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Ogun begins bus mass transit next month, light train to follow

Published

4 years ago

April 27, 2021

Holds light train talks with NRC, LASG

A new transportation plan for Ogun State that will involve bus mass transit service starting next month (May) and a light train system has been unfolded.

The state governor, Dapo Abiodun, who rolled out the plan, said while work had almost been concluded on the bus service, his administration had commenced discussions on the light rail system with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Lagos State Government.

He spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, while receiving two reports on the transportation sector named ‘Abeokuta Urban Transport Policy’ from the Head, United Kingdom Prosperity Fund, Nigeria Office, Miss Martha Bostock, and ‘The Strategic Transport Intervention Plan for Ogun State’ prepared by the Ogun State Transport Steering Committee headed by the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, with the support of the Department of Transport Planning and Management, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.

The governor noted that the Bus Mass Transit was conceptualised to improve quality of life by reducing travel time; improving local air quality; curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and preventing road fatalities and crashes.

Abiodun reiterated that the present administration was poised towards achieving an effective multimodal transportation system, adding that the state government had embarked on various strategies in achieving effective transportation system by rehabilitating both urban and rural roads.

He further stated that the inauguration of the Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Scheme would commence in May.

The light rail services in the state, he added, would commence as soon as discussions had been concluded with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and Lagos State to take full advantage of rail infrastructure within Ogun for the development of the state.

He said, “As part of government’s deliberate efforts at modernising and promoting efficiency in the transport sector, as contained in our urban renewal programme, the Ogun Bus Mass Transit, which takes off in May, is aimed at providing improved movement of people in the state. This is through a bus-based public transport system designed to have better capacity and reliability than a conventional bus system with a view to providing valuable public health benefits by reducing road fatalities, crashes and injuries; reducing personal exposure to harmful air pollutants; and increasing accessibility for public transport users.”

The governor commended the committee for painstakingly carrying out its assignment towards the growth of the state transportation sector and promised his government would ensure proper implementation of the committee’s report.

“I can assure you that we will implement the reports and will not leave them on the shelves to gather dust. I am convinced that the implementation would change the face of transportation in the state,” Abiodun added.

Earlier, the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Dairo, had expressed optimism in the reports of the committee and the partnership with United Kingdom Prosperity Fund, which he said would facilitate considerable resource allocation and investment in the Ogun State transport sector.

Dairo revealed that Lagos (rail) Red Line from Oyingbo to Alagbodo would be extended further into Ogun, passing through Ijoko to Kajola/Ifo in Ado-Odo/Ota and Ifo Local Government areas of the state respectively.

He stressed that discussions with the NRC would not only connect the proposed Ilishan Cargo Airport with new the NRC’s Lagos to Ibadan rail and proposed NRC’s East-West rail line along Sagamu- Benin Expressway but would berth new rail stations at Ijoko, Itori, Obada-Oko, Osiele and Odeda while branch lines at Ijoko, Kajola and Papalanto would serve economic development zones at these sites.

Dairo said the inter-state BRT services would be between Sagamu-Mowe and Lagos as well as Ota and Lagos, with park and ride services on the Mowe-Ibafo-Lagos corridor, while Intercity bus mass transit services would start with a hub at Abeokuta, connecting services to Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Ilaro and Ota.

He said, “We shall invest in both the quality and capacity of the public transport system, road and rail, in our greater push towards using public transport to ease human and cargo movement just as we seek to make public transport a choice mode for all commuters, including car owners, integrating travel information and fares as a way to better serve commuters while decisively maintaining a sustainable and high-quality living environment.”

Head of the United Kingdom Prosperity Fund, Bostock, expressed the readiness of the UK authorities to offer technical assistance to Ogun State in building capacity in its transport department for development and sustainability.

She urged the state government to initiate legislative framework that would make the project’s implementation successful and facilitate foreign support.

She said, “Future cities of Nigeria will offer technical assistance to Ogun State in building capacity within the state government’s department like the Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies about what a good transport policy should include.

“I like to see the policy put in place with necessary legislative action aiding the policy to be used to advertise the state to attract more investments.”

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo; Head, United Kingdom Prosperity Fund, Nigeria Office, Miss Martha Bostock; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele; and Team Lead, Future Cities of Nigeria, Mr Kayode Khalidson, during the team’s visit to the governor. Photo: Ogun State Government

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200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS

Published

15 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa

200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has disclosed that about 200,000 repentant terrorists have so far dropped their arms and surrendered to troops in the North East, noting that the twin strategy of kinetic and non-kinetic operations was responsible for this achievement.

The CDS made this known at the Security and Justice Symposium organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the British High Commission, which began at the National Counterterrorism Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.

He disclosed that the theme of the symposium, ”Securing Peace, Ensuring Justice, Protection, Conduct, and Accountability,” speaks volumes about the deluge of security challenges the armed forces and security agencies are facing.

His words, “All the challenges we are facing today have to do with fairness, equity, justice, and accountability.

“There will not be peace without justice, equity, fairness, and accountability. In our operations, we are conducting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, which have to a large extent yielded significant successes, and we want to particularly thank the National Security Adviser for his great support in this regard.

“Nigeria is going through so many challenges, and we feel we’re able to address this, and everybody has a sense of belonging. A lot of the security challenges we are having, we are sure, will go down. I want to thank the National Security Advisor for all the support he’s given us, both the kinetic and the non-kinetic.

“We have said it; the kinetic aspect is just less than 30%. The non-kinetic has a lot to play. The non-kinetic, because when you have democracy, people must have the evidence of democracy. As long as it tells people to sleep well and be peaceful, and they are hungry, their children cannot eat, and all this creates more problems.

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“The issue of informants. We have to look at how we tackle this issue of informants. Because these are the people who have created the issue.

“Those supporting the terrorists by giving them logistics, we have to look for the oxygen. Where is the funding coming from? How are they getting the logistics across?

For us in the Armed Forces during our operations, one of the challenges is IEDs. IEDs have been the major challenge since the beginning of the insurgency. So we are looking at aspects of how we handle this, what solutions, and what new things we can do.

“Because you have to be creative. To fight this insurgency, you have to be creative and innovative every day. Because they are not relenting.

“As the theatre commander in the Northeast, we found out that if we are able to deny them this logistics, this oxygen, they will not survive. We did that, and that’s why you have almost 200,000 that have surrendered.

“But through enhanced communications and non-kinetic activities, many of the terrorists are realising the fruitlessness of what they are doing and retracing their steps.

“I’ve observed that with the asymmetrical challenges we are facing if you don’t communicate, you might be doing the right thing, but the perception might be different. And the enemy is working on that. So it’s important that we get that part right.

“And then you cannot work in isolation as a country. We need our international partners working together with us. Our neighbours are very, very relevant to us. Nigeria, as we are all aware, is surrounded by Francophone countries. And so the challenges are there.

In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said, “The objective of the Security and Justice Symposium, a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration among our security and justice institutions, is clearly to delve into the successes, challenges, and opportunities for growth within the realms of security and justice.

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“As we embark on this journey of critical analysis and discussion, let us keep in mind the noble goals set before us, from analysing and strengthening the intricate relationship between military operations and law enforcement, to enhancing the protection of civilians, very important, and fostering a culture of justice and accountability, to promoting a unified approach in countering improvised explosive devices.

“Each objective is poised to make a significant impact. Our intended achievements are ambitious, of course, yet entirely within our reach.

“As we review and map existing frameworks, evaluate institutional practices, and establish collaborative mechanisms, our collective efforts will chart a course towards a safer and more just society for all.

“I am honoured to see such an esteemed gathering of key stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from the military, law enforcement agencies, legal authorities, human rights organisations, and civil society groups. Your presence here today underscores the importance of our shared commitment to security, justice, and the well-being of our communities.

On his part, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery, said, “Both Nigeria and Britain have had a good dialogue on the fact that we all face really complex security challenges in many parts of the world, certainly in the West Africa region and even in Nigeria itself, and these complex challenges require a multifaceted approach.

Expressing delight that the CDS, General Musa, talked about the nexus between civil and military collaboration, between kinetic and non-kinetic action, he said this is an area where we’ve seen some really important lessons for us emerging from the Nigerian security architecture.

“At the heart of all this is a recognition of the importance of upholding the rule of law, human rights, humanitarian law, and international humanitarian law. The importance of these principles for the way in which we tackle security challenges, and our lawyers keep telling us, and we have lawyers in the British High Commission as well as the Nigerian government.

“We need to consider the different legal principles and frameworks that apply to criminal violence or to violent conflicts and how we deal with them in protracted conflict zones, and I think that there’s already been a productive dialogue in our security defence partnership.

“The UK knows only too well from our own experience, our own involvement in armed conflict, that incorporating human rights doctrine is quite challenging. The strategies needed are not without complexity, but we do. The UK strongly believes that our commitment to these legal principles and doctrines is because of the experience we’ve had.”

200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS

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Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police

Published

16 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police

The spokesperson for the police in Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, has confirmed the death of two robbery suspects in the state.

Mr Edafe, who disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Warri, said that the deceased were killed from the bullets shot by their gang members.

According to him, the incident occurred on Wednesday at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Edafe explained that the deceased were leading the police surveillance team attached to the Ekpan Division to their hideout when they were caught during a shoot-out.

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“The suspects were arrested at Effurun roundabout with a bag containing 57 live cartridges and other items. They were leading the surveillance team to their hideout at Warri/Sapele road when their gang members, on sighting the vehicle of the police team, engaged them in a shootout.During the gun duel, the arrested suspects that were leading the police team were fatally wounded by the gun shot of their colleagues. The two injured suspects were taken to the hospital and later died while receiving treatment,” he said.

Mr Edafe said that items recovered from the hoodlums hideout included: one English pump action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun and eight live cartridges.

Others were: six iPhones, Smart phones and a Rolex wrist watch.

He said that the command had intensified manhunt on the fleeing members of the gang.

Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police

(NAN)

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Akwa Ibom businessman abducted, driver killed, police orderly injured

Published

16 hours ago

November 26, 2024

Trends Admin

Dr. Samuel Ekerenam

Akwa Ibom businessman abducted, driver killed, police orderly injured

Gunmen kidnapped a prominent businessman, Dr. Samuel Ekerenam and k!lled his driver in Eket town, the headquarter of Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Ekerena, the owner of Hephzibah Mall, was abducted about 10:00pm on Saturday, 23 November, 2024.

It was gathered that the gunmen trailed the victim to the shopping complex, shooting sporadically to scare the passers-by away before whisking him away to an unknown destination.

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The body of Ekerenam’s driver was discovered in the pool of his blood, while his police orderly was severely wounded in the gun attack.

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident on Monday, November 25, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo has deployed tactical operatives to comb for the abducted businessman.

The PPRO added that the police were on top of the game and very soon the kidnap victim would be rescued and the perpetrators made to face the full weight of the law.