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Autonomy of LGAs is in hands of people ― Gbajabiamila

Published

5 years ago

April 12, 2021

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Monday said that the realization of autonomy of the local government councils was dependant on the people. He stated this in Abuja on Monday at a two-day capacity training for the newly elected councillors and local government council chairmen from Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency of Delta State.

The training was organized by the House of Representatives minority leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu. Gbajabiamila said that the autonomy of the third tier of the government rested on the people at the grassroots. He recalled that the national assembly had successfully amended the constitution to grant autonomy to the local government in the time past but was turned down by the States as they couldn’t muster the required two-third majority of the votes. “The Minority Leader of the House is here with his councilors of his local government, from his constituency to train them on leadership. “We talk about training all the time but who are we training and what are we training them for? This is leadership training for councilors and I thank Elumelu for thinking about this.

“This institute has been in the making for a long time and I believe at the end of the exercise, they would have received a lot of education on what leadership is all about. “Some people are born leaders, some learn to acquire leadership but either way, whether you’re born a leader or acquire it, you have to go do that training exercise to be able to horn your experiences and qualities you have in order to maximize your skills. “And what better place to start than with the local government councilors. As you all know, that is the bedrock of our society. “It’s not for us as legislators to do that. I’m sure you’re surprised but it’s actually for the people to address, the reason being, we have a constitutional amendment. “We will throw it to the people and they will make their decision. We did it the last time but we went back to the states and we couldn’t get the 2/3rd. “There’s a process. We followed due process. We amended it last time but 2/3rd of the States didn’t not agree with us. So it’s the people that will decide whether they want autonomy or not. “We will do what we need to do as the constitution provides”, Gbajabiamila said. Earlier in his interaction with the officials, Gbajabiamila underscored the importance of giving recourse to the principle of separation of powers, asking the newly elected councillors and Chairmen to be bold in discharging their constitutional mandates even at the risk of offending some people. “I’m just going to have a little interaction with you because a lot of things are misunderstood when it comes to local government level of government. “Many people believe and say that there are three tiers of government. Yes, there are three tiers of government. But do we understand what a tier means?

“A tier means that there are different layers. And those layers are independent and they check each other. Many people believe there is a separation of powers. “Let me ask quickly without trying to embarrass any of the Chairmen or any of the Councillors. What do you understand your role to be in government, constitutionally? “Does anybody have an answer to that? I don’t think so, but we all have a general understanding. “But many of us are not bold enough when we are actually told the specifics of what our roles are because we are beholding to whoever and I said this at the risk of respecting the powers of State Governors, the federal government, and in also balancing it on understanding the powers within these responsibilities of the local government. “So there’s something called ultra vires in law and that concept cuts across everything including governance. I as a president cannot interfere in your work, constitutionally given to you by the Constitution at the local government. “Neither can you do what the state Governor is supposed to do. “So, when we talk about separation of powers, most time people understand that concept to mean executive, judiciary and the legislature but that’s a very narrow interpretation of separation of powers. “That is the horizontal separation of powers. There are two types of separation of powers – the vertical and the horizontal. The vertical separation of powers is what concerns you. “And that is the federal, the state and the local government. It is what makes any sane society work. “We all try to model ourselves and look at America, look at Germany, look at several other countries not realizing that or understanding that they have clearly defined the roles of everybody and the people who defined this role did it for a purpose. “So when you go outside the rules that are defined and everybody jumps into everybody’s role will you get what is chaos. But how do you now realize and go back to what we talked about, leadership? “You have to be bold even sometimes at the risk of offending some people. “For some people, they argue that the local government of governance at the local government level is probably the most important in any democracy because you are the ones that are in touch with the people that matter – people at the Grassroots”, he said.

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FG Allocates ₦5.6bn for New Carter Bridge as Old Structure Fails Safety Test

Published

5 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Trends Admin

FG Allocates ₦5.6bn for New Carter Bridge as Old Structure Fails Safety Test

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the demolition and complete reconstruction of Carter Bridge in Lagos, declaring the ageing structure beyond rehabilitation. The decision aims to ensure road safety, reduce congestion, and modernize one of Nigeria’s most critical transport arteries.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed after the council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu that ₦5.6 billion has been allocated to hire advanced engineering consultants for the design and cost assessment of the new bridge. Umahi explained that extensive technical assessments and consultations revealed that the current bridge could no longer safely serve traffic.

“The total recommendation was that Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated; it should be demolished and a new bridge constructed,” Umahi said.

Carter Bridge connects Lagos Island to the mainland and is a vital corridor for commuters, cargo vehicles, and commercial traffic. Its reconstruction is expected to ease traffic congestion, improve transportation safety, and support economic activity in Nigeria’s largest commercial hub.

Part of a Nationwide Infrastructure Upgrade

The Carter Bridge project forms part of a broader federal infrastructure program. FEC also approved several major road projects across the country, including:

Reconstruction of the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa Road in the Southwest
Redesign of the Kano–Kongolam Road in Northern Nigeria
Rehabilitation of the Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji Road in the North-Central region
Completion of the Suleja–Minna Road
Reconstruction of the Abuja–Lokoja Road

Umahi emphasized that these are strategic, long-term infrastructure projects, not temporary fixes, and the government aims to deliver at least four completed projects per region for presidential commissioning by May 15.

“These are not palliative works; they are major infrastructure projects for national development,” the minister added.

Modernization and Economic Impact

The new Carter Bridge will incorporate contemporary engineering standards, enhanced durability, and increased capacity for vehicles and pedestrians. Officials say the project will also attract private sector participation, create skilled jobs, and strengthen Lagos’ transport network.

By replacing the ageing structure, the federal government intends to ensure that major transport routes across Nigeria meet modern safety and operational standards, while supporting economic growth and improving daily mobility for millions of Lagos residents.

FG Allocates ₦5.6bn for New Carter Bridge as Old Structure Fails Safety Test

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ICPC, NRC Forge Anti-Graft Alliance to Safeguard Rail Assets

Published

19 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Trends Admin

ICPC, NRC Forge Anti-Graft Alliance to Safeguard Rail Assets

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has pledged closer collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to strengthen transparency and accountability in the country’s rail sector.

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RAAC), Lagos Office, Mr. Alexander Chukwumah, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the corporation’s headquarters.

Chukwumah said the commission was prepared to support the NRC through targeted training programmes aimed at equipping staff with the knowledge to identify and avoid actions that could expose them to corruption-related offences.

He explained that the initiative aligns with the ICPC’s public education mandate to promote integrity across public institutions.

He urged the management of the corporation to work closely with its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, noting that members of the unit had been trained to detect early warning signs and red flags capable of preventing minor lapses from escalating into major institutional crises.

According to him, the visit was also to reinforce the cordial relationship between both agencies and reciprocate the goodwill earlier extended by the railway corporation.

“ICPC is committed to ensuring that NRC workers stay out of trouble. There are ways we can guide you and your team to avoid actions that could expose them to corruption risks,” Chukwumah said.

In his response, Opeifa welcomed the partnership and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the anti-graft agency to entrench transparency within the corporation.

The NRC boss observed that the railway system could have achieved greater milestones over the years but for corruption-related setbacks that slowed its growth.

He requested the commission to organise a capacity-building programme for heads of departments and senior management staff to sharpen their understanding of compliance standards and ethical decision-making.

Opeifa identified vandalism of railway infrastructure as a major operational challenge, stressing that the destruction of critical assets continues to strain service delivery.

As part of efforts to curb the menace, he presented anti-vandalism sweatshirts to the ICPC delegation bearing the inscription: “Rails and railway assets are critical national treasures and not scraps.”

He maintained that the corporation operates a strict disciplinary regime, warning that any staff found culpable of collusion or sabotage faces immediate dismissal.

He also commended NRC engineers and other personnel for sustaining operations despite logistical and infrastructural challenges.

On the corporation’s long-term direction, Opeifa reiterated the NRC’s Vision 2-5-10-20 development framework aimed at modernising and expanding the rail network.

He said the first phase prioritises optimising legacy lines and reviving abandoned corridors that once served as economic lifelines, including the Kaduna–Nguru–Kaura Namoda route, with plans to restore services to Zamfara State within the year.

He added that the corporation is advancing a freight-by-rail drive under its “Railing with the States” initiative to enable sub-national governments leverage rail infrastructure for economic growth and enhance connectivity to the nation’s seaports.

Opeifa further disclosed that the NRC plans to gradually transition from diesel-powered locomotives to cleaner energy sources such as gas within the next five years, subject to funding, while working towards doubling Nigeria’s rail assets by 2035.

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Tinubu swears in Disu as substantive IGP, chief inaugurates up state police committee

Published

23 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Tinubu swears in Disu as substantive IGP, chief inaugurates up state police committee

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, as the new police chief immediately inaugurated a committee to drive the implementation of state policing.

Disu took the oath of office at 2:53pm after his citation was read by the State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye.

The brief ceremony, witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the Federal Executive Council and other top government officials, preceded the FEC meeting, which commenced at 3:01pm.

Among dignitaries present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; and Head of Service, Mrs Esther Walson-Jack.

The President also swore in newly appointed commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the Federal Civil Service Commission.

Disu’s confirmation followed his unanimous endorsement by the Nigeria Police Council on Monday, barely a week after Tinubu appointed him acting IGP in the wake of the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, on February 23, 2026.

At Monday’s Police Council meeting, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reportedly commended Disu’s track record, particularly his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos between 2015 and 2021.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, also described the appointment as merit-based, while Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, seconded the motion endorsing him.

Disu, 59, joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on May 18, 1992. Before his elevation, he served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos. He previously held key roles in Lagos and Rivers states.

Hours after his inauguration, the new IGP held his first formal engagement with senior officers, during which he announced the constitution of an eight-member committee to oversee the implementation of state policing.

Professor Olu Ogunsakin was named chairman of the committee.

Addressing the force hierarchy, Disu said leadership was “not about position but responsibility,” stressing that professionalism, discipline and accountability must guide policing nationwide.

He underscored the need for restraint in the exercise of authority and respect for human rights, insisting that all Nigerians must be treated with dignity and fairness irrespective of status.

The IGP also pledged to strengthen internal oversight mechanisms, directing that the Public Complaint Unit and the X-Squad be empowered to operate independently.

On decentralisation, Disu said state policing would enable different tiers of government to play more active roles in addressing security challenges across the country.