By Philip Yatai

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) began fresh moves in Abuja on Wednesday to end the lingering boundary dispute between Abia and Akwa Ibom.

It summoned officials of the two states to a roundtable where its Director-General, Mr Adamu Adaji, noted that earlier meetings did not yield the desired results.

Adaji observed that that the boundary in dispute covered 275 kilometres in length between the old Cross River/Imo interstate boundary areas.

He added that the boundary has “tripoints’’ at Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River in the north and Abia, Akwa Ibom and Rivers in the south.

A tripoint or tri-border area is a geographical point at which the boundaries of three countries or subnational entities meet.

Adaji explained that the Federal Government promulgated the Decree 23 of 1985 to adjust the boundary on the recommendations of the Kaloma Ali Boundary Ascertainment Commission, as a starting point of the boundary.

He noted, however, that the directives of the Federal Government for the boundary to be delineated and demarcated with the emplacement of permanent boundary pillars were not implemented.

“Since taking over the boundary definition process, the commission has carried out various inconclusive field tracing and provisional demarcation exercises on the boundary.

“The challenges have always been the dearth of clear delimitation instruments or the non-clarity of them where they exist.

“Other challenges include the deliberate efforts to misinterpret the documents by stakeholders or their failure to accept them.

“Fortunately, we have succeeded in identifying sectors of the boundary that were not defined by the Decree line; the sectors in dispute as well as the sectors that the two states agreed as their areas of consensus,’’ Adaji said.

He said Wednesday’s meeting was organised to review the status of work on the boundary and discuss ways forward toward the completion of outstanding works.

He also called for the establishment of a joint technical team of officials of the Federal Government and the two states to document what had been done in the past.

Adaji added that the team would identify sections of the boundary that were covered and those not covered, and produce detailed maps for stakeholders to continue the conversation.

In his remarks, Deputy Governor of Abia, Mr Ikechukwu Emetu, described border disputes as manmade, which could be resolved.

Emetu, also Chairman of Abia Boundary Committee, advised that cases involving boundary adjustment issues should be handled in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“If all of us decide to solve this problem for ourselves and our people, we shall surely find solutions that can be applied to the various sectors of the disputed boundaries.

“Some of the land dispute cases have been subjected to litigations and arbitrations before and after the colonial administration.

“We should apply these legal documents and evolve them in settling the land dispute matters.

“These recommendations, if adopted and implemented shall resolve 90 per cent of the disputes within a year,’’ Emetu said.

Also addressing the meeting, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, expressed optimism that the two states would renew their vigour and adopt a progressive approach to resolving the issue.

According to her, Akwa Ibom and Abia do not only share common boundaries; they share history, certain cultural values, and means of livelihoods, inter-marry and share common humanity.

“So, we are one; but we need to constantly remind ourselves and our people of this indisputable fact.

“These lingering disputes which date back to the 1980s are largely due to human nature and lack of political will on the part of the authorities.

“If we employ the truth and have the courage to confront the facts, these disputes will be resolved easily,” the deputy governor said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers (NICE) says the signing of the Washington Accord by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has put Nigerian engineers in the international market space.

Mr Sharafadeen Olumoh, National Vice President NICE, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Washington accord is an agreement between member countries that engineers within the member states, will have opportunity to work in member countries without any interference and further tests or certification.

“There are previous conditions that were given to Nigerian engineering family to meet before this signature because there are minimum standards in engineering education that are required as significant such as Outcome Based Education.

“That is a deviation from the existing educational system that we have, the existing one is the curriculum based.

” There are formation of curriculum and courses which students must pass and graded after passing it, then the students are graded and graduated and the difference of that from the OBE is that students are graded based on what they can do.”

He said it was marrying the educational theory with the practical; somebody that had in mind what to invent, for example in machine, can go into a university for that purpose and begin his career by studying how to invent such a machine.

He said if the individual succeeded and the invention was approved and he succeeded in inventing that machine, the certificate or degree would be awarded to such an engineer, based on that expertise.

” Washington Accord signatories are granted the mobility of the engineering personnel within member countries. So Nigeria was duly granted the signatory status though Nigeria is not yet a permanent member.

“With this status, Nigerian engineers are able to move within these member countries and then practice without hindrance and it will improve certainly the engineering practice within Nigeria.”

Originally signed in 1989, the Washington Accord, is a multi-lateral agreement between bodies responsible for accreditation or recognition of tertiary-level engineering qualifications within their jurisdictions.

Currently there are 21 signatories that make up the Washington Accord; Nigeria is the second African signatory.

Some of the signatories to the Accord are Australia, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia, United Kingdom and the United States of America. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The Federal Government says it has enrolled 500 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to enhanc access to quality healthcare services.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Dr Sani Gwarzo, stated this at a symbolic presentation of the NHIS Identity Cards to the beneficiaries, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the move will ensure affordable healthcare coverage for PwDs across the country.

Gwarzo spoke when he led a delegation to the palace of the traditional ruler and Head of the PwDs at Karo Majiji in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the enrolment exercise was facilitated by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

The exercise was meant to alleviate the suffering being faced by PwDs in accessing affordable healthcare services.

He said the government began implementation of the pilot scheme in the Federal Capital Territory and expected to be extended to the 36 states of the federation.

Also, the Executive Secretary, NCPWD, Mr James Lalu assured PwDs of his determination to support their welfare and education of their children, to ensure a better future within the disability community.

The Commission, he said, secured employment opportunities for PwDs in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

”This is in fulfilment of the five per cent employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in line with the NCPWD establishment Act,” he said.

He lauded former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, for accelerating the percentage of employment opportunities for PwDs in the country.

Lalu reitrated commitment to ensure the development of the allocated permanent site meant for building of residential houses of PwDs at Zuba area of the FCT.

Responding, Mr Mohammed Dantani, who spoke on behalf of the palace, urged government to support the education of their children.

Dantani, who is also the Secretary, FCT Community of PwDs, thanked the federal government for its support towards uplifting the living standard of PwDs in the FCT

He, however, called for deployment of additional teachers to the community primary school in the area,  adding it was being overstretched due to manpower gaps.

“There are only three teachers to over 200 pupils in the school.

”We are appealing to government to increase the teacher ratio to help our children have better education.

”We don’t want our children to be on the street begging the way we are doing. Please, help assure the future of our children with better education,” he said. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has distributed tools to aid social and educational needs of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tools were handed over to the beneficiaries by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr James Lalu, on Friday in Abuja.

The items included desktop, typewriters, wheelchairs, door bell, welding machines, Abacus, audio calculator, Hair dressing tools, mobile typewriter, cartons of Braille papers,  and shea butter creams.

Lalu said the gesture was part of Federal government’s unwavering determination and commitment to improve the quality of life of PWDs in Nigeria.

He explained that part of the responsibilities of the commission includes providing assistive devices annually to the disability community for free.

According to him, it was because of this that the commission entered into partnership with an international manufacturing company to provide affordable workimg tools to support the PWDs.

He said that the partnership would ensure access to the assistive tools at lower rate than currently obtainable in the market.

”The commission is currently in partnership with an Australian manufacturing firm who are willing and interested to come and establish their manufacturing plant for the production of Assistive equipments in Nigeria.

”We are also working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to secure a land for the commencement of the building of the factory in Nigeria.

”We look forward to the successful execution of this partnership, where we will have all types of wheelchairs that will be produced here in Nigeria,” he said.

According to Lalu,  the firm will provide their products at cheaper rate to PWDs in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Taiwo Amao, Head Teacher, Oyo State Special Needs School, Ogbomosho, thanked the commission for the gesture.

Amao said that the commission has been consistent in uplifting the living standards of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

Other beneficiaries included the Albinism Association of Nigeria, Nigerian National Association of the Deaf, Nigeria Association of the Blind, and Government Secondary school Kwali in the FCT, Global Hope and Justice Incorporated, and some individuals.(NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Malam Shehu Ahmed, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) says the FCT Administration would demolish all structures on waterways across the nation’s capital.

Ahmed made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said some structures were preventing water from flowing freely through its natural course which was responsible for flooding recorded in some parts of the city.

” People are clamoring that we act quickly and take tough decisions to save lives. And this is what we must do. We cannot act as though we don’t see this man-made problem caused by those who violate the Abuja Master Plan.”

” Buildings in Trademore Estate had been severally marked for demolition. Warnings have been given year after year but the occupants of the estate keep risking their lives and those of others.

” By declaring Trademore a disaster zone, we have told the residents there to evacuate. The area is on a low line zone which is not safe. Flooding can come at anytime. They know this and have been experiencing it over the years”.

The executive secretary, who is the chairman, Special Ministerial Task Team on Flood Mitigation, revealed that a Police station in Trademore would be demolished and other buildings.

” We have The Police station in Trademore would be demolished. It will go alongside other buildings. We have engaged the FCT Police command and have provided a suitable place for them to operate from and fight crime.”

The executive secretary pointed out that Trademore Estate did not have FCDA Approved building plan and the continuous flooded areas can best be left as Green areas and not residential.

He explained that the estate was just one of the areas in focus as other areas where structures were built on floodplains would experience removal of illegal structures. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation (CSO), has commended President Bola Tinubu for returning the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to the office of the Vice President.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu gave the approval on Tuesday shortly before traveling to Paris, France, to attend a global financial pact summit.

The National Coordinator of the CSO, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed, made the commendation in a statement on Friday.

He said the decision of President Tinubu was a welcome development, “because it will free the commission from unnecessary bureaucracies and provide efficient time management in the implementation of hajj policies.

“It is our belief that returning NAHCON to the office of the Vice President, which is in line with its establishment act, will afford the commission the opportunity to fast track their operations with little or no delay.”

The coordinator also said it was particularly delightful that the commission was returning under the supervision of the current Vice President, Kashim Shettima, “a man that has a track record of doing well for hajj pilgrims from Borno state where he governed the state for eight years.

“The Vice President had always taken special interest in the Hajj affairs of Borno state and was always personally involved in ensuring that pilgrims from the state performed Hajj in a state of tranquillity.

“He always ensured that everything needed by the pilgrims are provided and on time. It is our belief that the VP will replicate this and do more at the National level, which will in turn see Nigerian pilgrims enjoy the best of services they pay for.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi