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Buhari Applauds Amaechi Over Lekki Deep Seaport, Enjoins Rail Linkage

By
Ekaette Ibuot
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President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the Minister of Transportation, Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, on his commitment on the ongoing construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

The President while inspecting the level of work at the project site in Lagos, further directed the Minister to consult and bring up a memorandum to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in order to link the facility with the railway network.

The President was assured that the port, which has a concession period of 45 years and sits in a land area of 90 hectares, will be completed and delivered by September.

The Federal government has also revealed that efforts are currently ongoing to ensure that the Badagry seaport in Lagos gets approval to commence construction before May 2023.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection, the Minister of Transportation said it was a necessity for the government to utilise other ports in the country in order to avoid congestion in one port.

According to Amaechi “Ibaka and Badagry ports are private seaports, and I think Ibaka has gotten approval. We are fast-tracking that of Badagry so that they can also get their approval. By the time we leave office, all those ports will be approved”.

He further stated that “the only port that government may participate in its ownership is the Bonny seaport”.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari visited Lekki seaport after commissioning the Dangote fertilizer plant that is also located in Lekki, Lagos State.

Though the President did not stay long at the port, Amaechi said the news of Buhari’s visit increased the speed of work at the port.

“When I was making the case to the president on why he needed to come to the seaport, most people did not understand why. Do you see the huge difference between when we came two weeks ago and now?

“There are two reasons why I asked the president to come, the first one is to publicise the seaport so that they will know that this government is building a seaport and the first seaport in Nigeria. The other ports we have in Nigeria are all river ports because they tilt off the sea”.

“The second reason was to put the heat on them (constructors) and with that, we are almost ready. if not for the equipment, they can actually get this place ready before June but they said all the equipment are arriving by June and installation will take them till September and it can be commissioned by September.

“You see the miracle of bringing a president to this place. That is why Presidents must also inspect projects, that will hasten the process if there is money for completion,” he stated.

This is the first Deep Sea Port in Nigeria located in Lagos Free Zone, 65Km east of Lagos.

FCTA Commences Beautification, Landscaping Of Abuja Airport Road

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun an intensive beautification and landscaping road of corridors of the Umar Musa Ya’Adua highway, which connects the Abuja Airport to other sections of the nation’s capital city.

This is to ensure the sustained development of the expressway’s aesthetics.

This initiative, which involves a comprehensive greening and tree-planting drive within a 20-meter setback from properties along a major route in conjunction with local property developers, was launched on Tuesday in Abuja by FCT Minister Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello.

Bello said the project demonstrates FCTA’s dedication to completing one of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s functions
as stated in the 2019 Parks Policy by granting permit to Corporate Organizations, Multinationals and Diplomatic Communities for the purpose of exercising their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the enhancement of greening of the city.

The Minister, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said in line with the 2019 new FCT Park Policy on Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR), many stakeholders responded positively to its call with a view to commencing the actual landscaping and beautification of the Express Way.

According to him: “This partnership with private entities today is a clear demonstration that government cannot do everything on its own, therefore, FCTA shall continue to work with the private sector and development partners to ensure that continuous progress is made in the beautification of the nation’s capital.

“Let me assure you that we are guided by core values of patriotism and dedication to duty; integrity, and respect for due process and rule of law; and nobody will be sub-charged in this partnership”.

Meanwhile, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, commended the property owners along major Abuja landmark who have come together for the implementation of the laudable initiative, as a way of giving back to the society.

He urged other Corporate Organisations to emulate the actions of the property owners along the Airport Road, to add value to the aesthetics of the city.

Similarly, in his goodwill message, Chairman Arid Developers Nigeria Ltd, owners of Spring Valley Estate, Husseini A. Dikko, noted that the beautification initiative will help positively project the image of the country.

Dikko, who was represented by Mohammed Kalu, however appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that the project becomes a huge success.

It would be recalled that since 2017, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) through the Department of Parks and Recreation had unsuccessfully solicited the involvement of Property developers in landscaping, Beautification and Maintenance of the frontage of their property on the major gateway leading to the Federal Capital City (FCC).

FCTA Builds 192 Rural Water Schemes in 6 Months, Aliyu

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State , Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has revealed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has built 192 rural water supply projects of various sorts across the six area councils in the previous six months as part of measures to improve inhabitants’ health and dignity.

She made this revelation at the 2022 World Water Day in Abuja with the theme: “Groundwater: Making the Invisible, Visible”, also stressed that groundwater is central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population.  

The minister used the occasion to reveal that the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency and UNICEF, has trained about 60 community artisans on the maintenance of rural water supply schemes to ensure sustainability of the facilities.  

Her words, “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOMs) are currently being established in each beneficiary community to be in charge of operation and management of the facilities”.  

Aliyu emphasized that the optimal benefits that accrue from adequate water supply cannot be achieved without a corresponding improved sanitation and hygiene practices, while noting that access to adequate potable water and improved sanitation and hygiene practices, play important roles in defining the human capital development of a nation.  

She further stated, “In recognition of this, I performed a historic declaration of a State of Emergency in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the Federal Capital Territory. The event was a clear demonstration that the Administration has officially stepped into the national push to end open defecation, accelerate access to safe water and improved hygienic practices for all residents of the Territory, thus leaving no one behind”  

While commending the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency for the provision of borehole to Mawyeya community in Abuja Municipal Area Council, the minister charged the agency to do more in other area councils.  

Earlier, in his remarks, the Executive Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Malam Dan Hassan Ali, affirmed that the project was in fulfillment of the core mandate of RUWASSA to improve  access to safe water by provision of new and rehabilitation of existing water schemes in rural communities across the Federal Capital Territory.  

He also stated that the provision of borehole to Mawyeya community was the first time residents of the community would have access to safe water supply, just as he appealed to residents of the community to protect and sustainably manage the project.  

Okada Riders Attack FCTA Taskforce with Cutlasses

By
Toyin Adebayo
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…as 39 motorcycles were confiscated

On Tuesday, Okada riders attacked the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Taskforce team on Lugbe Airport Road.

The combined team of officers from the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), the Police, and other agencies successfully impounded 39 motorcycles in addition to overpowering the attackers.

Despite the Cutlass attack, Comrade Ikharo Attah, FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, stated that the team continued to carry out its Ministerial mandate of clearing the road corridors of nuisances.

According to Attah, the obstinate Okada riders have continued to violate traffic rules and regulations on the Airport road and other areas where restrictions are still in effect.

He said, Lugbe- Airport road axis, is one of the restricted  places where Okada riders are not allowed to operate, but have remained adamant in disobeying the laws.

He noted that notwithstanding the resistance of the illegal Okada operators, the Minister,  Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and the new Director of DRTS,  Dr. Abdulateef Bello have vowed to remain committed to cleaning the city and restoring enviromental sanity in all parts the territory. 

His words, ”  Today was very fruitful and successful,  we came out again for the daily clean up with the new Director of DRTS,  Dr. Abdulateef Bello showing strong conviction,  with other officers also on ground carrying out our operations. 

” In the morning we carried the operation of freeing traffic and removing illegal motorcycles from the road corridors, while engaging in route point to point traffic flow initiative at the Danbatta and Lugbe bridge.

” The operation was not without hitches, we have impounded 39 motorcycles,  but came under severe attack by some okada riders who came with Cutlass. We didn’t know they were having Cutlass, it was when some of the officers confronted them to impound the motorcycles that were attacked. 

” But by the gallantry of the Nigerian Police and other Officers, the attackers were overpowered. There is some form of resistance by the Okada Operators, but there is also a strong political Will from the FCT Minister and the New Director DRTS and all the Officers here to rid Abuja of all nuisances”, he hinted.

NCDC Addresses Concerns Around Use Of Nigeria International Travel Portal

By
Toyin Adebayo
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On Monday, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) addressed certain concerns about the Nigeria International Travel Portal’s use.

The current travel advisory and public health safety measures are being reviewed by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and will be updated soon, according to the statement.

We acknowledge Nigerians’ worries about the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) and COVID-19 testing before and after arrival in Nigeria. We would like to clarify some of these concerns:

The NITP was developed by the private sector and is managed by Nigerians in the public sector as one of several measures introduced to limit the risk of importation and spread of COVID-19 in our country. Despite challenges in the functionalities of the site, mostly related to payments using foreign cards, we have continued to work extremely hard on its improvement.

While the NITP site is hosted on NCDC’s domain, all funds for testing purposes are paid through the bank to the accredited private laboratories.

No funds from private testing are received by NCDC. COVID-19 testing in government laboratories remains free of
charge for public health purposes. Testing for personal purposes such as travel are paid for by individuals to be conducted in private laboratories.

In the meantime, the NCDC continues to deliver on its mandate, including strong response to COVID-19 and other concurrent disease outbreaks in Nigeria.

FCTA Seizes 27 ‘Okadas,’ Destroys Shanties and Worship Centers on Airport Road

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) seized 27 motorcycles known as Okadas on Monday.

They also removed shanties and batchers placed on highways that restrict traffic movement along Airport Road.

The administration said that this is to restore order on Abuja’s highways, particularly the airport road.

The cleanup operation, which involved all relevant Abuja agencies, began from the Karamajiji end of the road corridors.

Dr Abdulateef Bello, Director of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), told reporters at the event that his agency was able to confiscate 27 motorcycles on the airport road stretch for various offenses ranging from driving against the traffic to driving on the wrong side of the road.

He, however, stated that the administration is not trying to put hardship on anybody, but the administration is more concern about the safety and security of it’s residence.

According to him, “We have done a lot of engagement building social trust, with the Okada riders so that they will be law abiding but as at today there are some sturborn riders that are not willing to comply with our directives. Today we have over 27 motor cycles that were seized and they will pass through normal forfeiture and they will put them for crushing.

“The FCT Administration is not trying to put hardship on anybody. But the administration is more concern about the safety and security of residence. Riding against traffic, riding on the highway is anti safety and the fact that we know everyone is trying to put food of their table they should obey the rules and regulations of the land”.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah said there is no going back on the operation, which would last for a month.

Attah said: “Right now is the extremely massive cleanup of airport road here. Starting from the traffic here, seizures of motor cycle, pin down points.

“We removed illegal structures, shanties, batchers, especially those that built shops under the high tension cables. We touched so many communities here, we did so many cleanups here in view of the directive of FCT Minister.

“We are working on the entire airport road stretch. So much work will be going on here in the next one month, we will be working on the airport road, keeping it clean and ensure free flow of traffic at the stretch.

“You know airport road stretch is the gateway to the city. We came here last week some have tried to return, the market we sacked last week but we have sacked them again and we will continue to come back here again and again. We won’t get tired the determination is very strong, we will keep working again and again, until we get rid of every environmental abnormalities.

“Two markets were sacked before and one came back and we resacked it again today and on Tuesday we are going to do more cleanups along the Airport road”, he added.

FCT- DRTs To Crush 1,500 Seized Bikes, Vows To Sustain Exercise

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said plans are under way to crush 1500 motorcycle popularly known as ‘Okada’.

The Okadas about to be crushed were impounded by the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) otherwise known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from riders who violated traffic rules and regulations in the nation’s capital.

Dr Abdulateef Bello, the Director Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) made this known when he paid an on the spot visit to the DRTs Task force office in Wuye to acquaint himself with the activities of the task team.

His words, “Like we did the last time, this motorcycles have been impounded and awaiting crushing excersie, they are motorcycles that were arrested , contravening the law and regulations , driving against the traffic within the Federal Capital City (FCC)

“Right now we have over one thousand two hundred waiting to be crushed. As much as the excersie is ongoing, we are calculating by our estimation when we have one thousand five hundred motorcycles, then we begin another second round of the crushing.

“These motorcycles were impounded within three to four months, we did the last excersie around November/ December, then we started assembling the newly impounded motorcycles”.

Bello, however, said that, government will not rest on its oars untill the nation’s capital is free from Okada that constitute nuisance and security threat.

He caution Okada riders to obey the rules and the restrain order not to ply the FCT routes, saying, “they should stay within the confined areas such as estates and market places, not to approach the high ways, so all those that contravene will face this particular punishment of having their bikes crushed”.

Speaking on what they will use the crushed Okada for, the DRTs boss said, it will be giving to auctioneers who have use for the parts .

Saying, it can be converted to order economic use that will inturn help to eliminate porverty in away and also boost our revenue generation in FCT.

FCT DRTs Set To Crush Impounded 1500 ‘Okada’, Vows To Sustain Exercise

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said plans are under way to crush 1500 motorcycle popularly known as ‘Okada’.

The Okadas about to be crushed were impounded by the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) otherwise known as Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from riders who violated traffic rules and regulations in the nation’s capital.

Dr Abdulateef Bello, the Director Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) made this known when he paid an on the spot visit to the DRTs Task force office in Wuye to acquaint himself with the activities of the task team.

His words, “Like we did the last time, this motorcycles have been impounded and awaiting crushing excersie, they are motorcycles that were arrested , contravening the law and regulations , driving against the traffic within the Federal Capital City (FCC)

“Right now we have over one thousand two hundred waiting to be crushed. As much as the excersie is ongoing, we are calculating by our estimation when we have one thousand five hundred motorcycles, then we begin another second round of the crushing.

“These motorcycles were impounded within three to four months, we did the last excersie around November/ December, then we started assembling the newly impounded motorcycles”.

Bello, however, said that, government will not rest on its oars untill the nation’s capital is free from Okada that constitute nuisance and security threat.

He caution Okada riders to obey the rules and the restrain order not to ply the FCT routes, saying, “they should stay within the confined areas such as estates and market places, not to approach the high ways, so all those that contravene will face this particular punishment of having their bikes crushed”.

Speaking on what they will use the crushed Okada for, the DRTs boss said, it will be giving to auctioneers who have use for the parts .

Saying, it can be converted to order economic use that will inturn help to eliminate porverty in away and also boost our revenue generation in FCT.

Stakeholders In Abuja’s Traffic Management Demands Okada Ban

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Stakeholders manning traffic in the nation’s capital have urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, to ban motorcycles known as ‘Okada’ on the Airport route.

Also, Okada riders have constituted security threat and environmental nunsance near the airport, which serves as the initial point of contact for foreign visitors to Nigeria.

They spoke out about the Okada riders’ activities during a stakeholders meeting called by the new Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Dr Abdulateef Bello, in his Abuja office.

CSP Uhegbu Ugochukwu, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Lugbe Police Station, revealed that Okada riders, in most cases, Okada riders drive against the traffic and thereby causing accident on the highway which result to traffic gridlock.

He opined that the Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello should put a ban on Okada and crime rate will be reduced drastically.

Ugochukwu also called on the administration to have a traffic central control unit which should be headed by the SSA Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah, saying, this will help to arrest and prosecute traffic violators.

Saying, the human traffic along Airport road is very high and most people shun the use of pedestrian bridge and cross the express at the expense of their lives. We have so many instances of hit and run

He added that the team will start prosecution of people who fails to use the pedestrian bridge.

Similarly, the Chief Road Traffic Officer/ Area Commander, Lugbe, Ojo Lawrence said that, they have been able to arrest over 200 vehicles for various offenses.

Narrating some of the challenges they have on the road , he said most vehicles pick and drop passengers and those selling station their wares on the roads.

He, however, urged the administration to look into the issue of Okada riders as they constitute nuisances , saying, they are very volatile, when one is arrested others come in their large numbers to free the offenders as they often overpower the Personnel due to their large numbers and the weapons they have on.

More so, the Lugbe Supervisor of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) , Bawa Mukhtar butttresed some of the crimes committed by Okada riders, saying, any attack on the roads are done by Okada riders.

Meanwhile, the Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Lugbe, ACC Ohaeri Osondu said they have deployed strategy to reduce traffic gridlock on the airport road by posting personnel to man the road both morning and evening during pick periods.

He added that through this means they have able to make arrest of so many traffic offenders and this has helped in no small measure to reduce traffic gridlock along Lugbe axis.

However, the Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Dr Abdulateef Bello who after the meeting went round to see things for himself have Okada riders two weeks to comply to the restrictions order.

His words, ” Haven’t engaged with the leadership of the Okada group , we just hope that they will comply with the instructions of the restrictions that they should not ply the highway.

“We will give them two weeks while we continue to carry out the exercise of enforcement and monitoring and then removal .
Of those we see on the highway, after two weeks if they don’t comply , then we will start thinking of how to push the decision to ban”.

Speaking on riding out reckity vehicles from FCT roads, Bello said, “FCT is a pride of Nigeria, as a country and we want to make sure that we creat a very good impression, so anything that will have negative value to our esthetics nature of the city should be taken away, that’s the reason why we have to address , this also include heavy smoking cars; as long as it curses environmental hazards, is not fit to be on our roads”.

On sustainability, he said , we will be crushing all impounded motor cycles , we have crushed over two thousand motorcycles already, and we will continue to crush them 5o serve as a detriment”, he added

Meanwhile, Comrade Ikharo Attah, SSA to FCT Minister on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement said there are traffic issues and environmental nunsancies from every entry points into communities along Airport road.

His words, “We have intensive trading, and other activities that push people to the road .

“Now that we are having a stronger team and the former Director of Security becoming the new Director of DRTs on the field we are going to get more reinforcement.

“We are going to be doing enumosly here , tongues may likely wag because we are going to be doing a comprehensive work tht would last for a long time and people will be asking ‘una never tire’. Sustainability is key , we are going to be coming to get the place clean’ , he said .

FCTA Vows To Rid Abuja Of Drug Peddlers, Criminals

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

…Demands Absolute Clean Up Of Shanties, Batchers In Nation’s Capital City

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is committed to eliminate drug trafficking and criminal activity in the nation’s capital.

This comes after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, ordered the immediate evacuation of all shanties, batchers, and illegal structure that house criminal groups.

Comrade Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, spoke on behalf of the administration, said that there will be no going back on the Minister’s directive because the entire city of Abuja will become one of the best cities in the world.

This was revealed by Attah while briefing newsmen immediately after a clean-up exercise of Utako and some parts of the Jabi pack, saying, “These people have become a torn on the flesh of the administration and need to evacuate them.

According to him, ” This place has been cleared severally in recent years because it was used by drugs lord’s, we have cleared the place over and over again and the people keep coming back to build their shanties and batchers. If this is not checked, they will come back as usual to do their illegal businesses.

“Sadly, owners of the landed property have failed to develop their property and people take advantage of the fallow land to build all manner of shanties and batchers. Yesterday, we went to Utako village to clean the place to be taking over by its rightful owner, the Nigeria Police .

” We are going round the city to clean up the environment, the minister has mandated us to commerce intensed clean up of transportation lapses beginning from the Airport road, we are going to be clearing the areas, with strong focus on Traffic-related violations. The new Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Dr Abdulateef Bello as you all know is knowledgeable about security. He will be leading a comprehensive team to commence massive traffic clean up starting from Monday. There is so much he intends to achieve and we all will be working with him”, he added .

Meanwhile, Assistant Director and Head of Monitoring and Enforcement of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mr. Kaka Bello said a lot of scavengers and illegal squatters are building makeshift shanties that deface with the territory.

He said,” We have been here severally to clean up this area and unfortunately, they still come back . We appealed to owners to go and build their property”.
Kaka appealed to property owners to takeover and develop their plots to prevent them from turning into criminal hideouts.

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