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Protesters Rally At Kaduna Govt House, Seek El-Rufai’s Arrest

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Protesters under the banner of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG) rallied at Government House in Kaduna on Thursday, demanding a thorough investigation and the arrest of former Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

The demonstrators called on current Governor Uba Sani to engage the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant agencies to probe El-Rufai, who they claim is implicated in the mismanagement of N423 billion during his administration.

Chanting solidarity songs and brandishing placards with messages such as “We will occupy all MDAs to chase out all indicted persons in the report” and “Stop servicing all loans that did not follow due process before they were obtained.”

On March 30, 2024, Governor Uba Sani disclosed at a town hall meeting that Kaduna State was grappling with a significant debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities inherited from the previous administration.

He stated that over 70% of the state’s allocation was being used to service this inherited debt.

In response to this revelation, the Kaduna State House of Assembly formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the state’s financial transactions from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.

The committee, led by Barrister Henry Danjuma Magaji, submitted its findings on June 5, 2024, uncovering substantial unaccounted funds and irregularities in financial transactions.

The report highlighted issues such as the mismanagement of funds, diversion of loans, overpayment of contractors, and a lack of transparency in the use of state funds.

Addressing journalists at the protest, Comrade Victor Duniya, Chairman of KCWGG, stated, “We, the Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance, appreciate your presence as we express our grievances today. Our state has endured financial mismanagement, abuse of power, and a growing debt burden for the past eight years.”

“The most troubling finding was the diversion of 10.5 billion naira meant for pastoral nomadism and the construction of the Milk Industry at Damau, Kubau LGA, for the construction of Galaxy Mall, Kaduna.

“Additionally, the report uncovered overpayments to contractors, payments to unregistered companies, and funds disbursed for work not completed, amounting to over 36.3 billion.

“The report also revealed large sums of money withdrawn from the state treasury without proper documentation of its usage. Furthermore, an expenditure of over 11 billion on a non-existent MRT transportation scheme was documented with no evidence to support it.”

 

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FG, MAN Host 3-Day Nat’l Manufacturing Policy Summit

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Strategic efforts to reignite the national economy, by stimulating the manufacturing sector have yielded collaboration between the federal government and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

This was revealed in a statement put out on the verified X handle of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.

Biztellers reports that they would be hosting a three-day national manufacturing policy summit scheduled for July 2-4, 2024, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, under the theme “Rethinking Manufacturing,”

Nkwocha revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would grace the event as the Special Guest of Honour and would also declare the summit open.

Nkwocha stated, “The President will also reinstate the administration’s commitment to industrial growth and economic diversification.

“The Office of the Vice President, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and other partners will play key roles in the summit to bring together stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), multilateral partners, regional institutions, and industry leaders to forge a new path for Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.”

Nkwocha cited the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, thus, “the Summit will focus on discussions on overcoming the binding constraints that limit the performance of the manufacturing sector, enhancing supply chain resilience, leveraging technology, and generally fostering a conducive business environment to drive the growth of the sector.”

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Explosion Strikes Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam In Niger

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An explosion struck the Zungeru Hydro Electricity Dam early Monday morning, causing multiple injuries among the workforce.

The dam, which has not yet been officially commissioned by the Federal Government, is the fourth hydroelectric project in the state, following Jebba, Kainji, and Shiroro dams.

The cause of the explosion has not been disclosed. Local sources confirmed that several workers were injured, with those most seriously hurt being transported to Minna, the state capital, for intensive medical care.

Among the injured was a Chinese national, seen being taken to Minna for further treatment.

While the total number of injured workers is not yet clear, it is reported to be significant.

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Fatal Kano Crash Leaves 25 Dead, Dozens Injured

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Tragedy struck early Monday morning along the Kano-Zaria Expressway in Kano State, as a trailer accident at Dangwaro Flyover claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals.

The trailer, carrying around 90 passengers along with livestock, motorcycles, and bags of maize, was involved in the fatal crash.

This incident follows closely after another heartbreaking event last Friday, when a trailer collided with worshippers who had just finished their Juma’at prayers in Imawa town, Kura local government area, resulting in the deaths of 14 people.

The spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS1.2, Kano State Sector Command, Abdullahi Labaran, disclosed in a statement to journalists on Monday that a tragic accident occurred at Dangwaro Flyover along the Kano-Zaria Road at approximately 0330hrs.

He said “At approximately 0330hrs, a fatal accident involving a trailer (IVECO) with registration number KMC 311 ZB occurred at Dangwaro Flyover along Kano-Zaria Road.

“The crash involved ninety (90), with devastating consequences: twenty-five (25) fatalities, fifty-three (53) injured individuals, and twelve (12) people rescued unhurt.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the probable cause of the crash was due to over-speeding and loss of control by the driver of the trailer.”

Labaran added that during the rescue operation, which involved the collaboration of FRSC personnel, the Police, and other first responders, they recovered six motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, several animals such as rams and goats, bags of maize, and a total of N4,000 in cash.

All injured victims were swiftly transported to Murtala Specialist Hospital Kano for urgent medical care.

Following the tragic incident, Sector Commander CC Ibrahim Abdullahi issued a stern warning to drivers and motorists against the dangerous practice of transporting animals, goods, and passengers simultaneously.

He emphasized that such practices not only jeopardize lives but also violate traffic regulations aimed at ensuring road safety.

The FRSC sector commander urged all road users to strictly adhere to traffic laws and regulations to avert future tragedies on the roads.

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