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Tag: Yuletide

  • Yuletide: FRSC cautions motorists against speeding

    Yuletide: FRSC cautions motorists against speeding

    The Ogun State command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has advised motorists to avoid indiscipline that can cause crashes during the Yuletide.

    Sector Commander, Clement Oladele spoke at the Ota Unit Command’s ember-month safety initiative, tagged:  Crash the Crash, Speed Kills, at Sango main motor park in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

    The campaign was in conjunction with Shell Nigeria Gas.

    The sector commander said the Yuletide would record crash-free if the motorists, especially commercial drivers, stopped violating road safety rules, such as speeding, overloading and drunk-driving on the highways.

    He said the FRSC introduced the speed limiter to reduce crashes arising from speeding.

    Oladele urged commercial vehicle owners and drivers to ensure that the device is installed in their vehicles before February 1, the enforcement dateline.

    The sector commander said articulated vehicles, besides speed limiters, should also install safety valves, retro-reflective tapes and an effective lighting system.

    Ota Unit Commander Leye Adegboyega said the perceived rush and increase in vehicular and human activities during Christmas led to the introduction of the ember-months’ rally.

    He said this year’s Christmas and New Year would fall on Sunday, adding that the FRSC expected increased vehicular traffic from the Friday preceding the two festivals.

    Adegboyega said: “We are providing measures to mitigate the envisaged high vehicular travels during this period because there is the tendency for drivers to overload their vehicles, violate speed limit, commit lane indiscipline and disregard other traffic rules and regulations with consequences for traffic misbehaviour, crashes and avoidable road traffic deaths.”

  • Yuletide: Ambode lights up Lagos with Employment Trust Fund

    Yuletide: Ambode lights up Lagos with Employment Trust Fund

    For many Lagosians, this yuletide season will be a time to smile again. While many Nigerians are lamenting the harsh effects of the ongoing economic rescission as the year draws to a close, a good number of Lagosians have been told to brace up for a new beginning this December as the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in the state roll out its plan to tackle the twin menace of joblessness and poverty in the state through the much publicized employment trust fund.
    With the passage of the regulation on the administration of the trust fund by the state Assembly, and executive assent given to it, the Governor, while presenting the 2017 budget to the House of Assembly during the week, said all is now set for the commencement of disbursement of funds to interested entrepreneurs. Ambode specifically announced that the funds will get to beneficiaries this month. The announcement sparked jubilations across the state, especially amongst the numerous entrepreneurs waiting anxiously to benefit from the scheme.
    Hon. Sola Giwa, who represents Lagos Island constituency 2, in the state assembly, is the of the Chairman of the House Committee on Employment and Wealth Creation. This committee it was, that worked on the regulations that was recently passed by the lawmakers to make way fort he disbursement of funds to anxious Lagosians.
    Giwa, who is as elated by the announced commencement of the scheme as most Lagosians, has been speaking on the fund and its benefits for the state. According to him, the House actually passed the regulation because it is entrenched in the law setting up the fund itself. “The law says the House from time to time should regulate the activities and administration of the trust fund.
    But basically, the trust fund is a cardinal part of the campaign promises of his excellency, the governor of Lagos state, Akinwunmi Ambode to kind of alleviate or as a point of cushioning the effect of this unemployment issue, youths looking for white collar jobs and the like, to take care of the gap in the unemployment issue, so that is exactly what this loan is trying to address,” he said.
    Speaking on those who can benefit from the scheme and how Lagosians can benefit from the loan, the lawmaker insisted that the scheme is specifically and sincerely meant for Lagos residents of all ages excluding minors. “Once you are qualified to vote, that is from 18 upwards you are qualified, no matter your tribe, your party affiliation or religion.
    Basically if you check the regulation, the eligibility or those that will benefit from this are there, its actually meant to take care of the micro, small and medium enterprises, tech start-ups, market relations and all that. So these are the areas we are trying to look at. Of course there would be a guarantor. Maybe I should just put it in perspective.
    For you to be eligible, first of all you have to get the form, you need to prove that you are a Lagos resident, you need to prove that you need that money, your BVN will be required, that is, you have to have a bank account, just show that you will be able to repay this loan and then just one guarantor to the sum that you are being loaned, that’s just basically it,”he explained.
    Explaining further, Giwa said the scheme is not for groups or organizations alone as being erroneously inferred in some quarters. According to him, individuals can apply for the loans. “Individuals can apply, co-operatives can apply, people that have companies can apply. The maximum you can get is like N5million because the fund is actually like N6.2billion per year, that’s what the governor has disbursed and the fund will be disbursed twice in a year,” he said.
    Asked the need for regulation again when there is a law setting up the fund, he said; “There must be a process to adjust the law, and it is not always that easy to make adjustments to a law, it can be quite cumbersome. So to give the fund some kind of flexibility, that is why the regulation is there, so the management of the trust fund can actually make regulations as the reality of the country or economy changes.
    For example now, what they are doing right now with the fund, the fact is this, if things change and you have to amend the law to take care of the changes, you know the process of amending the law is cumbersome; so to make it easy that is why the regulation is there. And in the regulation we have the nitty-gritty of the day-to-day running of the fund which is different from the main body of the law itself. So that is basically what it is,” he added.
    According to Giwa, the regulation mandated a comprehensive insurance cover as part of the conditions to give out the loan and further went on to add that the fund should bear the cost of the insurance cover. Consequently, everybody or every entity that will be getting the loan would need to be insured. Also, equipments and other movables that may be sourced with the loan will also have to be insured against theft, fire, etc.
    “You know all loans are usually funded but what we are saying, the difference here is that this fund will be insuring that loan. Don’t forget this is like a small chunk of money and we are now saying the fund itself will insure it,” Giwa said.
    On fears that Lagosians may take the loans and renege on the many promises of paying back as stipulated by the trust fund, Giwa said; “I believe that Lagosians are trustworthy people, they are good people. If you give them loan, they know the difference between a loan and a gift. So I am sure that Lagosians that will be availed this loan will pay back when due.
    By and large, the mechanism is already in place to make sure that this loan is free of all this issues being enumerated out there and I just told you some of them. Insuring the loan itself, insuring the equipment and getting the BVN and guarantor for the loan are some of these mechanisms. And the good thing about the BVN is that you cannot collect money now and say that you will not pay back. In essence we would know if you have money in other account and we can step in for us to get our money from you. Apart from that, the fund itself is planning on, for each person that is getting this loan some few trainings for them to let them know how to handle it and there will be monitoring.”
    On the enthusiasm that has trailed the scheme since it was first mentioned and the multitude of Lagosians waiting eagerly to access the fund, Giwa said, “I think the Executive Secretary and the board of the fund are people who know their onions. They are capable hands. They know the best thing to ensure that deserving Lagosians get it right.
    And don’t mix it up, apart from distributing this loan, there are other programmes that they do like training people in terms of skills acquisition. So it is not actually just giving loans and loans alone, that is not what the fund is all about. So I am sure they are up to it. I think we are looking at say, in the next two and half years, about 6,000 Lagosians that would be helped by this scheme. That is the projection and I am sure they will do a wonderful job.”

  • Calabar carnival: Police, NSCDC assure of adequate security

    Calabar carnival: Police, NSCDC assure of adequate security

    The Cross River Police Command has assured residents and tourists visiting the state of adequate security during the 2016 annual Calabar carnival scheduled to commence December 1.

    This assurance was given on Tuesday by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, in an interview with the journalists in Calabar.

    Ozi-Obeh said that the command had strengthened its security network, with a view to curbing any emergency cases of security in the state at the annual festival which attracts thousands of tourists from within and outside the country.

    “The one month annual festival will be officially flagged off on December 1. We have witnessed the first and second dry-run and there were no security hitches.

    “The command is ever ready to provide adequate security for thousands of tourists that will be coming in for the festival.

    “I want to assure you that we are working in collaboration with other sister agencies to ensure that the carnival period is celebrated peacefully in the state,’’ he assured.

    In the same vein, the Cross River Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Clement Adesuyi assured the people of the state and tourists coming for the carnival of adequate security.

    Adesuyi said that the command would deploy intelligence and uniform officers to different locations in the state to ensure a peaceful Christmas and carnival celebration.

    According to him, one of the objectives of the corps is to protect the lives and property of the citizenry.

    “I want to assure the peaceful people of Cross River and tourists that the state command of NSCDC is on alert to respond to all security challenges within the carnival period and beyond.

    “Our men on uniform and those of the intelligent department will be deployed to strategic locations in the state to ensure a smooth carnival and Christmas celebration,’’ he said.

  • Easter: Passengers stranded at Abuja airport

    Easter: Passengers stranded at Abuja airport

    Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was a beehive of activities on Thursday as passengers tried to travel for the Easter celebrations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had declared Friday and Monday public holidays for Easter celebrations.

    NAN reports that there was heavy traffic in the departure hall and the booking points of the domestic wing of the airport.

    NAN also observed that some passengers were stranded as there were no available flights for them to travel to their destinations.

    An official of the airport, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said all flights for Thursday were fully booked and that there was no more available flight for the day.

    The official said that the upsurge was as a result of the long holiday.

    Mr Saroke Abdullahi, Deputy Station Manager, Azman Airlines, said there was an upsurge in passenger turnout and that all domestic flights for Thursday were fully booked by Wednesday.

    Abdullahi said that flights to Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt were the most patronised.

    He also said the traffic upsurge had forced many airlines to sell tickets at their last prices and emphasised that there was no fare hike.

    According to him, every airline has lower and higher prices for tickets.

    He said travelers who bought tickets early were likely to enjoy lower prices.

    “During rush periods like this, airlines sell their tickets at their last prices which is usually higher than the normal period but that does not necessarily mean fare hike,” he said.

    A traveller, Mr Saleh Magaji, told NAN that he was stranded because he could not get a flight to Kano.

    Magaji said he did not expect the increase in passenger traffic considering the harsh economic situation in the country; otherwise he would have booked before Thursday.

    He said he wanted to use the opportunity of the long holiday to travel to Kano to spend time with his family.

    Another traveler, Mr Joe Maduka, said he had rescheduled his trip to Port Harcourt since he could not get any flight for Thursday.

    Maduka called on all Christians to use the Easter celebration to pray for the economic turnaround of the country.

     

  • Lagos records light traffic movements after Yuletide

    Loads and waterways transportation in Lagos yesterday recorded light passengers’ traffic after the Eid-el-Maulud and Christmas celebrations, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Correspondents of NAN who went round to monitor situations on the roads observed that many traffic prone-junctions during rush hours were free.

    Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) District Manager Akin Osinowo, said the patronage was normal as it used to be on the first working day after big festivities.

    He said: “We usually experience normal patronage on the first working day after any big festivities such as Christmas. This is because many would-be passengers especially from the informal sector would have travelled to where there family members were to celebrate with them.

    “They will be staying for about two weeks there before returning to Lagos and during that period we are likely to record low patronage. There is no challenge at all.”

    Kabiru Oladeji, a commercial driver, said they experienced a low-turnout of passengers in spite of the resumption of workers.

    Oladeji said they had a boom during Christmas with passengers patronising commercial buses.

    “The turnout is low today though workers have resumed work from their Christmas holiday,” Oladeji said.

    Shakiru Akinbode, a passenger, said that there was less gridlock today being the first day of resumption of work.

    Akinbode said this was because many people were still savouring the joy of the season.

  • Yuletide: FRSC arrests 143 traffic offenders in Edo

    Yuletide: FRSC arrests 143 traffic offenders in Edo

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Edo State has arrested 143 motorists for various road traffic offences during its ongoing Yuletide Special Patrols in the state.

    The Edo Sector Commander of the Corps, Mr. Oluwasusi Familoni, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the road traffic violators were prosecuted in three different mobile courts at Uromi, the Benin/Shagamu Highway Toll Gate and Ekewuan Road.

    “Among the 143 offenders arrested, 125 of them were convicted, while 18 of them were discharged,” he said.

    “The major offences were operating vehicles with fake documents and seat belt violations.

    “We have planned to hold six mobile courts sittings in the state during the yuletide special patrols to checkmate the activities of motorists as they ply the roads this festive period,” he said.

    The sector commander, however, cautioned motorists to desist from driving under the influence of alcohol, saying, “It is dangerous and predisposes motorists to accidents.”

     

  • Yuletide: NEMA, FRSC educate motorists on the road

    Yuletide: NEMA, FRSC educate motorists on the road

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have taken safe driving campaign to major highways as Nigerians travel across the country to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

    Speaking shortly before the take-off of the on-the-road campaign along Kaduna-Abuja expressway Thursday, NEMA’s North-West Zonal Coordinator, Musa Illalah, said such campaigns have tremendously contributed to reduction in road crashes during the yuletide seasons on our highways.

    “This is an annual event we organize at this time of the year to sensitize drivers on safe driving. In this Eid-Maulud, Christmas and New Year celebrations it is important to. We are always supporting the Federal Road Safety Commission whose mandate is to oversee the roads and the road users.

    “We think we have an obligation as the agency charged with the responsibility of managing disasters to support any safety campaign. These campaigns have tremendously contributed to reduction in road crashes during the yuletide seasons on our highways.

    “Specifically, these campaigns and support the suppport NEMA is rendering is targeting and extended to all the four entry points to Kaduna. That is the Kaduna-Abuja highway, Kaduna-Kachia highway, Kaduna-Zaria highway and the Kaduna-Birnin highway.

    “We intend to be on these roads within between now and the next seven days to provide the needed support to FRSC so that together we can minimize the rates of accidents on our roads.

    “It is a known fact that we witness more loss of lives on road accidents in this country than in any other emergency we have. And that is why the FRSC has a very big mandate further watch the extensive road networks we have in this country. All the government agencies, individuals and private bodies in this country should support the FRSC in to achieve this mandate because they cannot do it alone,” he said.

    In his remarks, the unit commander of FRSC Kakau in Kaduna, Ademola Obafemi, called on drivers to avoid over speeding, drinking and overloading. He said that such acts exacerbate road crashes.

    He commended NEMA for always supporting them in the campaign, saying that their support and partnership has always yielded positive results.

     

  • Yuletide: Traders decry low patronage

    Yuletide: Traders decry low patronage

    Some traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed disappointment over low patronage during the yuletide season, attributing it to cash crunch in the economy.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited some of the Christmas `sales’ shops on Thursday, reports that the turnout of buyers was unimpressive.

    Miss Faith Kolawole, a sales girl, said that since Dec. 9, when the `sales’ started, patronage from buyers has not been encouraging.

    She said that people would come, price and go without buying, adding that the `bad’ economy was affecting their business.

    Mr. Pius Ezenibe, one of the traders, said that he made more sales last year than this year.

    Ezenibe noted that since many workers had yet to be paid salaries, the situation was also affecting businesses.

    “I do not think I will be here much longer because business is very dull.

    “I had expected that with the slash in prices more customers would buy; but that has not been the case,’’ he said.

    Reacting to the complaints of the traders, Mrs. Obiageli Achi, one of the buyers, said she observed that the sales were not real.

    “I can’t see any sales going on here; the prices they are selling is still the same in the market; some goods here are even more expensive than in the market.

    “For instance, I wanted to buy baby shoe I was told N4,500 while in the market the same kind of shoe goes for N3,500; so, for me I can’t see any sales going on here.’’

    Similarly, Miss Juliet Asemota, another buyer, said that the price variation was not significant.

    According to her, the prices of goods on `sales’ platform need to be slashed to half of the initial price, in order to attract more buyers.

    Mrs. Nancy Davis observed that in Nigeria, the prices of most goods said to be `on sale’ were not attractive, adding that those that were half the original price, either had a defect or were not good enough.

    “At this time of the year in countries like U.S. and UK, massive sales are going on and you get quality things even top designer wears at 50 per cent off or more.

    “In Nigeria when there are sales, you wonder how much was the initial price before the sales because the prices are still on the high side.

    “Those that are relatively cheap may have one defect or the other due to prolonged stay in the shop,’’ Mrs Davis said.

  • Yuletide: Security beefed up nationwide

    Yuletide: Security beefed up nationwide

    As Nigerians begin Christmas and New Year celebrations, security agencies have mapped out measures to protect lives and property nationwide.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police, the Nigerian Navy, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed their personnel to provide security to citizens at worship centres, motor parks, recreation centres, the Creeks, waterways and Shopping Malls, among others, during the period.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, had directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure adequate security for travelers, picnickers, among others, across the country, before, during and after the celebrations.

    According to a statement issued by the Force Spokesman, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, the IGP also directed Command Commissioners of Police to “personally’’ ensure that worship centres, recreation centres, motor parks and shopping malls, among others, were adequately and effectively protected.

    It said Arase warned all citizens to be vigilant while receiving gifts from unknown persons that may pose as friends during the season, to avoid explosive-laden hampers as gifts.

    The Nigerian Navy, too, said in Port Harcourt that it had ordered deployment of troops to strategic locations in the creeks and waterways to enable people travel freely.

    Rear Adm. Atiku Abdulkadir, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, told NAN that the deployment was to ensure safety of travelers before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    “We have ordered our Commanders of the naval bases and Commanding Officers of Forward Operating Bases to deploy patrol boats in the creeks and waterways.

    “We have also deployed ships at mouth of the channel to ensure more presence on sea at waterways.

    “The navy is also partnering with communities to get information on potential suspects or those who are intending to perpetrate criminality in their area.

    “All these activities are to ensure that our people enjoy their Christmas and New Year celebrations without fear of being molested by hoodlums,” he said.

    Abdulkadir also said that the Navy was currently collaborating with the Operation Pulo Shield and the police to ensure a hitch-free festive season.

    The flag officer called on people to corporate with naval personnel while traveling on creeks and waterways.

    In Cross River also, the Commander of 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Sani Mohammed, said he had deployed his men to strategic areas in the state to provide security.

    According to Mohammed, the joint task force in the state has witnessed a tremendous achievement with the presence of Army personnel.

    “We are in Christmas period and it is our responsibility to provide security for the people of Cross River and tourists.

    “Giving the hospitable nature of Calabar people, the number of tourists keeps increasing because of the carnival, so we are working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful celebration.

    “We will continue to carry out security functions at all time and to ensure that the state is peaceful,’’ he said.

    Similarly, the Police Commissioner in Cross River, Mr. Henry Fadairo, said that the state Police Command had launched an offensive against cultism and other criminal activities in the state.

    Fadairo said that the campaign was launched with a view to ensure a hitch- free Christmas celebration in the state.
    According to him, the operation will last up to and even after the New Year celebrations.

    “We have enough security men that would ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

    “Cross River is a peaceful state and I can tell you that there is low rate of criminal activities here.

    “We will continue to discharge our professional duties to ensure that anyone who engages in any criminal activities is caught and dealt with,’’ he said.

    Fadairo also said that the command had deployed police personnel to festive areas in the state such as the Calabar Carnival, Christmas Village, Calabar Municipality ground, the museum and others.

    In the same vein, the Cross River Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said it had deployed its intelligence and uniform personnel to strategic locations in the state to provide adequate security during the yuletide.

    Mr Solomon Eremi, NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state, told NAN that officers and men of the Corps were up and doing to ensure that the Christmas and New Year celebrations were hitch-free.

    “The Command has deployed intelligence and uniform officers to different locations of the state to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

    “One of the objectives of the corps is to protect lives and property of the civil populace.

    “I want to assure the peace-loving people of Cross River and tourists that the state Command of the NSCDC is on alert to respond to all security challenges within this carnival period and beyond,’’ Eremi said.

    He advised the people of the state and tourists to be law abiding, adding that the corps was a friendly force.

    Similarly, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Calabar,Mr Baba Bolanta, has warned trouble makers to steer clear of the buffer zone on the border between Cross River and Ebonyi.

    The buffer zone was created by the Federal Government at Adadama in Cross River and Amagu Ikwo in Ebonyi against intrusion on the border between the two States.

    It was also meant to forestall hostilities in the lingering bloody clashes over farmland by the two neighbouring communities.

    Bolanta said that police helicopters had been deployed around the buffer zone for security surveillance.

    He said that the police was increasingly collaborating with other security agencies for effective crime control within the zone which comprises Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers.

    “Another strategy we have put in place is to increase our collaboration with other security agencies like the military, Department of Security Service (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), among others.

    “We are doing intelligence policing where communities are brought into partner with us.

    “Traditional institutions, Church leaders, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and all other allied unions are involved,” he said.

    Bolanta also said that the ban on fireworks and unpermitted/unlawful procession during the yuletide was in force.

    He said that police personnel were also on ground to thwart any untoward occurrence before, during and after the Calabar carnival.

    And in Akwa Ibom, the state Command Police Command has also assured of adequate security of all visitors, residents and holiday makers during the yuletide.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, told NAN in Uyo that the police would be on surveillance and patrol for 24 hours at strategic places to nib all criminality in the bud.

    She urged residents of the state and visitors to make use of the emergency phone numbers as advertised in the police official leaflets to give useful information for prompt action.

    “We understand that ember months are usually very troublesome period.

    This yuletide, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Murtala Mani, has alerted all officers and men that they must be on a 24-hour alert and put the security of the state on top priority,” Nwawe said.

    Nwawe said that during the festive period, the police would be at all strategic places in the state to secure lives and property.

    She said that the command had done enough awareness campaign through radio, television, flyers and leaflets on personal security by members of the public.

    The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, said his men would be on patrol in all the 31 local government areas of the state to ensure adequate protection of lives and property.

    He advised people to maintain peace among themselves, adding that without peace there would be no development.

    He said that undercover officers and men of the command would be at areas like motor parks, relaxation centres and shopping complex to ensure smooth and peaceful celebration.

    “What we are doing now is just to make sure that we go to areas like parks and relaxation centres where people gather in order to protect them.

    And in Kano State, the Police in the area have intensified patrol within and outside Kano metropolis to ensure security of lives and property during the Yuletide.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Magaji Majiya, said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Katsina, had directed that the patrol should also cover all the highways in the state.

    Majiya said the commissioner also directed that the exercise be a continuous one.

    “The State Police Commissioner, Mr Muhammad Katsina, has directed that patrol within the metropolis and on our highways should continue on daily basis.

    “This is necessary in order to ensure that vehicles plying the roads or coming in and going out of the state do so without any fear,” he said.

    The Police Spokesman said the command would also deploy security personnel to all strategic places such as Mosques, Churches and recreational centres to provide security during the festive period.

    “We have made arrangements to deploy plain cloth security operatives at all the strategic places with a view to ensuring effective surveillance at the places,” he said.

    In the same vein, the Katsina State Police Command has set-up a quick response squad (QRS) in order to deal with any breach of the peace during the festive season.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP Aminu Sadiq, who disclosed this, called on the people of the state to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious movement to the nearest Police Station.

    Also in Anambra, the Police Commissioner in the state, Mr Hosea Karma, has reassured the people of the state that the command would mount security checks in all “flash points’’ in the state to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Karma also urged the people to be vigilant before, during and after the festivities and report any suspicious movements to the nearest police station

  • Ugwuanyi: Alleviating travellers plight at yuletide

    Ugwuanyi: Alleviating travellers plight at yuletide

    It was a nostalgic evening experience for residents of 9th Mile Corner, Ngwo, Enugu the day Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi paid an unscheduled visit to the area to inspect and identify some roads that needed urgent government intervention to ensure free flow of traffic during the festive season.

    The visit, which was barely three weeks ago, was unprecedented and signposts a new thinking of the government towards ameliorating the hardships commuters encounter on the popular 9th Mile Corner roads during yuletide season due to the unbearable traffic gridlock in the area. The ugly experience road users encountered on the roads in the past was caused by the existence of dangerous potholes, inadequate availability of by-pass roads and the illegal parking of heavy duty trucks along the roads.

    Consequently, the governor’s visit was not only timely but also in keeping with his campaign promise to alleviate the sufferings of the people, give them a sense of belonging and make their lives better as true heroes of democracy.

    The purpose of the inspection visit was also in line with his administration’s drive to provide social services and reposition the state to be able maintain its pride of place as the economic hub of the South-east, bearing in mind the economic potentials of the 9th Mile area.

    The governor, who was accompanied to the sites that fateful evening by top officials of the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barrister Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, among others, painstakingly trekked through the length and breadth of the affected roads, mostly owned by the federal government, as he demonstrated his thought for the area for easy flow of traffic during the festivities.

    After inspecting the roads, he directed that the following palliative measures be carried out immediately:  vegetation control on the roads from Enugu to 9th Mile Corner; removal of all the heavy duty trucks parked on the road sides to ensure free flow of traffic, aggressive maintenance of potholes on the roads; clearing and earthworks on the two newly awarded by-pass roads at 9th Mile Corner to provide alternative roads for commuters and decongest the popular roads in the area.

    Other measures include: erection of directional signs to assist road users utilize the alternative by-pass roads; and  effective engagement of the services of all the law enforcement agencies such as Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Police, among others to ensure the enforcement of traffic laws and orderly movement of vehicles.

    In a bid to actualize his kind thought for the travellers, especially those returning home to celebrate the festive season with their loved ones and are bound to pass through the 9th Mile Corner roads to get to their destinations,    Ugwuanyi also directed the immediate relocation of all the heavy duty trucks parked along the 9th Mile Corner-Nsukka-Onitsha expressway, and equally mandated the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to as a matter of urgency, come up with the budget implication for the maintenance work on the affected roads to enable government take necessary  action.

    Today, to the glory of God, a visit to the 9th Mile Corner shows that the area has truly felt the positive impact of the state government’s intervention as the roads have witnessed aggressive maintenance of all the potholes that cause gridlock.

    Apart from the fact the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has concluded the repairing of the potholes, vegetation control work and earthworks on the two by-pass roads for alternative use during the peak period of the festivities, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has also decongested the obstruction along the roads caused by parked heavy duty trucks, in line with the directives of the governor.

    It is therefore, worthy of note, that the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Barr. Nwobodo has made frantic efforts in relocating all parked vehicles along the said roads. The public notice he signed and issued to the press said it all: “all heavy duty trucks including haulage vehicles for the breweries and other Industrial establishments parked along the Nsukka-Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Efficient Filling Station to the New By-pass, 9th Mile-Cocacola-Udi Road and by-pass connecting Onitsha road from Udi, etc, must be moved immediately…Consequently, government has provided temporary parking spaces for the Christmas period only at these locations: old Toll-Gate along Enugu Onitsha Expressway, or the Ajali-Owa Water Works site”.

    “All haulage and other vehicles parked by the road side or obstructing traffic must be evacuated immediately or vehicle will be towed at the owner’s cost. Additionally, traders must not hawk their wares by the road side. Heavy duty vehicles or trucks coming into Enugu or travelling to Onitsha from the Nsukka must pass through the Ibute New 9th Mile By-Pass.

    “These measures are put in place by His Excellency Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor, to alleviate the sufferings of road users within and around the 9th Mile Industrial zone.

    Ever since, residents of Enugu have commended Governor Ugwuanyi’s development initiatives and sensitivity to the plight of the people. Chukwuma Edeh, a resident of 9th mile corner, Ngwo, described the governor as “a rare paragon and selfless leader who has dedicated himself to the service of the people in order to alleviate their sufferings.”

    Hear him: “Governor Ugwuanyi has made us proud with this timely intervention on our roads. It shows that he always thinks about the people wherever he is. He paid us a surprise unscheduled visit some weeks ago, and as we saw him moving from one location of the road to another, demonstrating to the people that accompanied him, we were wondering what informed the visit. Today, 9th Mile Corner is wearing a new look and travellers can now enjoy smooth and safe journey through these roads. We thank him for this kind gesture. It shows he cares for the people.”

    Another resident of the area, Ichie Dan Obi Nwachukwu who spoke on the palliative measures on the 9th Mile Corner thanked him for being sensitive to the plight of the people and assured him of the maximum support and prayers of the people of the area to ensure that his administration succeeds.

    In all, the governor’s intervention has made travellers who will ply through the popular 9th Mile Corner roads this yuletide to heave a sigh of relief. The onus is now on the road users to cooperate with the government to ensure that the measures put in place yield the desired result towards a free flow of traffic during the peak period of the Yuletide, by obeying the traffic rules and regulations. The governor’s brave people-oriented initiatives for a greater Enugu State deserve support.

    • Amoke is Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Enugu State Governor.