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- Modalities to Deploy Security Boats is priority - Mobereola
The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell has declared that the Spanish Government is desirous to deepen cooperation with Nigeria through further collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Ambassador Juan made this declaration while inspecting the two new Bulletproof Security boats, built for NIMASA by a Spanish Company, Aresa. This is just as the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dayo Mobereola says deploying the vessels is priority.
Ambassador Juan said, “This is one more milestone in the cooperation between Spain and Nigeria for maritime security. The Spanish government sees Nigeria as prime in attaining security in the Gulf of Guinea. We also have a naval ship present in the Gulf of Guinea to enhance security. The message from our President back home is for the Embassy to seek more partnership with Nigeria in the Maritime Sector. The creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry by President Bola Tinubu GCFR is a sign that this administration is committed to harnessing the Ocean potentials and Spain is ready to support Nigeria all the way. This is why I came from Abuja to see the DG”, he said.
On his part, the NIMASA DG noted that Management under his leadership will fast track the deployment of the patrol Boats as soon as possible. He also welcomed the partnership with Spain noting that security in the maritime domain cannot be done in silos.
“Maritime security cannot be done in silos by any country. Collaboration plays a major role in achieving safety and security in the maritime domain. We appreciate the gesture from the Spanish Government and we will explore areas of collaboration particularly in terms of both human and infrastructural development. We will work out the logistics so that these vessels can be deployed immediately. I am confident that they will be instrumental not just to enhance security in Nigerian waters, but also shore up revenue accruable to the Federal Government as Port calls by vessels will increase, and Fishing in Nigerian Coastal waters will become a major industry in Nigeria.
The 8 passenger, 13.2 meters long Security Boats with a fuel capacity of 3000 liters is fully air-conditioned with a range of 500 Nautical Miles. They are powered with two 2,300 Horsepower outboard engines with a maximum speed of 45 Knots and 25 Knots at cruising speed. NIMASA now has seven fast intervention bulletproof Aresa boats to be deployed soon.
Osagie Edward, FNIPR
Assistant Director/Head, Public Relations
NIMASA
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
April 7, 2024
Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right) and the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell shortly after an inspection of two new Aresa enforcement boats acquired by NIMASA in Lagos.
Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right) presenting a souvenir to the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria; His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell during a visit by the Ambassador to NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.
R-L: Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba and Executive Director, Finance & Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile. After an inspection of two new Aresa enforcement boats acquired by NIMASA in Lagos.
No fewer than 5043 secondary school learners in Ogun State Students have been trained on how to use the abacus counting machine skills to solve addition and subtraction Mathematical problems, so as to enable them to break the world record.
The programme organised by International Academy For The Gifted (IAGIFTED), in collaboration with Ogun State Government, held at Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
Giving an insight to the programme, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun said it is imperative to encourage learners to adopt usage of abacus skills for mathematical calculations, noting that it would not only enable them compete favourably with their mates in other nation of the world but also take our educational system to a higher pedestal.
Mrs. Bamidele noted that Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) education is only essential tool for personal and professional development for driving innovation and economic goals, hence the reason for Prince Dapo Abiodun government's commitment towards ensuring that every child have access to effective STEAM teaching.
The First Lady of Ogun State described education as the key to unlocking the potentials of the youths and empowering them to become agent of change in the society.
Mrs. Abiodun said "I extend my heartfelt thanks to the organiser of this very special programme, Prof. Adewale Solarin, which was to commemorate his 70th Birthday Celebration for the vision in championing STEAM education and for putting Ogun State on the world field. I am pledging my full support to this great vision of yours."
In his speech, the Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu submitted that Prof. Solarin was acadmia par excellence, due to his academic prowess and expertise, can be referred to as Grand Father in academics, because he has nurtured and produce Professors, who have also mentor other Professors and PhD holders, appreciating him for his greatness, unrelenting efforts and a shared vision.
Speaking, The Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Oluwole Banjo affirmed that the feat Prof. Solarin have recorded in his chosen field, and his contribution to National Development will forever remain indelible, praying God to continue to shower his blessings on him and grant him the grace to enjoy the fruits of his labour in good health and sound mind.
Responding, the visioneer of the programme and Chairman IAGIFTED, Professor Solarin explained that the selected over 5000 learners were gathered to have Largest Mathematics Lesson Class, as well as teaching them on the simultaneous usage of Asian Abacus with both hands, in order to develop both sides of their brain in solving Mathematical problems, saying the event was organised to mark his 70th birthday and retirement from active academic service.
The highlight of the programme includes competition on usage of abacus, where Master Isaac Rilwan and Miss Damaris Oyediran won the male and female categories respectively and were presented with trophies as King and Queen of STEAM.
Ahead of the 2027 election, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwakwanso, has said his party is the best alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former Governor of Kano State described the ruling APC as a failing party and the PDP as a failed party, adding that both parties do not have the competence to lead the country.
He likened the ruling APC and the PDP to birds of a feather, suggesting that both parties have inflicted immense suffering on Nigerians with their unpopular and inhumane policies.
He stated these during the party’s national convention, which took place at the A-Class Event Centre in Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday.
Kwankwaso guaranteed that the NNPP would introduce a revitalising change for citizens and the nation as a whole if it is given the chance to lead the nation.
The former Defence Minister asserted that Nigeria possesses sufficient resources and manpower to address insecurity.
He said, “We are all aware that the PDP has completely failed. Many of us decided in 2014, and 2015 to bring in some positive changes. Unfortunately, we have seen what happened from 2015 to date. This is the same APC government.
“Therefore, as far as we are concerned, we have a failing party that is the APC and we believe that this country requires an alternative to the APC and of course, the PDP and the only party, in my opinion, and based on facts, because the NNPP today is the fastest growing party in this country.
“I also believe even beyond this country, that is the only hope as we stand today. In many parts of this country, especially in northern Nigeria, particularly in my part of the north, so many people have been chased out of their homes, and so many have been killed. Some are in the bushes now in the forest under the care of bandits and other criminals. And it looks like many people don’t care.
“It is even becoming a normal thing to go and pick up people in their homes, on the roads, in the markets and so on. I believe it is only in this country that this sort of nonsense is happening. And it is the responsibility of every government, responsible government to ensure the peace of its people.
“I believe, as a former minister of defence in this country, as a former chief security officer of Kano State for eight years, and so on, I believe that we have adequate resources, we have enough manpower, we have all that it takes to protect Nigerians to peace in this country today. So it’s an opportunity for me to ensure that we bring on board a united, stronger, more peaceful, more prosperous Nigeria for all of us.”
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed not to give recognition or legitimacy to the leadership of the national chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure.
NLC vowed not to rest until it unseat Abure as national chairman of the party.
The Congress also stated that the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, is free to leave the party if he chooses to.
The NLC spokesman, Benson Upah stated this on Sunday during an interview with Punch.
According to him, “Our position on this matter is clear and has not changed. Abure remains unknown to us. It is not a question of removal. As far as we know, he does not exist.”
Speaking further, Upah said the issue of whether Obi should stay or leave the party should not be debated, saying the former governor was free to determine his destiny.
According to him, the NLC cannot stand in the way of the presidential candidate should he decide to defect to another political platform.
While describing him as an asset, the spokesman reiterated that the congress would not stand in his way if he chose to leave.
“The right of choice is available to Mr Obi. If he chooses to leave the party, that is his preference. We can’t sit in judgment over him on that. But if he chooses to remain, of course, Peter Obi is an asset any day. I rest my case on that,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu extends his congratulations to Alhaji Alliyu Babatunde Oduwole, an Ijebu prince, as he marks his 80th birthday.
Alhaji Oduwole, an active citizen and believer in Nigeria's potential for greatness, has embarked on many lofty advocacies to promote public accountability, peace, and dialogue.
In 2015, he created a plethora of fora to discuss 'Project Nigeria'; held citizen-engagement meetings, and submitted a memorandum on constitutional amendments to the National Assembly in 2022.
In 2018, he founded the United Muslim Community Care Foundation to feed indigent Nigerians of all religious persuasions. The foundation has been feeding many families during this Ramadan and providing them with some stipends.
As Alhaji Oduwole marks this milestone birthday, the President wishes him good health and renewed vigour in his service to humanity.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 7, 2024
Former Governor Nasir El–Rufai of Kaduna State has come under intense pressure to jettison the idea of dumping the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to form a mega political party with some like minds. That was even as an ambassadorial appointment is being dangled before him as an alternative. It would be recalled that the El – Rufai, who played a major role in the formation of the APC in 2014, recently paid a visit to the secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in reciprocation to the earlier visit of the National Chairman of the SDP, Shehu Musa Gabam, in company with National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and a chieftain of the APC, Kashim Ibrahim – Imam. The trio went to break their fast in El–Rufai’s Abuja home. However, some people are prevailing on him not to leave the party, which he helped in its formation and winning the elections in 2015, a credible source conversant with the issue confided in Sunday Telegraph. The Source said: “Some persons are trying to broker some rapprochement, telling him not to leave the party as a founding member of the APC, who played a major role; he should not jettison the party.
“However, the trouble at home is further putting pressure on him to find a new platform to become more relevant because the governor in his home state in his revelation has further damaged him in some way, his reputation as an astute manager of resources and men. “But some of his men are saying that the money was borrowed for some developmental purposes and therefore, what the loan was used for is very visible everywhere; that when you want to kick-start an infrastructural revolution, you need extra finances. That is making him more estranged from the party.” Furthermore, our source said that it was not without reason.
“He has two reasons why he is looking for another party,” our source adds: “Number one: He believes that he was deliberately schemed out of being minister of the federal republic by some entrenched interests and he believes that he was not duly rewarded for the key and critical role he played in the emergence of candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the candidate of the APC and also his emergence as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “He believes that he has not been well treated by the leadership of the party and by the government. His critical role has not been acknowledged and rewarded like others, who did not play half of the role he played. “So, it is obvious that he is very angry with the system and he believes that what he did in 2014, and 2015, leading to the formation of the APC can be done again. However, some persons from within the party are also said to be reaching out to him that he should not be angry.
“They are dangling before him the ambassadorial compensation. Whether that will materialize is another thing. “He also needs to be cleared in one way or the other. He is reluctant to take that leap because he believes that it may lead to another humiliation and of course, he also believes that some of the things happening in his home state are orchestrated to haunt him. “That is their response to his move in the last few days by people who believe that they will pay you back, you want to form a mega party. He believes that what is happening in his home state is being orchestrated by the same people, who denied him the ministerial slot.
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says the recent hike in electricity tariffs could impact negatively on the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Emeka Obegolu, ACCI’s president, spoke in an interview with NAN on Saturday in Abuja.
Obegolu acknowledged the various challenges already faced by entrepreneurs and investors in the country.
He said small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are crucial to the country’s economy, would be greatly affected by the hike in tariff.
“The ease of doing business is a critical factor for fostering economic growth, attracting investments, and creating job opportunities,” he said.
“Regrettably, the increase in electricity tariffs can hinder these efforts by imposing additional financial burdens on businesses, especially SMEs, which are the backbone of our economy.”
According to Obegolu, any disruptions or cost increases associated with electricity supply could lead to higher operational expenses.
He said it would hinder businesses’ ability to invest in innovation and expansion and impede their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
Obegolu also expressed concern that the tariff hike, combined with other economic challenges such as the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange unification, could further compound difficulties faced by businesses.
“Many enterprises are already struggling with reduced demand, supply chain disruptions, and financial constraints. The burden of higher electricity tariffs exacerbates their challenges and threatens their long-term viability,” he said.
“As advocates for the business community, we urge relevant authorities to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritise the needs of businesses and support ease of doing business.
“It is vital to strike a balance between ensuring a sustainable energy sector and mitigating the adverse effects of tariff hikes on businesses, particularly during these trying times.”
The ACCI president called for constructive dialogue with stakeholders to find collaborative solutions that addressed concerns from both energy providers and businesses.
“Through fostering open communication, promoting transparency, and adopting policies that facilitate business growth and competitiveness, we can create an environment conducive to sustainable economic development and prosperity for all,” he said.
Obegolu said ACCI stands ready to collaborate with stakeholders to address challenges posed by the tariff.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed all electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to refund customers wrongly billed with the new rate.
Abba Terab, NERC deputy general manager in charge of market competition and rates, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to NERC, customers should be refunded through energy tokens no later than April 11, and file evidence of compliance with the commission by April 12.
On April 3, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.
The commission said customers under the classification, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, will pay N225 per kilowatt (kW), starting from April 3 — up from N66.
The NERC also directed all electricity distribution companies to provide as much clarity as possible to all affected customers.
“All DisCos shall ensure that only the newly approved Band A feeders listed in their April 2024 supplementary orders are maintained as band A for the purpose of vending to prepaid customers and billing for post paid customers on their networks,” Terab said.
“All DisCos are required to immediately post on their websites the schedule of approved Band A feeders that have been affected by the rate review.
“All DisCos shall set up a portal by 10th April 2024 on their website that allows all customers to check their current Bands by entering their meter or account numbers.
“All customers wrongly billed at the new rate should be refunded through energy tokens no later than Thursday 11th April 2024, and file evidence of compliance with the Commission by 12th April 2024.
“The Commission shall monitor compliance with the requirements listed above and shall continue to provide support to all stakeholders as required.”
On Aprile 5, NERC fined Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) N200 million for overcharging customers.
NERC said AEDC must reimburse affected customers by April 11.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress has vowed not to rest until it unseat Julius Abure as national chairman of the Labour Party.
Disclosing this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, said that despite the ‘illegal’ national convention that returned Abure to office, the union would never confer legitimacy or give recognition to his leadership.
He said, “Our position on this matter is clear and has not changed. Abure remains unknown to us. It is not a question of removal. As far as we know, he does not exist.”
The development is coming at a time when a group of retired workers under the aegis of Lagos Assembly of Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists also called for the resignation of the embattled national chairman of the party and the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, over their contentious leadership struggle.
The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, also seems to be at loggerheads with the leadership of the LP over the manner it conducted the convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, despite his plea for wider consultation.
The former Anambra governor had expressed his frustrations at an X (formerly Twitter) Space session organised by Parallel Facts last Friday night.
While explaining his absence at the national convention that got Julius Abure re-elected as the party’s national chairman, Obi told his audience that he didn’t attend the event because the party’s leadership failed to heed his appeal for wider consultation with relevant stakeholders before the exercise.
His speech has since set tongues wagging and further fuelled earlier speculations that the LP presidential candidate may have started shopping for a new platform despite being guaranteed the 2027 ticket at the convention.
But Upah said the issue of whether Obi should stay or leave the party should not be debated, saying the former governor was free to determine his destiny.
According to him, the NLC cannot stand in the way of the presidential candidate should he decide to defect to another political platform.
While describing him as an asset, the spokesman reiterated that the congress would not stand in his way if he chose to leave.
“The right of choice is available to Mr Obi. If he chooses to leave the party, that is his preference. We can’t sit in judgment over him on that. But if he chooses to remain, of course, Peter Obi is an asset any day. I rest my case on that,” he added.
- Lagos government plans to demolish a section of the renowned Landmark Beach Resort to make room for the construction of the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar road project.
- Paul Onwuanibe told CNN that he received a demolition notice in late March, instructing him to vacate his multimillion-dollar beach resort within seven days.
- Valued at over $200 million, the Landmark site is home to over 80 businesses and provides more than 4,000 direct jobs. It also generates over 2 billion naira ($1.5 million) in annual tax revenue.
Nigerian Business mogul, Paul Onwuanibe told CNN that he received a demolition notice in late March, instructing him to vacate his multimillion-dollar beach resort within seven days before it would be demolished.
Onwuanibe had obtained the land in 2007 before the plans for the coastal highway were drawn up and felt a mix of emotions after receiving the demolition order, which also urged him to file compensation claims.
As per the notice, sections of the property marked for demolition include the Beach Resort, Kids and Bay Arena, Members Area, and Lagos Beach Club, as they encroach within the Right of Way of the proposed road project by 50 meters.
Paul Onwuanibe, CEO of the group
Landmark site
Valued at over $200 million, according to Onwuanibe, the Landmark site is home to over 80 businesses and provides more than 4,000 direct jobs. It also generates over 2 billion naira ($1.5 million) in annual tax revenue.
Onwuanibe said foreign and local investors in Landmark Group were now threatening to pull out if the beach resort, which includes a mini golf course, a beach soccer field as well as a volleyball and basketball court, is removed.
“Without the beach, the entire ecosystem is at risk and is severely damaged,” he said, adding: “I have had widespread panic calls from my international and local investors as well as local debt providers threatening to pull the plug as they think this is material to our survival as a business.”
Landmark beach
The new coastal road
Approval for the new coastal road was given on February 27 by the federal authorities, according to presidential aide Temitope Ajayi.
The first part of the 1.06 trillion naira ($841 million-plus) highway will be built on Victoria Island, and will run through a total of nine coastal states in Nigeria,
Environmentalists argue that while the coastal road project promises economic benefits, it also presents significant environmental challenges.
[Business Insider]
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The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, has decried the over 200 per cent electricity tariff increase, saying that it will thwart the current administration’s effort at boosting the economy as businesses will shrink.
Afenifere, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare AJayi on Saturday.
Afenifere spokesman then wondered how comment by President Bola Tinubu that there is no driver of the economy that is bigger than the private sector during meeting with some organization’s CEO, some days ago can come to past when the amount to be paid per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity jumped from N68 to N225 just within 24 hours of its announcement.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on April 4 announced that from the following day, electricity consumers on Band A would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt hour as against N68 they have been paying up till then.
Taking a swipe at this decision, Afenifere submitted that it is erroneous to say that only those who are direct enrollees in a particular Band utilize the power being supplied through that band.
“For instance, a Band A consumer is likely to have people in his/her household or place of work where the power is being consumed. Meaning that if 1.5 million is the figure the government has as enrollees on Band A, the number of people who depend on the power coming therefrom would be about five times that figure.
“Besides, by calling on players in the power sector to ensure that people get what they are paying for is like putting the cart before the horse”, Part of the statement read.
The statement further pointed out that virtually everywhere in the country there is the poor supply of electricity and low quality of the commodity sometimes.
Afenifere noted that if relevant government agencies are to be sincere with Nigerians, what they should do is to first ensure regular and efficient supply of electricity before acceding to increase in payment for services that are being poorly rendered.
According to the statement, “A rough calculation indicated that a person on Band A who was paying an average of N50,000 per month (on N68 per kWh) would now have to pay N170,000 for the same service. Note the increase!
“It is noteworthy that the Ministry and its agency, the NERC, are interested in the revenue that would be generated rather than first ensuring regular and efficient supply.
“This is in contradistinction to the claim that the government agencies care about the pains of Nigerians. It is clear that rather than exploring ways to reduce the cost of producing energy thus reducing the pains of Nigerians, the relevant government agencies are passing the price of their own inefficiency on the people.
“For instance, increase in the cost of gas was used as the reason for the hike in electricity tariff.
“Yet, it is clear that even the present cost of producing gas, and by implication electricity, can be made more efficient.
“In other words, both the price of gas as well as electricity would be far lower than what they are presently if the agencies concerned had gone into research and/or take advantage of available information on cost-efficient production of energies”.
[Businessday]
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Friday, gave necessary insight into his ministry’s activities and the plans of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to improve power supply in the country.
Adelabu also urged Nigerians to be patient with him, saying that the positive yields of the reforms in the power sector will be visible and more importantly sustainable.
He made this known while briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday about the recent increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Below are the major highlights of the press conference.
– Before the tariff changed, the government subsidized 67% of electricity costs, rising even higher for generation alone.
– The estimated subsidy cost for 2024, before tariff adjustment, was approximately 2.9 trillion Naira.
– After the adjustment, the estimated subsidy cost for 2024 reduced to around 1.4 trillion Naira. This is a huge drop of over 50% in subsidies alone.
– The tariff increase came with a reduction in Band A feeders, with only 481 remaining out of over 1,000.
– Nigeria has around 12 million electricity customers.
– Only 15% of the total customers who are categorized as Band A customers accounts will no longer receive subsidies.
– Only slightly over 5 million customers are currently metered, leaving a gap of over 6 million.
– Subsidzed pricing will continue temporarily, with a plan to move towards cost-reflective pricing in three years.
– The tariff change is aimed at testing the concept of full payment for 20-24 hours of daily supply.
– The pricing adjustment aims to address liquidity issues and make investments in the sector more feasible.
– There are significant infrastructure challenges in the power sector, including obsolete equipment and vandalism.
– DisCos failing to provide 20 hours of supply to Band A consumers will face sanctions.
– DisCos has an incentive to migrate other bands to Band A to charge higher tariffs.
– Energy consumption management is crucial despite the poorly received ‘freezer’ example.
– Ongoing efforts include regulatory decentralization, renewable energy investments, and infrastructure improvements.
[NaijaNews]
Many of the federal housing estates built by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to bridge the country’s housing deficit are unoccupied and rotting away across states, investigations by Daily Trust on Sunday have revealed.
This is just as many civil servants are lamenting that the cost of the houses are unaffordable.
Successive governments in the country had pledged to provide affordable housing for low-income earners.
NextStayStunned by thousands of storks flying over the sky in Gia Viễn dike, Ninh Bình - Nếm TVThe Buhari administration established the National Housing Programme (NHP), domiciled in the Ministry of Works and Housing, to deliver affordable houses to beneficiaries.
The contracts for the construction of different categories of housing units were awarded in 2016 to 542 contractors for a sum of N27.488 million per unit.
Of the 6,022 housing units billed for construction in 46 sites across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 2,864 are said to have been completed; while others are at various stages of completion.
While performing the groundbreaking ceremony of the civil servants housing estate in Apo Extension, Abuja, under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme, Buhari had promised to build 5,000 houses yearly in each state for public workers for three years.
These included one, two and three-bedroom bungalows in states in the North- East, North-West and North-Central; blocks of 16 and 24 flats (condominiums) of one, two and three-bedrooms and bungalows in the South-South, South- East and South-West and the FCT.
Earlier this year, the ministry said it had audited the NHP, reviewed the allocation process and retained the prices fixed by the immediate past administration.
The fixed prices are N7.22 million for a one bedroom unit in a condominium block; N9.268 million for a one bedroom unit in a semi-detached bungalow; N9.148 million for a two bedroom unit in a condominium block; N12.398 million for a two bedroom semi-detached bungalow (type A); N10.833 million for a two bedroom semi-detached bungalow (type B); N13.246 million for a three bedroom unit in a condominium block and N16.491 million for a three bedroom unit in a semi-detached bungalow.
However, findings by our correspondents showed that many of the houses that were completed are still unoccupied as civil servants and low income earners, expected to benefit from the project, decried that the costs were beyond their reach.
Kwara
Many of the structures of the NHP’s estate, which was commissioned in 2022 by the then Minister of Iinformation and Culture, Lai Mohammed, are unoccupied. The estate consists of 48 units of two-bedroomd, 20 units of three-bedrooms; four units of one-bedroom and four units of three-bedrooms.
A resident, who simply identified himself as Mr Bunyamin, said: “They are just rotting away in the midst of lack of accommodation for many Nigerians due to the high price. A two-bedrooms flat is being sold for N12.5 million, N25 million for four-bedrooms, N16.5 million for three-bedrooms and N9.5 million for one-bedroom.”
Similarly, another resident in the estate, Mr Asare Max, said the cost of the houses was too exorbitant for low-income workers.
He said since the buildings were completed in 2017, they were painted more than five times before the commissioning, adding that some of the structures had started showing signs of damage.
Niger
In Niger State, our correspondent discovered that only few of the 80 units of the houses in the NHP’s estate were occupied. The estate, located at the Three-Arms Zone, Eastern Bypass, consists of four units of one-bedroom flat, 52 units of two-bedrooms, 20 units of three-bedrooms and four units of four bedrooms.
Some civil servants, who spoke to our correspondent, said they were interested in applying for the houses, but the portal was yet to be opened for prospective applicants.
Plateau
In Jos, the Plateau State capital, the NHP’s projects are unoccupied and deteriorating.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms, confirmed that the project was completed, but abandoned.
Ashoms said: “Yes, there is a federal government housing project located in Laminga village of Jos East Local Government of Plateau State. The project has since been completed and allocated, but unoccupied. Or, the project has been completed but not allocated. So, it is a completed project, but unoccupied.
“The housing project is a three-bedrooms flat, designed to be occupied by federal civil servants in the state. Now, these completed houses are fast deteriorating since they are not occupied.
“I hereby call on the federal government to, not only ensure these completed houses are allocated, but also occupied immediately, because houses not occupied deteriorate faster than the ones occupied”, he said.
Kogi
In Kogi State, some of the houses at the federal housing estate along the Lokoja-Okene road at Crusher-Felele-Lokoja area of the state capital are unoccupied; while hoodlums have destroyed the facilities therein. The estate consists of one and three-bedrooms semi-detached bungalows.
One of the few occupants of Phase 1 of the estate, Kareem Aremu, said: “Many of the houses are empty because they have not been allocated to anyone. So, burglars continue to invade the estate and cart away fittings in some of the houses,” he said.
Some of the civil servants spoken to said the amount being charged per unit of the bungalows was far beyond the capacity of an average salary earner in the state. They said one-bedroom semi-detached bungalow costs N9.2 million.
“No civil servant or an average businessman can afford to pay such a huge amount to own a house in the estate. That is why most of the houses are still empty without owners,” a civil servant said.
An official of the Federal Ministry of Housing in Lokoja told our correspondent that phases one and two of the mass housing scheme had been completed with the third phase ongoing.
He said the ministry recently issued a circular to prospective buyers to bid for the unoccupied houses.
Nasarawa
Many workers in Nasarawa State said they could not afford the cost of the federal housing estate located at Akurba in Lafia Local Government Area. The estate comprises 62 units of three-bedrooms detached bungalows (N10.1 million each) and 82 units of two-bedrooms detached bungalows (N9.2 million each).
A civil servant in the state appealed to both the federal and the state governments to “make the cost of the houses affordable to low-income earners”.
Benue
Just like in other states, the federal housing estate in Benue, located at Mobile Barracks-Adeke-Welfare road in Makurdi, was completed but largely unoccupied owing to “the huge costs”.
The former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Family Homes Funds, Femi Adewole, had told the state government to take ownership of the project as the idea was to make houses affordable to all, particularly the low-income earners.
The Federal Controller of Works in Benue could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
Kebbi
The NHP in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital, was commissioned by the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, but five years after, the houses are yet to be allocated.
When our correspondent visited the housing units located along the By-pass in Birnin Kebbi, few of the housing units’ apartments were found occupied by beggars; and some others by miscreants. The roofs of some of the houses had been blown away by windstorm.
Workers told our correspondent that they had been waiting for the Federal Housing Authority to allocate the houses.
Ibrahim Sa’adu, a federal civil servant in Birnin Kebbi, said he and other interested buyers had approached the federal housing department in the state several times for enquiries.
“They always tell us they have not been given approval to allocate the houses to the public. Now, you can see the state of the housing units; it’s worsening by the day,” he said.
When our correspondent visited the office of the controller of housing at Aliero Quarters in Birnin Kebbi, he was said to have traveled out of town.
But a senior staff member in the state office of the Ministry of Housing said the delay in allocating the houses “is a national issue.” He, however, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration had given approval for the allocation of the houses to members of the public.
“We started giving forms to people who are interested in the houses two months ago. We have taken all the applications to our headquarters in Abuja for approval so that we can begin to allocate the houses to lucky applicants,” the official who did not wish to be named said.
Jigawa
The federal government housing estate in Jigaw State, located opposite Jigawa Hotels Limited in Dutse, is unoccupied.
The estate, which is about 4km away from the Jigawa Government House, is being looked after by the officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to prevent hoodlums from vandalising its facilities.
The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Badarudden Tijjani, told our correspondent that the corps had an understanding with the FHA to be protecting the estate.
Civil servants asked the federal government to allocate the houses to people in order ensure maintenance of the facility.
Roofs blown off in Yobe, Bauchi
When our correspondent visited the mass housing units on Damaturu-Maiduguri road in the Yobe State capital, some of the houses had their roofs blown off.
The houses are unoccupied, but security personnel have been deployed there to prevent vandalism.
When contacted, the Yobe State Federal Controller of Housing, Attah Peter, said the estate had not been commissioned due to a windstorm that destroyed some houses.
He hinted of a plan for the Yobe State government to take over the estate.
Also, in Bauchi, some of the roofs of the completed houses at the federal estate, along the Bauchi-Kano road, have been blown off by windstorm.
Our correspondent reported that he noticed that Phase one of the housing project, which commenced in 2016, has been completed for over two years, but not yet commissioned.
Some residents of the state alleged that the sale of application forms for the houses had been moved to Abuja.
One of them, who is a teacher, Kamal Ibrahim, wondered why the federal government would allow such a huge investment to rot away.
The Chief Resident Quantity Surveyor of the Federal Ministry of Housing in Bauchi, Taiwo Samuel, told our correspondent that the process of acquiring the houses was ongoing.
He said a letter released by the ministry had asked anyone interested to go and obtain an expression of interest form which, he noted, many people did.
Houses sold to private individuals in Kano
In Kano, many houses in Phase one of the NHP located at Jaba, off Panisau Road, Fagge Local Government Area, which former President Buhari commissioned on April 7, 2022, are also unoccupied. The estate has 77 units of three-bedroom bungalows and 33 units of two-bedroom bungalows.
Some of the unoccupied buildings have shown some signs of dilapidation with roofs either blown off or damaged.
Muhammad Lawal, who serves as a “caretaker” of some of the buildings, said they were being sold to private individuals rather than civil servants.
He said a three-bedroom bungalow costs N16 million, adding that those who bought the property converted them into offices. One of the buildings is housing Docusoft Technologies Limited.
Houses completed, allocated in Borno
In Borno State, our correspondent visited the federal mass housing estate, located behind the Board of Internal Revenue Service, opposite Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, and found it completed and the houses therein allocated.
Houses allocated to Super Eagles players, others in Edo
In Edo State, houses at the federal estate, located at Idumwen-Ehigie, along the Benin-Auchi road, were allocated in April 2023 to beneficiaries, including members of the Super Eagles’ 1994 Nations Cup winners who are from the state.
Project uncompleted in Ekiti
The 70-housing units estate of the NHP in Ekiti State is still under construction.
The project is sited at Agric Olope, Off Ajilosun, Moferere, Ado Ekiti.
FG promises to subsidise costs
When contacted, Mark Chieshe, Special Assistant on Media/Communications to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, told Daily Trust on Sunday that the government was working to subsidise the costs, under the National Social Housing Fund.
He admitted that most of the houses were yet to be completed.
He, however, said the minister was working to resolve all obstacles causing the delay.
“The minister is committed to completing all housing projects and ensuring that Nigerians, for whom the houses were built, benefit from them. He is working hard to make sure that whatever issues that have led to projects not being finished are resolved, and the houses completed for Nigerians to benefit from them,” Chieshe said.
He said the ministry recently published an expression of interest that was sent out to the public for houses that were built under the NHP.
“Even though inflation has increased the cost of building materials, the minister still insisted that the houses be sold on the prices they were advertised years ago. The expression of interest was overwhelming and oversubscribed”, he said.
On the high cost of the houses, he said: “The houses that are built have different types of offtake plans. One is that people who have the money can pay outright for the houses. The second is the mortgage (option) which allows you to buy the house and spread the payment over 30 years, if you are to take the National Housing Mortgage Fund at a single digit interest rate.
“To qualify for mortgage, civil servants are not allowed to use more than one-third of their salaries to allow them take care of other living expenses.
“The challenge we are facing is that salaries of civil servants are low. That is why under the Renewed Hope of the present administration, there are plans to create and establish a National Social Housing Fund.
“We will source funding so that houses can be built and delivered for Nigerians. The reality is that most civil servants can’t afford N9 million mortgage. We are working on the Fund to see how these houses can be subsidised,” he added.
[DailyTrust]
Barring any last-minute change of mind by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, a former member of Edo House of Assembly (1999 – 2003), Pascal Ugbomhe, has been tipped to replace the state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, till November 12, 2024, when his second term will end.
Ugbomhe, also an Etsako man as Shaibu, is a frontline member of the Chief Dan Orbih-led Legacy Coalition in Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with his choice being to get the support of the party’s National Vice Chairman, Southsouth (Orbih), and his teeming supporters, ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
It was also learnt yesterday in Benin by our reporter that Obaseki wouldn’t want to take chances in Edo North Senatorial District, which has as representative, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is an ex-governor of Edo state.
Ugbomhe, who hails from Ekperi in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo, according to a source close to Obaseki, would ensure victory for PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, in Edo North senatorial district, thereby reducing the influence of Oshiomhole and Shaibu, since Ighodalo is from Edo Central with the least voting strength, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, is an indigene of Benin Kingdom in Edo South, with the highest voting strength.
Ugbomhe, a Law graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who is a former Chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Council, according to the permutation in Obaseki’s camp, would be able to convince the preferred governorship aspirant of legacy coalition, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, an influential former member of the House of Representatives, to also support Ighodalo’s aspiration, thereby ensuring unity and peace in Edo PDP.
The Justice Stephen Omonua (rtd.)-led seven-member probe panel, put in place by Edo Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, on March 25 this year, to probe the allegations levelled against Shaibu, rounded off its three-day sitting on Friday, and would soon submit its report to Justice Okungbowa, for the state’s 24 lawmakers to proceed or not, with Shaibu’s removal.