News

FG starts construction of dam in Bernie to check flooding

Published

2 days ago

October 20, 2024

The Federal Government has announced that it has commenced work on the construction of a multi-purpose dam upstream of the River Dura in the Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State to contain the heavy water that flows from that axis.

The Deputy Director of Hydrology at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Robert Umezulike, disclosed this on Saturday while assessing the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala highway, which was affected by the overflow of the River Dura that spilt onto the road.

Umezulike stated that the flood was caused by continuous sediment deposits in the river, which have reduced its depth and capacity to hold water.

He explained that the assessment team would evaluate the flood situation and report to the Minister for immediate action.

He said, “Over time, many of our rivers have become shallow due to sediment deposits in the water channels, which reduces their capacity to contain water. Consequently, when there is even a small amount of rain, the channels can become overwhelmed, resulting in flooding.

“Based on our observations, there is a need for a water reservoir upstream of the River Dura. In this regard, the ministry has already awarded a contract for the study and design of a multi-purpose dam that will help contain the water flowing from that axis.”

Speaking to journalists, the District Head of Mbaakura Ward, HRH Mathias Ager, reported that the flood has also submerged homes, farms, and property in the area.

Ager indicated that the level of water that overflows onto the highway during rain demonstrates the urgent need for the government to construct a dam to manage the water.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala road, which is currently cut off near the Abekwa settlement close to the River Dura bridge.

The monarch commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Benue’s sons to key positions, particularly the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, urging them to continue supporting the president to succeed.

He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Tiv representatives in Tinubu’s administration to deliver, assuring that they would not disappoint the country, the president, or the Tiv nation.

A Benue youth, Levinus Tyodoo, who spoke at the site of the damaged road, urged the Federal Government to rebuild the road to facilitate the movement of motorists and the transportation of farm produce.

Additionally, a motorist using the road, Terkimbi Atse, lamented that he had spent two days on a section of the road that should have taken only ten minutes to traverse.

News

Reps Pass For Second Reading Bill To Create New Oyo State

Published

56 mins ago

October 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading “A bill seeking the alteration of the 1999 Constitution to create a New Oyo State” on Thursday at plenary.

The bill which is sponsored by Rep. Akeem Adeyemi, lawmaker representing Oyo Federal Constituency of Oyo State,

will have Oyo town as the capital city.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Rep. Adeyemi said the agitation for the creation of New Oyo State is not entirely new.

He said: “The 2014 national conference held in Abuja recommended in its final report for the creation of New Oyo State with Oyo town as its capital.”

“It’s noteworthy that the present Oyo State deserves to be split into two being the largest state in terms of landmass in the South-West geo-political zone with 33 local governments and a population of 5,580,894 people (2006 census). The New Oyo State when created, has all the factors to be economically and politically viable and sustainable.”

He highlighted the expansive agricultural and water potentials, mineral resources including gold, kaolin and limestone as well as tourism as some of the endowments that would give the proposed State a head start when created.

“The call to make the capital of the proposed New Oyo State is justified considering the physical administrative and government facilities currently situated in Oyo town. Oyo metropolis is the repository and the citadel of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Yoruba land, the seat of the old Oyo Kingdom which encompassed the original provincial set-up of the colonial master from which Ibadan, Province was carved out in 1936.

“The Erelu Dam in Oyo metropolis supplies water to the four Local Government Areas in Oyo zones as the second largest water reservoir in the present Oyo state. The Government Reservation Area in the Oyo metropolis is one of the first and the largest GRAs to be established in the country and could serve as a temporary Government House for the proposed New Oyo State.

“There are 14 functional branches of Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies of present Oyo State Government in Oyo metropolis which could be effectively used as take-off officers for the proposed new Oyo State. Oyo town is the only provincial headquarters in the federation today that has not become a State Capital, hence the call for balancing of this national equation.

“In terms of security, the Nigeria Police Area Command in metropolitan Oyo which covers 14 of the 19 Local Governments in the proposed New Oyo State can serve effectively as the Police Headquarters of the State Command in the proposed State”, he added.

The lawmaker emphasised that the Federal Medium Security Prison was currently situated in Oyo town.

This piece of legislation is expected to be subjected to a public hearing ahead of third reading and concurrence by the Senate.

News

Constitution Review: Reps to Engage NGF, NGE, LG Chairmen, CSOs, Others

Published

1 hour ago

October 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as Kalu announces membership of sub-committees

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has it will engage the Nigerian Governors Forum, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Conference of Speakers of State Legislature, Chairmen of the 18 Political Parties, Civil Society Organisations, amongst others, as part of its activities for the ongoing constitutional review.

The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who disclosed this during the committee’s meeting in Abuja, said the House will be holding an international legislative dialogue on women on October 28 and zonal public hearings in January.

Kalu stated that the committee is on track to deliver to Nigerians, a new Constitution by December, 2025, even as he noted that the essence of the engagements was to get the input of various stakeholders and brief them on what the committee is doing.

He said that the Committee in carrying out most of its assignments, will be broken down into subcommittees, which will not be exhaustive as additional members will be included later on to ensure that everyone is carried along.

He said: “The Sub-committees members according to thematic areas include: Local Government Matters, Rt Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon. Onwuzibe Ginger Obinna, Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya , Hon. Jimbo Inemesiti Clement, Hon. Ibrahim Tukura Kabir, Hon. Abeji Leke Joseph, Hon. Olawuyi Olatunji Raheem, Hon. Ahmed Idris.

“Judiciary, Rt. Hon. Bello Kumo ii. Hon. Ogene Victor Afamefuna ii. Hon. Manu Zoro Mansur iv. Hon. Agbedi Fredrick Vv. Hon. Benson Babajimi Adegoke vi. Hon. Gbewfi Gaza Jonathan, Hon. Mamudu Abdulahi vili. Hon. Sada Soli.

“Electoral Matters: Rt. Hon. Ali Abdulahi Ibrahim ii. Hon. Tarkighir Dickson iii. Hon. Aliyu Muhktar Betara iv. Hon. Ofionu Goodwin Odey Ekpo v. Hon. Osoba Olumide Babatunde vi. Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati vil. Hon. Oke Olubusayo Oluwole vill. Hon. Abiodun James Faleke.”

“Security Architecture, Hon. Isa Ali JC li. Hon. Pondi Julius G. ii. Hon. Chinedu Nweke Ogah, Hon. Akpatason Peter, Hon. Olayide Adedeji Stanley, Hon. Ajang Alfred Iliya,cHon. Bob Solomon, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo.

“Gender Issues – Rt. Hon. Onanuga Adewunmi Oriyomi li. Hon. Rotimi Akintunde Oluwaseun li. Hon. Mohammed Audu iv. Hon. Fatima Talba Vv. Hon. Zainab Gimba vi. Hon. Princess Miriam Odina vii. Hon. Akume Regina viii. Hon. Ogbara Adetola Kafilat.

“Devolution of Powers & Other Special Matters: “Rt. Hon. Chinda Kingsley Ogundu ii. | Rt. Hon Madaki Aliyu Sanni iii. Hon. Obed Paul Shehu, Hon. Amadi Akarachi Etinose, Hon. Fulata Abubakar Hassan vi. Hon. Kabir Amadu vii. Hon. Mohammed Danjuma Hassan viii. Hon. Francis Waive.

“Members of the Committee on Human Rights include: Rt. Hon. Ozodinobi George Ibezimako, Hon. Magaji Amos Gwamina, Hon. Yusuf Rabiu, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar Ahmed v. Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Omehia, Hon. Ajiya Abdulrahaman and Hon. Dasuki Abdlsamad.”

The Deputy Speaker, thereafter assured that clear actionable recommendations from the women summit holding next week will be taken forward in the constitutional alteration exercise.

He added that the summit will help in building of political will and eliciting of commitments from political leaders and stakeholders.

News

Reps Examine Bill Seeking Military Involvement In Farming, Ranching

Published

1 hour ago

October 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

As a way to support the efforts of the Federal Government to tackle rising food crisis in the country, the House of Representatives is considering a bill which seeks direct involvement of the military in farming, ranching and other agricultural-related activities in Nigeria.

The bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme, Enhance Food Security, Promote Economic Diversification and for Other Related Matters,” was passsed first reading on the floor of the House last week, and is sponsored by Rep. Babajimi Benson, member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that in July 2024, the Federal Government, directed that the lands owned by the military be used for agricultural purposes, as part of efforts to mitigate the ongoing food crisis in the country.

In addition, Vice President Kashim Shettima last week received a delegation from the World Food Programme at the Aso Rock Villa, in, where he restated the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to address the challenges of food insecurity.

This piece of legislation stipulates that the “Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme shall be implemented by the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the supervision of the Minister of Defence in collaboration with relevant government agencies, private sector partners and international organisations.”

Section 3 of the bill listed the objective of the scheme to include “Enhancing national food security by increasing agricultural production; utilising military resources for large-scale farming projects and promoting economic diversification by fostering the development of agriculture as a viable alternative to the oil-dependent economy.”

Others are “To empower communities through the establishment of large-scale agricultural projects as well as providing agricultural training and opportunities for military personnel and civilians.”

Part III of the bill deals with the functions and powers of the scheme. “The scheme shall allocate military-controlled arable land for farming activities; provide training and capacity-building programmes for military personnel and local farmers and collaborate with other government agencies , private sector partners and international organisations for funding, technology and expertise,” sub-section 4 of Part III reads.

The Scheme shall have the power to “Acquire, hold and manage arable land for the purpose of agricultural production and implement integrated farming systems, including crop cultivation, livestock rearing and fish farming,” among others.

When passed into law, the scheme shall be managed by a board led by a chairperson to be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence.

Other members of the management board shall include representatives from “All services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Ministries of Agriculture and Finance, two representatives from the private sector with expertise in agriculture and/or agribusiness.”

Also included is “A representative from an international organisation with agricultural expertise or a recognized agricultural research institution.”

In Part VI (14),the bill provides for the funding of the scheme “Through annual budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.”

Other sources of funding shall include “Grants, donations and loans from local and international avenues and revenues generated from the sale of agricultural produce and value-added products.

14 (2) provides for the establishment of a dedicated fund known as “The Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme Fund, for the management of financial resources.”

To promote accountability and transparency, the bill in Section 15 (2) makes provision for the yearly audit of the scheme’s finances.

“The accounts of the scheme shall be audited annually by the Office of the Auditor General For the Federation and a report shall be submitted to the National Assembly,” the sub-section reads.