TheNewsGuru

Tag: Keffi

  • FG begins reconstruction of collapsed Keffi flyover

    FG begins reconstruction of collapsed Keffi flyover

    The Federal Government has begun reconstruction of the collapsed Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, while accelerating major roadworks across the country.

    Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi, disclosed this after Thursday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

    Umahi described the July 4 collapse as “very unfortunate” and confirmed a settlement with the families of the three persons who lost their lives.

    “We lost three lives there. We have settled with the families. They are not pressing charges. Reconstruction has commenced,” the minister stated.

    He said one carriageway has been closed for urgent repairs, following structural assessments to prevent further hazards.

    The Keffi Flyover is a critical link between Abuja, Nasarawa and other parts of Nigeria’s north-central region.

    Umahi added that FEC has approved funding and reviews for several key road and bridge projects nationwide.

    He noted that 360 road rehabilitation projects were completed in 2023, and inspections are ongoing across all zones.

    To enhance transparency, state engineering chambers will now help monitor federal road projects in their respective domains.

    The minister listed several strategic projects, many exceeding ₦10 billion, that have either begun or received significant funding.

    They include: Abuja Road Lot 1: 118 km at ₦275bn (30 per cent disbursed and completed); and Lot 2: 164 km at ₦502bn (₦150bn released for six sections).

    Other priority projects are: Enugu–Onitsha Road: 72 km at ₦150bn (₦45bn released); Abuja–Kano Road: ₦220bn (30 per cent disbursed); and Bauchi–Jigawa Sections: Fully funded.

    Also included is the Nembe–Brass Road: ₦156bn, with 30 per cent of funds already released.

    The near-complete Port Harcourt–Bodo–Bonny Road spans 35 km and costs ₦200bn.

    Further projects: Benin–Ifon–Akure Road: 108.4 km (30 per cent disbursed);
    Akure–Ado-Ekiti Road: 256 km at ₦761bn (30 per cent released).

    Newly approved and revised projects include: Biu–Numa Road (Borno/Adamawa): Revised to ₦61.76bn from ₦15.4bn.

    Maraba–Keffi Road (Nasarawa): Dualisation of 43.6 km at ₦76bn. Ikorodu–Sagamu Road (Lagos): ₦11.42bn variation approved for completion.

    Also, Kashamu–Amshi–Guru–Gurus Road (Yobe): ₦23.4bn for binder courses and a new vehicle bridge.

    Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway: Kebbi Section: 258 km x2 at ₦1.92tn; Sokoto Section: 120 km x2 at ₦912bn.

    Further approvals include: Afe Babalola University Access Road (Ekiti): 14.4 km revised to ₦9.32bn due to funding gaps.

    Trans-Saharan Highway (Oyo–Benue border): Extended from 180 km to 231.64 km. Revised cost: ₦445.8bn due to soil failures and realignment.

    Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (Sections 4A and 4B in Ogun and Ondo): 80.35 km x2 at ₦1.65tn, including 6-metre swamp excavation.

    Umahi pledged to publish a comprehensive list of all ongoing and approved projects in the coming weeks.

  • FMC Keffi threatens mass burial for unclaimed corpses

    FMC Keffi threatens mass burial for unclaimed corpses

    The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi, has issued a two- week ultimatum to relatives of nine unclaimed corpses in its morgue to claim them or they would be given mass burial.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Ms Esther Bature, Public Relations Officer of the hospital and made available to newsmen in Keffi on Friday.

    According to her, the decision by the management of the medical centre to issue the deadline is due to the fact that some of the corpses were brought in 2021 and others in 2022, thereby exceeding the time limit of 6 months permitted by law.

    “Consequently members of the public who lost their loved ones during the stated period indicated herein, may please, visit the hospital’s morgue for possible identification and claim,” she said.

    She said that at the expiration of the two-week deadline, effective from Friday, September 22, 2023, the hospital would be left with no option than to give the nine corpses a mass burial.

  • Abducted Keffi LG Chairman Muhammad Shehu-Baba, regains freedom

    Abducted Keffi LG Chairman Muhammad Shehu-Baba, regains freedom

    The abducted Chairman of Keffi Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa State, Muhammad Shehu-Baba and his aide Dr. Tanimu Mohammed, have regained freedom from their abductors.
    ASP Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed this newsmen on Sunday in Lafia.

    The Keffi LGA Chairman, with his aide, were kidnapped on Keffi-Akwanga road on Friday by armed men after killing his police orderly, Sgt Alhassan Habib.

    The PPRO said they regained freedom around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday and were reunited with their families.
    The Police spokesperson, however, said three suspects were arrested around Gittata community of Keffi LGA in connection with the crime.
    “The suspects, who came from Kaduna State, were arrested while negotiating for ransom,” he added.
    ASP Nansel, however, said that the police were not aware of any ransom paid before their release.
    He explained that the abductors were released due to sustained pressure from the security agencies.
    Meanwhile, the deceased police officer has since been buried according to Islamic rites in Keffi.