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Environmental Sustainability: FG To Promote Greener Transportation

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The Federal Government, yesterday, said that it had recognised the need to achieve a greener transportation system to promote environmental friendliness across the country.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Mrs Gbemisola Saraki made this known during a maiden edition of the National Transportation Technology Conference and Exhibition in Lagos.
The theme of the programme is: “Multimodality and Accessibility: Achieving a Greener Transport System in Nigeria.”
Green Transportation is defined as any means of transportation that doesn’t negatively impact the environment.
Saraki, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Magdelene Ajani, explained that the ministry was in the process of reviewing a policy on Non-Motorised Transportation (NMT).
According to her, this is being done in conjunction with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to achieve a greener transportation in the country.
She said achieving a greener transportation system reflected Nigerians thirst for a well-structured sustainable, seamless and environmentally friendly transport system.
Saraki added that this innovation would provide the modalities on delivering environmentally friendly transportation that would stimulate investment/ innovation in transportations technology.
The minister said the Road Transport Transformation Programme (RTTP) of the Road Sub-Sector had strongly advocated the reduction of harmful greenhouse gases.
She said there were also moves to roll out Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass buses and also encourage commercial operators to convert their vehicles to CNG.
Saraki said: “The ministry has commenced the delineation of the sea approaches to the ports as Slow Steaming Areas for ships in compliance with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC).
“The ministry, through Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has constituted an Energy Management Team to implement processes for the reduction and optimisation of energy utilisation at the ports.
“Also, the ministry through NIMASA constituted a National Technical Committee (NTC) on the reduction of Green House Gas (GHG) Emission in the Maritime industry in Nigeria; among others.”
Saraki said the ministry would not rest on its oars but would increase efforts in addressing infrastructure constraints and promote Information Communication Technology in all mode of transportation, particularly in the road sub-sector.
She said this environmental sustainably would improve safety, convenience, travel time and cost of transportation within Africa with corresponding reduction in carbon/particulate emissions and reduction in loss of lives.
The minister said the multimodal transport and transit systems could provide an array of options for passenger and freight transport and successfully connect citizens and countries.
Delivering his address, Lagos State Governor, BabajideSanwo-Olu,noted that the government had leveraged on technology to lay over 6,000kilometers of Metro Network Connection Fibre within the state to improve intermodal transportation.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government,Mrs FolasadeJaji, noted said the move was a clear testament of the government’s resolve to make Lagos a 24-hour driven smart city.
The governor explained that the fibre optics laying would fast track higher bandwidth which would result to faster Internet speed, with stronger security because it keeps users data secure.
He said, “The project also allows smart technology access into the already existing transport infrastructure surveillance of the state. For a city like ours, that is a big boost to the transport sector.”
On her part, the outgoing Chairperson, Nigerian Transportation Commissioner Forum, Mrs RahmatuMuhammed, noted the forum had analysed various issues affecting the growth of the transportation industry.
Muhammed added that the solution to those issues was identified which was to be embedded in Technology.
She said: “Since then, all efforts have been channelled towards introducing a National Transportation Technology and Exhibition Conference aimed at bringing all key stakeholders in the transportation industry under one umbrella.
“This is to explore emerging trends in the global transportation space and evaluate feasible ways to implement and domesticate these trends in our rather stagnant or dwindling sector for state and national economic growth and development.”
Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr BoboyeOyeyemi, said the Intermodal transportation system in the country was a way forward for better and efficient transport operations.
Oyeyemi said Lagos was the best example of the Intermodal transportation in the country.
He added that if the inter connectivity could be perfected; it would solve the traffic problems in the state and other parts of the country.
“Lagos has 40per cent of the Nigerian population and if Lagos can achieve Intermodal transportation, then half of the interconnectivity of all means of transportation in other states will be resolved,”Oyeyemi said.
He also called for National Transport Policy to enable transportation in the country to be sustained.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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