News

EFCC hands over recovered transmission equipment, buildings to Enugu govt

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu and Executive Chairman of EFCC Mr Ola Olukoyede

EFCC hands over recovered transmission equipment, buildings to Enugu govt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, released 14 properties initially forfeited to the Federal Government to Enugu State Government, following the request by the Governor Peter Mbah administration.

The properties were handed over to the Governor Mbah, by the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, during a brief ceremony at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

This was even as Governor Mbah assured that the recovered assets would be used to the optimum benefit of the people of Enugu State.

Speaking at the event, Olukoyede, who disclosed that the road to the forfeiture dated back to 2007, said the event spoke of the mutually beneficial relationship existing between the federal government and states.

Commending Dr. Mbah “for the great work he is doing in Enugu State”, the EFCC Chairman said the President was very much interested in the state-of-the-art hospital that the Mbah administration proposed to build in Enugu State, saying the structures for medical facilities among the released assets would go a long way in helping to realise the Mbah vision for the benefit of not just Enugu State, but the entire country and beyond.

“What we are witnessing today testifies to a symbiotic relationship that should exist between the federal government and the state governments. The essence of our meeting here today is for us to handover properties that were forfeited to the federal government, which of course belong to Enugu State people, back to the people. It shows that governance can work in Nigeria.

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“If you look at the history of this particular matter, it takes us back to 2007 when we started the prosecution. So, we are looking at about 17 years since the matter has been on. Eventually some of the properties were forfeited and since then, the EFCC has been managing those properties even though the titles of quite a number of the properties have been revoked by the Enugu State government,” Olukoyede said.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Mbah, who noted that the properties were forfeited not to his state but to the federal government, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for making it possible for the assets to be returned to the government and people of Enugu State.

“The importance and significance of this event can never be lost on us and we do not also take it for granted. Those assets were forfeited to the federal government. And this brings me to another gratitude that I want to convey here today. So, I want to acknowledge and recognise the important role played by the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Without the proactiveness and speed at which he acted on our request to cede these assets back to the people and government of Enugu State, we wouldn’t have been here today. Therefore, I want to thank him most sincerely for granting our request for these assets that were forfeited to the federal government to be ceded back to Enugu State.

“I want to assure us that those properties would be used for the benefit of the people of Enugu state. All the assets without any exemption, and they would be deployed to optimum use for the benefit of the people of Enugu state.”

He also lauded Olukoyede’s initiatives at making the EFCC a strong institution and the role of the EFCC in the release of the properties to the state.

“I will not end this remark without acknowledging the work the EFCC chairman and his team are doing in strengthening this very important institution. Thank you very much particularly for the effort that you have put in to make today a reality,” the governor stated.

The properties comprise houses, transmission equipment for radio and television stations, a building for medical operations, among others.

EFCC hands over recovered transmission equipment, buildings to Enugu govt

News

Updated: NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, hoarding, marketers disagree

Published

9 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Updated: NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, hoarding, marketers disagree

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has attributed the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country to panic buying and sharp practices by some petroleum marketers. But the marketers have refuted the claim, asserting that inadequate supply is the primary cause of the persistent scarcity.

The NNPCL assured the public that the fuel queues across the country would disappear by next week.

It stressed that it had sufficient fuel reserves to resolve the scarcity issue. This statement came in response to concerns raised by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other stakeholders regarding the scarcity.

The NNPC spokesperson, Femi Soneye, had earlier indicated that the corporation had over 1.5 billion litres of petroleum products, enough to last for at least 30 days.

But some individuals were allegedly exploiting the situation for profit.

Petroleum marketers maintained they were not responsible for the fuel scarcity, as they are not importers of petrol. According to the National Vice President of IPMAN, Hammed Fashola, blaming marketers for hoarding petrol was unfounded as they could only divert the product if available.

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Furthermore, Chinedu Ukadike, the National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, emphasized that independent marketers operate their businesses to maximize profit and return on investment. He highlighted the challenges faced by marketers in ensuring product availability and dismissed allegations of sharp practices.

Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, acknowledged the existence of sharp practices within the oil sector but argued that it is too simplistic to attribute the fuel scarcity solely to such practices.

To address the fuel scarcity effectively, stakeholders emphasize the need for increased distribution of petroleum products by regulatory authorities. They also call for the involvement of security agencies to deter profiteering and ensure fair distribution to consumers across the country.

Updated: NNPC blames fuel scarcity on panic buying, hoarding, marketers disagree

News

Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

Published

9 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

Lagos State Government has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to illegal squatters at abandoned Ikoyi Towers, Lagos Island to evacuate.

The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the notice on Saturday, during an inspection of some identified sites, including the abandoned Federal Government property, Ikoyi Towers.

The Ikoyi Towers, located behind the abandoned Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, comprise of three blocks of 12 floors, tagged: A, B and C.

Wahab said the quit notice has become necessary to protect lives which is the primary function of any responsible and responsive government.

According to him, “Apart from constituting an environmental nuisance, they are security risk to the state which can be used as hideouts for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious acts.

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“Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is passionate about the well-being and safety of all citizens and would spare nothing to ensure these ate achieved.”

The occupants of the building, who are largely security personnel, appealed to the commissioner to give more time inorder to make proper arrangement for relocation as they have no place to go immediately.

One of the occupants, who simply identified himself as Mallam Abubakar, from Ilorin, Kwara State, said he is a Police Spy, and moved into the building in November 2023.

According to Abubakar,”The agent collected N200, 000, one off rent from each of the occupant, numbering hundreds of us.

“We have our families here. Our children are in schools. Where do we go from here? Government should have compassion on us this harsh economy.”

Lagos issues 48hr quit notice to Ikoyi Towers’ illegal squatters

News

Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers

Published

12 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Give Nigerians affordable, quality vehicles, Tinubu challenges auto manufacturers

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association to devise ways of producing vehicles that would be affordable for all categories of Nigerians.

He said this is necessary as the government rolls out consumer credit for millions of Nigerians to purchase vehicles and other important goods and services.

He also urged the delegation to ensure that locally manufactured vehicles are of the highest standard that would stand the test of time, and complement the government’s efforts in revitalising the automotive industry.

Tinubu said this when he received a delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association in Aso Rock presidential villa on Friday, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.

The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, met the members led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday in Abuja.

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The delegation had earlier notified the President of their efforts to start manufacturing vehicle and spare parts in Nigeria.