By Okeoghene Akubuike

Mr Micheal Ohiani, Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says the Federal Government remains committed to infrastructure development in Nigeria through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Ohiani said this at the 1st Quarter 2023 Public-Private Partnership Consultative Forum (3PUCF) and the Inauguration of State House PPP-Unit in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was hosted by the State House.

According to Ohiani, since the last 3PUCF meeting held in December 2022, the Federal Government has achieved more successes and milestones in major sectors to achieve a PPP economy.

The director-general said the 1st quarter meeting was scheduled for March 2, 2023, but had to be postponed due to the general elections.

Ohiani, who gave a summary of the PPP projects recorded since the last meeting, said there were more projects at the inception stage waiting to commence development.

He said: “We have over 200 projects at different stages of the development and procurement phases.

“In addition to over 40 projects at the implementation phase, I believe that together, we can do even more in the year, “he added.

He listed out some projects the commission had issued Outline Business Case (OBC) Compliance Certificates to include the development of Ports of Ondo Multipurpose Deep-Sea Port and the Benin Port Project in Edo State.

Ohiani said others included the Expansion and Development of Snake Island and the Lagos Multipurpose Sea Port project of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

“The Burutu Port Complex Phases 1, 2, and 3 projects had the OBC Compliance Certificate revalidated,”Ohiani said

He revealed that in the PPP Procurement Phase, the following had been accomplished, with the issuance of Full Business Case(FBC) Compliance Certificates.

“Revalidation of the FBC Compliance Certificate for Establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company (ALC) of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

“The Refurbishment, Operation and Management of the water system at Tin Can Port, Tin Can Island by Nigeria Ports Authority.

“These give a total of 153 OBC Compliance Certificates and 75 FBC Compliance Certificates issued by the Commission to date, which is a record on its own”.

Ohiani also listed out some projects that had received the Federal Executive Council’s approvals to enable them achieve Commercial Close.

He said the projects included the Central Offshore Waste Reception Facility (OWREF) Concession and Eastern Offshore Waste Reception Facility (OWREF) Concession.

The director-general said others were the e-custom project of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Fire Detection and Alarm System project of the Federal Fire Service under the Ministry of Interior.

“Development of Cassava Bio Ethanol Value Chain project of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

“The design, construction and financing of a Mixed Development Comprising Residential Houses, Hotels, Recreational Facilities and Office Blocks for Commercial Purposes Under a PPP arrangement of the FRCN.”

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, in his address, commended the ICRC for creating a roadmap to handle projects and programmes on infrastructure development through PPP.

“I share the spirit that 10 years from now because we have placed our fingers in the right places and we have planned, execution is guaranteed to be delivered.”

Umar gave his assurances that the state house would work closely with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) for the greater good of the country, adding we should seek ways of using technology to attract viable projects.

He disclosed that the state house in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, identified and tentatively screened three of its projects for possible consideration of final cases of PPP.

“They include the State House Wildlife Sanctuary and Citizen’s Park, State House Medical Centre, and State House Lagos Facility and we have trained our staff to prepare for this” he said.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), and Chairman of the meeting, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, called on more (MDAs) to create PPP departments.

Yemi-Esan, represented by Mrs Agalasi Ehigie, Director, Infrastructure Management Department, Office of the HCSF, said the ICRC was doing a lot to ensure the infrastructure needs of the country were met.

NAN reports that the forum, which was inaugurated 10 years ago at the State House, provides a platform for PPP departments in MDAs and stakeholders to share ideas, success stories, and challenges on their PPP projects to drive economic growth in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Vivian Ihechu

By Joan Nwagwu

The Organised Labour have described the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the removal of fuel subsidy as the “best option”.

Mr Benson Upah, Head of Information, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said this to newsmen while reacting to the recent suspension of the subsidy removal by the Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that earlier, the National Economic Council (NEC) had planned for the removal of subsidy on petroleum product.

According to Upah, we are glad that they have begun to see the light and decided to do the right thing.

“Because the path they wanted to toe on the detriment of the ordinary Nigerians would have set the country on fire.

“There would have been instantaneous reaction. Of course, we would have been glad to coordinate those reactions.

“But happily, they have beginning to see the light. Our advice would be that they should take a lesson from the document we gave them on the so-called fuel subsidy removal.

The answer cannot be far from domestic production,’’ he said.

He said the decision would enable all the corruption building into the system to be minimised.

Upah, therefore, called on the Federal Government to fix the existing refineries or build new ones, instead of importing refined petroleum products.

Also, Mr Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, Trade Union Congress (TUC) on his part said that the Federal Government’s decision to suspend fuel subsidy removal was a good move.

“Though it’s coming late but the Federal government’s decision to suspend the move to remove fuel subsidy has alluded to the fact that such harsh economic policy ought to have been a product of social dialogue which was not done.

“We told Nigerians earlier on that the policy is ill-timed and is not acceptable. So it is good that the government has done a U-turn because the policy cannot be forced down our throat, ‘’he said.

Toro said that it was good that the government had to rethink its decision on the removal of fuel subsidy.

He also added that refurbishing the existing refineries and production of petroleum products in our country is in the best interest of the country because of the huge advantages.

“First, it would create jobs, make the petroleum products available for consumption and probably reduce the price of the products. It will also guarantee foreign direct investment and make Nigeria a better of place.

“We are confused that our refineries are not working and we have asked over time, why are the refineries not working.

“So there is a strong need for a deliberate effort by the incoming government to ensure that our refineries work.

“All the monies they claim goes to the process of deregulation can actually be utilised to make our refineries functiona,’’he said.

He added that the decision to revise that policy had further vindicated Nigerians as this was the right thing.

He however, charged the incoming government that the instrumentality of social dialogue should be leveraged upon on issues that affect the general project of Nigeria, adding that the voice and interest of Nigerians could be accommodated.

“Policies should not just be drafted overnight and pushed through people’s throat. Nigeria belongs to all of us.

“We are all critical stakeholders and must be part decision making and implementation body to ensuring that our country move forward,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Temitope Ponle

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for African Governments to connect to Africa’s Diaspora for the sustainable development of the continent.

Buhari said this in his keynote address at the ongoing Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS) which was held in Abuja on Thursday.

The president was represented by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Sambo.

The president said African governments needed to harness human and material resources of the Diaspora.

This, he said, would enable them to become forces to be reckoned with in regards to sustainable development of their homelands, regional bodies, and national governments.

He said this could be done through remittances, medical missions, educational visits, tourism, investments and enterprises, among others.

“On this note, there have been foreign and national initiatives to harness the potentials of the African Diaspora in the development of the African continent.

“The African Union, African governments have been making efforts towards mobilising the African diaspora for the social and economic development of African communities worldwide.

“There have been statements by high level officials of several countries, calling for quote unquote, turning the brain drain into brain gain.

“The African Union has designated the Diaspora as the sixth region and some African governments have established cabinet positions within the governments to mobilise the diaspora.

“These are all laudable initiatives geared towards the economic growth of Africa by connection with the African diaspora.”

Moreover, he said the objectives of the symposium would lead to outcomes that portrayed to the entire African Diaspora, “a possible sense of belonging and homecoming, with an ease of entry or movement for the Diaspora into Africa”.

Buhari also said it would be beneficial for an improved collaboration on Diaspora engagement between multilateral organisations.

Speaking, President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said building stronger connections between Africa and Diaspora globally was pertinent to the contribution of the Diaspora to global security, stability and development.

Touray said it would enable the Diaspora recognise that they are important actors in the integration and development of Africa.

“For this reason, there is a need for continuous evaluation of the extant policies and regulations for enhanced Diaspora engagement.

“I call on participants to this important conference to help us move from business as usual.

“Concrete and actionable Diaspora strategy, both strategies that will serve both the members of the diaspora and Africa.”

Also speaking, President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni said the theme of the symposium had a role to play in shaping Africa’s future.

Museveni was represented by Amb. Abbey Walusimbi, Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Uganda.

The Ugandan president said African Governments should work towards a more integrated and prosperous Africa to recognise the importance of the Diaspora community.

He said recognising their importance would encourage them to take an active role in the development of their different countries.

“This is very critical to ensuring that Diaspora resources and expertise for the benefit of Africa and that the Diaspora community is engaged in our coordinated transformation agenda.”

He also said the symposium provided the opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore innovative solutions for division and sustainable development in Africa.

Meanwhile, in his message, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said economic integration was the single biggest force that could help African Union realise its economic ambitions outlined in Agenda 2063.

Akufo-Addo was represented by Amb. Sena Siaw-Boateng, Ambassador of Ghana to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of Mission to the European Union.

“Integration, indeed, is championing the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement of which its secretariat is based in Accra.

“This challenge demands commitment, patience, and clear sightedness, as well as the consistent support of our Diaspora”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Mercy Osajiugo

Alhaji Umar Mohammed Bago, Niger state Governor-elect, has approved the governorship inauguration subcommittees leadership and members, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

A statement by Dr Mohammed Santuraki, Chairman of the inauguration Committee, disclosed that Bago approved the constitution and membership of nine Inauguration subcommittees.

The committees are Security, Health & Safety, Venue, Accommodation, Transport & Logistics, Inauguration Lecture, Protocol, Welfare & Entertainment and Special Events Subcommittees.

Santuraki said that the subcommittees are expected to liaise, synchronize, and work with the relevant counterpart government committees, and/or other state organs or functionaries to facilitate and celebrate a smooth and peaceful transfer of power.

‘’A peaceful leadership transition is a significant hallmark of a democracy. Details of the inauguration Programme of activities shall be announced at a later date.”

‘’The Governor-Elect look forward to being joined by members of our party and other stakeholders, our numerous supporters and Nigerlites at the inauguration events,’’ he said.

Santuraki called on members of the committee to contact the Inauguration committee’s secretary, Zainab Gogo-Halilu on 0706 686 0662 for details regarding their documentation.

NAN reports that the various subcommittees have the following leadership and dozen memberships: Security subcommittee: DIG Majid Ali (Chairman), Col. Ahmed Sharu (Vice Chairman), Capt. Baro (Secretary); Health & safety subcommittee: Dr Chindo Ibrahim Bisalla (Chairman), Dr Bello Tukur (Vice Chairman), Dr Adam Ahmed Shehu (Secretary); and the Venue subcommittee: Hajiya Ramatu Yar’adua (Chairman), Suleiman Umar (Co-chairman), Hon Binta Mamman (Vice Chairman), Baba Alhaji Ndaman (Secretary).

Others are Accommodation subcommittee: Abdullakeem Oshinuga (Chairman), Hussaini Ndayako (Vice Chairman), Baba Ahmed Yumu (Co-vice chairman), Fati Baba Mustapha (Secretary), Transport & Logistics subcommittee: Umar Nagogo (Chairman), Hannafi Jantabo (Vice Chairman), Sa’idu Salisu Njaga (Secretary); and the Inauguration lecture subcommittee: Prof. A. B. Ahmed (Chairman), Prof. Nasiru Maiturare (Vice Chairman), Dr Shaba Mohammed Etsu (Secretary), Mohammed Kudu Abubakar (NTA) (Co-Secretary/Member).

The Protocol subcommittee is chaired by Abdullahi Baba Arah, with Abdullahi Yerima (Vice Chairman), Hon Habiba Lamido (Co-Vice Chairman), Ibrahim Inga (Secretary), while the Welfare & Entertainment subcommittee is chaired by Hanau Salihu (Chairman), Amina Musa Guar (Co-Chair), Ladidi Kata (Vice Chair), Ibrahim Abdul Hamid Muller (Secretary), Hon. Fati Abubakar (Co-secretary)

Santuraki disclosed that the Special events subcommittee has Jumaat services chaired by Chief Imam Sheikh Isah Fari, Sheikh Beji (DG Religious Affairs) (Co-Chair), Alhaji Isa Abdulkadir (Co-ordinating Sec); while the Novelty football match subcommittee is chaired by Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Hon. Adamu Aliyu (Co-chairman) and Musa D Sarkinkaji (Co-ordinating Sec.).

The Special Polo Tournament subcommittee has Mohammed Babangida as Chairman, with Umar Nagogo as Co-Chair and Hadiza Idris Kuta as Coordinating Secretary.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Akwa Ibom map

By Nathan Nwakamma

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has vowed to resist ongoing efforts to redraw the map of Akwa Ibom, designed to realign Ijaw settlements.

According to the group, the aim of the realignment is to bring communities into Ijaw settlements who are oil bearing communities.

The pan Ijaw socio-cultural and pressure group dismissed claims advanced by promoters of the project as false, baseless and mischievous.

INC said that claims that Akwa Ibom has no map hence the need to draw a map by the state government was a ploy to realign settlements in the state to bring communities into Ijaw settlements who are oil bearing communities.

Prof Benjamin Okaba, President of INC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Ijaws across the Niger Delta region were being mobilised to halt plans to further marginainalise them in Akwa Ibom.

Okaba regretted that some interest groups who are not comfortable with the natural endowments of oil and gas in Ijaw settlements in Akwa Ibom, want to use government machinery to distort Ijaw settlements and create boundary crisis.

According to Okaba, it is regrettable that while the INC is in the struggle to reverse the marginalisation of the Niger Delta region in the Nigerian context, the people of the region are busy marginaising their kinsmen.

The Ijaw leader who described the plot as ‘internal colonisation’, said that it was both illegal and unconstitutional for a state government to delve into mapping and boundary adjustments which are clearly on the exclusive legislative list.

He explained that mapping and boundary adjustments were clearly the role of the Federal Government, the Surveyor General of the Federation and the National Boundary Commission, respectively.

“It is laughable that people are claiming that the state of Akwa Ibom created some 35 years ago has no map, when the major requirement for state creation is a map.

“How then did the constituencies delineation take place if there is no map, on what basis does Akwa Ibom get its revenue from the federation account?

“The state of Akwa Ibom also won cases bordering on oil wells with neighbouring states at the Supreme Court and the map of the state tendered as evidence formed the basis of the verdict and the maps are still in the records,” Okaba said.

He said that INC would take every necessary step to support and protect the economic interest of Ijaws in Akwa Ibom in their quest to benefit from the three per cent host community fund in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“I want to place it on record that the government of Akwa Ibom will have the entire Ijaw nation to contend with on this, Ijaws may be minority in Akwa Ibom but we are majority in Niger Delta,” Okaba said.

He urged the state government to comply with a subsisting court judgment in favour of the Ijaw communities and jettison the idea in the interest of peace. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Vincent Obi

By Justina Auta

Two Non-Government Organisations — Invictus Africa and BudgIT Foundation, on Wednesday, introduced “Womanity Index”, a tool to track annual ranking and reports on gender equality and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Ms Bukky Shonibare, at a news conference in Abuja, said that the index would also focus on issues affecting women, especially girl-child education, women’s health, economic empowerment and political representation in Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.

She explained that it would be carried out through field and technology-based data collection to assist state and local governments to understand the context and identify gaps, as well as challenges peculiar to each state in addressing GBV.

She said “the Womanity Index is novel as it helps subnational governments, as primary duty bearers, to know their performance in their efforts to prevent and respond to GBV in their states.

“It will also identify the gaps and challenges that impede their performance, and the specific actionable recommendations which, when implemented, will result in ensuring laws and policies that guarantee GBV prevention, effective support systems, and allocation of adequate budget and spending to address GBV.

“It will also aid accountability by duty bearers (governments) and provide the relevant data and evidence needed by citizens to track implementation and advocate for effective GBV prevention and response,” she said.

Mr Gabriel Okeowo,the Country Director, BudgIT Nigeria, said data from the research in some states would serve as reference documents on GBV to ensure state-specific recommendations.

“So this first work is very important and will serve as a base line.

“We will then have a basis of comparison to be able to say as at 2023 this is where this state is and as at now this is what the results is showing,” he said.

Mr Folarin Johnson, the Senior Project Officer, Nigeria Governor Forum World Bank SFTAS programme, said the index would enable government measure all interventions on GBV in their various states.

According to him, it is a research and it is not just about the field data collection.

“We are going to be building on some of the data that are in existence.

“So the reason this partnership exist is for everybody involved to bring out what they have done in the past and it is what will form the basis of what it is.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Segun Giwa

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has urged youth to embrace digital learning platforms in accelerating skilling, up skilling and employment opportunities.

Mrs Blessing Ejiofor, UNICEF Communication Specialist, said this on Thursday in Lagos at a two-day workshop organised in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos Office, for young people and journalists across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day workshop is tagged: “Media Dialogue on Digital Learning Platforms.”

Ejiofor said the programme was aimed at galvanising the media to support advocacy on digital learning solutions with a focus on bridging the digital divide, especially for girls and young people in hard-to-reach communities.

She noted that UNICEF had collaborated with governments and other partners in creating the enabling environment for skills development that would enable young people to thrive and better able to respond to the country’s social and economic needs.

Ejiofor also said that the deployment of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), an online offline and mobile digital learning platform that supports learning and skills acquisition for Children and youths as well as the Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) platform, were avenues to skill as well as connect young people to opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and social impact.

Mr Joannes Yimbesalu, UNICEF Programme Specialist, said that the workshop was an opportunity to explore, learn and share ideas on the benefits and opportunities available to young Nigerians on the NLP, YOMA and U-Report digital platforms.

Yimbesalu enjoined the media to help amplify these digital platforms to the youths.

In her remarks, the NOA Director in Lagos, Ms Adetola Adegboyega, said that the training was important due to the importance of technology in day-to-day activities.

Adegboyega who noted that journalists were also an important aspect of the training, said that they would help in disseminating information on the opportunities offered by digital learning. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Victor Adeoti/Vincent Obi

By Cecilia Ijuo

Mr Aliyu Tahir,Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency(NEMSA), has warned against importation of substandard electricity materials into Nigeria.

Tahir, who is also Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, gave the warning at the 2023 First Quarter Interactive Session with Energy Reporters in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the agency was collaborating with Standard Organisation of Nigeria(SON), security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that only standard electrical materials were imported into Nigeria.

He said NEMSA had begun removing such materials across the country, adding that 68,168 substandard materials were removed in 2022.

The managing director said the agency had equally set up a tax force on monitoring and evaluation of existing networks to stem the use of substandard electrical materials.

Tahir said NEMSA would not relent in its effort to achieve its mandate, particularly in the area of substandard materials.

“Four distribution companies in Abuja, Ibadan, Ikeja and Eko were monitored by the Tax Force set up by NEMSA last year.

“This year, the monitoring exercise will continue to cover the six other distribution companies in Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Yola, Jos,  Benin and Enugu.

“The essence of this effort is to maintain stability in the existing electricity networks.

This is also to stem use of substandard materials, cables and equipment in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry(NESI),” he said.

On other achievements of the agency in 2022, Tahir said 10, 876 new electrical projects were inspected, 10, 598 existing networks were monitored while 771 of them were resolved.

He further said 3, 480 factories, public places and hotels were inspected, 2, 576, 607 electricity meters tested, 2, 719 electrical personnel certified and 6, 332 certificates renewed.

According to him, the agency also inspected 647 pole manufacturers in the country, investigated 376 electrical accident sites and established first Meter Generation Museum and Gallery.

Other achievements according to him are, training of 18 electrical engineers of NEMSA on renewable energy, certification of 36 electricity meters and instruments manufacturing assembling companies.

The managing director said in furtherance of previous achievements, the agency would continue with sensitisation, certification as well as stakeholders’ engagement among others.

“There is a planned national conference on safety which is aimed at bringing together core professionals in the power sector and security agencies.

“This is to chart the way forward on how to provide and deepen NEMSA’s services in areas of security, safety of lives and property in NESI,”he said.

Tahir said the agency was not unmindful of concerns by electricity customers.

According to him, the problem of epileptic power supply,  meter purchase by customers, fast reading meters among others were being addressed.

He commended the media for its continued support, while calling for more support, particularly in the area of awereness creation on the agency’s mandate.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that NEMSA was established in 2015 to enforce technical standards and regulations.

It was also established for testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Yakubu Uba/Isaac Aregbesola