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Stakeholders Reach Consensus On Sanitizing Imo Mining Sector As Commissioner Solicits Compliance

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By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe

The Commissioner for Industry Mines and Solid Minerals, Rt. Hon. Ernest Ibejiakor (Nwa Ndaa) on Thursday, 13th June, hosted a stakeholders meeting comprising officials from the ministry, miners and off takers in the state. The aim of the parley which held at the State Secretariat, Off Port-Harcourt, Owerri, was to sanitize and engineer progress in the Imo State mining sector following some uncomplimentary activities ravaging the sector.

Rt. Hon. Ibejiakor, who appreciated the participants’ attendance and support since assuming office, however, emphasized the importance of the meeting. “I have come to realize that a lot of challenges abound which must be tackled urgently if I must achieve the core mandates and responsibilities of my ministry. The success of our deliberations today no doubt will enable us to surmount present challenges facing mining sector and avail ourselves the opportunity to prosper and move forward to our collective benefit,” he said.

The Commissioner, stressed the importance of the sector to the ecological and environmental systems, but regretted that lack of compliance to mining regulations, conflicts among stakeholders, proliferation of mining routes and lack of proper accountability among other unethical practices have led to abysmal revenue generation to government as well as damages to the environment which called for the closure of some mining sites. He outlined the above, and solicited the corporation of all stakeholders.

Contributing, the Chairman of Miners Association of Nigeria, Imo State Chapter/South-East, Prince Ugochukwu Onyenwenwa, commended Hon. Ibejiakor for the meeting he described as timely in moving the sector forward. Meanwhile, he faulted the activities of revenue collectors as deviating from extant laws and regulations in the sector, and decried the huge loss of accruable revenues to the government because of fraudulent activities. He solicited total overhauling of the sector and promised the support of the association in getting things right.

Meanwhile, stakeholders after deliberating on critical issues affecting the ministry, unanimously agreed to work towards making the sector efficient and sustainable. The communique issued at the end of the parley outlined some of the objectives to be pursued to include: achieving harmony and cooperation among all the mining
stakeholders in the state.

It also highlighted the importance of stakeholders adhering strictly to the mining rules and regulations in the state. The communique also stated that for the reason of sustaining the ecosystems, all mining sites listed for closure shall be closed and the miners
involved be relocated to safer ecological/environmental zones. Similarly, proliferation of mining routes in the state must be curtailed.

To ensure accountability and improved revenue generation to the government, stakeholders at the meeting resolved to pursue periodic appraisal and audit of revenue collection performances in the state, while embarking on upward review of the revenue subheads of the ministry in keeping with current economic realities as approved and adopted.

Signed by stakeholders at the meeting, the communique clearly noted that any violation of the regulations, guidelines, directives and agreements in the Imo State Mining and Solid Minerals Sector would attract the weight
of the law, and called for cooperation of all involved towards achieving the desired sanity and progress in the ministry and loyalty to both the federal government and Imo State government on the issue.

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Politics

Breaking: Yuletide: FG declares Dec 25, 26, Jan 1 as public holidays

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December 23, 2024

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By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Federal Government has declared Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th December 2024, and Wednesday 1st January, 2025 as Public Holidays to celebrate Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year respectively.

 

According to her, the minister extended warm greetings to all Nigerians, urging them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that the season signifies.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of the season as a time to
foster harmony and strengthen bonds across families and communities.

The Minister also called on Nigerians to remain committed to the peace, unity and progress of the nation for national development.

“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” said Dr. Tunji-Ojo.

He assured citizens of the Federal Government’s continued commitment to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.

“While wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2025, the Minister expressed his confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s Administration ushering in the new year, a better and prosperous economy that will be the envy of the world”, the statement added.

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Governor UZODINMA has offered yet again free transportation buses from Lagos to *Owerri, Okigwe* and *Orlu* . The buses are free for Imolites from Lagos to Imo State on *24th December* and back to Lagos on *4th January* .

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14 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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Press release

We are not fraudsters, evacuation of Imo residents in Lagos will go on – ISTDAL

Our attention had been drawn to a report where the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Imo State Government impersonated by unknown persons to issue a statement about a well intentioned gesture of the Governor to evacuate interested Imo indigenes resident in Lagos who wish to be home for the Christmas and New year celebrations.

In his magnanimity, Governor Uzodimma gave approval for the exercise to be carried out on December 24, 2024 for those returning from Lagos and those who would be returning to Lagos on January 5, 2025.

Unfortunately, unknown persons mischievously issued a Statement where
the name and designation of the Chief Press Secretary were impersonated as the author.

Based on that the Chief Press Secretary raised a strong statement where he called those behind the criminal and mischievous statement fraudsters, believing we were the ones behind it.

While we regret the criminal intentions of those behind the impersonation of the Office of the Governor’s spokesperson, we make bold to dissociate members of our association who are part of the evaluation exercise as fraudsters.

If anything, members of our association work in tandem with the Governor and his government for the wellbeing of our people for which this exercise is one of them.

Like the Governor, we mean well for our people resident in Lagos or any other part of the country and will not be part of moves to undermine the good intentions of His Excellency.

We put up this statement after conferring with the Chief Press Secretary and availing him with the facts regarding the exercise, and do hope that those who have already indicated interest in travelling through the channels we had earlier announced, and intending ones, should feel free to avail themselves of the opportunity.

Please, refer to our earlier announcement where the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor was not impersonated.

*Breaking news!! Breaking news!!!.*
*To all Imolites resident in Lagos.*

The Imo State Governor *Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodimna (OON)* in line with 3Rs of His Excellency’s administration and in alleviating the stress, difficulties and hardship Imolites go through during Christmas journey, Governor UZODINMA has offered yet again free transportation buses from Lagos to *Owerri, Okigwe* and *Orlu* .

The buses are free for Imolites from Lagos to Imo State on *24th December* and back to Lagos on *4th January* .

Interested persons should please call *(ISTDAL)* *08033255565, 08092362966* or *07089303866* for seats reservation.

Please the buses are free and is on first come accreditation bases, once the seats are fully booked the registration closes, ( *_PLS DO NOT PAY ANYBODY ONE KOBO_)*

Please the buses are *NOT LUXURIES BUSES* , so only passengers with a small sizable bags will be allowed. (no big boxes or load is allowed)

The buses will leave on Tuesday 24th December at exactly *7.15am* to Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu.

The departure point will be made available after your registration, *(if you are not captured on accreditation, pls don’t bother coming as only accreditated passengers are allowed)* and please indicate your direction.

Call *Chima Davis* on the above numbers as soon as possible for accreditation ahead of time, you *must prove* you are from Imo State.

Note: the bus will not stop or drop any passenger until it passes Ihiala unto Imo State.

Thanks and best regards

*_C@davis 21.12.24_*

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FG Sets Aside ₦27bn For Obasanjo, Gowon, Buhari, Others In 2025

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December 22, 2024

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The Federal Government has allocated ₦27 billion for the entitlements of former presidents, vice presidents, heads of state, chiefs of staff, retired heads of service, and professors in the 2025 fiscal year.

The beneficiaries of this allocation include former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, alongside ex-vice-presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Other notable individuals expected to benefit from this allocation are ex-military Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), as well as former military President, Ibrahim Babangida, and retired Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.

It can be recalled that President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presented the 2025 budget, titled ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,’ to a joint session of the National Assembly. The ₦49.70 trillion spending plan prioritizes defence, infrastructure, and human capital development, with a projected ₦13.39 trillion deficit to be financed through borrowing.

The Federal Government has allocated ₦1.4 trillion for pensions, gratuities, and retirees’ benefits. This allocation includes ₦2.3 billion for former presidents, heads of state, and vice presidents. Retired heads of service and permanent secretaries will receive ₦10.5 billion, while retired professors in universities will get ₦13.5 billion. Additionally, ₦1 billion has been allocated for retired heads of government agencies and parastatals. The total allocation for these groups amounts to ₦27 billion.

Furthermore, the budget allocates ₦46 billion for civilian pensions under the Office of the Head of Civil Service, while ₦383.9 billion is earmarked for military pensions and gratuities. An additional ₦66.8 billion is budgeted for expected retirees, with ₦434 million allocated for administrative charges, ₦596 million for pension running costs, and ₦870 million for medical retirees.

The Federal Government has also set aside funds for various social investment programs, including the student loan scheme, National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy programs, National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, and the Consumer Credit Fund initiatives. A total of ₦500 billion has been allocated for these programs, with ₦50 billion specifically earmarked for the student loan scheme.

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