By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

Northern States Governor’s Forum, (NSGF) has resolved to adopt a holistic approach that promotes environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture despite climate change.

This is as the Forum said that responsible resource management to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people and to preserve the national heritage of generations unborn remained their priority.

In a communique issued to journalists after the end of the forum’s meeting held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna on Tuesday, the Executive Governor of Gombe State and Chairman, NSGF, His Excellency Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said the forum deliberated several issues of importance that are peculiar to Northern Nigeria.

He disclosed that the Forum also committed itself to invest massively in education and skill development, health care and social services in order to address the menace of the burden of out of school children.

The forum sympathised with Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara and Plateau states over the unprecedented security challenges currently affecting the states and resolved to stand in solidarity with them until there is a lasting solution to the scourge, while appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his determination to win the war against banditry and other criminal activities in the region.

“The Forum commended the Federal Government under the dynamic, focused and courageous leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR which has demonstrated total commitment to winning the war against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

“The Forum expressed deepest sympathy and collective support to the Governments and people of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Zamfara States over the unprecedented security challenges currently affecting the States and resolved to stand in solidarity with them during these difficult times.

“The Forum noted that Human Capital Development is critical to the progress and prosperity of the region and expressed concern that the region currently bears the burden of having the highest number of out of school children in the World. The Forum committed itself to invest massively in education and skill development, health care and social services in order to address the menace.

“The Forum noted that climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices and population growth posed significant challenges to the region. The Forum resolved to adopt a holistic approach that promotes environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture and responsible resource management to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people and preserve the national heritage of generations yet unborn,” the communique read in part.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to restore normal electricity to communities across the state or quit.

The House issued the ultimatum so that residents of the state will enjoy adequate power supply due to the importance of electricity to human and societal  development.

The Speaker of the House, MrDanladiJatau, made the call when officials of AEDC and Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), appeared before the House during its proceedings on Tuesday in Lafia.

The Speaker said that the invitation extended to the AEDC and NAePA was to enable them brief the House on the power blackout and outrageous bills in the state.

According to the Speaker, “Our resolution is to the effect that AEDC is hereby given 14 days to restore normal light to communities across the State and failure to do that, we will be left with no option but to ask them to quit.

“In their place, we will invite competent hands that will give the people of the state normal light.

“Secondly, the Area Manager, PowerGen Interconnected Energy ltd., handling electrification project in Toto Local Government, is hereby directed to appear before the House on May 21st, 2024, to explain their role in power distribution in the area.”

The Speaker commended Gov. AbdullahiSule for his efforts in ensuring power supply in the state through his efforts in ensuring full take off and success of installation of Akurba power sub station but expressed dismay that the Governor’s effort has been sabotaged.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to invite anybody on public issue for questioning, that is why we have invited you.

“There is power blackout and outrageous bills across the state by AEDC as our people are in pains and suffering. We cannot take it any longer,” he said.

He said that the activities of the AEDC is creating hardship and poverty to the people of the state.

“Your company is giving our people poor services. Our people have been sleeping in darkness.

“Our people are in pains because they are paying for light without enjoying the light,” he said.

All members who spoke also urged the AEDC to sit up or quit the state.

On his part, Engr. Adeyemi Jonathan, the AEDC Chief Business Officer in charge of Kogi, Niger and Nasarawa, admitted that the company was not 100 per cent in replacing damaged transformers and cables among others to communities across the state.

The Chief Business Officer assured of improvement in electricity supply to the state.

“I want to assure you that we are ready to do our best in improving power supply across the state,” he said.

Also speaking, Engr. Yakubu Umar, the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA), said that the agency was established to ensure adequate power supply to communities across the state.

On the allegation that he uses a transformer alone, he said that the transformer was given to him as gratification by one electricity company.

The General Manager assured of his continued determination to do his best to improve on the situation.

On April 23, the House  summoned the Area Manager, AEDC, to appear before it on April 30, over persistent power blackout and over billing of customers across the State.

The House also summoned the General Manager, Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) to appear before it on April  30.

The House said the invitation was to enable them tell the House why there is persistent power blackout and outrageous billing in the State.

The Speaker of the House gave the ultimatum after Mr Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central), raised the issue on the matter of public importance during the House proceedings.

By Seun Ibiyemi

The Director, General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) through its Executive Director on Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, Mr. Jibril Abba has constituted an NJIC committee to start with immediate effect the already elapsed Dockworkers Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the year 2023/2024.

The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who was present in the meeting thanked the NIMASA DG, Dr. Dayo Mobereola for the gesture.

The NJIC committee on the Dockworkers Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) is expected to do thorough work on the new CBA.

The meeting which was held Monday, 29th April, 2024 was at NIMASA Corporate Headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.