Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Monkeys from the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) have become a menace for residents of Lekki community on Lagos Island, raiding their homes to steal and eat human food. The residents have complained to the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, but no serious effort has been made to tackle the menace. The community is blaming the invasion of residents' homes on an alleged failure by LCC to pay attention to the feeding of the animals or design a way of preventing them from encroaching on the humans' space. The menace is becoming scarier with reports that monkeys harbour some zoonotic diseases, including monkeypox and Herbesvirus B (Virus B). Herpesvirus B spreads from infected macaque monkeys to human beings. The Guardian visited the affected areas of Chevron Estate and Orchid Road in Lekki, where residents reported seeing monkeys daily. Non-harvesting of the monkeys had led to an increase in the population and cases of conflicts. Experts said there is a need to determine the ideal population of monkeys that could be sustained without harming or disturbing residents of the neighbouring communities, or leading to human-monkey conflict.

NEPZA is cooperating with the Auditor General's Office by providing details of its transactions, including compliance and due process requirements, under the new management led by Prof. Adesoji Adesugba. The new policy was strictly applied in the implementation of the earmarked Special Economic Zones, such as the Medical Free Zone, Lekki, Lagos, Katsina Cotton and Textiles Free Zone, Kwara Agro-Allied and Medical Free Zones, as well as infrastructure upgrade at Calabar, Lagos and Kano free zones. The new management of NEPZA has revitalised the Authority's Anti- Corruption Unit in partnership with the ICPC to ensure value for money in the deployment of special economic zones for the industrial development of the country. All relevant information on procurement processes in the agency is being provided to the Auditor General's office and the new management remains committed to the anti-corruption agenda and value for money.