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Abuja

General

Again, Fire Gut Karmo Market for the Third Time, Traders Count Losses

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Traders in Karmo Market, Abuja were left with nothing when fire broke out around 12:30am on Wednesday night.

According to eyewitness, over 500 shops were razed in the inferno which lasted hours before the men of the fire service put it under control.

Speaking exclusively with LEADING REPORTERS, a neighbor to the victim stated that.

“My neighbor has a shop in the market and we were called around past 12: am yesterday night, we rushed there and saw that everything in the shop was burnt down”

Scene of the fire incident

“When it happened last year, we were able to recover some valuables because it happened in the daytime, but unfortunately, this happened in the midnight, we lost everything to the fire”.

“The fire burnt the yam section of the market down to the mosque, over 500 shops worth million of naira has gone down the drain again”

This incident is coming barely year when the market was burnt down.

The first happened in 2017, the second 2021 and 2022.

The cause of the fire still remain unknown as at press time.

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BusinessHeadlines

Hunger ravages Nigerian as consumable cereals record 253%, 51% price jump

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Farmers decry worsening insecurity, FG promises intervention
The cost of food items in Nigeria has been recording significant increases in the past one year.

A survey carried out by our correspondents in markets across Lagos, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory showed that staple food commodities have witnessed astronomical price hikes.

Findings showed that within a one-year period, the cost of 50kg of beans rose by about 253 per cent, a basket of tomatoes leaped by 123 per cent, while the price of 50kg of rice rose by 51.48 per cent.

Other commodities such as bread, garri and onions also witnessed sharp increases in their prices during the period under review.

The food commodities surveyed included rice, beans, garri, maize, tomatoes, onions and bread, while the time frames examined were July 2020, January 2021 and July 2021.

In July 2020, the cost of one mudu of rice was N420.63, while 50kg of rice was between N21,125 and N28,500.

A price increase occurred in January 2021, with one mudu of rice rising to N500, while 50kg of rice was between N23,750 and N24,500.

The increase continued until in July 2021 as one mudu of rice rose to N1,100, while 50kg of rice increased to an average of N32,000.

As of July 2020, one mudu of beans cost N305.48, while 50kg of beans was N12,750.

However, by January 2021, the price of a mudu of beans had climbed to N373, while 50kg of beans was N30,000.

The increase continued in July 2021, with one mudu of beans costing N900, while 50kg of beans had risen to N45,000.

Between July 2020 to January 2021, the cost of a 1kg and onions rose from N180.56 to N411, while one big bag of onions climbed from N17,000 to N21,500.

In July 2020, the cost of one mudu of garri was N247.62, while 50kg of garri was N11,500.

A price increase occurred in January 2021, with one mudu of garri selling for N300, while 50kg of garri sold between N10,750 to N11,125.

The increase continued until in July 2021 with one mudu of garri going for N450 while 50kg of garri sold for N14,500.

In July 2020, a mudu of maize was sold for N186.89 to N184.52, while 50kg of maize was N17,500 to N17,250.

A price increase occurred in January 2021 with one mudu of maize selling for N216 to N230, while 50kg of maize was N20,000 to N20,167.

The increase continued in July 2021 with one mudu of maize selling N400, while 50kg of maize sold between N22,000 and N24,000.

In July 2020, the cost of 1kg of tomatoes was N284.49, while a big basket of tomatoes was N8,500.

A price drop occurred in January 2021 with 1kg of tomatoes going for N152, while a big basket of tomatoes sold for N6,500.

However, as of July 23, 2021 when this report was filed, 1kg of tomatoes cost N1,000, while a big basket of tomatoes was sold for N19,000.

The cost of bread continued to rise steadily within the review period.

As of July 2020, the cost of one loaf of bread was N375. The same unit was sold for N500 in January 2021 and N600 as of July 2021.

The composite food index (a measure of food inflation) rose to 21.83 per cent in June compared to 22.28 per cent in May 2021, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

This rise was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, milk, cheese and eggs, fish, soft drinks, vegetables, oils and fats, and meat.

In January, food inflation was 20.57 per cent, compared to 19.56 per cent in December 2020. This rise was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, meat, fruits, vegetable, fish and oils and fats.

In June 2020, food inflation was 15.18 per cent. An increase caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fruits, oils and fats, meat, fish and vegetables.

According to the NBS, food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi (30.34 per cent), Enugu (25.18 per cent) and Kwara (24.78 per cent), and lowest in Bauchi (18.97per cent), River (18.92per cent) and Abuja (17.09per cent) in June, 2021.

On month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Jigawa (2.67 per cent), Edo (2.43 per cent) and Cross River (2.16 per cent), and lowest in Lagos (0.14 per cent), Borno (0.06 per cent) and Kwara (0.02 per cent) in June, 2021.

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Headlines

Kidnappers On Rampage: Over 30 Allegedly Kidnapped In a Day, 2 Shot Dead Within Abuja Environs

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

In what looks like untamed criminal operations with Abuja environs, no fewer than 30 people have been allegedly kidnapped and two fatally shot by kidnappers within Kwata and Kaduna road, LeadingReporters can authoritatively report.

According to an eyewitness account, the kidnappers made their way to Kwokwonshi, Kwata in Suleja on Wednesday  around 11pm, where about 10 people were kidnapped on Wednesday, 19the and taken to a hitherto unknown location.

It was also reported that on the same day, about 20 people were waylaid and kidnapped along Kaduna road. Recall that Kaduna road has become the hub of kidnapping which has led to more people traveling to Kaduna through train.

In what looks like a shooting spree, the kidnappers were said to have fatally shot two persons in Dakwa Village when they invaded the village.

Recall that the menace of kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality have bedeviled virtually every part of Nigeria.  The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is fast becoming a vulnerable place following the alleged invasion of the city from neighboring villages.

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BusinessHeadlines

Banks to vacate Abuja choicest Area in 7days…

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Banks and other business organization might begin to count their loss following a seven-day ultimatum given to them

by the FCTA Administration to vacate Maitama relocate to the Central Business District or risk being sealed up.

The Acting Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Garba Kwamkur, gave the warning when the department visited the popular Gana Street in Maitama on Tuesday.

Kwamkur explained that the objective of the visit was to sensitise business operators on the need to revert all the banks and other commercial hubs to their original allocated locations.

“The department had a week ago served notification to all the buildings that have been converted to commercial use to revert them to the residential purposes but they failed to comply,” he said.

Kwamkur directed the banks and other business organisations to relocate to Central Business District or Idu Industrial Estate which the FCT master plan provided for.

The acting director warned that their business premises would be sealed off at the expiration of the seven days ultimatum.

Meanwhile, Kwamkur, revealed that over 200 hectares of land in the Federal Capital City had been encroached by illegal land grabbers raising unapproved structures around the Lugbe District.

According to him, over 150 criminals have encroached into areas meant for public facilities in the Sabon-Luge area of the district.

“As you are aware the FCT Administration has pronounced that Lugbe will be incorporated into the Federal Capital City proper.So the plan is being incorporated to have the same kind of infrastructure as those in the city.

“This area was planned for public facilities such as schools, markets, hospitals, and other public utilities.

“But land grabbers have now encroached into the area and captured all the plots meant for public facilities and are developing them as housing estates.

“Thereby denying space for the necessary amenities that will be needed for the district in the future,” he said.

Kwamkur added that the department would forward the list of suspected offenders to the FCT Police commissioner to track and prosecute them as specified by the law

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Punch
Headlines

Abducted PUNCH journalist regains freedom

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A PUNCH journalist, Okechukwu Nnodim, who was abducted by gunmen on Wednesday night has regained his freedom.

Nnodim reunited with his family on Saturday night.

“I am back home. I am back,” Nnodim said on the telephone.

His wife, Oluchi, also confirmed the development on the telephone.

“My husband is back. I am happy. I thank you all for the support. God bless you all,” his excited wife said.

Nnodim was abducted from his house in the Arab road area of Kubwa, Abuja, on Wednesday night.

The kidnappers also attacked his neighbours and went away with the two sons of a widow, Mrs Faith Gbeyide.

It was learnt that the two neighbours have also regained their freedom.

Groups such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory chapter; the International Press Centre and the Media Rights Agenda among others had called for his immediate release.

Narrating the incident on Thursday, Nnodim’s wife, Oluchi, had explained that her husband was working on his laptop when five strange men scaled the fence and entered their compound while ordering them to open the door.

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Gunmen
Headlines

Just In: Gunmen abduct PUNCH reporter in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A correspondent with The PUNCH Newspaper, Okechukwu Nnodim has allegedly been kidnapped by unknown gunmen at his residence in Abuja.

Sources close to the family of the kidnapped victim had confirmed the information to THE WHISTLER on Thursday.

According to the source, the four-man gang gained access to his resident by jumping his fence after firing several gunshots in the air.

The kidnapped victim had just rounded up a prayer devotion with his family and about retiring for the day when the assailants broke into the house through the window.

After gaining access to his house, the gunmen demanded money before he was whisked away

He was reportedly kidnapped alongside a child of his neighbour at his house in Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory at about 11 pm on Wednesday.

As of 3:30 pm on Thursday, the kidnappers have yet to contact his family.

Nnodim covers the business beat for The PUNCH in the FCT.

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7-UP
Investigation

Group calls for closure of 7-Up factory in Abuja and sack of top NAFDAC officers over safety concerns

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Non-governmental Organization, Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative TADI, has called on the Federal Government and the anti-corruption agencies to sack, probe and possibly prosecute top officers of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC over what it terms selves over national safety by the officers of NAFDAC.  The group alleged that NAFDAC officials have compromised the safety of Nigerians by failing to wade into the safety and unhygienic dispositions of 7-Up Bottling Company Abuja, despite several petitions to that effect.  

In a Press Release by TADI, through its Executive Director Ambassador Yomi David which was exclusively obtained by LeadingReporters, the group asserted that basic cleanliness is an absolute necessity for a people to lead healthy lifestyles.  But when this safety is thrown to the winds by the organisations that should place safety and good hygiene in the front burner, infections, diseases and deaths become the lot of the people, especially the consumers of those compromised products. 

“In recent times, record has shown that due to lack of proper hygiene and clean environment, the world has lost over two million people in the second quarter of year 2020.  Mostly affected are Children 70%, Women 20% and Men 10%.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to sack the principal officers of NAFDAC, due to lack of regular and detailed assessment on the manufacturing companies like 7-up bottling company and their facilities, lack of disciplinary action on offenders among other unpatriotic negligence exhibited by NAFDAC officials.

“Instead of carrying out their duties patriotically, money has become another god that veils the conscience of these government officers and this has put the lives of countless Nigerians in danger who consume the product of these companies that care less about the wellbeing of Nigerians. 

“Our investigations showed that these officials have abandoned due diligence for pecuniary gains at the detriment of the health and well- being of Nigerians who consume Seven UP products.

“Therefore, the Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative uses this medium to call for the closure of Seven –UP Bottling Company Ltd, our investigation has found to be culpable. 

As a civil society, we believe that the health of fellow Nigerians is paramount, hence, the need for seven Up to sit up and begin to right all the wrongs by immediately upgrading its facilities and improving the environment in other to prevent further danger to the health and lives of Nigerians. 

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covid-19
Health

President Buhari approves regulations to prevent spread of Covid-19

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

This was contained in a press release from office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja.

These Regulations shall take effect immediately until otherwise determined.
All other Protocols and Guidelines issued by the PTF, NCDC, and or State Governments, except as expressly provided, shall remain in force.

Any offence under these Regulations is punishable, on summary conviction, by a fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both in accordance with Section 5 of the Quarantine Act.
Some of the provosions of tur regulations are:

Restrictions on Gatherings

  1. At all gatherings, a physical distance of at least two metres shall be maintained at all times between persons.
  2. No gathering of more than 50 persons shall hold in an enclosed space, except for religious purposes, in which case the gathering shall not exceed 50% capacity of the space.
  3. All persons in public gatherings, whether in enclosed or open spaces, shall adhere to the provisions of Part 2 of these Regulations.
  4. The provisions of these Regulations may be varied by Guidelines and Protocols as may be issued, from time to time, by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 on the recommendation of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

PART 2
Operations of Public Places
Markets (including open markets), Malls, Supermarkets, Shops, Restaurants, Hotels, Event Centres, Gardens, Leisure Parks, Recreation Centres, Motor Parks, Fitness Centres, etc.

  1. No person shall be allowed within the premises of a market, mall, supermarket, shop, restaurants, hotels, event centres, gardens, leisure parks, recreation centres, motor parks, fitness centre or any other similar establishment (hereinafter collectively referred to as “establishments”) except:
    a. he is wearing a face covering that covers the nose and mouth;
    b. he washes his hands or cleaned the hands using hand sanitiser approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and
    c. his body temperature has been checked. Any person found to have a body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius shall be denied entry and advised to immediately seek medical attention.
  2. Every establishment occupier shall make provision for regular hand hygiene for any person coming into the premises during opening hours. This includes a handwashing station with soap and running water, or hand sanitiser approved by NAFDAC.
  3. Each establishment occupier is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting his premises.
  4. It is the responsibility of the occupier of the establishment to:
    a. Enforce the proper use of face covering;
    b. Make provision for safe hygiene facilities;
    c. Enforce provision of temperature checks prior to entry into the establishment;
    d. Enforce provisions and use of face covering within the establishment;
    e. Ensure that their customers queue up and are attended to serially while complying with physical distancing measures and avoiding overcrowding; and
    f. Generally, ensure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations.
  5. Occupiers of establishments are liable for any observed non-compliance by any persons within the premises.
    Places of Worship
  6. All worshippers and users of places of worship shall comply with the provisions of Parts 1 and 2 of these Regulations.
  7. Worshippers shall, where and whenever possible, avoid sharing worship items such as mats, bottles, hymnals, etc.
  8. It is the responsibility of the person in charge of a place of worship to ensure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations within the worship centre.
    Workplace and Schools
  9. All persons entering the premises of a workplace or school shall comply with the provisions of Parts 1 and 2 of these Regulations.
  10. It is the responsibility of the person in charge of a workplace or a school to ensure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations within the office or school premises.
    Banks
  11. All employees, customers and visitors of banks shall comply with the provisions of Parts 1 and 2 of these Regulations.
  12. All banks shall comply with the guidelines, mode and scope of operations issued by the Central Bank and Federal Ministry of Finance as it relates to the COVID-19 response.
  13. All banks shall develop a schedule for regular cleaning of buttons and surfaces of Mantrap Entrance Doors, ATM machines and other commonly used areas.
    Public Transportation Vehicles
  14. All operators and passengers of public transportation vehicles (hereinafter referred to as “operators”) shall comply with the provisions of Part 2 of these Regulations.
  15. Operators shall ensure adequate spacing in between passengers.
  16. Operators shall ensure frequent cleaning and disinfection of parts of the vehicle frequently handled by passengers and drivers such as doors and window handles/buttons, steering wheels and dashboards.
  17. Operators shall encourage passengers to frequently perform hand hygiene.
  18. All operators of trains, ships and planes shall have an occupational health and infectious diseases preparedness plan, in case an employee or traveller becomes unwell in the course of a journey.
  19. It is the responsibility of operators to ensure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations in the course of their operations.
    Hostels, Boarding Houses and Detention Centres
  20. Managers of Hostels, Boarding Houses, Nursing Homes, Correctional Centres, Remand Homes, Holding Cells, Military Detention Facilities, and such centres for care and custody of persons, shall ensure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations.
  21. Managers of such facilities shall ensure that suspected cases of Covid-19 are promptly and appropriately separated from others and are reported to medical officers of the State Ministry of Health for necessary action.

PART 3
Mandatory Compliance with Treatment Protocols

  1. The health and safety protocols and guidelines are issued by the PTF on Covid-19 on the recommendation of the NCDC and shall be binding on all persons.
  2. Persons confirmed to have tested positive to COVID-19 by an NCDC accredited laboratory, may not refuse isolation and or admission to a designated health establishment for management of the disease.
  3. All public secondary and tertiary health facilities shall designate a space or holding bay for the initial triage or assessment of suspected persons with COVID-19 in line with the approved protocol for case management.
  4. All public secondary and tertiary health facilities shall establish sample collection centres, where test samples from suspected cases can be collected and transmitted to an accredited testing laboratory in the State.
  5. Notwithstanding the provision of Regulation 27, where a person confirmed to have tested positive to the COVID-19 is:
    a. Asymptomatic or has mild symptoms; and
    b. Proves able to make an alternative isolation arrangement that satisfies protocols issued by the NCDC, as certified by a healthcare provider and assessment by a medical professional;
    such person may use such alternative arrangements, including supervised “home-based care,” for self-isolation and adhere strictly to the guidelines, until confirmed by the healthcare provider to be no longer at risk of infecting others with the virus.

PART 4
Offences and Penalties

  1. Any person who contravenes the provisions of these Regulations commits an offence.
  2. Any person who, without reasonable cause, contravenes a direction given under Parts 1 and 2 of these Regulations commits an offence.
  3. Any person who, without reasonable cause, obstructs an authorised official from enforcement of these Regulations commits an offence.
  4. An offence under these Regulations is punishable, on summary conviction, by a fine or a term of six months imprisonment or both in accordance with Section 5 of the Quarantine Act.

PART 5
Enforcement and Application

  1. Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and other relevant Local Government, State and Federal Government agencies are hereby directed to enforce the provisions of these Regulations.
  2. Any officer of the enforcement agencies who fails, neglects, or refuses to enforce the provisions of these Regulations shall be subject to disciplinary action by the disciplinary body of his respective agency.
  3. The provisions of these Regulations shall apply throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  4. State Governors may issue Regulations on further steps as may be considered necessary.
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