There has been widespread international condemnation of President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the move “extremely regrettable” and said nothing would stop those who supported the accord.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would “not judge” Mr Trump.
Mr Trump said he was prepared to discuss a new deal but key signatories to the accord quickly ruled that out.
He said the deal “punished” the US and would cost millions of American jobs. “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris,” he quipped.
The Paris agreement commits the US and 195 other countries to keeping rising global temperatures “well below” 2C above pre-industrial levels and “endeavour to limit” them even more, to 1.5C.
The UN World Meteorological Organisation said on Friday that, in the worst scenario, the US pullout could add 0.3C to global temperatures by the end of the century.
Why is Trump pulling out?
Mr Trump characterised the Paris agreement as a deal that aimed to hobble, disadvantage and impoverish the US.
He said it would cost the US $3tn (£2.3tn) in lost GDP and 6.5 million jobs – while rival economies like China and India were treated more favourably.
Mr Trump said he was fulfilling his “solemn duty to protect America and its citizens”.
He added: “We don’t want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore – and they won’t be.”
What did they say about Trump?
“We need the Paris agreement to protect all of creation,” said Chancellor Merkel. “Nothing can and nothing will stop us.”
Mrs Merkel said the path set out by Paris was “irreversible”, and she added: “We will travel it together.”
“To everyone who cares about the future of our planet, I say let’s continue on this path together to succeed in protecting Mother Earth,” Mrs Merkel said.
In other criticism of Mr Trump’s decision on Friday:
European CommissionPresident Jean-Claude Juncker, opening a summit with China in Brussels, said: “There is no backsliding on the Paris agreement”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the fight against climate change was “unstoppable”
Indian Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said: “As far as the Paris accord is concerned… our government is committed, irrespective of the stand of anyone, anywhere in the world”
The group of 48 least developed countries were deeply disappointed but believed the global climate momentum would continue with or without the US, said chairperson Gebru Jember Endalew
Small island nations whose existence is threatened by rising sea levels were also critical. The President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, said it was “highly concerning for those of us that live on the frontline of climate change”
Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso said: “I’m not just disappointed, but also feel anger”
Speaking in the Russian city of St Petersburg, President Putin said that while he would not judge Mr Trump, he thought the US should not abandon the Paris accord.
“This agreement hasn’t even taken effect yet – it will take effect by 2021,” he said, speaking in Russian. “So we still have time to reach a deal.” Then, in English, he added: “Don’t worry, be happy.”
It is unclear which deadline Mr Putin was referring to as the Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016.
Can it all be renegotiated?
Mr Trump did not give a timescale on withdrawal. However, under the agreement, a nation seeking to leave the pact can only give notice three years after the agreement from the date it entered into force.
The process of leaving then takes another year, meaning it would not be complete until just weeks after the US presidential election in 2020.
US payments to the UN Green Climate Fund, which helps developing countries cope with the effects of climate change, will stop. The US has reportedly so far paid $1bn (£780m) of a $3bn pledge.
Mr Trump indicated he was open to another climate deal “on terms that are fair to the United States” but his words suggest it is not a priority for him.
“We will see if we can make a deal that’s fair,” he said. “And if we can, that’s great. And if we can’t, that’s fine.”
The leaders of France, Germany and Italy quickly issued a joint statement rejecting any renegotiation: “We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris agreement cannot be renegotiated, since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies.”
What are they saying in America?
Barack Obama, who was president when the Paris deal was agreed, accused the Trump administration of “rejecting the future”.
The Democratic governors of New York, California and Washington states all quickly vowed to respect the terms of the Paris deal.
Disney’s chief executive Robert Iger and the entrepreneur Elon Musk both resigned from White House advisory councils in opposition to the decision.
“Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world,” said Mr Musk, the head of tech giant Tesla.
However, Republican congressional leaders and the US coal industry backed the move, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell supporting Mr Trump “for dealing yet another significant blow to the Obama administration’s assault on domestic energy production and jobs”.
Peabody Energy, America’s biggest coal mining firm, said the agreement would have badly affected the US economy.
What was agreed in Paris?
Climate change, or global warming, refers to the damaging effect of gases, or emissions, released from industry, transportation, agriculture and other areas into the atmosphere.
The Paris accord is meant to limit the global rise in temperature attributed to emissions. Only Syria and Nicaragua did not sign up.
Countries agreed to:
Keep global temperatures “well below” the level of 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times and “endeavour to limit” them even more, to 1.5C
Limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by human activity to the same levels that trees, soil and oceans can absorb naturally, beginning at some point between 2050 and 2100
Review each country’s contribution to cutting emissions every five years so they scale up to the challenge
Enable rich countries to help poorer nations by providing “climate finance” to adapt to climate change and switch to renewable energy
Nasa’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies says the world’s average temperature has risen by about 0.8C since 1880, two-thirds of that since 1975.
US think tank Climate Interactive predicts that if all nations fully achieve their Paris pledges, the average global surface temperature rise by 2100 will be 3.3C, or 3.6C without the US.
Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 is a popular passage in the Holy Bible that deals with the cyclical nature of life and says that there is time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: “a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal…”
The above is a perfect consolation for many, who queried the closure of the Justice for All (J4A) programme of the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID). For most stakeholders, the programme should not have ended, or at least, not at this time.
At the close-out event of the programme held at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja recently, Nigerians, in emotion-laden tones, poured encomiums on the programme and the Dr. Bob Arnot-led management team, for effectively driving the programme and achieving its overall objective. The fact that citizens, particularly, stakeholders in the areas of focus actively participated in the programme makes it exceptional.
My heart was gladdened at that moment Nigeria’s acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo pledged that Nigeria will “institutionalize J4A’s initiatives and programmes.”
From speaker after speaker, the programme earned an all – round distinction, with no dissenting views. The popular question at the event was: why must J4a end now? Never in the history of donor experience in Nigeria has this level of endorsement been witnessed.
In his remarks, Nigeria’s Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom Government for sustaining its support to the country, even as he lauded the implementation of the Justice for All (J4A) programme, saying that it has shaped the Justice Sector reforms of Nigeria. He also described the programme as well thought-out and impactful.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye, he urged the United Kingdom Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) not to relent in its support to good governance and justice sector reforms in Nigeria.
“The J4A programme is well-thought out. Its effects are being felt. What we are working on now is to ensure that the initiatives of the programme are institutionalized in our systems. The J4A model is what we are following in our police reforms today. The Case Management and Information Communication Technology (ICT) in use today in the justice sector is a J4A initiative. We need to ensure that it is adopted in every part of the country. J4A supported the Police Complaint Response Unit and today, they are achieving results.”
Speaking on sustainability, the Vice President stressed: “I hope the closure of the J4A will not be the end of support to the laudable initiatives.”
He commended the J4A team, led by Dr. Bob Arnot for what he described as their outstanding performance, urging them not to relent in their service to the nation.
Adding his voice, Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye was full of praises for the J4A programme, describing it as exemplary.
“It supported a whole range of measures in the area of economic justice, notably the improvement of service delivery in commercial courts. Starting with a baseline survey on the progress of cases in commercial courts; needs assessment of those courts, capacity building for judges who preside over the courts, infrastructure support to improve service delivery such as the furnishing of the Fast Track Court Registry and the monthly progress monitoring. Lagos Judiciary improved incrementally from one level to another.”
“To ensure this worked seamlessly and is sustainable, the judiciary created a separate registry to fast track cases with the encouragement and financial support of J4A.”
Continuing, he gave credit for the early achievements recorded by the PACAC Committee to the support it got from the J4A programme.
“J4A recognized the importance of co-ordination and co-operation amongst justice sector institutions. It thus supported the creation of a platform through which regular engagement and interaction could talk place. This initiative in my view is a major legacy. I can say this now because PACAC borrowed from this model by recommending to government a high level inter-agency platform for conversation on the anti-corruption issue. J4A, without doubt, has been of immense benefit to Nigeria in all of the thematic areas of focus.”
In his presentation on: J4A: The Journey, Achievements, Experiences, Lessons and Legacy, Portfolio Lead for Justice Security and Conflict in Sub Saharan Africa for the British Council, Dr. Bob Arnot explained that the programme was organized around four components: Policing and Security; Justice, Anti-Corruption and Cross-Sector Coordination.
Speaking on the scope and methodology, Arnot explained: “the programme worked at federal level plus five focal states (Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, and Jigawa) and FCT. Models based upon best practice were to be replicated, disseminated and sustained; working in the formal and informal sectors.”
He further explained that the ultimate aim of the programme was to create: “a more capable, accountable, responsive and integrated justice sector that is fair, equitable and accessible with sustainable reform momentum, creating growing user confidence and respect amongst Nigerians.”
On successes recorded by the Policing component, Arnot, a former National Programme Manager of the J4A, enumerated them to include:
“Work in 7 states affected 44.8 million people by introducing Community-based Policing (CBP) in Model Police Stations (MPS); introduced 12 modern police stations with 177 interventions and 645 replications; engaged with more than 100 police divisions and trained over 5000 Police officers.”
“J4A states citizen’s satisfaction with police up from 40% in 2011 to 59% in 2012; a total of 776 VPS leaders trained in leadership skills and over 1000 operatives have been trained in conflict management skills.”
In the Justice component, Arnot explained: “J4A worked with 26 pilot Magistrates, Sharia and Customary Courts in 3 states (disposal time reduced by 30%) equal to saving over 900,000 days in court. Since 2012, nearly 1,400 Traditional Rulers in two states have been trained on human rights, dispute resolution and record keeping. It is estimated that over 400,000 citizens will have benefited from the traditional rulers’ enhanced skills.”
Speaking on achievements by the anti-corruption component, he said: “The EFCC, ICPC and CCB now have strategic plans being implemented to direct their longer term work; J4A supported the EFCC and ICPC to investigate, prosecute and recover the assets of corrupt persons. By March 2016, assets worth over 210 Billion Naira had been recovered.
Over 700 anti-corruption agency operatives have been trained in investigative and prosecutorial skills. J4A training modules now delivered by anti-corruption agencies (ACA) Trainers and key anti-corruption legislation developed.”
The above was confirmed by the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Emmanuel Aremu Adegboyega, while speaking at the close-out event.
Continuing, Arnot stressed that: “Reformed Anti-Corruption Transparency Units (ACTUs) are now in 427 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Inter-agency cooperation and exchange of intelligence have been improved. Civil society groups and coalitions have been supported to increase oversight of the anti-corruption agencies and the government’s work on anti-corruption, as well as increased advocacy on stalled high profile corruption cases by Media/Civil Society actors through the Reporting Until Something Happens (RUSH) initiative.
On cross-sector successes, J4A developed Justice Sector Reform Teams (JSRT) that are today adopted and in use at all levels of government in Nigeria. Other donor agencies in Nigeria have also adopted same. Twenty four (24) JSRTs are in place and functioning; one hundred and ninety three (193) justice reform initiatives implemented by JRTs; with 138 achieving desired outcomes; duration in custody of awaiting trial persons (ATPs) down by 30% in two pilot states; 429 indigent Awaiting Trial Prisoners (ATPs) offered pro bono legal services under the CH Scheme and Clearing House being rolled out across Nigeria by LACON.
J4A played a key role in the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJ) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP). They supported the implementation of the ACJ in Lagos and Anambra states. They continued to support advocacy for the passage of other relevant bills, prominent among which are: the Proceeds of Crime, Whistle Blowers and Witness Protection (Public Interest Reporting and Witness Protection), Money Laundering, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre, Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters bills, among others, which are making steady progress at the National Assembly.
Some of them have already been passed by the Senate, while others have reached advanced stages in the legislative process. Worthy of note is the fact that they were all passed by the 7th National Assembly, but were not assented to, following the change in power; hence, their reintroduction.
On civil society engagement, J4A’s shoes are too big for any other donor-funded programme in Nigeria to step in. One can only hope and pray that other donors will attempt to get close to, match or surpass the J4A record. J4A engaged with more than 100 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), which made 144 direct contributions to justice sector policy and practice and influenced change on 79 particular occasions. Forty four (44) grants awarded, valued at, over eight hundred million Naira (N800M/ over £3.1M). Twenty seven (27) grants have gender element.
Realising the need for the programme to be Nigerian-led, J4A elevated one of its component managers, a renowned development expert, Danladi Plang to the position of a National Programme Manager. This step further deepened the peoples’ confidence in the programme and strengthened engagement.
Expressing gratitude for the overall success of J4A, the National Programme Manager, Danladi Plang outlined the programme’s achievements in providing justice for victims of sexual violence in the country.
“What we have tried to do is to provide justice for victims of sexual violence and their families. We did three major things in this regard. One is to provide facilities where victims can go and be treated; either by providing medication or counselling. The treatment is free of charge. Second, we increased the level of awareness of people on sexual violence. Next is in the area of training and capacity development for all stakeholders.”
One other name at the centre of the programme’s success is Emmanuel Uche, anti-corruption component Manager. His ingenuity was all that was needed in difficult situations. At every stage of implementation, he displayed exceptional mastery of issues and problem-solving skills. He is the brain behind most of the successes recorded by the anti-corruption component, adjudged by many as the most successful in the programme.
He did not fail to express his joy with the success of the programme. Hear him: “I am happy that the programme is a huge success. We have made the anti-corruption agencies more responsive and capable. Their level of engagement is back to the early days of their existence. We have supported government by strengthening institutional mechanisms of the anti-corruption agencies. We also strengthened the voice of the citizens. The J4A approach is holistic and has left a mark in the sands of history.”
Another name that cannot be left out in the success story of the J4a is Juliet Chikodinaka Ibekaku, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Justice Sector Reforms. From the inception of the programme, till its end, her contributions were enormous.
Those conversant with the Police component know that Professor Olu Ogunsakin, a renowned Professor of Police Affairs worked tirelessly and made the component successful.
What manner of programme is J4A, that even other donor programmes and agencies relish at the mention of the name? The answer is not far-fetched, as success has many friends, while failure is an orphan. Even civil society organisations, naturally known for being critical of issues hailed the programme. Hear some of the stakeholders speak: David Ugolor, Executive Director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice- ANEEJ, described the J4A as a huge success and worthy of emulation by others in the sector.
Emeka Ononamadu, Executive Director, Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights and the Chairman, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) expressed satisfaction with the programme and its implementation and passed a vote of confidence on the management team.
Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption – MIIVOC described the J4A programme and its achievements as legendary, but wondered why it must be brought to an end at a time, when its impact is being felt and is yielding immeasurable results.
Little wonder, Enugu State governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi called for an immediate successor programme to continue with the noble works of the J4A.
Another proof of its success is that some other donor agencies have approached the J4A to hand over their on-going intervention programmes to them to take over their implementation. For a donor, whose programme is already being implemented to approach the J4A team to take over the management and implementation of their programme is further evidence that there is a silent consensus in the donor community that the J4A leads, while others follow.
The entry of J4A to the implementation of Nigeria’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act made a huge difference. Today, the compliance level of public institutions with the provisions of the FOI Act has increased tremendously. Citizens’ demand for accountability using the FOI Act has also increased, courtesy of the J4A.
Be that as it may, the programme, having been designed by men, was not infallible. It had some shortcomings that took the ingenuity and creativity of the team to overcome.
First, it had a funding mechanism that was a little inflexible. This did not help issues at all. Again, the programme did not make adequate provisions for sustained structured support to Civil Society. This is a major minus. Save for the creativity of the management team, it would not have been easy.
More so, the programme did not have a professionally-designed and robust communication strategy as part of the programme design, made worse by the absence of budgetary provisions for publicity and communication. The fact that the J4A enjoyed the level of visibility and media hype it has, however, is a testimony that it is an all-round success.
While Nigerians patiently await successor programmes, particularly, one which focuses on anti-corruption, not keeping the J4A team intact will be a grievous mistake, as it is rare to have an excellently progressive team in any given organisation.
Again, whatever new programme that is to be designed should have a robust communication strategy that will build on the successes of the J4A to deepen engagement, create understanding, effectively explain the issues, programmes, activities and policies of the programme and ensure proactive communication with stakeholders and indeed, the world. It is outlandish to hold on to the belief that donors rarely spend on publicity. The success or failure of every human endeavour rests on effective and ideal communication.
More so, there is need to ensure a deliberate strategy for sustained structured support to civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Particular interest must also be shown in activities aimed at holding the anti-corruption agencies themselves accountable. As at today, no one is watching those empowered to watch Nigerians and there has to be a way of closing the gap.
Furthermore, there is need for some flexibility in the funding mechanism of programmes in order to cope with emergency situations in the course of programme implementation. Political sensitivity is also very important for the success of donor-funded programmes.
Unlike the proverbial lizard that jumped from a multi–storey without any acclaim, J4A is leaving several enduring legacies and all and sundry have poured out encomiums on DFID and British Council for a job very well done. Posterity will always remember you and you deserve to be celebrated. Dr. Walter Duru is a Port Harcourt and Owerri – based communication teacher, professional and online Publisher. He is the Chairman, Board of Governors, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria. walterchike@gmail.com
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in Northern Nigeria has condemned the kidnapping Tuesday evening of a member of the House of Representative representing Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency, Garba Umar Durbunde.
Hon. Durbunde was kidnapped by unknown men at Jere along Abuja Road at about 5pm on his way back to Abuja.
Governor Ganduje, shocked by the news of the sad and unfortunate event, condemned it in the strongest term as an act of wickedness perpetrated by evil and cold-hearted elements.
He therefore called on the police force and other security agencies to intensify effort to rescue the kidnapped lawmaker while also advising members of the public to be vigilante and security conscious at all times.
The Kano State Commissioner for Information , Garba Mohammed in a statement said the state Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, expressed shocked about the incident which occurred when Muslims were observing the Ramadan.
The Commissioner urged the police and other security agencies to do all they could to rescue the lawmaker.
Garba Durbunde, member representing Takai/Sumaila federal constituency in the House of Representatives, was reportedly kidnapped by unknown persons along the Jere-Abuja Road, Kaduna State on Tuesday.
The lawmaker was said to be on his way to Kano when the incident occurred at about 5.00pm on the fateful day.
Though the Kaduna State Police Command was yet to confirm the incident, the Kano State Government did as at the time of filing this report.
A twin blast has killed at least four people and wounded more than 20 others at a refugee camp housing those displaced by Boko Haram in the town of Kolofata, northern Cameroon, officials said on Friday.
Guardian reported that, a local government official put the death toll at six and said more than 30 people were wounded, 10 seriously.
A police officer said four people were confirmed dead. Both bombers also died.
Northern Cameroon has in recent years suffered from the overflow of violence linked to Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamist insurgents.
Nigerian refugees have flooded across the border and local residents have been forced to flee their homes. Boko Haram launches frequent cross-border raids in a bid to carve out an Islamic caliphate.
Its eight-year insurgency has killed more than 15,000 and displaced two million people in the Lake Chad region. Villages and towns in the area have regularly been targeted by suicide bombers.
A similar attack in Kolofata killed nine people in September 2015. Thousands of troops have been deployed to the area in a bid to stem the violence.
The Bauchi Sate Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a syndicate allegedly behind the series of extra judicial killings in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Garba Baba Umar, in a statement noted that on 26th May 2017 at about 0600hrs, the command’s Anti Kidnapping Unit following an intelligence surveillance operation smashed a syndicate either known as BABELI and GAMA KAI and arrested the suspects at Runde Mountain Bauchi.
The suspects are: Adamu Abubakar, (52) Gang leader; Muhammad Lawan (52), Ahmadu Gambo (38) and Mohammed Tukur (50), all of Galambi Ward of Bauchi State.
According to Umar, “during my last stakeholders meeting with various Myetti Allah groups in the state, I enjoined them to disclose the identities of the groups allegedly behind series of extra judicial killings of suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers in the state and they vehemently denied knowledge of such syndicates.
“The groups usually take the law into their hands, go to villages in their hundreds and abduct their victims to unknown destination and kill them extra judiciously on mere allegations. When the situation continued unabated, the command set up a special team with the sole mandate to unravel the syndicate behind these dastardly acts with a view to bringing them to justice,” he explained.
One Musa Umaru (38) of Barnawa village Bauchi whom they abducted with the intent to kill extra-judiciously was rescued while Two (2) fabricated guns were recovered from them.
The commissioner added that, preliminary investigation revealed that the same gang abducted and killed one Tambaya Jauro and one Ahmadu Musa at Miya District of Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi State on 11/05/2017.
Similarly, the Command also arrested two suspected rapists on 26th May, 2017 at about 0800hrs, following intelligence report – Mahmud Abdullahi, (18) and Abdullahi Mohammed, (19) all of Bauchi town. The suspects had kidnapped a 16 years old girl of Nasarawa Ward who was on her way to school, took her to their hideout behind a mountain at GRA Bauchi and had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim against her will. One Tricycle with Reg. Number DAS 440 that was used in perpetrating the crime was recovered from them.
While assuring residents of the state of the command’s readiness to fighting and reducing crimes to the barest minimum, the Commissioner however added that the suspects would be charged to Court after diligent investigation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Barrister Abdurraheem Adebayo Shittu has on Tuesday, commissioned the newly established Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre (NAICC), at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Abuja.
This is in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai’s determined efforts of making the Nigerian Army accessible, accountable and responsive in the discharge of its Constitutional duties.
spokesperson of the Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman said the newly commissioned Nigerian Army Information and Call Centre (NAICC) is equipped with modern communication gadgets which is manned by specialists from various corps to monitor and receive complaints from the public through the short code of 193 using any of the telecommunication service providers in the country.
He added that the NAICC is expected to also receive calls or complains from troops serving in various parts of the country, saving them the stress of using the Social Media.
In compliance with an Executive Order issued by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA has commenced the implementation of new security protocols in all the sea ports in the country. By implication, all touts and hawkers are now banned in the port, while clearing agents and motor-boys will be stopped from hanging around and constituting crowd in the Port. This is contained in a statement made available to the press by the agency on Tuesday.
The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has according to the statement, directed full and immediate compliance with the executive order by all officials of the agency. As part of the implementation process, the surveillance of illegal vessels movement by Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence (C3I) Centre and regular patrols of waterfront and common user areas and terminals by joint security teams has already started.
It was also gathered that all security agencies are being sensitized on their specific roles procedures for enforcing security in the ports and environs in order to achieve a synergy between all security agencies in carrying out security at the ports in line with the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code.
According to the statement, the management of NPA has commenced ongoing illumination of port common user areas and fencing of Tincan Island Port Complex to ward off unauthorized access by miscreants, while liaising with Lagos State Government for the illumination of port access roads.
Also in line with the Executive Order, all security personnel are to display their on-duty cards while on duty while all off-duty personnel are now completely banned from the ports. A new ID card for staff and retirees with improved features and better production quality is also being proposed while the procedures for issuing port passes and access cards are being reviewed.
As part of moves to ensure seamless operations at the port, a joint patrol team comprising NPA Security, Port Authority Police, Customs and DSS will be constituted to carry effective patrol in the Port on hourly basis. A security operations room will also be established to monitor all port activities.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo earlier this month in an Executive Order directed that “the Apapa Port shall resume 24-hour operations within 30 days of the issuance of this Order and there shall be no touting whatsoever by official or unofficial persons at any port in Nigeria.’’
The Deputy Executive Secretary United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Giovanie Biha, has called on African governments to make deliberate efforts to create links between urban and industrial development in the context of their national development plans.
The call was made at the Economic Commission for Africa’s flagship, “The Economic Report on Africa 2017”, which was launched in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa with Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Biha, who presided over the meeting.
In her remark, the secretary stated that reconnecting urban and industrial development in Africa through deliberate policies, strategies and investments was a priority for the sustainability of both cities and industries.
“As countries are developing overarching frameworks within which strategic targets for structural transformation are defined, national development plans offer an ideal context within which urbanization and industrialization targets could be linked.
“In this way, urban and industrial strategies could be explicitly linked to broader national goals such as poverty reduction and improved well-being in both urban and rural areas,” she said.
Ms. Biha said available evidence suggests that urban and industrial development in Africa were disconnected, resulting in lost opportunities for job creation and improved well-being.
“It is therefore not surprising that Africa’s cities are crippled by severe infrastructure and service gaps and are unable to generate employment at the level and scale required to meet increasing demands, especially for the youth,” she added.
There has been widespread international condemnation of President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
