NEWS
Fashola Hails Diri on Infrastructure, Partnership with FG
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has praised Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for his administration’s infrastructure development strides.
Mr. Fashola gave the commendation yesterday during his courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, after inspecting federal projects in the state.
A press release by Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr.
Daniel Alabrah, quoted the Minister as having applauded the Bayelsa governor for his state’s collaborative efforts with the federal government on projects sited in the state.“Bayelsa has clearly shown it is an example for other states to emulate in fast-tracking partnership between the federal and state government on issues of development.
And I commend you.“We found out that the cost of building foundation in Bayelsa is actually the cost of completing the entire building in some other parts of the country,” he said.
Fashola, who also lauded the Bayelsa helmsman on his intervention on the resolution of compensation issues for the Yenagoa-Kolo-Otuoke-Bayelsa Palm federal road, noted that it has enabled the contractor cover 10 kilometres out of the 20 kilometres dual carriageway.
“At the federal secretariat, I saw some noticeable progress have been made and we assure that help is on the way for the federal workers,” he added.
The Minister said he was in the state on a facility tour of some federal project sites with a view to assessing their level of progress.
He highlighted the federal secretariat, National Housing Programme phase one at Elebele, the Yenagoa-Otuoke-Bayelsa Palm road, and a state project, AIT-Igbogene outer ring road, as projects visited.
According to him, the first tranche of N447.783 billion was shared among 24 states between 2018 and 2019 while the second tranche of N148.141billion was approved for five states between 2019 and 2020 with N38.4 billion allocated to Bayelsa.
In his remarks, Senator Douye Diri thanked the Minister for his prompt response to the Nembe-Brass road project by expressing his willingness to tackle the project through tax relief.
Senator Diri, who also called on one of the major partners of the project, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, to explore ways of collaborating with the Ministry of Works towards executing the project.
He said although Bayelsa is endowed with the longest coastline in the country, such areas remain inaccessible and this has also made response to security challenges difficult.
“Bayelsa state has the least federal kilometres of roads in Nigeria. However, let me appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for the infrastructure projects refund to the state. Let me however clarify that we received about N25billion instead of the N38.4 billion as the fund passed through the Debt Management Office and had to be discounted,” he said.
Senator Diri noted that the Kolo road was conceived in the 1930s before the federal government awarded the contract in 2009 but that so far only 19.5 kilometres had been done with 33.5 kilometre left.
From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
In a remarkable display of swift and effective action, the Osun State Amotekun Corps has successfully recovered a stolen Toyota Matrix vehicle and six LG 42-inch televisions following a violent robbery incident at a hotel in Ode-Omu.The recovery operation, which took place in Ogere, Ogun State, was carried out after a high-risk gun duel between the robbers and Amotekun operatives, with the support of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ogere Command.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, when a group of armed robbers stormed a hotel in Ode-Omu, where victims from Lagos had lodged overnight to attend a funeral ceremony.During the attack, the assailants carted away a Toyota Matrix vehicle valued at approximately N7 million, along with six LG 42-inch televisions worth over N3 million.The victims promptly reported the incident to the Amotekun Corps Command in Ayedaade Local Government, Gbongan. Acting swiftly, operatives from the local and state commands launched a coordinated tracking operation.The hot engagement received from Amotekun operatives diverted the hoodlums to Ogere in Ogun State, where they abandoned the stolen vehicle in the nearby bush, with other stolen items. Some of the perpetrators are believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.Speaking on the operation, Corps Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Chief (Dr.) Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, confirmed the recovery and commended the courage and precision of the operatives.“The success of this operation is a clear indication of Amotekun’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens in Osun State,” Omoyele said. “We also acknowledge the support of the FRSC Ogere Command for their collaboration in achieving this feat.”The recovered items were brought back to Osogbo and formally handed over to their rightful owners on Monday by the Corps’ Operations Commander, Olagunju Joseph, at the Amotekun Headquarters Operation Base.Olanrewaju Omololu, the owner of the recovered Toyota Matrix, expressed profound gratitude to the Osun Amotekun Corps. “They acted swiftly without demanding any money from us. Their grassroots presence and effectiveness are commendable,” he stated.Similarly, owner of the stolen televisions, Oyelami Nurudeen praised the operatives for their prompt response and urged residents of Osun to trust and support the Corps in its tireless efforts to combat crime.Commander Omoyele also used the opportunity to caution the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their communities.“Security is a collective responsibility; our doors are always open to reports and intelligence from the public.”Osun Amotekun will continue to work relentlessly to ensure that criminals find no safe haven in our state” he added.The Osun Amotekun Corps remains committed to its mandate of protecting lives and property across the state, reinforcing its reputation as a responsive and proactive security outfit.From Francis Sadhere, Delta
In a decisive move to curb potential threats to public safety, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Weyinmi Agbateyiniro has announced an indefinite ban on all forms of rallies and protests within the council area.The announcement came shortly after a high-level security meeting held at the Warri South Council Main Secretariat on Monday.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Agbateyiniro explained that the decision was taken in response to growing concerns over the likelihood of public gatherings escalating into violence or disrupting public order. “As from today, all forms of protests and rallies are hereby banned indefinitely across Warri South Local Government Area,” the Chairman declared. “This is a proactive measure to safeguard lives, properties, and ensure continued peace in our communities.”While affirming the administration’s respect for the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, Agbateyiniro emphasized that the prevailing security situation necessitated tighter regulation of public gatherings.He clarified that individuals or groups intending to hold protests or rallies must now seek official approval from the local government.“The right to protest is not abolished, but it must now be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law,” he stated.“Anyone or group planning such activities must get the necessary permission from the local government before proceeding,” he added.As the Chief Security Officer of the local government, the Chairman reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining law and order while ensuring that Warri South remains a safe environment for residents and businesses.“Our focus remains on peace, stability, and economic growth. We are working closely with security agencies to ensure Warri South remains safe and open for development,” he added.Agbateyiniro also appealed to youth groups, civil society organizations, and community leaders to support the new measure and help educate the public on the importance of maintaining peace.The ban is to remain in place until further notice. Authorities have warned that violators will face strict legal consequences.Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperative as the local government intensifies efforts to strengthen the area’s security framework.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State Police Command has recorded a major security breakthrough with the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists across the state, leading to the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition.According to a press release by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, the arrests were made through a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out by various tactical units within the Command.
In a major crackdown on kidnapping, operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) arrested three suspected members of an interstate kidnapping syndicate on May 16 and 17. The suspects — Idirisu Yakubu (21), Bello Amodu (40), and Umar Mohammed Beto (38) — were apprehended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The gang is believed to have been responsible for kidnappings in Delta, Rivers, Enugu, and Imo states. Following their arrest, the suspects led police to a bush along the Ughelli-Ozoro Road in Delta State where officers recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of live ammunition and a pump-action shotgun with seven live cartridges. Investigations into the syndicate’s operations are ongoing.In another operation, the Eagle Net Surveillance Team based in Ughelli arrested a 53-year-old suspect, Benjamin Benemor, in Warri South Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, officers searched his residence and uncovered a deadly arsenal which included one English Beretta pistol with magazine, an English double-barrel pump-action gun, an English single-barrel gun, two locally made firearms, and a battle axe. Fifteen live cartridges were also seized from the scene.Further demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive policing, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intercepted a Jetta vehicle along the Asaba-Benin Expressway on May 15. Two suspects — Blessing Ngbajime (49) and Okpako Oghenhovo (27) — were arrested, and one fabricated Beretta pistol was recovered from the latter. Investigations are currently underway.Reacting to the successful operations, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi commended the officers for their professionalism and dedication.He reiterated the Command’s commitment to eradicating criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across Delta State.“These achievements demonstrate our readiness to confront all forms of criminality head-on. We urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information that can assist in maintaining peace and order,” Olufemi stated.The arrests and weapon seizures come as part of the Command’s intensified efforts to rid the state of criminal syndicates and maintain law and order.
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