Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority Warns Against Breaking Sealed Property

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April 1, 2022

The monitoring and enforcement activities of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) has been carried out at Ikoyi/Victoria Island, Eti-South and Ajah district, this week.

The exercise revealed an increase in the breaking of government seals by owners/developers whose properties were sealed for contravening physical planning permit laws.

Cosequently, LASPPPA is calling on actors in the Lagos-built environment, to desist from breaking her seals but rather visit any of her 40 district offices closest to them, to be guided on appropriate actions needed to be taken as they relate to the contraventions observed in their construction and listed in the noticed served them.

This is to avoid stricter measures being meted out on such properties when the Authority embark on a follow-up visits.

Largest U.S. Consulate To Be Built In Lagos At Cost Of $537m

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Angel Gimalo

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April 1, 2022

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The United States (U.S) Embassy in Nigeria has flagged off the construction of its $537 million new consulate building at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the construction of the proposed consulate, located on a 12.2-acre site in the rapidly developing Eko Atlantic City, will take approximately five years to be completed in 2027.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said that the new consulate in Lagos would support diplomatic and commercial relations between the U.S. and Nigeria.

She added that the new consulate would also provide American and Nigerian consulate employees with a safe, secure, sustainable, and modern workplace.

“The soon to commence 10-storey building will be the largest U.S. consulate in the world and our goal is to achieve leadership in energy and design,” she said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the construction of the largest U.S. consulate in the world in Lagos was an indication of the importance of U.S.-Nigeria relations and Lagos in particular.

“It is not about the aesthetics of the project alone but also the functionality, sustainability and focus on local collaborations,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Nidal Zayed, Chief Executive Officer, Pernix Group, the design/build contractor of the project, said that an estimated $95 million would be invested in the local economy in executing the project which would employ approximately 2,500 Nigerians.

The construction targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification – a globally recognised designation for achievement in high performance, best-in-class, green buildings.

It also incorporates many features designed to make the building more sustainable.

Kano-Katsina-Maradi Railway Project: Nigerien President Appreciates President Buhari

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Angel Gimalo

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April 1, 2022

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President Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic has expressed appreciation to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for approving the $1.96 billion Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway project.

The Nigerien leader, who was on State Visit to Nigeria, made the commendation after a closed-door bilateral talks with Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari had, in February 2021, performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kano–Dutse–Katsina–Maradi 284 kilometer rail project connecting Kano in Nigeria to Maradi in Niger Republic.

The project, approved by the Federal Executive Council in September 2020, was believed to be crucial to rail development in Nigeria and in the West African sub-region.

It was being executed by Mota-Engil Group, a multinational engineering, and construction company.

The project, with 15 stations along the corridor, would boost socio-economic activities in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States in Nigeria, as well as Maradi in Niger Republic.

Bazoum said, “On economic issues, we discussed the Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway project and this project is an infrastructure that will integrate the economies of Nigeria and Niger.

“And so, I’m here to thank President Buhari for his efforts at ensuring that this project has taken off and I hope that it will be sustained because this project will radically change the trading exchange between the two countries.

“We also spoke about the gas pipeline in the sense that gas and oil have now become an issue in world politics, in the world economy.”

He also lauded Nigeria for leading the way in funding activities of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, currently maintaining security in the Lake Chad Basin.

“My visit coincides with the very big operation that is taking place jointly today in the Lake Chad Basin region against the terrorists, and this big operation is being conducted by MNJTF – the Multinational Joint Task Force.

“And as you will know very well, the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force is funded almost entirely by Nigeria. And this operation is meant to help in providing security challenges that both of our countries are facing.

“I want to reiterate my recommendation and thanks to President Buhari, who, because of his support, this operation is going on and will be very much continuing in future,” he said.

The Nigerien leader expressed optimism that Nigeria and Niger Republic would continue to promote ties in the areas of security and economic development.

It was gathered that the visiting Nigerien leader was also hosted to a lunch by Buhari shortly after their bilateral engagement.

Ajaokuta Steel: British Firm Will Fix It For Free – Minister

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Angel Gimalo

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April 1, 2022

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Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbite, has said the federal government has engaged a British firm to revive Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited “for free”.

The decision came after the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine.

He said this while fielding questions from State House reporters at the special weekly briefing coordinated by the Presidential Communications Team in Abuja.

The minister, while speaking on the efforts to revive the steel company under the current administration, said President Muhammadu Buhari had released $2b in 2020 to revive the project under an arrangement with a firm comprising both Russians and Ukrainians.

He said, “In October 2019, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and Russia’s Vladimir Putin met at the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi and agreed to revive the uncompleted Ajaokuta steel mill.”

Adegbite, however said: “The project suffered force majeure due to COVID-19”

The minister, who did not name the British firm, said the arrangements with the Russian firm failed as the contract was awarded to a company with both Russian and Ukrainian interests.

He said the “British firm is offering to do it for us free now”, adding that “By the grace of God, we have started an irreversible process. The problem with Ajaokuta is actually what we call force majeure. Nobody thought of the COVID, because the plan was to deliver Ajaokuta this year 2022.

Israel And UAE Sign Free Trade Agreement

By

Elizabeth Williams

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April 1, 2022

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Hailed as a significant and historic milestone, After five months of negotiations, Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed on Friday a free trade agreement between the two countries.

On Tuesday, Economy Minister Orna Barbivai met in Jerusalem with Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, for the fourth and final round of talks.

The two signed the agreement at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem on Friday.

“Since the establishment of the Abraham Accords, the Economy and Industry Ministry has been working to expand economic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and to realize its economic potential,” said Barbivai.

“The finalization of the negotiations is a significant and historic milestone in the relationship between the countries and we will continue to assist the Israeli business community in establishing trade relations in the United Arab Emirates,” she added.

The agreement will officially take effect following a ratification process in both countries. Government lawyers are currently drawing up the detailed documents needed to put the agreements into practice.

The “comprehensive” agreement covers regulation, customs, services, government procurement, e-commerce and protection of intellectual property rights, the Economy Ministry said in a statement.

Some 95% of products traded between the countries, including food, agriculture, cosmetics, medical equipment and medication, will be exempt from customs duty, according to the statement. A number of products will be exempt immediately, while others will gradually be granted exemptions.

Telecoms operators In Nigeria Threaten to Increase Tariff

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Elizabeth Williams

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April 1, 2022

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Telecoms operators in Nigeria have threatened to increase their tariffs over the rising cost of running business and security of telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) also says it is considering varying tariffs to some ‘unfriendly telecommunications states’ in order to accommodate their demands.

ALTON is an association of major telecoms operators, including MTN, Glo and Airtel

Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, told journalists on Thursday in Lagos that the high cost of energy and security of telecom workers was hampering its operations.

“We are concerned that unless there is an intervention to save this sector, operators will have no choice than to begin a process of price review.

“Operators are very concerned about the rising cost of diesel and its implications on the general cost of business,” the ALTON chair said.

He said the government needed to do a lot more to keep the nation safe and keep telecom workers safe.

“We reaffirm our commitment to working with the security agencies in order to get necessary support for national security.

“We now need protection from sub-national government and agencies to stop the interference of smooth operations of telecom services,” he said.

South Africa Strikes Deal to Buy Gas From Mozambique

By

Elizabeth Williams

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April 1, 2022

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South Africa’s Deputy President David Mabuza says government has reached an agreement with Maputo that will see South Africa getting a supply of gas from Mozambique.

The Deputy President said this when he responded to oral questions at a sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday.

“Discussions between our Minister here of Mineral Resources [and Energy] and Mozambique are quite advanced in terms of gas that we should transport from Mozambique to the country.

“I can safely say that we have reached an agreement,” he said on Thursday.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs), the Deputy President said alternative energy generation measures are being explored and implemented to augment electricity supply and improve the stability of the grid.

Deputy President Mabuza also said the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has amended the Electricity Regulations of New Generation Capacity. The department has also put together processes to be followed to ensure requests by municipalities for own generation are speedily attended to.

He told MPs that currently, 292 small-scale generators have registered with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and have generation capacity of 187MW.

“The Independent Power Producers Office is processing offers by independent power producers for approval by Eskom and National Treasury.”

He said the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has issued determinations on the required new generation capacity, in concurrence with the NERSA.

“The Determinations made, resulted in the procurement of more than 7 309 MW from renewable and non-renewable energy.

“Most of these power plants are already in operation, with less than 400MW still under construction,” he said.

Telecom Operators Threaten Tariff Increase Over Increased Running Cost

By

faith Jegede

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April 1, 2022

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The Nigerian Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has revealed that the rising costs of doing business in Nigeria is making them consider an upward review of tariffs.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, in an interview with newsmen on Thursday evening, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

They added that unless there is an intervention to save this sector, operators will have no choice but to begin a process of price review and also warns of telecoms blackouts due to tax disputes with the Kogi State government.

It warned about the high costs of doing business, cost of energy, and security of telecom workers were hampering its operations.

The ALTON chairman said, “Operators are very concerned about the rising cost of diesel and its implications on the general cost of business.

“We reaffirm our commitment to working with the security agencies in order to get necessary support for national security.

“We now need protection from sub-national government and agencies to stop the interference of smooth operations of telecom services.”

ALTON highlighted increased anti-business activities by the Kogi State government, shutting down its facilities over tax disputes with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS). It stated that the action by KIRS was hinged on an ex-parte court order obtained by the KIRS over unsubstantiated allegations that its members are in default of tax payments to the state government, which ALTON says is not true.

“This issue is likely to lead to a total communications blackout in the entire Kogi state, parts of Abuja and possibly impact on service availability in some parts of the following states: Nassarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Niger. These are states sharing borders with Kogi,” citing that its associated members have difficulties refueling stations and services,” Adebayo said.

Adebayo also said that as a result of these actions by the state government, its members were unable to refuel the power generators nor provide any support or maintenance services in the sites.

“The impact of these outages will gradually spread to the states mentioned above and if no action is taken within the next few days, a total outage of telecommunication sites in all these states will be catastrophically experienced.

“To the best of our knowledge, our members have settled all statutory levies and taxes due to the Kogi government and have taken necessary steps to comply with local laws that govern business activities within the state,” he warned

He also warned that Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Directorate for Signage and Advertisement, has refused to grant telecommunication service providers permit to build infrastructure in the Federal Capital City, which also affects service delivery, and urged the Federal Executive Council to intervene on behalf of the FCDA in granting permits for infrastructure upgrade.

Malaysians In Singapore Return As Country Opens Fully

By

Angel Gimalo

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April 1, 2022

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Thousands of Malaysians working in Singapore returned home Friday as Malaysia fully reopened its borders after more than two years of pandemic closure.

Many had lined up at the border since late Thursday and crossed over at midnight on foot or by car and motorcycles.

Fireworks could be heard in the background along with shouts of “welcome back” as families waited for their loved ones at the Johor Causeway linking the countries.

The Malaysia-Singapore land border, one of the busiest in the world, was partially reopened Nov. 29 but it was limited to only about 1,500 people one-way daily with strict rules.

More than 350,000 people crossed the causeway daily before it was shut, mostly Malaysians working in Singapore.

Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said in a statement that more than 11,000 travelers passed through the checkpoints early Friday.

Malaysian officials estimate some 400,000 people are expected to cross the border within the first week.

Exploring An Essential Natural Feature, Jordan River

By

Angel Gimalo

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April 1, 2022

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Jordan River is a river with the lowest elevation of any river in the world, which runs through Jordan, Israel and Palestine, and flows into the Dead Sea.

This 251 kilometers (156 miles) long river runs through the land and history of the Bible, giving its waters a spiritual significance that sets aside from other rivers.

Rising of the slopes of Mount Hermon, on the border between Syria and Lebanon, flows southward through northern Israel to the Sea of Galilee, where it exits the sea, through the West Bank, then Jordan to be emptied finally into the Dead Sea.

Throughout history, the Jordan has been an essential natural feature in a landmarked by political and religious conflict.

It is significant for Christians because John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the waters of the Jordan.

Because its waters are a vital resource for the drylands of the region, the river has been a great source of contention among Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.

Nowadays, more than 90% of the natural flow has been diverted for domestic and agricultural use, where the lower part of the river is heavily polluted by sewage and industrial run-off.

The Jordan River is a great source of water for the population of Israel, being the second largest water source, as well as an important source for Jordan.

Due to the conflict about the waters of the river in 1965, the Six-Day War began in 1967 between Egypt, Jordan and Syria against Israel.

At first, Syria wanted to divert some of the waters from the Sea of Galilee, which would have reduced Israel’s water source to 35%, Israel was forced to take measures against this problem.

Inscribed in the Bible and many other religious and scientific papers, the Jordan River will remain one of the many apples of discord in the Middle East, with the hope that the pollution will be reduced, and the water flow increased.