Ex-Zamfara Governor gets ultimatum to return bullet proof Jeeps, others worth N2.8b – Newstrends
Connect with us

News

Ex-Zamfara Governor gets ultimatum to return bullet proof Jeeps, others worth N2.8b

Published

on

Bello Matawalle

Ex-Zamfara Governor gets ultimatum to return bullet proof Jeeps, others worth N2.8b

A former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has been given five days within which to return vehicles allegedly taken away by officials of his administration, including bullet proof Jeeps.

The newly-inaugurated Governor of the State, Dauda Lawal, gave the ultimatum in a statement issued on Saturday.

The statement, signed by Lawal’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, also expressed the determination of the new administration to recover funds allegedly looted from the state.

The statement gave a breakdown of the vehicle types and cost, which came to N2,794,337,500.

It said: “Our government is determined in fulfilling the campaign promises made to the good people of Zamfara State which involves the swift recovery of looted public funds and properties.”

“The mischievous statement is only aimed at distracting us from doing the work that positively touches the lives of the people. Our time is precious and we cannot waste it in engaging or bandying words with a political party that spent four years without a single project beneficial to the people of Zamfara, instead their only achievement is massive looting of the state’s treasury.

READ ALSO:

“We have the facts and records available that expose Matawalle’s impropriety. Where is the lie? A contract was awarded by the former Governor, for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the cost of N1,149,800,000.00. The contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. LTD.

“The money was meant for the purchase of a Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V4 2021 Model; Peugeot 2021 Model; Toyota Hilux 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021; and Toyota Lexus 2021 Model.

“On the 4th of October 2021 the former Governor paid MUSACO for the supply of three bulletproof Jeeps at the sum of N484,512,500; to supply seven sets of bulletproof Prado Jeeps and Land Cruiser at the sum of N459,995,000; to supply seven Toyota Hilux vehicles at the sum of N228,830,000.

“On the 19th of May 2021, Matawalle paid for the supply of 30 sets of Peugeot 406 cars to TK Global Services at the sum of N61,200,000. Also, on the 15th of December 2021, Nadeen Butta was paid for the supply of one bulletproof Land Cruiser in the sum of N130,000,000 Naira.

“On 26th of February 2022, a contractor, Dapiyau B. Linus was paid the sum of N160,000,000 for the supply of two Land Cruiser Jeeps 2021 model; On the 20th of March 2022, Matawalle’s government paid MUSACO the sum of N120,000,000 for the supply of three vehicles for the office of the Deputy Governor.

“It is the height of indignity for the Zamfara APC to continue to fizzle at a time when all the above official vehicles were looted by the immediate past government . None of the vehicles is available in the Government House. This is a show of shame, not only to the state chapter of the APC but to anyone justifying the action of Matawalle.

“We have communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five working days.”

Ex-Zamfara Governor gets ultimatum to return bullet proof Jeeps, others worth N2.8b

News

Fuel Scarcity: Lagos warns stations against causing traffic gridlock

Published

on

Fuel Scarcity: Lagos warns stations against causing traffic gridlock

The Lagos state ministry of transportation, on Monday, warned petrol stations against causing traffic gridlock while dispensing fuel to customers.

Bolanle Ogunlola, deputy director, public affairs, Lagos state ministry of transportation, gave the warning in a statement in Lagos.

“In the face of the current fuel scarcity, we appeal to fuel stations that have fuel to dispense in the metropolis to ensure that queues of vehicles waiting to obtain supplies do not obstruct the free flow of traffic.

READ ALSO:

“The Ministry of Transportation views with great concern the disruption of traffic flow by patrons at fuel stations, as the resulting gridlock adversely affects the economic activities of individuals and corporate bodies.

“The ministry, while advising operators of fuel stations to be orderly by ensuring that their patrons do not constitute any clog to the free flow of traffic, further warns against being sanctioned for non-compliance,” she said.

Ms Ogunlola said that the state’s law enforcement agencies were on surveillance to enforce compliance.

She added that the ministry would continue to monitor the traffic situation, while calling on the general public to report fuel stations disrupting movement through its hotlines.

Fuel Scarcity: Lagos warns stations against causing traffic gridlock

Continue Reading

Aviation

Air Peace gets court order to answer queries on aircraft operations

Published

on

Air Peace gets court order to answer queries on aircraft operations

A Lagos State High Court has ordered Air Peace to respond to questions brought by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism in a libel suit No. LD/ADR/4833/23 filed by the airline on October 12, 2022, regarding its aircraft operations from Lagos to Anambra State.

Air Peace insisted that it followed safety standards and practices in accordance with relevant regulations and policies.

It questioned the FIJ’s interrogations of its aircraft and flight operations, calling them “scandalous and irrelevant” to the libel case.

FIJ was dissatisfied with Air Peace’s responses to the queries and filed an application to compel them to adequately explain the objections.

Justice Kudiarat Jose upheld the argument of FIJ, represented by its counsel, Abimbola Ojenike and Jesulayomi Oyelami of Slingstone LP, stating that the questions requesting the details of the first two aircraft designated to convey passengers were relevant to the facts in issue, related to the defendant’s case, and capable of proving that the defendants were correct.

As a result, the court ordered Air Peace to respond to questions 1, 4, and 7 of the defendant’s interrogation within seven days of receiving the order.

The questions are: ‘Provide a comprehensive description and specification of the aircraft 5N-BUL initially scheduled for the operation of Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022. The description should include the make, year, engine type, and service information, including the most recent aircraft maintenance checks conducted prior to Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022, particularly but not limited to any faults or repairs on the systems.’

READ ALSO:

The airline is also to: ‘Provide comprehensive specifications of the technical issues discovered in the course of operation of Flight P47336 and the circumstances that led to the change of the aircraft from 5N-BUL to 5N-BQQ.’

The court also ordered the airline to: ‘Provide the comprehensive descriptions and specifications of the aircraft 5N-BQQ initially onboard the passengers for the operation of Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022.

‘The description should include make, year, engine type, and service information, including the most recent aircraft maintenance checks conducted prior to Flight P47336 on October 12, 2022, particularly but not limited to any faults or repairs on the systems.

The claim was deferred until May 23, 2024, for additional proceedings.

In October 2022, FIJ stated that passengers on an Air Peace flight from Lagos to Anambra escaped death after the engine failed three times at the takeoff point.

According to FIJ, the aircraft was supposed to take off at 11 a.m. but was delayed for two hours when the airline’s management announced that the jet originally booked for the Anambra flight had suddenly acquired an issue.

“The engine stopped three times, and there was no explanation until passengers asked to be allowed to leave the plane. The captain only gave a vague explanation when the passengers expressed their concerns. He said the DAC or something similar to that went off on us,” FIJ had quoted one of three sources as saying.

“This was supposed to be a substitute plane as the first couldn’t be used for technical reasons. If this lackadaisical attitude continues, I fear they may record a crash soon. If we had flown today, we likely would have crashed.”

Air Peace then filed legal action against FIJ, seeking N50 million in damages, N250 million in aggravated damages, and N5 million in legal fees.

Air Peace gets court order to answer queries on aircraft operations

Continue Reading

News

Lagos okays annual celebration of Yoruba Week

Published

on

Lagos okays annual celebration of Yoruba Week

The Lagos State government has announced its decision to dedicate the last week of September every year to celebrating Yoruba culture.

This decision follows a resolution passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly on September 19, 2023.

According to a statement released on Monday by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, the Yoruba Week celebration aims to showcase and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people through various expressions, including traditional attire, music, dance, cuisine, and more.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a letter dated April 8, 2024, informed lawmakers that the state will begin preparations for the inaugural celebration.

READ ALSO:

“Sequel to the resolution of the House at its plenary of Tuesday, September 19, 2023, on the activation of Yoruba cultural heritage and a special day to be assigned as Yoruba day, I have the directive to officially convey Mr. Governor’s approval for the last week of September as Yoruba Week,” a part of the letter, which was read by the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, stated.

Commending Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet for the decision, Obasa described it as a good development.

He described the Yoruba culture and heritage as very important just as he stressed the need for its preservation.

The Speaker said the House was ready to support the executive to ensure the success of the planned Yoruba Week.

Lagos okays annual celebration of Yoruba Week

Continue Reading

Trending

Skip to content