By Zainab Oyekan

Plateau held a marathon in Jos on Wednesday to commemorate this year’s International Wildlife Day.

Eighty-four athletes participated at the marathon which the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Tamwakat Weli, described as great and historic.

The theme of the Day for 2021 is: “Forest and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet’’.

Weli said the theme was apt as it encompassed attempts to conserve the environment for a balanced ecosystem.

“Plateau is blessed with the Jos Wildlife Park which is the largest zoological park in Nigeria and a famous tourism destination.

“The park houses indigenous and exotic wildlife species and other facilities for recreation for tourists,’’ he said.

The commissioner also noted that innovative events and programmes like the marathon would help to strengthen efforts at promoting ecotourism in the state.

In her remarks, Acting General Manager, Plateau State Tourism Corporation, Mrs Salome Bidda, said that the marathon was designed to encourage support for wildlife conservation at the Jos Wildlife Park.

“This marks the beginning of great commitment in conservation of wildlife, promotion of sports and healthy lifestyle,’’ she added.

Bidda said that with support from the state government, the Plateau State Tourism Corporation would roll out series of events annually to make the state the hub of ecotourism in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that athletes who participated in the marathon came from across the country and a few of them from neighbouring countries.

Some of them called for more races and other activities that would engage youths from all parts of Plateau.

The winner and the two runners-up at the marathon emerged from among Jos residents. (NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved a total reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway at a cost of N797.2 billion.

This shows an increase of N642.2 billion of the N155 billion it originally approved for the rehabilitation of the highway.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, told newsmen at the close of Wednesday’s FEC meeting that the initial rehabilitation contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd.

“I presented a memorandum and one report with respect to the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway to change the scope of works form rehabilitation previously awarded to full reconstruction of two lanes on both sides.

“The Council considered and approved the request for that change of scope and the incidental cost consequence changing the existing contract from N155 billion to N797.236 billion.

“The new scope provides for full reconstruction of the main carriageway, trailer parks, weigh bridges, toll stations and additional side lanes in the built-up areas across the FCT, Niger, Kaduna and Kano States, which are all served by the road.

“This was approved by Council for the same contractor, the minister said.

He added that he also briefed the Council on the progress report on the Highway Development/Management Initiative.

The initiative is aimed at attracting investments from the private sector in road maintenance, management and provision of allied services.

He said the first phase of the initiative would cover 12 roads of about 1,963 kilometres across the country.

He listed the 12 roads to include Benin-Asaba, Abuja-Lokoja, Kano-Katsina, Onitsha-Aba, Sagamu-Benin, Kano-Maiduguri, Enugu- Port Harcourt, Ilorin-Jebba and Lagos-Badagry.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who also briefed newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, said N10. 4 billion was approved by the Council for the procurement of fire fighting vehicles and equipment for the Federal Fire Service.

“The council considered and approved the procurement of various fire fighting equipment. The total sum of the approval is N10, 436, 375, 340.96.

“The approval covers the supply of 44 fire engines and the supply of 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines that can go into nooks and crannies to respond to distress calls.

“The approval also covers the supply of 20 basic life support ambulances. So, in all we are talking about 79 fire fighting equipment and support vehicles,’’ he said.

Aregbesola said the procurement of the vehicles would enhance the capacity of the Federal Fire Service to effectively control and manage fire-related emergencies.

He appealed to state governments to also equip their Fire Services, so as to complement the work of the Federal Fire Service operating in their states.

The interior minister also announced that the ministry got approval of N353.2million for the deployment of an integrated real-time data repository equipment for the Headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Abuja.

“The council also approved the award of contract for the deployment of an integrated real-time data repository and security intelligence solution for the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters.

The delivery period for that contract is four months at a total sum of N353.2 million. (NAN)

By Stanley Nwanosike

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Sunday, distributed relief materials worth millions of naira to communities affected by the 2020 flood within Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The relief materials, which included food and non-food items, were distributed to three agrarian communities of Ojor, Ogurugu and Igga.

Speaking at Ojor Community, Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Fred Anusim, said that the flood incident that destroyed massive farmlands and buildings in the communities occurred on Oct. 3, 2020.

Anusim said that the notice of the incident was brought to the attention of NEMA through the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), traditional rulers and other media reports.

According to him, NEMA carried out an assessment of the incident, which revealed that several buildings and farmlands were affected leading to displacement of residents and dislocation of means of livelihood.

“The responsiveness of the Federal Government to the plight of affected persons has been quite prompt and encouraging; hence we have since received an approval of relief items from the Director-General of NEMA, Retired AVM Muhammadu Muhammed.

“Please note that the relief materials brought to you today is not to replace what you lost during the flood disaster but to cushion the effect of the unfortunate incident.

“We suggest that the affected persons should look out for early warning signs at the on-set of rain in order to avert the loss of lives and property because flood in the area has become a perennial event.

“Furthermore, we urge the local government authorities at the beginning of every rainy season to alert SEMA and NEMA to embark on massive sensitisation of the affected areas in order to create awareness on the dangers of flood.

“The food items in the relief materials included: 456 bags of 12.5kg rice; 456 bags of 25kg beans; 456 bags of 12.5kg garri; 46 kegs of 20 litres palm oil; 79 cartons of seasoning; and 38 cartons of tin tomatoes.

“The non-food items are: 912 pieces of blankets; 912 pieces of foam mattresses; 59 cartons of bath soap; 456 pieces of wax print; 624 bags of cement; 624 bundles of roofing sheets; 69 bags of 3 inches nails; 208 packets of zinc nails; 624 pieces of ceiling boards and 700 pieces of children’s wear,” he said.

Responding, the Traditional Rule r of Ojor Community, Igwe Emmanuel Umunna, thanked the Federal Government for bringing succour to his subjects affected by the 2020 flood.

“We are grateful to the Federal Government and NEMA that took the pain; notwithstanding that we are at the extreme and boundary area of the state to remember and locate us with these relief materials,” Umunna said.

One of the victims of the flood, Mr Fidel Okiji, thanked the Federal Government for the relief materials as well as its timely delivery.

“I believe this will go a long way to ameliorate the hardship my family had been going through since the flood incident,” Okiji, who is a beneficiary of the relief materials, said.

Another victim and beneficiary of the relief materials, Mrs Angelina Ndibe, prayed to God to bless the Federal Government and NEMA officials for coming to her aid when she lost all her crops to flood.

At Ogurugu Community, the Traditional Ruler of the Community, Igwe Emmanuel Egwuaba, appreciated the Federal Government for the succour provided for members of his community affected by the 2020 flood.

One of the victims and beneficiary of the relief materials in Ogurugu Community, Mr Joseph Okonkwo, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the timely gesture of bringing down the relief materials. (NAN)

By Leonard Okachie

The Comptroller, Abia State Fire Service, Mr Victor Gbaruko, said the fire service station at Amaekpu, Ohafia, when completed, would help in tackling incidences of fire in the state.

Gbaruko said this during the foundation-laying of the Abia North Fire Service Station at Amaekpu on Saturday.

He expressed optimism that the project would not only assist his men in fighting fire, but would also boost the number of personnel in the state.

According to Gbaruko, Abia has the lowest number of fire service personnel in the country.

He appealed to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to assist the outfit in recruiting more capable hands to enable the service to function optimally.

He thanked the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Mr Ifeanyi Uchendu, for attracting the project to the community.

Also, the Deputy Governor, Chief Oko Chukwu, said the station would bring succour to the people of Abia North Senatorial District.

Chukwu applauded Uchendu, who is representing Ohafia South constituency, for doing so much for his people, and described him as a “true representative.”

He assured the deputy speaker of the government’s continuous support to sustain his complementary support to the governor in providing basic infrastructure at the grassroots.

“The Deputy Speaker decided that the best way to celebrate my birthday is to rekindle hope in the lives of Abia North citizens by laying a foundation stone for the construction of the Abia North Fire Service.

“I want to tell you my very dear brother, this is one of the best ways to celebrate my birthday,” the deputy governor, who marked his birthday on Saturday, said.

Earlier, Uchendu said he embarked on the project because of its importance in fighting fire in the zone.

He said that apart from the Fire Service Stations at Aba and Umuahia, which serve the Abia south and central, Abia north had no such facility.

He said the situation prompted his motion on the floor of the house for a fire service station in Abia North.

He thanked the governor for his promise to donate a fire fighting truck to the station once the project was completed. (NAN)

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and cloudiness from Sunday to Monday.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja predicted sunny and hazy conditions over the North and the North Central region throughout the forecast period on Sunday.

According to it, haziness with patches of cloud is expected over the inland cities of the South throughout the forecast period.

The agency envisaged hazy condition with patches of cloud over the coastal cities of the South in the morning.

It further envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Bayelsa, Ogun, Delta, Edo and Akwa-Ibom States later in the day.

”For Monday, dust haze condition is expected over the northern region throughout the forecast period. North Central region is expected to be in sunny and hazy conditions within the forecast period.

“Partly cloudy to sunny condition is expected over the inland cities of the South during the forecast period.

“Partly cloudy condition is expected over the coastal cities of the South in the morning while in the afternoon/evening hours isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states,” it said.

According to NiMet, dust haze condition is expected over North, North Central region and inland cities throughout the forecast period on Tuesday.

NiMet forecast haziness over coastal cities of South with patches of cloud to partly cloudy condition in the morning with isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Rivers and Delta state later in the day. (NAN)

By Grace Alegba

The Federal Government on Saturday reopened the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos which had been under rehabilitation since July 2019, amid jubilation by road users and  invasion by hoodlums, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Workmen began early in the morning to clear the bridge of debris and removed crash barriers from the site and put finishing touches to asphalt laying on some sections before the main opening with spectators watching.

Supervising the reopening at exactly 11:54am Mr Emmanuel Adeoye, Director, Highway Bridges and Design said that work on the surface of the bridge had been completed but additional work would continue underneath.

Adeoye said several expansion joints, bearings were fixed.

“We have done a lot of rehabilitation works on the super structure and the bridge is fit for use now and we are set to open it, that is why we are here.

“For now the superstructure is the main one that is being worked on now we are going to work on the substructure and the foundations much later, but that does not affect the flow of traffic.

“Traffic can be flowing and we can be doing our work under the water quietly. We are opening the bridge now because it is fit for use now.

“The repairs is very durable that is why we have taken pains and have been working on it since July to make sure it is good for use. We have gone round, we have checked, we have found out that it is ok,” he said.

He said that bridge maintenance unit of the Federal Ministry of Works would continue to carry out periodic maintenance subsequently and check components of the bridge.

He said that the work under the bridge would be completed between the next six months to one year.

The Federal Controller of Works Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola thanked Lagos residents for their understanding and patience during the rehabilitation works.

Popoola explained challenges which slowed down construction to include the COVID-19 and the EndSARS protests which made the contractor lose some time.

“Now that we have finally opened the bridge today as the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, I am very happy that the promise that federal government made that this bridge will be rehabilitated and opened to traffic before the end of February has been actualised.

“And I am using this opportunity to express our gratitude on behalf of the hounourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola to our host state, that is Lagos State, in particular his excellency, the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unusual cooperation when the work was going on,”he said.

Popoola also thanked other ministries and agencies of the state government as well as various engineering professional bodies who made great contributions towards the success of the project.

NAN reports that the reopening of the bridge was conducted with only traffic regulatory agencies present on site with no Police in sight.

Hoodlums who initially extorted motorcycles using the bridge engaged in a free-for-all-fight at the end of the opening ceremony making journalists and engineers to scamper for safety.

However, the first motorists to use the bridge cheered the engineers with some of them shouting out loud “God bless you, progress, one love”.

NAN reports that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, had to be partially shut on July 24 for another round of rehabilitation works.

The repair expected to last six months was extended by one month due to the recent #EndSARS protests in Lagos extending the completion date from January 2021 to February.

The construction was initially divided into two phases of three months on each carriageway, starting with the Oworonsoki bound carriageway whose completion dragged to four months.

Traffic was partially diverted on a stretch of 3.5km where construction is ongoing between Adeniji Adeniji Ramp and Ebute Meta, while different time belts were allotted for traffic diversions on the bridge.

The 11.8km bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the Mainland.

The bridge starts from Oworonshoki, which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.

Constructed in 1990, the bridge was adjudged as the longest in Africa until 1996 when the Oct. 6 Bridge in Cairo, Egypt was completed. (NAN)

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted dust haze condition from Friday to Sunday.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja predicted dust haze conditions over the northern region on Friday.

It further predicted horizontal visibilty of 1km to 3km and visibility range of less than or equal to 1000m over Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Gusau during the forecast period.

According to it, the North Central cities should be in dust haze condition with visibilty range of 2km to 5km within the forecast period.

The agency, however, forecast patches of few clouds over parts of southern Jos and southern Kaduna within the forecast period.

“Hazy conditions with patches of clouds are anticipated over the inland and coastal cities of the South throughout the forecast period.

“With chances of few thunderstorms over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross-river states during the afternoon and evening periods,” it said.

According to NiMet, dust haze condition with horizontal visibility range of 2km to 5km is anticipated over the northern region throughout the forecast period on Saturday.

The agency envisaged the North Central cities to be in dust haze condition throughout the forecast period.

It further envisaged the inland cities of the South to be in hazy condition with patches of clouds within the forecast period.

NiMet predicted cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine over the Coastal cities of the South with prospects of few thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, southern Ogun, Edo, Rivers and Cross River states during the afternoon and evening periods.

“On Sunday, Sunny and hazy condition is expected over the Northern and North central cities of the country within the forecast period.

“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the inland cities of the South throughout the forecast period.

“Partly cloudy to cloudy skies are expected over the coastal cities with prospects of few thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross River states during the forecast period,” it said. (NAN)

By Oboh Linus

The Nasarawa State Government has warned loggers and herders not to encroach into the forest reserve at the Farin Ruwa waterfalls in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Dogo Shammah, gave the warning on Friday in Wamba Local Government Area (LGA) when he visited the waterfalls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shammah visited the falls alongside Mr Musa Abubakar, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources.

Shammah restated the resolve of the state government to check the activities of loggers and herders in order to protect the forest reserve.

He said that that his ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in protecting the forest and waterfalls.

According to the information commissioner, the visit to the Farin Ruwa waterfalls and forest reserve is to form a common front to preserve and develop them.

Shammah explained that the effort to develop the waterfalls is in line with Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s policy to diversify the state economy.

“One of the sectors the governor has keyed into is tourism that abounds in the state. Our mission is to follow up the process and fast track the development of Farin Ruwa waterfalls.

“This waterfalls is one of the best in Africa; it is the intention of the government to showcase this natural environment to the world so that tourists and investors can come to the state,’’ he said.

Shammah restated the state government’s plan to build a “Film City’’ at Farin Ruwa, as well as Nasarawa Salt Village in Keana LGA.

He said that the city will create opportunities for film makers to exploit the rich cultural heritage in the state.

On his part, Abubakar urged the Farin Ruwa community to take ownership of the falls and forest reserve.

The commissioner for environment and natural resources assured the villagers that government is committed to harnessing the potential of the forest reserve.

He warned loggers and herders against encroaching into the forest, saying that anyone caught would be prosecuted.

“This environment (reserve) is owned by the government, grazing and cutting of trees are prohibited here.

“The people should know that wealth has come to them. If this is your commonwealth there is need to take care of it,” Abubakar said. (NAN)