NEWS
Residents decry trucks’ indiscriminate parking on Lagos – Badagry Expressway
Some residents of Badagry in Lagos State, on Thursday decried what they called indiscriminate parking of some trucks on Lagos – Badagry Expressway. They said this in Badagry that the uncoordinated parking was causing accidents and hardship for other road users.
NAN reports that since the Federal Government reopened land borders, some trucks carrying cement to the neighbouring countries like Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Senegal, had been passing through the expressway. It reports that most of the trucks used to park along the expressway indiscriminately to take a respite before continuing with their journey outside the country. Commenting, Bishop Babatunde Adeyemi, Diocese of Anglican Communion, Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, Badagry, Lagos State, said the truck drivers had turned the portion between Ibereko and the roundabout to their parking lots. According to him, the drivers are gradually taking over one of the two lanes without anybody checking them. Adeyemi said that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other traffic officials seemed not to notice that the truck’s presence was a problem to motorists.“ The local government should check them now before they become a menace to other road users.“ Both state and local governments should find a place for them to pack so that other road users will not be put to unnecessary difficulties,” he said. Similarly, Chief Samuel Ofade, a traditional chief in Badagry, said that motorists were not finding it easy plying the road, especially at Toriko Junction in Ajara.“This dangerous parking has caused many accidents and untold hardship on the people living in Badagry.“ Youths are agitating to raise a gathering to send the truck drivers off the said areas of the roads, if the government will not do something,” he said. In his reactions, Mr Idowu Jimoh, a community leader, urged the drivers to consider other road users while parking on the expressway.“ Since the Federal Government announced land borders reopening, the trucks have taken over our roads.“ While traffic agents arrest other road users who parked along the expressway, they allowed the trucks to park any how, this is not good, we are all equal before the law,” he said. When contacted, Mr Ganiyu Olalekan, the Treasurer, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said the arbitrary parking had caused accidents to many of their commercial buses plying the expressway.“ It is always dark in the night and those trucks have occupied the motorable parts of the expressway leaving our drivers to struggle with half way left.“ We have reported this to the Police and Neighborhood Corps, but nothing is happening.“ We want to beg the agency in charge of the road to find a place for them,” he said. However, Sunday Emmanuel, a vulcanizer whose workshop was at the expressway where the drivers parked their trucks, said that the drivers used to arrive at the spot from 11.00 p.m.Emmanuel added that the drivers often left their trucks till evening of the following day before coming back to move their truck across the border. In his views, Mr Sulaiman Taiwo, the Unit Commander, FRSC Badagry, told NAN that the command had written a letter to the transport managers of the companies that owned the trucks, complaining about the arbitrary parking by their drivers on the expressway.T aiwo said that the command would be meeting them on June 1 to discuss the issue. He said the FRSC unit was not sleeping on the matter, adding that the trucks would no longer be allowed to park on the road again.(NAN)NEWS
Kwara NSCDC Organises Medical Outreach, Award Night
From Samuel James, Ilorin
The Kwara state command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has organized a Medical Outreach, Security Summit and Award Night to mark its end-of-year activities in the state.
The event which was organized by the Tanke Division highlighted the Corp’s commitment to community service, security enhancement and the recognition of excellence.
The event started with a Medical Outreach that aimed at improving health and well-being of elderly residents in the Tanke community, as free medical tests were conducted to demonstrate the Corps’ dedication to social responsibility and care for the welfare of citizens.
The Security Summit, which followed, focused on strategies to enlighten neighborhood safety and foster greater collaboration among stakeholders. It also centered its discussions on proactive measures to tackle security challenges and to enhance collective efforts toward ensuring a safe society.
The event also culminated in an Award Night to celebrate officers and stakeholders who have shown outstanding dedication, professionalism, and contributions to public safety.
While addressing the gathering, the State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Mohammed, who was represented by the Area K Commander, ACC Kehinde Adebayo, extolled the officers for their unwavering commitment to duty, and explained that recognizing hard work and dedication is not only to motivate personnel but also to inspire excellence and strengthen service delivery.
In his remarks, the Tanke Divisional Officer, SC Oyinloye Yinka, explained the importance of the event, describing it as a platform to appreciate officers for their resilience and to encourage stakeholders’ involvement while reinforcing the Corps’ mandate of safeguarding lives and property.
Oyinloye further appreciated the stakeholders for their unwavering support, acknowledging that the division’s achievements were made possible through the collaborative efforts and partnerships.
The State Command however reassured of its readiness to sustain these initiatives and to deepen community engagement, and enhance operational efficiency in the years to come.
NEWS
Yuletide: NSCDC Deploys 1,850 Personnel in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,850 personnel to guarantee a seamless and secured yuletide celebration in Kogi State.
In a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Aliyu, noted that the Kogi State Commandant of NSCDC, Esther Akinlade, carefully chose these personnel from various units, encompassing the Operations department, Special Rapid response,Agro rangers, Female squad Intelligence, and Critical National Assets Infrastructure departments.
According to the statement, the Commandant emphasized that NSCDC in conjunction with sister agencies, is dedicated to ensure a crime-free environment in the State before, during, and after the festive period considering the peculiarity of kogi State bordering nine different States including FCT.
“Commandant Akinlade urged the youth to abstain from involvement in any form of social misconduct or unlawful activities that could disrupt law and order as anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law.
“She urged the public to observe the celebrations with moderation and to relay any credible information concerning any form of criminal activities and hideouts to the relevant authority thereby contributing to the preservation of the relative peace prevalent in the state” the statement added.
NEWS
Wike Gives Landowners Fresh Two-week Ultimatum to Settle on C-of-O
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocation.
This was contained in a statement issued at the weekend, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read; “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, a list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published.
They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.“Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
“After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”