NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Bauchi installs 7.5 MVA transformer to ease water shortage

Bauchi installs 7.5 MVA transformer to ease water shortage

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By Ahmed Kaigama

The Bauchi State Urban Water and Sewerage Corporation (BSUWSC) has installed a 7.5 MVA transformer to help tackle persistent water scarcity in parts of the metropolis.

General Manager of the corporation, Mr Aliyu Gital, announced the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Bauchi.

He said the transformer was expected to significantly enhance the pumping capacity of water across four to five major tanks supplying the city.

“It will not only ensure consistent water supply but also support economic activities and improve public health. Water is life,” Gital stated.

While acknowledging the progress, Gital noted that challenges remained.

He explained that recent pipe bursts were caused by increased water pressure, but maintenance crews were actively addressing the issue.

He also mentioned ongoing discussions with leaders in the Unguwar Hardo Community to resolve water problems caused by the area’s hilly terrain.

“About 70 per cent of the Hardo Community now has water,” he said, urging residents to avoid using substandard pipes to prevent future leaks.

“Unguwar Hardo and Tudun Alkali are two densely populated communities in Bauchi suffering from severe water shortages.

“Residents report that families struggle daily to access clean water.

“Children often miss school to fetch water from distant sources, while adults spend hours in queues or walk miles carrying containers, sometimes with babies strapped to their backs.”

Fatima Ajiya, a housewife from Unguwar Hardo, shared the burden: “Sometimes we leave home so early to search for water that we miss our morning prayers,” she said.

Malam Muhammad Adamu, the community leader (Mai Unguwa) of Unguwar Hardo, expressed deep concern over the crisis, particularly its impact on girls’ education.

He advised the state governor to prioritise the issue, emphasising that such a situation should not be allowed to persist in the heart of Bauchi metropolis. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NIESV seeks review of land, housing policies

NIESV seeks review of land, housing policies

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By Angela Atabo

The Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has called for an overhaul of the Land Use Act and National Housing Policy.

NIESV President and Chairman of Council, Victor Alonge, made the call on Wednesday at a news conference during the institution’s 55th annual conference in Abuja.

Alonge said the Land Use Act, in place since 1978, is outdated and needs review to expand land access and spur real estate development.

He noted land should be more accessible to all Nigerians, not just wealthy developers who often acquire vast portions of land.

“The masses struggle to access land. The Act should be reviewed, and the land administration system revisited,” he said.

Alonge also highlighted the need to revisit the National Housing Policy to tackle persistent challenges in the housing sector.

He stated that affordable housing delivery requires a multi-sector approach and deliberate policymaking with input from professionals.

He observed that housing policies often lack clarity, leading to confusion in their implementation.

According to him, affordable housing and social housing are frequently misunderstood as being the same.

He said many so-called affordable homes remain unaffordable for low-income earners.

“There is poor understanding and weak policy design around affordable housing. Nigeria lacks a proper social housing system,” he said.

Alonge explained that social housing typically serves workers like nurses and teachers, providing homes in central or high-value locations.

He said other countries offer city-centre homes to key workers through targeted policies, allowing them to live among the affluent.

Alonge also backed punitive taxation on vacant properties to compel owners to rent or occupy them.

“In advanced economies, empty homes are heavily taxed to discourage leaving them unused.

“If faced with high taxes on an empty house, owners would likely reconsider keeping it vacant,” Alonge added. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

NIESV Conference to address limited access to real estate financing -Alonge

NIESV Conference to address limited access to real estate financing -Alonge

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By Angela Atabo

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), says its 55th Annual Conference will address the teething challenge of limited access to real estate financing, among other issues affecting the sector.

NIESV President, Mr Victor Alonge, who disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, added that the conference would address issues on fragmented taxation and the urgent need for institutional reform.

Alonge said the conference which holds on Thursday and themed, “Transform, Invest, Thrive: Optimising Real Estate Finance and Taxation’’, will have President Bola Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honour.

He explained that the theme of the conference reflected a strategic push to position real estate as a driver of economic growth and social transformation.

Alonge said that the conference would provide a platform for stakeholders in the real estate industry, government, policy makers, operators, regulators and academia, to brainstorm on strategic issues of national importance.

According to him, the stakeholder would share notes and ideas on the roles, relevance and power of the real estate in driving the national economy on a sustainable growth and development paths.

“It is going to be a different package and different trajectory this year.

“The conference shall be itemising bold ideas and initiating pragmatic strategies tailored towards redefining real estate practice and business for value delivery,’’ he said.

According to him, more emphasis would be placed on innovation, with a vibrant and sustainable development in view.

He said that carefully assembled resource persons, highly renowned intellectuals, policymakers, stakeholders and real estate practitioners from across the globe, experts on the subject matter would examine and give insights on the theme.

Alonge said at the end of the event, communique would be made available to relevant stakeholders for the purpose of using the conclusions for re-appraisal and aligning of real estate practices, strategies and operations with the best global practices. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu, Rotimi Ijikanmi

Abia Govt. to begin enumeration of houses, business outlets

Abia Govt. to begin enumeration of houses, business outlets

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By Ijendu Iheaka
The Abia Government is to begin enumeration of all houses and business outlets, with the aim of bringing more residents and businesses into its tax net.
Addressing newsmen in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said that the enumeration would help the state to improve its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N40 billion to 120 billion by end of 2025.“In the coming weeks the state will begin a comprehensive enumeration of houses and businesses and these will be integrated with the Abia State Social Identification Number (ABSSIN).

“Government will ensure equity in taxation and more importantly, it will serve as a gateway for Abia people to access vital social services,” he said.
He said that the policy will enable residents to access government social services, assist in the design of optimal economic policies, and also help secure the state against criminal activities.
He urged the people of Abia to support Gov. Alex Otti’s administration by paying their taxes, and informed residents that the comprehensive data capture of houses and businesses in the state would be integrated with the Abia State Social Identification Number, ABSSIN.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr Uwaoma Ukandu, said the project would be at no cost to Abia government because its technical partners were already benefitting from doing business with Abia.
Ukandu said that the enumeration would be done statewide beginning from the urban to the rural areas.
He said that government would use the enumeration to gather data for planning and to make people who did not pay taxes to begin to pay taxes. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Sadiya Hamza
Kano State Fire Service rescues 30 persons, N566m property

Kano State Fire Service rescues 30 persons, N566m property

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By Bosede Olufunmi

The Kano State Fire Service says it rescued 30 persons and saved property worth N566 million from 176 incidents recorded between March and April.

Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, the Public Relations Officer of the service, said that 20 persons lost their lives, while properties worth N4.5 billion were destroyed by fire within the period under review.

He also said that the service responded to 26 emergency calls and six false alarms from residents of the state.

He advised residents to handle fire with care and turn off electrical appliances before leaving their homes, shops or marketplace. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Deborah Coker

Asian company to invest 0m in Ogun

Asian company to invest $400m in Ogun

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By Abiodun Lawal
The President of Inner Galaxy Group, Mr Li Shuang, has said that his company was ready to invest $400 million in establishing a hot rolled coiled steel factory in Ogun State.
Shuang, who led a delegation of principal officers of the company on a courtesy visit to Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, made this known on Tuesday in Abeokuta.
He said that the proposed factory would have the capacity to employ about 6,500 direct and indirect workers and would be located in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state.
Shuang added that the company was expected to commence operations in April 2026.
“We are multinational company with vast investments in Asia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and some African countries like Ghana and Angola, we entered the Nigerian market in 2005, producing iron rods for the building industry,” he said.
In his remarks, Abiodun expressed delight at the company’s plan to site the huge investment in Ogun.
The governor attributed this to his administration’s deliberate actions to make the state conducive for investment and the leading industrial hub in Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region.
“This is a $400 million investment; this aligns with the President’s vision to ensure that we grow this economy to a trillion dollars, and I think that you will be contributing your quota in achieving that.
“We are excited that you will also be employing people.
“I will be commissioning a multimillion-dollar diagnostic equipment facility during the week.
“This administration has managed to attract quite a lot of industries in the last six years,” Abiodun said.
The governor noted that the state was blessed with abundant human and natural resources, disclosing that alluvial gold had been discovered in large quantities, just as the state has the highest quality of lithium.
“I think it may interest you to know that we also have lithium in Ogun State; the lithium in Ogun State is reported to be the highest quality in Nigeria.
“We are number one in non-oil revenue in Nigeria because two-thirds of the state sits on limestone.
“We have a lot of limestone here; we are actually number one in cement production in Sub-Saharan Africa, and we are number three in all of Africa,” the governor explained.
Abiodun explained that his administration had put in place an integrated ecosystem of infrastructure to support investments coming into the state.
He said that required infrastructure like roads, rail, proximity to the airport, affordable housing accommodations, quality healthcare services, and schools were available in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni
APC chairmen to monitor road projects

APC chairmen to monitor road projects

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By Angela Atabo

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Tuesday enlisted APC state chairmen to monitor and evaluate road projects across Nigeria for improved service delivery.

He disclosed this during a courtesy visit by members of the Forum of All Progressives Congress in Nigeria to his office in Abuja.

Umahi said the move was necessary as the government aims to boost infrastructure development nationwide.

He emphasised the need for objective oversight of road projects, stating APC chairmen would help ensure proper execution and national benefit.

A communication platform, he added, would be created to enable seamless information exchange between parties.

“We are committed to completing all projects, and I want you to partner with us. If I’m visiting a site, I’d like you to join me there,” Umahi said.

“Keep me informed — your sacrifices during the election deserve recognition,” he stated.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu directed the ministry to involve the party’s leadership in developmental efforts.

Umahi praised the chairmen for advancing the Renewed Hope mandate and urged similar support for other ministers to showcase their work.

He affirmed that the APC-led government remains devoted to delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.

According to him, President Tinubu boosted the economy by promoting local content and discouraging unnecessary imports.

He revealed ongoing projects in nearly all states across Nigeria.

“President Tinubu inherited 2,604 projects worth around ₦13 trillion, with contractors owed nearly ₦1 trillion.

“Following a review, inflation and subsidy removal raised the total to ₦19 trillion for completion,” Umahi noted.

He added that 440 key projects along economic corridors were prioritised, with 65 new ones, including four legacy bridges, already underway.

Ongoing works include those in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Zamfara, while the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road nears completion.

A contract worth ₦754 billion was also awarded for the Ilesha-Akure-Benin Road.

“We have many reasons to commend the president, with global recognition now coming our way,” he said.

Similarly, Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, lauded the President for appointing Umahi to lead the infrastructure renewal.

Goronyo noted that roads account for nearly 90 per cent of transport, and the President has ensured safer travels nationwide.

Earlier, Alphonsus Eba, Secretary of the APC State Chairmen Forum, said the visit was to commend Umahi’s efforts.

“We thank the President for discovering you — you’ve contributed over 50 per cent of the President’s electoral goodwill,” Eba stated.

He said the group seeks partnership to serve as volunteer project monitors across states.

“We’ve already begun political mobilisation in preparation for the president’s re-election,” he said.

Eba appealed for help in completing roads and bridges in Taraba, Niger, and the Calabar–Itu axis. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

NIESV urges FG to prioritise assets valuation to attract investments

NIESV urges FG to prioritise assets valuation to attract investments

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By Angela Atabo

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise credible valuation of national assets to attract investments.

The NIESV President and Chairman of Council, Victor Alonge, made the call on Monday in Abuja. at a news conference on the 2025 International Valuation Day.

Alonge emphasised the importance of asset valuation in economic decision-making and financial stability, citing its role in unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s resources for sustainable development.

According to him, credible valuation of national assets is crucial for effective national planning, financial reporting, and attracting local and foreign investments.

“Asset valuations that comply with the approved global standards foster investor confidence and significantly contribute to financial stability, both of which are essential for economic development.

“Valuations are necessary for assessing the values of tangible assets, businesses, intangible assets, and financial instruments,’’ he said

According to the NIESV President, credible valuation of national assets is also important for the success of the proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government.

He said that before imputing tax on an asset, there is the need to determine its true worth, its value, which must be firm and reliable.

“The value of the asset would indicate the percentage of tax you place on it.

“That makes the theme for 2025 International Valuation Day `Tax Reform for National Economic Prosperity: Why Valuation Matter’, critical and appropriate,’’ he said.

Alonge noted that the NIESV is a critical partner to government in the proposed tax reform regime.

He added that without the role and influence of NIESV within the Nigerian context, it would be very difficult for the nation to advance in economic development.

According to him, Estate Surveyors and Valuers are the only professionals trained and equipped with the analytical skill of determining the current or projected worth of an asset.

“It is, therefore, absolutely wrong, and illegal to give valuation jobs to non-estate surveying and valuation firms,’’ he said.

Alonge equally underscored the need to formulate and strengthen a national housing policy to address Nigeria’s housing deficit, rents, price of building materials among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Lagos: Reps praise shoreline protection project, bridge security infrastructure

Lagos: Reps praise shoreline protection project, bridge security infrastructure

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By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe
The House of Representatives Committee on Works has expressed satisfaction with the Shoreline Protection project implementation at Marina in Lagos State.
The committee described the project as a crucial intervention.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Akin Alabi, gave the project a “passmark” during an inspection on Monday.
He noted the importance of the project  in safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Alabi specifically highlighted that the completed work would protect the Blue Line Rail of Lagos State and the Outer Marina Road.
 He urged the contractor to ensure the project would be completed swiftly.
“As you have heard, the last time this was done was over 40 years ago since it was put there.
“Because of lack of maintenance culture, there has not been subsequent maintenance, and we have got to this point where there has to be an intervention, else we are going to lose a lot of assets on this road,” Alabi said.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, for prioritising the project.
He also acknowledged the diligent work of the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha.
On her part, Kesha explained that the Shoreline Protection project was 30 per cent completed and was designed to secure the road and the Blue Line Rail for at least the next 25 years.
She said: “As of the moment, the percentage of permanent work that has been completed is about 30 per cent; so, it has about 70 per cent more to go, and it still has time on its side.”
She emphasised the high quality of work being done, explaining the reinforcement strategy involving the existing and new concrete sheet piles to enhance the shoreline’s resilience.
“The quality of work here is top-notch. There is no compromise here.
“You can see that the existing sheet piles gave way. That was why we need to do another one, and we are not doing away with the old one, which are the metal ones that we saw.
“We are doing another concrete behind it, and then we are connecting the two so that there is more rigidity, more connection between the old and the new. Then, this shoreline can be protected,” she said.
Kesha emphasised the long-term benefits of the project, saying that non-protection of the Outer Marina Road would make erosion to catch up with it in the next five to 10 years.
“With what we are doing here now, the lifespan of this road has increased by more than 25 years; so in the next 25 years, the investment of Lagos State as part of the Blue Line Rail—we will protect it. That is the whole essence of this.”
After inspecting the shoreline protection, the House of Representatives Committee on Works inspected the security infrastructure installed under the Third Mainland Bridge.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 24-hour surveillance facility covers the stretch from Oworonshoki to Falomo Bridge.
Alabi lauded the contractor and the Federal Ministry of Works for the initiative, describing it as a strategic move to significantly reduce crime in the area.
He affirmed that the project demonstrated the responsible use of funds appropriated by the parliament.
“This is what we like to see. When parliament appropriates money, we want to see the results of the money we appropriated so that when you come back for more, we won’t have a reason to deny you,” Alabi said.
He conveyed the support of the Speaker of the House, Mr Abbas Tajudeen.
“I am here speaking with the mandate of the Speaker, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, GCON, to ascertain the level of work here, and I have zero complaint.”
Alabi urged speedy completion of the remaining aspects of the security infrastructure, noting its potential impact on curbing criminal activities.
“That little part remaining, please do it as soon as possible.
“The bandits, the thieves, the terrible people  – the bad people – they know that that part has not been done; so, they might want to concentrate their theft and illegal activities on that side.
“The earlier we complete it, the better. This is definitely going to reduce crime by a large percentage,” he said.
Responfing, Kesha reiterated that the security infrastructure was an integral part of the ongoing upgrade of the Third Mainland Bridge, which was nearing completion. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
Oyo govt. inaugurates joint task force on illegal mining

Oyo govt. inaugurates joint task force on illegal mining

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By David Adeoye

Oyo State Government has inaugurated a joint task force on illegal mining to enforce the Executive Order 001/2023.

The State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said that the inauguration, which was held on Monday at Iseyin City Hall, Iseyin, attracted government officials, traditional rulers, community representatives, and representatives of security agencies.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Director-General, Oyo State Mineral Development Agency (OYSMIDA), Mr Abiodun Oni, said that the state would no longer tolerate illegal mining activities.

Oni warned that anyone found engaging in illegal mining would be held accountable and prosecuted, maintaining that the law would take its full course.

He said the inauguration of the task force signalled a comprehensive crackdown on unauthorised mining activities and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks.

The D-G urged residents to report suspicious activities, saying, “If you see something, say something.

“We must all join hands to curb this menace.”

He commended Gov. Seyi Makinde for his visionary leadership and unwavering support in ensuring the security of Oyo residents and the protection of the state’s natural resources.

The OYSMIDA’s General Manager, Mrs Olufunke Omidiran, described the initiative as a strategic response to the growing threat of illegal mining.

Omidiran emphasised that the task force was well-equipped and tasked with promoting sustainable mining practices and environmental stewardship. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

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