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Shehu Sani To Tinubu: Prioritize Railway, Roads, Don’t Give Governors Cash

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Shehu Sani, a Senator who represented Kaduna Central from 2015 – 2019, advises President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allocate subsidy funds towards nationwide railway and road connectivity instead of distributing it to governors.

Sani’s insights on the issue of development also expanded to him advising president Bola Ahmed Tinubu on security challenges in Nigeria.

Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central from 2015 to 2019, has emphasized the importance of directing subsidy funds towards enhancing nationwide railway connectivity and constructing dual carriageways that link every state of the Federation.
Interacting with journalists at his residence in Kaduna during the Sallah celebration, Sani shared his perspective on the issue and advocated for transparency in the utilization of subsidy funds.

Subsidy Funds: A Means To Foster Development

Sani, who supports the removal of fuel subsidy, believes it is essential to apprise Nigerians about the allocation and utilization of these funds.

Rather than disbursing the subsidy funds to individual governors, Sani suggests that the government should invest in tangible infrastructure such as road networks, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.

This approach, the former lawmaker said, will ensure all Nigerians benefit directly from the subsidy funds.

“The government should refrain from providing individual subsidy funds but focus on utilizing the resources for visible projects that bring about tangible benefits,” said Sani, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public funds.

Railway And Road Connectivity: A National Priority

To promote comprehensive development and enhance national integration, Sani underscores the significance of connecting every state of the Federation through railways and dual carriageways. By prioritizing these infrastructural projects, the government can facilitate efficient transportation and stimulate economic growth across the country. The establishment of an extensive railway network and well-constructed roads will enable smoother movement of goods, services, and people, fostering increased trade and connectivity between states.

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Positive Shifts In The Oil Sector And Addressing Insecurity

Commenting on recent developments in the oil sector, Sani said the administration of Mele Kyari has achieved revolutionary strides.
Notably, Sani said, oil exploration and production activities have expanded to the Northern region, while incidents of oil theft in the Niger Delta have significantly decreased.
“These achievements reflect the administration’s commitment to transforming the oil sector and reducing illegal activities that hamper Nigeria’s economic potential, ” Sani disclosed.

Transitioning to the pressing issue of insecurity, Shehu Sani acknowledges President Tinubu’s commendable actions in the initial stages of his tenure.
The former gubernatorial aspirant in Kaduna State, Sani, applauds the appointment of competent individuals, such as the Chief of Defense Staff, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the National Security Adviser, stating that they are all well-suited to their respective roles.
However, Sani highlights the continued presence of terrorist elements, including ISWAP and Bandits, who pose a grave threat to innocent Nigerians.
He emphasizes the urgency of protecting citizens and ensuring the territorial integrity of Nigeria while expressing concern over the previous administration’s allocation of $20 million for security and defense, without yielding tangible results.

Sani said the current service chiefs must be held accountable for securing the nation and fostering an environment conducive to sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.

Shehu Sani’s call to prioritize railway and road development over distributing subsidy funds to governors, according to pundits, underscore the need for strategic investment in infrastructure for the benefit of all Nigerians.

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They believed that by channeling resources towards enhancing nationwide connectivity, Nigeria can unlock its economic potential and improve the livelihoods of its citizens.
Moreover, Sani’s insights on security challenges highlight the importance of proactive measures to safeguard the nation and foster an environment of peace and progress.

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160 communities face gully erosion threat in Anambra– Official

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The Managing Director of Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA), Prof. Philip Phil-Eze, has said no fewer than 160 communities in the state were at the risk of gully erosion menace.

Phil-Eze said this at a one day sensitisation workshop on the use of “Local Knowledge to Combat Erosion” in Awka on Friday.

The workshop was organised by Environment Development Initiative for Africa (EDIA), a non-governmental organization on environmental sustainability in collaboration with ANSEWCCA

Phil-Ez who presented a paper titled “Expanding Interventions in the Control of Soil Erosion in Anambra State Through Local Action” said the state was one of the most degraded and erosion-ravaged landscapes in Africa.

He said soil erosion was as a result of a number of factors including natural and man made, and called for pragmatic local remedial measures and approaches towards preventing the menace by nipping it in the bud.

According to him, 160 communities out of the 179 communities in the state are facing erosion hazards.

“Natural causes of erosion menace include intensity of rainfall, flood/runoff, lithology (loose soil type), topography and scarce vegetation cover.

“Man-made causes include the culture of negligence, cutting down trees, indiscriminate waste disposal, lack of harvesting rainwater, sand mining, modern roofing styles and interlock tiles, inadequate knowledge of the environment, lack of involvement of the local communities in erosion control.

“Others are poor termination of drainage channels, wrongly terminated or diverted channels by contractors during construction, land use patterns in buildings and developments without plans to accommodate erosion and unhealthy farming practice,” he said.

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Phil-Eze warned residents to desist from unhealthy environmental practices which had the potential to exacerbate the menace.

The Director of Research and Publication for EDIA, Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, said the objective of the exercise was to encourage positive behavioral attitude towards environmental sustainability.

He said the capacity building workshop was timely and critical considering the fact that Anambra was a serious concern in terms of erosion, flooding and other environmental hazards.

According to him, this event is engaging, interactive and participatory to ensure effective transfer of needed knowledge and skills.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, commended the organisers of the programme which he described as ‘a timely intervention’.

Odimegwu who was represented by Mr Tochukwu Obodogha, the Permanent Secretary, said prevention was the best approach in erosion control.

According to him, the administration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo prioritises environmental sustainability, and the ministry would continue to encourage environmental best practices in the state. (NAN)

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Troops nab 49 suspected crude oil thieves, destroy 22 illegal refining sites – DHQ

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of Operation Delta Safe, have in the last one week apprehended 49 perpetrators of oil theft and destroyed 22 illegal refining sites.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known in a weekly report of ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on Friday in Abuja.

Kangye said the troops had during the week foiled oil theft worth an estimated sum of N869.2m.

The breakdown, according to him, indicates 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 19,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 1,600 litres of engine oil were recovered.

“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanised pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles,” he said.

Kangye said the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, had continued to demonstrate bravery, discipline, and professionalism in the face of evolving security threats.

He said the troops neutralised several insurgents, rescued hostages, apprehended suspects, and recovered arms and ammunition during the week.

“Our operations have continued across various theatres of operations comprising the North East, North West, North Central South-South and other regions where criminals seek to disrupt peace and stability.

“Troops remain committed to their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

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“Between April 3 and April 10, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices.

“Additionally, a huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also recovered,” he said. (NAN)

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2 out of 445 mass housing developers met FCTA conditions – Official

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Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said only two out of the 445 mass housing allocations met its terms and conditions.

Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Mr Lere Olayinka, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Olayinka said that the Mass Housing Programme was initiated in 2000 as public-private partnership (PPP) approach to providing affordable housing for FCT residents.

He, however, said that from the inception of the programme till date, out of the 445 mass housing allocations granted, only two developers had successfully met the terms and conditions.

Olayinka stated that a new operational framework for titling of mass housing and sectional interests had been developed to make the exercise efficient, effective and diligent.

This, according to him, is in line with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s vision to restore confidence in the administration of lands in the FCT.

“Currently, the holders and occupiers of properties within the various mass housing estates in the FCT do not pay bills, rents, fees and charges to the government.

“This is despite having held and occupied properties for decades.

“To address the problem, the FCT minister had recognised the urgent need to issue titles to the beneficiaries of mass housing and sectional interests.

“All applications for titling are to be made by the subscribers and developers to the Department of Land Administration for processing,” he said.

The spokesman said that the processing of titles for mass housing and sectional interests would commence on April 21, in line with the new operational framework.

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He explained that the measure was part of the broad and comprehensive reforms on land administration in the FCT, as approved by the minister.

Olayinka said that the reforms, which would become operational from April 21, would cover specific areas like conditions of grant of statutory Right of Occupancy (RofO) and contents of the statutory RofO bill.

Others, he said, would include contents of Letter of Acceptance/Refusal of offer of grant of RofO, titling of mass housing and sectional interests as well as regularisation of area council land documents.

The crux of the sweeping reforms in the FCT land administration, according to him, is to ensure regularisation of land allocation in area councils and the title of mass housing properties in favour of buyers.

He added that land allottees were also expected to develop their allocated land within two years.

On his part, the Director of Land Administration, FCTA Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said that the development would be very beneficial to house owners in estates.

Nwankwoeze pointed out that people with mass housing documents cannot use the documents for any business transaction aside just owning the houses.

“In the coming months, you will see housing owners in the various estates in FCT holding Certificates of Occupancy issued by FCTA,” he said. (NAN)

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