From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Commercial Motorcycle riders in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital yesterday commenced protest over alleged police harassment and hike in levies paid to the State Government.The protesters barricaded part of the popular Muritala Muhammed Way in Lokoja to register their grievances.

Addressing journalists, Chairman, Motorcycles Owners Operators of Nigeria, Lokoja branch, Abdulrahaman Abubakar alleged extortion of its members by the police. He also frowned at the increase in the levies payable to the state government, which he said limited their profit margin.He said, “We are tired of this harassment from the police in Lokoja. If our members are going through Felele, Zango axis or anywhere in Lokoja, the police will stop them, just to collect money even though they have no case to answer.“This is unfair and unacceptable. For how long are we going to continue like this? The state government must do something to put an end to this.”He continued, “The state government, on the other hand, is making things worse for us. They keep increasing levies paid by our members on a daily basis. How much are we making that they just want to rip us off?.“They keep collecting a lot of money from us without considering the implications on our families. Some of our members are riding their bikes on hire purchase.“Many of them can no longer meet their daily target due to increased taxes. If this continues, we might be forced to withdraw our services from the roads in Kogi State.”Abubakar appealed to the State Government to reverse its policy so that the union could be responsible for the collection of dues from its members.The state police command subsequently met with the protesters.The command’s public relations officer, William Aya told our correspondent that a useful conversation was held and they particularly took cognizance of the grievances of the protesters.“I met with the protesting Okada riders earlier today to listen to their grievances on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye. They told us their grievances which included being harassed by some elements in the police.“I conveyed the CP message that an investigation would be carried out to fish out culprits within the shortest possible time.“I urged them to put their complaints in writing and submit them for onward transmission to the CP for immediate action and not to take the law into their own hands by blocking the road and disrupting the free flow of traffic.“They expressed happiness and immediately left the scene of the protest,” Aya said.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The President of apex body of the Ijaw nation, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof Benjamin Okaba has encouraged the acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, George Turnah, to forge ahead and collaborate with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The Special Assistant to Turnah on media, Kevin Loveday Egbo, in a statement, said Okaba also called for diverse political collaboration to ensure the Ijaw nation does not put its eggs in one basket. Okaba was quoted to have stated this when Turnah paid him a courtesy call to keep him abreast of recent political happenings in the state.Okaba who commended Turnah for his visit and apology, describing it as hallmarks of strong leadership, however urged him to make a similar visit to Bayelsa State governor and Governor-General of the Ijaw nation, Senator Douye Diri, for reconciliation and the greater good and unity of the Ijaw nation.The University don also cautioned against divisive behaviours among the political class, stressing that the calm in Ijaw nation over the Rivers political debacle was deliberate to allow for peace and enable Governor Sim Fubara to pursue genuine reconciliation with his benefactor and political father, Wike.Turnah, while speaking, expressed regrets over some recent public comments regarding the office of the INC, which were misconstrued in some quarters.The PDP caretaker committee chairman commended Okaba for his dedicated leadership of the INC and urged for greater support.He also reiterated that ethnicity has no place in politics and urged the socio-cultural leader of the Ijaw race to find means to address political issues without necessarily involving the revered INC institution, which represents the Ijaw interest and speaks for the Ijaw people.Turnah also pleaded with Prof Okaba and the INC leadership to initiate robust peace moves to facilitate the restoration of suspended Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara to office in no distant time.According to him, only a sincere apology and genuine reconciliation can yield positive results in the current Rivers political crisis.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

For prompt response to health emergencies, the World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday donated eight surge vehicles (For emergencies) to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Abuja.WHO Country Representative, Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo while handing over the eight surge vehicles, said the vehicles were intended to enhance the operational capacity of the FCT Public Health Emergency Response System, adding that in order to boost health emergencies in Abuja, all hands must be on desk.

He stressed that health emergency preparedness is not a luxury; it is a necessity, “Investing in resilient systems today ensures we save lives tomorrow. And we are proud to walk this journey with Nigeria.”These vehicles, procured with the generous support of WHO, are intended to enhance the operational capacity of the FCT Public Health Emergency Response System. This handover is part of the Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) flagship initiative, which aims to bolster health emergency preparedness and response within the FCT. The FCT is one of six states selected to pioneer the SURGE implementation in Nigeria. These vehicles will enhance the FCT’s mobility and rapid deployment capacity for emergency teams, ensuring that critical personnel, supplies, and response efforts reach affected communities swiftly and efficiently”.He therefore reiterated WHO’s continued commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Government of Nigeria to strengthen national and sub-national capacity for health emergency preparedness and response.The SURGE flagship project was designed by WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) to ensure that countries are able to mobilize within 24 hours of a confirmed emergency. The initiative aims to develop a multidisciplinary, trained, and rapidly deployable national workforce, backed by a strong operations and logistics system, all led by the government.Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Olajide Idris in his good will message said Partnering with WHO has been fantastic, although the federal government is trying his best but resources are a bit limited. The gesture of WHO is highly welcome and commended.He said presently NCDC is currently managing 8 emergencies.FCT Mandate Secretary for Health Services & Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe appreciated WHO for the vehiclesShe said the vehicles will go a long way in improving the surveillance system and reducing the health indices in Abuja. She therefore assured that the vehicles would be used for what is meant for.