All Posts in "Day: January 19, 2022"

Abuja Residents To Start Paying Three Months Bulk Rent  Soon

Senate Moves To Mandate Only Three Months Bulk Rent In Abuja – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
The Senate is making move  to  mandate landlords in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to collect three months rent only, from tenants.
Specifically, the lawmakers said the bill if passed into law will stop  the regime where tenants pay bulk rents for apartments ranging from one or two years.
The bill was sponsored by the Senator representing Kogi West, Senator Smart Adeyemi, and passed first reading in Senate during plenary on Tuesday.
He explained that the bill is targeted at cushioning effect of outrageous tents on properties on poor residents in the Federal Capital Territory .
He added that the bill when fully considered and passed into law, will regulate rent collections  from tenants to three months at first instance and subsequent monthly payments as against one , two or three years first payment being collected by property owners now with subsequent yearly rent payment renewal .
According to him:”Many residents of FCT are finding it very difficult to cope with huge rent payment , the reason why many of the Houses built for such purposes are empty.The law is targeted at welfare and wellbeing of the downtrodden , majority of whom elected those holding  public positions into offices.
“Some landlords always insist their tenants pay for one year or two years rent. That is wrong. By this bill, Nigerians especially Abuja residents will now be paying rent on monthly  basis after the expiration of the initial three months.The law we are proposing stipulates a maximum advanced rent payment of three months. After the expiration of the three months rent, the tenants are expected to pay monthly.There are many tenants whose salaries are competing with their rents because they live in cities like Abuja”.
Online Editor by — January 19, 2022 in News 0
We’ll  Use Oyo  Resources To Add Value- Makinde

We'll extract value from mineral resources, agriculture to develop Oyo — Makinde - News Express Nigeria
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has assured that his administration will continue to use the state’s commonwealth for the good of the people in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The governor, who stated this while receiving hundreds of members of the Iseyin Development Union, led by His Royal Majesty, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr. Abdul-Ganiyy Salaudeen, said all zones in the state will witness rapid development under his watch.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Iseyin residents led by the Aseyin and well-meaning indigenes of the town, paid the solidarity visit to the governor at the Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Addressing the Iseyin people, Governor Makinde maintained that residents of Iseyin and all other towns in the state should expect more monumental projects across the state, adding that these projects will welcome new faces and bring development to the state.
He promised  that  his administration will  leave the state better than it met it and implored the citizens to join hands with the government in its bid to develop the state.
He said: “I want to greet the Kabiyesi Aseyin of Iseyin, other chiefs, and other dignitaries here present.Sincerely, I am overwhelmed by this show of appreciation and the reason is that you are acknowledging the works I have been doing since I came into government.
“But indeed, it is your money that is working, not the money of Seyi Makinde’s father. It is our commonwealth and the essence of government is to use the commonwealth for the common good of our people and this is what we will continue to do as an administration.The only thing we can do as a government is to leave the state better than we met it. And, fortunately for my people in Iseyin, where the geography places Iseyin zone, you can accommodate.
“You can see that the journey from Moniya to Iseyin is just 45 minutes now, and it means that someone can be working at Secretariat and come from Iseyin every day. So, it is not necessary that all of us must squeeze ourselves inside Ibadan. “We want to spread out and develop the state as a corridor for all the zones in Oyo state.
“Let me plead with you that development is still ongoing and the government is doing what it is supposed to do in terms of infrastructure. “The development will come naturally from investors but what we need from you is your cooperation with the government.
“Among the projects we want to carry out is the Trans Motel in Iseyin, which should have been done. But there are few people who are constituting themselves as clogs in the wheel of progress. Baba, please we want you to talk to them because we want nightlife in Iseyin.
We want those traveling to Ado-Awaye to have the opportunity to stay and spend the night at Iseyin.Once the university also takes off, we need places for people to sleep. So, join hands with the government.
“If the economy becomes expanded, there won’t be poverty in the land. So, I want you to visualise what is coming. Iseyin is being linked to Oyo and when the road is completed in six months’ time, it will only take 20 minutes from Iseyin to Oyo. Iseyin is being linked to Ogbomoso and when the road is completed, it will be a maximum of an hour. So, we should expect an economy that will welcome new faces and development.
“Within 20 years, my focus is to make Iseyin link up with Ibadan. So, I want you to be prepared that development is almost at the arrival point to Iseyin and Oke Ogun zone.As you have come to show appreciation, we will double our effort as a government. “We will not disappoint ourselves and we will not disappoint you as well. I thank you very much and God bless.”
Earlier, the National President, Iseyin Development Union, Alhaji Bayo Raji, said that the visit was to thank the Governor Makinde-led administration for the various monumental projects across Oyo State and especially in Iseyin and Oke Ogun land, which include; the completed Iseyin-Moniya Road spanning 65 kilometres, which link Ibadanland and Oke Ogun; location of LAUTECH College of Agriculture and Renewable Resources in Iseyin; the ongoing Iseyin-Oyo Road construction.
Others, he said, include the recently approved Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso road and the street light electrification at three strategic locations within the Iseyin metropolis as well as the completion of the Saki Township Road and the ongoing Saki-Ogbooro-Igboho Road construction.
He added that the government has equally completed various abandoned projects across the state, noting that the state has never had it so good since independence.
He maintained that within two to three years, the present administration has laid new standards for governance, saying: “With what your administration has done, we are assured that the future of Oyo State will be better.
“We cannot thank you enough. But we shall continue to pray for you and your government for redirecting the state policy, showcasing modern standards, and serving as a model in leadership, governance, and party management.”
Online Editor by — January 19, 2022 in News 0
CBN Flags Off 8mmt/ha New Rice Seed Variety, Crashes Rice Importation 

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,says Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has crashed rice importation from 1.3MMT To 2,160MMT In 2021 and reduced the strain on the foreign reserves through reduction of imports and creation of jobs in Nigeria
Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of CBN, who disclosed  this  in Abuja at the unveiling of the FCT Mega Rice Pyramids by President Muhammadu Buhari,said  the apex bank’s effort in partnering  with small holder farmers has reduced rice imports from Thailand from 1.3 million tons of rice in 2014 to 2160 million metric tons in 2021.
He stated: “We are delighted that these efforts have yielded fruits in not just increasing the availability of rice, but also in moderating prices, reducing imports and increasing job creation in the country. For example, Thailand alone exported 1.3 million metric tons of rice to Nigeria in 2014. The ABP was launched in 2015 to curtail these imports, and since then, we have seen incremental reductions in rice imports from Thailand.
“By 2016, rice imports from Thailand had fallen to only 58,000 metric tons. As of the end of 2021, they only exported 2,160 metric tons to Nigeria, thereby saving us foreign exchange and helping preserve jobs in Nigeria”
According to him, the total aggregate of farmers in its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme net is now over 4million with about 5.3 million hectares so far cultivated.
He explained  that the  Anchor Borrowers’ Programme has catalyzed the rural economy and has built a sustainable framework for financing small holder farmers in Nigeria.
He said  the programme has developed an ecosystem among all nodes of the agricultural value chain and these linkages can be better optimized through synergy among all stakeholders.
“As at the end of December 2021, we have financed 4,489,786 farmers that cultivated 5,300,411 hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT”, Emefiele stated.
He  said the yield of smallholder farmers has also improved per hectares, due to the inputs supplied, thereby making Nigeria attain the enviable position of the largest rice producer in the continent.
He added:”Beyond increasing our national output from about 5.4 million metric tons in 2015 to over 9 million metric tons in 2021, we have also significantly improved the productivity per hectare of the smallholder farmer from about 2.4 metric tons per ha in 2015 to between about 5 metric tons per ha in 2021.
“These expansions have not only made Nigeria the largest rice producer in Africa, but has also unlocked enormous private sector investment in the rice value chain as the number of Integrated Rice Mills grew astronomically from 6 in 2015 to over 50 in 2021 with many more in various stages of completion. Today, Nigeria’s milled rice matches the foreign rice in quality. Your Excellency, as part of this event, you will be inspecting some of the numerous Nigeria milled rice in the exhibition stands”
Governor Emefiele further revealed that efforts are under way to ensure that smallholder farmers’ yield increases as it has discovered a variety with higher yields, which is expected to commence in the 2022 dry season.
He said, “we are currently exploring a new rice seed variety with RIFAN that has potential to deliver over 8 tons per ha. The pilot programme should commence in the 2022 dry season, and it has the potential of being the game changer for the rice sector in Nigeria.
“We will work with the various seed certification authorities and explore the possibility of patenting it for RIFAN as part of their legacies under the Programme”.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele said with the successes recorded in the rice production, it has commenced what he termed as the “Brown Revolution” as a mantra for the transformation of the wheat value chain in Nigeria. He regretted that  Nigeria only produce about 1 per cent of the 5-6 million metric tons of wheat consumed annually. He said this costs the nation about $2 billion annually on Importation of the product, which is the third most consumed grain after maize and rice.
He also said wheat accounts for the second highest food import bill in Nigeria, thereby putting pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.
He commended the farmers diligently submitting their paddy rice as repayment of loans under the 2020 dry season and 2021 wet seasons.
Online Editor by — January 19, 2022 in News 0
Anambra:Soldiers Dislodge ESN Operatives, Kill Many 

Soldiers Dislodge ESN Operatives, Kill Many In Anambra – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
The Nigerian Army in a joint operations conducted with other security agencies  have dislodged a notorious stronghold of the armed Wing of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra,  the Eastern Security Network (ESN) killing many in Lilu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The operation was jointly conducted by  troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Navy, 211 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force,  Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police.
Lilu is a border town between Imo and Anambra States, which soldiers said had been hitherto known to be used as an operational base of the dissidents.
A press statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations , Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said the operation was conducted in the early hours of Monday January 17, 2022.
It said the operation led to the neutralization of  some gunmen in the fire fight that ensued.
The  statement said after dislodging the dissidents from their fortress, the dogged troops recovered 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, One Revolver pistol,  rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machettes and IPOB flags.
Other items recovered, the statement continued, were mobile phones, laptops  amongst other dangerous weapons.
It added:”It was a well coordinated dawn attack on the fortress, where plans were being perfected to violently enforce the illegitimate sit-at-home declaration by the irredentist groups”.
Online Editor by — January 19, 2022 in News 0
 Reps Move To Stop Illegal Crude Oil Refineries In Niger Delta.

Reps probe security agents' 'involvement' in illegal oil refining
The House of Representatives on Tuesday Mandated the Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources and Environment to urgently develop and implement modalities to clear off soot currently experienced in Rivers State and other parts of the Niger Delta Region.
It also mandated the House Committees on Police Affairs, Navy, Army, Defense and Interior to investigate the alleged involvement of security agencies in the illegal oil refining activities in the Niger Delta Region of the Country.
These followed a motion of urgent public importance on “the need to curb the activities of illegal crude oil refineries in the Niger Delta Region, to end the soot currently experienced in the Region” brought by Hon.
Unyime Idem(PDP, Akwa Ibom).
In his presentation of the motion,the lawmaker noted that, in section 44 (3) and item 39 Schedule II of the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) said the control and management of natural resources and hydrocarbon operations on the Federal Government are for the common good and benefit of the citizens.
He expressed worries that the Niger Delta region  has over the years been plagued by the activities of illegal oil refiners at the detriment of the lives of residents and the economy of the country.
He said these activities  “have compounded the age-long problem of environmental pollution and degradation caused by the seismic and exploration activities of the multinational oil companies operating in Niger Delta, contributing to the dramatic changes in the weather pattern being experienced in this region.These illegal activities have sabotaged economic activities of residents of the area, caused severe health hazards on citizens, robbed the country of critical revenue, and aggravated the problem of pollution in the region” .
He expressed that the House is  disappointed that some security agencies and some influential individuals have been alleged of complicity in the activities of these illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region
The House expressed fear that “if these trend continues unabated, the Niger Delta Region will be at health risk and economic activities will be crumbled.”
Debating the motion, Hon. Luke Onofiok, Lawmaker representating Etinan/Nsit Ibom/ Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom state amended that the mid stream and and downstream regulatory authorities be asked to grant licenses for the establishment of modular refineries and support their establishment.
He added that the existing licenses for modular refineries should be reviewed to enable either cancellation or renewal or additional licenses.
The motion after amendments by members of the House was agreed on and passed by presiding Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila,  just as the
House mandated  relevant Committees on Host Communities and Downstream to ensure compliance and report back in six weeks.
Online Editor by — January 19, 2022 in News 0
Reps To Reintroduce Electoral Bill Today

The House of Representatives will reintroduce and resume legislative effort of correcting noted observations in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill on Wednesday.
Its Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila,who disclosed this   while addressing members and welcoming them back from the Christmas and New Year break,said the bill upon reintroduction would be subjected to legislative inputs at committee levels with relevant adjustment made.
 President Muhammadu Buhari had last  December  refused assent to the amendment Bill, due to  logistic and financial challlenges posed by clause 85 which seeks to mandate political parties to adopt direct primaries in selecting their flag bearers in an election.
He  reiterated  the commitment of the House in delivering a globally acceptable electoral law to Nigerians.
He   lamented  inadequacies of political parties with regards to proper and up-to-date membership drive and registration was being used as an excuse to paint  the concept of direct primary in bad light.
He added:” It is disappointing that the failure of political parties to adequately document their membership is being used to not give the Nigerian people the power to fully participate in our nation’s politics. If nothing else, including a direct primary mandate in the law, would have forced political parties to properly register their members within the shortest possible time.  This would have been the singular most significant reform of our political party system in a generation.”
Gbajabiamila expressed that the proposal for direct primary elections is valuable for building accountability in  the nation’s  political system.
On the issues relating to inelegant drafting and other technical errors in the Bill, the Speaker said “This is a matter of concern as it appears the version sent to the President differs from what is circulating in the public domain.  However, in December of last year, I appointed a technical team to look into the issue. I expect to have their report within the next day or two so that we can proceed to the next stage.  We have less than thirteen months to the next general election, so time is of the essence. A credible electoral law is what the people want.  It is what the people deserve, and we must give to them. The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill includes many other provisions that will serve our democracy well, and we cannot throw away the baby with the bathwater.”
He spoke on  budget and its benefits to the people, saying that the parliament has exercised its constitutional powers to prioritise community and constituency development by allocating funds to relevant projects in education, as well as information and communication technologies (ICT).
“We have used the appropriations process and the power of parliament over the public purse to pursue community and constituency development across the country.  We have invested in primary, secondary and tertiary education infrastructure.  We have provided ICT training centres to facilitate learning and enhance educational outcomes.  There is, at the moment, virtually no constituency in the country that hasn’t benefitted from significant investment to improve primary healthcare, rehabilitate classrooms and schools and provide community roads.
Gbajabiamila also stressed the need for the people to be aware and abreast of legislative achievements recorded by the 9th House, saying that efforts must be made within the year to adequately document and publicize same.
“Too often, the legislator’s work and the benefits that derive therefrom are not uniquely recognised and acknowledged.  Active measures are required to change that, and it is our responsibility to make sure that the people we serve have sufficient information to judge us on the facts.  Therefore, it must be a priority for us this year to document our efforts and our success and communicate the same to our constituents across the nation so that we can be judged individually and collectively by our evident accomplishments”, he said.
On the ongoing constitution review efforts in the House, the Speaker said actions are at their terminal stages to clean up the document and move to the next stage, a process he said must be concluded within the year, just as he urged members to double their efforts in actualizing the legislative agenda.
Online Editor by — January 19, 2022 in Politics 0