NEWS
Otti Commissions Reconstruction of 5.95-km Umuahia-Onuimo Bridge Road
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, on Wednesday, commissioned the reconstruction of the 5.95-Kilometer Umuahia-Onuimo Bridge Road.
The project begins from the Abia Tower of Peace on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and terminates at the Onuimo Bridge (the boundary between Abia and Imo).
In a speech at the ceremony, Otti said that the project was initiated to fulfill his administration’s promise to transform the entry points to the state.
“At the beginning of this administration, we made a commitment that we shall rebuild, remodel and improve the aesthetics of all the entrance points to Abia from our neighbouring states.
“Our goal is to change the old, unpleasant narrative, which gave the state a certain notoriety as a destination that announces itself through bad roads, heaps of garbage, foul air and other fatal signs of governance failure.
“We announced that in our time that whoever is coming to our state will have an inviting experience.
“We promised that expansive and well maintained road networks, good air quality and a good and tidy environment shall be the hallmark of every entry point to Abia,” he said.
Otti also expressed his administration’s resolve to institute a new governance philosophy that prioritises the people and social status of Abia at the core of its undertakings.
He said that the road is a federal road and thanked the Federal Government for giving the neccessary approvals for the State Government to fix it.
“I want to thank the Federal Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, and his team for cooperating with our Commissioner for Works and our team to work out the technical details of this project.
“It is important to underscore this because this road continues into Imo, so there were issues about alignment whenever the Federal Government takes off its own part.
“So, we have to work together so that whenever the Federal Government takes it’s part from Onuimo all the way into Owerri, there will be alignment.
“This is a federal road as I have said but in the new Abia, our major concern is to keep roads within the boundaries of Abia in good condition, whether such roads are designated as federal, state or local government roads.
“We consider such roads critical economic enablers, supporting our domestic economy as well as improving the social condition of the citizens,” Otti said.
He urged Abia people to fulfill their civic obligations through payment of taxes and statutory fees to enable the government to carry out more developmental projects in the state.
Otti also affirmed the government’s commitment to effectively deploy state funds in investment channels that yield huge social return for the people.
The lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Obi Aguocha, described the road as a landmark project that would boost economic development of the area.
Aguocha commended the government for its sustained efforts in delivering the dividend of democracy to the citizens.
He urged Abia residents to continue to support the present administration’s rebuilding agenda.
Also, the Commissioner for Works, Mr Otumchere Oti, said that the project would rebrand the state’s identity by creating an all inspiring, first impression for commuters entering the state from Onuimo.
Oti said that the project had a contract period of 18 months and would be an asphaltic concrete dual carriageway.
He said: “Each carriageway has a width of 7.6 meters with 1.5 meter wide shoulders, both carriageways are separated by a concrete median 60-centimeter wide.
“The pavement consists of 200-milimeter approved laterite softbase, 200-milimeter broad stonebase,16-milimeter asphaltic binder course, and 40-millimeter asphaltic wearing course.
“It will also have 30-milimeter thick asphaltic concrete wearing course on the shoulders, culverts, drains and drainage outfalls will be provided at some critical locations.
Oti said that erosion protection works would be carried out in areas with high flood intensity.
He also said that access slabs would be provided, where neccessary and solar street lights would line the entire stretch of the road.
In separate speeches, the lawmaker representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Mr Jacob Obioma, and the Chairman, Umuahia South Local Government Area, Mr Chinedu Enweruzo, described the project as commendable.
They said that the government had further strengthened the confidence of the people in its rebuilding agenda, focused on transforming the state.
Earlier, the President-General of Umuopara Development Union, Chief Emenike Onuoha, expressed joy over governor’s decision to rehabilitate the road.
Onuoha said that the project, which would help to alleviate the sufferings of motorists and commuters, had given his community a sense of belonging.
NAN further reports that the governor also commissioned the 6.92-km Umuopara Ring Road for construction. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Bauchi state government says it has earmarked N4.7 billion to reinvigorate Yankari Game Reserve and Sumu Wildlife Park, to encourage sustainable tourism development.
The government has allocated the fund in its 2025 budget, to fasttrack infrastructure development in the parks and other tourism sites in the state.
Mr Abdullahi Hassan, Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, said this in an interview with on Tuesday in Bauchi
He said the government was making huge investments to upgrade key tourism facilities, showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage for pleasure seekers and researchers.
Hassan said that N2.7 billion has been set aside for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Yankari Game Reserve and Resort.
He said the project included installation of solar power systems to ensure uninterrupted power supply while modern park facilities would be provided at the cost of N1 billion.
The commissioner said the government would expend N1 billion on the upgrade of the Sumu Wildlife Park to attract tourists and boost the state revenue base.
Hassan said that a 13.3 kilometre Kafin Madaki – Sumu Road, an administration block and earth dams would be constructed to support park operations and provide clean water for animals and human consumption.
“Sumu Park, known for its friendly giraffes, zebras and other non-threatening wildlife will see enhancement aimed at preserving its unique features.
“Plans are underway to introduce new species to the park, further enriching the visitor experience,” he said.
Also, Nasiru Yusuf, the General Manager, Bauchi State Tourism Board, reiterated the state government commitment to revitalise the wildlife reserves through an ambitious project tagged: “Wildlife Rejuvenation Programme.”
The programme, he said, is designed to herald habitat restoration and restock endangered species as well as strengthen conservation laws.
“We are focusing on rebuilding the wildlife populations, especially in the Yankari Game Reserve, which has long been a symbol of pride to Bauchi and Nigeria at large.
“Wildlife conservation is not just a government responsibility rather a shared duty for future generations,” he said.
According to Yusuf, the state government is partnering with international bodies, including the Czech Republic, and signed several Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs), to enhance development of key tourism sites.
Similarly, Steven Gassol, a former Head of Forestry Department, said the Bauchi state government was collaborating with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), to innoculate over 12,000 cattle in agro pastoral communities surrounding the Yankari Game Reserve.
According to Cassole, the current state of wildlife in several protected areas across the country remains precarious, largely due to poaching, habitat loss and climate-related pressures.
He, however, said the federal and state governments have initiated a series of interventions to counter the threats.
He said the interventions included the expansion of protected reserves, stricter enforcement of anti poaching laws, and community-based conservation programmes aimed at empowering local communities to take active roles in preserving biodiversity.
This, he said, was being complemented by awareness creation activities to educate the people about the ecological and economic value of wildlife.
Cassole further lauded the synergy between regional bodies towards addressing cross border wildlife trafficking, which has been a major concern of the transnational conservation corridors.
“This collective action represents a promising shift towards sustainable conservation, continued synergy between the stakeholders will ensure long term success
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has traced over 300,000 dollars, laundered to a suspected internet fraudster.
A statement by Mr Dele Oyewale, the Spokesperson of the EFCC on Tuesday in Abuja said the suspect was among the 35 suspects arrested Sunday in Auchi area of Edo.
Oyewale said the arrest was sequel to credible intelligence that linked the suspects to fraudulent internet activities.
He said investigations had revealed that the suspect had collected and laundered over $300,000 for his syndicate members who were at large.
”Apart from internet fraud, EFCC’s investigations revealed that the suspect is equally involved in investment and banking fraud.
”He will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded,” he said
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it has concluded arrangements to commence free registration of pupils and students in public schools in Kano State.The exercise would cover pupils and students in primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools, who would be issued National Identification Numbers (NINs) at the end of the process.
Briefing stakeholders during an advocacy visit to the state Ministry of Education, the Regional Coordinator of NIMC, Mrs Emmanuella Igbinovia, said the exercise was crucial due to the increasing demand for NINs, especially for students sitting for WAEC and NECO examinations. She said the visit was to engage relevant stakeholders in the state and map out modalities for a smooth registration.According to her, preliminary requirements for the registration include a comprehensive list of public schools, names and phone numbers of principals.Igbinovia added that registration forms would soon be distributed to parents to complete, validate and return before the scheduled registration date.“A date will be announced for the registration and biometric capturing. We will also set aside another period for the printing and distribution of NIN slips for all registered pupils and students,” she said.Also speaking, the Kano State Coordinator of NIMC, Mr Garba Balarabe, said the project would boost enrolment figures in the state and enable students to obtain their NINs within a short time.He noted that Lagos State currently leads Kano by about 2.2 million enrolments, adding that the new initiative could help close that gap.In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, assured the Commission of the state government’s support to ensure a successful exercise.Makoda, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad, called on parents and stakeholders to support the initiative and ensure all eligible pupils and students are duly registered. (NAN)
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