News
Lagos-Calabar Highway: Okun-Ajah community’s safe –FG
The Federal Government has reassured residents of Okun-Ajah community, Lagos, that their properties would not be demolished for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, dismissed their fears at an engagement with representatives of communities within the alignment of the road between Eko Atlantic(Chainage Zero) and Eleko inside(Chainage 47.4klm, on Thursday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting also discussed the payment of compensations and environmental issues as it affects the projects.
The minister said that the construction around the axis would follow the original gazetted route by the federal government.
Umahi said, “ Ladies and gentlemen, we have our proposal here and we have the old alignment; to the glory of God, to solve MTN, 2Africa, Okun-Ajah community, we are diverting completely from the new alignment, from the old alignment to a new alignment at kilometer 25.’’
The minister emphasised that the decision to avoid demolitions was not due to pressure or conflict from the communities.
According to him, the President’s intervention prioritised minimising the negative impact on residents.
He assured the people of the president’s firm stance, saying the government won’t change the route for section one, but residents could still voice concerns about the project’s impact on their properties within the chosen path.
Umahi stressed that the government was open to addressing concerns outside section one, where adjustments might be possible.
Besides, he invited all the stakeholders to join him to receive President Bola Tinubu, on May 26, as he will be flagging off the 700 kilometers coastal roads.
Earlier at the meeting, Dr Iliasu Gashingbaki, GMD, Meca group, in Okun-Ajah, had called on the government to be sensitive to the global facility, highlighting how a submarine cable belonging to MTN that cut across 33 countries in Africa was tampered within the course of the road construction, thus, shutting internet access to some parts of Africa a few months ago.
NAN also reports that about 11 people, whose properties were affected by the construction of the coastal roads, received compensations.(NAN)
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…