FG - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Fri, 2024

FG to harness Kogi’s natural resources for sustainable dev’t

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The Federal Government has pledged to partner with the Kogi government to harness its natural resources for sustainable economic development.

Sen. Heineken Lokpobri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated this on Thursday in Abuja when Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, paid him a courtesy visit.

He restated the federal government’s commitment to mobilise investments to stimulate mineral exploration activities in the state in view of crude oil deposits for overall strategic national interest.

According to Lokpobri, the Petroleum Industry Act mandates the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), to explore frontier basins in the country.

“We are doing a bid round currently, and as a policy, states are encouraged to participate in the upstream, all you need to do is to do the requisite exploration work towards getting oil in the substantial quantity.

“As a confluence state, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will partner with the state government to provide necessary support to extract its resources to the markets,” he said.

Lokpobiri, who commended the governor for his good governance to the people and foresight, expressed optimism that crude production would hit 2.5 million barrels soon through concerted efforts.

Earlier, Udodo solicited the support of the ministry to harness its untapped natural resources, and to advance oil exploration.

“Kogi state is so blessed with many natural resources and in abundant quantity, hence we have been boasting about it.

“We need your support and guidance to unlock our potential to ensure that the natural gift bestowed upon us by the Almighty God starts working for us,” he said.

Also speaking, Asiwaju Idris, the Kogi Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, said the governor was consolidating on the development plan developed by his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

He said it was paramount to fast track the blueprint, adding that the governor took it upon himself to gear a lot of investment towards securing the citizens, resources and investors.

Idris advocated establishment of a gas industrial park in view of the ongoing construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, which passed through the state.

This, he said, would encourage more industries and investors in the state to take advantage of the gas expansion plan.

“In Kogi state, we have more upcoming companies in the area of solid minerals, we have Dangote company expanding, and many other companies across the state because we are blessed with solid minerals.

“We know that the NUPRC has a lot to do to develop the frontier basin. We need to tap other minerals God blessed the state with under the Anambra frontier basin”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor was accompanied in the visit by his Chief of Staff, Ali Bello and other top government functionaries. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani Ali

isaac aregbesola
Oct, Wed, 2024

General News

FG gives 60-day notice to title owners to pay ground rent

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By Angela Atabo

The Federal Government has given owners of its titled properties 60-day notice to pay their outstanding ground rent and other statutory charges or face revocation of their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, gave the ultimatum on Wednesday in Abuja, at the 29^th Conference of Directors of Lands in the Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and its Impact on Climate and Community Rights’’.

“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of its titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years now.

“This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of Naira in revenue to the Federal Government.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.

“As such all Federal C of O title owners are hereby given a 60-day notice to settle all outstanding ground rent and statutory charges. Failure to make payment within this period will result in the revocation of their C of Os,’’ he said

According to the minister, the federal government is in a state of emergency regarding land administration, economy, security, and social development.

Dangiwa said that the ministry also observed activities of various residents’ associations in federal government landed properties preventing officials from accessing the estates for billing purposes and enforcement of non-payments.

“We want to warn such associations to comply with the terms and conditions outlined in their respective C of Os. Failure to adhere to these requirements will attract the appropriate penalties and sanctions,’’ he warned

He said that the ministry upscaled the Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C of O) and Land Titling System for all federal government-owned lands in the 36 states of the country.

He explained that the e-C of O system incorporates a web-based Advanced Workflow System (WNABS) and an Electronic Documentation Management System (EDMS) to streamline the review, approval, and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

Dangiwa said that the new system had significantly reduced administrative bottlenecks and processing times for federal land applications.

He said that the innovative initiative has resulted in the digital approval of over 600 e C of O applications as of October 2024 with a target to clear the backlog before the end of December.

“This will be integrated within the larger framework of the national land titling program that we are implementing with the World Bank and other partners,’’ he said.

Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said land use decisions must prioritise sustainability to mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect biodiversity, and ensure that future generations have access to vital natural resources.

“Land is not only an economic asset but also a cultural and social resource that holds deep significance for communities.

“Across Africa, land tenure is closely tied to identity, heritage, and community cohesion.

“Unfortunately, in many cases, communities especially rural and indigenous ones, are displaced or marginalised due to inadequate or inequitable land management practices.’’

Ogunbiyi, therefore, urged that in the pursuit of development, authorities should ensure that the rights of these communities were safeguarded.

He added that customary land rights should be recognised and the need for inclusion of local communities in land-use planning to promote fairness and avoid conflicts. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Fri, 2024

Agriculture

Stakeholders seek FG’s support for agroecology in Nigeria

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By Eric James Ochigbo

Some stakeholders in the agricultural sector have called for the Federal Government’s support for agroecology to enhance production of healthier food and to ensure environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the second regional workshop on agroecology organised by Bread for the World (Brot für die Welt) a German development organisation.

The workshop is titled” Advancing Agroecology in Nigeria: Building Pathways for Sustainable Agriculture.”

In the keynote address, Mrs Joyce Brown, Programme Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) explained that agroecology as a practice, includes different farming methods like mixed cropping, crop rotation, cover-cropping among others.

According to her, agroecology increases biodiversity, reduces need for chemical inputs and ensures increased productivity while enhancing Nigeria’s food system resilience.

Brown said that strict application of the principles of agroecology would also protect the environment as it is in line with nature.

She explained that agroecology focuses on building soil health through appropriate farming practices including agroforestry and use of organic fertilisers.

Brown said that adoption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) does not have any advantage over agroecology but rather poses more health and environmental risks.

NAN reports that a GMO is a plant, animal or microorganism that has had their genetic material modified in a way that does not occur naturally through a process called genetic engineering.

Brown said that GMOs have implications from biodiversity loss as a result of intensive chemical use, loss of indigenous seed varieties, health and cultural implications as well as labelling issues.

According to Brown, agroecology on the other hand strengthens local economies, ensures rural development, energy and water efficiency, environmental conservation and increased food productivity.

Stakeholders at the event recommended that the Federal Government should develop and implement an agroecology policy built on practical solutions and successes.

They also highlighted the need to integrate agroecology into national agricultural plans, and develop appropriate institutions to drive organic and agroecological farming in Nigeria.

The stakeholders further called for more training for farmers, extension workers, and policymakers as well as establishment

of farmer field schools and demo plots for peer learning.

In his remarks, Prof. Olugbenga Adeoluwa of the Department of Soil Resource Management, University of Ibadan, said that agroecology is not averse to new technology.

He, however, said that just like guns and bombs, not all technologies are safe for human and environmental consumption.

“Many people that are supporting GMOs do not understand the underlying agenda which is business, control and monopoly.

“We should understand this and not be fooled,” he said.

Also, Mr Andrew Kwasari, President of Sa’l’anwaraTumal Consultaire Limites (SCI) an agro firm, stated that there was a need to have in-depth research and conversations around improved seeds. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru