“MAYA is just an easy and convenient whatsapp chatbox solution and distribution channel for quick and easy access to insurance.

“One of the problems of insurance in Nigeria is the distribution channels that are limited, so this is us creating a distribution channel added to the ones we have in existence.

“With your phone, you can now get your car insured.

“We believe this innovation will deepen the insurance penetration in Nigeria by cutting down on the long process of getting insurance policy,” she said

Maigida said the initiative to use whatsapp was due to its common usage by majority of phone users and car owners.

She said that with the product car owners need not download another app, but only save the MAYA number as a contact on their mobile device.

“Once you have MAYA as a contact on your phone, all you need to do is to chat Hi and the system is smart enough to respond asking what you want; whether a question to renew vehicle insurance or to get started.

“Once you click, you follow the processes.

“It can help you access your car chassis number in your vehicle, upload the car image and your driver’s license and immediately you will get your insurance policy number and certificate.

“The same process applies to making claims also. You click and follow the process to make claims; upload necessary documents and claims which may be gotten in not more than 24 hours,” Maigida said.

Mr Mordecai Gbaratu, Lead Marketing, BAS Insurance Brokers, said the product had been carefully studied to effectively meet its targeted market audience and evolve the insurance eco-system within a short time frame.

“MAYA brings the conversation back to consumers; enables them experience insurance on a platform with baseline quality in terms of service delivery.

“I am proud we are putting our best foot forward and we hope Nigerians embrace the opportunity of being one step ahead of unplanned uncertainty with everyday living,” he said.

On his part, Mr Aroh Kenneth, Principal Manager Licensing and Regulation, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) said that the innovation was a welcomed development to the insurance eco-system in the country.

“It is no longer news that technology has come to stay in the business space and it did not elude the insurance eco-system.

“One of the insurance strategic goals is to encourage innovation and this is one of the areas we need to develop.

“With innovation like this, one can get insurance certificate particularly the motor aspect, from the comfort of their homes,” he said.

Ms Ifesinachi Okpagu, the Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs General Insurance, said the innovation and partnership with BAS Insurance Brokers was significant especially in promoting digital insurance.

“We believe that every Nigerian should have access to insurance and this is one of the ways to drive our mission and partnership. As the first digital insurance company this is a win for us,” she said.

Okpagu said the product aligned with Heirs insurance study and proposition on insurance policy and urged stakeholders to support its sustenance.

The representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) lauded the innovation and commended the insurance group for striving to make car insurance quick and easy for car owners.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MAYA insurance chatbox, through the WhatsApp Application, enables users to effortlessly navigate their insurance journey from purchasing policies to making claims from the comfort of a phone.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Isaac Aregbesola

Torture victims recount ordeal, seek prosecution of perpetrators
Defence/Security

Torture victims recount ordeal, seek prosecution of perpetrators

186 total views today

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) has called on government at all levels to ensure rehabilitation of torture victims and prosecution of perpetrators.

The Executive Director, PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh made the call during a training for Medical and Legal Practitioners on Medico-Legal documentation and rehabilitation of torture victims, on Monday in Abuja.

Agomoh said PRAWA had been pushing for torture victims to be heard, adding that the capacity building was to build strategies and have a core group to drive the campaign.

She said that the training would offer the participants the necessary skills and competency to properly document cases of torture in the country.

The executive director said records of proper investigation of torture and treatment of victims were necessary in building concrete evidence for prosecution of perpetrators.

“Basically, we have to keep pushing as we have lawyers in this training aside medical practitioners.

“So, it is a question of ensuring that there is a strong coordination and collaboration between legal profession, psychologists, and medical doctors and of course the lawyers in the paralegal.

“Imagine having the real fact, so that once you go to court, you are ready to roll.

“I think it is wrong not to prosecute all the perpetrators, once you don’t do that, it is like accepting impunity, it will continue like that.

“We are also pushing that everyone charged for such offence should be duly prosecuted, they should also be sanctioned when found guilty, because that is really the key thing, “she said.

Earlier, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba, said there was need to recognise that torture victims require medical and psycho-social support.

According to her, it is not enough to punish perpetrators of torture without providing necessary support for the victims.

She therefore said that the training would help to develop a framework for providing medical, psycho-social and legal support to victims of torture.

“This is because they need to also seek legal remedy for all they have been through. This is timely at a time when we are reviewing our anti-torture legislation and the policy framework.

“Government is doing a lot at least to reduce it to barest minimum.”

The solicitor-general said that the issue of torture reduction had been infused into the training manual of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

“We are working on strategic engagement like stakeholders workshops, training and retraining to ensure that they understand that having coercive force doesn’t give you the power to do as you like.

“Nigeria like other countries in the global community has obligations to ensure that citizens are free from torture in line with the commitments we have made and in line with the Constitutions as well.

“Obviously, there will also be recalcitrant law enforcement agencies but I think that once punitive measures are handed out, this will bring the incidence to the barest minimum,” she added.

A torture victim, Mrs Oluwafunsho Adeniyi, said the National Assembly should review existing laws to provide stringent punishment for perpetrators of torture and their collaborators.

Adeniyi believes that if adequate sanctions are provided, those who believe that torture is normal would come to their senses.

“Government agencies that have the capabilities to address this torture issue should do more and be accessible to ordinary persons like me.

“As a victim of torture, I don’t know if there is anyone stopping torture from being done to people.

“I had an issue with my ex-husband regarding the custody of our children, he went to report and claim that I am a kidnapper, and that I kidnapped our own children.

“He has been using the Police to torture me and my family,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by PRAWA, UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, Independent Forensic Expert Group, and International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Maharazu Ahmed

Stakeholders want FG to overhaul national business, human rights
General News

Stakeholders want FG to overhaul national business, human rights

145 total views today

By Fortune Abang

Some stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to constitute and inaugurate the National Working Group on Business and Human Rights (NWGBHR) to achieve meaningful progress.

The stakeholders gave the advice in a communique issued on their behalf by Ms Naomi Nwokolo, Executive-Director of United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria (UNGC-NN), in Abuja.

Nwokolo said the communique was unanimously adopted by the stakeholders on outcome of the 2023 National Business and Human Rights Roundtable held on Aug. 18, in Lagos.

The roundtable with the theme: “Giving effect to the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in Nigeria” centered on understanding and effective implementation of Nigeria’s recently approved “National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

The roundtable is a multi-stakeholder initiative which promotes dialogue between various businesses, government, regulators, business host communities, consumers and civil society as partners of business and human rights community in Nigeria.

The roundtable was coordinated by a National Steering Committee, co-chaired by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) with Global Rights as Secretariat.

Other steering committee members include CSR in-Action, Accountability Lab Nigeria, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Paradigm Initiative, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Oxfam in Nigeria and EarthNews Nigeria.

“Government must constitute and inaugurate the NWGBHR provided in the Action Plan, to effectively develop strategies and closely monitor implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

“Government must set measurable targets, responsibilities and baselines for monitoring, and evaluating success of the implementation of the Action Plan.

“Strategies for implementing the Action Plan must of necessity include the key principles in the Child Rights Act, Labour Act, Data Protection Act, Persons with Disability Act and other relevant legislation.

“To ensure inclusivity and consideration of all interests in promoting human rights,” she said.

Nwokolo explained that once constituted, NWGBHR would create an independent body responsible for managing a grievance reporting mechanism.

Also, such body should channel grievances to appropriate public authorities or regulators, track response by the authority, ensure rapid response to grievances, and establish clear consequences for violations.

“Strategies for implementing the Action Plan must include recognition of good practices and strict sanctions for violations.

“Establish a centralized report for various actions and initiatives, ensuring all relevant matters are properly documented and accessible.

“Government must ensure that available stakeholder platforms for meaningful engagements remain open to all stakeholders, including business host communities, in designing the structure of engagements and reflecting inclusivity in participation.”

She further said that since the past eight years, Global Rights, which serves as the secretariat of the National Business and Human Rights Roundtable, facilitated the annual roundtable through partnership with NHRC.

Others include, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Integrity Organization Limited (Gte), CSR-in-Action, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), MAN and UNGC-NN, which co-convened this year’s roundtable.

The Action Plan enable the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) Framework, to ensure Access-to-Remedy for individuals or communities adversely affected by business operations in Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.com.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/Isaac Aregbesola

NFC tasks minister on key film industry’s policies
Entertainment

NFC tasks minister on key film industry’s policies

242 total views today

By Priscilla Osaje

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has urged the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa, to revisit some key film industry’s policies
that have the capabilities of enhancing the sector.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr Brian Etuk.

Etuk said that the Managing Director of NFC, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, gave the advice while presenting a catalogue of film festival to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa in Abuja.

Maduekwe noted that the policies would help in sustaining the sector’s contributions to content creation, effective film distribution and exhibition.

He added that the minster should also revisit training and capacity building, as well as the establishment of the National Film Development Fund (NFDF).

Maduekwe said the corporation had achieved 10-year hosting partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in 2021 through a Memorandum of Understanding which designated Abuja as the official host city.

According to him, it is natural for Abuja to be named the official host city for the film festival in line with best global practices. For instance, the cities of Cannes, Toronto, Durban and others.

The NFC chief said that the film industry challenges that had slowed down the development process and growth rate of the sector, particularly the laws, including the NFC Act of 1979 that needed to be reviewed.

“This has never undergone any single amendment in the last 44 years, and other legal framework for the Motion Picture Practitioners Council (MOPICON)”, he said.

“The National Film Institute (NFI), Jos has continued to provide training and capacity building for Nigeria in film and television production, including entrepreneurial skills acquisition for youths across the geopolitical zones of the country.

“This is achieved through its Mobile Audiovisual Training Platform, aside the Master Degree Programme in Film Culture and Archiving Studies.

“The progress at the National Film Video and Sound Archive (NFVSA), recently designated the national repository for audio-visual heritage was also brought into focus,” he said.

Responding, the minister commended the NFC for its various achievements in spite of its obsolete law.

She acknowledged the critical role the film industry played and had continued to play in the growth and development of the nation’s economy.

The minister assured NFC that the government was determined to ensure an effective and efficient film industry.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Deji Abdulwahab

NVMA tasks agric ministers on improved animal health delivery
Agriculture

NVMA tasks agric ministers on improved animal health delivery

181 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), has appealed to the Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security to work towards improved animal healthcare delivery in the country.

Dr Oluwatoyin Adetuberu, President of the association made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

She said that such measure would guarantee food security in the country.

Speaking on the backdrop of NVMA expectations from the ministers, she specifically appealed to them to employ more veterinarians in the sector.

Adefuberu described the measure as key to ensuring improved animal healthcare delivery and boost food security.

The president identified dearth of manpower in the veterinary industry as a lingering challenge to effective veterinary services in Nigeria.

“Employment of more veterinary doctors into the animal health sector will lead to improved animal healthcare thereby boosting the nation’s food security.

“The more healthy animals we have, the more food security that is guaranteed, ” she said.

Adefuberu pledged the commitment of the association to work harmoniously with the ministers to move the animal sector to greater height. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Joseph Edeh

Public Service: BPSR collaborates with ICT firm to boost efficiency
Metro

Public Service: BPSR collaborates with ICT firm to boost efficiency

193 total views today

 

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) is set to collaborate with an Information Communication Technology (ICT) company known as ‘Educatial’ to have a skilled, competent and responsible public service.

The Director-General of BPSR, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, on Friday in Abuja said the collaboration was a development to revolutionise the public service.

According to Arabi, the e-government master plan of the Federal Government has pre-empted Educatial’s initiative.

“The collaboration is solidified in the signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bureau and Educatial.

“So our engagement, discussion and work with you are based on the tenants of e-government Master Plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I stand before you with a great sense of optimism and purpose as we normalised our partnership through the signing of this MoU,” he said.

He said that the agency understood that a well-equipped and skilled work force was the backbone of every thriving nation.

“It is imperative to equip them with skills to exceed the ever overloading demands of the world.

“Educatial with it comprehensive solution encompassing hardware, software infrastructure, housing and support, share a vision for a more capable and competent public service.

“This partnership is not just about acquiring technology. It is about equipping our work force with the tools and skills necessary to excel on the global stage,” Arabi stressed.

He explained that the Bureau had clear expectations that `Educatial’ would deliver specialise courses that are tailored to unique means of the public servants.

Arabia stressed that the courses should serve as catalyst for enhancing public servants’ skills, competence and professionalism.

“It is our firm believe that investment in our work force will lead to improved quality of government services, greater efficiency and 0increase effectiveness in our citizens.

“We look onto you not only as an education resource, but as partner of a journey to transform and elevate the standard of public service of the country.

“Let us remember that signing of the MoU is not a mere formality. It is a commitment and an affirmation of our shared vision for a more skilled, competent and responsible public service,” Arabi said.

Speaking earlier, the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Educatial, Mr Fancis Muofunanya, said his company dedicated to revolutionising the education landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our commitment to transformative learning has led us to develop a cutting-edge ‘EdTech SaaS Ecosystem’, tailored to meet the unique challenges of education in Nigeria and Africa.

“We come together with a shared purpose, to harness the power of education and technology to empower government employees and enhance their capabilities.

“We recognize the immense value of a skilled and efficient public workforce in shaping the nation’s trajectory. Our partnership will see the integration of Educatial’s advanced tools into the training programs for government employees.

“This integration will not only equip them with cutting-edge skills but also optimize their performance in service delivery,” Muofunanya said.

He explained that Educatial was committed to tailoring bespoke solutions that cater to the specific training and development needs of various government agencies.

He added that Educatial’s objective aligns seamlessly with the Bureau’s mission to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service through skill development.

“As we unite our expertise and resources, we have the potential to create a more responsive and adept public sector workforce, capable of steering Nigeria toward its rightful place of eminence on the global stage.

“As we embark on this journey of collaboration, innovation, and progress, let us remember that the transformation of our nation’s public service is not just a task but a collective responsibility.

“Together, we have the capacity to mould a public sector that is not only proficient but also visionary, a sector that leads by example and sets new standards of excellence,” Muofunanya said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mou was signed by Arabi, Muofunanya and the legal advisers from the Bureau and Educatial. (NAN)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Climate Change Act: Stakeholders call for effective enforcement to achieve goals
Economy/Business

Climate Change Act: Stakeholders call for effective enforcement to achieve goals

177 total views today

 

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Some stakeholders have canvassed for the support of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), non- governmental organisations and others for initiatives to drive Climate Change Act effective enforcement and engender sustainability.

They made the advocacy at the American Business Council (ABC) and Lagos Business School (LBS) Sustainability Law Review with the theme: “Pathway to Implementation for a Successful Energy Transition”.

The event held on Friday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Climate Change Act to provide a framework for Nigeria to achieve climate goals, net zero emissions, long-term social and economic sustainability, and resilience.

Prof. Bankole Sodipo, Senior Partner, G.O. Sodipo and Co., said that effective enforcement of the law was critical to achieving the goals.

Sodipo also emphasised the need for massive trainings for regulators of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to handle the oil and gas sector more effectively.

He urged the OPS, governments and other stakeholders to enlighten Nigerians on best practices to preserve the climate.

“It is commendable that government has passed both bills into law; so, the work ahead is to ensure implementation.

“There is need for campaigns, documentaries and movies that break down the impact of climate change on the environment, the country and the world at large.

“There is also need for tax rebates, incentives for people that are compliant to the Climate Change Act, to encourage organisations to adopt sustainability into their operations,” he said.

Ms Damilola Alada, Associate, Bloomfield LP, said that the Climate Change Act served as a mechanism to influence change, show more commitment, give direction and ensure awareness by everyone, of government’s position on sustainability.

She, however, noted that enforcement of both laws could not be left to the government alone.

According to her, everyone with the capacity should take the initiative to actualise the objectives of the laws.

Alada urged that action plans on climate change agenda should be broken down into phases and timelines to achieve desired results.

“There is also need to diversify energy mix in Nigeria to reduce reliance on fuel; there is need to improve investment in technology, develop local capacity and carry more people along.

“These same regulators are not going to be there by 2060, and the understanding, knowledge and technology need to be shared to carry on the goals and objectives of sustainability,” she said.

Ms Lovelyn Aniekwe, representative of Punuka Attorneys, called for incentives for companies with a carbon capture system and utilisation for gas.

Aniekwe said that capacity development for stakeholders was important to inform them about the laws and help them to know where they were headed with regard to sustainability.

“It is also important to have mechanisms to implement the frameworks in place and begin to ensure that all laws across sectors of the Nigerian economy are climate-proof.

“Nigeria must also get the judiciary involved, develop a registry, methodology and system that help to track reporting and verification of emissions.

“It is important to begin to guarantee every citizen a right to clean environment by allowing the right kind of investment that shows a shift from fuel to renewable energy, putting in place adaptive measures to drive the transition,” she said.

Mr Oludare Senbore, representative of Aluko and Oyebode LP, said that legal frameworks would facilitate achievement of the goals.

He said that there was the need to create a structure to drive carbon trading and set up a body through which the market could manage gas emissions.

“We must all collaborate on the plan to set up a carbon market.

“Nigeria, however, needs the right technology base to drive transition, and there is also need for public enlightenment,” he said.

Mrs Margaret Olele, Chief Executive Officer of ABC, said that the council would continue to remain the voice of American businesses in Nigeria and work hard to drive trade between Nigeria and America.

Olele urged the private sector to adopt sustainability practices, harness opportunities in it and collaborate with the public sector and the academia to drive implementation.

Responding, the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr Salisu Dahiru, said that plans were underway to decarbonize the Nigerian environment and ensure energy transition.

Dahiru was represented by Mrs Jummai Vandu, Principal Chemical Engineer, NCCC.

He said that NCCC was prepared to work with the LBS, ABC and other stakeholders willing to drive energy transition and achieve Nigeria’s climate change agenda.

“Climate change requires strategic partnership, shared solutions and shared interest to drive sustainability.

“Nigeria is committed to the carbon market, and part of the NCCC mandate is to drive low carbon emission via a carbon trading mechanism.

“We are proposing a carbon chart and emission trading system, and we are ready to partner to ensure it is achieved,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

AMAC begins implementation of Park and Pay Policy, says Chairman
Metro

AMAC begins implementation of Park and Pay Policy, says Chairman

208 total views today

 

By Ruth Oketunde/ Ndubuisi Nwachukwu

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) says the Park and Pay policy in the City Center and some other parts of the FCT began on Friday.

Maikalangu said this while addressing a news conference at the council secretariat on Friday in Abuja.

The chairman, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Inyang, Supervisory Councillor, Special Duties, AMAC, said that FCT Administration and other stakeholders have been briefed on the policy.

He said the policy falls within the jurisdiction of the area council as enshrined in the constitution and bye-law of the area council.

The chairman said that sign posts have been planted in areas where the policy would be executed.

He listed the areas to include: City center, Garki, Asokoro, and Maitama.

He added that a court judgement in 2014, upheld that the rights to collect such tax falls under the purview of the area council.

“AMAC as a council has decided to start the park and pay scheme and we are doing this with a human face, as it comes with a very little amount of money to those who will be parking around the stipulated areas.

“A token of 100 naira per hour will be charged and we don’t want anybody to pay cash. You can pay through the POS and we have made it easy as you can pay monthly or yearly and get your tickets from the officials that AMAC has mandated to carry out the exercise.

“We want to inform the residents that the park and pay policy has started today, Sept. 1.

“This is also to curtail indiscriminate parking, car theft, congestion in the city and promoting sanitation in the capital city,”he said.

He appealed to residents to cooperate with the officials enforcing the policy as all revenue received will be used for infrastructural development of rural areas in the council.

“Very soon, we will be rolling out scholarship scheme for indigenes and non-indigenes of the area council and empowerment scheme for women.

“We have already constructed roads and some are still on-going, we have so many things on water projects, provision of drugs in our hospitals and provided employment for our youths, among others.

“We are pleading with Nigerians not to take laws into their hands, as defaulters would be fined and charged to mobile courts.

“For places within the city where some vehicles are parked, especially organisations which do not have enough parking spaces, we have made provision to have a corporate parking agreement with those organisations, where a negotiable amount of money will be charged,”he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Sadiya Hamza

APC Chairman assures women of better representation in Tinubu-led govt
Politics

APC Chairman assures women of better representation in Tinubu-led govt

217 total views today

 

By Diana Omueza

Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured women in the country of better representation in the President Bola Tinubu-led government.

Ganduje gave the assurance when the National Coordinator of Aunty Zee Support Group, Cecilia Yashim, led a delegation on a visit to the chairman on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the president was committed to ensuring that Nigerian women enjoyed the dividends of democracy under his administration.

“The government is already implementing policies and programmes that would positively affect women.

“I want to urge you to align yourself with the office of the First Lady so that you can also benefit from the numerous programmes she has in her plans.

“We have heard you and your requests and we assure you that whatever we can do to assist you, we will do it,” he said.

In a remark, Yashim said the visit was to congratulate the chairman on his emergence as the leader of the party and to notify him of women’s demands.

She said the group, under the leadership of Hajia Zainab Ibrahim, the Deputy National Women Leader of the party, was fully set to enlighten Nigerians on government policies.

“We wish to please make demands that you as chairman of the party and all National Working Committee members look into, and handsomely reward our principal with a ministerial appointment.

“We won’t mind any befitting appointment that can encourage her to do more for the benefits of all Nigerians ,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

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