News
Abia To Begin Biometric Registration Of Commercial Drivers
Abia State government said yesterday in Aba that it would soon commence biometric registration of commercial drivers and vehicle owners in the state.
Chief Godswill Nwanorue, the Commissioner for Transport told our correspondent that the move was to ensure easy identification and control of their activities.
Nwanorue said the registration was part of a new transportation policy put in place Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration to stimulate the state’s economic growth.
“This government is aware of the issues of transporters and their behaviour and we are about to begin the biometric capture of all commercial vehicle operators and owners in Abia state.
“We are giving all of them 30 days to be captured because we now want to have the data of all transport operators here to enable us identify each of them in person and by their addresses.
“We need to capture them and issue them, especially the tricycle operators, with ‘Riders Permit’ that would make it legal for them to operate in Abia. This will help us checkmate cases of underage riders.
“You must be 18 years to get our permit to ride in Abia and we will use the international passport, National Identification Number, voter card and birth certificate to issue the permits”, he said.
The commissioner also said government has embarked on restoration of sanity in the state by installing traffic lights at important intersections in major cities in the state.
He also said that government was re-designating all bus stops in in the state to ensure sanity on road in the state.
He also said the state’s new transportation vision would ensure creation of trailer parks on the outskirts of Abia’s urban centres.
“We are getting one trailer park at Ihie town along the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, we are getting another one at Osisioma Ngwa.
“One will be on Aba -Ikot Ekpene Road, Ukpakiri in Ogbor-Hill, Aba and one will be at Ubakala, near Umuahia .
“This will decongest the commercial city of Aba and Umuahia the state capital,” he said.
The commissioner further said that his ministry would soon commence awareness campaign for the transport operators, especially for commercial transporters to educate and help them on new trends in the state’s transport sector.
He said the ministry would hold a seminar for Abia-based transporters soon while it is fine-tuning a transport investment summit in October and November where international transport stakeholders would participate.
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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