Security Operatives to Search Nyanya

Following a second bomb explosion in Nyanya, Abuja, security operatives would soon begin a house-to-house search in the area, in order to recover explosive device kept by insurgents in the area to prevent further explosions, reports Leadership newspaper.

The report said a top security officer disclosed that the two explosions have given them the reasons to suspect some insurgents might be living in the neighbourhood and a house-to-house search would go a long way in exposing them.

“The fact that the explosions took place within two weeks in almost the same spot is an indication that some insurgents are living in that neighbourhood. We are going to conduct a house-to-house search with a view to recovering any explosive device that could be hidden and any suspect in that area would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“Remember I told you that those criminals were targeting Abuja but there is no way they could enter Abuja; we are watching them closely and we are monitoring all the satellite towns now and we are appealing to the populace to give us useful information of any suspicious movement to the nearest police station.”

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Abuja BrignBackOurGirls Protest Changes Venue Today

Protesters in Abuja calling for the rescue of the Chibok abducted girls have agreed to relocate from the usual meeting place at Unity Fountain and gather instead at the driving school beside the Grand Square, Central Area, today at 2 pm.

One of the leaders of the protest, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili made this known yesterday at the sit out at Unity Square. She explained the change of venue was to enable them get closer to the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, where the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has agreed to meet with the group.

Similarly, the group further deliberated on convenient meeting place as from Wednesday as the Unity Fountain is expected to be cordoned as security measures towards the forthcoming World Economic Forum in Abuja billed to hold from 7-9 May.

Protesters, it was agreed, would be informed of the new venue at today’s rally.

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Confab Committee Proposes New Revenue Sharing Formula

The National Conference committee on the Devolution of Power has proposed a new revenue sharing formula, with the aim of empowering the states and local governments in their development efforts.

This would see a reduction in the existing Federal Government revenue allocation by 10 per cent, thus bringing it down from 52 per cent to 42 per cent.

Co-Chairman of the Committee and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sir Obong Victor Attah, told journalists at the end of a four-hour meeting that the decision of the committee was guided by the belief that some funds must be devolved to states and local governments for greater development impact.

Attah said the Committee’s decision would be guided by certain provisions in the extant laws including the 1999 Constitution which have left ownership of mineral resources no matter where they are found in the custody of the Federal Government.

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Confab Secretariat Denies Reports of 6 Weeks Extension

The Secretariat of the National Conference has debunked media reports that the federal government has extended the duration of the National Conference by six weeks.

The conference Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Mr Akpandem James, noted in a statement in Abuja, that the information was not only misleading but untrue.

“If there is need for an extension, a request for that would emanate from the Conference Secretariat to the Presidency, and as at the time of issuing this statement no such request has been made to the Presidency and the Secretariat is not aware of any formal extension of the conference duration by the Federal Government, as reported in some sections of the media,” he said.

“As part of its engagement with delegates, the leadership of the conference had a meeting with Chairmen, Co-Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the 20 standing committees to keep abreast with the activities of the committees and also find out if there are challenges that the intervention of the secretariat would be required.

“During the meeting most of the committee chairmen complained of the shortness of time for committee work, citing the heavy workload and relevant assistance they would require from external sources to do a thorough job. It was then agreed that one extra week should be added to enable the committees tidy up their activities and present meaningful reports,” he explained.

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October 1 Bombing: Okah Sues Prison Authorities

The accused mastermind of the independence day 2010 bomb explosion in Abuja, Mr Charles Okah who is currently in the custody at the Kuje Prison has sued the Nigerian Prisons Service over alleged inhuman treatment meted out to him by Prison officers.

In a suit filed by his counsel, Mr Festus Keyamo, the plaintiff prayed the court for an order restraining the officers of Kuje Prisons from administering a drug called Epilim Sodium Viproate, (ESV), primarily used for the ailment of epilepsy, and any other harmful drug on him as he is not epileptic and had no history of epilepsy. Further, he wants the court to declare that the administration of the drug on him by the prison  officers amounts to a breach of his right to life and dignity, as guaranteed by Sections 33 (1)and 34 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, (as amended).

He also wants the court to declare that the prison authorities violated his fundamental human rights, by denying him access to medication for the treatment of his hypertension and high blood pressure.

He therefore prayed the court for an order awarding N500 million as damages against the defendants, for the actions of the officers of Kuje Prisons, in breach of his fundamental rights to life and dignity as guaranteed by Sections 33 (1) and 34 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Minister of Interior, the Comptroller General of Prisons.

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Jonathan Orders 3 Districts for FCT Workers

President Goodluck Jonathan has commanded that three districts be allocated for housing schemes for workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, made this known in Abuja yesterday at the May Day Rally. He added that the president also directed that the houses should be made affordable.  

“In the recent time,” the minister said, “Mr President has commissioned more workers’ housing estates in the life of this nation, this can also be said in other sectors of the economy, such as health, education, among others.”

The minister also noted that the FCT Administration recently gave out 200 plots as Long Service Award to some of its employees who served meritoriously, adding that the FCT Administration had been working assiduously to boost workers’ morale through various welfare programmes and incentives. 

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Construction Material Testing Lab Commissioned in Abuja

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) has commissioned a construction library and materials testing laboratory in Utako, Abuja.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, NBRRI Governing Board chairman, Chief Dele Okeya, said the laboratory became necessary due to the volume of construction activities taking place in the FCT.

“To address this challenge of rapid constructions in the FCT, NBBRI, with the full backing of the governing board, embarked on the establishment of the construction testing materials laboratory,” he said. “Installed in the laboratory is the state-of-the-art equipment that will ensure accurate results whenever any construction material is subjected to testing.

Chief Okeya added that the library of the complex has been stuffed with the latest books and publications in the construction industry, making it among the best in the country,” he said.

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