Niger Delta
FRSC Assures On Accident-free ‘Ember’ Months
The Auchi Unit Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Edo says in spite of its inadequacies, it has evolved measures to ensure accident-free “ember” months.
The Unit Commander, Mr Olu Afolabi, told newsmen on Monday that the commission had mobilised its human and material resources toward achieving the goal.
He said the staff of the commission had been placed on red alert, while stakeholders such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) had been co-opted into the ember months safety campaign.
Afolabi said the command was currently patrolling the highways within the zone from dawn to dusk with a plan of making it a 24-hour patrol during the peak period of the campaign.
As part of efforts to realise the objective, he said more patrol vehicles and equipment were been deployed from the FRSC headquarters in Abuja to the unit.
“We know we have shortcomings, especially with regard to our equipment and patrol vehicles that were recently destroyed by students of the Auchi Polytechnic, but that notwithstanding, we are not taking chances of ensuring a successful campaign.
“To start with, we have placed all our staff on red alert. We have banned all forms of leave for the staff during the campaign period.
“We are also going round all motor parks in the Edo North Senatorial District, organising rallies and sensitisation workshops for drivers. We are educating them on how to maintain discipline on the highways.
“Special marshals have been mobilised to partake in the ember months campaign activities as well as to educate the public throughout the district.
“We went a step further by co-opting some of our stakeholders such as FERMA and NURTW as well as other transport operators into the campaign to make the whole scheme a huge success.
“We have also secured the cooperation of private truck owners to assist us in removing obstructions from the highways.
“Notwithstanding our plan of ensuring an accident-free campaign, we have, however, placed on standby rescue teams in case of any traffic crash at midnight,” he said.
Afolabi explained that these efforts were being made because of the sensitive nature of the highways in the district, especially the Okene-Auchi-Benin highway.
Niger Delta
NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.
The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.
She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.
Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.
According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.
“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.
She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.
“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.
“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.
Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.
The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.
She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.
“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.
The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.
Niger Delta
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