News
East-West Road: Motorists Flay FG For Slow Work Pace
The Ahoada-Mbiama axis of the East-West Road has now become a nightmare to road users following the collapse of that section of the ever-busy road that connects all the states of South-South geo-political zone with the western and northern parts of the country.
The Tide learnt that motorists now spend four to six hours on that part of the road, the worst day being Tuesdays, when the weekly market day of Mbiama community takes place.
Consequently, commuters who trek several metres and those sweating furiously inside their vehicles have continued to criticise the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Niger Delta and SETRACO, the construction firm handling the road, on daily basis for delaying their journey and occasioned by the non-completion of the project which has now lasted about eight years.
Many road users believe that SETRACO has no capacity to handle the road, with its difficult terrain and swampy nature from Ahoada in Rivers State and to Warri in Delta State.
The road has many rivers such as Orashi, Forcados, Nun, Niger and their tributaries.
A motorist, Johnson Alabi blamed the Federal Government for the delay, saying that the job could have been split among many competent construction companies with more sophisticated equipment.
Opara Obed, an indigene of Eluma community, said it would be an albatross for Jonathan’s bid for 2015, if the road was not completed, saying, the people of Niger Delta would not accept any excuse for not completing the project.
An official of SETRACO, when approached for comment, said “you can see the works we are doing. We are trying to fix the bad spots on the old lane even though that is not part of our contract agreement.”
“I am not the person who is supposed to talk to you, but why can’t you praise us for trying to maintain the old lane. We are not the cause for the slow traffic flow, the impatient drivers should be blamed”, the SETRACO man who refused to give his name, said.
However, like every situation, hawkers are making brisk business on the road, and would want the long queue to continue.
Items such as satchel water, roasted snails, bottled water, minerals, banana, and fruits, among others are now freely sold on the road, with most hawkers making huge profit from their sales.
A hawker, Blessing Okeke, said she used to make between N3,000 to N4,000 a day, but now he could smile home with up N10,000.
Asked if she doesn’t suffer any sickness as a result of the difficult marshy road; she simply laughed, saying “if I stay at home, you go give me money”.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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