N5bn Palliative: FCT to boost transportation, food –Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCTA is considering transportation and food supplies support with the N5 billion palliative received from the Federal Government. Wike stated this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT. The Federal Government had on Aug. 17 announced a N5 billion palliative for each state of the federation, including the FCT, to cushion the impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy. Some of the state governments have confirmed receiving N2 billion from the amount, while awaiting the N3 billion balance. However, the minister said that the FCT was not included in the N5 billion palliative until he wrote a memo informing President Bola Tinubu of the development. He added that Tinubu has approved the amount, adding that other states have received N2 billion already, expressing confidence that the FCT will equally receive soon. “But we are yet to decide on what to do with the N2 billion palliative. We have not chosen any area yet. “Are we going to concentrate on food, but we are thinking that the issue of transportation is very very important, particularly the urban mass transit. “People would like to have easy transportation to go to where they want to go, and if you give them rice and they eat the rice today, what about transportation tomorrow? “So, we have not come up with what actually we are going to use the money for, but I believe food support and transportation is very key,” he said. The minister added that efforts were ongoing to bring back urban mass transportation to be able to reduce the suffering of the masses in terms of transportation. 

FG to redesign Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road

The Minister of Works, David Umahi has vowed to redesign the Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road in Kogi State. Umahi, who spoke during a courtesy call on the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello at the Government House, Lokoja on Tuesday night, also revealed plans for long-lasting, low-maintenance concrete roads and assured of swift progress on all federal road projects in the state. The minister had earlier on Tuesday inspected a bridge reconstruction at Gada-biu, the Abaji section of Abuja-Lokoja road, Koto-Karfe bridge, Murtala bridge, Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta Road, Lokoja-Okene Road, and Lokoja-Kabba Road. He disclosed that the federal government was considering concrete road construction innovation which he said it has low-maintenance cost and can last for over 50 years without maintenance. The minister also disclosed that concrete roads are cheaper in terms of construction cost and the guarantee of construction materials.  He, however, commended Governor Yahaya Bello’s commitment to the people of Kogi State and his administration’s accomplishments across education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The Minister expressed gratitude for the governor’s warm reception upon his appointment as Minister of Works and for his dedication to the betterment of Kogi State. In a remark, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, expressed deep appreciation for the minister’s proactive approach in inspecting deteriorating federal roads within the state, which according to him, demonstrated a significant dedication to resolving pressing infrastructure issues. Bello also expressed optimism regarding the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s road infrastructure, and commended Umahi for his visit to the state. The governor highlighted the concern surrounding the condition of federal roads in Kogi State, emphasizing its strategic position as the connecting point between Northern and Southern Nigeria. He acknowledged the hardships faced by commuters, the negative impact on trade and the economy, and the strain on transportation systems.