The company said in a statement it had been “promptly” turning over payments to subcontractors but “outstanding invoices for work performed in October made it impossible to continue in this manner”.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity a Whitefish official told the BBC that $83m (£67m) was owed by Prepa.
In a statement, Prepa spokesman Carlos Monroig, said Whitefish had “paralysed” restoration efforts, and that the power authority was “in the process of reviewing and auditing invoices submitted by Whitefish”.
Contracting row
The power restoration deal struck with Whitefish quickly after the storms came under scrutiny last month after revelations in the media.
Among other peculiarities, it was revealed that the two-year-old company had little experience with work on this scale and was headquartered in the tiny Montana hometown of US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.
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Media captionTwo months after Hurricane Maria, many Puerto Ricans are still without vital infrastructure.
Mr Zinke denied any involvement in the deal and denied any wrongdoing, while the White House distanced itself from it.
Prepa and the Puerto Rican government are saddled with massive debts. The power authority declared bankruptcy in July.
The Caribbean island, home to more than three million US citizens, was struck by two massive hurricanes in September. Hurricane Maria, the second storm, all but wiped out the island’s power grid.
Note: This story is auto-generated from BBC syndicated feed and has not been edited by AFRICA PRIME NEWS
“These allegations are extremely disturbing and we take them very seriously,” CBS News said. PBS and Bloomberg have also suspended him.
Mr Rose has apologised but said not all the allegations were accurate.
They span from the 1990s to 2011 and include groping, lewd telephone calls and unwanted advances.
Two women who worked for Mr Rose said he walked naked in front of them, and another said she was groped by him at a party.
Mr Rose, 75, is one of America’s most respected broadcasters. He is known for conducting in-depth interviews on his eponymous television programme which first aired in 1991.
PBS quickly suspended distribution of the Charlie Rose programme following the allegations, which they described as “deeply disturbing.”
In a statement posted to Twitter, the veteran host said: “I deeply apologise for my inappropriate behavior. I am greatly embarrassed.
“I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realize I was mistaken.”
But he said that he did not believe “all of these allegations are accurate”.
Numerous high-profile figures, including Oscar-winning actors and a Hollywood filmmaker, have been accused of sexual harassment in recent weeks.
Kaduna ( Nigeria) — It all began last month (October 2017) when Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, north central Nigeria invited Kogi East Elders Council to a meeting in Lokoja through a letter dated 17th October 2017.
The invitation was in response to a communique the Elders issued after their emergency meeting in Abuja on 20th Sept 2017, regarding the crises bedeviling the State.
At the meeting at Government House Lokoja, Governor Bello briefed the council’s delegation led by its Deputy Chairman, Gabriel Aduku on government policies and programmes, the general state of polity, the State’s income including the Paris Club refund and bail out funds.
Unfortunately for the Governor and his team, they had failed to realize the adage that says “There is more than meets the eyes.”
So, not convinced by the Executive briefings, the Elders then decided to apply their elderly wisdom by deploying binoculars directly at the State’s Vault, resulting in the revelation that huge revenue totaling One hundred and Sixty- Seven billion Naira ( N167Bn) accrued to Yahaya Bello’s Administration from 2016 to Sept 30th 2017.
Now that the Elders have come out with these startling facts and figures as shown in the excerpts below, the Governor should now be able to explain to the people of Kogi State how his Administration spent their monies.
“We consider it ironic that the government is feigning the lack of resources to pay civil servants and pensioners their emoluments in spite of the huge funds that accrued to the state and local governments from the federation account and internally generated revenues since 2016. Our findings have shown the following inflow of cash into the coffers of Kogi State government since 2016.
1. FAAC Allocations to the State 60,500,000,000.00
2. FAAC Allocations (LGAs) 49,300,000,000.00
3. FG bailout 20,000,000,000.00
4. Paris Club Refund (1st& 2ndtranches) 17,200,000,000.00
5. Internally Generated Revenue (estimated as at September 30, 2017) 20,000,000,000.00
Total N167,000,000,000.00
From the above figures it is apparent that the average monthly inflow or receipts of funds by the Kogi State Government for 21 months is, on the average, N8 billion. In terms of expenditure, below is an outline of civil servants and pensioners salaries and emoluments between 2012 and 2015 before Governor Bello took over:
1. State workers’ salaries/pensions 2,600,000,000.00
The average monthly emolument to workers in Kogi State before Governor Bello’s tenure (including those of the so-called ghost workers) was ofN4.8 billion.
At present, the excess after wage bill is put at N3.2 billion, therefore, the total surplus that has accumulated from January 2016 to September 2017 is N67 billion. This amount should be available for infrastructure development, but the projects which might have gulped this sum are not on ground for the people of Kogi State to see.
If the government is not engaged in the construction of vital infrastructure in the state, why has government been unable to pay the salaries of even the ‘cleared civil servants’ as at when due? Why did the state government embark on a borrowing adventure from commercial banks, and what has government used the borrowed money to service?
The government wasted millions of naira on newspaper advertisements to showcase the number of employees who have been cleared and paid, but it shamelessly admitted that in spite of the funds accruing to the state, government still owed the salaries of some ‘cleared workers.’
It is nothing short of wickedness for the Kogi State government to deny workers their salaries and pensioners ’stipends in the face of such abundant financial resources.
The excuse of refining the civil service system or of running a digital administration does not hold water, as every improvement on an administrative system is supposed to produce a positive result, not a negative one that leaves the people in anguish and penury.
The condition of Kogi State has degenerated to a situation in which federal lawmakers had to donate bags of rice to Kogi State workers, when the state government has stuffed workers’ earned salaries under its armpit”.
Social Mobilisers Enlightening a Woman On Child Spacing In Kaduna, Northern Nigeria
By Iliya Kure
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Over 300 community mobilisers that contributed to the success of child spacing campaign in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, were Monday honoured by Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI), a Gates Foundation Project.
Since 2010, the community mobilisers worked in communities in 7 local government areas of the state, raising awareness and encouraging families to space their child birth. They engaged men and women, as well as referred them to health facilities where child spacing services were rendered.
Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director, Centre for Communication Progress, Nigeria (CCPN), an implementing Partner of the NURHI Project, Babafunke Fagbemi, praised the mobilisers for enlightening, educating and mobilizing communities on the need to space their births.
“Through your efforts Kaduna women and men can walk freely to medical facilities to ask about information on child-spacing. You have also broken the ground where some norms, culture and beliefs are against child-spacing.
“However, I must let you know that NURHI2 will be more involving and you have to do those things you have been doing before to maintain the standard in the campaign of child-spacing,” she said.
One of the mobilisers, Abdulrahaman Ibrahim from Igabi Local Government Area, said he linked his messages with the health of the mother, norms and beliefs and letting people see the relationship between them.
According to Ibrahim the present economic realities is also telling on people, encouraging them to plan their families.
Similarly, Tina James from Jama’a Local Government Area, thanked NURHI for giving her the opportunity to serve as a mobiliser in her local government and promised to do more.
The mobilizers were presented with gifts including bags, rechargeable lamps and other equipment to aid their jobs in the rural areas.
The success of the project has led to the introduction of its 2nd phase, the NURHI2 Project which runs till year 2020.
A journalist attacked in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, has linked the attack to his stance against social vices in his neighbourhood.
Speaking with journalists in a Kaduna hospital, where he is receiving treatment, the Head of News and Current Affairs of Freedom Radio, Kaduna, Abubakar Jidda Usman, explained how he was attacked by hoodlum in his resident at about 2 am.
Usman woke up at about 2 am to ease himself, on the way back to his room he sighted someone by the wall with a sword and sensing danger, he quickly grabbed the intruder, pinning him to the floor.
“This is what actually saved me, launching the first attack because I grabbed his hands with the sword and it was during the process I got a cut on my neck, hands and some bruises on my legs. Immediately the hoodlum got himself free he took to his heels and that is how Allah helped me.
“I don’t want to concur to the rumors making the rounds that the attack might have been as a result of a programme I did on the sacking of 22,000 teachers in Kaduna a day before the attack. The programme was live and people contributed their views and opinions on the topic,” he added.
Mr. Usman, who also serves as Chief Imam of Kwaru Mosque in Badarawa neighbourhood is known to challenge parents to regulate the conduct of their children bring them on the right path as directed by the scriptures.
He explained to journalists why he pressures parents to curb negative acts by youth, “If a child decides to belong to the criminal gang ‘Sara-Suka’, and hid weapons in his parent’s house, while the parents turn their faces the other way they have no reason to complain if nemesis catches up with such a child. However, when such child is napped by the law the same parents will rush down to security agents to secure their release, this is the genesis of all these gangsters in the country.
“There was a time I told my congregation that as a father if police or any security agent arrested your wards with weapons and evidence of criminal tendency there is no need to have a sleepless night over releasing him because he has already chosen a path, and the only thing you can do is to pray for him to change. I also encouraged that any house weapons are found everyone in that house should be arrested and questioned.
“The painful thing is that today, because parents don’t want children with criminal records to be traced to them, whenever the children are arrested, they will be the first person to make contacts for the child to be released no matter the gravity of the crime,” he said.
Spokesman of Nigerian Police in Kaduna State, ASP Mukhtar Aliyu said investigation on the matter has commenced and efforts have been intensified to bring the hoodlums to book.
He assured journalists in the state that the police will perform their prime duty of protecting them as they go about their lawful duty.
Armed Robbery & cow rustling suspects at the State Police Headquarters Gombe.
Armed Robbery & Cow Rustling Suspects Paraded at the State Police Headquarters Gombe.
By Ahmad Umar
Gombe (Nigeria) – The Gombe State Police Command in northeast Nigeria, has paraded armed robbery and cattle rustling suspects.
The State Police Commissioner, Shina Tairu Olukolu told Journalists while parading the suspects at the Command headquarters in Gombe that the suspects were arrested in a joint operation between the Police and Gombe state Hunters Association at the state border with Adamawa State.
He said the arrest was effected based on credible information from public spirited individuals on the group which specializes in blocking the road around Gombe and Adamawa states border.
The suspects include Saidu Adamu, alias Dujja of Burti village; Mobi Ori of Dumna Burti village from Guyuk local government of Adamawa state; as well as Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Yellow 25; and Hamza Isah 33, of Girei local government areas of Adamawa state.
Others are Kanno Dari 30, and Musa Ahmadu Lafaiya Lamurde local government area of Adamawa state.
One AK47 riffle with three magazine, 70 life ammunition, one pistol, six assorted handsets and four knives were recovered from the suspects.
Also paraded, were other suspects who specialized in stealing motorcycles, defrauding businessmen through fake sms alerts and forged fake employment letters from the Federal University Kashere.
The CP commended members of the public who volunteered information that resulted in the arrests and promised to continue to keep the identity of informants confidential.
He enjoined the public to continue in that spirit and pledged that the Police would continue to partner with members of the public in ensuring that crimes were reduced to the barest minimum in Gombe State.
Inspector-General of Nigeria Police, Ibrahim Idris
By Amos Tauna
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Inspector General of Nigerian Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has expressed satisfaction with the professional conduct exhibited by the police before, during and after the governorship election in Anambra State, South east of the country, for ensuring security and conducive environment.
Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood in a statement said the IGP extolled the high level professionalism, politeness, firmness and unbiased conducts of the Police Personnel, before, during and after the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force equally appreciates the law abiding attitude and peaceful conduct of the good people of Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Election Monitors/Observers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Media and other critical stakeholders for a good working relationship with the security personnel deployed for the election.
“The good disposition and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by most of the political parties in the election which doused fear and tensions during the election is gratifying and highly commendable,” the statement acknowledged.
As a lead security agency in election security in a democracy, the IGP commends the entire Police Officers deployed for the election for their personal sacrifice, collective patriotism and commitment in ensuring that the election was conducted in an atmosphere of peace devoid of any breach of public peace and security throughout the period of the election.
“The Commissioners of Police and their personnel in the States contiguous to Anambra who were placed on Red Alert by the Inspector General of Police are equally appreciated.
“The impressive performance of the Police personnel to ensure law and order and a successful election is a clear testimony of the capability of the Nigeria Police Force in its renewed commitment to continue to adhere to International Best Practices in the conduct of elections in the country now and in the future.
“The Nigeria Police Force shall continue to sustain the elections security successes recorded in Gubernatorial Elections in Edo and Ondo States, the Re-run Senatorial /House of Representatives Elections in Kogi, Imo, Rivers and the just concluded Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State as an index for the conduct of subsequent elections in the Country,” the statement assured.
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described the death of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, as a monumental loss not just to Nigeria, but the entire African continent.
In a statement personally signed by him, Dogara said Nigerians have lost a principled and brilliant politician, distinguished elder statesman, man of peace, nationalist, and a true son of Africa.
Dogara however, lamented that the former Vice President’s demise came at a time Africa was in dire need of patriots and leaders like Ekwueme, as it struggles with various internal conflicts, and passes through challenging pace in its history.
“In times as these, elderly wisdom, experience and guidance of Ekwueme is needed by leaders at all levels so as to enable us surmount the daunting challenges confronting us as a country and as Africans.
“Dr. Ekwueme was a philanthropist, a famous professional architect, lawyer, brilliant politician and a man of peace whose efforts in building bridges of friendship amongst the various peoples of Nigeria is legendary.
“He played politics of ideas, principle and purpose and helped bring stability as Vice President in the Second Republic.
“The late elder statesman was credited with the introduction of the famous proposals for a just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based on the six geopolitical zones which ensures a fair, just equitable and stable polity.
“His contributions in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in 1999, when he mobilised the famous group of 34 eminent Nigerians, who risked their lives and stood up against military dictatorship are still fresh in our minds.
“Indeed, he lived a life worthy of emulation and left an indelible mark in the annals of the history of Nigeria. He was truly a political colossus and giant, whose shoes will be difficult to fill”.
“As it was said of all the saints and sages, we take solace in the fact that he has gone to rest, having emptied himself while he walked the earth and served humanity even in his final hours”.
“I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the Ekwueme family, the government and people of Anambra state over this huge and irreparable loss. May His gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” the statement says.
Image copyright AFP 
