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  • Enugu Assembly approves N170b loan to state government

    Enugu Assembly approves N170b loan to state government

     

    By Ifeoma Aka

    Enugu:   The Enugu State House of Assembly on Monday approved the N170b loan requested by Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State to execute some major projects in the state.

    The loan request was revealed in a letter read by the Speaker of the assembly, Chief Uche Ugwu, on Monday during an emergency plenary in Enugu.

    The Speaker said the loans, which would be sourced from the Fidelity and the Globus banks, would enable the state government to execute infrastructural projects in the state.

    Ugwu gave a breakdown of the loan to include N100b Bank Guarantee Line (BGL), N10b Term Loan (TL), N10b Over Draft Facility from the Fidelity Bank and N50b Credit Facility from the Globus Bank.

    He hinted that the BGL would serve as a guarantee payment for contracts issued to the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and others for the execution of projects to be undertaken by the state government.

    On the Term loan, the Speaker revealed that the loan had an interest rate of 22 per cent per annum, which is subject to review in line with money market realities, adding that the repayment tenure is 48 months.

    Ugwu pointed out that the Over Draft Facility loan would ensure prompt payment of workers’ salaries as well as sorting out other recurrent expenditures and had a repayment tenure of 12 months.

    The speaker said the State Executive Council gave approval for the loans on October 6.

    Contributing, the Minority leader of the House, Mr Iloabuchi Aniagu, commended the state governor for forwarding the loan request, which he said, was timely.

    According to Aniagu, the loans will enable the state government to undertake developmental agenda for the good people of the state.(NAN)(www. nannews. ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • Pipelines rehabilitation contracts award based on industry norms – NNPC Ltd

    Pipelines rehabilitation contracts award based on industry norms – NNPC Ltd

    By Emmanuella Anokam

    Abuja: The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has clarified that the contracts for pipeline rehabilitation were awarded based on evaluation criteria and in accordance with industry standards.

    The management of the NNPC Limited made this known in a statement on Sunday while reacting to reports in some sections of the media alleging underhand dealings in the contract award.

    It said the contracts, which were advertised, were awarded based on rigorous evaluation criteria and in line with industry norms.

    “The attention of the NNPC Ltd has been drawn to reports in an isolated sections of the media alleging underhand dealings in the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of pipelines across the country.

    “It is crucial to provide accurate information to address any misconceptions and ensure transparency in our operations.

    “We would like to state categorically that these reports are fallacious and designed to bring the good name of the Company into disrepute.

    “NNPC Limited is deeply committed to adhering to the highest standards of transparency and global best practices in all our activities, and this includes our contracting process,” it said.

    The NNPC Limited, while re-emphasising its commitment to transparency, said it subjected the selection process to a competitive tender guided by Bureau of Public Procurement standards, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission expertise, and the active involvement of a Transaction Advisor.

    It said it also had representations from NEITI and the Ministry of Justice in the project development team and the evaluation exercise.

    It listed the composition of Consortium members per lot spread across Nigeria.

    “LOT 1: Oilserve Ltd, Chu Kong Steel Pipe Group Company Ltd, Saudi Crown Oilserve.

    “LOT 2: MacReady Oil and Gas Services, COBRA Instalicios S.A, Control Y Montajes Industriales and International De Pipelines, Iron Products Industries Ltd, Batelitwin Global Services Ltd, Bauen Empresa Constructora SAU, Sanderton Energy Ltd, The Spanish National Association of Manufacturers.

    “LOT 3: A A Rano, Zakhem Construction Nigeria, Bablinks Resources Ltd, VAE Controls S.R.O and LOT 4: MRS Oil and Gas, CPPE Nigeria Ltd

    “It is imperative to emphasise that these contracts are Build, Operate and Transfer agreements, and selected partners are to finance the rehabilitation and do not entail the transfer of control of these assets to any particular company,” it said.

    It said its objective was to enhance the integrity and functionality of the pipelines to facilitate the efficient transportation of crude oil to refineries and the distribution of its products across the country.

    According to the NNPC management, the ownership of these strategic national assets remains with NNPC Limited, and are fully committed to ensuring their continued operation in the interest of over 200 million Nigerians.

    It would be recalled that some sections of the media recently alleged that NNPC Ltd had awarded juicy rehabilitation contracts of the nation’s pipelines to four oil companies, including two downstream retailers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • CAC Shines Again, Gets Commendation from Labour  Institute for Staff Capacity Building

    CAC Shines Again, Gets Commendation from Labour  Institute for Staff Capacity Building

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews)  : The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has been commended by the  Michael Imodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) for improving the knowledge base and capacity of its workers.

    The Head of Department, MINILS Labour Management Relations, , Ezekiel Ayorinde, Gabe the commendation in Ilorin on Monday while declaring open a five-day training titled “Harmonious Labour-Management Relationship: A Panacea to Organisation Stability and Growth.

    A report by CAC News quoted Ezekiel Ayorinde, as noting that today’s world was in turbulence, stressing that the workplace needs peace to make meaningful progress.

    Ayorinde added that the work environment is embedded with different interest groups and emphasised the need to align them with the organisational objectives.

    He therefore maintained that peace was key to organisational success and called on both the management and the union to work in peace and harmony for the benefit of the organization.

    CAC Registrar General, Alhaji Garba Abubakar

    He expressed optimism that, at the end of the training, participants would come out with new ideas and skills to enhance peaceful coexistence in the Commission.

    In her remarks, the Head of the Industrial Relations Desk of the Commission, Hadiza Katagum-Tandja (Assistant Director), expressed hope that the training would have a positive impact on the participants.

    The participants were urged to ensure active engagement in the process for the benefit of their organisation by Assistant Director, Labour Management Relations, Ogar Joseph A. during his welcome speech.

    Also speaking, Comrade Suleiman Girei, President, Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), CAC Chapter, acknowledged the contribution of MINILS to the enhancement of labour management relations in the workplace.

    Comrade Girei used the forum to appreciate the management of MINILS for the recent award of fellowship to the CAC Registrar-General, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, after meeting the prescribed criteria set by the Institute.

    CAC News reports that no fewer than 22 staff members of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are attending the training. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Another 4.9 magnitude earthquake hits western Afghanistan

    Another 4.9 magnitude earthquake hits western Afghanistan

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 9, 2023

    Another 4.9 magnitude earthquake jolted western Afghanistan on Monday as the government’s death toll from Saturday’s quake reached more than 2,000.

    The new tremors were confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey and residents in the area.

    “It was quite intense,” a doctor in the area described Monday’s quake to dpa. “People took shelter in parks, open spaces, and gardens.”

    According to the health worker, the deadly earthquake from Saturday has negatively affected people’s mental health. “Most of the patients are those who have mental shocks,” he added.

    The 6.3 magnitude quake at the weekend completely destroyed at least 13 villages in Herat province’s Zindah Jan district.

    Local residents from other areas as well as rescue teams were still trying to remove bodies from under the rubble.

    In many provinces, people are collecting donations for the victims.

    Turkey, Iran and Pakistan have promised to provide urgent humanitarian assistance relief.

    There are conflicting reports about the exact number of casualties.

    The government announced 2,053 deaths and more than 1,200 wounded so far.

    UN Coordination Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it has recorded 1,023 deaths and 1,663 injured people adding that more than 11,000 people have been affected by the tragedy. (www.nannews.ng)

    dpa/NAN

  • Israeli airstrikes kill 558 people in Gaza

    Israeli airstrikes kill 558 people in Gaza

     

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 9, 2023

    Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 558 people on the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave says.

    More than 65 extra people have been counted as dead, upping the total, while more than 2,800 have been injured.

    Israel launched the counterattack after a major assault by the Palestinian organisation Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

    About 700 people have been killed in Israel and around 2,400 others injured in the worst civilian bloodshed in Israeli history.

    More than 100 Israelis have also been taken hostage into the Gaza Strip and Hamas says four hostages were killed by the Israeli air raids.

    Hamas is classified as a terrorist organisation by the EU, the U.S. and Israel.

    dpa/NAN

  • Breaking: Saudi Arabia ends “all negotiations” on normalisation with Israel.

    Breaking: Saudi Arabia ends “all negotiations” on normalisation with Israel.

     

    Saudi Arabia has informed the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, that it is “ending all negotiations” on normalising relations with Israel, reports the Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post.

    This was echoed by the Saudi media outlet The Saudi Post, published in the United States.

  • Over 123,000 people in Gaza displaced by Israel’s retaliatory strikes – UN

    Over 123,000 people in Gaza displaced by Israel’s retaliatory strikes – UN

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 9, 2023

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Monday reported that over 123,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been internally displaced in the wake of Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes on the coastal enclave.

    The agency said that the people had fled out of fear of their safety or because their homes had been destroyed.

    The Israeli army launched airstrikes after an unprecedented multi-pronged attack by the Hamas rulers of Gaza on Saturday.

    According to OCHA, Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing has said that 159 housing units have been destroyed and 1,210 severely damaged in the Israeli campaign.

    According to OCHA, the Israeli airstrikes also caused damage to water and sanitation infrastructure for more than 400,000 people, as well as several health facilities.

    dpa/NAN

  • Lagos Govt reopens Ladipo, other shut markets

    Lagos Govt reopens Ladipo, other shut markets

    The Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA) has announced the re-opening of Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede and Ile-Epo markets, recently sealed for filth and gross environmental abuse.

     

    The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who announced the re-opening in Lagos, noted the importance of stringent compliance measures in safeguarding public health and shielding residents against future health crises.

     

    Gbadegesin said that the re-opening of the markets followed full compliance with requisite conditions.

     

    “Following extensive renovations and compliance measures including, the implementation of stringent conditions and a written mandatory undertaking for reopening, Ladipo Market, Oyingbo Market, Alamutu Ologede Market, and Ile-Epo Oke Odo Market, have been reopened today for business transactions,” Gbadegesin said.

     

    The LAWMA CEO emphasised that the re-opened markets had to comply with a set of mandatory conditions listed for them prior to resuming operations.

     

    “These conditions include providing a designated waste point; installation of block work fence and platforms for the placement of double dino bins; procurement of double dino bins for waste containerisation; commitment to putting in place sustainable market waste policing to guarantee constant cleanliness of the market environment

     

    “Enforce proper waste disposal regulations; engagement of bin keepers; collaboration with accredited PSP operators for timely evacuation.

     

    “Prompt payment of waste bills, as well as dislodging Street traders from road medians and setbacks and preventing unauthorised vending,” Gbadegesin said.

     

    According to him, a filthy market is a breeding ground for terrible diseases like cholera, typhoid, Lassa fever, ebola, malaria and others.

     

    He stressed that the state cannot stand by and watch some markets expose the people of Lagos State to such conditions which are clearly avoidable if they do the right things.

     

    “We want to make it abundantly clear, that any future violations will attract stiffer sanctions, including the permanent closure of the offending market,” Gbadegesin said.

     

    He implored the executive members of markets in the state to live up to their responsibilities, urging traders to be public-minded by being hygienic in their trading activities, as that would be usually beneficial to them and their customers.

     

    He added that, local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations’ adherence to set conditions.

     

    He urged members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to LAWMA.

     

    He reminded markets around the state that LAWMA’s zero tolerance policy for reckless waste dumping in markets was still on course, warning that defaulting markets risked closure and heavy fine.

     

    For waste management related issues in your area, call LAWMA toll-free number: 07080601020 and 617.

     

    NAN reports that LAWMA on Sept. 30, Wahab ordered immediate closure of Ladipo Market, Mushin, for several environmental offences including, reckless waste disposal, unhygienic premises, and non payment of waste bills, among others. (

  • BREAKING: Omobolanle Raheem: Court sentences police officer to death for killing lawyer

    BREAKING: Omobolanle Raheem: Court sentences police officer to death for killing lawyer

    Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court has sentenced a police officer, Darambi Vandi, to death by hanging for shooting a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem to death last Christmas.

     

    Recall that the defendant shot Raheem in the chest on Dec. 25, 2022, at Ajah Roundabout, on Lekki- Expressway, Lagos State.

     

    The prosecution team led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, called 11 witnesses, including eight police officers.

     

    The other prosecution witnesses include two eyewitnesses and a pathologist.