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Tag: Abuja

  • Fashola certifies third mainland bridge safe for use

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has certified the third mainland bridge safe for use.

    The minister in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the ministry stated that the expansion joint shown in a social media video clip was one of those scheduled for change during repairs to the bridge.

    He also added that the repairs of the bad portion of the Bridge would commence soon.

    The statement reads: “The General Public is hereby informed that the expansion joint shown in a Facebook video clip, is one of those slated for change during repairs to the Third Mainland Bridge which will commence soon.

    “It is still functioning and our engineers and consultants have advised that it does not pose any structural danger to the bridge and it is safe to use.

    “Commuters and Lagos residents will recall that the Third Mainland Bridge was shut down for a 3-day Investigative Maintenance in August 2018. Tests done on the expansion joints then – called static and dynamic load tests – were to check functionality. A number of expansion joints were identified for replacement then.”

    Read Also: Fashola: we can’t cover every road in Nigeria

    It continues: “More recently, in March this year, underwater confirmatory tests preceding the repair works to be done on the bridge, were carried out on the piles to determine if there is further deterioration or not on the piles from that done in 2013.

    “However, all the tests done preparatory to closure of the Bridge to commence comprehensive Maintenance works indicate that the integrity of the Bridge is intact.

    “Therefore the third mainland bridge is safe for use, and people should desist from spreading or sharing false information about the bridge on social media platforms.”

    On the nature of the repairs, he said: “The expansion joints to be replaced are part of a regular bridge maintenance programme that has been neglected for decades which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is now addressing frontally on many bridges nationwide.

    “Such maintenance works include resurfacing of the bridge, along with several others, which this administration is also undertaking as the bridge users will attest to a better driving surface.”

  • Kubwa residents task govt. to end child labour

    Residents of Kubwa Satellite town in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday called for the implementation of laws to end child labour in the area.

    In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Chikakore, Kubwa, some of the residents called for appropriate measures to discourage it and to punish perpetrators.

    Mrs Rebecca Briggs, a business woman, said that children of school age should not be allowed to be hawking while their mates are in school.

    “If you go around Chikakore, you find a lot of children hawking and selling different things; this is not good.

    “The children are exposed to different dangers in the society especially the females, which can also affect them psychologically.

    “Parents who send these children out for such things need to be punished because they are violating the child’s rights.

    “The federal government needs to implement laws that would safeguard the rights of these young ones.”

    Mr Wale Fatoyibo, however, said that the issue is not about implementing laws to punish child labour offenders, it is about eradicating poverty in the society.

    “Children who come from wealthy homes do not hawk on the streets, children hawk because they need to contribute to the needs of their families.

    “If parents can send their children to school, health centres, have good shelter over their heads, it will reduce sending their children to hawk.’’

    Also, Pastor Titus Agada, said education should be the first start in life for children rather than being used for labour.

    According to him, children should never be put in a situation where they are the bread winners of the family.

    Agada appealed to the government to implement laws that would protect children against child labour as a way of ensuring a better future for them.

    “When we have laws that protect these children, we can be guaranteed that the future of the country is secured.

    “When there are such laws, people will be careful not to break them due to fear of being arrested or charged to court.

    “If these children continue roaming the streets, they would be exposed to many social vices which would be bad for our society.”

    Speaking with one of the hawkers, 13-year old Hannatu Gambo, who was selling groundnut cakes, said she was hawking to get money to pay for her school fees.

    NAN reports that children from the age of five to 15 in Chikakore in Kubwa hawks different types of stuffs like warnut, groundnuts, vegetables, pepper and cooked food. (NAN)

  • Easter: Lagos airports record higher numbers of passengers

    The domestic terminals of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos recorded higher numbers of passengers on Thursday ahead of the Easter holidays.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared April 19 and 22 to mark the Easter celebration by Christians in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    NAN correspondents that visited the airport terminals observed that more travelers were leaving Lagos to other destinations.

    At the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), the counters of Air Peace and Arik Air had the long queues of passengers, while Dana Air and Max Air also had the long queues at the MMA2.

    The upsurge of the out-bound passengers led to increase in air fares due to lack of seats on available flights.

    Mostly affected were flights from Lagos to Abuja, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Benin which usually sell for between N25, 000 and N32,000, but have gone up to about N42,000 and 46,000.

    A travel agent, Mr Madu Ezechi, said the increase in the air fares was normal due to the high demand by passengers.

    “This is a long holiday and many people want to take advantage of it to go home, see their loved ones and settle other issues.

    “So, getting tickets is a bit difficult, especially if you are traveling in groups. Some people want to sit with their family members and are willing to pay for it,” he said.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat to unveil key Lagos road map

    A passenger, Mr George Uko, said many Nigerians have embraced air travel, especially as it was safer and faster.

    Uko, however urged domestic airlines to improve their services by reducing incidents of delayed and cancelled flights.

    “Flight delay and cancellation are still big issues. I remember one time my flight was delayed for almost two hours and I nearly missed my appointment. I was not happy at all, “he said.

    NAN reports that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had assured passengers and other airport users that her network of airports were fully prepared and ready for the usual upsurge in passenger traffic during the Easter period.

    FAAN, in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, on Wednesday said that all necessary facilities, infrastructure and manpower had been deployed to ensure seamless operation at the airports.

    She said that the relevant security agencies had been mobilised to beef up security at all airports during the period.

    Yakubu advised intending travelers to endeavour to leave for the airport early enough to ensure that check-in formalities were conducted in good time.

    NAN

     

  • FG fixes Abuja carnival for November

    The Federal Government has shifted the Abuja carnival  scheduled to take place in December 2018 to November 2019.

    Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information Deaconess Grace Gekpe said the carnival among other gains will provide a platform  to recreate and continue the onerous task of nation building after the peaceful general elections.

    She added that the carnival is conceived to showcase the country’s strength even in our diversity and to forge a nation of one destiny, one people.

    Gekpe stated these on Monday in Abuja at the 2019 Abuja carnival stakeholders meeting.

    She said: “It is worthy of note that carnivals aside from being a vehicle for wealth creation, poverty reduction, employment generation, and social integration is also a panacea for a peaceful and stable society. Though diverse in language, tribe, culture and tradition as well as in religious and political philosophy, the carnival is conceived to showcase our strength even in our diversity and to forge a nation of one destiny, one people.

    “This year’s carnival, among other gains, wili provide the platform to unwind, recreate and continue the onerous task of nation-building after the peaceful 2019 generai eiections.

    “The Ministry is not unmindful of the justifiable concerns of the stakeholders within and outside of the sector over the postponements of the Carnival from December, 2018 to November, 2019.

    “While we regret the inconvenience caused by these shifts in dates, it is however pertinent that the input from the technical forum would enhance our capacity to organise a world-class event. This way, we will not only sustain the Abuja Carnival but surpass the standard of previous editions.”

  • How one SMS changed over 500 lives In Abuja

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    Blessing Adams’ face was priceless as she listened to the laughter of over 500 students. She was filled with joy and a sense of fulfillment for being a conduit of blessing to other humans.

    Blessing is the only PTA Teacher in UBE Primary School Kutunku 2 Gwagwalada Abuja, where over 500 pupils unanimously chorused “thank you aunty Blessing” at the assembly ground. The excited children flaunted their new school bags containing exercise books, pencil cases and raincoats.

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja
    Blessing Adams, addressing pupils of the school she nominated for the What Can We Do Together (WCWDT) initiative.

    Blessing was one of the thousands of Nigerians who nominated their communities for projects under the MTN What Can We Do Together initiative. She had jokingly sent a text and now, her school pupils were singing and benefiting from that simple gesture!

    What Can We Do Together – in its third year – is geared towards developing grassroots communities through collaborative efforts. It provides Nigerians with the opportunity to nominate their community for a developmental project, including refurbishment of Primary Health Center, provision of borehole and supply of school learning materials in primary schools.

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    Coordinator, Economic Empowerment, MTN Foundation, Christian Osi; Nominator, MTN What Can We Do Together (WCWDT) Adam Blessing; Head Teacher, UBE Primary School, New Kutunku ll, Gwagwalada, Abubakar Adamu; Senior Manager, Program Implementation, MTN Nigeria, Abasi-Ekong Udobang and Deputy Director, FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Idris Isyaku Ibrahim at the handover of school learning materials by the MTN Foundation at the school.

    Over 300,000 communities were nominated in 2018 for the third phase. The screening process which began in January 2019 had officials traveling to multiple locations to verify the nominations by Nigerians.

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    Verification Team in January 2019 at the UBE Primary School, New Kutunku ll, Gwagwalada verifying the school, needs school learning materials as nominated by Blessing Adams.

    Now in its implementation phase, the What Can We Do Together (WCWDT)  has commenced deployment of the school learning materials in primary schools across Nigeria.

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    Pupils of UBE Primary School, New Kutunku ll, Gwagwalada Abuja elated upon receiving their School Learning Materials From MTN.

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    MTN Champions’ arraigning the School Learning Materials before distribution.

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    Cross-section of the School Learning Materials.

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

    How One SMS Changed Over 500 Lives In Abuja

  • IG orders downsizing of Police headquarters, others for efficiency

    To inject fresh ideas for administrative efficiency, policemen who have spent four years and above at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Zonal or state commands are to be posted out, The Nation learnt on Thursday.

    This is just as the acting Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu has directed a downsize of personnel strength in the aforementioned places for operational exigencies.

    Our Correspondent gathered that this may not be unconnected with the desire to contain the practice whereby officers and order ranks perpetuate themselves at the various command headquarters to escape deployment to crisis zones.

    It was gathered that the IG was also concerned by the spate of violent crimes across the country and the seeming inability of the police to take charge.

    Read Also: Police bust suspected child theft syndicate

    Our correspondent gathered that IG was unsatisfied with the level of manpower redundancy and was going all out to enhance the personnel base of state commands for improved crime control capacity.

    A source who hinted on the development disclosed that it was contained in a signal signed by the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the IG Idowu Owohunwa, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

    The source said: ” The IG has approved the downsizing of the personnel profile of the Force Headquarters, Zonal Headquarters and State Command Headquarters with immediate effect.
    The downsizing will affect officers at the Force Headquarters Abuja and Lagos Annex. Some officers have served so many years at these places and they keep working their postings to stay there.

    “The directive mandated all departments within the Force Headquarters Abuja and Zonal and State headquarters to start reducing their personnel strength by at least 30 percent. It is for both officers and rank and file. It gave one-week deadline for the list (comprehensive nominal roll of personnel by department) to reach the IG secretariat.

    “That those who have stayed more than four years must be redeployed from the headquarters as well as those adjudged to be lacking in capacity to contribute meaningfully to the mandates of the departments.

    “All those to be deployed from the Force Headquarters will be posted to state commands across the country to boost manpower.”

  • FG spent N79.2bn on monthly pension in 2018, says PTAD

    The Federal Government in 2018 spent a total of N79.2 billion on the payment of monthly pensions to pensioners.

    The Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Sharon Ikeazor, made this known at the stakeholders forum for pensioners from North Central Zone in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to her, “N6.8bn monthly pension was paid to Customs, Immigration and Prison Pension Department (CIPPD), N45 billion was paid to pensioners in Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD), about N21.2 billion was paid to pensioners under Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD) and N6.1 billion was also paid to pensioners with Police Pension Department (PPD).

    “Under the CSPD, 30,770 pensioners who had not been on the payroll had their benefits computed and put back on the payroll with their arrears paid.

    “As at March 2019, an additional 1,655 have also been computed and put back on the payroll.

    “Under PaPD, an additional 14,678 pensioners from various agencies under the PaPD were verified, benefits computed and paid. They include Delta Steel, NITEL/MTEL, FHA, Savannah Sugar, and NDA – Civilian.”

    “On the issue of 33% arrears, which is the most relevant point that I am sure all pensioners are eager to hear about.

    “As at Monday this week, the FG through PTAD has paid the sum of N2.6bn to 103,000 Civil Service Pensioners who are on PTAD payroll.

    “This is an inherited liability from the last salary increase of 2010. I will like to reassure the majority of parastatals pensioners who have not received their 33% arrears that we have just paid that of Nigeria Railways.

    “The rest of the parastatals pensioners 33% arrears will be paid after the parastatals verification exercise which will commence at the end of April.

    “This is to enable PTAD ascertain its true liability.

    “You are aware that under the Parastatals Pensions Department, PTAD owes between 12 – 24 months of the 33% arrears. But for Police Pensions and Civil Service Pensions, we have a zero balance; meaning that government has cleared all of the 33% arrears.” she said.

    Concerning payment to Next of Kins (NOKs), the PTAD boss explained that it has paid 337 NOKs over N277m; 649 NOKs of PaPD (NITEL) have been paid over N613.4m; 1,019 of the NOKs in Health/Education sector under the PaPD have been paid a total of N1.9m; lastly, 19 NOKs of Delta Steel have been paid N25.9bn.

    She explained that the only acceptable documentation for the processing of payment to Next of Kin is the letter of administration from state or federal high court.

    The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, who was represented by the Director of Legal at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Gabriel Christopher, while commending the PTAD for its exceptional, transparent, and technologically driven innovation and workforce, assured pensioners that the payment of the rest of the parastatals pensioners will take effect in due course.

    Read Also: PTAD pays 103,710 civil service pensioners

    The Acting Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Hajia Aisha Dahir-Umar, represented by the Head of Complaint in the Commission, Mr. Michael Ejiofor, commended the progress and successes achieved by the directorate of PTAD, regardless of the many challenges it faces such as low funds.

    According to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr. Abel Afolayan, “Pensioners have never had it this good in the history of this country.”

    While commending PTAD and the administration under President Muhammadu Buhari for clearing backlogs of payments of 33% pension arrears, he, however, advised the government to pay speedy attention to the payment of the rest of the parastatals pensioners, and to address issues concerning payments to Next of Kins.

  • Photos: Abuja indigenes protest forceful takeover of land by Army

    Members of coalition of FCT Indigenous Association, on Thursdy protested against the forceful take over of their land by the Nigerian Army in Giri, Kpakuru, Zuba, Ido Sariki and Tunga Manje of FCT in Abuja

  • Breaking: FG suspends mining in Zamfara

    The Federal Government on Sunday suspended mining in Zamfara state following series of attacks by bandits.

    It also ordered foreign miners to immediately leave mining sites in Zamfara States and its environs.

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu briefed State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

    He said that any foreign miner that continues mining activities would have his license revoked.

    According to him, there was a nexus between activities of the bandits and illicit miners.

    Read Also: Bandits kill 50 civilian JTF, others in Zamfara

    He also disclosed that a combined team of security forces will be dispatched to the area.

    At the briefing was the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Director General, Department of State Services (DSS); Yusuf Bichi and Director General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar.

     

    Details Later

     

  • Late Akunyili unforgettable, says Aisha Buhari

    The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on Friday eulogised former Director- General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), late Prof. Dora Akunyili.

    She described Akunyili as a very dedicated, hardworking and transparent in her service years while speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Agency in Abuja.

    The wife of the president said her family became interested in the affairs of Akunyile during her days at the Petroleum Trust Fund, because of her transparent, hard work and dedication to service.

    “She was hardworking, transparent and dedicated to her duties and Nigeria will continue to miss her valuable contributions to national development,” she said.

    TYhe wife of the president also said late Akunyili was a firm believer in President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for a corruption-free society, adding that the deceased contributed immensely to shaping the destiny of NAFDAC.

    Read Also: Onnoghen’s resignation: Buhari is vindicated, says APC

    “My family and I actually became interested in the affairs of NAFDAC through my intimacy with late Prof. Dora Akunyili. A close relationship forged when she worked with my husband, who was the Chairman of the then Petroleum Trust Fund.

    “May her soul continue to rest in peace.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that late Akunyili was also Minister of Information and Communications.

    She received national and international recognitions due to her significant contributions to the development of pharmaceutical industries in Nigeria.