Militants at it again.

Explosion rocks Bayelsa, as militants attack Agip pipelines
From FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa
Saturday, October 30, 2010


The peace deal between Niger Delta militants and the Federal Government, culminating in the amnesty exercise was yesterday shattered with an attack on an oil facility belonging to Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) located at Osiama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The attack has already forced Agip to shut down the 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) until the conclusion of investigations.
Though the identities of the attackers are not known, reliable sources said an ex-militant leader is being fingered as being behind the attack. Also, security sources said two explosives were used to blow up the pipeline, which link the Osiama field to Brass terminal.

The attackers, who were said to have invaded the facility in the wee hours of the morning, blew up the pipeline and disappeared without any traces.
Checks indicated that the attackers were able to carry out the act because there was no military presence in the area.
An impeccable source said security agents had swung into action, investigating the motive behind the attack. He also said they also do not want to leave any stone unturned, as there are strong indications that some armed groups are planning to unleash violence in the region.

According to the source, Henry Okah, the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), who is currently standing trial in a South African, is believed to have re-armed some groups in the region to show his displeasure with the amnesty exercise of the Federal Government.

Investigations revealed that the attack on the Agip facility has prompted authorities of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) to beef up security around all oil installations in the region, while surveillance has been increased.

The Joint Media Campaign Coordinator (JMCC) of JTF, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha, confirmed the incident and said the security outfit was on top of the situation.
Antigha, however, appealed to youths of the Niger Delta not to destroy the peace that already exists in the region.
While insisting that the military cannot provide security for all pipelines in the region, because of the terrain, he said it was the responsibility of youths and communities where these pipelines are located to secure them.

“The only thing the JTF would say is to appeal to the youths to allow peace to reign. With the amnesty exercise, it is proper for them not to destroy the peace. The development they want can only happen when there is peace. Nobody would come and invest in the region, if there is chaos and violence. Also, the communities, where these pipelines are located, should also do their best to secure the pipelines,” he said.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/30/national-30-10-2010-001.htm

Tension and trouble looms! These workers will hold government to ransom.

Govt to lay off 50,000 PHCN workers
By John Ameh, Abuja
Thursday, 28 Oct 2010


PHCN Installation
The Federal Government said on Wednesday that there was no going back on plans to privatise the Power Holding Company of Nigeria in order to stabilise electricity supply in the country.


The Special Adviser on Power to President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Barth Nnaji, at a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, in Abuja on Wednesday, disclosed that about 50,000 PHCN workers would be laid off next year as part of the privatisation process.


Nnaji, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power Reform, explained that after the lay-off, the 18 companies carved out of PHCN would be handed over to private investors.


He hinted that about $900m or N135bn would be set aside as the severance package of the workers who would be affected.


Members of the taskforce had visited Bankole to brief him on the progress made so far on power reform and to seek the assistance of the House in passing supportive legislation.


The Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, agreed that there was no alternative to the privatisation of PHCN if Nigeria must have stable power supply.


But Bankole told the committee that much as its proposals were attractive, they required detailed analysis by the House.


He said that the Executive arm of government did not consult the National Assembly before it embarked on the current power reform, hence the House might not rush into approving any proposals.


He recalled that funding was not the problem of the power sector in the country but ”lack of consultations” with relevant stakeholders.


The speaker noted that several billions of dollars had been spent on the sector in the past without results.


According to Bankole, the House also endorsed many reports on how to improve the power situation in the country but the Executive did not act on them.


He also sought to know what would happen to the investments of those who had filled the gap in power generation by marketing generators and diesel to ensure that the economy did not grind to a halt.


But in a document Nnaji submitted to the House, the committee argued that so long as PHCN remained in operation, Nigeria would continue to face problems.


“There is a high operating cost in the company, gulping over N8bn annually, in which staff salaries and pension take 80 per cent of it,” the document stated.


It added that over 70 per cent of the cost of running the power sector was consumed at the level of distribution.


”The whole idea for the future of the sector is to cut a good deal for the workers for a more efficient power output for the country,” it said.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010282563010

Hardtalk:

Did OBJ really went to any war? That will be another thread for another day!

Nice question. Please can you help us take it to him at Ota?

Hardtalk:

Four killed in foiled bank robbery
Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
October 27, 2010 02:10AM
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Two suspected robbers were shot dead, and two passersby killed by stray bullets yesterday when armed hoodlums attempted to rob several banks in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The gang of men had, at about 9am, stormed the banks located in Folagbade area of the town in an 18-seater bus and a Jetta Volkswagen, armed with sophisticated weapons. They were said to have fired sporadic shots into the air, apparently to scare away workers and residents. Passersby ran helter-skelter, while motorists abandoned their vehicles to escape from the troubled spot.

Following information received about their presence, the police raced to the scene with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), thereby forcing the bandits to flee. They took time out to shoot at and deflate the tyres on the armoured vehicle as they run away.

Two of the suspects were killed in the shooting, but the rest of the gang escaped.

Police promise

Banks in Ijebu Ode were shut down some months ago in protest of the incessant bank robberies in the town. They were re-opened recently after the state government purchased the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

The State Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, said that the Command was on top of the situation and that he has been in close contact with the Area Commander of the area.

“I am still awaiting details from the Area Commander, but I have been in regular contact with him,” Mr Daura said. The police boss urged members of the public to go about their normal duties, promising that the police will not relent in providing adequate security to the people in the state, especially during the last months of the year.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5635155-146/four_killed_in_foiled_bank_robbery.csp

What is the problem with armed-robbers and Ijebu Ode?

Yet, thesame VC, will have some female students massaging him, even in his office. These guys are retarded!

Oh my GOD! Not Again?

Cant someone just be tired of killing people?

I reserve my comment! Next?

The solution is not in the hands of the opposition either, eventhough, I will ask Fashola this question; what is happening to the over N14billion monthly tax payer's internally generated revenue?

Resign now, 26 parties tell Fashola
By DURO ADESEKO
Wednesday, October 27, 2010


Disenchanted with the news that the Lagos State Government is borrowing money from the World Bank to repair roads, 26 political parties under the aegis of Coalition of Lagos State Opposition Parties (CLASOPP) are calling on Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to resign.

The coalition alleged that the decision was a sign that he had lost grip of what was required to govern a cosmopolitan state like Lagos.

A statement signed by Dr. Adegbola Dominic, leader of the coalition berated the spate of borrowing by the state government despite the huge resources available to it through the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the Federation Account.
The statement read in part: “The Chief Executive of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport (LAMATA). Mr. Olufunso Olulade recently disclosed that LAMATA obtained another loan of 190,000,000,00dollars from the World Bank. The people of Lagos were not told how much was borrowed before now. The LAMATA boss did not also disclose to the people exactly how much debt LAMATA has incurred.

“While it is true that the Lagos roads are bad, why should Lagos resort to borrowing to repair roads? Borrowing huge sums of foreign money and squandering it to purchase BRT buses and repair roads is reckless and irresponsible. It will surely mortgage the future of generations yet unborn, “ the statement said.

Pointing at the fact that hospitals are not functioning while educational institutions are being shut down, COLASOPP said Governor Fashola has continued to administer the state as if nothing is going wrong. The group wondered what the governor had done with the huge revenue that accrue to the state on a monthly basis adding that he should at least be more sensitive to the plight of the poor masses.

“ In any case, can’t Fashola see that the problem of transportation in Lagos State is not the shortage of buses? This fact has been appreciated as far back as three decades ago when Alhaji Lateef Jakande as the governor of Lagos State began the process of establishing the Metro line,” the coalition said.
The coalition pointed out that the present traffic situation in Lagos is chaotic and the worst ever in the history of the state. It added that thirty years after Alhaji Jakande set out a clear standard on the solution to traffic problems, Fashola wants to buy more buses and he had to borrow more money from the World Bank.

The solution to Lagos problems today, the coalition of parties concluded, is for Fashola to resign as the governor of the State of Excellence.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/27/national-27-10-2010-0020.htm

I knew it will come to this, most especially as cars are now being snatched at gun point in Abuja. The last one ocurred at Gwarimpa area to a friend.
Now that full broad daylight robbery is beginning to take place, even under security eyes of the Nigerian Police.

According to aviation authorities, another 7 to 9 new airlines are to join, the current ones, in a couple of months. Will they survive the current competition? Or will they go the way of the above later?

OgidiBoy:

Why didn't the Port Authorities set up a sting and see you would come and claim those containers then make an arrest, before going to the media.

Exactly! That is what I meant by the crude way, they operate.

Okija_juju:

2011!! E don hot like fire!!  

I have already started recieving customers at my shrine!!  

Okija man! In fact, alot have happened in this great nation of ours.

Do I call this, "Osoba's hatred for Obasanjo", or what?

Enjoyment1:


Security agents have intercepted 15 containers of dangerous weapons illegally imported into the country.
Daily Sun gathered that the illicit cargo, which contained rocket launchers, mortar bombs, small light arms and ammunition, were impounded at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The containers had a Bill of Laden indicating that the contents were building materials, but a search by the State Security Service (SSS) officials revealed they were arms and ammunition.

I know if our security agencies wants to work, they do (even with their crude nature), but this is a tip off! Besides, why the falsification? Clear indication of what is happening at our ports.

isimili:

Poor Dokpesi. All because he chose to support an expired politician?

believe me if IBB gets the PDP ticket as Ciroma seems to be so sure about, then if dopkesi calls another lecture even in a gutter the seats will be filled to capacity and every docking politician will show his face and make noise.

Dopkesi is a very lucky man. Jonathan is a real democrat who seems keen to be seen in that light.

Otherwise If Dokpesi crossed carpets in this way during papa Iyabo's regime walahi talahi, he will be cooling off in Kirikiri with Bode George accused of the 1st October bombing with written and signed confession on the table.

God bless Nigeria.

Under Obasanjo, hmm! Dokpesi wouldn't have attempted this, because it would have been suicide.

Abeg, make una leave Brother Mugabe alone . Even Jonathan would have done same to score cheap political point.
This period and any other place in the world, once it gets to election year, money flows (even when there is restriction on spending).


As for Newspaper going for $1billion Zimbabwean dollar!, I bow oh!

jabbok:

Those empty seats are better like that. They would have been filled with sychophants if Dokpesi is not working with IBB.
Nigeria will fear even a frog in ASO ROCK

Exactly! All the governors, ministers, Ambassadors etc, are corrupt!. No one of them can stand his own ground, without acting sychophantly (just to cover their deeds). As for any Nigerian President, he will definitely act as a small gods! to bull-dose his way.

LouisThoru:

Out Turn

I like you o jare.

News have it that he is going to marry one of oga IBB's daughter soon? And as per dieing on top of woman, abeg make sure say no be on top of yah wife o.

If the man try am, dem go close AIT dat day. In fact, I go send am sms wey go implicate am for the bomb blast!

Useless post. Senseless review!.

LouisThoru:

The Dokpesi is at home making love to Tosin.

What makes you feel Tosin is the last bus stop? The man will die on top of a woman. Tosin might be the last official for now, but to him, it is business as usual (with women) by day. He could have been with one of those countless concubines.

Another waste of public funds. Someone is due to smile to the bank soon. The next will be probe on how the money was spent (and that is after the contractor abandoned the project). Then, another probe panel will probe the initial probe committee (for attempting[b] Amos Adamu's method[/b]). That airport is not better than my primary school.That is how Nigerians celebrated, when Owerri airport was upgraded to (Nigerian) International status.
What is happening there today? Same of the same, according to Jimmy Agbaje.

Empty seats.

Lots of empty seats at Musa Yar'adua, venue of the lecture.

The embattled Chairman DAAR Group, Chief Raymond Dokpesi got the shock of his life today at Musa Yar'Adua Center Abuja as State Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, and Captains of Industry were conspicuously absent from the 3rd Annual Lecture and Award organized by the Raymond.



http://www.saharareporters.com/gallery/photonews-trials-and-travails-raymond-dokpesi

Oh my GOD! When shall we ever hear something more positive about this nation?

Indeed, if there was a national carrier, it would have called the bluff of this issue. Meanwhile, this is one of the damaging policies of OBJ. Winding up Nigerian Airways, and smuggling in Virgin Nigeria, was not the best. He should have allowed a stiff competition for a private airline from any nation from the world to manage Nigeria Airways, while paying royalty to the Nigerian govt. This was once done many years ago by by Royal Dutch Airline (KLM) in Nigeria, before we used our Nigerian factor to send them away. OBJ should have studied what Kenya Airways, and Ethiopia Airways are currently doing. Those countries are poor nations, but their Airlines are doing their nations proud. For your information, even Ethiopian Airline, do turn around maintainance for aircrafts from our rich nation. What a shame!.

Abeem:

This is a shame! A case of the kettle calling the pot black. Isn't Israel notorious for carrying out international terrorism thru its intelligence outfit - Mossad? The latest in their play book was the assasination of Hamas leader in an hotel in Dubai earlier this year using the forged passports of several countries including Britain, USA, France etc to hide their true identity. I am sure our weedy government will not do anything to call off their bluff.

That is, if we shall ever have a government, because right now, none exist.