The Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, opened the first phase of Olodo Bridge for pedestrians to ease the burden of road users on the axis, stating that the bridge would be opened for vehicular movements in a few weeks.

The State’s Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, who inspected the project, said the opening of the bridge for pedestrians demonstrates Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s commitment to the welfare of the citizens.

He noted that one side of the bridge would be opened for vehicles and pedestrians by the end of May.

Recall that the old Olodo Bridge was washed away by rain on July 23, 2023, thereby causing inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists living in the axis.

Speaking with journalists while inspecting the progress of the work at the ongoing Olodo Bridge reconstruction project, Shangodoyin said the opening of the bridge was to keep to the promise by the government to open the first phase of the bridge for pedestrians on April 30, 2024.

He added that one side of the bridge was opened to ease the pressure on road users, reassuring that construction work would continue on the second side and the work would be expedited to facilitate timely completion of the project as scheduled.

He said, “The governor has directed that this bridge should be completed and be used by our people. And, today, I am delighted that we are opening it for pedestrians.”

“As you can see, people are already using the road and you can see joy on their faces.

“What is left now is for us to complete the job on this road and open it for vehicular movement. I can promise you that before the end of May, we will open one side of the bridge for vehicular movement and pedestrians.

“This is another promise kept. His Excellency has delivered this project so that pedestrians can use the bridge for now, while motorists will do the same once the approach on the bridge cures within the next two weeks or thereabout.

“This bridge is 40metres in length and 12 metres in breadth, which means that it can accommodate three vehicles at the same time. It has two lanes for vehicles. But we will be managing one side until we complete the second part of the bridge.”

The Commissioner warned residents to be cautious while using the bridge as the contractor will still be working on the second part.

“My message to residents is that they need to be careful, because we are still working on the final part of the bridge.

“We don’t want Okadas and Micras to cross the bridge for now. We want both approaches to cure for 14 days before we allow vehicles to pass on the bridge.”

Some residents of Olodo Bank Area, including Mrs Elizabeth Olalowo, Reverend Moses Adebisi and Mrs Omolola Joshua, thanked Governor Makinde for ameliorating the suffering of road users on the axis.

They expressed relief on the opening of the bridge.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the just concluded International Development Association (IDA21) Summit, held in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President.

Nkwocha said on arrival at the NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Shettima met behind closed doors with the United States Deputy Secretary, Kurt Campbell, and his team.

“Among issues discussed at the meeting were security, bilateral relations, shared visions, technologicalcooperations, economic and mutual partnership.

“Both countries pledged to work more on deepening their bilateral relationships and their connectivity.”

Deputy Secretary Campbell has been in Nigeria where he was the co-chair of the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) with Foreign Minister, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar.

The Federal Government has approved 25 percent and 35 percent of salary increase for civil servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures.

The Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Mr Emmanuel Njoku, said this on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25 percent and 35 percent in salary increase for Civil Servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures.

“They include Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS) and Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS).

“Others are: Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS). Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

“The increases will take effect from January 1,” he said.

According to Njoku, the Federal Government has also approved increases in pension of between 20 per cent and 28 per cent for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme.

He said this was in respect of the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures and would also take effect from January 1.

He said the move was in line with the provisions of Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The official recalled that those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors had already received their increases.

“This involves Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS) for universities.

“For Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it involves the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

“The Health Sector also benefitted through the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS),” Njoku said.