Ondo Govt Meets Striking Doctors, Demands Call Off Strike |The Source

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August 3, 2020

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

One month after they laid down their tools, medical doctors in the services of Ondo State government have suspended their strike.

The doctors, despite the astronomical rise in cases of Covid 19 pandemic in the state, had withdrawn their services from government hospitals since 24th June, 2020 following unpaid allowances.

The state chairman of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, (NAGGMDP), Dr. Oluwafemi Aina, pointed out that the strike was suspended after government acceded to some of their demands

The union which is an affiliate of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), thanked the state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu and his team for extending the gains of its withdrawal of services to other health workers.

However, in a statement, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, disclosed that the state government released about N3. 2 billion to offset outstanding allowances of workers in the state.

According to him, the payment, which include hazard bonuses for health and medical workers, was made during the last Sallah festival.

The agreement for the payment was the outcome of last month’s (July) meeting between the Governor of the State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and Union Leaders.

Governor Akeredolu had, last week, approved that these outstanding allowances be paid sequel to the conclusion of the series of meetings brokered by the Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye.

Part of the resolution was that the July allocation from the Federation Account should be used to offset these allowances.

Some of the already cleared outstanding allowances include; deductions, leave bonuses as well as pensions.

Update: Shoprite Debunks Exit Rumour; Says It Invested $30bn |The Source

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The Source

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August 3, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to the trending news on Social Media of the planned exit of South African Grocery Company, Shoprite, from Nigeria, the management of the Mall says it is in Nigeria to stay.

The Country Director for Chastex Consult, Ini Archibong, said; “Shoprite is not leaving Nigeria.

“We have only just opened to Nigerian investors which we have also been talking to just before now. We are not leaving, who leaves over a $30billion investment and close shop? It doesn’t sound right.

“We only just gave this opportunity to Nigeria investors to come in and also help drive our expansion plan in Nigeria. So we are not leaving.

“I have tried to say this as too many people as I can. There should be no panic at all and all of that. There is no truth in that report.”

Recall that reports have been circulating that the retail outlet has started a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority of stake in its supermarkets in Nigeria.

There was also widespread rumour that Shoprite decided to leave the country because it is presently struggling in the Nigeria market, most especially due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The report further stated that Shoprite’s results for the year do not reflect any of their operations in Nigeria as it will be classified as a discontinued operation.

The report also said international markets excluding Nigeria contributed 11.6 per cent to the group sales and reported 1.4 per cent decline in sales from 2018.

South African operations contributed 78 per cent of the overall sales and saw 8.7 per cent rise for the years.

The report said that as a result of the lockdown, customers’ visits declined 7.4 per cent but the average basket- spends increased by 18.4 per cent.

NDDC Contracts: Uduaghan Tackles Akpabio, Says He Lied; As Orji Kalu Asks Him To Account For Money Spent |The Source

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The Source

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August 3, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

In an epic fight between former State Governors, Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and currently, the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, has come under attack from his former Governor -colleagues, of Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia state, now the Senate Majority Leader.

Problem between them started when Akpabio put the names of Uduaghan and Orji, on the list of those who benefited from the contract scandal in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, which is under the supervision of his Ministry. The names, which also includes that of another Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, were contained in a letter Akpabio sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

The National Assembly is investigating the NDDC over alleged corruption scandal running into hundreds of Billions of Naira.

The reports had alleged that Uduaghan was given the contract for the emergency repairs of Close B, Alhaji Estate & environs, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt at a cost of N429 million.

But in statement on Monday by his media aide, Monoyo Edon, the former governor said that the allegation was false, as he never approached the NDDC for any contract.

The statement reads:

The attention of His Excellency, former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has been drawn to a publication by The Punch Newspapers of Monday 3rd August 2020, which stated that the “Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has linked two former governors of Delta State, Messrs James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan, to the various contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

“In the said publication, it was stated that Uduaghan was linked to the emergency repairs of Close B, Alhaji Estate & Environs, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt at a cost of N429m.

“We want to state very clearly that the said accusation is FALSE. Dr. Uduaghan has never approached the NDDC for any contract whatsoever. It is even more ridiculous that the said contract is a road inside Port Harcourt town.

“Dr. Uduaghan has drawn the attention of the Hon. Minister of the Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio to the publication and hopes he makes a correction.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard the mischievous publication.

In the same vein, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, said that NDDC had not paid contractors that handled roads he facilitated in Abia.

Orji Kalu stated this in a statement issued by Emeka Nwala of the Office of the Senate Chief Whip and made available to the media.

The former Abia State governor said the indictment by Akpabio is quite annoying, full of lies, and that claims by Akpabio that 60 percent contracts awarded by the commission were handled by members of the National Assembly is ridiculing.

According to Kalu, the issue at stake in the NDDC has to do with missing funds and not works done, so the NDDC forensic audit should focus on the missing funds and not works done.

“The road projects mentioned by the minister are the interventions I facilitated for the communities as a private citizen before I became a Senator,’’ he said.

Kalu argued that his name was mentioned because he used his letter headed paper to write a sympathetic letter to NDDC in 2016 pleading with the commission to rescue roads in Abia.

“I was Governor of Abia between 1999 and 2007 and never held any public office until June 11, 2019, when I was sworn in as a senator.

“Between 2016 and 2018, during my tour to several communities, leaders and welfare unions of most communities pleaded for urgent intervention on some dilapidated roads.

“I wrote to the NDDC informing the body of the conditions of these roads and the need for their attention since Abia is an NDDC state.

“The NDDC in their consideration, for which I am very grateful, awarded the roads to companies that duly tendered for the projects and not myself.

“Whatever link I have with the projects is because it was considered due to my intervention,” Kalu said.

The Senate chief whip also noted that the contracts were awarded by the fully constituted body of NDDC with its board, and not the Interim Management Committee of the commission.

He said: “The roads I requested for intervention as mentioned by the Minister were repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu road, Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru ring road, and Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze Ndi Oji Abam-Atan road.

“Others are Okafia-Ozuitem-Bende and Ozu-Amuru-Abam roads. “The contractors have completed and delivered these roads a long time ago except Abam-Atani road, which I learned from the contractors was slowed down due to rain but still ongoing.

“Meanwhile, the contractors who built these roads have not been paid any dime.

“I am much concerned about roads because I understand the economic importance of good roads.

“As a community leader, I do not intend to stop my interventions on roads in NDDC states because all the states need good roads.

“Good roads help to drive the economy,’’ Kalu said. He, however, urged the commission to focus on paying contractors that delivered their jobs.”

State Of The Nation: Na’Abba, Utomi, Urge Mass Action Against Buhari’s Govt |The Source

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The Source

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August 3, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

A newly formed Group, National Consultative Front, has urged Nigerians to be prepared for a nationwide mass action against the President Muhammadu Buhari government.

The mass action, according to the group, is against corruption, hunger, abuse of public trust and insecurity.

This was contained in a statement jointly issued on Sunday by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, and a former presidential candidate, Prof Pat Utomi.

The National Consultative Front pointed out that the time has come for Nigerians to resist, neutralise and chase out the political cartel bent on milking the country’s commonwealth dry.

The group accused President Buhari of being caged and his office which according to them, being run by some unelected proxies and power traders.

The statement said the group would embark on the mass action “in view of the various unimaginable melodrama and macabre dance of corruption and chaos within the top echelon of the Nigerian political leadership and government, which has been exposing the cause of high-level insecurity and hunger in the country today.”

The group says it has become imperative for the citizens, who are victims of the increasing corruption and insecurity ravaging the country, to halt the festering rot, and what it described as ‘political coronavirus’ in the Buhari-led government.

“Consequently, all of us as citizens of conscience, should have no choice but to urgently rise in unison to utilize our collective power as a vast majority of united citizens capable of chasing out that clique of ruinous political cartel ravaging our commonwealth enabled by their self-serving capture of our Government and State, now being ruthlessly deployed to milking us to stupor, while riding roughshod on us as a people,” it said.

For this purpose, the NCFront said it will be flagging off its zonal political structures in the six geo-political zones of the country and also set up its strategic operational committees in order to strengthen its budding national consultations and mobilisation towards a historic nationwide political resistance programme.

Recall that about 30 prominent Nigerians had formed the new political movement in the country.

Chinese Loans: Falana, Waba Condemn FG For Selling Nigerians Into Slavery |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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August 3, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

A civil society body, the Alliance for Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, ASCAB has condemned the federal government for worsening the nation’s debt profile.

ASCAB warned the government not to sell Nigerians into slavery to creditors.

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has increased the national debt to over N27 trillion from the N12 trillion in 2015, when it came to power.

In spite of this, ASCAB, a rights group formed by fiery Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, and made up of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC and over 70 labour and civil rights organization, CSO said Nigerians have not felt the impacts of the huge loans.

In a statement signed by Falana, Ayuba Wabba, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Quadri Olaleye, president of Trade Union Congress,TUC, the group said Nigerians are even more concerned that the details of the loans have been shrouded in secrecy.

The National Assembly has recently quizzed the Minister of Transportation, Rotmi Amaechi over a $5. 3 billion loan from China, believed to have touched on the nation’s sovereignty as condition for obtaining the huge loans from the communist country.

ASCAB said such loans“ which was N12.118 trillion as at May 2015 has leapt to N27.401 trillion in 2019, representing more than 100 percent debt increase, ” has not changed the lives of over 200 million Nigerians, except public officials who are living in opulence.

“The country’s level of poverty continues to increase with the skyrocketing loans obtained by the federal government. Poverty, extreme hunger, frivolous lifestyle of public office holders continue to fuel violence and public disorder across the country.

Why the government has responded effectively to the needs of public officials including members of the national assembly, the economic and social needs of the people remain a mirage.”

The group also berates the National Assembly for approving $28 billion loan for Buhari without much scrutiny.

ASCAB said “Millions of Nigerians continue to face harsh economic difficulties, lacking access to basic needs, yet the debt profile of the country continues to increase,” it said.

It is even more grievous that the government continues to take loans on behalf of the people without their consent neither their keen understanding of the terms.”

The opaque nature of the loans is against the principles of the Nigerian constitution,” ASCAB said, adding that “Instead of grandstanding over the matter, the members of the National Assembly ought to apologise to the Nigerian people and proceed to scrutinise the terms and conditions of all other external loans.”

The group said the burden of the huge loans from China will be too much for Nigerians yet unborn.

“The loans taken by Nigeria from China raised public outcry last week when a clause that was alleged to have compromised Nigeria’s sovereignty was discovered.

“According to the Debt Management Office, the total value of loans taken by Nigeria from China as at March 31, 2020, was $3.121 billion, an indication that the Chinese loan is some 3.94% of Nigeria’s total public debt of $79.303 as at March 31, 2020, while external sources of funds, loans from China accounted for 11.28% of the external debt profile of $27.67 at the same date.

“The loans were obtained with interest rates of 2.5% per annum, to be paid in 20 years with moratorium of seven years,” ASCAB said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation has maintained that the conditions attached to the $5.3 loan from China are not too stiff.

He said the federal government has started paying the loans, adding that such don’t come free.

Corruption: AGF Malami In Trouble; Anti-Corruption Activists Petition Buhari To Give Him “The Magu” Treatment |The Source

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The Source

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August 3, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

In a case that sounds like tit for tat, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami is swimming in trouble waters.

Anti-Corruption Groups in Nigeria have compiled alleged monumentous corruption allegations against him. They have also petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, attached the allegations, and are calling for his immediate probe and Suspension. They want him to be given the Magu Treatment, a treatment triggered by Malami’s petition to Buhari against Magu.

On Sunday, as if in anticipation of the breaking of the petition against him, Malami said he was paying the price for insisting on the rule of law, and declared that he was under attack for serving his fatherland.

Not a few people think the Petition was written by those who think that Malami is “a pot, calling the kettle black”.

The petition titled “Compilation of Corruption Allegations and Abuse of Office” has been submitted to the President for action.

The letter was signed by the Chairman, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, Olanrewaju Suraju; Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran; and Co-founder, Say No Campaign, Ezenwa Nwagwu.

The coalition called for the immediate suspension of Malami to ensure a full inquiry, devoid of interference.

The group insist that there are very strong allegations against Malami, with clear evidence, and urged President Buhari to act immediately.

“We have listed these corruption cases after painstaking compilation of high profile corruption cases involving the country’s No 1 Law Officer. The President must act without delay,” the groups said.

They told Buhari that his action or inaction, has the prospect of determining the future of the anti-corruption campaign in the country.

The allegations include the alleged auctioning of sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the Federal Government, violating Section 31(2) and (4) of the EFCC Act 2004.

The coalition said Malami, also, allegedly authorized the sale of vessels by companies under EFCC prosecution for similar offence of illegal bunkering.

“This action was admitted by the AGF through his media aide, pleading presumption of innocence on the part of the accused, in the case being prosecuted by the Federal Government through EFCC,” the letter read.

The Minister was also accused of allegedly twisting the law to shield his family members, corrupt officials, and institutions in the most brazen manners.

The AGF was blamed for the reinstatement of Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, into the Federal Civil Service Commission without due process.

Malami was accused of filing for the discontinuation of a N25billion criminal charge against Senator Danjuma Goje without any justification, after over seven years of diligent investigation and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was alleged to have withdrawn criminal charges against soldiers accused of killing police officers, and a civilian, in the bid to aid the escape of billionaire kidnapper, Bala Hamisu, popularly known as Wadume.

The letter recalled that on November 18, 2018, Malami, through a lawyer from his office, Pius Akuta, withdrew a fraud case filed by the EFCC at Lagos High Court against John Abebe, younger brother to late Stella Obasanjo.

It noted that EFCC resisted the illegal move in the case before Justice Mojisola Dada on the ground that the AGF has no constitutional power to take over a case filed in court.

The coalition cited withdrawal of a criminal case against the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar; demand for the withdrawal of the cases against Mohammed Bello Adoke, Diezani Alison-Madueke and others involved in the Malabu Oil scandal; suspension of investigation of alleged fraud in Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

The AGF was also accused of duplicity of payment of $16.9million fees to two friends as new lawyers for the recovery of the loot traced to a former Head of State, Sani Abacha, after a Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, who helped in the recovery, was fully paid by the previous government.

The Minister was accused of halting the prosecution of former Comptroller General of Customs, Mohammed Inde Dikko, through an alleged suspicious deal between the AGF and the immediate past DSS Director General, Lawal Daura, as well as shielding the ex-Customs boss from refunding the sum of $8million to the government.

The groups said their investigations suggest that Malami, allegedly, owns assets worth billions, acquired after his appointment.

Those listed were Rayhaan Hotels worth about N500million, located opposite Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Zaria Road, Kano State; a property worth about N600million located at Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, Kano; a newly constructed school at the back of Nitel at Gesse Phase 1, Birni Kebbi, Kebbi State, worth about N700million.

Others include: A property allegedly built by Malami for his son located at Gesse Phase II in Birni Kebbi worth over N400million; a mansion known as Azbir Arena allegedly built by Malami for his second son; Azbir Arena, an entertainment centre worth over N3billion, with a big plaza and kids playing centre and hotel, all combined in one expansive property.

Malami was also accused of using the official letterhead of the office of AGF to seek support for his son’s wedding, and that he encouraged the defacing of Naira and other currencies to the embarrassment of the country and in violation of section 21(1) and (3) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.

He was accused of allowing the breach of COVID-19 protocol and regulations, putting the lives of Nigerians at risk during the wedding of his son.

The Minister was said to have displayed “his unpretentious hatred for the fight against corruption by writing a letter dated 16th December, 2016 withdrawing the case of fraud filed against Godsday Orubebe, former Minister for Niger Delta, in a case involving over N1.97billion, on the ground that there was no basis for filing the charge against him.

The Coalition said they believe in due process “which is why we have forwarded this petition to Your Excellency for investigation and action in order to restore the sanity of the core mandate of your administration to fight corruption which is at the verge of collapse as a result of the alleged abuse of power and office by the incumbent Attorney General and Minster of Justice.”

Malami has been under fire since his petition to the President triggered the investigation, arrest, and suspension from office, of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, CP Ibrahim Magu.

It worsened after the wedding of his son, where, he was accused of allegedly, spending tons of Millions of Naira.

Aside from denying the obscene expenses, and ownership of posh mansions he owns, and a new one he allegedly built for his son, he threatened to sue the Online publication which first broke the story.

Breaking: ShopRite Set To Leave Nigeria After 15 Years |The Source

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The Source

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August 3, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria is set to lose Africa’s biggest grocery retailer, Shoprite, as the Company announces its exit from Nigeria, after 15 years.

The South African Company, in a statement released on Monday said it had commenced a formal process to “consider the potential sale of all, or a majority, stake in its supermarkets in Nigeria.”

“The results for the year do not reflect any of our operations in Nigeria as it will be classified as discontinued operation.

“Any further updates will be provided to the market at the appropriate time,” the statement read in part.

Shoprite exiting the continent’s most populated country, will be a big economic lopsidedness for the nation at a time the nation is yet to recover as a result of the effect of the deadly Pandemic outbreak.

The retail giant initiated a formal process to consider the potential sale of all or a majority stake in its supermarkets in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a trending statement for the 52 weeks to 28 June 2020 released Monday, August 3rd, 2020.

In a statement, the Company said, “Following approaches from various potential investors, and in line with our re-evaluation of the Group’s operating model in Nigeria, the Board has decided to initiate a formal process to consider the potential sale of all, or a majority stake, in Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Shoprite International Limited.

“As such, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited may be classified as a discontinued operation when Shoprite reports its results for the year. Any further updates will be provided to the market at the appropriate time.”

Given the aforementioned comment regarding the pending classification of Nigeria as a discontinued operation, Supermarkets Non-RSA (excluding Nigeria) contributing 11.6% to Group sales, recorded a decline in sales of 1.4% for the year from 2018.

However, South African operations contributed 78% of overall sales and saw a 8.7% rise for the year.

Second half constant currency sales growth of 6.3% was significantly impacted by lockdown regulations across the 14 African countries in which we trade.

Lockdown restrictions pertaining to store closures; social distancing; transport restrictions; the movement of people; trading hours; workforce limitations and trade in alcohol impacted various regions to differing degrees at different times.

This operational update is inclusive of voluntary earnings per share (EPS) and headline earnings per share (HEPS) guidance, is more comprehensive than usual for the purpose of providing shareholders and investors with an understanding of how the Group has traded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite difficult circumstances, in a year incorporating the COVID-19 lockdown and accompanying regulations governing trade, transport and operations, the Group increased total sale of merchandise for the 52 weeks to 28 June 2020 (including the impact of hyperinflation in the prior year) by 6.4% to approximately R156.9 billion. Like-for-like growth for the year was 4.4%.

Shoprite becomes the third South African retailer to leave the Nigerian market after Mr Price and Woolworth.

UBA Debunks N41 bn NITEL Fraud Allegation |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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August 3, 2020

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By Fola James

The United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has described as false, media reports of indictment of its principal officers in an alleged N41 billion Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL, liquidation fraud.

Senator Ayo Akinyelure, chairman Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges and Public Petitions had last week, summoned UBA’s Managing Director, Kennedy Uzoka to appear before it on August 5 to clear the air on alleged withdrawals of N41 billion from N42 billion NITEL’s funds lodged with the bank after the telecommunication company was liquidated.

Akinyelure claimed that , “The N41 billion alleged fraud was committed against the defunct telecommunications company and national carrier, NITEL.”

But in a statement sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, signed by the Company Secretary, Bili Odum, the bank described the report as false, peddled by Senator Akinyelure and others to destroy the image of the bank and its chairman, Tony Elumelu.

The report is misleading, malicious, and libellous, and should be disregarded in its entirety, the bank said.

The statement said “The attention of United Bank for Africa has been drawn to false reports circulating in the media alleging that UBA and some of its principal officers have been indicted in a N41 billion fraud involving NITEL in liquidation.

“We would like to use this medium to inform the general public that the reports are untrue, misleading, malicious, and libelous and should be disregarded in its entirety.

“UBA has set in motion all appropriate legal actions to ensure that the misleading reports are retracted and the perpetrators held accountable for their actions.

“UBA is a reputable global brand and responsible corporate citizen, operating in multiple jurisdictions, and will continue to conduct its business in line with global best corporate governance practices, extant laws and regulations, as it has done in over 70 years of operations.”

Breaking: Akpabio Names Ibori, Kalu, Uduaghan As Alleged Beneficiaries Of NDDC Contracts |The Source

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The Source

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August 3, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has revealed the names of more high profile beneficiaries in the scandalous NDDC Contracts.

The former Akwa Ibom State Governor has revealed that former Delta State Governors, James Onanefe Ibori, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, alongside former Abia State Governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu are beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, projects.

Others on the list released by Akpabio, and forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Included Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, among others.

Akpabio’s letter, which was also copied to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, was addressed to the Clerks to the House, Patrick Giwa, with Reference Number MNDA/HM/04/IV/158.

The letter was titled, Some Niger Delta Development Commission Contracts Allegedly Given to Some Members of the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives).

According to the document, the projects linked to them was awarded in 2018 at a cost ranging from N400m to N560m each.

Meanwhile, one of the projects linked to James Ibori by the former Governor of Akwa Ibom state was the emergency repairs of Onoghove community road from Ajanesan to Western Delta University at a cost of N485.7m.

Uduaghan on the other hand, was linked to the emergency repairs of Close B, Alhaji Estate & Environs, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt, at a cost of N429m.

Like Uduaghan, five projects were linked to Kalu, who was simply identified in the document as OUK-Kalu (the project source).

The emergency repairs on road projects linked to Kalu are in Abia State and the costs ranged from N517m to N560m.

The details are Emergency repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu Road (N517.9m) and repairs of Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru Ring Road, Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze (N560m).

Others linked to Senator Kalu are Ndi Oji Abam-Atan Road (N523.7m), Okafia-Ozuitem-Bende road (508m), and the Ozu-Amuru-Abam Road at the cost of N523.4m.

On the other hand, the cost of the 12 projects linked to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, located in Imo and Rivers states, were not indicated in the documents.

Akpabio has been having a running battle with the National Assembly over contracts awarded to some NASS members by the embattled Commission.

President Muhammadu Buhari bemoaned the abuse of public trust in the NDDC and the EFCC.

Gov. Zulum: “There Is Sabotage Against The Buhari Government And Security; Soldiers Have Taken Over People’s Farmlands |The Source

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The Source

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August 2, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babagana Zulum has lost faith in the nation’s security architecture. He also accuses Soldiers of not wanting people to go back to their Communities because they(soldiers) have taken over farmlands, and now farm on them.

The Borno State Governor reveals that there is sabotage in the security apparatus of the nation, and against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, which will not allow insurgency to end in the North East.

He said this on Sunday when he met with the Governors of Kebbi and Jigawa States, Atiku Bagudu and Badaru Abubakar, who paid him a solidarity visit over the recent attack in Baga – a town in Borno.

Zulum escaped death in the hands of the insurgents when his convoy was ambushed and came under heavy attack.

Governor Zulum believes some elements are trying to frustrate the effort of the government in ending the insurgency, and says President Muhammadu Buhari needs to know the truth.

He said, “Let me, also, re-echo my previous position with respect to the level of insurgency in Borno State, I earlier said that the gravity of the insurgency cannot be compared with what has happened between 2011 to 2015, and 2015 to date. Yes, it’s true. The President has done well.

“But there’s sabotage in the system that will not allow insurgency to end; the President has to know this very important point.

“When he came to Maiduguri two months ago, I said so because between 2011 to 2015, at a time, almost about 22 LGAs were under the insurgents.

“Out of the four main roads that lead to Maiduguri, only one was functional,” the governor added.

‘Why Is Insurgency Not Ending?’

He stressed the need for the President to examine the security situation in the region critically, to ensure the effort of his administration was not in vain.

Recounting his experience during his recent trip to Baga town, Governor Zulum accused the military of taking over the farmlands of residents.

He insisted that there was no justification for what he described as preventing residents displaced by insurgency from returning to their ancestral homes.

“There’s one very important question that we need to ask, why is the insurgency not ending? There’s sabotage in the system and there’s a need for the President to examine the current situation with a view to resolving it.

“We have a huge population and people do not have access to their agricultural lands, and poverty is one of the causes of insurgency; why are you not allowing people to go back to their ancestral lands so that they will go and earn their living?” the governor questioned.

He added, “A situation where our Nigerian military are farming the lands, denying access to the common man to farm; what justification do they have for not allowing our people to go back to their ancestral homes?”

The meeting, which was also attended by the state Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, held at the Government House in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Also present was the immediate past Governor of Borno, Senator Kashim Shettima, as well as Senator Ali Ndume and members of the State Executive Council.