News

Pakistan: Many feared killed as bus plunges into ravine

Published

6 months ago

May 29, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

No fewer than 27 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a speeding passenger bus plunged off a highway into a rocky gorge in western early Wednesday, officials said.

The crash happened as the bus was traveling in Washuk district from Turbat, the second largest city in Balochistan province, to Quetta, the provincial capital.

“The driver was navigating a turn in a mountainous area when the vehicle lost control and fell into a ravine,” the French AFP news agency quoted local government official Ismail Mengal as saying.

Mengal said rescue workers and police responded quickly and provided first aid to the injured passengers. Police took the dead and injured to a hospital, where some of the injured were in critical condition.

In a statement, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed grief at the loss of life and ordered that the injured be given the best possible medical treatment.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued separate statements expressing grief over the deaths.

What caused the crash?
Authorities said they were investigating the cause of the incident. “It could be that the driver fell asleep or was speeding, which led to the accident,” Mengal said.

Meanwhile, the German DPA news agency cited sources as saying it was the extreme heat that caused the bus tires to burst, leading to the fatal accident.

Most of Pakistan has been sweltering in a heat wave for a second week, with temperatures in some cities soaring above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

The heat wave, the first of the summer , was expected to continue for another week.

Poor roads, poorly maintained vehicles and a poor safety record cause scores of accidents each year in Pakistan, killing thousands, according to government statistics.

In May, a killing 20 people. In April, at least and 41 injured in a crash while traveling to a shrine in Balochistan’s Hub district.

News

HoR to Hold Interactive Session on Executive Tax Return Bills

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to host an internal Interactive Session on the four Executive Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, on Monday, November 18, 2024, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to him, this initiative, championed by the House Leadership, underscores our commitment to ensuring robust engagement and informed legislative action on critical policy reforms.

The statement reads in part: “It aims to provide Members of the House with a platform to engage directly with the principal promoters of the tax reform bills from the Executive arm of government.

“Thus, this engagement will enable Honourable Members seek clarifications, pose critical questions, and gain deeper insights into the proposed reforms. Such understanding is vital to strengthening the legislative process and enhancing Members’ contributions to the deliberations on these bills.

“Recognising the national significance of the proposed reforms and their implications for fiscal policy and governance.

“The 10th House of Representatives remains committed to its mandate of advancing the nation’s development through transparent, inclusive, and informed legislative processes.

“The public is invited to note that while this is an internal interactive session, it does not foreclose the customary public hearing—a crucial step in the lawmaking process. At such hearings, members of the public are provided with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into legislative proposals and make meaningful inputs aimed at shaping effective reforms”, Rotimi stated.

News

FG Commends Governor Bago For Intervention In Federal Road Projects Across The State

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has commended Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his intervention in several federal road projects across the state.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, gave the commendation during an interactive session in Abuja with Niger State Government, and contractors handling various federal road projects in the state, to reviewed ongoing federal road projects in Niger with the goal of addressing outstanding issues.

Umahi praised the Governor’s efforts, calling them “unprecedented,” and acknowledged his exemplary leadership in personally leading the state delegation to the meeting, this is even as he urged other state governors to follow the example set by Governor Bago, emphasizing the importance of effective and continuous project supervision.

The Minister also stressed the need for improved collaboration between federal legislators and the Ministry to ensure sufficient funding for the execution of these projects, and warned contractors to adhere strictly to project specifications, stating that failure to do so would result in contract termination.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, who also lauded Governor Bago, described him as a hardworking and passionate leader, and highlighted that the Governor’s people-oriented programs reflect his deep commitment to the wellbeing of his constituents.

In his remarks the Niger Governor revealed that the state government is intervening in 18 federal road projects, aimed at complementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Bago suggested that such peer reviews should occur quarterly and encouraged his fellow governors to participate, as it would motivate the Federal Government to further support the people.

The Governor also applauded the Minister of Works for his courage, capacity, and competence in managing his responsibilities.

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

7 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.