DISCOVERY-NETWORK: DAILY E-MAIL NEWS UPDATE OF THE IHRHL
MARCH 27, 2001

DEREGULATION: FG ACCUSED OF FRAUD

Following nationwide protests against the federal governments’s planned
deregulation of the petrolein sector, a cleric, Rev. Moses Iloh has berated
the federal government for insisting on deregulation for the wrong reasons.
The cleric posited that the federal government’s stance on the petroleum
sector is motivated by "fraud and falsehood" which are prevalent in the
present civilian administratiion. Urging the government to be honest with
Nigerians, the cleric said that rather than go ahead with its plan,
government should seek other means and address the economic problems telling
on the masses.

Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) began aan orgaanised rally
throughout the country to protest the federal government’s much advertised
deregulation exercise of the petroleum sector. However, only on Saturday 24,
President Olusegun Obasanjo named the NLC as co-planners in the deregulation
exercise. A claim which Nigerians do not believe.

Obviously, however, the issue at stake is not deregulation per se but the
fixing of an increased price for petroleum products which is also perceived
to be o unilateral, dictatorial pricing. This was what happened in June last
year when Nigerians were jolted by announcements in the media of a 50 per
cent increase in prices ofpetroleum products, without warning from
government.

If the NLC or rather the Nigerian masses would accede to increased prices of
petroleum products, it should be on one condition: That all other variables
in the econmoy be made to correspond with the increase. Increase in prices
of petroleum products means increase in transportation fare., accommodation
rent, prices of foodstuff and other commodities. Therefore, an increase as
planned by Obasanjo should necessitate an increase, at a higher percentage,
of the wages of private and public workers. Anything less should be non
negotiable.

FRUSTRATING GRADUATES IN NIGERIA…

The education sector is not getting a good score card in the country for the
hardships students and their psarents are made to pass through during and
after the academic years. Some graduates of the 1999/2000 academic year
scheduled for the 2000/2001 second tier orientation exercise are yet to
begin their service year after graduating for over 10 months. Why would the
federal government and the National Youth Service Corps administration cause
such delay? Many of the graduates are getting bored and quite tired of
statying at home doing nothing. They cannot get gainful employment without
going through the NYSC programme. And the earlier they are done with the
NYSC, the better for them to plan their future and settle down to worthwhile
ventures. The federal government needs to look into this issue to enable the
waiting graduates get started with the programme. Already, the 200/2001
second tier has been postponed twice and with the lates postponement, it is
not certain when the programme will begin.

KIDS ON THE RUN FROM GUARDIANS

Recently, the Rivers State Police Command was compelled to take charge of
two girls between ages 10 and 12 found roaming the Eleme Junction axis of
the Port Harcourt/ Aba Road in the state. according to the police, the girls
alleged maltreatment by their guardians who had brought them from their
homes to serve in Port Harcourt as house helps. The girls could not however
give the names and addresses of their guardians to help the police pursue
the matter. On the fate of the girls if nobody comes for them, a source from
the police said that that they would be handed over to the motherless babies
’ home.

This is just a case out of the many of run-away kids. And it brings to the
fore the issue of child abuse. Despite campaigns by non-governmental
organisations and government agencies likewise, it is obvious that the war
against child abuse is not noticed by majority of Nigerians who are involved
in child abuse cases. Many kids have had to run away from the custody of
their guardians (rarely parents) because of maltreatment. In the course of
running, many have been lost, some fall into the hands of more dubious
people and others are lucky enough to be taken by security agents. And
sometimes, as the case may be, those in police custody are sent to
motherless babies’ homes or other rehabilitation centres when they are not
claimed. The sad thing however, is that these kids who have parents in their
indigenous homes end up being parentless.

Can parents really be blamed for giving out their children as house help?
The society blames guardians for not taking such kids as theirs and
providing their needs as well as relating warmly towards them. Who’s to be
blamed, perhaps is the poverty situation in the country, which has forced
parents to ‘distribute’ their kids so that they can have less people to
cater for.

MARCH 28, 2001

A CALL TO CURB POLICE INDISCRIMINATE KILLINGS

>From Lagos, more random killing of innocent citizens by men of Nigeria
Police Force has been brought to our notice. Sources said that 3 persons
were shot dead by the Police last weekend in parts of the state. Policemen
from Area C Police station, Tejuosho area and Apapa Police station were
indicted in the 3 killings which were carried out on separate occasions. All
3 deceased were reported to have been victims of the indiscriminate shooting
of the Policemen. One of the cases was of torture and subsequent killing.

Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of operations (DCP, OPS), Mr. Emmanuel
Adebayo confirmed one of the killings but could not ascertain the
circumstances that led to the shooting.

In January this year, a similar unexplained killing of a dock-worker by a
Policeman had taken place. The deceased, Mr. Abayomi Oyebola was taking his
bath at the Apapa Port, Lagos when he was shot by an unidentified Policeman.
His death had led to protest by his colleagues against the action of the
Police.

It is only too bad that the Nigeria Police Force has not realized the need
to sanitize the force and inject discipline. Majority of the force members
have no orientation on the use of arms and have continued to perpetrate the
culture of violence and victimization.

The Police are paid to protect lives and properties and not to kill innocent
defenseless citizens at the slightest provocation.

FG THREATENS SACK OF LECTURERS OVER DEMANDS

The Academic State Union of Universities (ASUU) has alleged that the
Education Minister, Prof. Babalola Borishade sent a circular to the
vice-chancellors of universities in the country asking them to sack any
lecturer who goes on strike for up to seven days. The threat is following
the planned strike action of university lecturers in the country, scheduled
to begin by April if the Federal Government refuses to endorse the agreement
it reached with the union in December 18, 2000. In addition, the alleged
sack circular, Discovery sources said was not signed.

This development, as earlier noted is nothing order than a show of
dictatorship on the part of government. It is unfortunate that while
political office holders whose services are less important to that of these
lecturers earn, besides figures benefits, income more than twice the
salaries of lecturers, the government can still afford to shun the
lecturers. The consequences are not just the strikes but the collapse of the
education sector, especially the tertiary level. It is clear that government
delights in ridiculing these lecturers who are putting in selfless service
not just for the nation but for humanity. And the only way President
Obasanjo is rewarding them is by threatening them with sack each time they
demand for their rights. Obasanjo’s sack circular is a shameless effrontery
on Nigeria’s nascent democracy. He needs to be reminded that this government
is not meant to authoritative but democratic. ASUU wants a listening ear at
the moment and the education minister with the federal government had better
listen, for the sake of the teaming Nigerian students eager to acquire
quality education.

STUDENTS BRIBED TO SUPPORT FEES INCREASE

The Student Union Government (SUG) of the University of Port Harcourt,
Rivers State is alleged to have been bought over by the institution’s
authorities. The allegation is on the heel of the failure of the SUG to act
on the recent fees increase in the institution part-time students who
formerly paid x12,000 for each academic year are now to pay x 18,500. In
addition to the increased fee, the institution has instructed bulk payment,
phasing out the normal installmental payment’s it used to allow. A source
close to Dicovery said that it was to the dismay of the students when the
Student Union Government executives supported the increase and method of
payment unequivocally.

When students raised the matter with the SUG, the president of the union was
reported to have argued that those who cannot afford the new fees should
either opt out of the institution or borrow money to enable them continue.
The source disclosed that the students investigation however revealed that
executives of the SUG were all being sponsored in their academic pursuit by
the school authorities. And it is believed this is a plot to beat students
into subjection in the new fees.

Students of the University of Port Harcourt are not alone in this plight as
other institutions in the country are having tough times with their various
school authorities over fees like. Unfortunately both federal and state
governments in collaboration with the school authorities have continued to
exploit students without giving a hoot about the economic background of the
country. Students of Enugu State University of Science and Technology are
locking harms with the government and the institution’s authorities for such
arbitrary increases.

MARCH 29, 2001

4 SHOT AS POLICE HEIGHTENS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE

Combined team of Mobile Policemen and Military Officers working with the
traffic monitoring unit, Alausa, Ikeja, stormed the Bugu yard motor market
on Oshodi Apapa express way, shooting form traders at the market.

Discovery source said the shooting occurred by 10.00 am when some traders
who had just made sale were in a vehicle by road side of the market counting
money realized from their sales, when a team of Policeman passing by shot at
two occupants of the vehicle.

There after the Police officers arrested the victims together with their
money and took them to Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area. It was
revealed that the chairman of the LGA condemned the action of the Police and
ordered that the victims be taken to the hospital and their money returned
to them.

Discovery considers the act as dehumanizing and a violation of citizens
rights of movement and association.

In recent pass, the Nigeria Police had opted for killing and maiming the
civil populace it is supposedly employed to protect.

Trappings from this every day occurrence are signs that all is not well with
the Police and something urgent needs to be done with the system.

NEPA SPLITS INTO THREE

To overcome the ever increasing power failure in Nigeria and to improve
efficiency in power supply and to cuttail (NEPA) monopoly. The Federal
Executive Council (FEC) yesterday, approved the splitting of the embattled
out fit into three units. These include: generation transmission and
distribution which will be implemented before December.

Discovery source affirmed that the power and still minister, Segun Agagu,
after a four-hour FEC meeting in Abuja said, that the plan aims at ensuring
that the "electricity needs" of Nigerians in the 21st century are overcome.
And under the new arrangement, any one can generate power and transmit same
through NEPA cables. Private agencies would be given certain areas within
which they would service instead of having a cobweb of wires in each
neighbourhood.

He said that NEPA, already slated for privatization generates about 2,000
out of 3,000 megawatts its need to meet the nation’s needs this year.
Government’s formula is to sell 40% of it’s shares to a core investors,
retain 40% and sell 20% to public. Agagu further said that eight companies
would be created in NEPA’s generation and over 20 in distribution and
marketing units. "Interested local and foreign companies will be given
franchises for distribution and marketing of electricity in some states"
Agagu maintained.

Minister also stated that in the generation sector, Kainji and Jebba, both
hydro power stations on the River Niger, could be constituted into one
company.

ANTI-DEREGULATION PROTEST HOLDS IN ABUJA

In continuation of its anti-deregulation protest nation-wide, the organised
labour NLC has shifted the campaign to the Nation’s Federal Capital
Territory-Abuja.

Discovery source discloses that the labour boss, Mr. Adams Oshinhole is not
going back in mobilizing all Nigerians who would not just be workers, but
all those who are aggrieved as a result of the endless fuel scarcity and
confusion in the entire oil sector. During a similar rally at Aso Rock last
year by the organised body, there were disruptions by security agents who
fired tear gas. But there is every assurance that the rally would be a
peaceful one even if security agents come-up with their usual disruption
manner. The rally is geared towards mobilising the masses to join forces
with organised labour, to protest against government stance on IMF and the
proposed deregulation. In an effort to incorporate everybody including
Senate President to defend the Nigerian masses, Discovery revealed, the NLC
president opened that the management of the Nation’s four refineries be
contracted out to private firms.

For weeks running, the Nigerian civil populace were subjected to
excruciating hardships occasioned by acute fuel scarcity across the country.
As if that was not enough, the federal government announced its unrepentant
commitment to deregulate the oil sector, - the situation elicited wide
outcry, followed by peaceful demonstration

MARCH 30, 2001

ELECTORAL REFORM BILL READY FOR SENATE APPRAISAL

Following publc opinion for the Independemt National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to reform the existing 1982 electoral act which was based on the 1979
constitution in order to make it more relevant to present requirements and
ensure consistency with the 1999 constitution, a bill was submitted to the
nation’s upper house for appraisal.

DISCOVERY source disclosed that the bill would empower INEC to issue
guidelines for registration of new political parties, government funding,
reform of the country, elctoral laws among others.

Prior to the presentation of the bill to the Senate President, Chief Anyim
Pius Anyim by the INEC Chairman, Dr. Abel Guobadia, the prelimibnary draft
of the bill was subjected to public criticisms in all states of the
federation and the F.C.T. To elicit inputs to the bill, it was equally made
a subject of retreat for representatives of the political parties, NGOs,
human rights groups and experts from relevant international organisations.

Continuing, the INEC boss assured as part of the planned reform in the
electoral process to introduce computerised voter’s registrar as that would
aid to curb electoral frauds and ease other problems associated with the
voting procedure, mostly towards the forthcoming local government elections.

Anyim in his words, saw no wrongs in registration of new parties, rather it
is normal, expected and natural. But whatever be the case, that the
principle of the rule of law as enshrined in democratic system must prevail,
of which whatever desire that will be expressed or policy that will be
engaged must come under a prescribed law.

The INEC bill on electoral reform will take its legal process which the
senate house would undertake to correct the lapses involved.

ODI: OBASANJO HAS NO APOLOGY

Yesterday, during a media chat with some journalists in the country,
President Olusegun Obasanjo again reminded Nigerians that a dictator rather
than a democrat is at the helm of affairs in the country. Prodded over the
November 1999 destruction of Odi community in Bayelsa State by Nigerian
Soldiers at his instance, the President bluntly refused to accept
responsibility or blame for the mayhem in the area. Asked if he had no
apologies to make to the remnant of Odi for the troubles brought upon them,
Obasanjo replied: "Apologise?"

DISCOVERY CAMPAIGN: SUPPORT TRUE FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA. IT IS THE ONLY WAY
TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY FROM COLLAPSE. NIGERIA CANNOT SURVIVE ANY OTHER WAY.

DISCOVERY-NETWORK is a daily update on human rights and democratic
development of the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law based in
Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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