Day: April 5, 2024

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo and the Chairman, crude oil theft and management committee, says his committee is working to end crude oil theft in the country, within the shortest possible time.

Uzodimma stated this when he briefed newsmen, shortly after a stakeholders meeting that lasted for more than six hours in Abuja.

He said that the committee plans to submit its interim report to the National Economic Council (NEC) before the end of April.

Uzodimma assured that the committee, which is a sub-committee of the NEC, would at the next economic council meeting, give an interim report of what the outcome of their assignment was.

‘The NEC meeting usually holds the last week of the month.

‘So, it may be the last week of this month, if all goes well and there is a national economic council meeting, we will submit an interim report to the council and that report will also carry the interim findings and recommendations.

‘We have the mandate to eliminate completely, cases of crude oil theft, increase production of
oil and gas and boost revenue earning for the government.

‘We have done a lot. We have interfaced with critical stakeholders in the industry. Some revelations have been made, some findings have also been done,’ he said.

Uzodimma added: ‘We have also been able to collect sufficient data; many have been processed and some are still being processed.

‘I assure you at the next economic council, we should be able to give an interim report of what the outcome of our assignment is.

‘After the interim report, and if our recommendations have been approved, we will continue with more activities in terms of implementing the recommendations presented in the interim report.

‘So far, what we have seen is very encouraging and we are almost certain that at the end of the assignment, crude oil theft will become a thing of the past and there will be more discipline in the industry and operators in the industry will also play according to rules.’

On the high cost of gas, he said that the whole essence of the committee’s as
signment was to optimise production of oil and gas.

‘And with the increase in the price of gas, Nigeria being one of the major countries that can boast of gas reserves, sufficient gas reserves, we will benefit from it.

‘Crude oil too when optimised in terms of production, will also earn us more revenue. We discussed all that and what we are trying to do now is to improve on the level of sincerity, honesty in the industry.

‘And encourage stakeholders to play to the rules and have the interest of our country at heart to allow for a win, win situation where the oil companies that are producing will make profit, Nigeria that is also their partner will also make profit,’ he said.

He also assured that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu would begin to yield results in the near future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants at the stakeholders meeting included Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Budget and Economic Plan
ning, Malam Abubakar Bagudu, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr Yemi Cardoso.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

It was a hot Wednesday morning, July 21, 2001, an accident had just occurred in the upscale Mabushi District of Abuja.

Accidents occur everywhere in the world, but there is something unique about this one. It sent a top-ranking minister and his beloved bicycle crashing into a ditch.

‘I thank God I’m alive,’ Chief Ojo Maduekwe, then Minister of Transportation told reporters as he marveled at escaping without injuries after he was knocked down from his bicycle by a reckless bus driver.

‘Accidents can happen anywhere, on land, sea and air,’ Maduekwe said stressing that the problem was not riding his bicycle but too many cars and a lack of lane for bicycles.

‘Ojo oni Keke’ (Ojo the bicycle rider) as he was called in some quarters was cycling to the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at Aso Villa, Abuja as part of his campaign to promote bike riding in Nigeria.

The former minister, who also served as minister of Foreign Affairs died in June 29, 2016 but his bold but controversial initiative remai
ns relevant.

Twenty one years after the famous accident, the biking culture still remains precarious in all major cities of Nigeria, and with the growing need to cut down on emissions, experts have advocated bicycles as alternative to the emission polluting vehicles.

The contrast is however the case in Copenhagen, Denmark where the city has earned the reputation as being ranked the most bicycle friendly city in the world.

Copenhagen boasts of more bicycles than residents, with over 672,000 bikes on its 384 kilometres of cycle lanes.

Cycling is regarded as healthier, more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and often quicker with well-marked out lanes for bicycles to get around the city.

Henrik Pedersen, a Danish Environmental expert told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Nigerians could embrace the bicycle culture as part of efforts to cut down emissions from automobiles.

He said the use of bicycles is a cheaper, faster and more eco-friendly way of commuting in African cities like Abuja, as long as t
he necessary infrastructures are put in place.

‘If you move on a bicycle rather than a car you have no emissions, even if it is electric bicycle, the emission would be very low at least.

‘Also producing bicycles does not take a lot of resources or emit a lot of CO2 (cabon dioxide) compared to cars.

‘So this measure can go a long way in addressing some of the climate issues, apart from the fact that riding a bicycle keeps you healthy,’ he said.

Lise Walbom, CEO, Food Nation, a leading food and agriculture company in Denmark told NAN that the bicycle culture in Denmark is encouraged right from a very young age.

‘My husband and I pedaled behind our 11-year-old twins as they cycled to school and we go to work with our bicycles.

‘It is easy and effective to use our bikes in our everyday life and good for my health!’ she said.

Andreas Tomasson, a salesman in Copenhagen, said he had no reason to buy a car because he owns a bicycle and there is efficient transport system that includes intra and intercity train
services.

In September, 2017, the then Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi after the National Council on Transportation (NCT) 15th meeting in Sokoto said the Council had approved a pilot `bicycle riding’ project, as a means of transportation in Abuja (FCT).

‘The National Council on Transportation is a policy making body. We approved that we should do a pilot project on bicycle riding in FCT.

‘This is because Abuja is the only city that has facility for bicycle riding.

‘For other states who want to do it, we must provide facility before they can proceed with it; we want to separate them from the roads because some motorists are impatient,’ Amaechi said.

Mr Bisi Kazeem, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Public Education Officer said infrastructure adjustments must be done to support bicycle transport culture in Abuja.

He said the national road safety regulations will also have to be amended to include provisions for the safety of cyclists.

‘As a pilot scheme, if Abuja is taken, there is need fo
r restructuring some intersections before we can start it successfully.

‘FRSC studied all the road networks in Abuja, and we have identified the gaps and recommended measures to address them

‘During the study, which we carried out with Federal Capital Territory Administration officials, we found out that all roads and streets have provisions for bicycle lanes in the design,

‘But at the point of construction, the lanes were either ignored, merged with pedestrian walkways thereby making the walkways too wide. In some cases they were turned into green areas.

‘I think it is only on Yakubu Gowon Way in Asokoro that the lane is being implemented. So, a key concern is the need for re-engineering of intersections and traffic lights to provide for cyclists,’ he said.

Experts say that to maximize the health, safety and environmental advantages of cycling, relevant authorities should put in place the necessary infrastructure and take actions to promote cycling in the nation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Nigeria is set to host the sixth African Regional Conference of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), slated to take place in Abuja from April 14 to 16, 2025.

The announcement, made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, on Friday in Abuja, underscored Nigeria’s commitment to advancing water and land management practices for agricultural development.

During the inauguration of additional Task Team members and Committee Chairpersons, Utsev emphasised Nigeria’s support for ICID’s objectives since its membership inception in 1970.

The minister was represented by his state counterpart, Dr Bello Goronyo at the event.

He stressed that the conference presented a significant opportunity for the nation to demonstrate its dedication to improving water and land management, especially in agriculture.

He said that experts from across Africa were collaborating to address current challenges and foster cooperation through ICID’s network and groups.

Utsev emphas
ised the conference’s role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge and information among member nations for mutual benefit.

‘The conference seeks to showcase technological advancements and best practices from around the world, with the aim of enabling attendees to learn and potentially adopt innovative approaches tailored to their specific contexts.

‘To ensure effective preparations, each committee has been provided with specific Terms of Reference (ToR), outlining their responsibilities, with a three-week deadline for the submission of reports to the General Secretary of NINCID’.

Utsev expressed confidence in the expertise and capabilities of the committee members to deliver impactful service, urging them to work diligently towards a successful conference.

In her remarks, Mrs Oyeronke Oluniyi, Task-Team Chair and Director, Irrigation and Drainage with the ministry, highlighted that Nigeria’s hosting right was granted during the 24th ICID Congress held in Australia in October 2023.

She emphasised ICID’
s commitment to addressing irrigation and drainage issues specific to regions worldwide, including Africa, through its National Committees.

Mr Ibrahim Musa, Co-Chairman of the Task Team, provided insights into the conference’s history, noting its inception in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1982 under the African-Asia Regional Conference.

He highlighted the evolution of the event into the African Regional Conference, fostering focused discussions and collaborations within the continent.

The newly inaugurated team members, representing various committees, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged their commitment to ensuring a successful conference.

Prof. Musa Shuaibu of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, assured full collaboration with stakeholders to organise an impactful event.

The Task Team comprises members such as Prof. Henry Igbadun, Dr Elijah Aderibigbe, Prof. Francis Adeniji, Mr Peter Manjuk, and Mr Peter Sule.

Others are; Mrs Margaret Oguntala, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineer
s (NSE), and Mr Sadiq Abubarkar, President of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Prof. Temitope Odetoye of the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, has successfully produced biodiesel, using chicken eggshell-derived heterogeneous catalyst.

Odetoye made this known in Ilorin while delivering the 253rd Inaugural Lecture of the university.

The lecture was entitled: ‘Symphony of Biomass, Bioenergy and Bioproducts for Sustainability’.

She said: ‘The trans esterification experiment was based on a two-factor, three-level central composite design, while catalyst concentration and reaction time were considered the factors which had significant effects on the yield of biodiesel.’

Odetoye, who lectures in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the university, said that the yield showed that eggshell was an affordable potential catalyst source for biodiesel production.

According to her, utilisation of eggshells can add value to poultry production process and minimise wastes in the poultry industry.

The lecturer said that biodiesel had been considered one of the susta
inable fuel alternatives.

She, however, noted that high production cost of biodiesel, compared to fossil fuel, remained one of the major drawbacks in biodiesel production.

Odetoye defined biofuel as fuel made from biomass.

‘Biofuel is synonymous with biocrude, biodiesel, biooil, biogas, bioethanol, biosyngas and bioslurry fyels,’ she said.

The expert in chemical engineering submitted that Nigeria was endowed with abundant lignocellulosic biomass residues waiting to be harnessed in more environmentally-friendly ways.

She said that open burning of biomass residues had led to pollution of the environment, especially in dry season.

According to Odetoye, biomass waste pyrolysis is a potential means of converting waste to wealth and will create opportunities for skilled engineers and technicians.

She added that it would make the environment cleaner.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Sokoto State government has announced measures to address the acute shortage of potable water confronting residents, amidst high temperature of over 42 degree celsius.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that taps have gone dry and residents have been scampering to source for water wherever available.

To assuage the situation, Alhaji Yusuf Maccido, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, said the government had set up a committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Gobir, to deploy water tankers across the localities to provide immediate relief to residents.

The committee would also overhaul all broken down water pumping engines and ensure the dredging of 72 earth dams in the medium and long term, Maccido told newsmen on Friday in Gusau.

The commissioner said funds had been disbursed to the committee to address the situation, adding that some water engineers and experts from Kaduna have been co-opted to support the state water board in the repair and rehabilitation of the facilities.

Ac
cording to him, three of the pumping machines in Kware are being repaired to restore water supply to Sokoto metropolis.

He said that the government hopes that in the next three years, the issue of water scarcity would be fully addressed.

Maccido explained that the government plan to replace obsolete machineries and complete the dredging of Bakalori, Goronyo and Luga dams which were the main sources of raw water being processed by the state water board for supply to residents.

He added that arrangement were on to harness the Shagari dam for hydropower generation.

‘We are targeting at least 80 per cent supply of potable water after rehabilitations of the systems; at present, below 20 per cent is being utilised.

‘We are determined to ensure that dams, machineries and other facilities function to high capacity before the end of the tenure of the present administration,’ Maccido said.

He appealed to the public to show more understanding, assuring that the government is fully committed to ending the biting wa
ter scarcity.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Some lawyers have expressed optimism that the virtual hearing method introduced by the Lagos State judiciary will speed up dispensation of justice in the state.

They disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

They spoke against the backdrop of the N30,000 virtual hearing fee per session announced on March 28 by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba.

Mr Malachy Ugwummadu, a former National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, described it as gratifying to find a way around adopting technology to deal with some clauses affecting the dispensation of justice in the state.

Ugwummadu said Alogba had the constitutional power to make rules for regulating the practice and procedure of the High Court of Lagos in accordance with Section 274 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended).

‘The legality, constitutionality and validity of the Chief Judge to make regulations were derived from the const
itutional provisions which allowed him to announce the virtual fee.

He said there was very little space for escape in relation to adopting technology and modern communication infrastructure as it further advanced the hierarchy of technological revolution, attending the process and procedure in court.

Ugwummadu, however, described the introduction of the fee as a two-way thing, saying that virtual hearing was more recognised in Lagos State.

According to him, there are no escape routes from adopting technology in judicial practice, as it helps in the enhancement of access to justice.

‘For me, it is a two-way traffic, on one hand, it is gratifying that we have found a way around adopting technology to deal with some of the clause that we have had in past procedures.

‘For instance, in those cases in which I had to bring these applications, I have some witnesses who have relocated to London but must they come back to Nigeria just because I intend to lead them in evidence for a maximum of 40 minutes?

‘The ans
wer is no, so we got the application. It was granted and the challenge was handled.

Secondly, where it becomes impracticable to have these witnesses to testify physically, the beauty of what is now available is that you can have the person virtually attended to from the comfort of wherever he is and it is about balancing at the end of the day,’ he said.

Ugwummadu, however, urged the chief judge to take into cognizance human rights lawyers who took up pro bono cases.

‘My argument is on both sides. On the first side, we are great, boasting to enjoy the beauty of technology and on the other hand is how does it poses a limitation to access to justice.

‘I think that my lord, the Chief Judge, is able to factor into decision cases that we human rights activists handle pro bono.

‘We pay for filing, service fee and the likes for pro bono cases and in addition to the virtual fee, I think it is a huge sum but if we take all of these into consideration, we will be able to strike the right balance,’ he said.

A Lagos
-based lawyer, Mr Ige Asemudara, also applauded the state judiciary for coming to terms with the need for virtual hearing of cases for the sake of speed and to proper management of manpower.

Asemudara, the founder of Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria, added that virtual proceedings would save cost for litigants.

According to him, virtual proceedings were basically introduced for speed and time management.

‘Virtual proceeding was introduced because we needed to manage speed, time and reduce cost.

‘It is a good thing that the Lagos State Judiciary has taken a step further.

‘However, I am of the view that N30,000 is on a high side, though we are not forced to apply for it.

‘The honourable chief judge should please look into it as there is a need to allow access to justice for both the rich, middle class and the poor.

‘We should not look at it from the angle of counsel but from the angle of litigants who may not have the financial capacity to transport themselves to court to and fro,’ he said.

Another
Lagos lawyer, Mr Abdul Wahab, said that an equitable amount of money should be fixed for virtual hearing.

Wahab said that virtual hearing had made it easy for elderly people who could not afford the time and energy to give their evidence in the comfort of their homes.

He, however, said that the price should be reduced to boost accessibility.

NAN also reports an Information Technology (IT) firm, Global T and T New Solutions Ltd., which partnered the Lagos State judiciary on virtual court proceedings, said that the new development was geared towards leveraging on virtual /remote trial to enhance access to justice.

The remote court payments go to the judiciary purse but managed by Global T and T New Solutions.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), plans to acquire tractors and other modern farming equipment to enhance its agriculture initiatives in the Niger Delta, an official has said.

Mr Victor Antai, the commission’s Executive Director, Projects, revealed this while inspecting farming equipment produced by Bobtrack Limited, in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

He emphasised that investing in agriculture would help the Niger Delta maximise its agricultural potential with traditional farming methods upgraded to mechanised methods.

‘NDDC is looking at procuring various farming equipment to incorporate them into the Holistic Opportunities, Projects and Engagement (HOPE) programme, which focuses on agriculture as a key component.

‘The Project HOPE initiative seeks to create employment opportunities and we have already collated data on youths, many of whom are interested in agriculture.

‘NDDC is committed to ensuring food security in the Niger Delta; we want to engage youths in agriculture to achieve our food
security objective,’ he explained.

Antai expressed satisfaction with the quality of the tractors and other farming tools, noting that the tools would boost the current efforts to shore up mechanised farming in the region.

The Managing Director of Bobtrack Limited, Ibifiri Bob-Manuel, in a remark, stated that the country could achieve sufficiency in food supplies through investments in mechanised farming, moving away from traditional practices.

He added that the company’s tractors were specifically tailored for farming in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), who was suspended by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Friday, appealed against the ruling.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Danladi Umar, had, on Thursday in Abuja, ordered Magaji’s suspension following allegations of misconduct preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

Delivering the ruling, Justice Umar, who dismissed Magaji’s motion, held that the tribunal had the competence and jurisdiction to hear the case.

He directed Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to appoint the most appropriate officer to take over as acting chairman of the commission, pending the hearing and determination of the case.

He held that Magaji could not continue to discharge the duties and responsibilities of his office, while facing trial, to avoid any interference with the case.

Dissatisfied with the ruling
, Magaji, through his counsel, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, approached the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

In the notice of appeal dated and filed April 5, by Adedipe, the senior lawyer gave five grounds why the appeal should be allowed and the CCT’s ruling be set aside by the appellate court.

He argued that the CCT erred in law, when it denied his client a right to fair trial, fair hearing and right to be presumed innocent, by making an order directing him to step aside as the chairman of PCACC, thereby determining his guilt, at an interlocutory stage.

He described the ruling as ‘a miscarriage of justice.’

He also argued that the tribunal erred in law, when without the requisite jurisdiction, it granted the reliefs sought by CCB, giving specific orders to Gov. Yusuf and SSG, ‘knowing fully well that they are not parties to the present charge as constituted; it thereby occasioned a miscarriage of justice.’

He further said that the tribunal erred in law when it adjudged Magaji as capable of interfering with CCB’s witn
esses in PCACC, even though no material evidence was put forward to support such a speculative claim.

The lawyer argued that the tribunal erred in law when it acted without jurisdiction and denied the embattled PCACC boss of a right to fair trial by making far-reaching findings which were speculative and prejudicial in nature.

Moreover, Adedipe submitted that CCT erred in law, acted without jurisdiction and denied Magaji a right to fair hearing, when suo motu, it raised and determined issues of purported contradictions his counter affidavit, and further insisted he conceded to the speculative facts in CCB’s further and better affidavit.

Adedipe, in a motion on notice with charge number: CCT/KN/01/2023 dated and filed on April 5 before the tribunal, also sought an order for stay of execution of the order delivered on April 4 pending the determination of the appeal lodged at the Appeal Court.

Besides, he also sought an order of injunction restraining the CCB from executing, implementing the orders and decis
ions made by the tribunal, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

NAN reports that the CCB had, on Nov. 16, 2023, arraigned Magaji before the CCT on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conflict of interest, false declaration of assets, among others.

Magaji, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts and was admitted to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties.

But Magaji had, in a motion filed by Adedipe, challenged the competence of the CCB to prosecute him.

Adedipe, who gave two prayers, predicated the argument on six grounds.

The senior lawyer argued that a High Court of Kano State presided over by Justice Farouk Adamu had, on Aug. 28, 2023, restrained the CCB from interfering in the affairs or taking any step in connection with the functions, duties and affairs of his client until the matter is dispensed with.

He restated that in the Kano matter, CCB was the 2nd defendant and that the court directed parties to maintain status.

He said the prosecution undermined the order
by preferring the instant charge against Magaji.

He argued that filing the charge against Magaji in the face of Exhibit B presented before the tribunal was a recourse to self help.

He, then, prayed the panel to strike out all the processes filed by the CCB, including the oral submission, for non-compliance with the mandatory provision of Paragraph 13(2) of the CCT Practice Direction 2017 which gave three days for a party to respond to any process served on them.

Adedipe stated that the prosecution was served with their motion for more than 30 days before they responded.

He urged the tribunal to stop the CCB from proceeding with the charge.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) says it is collaborating with the Canadian Government on gender-responsive climate change action in Nigeria.

Dr Salisu Dahiru, the Director- General of NCCC, communicated this on Friday in Abuja at a one-day workshop to brainstorm on a draft report on gender-responsive climate action in Nigeria.

Dahiru acknowledged the critical role of gender equality in climate action and stressed the need for massive sensitisation, mobilisation, education, capacity building, and enhancement to achieve effective climate action.

He expressed gratitude to the Canadian High Commission and other key technical stakeholders.

He called for a deeper partnership on mobilising additional development projects, as well as support for new initiatives focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The director-general urged the Canadian government to further invest in Nigeria as President Bola Tinubu was ready to remove any potential roadblocks hindering Canadian private sector inv
estment in Nigerian climate change solutions.

He assured that the workshop would fulfill the United Nations Climate Change requirements for gender inclusiveness.

Earlier in her remarks, Likezo Karn, First Secretary and Senior Development Officer, Development Cooperation Section of the Government of Canada, highlighted the importance of gender equality in Canada’s international assistance approach.

‘Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy is based on the strong belief that successful development programmes require the equal participation and consideration of all genders.

‘This includes men, women, boys, and girls.

‘Gender equality is not just about fairness, but also about effectiveness; every development issue from climate change impacts men and women differently,’ Karn explained.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports (NAN) reports that the workshop was held with the support of Global Affairs, Canada, to evaluate the impact of policies, programmes and projects on gender in Nigeria and identify ar
eas of improvement.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Lagos State Government says the Abiola-Onijemo Link Road with bridge project will be completed by June.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Daramola, disclosed this when he inspected the ongoing project on Friday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project, when completed, will connect Ifako-Ijaiye and Ojodu local government areas.

Daramola recognised that the rainy season was coming soon, and could hinder the construction’s progress.

He said, however, that the governor’s goal was for the project to be completed by June.

‘We know we are going into the wet season now. Mr Governor is assiduous of completing this projects around June this year,’

According to Daramola, the project is part of the government’s THEMES+ agenda, focusing on transportation infrastructure.

He said, ‘Today we are at Abiola Onijemo project. This is one of the strategic projects being undertaken by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in line with the THEMES Agenda
.

‘It’s going to connect Ifako College Road with Iju Ifako; it’s going to reduce a lot of travel time to commuters and socio-economic importance will go up.

‘If you know, this place has always been a flood-prone area in which people living on the other side cannot come across and it’s a major strategic bypass. And today it’s a thing of joy,’ he said.

Additionally, the SA said that the last span of the concrete deck on the bridge was ongoing and was a major milestone to be achieved.

He expressed satisfaction with the high quality of work done so far, saying it aligned with the governor’s strategic plan for the area.

He also expressed confidence that, given the project’s quality, it would be completed on schedule.

‘Looking round. What has been done here is of high quality, good quality in line with Mr Governors strategic master plan for movement of people and commuters in the axis. I’m very happy at this stage.

‘I’m convinced that with the quality that has been put into this project, the project is poise
d to be completed in due course.’

Daramola said that the bridge, on which work began about eight months ago, would reduce travel time.

He thanked the residents for their cooperation, saying it is a thing of joy when people are given dividend of democracy and they embrace it.

He also thanked other stakeholders who joined hands to make the project a success.

The Managing Director, GELD Construction Company, Mr Nabeel Esawi, assured that the project, which was about 75 per cent ready, would be delivered within the stipulated time.

‘We commenced work here in October 2022. The project is supposed to be implemented for 24 months but we will finish it before the time, even with all the challenges that we have on the material rate that is increased everyday in Nigeria.

‘The drain is almost about 80 per cent ready too,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria