Business

Commuters Urge Work On Lagos-Ibadan Road

Published

13 years ago

February 25, 2013

Motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday urged the Federal Government to begin reconstruction to reduce incessant carnage and gridlock on the highway.
The Tide recalls that the Minister for Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, had said last year that reconstruction of the highway would begin in 2013.
An Ibadan-based business woman, Mrs Bunmi Akerele, told newsmen that rehabilitation of the highway was not what was required, but its reconstruction.
“About two years ago, the Ibadan end of the highway was rehabilitated, but after some time it was again in a state of disrepair.
“The Federal Government late last year awarded a contract for its rehabilitation, but I did not see anything new in it because during the rainy season, the road will go bad again,” she said.
A resident of Ibafo in Ogun Mr Franklin Nwawulu, told reporters that the emergency repair work done on the highway did not extend to the Berger Bridge area.
“The job done is below expectation because there are still potholes on the road, especially between the Berger Bridge and the Arepo area.
“As you drive towards the long bridge, all the way to Fagbems Filling Station, the road has several potholes.
“That is the problem with continuous patching of a road that takes heavy duty trucks that are beyond the capacity it was built to take.
“The Federal Government should begin the reconstruction they promised Nigerians,” he said.
A commercial bus driver, Mr Jude Nwaogbeni, who plies the LagosSagamu route, however, commended government for the emergency repair work.
“Since the Federal Government repaired the road during December for the Christmas, traffic congestion has reduced considerably, unlike before,” he said.
A resident of Arepo, Mr Yemi Ogundimu, implored the Federal Government to rehabilitate the span of the road between Arepo and the Berger Bridge in Ogun, before the reconstruction of the highway.
Responding, Mr Joshua Popoola, a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Works, told The Tide source that the Minister of Works was concerned about the state of the highway.
“It is something that disturbs his mind and he wants that contract awarded as soon as possible,” he said.
Popoola said that procedure for the award of the contract was ongoing and that it would soon be awarded.
He said that the project was at the planning stage in the ministry and was going through due process.
The director said that the planning included the presentation of designs and tenders for the project by various construction firms.

Labour

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Published

6 hours ago

July 21, 2026

TheTideAdmin

Testing the server

Business

Pipeline Explosion In Abua Odua, LGA Chair Calls For Calm

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Fresh explosions have hit oil and gas pipelines in Odau Community, in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, triggering a major security and environmental crisis that has forced residents to abandon their homes.

The first incident occurred along the Kolo Creek – Rumuekpe crude oil pipelines, operated by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.

This was followed by a gas pipeline explosion on the Ogboinbiri – Obirikom Gas Pipeline, operated by Oando Plc, in the same week.

In a statement by the Abua/Odual Council Chairman, Hon. Owolobi Michael Ofori said the blasts, suspected to be the handiwork of militants, have unleashed persistent gas leakage in the area, raising fears of fire outbreaks and toxic exposure as residents of Odau have largely deserted the community due to the dangerous situation.

According to him, some residents of the area have been hospitalised after inhaling the leaking gas, adding that the impact has spread to neighbouring communities, including Obedum, Emirikpoko, and Anyu in Abua/Odual LGA, as well as Oruma and Ibelebiri in Bayelsa State.

Hon. Ofori expressed deep concern over the plight of the affected residents and urged the operating companies to act swiftly.

The Council expressed its deepest sympathy to all affected persons and communities and remained gravely concerned about the safety, health, and welfare of residents whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by these incidents.

“We call on Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and Oando Plc to immediately deploy all necessary technical and emergency response resources to contain the fires, halt the gas leakage, secure the affected pipeline corridors, and mitigate further environmental and public health risks.” the Council Chairman Said.

The chairman also appealed to the two oil firms to provide immediate humanitarian assistance and relief materials to the displaced residents while work continues to restore normalcy.

The Council Chairman said he is working closely with security agencies and emergency responders to monitor the situation and coordinate necessary interventions.

The Council Boss advised Residents of the Local Government Area to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and adhere strictly to safety directives.

Ofori further called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the Rivers State Government, and other relevant bodies to intervene urgently to prevent loss of lives and environmental damage.

Hon. Ofori assured that the council remains committed to the protection and welfare of its people and will continue to engage all stakeholders to resolve the crisis.

Enoch Epelle

Business

Fidelity Bank Collaborates YEIDEP To Empower Nigerian Students

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship through a strategic partnership with the Youth Economic Intervention and De-radicalization Programme (YEIDEP), a Federal Government-backed initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the skills, support and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.

Under the partnership, the bank will support the enrolment of students and young people into the YEIDEP programme, which is designed to tackle youth unemployment, promote enterprise development and expand economic participation among Nigeria’s growing youth population.

The next phase of the initiative is scheduled to end today at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where the enrolment exercise for students and youths across the South-East that started since July 1st would be concluded at the university’s Convocation Arena.

The exercise is expected to reach more than 60,000 regular undergraduate students.

Speaking on the partnership, Fidelity Bank’s Divisional Head, Product Development, Osita Ede, said youth empowerment remains central to the bank’s vision of building a more inclusive and prosperous society.

He noted that Nigeria’s youths represent the country’s greatest asset and stressed that providing them with the right skills, opportunities and financial support is critical to unlocking their potential and driving national development.

According to Ede, the bank continues to provide young Nigerians with tools for success through its digital banking platforms, financial literacy initiatives, youth-focused products and strategic partnerships.

He added that Fidelity Bank recognises that limited access to funding, mentorship and business development support remains a major challenge for many aspiring entrepreneurs, and is committed to creating pathways that will help them overcome these barriers.

The bank said its support for YEIDEP aligns with its longstanding commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which it described as key drivers of economic growth and job creation in Nigeria.

Interested students and youths have been encouraged to open Fidelity Bank accounts and register for the programme through the bank’s dedicated online portal.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos