Top 10 stories of Tuesday, April 19, 2016

PROBLEMS IN THE POWER SECTOR –  SSAEAC

A group known as the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) yesterday publicly announced the challenges undergoing by the power sector and how to tackle them.  The SSAEAC has said, it would not give up until the Federal Government give them listening ears.

However, it was disclosed that low fund collection, non-supply of meters to consumers and the after effects of privatization are part of the power sector problems. The group therefore said,  it would join hands with the National Union of Electricity Employees, to achieve a peaceful power sector.

GBAJABIAMILA SLAMS FAYOSE OVER BUHARI

Femi Gbajabiamila, the majority leader of the house of Representatives has yesterday in a letter to the president described Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose’s letter to the Chinese government asking it to refuse president Buhari’s request for a $2 billion loan as an abuse that is unacceptable and uncalled for.

Gbajabiamila, in a letter to the president ask him to ignore Fayose as he is not aware how the Federal Government manages it debt and advised that governor Fayose should abide by the 7th schedule of the 1999 constitution to know his role as a governor.

SARAKI FACES HIS TRIAL

Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)  had declared yesterday that the trial of the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki would not be suspended for any reason. He however said, before everyone including the 13 senators present that the trial would began from now 10am to 6pm everyday.

At about 5pm yesterday,  while adjourning the trial,  Saraki’s lawyer, in person of Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), pleaded that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday be strike out because they are days which Senate sit, but Mr. Rotimi Jacobs countered the plea and warned the Senate to stay off the trial.

POLICE TO STOP HERSDMEN IN ONDO

Prior to the destruction of the Fulani herdsmen in Ondo state, the state Police has read a riot act against further killings. The state Police commissioner Hilda Harrison who met with top leaders of the Hausa Fulani in Akure said the act should stop.

She warned against any evil plight to cause problems and urged the people to shun violence. A register was however opened to checkmate the activities of the herdsmen in the community for security reasons.

POLICE CORPORAL ARRESTED

A police corporal, yesterday was arrested for involving in a robbery operation at Shagamu area of Lagos with three other members of the gang who will soon be brought to book.  The four suspect who were on duty that night attacked a 20ft container loaded with spare parts tied the trailer driver and his conductor and dumped them in a bush.

They however,  drove the trailer to Okokomaiko in Lagos State to a ready buyer for N30M. The company alerted policemen at Shagamu division.  In a shoot out, but the truck was arrested while others managed to escaped, leaving a constable known as Victor Omorakai attached to federal SARS, Ikeja who confessed that the operation was led by one inspector Taiwo of the same unit. The Lagos State commissioner of police,  Mr.  Fatai Owoseni was said to have ordered a thorough investigation.

TOMPOLO ARRAIGNED IN ABSENTIA

Former Niger Delta Militant leader,  governor Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo)  was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC, this came as a prosecution witness in ongoing trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, former – director general of the Nigerian maritime administration and safety agency (NIMASA)  narrated to the court how N1 billion allegedly looted from the agency was shared.

Tompolo was arraigned alongside six brothers of a former director –  general of the Nigerian maritime administration and safety agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi. They were arraigned on a 22 –  count charge bordering on N47 billion fraud.  When the charges were read,  they were however,  declared as being “now at large”.  Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned till April,  29.

MINISTER COMMENDS BUHARI

Chief Nduese Essien, a former minister of lands,  housing and Rural Development, on Monday praised president Buhari for signing the infrastructural partnership with China as a huge and favorable success, adding its importance to Nigeria especially in the area of the proposed Lagos –  Calabar rail project.

Although the project was carried out by former president (Goodluck)  but its inclusion in the bill shows good intention for the south-south people because it would have been uncalled for, if not included in the bill by the President.  Essien further enjoins members of the 8th national assembly to join hands in moving this country forward, irrespective of political differences.

LANDLORDS TO PAY LAND USE CHARGE

The Lagos State commissioner for finance,  Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi,  had on Monday during a news conference in Ikeja disclosed that owners of landed property were the ones responsible by law to pay the Land use charge as and when due and not tenants.

He said payments were expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the date of bill delivery,  with penalty accruing from the 45th day. He appealed to residents not to make their payments through any officials, saying it was illegal. Adding that, residents who had also acquired new property and needed to change ownership to update their records at their local land use charge offices.

REASONS BEHIND THE LAGOS ASSEMBLY AMENDED LOCAL COUNCIL LAWS

The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday said the ongoing amendment of local Council law in the state is to improve their performance and not to intimidate anyone. The speaker of the house,  Mudashiru Obasa,  said their effort was to lay the foundation for good and credible local Council system in the state ahead of time.

Ademola Sodik of APC,  had said that the party was against the amendment to section 24(A), which gives the Assembly power to recommend suspension to the governor after investigation of petition against him, describing it as negation of the principle of separation of power. But in reaction to this, Obasa said that the house was not interested in witch – hunting or removing anybody but that it is meant to keep local Council officials on their heels.

EMIR URGES NORTHERN GOVERNORS TO REVIVE NNDC

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II has called on the 19 northern governors to possibly make sure that they revive the New Nigerian Development Company at all cost. He stated this during a courtesy visit at his place on Monday by the NNDC’s Board of Directors led by the Wali of Dutse, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu.

He stated that reviving the company will enhance social economic development particularly in the north and as a matter of fact only togetherness can actualize this. He pleaded for the Federal Government to provide helping hands to speedy up industrial development especially to the people of North –  East to reduce their sufferings.