HMB Seeks Self- Supervision permit of Projects
Kogi State Government has been urged to approve the Supervision of Hospital Management Board (HMB) projects by the HMB staff to ensure quality on job specifications.
The acting chairman of HMB, Dr. Musa Major made the appeal during an interview with The Graphic recently.
Dr. Major stressed the need for the supervision of health projects to be between the Ministry of Work and HMB so as to avoid shoddy jobs.
He pointed out that health projects are not like any other contract adding “we are the beneficiaries and we know what is good for us if you are building a threatre for Hospitals, we should monitor to our taste”.
The acting chairman, who expressed dissatisfaction over the poor job witnessed during their recent tour of general Hospitals and other government health institutions, noted that some renovations are worse than the former structures.
Dr. Major also called for the fencing of government hospitals in the state to avoid encroachment of the land.
On the issue of ghost workers and ghost hospitals in the HMB, Dr. Major disclosed that there are no ghost hospitals in the Board, adding that the only ghost workers defected during the screening came through the back door.
He noted that the screening actually reduced the staff strength of the board.

Lagos Pays N1.8bn Compensation for Road Construction
The Lagos State Government has so far paid the sum of N1,845 billion to the people whose lands and property were affected by the construction of the 10-lane carriage expressway from Lagos to Badagry.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa in a press statement, said that the beneficiaries include, Jordan Hospital Limited, Mekios Group Ltd, Chinedu Moore and Association and Standard Company, Surrey Senco Enterprises and Best Stores Ltd. Others are Awaye Motors Ltd, Taiwo Fashola, Ekeeson Bros Ltd, Sony Motors Ltd, Jacobs Adewunmi and Sapid Agency Ltd.
The statement added that in view of the fact that some parcels of land were acquired for community purposes, governor Fashola’ administration still considered it imperative to pay compensation to those affected.
The lands acquired by the state government, he said, are being utilized in pursuit of transforming Lagos into a model mega city for which Nigerians would be proud of.
He added that 16 villages, have benefited form the government’s recent extension programme, stressing that the exercise is aimed at preventing incessant fraudulent sales of government lands as well as prolonged disputes and suits which often arise from land transaction in the state.
From, James Ogala, Lagos

Gov Commissions Sch. Built by Aide
Special Assistant to Kogi State Governor on Youth Empowerment and Employment Generation, Hon. Friday Sani had built and donated an ultra-modern nursery and primary School, to Odolu Community.
Governor Ibrahim Idris, while commissioning the institution, Ibro Ultra-Modern Nursery and Primary School, at Odolu recently, appealed to well-to-do Kogians to always contribute their quota towards complementing government’s effort.
The governor who noted that government alone cannot meet the yearnings of the entire populace, commended Hon. Friday Sani for his achievements so far. He explained that his administration has adequately transformed lives of several youths in the state hence, the award of contracts worth N500 million to youths which he maintained did not turn out disappointing.
He equally used the occasion to disclosed that a relevant body had been directed to ensure the speedy control of the erosion to avert further ecological disaster as the raining season sets in.
In his remark, National Chairman, Odolu community, Alhaji Aliyu Musa described the appointment of Friday Sani as well deserving, adding that 50 youths from Odolu and about 100 spread across the local government have benefited from his empowerment programme.
By Aduku Aruwa

Plateau Police Command Set up Special Squad to Fight Crimes
As part of efforts to combat crimes in the State, Plateau State police command has trained 83 member Special Squad of the Mobile Police capable of checking any uprising in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba who spoke at the end of the two-week training of the squad in Jos said that the command is committed to ensuring total security of the state.
Abuba disclosed that the squad was the first of its kind in the history of the police force in Nigeria.
“The outfit is meant to be a special squad to respond swiftly to any distress call from all parts of the state”, the commissioner stressed.
He added that the training was the brain child of Jos Command of the Nigeria Police aimed at nipping in the bud any insecurity in the state.
The commissioner also revealed that the Squard would be posted to places in the state capital considered to be flash points.
The police boss warned against corrupt practices among members of the Squad, assuring that a special monitoring unit would be set up to ensure prudence in service delivery to the public.