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Dangote fuel: Lagos begins e-call up @ Lekki amid disagreement

Published

3 months ago

September 23, 2024

Dangote fuel: Lagos begins e-call up @ Lekki amid disagreement

THERE are indications that the electronics call-up truck management system introduced by the Lagos State Government to prevent a repeat of Apapa port gridlock in the Lekki Port corridor may have hit a the rocks as key stakeholders disagree on implementation several years after the programme was initiated.

The two key stakeholders are Lagos State Government which is the owner and driver of the initiative, and Dangote Group, the dominant operator on the corridor.

Financial Vanguard learnt that while the state government wants to on-board every stakeholder opearating in that axis on the call-up system, Dangote Group said it could not come onboard because governmnent did not provide adequate truck park capacity.

Already, following commencement of mainstream operations at the Dangote Refinery a week ago, trucking operations have increased exponentially without commencement of the system or alternative provision to address the traffic challenges on temporal basis.

Dangote Refinery indicated that it could have provided adequate truck park capacity before commencing operations, according to the initial plan it had, but lamented that the state governmnent disuaded it on grounds that the state was already set to provide the facility.

But Managing Director of Call-up Technologies, promoters of the e-call-up system, Mr. Timi Koledu , said that everything about the system is ready and the Information Technology equipment has been deployed appropriately.

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Call-up system commences amidst disagreement

With the traffic crises now imminent, another stakeholders meeting was called by the state, last week, at the Lagos State Secretariat, Ikeja, where the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Seun Osiyemi said that the E-call-up system for traffic management will commence today, Monday, September 23, 2024, adding that if there are issues to be corrected and resolved, they will be done as the system is operated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yinka Akande, representing Dangote Group at the meeting stated that a truck park was part of the plan for the refinery, adding that the company was ready to build its own park until the state government dissuaded the company, claiming that government had decided to establish truck parks to service all operations in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Financial Vanguard also learnt that Akande insinuated that the invitation to Dangote Group for the meeting was an after-thought because it only got the notice less than 48 hours before the meeting adding, however, that because the group has respect for constituted authorities, it had to find its way round constraints by getting a high executive to discard all other pre-scheduled engagements to attend the meeting.

He stated further: “Dangote Group is desirous of the call-up system but we have a problem about the sequencing of activities and where the priority seems to be.

“A precursor activity happened before your regime, before you came into power,” apparently referring to present government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Financial Vanguard learnt that initial discussions between Lagos State and Dangote on construction of truck parks started during the regime of Akinwunmi Ambode as state governor.

Akande further stated: “We have already acquired a 33-hectare piece of land in the vicinity for the purpose of building a modern truck park but the governor dissuaded us from that, saying, “don’t worry, the state government is in participation with some private entity and we are going to put a very standard truck park in place; all you need to do is to be off-takers’.

‘‘So the governor said, ‘concentrate on your construction of the refinery; This is logistics and logistics is not your core function, leave that to us’.

Dangote fuel: Lagos begins e-call up @ Lekki amid disagreement

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Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

Published

1 hour ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian Military Troop

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.

The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.

“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.

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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.

“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.

“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.

The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”

The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

Published

2 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

An accident scene File photo

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.

“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

Published

2 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes.

He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.

Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said, “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.

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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.

“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.

“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.

“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”