By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Wednesday, approved N6.28 billion for surface maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.

FEC also approved the procurement and installation of baggage scanners in all railway stations across the country.

The approvals were made at the weekly Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the cabinet meeting, the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, said that the contract sum for the installation of baggage scanners in railway stations accross the country is N495 million.

He said the devices were necessary because of the need to enhance security of lives and property in the nation’s railway facilities.

He said, “The Federal Ministry of Transportation had two memos today, which I presented on behalf of the ministry and it had to do with one, the provision of scanners at all railway stations all over the country.

“You’ll all agree with me that in view of the process of security of lives and property, such equipment has to be installed at our railway stations. Since we’re starting railway revolution, we are trying to put in place a lot of things with the railways. We don’t want people to come and damage all that the government has been trying to put in place in that sector.

“So, today there was a memo before Council for the provision of baggage scanners at railway stations and I’m happy to inform you that the Council agreed with us and has approved that contract for scanners to be installed at railway stations so that when people get there and have goods, then they can pass through the scanners and they can be sure that there’s nothing that can destroy, that can cause violence or inflict danger or bring lives and property at stake”, he said.

Also briefing, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the maintenance of third mainland bridge would take 24-months and will cover 11 kilometers including interchanges, ramps, and critical links.

He said the move aligns with Executive Order 11 signed by President Muhammadu Buharii, in April 2022, which gave legal backing to the country’s national maintenance policy.

The Minister said there will be no duplication of efforts by the federal government or State government who have also began maintenance on some sections of the bridge.

According to him, the State’s Public Works Corporation will focus on the functional structure of the bridge such as the underwater piles, while the federal government will undertake surface maintenance to treat potholes and restore missing guard rails.

He also said Council approved a N17.5 billion variation for the contract for the construction of the old Enugu-Onitsha road whose current sum now stands at N48.99bn.

He said, “We presented two memoranda to council and both were approved. The first was with regard to contract cost revision by way of augmentation for the old Enugu/Onitsha Road, from Okpi Junction, all the way to Udioji to Anambra border in Enugu state.

“The augmentation was in the sum of N17,050,000,000, which revised the contract to N48,996,488,925 Naira with an additional completion time of 42 months.

“The second contract was a fresh contract for the maintenance of the pavement of the Third Mainland Bridge and this was approved in the sum of N6,278,063,585.58 for a period of 24 months. This is in consonance with the Executive Order 11 signed by Mr. President for the continued maintenance of public infrastructure.

“Now, some of you might ask, I was ask…
[17:00, 12/04/2023] Peter DURU Benue: Benue attacks: Herders killed 89 of our people, reduced 31 communities to rubble – Apa leaders cryout

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Indications emerged Wednesday that the recent incursions of armed herdsmen in Apa Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state have claimed over 89 lives while 31 communities have been reduced to rubble by the rampaging invaders.

Addressing the media in Makurdi on the recent attacks in the LGA by the marauders, the Chairman of Apa LGA Development Association, Mr. Eche Akpoko flanked by the youths, stakeholders and leaders from the area lamented that the people had since the sustained incursions which started in January 2023 suffered colossal losses of both human and material resources.

He warned that the people were being pushed to resort to self help especially with the failure of the Federal Government to check the henious activities of armed herders in the community.

Giving a breakdown of the communities affected and the lives claimed in the attacks, Mr. Akpoko said from the records availed to the people “the under listed communities have been sacked with houses burnt to rubble and leaving scores of indigenes dead, they include Ope-Ikobi, Ochi-Ikobi, Olugwu-Ikobi, Inowa-Ikobi, Olegoncha-Ikobi, Ijaha-Ikobi, Imana-Ikobi and Oleoke-Ikobi, where 40 people were killed.

“Other villages include, Ebugodo-Edikwu, Ankpali-Edikwu, Olegijamu-Edikwu, Olekele-Edikwu, Ukpogo-Edikwu, Edikwu-Icho, Edikwu-Oladoga, Okwiji-Edikiwu and Ojecho-Edikwu where 20 were killed.

“Also attacked were  Oiji-Ipole, Oiji-Efu, Oiji-Jos, Oiji-Oshodi, Oiji-Highlevel and Oiji-New Jerusalem which left five persons dead. At Ugbobi, five persons were killed including the Village Head. In Odugbo, eight persons were shot dead while five persons were killed at Olegogba, and one person each was killed at Akpete and Opaha respectively. Akpanta and Iyapu were also attacked and two persons were killed in each village.”

He stated that “the deceased victims of the attacks suffered carnage in the most dastardly, gruesome and inhuman manner. “In spite of these barrage of attacks on the innocent/defenseless people, the Federal Government of Nigeria failed to give it the desired attention that will yield a long lasting solution to this lawlessness.

“The trigger-happy marauders are usually shielded and never brought to book by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The rampaging marauders rape women, maim and kill innocent/defenseless indigenes of Apa local Government in their homes and farms using gorilla or asymmetric warfare with the intent of taking over their common patrimony.”

The Chairman berated those he said made desperate efforts to change the narrative  of what was happening in the LGA by attributing the killings to chieftancy dispute in order to exonerate the killer herders.

“This claim is merely speculative, spurious and baseless as its intended to divert public attentions from the real issues on ground. Contiguous LGAs to Apa such as Agatu, Otukpo and Gwer-West have also suffered similar attacks. We maintain that the rationale for these unprovoked attacks on Apa Local Government people is a clear case of Fulani invasion and forceful occupation of their land!

“Our position has been confirmed by a publication trending on the social media wherein the Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) claimed responsibility for the sustained attacks in Benue State.

“It is on this premise that we call on Fulani elites and all concern to educate and sensitize their kinsmen to embrace modern techniques of animal rearing and show respect to the sanctity of lives. We also call on the Federal Government to deploy law enforcement agents to the flash points to defend/protect the defenseless/innocent Apa indigenes.”

He warned that, “In the event of government’s failure to protect our lives and properties as its primary duties, the people may be compelled to activate their rights of self-defense which may lead to total breakdown of law and order.

“To avert the looming state of anarchy in the Local Government, we look forward to that day when the Federal Government of Nigeria shall take responsibilities of her failure to protect the lives and properties of the people.”