On today’s Numbers to Ponder (N2P), we look through the curtains of the novel SWAT. And speaking of SWAT, we found that floods killed at least 3 times more than EndSARS. Elsewhere, examination malpractice led to the WAEC council withholding a whooping 215,149 results!
1.79 Million Tonnes
The Federal government (FG) has failed to reach their sugar production target this year. Under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, FG targeted a production estimate of 1.79 million tonnes of sugar to by 2020. The Nigerian Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) which will end in 2022 has existed for over eight years. But in all that time, there have been no significant improvements in sugar production. Even with the reduction of raw sugar importation as a strategy to increase demand for locally sourced sugar, sugar production capacity is less than 300,000 tonnes, a far cry from the targeted estimate. This lacklustre capacity has driven the price of sugar high. Top sugar producing companies like BUA, Dangote and Golden Sugar have cited reasons like land dispute, flood, community hostility, funding difficulties for the underperformance.
150 dead, 25,000 displaced
Reports show that over 150 people have died, and around 25,000 displaced because of the heavy rainfall in Nigeria that began in September. A statement signed by the spokesperson of The European Union, Modestus Chukwulaka states that the union has pledged ₦35.5 million emergency funds to help victims of flood in Nigeria. Specifically, victims from Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kwara are the priority. According to the statement, bursting banks of Rivers Benue and Niger caused most of the flooding. More so, floodwaters are exposing affected communities to risk of waterborne diseases. Not to mention losses to homes, belongings and cropland.
215,149 candidates
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) Head of National Office, Mr Patrick Areghan, has stated that the council withheld the results of 215,149 candidates for alleged examination malpractice. He disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Lagos. He also said the cases are being investigated by the council who will pass its decision through respective schools. Giving a breakdown, he stated that 1,549,740 candidates registered for the examination; 1,456,727 candidates had their result fully processed and released; 81,718 candidates still had pending results due to errors. Further, 4,280 candidates with varying degrees of special needs also sat for the examination. Moving on to the overall performance, Areghan stated that there was positive improvement despite the challenges faced while writing the examination.
1220 Police Personnel
On to SWAT (Special Weapon and Tactical team), training started. In a report by Mr Odutayo Oluseyi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Police Affairs disclosed this, noting the exercise was 1220 personnel strong. Eight hundred of them are undergoing training in Ila Oregun, Osun State; while the remaining 420 are undergoing same training at the Police Mobile training college Ende Hills, Nasarawa State. This special team are currently in their third week of training. Recall the Federal government established SWAT as a replacement for the recently disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, also visited the training camp to observe and supervise the training on Monday, 2nd November 2020. He encouraged the trainees to be professional in discharging their duties, respect human rights, and protect lives. He further added that the training was in line with the best global practice.