By Ifeanyi Olannye

President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated the construction work on the 17.6 kilometres access road to the Second Niger Bridge (Phase 2), connecting the South-South and South-Eastern regions.

The President, who performed the function at Oko, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta, said the access road would transverse Issele -Azagba, Okpanam, Ibusa, Asaba, Okwe and Oko-Amakun all in Delta before linking the Second Niger Bridge to Anambra.

Represented by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Tinubu said the ceremony marked another milestone in his administration’s effort to build an enduring infrastructure in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at bringing development to all parts of the country.

He said that the project was a response to the challenges of all road users, adding that the Federal Government under his administration was committed to alleviating the traffic burden on the Asaba-Benin Road which currently experienced significant congestions mostly in the peak hours and festive periods.

He lauded the governors of Delta and Anambra States for their commitments and efforts but urged them to workout modalities on how to pay compensations to affected property owners to ensure timely completion of the project.

According to Tinubu, the primary objectives of the project are to reduce traffic congestions, enhance trade and economic activities and improve transportation efficiency.

“The expected benefits include economic growth and increased commercial activities, enhanced regional connectivity and socioeconomic integration, job creation and employment opportunities and increased investment and economic development.

“This bridge is a landmark infrastructural project, because of its significance in linking Asaba-Benin Expressway and Anambra and Enugu Expressway.

“I want to commend the governments of Delta and Anambra States for their cooperation and support.

“This kind of partnership and synergy are imperative for trust, good governance, national cohesion and sustainable development.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to motorists to exercise calm and  patience and cooperate with the contractor during this construction process,” Tinubu said.

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, said that the administration of President Tinubu was committed to the infrastructural development of the entire country.

He disclosed that the access road to the Second Niger Bridge from the Anambra axis would be inaugurated on Tuesday, adding that the projects are expected to be completed within a specific timeframe and urged the contractors to keep to its contractual obligation.

Umahi said that the security on the Second Niger Bridge has been guaranteed, adding that the area has been connected to a CCTV circuit system that could be monitored from both Delta and Anambra States Government Houses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traditional rulers of the benefiting communities: Asaba, Oko-Amakun, Okwe, Ibusa, Okpanam, and Issele- Azagba were on ground to pledge their support and commitment to ensure timely completion of the project.

The Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Azinge and the other traditional rulers appreciated President Tinubu for the landmark project which they said would improve the economic activities of the communities, save travelling hours and hitch free transportation along the axis.

On his part, Mr Eric Xhen, Engineer in charge of CCECC Limited, South South, the construction firm handling the project in Delta, promised to complete the project in record time.

NAN reports that the highpoint of the ceremony was the unveiling and formal  inauguration of the project by President Bola Tinubu. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

By Olaitan Idris

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, says the state is evolving towards a structured sanitation system and not smelling.

He said the Lagos State Government was committed to a comprehensive, multi sectoral approach to ensure a clean, resilient, and liveable city.

“Lagos is not “smelling”, it is evolving towards sustainable waste processing, modernised landfill management, cleaner waterways, and structured sanitation systems.

“The present administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains steadfast in its commitment to building a cleaner, more sustainable city through strategic environmental initiatives,” he said.

He said the state government was fully committed to environmental sustainability and had developed a comprehensive, multi sectoral approach to ensure a clean, resilient, and liveable city.

“Waste and sanitation challenges in a rapidly growing mega city like Lagos require structural solutions, not sound bites or political rhetorics.

“Other measures undertaken by the state government include the installation of over 50 Air Quality monitors across the state at strategic locations to capture industrial, transport and household emissions,” he said.

Wahab added that the Lagos State Waste Management Authority had expanded waste collection services to reach communities in line with the state’s THEMES plus Agenda.

“Also, in partnership with Ibeju Lekki Local Government, tricycle compactors have been introduced to provide waste collection services on a pay-as-you go model in areas with non-motorable roads,” he said.

The commissioner revealed that the model would be expanded later this year with the introduction of 500 tricycle compactors across similar areas.

He said within the next 18 months, the state would close Olusosun and Solous 3 landfills, transitioning them into modern Transfer Loading Stations where waste would be sorted, compacted, and redirected to recycling facilities.

“This will process 2,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily and generate 60 to 80 megawatts of electricity, contributing clean energy to the Lagos power grid.

“In addition to a ban on styrofoam food packs, the state has also commenced the phasing out of single use plastics while promoting sustainable alternatives and Extended Producer Responsibilities among manufacturers.

“LASG has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding, with international partners to develop waste to resource initiatives.

“This will ensure that Lagos remains at the forefront of waste recovery, recycling, and energy generation,” he added.

Wahab said in the past two years, industrial effluent discharge into the Lagos waterways had reduced by 25 per cent.

“This is owed to the consistency of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency in regulating their discharge through permits, fines, penalties, and outright publicised seals,” he said.

He stated that the state was already implementing bio-remediation techniques to improve surface water quality through natural purification processes to improve the quality of water in the lagoon and canals.

He informed that the state, through the Lagos Waste Water Management Office (LASWMO), had deployed three modular Septage Pre-Treatment Plants.

“This will enable efficient treatment of faecal sludge before discharge into the Odo Iya Alaro Water Body,” he said.

He added that the LASWMO enforces strict compliance among members of the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers Association of Nigeria.

“This is to prevent indiscriminate dumping of wastewater and ensure best practices in sewage evacuation,” he said.

The commissioner also stated that as part of the street sanitation exercise, 15,000 street sweepers are daily deployed across highways, inner roads, and markets as well as stronger enforcement of environmental laws.

“In addressing open defecation, the state is embarking on continuous sensitisation and the construction of additional 150 public toilets.

“This will be complimented by another 250 to be built through public private partnership,” Wahab said.

Wahab stated that the present administration was partnering local government areas and local council development areas to maintain the over 1,710 public toilets across parks, markets, and residential areas.

Wahab said the State Parks and Garden Agency recently launched a “Trees for Lagos” campaign that would ensure the planting of an additional 50,000 trees in two years.

“The trees will be planted in carefully selected locations on major highways, railway routes, industrial areas, public and private estates, schools, and hospitals,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Angela Atabo

Relevant regulatory bodies say the move by the Federal Government to begin testing construction material will boost quality and curb infrastructure failure.

The regulatory bodies are Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

They said this when they paid a working visit to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, in Abuja.

The COREN President, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, said that the move is aimed at ensuring that construction material using in Nigeria meet international standards, thereby reducing the risk of infrastructure failure and collapse.

“We paid a working visit to the minister and the content of the discussion centred on the initiative of the minister under the ministry to upgrade and equip engineering testing laboratories for construction of infrastructures.

“One of our major challenges as a nation is incessant building collapse; failures of roads, failures of bridges, dams of all critical infrastructures that we have been having.

“One of the ways to stem and tackle this in the most systemic way is to focus on the material that are being used in the construction; the regulators are very excited and went to express their support on this initiative the minister is pursuing.”

Abubakar said the bodies expressed support to providing technical, professional and all support needed to ensure that the initiative takes off.

He added that the professional bodies also discussed the issue of the national skill qualification framework, a new initiative in the country to train, certify, register and regulate artisans involved in the construction industry.

“The ministry is involved in training artisans in various aspects of engineering across the sectors, not only construction, but in oil and gas, in power and energy, in mining, in telecommunication, in agro-allied, among others.

He said that COREN and CORBON, as regulatory bodies handling the sector skill council on construction and engineering, agreed to support the ministry to ensure accreditation of the training centres.

The President said after being certified after the training, the artisans would be registered and regulated by COREN and CORBON.

According to him, COREN seizes the opportunity to invite the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to its 33rd Assembly happening in July.

“Overall, the courtesy visit opened new areas for collaboration between the regulatory bodies, with the minister and key agencies, so I believe engineering and regulatory aspect would be improved openly,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of CORBON, Samson Opaluwah, said the main purpose of the visit was to demonstrate the endorsement of the Renewed Hope Agenda Trust in the intervention in material testing.

Opaluwah said the minister was intimated on a number of initiatives on ground to end building collapse in the country.

“The meeting with the minister is the first of a kind, as major actors in building and construction industry came together as a sector to meet and pledge their availability to support government initiative.

“We are aware of the ingress of technology and innovation and we believe that Nigeria must not be left behind.

“So, we want to collaborate with the ministry to ensure the innovation of new methods, local methods that can address our peculiar challenges as a nation.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has signed the Abia State Electricity Bill into law, setting the stage for a new era of energy regulation, investment protection, and power expansion in the state.

Speaking after signing the bill into law in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Otti said the legislation, which emanated from the Executive, received swift but thorough passage by the Abia House of Assembly.

“This law will ensure that we protect the investments made by Aba Power while granting the government the latitude to regulate.

“It is a document that will stand the test of time, protecting existing and prospective investors in the energy sector,” he said.

The governor said the bill benefited from the expertise of 15 international power experts from the United States, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Europe, who contributed pro bono.

He added that the state engaged Banwo & Ighodalo, a top-tier Nigerian law firm, to refine the legal framework of the bill before it was signed into law.

According to him, Abia has a unique electricity framework, with a ring-fenced power system that covers Aba South, Aba North, Osisioma, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Isiala Ngwa South and Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Areas.

He said the state has Aba Power Ltd., an independent integrated power initiative, covering generation, transmission, and distribution, which had been in development for two decades.

The governor said the integrated power initiative now stands as a model for power infrastructure in Nigeria.

Otti said with the law in place, the government had started making efforts to integrate the remaining eight LGAs of Abia into a new Umuahia Ring-Fence, ensuring stable electricity across the state.

He said the legislation prioritises renewable energy solutions, positioning Abia as a leader in sustainable power initiatives.

Otti disclosed that discussions were underway with Geometric Power, the parent company of Aba Power Ltd., to expand electricity distribution beyond Aba.

He added that plans were underway to establish the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) to ensure that the sector remains efficient and investor-friendly.

Otti commended the 8th Abia State House of Assembly for its diligence and expertise in reviewing and passing the bill.

He said the law had positioned the state as a choice destination for private investment in power generation, ensuring a more stable and efficient electricity supply for businesses and residents.

Otti also hinted at the potential for Abia to supply electricity to other Southeastern states, generating additional revenue for the state.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, said that power plays a vital role in the achievement of development strides in the state.

Emeruwa said: “We understand the rebuilding agenda of the present administration that is why we are working hand in glove with the Executive arm of the government.”

Also, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utility, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, said the law would be aimed at creating a robust and reliable power market in the state.

Monday said the law, which aligns with the Electricity Act 2023, would enable Abia to establish its own regulatory framework and attract investment in the power sector.

He described the legislation as a product of extensive collaboration with global stakeholders and experts, tailored to the unique electricity ecosystem of Abia.

“Notably, Abia is one of the few states in Nigeria with a ring-fenced power zone covering nine local government areas, allowing for off-grid operations.

“Additionally, the state hosts two distribution companies: Aba Power Ltd. and Enugu Electricity Distribution Company,” he said.

He noted that the law had been designed to promote local participation and manpower development in the power sector.

“Abia people are highly skilled, and this law ensures that we build the capacity needed to support not just the state’s power industry but also contribute to the global energy workforce,” he said.

He added that the law addresses critical issues such as vandalism, energy theft, and investment security, which have long hindered power sector growth.

Monday also said that it makes clear provisions for investor protection, as the government hopes to create a more attractive business environment for local and foreign stakeholders.

He said the legislation incorporates gender mainstreaming, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in Abia’s power sector in line with global best practices.

Monday said that ASERA would oversee the implementation of the new electricity market framework and the process of setting the agency would be completed within the next six to twelve months.

“This authority will be responsible for driving the development of Abia’s electricity market, ensuring compliance with regulations, and facilitating investment in the sector,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Stellamaris Ashinze

The Lagos State Government on Thursday launched MyLagos App, a digital platform designed to simplify city navigation and enrich urban experience.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said at the launch of the platform at MTN Plaza, Falomo, Ikoyi, that Lagos remained a beacon of innovation and excellence.

The governor was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MyLagos App is developed by the state government in collaboration with MTN Nigeria and other key stakeholders.

Sanwo-Olu said that the launch was a significant milestone in the efforts of Lagos to become a leading smart city in Africa.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the app is a comprehensive digital solution that provides seamless access to essential city services, including real-time traffic updates, personalised navigation, emergency services, utility payment services, business listings, and tourism information.

He said that the app served as a vital link between the government and the state residents, promoting transparency and accountability.

“Technology has evolved from being a luxury to being a necessity.

“In our fast-paced world, effectively utilising technology can significantly enhance governance, improve service delivery, simplify and enrich the lives of every resident in this vibrant state.

“With the launch of the MyLagos App, Lagos State is poised to remain at the forefront of digital transformation, not just in Nigeria but across Africa,” he said.

The governor commended the collaboration between MTN, the Lagos State Government, and other key stakeholders for bringing the vision to reality.

He said that the partnership exemplified the power of synergy between public and private sectors in driving meaningful progress.

He urged the state residents to embrace the digital era by downloading MyLagos App.

He also implored them to explore its features and fully utilise the services it offered.

“Together, we can shape a smarter future for our city. Let us remember that innovation is a continuous journey rather than a final destination.”

Mr Abdulhakeem Giwa, Manager, MTN Digital Channel Management, described the app as revolutionary.

Giwa said that MyLagos App was designed to transform urban experience in Lagos.

According to him, it is designed to enhance quality of life and give real-time solution.

“It ensures navigation is better and easier for all residents.

“MyLagos App is a one-stop platform where you can get all the needed information in Lagos including locations of places, traffic updates, markets and business locations, among others,” he said. NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola