The Nation Newspaper

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  • Oshiomhole promotes three teachers, demotes headteacher

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday promoted three teachers in Edo Central Senatorial District.

    He demoted the Headteacher of Annunciation Catholic College Junior Secondary School for alleged incompetence.

    When the governor visited schools in the district to assess the punctuality of teachers, he said: “It gives me some confidence to find that all is not lost.”

    Giving cash gifts to some teachers for their dedication to duty, Oshiomhole said: “You are an example of what is possible and I am proud of you. It gives me some comfort that even in the midst of this madness, there are some people who we can still be proud of, who take their responsibilities seriously.

    “It is worrisome that majority of teachers either report late or shun work.

    “When we punish those guilty of late coming or absenteeism, we should reward those who are doing their job well. I am happy that a few of you take your work seriously.

    “We must bequeath to our children a better society and education is at the heart of our future.

    “If we keep looking for excuses the country will keep having challenges. Nigeria is not perfect and it cannot be perfect if each of us do not play our parts well.

    “Every child would not be a graduate, no matter what we do. There is no country where every person is a graduate, but every child is entitled to free qualitative education. That requires that we make the right investment in infrastructure.”

    Urging teachers to be hardworking, Oshiomhole said: “It is important that we do not allow you to think that latecoming is not a serious offence.”

    To the headteacher who was demoted to a classroom teacher, the governor said: “As a headteacher, you never ensured that your teachers complied with the regulation.

    “You led your teachers in coming late and we will not retain you as the head. We will demote you to a classroom teacher. A leader must lead by example.”

  • Kaduna bomb explosion: Security agencies identify mastermind, launch manhunt

    arely four days after a suicide bomber killed eight people and injured 145 in Kaduna, security agencies have uncovered the mastermind of the blast and his operational base.

    They have launched a manhunt for the mastermind who reportedly relocated from Kaduna immediately after the blast.

    There was security alert yesterday following the leakage of a likely teleconference in Maiduguri today by the Boko Haram leadership.

    It was learnt that reporters in Maiduguri had been informed about the teleconference.

    There were indications that while some leaders of the sect wanted a shift of the conference, others favoured it.

    According to findings, security agencies have identified the coordinator of the bomb explosion and his operational base in Kaduna.

    A highly-placed security source said: “Preliminary investigation into last Sunday’s incident has revealed the identity of the coordinator of the blast. Also, security agencies were able to locate the operational base of the mastermind.

    “The suspect, however, relocated from Kaduna after accomplishing his mission at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Kaduna.

    “We have launched a manhunt for him. We will soon arrest him because we have been trailing him.”

    The source added: “We have established that the fleeing suspect was the ‘key’ mastermind of the blast.

    “We uncovered his operational base, but for strategic reasons, we will not give the details until he is caught.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The security agencies are on top of the challenges posed by violent groups such as the Boko Haram.

    “You should realise that terrorism is a new security problem confronting the nation. But we are responding to it.

    “The Federal Government is also collaborating with international agencies to address the problem.”

    Meanwhile, there was security alert yesterday following alleged plans by the Boko Haram to hold a teleconference in Maiduguri today.

    Another source said: “We have placed security agencies on the alert following a notice to reporters in Maiduguri that Boko Haram might open up today on the recent bombings.

    “We learnt that while some of their leaders were opposed to the briefing, others favoured it.

    “Whatever it is, we are eager to know what they will say and we will respond appropriately.”

  • Fashola presents N497.277b budget

    Fashola presents N497.277b budget

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday presented a N497.277 billion budget for 2013 to the House of Assembly.

    The budget comprises a recurrent expenditure of N228.913 billion and capital expenditure of N268.364 billion.

    The proposed appropriation exceeded this year’s budget by 1.08 per cent and requires a deficit financing of N40.537bn, which is 0.3 per cent of the state’s GDP.

    Among those who witnessed the event were former Governor Lateef Jakande, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I of Lagos; captains of industry, members of the state executive council.

    The overhead costs of N139.173billion comprise dedication expenditure, N21.753 billion, subvention, N31.892 billion, debt charge, (External), N0.609 billion, debt charges (Internal), N15.938 billion, debt charge (Bond), N1.989 billion.

    Also, capital receipts for the 2013 Budget is estimated at N22.912 billion, comprising Grants of N3billion, Investment Income, N0.332 billion, and N19.580billion for other capital receipts.

    The proposed capital expenditure of N268.364 billionn consists of Core Capital, N237.209billion, Capital Development (Dedicated), N19.580billion, Grants, N3.000 billion, counterpart funding, N2.500billion, special expenditure, N5.000 billion, risk retention fund, N0.075 billion, and contingency reserve, N1.000bn.

    The governor gave the sectoral breakdown of the budget as: General Public Service, 14.076billion, Public Order and Safety, N18.799 billion, Economic Affairs, N156.273billion, Environmental Protection, N44.131billion, Housing and Community Amenities, N46.149billion, Health N42.498billion, Recreation, Culture and Religion, N5.749billion, Education, N64.343billion, Social Protection, N3.259billion, and Contingency, N2.000 billion.

    He said the government required about N40 billion for a shoreline protection plan designed to save the some communities from ravaging coastal erosion.

    A team of consultants from Holland, he said, had designed the plan that would stretch for about seven kilometres along the shoreline.

    In the past two years, communities like Kuramo, Victoria Island extension, Oniru Estate, Goshen Beach Estate and Alpha Beach have been hit by ocean surges, claiming lives and properties.

    He said the project would be implemented in phases because the government does not have the financial requirement to execute the project in one fiscal year.

    “In order to do this and start immediately, I have proposed a re-ordering of this year’s budget as approved by the state executive council to defer other projects till 2013 while we focus on this life threatening environmental risk,” he said.

    The governor acknowledged the receipt of N400million from the Federal Government as emergency relief fund due to states grouped in Category B of flood prone states.

    He said his administration recognised the risk posed by the state’s geographical location and promised to deploy the best available solution to tackle the attendant problems.

    Fashola noted the horror and devastation of lives and properties over the last 24 hours across the North Atlantic in the East Coast of America, adding that the state has been advised to be ready for the impact of rising water levels.

    Fashola unveiled plans to erect a cenotaph at Iju-Ishaga, a Lagos suburb, where a Dana plane crashed on June 3 in memory of the victims.

    He praised the victims’ families for their trust in government, which he said helped in the management of what was “a very difficult process.”

    He said: “Our agreement to dedicate the crash site as a memorial in honour of the victims is being implemented on our side as clear directives have been given to the appropriate ministries and organs of government.”

    He expressed gratitude to all the first responders and rescue team from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the fire service who braved the odd to recover 150 bodies.

    Fashola said: “Our gratitude goes to all our health personnel from the Honourable Commissioner for Health and members of his team, especially the Vice-Chancellor of LASU and the Medical Director of LASUTH, who worked with other experts to painstakingly sort, tag and process the bodies and prepare forensic samples for overseas analysis which led to the positive identification of 141 (One Hundred and Forty One) bodies that have been released to the bereaved families for burial.

    “I believe that this identification of over 94 per cent of the victims – and we are still working to conclude the rest – helped us to avoid a mass burial for the first time in our history of such human tragedy and I hope it will bring the bereaved families nearer to relief.”

  • Ajimobi’s wife returns to Nigeria

    Ajimobi’s wife returns to Nigeria

    OYO State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, yesterday arrived in Lagos from Britain to defend her integrity and dismiss the rumour that she had been arrested for alleged money laundering.

    All smiles, Mrs. Ajimobi arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos at 6:50am aboard a Virgin Atlantic Airways aircraft.

    She said the PM News report that she was arrested in London last Saturday for money laundering was the handiwork of mischief makers, who she said were playing “dirty politics”.

    Mrs. Ajimobi said the originators of the report were out to tarnish her image.

    She said she accompanied her daughter, who was returning to school, to London on Sunday.

    Mrs Ajimobi said: “I have never had any encounter with the London Metropolitan Police and I will never do. It was just a rumour, like you said. I think the time has come for Nigerians to stop playing dirty politics.

    “We should be very objective when giving information, particularly members of the press. We should always verify the information we are given. The ultimate measure of any man or woman is where you stand in times of conflict, challenges and controversy and not in times of comfort. I stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and all other grounds are sinking sand.

    “This is a phase and it will pass over, because I am more than a conqueror. It is the price I have to pay as the wife of a politician, particularly in Oyo State, where there is a record of dirty politics. I do not have any blemish in my wardrobe and I am never going to have any.”

    Mrs. Ajimobi said contrary to another rumour that she was arrested two weeks ago, she travelled with her husband to Taipei, Asia, through Dubai, for an official engagement.

    She said: “I went on an official visit to Taiwan with my husband and we did not go to London. From Lagos, we went to Dubai, then Hong Kong and Taipei. From Tapei, we returned to Hong Kong, Dubai and back to Lagos. The record is there in my international passport. I can give you my passport to photocopy.

    “It was also alleged that I had travelled out of Nigeria 52 times since my husband assumed office. That sounds very ridiculous to me. It means I do not even live in Nigeria. Like I said, we can make photocopies of my passport for verification.”

    On her mission to London on Sunday, Mrs. Ajimobi said: “I have a 14-year-old child that has been in England since 2007. She is still in secondary school and comes home. The school insists that parents pick up their children because they are minors and there are no exemptions for international pupils.

    “I cannot shelve my responsibilities as a mother because my husband is a governor. I have to manage my home, take care of my children and be a responsible and committed mother. That I will do, no matter what anybody says. My children need me. My daughter in London needs me and I will be there for her. I am not using government funds because she has been there sinse 2007.”

    On her advice to those spreading the rumour of her purported arrest, Mrs. Ajimobi said: “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. If they have the fear of God, they will stop being mischievous. They should think before they act because on judgment day, we will all account for our actions.

    “I do not grudge them; I just know they have God to contend with. I have maintained a good reputation for over 32 years and anybody trying to tarnish that image will have God to contend with. I know they will pay for it.”

    The governor’s wife later yesterday visited cancer patients at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

  • Archbishops hail Obi’s leadership virtues

    The Archbishop of the Niger Province, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Christian Efobi and the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Valarian Okeke, yesterday hailed Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for his leadership virtues.

    Efobi said he would always talk about Obi because he is a good governor.

    The cleric noted that all men of goodwill should love the governor for restoring credibility to governance and for being a man of his word.

    Efobi spoke at St. Christopher Seminary, Ekwulobia, when the governor presented a new 18-seater bus, 10 computer sets with accessories and N4million to the school.

    The money, it was learnt, is for the school’s laboratory, sports and transformer.

    Efobi received the donations for the school.

    He thanked Obi and assured that the church would uphold the partnership with the government as well as pray for his administration.

    Obi also donated buses and 10 computer sets each to Mercy Secondary School, Umuoji, and Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi Memorial Secondary School, Agulueri. He gave a cheque of N10million to Father Joseph Secondary School, Agulueri.

    Obi assured that his administration would continue to fulfil its promises to the residents to restore confidence in governance.

    The governor said giving money directly to institutions for projects was working because everybody could see the result.

    He gave example with 25 buildings his administration is putting up in missionary hospitals.

    At Tansi Secondary School, Okeke said the Obi administration was God’s gift to Anambra State.

    He hailed the governor for his “foresight, courage and exhibition of Christian virtues”.

    He explained that equipping and empowering the schools would enable the students to acquire the knowledge and skills to make them become productive.

    A community leader, Chief Anthony Oguejiofor, noted that the gesture Obi is showering on schools was last done during the military administration of Arthom Kpera.

  • Jonathan carries out minor cabinet reshuffle

    A minor cabinet reshuffle was announced by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday.

    Minister of State (Power), Darius Dickson Ishaku, swapped place with the Minister of State (Niger Delta), Hajia Zainab Kuchi. The change takes immediate effect.

    Presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati, who announced the reshuffle, said it was meant to strengthen the sector.

    Besides, he said, the action was aimed at raising performance level to meet the expectation of Nigerians.

    However, it was gathered that the shake-up may not be unconnected with the sudden drop in power supply in some parts of the country shortly after the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, was eased out of office.

    The presidential aide, however, said he was not aware of any drop in power supply.

    Abati, who was accompanied by Minister of Works Mike Onolememen, Communications Minister Mrs. Omobola Johnson and FCT Minister of State Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide, also announced that there would be no contract discussion beyond November under the 2012 budget.

    The President gave the directive at the council where he also issued the November 30 deadline for submission of memos for contracts under the 2012 budget.

    Statutorily, the budget cycle ends in December but the government is allowed to spend into the first three months in the new year.

    Abati said: “The President made it clear that no fresh memos for contracts will be accepted by Council after November 30.

    “So, effectively, November 30 is the deadline for the submission of any memo under the 2012 budget.”

    Responding to a question on the reason behind the swapping, Abati said: “I am not aware that there has been a drop in the supply of electricity.

    “If anything, the testimony that we get from Nigerians is that there has been an increase.

    “In fact, in many parts of the country, people now enjoy electricity supply for many long hours of the day and for this, government has been commended.

    “I don’t know, maybe you are talking about an isolated case, but the general impression across the country is that there has been an improvement and that this is one sector where government has achieved a lot.

    “ If the President takes any step at all with regards to power, you can be sure that that effort is to further strengthen the sector and continue to raise the level of performance and to meet the expectation of Nigerians.”

  • Subsidy scam: Jonathan shuts out marketers

    Moves by marketers involved in the fuel subsidy scam to get a reprieve from the Federal Government have failed.

    It was learnt President Goodluck Jonathan warned his aides not to meet with any of the indicted marketers.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said more marketers are still being investigated.

    It was gathered that some marketers, led by an oil baron, had desperately attempted to meet with the President in the last two weeks.

    Although they infiltrated the system to book an appointment, the President refused and read the Riot Act to all his aides.

    It was also gathered that the desperation made the President to declare on Tuesday that the law would take its full course on indicted marketers.

    A government official said: “These indicted marketers have been lobbying for an audience with the President in the last two weeks.

    “They are seeking for reprieve, they would like the President to bend the rules.

    “They do not want to face trial, they don’t want to refund looted cash.

    “They think the situation would be business as usual.

    “The situation got to a point that the President called some of his key aides and warned them against condoning these marketers.

    “He threatened to deal with any aide hobnobbing with the fuel subsidy suspects.

    “The President shut his doors on the indicted marketers and asked them to go and sort themselves out in court.

    “I think their plan was to reach out to the President and whip up sentiments to tarnish the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Committee Report.

    “The lobbying made the President, who was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, to make a categorical declaration on Tuesday that the “government is taking every legal measure to ensure that those who defraud the government in the petroleum subsidy scheme are made to pay back the stolen fund and are severely punished.”

    Jonathan made his position known during the public presentation of a book, “Reforming the Unreformable: Lessons from Nigeria” written by Finance Minister ,Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.”

    The source added that the Federal Government has discovered that the affected oil marketers have launched covert “personal campaign of calumny” against members of the Aig-Imoukhuede Presidential Committee .

    The government official added: “They are unrelenting in their ploy to blackmail the government and members of the Presidential committee.

    “In fact, one of the marketers on trial, who has been granted bail after being in detention without records of fuel importation, is now leading the propaganda against this administration and the Presidential Committee.

    “The matter is forcing the marketers to become desperate and we are expecting various types of attacks in the next few days.

    “But we are happy that Nigerians are with us on this count.”

    A member of the committee said: “We are aware that they intend to fight back by distracting Nigerians through cheap blackmail but they cannot succeed.

    “We did our job in a transparent manner. The issue is not about media campaign as we know that the police and the EFCC even authenticated our reports because the marketers when questioned could not disprove the allegations against them.

    “ Our report is watertight. What we put down against them was so specific and clear. That is why their campaign to discredit our report is not achieving any success.”

    The EFCC said it has not closed the file on indicted oil marketers as more fuel subsidy fraud suspects are still being investigated.

    A source said: “We are not done yet with the ongoing investigation of fuel subsidy scam. More suspects will still be arraigned in court.”

  • Your health and anti mosquito products

    The war against malaria has obviously taken new dimensions, with products directed against mosquitoes now coming to the market in various forms. Insectilocutors are not new and from their names, they were not specifically directed against mosquitoes. Insect repellant creams are all over the place, as are different types of insecticide treated nets. Very soon, we will have mosquito’s repellant shirts, trousers, window blinds and eclectic fans.

    Current innovations in the armamentarium against mosquitoes are commendabl, but what need to be addressed is the issue of health hazards associated with anti mosquito products.

    Foremost, the honesty and truth behind the claims of those producing them need to be seriously evaluated for the fact that, repellants directed against insects generally may not be effective against the female Anopheles mosquito; the insect which injects the plasmodium parasite into the body when it takes blood meals. Second, it is not that easy to target this female Anopheles mosquito, which unlike its male counter part is not a liver of vegetables, but sucks blood relentless now and then in all seasons mainly for ovulation; this is partly responsible for the inability of research scientists to fully understand metabolism of the female anopheles musquitoo. Perhaps the best preventive measure would have been the biological control method where by the mosquito is either completely wiped out or so biologically incapacitated that the need to take for blood meals no longer exists.

    This has not been easy. Over 500 female anopheles mosquitoes have been identified and they have such few distinguishing characteristics that previous attempts at biological control failed very badly because the particular control measure targeted the wrong mosquito. It therefore becomes necessary to explore in detail every information that can be made available concerning any mosquito repellant, cream, powder, lotion, spray, nets, air conditioner or electric fan, that has been introduced

    Some questions may guide us,

    What do those charged with the responsibility of ensuring minimal harm or damage from such products know about them?. What do experts know and what do the ordinary people know?

    What research support do they have?, who carried out the research, when, how ?,and who were the subjects, human now human, age, sex, race. What ethical considerations did they bring in and where are the results?. How do they Intend to continue research into the effects of these products within and between house holds? Unless things are done properly and answers can be provided, it makes nonsense of the presence of the relevant agencies and consequently Government to have these things in circulation and instead of solving the problem of malaria leads to the development of such more dangerous diseases as cancer.

    About cancer, it is now almost everywhere and the basic mechanism is the same; insult or challenge to genetic materials in the cells and tissues, body tries to repair and cells and tissues react when errors emerge from such repair mechanisms. Because we all have the POTENTIAL to develop cancer, though at different levels and no one knows for sure what direction cancer may go it is desired that ordinary citizens be adequately protected from products they know very little about

    Let us kook at an ideal comfortable house where you have normal or natural radiation from the refrigerator, deep freezer, micro wave, television sets, computers, radio and hand sets, then chemicals from electric gas cooker, wall paints, jewelries etc, it is difficult to know exactly where to direct your attention when for instance cancer of the breast or brain develops.

    The problem is that we are becoming confused and desperate as more people seem to be dying from malaria now than HIV/AIDS .Out of five children rushed into the children emergency ward (CHEW) in a busy centre, 3 are likely to die from malaria related complications such as high out put Heart failure as may be the end of severe anemia. Pregnant women especially the young ones, those who would not give themselves space fair badly because of the additional problem of ignorance and extreme poverty.

    At the moment, money is being spent by house holds on getting expensive anti malaria dugs with very little left for feeding.

    The problem of ignorance in such that people still don’t even know the different between typhoid, a febrile illness caused by a bacterium, salmonella spp and malaria, an equally febrile disease caused by plasmodium sp. carried by the female anopheles mosquito. Where are the insecticide treated nets ? You may ask. They have disappeared with the result that in the schools, from secondary to University campuses , there is heavy infestation with relentlessly bitting mosquitoes. Students are unable to concentrate

    With this state of hopelessness, it is not surprising, we have begum to see the emergence of claims and counter claims with no clear cut direction in the war against malaria. Private institutions have really done well to keep mosquitoes away from their students, but for public stools. The situation is quite pathetic

    No doubt, some of the policies in the past were well intended but the issue of health hazards from penetration of the active components of these preparations into the blood stream, in children, pregnant women, those on other medications. Need to be taken seriously

    Inhaling chemicals of unknown origin is bad enough but you can avoid doing so because you can’t actually see them. Others that are more soophisticated like elastic fan and air conditioned giving out bioactive agents that you can’t see is hard to sell.

    Before endorsing these products for what ever they are we should think not only of the affordability of such products, but more importantly, the health hazard, both immediate and long term health hazards.

    Like HIV/AIDS, health awareness gingles have faded, the role back malaria slogan is dying off and things will.

  • Glo connects Lekki Estate to its fixed network

    National Carrier, Globacom, has begun the connection of residential estates in Lagos and other cities to its fixed line network, riding on the Glo Broadaccess infrastructure.

    As part of this roll out drive, the company has connected NICON Town, one of the newest residential estates on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

    The Head of Glo Broadaccess, Mr. Karuna Menon, said the telecommunications company is delivering high quality voice service, data transmission, high speed Internet services and video streaming to the 433 plots in the estate.

    He said Globacom’s fibre optic cable laid earlier on the Lekki-Epe axis makes it easier for the estate to connect to Glo’s fibre optic infrastructure.

    Menon added that from the fibre cable on the expressway, the infrastructure is stepped down in a central hub in the estate and redistributed to homes to connect end users.

    A visit to NICON Estate showed that Globacom’s network installation in the estate has the capacity for 1568 connections, though the estate currently has about 433 houses. Residents have the privilege of choosing whatever bandwidth bundle they wish, based on their Internet usage requirements and this is made available by the wireless multiple cable points or both.

    “The infrastructure is robust and unique, not seen anywhere in Africa,” Menon said.

    The management of the estate attested to the speed and capacity of the Glo Broadaccess network.

    According to the General Manager of the NICON Town Management Company, Mr. Jimmy Osho, residents are capable of downloading or uploading films, videos and heavy data files with incredible Internet speed.

    On the cost of the facility to residents, Osho said last mile connections to the homes are affordable and the tariff is based on the individual monthly usage.

    Besides the NICON Estate, several high-end customers have been connected to the Glo Broadaccess network and are enjoying the services.

    Menon noted that more estates in the country have shown enthusiasm in the service “and we hope to spread the coverage in a very short time.”

  • Jonathan orders repair of roads before Yuletide

    The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, has been ordered to ensure that federal roads are in good condition for easy movement during the Yuletide.

    President Goodluck Jonathan gave the order yesterday during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    The President, according to the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, directed the Ministry of Works to carry out the repair of roads washed off by flood before the Christmas season.

    Mrs. Johnson, who anchored the press briefing shortly after the FEC meeting, said: “As we approach the Christmas period, you know there will be much travelling, as people will head for their villages and towns to celebrate the Yuletide.

    “President Jonathan has directed the Ministry of Works to ensure that the major roads in the country are in good condition to guarantee the safety of the people travelling home for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.”

    The Works Minister, who was also at the briefing, assured that the ministry will do everything possible to ensure that federal roads are in good condition, especially those affected by flood.

    He said the ministry is working on Kano, Plateau and Enugu roads and those in other states.

    Mr. Onolememen said the rehabilitation of Kano roads would cost about N3 billion, while that of Plateau would cost about N1 billion.

    He said measures are in place to guard against compromise by top officials involved in the projects monitoring.

    The minister announced the reopening of the Third Mainland Bridge, 10 days before the scheduled date. This, he said, the ministry would replicate in its duties.

    Said he: “As a result of the heavy rains witnessed in all parts of the country this year, coupled with the overflow of Rivers Niger and Benue, our roads were damaged.

    “Today, the Federal Executive Council approved that a special programme for the maintenance and rehabilitation of major arterial roads should be carried out by the Federal Ministry of Works.

    “Today’s approval by FEC will ensure that all impacted road infrastructures are given due attention.

    “So, in the next couple of weeks, we will witness a massive roll-out on most sections of the federal highway across the country.

    “I assure Nigerians that we will do our best to ensure that the roads are put in good conditions again to guarantee the safety of motorists and commuters during the end of the year.”

    On the successful completion of the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge, he said: “Yesterday, we re-opened the bridge, whose contract was awarded for maintenance and repairs by the FEC last November.

    “The repair was scheduled to be completed by November 6, but due to effective planning and monitoring, we achieved the feat about 10 days before the scheduled completion date.”

    Onolememen said the re-opening of the bridge has brought succour to motorists and commuters in Lagos.