News

Reps To Invite FCT Minister, Police Commissioner, Others Over Rising Cases Of ‘One Chance’

Published

1 month ago

October 22, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has mandate its Committees on Federal Capital Territory, Police and National Security and Intelligence to summon the FCT Minister, Commissioner of Police, DG DSS over the resurgence of activities of one chance operatives within the capital city.

The House also mandated its Committee on FCT to investigate the use of unregistered/unpainted taxis within the capital city as well as a comprehensive investigation into the activities of kidnapping and arm robbery within the capital city and report to the house within three weeks.

This resolution is sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Ismail Haruna Dabo, lawmaker representing Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi state, on The Resurgence of “One Chance” Taxi Operators” in the FCT on Tuesday at plenary.

The interaction is part of an investigation ordered by the House following the killing of one Miss Nimah Sulaiman a lby “one chance” operatives on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Abuja.

Debating the motion, Rep. Dabo decried that in recent years, the nation’s capital has experienced an upsurge in the rate of kidnappings and robbery incidents, including “one chance,” from those kidnapped from far flung suburbs to those kidnapped along the Airport Road, from those picked from their Estates, to those kidnapped at the City centre to those abducted by renegade one-chance taxi operators.

According to him, it has been a tumultuous and scary situation for people living within the capital territory of the use of unregistered and unpainted taxis has further worsen. the situation, providing an easy conduit for criminal activities within the capital city.

He said residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are living in fear as the security of the nation’s seat of power has continued to deteriorate as brutal criminals go about with their daily operations without mercy on citizens.

The motion reads: “Further aware that one Miss Nimah Sulaiman a Legislative Aide of Hon. Dabo, was kidnapped and brutally murdered on Thursday 17 October, 2024 on her way home to Jahi District, around 6:15 pm, where she was taken at gunpoint at Banex Junction in Wuse 2, by one chance operators;

“Recalls that despite paying ransom in full, her life was tragically cur short. Her body was found between the hours of 9 to 10 pm at Maitama/Mi.ister’s hill Bridge;

“Disturbed that this heinous crime has sent shockWaves through our community, confirming the escalating insecurity in the FCT. It is our collective responsibility as lawmakers to ensure the safety and security of our citizens”.

The lawmakers observed a one minute silence to pray for Late Nimah Sulaiman.

News

Reps Urge FG To Make Available Reliable Data On Housing Deficit

Published

1 hour ago

November 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to provide scientific, verifiable data on the housing deficit and improve access to affordable housing in the Nigeria.

This resolution was sequel to the adopting of a motion by Rep. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, on the “Provision of affordable housing in Nigeria,” Tuesday at plenary.

Rep. Ukpong-Udo who noted that data is considered an important factor in the planning and execution of projects across all tiers of government, said the housing sector in Nigeria, with a huge deficit, lacks veritable data for planning and execution of housing policies and strategies.

He stated: “The House is aware that according to the world population review, over 24 million people in Nigeria are homeless, with no appropriate access to proper dwelling with some basic social amenities.

“The House is worried that Nigeria is among the top 10 countries with homeless populations, leading with 24 million, followed by Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, and Congo.”

The House also expressed displeasure that the country relies on the World Bank report for housing data, and that for a nation to grow and enjoy stability, there is the need to have its housing data as well as a market that works efficiently and provides decent shelter for its citizens.

The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Housing and Habitat to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to address the lack of credible, scientific, and verifiable data on the state of housing in the country and ensure access to decent and affordable housing.

News

Provide Adequate Security For Transmission Towers Across Nigeria – Reps Tell FG

Published

2 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has charge the Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior, to urgently provide adequate security for Transmission Towers across the country to avoid future occurrences of vandalism.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep Oboku Oforji, lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Kolokoma-Opokuma federal constituency of Bayelsa State on Tuesday at plenary.

In his lead debate, Rep. Oforji noted that on July 29, 2024, residents of Yenagoa and Bayelsa State in general woke up to a total blackout occasioned by the collapse of a Transmission Station between Emezhi and Mbaima in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State and three others between Igbogene and Nedugo Agbia in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to him, the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, swiftly swung into action to address the challenges that has culminated in dwindling of socio-economic activities in the state.

He further noted that saddened that on the 19th of November, 2024, just as the work was nearing completion, at Ula-Akpata, in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, some hoodlums went and vandalised a section of the lines.

The motion reads in part: “By this development, the woes of the residents of Bayelsa State still subsist for one or two days, because as we speak the people of the State are in total blackout, this has been the situation for over 4 months.

“The efforts of the Bayelsa State Government in mobilizing financial and material resources to support the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is highly commended. However, proactive measures must be taken to forestall future occurrences of vandalism of these Transmission Towers.

“As a representative of my people this brings to mind the provisions of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) which talks about our economic and social rights as citizens, which I believe should not be taken for granted by the government”.

The House adopted the motion and mandated its Committees on Interior and Power to ensure compliance.

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Heading For France

Published

3 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Naijablitznews

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for a state visit to France.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Emmanuel Macron invited his Nigerian counterpart to the European country.

Onanuga said the three-day visit will focus “on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation among others”.

“President Tinubu who will be traveling with the First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.”

“During the visit, President Tinubu and President Macron will harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.

“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” the statement read.

Tinubu and his wife who will be hosted to a state dinner by the French leader before their departure, will be accompanied by top government officials.