NEWS
Fuel subsidy removal: Residents commend Gov. Obaseki’s free transport service
…Residents commend Gov. Obaseki’s free transport service
Residents of Benin metropolis have commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, for introducing free transport service to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the people in the state.
The residents spoke in separate interviews on Wednesday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.
Mrs Agnes Ogieator, a trader at Oba of Benin market, said provision of free transport service was one of the best steps the governor had taken to cushion the effect of the hardship orchestrated by the new fuel regime.
According to her, “I used to spend nothing less than N5,000 on transport on daily basis before the flag off of the free transport service.
APC Condemns Obaseki’s Penchant for Demolition of Properties
“That is history now, thanks to Gov. Godwin Obaseki for this initiative to reduce the hardship as I have now channel that N5,000 to other expenses.”
Also speaking, Mr Gabriel Enalogholase, a media practitioner, said he appreciated the new development initiated by the governor.
According to him, it is not everyone that can afford the recent hike in transportation.
“Obaseki has done well as this will create an avenue for some persons to cut cost and save for better days.”
On her part, Mrs Joy Idemudia, a judiciary staff, said because of bad roads in the state and hike in fuel, she had parked her vehicle and keyed into the free transport service provided by the state government.
“I conveniently board the free bus in front of my house at Ekewam road on daily basis straight to king’s square, thereafter join another one on Aduwawa axis to my office without paying a dime.
“In the evening when going home after close of work, I also still join the free bus home, I say thank you to our governor.” she said.
Other beneficiaries also commended the state government for the initiative.
They said Edo people are being relieved of the burden of high cost of transportation as a result of the rise in the cost of petrol occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
NAN reports that the free transport scheme operates between 6am and 7pm daily, covering all ECTS operational routes, both intra-city and inter-city routes, including Auchi – Igarra – Ibillo–Ososo; Uzebba–Ikhin – Otuo, and Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohirin to Ewatto.
The intra-city routes are Ramat–Kingsquare; New Benin–Kingsquare; Kingsquare – Ekenwan Road; Kingsquare–Airport Road; Kingsquare–Sapele Road and Kingsquare – Adesuwa, Kingsquare–Ogida; New Benin – Upper Mission; Kingsquare–Ugbowo; Kingsquare–Agbor Road; Kingsquare–Upper Sokponba; New Benin – Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.
…Residents commend Gov. Obaseki’s free transport service
NEWS
Tinubu Nominates Chairman, 5 Executive Directors for South East Development Commission
President Bola Tinubu has removed Hon. Emeka Atuma as Chairman of the board of South East Development Commission (SEDC), and replaced him with Dr Emeka Nworgu.The President also replaced all the three executive directors initially nominated and named two additional executive directors, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said in a statement.
The President also removed one of the board members, Donatus Nwankpa. However, Hon. Mark Okoye retained his position as the Commission’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer on the 16-member board, one more member than the initial board.The new executive director for finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, who replaced Anthony Ugbo in the first list.Toby Okechukwu is the new executive director of projects. He replaced Obinna Obiekweihe, while Chief Sylvester Okonkwo is now the executive director of corporate services, replacing Dr Daniel Ugwuja.The two nominated executive directors without a portfolio are Chidi Echeazu and Dr Clifford Ogbede.The President retained Mr Ugochukwu Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman and Hamma Kumo.The other nominees retained are: Edward Onoja, Orure Inima and Chief Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.All the nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.President Tinubu expects the new nominees, as pioneers, to use their wealth of experience and expertise to actualise the Commission’s mandate and develop the SouthEast region. (NAN)NEWS
Rivers Government to Demolish Shanties, Gives Seven Days Notice
Mr Evans Bipi, Rivers Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, has issued a seven days notice to commence clearing Port Harcourt city of slums and illegal waste dumpsites.The commissioner gave the notice on Saturday shortly after an enforcement operation at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Area in Port Harcourt.
Bipi expressed concern on operations of scavengers at the Trans-Amadi industrial area who currently occupy large hectares of private lands using them for sorting and assemblage of solid waste. He condemned the act of proliferation of illegal dumpsites as well as shanties in business areas, and advised occupants to vacate affected properties which had already been marked for demolition.”Scavengers here are contributing to environmental hazards, their operation is highly unacceptable, this administration will no longer continue to allow them to deface our residential and industrial areas.”We have given occupants seven days to vacate affected properties as we shall commence waste clearing and demolition of shanties in the area.”Property owners should refrain from leasing their properties to operators of unapproved and hazardous businesses or face the full weight of the law,” the commissioner warned.Mr David Ogbanga, Chairman, Special Committee on Development Control of the ministry also assured of efforts towards sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.According to Ogbanga, apart from defacing the city outlook, slums impede urbanization, and they constitute a breeding ground for miscreants as well as hideouts for criminals and perpetrators of all forms of social vices.”We will put an end to this in the coming days, our enforcement team will begin demolition to restore serenity to our city as well as protect residents,” he said. (NAN)NEWS
Army Chief Pledges Improved Welfare for Wounded Troops, Orders Evacuation of Critical Cases
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of wounded personnel to ensure their speedy recovery.Oluyede gave the assurance on Saturday during a visit to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital in Maiduguri.
The COAS commended the healthcare team in the hospital for their dedication, and directed that personnel with complicated medical cases be evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna for specialised treatment. The Army Chief who interacted with some of the wounded soldiers, encouraged them to remain strong as the army would never abandon them.“We will do our best to ensure that you are recuperated so that you can all go back to your duty,” he said. (NAN)