By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday cleared shanties, miscreants from the Apo Guzape area of Abuja.According to the Director of FCT Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, the operation is part of a broader effort to rid the city of criminal elements and miscreants, as directed by the FCT Security Council.

”The operation is a continuation of similar exercises conducted in other areas, including Zone 3, Wuse, and UTC. Galadima emphasized that the FCTA will not tolerate any form of encroachment or illegal occupation of government-designated areas”.”This is part of the decision taken by the FCT Security Council to rid the city of criminal elements and miscreants. You recall that we were at Zone 3, Wuse and UTC. Today we are at Apo Guzape area where shanties and miscreants have been dislodged. So that’s why we’re here today. It’s the continuation of the exercise to rid the city of miscreants and criminal elements”. The cleared area, known as Apple Cadastral Zone E27, Apple, was originally designated for residential purposes, with allocations made for development. However, the allottees failed to develop their plots within the stipulated time.Galadima hinted that the FCTA has dislodged shanties and miscreants from the Apo Guzape area, taking over the plots and reclaiming the land. Galadima stated that any claims of permission to stay on the plots are considered revoked, as the plot owners are suspected of harboring criminals. He explained that the area has a clearly defined road corridor, demarcated by a deep trench, known as the S20 extension of Ladipo Dia. The FCTA has concluded that plot owners who allow miscreants to stay on their properties will have their plots taken over by the administration.”The road is clearly defined and the plots are also defined. So we have concluded, based on what we have seen and action taken, that all those people that own plots and allow these people to stay within, the plots have been taken over by FCT administration”.The Director reiterated that the operation has led to a significant reduction in crime rates in previously cleared areas. Also speaking, the Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, the FCTA has noticed a drastic decrease in crime rates since the operation began last week. The FCTA’s Operation Sweep Abuja is also tracking and removing displaced criminals from other locations.According to Gwary, the operation, which started last week, aims to make the FCT a safe and secure environment for residents and visitors alike.Explaining that FCTA has been tight-lipped about the specific locations of the operation, but it is clear that the exercise is being carried out in various parts of the city. Today, the operation is taking place in Apo, where shanties and miscreants have been dislodged. The FCTA has apprehended two suspects dealing in illicit drugs, who have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The FCTA has made it clear that the FCT is not a haven for criminal elements. The administration is determined to pursue and smoke out criminals wherever they may be. The operation is part of a broader effort to ensure that the FCT remains safe and secure for all residents and visitors.The FCTA reported that there was no resistance from the inhabitants of the area, as they knew they were squatting illegally and were not meant to be there.The FCTA has emphasized that the safety of the FCT is its top priority;and the administration is committed to ensuring that the city remains safe and secure for all residents and visitors; he said. The operation is part of a broader effort to achieve this goal, and the FCTA will continue to take decisive action against criminal elements and miscreants.The administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the city is evident in its determination to pursue and smoke out criminals. The operation serves as a warning to criminal elements that the FCT is not a place they can urbanate or operate with impunity.Chairman of the cashew garden, Steven Obiozo, shared his experience with the recent demolition exercise. According to him, they had an agreement with the plot owner to manage the space, sell their goods, and vacate whenever notified. They cooperated with the owner, even arranging security measures when needed.However, when the owner decided to take over the space, they were surprised by the sudden action. Obiozo emphasized that they are not criminals but vendors trying to make a living. They had previously worked with another estate owner who relocated them, and they thought they had an understanding with the current owner.He highlighted his efforts to maintain security in the area, providing numbers of security personnel and promising to report any suspicious activity.He appealed to the government to consider their plight, citing the difficulties of finding alternative livelihoods. As a vendor, he sells beer, minerals and food to make ends meet.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Nigeria’s local content successes in the oil and gas industry was a constant reference point in discussions at the opening day of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, which began on Tuesday at Windhoek, Namibia.The event is being attended by policymakers, international oil and gas operating and service companies, Namibian indigenous players and other stakeholders.

The goal is to enhance the local content ecosystem in the Southern African country’s evolving oil and gas industry. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) are participating at the Namibian event in furtherance of their collaboration in the promotion of African local content, creation of opportunities and new markets for Nigerian oil and gas companies.The Board’s delegation is led by the Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, while the PETAN team is led by its Chairman and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Wole Ogunsanya.In a statement, Dr. Halilu delivered a presentation at the Local Content Masterclass at the opening, and outlined a number of strategies that African oil producing countries can adopt to grow their local content capabilities.According to him, local content value propositions for Africa include research and technology development, local employment, strategic partnerships, ownership and control of assets, value chain optimisation, sustainable operations, increased production and utilization of locally made goods and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).He identified the government’s role in supplier development as regulatory, developmental and promotional. Using Nigeria as a case study, Halilu listed key achievements of NCDMB to include the establishment of world class fabrication and construction yards, human capital development, manufacturing initiative, service sector growth, financial support and establishment of integration capability for floating production and storage and offloading facility (FPSO).On the new wave of local content development in Nigeria, the Director pointed to the promotion of equipment assembly and components manufacturing, development of small and medium enterprises, enforcement of research and development and technology transfer as well as prioritization of gas based industrialisation.Dwelling on strategies that would support the growth of African local content, he urged oil-producing countries to specialise in different manufacturing and service areas of the oil and gas industry and develop their competencies to the right specifications.This will enable the countries to trade among themselves and contribute towards the manufacturing of complex oil and gas equipment.He cited an example with the Boeing aircraft, which has critical components produced by different original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and assembled at a designated factory.Such a model, he noted, will ensure that each African country develops a competitive advantage and can contribute effectively to the African oil and gas industry.The representative of the Executive Secretary concluded by offering local content nuggets, which include that local content implementation is not a sprint but a marathon and must be executed as a business and not as corporate social responsibility.Local content must also be cost effective and local peculiarities must be given key considerations, he noted.Other recommendations include that local content regulations must apply to all players in the industry and not only foreign companies or expatriates and the implementation takes time, consistency, and coordination.He equally suggested that capacity building initiatives should include grassroots and underserved communities, adding that local content practice would not grow if new projects are not developed.He ended by assuring the audience that Nigeria is ready to partner with Namibia and other African nations to build an energy sector that empower the African people and drive shared prosperity.The opening day also featured a presentation by NCDMB’s General Manager Human Capacity Development, Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq. Who further shared the Board’s success stories in human capital development.The conference continues till Friday and is expected to feature another presentation by the NCDMB boss on Wednesday, while one of the panel discussions would feature the Chairman of PETAN Mr. Wole Ogunsanya.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Dr. Stephen Hwande, has urged the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), BSUTH branch, to call off their 21 days warning strike, saying the action is unnecessary and uncalled for.

He reminded them of their agreement with the state government and urged them to remember the magnanimity of Governor Hyacinth Alia who recently released over N900,000,000 to clear their outstanding arrears. Addressing journalists in his office in Makurdi, Dr. Hwande noted that both the hospital management and the Benue State Government remain committed to maintaining peace and cooperation in the health sector.Reacting to the ongoing strike by the Association of Resident Doctors ARD, BSUTH Branch noted that the strike has disrupted some services but assured the public that key units at the hospital like the Accident and Emergency Unit, General Outpatient Department, and the VIP SMART Clinic remain fully operational.He explained that medical and other essential services at the hospital remain available despite ongoing strikes by Resident Doctors.The Chief Medical Director said the hospital in the interim has engaged services of Medical Officers and consultants to address the staffing shortage caused by the strike to ensure continued service delivery to the public. “Management of the hospital is working with the state government to address the demands of the Resident Doctors and find a resolution to the matter, the CMD described the decision by the Doctors to embark on an indefinite strike as hasty and unnecessary.”Government is already engaging with the Doctors to address the issues that led to the strike action, saying the process of paying the Residency Training Fund has commenced and urged the Doctors to suspend the strike in the interest of the public”, he said.He acknowledged efforts by Governor Hyacinth Alia for what he was doing in the health sector particularly the releases of over eight hundred million Naira for payment of all outstanding arrears including death benefits for staff of the hospital and commended him for implementing the new consolidated salary structure for other Medical Doctors and health workers in the state.The Association of Resident Doctors Benue State University Teaching Hospital branch had Monday commenced an infinite strike over issues relating to the two thousand and twenty five Medical Residency Training Fund and other unresolved demands.