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Tag: Abuja

  • Electricity: REA to electrify 250,000 households in 2024

    Electricity: REA to electrify 250,000 households in 2024

    The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), says it is supporting 250,000 households with
    electric mobility, mini-grids,  home systems to boost electricity in the country in 2024.
     Malam Mutari Ibrahim, the Director Promotion and Outreach (PIO) said this in a statement in Abuja.
    “In response to subsidy removal, REA is implementing interventions to develop electric mobility, mini-grids, distribute home systems, deploy streetlights, potentially supporting up to 250,000 households in the coming year.”
    Ibrahim said that the agency had equally deployed more than 1,650 Kilo Metres (KM) of solar streetlights, improving power, security, and economic growth in rural areas, ”he said.
    He said that REA also completed 1,403 projects under the capital budget, delivering solar streetlights, mini-grid projects, standalone home systems, and grid extension works.
    ” Through various programmes, including Energisng Education Programme.  Energising Agriculture Programme beyond COVID-19, and Economic Clusters, REA delivered more than 65 Mega Watts (MW) of power across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
    ” The agency has delivered more than 500MW of power, electrified numerous communities, created 500,000 new jobs, and attracted over two billion dollars in investments in the renewable energy sector over the past decade.
    ”In advancing these achievements, we have established partnerships with the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Global Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP),” he said.
    Other partnership secured are with  Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Sustainable Energy for ALL (SE4ALL), Agence Française de Développement (AFD),  and the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF).
    He said that the agency also secured partnership with the European Union, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
    ‘Others are the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Korean Institute of Advancement of Technology (KIAT)
    ”In 2022, as part of the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (NPRGS) Programme, REA secured an additional four  billion in capital injection grants.
    ”To  provide clean power standalone home systems to more than 50,000 locations, including rural homes, micro-businesses, schools, and faith-based institutions,” he said.
    Ibrahim said that from 2020 to date, REA had provided power to more than 7.5 million people, including 1.5 million households, delivering 130 Mini-Grid Projects, including 1.3 million standalone home systems.
    According to him, most recently,  the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), REA negotiated and secured the advance approval of a 750 million dollars facility with the World Bank.
    The aim he said was to expand renewable and rural electrification initiatives, providing additional resources to Nigeria during a challenging period.
    Ibrahim said that Mr Salihijo Ahmad, the current Managing Director of the agency, had been a steadfast leader who has tirelessly guided REA through challenging times.
    ”Even in the face of internal, external pressures, and resistance to anti-corruption efforts.
    ”Upon assumption of office,  Ahmad encountered a myriad of unresolved staff issues within the agency.
    ”Recognising the immense challenge of repositioning the agency for effective project delivery, human resources became a pivotal consideration. In response,
    ”He wasted no time in addressing concerns related to the organisation’s processes, structure, and staff welfare, with the aim of fostering a conducive work environment for optimal performance,” he said.
    According to him, his first step is to initiate a comprehensive institutional assessment and appraisal of the agency, carried out by a globally renowned organisational re-engineering firm.
     He said that the assessment rigorously evaluated the agency’s project delivery, institutional structure, and processes to determine its capacity to meet its mandate.
    ”The recommendations from the assessment were meticulously reviewed and approved by the agency’s board and the minister before being put into action, resulting in significant accomplishments.
    ”Over the past few months, we have collaborated closely with the ministry of power, National Assembly, anti-corruption agencies, and process organisations to initiate further reforms within REA in spite numerous obstacles,” he said.
  • FCTA audits Abuja satellite towns, lifts ban on building plan approval

    FCTA audits Abuja satellite towns, lifts ban on building plan approval

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a post-development audit of satellite towns in Abuja, to generate an efficient database for sustainable city development.

    Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Development Control, FCTA, said at the commencement of the exercise at Dawaki Satellite town, on Tuesday, that the audit would focus on buildings that were developed with approvals and those without approvals.

    Galadima said that the audit marked the resumption of processing and granting of building plan approvals in Abuja satellite towns.

    He explained that the FCTA had earlier stopped granting building plan approvals due to the lack of engineering designs in some of the satellite towns.

    “Satellite towns like Dawaki, where we are starting now, would begin to have engineering design.

    “So, we are commencing the post development audit so that those that built without approvals can now be assessed and be granted approvals if qualified.

    “There are over 15 satellite towns like Gwagwalada, Kuje, Karshi, Bwari, Abaji among others, and we want to cover all the Satellite towns,” he said.

    On the methodology, the director said that the satellite towns were divided into clusters with staff assigned to specific clusters.

    Galadima added that the staff would explain to the owners of properties in the satellite towns the modalities, the essence of the exercise and how they can benefit from it.

    He said that owners of landed properties in the areas would be expected to submit requisite information and documents within 21 days for necessary actions in line with the provisions of the extant laws.

    “In FCT, you cannot build without approval. So, if you have built without approval, furnish us with necessary information within the stipulated time.

    “If it is something that can be done, we can approve it as built, but if it is something that we cannot approve, we will remove it,” he said.

    Galadima said that the audit was critical to developing the needed data base of developments taking place in the city, in terms of services to be rendered and other perimeters.

    “This includes research on the process of developing a new capital city and at the end of the day, it is going to boost our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile.

    “We have already improved on our approval granting processes,” he said.

    In a related development, the development control team visited the site of the demolished scavengers’ colony along the road corridor that cut across Mabushi, Jahi and Kado Districts.

    Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT had on Oct.10 directed that the colony be demolished to address some recurring security concerns.

    Galadima said that the minister had also directed that trees in the area covering about two kilometres should also be cleared and the scavengers dislodged.

    He said that the FCTA was taking an inventory of all the plots around the road corridor, so as to get in touch with their owners for them to show presence.

    One of the landowners along the corridor in Mabushi, Mr Kayode Olumudeji, commended FCTA for clearing the area

    He said, “Nobody believed that this place would look like this. I am very happy, and I want to believe that everybody that has property here will be very happy.

    “We are happy with what Wike is doing. This is what we want to see in the FCT.”

  • Courtesy visit by Abuja Iyede Progress Union to CDS, Gen Musa, their son-in-law+Photos

    Courtesy visit by Abuja Iyede Progress Union to CDS, Gen Musa, their son-in-law+Photos

    The Iyede Progress Union branch in Abuja at the weekend paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Staff, General Christopher Musa, their son-in-law to congratulate him.

    The union’s executive presented a portrait to the CDS who happily received it after exchange of pleasantries.

    SEE PHOTOS BELOW:

  • NDLEA arrests 67-year-old for ingesting cocaine to fund new marriage

    NDLEA arrests 67-year-old for ingesting cocaine to fund new marriage

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old trafficker, Chukwuemeka Clement, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja for ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine, a criminal enterprise he claimed he ventured into to raise enough money to marry a new wife and start life afresh after wasting 30 years of his life in Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand.

    Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja on Sunday said Chukwuemeka was arrested on Tuesday 3rd October during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight 951 from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and taken for body scan, which revealed multiple pellets in his stomach. While under observation, he excreted a total of 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.195 kilograms in four excretions.

    “In his statement, he claimed to have spent 30 years in Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand, while he was once married, but lost his wife and without a child. He added that was why he decided to go into drug trafficking to raise enough money to marry a new wife and start life afresh.

    “On the same day, Tuesday 3rd October, NDLEA operatives at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, intercepted a 45-year-old woman, Bilkisu Mohammed Bello while preparing to board a Saudia Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia.

    “While being interviewed, she confessed that pellets of cocaine given to her to swallow before her flight were kept in a house in Farawa area of Kano. When she led NDLEA officers to the house, 52 wraps of the illicit substance with a total weight of 767grams were recovered.
    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives supported by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun personnel on Tuesday 3rd October stormed James town, in Ogunmakin, Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun state where they located and destroyed 10.38 tonnes of cannabis sativa covering over 4.152 hectares.

    “While on their way back from the operation, the team also intercepted a truck marked FS548XN carrying a 40ft container loaded with logs of wood. A search of the container led to the recovery of two bags of cannabis sativa weighing 20kgs while six suspects: Ahmed Yusuf, Olaniyi Babatunde, Adedeji Babatunde, Richard John, Osolale Olamilekan and Abdulazeez Saied, in the truck were arrested.

    “In the same vein, operatives on Sunday 1st October raided Obi camp in Owan West LGA, Edo state where 30 sacks of skunk weighing 300kgs and concealed in charcoal were evacuated from an old dilapidated mud house. Similarly, two cannabis farms measuring 1.179065 hectares at Igbanke forest in Orhiowon local government area of the state were identified and destroyed on Friday 6th October while four suspects: Tersoo Zaria, 28; Ifeanyi Osai, 53; Moses David, 19, and Daniel Gabriel, 20, were arrested.

    “In Gombe state, a suspect, Auwal Bindow was arrested on Friday 6th October along Bauchi – Gombe road with 50,000 capsules of tramadol, while in Oyo state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway nabbed Anuoluwapo Blessing Iyanu, 32, with 52 blocks of compressed pawpaw shaped cannabis sativa weighing 30kgs on Wednesday 4th October.

    “With the same vigour, the various commands of the Agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and teachers of Igbonnibi High School, Ila Orangun, Osun state; WADA sensitisation lecture at Royal Ambassador Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue state; WADA sensitization lecture at Ilora Baptist Grammar School, Ilora, Oyo state and LGA WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Beth-Root Model Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra state.

    “While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MAKIA, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, and Gombe Commands of the Agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures thus creating a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.”

     

  • Genital Theft: Panic grips Abuja, North Central over alleged disapperance of manhood

    Genital Theft: Panic grips Abuja, North Central over alleged disapperance of manhood

    There is palpable fear amongst the residents of Abuja and other states in the country following speculations that some elements  go about stealing male genitals.

    Many cases of genital theft have been reported in some states in the North Central, particularly in Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and the nation’s capital.

    It is yet unclear how the miscreants carry out such acts, residents of the FCT have, for over a month now, been living in fear following reported cases of ‘stealing’ of manhoods.

    Recall that some persons have been mobbed  by irate youths who descended on suspects for allegedly causing the mysterious disappearance of manhoods.
    There are different accounts of how the heinous crime is being perpetrated in the city. While some said a mere conversation with the alleged manhood thief can cause disappearance of the victim’s penis, others said it happens after a physical contact, including handshake.

    On August 23, the Nasarawa State Police Command, while cautioning residents against jungle justice being meted out to the alleged organ thieves in the state, revealed that some persons were attacked over same allegations in Nasarawa Eggon, Obi, Lafia and Keffi Local Government Areas of the state.

    The State’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, however, said a medical examination conducted on the alleged victims, “gave all of them a clean bill of health”, saying there was no basis for the allegations.

    On September 20, some irate youths in phase 2, Gwagwalada area of the FCT, lynched a yet-to-be-identified young man for allegedly stealing a resident’s manhood.

    Three days after the incident, another resident, Lucky Josiah was accused of causing the disappearance of one Rokeeb Saheed’s manhood.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, while confirming the ugly development, told Newsmen that officers of the command quickly responded to a distress call that a victim was being lynched.

    Unlike the Gwagwalada incident, Lucky was saved by the police operatives from being killed by the angry mob.

    The PPRO revealed that after medical examinations were conducted on Saheed, his male organ was “confirmed to be fine, and Lucky’s injuries were treated”.

    Residents of the city have continued to record similar incidents almost on a daily basis in both the city centre and satellite towns.

    On Friday, a disturbing motion picture which captured an alleged manhood thief being subjected to torture and dehumanization by mob, including some security operatives surfaced online.

    In the video, the alleged thief who was accused of stealing two manhoods, was heard saying he is innocent of the allegations.

     

  • Police arrest 2 over romance scam in Abuja

    Police arrest 2 over romance scam in Abuja

    The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre said it has arrested two suspects for criminal conspiracy, identity theft and romance scams in Abuja.
    ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, made this known via a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
    He said the arrest of the suspects was in furtherance of the matching order of the Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to bequeath a safer cyber space to Nigerians.
    According to Adejobi, the suspects, are residents of Panasonic Estate in Idu, Abuja, saying that they have confessed to their participation in computer-related frauds, associated with romance scams and identity theft.
    The police spokesman said substantial evidence from their electronic devices had shed light on their criminal activities.
    He said one of the suspects, a former student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), claimed to have been in the music industry since 2016 and also operates a public relations company.
    Adejobi said the suspect had confessed to being  engaged in fraudulent activities since 2014 through Facebook.
    The police spokesman said investigation had also uncovered compelling evidence linking him to fraud and romance scams till date.
    He said the two suspects were close associate, adding that the second suspect was arrested along with the first suspect.
    Adejobi said the second suspect had claimed that his visit to the residence of the first suspect was for music recording purposes.
    ‘However, he admitted to having a unique connection with a 69-year-old white woman, known as Winnie, whom he identifies as both a fan and a friend.
    “This connection goes beyond casual friendship as evidence indicating a series of cash exchanges between him and the elderly woman have come to light,” he said.
    Adejobi pledged the commitment of the Nigeria Police to ensure the safety and security of citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminal activities.
    He urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with individuals online, especially those they have not met in person.
  • Forgery allegation: Court to rule on preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction on Nov. 2

    Forgery allegation: Court to rule on preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction on Nov. 2

    A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has fixed Nov. 2, to rule on a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction to entertain a criminal case involving forgery of document by a Legal Practitioner and his accomplices.

    The Police had in 2018 filed an 11-count charge against Barr. Everistus Ugwuowo, 39, and three others for allegedly forging document to a property in Gwarinpa, Abuja, and was reported to the police by one Mrs Grace Audu.

    The other suspects are Umar Adamu, 41 years, Usman Audu, 49, and Adole Christopher, 29. They were said to have
    connived to produce a forged “Deed of Assignment” in respect of the property.

    The main suspect and his accomplices were said to have acted without lawful authority to sell House 11, 662 Road, Gwarinpa 2, Estate, Abuja, a property belonging to one Mr Grema Umar.

    Other documents which the suspects were said to have forged include an Offer letter, a document bearing No. FHA/OCE/GWA 2 OWU C for the property, an Irrevocable Power of Attorney, a letter of checking in of owner occupier purported to have been signed by Grema Umar and other receipts.

    They were said to have deceitfully collected N29 million from their victim on the pretence that they have the authority to sell the house, the offence which they all pleaded not guilty to at the beginning of the trial.

    When the main suspect (Ugwuowo) was asked to return all the money he collected from his victim, who later discovered that the transaction was fraudulent, the suspect was said to have issued a dishonoured cheque.
    The Police had charged them for forgery, conspiracy to commit felony, obtaining money under false pretences, an offence said to be contrary to section 8 of the Advance fee fraud and other related offences Act 2006.

    The suspects were also said to have committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) and punishable under 1(3) of the Advance fee fraud and other related offences Act 2006 and 3(6), 1(2)(C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 Law of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

    Another offence which the suspects were also charged with is issuing a dishonoured cheque, an offence contravening section 1(1) of dishonoured cheque Act, CAP D11 LFN 2004.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, Justice Egwuatu Obiora, adjourned till Nov. 2, to rule on a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
    Mr Ebuka Agwu, Counsel to the 2nd defendant (Adamu), had told the court that an application had been filed challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

    According to Agwu, the police have no legal backing to file such a case before the court, and that it is only the Attorney-General of the Federation who has such powers to do so.

    He supported his argument with section 104 to 106 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) where Counsel to the 1st, 3rd and 4th defendants also aligned themselves to the provision of the ACJA.

    He told the court that a written address had also been filed to support his argument on the provision of those sections of the ACJA.

    Mr Yomi Olokeogun, counsel to the 1st defendant, earlier told the court that his client (Ugwuowo) was on admission in the hospital as a result of High Blood Pressure, and therefore couldn’t make it to the court.

    Olokeogun told the court that a copy of the medical report obtained from the hospital had been filed before the court as a means of evidence of the true position of his client.
    He pleaded with the court to use its discrection to decide on what to do since his client was not in court.

    Earlier, the prosecution counsel urged the court to reject the medical report, saying that the report did not come from a certified government hospital.
    He also urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection, adding that there have been frivolous adjournments since the begining of the trial.

     

  • Crime victim allegedly dies due to negligence at government hospital, FCTA investigates

    Crime victim allegedly dies due to negligence at government hospital, FCTA investigates

    An investigative panel was set up in Abuja by the FCT Administration (FCTA), on Saturday to investigate the death of a woman pushed out of a moving vehicle by suspected criminals.

    The victim was rushed to Maitama District Hospital by sympathisers, however she was not given medical assistance until she died.

    Mandate Secretary of the Health and Environment Services Secretariat at the FCTA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said the panel, made up of representatives of the Nigerian Police and other stakeholders, would ensure that justice is served.

    She explained that at a meeting with the management of the hospital, information received showed that the criminals shoved the victim, Ms Greatness Olorunfemi, out of the moving vehicle on Sept. 26.

    She added that a Good Samaritan took the deceased to the hospital at 8:35p.m., but she died due to alleged negligence of the medical team at the hospital.

    Responding, the Medical Director, Dr Imuentinyan Igbinovia, denied the allegation and said the victim had died before she arrived at the hospital.

    Not satisfied, the secretary requested for an autopsy and preparation of a Coroner’s Inquest in addition to the investigation panel to ascertain the cause and circumstances of the death of the victim.

    She expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and implored the public to be vigilant and to exercise caution while moving about in the FCT.

    The secretary appealed for patience and discretion until the investigations were completed.

    She assured of continuous communication with relevant stakeholders, including the family, the Police, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission among others to ensure that the case is properly investigated.

    She also admonished security agencies to strengthen security surveillance and protection measures across the capital city.

  • Wike promises foreign investors of better deals in Abuja

    Wike promises foreign investors of better deals in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has promised foreign investors that are willing to invest in the nation’s capital, Abuja, to feel free and do so, as better deals await them.

    FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, gave this assurance in the just concluded Africa International Trade Exhibition meeting in Midtown, New York, United States of America.

    The The Minister, who was represented at the meeting by the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said FCT Administration will always evolve measures that would bring about effective economic programmes and policies that will create conducive business environment for investors.

    The Minister listed major areas that the Administration and residents need most to include Agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, transportation, healthcare, waste management and hospitality industry.

    Wike explained that the participation of FCTA in the investment summit has opened up more opportunities for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Territory.

    The Minister said Abuja Investment Company Limited and Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre will be driving the initiative for easy implementation.

    “The Administration’s participation in the investment summit was very important. The summit offers us the opportunity to present the investment opportunities in FCT, and greater opportunity to talk about the potentials in the agricultural sector.”

    “It was a platform to call on our people, especially the people in diaspora, to come on board and assist us to tackle the issue of food insecurity.

    “And then we have tourism, infrastructure development, transportation, healthcare, waste management and hospitality industry. All these are areas that people can come and invest. And we really need collaboration and public partnership because without collaboration, without partnership we cannot achieve what we want to achieve”.

    He used the forum to solicit for huge investment in affordable housing; noting that the Administration is poised to improving the socio-economic status of the masses in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

     

  • Youths should focus on skill acquisition – AMAC Chairman

    Youths should focus on skill acquisition – AMAC Chairman

    Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Mr Christopher Maikalangu, has called on youth and entire residents of the area council to protect government projects in their communities.

    This call was made when he led council officials and journalists on the second phase of project tour to mark his one year in office, in Abuja.

    Maikalangu said it was important for them to guard the infrastructures passionately as it was to their own benefit.

    Earlier at the skill acquisition centre in Jiwa community, Abuja, the chairman urged the youths to be dedicated to their trainings, as they will be required to mass-produce furnitures for all the L.E.A primary schools in the area council.

    “In a month’s time from now, thousands of furnitures will be delivered in all our primary schools.

    “I want to encourage our youths as this is an avenue for you to learn a skill and become your own boss.

    “We will not go anywhere else to buy chairs or desks for our students, you will be the one to construct these furnitures for us to be dispersed to all our L.E.A primary schools.

    “Therefore, I need you to take your trainings seriously, on my part, I will continue to support you.

    “Make sure you pay attention to your instructors so that you can get all the knowledge you need to better your tomorrow,” he said.

    Residents at Karmo community, trooped out to celebrate the chairman for the road construction in their community.

    Mr Unana Dangona, a resident, appreciated the chairman for fulfilling his campaign promises to their community.

    “We are happy for this wonderful road project executed by the chairman for us here in Karmo.

    “Before, the road was not motorable as it was quite a disaster and muddy especially during rainy season.

    “We are happy and full with joy,” he said.

    Some of the projects visited include, Skill acquisition center, Jiwa, where over 60 youths are being trained on furniture making, solar powered borehole in Jiwa community, GwaGwa-Jiwa bypass road and street lights and road project at karmo community.

    Others are the Solar powered borehole at Zaudna, Bagusa communities in Dei-Dei, ongoing water project at Kagini and Kaba-Guidna communities, rural electrification project at Jiyita community, rural electrification and water project at Wupa community.