NEWS
Ogun to Begin Face Mask Enforcement on May 1
Ogun Government says it will begin enforcing the wearing of face masks as from May 1, 2020.
Gov. Dapo Abiodun, who made this known while addressing journalists on Friday in Iperu, said that violators risked being arrested or even isolated for 14 days.
He however, said the distribution of over 2 million masks would begin soon after which the enforcement would begin.
“We have always encouraged the use of face masks but let me add that with the reality facing us, the use of face mask in public by all individuals in Ogun State is now compulsory as from Friday May 1, 2020.
“We will also begin to distribute face masks to those who cannot afford to buy in addition to other materials to our vulnerable groups.
“On the issue of violation of face mask order, I think maybe by the time we are going to implement this face mask order, I will be able to reel out what the punishment of the violators would be.
“But rest assured that we will arrest you if you don’t wear a face mask. In fact when we arrest you, we take you to an isolation centre because we will believe that you want to intentionally inflict or afflict someone with COVID-19.
”That’s why you are not wearing your face mask.
“So, we will isolate you for 14 days during which we make you do community service. So, in your best interest, please ensure that if you are going out, wear your face mask,” the governor said.
Abiodun also tasked the citizenry to take cognizance of health safety and recommendations that had been issued.
According to the governor, it is important that we do not allow the continued surge in cases and the attendance risk of continued community transmission.
“Meanwhile, the relaxation window for next week will be on Monday, April 27, Wednesday, April 29 and Friday May 1”. (NAN)
NEWS
Gov. Mbah Signs Executive Order Creating new Urban Areas in Enugu
Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Thursday, signed an Executive Order No.
1, 2025, designating some areas in the state as urban areas as well as Land Use Regulation 2025.Report says that Mbah exercises his powers under the Land Use Act of 1978.
By the provisions of the Executive Order, entitled “Enugu State Designation of Land as Urban Areas,” the entire Enugu East, Enugu North, and Enugu South Local Government Areas have been designated urban areas.
Likewise, the entire Udi, Nkanu West, Nkanu East, and Nsukka Council Areas have been designated as urban areas.
Others created as urban areas are Ndeabor, Oduma Urban Area, Awgu Town, Ihe, Agbogugu, Mgbowo, Isu-Awa, Mmaku, Ituku, and Owelli-Court urban areas as well as Aguobuowa and Oghe in Ezeagu Council Area.
Ogbede, Ukehe, and Aku in Igbo-Etiti; Enugu Ezike in Igbo Eze North Council Area, Ibagwa-Aka in Igbo-Eze South LGA; and Ikem and Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area have been so designated
The Executive Order equally designated Oji-River, Ugwuoba, and Inyi in Oji-River Council Area; Obollo-Afor and Orba in Udenu Council Area ; Umulokpa and Adani in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area as urban areas.
Signing the order, Mbah said, “I have just a few minutes ago signed a Land Use Regulation of 2025, and also an Executive Order designating certain locations of the state as urban areas.
“This is a major milestone and quite historic that we have just witnessed. It is in line with what we witnessed a few weeks ago when we formally launched the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS).
“It is a system that is designed to fast-track application for land titles and indeed other administrative functions relating to land.
“So, what we have here today is going to bring clarity. As we all know, lack of transparency feeds corruption.
“This is really a major milestone towards our drive not just to enhance the revenue of Enugu State, but to ensure ease of doing business”.
He explained that the order would enable the prospective applicants to easily know what their fees were and the timelines that the application would be processed.
“With what we have done here today, there is no more hidden charges when you apply for whatever land transaction, whether it is for search, titles or indeed for whatever transactions you want to carry out relating to land in Enugu State.
“It is also going to end the era of double allocations, land grabbing, and all sorts of confusion that may have existed before now in our land management system.
“We have also expanded areas that before now we have designated as rural areas.
“That means effectively that those living in those locations are now able to come forward and apply for their title document and they will be able to obtain their Certificate of Occupancy for the property and assets they have there,” Mbah said.
While commending his team for the good job done, the governor promised that there would be adequate public enlightenment on the processes of land transactions under the new Order, Land Use Regulation, and the Enugu Geographic Information Service.
“This regulation clearly spells out the number of days it will require for any application, whether you are conducting your search or indeed applying to obtain your title document.
“The number, the timelines, your fees are spelt out. So, there is absolutely no confusion. So, I thank you all for all your efforts,” he stressed. (NAN)
NEWS
FG Sets April Deadline for East-West Road Completion
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has set an April 2025 deadline for the completion of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road, Section II-II, from Ahoada to Kaiama in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
Umahi made the announcement in a statement signed by Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations, on Thursday in Abuja, following his inspection of the road project.
He also confirmed that the construction of multiple box culverts in flood-affected areas along the East-West Road would be completed by the same April deadline.
While expressing satisfaction with the quality of work done on Section II-II by Messrs Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Umahi directed the company to accelerate the process by deploying additional resources to the project.
“The April 2025 delivery date remains sacrosanct.
“However, due to the soil conditions in the flood-affected areas where box culverts are being constructed, continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) should be used.
“The affected area spans about 2.3 kilometers,” he said.
Umahi also visited the site of the construction of multiple box culverts on the East-West Road, being handled by Messrs Rock Result Nigeria Ltd.
He expressed disappointment with the slow progress of work, noting that the contract, initially scheduled to be completed by November 2024, had been extended to December but was still unfinished.
He gave the contractor until the end of January to complete the project or face contract revocation.
Umahi emphasised that providing roads and bridges was a top priority of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Revolution under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and urged contractors to improve their performance.
The Project Manager of Setraco, Isaa Michel, assured that work would be expedited to meet the April deadline for the completion of the East-West Road.(NAN)
NEWS
9 Dead, 21 Injured in Katsina Road Crash – FRSC
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed nine people dead and 21 others injured in a road crash in Dankama, Kaita Local Government Area of the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Sector Commander, Mr. Aliyu Ma’aji, through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Shamsudeen Babajo, on Thursday in Katsina.
He said that the incident occurred when a trailer carrying cows and humans on top, separated from the main body and fell on a pavement.
According to him, the trailer driver was trying to prevent crushing a woman that fell from the top of a Golf car overloaded with beans.
The Commander revealed that the trailer driver, while trying to avoid crushing the woman, lost control of the vehicle and caused the trailer to separate from the main body.
He said that nine people lost their lives, while 21 others got varying degrees of injury.
Ma’aji said that the injured passengers were rushed to the Primary Healthcare Center, Kaita, for medical attention.
He stated that some victims were referred to Katsina General Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, due to the nature of their injury.
The Sector Commander, therefore, warned drivers to desist from carrying animals with passengers because of the danger associated with the ugly practice.
He also urged passengers to always speak up against overloading and dangerous driving as part of measures to reduce road accidents on the highways. (NAN)