By Ikenna Osuoha

The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has suspended the quarry operations of Arab contractors for non compliance with operational rules of engagement.

The Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi, representing Karu/Kokona, Nasarawa, said this during a meeting with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja on Thursday.

Gbefwi who decried the mode of operations of Arab contractors, said it was not only injurious to the host community but disastrous to health.

He said the suspension would be sustained, pending when the company relocated to a new quarry site, safe for blasting.

“Arab Contractors’ blast with a distance of 431 meters, is a contravention of the rule of engagement and threat to people’s safety,” he said.

The lawmaker warned that all quarry operations ought to be in compliance with the rules of engagement and the Nigerian law.

He reaffirmed the resolve of the house to always uphold safety and defence of the Nigerian people, especially host communities.

According to him, as representatives of the people, it is their duty to ensure that the host communities benefitted from their resources, so that they don’t see it as curse but blessing.

Gbefwi wondered how some companies would be operating without compliance with the extant laws in the country.

He threatened to withdraw the license of such companies if found culpable.

“Nigeria is not a banana republic; it is a country with spelt out laws and rules that govern it.”

Responding, the Director, Mining, Extraction and Compliance (MEC), Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ms Vivian Okono, said that many of the operating companies defied compliance.

Okono, who absolved the ministry from complicates, said that she had written Arab Contractors on compliance.

She said that her department had continued to ensure that host communities benefits were given them by advising the operating companies not to shortchange them.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Christian Njoku

Gov. Bassey Otu has disclosed that he would not judge past administrations in the state because his coming as governor was to build on the gains of the past.

Otu made the assertion on Thursday in Calabar during the inauguration of the newly remodelled Governor’s Office.

It would be recalled that the office constructed in 1968 by the then military administrator of the state, Brig. Gen. U. J. Esuene last underwent minor renovations over 20 years ago and had been in bad shape.

According to the governor, this building stands as a signpost for Cross River and after eight years, I will leave and support the next person that will take over.

“We used austere finances to deliver the project and nobody will believe that the finance is meagre.

“We looked at its impact on the society and decided to renovate, remodel and turn this place around to a smart office that matches the 21st century,” he said.

He added that the whole essence was for service and that the people that would occupy the new office would have to work.

“They should know that they don’t leave until I leave office daily,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Ironbar, Chief of Staff to the Governor, said the governor’s office had been standing for about 58 years and needed to be remodelled and renovated to fit into the current realities.

According to him, the inauguration on May 29 meant double celebration as the achievements of the governor in different sectors could be seen.

He asserted that the governor’s transformative approach to governance was a welcome development and the state was proud and lucky to have him as a governor.

“You have worked from a temporary office in two years and have performed very well in infrastructural development that is changing the fortunes of the state,” he said.

On his part, Mr Edem Bassey, Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor on Governor’s Office, said on resumption of office, the governor saw that the then office was not a conducive place to work from.

He added that the office had been left to dilapidate by previous administrations in the state, adding that renovating it was a morale booster for every resident of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otu also used the opportunity to inaugurate the remodelled Office of the Wife of the Governor in commemoration of his two years in office. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

By Alex Enebeli

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State says the cargo terminal of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport as well as the international wings of the cargo terminal would soon be ready for operation.

Mbah disclosed this during the celebration to mark his two years in office held at the Okpara Square, Enugu on Thursday.

“Our airport will soon become operational. That way, we can move cargo from Enugu across the entire world.

“What that means is that our tech-enabled logistics and trading dream will come true to every Igbo businessman,” he added.

The governor said his administration had constructed over 800 kilometres of road in two years aimed at opening the state.

He said the roads cut across urban and rural communities and had opened access to markets, industries, schools and hospitals.

According to him, no community is being left behind as they built the system that powered them.

“In our first road project, we flagged off 71 urban roads and 20 rural road projects, connecting our people and reviving our local economies.

“In our first 180 days, we restored clean water to parts of Enugu metropolis by activating the Ninth Mile Water Scheme.

“We brought back school feeding programme so that our children could learn on full stomach. We also launched a digital business portal, cutting registration,” Mbah said.

He disclosed that his administration began civil service reforms, using digital verification by ensuring that public offices serve real workers and not ghost names.

On security, the governor said his government deployed a Distress Response Squad (DRS) and installed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-embedded security surveillance system that now helped in reducing urban crime by up to 80 per cent.

“In just two years, we have begun to rewire the foundation of Enugu State for future promise. We have delivered five ultra-modern terminals across the state.

“The Holy Ghost Terminal one for interstate travel with a sky bridge linking you to Terminal two which connects the terminal for intra-city transport.

“Gariki, Abakpa, Nsukka terminals all are ready for commissioning. We have also allocated 33 per cent of our budget to education alone, surpassing even the global benchmark,” he said.

The governor added that soon, the state would begin the rollout of 260 Smart Green Schools across the state, revealing they would be equipped with digital whiteboards, science labs and solar power.

According to him, the schools will aid experiential learning, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics and mechatronics.

“These spaces are where our children will no longer dream of opportunities, but they will grow, learning how to create the opportunities.

“Alongside this, we are building 260 primary health care centres across the entire state,” Mbah said (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maureen Atuonwu