Ebola: Jonathan Pays Tribute to Infected Medical Personnel

President Goodluck Jonathan has paid tribute to the medical personnel who got infected with the Ebola Virus Disease after treating the late Liberian, Mr Patrick Sawyer.

 

President Jonathan gave the commendation yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at an occasion to mark the World Humanitarian Day. The president who was  represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo also commiserated with the families of the affected personnel, and promised those still alive would get the best medical attention.

 

“I want to use this occasion to salute the courage of these medical personnel and condole with the families of those that lost their lives,” he said.

“Government is doing everything possible to ensure that those still alive get the best medical attention while praying to God to save their lives,” he added. 

 

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Police Promotes 8 to DIG

The Police Service Commission yesterday approved the promotion of six Assistant Inspectors – General of Police (AIG) and two Commissioners of Police (CP) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors – General of Police.

 

This was revealed in a statement yesterday by the Assistant Director of Public Relations of the commission, Mr Ferdinand Ekpe. According to the statement, the AIGs promoted are Dan’Azumi Job Doma, Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, David O. Omojola, Solomon E. Arase, Christopher K. Katso and Salihu Argungu Hashidu. Meanwhile, the Commissioners of Police promoted are Hilary Opara and Sotonye L. Wakama.

 

It said that the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Mike Okiro, while congratulating the newly promoted officers enjoined them to see their elevation as opportunity to serve the nation. He also urged them to use their experience in uplifting the Nigeria Police Force.

 

The promotions are with effect from 19^th August 2014.

 

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Nigeria Records 5th Death from Ebola

The Federal Ministry of Health has announced the death of a female consultant physician in Lagos from the Ebola Virus Disease.

 

This was made known in a statement yesterday by Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Mr Dan Nwomeh.

 

The statement said the physician who died last evening was one of the primary contacts of the Mr Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian who brought the disease to Nigeria. It added that she was one of the most senior doctors who participated in the management of the Liberian.

 

This, the statement said, brings to five the total number of deaths from Ebola in Nigeria.

 

The other two patients currently under treatment in the isolation wards are stable and are being taken care of, it said.

 

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FCT Minister Launches N3bn Apo Housing Estate

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has launched 49 highly luxury apartments named the “AICL Apo Dutse Housing Estate”.

Speaking at the occasion, the minister, who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, revealed that the Estate was constructed at the total cost of N3 billion within a period of two years.

 

 “I am glad to recall that two years ago, I had personally encouraged Abuja Investment to embark on the AICL Apo-Dutse Housing Estate and to deliver on record time. So, this is heartwarming that the dream project has become a reality.”

 

He added that the FCT Administration through the Abuja Investment embarked on these houses to tackle housing deficit in the Territory in consonance with the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

 

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AEDC to Boost Power Supply in FCT with $200m

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has said it would commit $200 million in five years to enhance power supply and distribution in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger states

The Managing Director AEDC, Mr Neil Croucher, made this known in Abuja at the weekend while receiving officials of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), led by its the FCT Chairman, Dr. Wasilat Shittu.

Mr Croucher said that about 20 injection substations would soon be launched by his company in order to tackle the issue of low voltage being experienced in some the states.

He noted that the challenges being experienced in power supply are due to the poor equipment that the AEDC inherited. It added that the company is willing to make huge investments to improve the situation.

AEDC and MAN agreed to work together towards improving power supply to industrial sites in the FCT.

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Collection of PVC in FCT to End Tomorrow

The collection of Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will end tomorrow, 19 August.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by Head, Voter Education and Publicity, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Okezie Nwankwo.

The statement announced the extension of the date by two more days after the initial exercise ended on 17 August. It said the extension was to give more people the opportunity to get the cards, adding that the time for the collection of the cards remained between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Other states in which the exercise was extended are Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Kwara. Others are Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, Oyo, Delta, and Cross River.

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SURE-P to Donate N10bn to Abuja Light Rail Project

The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), has said it is set to donate the sum of N10 billion towards the completion of the Abuja light rail project.

The Chairman of SURE-P, Gen. Martin-Lurther Agwai (Rtd) made this known to newsmen over the weekend in Abuja after an inspection of the project. He said that SURE-P’s support of the project was to ensure its quick completion.

He noted that the rail line, when finished, would reduce the burden on road transport system and enhance economic and social activities in the country

Gen Agwai (Rtd) expressed satisfaction with the engineering design of the project and applauded the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the effort.

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Ebola: FG to Disinfect Homes, Offices, Hospitals

Responding to the threat of the Ebola Virus Disease, the Federal Govern­ment has made plans to disinfect homes, hospitals, offices, and hotels in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, and other densely populated states.

 

The Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurencia Mallam, who made this known yesterday in Abuja, also said “We are in touch with the various states of the federa­tion for the implementation of a massive disinfection of homes, offices, hospitals, ho­tels and indeed public places infested with bats, rats and other pets.”

 

She added that government was working to bring animals that assist in the spreading the disease under control.

 

 “The control of animals implicated in the spread of this disease, especially fruit bats, which are so numer­ous in many parts of urban cities, such as Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, to mention but a few, is now our major concern,” she said.

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NMA Tells Members to Insist on Protective Equipment

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has advised doctors and nurses in the country to demand for protective equipment before treating Ebola patients.

The advice was contained in a statement today by the Secretary-General of the NMA, Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki. The statement noted that doctors, nurses and other health workers in the frontline of caring for patients have been falling victims of the disease.

“Government at all levels, chief medical directors/medical directors and proprietors of private hospitals are hereby reminded that this is not the time to subject doctors and nurses, and indeed other health workers, to unnecessary hazards,” it said.

It added that it would not be out of place for government to institute a well packaged life insurance policy for all health workers, particularly all those involved in this battle against Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic diseases.

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Funding Hindrance to Resettlement of Abuja Indigenes- FCTA

 The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT) has said that lack of funds has been a major challenge in the resettlement of the indigenous people of the FCT.

 

Director of the Development Control Department, FCTA, Mallam Yahaya Yusuf, made the comment while speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday. He said the administration initiated the Land Swap policy as a way out of the funding challenge.

 

“The administration has come with an alternative policy (Land Swap), which is to give room for private developers to acquire an area, provide the required infrastructure and take care of resettlement of the indigenes while retaining 40 per cent of the land to government,” he said

 

“The hope is that by the time this is perfected, issues of resettlement and compensation will be adequately addressed with minimal financial commitment by government,” he added.

 

Mallam Yusuf expressed the commitment of the FCTA to the construction of world-class mass housing estates for accommodation of Abuja residents.

 

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FG Promises to Complete Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line in December

The federal government has reiterated its determination to finish work on the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge rail line before the end of this year.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Mr Nebolisa Emodi, made the pledge in Abuja recently while receiving the former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Bukar Goni Aji in his office.

Mr Emodi revealed that the project is already about 85 per cent completed and expressed hope of full completion by December.

He also restated the determination of the federal government to revive the Nigerian Railway system for the haulage of goods and carriage of passengers, completion of feasibility studies on rail system, increase use of inland waterways to stimulate economic activities, enhancement of maritime safety and good welfare system for the staff.

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Counter-Terrorism: IGP Orders Creation of Tactical Operation Points

In its effort to contain illegal movement of small arms and light weapons and other explosive materials, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, has ordered immediate establishment of Tactical Operation Points (TOP) in some states of the North East and North West.

 

This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Frank Mba. It said the TOP, which will be manned by Policemen who have received adequate training in tactical operation and counter-terrorism, will be established in strategic locations, including highways in Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states.

 

“Consequently, the IGP has charged all Assistant Inspectors -General of Police (AIGs) in charge of the Zones covering the affected states and all Commissioners of Police in charge of these states to ensure close supervision and constant reskilling of the personnel performing this special operation,” it said.

 

It further stated that the IGP is optimistic that the latest measure will enable the Force to halt further spread of violence in the land and frustrate the activities of insurgents and other criminals.

 

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FG to Probe Electricity Distribution Companies

The Federal Government, through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), plans to evaluate the progress of the financial commitments made by the different owners of electricity distribution companies in the nation.

 

This was revealed yesterday at the launch of the National Council on Power (NACOP) in Abuja.

 

Speaking at the launch, the Director General of BPE, Mr Benjamin Dikki, said that the investors were to account for their $1.8 billion five-year expansion commitments to the distribution networks.

 

“NERC and BPE have drawn up systemic measures to check and enforce these commitments and this is in addition to structured mechanisms that exist in the market,” he said.

 

“The five-year total CAPEX for distribution companies is almost $1.8 billion and the investment to be made by the Discos cover the commitments they have all made in the following areas; metering (about six million meters), health, safety and environmental practices, reduction in number of customer interruptions due to network faults, new customer connections and network expansion as well as improving customer services and complaints handling procedures,” he added.

 

Mr Dikki further stated that there will be no tariff review for distribution companies that fail to make investments in their networks and attain certain percentage of the Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC and C) loss figures that they submitted. “They will bear their losses directly,” he said, “and it is simple because the market is structured to make these efficiencies possible.”

 

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BBOG Takes Advocacy to the Streets

The Abuja family of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign yesterday took to the Hilton Junction, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, sharing out fliers and stickers to motorists and passers-by.

 

The initiator of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, said it was part of their strategic decision to gain more awareness.

 

“We are handing out our stickers, chanting by the street corner by Unity Fountain to make people realize these girls have been gone for four months and not one of them has been rescued by the Nigerian military,” She said.

 

“This is very responsive, we have seen a lot of people ask us for more stickers. This we feel is a very interactive way of doing our advocacy. This is rush hour, people are going home from work, so it is a good time to be on the streets,” she added.

 

In addition to the Chibok girls, Hajia Usman expressed concern for people in the north-eastern part of the country who have been victims of repeated terrorist attacks.

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EFCC Advises Nigerians to be Wary of Abuja Estate developers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has advised Nigerians to be wary of some estate developers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who are in the habit of swindling people who want to buy homes in Abuja.

The advice was contained in a statement released yesterday by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren. It noted that it has recorded a rise in the number of reported cases of individuals who have been defrauded after they responded to advertisement for subscription to own property in many of the estates being promoted by unscrupulous developers in the FCT.

“Usually, the so called developers, once they are able to secure land allocation from the FCDA, create gorgeous computer-assisted designs of prototype estate and launch aggressive media blitzs for prospective home owners to subscribe for different categories of houses at attractive prices,”

“They target low and middle income earners who cannot afford outright cash purchase of property in the burgeoning capital city. For this category of citizens, such offers are irresistible as they present immediate escape from the burden of prohibitive yearly rent payments. They embrace such scheme with the hope that the payment spread over many years will provide the cushion to do other things,” the statement added.

“But no sooner than they pay the initial deposits, they are inundated with various excuses as explanation for the developers’ inability to deliver the properties,” it further stated.

The EFCC therefore urged real estate sector and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Society of Estate Surveyors and Valuers to collaborate in order to firm up regulatory framework for property development in the FCT.

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Five Siblings Killed in Accident on Abuja-Lokoja Road

Five members of a family, three boys and two girls, on Sunday died in a car accident that occurred on the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, reports THISDAY newspaper.

 

The report said the accident occurred at about 5.30 p.m Sunday evening when a petrol tanker latched on to a Hiace bus with the siblings inside and dragged it a long distance before eventually falling and exploding on the bus.

The fire, it said, made it impossible to extricate some of the victims of the crash from the wreckage until yesterday.

It added that the corpses, some of which were burnt beyond recognition, have been deposited at the Kwali General Hospital.

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FCT Minister Reshuffles Cabinet again

 The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen Bala Mohammed, has once again reshuffled his cabinet.

Following the exercise in which some directors were reassigned to different offices, Mr Salihu Hawat Mohammed was appointed the new Director of Establishment and Training in the FCT administration.

Other directors affected in the exercise include Mallam Bashir Mohammed, former Director of Security, now moved to the FCT Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board as Director, while Engineer Jibrin Ibrahim, who was Director of Special Duties, is to take charge of the Security Department.

Furthermore, the Director, Administration and Finance in the Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), Mrs Habeeba Babata Sulaiman, has been moved to Legal Services Secretariat as Director of Admin and Finance while Mr Tony Edekobi of the Legal Services Secretariat was redeployed to PHCDB as Director of Admin & Finance.

It would be recalled that a similar exercise was carried out in the FCTA last week.

 

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FCT Inaugurates Technical C’ttee on Ebola Management

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, has inaugurated technical committee to manage the threat of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the territory.

 

While setting up the committee in Abuja yesterday, the minister noted that the measure was a proactive one as no case of Ebola has been recorded in the FCT.

The terms of reference of the committee, he said, include: creating awareness on the nature and symptoms of the virus, working out modalities for responding to the threat of the Ebola virus, preparing an action plan for its containment, working out ways for effective surveillance of the population, visitors and travelers, and recommending tools and method for managing cases if they arise, among others.

The committee is to be headed by the FCT Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya.

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