Press Release: Alleged Ransome for the release of Mr. Ebikeme Clarke

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Read Time:1 Minute, 39 Second

The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to a release by a group called MEND, alleging that the Delta State Government parted with the sum of N500 million as ransom for the release of Mr. Ebikeme Clarke, son of Chief E. K. Clarke, who was kidnapped and released a few days ago. In the said statement, it was also alleged that the kidnap was stage managed by Ebikeme Clarke and the police to swindle the State Government of such an amount.

The Delta State Government wishes to State categorically that it did not part with any money as ransom for the release of Mr. Ebikeme Clarke. It is the policy of the Government not to pay or encourage the payment of ransom by families as this encourages more kidnappings. The state government has had previous cases of high profile kidnappings where the victims had been kept much longer than Ebikeme. The government did not pay any ransom. What then is so special about Mr. Ebikeme Clarke that will make the State Government pay ransom? Secondly the volume of money being mentioned, N500 million, makes the allegation very foolish for anyone who knows how government runs and the logistics of that volume of fund movement, considering the fact that there were only two working days during the period.

From the statement by the so called MEND, it is obvious that they are out not just to blackmail the State Government but also Chief E. K. Clarke and the amnesty programme of the Federal Government. The Delta State Government wishes to advise the people of the Niger Delta especially those still hiding under the umbrella of MEND, that the tactics of blackmail, falsehood, rumour mongering and intimidation in the region are gone. The region is in a phase of infrastructure and human capital development catch up which will ultimately ensure peace in the region. Let all hands be on deck. Signed:

COMRADE OVUOZORIE MACAULAY
Secretary to Delta State Government

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.
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Intec and EFI Sign Global Agreement Launching Fiery Front End for Intec Workflow

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Read Time:4 Minute, 9 Second

United Kingdom, 29 August, 2013 – Intec Printing Solutions Limited and EFI™ today announced a new partnership with the launch of EFIFiery® digital front end for Intec printers. Based on the newly launched Fiery XF Version 5, the Fierysystem will be optionally bundled with the Intec range of digital colour printers, extending the already popular range of Intec print systems to offer users new and improved workflow capabilities with colour and quality enhancements.

The combination of the Fiery digital front end and colour management workflow and Intec’s range of digital colour printing solutions ensures graphic arts professionals and print companies receive a unique print solution offering razor sharp imaging and exact colour through a fully customisable user interface and workflow onto a broad spectrum of media creating a total ‘out of the box’ experience. Intec printers are ideal for a wide range of printing applications including short run print production, heavy stock printing, greeting cards, envelope printing, banner and point of sale applications, packaging and much more due to Intec’s unique capability to print onto substrates up to 600gsm/micron thick. This combination offers unmatched productivity and performance.

The Fiery front end streamlines the whole print production process from job creation to printing, through the use of default paper profiles and print verification. Offering a modular software architecture allows users to add advanced colour functionalities such as the Color Verifier and Color Profiler Option, further expanding the user experience and meeting the needs for greater colour control in the short-run print production marketplace.

The Fiery system for Intec printing systems will enable users to quickly and easily achieve stunning, precise and predictable quality output on all manner of substrates from Intec printers. It is compatible with Mac OSX and Windows and is available from authorised Intec partners.

“We are incredibly excited about the new partnership with EFI which ensures Intec continues to evolve within an ever changing print industry, keeping us at the forefront of technology” states Ian Melville, managing director at Intec Printing Solutions. “And even more delighted to be able to offer our customers a flexible and scalable high-speed RIP and colour management workflow that is the perfect solution for our range of digital printing solutions.”

Toby Weiss, senior vice president and general manager of Fiery products at EFI states “We value our new partnership with Intec and the ability to bring the market-leading Fiery colour accuracy, cutting-edge performance and superior output to Intec customers. Together we can deliver exceptional and unique products to new markets and market segments globally.”

 

About Intec
Intec Printing Solutions Limited (www.intecprinters.com) is the manufacturer and distributor of the global printing solutions brand, Intec.  Founded in 1989 by managing director Ian Melville the company has their head office in Poole (UK) and a head office for the Americas based in Tampa (Florida). Intec sells digital printing solutions, worldwide, through an extensive partner network and offers customers unique print solutions to expand their print offerings to new market sectors.

 

Follow Intec Online:

Follow us on Twitter: @IntecPrinters

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Intec-Printing-Solutions-Limited

View us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/intecprinter

Join us on LinkedIn: Intec Online

 

About EFI
EFI (www.efi.com) is a worldwide provider of products, technology and services leading the transformation of analogue to digital imaging. Based in Silicon Valley, with offices around the globe, the company’s powerful integrated product portfolio includes digital front-end servers; superwide, wide-format, label and ceramic inkjet presses and inks; production workflow, web to print, and business automation software; and office, enterprise and mobile cloud solutions. These products allow users to produce, communicate and share information in an easy and effective way, and enable businesses to increase their profits, productivity, and efficiency.

Follow EFI Online:

Follow us on Twitter: @EFI_Print_Tech

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EFI.Digital.Print.Technology

View us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/EFIDigitalPrintTech

 

 

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Intec brand names and products are the intellectual property and copyright of Intec Printing Solutions Limited. All other terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. Electronics For Imaging and Fiery are registered trademarks of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. EFI is a trademark of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. 

 

Contact Information

Terri Winstanley

Head of PR & Marketing

Intec Printing Solutions Ltd.

Phone: +44 (0)1202 845960 ext 201

Email: terri.winstanley@intecprinters.com

 

Marc Verbiest

International PR Manager

EFI (Electronics for Imaging)

Phone: +32 2 749 9423

Email: marc.verbiest@efi.com

To download the PR PDF click here: EFI and Intec

Should you require further information or images to support the Press Release please do not hesitate to contact the Intec Marketing team.

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.
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NIGERIA: Dont sell our national heritage

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Read Time:3 Minute, 46 Second

OUR government has fallen into the “sell it” mode as an all-time cure for national heritages it cannot manage. In this tempestuous mood nothing is sacrosanct.

If not, why would anyone contemplate selling the National Theatre, a piece of our national history, just for the shameful excuse that government cannot manage it? Are those mouthing such idea aware of the place of the National Theatre in our history, our tradition?

The National Theatre was purposefully built to host the Black Festival of Arts and Culture, otherwise known as Festac’77. It was the biggest gathering to celebrate the black man’s culture and spurned a resurgence of pride in black people. Some in the United States, thereafter, began a search for their roots.

It was at the National Theatre that a series of conferences that gave more impetus to the liberation struggles in Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe were held. Many national and international performances at the National Theatre established it for decades and created a cadre of young artists and artistes who looked forward to their day at the National Theatre. Someone wants to sell it, turn the place into a hotel, all in the name of commercialisation when arts and cultural institutions around the country do not have a befitting centre?

Abuja in all its false majesty does not have a national theatre, it has no cultural centre. It is unimaginable for anyone to canvass the idea. It is worse still that it is being justified.

Then the National Stadium; we have only two of them, one each in Abuja and Lagos. Their histories include hosting the All Africa Games 30 years apart: 1973 and 2003. The one in Lagos particularly served as the apex of national sports productions, with sports people all over Nigeria drawing their pride from winning laurels there. The Abuja stadium was built with a flourish for a modern city.

Both have been allowed to decay beyond conscionable explanation. Government watched them dilapidate; now it wants to sell them.

The same frenzy for privatisation left us without a national airline, while those we claim to imitate either have national airlines or have ways of supporting their private airlines for they know airlines are vital niches in an economy.

Will anyone contemplate selling London’s Hyde Park that has been open to the public since 1637 or the Royal Festival Hall?  The eight public parks in London cost the government about £30 million (about N7.5 billion) to maintain in 2012 though they generated £18 million (about N4.5 billion) income. Can Americans think of selling the 213-year-old Library of Congress though it cost will $750 million (N166.25 billion) this year to maintain its collections and 4,000 staff?  Will Wembley (the arena or the stadium) be up for sale to become a hotel? What these governments have done is find ways of maintaining their heritages without desecrating them. We seem to have no qualms in our own cases.

The all-time solution the government is proposing for these facilities is like cutting off the head to cure a headache. After the decapitation what happens to arts, culture, sports, and theatre without these facilities? Government only weeks back promised a N3 billion in Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, then it turns around to sell the National Theatre? After the effusive celebrations of the Eagles victory at the Nations Cup, government wants to sell the National Stadium, which should be the team’s home turf? Can we sell the Presidential Villa because of the cost of maintaining it?

Government should find the expertise (yes, even outside government) to manage these facilities and other national heritage. What are we celebrating in Nigeria’s centenary, if we cannot preserve national assets like the National Theatre and National Stadium which are not more than 40 years old? The stadium in Abuja is just 10!

It is important that we do not develop a country bereft of its cultural history in the quest to please those who preach privatisation, while they find ways to preserve — at all costs — their history.

We may not have the resources the other countries have, but with more respect for national heritage, we can find the will to maintain these facilities by creatively generating more activities around them.

The sale of the National Theatre and the National Stadium is not an option in government’s management of national assets.

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.
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The Lust for more Igbo blood, Same old song -Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation (ONF)

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Read Time:2 Minute, 59 Second

The Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation (ONF) an umbrella organization of progressive Igbo men and women from all walks of life both at home and in the Diaspora notes with dismay the wanton lust for Igbo blood which has become the signature of the Nigerian State in the last four decades. Most especially we have noted the frantic efforts by the Boko Haram insurgents and other organization hiding under similar claims to unleash terror on mostly innocent Igbos at every little opportunity.

We state that what took place at the New Road, Sabon Gari, Kano, the Kano State capital on Monday is to say the least unwarranted, quite disgusting, but nonetheless not surprising to us as it is in line with similar patterns in the recent past to attack Igbo interests in different parts of the federation under the guise of fighting a phony religious war.

While the Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation takes exception to this development and calls on the Federal Government to be alert to its duty of protecting the lives and property of every citizen of this country, we warn that failure to stop this orchestrated attacks on Ndigbo will most likely lead this country to a land of no return.

We also express our disappointment at the lame response from the Office of the President that ‘’the Federal Government will not be stampeded, for any reason whatsoever, into abandoning its unrelenting war against terrorists in the country’’. We want to see visible evidence of that unrelenting war. More so, we want the government to move beyond mere rhetoric in its unusual assurance that the ‘Nigerian Government will continue to do all that is required to ensure the safety of lives and property, including continued collaboration with local and international partners and stakeholders to check the menace of terrorism’’.

But most shocking is the muteness of Igbo leaders from those at the National Assembly to the State Governors who waited until others have condemned the act before making comments. This level of political correctness which has been the lot of Igbo leaders is quite condemnable in the face of this recurrent desire by elements of Islamic fundamentalism to continue maiming and wasting Igbo lives. So shocking is the fact that members of the South East Caucus of the House of Representatives were quiet while Hon. Ibrahim Olaifa (Accord Party/Oyo) was the one who sponsored a motion on the need to end the activities of terrorist groups in Nigeria was adopted for a resolution.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s belated call on security agencies to fish out culprits of the crime and that those behind these wicked acts should come to repentance, embrace dialogue, patriotism and respect for human life as prescribed by our laws, cultures and religious faith is to say the least a repetition we are tired of hearing.

We warn that this disregard for lives and most especially the attacks on Igbos across the northern part of this country should be stopped henceforth. We are making every effort to restrain our youths from retaliatory acts as we know such will have a negative impact on an already bad situation. However, our restraining powers will not be there forever, as we too are human. Government should act, and act decisively by employing whatever means necessary to bring these criminals to book and take steps to make this country safe again.

LONG LIVE NDIGBO!!!
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF OGANIRU NDIGBO FOUNDATION

Architect LUCAS UCHE ONUH – President General
Dr. GAIUS ONUH NDUKWE- SECRETARY GENERAL
Barrister EMEKA MADUEWESI- 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.
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NIGERIA: ROCHAS, THE NEW ICON OF DISAPPOINTMENT

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Read Time:6 Minute, 11 Second

Immediately after the Nigeria/Biafra Civil War, the Federal government through Gowon, then president, declared ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ as the after-war policy for national integration. Igbos have been vanquished in many spheres of life which they have risen above but one area which this vanquished spirit is still rearing its ugly head is in politics. Igbos have struggled hard these past 43 years to be relevant politically, all to no avail thanks so much to lack of genuine political leaders. Genuine Igbo political leaders have been in short supply! What the vanquished spirit of the war gave Igbos are political harlots who rarely define their stand. I call them ‘concubinal’ politicians because they are very ready to engage in a political ‘concubinal’ relationship rather than the real deal: political marriage, association.

Igbos have got it too good until recently! When Rochas emerged as the winner of the 2011 gubernatorial elections in Imo State, jubilations were wild in the air. Finally, the beautiful one has been born! This atmosphere of happiness and jubilation has been cut short by the activities of the beloved one, Rochas. Popular opinion was that as he has emerged Governor of Imo State, he will use his massive goodwill to turn around the fortunes of his new found political party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Such was the opinion that even advice on how to achieve it was freely given even on the pages of newspapers and on social networks. I read on how revered
technocrats and professors were advising Rochas to take this line of action. Well, the man has got his own plan!

Most of the political strategies of the beloved one have called for serious questioning! Rochas has shown blatant disregard for the rule of law, failed to abide by the court ruling to reinstal sacked local government council chairmen whom he sacked unconstitutionally. His administration so far has been nothing but a clear lack of political maturity, of great cordiality with opposition, and of tested and popular political strategies. In all honesty, on the average, performance-wise, Rochas has tried but his  efforts are not good enough. To whom much is given much is expected of him! The masses of Imo State gave Rochas their undivided votes believing him to take them to the promised land. Have they asked for too much? Have they reached that promised land? It is so easy to be loved as a philanthropist but as a politician, it is another issue.
An area Rochas has shown his seeming lack of political strategy and thinking is in his new political ‘concubinage’ to the new opposition: All Progressive Congress (APC) or whatever name she takes in the future. Political associations are themselves wonderful only if one brings something to the table. Personally, his association with the merged opposition political parties is a classical lesson in how not to become a politician if one doesn’t know how to lead a people. What will this association
benefit Igbos by taking an already divided party to the merged opposition? What is his bargaining power in the new association? Will he command respect in the new opposition? One enters such alliance as equals! An unequal in an alliance of this nature will always come out an unequal and also be given an unequal treatment! Is the unequal treatment worth it? Hear George Orwell, author of Animal Farm: 'all men are equal but some are more equal than the other.' Then, what will they be in politics? Equals? In politics, men are never equal and never will they be! As far as we know, the only parties that can truly lay claims to the new formed opposition are the  Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). All Nigerians People Party (ANPP) can lay a fair claim also. All others, I say all others, are there to eat from leftovers! Are leftovers good enough for Igbos?

Rochas should have understood that he is not ripe to partake of such an alliance. The divided party he is taking with him to the alliance cannot compete for influence and attention with other parties in the alliance. Political theory is quite different from practical politics. He is dealing with human beings who are predominantly interested in 'what's in for me' and 'what did he bring'. Human beings that are predominantly selfish and self – centred! They will surely take him to the cleaners in the alliance when it comes to the spoils of political office! Again, the popular opinion was that Rochas should have made effort to make APGA the sole party in South Eastern (SE) Nigeria. Is the task difficult? No! The masses of SE Nigeria, at least myself, have been waiting patiently for such a killer move! Igbo politicians and political harlotry! Look at what ACN is to the South West (SW) of Nigeria.

Who dares not to respect ACN? Can APGA be respected like ACN now? I beg to differ! Igbos badly need a party that is very local to them and understands their problems. Since after the civil law, the SE has turned an undeveloped area majorly because of the nonchalant attitude of the government at the centre and also of corruption.

The SE needs APGA! APGA truly is a local party that can attend to the plight of Igbos. What does Rochas do to APGA? He tears it apart because of his selfish interest! Selfish because the interest of his people should be above his! Again, this is a classical lesson on how not to put too much trust and hope on untested politicians. Rochas has turned a traitor! Rochas abandoned a grand plan for his selfish interest! Rochas would have been revered like a demigod by Igbos had he achieved this
grand plan of APGA as the sole party for the SE.

A leader is known by the sacrifices he makes! Rochas is not ready to make hard political sacrifices that are really obvious for everyone to see. Not a sacrifice of security vote when we know there are other avenues to still get back such money! Contract kickbacks are one! Nevertheless, the sacrifice of security vote is praiseworthy! The best his political harlotry with the new opposition will get him is a deputy – presidential slot. That is if he gets it! Who says Rochas cannot be President of Nigeria with APGA? Patience is just what is needed! Good strategies work with time. Had Rochas achieved this grand plan, when he entered such alliance as the new one, he would have entered with great respect and could ask for  almost anything. Being the National Leader of a strong party in Nigeria gives one a demigod status.

Rochas can still take APGA to that great height, becomes a strong National Leader of APGA and also becomes the President of Nigeria. All these things are possible if only he learns to keep good political strategists around him or be one himself. Time structures everything! He should learn to wait on time. He should not put the cart before the horse. This writer still believes in him and hopes he will listen to the appeal of this article. Good men are hard to find in politics and if one is found
he should be encouraged.

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.
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NIGERIA: Achebe is alive – Family

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Read Time:32 Second

The rumoured death of foremost writer of classic novel, Things Fall Apart, Prof. Chinua Achebe, has been described as “untrue.” Achebe’s son, Chidi, made the revelation to us, Thursday, via an e-mail message from his US base.

It will be recalled that Achebe, whose recent work, There Was A Country, generated a lot of debate about Nigerian Civil War, was alleged to have died in the US by a Lagos-based newspaper.

Dr. Chidi Achebe said: “This is lent season and I believe that this untrue gossip is spiritual distraction and I need to be in tune with God.”

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.
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NIGERIA: 9 year old boy electrocuted in Ebonyi

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Read Time:1 Minute, 43 Second

A nine year old boy, Master Chinedu Nwangwu of Echara community in Ezza South Local government area of Ebonyi state was weekend electrocuted when he tried to pluck fruits from a Cashew tree in the area.

Codewit gathered that the victim, a pupil of Echara community primary school in Ezza South LGA who lost his life on the fateful day, climbed a cashew tree without knowing that one of the branches of the tree was resting on a high tension wire that supplied electricity to the community.

Lamenting over the incident, mother of the deceased, Mrs. Nwangwu who was filled with pains  when she saw the lifeless body of her son, stated that similar incident also led to the demise of one of her sons.

As the family of the deceased are still battling with the loss of their son, Mrs. Nwangwu attributed the incident to the activities of some spiritual forces that were beyond her control.

“I should blame my God for allowing me to live in the land of the living without my son. It is not up to three years I lost one of my boys to motor accident and today again, it is another calamity; wouldn’t it be better if I cease to live as life is becoming useless without my children” She lamented.

One of the teachers of Echara community primary school who spoke with our correspondent, attributed the misfortune that befell the family of the deceased to lack of proper home training adding that if the boy was well tutored by his parents he wouldn’t have climbed the cashew tree in the first place.

According to the teacher, the school authority had earlier directed the pupils not to climb any tree or pluck any fruits in the school without the consent of the school authority.

Sources close to the family revealed the deceased boy had since been buried.

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.
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NIGERIA: Couple Mysteriously Burn To Death In Onitsha

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Read Time:1 Minute, 13 Second

The commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State was thrown into heavy pandemonium on Saturday, when a billionaire couple, who just returned home from abroad, were consumed in an inferno that broke out in the commercial city.
The unfortunate incident occurred in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Boniface Ndubuisi, a house that is located at number 2, Arinze Lane, off Okolo Street, American Quarters, Onitsha, Anambra State .
The couple who just returned from abroad were badly burnt, and were seen clung to each other in the bathroom of the building.
Information available to Codewit says the building was razed before fire fighters arrived in the compound. The couple’s valuables, worth billions of naira were reportedly lost to the inferno.
An eyewitness who could not fathom how and where the fire started in the one-storey building, confirmed that it started around 4am. He said the couple’s bodies were found inside their bathroom, clinging unto each other.

It was reported that the late couple had six children; three in America, two in Abuja and one in Lagos.
The Divisional Police Officer, Onitsha Central Police Station, Mr Tope Fasugba has visited the scene with his men. He said the incident is being investigated. He also confirmed that the bodies have been taken to a morgue in Onitsha.
The cause of the fire outbreak could not be ascertained, but many blamed the incident on power surge from Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

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.
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NIGERIA: Abuja’s FCT Parking Fee Extortion Racket

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Read Time:34 Second

Numerous motorists in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, have described the park and pay policy recently introduced by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as a form of extortion. “It’s as if the government wants to rob average motorists of their hard-earned income and to further impoverish them,” one critic said.

Under the policy, an average motorist in Abuja is to pay parking fees of N14,300 each month, and ultimately N171,600 in a year as parking fees.

Photos taken at different times shows the dubious means employed by the FCT administration to extort motorists at the federal capital Abuja.

{gallery}stories/galleries/Parking-Fee-Extortion{/gallery}

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.
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Continent’s eyes on African Utility Week as Eskom’s Brian Dames confirms welcome address

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Read Time:3 Minute, 41 Second

Continent’s eyes on African Utility Week as Eskom’s Brian Dames confirms welcome address: The only truly pan-African event

 

Eskom Chief Executive Brian will once again deliver the keynote address during this year’s opening session of African Utility Week in Cape Town on 14 May.  Some 5000 power professionals from all over the continent meet at this event every year at what is the largest utility gathering of its kind in Africa.

 

African Utility Week’s programme director Claire Volkwyn says:  “as the leading African power utility, Eskom’s presence is a sign of their continued support as host utility of the event, their commitment to the growth and expansion of the industry and opportunity to grow a shared vision of what the power sector in Africa can look like if we work together.” 

She says there are always high expectations when Brain Dames addresses this industry event because “as the largest power utility in Africa, and one of the largest in the world, Eskom’s strategy for the next 12 – 18 months will inform a lot of decisions, not only for industrial, commercial or domestic consumers within South Africa, but also for other utilities which are either dependent on Eskom for power, or have plans to develop a strategic relationship with Eskom.”


Pan-African power collaboration

“In the 13 years of African Utility Week’s existence, we have been part of and at the root of many valuable joint projects between utilities and services providers across Africa”, says Claire Volkwyn who adds that the Eskom CE has in the past often emphasised the need for collaboration in order to foster growth in Africa’s power sector.  

She continues:  “this message has been strengthened by the recent announcement that Eskom has finalised a draft African strategy with a view as they put it:  ‘to taking equity as well as operational positions in generation and transmission projects in the rest of the continent, with its primary focus being opportunities in Southern Africa’.  Particularly high on the list of priorities in this strategy is hydropower and transmission projects within SADC.  As the only true pan-African event, we are perfectly placed to facilitate this ongoing vision.” 

 

Ongoing power challenges
The African Utility Week programme will address many of the ongoing challenges that utilities on the continent grapple with.   The programme director explains:  “the day to day challenges of African utilities include getting the generation mix right so that they have the optimal balance of ‘least cost’ options, but also the maximum energy security that they can ensure.  The importance of metering cannot ever be underestimated, and we are going to be addressing the importance of correct installations, revenue management and pros and cons of smart metering.”

Claire Volkwyn adds:  “also as we move to an environment where renewable energy is becoming more and more a mainstream energy choice, decisions and plans need to be put in place about how this technology is going to be integrated into the utility environment.”

 

African Utility Week
For the past 12 years, the African Utility Week conference and exhibition has helped to facilitate discussions around the opportunities in the power sector and has assisted in African utilities providing electricity and water to all of Africa.  The event brings together more than 5000 utility professionals from across the globe to learn, share knowledge and debate the key topics that will secure the future development of Africa’s power industry.  Attending the African Utility Week exhibition is free when registering in advance and it showcases energy saving technologies and services for the industry from more than 250 providers and features hands-on demonstrations and workshops on the exhibition floor.

 

African Utility Week dates and location: 
Exhibition & Conference: 14-15 May 2013 
Pre-conference Workshops: 13 May 2013

Site Visits: 16 May 2013
Location:  CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa 

Websites:  www.african-utility-week.com ; www.clean-power-africa.com


Contact:
Communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  annemarie.roodbol@clarionevents.com

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.
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