The House of Representatives  has called on security agencies to reduce the number of checkpoints on the Onitsha-Enugu expressway.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia), during plenary in Abuja.

Presenting the motion, Ogah expressed concern over the current approach of mounting excessive security checkpoints, adding that it was counterproductive and undermined the economic stability of the region.

He said that the house was fully aware that the security agencies in Nigeria were mostly involved in mounting security checkpoints on the nation’s major roads.

The lawmaker said that they included the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police Force, and the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC).

“It is disturbing that, in a journey of 105 km, there are approximately 28 security checkpoints; that is, at an average of 3.7 km each,” he said.

The house called on all the security agencies to ensure that security operatives acted within the bounds of the law, and do not use their positions to harass or exploit citizens.

Adopting the motion, the house noted that the mounting of numerous checkpoints along the motorway violated the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens to free movement.

The House also directed affront to the dignity of the people, particularly in the South-East, where such levels of militarisation were more pronounced.

“It is worrisome that these security checkpoints appeared to be more of a tool for harassment than a genuine effort to ensure security,” it said.

The house urged the Joint Committees on Defence, Army, and Police Affairs, to dialogue with the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, to explore alternative security strategies that would not subject people to undue hardship.

It also mandated its Committee on Road Safety to dialogue with the FRSC Corp Marshal, with a view to regulating the number of its checkpoints on the Onitsha-Enugu Motorway.

The lawmakers urged its Committee on National Security to engage its relevant agencies and advocate for community-based security initiatives and improved intelligence gathering.

This, according to the lawmakers , would effectively address regional security concerns, other than the use of excessive security checkpoints on the motorway.

Members mandated the joint Committees of Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security, to intensify strict oversight to ensure that security operatives act within the bounds of the law. (NAN)

The Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) has pledged to continue addressing the high level of public interest and curiosity surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

Mrs Olukorede Kesha, the Chairman, NSE Lagos Island branch, made the assertion when she took the various arms of the association on a tour of the construction project, on Thursday in Lagos.

According to her, many people have been asking questions about the project’s scope, scale, and progress.

She said that the ministry, recognising this public interest, took the initiative to provide a platform for public engagement and information sharing, hence it organised the technical visit.

The visit is also a part of the continuous and professional development of engineers.

Kesha said: “We are here at the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, you will agree with me that it’s a mega project.

“It’s the talk of the town and everyone has been asking individual questions, when they see us on the road they will want to know if Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is four lanes, two lanes or 10 lanes.

“They will ask us what it is made up of and why is the money like that and what are they doing?.

“So, we decided to say, instead of answering individuals, let us come together as a society- the Nigerian Society of Engineers with our sister body, like the Institution of Civil Engineers.

“Seeing is believing, let’s see things for yourself. So, you know how your money is being spent. Hence, we organise this technical visit and it’s part of the continuous and professional development of engineers.

“It is part of the mandate of the society of engineers to take engineers to development sites, sites of engineering concern, so that they can see and thereafter develop from there,’’ Kesha said.

The chairman, who provided the engineers an update on the progress of the coastal highway project, added that the progress was at a rapid pace with substantial work completed.

Kesha, who is the Federal Controller of Works, told them that extensive sand filling had been carried out over a distance of 12 kilometres to stabilise the ground.

Kesha said that the construction of the road itself was underway, with the road being divided into two sections in certain areas to avoid disrupting existing buildings.

She commended the contractor, HITECH Construction Company, for the good job so far done, adding that the contractor had the necessary capacity and resources to ensure timely completion.

“ This is about one of the best performing projects in the country at the moment. Like I said, the contractor has capacity, and the capacity is not in doubt, even by any layman or a blind person.

“If you go by the number of equipment that are assembled at Oniru, you will agree with me that they have capacity, and all the capacity has been deployed, and they work here day and night,’’ she stressed.

The Chairman, NSE Ikeja Branch, Mrs Nimot Muili, said that the project would offer valuable learning opportunities for engineers at all levels, from students to senior professionals.

She also said that it would boost economic growth by facilitating trade, commerce, and investment, and improve infrastructure, including roads, power, and transportation, leading to better living conditions and business opportunities.

Muili further said that the project showcased the importance of collaboration among engineers from different organisations to achieve significant infrastructure projects.

“We collaborated with Lagos branch, Nigeria Institute of Civil Engineer to come out as a formidable body, collaboration is key for any development and I’m really excited about what we’ve seen.

“The level of expertise is being deployed locally, working with other international organisation, developers, designers, as well as the Federal Ministry of works, and the level of professionalism being displayed by all involved is really commendable.

“That means, Nigeria engineers are doing very well, and we could do better,’’ she said.

Report says that before visiting the coastal road, the group toured Eko Atlantic City, where they learned about land reclamation techniques from a representative of HITECH Company.

The aim of the tour was to provide engineers, including students and seasoned professionals, with valuable insights into modern engineering practices and infrastructure development.

The branches who visited the site were the Ikeja and proposed Ibeju Lekki, NICE, as well as NSE Lagos branch youth arm.(NAN)

The 10th National Assembly is committed to programmes and policies that will
ensure increased uptake of Family Planning (FP) methods in the country.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said this on Thursday at the ongoing 8th
Nigeria Family Planning Conference 2024 in Abuja, with the theme “Sustaining Commitments for Family Planning.

Kalu, who was Special Guest at the event, said that the House took the issues of family planning seriously when it was presented before it.

He explained that “when the proposal for the allocation of one per cent of health sector budget to family planning activities came before us,
we considered it as a worthwhile proposal.

“That explains why family planning got four million U.S. dollars in the 2024 budget, and we are ready to do more.”

The lawmaker, who commended the organisers of the conference, said adequate attention must be given to family planning for the country
to move forward.

Ms Rodio Diallo, the Deputy Director, Gates Foundation, Abuja, said the foundation is committed to supporting Nigeria in its programmes to
achieve FP2030.

Diallo said the country is on the right track to achieving the goals ahead of the 2030 target.

Dr Salma Ibrahim-Anas, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, said the Federal Government prioritised the health needs
of women and the girl-child.

She said “this is the time to get family planning activities right; states and local governments must emulate the Federal Government.”

She added that the Federal Government had created opportunities for women to share experiences in the development of the nation.

“President Bola Tinubu has established the Presidential Value Chain to help harmonise efforts on family planning to avoid duplication of efforts.

“We are telling Nigerians to control the number of children they want to have, so they can take care of them.

“We, therefore, expect community and faith-based organisations to help government and extend the information to their people.”(NAN)