Lamido justifies decision to remain in PDP

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 50 Second

I never planned to leave party, says Niger gov

JIGAWA State ‎Governor, Suleiman Lamido, declared Tuesday that his refusal to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with governors Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso of Kano, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State and three other governors was guided by his commitment to fight for the national interest.

   Speaking with journalists shortly after a meeting with the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, Lamido also denied reports that his meeting with Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State recently was to prepare for his defection to APC.

   Kwankwaso had said on Monday that Lamido betrayed the G7 group by refusing to defect to the APC as agreed.

   But Lamido in response to Kwankwaso’s remark said: “I am a betrayer, confirmed. I betrayed them. I did, yes. I am aligning myself to what he (Kwankwaso) said. I am aligning my answer to what he said. Go and find out from him. I betrayed them in national interest.”

   On his meeting with Amaechi, Lamido said: “You see, me and Amaechi are very good friends, PDP or no PDP, we are Nigerians how can I go to APC.”

   Kwankwaso had accused Lamido of betraying the group of five PDP governors who left the party following their disagreement with the party.‎‎

   He said: “Everyone knows that Governor Lamido was part of us, he was the leader of the group. He took us to a certain height before choosing otherwise and we were all surprised by his final decision.

   “But, if there is anybody who would criticize our exit, it shouldn’t be Lamido and the Niger State governor. After all, our judgment would decide the outcome of the general elections.

   “However, we know that PDP is no longer the monster it used to be, and I tell you they are ready to do anything to have someone like me who was considered as an irritant back in their fold,” Kwankwaso declared.

No plans to dump PDP   

Meanwhile, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has debunked claims that he planned to dump the PDP for the APC, saying that at the time he led the G-7 group, the objective was to resolve leadership problem in his party and not to leave the party.

   A press statement in Minna on Tuesday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel A. Ebije, insisted that at no time did he contemplate dumping his party for APC.

   The governor was responding to a report credited to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano claiming that he was privy to the G-7 decision to decamp to APC.

   Although he said he would always respect members of the G-7 for their position against impunity in the party at that trying period, he, however, maintained that the decision to leave PDP for APC was not on the agenda of the group except individual decision of members.

   Aliyu however said he has no regrets in leading a group that brought sanity to the PDP at a time the party was passing through difficulties, adding that their effort was indeed nationalistic and a reflection of maturity of Nigerian democracy.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Groups endorsing Jonathan, Buhari not sincere—Ikedife

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 6 Second

Awka—FORMER president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has described groups endorsing President Goodluck Jonathan of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of All Progressives Congress, APC, for the forthcoming presidential election as not being sincere.

Ikedife, who was particularly worried about the action of some Igbo groups competing for the endorsement, told reporters at Nnewi, Anambra State, that politics was all about interests and wondered what the groups stood to gain by not considering their group interests first before making the endorsement public.

He said: “We are dwelling on things that do not matter. Endorsement is done by these groups because of what they are given and these endorsements are purchasable.

“Endorsement or not, Nigerians are becoming more analytical and, therefore, know who to vote for during the election.

“In the politics of Nigeria, Igbo should always think of their group interest and then national interest. Many people have been wondering what will be the Igbo interest after the elections.

“For instance, if there is trouble in the North, the Niger Delta or in any part of the country after the elections, how will it affect Igbo?

“Our people have to consider where their interests is best suited and religion should not be the issue in choosing a leader.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Seamless movement: Lagos pursues road, rail, water multi-modal linkages

0 0
Read Time:7 Minute, 25 Second

TO further boost intra-city transportation the Lagos State Government has added 100 new air-conditioned buses to the existing fleet through the partnership of LAGBUS Asset Management Limited and a franchise operator, Metro Bus.

An elated Governor Babatunde Fashola formally flagged off the operation of the new buses at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Yard, Oshodi, before a large crowd, last week.

Unveiling the new buses, with WIFI internet connection on board, Fashola reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a reliable and sustainable multi-modal transport system that is driven by the private sector.

The governor explained that the ultimate goal of the initiative is prosperity for the generality of the people, which could only be delivered in a structured partnership with the private sector.

He added that it is only by creating opportunity for private sector to take ownership, employ people and provide services that government can really deliver the prosperity of its dreams.

Transportation projects status

Governor Fashola aboard one of the 100 air-conditioned Wifi buses

Reinforcing the multi-modal objective of the state government that is boosted with the increased bus fleet, Fashola gave a status update on the various transport related projects, informing that the jetties and the terminals in Mile 2, Badore, Osborne, Ipakodo, Ibeshe are nearing completion.

He stated that from just 150,000 passengers per month in 2007, the state is moving over 1.6 million people every month with about 200 ferries already licensed and owned by the private sector.

“So what we are doing on land today is already taking place on water and what we expect to see when all the jetties are commissioned is extension, bigger capacity ferries financed by banks and owned by individuals and small companies and then our job really would have been done.

“For now, there are a lot of water taxis carrying 16 to 24 passengers and there are almost 200 of them and everywhere you look on our waterways up to Ijegun-Egba you would see them. People are moving on a daily basis and a lot of employment is going on there,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state government had approved the concession of the fuel supply system to all terminals following advertised bids for which winners were later short-listed.

The ferry terminals, according to the government would be destination points for passengers with banking halls and all other facilities. Fashola assured that the same facilities that would be seen at the ferry terminals when they are opened would also be seen at the rail terminals, four of which have already been completed.

He continued: “We have completed Mile 2, Orile, Alaba and Costain stations for the rail. We are heading to the fifth station in Marina and if you are driving on the Marina you would see that we are driving pillar by pillar, we are on our way, so that you can come by water, join a bus and continue your journey from Marina and may be into Victoria Island when that one starts.

“There are seven lines for the whole of Lagos so the Master plan is ready and one by one we would connect this together. That is what is in the 2012-2025 Development Plan that we have just unveiled”.

He explained that the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, system is all about empowering private sector and that the first partners were the road transport unions who owned the old buses on Lagos roads, adding that the government convinced them that if they could change their buses the face of transportation in Lagos would be changed.

“They agreed and bought the first set of buses. They took loans, paid off the loans, recapitalized but the environment in which they invested then has changed substantially”.

Tracing the origin of the first set of BRT buses, Fashola said it was the positive spin-off of a partnership with the private sector.

“Government did not own the BRT buses, it was private sector that owned them. Our job was to build the roads, bus shelters to maintain and manage them while they run their buses but that environment at the time they were borrowing money at $1 at N118 and interest rate at 10 percent has changed completely”, he added.

Rickety buses

Fashola explained that when people see ageing buses that are not being replaced on the roads, it is not because government is not efficient but because the private sector is being incapacitated by financial regulations and economic policies of the Federal Government that are not helping them to grow.

“That is the reality because we expect them to now borrow money at N210 to $1 at 25 percent and we expect them to buy buses and keep them at the same prices. What kind of economy is that?”

“The Federal Government has also announced that it will increase tariff for the buses, so this is the environment in which the bus operators do business. And it is an environment we must begin to pay attention to if we must see growth in this industry”, he emphasized.

Bus franchise

He explained that the administration in Lagos also felt that it had a role to play and that role was in setting up a government owned company, LAGBUS whose role is to provide support in the less commercially viable routes because government did not want to compete with its investors so that people who live in those areas will have some kind of support as private sector is in business for profit.

He said as a government that was always reviewing strategies, it thought the LAGBUS company itself was going to grind to a halt if all that it did was to run on unviable routes.

“So we expanded its width and this is where the bus franchising model came to life. And we said instead of you operating this now, sell all of these routes under franchises to private investors who would bring their buses but they would brand them in your colours, put their names on it and this is the model that has thrived in many parts of the world”.

“So we would see Metro Bus which is a franchise of LAGBUS and we would see a Diamond Bus and so many others under one franchise operating on minimum standards below which the bus system should not fall. It is a minimum of 20 buses to get a franchise because we didn’t want one bus owners. The Metro buses have come now with 100 buses and they say they would do more”, he explained.

Fashola saluted the courage of the investors for venturing to dare in spite of the difficulties of the market, adding that the new investment will offer 1500 new jobs as well as provision of WIFI internet connection on board the air-conditioned buses.

Maintenance facility

In terms of facilities for maintaining the buses, the state government currently has a maintenance yard at Cappa and Bolade with consideration of entering a structured partnership towards building a bigger maintenance yard that can service everybody’s investment and provide an opportunity for all.

Speaking earlier, the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, described the launch of the new high capacity buses as another firm demonstration of the readiness of the present administration to implement the multi- modal transportation system.

Pilot routes

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the LAGBUS Asset Management Limited, Mr Babatunde Disu said the buses will start operation soon, servicing main routes namely Sango-Oshodi-Obalende- Ikorodu-Island –Epe.

There are1800 buses servicing 47 routes. Ridership, it was learnt has risen by 31 per cent as 64.5 million passengers have been moved by LAGBUS between 2012 and December 2015.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Metro Bus, Mr Niyi Oguntoyinbo said parts of the innovative facilities available on the buses are access through preloaded cards that would generate 5000 jobs for mobile agents for the pre-loaded cards.

Bus facilities

One of the innovative status of the initiative is that passengers can also send SMS to a number to know when the bus will arrive at their bus stop because it was realized that a lot of people wait at bus stops in vain and that the buses have been equipped with facilities that will enable the operators see the buses in real time and switch buses from one route to another to gain efficiency.

There is security camera on board to ensure safety of passengers. The live feeds from the cameras will be made available to security agencies to be able to track any mishap. Customers can also use WIFI on the buses as well as enjoy videos and music on the go.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Jonathan’s visit: Beware of Greek gift, S-West APC tells Yoruba monarchs

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 9 Second

IBADAN—FOLLOWING President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit by to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and other monarchs in the South West to garner support for his re-election in the March 28 presidential election, the opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC, has advised the rulers to be be conscious of the implications of “Greek gift.”

The South-West APC, in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, advised the monarchs who he described as the bastion of democratic justice and good governance, should vote true to their cultural identity that loathes tyranny, corruption and nepotism.

Fighting hard to realise his second term ambition, President Jonathan had visited the South-West monarchs in quick succession.

The visits, according to the APC has no redemptive electoral value in South-West because “it is devoid of strategic assessment.”

The party asked how many of such desperate and impromptu meetings were needed before Yoruba people voted for him in 2011? “How much did President Jonathan spend to get Yoruba votes in 2011 and why should he think money will save him now?

Except the Yoruba, the zonal APC maintained that all other regions extracted several promises from President Jonathan in the race to 2011 elections.

He noted further that the zone voted based on their firm convictions and commitment to justice and good governance

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Nigeria FirstBank seizes Seawolf’s rigs over N25bn debt

0 0
Read Time:4 Minute, 20 Second

LAGOS— Sequel to our exclusive story earlier this month about abandoned oil rigs at the outer Marina in Lagos, Vanguard learnt that the rigs may have been seized by FirstBank of Nigeria Plc for alleged debts of about N25 billion owed by Seawolf Oil Services Limited, owners of the rigs.

As a result, the two rigs – Onome and Oritsetimeyin, may not have been abandoned after all, but kept under watch by FirstBank.

This is happening as more than 450 workers of the company demand payment of N3 billion allegedly owed them since August, 2013.

The DPR claim

The unfolding scenario is contrary to the claim by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, the industry regulator, that the two rigs were undergoing repairs.

Vanguard’s Sweetcrude in its February edition had reported the unusual presence of the two rigs at the Marina, but the DPR had dismissed it as not ‘being out of place.’

Even now, the industry regulator has not the faintest idea why the rigs are at the Marina, because when contacted, a top official of the agency, who preferred anonymity insisted that the rigs were not abandoned.

“What we are saying is that as long as the rigs have no issue, they are not abandoned,” he argued.

But curiosity about the presence of the rigs at the Marina was borne out of the fact that rigs are usually found in oil producing areas.

But on further investigation, Vanguard discovered that the two rigs were seized because of mismanagement of funds by Seawolf.

Rigs were working for Total, Addax

It was learnt that while the rig named Oritsetimeyin was working for Total E&P Nigeria, Onome was working for Addax Petroleum Development Company, with each generating $130,000 daily.

Things started to fall apart when the directors of Seawolf were alleged to have been diverting the company’s funds for personal use. First was the $11 million given by Total meant to train the staff and buy equipment for the rig, which could not be accounted for, which led to cancellation of the contract. Also, the company refused to service the N25 billion loan it took from FirstBank.

These led to the gradual grinding of operations of the once flourishing oil servicing company wholly owned by Nigerians.

When the company could no longer function, it terminated the employment of its more than 450 workers in August 2013, without paying their entitlements.

AMCON takes over

Consequently, the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, was compelled to take over Seawolf and the two rigs involved. However, the workers are asking for their salary arrears, terminal benefits and other entitlements as enshrined in the Collective Bargaining agreement, CBA, they signed with Seawolf.

Some of the workers’ claims include: non-payment of outstanding salaries till date; end of contract bonus; non-payment of overtime; public holiday and weekend bonuses; non-provision of medical services which led to the alleged death of one Patrick Akpan.

Others are an unremitted pension deduction not remitted; non-payment of leave allowances and leave not spent; and non-payment of 3.5 percent yearly increment.

AMCON fails to honour agreements

In pursuit of their entitlements, the workers approached the Ministry of Petroleum Resources for intervention and to facilitate their payment.

In one of the meetings said to have held on November 10, 2014, at the NNPC towers in Abuja, it was resolved that Seawolf receiver manager (AMCON) should verify claims of the workers and effect payment.

Attendants at the meeting included officials of the Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Labour and Productivity, AMCON, and joint representatives of junior and senior workers unions— NUPENG and PENGASSAN national branches.

However, Vanguard learnt that this was not effected in the letter. In another meeting held on January 26, 2015, at the conference room of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, it was resolved that under three weeks, AMCON should verify workers’ claims, make payment and report back to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The resolution was also ignored.

Thereafter, the workers have become agitated and are set to mobilise to compel AMCON to pay them as agreed by the parties involved in the negotiations.

Contacted, a source in FirstBank, who chose to remain anonymous, said although the bank gave such a loan to Seawolf, due process was followed.

He said: “Loan to Seawolf is long standing. Due process was followed. Two years ago, it was reported in the annual general meeting of the bank. Right now, it is no longer FirstBank’s loan. It is an AMCON issue. AMCON has taken over and every other enquiry about it should be forwarded to AMCON. It is now an AMCON business.”

AMCON offers no defence        

When Vanguard sought the reaction from the spokesman of AMCON, Mr. Kayode Lambo, he said he was busy and offered to call back in about 10 minutes time.

When Vanguard called back later after waiting for his call for more than 30 minutes, he did not take his call and neither did he respond to a text message sent to him in that regard.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Campaign with religion, pay N1m fine, INEC warns political parties

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second

Bauchi—The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Bauchi State has warned that any political party or politician who used religious sentiments for their campaigns would be made to pay N1 million fine or face 12 months of imprisonment.

The warning by INEC is coming on the heels of allegations that some politicians who were threatening some PDP supporters in Darazo Local Government based on their choice of presidential candidate.

The State INEC Administrative Secretary, Emmanuel Umenger who spoke yesterday during an interactive session with stakeholders in the local government including traditional leaders, security agents, NYSC members and party leaders in continuation of the commission’s familiarization tour of the 20 local government areas in the state.

He said that the aim of the familiarization tourwas to enlighten stakeholders at the local governments on the level of preparedness of the commission towards the polls and canvass for the support of the electorates in ensuring a successful process.

According to the secretary, the commission was against electioneering campaigns based on religious sentiments adding that any political party that was caught in the act will be prosecuted.

Umenger said, “Section 102 of the electoral act as amended frowns against campaigns based on religious sentiments. Campaigns by political parties should be issue- based rather than along religious lines.

“The commission is equally against political parties intimidating the electorate based on their choice of candidates. Electorates are always at liberty to vote for any candidate they chose and should not be threatened because of their choices.”

In his response at the interactive session, the new state INEC Commissioner, Professor   Hamman Tukur Sa’ad condemned the intimidation of electorates, saying that any threat to life or property should be reported to security agencies.

He warned against the politics of violence and urged local government authorities not to interfere in the electoral process.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

PDP members protest imposition of unfit candidate in Onitsha

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 29 Second

Nnewi—Aggrieved members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Onitsha North and South federal constituency yesterday in Onitsha protested against what they described as imposition of incapacitated and medically unfit candidate on them.

Spokesman of the protesters and former Minority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, Ifeanyi Ibegbu alleged that the party was imposing a medically unfit candidate on them.

He said they were shocked and surprise that the party was imposing one Emeka Idu on them, despite failing in the primaries.

“We are worried about the imposition of candidates; we want to tell the party that we say no to imposition of candidates on us.

“We want the people that will represent us, especially in the House of Representatives, to be very rich in knowledge, somebody that is capable and medically fit.

“We cannot accept somebody that is medically unfit to represent the good people of Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency, how can the party impose a candidate who has spinal cord problem on us, if he gets there how can he cope with the stressful activities of lawmaking,” Ibegbu said

He said they had made appeals and representation to the national leadership of P.D.P to address their complains but regretted that the party ignored them,

“We have Lynda Ikpeazu who once represented us, we have Princess Ifeyinwa Anazonwu, a Maritime expert, and Cyril Egwuatu who is the incumbent lawmaker representing the federal constituency but all of a sudden, they are presenting one Emeka Idu to come and represent us, the party is contemplating failure in the election,” he said.

However, when Vanguard contacted Emeka Idu, he said he is medically fit and had been engaging in campaigns in all the wards in his federal constituency.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Army must remain loyal to nation rather than individual’s tenure —Oshiomhole

0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 54 Second

BENIN—Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the Nigerian Army must remain loyal to the nation rather than be reduced to defending the tenure of an individual, adding that presidents and governors will come and go but the Nigerian nation will remain.

Speaking while receiving the General Officer Commanding, (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Sanusi Muazu, Oshiomhole said no political office holder should get so desperate and try to use the military to boost personal ambition.

According to him, “The reason this has become an issue is because of the nature of our politics and the way political actors have put their personal interests over and above national interest. Presidents and governors would come and go, whether they are good or bad. Even the Armed Forces commander would come and go but the institution of the Nigeria Armed Forces will remain. Once we can distinguish between the person and the office, the institutions and the player, we may not have crisis.

“I believe that the forthcoming elections with all the tension that people are raising, the speculation that Nigeria will have crisis, to me I have seen all these before and the God that created this country will ensure that after all the fog, the weather will be clear. Nigeria will remain.

“It is the peace and security of the part that determine the character of peace and security of the whole. The Armed Forces must see themselves as the Nigerian Armed Forces and not the Armed Forces of the Commander in Chief, or of the governor. The Commander in Chief is to be elected by very ordinary people.

“The right of the people to vote for who will be president is a right that must be defended and upheld. Once the process is clean, the outcome does not matter. In a democracy, the people deserve the kind of president they want. He is a product of election and not an imposition.

“So, I ask you to do all you can to keep that confidence, that the army understands that its mandate is to defend the territorial integrity of the Nigerian nation and not the tenure of any political office holder regardless of the level.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

We Want Electricity, Not Power in Nigeria

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 16 Second

PERHAPS, if we called the Minister of Power the Minister of Electricity, we would have been speaking the same language about the poor state of electricity supply. The Minister speaks about “power generation”, we are interested in “electricity supply” to places we need them.

The distinction is very important and could lead to misunderstanding of the challenges we have with electricity. Generation calculated in megawatts has been governments’ ways, for years, of creating vain hope about improvements in electricity. We all know better, except those who believe that once the promises are made they have done their work.

It is nothing new. Each government out performs ones before it by promising more power generation. In most cases it knows that the volume of power generated means nothing if the facilities to transmit and distribute it are unavailable. Often, the facilities are not available, meaning that more power generation creates extra challenges for the out-dated transmission and distribution lines. Chances are high that the electricity so generated could be wasted. No magic, except improvement of the transmission and distribution facilities, can change the situation.

Does the government not know these? Why does it keep deceiving the people about its new abilities to generate more power when the facilities cannot get the power to users? What does additional generation mean if it would not improve supply? Does government understanding of the movements that have resulted in DISCOs (distribution companies) and GENCOs (generation companies) include that Nigerians would have electricity at points they want them?

Every announcement of new generating facilities, promises of more transmission lines, creation of DISCOs and GENCOs raise the expectations of Nigerians. Instead their fate has been new tariffs (always) higher and monthly meter maintenance charges (N750), which they must pay, with or without electricity.

President Goodluck Jonathan tepidly captured the consequences of poor electricity supply thus, while commission a new line at the Egbin power facility, “Small and medium enterprises cannot thrive if owners of such businesses are left to generate their own electricity. Egbin power facility presents a vision of our drive to give stable power supply to Nigerians.” Are we supposed to applaud this new found wisdom? Enterprises would not survive, not to talk of thriving without stable electricity supply, which affects industries, not minding their sizes, homes and governments.

Professor Chinedu Nebo, Minister of Power, at the event, promised 10,000MW by 2016; and, 12,500MW by 2017. When would these megawatts get to users? Nigerians have never been interested in what is generated, but improved electricity for their use.

It insults their sensibilities that at times of worsening supplies, all they hear are applauses about increased power generation.

 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %

Lagos not in bondage, Fashola tells Jonathan

0 0
Read Time:3 Minute, 35 Second

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday reacted to President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that victory for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the forthcoming elections would free Lagos residents from oppression, saying “Lagos is not in bondage.”

Meantime, Fashola stunned a gathering in Lekki axis of the state when he said he bought his own vault where he will be buried after his demise four years ago.

The governor while reacting to the Presidents statement said “It is an un-presidential statement made in an act of desperation.”

It will be recalled that Jonathan made the statement during a meeting with leaders of market women groups, “Iyalojas”, in Lagos.

According to him, “the question to ask him (Jonathan) is that if he had come to free residents of Lagos from bondage and he lived here for five days meeting with people and distributing money in dollars. That means he lived in bondage in five days while trying to free people.

“If he can live here for five days moving with patrol vehicles that we paid for, let him go and spend five days in Chibok and he will know what bondage is,” he added.

On his vault

The governor said death is a necessary end that will come when it will come, saying there is need for people to prepare for it.

According to him “we are here to inspect a cemetery , we often don’t like to talk about but there is a need for it because the population continue to expand and the Lekki Sub- region is growing very fast.

“If you look at it the Ikoyi Cemetry, the Abari and all of that are more tha a 100 years old and they were built by colonialists and left behind for us and when you look at the way they have also managed them , many families cannot even visit the vaults where their loved ones are resting.

“We have this strategic partnership now with private sector and they are going to deliver a cemetery like no other. They will manage it and make the cost also competitive. There will be high, medium and low density vaults for people who really want to make a statement at their exit .

“It is the truism of life everyone who comes must go so as we are building hospitals , roads , schools imbibing survival strategy we must also plan for the end .

“This sounds as something people don’t want to discuss. I have bought my vault . It surprises people. I paid for it four years ago . As I always tell people if you come here for life you must plan to go. Those who don’t want to go should not come.”

ON Court of Arbitration

Fashola said the first West African Court of Arbitration would be ready next month (March).

He noted that the compelling need to resolve trade disputes locally rather than travelling abroad informed the sitting of the center in Lagos.

The governor lamented that the country and other West African countries “lose a lot of funds to other countries in terms of arbitration. For instance, whenever any dispute arise in the country, the preferred place is either Paris, France or London, United Kingdom. And there is nothing special there.

“All we need is to create a centre that will have the necessary reputation. We have the personnels because some of the best arbitrators in the continent are Nigerians.

“We already have the international recognition for this. All that is left is to complete the project. We have received some arbitration funds also. And the next three weeks, the building will be ready for commissioning. We have atleast 11 rooms here.”

“Also, we have the economic for the arbitration because a lot of construction, developmental and Public Private Partnership,( PPP) projects are ongoing. And dispute from there could be resolved here.

“With this (Lagos Arbitration centre); We would save a lot of money and create employment,” the governor added.

Fashola explained that through the initiative the state government has created a local destination for the sub-region, saying the court will be the destination for arbitration for West Africa.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
0 0 %