Federal Road Safety Prepares For Sallah, Deploys Over 20,000 Officers

July 3, 2016

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced the deployment of over 20,000 personnel including special marshals across the country as Muslims prepare to observe Eid-el-Fitri on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Corps also deployed 500 patrol vehicles, 50 Ambulances, 85 motor bikes, 15 tow trucks along designated routes as part of measures to ensure sanity on the nation’s highways, during the Sallah celebration beginning from July 3 and ending on July 10.

A statement from the Corps said that this year’s nationwide exercise which is partial fulfilment of the Corps’ 2016 strategic goals of reducing road crashes by 15% and fatality by 25%, has become necessary to ensure safer road use during the festive period, usually associated with high volume of vehicular traffic.

“The special patrol also entails intensive patrols, prompt rescue services, strict enforcement of traffic rules and robust public enlightenment campaigns across the nation. In addition, the FRSC operatives will be deployed along designated Eid praying grounds as part of measures to ensure free flow of traffic.

“Part of this nationwide engagement plans, according to the FRSC Head, Media Relations and Strategy Corps Commander Bisi Kazeem, is massive deployment of personnel and logistics along 23 designated critical corridors and black spots such as Lokoja-Benin-Auchi, Abaji-Lokoja, Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-HawanKibo-Jos,Minna-Birnin-Kebbi-Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria, Potiskum-Damaturu, Kabba highways and 65 routes, identified for this exercise”.

“Similarly, the Corps’ 24 emergency ambulance response centres located at designated routes across the country in the FCT, Kaduna, Gombe, Jigawa, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Ondo, Edo, Osun, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kwara states, will be operational throughout the period. The FRSC will be complemented by relevant stakeholders such as the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Emergency Management Agency and others.

“Furthermore, the Corps Marshal has directed the removal of obstructions from the highways while efforts should be geared towards improved traffic control/decongestion and public enlightenment campaigns through the distribution of safety handbills. Infractions such as use of cell phone while driving, worn-out/expired tyres, number and drivers’ license violation, speed limit violation, dangerous driving/overtaking, overloading/wrongful over taking and lane violations will attract severe sanctions from the Corps.

“Motorists are also warned to ensure strict compliance with all traffic rules and regulations and proper maintenance of their vehicles. Passengers are equally enjoined to monitor their drivers on reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and other road vices.

“The Corps wishes to reiterate its appeal to the Nigerian motoring public to report any road crash or traffic-related emergencies through calling the toll free telephone line 122 and 070022553772 for prompt response even as the FRSC Corps Marshal also wishes all road users crash-free Sallah celebrations.” [myad]

Abuja Disco Spokesman Goes Personal Over Illegal Mass Disconnection By Staff

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

Spokesman of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Malam Ahmed Shekarau has taken a petition written to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Consumer Protection Council (CPC) by residents of Chibiri in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) personal against a journalist.

In a statement refuting the allegation contained in the petition which was duly signed by Chibiri Community leaders, Shekarau rather blamed the whole thing on an innocent journalist whom he said “goes by the name Yusuf Ozi Usman.”

The spokesman, who insisted that AEDC staff whom the petitioners alleged have extorted money from them and still went ahead to disconnect them, said that the “report was an spirited attempt by a persistent debtor-customer who goes by the name Yusuf Ozi-Usman, to tarnish the reputation of our Company.”

The full statement is reproduced here:

Our attention has been drawn to a news report online in which some unnamed staff of the Kuje Area Office of our Company were accused of wrongful disconnection of electricity customers in Chibiri Community of the area.
In the news report titled “Abuja Residents Raise Alarm Over Alleged Fraud, Illegal Mass Disconnection By Disco”, the unnamed staff of the Kuje Area Office of AEDC were also accused of “extorting money from the customers without remitting it to the company even as they still go ahead to disconnect the same consumers.”
The report alluded to a petition addressed to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in which the Chibiri Community accused AEDC officials of “illegally” disconnecting paying and non-paying customers, including those who have prepaid meters in their homes and business premises.
However, our investigation has shown that the news report was a spirited attempt by a persistent debtor-customer who goes by the name Yusuf Ozi-Usman, to tarnish the reputation of our Company by casting aspersions on our staff who disconnected him for failing to pay over N47,000 which he has been owing for several months.
The said Yusuf Ozi-Usman, an online Blogger who runs a Blog called “Greensbarge Reporters,” had solicited the intervention of the Head of Public Relations & Media of our Company, Ahmed Shekarau, to get his house reconnected by our Kuje Area Office, in spite of his outstanding debt.
For instance, in an SMS message pleading for reconnection of his house sent to the Head of PR & Media of our Company on June 23, 2016, Mr. Ozi-Usman had written thus: “Ya Ustaz, Assalam. I live at plot 343
Chibiri, opposite Primary Sch. Chibiri, Kuje. I still appeal for advet (SIC). Tanx.”
In another SMS message to our spokesperson on June 24, 2016, the debtor-customer wrote, thus: “Assalam. Tnx 4 the prompt action u took but after paying the reconnection fee I’m yet to be connected (SIC). That is even (SIC) d total amount I’m owing now (SIC) N17,250 which I will clear at once end of the month. Again tnx and pls complete today what u started yesterday. Ozi.”
However, by Friday, July 1, 2016, Mr. Ozi-Usman who had failed to fulfil his earlier pledge to settle his outstanding debts by end of June, 2016, sent another SMS to our spokesperson which reads thus: “I
humbly bring to ur notice that since Monday that I paid my bill one Ahmed had denied me joy of enjoying light by disconnecting almost five houses including mine. This man may throw d entire (SIC) ur company into disarray. Pls take urgent action. Ozi in Chibiri.”
Not quite an hour after he sent that SMS, the Blogger sent another message to Mr. Shekarau in which he said: “It is now clear that conspiracy is going on in Kuje AEDC to frustrate people paying bills and make those not paying to laugh at them. I have given enough.”
Although the AEDC’s head of PR & Media was making efforts to get Mr. Ozi-Usman’s home reconnected on compassionate grounds, for reasons best known to him, Mr. Ozi-Usman, went on to write and syndicate the news report with the above title.
It is pertinent to state that all through his conversations with our spokesman, including the Kuje Area Manager who had been introduced to him by Mr. Shekarau, at no point did Mr. Ozi-Usman mention the purported petition, which was alluded to in the news report.
We, therefore, wish to state without equivocation that the allegations contained in that news report are not only false but also unfounded and figments of the imagination of the writer. It is very unfortunate
that a newsman who is a watchdog on the society will tow this path after failing to fulfil his own obligation of settling his electricity bill as a customer of a Company.
It is pertinent to state here that as a Company, AEDC has tremendous respect for the media, whose partnership it cherishes towards building a viable power sector for Nigeria. However, we wish to state that we will not succumb to obvious intimidation and coercion by any member of such a valued stakeholder. [myad]

We’ll March On Kogi Streets After 7 Days, Kogi University Students Warn Gov Yahaya Bello

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

Students of the Kogi state university in Anyigba have given the state governor, Yahaya Bello, seven days ultimatum to meet their demands or they would stage protest march on the streets of the state capital, Lokoja.

One of their demands is what they called ‘unconditional ‘reopening of the institution wthin seven days, starting from Monday, July 4.

A statement signed by the National President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Tijani Shehu, called on the governor to immediately address their requests bothering on the state’s economy, welfare of Nigerian students of Kogi State origin and state workers.

The statement said that the position of the association was based on the preliminary report from its Joint Campus Committee, Kogi State chapter, even as the association expressed displeasure on “perpetual refusal’’ to resolve the crisis that led to the continued closure of the university.

It said that the strike had kept the students at home for about three months, thereby, making most of them vulnerable to social vices and crimes.

“We also decried the refusal of Kogi State Government to continue the age long policy of bursary and scholarship payment to Kogi students even when we know the state has not been this buoyant in the last one year.

“It is our advocacy that the educational sector be accorded it rightful place in accordance to the UNESCO resolutions on educational development globally.

“Also of serious concern is the continue withholding of three state allocations plus bailout funds meant to ameliorate the long suffering workers whose children are already out of school.’’

The statement said that the association also condemned what it described as the crippling of the banking sector in the state as a result of the poor policy of the state government.

It said that the state government had directed all staff to use only designated banks (Access and Zenith Bank) in eventual payment of their arrears.

“This is leading to banks closing shops and leading to high retrenchment of staff, thereby worsening the state of already battered labour force and overriding their fundamental human right to basic freedom of choice.”

It added that the association demanded the reversal of the state policy on restricted banking, which they said, was “killing the one time viable sector with the negative consequences on our tiny economy.’’

The association called for immediate commencement of disbursement of students’ scholarship and bursary as well as prompt payment of staff salaries as at when due.

“The National Secretariat hereby issues a seven days ultimatum with immediate effect from Monday July 4, on the governor to respond to our prayers.

“The governor should do the needful before we pass a vote of no confidence on his administration.

“We have resolve to start mobilizing Nigerian students down for a total short down of Kogi economy to occupy the street of Lokoja in solidarity with the poor masses and civil servant.’’ [myad]

Immunity Does Not Cover Criminal Activities By Executives – Femi Falana

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

Human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, has said that the much-talked about immunity in the Nigerian constitution does not cover cases that border on criminal activities of the President, Vice President, governors and their deputies.

Falana, who is Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), spoke on Saturday on the topic:”Limit of Executive Immunity,” at an event in Benin, Edo State, to mark the 60th birthday of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Julius Ihonvebere.

He maintained that some Supreme Court decisions have clearly shown that immunity cannot be extended to certain criminal acts even as he frowned at those who criticized the freezing of the personal account of Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose and the current prosecution of the leadership of the Senate over allegation of forgery.

According to him, the Supreme Court has also ruled that the Attorney-General of the Federation can direct the Attorney-General of a state to investigate allegation of public money being stolen in states, even if the money belonged to the state, because, according to him, the Supreme Court said at that time, the issue is about public fund that has been stolen.

“Apart from the President of our country, the Vice President, the Governors and their Deputies who are protected under immunity in Section 308 of the Constitution, others are now insisting that immunity be conferred on them.

“In particular, the legislators in our country are asking for immunity, but unfortunately, this is not the best time to make that request because right now, some of the leaders of the parliament in our country are standing trial for false declaration of assets, for forgery and conspiracy and some are even under threat of possible deportation to the United States to stand trial for rape and other related offences.

“The Governor of a state came and called Nigerians to join him to challenge the temerity of the EFCC for seizing an account that is suspected to belong to the Governor. The EFCC has quietly traced some stolen funds from Abuja and about N1.3b of that fund was traced to an account in Ekiti State with Zenith Bank.

“All that the EFCC did when it got information that this particular governor has surrounded the bank with armed gendarmes to forcefully remove whatever was left of that money from the account, the EFCC Chairman sent an order to the bank seizing the account and the EFCC went to court to obtain an order to legitimise the seizing of the account.

“As soon as the Governor learnt that the account has been frozen, he challenged that action of the EFCC on the ground that as a sitting Governor, he enjoys immunity, absolute immunity from arrest, investigation and prosecution and argued that the action of the EFCC was illegal and unconstitutional. I referred the Governor to the judgment of the Supreme Court involving Fawehinmi and the Inspector-General of Police.

“In the judgment delivered by Justice Uwaifo (retd), My lord subjected Section 308 of the Constitution to a serious intellectual scrutiny and concluded that the immunity conferred on the President and Governors by the Constitution cannot be extended to investigations if they are alleged to have committed criminal offences and of the three examples given by my lord, money found in an account of a Governor was one of them and he simply said assuming that a sitting Governor is accused of corrupt practices and money has been traced to an account which is suspected to have been stolen if it is not investigated and the account cannot be touched, the money is likely to be moved and by the time he is out of office, the money will have disappeared.

“He went further that if a Governor has his own car and that car killed somebody and you say that he cannot be investigated, the car may have been sold before the expiration of the term of office of the Governor. Therefore, investigation shall be conducted, the report may be sent to the House of Assembly for impeachment or the report may be kept until the governor will be out of office and he can be prosecuted.

“The Governor said this is not stolen money from Abuja. He said a bank, Zenith Bank, gave me the money for my election. If he maintains that position, he will be guilty of committing many offences under the law. N1.6 billion was taken from Abuja in cash. Nobody can take more than N2 million cash around, so that is against Section 1 of the Money Laundering Act. Number two; if he says that a bank gave him money to campaign, that means the bank stole depositors’ funds and laundered it for a campaign. Again, that is a serious offence under the Company and Allied Matters Act, because it specifically provided that no company, no corporate body shall deploy funds of the company for politics.

“So, if the governor maintains that, he will also contravene Section 90 of the Electoral Act which provides that no corporate body shall contribute more than N1 million to anybody for political campaign.”

Falana said that just like the case of Abia state where immunity could not save the governor who was removed, and that of President Muhammadu Buhari over his certificate, there are certain category of offences that a sitting Chief Executive of the country or the state would not enjoy immunity.

Commenting on the allegation of the forgery in the Senate, Falana said the Attorney-General of the federation was right in prosecuting the officials.

“Section 4 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, forgery of the documents of the House of the Senate is a serious offence the Senate President or the Speaker is required under that law to report any forgery to the Attorney-General of the federation.

”But because it was not done in this case, the Attorney-General has decided to try them under the Penal Code applicable in the FCT.

“But what is the reaction of the Senate? It said this is political victimisation but has not said there is no forgery.” [myad]

Air Force Chief Asks Officers To Protect Nigeria’s Growing Democracy

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, has asked men and officers of the air force to submit to civil authorities and protect the nation’s growing democracy.
Air Marshal Sadiq who is the Reviewing Officer of the Basic Military Training 35/2016 recruits at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna, during their passing out parade, Abubakar reminded the personnel that they were subject to both military and civil laws.

The Air Chief reiterated that the present administration of NAF was committed to the enthronement of professionalism.
“The NAF is confident that the revised curriculum of training given you all requires in terms of skill and training, to deal with these threats to the Nigerian internal security.”
“The rigorous military training you received was designed to prepare you for further specialist training and the challenging career in the Nigeria Air Force.”
He said that the NAF is presently acquiring several platforms and building capacity to ensure that the Service was adequately positioned to partner with other sister services to tackle these challenges.
“To man these platforms, we have sent 500 personnel to different parts of the world for training. We have also increased recruits training from 1,000 annually to 2, 500.”

On the security challenges in the country, Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq made it clear that the military would not allow any individual or group to undermine the sovereignty of the country, reminding the new officers: “you are coming into the service at a period of our nation’s involvement in Boko Haram insurgency in the North East and violent agitations by militants in the South South.
“The problems in the South South include vandalism of gas and oil infrastructure, oil theft, illegal bunkering, sea robbery, piracy and kidnapping.”
This was even as governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State pledged the support of his administration to the NAF and the military in finding lasting solution to the nation’s security challenges.
A total of 591 officers graduated at the ceremony. [myad]

Hong Kong Oil Investment Company Coming To Nigeria With Huge Refinery

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

Blooming Faith Petroleum Limited, a subsidiary of Blooming Faith Global Holdings Limited is said to have concluded plans to partner with the Nigerian government to build and operate a 200, 000 barrels per day capacity (BPD) refinery in the coastal state of Akwa Ibom.

Senior management team of the organization, who are currently in Nigeria to kick-start the procedure for the project confirmed, in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, said that successful meetings were held with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), with a view to forming a strategic relationship for the sole purpose of producing refined products to shore up domestic consumption in Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, chairman of the company, Dr. Robert Yeung said that the company’s interest in building a refinery was fired up by the discovery that Nigeria, a major oil producing nation in the world relies on importation of refined products to attend to its domestic needs.

“We became immediately interested for two basic reasons, firstly as a business entity we have identified the fact that there is a vacuum to be filled, hence there is market for our produce when we get started. This is so because the government of Nigeria will not import what it can access locally as being produced by refineries in-country.

“Secondly because of our confidence in Nigeria as an investors destination of choice in Africa as we know that with a population of almost 200 million people we can never get it wrong with the country and its people.

“We have no interest in exporting refined products as our basic objective is to produce refined petroleum products for the Nigerian market, discussions are currently on-going with the NNPC and the Department of Petroleum Resources and we hope at the end we will get all necessary approvals as we are ready to commence immediately with one hundred percent funding capability.”

Also speaking on the issue, Mr. John Erigwe, the company’s International Operations Director said that the company has the financial capability and technical expertise to see the project through.

According to him, the company is deeply interested and highly committed to investing in Nigeria’s economy and it is for this reason “we sought the audience of the leadership of the NNPC under the Honourable Minister of ststae for Petroleum resources Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to meet and present our ideas and proposals to the corporation.

“We are fully interested in doing business in Nigeria and we don’t require any road-show to put our funds in the Nigerian economy as we have done our feasibility studies and risk analysis to conclude that Nigeria inspite of bureaucratic bottle necks is still an investor’s choice destination.

“Our refinery if approved and completed would be second in size and output capacity in Nigeria second only to the ongoing Dangote refinery which we gathered would commence operations in 2019.

“Nigeria surely needs these types of investments to boost local production of refined products as it is unheard- of to have a particular commodity in commercial quantity and be unable to maximize its usage for the benefit of its people, and we as investors have seen considerable seriousness for direct foreign investment from the current administration and that is a major part of our motivation.” He said.

“The company hopes to site its refinery in Akwa-Ibom state, and also announced its desire to ensure that the refinery is built to a world-class standard upon completion, one that would be a reference point in the refining business in Africa immediately it kicks off.” [myad]

New Police Boss Suggests Formation Of Eminent Persons Forum To Combat Crimes

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim K. Idris, has suggested the formation of what he called Eminent Persons Forum, especially in the Niger Delta region to combat various type of crimes.

Ibrahim who conducted an on-the-spot assessment and evaluation of security situation in some flash points in the creeks of Delta State on Saturday, spoke when he paid courtesy visit on the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

IGP said that the strategies of engaging with Eminent Persons Forum would work well when the body collaborate with State Governments and various communities, saying the that Eminent Persons Forum will be engaged in conflict resolution arbitration.

The IGP was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Police in charge Police Mobile Force, Commissioner of Police in charge Border Patrol, Heads of Operational and Tactical Teams as well as the Commissioner of Police, Delta State conducted aerial surveillance/patrol of some riverine communities, which include Ugborodo, Madawo, Oparaza and Camp Five.

IGP held interactive session with elders, youths and members of Ugborodo and Oparaza communities, admonishing them to be law abiding and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by exposing criminal element in their communities.

He assured the communities that the Police under his leadership will engage every community in accordance with international core values of policing with integrity, respect diversity, operate within the principles of democratic policing and cultivate the culture of professionalism.

The Community Leaders assured the IGP of their unalloyed support, cooperation and active partnership.

This was even as the state Governor congratulated the IGP on his well deserved appointment and promised to cooperate and assist the IGP in the task of crime management. [myad]

In Defence Of Buratai, By Felix Oduntan

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

It is widely acknowledged that since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office and the subsequent appointment of Lt. General Tukur Buratai as the country’s top army commander, the incessant bombings of our cities by Boko Haram insurgents have reduced significantly. Indeed, even the worst cynics and critics of this administration can attest that the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram terrorists have been greatly scaled down.
What this translates into is the relative peace that we currently enjoy across the country and particularly in the North East where all the previous occupied terrorists have been recovered by the Nigerian army under the able leadership of Lt. General Tukur Buratai. I am still at sea as to why some vested interests have chosen to wage a needless media war against needless media against the person of General Buratai despite his efforts at ridding the country of Boko Haram.
Before President Buhari’s emergence, our worst nightmare and concern as a people was the rampaging effect of Boko Haram in the North East and other parts of the country.
In the current debacle, some vested interests have unleashed a negative media campaign against the person of General Buratai by raising hell over the ownership of two properties in Dubai. The motive of the false allegations of corrupt enrichment is to taint the anti corruption fight of the Buhari administration and weaken the relentless war being waged against Boko Haram in the North East. General Buratai is known to have spent several years in the service of his fatherland, and in consonance with the laws of the land managed a farm from where he has made significant earnings. Apart from his farming income he has made savings over the years in the course of his career as a military officer coupled with his immediate and extended family earnings. Obviously, from these sources it does not appear as if there was any overt or covert attempt to enrich himself corruptly. Besides, General Buratai has in line with the requirements of the constitution declared ownership of his Dubai properties in asset declaration forms at the Code of Conduct Bureau. The implication of this is that he has complied with the law and there is no evidence that he acquired the properties from corrupt means.
Additionally, his transparent approach to leadership has made him to direct senior army officers to declare their assets and he has led by example.
If we consider the scandalous revelations of corrupt enrichment by some senior military officials under the past dispensation and juxtapose it with the sum of one hundred and thirty million naira used in acquiring the properties, it clearly shows that General Buratai has never engaged in corrupt practice or pillaging of our collective patrimony.
It is therefore surprising that rather than eulogizing him for the success being recorded against Boko Haram, some unpatriotic elements are busy trying to frame him up over what many well meaning Nigerians consider a non-issue.
This grand conspiracy appears to be orchestrated with a view to reversing the gains already recorded in the fight against terrorism. Nigerians must therefore rise to the occasion and lend their support to a man who has vowed to completely eliminate the Boko Haram menace and give Nigerians the much needed peace and tranquility for development.
As a people we ought not to dissipate energy on trivial matters when the reality before us is an attempt by people with ulterior motives to discredit a man who has the capacity and courage to decimate our collective albatross – Boko Haram.
Already, the mindless sect has been routed from various communities they hitherto held sway, and no longer retain the capacity to bomb places at will. Again, this is the result of the work of General Buratai under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. We should not forget in a hurry the traumatic impact of Boko Haram bombings on all Nigerians prior to Buratai coming on board. It will therefore amount to collective amnesia for us as a people to discard these laudable achievements simply because some misguided elements want to use the social media to pull wool over our eyes.
One thing is clear – General Buratai has not infringed on any law as far as corruption is concerned, and it is expected that all well meaning people will lend him unalloyed support, so that the relative peace we currently enjoy can be sustained.
It is my candid opinion that President Muhammadu Buhari in his desire to actualise his promise to Nigerians especially in the area of security made the right choice in appointing Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff. True to expectations, the world-renowned army commander has within a period of one year contained the marauding insurgents. Presently, many residents of Borno towns and villages who fled their abode are returning in droves and normalcy is gradually returning to the war-ravaged areas. The man on whose watch this has happened is also deserving of some peace.
. Oduntan, a public affairs analyst, writes from Ilorin, Kwara State. [myad]

Abuja Residents Raise Alarm Over Alleged Fraud, Illegal Mass Disconnection By Disco

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

Electricity consumers in Chibiri, Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have raised alarm over what they called ‘illegal mass disconnection’ and extortion by staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
The allegation was contained in a petition the Chibiri community addressed to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Consumers’ Protection Council (CPC). The petition was signed by the chairman of the community, Alhaji Ibrahim Sani Chibiri and secretary, Mr. Samuel Etsu Eto.
The community said that some operatives of the AEDC, led by a man whose name was simply given as Ahmed, have been extorting money from the consumers without remitting it to the company even as the operatives still go ahead to disconnect the same consumers.
The petition said that Ahmed and his men have virtually gone haywire, disconnecting several houses, including the ones whose occupants either paid their bills up to date or are paying substantial part of the bills as well as those who have pre-paid metres, along with a few people that are owing the company.
It said that the excuse Ahmed and his team gave was that those who are not owing AEDC should now be doing the job of the staff by mounting pressure of those who are not paying their bills to do so.
“Sir, this is contrary to your Commission’s rule that no customer who has been paying his bills should be mixed up with those who are not paying bills for the purpose of ‘illegally’ disconnecting everybody on sight. AEDC is now telling the consumers that are paying their bills that they don’t deserve to enjoy what they are paying for, or it is visiting the sins of those who are not paying on the ones that have been paying.
“We therefore appeal to you to save us from the hands of Ahmed and his team who have constituted themselves into agents of darkness and doubly punishing innocent ones who deserve to enjoy the fruit of their labour, having paid their bills or are servicing their debts.”
When our correspondent first contacted the Area Manager of AEDC, Hajiya Jummai Sulaiman on her cell phone, she confirmed that there was a mix up in the mass disconnection which included the customers that are paying their bills and promised to rectify the anomalies. However, as at the time of going to press, the Area Manager had not lived up to her word, even as members of the community believed that she is being controlled by the said Ahmed who boasted that he would not reconnect the residents that are paying bills “until those who are not paying do so.”
Our correspondent also spoke with the spokesman of the AEDC, Ahmed Shekarau who expressed surprise at the attitude of Ahmed and his team. He promised to get the Area Manager to rectify the issue, but complained that Hajiya Jummai had refused to pick his calls. [myad]

It Would Be Terrible For Me To Apologize To Senate On Behalf Of Buhari – Enang

Greenbarge Reporters

July 2, 2016

The Senior Special Assistant to the president on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, has said that he did not apologize to the Senate on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari saying: “doing so would be terrible.”

Enang was reported to have apologized on behalf of Buhari for remarks made by Okoi Obono-Obla, a special assistant to the president on prosecution after appearing on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami in the Senate.

Enang said that he only pleaded with senators in his personal capacity, confirming that he actually convened a press conference at his residence to apologize personally to the Senate as a way of easing tensions between the presidency and the National Assembly.

“I am a presidential liaison officer and I apologize for the inability of the Attorney-General to appear before the Senate when he was invited.

“He received a letter of invitation after he had already planned an official trip.”

Enang said he had assured the senators that Malami would honour their invitation upon his return to the country, adding: “I said the attorney general will meet with the chairman of the Senate committee hearing the matter.”

Enang, a former senator, said that he apologized on behalf of Obono-Obla because he did not want the relationship between the lawmakers and President Buhari to get frostier.

“I apologize for his comments. From what I heard, he was not complimentary to the senate. We didn’t need to cause more trouble between the presidency and the Senate.”[myad]

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