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FG can’t refund states money spent on federal roads now – Works Minister

Published

8 months ago

September 1, 2023

Works Minister David Umahi

FG can’t refund states money spent on federal roads now – Works Minister

The Federal government cannot refund money spent on Federal Roads by State Governments for now, says Works Minister David Umahi.

Umahi made this known on Thursday when he visited Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister is on a twi-day working visit to Oyo State.

”The economy right now will not permit any commitment by the federal government.

”However, records of such road projects done by the states would be kept and could be revisited when the economy improves,” he said.

He commended Makinde for his administration’s intervention in road projects.

The minister said that the intervention was alleviating the suffering of people.

“Be it state or federal roads, we are one government. The aim and oath of office is to place the welfare of the people ahead of any other interest,” he said.

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Umahi urged Makinde to embrace Concrete Pavement Technology in road construction projects, saying it was more durable and less expensive to asphalt roads.

He said road projects with concrete pavement in Lagos state had been successful, adding that he built almost 95 per cent of road projects on concrete pavement as Governor of Ebonyi.

Speaking on the purpose of his visit to Oyo State, the Minister said that he was touring federal government road projects in the South West.

Umahi said he had met with all the contractors handling road projects in North West, North Central and South West, in Abuja.

“After the meeting, I decided to visit these projects to know quality of work done and other things on ground,” he said.

He further sought for more cooperation of the Oyo state government in achieving success on federal government’s projects in the state.

Responding, Makinde appreciated the minister for the visit.

Acoording to him, Umahi’s track records while governing Ebonyi speaks for itself.

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The governor said that his administration prioritised road as project that was important to economy.

“We are committed to rehabilitation and reconstruction of many road projects, be it state or federal roads.

“For example, the 34km Oyo-Iseyin road took us two years to get approval from federal government and we awarded it to contractor immediately we secured the approval because of its important to the agri-business of the state.

“The road will be inaugurated on Sept. 15 by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo. We are not asking for refund immediately but the records are there and we will give it to the Minister,” he said.

Makinde further said his administration would continue to invest on road infrastructure for the development of the state.

He told the minister of his willingness to partner the federal government to dualize the Oyo state portion of the Ibadan-Abeokuta road.

The governor also informed the minister that he had agreed and his counterparts in Ogun and Lagos States to light up Lagos-Ibadan Road.

He said the road was the most busiest road in the country and that lighting the entire stretch of the road would enhance security on the road corridor.

FG can’t refund states money spent on federal roads now – Works Minister

(NAN)

metro

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

At least nine Civilian Joint Task Force members fighting bandits in Sokoto State have been reportedly killed in an ambush, while an unspecified number sustained varying degrees of injury.

It was gathered that three CJTF members were also taken away by the bandits.

A source told our correspondent that the incident occurred last Sunday in Isa Local Government Area of the state.

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Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

The CJTF source added that Isa LGA is a stronghold of bandits and very dangerous for security operatives.

“We lost nine members in an ambush in Isa LGA, many others were wounded and three others were abducted in the attack after our members received a distress call to support security operatives.

“We received the sad news two days ago. Since the beginning of this year, when we were asked by the state government to deploy our members to support the troops in the fight against banditry in the North-West.”

Recall that this was the second time bandits would ambush CJTF men in Sokoto State in two months.

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

metro

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Thursday May 30 as sit-at-home day in South East to honour those who fought in the civil war.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “The sit-at-home is an annual event held on May 30th to remember the men and women who died during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970.

“IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi OkwuChukwu Kanu, urged all Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and residents in Biafra Land to observe the sit-at-home and reflect on the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.

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“All schools, government offices, private offices, banks, transport unions, market unions, and private individuals are expected to shut down operations on May 30th, except for medical personnel and emergency workers.”

IPOB also called on Christians and traditional worshipers to use the day to pray for the fallen heroes and for Biafra’s independence from Nigeria.

The group warned residents to avoid loitering and stay indoors from 6 am to 6 pm to avoid any confrontation with security forces.

“IPOB members in diaspora are encouraged to organize peaceful rallies and seminars to raise awareness about the Biafran struggle and the ongoing genocide against the Biafran people.

By honoring the heroes and heroines of the Biafran struggle, IPOB hopes to keep their memory alive and continue the fight for Biafra’s freedom and independence, ” the statement added.

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

metro

Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

One Dickson Peter has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, ordered the remand of the accused on Thursday.

According to NAN, the police charged 35-year-old peter with two counts of felony and arson.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take the defendant’s plea due to want in jurisdiction, ordered that he should be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.

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Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

He adjourned the matter until July 23, for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Femi Oluwadare informed the court that Peter on April 18, at about 12:30a.m, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the House of his Landlord, Cepas Okeme and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.

Oluwadare said after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next property belonging to Bose Ali ‘ F’ and also destroyed property worth N3.5 million.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000