By Segun Giwa

The Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) says it generated N28.1 billion during the first six months of 2025.

Acting Chairman of ODIRS, Mr Bayo Rojugbokan, made this known on Monday in Akure.

The acting chairman said the service remained committed to transparency, accountability, and the continuous growth of the state’s revenue base in line with global best practices.

According to him, the people of Ondo State can be assured that the service will continue to work tirelessly to improve revenue generation towards the sustainable development of the state.

He said the figure above, as published on the Joint Tax Board (JTB) portal, was in contrast to the viral publication which claimed that Ondo State generated ₦22.5 billion within the period under review.

“The attention of ODIRS has been drawn to a misleading report currently circulating on social media and other online platforms regarding the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Ondo State for the first half of 2025.

“We wish to categorically state that this information is incorrect and does not reflect the true revenue performance of the state.

“We, therefore, urge the general public and stakeholders to always verify information from credible and official sources before dissemination,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi

By Hussaina Yakubu

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has inaugurated the construction of the Karatudu-Romi Road in Chikun Local Government Area, 13 years after the project was abandoned.

Performing the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday in Kaduna, Sani said the road was initially awarded during the administration of the late Gov. Patrick Yakowa but was stalled after his death.

The Governor described the project as a critical infrastructure that would benefit the people of Karatudu and Unguwan Romi Communities.

“Our administration is prioritising rural development and focusing on areas where the less privileged reside,” Sani said.

He assured that the road would be completed within eight months, stating that a reputable contractor had been engaged and would mobilise to site immediately.

“Our government keeps to its promises. We do not play politics of deceit. We focus on verifiable, impactful projects,” he said.

Sani disclosed that his administration had so far awarded over 83 road contracts across the state, with 31 already completed.

He criticised some politicians for abandoning the area in the past, saying they were now returning to seek political relevance without delivering meaningful projects.

The governor explained that the Karatudu-Romi project would include several adjoining township roads, such as Cemetery Road, Lusawa Road, School Road to Karatudu, and Jemaa Road.

He added that another ongoing road project from Keke to Makera, and Doka Mai Jemaa to Dan Hono in Kujama Ward, were also being executed in Chikun LGA.

Sani said the Water Intake Road from Unguwan Mai Gero to Narayi had been completed and inaugurated.

He further disclosed that construction would soon commence on the road linking Zenith Bank Roundabout on Kachia Road to the Flour Mill area, connecting Chikun and Kaduna South LGAs.

The governor also revealed that funds had been released for the construction of the long-abandoned Television-Kaduna Garage-Sabon Tasha Road, which links four electoral wards.

According to Sani, the project is expected to commence next week. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Stanley Nwanosike

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on Thursday rolled out 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses saying that the new transport system will create no fewer than 20,000 jobs and boost the economy of the state and country.

Mbah revealed this in Enugu while inaugurating the New Enugu Transport Management System, five modern bus terminals at Holy Ghost, Gariki, Abakpa and Nsukka as well as the CNG buses.

He said that the projects inaugurated would spur the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of Enugu State and the country to grow to $30 billion and $1 trillion respectively within the next six years.

According to him, the projects delivered are part of the promise he made to the people to ensure world class infrastructure, which will not only uplift the economy but dignify their living standard.

The governor said that the projects would provide the people with cheaper, accessible and seamless movement as other infrastructure meant to support the projects and the new system are already in place.

“I must commend President Bola Tinubu, whose vision and wisdom to remove fuel subsidy, have led to all the projects and change to a new transport system that is based on 21st century infrastructure and service for our people.

“I will also appreciate the state’s commissioner for transport for all efforts to make these projects a reality as well as the contractors and other people that ensured their timely delivery.

“It is a reality that transport remains the central pillar of modernisation and measure of the people’s progress; thus, touching every aspect of human life and the way the people think as well,” he said.

He noted that the state would roll out 2,000 hybrid vehicles to support the air conditioned and People with Disability friendly CNG buses.

The governor said that the CNG buses would shuttle routes leading to schools and higher institutions.

“The CNG will ensure over 40 per cent reduction in household expenses on transport and will also convey residents along markets and major places along the schools/institutions routes.

“We are remodelling all bus stops within Enugu metropolis, built and rebuilt most roads within the metropolis and other major cities in the state.

“We also placed a modern transport e-ticketing process that checks leakages and manipulations.

“Few weeks ago, we launched Enugu Air; plans have reached an advanced stage on putting rail services and waterways transport while all these projects have safety and dignity of our people as their priority,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Obi Ozor, said that the terminals inaugurated would entertain over 10 million commuters each year; while providing a place of comfort after long journeys or interval break from long journeys.

Ozor explained that each of the terminals have a fully air conditioned hall and television screens, eateries, lodging accommodation, fuel station, sunscreen covered walkways, solar powered security lights/systems and surveillance cameras.

“These projects are a clear vision of His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, to make Enugu State a model and point of reference in any modern infrastructure. We thank your excellency for insisting on quality and taste,” he said.

In a welcome address, the Chairman of Enugu North Council Area, Dr Ibenaku Onoh, thanked the governor for bringing order, aesthetics, employment and one-stop transport comfort with two terminals built in the Holy Ghost axis of Enugu.

“We quite appreciate all developmental efforts, which included: terminals, smart schools, smart type-2 primary healthcare centres, surveillance cameras and provision of security among others,” Onoh said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has received four 50-seater hybrid Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses from the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI) to improve public transportation in the territory.

While receiving the keys in Abuja on Thursday, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, represented by the Mandate Secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, said the buses would comfortably transport up to 200 people.

He noted that the buses would run on both CNG and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Wike, no modern city will thrive without a robust public transportation system.

“So, public transportation is meant to move people from one point to the other, especially those who cannot afford private transportation, or those who can afford private transportation but opt to go on the public system.

“Also, when tourists come in, they don’t come with their private transportation; they depend on a robust public transportation system.

‘This is why we are building roads, bridges and bus terminals. We have just commissioned two of the modern bus terminals at Mabushi and Kugbo, while the third one in the Central Area will soon be ready,” he said.

The minister said that the FCTA would procure more buses to ease public transportation in the nation’s capital.

He commended Tinubu for the initiative and for ensuring that the FCTA was not left out.

Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director and Chief Executive, PCNGI, while  handing over the keys to the minister, said that the initiative would make sure that the CNG buses get to the identified beneficiaries across the country.

Oluwagbemi explained that the presidential initiative was designed to ensure that Nigerians move around in a cheaper, safer and more reliable transaction system.

He commended the FCTA for demonstrating a great support for the PCNGI programme.

He added that the administration has shown great innovation by investing not just in roads infrastructure but in bus terminals under the great leadership of the minister.

“You are receiving four because you are one of our biggest supporters and also because through you, we know more people because you are in the business of direct transportation at the FCT.

“We see your terminals; we see your roads. So we want to thank you.

“For this we felt that the FCTA should be a major beneficiary of this initiative and I want to thank everybody at the FCTA for the good job you are doing.

“I look forward to an FCT in the next two to three years where residents will leave their vehicles at home and take one of these buses to work, town and other places, as is done in other developed countries,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru