By AbdulFatai Beki

The city of Ilorin, the Kwara capital, recorded its first rainfall of the year on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heavy downpour, which lasted over an hour, was a welcome relief for residents who had experienced hot weather condition in the past few months.

Some of the areas which witnessed the heavy downpour are Gaa-Akanbi, Danlialu, Muritala Mohammed road, Post office area, Unity road and Maraba.

Others are Okoerin road, lbrahim Taiwo road, Sawmill, Oloje, Adewole, Adeta and Omoda, among others.

Some of the residents who spoke with NAN expressed happiness over the commencement of the 2021 raining season.

Commenting on the first rain, Funsho Olorunfemi, a Professor of Geography at University of llorin, said the early commencement of 2021 rain was an indication that there would be bumper harvest this year.

He advised farmers to start preparation of land for the new planting season.

“The implication of the first rain was that we have to prepare for the new planting season and if there was no other kind of disturbance on farms, we shall have bumper harvest,” the don said. (NAN)

By Tosin Kolade

WASH MATA Initiatives, a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) with support from Bank of Industry (BOI) has donated one motorised water scheme to five communities each in the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the benefiting communities are; Shape, Shishipe II, Nunkuchi, Sumpe (GidanGogo) and Shere Nomadic in Bwari area council of the FCT.

Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, Chief Executive Officer WASH MATA Initiatives, noted that the group identified some communities that have not been reached in the FCT.

”If Nigeria will achieve the Sustainable Development Goal six on improved access to water and sanitation, she must be intentional by not leaving anyone behind.

“One of it is a nomadic community where their cows had to drink water first; you will see the women queuing to get water from dirty streams in 2021 in FCT here.

“We used a vulnerability risks assessment to find out which communities are vulnerable, to ensure that services rendered to those who really needs them are not just constituency project’’.

Onabolu listed difficult terrains, insecurity and issues of kidnapping as challenges encountered while intervening.

She stressed the need for data to be available to help in evidence based interventions to select communities needing support.

“There is need for measures to be put in place from project formulation to implementation stages to help sustainability in interventions’’.

She said another challenge in the communities was a gap in rehabilitation of broken down water infrastructure, saying that with training of community members on operation and maintaining through little contributions, it would go a long way.

“We need evidence based intervention; the same people are getting the water while those that are in hard to reach communities will be left with no water.

“With sustainability comes the need for training, provision of tools to be integrated into water supply plans from the beginning.”

Analysis from the World Bank Sanitation Programme estimates that inadequate sanitation costs Nigeria 3 billion dollars annually, about 20 dollars per person and 1.3 per cent of its Annual GDP.

The cost of inadequate water supply is also estimated to be within this amount due to the health care costs and productive time lost from water related diseases.

The bank said safe drinking water provision is one of the most critical environmental health interventions used to prevent water and sanitation-related diseases.

NAN reports that WASH MATA Initiatives also rehabilitated 3 hand pump boreholes (HPBHs) and two motorised boreholes, with no fewer than 12,500 people in the communities having access to safe drinking water. (NAN)

By Douglas Okoro

The Ebonyi Government says efforts are in top gear to complete the construction of the Oferekpe Water Scheme to boost water supply in the state.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Sunday Inyima, said this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.

Inyima said that government was determined to find a lasting solution to the scarcity of pipe borne water in parts of the state.

He said that distribution of water from the project would have commenced in 2020 but was hindered by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

He further said that the present public water supply to Abakaliki metropolis was from the Ezilo water scheme.

“The Oferekpe water scheme suffered a setback because the expatriate contractors handling the project travelled home during the 2019 Christmas holiday.

“And just as we entered into 2020, COVID-19 pandemic set in and so they could not fly back because of the lockdown.

“It was in January that some of them came back to Nigeria and we hope that by the middle of this year, the project will be ready.

“This will enable us to reduce the pressure on Ezilo water scheme,” Inyima said.

He further said that government would ensure that residents, who connected legally to the water grid, had regular water supply to their homes.

He blamed the broken pipes and other damage, leading to water wastage to vandalism, bush burning, illegal connection and building of houses and fences on water pipe ways.

He said : “It will be correct to say that most of the burst pipes were destroyed by people, who build on our water pipe installations.

“Some people also break the pipes to illegally connect water to their houses.

“And because they lack the technical know-how to fix them, they just leave them, thus causing massive waste whenever we pump water.”

Inyima promised that his ministry would fix the faulty pipes and appealed to residents to desist from destroying water installations and government property in their areas.

“When you break a pipe to connect water illegally, you have actually shortchanged that customer who followed legal process from enjoying our service,” he said. (NAN)

By Zainab Oyekan

Plateau held a marathon in Jos on Wednesday to commemorate this year’s International Wildlife Day.

Eighty-four athletes participated at the marathon which the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Tamwakat Weli, described as great and historic.

The theme of the Day for 2021 is: “Forest and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet’’.

Weli said the theme was apt as it encompassed attempts to conserve the environment for a balanced ecosystem.

“Plateau is blessed with the Jos Wildlife Park which is the largest zoological park in Nigeria and a famous tourism destination.

“The park houses indigenous and exotic wildlife species and other facilities for recreation for tourists,’’ he said.

The commissioner also noted that innovative events and programmes like the marathon would help to strengthen efforts at promoting ecotourism in the state.

In her remarks, Acting General Manager, Plateau State Tourism Corporation, Mrs Salome Bidda, said that the marathon was designed to encourage support for wildlife conservation at the Jos Wildlife Park.

“This marks the beginning of great commitment in conservation of wildlife, promotion of sports and healthy lifestyle,’’ she added.

Bidda said that with support from the state government, the Plateau State Tourism Corporation would roll out series of events annually to make the state the hub of ecotourism in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that athletes who participated in the marathon came from across the country and a few of them from neighbouring countries.

Some of them called for more races and other activities that would engage youths from all parts of Plateau.

The winner and the two runners-up at the marathon emerged from among Jos residents. (NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a total reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway at a cost of N797.2 billion.

This shows an increase of N642.2 billion of the N155 billion it originally approved for the rehabilitation of the highway.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, told newsmen at the close of Wednesday’s FEC meeting that the initial rehabilitation contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd.

“I presented a memorandum and one report with respect to the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway to change the scope of works form rehabilitation previously awarded to full reconstruction of two lanes on both sides.

“The Council considered and approved the request for that change of scope and the incidental cost consequence changing the existing contract from N155 billion to N797.236 billion.

“The new scope provides for full reconstruction of the main carriageway, trailer parks, weigh bridges, toll stations and additional side lanes in the built-up areas across the FCT, Niger, Kaduna and Kano States, which are all served by the road.

“This was approved by Council for the same contractor, the minister said.

He added that he also briefed the Council on the progress report on the Highway Development/Management Initiative.

The initiative is aimed at attracting investments from the private sector in road maintenance, management and provision of allied services.

He said the first phase of the initiative would cover 12 roads of about 1,963 kilometres across the country.

He listed the 12 roads to include Benin-Asaba, Abuja-Lokoja, Kano-Katsina, Onitsha-Aba, Sagamu-Benin, Kano-Maiduguri, Enugu- Port Harcourt, Ilorin-Jebba and Lagos-Badagry.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who also briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, said N10. 4 billion was approved by the Council for the procurement of fire fighting vehicles and equipment for the Federal Fire Service.

“The council considered and approved the procurement of various fire fighting equipment. The total sum of the approval is N10, 436, 375, 340.96.

“The approval covers the supply of 44 fire engines and the supply of 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines that can go into nooks and crannies to respond to distress calls.

“The approval also covers the supply of 20 basic life support ambulances. So, in all we are talking about 79 fire fighting equipment and support vehicles,’’ he said.

Aregbesola said the procurement of the vehicles would enhance the capacity of the Federal Fire Service to effectively control and manage fire-related emergencies.

He appealed to state governments to also equip their Fire Services, so as to complement the work of the Federal Fire Service operating in their states.

The interior minister also announced that the ministry got approval of N353.2million for the deployment of an integrated real-time data repository equipment for the Headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Abuja.

“The council also approved the award of contract for the deployment of an integrated real-time data repository and security intelligence solution for the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters.

The delivery period for that contract is four months at a total sum of N353.2 million. (NAN)

By Stanley Nwanosike

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Sunday, distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to communities affected by the 2020 flood within Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The relief materials, which included food and non-food items, were distributed to three agrarian communities of Ojor, Ogurugu and Igga.

Speaking at Ojor Community, Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Fred Anusim, said that the flood incident that destroyed massive farmlands and buildings in the communities occurred on Oct. 3, 2020.

Anusim said that the notice of the incident was brought to the attention of NEMA through the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), traditional rulers and other media reports.

According to him, NEMA carried out an assessment of the incident, which revealed that several buildings and farmlands were affected leading to displacement of residents and dislocation of means of livelihood.

“The responsiveness of the Federal Government to the plight of affected persons has been quite prompt and encouraging; hence we have since received an approval of relief items from the Director-General of NEMA, Retired AVM Muhammadu Muhammed.

“Please note that the relief materials brought to you today is not to replace what you lost during the flood disaster but to cushion the effect of the unfortunate incident.

“We suggest that the affected persons should look out for early warning signs at the on-set of rain in order to avert the loss of lives and property because flood in the area has become a perennial event.

“Furthermore, we urge the local government authorities at the beginning of every rainy season to alert SEMA and NEMA to embark on massive sensitisation of the affected areas in order to create awareness on the dangers of flood.

“The food items in the relief materials included: 456 bags of 12.5kg rice; 456 bags of 25kg beans; 456 bags of 12.5kg garri; 46 kegs of 20 litres palm oil; 79 cartons of seasoning; and 38 cartons of tin tomatoes.

“The non-food items are: 912 pieces of blankets; 912 pieces of foam mattresses; 59 cartons of bath soap; 456 pieces of wax print; 624 bags of cement; 624 bundles of roofing sheets; 69 bags of 3 inches nails; 208 packets of zinc nails; 624 pieces of ceiling boards and 700 pieces of children’s wear,” he said.

Responding, the Traditional Rule r of Ojor Community, Igwe Emmanuel Umunna, thanked the Federal Government for bringing succour to his subjects affected by the 2020 flood.

“We are grateful to the Federal Government and NEMA that took the pain; notwithstanding that we are at the extreme and boundary area of the state to remember and locate us with these relief materials,” Umunna said.

One of the victims of the flood, Mr Fidel Okiji, thanked the Federal Government for the relief materials as well as its timely delivery.

“I believe this will go a long way to ameliorate the hardship my family had been going through since the flood incident,” Okiji, who is a beneficiary of the relief materials, said.

Another victim and beneficiary of the relief materials, Mrs Angelina Ndibe, prayed to God to bless the Federal Government and NEMA officials for coming to her aid when she lost all her crops to flood.

At Ogurugu Community, the Traditional Ruler of the Community, Igwe Emmanuel Egwuaba, appreciated the Federal Government for the succour provided for members of his community affected by the 2020 flood.

One of the victims and beneficiary of the relief materials in Ogurugu Community, Mr Joseph Okonkwo, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the timely gesture of bringing down the relief materials. (NAN)

By Leonard Okachie

The Comptroller, Abia State Fire Service, Mr Victor Gbaruko, said the fire service station at Amaekpu, Ohafia, when completed, would help in tackling incidences of fire in the state.

Gbaruko said this during the foundation-laying of the Abia North Fire Service Station at Amaekpu on Saturday.

He expressed optimism that the project would not only assist his men in fighting fire, but would also boost the number of personnel in the state.

According to Gbaruko, Abia has the lowest number of fire service personnel in the country.

He appealed to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to assist the outfit in recruiting more capable hands to enable the service to function optimally.

He thanked the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, for attracting the project to the community.

Also, the Deputy Governor, Chief Oko Chukwu, said the station would bring succour to the people of Abia North Senatorial District.

Chukwu applauded Uchendu, who is representing Ohafia South constituency, for doing so much for his people, and described him as a “true representative.”

He assured the deputy speaker of the government’s continuous support to sustain his complementary support to the governor in providing basic infrastructure at the grassroots.

“The Deputy Speaker decided that the best way to celebrate my birthday is to rekindle hope in the lives of Abia North citizens by laying a foundation stone for the construction of the Abia North Fire Service.

“I want to tell you my very dear brother, this is one of the best ways to celebrate my birthday,” the deputy governor, who marked his birthday on Saturday, said.

Earlier, Uchendu said he embarked on the project because of its importance in fighting fire in the zone.

He said that apart from the Fire Service Stations at Aba and Umuahia, which serve the Abia south and central, Abia north had no such facility.

He said the situation prompted his motion on the floor of the house for a fire service station in Abia North.

He thanked the governor for his promise to donate a fire fighting truck to the station once the project was completed. (NAN)

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and cloudiness from Sunday to Monday.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja predicted sunny and hazy conditions over the North and the North Central region throughout the forecast period on Sunday.

According to it, haziness with patches of cloud is expected over the inland cities of the South throughout the forecast period.

The agency envisaged hazy condition with patches of cloud over the coastal cities of the South in the morning.

It further envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Bayelsa, Ogun, Delta, Edo and Akwa-Ibom States later in the day.

”For Monday, dust haze condition is expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period. North Central region is expected to be in sunny and hazy conditions within the forecast period.

“Partly cloudy to sunny condition is expected over the inland cities of the South during the forecast period.

“Partly cloudy condition is expected over the coastal cities of the South in the morning while in the afternoon/evening hours isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states,” it said.

According to NiMet, dust haze condition is expected over North, North Central region and inland cities throughout the forecast period on Tuesday.

NiMet forecast haziness over coastal cities of South with patches of cloud to partly cloudy condition in the morning with isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Rivers and Delta state later in the day. (NAN)