National
Re-allocation: We Are Expending 205M in Building A Police Station in Gwarimpa
The Federal Housing Authority, FHA said it did not re-allocate the current land housing the Police Station on it’s Gwarimpa Housing Estate to anyone, as been speculated and made public by Human Rights Radio, Abuja.
The management made the clarification on Monday in a public notice on the heels of a program aired on Human Rights Radio, popularly known as ‘Berekete’ in one of its programs, stating that the current Police Station is been moved to Dawaki area of Gwarimpa, with the plot re-allocated to cronies.
While expressing dismay on the reactions of the management of Human Rights Radio led by Ahmed Isah, that refused to balance reports through counter inquiry from the Federal Housing Authority, FHA management, but went ahead to believe fake fifth columnist in the agency, that negates professional conduct and ethics of journalism.
The management stated unequivocally that the land was temporarily allocated some decades ago during the construction of the Estate and that the original allocation for a Police station in the estate is located at Plot 522, and 695 Road, close to Catholic Church, all located in the Estate, which the authority is trying to construct with a befitting new story Police station worth 205M on plot 695 Road.
The current land housing the Police Station will be converted to an extension office of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, with the planned construction of a three story building to provide both office accommodation , parking space for staff and customers of the authority envisioning the Renewed Hope project in the offing.
The management in synergy with the Police Authorities, National Identity Management Commission NIMC and Water Board has agreed to relocate from the area.
The release further states..
FEDERAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
26 JULIUS NYERERE CRESECNT ASOKORO,
ABUJA, FCT
PUBLIC NOTICE
RE: ALLOCATION OF GWARINPA POLICE STATION.
“The attention of management has been drawn to an allegation by the Human Right Radio, Abuja in in its programme on Friday, 17th January, 2024 that the Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority has allocated the Gwarinpa Police Station to one of his friends and that FHA has planned to relocate the police station to Dawaki.”
“In the broadcast, Ahmed Isa of the Human Right Radio was heard; when he said that he was reliably informed by a staff of the Authority that the FHA boss has reallocated the police station to his friend.”
“The management of Federal Housing Authority views this reckless journalism with a huge disappointment, especially when it came from a “respected” media personality like Ahmed Isah.”
“While the entire allegation is hogwash, borne out of sensationalism and intended to disinform the public, the Authority had expected the Human Right Radio to apply the journalistic ethic of balance, rather than the unprofessional “publish and be damned” by approaching FHA, rather than leveraging on its advantage of wide reach to ambush and malign the image of the Authority and its Chief Executive.”
“The true position is that the present Police Station was temporarily allocated to the Nigeria Police in 1995 to provide security when Gwarinpa estate was under construction. In the master plan provision was made for a police station at 522 road, near the Catholic church and another land allocated to the police at 695 road.”
“With the expedient need to expand its operational base in the head office due to the huge volume of projects in the Renewed Hope projects that the Authority would be soon embarking on soon and the space constraints expected with the impending fresh recruitments due to the projects, Federal Housing Authority approached the Nigeria Police, National Identity Commission and the FCT Water board, Gwaripa, to give up the temporary accommodations given to them, to enable FHA build a 3 floors office space with enough parking space for its staff and customers. ”
“The Authority has been in talks with the Police Authority, and has agreed to develop the land at 695 road Gwarimpa for them into and up stair, from the bungalow they are presently occupying, a project that would be costing FHA about 205 million naira. The police have given us the drawing of the building they want and our professionals are already working on achieving the project.”
“We state clearly here the Federal Housing Authority lacks the power to determine where a police station could be located or relocated. It is also more damnable and ridiculous that Ahmed Isah could tell a global audience that he planted fifth columnists within the rank of FHA that give him false information about the Authority. Human Rights Radio ought to have sort clarification from the Police Authorities before exposing themselves to global ridicule.”
“The general public through this medium is told to disregard the reckless and unprofessional utterances of Ahmed Isah of the Human Rights Radio Abuja, and are hereby informed that the Nigeria Police station has not been allocated to anyone, but would be developed into a befitting office complex for use by the Federal Housing Authority.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which includes the removal of Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari and Chairman Pius Akinyelure, along with all other board members appointed in November 2023.
In an announcement, the President introduced an 11-member restructured board, appointing Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new GCEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as the Non-Executive Chairman. These changes are effective immediately, as stated by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
Emphasizing the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC,” President Tinubu exercised his authority under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to implement this significant reorganization.
The newly formed board comprises Adedapo Segun, who continues as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), alongside six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: Bello Rabiu (North West), Yusuf Usman (North East), Babs Omotowa (North Central), Austin Avuru (South-South), David Ige (South West), and Henry Obih (South East). Additionally, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Aminu Said Ahmed, representing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, will serve on the board.
The President has charged the new board with conducting a strategic review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture assets to optimize value. This includes increasing crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 and 3 million bpd by 2030, boosting gas production to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion by 2030, and expanding NNPC’s refining capacity to 200,000 bpd by 2027 and 500,000 bpd by 2030. The administration also aims to attract $30 billion in oil investments by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030, building on the $17 billion secured in 2024.
Ahmadu Musa Kida, the new Chairman, is a Borno-born engineer and former Deputy Managing Director of Total Nigeria. He also has a background in basketball, having served as the ex-president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF). Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the newly appointed GCEO, hails from Kwara State and was previously the Executive Vice President of Renaissance Africa Energy, where he led a $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell’s Nigerian assets. He brings extensive experience from Elf and Shell, having worked across Europe and the Middle East.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing board for their contributions, particularly their efforts in reviving the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which have resumed production after years of dormancy. Analysts view this leadership change as part of Tinubu’s broader reforms in the oil sector, following last year’s removal of fuel subsidies and the promotion of private refinery investments. With the new team established, there are high expectations for enhanced transparency, efficiency, and profitability within Nigeria’s state oil enterprise.
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 minority caucus in the house of representatives has condemned the killing of 16 Kano-bound hunters in Edo state.
On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi area of Edo killed 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Elele, Rivers state.
The travellers were attacked and lynched after some vigilance group members raised the alarm on suspicion that they were kidnappers.
The Edo state government said 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing would be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
During a visit to some of the families of the victims at Bankure LGA in Kano, Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, assured that justice would be served.
In a statement issued on Monday, the minority caucus described the killing of the hunters as “barbaric”.
“We find such brutal killings of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible, and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of the federal government, such actions could threaten the peace and unity of the country,” the statement reads.
The lawmakers asked Nigerians never to resort to jungle attacks on fellow citizens but to always report any concerns to security agencies.
“We are a nation under the rule of laws, and our law enforcement agencies are always available to partner with every Nigerian to assuage their concerns,” the caucus said.
While noting that the incident is “already setting emotions on edge” in parts of the country, the legislators urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the security agencies investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Also, adequate compensation should be paid to the affected families,” the caucus said.
The lawmakers implored Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding and allow the federal and state governments to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
The statement was signed by Kingsley Chinda, minority leader; Ali Isa, minority whip; and Aliyu Madaki, deputy minority leader.