National Traders Association Breaks Ground For Milk Production Factory In Abuja

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) on Friday commenced the construction of a milk production factory in Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. Dr. Alan Sy-Traore, Director of Agriculture in the ECOWAS Commission, which partnered the initiative, commended NANTS for its partnership projects with the commission, emphasizing that the factory aligns with ECOWAS agricultural policies on the livestock value chain. Mr. Ibilade Akeem, Deputy Director of Commercial Ruminant and Dairy Production at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, expressed the ministry’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with NANTS in meat and milk production, citing that the milk production factory aligns with the Federal Government’s food security program. Dr. Ken Ukaoha, the National President of NANTS, revealed that the factory would be completed within 14 months, enhancing food security and national economic development by producing hygienic milk. Ukaoha stressed the need to address challenges in the dairy sector, including inefficiency, lack of technical expertise, outdated practices, and climate-induced desertification, which has led to conflicts between herders and farmers. NANTS, with support from ECOWAS and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation, aims to modernize and revitalize the milk sector, showcasing its value chains as opportunities for job creation and sustainable livelihoods. The project will improve production, processing, handling, transportation, and marketing of milk while ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations. Once completed, the project will also serve as a training ground for students at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, and other relevant institutions in the region, contributing to job creation and youth empowerment. The initiative is expected to become a model for milk sector productivity in Nigeria and will encompass food production and training for young people. Local authorities and community leaders welcomed the project, recognizing its potential to provide job opportunities and economic benefits to the area.

NANTS Unveils Modern Abattoir, Meat Factory In Abuja

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has inaugurated its state-of-the-art integrated abattoir and meat factory in Giri, located within the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This milestone was marked with a ceremony attended by prominent figures and representatives from various sectors. Madam Massanje Toure-Litse, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture in ECOWAS, presided over the inauguration ceremony and expressed her enthusiasm for the project’s potential impact. She noted that this innovative endeavor would serve as a model to be replicated in other ECOWAS member countries. The ECOWAS commissioner emphasized the organization’s commitment to collaborating with NANTS to enhance regional livestock trade, thereby contributing to the economic development of the West African region. Dr. Ken Ukaoha, the National President of NANTS, explained the primary objectives behind this ambitious project. He highlighted the urgent need for modernizing traditional methods of meat slaughtering and processing to meet stringent hygiene standards. The high capital investment required to establish modern facilities had long been a hindrance to achieving this goal. However, NANTS, with support from ECOWAS-RAAF and the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), embarked on this project to establish a cutting-edge abattoir. Ukaoha emphasized that the new abattoir would revolutionize the entire process of animal slaughtering, ensuring the sale of healthy meat to the public under meticulously hygienic conditions, prioritizing human health and safety. This integrated concept, implemented by NANTS, not only focuses on humane animal slaughter but also incorporates mechanisms for profitable waste conversion and capacity building initiatives involving public abattoir butchers. It is estimated that the project will generate approximately 500 job opportunities and significantly boost economic activities within the FCT. Moreover, the abattoir will serve as a training centre, imparting international best practices to butchers. Several state governments have already expressed interest in collaborating with NANTS to replicate similar projects in their regions. Alhaji Abu Giri, Chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council, commended NANTS for its visionary project, emphasizing its potential as a training and consultancy centre for local institutions like the University of Abuja. He pledged continued support from the council for initiatives that promote trade and economic development in the area. Alhaji Musa Wakili, the Aguma of Giri, also hailed the project’s potential to empower youth within the community. He encouraged other associations to follow NANTS’ lead in pursuing similar economic development initiatives. NANTS had previously organized a capacity-building program, providing training on integrated modern abattoir practices, standards, and meat health safety regulations for 40 prospective workers at the facility. This training aimed to ensure the highest standards of meat hygiene, handling, processing, preservation, packaging, and logistics.

EFCC nabs six alleged internet fraudsters in Abuja

In a recent development, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have taken into custody six individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud activities. These arrests were carried out within the Bwari and Dutse areas of Abuja. According to Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC’s spokesperson, these suspects were apprehended on Monday based on intelligence gathered about their purported involvement in cybercrime-related endeavors. The arrested individuals have been identified as Odey Paul (25), Greg Odey (23), Julius Okpanachi (21), Ugbede Opaluwa (25), Okpanachi Emmanuel (25), and Mohammed Abba (26). From the possessions of the suspects, law enforcement authorities managed to recover two Toyota Camry vehicles, one Mercedes Benz C300 car, a total of twelve mobile phones, and three laptops. As the investigation unfolds and progresses, the EFCC spokesperson, Uwujaren, conveyed that the suspects will be presented before the court to face legal proceedings. The aim is to ensure that justice is served once the investigation is thoroughly concluded.

FCTA demolishes illegal market used for criminal hideouts in Abuja

The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday demolished an illegal market called “Kasuwan Dare”, a suspected hideout for hoodlums and drug dealers in Asokoro, Abuja. The market was located at Hassan Musa Katsina Street, near Kpaduma II in Asokoro Extension, Abuja. Speaking after the demolition, the Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the illegal market was becoming a threat to the residents of the area and passerby. Galadima added that the area was turned into a haven for criminal activities despite relentless efforts by the FCT Administration to sanitise the area. He added that the miscreants operating in the area were affecting the aesthetic quality of the entire environment, adding that the Administration would allow it to continue. He said that area had to go because it constituted a security threat, adding that the area was also serving as a hideout for miscreants, drug dealers and men of the underworld. “The operation will help us get rid of the hoodlums and drug dealers that have taken over the place. “We had demolished the place about three times, but the nuisances rebuilt and continued their activities. “This time around, the demolished market will remain demolished. We need to sanitise the place and enhance the aesthetic quality of the environment. “It is also part of the current administration’s policy of sanitising the city, and this is one of the areas we are commencing the exercise,” he said. Also, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, Mr Peter Olumuji, said that efforts would be put in place to ensure the safety of residents in the area. The Village Head of Kpaduma, Mr Bitrus Yakubu, commended the FCT Administration for coming to their rescue and for ridding the area of hoodlums. “The place has been here for over twenty years but today it has gone down for our own good. “We are very happy as a community that the area is cleared for good,” Bitrus said.

FCTA, concessionaires sign ‘Park and Pay’ deal in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory administration (FCTA) and a group of concessionaires of on-street parking, have signed an agreement to restore the “park and pay” scheme in Abuja. The Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, who signed on behalf of the FCTA, said that the move was to promote a culture of orderliness and organisation in vehicle parking. According to him, the initiative will decongest the city and make motoring a more pleasant experience. Adesola explained that the scheme was suspended in 2014 by an Abuja High Court, on grounds that it was not backed by a law. He also said that the earlier implementation was without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). He, however, said that the FCTA has put a regulation in place and secured FEC’s approval, to ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme, considering its benefits. The permanent secretary explained that under the scheme, parking lots would be provided for vehicle owners for a fee, while motorists that indulge in wrong packing would be fined. He added that the reintroduction of the scheme was with the active support of the six Area Councils. Adesola explained that the FCTA and the councils have agreed that all wrong and rights charges would be consolidated and shared between the Administration and the six area councils. He emphasised that implementation would not commence immediately until residents were fully sensitised and enlightened about the scheme. “So, while the agreement is being signed today, the commencement of the park and pay is not starting today. “The communication that should precede the implementation of the project is that the citizens need to know that we are signing on-street parking. “A lot of activities will follow. There will be robust stakeholders’ engagement; the operators will visit key institutions and will engage residents through electronic and print media. “This is to ensure that people are sensitised and above all, to be aware that there will be a period of free parking, just for people to know how to use the facility,” he said. Earlier, Mr Wadata, Bodinga, Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Secretariat, FCTA noted that the increasing population growth in the FCT was accompanied by congestion and traffic challenges. Bodinga said that development has led to haphazard parking, increased parking competition and traffic congestion. This, according to him, exposes the motoring public and the pedestrian to security and road hazards, adding that reintroduction of the initiative would mitigate the challenges. He said that the scheme would impact positively on economic activities of FCT residents, through improving customer experience and promoting efficient parking management systems. According to him, the scheme will enable customers to find easy parking spaces, thereby saving time and fuel, especially with removal of fuel subsidy. “The FCTA gazetted Federal Capital Territory Parking Scheme, 2019, with the accompanying guidelines, provides legal basis for the implementation of the on-street parking scheme. “This will increase the safety and security of vehicles and pedestrians, reduce traffic and pollution, and improve the aesthetic of the urban city and workplace for the motoring public. “It will also be cost effective because people can access parking spaces very easily when coming into the city and reach their destination within work hours. “It will equally improve traffic management, cleaner and safer environment with positive effect on health,” he said.

NDLEA busts 57,450 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol, others in Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 57,450 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol, and Exol-5 along the Abaji-Abuja highway from a suspect, Mr Joseph Usman. A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja, said that 4,082 bottles of codeine-based syrup were also recovered from the suspect, Joseph Usman. Babafemi said the suspect was arrested in a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Abuja on Friday. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted various quantities of Dextromethorphan. Babafemi said that the drugs were mixed with heroin, Methamphetamine, Dimethyl Sulfone, and Cannabis and concealed in different objects bound for Europe. He said that 272 grams of dextromethorphan, mixed with heroin going to Greece were recovered from white neck beads, adding that 665 grams of cannabis being shipped to Hong Kong were hidden in bars of Dudu Osun black bathing soap. He added that 261 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone bound for New Zealand hidden in reels of weaving threads and 1.5kgs of Methamphetamine also heading to New Zealand were intercepted. “The drugs were neatly packed in an MP3 player after all the parts were removed and the substance stuffed as a replacement,” he said. Also, in Kano state, a woman and four men – Ladi Peter,47; Umar Salisu, 38; Ahmed Naheeb, 36; Ibrahim Umar, 42, and Musa Suleman, 43, have been arrested for drug related issues. Babafemi said that the suspects were intercepted in connection with the seizure of 977.7 kilograms of cannabis sativa recovered from them by NDLEA operatives. He added that they were arrested along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora on Friday and July 31. In the same vein, 2,445 kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered from the warehouse of a fleeing suspect, Usman Nar at the Madinatu area of Jere LGA, Borno state on Saturday, August 5. 

Many trapped as four-storey building collapses in Abuja

A four-storey building under construction in the Life Camp area of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday reportedly collapsed, with many feared trapped under its rubble. The incident occurred at about 4pm while workers were on the construction site in the swampy Dape Area near the Berger Clinic. Officials of the FCT Fire Service and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are reportedly at the site of the collapse to rescue victims from the collapsed building. Meanwhile, the Head of Operations of the FCT Fire Service, Amiola Adebayo, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said rescue operations were still ongoing and could not yet confirm any casualties from the incident More details later…

We’ll demolish buildings on waterways, flood corridors – FCDA

*Marks Police Station in Trademore for demolition The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Malam Shehu Ahmed, has said the FCT Administration would demolish all structures on waterways across the nation’s capital. Ahmed made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. He said some structures were preventing water from flowing freely through its natural course which was responsible for flooding recorded in some parts of the city. ”People are clamoring that we act quickly and take tough decisions to save lives. And this is what we must do. We cannot act as though we don’t see this man-made problem caused by those who violate the Abuja Master Plan.” ”Buildings in Trademore Estate had been severally marked for demolition. Warnings have been given year after year but the occupants of the estate keep risking their lives and those of others. ”By declaring Trademore a disaster zone, we have told the residents there to evacuate. The area is a low-line zone which is not safe and flooding can come at any time. They know this and have been experiencing it over the years,” he said. The Executive Secretary, who is the Chairman, Special Ministerial Task Team on Flood Mitigation, revealed that a Police station in Trademore would be demolished and other buildings. ”The Police station in Trademore would be demolished. It will go alongside other buildings. We have engaged the FCT Police command and have provided a suitable place for them to operate from and fight crime.” Ahmed pointed out that Trademore Estate did not have the FCDA-approved building plan and the continuous flooded areas can best be left as green areas and not residential. He explained that the estate was just one of the areas in focus as other areas where structures were built on floodplains would experience demolitions.