By Muftau Ogunyemi

Ondo State Government has placed a total ban on trading activities on traffic lanes, pedestrian paths and walkways on major market corridors in Akure, the state capital.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, announced this in a statement on Friday in Akure.

Ojogo said the ban followed the setting up of the Committee on Waste Management and in its bid to instill sanity, especially in Akure.

According to him, the ban also includes artisans such as vulcanizers whose activities impede free flow of vehicular traffic, especially on the market corridors.

“Traders and artisans, who encroached on the main road and walkways in Arakale Market and Oja Oba on Oba Adesida road, Akure, are directed to vacate such unauthorised trading spots with effect from Jan. 11.

“This directive becomes pertinent in view of the abuse and brazen disregard to the status of Akure, the state capital.

“It is particularly, a major source of concern that vehicular and pedestrian traffic now contend for space amid trading activities on same spots.

“In order for the directive to be fully obeyed, the state’s Special Task Force shall, beginning from Jan. 11, swing into action for effective enforcement and compliance,” he said.

According to the commissioner, the move is in the interest of all residents, as the beauty or otherwise of the state capital speaks volume of our values as a people.

“It is, therefore, necessary for all concerned to show a high level of understanding for the general good of all,” Ojogo said.(NAN)

By Grace Alegba

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Olukayode Popoola, on Friday advised the public to stay off Airport Road Flyover in Lagos dangerously burnt by fire, pending the determination of its structural safety.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bridge which runs over Toyota Bus Stop on the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway being reconstructed, was engulfed by fire when a petrol tanker burst into flames on Thursday.

The federal and Lagos State governments on Friday carried out a joint inspection to know the extent of damage to the bridge and adjoining roads.

Leading the state and federal officials, Popoola raised concerns over the safety of the bridge, saying that its structural integrity had yet to be ascertained.

He told NAN during the inspection that samples were being taken from the burnt bridge for analysis to be able to ascertain the level of damage and where to carry out repairs.

Popoola said that 200 meters of the rigid pavement of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction project, being carried by the Dangote Group, was burnt.

He added that the deck of the flyover was burnt and its pier badly damaged, raising fears of structural instability of the bridge.

The controller said that the bridge was barricaded after the fire because of safety concerns, regretting that the barriers were removed at night.

Popoola warned that there would be risks in using the bridge.

“We are taking some samples to go and analyse before we know the structural stability, but physically, a lot of damage has been done to this pier of the bridge.

“The integrity is already compromised.

“Yesterday the road was barricaded but in the night, some people went and removed the barricade.

“We are advising that members of the public should not take the risk of using this bridge,” he said.

Popoola said that about 200 meters of the bridge deck as well as the pavement of Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway being reconstructed was affected by the inferno.

He added that one of the piers – pillars of the bridge – was badly burnt, making the ministry unsure of the structural integrity and safety of the bridge.

He said that outcome of tests would ensure appropriate action on the flyover constructed by Julius Berger Plc, as well as the highway under reconstruction by the Dangote Group.

According to the controller, the Federal Highway Act empowers the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to prosecute whoever caused damage to assets of the Federal Government.

“This Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project is ongoing, and we have not even completed it. Now, due to carelessness of drivers, this fire occurred, and you can see the level of the damage.

“The pavement that we have spent a lot of money, up to 200 meters – have been affected; that will cost a lot of money,” he said.

Popoola noted that the ministry had been working in collaboration with Lagos State Government to tackle trucks’ menace and other infractions affecting road infrastructure.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, said that the state government, through its Ministry of Transportation, would embark on strict enforcement of road worthiness regulation.

She told NAN that the government’s agents would begin to enter depots and loading bays for petrol tankers to ensure that those not road worthy would not lift petroleum products.

Adeyoye said that truck accident causing damage to road infrastructure had become recurrent.

“Oftentimes, they claim that the roads are bad. What do you say about this one now that the road is very good, there is no pothole anywhere,” she said.

Adeyoye said that truck accidents were most times caused by reckless driving.

She called for attitudinal change.

She said that fires caused by tanker accidents had caused much hardship on road users, urging that road unworthy trucks should stop coming into Lagos State.

She said that the support of the Federal Government was important in tackling the ‘hydra-headed monster’.

Mr Cyril Zango, Deputy Corps Commander (Operations), Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, said the offending truck had been impounded.

He said that investigations were on as regards the accident, adding that, if found guilty, the owner and the driver of the tanker would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other road users.

Zango said that articulated vehicle drivers engaged sharp practices to evade checks. (NAN)

By Abbas Bamalli

The Federal Government has assured that the ongoing reconstruction work on the Kano – Maiduguri road will be completed by June.

Mr Funso Adebiyi, the Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, announced this while inspecting the project on Friday.

Adebiyi said the project was divided into five sections and had reached 75 per cent completion stage generally, with work going according to schedule.

“The Phase One of the project has started from Hotoro NNPC roundabout to Shuwarin, in Jigawa State. It has 10 kilometres, and so far we have completed 63 per cent.

“In the second section, we have completed 86 per cent, third section 90 per cent and in the fourth section we have achieved over 80 per cent while the last section that will enter Maiduguri, we have completed 60 per cent,” he said.

The director said that one of the major challenges delaying completion of the project was insecurity, as some workers who were kidnapped at some of the sections had not been released.

He added that the contractor handling Section Five of the project had to vacate the site due to insecurity.

“We are collaborating with the Borno Government to ensure the completion of the project.

“On the Kano Western bypass which was awarded since 2007, we have so far completed 56 per cent of the 26.6 kilometres dual carriage road. We hope to complete the project by the end of 2021,’’
Adebiyi said.

He also said the Federal Government had awarded the contract for the construction of some roads in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State.

Adebiyi disclosed that government was constructing over 31 roads in the state.

The Manager, Dantata and Sawoe construction company, Mr Roy Hungushi, who is handling Section One of the Kano – Maiduguri road and Kano Western bypass, assured that the project would be completed at the stipulated time. (NAN)

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says  the offer by Microsoft Corporation and other tech firms to support Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) and youth development is a welcome development.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said that the vice president held a virtual meeting with Microsoft Corporation team led by its President, Mr Brad Smith.

The vice president said that Microsoft’s interest in supporting the efforts of the Federal Government could be leveraged to address issues affecting the youths especially in engaging them productively.

Microsoft is offering support for the digital transformation pillar of the Federal Government’s ESP.

This will be a continuation of the technology company’s investment in Nigeria after the establishment of an African Technology Development Centre in 2020.

Osinbajo said that Nigeria’s case was peculiar given that the youths constituted a larger percentage of the country’s population; hence the need for all stakeholders to pay more attention to that demography.

“It seems to me that there is just a wave of general anger around the world and people are generally impatient; impatient with government; impatient with practically all of the formal structures there are.

“But I am open and happy to hear what views there might be on trying to engage and engage even more with young people–and in our case, that is 70 per cent of our population, if not more.

` So, we are really talking not just about the youth population but the Nigerian populace because that is the majority.

“ So, whatever it is that we are able to deploy to be more inclusive, to engage, even more, is really a solution for the entire populace as opposed to a solution for just a segment of our population especially given the fact that young people constitute 70 per cent  or even more.”

According to him, Nigeria has a digital innovation initiative which hopefully will be the foundation for doing far more in the digital space than what is being done at the moment.

Osinbajo said that agriculture was an area the Federal Government had spent quite a bit of time and resources on especially in the past few years.

“ We have also seen the development of a good number of agric-tech type companies and fin-techs that are also working in the agric sector.

“So, it is a whole load of innovation around the agric tech space, especially in the past few years.

“ So, I think we really are up for programmes that will support these sorts of agric-tech initiatives,’’ he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said the Federal Government had already put in place the necessary structures to partner with Microsoft and other tech companies in developing Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.

He said the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy, the National Policy on E-governance, among others, had been adopted by the Federal Government to support the growth of technology and innovation in the country.

Earlier in his remarks, Smith said that his company’s vision for investment in Nigeria was one that would lead to the creation of Africa’s most viable technology ecosystem.

He said the company’s investment in Nigeria was a demonstration of its enthusiasm about the digital transformation ongoing in Nigeria.

Smith proposed a 90-day timeline for stakeholders on the government side and from Microsoft, to iron out details of the various areas of collaboration.

Google Inc., in July 2020, announced plans to establish its first Google Launchpad Space outside the United States in Lagos.

Facebook, in Sept. 2020, announced its decision to open an office in Lagos as part of its planned expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Also, HUAWEI, in Nov. 2020, promised the vice president that the company would position Nigeria as a technology center for the African continent. (NAN)

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Eze Ohamadike Foundation, an NGO, has donated palliatives worth more than N4 million to 300 pupils drawn from a dozen primary schools in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items included 300 bags of 10 kg rice, 300 school bags, dictionaries, mathematical sets and exercise books.

NAN reports that 28 teachers of the pupils also received N5000 stipend from the foundation.

Presenting the items to the beneficiaries in Igboukwu on Friday, Chairman of the Foundation, Chief Chuks Okoye, said that the gesture was purely an act of charity which had nothing to do with politics.

Okoye, who is also Chairman, Board of Trustees of Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA), said that the donation was aimed at emulating his father’s principle and legacy of reaching out to the masses.

The NGO chairman promised to expand the scope of the annual gesture and extend it to other parts of the council area and the state as a whole.

One of the beneficiaries from Ogwugwuagu Primary School, Francis Anozie, who spoke on behalf of the pupils, thanked the NGO for the donation in the spirit of the season and promised to make the donor proud by achieving academic excellence.

NAN reports that some of the dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony also supported the foundation with cash donations to encourage the NGO. (NAN)

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has expressed deep sadness over the passing of an elder statesman, Bello Isah Bayero, who died on Thursday evening.

Bayero was aged 85.

Ganduje, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Abba Anwar, on Friday in Kano described Bayero’s death as a great loss, not only to his family but the state.

“We received, with the deepest shock, the death of Alhaji Bello Isah Bayero, who died when the state and the nation needed him the most.

“He was a gentleman, whose political leadership helped in the restoration of our democracy.

“As a gentleman, who trained many in many human endeavours, we missed him the most.

“His death is a great loss to Nigerian democracy, our traditional institution and political leadership.

“Bayero was an embodiment of humility, excellence, productivity, openness, transparency, accountability and that he was a father to the state and Nigerian democracy.

“What remains for us now, is to pray for Allah’s forgiveness and blessings on his soul and seek Allah’s guidance to give us all the courage to bear this great loss,’’ he said.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kano state, I am sending this condolence to his immediate families, our royal institution, friends and all other well-wishers of the late elder statesman Bello Isa Bayero.’’ (NAN)

By Kelechi Ogunleye

Mr Ibrahim Liman, the Controller General, Federal Fire Service, has pleaded with Kebbi government to acquire modern fire-fighting trucks for effective fire-fighting.

Liman made the call during the deployment of one modern fire-fighting truck to the state government on Thursday in Kebbi.

He said that the deployment of the truck was to complement the efforts of the state Fire Service in fire-fighting and related emergencies and to reduce the response time to fire incidents.

He also donated five Personal Protective Equipments worth more than N1 million alongside fire fighting trucks chemicals.

He called on the state government to purchase two new extra fire trucks with provision of chemical and foam compound for effective fire-fighting in the state.

Liman said that the allocation of two utility vehicles was paramount as one would enable the Federal Fire Service officers in the state to complement the state Fire Service.

“This will be used in the area of fire
risk assessment in public and private premises while the other one will be converted to Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV).

“They will complement equipment and gadgets for quick response in the event of emergencies,” he said.

He appealed to Kebbi government to enhance welfare package for fire personnel by implementing Para-Military Salary Structure for the benefit of fire fighters.

“Strengthen state fire service through recruitment of capable hands and rehabilitation, upgrade of fixed and mobile fire-fighting assets,” he pleaded with the government.

He also advised citizens to call on the federal or state fire service on time in cases of fire incidents.K

Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi said that the state government would look into all requests made by Liman with the view of complementing the services of the fire service.

Bagudu, represented by Mr Suleiman Argungu, Chief of Staff in Kebbi, said that the deployment of the modern fire-fighting truck was prompt because of the harmattan season when fire outbreak could be rampant.

“With the new truck, we hope to attend to fire outbreaks on time to save lives and property.

“We will ensure our fire-fighters go on training and re-training on how to effectively attend to fire incidents.

“We will ensure that more modern fire trucks will be purchased to help fight fire outbreaks in all the local governments of the state.

“We will continue to enlighten our people royal fathers and local government council leaders who are present here to help to prevent or reduce fire incidents within the state considering the high fire incident recorded in 2020,” he said.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Works Abubakar Ladan, said that deployment of the new truck would ease the stress on the functional rucks in the state.

Ladan said that that in 2020, the state recorded 156 fire incidents report while in 2019, 157 fire incidents were recorded.

“In 2019 the state lost 11 lives to fire incidents while in 2020 only one life was lost,” he said.

South Africa is to receive 1.5 million doses of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine from India in January and February, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Those doses will primarily go to the 1.25 million people employed in the public and private health care systems, the ministry added.

The vaccine – developed by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford – is currently being reviewed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

South Africa, the hardest-hit country in Africa in real terms, passed the 1-million-case mark in December amid the second wave of infections. As a result, the government imposed stricter measures.

A new variant of the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen is circulating in Cape Province and is considered the driver of the new wave of infections.

Since the mutated virus was first detected in South Africa, many countries have imposed restrictions on travelers from the country.

The restrictions are having a devastating effect on the economy, which is also suffering from increasingly frequent electricity bottlenecks. (dpa/NAN)

By Grace Alegba

A construction expert, Mr Temitope Runsewe, says construction industry will be a significant growth driver for the Nigeria’s economy in 2021.

Runsewe, Managing Director, Dutum Construction Company Ltd., made the assertion on Thursday at the “2021 Nigeria Real Estate Market Outlook” meeting in Lagos.

He said that with the over N3.85 trillion budgeted for capital expenditure by the Federal Government in 2021, spending on infrastructure would help to drive economic growth.

Runsewe said that though, the Coronavirus pandemic had affected economies and businesses globally, the medium to long term outlook for the industry remained positive.

He said this was because the construction industry increased its contribution to Nigeria’s GDP to N572.9 billion from N513.6 billion in Q2 2020.

Runsewe said the National Bureau of Statistics had projected the construction industry to record a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 16.6 per cent to reach an all-time high of N13.2 trillion by 2024.

According to him, this makes it imperative for players in the real estate and construction industry to exploit the attendant opportunities for growth that will be presented.

He shared the plan for one year of his firm to grow the sector in 2021.

“With the positive outlook of the construction industry for 2021 and the forecasted growth in the industry, Dutum construction intends to participate and contribute toward the development of various industry segments,” he said.

Dutum is a Nigerian company with interests in public and private industry construction that has delivered projects in the education, energy, aviation, hospitality and social sectors.

Also, Mr Ayo Ibaru, Chief Operating Officer, NorthCourt Real Estate, listed opportunities being presented to stakeholders in the industry as demand for real estate increases.

Ibaru said Nigeria was at a great risk of losing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to less volatile neighbouring economies, if it failed to adapt to economic realities or continue with the trend of policy inconsistencies.

He added that the situation would present an opportunity for local investment in the construction industry to thrive.

The chief operating officer pointed out the role technology and innovation would play for the future of the industry.

According to him, the adoption of virtual viewings of properties and other property technology offerings are increasing despite cultural concerns.

Other speakers at the event took turns to share their thoughts on measures to grow the construction industry.

The speakers included Mr Tayo Odunsi, Chief Executive Officer, NorthCourt Real Estate; Mrs Sandra Momah, Assistant Director Ernest & Young; Mr Olaide Agboola, Chief Executive Officer, Purple and Mrs Funke Okunbadejo, Director Actis.

The Real Estate Market Outlook 2021 event was organised by NorthCourt Real Estate, in partnership with Dutum Construction Company Ltd., to provide insight into the Nigerian real estate market.

The annual event brings together experts and stakeholders in the Nigerian real estate and construction industry to share industry projections, trends, opportunities and insight into what to expect for the year.