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PFIPC probe: Reps discover ‘Mandate’ submitted to FRSC listed Tinubu as board chairman

The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the unestablished Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) on Thursday uncovered a purported mandate submitted to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in support of an application for official number plates, which listed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chairman of the council.

It was further learnt it had the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) as Secretary, and serving ministers as members.

The discovery was made when the Corps Marshal of the FRSC appeared before the committee at the resumed investigative hearing in Abuja to explain how official Federal Government number plates were issued to vehicles used by the purported council.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, expressed surprise that the FRSC processed documents which, according to him, bore no identifiable State House or security features despite containing the names of the President, the SGF and members of the Federal Executive Council.

Gagdi questioned how a document purporting to establish a council chaired by the President, with the SGF serving as secretary and ministers as members, could have been accepted by the FRSC without further verification.

He observed that the mandate relied upon by the council in its application lacked the official security features ordinarily associated with authentic State House documents, yet it was treated as sufficient documentation for the issuance of government number plates.

The committee noted that the official number plates issued to vehicles used by the alleged council had featured prominently in earlier testimony before the panel, with a businessman, Mr. Gbenga Collins, telling lawmakers that seeing the official vehicles, government number plates and security personnel around the alleged Director-General convinced him that the organisation was a legitimate Federal Government agency.

The committee is continuing its investigation into how the unestablished PFIPC allegedly obtained official government recognition, administrative documents, budgetary provisions and other approvals from public institutions.

Onaiyekan: Presidency to deepen consultations with Catholic bishops, others

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, stated this while responding to reactions following President Bola Tinubu’s last week meeting with the leadership of CBCN, during which the bishops raised concerns over rising insecurity, economic hardship, democracy and the conduct of elections.

The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who was part of the delegation, said on Arise TV that the President disagreed with their assessment, insisting that his administration was making progress.

Two presidential spokespersons, Temitope Ajayi and Daniel Bwala, tackled Onaiyekan, saying it was inappropriate for the cardinal to publicly give his own account and interpretation of what transpired at the private meeting between the bishops and Tinubu.

’We have restored water supply after 3-week disruption’

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board has announced the restoration of potable water supply to Wuse 1, Wuse 2, Wuye and Maitama Districts, following the successful completion of emergency maintenance work on the main trunk line.

Abuja Metro reports that the affected districts have been without water for over three weeks, causing hardship to many residents.

Public Relations Officer of FCT Water Board, Umar Suleiman Ako, who announced this in a statement, said, the maintenance became necessary to prevent a major system failure and to guarantee sustainable water supply to the affected areas and the FCT at large.

‘The Board sincerely appreciates all our esteemed customers and the general public for your endurance, understanding and uncommon patience during the period of disruption. We recognise the inconveniences caused and thank you for your cooperation while our engineers worked to resolve the challenge.

‘With the completion of the repairs, the Board is fully committed to efficient and improved service delivery across the FCT. We will continue to prioritise prompt response to burst pipes, leakages, and other service-related issues.

‘In the spirit of shared responsibility, we kindly appeal to all customers to reciprocate this commitment by paying their water bills promptly and in full. Timely payment of bills enables the Board to sustain operations, carry out necessary maintenance, and ensure uninterrupted water supply to all residents.

‘For enquiries, complaints, or bill payment assistance, please visit the Customer Care Unit, FCT Water Board Headquarters, Garki Area 3, or contact our customer service lines’, the statement added.

Expo Commodities Global opens new processing facility

Expo Commodities Global, Aberdeen Holdings’ spice and speciality products arm, has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through a strategic investment in a dedicated organic spice processing facility in Colombo, marking an important milestone in the company’s continued growth.

Developed in response to increasing global demand for organic ingredients, the facility enhances Expo Commodities Global’s processing and export capabilities, with a focus on efficiency, consistency and quality across its operations. It strengthens the company’s ability to deliver trusted Sri Lankan spices to global customers with the reliability and care expected across international food and ingredient markets.

Supported by carefully managed sourcing and quality assurance processes, the facility is positioned to meet the requirements of key international organic standards, including USDA NOP, EU Organic, JAS and Bio Suisse. Through direct sourcing from farmer groups and quality verification at every stage, from processing to final dispatch – the operation is designed to maintain product integrity, traceability and consistency across the supply chain.

The facility also supports the communities behind Sri Lanka’s spice sector by sourcing directly from farmer groups, creating employment across processing, quality assurance and logistics, and retaining greater value within the local supply chain.

Beyond the Numbers: Lessons from SARMAAN for Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria

Yet, 102 deaths per 1,000 is still more than four times the Sustainable Development Goal target of 25. For policymakers and stakeholders gathering to shape the next phase of maternal and child health in Nigeria, the question is less whether progress is possible and more what it takes to make it routine.

One part of the answer lies in how the country has delivered child-survival programmes at scale. More than 16 million children have now been reached through the SARMAAN (Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Children) Project across northern Nigeria, a milestone that says as much about system strength as it does about operational scale.

SARMAAN, is a child-survival initiative that delivers supervised azithromycin to children aged 1-59 months in high-mortality communities, through trained health workers and state primary health-care systems, as part of a wider child survival package that still includes immunisation, nutrition, clean water and basic care. Its experience offers practical lessons for the wider maternal, newborn and child health agenda.

The first lesson is that saving children’s lives is a systems task, not just a clinical one. The improvement in under-five mortality and service indicators is happening in a context where Nigeria’s health system remains fragmented, with federal, state and local authorities sharing overlapping responsibilities that can lead to duplicated efforts and disjointed delivery. SARMAAN’s operations show what it looks like when that fragmentation is managed rather than ignored. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, nine states successfully implemented house-to-house administration. Those rounds were only possible because procurement, logistics, financing, data systems, regulatory oversight, health-worker training and state-level coordination were aligned in advance.

The second lesson is that the ‘unseen work’ is as important as the visible outputs. Public-health success is often narrated in terms of bottles distributed or children reached. SARMAAN’s numbers are impressive on those terms, but the deeper value lies in how doses get from a central warehouse to a child’s mouth without eroding trust. Behind each round are state alignment meetings, last-mile route planning, community dialogues, information materials, safety and pharmacovigilance systems, and fast feedback loops on rumours and concerns. Those are the same ingredients required for better antenatal care, safer births and stronger newborn care, which means the systems ‘muscle’ built for one intervention can strengthen the MNCH agenda.

Finally, SARMAAN raises a constructive challenge for all of us: what happens when a child-survival intervention proves it can be delivered at scale? Does it remain a time-bound project, or does it become part of the permanent toolbox? As Nigeria’s under-five mortality continues to decline, and as national plans and guidelines for maternal and newborn health are updated, the experience from SARMAAN suggests three collaborative priorities. First, integrate proven child-survival tools into routine primary health-care and child-health strategies, so they are planned and budgeted for alongside immunisation, nutrition and WASH. Second, strengthen domestic financing so that continuity does not depend solely on external support. Third, keep investing in community trust, safety monitoring and data, so scale never outruns science or consent.

The improvements in child survival, breastfeeding, antenatal care and skilled birth attendance show that change is possible when policy, practice and partnership line up. SARMAAN’s delivery record is one piece of that picture, not the whole answer but a practical example of what coordinated, country-led effort can achieve.

As Nigeria determines its next strategies for maternal and child health, the most powerful signal we can send is that programmes that work, and the systems that support them, are not temporary successes but building blocks for a future where mothers and children survive as a matter of course, not of chance.

Abuja earth tremor: Fed Govt assures residents of safety

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have been urged to remain calm and go about their daily routines following a mild earth tremor that shook parts of Abuja on Tuesday.

To track the situation, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has ordered the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) to issue hourly updates on seismic developments across the FCT for continuous review and potential inter-agency coordination.

The minister’s directive followed an alert by the NGSA which reported that tremors shook several structures in the capital city at exactly 11:23:27 a.m. on August 4.

According to data captured by the NGSA Seismic Monitoring Station in Utako, the event originated at a depth of 1 kilometer and traveled across a four-kilometer radius within five seconds.

Alake spoke from Washington D.C., United States-where he is currently holding investment talks with American joint-venture partners.

He reassured the public that comprehensive safety protocols are in place and urged citizens to stay composed while experts monitor the earth movements.

‘Residents of the Federal Capital should go about their normal routines without anxiety. Proactive measures have been deployed to ensure the safety of residents and properties,’ Minister Alake stated, through a statement last night by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise.

Downplaying fears of structural damage or casualties, the NGSA classified the tremor as a minor geological event, assessing it at a magnitude of I to II on the Mercalli scale.

‘This is a characteristic feature of a surface earth tremor that poses no threat to lives and properties except for the discomfort of the shake and fear of possible destruction,’ the agency clarified in its assessment report.

The ministry affirmed that the NGSA will maintain round-the-clock surveillance over the area, with further safety updates to be released if necessary.

FG flags off 13.92MW solar mini-grid project in Yobe

The Federal Government has flagged off the construction of a 13.92 megawatt-peak (MWp) interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid project in Yobe State to expand electricity access, boost businesses and support economic growth.

The project, implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) with World Bank support, was inaugurated on Wednesday at five locations across Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru and Gashua in Bade Local Government Area.

The project comprises a 1.76MWp solar plant at Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu, a 2.98MWp installation in Gashua, a 3.20MWp plant in Nguru, and two projects in Potiskum-a 3.20MWp facility at Yarimaram and a 2.78MWp installation at Rugan Fulani.

It also includes the deployment of 40 distribution transformers to improve electricity supply within the benefiting communities.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Mai Mala Buni described the initiative as one of the largest interconnected hybrid solar mini-grid investments in Northern Nigeria, saying it would provide reliable electricity to thousands of households, markets, schools, hospitals, agricultural enterprises and small businesses.

He said the investment would stimulate industrial growth, promote entrepreneurship, create jobs for youths and women, improve healthcare delivery and enhance agricultural productivity.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of REA, Dr Abba Abubakar Aliyu, said the interconnected hybrid mini-grids were designed to integrate with existing distribution networks to deliver reliable and affordable electricity to homes, businesses and public institutions.

He said the projects were aimed at unlocking economic opportunities by reducing energy costs and improving power supply to commercial and residential clusters.

‘We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,’ he said.

Aliyu said the projects were a product of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between REA and the Yobe State Government following the REA-Yobe Strategic Roundtable held in June 2025 to expand energy access and attract private investment.

He disclosed that the agency has an additional 14 electricity projects with a combined capacity of 15.3MWp in the pipeline across Yobe State, expected to provide about 23,870 new electricity connections.

The projects, he said, will cover communities including Jawur Katamma, Dibbwol, Dogonkuka, Malori, Turmi, Zangaya, Dole and Falimaran, as well as the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, alongside expansion projects in Gashua, Nguru, Waziri Ibrahim, Yarimaram and Rugan Fulani.

UNBS orders mandatory weighing of cement bags to curb fraud

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has announced new measures requiring cement dealers to install verified weighing scales at their outlets and urged builders to verify the weight of every cement bag before purchase following reports of underweight products on the market.

The move comes in response to public concern triggered by viral social media videos showing cement bags labelled as 50 kilograms allegedly weighing between 40kg and 42kg.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, UNBS Executive Director James Kasigwa said investigations had established that certified cement manufacturers comply with national quality and weight standards, with most cases of underweight cement resulting from tampering by unscrupulous traders after the products leave the factories.

“We will require that all outlets have verified weighing scales so that a kilo is a kilo. We also encourage consumers to demand that whatever they are buying is verified for weight before purchase,” Mr Kasigwa

said.

He urged consumers to buy cement bearing the UNBS Quality Mark as proof that it meets the country’s quality standards.

According to UNBS, the recent allegations stemmed from videos showing what appeared to be Tororo Cement bags weighing significantly less than the labelled 50 kilogrammes. The footage sparked concern among contractors, engineers and members of the public, prompting the bureau to investigate.

Mr Kasigwa said routine inspections conducted at certified cement manufacturing plants found that all sampled products met the requirements of the Weights and Measures Act.

The bureau said major manufacturers, including Tororo Cement, Simba Cement, Hima Cement, Yaobai Cement, Metro Cement and Old Continent Group, undergo regular scheduled and unannounced inspections, with samples collected directly from production lines and tested in accredited laboratories.

“The recent factory inspection results confirmed that all sampled cement bags from the manufacturers complied with the quality and weight requirements prescribed under the Weights and Measures Act,” Mr Kasigwa said.

However, UNBS market surveillance during the 2025/2026 financial year uncovered three hardware outlets in Mukono, Mbale and Nakasongola districts selling underweight cement.

Investigations established that suspects collected empty cement bags from construction sites, opened genuine bags, siphoned out part of the cement, resealed the packaging and resold the products to unsuspecting buyers.

“The warehouses were sealed off, the suspects were arrested and are being prosecuted for their illegal actions,” Mr Kasigwa said.

UNBS said such cases are linked to illegal tampering during transportation, storage and at points of sale rather than malpractice by certified manufacturers.

To strengthen consumer protection, the bureau directed all hardware dealers to install verified weighing scales to enable buyers to confirm the weight of cement before purchase.

Consumers were also advised to inspect cement bags for signs of tampering by checking labels, manufacturing dates and batch numbers.

Construction site supervisors were urged to destroy empty cement bags after use to prevent their reuse by fraudsters, while manufacturers were encouraged to establish systems for collecting used packaging materials to reduce opportunities for counterfeiting.

UNBS called on the public to report suspected cases of underweight or adulterated cement to the bureau or other relevant authorities to support enforcement efforts against fraudulent traders.

Which of these cars is most affordable to run in terms of fuel and maintenance?

Hello John, as a general guide, it is important to understand that fuel consumption and maintenance costs in Uganda rarely match manufacturer figures. Road conditions, traffic congestion, fuel quality variations and driving habits all play a major role. What follows is a realistic, real-world estimate based on typical Kampala commuting, occasional highway use, and the ownership experience of drivers in similar income brackets. The Toyota Corona Premio with the 1.8-litre 7A-FE engine is widely regarded as one of the most economical and low-maintenance sedans available in its class. In practical Ugandan use, it will typically return about 10 to 13 kilometres per litre. It is a naturally efficient engine that does not demand aggressive fuel consumption, and it performs consistently even under stop-start traffic conditions.

In terms of maintenance, this car remains among the cheapest to own. Routine servicing is straightforward, spare parts are readily available, and mechanical systems are simple enough to avoid frequent specialist intervention. A typical service will cost in the range of about Shs150,000 to Shs300,000, while annual maintenance including occasional repairs may fall between Shs1.5m and Shs3m, depending on how heavily the car is used and how well it is maintained. The Toyota Mark X with the 2.5-litre V6 engine offers a very different ownership experience. It is a smooth, powerful and refined sedan, but its fuel consumption reflects its performance orientation. In Ugandan driving conditions, it will generally manage around seven to 10 kilometres per litre, although this can drop closer to six or seven in heavy traffic. Maintenance costs are moderate to high because of its more complex engineering, electronic systems and V6 components.

While it is still a Toyota and, therefore, reliable, repairs and parts are significantly more expensive than those of smaller-engine sedans. Routine servicing may cost between Shs250,000 and Shs500,000, and annual maintenance can range from about Shs3m to Shs6m, depending on usage and the condition of the vehicle. The Subaru Impreza is known in Uganda for its strong road grip and performance-driven character, but it is not designed with economy as a priority. Its 2.0-litre boxer engine, combined with all-wheel-drive systems in many variants, results in fuel consumption of about seven to nine kilometres per litre in mixed driving, and sometimes slightly less in heavy urban traffic. Maintenance is where ownership becomes more demanding. The engine design, suspension wear patterns and sensitivity to servicing quality mean that neglect can quickly lead to expensive repairs.

Even when well maintained, servicing costs tend to be higher than average, with routine servicing often ranging from Shs300,000 to Shs600,000, and annual maintenance potentially Shs4m and Shs8m. The Toyota Harrier equipped with the 3.0-litre V6 engine is a comfort-focused SUV that delivers strong road presence and smooth driving, but at a significant running cost. In real-world Ugandan conditions, fuel consumption is typically around five to seven kilometres per litre, especially in city use where weight and engine size work against efficiency. Maintenance costs are high, particularly because of the vehicle’s age and the complexity of its V6 system. Parts are still obtainable, but they are more expensive and sometimes require specialised sourcing.

Routine servicing can range between Shs300,000 and Shs700,000, while annual maintenance can easily fall between Shs5m and Shs10m, depending on condition. The Toyota Harrier with the 2.2-litre engine is the more economical version of the Harrier lineup, though it still carries the inherent costs of an SUV platform. It generally returns about eight to 10 kilometres per litre under mixed driving conditions, making it more manageable than the 3.0-litre variant but still less efficient than a sedan. Maintenance costs remain relatively high compared to smaller cars, largely due to age, suspension wear and SUV-related component pricing, but it is slightly more forgiving than the V6 model.

Routine servicing may range between Shs250,000 and Shs600,000, while annual maintenance typically falls between Shs4m and Shs7m. In practical terms, for someone earning around Shs2m a month, the key pressure point is not only fuel consumption but the combination of fuel plus unexpected repairs. The Corolla Premio offers the most financial stability and predictability. The Mark X offers comfort but requires disciplined budgeting. The Subaru and the 3.0 Harrier sit in a high-cost category that can quickly strain monthly income if the vehicle is used daily. The 2.2 Harrier sits in the middle, but still leans toward higher running costs than sedans. If your priority is financial comfort and predictability, the smallest engine option in a good condition, particularly the Premio, remains the most balanced choice in the Ugandan context.

REA widens nationwide energy access with 60.82MW renewable projects

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is injecting a total of 60.82 megawatts (MW) into the nation’s energy pool through recent decentralised mini-grid groundbreakings across the country.

REA yesterday flagged off another 13.92 megawatt-peak (MWp) of interconnected hybrid solar projects in Yobe State, building on a massive wave of recent REA infrastructure developments.

Prior to yesterday’s flag-off, the agency had successfully initiated 46.9 megawatts of power infrastructure across five other states. These included 20MW mini-grid in Egume, Kogi State; 11.9MWp project in Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State; 10MW installation in Kofare, Adamawa State; 3.5MW mini-grid in Ambursa, Kebbi State and 1.5MW project in Pankshin, Plateau State.

Supported by the World Bank and equipped with 40 distribution transformers, the 13.92MWp Yobe initiative is distributed across major commercial and residential hubs to stabilise power and stimulate local commerce.

Rather than a single massive plant, the capacity is divided strategically into a 3.20MWp installation in Nguru, another 3.20MWp plant at Yarimaram in Potiskum, a 2.98MWp system in Gashua, a 2.78MWp project at Rugan Fulani in Potiskum, and a 1.76MWp solar installation serving the Waziri Ibrahim Estate in Damaturu.

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, at the flag-off ceremony, commended the Federal Government for its efforts on alternative energy development noting that the REA’s project aligns with his administration’s vision for resilient infrastructure designed to boost local industrial capacity and agricultural productivity.

Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr. Abba Aliyu, said that interconnected hybrid mini-grids were engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing distribution networks.

‘We are not merely connecting communities to electricity. We are connecting them to opportunity. We are creating an environment where businesses can grow, young people can innovate, farmers can process more of what they produce, healthcare facilities can provide better services, and local economies can flourish,’ Aliyu said.

He pointed out that beyond the 60.82MW of current nationwide groundbreakings, REA has 14 additional pipeline projects underway in Yobe State alone.

Tracing back to a strategic roundtable held in June 2025, these upcoming developments will add another 15.3MWp of combined capacity. Once completed, this future pipeline is expected to deliver electricity access to 23,870 new connections across communities like Jawur Katamma, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, and Dibbwol.