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Engineers Task FG On Flooding

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Some engineers have called on the Federal Government to step up efforts in the funding and application of data and technology in the monitoring and management  of water projects across the country.
They made the call while speaking with The Tide’s source at the sideline of the 5th Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers  (NIWE) International Water Conference on in Abuja.
The Director of Engineering in the Lower Benue Basin Development Authority in Makurdi, Benue State, Dr Valerie Judit Omale, said the major challenge facing the Lower Benue River Basin Authority was funding.
“There are many projects we have started, especially the construction of Dams, control of irrigation projects, etc, trying to make sure that underground water is safe, sufficient and clean for the people.
“Before it would be completed, you would find out that resources appropriated don’t come every year and because of that, some projects are abandoned and some take so much time to be completed.
“The Ministry of Water Resources and the River Basins are working tirelessly to make sure Nigerians have safe and portable drinking water for their industrial and domestic use.
“We are calling for more funding for River Basins so that we will be able to produce enough water through the construction of Dams and stop the wastage of water,” Omale said.
Another Engineer, Greg Chido-Amajuoyi, said dams in the country were not being monitored to assess their levels of performance and stability.
“Some of our dams are over 60 years old, and if a dam collapses, the consequences can be catastrophic. Thus, Federal Government agencies should emphasise that every dam should be instrumented.
“It is by so doing that we will be able to measure the effects or issues on them; that is whether the stability factor at the time of construction or design are still effective or not.
“Without proper monitoring, it would be difficult to know the level of sediment or sedation.
“There ought to be a giant monitoring scheme, followed up by the Ministry of Water Resource and Integrated Water Agencies.
“It could be annual or biannual; but by and large, assessment of all dams is very important and should be taken into consideration,” Chido-Amajuoyi stressed.
On his part, Meshak Alfa, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Jos, and an Engineer, said some rivers needed modification to reduce the extent of flooding via their channels.
According to him, some rivers accumulate sediments and also vegetation along the river coast that stand in the way of the flow of water.
“So if those vegetation are removed from the water coast, it will reduce the extent of flooding in the country.
“Those were some of the results of the research we did via geographic information system and River analysis system on flood, using the Ofu River.
“It is necessary to state here that research is very important, because it will facilitate the applicability of its findings using technology in solving problems, including water supply.
“Also from research, we can go onto capacity building for people who are not immediately involved in the research, which will lead to collaboration with government, agencies, NGOs and ultimately lead to successful results ,” Alfa said.
The source reports that the exhibition was part of the recent 3-day conference of NIWE, where partners displayed their wears ranging from water pipes of all sizes to other water management-related equipment.

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FRSC To Begin 24-Hour Patrol To Curb Crashes

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The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, yesterday lamented the spate of fatal road crashes in September.
He specifically raised concerns about the accidents that occurred on September 8 in Niger; September 12 in Sabon Wuse, and September 15 in Kaduna State.
These three incidents, according to him, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 91 lives. Speaking during a meeting with fleet operators and other stakeholders in Abuja, Mohammed expressed frustration that despite the government’s efforts to provide and maintain transport facilities according to global standards, many drivers continue to undermine these efforts with reckless behavior on the roads.
“In the last month or thereabouts, the corps witnessed three landmark crashes that were caused by negligence, fatigue, speeding, night trips, and dangerous driving.
“These three landmark crashes include that of Niger State, which occurred on September 8, 2024, and killed 48 people; that of September 12, 2024, which killed 18 people in Sabon Wuse; and that of September 15, 2024, which happened in Kaduna State and led to the death of 25 people. These three crashes alone, which proved to have been obviously avoidable, claimed the lives of 91 people. This is alarming and it calls for concern.”
Mohammed ordered commanding officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic laws.
He also disclosed that a special operation would be conducted to address the incessant accidents recorded across the country.
Mohammed said, “I am compelled to state that the spate of crashes recently recorded is, however, very disturbing, and every step must be taken to avert continued future occurrences. It is against this backdrop that I have directed Commanding Officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic offenses to mitigate these excesses. A special patrol operation will be instituted, and enforcement will be carried out nationwide.”

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Jubilation As Rivers Community Gets New Paramount Ruler

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There was jubilation in Kpean community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State following the installation of Engr Lucky Ewoh as the new paramount ruler of the community.
Sources from the community had it that Lucky who is from the Gbene-Ewoh royal family of Kpean succeeded Chief Nwineh Bariyiramue who was allegedly deposed by the community.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen during the installation ceremony, former chairman of the governing council of Kpean community Prof Patrick Nwinyokpugi said the people are happy over the emergence of Engr. Lucky Gbene-Ewoh as their new paramount ruler.
Prof. Nwinyokpugi said this can be seen from the massive turnout of both men and women for the installation as well as the celebration across the community.
He alleged that the former paramount ruler was deposed following his inability to restore peace to Kpean as well as check the incessant cult killings in the community.
“Some years ago, we got a judgment in favour of the deposed chief, but four years down the line, lots of atrocities have happened. Just last month a young boy was murdered and his head severed off his body, heart and private part taken away and the matter was not reported to the police by the deposed chief”, he said.
Prof. Nwinyokpugi said the community has confidence that the new chief will not derail and describe it as a new dawn in the community.
Also speaking, the youth leader of Kpean Community, Comrade Lemii D. Petaba said the installation of Chief Lucky Ewoh at the community sacred square , shows its acceptability not only by the people by also by the gods of the land.
According to him, “today the Gene-Ewoh royal family is introducing a new paramount ruler to us and the people are happy”
He said the occasion was to officially install him and to do the traditional rights that follows.
Speaking later with newsmen, the new paramount ruler, Chief Lucky Gbene-Ewoh thanked his people for the confidence reposed on him, promising not to fail them.
He also pledged to ensure the returns of peace to the community.
Meanwhile, efforts made to reach the alleged former paramount ruler proved abortive as neither his phone contact nor his residential address in Portharcourt could be reached.

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Kano Dissolves 44 LG Caretaker Excos

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The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has dissolved the caretaker chairmen of all the 44 Local Government Areas in the State.
The governor announced the dissolution at a special meeting held at the Government House, Kano, on Wednesday.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature.
This comes a week after the state House of Assembly approved a two-month extension for the caretaker chairmen, as their tenure expired on September 8, 2024.
The extension, slated to run from September 9 to November 9, 2024, was to ensure continuity in local governance.
The governor, however, dissolved the council, as the council election had been slated for October 26, 2024.
“With local government elections scheduled for October 26, 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf has directed the caretaker chairmen to hand over leadership of the councils to their respective Directors of Personnel Management.
“This dissolution applies to all chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries, and councillors,” the statement read.
The governor thanked the caretaker chairmen for their contributions to the development of their areas and hinted at potential future collaborations.
However, he warned the DPMs against political interference and asked them to discharge their duties as required by law.
“We are warning the DPMs to make sure they do not interfere in any political activities as respected civil servants but to discharge their duties as required by the law.
“I have directed the anti-corruption commission to arrange a seminar for them to enhance their capacity,” the governor said.
The caretaker chairmen also thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve their communities.

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