Category: News

The Governor Peter Mbah Administration in Enugu State Government has awarded the contract for the revamping of Hotel Presidential, a premier hotel in the heart of the state’s capital.

The administration also said that it was currently perfecting the terms of agreement for the resuscitation of the state-owned Nigergas Company Limited sequel to a memo by the Enugu State Investment Development Authority in line with Dr. Peter Mbah’s target to rehabilitate, refurbish, and commission all dormant state assets such as Nigergas.

Government made these known after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the governor at the weekend.

Briefing Government House correspondents, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, and his Culture and Tourism counterpart, Dame Ugochi Madueke, said the moves were in line with the governor’s promise to convert all dormant assets in the state to productive assets.

According to Dame Madueke, revamping of the Presidential Hotel would not only put Enugu State in the world map as the premier destination for investment, tourism and hospitality, but would also create jobs for the teeming youths in the state.

“It is with great joy that I make this announcement because the hotel has been abandoned and had gone moribund over the past years. However, bringing it back to life will not only put our state on the world map again, it will equally create economic value-chain, market, tourism and employment for our youths,” the commissioner stated.

Hotel Presidential was built by the administration of the late premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, and opened in 1963. It ran as a prestigious hotel until it became moribund decades after.

Speaking on the Nigergas Company Limited, Mr. Aka observed that the present administration was focused on reviving all moribund industries to create economy of scale for the state, and lead to the state selling its products beyond the East of the Niger.

He said the approval for the revamp of the comatose company was based on a rigorous assessment of many commercial proposals and models presented to the state, establishing a compelling business case and profitability.

On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, while throwing more light on the move, said the demand for medical oxygen and industrial gas in the country far outpace the supply, hence the need for the state government to partner a reliable private player with proven integrity and track record to revamp this Nigergas and take advantage of the huge inherent opportunities.

“The “re-engineering, refurbishment, and subsequent commissioning of Nigergas is a deliberate step by the Governor Mbah Administration to provide the much-needed medical oxygen and industrial gas for the South East and the entire country because the country is hugely underserved.

“The profitability profile, commercial and investment have been vetted with prospects of huge profit.

“We have everything on ground, and our timeline to kick off is certain. What remains is the paperwork because we already have the approval of the governor and now that of the State Exco,” he added.

Dr. Nwobodo said the Nigergas Company, would employ over a thousand workers, when resuscitated.

He explained that the move to revamp Nigergas was one in the series of projects aimed at reviving other moribund state-owned enterprises such as Niger Steel Ltd., Sunrise Flour Mills, and the aluminum smelting company at Ohebe Dim.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission attached to the Taskforce on Currency mutilation, Dollarization of the Economy and Forex Malpractice,  have arrested 34 suspected currency speculators  for alleged foreign exchange fraud.

They were arrested on Friday, April 26, 2024 in a sting operation following credible intelligence about illegal sales of dollars at the Wuse Zone 4 area of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

A statement by EFCC Spokesman Dele Oyewale gave the names of the suspects as: Usman Mohammed, Abdullahi Nasir, Abubakar Saleh, Mohammed Kabir Ibrahim, Abubakar Ghadafi, Muktar Usman, Umar Abubakar Abba, Yakubu Sani, Aminu Abubakar, Muhammed Suleman Abara, Yusuf Tahir, Usman Lawal, Usman Lawal, Usman Umar and Amina Garba Rola.

The statement listed the other suspects as: Muhammed Aliyu, Murtala Haruna, Sani Mohammed, Umar Farouk, Muhammed Sagiuru, Aminu Salisu, Lawal Bello, Munzali Hashim, Jamilu Suleiman, Mustapha Umar, Mubarak Tanimu, Adamu Garba, Mohammed Usman, Bello Musa, Saleh Mohammed Naseer, Zaharadeen Yau, Musa Umaru Adamu, Usman Machido and Abdulaziz Abubakar Abba.

Oyewale said the Arrests  came on the heels of the EFCC’s consistent efforts to sanitise and stabilise the foreign exchange market.

The Spokesman said that the suspects would soon be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.

Vanguard

President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State have both expressed shock over the death of Sen. Ayogu Eze.

In their separate statements obtained by Pacesetter, Tinubu and Mbah prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased senator.

President Bola Tinubu’s message signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, reads:

“President Bola Tinubu extends his condolences to the Eze family over the passing of Senator Ayogu Eze.

“The late politician represented Enugu North Senatorial Zone in the Senate from 2007 to 2015. During his time in the Senate, he held several positions, including Committee Chairman on Information and Media; Chairman of the Committee on Works, among others.

“The President also condoles with the friends, associates, and former colleagues of the deceased, including the National Assembly as an institution.

“The President prays to God Almighty to grant repose to the soul of the departed and comfort to those in mourning.

Gov Mbah Mourns Sen. Ayogu Eze, Says it’s a Monumental Loss

Gov. Mbah expressed deep grief over the death of member representing Enugu State on the Board of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and a former lawmaker representing Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Senator Ayogu Eze.

Mbah, who said it had been difficult to come to terms with the development, described it as as a monumental loss to the state and Nigeria as a whole, noting that the late Senator Ayogu served the nation creditably starting from his home state, Enugu, where he served in several capacities to the national level where he served in both the legislative and executive arms of government.

Mbah expressed his grief in a statement he personally signed on Friday, saying that the state would stand by Ayogu’s family in this time of grief and prayed God to grant the deceased’s soul eternal rest.

“I received with a deep sense of grief the news of the passing of my brother, friend, and our illustrious son, Distinguished Senator Ayogu Eze. This is a huge loss, not only to the Government and people of Enugu State, but also the nation as a whole.

“Senator Ayogu was a thoroughbred media professional, entrepreneur, community leader, and nation-builder, who served Enugu State in several capacities, including as a Commissioner, before proceeding to the centre where he served as a two-term senator and on the Boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority and the RMAFC.

“His services to the people of Enugu State and the nation will be sorely missed, especially at a time the nation is in need of experienced hands like him.

“We stand with members of the Ayogu Eze family in this time of grief and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the grievous loss.

“May God grant his gentle soul eternal repose”, Mbah stated.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says the recent price increases in MultiChoice cable subscriptions will reviewed by relevant stakeholders to ensure subscribers in Nigeria get value for their money.

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Thursday, flagged off another round of the distribution of palliatives in the state, warning against the politicisation of the exercise to ensure it gets to the independent and vulnerable people across the state.

Mbah, however, said that the palliatives were a quick-fix and efforts of the federal government and the state to cushion the effects of the economic hardship in the land while the positive results of the state’s economic policies and programmes crystalise.

Performing the official flag-off after the inspection of the foodstuffs, which were largely grains, the governor assured that the distribution of the palliatives would be carried out from time.

He said: “We have done this before. So, it is an ongoing thing, as we will continue to intervene because we understand the economic challenges and hardship that our people face currently.

“However, what we are witnessing here today is our short-term measure, what we refer to as a quick-fix towards our promise to eradicate poverty and ensure zero hunger in our state. We have robust programmes in place, which will ultimately ensure that we eradicate poverty and kiss it goodbye in Enugu State.

“We have instituted several programmes in place to eradicate poverty. Our community and social development programmes, our state’s small and medium enterprise programme, and our women programmes, among others, were designed to ensure that we empower our people economically. As the Chinese people would say, it is better to teach a man how to fish than to give him fish everyday.

“So, our plan is ultimately for our people to be able to generate wealth, generate employment, and create wealth for themselves.The ultimate thing is for our people to be able to create wealth, whether in the agricultural sector, the business sector or those that are providing services. We are poised to upskill them. And very soon, you will see and also feel the impact of these programmes.

“For those that are in the agricultural sector, we are going to upskill them so they can increase their production. For those in business and the SMEs, we have intervened in those areas by providing funds.

“But while we do those, we are not unmindful that our people must eat the next day, and that is why programmes like this are important and will continue.

“So, what we are witnessing today is a collective effort by the federal government and state government to ensure that we get to the last man.”

Meanwhile, Governor Mbah has directed the state’s committee in charge of palliatives distribution to ensure that the items get to the poor in every nook and cranny of the state.

“We want the palliatives to get to the indigent and the vulnerable people among us. We want it to get across all the 260 wards in the state. Do not politicise it. We have to make sure that it gets to the people in dire need of it,” he stressed.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Mainstream Media, Hon. Dan Nwomeh, is set to commit late mother to earth on Saturday, April 27.

Nwomeh’s mother, Mrs Ezinne Margaret Nebechi Nwomeh, who passed away on 25 February, 2024, would be given a benefitting burial this weekend, at Ozalla, according to the burial programme signed by the family.

The family has also announced a vigil Mass and wake for the late Margaret Nwomeh at the family compound, Old Four Corners, Ozalla, in Nkanu West local government area of the state, according to the Catholic liturgical rite.

Until her demise, Mrs Nwomeh was a devout Catholic where she held several positions and titles due to her virtuous lifestyle which included, Ezinne, Nneohaa.

She was a community health worker, nurse and midwife in several communities, devoting her entire working career in the public service until her retirement

Late Mrs Nwomeh would be remembered for her good works, philanthropy, foundation, godly virtues and staunch Christian faith.

According to Dan Nwomeh, Mama would be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, family members and friends and well-wishers.

…Sets up service centres, cancels haulage revenue collection contracts by MDAs

The Enugu State Government has banned all forms of illegal tolls and extortion of motorists by touts, warning that flouters of the order would face the full wrath of the law.

The government also announced the cancellation of all existing produce and haulage revenue collection contracts by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), saying those responsibilities would now be taken over by service hubs to be established in partnership with Heavyhaul Services Limited to meet the needs of logistics businesses and heavy-duty vehicles that transport goods in and out of Enugu State.

The government made these known at a press conference addressed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday, with critical stakeholders in attendance.

This was even as stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olasoji Akinbayo; Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NUTRW), Mr. Austine Agu; representative of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Mr. Obinna Agbo; traditional ruler of Amalla Egazi Autonomous Community, Igwe Patrick Eze; and the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, commended Governor Peter Mbah for the initiative, pledging to work with the administration to actualise it.

Rendering the directive and initiative, Prof. Onyia said: “The Enugu State Government recognises the pivotal role of efficient logistics and transportation infrastructure in driving our target to grow our economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion naira and make the state the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism, and for living.

“Therefore, the government notes with dismay the reports of the incessant harassment and extortion of motorists and transporters by touts and hoodlums, who masquerade as revenue collectors in some parts of the state.

The government deplores the observed extortions and excesses by hoodlums on our roads.

“In order to stem the excesses and ensure a free movement of persons, goods, and services as well as improve logistics and supply chain operations in Enugu State, the Enugu State Government hereby orders such extortionists to clear off our roads, as anybody caught engaging in such activities henceforth will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. All local government areas are to take note and ensure full compliance with this directive.

“Again, to further improve logistics and supply chain operations and address the challenge of multiple taxations on the highway, touting and all sorts of criminalities committed by non-state actors, the Enugu State Government announces the establishment of Service Centres at strategic locations across the state in partnership with Heavyhaul Services Limited”.

Continuing, he added: “The services will include: provision of livestock health and agro-produce diagnostic centres to ensure that animals and foods coming into the state are safe for consumption and comply with regulatory requirements.

“Provision of designated points where security officials can check and ensure that arms and other dangerous goods are not imported into the state.

“Provision of weigh stations to ensure that trucks and heavy-duty vehicles coming into the state are not overweight, thereby damaging both major and intra-state roads, which were not designed to carry such axle loads.

“Provision of complimentary services to drivers where they can take convenience breaks and refuel (vehicles).

“Deterring industrial waste transportation by enforcing sanctions and penalties.

“Ensuring that the haulage of industrial goods and minerals comply with environmental standards.

“Provision of ancillary services such as vehicle maintenance to reduce road traffic congestions due to the breakdown of heavy-duty trucks,” he stated.

Onyia added that “This press statement serves as a stern warning to those who erect all manner of structures or collect service tolls outside the Service Centres, as such defaulters will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

Meanwhile, one of the speakers, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu of Ibagwa Nike, lamented the extortion of his subjects by touts, saying it was often difficult to differentiate the touts from kidnappers and robbers due to their modes of operation.

“In daytime, you see them with sticks. But in the night, they turn into something else,” he stressed, adding that with the initiative, traditional rulers could now join hands with the government to stamp them out.

Following a runway excursion incident suffered by Nigerian carrier, Dana Air, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, yesterday, the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, to suspend the airline until comprehensive audits on its fleet are conducted.