CSR NEW SUMMARY ISSUE 4

GROUP ENDS FREE MEDICARE IN PLATEAU COUNCILS

The one week – long free medical services organised by the Defence Headquarters, under the aegis of Alliance Professional Resources Services Limited (APRESEL) in the four councils of Plateau State worst hit by the crises at the weekend concluded the exercise with the cleaning up of the streets in Jos – North Local Council. The council were free treatment was carried out included Jos – North, Jos – South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom, Jos – East councils.

Incidentally, the four councils are the areas where a state-of-emergency was declared by President Goodluck Jonathan. The medical team were made up of retired military personnel with Muslims and Christians doctors and nurses.

Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th Jan. 2012

UNICEM TO COMMISSION N5B ROAD

The United Nigeria Cement Company (UNICEM) has disclosed that the 20km evacuation road that they are constructing at a cost of N5 billion will be completed and commissioned by the end of 2012.. the road would serve trailers conveying cement from its Mfamosing factory in Akamkpa, Cross River State to the wider market.

Also, as part of the company’s social responsibility, it spent N180 million on road maintenance of three Federal Highways of Ikang, Oban and Odukpani – Calabar – Itu roads, provided health care services, constructed boreholes and roads as well as rendering assistance on education to its host communties.

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper,on Wednesday, 18th Jan. 2012

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEGINS AUDIT OF REVENUE COLLECTION AGENCIES

In furtherance of its drive aimed at boosting its incomes through plugging of avenues for leakages and sleaze in all revenue collection agencies, the Federal Government has commenced the audit of the affected agencies. In addition, a task force that will critically assess the 2012 budget and cost of governance generally has been inaugurated as part of the ongoing efforts targeted at improving fiscal discipline in public finance in the country.

Giving the hint on these initiatives of the Federal Government in Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disclosed that auditing of the revenue agencies’ accounts and the launching of the task force by the ministry were crucial to the current moves by government to improve internally generated revenue and enhance the efficiency of budgets, particularly the recurrent component which has become the subject of public concern over the past few years.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper,on Friday, 20th Jan. 2012

CHEVRON SUSPENDS SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS FOR TWO MISSING CONTRACTORS

Chevron Corporation said that its subsidiary, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has called off the search and rescue activities for two contractors who were missing after Monday’s fire aboard the K.S. Endeavor, a drilling rig offshore Nigeria operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Limited.

“After three days of intensive search and rescue activities for our missing colleagues, I am saddened to report that our efforts have proven unsuccessful and, therefore, we have made the difficult decision to transition to a recovery operation. On behalf of Chevron, we extend our sincere condolences to the families of the missing individuals,” said Andrew Fawthrop, managing director, Chevron's Nigeria/Mid-Africa Strategic Business Unit.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper,on Friday, 20th Jan. 2012

FOUNDATION BRINGS SUCCOUR TO INDIGENT PERSONS IN BENUE

The Yuletide season may have come and gone but certain events leave behind memories that will linger for long. One of such was the act of love demonstrated by the Omirigbe Gladys Ojobo Foundation OGOF.

In the remote villages of Oju and Obi local government areas of Benue State, the Foundation brought succour to many indigent widows and other lessprivileged.

According to the chairman of the foundation, Mr Ojeka Ikpe, it spent N700,000 on hospital bills, while 48 bags of rice and 288 metres of wrappers clothing were procured for distribution to the women during the Yuletide even as several food condiments were also given out.

Published in National Mirror Newspaper, on Friday, 20^th Jan. 2012

BONGA OIL SPILL CAUSES FISH SCARCITY

Fishermen operating in the coastal states along the Atlantic Shoreline have attributed the current fish scarcity to the recent oil spill from the Bonga Oil Fields operated by Shell.

The fishermen said they were instructed by the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to withdraw from fishing activities in the Atlantic Ocean due to oil pollution from the December 20, 2011 oil spill.

Published in ThisDay Newspaper, onFriday, 20th Jan. 2012

ECONOMIC GROUP SEEKS REDUCION IN JONATHAN’S CABINET

The Chairman of Ondo State Economic Summit Group (OSEG), Mr Banji Alabi has called for the scrapping of security votes for the president, governors and council chairmen, as part of efforts to ensure a judicious use of the increasingly scarce resources in the country.

Alabi, a lawyer also called for immediate deregulation of the National Assembly to make it part time. He equally called for drastic reduction in their salaries and allowances in line with the belt – tightening being sought by the presidency, which prompted its controversial removal of subsidy on petrol

Published in Guardian Newspaper, on Tuesday, 17^th Jan. 2012

IMPROVING CHILD MATERNAL HEALTH IN KOGI

Stakeholders in Kogi State Health Sector have commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for their efforts in improving healthcare delivery in the state.

This was the consensus among majority of those that participated in the just concluded Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNCH) Week that took place throughout the 21 local government councils in the state

Published in Daily Independent Newspaper, on Thursday, 19^th Jan. 2012