The Nation Newspaper

Tag: repair

  • IPMAN: repair them before selling

    IPMAN: repair them before selling

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Sunday urged the Federal Government to repair the nation’s oil refineries before their planned sale.

    The Chairman of the association in Sokoto state, Alhaji Sule Magaji, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Sokoto.

    “We in IPMAN are against the plan to sell the refineries but if the federal government will not rescind the decision, the refineries should be made fully functional before being sold.

    “The government should also take concrete measures to further secure all oil pipelines across the country,” Magaji said.

    According to him, repairing the refineries, securing the pipelines and putting other necessary measures in place will motivate the potential buyers and other investors to be part of the planned sale.

    He said that it would be difficult or impossible for individuals to adequately protect oil pipelines, noting that “even ongoing efforts by the federal government in that regard seem ineffective”.

    Expressing fear that the sale of the refineries might lead to total removal of existing subsidy on some petroleum products, Magaji appealed that subsidy should remain even after the sale of the refineries.

    He stated that retaining the subsidy regime would alleviate the suffering of Nigerians adding that subsidies existed in other countries that were less endowed with oil resources as Nigeria.

    He admitted that Nigerians were currently enjoying steady supply of petroleum products across the country noting that the federal government deserved commendation for that.

    He, however, appealed to the government to sustain the tempo “for the common good of all Nigerians”.

  • ‘ Repair our road, bridge ‘

    ‘ Repair our road, bridge ‘

    The Iken-Ogbo Ijebu community and some adjoining towns in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, have cried to the state government for help as the only link bridge to the area has collapsed. The bridge gave way under the heavy rains of Monday, July 16, 2012.

    The community said this has nearly paralysed socio-economic activities in the area as pupils in the area find it difficult to attend classes and farmers and women face uphill task transporting farm produce and wares. Iken-Ogbo-Ijebu is the gateway to such towns as Okelamuren-Ogbo, Ibido-Ogbo, Isanya- Ogbo and Ijagun-Ogbo.

    The chairman, Community Development Association (CDA) of Iken-Ogbo, Comrade Gabriel Adenrele Odulaja with the Alawunren of Okelamuren, Oba Lawrence Oguntayo and Baale of the town, High Chief Olalekan Odunfejo were believed to have complained severally to the state commissioner of works.

    Also, the only transformer in the town has stopped working, throwing the area into darkness. The road from Iken-Ogbo to Okelamuren-Ogbo and Ibido Ogbo-Ijebu is equallyin bad shape. Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba started the road project which terminates at Isanya-Ogbo-Ijebu while in office but nothing has been on it since he left office.

    “We are therefore appealing to Governor Amosun to use his good office find solution to these problems. The situation has adversely affected businesses and other activities in the community. During governorship election, we voted massively for the government which we believe will deliver dividends of democracy to our community”,the community said.

  • Osun to repair Ede Water Works with N2b

    The Osun State Government is to spend N2 billion for the rehabilitation of Ede Water Works, which supplies 70 per cent of the water needs of the state.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, Mrs. Tawa Williams, announced this at a press conference marking this year’s World Water Day in Osogbo, the state capital.

    Mrs. Williams said the government sourced funds to repair the waterworks. The repair is to be completed in 12 months.

    Mrs. Williams said: “We are discussing with the contractor, who handled the work initially, to come and rehabilitate the dam. When we conclude the rehabilitation of Ede Water Works, which provides 70 per cent of the water requirement of our people, we will strive to bring the remaining 30 per cent up in good time.

    “The state government has embarked on the rehabilitation and modernisation of both the new and old Ede Water Works to raise the output of water to 730,000 litres per day. It is instructive to note the extent of past neglect.

    “Ede Water Works was established almost 60 years ago and serviced 12 local governments with 160 towns and villages. Seventy per cent of water supply in the state is from here. At the inception of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration, however, its capacity had dwindled to 15 per cent, with major equipment completely broken down.

    “We have reversed the trend with the installation of two new intake pumps, 1.5 MVA generating set, two (2MVA) transformers and seven dozing pumps. This interim intervention stabilised the water supply.”

    Mrs. Williams said the administration has committed huge resources to eliminate water-borne diseases.

    She said the government has approved the repair of all water works to ensure the flow of pipe-borne water in all parts.

  • 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.