All Posts in "Month: February 2023"

87.2m Nigerians To Vote On Saturday -INEC

By Tunde Sholanke

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that 87.2 million voters may vote on Saturday on account of the number of Permanent Voters Cards Collected across the states .

The figure represents 93.3 % of the 93.4 million Nigerians that were captured during the voter registration exercise.

According to the figure,Lagos State which has the highest number of registered voters of over 7 millions , 6.2 million or 88% collected their PVCs.

Kano State with 5.9 million registered voters , about 5.5 million collected the PVCs representing about 94.5% .

Besides,INEC said,all states in the geopolitical zone witnessed over ninety percent PVC collection with Anambra leading the park with over 98% PVC collection.

Speaking on Thursday,chairman of Independent Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said the commission is ready to go despite the sheer magnitude of the exercise involving over 93 million registered voters in 176, 606 polling units

He said:”This election is a huge logistical deployment. We have painstakingly procured, organised and delivered all the materials to the States for deployment. We commenced the delivery of non-sensitive materials over two months ago and they have been batched down to Registration Area/Ward and Pulling Unit levels.

“Sensitive materials have been delivered to the States and are presently being delivered to our Local Government Area offices. As such, these materials are only between one and two levels away from the Polling Units. We have achieved this by learning from our recent difficult experience with logistics.

“We have completed arrangements with the transport unions for the final leg of the movement of personnel and materials to the Polling Units. They have assured us of their readiness to provide all the vehicular needs of the Commission for the election.
Aside training the election staff, he said technology to be used for the polls have been tested and certified ready.

“Staff to be deployed for the elections have been trained, the last declaring that the “Commission shall carefully monitor the performance of all staff involved in the election and ensure that both recognition and sanctions are applied wherever applicable”.

“Let me reiterate that the procedure for voting as provided in the Electoral Act 2022, clearly makes the use of the BVAS mandatory. So also, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC). The NO PVC, NO VOTING rule subsists”.

He punctured the ugly incidence of vote buying in the country.

He added:”Vote buying remains a major threat to our democracy. We have worked closely with enforcement agencies to ensure that this is eliminated from our electoral process. We are convinced that our joint operations before and on election day will vastly reduce the prospect of voter inducement, which is not only illegal but immoral

“The ban on the use of mobile phones and photographic devices at the voting cubicles, is still in place. Some voters have used these devices in previous elections to snap their marked ballot papers for vote transaction. However, citizens are permitted to come to the Polling Units with these devices, as long as they do not take them to the voting cubicles.”

On the reported killing of Oyibo Chukwu, the senatorial candidate of the Labour Party in Enugu State by unknown assailants, Yakubu
disclosed that will invoke Section 34 of the Electoral Act 2022 to countermind the Enugu East Senatorial election for two weeks

Fielding questions during the first daily media briefing to herald the 2023 general elections,he said the law provides for such interventions and that the Commission will act according to prescribed law.

admin by — February 24, 2023 in Politics 0
Privatisation: FG Shortlists 9 Firms To Verify NIPOST Properties

By Omobolanle Shosanya

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP),has approved nine firms to immediately carry out a nationwide verification of NIPOST Properties & Development Company Limited.

Ibeh, Uzoma Chidi, the Head, Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

The firms which are divided into the six-geo-political zones of the country are, Oghogho Ayanru, Raji Adewale Associates, Alaba Odunlanmi, Law Field Barristers and solicitors and B.A. Wali & Associates.

Others are, Aliyu Abubakar & Co, Bola Fabola, Tayo Osuntogun & Co and Primal Chambers.

This was one of the high points at the 2nd meeting of the Council for 2023 held at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, on Tuesday, February 21st, 2023,the statement said.

According to the statement,the firms are to provide proposals for carrying out the assignment based on: Validating the titles of the properties, thereby determining if the properties were duly registered at the relevant Land Registries; determining the ownership status of the properties as well as the type, size, and location of the properties; and providing any additional information that will enhance the audit of the properties.

The statement added that the firms are divided into the six geo-political zones as follows: Oghogho Ayanru, South East Batch, Raji Adewale Associates, South East Batch 2, Alaba Odunlanmi, South South Batch 1, Law Field Barristers and Solicitors, South South Batch 2, B.A. Wali & Associates, North West, Aliyu Abubakar & Co, North East, Bola Fabola, North Central, Tayo Osuntogun & Co, and Primal Chambers, South West Batch 2.

Premium News reports that worker of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST),last month staged a protest against the ongoing privatisation process of the postal agency in Abuja .

Under the aegis of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) and the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE), decried that the privatisation plan will “throw them into unemployment market and cause economic hardship to their families.”

Expressing their rejection of the privatisation process which they said has no employment provision or compensation for them, the workers called on President Muhammadu Buhari and every well meaning Nigerian to intervene on the matter and save thousands of their members from being thrown into the unemployment market in the country.

SSASCGOC General Secretary, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi, said, “BPE began the process of commercialisation in the Nigerian Postal Service with the assurance of making NIPOST a more service-oriented and profit-driven organisation.

“The proposed reform, according to the BPE, will not only improve the traditional services of NIPOST but will also bring about new revenue streams for the organisation, which will in turn greatly impact the morale and welfare of staffers.”

Among the burning issues the protesters raised was that the composition of the Board of Directors of the companies in charge of the agency showed that NIPOST as an entity has no influence or stake in the subsidiaries.

“Section C of the objects for which the NIPOST Properties and Development Company Limited is established clearly states that the company can sell, lease or exchange the assets of NIPOST, a provision that empowers the company to sell off NIPOST assets if they so desire”.

“The proposed plan by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami to share/hand over NIPOST properties to these companies is not necessary, as there is no basis for asset sharing since the said subsidiaries are owned by NIPOST as claimed by BPE.

“The recruitment of management staff of these companies was carried out without considering the current management staff of NIPOST who are experienced in this sector and this management is a separate entity from NIPOST management as it neither reports to the PMG nor form part of NIPOST top management.

“The salaries of the management staff of these companies far outweigh the salaries of top management of NIPOST, a disparity that is alarming, whereas the mid-level staff of these companies are placed on the NIPOST condition of service and salary”

admin by — February 24, 2023 in News 0
Polls: TUC Directs Workers To Vote Labour Party Candidates

By Tunde Sholanke

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria,TUC,Thursday,implored Nigerian workers to vote for the Labour Party and its candidates in the 2023 general elections billed to kick off on Saturday.

The union’s President,Comrade Festus Osifo and Secretary-General,Comrade Nuhu Toro,who gave the directive in a statement,said the development was necessary because the party belongs to Nigerian workers and will protect their interest.

He also urged the workers in the country and their allies to be vigilant,adding that the elections are so crucial that they may determine the immediate future of the country especially in socio-economic terms, and, the general wellbeing of the country

He said:”Workers have the duty not only to cast their votes for candidates of their choice who are pro-labour and they can trust, but also to defend the sanctity of the electoral process.
Congress hereby directs all our members in all the thirty-six states and the seven hundred and seventy-four local government to be reminded that Labour party belongs to us , hence our appeal to all our members to vote for the labour party and all their candidates.

“Workers must keep in mind that where the political elites, some of who hold multiple nationalities, are rich enough to relocate abroad, the working people and the mass of the citizenry have no alternative but to stay in the country. Hence the working class has a greater stake in ensuring not just the peaceful conduct of the elections, but also to safeguard general peace in the country including in the post-election period.

The union implored all Nigerians to ensure that special protection is given to electoral officials especially the over 200,000 National Youth Service Corps, NYSC members engaged as ad-hoc staff to ensure smooth elections.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to ensure smooth elections in which the votes count, the entire process must be free, fair, transparent and credible.

According to the union,since it has publicly confirmed that its needs and demands including the availability of funds have been met, INEC has no excuse whatsoever for failure. Besides, this is one failure the country cannot afford as its wellbeing may rely on these polls.

It further advised all politicians to keep to the tenets of democratic practices and play by the rules.

It added:”We call on the police and other security agencies to maintain neutrality in the elections, not to engage in illegal escort duties, be civil to the citizenry and be professional in their general conduct throughout the elections.Governments at all levels have a primary duty to secure lives and property, so, they must protect all citizens before, during and after the elections.

“The TUC also welcomes the 33 international organisations and the 2,113 observers they have deployed for these elections and request them to stick to their role of observing the elections without any form of interference. Equally, we urge them to refrain from making statements that can inflame passions or lead to any form of disruption in the countr.The TUC wishes us all, peaceful elections and a smooth transition to a new administration”

“In conclusion, the congress regrettably remains highly concerned about the inability of the Federal and State Governments and their political allies to find a solution to the currency crises they have hoisted on the populace.

“The suffering is not only much but seems not to be abating. Again, we warn that they do not have any right to take the Nigerian people through this unnecessary suffering and that by their actions and inaction, they endanger the entire democratic system and by extension, the entire country.

admin by — February 24, 2023 in Politics 0
Cash Crunch: Businesses In Informal Sector Risk Closure, Says NESG

By Musbau Babatunde

The current cash crunch in Nigeria would lead to the halt,or closure of more than half of the economic activity in the informal sector, which primarily relies on cash transactions and accounts for approximately 65 percent of
Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),the Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG) has warned.

The group conveyed the warning in its presentation of a scenario-based outlook of the impact of the cash crunch on the
macroeconomic environment and its implications for Nigerians.

Commending the currency redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),the group observed that its implementation has come as a surprise and has exacerbated the challenges that are currently plaguing the Nigerian economy.

It said:”With a 65 percent share of the
informal sector,which relies on cash,
the prolonged cash blackout will disrupt
the economy.The currency redesign policy was introduced to address various issues, including banknote hoarding, currency counterfeiting, insecurity, price instability, financial exclusion, and the promotion
of a cashless economy in line with global best
practices.

“However, the poor implementation of
the new currency release has exacerbated the
economic situation, primarily due to the critical role of cash transactions in economic activities and the lack of preparation by economic actors for the rapid changes.

“Consequently, the country has experienced a
currency crunch, increased pressure on the
banking system and heightened social tensions.The impact on the economy will be
significant, with profound effects on trade and other sectors as business transactions become constricted and rigid.

“Additionally, it will further constrain the
investment climate and lower the year’s
investment level.The cash scarcity will distort the economy’s trajectory, highlighting the
need to revise and develop scenarios for
our macroeconomic outlook and
projections.

“The policy’s impact as we
advance depends on the CBN’s ability to
make the new note available and
alleviate the cash scarcity effectively.”

It also said that the present cash scarcity in Nigeria is expected to exacerbate the macroeconomic instability in the country, adding that the persistent inflationary pressure in the economy may intensify as the economy struggles to access cash and pay premiums to conduct economic activities.

“The cash scarcity associated with the currency redesign policy will likely slow
economic growth as many productive activities have been halted due to the
inability to access cash.

“Furthermore, the uncertainty associated with this policy and its economic effects may contribute to volatile movements in
macroeconomic variables. Thus, the following socioeconomic outcome would accompany the policy:worsening socioeconomic condition”

admin by — February 24, 2023 in News 0
Polls: MRA Sets Up Hotline for Journalists Under Attack

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has established a hotline for journalists who come under attack during the 2023 elections.

The organization explained that the facility would enable such journalists to receive support, guidance about their rights and available safety mechanisms, as well as litigation assistance, should that become necessary to enforce their rights.

In a statement,MRA’s Programme Officer, Mr. John Gbadamosi, said that the hotline was necessitated by the increasing level of attacks against media practitioners and organizations, particularly during the last several months leading up to the elections.

He said: “Besides the immediate effects of such attacks on the affected journalists and their families, the chilling effect on media freedom is also putting Nigeria’s democracy at risk since there can be no genuine democracy where journalists and the media are unable to perform their functions without fear.

“Attacking journalists and obstructing them with impunity in the performance of their professional functions has become an equal opportunity undertaking by different actors, with men of the Nigerian Police and other security and law enforcement personnel who should ordinarily protect the journalists being the major perpetrators of the attacks against them, along with other government officials, armed hoodlums, political thugs, criminal elements and other bad actors.”

Mr. Gbadamosi said the number, 08138755660, which can be used to make regular calls, WhatsApp calls or to send text messages or WhatsApp messages to MRA, will also be available on MRA’s website and its social media platforms so that any journalist or media worker who is threatened, under attack or has been attacked in the course of their work or as a result of their work can easily access the number and get in touch with the organization.

He advised journalists to save the number on their mobile devices on speed dial so that it is easily and quickly accessible to them should the need to use it arise.

He explained that journalists and other media workers may call the hotline or send messages to report relevant incidents, including threats of physical harm, to MRA for documentation purposes; to seek advice about their legal rights or available official mechanisms at domestic, regional or international levels, for them to lodge formal complaints about the violation of their rights.

He noted that journalists and media workers are free to lodge complaints through the number, including being prevented from doing their jobs, being subjected to degrading or inhuman treatment, arbitrary arrests and detention; assault, battery or other forms of physical violence; arbitrary raiding and searching of their homes or offices by security agents or other acts of intimidation, harassment and threats, including any such incident targeting their family members because of the work of the journalists.

He said the hotline will remain in operation from now until after the inauguration of the new government that will emerge from the elections.

admin by — February 23, 2023 in Media 0
Election: Banking Services Won’t Be Shut -CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied plans to shut down banking services ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.

Reports had said that banking services will be shut down from Thursday, February 23 to Monday, February, 27 2023

The tweet reads, “Go and stock your home.Anyhow you can get money between today and tomorrow, get and keep it, also whatever transfer you want to do, do it between today and tomorrow.

“Information I am hearing is that, as from Thursday, bank network will go off till Sunday or Monday, so that politician will not beable to transfer money to anybody for vote, so buy enough food at home, do ur transfer now. Because the next five days will be difficult please.”

In a tweet on Thursday, the apex bank described the report as fake and urged Nigerians to disregard the report.

admin by — February 23, 2023 in Banking&Finance 0
Politicians Hoard Over N500bn To Buy Vote, EFCC Alleges

 

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. AbudulRasheed Bawa, yesterday disclosed that over N500 billion of the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes were yet to be returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in line with the apex bank’s directive following the naira redesign project.

Bawa,who disclosed this during a programme monitored on Channels Television on Wednesday,said a hugechunk of the N500 billion of the new N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes in circulation were being hoarded allegedly for vote-buying in the general elections which commences this Saturday with the presidential and National Assembly polls.

He warned that all machineries have been put in place to drastically reduce the influence of vote buying in the election.

Bawa expressed confidence that the agency would record more success compared to the recent Ekiti and Osun governorship polls because of the naira redesign policy.

He added:“As you know we have new currency in circulation, it is easier to track this new currency by their numbers, the CBN knows the serial numbers of these currencies as they distributed them across the country.

“So we even have another added responsibility because all the funds that we will eventually recover out there in the field that would be used for buying of votes; we can actually check and see whether they are genuine currencies that are gotten from ATMs and across the counter or somebody somewhere gave them in bulk and gave politicians the money”.

He disclosed that some bankers had been suspected of sabotaging the equitable distribution of the new notes.

He disclosed that no arrest had been made since October, when the policy started because the federal government does not want to create chaos and raise tension, the commission chairman, assured that after the elections a lot of people who had deposited very huge sums would certainly have answers to provide to the agency.

He promised that the EFCC would do everything to ensure that “dirty money does not find its way into the electoral process,” by stopping all those who wants to buy votes from doing so.

.

He implored all Nigerians to buy into the fight if the country must get rid of corruption which is the cause of the insecurity and economic woes facing the country.

He urged all Nigerians to download the EFCC’s app through which the can upload pictures and videos of vote buying during the election.

He also assured that all those caught would be brought to book as the commission has already gotten the fiat to prosecute vote buyers as well as sellers.

admin by — February 23, 2023 in News 0
Election: Biden Urges Nigerians To Vote Choice Candidates

President of United States of America,Joe Biden,has urged politicians in Nigeria to live by the peace accord they signed and accept the outcome of the exercise.

Biden made the appeal ahead of Nigeria’s Presidential and National Assembly elections which hold on Saturday

In a statement issued by the US Consulate in Nigeria, Biden also urged Nigerians, especially young voters to make their voices heard through their votes, saying Nigerians deserve the right to choose who will lead them.

Biden, who said the US government does not support any single candidate or party also praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to a free, fair and credible elections.

He said: “I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria, signed by the political parties and candidates running in Nigeria’s presidential election on February 25. By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and to support a peaceful transition of power”.

” Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future — freely and fairly. While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.

“On election day, I encourage all Nigerians — no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity —to exercise this fundamental freedom and make their voices heard — including young voters, many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time”.

“The United States stands with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future. I appreciate President Buhari’s firm commitment that the will of the people will be respected. And in the coming days, I encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as their ballots are tallied, and urge the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge”

admin by — February 23, 2023 in News 0
Court Jails Vandals For Stealing EKEDC Property

A Magistrate court has remanded two culprits for vandalising property belonging to Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

Abdullahi Yinusa and Abdullahi Musa were caught vandalizing cables and a transformer respectively before they were arrested and charged to court, according to a statement signed by the EKEDC Head of Corporate Communications & Strategy, Mr. Babatunde Lasaki.

The statement said,Mr. Abdullahi Yinusa was caught vandalizing 70mm (about 2.76 in) core electric cables at No 38 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island.

He was detained by the police at Bar Beach Police Station and arraigned at the Lagos Magisterial District on the 3rd of January 2023.

On the 25th of January 2023, Yinusa was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment for each of two counts of vandalizing electric cables to run concurrently.

Besides,Mr. Abdullahi Musa was arraigned at the Kirikiri Magistrate court on the 20th of February 2023 for stealing a transformer cable and destroying a 500kva transformer belonging to Eko Electricity Company (EKEDC).

He was tried by Mr. E.O. Owumi (SAN) and has been sentenced to one year imprisonment with hard labour to start from the date of remand in custody.

Lasaki reiterated that vandalism is one of the leading causes of poor power supply within the company’s operation network and assured customers that the electricity distribution company will continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and face the full wrath of the law.

He further called on members of the public to report suspicious activity around its infrastructure to the nearest EKEDC office or any of the company’s official complaint channels

Lasaki reiterated the company’s commitment to providing quality power supply to its customers and encouraged them to assist the company in its fight against vandalism.

admin by — February 23, 2023 in Power 0
Mainstream Energy Wins Bid For Zungeru Power Plant Concession

 

The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has approved Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) as the preferred bidder for the concession of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power plant (ZHPP) for a fee of $USD70,000.25 per year for a period of 30 years.

According to a statement signed by Ibeh, Uzoma Chidi, the Head, Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises, the Council, chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo (SAN), gave the approval at its second meeting for the year 2023, held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja

The meeting directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to commence the negotiations and execution of the concession agreement with the preferred bidder.

MESL got 1142 marks (94.3%) of the total 1,200 marks, thus surpassing the minimum benchmark score of 75% of 1,200 marks, having offered the highest concession fee of $USD70,000.25 to beat Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited Consortium (APPNLC) which scored 742 points,according to the statement.

The NCP, had at its 7th meeting for the year 2020, held on December 21, 2020, approved the concession of the ZHPP, consequent which the Federal Ministry of Power (FMOP) donated an irrevocable Power of Attorney to the BPE on June 30, 2021 for the implementations of the NCP’s decision.

The BPE published the Requests for Qualifications (RfQ) for the concession of the power plant in three national newspapers on October 27, 2022 which at the close of the deadline, 11 firms submitted bids.

Three of them – Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited Consortium (APPNLC), Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL and North-South Power Consortium (NSP) were prequalified.

Besides, the NCP has approved A scheme of External Restructuring proposed by KEPCO Energy Resources Nigeria Limited (KERNL), the core Investor in Egbin Power Plant.

According to the statement,the approval will enable the entity to boost its capacity to raise the required capital to double the existing capacity of the plant to 2640MW.

admin by — February 22, 2023 in Power 0