By Thompson Yamput

Kogi State Government has announced that preparations are complete to commence operation of buses for intra-city transport to improve movement within the Lokoja metropolis.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Victor Atuluku, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.

Atuluku said the intra-city transport service was expected to begin within the first week of June to ease residents’ mobility.

“This administration, led by Gov. Ahmed Ododo, is on top of this. The 2025 budget includes funds for acquiring brand new buses to serve this purpose.

“In the meantime, we are refurbishing some abandoned buses acquired during former Gov. Idris Wada’s administration.

“Those buses were previously unused because their engines were incompatible with their intended use, but we have installed new engines that are suitable and ready for service.

“I believe that within two weeks, these revamped buses will commence intra-city operations to boost movement within Lokoja before the arrival of the new buses,” Atuluku assured.

He also noted that the Confluence Express service currently operated fleets of buses running routes from Okene to Lagos, Kano, Jos, and some local government areas (LGA) within the state.

He said this included a recent extension to Ayingba Town in Dekina LGA.

Atuluku said Ododo was closely monitoring the Ministry of Transportation, as he did with all ministries, promising that residents would soon see significant improvements in transportation services.

Regarding the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses brought to Kogi by the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PICNG) in 2024, the commissioner explained that the buses were taken back by the initiative.

“These buses were handed over to the lead consultant, Mono Energy, responsible for their operations in Kogi, not directly to the state government.

“On the day the buses arrived, there was a launch event and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PICNG for the Conversion Incentive Programme (CIP).

“This programme aims to convert 10,000 vehicles owned by members of National Union of Road Transport (NURTW), National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to CNG free of charge.

“Sensitisation efforts are ongoing to encourage participation. The programme even benefits tricycle operators with four-plug engine vehicles,” he added.

On waterways transport, Atuluku stated that the government had received four boats from the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), to boost transportation in the riverine LGAs of the state. (NAN)(www.nannnews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Rita Iliya

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has inaugurated 20 level 2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across 16 local government areas in the state.

Bago, while inaugurating the primary healthcare centres in Minna, said the 20 centres were part of phase one of a larger project to build 100 PHCs across the state.

He said that the inauguration marked a significant milestone in his administration’s quest to improve healthcare delivery in rural communities.

According to Bago, every individual has a stake in the new agenda, which prioritises access to quality healthcare.

He announced that the old PHCs would be reconstructed and upgraded to Level 2+, and one would be converted into the first Primary Healthcare Training Centre in Nigeria.

He expressed confidence in the progress made so far, saying, “within six months, we have been able to complete 20 out of 100 facilities, and the next phase will be delivered within four months.”

The governor announced that the best-performing PHC would be awarded N5 million monthly, aimed at encouraging competition among the centres to maintain facilities and provide quality healthcare services.

He also disclosed that some of the centres would be named after notable individuals, including the late Hajiya Zainab Yakubu Garba, the late Peter Sarki, and his wife, Hajiya Fatima Bago.

In his remarks, Dr Muyi Aina, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, described the projects as landmark achievements with exceptional standards.

Also, The Deputy National Coordinator and Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of NG-CARES, Abubakar Musa, said the facilities would be adopted in NG-CARES 2.0.

Also speaking, Mustapha Ndajiwo, Niger Commissioner for Budget and Planning, explained that the project aligned with the New Niger agenda of prioritising access to quality healthcare in communities.

He commended the governor’s commitment to delivering meaningful projects at the community level.

Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare in Niger, commended the governor’s vision to provide affordable and qualitative healthcare across the state.

He said the facilities represent hope and would provide essential health services, bridging gaps in the health sector.

Dangana added that the centres would enhance capacity and build the skills of students from various schools of health technologies across the state. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

By Ijendu Iheaka

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has assented to 18 Executive Bills to strengthen the operations of the structured reforms introduced by the state to improve the people’s lives.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, said this while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia on the outcome of the May Expanded Executive Council Meeting.

Kanu said that the administration’s second anniversary programmes included the ongoing inspection of projects by former Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti.

“The State Government has paid the counterpart fund of N3.5 billion as a requirement and support for six lots of roads for maintenance and five lots of grade roads across 10 LGAs in the state and three agro-logistics hubs.

“This is through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAAMP).

“So, the state has paid its counterpart funds and we expect that with a similar action from the World Bank, the project will kick off around the state and 10 or more LGAs will benefit,” he said.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the 18 Executive Bills had increased the number of executive bills signed into law in the administration to 30.

Uwanna listed the major ones as the Abia Homeland Security Act, which had been updated to incorporate the creation of an effective Forest Guard as directed by President Bola Tinubu.

He also said that the Abia State Bonds Act was enacted to enable the state to raise funds at the capital market for development.

Uwanna also said that the Abia State Ombudsman and Public Complaints Commission had been officially established through an Act.

He said that the Abia State Estate Development Agency had been scrapped and its staff members absorbed by the Ministry of Lands.

According to him, the Umuahia Capital Development Agency, Abia Orientation Agency and Abia State Fire Service will no longer report to the governor.

“These agencies will now report to the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Information and Ministry of Homeland Security, respectively,” he said.

The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Blessing Felix, said that the governor also assented to the Abia Senior Citizens’ Bill.

Felix said that, when operational, the Act would ensure that the welfare of every Abia citizen above 60 would be taken care of by the government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sam Oditah

By Angela Atabo

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has inaugurated the Ministerial Committee on Technical Assessment, Completion Planning, and Disposal Strategy for 753-units Housing Estate.

Dangiwa, while inaugurating the committee, on Monday in Abuja, said the estate was recently recovered and handed over to the ministry by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He commended the EFCC for the critical intervention which has now created a unique opportunity for the Federal Government to convert what was once a symbol of public sector inefficiency and abuse into a beacon of public service and national renewal.

“In line with the vision of the President and the housing reform drive of our ministry, this committee has been constituted to ensure that the recovered property is quickly transformed into liveable, secure, and affordable homes for the benefit of Nigerians.

“This is not just another government assignment. It is a mission to deliver value, hope and homes.

“I, therefore, carefully approve the constitution of this high-level Ministerial Committee made up of management staff and strategic officers drawn from key departments of the ministry.

“They are to ensure we bring to bear the highest level of technical competence, integrity and urgency,” he said.

Dangiwa said the committee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, and supported by directors and special advisers, were selected because of the confidence the ministry has in their capacity to drive the initiative with the seriousness and efficiency it demands.

He said the terms of reference for the committee included: to conduct a thorough structural and integrity test of the buildings; to ascertain the number and status of the housing units; and to evaluate the value of existing work done through proper surveying and market valuation.

He added that the committee would assess the cost of completing internal roads, power, water, security infrastructure, public amenities and develop standardised architectural and finishing guides for consistency and quality assurance.

The minister said the committee would also propose a clear, transparent, and inclusive strategy for the disposal and allocation of the housing units, prioritising special government needs, affordability, equity, and public access through the Renewed Hope Housing Portal.

He said they would also design a robust communication and public engagement plan that builds public confidence and ensure inter-agency coordination with stakeholders like EFCC, FCTA, and utility providers.

Dangiwa urged them to submit a preliminary report within four weeks from today.

“Let me state unequivocally that Nigerians are watching. They want to see results. They want to see homes built and allocated transparently. They want to see government working for them.

“This recovered estate must serve as a reference point of what is possible when public institutions work in synergy for the people.

“I charge you all to approach this assignment with urgency, dedication, and integrity. Work as a team. Eliminate bureaucracy. Think outside the box. Be result-oriented. And let us deliver a completed housing estate,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, pledged to carry out the duty with transparency and diligence.

Belgore said the successful execution of the assignment would serve as a model for converting recovered public assets into impactful infrastructure that directly benefits the people. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo