News
Bauchi residents decry hike in transport fare
Some residents of Bauchi have expressed concern over hikes in transport fare occasioned by fuel scarcity in the area.
A cross section of the residents, who spoke in seperate interviews with newsmen in Bauchi, said the trend had exposed them to difficulties.
Newsmen check at motor parks in the metropolis showed that transport fare had shot up by about 30 per cent in the past four weeks.
Commercial vehicle operators are now charging N1,500 from Bauchi – Gombe as against N1,000, while passengers travelling from Bauchi -Yola now pay N4,500 as against N3,500.
Mr Sale Mohammed, a resident, said the hike in transport fare affected movement of goods and services.
He said that most residents in the area resorted to trekking or cancelled their trips as they could not afford exorbitant fare.
Another resident, Isa Aminu, blamed the drivers for unilateral increase in transport fare without recourse to the wellbeing of the passengers.
“Hike in transport fare did not go down well with many commuters in the state,” he said, adding the trend led to hike in prices of goods and services.
He called for proactive measures to enhance access to petroleum products and regulate operations of transporters.
Reacting, Abdullahi Mohammed, Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Bauchi State Chapter, attributed the hike in transport fare to fuel scarcity and high cost of spare parts.
He said the available fuel servicing stations in the area dispensed petrol between N285 and N350 per litre.
“The rural areas are worse hit, especially the hinterland communities as the product sold between N300 and N400 per liter,’’ he said.
The Chairman appealed to fuel marketers to consider the plight of the common man while fixing petrol prices to enhance transportation services.
News
FCTA to boost security with drones – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration has begun the procurement processes for drones to boost the security architecture of the territory.
Wike disclosed this when the Consul-General of the Embassy of Hungary in Nigeria, Mr Endre Deri visited him in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister, while responding to the consul-general comments on the need for drones, said, “whether we want some drones? Yes, there is no going back”.
He promised to discuss with the security experts, to consider a conversation with Deri on the type of drones that would be effective and efficient work based on the terrain of FCT.
He said that security was part of President Bola Tinubu’s priority in his “Renewed Hope” agenda.
The minister said that the security interventions in the FCT were already yielding results, stressing that the incidents of insecurity had drastically reduced.
“You too can attest to the fact that Abuja is safer now, because of the way we have been able to tackle the issue,” he added.
On agriculture, Wike said that the FCTA was open to collaborate with Hungry through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), adding that the administration was willing to provide the needed land.
“The issue of agriculture is very key, and I know your country is doing well in agriculture.
“We can collaborate and partner in terms of PPP. We are willing to provide land, if you can reach those concerns we can start the process.
“Let us also know what they intend to produce in order to address the issue of food insecurity in FCT.
Earlier, Deri expressed the willingness of Hungry to partner with FCTA to improve security in the territory.
The consul general, who commended the minister for improving the security situation in the FCT, expressed the willingness of his country to support the FCT with the latest drone technology.
“We are also interested in partnering with the FCTA in the areas of agriculture to boost food security and food safety for residents of the FCT,” he added.
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Ogun assembly passes resolution seeking urgent clampdown on activities of cultists
The Ogun House of Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution seeking for the urgent clampdown on the activities of cultists in the state.
Mr Bisi Oyedele (APC-Ipokia/Idiroko), the sponsor of the resolution, said during plenary in Abeokuta that there was also an urgent need for Gov. Dapo Abiodun to appoint a commissioner for youths in the state.
Oyedele noted that the incessant cult killings in some parts of the state, especially Abeokuta, which had started over six weeks ago needed to be addressed as soon as possible.
The lawmaker alleged that no fewer than 10 individuals had lost their lives to cult-related violence within the last 42 days.
He stated that the rate at which lives were being lost in the state capital remained worrisome and baffling.
“Recent incidents include the shooting in broad daylight of five individuals at different locations within Abeokuta.
” Also worrisome is the continuous killings among young people across the state, which is adversely affecting businesses and tarnishing the reputation of our dear state,” he said.
Oyedele stressed that there was need for urgent intervention from both security operatives and the state government to address the escalating violence in other parts of the state.
He said that the anti-cultism section of the State Police Command must enhance intelligence gathering and take proactive measures to curb the reoccurring menace across the state.
“There is an urgent need for the governor to appoint a commissioner for youths, who will be saddled with the responsibility of providing productive initiatives for young people.
“He will also have to promote continuous engagements across the state, and drive youth-related policies and programme in the State Executive Council.
“Government should focus on continuous human capital development through job facilitation and enhance the skills of youths across the state.
“We call on the government to prioritise the aforementioned initiatives, as the time to address the root causes of social unrest and provide sustainable solutions for the youth population is now,” he said.
Other members who spoke on the resolution called on security agencies, especially the police, to do more to put an end to the issue of cultism in the state.
They called for effective youth engagements, while also calling on residents to always provide information to the police.
The Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), implored everyone, government and parents, to be up and doing and also report suspicious moves within their environment.
The Majority Leader, Yusuf Serif (APC-Ado Odo Ota 1), moved the motion for the passage of the resolution, seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu).
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