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We’ll set aside N500m revolving loan for artisans, trade groups in Ogun – Abiodun
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State says his administration will set aside N500m as a revolving loan facility for trade groups and artisans in Ogun.
The governor made this known at a meeting with representatives of artisans and trade groups in the state, held at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta.
He explained that the loan facility would enable them expand their businesses and contribute more to the development of the state.
“I am going to make the sum of N500m available as a revolving loan to all members of trade groups and artisans. This money will enable them to expand their businesses. This loan must be paid back within the stipulated time frame. Please when you collect the loan, pay back so that others will collect”, the governor stated.
Abiodun acknowledged the importance of trade groups and artisans in the overall development of the society, noting that the state government’s efforts at providing amenities such roads, was aimed at impacting on their businesses and making the state viable economically.
He said as a responsible and responsive government, his administration has defrayed 80 percent of worker’s deductions, attributing the inability to offset all to the additional N1bn to the wage bill as a result of the increase in the minimum wage.
In his remarks, a former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, pointed out that Governor Abiodun had recorded a huge success in less than four years in office and he has been able to complete most of the uncompleted projects left behind by his predecessors.
While assuring the groups that the governor would continue to work towards a better Ogun State, Osoba called for total support for all the APC candidates in the forthcoming elections, stressing the need to re-elect Abiodun as this would benefit the state in the area of more people-oriented projects.
Speaking, President, Ogun State Cooperative Federation, Alhaji Olaleye, said the organization has more than 13,000 registered cooperative societies, with over one million members, adding that “it is responsible for coordinating activities of cooperative societies across the state”.
Meanwhile, the governor has said that his administration would set up Neighbourhood Watch as part of security architecture to guarantee security of lives and properties in communities in the State.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives of Community Development Councils, Area Community Councils and Community Development Areas at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, Abiodun stressed the need for the outfit in order to identify and fish out criminals that have taken refuge in the communities.
“Peace is needed for development and so we are going to start our neighborhood watch project that will be responsible in identifying and fishing out criminals that live in our various communities.
“Our State is known for peace and we are going to ensure that we maintain that peace”, the governor noted.
He also informed that a Social Investment Programme, aimed at taking care of the vulnerable and the poorest in the communities, has been put in place and the representatives of the communities would be appointed by the government to identify those to benefit from the programme.
“There will be Environmental Inspectors in our communities to ensure that our environment is is well taken care of all the times. I want the Community Development Councils to collaborate with the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Community Development to pick those that we will use in this programme”, Abiodun added.
He further disclosed that his administration has procured additional 110 new transformers to be distributed to local governments, calling on communities that have not benefited from previous distribution to exercise patience as it would get to their turn.
On the request for the take over of community schools and healthcare centres by government, the governor urged the associations to list such facilities to enable government attend to them in phases.
The governor observed that as the people’s government, his administration would continue to be inclusive by engaging the communities on projects that would have maximum impact on their well-being, calling for continued support at all times.
The Commissioner for Cooperatives and Community Development, Abayomi Hunye, in his welcome address, said the State has about 14, 000 Community Development Areas, informing that the meeting was called to address issues affecting communities in the state.
In his remarks, the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yemi Sanusi, noted the contributions of Community Development Councils in turning around the fortune of communities, saying government with inputs from the community leaders have executed numerous people-oriented projects across the state, calling for their support in the forthcoming elections.
The Vice Chairman, Community Development Councils, Alhaji Waheed Adekunle, in his speech, appreciated the governor for the upward review of Grant-in-aid given to the council and for always carrying them along in the scheme of things.
While calling for the empowerment of women and youths as well as provision of electricity transformers to address power outage in the communities, Adekunle solicited for the take over of community owned education and health facilities for proper staffing and management, assuring that the leadership in the communities would mobilize the people to support the re-election bid of the governor.
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.
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