TheNewsGuru

Tag: facilities

  • EndSARS: Affected Facilities In Okitipupa Need N10bn – Gen. Bajowa

    EndSARS: Affected Facilities In Okitipupa Need N10bn – Gen. Bajowa

    An appeal has gone out to all well meaning sons and daughters of Ikale Land, nay Okitipupa Local Government both home and abroad to rally round the Ikale Rehabilitation and Fund-raising Committee and contribute generously towards the course of rebuilding the public and private facilities touched and razed by hoodlums and arsonists who hijacked the EndSARS protest of October 2020. The committee has the mandate of Ikale Monarchs and stakeholders to raise the sum of ten billion naira for the rehabilitation of the affected public and private facilities.
    Making this appeal at a Press Conference on Sunday, the 24th January via zoom was the Chairman , Rehabilitation and Fund-raising Committee, Prince Dr. Joseph Oluyemi Bajowa, a retired Major- General of The Nigerian Army, the Jagunmolu of Ikale Land and the Ojagbulegun From The Source.
    Gen. Bajowa , while commencing the Press briefing said, ” I have the mandate of the Ikale traditional rulers and stakeholders to issue this press release on their behalf. It is now common knowledge that the hijack of the otherwise peaceful EndSARS protests across Nigeria in October, 2020 led to monumental destruction of public facilities and personal properties as well as other valuable assets in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.”
    He noted that a report by the Ikale Central Organization ( ICO) showed that 25 Public organizations and individuals had their entire buildings , office equipment, furniture, Computer sets, valuable documents , electrical and electronic gadgets of high and expensive worth, communication and telecommunication equipment torched or completely destroyed, adding that the arsonists wreaked so much havoc that nothing from these affected facilities could be salvaged.
    Gen. Bajowa who acknowledged the prompt visit of the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu to have a first hand assessment of the level of damage done by the hoodlums in Okitipupa, said Governor Akeredolu expressed grief and amazement at the degree of wanton destruction he saw. For those who showed empathy with the monarchs and people of Okitipupa Local Government Area, particularly the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Akeredolu, Gen. Bajowa expressed profound gratitude of the Ikale Royal fathers and other stakeholders.
    While highlighting the repercussions of burning down public facilities in Okitipupa, Gen. Bajowa said life and living have been traumatic for very many people since the massive destruction by the hoodlums , adding that occupants of houses destroyed are now refugees. “Government activities and functions have been suspended and thousands of people are out of job while their families and dependants are imperilled . Security agents , the police especially are virtually AWOL and this portends grave danger to the society,” the Jagunmolu of Ikale Land stressed.
    Gen. Bajowa noted that in the aftermath of the crisis, Ikale Obas summoned stakeholders to discuss the unfortunate incident and in the course of several meetings that were held, four committees were set up: Ikale Rehabilitation and Fund-raising Committee, Assessment Committee, Security Committee and Cultural and attitudinal re – orientation Committee.
    “The Ikale Rehabilitation and Fund-raising Committee, the anchor of this Press release is headed by myself, Gen. Olu Bajowa. With the support and approval of Ikale Obas and stakeholders, the Committee has opened 2 bank accounts for the purpose as follows: First Bank PLC Account no 2036272635 for donors residing within Nigeria and First Bank PLC Domiciliary (USD) Account no 2036442252 for ease of donations by those in The Diaspora,” Gen Bajowa noted.
    He further said while the Assessment Committee carried out a detail assessment of properties destroyed and their cost implications which was pegged at six billion naira, considering the current exchange rate of our national currency and the galloping inflation rate, the amount needed to be raised to rehabilitate affected public facilities in Okitipupa Local Government Area has been adjusted to ten billion naira. “The ten billion naira stated above is gargantuan . We cannot source it alone. Even all the Ikale sons and daughters all over the globe cannot volunteer this humongous amount.
    ” It is in consideration of the above that the Rehabilitation and Fund-raising Committee on behalf of Ikale Obas and stakeholders call on the sons and daughters of Ikale Land at home and abroad for kind and generous donations to help us so that we can together rebuild and rehabilitate Ikale Land to its lost glory,” Gen. Olu Bajowa stressed.
    Gen. Bajowa said the appeal for help towards rebuilding the affected facilities is a call to duty for all the good people of the land but beyond that, it is an appeal to the whole world for help, adding that the Committee is humbly seeking the help of government, institutions , Departments, Agencies, Ministries, Associations, Clubs, societies, corporate bodies, politicians, industrialists, Millionaires, Billionaires, partners and individuals to rally round Ikale nation at this most trying times. ” Please, come over to ‘Macedonia’ and help us,” Gen. Bajowa urged.
    The Jagunmolu of Ikale Land , Gen. Olu Bajowa added, ” we assure you that we are responsible and disciplined Ikale sons and daughters and that we operate with a high level of integrity and hereby solemnly pledge that we shall deploy your donations solely to the purpose of rebuilding and rehabilitating Ikale Land and we shall be both transparent and accountable.”
  • I’ll henceforth hold you responsible for attacks on Police facilities, IGP tells Commissioners

    I’ll henceforth hold you responsible for attacks on Police facilities, IGP tells Commissioners

    Police Commissioners of States will henceforth be blamed for any attack on police facilities by criminals, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu has warned.

    A signal released on Friday following recent attack on the Police Mobile Force’ (PMF) mini base in Kebbi State where eight rifles were successfully carted away by the criminals warned that such lapses would not be tolerated anymore.

    The directive which was originated from the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, said the IGP was shocked and extremely disturbed about the unprofessional manner police formations, officers were being attacked and killed.

    It also frowned at the way their weapons were being carted away without any form of resistance from the cops.

    “This is simply indicative of the unprofessionalism, unpreparedness and lack of supervision on the part of personnel deployed by the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders (ACs).

    “Recent incidents in mind are the attacks on a PMF mini base in Kebbi during which about eight rifles were carted away without any form of resistance. Similarly, the attack on Isanlu Police patrol team in Kogi State that led to the death of a Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) and his rifle taken away.

    “In view of these incidents, the IGP has directed all zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and Commissioners of Police in charge of commands to put measures in place to halt the disturbing trend.

    “Men posted to beats are to remain very alert to protect themselves as well as the personalities or facilities they are assigned to protect.

    “Henceforth, any attack on any police facility, loss of life or weapon will attract sanction for the command Commissioner of Police where such attack is recorded.

    “Men are to be lectured on vigilance at duty posts to enable adequate protection of their lives as well as the lives and properties of others,” the signal said.

  • ISPS Compliance: NIMASA clamps down on erring facilities

    In continuation of its quest to ensure total compliance with the provisions of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) code, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has taken stern measures against three erring facilities namely; Heyden Petroleum Jetty, Index Petroleum Oil Jetty, Waziri Jetty operated by Hemsmor Nigeria Limited, NIPCO in Lagos, while the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Petroleum, Warri, Delta State was also affected by the action.

    Speaking during the exercise which lasted for about three hours, the Head of the ISPS Code Unit of the Agency, Captain Elei Green Igbogi noted that the affected jetties were given adequate notice to correct the anomalies identified, but they did not, hence the Agency has no other option, but to seal the facilities until they implement the minimum ISPS Code standards.

    He stated further that the sealed facilities have failed to implement physical and operational security measures in their premises which pose a great danger to the ships that call at their jetties and their facilities. In addition to this, they have also failed to pay fines imposed on them.

    Captain Igbogi noted that the Agency worked with the Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) and identified the physical and operational gaps in the facilities and they were duly advised to take corrective measures as stated in part VIII (3) of the ISPS Code regulations.

    “The Dr. Dakuku Peterside led Management of NIMASA is committed to ensuring strict compliance to the provisions of the ISPS Code with the aim of achieving 100 per cent implementation so that vessels calling at our ports can be assured of safety. And to achieve this, every segment of the sector must embrace international best practices in its day to day activities. When all facilities are compliant it is for the good of all; as security is very crucial in realizing a robust maritime sector” Capt. Green said.

    It may be recalled that the Agency was appointed as the Designated Authority (DA) for ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria in 2013 and has since raised the bar from barely 13 per cent to over 90 per cent in terms of implementation and compliance.

    Also part VIII of the ISPS Code implementation regulations 2014 gives the Agency the powers to impose fines, withdraw maritime services and also to close down any erring facility that consistently violates the rules and regulations.