Ikpeazu calls on FG to improve funding of SMEs

 September 12, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has called for increased federal funding and investment for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Aba to improve the nation’s industrial output.

Ikpeazu made the call in Aba, Abia during a Town Hall Meeting with Trade Association Leaders and Transport operators on Monday.

The programme was organized to sensitize SMEs and Transport Operators on accessing the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan’s (NESP) Artisan and Transport Support Scheme component of the MSME Survival fund.

Ikpeazu was represented at the event by Mr Chinenye Nwogu, governor’s Aide on Special Investment and State Focal Person for MSME Survival Fund.

The governor said Nigerian would have no business importing most goods from China if Aba’s creative and productive industrial capacity was fully harnessed.

“Abia especially Aba is unarguably the home of SME, it is unarguably the largest concentration of SMES in Eastern Nigeria so we expect that this support which is for SMES that Aba should receive some priority attention. 

“I will like to clarify that in the other components, Abia received a higher number of slots like in the payroll support, business registration and others.

“But for this artisan and transport support scheme which was distributed equally among all the states, we had expected to also receive higher than some states.

“States like Lagos, Kano, should also receive higher than other states because they have larger concentration of artisans and transporters in the country”, he said.

Ikpeazu thanked President Mohammadu Buhari for endorsing the programme and making it easy for every interested operator in the affected sectors to access the funds.

Amb. Mariam Katagun, Minister of State for Trade and Investment and Chairperson, Steering Committee on MSMEs Survival Fund, said the MSMEs in Abia have contributed to sustainable growth of Nigeria’s economy.

She said that the MSME and the Guaranteed off-take schemes designed to save jobs and provide job opportunities were at the core of the NESP.

She said the implementation of the scheme began on September 10, 2020, beginning with the payroll support, artisan and transport support schemes.

She said the scheme is targeted at 333,000 artisans and transport business operators who would receive N30, grant each with each state presenting 9009 beneficiaries.

She said only operators with membership of registered trade associations or clusters, who have Bank Verification Numbers, bank account and drivers license or other valid forms of identification would benefit.

She said they came to Aba to interact with the leadership of various associations with the view of getting ideas to improve the operation and implementation of the scheme.

He said the funds were grants given free and urged the leaders of the associations to help register their members and verify them accordingly.

Katagun was represented by a member of the NESP Steering Committee, Mr Obadigbo Okonkwo. 

A participant who represented Aba Wood Workers Association, Mr

Ifeanyi Onyelowe said that the programme should help people support their businesses if properly implemented as they were told.

He however asked why government should take three months from the time of their registration to give them N30,000 when the money has been marked out already by the federal government.

Abia declares developer of collapsed building wanted

September 17, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Abia government has declared the alleged developer of the collapsed building at No. 85 Azikiwe road, Aba, one Mr Emmanuel Ohaka, wanted.

 The government made the decision following the discovery of two additional bodies of victims of the building which brings the number of dead persons at the site to three.

The declaration was contained in a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu late Wednesday.

In the release, according to the Commissioner, one survivor was brought out of the rubbles alive while the other three, two females and one male, were pulled out lifeless.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu therefore ordered Abia Commissioner of Police to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of the developer with the site engineer, Mr Bassey Afokwalam, who is already in custody.

The governor also directed the continuation of search operation at the site to ensure that nobody remained trapped under the rubbles.

He also urged the police and other security agencies to provide adequate security around the area for the continued seamless operation of the rescue team.

Ikpeazu expressed sadness over the needless loss of lives arising from the illegal development of the property which was being constructed without approval from relevant agencies.

He further directed Town Planning Authorities in Abia and the Ministry of Lands to go round the state and ensure that construction is discontinued on any building under construction.

Ikpeazu, had earlier directed Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and Aba South LGA Town Planning Authority to immediately ensure full and safe demolition of the partially collapsed 3-storey building.

ASUP hopeful of negotiations with Ikpeazu over Abia Polytechnic - Ezeibe

September 16, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

 

Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has said that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s renewed effort to discuss issues of Abia Polytechnic with the body inspires hope for implementation of resolutions reached.

Mr Anderson Ezeibe, National President, ASUP, disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent in Aba on Wednesday. 

Ezeibe said although past committees empaneled to resolve problems in the institution did not bring lasting solution to Abia Polytechnic’s challenges, the new effort is expected to bear fruit.

“As a trade Union, we are not unaware of what has been happening in Abia State Polytechnic; we are fully in the picture. 

“But one good thing is that there seems to be a renewed commitment on the part of the governor to depart from the current trend of not taking desired actions in the institution.

“You know how this came about is that we took them to the Human Rights Commission, so this is some of the outcomes.

“We think that this mini conference which the governor will be its chairman, will give all the parties opportunity to very sincerely interrogate our roles in this crisis and proffer solutions collectively. 

“As an academic Union, we should not stop at identifying challenges, we should also come to the table with models for resolution on a sustainable basis.

“We believe the government is committed to its citizens welfare; I can say we don’t have a choice than to give the government the benefit of the doubt that it will do the needful and at the end, whatever we resolved, they will commit to implementation”, he said. 

Ezeibe said that another point raising ASUP’s hopes of a productive meeting is that it is the national body of the Union that is anchoring the conference with the state governor present.

He said although ASUP took the matter to National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), it is open to other means of reaching resolutions like this meeting to proffer sustainable solutions.

Ezeibe said that the major issues to be deliberated upon will include the levels of governance at the Management, the Governing Council and the state government which is affecting the institution’s progress.

“Irrespective of the amount of money you push into the system, as long as there are issues at the respective levels of governance, you may just be pouring water into a basket. 

“The critical issue among all the issues is that of governance at all these levels because that is what brought us to this point in Abia a Polytechnic.

“And then the issue of funding model; you have to develop a funding model that will be sustainable, that will help the institution to get appropriate funding.

“Such funding that will meet its overhead cost and its personnel cost needs.These are the two issues that we would be going to the discussion table with,” he said.

Past committees set up by Ikpeazu’s administration to resolve the issues troubling the institution had failed to produce a lasting solution. 

However, some of their recommendations which resulted in the sack of some staff members of the institution resulted in court litigation against the state government by affected staff members

Building collapses, traps four, kills one, in Aba

 September 16, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

 Early morning rains in Aba, Abia’s Commercial nerve center, on Wednesday caused the collapse of a three-storey building under construction, trapping four persons with one dead and one rescued.

The building, located at No 85 Azikiwe road, by Asa road , off Kent Street, in Aba South Local Government Area of the state collapsed at about 5:15am on Wednesday according to eyewitnesses.

The building had two of its three floors at the backside pulled down by rain while the front remained intact hours after a downpour in the city early morning on Wednesday.

Our Correspondent learnt from the only survivor who gave his name as Uche Kalu, that there were five other young persons who were not so lucky as himself who was rescued by another young boy living in the vicinity.

The remains of one of the yet-to-be identified victims was seen hanging with stretched out leg, and rubbles dividing him into two from the head at an entrance suggesting he was escaping before getting trapped.

Kalu, who was barely audible due to exhaustion, said that the collapsed building had been under construction for about a year now with some homeless youths using it as shelter.

He however, told our Correspondent that he and some of the other victims were taking refuge in the building when the incident happened.

Kalu who said he is a bricklayer added that he was concluding discussions with one of the trapped victims about a job they were to do, when the collapsing building separated them and buried him under rubbles.

Kalu, bruised all over his head by rubbles, was later rushed to a nearby hospital by sympathizers where he is currently receiving treatment.

Ten hours after the incident occurred, no rescue team from Abia government had been sighted at the scene of the collapsed building. 

However, members of Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) who arrived the scene about 8:00am climbed into the building, but came down helpless as they could do nothing with no excavator to lift the rubbles.

Mr Wisdom Okoro, Member, Practice Committee, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, representing Abia State at the Council said the building had no professional builder attached to it.

He said unless government insists on having professional builders supervising buildings under construction, lives of citizens would be saved and costs of buildings reduced.

He called on Abia government to discontinue the construction of the building and set up a panel to investigate the construction of that building to forestall future occurrences.

A Building Engineer and resident who visited the scene, Mr Leonard Eze described the building as a death trap and a disaster awaiting to happen fast. 

He faulted the Aba South LGA Town Planners and other relevant government agencies, stressing that it was crystal clear that the building was structurally faulty and certainly set to cause havoc.

"Some building contractors in this Aba will use poor methods/techniques, combined with substandard rods, poorly molded blocks, improper cement grades, disjointed support pillars and when relevant government agencies come calling, they'll pay them off and they'll go thinking they can have their cake and eat it”, he said

“How can one use substandard materials and expect a miracle; some government agent ought to be supervising the job, but what do you see, shoddy oversight riddled with corruption which led to the loss of these lives that could have been avoided”, he said.

Mr John Ugwoeri, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Builders (NIOB) Abia Chapter said this was the fourth collapsed building being recorded in Abia this year.

He blamed Abia government for the calamity adding that unless the government listens to the body and heeds their call to use professional builders, such problems would not be averted. 

Corps member empowers 26 widows in Abia

September 11, 2020  

By Ijendu Iheaka

A member of National Youth Service Corps, serving in Abia, Mr Adeola Samuel has empowered 26 widows in Aba North through training them in various skills, Lady Bona Fasakin has said.

Fasakin, Abia NYSC Coordinator, disclose this during the closing ceremony of skills acquisition training programme for 26 widows in Aba North by Corp member Adeola Samuel (AB/19C/0750) serving in Abia.

She urged NYSC members to transfer skills they learnt in camp to their host community members to improve lives and make the nation better.

The  Coordinator urged corps members to emulate Adeola Samuel by seeking around them needs of members of their host communities which they can meet.

“Do not waste your service year doing nothing, rather engage yourselves in meaningful ventures that will improve both your life and people around you.

“I am delighted that a few of these Corps members having acquired skills of their choices, have gone ahead to transfer the skills learnt to people within their host communities.

“I am happy to be at this event which is the personal community development service project and skills acquisition training programme organized for these widows by Corp member Adeola Samuel.

“He heeded my call, while in camp and has embarked on this life touching project”, she said.

She said the trainees, who were mainly widows have acquired skills in cosmetology, confectionaries making and food processing and weaving and bead art which will definitely take them through life.

Fasakin therefore urged the participants to make good use of the skills in order to assist their families get through life.

Adeola Samuel, the corps member who organized the programmes said he was moved to take up the challenge of helping widows because he does not like seeing people suffer.

He expressed joy at the rate at which the participants in the programme responded and took it seriously and had shown skill in producing their own wares.

He expressed hope that the skills they have acquired would help them provide for their families while urging corps members to learn to affect lives positively.

The Transition Committee Chairman, Aba North, Mrs Joy Iwuchukwu said when widows take steps to help themselves, people are moved to help them.

She commended the widows for coming to learn these skills and urged them to the skills to become better and help your families. 

Mrs Olayide Kayode and Mrs Precious Igwe, some of the widows residents in Aba, expressed happiness at the project which has given them knowledge to earn some more money for their family upkeep.

They prayed God to bless the Corps member for having thought of them and coming to assist them through the training and promised to use the skills to better their families.

Abia warn residents against contracting Bovine Tuberculosis

 September 8, 2020

 By Ijendu Iheaka

 

Abia Agriculture Commissioner, Prof Ikechi Mgboji has warned residents of Abia to desist from eating cow lungs in order not to contract Bovine Tuberculosis which has been found in Abia.

The commissioner disclosed this during an interview with our Correspondent.

Mgboji said the warning became important following the discovery of some cows infected with bovine tuberculosis, a cow disease which affects cow lungs two weeks ago.

Bovine Tuberculosis is a chronic animal disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) related to the bacteria causing avian and human tuberculosis and can affect all mammals.

The disease causes a general state of illness manifesting later with coughing and resulting in eventual death of the affected mammal.

“Part of our work in this ministry is that any cow offered for public consumption is usually examined by veterinary doctors.

“About two weeks ago, two of such cows when killed were found to have Bovine Tuberculosis (M.bovis) and there is no way to know a cow with such a diseases unless they are either killed or tested.

“So we decided to alert people who eat beef to stop eating the lungs of cows for now but they may eat the flesh.

“They should stop eating that particular organ for now until we are able to determine if it is a very exceptional case or a prevalent case”, the commissioner said.

Mgboji said that his ministry had alerted all Veterinary Doctors who operate at the abattoirs in the state to watch out for such disease manifestation to determine its spread and safeguard lives.

He also noted that the Abia agriculture ministry had alerted cow dealers in the state to be aware of the discovery and to allow their cows to be tested to safeguard the lives of beef consumers.

He lamented that the cow dealers have not been showing interest in having their cows tested to determine their fitness for human consumption adding that their quest for profit is a threat to human health.

“The Board of Internal Revenue is sending touts to come and inspect the meat and get them money and I ask how can a tout who has no training in veterinary medicine inspect meat in abattoirs.

“That is what we find in Nigeria and when you speak you make enemies unnecessarily for yourself.

“When you have the BIR egging the touts on to get money for them, it makes our work difficult but in spite of all that, we will do our best to safeguard lives of residents”, he said.

The Professor of law said the warning he gave was throwing up dust in some quarters stressing that these operations are not for his personal good but that of all Abia residents.

We are not afraid to arrest notable people in drug business - NDLEA boss

August 28, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has said it is not afraid of arresting notable people in drug business but required information to tackle them.

The agency however urged Nigerians who have useful information on drug dealers in high places to avail them of the information to enable them take appropriate steps.

The Chairman, Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd) said this in Aba, Abia on Friday while speaking to newsmen.

Abdallah who disclosed this during the Public Destruction of Drug Exhibits by NDLEA by Abia office at Ogbor Hill, said burns drugs to get them out of reach of miscreants.

He said that 9, 110.252 kilograms of drugs made up of 6,574.116 of Cannabis, 10.81 of Heroin, 8,932 of Cocaine, and 2,526.394 of psychotropic substances were destroyed in the exercise.

He said that Abia is one of the most enterprising states in the South East adding that the authorities should ensure the state is not threatened by hard drugs.

 

“This is in the view of the fact that manpower is often depleted by drug dependence while the get-rich-quick syndrome leads productive persons into criminal enterprise illicit trafficking in in drugs”, he said. 

Abdallah thanked Abia government for supporting efforts of NDLEA through the office of Special Adviser to the Governor on Drugs and Narcotics and creation of State Drug Control Committee.

He also appreciated the efforts of Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu’s Vicar Hope Foundation, Mrs Althea Nwele’s Advocacy for Veritas Addiction, Daniel Nwankwo Foundation and Youth Against Substance Abuse (YASA) in fighting drug dependence.

He further commended the support of the Directorate of State Security, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state.

Abia’s Governor Okezie Ikpeazu represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Okochukwu said that the world is challenged by the dynamism of living which had displaced many aspects of society.

He said the menace of hard drugs leaves the societies undeveloped through terrorism, organized armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, rape wanton destruction of lives and property and other crimes.

Ikpeazu said that through drugs, many youths have been dislocated, rejected and disillusioned in life with unquantifiable damage to society.

He however said that although there was much effort to totally rid the society of hard drugs, such efforts were yet to yield the desired results.

The governor said that the burning of the drugs showed Abia’s commitment to entrench sanity in the state through fighting hard drugs consumption.

He promised that the state will not relent in supporting NDLEA in fighting hard drug consumption and to ensure a hard drug free society.

The Abia NDLEA Commander, Bamidele Akingbade said that this public destruction of drugs is unprecedented being the first of its kind in the state.

He said the burning of the over 9 tons of hard drugs showed NDLEA’s  commitment and success against drug war in Abia.

He said that apart from White-Collar crimes, all other crimes are connected to hard dug consumption which makes it necessary for all to fight the scourge.

Akingbade appreciated the state government and NGOs that have contributed in the drug fight and asked for more support in the war in the days ahead.

Alleged inhuman treatment: We are open to investigations, Inner Galaxy Group says

August 21, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Inner Galaxy Group,  owners of a Steel rolling mill in Abia on Friday, said they were open to investigations because they fear no indictment.

The group called on all employees, both former and current to also appear and testify to allegations of staff maltreatment when the federal government’s public hearing on their activities begin soon.

The company located in Umuahala, Obuzor Asa in Ukwa West local council area of Abia, stated this through its lawyer, Mr Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaiwe on premises of the company, while addressing journalists, who were on visit to their facilities.

Nwokocha-Ahaiwe said the group has not in any way infringed on the rights of Nigerians, stressing that the company had been living up to its expectations in Corporate Social Responsibility.

The lawyer said that since its registration and commencement of business in 2012 and 2015, there has been no petition against the company anywhere in Nigeria.

He therefore advised anyone with complaints against the company to come to the public hearing to defend such petition.

This blog reports that the allegations against the company include, keeping workers in inhabitable enclosures, sexual molestation and physical abuse of women and men.

Others include, locking up workers in the company and denying them chance to go home during the COVID-19 lockdown.

A Twitter handle @Truthfully83 had on August 12 post alleged that the company refused to compensate its injured workers adding that tje State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu knew of the abuses in the company, but did not take any action.

Findings from the company however, showed that they paid for the treatment of two injured staffs, namely: Elohor Edehor and Amos Teseer.

Elohor Edehor’s foot was injured on Friday, March 31, 2017, and so was amputated and treated for N1.8 millions, while Amos Teseer, who sustained burn injuries on April 18, 2017 was treated with N6.7 million.

Nwokocha-Ahaiwe said Teseer was compensated following an agreement they would not disclose, while they are in court with Elohor over terms of planned compensation which he rejected.

He said there was nothing happening in Inner Galaxy Group of companies that does not happen in other companies in Nigeria, adding that racism should not be brought into the matter.

The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr Andy Lu, said they did everything possible to ensure their employees kept their jobs during the COVID-19 period.

He said that the huge sums invested by the company from far away China in Nigeria confirms their commitment to making lives better here.

Lu noted that the company was doing much to fulfill its CSR obligations which makes it a responsible corporate citizen.

Cynthia Nwabueze and Lotachukwu Uzoma, staff of the company said its management’s relationship with them is good and commendable and does not prove the allegations against the company.

Road users beg FG to rehabilitate Aba-Port Harcourt expressway

July 20, 2020 

By Ijendu Iheaka

Road users on Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt stretch of Enugu - Port Harcourt expressway have called on federal government to save them and their goods from perishing on the road due to extreme road failure.

The road users made their feelings known on Monday in separate interviews with our Correspondent in Aba, Abia.

Ibitamuno Inemoweri, a driver told our Correspondent that plying the Aba-Port Harcourt stretch of Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway had become a nightmare for travelers, business people, vehicle owners and drivers.

Inemoweri said the common people are suffering on the road because it has failed extensively and needed repairs to make it motorable again.

David Nzeduru, a driver plying Obigbo -Osisioma route said that extreme failure of the route had increased the duration of their trip from Aba to Obigbo from 40 minutes to two hours or more.

“When you enter the road because of its deplorable state, there is much traffic jam because of trucks that broke down in the middle of a bad portion of road or goods and containers that fell off trucks and blocked the road.

“If you want to pass from one lane to another, your vehicle can get stuck on a bad portion, in fact, the problem we go through because of this bad road is inexplicable.

“We beg the federal government to work on this road even if it means doing some patchwork on it pending the time it will be completely rehabilitated, let them do it to save us and our businesses”, he said

Onaze Osas, a truck driver working with TSL Lagos, said the Aba-Port Harcourt road which is among his routes has reduced the rate at which the company meets its target and pays them their earnings.

“Moreover, when our company loads our vehicle, our company and the company they are to deliver goods for have time targets.

“But when our company fails to meet our own time target by not getting to our customer’s location on time, it affects our customers ( the company we are delivering goods for) for which they will deduct our company’s earnings.

“This deduction will in turn affect our own earnings because our company will reduce our trip allowance from say N10, 000 to say N 5,000, this affects us and our families in a very bad way. 

“So we ask government to repair this road and make life easier for struggling citizens; Nigerians are hardworking and our governments need to encourage them”, he said.

Mr Chinweike Sunday another road user said that the suffering of road users on the Aba - Port Harcourt stretch of the Enugu - Port Harcourt expressway is very pathetic issue.

He regretted that although the failed roads affects their businesses and returns on their investments, government still make them to pay taxes and levies as road users and citizen which is not fair.

They all therefore called for urgent action from the federal government on the road to save them from losing their jobs, business and means of livelihood. 

NAN reports that the road contract from Aba to Eleme in Port Harcourt was awarded to the tune of N6.3 billion in April 2018 as announced by Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

However, the contract awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has since suffered rehabilitation setbacks resulting in extensive road failure and posed a danger to lives and businesses.

Group urges review of EFCC Act, agency reform

July 16, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), a non-governmental organisation, on Thursday called for review of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Act to enable it to serve Nigerians better.

COSEYL also asked for reforms in EFCC to ensure its competence and effectiveness in checking corruption.

The group made the call in a news release signed by the coalition’s President-General, Chief Goodluck Ibem, and Secretary-General, Mr Kanice Igwe, and made available to newsmen in Aba on Thursday.

COSEYL said that although Nigerians had in the past complained of governments subjecting the body to hunting down political enemies, recent developments had shown the need to reform the body.

It said EFCC, created during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration to fight financial crimes, enjoyed the goodwill of local and international community and partners but had failed to meet expectations of the citizenry.

“COSEYL expresses deep regret that since its creation, the commission has been largely used by governments in power to hunt down opposition and to stifle voices of dissent.

“However, the body left, in most cases certain persons, mostly party members in power, as the proverbial “sacred cows”. 

“Although few cases exist where the commission has gone after persons in government, not much has been seen in terms of prosecution of such politicians in ruling parties.

“It beats the Coalition’s imagination that in spite of billions of dollars reportedly recovered by the commission from corrupt public office holders, Nigerians are yet to feel the impact of such monies meaningfully,” it said.

The body said that the structure of the commission could hardly enable it to function independently as long as its chairman remained an appointee of the executive. 

It said that although the body was aware of EFCC’s successes, the anti-financial crimes agency had yet to prove its effectiveness in fighting the economic crimes in Nigeria which appeared to be escalating daily.

The Coalition criticised the appointment of the commission’s head by the country’s presidents and called for a review of the EFCC Act to enable it  to operate independently of the executive or other arms of government.

It argued that had the president not had the power to appoint EFCC’s head, it would have been impossible to retain Ibrahim Magu as acting head notwithstanding unfavourable security reports against him.

“It is ideal that the appointments, sack and remuneration of the commission’s staff members are done outside the presidency as should be appropriate. 

“Also, the Coalition suggests that for anybody to be appointed chairman of the commission, he should be subjected to intelligence agencies scrutiny for six months,” it said.

The group called for the appointment of a South Easterner to the post of EFCC head adding that following the federal character rule, the leadership of the body should be given to another geo-political zone.

The coalition noted that as constituted, EFCC could not work for the benefit of Nigerian masses or be insulated from political influence except the laws establishing it were reviewed.