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FRSC Identifies Causes Of Road Crashes In Rivers

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has identified drivers’ bad attitudinal behaviours as a major causative factor responsible for road traffic crashed in the country.
This was contained in an address presented by the Rivers State Sector Commander, Imoh J. Etuk and read by his representative DCC Ahmed Hassan at the second quarter Town Hall Meeting of the corps held at Eleme, Rivers State recently.
According to him, road traffic crash is not an accident, it is caused by the action and inactions of drivers while driving on the road.
He said the vehicle and the road might be in good conditions, but if the driver is extremely careful and cautious, vehicle would be manoeuvered from its malfunctional states to a position of safety to avert fatal consequences.
The sector commander said the essence of the town-Hall-meeting was to focus on human element (the drivers) behaviours on road safety related matters with a view to proffer solutions on ways of tackling the scourge of road traffic crash with its attendant fatalities in the state, especially on the Eleme axis of the state.
Etuk, who stressed the importance of the town-hall meeting with theme: “Combating the menace of road Traffic Crashes. The need for attitudinal change”, tasked participants to see the forum as a better avenue to deliberate safety issues that would inform and prepare road users and motorists toward restoring sanity on the nation’s high ways in the state.
Also speaking, the zonal command officer, zone “6” Port Harcourt, represented by’ Mr Adi Zenku appealed for proper deliberation on key issues identified as major problem of the road safety in the Eleme axis of the state.
He called on drivers to be mindful of their mind-set before embarking on journey, saying that some road traffic crashes were caused by unstable states of mind of drivers and road users.
He also warned against use of phones while driving, saying that phone call while driving is a serious offence.
As a stakeholder in the meeting, the caretaker chairman of Elemes local government area Engr Godwin Abey Olo said 85 percent of drivers take alcoholic liquor before, after or while driving, attributed most accidents occurences on the road to emotional state of minds caused by the influence of alcohol on drivers.
He called for a severe punishment for the use of alcohol while driving as a measure to tackle the menace of road accident in the area.
The council boss also called for measures to checkmate corruption and bribery by some members of FRSC on the road, stressing that corrupt activities of some officers are worrisome.
He thanked the FRSC for it commitment to reduce road accidents, especially the Eleme axis of the Federal Road, and stated the council’s readiness to collaborate with the corps to reduce to the barest minimum the menace of road accident in the area.

 

Enoch Epelle

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Telcos Fear Shutdown As Lagos-Calabar Highway Construction Threatens Cables 

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Barely 48 hours after Multichoice alerted subscribers to a three-day technical downtime, telecommunication companies have expressed concern over possible connectivity disruptions as construction advances on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
While the DStv and GOtv owner acknowledged the anticipated impact of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar construction project on their uplink facilities, telcos have expressed broader concerns emphasising the vital role of telecommunication service and the effect of possible anticipated technical disruption.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway corridor serves as a crucial landing point for multiple submarine cables connecting Nigeria to Europe
The cables, including the West Africa Cable System (WACS), MainOne, Glo1, ACE, and NCSCS, are vital for international communications and data transmission in the country.
The Federal Executive Council approved Phase One of the ambitious 700-km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project in February, entrusting the task to Hitech Construction Company Limited.
The highway project was designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, before culminating in Cross River.
The demolition of numerous properties and recreational centres in Lagos has been carried out to expedite the construction of the highway.
In the light of the developments, telcos stressed the necessity of stakeholder consultations with the Ministry of Works to address potential risks and implement robust mitigation measures.
While dialogue with the Federal Government is yet to happen, telcos have warned Hitech Construction to exercise caution to prevent damage to critical national infrastructure.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, confirmed that the Ministry of Works had yet to engage the telcos on environmental impact assessment.
The ALTON Chairman said the Ministry of Works, headed by David Umahi, had engaged some stakeholders but excluded the telecom operators.
“The Ministry of Works has not approached us, and I’m unsure if environmental impact assessments have been conducted. The route is crucial for the landing of numerous submarine cables, so caution is essential.
“Some members have reached out to them, urging caution. As the Chairman of the industry, I can affirm that ALTON members were not consulted regarding the assessment of the undersea cable within that right of way”, he explained.
Adebayo revealed that some of its members had written to the works ministry on the matter over the need for a dialogue. He, however, said the body had yet to get any response.
He added that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had been engaged to facilitate talks with the ministry.
“We’ve informed the Nigeria Communications Commission about this issue, and they are attempting to contact the Ministry of Works. However, I can confirm that neither we nor any of our members were contacted. This is on record. We were not included in the stakeholder consultations, and we’re concerned about the actions being taken”, he stated.

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Vets Make Case For Massive Investments In Agric Technology 

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Veterinary doctors have tasked governments at all levels and stakeholders to drive the agricultural sector with innovative and technological investments to upscale food production and boost food security.
President, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Alumni Association, Prof Lawrence Aka, made the call in an event in Abuja, following the current excruciating hunger and hardship Nigerians are grappling with.
In the event, which was focused on “Adopting Technological Innovations in Veterinary Practice, Livestock Production and General Agricultural Practices for Food Security, Economic Growth, Poverty Alleviation, Youth Employment and National Security”, Aka noted that agriculture, which is the backbone of human civilization, is at a crossroads, particularly in Nigeria.
According to him, agriculture is faced with challenges such as climate change, population growth, and diminishing natural resources, hence the need to  reimagine and reinvent better ways to cultivate lands to improve national economy to nourish the people.
“The solution lies in innovation – leveraging technology to transform agriculture into a more sustainable, efficient, and productive sector.The subject of our discussion today is one that sits at the nexus of our survival and prosperity: ‘The adoption of innovative technology in agricultural production as a catalyst for economic growth and a pillar of national security’.
“In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, and our unique agricultural potential, agriculture remains the cornerstone of our economic stability and sustenance. Yet, it faces unprecedented neglect and challenges from climate change, population growth, resource depletion and lack of political will for its development.
“To navigate these challenges, we must pivot towards innovation and technology. This transition is not just an opportunity for growth but a necessity for our survival as a developing nation.
“There is no doubt that the current state of agriculture in our country does not match the potential it has in revamping all aspects of our existence as it relates to our economy, food security, youth empowerment, poverty alleviation and national security.
“The theme of this symposium has been chosen in recognition of the need for a diversification of our national economic agenda through an embrace of innovative and technologically-driven agricultural practices.
“Nigeria is uniquely blessed with enormous factors that positively drive abundant food production for local consumption and export.
“Unfortunately, this has hitherto been neglected to the detriment of improved economy, poverty alleviation, food sufficiency and national security hence the existing unimaginable level of poverty and youth unemployment. There is no dishonor in a country being poor.

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Aviation Experts Chat Way For Sector’s Advancement

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Experts in aviation under the auspices of Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ASRTI) havae urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend taxes, tariffs and endless charges hindering development of the aviation industry in the country.
The Aviation Roundtable (ART) also called on Tinubu to initiate policies that would address airlines’ survival and growth with a view to lowering the swift increase in domestic airfares.
In a statement released at the end of its Business Meeting in Lagos, the ART President, Air Comdr. Demola Onitiju (rtd), called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, to constitute governing boards for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), and other agencies in the sector.
“The ART has been a consistent advocate of NCAA’s autonomy consistent with the Act establishing it and global best practices. We do this to ensure that it is adequately  insulated from short-term political pressure.
“In the  Nigerian circumstances, the NCAA is expected to be both benign and harsh in its  spontaneous enforcement of standards and rules to retain our trust.
“In order to create a conducive environment for aviation and tourism to thrive, the ART urges the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu to initiate deliberate policies to review and suspend taxes, tariffs and charges (within a given time frame) in order to bring succour to aviation and allied businesses in Nigeria.
“Such policies should address airlines survival and growth with a view to lowering the recent astronomical increase in air fare on the domestic scene.
“The Consumer Rights Protection directorate in the NCAA  should live up to its billing in ensuring maximum comfort and compensation for the traveling public promptly where infractions are established”, he stated.

Corlins Walter

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