Author: Our Reporter

Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, is blamed for lack of maintenance culture of its equipment that normally leads to incessant shut down of many TCN sub-stations in the country. Mr. Raji Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, who passed the buck at the inauguration of TCN’s 60MVA mobile transformers at Ajah 330/132/33kv transmission sub-station in Lagos, observed that “Sub-stations do shut down suddenly and then there is no part available to put it back. So, we need to know the regular part that frequently breakdown so that we can make provision for it. Go into your records and let…

The National Council on Mining and mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD) has called for a synergy between the Federal Government, states and local governments to ensure that the country takes full advantage of its vast mineral deposits. In a communique issued in Abuja after a three-day meeting, the council averred “There should be synergy between the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the state governments to improve operational collaboration and enhance communication for effective execution of the roadmap for the growth and development of the mining industry. In issuance of the certificate of origin, the Federal and State Governments should…

No fewer than 10 residential houses, large farmlands and economic trees worth multi-millions of naira that belonged to some people in Uyo Local Government Area have been reduced to rubble by erosion menace. Also, more than 60 houses have been marked for relocation by Akwa Ibom government for fear of being swept away by the disaster, StraightNews has gathered. Our reporter who visited the affected areas: Eniong Offot, Urua Udofia leading to Afang Ekpe and Etim Umana Streets said the impact of devastation has been much as huge ravines with a semblance of bomb-hit zone adorn the places. The ravines spanning more…

Residents of Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have raised an alarm that more than 200,000 persons are facing imminent water-borne diseases, StraightNews can authoritatively reveal. Investigations by StraightNews revealed that the communities surrounded by tributaries especially Iko River emptying into Atlantic Ocean have no potable water while the people trek to neighbouring villages which are about 3,000 kilometres to fetch water. Eastern Obolo Local Government Area has 168,364 (based on 2006 National Population Census figure). It was learnt that their condition get worse during dry season as the young and old in the various communities ride…

Bitcoin hit record high of just under $4,500, but fell by 10 per cent as sellers took control of the market. A report quoted from DAILYFX today says the slump in Bitcoin was mirrored in a range of other digital currencies with only a handful of altcoins trading in positive territory. It noted that the slump knocked off around $7 billion of the market capitalization- currently just under $135 billion-although the market is still $17 billion higher than one week ago. ‘’Volatility returned to the digital currency space with the price of BTC jumping to a record high of $4,430…

The non-payment of 14 months’ of salary arrears to medical doctors in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service may draw the ire of members of the Akwa Ibom Nigerian Medical Association. In an interview with Straight News reporter at NMA House, Uyo, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Akwa Ibom State Branch, Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, said this was one of the numerous challenges still hindering the smooth health-care delivery system in the state. Dr. Uwah, who said doctors employed into the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service in September 2014 have not yet been paid salaries, also decried the non-payment of…

The era of financial dependency on Federal government by states is over, the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, has declared. The emir, who handled the submission Thursday while he received a team of Lagos/Kano Economic Summit in his palace, noted that a working strategy should be evolved by states to lift them from economic depression. Lagos teams are in Kano to engage her Kano counterpart on economic partnership, and as well strengthens relations. Sanusi II said that dependency on economic development of states on Federal Government in this era of economic recession is no longer feasible, stressing that…

A middle aged man from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State is cooling his feet in Police custody over alleged case of child theft. The man simply identified as Emmanuel living along Udokang Lane in Uyo Local Government Area, was said to have disappeared with a one-year-six-month old baby for purported sale until a search party burst the attempt. An eye witness said the mother of little Adaeze, had instructed a neighbour to watch over the baby and left for market. On her return, the woman discovered to her chagrin that the child who was sleeping when she left for market…

Interview with DR. EFFIONG EDUNAM In this interview, the President General of Oron Union, Dr. Effiong Edunam stated that Oron people are regarded as second class citizens EXCERPTS: So far, how can you assess Nigeria under Buhari Presidency? For me we could have developed faster and fulfilled our promise earlier if we did not have a system that is held down by corruption. However, Nigeria’s growth is stunted in every aspect of our national life due to corruption. Effort to fight corruption and free Nigeria to develop at the desired space has had very mixed results. Under President Obasanjo, some…

The core communities hosting ExxonMobil crude oil exploration and exploitation operations in Akwa Ibom State are demanding the relocation of the company’s headquarters from Lagos to Eket. They are also seeking the speedy implementation of various Memorandum of Understandings, MOUs, sealed between the oil firm and the communities. A communique issued by the oil communities under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State ExxonMobil Core Communities and made available to journalists, yesterday, faulted the continuous siting of Exxon headquarters in Lagos as being inimical to efforts to hire locals and also get indigenous contractors effectively participate in the award of contracts…