The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Dauda Biu, has expressed concern over recurring container crashes on Ojuelegba bridge in Lagos.
Consequently, he called for barricades to stop articulated vehicles from using the bridge.
Biu said this in a statement issued by the Federal Road Safety Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, on Sunday in Abuja.
He was reacting to the fatal crashes that occurred at Ojuelegba Bridge in Lagos in which nine people died and another that claimed 11 lives at Soka bridge on Lagos-Benin Highway.
He said that the construction of the barricades would provide permanent solution to the recurring crashes.
Biu also called for the expansion of connecting roads under the Ojuelegba bridge to accommodate articulated vehicles.
He revealed that FRSC rescue teams in collaboration with other emergency agencies had cleared obstructions from the two crash scenes for ease of movement.
Biu added that the driver of the truck that caused the Ojuelegba accident was arrested and handed over to the police, while efforts were on to arrest the driver that caused the Soka bridge crash.
The corps marshal reiterated the need for enforcement of laws that would bring justice to victims of traffic crashes.
“Efforts should be made to activate them so that justice will be served accordingly to both the drivers and the victims,” he added.
The corps marshal cautioned commuters against route violation and driving against prescribed legal speed limits.
He urged the public to call the FRSC toll free line 122 and National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM to report any traffic emergency. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Rotary Club of Abuja Imperial, on Saturday organised a vocational skills acquisition training programme on bead-making, fascinator and turban design for 10 women.
Former President of Rotary Club Imperial, Mrs Ifeoma Ihenacho, said that the training was designed to equip the young women with necessary skills that would engage them economically.
According to her, Rotary is about fostering good service and empowering people and coincidentally this January is our month of vocational services.
“So, we decided to organise this programme to train and empower young women.
“We are training these women so that they can also train other people as well,’’ Ihenacho said.
She said that the beneficiaries would be empowered with start-up packs after the training to enable them establish their businesses.
“This will enable them get financially independence.
“We will see how we can get them materials and funds to help them amplify what they have learnt,’’ Ihenacho said.
On his part, the Charter President of the Club, Mr Adedotun Amori, said that the beneficiaries would be sponsored for advanced classes in future to enable them to empower and impact other people.
He said that the programme would enable the women sustain themselves and their families economically.
The instructor, Mrs Nkechi Ebubedike, expressed delight over the commitment of the women towards the programme.
While commending them on their level of concentration, Ebubedike said that the rate of unemployment in the country should propel every youth to get a skill.
“They are trying so hard to use this opportunity to learn so much as they can to be able to help themselves.
“They are really grabbing faster than I expected and most of them have indicated interest that they want to take it up as a business,’’ she said.
Ebubedike, however, blamed the inability to increase the number of beneficiaries on paucity of funds.
According to her, the major challenge we are facing is because of the financial constraint we are not able to take more people. A lot of people indicated interest but we have to bring it to 10.
She urged government at different levels to intensify their support in promoting small and medium entrepreneurship in the country.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Tonia Imana, commended the organisers of the programme and pledged that they would make the best out of the training.
According to her, “we are really learning a lot, I and my colleagues had little knowledge about bead making but with this training we can make necklaces and bangles.
“We hope to learn more to help us become financially independent and contribute meaningfully to the society.
“Government should partner with the sponsors of this programme because such training will help to eradicate poverty in the country,’’ Imana said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries were issued certificates at the end of the training. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has called on the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the killing of 27 pastoralists in an ‘airstrike’ in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa.
The National Public Relations Officer of the association, Malam Muhammad Abdullahi, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police Command in Nasarawa State, on Thursday confirmed the alleged killing of 27 pastoralists in an ‘airstrike’ in Doma Local Government Area of the State.
DSP Ramhan Nansel, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the development and casualty figure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia, the state capital.
The MACBAN spokesperson, who said that the killings constitute War crime, emphasised the need for the human rights commission to constitute a panel of inquiry to find out on whose authority the aircraft was used and punish the culprits.
“MACBAN recalls that this is the third time in one year that the unknown aircraft had been involved in bombing of pastoralists and livestock in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states.
“The Pastoralists went to Makurdi earlier in the day to retrieve their 1,250 livestock, earlier impounded by the Benue State livestock guards, after paying a fine of N29 million.
“The trucks carrying the livestock were closely monitored and waited until it reached its destination before unleashing the armed drone on pastoralists who were waiting to collect their livestock.
“These pastoralists are bona fide Nigerians and have rights like every other citizen and therefore must be protected under the law,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that there is nothing as good as working for humanity to save lives and properties.
The Director, Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, made the statement at a dinner to celebrate her 60th birthday and elevation to a Director in the FCT Administration, on Friday in Abuja.
Wenegieme revealed that the agency was working assiduously to reduce its time of responding to emergency situation from five to three minutes.
She added that with a power bike,, the first two respondents from the agency would be able to arrive at the scene within two minutes.
The director lauded the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola and the Director-General of FEMA, Abbas Idriss for her elevation to director , with more responsibilities.
Wenegieme said: ” I’m overwhelmed and I can’t thank God enough. God has been faithful to me right from when I was growing up I know that a lot of things were delayed but God never denied me.
” So, all the days of my life I will live to praise and thank God for what He has done in my Iife and the life of members of my family.
”It is about my job? I can’t thank God enough because God gave me a job that I’m doing with passion and I’m doing it with all my heart.
” I’m always happy doing it and I do it with all my joy.There is nothing as good as working for humanity to saved lives and properties.
“There is nothing as good as that and I do it with joy.I pray God should continue to give me the strength to be able to save more lives and properties.”
Earlier, Idriss, who congratulated the director for the elevation and the 60 birthday, commended her tremendous contribution in saving lives and properties of the residents of the nation’s capital.
” I want to ask you to continue in that direction. On many occasions, we had to pull her from her husband to attend to emergencies and she has been doing it without any hesitation.
” And I want to attest here that at any point in time if I am not in town, once Mrs Wenegieme is in town, I’m very much comfortable and I can stay wherever I’m.
” She gives good representation and she is a fast learner when you ask her this is what you should do before you know it she will go and do it well,” the D-G said.
On his part, Mr Joe Wenegieme, her husband, expressed gratitude to the Almighty God for sparing her life to witness her 60 birthday and elevation to the rank of a director in the FCT Administration.
He said: ” We thank God for a day like this because it is by God’s grace that she got promoted in her place of work and particularly that she already reached the age of retirement and promoting has come.
” So, all we can just say is to thank God and wish everything she wishes herself. God blessings, protection and upliftment.”
Also, the former First Lady of Kaduna State, Dame Amina Yakowa, who extolled the virtues of Wenegieme, prayed to God to continue to make her keep ageing gracefully to be able to achieve what God has destined for her to achieve in her life time.
Yakowa said: “My message to her is that of hope, good life and so many celebrations in her life.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the donation of a motorcycle, helmet and protective jacket to FEMA by the family of the Wenegieme, to enable the agency save more lives and properties in the nation’s capital. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has called on Lagos State Government to reverse its decision of not allowing passenger vehicles from the northern part of the country into Lagos State.
RTEAN’s Secretary-General, Mr Yusuf Adeniyi, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.
Adeniyi said Kwara and some other northern states branch of RTEAN received information that the Lagos State government had stopped the operation of passenger vehicles coming from the northern Part of the country.
He said the directive came from the state’s agent, Deputy State Chairman, Seyi Bamigbose (A.K.A Student) of Park and Garages, constituted by Lagos government after the suspension of the operation of RTEAN in Lagos State.
“This matter has since been taken to the National Industrial Court (NIC) and the court gave an order for the parties involved to maintain a statue quo.
“The Lagos State government however refused to bring the committee of the Park and Garages constituted to abide by the order.
“Now, the association (RTEAN) is beginning to believe that the action of the Lagos State government is tantamount to contempt of the court order.
“The recent action (stopping the operation of passenger vehicles coming from the northern part of the country) by the Lagos State government through the Park and Garages is in itself an act that may likely cause the breach of public peace.
To this end, the association is calling on the Lagos State government to immediately reverse its decision of not allowing passenger vehicles from the northern part of the country getting into Lagos State.”
According to Adeniyi, reversing the action will allow freedom of movement of all citizens as guaranteed by section 41 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The secretary-general said RTEAN was a registered trade union under the law as enshrined in section 5 sub 7 of the Trade Union amendment Act, Cap T14 Laws of the Federation, which empowers RTEAN to operate anywhere in the country as a trade union including Lagos.
“RTEAN is a peace-loving organisation that carries out its operations within the ambit of the Law and will remain so.”(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday inaugurated the first phase of the Lagos Mass Transit Blue Line Rail Project.
The first phase is a 13 kilometres stretch from Marina to Mile 2 and has five stations — the Marina Iconic station; National Theatre; Orile-Iganmu; Suru-Alaba and Mile 2.
The Blue Line is one of the six metro lines identified in the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) master plan.
It is a 27 kilometres rail route that will run from Marina to Okokomaiko, when completed, and is being implemented in two phases.
Buhari arrived at the Marina Iconic Station at 11.25 a.m., in company of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
He also witnessed the signing of the contract for the construction of the Second Phase of the Lagos Mass Transit Blue Line Rail.
President Buhari rides on 13-km Lagos Mass Transit Blue Line Rail
The President took a ride on the train with Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Gov. Dr Obafemi Hamzat and other dignitaries.
Giving his remarks at the inauguration, Gov. Sanwo-Olu said that the Phase 1 of the Blue Line was expected to cover the stretch in less than 15 minutes, compared with the rush-hour time of 2.5 hours, if undertaken by road.
He said that the benefits of the rail line were obvious and unquantifiable, as it was a more efficient transport service that improved the quality of life of Lagos residents.
The governor said that the project would free up more of the residents’ time, reduce the pressure on the roads, and contribute to Nigeria’s lofty climate action obligations.
According to him, the Blue Line rail system will be powered end-to-end by high voltage electricity, to be supplied by a dedicated Independent Power Producer (IPP), as well as back-up systems.
”What this means is that the operation of this line will leave zero carbon emissions impact on the environment.
”This iconic Marina Station that is hosting us today will be the largest and busiest train hub in Africa, with a capacity to process as many as 400 passengers per minute, translating into 24,000 passengers every hour.
”When Phase 1 starts running fully, we envisage that it will transport a quarter of a million Lagosians daily, rising to half a million daily when the entire corridor is completed.
”Mr President, I thank you for the Federal Government’s support on this project and many others.
“You have made our work administering Lagos much easier in many ways, and we will eternally be grateful to you for this,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Deputy Gov., Hamzat, said that the state government’s transportation strategy was multimodal.
He said it brought together the various elements of road, rail and water in a seamless manner that made commuting an interesting experience.
Hamzat said that the rail project would help to reduce the pressure on the roads, enhance the economic wellbeing of Lagos residents and put Lagos State on the same pedestal as others of its stature.
He appreciated the residents for bearing with the government, in the face of all the inconveniences thrown up by the implementation of the project.
In his goodwill message, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jianchun, said that the Blue Line rail project was a speed line, which would improve Lagos’ residents energy to do other things.
Jianchun said that the mass rail would give much energy and reduce time of doing business.
”Today we really understand the meaning of time, we need to sustain the usage of time for a greater efficiency.
”Nigeria and China have harmony in collaboration in sustainable development, the two countries have the same vision to move the countries forward,” he said.
The Chinese Ambassador said that Nigeria and China had identified 15 projects to collaborate on. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it successfully berthed the first commercial vessel at the Lekki Deep Sea Port on Sunday.
This is contained on the official Twitter handle of the authority.
It reads, ”Ahead of the President’s commissioning of @LekkiPort for commercial operations tomorrow, one of the largest container vessels, the CMA-CGM, has berthed at the port.
“Once more, @NigerianPorts has proven that it is prepared to offer marine services for seamless port operations. https://t.co/jEv99qwJdv,” it said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammed Buhari will officially inaugurate the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport, for commercial operations in Lagos State.
The Lekki Deep Seaport is a state-of-the-art facility, the largest seaport and one of the biggest in West Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroy, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to entrench effective and efficient freight forwarding system in the country.
Adegoroye said this in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, on Sunday in Abuja.
The minister stated this at the commissioning of the Kano Zonal Office of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) in Kano.
Adegoroye said the construction and commissioning of the CRFFN’s office was in furtherance of Federal Government’s vision and determination to establish a smooth operating freight forwarding system in the country.
He said it was also aimed at expanding the participation of littoral and non littoral states in maritime and general logistics.
“The need to promote professionalism, entrench global best practices and develop the capacity of freight forwarding practitioners cannot be over-emphasised.
”Hence the policy of having zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones of the country”, Adegoroye said.
The minister enumerated the anticipated benefits and impact of the CRFFN’s zonal office, expressing optimism that the new office would further encourage safe, timely, sustainable and environmentally friendly movement of cargoes, using the road and rail modes.
According to the minister, the office will aid revenue generation for the government through its collection of Practioners Operating Fee (POF).
“It will also help in expanding the list of certified freight forwarding professionals whose impact will be felt all over the country and beyond,” he added.
Adegoroye solicited the cooperation and support of the Kano State Government and other states in the zone for the CRFFN in all areas as may be required from time to time.
Also at the occasion, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, said it was imperative to establish CRFFN’s Zonal offices across the country.
According to her, the offices will ensure effective and efficient regulation and promotion of freight forwarding in the nation.
The Registrar of CRFFN, Mr Sam Nwakohu said the construction of the Kano Zonal Office was informed by the need to bring the Council closer to the grassroots.
Nwakohu said the CRFFN would not renege on its mandate of ensuring professionalism, promoting freight logistics efficiency, and improving Nigeria’s ranking on the logistics performance index.
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, represented by the Special Adviser on State Affairs, Murtala Dandawaki, expressed the readiness of the state government to support the CRFFN
He urgerd the council to take advantage of the state’s vast human and material resources.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that Freight forwarding is the coordination and shipment of goods from one place to another through a single or multiple carriers such as air, marine, rail or highway.
The CRFFN was established by the CRFFN Act No. 16, 2007 with the responsibility to, amongst others, regulate and control the practice of freight forwarding in Nigeria.
It also aims at promoting the highest standards of competence, practice and conduct among members of the profession.
The CRFFN’s Kano zonal office is to oversee the council’s affairs in all the 19 Northern States and ensure a strong presence of the Council in that region. (NAN)
The public transport system in Lagos State is set to wear a new face as the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Rail Line project will be officially launched on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in Marina.
With the first phase now completed, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to officially inaugurate the project already acknowledged by residents as landmark.
As the city struggles with traffic congestion which has taken its toll on residents, the Blue Line Rail project is expected to bring some succour.
Some Lagos residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the completion of the project was a milestone achievement, adding that they were eager for operations to start.
They, however, urged the state government to put adequate security and maintenance measures in place to ensure smooth operations.
A resident, Mr Olorunfemi Olorunmoni, said that the project was long overdue and would help in addressing some of the transportation problems in the state.
“The Blue Line rail construction has been going on for a while and the expectations of residents are very high, considering the road situation in Lagos.
“I believe this will go a long way to solve transportation problem, especially between Badagry and Marina.
“Though, it has not extended to Badagry, these centres are where there are heavy movement of human traffic.
“I believe with this coming on board now, it will seriously address the problem attached to movement of people and goods along this axis,” he said.
Olorunmoni, however, suggested that there should be adequate maintenance and management of the infrastructure.
“All the guiding principles, in terms of management and maintenance, should be put in place. The commuters should also be well informed on how to conduct themselves,” he said.
Similarly, another resident, Mr Andy Enaohwo, said that the project, when inaugurated, would reduce the traffic and robberies experienced on the roads.
“The time expenditure per day will reduce; people will get to their places of work and return home on time.
“Majority of people will no longer take their cars out; they will park them at train stations and take the train to the Island,” he said.
He hoped that there would be security network like Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) to monitor whatever that was happening within the train at any given time.
He urged the government to create more awareness about the train and make the cost affordable to residents.
“If they can consider making the cost affordable to the masses, we will patronise them. It is our property, we will safeguard it too,” Enaohwo said.
Also, Mr James Adaji, who works at the Artist Village located within the National Arts Theatre Complex, said that the security around the premises should be improved.
“We are already experiencing some criminal activities around the premises; our offices are being burgled as a result of increased movement at the theatre.
“When they inaugurate the project, the government should ensure adequate security in terms of policing and protection of government properties and staff,” he said.
Another Lagos resident, Mr Ita Okon, said that the project was a welcome development and would boost the economy of the state.
NAN reports that the Blue Line is a 27-kilometre rail system from Marina to Okokomaiko.
Its construction was divided into phases for ease of implementation.
On Dec. 21, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu commemorated the completion of the civil infrastructure for the first phase of the project at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu.
The first phase is a 13-kilometer stretch from Marina to Mile 2, covering five stations and will be powered by electricity from an Independent Power Plant.
The project is being constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
The first phase of the Lagos rail line has five stations at Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, National Theatre, and Marina, and is expected to move about 250,000 passengers daily when its operations commence. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The General Manager, Lagos Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, has vowed to improve on safety on waterways to enable the government achieve zero accident in 2023.
Emmanuel spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, during the celebration of his 40th birthday, at Falomo, Lagos.
He said that only two accidents happened on Lagos Waterways in 2022 but regretted that lives were lost during the incidents.
The general manager, however, said that for the first time, a boat captain was sentenced to life imprisonment due to reckless operation which resulted in loss of lives of about 18 passengers.
He said that the authority would strengthen its regulations and standards to prevent any mishap in 2023, and enhance partnership with the federal government.
“With the establishment of Command and Control Centre which we now have, we can easily monitor, in addition to the extra water guard that we now have at our other locations.
“We have established strategic partnership to be able to ensure we have safe waterways,” he said.
Emmanuel said that the agency intended to optimise on the existing infrastructure such as jetties and terminals.
He said that Ikorodu and Badore terminals were coming up, and urged Lagos residents to expect newer boats on the waterways.
The LASWA boss said the Lagos State Government had established 20 jetties and built six standard terminals across the state that were functioning effectively.
He attributed his success as he was celebrating his 40th birthday to God, good people, and thanked the Lagos State Government for giving him opportunity to serve and help others.
“Many people have helped me and I have also helped people as well; I will continue to help.
“I’m looking forward to better years ahead than what has been achieved. I wish to see greater impact made in the lives of people, I wish to see a better society.”
Emmanuel said that the authority was working towards ensuring that more passengers patronise the waterways, and linking the rail to its operations.
He said that LASWA was working to improve the services and operations of its manpower to build passenger confidence on water transportation.
Emmanuel said that the state government’s priority was to achieve seamless operations in transportation which was the first letter in the THEMES Agenda of the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration.
He said the government had partnered the French Government to support them with funds towards improving on water infrastructure. (NAN)
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
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