Connect with us

News

Ekiti Seals Two Houses Allegedly Owned By Fayose

Published

on

Two new buildings allegedly owned by former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose have been sealed by agents of the state government.

The state government through the Ministry of Housing, Urban and Physical Development, said the twin duplexes were sealed for lack of approved plan and permit.

The buildings, which are adjacent the official residence of the Deputy Governor, are located in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ado-Ekiti within the precincts of the Government House.

The contractor handling the project began work about four months ago after the buildings erected on the plot were pulled down to give way for the new edifices.

The official seal closing down the buildings was pasted on the gate and was seen by our reporter during a visit to the site on Friday.

The gate was under lock and key while the contractor was nowhere to be found when our reporter visited the site.

The seal shutting down the buildings was signed by the Director of Urban and Regional Planning in the Ministry of Housing, Urban and Physical Development.

The document reads: “It was discovered during inspection by the Inspectorate staff of our Ministry that a residential building by you at GRA has no approved plan /permit for the site or bring same to our office to get certification for the erection.

“You are hereby ordered to suspend the use of the building premises until approved plan is submitted for clearance.”

Fayose has been accused by the opposition in the state of using his former position as governor to acquire choice properties in many parts of Ado-Ekiti.

The ex-governor earlier in the week appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos where he was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering.

He was granted bail on Wednesday but he was yet to meet his bail condition at the time of filing this report.

In his response to the sealing of the buildings in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose accused Governor Kayode Fayemi of vendetta and desperation.

Speaking through his media aide, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose denied ownership of the buildings in question urging the state government to provide evidence to prove his ownership of the property.

He said: “Governor Fayemi was only acting out of desperation, and vengeance over the 2014 shameful electoral defeat.

“The property in question does not belong to Fayose. Fayemi’s government should produce evidence linking the former government to the property.

“Fayose has said he was ready for probe and that he will appear in person before any panel set up by Fayemi. So, why the desperation?

“Our advice is that, Fayemi should place high premium on payment of the workers’ salary arrears since N30bn is already in his custody released by the Federal Government and not embarking on witch hunting or disparaging his predecessor. The money should not be used to fund the election petition filed against him.

“He should hurry up to do all he could for the benefit of common Ekiti people because time is not on his side.”

 

Credit: The Nation

Loading

Continue Reading

Business

NPA Announces 15% Port Tariff Increase, First in 32 Years

Published

on

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has announced a 15% raise in port tariffs, marking the first hike in 32 years.

This was disclosed by the NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, during a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos on Thursday.

He stated that the 15% increment will be applied across board, affecting various services and operations within the ports.

According to Dantsoho, represented by Executive Director of Marine and Operations Mr. Olalekan Badmus, the NPA has maintained the same rates for over three decades despite significant economic changes.

Persecondnews reports that the changes include exchange rate fluctuations, rising wages, fuel and lubricant costs, and inflation.

The tariff increase aims to address these economic realities and ensure the sustainability of port operations.

The decision, however, has been greeted with mixed reactions.

While some stakeholders in the shipping and logistics sectors have expressed concerns about the impact of the tariff hike on the cost of doing business in Nigeria, others have acknowledged the necessity of the move in light of the agency’s financial constraints and the broader economic conditions.

The tariff increase is expected to take effect in the coming months, and the NPA has assured stakeholders that it will work closely with port operators, shipping companies, and other stakeholders to minimize any potential disruptions during the transition.

Additionally, the NPA plans to use the additional revenue generated from the increase to fund improvements of port infrastructure, enhance the capacity of terminals, and improve services such as cargo handling, storage, and security.

Loading

Continue Reading

News

Temper justice with mercy, deputy speaker begs Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu

Published

on

… says Kanu’s release will end insecurity in S’East

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to temper justice with mercy and give freedom to the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu from detention.

Kalu made the appeal after the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

The deputy speaker commended the President for his support and commitment towards peace, development and stability of the South-East region.


He noted that the President since assuming office has in various ways proven his love for the South-Easterners through his speedy assent to the South East Development Commission Bill which failed in previous assemblies.

Suggesting the adoption of political approach than legal for the release of Kanu, Kalu said that the people of the region will be eternally grateful to the President if that becomes a reality.


Expressing optimism that the President will heed to their appeal, the deputy speaker noted that when Kanu is released insecurity in the region will be reduced and as well spring up development that the SEDC is going to bring.


“We are thankful to Mr President for doing this for the South-East. Insecurity is a major concern in the area, you can’t have development in midst of insecurity. That’s why we started what we call peace in South-East project supported by the parliament. But in doing so we noticed that the insecurity there will be reduced if Nnamdi Kanu is released. We want Nnamdi Kanu to be released because we know it will give our people more security”, he said.

“Those who are using him as excuses to perpetrate all these criminal actions around our area will have no other reason to be on the street. Then the police and security agencies will catch anyone who claims Nnamdi Kanu is the reason for causing harm to the people of South-East. So, we are begging, you can’t coarse the President, he’s the Commander in Chief. All we are saying is use political approach not the legal approach. We are appealing to him to temper justice with mercy and release Nnamdi Kanu to southeast people. It will ensure more security for our people and spring up development that this SEDC is going to bring” Kalu urged.

Loading

Continue Reading

News

I will make it harder for immigrants to get British citizenship – Kemi Badenoch vows

Published

on

The United Kingdom Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, has vowed that she will make it more difficult for immigrants to get British citizenship.

While making one of her first policy announcements since she became leader, Badenoch said immigrants would only be able to apply for citizenship after being in the UK for 15 years.

Badenoch also declared that indefinite leave to remain, which paves the way for citizenship, should not be granted to those who have criminal records or who had claimed benefits or social housing.


According to her, citizenship was a privilege, not just a right and should only be for those with a “meaningful connection to the UK”.

Obtaining indefinite leave to remain, ILR gives people the right to live, work and study in the UK.

It is usually possible for a person to apply for ILR if they have worked in the UK for at least five years, although it can be two or three years if they came to the UK on particular visas.

Loading

Continue Reading

Recent Posts




JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

Trending