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Christmas: Commuters groan over gridlocks, high fares in South East

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Some Commuters have groaned over gridlocks on various expressways caused by multiple checkpoints and roadblocks by security agencies and tax agents within the South East geopolitical zone.

The commuters, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, blamed the high cost of transportation to the roadblocks and the extortions by the security agencies and the tax agents.

Mr David Uzonna, a regular commuter, who is based in Awka, said road blocks were a major challenge they faced in their daily operations.

He said there was a total of 19 roadblocks between Awka and Enugu, a journey of less than 100 kilometres.

“The extortion that goes on at the road blocks and delays was partly responsible for the increase in transport fares.

“An 18 seater bus that used to cost N3,000 was now between N4,000 and N4,500, while Sienna vehicle that used to cost N5,000 and N6,000 per trip, now cost N7,000,” he said.

Uzonna said the condition of the road was better but what would have been gained was lost to gridlock caused by the security checkpoints.

He urged the south east governors to intervene and reduce the number of checkpoints within the region to hasten movement and also boost economic activities.

Mrs Ifeoma Agueze, an Europe-based Nigerian, who returned to spend the Christmas with her family members, said she spent almost 10 hours by road from Abuja to Enugu due to numerous checkpoints and bad roads.

“Traveling in Nigeria either by road or by air is chaotic and frustrating. I left Abuja with a Sienna by 7am, we met some checkpoints from Nasarawa but on getting to Otukpa, the roadblocks increased in number till we got to Enugu by 7.30pm.

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“In fact, I lost count of the checkpoints mounted by different groups including the soldiers, police, Road Safety, the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs), and the agriculture produce team. This is a journey that is supposed to be for six hours.

“They would not only stop and search vehicles but would also demand for money forcefully from drivers and if you fail to play ball, they would delay you for hours,” she said.

It is a similar situation on Enugu- Onitsha expressway, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, Enugu-Okigwe-Owerri Road where passengers are sometimes asked to come down from the vehicle and walk past the checkpoints before joining their vehicles.

Some commercial drivers who narrated their experiences, said they spend between N2,000 and N100,000 depending on the route and the vehicle.

Mr Dominic Nwuda, a commercial driver that ply between Enugu and Port Harcourt, said he spent between N3,000 and N5,000 to settle the police and soldiers on the road.

According to him, that is why we increase our fares to cover such expenses. If you do not comply, they will ask you to offload the luggage in your vehicle and seize your vehicle documents until you give them money.

A truck driver, simply called Ahmed, who conveys foodstuffs from Adamawa to the East, said their major obstacle was the Agric produce team especially from Obollo Afor in Enugu State to Abia and Rivers states.

“They collect as much as N10,000 at every stop after checking the foodstuffs and livestock of every truck,” he said.

He said that it was a different situation while traveling from Adamawa to Lagos where they paid only once to the union.

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Meanwhile, commuters have lamented the high transportation fares, describing it as “a difficult situation” for the Christmas and new year celebrations.

Some travellers said that the fare was higher compared to the previous years, calling on the state government and other relevant agencies to prevail on the situation.

Mrs Mercy Okoro, a traveller at Ebonyi Transport Services (EBOTRANS) said the situation was difficult on the public.

Okoro, who was to travel with her four kids to Umuahia, Abia state said she could no longer embark on the journey due to the higher fare.

A driver, Mr Clement Nwafor, said that the cost of traveling from Abakaliki to Afikpo is N2, 500 and Onicha, Ohaozara local government areas is N2, 500 respectively. This is what we have been collecting since the year began.

On checkpoints, Nwafor, said it was not common in Ebonyi state, stating that there were only three checkpoints from the security agencies along the Abakaliki-Afikpo road.

“We don’t normally meet checkpoints within the state. You can find such along the highways like, Abakaliki-Enugu expressway, Enugu-Onitsha among others.

Transport operators in Enugu metropolis have also increased their fares within the city as residents make final shopping for the Christmas celebrations.

Investigation by NAN showed that the increase involved taxi drivers, bus drivers, Uber drivers and tricycle operators also known as Keke.

NAN reports that most drivers, especially city bus drivers have hiked their fares for every drop, thereby frustrating many commuters.

NAN reports that a transport fare from Gariki to either Ogbete market or New market which used to cost N400 now goes for between N500 and N600 by bus while tricycles cost the same.

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Also, bus fare from Agbani road to other parts of the city has increased to about 50 per cent.

A bus fare from Ogbete market to Abakpa has also gone up to between N500 and N600 from the usual N400.

A taxi fare from Agbani road to Asata road inside the city which used to cost N400 now costs N600.

A bus driver, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, told NAN that the situation was just normal and not connected to increase in petrol or any other factor.

“Passengers are rushing; so, if you cannot pay, another passenger is ready to pay.

“It is our time to make little money to celebrate Christmas like others,” he said.

A tricycle operator, Mr Innocent Uzor, said that as people were rushing to the market and to their villages, it is time for transporters to make money.

Also speaking, another passenger, Mrs Veronica Ugwueze condemned the hike in fares, describing it as “selfish and unreasonable”.

“It is wickedness by tricyclists and bus drivers, they are just exploiting people because of Christmas,” she said. (NAN)

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Zamfara Elders Condemns Governor Lawal Over Alleged Witch-Hunt Of Assembly Members

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The Zamfara Elders Forum has accused Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign against nine elected members of the state House of Assembly, alleging that he is using the judiciary to suppress their legislative duties.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the forum’s spokesperson, Dr Abdulmumin Kamil Gusau, described the state government’s actions as “disturbing and embarrassing.”

The group claims that Chief Magistrate Halima Jaafar Mikaila issued an arrest order for the lawmakers without prior summons or formal charges, a move they argue undermines the rule of law.

“We are deeply troubled by how the state government is manipulating judicial mechanisms to target constitutionally elected members of the state House of Assembly,” Guasa said.

“These lawmakers are being persecuted for fulfilling their legislative responsibilities and highlighting shortcomings in the executive’s performance in the public interest.”

The forum noted that the affected lawmakers, drawn from both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), have already lodged a case at the Court of Appeal in Sokoto.

They have also petitioned key authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser, and the National Assembly, seeking intervention.

Despite these pending legal and formal complaints, the forum alleges that the magistrate court proceeded with the arrest order, which they deem unlawful.

The group has called on Governor Lawal to cease what it describes as harassment and engage in dialogue with the lawmakers to resolve the ongoing crisis amicably.

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“The APC will remain steadfast in upholding the law and will not tolerate the politicisation of judicial officers to serve narrow interests,” Gusua stated.

“We stand firmly against any attempts to intimidate lawmakers for raising concerns about the worsening security situation in their constituencies, which the state government has failed to address.”

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Dangote Partners NASSI To Boost Investments In Nasarawa

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By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

The Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has entered into partnership with
Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, to drive fresh investment options in the State.

With 68,000 hectares, the Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL) in Tunga, is considered Nigeria’s biggest Backward Integration Policy (BIP) project in the sugar sector.

Speaking to newsmen, Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the 2025 Trade Fair and Exhibition has provided the chance for the Dangote Group and NASSI to consider the numerous business opportunities in the State.

According to Manasseh, “We are actively exploring opportunities to deepen our collaboration with the Dangote Group, particularly in expanding employment programmes through youth and women’s skills acquisition and other vital support services.

“We deeply appreciate the Dangote Group’s invaluable collaboration through financial support and sponsorship of NASSI’s programs. Their contribution has been exceptional, and we are profoundly grateful.”

Continuing, Manasseh said the Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition (NASTFE) is a vital catalyst for the State’s economic transformation, adding that the strategic initiative by NASSI directly aligns with Governor Abdullahi Sule’s vision to stimulate investment and unlock significant growth.

He said Nasarawa State’s wealth in mineral resources is a central highlight of NASTFE, adding that the exhibition will showcase how its natural endowment can drive economic growth by encouraging value addition in raw material processing and manufacturing, particularly benefiting Small Scale Industries.

“NASTFE serves as a premier platform to showcase Nasarawa State’s considerable potential, connecting discerning investors with its abundant natural resources and dynamic human capital. Governor Sule’s commitment to a business-enabling environment is evident, with NASTFE designed to effectively communicate this compelling value proposition,” he added.

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The chairman of NASSI said its objective is to leverage Nasarawa State’s rich natural resources to fuel economic growth by promoting value addition in raw material processing and manufacturing.

“This focus will enhance economic value, particularly for Small Scale Industries, attract crucial investment, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to poverty reduction,” he said.

A statement from the Dangote Group’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said: “Nasarawa State is central to our overall investment in Nigeria. It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments on the African continent.”

The statement quoted the Senior Special Adviser to the Dangote Group’s President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that: “We are not taking this partnership for granted. Our Strategic Business Units (SBUs) are participating.

According to her, some of the Business Units participating from the Dangote Group are: Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Salt (NASCON) and Dangote Cement, among others.”

Mrs. Abdurrahman said the Trade Fair offers the company an opportunity to interact with stakeholders and Nigerians who may want to do business with the company.

She said a special Help Desk will be created for inquiries to enable the company to receive feedback from participants.

She urged participants to visit the company’s pavilion and take advantage of its innovative products.

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SOSG To Intervene In Workers Unremitted Laon Deductions

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By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has pledged to intervene in the  workers’ loan repayments that were deducted from their salaries but never remitted to the respective banks.

The Governor made this commitment while responding to an appeal by the Sokoto State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu, who urged the state government to intervene in the matter.

According to the NLC chairperson, many workers who took loans through salary deductions have continued to suffer due to the failure of officials in the previous administration to remit the deductions to the banks.

“Your Excellency, please come to the aid of these people. They have been at a crossroads for years,” Comrade Abdullahi appealed. “We know you to be firm in defending people’s rights. Please apply your popular slogan, in kudi kudi in aiki aiki, to recover the diverted funds.”

Governor Aliyu assured the labour leader and affected workers that his administration will investigate the  matter  and ensure that the right thing is done .

“This administration prioritizes human rights and will not condone any violations under any guise,” the Governor said. “We are committed to protecting the rights of the weak, the less privileged, and the downtrodden in our state.”

a statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to the governor quoted his principal as appealing to the people of State to continue their support and cooperation with his administration so that they can continue to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

The governor further expressed gratitude for the public’s fervent prayers to his administration and urged them to mentain the tempo.

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