NEWS
30 CSOs Applaud Alake, Nkom on Achievements in Mining Sector
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
30 civil society organisations, CSO, recently commended the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake and the Director General of Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, on their achievements in the mining industry.
The groups said the various sterling leadership qualities of the duo in driving President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the mining sector have given Nigerians hope of a new beginning in the country.
The 30 incorporated non-governmental,nonpartisan organizations headed by Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), a leading peace and good governance advocacy organization in Africa, insisted that the diversification of the nation’s revenue from the oil sector to non oil by the Tinubu’s government was what Nigeria was long waiting for,thanking both Alake and Nkom for achieving the feat.
The groups’s position was conveyed in a joint statement, signed by Amb. Melvin Ejeh, Executive Director,GOPRI; Dr Ibrahim Khalifa, National Co-ordinator,Center For Justice and Good Governance in Africa;Engr. Bashir Dan Zaria, Executive Director,Conference of North West Professionals Network (CONOWP);Dr Mrs Remi Edun, National Co-ordinator, Community Action for Development (CAD) and Dr Mrs Ngozi Amechi, National Women Empowerment Network.(NAWOEN), respectively.
The coalition while noting that Nigeria, blessed with abundant mineral resources, has no reason to be dependent on dwindling oil revenue,commended the Minister for turning the tide with ongoing reforms of the mining sector, in line with his 7-point agenda.
The organisations said they were particularly elated that the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office has been fully digitalized and reformed under the Current Director General, noting that with the development,it can favourably compete anywhere in the world.
To this effect, they passed a vote of confidence on the minister and the Director General of NCO even as they alerted of a clandestine plan by some group of persons displaced by the administration for engaging in illicit activities in the sector.
They therefore,advised the government and Nigerians to be on the lookout for any campaign of calumny against the agency and its leadership.
According to the groups,the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office recorded a cumulative 86 percent increase in revenue generation, raking in N9.3 billion between 2019 and 202l under Nkom,as compared to N4.8 billion generated in the corresponding period of between 2016 and 2018.
This,they noted,was attested by former President Mohammadu Buhari when he reappointed him to pilot the Cadastre Office for a renewed term of four years.
“Under the leadership of Engr. Nkom in the past four years, the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office recorded 86 per cent increase in revenue generation, raking in over N8.9 billion between 2019 and 2021 compared to N4.8 billion generated in the corresponding period of 2016 – 2018. This also accounts for about 50 per cent of the contribution of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to the economy,”the statement quoted Buhari as saying.
“Given our independent assessment of developments in the mining sector of the our dear country,we have passed a vote of confidence on the Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals Development,Dr. Dele Alake and the Director General of Nigeria Cadastre Office, Engr Obadiah Nkom for their sterling leadership qualities in driving Mr president’s Renewed Hope agenda on the mining sector and diversification of the nation’s revenue from the oil sector to non oil.
“Our position is premised on the elaborate and independent assessment carried out in the Ministry and the Mining Cadastre Office in Abuja in line with our civil society engagement and accountability programmes for public office holders and agencies,”the statement said
Continuing,the coalition said:” We make bold to say that we were shocked with the kind of transformation and massive reforms going in the Ministry of Solid Minerals, particularly the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office.
“From our finding, the Nigeria Mining Cadastre has been fully digitalized and reformed under the Current DG and can compete with anywhere in the world.
“Out findings show that the revenue profile of the agency since his assumption in 2019 has skyrocketed to an extent where it is now one of the major contributors to the nation’s non oil revenue With this feat,we must commend him.”
“We are, however, alerting the government and Nigerians to be on the lookout for any campaign of calumny against the agency and its leadership.
From the kind of reforms going on in the Nigeria Cadastre Office, some big players who specialize in illegal and fraudulent mining activities that have been displaced may want to fight back the agency and the DG .
“We have however vow to legally defend the agency, the DG and all it staffs until Mr Presidents vision of non oil revenue sufficiency is achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda,”it vowed.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale has quit his job. He said in a statement in a Abuja that he would proceed on an ” indefinite leave, to deal with ” medical matters” affecting him amd hia immediate family.Hos statement reads: “On Friday, I submittd a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.
While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and family”
By David Torough, Abuja
About 1000 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), under the auspices of Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations (CCSOs), on Saturday Faults President Bola Tinubu’s Economic Team and called for immediate reconstitution.Expressing deep concerns over the state of the economy and escalating fuel prices compounding the hardship of Nigerians despite the recent protest, the groups said Tinubu must act now to avert disintegration.
The groups said the current situation across the country has cast doubt on the competence of the Tinubu economic team and called for urgent review. The CCSOs in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, pointed out that the plight of Nigerians is sinking low and their patience is wearing off following the deteriorating economy.The statement reads in part, “The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, which is becoming increasingly unbearable for millions of citizens.“It is evident that the recent hike in fuel prices and the unstable exchange rate are the direct results of economic mismanagement by those responsible for overseeing our nation’s financial policies. The ripple effects of these failures are being felt in every household across the country, worsening poverty and crippling economic activity.“The floating of the Naira, which was initially sold to Nigerians as a means of stabilizing our currency, has done little to prevent the continued devaluation of the Naira. In fact, the exchange rate disparity has widened significantly, with the Naira losing value daily, impacting the cost of living, basic commodities, and inflation.“While this policy was expected to ease foreign exchange pressure, it has instead deepened economic challenges due to poor implementation and lack of strategic foresight.”The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as a death trap of indebtedness of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which also they claimed had slowed down importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, hence the current shortage of PMS across the country. “Of equal concern is the precarious position of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which finds itself in a debt trap, with global suppliers of petroleum products losing confidence in Nigeria’s ability to honour its obligations.“Reports have shown that NNPCL has accrued debts totalling over $6 billion, causing petrol supply shortages. International suppliers are now reluctant to continue providing fuel on credit, exacerbating supply chain issues and pushing up the price of petrol at the pump”, they claimed.The CSOs also asserted that, “We hold the managers of the Nigerian economy responsible for these disturbing developments. Their inability to provide sound policies and long-term solutions has left the nation in this predicament.“It is clear that there is no cohesive strategy to address the rising debt, the growing imbalance in the foreign exchange market, or the country’s heavy reliance on importation for petrol supply. The recent hike in fuel prices reflects the collapse of responsible economic management and accountability.“Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of these failures. Businesses are shutting down, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and citizens are spending an increasingly larger percentage of their income on basic necessities. This state of affairs is unacceptable.”The group therefore placed some demands; Immediate intervention from the government: There needs to be a comprehensive and transparent plan to stabilize the Naira, restore confidence in the petroleum supply chain, and negotiate a restructuring of NNPC’s debts to ensure continuous fuel supply.“Accountability for economic mismanagement: Those responsible for the reckless management of our foreign exchange policies and NNPC’s debts must be held accountable. The government must also disclose its plan to mitigate the rising fuel costs and economic burden on Nigerians.“A return to sound financial policy: The floating of the Naira has proven ineffective under current conditions. We call for a re-evaluation of monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize the economy, reduce inflation, and attract foreign investment.“In conclusion, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations reiterates that without immediate corrective measures, the economic situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to further hardship for the average Nigerian. The government must act decisively and responsibly to reverse this downward spiral”, they added.
There is growing tension in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA, Benue state by young people opposed to the demolition of houses and destruction of rice farms in the area allegedly on the directives of senior Air Force officer, Air Commodore Akinbuwa Ayodele.
It was learnt that Commodore Ayodele, who is facing multiple legal actions following dispute over a plot of land located on George Akume Way Makurdi and owned in blatant disregard to the judicial process embarked on destruction of structures on the plot.
Eyewitness said when the equipment arrived no one imagined it was for destruction.
But in a militray- like operation, two flats of two units each, completely roofed, electrified and plumbing work completed were among the structures demolished as the bulldozers rolled over rice farms in the vicinity as well.
It was learnt that last year, a Makurdi High Court presided by Justice Mary Ijohor, granted an order of perpetual injunction, in the same matter, upon application by the supposed owner of the plot and awarded the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000.00) only, as cost. The matter, enforcement of fundamental rights, was marked as MHC/582/M/2023.
Godwin Akor whose rice farm was destroyed in a chat with newsmen said that he was shocked at the development. He however said he won’t speak more on the matter as it is still before the court.
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