Stakeholders attribute cassava productivity gap to poor agronomic practices, inadequate extension support

Stakeholders in the cassava value chain have attributed the crop’s productivity gap to limited availability of improved high-yield cassava varieties, poor agronomic practices, and inadequate extension support.

The stakeholders, at a roundtable by the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA), which convened processors, industrial buyers, regulators, and other stakeholders to examine this gap, said although research institutes have developed improved varieties, there is insufficient capacity to multiply and distribute their planting stems to farmers at scale.

The World Bank Group’s 2025 Nigeria Country Private Sector Diagnostic identifies low yields as a constraint to industrial cassava investment, citing average Nigerian yields of 8.2 tonnes per hectare in 2020, compared with 12.8 tonnes globally and 24 tonnes in Southeast Asia.

The participants noted that even where farmers obtain improved stems, achieving the yield potential consistently depends on applying recommended practices such as correct crop spacing.

The forum noted that stronger extension support is therefore needed to help farmers use the varieties effectively, saying higher yields would increase the volume of roots available for both food and industrial processing without requiring one market to displace the other.

The participants raised concern whether the country’s headline cassava production figures reflect the volume of roots actually harvested, adding that production estimates may be based partly on the area cultivated and assumed yields.

‘Where mature roots are left unharvested due to high labour costs or other factors, estimated production may therefore exceed the actual harvest. One participant estimated that, in some production areas, up to 60 per cent of planted cassava may remain unharvested.

‘Even where roots are available, weak aggregation and transportation systems can prevent them from reaching factories reliably and in good condition. Cassava deteriorates quickly after harvesting, so improved aggregation, transportation, and coordination between farmers and processors are needed to move roots to factories within the required processing period.

‘Reported production is therefore not the same as reliable industrial supply. Factories need roots delivered at a commercially viable cost,’ the report read.

They identified harvesting, transportation, and conversion costs as important constraints on the competitiveness of cassava processing relative to grains.

‘Harvesting remains largely manual and labour-intensive. It becomes particularly difficult and expensive during the dry season, when hardened soil makes roots harder to uproot. Then again, fresh cassava roots are approximately 70 per cent water. Processors therefore incur significant costs transporting bulky roots from farms over poor roads, even though much of their weight will not become finished product.

‘Cassava’s short post-harvest life also limits storage options, requiring frequent deliveries and close coordination between farmers and processors. This places cassava at a disadvantage to grains, which contain a higher proportion of usable dry matter and can be stored for longer periods.

‘For starch production, which is also the starting point for sweeteners and bioethanol, cassava requires several preparation stages at the factory. These include washing, peeling, grinding, starch extraction, and drying. These stages require equipment and energy, making cassava starch more expensive to produce where logistics and power costs are high,’ the report read.

The roundtable noted that improving harvesting efficiency, reducing transportation costs, and increasing conversion efficiency would strengthen the competitiveness of both existing and new processing facilities, just as these cost disadvantages also reinforce the need to focus on derivatives and applications where cassava can compete with alternative inputs.

The discussion indicates that cassava derivatives should not be promoted as general substitutes for competing industrial inputs, as adoption is more likely when a specific derivative is matched to an application in which it meets the buyer’s technical, quality, and commercial requirements.

The participants identified industrial potential in cassava-derived bioethanol, cassava-derived sweeteners, and cassava-wheat composite flour. Biscuit production was highlighted as a potential application for composite flour, as biscuits depend less on gluten for structure than bread does.

The discussion also highlighted cassava starch. A participant reported that locally produced cassava starch had become price-competitive with imported starch. However, it was noted that cassava starch may perform differently from corn starch in particular uses, even when both meet similar laboratory specifications.

Quality and functionality are therefore related but distinct. Regulatory representatives described existing standards, laboratory services, and certification arrangements, while industrial buyers raised concerns about inconsistent test results and possible contamination across processing and supply activities.

They noted that neutral testing arrangements could help resolve differences between buyers’ and suppliers’ results and strengthen confidence in locally produced derivatives.

‘Supplier development is also important. Buyers can help processors understand their technical requirements, improve production practices, and maintain consistent quality. Working with off-takers to establish specifications and validate product performance would help processors focus on applications with demonstrated commercial potential.

‘The roundtable highlights a central lesson for investors. Commercially viable cassava projects must align reliable feedstock supply, competitive processing costs, and demonstrated industrial demand. Higher farm output will have limited industrial impact if roots cannot be delivered and processed economically, while additional processing capacity will struggle if derivatives do not meet buyers’ requirements. These considerations apply to both improving the utilisation of existing facilities and developing new ones.

‘These insights are shaping NCIA’s work in four areas: improving farmer productivity and feedstock supply; strengthening market linkages among farmers, processors, and industrial buyers; supporting processor development and quality assurance; and advancing application-led product development in collaboration with buyers, regulators, and researchers.’

CMC moves against illegal structures as Colombo flood crisis sparks political backlash

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has stepped up efforts to address recurring flooding in the capital, identifying 60 locations with drainage obstructions for urgent intervention and warning of legal action against unauthorised constructions blocking waterways.

The measures come amid mounting criticism over the Council’s preparedness following heavy rainfall on 6 November, which left several parts of Colombo and its suburbs inundated for hours, disrupting traffic and daily activities.

According to CMC, several unauthorised constructions identified along Sri Wickrama Road in Mattakkuliya and Bimelwatte Road had already been removed, while notices were being issued to other locations where similar obstructions had been identified. The CMC has warned that legal action would be taken against those responsible for unauthorised structures obstructing drainage systems and contributing to urban flooding.

Meanwhile, a special joint operation involving several State institutions was launched on Sunday (8) under the leadership of Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar and Urban Development Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara to clear drainage blockages and address the city’s vulnerability to flash floods.

The operation covers five electoral divisions within the CMC, North Colombo, East Colombo, West Colombo, Borella and Central Colombo, with priority given to locations facing a high risk of flooding.

Initial work is being carried out at Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita, Haig Road in Bambalapitiya, Collingwood Place and Parakum Road in Wellawatte, the Cooray Urban Housing Scheme, Stafford Road in Kirulapone and the adjoining canal.

Other locations identified for intervention include Heen Ela near Baseline Road, Aramaya Road in Dematagoda, the New Bazaar area in Central Colombo, De Mel Watta and Paradise Road.

Personnel from the Sri Lanka Army, CMC, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Urban Development Authority and Road Development Authority are participating in the operation.

Authorities said the program would go beyond clearing immediate blockages to address longstanding drainage deficiencies through repairs, regular maintenance and improved coordination among State institutions.

Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala, Colombo District MP, also attended the field operations, alongside CMC Deputy Mayor Hemantha Weerakoon, local government representatives, officials and residents.

The November 6 flooding affected several areas, including Pettah, Dematagoda, Orugodawatte, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Kompanna Veediya.

Authorities have identified poor drainage maintenance, unauthorised construction and land reclamation, unplanned urban development, the dumping of waste into canals and drainage networks, and inadequate institutional coordination as contributing factors.

The Government intends to establish a coordinated mechanism for the maintenance, rehabilitation and monitoring of drainage infrastructure, replacing the fragmented approach under which individual institutions have operated separately. The initiative is intended to provide immediate relief while establishing a longer-term framework to reduce Colombo’s exposure to flash floods.

Opposition MP S.M. Marikkar, meanwhile, called for Mayor Balthazar’s resignation or removal, accusing the CMC of failing to clean drains and culverts despite advance warnings of heavy rainfall.

Marikkar, who is also a member of the Disaster Management Council, said the Department of Meteorology had warned of heavy rainfall during October and November associated with El Niño conditions, but the Council had failed to take timely preventive measures.

‘Colombo City would not have been flooded on Friday if the drains were cleaned on time. Either the Mayor should resign or President Anura Kumara Dissanayake should remove her from her post,’ he said.

Marikar argued that Colombo had experienced heavier rainfall in the past without major public infrastructure being affected to the same extent. He cited rainfall exceeding 400 mm recorded in 1992, noting that important establishments such as the Colombo National Hospital had not been affected by flooding on that occasion.

He also pointed out that Jawatte, the ward represented by the Mayor, was among the areas inundated on Friday.

Criticising the CMC’s overall performance, Marikkar said the Council had failed to adequately serve Colombo’s business community, including jewellers, despite being one of the wealthiest municipal councils in the region. He also praised the Council’s performance under former Mayor Muhammed Uvais Emitiyas.

Marikkar further alleged that neither the CMC Opposition Leader nor other Opposition councillors had been invited to participate in post-disaster discussions on the flooding.

Again, travellers stranded on Abuja-Kaduna highway

Three broken-down trucks on Rijana Bridge on Monday caused a major traffic gridlock on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, leaving hundreds of motorists and travellers stranded for several hours.

The congestion reportedly stretched from Akilibu to Gidan Busa. A commercial driver, who identified himself simply as Bala, told our correspondent that he spent almost three hours in the traffic before he was able to continue his journey.

‘Honestly, the situation was very frustrating. I have just come out of the traffic after spending more than three hours on the road. We were told that some vehicles broke down in the middle of the road around 2am on Monday.

‘Although efforts had been made to remove the trucks before I left, motorists had already spent several hours stranded. Traffic has now started moving slowly as road repairs are ongoing,’ he said.

Another resident of Katari, Danjuma Katari, said the congestion extended from Akilibu to Gidan Busa, adding that motorists were still experiencing difficulties as of 5pm on Monday.

‘The trailers are now moving slowly, but there is still traffic congestion as we speak,’ he said.

Our correspondent observed that trucks conveying livestock and lorries loaded with goods were stranded, while smaller vehicles struggled to navigate through available spaces.

Some stranded travellers and youths were also seen standing by the roadside as officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) made efforts to clear the obstruction.

Some of the animals, which were tightly packed inside the trucks, appeared exhausted.

A commuter, Reuben Buhari, who shared his experience on Facebook, said he spent eight hours in the gridlock.

‘This is the Abuja-Kaduna road today (Monday). We spent eight hours before reaching Abuja, and we were lucky to be in a small car. One thing I can say for sure is that a lot of people will spend the night on this road, especially the tanker and trailer drivers.

‘Unless we Nigerians, including me, learn to obey traffic rules even when no officer is watching, to be patient and to be orderly, traffic chaos like this will keep occurring,’ he said.

Another motorist, Aliyu Abu, blamed the situation partly on motorists’ impatience, saying greater discipline and patience would have eased traffic movement.

Sarah Monday, a fashion designer travelling to Abuja for a contract meeting, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she lost the meeting due to the standstill.

She appealed to the Federal Government to complete the highway soon, so that the hardship faced by its users would be reduced, especially during Salah, Christmas and other festive periods.

FRSC removes two trucks

The FRSC Sector Commander, Andrew Paul Longkam, who confirmed the obstruction, said the corps had succeeded in removing two of the trucks.

‘Our team was able to remove two of the trucks from the road. As we speak, the report I am receiving indicates that traffic is flowing and the situation is gradually returning to normal,’ he said.

Longkam attributed the severity of the gridlock partly to ongoing road construction, which leaves only one lane open to motorists.

He explained that even a minor obstruction could result in serious congestion because of the limited space available to vehicles.

The sector commander also identified the high volume of vehicles on the highway as another contributing factor, adding that many of them were believed to be travelling to Jigawa State for a political campaign.

As of the time of filing this report, patience had begun to run out. Many motorists had started turning back towards Kaduna, with a lot of them saying they would travel to Abuja through the Kachia-Bwari road instead.

Recurring gridlock on highway

The Kaduna-Abuja highway is one of the major transport corridors in northern Nigeria, linking the Federal Capital Territory with Kaduna and providing access to other parts of the North-West.

The road carries thousands of commuters, commercial vehicles, articulated trucks and fuel tankers daily, making any obstruction a major challenge for travellers.

The Katari-Jere stretch, in particular, has become a recurring congestion point, with ongoing construction activities narrowing some sections and forcing motorists to navigate restricted passages and diversions.

A breakdown or accident involving a heavy-duty vehicle under such conditions can quickly obstruct the available carriageway and trigger long queues.

The latest incident is among several traffic gridlocks recorded on the Kaduna-Abuja highway this year, with road construction, accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles and poor driving habits repeatedly identified as major causes.

On January 4, 2026, motorists experienced congestion between Greenville and Obasanjo Farm following increased vehicular movement after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The FRSC attributed the situation to the resumption of road construction, the closure of some diversions, motorists’ impatience and lack of lane discipline.

Similarly, between May 24 and 26, thousands of travellers were reportedly stranded along the Jere, Katari and Azara axis during the Eid-el-Kabir travel rush, with some spending between six and 20 hours on the road.

The congestion was attributed to ongoing reconstruction, rainfall, an accident, heavy vehicular movement and dangerous overtaking.

On August 22, motorists also experienced heavy congestion around Kateri, Jere and Zuba in both directions, prompting the deployment of FRSC personnel and soldiers to manage the traffic.

Expert seeks truck movement restrictions, emergency response stations

A road safety expert, Munkaila Sulaiman, has called on the federal government to restrict the movement of articulated vehicles during peak traffic periods, establish emergency response stations and accelerate the reconstruction of the Kaduna-Abuja highway to end the persistent gridlock on the route.

Sulaiman, who is a retired road safety officer said the recurring congestion required more than temporary deployment of traffic personnel, urging the government to adopt a comprehensive traffic management strategy that would address the root causes of the problem.

‘The Kaduna-Abuja highway gridlock should no longer be treated as an ordinary traffic inconvenience. It is a major transportation, economic and public safety challenge that requires urgent and coordinated intervention,’ he said.

He identified prolonged road construction, poorly managed diversions, broken-down heavy-duty vehicles, road crashes, reckless driving and inadequate emergency response as some of the factors contributing to the congestion.

According to him, the Katari-Jere-Zuba corridor, particularly around construction diversion points, requires urgent attention because restricted traffic passages and the movement of heavy-duty vehicles could worsen the situation.

‘The authorities must first identify the major points responsible for the congestion instead of relying on assumptions. We need a comprehensive traffic assessment to establish the specific challenges at different locations along the highway,’ he said.

The expert urged the Federal Ministry of Works to review the performance of contractors handling the highway and enforce agreed completion deadlines, saying prolonged construction had created bottlenecks that exposed motorists to unnecessary hardship.

He said construction should be carried out in properly coordinated phases, with completed sections opened to traffic and alternative passages provided before existing lanes were closed.

‘Road construction should not become an excuse for exposing motorists to unnecessary risks. Government must ensure that contractors provide safe alternative passages, clear road markings, reflective signs and adequate lighting at diversion points,’ he said.

On the movement of articulated vehicles, the expert proposed designated movement periods, particularly during peak passenger traffic hours, as well as designated parking and holding areas along the corridor.

‘A truck breaking down at a narrow diversion can bring traffic movement to a complete standstill for several hours. We must introduce a proper management system for articulated vehicles and ensure that recovery trucks are available at strategic locations,’ he said.

He also called for regular mechanical inspections of heavy-duty vehicles, adding that any restriction on their movement should be based on traffic studies and coordinated with freight operators.

Barau’s post graduate scholarships, for 85 indigent students

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 85 indigent students to pursue Master of Science (MSc) degrees in various cutting-edge fields at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Barau presented admission letters to the beneficiaries of Batch A of his Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Programme at the Amani Event Centre yesterday in Kano.

Through his Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), the beneficiaries will pursue MSc programmes in Cybersecurity, Solar Energy Technology, Software Engineering, Climate Change, Information Technology and Natural Resources Management, among other disciplines.

Barau described human capital development as the sine qua non (essential) for any society’s progress, stressing that Nigeria was no exception.

‘Investing in education, skills acquisition and advanced knowledge is essential to building a skilled workforce capable of addressing contemporary challenges and driving sustainable development. ‘I will continue to strive to ensure that our youths, particularly those from Kano North, are empowered through education to become productive and useful members of society.

‘The number one driver of economic development is human capital development. If you build the youth, you build the nation,’ he said.

The Deputy Senate President also announced that ABU, Zaria; the University of Ibadan (UI); the University of Lagos (UNILAG); Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), had been selected as beneficiary institutions for the second batch of his domestic postgraduate scholarship programme.

Explaining the rationale behind selecting universities outside Kano for the second batch, Barau said the beneficiaries would gain more than academic qualifications, as exposure to different environments and cultures would broaden their knowledge and perspectives.

‘My reason is this: I believe that when they travel out of Kano to Nsukka, Ibadan, and other places to study, they are not only learning the programme they have enrolled in; they are also adding more feathers to their caps.

‘They will have the opportunity to experience a different society and learn how people live their lives. When they return, they will have gained much more because travelling is also part of education,’ he said.

The Deputy Senate President also announced the donation of laptops to all scholarship programme beneficiaries to support their academic pursuits.

The Provost of the university’s School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Tijjani Hassan Darma, praised Senator Barau for his commitment to supporting education through the scholarship and other initiatives.

‘On behalf of Bayero University, we appreciate his consistent sponsorship of students. This is not the first batch. He has done this on several occasions, and many students have benefited. This has set him apart,’ the provost said.

Thousands of indigent students have benefited from both domestic and foreign scholarship programmes of the Deputy President of the Senate as part of his sustained commitment to human capital development and the advancement of Kano State and other parts of the country.

Chinese Embassy upbeat about passenger drone flights in SL

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo has highlighted the successful demonstration flight of China’s self-developed autonomous passenger-carrying aircraft at Colombo Port City, presenting the technology as a potential new avenue for Sri Lanka’s tourism, connectivity and urban transport.

In a post on X, the Embassy said the EH216-S autonomous aerial vehicle had completed a successful demonstration flight at Port City, describing the development as a step towards making green and smart low-altitude mobility a reality.

‘From vision to reality, green and smart low-altitude mobility is unlocking exciting new possibilities for Sri Lanka’s tourism, connectivity, and modern urban transport. Flying directly to the airport might be closer than you think!’ it said.

The EH216-S is developed by Guangzhou-based EHang Holdings, a Chinese autonomous aviation technology company specialising in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The two-passenger aircraft is designed to operate autonomously using battery-powered propulsion, without an onboard pilot.

The demonstration comes as Sri Lanka explores the introduction of electric air transport, with passenger drone flights being tested at Port City ahead of an official demonstration scheduled for 11 November. The initiative is also expected to showcase potential applications beyond passenger transport, including tourism and logistics. The Government is yet to announce regulations.

Time for Ceylon Arrack?

Scotch whisky, French Champagne and Ceylon Tea are globally recognised brands built around geographical identity, heritage and authenticity. Their names command premium prices, generate billions of dollars in revenue and create economic opportunities far beyond the industries that produce them. The alcoholic beverages industry has an opportunity to follow a similar path which should be explored without prejudice.

International trade agreements recognise geographical indications (GIs), which protect products whose quality, reputation or characteristics are intrinsically linked to their place of origin. While whisky or sparkling wine can be produced elsewhere using similar ingredients and methods, producers cannot simply market their products as Scotch whisky or Champagne unless they meet the geographical and production requirements governing those names. Ceylon Tea is perhaps the best example of how Sri Lanka has successfully leveraged this principle to establish an internationally recognised identity.

Yet, remarkably, Sri Lanka has never made a serious strategic attempt to build a comparable global identity around Ceylon Arrack or Sri Lankan Arrack. Arrack is a distinctive spirit with deep historical roots across South Asia and Southeast Asia. However, the methods of distillation, raw materials and local traditions give different varieties their own character. Sri Lanka has a particularly rich heritage in this regard. Coconut arrack remains the most widely recognised variety, but Palmyrah arrack, produced for decades by cooperatives and distilleries in the Northern Province, represents another distinctive product with considerable potential.

The failure to develop this industry into a globally recognised brand may partly reflect the political and cultural sensitivities surrounding alcohol in a country that identifies strongly with its religious traditions. Successive governments have often approached the alcohol industry as something to be restricted rather than an economic sector that requires responsible regulation and strategic development. Restrictions such as the prohibition on alcohol sales on Poya days are symptomatic of this uneasy and counterintuitive relationship.

There is, of course, a legitimate need to regulate alcohol consumption and address its social consequences. But responsible regulation should not mean abandoning the economic opportunities presented by a well-established domestic industry. Nor should cultural sensitivities prevent Sri Lanka from developing an export-oriented strategy that creates employment, attracts investment and earns foreign exchange.

The economic numbers suggest that this is an opportunity worth pursuing. According to reported figures, domestic liquor production increased to 19.7 million absolute litres last year, up from 17.4 million litres a year earlier. The Finance Ministry has also reported that locally produced liquor generated 64% of the Rs. 213.4 billion in excise duty collected from the sector in 2024. Liquor accounted for 24.4% of the country’s total excise revenue of Rs. 562.7 billion.

These figures demonstrate the scale of an industry that already makes a substantial contribution to Government revenue. Imagine what could be achieved if the same industry were supported by a coherent export strategy, international marketing and investment in product development.

The Government is well poised to explore the feasibility of securing geographical indication protection for Ceylon Arrack and developing internationally recognised standards governing its production, quality and authenticity. This should encompass the different varieties, including coconut and palmyrah arrack, while encouraging innovation in distillation, ageing, packaging and presentation. A strong national brand could also create opportunities for premium spirits and other locally produced alcoholic beverages.

Such a strategy would benefit farmers, local communities, cooperatives, manufacturers, exporters and tourism operators. It could also position Sri Lanka as a destination for premium spirits, much as Scotland has done with whisky.

INEC and voter register crisis

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed 1,608,660 invalid voter registrations from the preliminary voters register and identified 54 staff members across 10 states for disciplinary action, including possible prosecution, over their alleged involvement in registration irregularities.

The commission also removed 873 records belonging to verified deceased persons following complaints and objections raised during the display of the preliminary voters register ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of the commission’s review of the preliminary register, describing the exercise as part of efforts to strengthen the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.

The integrity of the voter register has come under fresh scrutiny following allegations of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, duplicate registrations and fictitious voter identities in the preliminary register released by INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy sparked widespread reactions after images of questionable voter records circulated on social media, prompting calls for an investigation and greater transparency from the commission.

Addressing journalists on Monday, Amupitan said the commission had concluded the cleaning exercise covering the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), adding that all confirmed invalid registrations identified through biometric screening and public complaints had been removed.

According to him, the commission harvested 11,088,238 registration records from the three phases of the CVR exercise, out of which its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) initially flagged 1,545,052 for further examination.

He explained that 1,277,052 registrations were confirmed invalid and excluded before the publication of the preliminary register.

The INEC chairman said following the subsequent display of the register between October 9 and 15, the commission received complaints, claims and objections from members of the public, prompting further investigations.

He said 268,000 cases were subjected to adjudication, out of which 217,722 were confirmed invalid and removed, while 50,278 were cleared as valid and retained.

He noted that additional screening identified another 113,886 invalid registrations, bringing the total number of invalid records removed after the review to 331,608.

The INEC chairman said the commission’s investigation also uncovered deliberate attempts by some registration personnel to circumvent established procedures and misuse provisions designed for exceptional registration circumstances, including those involving persons with disabilities.

He said the affected records had been identified and subjected to appropriate corrective measures, while the personnel implicated had been identified for administrative investigation.

‘Fifty-four persons cutting across 10 states have been identified as complicit and necessary disciplinary action will be taken against them, including possible prosecution,’ he said.

The commission, however, warned that the irregularities were not limited to the recent registration exercise, explaining that a significant number of the multiple registrations and questionable records circulating on social media originated from historical voter data captured between 2011 and 2023.

Amupitan said cleaning up the 2025/2026 registration records alone would not completely address the integrity challenges associated with the voter register.

He disclosed that the commission had resolved to extend its scrutiny to questionable records in the historical register, directing that already flagged cases and obvious irregularities should be removed after proper verification.

The INEC chairman recalled that the commission had earlier proposed a nationwide voter revalidation exercise to address inconsistencies in historical records but deferred it following concerns from stakeholders about the proximity of the exercise to the 2027 elections and the possibility of disenfranchising eligible voters.

He, however, stressed that the postponement did not suspend existing mechanisms for protecting the integrity of the register, including biometric screening, adjudication and statutory claims and objections.

On complaints by some Nigerians that their names were missing from the preliminary register, Amupitan said investigations revealed that many affected persons had registered between 2011 and 2023 but subsequently registered again instead of transferring their registration to their new locations.

He explained that the subsequent registrations were invalidated by the biometric system, while their original registrations remained at their previous locations.

He therefore advised affected voters to check the locations where they initially registered.

Amupitan said the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the first and second phases of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), including transferred PVCs, was ongoing at local government areas across the country.

He said some PVCs from the third and final phase were still being delivered from overseas production centres and would be dispatched to states.

According to him, distribution would return to Registration Areas nationwide from December 1, 2026.

Amupitan assured Nigerians that the commission remained committed to removing invalid entries without compromising the rights of eligible voters.

He said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), alongside the commission’s election-day operational procedures, would provide additional safeguards against multiple accreditation and voting.

He explained that voters would be required to appear physically at their designated polling units for biometric authentication through fingerprints or facial recognition before being accredited.

The INEC chairman said the process would ensure that voters’ identities were verified against the register and that successful accreditation was recorded.

He said the commission would continue to communicate verifiable outcomes of the cleaning exercise while protecting personal information and the integrity of ongoing investigations.

The final register of voters is scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.

‘Electoral officials’ involvement in irregularities bad news for democracy’

Political analysts have expressed concerns over the implications of irregularities in the voter register, warning that the discovery of questionable records dating back to 2011 could further undermine public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They also called on INEC to demonstrate transparency and take decisive action against officials found culpable in the registration irregularities.

A political analyst, Prof. Kamilu Sani Fage, said while the removal of duplicate registrations was a necessary step towards sanitising the voters register, the identification of 54 officials allegedly involved in the infractions raised serious questions about the integrity of the system.

He said the development suggested that some officials had exploited their positions to manipulate the register, adding that the extent of the alleged infractions remained unclear.

Fage described the involvement of electoral officials as bad news for democracy, arguing that INEC must take stringent action against those found guilty to restore public confidence in the commission.

He also faulted INEC’s explanation that some of the irregularities originated from historical records dating back to 2011, saying the revelation raised questions about why the commission had failed to detect and address them over the years.

According to him, the discovery could also cast doubts on the credibility of previous elections conducted with the affected register.

‘Why should such a problem exist for so many years and go undetected? It shows that INEC itself is very weak,’ he added.

Another political analyst, Prof. Abubakar Kari, described INEC’s decision to publicly address the controversy surrounding the voters register as timely and necessary.

Kari said the commission needed to respond to widespread allegations and public apprehension that the register had been manipulated through AI to generate duplicate or fictitious voter identities.

He said the allegations, including claims that millions of questionable entries had been introduced into the register, had created fears among Nigerians that the electoral process could be manipulated ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the controversy touches on the credibility and independence of INEC, particularly amid public perceptions that the commission could be influenced to favour the ruling party.

He, however, urged Nigerians to give the commission the benefit of the doubt while insisting that its clean-up exercise must be sustained and supported with verifiable evidence.

Kari said INEC should go beyond issuing explanations and denials by publishing documentary evidence of the corrective measures taken to establish the credibility of the exercise.

He also urged the commission to respond promptly to allegations and misinformation surrounding the voters register rather than allowing them to spread unchecked.

He said the clean-up should not be treated as a one-off exercise but sustained to ensure that the register is credible before the 2027 general elections.

Credible voter register key to integrity of elections – Labour Party

The Labour Party has urged INEC to go beyond removing invalid entries from the voter register and build a credible and reliable database ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party said while the commission deserved commendation for responding to public concerns over alleged manipulation of the register, it must ensure that the clean-up exercise did not result in the disenfranchisement of eligible voters.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said, ‘The integrity of the electoral process depended largely on the credibility of the register.’

Asogwa described INEC’s announcement on the removal of invalid entries and the identification of officials involved in registration irregularities as heartwarming, but insisted that the commission needed to strengthen its systems to prevent a recurrence.

He urged INEC to focus on building what he described as a foolproof registration database capable of inspiring public confidence in the electoral system.

He stressed that every eligible Nigerian must be given the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote, adding that the credibility of the voter register remained fundamental to the integrity of elections.

‘While the Commission deserves commendation for its swift response to the concerns raised by Nigerians over the alleged infiltration of its system, it must also take proactive steps to ensure that no Nigerian of voting age who possesses a valid PVC is disenfranchised in the 2027 general elections,’ he said.

Yiaga Africa seeks independent audit of voter register

Meanwhile, Yiaga Africa has called for an independent, comprehensive and transparent audit of the voter register following the discovery of irregularities dating back to 2011.

The organisation said the removal of invalid voter records was necessary to restore the integrity of the register, but stressed that the commission’s commitment to accountability would be measured by the consequences faced by those implicated in the irregularities.

Samson Itodo, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, said INEC’s decision to identify and remove invalid records and initiate accountability measures against implicated officials was an important step towards rebuilding public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Itodo, however, said the commission must ensure that investigations were thorough, transparent and conducted in accordance with due process.

He also called on INEC to publish a comprehensive report detailing the nature, geographical spread and causes of the irregularities, the corrective measures taken and reforms being introduced to prevent a recurrence.

On the irregularities from 2011 and 2023 records, the Yiaga Africa director said the development reinforced the need for an independent audit of the entire voter register.

He recommended the establishment of an independent review mechanism comprising credible civil society organisations, electoral technology experts, data protection specialists, statisticians and other relevant professionals.

According to him, the proposed mechanism should operate under clearly defined terms of reference, with appropriate access to registration data and strict compliance with data protection requirements.

He warned that the clean-up exercise must not become another source of voter disenfranchisement, stressing that every eligible Nigerian had a constitutional right to register and vote.

‘Officials found to have engaged in criminal conduct should face prosecution rather than merely administrative sanctions,’ he added.

India-Sri Lanka economic ties spotlights inaugural Colombo Port City Investor Forum in India

Building on the longstanding economic relationship between India and Sri Lanka, the Colombo Port City Investor Forum, held at the Hyatt Regency, Chennai, on 4 November, explored new avenues for investment, enterprise and cross-border business partnerships.

Hosted by the Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai, in collaboration with Port City Colombo (PCC), the forum brought together over 200 participants, including business leaders from the real estate, financial services, logistics, IT and technology sectors, representatives of leading Indian industry chambers, investors and policymakers, to explore how closer commercial engagement can create opportunities for businesses in both countries. The invitation-only forum marked Port City Colombo’s first investor forum in India, underscoring its commitment to deepening engagement with the Indian business and investment community and translating longstanding bilateral economic ties into tangible business opportunities.

The program opened with an address by Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Southern India Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran. ‘India and Sri Lanka are bound by geography, history and commerce, and that relationship is stronger than ever. There is considerable scope to deepen these ties through greater business engagement and investment. Chennai, with its strong industrial base and entrepreneurial ecosystem, is an important market for this conversation. We hope the forum will help build lasting partnerships between businesses in our two countries and translate shared opportunities into meaningful economic outcomes,’ he said.

A central theme of the forum was ‘India’s Growth Story, Strengthened: Why Sri Lanka, Why Now’, enabling Indian businesses to extend their capabilities and market reach without moving away from their domestic base. Sri Lanka’s proximity to India, shared time zone, cultural similarities and established commercial and legal institutions offer practical advantages for businesses seeking to serve regional and international markets. Discussions explored opportunities across real estate, product engineering, treasury, data analytics, cybersecurity and business process operations, alongside data centres, technology, AI and other emerging areas. The discussions also examined how investment facilitation and a predictable regulatory environment could support businesses evaluating Sri Lanka as part of their regional expansion strategies.

‘For investors, the strength of a proposition lies not just in the opportunity it offers, but in the certainty of the framework within which they operate. Port City Colombo has been designed to provide that clarity through a statutory framework and defined investor safeguards. For Indian businesses looking to grow their reach, Sri Lanka offers proximity, familiarity and access to wider regional opportunities. This is about extending business capabilities and reaching new markets as a complementary partner, with the centre of growth remaining in India,’ said Colombo Port City Economic Commission Chairman Harsha Amarasekera, PC. He further emphasised that Port City Colombo is a project of national importance, operating under the direct purview of the Office of Sri Lanka’s President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who also serves as Finance Minister, underscoring the Government’s interest in the project.

CHEC Port City Colombo Ltd., Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare outlined Port City Colombo’s proposition as an international business and investment destination, highlighting its position as Sri Lanka’s only foreign currency-designated Special Economic Zone. He also detailed the statutory framework underpinning the zone, which includes a single-window approval process, investor safeguards, a stabilisation mechanism, international arbitration provisions, 100% foreign ownership and the ability to transact in 16 foreign currencies, including the Indian rupee.

A panel discussion brought together TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions CEO and CII SR Taskforce on International Business Development Co-Chairman Madhu Raghunath, JLL Senior Director and Head – Centre of Excellence, Strategic Consulting and Value and Risk Advisory, India and Sri Lanka Robin S., Amarasekera and Aluwihare to discuss sectoral opportunities, regulatory facilitation and prospects for business partnerships.

Robin S., said: ‘For Indian businesses exploring opportunities beyond the domestic market, geographic proximity, ease of doing business and access to new growth markets are important considerations. A clear regulatory framework and transparent incentive framework give Port City Colombo the ingredients for serious interest from India, and the conversations thus far show that interest is building.’

The Investor Forum in Chennai marks an important step in Port City Colombo’s efforts to deepen engagement with the Indian business and investment community. Going forward, continued dialogue will be pursued to further potential cross-border partnerships and unlocking new avenues for investment and collaboration.

Messi makes history with MLS Golden Boot

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has become the first player in MLS history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 26 goals in 31 appearances, four clear of FC Dallas striker Peter Musa and five more than Nashville’s English forward Sam Surridge. Messi becomes only the sixth player to land the award twice, joining a list that includes former Charlton Athletic and Southampton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips.

In addition to his goals, the 39-year-old notched 17 assists over the course of the MLS season, ensuring his 43 goal contributions was also a league best for the second year in a row. And the World Cup winner could soon make more history as he bids to become the first three-time Landon Donovan MLS MVP winner.

The former Argentina forward landed the award in 2024 as Inter Miami won the Supporters’ Shield title and also in 2025 as they won the MLS Cup. Despite Messi’s magic, Miami weren’t able to land top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference, with the team finishing 17 points behind Surridge’s Nashville.

They will now face Columbus Crew over three games in the first round of the MLS Cup play-offs which begin later this month.

The Shs1,000 mistake costing Kampala more

For some Kampala households, paying Shs1,000 to have their rubbish collected is an expense worth avoiding. But what appears to be a small saving can become a much bigger financial burden when discarded waste blocks drainage channels, floods businesses and forces families to spend money on problems that proper disposal could have prevented.

The contradiction is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Kampala has businesses collecting garbage for a fee, informal waste pickers recovering materials for resale and public institutions investing in better disposal facilities.

Yet rubbish accumulating along roadsides and in drainage channels. The question is no longer whether Kampala can afford to collect its waste, but how much the city is losing because some of that waste is never collected.

Ambrose Buyinza, an officer at the Urban Action Lab, a research space within Makerere University’s Department of Geography, Geomatics and Climatic Sciences, says the financial consequences are severe in informal settlements, where many residents depend on daily earnings.

Under the Urban Futures project, researchers have examined climate-related vulnerabilities in Bwaise, Kikubamutwe, Acholi Quarters and Makerere Kivulu. Their work connects flooding, extreme heat and poor waste management to disruptions in household livelihoods.

Buyinza explains that flooding affects more than the physical structures in which people live. It also determines whether traders can open their businesses, workers can reach their workplaces and customers can move between communities.

In Bwaise, where flooding remains a recurring problem, traders operating small restaurants, garages and roadside businesses can lose an entire day’s income when heavy rainfall makes roads impassable.

‘When it is raining or when there are extreme weather events regarding rainfall, they do not do business,’ Buyinza says.

For a trader surviving on daily sales, the loss is not necessarily recovered when the water recedes. Rent, household expenses and other obligations remain, even when business has stopped.

Buyinza says flooding also increases transport costs because residents are sometimes forced to use longer routes to reach Kampala’s commercial centre.

The research has not yet established the monetary value of these losses. Buyinza acknowledged that further investigation could quantify the economic consequences.

This leaves a gap in understanding how much informal businesses lose annually to flooding and how those losses compare with the cost of preventive interventions.

Although drainage improvements, including works on the Nakamiro Channel, have reduced some of the flooding-related losses in Bwaise, Buyinza believes implementation remains a challenge.

But there is an economic opportunity in recycling. In Makerere Kivulu, residents have recovered plastic bottles, glass and used tyres, demonstrating that materials commonly discarded as rubbish can support income-generating activities.

The difficulty, however, begins much earlier in the waste collection chain.

Jamil Kisubi, an inspector at Nabugabo Updeal Venture, says some households avoid paying collection fees despite having access to waste disposal services.

According to Kisubi, residents sometimes accumulate rubbish for weeks while waiting for National Cleaning Day, when they expect it to be removed without paying.

‘The people who are generating that waste can buy the things that generate waste, but they are not willing to pay for the waste they generate,’ he says.

The practice creates a problem for collection companies because waste that could have been removed gradually accumulates into large quantities requiring additional handling.

Kisubi explains that the company previously relied on monthly collection arrangements, with charges including Shs5,000, Shs7,000 and Shs10,000.

However, some households prefer to pay informal individuals to dispose of rubbish elsewhere rather than subscribing to regular collection services.

The company subsequently introduced a system allowing residents to bring waste directly to collection trucks and pay smaller amounts.

Under the arrangement described by Kisubi, a resident can pay Shs1,000 to dispose of approximately 50 kilogrammes of waste.

Yet even this option has encountered resistance.

‘They are not going to wait for the truck to come. They want to just dispose of it and run away,’ Kisubi says.

His account exposes an uncomfortable economic contradiction.

A household may avoid a Shs1,000 collection fee, but the resulting rubbish can contribute to flooding that damages merchandise, interrupts business or increases transport expenses by considerably more.

The apparent saving is, therefore, transferred to other households, businesses and public institutions.

Kisubi says collection companies are working with local council leaders to improve awareness and encourage residents to use designated collection services.

He believes stronger enforcement of waste disposal requirements is also necessary, particularly where residents repeatedly dump rubbish in drainage channels.

However, the challenge raises another question: whether low-income households consistently have access to affordable, reliable collection services, or whether enforcement alone would place additional pressure on already constrained budgets.

Rubbish with a market value

Emily Namanya, the supervisor for Solid Waste and Environment at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), says poor separation of household waste is preventing residents from benefiting financially from materials that could otherwise be sold.

She explains that households are expected to separate organic materials from inorganic waste before collection.

Instead, different types of rubbish are frequently mixed and dumped along roadsides or in drainage channels.

‘When it’s segregated, there’s a value attached to it,’ Namanya says.

According to Namanya, KCCA has mapped waste pickers and recyclers operating within the city, enabling residents to identify people who can purchase recyclable materials.

This presents a different economic arrangement from conventional garbage collection.

Rather than paying to dispose of everything, households could earn money from selected recyclable materials while paying for the removal of waste that has no immediate resale value.

The Authority is also planning to revive the Wankoko Recycling Centre to handle materials including plastics, polythene bags and paper.

Namanya says government funding has been provided during the current financial year to support the acquisition of garbage trucks and improvements in waste management infrastructure.

KCCA also intends to develop an integrated waste management facility where organic waste, recyclable materials and residual rubbish would be handled separately.

The Authority currently works with nine waste collection agents across Kampala’s five divisions, according to Namanya.

However, the proposed recycling investments raise questions about the commercial arrangements that will support them.

For instance, the prices residents will receive for recyclable materials, the quantities recycling facilities will be able to purchase and the markets for processed products will determine whether waste recovery becomes a meaningful source of household income.

There is also the question of whether households will have sufficient incentives to separate their rubbish consistently.

Without reliable collection arrangements and buyers for recovered materials, the economic value of recycling may remain beyond the reach of many low-income residents.

When the public pays

Sadat Kiwewa, a solid waste management officer in Kampala Central Division, says the consequences of improper disposal extend beyond individual households to public expenditure.

‘When you recklessly dispose of your waste, it will come back to you,’ he says.

Kiwewa explains that rubbish blocking drainage channels requires public resources to remove, while poor sanitation can contribute to illnesses that increase household medical expenses.

These costs are particularly high because money spent repeatedly clearing blocked channels cannot simultaneously finance other public services.

The burden is also felt by traders.

Kiwewa cites the experience of Kamwokya, where accumulated rubbish previously affected the environment around commercial establishments.

He says improvements in waste handling have made the area more attractive to customers.

For small businesses, cleanliness is, therefore, not merely an environmental concern. It can influence whether customers are willing to enter a shop, purchase food or spend time in a market.

Kiwewa also points to opportunities for connecting waste generators with urban farmers.

He explains that some farmers can use selected organic materials, while mushroom growers may require agricultural residues such as sugarcane waste.

But these opportunities depend on how materials are handled.