Abdullahi Ganduje, national chair of All Progressives Congress (APC), says the party will win the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
Ganduje said a “political machinery” has been put in place to pave the way for a landslide victory of the party’s candidate in Edo.
Speaking during a visit by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano correspondents’ chapel, Ganduje said the APC is ready to recover the state from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“I believe our campaign is in high spirit, we are getting ready for that election and we believe we will be able to recover our state,” he said.
“If we win Edo, we will be getting an additional state for the party. It will be 21 states out of 36.
“This is because it was an APC state but because of internal bubbles, we lost it to PDP but we are sure we will recover that state.
”For Ondo state, it’s already an APC state and when the former governor died, he left a number of problems,but we were able to resolve those issues.
”We conducted primaries, we succeeded in getting the person that they wanted.”
Ganduje said that the party is also getting ready for the governorship election in Anambra.
He said the APC has been putting measures in place to take control of the states in the south-east geopolitical zone.
“Next year, there will be Anambra, which has been a state governed by APGA for many years, but we have introduced a new scheme,” he said.
”The north, south-east political zones are all claiming that they have been marginalised. The south-east geopolitical zone is saying the same thing. But what we are telling them is that the marginalisation has been created by them.
“How can you have five states ruled by four political parties? What will be your political bargain?
“We want to start with Anambra. Already, we have Ebonyi and Imo. Now we are encroaching into that zone to ensure that we capture most of the states. And if we get what we want, we capture all the states.”
[TheCable]
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has declared that the union will not be intimidated by external pressures, following his appearance at the Intelligence Response Team headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Ajaero, who was invited by the police to address allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony, arrived at the IRT office at 10:17 a.m. and left shortly after 11:15 a.m.
Speaking to journalists at the Labour House after leaving the police headquarters, Ajaero asserted that the NLC remains committed to defending the rights of Nigerian workers and will not be cowed by any form of intimidation.
“We can’t be intimidated,” he stated emphatically. “The allegations against us are baseless, and we have nothing to hide.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by labour leaders, Ajaero shared, “You can’t do this job we’re doing without this type of hazard. Even at the unit level, some of us experienced it, as far back as 1997/1998 with Femi Falana, we were equally together in the cell during the time of Abacha… but whatever the case is, we’re out to continue the struggle, we’ve gotten minimum wage but we can’t be intimidated, we have to press for its implementation as soon as possible.
“Every other thing that will make the welfare of the Nigerian workers worthwhile, we will be involved in it,” he noted.
Ajaero further explained that his appearance before the police was in the interest of transparency and to clear the air on the unfounded accusations levelled against him and the NLC.
He noted that the union would continue to fight for the welfare of workers and stand firm in the face of challenges.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Ajaero maintained a confident stance, dismissing the claims as an attempt to weaken the labour movement.
“Our resolve is stronger than ever,” he added. “We will continue to champion the cause of workers across the nation, no matter the obstacles.”
The NLC president’s appearance at the IRT headquarters followed his initial invitation by the police on August 20, which he was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
Hundreds of Nigerian nurses are stranded following the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, continuous closure of its portal for verification of nurses’ certificates.
It was gathered that while many nurses are currently stranded in different countries abroad, others are on the verge of being deported.
Nursing boards in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK are said to have stopped accepting nursing certificates from Nigerian nurses because they can’t verify their authenticity.
DAILY POST reports that the National Assembly had twice urged the NMCN to open its site and commence verification of Nurses and Midwives based on its former guidelines pending the conclusion of an investigation by the House Committee on Health Institutions.
However, the council has yet to heed the resolution of the House.
The latest directive sighted by DAILY POST is a letter dated 13th August 2024, titled “Negative Portrayal of the House’s Resolution” and signed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal, to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The letter came after Hon. Patrick Umoh had raised a motion of urgent national importance on the need to safeguard institutional integrity and address any misinterpretation of the previous House’s Resolution by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
DAILY POST recalls that the House also had previously urged the NMCN through a resolution on Tuesday, 26th, February 2024, not to implement the revised Guidelines for Verification dated February 7, 2023, pending investigation by the House.
This came after some stakeholders in the health sector had raised their concerns over the new circular by the NMCN, revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives to foreign nursing boards or councils.
Many also called for a review of the circular’s contents to avoid a situation where nurses’ progress and development are subject to other professionals’ determination.
How it all started
In February 2024, the NMCN expressed worry that over 42,000 nurses left the country in the last three years to seek greener pastures in foreign countries.
According to the council, over 15,000 nurses left Nigeria in 2023 alone.
DAILY POST reports that the development is coming on the heels of poor healthcare infrastructure, inadequate funding, poor welfare, and working conditions in the health sector.
Seemingly worried by the imminent threat of brain drain in the nation’s health sector, the Council introduced revised guidelines for verifying nursing certificates to address the crisis.
DAILY POST reported that the NMCN, in the memo dated February 7, 2024, outlined the revised guidelines and requirements to be met by all applicants seeking the verification of certificate(s) to foreign nursing boards/councils.
It stated that applicants seeking verification of certificates to foreign nursing boards and councils must have two years of qualification experience and pay a non-refundable application fee.
The memo signed by the Registrar/Secretary General of NMCN, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, was sent to the Commissioners/Secretary of Health Services; Chief Medical Directors/ Medical Directors; National President; Directors of Nursing Services; Heads of Department; Provosts & Principals; Coordinators; Zonal Officers; All States Ministry of Health & Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; University Teaching Hospitals/Specialist & Federal Medical Centre and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, National Headquarters, Abuja.
The circular was also sent to the Ministries of Health, Hospitals Management Boards, All States & Federal Capital Territory; All Universities Offering Nursing Programmes; Colleges of Nursing Sciences, Schools of Nursing & Midwifery, All Post-Basic Nursing Programmes; All Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria Zonal Offices.
It provided that, “Eligible applicants must have a minimum of two (2) years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practising licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outrightly.
“The Council shall request a letter of Good Standing from the Chief Executive Officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended, and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. Please note that the Council shall not accept such letter(s) through the applicant.
“Applicants must have an active practising licence with a minimum of six months to the expiration date. Applicants must upload Certificate(s) of Registration only. Notification of Registration is not acceptable.
“The applicant shall receive prompt notice via his/her email and dashboard on the status of the verification application.
“Please note: Processing of verification application takes a minimum of six (6) months. All applicants shall ensure that complete requirements are met before initiating verification application as incomplete documentation shall not be processed.”
Nurses kick against policy
However, nurses and other health workers kicked against the policy, insisting the guidelines and requirements were typical of a denial of human rights.
The health workers stressed that there had never been any occasion where regulatory bodies asked for work experience or mandated years of service as a condition for verification.
They are particularly uncomfortable with the provision in the guidelines which stated that a nurse seeking NMCN certification must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience.
They are also opposed to the requirement that a nurse applying for NMCN’s certification must obtain a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of their place of work and the last training institution attended while the processing of application shall take a minimum of six months.
As a protest against the policy, the nurses, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Abuja, and Lagos chapters, took to the streets to express their disapproval of the new circular.
The nurses converged on the NMCN’s offices in Abuja and Lagos to express their dissatisfaction.
They also threatened a nationwide strike, describing the new guidelines as an effort to hamper their freedom.
Meanwhile, some others took to social networks to protest against the policy.
A group of nurses also took legal action against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the Minister of Health, among others, challenging the recent revisions to certificate verification guidelines.
However, DAILY POST learnt that the litigation has since been withdrawn.
Reactions
A nurse in one of the nation’s foremost university teaching hospitals, who spoke anonymously to DAILY POST, for fear of victimisation, expressed worry that the controversy is taking so long to end despite the resolution of the House of Representatives on the matter.
“The portal is not yet open despite the order from the National Assembly that it should be opened.
“The excuse that the secretary of the NMCN is giving to us is that they are working with the IT people so that they can reset the portal to its previous setting.
“You know there’s a previous setting where you just did your verification with a few requirements until they brought this new policy that caused all those problems.
“We are also worried why it’s taking so long. The information I have just given you is what I saw on our platform. The secretary admitted he has received the letter from the clerk of the National Assembly, and that they are working with the IT people to reset the portal, that’s what he said.
“You know NMCN claimed that it was the National Assembly that told them to shut the portal, which was the controversy, but the lawmakers wrote back to the council saying that wasn’t their resolution.
“The lawmakers wrote clarifying that they asked NMCN to revert to the old verification guidelines, pending when all the parties involved will sit to look at the issue.
“Now it is just for them ( NMCN) to go back to the old verification guidelines but the secretary is claiming that they are working with the IT people,” she stated.
She said it was sad that health workers are leaving the country in droves, which according to her, was being caused by poor working conditions in Nigeria’s health sector.
The health worker urged the government to make a deliberate effort to fix the country’s health care system.
“We are not happy that people are leaving the country but the working conditions in Nigeria are crazy. I work in an institution where we are not sure of a 10-hour energy supply.
“In a teaching hospital, there’s no light, there’s no water, nothing to work with.
“Emergency comes and people just die like that. Not that you haven’t done your part but there’s nothing to work with. We are just stranded. Patients go out to buy everything that we use to work for them. And the hospital pharmacy doesn’t have everything that they need. So most of the time, the patients’ relatives go outside to buy what they need.
“I work in the maternity section. A mother may come to the hospital by 2am and she’s bleeding profusely. The laboratory people will be telling you there’s no light; of course there’s no light; they cannot work without light. They can’t do grouping and cross matching, they can’t give you blood.
“You go to the pharmacy, they will tell you they can’t work because there’s no light to power their system. You see patients’ relatives going outside the hospital at 2am, you just lose patients. It’s painful.
“It’s not that we are enjoying all these. Nigerian nurses are still overworking themselves outside the country but it’s still better.
“The working condition and the pay too is far higher than what we are receiving in Nigeria. In Nigeria, they only pay attention to one particular profession. Until they do something, people will keep traveling.
“Just like I have explained, the government should make a deliberate effort to fix our health care system. If you go to the rural areas you will see what people are passing through.
“The experience I have just shared with you is where I work. Nigeria is tough for everybody. If I tell you my salary, you will just smile. I can’t buy a bag of rice. Let them see how they can reduce inflation. Even if they increase our salary, things are so expensive, we can no longer meet up with our basic needs,” she lamented.
She also lamented the inability of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, to fight for the interest of its members.
“Personally, I am so disappointed with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives because they didn’t handle this matter the way they ought to.
“If this kind of thing happens in our sister organization, they won’t take it likely. NMCN infringed on our fundamental human rights and we were so pissed.
“That’s even what led to the young nurses taking the matter to the court. NANNM didn’t come up as an organization to fight for us. And by the time we went to court, just like the ‘Nigerian system’, they kept adjourning the case.
“Another group also went to the NANNM to find out why they weren’t doing anything about the matter, and they said they will meet the registrar and all that. At the end of the day, they said they can only intervene if we withdraw the case from the court. That’s what led to the withdrawal of the case from the court.
“You know a lot of Nigerian nurses are stuck because you can’t travel without verification, you can’t do anything. A lot of people were already on their way out before the portal was shut down,” the concerned nurse further stated.
Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria – GNAN
Also speaking to DAILY POST about the matter, the President of Graduate Nurses Association of Nigeria, GNAN, Mr Ojo Opeyemi said his association has been working underground to ensure the issue is resolved amicably.
Opeyemi said the stalemate in verification of nurses’ certificates is having a serious effect on their members as some people are stranded abroad.
According to him, GNAN formed a coalition with other groups under the Director of nursing services in Abuja following the total shutdown of the portal to negotiate with the registrar of the nursing council.
He said he’s extremely positive they will have good feedback because the coalition had honoured its own part of the agreement earlier reached with the registrar.
Opeyemi said the deal saw the withdrawal of their case against NMCN and the registrar from the court.
He said: “When it was initially suspended, our association went to court to sue the NMCN, including the registrar. Then after the total shutdown of the portal, a coalition was formed when it was really having negative effects on our people.
“We decided to form a coalition under the Director of nursing services in Abuja. We formed a coalition that negotiated with the registrar.
“Well, last month, we had a meeting in his office in Abuja. And part of the agreement we reached from the meeting is to withdraw the case from the court. Then we will come back for another meeting, where those issues causing controversy will be sorted out in-house.
“We have played our own part. Fortunately during the time of withdrawing the case from the court, another group went to the National Assembly. The National Assembly deliberated upon it and said the NMCN should revert to the old guidelines for verification of nurses and open the portal.
“The letter has been sent to the nursing council as I read online and some people have also informed me that the letter has been delivered to the NMCN.
“Those at the nursing group administration, we are working together. We believe that we have honoured our own part in all honesty. As I speak to you, one of our representatives in Abuja is going to meet the registrar today to chart the way forward on our agreement.
“Actually the agreement wasn’t signed but we believe that they are the government and we are an association, so based on mutual understanding, we will resolve the issue in-house. We believe that the registrar will also honour his own part of the deal.
“So by the close of the day, (Tuesday) we are actually anxious to get feedback if we are going to go for a meeting or there will be automatic reopening of the portals, since the National Assembly has passed a resolution for them to reopen the portal.
“That’s why we ensured the complete withdrawal of the case from the court so that the House resolution would not be stepped down. We have done our own part.
“At the end of today, when our representative meets the registrar, we are going to know if our initial understanding and agreement is honoured or otherwise.
“I am extremely positive we will have good feedback being that we have been the one championing the coalition under the director of nursing services at the federal Ministry of health because she is the one mediating between the group, the registrar and the nursing council.
“I don’t want to say anything negative or be pessimistic. We are believing that today we shall have feedback. And I also believe that the registrar is making contact with necessary people at the Ministry of health for the portal to be reopened.
“Many of the people don’t know about these negotiations because they are extremely anxious. We are working underground to make sure that this thing gets resolved amicably so everybody could move forward. That is the position of things at the present.
“We are extremely worried. In fact, we had wanted to pursue the case to a logical conclusion, because of the excruciating pains on our people and the effects the total lockdown of the portal was having on our people.
“Let me correct one wrong impression, verification does not mean that everyone wants to ‘japa’ or seek greener pastures. We have people who want their certificates verified because they want to further their education.
“We also have people who are outside who want to move to other countries, they will still ask them to get verification from where they studied, where they originally practised or got their license to practice as a nurse. So they will also refer them back again to Nigeria.
“There are many that are stranded and I also have a report that next month, some people will be deported massively from Saudi Arabia, UK, Canada, etc.
“So because of this, it is having a serious effect on our members and we have decided after our SWOT analysis of the whole scenario to remove the case from the court and have a negotiation to solve the issue in-house.
“As I speak to you some people are already stranded in the US, UK and others.”
Efforts to hear from the NMCN, as well the President of the NANNM didn’t yield any result as they didn’t respond to calls put to them.
However, DAILY POST did contact the Rivers State chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Mr Madonna Wichendu.
Wichendu on getting to know the subject of the interview said he was in a meeting and not disposed to comment on the matter.
[DailyPost]
![[PRESS RELEASE] Great Comrades of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ](/media/k2/items/cache/8314e95b69bafe644a3397d3ca54ab34_M.jpg)
We have been watching with trepidation, great angst and baited breath, the unfathonable macabre dance exhibited by the nation's Police Force against the leadership of Nigerian workers, most notably, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Our seeming silence was observed in the hope that the Police would beat a hasty retreat from their actions and tread the path of caution and civility.
We have no bones to grind with the Police authorities and as citizens of this greatly beloved but much beleguered country, we are ever willing to cooperate with the authorities whenever demanded by national imperatives and exigencies, the Police included, but it must never be at the expense of our Union, our people and our country.
The importance of fighting for and defending our nation state, Nigeria, cannot be over-emphasized. We are patriots, we are Nigerians and we love our country, inspite of deeply inherent socio-economic contradictions that are threatening our very existence as a nation.
Let it be very clear to all, that the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, is in full solidary with the national President of Nigeria Labour Congress, its entire leadership structures and affiliates nationwide at all times, especially at these trying moments.
We urge the Police and security forces to exercise maximun restraint in their engagements and interactions with Nigerians, who hold views that are different from those of the status quo; free speech and the right to hold opinion are fundamental to our liberty as a free people.
We are in this wise, putting all our Councils and members across the federation on notice, over the unfortunate attacks on the labour leadership.
Be prepared!
The NUJ FCT Council is by this wise, especially enjoined and directed to fully mobilize in concert with other affiliates of the NLC to accompany the NLC President as he goes to honour the invitation of the Police by 8a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, August 29, 2024.
Achike Chude
National Secretary, NUJ.
Nigerian businesses and households expect the inflation rate to rise in the next one to six months.
This is according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s July Inflation Expectations Survey Report released on Tuesday.
The survey showed that respondents expect inflation to rise in the review months with indices of 37.4 for the next month, -26.3 for the next two months and -15.8 for the next six months.
However, the report showed respondents expect the inflation rate to gradually reduce over the next six months.
A further analysis indicated that businesses anticipate that the inflation rate will drop compared to households, with indices of -33.4 and -11.0 points for the next month and next six months respectively.
“Overall, both businesses and households believe that the inflation rate will rise further in the periods”, the survey stated.
It added that the expected inflation rate hike will be driven primarily by changes in energy prices, exchange rates and transportation costs.
The reports come weeks after Nigeria’s inflation declined to 33.40 percent in July, from 34.19 percent in June.
In the past months, the apex bank had continued to tighten Monetary policy measures such as the interest rate which stood at 26.75 percent to tame the inflation rate.
The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved the appointment of 12 new Permanent Secretaries (PMs).
The appointees were chosen from their respective constituencies to fill the available vacancies in the Kogi State Public Service.
A statement released on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Elijah Evinemi, indicated that the governor highlighted the careful selection of permanent secretaries based on merit, fairness, and justice principles.
In a congratulatory meeting with the successful candidates, Mr. Evinemi urged the newly appointed permanent secretaries to meet expectations in their roles and demonstrate utmost loyalty, dedication, and integrity.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are as follows: Momoh Aziz from Ajaokuta LGA, Negedu Muhammed Bala from Ankpa 1 Constituency, Haruna Jibo Muhammed from Bassa LGA, Ejigbo Akoji from Dekina-Biraidu Constituency, Enimola Enimola A. from Kabba-Bunu LGA, Fashoba Ayo-Sunday from Mopa-Amuro LGA, Adurodija Ebenezer O. from Ogori-Magongo LGA, Enehe Dorcas Omeneke from Okehi LGA, Sanni Haruna Muhammed from Okene 1 Constituency, Ochu Philips Omeiza from Okene 2 Constituency, Shaibu Danjuma Fabian from Olamaboro LGA, and Baiyegunsi Taiwo S. from Yagba-East LGA.
Appointment Of 1,192 Additional Aides
Naija News reports that Governor Ododo’s latest appointment comes days after controversies over his appointment of 1,192 additional aides to his government.
These appointments were confirmed in a statement issued last Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashde Ayoade.
However, the development has not settled well with opposition camps and other concerns of the state’s citizens.
SDP Reacts To Ododo’s Additional Appointments
The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has criticized Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo
Reacting, the Director of Media for the SDP campaign organisation in Kogi State, David Ijele, faulted the incumbent administration, describing the appointment as a misplaced priority.
“They haven’t paid those who laboured for the state, yet they are employing youths to be used as thugs,” Ijele said.
The SDP chieftain stated that Governor Ododo’s days in office were numbered.
Speaking further on the party’s legal battle against the incumbent administration, Ijele insisted that the Supreme Court would rule in favour of the SDP candidate, Yakubu Ajaka.
“The Constitution is very clear on the BVAS, and we believe the Supreme Court will give justice to the people of Kogi State and chase these charlatans out of Lugard House,” Ijele announced.
A Nigerian Navy officer, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, has been arrested for the murder of Aminu Ibrahim, the son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd).
During a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, revealed that Muhammad killed Aminu and stole his car two weeks ago. Igweh confirmed that the vehicle, a Prado SUV, has since been recovered.
“About two weeks ago, Aminu Ibrahim, the son of Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd), was robbed and killed in the Maitama area of Abuja, and his Prado SUV was stolen. I want to inform you that Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, a serving Nigerian Navy personnel, committed the murder. He has confessed to the crime, and we have recovered the Prado Jeep,” Igweh stated.
Speaking to journalists, Muhammad, a seaman in the Navy, admitted to the crime. He explained that he was assigned to the former Naval Chief’s residence as a security guard.
“I work at the house. He wanted to go out at night, around 11:30. He said he needed security, so I followed him with my gun. Along the way, he stopped to check his ATM, as if he was going to buy something. I thought maybe I was going to escort him to a market or somewhere. Then, when I came out through the other door, I shot him, took the car, and left. He did not do anything to me; I killed him to steal his car,” Muhammad confessed.
In a related development, 94 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were also paraded for their involvement in the death of two police officers on Sunday.
Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu might be in another trouble while serving his sentence in the UK.
Recall that he is currenlty serving 10 years in prison for human trafficking last year.
According to a new report by TheNation, Ekweremadu is currently under investigation by the London Metropolitan Police in a new case linked to him.
A documentary by Chude Jideonwo titled: “Daniel vs Ekweremadu,” the police are investigating a case involving Ekweremadu, although details are scarce due to the ongoing investigation.
Part 1 of the two-part docu-series was released on Friday, 23 August. It is written and directed by award winning filmmaker and TV host, Chude Jideonwo.
In an email from a spokesperson to the police, Alexandra Meek to the producers as shown in the documentary, she said: “With regards to the live investigation, which is linked – On Tuesday, 8 November 2022 detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime arrested a woman on suspicion of conspiracy to exploit for the purposes of organ harvesting.
“The woman, who is in her 50s, has been released under investigation. Enquiries remain ongoing.”
Ms Meek, who is senior communication manager for the MET Police, gave this as a reason for the police’s inability to participate in the documentary.
According to Chude: “‘Daniel’ is the name given by a journalist and adopted by the documentary filmmakers for the victim-survivor of the first conviction under the UK’s Modern Slavery Law – under which Ekweremadu became the first to be sentenced to jail alongside his wife, Beatrice and a doctor-friend, Obinna Obeta.
“It follows a directive from the judge of the case for the real name to remain undisclosed.
“‘Daniel vs Ekweremadu’ tells the story of Senator Ekweremadu’s fall from Nigerian deputy senate president to British jailbird upon his conviction for organ harvesting.
Shot in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the series includes exclusive access to British prosecutors, police, the family of the survivor-victim amongst others in this first-of-its-kind thriller-style documentary from a West African independent studio.”
The 2023 PDP Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s Federal Government for the 18-year age limit on NECO and WAEC exams, calling it absurd and a barrier to scholarships.
Recall that the Federal Government has banned individuals below 18 from participating in the NECO and WAEC exams.
This was revealed by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, during his appearance on Channels Television’s ‘ Sunday Politics’ program.
Mamman stated that the federal government has instructed WAEC, responsible for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, and NECO, which administers the Senior School Certificate Examination, to enforce the 18-year age requirement for candidates taking these exams.
In response, the former Vice President took to his verified Facebook page on Wednesday to criticize the policy as outdated.
Atiku labelled the policy as controversial and called for universal condemnation from those who value intellectual freedom and accessibility.
He stated, “Tinubu’s policy on age limit for tertiary education admission belongs in the Stone Ages.
“The recent policy of the Federal Ministry of Education pegging age limits for entry to tertiary institutions is an absurdity and a disincentive to scholarship.
“The policy runs foul of the notion of delineation of responsibilities in a federal system of government such as we are practising, and gives a graphic impression of how the Tinubu government behaves like a lost sailor on a high sea.
“Otherwise, how is such anti-scholarship regulation the next logical step in the myriad of issues besetting our educational system?
“To be clear, the Nigerian constitution puts education in the concurrent list of schedules, in which the sub-national government enjoys more roles above the Federal Government.”
The former Vice President highlighted that the most effective global approach is to allow sub-national governments to establish their education laws or regulations.
Atiku continued, “Therefore, it is extra-constitutional for the federal government to legislate on education like a decree.
“The best global standard for such regulation is to allow the sub-national governments to make respective laws or rules on education.
“It is discouraging that even while announcing this obnoxious policy, the government inadvertently said it had no plan to cater to specially gifted pupils. That statement is an embarrassment to the body of intellectuals in the country because it portrays Nigeria as a country where gifted students are not appreciated.
“The irony here is that should the federal government play any role in education, it is to set up mechanisms that will identify and grant scholarships to gifted students not minding their ages before applying for admission into tertiary institutions.
“This controversial policy belongs in the Stone Ages and should be roundly condemned by everyone who believes in intellectual freedom and accessibility.”
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has explained why the federal government is yet to implement the Steve Oronsaye report.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday after a visit to the headquarters of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in Abuja, Gbajabiamila said the federal government is working out all necessary modalities to ensure a smooth implementation of the policy.
The Chief of Staff also shut down suggestions that the report has been thrown under the carpet or is being ignored.
He, however, added that there is no timeline yet for the implementation of the Oronsaye report.
Naija News recalls the Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by President Bola Tinubu, in February, approved the full implementation of the Oronsaye report to merge some parastatals, agencies, and some commissions, while others will be subsumed, scrapped or relocated.
The government further set up an eight-man committee with the mandate to make recommendations on the mergers, scrapings, and relocations within 12 weeks.
However, six months later, the report has not been implemented.
The Oronsaye report is expected to reduce the cost of governance and streamline efficiency across the governance value chain.
Origin
In 2011, then President Goodluck Jonathan set up the Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies with Steve Oronsaye as chairman.
On April 16, 2012, the committee submitted an 800-page report identifying, amongst several other things, overlapping agencies, causing wastage in expenditure.
The report said there were 541 parastatals, commissions and agencies and recommended that 263 of the agencies should be reduced to 161, 38 agencies abolished and 52 merged.
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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has highlighted that Nigeria’s average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate has been steadily declining since 2014, indicating a downturn in the economic well-being of Nigerians.
Speaking at Sunday’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference, Okonjo-Iweala noted that Nigeria’s economic fortunes reversed following a decade of positive growth between 2000 and 2014 when the average GDP growth rate was approximately 3.8%. During this period, GDP growth outpaced the nation’s population growth by around 2.6% annually.
However, the situation has deteriorated since 2014, with GDP growth showing a negative rate of 0.9%. Okonjo-Iweala attributed this to the government’s inability to sustain the positive growth of previous administrations.
“Many of the significant challenges the NBA faces today are rooted in Nigeria’s failure to maintain the rate of economic growth that consistently outpaced our population growth. We had periods of reform and faster economic growth not solely dependent on oil prices. Still, we failed to build on these gains, leading to diminished job prospects and reduced well-being for many Nigerians,” she said.
She emphasized that between 2000 and 2014, Nigeria enjoyed an average GDP growth rate of 3.8%, significantly above the 2.6% population growth rate, which improved living standards. In contrast, the following decade saw an average annual GDP per capita growth of -0.9%, indicating a decline in living standards due to a lack of sustained positive growth momentum.
To address these issues, Okonjo-Iweala called for sustained good economic policies regardless of the administration or political party in power. She argued that policy inconsistencies have contributed to Nigeria’s economic fortunes’ reversal and advocated for a social contract between the government and the people that transcends political changes.
“Maintaining good economic and social policies, ensuring policy consistency, and implementing additional reforms will help guide Nigeria towards the progress we all desire,” she added.
Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria’s GDP growth rate declined to 2.98% in the latest quarter, down from 3.46% in the previous quarter but higher than the 2.31% recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023.
Six state governments including Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Yobe, Nasarawa, and Bayelsa have spent about N160bn on airport projects that opposition politicians and aviation professionals classified as unviable.
Stakeholders say the huge public funds expended on the facilities have amounted to waste. They condemned the state governors and asked Nigerians to hold them responsible for the waste.
However, some industry players advised that the facilities be converted into skill acquisition centres for the benefit of the citizens.
Some called on relevant authorities to probe the money spent on the unviable projects.
Checks by the PUNCH showed that the six states spent over N160bn on their various airport projects, but the facilities have not attracted a considerable number of aircraft for charter or commercial purposes.
Apart from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that generate about 80 per cent of revenues for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, other airports constitute a financial burden to FAAN.
But, despite the challenges facing most of the aerodromes in the country, more state governments have continued to pump scarce resources into the construction of more airports with most designating them as “cargo airports.”
In the last decade, no fewer than 10 state governments have mooted or commenced such projects.
Some of the states include Osun, Ebonyi, Ogun, Benue, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Abia, Ekiti, and Bayelsa. Sadly, most of these projects were never completed, while others were abandoned by their successors in office.
They include Asaba Airport, Ebonyi Airport, Bayelsa Airport, Ogun Cargo Airport, MKO Abiola International Airport, Osun, which is uncompleted, Ekiti Cargo Airport, Anambra Cargo Airport, Abia Airport, Wachakal Airport in Damaturu, and Dutse International Airport in Jigawa.
Others are Lafia Airport in Nasarawa which is uncompleted, Kebbi Airport, Auchi Airport in Edo which is uncompleted, Zamfara Airport, and Gombe Airport.
In 2017, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State commenced his move to build an airport in the state. Six years later, the governor renewed his zeal for the project, A cargo airport in Umueri, in the Anambra East Local Government Area.
Anambra State is surrounded by airports in Delta, Imo, and Enugu states but the governor embarked on the project.
Though many believed the project was new in the plans of the government and needless, the governor in April 2017 flagged off the airport project.
At the flagging-off ceremony in April 2017, Obiano said that the government wanted to create an airport city in the state with a model that would accommodate two runways, an aviation fuel dump, an airport hotel, an industrial business park, an international convention centre, as well as a facility for aircraft maintenance.
He had initially boasted that the airport with a cost implication of $2b as at when it was conceived would join some of the most advanced airports in the world with a capacity to land any of the most sophisticated vessels known to man.
In 2021, the state government said N6b was spent and not $2b as alleged in some quarters.
Also, the immediate past aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, conveyed the approval for the construction of the Ebonyi airport through correspondence to then Governor David Umahi, now Minister of Works. The letter was signed by the Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Capt Talba Alkali, on behalf of the ministry in 2019.
At the commissioning of the airport, Umahi revealed that he spent over N36bn to build the airport, located in Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area. But as at the time of filing this report, the airport situation is best described as comatose.
The immediate past Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, expended N16bn public funds on the Akure airport, but the airport has also refused to attract aircraft over its non-viability.
When the governor conceived the idea, it was greeted by criticisms from stakeholders both in the state and beyond but the governor vetoed the cargo airport which is currently not in use.
As of January 2023, the Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Budget, Economic Planning, and Performance Management, Niyi Adebayo, revealed that N16.6bn had been spent on the yet-to-be-completed facility in Ekiti State.
He explained that the fund was used for perimeter fencing, completion of the runway and taxiway, terminal building, and payment of compensation for the farmers whose farmlands were acquired for the project.
In Jigawa State, ex-governor Sule Lamido, also pumped N4bn to build an airport for the state, one that was commissioned in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The airport facility is located less than 100km from Aminu Kano International Airport, making experts describe it as wasteful spending.
Also, in Bayelsa, former Governor Seriake Dickson spent N70bn on the construction of an airport which began in 2012 and was completed in February 2019.
The amount spent on the airport by the governor has been disputed by some stakeholders, among which was the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole.
Oshiomhole had stated that the project gulped over N100bn but Dickson insisted that it was done at the rate of N70bn.
Same for Yobe State where the transport commissioner, Abdullahi Kukuwa, had recently told newsmen that the state spent more than N18bn on the unused airport project initiated in 2017.
Like its counterpart, the Nasarawa cargo airport project was initiated in December 2015 during the second tenure of a former Governor Umaru Al-Makura, who said he had the vision to open the state for investment opportunities.
The project was estimated at N10bn and was to ease cargo traffic at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, because Nasarawa is the closest state bordering the FCT.
Aviation professionals speak
The General Secretary of the Aviation Safety Round Table, a group for industry professionals, Olumide Ohunayo, criticised the scale of some airport projects, arguing that while building airports is essential, the funds allocated and the size of these developments are often disproportionate to the immediate needs.
“I am not one of those who criticise the building of an airport. What I criticise is the size of the airport and the funds made available for such developments,” Ohunayo said.
He emphasised that airports typically start as social infrastructure rather than profit-making ventures. “It’s when it begins to develop that they now think about commercialising and maybe giving to private investors.”
Ohunayo further noted the tendency in Nigeria to start airport projects on a large scale without sufficient flight operations to justify the investment. “When you don’t have any flight and you are starting big, you want to operate internationally from the very first day,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that some of the experts who now criticize these projects were previously involved in advising the government and securing funds for such developments.
On his part, Capt John Okakpu said aside from the Anambra airport, all of the other mentioned airports should be converted to skill acquisition centres or any form of public facility that will be of use to the people.
“Immediately these governors see a colleague that has embarked on such a project even when the fellow did not achieve success, you will see the others doing the same, but my question is, why should a right-thinking human want to replicate failure? In all, it is to steal.
“For instance, before you think of building an airport you should be able to ascertain the passenger traffic. It is not rocket science, you must do it even before any other study.”
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Security Limited, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd.), echoed similar sentiments, questioning the approval process and the lack of a solid business plan behind these airport projects.
“When were they approved by the National Civil Aviation Authority? What was the business plan behind it?” he asked, stressing the importance of having a clear operational base and understanding the potential passenger traffic.
Ojikutu also criticized the focus on building new airports in regions with low travel demand, using Ekiti State as an example. “I told the people in Ekiti not to build an airport, but to build a road to connect Ekiti and Akure. The money they will make on the road is much more than the money you will make from the airport,” he noted.
Opposition mock governors
Although the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, defended his predecessor for the construction of an airport in the state, opposition politicians said the facility was unnecessary
Oyebanji said all the airport was awaiting was certification from the regulatory agencies to begin commercial operations and promised that the airport would begin operations before the end of the year
“On access to Ekiti State, our airport is practically ready. But in Nigeria, I have learned something about technical readiness and practical readiness. Our airport is ready, but I don’t want to play politics with safety. So we are waiting for the regulatory agencies to give us all the certifications.
“As I speak today, they are in Ekiti now at the airport, trying to look at what we have put on the ground. Once we have the certification from NCAA and FAAN, then access to Ekiti State will be sorted out at least through the air. I don’t want to give a timeframe but before the end of this year, commercial operations will begin at the Ekiti State airport,” he said.
However, the state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Alaba Agboola, said the airport was not the priority of Ekiti State for now, describing the money injected into the project as waste.
Agboola said, “Yes, I agree that Ekiti needs an airport, but if we need something, we must at the same time look at the viability of that project. Ekiti receives meagre amounts compared to other states of the Federation. I think we must be able to prioritize our needs.
“If we want to prioritise our needs in Ekiti State, the airport is not one of them because there is an airport in Akure that can be serviceable to us. We have so many needs that require government attention now. I don’t think there is any need to have an airport that is not viable, that is not commercially oriented, that is just tying down our money.
“I can term it to be wasteful spending of Ekiti resources. After the inauguration of the airport in 2022, the airport has been stagnated. An airport that is not usable.
On his part, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, Ebiowou Koku-Obiyai, defended the construction of the state’s airport but was noncommittal on whether it was viable or not.
Koku-Obiyai told our correspondent that the airport offered an alternative to people in the neighbouring states of Delta and Rivers states.
On whether it is still operating commercially, she said there was an arrangement with an airline, which seems to have been disrupted as of the time of filing this report.
But the candidate of the Labour Party during the last election, Udengs Eradiri, said he was surprised when he heard that the state was trying to procure an airplane, stressing that he was yet to understand why.
“Do they have discipline? They have not shown discipline in the management of the state assets. Are we buying a plane like Rivers State or Ibom Air of Akwa Ibom? The governor is travelling about. He should sit in the state and get the Bayelsa State economy going,” Eradiri stated.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Energy in Yobe State, Dr Mustapha Geidam, said the government is actively collaborating with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to secure the requisite clearance for the commencement of commercial operations at the state airport. In Ebonyi, a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Silas Onu, described the airport as ill-conceived, saying it was a white elephant project.
According to him, a right-thinking governor could have opted for massive industrialisation of the state seeing that agriculture was its main economic base.
He added that the project was a huge waste to the state, which had not added any economic value to its citizens.
“As an opening remark, may I indicate that the said airport was built and commissioned as a completed project by the immediate past Governor, David Umahi. The commissioning was widely broadcast with the landing of one aircraft from Air Peace. I doubt if any other plane landed at the airport after the official commission/opening of that airport.
“So I was personally shocked and taken aback when the newly sworn-in Governor Nwifuru began spending billions on the newly unused airport, for what he termed as rehabilitation or was it renovation? Whichever it was, there was absolutely no need for further needless spending on what has now become a white elephant project.”
The Federal Government has finally initiated plans to enlist the services of an external auditor to verify the N2.7tn fuel subsidy claim by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited against the government.
The yet-to-be-named auditor will assist the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation in determining the real amount owed by the government.
This development comes five months after the plan was proposed at the monthly Federation Allocation Accounts Committee meeting in April 2024.
NNPC claimed an outstanding of N6tn but was reduced to N2.7tn after an initial audit by an audit firm, KPMG.
The PUNCH had reported that the audit would span from 2015 to 2021.
Although the Director of Home Finance at the Ministry of Finance, Ali Mohammed, has always provided updates at every FAAC meeting, the latest development for an external auditor indicates that no concrete step has been taken to audit the claim.
On May 30, 2023, a few hours after the “subsidy is gone” declaration by President Bola Tinubu, the NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, told State House correspondents that the Federal Government still owed the firm the sum of N2.8tn spent on petrol subsidy.
While saying the NNPC footed petrol subsidy bills from its cash flow, Kyari said the government had so far been unable to pay back the N2.8tn.
Lagos-Calabar highway demolition: 100 landowners team up for fresh legal war
He said, “Since the provision of the N6tn in 2022 and N3.7tn in 2023, we have not received any payment from the Federation.
“That means they (the Federal Government) are unable to pay and we’ve continued to support this subsidy from the cash flow of the NNPC. We are waiting for them to settle up to N2.8tn of NNPC’s cash flow from the subsidy regime and we can’t continue to build this.”
A copy of the minutes of the recent FAAC meeting obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday in Abuja revealed that a selection process for an external auditor by the procurement department of the finance ministry has begun.
The minute read, “On the forensic audit covering the period 2015 to 2021 to Authenticate NNPC/Federation Claims in Respect of N2.7tn withheld by NNPC Limited:
“The Director of Home Finance reported that the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation was still working on the matter, adding that the Procurement Department of the Ministry had also put structures in place for the engagement of an external auditor, who would assist OAuGF to carry out the assignment.”
Commenting on the issue, the Chairman of Commissioners’ Forum/HCF, Ekiti State, suggested the need to extend the period of the audit review to December 2023, considering that the exercise was yet to commence.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of Finance, Lydia Jafiya, suggested the need to limit the scope of the audit exercise to cover the period 2021 to June 2022, when NNPC was a corporation before transitioning to a Limited Liability Company.
Concluding, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, appreciated the contributions of members on the issue and expressed optimism that the exercise would be speedily executed.
Over 100 property owners in Lafiaji community, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, are planning legal action against the Federal Government as they are being issued demolition notices to evacuate their properties for the Lagos- Calabar Highway construction.
This was made known in a statement titled, ‘Being the text of a press conference addressed by Property Owners and Residents of Lafiaji Community, Eti Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State on the distortion in the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway by arbitrary deviation from the long-established right of way by the Hon. Minister Of Works and the threatened unlawful demolition of their property at Lafiaji Community, Eti Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State,’ on Tuesday.
The property owners accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of altering the original right of way to shield prominent politicians.
In the statement, they claimed that they followed due process in acquiring their lands, adding that in the acquisitions of their plots of land and in building their property, they were well informed about the Right of Way, clearly marked, beaconed, and established for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and, therefore, ensured that they did not encroach on or trespass to the established Right of Way.
The statement read in part, “In the acquisition of our plots of land and development of our respective homes and property, we obtained requisite consents of the Lagos State Government to our deeds of assignments, had our respective survey plans hewed from the approved Ojomu Family Layout Plan, and obtained all the necessary building approvals and development permits from the relevant agencies of the Lagos State Government.
“However, there are those who, overtime, have built on the said Right of Way and constructed huge estates crisscrossing same in the illusion that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would never be built, without any valid legal title to the land on which they built; or with government officials-assisted fabricated certificates of occupancy with embossed survey-plans (the area coordinates of which truly are that of lands adjacent and proximate to the Right of Way, but which are passed off as that of lands situated within or covered by the Right of Way, to obtain certificates of occupancy). These persons also either did not obtain valid building approvals and development permits from the relevant agencies of the Lagos State Government or were assisted by corrupt officials of government to obtain doctored documents.
“As an outcome of the recent visit of the Honourable Minister of Works and Federal Controller of Works to the communities affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, especially regarding compliance with the enforcement of the Right of Way, valuation of affected landed property, service of removal and demolition notices, and compensation, the Honourable Minister of Works and the Federal Controller of Works decided to deviate from the scrupulous implementation of the Right of way by specifically directing surveyors of the Federal Government of Nigeria (Ministry of Works) on the project to establish a fresh Right of Way, create a new alignment and alter the road-course into the area where our clients’ plots of lands and houses are situate, an area which was not covered by the long established Right of Way.”
The project, designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passes through the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, before culminating in Cross River.
It is crucial for enhancing connectivity and boosting economic activities along Nigeria’s coastal region and is expected to cost N4bn per kilometre, with the government awarding contracts for two sections of less than 100km at a total cost of N2.46tn.
But the coastal highway has been a subject of public scrutiny and controversies since the government commenced construction in March.
In May, Umahi disclosed that 750 houses on the path of the highway had been marked for demolition but owners of affected property were displeased with the government compensation, claiming it did not match their investments.
According to them, the compensation is grossly inadequate and there is the need for the government to review the payment.
The founder of Leisure Games, Olanrewaju Ojo, who got N1.3m compensation, told The PUNCH that the amount was what he could generate in a week.
He said, “This is ridiculous! What am I supposed to do with this? I will make this in a week.”
Stakeholders and experts also condemned the road procurement process, stressing that the contract awarded to the construction company was shrouded in secrecy and bypassed the proper procurement process.
The Lafiaji community residents noted that they wrote protest letters to President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, amongst other public officers, to seek redress.
“Surprisingly, our relief was short-lived as the officials of the Federal Ministry of Works subsequently resumed in our community to mark our buildings afresh, and to inform us that our property and homes are still very much within the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway course and that the new alignment had not been jettisoned as far as our lands and property were concerned.”
Petrified, they stated that they immediately embarked on an investigation, visiting the Lagos State Lands Bureau, Lagos State Office of the Surveyor-General, and the Federal Ministry of Works, Lagos.
They posited, “We have discovered to our chagrin that the Honourable Minister of Works has disregarded and rebuffed the clear directive of the President of Nigeria, as far as our lands in the Lafiaji Area is concerned. From our findings, we make bold to say that the Honourable Minister of Works has an improper and less than patriotic reasons for arbitrarily directing a departure from the long-established Right of Way for the construction of the Coastal Highway, in the Lafiaji Area.
“This is the reason, from our findings, the minister has found it difficult to follow the presidential directive in the Lafiaji Area. We discovered that amongst some huge housing estates that allegedly have sprung up illicitly on the long-established Right of Way are Ocean Bay Estate and others. The developers of these estates and some of the owners-occupiers of buildings therein are alleged to have strong political connections, ethnic ties, and social links with the powers that be.
“Therefore, the Minister of Works, in an unabashed display of nepotism, as alleged, “ruled” that the property and buildings in these estates are too valuable to be demolished, and that demolishing them would attract huge compensation from the Federal Government. In consequence, it is being alleged that the Minister of Works directed that the Right of Way be altered away from the established path and the said estates and that this new alignment be made through our lands which were never established as the original Right of Way.”
They asserted that after deciding to alter the Right of Way, the Minister of Works found a pretext for their actions by labeling their property as shanties to create the false impression that they were unlawful settlers and illegal occupiers.
“It is our considered but firm position that the decision of the Minister of Works to change the Right of Way and, therefore, the course of the Highway is an abuse of power and unlawful exercise of ministerial discretion. The Minister has no latitude of executive prerogatives to do what he has directed should be done. We dare say that, after the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has specifically directed a reversion to the old, long-established Right of Way, the adamancy of the Minister amounts to an act of ministerial lawlessness!
“As a result of the action of the Minister of Works, we are now being confronted with the prospect of being rendered homeless. The landed properties affected are not just realty investments but also the homes of many of us. Some of us currently are overseas and, therefore, are in no position to vacate and yield up possession of our property for demolition within the unreasonable time we were unconscionably given to flee our abodes.
“We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Minister of Works to order and direct him to abandon his whimsical and capricious new alignment for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway at Lafiaji, Eti Osa Local Government Area, and revert to the original long-established Right of Way, as the President had earlier directed.”
The Federal Government had in June said it had rerouted the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway path to avoid any possible damage to subsea cables belonging to telecommunication companies.
The government also said it had reduced the project’s size from 10 lanes to six as a cost-saving measure for the legacy project.
Umahi, who made the announcements at a meeting with contractors on Tuesday in Abuja, also said the government had disbursed a total sum of N10bn as compensation to property owners affected by the demolition necessary for the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
This was as it announced that the first 47km of the project would be open to the public by May of next year.
The legal practitioner representing the community, Jiti Ogunye, said there were so many obstacles involved in proceeding to court on the part of prospective litigants because of the need to reform the judicial process.
He said, “The rules of court are one of the major obstacles, and our courts are congested because our justice dispensation infrastructure is small. However, we want to give it the best shot we can give it because right and morality are on our side, and if we fail, it will not be that we did not try but the system is hostile to success.
“Hence, if we are left with no other choice and if push goes to shove, we will go to court.”
A resident, Bonojo Olalekan, said over 100 property owners were affected by the rerouting.
In a brief call with the Federal Comptroller with the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Keisha, she referred our correspondent back to the Honorable Minister of Works.
She retorted, “I said you should go to the Honorable Minister.”
Also, several attempts to reach the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Orji Uchenna Orji, through calls and texts were not responded to.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Environment has announced a 21-day public display of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
This was disclosed on the agency’s website on Tuesday.
It stated, “Public display exercise on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section 1 (0km – 47.5km) By Federal Ministry Of Works.
“Following the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act CAP E12 LFN 2004, which makes it mandatory for proponents of all new major developmental activities to carry out EIA for their proposed projects, the Federal Ministry of Environment hereby announces twenty-one (21) working days public display for information and comments on the draft ESIA report for the above-stated project submitted by Federal Ministry of Works.
“This display is to enable the public to make inputs that shall facilitate informed decision taking by the Ministry on the proposed project.”
The report noted that the project required an ESIA due to the potential environmental and social impacts associated with its construction to comply with international standards and Nigerian regulations.
“The ESIA is a crucial tool for identifying, assessing, and mitigating the potential negative impacts of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project while maximising its benefits. Alongside the ESIA is the preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan for the Highway. A Resettlement Action Plan is essential for a highway due to the potential for involuntary resettlement.
“The ESIA aims to ensure the project is developed and implemented sustainably, protecting the environment and benefiting the local community. The primary goal of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is to identify, assess, and mitigate potential negative impacts on the environment and society.”
The report further noted that the highway was a significant infrastructural development spanning over 700km and divided into nine sections.
It added, “Work will begin with Section 1, which spans from 0km to 47.5km in Lagos. Section 1 includes development activities related to transportation, coastal resort facilities, hotels, and recreational facilities in national parks and marine parks.
“The project’s impact assessment has a phased approach to demonstrate a commitment to environmental and social considerations. This ESIA report specifically focuses on Section 1, providing a foundation for subsequent sections. The ESIA evaluates the environmental and social impact of a plan, policy, program, or project before deciding to proceed with the proposed action.
“It covers various aspects, including the environment’s physical, biological, socio-economic, and health elements. The ESIA will describe project activities and identify potential impacts on air, water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, land use, and affected individuals and assets.”