Vehicle Importers Rush To Beat Jan 1 Ban Deadline

Activities at the Seme and Idi Iroko land borders are now at fever pitch as vehicle importers and auto dealers are rushing to clear their vehicles (new and used) from the borders in order to beat federal government’s December 31, 2016 deadline for the restriction of importation vehicles to the nation’s seaports.

The federal government had earlier in the month announced that from January 1, 2017, there will be no more importation of vehicles through the land borders.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had indicated, in a press statement, that the ban is sequel to a presidential directive.

A visit by LEADERSHIP to the Seme and Idiroko borders in Lagos and Ogun states, respectively, showed increased activities at the border points as clearing agents and auto dealers were seen moving from one Customs office to the other to clear their vehicles from neighbouring Benin Republic before the deadline.

Speaking to our correspondent, an executive member of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Timothy Ayokunle, said there had been an increase in the numbers of vehicles cleared at the borders since last week.

He told our correspondent that the figures had risen from 180 vehicles in a week to over 300 vehicles since last week.

Elder Ayokunle said: “Those who had already purchased or shipped their vehicles into Benin Republic are in a rush to bring them into the country in order to beat the federal government’s deadline.

“People are hurrying to bring in their vehicles, and I can confirm to you that, by last Friday before we went on vacation, auto dealers and importers were in a rush to clear their vehicles.

“For instance, at Idiroko where we do 20 to 30 vehicles in a day, about 45 to 50 vehicles are cleared in a day now. I may not be around today (Wednesday) but some importers have called me (to say) they need their cars by tomorrow (today) because of the deadline.”

Speaking to our correspondent, the chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Seme Border Chapter, Chief Ekene Ajunwa, said there was a rush by importers to clear their vehicles at Seme.

“What we have presently is a little bit of rush from auto dealers who want to clear their vehicles to beat the federal government deadline,” he said.

Chief Ajuwa, however, wondered why the government would give a short notice for a policy that bans the importation of vehicles through the land borders.

“We have written to the government and complained that there is not enough notice. For instance, what would someone that had shipped vehicles before the policy came on board do? Will they return the vehicles abroad or sell them in Cotonou?” he queried.

Customs public relations officer, Seme Command, Taupyen Selchang, confirmed the last-minute rush by auto dealers and importers to clear their vehicles.

“There is rush because of the deadline of the federal government policy. Everyone is trying to meet with deadline. For instance, in a week, at times we used to do about 80 to 100 vehicles, but now we clear about 200 to 300 vehicles in a week.

“Also, most of the jobs that will be done today will be the clearance of vehicles. Because of the deadline, nobody wants to be caught on the other side of the policy.

“As a command we are strategising to meet up with the policy of the government. We don’t want to be caught unawares; we have fortified every nook and cranny of the border to ensure strict compliance of the policy,” he said.

Customs public relations officer, Idiroko border, Usman Abubakar confirmed the rush in clearing vehicles at the border.

“Yes, people are rushing to clear their vehicles at the Idiroko border because of the deadline,” Usman told our correspondent on phone.

APC not afraid of planned ‘mega party’ –Oyegun

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, yesterday, assured that despite the current temporary economic hardship in the country, Nigerians will be happy in the near future over the policy decision of the Buhari administration.

“Now we are pushing agriculture and most Nigerians are in the field. We are pushing extractive minerals which, of course, is virtually all over the country; a lot of Nigerians will be involved in that enterprise. We are pushing power generation and distribution because that will also energise the small and medium scale industry. So, we want an economy in which most Nigerians are participants; it is no longer oil which is highly technologically based.

“So, it is a different reality we are trying to build and establish. It involves sacrifices and hard work, but what is necessary today is that we are focused. What is real today is that the government of Buhari is passionate about seeing the thing to its logical conclusion. This nation must change, and the change is so fundamental. There is no question, at all, that a lot of people are going through temporary hardship, but the situation is such that tomorrow, everybody will be glad we pursued this line of development in spite of the problems we are facing currently,” he said.

Chief Oyagun, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City yesterday, also declared that the APC does not feel threatened at all with the much talked about formation of a “mega party” ahead of 2019 general elections, saying  those behind it should be encouraged so as to have a formidable opposition to the ruling APC.

He absolved the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar from the rumoured formation of a new party and said he had met with some of the leaders of the party, including the leadership of the National Assembly and the former vice-president.

“We are waiting for the arrival of Tinubu, so we can also meet with him and have meaningful discussion because he is a well respected leader of this party,” oyegun said.

“We don’t feel threatened at all, no mega party will survive the APC. I don’t know where the name mega party suddenly came from in the lexicon of politics in this country. When two people gather to have a meeting it is a mega meeting. We don’t feel threatened, we will, in fact, encourage a mega party, because with the gradual collapse of PDP, we want a party that can make us sit upright and be on our toes in terms of delivery of services to our people.

“A party that will make us feel challenged, that will make democracy real and offer the people a real choice. We are not threatened at all, we are focused on our mission made difficult by the current economic situation worldwide, which, of course, is compounded with the collapse of the oil market. We are reforming this country, reforming it ethically, morally and economically by building a fresh economic base which will no longer depend on an extractive industry which does not involve the people,” he added.
Dailysun

Creation of Biafran nation’ll end Igbo agitation— BIM

ABAKALIKI — BIAFRA Independent Movement, BIM, and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday stated that the long standing agitation of the Igbo people will abruptly come to a logical end as soon as the Republic of Biafra is separated from the Nigerian nation.


Demonstrators wave flags and hold a sign reading “Freedom for Biafra” during a protest calling for the release of pro-Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu, on September 23, 2016, in the Abidjan suburb of Treichville.
Near one hundred Biafran Nigerians protested on September 23 in Abidjan, calling for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, according to an AFP photographer.
According to the group, there is no reason for anybody to talk about one Nigeria when President Muhammadu Buhari is only concerned about the Northern interest and the marginalization of Ndigbo in the country.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the leader of MASSOB (BIM), Ebonyi South zone, Mr. Sunday Ezaka, stressed that the only panacea to lasting peace and political stability of the nation is for the Federal Government to allow the sovereignty of the Biafra nation to come into existence.

The statement read in part: “The entire members of BIM/ Massob in Ebonyi South zone, Ebonyi State supports Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of MASSOB (BIM) and Chief MASSOB /BIM leader, S.O Chukwu, for their vision for the Igbo and Biafran nation. They have done marvelously well more than any other group in the country.

“Today, Biafra has come to be a reality and very soon, it will be open and clear to everybody. The only thing that will bring peace to Nigeria and Biafra is for the Federal Government to stop opposing the full existence of the Biafran nation.

“If Biafra stays on its own, it will help a lot. We have all the mineral resources and endowment that will help us develop and be independent for life. It will bring peace as Biafra will develop without bounds. The Federal Government is not helping matters and we blame them for the death of our members since the agitation began in the country.

“We sincerely thank the Ejele-Ndi Igbo, Eze Igbo Gburu Gburu, Chief Uwazuruike, for job well done for the Biafran people.”
Vanguard

   

APC urges FG to sanction Wike

PORT HARCOURT—All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, has called on the Federal Government to sanction Governor Nyesom Wike for refusing to appear before a Police probe panel on violence that characterised the just concluded re-run elections in the state.
State Chairman of APC, Mr Dave Ikanya, in a statement by his media aide, also described as an affront on the Federal Government, the constitution of a similar probe panel by Governor Wike in the state.

He said: “This is a direct affront on federal powers and should be swiftly met with appropriate response by those whose authority he is challenging so as not to embolden others to follow his dangerous example.

“Wike has clearly crossed the line and should be put in his proper place by the Federal Government whose powers he is brazenly challenging. Wike’s sole purpose in setting up the kangaroo commission is to ridicule APC leaders and make nonsense of the efforts by the Police to probe and stop further killings in Rivers State.”

Meantime, the state government again dismissed the Police panel as a body set up with a predetermined end which is to indict Governor Wike, stressing that it has no confidence in it.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, in a statement, yesterday, also lashed out at the APC for inciting the Police against the government of the state.

He said: “Rivers State branch of the APC is following a familiar and disgraceful path of inciting the Police and other security agencies against Rivers people. But we will never be intimidated.

“The Rivers State Government strongly believes that the IG’s panel was set up to procure a predetermined indictment of Governor Wike and other leaders in Rivers State. We have no confidence in the panel and will not participate in its proceedings.

“The Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Government will investigate and submit a report on the specific security breaches that occurred before, during and after the December 10 poll in the state.

“We believe that the commission’s report will form the best objective basis for action by the Rivers State Government.”
Vanguard

   

No provision for new minimum wage in 2017 budget

INDICATIONS have emerged that the clamour for upward review of new national minimum wage by organized labour, may be long in coming, as there is no provision for it in the Federal Government budget proposal now before the National Assembly.

Organised labour had since May 2016, sent a proposal for a N52, 000 monthly National Minimum Wage, NMW, to the government .

Last month, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, warned that there would be no guarantee of industrial peace in the new year should government fail to conclude the process of a new minimum wage as soon as possible, beginning with a the tripartite committee.

Reacting to the development, the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, said no provision for new minimum wage was a critical missing link in the 2017 budget proposal.

While applauding the over N7 trillion 2017 Federal Government budget focusing on reflating the economy through import substitution and patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods, the union called for immediate constitution of a tripartite committee by government to agree on a new minimum wage, after which a supplementary budget should be sent to the National Assembly for its implementation.

Speaking through its President and General Secretary, John Adaji and Issa Aremu, respectively,  NUTGTWN said: “Our union will support President Buhari to realise the vision of import substitution and jobs creation. We demand that the disbursement of this huge fund should help to revive local industry, reopen closed factories and should not be spent to finance frivolous imports and perpetuate unemployment.

“We commend the Nigerian Army for setting a good example with the purchase of made in Aba boots for the military.  We urge that this process is further strengthened through patronage of made-in-Nigeria uniforms and tarpaulin for military operations and the internally displaced peoples’ camps.

‘’We note also that the critical missing link in the 2017 budget is the provision for new minimum wage.  The government must make immediate provision for supplementary budget to address this concern. We, hereby, call for an urgent review of the National Minimum Wage. The  federal government should immediately constitute the tripartite committee for a review of the National Minimum Wage.”

Also speaking on the issue, General Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said congress was not surprised over the development as there had been no agreement on a new minimum wage.

According to him, what is of urgent importance is for government to constitute a tripartite committee, comprising government, labour and private sector employers’ representatives, to negotiate and agree on a new National Minimum Wage, NMW.

He said: “It is not strange to us that there is no provision for a new minimum wage in the 2017 Federal Government budget because there is no agreement on it.

‘’What is urgent is for government to set up a tripartite committee to negotiate and agree on a new minimum wage immediately.

‘’Once this is done and agreement is reached and it is passed into law by the National Assembly, if the government thinks it cannot accommodate a new salary increase, it will send a supplementary budget to accommodate it. So, it is not surprising to us.”

Constitution amendment: President, govs to lose immunity

The Senate has commenced the process of amending section 308 of the 1999 Constitution which gives immunity to president, vice president, governors and deputy governors in the country.

A bill to that effect sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (LP, Delta) has been referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution amendment chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Senate President Bukola Saraki had before the commencement of Christmas/New Year holiday said the constitution amendment would be passed early next year.

Specifically, the bill seen in the National Assembly journal proposed the substitution of subsection 308(2) that presently reads, “ the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party” with a new section.

The proposed amendment reads, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to, (a) “ civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party”

It (b) part reads, “criminal proceedings connected to, related to or arising from economic and financial crimes”.

Shedding more light on the bill, Omo-Agege said like in the US, the president and VP, governors and their deputies should only be immune from civil actions arising from their official actions while in office.

“They are not entitled to immunity from litigation for actions not germane to their work. For example a president or governor who buys a car for a child and refuses to pay can be taken to court while in office,” he said.

He added that: “also like in the US, there should be no immunity from criminal investigation or prosecution for crimes committed either before or while in office.

“Recall that Mr. Spiro Agnew while a sitting VP under President Nixon was tried and convicted for tax evasion while in office. Bill Clinton as a sitting president was hauled before a grand jury by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr for perjury (lying under oath) while in office as president.

“Finally, Elliot Spitzer as a sitting governor of New York was tried and convicted for illicit solicitation of sex.”

He expressed optimism that if the amendment is passed, there will be sanity, transparency and accountability in the Executive Arm of government, especially “Treatment of our state resources which most of them currently treat as slush funds”.
Dailytrust

We have won the war against B/Haram – Army

The Nigerian Army yesterday said it has finally won the six-year-old war against Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole Major General Leo Irabor declared this victory in Maiduguri in a press conference on Operation Rescue Final.

The military said it has captured the Sambisa forest, the last stronghold of the insurgents, killed and arrested dozens of them and rescued hundreds of civilians.

Irabor showed footage of military attacking Boko Haram locations, with air force Alpha jets giving them air support.

The aerial footage showed the insurgents fleeing their base on motorcycles and in some vehicles, but the theatre commander said the fighter jets avoided attacking them from the air because there were women and children among them.

He added however that the military was on their trail and that they would not escape.

Irabor said the military used minimal force and avoided bombarding locations with women and children in order to rescue them.

The insurgency began in 2009 during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yarádua but escalated under former President Goodluck Jonathan. The military had been bogged down in the counter insurgency war in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The Boko Haram insurgents took over 20,000sq kilometres of territory the three states at the height of the war.

Irabo said as a mark that the war has been won, two roads linking major towns in Borno state that were closed down for three years have been reopened. The roads are; Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak road and the Maiduguri-Mungono-Baga road. Other major roads were opened several months ago.

Shekau’s Qur’an and flag

Major General Irabo said troops recovered a Qur’an and flag belonging to Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau during the operation to capture Sambisa. He disclosed that Shekau is on the run like many other leaders and members of the sect.

He said: “We believe that the Holy Book and the flag were abandoned by Abubakar Shekau while he escaped.

“The Book will be taken to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai, for onward presentation to Mr President.

“We have also made a lot of arrests. Our troops in Damboa arrested about 15 Boko Haram members. We also arrested one Musa from Potiskum on Christmas day which was Dec.25.

“On Dec. 26 our troops also intercepted two Boko Haram suspects in Maiduguri.

“We, therefore, warn residents of the state to be wary of people coming to hide in and around their houses.

“We are also warning residents to report any suspected Boko Haram members hiding in their houses to the relevant security agencies and any failure to do that would tantamount to supporting and sympathising with the sect’s activities.”

1,240 suspects arrested

He said about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram members have been arrested by troops during mop-up operation inside the Sambisa forest.

Irabor said 413 of the suspects were adults; 323 were female adults; 251 male children, while 253 were female children.

He said: “We are interrogating them to know whether they are Boko Haram members, because there is no way somebody that is not their member would live inside Sambisa forest.

“We are still on the trail of the terrorists and I want to assure you that all escape routes have been blocked.

“Within this period, also, about 30 fleeing suspected Boko Haram members have surrendered to the Niger Multinational Troops on the shores of the Lake Chad and we learnt that they were taken to Difa in the Niger Republic.

“The suspects include; 24 male and 6 females.

“We would like to use this opportunity to encourage the terrorists to give up the fight because the window is still open,” the Theatre Commander said.

Military championship in Sambisa

The commander said the army will hold the 2017 Small Arms (NASA) championship in Sambisa to enhance its presence in the forest.

Irabor said other exercises such as military training and test of arms and equipment would also be conducted in the forest in order “to completely dominate the area’’.

“We would continue with our road construction in the area. As you can see, our troops are already providing motorable roads in the forest.

“The military are going to do a lot of things as part of its post-insurgency contribution to bring total normalcy and security to the North-East.

“Our troops have helped in mobilising the local people to facilitate the return of IDPs to Kala balge. But then, there is no access road to the town.

“For them to return, the road must be constructed. And that is why we are calling on well-meaning Nigerians to also contribute their quota and support the government.

“Other stakeholders are also expected to repair the roads,” Irabor said.

17 arrested with arms and ammunition in Kaduna State

The Police Joint Tactical Operation Squad attached to Operation Harmony has arrested 17 suspects in cases of arms dealing in different parts of Kaduna State.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operation, Habila Joshak, who paraded the suspects in Kafanchan Police Area

Command after touring crisis-affected areas of Goska, Dangoma and Bakin Kogi in Jema’a local Government Area,  said that since the deployment of security personnel in the area, no report of crisis or gun attack had been recorded in southern Kaduna.

He said that he and his men were mandated by the IGP, Idris K. Ibrahim to ensure that peace was restored to the area and they were committed to the charge.

One of the suspects, a 48-year-old Nelson Kpok, told journalists that he was in the business of arms dealing for several years but denounced the business last year but he was now arrested after his name was mentioned by one of his old customers. Another suspect, Yakubu Dangana, said he possessed a gun only to defend himself after several attacks at his house by armed robbers.

The suspects were found with 13 AK47 sample and SMG Model 12 local guns, ammunition and N400,000 cash.
Dailytrust

MATTERS ARISING FROM ONDO GUBER POLL

The crisis which rocked the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state would have torpedoed the rhythm of the just concluded governorship election. In spite of the fact that the PDP has rejected the outcome of the election and accused INEC of complicity, feelers from the field showed that it was an improvement on that of Edo. Olurotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) polled a total of 224, 842 votes and was declared the governor elect by the Chief Returning Officer Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali. The legal crisis which bedeviled the PDP before the election was a big challenge to political party discipline and strict adherence to the internally laid down rules and procedures. It was also a sad reminder of the desperate antics of politicians and an in-built deficiency in our constitutional and electoral processes. The people of Ondo were lucky to have a governor elect today because Eyitayo Jegede did not throw spanners into the wheels of that process by running to the court to at least demand for a minimum of seven days to enable him forward the names of his agents as required by the electoral law. It was within his right to seek such relief because getting an appellate court to quash the order of the Abuja High Court compelling INEC to replace his name with that of Jimoh Ibrahim two days before the election was a race against time. Therefore, the possibility of granting such order by a court of competent jurisdiction was certain and that would have changed the entire narratives. In fairness to him, many had called on INEC to postpone the election. However, INEC had argued that this prerogative was reserved only for the political platforms upon which candidates contest elections not the candidates themselves, claiming that PDP as a party has been campaigning despite the candidate involved. The commission went ahead with the election not minding the hues and cries.
Those who championed the deliberate attempt to thwart and circumvent due process of electioneering in that state have been shamed by the boldness of the Appeal and Supreme Courts. Depending on ones’ line of thought; we must all collectively agree that a lot needs to be done to strengthen the weak hands of our democratic structures and electoral processes. With the legal controversies behind the authentic candidate of the PDP, the role of the judiciary, politicians, INEC and the eventual conclusion of the elections, it is time to interrogate the matters arising thereof. It must be re-emphasised that the questionable impartiality of INEC in the governorship election could not fly while induced and undue pressure mounted on the commission from external quarters has called to question the independence of INEC in conducting free, transparent and credible elections.
In fact, the deliberate gagging of the electoral umpire or the willingness of the commission to succumb to the whims and caprices of political forces and the capitalisation of same to frustrate the smooth running of the electoral processes in the country by politicians using the security agencies or the judiciary as a tool for manipulation is a course of concern to well- meaning individuals. Before the 2011 general elections, the National Assembly removed the power of INEC to disqualify candidates and surrendered same to political parties which are the platform upon which candidates for elections are sponsored. The decision was premised on the fact that INEC has become purely political, overbearing and usurped the responsibilities of political parties by choosing the candidates to recorganise without recourse to the political parties’ processes which threw candidates up. The era of Maurice Iwu as the INEC chairman saw to the entrenchment of this impunity. The supposedly well-thought out move by the National Assembly to ostracise the evil hands of interference from the selection processes of candidates for elective positions and in the affairs of political parties is gradually eroded by the nature of frivolous reliefs the courts grant to candidates especially the type awarded Jimoh Ibrahim by an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang.
From the onset, it was a well-known fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission from the days of Maurice Iwu has failed to garner the required implicit confidence of Nigerians. Many thought that with the successes recorded by Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC will consciously build on the feats, deviate from the old tradition with the arrival of APC and Prof Yakub and ensure that the culture of impunity and taking advantage of the fraught electoral processes to perpetrate electoral evil become a thing of the past. Nigerians were aware that the culture of playing ostrich by INEC did not start from this administration; however, the failure of the commission to redeem its name is evident in the inconclusiveness of elections conducted since March, 2015 especially in Rivers state. Incidentally, INEC has chosen to point accusing fingers at others without keeping its house in order. It has chosen the court order to obey and the one to ignore. Some have also alleged that INEC has continually refused to heed to wise counsel.
The inauguration of the constitutional and electoral reforms committee headed by the former Senate President Ken Nnamani will, “review the electoral environment, laws and experiences from recent elections conducted in Nigeria and make recommendations to strengthen and achieve the conduct of free and fair elections in Nigeria.” The move gives credence to the need for a truly strong and independent INEC free from the shackles of deliberately planted constitutional and political land mines. The governorship election in Ondo has reduced the tally to the staggered election schedules before the 2019 general elections to Anambra and Ekiti states. Nigerians are of the view that the space of time will allow the Nnamani’s committee to come up with implementable recommendations that will aid smooth conduct of elections and remove all encumbrances in the constitutional provisions and laws relating to elections in Nigeria.

Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communications Specialist is the publisher of thenewinsightng.blogspot.com. He wrote from Kaduna via sunnyeze02@yahoo.com and can be reached on 08060901201

THE DEPLORABLE STATE OF ENUGU-PORT HARCOURT EXPRESS WAY

With heavy hearts, many friends and relations of the Dilosi’s Dynasty including this writer recently journeyed from Kaduna to Bomu in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers state in honour of the amiable matriarch of the family, Mrs. Maria Tagalobari Dilosi who was cut short by the cold hands of death at the prime age of fifty one. In less than a decade and half, friends and relations had undertaken yet another sad visit to Bomu for the second time and for the same unfortunate and unavoidable reason. The sudden demise of the patriarch and loving husband of the deceased James Viloo Dilosi in 2003 was likewise the motive for the first journey thirteen years ago. Mrs. Maria Tagalobari Dilosi was described by her children, friends and associates as kind hearted, lovely and caring of all; an intercessor, a burden bearer, a wise counselor, compassionate and mother of all. Our journey to Bomu took us through the Enugu-Port Harcourt Express way instead of Lokoja-Okene-Auch road which was the best option as a result of its terrible state.
It was a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. In fact, the journey turned out an unforgettable nightmarish experience. The two hundred and twenty-eight kilometer stretch road: a federal one for that matter was too bad to be ignored without grumbling and outpour of invectives on those responsible for leaving it in that state of disrepair despite huge yearly budgetary allocations. It was the general consensus of all that; somebody has to be held accountable and responsible for the ugly state of that road and others in like manner. Evidence of the sorry state of the road can be seen in the number of broken down vehicles especially trucks which litter the road. Road users also make frequent detours to the other lane when it seems necessary. At Lokpanta axis of the road where a trailer load of goods broke down leading to the blockage of the major part of one lane, it was practically impossible for free vehicular movement. We came to a standstill and were all forced to alight from the vehicles as the situation deteriorated.  Impatient road users as usual diverted to the adjacent lane creating a chaotic traffic situation. It took more than an hour before we wriggled out of the traffic situation.  In our interactive session with predominantly Hausa inhabitants in the area, they revealed that with what we saw, the road was better and even motorable compared to between July and August which was the peak period of rainy season in the eastern Nigeria.
The dilapidated nature of that road has been in the news for several years but it has failed to attract the desired government attention in both federal and state levels. The endless-man-hour expended by travelers in utter frustration on that express way is better seen, experienced than imagined. Friends from Kaduna state who never travelled to the eastern and southern part of Nigeria save for the honour of the deceased like every other well-meaning Nigerian were of the view fact that urgent steps needed to be taken by government to put the road in good shape. Majority were surprise that a federal road of this deplorable nature exists in Nigeria. Some concluded that they have now seen why there is preponderance of armed robbery, incessant agitation for resource control and the pressure for the creation of the state of Biafra raging on in the two regions.

The energy wasted on that road daily, lives lost, resources and business opportunities missed or lost and the attendant health challenges it throws up later are seriously worrisome. Many of us who embarked on that journey took one form of medication or the other when we finally came back to Kaduna. The same must have been applicable too to majority, if not all of every other user of that road. A journey of less than three hours from Enugu to Rivers state consumes more. It was revealed that armed robbers and kidnappers have taken advantage of the bad road to ply their horrendous trades. This led to military and police check-points within every one kilometer range. The check-points as it was observed assist no one in particular except lining the pockets of those who mounted them. They are known as Automated Transfer Machines (ATM) positioned to draw monies from road users as the check points vanish into thin air on arrival of bandits and kidnappers only to resurface afterwards.

That road to say the least is a death trap and a constant reminder of failure of leaderships both at the federal and state levels. The strategic importance of the road as the gateway to the Eleme Petrochemical Company and the business city of Aba gave rise to the high level of vehicular movement on the road. This same strategic importance should have driven a sensible government to re-build the road and save the people from this man-made punishment. In fact it beats ones imagination that the road which traversed four states namely Enugu, Imo, Abia and Rivers did not catch the fancy of these state governments who saw nothing good in rehabilitating it. Governors build federal roads and later pick up their bills from the federal government. 

Many governors who understood the reason for being in government have done it for the benefit of their people. Therefore, the reason for abandoning this road cannot be explained away.  Government is a social contact between the leadership and the led. This contract is fulfilled by reason of engaging in policies and programmes positively affecting the lives of the governed by those in power. Enugu-Port Harcourt Express way cries for urgent attention. While urging the federal government to discharge its responsibility creditably on that road, governments of these states where the road traversed have no reason to endlessly wait for the federal government before the lives of their people are bettered. 

Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communications Specialist is the publisher of thenewinsightng.blogspot.com. He wrote from Kaduna via sunnyeze02@yahoo.com and can be reached on 08060901201

ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSES TO THE LETTER SENT TO BPE BY PHCN STAFF FORUM, KADUNA

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Various calls, emails and facebook responses have trailed the letter sent to BPE by PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna demanding immediate offset of the remaining entitlements of ex-staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria. The forum has taken note of the emotions, reasons, accusations, counter-accusations, frustrations and anger dissipated on the matter. It is quite heart-warming to note that after three years of conspiracy of silence on the unpaid benefits of a group which served the nation creditably well, the issues raised by the forum for prompt address is gathering the desired momentum.
2.1 ONE WORLD MANY VOICES
Having diverse opinions is essential to every social situation, however, it must be well situated that most if not all ex-staff want all their remaining benefits verified and paid as quick as possible. They have also come to the realisation that the issues of Severance Benefits were shabbily addressed by those responsible. It is the candid view of the forum as always that the two unions have failed woefully in this direction and do not have confidence in them. Therefore, those directly affected by the ineptitude of the unions should take the bull by the horns. If you do not take care of your lips, harmattan does. Rights of individuals are fought for not freely given. It is the path to freedom the forum has chosen to tread.
Meanwhile, this piece seeks to give an insight, address passionately various skepticisms, questions and concerns raised on the entire struggle to pay ALL OF US our dues and to also chart a way forward for the common good of all.
3.1 JUSTICE IS NOT EARNED BY PROXY
Questions were raised by a few why the letter sent to BPE reflected only the interest of members of PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna. It must be stated here without prejudices that justice is not earned by proxy. When it comes to personal rights of adult-individuals, the onus lies on them to decide and consent to further actions. However, continuous efforts aimed at ensuring that we are all at par and on the same page are in progress. The forum went as far as discussing the issues with some of our colleagues from other zones and made USEFUL SUGGESTIONS. Those in constant discussion with the forum are Ojo Joseph-Ibadan Zone (Ekiti), Mr. Solar-Kano Zone (Kano) and others from Ikeja, Jos, Benin, Port Harcourt and Enugu Zones who did not give express permission to mention their names. However, it is unfortunate that most zones seem to be at loss as per the reason for this struggle. Most people expect the 16 months like the coming of Jesus Christ. The question is how much is the 16 months compared to other unpaid legitimate entitlements? Every zone is encouraged to liaise with these people as we all journey towards realising this onerous objective while the zones not mentioned should key in.
4.1 NELMCO AND A NEW DIMENSION TO THE LAXITY OF THE UNIONS

A new and different dimension introduced to the laxity of the unions with respect to the welfare of ex-staff was the non-payment of 2013 bulk rent, transfer transport allowances, medical benefits and others across the zones. It is instructive to direct such complaints to NELCOM instead of BPE. However, how much pressure did the two unions exert on NELMCO which is the entity responsible for settling all the liabilities incurred by Distribution Companies before privatisation to commence immediate payment three years on? Those who it seemed buried their placentas at the union secretariat in Lagos or elsewhere at the zonal secretariats across Nigeria should explain the rationale behind the muteness in the face of unpaid entitlements already worked for. Does a labourer not deserve his wage? An inspiring story came from an ex-staff, Mr. Victor Oluwulana who commented on his facebook page how those in Ibadan zone employed the services of a lawyer to compel NELMCO to pay their 2013 bulk rent after the national and zonal union officials abandoned them to their fate. They were paid after a while without any input from any union leaders. This story is verifiable. Those who did not receive theirs should as well tow this productive line of action.

5.1 ZONAL LETTERS OF COMPLAINT TO BPE

With the locking up of BPE by the enumerators and the resolution between them and BPE that an official letter of complaint should be sent to BPE by the latter on issues of unpaid entitlements raised, there was no way one letter from Kaduna would have addressed the peculiar problems of every zone squarely. After thorough analysis of the Severance Advice of both enumerators and other staff of Kaduna zone, the forum felt all ex-staff were short paid and should be carried along. In fact, for ease of administration, convenience, management of issues and people, it was the candid view of this forum that every zone should forward a jointly signed letter reminiscent of the one we did to the BPE. This idea was conveyed to the people I mentioned their names in 3.1 above including those from Ikeja, Jos, Benin, Port Harcourt and Enugu Zones who I have adduced the reason for not divulging their names. At the end, we will all find a common ground to jointly push our demands to the next level.

6.1 THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO A COIN

You cannot take it away from those who it seemed their placentas were buried at the union secretariat in Lagos or elsewhere at the zonal secretariats across Nigeria to see things differently. Despite drowning in the endless ocean of unemployment for the past three years, they still have cause to glorify the union hoping that perhaps miracle will come from them. It is important to reiterate that even in Kaduna; some elements (ex-staff) have gone out to grant press conferences disassociating themselves from the forum. If this can happen in Kaduna, one wonders what could happen in other zones. After his bid to become the NLC President failed in March, 2015, Joe Ajaero Support group echoed the words of Martin Luther –King jnr. on their facebook “Our lives begin to end the moment we become silent about things that matter.” For their group, it is their birth right to protest injustice done while the forum is branded a toothless bulldog. 

7.1 A BUNDLE OF BROOM CANNOT BE BROKEN

One finger cannot remove mice from the hair. We must be resolute, united and patient. We must stand firm and remain unshaken despite all odds. Like a bundle of broom, there must be unity of purpose for us to achieve our desired objectives. It was on this note that the forum urges you to keep on keeping on. 

Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

For: PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna

RE: EX PHCN STAFF CALL ON EFCC TO SHUN GROUP CLAIMING TO REPRESENT THEM

The attention of PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna has been drawn to a press conference granted by a group of idle minded fellows and attention seekers copiously produced on an online news platform: Authentic News Daily, distancing themselves from the activities and actions taken by our trail-blazing forum on the petition sent to the Economic Crimes and Financial Commission (EFCC) concerning the unauthorised deduction of 7.7 billion (2%) from Severance Benefit of our members. It reads, in part, “ex staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Kaduna have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ignore a petition by a group that is parading itself as the PHCN Staff Forum, which is requesting for investigation into the deductions done by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Senior Staff Association and Allied Companies (SSAEAC). The ex-staff in a letter dated November 18, 2016, jointly signed by one Ishaya Marcus and Umar Nuhu and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, which was received and acknowledged by the commission on November 21, described the petition as baseless, and one that can further delay the receipt of their outstanding benefits, which the unions are fighting to see materialise. The demand for the refund of 2% union dues is unreasonable and selfish.
We would have ignored the ranting of this inconsequential group for its lack of content and merit save for the fact that keeping mute in the face of this crass innuendo might connote conceding to the blatant lies spewed by this band. It must be rightly placed in the context of the press conference granted by these elements that there is no direct correlation between light and darkness. They purposely refused to address the issues raised in the petition sent to EFCC by the forum because they lack better argument and foresight. Instead they deliberately chose to flimflam and whip up unnecessary sentiments. At no time did the illiterates seen reading prepared speech subscribe to our membership. They have no accommodation in the process of our noble cause. In their state of amnesia, they ignorantly described the petition sent by the forum as baseless, and one that can further delay the receipt of their outstanding benefits, which the unions are fighting to see materialise. This is completely laughable. Nothing too is further from the truth. They have only succeeded in being smart by half and telling some ex-staff what they would momentarily want to hear.
All the ex-staff of PHCN in Kaduna and other zones are hereby informed that, the representatives of the forum visited BPE on 23rd November where an official letter demanding for the full payment of the shortfall observed in the payment of Severance Benefits and other entitlements of ex-staff was submitted. The letter among others gave a 14 day ultimatum to BPE to set machinery in motion to ensure that our demands are met. The obvious land mines laid by the unions to frustrate the demands of the forum and payment of entitlements of ex-staff by compelling BPE to direct every issues arising therefrom to the unions were safely detonated. The forum awaits BPE’s response.  A BPE official who pleaded anonymity revealed that the only delay which could hamper the payment of our remaining entitlements especially the 16 months arrears might be the fact that the National Council on Privatisation which is saddled with the responsibility of approval of payments has not been constituted. One wonders were these folks got the myopic idea that the petition on the unauthorised deduction of 7.7 billion sent to EFCC hampers unpaid entitlements. Is BPE now the same with EFCC?

We are glad to inform the general public and the unfortunate wailing wailers that the petition sent to EFCC by the forum is getting the desired attention and yielding fruitful results. The wind has blown and everybody can now see the chicken’s rump. The National, Zonal and State officers of NUEE/SSAEC are edgy and in state of perpetual apprehension having vividly seen the manacles hovering. In fact, they have come to the sudden realisation of the impending doom and an end to an era of ineffective leadership. The incontrovertible truth was that officials of NUEE/SSAEC are running from pillar to post in search of solutions. THEY WILL NEVER FIND ONE UNTIL THEY REFUND IN FULL ALL THAT THEY OWE ALL THE EX-STAFF INCLUDING THESE INFANTS who granted the press conference. Conscripting a people bereft of knowledge, ideas and wisdom: those who we all know their antecedents and little worth even when we were in the service of PHCN Kaduna Zone as a front to prosecute this war is a hard sell.  The forum has it on good authority that the whole entitlement of ex-staff was appropriated in 2013. Question: What stopped the payments of the remaining entitlements as captured in the entire Severance Package three years after only one item was paid? While the unions feast on the huge deduction made from our collective sweat and globe-trot at the expense of ex-staff, various problems arising from the payment of staff entitlements have been left to those concerned to sort them out individually. 

Those who claimed to have sent a letter to EFCC should brandish the acknowledgment copy as is the tradition of this forum. It makes common sense. These people have lost touch with the reality of life. The forum’s alignment with the anti-corruption drive of this administration must have jolted them to their marrow. In their witlessness, they asserted that “Union dues have been in existence since inception of trade unions and shall continue to exist as long as unions exist. There is nowhere in the world where an individual or group of individuals of any union who were retired, disengaged or voluntarily exited the union come back to demand for ‘profit on investment’ as they called it.”  The forum begs to differ from this archaic belief and tradition. If the union is not a cooperative society where members demand for profit/dividend annually, then what is it? A Santa Claus for union officials or conduit pipe for fleecing members? The era of impunity and financial rascality is over! Here comes a new dawn of change.

As peoples’ faces differ so are their understandings. The forum will no longer waste time arguing with these ignoramuses on the extinction of unions after payment of Severance Benefits because they are those described as who do not know; still they do not want to know. They falsely added that, “the calculation of staff final entitlement was not shrouded in secrecy as the parameters used as the computation of severance was arrived at by the committee set up by the Federal Government which included stakeholders from BPE, PHCN, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Labour, three in-house unions and the EFCC.” Question: who among the ex-staff including these infants has seen it? Why was it not attached like the Severance Pay Advise?  It is the absolute right of the forum or any other ex-staff to raise questions on his entitlements, on how 7.7 billion deduction and others were spent. Nobody, not even these infants can stop the forum. The forum has refused to take the cowardly role of a sheep which kept mute as it is led to the slaughter slab. It stands to demystify this old deceptive order. A servant is not greater than his master but the reverse is the case in the two unions where ordinary employees arrogate upon themselves the toga of masters. With the resolve of the forum, stringent steps and measures taken so far, the repressive old tradition has come crashing. Let the message reverberate in the ears of officials of both NUEE/SSAEC that the day of reckoning is  near, very near. Any attempt to frustrate efforts aimed at ensuring the refund of the 7.7 billion, any attempt to frustrate enthronement of accountability on how the 7.7 billion was expended, any attempt to frustrate investigation of the entire processes leading to the payment of Severance Benefits of ex-staff or anyone who lined his private pockets with benefits of ex-staff should be ready to contend with the forces, wrath and consequences of the law.

After various failed attempts to intimidate, harass, distract and divide us failed, deceiving the public by hiding behind the potency of the media to churn out blatant lies will fail woefully also because the media is not dumb like them. The media has a constitutional responsibility to bring to account actions of governments and groups including the two unions. This is exactly what we have chosen to do. What head or tail could one make out of the antics of a famished group standing against a moving process beneficial to them if not for the fact that they sheepishly preferred to. The worst form of treachery takes place when one foolishly chooses to constitute a standard against action beneficial to one. Let it be on record that the operational latitude for any group irrespective of mission is endless. We therefore do not inhibit any group from lawful assembly. No group should either attempt to blackmail or gag us too in any form or guise. The forum has happily chosen to trouble shoot, reveal, disclose, compel actions and identify the hidden truth and facts of the withheld and unpaid entitlements for the special delight of ex-staff. The rod will not be spared to spoil the child. THE FORUM IS NOT RESTING ON ITS OARS UNTILL THE 7.7 BILLION UNAUTHORISED DEDUCTION IS REFUNDED WHILE ENSURING THAT OTHER REMAINING BENEFITS ARE PAID TO ALL. For us in the forum, we have totally embraced change and change must also begin with the unions. Finally, the sky is capacious and capable of accommodating any flying bird. We are the light and when light appears, darkness as usual flees!

Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

For:  PHCN STAFF FORUM, Kaduna

Biafra: Court refuses Kanu’s bail application

A Federal High Court in Abuja today refused the bail application by the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu an three others.

Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the offences for which the defendants are being charged border on treasonable felony and attempted terrorism.

Kanu was charged alongside Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi on charges of treasonable felony and terrorism.

In the fresh 11-count charges, they were also accused of belonging to an illegal society and operating an unlicensed radio station.

Data tax raise: Why Senate, Presidency stopped NCC

Twenty hours to the official take off of the new data tariff regime, the Senate and  the Presidency yesterday ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to immediately suspend the policy.

The suspension order came after the country’s biggest service provider, MTN, had sent messages to its customers informing them of the impending rate hike effective  from December 1, 2016.

But the upper legislative chamber resolved yesterday to commence a comprehensive investigation into allegations of service failures in the operation of the service providers.

It directed its Committee on Communications to invite the NCC leadership, telecoms operators and other relevant stakeholders in the telecommunications sector and report back within one week.

The Senate’s position followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi South), who condemned the planned data tariff hike, saying it would cause serious hardship on ordinary Nigerians.

Similarly, Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West), in his contribution to debate on the matter, declared the policy as not only “unholy”, but also “unfriendly”.

“We are up to the task and I can assure the Senate that we will swing into action immediately. We will invite all the necessary agencies involved in this policy that is unholy and unfriendly and get back to the Senate unfailingly on Tuesday,” he said.

Speaking on the motion, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, lampooned NCC for not doing enough consultation before initiating the policy. He also asked the committee to investigate allegations of non-compliance to regulations against mobile operators.

Meanwhile the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, denied the Federal Government approved the NCC data tariff increase.

Speaking on Raypower’s programme ‘Fact File’ on Wednesday, Shittu said “logistics” may have informed NCC’s decision.

“But I want to say that I was not privy to it, I was not party to it. Government never gave any such instruction and as the representative of the people, it has never done that; that the voice of Nigerians must not be muscled.

“This government came into the democratic process and it has a duty to continue to protect the interest of Nigerians and I can assure you, we will do that and we will do the needful in protecting the rights and privileges of Nigerians.”

However, despite denying it ever issued such directives, investigations by Daily Sun revealed that the commission actually issued the directives to all the telecoms operators across the country.

In one of the letters jointly signed by Josephine Amuwo and Yetunde Akinloye, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis and Head of Regulatory Affairs Services respectively, the NCC emphasised that the effective interim price floor is December 1 and that customers should not be automatically migrated to pay-as-you-go and that all service providers should ensure that tariff for data services reflects the determination.

In a statement signed by the Commission’s Public Affairs Director, Mr. Tony Ojobo, suspending the directive yesterday on data segment price floor, it clarified that the price floor was not an increase in price but a regulatory safeguard put in place by the telecommunications regulator to check anti-competitive practices by dominant operators.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have described the Federal Government’s reversal of the planned data raise by NCC as a welcome development that would go a long way in further boosting the economy.

Speaking to Daily Sun on phone, the Lagos State Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Deji Elumoye, said the reversal was a relief and a step in the right direction because service delivery has never been commensurate with the money paid by subscribers.

“It became worrisome when the messages were sent that data rate would be increased from today but this data pricing suspension is quite good. I should, however, advise that the NCC and telecoms operators should never contemplate tariff increase for now because of the state of the economy,” he said.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Ajibola Olude, noted that NCC has done well by reversing itself but that it still needs to go back to the drawing board to work out the best possible increase in data service rate.

“I think NCC should be applauded for being sensitive to the yearnings of Nigerian subscribers. NCC has to go back to get it right. Like two months ago, the Federal Government hiked the prices of petroleum products and that in turn affected the operators because they have to power their generators and they would also need to cover their overhead cost,” he said.

A telecoms subscriber, Mr. Adesope Joseph, disclosed that at the rate the Buhari  administration is going, the increase in data tariff at this time of recession was not good enough.

“But the suspension came as a relief to Nigerians especially the youths who engage in social media activities. It will also allow people to use their data unhindered and that would increase the country’s  GDP,” he said.

However, in his comment condemning the planned hike, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government’s plan was to tax Nigerians to death, calling on Nigerians to resist any attempt to impose new tax on them.

The governor described the Federal Government’s plan to increase the cost of data as wicked, adding that, “most Nigerians are still alive today because they are kept busy by their access to social media. They relieve themselves of the burden of hunger and despair placed on them by the Federal Government’s lack of policy direction by reading news and jokes, chatting with friends, watching comedy movies, etc. Denying them this opportunity through increment in the cost of internet subscription will mean that the Federal Government deliberately wants many Nigerians, especially the youths, to die of depression.”

He hailed the Senate for directing the NCC to suspend the planned increment, saying, “the government must be sensitive to the plight of the people. Today, despite all the taxes and increments in services rendered by Federal Government agencies, minimum wage has remained at N18,000 while millions of jobs have been lost.

Do they want Nigerians to pay with their blood?”

In a release issued in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday by his Special

Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said, “if the only way the Federal Government believes it can take Nigeria out of recession is to impose obnoxious taxes that will further impoverish the people, it is not being fair to Nigerians.”

Also reacting, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its President, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, described the NCC directive as “insensitive and callous”.

“We view the directive as insensitive and callous. Since NCC is an agency of the Federal Government, the purported directive is one more design by the government to cast more financial burden on the already depressed citizenry.

“The Communications Service Tax Bill, which proposes to impose a monthly Communication Service Tax of 9 per cent on all electronic communication services, which include voice calls, SMS, MMS and data usage is still before the National Assembly.

“There has been a lot of hue and cry against the bill by the citizens. The NCC directive is therefore nothing but a huge effort aimed at enforcing the obnoxious provisions of the bill through the back door.

“The inimical directive, if implemented, has grave and far reaching consequences as the gains of telecommunication revolution we have made so far will be eroded,” he said.

The NATCOMS boss noted that if the planned increment is not put on hold, Nigeria’s desire to achieve 30 per cent broadband internet  penetration by 2018, which at the moment stands at 13 per cent, will not be realistic.

According to him, the already staggering unemployment situation in the country would be worsened as a lot of businesses that depend on data and internet connectivity for service delivery would be forced to close up.

“This is a retreat to pre -2001 era. Within the current suffocating economic situation in the country where prices of goods and services go up everyday and thereby undermining the people’s standard of living, the directive is just a mirror of an inconsiderate policy maker.

“NCC did not do due-diligence and did not carry out any consultation whatsoever, through any of their consumers engagement platforms like the NCC Telecoms Consumer-Parliament, the NCC Consumer Outreach Programme and the NCC Consumer Town Hall Meeting before this insensitive anti-consumer,” he said.

He pointed out that telecom bigwigs like MTN and Etisalat had already sent out millions of text messages to their customers, informing them of the NCC data increase directive.

He emphasised that data or internet accessibility means more engagements for the youths who use data for software programming and to develop applications.

“With what the NCC has done, these young minds, who develop apps will be slowed down and be limited. Data/internet service is the ‘petrol’ of all electronic driven businesses, which means that the cost of doing business will also increase.

“The directive is ill-advised, illegal and parades all features of economic adversity and should be withdrawn forthwith,” he said.