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FG Inaugurates Committee To Roll Out Electric Buses For Civil Servants

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, has inaugurated a nine-member committee to drive the implementation of the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Bus Scheme for Federal Civil Servants.

The committee is expected to develop the framework for the pilot deployment of electric buses and ensure the scheme provides affordable, safe and accessible transportation for workers.

Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja, Abel directed the committee to work with urgency, transparency and accountability, while eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks that could frustrate the initiative.

He disclosed that the pilot phase would begin with 10 electric buses operating on selected routes before the full deployment of the 100 buses earmarked for Federal Civil Servants. According to him, the pilot would provide practical experience to refine the scheme and guide the deployment of the remaining buses, with the broader objective of establishing a sustainable staff transportation system across the Federal Public Service.

The committee’s terms of reference include identifying suitable routes for the pilot, developing a transparent enrolment and payment system, recommending affordable fares and establishing measures to ensure safety, security and accessibility, including for persons living with disabilities.

He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the scheme and commended the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Osanipin, and his team for their collaboration.

The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Dr Abdul Sule Garba, while Mr Nura Umar, representing NADDC, serves as Co-Chairperson.

The electric buses were launched and commissioned on August 26, 2026, under the Renewed Hope Transit Programme.

Earlier, Abel also pledged stronger collaboration between the Federal Civil Service and traditional institutions to promote national unity, strengthen governance and improve public service delivery.

He made the commitment when he received a delegation from the Ife Traditional Council, representing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

Abel said sustained engagement with traditional institutions remained important to advancing national development and building resilient public institutions.

Romualdez taken into BJMP custody, stays at San Juan hospital

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has taken custody of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Custody was formally turned over to the jail bureau at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, according to the BJMP in a statement sent to reporters.

‘Rep. Romualdez will be accorded the same treatment and privileges as other persons deprived of liberty, with no VIP or special treatment,’ the bureau maintained.

Sandiganbayan Third Division clerk of court Dennis Pulma said, Romualdez’s ‘confinement at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center [in San Juan City] will remain until further orders from the court.’

Romualdez was confined in the hospital for hours due to a variety of purported ailments before he was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan for plunder.

The PNP took custody of Romualdez on Monday night, serving his arrest warrant and subjecting him to booking procedures while he was in his hospital bed.

His camp has since filed a motion to keep him in hospital confinement, but the anti-graft court has yet to resolve the matter.

Romualdez is accused of ‘repeatedly receiving… commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, commitments and/or other pecuniary benefits’ worth P7.44 billion through various government projects from 2022 to 2025.

Siyapatha Finance joins Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) for carbon accounting standards

Strengthening climate accountability through global carbon accounting standards

Siyapatha Finance PLC has announced its official membership in the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), marking a significant milestone in the Company’s sustainability journey and reinforcing its commitment to responsible finance and climate action.

The membership reflects Siyapatha Finance’s continued efforts to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into its business strategy while supporting the transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

PCAF is a collaboration of more than 770 financial institutions across six continents, working together to develop and implement a harmonised framework for measuring and disclosing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with financial activities. By joining PCAF, Siyapatha Finance will adopt the global standard for measuring emissions associated with financial activities and further strengthen its climate-related disclosures.

Recognising the financial sector’s role in addressing climate change, Siyapatha Finance will use the PCAF framework to better understand emissions associated with its financing portfolio, enabling more informed decision-making on climate-related risks and sustainable finance opportunities while aligning with evolving global sustainability standards.

CEO Mathisha Hewavitharana said: ‘Joining PCAF reflects Siyapatha Finance’s long-term vision of embedding sustainability into our business strategy. As climate-related expectations continue to evolve, this partnership strengthens our ability to advance responsible finance while contributing to Sri Lanka’s transition towards a more sustainable and resilient economy.’

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Senior Regional Manager Amila Bambarandage said: ‘By adopting global best practices in carbon accounting, we are strengthening our ability to make informed financing decisions, enhance climate transparency and contribute meaningfully to Sri Lanka’s journey towards a low-carbon and sustainable future.’

By joining PCAF, Siyapatha Finance becomes part of a growing global network of financial institutions committed to embedding carbon accountability into financial decision-making. This milestone further reinforces the company’s leadership in sustainable finance while supporting long-term value creation for customers, stakeholders, communities and the environment.

Nebbi leaders seek to turn Nduru Hill into tourism site

Leaders in Nebbi Municipality have proposed the development of Nduru Hill, commonly referred to as Got Nebbi, into a tourist site.

The Deputy Mayor of Nebbi Municipal Council, Mr Howard Musa, said on Monday that the council had resolved to include Nduru Hill in its key infrastructure priority plan submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for consideration.

‘Nduru Hill is our identity. Developing it will attract tourists, create jobs for our youth and protect our cultural heritage,’ Musa said.

He added that Nebbi Municipality wants to open access roads to the hill, install solar lights, construct perimeter fences, build public toilets and set up a cultural centre with a craft market for local artisans in the area.

The proposal was revealed during a meeting between Nebbi Municipal Council leaders and members of Nduru Hill Resource Development Association at Nduru Hill in Abindu Division, Nebbi Municipal Council.

The proposal comes as the municipality prepares to implement a bus and taxi park project under the five-year World Bank funded Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) project where Nebbi is among the 15 new municipalities added to the programme.

Nebbi has already secured Shs16.5b for a modern bus and taxi park.

Resolution

The Board Chairman of Nduru Hill Resource Development Association, Mr Ibrahim Harunah, said: ‘The site currently lacks amenities while some community members are also encroaching on the site’s land.’

He urged the Nebbi Municipal Council to speedily resolve the encumbrances to clear way for the tourism project.

The Tourism Officer of Nebbi Municipality, Mr Denis Okello, said historically, Nduru Hill derives its name from a king named Nduru, an ancestor to three clans namely Paminya, Pagei and Upanu from Nebbi Municipal Council.

‘As such, the three clans should be involved in the development plan,’ he said.

He added: ‘If Nduru Hill Rocks is well developed into a cultural site, it will be used as a cultural training centre that will house a conference hall, restaurant, accommodation facilities, festival ground, arts and craft shop and a museum.’

One of the community members living near Nduru Hill, Mr Albert Olum, welcomed the idea of fencing the four-acre Nduru Hill and turning it into a tourism site.

‘It will be a milestone to the community around the hill. That way, all the bad acts like evil rituals, rape and theft would greatly reduce, guaranteeing security of the place,’ Mr Olum said.

ABOUT NDURU HILL

From the peak, one can view the beautiful landscape of Nebbi Municipality. The hill has chair shaped stones that were used by the traditional chiefs.

It was used for both as an administrative hub and a screening point for Alur, who had been enslaved in the DR Congo by colonial masters and transported from Fort Emin Pasha in Wadelai, which is now in Pakwach District.

In 2023, wrangle erupted between religious leaders and cultural leaders over Nduru Hill on the outskirts of Nebbi Town.

The tension was due to religious leaders from Nebbi Catholic Diocese erecting a cross atop the hill, which angered a section of the elders, youth and cultural leaders.

They argued that the presence of the cross impedes their ability to carry out rituals and engage in leisure activities on the hills.

For instance, every Sunday, several youth climb the hill, set their music system and engage in dances until 7pm.

Judge gives priority to petition against Mworia’s state appointment

The High Court has certified as urgent a petition challenging the appointment of James Mworia as the founding chief executive officer of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF).

The court directed petitioners Javan Onyango and Emmanuel Kiplagat to serve the petition and related documents on the NIF Board, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor and Mr Mworia. The case will be mentioned on September 21 for directions.

The petition argues that Mr Mworia was appointed CEO while serving as an independent director of the same board that recruited him, creating a conflict of interest and a reasonable apprehension of bias.

The petitioners claim the recruitment was ‘competitive only in form but predetermined in substance’, contrary to the Constitution and the National Infrastructure Fund Act, 2026.

They also question the recruitment timeline, saying the board was constituted on July 8 and advertised the CEO position days later, giving applicants only about 17 to 18 calendar days to apply before the July 31 deadline.

According to the petition, the short application period disadvantaged candidates who had to obtain clearance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and a registered Credit Reference Bureau.

The petitioners further fault the board for failing to publish the names of applicants or shortlisted candidates, arguing that this denied the public an opportunity to scrutinise whether the recruitment complied with constitutional requirements on transparency, gender balance, ethnic diversity and regional representation.

They argue that unless the court intervenes, Mr Mworia will continue exercising extensive powers under the NIF Act.

GUYANA-AGRICULTURE-Guyana steps up production in CARICOM food security push

Guyana’s agriculture sector has recorded significant growth since 2020, with increased production, expanded agro-processing and greater use of technology, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.

Mustapha, speaking in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) last Tuesday, said the sector had undergone ‘massive transformation’ over the past six years.

‘I know for a fact also that we have seen massive transformation taking place in the agriculture sector,’ he said.

According to the DPI, the agriculture budget increased from GYD$18.4 billion (GYD$1=US$0.0048) in 2020 to $113.2 billion in 2026, an increase of approximately 515 per cent.

Rice production rose from approximately 500,000 tonnes in 2020 to 825,000 tonnes in 2025, while production of 15 priority commodities increased from 1.41 million tonnes to 1.81 million tonnes over the same period.

Corn production increased by more than 330 per cent and coconut production by 235 per cent.

Guyana has also expanded into soybean cultivation, with efforts underway to produce sufficient protein locally for the animal feed industry.

The livestock sector recorded 12.5 per cent growth between 2020 and 2025, with poultry production increasing from 43,736 tonnes to 91,382 tonnes. Beef, pork and egg production also recorded increases.

Thirteen agro-processing facilities have been established across the country, including in hinterland communities, allowing farmers to extend the shelf life of their products, access new markets and earn greater returns.

Mustapha said the facilities were part of efforts to modernise the sector and enable farmers and agro-processors to add value to their products.

‘We have been a primary producer for too long, and as a country moving forward, modernising the agriculture sector, we want to ensure that our farmers and agro-processors have the facilities so that they can add value to their products,’ he said.

The sector has also seen increased youth participation, with approximately 1,200 shade houses established through government programmes over the past five years.

Hydroponic facilities in Regions Two, Five and Ten are creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to produce and market high-value crops.

Hinterland agriculture is also receiving attention, with 300 acres of onions expected to be cultivated in Region Nine this year.

The government is also supporting increased production of dragon fruit, watermelon, cassava and other crops, while investments in storage and processing are being advanced to strengthen market access.

Mustapha said food security remained the ministry’s foremost agricultural priority for the next four years.

‘Food security in one word,’ he said.

Mustapha also pointed to Guyana’s role in CARICOM efforts to reduce the region’s food import bill.

He recalled that when President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali assumed responsibility as lead Head of Government for agriculture and food security within CARICOM, Guyana advanced a strategy aimed at reducing the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.

‘Guyana has emerged as the leading CARICOM country advancing the agri-food system and at the same time a leading voice in prioritising food security,’ Mustapha said.

He noted that Guyana is chairing the CARICOM ministerial task force on agriculture and food security, with countries across the region increasingly seeking Guyana’s technical expertise and assistance as they strengthen domestic food production.

Mustapha said Guyana’s agricultural expansion was ultimately about building a resilient food system capable of serving domestic and regional markets.

‘We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and I am very optimistic as Minister of Agriculture that we will reduce the food import bill of the country, reduce the food import bill of CARICOM and at the same time increase production,’ he said.

NUPRC Threatens To Revoke License Gas Flare Sites Not Utilised

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says awardees of flare gas sites could see their permits revoked if they do not utilize them.

The Commission Chief Executive, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, stated this during a working visit to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt.Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, in Abuja.

Speaking at the meeting, the CCE presented an update on the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Programme (NGFCP)

‘One year after an award has been granted, the Commission conducts an evaluation to determine whether there has been considerable progress,’ Eyesan said.

‘Where there is insufficient progress, the Commission will take appropriate regulatory action, including revocation of the award where necessary,’ she added.

In a statement by NUPRC’s Head, Corporate Communications and Media, Eniola Akinkuotu, Eyesan said despite initial resistance from some operators, the NGFCP has continued to record significant progress.

She noted that 43 flare gas sites were originally identified for award.

So far, 27 sites have been successfully awarded, and implementation efforts are ongoing, Eyesan said.

The NUPRC noted that Nigeria currently has over 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas reserves and an estimated total reserve base of about 600 TCF.

On host community development, Eyesan said the Petroleum Industry Act introduced the Host Community Development Trust framework to address longstanding concerns in host communities and ensure that petroleum resources are utilised for sustainable development.

According to her, available data indicates that the implementation of the trusts has resulted in significant reductions in oil theft and oil spillage while fostering more harmonious relationships between operators and host communities.

She further disclosed that significant progress has been recorded since the implementation of the initiative.

In his remarks, Rt.Hon Ekpo called for a deliberate and aggressive implementation of Nigeria’s gas commercialization programme to ensure the country achieves its 2030 target of eliminating routine gas flare.

‘The core objective is to add value to our gas resources by converting them into critical products and services. We must move away from environmental pollution and toward productive resource utilization,’ the minister added.

Over 400 receive free medical care as Biola Akinyemi Foundation takes outreach to Ijebu-Igbo

More than 400 residents from five communities in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, have received free medical care and health services during a two-day outreach organised by the Biola Akinyemi Foundation.

The outreach, held on August 28 and 29, 2026, at the Local Government Hall in Ijebu-Igbo, brought together doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, eye-care professionals and volunteers to provide medical screening, consultations, health education, medication and eye-care services.

The programme marked the third medical outreach organised by the foundation and represented an expansion from previous outreaches held in Idokan, the founder’s community.

According to the organisers, the decision to hold the latest programme at a central location was aimed at extending access to residents across the wider Ijebu-Igbo area.

A day before the outreach, on August 27, representatives of the Obas of the five communities met with the organisers and members of the medical team with the support of the Ijebu North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Omobolaji Oluwaseun Odunsanya.

The meeting focused on the healthcare needs of the communities, the objectives of the outreach and ways of sustaining community participation.

A community-focused committee was also established to maintain engagement with residents and provide updates on emerging healthcare needs and priorities.

Speaking on behalf of the medical team, Dr Osho Olarewaju said about 142 people attended on the first day, while more than 250 residents were attended to on the second day.

He said the turnout demonstrated the level of unmet healthcare needs in the communities.

‘People were ready to completely leave everything they had to make sure they see the doctors. That’s the urgency,’ Olarewaju said.

The medical team identified several cases requiring medical attention, including markedly elevated blood pressure, with some patients recording readings of about 220/110.

Olarewaju said some patients with severe readings were referred for emergency medical attention.

The team also identified eye conditions, including cataracts, and referred patients requiring further evaluation and treatment.

An emergency was also recorded during the programme when an attendee experienced an epileptic episode.

The individual received immediate medical assistance, while the foundation subsequently provided about three months’ medication support for the family.

The foundation said approximately 75 per cent of the attendees required medication for existing or long-term health conditions, with medicines provided during the outreach.

Some beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the free services.

Adeleye Akin, who learnt about the programme through his wife, said he attended early because of an eye problem and received eyeglasses.

He said he was grateful for the support, noting that obtaining similar glasses could have cost about ?40,000.

Another beneficiary, Mr Dayo Adele, commended the medical team and volunteers for their patience, organisation and treatment of participants.

He described the service as impressive and encouraged the foundation to continue visiting the communities to assess healthcare needs and receive feedback from residents.

Mrs Odedeyi Oluwakemi, team lead of the medical outreach, said the foundation was focused on encouraging residents to take preventive healthcare and seek medical attention early.

‘People need to understand that prevention is better than cure,’ she said.

Oluwakemi said the foundation’s healthcare priorities include preventive screening, early detection and management of health conditions, access to essential medicines, support for people living with chronic conditions and improved maternal healthcare, including access to prenatal care.

She said the foundation’s long-term plan was to expand healthcare access across Ijebu North rather than rely solely on annual medical outreaches.

According to her, the foundation currently operates a centre on Idokan Street in Ojo community and plans to establish between three and five medical centres across Ijebu over the next five years.

She added that the foundation also plans to move from an annual outreach model to more frequent community-based consultations while exploring the rehabilitation of selected primary healthcare facilities.

The outreach received support from the founder, Biola Akinyemi, N28 Consulting Limited and Abeke’s Garri, as well as healthcare professionals, volunteers and community leaders involved in mobilising residents and delivering the programme.

The foundation said the turnout reinforced the need for sustained collaboration among communities, businesses, healthcare professionals, philanthropists and other stakeholders to improve access to basic healthcare.

The next medical consultations at the foundation’s centre are scheduled for September 12 and 26, 2026.

The foundation said its broader objective is to improve access to basic healthcare across Ijebu North by starting with communities closest to its existing operations and gradually developing a more continuous community-based healthcare model.

JAMAICA-EDUCATION-Ministry probes report of student denied bathroom access

The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information is to receive an official report from the school where a student was denied the opportunity to use the restroom and subsequently soiled herself.

Portfolio Minister, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

‘When I saw that story, of course, as many Jamaicans did, my heart broke,’ Morris Dixon said. ‘My heart was breaking for that student when I heard the story, and so I understand the outrage. I understand how Jamaicans feel and how they feel it as if it were their child, because I felt similarly that that was my child.’

‘As minister, I have to have all the facts, and it’s for that reason that I’ve asked for an investigation of what took place, so that I can get an official report on it with all the facts on the table. And then we will take action after that,’ she added.

The minister said she spoke with the child’s father on Wednesday, noting that the ministry will provide the necessary support needed.

‘I had a good conversation [and] noted that all of Jamaica feels concerned and that we’re worried about his daughter. We conveyed our love for her and that at the ministry we’ll provide whatever support she may need. There was indication that there may be need for some emotional support and some counselling support,’ Morris Dixon said.

‘In the ministry we’ll do that. We have psychologists on retainer, so any child in our system that needs support, we in the ministry, we pay for the psychologist, or if they need a psychiatrist, we also pay for it. So, we’ll provide whatever support that child needs, and the children of Jamaica are at the centre of our decision-making,’ she added.

The minister also revealed that she spoke with the principal of the school on Wednesday, adding that it was important to listen to all sides.

‘I had a good conversation with the principal, and she assured me that the children are at the centre of all of her policies. And that everything she does is with them in mind. She also went through what happened on the day. She’s indicated we will get the official report from the school, and as I said, we’ll meet with the Board, we’ll meet with the parent, with the school, and in the ministry we’ll get to the bottom of it, and we will take action that is needed,’ she added.

Morris Dixon pointed out that many schools have a difficult balancing act, noting that ‘out of safety for the children and out of other incidents that may have happened, you have to make a call as a teacher’.

‘So, I understand the difficulty in that call. But when there are emergencies, we have to act differently. So even when we have the set bathroom breaks, if a child is ill between those bathroom breaks, we have to give them the time to go to the bathroom. And the good thing is, when I spoke to the principal, the official rules at the school match with the ministry’s expectations, and so what we have to do as a ministry is to check if the rules were broken,’ she said.

Alleged Kidnapping: Court orders remand of 35-year-old man

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Ibadan, on Thursday remanded a 35-year-old man, Muhammadu Adamu, at Agodi Correctional Facility, Ibadan, over an alleged attempt to kidnap.

Adamu, a resident of Awe area, Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, is standing trial on a two-count charge of attempted kidnapping and attending a kidnap syndicate meeting.

The court did not take the defendant’s plea for want of jurisdiction.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, ordered that the defendant be remanded at Agodi Correctional Facility, pending the preferment of the charge before the appropriate high court. He thereafter adjourned the case until Nov. 9 for mention.

The prosecutor, Mr T. A. Nurudeen, of the Department of State Services, Oyo State Command, told the court that Adamu allegedly attempted to kidnap Abdullahi Abubakar on Aug. 3.

Nurudeen also alleged that the defendant attended a meeting of a kidnap syndicate.

He said the offences contravened Sections 2(a) and 24(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.