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Tag: FG

  • FG begins appointment process for new Accountant-General, Perm Secs

    FG begins appointment process for new Accountant-General, Perm Secs

    The Federal Government has commenced the selection process for the appointment of new Accountant-General of the Federation and permanent secretaries to fill existing vacancies in Oyo State and the North-West geo-political zone.

    Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday by HCDF Director, Information and Public Relations, Mrs Eno Olotu.

    Walson-Jack noted that the selection process would include a written examination administered by a top Federal Government’s security agency, with questions set and marked by serving and retired permanent secretaries.

    “Observers from civil society organisations, the private sector, professional bodies, Department of State Services (DSS) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will oversee the exercise.”

    Walson-Jack said the position of Accountant-General would become vacant upon the retirement of the incumbent in March.

    Walson-Jack said the permanent secretaries’ vacancies arose following the retirement of the permanent secretary from Oyo State and an impending vacancy in the North-West geopolitical zone.

    She said that the selection process, approved by President Bola Tinubu, would be structured and multi-tiered to ensure that only competent and credible individuals are appointed.

    According to her, the process is open to serving Grade Level 17 officers in the mainstream of the Federal Civil Service who have held their current positions for at least two years and have expressed interest to participate in the exercise.

    “Candidates will undergo a series of screenings, including verification by their respective permanent secretaries and the Accountant-General to ensure they are not under disciplinary procedures.

    “The Career Management Office (CMO) in the office of the HCSF will generate a list of eligible candidates, which will be further screened by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries.

    “The process will be under the observation of the ICPC and DSS, ” Walson-Jack said.

    According to her, candidates will undergo an asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau and an anti-corruption clearance by the DSS, the EFCC and the ICPC.

    “President Tinubu will make the final decision based on candidates’ overall performance, ” HOS said.

    According to her, the process reflects the government’s commitment to meritocracy, good governance, and professionalism in public service.

    She added that the selection would strengthen institutional capacity and improve service delivery across the civil service.

  • FG asks court to dismiss bail application filed by suspects linked to Bello Turji

    FG asks court to dismiss bail application filed by suspects linked to Bello Turji

    The Federal Government, on Monday, prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a bail application filed by four suspects linked to notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji.

    Mr David Kaswe, lawyer who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told Justice Emeka Nwite not to grant the bail request.

    Kaswe argued that the defendants were standing trial for terrorism offences.

    “We refer this honourable court to Page 9, particularly Paragraph 3.2 of the written address in support of the counter affidavit,” he said.

    The lawyer urged the court to take judicial notice that some other members of the group listed as defendants were still at large.

    He said, “chief among them is the 6th defendant, Bello Turji, who continues to cause mayhem and havoc to innocent Nigerians and has become a treat to national security.”

    While opposing the bail application filed by the 1st defendant (Musa Muhammad Kamarawa), Kaswe said: “in swift opposition, we filed a counter affudavit of five paragraphs deposed to by Michael Akawo. Also we have three exhibits marked as Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C.“

    “We humbly urge the court to refuse the bail application of the 1st defendant and order accelerated hearing of the case.”

    The lawyer equally urged the court to dismiss the bail applications by the 2nd defendant (Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor), the 4th defendant (Samuel Chinedu) and the 5th defendant (Lucky Chukwuma) respectively.

    Earlier, A.M. Lukman, who appeared for the first and second defendants; P.I. Ezeme, who represented the fourth defendant and Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, who appeared for the 5th defendant, while moving the bail applications, prayed the court to admit their clients to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge against them.

    Justice Nwite after listening to the parties adjourned the matter until March 14 for ruling on the bail request and for commencement of trial.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Nwite had, on Dec  23, 2024, ordered the remand of the four suspected terrorists in Kuje Correctional Centre.

    The judge made the order after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge bordering on terrorism following their arraignment.

    Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until Feb. 10 for trial.

    NAN reports that the four suspects; Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma, denied their involvement in the offences with which they were charged when the 11 counts were read to them.

    NAN reports that  though eight defendants were listed on the face of the charge, three of them, including Bello Turji, were at large.

    However, shortly after the court registrar called the case, only four defendants were in court.

    Justice Nwite then asked about the whereabouts of Bashir Abdullahi, who is the third defendant.

    Kaswe then told the court that Abdullahi was also at large.

    The lawyer, therefore, sought the leave of the court to enter “at large” for Abdullahi and the judge granted the oral application after it was not opposed by the defence lawyers.

    NAN reports that the FG, through the office of the AGF, had filed the 11-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/633/2024 against the eight defendants, four of who are at large.

    In the charge filed on Dec. 16 by M.B. Abubakar, Director, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Musa Muhammad Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, a.k.a. Doctor; Samuel Chinedu and Lucky Chukwuma were sued as 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th defendants.

    While Bashir Abdullahi, Bello Turji, Aminu Muhammad and Sani Lawal, who are all at large, are sued as third, sixth, seventh and eighth defendants respectively.

    In count one, Musa Kamarawa; Abubakar Hashimu, aka Doctor; Bashir Abdullahi; Samuel Chinedu; Lucky Chukwuma; Bello Turji (at large); Aminu Muhammad (at large) and Sani Lawal (at large), sometime between 2018 and 2022 in Sokoto State, were alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit the terror act.

    They were alleged to have provided material services to terrorists groups led by  Turji, Kachalla Halilu, Danbokolo, Lawali, Atarwatse, Buderi and others, by procuring and supplying illicit drugs, including penta injections and cannabis plants (aka indian hemp); food items; military and police uniforms, camouflage.

    They were also alleged to have supplied , boots, caps and building materials, including bags of cement, cover zinc, bags of nails, M.M. iron rod, etc., to terrorist camps in the forests located in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States.

    The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

    In count four, Kamarawa, Muhammad (at large) and Lawal (at large), sometime in 2021 in Sokoto State, allegedly aided and abetted the commission of acts of terrorism by acquiring a military gun truck from Libya and supplying same to a terrorist, Kachalla Halilu, at a cost of approximately N28.5 million (28,500,000).

    They were alleged to have paid for the gun truck partly in cash and partly via electronic transfer.
    The offence, the federal government said, is
    contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act,” the count read in part.

    The offence, the prosecution also said is contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

  • FG announces traffic diversion on popular Lagos bridge over structural defects

    FG announces traffic diversion on popular Lagos bridge over structural defects

    The Federal Government has appealed to drivers, particularly those of articulated trucks, using the Iddo Bridge in Lagos State, to watch for diversion signs as height restriction barriers will soon be installed.

    The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha disclosed this on Saturday that these restrictions were necessary to facilitate repairs.

    She said: “I am using this medium to appeal to all the motoring public, especially the articulated trucks that have any business to do with the Iddo Bridge, coming from Apapa to Oyingbo, coming from Apapa to Carter Bridge, coming from Carter Bridge to ijora.

    “If you are coming from Oyingbo and you are going to Ijora, you will use this Iddo Bridge that we are talking about.

    “I am using this medium to appeal to drivers driving articulated trucks because they are the ones who are mostly affected by this announcement. That, very soon, in a couple of days, we are going to reinstall a barrier.

    “We installed the barriers before. Due to some issues, we uninstalled them, and then we are planning to reinstall them, but we want to make the advocacy to go round and give drivers the ample time to absorb it before we now install the barrier again.’’

    The controller of works added that trucks higher than three metres would be unable to cross the bridge once the height restriction barriers are in place.

    “So, we are appealing to drivers that once you approach these junctions, please slow down and look out for the diversion that is in place that will guide you to the next place that you can exit from and then continue your journey.

    “Or, watch out for the traffic personnel that have been deployed to manage traffic during these periods,’’ she said.

    Kesha said the bridge required repairs, and these restrictions were necessary to facilitate those repairs.

    She noted that the initial phase would target heavy vehicles, but eventually, even light vehicles would be affected.

    She added that the ultimate goal was to improve the bridge and provide better service to the public.

    The controller of works, therefore, emphasised the need for patience and cooperation during the repair process.

    Recall that the government imposed initial vehicular restrictions on the bridge on February 2nd.

    According to Kesha, a structural evaluation revealed defects in several spans of the 550-meter bridge.

    She stated that repairs to the three major defective spans would take approximately six months, as the process would involve breaking down and recasting them.

  • FG to toll more roads – Umahi

    FG to toll more roads – Umahi

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, said on Saturday that more federal roads would be tolled to ensure effective infrastructure maintenance.

    Umahi stated this while inspecting the ongoing construction on the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway.

    He stated that the Federal Government was leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to improve road infrastructure across Nigeria for socio-economic benefits.

    According to him, major roads within the six geopolitical zones and key economic corridors would be tolled.

    “However, we will not toll any road that has not been fully completed. Before tolling, we must ensure the road is 100 per cent finished,” he said.

    Umahi explained that where roads were completed years ago but had deteriorated, agreements would be reached with stakeholders on necessary maintenance.

    He emphasised that lack of maintenance remained a major issue for Nigerian roads.

    “How do you maintain 35,000 kilometres of road? We must involve the private sector in this maintenance effort.

    “If a 200-kilometre road has 150 kilometres completed, we must decide on maintenance plans. Without maintenance, those sections could deteriorate.

    “That is our focus. However, for now, no unfinished road will be tolled,” the minister said.

    He stated that work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway would be completed within 14 months.

    Umahi added that sections one and three of the road had been awarded to Infoquest Nigeria Ltd., following Federal Executive Council approval.

    “The Federal Executive Council approved the construction of these sections on Monday. Infoquest Nigeria Ltd. has commenced work.

    “We are not here primarily to assess the volume of work done. Instead, we are holding a side meeting to determine mobilisation levels,” he said.

    Umahi stated that efforts were underway to address failed sections of the road, including depressions along 38 kilometres of section one, from Abuja to Kaduna.

    He directed the Permanent Secretary to work with contractors and consultants to assess the entire 38-kilometre stretch and determine the best solution.

    While inspecting the Lambata Bridge on the Abuja-Minna road, Umahi said measures had been introduced to deter illegal mining and sand excavation, preventing erosion.

    He stated that solutions had been implemented to protect the pile caps from illegal sand mining and erosion damage.

  • FG denies scrapping JSS, SSS education model

    FG denies scrapping JSS, SSS education model

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has debunked the misleading reports suggesting that the Federal Government has scrapped Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior Secondary School (SSS).

    This is contained in a statement made available by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, on Friday in Abuja.

    Boriowo quoted the Minister to have said that there was no intention to replace JSS and SSS with a new 12-year uninterrupted basic education model.

    Alausa said that he only presented a proposal for discussion and not an immediate policy change at an Extraordinary National Council on Education (NCE) meeting held on Feb. 6.

    He said the proposal sought to migrate to 12 years of compulsory education while retaining the current 6-3-3 education structure.

    According to him, a key aspect of this proposal is to eliminate the examination barrier between JSS and SSS, allowing for a seamless transition of students without the hurdles of an external assessment at that stage.

    He added that this suggestion was still a subject of consultation and deliberation.

    “To ensure a well-informed decision, the ministry will undertake extensive stakeholder engagements over the next eight months, consulting widely with education policymakers, state governments, teachers, parents, and other key players.

    ” The final decision on whether to adopt this reform will be made at the October 2025 National Council on Education Meeting,” he said.

    He urged the public to disregard the false claim that JSS and SSS had been scrapped.

    He, therefore, said that the Federal Government remained committed to policies that enhanced access to quality education while aligning with global best practices.

  • FG pays N3.41bn to contractors for unexecuted projects – Report

    FG pays N3.41bn to contractors for unexecuted projects – Report

    In a new report by Tracka, BudgIT’s service delivery monitoring platform, a staggering N3.41 billion was disbursed for 56 federal government projects in 2023 without a contractor beginning work on the sites.

    The report raised concerns about how project abandonment or fraudulent execution, poor oversight, and lack of accountability in public project execution undermine the development of rural and urban communities.

    BudgIT’s Acting Head of Tracka, Joshua Osiyemi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG.

    Osiyemi stated that “the total number of projects tracked between 2023 and 2024 that were not executed was 223, but the ones that were funded and remained undone at all were 56, amounting to N3.41bn.

    He stressed that the report is supposed to concern all Nigerians because the funds are essential for national development. He noted that the misappropriations exposed during the tracking exercise would have been avoidable if proper oversight by duty bearers had been in place.

    “Between August 2023 and September 2024, out of 1,404 Federal Government projects tracked with a total allocation of N282 billion, 720 were completed, 332 are ongoing, 129 have been abandoned/fraudulently delivered, while 223 not executed”.

    Citing cases of projects that were not done at all, Osiyemi said, “In Niger State, two contractors got N200m for the provision of hospitals in Paiko and Suleja Local Government Areas (LGAs), Niger State, and we discovered that these materials were procured but were kept in the local government office. The senator representing the LGAs was reported to have kept it to be distributed at a particular time. Meanwhile, these sensitive materials are exclusively for the health sector.

    “Also, in Abia State, there was a 1km road meant to be in Ohafia, which was done, but 6 months into the project, we saw potholes all over the road. Some projects are delivered but not open for access to the people, and the question is why?

    “In Nasarawa State, there is the Welcome/Farewell indication that cost N1.18bn, which was to be done in every community in the state, but over N400m was released for that project was not used.”

    Osiyemi blamed the infractions uncovered in the report on corruption stemming from collusion between the government’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), poor oversight function by legislators, and flaws in procurement processes. Adding that budget insertions by federal lawmakers is booming the fraud.

    “There are cases where the MDAs that are supposed to perform oversight on some of these projects are seen to be conniving with contractors. So, procurement processes must be beefed up to ensure that things are done well, and oversight is critical to our conversation. Another one is that there is no collusion between the state and federal agencies.

    “In 2021, they (federal lawmakers) inserted more than 4,000 projects into the budget; in 2022, more than 4,000 projects in the budget; in 2023, more than 5,000 projects into the budget; 2024, over 7,000 projects were inserted into the budget worth about N3bn,” He stated.

    Osiyemi said the EFCC and the ICPC, the leading anti-graft agencies, are already aware of the report and are seeking Nigerians’ sympathy for calling on their representatives at the National Assembly to take action.

    For his part, a community champion Gwagwalada Area Council Tracka—BudgIT, Usman Muhammad, corroborated the existing rot in public project execution, claiming that capital projects in the 2023/2024 budgets for rural communities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are not fully on the ground, while some of those executed use substandard materials.

    His words: “If you go to the field, you’ll see that what is on paper is different from what is on the ground. The whole projects in Gwagwalada are nothing to write home about. The first problem is that for 2023 and 2024 projects, some are not yet on the ground, and secondly, some of the projects don’t last more than one year because of low-quality materials.

    “For example, the PHC and the Primary schools, it’s difficult to boast 2 or 3 Primary schools in the 62 wards. Children still sit on the grounds, and the classes are dilapidated.”

    Muhammad lamented the inability of the system to punish contractors, MDAs, or legislators who misappropriate project funds. He insisted that the solution to the existential problem of contract fraud is transparency and proper needs assessment while urging members of the public to own and protect projects brought to their communities by the government at all times.

    “It is difficult to see someone punished for fraud in service delivery. Citizens need to be aware that the funds for the projects are their funds and, therefore, protect them.

    “For the current administration, let them look into the primary needs of the individuals or communities and have good representation and open assessment in the 774 LGAs. This will make project execution turn out well,” Muhammad advised.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program, PRIMORG, that draws the government’s and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program runs in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation.

  • How ICPC recovered N20bn ghost workers’ pension deductions

    How ICPC recovered N20bn ghost workers’ pension deductions

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it recovered over N20 billion in pension deductions from the salaries of ghost workers in 2024.

    The Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a breakfast meeting with some members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

    Aliyu said that the commission also arrested some people who specialised in inserting names of their cronies into the Federal Government payroll.

    According to him, while deductions for workers’ pension are remitted to Pension Fund Administrators, the same cannot be said for ghost workers’ pension.

    “Any deduction made on ghost workers cannot go to any Pension Fund Administrator. It will be hanging; so that was the N20 billion recovered.

    “We have been able to track and recover this amount of money and we also identified people that are inserting ghost workers in the system.

    “We even discovered that somebody put his wife, his son and his inlaw in the payroll. He is 15-year-old boy. We arrested him.

    “These are some of the challenges that we are trying to see that we tackle. We don’t want to allow this to happen again,” he said.

    The chairman further revealed that the commission succeeded in blocking about N50 billion from being diverted by some public officers in 2023.

    While seeking the support of the media in achieving the commission’s mandate, he said that the anti-graft agency had put in place strategies to fight corruption.

    He said that the commission was trying its best to achieve its goal, adding that it would not hide information or compromise on enforcement

    “As we are empowered and regarding the issue of enforcement, we will ensure that we share verified information through reports, newsletters and press releases on our website and social media.

    “Last year, we had an event whereby we unveiled the Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028. Our strategic Action Plan is in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

    “We would always be proactive in making sure that we don’t allow certain things to happen so that we don’t go chasing shadows,” he said.

    The chairman, however, advocated a review of the nation’s laws to make corruption less attractive.

    According to him, anyone found guilty of corruption should not benefit from it as in some jurisdictions.

    Aliyu said such persons should be made to pay the full amount involved into public coffers with interest and barred from holding public office for as long as 10 years.

    He urged Nigerians to stop eulogising corrupt people, saying this had been at the heart of the rot in society.

    He pledged to transform the commission to a leading anti-graft agency in the country with the mutual relationship established with the media.

    “Our partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has greatly improved our anti-corruption communication and public engagement efforts.

    “We salute your commitment to the crusade against corruption and our successful efforts in 2024.

    “We believe that our combined professional integrity would lead us to achieve more in our mandate of mass mobilisation against corrupt practices in Nigeria,” he said.

    Miss Hussaina Akila, the Director of News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria,  in her remarks, lauded the ICPC chairman for initiating the forum.

    Akila, however, urged the anti-graft agency to ensure comprehensive insurance of its operatives, saying this would boost their morale.

    The meeting was attended by editors and bureau chiefs from the northern part of the country.

  • PETROAN reacts as FG bans exportation of crude oil allocated to refineries

    PETROAN reacts as FG bans exportation of crude oil allocated to refineries

    The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has commended the Federal Government for placing a ban on the exportation of crude oil allocated to local refineries.

    Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s National President, gave the commendation on Wednesday while reacting to the development.

    Gillis-Harry urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to take swift action against refineries, cargo vessels and companies that would default on the directive.

    Recall that the NUPRC had warned oil exploration and production companies against diversion of crude oil designated for domestic refineries, saying it is a contravention of the law.

    The commission said it would no longer grant henceforth disallow export permits for exportation, designated crude oil cargoes meant for domestic refining.

    The PETROAN President, however, said that the move was expected to boost local refining capacity, reduce the importation of refined petroleum products and ease pressure on foreign exchange supply.

    According to PETROAN, the exportation of crude oil meant for domestic refining has led to the abandonment of local refineries.

    “It has been a major racketeering scheme, with producers and traders prioritising quick foreign exchange proceeds over local refining.

    “Approximately 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day are allocated for domestic refining, but these volumes often find their way to the international market.

    “The ban is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, as refining crude oil locally will enrich the petrochemical industries and agricultural sector.

    “It will reduce inequalities in income and enable Nigeria to transition from a raw material supplier to a value-added product supplier.

    “I believe that this policy will guarantee sufficient refined petroleum products in the country, leading to price reductions and better days ahead for Nigerian consumers,” he said.

  • Cars to pay N500; SUVs, N800; buses, N1600 as FG begins tolling of Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi highway

    Cars to pay N500; SUVs, N800; buses, N1600 as FG begins tolling of Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi highway

    The Federal Government on Tuesday began the tolling of the 227.2km Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Highway with the inauguration of the Garaku Toll Plaza axis of the road.

    Certain categories of vehicles, including security, diplomatic, ambulances and tricycles are, however, exempted from the tolling, it said.

    The road is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project under the aegis of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    Speaking during the inauguration, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, described the corridor as a vital infrastructure route in Nigeria.

    According to him, it is essential for both the economic and social activities of the central and northern parts of the country.

    Umahi was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo.

    He recalled that the Federal Government under the previous administration in 2023, executed a 25-year toll of rates concession agreement with MS China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company.

    The Minister said that the government rehabilitated and upgraded the roads through the preferential credit loan from China Exim Bank.

    He explained that it was agreed, among other things, that the road would be tolled, and maintained by a private party and revenue collected would be used to repay the loan.

    “The Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi project is the first among the nine corridors being concessioned under the Highways Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Phase 1 to commence operations.

    “In the coming months, the Federal Government will continue with the launching and operationalisation of the remaining ones located across the six geopolitical zones of this country.

    “This initiative has opened a new chapter in the history of Nigeria, as it gives the Federal Government the opportunity to overcome bad routes,” he said.

    Umahi said the collection of tolls would generate the much-needed revenue for the maintenance and expansion of the Renewed Hope Road Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    He said that the Tinubu administration was committed to building a robust, interconnected infrastructure for socio-economic growth.

    “The toll order fee schedule for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafayette-Makurdi Federal Highway has been designated as follows: cars-N500; SUV Jeep-N800; minibuses N1000, and multi-axle vehicles, trucks and buses N1600.

    “However, frequent road users like the commercial light vehicles defined under the Federal Highways Act, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.

    “Authorised vehicles, pedal vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, and other modes of two or three wheels transport used by mainly disadvantaged populations will be offered a 100 per cent discount,” he said.

    The Minister further said that effective maintenance and further development of the corridor would continue to play a role in national development and the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

    He encouraged Nigerians to embrace the initiative as it would serve as a catalyst for road maintenance and economic growth.

    “The ultimate goal is to have a transportation system that is modern, safe and capable of meeting the needs of our growing nation,” he said.

    Umahi listed the benefits of tolling the road to include, accident reduction, short travel hours and improved security on the road.

    Reacting to a request by Nasarawa State for another federal road in the state to get such attention, the minister said he had directed the Permanent Secretary to start liaison for an immediate solution.

    The Governor of Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, lauded President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to road infrastructure.

    Sule, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the road as a bridge between communities and a lifeline of national unity.

    “We need to encourage the people and get their buy-in because our vehicles will last longer, less accidents, and economy will develop because shops, sales, and all that will come up at the tollgates,” he noted.

    Sule requested that such should be replicated on the federal highway from Doma to Nassarawa and Abuja, to ease travel time and boost the economy.

    Also speaking at the event, the Director General of ICRC, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, said that the project was evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

    Ewalefoh, who was represented by the Director, Transport Infrastructure Department, Mr Shehu Danmusa, said the ICRC was the PPP regulator, adding that the project conformed with the ICRC Act.

    He lauded the Federal Ministry of Works and the concessionaire for their commitment to the project, calling on Nigerians to give the project the needed support as more PPP projects beyond roads were underway.

    The Managing Director of Catamaran, Lai Are, explained that the tolling would be cashless.

    He said that Point of Sale (POS)purchase and other electronic devices would be used for payment to ensure swift passage for road users.

    Are added that a number of technology products would be developed including apps, websites and POS systems in partnership with existing POS deployers.

    This, he said, was to ensure ease of payments for the road users.

    “In accordance with the tolling policy, vehicles of the Nigerian police force, armed forces, paramilitary organisations, Nigerian correctional services, fire services, ambulance and diplomatic missions, bicycles and motorcycles shall be exempt from tolls,” he said.

  • FG launches $124m cholera control initiative

    FG launches $124m cholera control initiative

    The Federal Government has launched the National Strategic Plan of Action on Cholera Control (NSPACC) 2025-2029, a 124 million dollars initiative aimed at eradicating cholera in Nigeria through a multi-sectoral approach.

    The plan was unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, who emphasised the government’s commitment to cholera prevention, preparedness, and response.

    The launch event, hosted in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and international health partners, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat cholera and safeguard public health.

    Pate, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Daju Kachallom, highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated response to combat frequent outbreaks across the country.

    “The Ministry of Health is working closely with other ministries and partners to implement this plan.

    “The plan is built on key pillars such as leadership and coordination, surveillance, case management, cholera vaccination, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as well as public awareness and research,” he said.

    Pate stressed that eliminating cholera in Nigeria required collaboration among government agencies, development partners, private sector actors, and local communities.

    “Cholera has been eradicated in other parts of the world, why is it still affecting Nigeria? We must act collectively to change this reality,” he said.

    He urged stakeholders to commit to the plan’s implementation and ensure that the country builds resilient health and sanitation systems to prevent future outbreaks.

    Dr Jide Idris, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), noted that the NSPACC, led by the Ministries of Health, Water Resources, Sanitation, and Environment, aligned with the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) and the Global Roadmap to Ending Cholera.

    Dr Jide Idris, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), noted that the NSPACC was led by the Ministries of Health, Water Resources, Sanitation, and Environment.

    He emphasised that the plan aligned with the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) and the Global Roadmap to Ending Cholera.

    He pointed out that the plan identified 134 hotspot Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 21 states, which accounted for 71.1 per cent of cholera cases and 65.6 per cent of deaths, in spite of representing only 17.7 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

    He said the key interventions under the plan include scaling up Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) coverage, improving WASH infrastructure, strengthening epidemiological surveillance, enhancing laboratory capacity, and running public awareness campaigns on cholera prevention.

    Idris said the five-year plan required 124 million dollars, with an annual budget of 20 million dollars, primarily allocated to WASH initiatives, followed by OCV programmes and laboratory services.

    The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, represented by Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to expanding access to safe drinking water and improving sanitation to prevent cholera outbreaks.

    The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, represented by Mr Mahmud Kambari, emphasised the role of environmental health efforts in disease prevention, highlighting ongoing initiatives such as national sanitation programmes and environmental health surveillance.

    The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) launched the Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030, aiming to reduce global cholera deaths by 90 per cent and eliminate the disease in at least 20 countries by 2030.

    In response, Nigeria developed NSPACC to accelerate cholera control by 2029 through prevention, timely detection, and a multi-sectoral approach.

    Following Nigeria’s commitment at the 71st and 75th World Health Assemblies, the Office of the Vice President was designated to coordinate the NSPACC and oversee the National Cholera Steering Committee (NCSC).

    The plan aims to reduce annual cholera incidence and deaths by 90 per cent and lower the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) to below 1 per cent by 2029.

    Developed through multi-stakeholder consultations, the NSPACC was finalised through workshops held in 2022 and 2023.

    A Validation Workshop in June 2023 finalised the plan, which was then endorsed by the GTFCC partnership.

    Structured around nine thematic pillars, the NSPACC focuses on Leadership & Coordination, Surveillance, Laboratory Strengthening, Case Management, OCV, WASH, Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE), Logistics, and Research.

    Stakeholders emphasised that this launch reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to cholera elimination through a coordinated, evidence-based, and well-funded approach.