Politics
Breaking: FG Mandates CCTV Setup On Nine Major Highways
The announcement of this directive was made in a statment released by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna, on Tuesday.The decision is part of the government’s ongoing initiatives to enhance the safety and efficiency of crucial transportation corridors across the nation….CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In May 2023, the government entered into an agreement with private-sector investors to upgrade and manage selected highways, with the aim of generating over N11.54 trillion in revenue over a 25-year concession period.
This Public-Private Partnership involves the construction, operations, and maintenance of highways, enabling concessionaires to recover their investments through toll and non-toll revenues, as per negotiations.
The initiative is regarded as a significant stride towards modernizing Nigeria’s highway infrastructure and stimulating economic activities.
However, eight months after the project’s approval, the contractors have not yet initiated work on the site, causing frustration for Minister Umahi.
His recent directive and the formation of three committees to expedite the implementation of the initiative underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring timely and efficient progress in this vital infrastructure project.
The introduction of CCTV and solar lighting is anticipated to improve security and visibility on these highways, addressing safety concerns for motorists and local communities.
He remarked, “This issue has lingered for four years and six months now but this January, we must conclude everything about the successful companies this month. Those companies who are jokers will be taken out. If we have one or two serious contractors, we engage them to take over the project site.”
However, during the event at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, Umahi emphasized the necessity for the committees to work effectively and collaboratively, considering the expectations of Nigerians in terms of transparency, standard, and efficiency in contract negotiations.
He also instructed a review of the scope of work and cost implications to accommodate current economic dynamics and the new policy direction of the present administration. Umahi charged the concessionaires to adhere to the set criteria and timeline for the projects.
He explained, “We own the design; you will own the cost of the project while we carry out verification on the cost of the projects; the idea is to scope the projects. We want to have a standard road infrastructure to toll.
“Our business is to ensure that your design conforms with the ministry’s standard of design, that is why we are making the Director of Roads and Bridges of the ministry the Chairman of the Committee on Scoping and Design. We don’t want to do just a patch on the road and give it to the public for you to toll. The public will resist. We want to have a standard road to toll.
“We have to provide an alternative road because by law you cannot toll road if there is no alternative route to it. Every one of the projects must have alternative routes. The number of toll gates and toll stations will be determined by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.
“We also have to put CCTV Camera, Solar Light and Security on our roads. Whatever that will make our roads safer is very important to us. All these must be considered part of the business.”
According to the statement, the three committees set up by the minister for the actualisation of the HDMI programme are “Scoping and design, financial and the due diligence and agreement review committee.”
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that a Nigerian international passport presented in a London property dispute involving the late Jeremiah Useni is not contained in its official records.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The disclosure was made during the ongoing trial of senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni before Justice Chizoba Oji of the FCT High Court.
The case centres on allegations of forgery, impersonation, and the use of false documents in a bid to claim ownership of a London property said to be linked to the late Useni.
An Immigration officer, Aridegbe Akim, who testified as the first prosecution witness, told the court that passport number A07535463 allegedly issued to one Tali Shani could not be traced in the agency’s database.
He explained that all Nigerian passports are electronically registered and can be verified through the system, but no matching record was found for the document in question.
Under cross-examination, the witness maintained that while the passport resembled genuine travel documents, it lacked any verifiable issuance record, which is required for authenticity.
Following the testimony, the prosecution requested additional time to present another witness, which was not opposed by the defence. The court adjourned the matter to May 18 for continuation of hearing.
The Federal Government, through the Attorney General’s office, is accusing the defendants of forging an international passport and legal documents allegedly used to support claims over a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London.
Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent television interview as a “disaster,” saying it exposed a lack of clarity and vision.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Dare made the remarks in a statement posted on his handle on Thursday, where he said Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition is “dead on arrival.”
He argued that the interview did not project leadership or policy direction, but instead revealed contradictions and what he called a lack of substance on key national issues.
According to him, Atiku failed to present a clear alternative to the ongoing economic reforms, offering what he described as criticism without a workable roadmap.
Dare also said the former Vice President’s comments alienated several political and social groups, insisting that the interview reflected grievance rather than unity or leadership.
He maintained that Nigeria is currently undergoing necessary reforms, adding that citizens are already seeing progress rather than political promises.
The presidential aide concluded that Atiku is steadily losing political relevance, saying the interview only reinforced doubts about his leadership capacity.
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