CELL PHONE BUFFS NOW CARRY MULTIPLE PHONES IN BENIN CITY - SURVEY
With the proliferation of GSM service providers in Edo, subscribers now carry with them an average of two cell phones at a time.
A survey also revealed that five GSM service providers - MTN, CELTEL, GLO, VISAFONE, STARCOM and MULTI-LINKS - now operate in parts of Edo.
The survey showed an increasing preference for the second-generation service providers because of lower tariffs and special packages to subscribers in large organisations.
Our correspondent also reports that some subscribers now carry as many as four cell phones with them at any one time
The survey indicated that the phone freaks would use about two for call receptions while deploying one of their phones, usually those with the cheapest tariffs, to initiate calls.
Our investigations also revealed that cheap cell phones and lines marketed by the service providers within the range between N1,900 to N2,500, had been very attractive to many adults.
The survey also revealed that most adults now buy cheap cell phones for their children in primary and secondary schools.
This has led to the presence of up to 10 cell phones in a particular nuclear family of a couple and three children.
``I have five children, all of whom are in the secondary school and all the family put together, we have about 12 cell phones," John Edobor, a businessman, said.
``It is necessary for all my children to have one, including the ones in primary schools, for the sake of easy contacts, especially in times of emergency,'' Mrs Dora Idianosen, another resident, said.
Across professions and vocations in Edo, telephony is in vogue because it saves costs and unnecessary movements over long distances.
``I strike my business deals in Onitsha, Aba and in Lagos without leaving my store in Benin. In terms of costs saved, we thank God for the GSM,'' Mr John Ibekwe a resident, said.

EX-NUPENG OFFICIAL WANTS FG TO REPAIR REFINERIES
A former Secretary-General of NUPENG, Dr Joseph Akinlaja, has appealed to President Umaru Yar'Adua to repair the ailing refineries and establish new ones.
In an interview with our correspondent recently at a one day retreat in Akure, Akinlaja said that ``it is sad that in spite of the licences given to some private organisations, none has taken off.''
Akinlaja said that past administrations did not pay much attention to the refineries built many years ago.
``In the 1960s, we had one refinery in Port Harcourt and between 1965 and 1981, Nigeria's refineries became four.
``From 1981 to 2008, not one refinery has been built, yet our population is increasing, our demand for fuel is also increasing," he said.
Akinlaja said that the poor leadership of successive governments was responsible for the little or no development in every facet of the nation's economy.
He said most Nigerian leaders had failed to put in place policies that would transform the nation to an enviable height.
``Nigeria is still among the poorest nations in the world, efforts should be geared toward promoting purposeful leadership for development,'' he added.
The organiser of the retreat, Ayo Awodeyi, said the programme was to educate the people of his constituency on the need to embrace good leadership.
He assured his supporters that dividends of democracy would be distributed to them before the end of the year.

OSHIMILI NORTH L. G. TO SPEND N200M ON PROJECTS
Oshimili North Local Government of Delta State has begun work on more than 35 infrastructural projects worth more than N200 million in net cost.
The projects span water, power, health and related facilities.
Already work has reached an advanced state on many of them, and Bar. Ben. Onochie Okonkwo, chairman of the council, says that some of the projects are due for delivery in the next two weeks.     
Bar. Okonkwo, according to an in-house newsletter of the council, Oshimili Newsreel, says that at least 15 of such projects would be delivered soom, for the benefit of the people.
He said that the first set of projects would be put on stream to mark the first 100 days of his inauguration into office.
The chairman named the projects to be delivered to include the local government liaison office, Ibusa; the Isieke water project, Ibusa, and the street light project in Ekpechor area of Ebu.
The liaison office has a water borehole and is to have a 100 KVA power plant attached.
Bar. Okonkwo said the power project in Okpanam, and the community’s water projects (two) would also be delivered.
The chairman stated that the Ogboli Primary Health Care Centre (PHC), Ibusa, was being completed and would, as the other ones elsewhere, have a 100KVA power plant attached apart from being perimeter-fenced.
Other projects include the Financial Treasury (F and T) building in Akwukwu-Igbo, the council headquarters which in already being painted after completion; the rekitting and furnishing of the council multi-purpose hall, the air conditioning of all offices in the council secretariat, as well as tiling of the entire council premises.
Outside of the first set of projects to be delivered in the first 100 days, the chairman said the other projects already in the works would be delivered before the end of the year.
Barr. Okonkwo stated that he would remain consistent in his determination to develop the entire council area.
He lauded the legislative arm of the local government and other political and other stakeholders in the council for their support for his administration.
The chairman stated that he would continue to work in concert interest with all stakeholders in the overall of all constituents of Oshimili North council area.