The hurly burly of Lagos…Southeast to get first sea port…2012-type flood coming… Barber marries her client…plus South East Digest…

The hurly burly of Lagos

The hurly burly of Lagos can either bring out the best or the worst in you.  Or how else can you judge the piece below from Chinenye Uzo-Mbaukwu.  Chinenye contributed the piece as part of a discussion on “Nigeria’s wasted generations” on the WhatsApp chat group of the Society of Igbo Professionals (SIP).  We couldn’t resist bringing you the beautiful piece:

“I am caught in traffic in Lekki warily watching the swarm of sweat soaked hawkers, ragged child beggars darting about like flies to press bodies against cars as though to tap energy. 

“For many of the people on the street, the only way to read them is to look into their eyes because their faces are dark, blackened by the sun like an obsidian disk. What do you see? The bloodshot eyes of  the bus driver that pulls up beside insulting,  threatening you for not letting him cut in; the vacant gaze of the passerby who is himself indeed passed by; the fake beseeching slant of the child beggars that occasionally drops it's guard to a flint-like darting look searching the inside of your car... 

“I was startled by a sound as one teenager with a huge carton of Gala perched on his head hit my side view mirror. I glanced as he went past them looked away knowing there was nothing else to do, cracked, scratched or whatever. Lagos happens.

“Apparently he thought different. 

“I caught a movement in the side mirror and there is was, one hand raised in apology, lips moving to say, _'I'm sorry, sir.'_ I waved a thank you with embarrassment, and as he went away into the traffic to make something for the day, he left me thinking that I am not doing enough to be worthy of his apology. With all I have, that young man still has more of what really matters - humanity.”

Southeast to get first sea port

The Federal Government has approved the dredging of the Orashi River to the Atlantic Sea which will serve as the first sea port in the South East region, according to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.  When completed, the seaport will complement the economic activities of the other six  major seaports in the country which will enable traders from the zone import and receive their goods directly while enjoying a comparative advantage as well as promote and encourage the business spirit of the people of South East.

This new development is coming days after President Muhammadu Buhari visited Imo State to commission laudable projects embarked upon by the Shared Prosperity Government of Governor Hope Uzodimma.  The sea port will in no measure turn Imo State to the business hub of South East and by extension the country as it will increase the State's internal revenue, siting of industries and create employment opportunities.

2012-type flood coming

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has ordered its grassroots mobilization officers to begin sensitization of communities in the frontline States to relocate immediately as the operators of

Lagdo Dam in Cameroon have commenced the discharge of excess water from its reservoir with a likely flooding of 14 states in Nigeria.

The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Garba Abari said the directive followed the alert already issued by Nigeria Hydrological Agency (NIHSA) with prediction of consequential damage to many communities on the coast of River Niger and Benue. He recalled the 2012 flooding which cut off some roads in some parts of the North Central and North East regions of the country and displaced many communities.

NIHSA has also reported that Kainji and Jebba Dams have already started spilling excess water from their reservoirs. “This will have serious consequences on frontline states and communities along the courses of Rivers Niger and Benue. These states include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Enugu, Kebbi and Kogi. Others include the Niger Delta states of Edo, Delta, Anambra, Cross-River, Rivers and Bayelsa States,” he said.

The Director General urged the State Directors to create awareness on the need for State Governments to “identify safe high grounds for evacuation of communities at risk, preposition adequate stockpiles of food and non-food items, portable water and hygiene and provide safety and security to enable them have fair level of comfort during periods of possible displacement”

Top 10 States in Nigeria with highest Domestic Debts as of June 2022

Lagos, Delta, and Ogun State led the list of States in Nigeria with the highest domestic debt stock as of the end of June 2022, accounting for over 25% of the total domestic debts of the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital (Abuja).   This is according to data released by the Debt Management Office, on the State on Nigeria’s debt stock as of the second quarter of 2022. The aggregate domestic debt stocks of the entire States in the country rose to N5.28 trillion as of June 2022, representing a N438.44 billion increase when compared to N4.84 trillion recorded as of the previous quarter.

Also, when compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, the states’ domestic debts rose by N1.16 trillion from N4.12 trillion recorded as of June 2021. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s total public debt stock surged to a record high to stand $103.31 billion as of the period under review.

A further breakdown of the data showed that domestic debts accounted for 61% (or $63.25 billion) of total debt, while external debts accounted for 39% of the debt stock. Interestingly, total debt stock increased by $16.74 billion in the last one year.

The other top ten States are:  Rivers, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Oyo, Osun, and Bayelsa.

(A digest of latest reports on the Economy, Industry, Politics, Sports, and developments around the South East of Nigeria)

ANAMBRA STATE

Soludo’s State of Emergency on Roads

Governor Chukwuma Soludo continued his drive to increase and improve on the road network in Anambra State during the past week.  In continuation of his working visit to the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja, Governor Soludo was at the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on a courtesy visit to the MD/CEO, Engr Nuruddeen Rafindadi.

Governor Soludo who was received by his host, Engr Rafindadi, commended the Agency in the maintenance of roads and for doing more with little resources.  He sought for "fruitful and Productive Partnership" with the Agency for the maintenance roads in Anambra State

This Productive Partnership with FERMA will be strengthened with Anambra State Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA) to ensure the roads in the State are always in good condition. This strategic partnership will cover areas of financing, identification of the roads that needs maintenance and how it will be maintained for ease of movement within the State.

 

Tax evasion:  Anambra seals banks, hotels, others

No fewer than twelve hotels, banks and companies have been sealed by the Anambra State Internal Generated Revenue Services (AIRS) over non-compliance with tax payment following a court order.  Among the facilities sealed were, Awka Microfinance Bank, AC Peterson Electronics Showroom, Quintana Suites, ANIDS Transport Company, Obalende and Kasorina Hotels all in Awka, while AIICO Insurance American International, and PZ Cussons Nigerian PLC all in Onitsha were also sealed.    

It was gathered that levies were mainly those of business premises, sanitation and sundry government taxes. 

According to the Head of Department, Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement of the AIRS, Mrs. Eberechukwu Ezekigbo, the enforcement followed refusal or failure of the companies to appear in court after being served with court summons before the seal off order.   According to her, the exercise was necessary in order to boost the state’s revenue, and ensure that every dime owned to the state government is paid. 

Beneficiaries laud Government over Palm, Coconut Plantation Agenda

The State Government’s agricultural sector agenda of providing oil palm and coconut seedlings for mass plantation has continued to attract wide commendations from stakeholders and well-meaning citizens of the State. 

A cross section of beneficiaries who spoke on the recently introduced initiative by the present administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, scored government high for laying foundation to revamp the seemingly abandoned palm plantation over the years.

Fielding questions from newsmen on the distribution exercise at the Premises of Agriculture Ministry, one of the speakers, the President General, Ihembosi Progress Assembly, Prof Christopher Ihueze, hailed effort already in place to boost the sector for economic sustainability of the State.

TOLL REFORM  IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND COMMUTERS

Awka the State capital witnessed days of another unexpected protest by tricycle (keke) and shuttle bus drivers. This came as a surprise to many who are aware that government had severally engaged all the transport unions in Anambra State to ensure that affordable dues are paid to the government instead of touts who are holding these drivers hostage by collecting illegal fees that are not remitted to government's coffers. 

The government's overhaul of the tolling system is actually meant for the drivers and sundry transport owners to pay reduced fees directly to the government instead of paying exorbitant monies to the underhand middlemen who end up cheating transport owners and their drivers.

It's indeed tragic that after many months of engagement with the transport unions on how the new payment arrangement will benefit the drivers and commuters, the keke and shuttle bus drivers still allowed themselves to be manipulated to go on strike. 

It is disheartening to note that after the series of meetings and subsequent mutual understanding with the government of Anambra State to pay the reduced monthly tolls; these operators have over the months refused to pay. It was as a result of their non-compliance that prompted the Anambra State Joint Enforcement Team (ANJET) to move in to ensure compliance. While a few went to pay at the designated locations and collected their vehicles, others who are under the grips of the influential park Dons refused to pay and instead resorted to protests and ruthlessly enforced it among their law abiding colleagues, disrupting commercial activities in Awka and its environ. 

The curious thing about the whole matter is that while this crisis persisted, the so-called leaders of the unions were nowhere in sight and could not be reached. All of these points to the fact that it's either the leadership is weak or complicit in the riotous actions that virtually crippled transportation for days. The situation became clearer when government invited the operators to Dr Alex Ekwueme Square on Saturday for another round of engagement. Following the dissatisfaction they openly expressed against the leaders of their unions, they were given the opportunity to directly nominate representatives who would dialogue with government once again.

For want of what to say some of those who have been instigated to resist the reform have embarked on all kinds of campaign of falsehood to justify why they will not pay. They lied that government did not provide POS for payment as they were promised, but this is not true. Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has 234 agents with POSs spread across 74 locations in the State where they can make payments. Another insignificant few claimed that they paid for identity cards and stickers but were not given up till this moment. This again is untrue because AIRS had since acquired the equipment to capture every payee and issue cards and stickers on the spot.  

The joint agreement between the government and operators of keke and shuttle bus is that they will pay N600 and N1000 daily which would amount to N18, 000 and 30,000 monthly tolls respectively but government in its humanness granted a Saturday and Sunday discounts that eventually pegged what they will pay at N15, 000 and N25, 000 monthly. It is important to note that this is a far cry from the N2,500 and N3,500 they paid daily which adds up to N75,000 and N105,000 monthly. The difference is remarkably incomparable; and it has become necessary for Ndi Anambra to know that it is just a few greedy elements who have exploited and billed the system to line their individual pockets that have continued to misinform and instigate this unwarranted crises.

It is key to note at this point that the collected tolls will augment governments revenue with which it could repair roads which transporters whine about and construct new ones where there are none. Already, government has flagged off the construction of 20 new roads and presently carrying out over a dozen interventions to rehabilitate failed sections of existing ones. These are the services that the self-centred middlemen cannot provide.

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has repeatedly stated that his government will be transparent in spending every Kobo that comes in as revenue. Under his watch, Ndi Anambra will see their legitimate taxes, levies and tolls translate into tangible developments that will transform Anambra State into a more liveable, pleasurable and prosperous one. 

Sir Paul Nwosu

Anambra State Commissioner for Information.

ENUGU STATE

2023:  APGA will bring disruptive governance to Enugu, says Frank Nweke

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Enugu chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has assured of its readiness to bring disruptive change to governance in the State.  This was disclosed on Saturday, September 24 after the party's ward-level consultative meetings held simultaneously across the 260 wards in the State.

Speaking to newsmen after a tour of wards, APGA governorship candidate, Frank Nweke said efforts are in top gear to break the relay race of bad governance that has been going on. “What we did today was an important piece of our massive grassroots efforts to bring about disruptive governance to Enugu state.  From the feedback we are getting, it has become clear to ndi Enugu that the incumbent party and its governorship candidate is incapable of addressing the pain points of everyday citizens of the State. How can one explain that ndi Enugu do not have potable water when we have water schemes that can provide the needed 150 cubic meters daily if well optimized? How did we get it so bad that things like basic sanitation and waste management have been made to look like rocket science?”

Nweke said his goal was not to regurgitate complaints, but to offer workable public policy templates and also energise his supporters to continue their mobilisation efforts to get the citizens to rise and rebuild Enugu. 

IMO STATE 

Barber marries her client

A beautiful Nigerian female barber based in Owerri, Imo State, has officially married her customer who she met at the salon.  According to a video she shared on TikTok, it all started when she gave the man a haircut and they became friends.   Their friendship grew into dating and then marriage, a video of which she also shared to the admiration of TikTokers.