Aba Residents Lauds Orji over Flag Off Of Road Rehabilitation

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Residents of Aba, the commercial nerve centre have expressed happiness at the flagging of rehabilitation of 16 roads in the commercial city by the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji.

They congratulated the governor for fulfilling his promise of giving the city a facelift as soon as the dry season sets in.

In a chat with our correspondent, Mr. Nnamdi Nwankwo, a trader at the New Market, Aba said the governor’s intervention came at the right time as the residents are set to mark the festive season.

“The problem of bad roads and power has been the major problems affecting residents of Aba. We are happy that the governor has fulfilled his promise. Since he also assured that Geometric power plant coming on stream soon, I think business in Aba will pick up,” he said.

A cross section of residents interviewed at Brass junction on the Aba – Owerri road said they hoped that the rehabilitation efforts would be sustained to end the suffering of people.

A man who simply gave his name as Chief Ike called on the governor to tackle the issue of the roads with the same energy he fought the issue of kidnapping in the state. “I’m happy with the flag off. I thank Ochendo for keeping his promises. I want him to tackle the issue of roads with the way he fought kidnappers in the state.”

247ureports.com gathered rehabilitation works has commenced on the bad spots at Azikiwe by Asa road. When our correspondent visited the area, the Transition Committee chairman of Aba South local government, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwogu was on site to monitor the progress of work

Speaking at the occasion,the Commissioner for Works, Prince Kingsley Mgbeahuru said that the government was also de-silting Aba drainages from Okigwe Road through Aba Sports Club to Aba River and Ukwu Apou through Umuocham Road to Aba River to further give the city a face-lift.
He said that already some roads had been constructed in Aba which included Old Express, Danfodio, Emelogu, and Park to Azikiwe by Ube Street, Aba South council headquarters to Fire service and Batta to Old Post Office.

A source from the Ministry of works said rehabilitation works will be tackled seriously as the government intends to round off the exercise before the festive period.

He urged residents of the city to support the efforts of the state government to make life easier for them by abstaining from blocking the drainages which washes off the roads.

Recall that Gov. Orji had yesterday flagged the rehabilitation of 16 roads in Aba, assuring that he is determined to end the suffering of the people. According to him,” We are set to match our words with action.”

The roads marked for rehabilitation are Ngwa Road, Azikiwe, Cemetery, Nwala by Faulks, Brass by Aba-Owerri Jubilee, Milverton, Eziukwu to Azikiwe, Amaogbonna to ACCM Headquarters and Ehere.
The others are Umuola, Ikot-Ekpene Road to Opobo Junction to Batta, Umuoba and Access Road to Geometric power plant Howell Crescent, Railway Crossing to Abia Hotels and Ukwu Mango Roads.

He assured that government would provide the people with infrastructural facilities to enable them enjoy dividends of democracy.

EFCC Budget Defense Rescheduled For December 3

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC will on Monday December 3, 2012 defend its 2013 budget proposal before the House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.

The budget defence earlier scheduled for Wednesday November 28, 2012, had to be rescheduled at the instance of the Committee to enable the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde to personally present the proposal to the Committee.

Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Jagaba Adams Jagaba observed that the Commission Secretary, Emmanuel Akomaye who was at the head of the EFCC delegation to the House may not be in a position to answer some of the questions that might be thrown at him.

Lamorde is currently out of the country on official assignment.

N1billion Scandal Envelopes SURE-P, Special Adviser to the President, Akachukwu Nwankpa Fingered

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FROM LEFT: FORMER FCT MINISTER, BRIG.-GEN. MAMMAN KOTANGORA; SECRETARY, SUBSIDY RE-INVESTMENT AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (SURE-P), NZE AKACHUKWU NWANKPA AND SURE-P CHAIRMAN, AMB
CHRISTOPHER KOLADE

“The Committee attention is on making things happen, with the citizens as the targets for the projects service delivery since they paid the sacrifice for the subsidy money. We are going beyond rhetoric to execute the mandate of making sure that the money budgeted is used to alleviate the immediate impact of petroleum subsidy discontinuation on Nigerians, accelerate economic transformation through investment in critical infrastructure projects so as to drive economic growth and achieve Vision 20:20:20 and lay a foundation for the successful development of a national safety-net program that is better targeted at the poor and most vulnerable on a continuous basis.” – stated the then newly appointed chairman of the SURE-P program, Dr. Christopher Kolade shortly following the formation of the central national committee in April 2012.

The Federal Government headed by President Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan had budgeted for SURE-P program, the amount of N180bn in the 2012 budget following a passionate and near uprising by the Nigerian populace over the unpopular increase in petrol prices by 200% on January 1st 2012 without prior warning. The SURE-P was designed to help quell the ensuing uprising. But the implementation and/or actualization of the lofty programs itemized in the SURE-P seven [7] months later appears lacking and nonexistent.

Information available to 247ureports.com obtained through sources conversant with the inside activities of the SURE-P national coordinating committee gave a glimpse into the possible obstacles that may have subverted the process and possibly continues to subvert the program.

It was meant to understand that the composition of the coordinating committee triggered the beginnings of the problems that have since engulfed the efficacy of the program. In particular, the source points to the President’s representative at the SURE-P committee – the organizing secretary – Nze Akachukwu Nwankpa who also serves as a Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters.

Nze Akachukwu Nwankpa, Special Adviser to the President

The formation of the national coordinating committee also came along with N1billion purse from the Federal Government for the setting up of an office and associated staff. The fund was to be managed under the office of the Secretary of the committee.

However, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpa, masked in the cloak of presidency, according to our source, managed to corner the N1billion reserved for the setup of the SURE-P committee – and has to date yet to release ‘a single kobo” out of the N1billion. Instead, the President’s Special Adviser has turned his focus away from the SURE-P program to his personal political career.

Akachukwu Nwankpa who is a native of Ihiala North Local Government Area [LGA] in Anambra is reported to have aspirations to become the governor of Anambra State in 2014 under the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]. To this, the Nwankpa team has opened campaign offices in the major urban centers of Anambra State – including a campaign website with web address www.akachukwu.org – where it states clearly the ambitions of the Special Adviser to the President.

But the near mischief activity of the special advisor surrounds the N1billion. Authoritative information indicates that the special adviser has not paid any member of the coordinating committee their seating allowances nor has he made the necessary funds available to set up a befitting office for the national coordinating body of SURE-P. Instead, the Special adviser “went to Anambra to employ would-be political workers in his upcoming gubernatorial exercise into the staff of SURE-P” to help him prepare for the upcoming exercise.

Our source reveals further that Akachukwu Nwankpa may have already dipped his hands into the SURE-P kitty to begin the funding his gubernatorial campaign. He has purchase 27 mini buses [Toyota] for the 21 LGAs of Anambra State and for use by the campaign aides. A broad campaign structure also has been set up and staffed with campaign workers. At a recent Anambra PDP function held in Abuja at the PDP Headquarters, Wadata Plaza on Thursday November 22, 2012, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpa showed up and distributed monies generously to stakeholders in the Anambra State PDP Theater. He gave Ken Emeakaiyi, the factional leader of the PDP in Anambra State N5millon while distributing N350,000 each to the ‘boy’ entourage that accompanied the factional chairman to the event. The boys numbered seven.

The funds are believed to originate from the SURE-P kitty.

Cursory inquiry uncovers the failed promise to actualize the goal of setting up the said rail line system that would connect Abuja to Lagos by December of 2012 – as indicative and/or symptomatic of the unfolding financial crimes allegedly committed by Nze Akachukwu Nwamkpa. The rail system remains in limbo and cash starved.

What appears disturbing is that when some of his colleagues confronted him of the unfolding crime, the response from the special adviser was reported as cankankerous. “He got physical”.

Tukur’s statement on insecurity, admission of PDP’s cluelessness – ACN

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said the statement credited to PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur, that the PDP is
not a security agency and should not be blamed for the insecurity in the country, is the clearest indication yet of his
party’s cluelessness over the worsening state of insecurity and other ills bedevilling the country.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party
however expressed its happiness that the Chairman of the biggest non-performing party in Africa has finally come to

terms with what the ACN and others have been saying for a long time, that the PDP lacks the wherewithal to preside

over a country that is hungry for security and development like Nigeria.

”What the PDP Chairman is saying, in essence, is that his party is no longer fit to rule and that Nigerians should look
elsewhere if indeed they want a government that will ensure the security of their lives and property,” it said. ”Thank you,

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, for speaking from the heart and admitting that your party, the PDP, has finally reached the end of

its tether.”
ACN said it is inconceivable that a man of Alhaji Tukur’s standing, experience in public life and international exposure will

not know the powers and responsibility of a ruling party.

”The PDP sired the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government that controls the security agencies in the

country, and the party’s Chairman is not unaware of this fact. If therefore he says the party should not be blamed for the

insecurity stalking the land, he definitely knows what he is saying, which is that the ‘PDP is clueless’,” it said.

The party said Nigerians should take their destiny in their own hands by using every democratic means to get the PDP

out of their lives, since the ruling party has wasted all of 13 years and billions of naira in the resources of the

commonwealth since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

”The insecurity that has now reached a level at which daring gunmen will attack the police and the military, the very

institutions the country relies upon to ensure its internal and external security, is a reflection of the deep rot in other spheres

of life in Nigeria.

”To be fair, the rot did not start in 1999. But 13 years is a long enough time for a party that is worth its name to make an

appreciable effort to turn things around. Sadly, the situation is worse today than it was 13 years ago. If the PDP says it

should not be blamed for the country’s woes, it means it is finally ready to get the heck out of the scene to allow capable

hands to take charge,” ACN said.

How Chieftaincy tussle consumed 12 persons in Bayelsa

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The sleepy community of Agbere in Sagbama local government Area of Bayelsa state was on Tuesday devastated as twelve persons including a police man were killed in a bloody chieftaincy tussle among youths of the community.

The community serve as host to major oil exploration companies, the Nigerian Agip company (ENI) and the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

While the youths were killed during an open battle fought with guns and other dangerous weapons, the Policeman was killed during an invasion launched on the existing Police Post in the community.

Our correspondent gathered that the cold war existing between the youths loyal to the Paramount Ruler of the community degenerated into full scale crisis following the report of the Commission set up by the Local Government council on the issue of who to emerge the paramount permanent ruler of the community.

The report, according to sources, recommended that the Acting Paramount Ruler be made a permanent Ruler and such recommendation provoked a section of the community and they went on rampage.

It was further gathered that following the sack of the Former Traditional ruler, Chief Aziza Ekade by the Chief Timipre Sylva Administration for alleged violation of existing chieftaincy laws and the emergence of Chief Victor Alali as acting paramount ruler, the peace in the community became fragile.

Community sources confirmed that the home of the Acting Paramount ruler has been set ablaze by rampaging youths and other palatial homes of prominent indigenes touched.

Already, the State commissioner of Police, Mike Omieri has been to the troubled community with heavy deployment of armed Mobile Policemen and deployment of men of the Joint Military Task Force code named Operation Pulo Shield.

When contacted, the chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Markson-Iworiso said though the situation has been brought under control, the state government will not condone such acts of lawlessness and criminality, “anybody indicted over the crisis will be made to face the full weight of law and be prosecuted. We hereby warn any aggrieved section of the society to pursue a legitimate means of resolving conflict and channel grievances through the proper channel.”

Also, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fidelis Odunna confirmed the development and said the actual number of those killed and houses razed are yet to be ascertained.

Iranian warships to dock in Sudan for ‘routine visit’

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Two Iranian naval vessels will dock at the Sudanese Red Sea city of Port Sudan at the end of November, Sudanese military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Sawarmi Khaled Saad told reporters on Monday.

According to Khartoum, the Iranian ships would be making a routine visit and they would be refueling and restocking provisions.

Two Iranian naval ships docked at Port Sudan last month in what the navy called a “routine visit,” days after Sudan accused Israel of carrying out a airstrike against a munitions plant outside the capital of Khartoum. Israel ignored the accusations, but pointed at Sudan’s involvement in providing Iranian arms to Hamas.

Israel charges that Iran provides Gazan terrorist groups with weapons, including rockets, via Sudan. The weapons are smuggled across Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and into the Gaza Strip through a network of smuggling tunnels under the 15-kilometer border.

Monday’s announcement came days after Hamas officials claimed that Iran had promised to increase its military and financial support of the Islamist terrorist group in the wake of its perceived victory against Israel during Operation Pillar of Defense.

Last week, Palestinian Islamic Jihad official Ziad Nakhaleh said that Fajr missiles fired at Israel during the week-long operation were delivered from Iran. Iran has repeatedly denied it directly supplied Hamas with the Fajr-5.

Hamas representative in Lebanon, Ali Baraka, also met with senior Sudanese diplomatic officials in Beirut on Tuesday, according to Hamas’s official news outlet. Baraka thanked the Sudanese diplomats for their country’s continued support for the Palestinian cause, saying that “Gaza’s victory is a victory for Sudan and the entire Arab and Islamic nation.”

The Sudanese, in turn, praised Hamas’s efforts against Israel and pledged continued support for “the Palestinian people and their just cause.”

Earlier this month, Sudanese Vice President Al-Haj Adam Youssef said his country was not intimidated by “Israeli aggression” and would continue to support Hamas.

Youths Shutdown Africa’s largest Indomie Factory in Kaduna South

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Information reaching 247ureports.com through security sources in Kaduna indicate that youths from five communities in Chikun local government area [LGA] shutdown and sealed off Africa’s largest indomie factory located in Kaduna South. The factory was sealed today at 6am.

According to information received, the youths are reported to be demanding for the industry to extend employment opportunities to the members of the host communities – as previously agreed.

The youth protesters arrived at the factory facility at 6am with placards to seal off the facility. The youths comprised of a mix of Christains and Muslims from the five host communities.

The area police control post manned by DPO Oliver Eze addressed the youths pleading with them to allow the staff of the Indomine factory to enter the facility. In response, the youths were said to allow the staffs to gain entrance into the facility.

But talks between the facility managers, the police and the youths – according to our source – remain ongoing.

The protest was peaceful.

Stay tuned.

Updated: Riot At Alvan Ikoku College Owerri, School Shutsdown

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Information reaching 247ureports.com through sources in Owerri indicate that a riot has broken out at the Alvan Ikoku college of education in Owerri, Imo State. The riot was reported to have begun today’s morning at minutes to 9am.

As at 11:30am, it was understood that the riot was still on. Information as to the details of the riot is known. But details are expected to be available shortly.

A media source attached to the Okorocha administration confirmed the riot but indicated that he is not aware of the cause of the riot. He pointed out that the institution was a federally owned institition.

It was gathered that the cause of the riot was the result of shortage of power supply to the school – which Alvan Ikoku student indicate was previously set – using the available school generator – from 7pm to 6am to facilitate for night studying and to deter rapists and other criminals and crime activities. But the power supply to the school has recently been set from 7pm to 9pm. The power supply to the school is shut off by 9pm leaving the entire school in darkness – enabling criminal activities to hold sway.

The school authorities were not willing to speak on record but one of the top ranking administrators told our correspondent that the school has been shut by the rioting students – “the streets are blocked and the police are outside the campus. The sstudents are manning the gates and entrances to the campus by themselves” said the administrator who indicated that it is likely the school authoritives may announce the indifinite closure of the school later today.

Stay tuned.

NCC Commissioner Removed For Exposing Fraud

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The lingering battle in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) following the unravelling of spectrum fraud in the telecom regulatory agency has taken a sour turn with the Federal Government terminating the appointment of the agency’s executive commissioner, Technical, Mr. Bashir Gwandu, who had exposed the fraud.

In what the government termed insubordination to the NCC board and the federal government, the letter was said to have been signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Anyim.

Engr. Gwandu had exposed spectrum fraud at the NCC, which involved the former and the current executive vice chairmen of the NCC.

Sources within the NCC, who confirmed the development, revealed that the SGF’s letter which conveyed Gwandu’s dismissal, said that it took effect from November 9, 2012. A source at the NCC, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, confirmed the sack.

LEADERSHIP had reported the spectrum fraud and the cracks among members at the top echelon of NCC following allegations that a particular frequency spectrum was sold at a giveaway price by the current management of the commission.

Gwandu had raised allegations that corruption and illegality were being committed at the NCC over the sale of frequency spectrum. However, the source said the allegations were found to be false, hence his sacking.

According to the source, “Gwandu was sacked for insubordination. Gwandu raised some allegations that were investigated by the NCC Board and the Ministry of Communications Technology and the allegations were adjudged unfounded. This prompted the federal government to act.”

Abia Governor moves to keep promise, flags off reconstruction of 16 roads in Aba

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By New Express

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Reconstruction of some major roads in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, has commenced.

The state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, launched the dry season road construction programme in the state at the Aba-Owerri Road by Brass Junction yesterday, saying that 16 major roads have been marked for rehabilitation to give the city the facelift it deserves.

Orji also assured that his administration is committed to total transformation of Aba, hence the attention being paid to other sectors, including health and power generation.

News Express had on Nov. 12 reported Orji as promising that immediately the dry season set in, his administration would rehabilitate 16 roads in Aba recommended by a task force as being in bad shape. The governor had made the promise while addressing an enlarged caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abia State chapter.

The affected roads include Azikiwe, Jubillee, Cemetery, Milverton Avenue, Eziukwu/Okigwe Roundabout, Ama Ogbonna, Nwala by Faulks Road to Brass Junction at Aba Owerri Road.

Others are Ngwa Road, Ohanku (which is on-going), Emelogu Road (completed but drainage to be added), Ehere, Omoba and Umuola Roads. The rest are Ikot Ekpene Road (from Opobo junction to Bata), Ama Ogbonna/Omuma by ACCN Nwigwe by Nwagba Avenue and Geometric Access Road.

“We are here to do great things,” Orji (shown in photo) declared while performing the flag-off ceremony yesterday.

In a veiled reference to scathing criticisms against his government occasioned by the poor state of Aba roads, Orji reminded Aba residents that Enyimba City has always been in his mind and that he has always been attending to their needs.

He lamented that the level of infrastructural decay in Aba was beyond any governor to rehabilitate all the roads without abandoning other parts of the state, saying that he would do the much he could as far as available resources could carry him.

Orji reminded the people that he did not abandon the commercial city when it came under serious attack by kidnappers and other criminal elements as he acted quickly to restore peace and security to the area.

He equally assured Aba residents that besides providing them with good roads, government also attaches great importance to their healthcare and has thus built a teaching hospital and ultra modern diagnostic centre.

In addition, he said he was partnering with Geometric Power Limited to deliver adequate and uninterrupted power supply to boost commercial activities in Aba.

The governor broke the good news that he and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Godswill Akpabio, are joining forces to reconstruct Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road to enhance inter-state commerce, just as he has succeeded in drawing the federal government to give attention to Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Commissioner for works, Prince Kingsley Mgbahuru, said that Aba was chosen for the flag-off of the road construction season because of the importance the governor attaches to the city. He said that no fewer than 10 roads have already been rehabilitated in Aba.

“God being on our side, we hope to ensure that all nooks and crannies of God’s own state, Abia, were provided with infrastructural facilities,” Mgbeahuru said.

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