By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Plateau State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to restore and operate the Jos–Kuru rail corridor.

This milestone aims to boost economic activity, reduce transport costs, and enhance mobility in Plateau and neighbouring areas.

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang said the project was not only about trains but about restoring hope and prosperity to Plateau residents.

Represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Jatau Davou, Mutfwang thanked the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, and NRC boss, Dr Kayode Opeifa, for their unwavering support.

The Jos–Kuru line, part of the historic Kafanchan–Kuru route, will link the Western and Eastern rail corridors.

It is expected to connect communities, ease cargo movement for farmers and traders, and reduce travel costs across the state.

Initially, the service will run on a narrow gauge, but plans for a modern standard gauge network are underway nationally.

Opeifa highlighted the value of federal-state collaboration, praising Plateau’s efforts in reviving abandoned railway infrastructure.

“This partnership shows how governments can rise above politics to deliver real benefits to Nigerians.

“We are not just returning trains; we are restoring dignity, economic power, and national unity,” Opeifa said.

He said NRC would deploy a dedicated business manager in Plateau to oversee operations and ensure service delivery.

He stated the initiative would create jobs, support local businesses, and open advertising and entertainment opportunities through train services.

“We will continue to rail across Nigeria—from Jos to Borno, Aba to Port Harcourt, and beyond,” Opeifa said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Angela Atabo

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the Federal Government is working to establish a sustainable land administration system in the country.

Shettima, represented by Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, made this known at a three-day National Land Conference 2025, in Abuja.

The conference with the theme: “Reforming Land Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, was organised by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in collaboration with Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation.

The Vice-President said the Land Use Act of 1978 had been the legal and policy framework for land ownership, management, and administration in Nigeria.

According to him, although the Act has significantly shaped land administration and management in Nigeria, it has also contributed to systemic challenges that must now be addressed.

“However, the Act, now 48 years old, is undeniably due for review and reform.

“The time has therefore come for a thorough reassessment to identify necessary amendments and ensure its relevance in the evolving socio-economic landscape.

“Analysts have criticised the Land Use Act as an impediment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development, underscoring the need for comprehensive review to realign its policies with the goals of sustainable growth, equities and efficiency,” he said.

Shettima said in line with that, the current administration inaugurated four reform task teams in Jan. 2024.

This, he said, was to develop a strategic blueprint for implementing reforms aimed at streamlining land administration and ensuring easy, cost-effective, and efficient access to land in Nigeria.

He added that the current administration was committed to the idea of the national land commission and had taken major steps towards its realisation by drafting an executive bill for its creation before the National Assembly.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said NIPSS gathered together stakeholders in the building ecosystem to periscope what the land and resource system has been.

He explained that this was aimed at coming up with new ideas and making recommendations to government.

“Today we are sitting here believing that in this three-day conference, we will be able to look back, reflect, and ask hard questions concerning land.

“For us at the National Institute, what matters to us is developing Nigeria to be what the founding fathers wanted it to be.

“Our motto is towards a better society.

“We want to fulfil one of our mandates, which is to research and reflect on matters of national interest,” he said.

Omotayo said that for the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to succeed fully, there was need to look at land and resource system and that was what the conference aimed to achieve.

Also speaking, the President and Founder of Johnbull Amayaevbo Foundation, Johnbull Amayaevbo, said the conference aimed to redefine land governance as a catalyst for Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Amayaevbo, said that in spite of Nigeria’s abundant land resources, land governance framework remained encumbered by outdated policies, inconsistent implementation, and administrative bottlenecks.

He said this had made Nigeria to rank 169th out of 190 countries in registering property, according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index (2023).

Amayaevbo added that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimated that only three per cent of Nigeria’s urban land was formally registered.

The President said the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) reported that Nigeria lost approximately 350,000 hectares of forest annually due to unsustainable land use and called for urgent intervention in land management.

He said the conference would become an annual platform where experts, stakeholders, and policymakers would continue to engage, evaluate progress, and propose pragmatic solutions for land governance reform.

Amayaevbo said key proposals included the establishment of an Office of the Valuer-General, modernisation of land administration laws, enhancing land tenure security, and sustainable land management practices, among others.

“As we embark on the journey towards land governance reform in Nigeria, let us draw inspiration from global best practices while remaining grounded in our unique socio-cultural and economic context.

“The reforms we propose today must be bold, yet practical, visionary, yet actionable.

“They must prioritise inclusivity, ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday led Federal Government delegation on condolence visit to Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State over the death of his mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umaru.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 93-year-old matriarch died in the late hours of Saturday, March 23.

Shettima said he was in the state at the instance of President Bola Tinubu to commiserate with the governor and the people of the state over the demise of the governor’s mother.

The vice-president added that “death is an inevitable destiny that is hanging on everyone’s neck, but for her, it is largely a celebration of life to answer the call of Allah at the right old age of 93.

“Your Excellency, Gov. Dikko Radda, we are here at the behest of President Bola Tinubu to commiserate with you, the government and good people of Katsina State over the sad demise of the matriarch of the Radda family.

“The death of a mother is a very sad loss. May Allah grant her soul eternal rest and reward her with Aljannah Firdaus.

“May Allah also grant the family, the government and the good people of Katsina State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the VP prayed.

Responding on behalf of the Katsina State Government, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Faruq Lawal, thanked the vice-president for coming to commiserate with the governor.

He said “Your Excellency, we can’t thank you enough. You have always identified with the people of Katsina State and the government of the state.

“So, on behalf of the family of the governor, the government of Katsina and the people, we thank you most sincerely for coming.

“We ask the Almighty Allah to grant her eternal rest and grant her Aljannah Firdaus.”

On the encourage of the vice-president were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadeija, Minister of Transportation, Sen. Usman Alkali, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari.

On arrival at the Muhammadu Buhari House in Katsina, Shettima was received by former Gov. Ibrahim Shema, former Deputy Governor of Katsina, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, Katsina State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Lawal Daura, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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