Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger

By Rita Iliya
Niger state government has presented draft copy of the formulation of the state urban policy process to policy makers from the state Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Tuesday that Niger state is getting a 900,000 dollar grant from South Korea to formulate the urban policy.

The policy seeks to regenerate informal settlements of inner city neighbourhoods in urban centres to prevent the growth of slums, improved access to safe, decent and affordable housing.

It will also improve on public transport systems, improved water and sanitation, effective land management, inclusive economic growth and job creation.

Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Chairman, Technical Support Team for the Formulation of the Niger State Urban Policy, said the meeting was for policy actors in MDAs to have an understanding of the ongoing formulation of the policy.

Matane, represented by Alhaji Baba Wachiko, Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs, added that the meeting was for participants to review the draft policy, identify gaps and make inputs.

This is to ensure relevant policy actors and stakeholders are involved in the formulation process to have an implementable urban development policy, he said.

Also, Prof. Mustapha Zubairu, Coordinator, Niger State Urban Support Programme (NSUSP), said that the urban policy would bring about sustainable use of land and natural resources to bring poverty to the barest minimum.

He added that the urban policy would strengthen governance systems and improve synergy between government institutions and MDAs at all levels of government.

As key actors of MDAs, you are to review the draft policy, make comments which should reflect what you think is missing and what you think should be adequately captured that are not adequately captured, he said.

Presenting the draft urban policy, Mr Emmanuel Adeleke, UN-Habitat Consultant, NSUSP, said that the feasibility and diagnostic phase of the policy process had been completed.

He added that the outcome of these phases revealed uncoordinated urban development, infrastructure and service deficit, insecurity and poor urban and rural linkages among others.

One of the participant, Malam Nagidi Bala, from the state Urban Development Board, said there was need to act fast as everything was gradually becoming digitalised.

Another participant, John Dawaba, from the Niger state Geographic Information System (NGIS), promised to review the policy alongside other staff and make contributions where necessary.

NAN reports that some of the objectives of the policy include:

1. Equitable access to affordable land, security of tenure, safety, security, improved livability in towns and cities and conducive urban environment capable of transforming the economy is achieved in Niger State;

2. Transparent, accountable and efficient land administration and governance processes and institutions are functioning in the state;

3. Housing delivery processes and institutions are empowered to facilitate the acquisition of land for housing and other development projects; and,

4. Cities, towns and neighbourhoods are mapped, adequately planned and supporting Government and residents to achieve their residential and economic aspirations.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

Tens of thousands of students in Pakistan returned to educational institutions on Tuesday after a six-month break, as the countrys new coronavirus caseload continues to decline.

Universities and colleges reopened and school classes for the ninth and 10th grade restarted in the first phase of a three-stage plan announced by the the government earlier this month.

School classes for younger pupils were set to resume by the end of September, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said.

A sharp decline in new COVID-19 infections since July has encouraged authorities to reopen educational institutions under strict guidelines for teachers and students, including the wearing of face masks.

It was a difficult decision but we have to take it sooner or later, said Saeed Ghani, Education Minister in the worst-hit southern province of Sindh.

Student unions in the conflict-ridden provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan welcomed the resumption of in-person learning, as many students had not been able to join online classes due to a lack of internet access.

Pakistan had ordered schools to close in February, following the lead of other countries in the region, after the first COVID-19 infections were reported.

The country has reported more than 300,000 COVID-19 infections and more than 6,000 related deaths.

More than 95 per cent of patients have recovered.

The ratio of new infections among those tested recently declined to 2 per cent, according to health authorities.

The minister said the government would order schools to close again if infections spread once more. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lucy Ogalue
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has denied reports of alleged bandits attacks on Abuja-Kaduna train KA4 between Asham and Kubwa on Monday afternoon.

NRC s Managing Director, Mr Fidet Okhiria, who made the denial in a statement on Tuesday, said the reports were false.

According to him, there are alwayshoodlums who usually throw heavy stones at the moving train along Abuja-Kaduna route.

There was no bandit attack on the train; its just a rumour otherwise, they will have seen bullet all over the train.

It was hoodlums who threw stones at the train and because the Police got one suspect, at night, more hoodlums came out to attack the train in protest against the arrest made in the afternoon.

NRC has, however, spoken to security agencies to help us prevent such future occurrences and intervene in the matter, so they will know how best to deal with the situation Okhiria said.

He however, urged the public using the trains not to panic, as the Minister of Transportation and NRC would ensure safety of Nigerians on that route.

Similarly, the Manager Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, Mr Paschal Nnorli, confirmed that the train arrived Idu station on schedule on Monday, and denied any bandit attack.

Nnorli said:The attention of Nigerian Railway Corporation has been drawn to fake online news that the KA4 train from Kaduna to Abuja was attacked on Monday by armed bandits between Asham and Kubwa.

This news is false. In between Asham and Kubwa sections, some hoodlums threw stones and broke the windscreen of our locomotive.

The crew and armed police escort went after them, the train, however, continued its trip down to Idu,he said.

Source: NAN News

John Enenche, Director Defence Information

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke has recorded another success in the fight against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region of the country.

DHQ disclosed this a statement issued by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Enenche said the troops of Sector I had on Monday engaged some bandits at their camp in the forest boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States and destroyed the camp.

He added that many of the bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.

Enenche also disclosed that troops raided the hideout of remnants of the late Gana militia elements around Adu in Chanchanji council ward of Takum Local Government Area of Taraba.

He said the raid was sequel to an actionable intelligence on the possible hideout of remnants of the militia elements in the area.

According to him, in the course of the operation, troops had contact with the armed militias who fired at troops as they closed in on their position.

The gallant troops swiftly responded with superior fire forcing the bandits to flee the camp in disarray into the surrounding forest.

In the course of the encounter, two armed militias were neutralised while two locally made pistols were recovered from the bandits, he said.

The coordinator further disclosed that troops also raided another identified armed bandits hideout at Chanchanji in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba and Sai in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue.

He said the operation led to the arrest of three suspects namely; Saalu Igbua Terlumun, Benjamin Valentine and Milton Gbegi at Sai while Isaac Hilega aka Bawasa and Godwin Terwase were arrested at Chanchanji.

According to him, the gallant troops combed the hideouts leading to the recovery of 16 Handsets, Charms and some substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation after which they will be handed over to the police for further action.

Currently, troops have dominated the area with fighting patrols to deter armed elements and deny them freedom of movement.

The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops for the feats recorded and encourages them to sustain the onslaught against the criminal elements, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Health worker on duty

By Maureen Ojinaka

Some patients at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu are lamenting over the industrial action by the Joint Health Workers Union as the strike entered the second day.

Some of the patients, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu, expressed worry over the development.

They, therefore, urged government to find solution to the perennial strike as many people were dying while the strike last.

They said that health workers had abandoned their duties and decry patients inabilities to access complete health care services, thereby worsening their health condition.

The strike, which began on Sept. 14, nationwide took patients on appointments, and those on admission, by surprise as many of them claimed to have had no previous information of the strike.

Most of the consulting rooms were devoid of their usual activities as they were empty with no patient, while the laboratory and card rooms were under lock.

Some patients, who came for treatment, complained that they were not attended to, as no worker was available to retrieve their medical record folder for treatment.

One of the patients, Mrs Eunice Agu, who came for a check-up, said that she could not get any staff to attended to her.

Those responsible for patients folders are not around to fetch my hospital file, Agu said.

Miss Rose Uzoh, whose father had been on admission, said that health workers strike was delaying activities in the ward as nurses were nowhere to be found.

Absence of health workers in this hospital has really slowed down health services, especially without the nurses around, she said.

However, one of the patients on admission, Mr Chindu Nnamani, said he was not planning to leave because of the doctors presence.

Nnamani said that the doctors were trying their best to attend to the patients.

Doctors in the wards were still attending to some critical patients already on admission, he said.

A nurse, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told NAN that none of the hospitals health worker was on duty except doctors. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Minna-Bida road

By Rita Iliya

Niger State Government has closed down Minna-Bida road to articulated vehicles to allow speedy reconstruction of the road.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had announced its decision to restrict movement of articulated vehicles on the road to allow the contractor handling the project to speed up work.

The road was barricade to stop the heavy trucks from accessing it from Bida.

Other roads closed were; Lapai-Paiko, Chanchaga Bridge-Maikunkele, Muye-Lapai, and Zungeru-Wushishi.

Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe, Chairman, state Infrastructure and Monitoring Committee and Chief of Staff to Gov. Sani Bello, led a team from relevant ministries, departments and parastatals to carry out the closure on behalf of the state government.

He said the restriction of articulated vehicles on the state-owned roads would be totally enforced as stakeholders were in support of the decision.

Ibrahim warned that any articulated vehicle caught violating the order would have themselves to blame as the government had carried out wide publicity on its closure.

He enjoined the people to exercise patience and understanding for the inconveniences the restriction would cause, adding that it was for the overall interest of the state.

One of the drivers, Yusuf Ahmed, who was coming from Bauchi and was caught up in the barricade, said the Minna-Bida road was the only motorable road in the area.

He noted that the Bida-Agaie-Lapai-Lambata and Tegina-Birnin Gwari roads owned by the Federal Government, were in deplorable condition and the activities of bandits and kidnappers were on the increase on the routes. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ECOWAS

Malis military coup leaders must hand over power to a civilian transitional government immediately, the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Tuesday.

The chairman said this in Accra as a deadline expired for the ruling junta to appoint interim leaders.

The 15-member ECOWAS imposed economic sanctions after the Aug. 18 overthrow of President Ibrahim Keita, and said a new president should be appointed by Tuesday.

But the junta pushed through a charter on Saturday that says the interim president can be a soldier or a civilian and has not yet indicated when the new government would be named.

Regional presidents met junta leaders on Tuesday in Ghana in an attempt to quicken the transition.

Today is supposed to be the day that the junta is to put in place a government, which should respond to the criteria we set out in August.

That has not been met, said Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo, the acting ECOWAS chair, before the start of talks.

Regional leaders fear the coup could set a dangerous precedent in West Africa and undermine a fight in Mali and neighbouring countries in the Sahel region against militants with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

That country can no longer afford any delay in putting a responsible government in place, he said.

West African leaders have not said what the consequences would be for failing to meet the deadline.

The existing sanctions include border closures and the suspension of financial flows.

The charter approved at multi-party talks in Mali also calls for an 18-month transition, while ECOWAS had said that fresh elections should be held within a year. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Wumi iledare

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Prof. Wumi Iledare, a Professor of Petroleum Economics, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to ensure adequate preparation before the introduction of the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in the country.

Iledare, a former President, Nigerian Association of Energy Economics (NAEE), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

CNG methane stored at high pressure is a fuel that can be used in place of gasoline, diesel fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

CNG combustion produces fewer undesirable gases than the aforementioned fuels.

NAN reports that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had announced that the use of CNG would soon begin in the country.

The minister had noted that CNG would reduce the burden of the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) following the deregulation of the downstream oil sector.

Iledare commended the Federal Government for the effort to introduce CNG, adding that ad hoc approach at solving a complex issue was not always the best.

I commend the spirit and the dream but this is my frustration with ad hoc approach to resolving a complex issue.

Where are the CNG plants, where is the road infrastructure to avoid accident with the use of inflammable fuel; where is the discipline in the society.

Certainly, it is a noble goal but adequate preparation is important to achieve the desired goal, he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said it would soon begin activation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refill stations for motorists nationwide.

The NNPCs Group Managing Director, Malam Mele Kyari said the idea was to support the ongoing initiatives by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in providing alternative energy sources for Nigerians.

Kyari said that as an energy company with focus on cleaner and cheaper sources of fuel, NNPC would continue to work with stakeholders in the industry to provide viable alternatives to petrol. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

By KadiriI Abdulrahan

A financial expert, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to increase support for commercial banks to address the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the sector.

Unegbu, a past President of Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

He gave the suggestion against the backdrop of reports that 13 Nigerian banks made provision ofabout N157.15 billion for bad loansin their half-year performance.

Unegbu, a former Managing Director of the defunct Citizens International Bank said Nigerian banks had remained resilient to economic disruptions, adding however that the pandemic had inflicted colossal damage to businesses across sectors

He said that the pandemic had created challenges for many businesses across the globe with most of them needing government support to stay afloat.

COVID-19 has caused economic dislocation, social dislocation, and dislocation of relationships. Businesses are closing down; unemployment is on the rise.

Even before the pandemic, inflation rate was already on the increase in Nigeria. The naira has lost its value to virtually all currencies in the world.

Because of all these negative factors, economic managers should not be too dogmatic about monetary policy. Most banks and other businesses need governments stimulus package to survive.

The banks are complaining but CBN is still breathing down their necks to increase their capital base. CBN should consider the position of these banks vis a vis the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Unegu said that increase in utility bills in the midst of economic hardship induced by COVID-19 would further worsen the living standard of the Nigerian masses.

He called on the government to take steps to alleviate the economic hardship experienced by the Nigerian masses as was the case in other climes.

I support the removal of petroleum subsidy because the idea of paying some businessmen huge amounts in subsidy claims does not make economic sense.

But the increase in electricity tariff at this time, even when there is no improvement in power supply, is not advisable.

There must be a human face to economic management. COVID-19 has really dealt a devastating blow on the economy and our economic managers need to consider the masses in formulating their policies.

A country like Ghana, for instance, has been paying electricity tariff of it citizens for the past five months, he said.

Unegbu advised government to halt wastage in government expenditure to have more resources to alleviate economic hardship experienced by the masses. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Okechukwu Unegbu

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, a financial expert, has advised the Federal Government to reduce tax of low income earners and small investors to encourage investments, boost job creation and grow the nations economy.

Unegbu, who is a former President of the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, reducing tax of low income earners and small investors will encourage more investments, boost job creation and grow the national economy.

He, however, suggested that wealthy Nigerians should be made to pay more tax.

The immediate step to take for government to grow the economy is to reduce tax at the lower level, while high income earners and big investors should be made to pay more tax.

This will help businesses grow, and make more money available for investment, Unegbu said.

Unegbu also urged the Federal Government to improve on its fight against corruption to attract more investments into the economy.

He said that direct job creation was another sure way for government to fast track economic growth in the country.

Official corruption poses a disincentive to investment and economic growth. It should be tackled with renewed vigour.

Government should also take immediate steps to create jobs and reduce unemployment in the country.

The plan by the Federal Government to create 774 thousand jobs across all Local Government Areas in Nigeria is laudable; it will expand the tax net thereby improving government revenue, he said.

He urged government to fast track the initiative and address controversies that have bedeviled the job creation initiative.

Unegbu called on the Federal Government to address the rising debt profile of the country.

There is nothing wrong with borrowing, so long as the loan is used for the purpose for which it was taken.

The N31trillion debt as recently revealed by Debt Management Office is alarming. The interest alone is on the high and will be difficult to service.

The managers of the economy should endeavour to look inwards for better finance options rather than continue to depend on foreign loans for infrastructural development, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News