The Nation April 24, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News Omisore under fire for threatening Aregbesola P10 Sports Eagles striker Mikel Obi’s Chelsea future in doubt P23 Business Fed Govt worried over N1.3t rice, sugar import P11 www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 2103 TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

N150.00

SIXTH LAGOS ECONOMIC SUMMIT (EHINGBETI 2012)

•Senator Amosun (left), Mr. Richardson, Fashola (SAN), Fayemi, Mr. Aganga and Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire...yesterday. See also page 56

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PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Federal Govt backs Lagos’ investments drive

AGOS State got yesterday a Federal backing for its investments drive. The state will get sovereign guarantee to leverage its competitiveness in the global financial markets.

A sovereign guarantee is an irrevocable commitment

By Taofik Salako, Staff Correspondent

given by a national government that an obligation will be satisfied if the primary obligor, usually a sub-national entity, defaults. Besides, a sovereign guarantee sometimes takes the form of an as-

surance by a government that certain provisions of a project agreement would be honoured.

Speaking at the sixth Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2012), President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by Minister of Trade and Investment Mr. Olusegun

Aganga, said the Federal Government recognised the importance of Lagos State as the commercial nerve centre and would support its quest for investments.

He said the government was on the verge of completing an agreement to grant concession to Lagos State to de-

velop railway lines. The government has started working on many important roads to complement the efforts of the state government to ease traffic gridlock, he said.

According to him, for Nigeria to join other major emerging economies, the partnership between the Federal

Government and Lagos State is critical, given the state’s dominance and centrality to the Nigerian economy.

Noting that Lagos accounts for more than 20 per cent of the Gross Domestic Continued on page 2

N1.07t subsidy fraud: Govt panics over protest threats Police seize Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Lagos I’m not afraid of impeachment, says Tambuwal

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AGOSIANS woke up yesterday to find a team of battle-ready policemen at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota on the outskirts of the city.

Their presence is belived to be the government’s reaction to the protest being planned by the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and other activists against the alleged N1.070 trillion fraud exposed by the report of the House of Representatives ad-Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy.

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Members of the House of Representatives know that they are bound to face threats and resistance from many quarters. The important thing is that they will not be intimidated From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Adebisi Onanuga

Save Nigeria Group (SNG) leader Pastor Tunde Bakare has reportedly announced that the Federal Govern-

’

ment had been served a mass protest notice, if it fails to prosecute all those mentioned in the report.

Besides, the cleric said the culprits should be asked to make refunds

within a specified time.

He said that the civil society group has started dissecting the report and that another operation “Occupy Nigeria” is imminent, if the government fails to prosecute the culprits.

The civil society group, Bakare said, met last Saturday to plan for the protest. “By Wednesday, we would come out with our findings. “But right now, we are back to the trenches,” he said.

But yesterday, armed policemen Continued on page 2

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •PROPERTY P25 •ENERGY P49 •CITYBEATS P7

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

NEWS Governors get excess crude, subsidy panels From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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•Despite the NNPC-Capital Kero-Direct programme that promised to flood Nigeria with Kerosene, the product has been out of reach since last year, selling for between N130 and N160 a litre. The photograph show long queues of consumers at the NNPC Mega filling station in Abuja, waiting to buy the product at regulated litre price of N50.

PHOTO: NAN

Federal Govt backs Lagos’ investments drive Continued from page 1

Products (GDP) and more than 59 per cent of the nonoil sector’s contribution to the GDP, Jonathan said the Federal Government was working on two emergency power plants in Lagos that would be dedicated to supplying power to the state.

Although he declined any comment on regional economic blocs, the President said the Federal Government would back all states that focus on economic growth.

Earlier in his opening address, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said the government has identified four key areas - power, agriculture, transportation and housing as critical for economic development and growth.

He said the government believes that investing its resources in these four areas

would provide a quick leverage for Nigeria to join the major emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Fashola urged the Federal Government to consider licensing new power companies to create the much-needed competition for the sector’s development.

The state needs investments in several areas, including water, waste management, intermodal transportation, and housing, among others, he said.

Explaining further the choice of the Summit’s theme, “From BRICS to BRINCS : Lagos Holds The Key’ and the reason for focussing on PATH, Fashola said the path that would lead the country to BRINCS is laid out in the state.

He said: “Lagos is home to about 2,000 industrial complexes, 10,000 commercial ven-

tures and 22 industrial estates.

It contributes 30 per cent to the nation’s GDP and is the leading contributor to the non-oil sector GDP.” “Lagos accounts for over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities, 70 per cent of national maritime cargo freight, over 80 per cent of international aviation traffic, over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s energy consumption.

“The Government of Lagos State is responsible for over 18 million Nigerians and we take that responsibility very seriously. Those over 18 million Nigerians whose numbers are increasing daily, have different aspirations. Some are just looking for survival, some are looking for work and a better life and some already have work and seek, expectedly, to improve on what they have and make life even better for themselves.

“We are conscious of the fact that the best way to stimulate development is to create a conducive environment for business to thrive. “We, therefore, see our role as that of an enabler, the provider of a favourable and enabling atmosphere for businesses to expand and grow so that the hopes and aspirations of those over 18 million Nigerians will be met.”

Commenting on the advantages of regular power supply, Fashola said his administration believes that regular power supply would enable it to unleash the possibilities of the economy “beyond the imaginations of even our most ardent critics”.

Fashola said: “Think of the small businesses that generate their own power and just imagine how much they will prosper if their down time becomes their up time or productive time because we have been

able to provide stable power.

“Imagine a Lagos that is much safer than today because every inch of it is lit up at night from regular power supply. “ He said life would be much better for the over 18 million Lagosians if the state could industrially produce milk, bread and eggs daily, produce and package vegetables and transport them within and beyond the state and its environs instead of importing them.

Recalling the lifestyle changes that were reported when the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was flagged off, Fashola said life would be even much better in the transport sector when the Lagos Light Rail – the Blue Line, with its larger carrying capacity, would start operation in the state adding that with 60 ferries soon to be added to the existing six, with a capacity Continued on page 57

OVERNORS yesterday agreed to set up three committees to resolve the excess crude account and oil subsidy deduction debacle with the executive.

The committees, whose members were not disclosed, are expected to begin work in earnest.

Also, deputy governors’ and governors’ wives have been asked to take charge of the state task force on polio eradication.

The decisions were reached at the governors’ meeting at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.

According to Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the committees were “constituted to take forward the issues of excess crude account and oil subsidy deductions”.

Both issues have been a source of contention between the governors and the Presidency.

The governors were in court over the excess crude account, until recently when they decided to settle out of court.

Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, read the communique at the end of the about three hours meeting .

He said: “Three separate committees were constituted to take forward the issues of Excess Crude Account and Oil subsidy deductions.

“The forum, concerned about the increasing number of wild polio virus cases in some states, reiterated its commitment to its earlier decision that Deputy Governors should take charge of the state task force on polio eradication and where necessary, First ladies should assist in the day-to-day interventions”.

At the meeting were Adamawa, Ondo, Taraba, Bauchi Zamfara, Oyo, Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna , Kogi, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Jigawa, Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers states.

N1.07t subsidy fraud: Govt panics over protest threats Continued from page 1

were deployed to secure the park, which hosted the antifuel subsidy removal protest in January.

The police must have arrived overnight, residents said.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed near the park on the service lane of the expressway facing Maryland, manned by policemen in combat gear.

Two patrol vans were stationed on the other side of the park, along the road leading to the Olusosun Landfill Site The vehicles were also manned by armed personnel.

SNG spokesman Yinka Odumakin described the report of the Farouk Lawan-led committee as searing.

He said: “It is an open book on the rape of a nation by mindless people. We expect that the Federal Government will want to treat the report as a family affair, but we, SNG, will ensure that this is the final nail on the coffin of corruption in Nigeria.

“If the report is not implemented fully within the given time frame, SNG will mobilise Nigerians to come out and speak up against corrup-

Reps accuse NNPC, marketers of plotting against report

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HE House of Representatives fought back yesterday, accusing the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and 18 oil marketers of planning to rubbish its report on fuel subsidy.

The report, which indicted NNPC and the marketers for stealing the subsidy fund, is slated for debate on the floor of the House today.

The House committee on fuel subsidy fund management recommended that NNPC and the oil marketers should refund N1.07 trillion to the Federal Government.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman, Zakari Mohammed, the House said the marketers’ recourse to the court was an attempt to undermine the work of the probe panel.

He accused the NNPC of trying to undermine the report with the claim that it might have been doctored. tion.”

Odumakin said those indicted should not just be made to make refunds, but prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others who may want to be fraudulent.

In Abuja yesterday, the row between the House of Representatives and oil marketers over the House Ad Hoc Com-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

The statement reads: “Following the presentation of the report on subsidy regime, several individuals, marketers and corporate organisations not favoured by the report have sought to impugn its authenticity.

“Coming under various guise, including but not limited to buck-passing and alleged non-invitation to the investigative hearing, several of them are desperately seeking to undermine the outcome of the report consideration billed for tomorrow (today).

“Despite repeated appeals by the Farouk Lawan-led committee to all those who had anything to do with the country’s subsidy regime between 2009 and 2011 to come forward and make representations before it, some of these organisations conveniently chose to stay awayobviously because they have something

mittee’s Report on Fuel Subsidy deepened, with 15 lawmakers withdrawing from the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, United States. The trip was to be sponsored by some marketers.

Also yesterday, House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal said he is not bothered by

to hide –only to turn around now and claim non-invitation.

“Regarding the group of 18 marketers who were deeply involved in the subsidy payouts, but declined to appear before the ad hoc committee, the purported recourse to legal action is, in our opinion, an orchestrated plot to scuttle the findings of the committee.”

Mohammed chided the NNPC over its allegation that the report might have been doctored.

He said: “For the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), claims that the Ad hoc Committee report may have been altered to embarrass it(the NNPC), is only in tandem with the current reckoning of its spokesman as a ‘Chief Denial Officer’.

The corporation must have been in possession of another version of the report for it to assert that the one officially laid before the House of Representatives on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 was altered.”

threats of impeachment over the Farouk Lawan Committee report, which exposed the rot in the subsidy regime.

The House will today debate the report.

But indicted oil marketers are planning to file a motion in court to halt the debate.

The oil marketers have held an appraisal session in Abuja

with their lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN), who hinted yesterday moves to halt the debate.

Fifteen members of the House yesterday told the Speaker of their decision to reject some oil marketers sponsorship to the Houston conference.

The OTC summit is expect-

ed to hold in two weeks’ time.

A principal officer of the House, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The practice in the past was for one or two members to be participating in the conference. But, some oil marketers offered to sponsor 15 members of the House this year.

“Following the coincidence of the sponsorship with the release of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee, we suspected a plot to scandalise the House leadership.

“But the selected 15 members have met with the Speaker and decided to reject any sponsorship from oil marketers. The House may not even go to the conference, if it is extremely necessary. And where there is need to be represented, the House will foot the bill.”

Asked to name the oil marketers, the source said: “At the appropriate time, we will expose those behind the offer.”

As at press time, the House of Representatives has concluded arrangements to proceed with the debate of the report today.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Hon. Continued on page 57

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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NEWS

• Governor Abiola Ajimobi (middle), Country Programme Representative of the African Development Bank Peter Sturmheit (left) and Resident Representative of the ADB Ousmane Dore (right) duringa visit to the governor in his office...yesterday

•Omoregie: jailed for life

•Ladipo: convicted for conspiracy to breach immigration laws

Nigerians in • World Bank President Robert Zoellick (second left), Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (first left), the Executive Director at the World Bank, Alhaji Mansur Muhtar (second right) and Governor Peter Obi (first right) at the office of the World Bank President during the 2012 World Bank Spring meeting in Washington... yesterday

United Kingdom (UK), especially its capital, London, is like a second home to Nigerians.

The not-so encouraging economic situation in the country is a major factor while Nigerians can do anything to ‘check out’ to the Queen’s Land. Unfortunately, however, surviving in London, many have found out, is no tea party.

Some have taken to crime to survive; others fake marriage to Europeans to belong; and some juveniles have also taken to a life of gangterism, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

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• Director General, National Agency for Food Drugs and Control Dr Paul Orhil(left), member Senate Committee on Healt, Senator Danladi Sankara, President, Pharmaucetical Manufacturing Group Bunmi Olaopa, President,Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employers Fred Chiazor during Pharmacolligilance Stakeholders forum in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

ATER this week, Victoria Osoteku will be sentenced by a court in the United Kingdom for the death of a fellow student, Sofyen Belamouadden, who was punched, kicked and stabbed in a murder planned on Facebook.

Belamouadden’s offence was that there was a feud between his school and a sixth-form college. Osoteku was seen on CCTV kicking Belamouadden in the head as he lay dying on the ground.

She is just one of the Nigerian teenagers, who are to lose their freedom for the death of the man whose father described as a star. Last Friday, Obi Nwokeh, 19, Christopher Omoregrie, 18, and Samson Odegbune, 18, were all given a life sentence and told they must serve a minimum of 18 years before they could be consider for a pardon.

Belamouadden, according to Daily Mail, died in the hand of a pack of up

to 20 students aged between 15 and 18 at Victoria underground station in London. The teenagers were armed with a set of kitchen knives bought for £3.99 from Argos, a Samurai sword, flick knives, metal bars and extendable batons, which were used to batter the GCSE pupil with ‘indescribable aggression’.

Odegbune, said a report, held the 12in sword above his head, as he and Omoregie and Nwokeh led the chase of the victim in the ticket hall during the early-evening rush hour.

When they caught up with the victim, he was stabbed nine times in the lungs and chest. The attack lasted 12 seconds.

Judge Christopher Moss QC ordered that Omoregie, Nwokeh and Odegbune be detained at Her Majesty’s Pleasure – the juvenile equivalent of a life sentence.

He said: “None of you has shown any kind of remorse. Nor do you in

Shell Nigeria A

• Chairman, House of Repreesentatives Committee on Public Accounts Solomon Adeola(left), Deputy Chairman, Auwal Jatau and a member, Dr Samuel Adejare during a public hearing on the query raised by the Auditor general on the accounts of NAFDAC at National Assembly, Abuja... yesterday PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

S the company faces a lawsuit by residents, an assessment by a US oil spill consultancy casts doubt on Shell’s estimate of the Nigerian leak.

A Shell oil spill on the Niger delta was at least 60 times greater than the company reported at the time, according to unpublished documents obtained by Amnesty International.

According to Shell, the 2008 spill from a faulty weld on a pipeline resulted in 1,640 barrels of oil being spilt into the creeks near the town of Bodo in Ogoniland. The figure was based on an assessment agreed at the time by the company, the government oil spill agency,

the Nigerian oil regulator and a representative of the community.

But a previously unpublished assessment, carried out by independent US oil spill consultancy firm Accufacts, suggests that between 103,000 barrels and 311,000 barrels of oil were flooding into the Bodo creeks every day for as long as 72 days following the leak. Accufacts arrived at the figure following analysis of video footage of the leak taken at the time by local people.

This suggested that between one and three barrels of oil were leaking every minute. A similar method was used by spill assessors to gauge the scale of the BP Deepwater spill underwater in the

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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NEWS

•Kolawole: jailed for life

• Oderinwale: sentenced for 12 years

•Osoteku: to be sentenced this week

•Odegbune: jailed for life

•Nwokeh: jailed for life

in UK: One week, one trouble Nigeria’s Yinka Shonibare sets record in London

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PIECE of artwork featuring a ship in a bottle which appeared on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth has found a permanent home.

Yinka Shonibare’s Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle was on display in London between May 2010 and January 2012.

Following a successful public appeal for funds and an Art Fund grant, the work will go on permanent display at the National Maritime Museum in London.

The scaled-down replica of HMS Victory will be on view from 25 April.

This coincides with the Greenwich museum’s 75th anniversary.

Along with a £50,000 from the Art Fund, the public raised the necessary funds - £362,500 - to enable the museum to acquire the work and put it on permanent display.

The museum itself contributed £49,100 to the effort, matched by London’s Stephen Friedman Gallery, on behalf of Shonibare.

“I am absolutely delighted and touched by the public’s generosity,” said British-Nigerian artist Shonibare.

“It is testimony to the importance of keeping Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle in the country,” he added.

Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle was commissioned by the mayor of London and unveiled as the latest occupant of the Fourth Plinth in May 2010.

The artwork will stand outside the Maritime Museum’s new Sammy Ofer Wing, where it will be freely accessible to all.

Director of the National Maritime Museum, Kevin Fewster, said: “I

am confident our millions of visitors will get great pleasure from it for years to come.”

Shonibare’s work measures 4.7 metres in length and 2.8 metres in diameter.

The ship’s 27 sails are made of textiles commonly associated with African dress and symbolic of African identity and independence.

Shonibare was born in London and moved to Nigeria at the age of three before returning to the UK to study fine art.

He currently lives and works in the London’s East End. •Culled from BBC

any way acknowledge responsibility for the killing.”

Another Nigerian boy, Femi Oderinwale, 18, was convicted of manslaughter and given 12 years detention. Osoteku will have her day with the law this week for the murder, which took place in March 2010.

The seriousness of the involvement of Nigerian teenagers and youths in gangterism in London was further brought to the fore with the conviction last week of Kazeem Kolawole for his role in shooting

utmost gravity. The seriousness is such that a life sentence is necessary to reflect public abhorrence of these offences. Shooting twice into the small and confined shop where it was known there were people present can be denounced as an attack on society itself by men who saw themselves as outside and above the law.”

Kolawole was recently spared prison for beating a schoolgirl and was wearing an electronic tag while on bail for carrying a knife.

spree that shocked Britain and was described by a judge as an ‘attack on society itself’.

Thusha Kamaleswaran, a teenager, is confined to a wheelchair by the shooting for which Kolawole and others have been jailed for life.

Kolawole is a member of Brixton’s Gas - or Guns And Shanks - Gang, responsible for a trail of violence that has devastated parts of South London.

Judge Martin Stephens QC said : “This is an exceptional case of the

But it is not only gangsterism that regularly puts Nigerians in the UK on the spotlight. They are also in the news for sham marriages.

In January, a corrupt vicar who conducted 28 sham weddings was jailed. Many of his clients were Nigerians. The Rev Canon Dr John Magumba, 58, pocketed at least £8,300 after he agreed to marry Nigerians to Eastern Europeans living in Britain.

The unions, said Daily Mail, enabled the Africans to stay in the UK

and claim hundreds of thousands of pounds in benefits. In the scam, European Union citizens would marry Nigerians to gain the right to stay in Britain.

Another vicar, Mr. Brian Shipsides, 55, is serving a maximum sentence of 14 years slammed by at Inner London Crown Court for aiding Nigerian sham marriages. A Nigerian woman, Amudalat Ladipo, 31, who acted as a fixer, was convicted of conspiracy to facilitate breaches of immigration laws. One of the Nigerians who got married through the process, Onyeka Nwagbo, 27, has been deported. He was arrested in his “wedding” suit minutes before the ceremony. His fake bride, Julitza Nedd, 23-year-old Swede, received an eight week suspended sentence for assisting illegal immigration.

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: “We are actively reviewing all cases where individuals gained the right to live in the UK as a result of a wedding at All Saints during the period in question. Where we have evidence that leave has been granted on the basis of a sham marriage we will look to revoke that right to stay and remove them from the UK. “We will be contacting all of those involved in these weddings and asking them to prove their ceremonies were genuine.

“Those who do not do so will have their residency revoked and will be required to leave the UK. Those who fail to do so will face possible enforcement action.

“However, in such cases they will have a right of appeal to an immigration judge who will review whether they have provided evidence of a genuine relationship.”

oil spill ’60 times bigger than it claimed’ gulf of Mexico in 2010.

“The difference is staggering: even using the lower end of the Accufacts estimate, the volume of oil spilt at Bodo was more than 60 times the volume Shell has repeatedly claimed leaked,” said Audrey Gaughran, director of global issues at Amnesty International.

“All oil spill incidents are investigated jointly by communities, regulators, operators and security agencies,” said a Shell spokeswoman in London. “The team visits the site of the incident, determines the cause and volume of spilled oil and impact on the environment, and signs off the findings in a report. This is an independent

process – communities and regulators are all involved. This is the process that was employed with the two spills in question, and we stand by the findings [of 1,640 barrels].” Shell has argued the community prevented the company being allowed near the pipeline to repair it.

The amount of oil spilled by Shell at Bodo will be key to a high court case expected to be heard in London later in 2012. Shell is being sued by nearly 11,000 Bodo inhabitants, who say their lives were devastated by the spill which destroyed their fishing grounds, caused long-lasting ill health and polluted fresh water

sources. The community, represented by the London law firm Leigh Day, is thought to be seeking more than $150m (£93m) to clean up the creeks, which, even four years after the spill, remain coated in oil.

Oil spill compensation in Nigeria is based largely on the amount of oil spilt. But negotiations over the Bodo spill broke down earlier in 2012 in London when the gap between what Shell was offering and what the community wanted could not be bridged. Neither party can agree on when the 40year-old pipeline started to leak.

In a letter to Amnesty International, Shell wrote: “The court will

decide what the volume of the spill was. We suggest you might be better to wait for the authoritative view on the volume of the spill and publish at that stage rather than risk misleading the public with Accufacts estimate.”

But this was dismissed by Amnesty’s Gaughran: “Even if we use the start date given by Shell, the volume of oil spilt is far greater than Shell recorded. More than three years after the Bodo oil spill, Shell has yet to conduct a proper cleanup or to pay any official compensation to the affected communities. After years of trying to seek justice in Nigeria, the people of Bodo have now taken their claim

to the UK courts.”

“The evidence of Shell’s bad practice in the Niger delta is mounting,” said Patrick Naagbanton, coordinator of the local oil watch group Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD). “Shell seems more interested in conducting a PR operation than a cleanup operation. The problem is not going away; and sadly neither is the misery for the people of Bodo.”

Amnesty and CEHRD have repeatedly called for an independent process to investigate oil spills in Nigeria, and an end to the system that allows oil companies to have such influence over the process.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

NEWS

Senate summons PHCN, others on Abuja airport outages

Sambo, ECOWAS parliament condole with Ekweremadu From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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ICE-PRESIDENT Namadi Sambo and the ECOWAS Parliament have commiserated with Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, on the death of his father, Igwe Matthias Ekweremadu.

In a statement in Abuja by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, the Vice-President noted that the death of senator’s father was not only a loss to the Ekweremadus but also to the nation.

“We pray that the Almighty God will continue to give you good health, wisdom and strength to continue your contributions to the development of our dear nation,” Sambo said.

The Vice-President was accompanied by Bauchi and Kogi State Governors Isa Yuguda and Idris Wada.

The ECOWAS Parliament, led by its Secretary-General, Mohamesd Diakite, condoled with the Deputy Senate president.

Ekweremadu is the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Diakite described the monarch’s death as a big loss to the regional parliament and ECOWAS.

I left N28b in police pension account, says ex-perm sec •Lawyer defends ex-director From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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PERMANENT secretary, who was accused of defrauding the Police Pension Office, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Kigo, has said he left about N28billion in the coffers when he left the office in 2010.

He spoke in Abuja in a submission to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service investigating the scam at the Police Pension office.

His counsel, Yahaya Mahmood (SAN), averred that contrary to the reports credited to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), no money was recovered from the home of the former permanent secretary when it was searched by officials of the commission.

Mahmood (SAN) said his client challenged anybody to show the proof that such money was found in his house.

Reports had quoted the EFCC as saying about N2billion was recovered from the house of the permanent secretary who was a director at the Police Pension Office between 2009 and 2010, before he was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Niger Delta Ministry.

The senior lawyer said his client was silent on the issue because he wanted “to avoid any press war or controversy”.

He said: “The amount allegedly defrauded was inaccurate and the amount allegedly recovered from the permanent secretary’s home was totally false.

“But some prominent Nigerians, including Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, appear to have believed the ridiculous remours… One needs to know how many trucks will carry N2 billion from the permanent secretary’s home to the EFCC office, or what kind of wardrobe, ceiling or soak-away will contain that amount.

“Newspapers have a duty and obligation to report court proceedings accurately. They can also verify certain serious facts before rushing to publish them. The danger in not so doing so is that accused persons, who are constitutionally presumed innocent until proven guilty, are otherwise presented as guilty even before they are tried.”

Kigo said that N28 billion in the coffers of the Police Pension Office when he was deployed to another office is made up of N20 billion in its account with First Bank and N8 billion in its account with Unity Bank.

He noted that the N8 billion in the Unity Bank account were part of the savings made from the N1.5 billion released monthly for the payment of Police Pensions since what was required for the payment was less than the money released.

NUJ poll: Six states endorse Garba-Obamuwagun ticket From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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BOUT a month to the triennial delegates’ conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the election of new national and zonal leaders of the union, its “B” Zone officials have endorsed the re-election of incumbent Deputy National President, Rotimi Obamuwagun, for a second term.

Obamuwagun is a senior journalist with the Ondo State-owned broadcasting company.

The zonal officials met in Akure, the Ondo State capital, for the endorsement.

Reputed to be one of the most vibrant of the zones of the NUJ, the “B” Zone comprises Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi and Kwara states. The states are expected to send about 170 delegates to the forthcoming conference.

The Akure meeting, which was declared open by the National President of the union, Garba Mohammed accompanied by some other national officers; It was also attended by scores of others officers from other zones who came as observers and resolved that the candidacy of Obamuwagun, who was a two-term Chairman of Ondo Council and immediate past Vice-President in charge of the zone, is the best in the emerging leadership of the national body.

A five-paragraph communiqué issued after the meeting indicated that all Chairmen, Secretaries and other officers at the council and zonal levels endorsed the second term bid of Garba as the National President of the NUJ. The communiqué by the Vice-President and Zonal Secretary, Ayoade Adedayo and Niyi Odekunle respectively, stated that; “the zone adopts the candidature of the incumbent Deputy National President at the next national election as the same Deputy National President.

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HE Senate yesterday summoned the management of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Integrated Power Project and Julius Berger Plc over outages at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma, issued the summons after members of the committee visited the airport.

Over 200 passengers on British Airways flight from London were reported to have been forced to remain on board for over an hour on Saturday morning due to an outage.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

The airline passengers were said to have been advised to remain on board for security reasons.

Uzodinma described outages at the nation’s airports as avoidable national embarrassment.

He said PHCN, NIPP, FAAN and Julius Berger were invited to articulate how to end outages at the airports.

The lawmaker noted that Julius Berger Plc was specifically invited because it procured and maintains the three generating sets at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, which reportedly broke down last Sat-

urday.

Uzodinma told reporters that since the same thing had happened three times in three months, last Saturday’s blackout aroused their interest to visit the airport to get the facts straight.

The senator said they wanted to know “what really happened, the cause and to ensure that such ugly incident does not repeat itself again”.

He added: “We have been told that there are two dedicated lines of PHCN to the airport. One has been recovered and given to the host communities, which is not a bad idea.

The problem is that the recovered line has not been replaced.

“All over the world, airports

are run on dedicated lines to avoid interruption. But the alternate solution is the use of generating sets. Those procured and maintained by Julius Berger Plc broke down at the same time on Saturday.

“But in the wisdom of officials of the Ministry of Aviation, they have procured three new generators for replacement of the aging generators.

All we need to do now is to invite NIPP, PHCN, FAAN and Julius Berger to articulate ways and means and to agree on a permanent solution to outages at the airport. This is to ensure that the country does not receive this kind of national embarrassment and sense of insecurity any more.”

Jonathan embarrassing Nigerians, says David-West

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FORMER Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Tam David-West, yesterday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for allegedly embarrassing the nation through his constant gaffes.

He criticised Dr Jonathan for saying the Nigerian Army was below international standards.

Speaking with The Nation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the former minister noted that the President has been embarrassing the nation by his alleged gaffes, especially outside the country.

According to him, by saying the Nigerian Army is below international standards,

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

the President has indicted himself as the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

David-West urged Dr Jonathan to define what he meant by international standards and tell the world how many military installations he has visited in the world to arrive at that conclusion.

He said: “President Jonathan should stop embarrassing Nigeria and the Presidency by his consistent gaffes. How can Jonathan, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, go to the Defence Academy and declare to the world that the Nigerian

Army is below international standards? I was shocked out of disbelief. I have never in my entire life heard such recklessness and irresponsibility from the high office of the Presidency. Jonathan apparently does not realise that it was a direct indictment of himself as the Commander-in-Chief without prejudice to the embarrassment of the entire nation.”

“Let Jonathan tell us the meaning of international standards. How many military installations has he visited in the world to come to the conclusion that the Nigerian military is below international standard? It was a very embarrassing statement. He even put the security of the country in jeop-

•Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Cadets displaying helicopter rapelling at the Counter-Terrorism and CounterInsurgency training Centre in Jaji, Kaduna...yesterday

ASUU to Fed Govt: prosecute oil subsidy beneficiaries

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HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday urged the Federal Government to prosecute the beneficiaries of the illegal oil subsidy. The fund has been put at about N2trillion.

ASUU canvassed an “immediate revocation of all the operation licences of the firms indicted by a competent court of law in the heavy oil subsidy fraud”.

Addressing reporters after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), ASUU National President Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie said the conviction of former Delta State Governor James Ibori by a London Court for money laundering was a serious challenge to corrupt Nigerian leaders.

He noted that the implication of Ibori’s conviction by a court outside Nigeria, after he

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

had been acquitted on the same charge by the Nigerian judiciary, has ominous implications.

The ASUU president said the conviction of Ibori represented “a major breakthrough in current efforts to reduce corruption in the country”.

Awuzie described as expensive “media creation and delusion” of the Federal Government’s claims that it

has extended the retirement age of university lecturers to 70 years.

According to him, the retirement age of lecturers by the Federal Government has no legal backing as it has not been assented to by the President.

He frowned at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for allegedly colludingw with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay about

N1.9billion to a waste management firm in the name of oil subsidy.

Awuzie said: “It is disturbing to note in the report of the House that NNPC illegally collected N310billion as subsidy for kerosene imports.

All these and other documented instances of fraud have shown that massive corruption is still the norm among the rich and highly placed in public and private sectors.

FRSC poised to achieve UN Action on road safety

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THE Anambra Coordinator of Special Marshals, Mr Ken Nduka, has said the Special Marshals Department of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will achieve the 50 per cent road crash reduction in line with the recommendation of ther United Nations (UN) 2011-2020 Decade of Action on Road Safety.

Nduka spoke yesterday at the opening of a two-day workshop for members of the Corps Marshals at Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

He told the participants that the capacity-building workshop for the Special Marshals was aimed at achieving the goals of the UN Decade of Action.

Nduka said: “We believe that our areas of contribution should be on the following: infrastructure, road user behaviour and post-crash care for victims. It is expected that at the end of the workshop, the Special Marshals will be better equipped and help educate other motorists and other road users.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

CITYBEATS

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Hoodlums burgle tribunal •Computers, electronics, others stolen

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HE Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square has been burgled.

Computers, laptops and a flat screen television were carted away by the Burglars, CityBeats learnt yesterday.

The incident was discovered yesterday morning when members of the tribunal the day's business.

By Eric IKhilae

The tribunal Registrar, Gani Bakare said the matter had been reported at the Lion Building Police.

Bakare said the burglars entered the office of the tribunal chairman through the rear window.

The burglars, he added, smashed the door linking the court to the

7

chairman's office and ransacked it.

He said all the files, containing vital documents, and exhibits were intact. ''There are vital information in the computers that were stolen. I am not suspecting anybody. I have been to Lion Building to make a statement," he said.

It was learnt that all security men on duty at the time of the incident have been arrested.

When CityBeats visited the tribunal, many litigants were seen standing in groups discussing the incident.

Govt seeks to extradite Nigerian to US over alleged $3.2m fraud

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HE Federal Government has begun extradition proceedings against a Nigerian, Olaniyi Jones wanted in the United States (US) for his alleged involvement in internet fraud (otherwise known as Yahoo, Yahoo).

Jones is said to belong to a USbased gang which defrauded thousands of American companies by allegedly cloning workers’ identity to collect money from payroll companies and banks through the internet.

Jones and other members of his gang allegedly perfected a way of using internet and bogus websites to trick consumers into disclosing their online usernames and passwords.

After obtaining the information, the gang would add fake employees to the payroll accounts of the companies at payroll processing

By Eric IKhilae

companies, and thereafter use the victims' online accounts to pay the fake employees through electronic transfer.

The gang members order by transferring same to an account under their control by wiring it overseas via money transfer, including bank wire, western union and moneygramm. The group was said to have defrauded US companies of about $3.2 million.

This information is contained in documents filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke. The documents form part of processes in an extradition proceedings initiated against Jones by the AGF. The move followed the US Embassy’s request.

Following the request, Adoke issued an extradition order in line with the provisions in Cap. E25 of the Extradition Act. He is seeking the court’s order extraditing Jones to the New Jersey District Court in the United States, where a 10 count charge of conspiracy and internet fraud is said to have been filed against him.

Jones, who allegedly fled the US was arrested at a bank in Akure, Ondo State by men of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Yesterday, his lawyer, Akin Olatunji moved an oral application for his bail pending the determination of the case.

He stressed that the offence for which his client is wanted is bailable, adding that the accused had earlier been arraigned before an Akure High Court over the same matter.

•NO MOVEMENT: A broken down trailer (right), caused traffic jam at Itire Junction along Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Lagos... yesterday ` PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Court remands man, 29, for alleged rape, murder of in-law

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YABA Magistrate’s Court has remanded a 29-yearold for allegedly raping and killing his in-law.

The deceased’s elder sister is married to the accused’s uncle.

It was alleged that Ime Titus, last March 11, had “carnal knowledge” of the deceased Blessing Monday, at Ilamija Village, Epe, Lagos State.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Titus was said to have hit the victim on the head with a wood and raped her on her father’s farm.

The charge reads: “That you, Ime Titus , on March 11, 2012, killed Blessing Monday by hitting her with a wood on the head and thereby committed an offence pun-

ishable under the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2011.”

The offences contravened Sections 258 and 221 of the Lagos State Criminal Code.

Magistrate S. K. Matepo, remanded the defendant in prison custody and referred the matter to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for advice. The case was adjourned to May 24.

• Rita Dominic holding a plaque at the event

South Africa, Nigeria lead at AMAA Awards

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ELEBRITIES from all walks of life graced the eighth African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), which held at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event which held for the first time in Lagos, celebrated the best of African filmmakers, Actors and stories.

AMAA Chief Executive Officer, Peace Anyiam Osigwe, said: "Our duty as film makers is to retell African story. We cannot allow others to tell our story and that is why the theme for this year's AMAA Awards is: Africa is Rising. That is why I thank Nollywood, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana and the rest of the African nation for telling our own story in our own way."

Hollywood Jimmy Jean Louis and Nollywood O.C Ukeje were the hosts of the evening. The show opened with an electrifying performance by one of the very best vocalist in Nigeria, delectable Yinka Davis. It could only take someone like the acclaimed queen of African Soul, Asa, to further charge the atmosphere and got the guests dancing and singing along to her popular track Jailer.

Finally Africa finest act, Tuface Idibia, wowed the crowd. He was absolutely fantastic on stage.

Among other celebrities called to make awards presentation were Zik Zulu, Funmi Iyanda, Patrick Doyle, Ita Giwa, Grace Egbagbe and Morris Chestnut among others.

South African Charlie Vundla, scooped best director and his debut film, How 2 Steal 2 Million; was named Best Film. South African actress, Terry Pheto, was named Best Supporting Actress for

Another strike looms as Lagos doctors face panel today

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BOUT 1,100 Lagos doctors under the umbrella of the Medical Guild will be facing the Health Service Commission's Personnel Management Board (PMB) today over the three-day warning strike embarked upon penultimate week.

According to the letter issued by the various Chief Medical Directors of teaching and general hospitals in the state, the doctors were invited to explain their absence

By Wale Adepoju

from duty during the period.

The failure of the doctors to respond to the earlier queries issued them on April 16 and 18, by the state government demanding for an explanation for embarking on a three-day warning strike resulted in their summon of by the PMB panel today.

But the doctors at a briefing yesterday, said the query might pro-

voke another strike.

The Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Chapter, Dr Adebowale Adekoya said the government action will further compound the problem of patients in the state as all doctors will leave their duty post to face the panel.

He added that the patients will be worse for it. Adekoya, however,

urged Lagosians to prevail on government to avert unnecessary loss of life that could result from the development.

Reacting to an alleged sack threat by the government, Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr Olumuyiwa Odusote, said they are not afraid of sack, adding that if government wanted to sack, it should sack all the 1,100 doctors and not single out any individual.

By Mercy Michael

her role in the film, which also won Best Achievement in Editing (Garreth Fradgely). With four awards, How 2 Steal 2 Million garnered the most awards for the night.

Nigeria's Benin-set historical epic, Adesuwa, came second with three awards, for Costume Design, Visual Effects, and Best Nigerian Film. South Africa's crime drama, State of Violence, won Best Film in African Language and Best Achievement in sound. Man on Ground, a Nigerian/South African xenophobia-themed co-production, won the Special Jury Award given only for the third time since the inception of AMAA - and Best Supporting Actor for South African Fana Mokoena.

Nigeria's Rita Dominic was named Best Actress for her role in Kenyan film Shattered, while Ghanaian Majid Michel, won Best Actor for his role in Somewhere in Africa, while Danny Glover's Toussaint Louverture, was named Best Diaspora Film.

Nigeria garnered most of the awards at the night, receiving 12 awards and followed closely by South Africa with 10 at the event sponsored by Airtel Nigeria.

Book for launch A BOOK entitled Nigeria…A Future In Ruins? written by a columnist with Daily Sun, Dr. Jimanze Ego-Alowes, will be launched today at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 11.00am.

The event is expected to be chaired by former military Governor of Lagos State and erstwhile Chief of General Staff Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd).

Among the special guests expected at the launch are the Speaker of the House of Representatives Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, his deputy Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola and his counterparts from Akwa Ibom State Obong Godswill Akpabio among others.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

NEWS Ohanaeze chieftain dies in kidnappers den From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha and Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Amosun: we’ll implement land panel’s report

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O

former Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nzewi, a.k.a.

Apunawu, who was kidnapped in Ihiala a few weeks ago during the runoff Senatorial election in Anambra South, yesterday died in thekidnappers’ den.

Another man, who was kidnapped with him (names withheld), was reportedly freed after paying a ransom.

Sources said the late Nzewi’s family could not afford the N50 million demanded by the kidnappers.

It was gathered that the abductors settled for N30 million, which the family produced, but the kidnappers took the money and released Nzewi’s body to the family.

Spokesman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Diaspora Chief Sonny Louis Okafor called on the police to apprehend the hoodlums.

He said: “We commiserate with the family on this unfortunate incident and urge the police to track down Nzewi’s killers. We hope this case would not be swept under the carpet after preliminary investigations.”

Osun medical workers for training in Germany From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Osun State government has picked six medical workers in the civil service for eight weeks’ training in Germany.

Commissioner for Health Mrs. Tope Ilori announced this yesterday at the Ministry of Health’s Conference Hall in Abere, Osogbo, the state capital, while speaking with reporters.

She said the beneficiaries; three doctors and three nurses, would be trained at the University of Magdeburg Teaching Hospital in Germany.

The commissioner said the government has invested N18 million in the first phase of the training of heath workers.

She urged the beneficiaries to take the programme seriously and be good ambassadors of the state.

Mrs. Ilori said: “The idea is to expose our health practitioners to modern-day health care practices, current advances in medicine and the latest equipment in teaching hospitals in advanced countries.

“The training would improve health care delivery in the state. I restate the present administration’s commitment to the development of the health sector.”

•Some of the protesters locking up the campus gate...yesterday.

(Inset: The protesters...yesterday)

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

UI students protest poor facilities S TUDENTS of the University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday protested the unavailability of water and electricity in their hostels.

The students, in their hundreds, marched through major streets in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, bearing placards with inscriptions; such as: “Where is our right?

UI is the first but the worst”; “Our Vice-Chancellor is a thief, we are tired of darkness and drought” and “No light, no water, no life, we are fed up.”

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

The protest paralysed activities on the campus, at Agbowo Shopping Complex and on the Mokola-Ojoo Road.

It was learnt that the protest was ignited by residents of Independence and Nnamidi Azikiwe Halls, after the students had been without electricity and water for three days.

Though the protest was not violent, visitors and staff were forced to trek to their various destinations, as the intra-campus transport was put on hold.

Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SANU) Mr. Jonathan Omolona said the protest started building up on Sunday night and efforts to pacify the students failed.

He said: “They have complained of scarcity of water and electricity in their hostels and the protest is legal. We support their cause, but they should have limited it to the campus. We have to pacify them to leave the road and return to the campus.”

Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sango Police Division,

and the Area Commander, Agodi, Aliyu Garuba led policemen to ensure that the students return to the campus.

Most of the students, who spoke with The Nation, lamented that they have not had electricity and water for weeks.

They accused the institution’s management of being insensitive to their plight.

The school’s spokesman, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, said a team has been put in place to ensure regular water and electricity supply.

tions of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on Lands would be implemented.

The governor spoke yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, while receiving the reports of the commission from its Chairman, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi.

He said the report would be deliberated upon at the meeting of the Executive Council and all legal procedures would be strictly adhered to.

Amosun said a White Paper would be issued on the report, adding that all the findings and recommendations of the commission would be published in newspapers.

He thanked members of the commission for their time and sacrifice.

Justice Akinyemi enumerated a few of the panel’s findings, such as the release of government lands to non-existing beneficiaries, allocation of lands and issuance of Certificates of Ownership (Cs of O) to allottees without evidence of payments and the illegal concessions of state property to private companies.

The commission recommended the recovery of such land and money from the beneficiaries.

It also recommended the establishment of a Land Use Committee, the upgrade of the Bureau of Lands to a ministry and the merger of Gateway City Development Limited with a repositioned Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation.

Era of hooliganism over in Oyo, says ACN

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State has said one of the achievements of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration is the eradication of the violence that characterised the administration of Chief Adebayo AlaoAkala.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, ACN said: “Someday, we will have a chronicler of history to articulate all that the good people of Oyo State lost to the hooded gangsters, who invaded our state with the Peoples Democratic Party’s

•Mrs. Ilori; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr. Kayode Olaore (left) and a member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Leke Ogunsola, at the Press Conference...yesterday.

(PDP’s) veil on their faces.

“We became synonymous with thuggery and hooliganism. If you told anyone you were from Oyo State, the next thing that your name conjured was Tokyo, Auxiliary or Eleweomo.

“Thugs decided our destiny. They were council chairmen and could be found in the executive council.

These were the people who ruled us until God sent us a savior.”

Reacting to the PDP’s claim that the immediatepast administration implemented people-oriented programmes, ACN said:

“How can anyone name Adeoyo Hospital, Mapo Hall and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) as the achievements of previous government?

“By the time they left government, aside its horrible architecture, there was no water or electricity at the hospital that was used to siphon over N24 billion.

“Even if the University College Hospital (UCH) is to be rebuilt today, it would not cost that much. Shortly after they left office, the buildings of the hospital started collapsing. There was no single

equipment in the hospital.

Only God knows the extent of our impoverishment by the construction of that mishospital.

“Ask doctors in Adeoyo what legacy the PDP left in the hospital? Our government has just taken an inventory of the rot and is about to improve healthcare in the state.

“In the interim, over 350,000 people have benefited from our mobile health care programme, tagged Free Health Mission.”

ACN said in its one year in office, it has delivered good governance.

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said the recommenda-

•Amosun

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

NEWS

Nigerian seeks to exhume father’s body to get American citizenship A

NIGERIAN man filed a lawsuit in federal court in Chicago seeking to have a deceased suburban man exhumed — saying he can’t obtain U.S. citizenship until he proves the man in the grave is his father.

Alexander J. Vavrinek, 67, claims Joseph A. Vavrinek of Midlothian became his dad while stationed in Nigeria as a U.S. soldier during World War II. Joseph Vavrinek died in 1981.

Alexander Vavrinek’s mother, Edna Khanji, of Nigeria, died in 1996.

Now, Alexander Vavrinek is suing Joseph Vavrinek’s daughter, Rose Ann Vavrinek, of Midlothian, because she has allegedly refused to authorise the exhumation.

The suit also names Roman Catholic officials, because Joseph Vavrinek is buried in the Chicago

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archdiocese’s Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Alsip. The officials allegedly will not exhume the body without Rose Ann Vavrinek’s approval.

The lawsuit seeks a court order to exhume the body; a ruling that Alexander Vavrinek is a U.S. citizen and entitled to a passport; and $100,000 in damages for his “emotional distress.”

“He wants to know his roots,” said Alexander Vavrinek’s attorney, Eric Anunobi, of Minneapolis. “His own half-sister doesn’t want to take the extra step to give meaning to his life.”

Rose Ann Vavrinek could not be reached for comment.

According to the lawsuit, Joseph Vavrinek briefly stayed in touch with Khanji after he left Nigeria. He sent Christmas cards and gifts to her and acknowledged he was Alexander’s father, the lawsuit said.

As a young man, Alexander received a medallion left behind by Joseph Vavrinek that said: “Member — the First Catholic Slovak Union USA, J. Vavrinek fighting for God and Country in the Armed Forces of the USA 1942,” according to the lawsuit.

That is when Alexander Vavrinek became determined to find his father, the lawsuit said.

He said he approached the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria in 1963 and re-

ceived a U.S. Social Security card and alien registration card. In 1992, he contacted the Salvation Army’s Missing Persons Service in Des Plaines and was told Joseph Vavrinek had a surviving daughter, Rose Ann Vavrinek, the lawsuit said.

It claims Alexander Vavrinek received a 1994 letter from Rose Ann Vavrinek saying he bore a “striking resemblance” to her father.

The lawsuit also says she wrote letters to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria acknowledging Alexander was Joseph Vavrinek’s son and requesting travel documents for him, but the embassy didn’t respond.

The government recently told Alexander he could obtain U.S. citi-

Leave Aregbesola alone, says Akume

ENATE Minority Leader Senator George Akume yesterday said there was no truth in the allegation that Governor Rauf Aregbesola was planning secession.

Akume, in a statement, urged those behind the allegation to let the governor be.

The statement reads: “Governor Aregbesola of Osun State has been made to take the centre stage in our national discourse beyond the level that is permissible in a democracy.

Those vilifying him are not mindful of the operational setting where Osun State in one out of 36 States and where Nigeria’s chequered history has recently frowned at any attempt to secede given the crushing of the Adaka Boro and Biafran attempts.

“Aregbesola’s worldview and the

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

style he is employing to modernise his state must be deeply appreciated, but not misunderstood, in the context of a united and indivisible country where the federal system of government operates.

As an avowed socialist, he submitted himself to the dictates of popular democracy and embraced the philosophy and programs of a people’s party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to solicit support.

“There is nothing in the ACN constitution that runs counter to Nigerian constitution. Nigeria is a creation of ethnic nationalities whose customs are still a part of their lives and which adds to the true federal spirit which galvanises the country.

Most, if not all ethnic nationalities have their ethnic anthems or pledges which stir the soul of its adherents.

The Hausas, the Yorubas, Igbos and the Tivs and other ethnic nationalities keep drawing from their common history without reducing their commitment to our federal constitution.

There is nothing in the so-called Osun anthem which competes or conflicts with Nigeria’s national anthem. The singing of such local cultural anthems to stir the minds of people before our national anthem amplifies the supremacy of the latter over the former. Osun State is not alone in having its own local anthem.

“The eyebrows raised that Osun state is sending people to Cuba to import socialist militancy

downplays the potency of Cuba as a centre of excellence for the developing world. Cuba’s medical feat in providing a good ratio of doctors to citizens is a challenge which advanced countries are still working to meet. Any third world leader will be inspired by the Cuban example.

“He cannot declare Osun State a sovereign state neither can he promote it as an Islamic State. Nigeria has had two cases of secession which all failed; The Adaka Boro and Ojukwu attempt. Until he makes a formal declaration to secede, let us sheath our swords.

“The current threat to national fragmentation arising from the Boko Haram, Niger Delta militancy, Biafran radio should preoccupy our critical searchlight.”

Almajiris a challenge of 40 years, says Emir of Zauzau

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HE Emir of Zauzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris yesterday said Almajiris have posed a challenge to the North in the last 40 years.

The Emir spoke in Zaria while receiving the the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

The minister was in the city to inspect Almajiri schools in Kaduna State.

A statement by the minister’s Special Assistant (Media), Simeon Nwakaudu, said the Emir commended the President for addressing the Almajiri challenge, especially in the North.

According to the Emir: “We are extremely appreciative of the President’s determination to tackle the challenge posed by the prevalence of Almajiris in parts of the country.

“The prevalence of Almajiris has posed a problem for over 40years.

We are happy that the President is making history as the first leader to frontally tackle the problem. In no distant time, the Almajiris will have western and Islamic education to contribute to national develop-

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Nigerian student jailed for two years in Malaysia for using counterfeit notes A NIGERIAN private college student was sentenced yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to two years jail on three counts of using twenty seven pieces of counterfeit RM100 currency notes last year.

Adegbola Adesola, 27, pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court to committing the offences at Berjaya Times Square, Dang Wangi between 4.24pm and 6.35pm on Nov 24, 2011.

He was arrested on the same day.

The accused used the counterfeit notes to purchase three pairs of slippers, two pairs of shorts, a piece of male undergarment, two belts and two pairs of shoes from various retail stores in the shopping mall.

He initially claimed trial to the three charges on Dec 14 last year.

However, he changed his plea to guilty yesterday.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhamad Abu Hassan Ramli pressed for a deterrent sentence because of the prevalence of commercial crimes committed by foreigners in the country.

Sessions judge Jagjit Singh sentenced the accused to two years jail for each charge. He ordered the sentences to run concurrently from the date of arrest.

During the same proceeding, Adegbola also pleaded guilty to overstaying in Malaysia. He was fined RM2,000 in default of six months jail.

The accused was unrepresented.

US Supreme Court turns down Nigeria oil protest case •Director-General National Teachers Institute (NTI) Dr. Aminu Sharehu (left), Wike (right) and the representative of Kaduna State Governor, Ismaila Lawal Yakawada during the commissioning of NTI model primary school computer laboratories in Kaduna... yesterday

ment”.

The Emir commended the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Education for ensuring the succcess of the President’s Transformation Agenda in the education sector.

Wike said the government was appreciative of the support traditional rulers are providing for the Almajiri programme.

He said that empowering the Almajiris through education was fun-

damental to ensuring that they participate in the economy.

The minister also commissioned the Computer Laboratories of the NTI Model Primary School in Kaduna.

Jonathan ‘keen to end corruption in oil sector’ PECIAL Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, has said President Goodluck Jonathan is keen to end the rot in oil sector.

Emodi commended the investigation undertaken by the House of Representatives into the utilisation of petroleum subsidies, saying it would go a long way in supporting the Federal Government’s own war against corruption in the sector.

Emodi yesterday said the executive and the legislative branches of

•Vavrinek

zenship only if he obtains proof he’s Joseph Vavrinek’s son, the lawsuit said. “He believes he is entitled to citizenship,” Anunobi said. “He wants to get to know his father’s heritage.”

By Wale Ajetunmobi

government were on the same page on the issue and would collaborate towards ensuring that the rot in the sector was fully addressed.

She noted that the issues that led to the investigations predated the Jonathan dministration.

Emodi debunked claims in some quarters of discomfort in the administration over the recommendations of the House Ad-hoc Committee on the management of the petroleum subsidies.

She said:“You would realise

that when the President came on board he was faced with these issues and he directed an investigation into the petroleum sector to be conducted by the then Minister of Finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga. He sharpened this last January with his approval to the Minister of Petroleum to set up an industry-wide investigation of the sector last January to be led

by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

“The President’s sincere desire of enthroning probity was clearly manifested by his choice of men

of integrity to be involved and he did not mind crossing the partisan barrier to get his opponent in the presidential election to lead the investigation.

“So, it is not surprising that the President should welcome what the House members have done and he is on the same page on the issues and it is to be noted that none of the high officials of the presidency or the Minister of Petroleum was cited for blame in the recommendations of the House committee.”

THE US Supreme Court yesterday declined to take up an appeal by 19 Nigerians seeking to invoke a US anti-torture law to sue oil giant Chevron over deaths in the Niger Delta.

The decision by the top US court not to intervene follows its unanimous finding last week that the law — the Torture Victim Protection Act — only allows lawsuits against individuals, not against corporations or organisations.

The finding lets stand a federal appeals court ruling in San Francisco that threw out the suit by the Nigerian demonstrators.

The plaintiffs claimed that they and their loved ones suffered deaths and injuries at the hands of Nigerian military personnel who used brutal force to crack down on an offshore oil platform protest in the Niger Delta in 1998.

The plaintiffs in the case, Bowoto vs. Chevron, alleged that Chevron’s Nigeria subsidiary backed the military action and that the US parent company should be held liable.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

NEWS Forum to Ajimobi: avoid distractions A PRESSURE group, under the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, the Asiwaju Leadership Forum, has hailed Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his administration’s achievements since he assumed office 11 months ago.

In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Sikiru Akinola Oranmiyan, the group urged the governor to be focused and avoid distraction from the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

It described PDP’s statements as the ranting of frustrated political elements “who are bent on misinforming the populace to gain cheap popularity”.

The group flayed the PDP leadership for being “blind” to the developmental efforts of the governor, adding that Ajimobi has been tarring most of the roads which were left undone by the Adebayo Alao-Akala administration.

“One of such roads is the Wakajaiye Road, in Egbeda Local Government Area, in Ibadan. It leads to the house of the elder brother of AlaoAkala, and the one that leads to former Senate Leader, and Dr. Morounkola Thomas’ house in Oluyole Local Government.

“We would have kept mute but for the benefit of the masses, who could have been misinformed by the media onslaught against the ACN governor. We had to come out,” the statement said.

Ogun flags off N100m scheme THE Ogun State Government yesterday began its N100million micro-credit scheme. It urged the beneficiaries not to see the facility as a national cake or a political largesse.

Wife of the governor Mrs Oloufunso Amosun spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the flag-off of the scheme.

She praised officials of the state Ministry of Women’s Affairs for initiating the programme.

Mrs Amosun told the 388 beneficiaries that the best way to reciprocate government’s gesture is to repay the loan at the right time to allow others to benefit from it.

She said: “This loan should not be seen as your own share of the national cake. It should not be used for party or aso ebi. But it should be used to boost your capital base so that it can multiply and make you prosperous.”

The Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi, said the government subsidised the loan.

She noted that the government got the facility at nine per cent but gave it out at seven per cent.

According to her, the gesture is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to ensure that unemployment becomes history in the state.

Mrs Sonubi said: “This scheme has been put in place to expose the gender-friendly posture of our amiable governor, who wants the best for the womenfolk.”

Osun ACN: Omisore’s threat can cause national mayhem T HE Osun State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said the threat by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, to “attack, stop and disarm” Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s convoy is capable of causing national mayhem.

The party noted that the controversial politician’s threat was a sign of “desperation gone berserk”.

It urged the former senator not to nurse the evil idea as it has the potential to blow up on his face and cause a national unrest.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the ACN said: “Such act would be treated as an assassination attempt by a criminal miscreant and will be decisively terminated by the security forces.

“We call on all lovers of peace in the country to advise Omisore and his cohorts against this act of desperation, first in his own interest, and in the interest of peace and survival of democracy in the country. If the PDP in the Southwest even has a private army, it will be suicidal to use that illegal army against the Chief Security Officer and Chief Executive of a state.

This is a federating unit in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“When did it become the responsibility of Senator Omisore to determine who constitutes the security convoy of the governor? Is he now the National Security Adviser? Or, has he replaced the Inspector-General of Police or the Director of State Security Service (SSS)?

“In a civilised clime, Omisore should have been placed under security surveillance and prosecuted for plotting a criminal assault against a sitting governor. That is what we call on the SSS to do immediately; otherwise, they will stand accused of complicity in Omisore’s criminal attempt.”

The party urged President Goodluck Jonathan and other national officers of the PDP to call Omisore to order in the interest of peace.

It said: “Ihe President should be aware that chieftains of his party are plotting anarchy in the Southwest.”

ACN recalled that the National Vice-Chairman (Southwest) of the PDP, Mr Segun Oni, last month, declared that the PDP would make Osun

•Senator to rumour-mongers: stop distracting Aregbesola •‘Ex-lawmaker a disgrace to his constituency’

Lawmaker blasts PDP over allegations

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HE Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Security, Strategy and Publicity, Segun Olulade, has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for accusing Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola of a secession plot and alleged islamisation of the state.

The lawmaker urged the party to concentrate on nation-building instead of heating up the polity through false allegations against a performing governor.

Olulade told reporters in his office in Ikeja, Lagos, that the “spurious allegations” of recruiting and training youths in Cuba were from the imagination of those he described as desperate people who want to take over power through any diabolical method.

The committee chairman noted that Aregbesola is not only a law-abiding citiBy Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor and By Dele Anofi, Abuja

State ungovernable for Aregbesola and the ACN. The party noted that the declaration was followed by a “dubious security report, which accused the governor of plotting secession against Nigeria”. According to the ACN, Omisore is now threatening physical assault on Aregbesola, to show that the earlier threats were genuine.

“These are not just mere coincidences. They have the hallmarks of strategic planning of criminal nature. President Jonathan, who is a national leader of the PDP, has a responsibility to protect the citizens of this country against criminals, assassins and political thugs who are driven by desperation to create mayhem, such as the one being plotted against Aregbesola by the PDP and its chieftains in the Southwest,” it said.

ACN added: “This state has already been certified as peaceful by no less a responsible and highly placed leader of the PDP than Aminu Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other international personalities who have visited the state in the last couple of days. It will, therefore, be a crime against state security for an ordinary citizen of the state to want to ignite mayhem by attacking the governor’s convoy.”

Senator Mudashiru Hussein (ACN, Osun West)

By Oziegbe Okoeki

zen but also a man who has earned his reputation over the years as a non- tribal personality.

He noted that the governor has spent “the better part of his life contributing to the growth and development of our nation in and outside public office”.

He said: “All members of the House believe in his (Aregbesola’s) personality and image as a servant-leader of the people. He has never allowed religious sentiments or ethnic affiliation to influence his political decisions and activities.”

The lawmaker urged Osun State residents to disregard the “ill-motivated allegation, which is basically aimed at misinforming the public and causing disaffection between the government and the people of Osun State”.

yesterday urged rumourmongers in Osun State to desist from distracting Governor Aregbesola.

The senator noted that those fueling religious sentiments in the state have failed.

He said: "The ousted PDP government, under Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, failed for seven years in the state.

Now, we have a legitimate government. But the tiny minority is bent on distracting the attention of the workaholic governor, who has recorded more feats within the spate of two years.

They will fail.”

Hussein flayed the PDP leadership in the Southwest for fuelling rumours against the governor to discredit his achievements.

He described the election of Oyinloa as PDP National Secretary and Mr. Segun Oni as zonal leader as "a parade of wounded lions".

According to him, they have not recovered from the illusion of hanging on to illegitimate power.

The senator hailed the job creation programme of the Aregbesola administration, saying this has put smiles on the faces of unemployed youths in the 31 local governments of the state.

He said: “Aregbesola inherited the problems created by the deposed governor and it is curious that the PDP is not happy with the progress being made. The governor will not be distracted because the people are with him.”

A member of the House of Representatives, Mikhail Rotimi Makinde (ACN, Osun), has said Omisore’s threat against Aregbesola has brought disgrace to the people of his constituency.

Describing the PDP chieftain as an “agent of destruction”, Makinde noted that Omisore’s kind of politics has led many youths astray.

He said: “We know the Omisore family to be of good record. But Iyiola Omisore has become so notorious yet he enjoys being referred to as an agent of destruction.”

Makinde expressed disappointment that the former Osun State deputy governor, who is from Ile-Ife as himself, “is giving the Ifes a bad name”.

He added: “I represent the community of Ife. But with his clout, money and thugs, Omisore was floored in every polling booth in the land, including his family compound.

“Gone are the days when he could come home and recruit innocent youths and use them for untoward purposes.

“By his act (of violence), many promising young men are now in jail and detention, including his close lieutenant, who is standing trial for murder and kidnap.”

A rights group, Justice Now Foundation, yesterday queried the PDP on why it is bent on creating crisis in Osun State.

In a statement by its leaders, Comrades Waheed Lawal

Why I beheaded my mistress, by lover

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42-YEAR-OLD MAN, Asimiyu Ayantayo, has said he killed his mistress, Shakirat Emiola, to escape death by magun, the Yoruba killer sex juju.

The suspect was paraded yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by the police command, with his alleged accomplice, Isiaka Akanbi.

Ayantayo said Shakirat was laced with the killer magun by an unknown person.

He added that one of the lovers would die after making love with the juju inside either partner.

Police Commissioner Tambari Mohammed alleged that Ayantayo killed Shakirat, but the suspect said he beheaded her after she had fallen from a chair and died.

In another breath, the suspect said he killed the woman to save his life because somebody would die once, if magun is placed on either partner.

He said: "She was my mistress. I contracted

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

magun from her during love-making. She wanted to somersault, but I helped her. Then, she started vomiting, after the act, and fell down from the chair and died. It was then I beheaded her and cut off her two hands. I don't need the body parts for anything and I didn't do anything with them."

Akanbi denied complicity in the killing.

He said Ayantayo sent him to buy a sack, adding that he did not know what it was to be used for.

According to him, he only saw the body parts the following morning after Ayantayo had lured him into an oath which forbade him from exposing the killing.

Akanbi said: "He sent for me and gave me N400 to buy a sack. He is a big brother in the neighbourhood. I went and returned with both the sack and the N70 balance. I didn't know what he wanted to do with the sack.

"The following morning, he asked me to take an oath (of secrecy) with him. I asked him why we needed to do that and he said

he wanted to show me the mystery of the world. I was surprised. He then asked me to drink the concoction he brought but I declined. Then he asked me to taste it with the tip of my tongue. I did. He asked me to follow him to his house and I did.

"After a brief conversation, he asked me to come and see something. When I saw it, I screamed! Then he said: 'You are seeing the mystery of the world. Make sure you tell nobody. Otherwise, you will die.' I said the police must hear this and he said I would die. He took me to a graveyard, dug a shallow grave and buried the parts. I knew the woman very well. I knew he was her lover."

Shakirat was murdered last Thursday at Ayantayo's home in Yemetu, Ibadan.

Mohammed said a neighbour informed the police about a headless body dumped in the area.

According to him, the police began investigation immediately and arrested the suspects on Sunday.

Hesaidthesuspectswouldsoonbeprosecuted.

•Aregbesola

and Lanre Afolayanka, the group noted that Omisore’s statement against Aregbesola was reckless.

The statement reads: “This action by the defeated senator begs many questions. One: What concerns Omisore with the philosophy of life of the governor? Second: the allegation raised by Omisore is untrue, fallacious and baseless.

Third: even if the allegation Omisore raises was true, this is a security issue that should be left to security institutions to handle.”

Another pressure group, the Osun Good Governance Forum, said it has been monitoring a “sinister plan” by the state PDP to sink the ship of state.

A statement by its chairman, Abagun Adebayo, said: “We, as concerned stakeholders in the State of Osun, having read the report have decided to tell the world who Omisore is and what he is capable of doing. “…It is pertinent to say that what Omisore said about change in security guard is the same tissue of lies the rumour mill of the PDP machine has been churning out. This is a pure but a poor fabrication that is devoid of any iota of truth.”

Ex-Ondo HoS joins governorship race From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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FORMER Ondo State Head of Service (HOS), Chief Alaba Isijola, at the weekend joined the governorship race on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He was appointed by the former Olusegun Agagu administration but voluntarily resigned in 2009 a few weeks after Governor Olusegun Mimiko was sworn in.

Addressing reporters after declaring his interest at the PDP state secretariat in Akure, the state capital, Isijola said he want to rule the state following the way the present administration allegedly mismanaged the state funds.

He noted that the ruling Labour Party (LP) government has been celebrating petty projects, saying this might later lead to a disaster if better hands were not given the chance to rule the state.

The aspirant accused Mimiko of using impulsive administrative style to rule the state, saying all his government’s projects are cosmetic.

Isijola said: “Our people have not realised that all the building of markets and others are normal duties of a government.

The masses should not expect a government to promise them infrastructure because sensible people should know that construction of roads, provision of electricity, markets and stalls should not be counted as achievements.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira falls against dollar

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HE naira weakened marginally against the United Staes dollar on the interbank market yesterday in a thin trade, as market dollar liquidity was sufficient to counter dollar demand from importers, traders said.

The naira closed at 157.30 to the dollar on the interbank market on Monday, compared with 157.25 to the dollar on Friday.

Traders said the market remained liquid enough from the dollar sales by the stateowned NNPC, easing pressure on the local currency. A poll of 10 analysts by Reuters yesterday showed that the naira should hold steady in the short term, buoyed by higher oil prices and a tight monetary policy, but gains could be hampered by rising inflation in the second half of the year.

Dealers said the market was fairly stable because of dollar liquidity in the system from last week’s NNPC (stateowned energy company) dollar sales, which quenched moderate demand from importers. The naira rose to a sixweek high last week on dollar liquidity flow from the NNPC and some other energy companies.

The NNPC sold about $800 million in two tranches to some lenders; units of Chevron sold $65 million and Royal Dutch Shell sold an unspecified amount. “We see the naira remaining fairly stable for the rest of the week as we approach the month-end cycle and a possible increase in dollar flows from oil companies,”another dealer said.

Most oil multinational oil companies operating in Africa’s top energy producer sell dollars to banks on a month-end cycle to obtain naira for their local obligations. On the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction, the central bank sold $120 million at 155.75 to the dollar, the same amount and rate at the previous auction on Wednesday.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$123.6/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N6.503 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -12.6% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.18% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $34.6b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

The PHCN in complaince with the power reform programme has ceased to exist but it has not been liquidated as that can only be done by a court order, which currently has not been executed.

- Prof Barth Nnaji, Minister of Power

Fed Govt plans gas supply for 2,000mw more

Fed Govt to procure aircraft T for Customs P HE Federal Govern ment is planning to buy an aircraft for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to boost its antismuggling operations.

The Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, disclosed this yesterday at the opening of a three-day Single Window National Stakeholders Conference organised by the NCS at its Regional Training Institute, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

He said that the procurement of an aircraft has become necessary to apprehend law breakers.

Ngana said: “We have to equip the Customs with all they need to fight smuggling. High speed boats

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

have been bought for water patrol. We also need to buy aircraft to watch over our borderline.You know that we are living in a country where no matter what you do to make things easier, people will still go through the hazard of smuggling.”

He extolled the NCS’ technical staff handling of the ASYCUDA system for their proficiency that has culminated in the upgrading of the system’s Single Window to an international level.

NCS Comptroller-Gen-

eral Abdullahi Dikko explained that the Single Window is a trade facility which allows parties in trade transaction to lodge standardised information and documents with a single entry, to fulfil all import, export and transit related regulatory requirements.

Dikko, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General, Strategic Research and Policy, Dr. Manasah Jatau, said with the migration to Single Window facility, Nigeria has joined the league of

countries such as Canada, US, Netherlands and Switzerland, which have adopted the strategy.

His words: “This establishment will make a trader to submit electronic data declaration to the various authorities for processing and approval in a single application. I want to use this medium to appeal to all Nigerians to be actively involved in supporting this policy which is targeted at revamping our economy.”

In his remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Bassey Otuh, said the present system was less than satisfactory, justifying the need for the migration to the Single Window.

•Chairman, Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd); Executive Vice-Chairman, Mr Remi Olowude and Director, Alhaji Lateef Adegbite, during IGI’s 19th Annual General Meeting, at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Subsidy scam: Firm urges EFCC to probe N13.2b overpayment B

ARELY a week after the submission of the report of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, a firm has protested against the recommendation of the Farouk Lawan Panel to refund N13.2billion and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged overpayment.

Integrated Oil and Gas Limited made its position known at a press conference yesterday by its lawyers, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, Emeka Akabogu and Ben Jones Akpan in Abuja.

Onyeagucha, who spoke on behalf of the team, said: “Our client’s attention has been drawn to the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee Report “to verify and determine the actual subsidy requirements and monitor the implementation of the subsidy regime in Nigeria”, which in page 169 recommended that Integrated Oil and Gas Services refund

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

the sum of N13, 252,055,429.

“The refunds have apparently been ordered on the basis that the company may have drawn refunds from the fuel subsidy programme, over and above that which it is entitled. We have found no basis upon which the very serious allegations of subsidy overpayment can be anchored.

“Our client completely and totally repudiates and denies any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to the Petroleum subsidy reimbursements as they have always operated their oil trading business, in an honest, transparent and open manner.

“There is no evidence that the company owes any refunds at all to be made to the government,not to talk about the ‘imaginary’ N13 billion so glibly repro-

duced in the context of the offending House of Reps Committee report.

“Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd remains unequivocal in its assertion that it has not drawn any benefits from the subsidy regime other than the payment refunds which are legitimately due to it and such payments were invariably made on account of monies which it had spent upfront on account of gasoline imports procured under the PPPRA’s PSF programme.

“In giving evidence at the House of Representative sponsored Public hearing, the company attended the legislative enquiry with full co-operation, openly and publicly addressing any issue of interest to the Honorable Committee including a rendition of the full accounting for the volume and value of gasoline cargoes imported as well as the related cost reim-

bursements received from the PPPRA. “At no time during the course of the company’s testimony or thereafter was the impression given that there was any discrepancy nor contradiction in relation to the presentation made or in relation to a requirement to reconcile the figures which it had presented.

“Our client still has records which are open to review at any time by any interested and or competent authority.”

The company also gave details on how subsidy payment was managed between 2009 and 2011.

It said: “Regarding the specific allegation of overpayment of subsidies to the value of N13billion to Integrated Oil and Gas, in respect to which the company has been required to make a refund to the government, this assertion is nothing short of a subscription to pure fiction and fallacy by the Ad Hoc Committee.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

LANS for power supply in the country received a boost yesterday as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, released the schedule for gas supply for additional 500million metric cubic feet daily (mmcf/d) for the generation of additional 2,000mega watts in the next one year.

The minister, who had last Wednesday announced a 12 –month emergency plan to address the challenge of gas supply which has recently had a negative impact on power generation, yesterday gave reporters in Abuja additional overview of the planned interventions during the emergency period.

Her words: “In the next 12 months, we will be adding 500mmcf/d (equivalent to 2000mw) to the grid. This will have a direct major impact on the overall power situation in the country.”

She noted that since 2005, when the National Independent Power Projects (NIPP) kicked off, there had been no alignment between the planned NIPP’s and the necessary gas supply to power them.

The minister said about 180mmcf/d (about 700mw) of this additional 500mmcf/ d is due within a few week,

by June.

In the breakdown, she said the 700mw will come from Escravos, Utorogo, Ughelli and Oredo, adding that ongoing activities, such as the laying of the Olorunshogo pipeline, the completion of the ELPS A pipeline and the completion of NIPP pipeline around Oredo are key elements of this addition.

Fed Govt regrets N1.3tr rice import From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE Federal Govern ment yesterday lamented the discovery that N1.3 trillion was spent last year on the importation of four food items it could produce locally.

The Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina, listed the food items as rice, wheat, sugar and fish, adding that N635 billion was spent on importing wheat while over N600 billion was spent on rice and sugar importation.

Adesina, addressing participants at the first Edo State Agribusiness Investment Summit, in Benin, warned that Nigeria’s continuous dependence on rice importation for consumption would cost $150 billion by 2050, if steps are not taken to increase local rice production.

He said Nigeria must diversify its economy away from oil and reduce its dependence on food imports if it wants to create jobs for the youth.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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BUSINESS NEWS

Adesina harps on agric transformation N

IGERIA has reiterated its commitment to transform the agriculture sector to enable it to reclaim its place as the main stay of the economy.

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, stated this at the just-concluded Agric Business Summit in Washington DC, United States organised by the Embassy of Nigeria and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA). It was supported by the World Bank.

In his keynote address, Adesina listed the investment opportunities in the agric sector. He noted that agric accounts for 75 per cent of the growth of the non-oil sector of the economy, and assured that the administration is “creating enabling environment, devel-

oping infrastructure, safeguarding investments, reducing official bottlenecks and motivating local and international investors.”

The minister also noted the possibility of reclaiming the former glory of Nigeria as a net exporter of food from its current position as a net importer. He said there is 20-30 per cent return on investment potential for investments in tomato, cassava, cotton, rice, maize and soya beans value chain.

One of the panel discussion focused on the huge potential for tomato paste processing and fresh produce grading and packaging export centres.

The Minister drew applause, triggering more than a dozen prospective investors meeting with him after his presenta-

tion. A former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Howard Jeter, said of the Minister of Agriculture: “We are deeply impressed with the calibre, knowledge and vision of the Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria. This is Nigeria at its best. If Nigeria keeps on this way, it will become Africa’s leader in agriculture.”

US-Exim BankVice-President, Wanda Felton, praised Adesina for his “smart leadership” in steering a revolution of agric as a business, with several results, in such a short time in office. “This has a huge potential to transform Nigeria’s economy and diversify it away from oil and gas”, she said.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo led the high-powered

delegation, which also included the governors of Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa and Ekiti states.

The event was attended by 600 delegates from the US and Nigeria.

Among them were Mallam

Sanusi Lamido, Governor, Central Bank; Evelyn Oputu of the Bank of Industries; Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank, Funke Osibodu; her counterpart at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema; former United States Ambas-

sador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders; and Chairman, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Foluso Phillips, who moderated the panel discussion on Nigeria’s agribusiness investment climate and financing framework.

Delta registers 33,000 farmers

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HE Delta State Gov ernment has regis tered 33,000 farmers in the on-going farmers enumeration exercise.

General Manager, Delta State Agriculture Procurement Agency (DAPA), Rueben Ishaka, disclosed this yesterday in Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

He said as at March, this year, no fewer than 33,000

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

farmers have been registered in the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Service Scheme.

He said a pilot scheme of the Federal Government scheme was carried out with 10 registered farmers’ groups, adding that the agency has procured fertiliser and other agro-

chemicals and distributed them to the 25 councils in the state.

He called for proper screening of farmers to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the scheme, saying the Federal Government’s assisted scheme would be handled by a different body which would responsible for any financial assistance to affected farmers.

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POLITICS The chairman of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Committe on Public Petitions, Mr. Segun Erinle, spoke with reporters in Lagos on the relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government.

Deputy Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

Fayemi is fulfilling his campaign promises’

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AS the Ekti State House of Assembly lived up to the ex-pectation of the masses?

The legislative arm in Nigeria has just started growing and with time, we shall achieve the feat of the developed country.

The major achievement of the developed nation is experience on legislative issues. In the USA Congress, for example, we have people who have spent about 50 years. Also, in the UK , we have people who have spent similar years in parliament. But in Ekiti, we are very lucky to have two returning members, which equates to the point that tax payers fund spent on training all these people goes into the drain.

What do you think is the reason for this?

The reason is not far fetched.

In those countries, the perception about service differs from the way we look at it in Nigeria.

Here, the general belief is that you are going to the House to make money which should not be. I believe the motive for going into public service is to serve your people and not to make money.

As the chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, what are the challenges you are facing?

The committee’s main challenge is that resolution passed may not be enforceable as it does not have the effect of law. l look forward to a situation whereby our resolution can be enforced as we take time to investigate certain matters. However, it becomes annoying, if our decisions is treated as a mere tissue paper.

In one of his interviews Mr. Segun Oni has faulted the merging of three universities into one and stated it was a bad move by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

What is your reaction?

Mr Segun Oni is entitled to his opinion, but don’t forget that Governor Fayemi did not unilaterally did it. There was a summit on the issue and the governor only accepted the recommendation of the committee which necessitated the merging of the three universities. As for me, l supported the merger because we cannot afford three universities in Ekiti for now.

Could you critically assess the performance of Governor Fayemi?

•Erinle

Those who know me know l am always very frank. If Dr Kayode Fayemi is not performing, l will be the first person to say it to his face, but l will say that past governors did their best, but their inability to increase the IGR and probably, the ways they handled the state, may not have allowed them to perform like the present governor.

Let me say that, within a year, the governor has been able to increase our IGR. This is a great achievement. People talk of roads, but the governor has not for a day campaigned on roads because he believed that roads is the duty of a good government. Let me briefly assess our road issue. Governor Fayose constructed many roads between 2003 and 2006 before his impeachment, but those roads are death trap today, which necessitated the need for Fayemi to now embark on those projects today, which ordinarily ought not to be. Five kilometres roads are being constructed in all local governments as l speak to you. Most of our hospitals have been re-constructed and the young and elderly now enjoy free medical facility.

Also, there is now social security for the elderly. Headmasters and teachers can now access loans for cars and properties. The government has commenced the provision of laptops for teachers and students in all secondary schools in Ekiti. Five thousand school leavers are being prepared for jobs during the year and above all, we now have peace in Ekiti. Workers in Ekiti now get their monthly salaries latest by 25thof the month. For the first time in the history of governance in Ekiti, there is continuation of government, despite the fact that Oni Administra-

2015: Suswan’s aides in succession battle From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

•Suswan

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OLITICS is in the air in Benue State. In 2015, Governor Gabriel Suswan will complete his second term. Ahead of the polls, his commissioners and special advisers are locked in the battle to succed him.

Those eyeing the seat are from the Tiv area. They hail from the

tion was an illegal government, Dr Fayemi did not abandon any of the projects. Look at the Assembly Complex which we now occupy, it was nearly an abandoned project, but the Fayemi Administration completed it.

No governor in Ekiti has been given the opportunity for a second term. Do you think, if Dr Fayemi decides to run for a second term, he would be given the opportunity?

Similarly, no woman have been given the opportunity to be in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, but today we have four women. No state in the federation, including the federal government, has a social security in place. Today, we have one in Ekiti. In the USA, nobody thinks Obama would be the President of USA because he is black. There is always a first time to everything. If Dr Kayode Fayemi decides to run for a second term, l would lead the team to campaign for him because he has performed to expectations and, by the grace of God, he would win a second term in office.

Could you shed light on your legislative activities? l have been used by God to touch their lives within nine months of being in government. l have put in place a mechanism of watching achievements by what we do and what we fail to do. People have been empowered trading by procurement of tools for hair dressers, barbers and tailors. I have assisted in the payment of JAMB, WAEC and NECO forms for more than five hundred students. Part of school fees of most of our students in higher institutions have been paid and l have fulfilled most of my electioneering campaign.

Who are your godfathers in politics?

The Ilejemeje youths that trooped out enmasse on the April 26, 2011, despite losing one of them to gun shot by a PDP leader in Iludun Ekiti, a night to the election, are my godfathers in politics. These youths want a change. They trusted me and they defied all odds to cast their votes for me and they are still with me. They are my godfathers.

What is your advice to Governor Fayemi?

The Ekiti Project as contained in the eight-point agenda is his idea.

He should continue with its implementation and God will give him wisdom.

four local government areas of Makurdi, Guma, Gwer and Gwer West.

The aspirants include Commissioner for Land and Surveys Hon. John Tondu, Permanent Secretary, State House, Hon. Tivlumun Nyitse, House of Representatives member Hon. Emmanuel Jime (Guma\Makurdi Constituency), Hon. Dave Awuna, a party chieftain and Hon. Simon Aondon, a member of Revenue Mobilisation,Allocation and Fiscal Commission, who had represented Gwer West Constituecy in the House of Representatives.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sources confided that others have not declared their ambition because they are waiting for the final resolution of the governorship litigation involving the governor and his Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) challenger in the 2011 election.

There is anxiety in the Benue PDP over the proracted governorship tussle between the ruling and main opposition parties.

Governor Suswam is not indifferent to the tendency of his successor.

Sources said that he is consulting with the members of his kitchen cabinet to annoint a successor.

However, there are certain considerations that cannot be ignored. Ther are three senatorial zones in Benue State. Since the creation of Plateau State 30years ago, the governorship has been rotating between Zone A and B, leaving Zone C,which is predominantly Idoma ethnic group, in the cold.

But the question which no one has found answers in the state is whether the Tiv, with two senatorial districts and 14 local government, are ready to concede the seat to Idoma in 2015.

Lanlehin: Aregbesola is not plotting secession Senate Committee on National Planning Vice Chairman Senator Olufemi Lanlehin shared his thoughts on the allegation of plotting secession leveled against Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola with Assistant Editor ONYEDI OJIABOR.

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HAT is your reaction to the allegation of plotting secession leveled against the governor of Osun State?

The allegation is ridiculous knowing very well the person we are talking about. I have known the governor of Osun State, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, for over 30 years. I know he is so passionate about this country.

He is passionate about the unity, progress and federalism. So, I don’t see how by any stretch of imagination His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola can plot against this country. If there is any body who has placed his life on the line in terms of propagating the unity and progress of this country, that person is Rauf Aregbesola.

The fact that he is insisting on the practice of true federalism, development of each zone according to its ability, its resources and priorities do not mean that he should be labeled as planning any thing that will affect the unity of this country. If anything, he should be commended. The people who have held the growth and progress of this country are the people who have held everybody down and they are feeding fat on the resources of this country.

They are holding down individuals and regional development of this country by centralizing everything by preventing the harnessing of individual resources and optimization of the resources of individual zones and regions and states. So, I don’t see how anybody can accuse him of doing the things they are accusing him of.

Could the allegations have stemmed from his belief and world view?

He is a hard core believer in the unity of this country, he is a hard core believer in the practice of true federalism, he is a hard core believer in the freedom of speech and freedom of religion. If you look at his lifestyle, his belief system, you discover that he does not discriminate.

In fact, the people who accuse him of trying to destabilize the country I just laugh. When you see people that surround him, they are both Christians and Moslems. Despite the fact that he is a practicing Moslem, he still interacts and does not discriminate. Perhaps, it is an attempt to cause disaffection and sow the seed of discord in Osun State. No doubt, all these things are attempts to cause mischief and distract him from the good working he is doing in Osun State . But I know my very good friend, I know that he will not be distracted.

In fact, he seems to get better when he is faced with the challenge of accusations, challenge of development, and other challenges, he rises up to the occasion.

Where do you think these things are coming from? What might have informed these grave allegations?

There is a general trend now in the Southwest for integration. There is a general movement towards it and it is not a matter of advocating and pontificating. There is a move by the Southwestern governments to integrate and harness their resources for the development of the region. Of course, he is a champion, because any thing he does, he does it with all his strength, all his might and with all the rhetorical ability that he has. The integration is on now.

Mischief makers are bound to see the move to improve the welfare and socioeconomic wellbeing of our people in the Southwest as an attempt to keep them out of power. Some people have been given the opportunity to perform, develop and take our people out of the gridlock of poverty, hunger and disease, but they failed. They now see people who are concretizing their electoral promises as people who want to keep them out of power perpetually. But they have been tested and they failed woefully. Having failed, there is no other way that they can come back to reckoning, except they prevent people who are serious in the attempt to bring development to the zone.

So , I’m not surprised that he is getting all the attacks that he is getting because he is a very serious minded person, he is realistic. He is a very passionate person who has set his mind for a particular goal and he is concretizing these goals as he enumerated in his campaign promises.

What do you advise him to do as those behind the plot do not seem to let him alone?

Ordinarily, I should advise him to ignore them and carry on with his good work. But because of the fact that we live in a society that is not as educated and enlightened as one would have wished and sometimes, the repetition of lies, falsehood and misinformation can after some time take on the garb of truth, he should just face the people. The people of the state are aware of the truth. The people are aware of the situation and the performance ratio of the governor. He should just state the facts and figures as they are and get on with his work. His work is actually speaking for him.

What is the implication of this kind of grievous accusation against a sitting governor and the Southwest geo-political zone, in the light of the security situation in the country?

It only means that we should be conscious of the fact that, despite the fact that we operate federalism, there are certain things we should not close our eyes to. Historically, if you look at how Chief Obafemi Awolowo was roped into a phantom conspiracy against the federation, the whole thing started as a joke and before you knew it, the whole thing was magnified. Because of the fact that the power of coercion is concentrated in the federal government, one should not take things lightly. From the information I heard and from what I have read, this thing started from an arm of the security forces. Specifically, we were told the State Security Service, rightly or wrongly. Emanating from that area, it can snowball into other things and before you know it, the distraction it will cause, the pain and suffering it will cause, the dislocation it will cause will be monumental because people will react. Consider what happened in the West in the time of Chief Awolowo. Look at the chaos; look at the mayhem and the spontaneity of the reaction of our people.

I hope that we will not go towards that road again because it is very unproductive for Osun State. It is very unproductive for the Southwest and very unproductive for Nigeria to go towards that road again. The people who are beating this drum of hatred, of pull him down, should know that at the end of the day they will not achieve anything.

•Lanlehin

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION COMMENT

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

The President and 2015

T has been a harrowing week for Norway, which on Monday opened the trial against the country’s worst killer since the second world war. But reopening the wounds from July 22 may be a price worth paying for the lessons learnt.

The first is a reminder – one that too many countries need – of the civilising effect of a fair and open judicial process. In the courtroom, Anders Behring Breivik has been diminished. The concreteness of the proceedings and the scrutiny of prosecutors and judges have transformed an abstract horror into a mere man. There is less to fear.

Second, it is clear with the benefit of hindsight that it was a mistake to ban the broadcasting of Mr Breivik’s testimony. It was legitimate to worry that the unrepentant political terrorist, given access to a global media stage, would use the pulpit he had bought with murder to inspire others to follow him.

The Oslo district court relaxed a ban on some broadcasts but did not extend this to examination of the accused.

But seeing Mr Breivik speak links his mediocrity more strongly with his ideas. Here is not a leader of men, and the more this is exposed, the lesser will be the attraction his ideas can exert on otherwise impressionable minds.

There are also lessons to draw from the content of the proceedings. Mr Breivik, a rabid Islamophobe, has had no compunction about using al-Qaeda terrorists as “methodological role models”. That vividly underlines how extremism has the same violent logic, no matter what ideological or religious garb it dons. We ignore at our peril that political bloodshed can come from any direction.

Mr Breivik’s violence did, however, come from a particular place: the Islamophobic extreme right. It is important to separate the first premise of his “justification”, that Muslim immigration is harming Europe, from his second, that only violence can bring attention to this concern. A significant number of Europeans believe the former, and in certain cases this extends to some of Mr Breivik’s wildest ideas, such as those about Islamic “demographic warfare” against nonMuslims.

It is important to listen to these peoples’ arguments more carefully than has sometimes been the case, and painstakingly seek to demolish them, in the hope that logical engagement can sway people from extremism and violence.

Politics that insists on categorising people according to a narrow one-dimensional identity, and creating policies accordingly, has caused many problems, including aggravating the complications of Muslim immigration to Europe and creating crude stereotypes.

Individuals should be treated as individuals, by the state and by one another.

-The Financial Times

•Where there is no honour the polity is constantly fractious

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F it were not happening in a Federal High Court, and if the principal actor were not the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one would have considered it a drama of the most farcical kind. One may also not be wrong to consider the matter a grand ruse by the Presidency to fly a kite and clear the path for the incumbent’s participation in the 2015 election. This is the surreal situation we have in our hands today as President Goodluck Jonathan is dragged to court over his eligibility to run in the next election, less than one year in his current tenure.

A faceless fellow, supposedly a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had in March, dragged the President to court, seeking to determine whether he is eligible to run for another term in office as President, having taken the oath of office twice.

Joined in the suit are his party, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The suit was purportedly triggered by a statement made by the President earlier in the year that he was serving his first term. The opposition to President Jonathan is also hinged on the fact that he had taken his first Oath of Office as the substantive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 6, 2010 (when he completed the term of his demised principal, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua) and on May 29, 2011, he took another oath to start his current four-year term.

It is remarkable that it was this same

fellow who dragged President Jonathan to court in 2010 seeking to bar him from contesting in the 2011 PDP presidential primary on the ground that the party’s zoning principle had been breached. The suit was dismissed, clearing the way for Jonathan to contest and win last year’s election. Not a few Nigerians thought that court process was a dress rehearsal to give Jonathan a legal backing to run.

Could that scenario be playing out again? Is President Jonathan testing the legal waters, so to speak, over his eligibility in 2015? Or are Nigerians merely being treated to a distracting comic theatre in the face of the numerous daunting challenges besetting the country?

During the run-up to the 2011 PDP presidential primary, President Jonathan had told Nigerians and the world that he would only do one term in office.

Considering the circumstance under which he became president via the “doctrine of necessity” and later broke his party’s zoning rule to contest and win a full term of office, it is only sensible that he should do only a term. And having given his word that he would be president for only four years, it becomes a question of honour and personal integrity for him to abide by his word. We do not wish to contemplate the ill-will his running for another term portends for an already politically heated nation.

Therefore, whether he is serving his first or second term is immaterial; whether he is eligible for another term is begging the issue. We must remind President Jonathan that it is not how long

he stays in Aso Rock that matters but what impact he brings to bear in the lives of Nigerians and the development of the country. What shall we remember him by? If by any chance, the ongoing litigation and fractious actions over 2015 were orchestrated by the Presidency as it is being speculated in some quarters, then it is really a long, dark night ahead for Nigeria. This is because the job at hand is enormous and yet undone.

We advise President Jonathan to roll up his sleeves and get down to work. He must remember that he will be recorded favourably in the annals of history not for how many years he stays in power but for what he achieved. Let him also endeavour to keep his word this time.

Though it may sound old fashioned, honesty remains the best policy.

‘And having given his word that he would be president for only four years, it becomes a question of honour and personal integrity for him to abide by his word. We do not wish to contemplate the illwill his running for another term portends for an already politically heated nation.

Therefore, whether he is serving his first or second term is immaterial; whether he is eligible for another term is begging the issue’

Ibori ‘s conviction •After escaping justice at home, Ibori finally bags 13 years in a London court AMES Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta State, finally got his comeuppance on April 17, with the 13 years imprisonment slammed on him by a British court after admitting fraud of about 50million pounds sterling. Ibori was extradited from Dubai to the UK in April, last year.

Unlike in his trial in the country where controversy arose as to whether he was one James Onanefe Ibori that was earlier convicted, the former governor had pleaded guilty earlier this year to a series of charges linked to the theft of money from the state, and fraud involving state-owned shares in a mobile phone firm, VMobile. He also admitted one count of conspiracy to launder money, five of money-laundering and one of obtaining a property transfer by

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‘Although James Ibori might have been the one convicted, and the one to actually spend 13 years behind bars; it was the Nigerian judiciary that was shamed in the Ibori saga.

This was the same Ibori that was freed in the country on inexplicable grounds ... We congratulate the British judiciary for successfully seeing this case to a logical conclusion’

deception over the theft of more than £25 million while he was governor, among other charges. In the UK as well as other civilised parts of the world that have respect for justice, such a criminal could not have been told to go but sin no more.

Worse still, Ibori is not a first offender; indeed criminal tendencies flow in his veins. He had previously been convicted of two minor thefts for stealing from the till of Wickes and in 1992 of handling a stolen credit card. In like manner, his wife Theresa, sister, Christine Ibori-Idie, mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo and London-based solicitor Bhadresh Gohil have all been convicted of money-laundering.

Although James Ibori might have been the one convicted, and the one to actually spend 13 years behind bars; it was the Nigerian judiciary that was shamed in the Ibori saga.

This was the same Ibori that was freed in the country on inexplicable grounds. Judge Anthony Pitts who decided Ibori’s fate made a profound statement during the sentencing, to the effect that no one would have imagined that an Ibori who lived a modest lifestyle in Britain in the 1990s could have become “the multi millionaire high profile governor that you became some eight or nine years later.”

Early in the year during the trial, the prosecution had referred to Ibori as a “common thief” in Government House! These should be food for thought, especially for governments

that have shame. How can a former governor here be so disgraced abroad?

Yet, if it had been possible for Ibori to have a third term as governor, he would still have had it.

Ibori’s conviction is a big dent on the country’s image. Indeed, it is a tar that no amount of image laundering can remove. The import for us as a nation is that when the matter is highprofile corruption, justice begins abroad. This is sad.

We congratulate the British judiciary for successfully seeing this case to a logical conclusion, shorn of unnecessary technicalities. We are however disturbed by the appearance of former England footballer John Fashanu, the Federal Government’s ambassador for sports, who spoke glowingly in the court of Ibori’s socalled achievements in creating sporting facilities in the state.

Although we know that such ‘solidarity’ speeches are common in this country, it is a dirty linen we need not wash abroad. What impression are we giving? That we do not know Ibori stole Delta silly? Or that his kind of primitive accumulation counts for nothing?

With the plan to return the loot to the state government, it is the duty of the indigenes to make sure that it does not find its way back to the former governor or his proxies.

No doubt Chief Ibori is not the only former governor with itchy palms.

Therefore, we look forward to seeing all of them in their prison uniforms, sooner or later, if not at home, at least abroad.

Norway’s tears

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: Over the years, Nigerians have continued to clamour, “Let there be light!”, but successive governments seemed to be telling us that we are asking for something that can only be done

by God and his chosen ones.

Indeed, these are not the best of times. Apart from the security challenge that we are grappling with, this year, the country’s electricity system moved from a state of convulsion to coma. Is it not bad enough that we have the lowest electricity consumption per capital among the eleven members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries when we are not the least endowed in the group?

It is most baffling and mind-

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Generators more ubiquitous than national flag boggling that despite being the largest oil producer in Africa and the sixth largest oil exporter in the world, our country still scores low on power generation. It is said that we hold about 2.82% of the world’s known natural gas reserves, but in spite of the numerous natural endowments which we are blessed with, we still find ourselves

groping in gross darkness.

Evidently, the comatose state in which our electricity sector has been thrown into is taking a heavy toll on Nigerians, especially the masses. Generating sets, which in better climes are only used as alternative means of sourcing for power are now seen as essential commodities in our own milieu.

Not a few Nigerians have stopped relying on power supply from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for their domestic uses as many now boast generators.

We had hoped that this issue would be a thing of the past when NEPA was changed to PHCN, but lo we are still being told to ‘Please

To Prof Akinjide Osuntokun at 70

IR: If not for his interview I read in The Nation of Wednesday April 18, one would not have known that erudite scholar, prolific writer, diplomat, Professor Emeritus and columnist, Professor Akinjide Osuntokun has clocked 70 years of age.

With his contributions to nation’s development though his callings as an academia, ambassador and a columnist, he is supposed to be celebrated. However, we celebrate mediocrity and charlatanism in this clime. Had it been Professor Osuntokun is a political office holder who can award contracts, newspapers would have been filled with congratulatory messages by sycophants and bootlickers.

My path has not crossed with that of Professor Osuntokun. However, being a most junior colleague to him as a historian, I have drank from his fountain of knowledge through one of his works, SLA Akintola: Life and Times and mostly through his columns in the defunct Comet and The Nation.

As a columnist, Professor Osuntokun is fearless, objective; not afraid to say truth to power and encourage Nigerians to do so for the betterment of the nation. He is not a sycophant. His foreign affairs column were on diverse national and international issues having direct bearing on the development of this

nation, Africa and world at large.

I equally love to read the reminiscence of Professor Osuntokun. A memorable one is that on the Senate President, David Mark. It was on how Senator Mark as a Minister of Communication sponsored the PhD Programme of an indigent student from Benue State at History Department University of Lagos, at the instance of Professor Osuntokun when he was head of that department. The man is now a Professor of History.

Another of such reminiscences was how Professor Osuntokun as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany took a

road-side mechanic along. The mechanic later became the owner of an automobile workshop in Germany and husband of a German diplomat to Mauritania. The two reminiscences are eye openers on the hidden virtues of Senator Mark and Professor Osuntokun which are lessons for our leaders.

Professor Osuntokun cherishes his ancestry and this I learnt from him.

He used his column to showcase his rich background to the world. This is a lesson for many in his shoes who have lost their roots and identities and felt ashamed to identify with

their roots. Osuntokun came from Ekiti, a sub ethnic group in Yorubaland. He also has his roots at Oke-Imesi Ekiti, a town noted for its war –like spirit and bravery. The above is a bit about his virtues and how he has used his knowledge for the betterment of humanity. Knowledge which is not directed at the betterment of humanity is wasted. So also, are wealth, power, talents and what have you.

•Adewuyi Adegbite Apake, Ogbomoso, Oyo State

Hold Candles at Night’.

But what is most disturbing and disconcerting about all this is that the country has become a junkyard for generators of all sizes and brands either new or fairly used, owing to the high demand for generators by Nigerians.

In 2010, during the swearing-in of ministers, Dr Goodluck Jonathan as acting President decided to personally handle the power portfolio. This decision, we were told, was sequel to government’s new policy thrust aimed at overhauling the power sector to ensure adequate and regular electricity supply. Since coming to power, and particularly during his election campaign, Jonathan repeatedly promised to improve Nigeria’s dire power supply situation.

Nigerians are sick and tired of government officials attributing the problem of poor power supply to shortage of gas supply, poor maintenance of the old power stations and low water level because of lack of rain in the north.

What we need is lasting solution.

One hopes that the Dr Jonathan-led administration will distinguish itself by mustering the seeming elusive political will and improve our power supply.

• ‘Femi Asu, Lagos

Thank you, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

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IR: The selection of the next President of the World Bank has come and gone. The United States of America’s candidate - Dr Jim Yong Kim, as expected, was chosen over our own, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former Managing Director of the bank, by the board of the bank to mount the powerful seat.

The choice of Dr. Kim, the Korean American, was a fait accompli given the influence of the U.S.A and her allies in the bank. The real surprise would have been if the result was otherwise and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala elected to head the global financial institution.

In the face of overwhelming bias on the part of the West, Dr OkonjoIweala showed impeccable character and stoicism to stand firm to her convictions till the selection was over. She capped it with a display of sportsmanship by congratulating Dr Kim. That is the Nigerian spirit.

Though US will be celebrating the victory of her candidate but the manner of its acquisition exposed the hypocrisy of the country and her allies on merits and principlesbased results. The US victory has authenticated the assertion that ‘might is right’. Despite the avowals by the United States and Europe

of the benefits of meritocracy, the way they bulldozed the Dr Kim’s ascension has exposed their under belly and shown the world they do not practise what they preach whenever their interests are involved.

The period when the candidates went round showcasing their strength and wooing support was one of those rare moments Nigerians walked tall and proclaimed to the rest of the world the edifying quality(ies) of Nigerians. It reminded one of a similar period not long past when one of our own, Cardinal Francis Arinze, was associated with the vacant Papacy seat

in the Vatican following the demise of Pope John Paul 11.

Such moments show to the world that we are not only a nation of fraudsters, corrupt rulers and of late Boko Haram. Ours is a country on the rise.

Her feat like those of several of her Nigerian ilk scattered all over the globe is a pointer that definitely good will yet come out of Bethlehem(Nigeria). Thank you Okonjo-Iweala for making us proud.

• Aloy Uzoekwe Port-Harcourt.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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From the Akure debacle have ROKO, the mighty African tree come spin and counter-spin. and Macbeth, the villain in ShakeBut wherever he is now, Pa speare’s play of same name, are Adefarati must be smiling in as distinct as African culture is as farhis grave. Talk of the rejected fetched from English culture. Yet, both stone becoming the cornerseem coalesced in Olusegun Mimiko, stone of Ondo gubernatorial sitting Ondo governor, from events relevance in an election year! coming out of that state in the past Mimiko’s spin has it that the week.

Olakunle fracas started when LP memEverybody knows Iroko is Dr. lordbeek@yahoo.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola bers, who served under Mimiko’s political moniker – and a forAdefarati were turned back midable one at that, when the talk is from the event, on the pretext grassroots political mobilisation. It that they were not invited. Afwas one name that put the fear of God ter all, they threw in, sourinto former governor, Olusegun Agagu and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vote robbers, durgrape wise, Adefarati belonged to AD not ACN! That, to be on April 19. But she had to settle for her campaign office, near ing those post-2007 futile attempts to keep brazen guberthe Customs facility in Akure. Her preferred venue, duly paid sure, was uncivil. natorial loot.

But why didn’t the LP guys organise a parallel event in the old for, was under lock and key. She pointed fingers of guilt at the And Macbeth? Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s play, was the man’s honour, if they loved him as much as they claimed, inIroko, alleging non-tolerance of opposing partisan views. regicidal criminal who killed Scottish King Duncan and That is no good omen, given that other ACN gubernatorial stead of precipitating a fracas that effectively banished, from the usurped his throne, goaded on by the treacherous three hopefuls, like Chief Donald Alasoadura, have for April 25, also event, principal participants like Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, witches and his witch-like wife, Lady Macbeth. But on this booked the same venue for their declarations. If they suffer the the guest lecturer, Chief Bisi Akande, ACN national chairman score, Iroko cannot be Macbeth. Whereas Macbeth usurped same fate as Mrs Anifowose, and they decide to return fire for and even Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ACN national leader, who sent a a throne, Iroko nearly got his electoral mandate usurped, fire, the opening skirmishes in the build-up to the October representative in Sunday Dare, his special adviser on media? but for the judiciary who did justice.

Ay, why did Chief Olaiya Oni, estranged former Ondo LP gubernatorial battle would have started in earnest.

Yet, barely a few months to the end of a four-year reThe second event was the disruption of the 5th Memorial chairman but now ACN chieftain and vocal critic of the Iroko, claimed tenure, Iroko appears to have acquired the acute Lecture for Chief Adebayo Adefarati, late Alliance for De- become endangered species by virtue of an anti-ACN reported paranoia that hallmarked the last tragic days of Macbeth: mocracy (AD) chieftain and first 4th Republic governor of Ondo stone-throwing and machete-wielding mob? Why was Chief Lady Macbeth had had her due comeuppance by taking State, in whose cabinet Dr. Mimiko was health commissioner. Wunmi Adegbonmire, designated chairman of the event, also her own life, the three witches had shown Macbeth what Indeed, the grand irony is that the face-off over Adefarati’s sec- a victim of mob attack? Why did Wale Akinterinwa, another tragic, deceitful fiends they were and Macbeth, the fall ond term aspiration, and the alleged non-level playing field in former Mimiko ally, suffer attack? All these demonstrate a guy of his own vaulting ambition, saw in everyone that AD, led to the Iroko’s defection to PDP. Consequently, the PDP, clear motive of disruption. It was mission accomplished. emerged a foe to tango with, if not to crush.

On the ACN side, it was clear the event was some form of with the Iroko on board, won the gubernatorial “war”, making With mass defection from his Labour Party (LP), either hurting AD partisans to growl the proverbial lizard could not “civil lynching” of the Iroko to gain political mileage, and kick to team up with PDP or with LP’s hitherto progressive have entered their political wall unless a traitor left a wide crack. off their electioneering. That, to be sure, was audacious, Siamese twin, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), it apEven then, winning the gubernatorial “peace” was beyond “lynching” the Iroko in his own capital! If the Iroko had repears not the best of times for the Iroko of Ondo politics, the Iroko and his new PDP comrades and – the grand irony sponded in kind, rather than resort to strong arm, mob tactics, considering the popular acclaim and gigantic moral wave continued – the casus belli was bickering over second term. Dr. civil partisan political exchanges, even of the most adversarial that swept him into office on 24 February 2009.

Agagu claimed his constitutional right to one. Dr. Mimiko coun- hue, would have deepened the democratic polity. But alas!

With two estranged ideological soul mates poised for a fightStill, partisan exchanges turn ugly, particularly if a side is ter-claimed his right to the slot, citing an alleged one-term pact to-finish; and the PDP waiting in the wings, between now and for Agagu, as pre-condition for Mimiko helping Agagu to de- out of its depth in reason. The more looming tragedy, howOctober when the gubernatorial election is due, it appears perfidy, in local South West feat Adefarati. That bickering led to a chain of events: the LP ever, is the predictable federal st partisan war without end in Ondo. At the end of it all, will the platform, the grand gubernatorial heist of 2007 under Olusegun disputes, like this. In the 1 Republic, Prime Minister Abubakar Iroko reach into his magical depths and triumph; or will he be Action Group schism to try gain parObasanjo’s do-or-die command, the judicial retrieval and an Tafawa Balewa used the denuded, the unflattering fate his ACN opponents have detisan mileage. In the 2nd Republic, President Shehu Shagari’s alleged pact with the Action Congress (AC), now ACN. creed for him, in their opinion, a compromised Iroko? federal might was complicit in the 1983 electoral tragedy.

Barring partisan claims and counter-claims, two events Even Olusegun Obasanjo’s imperial presidency was the chief ‘From the Akure debacle have come spin in Akure, capital of Ondo State, last week should worry all orchestrator of the Ondo 2007 brazen gubernatorial steal. and counter-spin. But wherever he is now, lovers of democracy, open society and peace.

Goodluck Jonathan, not the most critical of Nigeria’s presiThe first was the declaration for governor by Mrs. Jumoke dents, would probably follow this same direction. The Pa Adefarati must be smiling in his grave.

Anifowose, daughter of the late iconic Adekunle Ajasin, 2nd pseudo-intelligence report on Rauf Aregbesola’s “State of Talk of the rejected stone becoming the corRepublic governor of old Ondo State (now Ondo and Ekiti Osun” is enough warning signal. nerstone of Ondo gubernatorial relevance in states).

But before anyone starts any monkey business, it is better Mrs Anifowose, former Ondo ACN chairman, was to dethey listen to the dire warning of Tatalo Alamu, The Nation’s an election year!’ clare her gubernatorial aspirations at the Akure City Hall prodigious Sunday columnist: “It all starts from the West...”

epublican ipples

From Iroko to Macbeth?

A

FTER the shellacking of Nigeria’s Golden Girl Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in the contest for the prestigious post of President of World Bank, it should be time to rue the lessons of a predictable fiasco of the outing – that is if the patriotic nonsense that has been oozing out lately has not got the better of us. While we are at it, we should ask President Goodluck Jonathan why he was in such a hurry to despatch the lady he actually re-drafted from the global finance institution to assist in turning the Nigerian economy around to the nary land. With the challenges facing the economy still as daunting as ever, it seemed unimaginable that the President would let go of that individual that he went to such ridiculous end of carving a nebulous, hitherto unheard off position of Coordinating Minister for the Economy to bring on board. Is it the proverbial case of shipping off the very things we lack while importing those things we have in excess?

Much ink has, understandably, been expended in the hollow rage over the failure of the Nigerian candidate to clinch the top job. Amusing isn’t it, that nearly everyone – except those that actually matter – actually believe that the Nigerian candidate deserved to win. How? Not even the knowledge that the candidate country and the lead sponsor, South Africa, own a measly 0.5 percent of the shareholding or even less. A case of wishes all the way –the intriguing puzzle of the nation’s never-ending chase after the wind – the quest for symbols in place of the real thing.

Which is just as well that a tribe exists out there who would swear that the Okonjo-Iweala profile was the best since the creation of the Bretton Wood institution in 1944.

Lost to many is the point that her career progression in the global institution, the crowning of which was her being

Which is why it comes as regrettable that she did not get the plum job. Had she succeeded, she would have excelled at helping the bank do what it does best. And Nigerians would have been availed the opportunity to try another hand – this time possibly without the egodriven attachment of ‘ministercoordinator’ title which means nothing to the ordinary man on the street.

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Okonjo-Iweala: now that the dust has settled

named the Managing Director in October 2007 having been vice President and corporate secretary of the institution before her appointment as Nigeria’s Finance Minister in July 2003 – are ample rewards for her odyssey.

Let me be clear here: I have nothing against Dr. Okonjo-Iweala let alone her quest for the top job at the global finance outfit.

She obviously fits the bill given her years of stewardship to the institution. As for the issue of her competence – her Unique Selling Point – this has been well addressed in the rather lavish endorsements of her candidacy by western institutions particularly their media. I have no further comment aside my insistence on making the fine distinction between technical proficiency defined as competence and relevance which bothers on currency and timeliness of ideas. The latter is where OkonjoIweala stands out. As for the latter, the reality on ground paints a different picture.

Where better than to start with her stewardship in the country?

For a job which the nation has gone to such great lengths to make accommodation for her, it seems only legitimate to inquire whether the nation is actually making progress nearly a year after her second coming. Have we? Or, are we making progress? No doubt, there are quite a good number of Nigerians that would be happy to see her shipped backed to the World Bank, not so much about seeing the works at home replicated at the foremost finance institution, but for the exact opposite: to make way for those with better ideas on how to turn things around.

It is as simple as saying that nothing of those clear-headed but hard initiatives to bridge the infrastructure gap is yet

discernible. What we see instead is a surfeit of tokenistic measures –grossly inadequate and palpably out of sync with the national hunger for accelerated development. A measure of how enamoured the coordinating minister is with the orthodoxies is her current fixation with the state of the excess crude account whose depletion is said to be akin to the coming of the Armageddon. Here, the minister has never hidden her preference for the policy of stashing billions of dollars in offshore accounts supposedly as savings for the rainy day – as against ploughing same for infrastructure development. When are we going to move in the direction of infrastructure development? For how long do we need to wait to address the infrastructure question? When the price of crude plunges to sub-$50 per barrel? What about the bold and ambitious initiatives to trim the cost of running the government?

More. At a forum in Awka, the Anambra State capital, I recall the minister speaking so beautifully about pet initiative to revamp the mortgage system. After correctly linking many of the corruption cases witnessed in the public sector with the absence of a functional mortgage system, she spoke of plans to bring this about as a strategy to tackle corruption in the public sector; which was expected to dovetail into a housing revolution and with it, massive spin-offs in job creation. Like many of such plans – beautiful on paper – it seems to have gone with the wind. Nothing has been heard.

Lest I forget, it actually took the crisis over the removal of fuel subsidy to get the administration to do something about the issue of youth employment – even then, what we have seen are merely ad hoc programmes.

Today, the questions about whether those in charge actually recognise the urgency of what needs to be done has since acquired stridency; so also is the question of their readiness of the leadership to think outside the box as far as adopting alternative measures even when extant orthodoxies aren’t working. Instructively, one of the issues which came up during her quest for the World Bank top job was whether a system-compliant, orthodox public economist like our own Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala could actually mid-wife change in the World Bank system. She thinks she is eminently suited; we think not. And we need not go far for evidence: her comparatively less than stellar outing as minister overseeing the nation’s economy should be enough proof.

Which is why it comes as regrettable that she did not get the plum job. Had she succeeded, she would have excelled at helping the bank do what it does best. And Nigerians would have been availed the opportunity to try another hand – this time possibly without the ego-driven attachment of ‘ministercoordinator’ title which means nothing to the ordinary man on the street. Now, I hate to say this: the last time, the issue was that our golden girl was overpaid. Now, many Nigerians are actually saying that she may have been overrated!

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

“I

HAVE served in all six geographical zones of this country, I have never seen the kind of equipment you are donating to security agents today. This is the first of such maximum donation I have ever seen since I have been serving as Police officer “ - Acting Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed D. Abubakar, commending Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State at the commissioning of Armoured Personnel Carriers on April 20.

Security concern is a worldwide phenomenon. From North America to Europe, from Asia to Australia, indeed, in all nations and continents, security remains a serious issue.

A glimpse into the security situation all over the world shows that each nation is faced with different kinds of security challenges, and they appear to be a product of evolution of each society.

There was virtually no problem of armed robbery in Nigeria before the Civil War broke out in 1967.

The resolve to win elections at all cost has also led to the unwholesome situation where some politicians procure arms to dislodge their rivals on the electoral field. After the elections, the arms are not mopped up and party militias are not disbanded. These arms are usually deployed to armed robbery.

Some states are awash with illegal arms

“We had to bring in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) by air because of the need to curb the menace without any delay. We believe development can only take place when there is security. Banks and residents should be assured that there will be no comfort zone for robbers in this state,”

I

T poured, it rained, it thundered. It was mirthful, not of rainstorm, nor of cyclone, neither was it any in the nature and image of stormy-gale; but of encomiums, eulogies, thanksgiving and drumbeats of joy.

It was boisterous but not tumultuous; it was simply spectacular.

The spontaneity of the joy expressed by the people as they danced and cheered was electrifying and totally disarming of even the stony heart of the sadist.

Date was Friday March 30. Venue was Aba, Enyimba City, the commercial nerve centre of the South-east Nigeria and the commercial capital of Abia State, God’s own State. Event was the commissioning of three important access routes within the Abia centre of commerce and a pedestrian bridge at the Abia Polytechnic, also in the city.

For a people whose environment had suffered criminal neglect in the hands of previous administrations, it was a new dawn with fresh breath; undoubtedly, they saw it as a visitation worth celebrating.

Roads and other infrastructure in Aba had dilapidated over the years because of lack of political will to fix them exhibited by past leaders of the state. As a result, the people resorted to vengeful ventilation whenever they set their eyes on those in governance, although in most cases such bitter outbursts were misplaced and misdirected at the innocent, who in no way contributed to their plight. A case in point was the ill-arranged and misguided outbursts of a hired crowd on Tuesday, February 28. It was clearly misplaced and wrongly directed at an innocent Governor, Chief T. A. Orji, who has been labouring to alleviate the sufferings of Aba residents who voted massively for him and President Goodluck Jonathan in the April 2011 general elections. The fact that the said projects were commissioned barely 30 days after the unfortunate incident was a vindication of the Abia State governor, as he has been working hard to improve the environmental condition of Aba. Conversely, it exposed the lies which detractors of the government had sold to the unsuspecting public.

The Aba wild wind was not restricted to those living within the locality. For instance

Combating crime: the Ogun example

By Funmi Wakama on account of this political intolerance.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Bisi Onabanjo will turn in their graves if they were to learn about what became of their state before the advent of the present government.

Until a few months ago, the state of insecurity in Ogun was alarming. There were times when banks all over the state had to close business, resulting in serious economic loss to the state and Nigeria.

This state of affairs created a serious challenge for the new governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Citizens could not sleep with their two eyes closed. If the people could not sleep, then Amosun too must keep vigil!

Of course, he had his agenda for security before his inauguration but the sudden upsurge in the wave of crime, which some people rightly or wrongly described as politically-influenced, led to a new thinking and strategy of engagement.

This gave birth to the Joint Military/ Police Task Force and Security Trust Fund.

Of course, we still have isolated cases of armed banditry. During a foiled robbery attack at the secretariat, Senator Amosun did not mince words. He said that hoodlums and cases of criminal activities were some of the problems the present administration inherited and promised to rid the state of the menace.

“We had to bring in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) by air because of the need to curb the menace without any delay. We believe development can only take place when there is security.

Banks and residents should be assured that there will be no comfort zone for robbers in this state,” the governor said.

Till date, the current government has spent close to N4 billion on security. The

APCs, are the very state-of-the-art ones, the type you couldn’t find in any state in Nigeria. In spite of the debt our government inherited, we had to spend that much because, according to the governor, “We also have to protect the lives of our security personnel. Their lives are as well precious to us.”

125 Hillux vans, all fitted with modern communication gadgets, have now been distributed to security personnel and President Goodluck Jonathan has been kind enough not only to facilitate the speedy clearance of the APCs, but also in giving approval for the deployment of another mobile police squadron to the state.

What is however novel in the security architecture of the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration is its efforts to productively engage the youths so that there will be no idle hands to be used to perpetrate crime. And so his employment programme is also tied to security. This much he said during the official launch of the security outfits - OP MESA and Quick Response Squad: “...to give individuals and groups opportunities to maximise their potentials and assure investors of a secure business environment in the state.”

One can easily recall that Senator Amosun, during his electioneering campaign, promised to reduce the unemployment rate in the state, starting with productive engagement of 10,000 youths, making loan available to small scale businesses and entrepreneurs, creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and diversifying the economy of the state in order to achieve maximum employment.

Apart from the ongoing direct employment by the Amosun

Aba’s triumphant return

By Bonnie Iwuoha in 1979, the late sage, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, left Aba in a hurry during his visit to the city on campaigns for his presidential ambition in the Second Republic, as the inhabitants of Aba hurled stones at the helicopter that brought him on that mission. So also was the late Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe booed in Aba during his tenure as governor of old Imo State which had present Abia State as part of it.

Aba residents, in apparent response to the abandonment their environment had suffered, engage in wanton aggression against those in governance once they show up in the city. So, those familiar with the trend hardly get overwhelmed by such hostilities whenever they manifest.

However, the situation in Aba is fast changing as Governor Theodore Orji’s transformation train has anchored in the Enyimba City to rehabilitate dilapidated roads and other infrastructure within the town.

The commissioning of the Ukwu mango road which residents of the town had almost forgotten it ever existed, is a reassuring step at letting the inhabitants of Aba know that Chief T. A. Orji is determined to depart from the deceptive steps of his predecessors who turned away from the city after making mouth-watering promises to the people.

Equally commissioned on the said outing was Old Samek/Expressway road, as well as Danfodio/East road which brought forth expressions of great joy from the people.

The tremendous overflow of ecstasy that erupted from the students of Abia Polytechnic, on sighting Governor Orji’s convoy arrive in the school premises for the commissioning of the pedestrian bridge which his administration built across the road in front of their school, dwarfed those of the adults among whom were traditional rulers and members of the business community who had thronged the venue to receive their

governor. The students praised him for saving their lives. They stated in their address of welcome that they lost four of their colleagues last year to fatal motor accidents while they tried to cross the ever busy AbaOwerri road, across which the bridge now stands.

With the eloquent testimonies that poured out of honest hearts who are beneficiaries of those projects, one wonders why some of those who claim to love Abians would not turn away from their distractive antics and join hands with the sitting government to develop the state. Granted that opposition is needed is the presidential type of democracy Nigeria copied from the Americans, but it must be constructive opposition. When opposition drifts into defamation and blatant falsehood in order to deceive gullible minds, and score very cheap political points, it loses its essence.

For any politician to say that no developmental projects are on-going in Aba, even after the pomp that greeted the recent project-commissioning exercise, to say the least, amounts to delusion. I do not think that people should be so blinded by inordinate quests that they no longer recognize beauty when they see one. It is disheartening. However, I wish to advise such ill-motivated minds to consult students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, for proper education and guidance. The students drawn from various parts of the country, live in Aba, they know who has done them good.

They are better placed to say it as it is.

A man of honour, one that has integrity, would always keep his promises irrespective of how daunting the challenges might be.

Alexander Pope, said this of a “statesman, yet friend to truth, of soul sincere in action faithful and in honour clear. Who broke no promise, served no private end, who gained no title, and who lost no friend”. This clearly depicts the vision, degree of commitment

administration, the N1 billion investment facility through partnership with the Bank of Industry and other facilities such as the MDGs funds that the state is attracting in order to empower its teeming youths are already dealing blows to insecurity in the state.

What is more, the recently-concluded Ogun Investors’ Forum, which attracted venture capitalists, financial institutions, investment brokers, local and international organisations and development partners all over the world, has revealed to the world the investment potentials in our dear state. The interest shown by investors, even right from the venue of the forum, is most assuring.

After the Forum, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne, said he was in the state to see the progress of their businesses and work out possibilities of expanding them.

He said France would take advantage of the Investors’ Forum to further expand their business interests in Ogun State.

All these can only lead to one thing employment. And with employment, there will be security.

So in Ogun, it’s a two-pronged approach to combating crime: curbing crime rate through security outfits and ensuring that there are no idle hands to be engaged for crime in the future. These, I think are commendable and worthy of emulation.

It shows the future is bright for our state and Nigeria in general.

The dividends are already being felt. Yet, it is still early in the day.

• Wakama is Senior Special Assistant to Governor Amosun on Media and Communications

‘In Ogun, it’s a twopronged approach to combating crime: curbing crime rate through security outfits and ensuring that there are no idle hands to be engaged for crime in the future’ and passion with which Governor T. A. Orji is approaching issues in the state. He is unrepentant in his resolve to rid Aba and other cities in the state of filth and ramshackle infrastructure especially bad roads.

It is pertinent to point out that rehabilitation works on some federal roads in Abia State, are being handled by the government of Abia State. The Aba-Owerri road; the turn-around and beautification of ever busy Osisioma; Port Harcourt road and the Aba-Port Harcourt Express way around Alaoji, all in Aba; they were in deplorable conditions with attendant traffic jams; today, they are pleasant access routes courtesy of the Abia State government.

In Umuahia, the Aba road which extends to Ubakala-Express Way junction is also a federal road. Work on it is nearing completion, courtesy of T. A. Orji’s administration.

Work on the building complex at the teaching hospital, as well as the edifice being erected at the Aba High Court, are among on-going numerous projects within the city of Aba that would be completed soon, barring interruptions by adverse weather. When completed, the 45km Obikabia- Umuoba-Aba road which cuts across four local government council areas, is another road project that would elicit tremendous joy from its users, following many years of its abandonment by past governments in the state, until Governor T.A. Orji, decided to embark on the on-going rehabilitation work.

Unfortunately, the coming of the rains has slowed down the speed of work at project sites within the Enyimba City and other parts of the state. It is hardly sensible engaging in construction works during the rains, as a result, contractors handling major projects have had to decelerate to prevent avoidable damages.

Residents of Aba and other cities in the state are advised to help desilt drainage channels within their places of abode to ensure smooth flow of water when it rains. It will compliment efforts of the state government at providing conducive environment for the good health of all.

• Iwuoha is Media Adviser to the Governor of Abia State.

NATION SPORT TUESDAY,APRIL 24, 2012

25

PROPERTY

Tuesday, APRIL 24, 2012

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

The Federal Government requires about N60 trillion to provide housing for all based on a conservative estimate of N3.5 million per unit for 17 million people. The government says only a concerted effort to reduce the deficit would avert a housing crisis in the future. But experts believe the crisis can only be averted through virile mortgage financing, reports OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE.

How mortgage finance’ll enhance home ownership G

IVEN the housing gap of almost 17 million, the country is likely to face a housing crisis in the near future if concrete steps are not taken to address the challenges in the sector.

Experts believe the key to bridging the housing gap is effective mortgage financing. They said it is only in Nigeria that one pays the complete sum at once to take possession of a house. In other climes which have effective mortgage system, all that is needed to buy a house are 10 percent of the cost as downpayment while the balance is paid over a long period of time and the assurance of constant monthly income.

They spoke at a one-day seminar on Mortgage finance and the Nigerian property market – challenges and opportunities held at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos last Wednesday.

The experts noted that poor funding of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) is the major obstacle to home ownership. They canvassed proper and better funding of the institutions to make loans and mortgage available to whoever needs the instrument.

While praising the Federal Government on its planned injection of about N200 billion into housing development through the FMBN, they urged the government to address the high interest rate of about 22 per cent so more people could access loans for houses.

This is premised on the belief that as the economy improves, disposable incomes of workers would increase and their ability to access mortgage finance would no longer be an issue. They also condemned the low contribution of the housing sector to the economy.

One of the participants, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Financial Services Surveillance, Kingsley Moghalu, said mortgage finance contributes less than one per cent of the country’s GDP. He, however, said this is in contrast to other emerging markets, such as Malaysia, where it accounts for over 25 per cent; 29 per cent in South Africa and 85 per cent in New Zealand.

He identified some of the major impediments to housing/mortgage finance in the country as the dearth of long-term funds, absence of mortgage re-finance, or a secondary mortgage market, and inadequate branch network of Primary Mortgage In-

•From left: Akin Olokun, Akomolede, Idudu, Okafor and Chudi Ubosi

stitutions (PMIs) for easy disbursement of loans from the National Housing Fund.

The Managing Director/CEO, Safetrust Savings & Loans Limited, Yinka Adeola, noted some challenges to effective housing delivery. Among them is the need for enhanced capital and the resource base of Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), as well as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

He also listed dearth of long-term funds and difficulty in accessing land and title to land due to the shortcomings in the provision and implementation of the Land Use Act of 1978. Others are inadequate incentives, concession and taxes and non-availability of insurance framework.

He stressed that home ownership can only be stimulated if the cost of transfer of property from one person to another is reduced to less than two per cent of the property value, adding that the time to consummate a transaction should not be more than two days and should be done within a location.

National President, Real Estate Developers Association (REDAN), Chief Olabode Afolayan, said it remains a daunting task to meet the 720,000 units per annum required on a conservative budget of N3 trillion to meet the 20 per cent annual increase in major cities of Lagos, Kano and Abuja.

He regretted the low-level of home ownership, which he said stands at 25 per cent.

He blamed the low level of home ownership on the insignificant capital base of the Fed-

eral Mortgage Bank of Nigeria ( FMBN) and PMI’s, which stood at N5 billion and N100 million.

Afolayan listed some of the limitations to effective mortgage and housing delivery as low per capita income, high cost and slow processing time, increasing cost of building materials and lack of infrastructure.

He praised the planned re-capitalisation of FMBN to N200 billion, and called for more action in areas such as increasing the capital base of commercial and mortgage banks to make them effective in the real estate sector.

He said: “The property market and mortgage finance in the country have a lot of prospects considering the population, demand and economic capacity of the people. Though there are challenges, if properly addressed, the sub-sector is capable of stimulating other sectors of the economy and, therefore, it could be said to be the future of the economy”.

Principal partner, Akin Olawore & Co, Akin Olawore, said access to land can be challenging, especially for the housing market due to bureaucracy and technicalities. He called for alternative funding strategies for the lower end of the gap market.

He said: “While the customers deal primarily with the lenders, the lenders interface extensively with the secondary market as sellers of mortgages and their pricing of mortgages is influenced by the dictates of the secondary market. This way, loan originators free up cash to create more loans and the

‘The property market and mortgage finance in the country have a lot of prospects considering the population, demand and economic capacity of the people. Though there are challenges, if properly addressed, the sub-sector is capable of stimulating other sectors of the economy and, therefore, it could be said to be the future of the economy’

•Lafarge Wapco invests N70b to increase cement production - PAGE 26

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

secondary market actually dictates the pricing of mortgages.”

Olawore called for the intervention of government in the secondary market funding, thereby improving access to finance by harnessing free and floating funds, creating an enabling environment to harness floating funds in Africa, such as remittances, which reached about $40 billion in 2010 and unclaimed dividends from quoted companies.

He also called on architects to adjust their design philosophy to be affordability led, such that designs will be tailored to the pocket of would-be users.

A past president of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers (NIESV), Joe Idudu, said mortgage finance is crucial to housing delivery and frowned at the fact that it is only in Nigeria that people are expected to pay cash to take delivery of a house.

He said: “Elsewhere, owing a house never impinges on your income because it is structured in such a way that is convenient to manage. Mortgage remains the sine qua non for housing delivery finance and key to solving housing problems.”

In his contribution, President, Real Estate Federation, Nigeria (FIABCI), Chief Kola Akomolede, said in civilised world, nobody expects one to pay fully at once to buy a house except here.

He said: “In other parts of the world, all that is required of you is proof of employment with steady income and five to 10 per cent of the cost of the house and you can secure a mortgage for as long as 30 years repayment and at a reasonable interest rate of about four to six per cent per annum.”

He decried the high interest rate of 22 per cent when available and asked government to reverse the trend.

•Govt urges paradigm shift on •Abia embarks on infrastructure, market devt road, infrastructure funding - PAGE 26

- PAGE 40

26

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

LafargeWapco invests N70b to increase cement production L

AFARGE WAPCO has increased its production capacity to about 8.5 million metric tonnes. This is due to the combined production capacity from its Atlas Cement in Port Harcourt, Ashaka Cement in Gombe and part ownership of Unicem.

In a chat with The Nation at the just concluded fourth Nigeria Infrastructure & Construction Exhibition, Seminar & Product Showcase held in Lagos, Senior Marketing Manager Rilwan Yusuf, said the firm came up with the new product, ‘Elephant Super Set,’ to meet the identifiable needs of customers in the building and construction sector. He said the product targets block makers in the precast and concrete business.

Another new product from the stable of the company is the company’s power max, a top grade quality cement of 42.5 strength. The cement type, he said, is made to drive infrastructure development of roads, bridges and high rise buildings compared to other cement in the market which he alleged are neither flexible nor open to other uses.

Stressing his company’s belief in innovation and flexibility, he said: “ Our belief in innovation as a company is so strong that we pursue flexibility and refuse in all its entirety the ‘one size fits-all theory’ in our quest to satisfy the emergent needs of stakeholders in the sector.

In a related development, the General Manager, Lafarge Ready Mix Nigeria Ltd, Mr Chris Lobel, said the idea behind the new product is to have a clear strategy as a project enabler that drives quality and innovation while promoting sustainable environment for the

•Unveils •3m concrete solution for faster construction

•Lafarge pre-mix concrete machine Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor

real estate sector by checking incessant building collapse occasioned by poor quality craftsmanship in concrete mix and applica-

tion.

He said: “The new product remains a clear solution to poor quality construction standards demonstrated by inappropriate mixing of materials by poorly trained artisans leading to collapse of struc-

tures.”

Lobel said the product has remained popular in advanced economies where quality is encouraged and urged developers and individuals alike to patronise them to achieve predetermined

outlook.

On how it works, he said: “A prospective client will only need to indicate the size of his project and the concrete mix will be brought to his site already mixed to specification. The advantage of this arrangement is that there are no wastes, price variations or question of running out of materials or cash because of poor calculation of materials needed before the onset of the project. There will also be no question of inappropriate mixing of materials that will lead to having either too much sand or less cement and water in the mixing ratio”.

According to him, traditionally when one is building, he will buy granite, cement, sand and water in addition to procuring labour to get it done.

“But with the cutting edge technology we save you from these hassles by buying all that is needed, mix it in our standard factory and bring it straight to where it is needed. In this case the issue of inappropriate mixing of materials is eliminated.”

He said the company has invested over •3 million and taken delivery of 25 trucks to make the project a success in any part of the country. Responding to a question on the size of project they can conveniently handle, Lobel said naturally they prefer large volume jobs such as estates and areas where construction is going on to drive the cost down.

However, he explained that they are not involved in actual construction but the provision of pre-mix concrete for construction thereby applying the highest standards in pre-mix technology as obtainable in advanced economies.

Abia embarks on infrastructure, market devt •Aba, others get face-lift

T

HE Abia State government has embarked on the rehabilitation of Ariaria International market in the commercial city of Aba. Before now, the market hosted more refuse dumps than stalls with impassable roads but in the last few months the market has been cleared of refuse dumps and several roads rehabilitated.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Samson Orji, said the government didn’t achieve the feat easily but had to wield the big stick by demolishing structures built on drainages and freeways, opened up the access and desilted the drains.

Orji said: “The magic in its rehabilitation was made possible by the government policy of 100 per cent plow back of accruable revenue to the market, using the trade union management team.

We encouraged the union to conduct the processes leading to the award of contracts of the seven roads within the market, without any interference whatsoever from the government.”

He said successful contractors have completed earth works on the seven roads and promised to lay ashphalt before the rains, if only they could be mobilised fur-

ther. This is in addition to the rehabilitation of ‘ukwu mango’ built after several decades of neglect by previous administrations.

The commissioner also revealed that they have started the relocation process of the auto mechanics at the behest of the Abia branch of the National Association of Auto Mechanics.

In Umuahia, the state capital, Orji said the government is constructing a 5,000 capacity stall ultra-modern market at Ubani Ibeku located along the Isuikwuato Ohafia Highway. He said when completed it would replace the Umuahia main market.

The Nation checks revealed that the government is also in the process of building an industrial market, along the Umuahia IkotEkpene road. He said the govern-

•Ariara Market, Aba, Abia State before the intervention

ment is also building a 5,000 stall shop to provide space for prospective entrants into the trade and permanently forestall the incidence of non-availability of shops.

In addition, there is also the Ohiya-Nsukwe-Umuogo mechanic village, which though undertaken under the PPP, yet for purposes of fast tracking the realisation, the governor inter-

‘The magic in its rehabilitation was made possible by the government policy of 100 per cent plow back of accruable revenue to the market, using the trade union management team. We encouraged the union to conduct the processes leading to the award of contracts of the seven roads within the market, without any interference whatsoever from the government’

venes very often. Only recently, the governor, in response to the mechanics’ request, donated to them all the roofing material, he said.

He, however, frowned at some of the mechanics who are resisting moving to the new site.

Orji said the essence is to rid the state capital of these unwieldy looks of junks and carcasses’ littered across the city.

He pledged the preparedness of his ministry to lift the infrastructure provision of markets in the state to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

27

‘

We must fight corruption both in and outside the judiciary by penalising corrupt practices.

But you cannot penalise what you do not know

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

• SEE PAGE 35

• Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal

’

• Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN)

The nation waited for the report with bated breath and when it was released, it unearthed a can of worms. Agencies that were supposed to ensure that things worked well in the oil sector, according to the report, were also on the take. It was a collusion of sorts between them and the marketers. Now the chicks have come home to roost. Will those indicted by the House Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management probe panel report be visited with the wrath of the law? What should the government do with the report? BISI ONANUGA, ERIC IKHILAE, JOSEPH JIBUEZE and PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU sought answers from lawyers.

‘Don’t allow fuel subsidy report to die’

N

IGERIANS were, last week, stunned by revelations of the sordid details of the rots in the oil sector from the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management.

The committee, headed by Mr Farouk Lawan, defied pressure to shut it up. It directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), oil marketers and others to refund over N1.070 trillion.

There has been outrage over the monumental sums involved in the face of widespread poverty in the land. Some analysts said the revelation portrays a government and leadership that are unscrupulous.

Inside: How EFCC’s ‘tardiness’ aided ... - P.29

Horrified by its findings, the committee recommended, among others, the immediate unbundling of the NNPC. It also directed that more than 126 oil marketers and top PPPRA officials should be investigated and prosecuted by antigraft agencies.

In its Executive Summary, the panel established that the NNPC and the PPPRA are riddled with corruption, including gross abuse of the Petroleum Subsidy Fund (PSF).

Observers said these unsavoury revelations merely signpost the belief that most government policies are designed not to serve the interest of the majority poor, but the few in power and those close

to them.

They argued that the findings further strengthened the argument that the fuel subsidy policy was not meant for the people, but as ready funds for the extravagant and selfish elite few.

To them, the revelations and recommendations will go the way of past incidents. They are pessimistic about the willingness of the government to take the bold step of visiting the wrath of the law on those fingered as culprits.

Against this backdrop, lawyers, who spoke on the issue, have demanded the immediate prosecu•See story on page 28

Evicted Air Force chief looks to court for redress- P.31

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

28

LAW COVER CONT’D

‘Don’t allow fuel subsidy report to die’ • Continued from page 27 tion of those named in the scandal.

They noted that even if the report is not adopted by the House, there is already enough information for anti-corruption agencies to swing into action.

To former Justice Minister Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN); former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); Constitutional lawyer Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN); Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); former President, West African Bar Association, Femi Falana; Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch, Kazeem Adebanjo; Mohammed Fawehinmi and Dare Akanbi, the government must act to save the country from being labelled a rogue nation by the international community.

Akinjide said the House Committee’s revelation on subsidy and directive to NNPC, PPPRA to refund N1.070 trillion is very shocking because such proceeding has to be channelled through the appropriate Ministry to the President, who will in turn take necessary actions having reviewed the report with the Attorney-General.

According to Akinjide, the matter is very complicated, but government has to do something about it.

Agbakoba said the Federal Government should execute the report, as Nigerians do not want to have another report that just goes into the locker and nothing happens, stressing that all those involved in the scam should be brought to book.

He advised the government to appoint an independent prosecutor who will be charged with the responsibility of recovering all the funds, adding: “I have no confidence that government machineries will execute this assignment thoroughly. My problem is, if we allow government institutions to recover the money, it may just end up like others.”

According to Agbakoba, the independent prosecutor should be a renowned lawyer or police officer with proven integrity, adding that he should be given sufficient funds, and allowed to access relevant agencies that can support his work, such as the EFCC, to be able to deliver on the report by recovering the funds within a specified time.

“An independent prosecutor will go after all those involved, be they private or government officials, to recover the funds, seize assets, and recommend necessary sanctions to the Federal Government, ranging from dismissal of corrupt government officials involved or prosecution,” he added.

Sagay said all those found to have collected subsidy without justification should be made to repay it.

“At least, let us start with the recovery of assets that were illegally paid out to them. Then, after that, we should seriously consider prosecution for the misappropriation of public funds or funds obtained under false pretences,” he said.

Akintola said the House resolution or report is just an opinion or a prayer to the executive arm of government which the latter may accede to or ignore. “It is a prayer that is neither mandatory on the executive arm of government to obey nor binding as a law.”

He said sometimes the facts and information available to the legislative arm of government are inadequate to enable it arrive at a well informed position. Hence, it is imperative for the executive arm of government to ignore most of the resolutions of the legislative arm of government because of the facts and information available to the latter.

“The legislative arm of govern-

• Akinjide (SAN)

• Sagay (SAN)

• Agbakoba (SAN)

• Akintola (SAN)

• Falana

• Adebanjo

ment in Nigeria is yet to develop to the level where its resolutions, findings and recommendations will be accorded much respect. In recent times, most of the so-called recommendations or resolutions are not only laughable, untenable without capacity to stand legal scrutiny but also portray that arm of government as either being legal, political, economic or socially illiterate. We must make conscious efforts to develop that arm of government,” Akintola said.

Falana urged the anti-corruption agencies to move in following the report. He said although the House is yet to adopt the report, which is yet to be made available to the public in full, the anti-corruption agencies can move in to conduct further investigations with a view to prosecuting those involved in the scam.

He hailed the committee for producing what he called a “solid report”, despite efforts to compromise them, saying the sum involved was nearly equal to the country’s budget for last year’s capital projects.

In a telephone interview with our reporter, Falana said: “The directive is still a recommendation. It is when the House adopts it that the executive will be bound to follow it up.

“But from the report, so far, whether it is adopted by the House or not, there is already a basis for anti-graft agencies to move in, because a case of monumental corruption, fraud, money laundering and the rest of them have been established.

“I haven’t read the whole report, and secondly, it has just been laid before the House. The House has not accepted or adopted the report.

But from newspaper reports, I think it was a commendable effort that, in spite of the pressure on the members of the committee, they came out with a solid report, which

can be used to expose the monumental fraud surrounding the fuel importation scam.

“I think, so far, so good. I do hope that the entire report will be made available to the members of the public through the press.

“This is so that Nigerians can unmask those who looted the treasury to the tune of over N1trillion, which was almost the same amount voted for capital projects last year.”

Falana added that the House Committee has confirmed the massive looting of the economy.

“This is one of the gains of the antisubsidy removal protests. It is now left for Nigerians to ensure that those who are indicted are prosecuted by the EFCC without any delay.

“In fairness to President Goodluck Jonathan, he has promised Nigerians that members of the cabal implicated in the probes would be brought to book. Hence, the EFCC was directed to investigate the scam and prosecute the culprits.

“We advise the members of the House to endorse the report while the Labour movement and the millions of Nigerians who took part in the January protests should make sure that this report is not swept under the carpet.

“Meanwhile, the Federal Government should proceed to interdict all public officers indicted in the pension scam and fuel subsidy fraud. Otherwise, they will continue to use more public funds to frustrate the anti-corruption crusade,” Falana said.

Adebanjo said revelations of the monumental corruption beat one’s imagination.

“This is a government that swore to fight corruption when it came on board. It is heart rendering; nobody expected it, but it has happened. I believe that what is left for this Jonathan government to do

is for it to be courageous enough to enforce those recommendations of the House of Representatives panel.

“It must ensure that parties involved complied with the recommendations. Because when we are talking about NNPC, PPPRA, the names are abstract. Some persons are running the parastatals. The culprits there must be unveiled and dealt with according to the law.

“I think they have to be thoroughly investigated because for this government functionary to be involved, it means that this is not the first time that thing has been happening. Let their assets and all that they have be investigated and determined whether they gathered those assets through fraudulent means.

“Let me tell you, these are not the only federal agencies that are involved but we are shocked because their activities touch the lives of the masses. The way it is now, if care is not taken, they will rigmarole their way out of the judicial process.

“Let these ones who have been revealed be made scapegoats so that others would not do the same.

It is not just enough to say we are prosecuting them and then lay them off. They must be properly investigated to know how they got their stupendous wealth. They have amassed wealth over time by virtue of their position.

“They have used their position to enrich themselves fraudulently.

There are those of them who are as rich as a state government. Where did they get the money? Through sleaze, fraudulent means and what have you. This has to stop. Let their wealth be investigated. If they got them through fraudulent means, let them forfeit them to the government,” he said.

Adebanjo suggested life imprisonment and banning from holding

political office or any government appointment in the future for those found culpable in the subsidy scam.

“That should be enough.”

Fawehinmi urged the Federal Government to ensure that people and companies involved are made to repay what they got unlawfully.

“Any company that defaults, its entire board should be arrested and 50 years jail term pronounced on them. The President should send fuel subsidy bill to the National Assembly, recommending a jail term of 50 years for defaulters because Nigerians have suffered a lot from this whole fuel subsidy issue.”

“The worst part is that most of the companies involved are not even oil servicing companies, some are shipping, while others are construction companies. So, they deserve severe sanctions to avert such practices in the future,” he said.

To Akanbi, the revelation is a good development as those found culpable are being asked to refund the money.

He added that government must ensure that the money is refunded as the committee that made the recommendation lacks executive power.

“The other issue is to get the executive to go along with the legislature to compel them, whoever they may be, to pay back the money that was fraudulently taken from the subsidy fund.

“The various branches of the NBA should be allowed to make inputs into the prosecution of these people.

If the Nigerian government is really serious about fighting corruption in this country, for the benefit of Nigerian masses, this is a situation where government must assert itself about fighting corruption.

“All those found culpable must be prosecuted and aside sentencing them to several years of imprisonment, they should be made to cough out this money they took fraudulently.

On the other hand, when you look at the quantum of money fraudulently taken against the background of the Minister of Finance saying that Nigeria is going broke, it shows that there is a lot of disconnect between our leaders and the various parastatals they have under them.

“If this quantum of money could be embezzled and they are saying Nigeria is going broke, it only shows that our leaders from the top to the bottom are a sesspool of corruption. It shows that those people who are milking this country are still in government and they would continue to loot the country.

“Much as I don’t want to subscribe to death sentence, I think for corruption, capital punishment should be put in place for people who are involved in corruption. Until that is done it would be difficult to check corruption. It is sad that a lot of people now believe that you must be corrupt, you must embezzle to become rich.

“In Nigeria today, if one is elected or even appointed as personal assistant, everybody would rush to him or her that the time has come for him or her to embezzle. However, if capital punishment is put in place, this corruption of a thing would be minimised.

“Let me take you to a country like China, sometime ago, fake drugs manufactured by Chinese firms were imported into this country.

While the head of the Chinese firm that manufactured the drug was convicted and sentenced to death in China, nothing happened to the person who imported it into Nigeria.

“That shows the levity with which we treat corruption in Nigeria. Until something drastic is done, like imposing capital punishment on corruption on those found guilty of the offence, I do not think Nigeria will move forward,” Akanbi said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

29

FROM THE COURT

How EFCC’s ‘tardiness’ aided dismissal of Akingbola’s case

M

ORE facts have emerged on what informed the decision of Justice Charles Achibong to dismiss the money laundering charge against the sacked Group Managing Director, Intercontinental Bank Plc (now defunct), Erastus Akingbola.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that the judge’s decision in his ruling of April 2 was informed by the tardiness of the prosecution team in its handling of the case.

Court records revealed that the case which began in 2009 with the filing of a 28-count charge dated December 21 did not progress beyond the preliminary stage until it was dismissed on April 2.

The judge, before dismissing the case, had, in an earlier ruling on April 2, reviewed the case’s history and held that the prosecution, rather than the defence had acted in manners that stalled progress in the case.

The EFCC, in January 29, 2010 substituted the earlier charge with a 22-count charge dated Januray 26.

Akingbola, who was outside the country, later came back and was eventually arraigned on August 13 on the 22-count before Justice Mohammed Idris.

On October 18, the case was reassigned to Justice Achibong, before who Akingbola was re-arraigned on November 29, 2010. Rather than proceed on the existing charge, the prosecution again indicated its intention to further amend its charge.

Before he could be arraigned on the amended charge, Akingbola, represented by Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) objected to the charge and challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear it.

Before the objection could be heard, the prosecution proposed another amendment to the charge, a move Akingbola again, challenged on the ground that the new amendment dated December 13, 2010 was intended to over reach the defendant, as it was allegedly meant to cure issues raised by the defendant in its objection, and on which basis it had sought the dismissal of the charge.

Akingbola further argued that by the proposed amendment, the EFCC was pursuing a peace meal prosecution to his detriment. He contended that the prosecution’s conduct in prosecuting the case in bits and pieces was improper and aimed at manipulation of criminal process so as to take advantage of him.

In its counter affidavit to the objection, EFCC insisted on its right

C

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

State of Osun in a pseudo Federal Nigeria

I •EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde

By Eric Ikhilae

to amend charges at any point in a trial prior to judgment, an argument Justice Achibong upheld in the earlier ruling of April 2.

“With the particular circumstance of legally allowable systemic over reach, up to this point, and particularly with regard to the time that has lapsed before tis simple issue could be resolved, I still note the accused’s constitutional right to a speedy trial and his right to know the details of the case against him in order to mount his defence.

“I will permit no further amendment of charges subsequently until trial has commenced and progressed sufficiently for there to be need to adjust or amend the charges in line with evidence led.

“This is of course a direction or stricture without prejudice to any position the defence may take in relation to the competence or otherwise of the amended charges of December 13, 2010,” the court held.

After the ruling, the court told the prosecution, represented by Godwin Obla to move his application for stay of proceedings. The prosecution was seeking stay pending the determination of the appeal it lodged against the judge’s earlier decision, declining to disqualify himself from the case as requested by the prosecution.

Rather than move his motion for stay, Obla urged the judge to avail him with records of proceedings to enable the prosecution to perfect its appeal.

At that point, the judge rose briefly and later emerged with a

•Akingbola

ruling that ended the prosecution’s case and portrayed it as an unwilling prosecution.

The judge observed that by its conducts, the prosecution team, involving five Senior Advocates, was a drain on public purse. He held that members of the team will not be accorded audience in the court again in respect of the charge. He urged the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) to disband the prosecution team and take control of the pending case against the accused before the Lagos High Court.

“The prosecution team presently employed, indulging their professional incompetence to the extreme, has been unmindful of the accused’s rights to have the case against him clearly stated. They have been dismissive of his rights to a speedy trial, which In reality, should be the orderly, progressive consideration and determination of all matters raised by the adversaries within the law and within the Constitution, relating to charges against the accused and the prosecution/defence of the case, and not to indulge in this extended campaign against the presiding judge.

“I, therefore, dismiss the charges amended or otherwise brought by this incompetent and abusive prosecution team. We shall be referring the conduct of the learned SANs, who led this prosecution team to the Privileges Committee for further consideration and determination of issues that such conduct has raised,” the judge held. He assured of the court’s wiliness to furnish the committee with the records of proceedings.

EFCC said it has since appealed the court’s decision.

Magistrates urged to apply Customary Court law HIEF Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande, has charged presidents and members of Customary Court, on the need to demonstrate a high level of interest and competence in the application of the reviewed Customary Court Law 2011.

She spoke at a seminar organised for presidents and members of Customary Court. It had as theme: An overview of the new Customary Court Law, 2011.

She explained that the review of the law in 2011 became necessary because the old law was found largely unsuitable or inconsistent with the reality of modern challenges and societal development.

“Some of the provisions of the old law, it should be noted, were found not to be in conformity with modern trends and demands of contemporary societies.” she said the areas were the law was consider obsolete include the prescribe fine under the new law which was consider inadequate.

She commended the commission

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

By Miriam Ndikanwu

for organising the forum which he said will give the presidents and members of the Customary Court a full grasp of the law and its applications.

“It is imperative to note and emphasise that as officers of the Court at the grassroots, it is pertinent for participants to embrace the law and demonstrate a high level of interest and competence in its application.”

The CJ urged them to ask relevant questions especially those that would help clear dark areas and aspects of the law that requires further classifications as adjudicators.

Responding to appeal by the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to apply community service for environment offenders, the CJ said such sentence can be apply if there is a provision from the law.

“You cannot apply any power to do say if it is not in line with the

provision with the law.”

She said for such sentences to be consider, the present law will have to be review.

In his welcome address the state Commissioner for Justice Mr Ade Ipaye said magistracy has affected justice administration in Nigeria.

He appealed for consideration of application of community services as sentence option for environmental offenders, saying that this will help decongest the over populated prisons across the state.

He also urged them not to be used by landlord who will want to evict tenants in disguise for offenses that are not viable.

In her welcome address, Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs Olubukola Balogun, said the programme was as a result of the premium the government placed on the administration of justice in the state, adding that social justice, law and order was sine qua non to a progressive society.

HAVE had cause in the past to pooh-pooh our 1999 constitution and its half-hearted claim as a federal constitution in this column. This inadequacy is despite the glaring provisions in Section 2 Subsection 2 of 1999 constitution, which provides that: “Nigeria shall be a Federation consisting of states and a Federal Capital Territory”. As will be obvious on further reading, the constitution subsequently went ahead to decapitate the foundations upon which federalism is founded. Likened to Janus, the Roman two-faced god, it turned unitary in making provisions for the very foundations of a democratic state.

Two glaring examples of the weak foundations of this democratic state will suffice. I remember a helpless Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, lamenting the carnage as extremism ravaged community after community in his state. Despite receiving an advance notice of an attack on one of the community as the state chief security officer, he was helpless, when the then state commissioner of police failed to rouse the federal police on his instructions to action. Another was when the federal police connived with the Peoples Democratic Party to abduct one of their own, then Governor of Anambra state, and now Senator Chris Ngige. The Governor, a supposedly chief security officer of the state was temporary quarantined in a toilet by thugs, until a potentate federal authority was moved to show mercy.

Another major raid on federalism in the Nigerian Constitution is on the economy. According to the Governor of Central Bank Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala and a host of other experts, many of the states of the federation are perennially bankrupt, and are unviable as a state. The 1999 constitution while listing nearly all the potential economic activities of a modern state as items under the exclusive legislative list in the Second Schedule of the constitution, which is exclusive to the federal authority, created 36 miniature states, as the federating units referred to in Section 2(2) of the constitution. With the economy in the federal pocket and several overbearing federal executive bodies created and listed in the Third Schedule to the constitution to oversee and overawe the miniature states, the name Federal Republic of Nigeria is aptly a huge joke.

K.C. Wheare, a renowned authority on federalism, apparently did not reckon with Nigeria when he wrote his book, entitled: Federalism. In the book, he had referred to Federalism as a “method of dividing powers so that the general and regional governments are each, within a sphere, coordinate and independent”. For a workable federalism, the learned author had envisaged a system where no level of government is able “to override the terms of agreement about the power and status which each is to enjoy”. He was, however, referring to a system where the constitution will provide that the national and state governments “are not subordinate to one another, but coordinate with each other”.

Federalism in Nigeria obviously is different. First, the constitution is skewed against its major tenets, and secondly, the practitioners imbue the few federal provisions with human frailties, misrepresentations, fallacies, fraudulent intent and malice. The latest swindle is against the State of Osun and their revolutionary Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aegbesola.

If the newspaper reports in the past week are correct, then the Governor should instead of defending himself against accusations of infraction of offences unknown to law, rather brief his lawyers to sue the authors of the verbiage for libelous publications. Unless, of course, we have sunk to a state of anomie; how on earth does the issue raised by the so called security report against the Governor now in the public domain constitute the necessary ingredients to prove the grave offence of planning to wage war against the state or secession?

According to the media reports, a leaked report of the State Security Service (SSS) allegedly accused the Governor of preparing Osun State to secede from Nigeria. One such step, according to the report, is the renaming of Osun State to ‘state of Osun’. To show how laughable this is, the peddlers have forgotten that all the states in Nigeria use all manner of alias, like State of Excellence, Coal City State, even Born to Rule state.

I have also searched the constitution and have not seen where they wrote ‘Osun State’ instead of the mere listing of ‘Osun’ as one of the states in Nigeria. In the same light I have checked the exclusive legislative list in the second schedule to the constitution, to know whether coat of arms, anthem or flag are listed as items on which only the Federal Government can legislate; and they are not listed. I also know that the making of any of those totems does not constitute an offence under any federal or state law. So, what laws has the Governor breached to constitute a crime, or are we merely at the mercy of human whims and caprices?

I guess the federal authorities merely wanted to ruffle Governor Aregbesola for his outspokenness and independence of mind and action; not for infringing the law and that is why the battle is in the media instead of the courts. The idea that he wants to Islamise his state, for me, is the most dangerous spice in the Osungate scandal. Those in government and security services involved in attempting to set up a people against their Governor should pause to remember that the religious crisis in many Northern states stated as a political gimmick, but has since been hijacked by a thoroughly separatist movement – the Boko Haram; not the joke by the federal authorities against the state of Osun and their sagacious state Governor.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

30

LEGAL OPINION

Funding the Judiciary under the 1999 Constitution: Matters arising

N

IGERIA practises constitu tional democracy. The three arms of government; the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary, are creatures of the Constitution. Powers are constitutionally assigned to them with checks and balances on one another. Theoretically, the three arms are equal partners but in practice, the Judiciary appears to be the weakest as it neither controls sword nor purse.

The Legislature controls the sword while the Executive controls the purse. The Judiciary, more often than not, is treated as a government agency or parastatal and not an independent co–equal branch of government.

The object of this paper is to examine the vexed issue of funding of the Judiciary under the 1999 Constitution. It attempts to look at the different sources of funding various courts as provided for under the Constitution and the role of the National judicial Council (NJC) in that regard. It is regrettable that, 12 years into the practice of constitutional democracy in Nigeria, the issue of funding of the Judiciary still remains intractable.

Categories of Courts for purposes of Funding Funding of courts in Nigeria is, essentially, a constitutional matter.

The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is designed in a way to secure fiscal autonomy for the Judiciary.

Without stating it directly, it is obvious that the framers of the Constitution intended that the Judiciary be fiscally autonomous. The provisions of the Constitution on fiscal autonomy of the Judiciary are clear, plain, simple and straightforward. They need no interpretation but application.

For purposes of funding, courts in Nigeria can, in broad terms, be categorised into two, viz; (a) Superior courts of record and (b) Other courts.

This categorisation is simply in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of the Constitution, but it is relevant for a proper appreciation of this subject. Superior courts of record, as specified by the Constitution, consist of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, a High Court of a State, the Sharia Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State, the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the Customary Court of Appeal of a State.

In the category of “other courts”, are courts established by the National Assembly or any House of Assembly, not listed under Section 6 (5) of the Constitution, with subordinate jurisdiction to the High Court. Until the recent amendment of the 1999 Constitution, the National Industrial Court belonged to the category of “other courts”. Others in this category include, Magistrate Courts, Sharia Courts, Customary Courts, Upper Area Courts e.t.c.

Sources of Funding The Constitution prescribes three sources by which the Judiciary shall be funded. They are, through: a) The Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. b) The Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State and c) The Federation Account.

BY ALABA OMOLAYE-AJILEYE

The Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation Section (80) (1) of the Constitution establishes the Consolidated Fund of the Federation, where all revenues or other moneys raised and received by the Federation shall be paid into. Revenues or other moneys payable into any other public fund under the Constitution or any Act of the National Assembly are excluded from being paid into the fund. In specific terms, Section 80 (2) of the Constitution directs that no moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation except to meet the expenditure that is charged upon the fund by the Constitution.

It is significant to note here that, by virtue of the provisions of Section 84 (2) and (4) of the Constitution, the remuneration, salaries and allowances payable to the following judicial officers are charged on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation: Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justices of the Supreme Court, President of Court of Appeal, Justices of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge and Judges of the Federal High Court, President and Judges of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja., Chief Judge and judges of the High Court of a State, Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Grand Kadi an]d Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State, President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, President, and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of a State.

This position received an authoritative pronouncement of the Supreme Court in A.G Federation v.

A.G. Abia State & Ors (2002) 6 NWLR (Prt 764) 542 at 688 wherthe court held: “It is the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and not the Federation Account that is charged with the salaries of Judicial Officers in the Federation.”

It is pertinent to draw attention to a very salient point here; the Constitution, in addition to remuneration, salaries and allowances of judicial officers, makes provisions for the recurrent expenditure of their offices. This can be found in Section 84 (7) of the Constitution which provides: “The recurrent expenditure of judicial offices in the Federation (in addition to salaries and allowances of judicial officers mentioned in subsection (4) of this section) shall be a charge upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.”

In the context of the provisions of Section 84 (7) of the Constitution, “recurrent expenditure of judicial offices” should be understood to mean the over-head cost of running the courts and the judges’ chambers. Basically, therefore, it is clear that, the remunerations, salaries and allowances of judicial officers together with the overhead costs of their offices are charged upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

Another point worthy of note here is that, the Constitution prescribes no guide as to how the recurrent expenditure of the judicial offices of judicial officers shall be determined or reviewed. In respect of the remuneration, salaries and allowances of judicial officers, Sec-

tion 84 (1) of the Constitution prescribes that, such shall be determined by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission. The role of the National Judicial Council in respect of the remuneration, salaries, allowances of judicial officers and the recurrent expenditure of their offices is one of disbursement of such funds to the heads of courts concerned.

Section 81 (3) (c) of the Constitution in an unambiguous term, provides: “81 (3). The amount standing to the credit of the a) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx c) Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation shall be paid directly....to the National Judicial Council for disbursement to the heads of the courts established for the Federation and the States under section 6 of this constitution.”

In so far as the application or enforcement of the provisions of Sections 81 (3) (c) and 84 (7) of the Constitution is concerned, no issue or controversy has arisen, as the remuneration, salaries and allowances of all judicial officers mentioned under Section 6 of the Constitution are being regularly paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation through the National Judicial Council in addition to the recurrent expenditure of their offices.

The Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State By far, one of the most problematic and contentious provisions of the Constitution, in respect of the funding of the Judiciary relates to Section 121 (3) of the Constitution.

The said section provides that, any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the heads of courts concerned. The enforcement of this provision poses the greatest challenge to the Judiciary at the state level, as this clear and unambiguous provision of the Constitution is being observed more in breach than in compliance in many states of the Federation. Many governors consider this provision as an affront to their imperial powers.

They prefer to see the Chief Judges and other heads of courts of their states tremble before them, cap-inhand, to “beg” for funds to run the affairs of the States’ judiciaries.

The direct effect of the non-enforcement of the provision of Section 121 (3) of the Constitution is the pitiable, deplorable and neardespicable state of affairs and decay of infrastructural facilities visible in our courts today, particularly, at the state level. The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Zango, at the inauguration of the 2011/2012 Legal Year, graphically captured the sorry state of affairs and wretchedness of Bauchi State Judiciary in the following words: “I want to state at this juncture that the Bauchi State Judiciary is in a very bad shape, all our courts are in a deplorable state and there are no good furniture, in both our courts and chambers. The environment is not conducive at all. We have no standard library, which is a must in the discharge of our duties as judges. Therefore most of us depend on the authorities submitted by lawyers to write our rulings and judgments.”

(Daily Trust on-line of January 3, 2012) In a more blunt manner, the Chief Judge lamented further “...we are neglected by the government, even the paper to write our rulings and other working

• CJN, Dahiru Musdapher

materials in the registry must be provided by the complainants and defendants, which is unhealthy to the development of our courts today ...we don’t have magistrate court buildings all over the State.

We only have one in Ningi and Azare, even those ones in the local government areas are dilapidated. Look at where government kept us here in a dilapidated rented building.” [Daily Trust on-line (supra) ] The Chief Judge then appealed to the Governor of the State to implement the provision of Section 121 (3) of the Constitution and release all funds meant for the Judiciary without delay or unnecessary hurdles.

While lending his voice to the lamentation of the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Bauchi, Mohammed Alhassan, particularised the deplorable situation as follows: “...the present state high court number five’s building is spanning over three decades, the building is but now almost a relic. All of us feel it’s an eye sore. Court six with less robust history is also in a state of decay.

Our judges’ chambers are more like clerical offices.

Some of their reference materials dated back to the last century and magistrate courts are at the verge of their eviction from their Gombe Road courtrooms and there is a court that is shared by three magistrates. To us in the NBA, it is cumbersome to practice in these courts because of time management with the attendant sufferings of our clients” [Daily Trust on-line (supra)] The situation in other states is not anything different from what it is in Bauchi State. The picture painted by the Chief Judge of Bauchi State only exemplifies or typifies what is applicable in many States’ judiciaries. There is no better way of adumbrating this national malaise than quoting from the editorial commentary of The Nation newspaper, Thursday, December 8, 2011, entitled: Unhealthy Courts. In it, the newspaper remarked as follows: “A dilapidated courtroom is a mockery of the justice system.

While courts represent the podium for justice, one operating in a dilapidated and filthy environment besmirches that integrity and can be likened to a physician peddling good health in unhygienic environment. With broken chairs and ceilings, defaced walls and disused private rooms, poor ventilation and overcrowded environment, many of our courts remain an embarrassment to our democracy. This situation, we are afraid, affects the quality of justice from the courts.

In such environment, judges, lawyers, court officials, litigants, journalists and the public who have legitimate business in courts suffer great inconveniences as they discharge their responsibilities.

Indeed, a poor working condition afflicts many judges with poor

health, and that combined with poor infrastructure like writing in long hands, cause delays and further erode the integrity of our judicial system. The result is that cases last for years in courts and foreign and local businesses suffer in turn.

According to reports, many of the court- rooms are still the same old courts built during the colonial era, barely enough to take a handful of people seated; and with very poor ventilation, not to talk of air conditioners. While a state like Lagos has substantially modernised the high courts and is working assiduously at the magistrate courts, many others have neglected to position their judiciary for the 21st century.

States like Delta, Plateau, Abia and Oyo are in this league, according to The Guardian report of November 28, 2011.

According to the report, there is the possibility of inheriting a bedbug upon a visit to some of the courts in Plateau State. Also, the High Court in Oyo State built about 26 years ago has suffered serious dilapidation because of neglect by previous governments, and once the weather gets hot, the judges are forced to adjourn since the central cooling system had failed. In Delta State, which has received billions of petro-dollars, a new court house under development has been abandoned. Also in Abia State, the court suffers from dilapidation, and the result is that in some courts, once it rains, the court will be forced to adjourn.”

It is important to make the point here that, fiscal autonomy of the Judiciary as envisioned and guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution is to secure the independence and flexibility needed for the Judiciary in the discharge of its constitutional duties. The imposition of any constraint or restriction on the funds allocated or appropriated to the Judiciary by any person or arm of government, is violative of not only the letters and spirit of the Constitution but of the principles of independence and separation of powers upon which the entire fabric of our constitutional system is based. It can also appropriately be considered as an insidious attempt to control and undermine the Judiciary. It cannot be overstressed that in a constitutional government such as ours, the rule of law must prevail.

The constitution is the basic and paramount law to which all persons must revere. From this cardinal postulate, it follows that, one arm of government must not be an obstacle to the discharge of the function of another. In A.G. Abia State & Ors v. A. G. Federation (2003) 1 SC 1 at 23-24, the Supreme Court emphasised that the essence of the doctrine of separation of powers is to promote efficiency in governance by precluding the exercise of arbitrary power by all arms and thus prevent friction. If viewed from this perspective, therefore, one is bound to frown at a situation where one arm of government denies another arm what is constitutionally due to it.

The Federation Account Section 162 (1) of the Constitution directs that the Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which “shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except proceeds from income tax of the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

• Continued on page 31

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

LAW & SOCIETY

•Air Force men moving his belongings into the street

•Falana

•Otaru

Evicted Air Force chief looks to court for redress

A

T whose behest did men of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) invade house number 11 Adeyemo Alakija Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos at 4am on April 12, this year? Were the Airmen procured to execute the bid of a private firm – Suru Worldwide Ventures Limited- whose claim over the property is a subject of a suit pending before the Lagos High Court, Ikeja?

Why would the NAF , an agency believed to be populated by civilised minds, engage in a crude display of force against its officer, by effecting an unlawful eviction of Air Commodore Danjuma Otaru (rtd) and his family when, under the country’s law, eviction of a sitting tenant, must be done with the consent of a properly constituted court.

Why did the Nigerian Air Force, from which he retired as Director, Electronic Warfare, Defence Headquarters after over 34 years meritorious service, allow itself to be used as an agent of unlawful ejection in a house owned by the Nigerian Airways?

These posers are, among other issues, that will engage the court when proceedings resume in the case with suit number ID/98/2008 pending before the Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

According to Otaru, on the said April 12, about 15 armed Airmen, led by a Provost Officer identified as Flight Lt. N. Goselle, invaded his house at 4 am while his family and its visitors were fast asleep.

He said they were rudely awoken by loud noise from the activities of the invaders, who broke into

By Eric Ikhilae

the premises, forced their way into the main house, compelled everyone to move out and threw their belongings on the street.

While the Otarus were still retrieving their belongings from the street, they were again subjected to another agonising spectacle of watching the building that once served as their abode being pulled down. It is currently demolished, a development, Otaru’s lawyer, Femi Falana, said is intended to foist a state of helplessness on the court.

According to court documents made available to The Nation, the above development formed the height of a dispute over the property, ignited in 2004 when the Federal Government, in liquidating the then moribund Nigerian Airways (NA), appointed a firm, Babington Ashaye and Co, as liquidator over the company’s assets, which included House 11 Adeyemo Alakija Street, on which Otaru was a sitting tenant.

In August of that year, the liquidator made public, via newspaper advertorial, its intention to sell NA’s assets, to which Otaru responsded by bidding for the purchase of the house. His bid that was accepted by the liquidator, who issued him an offer letter, dated September 7, 2004, requiring him to make 50 per cent initial payment.

He was in the process of raising the required amount when his then employer, the NAF indicated its intention to acquire the property inhabited by Otaru, and 16 other similar houses occupied by its per-

sonnel within the Ikeja GRA, from the NA. He was asked by his employer to put his bid on hold.

It was learnt that while Otaru and other affected officers were awaiting the outcome of NAF’s intervention, they were surprised to receive quit notices on September 7, 2007 from the same NAF, which claimed to be acting on a letter from a private firm, Abuja Investment Limited. The firm, in its letter to the Chief of Air Staff (COAS), dated July 23, 2007, requested the Air Force to vacate the properties within six months, with January 2008 as the last date.

Jolted by the development, the affected NAF officers, 17 in all, including Otaru instituted a suit numbered: ID/98/2008, challenging the purported sale of the properties to Abuja Investment. They queried the said sale on the ground that not only was their right of first refusal denied, Abuja Investment, claiming to have bought the houses never bided for them when the liquidator advertised their sale.

Despite the pendency of the case, Abuja Investment purportedly transferred its interest in the disputed properties to another company, Suru Worldwide Ventures Limited, which consequently sued the COAS, Otaru and two others before the Federal High Court, Ikeja, Lagos.

In the suit marked: FHC/IKJ/CS/ 105/2010, Suru Ventures claimed to have bought the properties, particularly the one inhabited by Otaru, and two others (3 Michael Ogun Street and 4 Sowemimo Street), from Abuja Investment and

urged the court to, among others, compel the defendants to yield possession to it.

In his defence, Otaru challenged the competence of the suit, the plaintiff’s interest, particularly in relation to the property he occupied until he was ejected, and argued that it was absurd for Suru Ventures to lay claim to a property not legitimately procured by Abuja Investment, from which Suru Investment claimed to have bought the house.

He argued, in a supporting affidavit, that Abuja Investment, not having any proper title, having not bidded for the house and having purportedly procured same while Otaru’s offer of purchase was pending, has no transferable interest that it can transfer to Suru Ventures.

Otaru also argued that the Abuja Investment’s purported purchase of his house is ultra vires the company’s Memorandum of Association, which states that its core objective is to “serve as a catalyst for rapid industrialisation and hasten economic growth of the Federal Capital Territory as well as meeting the acute housing needs of the residents of Abuja.”

The plaintiff (Suru Ventures) stunned all when, midway into proceedings, it discontinued the case via a notice of discontinuance dated November 2, 2011 and signed by its lawyer, Ademola Adewale.

Otaru said although Suru Ventures did not disclose what informed its decision to withdraw the case, they had thought the High Court in Ikeja will be allowed to decide the case before it one way or the other, only for men of the

Air Force to resort to self-help by invading his home and throw his family and properties on the street.

Falana told The Nation that there was the need to ensure that those involved in this brutal displacement of a citizen will have to pay for it, more so when this house did not belong to the Air Force.

“So there can be no justification for this primitive onslaught on the rights of a citizen.

“It is worse that the Air Force were paid by a private company to unleash violence on a retired Air Commodore at about 4 am last Thursday. If we do not make an example of those who took part in this provocative illegality, there will be no end to injustice in our country.

“Well, I have tried to link up with the Chief of Air Staff to find out if he was a party to this embarrassing development. We are writing petitions to the appropriate authorities.

“Of course, the case is in court. We are asking the Lagos State Government to compel the Air Force to rebuild the house and put back our client to possession. That is the least that can be done now. His 15 year old boy, Kizito was not allowed to go to school for his examination on the day of the incident.

“That boy has to sue; his wife (Mrs Otaru) will have to take up an action, the guests, who were also displaced on the day of the incident, will go to court as well. So, if the Nigerian Air Force has to pay a substantial part of its budget, we will ensure that it does so to serve as deterrent to others,” Falana said.

Funding the Judiciary under the 1999 Constitution: Matters arising • Continued from page 30 Section 162 (9) of the Constitution makes provisions for the funding of the superior courts of record from the Federation Account. The said sub-section provides: “Any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Federation Account shall be paid directly to the National Judicial Council for disbursement to the heads of courts established for the Federation and the States under section 6 of this Constitution.”

I am not unmindful of the reservations expressed by the Supreme Court on the intendment of the provision of this subsection on the funding of the Judiciary in A-G Federation v A-G Abia State & 35 Ors (supra); such reservations, in my humble view, do not whittle down the potency of the provision in so far as the subsection has not been declared unconstitutional. What the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional in that case was the charge of salaries and allowances of judicial officers on the Federation Account instead of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. The point can, therefore, be validly made here that, the Federation Account, indisputably, con-

stitutes another source provided for the funding of the Judiciary under the 1999 Constitution as amended.

In order to appreciate the essence or purport of the provision of this subsection 9 of Section 162 of the Constitution, reference must necessarily be made, by way of recapitulation, to Sections 84 (2), (4), and 84 (7) which mandate that the remuneration, salaries and allowances of judicial officers and the recurrent expenditure of their offices be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. If that is so, it follows that, the amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary under Section 162 (9), can only refer to the capital expenditure of the superior courts of record mentioned therein.

This is particularly so when the provisions of the three sections are read along with Paragraph 21 (e) of Third Schedule to the Constitution. It is imperative to read the provisions of those sections together as this is the only way to derive the intention of the lawmakers.

From the foregoing, the following conclusions can be drawn: (a.) The Constitution makes adequate provisions for the funding of all the courts in Nigeria. (that is, the two categories of courts; the supe-

rior courts of record and the other courts.) (b.) Provisions of Sections 84 (2), 84 (4), 84 (7) govern the remuneration, salaries, allowances of judicial officers of all the superior courts of record in the Federation and the recurrent expenditure of their offices. Such remuneration, salaries, allowances and other recurrent expenditure are charged upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. (c.) Provisions of Section 162 (9) of the Constitution, by implication, take care of the capital expenditure of all the superior courts of record in the Federation, which, of course, include; the High Court of a State, the Sharia Court of a State and the Customary Court of Appeal of a State. (d.) Provisions of Section 121 (3) apply to other courts; the recurrent and capital expenditures of the superior courts of records having been taken care of under Sections 84 and 162 of the Constitution respectively. (e.) The National Judicial Council has the responsibility to collect and disburse remuneration, salaries, allowances of judicial officers of superior courts of record and the recurrent expenditure of their offices to their heads of courts. (f.) The National Judicial Council

has the responsibility to collect and disburse to the heads of courts concerned, funds for capital expenditure of all the superior courts of records in the Federation, the High Court of a State, the Sharia court of a State and the Customary Court of a State inclusive.

Now, these conclusions lead us to one crucial question: has the National Judicial Council been accessing the funds (capital expenditure in particular) due to the superior courts of record as mandated under Section 162 (9) of the Constitution? If the answer to this question is in the negative, I think the superior courts of record, at the state level, have a right to demand, through the National Judicial Council, the implementation of the provisions of this section of the Constitution as it affects them in addition to their agitation for the implementation of the provisions of Section 121 (3).

It now becomes clear that, one of the factors responsible for the deplorable state of the courts at the state level may be the failure of the National Judicial Council to take advantage of the provisions of Section 162 (9) of the Constitution, by accessing and disbursing the funds due to the superior courts of record at the state

level from the Federation Account.

It is my humble view that if the provision of Section 162 (9) of the Constitution is fully implemented, it will go a long way towards transforming the state judiciaries from their present state of wretchedness and helplessness.

Finally, let it be said here that, the constitutional responsibilities placed on the shoulders of the National Judicial Council in collecting and disbursing funds to various courts are enormous. The National Judicial Council cannot afford to shy away from these responsibilities in accessing all the funds. Paragraph 21 of the Third Schedule of the Constitution is clear enough: “21. The National Judicial Council shall have power to – a ) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (e) collect, control and disburse all moneys, capital and recurrent, for the judiciary;” The Judiciary, at all levels, must be given its due as provided for under the 1999 Constitution. This is one of the ways to build a strong and virile judiciary we all clamour for.

• Justice Omolaye-Ajileye is of the Kogi State High Court.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

33

LAW & DEVELOPMENT

Lawyers seek solution to socio-economic problems At the Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) in Sydney, Australia, participants sought remedies for some legal, socio-economic and political problems facing their countries. Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU reports.

•Senator Magnus Abe and his wife, Bariya.

•Participants at the conference.

T

HE regional confer ence of the Common Wealth Association (CLA) for Asian, Pacific region in Sydney, Australia which ended at the weekend, provided participants the opportunity to discuss some issues affecting the region.

Former Chief Justice of the New South Wales Supreme Court, James Spigelman, who was the keynote speaker, said the topic of the conference - “The changing role of the legal profession: Emerging Democracies and Globalisation”- cuts across two cultures.

The first, he said, is the culture of international human rights law which frowns at all forms of violence, particularly, violence against women, which extends to freedom from fear.

The second, he noted, relates to commercial law, the rapid development of international commercial arbitration and the extent to which international credit law has imposed itself on the sovereignty of nations In her welcome address, President of CLA, Mrs. Boma Ozobia, said the purpose of the Commonwealth Law Conference is to provide a forum for the sharing of information and ideas from Common Law jurisdictions and to add to the length and breadth of Common Law jurisprudence.

Ozobia said: “Since our last conference in Hyderabad, India, in February, 2011, interventions by the CLA have positively influenced rule of

law issues in Uganda, Malaysia and in my country of Nigeria, where we now have the Freedom of Information Act.” She stated that it is the strength of this ever–evolving system of law sent out from a small Island to the furthest part of the corners of the earth that continues to bind us together.

She said: “ From all six continents and many of the 54 countries that make up the Commonwealth, our delegates have converged on Sydney for this regional conference, knowing that by considering the laws of Australia, New Zealand or Fiji, to take a few examples from the region, they will be treading familiar terrain and not unfamiliar territory”.

She said the CLA annual meetings remain the only global conference dedicated to the the Commonwealth and to the Common law jurisprudence, the only place where you can engage over a few days with the combined wisdom and experience of lawyers from all over the world, who operate within a similar basic framework and who may already have found legislative solutions to problems that you are now facing.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State urged lawyers to rise in defence of human rights abuses across the world. He stated if good men and men of conscience refuse to rise against evil and injustice, then there is no hope for humanity.

After the commencement of the programme, the Aboriginos, the native and original inhabitants of the land came into the hall with their dance and smoking native pot similar to that of a native doctor.

Their leader made incantations which were interpreted to mean prayers and goodwill massages for their visitors.

Thereafter they entertained the lawyers with dance.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters picketed the conference venue protesting what they called the abuse of their rights by the Australian government.

They accused the AttorneyGeneral of Australia Hon. Nicola Nixon of abusing their rights.

The attorney-general was one of the speakers at the conference and the protesters stormed the venue telling the A-G to stop deceiving the people.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) spoke on the topic: “Lawyers on the frontline.”

It was reported at the conference that a lawyer was arrested at Heathrow airport on his way to the conference in connection with the Wikiliks saga.

The conference was attended by over 350 fee paying delegates from different parts of the world and about 105 Nigerians.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Australia, Ayo Olukanni hosted the Nigerian delegation.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

34

LAW & SOCIETY AT THE COMMONWEALTH LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (CLA) CONFERENCE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

• Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and CLA President Mrs Boma Ozobia

• President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) and wife of Nigerian Ambassador to Australia, Mrs. Yemisi Olukanni.

• Council member, CLA, Yusuf Ali (SAN) left and Pastor Itua Ighodalo.

• Attorney-General of Abia State, Hon. Umeh Kalu (left) and Dr. Levy Uzoukwu (SAN).

• Prof. Cyprian Okonkwo (SAN), left and Prof. O. A. Osunbor.

• Nnannonso Ekam and H. M. Usman.

• Amede Oputa (left) and Dr. Nkechi Ezeako.

• Omaka Esther (left) and Maduagwu Patience.

• Protesters at the conference.

• A performance by the Aborigines.

PHOTOS: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

35

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

LAW PERSONALITY Rights activist and lawyer, Dr. Felix Morka, Executive Director, Social and Economic Rights Action (SERAC), has been in the forefront of the struggle for the reversal of the injustice done to the displaced residents of Maroko, a former slum community in Lagos. In this interview with PRECIOUS IGBOWELUNDU, he reveals why it has been difficult to get justice for those evicted after 20 years; why the judiciary appears hamstrung in the face of growing cases of right abuses, defects in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s cashless policy, among others.

‘How Lagos CJ failed to stop unlawful demolition of Maroko’

Y

OU have been fighting to get justice for those evicted from the old Maroko about 22 years ago, to what extent have you gone?

My expectation is that we obtain justice on behalf of the Maroko people. As you may know, the Maroko community was demolished by the military Governor of Lagos State as of 1990, Colonel Raji Rasaki demolished in total violation of due process. The community was one of the largest slum communities in Lagos State with about 300, 000 people.

The then governor ordered the demolition of the community with barely seven-day notice given. Without any kind of planning or provision in terms of alternative settlement, the government demolished the community and pushed over 300,000 people into the streets, whereas the rule of law assures individuals that decisions that affect their interests must be made in accordance with the law.

The government disrespected the law and inflicted that social instability on the people of the community. It has been a very long road trying to win justice for the Maroko people.

The legal action, started by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) at the camp back in 1992, was looking to obtain an injunction to stop the demolition itself, but was subverted by the Chief Judge of Lagos State at the time, who refused to assign the matter to a judge to hear the urgent application and the approval for an injunction. So, he paved the way for the military to demolish that community.

In the past 22 years or so, we have been through a lot. The government has had very little interest and tried to subvert the legal process at different points. But, this matter has been adjourned for judgment.

Even though it has taken 22 years to get to that point, we are nonetheless expecting that decision will be given in a few weeks.

Are you limiting your efforts to the justice system alone?

In the main time, SERAC has also filed an action before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in The Gambia.

It is the agency responsible for monitoring and implementation of the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Right, which Nigeria registered and adopted into domestic law.

That matter is still pending before the commission because we brought that action on the 20th anniversary of the demolition of Maroko community, asking the commission to hold that 20 years of withholding justice to the Maroko people amounted to a denial of justice. We brought the action in collaboration with Lord Peter Goldsmith, the former Minister for justice of the United Kingdom.

As a member of the Steering Committee, Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project, what achievements has the committee recorded since its inception in 2007?

It is a project of the Lagos State Government, funded by the World Bank to the tune of $200 million. It is looking to upgrade about nine slum communities by building infrastructure, schools, health centres, drainage systems, potable water, among others.

Keep in mind that the project itself came from a background of a struggle for how to deal with the many slums in Lagos. Right now, we have over 100 slums in Lagos as against about 42 in 1984, and the action of the government in the past was simply to clear them by undertaking what is called “slum clearance projects,” where like, in the case of Maroko, they just demolished and handed the area over to those who can build edifices.

It is really counter-productive when you demolish entire communities without serious planning; you simply translocate the problem because as long as people are alive, they need shelter.

It is the responsibility of the government to constantly plan a city to accommodate growth especially, because over 70 per cent

of those who stay in Lagos live in the slums very precariously.

When this new project was conceptualised, the idea was to learn lessons from the failure of the former project and to create systems of government within the project that will guarantee its effectiveness, as well as prevent its abuse.

The Steering Committee that I sit on was one of such mechanisms created and the project is doing a lot because we are building new schools in most of the slums, providing roads and access to basic amenities.

We are trying to develop the slums. It is an important project which can do a lot of good to the communities if adequately executed because it is committed to developing rather than demolishing the slums.

Aside the Maroko case, in which other cases of unlawful displacement had your organisation been involved?

In 1998, there was a project that the Lagos State Government implemented called the Lagos Drainage Project also funded by the World Bank to the tune of $85 million. When that project was approved, the military went to Badia for a demonstration, and in the guise of implementing the project, demolished people’s homes.

So, SERAC intervened and pressured the state to not demolish the community. Because Badia is strategically located and the only takable land before Apapa, the government wanted to destroy the community in order to hand over the land to big corporate developers. Meanwhile, most of the people there were former occupants of Oluwole village where the National Theatre is situated.

As part of events to host FESTAC 77, the Federal Government simply transplanted the people to Badia without any resettlement plan and since then, they have been abandoned to their fate.

So, SERAC petitioned the World Bank inspection panel when the then military government of Lagos State also wanted to displace the people. We were able to stop the demolition of these people’s home by the government because we were able to show that the government was funding involuntary displacement, which was prohibited by the bank’s operational directives.

What do you think is responsible for the slow pace of justice dispensation in the country?

First, is that the demand for justice is very low. I don’t think Nigerians have demanded enough justice. People get offended and they submit a lot to God as if God is not busy enough. Beyond that, I think we have a lot of legal and institutional constraints to access to justice.

We have highly impoverished infrastructure for justice, our courts are just manned

by Judges without any kind of aid. In this modern day, judges still do the kind of ancient record taking that is hear every detail and write in long hand. Seriously, there are not many cases you can take in that manner.

You also have the role of systems that are far within the length that creates a lot of procedural obstacles in the way of giving access to justice. The technicalities you go through to file an action are too much.

Now a man or woman, whose son or daughter is in prison for 10 years without trial, shouldn’t have to go and brief a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to file an action on his or her behalf.

A mere letter to the Attorney-General or someone in the system should be sufficient

•Dr Morka

to trigger inquiry as to why this individual is being held in custody. People who are kept in prison for a prolonged period without trial is because of what I call procedural antics and absurdities.

Things that shouldn’t be in our rules are there and seriously frustrate people. You also have the fact that our judicial systems are not democratised in terms of access other than just the legal procedures.

They are too formalistic. People do not really want to go there because the procedures are still very stiff in technicalities. They rather go and complain to somebody who can hear them instantly, whereas such people do not have the authority of the court to make binding decisions.

This is why these days you find out that a lot of religious leaders play all kinds of roles; they intervene even in serious criminal cases like rape because the individuals concerned are completely unwilling to go through the legal process as a result of the difficulties involved.

What is your view on the insinuation that corruption in the system hampers justice delivery?

Of course, there is a lot of corruption in the system. Judicial corruption is a serious problem and people do not have much confidence that if they take a matter to court they will prevail because they think if their opponent has more political or economic access, then their opponents will decide the fate of the case.

There is also the problem of failure of the federal and state governments to really adjudicate the judicial system to its rightful pedestal. To see it as a coordinate arm of government, and therefore in respect of the principles of separation of powers, grant it the kind of autonomy that it requires.

Often, the governments seek to control the judicial system. They seem to dictate and impose their will on the judiciary and that is very constraining because judges, who want

‘In the past 22 years or so, we have been through a lot. The government has had very little interest and tried to subvert the legal process at different points.

But, this matter has been adjourned for judgment.

Even though it has taken 22 years to get to that point, we are nonetheless expecting that decision will be given in a few weeks’

to really interpret the law the way it should be, are sometimes penalised for doing their constitutional duty of upholding justice.

There are so many factors but the bottomline is that we must recognise as people that the courts are indispensable in any democratic system and it is a vital institution to regulate the arbitrariness of government.

Without the court, there is no difference between any government and the military regime. If the courts are not there, the more powerful citizens will swallow up the weaker ones because the vastly impoverished population we have in this country need the court more than others; yet, they have little or no access to the court. It is indeed an area that our governments must focus on to really expand judicial freedom so that people can aspire for justice more than they do now.

How can we eradicate corruption from the judiciary?

You may not eradicate corruption from the judiciary unless you are also aspiring to eradicate it from the society because Judges are not different from the rest of us. You cannot take the judicial system and aspire to eradicate corruption without looking at the causes of corruption and the factors in the perpetuation of corruption in the country.

To fight corruption, you have to make it difficult and inconvenient, make the detection of corruption very easy. We must create systems that make it difficult for both the instigators and beneficiaries of corruption in the judicial system, otherwise, it won’t work.

We must fight corruption both in and outside the judiciary by penalising corrupt practices. But you cannot penalise what you do not know.

If you do not have the system that actually discloses acts of corruption, then penalising it becomes most tenuous. The question is how do you identify or establish acts of corruption that are not very obvious, where, for instance, some video cameras showing a Judge receiving money from a party in court before him/her?

But in those moment when you have such evidence is rare because corruption is a very subtle process that undermines the integrity of a system. So, what mechanisms must be put in place to identify corruption and make it difficult? Those are some of the challenges.

But overall, I think we also need to educate people some more to understand that it is not a good idea although once a while we must demonstrate some will by subjecting ourselves to the judicial process. If you are the president of the country, a governor or council Chairman, and an order of court is given against you, you should comply because when you disrespect court orders, you send the wrong signals to everybody else to undermine and corrupt the system.

What is the state of human rights in the country?

Very grim in so many respects. Human rights violations continue to occur in Nigeria despite the fact that we live under democratic dispensation. From civil-political rights, social, cultural and economic rights people are still generally and arbitrarily arrested and detained in this country, and the right to speedy trial is mostly withheld from most of these people.

People are still shot and killed without thorough investigation; there is still a lot of high handedness of government officials. They exercise authority arbitrarily without due process and respect for the rule of law. A lot of people in police cells are tortured and so many women who are mistreated do not get remedy or justice.

People generally lack access to basic socioeconomic rights like good quality education.

For instance, NECO just released the NovDec 2011 examination results and the rate of failure is embarrassing like the year before.

You have up to 80 percent failure in some basic subjects.

It shows that despite our profess commitment to basic education, we are not making any impact at all. What is worst is that we live with it. The government of this country has done nothing to the fact that the failure rate of students in NECO is that high.

In other countries, when such results are turned out, those responsible for managing education at all levels must resign or be sacked because it marks a total vote of no confidence in the education system.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

36

FFROM THE COURT

Lagos A-G advises against frivolous applications

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HE Lagos State AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, has advised lawyers against bringing frivolous applications to courts, saying that it is responsible for the delays in the dispensation of justice in the state.

He stated this at a dinner organised by the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Ikeja Branch to honour the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Inumidun Enitan Akande, as part of 2012 Law Week programme.

Others honoured on the occasion included Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal and Mr. Oluwakemi Pinheiro (SAN).

Ipaye stressed that the filing of unnecessary objections and use of different tactics to slow and

By Adebisi Onanuga

frustrate cases does not befit the profession.

“Our profession is a very special one which success must not be measured by material returns.

When in defence of clients, stick to the code of ethics which we all swore to uphold when we were called to bar,” he said.

The Justice Commissioner said the government and the society aims to ensure justice, adding “in pushing for the attainment of justice, we are doing that which God has ordained us to do for the society”, he said.

The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, disclosed that his government has already commenced a comprehensive review of the legal system in the state in realisation of

the fact that without the judiciary, it would be difficult to entrench democracy.

Senator Amosun, who said his state is looking up to Lagos, said: “We cannot do anything without a legal system that works. That is why we are reviewing our legal system. All the good works that Lagos is doing, we want to do it as well.

“We also want to make our judges comfortable because if they are not comfortable, dispensation of justice might be eroded” he said.

The Ogun State governor also disclosed plans by his administration to speed up the process of delivering justice, noting: “justice delayed is justice denied”.

He said that his government would also organised refresher courses for judges and magis-

trates in the state to update their intellectual capabilities and keep them abreast of new developments in the system.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Folake Solanke(SAN), who spoke against the background of the report of subsidy scandal and corruption, said the members of the legal profession must brace up and be prepared to sanitise the system.

She said lawyers must start to make the difference among the various professionals to rid the country of corruption.

The Chairman, NBA Ikeja, Mr. Adebamigbe Omole, in a welcome address commended the Ogun State governor for the various development programmes he initiated within the short time of assuming office.

Omole also commended the

governor’s style of leadership by example and for believing in due process, pointing out that the governor did not use his executive powers to stop the demolition of his family house which was marked to give way to road construction.

The NBA chairman explained that Justice Akande, was honoured because of the various innovations she introduced into the judicial system and her avowed belief in separation of powers.

He added that Justice Ogunwumiju was honoured for the speedy delivery of justice and for believing in substance of a matter instead of technicalities.

Mr Pinheiro was honoured for his contributions to the development of the NBA Ikeja.

• From left: Omole, Governor Amosun and Justice Akande.

• From left: Justice Habeeb Abiru and Justice Adedayo Oyebanji.

• From left: Justice Toyin Taiwo and Chairman, NBA, Lagos branch, Mr Taiwo O. Taiwo.

• From left: Pinheiro (SAN) and Ipaye.

• From left: Solicitor-General, Lagos State,Lawal Pedro (SAN) and Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

• From left: Chief Solanke (SAN), Gov. Amosun and Justice Ogunwumiju.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

37

AVIATION

Ministry secures $76m BASA funds to fix T 11 airports HE Ministry of Aviation has secured presidential approval to utilise the over $76 million Bilateral Air Services Agreement ( BASA) funds, domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to upgrade the nation’s airports, investigations have revealed.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the upgrading which was proposed some years ago could not be executed on account of paucity of funds, as the yearly budgetary sector’s allocation to aviation was too insignificant to execute the projects.

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Aviation Correspondent

In 2010, the former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Fidelia Njeze, proposed over N91 billion for the re- modeling of about 12 airports but could not execute them owing to paucity of funds.

But the cost was later scaled down to N19 billion under the new dispensation.

The 2012 budgetary allocation for the sector is put at N49.23 billion, an improvement from the N7.14 proposed in the 2011 budget.

The wide gap between the 2011 and 2012 budgetary al-

location, experts affirm, is an indication of government’s resolve to address the lingering aviation infrastructure challenges..

The huge increase in budgetary allocation is coming on the heels of the obvious decay in airport infrastructure and air navigation equipment at airports across the country evidently signposting many years of neglect and abandonment.

Experts said that the quantum leap in the budgetary allocation may be coming on the heels of the determi-

nation of government to fast track airport re-modeling projects, expected to give a face lift to at least 11 airports.

Speaking over the weekend, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi, said the airports re- modeling projects is being funded from the bilateral air services agreement

funds. Though he did not disclose the amount, he affirmed that with the annual budgetary allocation, the airports will be completed in phases.

He said issues of paucity of funds will not stall the projects, as the ministry is set to launch a new agenda on revamping existing infrastructure as part of the agenda to reposition the sector.

Uriesi said FAAN has scaled down the proposed N91 billion to N19 billion.

Also, the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation

Authority ( NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, confirmed that Nigeria has about $76 million in the bilateral air services agreement account domiciled in the CBN. He spoke of plans by the government to utilise part of the funds for the upgrade and rehabilitation of ageing airport infrastructure as well as air navigation equipment.

Among the airports where re- modeling is taking place, is the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

How BA, VAA denied Nigerians access to cheap fares, by Demuren

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HE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has established proof that British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic Airways (VAA) deliberately denied Nigerians access to available cheap fares so they could promote sale of higher fares, the Director General,NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, has said.

Demuren, who stated this in Abuja when he addressed the Senate Committee on Public Hearing on Violation of Aviation Laws and Practice by Foreign Airlines, revealed that unlike what obtains in the US route, where BA and VAA fill the lower fare seats before moving to the higher fare seats, the two airlines restricted availability and access to the lower fare seats from Nigeria in order to promote sale of the higher fare seats.

“The lower fare seats were either rare or non-existent for purchase from Nigeria, which is quite different from the case to Bos-

ton or New York. This is consistent with NCAA’s discovery. Airlines are required to periodically file tariffs with the NCAA. “A check of the NCAA records and testimony from travel agents clearly demonstrate BA and VAA repeatedly and routinely deceived and misled the NCAA and consumers to believe some of the fares displayed and disclosed were in fact available when that was not the case.

“Comparing the information in the filled tariffs with actual sales confirmed that the lower fares were not only unavailable, it was clear that some of them were never intended to be available “Whichever way it was, it was clear that BA and VAA discriminated and still discriminate against consumers in Nigeria in pricing,” said Demuren.

On the regional imbalance, Demuren said in some cases, first class travel between Lagos and London was more than double the cost between Accra and London.

“For the two airlines that operate several thousand take offs and landings everyday and fly to no less than 40 countries the only language to describe what the Nigerian market accounts for in their profitability, is unconscionable, discriminatory and unfair,” he said.

Meanwhile, British Airways last week gave reasons why it operates high fares, citing the high costs of operations into Nigeria, market demand and other sundry reasons.

The position of British Airways on the vexed issue may be seen as defiance of the ultimatum given by the Federal Government to stop the carrier from flying into Nigeria, if it does not reduce its fares on the Lagos - London route.

British Airways, which spoke through its Corporate Affairs Consultant, The Quadrant Company in a statement signed by Chidi Ebere Onuora, said it is regrettable that the airline has such high fare offering which according to him is subject to a litany of operational factors.

Giving details of the reasons, British Airways said : " Comparing fares across different routes is notoriously difficult due to the number of factors which can influence pricing.

•L-R: Representative of Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Alhaji Haruna Lawal and Chief judge, Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Auta at the Aviation Law seminar for Judges of the Federal High Court of Nigeria organised by NCAA at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Aviation Minister, Uriesi to draw map TAKEHOLDERS in the for sector Aviation Roundtable, aviation sector will on Capt. Dele Ore and the

S

Thursday hold a seminar and recognition awards for operators in the industry, even as players in the sector will utilise the forum to evolve a roadmap for the transformation of the air transport industry.

Some of the participants at this year’s edition include the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; the Director-Gen-

eral of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Dr. Harold Demuren, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh.

Other participants are the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt.

Chinyere Kalu, the Director -General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Mr Anthony Anuforum, the President

Chairman of Air Nigeria, the Commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Capt. Shehu Mukhtar and Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim among other key stakeholders.

The seminar, which is organised annually, will be the 18th to be held by aviation stakeholders.

This year’s theme according to a statement signed by the chairman of the group, Mr. Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo is Evolving a Roadmap for Transformation of th e Air Transport Sector in Nigeria.

Dubai duty free picks banks for $1.1b loan AIRPORT retailer Dubai Duty Free has mandated banks for a $1.1 billion multi-tranche loan facility to help fund the expansion of Dubai airport, the company said last week.

Citibank along with Dubai Islamic, HSBC and Emirates NBD have been hired to arrange and coordinate the debut international transaction, the company further said.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank has already committed to contribute to the loan but will not be involved in arranging it.

DDF, which is owned by Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), said the facility includes Islamic and conventional tranches.

Dubai was looking to raise at least $500 million by selling debt based on future revenues at DDF, sources said last month.

Dubai, which has clawed back from the depths of a crippling 2009 debt crisis, has been examining ways of raising finances to expand its existing aviation infrastructure after deciding to go slow on a $34 billion new Al Maktoum Airport facility designed to become the biggest in the world.

Its existing airport serves over 50 million passengers a year as the emirate attempts to leverage its position at the crossroads of air corridors between continents.

38

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

MARITIME

Smuggling on the rise T HE spate of smuggling has hightened follow ing high port charges introduced by the Federal Government.

Recently, the Nigeria Customs Service was given N1 trillion target, which, operators said is capable of leading to cargoes’ diversion to ports of neighbouring countries.

The increase in duty payment to Customs, stakeholders said, has created opportunity for importers to evade duty payment and encourage smuggling through the land borders.

Investigation conducted by The Nation has, however, revealed that hard times await Customs officials posted to curb the nefarious activities of smugglers at the border.

The illegal movement of goods across borders is eating deep into the country’s economy, crippling the revenue target given to Customs.

Last year, the country was said to have lost a whopping N16.3 billion to smugglers whose population is increasing daily because of the high level of poverty in the country.

For instance, the Customs Area Comptroller, Ogun

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

State Command, Bamidele Akande, declared one of his officers missing, following the last week’s clash between some smugglers, Customs officers and some members of the communities at Idi-Iroko border in Ogun State.

The recent clash, The Nation learnt, started when some of the smugglers came in a convoy of about 30 vehicles laden with frozen foods and other contrabands and refused to stop at the Customs checkpoint. This infuriated one of the Customs officers on duty, who opened fire which, resulted in the death of one of the smugglers.

The death, according to investigation, prompted other smugglers and their sympathisers within the communities at the border to engage Customs official in a free for all and abducted the officer who allegedly killed the smuggler.

Some members of the communities who have unlawful access to dangerous weapons have vowed to retaliate the alleged killing of one of their members.

Besides, youths and women are now involved in smuggling in the border ar-

eas in Lagos. Some of the smugglers have the backing of some of their community leaders because of the high level of poverty and lack of government’s presence in their areas.

Observers claim the most notorious route of smugglers is the Idiroko and Seme borders.

Through these two borders, it was gathered, bigtime smugglers call the shots and have unlimited access to ferry their illegal goods into the country.

A Customs officer, who had the opportunity to serve at the two border posts, said the youth in the area have become lawless as they smuggle products because they have unlawful access to arms and ammunition.

Customs officials and other security agents seem helpless against the smugglers since the crisis started.

The smuggling of contraband into the country through the Idi-Iroko border is now on the increase, it was learnt.

At the Idri-Iroko border last weekend, smugglers were determined in carrying out their nefarious activities despite government’s efforts to stop them.

Smuggled goods include

ANLCA condemns duty evasion

By Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

• CG Customs Dikko

second hand vehicles, textile materials, used cloths, bags, shoes, tyres, rice, frozen chicken, frozen turkey, vegetable oil, soap, furniture sweet, cigarettes, apples, pineapple and palm oil.

A senior Customs officer, who craved anonymity said smuggling is affecting their work.

He said though his colleagues have made several seizures of various items, including textiles, furniture, vegetable oil, used cars, and other items in the last few months, smugglers have become more desperate.

The story was almost the same at the Seme border when The Nation visited the place.

THE National President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, has warned clearing agents not to aid importers to evade duty.

Speaking with The Nation in his office last week, he vowed that he would not forgive members who found guilty of misconduct.

The ANLCA chief denied a newspaper report (not The Nation) that the association was planning to shut the seaports over the new benchmark introduced by the Customs.

Shittu said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi Inde, has mandated members of the association to raise an alarm whenever any Customs officer demands gratification for clearing their goods from the ports.

He urged importers and clearing agents to do correct declaration to avoid seizure.

‘Withdraw CEMA Bill from National Assembly’

By Uyoatta Eshiet

THE National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has urged the Federal Government to withdraw the Customs and Excise Management from the National Assembly where it is being considered for amendment.

The group said the bill has many distortions, noting that some of the powers of the President, the Minister and the Customs Board are now vested in the Customs Service. It warned that it will be inimical for the country if the bill is passed into law.

The National President of the group, Mr Lucky Amiwero, who spoke with The Nation last week, said many sections of the Draft Bill are defective and could hinder trade between Nigeria and her international partners if it is passed into law. He said: “CEMA bill is critical to international trade, pointing out that it was against the country’s constitution.

According to him, the bill has already gone through first and second readings in the House of Representatives, adding that it has been subjected to open hearing during which discrepancies in the bill were observed.

Concessionare revives terminal BUSINESSES have peaked at the Lilypond Container Terminal, Ijora, Lagos following the injection of $15 million (N2.3 billion) by the concessionaire, the A. P. Moller Maersk (APMM) Group.

Cluster Director, APM Terminal Inland Container Services, Central Africa, Bola Bamidele, said in her office on Thursday that operations at the terminal peaked in 2011 with a record cargo throughput of 47,000 TEUs. “Lilypond had zero throughput when we took over the facility a little over five years ago. We started off from ground zero but we have since turned it around.

In 2010, cargo throughput was 23,000 TEUs but this doubled to 47,000 TEUs in 2011 and we expect more growth this year. We also plan to spend additional $5 million this year to further upgrade the terminal and the administrative building,” she said.

‘Train crane operators’ • The N3.6 billion Apapa port access road contract awarded by NPA.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

Stakeholders commend NPA for infrastructure devt

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ARITIME industry stakeholders have commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for the efforts being made to rehabilitate old infrastructure and other projects that will promote efficiency in the ports system.

The stakeholders, who spoke to reporters in Lagos, said the rehabilitation of the ports infrastructure will place the nation’s ports side by side with other developed ports in the world.

They identified various engineering works on infrastructure at the ports environment, capital dredging of the nation’s navigational channels as well as the planned development of seaports in Akwa Ibom and Lekki in Lagos as capable of attracting bigger ocean vessels to the country.

A shipping economist, Dr Ade Babatunde, said the dredging of the ports was a good development as it

•Suleiman

would attract bigger vessels into the nation’s ports.

He said: “In the past, some bigger vessels had avoided Lagos ports because of the shallow depth. But with the capital dredging, bigger ocean going vessels will now come to the country.

This is already bringing good result as we can see that Mearsk Conakry, a vessel

owned by Mearskline, came to Apapa late last year with 4,500 containers. Since then, I understand that bigger vessels have continued to come to the country”.

Babatunde called on the management of the authority to continue in its efforts at identifying the needs of the industry, particularly in infrastructure and improved on it.

Noting that the Lagos ports are beginning to witness efficiency in the system, he said the building of Deep Sea Port in Lekki would also be an added advantage as it will attract more bigger vessels into the country.

On the Akwa Ibom seaport, he commended the management of NPA, adding that when completed, the port will be very useful for the importers in that area as well as those in the Southeast.

According to him, every deep seaport is a big advantage to the economy because

of the bigger vessels that will call at such ports.

Similarly, a cargo consolidator and transporter, Chief Johnson Umeh, also commended the NPA for the road rehabilitation carried out around the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, saying that this has made movement of trucks within the ports easier.

“When roads within the ports are bad, it is dangerous because many containers had fallen off the vehicles in the past as a result.

So, we are happy that our trucks and goods of our importers are protected, and we cannot witness containers falling off the trucks”, he said.

He, however, said what was left was for the speedy completion of the Apapa Express Road reconstruction work, adding that it was the only way to check the gridlock that is causing a nightmare to people who have businesses in Apapa.

PRESIDENT, Dockworkers Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has called on terminal operators to assist the union in training new crop of crane operators.

Adeyanju, who lamented that the current set of crane operators are ageing, said if the situation is left unattended to, operations at the nation’s port will be affected soon.

He made the call at a meeting of the branch leadership with members of the union last Wednesday in Lagos.

“We are particular about the training of crane operators. Because if you look at the terminals today, most of them are old.

“We are saying the terminal operators should assist by way of organising what we call train-the-trainer, by training all the crane operators because when somebody is old and cannot see that will cause accident at the port.

“On our own part we are telling the older ones to train the younger ones”.

Port Police boss warns against shabby dressing THE Commissioner of Police of the Port Command, Kola Shodipo, has crticised officers who manned the guard of honour that welcomed him during his inspection of facilities at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa for dressing shabbily.

Shodipo warned the officers against indiscipline, vowing to take tough actions against anyone found wanting.

He urged the officers to take their duties seriously and project a good image for the Command, assuring that the diligent and disciplined ones would be commended.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

40

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Govt urges paradigm shift on road, infrastructure funding •World Bank invests $300m on road projects

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PPROPRIATE legal and institutional frame work is the panacea to making the road sector attractive to the private sector. This is in addition to a paradigm shift that will place more premiums on private sector funding of roads and infrastructure in a sustainable manner.”

This was made known by the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen at the just concluded 19th Council on Works held in Lagos last week.

He said some projects such as the 2nd Niger Bridge, Anambra State, approach road to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja and the River Niger Bridge at Nupeko-Niger State have been penciled down as pilot projects to be handled with the private sector due to their economical viability. The minister observed that such collaborative effort with multilateral agencies have yielded fruits to the extent that over $300 million has been invested by the World Bank in the sector.

The minister called on states to urgently set up and make functional, their respective state road maintenance agency in line with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Amendment Act 2007, to enable them access their five per

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor

cent Users Charge on petroleum products, for the maintenance of roads in their states. In the same light, he called on the Petroleum Products Pricing & Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to urgently begin the remittance of the five per cent User’s Charge to the FERMA and states’ road maintenance agencies for enhanced maintenance of roads.

Furthermore, Onolememen also said that part of the accruals arising from the recent partial deregulation of the prices of petroleum products will be devoted to implementing critical on-going projects in the road sector as encapsulated in the SUREprogramme. The projects, according to him, include the completion of the dualisation of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja expressway, completion of the construction of Loko-Oweto bridge; completion of the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri expressway, construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge; completion of the rehabilitation of Shagamu-Ore-Benin dual carriageway and the completion of the rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu dual carriageway. He stressed the desire of the government to ensure that economically viable roads are reconstructed and modernised through various funding options.

•On going work at Tin-Can Island trailer park

The minister said the traffic snarl on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway will soon be a thing of the past as contractors handling the job are working round the clock to achieve the project schedule of delivery.

On the trailer park at Tin-Can Island, he said it will be completed on schedule and is billed to take off hundreds of trailers and tankers from the expressway.

In a communiqué after the deliberations, the Council hinted the government’s plan to reimburse state governments for intervention on federal roads after ascertaining

FCTA approves inclusion of mass housing scheme in special project

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From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

generated revenue (IGR) of the FCT Administration through the collection of statutory land fees.

He also disclosed that the EXCO directed that all land use in the affected areas be harmonized especially the activities of the Abuja Geographic Information System; Lands; Urban & Regional Planning as well as Development Control Departments respectively to accelerate development in such areas and further reduce friction.

It may be recalled that the FCT EXCO approved in April 2011 the engagement of M/S E-Angel Consortium on a public private collaboration framework for the processing of backlog of Area Councils Titles which is conversion of customary to statutory to enhance the value of such properties and serve as collateral to access credit facilities.

He added that 1000 fresh Certificate

•Mohammed

of Occupancy have been given out under the new scheme in Abuja Area Councils.

Meanwhile, the Minister has also revealed that the FCT EXCO lamented the regular vandalisation and in some cases outright stealing of the covers of manholes around the Phase I of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

He, therefore pointed out that the EXCO has urged the residents of the FCT to assist the government in protecting public property by promptly reporting vandals to security agents, especially as the rains are already here.

... FHA at war over land use for cemetery

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HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Housing Authority (FHA) are on the war path over an alleged conversion of a green area in the popular Gwarimpa estate to a cemetery by the FCTA. The Chief Executive Officer of FHA, Mr Terver Gemade, who met with officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said his office received a letter of conversion of a garden in the estate to a cemetery which according to him was rejected.

The FHA boss had accused the FCT administration of converting other green areas in the estate into other use saying “there are areas we have demolished and were again allocated by the FCTA.”

He, however, said that a joint committee between FHA and AEPB on controversial environmental issues would look into the problem of the cemetery and other issues.

Gemade said the committee was a welcome development which he noted would help in the management of waste in the estate just as he added that resettlement of four villages in the estate by the FCT administration has also become a serious environmental issue.

The villages, according to him, are where many illegal markets have been springing up.

He advised AEPB to provide waste bins to residents of the estate noting that the bins supplied have been exhausted which has forced residents

In a keynote address at the event, Governor Babatunde Fashola said the nation cannot possibly industralise without good roads and standards, reliable and efficient rail transportation system. While acknowledging the Federal Government’s commitment to reactivate the existing rail tracks, he advised them to move quickly by compelling all heavy duty vehicles to use them, even if they move at only 10 kilometres per hour. He called on the government to re-commit a large percentage of the budget to the enhancement of road infrastructure.

Minister seeks more investment in water sector

•1,000 fresh C of Os issued in Area Council HE FCT Executive Committee has approved the immediate inclusion of Mass Housing sites and Sectional titles in the scope of the work of the Accelerated Area Councils Title Re-Issuance Scheme (AACTRIS) project.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed said the purpose of the inclusion was to enable the AATRIS project take care of all mass housing sites, Area Councils customary allocations and sectional titles (blocks of flats) in the Federal Capital Territory be issued with Certificates of Occupancy simultaneously.

Senator Mohammed revealed that the project of title re-issuance are similar, and therefore the FCT Administration can take advantage of the existing technology platform, personnel and resources to kill many birds with one stone.

The Minister emphasized that the project will improve the internally

claims. They, however, called for strict compliance to specification for roads and bridges on the award of such contracts. The Council also approved that all federal roads within 5 to 10 kilometre radius from the city centre of every state capital should be ceded to the states and form part of the state road network for its control and maintenance. The communiqué, however, insisted that bridges across major rivers and inter changes within the 5 to 10 kilometre radius are exempted and are to be maintained by the Federal Government.

without bins to dump their refuse indiscriminately.

Speaking at the meeting, Director of AEPB, Isa Shuaibu said there are several environmental issues giving his board sleepless nights adding that AEPB could no longer fold its arms at the alarming rate of environmental abuse in the estate.

He lamented that about 98 per cent of house owners in the estate have not been paying their waste bill noting that his board has observed that a private developer has fenced a conservation area.

Shuaibu, who said his board was going tough against environmental offenders in Gwarinpa estate, solicited for the cooperation of FHA in tackling the problem.

HE Minister of Water Resources, Mrs.Sarah Ochekpe has called for more investment in the water sector by states and local governments. She said only 58 per cent of the population have access to safe drinking water which falls below the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

She spoke at the official launch of Safe Water for Africa (SWA), Nigeria Partnership Lagos hosted by CocaCola, Guinness, Nigeria Bottling Company, and TY Danjuma Foundation. She criticised the state and local governments for not doing enough in providing safe drinking water for the people and called for urgent redress in that direction. The minister said it is regrettable that over 1,000 hand-pumps provided by the Federal Government have been allowed to waste and deteriorate by state governments.

She, however, said the government

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor

has stepped up investment in the sector by repairing the over 1,000 hand held water pumps to ensure that a greater number of the population have access to safe water.

Mrs Ochekpe observed the increase in water related diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid fever etc. including poor enrolment of the girl child into schools.

The minister also stressed that manhours are lost as a result of water related illnesses has become a burden to the growth of the economy.

While praising the partnership for the projected investment of over $10million in the provision of safe water to thousands of communities across the nation, she hinted that the government will remain focused and resolute in providing technical assistance as the need arises.

Maltina gives away two apartments in Lagos

B

UILDING or buying a home shows a measure of success in one’s life. It really does not come cheap because owning a house is a desire that most people don’t meet in their life time no matter how hard they try. Building usually comes with some challenges and mistakes because the builder is usually so excited about the whole idea that some details are left out. The excitement of living in a well furnished apartment in a highbrow area in Lagos complements ones happiness of owning a house. In consolidating its market leadership position, Maltina, the malt drink from the stables of foremost brewers, Nigeria breweries Plc, has given away two of the five exquisite apartments to the first two lucky house winners to emerge in its “Sharing Happiness” promo.

Eighteen-year-old Adeyinka Adeola from Mbiama, Rivers State and 22-year-old Moses Edewor from

Yenegoa, Bayelsa State were picked in the first draw held in Lagos on April 15 and were presented with their new houses on April 22.

The newly built apartments located in Lagos, is an all en-suite three-bedroom apartment situated at a serene and breezy location in the heart of the Lekki axis. Painted in the appealing Maltina brand colours, the apartments, consist of a tastefully designed kitchen, three fully equipped bathrooms with bath tubs and four toilets. The flooring of the compound was done with interlocking stones.

The impressive interior of the exquisitely furnished living room consists of a beautifully designed sofa settee, a brand new 50 inch plasma screen TV accompanied with a fully loaded home theatre system, and an already installed DSTV satellite dish and split unit air-conditioners. The tastefully finished dining room consists of a four-seater dining set.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

43

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

G8 foreign ministers seek support for Global Fund • Okay reform agenda

T

HEG 8 Foreign Ministers are seeking new donors for the Global Fund’s life-saving

work.

They endorsed major reforms to strengthen its management and financial oversight.

In a statement from Geneva, Switzerland, Global Fund (GF) said the ministers, who met in Washington, United States (US) urged existing donors to meet their pledges and support.

“They also appealed to implementing countries to show leadership in taking on health challenges,” the statement said.

It added: “The G8 supports the call for an AIDS-free generation and efforts to achieve universal access to prevention, treatment, care, and support with respect to HIV/AIDS. The G8 renews and recommits to supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria on the 10th anniversary of its establishment and as the Fund adopts a comprehensive reform agenda.”

“The G8 encourages all donors to meet their pledges, calls upon new donors to join our common efforts to support the Fund, and requests that implementing countries redouble their support for shared responsibility through increased leadership and financing in ad-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha and Wale Adepoju

dressing these critical health challenges.”

The G8 also reaffirmed a commitment to “global efforts to improve maternal, new-born, and child health in developing countries.”

The three diseases take a heavy toll on children. For example, more than 85 per cent of all malaria deaths were children under the age of five. Every year, 400,000 babies are born with HIV-virus.

Its General Manager, Gabriel Jaramillo, who has overseen accelerated changes, focused on a transformation of grant management with simpler procedures that make it easier to access funding and facilitate operations in the field.

He said: “We are delighted by the statement of strong support for the Global Fund by G8 Foreign Ministers. We are committed to do even better what we already do best, which is to save lives.

“We want to assure all our donors that taxpayer money is being handled carefully and effectively to achieve the best possible results.”

Meanwhile, GF has welcomed $340 million contribution by Japan, saying it was the highest contribution ever by the country regarded as the leading supporter of the GF in 10 years.

US reiterates commitment to health care

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HE United States (US) has executed programmes worth $0.5billion through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC), among others, to ensure access to medical facilities in Nigeria, its Consul-General, Joseph Stafford, has said.

He said the US government’s main priority was promoting good health worldwide.

Stafford, who spoke at the Grand Health Bazaar of Live Well Initiative (LWI) entitled: Health and wealth partnership at the next level, said the US government has been helping to prevent malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases and ensuring reproductive health.

He said most of the US government’s assistance to Nigeria was in

By Wale Adepoju

public health, adding that he was glad with the commitment of partners from Nigeria on the combating public health issues of the people.

He said: “In combating HIV and AIDS, the US military is engaging its Nigeria counterparts to combat the disease.”

He said his visits to the Southern part of the country has given him an opportunity to reach hospitals and clinics and seen how the people are benefiting from the US government-assisted programme through its agencies.

He said also the US government will continue to support the country to promote good health. “Promoting healthy population is informed by good health care,” he added.

•Managing Director, Clearline Health Management Organisation (HMO), Dr Segun Ogundimu, addressing participants during the health service providers’meeting in Lagos. Lisenting are the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) representative, Mrs Evelyn Olokun (left) and Dr Omololu Odukunle.

It said: “Japan is making its first payment of US$ 216 million for its 2012 contribution. It has always been a leader in the fight against disease, but this is a great vote of confidence in our commitment to saving lives.”

Jaramillo said: “We recognise Japan’s determination to see real advances in global health, and we are equally determined to deliver.

“This new contribution represents a significant increase over Japan’s previous highest contribu-

tion of US$ 246 million in 2010. In 2011, Japan’s contribution was reduced to US $114 million following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeast Japan in March of last year, but this new contribution demonstrates that Japan’s commitment to the Global Fund remains steadfast.”

Former Prime Minister Naoto Kan had announced in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that the country would contribute US $340 mil-

lion as part of its pledge of US$ 800 million to the Global Fund announced at the third Replenishment Conference in 2010.

Japan’s leadership in the Global Fund began when a summit of G8 nations called for the creation of such a global financing organisation in 2000 in Okinawa, Japan.

The contribution received this week raises Japan’s contributions to the Global Fund to more than US$ 1.6 billion since its creation in 2002.

Stakeholders push for local vaccines’ production

T

HE Federal Government has been urged to facilitate local production of vaccines to enhance access to children’s vaccination.

In a communiqué issuedat the end of the National Vaccine summit in Abuja, participants said that would go a long way to assist Nigeria in its self-reliance drive.

The communiqué reads in part: “Call on the government as a matter of urgency to facilitate and support local production of vaccines for the long-term in the spirit of selfreliance and sustainable Supply of the needed vaccine.”

“Continue to support immunisation as a priority public health intervention and ongoing efforts to further improve immunisation coverage to levels required to significantly bring down unacceptably high childhood deaths

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

and accelerate progress towards MDG4”.

The forum also called on political leaders, community, civil society and private sector leaders and other decision makers to strengthen collaboration and partnerships to scale up proven interventions to improve immunisation coverage.

“Advocate for greater synergy between the ongoing intensified effort to interrupt poliovirus transmission, introduction of latest generation vaccines and improving of routine immunisation coverage in the context of overall strengthening of the Primary Health care delivery system.

“Advocate to Political leaders, private sector leaders, community leaders and other decision makers to increase

funding on a sustainable basis to ensure adequate and timely procurement of vaccines as well as the effective delivery and uptake of these vaccines in all communities in Nigeria.

“Adopt the “Call to Action”: As a respected member of the community, you can adopt your local facility and support its accountability mechanisms to enable it to serve the community more effectively. The tools for basic diagnostics, documenting, reporting and sharing will be made available,” it added.

While encouraging peer review among states for adoption of best practices, the forum called on the government to support development of other cost-effective measures in health beyond immunisation that will contribute to the improvement of maternal and child survival.

Stanbic, varsity, USAID partner on health care manpower

S

TANBIC IBTC Bank is partnering the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Covenant University to build leadership and accountability into the nation’s health system known as PLAN-Health.

Last week, it organised a sixweek health professionals’ fellowship programme to foster sustainable change in the nation’s health sector.

In a statement, it said: “PLANHealth is implemented globally

by Management Sciences for Health (MSH), and funded by USAID through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

(PEPFAR), to improve leadership, management and technical capacities of selected professionals in the health sector.

At the closing ceremony of the programme at the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, itsViceChancellor, Prof Aize Obayan, said the institution was proud to partner with the bank to support the development of health practitioners to reinforce the health system.

She said the programme’s aim is to improve participants’ knowledge and skills on leadership and management, project

management, HIV/AIDS response, information technology and improve attitude to health service delivery.

On her part, Mrs. Morin Adeyemi, Head, Corporate Social Investment (CSI) of the bank, reiterated the bank’s interest and commitment to facilitate a better future for the country.

“As an institution that is in Nigeria for the long run, we are very committed to enabling the country achieve its developmental aspirations. Education and health care remain key pillars of CSI and we feel really honoured to have partnered with MSH on this programme,” she stated. She

urged the graduating Fellows to deploy skills acquired at the programme to make an impact on their organisations and the communities in which they operate.

Country Director, Management Sciences for Health (MSH), Dr. Barry Smith, said the programme is one with many firsts, including being the first recipient of funding outside of USAID. “We thank the management of the bank for this exemplary gesture. We look forward to having more of its kind in the future,” he said.

Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr

Ademola Onakomaiya, said the programme would provide an opportunity to enhance the ability of cohorts to overcome challenges encountered in their various health care departments. “As we bring this programme to an end, it is our hope that the knowledge gained and lessons learned as well as experiences shared will be of immense help to professionals that have participated in the programme,” he said.

Participants at the event included medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, programme managers, policy makers and civil society organisations (CSOs) from Abuja.

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

HEALTH

‘40 million Nigerians are hypertensive’ N

O fewer than 40 million Nigerians are hypertensive, a physiologist, Prof Ayodele Soladoye, has said.

Soladoye, who spoke at the 104th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin, said seven billion people are hypertensive worldwide.

In a lecture entitled: Physiology of

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the human heart and blood pressure: The survival game, Soladoye recommended regular blood pressure check for those above 40.

He said: “To promote healthy cardiac, people should cultivate a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition and

regular aerobic exercise.

“I wish to appeal for substantial funding that will ensure state of the art physiology equipment stock for teaching and research, which is moving into the molecular level. Government should consider funding

the establishment of well-equipped physiology laboratory in geo-political areas to keep pace with advancement in the field of physiology.

“Incentives should be provided to attract physicians back into the physiology profession as was pre-

viously practised by the founding fathers. Physiology departments should undertake regular awareness programmes or open days that will bring town and gown together for informal education of the public on the discipline of physiology.”

Kwara lawmakers okay family planning

T

HE Kwara State House of Assembly has promised support for safe family planning and child-spacing.

It said family planning and child spacing projects would be given priority in the next budget.

Its Speaker, Razak Atunwa, gave the pledge while hosting members of Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) in his office.

Atunwa added that government’s intention under the Vision 20: 2020 may not be achieved without due considerations for family planning and child-spacing.

He promised to urge members of the assembly’s Committee on Finance and Appropriation to liaise with relevant agencies in ensuring the inclusion of the two issues in subsequent budgets in the state.

The speaker noted that avail-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

able statistics on maternal health, reveal that only one in five pregnancies in Nigeria is unwanted, adding that it is also alarming that about 529,000 women die from pregnancy-related cases in the country and appealed to members of NUHRI to go into the rural areas ensure that the people at the grassroots benefit from the organisation’s programmes.

Earlier, the state’s ex-permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Funmilayo Ambali, who represented NUHRI’s chairman during the visit, expressed grave concern over the prevalence of maternal mortality and morbidity in the country and appealed to stakeholders to support the call for sound health for mothers and a well-planned family life.

Ogun creates awareness for diarrhoea eradication • Task force urged to stamp out polio

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HE Ogun State government has embarked on sensitisation on the use of zincfant (Zinc) in the treatment of diarrhoea, especially among children under five.

In a statement, the state Primary Health Care Development Board Press Officer, Waliyat Odemakin, said the programme, which started as a pilot scheme in Remo North and Odeda Local Government Area, has reached about 2,000 people.

The Director, Primary Health Care in the state, Dr Kafayat Lawal, told reporters that diarrhea contributes 16 per cent to child deaths in the country.

She maintained that the detection and intervention with zinc and oral rehydration remain the best solution to the attack of diarrhea in children and prevention of deaths associated with it.

She added that it is the loss of fluid that kills children suffering from the disease and that the management and treatment of the disease should focus on prevention, administration of zinc and replacement of fluid through quick and steady rehydration.

He described zinc tablet as a blue, white metallic element taht can reduce the duration, severity and recurrence of diarrhoea.

According to her, zinc plays a major role in cellular growth and improves the immune system of children and that this serves as catalyst against childhood infections including diarrhea.

“The use of zinc has been found safe and effective and it requires less technical and medical experience to apply with no side effect from now,” Lawal added.

She said the sensitisation would help to create awareness for people to avail themselves the opportunity of the health benefit on the new trend in the management of diarrhea.

She emphasised on the need to

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

pay more attention to nutritional needs and diets of children, immunisation schedule, exclusive breast feeding and inculcate hand washing habit before and after preparation of food for children.

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated task force on polio eradication in Ogun State have been urged to partner with the government to achieve qualitative health delivery as contained in the health agenda of the state.

The state Commissioner for Health and the Chairman, Special Task Force on Polio Eradication, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, said this at the inaugural meeting of the task force in Abeokuta.

Soyinka, who underscored the need to involve relevant agencies, organisations and people, added that adequate resources should be pooled together to achieve the set target of eradicating polio.

“Strengthening of routine immunisation and other supplementary immunisation is the ultimate so that eligible children would be adequately covered and protected against polio and other childhood killer diseases”, the Commissioner said.

He said the task force needed to swing into action through effective publicity, awareness creation and social mobilisation within and outside their organisations, saying they must to take into cognisance before and after-implementation process data gathering and collection of immunisation as reference point in their work plan.

He urged them to always come up with useful ideas, contributions and suggestions on how best to go about combating the disease in the state.

•HIMAN National Public Relations Officer, Mr Adio Rasaq; National Secretary, Mr Kayode Adepoju Ajayi and Mr Mustapha Daodu, at the event.

Group calls for e-health records keeping

H

EALTH Information Managers Association of Nigeria (HIMAN) has called for the implementation of electronic health (e-health) record keeping to enhance quality health care.

According to its President, Mr Wole Ajayi, electronic health record gives physicians, patients and other health care providers’ access to patient’s medical record facilities.

He, however, said the proposed Health Bill, which was about to be signed by Mr President, is aimed at providing a framework for standardisation and regulation of health services, may not be favourably disposed to health record.

He said it failed to cover the stat-

By Wale Adepoju

ute of limitation on the retention of hospital and clinical records.

“For example, lack of space to keep document may make facilities destroy some of the patients’ records. This will definitely affect the disposition and destruction of records,” he said.

He said despite global transformation from manual health record keeping to her dependency on manual record keeping was still being encouraged to large extent in the country.

He said paper-based record keeping system was the most common method of recording patient information in most hospitals. “Many physicians still find their ease of data entry hard to

part with. Manual recording may be easy but it requires large amount of storage compared to digital records.

“When paper records are stored in different location, collecting them to a single location for review by health care providers is time consuming and complicated, but this process can be simplified with erecords,” he said.

He further said e-health record eliminates the problem of illegibility due to bad handwriting.

“Also, unlike manual system that requires space to store hard copies of patients’record, the EHR doesn’t. It also facilitates exchange of data and saves time and prevents physical strain on the patients,” he added.

•From left: Deputy Director, Regulatory Affairs, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Mrs Ogochukwu Mainasara; Director, Ports Inspectorate Mr Segiru Momodu Segiru and DirectorGeneral Dr Paul Orhii, during a briefing on the survey of counterfeit and fake drugs in the pharmaceutical market.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

What causes hypertension Though the exact causes of hypertension are usually unknown, there are several factors that have been highly associated with the condition. These include: • Smoking • Obesity or being overweight • Diabetes • Sedentary lifestyle • Lack of physical activity

• High levels of salt intake (sodium sensitivity) • Insufficient calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption • Vitamin D deficiency • High levels of alcohol consumption • Stress • Aging • Medicines such as birth control

pills • Genetics and a family history of hypertension • Chronic kidney disease • Adrenal and thyroid problems or tumors.

Statistics in the United States indicate that African Americans have a higher incidence of hypertension than other ethnicities.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

45

COKER/AGUDA LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA

COKER/AGUDA LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREA

SURULERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT Secretariat: 19/29 Thomas Animashaun Street, Aguda Surulere INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE COMMITTEE OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

SURULERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT Secretariat: 19/29 Thomas Animashaun Street, Aguda Surulere

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

COKER/AGUDA LCDA

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Following the law that prescribed the levies that may be collected by Local Government Council/Local Council Development Authorities; as stated in schedule IV of the constitution and as enacted by the Law of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Internally Generated Revenue Committee on behalf of the Government of Coker/Aguda LCDA hereby invite interested and reputable contractors to tender for appointment as agents for the following revenue description: Category a. Approved Open Market Levy b. Licensing for the sales of Liquor i.

Hotels/clubs ii. Beer parlour/liquor stall

PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES The Coker/Aguda Local Council Development Area of Surulere Local Government has the following projects and programmes for exexution without delay. The public is therefore hereby notified for the purpose of “Expression of Interest”.

1.

c. Motor Park Levy i.

Luxury Buses ii. Other buses iii. Okada (Motorcycle) iv. Taxis v.

Marwa (Tricycle vi. Long Vehicles d. Daily i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

iv Repair of damaged parts of the drainage at Thomas Animashaun Street v. Repair/part-surfacing of Thomas Animashaun Street vi. Resurfacing of Council Secretariat vii Re-designing/reconstruction of entrances to: (a) Thomas Animashaun Street (b) The Council Secretariat

tolls Okada (Motorcycle) Marwa (Tricycle) Buses Carts Trailers/Trucks Luxury buses

e. Parking on local Government Roads f. Public Convenience, Sewage & Refuse Disposal g. Domestic Animal Licence h. Entertainment & Merriment permit i. Street Naming Registration & Renewal BIDS REQUIREMENT 1. Evidence of registration with the Corporate Affair Commission (CAC) 2. Evidence of registration with Coker/Aguda LCDA 3. Evidence of company Profile including Profile of key personnel 4. Tax Clearance of Company Directors 5. Reference Letter Bank/Leader of the Community 6. Evidence of previous experience (Must have similar experience in the area of interest ) 7. VAT Registration 8. Evidence of Community Social Responsibility (if any) COLLECTION AND SUBMISSION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS i.

The tender for the bid will be opened effectively from 23rd April 2012 at the office of the Chairman, Internally Generated Revenue, Coker/Aguda LCDA, 19 Thomas Animashaun Street, Aguda, upon a non refundable payment of N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira Only) ii.

The fully completed tender documents should be returned to the same office by not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this publication. iii The tender documents must be submitted in a sealed envelop clearly marked

Viii Installation of CCTV at the Council Secretariat ix. Completion of blocks of classrooms at: (a) Sanya Primary School (b) Canal Primary School (c) L.A Primary School x. Construction/Management of Model Public Toilet at ten (10) locations xi. Supply of Branded Exercise books xii. Supply of Branded School Uniforms

B. Consultancy (i) Project Management Consultant (PMC) The PMC will be expected to function effectively on Total Quality Assurance for all our proposed and on-going physical and infrastructural development projects in the LCDA Basic Qualification: In addition to other specifications below, the PMC must be a registered member of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planning, membership of other relevant professional bodies will be an added advantage (ii)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consultant The CSR consultant is expected to serve perfectly as an interface between the corporate world and the LCDA Basic Qualification: Membership of NIPR could be an added advantage.

2.

General Requirement A and B i.

Certificate of Incorporation ii.

Corporate profile iii.

Evidence of three (3) years tax payment iv.

Registration as Contractor/Consultant with LASG and Coker/Aguda LCDA v.

Corroborative evidence(s) regarding capability vi.

Performance bond from banker (where applicable) vii.

Payment of non-refundable fee of Ten Thousand Naira (10,000.00) to Coker/Aguda LCDA

3.

Basic Details of projects and programmes i.

Prospective Contractors are to liaise with the Council Engineer for Specifications. ii.

Consultant may liaise with the Council Manager for further details

4.

Submission of Documents All correspondence to be addressed to:

• REVENUE BID DOCUMENT NOTE: 1.

This advertisement is not a commitment on the part of Coker/Aguda LCDA nor shall it entitle companies to make any claims whatsoever from the said Office or LCDA 2.

The IGR Committee reserve the right to vet any claim. Any false claim shall be a ground for disqualification 3.

Full bidding procedure shall only be applied to contractors that have been found to be capable of executing the projects 4.

Contractors with good performance in previous projects have an added advantage 5.

The IGR Committee reserve the right to cancel the proceeding at any stage in the public interest without incurring any liability to any company 6.

Payment should be made directly to: ACCESS BANK PLC Acct. Name: Coker/Aguda LCDA Acct Nos: 0000258007

A Projects i Renovation of PHC, Aguda ii Construction of Customary Court/Area Office building, Orile-Iganmu iii Construction of box culverts at a) Alhaji Shittu Street b) Towolawi Street c) Imam Memudu Street d) Akinyele/Samuel Omotara

The Executive Chairman Coker/Aguda LCDA 19/29 Thomas Animashaun Street, Aguda, Surulere To reach him (in sealed envelopes) not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this publication.

Note: the Local Council reserves the prerogative of acceptance or rejection of any proposal please.

46

MOTORING THE NATION

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

0803-4693-984 tajudeen1423@yahoo.co.uk

email:- tajudeen1423@yahoo.co.uk

F

OR a whole week, Lagosians were dazzled with various fleets of snobbish cars, amazing buses and craggy trailers.

Courtesy of the seventh Lagos Motor Fair, this provided opportunity for auto lovers who thronged the ‘State of Aquatic Spledour’ to have a feel of the latest in the automobile world.

Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, the usual host of the yearly event since 1996 was a beehive since Wednesday when the fair commenced.

Unlike previous editions, this year’s episode, jointly organised

by BKG Exhibitions Limited of Nigeria and SENEXPO International Fairs Inc of Istanbul, Turkey, was not limited to auto fair, it also paraded spare parts from their original makers.

Several automobile manufacturers tried outsmarting one another during exhibitions.

The unique ways they designed their stands said it all.

Enter PAN Nigeria, producers and distributors of Peugeot brands to Toyota Nigeria Limited, marketers of Toyota brands; CFAO Group, distributors of Nissan and Mitsubishi brands; Kia brands from Dana Motors; National Trucks Manufacturers [NTM] with Qungqi brands; Leyland Busan, Deano Golf Warehouse Limited and, Boulous Enterprises Limited, dealers and distributors of Haojue Elegant Motorcycles and Piaggio Tricycles.

The days of the fair were laced with lots of crowd pulling fun and side attractions. Though, the turnout was low but visitors and exhibitors at the fair experienced fun-filled activities.

This was part of the promises of the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited Mr Ifeanyichukwu Agwu prior to the commencement of the fair.

Agwu said at a media parley with Motoring Correspondents that the fair will be a landmark and a benchmark in auto show business in sub-Saharan Africa.

Said he: “It’s going to be a bumper harvest for the expected over 100,000, visitors their socioeconomic status notwithstanding; every visitor would gain one thing or the other at the fair as we have ensured that almost the interests of all segments of the society are adequately catered for at the fair”.

It is doubtful if the ‘expected over 100, 000 visitors’ were achieved throughout the seven days event but BKG has widen the concept of the fair with its partnership with Turkey-based SENEXPO. Some of the visitors attributed the poor turnout to inadequate publicity.

For an event like this with international flavour, those who spoke with The Nation believed Continued on page 47

•Toyota (Nigeria) Limited exhibiting its brands

As expected, foreign companies and their local counterparts in the automobile industry lit up the main bowl of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos for the seventh edition of the Lagos Motor Fair. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports.

As Lagos Motor Fair winds up

•Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Board Chairman Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun (second right) listened as PAN Nigeria Head, Marketing, Strategy and Planning Mobolaji Olajide explained features of the new ALSVIN unveiled at the fair. with them are PAN Acting Group Head, Commercial Alhaji Umar Abubakar (second left) and IGI Chairman Mr Remi Olowude

p

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

47

MOTORING Continued from page 46 publicity plays a key role in achieving desired results.

“I read newspapers regularly but I hardly come across it. One expects placements of advertorials in the major if not all newspapers especially the down side of the front page. This will go a long way in publicising the event,” said Abiodun Alabi, a businessman.

Notwithstanding, Alabi gave a thumb to the organizer for the initiative.

Mrs Nkechi Johnson, a banker who came with her husband also decried the level of publicity.

The organisers, Mrs Johnson said, need to make use cable channels.

“The attention is drifting towards that line now may be because of these foreign leagues, Nigerians, Lagosians in particular hardly watch local channels and if they will do, they watch it on DSTV, Startimes and rest of others. Let the organisers look towards that direction in subsequent editions,” she said.

“My friend informed me,” George Anwuzie replied The Nation.

“But I do not regret following him down here. We were expected to catch up with some of our other friends before he told me he was coming. I nearly rebuffed him but just decided to give it a trial and I’m happy taking that decision. How come something big like this is happening in my domain and I’m aware,” Anwuzie, a spare part dealer said.

Agwu hailed the participants for defying all odds to be there.

This, he said, shows that you are the real giants in the industry.

According to him, coming this far has not been easy.

“We are yet to reach the desired destination but we are matching on steadily. The challenges are daunting; the journey seems to be getting farer than envisaged and we are marching on steadily,” he said.

‘Lagos has 20 per cent of nation’s automobile’

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AGOS State Governor Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN) has disclosed that the state, being the most urbanised and commercial nerve of Nigeria has about 20 per cent of the nations’ automobile.

Fashola said this at the weekend during the opening ceremony of the seventh Lagos Motor Fair at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan Lagos.

Represented by his Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa, the governor praised the courage of BKG, the organisers of the fair for its consistency “The Lagos motor fair has become a yearly event. The past six editions had been a tremendous success and I believe this year’s own would not be an exception. I thank the chairman and the organising committee of this yearly forum for being able to organise this fair.

“This yearly forum, he said, is to showcase latest products and services in the automotive and road transport industry to keep Lagosians and Nigerians abreast of global trends. As a responsible people’s government, we are partnering with the private sector to ensure the free movement of goods and personnel in lagos roads. We have embarked in massive constructions and reconstruction of roads in all the local governments and local council developments areas of the state. This is to ensure smooth running of our vehicles on the roads and in essence ensure longer life span of our vehicles”.

According to the governor, the Lagos – Badagry road is being expanded to allow more vehicles make use of it without the stress now being experienced by commuters on the road.

“It is first of its kind in Africa with a provision for BRT lane and the Lagos lite rail. The second phase of this project has been awarded and the contract has moved to site. With the completion of this road, the traffic gridlock being experienced by commuters on this road shall

•••Fashola hails Motor fair organisers

•From left: Mr Ilker Yildrim; Mr Burak Balkan from Turkey’s Ministry of Economy; Comrade Opeifa; Agwu and Mr Andrew Ajuyah of Toyota

•Some foreign participants taking pictures at the fair

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

become a thing of the past. Our heavy investments in providing necessary infrastructural facilities on the roads, traffic management and provision of safety road signs is to further ensure the growth in our economy to improve on the standard of living of the people and ensure longer life span of not only our vehicles but of also our people.

We are a caring government.

“Our administration is also partnering with the organised private sector in providing modern and better means of

transportation for Lagosians.

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is owned 100 per cent by the private sector. These are modern and cheaper means of ferrying commuters from one place to another. It is safer, cheaper and faster. I implore our people to continue to make good use of them,” he said.

Fashola said his administration is determined to ensure safety of travellers either on the road, rail, water or in the air.

“Safety is our watch word.

Whether we travel by air, water or road, whether we utilize the

DRIVING TIPS

Warranty in auto industry: Any guarantee?

•Continued from last week

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UR warranty is so called because it is infected by a virus which is transmitted by some stakeholders, which inhibits the growth of a potentially dynamic industry. This, to say the least, is disturbing.

However, our auto warranty system is capable of gaining full health and I am positive it could rise above the current challenges. I dare say that the stakeholders who could guarantee a positive turn-around are: automobile owners, distributors, marketers, government agencies, and the automobile media. We all need to work assiduously to ensure that our warranty system rises to meet auto buyers’ needs, and respects manufacturers’ instructions.

Automobile owners need to ask more questions about warranty and never leave anything to assumptions.

Questions should focus on the particularity of parts, labour and all other expenses. You need to know from the beginning, how the auto company intends to handle your warranty claims. Study how it has handled cases in the past and choose the company to buy cars from, based on the guarantee of genuine warranty. If you spend

millions of Naira to purchase a vehicle, better to stay with the auto distributor whose warranty will deliver the peace of mind.

Automobile distributors and marketers in Nigeria need to be more proactive and dynamic on warranty claims and this should show in their service delivery, marketing and communication. Where there is a manufacturers’ warranty, the list of parts involved should be countable enough to be listed at the reception of the aftersales department. This should be a starting point towards ensuring honesty, fidelity and the delivery of the peace of mind that should come with a brand new vehicle. Salespeople and aftersales staffs need to be specially trained on the nature and handling of warranty. They need to enlighten the motoring public on their warranty offers and expand such offers to include: Exclusionary warranty which covers 500 – 1000 items.

Mechanical breakdown warranty – covers only mechanical parts of the car for a minimum.

Bumper to Bumper warranty - a comprehensive warranty that covers virtually all parts, systems, and components of your vehicle for a period of time or mileage. The most common

arrangement is that the manufacturer will pay for the cost of all appropriate repairs and labour for up to 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Powertrain warranty– 5 - 10 years, or even lifetime warranty on the main engine, drive axles, transmission, and other vital components and systems of your vehicle.

Wear and tear warranty – covers a minimum period of 10 years Partial Warranty - covers 5 – 20 items over a minimum period of 1 year Government agencies such as the National Automotive Council and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria need to beam their searchlights on the warranty side of the automobile industry. They should ensure that all new vehicles that are imported into the country are backed by genuine warranty and that the distributors are capable of delivering on warranty claims. They should set up the mechanism for weeding out exploitative, dishonest and dubious marketers who cannot guarantee warranty in the automobile industry.

The activities of the Guild of Motoring Correspondents in the past are commendable. The Guild has shown that it is capable of raising standards and overthrowing mediocrity in the

Dr Oscar Odiboh automobile industry. However, the group needs to do more, especially in the area of automobile warranty. Your pens should flow ceaselessly and fearlessly where warranty is abused, where Nigerians are denied the benefit of automobile recalls and where companies refuse to publicly admit glaring product errors. In the business of writing positively for the motoring public, auto correspondents have nothing to lose. Automobile companies may come and go but the auto journalist remains the standard bearer of the industry. Keep up the good work.

public transport or in our private pleasurable vehicles, some of which we would be showcasing here at the fair, we all want to be safe while travelling. To this extent, therefore, the state government had been putting investment on public road safety on the front burners. In this regard, road safety awareness programmes are been to the garages and motor parks, print and electronic media, through jingles, etc, to mention but a few,” said he.

Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited Mr Ifeanyichukwu Agwu said the event was in line with the promise at the maiden edition to showcase the abundant potentials in Nigeria’s automotive sector.

Agwu said “Through continuous efforts and resolve, we have been working out effective strategies to surmount them so as to give this event the kind of quality and glamour that is capable of using its contributions to leapfrog the development of Nigeria’s automotive sector. It is our desire and dream with the support of other stakeholders and the government to give the automobile industry in Nigeria international recognition and acceptance; so as to position it for greater global competitiveness with the attendant benefits.

“We always have it at the back of our minds that hosting world class auto shows in Nigeria is one of the ingredients that would fast track the development of Nigeria’s automotive industry; this informed our recent move to partner with reputable global fairs and exhibitions companies, the outcome of one of which is visible in this edition.

“Strategically we are laying a little more emphasis on the Spare Parts sector in this edition. In conjunction with our foreign partners: SENEXPO International Fairs Inc of Turkey, we have brought in reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers of auto spare parts [OEM’s] across the world to participate in this edition.

This is as a result of our guided intention to promote the development of a virile spare parts sub-sector to service the evolving auto manufacturing sector with the attendant multiplier effects on the economy of the nation.

“Another key aim of bringing these OEM’s to Lagos which is the hub of automotive business in West Africa is to enable Nigerians and neighbouring West Africans engaged in auto spare business work out rewarding and lasting business relationships with the main companies engaged in the manufacture of auto spare parts”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

48 PUBLIC NOTICE COVENANT HEIRS MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above mentioned church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990 Part C. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Anthony Olugbenga Jesuloluwa 2. Mrs. Kehinde Ogunnaike 3. Bro. A. Oyebajo Aims and Objectives 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To establish local churches for the propagation of the gospel in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and elsewhere.

Any objection to the above should be forwarded to the registrar General corporate affairs commission, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Barr. Seyi Emmanuel 08023854441

PUBLIC NOTICE

SPACE FOR SALE PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, formerly known and addressed as miss.Ughah Chikamnele Nwamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Anthony-Clever Chikamnele Nwamaka.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Clever Anthony Akpomudje , and Clever Anthony Obi, now wish to be known and addressed as Clever Anthony Obinna.

General public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

MOSEBOLATITAN I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayeni Mary Mosebolatitan, now wish to be known and addreessed as Mrs. Oyebamiji Ayeni Mary. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Water Corporation and general public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE NWOGU I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOGU VIVIAN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SUNNY OBINNA VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLADELE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLADELE BOLANLE BISOYE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MAKINDE BOLANLE BISOYE . All former

documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IKEOTUONYE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. IKEOTUONYE ADAOBI JANE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UKWU ADAOBI JANE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

SPACE FOR SALE

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

49

ENERGY THE NATION

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Shell to invest $30b in capital projects Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

•Peter Voser

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HE Anglo-Dutch Shell has said it will make a net capital investment of about $30 billion in 2012 and 80 per cent of this budget would go to its oil and gas exploration and production (E&P)projects to bolster energy supplies.

The company disclosed this in its 2011 Sustainability Report adding that “as new projects come onstream over the next six to seven years, we expect our production to rise to four million barrels of oil equivalent a day (boe/d), up 25 per cent from 2011.”

The report also emphasis ed Shell’s commitment to tackling environmental issues and supporting communities where the company operates.

The report said: “As we deliver growth, our business strategy supports our contribution to addressing global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions: supplying more natural gas for electricity generation, helping to develop carbon capture and storage, producing low-carbon biofuel for road transport, and working to improve energy efficiency in our operations.

“The quickest, most affordable way to tackle the challenge of meeting rising energy demand with lower CO2 emissions is to replace coal with natural gas in power generation. We expect natural gas to account for more than half of our

upstream production in 2012, and to continue to grow in the coming years.”

On technology and innovation, Shell said investing in the research and development (R&D) of advanced technologies continues to be central to its strategy adding that as it moves into more remote locations and develop increasingly challenging resources, innovative technologies would help it deliver energy to its customers.

Shell said: “In 2011, we spent $1.1 billion on R&D, more than any other international oil and gas company. Over the last five years we have spent $2.3 billion on developing alternative energies, carbon capture and storage, and on other CO2 R&D. We are also investing in the major Raízen joint venture, our first involvement in the production of low-carbon biofuels.

“Our work with other companies and research institutions on advanced biofuels from non-food sources is part of our development of future energy technologies. We also continue to work on finding new ways to improve energy efficiency in our operations through advanced technologies.”

On safety and standards, the company said that all of its employees and contractors, including those at the joint ventures it operates, are required to act in accordance with the Shell Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Social Performance (HSSE & SP) Control Framework. It said that this defines standards and accountabilities for HSSE & SP at every level in our organisation. We have comprehensive assurance processes in place to monitor compliance.

“We design, operate, inspect and maintain our equipment with safety as the top priority. The people who run our facilities are responsible for ensuring the safety and reliability of our operations. Shell has invested $6 billion in a programme to improve the safety of our oil and gas

Lagos sensitises residents on use of cooking gas O popularise use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or cooking gas in the state, the Lagos State Government has flagged off campaign on the product by inaugurating sensitisation road shows in all the local government areas of the state.

The government in collaboration with other stakeholders such as the LPG group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) intends to use the initiative to deepen LPG consumption and reduce reliance on kerosene and firewood as sources of energy.

At the inauguration at Oshodi/ Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofiq Tijani, who stood in for the governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), said one of the cardinal objectives of the road shows is to create awareness among residents at the grassroots on the need to make LPG the fuel of choice in the state.

Tijani said: “Today, as we have been doing in the past few days, we try to sensitise all sections of people in Lagos to know that LPG is going

T

By Bidemi Bakare

to be the fuel of choice and that we will make it available to the people for them to switch from whatever they are using to LPG.” He stated that the sensitisation would help change the erroneous perception that LPG is elitist commodity and unaffordable by the common people, a condition that has made the product less popular and acceptable.

“We must understand that it is cheaper to use LPG for cooking than kerosene unlike the widespread notion that it is expensive and elitist. While a family would use nothing less than a N1, 000 to buy kerosene in a week, the same cannot be said of another family that uses cooking gas and spends as low as N600 for the same week. So the whole perception of LPG being elitist and expensive is quite untrue.

And that is why we need the sensitisation road shows to educate residents of the benefits they stand to gain when they use LPG,” he •Continued on page 51

production facilities since 2006. In 2011 alone we invested $1 billion in the safety and reliability of our refineries, chemical plants and distribution facilities “Being part of the communities in which we work means sharing benefits. We hire and buy services and products locally wherever possible. We spent around $12 billion in 2011 on goods and services from companies in countries with lower incomes.

On the Sustainability Report, Shell’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Voser, said: “2001 was a year of continued economic turbulence that once again showed how placing sustainable development at the core of our business decisions is the right approach. This means putting consideration for safety, the environment and communities at the centre of the steps we take to de-

sign, build and operate major energy projects. The energy we provide must be produced and delivered in the right way.

“Sustainability depends on our ability to build resilience into our plans and operations.We have to make sure Shell remains able to tackle future challenges so that we, in turn, can continue to make a positive contribution to society. We know that doing business responsibly helps us achieve this through greater productivity and by creating benefits for all. We can deliver our projects more effectively, increase production faster, supply our customers with products more efficiently, and create supply chains and jobs for local businesses. It is a situation where everyone wins.

“At Shell we believe that responsibly delivering cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy is the best contribution we can make today to a more stable world where economies can thrive. To do this we work with others including communities, other companies,

governments, consumers and nongovernmental organisations. But we know there is much work to do to meet the challenges of building a sustainable energy future.

“We believe transparency in our operations helps build trust. In Nigeria, for example, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) launched a website in 2011 that enables people to track details of oil spills at its facilities, whether from operations or due to sabotage or theft, and how it deals with them.

Nigeria faces many challenges. The best way to address them is a multiparty approach by government, communities, industry and others.

SPDC is ready to play a key role in such an approach.

Shell was a founding member of the UN Global Compact and we support its principles in human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. We are also a signatory to the Global Compact LEAD, which reinforces the commitment of business to these principles.”

•Oil platform

‘Oil firms should go beyond paying taxes, N indigenous oil and gas them so that you can operate in a royalties’ services firm, Treasure Envery peaceful atmosphere.

A

ergy Resources, has tasked foreign oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region to go beyond the payment of taxes and royalties to the government to ensure that adequate infrastructure were put in place to give meaning to the lives of people living in the region.

The company urged the Federal Government to support the development of undeveloped marginal fields if its aspiration to achieve 40 billion oil reserves would be realizable.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr Eddie Wikina, said that apart from paying taxes and royalties, international oil companies should also build roads, hospitals and other medical facilities, schools, water and electricity.

Wikina, who spoke with The Nation said what has always caused problems in the Niger Delta region was failure by international oil companies operating in the area to build necessary infrastructure in their host community.

By Ambrose Nnaji

Though Wikina agreed that it is the duty of the government to provide essential amenities to the people, he said corporate social responsibility demands that oil companies should find a way to do the things that benefit the host communities and also protect their environment.

He said: “When you work in a place and see that something is not going right, you should be responsible to find a way to correct what you see that is not right. They need to carry out their corporate social responsibility effectively, if for nothing else to buy peace, because failure to live up to their corporate social responsibilities had been responsible for the problems between them and their communities.

“If you really want to operate in somebody’s community and the community cries out that you don’t do things to help them, you have to do something to help

“They should work with the communities as partners in the business; listen to them on their concerns, they should have empathy, they should feel sorry for the trauma the people are undergoing as a result of the devastations that are being done in the region.”

He wondered why the oil companies should be enjoying all the necessities of life while the people from whom they take these resources live in abject poverty, polluted environment and with poor health facilities. They should do something to their communities as much as possible, he added.

He also challenged the Federal Government to put measures in place to support production from all the marginal oil fields if its aspiration of attaining 40 billion barrels oil reserves.

“Without aggressive exploitation of the marginal fields, the 40 billion oil barrels reserves may be unrealizable,” he added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

50

ENERGY

Total plans relief well to contain leakage T from oil field HIS is not the best of times for the French oil giant, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (TEPNL), as the company battles to contain gas leakage from it oil field located in oil mining lease (OML) 58, in Rivers State.

The company said production from the asset has been stopped and neighbouring production wells have been shut and secured and effort is being made to stop the gas flow the well quickly and permanently, which includes the drilling of a relief well.

The company also noted that every possible safety measure is being taken to ensure that the community people are duly protected from pollution by affected water or air. It said that the monitoring of the incident and other safety measures are jointly done with the communities and other agencies. Currently, the situation is under control and the environment has not

By Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

been impacted negatively and there have been no injuries, it added.

A statement by the company and signed by Francisca Makolo, said: “Operations are being actively prepared on the affected well to stop the gas flow quickly and permanently. Equipment is also being installed to recover the gas above ground and thereby limit its subsurface flow. A drilling rig is being brought in to drill a relief well and a second rig has been ordered.

“No significant evolution of the phenomenon has been observed.

However, a safety perimeter is maintained and communities are actively involved in the surveillance of the affected area. Surface

water flows are monitored every day by aerial and pedestrian surveys.

“As a preventive measure, domestic water wells are being analysed and air quality controls are conducted across the area, on a daily basis. Except for a specific well that has been fully secured, the analyses did not reveal any presence of hydrocarbons or toxic component.”

The company also confirmed that the incident happened during drilling operations on the same site, on March 20, adding that immediately after the event; a special task force was put in place with the support of well control experts.

The company had previously reported water and natural gas resurgences occurred on April 3, this

year in an uninhabited area close to the onshore Obite gas production facilities on the OML 58 in Rivers State, Nigeria and the phenomenon was as a result of a technical incident that occurred on March 20, this year on the Ibewa gas production site: a gas producing well (IBW16) was intersected during the drilling operations of a new well (OB127b), which resulted in gas flowing directly from the production well into intermediate geological layers.

During his trip to Nigeria for the inauguration of the Usan field, Christophe de Margerie, Chief Executive Officer of Total, held an interactive forum with the leaders and representatives of the Egi community in Port Harcourt on April 17 to express Total’s regrets and commitment to address the OML 58 situation in full cooperation and transparency.

The statement said: “Total E&P Nigeria’s teams will continue to

maintain regular contact with the nearby communities on containment measures which have already been deployed and are working with the communities, Government agencies and regulators.

“Since March 20, federal and local authorities have been informed of the evolution of the situation.

TEPNG reiterates its regrets regarding the trouble the situation has caused and will continue to communicate with stakeholders, including meetings and forums with the communities and regular briefing to the authorities. TEPNG thanks the neighboring communities for their cooperation and understanding of the situation. “ OML 58 is a concession operated

by Total E&P Nigeria Limited on behalf of the NNPC/Total joint venture in Ogba/Ndoni/Egbema Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers State.

Minister leads discussions at ESQ summit

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From left: Lateef Amosu, member, editorial team, ESQ Legal Practice Magazine, Lere Fashola; CEO, Legal Blitz, Publishers, ESQ Legal Practice Magazine and John Ehiguese, CEO, Mediacraft Associates, at the briefing for the ESQ Oil and Gas Summit in Lagos.

‘Allow states to generate power’

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ATHER than retaining power as an item in the exclusive list of the constituton, it would be beneficial to allow state governments as well as other private individuals to generate power outside what the grid can supply and get taxed for it, Director, National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (NCEEC), Prof.

Wole Adegbenro, has said.

The rule is that any individual, organisation or state government that generates above one megawatt (MW), should send the excess into the national grid. But Adegbenro is suggesting that instead of that, the government should allow such generation to run independently and tax every megawatt generated.

In an interview with The Nation in Lagos, Adegbenro noted that the provision that individuals and states must inject into the grid excess generation is not only impracticable, but also non-beneficial.

According to him, this is because this power retaining limit if not exceeded in practical terms, is almost being exceeded in theoretical terms daily.

“The whole idea of enforcing the injection of excess generation to the grid is quite defective. This is because whichever way we look at it, people generate more than IMW though it may not be on a spot.

Take, for instance, a state like Lagos consider the amount of generating sets residents and industries use daily and tell me whether power generated if put together would not be greater than 1MW.The fact remains that although the IMW limit may not have been exceeded in practical terms

By Bidemi Bakare

but it is exceeded theoretically. So, tell me is that approach not defeatist in the first place, he queried.”

He said it would have been better to have every generation outside what the grid supplies attracting taxation depending on the quantity of power, adding that this would have provided enormous earning potentials for the central government and reduce the pressure and demands on its shoulders.

On the justification for state to be allowed to provide power for its people,Adegbenro said this is what is obtainable in other civilised climes who are concerned about their people before any other interests.

He said: “I don’t really understand the reason for any debate on the issue of state providing power for its people. I believe if a state is in charge of its resources then it has to provide energy for its people. If a state is not able to provide energy for its people that means the state will be backward and would not be economically viable. I think the situation in the US is something we can take a cue from. Each state has the responsibility to provide energy for its people.

“States look at which energy is viable and they concentrate on it and make it available for the people. If we start that process then we will disengage from centralised power system whereby the Federal Government concentrates on providing power to all the states of the federation. This is obviously not feasible and sustainable. In

some states in the US they generate their power and send it to other states. We can copy this also. For example, if there is a state that has hydro resources it can generate its energy and sell to the neighbouring state who is unable to generate. It is done in Canada and US. Canada for instance sells power to some States in the US and not its central government. States that are contiguous to each other in Nigeria can act likewise.”

He admitted that formulating the right policies and making consistent constitutional changes would help address almost all the challenges that had bedeviled the power sector for so long.

“We are where are today because past governments and administrations were not able to stand up and take the best decisions for the country on policy formulation and constitutional changes in the power sector. Everybody was just busy considering what he thought was his stakes to protect,” he said.

On the privatisation of PHCN, Adegbenro requested the process be done in a strategic manner in the overall interest of the citizens and the country at large.

“The process I want to suggest shouldn’t be done hastily. It should be done in a strategic manner. For instance there should be a social welfare package to help cushion the effect of the exercise while more Ind e p e n d ent Power Plants (IPP) should also be built while PHCN is being disengaging gradually. It shouldn’t be in one fell sweep,” he added.

HE Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, will on May 9 lead a panel of energy, finance and legal experts in examining regulatory and business issues in oil and gas in Nigeria at the ESQ oil and gas summit with the theme‘Positioning for change.’

Speaking on the event at a briefing in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Legal Blitz, publishers of ESQ Legal Practice Magazine and organisers of the summit, Mr Lere Fashola, said the one-day conference presents a dynamic forum to promote strategies for open business model, business mentorship, collaborations, ideas and knowledge sharing among industry players and networking among companies.

He said: “By bringing together some of Nigeria’s leading oil and gas lawyers with seasoned experts in oil and gas, finance, insurance and other related services with a high level representation of government officials, decision makers and industry top players, this summit will deal with the perennial issues affecting the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and is a must attend for anyone doing or willing to do business in that sector.”

He said the summit has become necessary in the light of the recent wave of reforms in the oil and

gas industry in Nigeria, which experts have predicted, may lead to a major revolution in the sector. It will also discuss the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), proposed as a transformative piece of legislation that seeks to consolidate 16 different Nigerian Petroleum Laws into a single document establishing a new legal and regulatory framework as well as new institutions and regulatory authorities.

The PIB is expected to redefine the country’s relationship with international oil companies and investors, particularly in the areas of taxes and royalties. However, it remains to be seen whether the bill sufficiently addresses the key issues of funding, corruption and security, which are essential to boosting an under performing industry.

The forum will consist of well-researched paper presentations and case studies by leading experts in oil and gas, finance, insurance and the legal profession, with participation drawn from several countries including Nigeria, the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Speakers include Mr Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), former Minister of Petroleum Resources; Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board; Dr. David Ige, Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, NNPC; Jason Kerr, Partner, White & Case, UK; Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Executive Director, ExxonMobil.

Mobil Oil absolves self from fuel subsidy scam

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OBIL Oil Nigeria Plc, the downstream subsidiary of the ExxonMobil Company in Nigeria, has said it was not affected by the fuel subsidy scam unveiled by House of Representatives Ad hoc committee on Management of fuel subsidy.

The company’s Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Akin Fatunke, in a statement said: “Mobil Oil Nigeria plc is aware of media reports listing the company as one of the oil marketers who participated in the fuel subsidy scheme and refused to appear before the ad-hoc committee of the Nigerian House of Representatives on the monitoring of the subsidy regime.

“Mobil Oil Nigeria at no time was invited by the committee to appear before it. Mobil Oil Nigeria’s name was neither listed in the invitation published in national dailies by the committee on

January 13, 2012 nor did it receive any letter of invitation to appear before the committee. The media reports suggesting that Mobil Oil Nigeria refused to appear before the committee because it has something to hide are incorrect.

“Mobil Oil Nigeria stands ready to appear before the committee or any other agency of government should it be invited. Our company has fully cooperated with the investigation into operations of the fuel subsidy scheme conducted by the Senate and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The company also cooperated with Federal Inland Revenue Service’s (FIRS) review of the fuel subsidy scheme. In addition, as recently as November 2011, Mobil Oil Nigeria was invited and appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) for an interactive forum.

51

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

ENERGY

Deregulation is solution to oil subsidy fraud, T says Ihenacho HE Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, one of the oil marketing companies indicted in the fraudulent collection of unmerited subsidy totalling N241.247 billion, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, has condemned the allegations reported in major national newspapers as false and done in bad taste.

He noted that to permanently address the issue of allegations and counter allegations of fraud emanating from fuel importation and payment of subsidy, the downstream sector of the oil industry should be fully deregulated.

Ihenacho, at a briefing in Lagos, said his company refutes the allegations made in the report. He said all import transactions carried out by the company were transparently done and well-documented by the creditor banks.

He said: “We totally repudiate the substance of that report. Our company is not involved in any fraud of any sort and has not received any money that it is not entitled to. We are involved in the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency’s (PPPRA) Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) programme where we import petroleum products on behalf of government using monies that we have borrowed from the banks.

Each and every transaction that we do is well documented by the bank because the size of the funding involved is such that no firm can on their own find the resources to import the product and supply it in the market. What we do is that we tell the PPPRA our intention to import with a drawn template of all the cost that we will incur and afterwards take the template to the bank to give us a loan, which the

By Emeka Ugwuanyi Assistant Editor

bank obliges if it is satisfied.

“When we bring in the cargo, we discharge in our depots and sell at an amount less than the cost we bought it based on government‘s promise to refund us the difference.

‘He said that every transaction carried out by the company was well documented by the banks because his company cannot do import transaction without going to the bank, opening a letter of credit and the bank in turn making applications on its behalf to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He said there is no import that is not well accounted for adding that his company has not drawn any benefits at all from subsidy contrary to the report. The oil business, he said, is known to be very risky and we frequently make losses because we are refunded according to the template produced by the PPPRA, which does not fully capture the full range of rate that we run, for instance, the losses we incur when mother ship discharges to daughter vessel.

On the reason marketers continue to import even if they make losses, Ihenacho said The PPPRA has an arrangement where if it gives permission to import two or three cargoes over a given time, if for any reason you didn’t import it, the agency will not give you permission over the next period.

To that extent whether you make profit or loss, unless you want to stop completely, you must con-

tinue to import. That is the rule, so we do try to make sure we don’t make a loss but even if we make a loss, we still have to continue to perform or else in the next round of licensing, we will not get the licence to import, he added.

“However, we remain very active in as businessmen because we believe that it is our patriotic duty apart from the fact that we are in business, to continue to work with all government organs to ensure that we continue to supply petroleum products in the market because the economy of our country is dependent on the availability of transport to move goods, human beings and import. If we don’t import and there is shortage in the market, the economy is likely to ground to a halt.

“Apart from the fact that we try

to make profit out of it, we believe it is our patriotic responsibility to be involved in this trade. We were recently invited to the hearing organised by House of Representatives, we went there, gave account of ourselves, we had all the documentation showed and answered all the questions they asked.There was no indication from anywhere that we said were at variance from what were expected of us. In the presentation, which we gave before the House of Representatives, there was absolutely no discrepancy between the PSF refund amount which we had admitted that we have received in relation to the huge tranche of funds, which we continue to invest in that enterprise.

“From the facts we have on record, we are not involved in this game. How can somebody say we have to refund N13 billion. For what, all the cargoes we have imported is on record,

the landing cost is on record. We are not collectors of subsidy neither are we beneficiary of subsidy. Beneficiary of subsidy are those who consume the final product from the filling stations not the importers who imported the product on credit and must have borrowed money from the banks.

‘We condemn the report as being absolutely in bad taste and we advise the people that put up the report to desist from continuing to cause confusion in our country. We firmly believe that however hard some people might try to do, they cannot effectively subvert the truth particularly in relation to the PSF programme.”

He also noted that one of the company’s creditor banks called him immediately it saw the report adding that the report is damaging and tends to run down the oil marketing firms. Besides, how could a report that has not been made public be published? Who released the report to the media, he asked.

Lagos sensitises residents on use of cooking gas •Continued from page 49

added.

He noted that the awareness campaign would help provide hints on the safety and health benefits of the product has over kerosene and firewood adding that the numerous unfounded doubts and fears about the product would be quelled during the road shows.

Besides, he said residents would also be able to get hands on information and tips on how to use the product safely and comfortably in their homes.

According to him, the various initiatives on LPG being put together by the state government is a pointer to the fact that it is ready to make the product not only available but affordable and accessible to the teeming populace of Lagos.

With the permission of the various local government areas of the state, he said his ministry intends to partner LPG operators to situate LPG plants at the secretariat offices of all the local governments for safety and easy dispensing of the product to residents.

On the strategy being adopted to make the product available, affordable and more popular in the state,

Tijani said: “The way we are strategising it is that we are not going to give any timeline for people to switch to LPG but we want people to know that LPG is available and affordable so that they can make their decisions. Part of what we are doing is by going round to meet all the stakeholders in the LPG sector.We have met with Oando, Strategic Energy, NIPCO and others too numerous to mention. They have made the gas, cylinders and the accessories available .What we are doing as government is to let people know about this and coordinate all necessary activities required to deepen the market.”

He said the various cylinder schemes put in place by the state government and other stakeholders are all geared towards making the product cheaper and affordable.

“After wide deliberations, there was an agreement that there is need for cylinder schemes if we have to improve things. Unlike before when we only had the 12.5kg cylinders available in the market, there are now the six kilogramme, three kilogramme cylinders to flood the market. This is to afford the consumer the luxury of buying what he can afford, more like pay as you can,” he added.

Iran says Saudi Arabia breaches OPEC quota

I

RAN accused Saudi Arabia of breaching a collective OPEC agreement, reviving fears that the producer group’s fractious meeting last year could be repeated.

Iran’s Oil Ministry website Shana quoted the minister, Rostam Ghasemi as saying the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries “should produce up to 30 million barrels per day as a group but some countries including Saudi Arabia don’t observe these regulations.”

OPEC in December agreed to the collective ceiling of 30 million bar-

rels a day in December, but the group’s daily production is now higher by over a million barrels as Saudi Arabia replaces oil from sanctions-hit Iran.

The Dow Jones Newswire quoted Ghasemi as saying, “As an OPEC member, we enjoy the right to protest” against overproduction by a member” but added that a Gulf OPEC official said the Saudis weren’t aware of any complaint to OPEC and are producing what their customers need.

•From left: Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), a subsidiary of NNPC, Morrison Fiddi; Flag Officer, Commanding, Western Naval Command, Ameen Ikioda and Vice Chairman, Dorman Long Engineering Limited, Chukwuma Henry Okolo, during the Sail-Away ceremony of NNPC/Mobil producing Nigeria OYOT wellhead platform built by Dorman Long and inaugurated in Lagos.

Lagos to launch household energy emissions HE Lagos State Governfication of industrial estates, recalculator ment, through the Ministry newable energy initiatives, public of Energy and Mineral Relighting, energy programmes for

T

sources and its implementation agency the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB), is set to launch the first consumer focused Household Energy and Emission Calculator in Nigeria, at the forthcoming Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2012) tagged from “Brics to Brincs, which holds today.

In a statement by the General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, the Household Energy and Emission Calculator launch is designed to calculate the energy usage and emissions, which households generate. This will be done online via a user friendly self help tool. Indi-

viduals will be required to log on to the LSEB website (www.lseb.gov.ng) and calculate their estimated energy consumption by simply inputting the number of appliances located within their homes.

Ogunbiyi said: “It is important that Lagos residents understand their energy needs, as well as being able to calculate their energy consumption as it helps promote an energy awareness culture. The calculator is part of the state government’s power sector development programme, which will also feature an energy policy, independent power projects, electri-

schools and graduates and the state-wide energy audit programme.

“The Lagos State Government is highly committed to seeing through its power sector development plan. This initiative is another step towards the preparation for the increasing energy demands of the state.”

According to the commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ben Akabueze, Ehingbeti 2012 is set to lift Lagosians out of poverty with a focus on four key areas namely: power, agriculture, transportation and housing and urban renewal (PATH).

Oil price rises to $103/bbl on US economic recovery

O

IL prices has risen to about $103 a barrel in Asia amid signs the United States economic recovery remains uneven.

According to Associated Press Benchmark oil for May delivery was up 43 cents to $102.70 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 40 cents to settle at $102.27 in New York on Thursday.

Brent crude for June delivery was up 25 cents at $118.25 per barrel in London.

Companies such as Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group Inc., Southwest Airlines and Bank of America reported strong earnings

Thursday. However, disappointing reports on U.S. jobs, housing and manufacturing weighed on investor confidence.

On Thursday, an index of regional manufacturing compiled by the Philadelphia branch of the Federal Reserve dropped sharply, and the National Association of Realtors said home sales fell 2.6 percent last month.

The Labour Department also said applications for unemployment benefits dipped 2,000 to 386,000.

When the number is above 375,000, investors take it as a sign that hiring isn’t strong enough to lower the unemployment rate.

Stock markets, which oil traders

often look to as a measure of overall investor sentiment, fell in the U.S. on Thursday and in Asia on Friday.

Crude has slid from $110 last month as tensions eased over Iran’s nuclear programme. Negotiators from Iran and six world powers met last week and agreed to meet again in May. Investors have worried that a preemptive attack by Israel or the U.S. on Iran’s nuclear facilities would likely disrupt global crude supplies.

“The Iran factor has been neutralized for at least another month until another round of negotiations provides guidance,” energy trader and consultant Ritterbusch and Associates said in a report.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

52

ENERGY Hon. Dakuku Peterside is the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal constituency of Rivers State. In this interview, he explains the issues surrounding the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the House, and the attendant benefits of its passage, among other matters. He spoke with JOKE KUJENYA. Excerpts.

‘Passage of PIB will unlock oil industry reform’ W

HAT is the state of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) bill in terms of its passage into law?

The PIB is a single reform-minded Act for the petroleum industry and which also repeals sixteen earlier acts. It is basically a reform programme that has been on the drawing board as far back as 2008.

It seeks to strengthen the administration and regulation of the industry by creating new institutions, promoting transparency and accountability. It deals with the fiscal regime in the industry and removes confidentiality on royalty and tax payments. More than anything else, it accommodates the interest of host communities and reasonably guarantees peace in the community and greater oil production. The bill also seeks to integrate local content initiative and environmental issues in the industry.

More than anything else, it protects the interest of Nigerians and investors.

So, how do we justify the need for PIB given the way it is being treated?

At one point or another we all agreed that the present method of operation in the oil and gas industry is not sustainable. Too many things are shrouded in secrecy. Agitation by host communities will continue and environmental challenges, especially gas flaring will continue to be a challenge until we tackle them head on by the law. We are losing so much revenue due to indiscretion and revenue flow has been an issue. If these leakages and more must be blocked there must be reform.There is also another strand of boosting investors’ confidence by the degree of transparency and accountability with which we conduct affairs in the industry.

Stakeholders say the passage of PIB into law would fast-track economic growth. Could you tell us in which ways the PIB would be helpful to the economy?

PIB built on some assumptions and principles.Deregulation will reasonably guarantee flow of investment. A more transparent upstream bid system will not only boost confidence of investors but will lead to generation of more revenue, which will in turn facilitate development. A new fiscal regime will increase government take though this is subjective. Conversion of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to a self-financing National Oil Company will enhance efficiency and effectiveness and loosen the much needed fund for other infrastructural development.The passage of PIB into law will boost local content initiative, which will lead to employment creation.

Summed up, PIB will have far reaching effect on the economy of the country.

What are all the stakeholders doing to fast-track its early passage?

I see commitment on the side of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources acting on behalf of the executive arm of government to forward a draft to the National Assembly. I am convinced that the Udo Udoma Committee has taken the right steps. One assurance I can give is that the mood in the National Assembly is upbeat. Thus once we receive the executive copy we will give it the attention it deserves. I see the National Assembly passing the bill before the end

of the year. PIB is of strategic national importance thus I see a convergence of all reform minded legislators working early passage of the bill.

With all that is going on at present, in which drift do you foresee the petroleum industry?

Well, let me say that I see a new dawn if we are committed to three ideals. The first is that we must collectively agree to root out corruption in all forms in the oil and gas industry. Corruption is incompatible with growth, especially when rooted in the economic mainstay of a nation. The second is that we must commit to optimising benefit accruable from natural resource endowment and use it to develop other sectors of the economy for sustainability. This is urgent and critical. Three, we must ensure that we truly make gas an integral component of our national economic strategy, not by documentation of a gas master plan but by ensuring we match plans with action. I see a great Nigeria if ...

What do you think will happen to institutions like the Department

of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI)?

The Department of Petroleum Resources will most likely be replaced by the Nigeria Petroleum Inspectorate with a wider scope of authority. PPPRA will most likely be replaced by the Petroleum Regulatory Authority with expanded mandate including oversight of refineries. NEITI is an institution that is established by reason of an international network committed to the highest level of transparency in extractive industry.Unfortunately, it has no role presently in PIB. On the recent Nigerian refining capacity summit at Uyo, what’s the outcome?

The National Assembly as an institution is piqued by the fact that as a country, we solely rely on import to meet our petroleum products need. We felt that this is not right considering its security implication for the country. It is contradictory and inconceivable that the eighth largest exporter of oil in the world is also one of the high-

•Peterside

est importers of petroleum products. We decided to take the initiative of getting stakeholders together, providing a platform for robust engagement and search for solutions. The Uyo summit did just that.All those who participated said it was one of the best organised and most productive topical national

•From left: Soji Oyawoye, Managing Director, Resource International Limited (RIL); Mr Johnson Olusola, Mr Deborah Johnson-Olusola and Alex Okoh, chairman, RIL, at a launch in Lagos where Mrs Johnson -Olusola was presented a certificate as the winner of the N500,000 RIL finishing school grant

discourse in recent times. I am aware that all stakeholders are eagerly waiting for post-summit action to justify the time spent at Uyo. So, what are some of the resolutions taken at the summit and how will they be merged with our national agenda?

Among many issues is the consensus that deregulation of the downstream sub-sector is critical to reform in the petroleum industry.

We also agreed that rather than subsidise consumption, we should subsidise production in order to create jobs and also gain strategic security advantage that comes with the ability to refine our crude incountry. We also agreed that refining is strategic in the petroleum value chain if we intend to optimise the resources God gave us.

The summit dealt extensively with regulatory framework for licensing and operations of refineries and came to the conclusion that it needs a bit of fine-tuning and government guarantees: In view of the small margin, refineries on a comparative scale is not what an investor will be desirous to invest in therefore, government’s leverage is inevitable. One of the most important decisions taken at the summit is the inevitability of PIB. All stakeholders agreed that for us to be taken seriously, we must deal with and put behind us the issue of PIB. There was a consensus that without PIB, we will have no major progress in the industry.

Energy prices

Domestic prices of petroleum products

Energy & Oil Prices OIL ($/bbl)

Companies

PMS

AGO

DPK

Conoil

97.00

160.00

140.00

AP

97.00

160.00

140.00

Total

97.00

160.00

140.00

Oando

97.00

160.00

140.00

Mobil

97.00

160.00

140.00

Texaco

97.00

160.00

140.00

Energy

97.00

160.00

140.00

Fagbems

97.00

160.00

140.00

Nipco

97.00

160.00

140.00

INDIGENOUS

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Crude Future Dated Brent Spot WTI Cushing Spot OIL (¢/gal)

103. 88 118. 52 103 05

1.16 0.08 0.78

1.13% 0. 92% 0. 76%

04/20 04/20 04/20

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Heating Oil Future 313.76 Nymex RBOB Gasoline Future 314.27 NATURAL GAS ($/MMBtu)

1.25 -1.14

0. 40% -0. 36%

04/20 04/20

PRICE* CHANGE % CHANGE TIME Nymex Henry Hub Future 1.93 Henry Hub Spot 1.84 New York City Gate Spot 1.99 ELECTRICITY ($/megawatt hour) PRICE*

0.02 -0.01 -0.01

1.05% -0.54% -0.50%

04/20 04/20 04/20

CHANGE % CHANGE TIME

Mid-Columbia, firm on-peak, spot 16.31 2.76 20.37% Palo Verde, firm on-peak, spot 25.67 1.80 7.54% BLOOMBERG, FIRM ON-PEAK, DAY AHEAD SPOT/ERCOT HOUSTON 23.67 -4.36 -15.55% • Bloomberg Oil Buyers Guide

04/20 04/20 04/19

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

53

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 23-4-12

Indicators slow down, appreciates marginally by 0.1%

A

T the close of business yesterday, market indicators showed signs of heavy reduction in the recent series of daily appreciation it has recorded. The index and market capitalisation improved by 0.1 per cent each.

This, market source said, is an imminent posture of round of profit taking. Out of a total 93 equities transacted, only 13 gained, while 23 shed values. The remainder closed flat.

Last week, between Wednesday and Friday, market capitalisation improved by N97 billion, N94 billion and N117 billion, as against the single digit gain recorded yesterday.

Flourmills led the gainers table with an increase of N2.70 to close at N56.70, followed by RT Briscoe with a gain of

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

N0.06 to close at N1.26.

Others in the table were NASCON, NCR, UBA, Cadbury, UBN, Fidelity, Livestock and Red Star Express.

On the flip side, Sterling Bank led the list with a drop of N0.06, to close at N1.14, followed by Dangote Flour with a drop of N0.23, closing at N4.37.

Also on the table were Chemical and Allied Product, Ikeja Hotel, GT Assurance, Eterna Oil, Longman, Stanbic IBTC, Custodian and Allied Insurance and Transcorp.

First Bank and GTBank halted their recent rallies by recording loss positions. The impact of their losses was significant on the market capitalisation.

Meanwhile, Cadbury, Zenith Bank and UBA ex-

tended their price rallies to four days consecutively.

Overall, the All-ShareIndex gained 22.83 absolute points, representing 0.10 per cent to close higher at 21,779.33 points. Similarly, the Market Capitalisation of the 187 listed equities gained N8 billion, representing 0.11 per cent to close higher at N6.946 trillion.

The upturn was boosted by value gains over moderate volume posted in the mid and large capitalised stocks; Nigeria Breweries, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, Cadbury, Skye Bank and Flour Mills.

Total volume transacted dropped to 435.21 million, valued at N3.38 billion in 4,462 deals, compared to 685.38 million shares, worth N5.64 billion, exchanged in 4,712 deals last Friday.

On the top trade, United Bank for Africa led the most actively traded stocks’ log, with 125.46 million shares, valued at N370.1 million in 127 deals. GT Assurance, First Bank, Japaul Oil and ETI were other active volume pullers in the top five.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 23-4-12

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

Cash-less: Telcos gather signal strength to boost infrastructure

T

ELECOMMUNICATION companies are integrating their networks to ensure that the needed infrastructural support is given to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cash-less banking policy.

Speaking yesterday on the efforts being made by regulators and stakeholders to ensure that the cashless project works, the Managing Director, Unified Payments System, Agada Apochi, said the apex bank and the telecommunication firms are in partnership to ensure that the project succeeds.

Apochi was speaking in Inspiration FM. He said telecommunica-

T

By Collins Nweze

tion firms have been supportive of the policy.

Also, a statement from the Bankers’ Committee, said other elements of the policy include centralised back office operations and alignment of information technology standards across the industry. The successful implementation of these initiative would impact positively on industry cost structure, which banks are expected to ultimately pass on to their customers by way of lower charges.

In terms of infrastructure, the Committee said the apex bank is

Fidelity Bank appoints executive directors ministration degree from the Lagos State University. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). Mrs. Ugochukwu was General Manager, Legal Services and Company Secretary of the bank. She holds a law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University.

Mohammed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and Finance from Nottingham Trent University, as well as a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Lagos while Okonkwo holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Benin and a Master of Business Administration degree, Banking and Finance from Enugu State University.

This is part of a restructuring and strengthening of the Executive Management of the bank to enhance its capacity to convert emerging business opportunities.

HE Board of Directors of Fidel ity Bank has retired two of its long-serving executive directors and the appointed four new executive directors. The two retiring Directors are Willie Obiano, Executive Director, Business Banking and Abdul-Rahman Esene, Executive Director, Public Sector & Investment Banking. Both Directors reached the bank’s retirement policy age of 55 years and retired at the end of March.

Also, the new executive directors whose appointments took effect from April 1, are John Obi, Executive Director, Corporate Banking; Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, Executive Director, Shared Services; Balarabe Mohammed, Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, North Directorate and Nnamdi Okonkwo, Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, South Directorate.

Obi is a graduate of Accountancy and holds a Master of Business Ad-

working with Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and telecos operators to ensure there are dedicated communication links for the Point of Sale (POS) system in the country.

The statement emphasised that POS is key to the successful implementation of the cash-less banking initiative, assuring that it is secured. “If the PoS or mobile phone is stolen, the money for the user is safe as the devices do not hold the money,” it said.

To secure the platforms and en-

sure reliability, the Committee said all PoS must have a minimum of two SIMs from telecommunication operators, and a minimum of 24 hours battery life.

The Committee disclosed that the literacy required in operating the PoS is minimal as many Nigerians can use a mobile phone needed to make mobile payments. Besides, biometrics is being installed in some ATMs and POS to further check fraud in the industry.

It advised merchants to recognise

Enterprise Bank promotes 333

E

NTERPRISE Bank Limited (EBL) at the weekend promoted a total of 333 staff across board.

The promotions came as a direct result of the newly introduced performance based compensation system, which makes it possible for hardworking and outstanding staff to earn all kinds of rewards including regular promotion.

The exercise is the first major promotion exercise by the new management led by Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, since the introduction of the performance based compensation system in December 2011.

On assumption of office, Kuru

promised broad reforms that will ensure continual staff regular evaluation based on performance as well as transparent and equitable reward scheme that are designed to motivate staff. An aspect of the scheme also makes it possible for staff to earn more money than their pay at the end of every month according to performance.

The promotion has come as another promise kept by the current management who a few months ago implemented the performance pay aspect in which a lot of staff across board have been receiving more than their pay.

A statement from the Corporate Communications department of the

B

USINESS Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) has disclosed its intention to work in partnership with the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to recover debts owed the corporation.

The group has also concluded plans to involve foreign experts including Britain, Australia and South

By Ambrose Nnaji

Africa to help facilitate the processes of business restructuring in the various sectors of the Nigerian economy including agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, mines and industry.

BRIPAN also has scheduled to host an international workshop where members of the Insol international would be expected to partner their Nigerian counterparts to fashion a

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 23-4-12 SYMBOL

FOURMILL RTBRISCOE NASCON NCR UBA CADBURY UBN FIDELITYBK LIVESTOCK REDSTAREX

113m

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

54.00 1.20 5.00 15.05 2.81 11.30 3.75 1.50 0.94 2.30

56.70 1.26 5.25 15.80 2.95 11.86 3.93 1.57 0.98 2.28

2.70 0.06 0.25 0.75 0.14 0.56 0.18 0.07 0.04 0.08`

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

1.20 4.60 26.39 1.24 1.66 3.76 2.94 7.45 1.36 0.52

C/PRICE

1.14 4.37 25.08 1.18 1.58 3.58 2.80 7.10 1.30 2.50

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

29-2-12 27-2-12

113m

155.7

22-2-12

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

0.06 0.23 1.31 0.06 0.08 0.18 0.14 0.35 0.06 0.02

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

LOSERS AS AT 23-4-12

STERLNBANK DANGFLOUR CAP IKEJAHOTEL GTASSURE ETERNAOIL LONGMAN IBTC CUSTODYINS TRANSCORP

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

way forward to the economic situation of the country, which will take place in the second quarter of this year.

Speaking with The Nation in Lagos, the First Vice President of the Association, Dele Odunowo stated that Nigeria may be in for the worst economic crisis if no strong measures were put in place to revive the different sectors of the country’s economy

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

bank explained further that the promotion, which is just the first phase, is a manifestation of the success of the introduction of the performance based compensation system that has equally increased staff productivity at all levels in the bank.

According to the statement, individual performance level in the bank rose from about 45 per cent in December 2011 when the scheme was first introduced to as much as 75 per cent in April 2012, while group performance also climbed up the ladder from 60 per cent to 80 per cent within the same period with every staff, unit or group working hard to tap into all the benefits of the scheme.

BRIPAN, AMCON to partner on debt recovery

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

that there are other ways in which the PoS terminal can benefit them, such as selling other services and earning commissions. For instance, mobile credit can be sold through the terminals, or it can used to collect bill payment for firms such as the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Also training will be provided by the acquirer’s payment terminal service provider (PTSP). Part of the deployment process is to ensure a practical training of how to use the PoS for the merchant and their staff.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 122.58 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 100.06 THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.75 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.89 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,694.93 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.13 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,259.48 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 122.48 99.58 0.72 1.08 0.88 1,689.75 7.74 1.33 1.80 7,071.36 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

56

NEWS EHINGBETI SIXTH ECONOMIC SUMMIT

•Commerce and Industry Commissioner Mrs Olusola Oworu (left) and her Environment counterpart Mr Tunji Bello

•Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Adesegun Ogunlewe flanked by Mrs Florence Oguntuase (left) and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Oluranti Adebule, at the Sixth Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit at Eko Hotel, Victorial Island, Lagos…yesterday.

•Former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande

•Lagos State Auditor-General, Mr David Sunmoni (left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Bayo Solade, Special Adviser, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs Iyabowale Aluko and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Mrs F.O Erogbogbo

•Senator Olorunimbe Mamora (left), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Commissioner for Health Dr Jide Idris.

•Special Adviser to the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mrs Cynthia Eguridu (left), Co-chair, Lagos Economic Summit Mr Bode Augusto and Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti

•Chairman, Larfarge, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and a retired Permanent Secretary, Mrs Damola Akran

•Consul-General, Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Walter Von Driesch (left); Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Peter West; Consul-General, France, Mr Francois Sastourne and Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria Jean Gauthier

•Former Senior Special Assistant, Lagos Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA), Mr Michael Akindele (left), Information Commissioner Lateef Ibirogba and Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Ola Oresanya

•Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh (left), chair, All Party Group on Nigeria, London, Ms Meg Hillier (middle) and member of Paliament, Newcastle, London, Mrs Chi Onwurah PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES

57

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

NEWS Ekiti PDP faction seeks reversal of exco •Metuh: it’s impossible From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

T

HERE seems to be no let up in the crisis rocking the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A faction of the party, believed to be sponsored by its National Vice-chairman, Chief Segun Oni, is said to be pushing for the cancellation of a faction of the State Working Committee, headed by Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe.

The leadership of the Ogundipe-led exco was ratified by the National Working Committee (NWC) last Wednesday.

The declaration is contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, after its inaugural meeting in Abuja.

Oni and his faction headed by Akin Omole, lost out in the state and local government congresses said to be free and fair.

Omole declared himself winner a month later.

Members of the Oni group at the weekend met to enlist the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Ota, Ogun State Farm for a fresh congress, it was learnt.

Those who were said to have attended the Ota meeting included two former deputy governors- Mrs Abiodun Olujimi and Biodun Aluko.

Prince Dayo Adeyeye was also there. They are said to be eyeing the governorship seat in 2014. Other chieftains at the meeting were a senatorial aspirant Kayode Alufa and Yinka Akerele.

In a bid to get the Ekiti matter rescheduled for fresh deliberation at the NWC meeting scheduled for Thursday, Obasanjo was said to have instructed the Oni group to meet with the party’s National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

It was learnt Oyinlola invited the three gladiators in Ekiti politics to a meeting which is expected to hold today in Abuja. They are Oni, Police Affairs Minister, retired Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade and former governor Ayo Fayose.

Repeated calls to Oyinlola’s mobile telephone number by our correspondent yesterday were not answered. He ignored a text message seeking his reaction on the matter.

But Mrs Olujimi told our correspondent on phone that the decision to quash the Ogundipe-led exco was taken by the appeal Panel set up on the congress.

She said the panel had declared that the procedure for the congress was flawed, adding that delegates from two local governments were not allowed to vote.

“The truth is that some of us knew there was fraud in the entire exercise and we felt it would be wrong to ignore these anomalies”, Olujimi said. She added that the process ended in a stalemate.

But Metuh said the matter won’t be on the NWC’s agenda at its Thursday meeting.

He said the NWC’s decision is final. The NWC does not have such issue before it, Metuh said.

In a telephone chat with our correspondent yesterday, Metuh said: “What you are talking about is not possible because no state chapter can be bigger than the NWC. You should know that the decision by the NWC is final”.

Board appointments no longer business as usual, says Fed Govt

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HE race for appointments into the boards of agencies and parastatals has begun but it will no longer be business as usual, the Federal Government warned yesterday.

Vice President Namadi Sambo said the era of jobs for the boys is gone for good as technical competence will henceforth determine nominations.

Sambo, who is the chairman of the reconstitution of the boards dropped the hint while presenting the distribution of allotment to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, members of National Assembly and party stalwarts at the banquette hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The vice president, who met with the governors alongside the party leadership, also listed proven personal attributes, including patriotism and team spirit as some of the considera-

•Sets competence, team spirit as conditions From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

tions.

Besides, he said the chairmen of boards would not be allowed to meddle in the dayto-day running of their assigned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He urged that the nominations must reflect the geo-political spread to deepen democracy and reflect the transformation agenda of the present administration.

Sambo said: “In giving us this assignment, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed the need for transparency in corporate governance, as well as the need to ensure that the new boards follow laid down rules in procurement process.

“Mr. President directed that we should take a thorough look at the mandates of the

MDAs and determine the most suitable.”

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, who addressed reporters after the meeting, hailed the President for been transparent in the process of appointing board members.

He said: “He wants to be transparent in the governance of this country. What happened here today is something that has never happened before.

“At least I started democracy with this particular dispensation since 1999 to date and this is the first time that we have boards of parastatals constituted in a transparent manner, such that nobody will question it.

“You can see that we are here and even though the gover-

nors did not receive envelopes as you can see but we are very excited because this segment of the society as far as the party is concerned, has been properly attended to in the constitution of board of parastatals.

“The National Assembly members have their own envelopes, the Board of Trustees have their own and then the zonal envelopes, which are going to the governors. So, there is not going to be any conflict among governors.

“I think this is a transparent way, and the President is doing this so that those of us who are at the states should emulate what the President is doing.

“If we are transparent most of the problems we have in this country would be solved.

So, we are quite happy with what happened here today.”

Federal Govt backs Lagos’ investments drive •Continued page 2

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was flagged off, Fashola said life would be even much better in the transport sector when the Lagos Light Rail – the Blue Line, with its larger carrying capacity, would start operation in the State adding that with 60 ferries soon to be added to the existing six, with a capacity for 200 passengers to ply no less than 10 ferry routes across the state, the transportation system would be greatly enhanced for the benefit of the population.

On housing, Fashola said when the Lagos HOMS finally kicks off and is able to guarantee at the start of each month that 100 tax-paying citizens own their own homes as long as they are able to make the 30 percent deposit of the value of the house they choose and make their monthly payments, their self esteem and dignity would undoubtedly improve while their commitment to duty would be enhanced.

Fashola said this year’s Summit is intended to mobilise and sustain the continuous inflow of invest-

ment to Lagos to help the state achieve “Our PATH to economic greatness”.

In her keynote paper, which centered on the theme of the summit: “From BRICS to BRINCS, Lagos Holds the Key,” the Vice President, Africa Region, Standard Chartered Bank, Ms Razia Khan, said Nigeria has enormous potential to join the BRICS nations and change the configuration of the global emerging economies but it has to implement more proactive policies and reduce dependence on oil revenue.

According to her, the government must not only think about necessary policies today, but also proactive policies to support future growth.

She said Nigeria was on course to surpassing South Africa as the largest economy in Sub-Sahara Africa, noting that something transformative has taken place in the non-oil sector, which has been helping to power the national growth.

She, however, warned that Lagos stands the risk of a migration problem, unless the other states and the

Federal Government match the state’s efforts and create growth in the wider economy.

She advised other states to learn from the less dependence of Lagos State on oil revenue.

While reviewing past Summits, the Chairman of the Lagos Economic Summit Group and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said the summit is not a talk shop but a very serious business interaction adding that of 118 resolutions taken in the past summits, 109 have so far been implemented.

According to the Commissioner, more than 50 percent of the recommendations from the 5th Ehingbeti have also been implemented; others are either on-going or being reviewed in accordance with the prevailing circumstances.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Co-Chairman of the Summit, Mr. Olabode Augusto, said the theme of this year’s event was in realisation of the importance of Lagos State to the Nigerian economy.

“We believe that if

Zakari Mohammed, said: “There is no going back on the debate; we will televise it in such a manner that all Nigerians will be able to watch it.

“We are not going to hide anything from Nigeria on our findings, recommendations and decisions. Those behind the fuel subsidy scandal will face public opinion court. The rest is left to history to judge everyone.”

But some oil marketers have launched a counter-offensive, relocating to Abuja to pursue the legal option to halt the debate of the report.

A source at the oil marketers’ session said: “We only came together to review the report of the House. The re-

port of the Farouk Lawan Committee has many gaps and it will be sad if the House is hoodwinked into adopting it.

“It is inexcusable for a panel to say that some marketers refused to appear before it when it is legally or constitutionally empowered to summon or issue warrant of arrest.

“We won’t allow them to get away with this injustice.

This debate must be stopped because the House will be working with faulty statistics and jaundiced aspersions on oil marketers.”

But Ozekhome, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone, said: “We are still discussing; we have not filed a motion to stop the debate yet.

But after getting relevant facts

from the marketers, we will tell the court why the debate should be stopped.”

In a statement in Abuja through his Special Adviser on Media, Alhaji Imam Imam, the Speaker said he was not worried about threats to remove him from office because of the report of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy.

The Speaker’s reaction is the first after facing pressure since the report of the Farouk Lawan’s Committee became public last Wednesday.

The statement said: “The Speaker of the House of Representatives is unfazed by the stories about impeachment or no impeachment. He is very focused about what he promised Nigerians when he was

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

HOUSE of Representatives member Mr. Oyetunde Ojo has commiserated with the people of Ijero-Ekiti over the demise of Chief Akin Omoboriowo.

He urged the Ondo and Ekiti state governments to immortalise his name as a former deputy governor who contributed to the development of the states.

Ojo, who represents Ekiti West/ Efon/ Ijero Constituency, described Omoboriowo as an Ekiti patriot who started the agitation for the creation of Ekiti State in the Second Republic.

The House Committee on Communication chairman said Omoboriowo succeeded in writing his name in the letters of gold as an awoist, administrator and statesman.

He said: “The governments of Ekiti and Ondo states should immortalise him because he left his footprints on the sand of time”.

Sanusi sued for ‘plagiarism’ From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

•Ms Khan...yesterday Nigeria is going to become a major emerging market, then Lagos State must be central to that strategy,” he said.

Also at the ceremony were the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Commissioner for Transportation Mr. Kayode Opeifa and Commissioner for Environment Mr. Tunji Bello, among other members of the State Executive Council and Legislature.

Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa and among many other local and international dignitaries were there.

N1.07t subsidy fraud: Govt panics over protest threats •Continued page 2

Lawmaker urges Ondo, Ekiti to immortalise Omoboriowo

elected, which are transparent leadership and self-less service.

“His determination and vision as encapsulated in his legislative agenda are well on course.

“And Nigerians should be rest assured that the subsidy probe is one in a series of very important probes that the House has initiated. He is assuring Nigerians that the House members will not be deterred, until the polity is cleaned.

“The members of the House of Representatives know that as legislators, they are bound to face threats and resistance from many quarters. The important thing is that they will not be intimidated by anybody or group.”

A UNITED States Adjunct Professor, Victor Edike, has sued the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for alleged stealing of his research work.

The Plaintiff, a lecturer in School of Engineering and Technology, National University, Sacramento, United States, accused Sanusi of presenting part of his published article without due acknowledgement.

Justice Adamu Bello, yesterday granted an order of substituted service against Sanusi after the court Bailiff, Ewolabi E.O, accused him of evading service of court papers.

Ewolabi, in an affidavit of non-service claimed that all effort to serve the court process proved abortive as the security did not allow him entrance.

In the writ of summons, the Plaintiff stated that the Defendant at two different lectures presented in Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, published his work “without proper reference and citation in accordance with copyrights Acts”.

The Plaintiff is demanding N15 million as compensation and general damages from the defendant (Sanusi).

•A declaration that the defendant is in breach of the copyrights of the Plaintiff •A declaration that the Defendant plagiarized the works of the Plaintiff •A perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from citing the two papers delivered by the defendant on the 26th of November 2010 and 10th of December 2010 respectively as his work, having breached the Copyrights of the Plaintiff without proper reference and citation in accordance with copyrights Acts.

*An Order of the Court directing th defendant to imm

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

58

NEWS Yuguda to complete projects before 2015

Gunmen storm home of Benue ACN lawyer

S

IX gunmen yesterday stormed the Gboko, Benue State home of Simon Orkuma, an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawyer and terrorised his family. The incident occurred about 7pm.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told The Nation that the gunmen jumped the fence and held the wife and children of the victim hostage.

They also searched his home.

The source said the gunmen,

B

AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda yesterday promised to complete ongoing development projects and programmes before May 29, 2015, when his two-term tenure ends.

He made the promise after inspecting a 45- kilometre Tudun Gambo-Yuguda and Tudun-Gambo-GokaruGwaram road last weekend in Alkaleri Local Government of Bauchi State.

His words: “No project will be left uncompleted at the end of my tenure in 2015, because it will amount to a betrayal of trust on the part of the electorate.”

Yuguda said “it is the duty of government to open up rural areas to fast-track development.”

He also inspected a solarpowered water scheme site at Yuguda village and assured that work would begin there soon. He said his administration is ready to minimise rural-urban migration by providing social amenities in rural areas.

•Yuguda From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

At Shafa village, the Governor directed the Ministry of Health to provide drugs and equipment in the new health centre so that it can function effectively and meet the health needs of the people.

The Chief Press Secretary to Yuguda, Michael Ishola Adeyemi, in a statement said: “The governor is determined to ensure projects are completed and inaugurated for the benefit of Bauchi people.”

Explosion rocks Abuja power station

A

BLAST rocked the Katampe power transmission sub-station, Katampe district, Abuja last night.

The incident, which occurred about 7pm at the station located on Kubwa-Suleja Expressway near the popular tipper garage, caused panic among passengers.

Security sources said the incident was not an act of sabotage or a bomb explosion.

An eyewitness said: “We heard a bang and saw a thick smoke billowing out of the transformers. The sound was deafening, it caused panic among the people in and around the power station.

“The panic was not unconnected with the recent alert by the United States government that terrorists were planning to attack the Federal Capital Territory.”

Another eyewitness, a commercial driver who simply identified himself as Uche, said: “Particles from the station affected my bus. All of us were so frightened that we thought it was another

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

bomb blast.”

It was learnt that the 330/ 132KV transmission substation is managed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) as the implementing agency for the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).

“The substation, which is part of the NIPP lot 10 transmission-contract, was built to boost electricity supply in Abuja and environs,” a source said.

The source further said: “The Katampe substation extension project consists of 1X150MVA 330/132/33KV power transformer, 1x330KV transformer bay, 1x132KV transformer bay, 1x300KVA 33KV and earthling transformer.

“The facility has increased the capacity available in Abuja from 300MVA to 450MVA. “Now that part of the substation has been damaged, there is possibility that electricity distribution will be adversely affected.”

T

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

tion in churches and the killing of Christians are some of the problems that have continued unabated despite the coming together of Christians under the umbrella of CAN in the North. He urged Christians in the area to engage in spiritual warfare to avoid being caught unawares by their enemies.

suspected to be assassins, seemed not interested in money as they asked for the whereabouts of the lawyer who was not at home at that time.

“When they stormed the place in a commando style, they switched off the generator before moving to the room where they held Orkuma’s wife and children hostage,” said a relation of the victim.

The gunmen reportedly

seized mobile telephones and searched the bedroom. When they did not find the lawyer, they took away his ATM card.

His wife was forced to reveal the pin code.

In an interview with our reporter on the phone from an undisclosed location, Orkuma said he knew the incident would happen because he had been warned of a plan to assassinate him.

“Someone warned me to watch my movement and not

J

USTICE Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, yesterday berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for harassing a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Robert Clarke, within the court premises.

Officials of the anti-graft agency allegedly committed when they attempted to arrest a suspect, Funmi Ademosun, last Monday.

Ademosun is standing trial with Mr. Francis Atuche, the former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) on alleged finan-

By Adebisi Onanuga

cial improprieties brought against them by the EFCC. Justice Onigbanjo condemned the action of the EFCC operatives, saying it is wrong for anyone to be harassed within the court premises.

According to him, what the EFCC operatives did to Clarke is a serious offence that could be likened to contempt of court.

He said: “The whole of the court premises is in my jurisdiction and any misbehaviour there is liable to con-

tempt of court. I firmly believe that this is wrong and it has become my issue. I will not just let it go like that.”

Justice Onigbanjo urged Clarke to make an issue out of the matter to prevent a recurrence.

“An application should be made to the court and the court will rule on it as the law provides,” he said.

When the trial resumed at the High Court, Ikeja, Chief Clarke reported to the court that he was imprisoned and detained by operatives of the EFCC within the court premises.

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He said: “I want to bring to your lordship’s attention what happened last week. As I left the court, EFCC operatives swooped on my car in an attempt to arrest my client. I asked them what they wanted and they told me he was wanted for an interview at the EFCC headquarters.

But they had no warrant to back the arrest.

“I insisted that they could not arrest him without a warrant, but volunteered to personally take him to the EFCC. They insisted that one of their orderlies should be in my car and I said no way. “

•A lawyer, Mr.Christopher Bot, administering oath of office on the executives of Northcentral Students Forum in Jos...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Group kicks against scrapping of FRSC

A

GROUP, the Road Safety Coalition (RSC), has urged the Federal Government not to scrap the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) as recommended by a government committee.

It said the commission should be strengthened and well funded.

The group said the suggestion to scrap the FRSC came

By Joseph Jibueze

when the United Nations (UN) was asking its member-states to enhance road safety management through lead agencies.

In a statement by its Executive Director, Rev. Temidayo Ogan and Chairman, Mr Patrick Adenusi, the group said the FRSC should not be

merged with the police.

It said: “The global approach to road safety management and the reduction of the burden of road traffic crashes, which are economy growth policies by extension, have gone beyond the operations of the police force and the Ministry of Works around the world.

“Globally, approximately 1.3 million deaths occur each

Fund not NDDC’s problem, says MD

Babayi said faith-based orHE Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Christian Oboh, has said money is not among the agency’s problems but how to utilise available cash and tackle contractors to properly execute projects.

Addressing reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State cap-

to sleep at home because a plan to kill me has been hatched,” said Orkuma.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer said he was yet to be briefed on the incident. He promised to call The Nation as soon as he got information on the matter.

Orkuma, a leading ACN lawyer in Benue State, has handled most of the cases involving the party’s candidates in the state.

Judge berates EFCC for detaining, harassing lawyer

‘Occultism, immorality bane of church’ HE new Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Prof. Daniel Babayi, yesterday identified denominational arrogance, compromise through spiritual immorality, money and occultism as some of the problems facing the church in the country.

Babayi, who spoke while formally taking over northern CAN from the former Secretary, Elder Saidu Dogo, lamented that the ideals for which the body was established about 64 years ago still remained unachieved.

He noted that northern CAN was formed to check internal and external challenges facing the Christian community in the region, adding that it has failed to achieve this purpose as the challenges still persist.

According to him, corrup-

From Ujah Emmanuel, Benue

From Bisi Olaniyi and Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

ital, the NDDC chief said few contracts would be awarded and more projects would be completed, to address the challenges.

According to him, 57 ongoing mega projects will be delivered before the end of August as officials of the commis-

sion will go after contractors to complete the projects.

He decried the plethora of fake tenders being submitted to the commission, saying an unnamed official in Imo State has been arrested and was being interrogated by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) over the matter.

Oboh said some contractors paid between N5 million and

N10 million to a syndicate at the commission to submit the fake tenders in a bid to secure juicy contracts.

He urged Niger Delta residents, especially the contractors, not to buy tenders for jobs.

The NDDC chief said many projects would be completed before his tenure ends on August 6, 2013.

year in road accidents - a toll comparable to malaria and tuberculosis in fatalities alone - and 50 million more injuries are recorded.

“Productive Nigerians (16 to 44-year-olds) are amongst the most vulnerable, with 1,000 young people killed everyday.

“Without the effective actions that are taken by the FRSC, the non-governmental organisations working on road safety and a host of other stakeholders around the world, road traffic injuries are predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in an estimated 2.4 million deaths each year.”

RSC said the UN Road Safety Collaboration developed a nine-year global plan, one of whose ‘pillars’ focuses on the need to strengthen institutional capacity to drive road safety efforts.

59

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

NEWS

Reps order NAFDAC to refund N1.259b to Fed Govt T HE House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Accounts yesterday directed the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to refund N1.259billion to the Federal Government within six months.

The office of the AuditorGeneral of the Federation (AGF) was ordered to audit the revenue of the agency and its expenditure from 2006 to 2011 to determine the revenue and expenditure profile as well as its operating surplus within the period under review.

The AGF’s office was also given six months to submit its report to the committee.

The Committee Chairman, Adeola Solomon Olamilekan, said the probe became necessary, following the failure of the Agency to provide adequate answers to the audit query raised by the Auditor-General’s office.

The query indicted the agency of failing to remit N1.348 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Accounts of the Federation.

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

The lawmaker also said his committee would invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and recover the amount should the agency fail to remit the funds within six months.

The AGF, in its audit query, insisted that the agency should remit the appropriate accruing revenue to the consolidated revenue accounts as required by law because it is the third topmost revenue generating agency of the Federal Government.

According to the AGF, instead of NAFDAC to remit N1.348 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Accounts of the Federation, it went through the back door and paid N90 million after negotiating with the Budget Office.

But NAFDAC’s DirectorGeneral Paul Orhii defended the agency, saying the shortfall came about as a result of the accounting system ac-

crual policy the agency adopted.

According to him, the system allows the agency to utilise the money to procure consumables and other operational needs.

But committee members faulted his claim.

Olamilekan said: “That method is faulty and illegal, the Federal Government is operating on cash basis policy, your agency is owing government, it was not as a result of the method of accounting system used that caused the loss, because both the Budget Office and the AGF office pleaded with our committee to prevail on NAFDAC to ensure proper remittance of its revenues.”

The lawmaker said there may be need to invite the EFCC to assist in recovering the amount.

He said NAFDAC should look inwards and ensure it remits the balance to the Federal Government coffers immediately.

But Orhii lamented that

the agency cannot come up with such an amount without shutting down its operations.

He said: “I don’t know where we can cough out such huge amount of money, if you tell us to bring the money; it will make us to stop some vital operations of the agency.”

But, the committee said NAFDAC should pay the unremitted amount within six months and that the report of the probe should be submitted within the same period.

In a related development, the committee chided the Ministry of Science and Technology over its inability to defend what it termed “unacceptable expenditure by the ministry.”

This followed the inability of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to come before the committee to defend some expenditures questioned by the Auditor-General.

The committee gave the ministry a seven-day ultimatum to respond to the Auditor-General’s query.

Orubebe's sister rescued

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HE police in Delta State, at the weekend, rescued the sister of the Minister of Niger Delta Affiars, Godsday Orubebe, two days after she was abducted by gunmen.

Two members of the kidnap gang were arrested after the police foiled an attempt by the kidnappers to collect ransom, the police said Mrs. Zuokomor was rescued unhurt.

Police spokesman Charles Muka, who confirmed the arrest, said the victim was abducted at Jakpa, junction,Uwvie

From Okungbowa Aiwerie,Asaba

Local Government Area in a Honda vehicle.

Muka said the kidnappers demanded N5million.

He said the police, acting on a tip-off, trailed the kidnappers to Orerokpe in Okpe Local Government, where the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to the victim was recovered He said Matthew Oshevere and Akpoka Okiemute were arrested in Effurun while attempting to collect the ransom.

Police order Edo PDP to leave campaign office From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE police in Edo State have given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Maj- Gen- Charles Airhiavbere, seven days to relocate his campaign headquarters on Airport Road.

This is to avoid a possible breach of public peace between supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the PDP. The campaign office, which is at former Prest Motel building, is opposite the ACN state secretariat and it is adorned with Airhiavbere's campaign posters.

Sources said Airhiavbere was advised that he should relocate the office because it was the ACN secretariat that first existed on the road.

PDP's Publicity Secretary Matthew Urhoghide said the campaign posters, which adorned the building, was part of the support the owner of the building, Tony Prest, gave to the party.

Urhoghide said the police order was an infringement on Prest's right to support their candidate, adding that the ACN should relocate its secretariat if it was not happy about the situation.

He said the building was not the campaign headquarters of its candidate.

Prof. Omo Omoruyi and ACN State ChairmanThomas Okosun have raised concerns over the location of the PDP's campaign headquarters.

Police spokesman Etim Bassy could not be reach for comments.

Community to vote for Oshiomhole

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EMBERS of Ndokwa community in Edo State have pledged to vote for Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14 governorship election.

They said their decision was based on Oshiomhole's performance which they said had improved their businesses in the state.

The community, under the Ndokwa Community Solidarity Movement for Governor Oshiomhole, made its stand known at the end of its enlarged meeting in Benin last

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

weekend.

A communiqué, read by Joseph Kemdawu, promised to deliver a block vote for Oshiomhole, adding that Oshiomhole deserves a second tenure to enable him accomplish his desire for the state.

Oshiomhole's Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties Kenneth Edebiri urged them not to sell their voters card to the opposition.

Edebiri told them to defend their votes by waiting for collation after voting.

Police deployed in Delta communities From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (left) and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Adewunmi Adesina signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state and the Federal Government at a one-day Agribusiness and Investment Summit organised by the state in Benin City, yesterday. With them are Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Osagie Obayuwana (left) and Commissioner for Agriculture Abdul Oroh

20 injured as residents clash in Delta

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WENTY youths were injured and several vehicles destroyed yesterday in DSC/Ovwian in Udu Local Government Area, following a clash between Ovwian community youths and some youths in Delta Steel Township over development levy popularly called ‘deve’.

A police source said trouble started when some Delta Steel Township youths tried to

•Vehicles destroyed From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

claim autonomy over the levy but were refuffed by Ovwian youths.

According to the source, the youths were contesting the sharing formula of development levies from land developers that is being shared at 34 per cent to Ovwian and

DSC 66 per cent.

But this was refused by Ovwian youths, who asked for 66 per cent.

“When the Ovwian boys tried to collect the development levy from a land developer, the DSC township youths manhandled them, which led to a clash.

“Ovwian youths carried out

a reprisal attack and destroyed vehicles in the township. Some DSC youths caught at home were also injured.”

The President-General of Ovwian community, William Saiki, said the fracas was caused by some DSC youths, who want the DSC township to be recognised as an autonomous community against the wish of Ovwian people, who own the land.

Dickson presents N217b budget

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AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has presented a budget of N217.58 billion to the House of Assembly.

Works and Transport sectors gulped the highest amount of N38.03 billion.

Education and health got N21billion and N8.8 billion.

Dickson said Recurrent Expenditure would gulp N92.05billion and Capital Expenditure N125.53billion.

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

Accompanied by Deputy Governor John Jonah, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Edmund Allison-Oguru, Commissioner for Finance Duate Iyabi and Director of Budget Felix Odubor, Dickson said the allocations to the works and transport sectors were aimed at completing abandoned road projects.

He said: “Yenagoa would

be given a facelift and the construction of a new secretariat complex.”

Former Governor Timipre Sylva presented an Appropriation Bill of N228billion last year.

But the budget was withdrawn when the Dickson-led administration presented another to enable it carry out his “restoration agenda” it promised the people of the state.

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NTI-riot policemen have been deployed in Oko, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, following communal clashes.

The clash, which started at the weekend, left two persons dead.

The victims were identified as Ikechukwu from Amakom and Nwaizu from Anala community.

Oko Anala and Oko-Amakom share a common boundary.

It was gathered that the crisis was sparked off by a disagreement over the move by Oko-Amakaon community to harvest a fish pond claimed by Oko-Anala.

Sources said trouble started when indigenes of Amakom came to the pond to fish.

It was learnt that Anala community challenged the claims of Amakom community, which triggered a violent confrontation. An ex-councillor Tony Ogwu said the communities were preparing for discussion when the matter degenerated into an open conflict.

He urged restraint on both sides.

Police spokesman Charles Muka said the police has been deployed in the communities to forestall a breach of peace.

Bank manager kidnapped

A

Regional General Manager of Access Bank, Yemi Odunsanya, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Lagos.

Though details of the incident are still sketchy, sources said he was kidnapped at about 11am on Sunday at Badore, Ajah, outskirts of Lagos, on his way to church.

They said Odunsanya was driving his black Kia Soren-

By Jude Isiguzo

to Vehicle, FW 164 SMK, when some armed men double-crossed and forced him out of the car.

His car was later found a few metres away.

A detachment of operatives, including men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), were despatched to the area.

Despite police efforts, the

whereabouts of the victim remain unknown.

It was gathered that preliminary reports showed that Odunsanya was still within Ajah but his relatives said his abductors have not contacted them.

Commissioner of Police Umar Manko said the police was on top of the situation.

“We are making effort to rescue him.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Malawian ex-leader buried

F

ORMER President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died on April 5 after a cardiac arrest, has been buried at his sprawling farm in southern Malawi.

Mutharika was laid to rest next to his first wife Ethel in a huge white marble mausoleum called the Taj Mahal by local media.

Thousands of mourners and several African heads of state, including his close ally President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, attended the state funeral. Mutharika led Malawi from 2004.

Malawi’s new President Joyce Banda, who led the mourners, evoked her predecessor’s favourite mantra: “Malawi is not a poor country but Malawians are poor.”

“President Bingu wa Mutharika taught me and all Malawians to dream, he taught us not only to dream but also to dream in colour,” she said.

The BBC’s Raphael Tenthani at Ndata estate says at least 3,000 people attended the funeral, including politicians and villagers from the surrounding tea-growing district of Thyolo.

Monday was declared a public holiday to honour the former president.

Thousands more have paid their respects to Mutharika over the past week, as his body lay in state in the capital, Lilongwe, the northern city of Mzuzu and the commercial capital, Blantyre.

Mr Mutharika bought the cattle and maize farm in 2004, where he built an imposing mansion he called the White House.

al-Bashir threatens South Sudan

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UDAN’s president has threatened to topple the government of South Sudan during a visit to an oil-rich border town that has sparked a recent surge in violence between the two countries.

Omar al-Bashir’s comments yesterday were the latest in a war of words against Sudan’s southern neighbours.

The two countries disagree over where the border between them lies and ownership of oil resources in the region.

This latest outbreak of violence threatens to escalate into a full-scale war.

Al-Bashir vowed during his visit to Heglig to press ahead with his military campaign until, according to him, all southern troops or

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Rutte spent almost two hours yesterday afternoon at the queen’s palace in The Hague where he made the cabinet’s resignation official.

After he left, a government statement said that the queen had asked “all ministers and deputy ministers to continue to do everything that is necessary” in the Netherlands’ interests.

Rutte’s government lasted just 558 days. Only three other Dutch administrations since World War II have been in office for shorter periods, Dutch news agency ANP says.

affiliated forces are chased out of the North.

His forces bombed a major town inside South Sudan yesterday. al-Bashir also said there will be no more talks with South Sudan, as fresh Sudanese air raids drew swift condemnation from the United States and France.

“No negotiation with those people, Bashir said of the South Sudanese regime, which he earlier described as an “insect” that must be eliminated.

“Our talks with them were with guns and bullets,” he told soldiers in the main oil region of Heglig, which the South occupied for 10 days.

On Friday, Bashir and Defence Minister Abdelrahim

Mohammed Hussein — both wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region — declared the army had forced Southern soldiers out of Heglig.

South Sudan said it completed the pullout on Sunday, in response to appeals from world leaders and to allow a resumption of dialogue.

Despite that, the governor of South Sudan’s Unity State, Taban Deng, said Sudanese bombs fell on a key bridge and a market, killing at least two children in the state capital of Bentiu yesterday.

An AFP correspondent was 50 metres (yards) from where the ordnance hit.

In the market, stalls were on fire and large plumes of

•al-Bashir

grey smoke rose high into the air, as screaming civilians ran in panic.

The raid dashed South Sudanese hopes for an end to weeks of fighting.

“I’m fearing that even if we give them Heglig, there will still be a war,” said shopkeeper Suleiman Ibrahim Ali.

French leader Sarkozy seeks far-right votes

Dutch PM resigns UTCH Prime Minister Mark Rutte has tendered his government’s resignation to Queen Beatrix, paving the way for early elections.

His cabinet was plunged into crisis when Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) quit talks aimed at slicing 16bn euros (£13.1bn) from the budget.

Wilders refused to accept austerity demands to bring the budget deficit in line with EU rules.

His party was not part of the coalition but supported the minority government.

Dutch broadcaster Nos said

•‘No more talks’

RENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy is wooing far-right voters after losing narrowly to his Socialist rival in the presidential election’s first round.

Francois Hollande came top with 28.6 per cent and Sarkozy got 27.1per cent - the first time a sitting president has lost in the first round.

Third-place Marine Le Pen took the largest share of the vote her far-right National Front has ever won, with 18per cent.

Referring to her voters, Sarkozy said: “I have heard you.

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“There was this crisis vote that doubled from one election to another - an answer must be given to this crisis vote.”

In a speech to supporters in Tours, the President also blamed “a media unleashed” for his first round result.

“We were campaigning against caricatures and lies... and I thank you for your support,” he said.

Pollsters say Hollande is the clear favourite to win the second round on May 6, a duel between him and Sarkozy, who leads the centre-right UMP. If Hollande wins he will

become the first Socialist president in France in 17 years.

Intense campaigning has resumed, with Sarkozy travelling to Tours in the Loire Valley, central France, while Hollande went to the western towns of Quimper and Lorient, in Brittany.

Speaking to around 3,000 rain-drenched supporters in Quimper, one of his strongholds, Hollande described himself as the candidate of change.

He said he wanted to speak to all French people, not just the left or right.

“My message? We are a

large country and we will recover - we have no need of divisions,” he said.

Around one in five people voted for Ms Le Pen, including many young and working class voters, putting her ahead of seven other candidates.

The election has been dominated by economic issues, with voters concerned with sluggish growth and rising unemployment.

Ms Le Pen, who campaigned on a nationalist, antiimmigration platform, said she would wait until May Day next week to give her view on the second round.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012

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www.thenationonlineng.net

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7

NO.2,105

TOMORROW IN THE NATION ‘The country has gradually fallen into the hands of criminal gangs, who, as ubiquitous as they are, are mushrooming at alarming proportions, while the governments seem not to be paying due attention to the rapacious consequences they are wreaking and could wreak on the society at large’.

DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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HE recent revelation that a company whose line of business is refuse disposal received N1.8 billion in “oil subsidy” payments reminded me of another feeding frenzy some four decades ago.

So much building and rebuilding had to be done after the civil war. But there was an acute shortage of cement. Fortunately, money was not the problem, only how to spend it. Import licences were issued on the spot to anyone who cared to apply.

Ship after ship from every corner of the world laden with cement converged on Lagos port in a flotilla that the Daily Times in a headline for the ages cast by Lade “Ladbone” Bonuola called a “cement armada,” strangulating the port and making the government incur colossal port charges into the bargain.

In testimony before the commission of inquiry empanelled by the Federal Government to investigate how and why this nightmare came about, a woman testified that she was walking down Broad Street and minding her own business when a man accosted her and asked if she would kindly follow him to the government office from which he had just come out to sign as a witness to a cement contract.

She signed the papers, and for her trouble took home a princely sum by way of commission. Just like that, as Fela AnikulapoKuti would have said. No fuss and no ceremony.

Those handing out licenses to import gasoline seem to have been just as undiscriminating, and the process seems to have been as loose as the one that produced the cement armada. The one, which we should now call Subsidy-gate, in keeping with journalistic practice of using that suffix as shorthand for high scandal, is like the other an obscene bazaar with few parallels.

With the trillions shelled out by way of “subsidy” for gasoline that was often not delivered, is it any wonder that the refineries are not functioning at all or functioning only fitfully? Why fix the refineries when you can rake in millions upon millions for pretending to supply imported gasoline?

We always said it that the “subsidy” the consumer was alleged to have been enjoying without remorse for years – a “subsidy” that grew continually larger the more they cut it – was fictional through and through; that if anything was being subsidised, it was syndicated corruption.

The report of the Farouk Lawan House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Subsidy Regime Management has merely con-

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Subsidy-gate: A test of the Jonathan Agenda

•Dr Jonathan

firmed what anyone who has taken more than a passing interest in the matter knew all along — except perhaps the lurid details.

More than 30 years after the late University of Lagos polymath, Professor Ayodele Awojobi, demonstrated during testimony before the Irikefe Tribunal that the barrel being used for lifting crude in Nigeria’s oil fields was four gallons larger than the standard international barrel, nobody can say with certainty just how much crude is lifted daily.

For that matter, no one can say with certainty how much gasoline is produced by the refineries that are still in commission, how

much is imported, and how much is actually delivered. And nobody knows how much is consumed daily.

One government agency within the industry has the latter figure as 58 million litres.

Another government agency has it as 38 million litres, which is closer to actual sales. But the “subsidy” paid to importers is calculated based on a daily consumption of 58 million litres.

The variance represents in all probability the volume of gasoline paid for but not supplied. And the racketeering has continued year after year. It is probably still going on even now, for they are still talking of fresh “subsidy” payments to importers long after they were supposed to have been terminated last January.

When Finance Minister Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala said the other day that the Federal Government was “near broke,” she was being understandably restrained. No need to scare the market and all those reluctant foreign investors President Jonathan has been courting lately in Korea and Germany; no need to provoke the credit agencies into lowering Nigeria’s rating, and, of course, no need to stir the creditors into a scramble for what they can cart away before the system goes into receivership.

They have also been talking, or rather whispering, about “removing” what allegedly still remains of the “subsidy,” so as to enable the authorities embark on all those projects that were not executed when resources were abundant and costs affordable – new oil refineries, power and water supply schemes,

highways crisscrossing the county, modern railways, not forgetting ante-natal care for three million pregnant women.

If these and other projects envisaged under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme (SURE) are not yet at full throttle, they claim, it is only because the “subsidy” on gasoline was removed only in part last January. If the people want to realise the great promise of SURE, they will have to allow the “subsidy” to go.

I hope no official or commissioned agents will peddle this line. It is shopworn, it is dishonest, and it is deeply provocative.

In a society that has not consecrated corruption as a way of life, all the senior officials who have directly or indirectly contributed to the massive looting of public resources under the pretext of paying out gasoline subsidies would have resigned, failing which they would have been fired. A minister who has failed spectacularly in every post she has been assigned would definitely not be a permanent fixture in the Cabinet, no matter how well connected.

Indictments would have followed swiftly – indictments that would lead to punitive sanctions at the end of robust prosecution, not the perfunctory, cosmetic type staged by the EFCC, nor the kind that can be dismissed with brazen casuistry by complaisant judges like Marcel Awokulehin.

The way President Goodluck Jonathan handles Subsidy-gate will define how serious he is about transforming Nigeria. The report of the National Assembly has presented him with the most solid platform for his muchpostponed agenda. This cannot be dismissed as just episode in the life of the family otherwise known as the PDP. For good reason, the National Assembly is one of the most vilified public institutions in Nigeria. Its members hanker after cars bought for their keeping with public funds like deprived children let loose in candy store; they are grasping and insensitive, and largely unproductive.

But in the matter of Subsidy-gate, the National Assembly has redeemed itself somewhat. That is the path it should follow if it wants to win public esteem.

Farouk Lawan, chairman, and members of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Subsidy Regime Management, deserve the nation’s gratitude for conducting the probe and publicising their findings expeditiously despite threats and harassment.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

RIPPLES

HARDBALL

GOVERNORS, MINISTERS INVOLVED IN SUBSIDY SCAM–News

Subsidy probes: How long can we paper over the cracks?

O one knows whether the House of Representatives debate on the Hon Farouk Lawan -led ad hoc probe panel on fuel subsidy billed to begin today will become acrimonious or not. Nigerians hope the debate will be rancour-free and civilised.

More, they hope the forces which appear prepared to undermine it by open or subterranean means, which forces are already gathering, will fail to set the parliamentarians against one another. If the debates go on well, it is likely there will be significant changes in the way government business is conducted and in the attitude of public officials to the rules and ethics of business and governance. But there is hardly a Nigerian who does not think that the possibility of the debates being miscarried does not also exist.

Already, even before the debates begin, the federal government, citing ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Finance to review the implementation of the subsidy regime, has relieved two frontline accounting and auditing firms of the job of certifying the documents and claims of marketers drawing subsidy payments. Could that action not wait until the debates were concluded, and the report of the Senate committee probe of the downstream sector submitted and debated?

By taking action against the two accounting firms, the government seems to give the

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AUTHORITY STEALING

impression the action did not proceed from its own review process but is a response to the House of Representatives probe.

Spokesman of the president, Dr Reuben Abati, says the president will at the right time act on the probe reports, and will do it in the best interest of Nigerians. This response probably followed fears that the president would seek to spare the NNPC further blushes in the face of public distrust of its activities and the unsparing indictment contained in the report of the Lawan committee. And if Nigerians thought those on the receiving end of the probe report would meekly submit to their shearers and be skinned alive, they must be gravely mistaken. Eighteen of the companies the House committee said should be made to refund over N41 billion have asked their lawyer to prosecute a titanic legal battle to undermine the integrity of the report.

Apart from the subtle attack on Dr Bukola Saraki, the senator who triggered the subsidy probe affair, there are also rumours of impeachment war against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal. The Speaker and his supporters have tried to make light of the conspiracy, but if precedents are followed, when rumours of impeachment persist, there is often some truth in them. There is so far no definite face to the opposition against Tambuwal, but the grouse against him is that he resisted or

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

ignored the powerful individuals who leaned on him not to start the probe, or after it started, to discontinue it. In addition, according to Lawan, there were concerted efforts to undermine the probe while it lasted.

In fact, a serious campaign is now afoot to discredit the report, with some marketers indicted by the report suggesting their names were included because they refused to induce the panel.

It is anticipated that the Senate report will also return a damning verdict against the relevant agencies and marketers. If that happens, the federal government will find its elbow room to prevent full meltdown severely restricted. Not only will government be the first to lose face, especially considering its apocalyptic predictions about the economy before subsidy was removed in January, it will virtually lose all credibility as manager of Nigeria’s huge economy. This whole affair has begun slowly and gently; it will continue to unravel steadily and ominously. Expect the ‘empire’ of subsidy racketeers to strike back, and it will do so viciously. If the retaliatory strike cannot be contained, we will find ourselves submitting helplessly to the folly of Nigeria’s legendary repairmen who in the thick of ethical battles always counsel for papering over the cracks, a habit we perfected a long time ago to our shame and misfortune.

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