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FG Begins Eviction Enforcement on Shanties, Businesses Encroaching on Project

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The Federal Government on Sunday began the evacuation of shanties, illegal structures encroaching on its Right of Way (RoW) following the expiration of the ultimatum issued by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola.

Fashola on Jan.

14 while inspecting the Airport flyover damaged by tanker fire also visited artisans, mechanics and other businesses in the axis.

He had given them two weeks to vacate the RoW of the bridge and the ongoing Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction project.

He advised them to relocate to the Matori Industrial Estate in Ladipo purposely built by the Jakande government for commercial activities, warning that they both jeopardised their safety and that of the the highway by being on the road sides.

Enforcing the eviction alongside the Lagos State Task Force, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola said the traders did not obey all notices served on them hence the evacuation.

Popoola said after the minister’s visit to the Ladipo axis on Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project to address the traders, they failed to comply with negotiation terms.

He said that government had embarked on recovery of its Right of Way (RoW) nationwide and also the ongoing Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction project being handled by the Dangote Group.

He said beautification was also part of the project and the contractor was ready to move to site to begin work and except the RoW was free, the project would be stalled.

“After the Honorable Minister addressed them, we gave them two weeks, we came and served them notices which expired on the 29th of January, 2020.

” Before that day I called a meeting of all the unions which I also reiterated the Honorable Minister’s directive to every one of them. They all agreed that they will move away.

“Now, after that, the Task Force gave them notices which expired on the 7th of February but as at today they remained adamant, they refused to remove all their properties, goods and vehicles.

” And that is why the Task Force was invited to come here and do the clearing of all the shanties so that we will be able to do our work on the service lane, so as to beautify the RoW and that is the purpose of coming to this place today, ” he said.

He said that the federal government was serious recovery of its RoW across the country and would sustain action in Lagos to ensure illegal businesses do not return to the road.

Popoola added that the enforcement would be extended to Apapa through the entire corridor to Oworonsoki to remove all impediments on the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project.

He advised businesses interested in beautification of the highway to approach the office of the minister for approval, adding that, that was the only approved initiative on the RoW.

The controller assured that owners of trucks and abandoned vehicles and other properties could recover them from the Task Force office, but would be made to promise not to return them to the highway.

NAN reports that the Lagos State Task team led by Mr Shola Jejeloye towed abandoned and illegally parked vehicles on the RoW and removed other valuable items before destroying make shift stalls and shanties.

Some business owners who spoke to journalists appealed for government’s understanding of their plight.

Mr Martins Obidiozor, Manager of Unity Ware House along Toyota Bus stop said that the warehouse did not have space for vehicles to offload wares.

Obidiozor begged that his customers heavy duty equipment and goods be allowed to stay some more days on the highway before gradual removal to the warehouse.

Also, Mallam Ismaila Sule, a soft drinks vendor appealed to government to regulate thier businesses instead of evacuating them from the road setback.

“If there is go slow and people want to drink water or soft drinks can they enter the big market? No. That is why we are begging government to help us,” he said. (NAN)

NEWS

Hoodlums Attack Etsu Lokoja’s Palace, Raze Properties

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Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked the palace of Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Dauda-Shelika, Nyamkpa IV, burning properties within the premises, including a vehicle.

The palace, located on plot 306, New Layout, Lokoja, was allegedly attacked by hoodlums at about 1:00 am on Saturday.

The Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union were planning to host the 2nd edition of the Nupe Natives end-of-the-year event, tagged “Lokoja ’24 Nupe Cultural Fiesta,” on Dec.

21, 2024, before the incident occurred.

The event was, however, aborted due to the unfortunate attack.

Dauda-Shelika said this on Monday in Lokoja that he heard a big bang on my door at around 1 am.

“I woke up to check through the window, wondering what could have happened.

“Then, I suddenly saw wildfire coming out of my car that was set ablaze by attackers.

“I knew it was an attack on the palace, and therefore I could not come out because of fear of being attacked. So, I managed to come out through the back door and scaled the fence to escape for my life.

“Thereafter, I came out to the road and realised that all my neighbours in the community were on the ground trying hard to quench the fire, but unfortunately the car was burnt as well as other properties inside it.”

The traditional ruler appealed to the government and security agencies to investigate the cause of the attack and bring perpetrators and their sponsors to justice.

He admonished Nupe natives in Lokoja to avoid any reprisal attack but continue to remain peaceful and law abiding and allow the government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack.

“We are appealing to Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to please use their good offices to investigate this unfortunate incident and bring to justice whoever is concerned, whether directly or indirectly.

“We also want the government to kindly visit our issues by recognising and grading the stool of Etsu Lokoja, which had been in existence before colonisation,” he said.

He stated that the Lokoja Local Government Area chairman and his security team came for an on-the-spot assessment that Saturday morning, as well as the police and other security outfits.

The National President, Nupe Natives Union Lokoja, Alh. Abubakar Ndashite, said the event scheduled for Saturday was a celebration of Nupe cultural heritage and not any form of coronation as being insinuated from some quarters.

Ndashite, who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee, said the aborted event was to project the Nupe spirit and culture as well as the rich history of the diversely composed Lokoja community and the peaceful and harmonious coexistence among her.

He expressed his displeasure over the aborted cultural event, noting that the union had expended so much on it, and urged the government to bring perpetrators to book. (NAN)

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NEWS

Eight Dead, Three Injured in Ohafia Road Crash

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The Abia Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of eight persons with two others injured in a road traffic crash that occurred along the Bende-Ohafia Road.

A statement by the Sector Commander, Mrs  Ngozi Ezeoma, on Monday in Umuahia said that the  crash occurred on Sunday along the Mmuri River axis of the road in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.

She said the crash involved a Trailer carrying chippings which hit and fell on a Sharon Volkswagen vehicle with 10 persons on board.

“At the time of the crash eight persons had died including a woman standing by the roadside and three were injured.

“The injured victims were taken to the hospital while the dead ones were deposited at the morgue,” she said.

Ezeoma said that preliminary investigation revealed that  the crash was caused by dangerous driving and excessive speeding. (NAN)

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Sen. Abiru, ATTF President others Inspect SAIL Innovation Lab in Ibeju Lekki

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Sen.  Mukhail Abiru (Lagos -East) with other notable personalities on Monday,  inspected the nearly completed SAIL Innovation Lab and Sports Centre at Orimedu, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

Abiru’s Media Aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun made this known in a statement in Lagos.

He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Feyisola Abiru, and other notable personalities, including Mr Wahid Oshodi, President of the African Table Tennis Federation and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation.

Abiru said the impressive facility sited on a sprawling 8,600 square meter prime land, along the road leading to the Lekki Free Trade in Ibeju-Lekki is designed to accommodate a standard football pitch.

“The pitch measures  90 by 45 feet, with a standard indoor Table tennis court, with changing rooms facility and catering service area.”

The senator said the Innovation Lab section would comfortably accommodate 200 trainees and co-working spaces, with the complement of operational offices both at the ground and first floors.

”The innovation lab and sports center are more than just structures; they are symbols of hope, progress, and the future we are building together; a future filled with opportunities for innovation, empowerment, and youth development.

“The world today is driven by innovation and technology.

“Therefore, we must position our young ones for the enormous opportunities that this current era of innovation and tech revolution provides.

“Just as we have done in Ikorodu, we are building a world-class and inspirational facility here, where our young people will be eager to stay and learn,” Abiru said

In his remarks at the palace of the traditional ruler,  Oba Toheeb Oyedele, (Onimedu of Orimedu Land), who is the monarch of the host community of the projects, Abiru commended  the entire people of the community for their support and co-operation.

He added that the innovation lab and sports center are more than just structures; they are symbols of hope, progress, and the future we are building together; a future filled with opportunities for innovation, empowerment, and youth development.

The traditional ruler, however, commended Abiru for spreading his interventions and projects across the zones.

He said the people of his domain and by extension, other communities in the district are proud to have him as their representative in the Nigerian Senate.(NAN)

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