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Gas Plant site Near Jumma’at Mosque unacceptible -Tirwun Community

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IDRIS Khalid
Tirwun Community in Bauchi metropolis are protesting the siting of Gas plant in a highly crowded residential area housing Mosque, Eid-el Ground, petrol station, mechanical workshop and residential houses, among others. 

The community argued that in every industry, sector or business environment, there are laid down rules, guidelines and procedures guiding their operations or thriving.

A press statement by the community made available to press in Bauchi Friday , noted that oil and gas are one of the sectors reputable for high regulatory bodies and policies as part of its deliberate effort to maintain standard while curtailing sharp practices.

Tirwun however wondered that the case of Action Energy Plant and its supposed host community has turned out to be what could be best described as ‘beating a child and preventing him from crying’.
“Despite laid down rules and regulations, there are always bad eggs in every system just as clearly manifested by Action Energy. The Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) is one of the regulators for filing stations and gas plants of the oil sector. And the procedures guiding establishment of the same is very clear”.

The community statement signed by Barden Kudun Bauchi, Dr. Hayatu Mustapha noted that one of the focal requirements is to maintain 15 meters’ setback between the proposed gas plant and its surrounding buildings and 50 meters between the gas plant and Mosque. 

Mustapha said however that Action Energy flaunted this requirement and went ahead to situate its plant in the midst of very sensitive surroundings housing a petrol station, residential accommodations, Tirwan Juma’at Masjid, Eid-el Ground, mechanical workshop, among many others. 

“Concerned residents and other stakeholders mobilized and approached the management of Action Energy to reconsider the location of the plant. Sadly, all pleas and entreaties fell on deaf ears as the proprietor rather informed the Maiunguwa that he offered to build a mini dispensary for the host community by way of community service”.

According to the statement, stakeholders in Tirwun when left without a choice, decided to institute a legal action, but to their dismay Bauchi State High Court declined the request for experte order despite the fact that it is a matter that affects lives, thus stroking out the case even without serving the affected community.

Tirwun community approached different regulators of the sector, including DPR, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, and State Urban Development Board (UDB), among others, but it was UDB that harkened to the voice of reason and decided to do the needful by halting the ongoing work at the site. 

Community expressed gratitude to UDB for its prompt response and action in halting the ongoing work at the site of Action Energy, expressing their confidence on Maiunguwa for carrying out his mandate. 
They however expressed dismay that Action Energy after failing to meet the safety requirements and fear of demolition, instituted a lawsuit against UDB and secured experte order to maintain status quo that is not to have the building demolished but instead maintaining the status quo.

Regrettably, Tirwun community cried out, Action Energy has continued with the work despite the stop work order is still being in forced, while the company also took the host community to court for demanding justice and resisting intimidation. 

“Today, 17th October, 2021 Action Energy has continued with the construction work despite the stop work order by Bauchi State Urban Development Board”. 

The Tirwun community assured Action Energy and their supporters that it is not giving up the struggle as, according to the people, the situation of the gas plant is inimical to the lives of worshippers at the Tirwun mosque.
“It is also life-threatening to the thousands of students at the Qur’anic School and Eid Ground. The plant is also a great danger to the inhabitants of the area”, they said.

They argued, “Our position remains emphatically that the distance between the gas Plant and the mosque as well as the surrounding properties does not meet standard regulatory guidelines for establishment of a gas plants”.
Community therefore called on the Bauchi state government to, as a matter of urgency, demolish the gas plant as Action Energy has continued to defy its stop work order.

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ACF hails Gov. Yusuf 50% slash down of school fees, says the move is exemplary

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The Arewa Consultative Forum( ACF) has hail the 50% reduction of school fees for indigent students by the incumbent Governor, of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf as exemplary and worthy to emulate by other governor’s.

Gov. Yusuf has recently cut down 50% reduction in the registration fee for the 2023/2024 academic session for all Kano State indigenes studying regular courses at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta and other state owned tertiary institutions accross the state to cushion  the worsening economic situation people have been going through. 

While reacting to the governor’s initiative, the Chairman of the forum, Dr. Goni Farouk Umar  described the decision as both revolutionary and a hallmark of visionary leadership. 

He noted with delight the Kano State government’s resolve to restore its foreign scholarship programme designed to sponsor 1001 best graduates which demonstrates the government compassion that resulted in the payment of N700million registration fees for 700 Kano State students at the Bayero University Kano. 

The ACF leader noted that both the slashing of the fees in state owned institutions, and the off-setting of the BUK fees would go along way to ease the burden on parents and the students occasioned by the current economic hardship. 

Dr  Umar who describe education as power, and pivot in society’s advancement, prayed for the successful implementation of the government’s pro-poor education policies.

 He also appealed to all sections of the community to support educational development in all facets. 

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Nigeria’s President Tinubu say’s country’s pilgrim who return $80,000 to owner in Saudi is a pride of all.

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President of Nigeria, Mr  Ahmed Bola Tinubu will honour Zamfara pilgrim Hajiya A’ishatu ‘Yan Guru Nahuce who found $80,000 in Saudi Arabia during the last Hajj exercise and return the money to it’s rightful owner. Chairman Zamfara State Hajj Commission, Alhaji Musa Mallaha has revealed.

Mallaha disclosed that the president is overwhelmed by the act of honesty exhibited by the female pilgrim hence he directed the National Hajj Commission to organize a national press conference to interview the woman for record keeping while in Saudi.

When the directives was given by the president according to Mallaha, the woman was already airlifted back to Nigeria adding that arrangements are in top gear to ensure the presidential directives is implemented as soon as possible.

Mr. Mallaha who revealed that president Tinubu expressed delight and pointed out that Hajiya Nahuce has brought respect and honour to her country Nigeria said the commission’s preparation towards the national press conference in Nigeria now will include the State governor, Dauda Lawan keying into the activities.

Mallaha further said that her honesty is a pride to all Muslims accross the globe.

The woman during the last excise stumbled into the money while performing Tawaff at the Ka’abah, she said that she kick the bag of the money to a distance for fear of been trample upon if she bow down to pick it up because of the large crowd. An Arab Pilgrim who saw her action pick the bag and gave it to her thinking that it was hers.

Mrs. Nahuce who was sponsored to Hajj by her son’s revealed that it was her first trip to the holy land.

She further revealed in an interview that, she took the money to the officials of her local government Hajj commission and handed it over. The officials met Saudi Authorities and within few days the owner was found and the money was returned to him.

She commented that she was not aware of the magnitude of her action until she was back home to Nigeria where she understands that the news went viral before her arrival

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Nigerian Army neutralize 7 bandits, comb bush for others in Zamfara

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Nigerian Army neutralized seven Armed Bandits while several others flee with gunshots wounds in the late hours of Monday. 

The bandits in large number according to reliable source attempted to infiltrate and attack the troops at Kango Sabuwa. The gallant troops of Sector 1 Operation Hadarin Daji in conjunction with troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Wanke were steps ahead of them.

This was achieved by the troops in an ambush operation along the route suspected to be used by the Bandits.

The troops Shortly after the encounter proceeds in pursuit of other fleeing wounded bandits, recovered 1 Machine Gun, ammunition and 6 Motorcycles from the armed bandits.

The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut commends the troops for their bravery and resilience in dealing with the Armed Bandits.

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