Mohammed Shosanya

Akwa Ibom State government has shut a Chinese-owned mining company, Ruitai Mining Company, in Esuk Ikim Akeme community, Ibeno L.ocal Government Area over illegal mining.

Besides,the government says it would no longer tolerate illegal mining activities and environmental degradation associated with it in the state.

Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR), Chief Uno Etim Uno made the disclosure when he hosted Correspondents in Uyo on Tuesday..

The Commissioner who said he visited the site in company of the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mrs Iquo Abia, Esq and Commissioner Ministry of Internal Security, Brigadier General Koko Essien (rtd),said the Chinese were extracting Titanium Ore, without any authorization or Environmental impact assessment.

He added:”We therefore ordered that Ruitai Mining Company should terminate its mining operations forthwith, until due clearance legitimizing its operations is completed with the state government.

“That the company should approach Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources(MEMR) on or before Friday, 1st September, 2023 with all the relevant papers authorizing its operations, with full coordinate of the area approved for its mining operations.

“That all security operatives be withdrawn from the mining site, while the DPO of Ibeno LGA, SP Victor Ezekwu, should enforce the directive in order to ensure strict compliance”.

He also told newsmen steps taken by the state government to respond to gully erosion threats in some parts of Uyo metropolis, including Udo Inwang and Etim Umana streets,assuring that intervention will commence in few weeks

Oyo state government will begin distribution of food palliatives to residents of the state tomorrow,Wednesday.

The Commissioners for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Budget and Planning, Professor Babatunde Musibaudeen, and Women Affairs, Mrs Toyin Balogun,disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday shortly after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

The food palliatives include among other items 10kg bag of rice and 5kg bag of beans which would be given to each vulnerable households.

Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Professor BabatundeMusibaudeen,announced that 200,000 household would benefit from the palliatives distribution.

He noted that the 200,000 household by multiplier effect translates to about one million residents of the state expected to benefit from the exercise.

According to him,the palliative budgetary framework comprise various segments including food, food security (agropreneurs), security apparatus among others.

The total cost budgeted for the state palliatives is N8.63 billion and of the total cost, the state government shoulders N5.9 billion cost,while the local government shoulders N2.6 billion.

On how the government arrived at the category of the indigents that would benefit from the palliatives,the Commissioners for Information and Budget in their separate responses said data generated from Covid-19 has so far proved to be most reliable and would be used as a baseline template subject to future reviews after feedback received from the phase one of the exercise.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA,has faulted report that its officers crushed a pregnant woman to death on Tuesday at Computer Village,Ikeja.

The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA Mr. Adebayo Taofiq,who conveyed this in a statement, disclosed that the story as presented by online media was not the true position of what transpired today at MRS Filling Station on Kodesoh road, Ikeja.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a mini commercial bus (korope) driver upon sighting a LASTMA Patrol Van in front of MRS Filling Station queuing to fuel up, drove dangerously and a passenger sitting by the door which was not closed fell down from the ‘Korope’ and was immediately rushed to LASUTH for medical treatment due to minor injuries she sustained.

According to the statement,investigation further revealed that the woman was not dead as reported but, only sustained minor injuries which has been treated at LASUTH, and was finally discharged.

“The statement that a pregnant woman was crushed to death by a LASTMA Van during a ‘Korope’ chase was not true as she was confirmed not to be pregnant before discharged from LASUTH with her husband.

The matter was immediately reported at Area ‘F’ Divisional Police Station for further investigation.

It said,the management of LASTMA enjoined all commercial bus operators to always ensure safety of their passengers by having their vehicle door closed while on motion as enshrined in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform (2018).

Mohammed Shosanya

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Tuesday,shut the premises of Stockmatch Investments Limited in Maiduguri, Borno State for allegedly engaging in illegal investment activities.

The office of the company in Wulari Plaza on Lagos Street Maiduguri, was shut down for allegedly carrying out investment operations that fall within the ambit of fund management without registration by the SEC.

“This company does not have registration of the SEC to conduct fund management activities and has been found to promise exorbitant rates of returns to lure investors. The SEC has exercised its powers under Section 13 (w) Investments and Securities Act 2007, to shut it down”

“The commission hereby notifies the investing public that neither this entity nor its investment platforms are registered by the SEC.

“The public is hereby reminded that it is unlawful for any private enterprise whether incorporated as a company or not, to solicit funds from the public by whatever means, to fund its private ventures as doing this will be in contravention of the Investments and Securities Act, 2007″ the SEC advised

The Commission advised the public to always confirm from the commission whether an entity providing investment services has been duly registered and whether the investment schemes are authorised by it.

It warned that any member of the investing public dealing with unregistered entities was doing so at his/her own risk.

It further implored the public to exercise due diligence and caution in making investment decisions, adding that a list of valid operators can be obtained on its website www.sec.gov.ng.