NEWS
FG, Stakeholders Adopt Measures Against Petroleum Tanker Crashes
The Federal Government has taken measures with strategic stakeholders against petroleum tanker crashes in the country.
The Corps Public Education Officer, ACM Bisi Kazeem, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.
The resolutions were reached at the meeting of the Major Oil Marketers of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) during a workshop on Sept.
24 in Abuja.Kazeem said that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha had directed that a meeting of strategic stakeholders be held on Monday.
He said that the SGF was represented at the occassion by the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, adding that the Executive Secretaries of MOMAN and NARTO were in attendance.
According to him, the Federal Government and the Stakeholders took some far reaching resolutions aimed at tackling the menace of petroleum tanker crashes in the country.
Kazeem disclosed that the meeting recommended that the SGF should consider securing a Presidential Directive for urgent intervention in the provision of soft loans for truck renewal.
This, he said would be using similar template as applicable to pharmaceutical companies and other sectors of the economy at the peak of COVID-19.
He added that it would as well serve as a long term solution to the safe, efficient and sustainable transportation of petroleum products across the country,.
He said that the meeting stressed the need for Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to re-activate failed and vandalised pipelines in the country to reduce the burden on the transportation of petroleum products by road.
“Members further called for a timeline to be set for the enforcement of the maximum load capacity of 45,000 litres of petroleum products by trucks operating from the tank farms across the country,” he added.
The ACM disclosed that the meeting resolved that enforcement of all safety standards including anti-skid, anti-rollover and anti-spill be prioritised within a given time frame as outlined in the similar communiqué reached in 2018.
“Government to consider issuing directives on enforcement of the 10-year policy on importation of trucks, so that any articulated vehicle that is beyond 10 years of age should not be allowed into the country.
“Part of the resolutions were that FRSC, MOMAN and NARTO are to organise a joint enlightenment campaign for articulated vehicle drivers.
“This is including production and placement of jingles in different languages on radio and television stations, production of handbills and also convene a press conference within two weeks,” he said.
Customs Service Seizes Contraband N24.3m Worth in Kano
The Comptroller General’s Taskforce of Nigeria Customs Services, Zone B, Kano, says it has seized contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N24, 385 million in Kano State in the past three weeks.
Deputy Controller General of Customs and head of the taskforce, Mr Oseni Olorukoba, made the disclosure at a news conference yesterday in Kano.
Olurokoba said that two suspected smugglers were arrested by the team through intelligence sharing and collaboration with other security agencies.
He said that the goods were seized during various operations at different locations in the state within the period under review.
Olurokoba listed the seized goods to include 208 bags of 50kg rice, 285 bales of clothes, 94 cartons of pasta, 53 keg of vegetable oil and cartons of counterfeit drugs among others
He said the drugs would be handed over to the National Agency of Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further analysis, adding that the suspects were released on bail.
“The suspects will be charge to court after investigations are concluded.
“The service is ready, we have equipment and highly motivated officers to check smuggling which is injurious to the national economy.
“I warn smugglers to desist from the act, embrace legitimate trade or change to another location, we are not going to give them freedom of movement in the region,” he said.
According to him, similar operations were ongoing in the 19 northern states under the Zone B, to check smuggling and other nefarious activities by smugglers.
Olurokoba said the taskforce had seized large quantity of contraband in Maiduguri, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Geidam in Yobe State.
While commending Controller General of Custom, Hameed Alli, for his support, Olorukoba reiterated the commitment of the service to end smuggling in the country. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorist group known as ‘Lukarawas’ in the North-western part of the country.The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on military operations on Thursday in Abuja.
Buba stated that the new terror group originated in the Republic of Niger after the recent coup, which disrupted military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger. He explained that the terrorists began infiltrating northern areas of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali, particularly following the coup in Niger.According to him, joint border operations with Nigerien security forces, previously in place before the coup, had kept the terrorists at bay.He said, “The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions into remote areas in some north-western states to spread their ideology.“The terrorists were initially welcomed by locals who believed they had good intentions. However, the movement was not reported to the military and security agencies.”The DHQ spokesperson assured that troops have sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to degrade the terrorists.He added that the group continued to exploit vast ungoverned areas to hide, evade troops, and harass locals but stated that troops were locating and eliminating the threat.Buba also revealed that the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 216 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region in October.He said the troops also destroyed 195 wooden boats as well as recovered 30 vehicles and 429 assorted ammunition during the period.Buba said that the troops also impounded 3.2 million litres of crude oil, 763,860 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and 12,690 litres of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS).According to him, troop operations have progressively increased the nation’s daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day.“During October, troops arrested 126 persons involved in crude oil theft and recovered 429 assorted ammunition,” he said.Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East, conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group in several states killing 40 terrorists, apprehended 55 suspects and rescuing 35 kidnapped hostages.According to him, IPOB/ESN incidents were recorded in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States.“Troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, 24 pump action guns, 19 assorted arms, 177 live cartridges and 191 assorted ammunition,” he added.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has commiserated with the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen Bola Tinubu over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, on November 5.
In a statement signed by his media team from uphill, Minna on Thursday. His death, especially at this point in his life and career, is not only a profound loss to his immediate family but to our country as a whole. ”He was a fine officer and a dedicated leader of men whose sense of patriotism was exemplary”His vigorous effort at the frontline of the war to end banditry and insurgency has already borne good fruits, and it is unfortunate that he would not be around to see it through””Gen Babangida’s heart goes out to his beloved family, his officers and men, and the country that has once again lost a gallant army chief”He was one of the finest in the tradition of his brilliant predecessors. May his soul Rest In Perfect Peace”As the Nigerian Armed Forces continue to make the necessary sacrifice to safeguard our democracy, our territorial integrity, and our safetyHe joins other citizens in applauding the courage of their exemplary heroes.By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Key stakeholders from Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality, and cultural sectors convened in Lagos for a pivotal validation event dedicated to Nigeria’s Draft National Tourism Policy.Hosted by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy in collaboration with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the event marked a significant step toward aligning Nigeria’s tourism framework with global standards, while celebrating the country’s rich cultural and natural resources.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, delivered the opening address, underscoring Nigeria’s vast but untapped tourism potential and its diverse landscapes, vibrant heritage, and economic promise.She commended NESG and private sector partners for their dedicated collaboration on the policy, emphasizing that the last update to Nigeria’s tourism policy occurred in 2005. With a focus on sustainability, infrastructure, and community engagement, the revalidated framework aims to modernize the tourism sector, positioning it as a driver of national economic growth.Former Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, who played a vital role in the policy’s original formulation, emphasized the policy’s value in unlocking Nigeria’s tourism assets and praised NESG’s contributions in guiding the policy development process. She highlighted the potential for a comprehensive tourism framework to foster sustainable national growth.Representing the NESG, Dr. Ikenna Nwosu, Facilitator for the Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Culture, Creative, and Sports Policy Commission (THECCS), spoke on the importance of a robust tourism policy and the power of public-private collaboration in stimulating growth, especially in the post-pandemic era. He commended the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritizing tourism and underscored the essential role of NESG in shaping a responsive and inclusive policy.Public Sector Co-chair and Director of International Tourism Relations & Cooperation at the Federal Ministry, Dorothy Duruaku, welcomed attendees, after which Private Sector Co-chair and thematic Lead for Tourism and Hospitality Industries at NESG Lolo Ngozi Ngoka, presented the draft policy.Ngoka highlighted the policy’s priorities: diversifying tourism offerings, promoting inclusivity through broad stakeholder engagement, and advancing digital innovation to enhance Nigeria’s appeal as a global tourism destination. Notably, more than 200 industry professionals contributed to the review process over the last four years, reinforcing the impact of public-private partnerships in strengthening infrastructure and supporting community-focused initiatives.A major highlight of the event was the introduction of the Tourism Policy Review Committee to Minister Musawa and former Minister Ade-John, who jointly presented Certificates of Commendation to recognize the committee’s dedication and contributions. Additional commendation letters will be presented to sub-group members at a later date by the co-chairs.The event featured a dynamic panel discussion with prominent tourism experts assessing the policy’s potential impact, followed by breakout sessions where stakeholders offered valuable insights on key areas, including infrastructure, marketing and promotion, regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement.Each breakout session allowed for targeted discussions, producing feedback that was expanded upon during an open Q&A session. Ngozi Ngoka noted that NESG, alongside the Federal Ministry of Tourism, will integrate approved recommendations into the final draft of the policy.The finalization of Nigeria’s National Tourism Policy, scheduled for November 2024, will include further consultations to refine the policy’s objectives. NESG encourages all stakeholders to remain actively engaged as Nigeria advances toward a thriving, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism sector.
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