News Bits

Am sorry i have not been able to update my blog cos am on leave.
My sincere apologies for bringing this information late.

NEWS BITS

MISSING PLANE
A fresh controversy yesterday ensued over the missing Wing Aviation’s Beechcraft 1900D, two months after it went off the radar.
Hours after the government alleged that the flight recording data was tampered with, some top officials of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) denied the claim, saying it was impossible.

But it was learnt that the tampering was possible because of the time lag between when the plane went missing on its way to the Obudu Airstrip and when officials of the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) impounded the tapes.

The plane went missing on March 15, but AIB officials did not impound the tape until four days later, allowing ample time for the alleged act.

FRAUDULENT PUBLIC OFFICERS
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, yesterday said public officials had devised fraudulent means of assets declaration to evade arrest by anti-corruption agencies.

Presenting a paper in Kaduna at a seminar on "Anti-corruption, Rule of Law and the Administration of Justice in Nigeria," Ayoola also said more than $500 billion had so far been stolen from the nation’s coffers since independence in 1960.

The ICPC boss said public officials now engage in anticipatory declaration of their assets.

RURAL INTERNET FACILITIES
As part of the Federal Government's fresh intervention in the area of affordable Information Communication Technology (ICT) to Nigerian communities, NIGCOMSAT Limited, the company incharge of Nigeria's communication satellite, yesterday said it has embarked on a pilot programme to provide over 400 Community Tele-Centres (CTC) nationwide.
The project is meant to provide Nigerians in remote and un-served urban areas with affordable access to internet, multimedia and voice over internet protocol.
The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Limited, Engr. T Ahmed Rufai, said the building of the centres would be completed by month end, adding that the company has already completed and deployed facilities in 79 benefiting communities across the country.

LAGOS STREET PARTY BAN
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, on Monday signed into law a bill banning the blocking of roads for any form of social or commercial activities in any part of the state.

The law, titled, “Bill on Commercial Activities and Prohibition of Obstruction of Traffic,” makes it an offence for any person or group to obstruct traffic on any road in the state as a result of social or commercial activities.

By the provision of the law, anybody that obstructs a law enforcement agent of the state in the course of enforcing compliance to this law will be liable to six-month jail term, with an option of fine of N10, 000 or both.


IYABOGATE
THE Senate may have to wield the big stick on Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello with the consequent declaration of her seat vacant if she continues to shun the attendance of proceedings of the upper chamber.

This follows her continuous absence from the Senate sessions since her case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which has charged the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health to court over her alleged involvement in the N300 million fraud at the Ministry of Health.

Senate spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, who admitted that Obasanjo-Bello’s case was beyond the jurisdiction of the Senate, the case having already been taken to court for adjudication, said the Senate was, however, worried over the continued absence of the legislator at the proceedings of the House, a development which he said contravened the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.