Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

By Mohammed Baba Busu

National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Commission (N-HYPPADEC), has sympathized with Gbajibo community in Mokwa local government of Niger state over boat Mishap that claimed 42 lives.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa led team of the commission to the Gbajibo community in Mokwa local government of Niger state on Friday.

Yelwa, represented by the Commission’s Director Operations, Engr. Iliyasu Abdullahi Wara, expressed sadness over the unfortunate accident while expressing government support to the families of the victims.

He said that the visit was to condole and ascertain the root causes of the accident as the death toll raises to 42 persons recovered.

He said that search for the bodies of the victims is continue by the volunteers.

Yelwa explained that the commission is working assiduously to end this kind of avoidable boat mishap.

“With lots of casualties in collaboration with regulatory agency National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and States government to curtail the menace because N-HYPPADEC only gives intervention,” he said.

The MD maintained that the recent accident was due to overloading and water waves leading to boat break

He insisted that lack of life jackets usage by the passengers provided to them by the commission after last year boat mishap in the same community where 31 people lost their lives.

He reiterated the commitment of the commission in providing solutions to end forthwith by partnering benefiting states government to enact laws with stringent measures put in place to criminalized boat drivers.

“Who make night journey, overload boats, non use of life jackets while traveling on the waterways to change the narrative of providing life jackets,” he added

On his part, Commissioner for Transportation, Niger State, Hadiza Ladidi Idris Kuta expressed sympathy with the families of the victims and the two states government of Niger and Kwara state.

She said that Gov. Mohammed Umar Bago was shocked and saddened over the incident.

The commissioner advocated for the prosecution of boat drivers, who causes mishap leading to deaths to life imprisonment.

She applauded the N-HYPPADEC for its various interventions and the proactiveness of the rescue team operations in saving lives.

” And searching of the bodies of the victims since the incident occurred which is still ongoing,” she said.

The commissioner pledged that Niger state government will provide rescue boat, water ambulance, commutation gadgets and establishment of water marshalls to help in forestalling future reoccurrence of such incident in the state.

She pleaded with the community to adhere strictly to laid down laws and regulations of boat to ensure safety of lives and properties.

Speaking on behalf of the community and member of the rescue operation, Mr Mohammed Tauheed confirmed that the boat mishap was caused by heavy winds that led to break of the boat from the engine location.

He disclosed that 40 corpses recovered as at Thursday, Sept. 27.

“That is 16 on Wednesday and on Friday 5 as search continued,” he said.

He added that the boat was actually overloaded with passengers from both communities of Gbajibo Woro from Kwara took off from Mudi around 6pm to New Gbajibo in Niger state.

Tauheed further revealed that over 200 passengers were in the boat, Adding that about 130 was rescued alive while some survived on their own by swimming out of the river.

Tauheed applauded the Kwara state government for promptly provided about 7 flying boats they are using for searching and removing bodies.

He appealed for governments intervention in various ways to complement the efforts of the N-HYPPADEC.

It would be reported that a Special Custodial Jebba Division, Dantala Mohammed, who was found at the bank of the river was taking records of the recovery bodies.

He decried over disobedience to rules and regulations guiding the operation of the waterways like overloading, night travels and non use of life jackets by passengers.

He, however, confirmed the searched of 42 corpses consisting of two females and 40 males including one small boy all buried.

“Opposite where last year 31 victims were buried as searching still ongoing,” he said.

Flowerbud News

The Federal Government has handed over 64 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). 

The handover of the buses took place on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.  

Mr Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, led the government delegation to the handover ceremony.

The delegation included Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and Mr Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development.

Edun said when deployed for commuter service, the buses would significantly reduce transportation costs in the country, bringing hope for a more affordable and efficient public transport system. 

He described the distribution of the buses as fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s promise to provide affordable and efficient transportation to support Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PCNGi).  

He emphasised that this initiative aimed to alleviate the burden on the poor and vulnerable and support macroeconomic reforms that would position the country on the path to economic stability. 

The Minister further explained that the symbolic handover of 64 buses on the eve of Nigeria’s National Day marked the beginning of a broader national rollout.

He said the Federal Government planned to distribute over 500 CNG buses and 100 electric vehicles in the first instance.  

He added that the CNG initiative aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to cleaner energy while leveraging its energy resources for industrialisation. 

“Today marks another critical milestone in the policies of President Tinubu. It is a transition to cleaner fuel. The emphasis is on mass transit,” said the minister.

He said the Federal Government placed emphasis on intervening on the side of workers to ensure cheaper transport to enable them cope with rising prices.  

He also highlighted the CNG initiative impacted on inflation, saying: “We’ve had an initial spike in inflation, now it has peaked, and it is coming down.

“Mr President and the whole team are determined to ensure that we keep inflation coming down, and this is one of the major ways.”

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy noted that the fuel cost for CNG-powered vehicles was about one-third of the fuel for petrol-powered vehicles.  

According to him, motorists can now pay as low as N15,000 to fill a tank instead of N50,000 or more.  

“Today, it is CNG. Tomorrow, it will be helping farmers to cope with the remainder of the wet season planting and then the dry season planting, starting from November, with fertiliser, inputs, seeds, and herbicides.  

“This is all to get prices down and get the economy moving again,” he said.  

Comrade Nuhu Toro, the Secretary-General and Chief Executive of TUC; Comrade Lucky Emonefe, NANS president, and Comrade Uche Ekwe, the Head of International Desk, NLC, commended Tinubu for the gesture.

They called for more CNG buses to be made available to the public. 

Toro thanked the President for implementing the N70,000 new national minimum wage.  

“This move is a significant step in alleviating the economic burden of Nigerian workers,” he said.

Emonefe praised the government for its commitment to education and student welfare, citing the provision of a student loan scheme for higher education.  

“Nigerian students are happy to be celebrating the 64th anniversary of independence.

“We are not only happy with the CNG buses; we believe that the current President loves the welfare of students and has shown his commitment to this,” said Emonefe.

The NLC representative noted that the benefits of the CNG buses would become more apparent once more buses were deployed across the country.  

“If we get more buses, the effect will translate immediately to Nigerians. If people start entering these buses, they will publicise it in the public and their neighbourhood,” he said.  

Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director/Chief Executive of PCNGi, said that since its establishment one year ago, over 125 conversion centres had been established, compared to the initial seven.  

He said investment in the sector had exceeded 175 million dollars, with 12 new mother stations commissioned and 75 more under construction.  

“Technician training is being ramped up, with 40 new technicians trained weekly. Over 34,000 conversion kits have been ordered, with more than half already distributed,” he said.

He added that vehicle conversions were taking place at 53 centres in eight states, and that the centres would be expanded to all the 36 states and the FCT. 

NAN

By Mohammed Baba Busu

The National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), has distributed 33 fibre glass boats across riverine communities of its member States.

The gesture is aimed at mitigating the challenges faced by riverine communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago inaugurated the fibreglass boats in Minna on Thursday.

The Managing Director, N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa said the distribution of fibre glass boats was part of the commission’s broader vision to revolutionise marine transportation in all its member states.

According to him, the theme for this year’s World Maritime Day – “Navigating the Future: Safety First” aligns with the vision of National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC).

“Since inception in 2021 the commission has been consistent in its efforts to improve the lives of the people in our member states.

“One of our primary goals has been to enhance marine transportation and mitigate the recurrence of boat mishaps, which have plagued these communities for many years.

“As many of you know, the majority of N-HYPPADEC communities are riverine, and for these communities, water transportation is not just a means of travel but the backbone of their daily life and commercial activities”, he said.

Safiq-Yelwa said it was unfortunate that water transportation system has come with a heavy price as boat mishaps had become recurring issue.

“From the reports we have been receiving, the accidents were as a result of variety of factors.

“They include the presence of tree logs/water snags, which obstruct the safe passage of boats, overloading, night travels as well as failure to use lifejackets by the passengers on board’’, he said.

He said the boats were significant improvement over the traditional wooden boats, adding that they are more durable, safer and offer superior in navigating rivers using minimal human labour.

Sadiq-Yelwa said one of their primary goals of the commission was to enhance marine transportation and mitigate the recurrence of boat mishaps.

According to him Niger State will receive 8 boats, Kebbi 6, Kwara and Kogi are to get 4 each, while Benue has 2.

Taraba and Nasarawa are to get two boats each while Gombe and Kaduna state received one boat each.

States who do not have the need for the boat would be compensated in other areas, according to Sadiq-Yelwa.

He commended Umar-Bago for his visionary leadership, commitment to infrastructure development and the transformation of the state.

Sadiq-Yelwa said: “Your dedication to improving the lives of the people of Niger is evident in every ongoing project and your efforts to revolutionise the city of Minna is commendable.

“Your presence here today underscores your commitment to the concerns and challenges of the riverine communities in the state and other parts of the country.”

Umar-Bago described the distribution of the fibre glass boats as a pathway to community development.

According to him, it will help to facilitate the movement of goods and services, strengthen trade networks and enhance community connectivity.

Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, the governor said the N-HYPPADEC gesture would not only save lives but give a sense of belonging to riverine communities.

The governor explained that his administration would continue to partner N-HYPPADEC to curb the recurring boat mishaps in the state.

The Ddirector, Operations, Alhaji Iliyasu Wara, who was represented by Head of Dams and Operations, Mal. Zubairu Adamu, said the distribution of the fibreglass boats was to ensure efficiency and safety in travel in the riverine communities.

He said the goal was to foster connectivity, improve the livelihood of boat users and promote economic activities across N-HYPADDEC member States.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Niger State Association of Boat Operators, Alh. Attahiru Bawa-Isah appreciated N-HYPADDEC for the intervention.

He called for more synergy as well as the establishment of water and rescue marshals to complement the activities of water marshals.

NAN

Flowerbud News

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday solicited the support of Finland in its pursuit of a permanent seat at the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

A statement issued by spokesperson of Vice-President, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima made the appeal during a meeting with President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb.

The meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria has indicated interest in the UN’s Security Council seat following calls for reforms and expansion of the Council by some UN member countries.

Shettima stated that Nigeria remained a super force in Africa and would do all within its reach to close cultural links and ties in the effort to reunite the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Vice-President emphasised that Nigeria would leave no stone unturned in the quest to stabilise Africa.

Shettima said the support became necessary given Finland’s role as European and NATO member and considering the role Nigeria played in entrenching democratic values and peaceful cohesion.

“Nigeria has 25 years of uninterrupted democracy. And in President Bola Tinubu is a president with huge democratic credentials and commitment.

“Having him in the saddle, Africa and the larger world would be safe, futuristic, acceptable and more peaceful,” Shettima said.

Responding, Stubb expressed total support for the expansion and reconstruction of the UN Security Council.

He noted that the dictates and dynamics of the modern world demanded such change.

He expressed Finland’s continued desire to partner with Nigeria as well as opening new frontiers of development between both countries.

Similarly, Shettima during a meeting with the African Union Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, stressed the need for consolidation of democracy as well as peaceful collaborations.

The Vice-President indicated Nigeria’s interest in hosting the African Central Bank, maintaining that Africa had come of age to host one.

On his part, the AU chairperson thanked Nigeria for its role in stabilising Africa, adding that the AU would continue to ensure that African stability and peace remained a priority for the body.

NAN