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Senate seeks probe of $9bn revenue loss on Illegal Mining

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The Nigerian Senate has asked the executive arm of government to investigate the alleged annual revenue loss of $9billion to illegal mining and smuggling of gold in parts of the country.

It particularly urged the Nigerian Government to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining and block all revenue leakages from such clandestine activities while establishing gold mining farms to assist artisans and miners.

The Senate, in its resolutions sequel to a motion sponsored by the Senate Chief Whip and former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, also mandated its Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy to investigate all illegal mining and revenue leakages associated with such activities.

Presenting the motion, Senator Kalu, noted that; “Nigeria lost close to $54billion from 2012-2018 due to illegal smuggling of gold”, stressing that “the country is said to be losing about $9billion yearly to illegal mining and gold exportation, a huge amount of money unaccounted for through under the radar sales of the expensive commodity.”

The Abia North Senator said that “the activities of unlicensed miners were becoming prevalent within the industry and the incessant smuggling of solid minerals out of the country by middlemen and smugglers, is leading to loss of government revenue.”

According to him, gold mining operations in the country is capable of providing over 250, 000 jobs and $500m revenue annually to the Nigerian government, saying it would further help in diversifying the nation’s economy and improve its foreign exchange reserve.

“Given our current estimated gold reserves of over 200m ounces, most of which have not been exploited, developing sustainable programmes that will catalyse increased investment in the extraction and refining of gold sourced from mines in Nigeria, is indeed vital,” he said.

Senator Kalu recalled that Section 44(3) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Law of 1999 provides that ownership and control of all minerals is vested in the federal government, which is mandated to manage such natural resources in a manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Oyo Government vows to eliminate violence against Women, Girl-child

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde  says his government is poised to eliminate all forms of violence against women and the girl-child and ensure the safety of lives.

The Governor said that the State would take quick steps to actualise its plans.

He was Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the National Human Rights Commission, Oyo State Office, held in Ibadan.

Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, equally commended the Human Rights community for submitting a communique on the elimination of violence against women and the girl-child.

At the meeting, a communique of the outcome of a 16-day activity by the body to promote the elimination of all forms of violence against women and the girl-child was submitted to the Governor.

According to the communique, the 16-day activity was conducted by the Human Rights body in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, as well as the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, in Oyo State.

Governor Makinde said his administration would always be responsive in the aspect of defending the rights of its indigenes and residents.

“We are happy to work with everyone who wants to make our State what it ought to be. We understand what it is, and we want to move to the ideal. We want to do what is right and that is where each and everyone’s rights will be guaranteed and protected. We want everyone of us to be able to articulate, define, identify their rights and be able to cry out for help when their rights are being violated,” he stated.

Gender-based violence
The Governor said that the State government was already paying particular attention to the issue of gender-based violence, especially against women, stressing that the State House of Assembly was on the verge of passing some legislation on the matter.

He stated, “This is an area that is forever evolving and growing, and this administration is taking particular attention on the issue of violence against women. Having said that, we have to have engagements in the areas of human rights, which is also forward-looking, because the issue of human rights is not restricted to gender.”

The acting Coordinator, Oyo State National Human Rights Commission, Akintayo Olamide, told the Governor that the body marks the International Human Rights Day between November 25 and December 10 every year, noting that the theme for this year is: “Eliminate all forms of violence against women.”

She urged the State government to set up a ‘One-Stop Centre’ for victims, which would include shelters, medical services and trauma and counselling units, that would be equipped with trained personnel, legal assistants and security and also do all it could to eliminate gender-based violence and abuse against women.

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo wins re-election

Olajumoke Adeleke
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Incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo has won Ghana’s re-election with 51.59% of the vote, beating his predecessor and old rival John Mahama.

The results from the election commission released on Wednesday followed a contentious poll that both candidates claimed they were leading based on their camps’ tallies.

“Five people have been killed in election violence since Monday,” the police said, marring what observers said was a well-organised vote.

Akufo Addo has promised to implement a $17 billion programme to boost Ghana’s economy after the coronavirus pandemic hit the price of key oil and cocoa exports, resulting in the first quarterly contraction in nearly 40 years.

Post COVID-19 Recovery: New network emerges to tackle global misinformation

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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A new network called the Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA) has been launched to fight COVID-19 misinformation in the continent and the world.

This was announced by Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organisation Regional Director for Africa who stated that misinformation remains a major threat to the global efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The alliance has brought together 13 international and regional organizations, with fact-checking groups which have expertise in data and behavioural science, epidemiology, research, digital health and communications.

Moeti said the alliance had the resourceful skills to help halt the impact of dangerous misinformation. 

“In health emergencies, misinformation can kill and ensure diseases continue to spread.

“People need some proven, science-based facts to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, and a glut of information – an infodemic – with misinformation in the mix makes it hard to know what is right and real.

“AIRA is the first initiative of its kind, working to detect, disrupt and counter damaging misinformation on public health issues in Africa. ” 

Among the many working to fight misinformation, India’s first female comic superhero Priya, a gang-rape survivor who earlier campaigned against rape, acid attack and sex trafficking has become a strong voice against infodemic as it thrives fake news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research shows that between February and November of this year, information about the virus has been shared and viewed over 270 billion times online, and mentioned nearly 40 million times on Twitter and web-based news sites, in the 47 countries of the WHO African Region. 

Further research from the first draft of the Covid-19 vaccine narratives, misinformation and data deficits on social media also show that there was an increase in anti-vaccine misinformation over the last few months, coinciding with announcements around the new COVID-19 vaccines.

These facts emphasise the importance of tackling misinformation and the great role play of the social media platforms in the fight.

Already, Facebook has taken the bold step of removing COVID-19 vaccine misinformation from its platform. Stating that enforcing the policies won’t happen straight away but it is a continuous process.

Suzan O

Nigeria’s port: VP Osinbajo calls for improvement in CPI ranking

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has challenged regulatory agencies in Nigeria’s ports to do more in ensuring that Nigeria’s ranking in the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is improved.

VP Osinbajo was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the Nigerian Port Process Manual at the State House, Abuja.

The Vice President said that despite the resources and time put into the fight against corruption since 2015, when the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, the CPI has not shown significant improvement.

He said: “while substantial gains have been attained in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, Nigeria’s ranking under certain indices in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, CPI, is yet to show an improvement commensurate to the efforts of the government. 

“In terms of utility and relevance, the CPI and its constituent data sources are determined largely by and producer for the consumption of the business community. 

“It therefore has significant and reputational and economic implications for countries that are being assessed.” 

VP Osinbajo said that the analysis of the CPI shows that ports are the primary point of interface between Nigeria and the business community, whether domestic or international,  pointing out that the experiences of the international community shape their perception, which feeds into the reputation of the country. 

“A successful systemic intervention in the port sector will rapidly change the narrative, the perception and the ranking of Nigeria in the CPI,” he said. 

He reiterated that the Process Manual on Ports Operations was developed to address vulnerabilities identified in processes in the ports.

“The manual is aimed at fostering an enabling environment for domestic and foreign producers.

“It is also aimed at attracting more foreign investment for the nation that could enhance our economic development.”

Key indicator

According to Prof. Osinbajo, the Process Manual on Port Operations is expected to be a key indicator for the effective implementation of the Executive Order 1, issued in 2017 to address and promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment.

“The Process Manual is a step by step trajectory of processes at the ports.  It outlines the actors and timelines for each process; it guides the user by highlighting all required documentation, payments, timelines and the responsible agencies. 

“It equally guides the port operators by detailing the implementation chain and provides clarity on the time required for each process. 

“The process manual is expected to ensure predictability, promote efficiency and accountability, reduce corruption in the port processes, eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by port users and reduce the opportunity for illegal demands in the ports.

“I am told the service delivery timeline stated in the manual was provided by each of the relevant agencies based on their own standard operating procedures and it is expected that as efficiency and port enabling environment improves, this service delivery timelines will further reduce.

“It is expected that the manual would be reviewed and updated as issues and development emerge.” 

Proactive implementation

The Vice President called for the proactive implementation of the processes to be put in place, urging the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, as the economic port regulator, to take the lead.

“To supervise the implementation and to ensure compliance of the process manual, they will effectively monitor all matters relating to the standard and quality of services that are rendered by regulated port service providers.   

“The cost and effects of corruption impose on us a moral to fight it with energy and will and by strengthening all institutional systems and processes as well as promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.” 

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi,  and heads of agencies under the ministry, also spoke giving their commitment to the implementation of the manual.

In her remarks, the Head, Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reform, Lilian Ekeanyanwu, said the manual would contribute to improving on transparency in the port sector.

Suzan O

Borno state presents N208bn for 2021 budget

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has presented a proposed 2021 budget of N208 billion to the State House of Assembly.

The allocation for capital projects takes 65%, which is N135 billion, while recurrent expenditures got N72.7 billion, representing 35%.

During his presentation at the state assembly in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum, said, the budget would be financed from the statutory allocation as an improved internally generated revenue.

Governor Zulum said the budget, with the theme, “the People’s Budget of Recovery and consolidation,” was aimed at laying a foundation for the implementation of a development plan, which was recently launched by his administration.

The 25-years plan has an initial 10-year phase.

In the sectoral allocation, Governor Zulum announced the highest allocation of N16. 2 billion for the education sector, and N15.7 billion for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement of IDPs and refugees, while the sum of N11.7 billion was allocated to works; for the construction and rehabilitation of roads in many parts of the state.

The roads under consideration are the rehabilitation of the Damboa-Biu road, Chibok-Askira Road, Jiddari Polo road, Customs Flyover, Dualization of the post office to Gwange Graveyard, Dualization of Customs to Muna road, laying of Maiduguri – Bama road, urban renewal of Askira and Monguno among others.

Governor Zulum also announced the allocation of N10.4 billion for healthcare projects, including the construction of an Orthopedic hospital and funding of ongoing Borno State University Teaching Hospital.

The Agriculture Sector got N9.4 billion, while the sum of N5.7 billion to Borno State Road Maintenance Agency and N4.2 billion was allocated for housing and energy for the construction of new city estate of 500 houses in Maiduguri and shopping complexes in each of the state’s senatorial district.

The Governor announced a plan to support 100 thousand farmers on irrigation farming and expand outreach to all local governments.

Reviewing the 2020 budget review, Governor Zulum recalled a few of the projects executed which included the construction of 22 roads including road network of 43 kilometres with 30 kilometres of drainage, total overlay of 15 kilometres and ongoing overlay of 13.2 kilometres totalling 71.2 kilometres while the first-ever flyover in the stage was the ongoing bridge in Maiduguri.

He also said 33 Healthcare Centers were built across the State while 7 health facilities including General Hospitals were rehabilitated. Two Maternity Hospitals were also built.

Suzan O

FEC: Aviation sector secures N1.1bn approval

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N1.1 billion for the aviation sector.

Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of this week’s cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister said the approval was for the expansion of the apron of Maiduguri airport and insurance cover for 22 airports across the country.

He said: “The first memo was a contract for the expansion of the apron of Maiduguri airport. This contract is worth N719,117,868.60. The expansion of the Maiduguri airport has become necessary because of the increased traffic at the airport that apron needs to be expanded to avoid aircrafts being parked wing to wing and that might result in accidents.

“The second contract was for insurance and it was awarded to ensure assets such as terminal buildings in 22 airports belonging to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in the sum of N390,055,687.45 and both memos were approved by the council.”

Suzan O

National Assembly holds public hearing on elections, card readers

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The National Assembly stipulates that usage of functional card readers for accreditation of voters will be made compulsory in future elections. This is likely to come into action if the new electoral Act is assented to by the President.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Aishatu Jibril Dukku gave this insight into the ongoing legislation at a joint public hearing held on the two different bills being worked upon for conduct of future elections in the country, noting that the new provisions are contained in the amendments being made on section 49 of the 2010 Electoral Act.

The card reader, an electronic device for accrediting eligible voters at each of the polling units before voting,  was introduced in 2015 elections but not made compulsory for election to take place in the event of malfunctioning.

The 2010 Electoral Act as amended in 2015 gave room for the usage of manual voters registers after filling of index form.

According to Dukku, a new subsection ( 3) is introduced, which provides thus: “where a smart card reader deployed for accreditation of voters fails to function in any unit and a fresh card reader is not deployed, the election in that unit shall be cancelled and another election shall be scheduled within 24 hours.”

She added that new amendments are also being sought in sections 52(2), and 63 of the proposed bill. The proposed amendment in section 52(2) states: ” In 2015, this section was amended to give INEC the discretion to determine the procedure for voting.

“Now it seeks to further amend the provision to allow the commission to conduct elections by electronic voting or any other method of voting as it may seem fit.”

Section 63(4) of the proposed laws makes provision for transmission of the election conducted at each of the polling units to the first level of collation of results to which the polling unit belongs in the constituency where the election is held.

Other new provisions in the bill titled ” Repeal of the Electoral Act No.6  2010 ( amendment bill ) 2020 ” are, that date for conduction of primary elections by political parties for their candidates must hold between 150 and 120 days to the date of the election.

Also, expenses to be made by any presidential candidate should not exceed =N=5billion, Gubernatorial candidates =N=1billion, Senatorial Candidates =N=100million and House of Representatives candidates =N=70million.

And for State Assembly membership candidates =N=30million, Chairmanship Candidates of Area Councils =N=30million and Councillorship candidates, =N=5million.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan while declaring the public hearing open, confirmed that the proposed bills will be passed before the end of the first quarter in 2021. He stressed that more than 85 requests were made by various stakeholders for amendments, which will be critically looked into in giving Nigerians, the more credible electoral process.

Suzan O

UNHCR donates 7 operation vehicles to Nigeria’s Humanitarian Ministry

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has donated 7 operation vehicles to Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq commended the UNHCR, for the donation of the two Prado Jeeps for the Ministry and Five operation vehicles to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

 “We appreciate the collaboration with UNHCR, one of our primary partners in this country. We have had a very good working relationship over the years. They have supported us in many ways in addressing issues of Persons with Concern” she added.

According to her, the vehicles will be used judiciously by the Ministry in carrying out its activities in the field to support Persons of Concern.

Earlier, at the handing-over ceremony,  the Country Representative of the UNCHR, Mme. Chansa Kapaya, said the donation of the vehicle was a token of appreciation for the working relationship between the Ministry and UNCHR.

 “It is a sign of partnership and also an effort to contribute to the enormous work you are doing on behalf of Persons of Concern which include the IDPs, Refugees and Asylum seekers. We hope that in the coming year we will continue to strengthen our partnership and working relationship” Kapaya stated.

A Director in National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Ejibunu Tua Hassan who represented the Federal Commissioner, Senator Bashir Garba Mohammed thanked the UNHCR for the wonderful support received from the UNHCR.

He said the UNHCR has been supporting the activities of the Commission and the donation of the vehicles was another giant stride that will help the Commission to perform its mandate especially with the creation of new offices by the Commission in the States. He said the vehicle will be put into good use.

Suzan O

Anti-corruption Day: EFCC Boss Calls for Stronger Collaboration

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Mohammed Umar has called for the deepening of cooperation among anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria for improved outcomes in the fight against corruption.

Umar made the call through a webinar hosted by the Inter-Agency Task Team of anti-corruption agencies in the country to mark this year’s Anti-Corruption Day.

Themed  “United Against Corruption: Recover with Integrity”,  the EFCC boss noted that the continuous evolution of new economic and financial crimes and the insatiable appetite for corruption in both the private and public spheres call for unity of purpose and cooperation among the nation’s anti-graft agencies in the pursuit of the goals of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

“There is no gainsaying that the situation calls for us to unite with a common purpose, deepen our cooperation and recommit to implementing the broad goals of the of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in our respective agencies,” he said.

He adding that “the EFCC has prioritized domestic cooperation “as an effective tool for winning the war against corruption and will continue to support any initiative that promotes collaboration.”

He called on anti-corruption agencies in the country to use this year’s occasion to review the country’s anti-corruption efforts, policies and laws towards charting a collective new course in the direction of a more effective and inclusive multi-stakeholders cooperation and actions on the anti-corruption war.

The EFCC boss further noted that anti-corruption agencies ought to leverage on each other’s strengths to create the desired result so that corruption is minimized and he further emphasized the primacy of technology in the effective prevention, investigation and prosecution of corruption offences.

While noting that this year has been challenging making the International Anti-Corruption Day different due to the effects of the COVID 19 global pandemic, Abba observed that the EFCC was able to ride the storms, achieving over 700 convictions.

“In spite of the covid-19 pandemic, the Commission was able to achieve a lot. You will recall that the Commission had to slow its activities but after the lockdown, it continued inviting suspects, investigating high profile cases and we recorded tremendous convictions.

“It is important to tell you that from January 2020 till date, the Commission recorded over 700 convictions and we are still counting,” Umar stated.

As part of the activities to mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day, the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) organized a poetry competition for 11 secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in which Akorede Sani from Battle Axe Academy came tops in the junior category, while Oluwatosin Ogbasanya from Glistin International Academy, emerged the winner in the senior category.

Suzan O

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