TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

  • NNPC, Enugu Govt partner to restore Enugu depot

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Enugu State Government have pledged to work together to revamp the strategic Enugu Depot towards meeting the petroleum products demand of the entire South-East region and beyond.

    This was made known when the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru paid a courtesy call on the Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Government House, Enugu on Thursday.

    Dr. Baru who lamented the incessant acts of vandalism on the Aba-Enugu products pipeline said at some point, about 700 breaches were recorded on the pipeline, a situation that has hampered efficient supply and distribution of petroleum products not only in the state, but in the entire South-East region.

    The GMD explained that even after the Aba-Enugu pipeline was repaired, it still had to be shut down as the corporation hardly gets up to 50% of the products pumped.

    He described Enugu Depot as a major NNPC supply and distribution infrastructure in the entire South-East region which requires the support of all stakeholders bring back to life.

    According to the GMD, the Osisioma and Nsirimo areas (both in Abia State) as well as Ishiagwu (in Ebonyi State) were the major vandalism flash points along the line where illegal connections for diversion of products had been observed almost on a daily basis.

    He, therefore, called on the governor to rally his counterparts in the region to work with the NNPC and security agencies to secure the strategic pipeline, which he said would go a long way in reviving efficient supply and distribution of petroleum products in the area.

    “This depot is not only strategic to the South East, it also serves as a bridge to Makurdi Depot in the North Central as well as the Yola Depot in the North East,” he noted.

    The GMD also charged the governor to collaborate with relevant government agencies to enforce the sale of petrol at filling stations in the state at the government-regulated price of N145.

    “You wouldn’t want to watch as unpatriotic marketers profiteer over your innocent citizens. We still believe marketers anywhere in this country can make profit selling at the official pump price,” Baru added.

    Responding, Governor Ugwuanyi assured the GMD that he would rally other governors from the region to ensure that the Aba-Enugu pipeline is secured from the unwholesome activities of vandals.

    Describing the GMD’s visit as timely, Governor Ugwuanyi said he was now better informed as to why the Enugu Depot was not in operation.

    He assured that the Enugu State Task Force on Petroleum Products would work with NNPC officials and relevant security agencies to ascertain the exact incident spots with a view to securing the pipeline.

     

  • Gov. Ugwuanyi signs 2018 budget of N103.5bn into law

    Gov. Ugwuanyi signs 2018 budget of N103.5bn into law

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday signed the 2018 budget of N103.5 billion into law.

    Signing the document in Enugu, Ugwuanyi reiterated his administration’s readiness to deliver good governance and harness the potential in the state.

    The governor, however, expressed his commitment to ensure the full and prompt implementation of the budget.
    Earlier, Mr Edward Ubosi, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, said that the legislators had after wide consultation and robust debate jerked up the budget estimate.

    Ubosi said that the increase became necessary in order to accommodate the various road projects in the state that needed urgent attention.

    He said that the budget was realistic and accommodated the pressing needs of the state.

    The speaker said that the 2018 budget reduced external and internal borrowings of the state by 60 per cent and would not drag the state into any form of indebtedness.

    Ubosi said that the gains of the 2018 budget had demonstrated that the State Board of Internal Revenue was up to its responsibilities.

    “We are happy with the way the revenue board is working to reduce stress from the government but they should not put hardship on our people,” he said.

    He commended the governor for the prudent management of the state’s resources.

    It is reported that the governor had on Dec. 28, 2017 presented a budget estimate of N98.5 billion to the state assembly.

    The budget was passed on Feb. 12.

     

    NAN

  • Gov. Ugwuanyi empowers widows of fallen heroes

    No fewer than 98 widows of fallen heroes in the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu have been empowered by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

    Ugwuanyi gave a cheque of N19.6 million to the General Officer Commanding of the Division, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, for the widows on Sunday, during the 2017 West African Social Activities (WASA) celebration.

    Presenting the cheque on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser to Enugu State Government on Security Matters, Brig.-Gen. Fred Eze (rtd), said each of the widows would get N200,000 to start-up or enhance their businesses.

    “This is in fulfillment of the promise made by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day held on Jan. 15 at Okpara Square, Enugu.

    “Gov. Ugwuanyi is passionate to ensure that the welfare of personnel and officers of security agencies in the state are given adequate attention in order to get the best from them,’’ he said.

    He urged the widows to put the money to judicious use in a viable business venture or endeavour to be able to contribute meaningfully to the lives of their family members.

    “I will implore you to make judicious use of the money for it to create the desired multiplier effect,’’ he said.

    Responding, Abubakar thanked the governor on behalf of the widows, for fulfilling his promise within a short time.

    “On behalf of the Nigerian Army, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Division, I sincerely send our great salute and appreciate to His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for this great gesture to widows of our fallen heroes.

    “Personally, I wish to thank him for fulfilling his promise within a short time,’’ he said.

    The GOC revealed that the division had met the beneficiaries of the empowerment and tutored them on how best to make use of the money to ensure multiplier effect.

    On the WASA celebration, Abubakar said it was meant to promote social inclusion and togetherness between personnel of the Nigerian Army, their families and the general public at large.

    The GOC also affirmed the loyalty of the army to constituted civilian authorities and to the Commander of Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WASA celebration featured flamboyant cultural displays and traditional dances cutting across prominent ethnic groups in Nigeria, as well as a tug-of-war session.

    Some soldiers, who exceptionally distinguished themselves in their lines of duty, were also recognised and honoured by the GOC.

    NAN reports that WASA is an annual event and a standing military tradition where officers, soldiers, their families and friends socially interact in a relaxed atmosphere.

     

  • Digital television: Gov Ugwuanyi offers free 10,000 setup boxes

    Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has offered to distribute 10,000 setup boxes valued N15 million free to low income households in rural areas to enable them access digital television.

    Ugwuanyi made the disclosure in Enugu on Monday at the launch of Digital Switchover in the state by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    The governor described the launch as a `landmark’ in television broadcasting in Nigeria.

    He said that the gesture was to ensure that low income households were not denied opportunities of accessing digital television contents.

    Ugwuanyi said that the setup boxes which were the major accessory that would, henceforth, enable television viewers in the state watch more channels would be distributed immediately.

    The governor said that the state government was fully conscious of the possible discomfort economically challenged families would face as a result of disruption in accessing free to air television contents.

    “This, in our judgment, is the major reason the Federal Government has committed to subsidise 10 million setup boxes for distribution to poor households in Nigeria,” he said.

    Ugwuanyi said that Enugu had the distinction of being the first state in Southern Nigeria to be switched on to the digital terrestrial television broadcast.

    “As a government, we have intervened on behalf of our people by purchasing 10,000 setup boxes which will be distributed free to low income households identified in our rural areas.

    “Our goal is to enable less economically endowed families to continue to receive even more television channels after this ceremony.

    “The boxes will be distributed after this ceremony in such a manner that it will reach all the 475 autonomous communities in the state,” he said.

    The governor said that local government councils would also cease the opportunity offered by the process to increase the internally generated revenue.

    Ugwuanyi thanked the Information Minister for donating 100 setup boxes to the state government, adding that the boxes would in turn be distributed to security agencies in the state.

    He said that it was gratifying to bid farewell to analogue broadcasting in the state.

    “This underscores the pragmatism the government and leadership of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have brought to bear in broadcasting industry,” Ugwuanyi said.

    Earlier, the Director General of the NBC, Mr Is’haq Kawu said that the digital switchover would enhance the broadcast value chain and open up jobs for Nigerians.

    Kawu said that the switchover would afford television viewers watch new generation of Nigerian contents.

    The DG said that it would also address poor reception of television signals especially in rural areas.

    The highlight of the event was the official switchover from analogue to digital television broadcasting at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Enugu by Ugwuanyi in company of the minister and NBC DG.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Nigeria as a member of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) had in 2006 signed the agreement for member states to switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting.

     

  • CAN advocates for effective legislation to end herdsmen attacks

    CAN advocates for effective legislation to end herdsmen attacks

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for effective legislation to end the menace of attacks by suspected armed herdsmen.

    The CAN National President, Rev. Sampson Oyakunle, made the call during a courtesy visit to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

    Oyakunle said that indiscriminate livestock grazing needed to be put checked and replaced with a more acceptable practice.

    “I advise that you follow the step of your brother governor in Benue by passing a bill that will forestall further occurrence of this attack.

    “Nobody should, under whatever guise, destroy the lives of others and in order to safeguard the people, effective legislation should be put in place.

    “This does not come out of hatred but of the need to do things in order and in respect for human life,” Oyakunle said.

    Responding, Ugwuanyi commended CAN leadership for identifying with victims of the attacks.

    He urged the association and the Church in general, to continue with their good works, underscoring the importance of prayers for good governance to be enthroned in the country.

    The CAN President had earlier led a delegation to donate relief materials to victims of suspected herdsmen attack in the state.

    TheNewsGuru reports that beneficiaries included the 13 widows whose husbands were killed in April 2016 at Ukpabi Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

    Others were the leadership of Christ Holy Church of Nigeria and Catholic Church in Nimbo as well as the victims in Attakwu, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state.

    Sampson, while presenting the items, said that CAN was worried by the spate of attacks linked to suspected herdsmen in parts of the country.

    He said that while the church was praying for the country and victims of the attacks, it was necessary for it to complement prayers with good works as exemplified in the gift items.

    He said that the Christian body had made similar donations in Kaduna and Benue states.

    The president urged Nigerians to live in peace and respect the sanctity of human life.

    He further advised the victims not to take laws into their hands but to trust in the unfailing love of God, adding that they would not be put to shame.

    He said that the church would continue to pray for God’s intervention in the face of obvious challenges confronting the country.

    Mrs Cordelia Ugwuogbu, a widow, who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, thanked the leadership of CAN for their kindness.

    Ugwuogbu said that though things had been difficult since they lost their husbands, they were consoled by the kind gesture extended to them.

    TNG reports that the beneficiaries received bags of rice and beans and a cheque each of an undisclosed amount.

    It would be recalled that suspected herdsmen invaded Nimbo in April 2016, killing 13 people and injuring many others.

    Similar attack was carried out in Attakwu Akegbe few months later were two persons including a seminarian was killed.