News

Flooding: FG Places FCT, 15 States On Red Alert

Published

5 years ago

August 8, 2019

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, has placed States on red alert asking them to expect more flooding during the rainy season.

The warning was directed to 15 States namely Niger, Lagos, Edo, Imo, Abia, Jigawa, Adamawa, Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Oyo, Enugu, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Bauchi and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking during a Press briefing yesterday in Abuja, Director- General of the agency, Engr. Clement Nze, said there is high probability that the 36 states of the federation including the FCT would witness different levels of flooding this year.

“River flooding as well as coastal flooding is expected to come into place as the nation approaches the peak of raining season,” he warned, adding that the agency had sustained the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) to avoid the catastrophe experienced in 2012.

He said this is because flood from the upper reaches of the Niger Basin comprising Guinea, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivorie, Benin, Chad and Cameroon would be arriving Nigeria in about a month’s time.

Nze noted that the agency has been closely monitoring the many flooding incidents taking place across the country as it has led to the the loss of lives and properties.

He said it was unfortunate that the flooding incidents were manifesting just as predicted by NIHSA, lamenting that the relevant stakeholders, individuals and state governments have failed to heed the warnings issued before the of flooding in the country.

He said this has resulted “in avoidable flooding incidents leading to loss of lives and property, disruption of economic activities and loss of several hectares of agricultural lands.”

“Therefore, states and local governments should endeavour to remove structures built within the floodplains, clear blocked drainage, culverts and other waterways,” he said.

Nze called for the need to put more drainage systems, avoid building houses in areas that will block the flow of water and provision of dams to control flood to come into the country when other neighbouring country release water their dams.

He said the flood might translate to disaster if there are no facilities on ground to manage it.

Only recently, houses in four estates in Lokogoma District of the FCT were submerged after several hours of downpour. The flood led to the death of a director at the FCT High Court, Mr Tony Okecheme, around Galadimawa roundabout when his vehicle was trapped.

Many residents spoken to yesterday said flooding in the district has become perennial, even as authorities have identified poor drainage system as the cause.

Some of the affected residents said houses in EFAB, Bethel Jubilation, Ipent and PENGASSAN estates were affected by the flood and that property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

A resident of EFAB, Habeeb Abdulkadir, said 38 houses were affected by the flood in June, “and this one has gone further down the estate, it has affected more than 38 houses. It is really devastating. It is worse than the last one; the damage is increasing. This time it fell fences, removed windows, cracked walls, removed electricity poles. So much devastation for one day, but no life was lost.”

Our correspondent in Bauchi State reports that an expert on water hygiene and environmental sanitation Hajiya Addaji Mohammed has identified lack of intensive campaign as the major problem that puts the state among those prone to flood.

Addaji said that putting Bauchi State on flood red alert by NIHSA is a welcome development even as she expressed concern that the people may not change their attitude.

“People still build houses on flood-prone areas, they don’t want to leave the place and they also don’t want to give water its way. If you didn’t give water its way, it will continue to wreak havoc to the people residing on water ways and valley areas,” she said.

She advised the Bauchi State government to evacuate residents whose houses are situated on waterways and valley areas, and partner with reliable non-governmental organizations to sensitize the people in all the nooks and crannies of the state for maximum impact.

Recall many residents of Gwallaga, Dindima and Liman Katagum live in perpetual fear as the rainy season remains. “Any time we see sign of rainfall, we become scared because we don’t know what will happen. Our houses may end up being submerged or our roads would be blocked,” one of the residents said.

Mallam Altine Mohammed of Sabon Kaura Village also said “We are living in constant fear. You can see even in Bauchi metropolis flood used to submerge cars and properties. The authorities need to construct more drainage and culverts and create ways for the water so as to ease people’s sufferings.”

Effort to speak to the state chairman of State Emergency Management Agency SEMA failed, but the Bauchi State Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed had during a visit to sympathize with the victims of flood disaster caused by heavy downpour in Dindima village of Alkaleri and Liman Katagum of Bauchi Local Government Area, promised to assist the people.

Represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y. Suleman, the governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take immediate action.

While at Dindima the village head, Malam Sale Ubandoma, told the Governor that over 100 houses and farmlands were affected, while one person died as a result of the flooding.

Last year, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said a national disaster was declared over the flooding, with no fewer than 100 people killed in 10 states.

Last year, in Niger State, for instance, over 10,000 were displaced by flood across 23 of 25 LGs of the state, with officials putting the number of death at 55.

News

50% telecom tariff hike: NATCOMS backs decision as NLC bows to FG’s pressure

Published

40 minutes ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The Nigeria Labour Congress bowed to pressure to halt its planned Tuesday nationwide protest against the 50 percent telecommunication tariff hike.

Also, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers backed the decision by the organized Labour.

Gatekeeper reports that the NLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government after a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Monday night.

In the MoU signed by the SGF, Senator George Akume, NLC president Joe Ajaero, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, and the National Secretary of NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja, both parties agreed to set up a technical committee to resolve gray areas in the 50 percent telecom tariff approval.

However, NLC reiterated its rejection of the tariff hike.

“Arising from the meeting convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the proposed 50% hike in telecommunications tariffs in the country, which the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) expressed strong opposition to, citing its potential negative impact on the Nigerian workers and the economy with a threat to proceed on a one-day nationwide mass protest, the following resolutions were reached: That there is a need for the parties to sit together in a technical group to resolve most of the thorny areas raised during the discussion; consequently, a 10-man joint committee was set up of five (5) representatives each from the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); and the committee shall conclude and submit its deliberations within two (2) weeks from this 3rd day of February, 2025.

“The parties call on the Nigerian people to remain calm while this committee concludes its assignment,” the communique after the meeting stated.

Earlier, a civic society organisation known as the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, NCSCN, had announced the suspension of its planned protest against the 50 percent tariff hike.

Recall that last week, NLC announced Tuesday, 4th February, 2025, as a date for a one-day mass protest against the telecom tariff hike.

In a notice last Thursday by NLC National Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union had already asked the state congress and affiliate union to mobilise for Tuesday’s mass protest.

This comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission on January 2025 approved a 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike for operators.

The approval has sparked tariff hike controversy in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

NLC and other telecom subscribers had opposed the tariff implementation, citing the persistent economic hardship Nigerians already face.

Subscribers back nationwide protest suspension.

DAILYPOST

Politics

Edo tribunal: PDP, Ighodalo, close case against Gov. Okpegholo

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

*As INEC opens defence Wednesday

After calling 19 witnesses at the Edo State governorship election tribunal, to attack the credibility and outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election that produced governor Monday Okpegholo, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, closed their case.

The decision was communicated to the Justice Wilfred Kpochi- led three-member tribunal yesterday by counsel to the petitioners, Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN.

In their petition, the petitioners who called 19 witnesses and tendered several documents and devices used for the disputed polls, urged the tribunal to nullify the election of Governor Okpegholo over alleged irregularities including over-voting and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, produced five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines that were used for the election.

The electronic devices, which were tendered by a Senior Technical Officer in the ICT Department of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. Anthony Itodo, were admitted in evidence, amidst opposition from the camp of the respondents.
This is in addition to the 148 BVAS machines that had earlier been admitted in evidence by the tribunal for the conduct of the election in 133 polling units.
After the short proceedings, the tribunal then adjourned till Wednesday for INEC to open its defence.
The electoral body had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247,655 votes.

However dissatisfied with the results, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, praying it to nullify INEC’s declaration of the APC and Okpebholo as winners of the election.

In the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the petitioners argued that Governor Okpebholo of the APC did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

Daily Sun

News

FG approves N4.8bn for HIV/AIDS treatment amid U.S. funding suspension

Published

2 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Seyi Babalola

…Okays $1bn HOPE programme to fix PHCs, others

Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved a significant allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs, aimed at supporting Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

This decision comes in light of the recent suspension of U.S. government funding for HIV programs, which is undergoing a 90-day review period.

Addressing Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Nigeria, Wale Edun and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, explained that the approval underscores Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring continuous access to life-saving treatment for individuals affected by the virus.

The funding landscape for HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria has been heavily reliant on international assistance, particularly from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund. Historically, about 80% of HIV response funding has come from external donors, with domestic contributions lagging behind.

Under the Buhari’s administration, the government had admitted that since 2005, about $6.2 billion had been spent on HIV response in Nigeria, with approximately 80% of these funds contributed by external donors.

Pate, on Monday emphasised the importance of this funding: “This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption.”

The approved budget will facilitate the procurement of 150,000 treatment packs over a four-month period. This initiative not only aims to provide immediate relief but also demonstrates Nigeria’s intent to build a more sustainable domestic financing model for health interventions.

The minister said FEC also set up a committee with membership drawn from the Ministries of Finance, Budget, Defence, Environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum to come up with a sustainability plan.

Responding to U.S. Policy Shifts on Development Assistance

Addressing recent U.S. policy changes affecting development assistance for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, Pate highlighted Nigeria’s proactive approach to sustainability. “While we appreciate the contributions of the U.S. government over the last 20 years, Nigeria is now focused on transforming its health sector using national systems and domestic financing,” he said.

To ensure a seamless transition amid these policy shifts, a committee comprising key ministries and state governors has been tasked with developing a sustainability plan. “This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment during this period of adjustment,” he emphasised.

Pate said FEC approved the HOPE (Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity) programme, a $1 billion initiative designed to strengthen governance and primary healthcare systems nationwide. “This programme is very much in line with the direction of this administration—to focus on investing in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the center of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Pate stated.

The funding, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), allocates $500 million for governance improvements and another $500 million to enhance primary healthcare. The governance component will incentivize states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will expand primary health care services, improve quality, and boost resilience. “This is about accelerating transformation in the health sector,” Pate explained, referencing the ongoing Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) launched in 2023.

The programme also includes $70 million in grant financing from the Global Financing Facility to support maternal and child health services. “We are building on free emergency medical services for maternal and child health as part of this initiative,” Pate added