FERMA budgets N55.5bn for road maintenance – Newstrends
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FERMA budgets N55.5bn for road maintenance

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By Dada Jackson

The Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Abdulrahman Nurudeen Rafindadi, says the agency has proposed the sum of N55.5 billion for the repair of federal roads spread across the country.

Rafindadi, an engineer, gave the figure while presenting to the federal lawmakers the agency’s budget estimates for the year 2021.

He, however, did not give state-by-state details of projects to be executed, assuring the lawmakers he would do so at a later date.

The FERMA helmsman said that as of now, the agency had N21bn available to tackle emergency road projects, adding that the money was yet to be deployed.

It would be recalled, that since its establishment, FERMA has consistently been underfunded, hence its inability to meet its core mandate of effecting substantial road repairs of failed federal roads across the country.

From the time of its pioneer managing director to the current helmsman, the sing-song of the agency has always been the paucity of funds to execute the maintenance of dilapidated federal roads begging for attention.

The proposed N55.5 billion budgetary expenditure for the year 2021 is considered a ‘drop in the ocean’ considering the state of federal roads across the country.

It would also be recalled that as far back as 2005, the then Managing Director of the agency, Engr Olubunmi Peters, had said that in order for FERMA to be able to fix failed federal roads in the country, it would need not less than N50 billion.

Almost 15 years after, FERMA is proposing to spend N55.5 billion to address the issue of failed federal roads nationwide.

Experts have noted that the consequence of this inadequate funding of the agency is that more federal roads in the country will fail as a result of neglect.

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Carloha announces Chery SUV gift for NAPE Charity Golf Tournament winner 

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Carloha announces Chery SUV gift for NAPE Charity Golf Tournament winner 

 

Ultimate winner of the forthcoming NAPE Charity Golf Tournament holding in Abuja will drive home Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, a superlative sport utility vehicle.

Carloha Nigeria, one of the major sponsors of the event, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos.

The golf tournament is scheduled to take place at the prestigious IBB Golf & Country Club, Abuja, on October 26, 2024.

Carloha, franchise holder and assembler of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, said its sponsorship of the tournament was part of its commitment to fostering sports development in the country.

Part of the statement read, “Chery is offering its flagship SUV, the Tiggo 8 Pro as the ultimate prize for any player who achieves a hole-in-one during the tournament.

“This event promises to be an unforgettable experience for golf enthusiasts and those passionate about positively impacting our community.”

It specifically noted that the highlight of the tournament would be the incredible hole-in-one winning feat attracting a prize of Chery Tiggo 8 Pro generously provided by Carloha without insurance premium coverage for the tournament.

This prize is said to underscore Chery’s support for sporting initiatives in Nigeria and reflect the brand’s passion for nurturing talent and promoting community engagement through sports.

Director of Sales for Carloha Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Omokhapue, said, “We are glad to be one of the major partners in the NAPE Charity Golf Tournament, and offering an amazing prize for the hole-in-one with Tiggo 8 Pro represents Chery’s dedication to supporting sports in Nigeria, as well as enhancing the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament, making it an event to remember.

“More importantly, this gesture is one of the many ways Carloha is contributing to the underprivileged in our society by associating with the NAPE Charity Golf Tournament.”

By participating in this prestigious event, Golfers have the chance to showcase their skills and also contribute to a worthy cause.

Proceeds from the tournament would go towards supporting local charities, creating a lasting impact on the lives of those in need, the statement added.

The Tiggo 8 Pro, according to the firm, is renowned for its luxury, cutting-edge technology, stylish design, dynamic performance, and it perfectly embodies Chery’s dedication to excellence for on and off-road experience.

The Tiggo 8 Pro features an elegant, high-tech electronic gearshift system that provides effortless and precise control, enhancing safety performance and ease of operation, adeptly tailored for the diverse terrains of Nigeria.

It urged golfers and sports enthusiasts to get ready to swing for success at the NAPE Charity Golf Tournament.

“We look forward to seeing you at the IBB Golf Country Club as we come together to make a difference, promote sports development in Nigeria, and celebrate the Chery brand,” it stated.

As part of its commitment to make vehicle ownership easy and affordable for all, Carloha Nigeria offers a remarkable 6-year warranty/200,000 kilometers, 6-year free service on all Chery vehicles, a flexible auto financing solution with the best price for all vehicles, and 24/7 services and parts support nationwide.

This ensures that owners can enjoy their Tiggo 8 Pro with confidence, knowing they have reliable support and service from Chery for years to come.

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NNPC to establish 40 new CNG stations nationwide

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NNPC to establish 40 new CNG stations nationwide

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has acquired equipment to establish 40 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across the country, as part of efforts to expand CNG infrastructure.

This comes as the Federal Government aims to set up 100 CNG stations within six months.

Oluwagbemi Michael, Director of the Presidential CNG Initiative, revealed the plans during an event in Ogun State.

He noted that 12 CNG stations were set up in the past year, six in Abuja and six in Lagos, with further expansion underway.

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This move follows concerns over the limited availability of CNG stations, which has slowed the adoption of CNG as an alternative to petrol.

Michael highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, including a recent N122bn funding for private companies involved in CNG distribution.

He also mentioned the government’s plan to distribute one million CNG conversion kits to commercial drivers, which is expected to increase demand and attract more investors to the sector.

Additionally, existing petrol stations are being upgraded to include CNG refuelling points, with 40 such upgrades planned by the NNPC.

NNPC to establish 40 new CNG stations nationwide

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MTN threatens to shut down services without tariff hike

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MTN threatens to shut down services without tariff hike

MTN Nigeria has warned of a potential shutdown if tariffs are not increased to address the rising operational costs that are threatening the profitability of the telecommunications sector.

During a tour of MTN’s facilities in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, MTN’s CEO, Karl Toriola, said the telecom sector has been facing significant financial losses and urgent measures are needed to reverse the trend.

Toriola pointed out that MTN, which currently has around 78 million subscribers, is operating on reserves accumulated over the past two decades, a situation he described as unsustainable.

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The company’s operating costs, especially diesel prices needed to power its base transceiver stations, have surged, adding pressure to its financial performance, he added.

The CEO stressed the importance of returning the telecom industry to profitability, warning that without a tariff hike, MTN might be forced to shut down operations.

“There should be no delusion; if the tariff doesn’t go up, we will shut down,” he said.

He noted that MTN, once one of the largest corporate taxpayers in Nigeria, has seen a decline in its tax contributions due to the financial challenges the sector is facing.

MTN threatens to shut down services without tariff hike

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