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Alleged Delisting of Enugu City from World 100 resilient Cities: I stand with Ugwuanyi

Published

6 years ago

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By Ujunwa Eze

Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman politician and lawyer, who served as consul in the year 63 BC., must have seen the future with his wise saying, thus, “As fire when thrown into water is cooled down and put out, so also a false accusation when brought against a man of the purest and holiest character, boils over and is at once dissipated, and vanishes and threats of heaven and sea, himself standing unmoved”.

This assertion is most appropriate to describe the morbid assertions ridiculing the leadership of Enugu State lead by His Excellency; Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the alleged delisting of Enugu City from among the world 100 resilient cities. In honesty, a few clicks of the keyboard show City is conspicuously missing in the list of the Foundation’s World 100 Resilient Cities.

Recall, the Enugu City was enlisted in 2014 by Rockefellers Foundation which bequeathed the State of certain statuses to source funding for its numerous projects.

First, instructively, the State has maintained a leading position in infrastructural development, in spite the meagre finance at its disposal. The present government has not only maintained the infrastructural development grids in the State, it has gone ahead to redefine grassroots participation in projects development.

So, when the Social Media Political Analysts begin to question: ‘What has the State government been doing?’ or ‘The State Government should better start explaining why the City was delisted by Rockefeller Foundation’, my usual answer is that you don’t shave a man’s head in his absence. Why do I say that? Rockefellers Foundation has not come out to give categorical or official report on reasons for removing the City from the map.

Secondly, I strongly disagree with critics in some quarters who argue that lack of infrastructural development was the main reason for this action. Only this December 2017, and in continuation of its massive infrastructure rehabilitation campaign in Enugu State, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration approved contracts for the reconstruction of various road projects, mainly in Enugu metropolis at the sum of over N1.4 billion.

The State Government identified Asata, Iva Valley, Maryland and G.R.A, among others, as areas where the projects will be executed even as the State Executive Council also approved the reconstruction of St. Michael Catholic Church road , Asata and the extension of the Timbershade-Lomalinda Estate road (phase one) to Ugwuaji to serve as another gateway to Enugu from Port Harcourt expressway as well as ensure free flow of traffic.

The roads are been considered because of the economic importance; while the award for the reconstruction of Iva Valley link road, beginning from Camp 1 of Old PRODA site to the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

The Council also awarded contract for the rehabilitation of the NBL/Aqua Rapha road section at 9th Mile Corner in the Udi LGA. Ekochin-Ekeani- New market road reconstruction is nearing completion.

Thirdly, one outstanding testimony working for this Government is its refusal to align with the league of phantom project awarding governments as evident in some States today! In the first 365 days in office, this government unveiled 100 projects running into billions of naira. And who is told these were possible at the time recession was knocking on the doors; oil revenue was depreciating, even the IGR wasn’t at the level expected because the purchasing powers of the citizens became depreciated too. The State didn’t even bother to increase taxes like their counterparts did.

Fourthly, I choose to stand with a Government that is humane, down to earth and grassroot development oriented that ornamented and/or sugar coated governance meshed in avarice for stealing.

Fifthly, and on education, the State is warming up to recruit additional 700 teachers for the Universal Basic Education Scheme to fill the gap created by deaths and retirements within the past one year. The State Government recruited 1,320 teachers in 2016 for primary schools in the 17 local government areas of the state.

To strength and ensure efficient service delivery through effective monitoring and control, N37.2m has been approved for purchase of instructional materials such as desktop computers, laptops, marker boards and chalks for primary schools in the 17 local councils.

Sixthly, since it introduced Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme, traders (in their hundreds) have benefited from this gesture. Interestingly, extension of the programme has been granted till next year with some modifications aimed at enhancing the goal of the scheme.

Seventhly, and on security, the Government recently approved the installation of 24-hour power supply through solar technology to all 45 divisional police stations in the State. The measure will definitely assist the police overcome the difficulties that officers experience, especially at night in the various stations.

The State Executive Council subsequently approved two types of power lighting systems for each of the 45 police stations in Enugu State, as follows: Simple but steady solar power supply units to be installed in police reception and charge offices and to be used for illumination, for charging phones, and for powering other essential working tools such as television sets and fans; and solar powered street lamps within the premises and approaches to be installed in each of the 45 police stations to help monitor movement into and out of their precincts.

As learnt, issues around environmental sanitation are been tackled head-on. Recently, there has been refuse overflow with the State capital littered with wastes. Actually, I expected the State Governor to sack the entire management of ESWAMA! Yes, it is either they work assiduously to address the heaps of stenches defacing the State or chicken out of the system.

While I was contemplating on this measure, news filtered in that Governor Ugwuanyi has taken the bull by the horn. The brightness of the State is restored and many who have come home this yuletide season can attest to this. The magic applied to rid the State of refuse is a topic for another day.

In essence, I want to call the good people of Enugu State to support this government so we can move forward. I believe that Rockefellers Foundation might have its reasons for delisting the State from the group; at the same time, we have to hold our peace till the State gets to the root of the matter.

It will do us no good in joining the bandwagon of ‘lie-dispensers’, propagandist and political opportunists who are hell-bent on wrestling power from the incumbent administration and thus install their poverty-sharing party on us. God forbid! Enugu State remains in the safe hands of God!

Ujunwa Eze, sends her articles from Ezeagu, Enugu State

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Finance

AISA Has Refunded The Fees Paid By Yahaya Bello To EFCC

Published

6 days ago

on

April 27, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the American International School Abuja (AISA) has refunded the fees paid by the immediate past governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, for his children attending the school.

In response to a letter addressed to the Lagos zonal commander of the EFCC, the school said $845,852 was paid in tuition “since the 7th of September 2021 to date”.

AISA said the sum to be refunded is $760,910 because it had deducted educational services already rendered.

“Please forward to us an official written request, with the authentic banking details of the EFCC, for the refund of the above-mentioned funds as previously indicated as part of your investigation into the alleged money laundering activities by the Bello family.

Since the 7th September 2021 to date, $845,852.84 (Eight Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty Two US Dollars and eighty four cents) in tuition and other fees has been deposited into our Bank account.

We have calculated the net amount to be transferred and refunded to the State, after deducting the educational services rendered as $760,910.84. (Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ten US Dollars and Eighty Four cents).

No further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition as the students’ fees have now been settled until they graduate from ASIA.”

In a chat with The Cable, the spokesperson of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the school has refunded the money.

‘’The money has been paid into public account,” Dele Oyewale was quoted as saying

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Finance

Godwin Emefiele Disobeyed Direction Of Law With Intent To Harm The Public, He Printed ₦684.5M Using ₦18.9B Says EFCC in fresh charge

Published

1 week ago

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April 23, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a fresh charge at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory against the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

EFCC in the charge accused Emefiele of approving the printing of N684,590,000 at the rate of N18.96 billion.

EFCC also alleged that Emefiele broke the law with intent to harm the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The anti-graft agency also accused Emefiele of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

EFCC’s top prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN revealed that Emefiele will be arraigned on a new four-count charge before Justice Hamza Muazu

Counts one to four of the charge, read,

“STATEMENT OF OFFENCE: Public Servant disobeying direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

“PARTICULARS OF THE OFFENCE: That you GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1, 000, at the total cost of N11,052, 068,062 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”

This and three other charges were stated against him. They read;

“COUNT 2: “That you, GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE, between the 19th of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000 pieces of colour swapped N500 (Five Hundred Naira) Notes, at the total cost of N4, 471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“COUNT 3: “That you GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 (Two Hundred Naira) Note, at the total cost of N3, 441, 005, 280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”

“COUNT 4: “That you, GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE, on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124, 860, 227, 865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”

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Transport

Federal Government To Launch Out 2700 CNG Buses, Tricycles Ahead Of First anniversary Of Tinubu’s Administration

Published

2 weeks ago

on

April 22, 2024

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The Presidency on Sunday said it was ready to launch about 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29 when President Bola Tinubu turns one year in office.

“All is now ready for delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29.”

It said the Federal Government is set to deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refuelling sites spread across 18 states before the end of 2024.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed Sunday titled ‘Presidential CNG initiative set for rollout.’

“From the end of May, Nigeria will take some baby steps to join such nations that already have large fleets of CNG vehicles.

The CNG tricycle
The CNG buses

“All is now ready for delivery of the first set of critical assets for deployment and launch of the CNG initiative ahead of the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration on May 29.

“About 2,500 of the tricycles will be ready before May 29, 2024…working towards delivering 200 units before the first anniversary of the Tinubu administration,” said the Presidency.

He also said that over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase which will be accomplished in 2024.

In October 2023, about five months after the removal of the petrol subsidy, President Tinubu launched the Presidential CNG Initiative to deliver cheaper, safer and more climate-friendly energy.

The CNG Initiative was designed to deliver compressed natural gas, especially for mass transit.

The Federal Government earmarked N100bn (part of the N500bn palliative budget) to purchase 5500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 Electric buses and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, with plans to develop CNG refilling stations and electric charging stations nationwide.

The FG had said the initiative would ease the burden of the increased pump price on the masses.More information added that the creation of a new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that will assemble the tricycles while Brilliant EV will assemble electric vehicles when it receives the Semi Knocked Down components.

The Presidency explained further, “The SKD parts manufactured by the Chinese company LUOJIA in partnership with its local partner to support the consortium of local suppliers of CNG tricycles are set for shipment to Nigeria and expected to arrive early in May.

It is expected that before 2027, There’ll be a considerable wave of these buses and tricycles in use.

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