Plateau Govt. repossess Jos hotel over failed MOU – Commissioner For Tourism.
February 25, 2020
The Plateau State Government on Tuesday recovered Jos Hotel from a private company which it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with in 2017, with the aim to renovate, maintain and manage for the period of 15 years.
The partnership entered under the agreement of Public Private Partnership (PPP), was to keep to government promise of revamping the Tourism sector, says the State Commissioner of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Mrs. Tamwakat Weli. Speaking with newsmen in Jos, immediately after regaining the hotel, the Commissioner said it became imperative to repossess the property since the private company has reneged in keeping to its side of the bargain as contained in the MOU.
According to her: “Failed MOU necessitated the repossession of Jos hotel, so we went there today to recover it back to government. “Going forward we plan to face lift the property so it could attract revenue generation which is the main focus of Governor Simon Lalong’s administration. “We believe that very soon we have another investor to take over the hotel, but this time we will explore proper due diligence to ensure that the investor have the financial capacity to deliver his mandate”, she said
Senator Ignatius Longjan, the news of your demise came to me as a shock. Although aware that you were hospitalized, it never severed my hope that you will bounce back sound and healthier.
You indeed fought a good fight and have returned to God, the Master of all creation. Though, we are saddened by your death, your numerous legacies and the Biblical injunctions which encourage us to be thankful in all situations remain our source of consolation.
You were no doubt a gentleman to the core who stood in defence of democracy and the down trodden.
You were also a detribalized frontline politician whose humility was exemplary, whose commitment to duty was exceptional and whose dedication to the Plateau Project was legendary.
Your smiles radiated hope for a new and better Plateau. When you were the Deputy Governor of our dear state, you served faithfully and left indelible foot prints. During your civil service days, you were a career ambassador to several countries of the world with credible records of achievement.
As a Senator who died in the line of duty, the Red Chamber will miss you, your immediate family and constituency will miss you, Plateau people will miss you and Nigeria, no doubt will miss your service and wise counsel.
My prayer, that of my family and staff of my office is that God will grant you eternity and comfort those you left behind.
The attention of the Management of the University of Jos has been drawn to conflicting reports in the Media pertaining its effort at stemming further encroachment into its land by land grabbers. It would be recalled that the land in question which belonged to the defunct Nigerian Bricks and Clay Products Limited was purchased by the University through a competitive bidding from the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). Since the acquisition of the land, the University has been under siege by Land grabbers, leading to erection of illegal structures most of which are built in the nights.
Because the University is a Law-abiding institution, it sought the intervention of the State Government which led to the constitution of a 10 Man Committee under the Leadership of the former Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council and Representatives of: The Ministry of Land, Survey and Town Planning University of Jos The Jatau Family Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) MD/CEO Ron Properties Development Company The Distrcict Head of Righizah Senior Ward Head of Naraguta and Ministry of Justice.
The committee submitted its report to the State Government. After a careful study of the report, the State Government came up with a White-Paper in November, 2019. The White-Paper authenticated the Certificate of Occupancy No PL9636 issued in 1988 measuring 119.50 Hectres issued to the Nigerian Bricks and Clay Products Limited, now property of the University of Jos.
The unfortunate incidence of Saturday, 22nd day of February, 2020 happened when the University was trying to secure its land by digging a trench to stop further encroachment into the land, when some irate youth forcefully chased workers on the site, though this is not the first time they have been confronting the workers, the recent turned out to be the most violent in which students were attacked and wounded, houses rented by Students of the University and a place of worship with several other property destroyed.
As a result of this unfortunate incidence, the State Government summoned an emergency stakeholders meeting which included the University of Jos Management, the two Traditional Rulers of Rigizah and Naraguta and others from the two communities.
After exhaustive discussions, the Stakeholders sympathized with the victims of the incident and condemned the act of violence in totality. It further states that: i. The property in question is covered by a Certificate of Occupancy legitimately acquired by the University of Jos. ii. The University therefore has the right to demarcate and secure its property against encroachment by Land grabbers iii. The University should continue with the work it has started. iv. The University should dig its trench for the demarcation 3 Metres away from any existing old building. v. All illegal buildings that sprung up after the acquisition of the land by the University should be demolished and vi. It was recommended that an Implementation Advisory Committee would be set up for the implementation of the Government White-Paper.
It is therefore preposterous for anybody to lay claim to the land and stop the legitimate owners from making use of their land.
The University of Jos Management notes with dismay the half-truths that have been fed the public as it is not the true reflection of what is on ground.
Wilson Yale Senior Deputy Registrar Vice Chancellors office For management
Kaduna State Speaker, Hon. Aminu Shagali Resigns, Former Dep. Speaker Elected New Speaker Speaker of Kaduna Assembly, Hon. Aminu Abdullahi Shagali has resigned his position.
Sources from the Assembly said Shagali tendered his resignation before commencement of Plenary session on Tuesday morning.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has elected the former deputy speaker, Honourable Yusuf Tanimu Zailani as the new speaker of the House.
Zailani represents Igabi Constituency He was appointed on Tuesday after the former Speaker, Honourable Aminu Shagali from Zaria resigned his position.
The Clerk of the House, Barrister Bello Zubairu who presided over an emergency session said the former speaker resigned on personal ground as he called for nomination of the new speaker.
The member representing Zaria City, Suleiman Dabo nominated Zailani as the new speaker while Honourable Bako Kantiyok representing Zonkwa Constituency seconded the nomination.
The House also elected Honourable Muktar Isa Hazo representing Milgoma constituency as the Deputy Speaker of the house. Hazo was the Chairman Local Government and Chieftain Affairs Committee before his current position.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Tanimu Musa, said the former speaker “honourably tendered his resignation” on Tuesday.
He said that the former Speaker would continue his normal duties as a member of the Assembly.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) to stop further collection of electricity bill under the estimated billing system.
The suspension order signed by NERC’s Chairman, Mr. James Momoh and Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Mr. Dafe Akpeneye, takes effect from February 20, and has been circulated to all Discos concerned.
The copy of the directive order sighted by Daily Sun titled ‘‘Order on the Capping of Estimated Bills in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), repeals the methodology for estimated billion regulations 2012 and shall cease to have effect on the issuance of a new order on the same subject matter by NERC.
NERC directed further that based on the above, the estimated billing methodology is hereby repealed and shall cease to have effect as a basis for computing the consumption of unmetered customers in NESI.
‘‘Discos shall ensure that all customers on tariff class A1 in their franchise areas are properly identified and metered by 30 April 2020. While all unmetered RS and C1 customers shall not be invoiced for the consumption of energy beyond the cap stipulated in schedule 1 of this order.
All R1 customers, who by definition consume no more than 50 kilo watt hour(kWhr) of energy per month, shall continue to be billed at N4 kWhr and a maximum of N200 per month unless otherwise amended by an order of the commission.
The NERC order instructed further that the energy cap prescribed by the commission shall only apply to R2 and C1 customers, adding that all other customers on higher tariff classes must be metered by Discos no later than April 30, 2020, failing which these customers are not liable to pay any estimated bill issues by Discos
Any customer on such higher tariff classes not metered beyond April 30, 2020 shall remain connected to supply without further payment to the Disco, until a meter is installed on the premises under the framework of Meter Asset Provider (MAP) regulations or any other financing arrangement approved by the commission.
Customers whose current estimated bills are lower than the prescribed energy cap shall remain so without any upward adjustment until a meter is installed by the Disco under the MAP regulation or any other initiative approved by the commission.
However, it warned that any customer that rejects the installation of a meter on their premises by a Disco shall not be entitled to supply and must be disconnected by the Disco, and shall only be reconnected to the network with the installation of a meter.
Meanwhile, ahead of the April target for the likely introduction of new electricity tariffs, NERC said it will, begin a nationwide consultations with stakeholders.
According to a notice by Momoh, the consultations will hold from February 25 to March 11 in 12 locations nationwide.
He said the NERC has received Extraordinary Tariff Review Applications from the eleven (11) Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria Plc (TCN).
He said the consultations will hold as follows: Eko Electricity DISCO (February 25); Kaduna (February 25); Abuja (February 26); Ikeja (February 26); and Ibadan, (February 28).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned the former Plateau State governor, Senator Jonah David Jang on amended 17-count charge over alleged N30.2bn criminal breach of trust and fraud.
Also, arraigned alongside Jang for the whooping sum of money belonging to the state was a former cashier in the Office Secretary to the State Government (OSSG), Yusuf Pam.
The duo, our correspondent learnt, were made to reappear before Justice C. L. Dabup of a High court sitting in Jos, capital of Plateau State.
Acting spokesman of the prosecuting anti-graft agency, EFCC, Tony Orilade said this in a statement to newsmen in Abuja.
Orilade further explained that before today’s resumption of trial, the matter had been before Justice Longji, who before proceeding on retirement on December 31, 2019, had struck out the no-case submission of the defendants, particularly on the funds for Small and Medium Enterprises, given to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, and that of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which were allegedly diverted by the defendants.
One of the charges reads: “That you Senator Jonah David Jang, whilst being the governor of Plateau State and Yusuf Gyang Pam, whilst being a cashier at the Office of the Secretary to the Plateau State Government, between January and May, 2015 in Jos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly misappropriated certain property, to wit an aggregate sum of N4, 357, 195, 000 (Four Billion, Three Hundred and Fifty-seven Million, One Hundred and Ninety-five Thousand Naira), belonging to Plateau State Government and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria, applicable to Plateau State”.
But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and on which basis, the prosecution counsel, O. A. Atolabi, requested for a trial date.
Also, the defence counsels for both defendants E.G Phajok, (SAN), and S.G Ode, applied for oral bail application and asked the court to toe the line of the bail earlier granted to the defendants by Justice Longji.
In his ruling, Justice Dabup granted the defendants bail on the previous terms they enjoyed from Justice Longji, and asked the remaining three sureties to file their affidavits to show that they are still willing to continue to be their sureties.
Dabup added that the process must be done within three days and, adjourned the matter to May 26, 27, and 28 for trial.
GAGDI DISTRIBUTED AGRICULTURAL EMPOWERMENT ITEMS TO WOMEN AND YOUNG FARMERS OF PANKSHIN/KANKE/KANAM FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY 24/2/2020
The Member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi today distributed agricultural Empowerment Items worth millions of Naira to women and Young Farmers of his constituency. The program which took place in Pankshin Local Government Youth Center, is chaired by the APC Chairman of Plateau State, Chief Latep Dabang. The distribution of the items is one of the agricultural support programs contained in the PKK legislative blueprint to boost crop production in the constituency.
While flagging up the distribution, Hon Gagdi lamented the sufferings of his constituents where most of them still uses crude implements and rely heavily on rainfalls for crop production which typically reduced most farmers to production at subsistence level. He observed that food production is now mechanised in most agrarian communities world over and said that the items were secured through his efforts in collaboration with the Presidency through the Border and Community Development Agency as part of his modest contribution to ameliorate the sufferings of the peasant farmers in the PKK.
Gagdi further stated that the lists of the farmers were carefully and purposefully generated from all 36 Federal Wards of the constituency and urged the beneficiaries to ensure effective and optimum utilisation of the items for increased productivity during the farming season. Gagdi also stated that the distribution today is a curtain raiser as plan is in the pipeline for the mother of all the empowerments in the build up to commemorate his first one year in office in grand style with over 2000 people to benefit.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Latep Dabang appreciated Hon Gagdi for providing succour to the farmers and urged him not to rest on his oars but continue with the good work saying he had done the party proud in the state and the nation at large. He prayed for God to open ways for him and give him more energy and the enablement to succeed.
Chief Dabang, who is also the chairman of the conference of APC Chairmen of the Northern Nigeria, assured Gagdi of the continued support of the Party and spur him to continue and keep soaring, having the innate traits to succeed and attend the highest political echelon in the country.
In his own remark, the representative of the Border and Community Development Agency, Mr Ochoweke Yakubu shower praises on Hon Gagdi and said that only 21 of each of the water pumps, herbicides, insecticides and the fertilizer, representing less than 50% of the items distributed were given by the agency with all the remaining coming from the coffers of the benevolent member.
Items distributed include water pump generators and accessories, grammazole insecticide, fertilizer, herbicides and other fumigants as well as cash incentives to enhance farming activities. A surprise announcement of four appointment letters into the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was also made to some youths of the constituency.
Goodwill messages were presented by the Deputy Speaker PLHA, Rt Hon Saleh Shehu Yipmong, Rtd Justice Philomena Lot and the representative FADAMA III. Other goodwill messages were presented variously by the Party Chairman, Women Leader and Youth Leader of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam on behalf of the party officials of the three local governments respectively.
The occasion was graciously attended by Hon Ismaila Hudu Bala, Hon Abdul Yanga, Hon Nde Menshak Chindaba, Hon Deket Plang, Hon Jacob Kassam, Hon Alh Danlami Muhammad, Hon Ibrahim Saleh, Hon Hudu Musa Sarki, Hon Isa Hashimu Kantana and many other illustrious sons and daughters of the state.
PRESS BRIEFING BY ANAGUTA YOUTH MOVEMENT (AYM) ON YET ANOTHER UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON OUR COMMUNITY BY HOODLUMS AT UBYAL-AYIMAH (NARAGUTA VILLAGE) ON SATURDAY 22nd FEBUARY, 2020. 24th February, 2020 PROTOCOL Gentlemen of the press, it will be recalled that last Saturday while going about our normal activities, some group of hoodlums decided to attack our community at Naraguta Village in the guise of protesting the demarcation of Land by the University of Jos authorities. As we are all aware, Anaguta are the aborigines of Jos North and the host community of all the Land housing University of Jos, thereby making Anaguta the host community of the prestigious Institution. As the host community, we are aware that the University of Jos has legitimately and properly acquired every Land it is situated upon. We the Anaguta Youths Movement are encouraging the authorities of University of Jos and the Government to continue the demarcation of all their Legitimate Lands in other to secure and protect Government properties against Land grabbers, speculators and Hoodlums who are bend on taking advantage of the University Land that is not fenced. Anaguta Community is aware that University of Jos has acquired the Land in question and has proper documents to that effect from the B.P.E and has every right to use such Lands as they deem fit. Any individual or group of persons that have any issue with University of Jos acquisition of any Land should follow legal means of addressing his or their grievances rather than resulting to self help which will lead to break down of law and order. As a community, we all know that no one is above the law, so there is every need for the security agencies to be decisive in dealing with the people that have repeatedly attack the management of the University of Jos whenever they embark on visit to their Land. Also, the government was not spared from such attacked by those hoodlums and Land grabbers. However, we are calling on all Anaguta people that are alienating the property belonging to the University of Jos, to stop forth with or we shall handle them appropriately. We call on the Government to urgently reach out to our community that suffered great lost as a result of the last Saturday’s attack as our people are left without houses and churches that were destroyed by the hoodlums in the guise of protesting against the demarcation of Land by the University authorities. The question is what has churches and native houses got to do with the activities of University of Jos? There is more to it, the action is purely criminal and expansionist. THANK YOU
Deacon Moses Dawang, National President Anaguta Youths Movement (AYM)
When the writings,&opinions are mostly about the huge blames on the politicians, I suggests you break the “sabbatical leave” & share the options and solutions.
The atmosphere of absolute falsehood seems to thrive massively in my generation; wrong opinions seemingly blossoming and appreciated more.
As the negative opinions tilt more towards economic,&security misfortunes and all the indicators point a turn to a path of despondency; when all are but signals of gloomy days that lie ahead is,its imperative to take an honesty in-depth introspection of the eminent challenges ahead of us.
The mask isn’t the man/woman we meets everyday of our life, but the pessimistic &dangerous faces behind our daily challenges.
Every type of leadership is a reflection of what we work for.Enough of lamentation on Social Media and let’s take action collectively.
And my personal view is that most of the enlightened eligible voters end at WhatsApp and facebook posts and leave the voting to junks to decide how the future look like.
Its very very wrong to crucify one man for the insecurity, economic depression, Vat increment, and electricity tarrifs.Both the elected and the electorate must share the blame equally.
Its starts with intra party activities.Matters the kind of political team assembled!.Be it as it may,join any of the political party’s and make your candid and sincere opinion known.
Let all of us the Citizens take responsibility not just making too much noise on the social media and when the time which matters most comes,is left in the hands of the few.
MiddleBelt Reporters 