News
Project Development Agency bill scale second reading in Senate
A bill for an Act to establish the Project Development Agency (PDA) charged with the broad function of generating and catalyzing industrialization by carrying out industrial research from the laboratory stage to the pilot plant stage, and by rendering consultancy services to government, industry and individual, and for related matters, 2023 ( SB. 1097) has scaled second reading in the Senate on Tuesday.
The bill, sponsored by Frank Ibezim, Senator representing lmo North seeks to give Project Development Institute (PRODA) in Enugu State, South East (Federal of Science and Technology) that has been existing for over 43 years a legal backing to function optimally.
According to him, once PRODA have a legal backing it required, it would be very effective and reign out the right functions in research and development in the south east where they have lots of need to showcase natural products.
“For PRODA that has been established for 43 years, in Enugu, south east of Nigeria to function optimally, we have to give it a legal backing. So coming to Senate and realizing that it has no legal backing, l felt like, there is no reason why we should not give it a legal backing because once PRODA have a legal backing, it would be very effective and do right functions it ought to do.
“And you know the importance of research, and development, south east where we have lots of needs for us to showcase the natural products over there, PRODA was established all these years for it to do that and it has not been done optimally; that is why l came up with the bill to give it legal backing and make it to function.
“A lot of people were shocked to hear that PRODA do not have legal backing, so l have no dought that the Senate Chairman of the Committee on science and technology which I am also a member would be happy to do the necessary work to call a public hearing for all stakeholders to contribute to the bill for quick passage.
“And when it passed into law, it would be a research institute that would perform under international best practices. So it is apt and timely knowing the time we are in now, we need to recreate whatever thing we can do for our country technologically as Nigeria is bleeding and is affecting every aspect of it from the youth to the women and the elderly.
“A country where more than 70% of the citizens are 40 years and below, it means that we have a challenge of jobs. So PRODA, effectively would not only bring not just jobs but fast track the technology areas. There is need for us to understand that everybody would not go to University, but those that are not able to attend University should be able to do everything to enhance technology.
“So this is the better time to push for it because we are going to go for recess for the 2023 general election, but l can assure you that we would do all we can to speedy up the passage. The president of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan had told us that we need to do everything to ensure all the bills are passed.
“I also had a Federal Medical Center Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB1100) that has passed first reading. We cannot overemphasized the importance of bringing the health facility in a place and l believe and always said it, that at least every senatorial district should have a federal medical center. We would do all we do can to fast track all the bills before we go for campaign and election.
“Tomorrow, l am very sure that the Federal Medical Center Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB1100) will pass second reading, this is to show you how fast the Senate is going to fast track work” he stressed.
“PRODA formerly known as the Research and Production Department of the old Eastern Region, the Institute was the manufacturing engine room for the prosecution of the civil war for the defunct Biafra Republic.
“One of the most notable inventions of the institute during the civil war was the “ogbunigwe” bomb, a self-propelled rocket with an 8-kilometre range that could wipe out a company of enemy troops.
“After the civil war, it was renamed PRODA and enlisted as one of the 17 agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology and pioneered the first made-in-Nigeria ‘car’, branded PRODA.
“The low-cost prototype was taken on a roadshow across the country. However, a functional version of the vehicle did not see the light of the day as the government later jettisoned the idea.
“After years of being in limbo, PRODA crept back into the consciousness of many Nigerians recently after the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, announced that by 2018 Nigeria would start the production of pencils. PRODA was the agency saddled with the responsibility of leading this “revolution.”
“But despite huge budgetary allocations, perhaps to kick-off the pencil production, the government has been unable to rouse the comatose agency from its deep slumber. The so-called pencil revolution is yet to start, and the agency is fast rotting away.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Monday received a petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Uduaghan from the 10th Senate.
The petition was submitted by the constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District to recall Natasha having signed the petition which claimed to have met the requirements as stipulatedby the Constitution 1990 as amended.
Our correspondent who monitre the development at the Maitama headquarter of INEC report that th3 petition was submitted with over 250,000 signatures out of 480,000 registered voters.
The Constitution however required above 50% register3d voters’ recall signatures before it could be recognised and acceptable.
Senator Natasha is currently on suspension for six months for breaching Senate Rules and has proceeded to Court to challenge the Senate decision which was yet to determined.
She also alleged sexual harassment by the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio.
CAPITAL POST gathered that the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has highjacked the recall which is being pursued through proxies disguised as constituents in order to contest for the Senate if the exercise succeeds.
Palpable fear and tension has gripped the ancient city of Kano as Emirs Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero are both planning to feature the traditional Sallah Durbar festival.
The parallel plan has sent jitters down the spine of Kano residents amid uncertainty and possible violence as both are laying claims to the legitimacy of organizing Sallah Durbar.
Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has already scheduled a Durbar festival, but Emir Sanusi II is kicking.
Our correspondent reports that both Emirs have mapped out line of events with the State Government backing Emir Lamido Sanusi II, while the Federal Government is backing Aminu Ado Bayero.
CAPITAL POST recalled the prolong emirship tussle in Court. The development is causing more confusion as both Emirs are laying claims to the throne.
In a letter signed by Bayero’s Private Secretary, Abdullahi Haruna Kwaru, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, the 15th Emir has notified the authorities of the plan and arrangements to conduct the traditional festival, including Hauwa Nasarawa and Daushe, to commemorate the end of Ramadan.
According to the schedule, Bayero’s festivities will feature Hawan Sallah, Hawan Daushe, and Hawan Nassarawa on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of Shawwal 1446 AH, followed by a cultural event on the 4th day.
Kwaru noted that this year’s celebrations marked a significant milestone, coinciding with the Emir’s fifth anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
“The purpose of this letter is to formally notify the security agencies in Kano State, particularly the Police Force, that this year’s Sallah events coincide with the five (5) years anniversary of His Highness on the throne of his forefathers, with the assurance that all activities will be conducted peacefully,” the letter read.
Kwaru expressed hope for a peaceful celebration and prayed for protection, good health, and harmony in society, adding that the Emir’s office sought the cooperation of security agencies to ensure a peaceful and successful celebration.
Incidentally, Bayero’s notice of the event emerged on social media soon after, the Kano State Government directed the four recognized emirates, under the leadership of Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, to commence full preparation for the Durbar festival.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the directive while hosting the first and second-class emirs to a special Ramadan Iftar at the Government House, insisting that residents would not be denied the opportunity to relish the colorful traditional activities at the end of Ramadan.
The Kano Sallah Durbar festival is a famous tourist attraction that gathers visitors from within and outside Nigeria to witness the heritage of Hausa/Fulani culture at the Emir’s palace.
The Durbar features a colourful horse ride by the Emir, accompanied by district heads, traditional titleholders, and hundreds of their subjects, where they display ancient shows of strength and warrior traditions.
Besides the horse rides, the Sallah festival also witnesses the honour of homage by the Emir to the Government House (Hauwa Nassarawa) on the second day of Sallah, after the Governor would have paid a similar visit to the palace on Sallah day.
Coincidentally, while Governor Yusuf is scheduled to receive the homage of Muhammadu Sanusi and other second-class emirs at the Government House, The Guardian reliably gathered that Bayero would pay a similar visit to Federal Government delegations, including top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kano, at a local venue yet to be unveiled.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Police Command in Kano, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were unsuccessful as his phone line was reported to have been forwarded to another unknown line. However, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, upon his arrival, pledged to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Another explosion has rocked the Soku oil
facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Sunday’s fire is the second in a week after an explosion hit the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, thus raising concerns of sabotage.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a prominent grassroots NGO active across the Niger Delta, confirmed the incident on Sunday, March 23.
In a statement signed by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, its executive director, YEAC disclosed that its youth volunteers reported an early morning explosion accompanied by fireballs at the facility, which is operated by Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited.
“An explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to reach. The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” Fyneface stated.
The cause of fire at the gas station in Toru LGA was not yet clear at the time of the press, but speculations about equipment failure to sabotage or even deliberate attack was rife.
It marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State within a week, intensifying concerns over the state’s oil infrastructure.
The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, while the second took place in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. The latter incident was referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on March 18, during which he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
In response to the escalating security challenges, President Tinubu took decisive action by suspending the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The move followed allegations that the governor failed to protect the state’s critical oil infrastructure.
Tensions have further heightened following a viral video in which some youths issued warnings against the governor’s impeachment.
The recent string of explosions has raised alarm among stakeholders in the Niger Delta, a region already grappling with environmental degradation and security issues tied to oil production. With fires still raging at the Soku facility, calls for an urgent investigation and enhanced security measures around oil infrastructure have grown louder.
-
News7 days agoBill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute in Kogi passes first reading in Senate
-
News7 days agoShehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence
-
News7 days agoReport of attack on Wike’s Port Harcourt residence false, misleading – Police
-
News6 days agoPlateau gov’t expresses concern over violence in Shendam LGA, calls for calm
-
Sports1 week agoMerino gives Arsenal win over Chelsea
-
Interview1 week agoSenators Natasha-Akpabio saga should have been resolved privately – Rev. Mrs Emeribe
-
Politics4 days agoOpposition leaders announce coalition to challenge Tinubu in 2027
-
News1 week agoNatasha uncovers arrest plot after reported Akpabio to IPU in New York