Category Metro

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Donald Ugwu

Donation

By Lucy Ogalue

Abuja, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), has donated protective gears for port users worth N5 million and an additional N5 million to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Lagos and FCT respectively.

Mr Hassan Bello, NSC’s Executive Secretary, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, saying that the donation was an intervention by the Council to stakeholders in the sector.

“NSC has donated protective gears for port users worth N5 million to be distributed to relevant field and operational staff.

“The Council also donates the sum of N5 million to be used collectively in the fight against COVID-19 in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“In addition, in order to ease movement of accredited freight forwarders who have business to conduct at the ports and other port users, NSC is providing buses to and from the ports.

“The buses will leave the following locations at 8a.m during this period with effect from April 1, Festac – by Apple junction, Okokomaiko – at Alakija under bridge, Surulere – by National Stadium, Oshodi – at Charity bus stop, Ikeja – at Ikeja along bus stop,’’ Bello said.

He recalled the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that the ports stayed operational and their activities monitored closely during the period of the lockdown.

Bello said the directive required field and operational officers as well as essential staff of agencies, organisations and services of the ports to be granted freedom of movement to and from the ports, upon presentation of valid means of identification.

According to him, these exempted agencies, organisations, services and their personnel must operate in accordance with guidelines issued by health authorities in that regard.

Bello noted that the present situation had caused unimaginable disruption of the logistics supply chain as users and providers of services were seemingly unable to carry out their obligations for reasons beyond their control.

He said the NSC, as Port Economic Regulator and an arbiter, was conscious of the fact that obligations, responsibilities, duties and rights might have been frustrated.

He said the council was discussing with all parties to ensure a balanced solution, especially on the issue of demurrage and incentives to facilitate the clearance of goods from the ports.

The NSC boss said the Council had been inundated with complaints that banks were not offering services with respect to port operations which without doubt, hampered cargo clearance from the ports.

Bello, however, drew the banks’ attention to the notice by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria, which allowed operations in the financial system.

“We note that port operations as indicated by the President are essential and critical service.

“We also call for synergy amongst port users and government agencies to support the Federal Government in containing the scourge of the deadly virus while making it possible to sustain ports operations during this period,” he added. (NAN)
LCN/ENN/DCU
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Donald Ugwu

Lockdown

By Yemi Adeleye

Lagos, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday read the riot acts to motorists to remind them that they are not exempted from the government’s lockdown order.

The authority advised  motorists to comply with the government’s  directive and desist from any action that could bring regret to them  if caught on the road.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, in a broadcast  to the nation on Sunday evening on the Coronavirus pandemic , directed cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11p.m. on Monday.

Buhari, who noted that this restriction would also apply to Ogun due to its close proximity to Lagos State  and the high traffic between the two states, said that the step was to stop the spread of the virus.

Mr Olajide Oduyoye, the General Manager of LASTMA, commenting on the directive on Thursady  said the  level of compliance  in the state by motorists was pretty good.

He,  however, advised motorists not to defy the order warning that those caught violating it   would regret if caught.

Oduyoye said: “I think the compliance rate  by the people to the lockdown order by the government is still within the region of between 90 per cent and 95 per cent.

“You may feel you want to take a risk and you think you will get away with it but note that once you are caught, you will regret that action because there is a purpose for everything.

“The government has said to the people: stay-at-home; keep your vehicles at home, there is no need for you to be on the road and be driving to go and visit or for  whatever.”

The LASTMA boss, who advised those still defying the order to have a rethink, said that the government directive was for the good of all residents.

“The enforcement  agencies: LASTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Police and others are on the road to ensure compliance by the public.

“When they catch any motorist on the road and does not have an identity card to the purpose of your journey, or the reason why you are on the road, you will regret that action.

“The good thing for all is to try not to do anything that  they will regret,”Oduyoye said.

He said that vehicles of those providing essential services only were expected to be on the road.

The LASTMA boss, however, urged motorists exempted from the lockdown to ensure strict adherence to traffic rules and avoid  speeding  due to light traffick on the roads. (NAN)

AYO/KOLE/PAD
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Dada

By Yusuf Yunus

Airlines

Ikeja, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Mr Nnolim Nnaji, has appealed to airlines and private organisations within the sector not to abandon their staff in this period of uncertainties occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

Nnaji, representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu State, made the appeal in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday.

The lawmaker said he was disturbed by the memo issued to staff by Max Air to the effect that it would not pay its employees salaries for the period of the two weeks lockdown directed by the Federal Government.

Nnaji noted that the memo which had now gone viral further stressed that the condition of ‘no pay’ would extend if the situation persisted.

He said his major worry was that other organisations might follow suit, if care was not taken.

Nnaji however appealed to the management of the airline to reconsider this hard line posture by retracing its action in this regard.

The lawmaker also urged other organisations in the sector to see the trying period as a time of sacrifice and show extreme compassion to their staff.

He said: “I am aware that elsewhere, governments are providing palliatives for employers of labour to cushion the impact of this pandemic.

“However, because of our peculiar circumstances,  the federal government may not immediately offer such at the moment,” he said.

Nnaji said he was optimistic that some form of relief would definitely come at the end of the day to assist the airlines.

He therefore urged the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sariki, to step in and hold talks with various stakeholders in the industry to avoid ripple effects of Max Air action.

Also, Nnaji called for understanding among the people and leaders of the Southeast Region over the aborted reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu before Easter as planned.

He lamented that the development was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which had forced  workers of both the contractor and consultants handling the project out of site.

He assured that as soon as the prevailing pandemic died down,  work would resume at an accelerated speed and new date of inaugurating the airport would be unveiled.

Nnaji commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State  for the way and manner he had mobilised materials and human resources to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

He also urged residents of the state to cooperate with the state government by abiding to the instruction given on stay at home and social distancing. (NAN)

YO/CHOM/MST

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Epe crash: FRSC blames accident on impatience, disobedience

Crash

By Yemi Adeleye
Lagos, April 1, 2020 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has blamed Tuesday’s crash involving a truck and a commercial taxi on Epe Long Bridge on impatience, overloading and disregard to government directives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in spite of the lockdown in the state, a truck was reported to have crushed six persons to death in a commercial taxi on  Epe Long-bridge along Epe Expressway on Tuesday evening.

Reacting to the incident, Mr Samuel Obayemi, the FRSC’ Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Ogun and Lagos States, told NAN on Wednesday that the crash was avoidable if the victims had obeyed government’s directives or had been patient on the bridge.

Obayemi, an Assistant Corps Marshal, said that until people started to obey simple road safety tips in their own interest, some of the avoidable crashes would continue to occur.

“If the victims had adhere strictly to the directive that people should stay at home, I am sure that would not have happened, it would have been avoided.

“Another thing is that some people still overload their vehicles. If they had not overloaded the OPEL taxi for instance, the number of people that died would not have been up to six.

“Looking at the place where that crash happened, it was as a result of impatience on the part of one of the vehicles, while overloading was also part of it.

“We shall, however, not relent in our efforts to stem this tide, but the directive by the state and the Federal Government that everybody should stay indoor for our own sake and good to contain the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic should be strictly adhered to,”Obayemi said.

The FRSC boss, who decried flagrant disregard to safety tips, said the government’s regulations were made in the interest of road users.

According to him, the truck and the car involved in the crash had no business being on the road.

“They are not on any essential duties. It is unfortunate this has happened. I don’t know where they are going or where they are coming from.

“If they had listened to government’s directives that would have been avoided. We will continue to do our best.

“People should obey the directive that they should remain at home if they are not on essential service,”Obayemi said.

The zonal commander urged motorists, who were exempted from the restrictions,not to use the free roads to speed or be careless on the roads.

“Those on essential services should also obey the traffic rules. They should observe social distancing, and not overload their vehicles.

“They should avoid over speeding and know that there are other road users. They should not afford to be careless,”he said.

The taxi and the truck were operating in spite of the lockdown order imposed on Lagos by the Federal Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, in a Presidential broadcast on the pandemic on Sunday, directed cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 1100 p.m. on Monday.

Buhari, who directed that the restriction should also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two states, said that the step was to stop the spread of the virus.

Some categories of people providing essential services were, however, exempted from the restriction. (NAN)
AYO/KOLE/TÁ
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Tajudeen Atitebi

Speed
By Yemi Adeleye
Lagos, April 1, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has expressed concern over excessive speed by some drivers, due to the free roads resulting from the lockdown over the Coronavirus pandemic.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olajide Oduyoye, expressed concern in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos

He said that while monitoring the road traffic situation on Tuesday in several areas of the state, his team observed dangerous speed by exempted articulated vehicles and others because roads were free.

“I have gone out to Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, Agege, Egbe-Idimu and others just to monitor the roads and what the LASTMA officers are doing, since there is still traffic movement for essential service deliveries.

“Now that the roads are near empty, what I noticed is the speed of lorries and trucks. These are the ones that pretend they are tankers (delivering fuel) but because the road is free, the speed is too much.

“Such speed is a crash waiting to happen. I am very worried; as we try to run away from Coronavirus, we should not kill ourselves on the roads,” he said.

According to him, LASTMA officers are on the road to deal with all emergencies and evacuate all breakdowns.

“Drivers need to appreciate that LASTMA officers are there, so they should not overrun them or disobey them. The traffic rules still need to be respected, so that we don’t have issues during the lockdown.

“Let all motorists exempted from the lockdown obey the traffic rules and regulations,” Oduyoye said.

Assessing motorists’ compliance with the movement restriction order, the LASTMA boss said that the compliance was between 90 per cent and 95 per cent.

Oduyoye urged the residents to know that the lockdown was for the collective safety of everybody, saying LASTMA as a government agency would  continue to educate and enlighten people.

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, in a presidential broadcast on the pandemic on Sunday, directed cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11p.m. on Monday.

Buhari, who noted that this restriction would also apply to Ogun due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two states, said that the step was to stop spread of the virus.

Specified categories of people, who provide health, security and essential services, were, however, exempted from the restriction.(NAN)
AYO/AO/SOA

Edited by Angela Okisor/ Oluwole Sogunle

Payment

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Abuja, April 1, 2020 (NAN) The Federal Government has commenced payment of N20, 000 each to five thousand beneficiaries of its Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, disclosed this on Wednesday at Kwali Area Council in the FCT.

Farouq said the payment was in line with the directives by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari in a nationwide broacst on Monday, announced the payment as a measure to cushion the effect of the lockdown of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT on the poor and vulnerable households.

“As we know, the CCT is for poor and vulnerable households in the country.

“Beneficiaries are entitled to N5, 000 every month; however, the payment of N20, 000 now to each beneficiary is for four mouths.

“It is going to happen all over the country, but we are starting with FCT, Lagos and Ogun. These are the frontline states. Other states will follow.

“With the current pandemic and circumstances on ground, this amount will go a long way to support the families in their daily lives.

“Today, we are giving out N20, 000 each to about 190 beneficiaries in Kwali Area Councils. The total beneficiaries in FCT are 5, 000,’’ Farouq said.

The minister further said that the beneficiaries were chosen without any form of bias, adding that political party affiliation was never a criterion for selection of beneficiaries.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Serah Gadaga, a mother of two, said she was happy about the payment.

“The payment for January, February, March and April together which amounts to N20, 000, will help in boosting my petty business, settling children school fees and meeting up other needs of the family.

“May God give the Federal Government the resources to sustain and continue this programme to help the poor people in the country,’’ Gadaga said. (NAN)

CMY/JEY/EMO
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Ejike Obeta

COVID-19 Lockdown: FCT Minister urges security agencies to comply

Lockdown

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Abuja, April 1, 2020 (NAN) The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has urged uniform personnel who are not on duty to comply with the cessation of movement ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Chairman, FCT Ministerial Task Team on enforcement of restrictions, Mr Ikharo Attah, gave the advice while speaking with newsmen on the level of compliance to the Presidential directive by the FCT residents, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Attah said the minister had given the team the authority to arrest and prosecute any erring individuals no matter his or her status.

The chairman frowned at the abuse of the stay-at-home order by some uniform personnel and some residents, adding that many were regarding it as a Labour strike.

“Some uniform personnel on mufti with their Identification Card, (not on duty) were seen roaming the street busy doing nothing.

” I accosted one, and he said, he came out because his kids were disturbing him at home, thereby flouting the directives of President Buhari.

” We saw some youths gathering in clusters discussing while some play football in some satellite towns.

” This shows that most people do not actually understand why the President lockdown the nation’s capital,” Attah said.

He, however, said the team had achieved success despite some hitches observed in some satellite towns of FCT.

The chairman rated the level of compliance with the cessation of movement order to 85 per cent, while assuring that it would improve as the days go by.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday ordered cessation of movement in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11 p.m. on Monday as measure to contain spread of covid-19. (NAN)

SSI/NNO/AFA

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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Felix Ajide

Palliatives

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Abuja, March 30, 2020 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has established a  mechanism to cater for the vulnerable groups within the city centre and satellite towns during the 14-day lockdown.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made this known gave on Monday in Abuja while addressing newsmen at the end of a meeting with relevant stakeholders charged  with the responsibility of implementing the lockdown directives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday ordered a complete lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11p.m.on Monday,

Bello explained that FCTA in partnership with the relevant Federal Government agencies would cater for the vulnerable groups through palliatives measures.

He said that the FCT palliative committee would be headed by the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu and supported by the Chairmen of Area Councils, Traditional and religious authorities, NGOs and support groups.

Bello said that all organs of the FCT security services and other government agencies have agreed to work out modalities to ensure that all entry and exit points of the city and satellite towns are manned by relevant security agencies.

” And in doing that the security agencies would be supported by the FCT Department of Road Traffic Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“The best way to curtail the spread of covid-19 is personal discipline, staying indoors, and ensure personal hygiene through constant hand washing with soap and water.

“I am appealing to the FCT residents to stay in doors, abide by all the regulations issued by health authorities,” Bello said

He reiterated that, except those that have been exempted from the restriction of movement, all residents are enjoined to stay at home.

The Minister warned that law enforcement agencies have been empowered to arrest and prosecute defaulters.

He noted that the FCT administration would not allow any individual or group as a result of their inability to honour medical advice to jeopardise the health of others.

“As we have been shown world over, one of the greatest weapons to fight covid-19 is confinement and containment in one place.

“This way, contact tracing becomes much easier and those that are infected are easily provided medical services,” Bello said. (NAN)

SSI/KTO/SH

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Sadiya Hamza