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Tag: Roads

  • FG approves construction of roads in Abuja satellite towns

    FG approves construction of roads in Abuja satellite towns

    Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), announced on Monday that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the construction of roads in Abuja’s satellite towns.

    Wike made this known while addressing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting.

    He emphasised that these satellite towns had previously suffered neglect, highlighting that prior administrations failed to recognise the importance of extending development to these areas.

    “It is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president that we must take development to the satellite towns.

    “As I speak to you today, I know before December, we will commission more than 75 kilometers of road. The President has also said we must continue to give hope and infrastructure to satellite towns.

    “The areas covered are in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils. These are the three area councils that NEC has approved that we have to make sure that infrastructure is given to them,” said the minister.

    He said FEC also approved the development of Artillery Road N5, Obafemi Awolowo way, from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road.

    “People have been saying we need to do something to decongest the area. The contract is to be carried out by Julius Berger and to be completed in 16-17 months.

    The FCT minister also said because of the importance the President attached to the judiciary, he directed that the FCT, through the FCDA, should immediately construct 40 judges and justices quarters in Kantampe District.

    “What it means is that out of these 40, FCT High Courts will have 20, the Federal High Court will have ten and the Court of Appeal will have ten, and this will be completed within 15 months.

    “Again Council approved the construction of access road from Artillery Road N11 from Mabuchi to Judges Quarters.

    “FEC also approved the construction of access road from ring road 1-N16 Shehu Shagari Way also to Judges Quarters to be delivered in 15 months,” said Wike.

    He added that Council had also approved full development of all connecting roads to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.

    The minister stated that FEC ratified the termination of the contract for development of Maitama 2, an area previously allocated to various citizens.

    He said the Maitama 2 area had not less than 1700 allotees before the present government came to power, and the contract was awarded for the sum of N184 billion for the provision of infrastructure.

    “The thinking of Mr. President is that if we are able to develop the area, it will reduce the housing deficit, so that many people will go and develop their properties.

    “But unfortunately after the award, the contractor was never on site. We may not also blame him because we saw he was never mobilised.

    “It has taken over one year. So, we sought for the termination of the contract and start a new process of procurement and provide enough funds for the infrastructural development to take place.

    “I can assure you that now that the contract has been terminated we will move quickly to start the process and make sure that we develop the area,”said Wike.

  • FEC hasn’t cancelled inherited road projects – Umahi

    FEC hasn’t cancelled inherited road projects – Umahi

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi ,has debunked rumours in the media claiming that the Federal Executive Council (FEC),stepped down inherited road projects.

    Umahi during a meeting with contractors in Abuja ,said that such information was misleading adding that neither President Bola Tinubu nor FEC gave that directive.

    He said that  the ministry was only  directed by the president to review all projects in the country to decide those that would be given priority based on availability of funds.

    Umahi said, “Some of these projects were awarded 18 years ago, some 10 years ago, others five years ago.

    “On the issue of new projects, if we have appropriation that has not been completed, at least, one kilometer, we are not going to carry out such appropriation.

    “That is what FEC is concerned about. We can’t have N500million on budget but procurement is supposed to be N50billion or N100billion and you go ahead to award such a project. We have been directed not to do so.”

    Umahi reiterated the determination of the Federal Government in bringing funding and budgeting innovations that would fast-track road infrastructure development nationwide.

    He said that FEC had directed the Ministry of Works to work with the Federal Ministries of Finance , Budget and National Planning to put forward proper budgetary estimates.

    This ,he said ,was for the 2025 financial year for projects that were not appropriately budgeted for but have attained probably 80 per cent completion so that such projects would be completed and delivered.

    He however, said that projects with huge procurement costs with little appropriation and with little completion milestones would be reviewed in line with section 51 of the Special Conditions of Contracts.

    “On issues of Variation on Price (VOP),all projects we awarded in 2024 will not attract any VOP.

    “We have made it as a policy that such projects can not get any variation.

    “However ,within the course of the year and the project execution, if there are issues changing the basic market prices of construction materials to a certain extent, we will revisit the issue of VOP and it will not be selective,” Umahi said.

    The minister assured contractors of the Federal Government’s willingness to engage in contract review and cost augmentation on the inherited ongoing projects.

    This is in view of the geometric rise in cost of contract elements caused by the inherited challenging economy.

    He said this would however be subject to funds availability.

    Umahi said that the decision for windows to review and augment the cost of inherited ongoing projects was borne out of the president’s magnanimity and commitment to completing all inherited projects.

    He added, “The President promised to look for ways to fund the projects, even outside the budgetary provisions, through the National Assembly.

    “What we are doing now is to review the projects in line with availability of funds and make a proposal to FEC.

    “If such a project has attained about 80 per cent completion, then we will make a proposal to FEC that in subsequent appropriation, money should be made available, and such projects should be made a priority, so that it could be completed.”

    Umahi directed that contractors working on projects with dualisation should as a matter of policy concentrate and first complete one carriageway and turn it over for public use before working on the other lane.

  • FCT to construct 30km roads in 6 Area Councils – Wike

    FCT to construct 30km roads in 6 Area Councils – Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says a total of 30-kilometre roads will be constructed across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

    Wike, who stated this when Sen. Philip Aduda and Mr Zakari Dobi visited him in his office in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Aduda was the immediate past Senator that represented FCT in the Senate in the 9th Assembly under the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He recontested the seat along with Dobi, who contested under the All Progressives Congress but lost to Sen. Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party.

    The minister said that the 30-kilometre roads, five in each of the six area councils, would be concluded before May 29, 2024.

    This, according to him, is to decentralise development efforts from the city centre to rural communities across the area councils.

    “President Bola Tinubu had directed that at least five-kilometre roads must be constructed in each of the six area councils before May 29.

    “This is part of his renewed hope agenda to ensure that people in rural communities were not left out in the development efforts of the current administration,” he said.

    Wike commended the visitors for working as a team irrespective of political party differences to work for the development of the FCT.

    He promised to routinely consult them to tribute their quota in developing the city, adding that the FCT Administration would work with everybody that has something to offer.

    The minister explained that the establishment of the Civil Service Commission for FCT was part of the renewed hope agenda by removing every bottle next to carrier progression.

    He added that FCT was equally pulled out of Treasury Single Account (TSA) to encourage development in the capital city.

    “The goal is to rebuild the lost hope among residents of the FCT,” Wike said.

    Earlier, Aduda explained that the visit was to congratulate Wike on his appointment as Minister of the FCT and commend him for the good work he was doing.

    He added that the visit was also to thank Tinubu for appointing a son of the soil as a Minister and pledged their full support to the development of the FCT for the interest of all.

    “We are also here to commend you for the bold step in establishing the Civil Service Commission for FCT, removing FCT from TSA and establishment of. Women Affairs Secretariat to address women’s concerns,” Aduda said.

  • E.K Clark passionately appeals to Tinubu on dangerous state of S/South roads

    E.K Clark passionately appeals to Tinubu on dangerous state of S/South roads

    Elder statesman, Chief EK Clark has written a letter to President Bola Tinubu appealing that he should consider fixing the deplorable state of the roads in the south south geo-political zone of Nigeria.

    Citing the October 1 incident in Koko, Clark demanded for a quick fix to remedy the situation.

    Hear him:

    “First I wish to congratulate you on your successful outing at the United Nations General Assembly where your inaugural address was well applauded by Nigerians as well as the foreign audience.

    “Unfortunately, your return to Nigeria from that meeting at the world body and all your other activities while at the USA which had been well reported and we hope will help revamp the national economy which had come to be greeted with the unfortunate state of affairs in our part of the country that is the South-South region.

    “This is because, as raised on the floor of the House of Representatives on 5th October 2023 by the member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi and other members of the house from the South-South on Sunday, 1st October, 2023, at least 20 lives of our fellow citizens were lost and vehicles and other properties were burnt down at Koko Junction on the Warri-Benin highway.

    “This was due to the dilapidated state of the road and this speaks volumes of the calamity which the people of the South-South region continue to face daily due to the most inhuman situation of the federal roads in the region.

    “Although this region singularly produces the bulk of the wealth of this country and we see the impact of the natural resource that is daily taken out of our soil here in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and almost every other part of the country, we are left to wallow in this total neglect, marginalisation and deprivation. This recent accident at the Koko junction could have been averted if particularly in the past 8 years of President Muhammadu Buhari government, efforts had been made to look into the state of our roads. Indeed, I will like to re-produce one of my farewell messages to President Muhammadu Buhari on 28th of May, 2023 in order to avoid repetition in this matter. I stated in my paragraph 16 as follows:

    “The state of roads and other critical infrastructure in the Niger Delta region equally leaves a sour taste in our mouths. The East-West Road remains an ugly stain on Nigeria political administrative logic, especially for something considered as signature project, because of its economic significance. No substantial inch of construction work has been added in the eight years of the Buhari Administration. Sections of the road supposedly constructed were washed away like whitewash on walls by the 2022 floods, obviously due to the poor standard of work done”.

    “As you would expect, that road is right now, especially at the time of this 2023 rainy season,in total disrepair and a death trap where there is daily carnage. The connection between Calabar and Itu, i.e. in the section between Cross River and Akwa Ibom remains one of the most dangerous roads in the world, even though the NNPC Ltd is supposed to have taken it over. Coming further down, under your government, you have gratefully awarded the section around the Refinery by Eleme Junction. For this, we are grateful.

    “However, the connection between Rivers State and Bayelsa State has four major sections which collapsed due to the 2022 floods and has remained unrepaired; such that a normal journey that would have taken one and half hours between the two states now take three hours and more. If you continue to the axis between Patani and Warri, there are at least four major spots again where the road has totally collapsed and can no longer be passed; with commuters having to go through bush paths in order to continue their journey. Between Warri and Sapele, there are so many bad spots, also washed away by floods and this continues from Sapele to Benin which led to the mammoth death in numbers at Koko junction. It will be remembered that for sometime now for three consecutive months, women and youths have been demonstrating on the road, blocking passer-by, urging the Federal Government to rehabilitate the road. The road from Benin to Asaba is equally in terrible state beyond description, as well as the road from Benin to Auchi which has repeatedly come up in the National Assembly. Yet, nothing has been done to redress the situation. I am reaching out to you, as I said before, because I reminded President Buhari that he was leaving us in a terrible state. That is why in other areas of my communication to him I again reminded as follows:

    “And if one may ask, what is the status of the US $333m Bodo-Bonny Road, a project expected to open up opportunities for rapid socio-economic development of the areas, even with a reported contribution of US $167m by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Limited?

    Meanwhile, four years ago, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, while addressing the House of Representatives Committee on Works, disclosed that 524 road projects were ongoing in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Fashola said there were four multilateral-funded road projects, 81 under the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund and 45 others being funded under the Sukuk bond.

    Mr. Babatunde Fashola, again, on 3rd November 2021, advanced a list of major roads that had been completed by the Federal Government which were ready for commissioning nationwide. The minister reeled out the names of the roads when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Works to defend his ministry’s 2022 budget proposal in Abuja.

    Certainly, billions of naira, from the Niger Delta oil and gas resources have been approved and expended on the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges across the country, excluding roads and bridges in the South-South zone.

    Some of the roads and bridges reportedly completed or being constructed/reconstructed include: the Kano-Maiduguri Road linking Kano-Jigawa-Bauchi-Yobe and Borno States Section II, covering over 177km, said to have been executed for N65.32 billion and another Section of 101.84 kilometers for N45.18 billion; the rehabilitation of Sokoto-TambuwaI-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Section in Sokoto and the Kebbi States, a length put at 155 kilometers executed for N30.45 billion; Nenwe-Oduma-Mpu (Enugu State) – Uburu (Ebonyi State), which is 40.27 kilometers long, at a contract sum of N12,598,151,083.54; the rehabilitation of Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Road, Section II (Gashua-Bayamari), said to be 25 kilometers long, executed for N6,581,999,666.55; the rehabilitation of Vandeikya-Obudu-Obudu Cattle Ranch Road (Vandeikya-Obudu Section) in Benue for N6.69 billion.

    Construction work has also been ongoing, day and night, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; the Second Niger Bridge has been completed and commissioned, likewise the Kano-Katsina road, the Ibadan-Ilesa-Ife road, and other roads across the country are completed or near completion, except roads in the South-South.

    Whereas, Fashola said, the Ministry of Works and Housing has about 13,000 kilometers of roads and bridges under construction and rehabilitation in 856 contracts, comprising 795 projects and aggregate length of 815 kilometers of roads and 733m of bridges. The only projects listed in the South-South zone are the construction of a two-lane Bridge at the Cameroon-Nigeria Border at Ekok/Mfum, including Approach Roads.

    The critical question, in all of these is, where are the roads and bridges in the South-South zone in the said list of 854 contracts comprising road and bridge projects of the Ministry of Works and Housing?

    In October 2021, the federal government approved NNPC’s request to take over the reconstruction of 21 federal roads nationwide, totaling 1,804.6 kilometers at N621.2 billion, under the Federal Government’s Executive Order No. 007 of 2019 cited as the companies income tax (Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme) signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. From the information that was made available, in terms of kilometers (length of the roads), the South-South had the least with only 52.2 kilometers. The North Central had 1,479.9 kilometers; North West had; North East had; South-East had 122 kilometers and South-West had 119 kilometers. The question we asked at the time was what were the reasons for such an absurd distribution? What was the yardstick?

    In January this year, 2023, the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of January 18, 2023, which was presided over by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, approved another request by NNPC to reconstruct 44 additional roads across Nigeria at N1.9 billion, the East-West road and Benin-Sapele-Warri road were not captured. For the federal government to wait until less than a month to the end of its tenure to reportedly approve NNPC’s takeover of the reconstruction of the Benin-Sapele-Warri road is deceitful and insulting.

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, neglected the South-South zone in the allocation and distribution of projects by his ministry, in tandem with the established pattern of the Buhari administration. Even the housing units being built by the federal government across the country, we are unaware of any being built in the south-south.

    Recall that when the $311 million Abacha loot was returned from the United States in 2020, the South-South was excluded in projects designated for the fund, which included the second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressways, as well as the Mambilla Power Project in North East zone; no project in the South-South zone was listed. That scenario was repeated with the Ibori loot.

    I considered it an obligation to make this communication from a standpoint of patriotism to highlight the failures of the outgoing administration, particularly, the callous inattention of the administration to issues of the Niger Delta region and to further accentuate the developmental necessities of the people of the region, with the justified expectation that the incoming federal administration will bestow a fairer disposition and responsiveness to the Niger Delta region.”

    5. Mr. President, I have taken copious time to quote my letter above due to the fact that it is not only from your time that I have been forced to cry out. We have been neglected for eight years with no visible impact by the Federal Government. Our people are dying daily from these accidents, yet no action is being taken. As a leader of the people of the area, I want to urge you to take an urgent step to fix the roads in the region. We cannot be the goose that lays the golden eggs, the goose that bears the brunt of providing the wherewithal for everybody in terms of environmental damage, yet remain in such stark deprivation.

    6. At my age of 96 years, I have seen it all; I therefore will like to caution, Mr. President, that this level of neglect which is leading to daily suffering may not go unnoticed forever. It is good that the people of the region have maintained relative peace to allow for the continued massive exploitation of oil and gas activities to take place. But their silence in the midst of such glaring deprivation may not be sustained forever.

    7. I recall that in the early 2000, many of us, leaders, had cautioned the government of Obasanjo as well as that of Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan administration on the need to take certain corrective actions to assuage the suffering of the people. This was not heeded until we had a near breakdown of law and order. This was what led to the upsurge in violence, economic sabotage and instability in the region. This was what led to the Presidential Amnesty Programme which itself has a major component of social and infrastructural development. Today, nobody is saying anything about that major component of the amnesty programme, rather, we hear envious and mischievous statements by some misguided and tribal sentiments.

    8. During the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari when this type of neglect started, there was an incident of what became known as activities by Niger Delta Avengers. Again, this led to major challenges to the national economy leading to an unusually low level of oil production and deep economy depression. Again, the Niger Delta leaders under the aegis of PANDEF mediated and prevailed on our people to give government a chance of massive infrastructural development of the region, especially the modernisation and completion of the East West road.
    After PANDEF has successfully mediated with the agitating youths, we were invited to meet the Federal Government in Aso-Rock, I led a delegation of over 100 personalities including traditional rulers, legislators, professionals to present a 16 point programme for discussion with Mr President, but till the end of Buhari’s tenure, he did not revert to us, except Vice President Osinbajo, when as acting President, visited the region, where he made series of promises including relocation of the IOC’s to their operational Headquarters in the Niger-Delta, to improve the living standard of the people and to reduce the incessant crises. Secondly, modular refineries will be established in statutory places to reduce the illegal refinery being operated by the youths.

    9. As I have stated above in my letter to your predecessor, President Buhari, this failed to take place. Maybe as an old man, I should mention that this state of affairs is already leading to a build-up of frustrations among our people and the outcome may not be pleasant to all of us if these situations of things continue as it is. This situation as they say, of robbing Paul to pay Peter may not go on well for too long.

    10. I am therefore appealing to you as Head of State who has pledged to take the whole country as his constituency to pay attention to our people even when we, as leaders, continue to prevail on them to keep the peace. I trust that an urgent action will be taken as our people are silently saying within their hearts that enough is enough.

    11. Government is a continuum, and today you are on the saddle. I therefore urge you, as leader of the South-South Region, to reverse this trend of neglect, which is known worldwide. I urge you to break this jinx of resource curse and the pain that our people have borne for decades and stamp your name in history as it pertains to the Niger Delta development.

    12. I will continue to pray for the peace of our country and for you, as you rule to ensure justice and fairness to the whole country and especially to the people of the Niger Delta region.

    Chief E.K. Clark, OFR, CON

  • FCTA releases list of 135 roads for rehabilitation, resurfacing in FCT

    FCTA releases list of 135 roads for rehabilitation, resurfacing in FCT

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has released the list of some of the 135 roads inaugurated for rehabilitation and resurfacing in Wuse, Garki, Gwarimpa and Maitama Districts.

    The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, who inaugurated Phase I of the projects on Monday, gave the contractors six-month completion timeline.

    The list of the streets for rehabilitation and resurfacing obtained by NAN in Abuja on Tuesday, showed that most of the projects would be executed in Wuse District.

    In Wuse Zone 1, the streets to be rehabilitated include Daloa, Kayes, Umme, Bumbuna, Masana, Badundu, Oran, Sawhaj, Arusha Crescent, Sunyani, Bamako, Takorade, Dakar, Bulawayo, Soka, Darioa, Kaolack, Kigali, and Gonder Street.

    In Zone II,  the streets are Kribi, Kumba, Touggourf, Kisumu, Gaborone, Faranah, Gabes, Lavumisa, Niami, Johannesbourg, Angola, Korhogo, Bechar, Senanga, Hargeysa and 2, Khartoum, and Damba Street.

    In Zone 3, six streets would be rehabilitated or resurfaced namely Idimba, Port Loko, Ndele, Yele, Al-Fayyun, and Aswan.

    The streets for rehabilitation in Zone 4 include Mandingou, Lubumbashi, Port Said, Mogadishu, Shinyanga, Sfax, Zinglunchor, Kitwe, Elminya Close, Sefadu, Meknes, Safi, Mbala, Gwelo, Melange, Savalou, Sheraton and Yar’adua Road.

    A total of five roads would be rehabilitated in Zone 5 namely Doula Streets, Mombasa Street, Windhoek Street, Boffa street and Jessaoua Close.

    In Zone six, the streets for rehabilitation are Cotonou, Yaounde, Makeni, Massenya, Annaba, Bukoma, Mobondo, Mbabani, Diovo, Berbera, Chiongola, Jima, Kinshahsha, Bouake, Rabat, Tanga, Timbuktu, Zinder, Rumbek, Zuwai, Beyia, and Tema.

    Others are Diredawa Street, Kalemie, Asmara, Mbandaka, Macenata/Welkom, Harare, Tripoli, Maseru, Iringa, and Dodoma Streets.

    For Zone 7, the streets include Lome, Harper, Huambo, Ndola, Sokode, Sirasso and Bambari Crescents, Masaka Close and Dalaba Street.

    In Garki District, Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Garki II would be rehabilitated, while Strabag Road, Gwarimpa Life-Camp would also be rehabilitated.

    In Maitama, the roads are N16 Road, Maitama Roundabout and N11/B4 (Ahmadu Bello Way/This Day Dome Junction) Maitama, Junction between Ring Road 1/Tafawa Balewa Way Area 3-Garki.

    Others are House 14, 1 and 2, off Jere Street, behind Rita Lori Hotel.

    Wike had explained during the inauguration that the projects were in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu administration.

  • Roads closed, security tightened in Abuja ahead of May 29

    Roads closed, security tightened in Abuja ahead of May 29

    As inauguration of a new administration is around the corner, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been busy with preparations, tight security and closing of roads in strategic place in the Metropolis.

    Our reporter observe that, more checkpoints have been mounted around the Eagle Square, venue of the expected inauguration, as well as along the airport road and significant reduction in the number of motorcycle operators on the highway.

    Recall that the Federal Government has also informed citizens within the FCT that it will shut down areas around the federal secretariat, Abuja, from 2pm on Friday and will until Tuesday morning.

    Commuters have been directed to use alternative routes to ease traffic as dignitaries are being expected from several countries to grace the occasion.

    The Eagle Square, where the inauguration ceremony will be held, is currently under lock and key. In the last few days, security officers were seen rehearsing for the inauguration parade.

    The military and other security agencies had assured Nigerians that the ceremony will go smoothly; adding that any plans to disrupt the process will be dealt with decisively.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Department of State Service (DSS) warned the citizens against unruly behaviours and non-adherence to protocol during the swearing-in ceremony, admonishing strict compliance to security measures for seamless activities.

  • Tinubu’s inauguration: FG orders closure of roads

    Tinubu’s inauguration: FG orders closure of roads

    The Federal Government has ordered the closure of roads linking Federal Secretariat Complexes of Phase I, II, III and Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2:00 p. m. on Friday, May 26,  to Monday, May 29.

    Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, office of the Head of the Service of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), made the disclosure in a circular on Friday in Abuja.

    According to Onwudiwe, the order is in line with security arrangements by the Presidential Transition Council, for the smooth conduct of the inauguration parade for the swearing-in ceremony of President-Elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu on May 29.

    “Accordingly, officers and intending visitors to the affected areas will not be allowed access till Tuesday, May 30 when work will resume in earnest. “

  • Anambra roads ranked 15th in death trap roads in Nigeria

    Anambra roads ranked 15th in death trap roads in Nigeria

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says the National Bureau of Statistics has ranked roads in Anambra 15th on the list of roads that constitute death traps in Nigeria.

    The Sector Commander in Anambra, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, said this on Thursday at the flag-off of the 2022 Ember Months Safety Campaign, in Awka.

    The campaign has the theme: “Avoid Speeding, Overloading and Unsafe Tyres to Arrive Alive”.

    He said: “The task of road traffic and safety management is a daunting challenge to both the government and the citizens.

    “Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Anambra roads occupy 15th position on the list of death trap roads in Nigeria. We should not allow the trend to continue.

    “This campaign is however apt, as it covers casualty factors which include speeding, overloading, use of unsafe tyres, drunk driving, non-use of seat belt and so on.”

    Irelewuyi said that the Corps would step up public enlightenment in motor parks, Churches, Mosques and the media on safe driving culture.

    “The Corps has also trained about 1,500 Neighbourhood Rescue Team across the state to assist in rescue efforts.

    “We urge residents and road users to cooperate with FRSC, especially at this Ember months period to reduce the rate of fatalities on our roads,” the sector commander said.

    He appreciated the Special Marshals in the state for the ongoing construction of a clinic at Nteje, on Awka-Onitsha expressway.

    Irelewuyi said that, when completed, the clinic will reduce response time to crashes along the axis.

    Also speaking, the Zonal Commanding Officer, Mr Chukwuma Njoku urged drivers to be focused while driving, ensure their vehicles were in good condition and always obey traffic laws.

    “High travel rate, overloading, speeding and drunk driving are some the characteristics of the Ember months.

    “Speeding is a critical offence in FRSC, because it poses serious challenge to other road users.

    “We are setting up 24 hours traffic surveillance on the highways to ensure drivers comply with the maximum speed limit,” he added.

    In his remarks, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo said the government had declared a state of emergency on roads in the state.

    Soludo, who was represented by Mrs Patricia Igwebuike, Commissioner for Transportation, said the government had commenced the construction and rehabilitation of 10,000 kilometres of roads across the state.

    “This administration values the lives of residents and decided to commence massive road projects.

    “The tragedies on our roads are avoidable, so we urge road users to take responsibility for their lives by obeying all traffic rules.

    “The state government will continue to work with the FRSC to educate motorists on how to drive safely and ensure safety on our roads,” the governor said.

  • Let’s Get The Kids Off Our Roads, Chris Anyokwu

    Let’s Get The Kids Off Our Roads, Chris Anyokwu

    It’s a fact universally acknowledged that a new born baby is a bundle of joy. Pure and unalloyed joy. Either born into wealth or privation, the baby trailing clouds of glory is regarded as a gift from heaven. Without trying to over-dramatize or exacerbate the experiential trauma and permanent agony of childlessness, we do know what unaccountable public obloquy and private misery those seeking the fruit of the womb go through in these parts. Out of shame or desperation, after waiting on the Lord for eons, some couples resort to a slew of measures, some downright unprintable, to right the wrong of nature. Whilst some would approach motherless baby’s homes to adopt a child, others would simply settle for surrogate motherhood. For this latter situation, a woman who has been unable to conceive on her own, perhaps due to underlying medical condition(s) might agree with her husband to allow another womb-man (woman) take his ‘seed’ and bear issue for the both of them. As soon as the woman is delivered of her baby, the couple would collect their baby and the woman is paid off and she promptly disappears into thin air. As hinted earlier we are not going to go into other desperate measures people take in order to have their own ‘bundle of joy.’ No, decency will forbid us to do so. Callow and curious readers may approach an adult in the room for details on that scare. Now, let us advert our attention to a different scenario; still on the same issue of child-bearing. A couple desiring to have a baby ‘know’ each other, in the manner of Abraham and Sarah, or, to be more contemporary, John Thomas and Lady Jane and the wife takes in and nine months later, she comes to term and is delivered of a baby, male or female, it is inconsequential. The family instantaneously erupts into a delirium of conviviality with friends and well-wishers all putting in an appearance to ‘wash’ it. No sooner is the child weaned, the couple is blessed with another adorable angel, the following year. To be sure, we find such a situation whereby, in a space of five years, a couple already has at the very least four issue. But, let’s be clear: enlightened and relatively comfortable people tend to space the birth of their children and also have fewer children. But those not-so-comfortable and, therefore, subsist in straitened circumstances tend to spawn and sire children by the gross, regarding the multitude of their wards and charges as God’s blessings and as such, God will provide the requisite ingredients to leaven the dough.

    Poverty is common, it knows neither race nor color. It does not discriminate- you are poor, you’re poor, that’s it. Deal with it! The ways and manner in which some ‘deal with it’ are downright heart-breaking. Fellow Nigerians, what level of lack, what pain of poverty will make a couple, husband and wife, ABANDON their children to wolves in the shape of humans? How can you abandon ALL your so- called ‘bundle of joy’ in the callous care of your neighbors, friends, even relatives, knowing full well nobody can look after your baby as well as you can? In urban centers, for instance, during rush hours, you can see a child of five chaperoning two or three siblings to school right in the bedlam and traffic madness on the insensate road. The same scenario is witnessed during closing time, say, between 2pm and 5pm. Amid the din and confusion, the rat- race over lucre with humongous humanity jockeying for space, you find the ragged and woe-begone group of tiny-tots, children who can barely tell you their parents’ names or house address, cockroaching its way through the urban inferno. And you ask: ‘These kids, do they have parents?’ Why on earth have their so-called parents allowed them to roam the roads, unaccompanied?! And you begin to pray silently-whilst ensconced in the paradise of your air-conditioned carapace, your own kids, eating ice cream in the back seat, far, far from gritty Truth-you pray: ‘God have mercy on these kids!’.

    But does God always answer these prayers? For city-dwellers, how many times have you seen road mishaps involving the under- aged? What is or can be more horrendous than the sight of a child mangled in a road accident beyond recognition? Then what becomes of ‘your bundle of joy’? The other day, a woman was seen with a child crossing a very busy road. She had dashed across the highway ALONE! Tell you what, the child had to be helped by a good Samaritan who, upon safely handing the child over to the woman, had given her an earful on the dangers of parental irresponsibility. Where- upon, the woman countered that the child wasn’t hers; she was just an auntie! And so what! Where are your maternal instincts? Her defense? She thought the child could look after itself!

    By the same token, that same unaided child grows up and in a few years down the road picks up an occupation, wait for it: prostitution. That’s the final destination usually for a girl child who is abandoned by her parents to the mercy of the street. We all see these things around us, don’t we? School-age children vending all sorts of items on busy roads crawling with vehicular traffic. Some sell recharge cards, ‘pure’ water, bread, etc. We all see child-beggars asking alms for survival. Sadly, under the circumstances, some of these waifs-and-strays grow up, thanks to the street, to become enemy nationals, who have been left high and dry all their lives. As stressed above, some are routinely abused and left emotional wrecks all their lives, thereafter, some nursing a grudge against polite society and thus happily elect to be inducted into the criminal underworld, becoming spivs, cut-purses, petty thieves, drug peddlers and addicts, burglars, armed robbers, bandits, kidnappers and rapists, among other derelict categories.

    In Africa, and one supposes everywhere, family is everything. Now, we should ask ourselves, what self-respecting family will tolerate their name being associated with crime? With shame and disgrace? One supposes it is high time we stopped blackmailing God by saying ‘God will provide’. You cannot give birth to a litter of piccaninnies and say in edgewise, God will meet ALL my needs…. stop the bulk- passing; it’s irresponsible. Couples can and should make love and NOT babies if they cannot adequately support them. When a child is denied love, care and material support, that child is liable to suffer low self-esteem, inferiority complex, loss of personal dignity. He or she will feel disinherited, disenfranchised and as a result regard himself or herself as homo ordinario and see life itself as meaningless. Therefore, we need to get the kids off our roads. Poverty is not an excuse, dear fathers and mothers. Each household can work out a workable arrangement to know how they can raise their kids with proper and sound family values. What works for one family might not necessarily work for another family. If both parents must pursue their respective careers, then they must seriously think through the modus operandi of raising their children so that they do not work at cross-purposes. What shall it profit a couple, if they gain the whole world and LOSE their children? But, come to think of it, must everybody take up a paid employment? Can’t one work from home? Must everybody look forward eagerly to week-days in offices and workplaces where they will be seen and be appreciated? The desire to be seen, to be appreciated, to mingle is, to tell the truth, the root- cause of the matter at hand. The man can cage his ego and look after the kids while the wife is up and about, fending for the family and vice versa. But under no circumstances must the children be allowed out of doors unaccompanied by a parent or responsible adult. We cannot stress this point enough. As much as one is loath to cite Europe and North America as the gold standard in everything, one is constrained, nonetheless, to refer to these societies as exemplary regarding child care. An irresponsible couple runs the risk of losing their kids to state custody should they be found culpable. We can do the same thing in Nigeria. The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, for instance, should step up the plate in the areas of counselling, family planning, birth control, etc. The National Orientation Agency has a role to play too, especially in mounting enlightenment campaigns. Government at all levels equally has to lead from the front: there should be in place some kind of Marshall Plan, a short and long-term plan for our children as we plan for the future. Religious bodies and organizations, NGO’s, civil society, everybody, in deed, has a role to play in safeguarding our children because our children are our future.

    Chris Anyokwu

    Dept of English

    UNILAG.

  • This is injustice, Gov. Sanwo-Olu – Francis Ehwerido

    By Francis Ewherido

    After a slow start, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu, has gained traction. So much is being done, including rehabilitation of roads across Lagos, although there is still so much to do. But there is a trend, which is causing some vehicle owners a lot of heartaches and the governor needs to look into it. It is the punishment of INNOCENT vehicle owners caused by the use of the AUTHOMATIC NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION (ANPR) CAMERAS on Lagos roads. Once the cameras capture the plate number of a vehicle and sends it to a database, other information on the vehicle, including the insurance status of the vehicle, are displayed.

    Now, there is a database called the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID). It contains the list of all vehicles in Nigeria with genuine motor insurance policies. If your vehicle is not on NIID, chances are your motor insurance is fake, but not necessarily so. Usually, the insurance company that issued your motor insurance policy is supposed to uphold it on the database. So it is possible to have a genuine motor insurance policy which is yet to be uploaded on NIID.

    Unfortunately, once Lagos State Government (LASG) officials – Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) and Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), especially – check the NIID and your vehicle details are not there, you are termed to be driving without a valid insurance policy and slammed with a N20,000 fine. This is very wrong. What the Lagos State Government officials should do is this: if the alleged offender claims to have a valid motor insurance at the time the camera captured the number plate, he should produce the certificate of motor insurance which is the evidence of the possession of a valid insurance. The officials can then contact the insurance company that issued the insurance policy. If the insurance is confirmed it to be genuine, the policy holder should be set free.

    I am aware that the LASG, through its relevant agencies, has an agreement with the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), the umbrella body of all licensed insurance companies, that the details of vehicles insured by NIA member companies should be uploaded on the NIID within a specified number of days. After the grace period, such insured vehicles, not uploaded on the platform, which are captured by the ANPR, will be penalised and the owner fined. This is miscarriage of justice. The absence of a vehicle details on NIID platform is not sufficient grounds to penalise the owner of genuine motor insurance for absence of an insurance policy. Rather it is the NIA member that failed to upload the policy that should be penalised by the LASG.

    The Motor Vehicles (Third Party) Insurance Act governs the use of vehicles on public roads and makes it an offence for anybody to use a motor vehicle on the road without having in place the minimum Motor (Third Party) Insurance to cover the motorist against liabilities arising from third party bodily injuries or death. The Insurance Act of 2003 extended the cover to take care of liabilities arising from damage to third party property to the tune of One Million Naira. The insurance Act also makes clear it that only insurance companies registered in Nigeria and licensed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) can insure vehicles that ply Nigerian roads. Once any of these licensed insurance companies issues a motor insurance policy, the absence of the vehicle particulars on the NIID cannot void it. This is where agencies of the Lagos State government erred. The Road Traffic Act and the Insurance Act of 2003 are federal laws and supersede the Transport Sector Reform Act these LASG agencies are relying on to impose their fine. It is just that many vehicle owners, with genuine motor insurance who have been affected, are too impatient with the slow judicial process and resort to paying fines instead of going to court. If they choose to go to court, they will win their cases.

    The LASG needs to amend the enforcement and penalize only those with fake insurance papers, expired insurance and those without insurance at the time the ANPR camera captured the plate number of the vehicle. The law is supposed to protect those who are on the right side of the law, not punish them. Some of these vehicle owners, with valid motor insurance policies, being forced to pay N20,000 fine, only managed to do Motor (Third Party ) Insurance, which costs N5,000! If they had N20,000 to spare, they would probably have done Comprehensive Motor Insurance or other variants, which have more coverage than Motor ( Third Party) Insurance.

    Having said that, I must commend the LASG for the initiative to penalize vehicle owners without valid motor insurance, especially the minimum insurance to cover their liabilities to third parties. Many vehicle owners might not know, but your minimum Motor (Third Party) Insurance, which you purchased from a licensed insurance company directly or through a registered insurance broker, has many benefits attached. If you cause bodily injury to a third party while using your vehicle on a public road, the insurance company is liable to pay for the treatment of the third party. God forbid, but if you kill somebody while driving your vehicle on a public road, the insurance company is also liable to pay compensation to the deceased’s next of kin or family. Also if you damage someone’s car or property while driving your car on the road, the insurance will pay for the replacement or repairs to the tune of N1m. You enjoy a lot of benefits for spending just N5,000 on Motor (Third Party) Insurance cover.

    You would have noticed that the Motor (Third Party) Insurance covers the policy holder’s liabilities to third parties only. If you want a cover that will take care of your car if damaged or stolen, you have to take comprehensive motor insurance or the limited Third Party, Fire and Theft Insurance. These days, we have enhanced Third Party which makes provision for own damage but the compensation is lower than the value of the car

    The unjust punishment of a few motorists notwithstanding, the Lagos State Government is doing a great job to bring some sanity to our roads. Currently, there are about 12 million vehicles on Nigerian roads with the bulk in Lagos. Only about 2.35m million vehicles have genuine insurance. The rest are either carrying fake motor insurance, expired insurance or no form of insurance. If you are in Lagos, do the needful before VIS or MVAA catches up with you. The fine is N20,000, but all you need to get the minimum Motor (Third Party) Insurance for private vehicles is N5,000! In truth, the Lagos State Government is actually doing defaulters a favour because the Road Traffic Act specifies a jail term for defaulters! If you need the list of registered and licensed insurance brokers and insurance companies where you can get genuine motor and other insurances, go to NAICOM’s website: https://www.naicom.gov.ng.