Opinion
Amshi and the Reality of Infrastructural Development at NASC
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Since his assumption of duty along with his commissioners four years down the line in 2020 amid COVID, The Executive Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE along with his commissioners made the lingering issue of Infrastructural deficit bedeviling the commission top priority.
Beginning from his first year in office, to the second year and third year, the commission’s leadership has made it a pet project to bridge the gap of Infrastructural paucity, that had not only hampered its operations, but affected the delivery of its mandate.
Therefore, determined to address the critical issue, Amshi along with his commissioners had embarked on inspection tour of the facility provided and allocated by the national assembly at the three arms zone on many occasions, along with both committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Determined to overcome the two decades accomodation problems bedeviling the National Assembly Service Commission NASC since it’s inception , he impressed on the need to embark on genuine and wholistic decisions that had to do with the construction of a befitting office accomodation for the commission, that will stall the gap of movement from the commission and the national assembly, and to also be on the same page with thea body it is superintending and supervising administratively.
After many visits by the commission and the joint committee of the National Assembly to the location, it was agreed to re-engage the engineers, architects and relevant bodies / companies that earlier quoted for N2.5 Billion in the previous years, to additional N7.5 Billion that was reviewed to 11 Billion in 2023, when the gigantic project was inaugurated against the high cost of building materials that had varied the initial costs.
With the provision in the 2022 budget, the project was inaugurated by the leadership of the National Assembly to rewrite the history of over two decades commission that started in a small office at Wuse, and now at a private residence at Utako in the nation’s city.
This will address the high cost of rent payments, defaced design and unconducive atmosphere it is currently facing at the Utako office.
Though, the commission under Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE along with his commissioners had made concerted efforts at redesigning the private structure into an office, bereft of any major structural adjustments against the rental agreement.
Soon after the inauguration of the new office accomodation for the commission at the three arms zone, the commission promised early completion, commissioning and occupation within the project timeline, two years down the line , the project is over 90 percent completed, inspite of the more than double costs of building materials that included cements, woods, paints, among other structural requirements .
With the current speed , Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE and his team has resolved the over two decades accomodation problems, logistic problems among many others to bring the project to an end in the shortest possible time.
The gigantic project and structure due for commissioning and Inauguration before the end of the current commission, no doubt will be a dream come true to reality.
For Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE and his commissioners , the many decades accomodation problems of the commission that had been a mere conception will now be history made and promise kept by the current commission.
With the near completion and proposed commissioning, the National Assembly Service Commission NASC will no doubt carry out its statutory functions without hinderance of manpower and infrastructure deficit.
The multi billion naira project that was prone to delay, became a different case in the National Assembly Service Commission NASC, as constantly the ongoing office accomodation project had witnessed gradual progress and completion.
This is rare in the context of Nigeria public service, in view of records of abandoned projects across MDA’s and govy organizations, that the current leadership under Amshi has changed the narration from negative to positive stance.
For Amshi and his commissioners, the envisaged completion and commissioning of the new office accomodation strategically located at the three arms zone, will bring to an end permanently, the persistent office accomodation quagmire witnessed in the last 25 years.
The positive development has also demonstrated robust public service and result oriented Nigerians that had contributed their quota to national development.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.