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Ignore Ireti Kingibe, Akpabio counsels Wike
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday weighed in on the verbal altercation between Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and lone FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, urging the minister to pay no heed to detractors.
Akpabio gave the charge while flagging-off the construction of the Kugbo Bus Terminal in the Nyanya area of the nation’s capital, Abuja.
He said; “A lot of people will say things. I saw a legislator on television mentioning that she was not carried along. Well, she is a member of the Senate, and when a decision is taken, she is bound by that decision.
“Please, ignore every distraction and be rest assured that no matter what you do, not everyone will praise you. Others will still try to find faults.”
The Senate President praised Wike’s transformative efforts at upgrading transportation networks, constructing abandoned roads, and developing state-of-the-art facilities.
He said the Kugbo Bus Terminal is expected to facilitate efficient movement, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.
Earlier in his remarks, Wike thanked Akpabio for flagging off the project and acknowledged the support of the Senate and House Committees on FCT and Area Council in securing funding through the 2024 Appropriation Act.
“The administration of Mr President is not just for the elites or those who can afford it but for people who cannot afford it,” Wike emphasized. “Look at the kind of rainfall today, how many people will be on the road to wait for taxis or buses?
They have to go back to their houses and probably not be able to go to work today for their daily activities. But when this bus terminal is completed, you have access to the place whether it’s raining or not.
You can identify or know who is the person that is picking you and take you safely to wherever you are going. It will also reduce ‘one chance’ incidents, where you are on the road, you don’t know who has the car, and the person tells you, ‘Are you going to Nyanya?’ and you say yes, then the next story you hear is that the person has been kidnapped.
With this, you don’t need to go and wait on the road; you just come to the bus terminal and board wherever you are going. This will reduce the level of insecurity.
“What makes our city a great city is when basic infrastructure is provided. A city like Abuja, until now, cannot have proper public transportation, and with what Mr. President has directed us to do, I believe in the next twelve, thirteen months, there will be a change in transportation in FCT”, said Wike.
He thanked the Senate President, the committee chairman on FCT, and Chairmen of Area Councils for their support.
Wike had on Monday tackled Kingibe who had consistently accused him of sidelining her.
The minister said Kingibe would lose the support of the people in the next election.
Wike’s comments were a reaction to to an earlier interview by the senator where she accused the minister of sidelining her and masses in the territory.
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar A. Namadi, has officially sworn in five newly appointed special advisers to strengthen his administration’s efforts in delivering good governance.
The appointees and their portfolios include Abdulkadir Bala Umar T.O., Special Adviser on Special Duties; Uzairu Nadabo, Special Adviser on Export Processing Zones (EPZ); and Ado Local, Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce.
Others are Musa Shu’aibu Guri, Special Adviser on Revenue, and Sa’idu Umar, Special Adviser on Nutrition.
The governor emphasised the importance of integrity, perseverance, and dedication to duty.
He urged the advisers to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to them with utmost sincerity, as their roles are critical to achieving the administration’s objectives.
The governor reminded them of the sacred oath they had taken, stressing that they would be held accountable both in this life and on the Day of Judgment.
He further advised them to use their previous experiences and qualifications to serve the state effectively and ensure the betterment of the people.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday inaugurated Xejet’s state-of-the-art Flight Support and Engineering Hub at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, valued at $10 million.
He said that while the government may not have all the money to give to the private sector, it would create an enabling environment and the right policies to support this type of growth and development.
Keyamo emphasized that the current administration would support the growth and development of local operators.
His words: “This is a huge achievement; the concept alone, getting the backing and bringing it to fruition like this, to start off work, with one of the best construction companies we have, is a dream come true. Let me say that we have also attracted similar projects to the part of the airport you’re seeing.”
“Xejet, we will be here with you throughout, from the beginning to the end. Our technical team will be here, the MD FAAN will put the engineering team together, to ensure that they support you; and you comply with all regulations. The DG NCAA too will do the same, to ensure that what we have here will be world-class.”
On his part, Xejet CEO, Emmanuel Iza, said that the facility represents the company’s pledge to elevate aviation services in Nigeria to global standards.
According to him, “Through cutting-edge technology, superior engineering, and unparalleled flight support, Xejet seeks to not only improve operational efficiencies but deliver an exclusive experience that sets us apart in the industry.”
Speaking of the cost implications, he said the project is in two phases.
“The first phase is to prepare the ground, to create the taxiway that is going to connect the runway to our facility and the apron. That’s roughly in excess of $5 million. And we are expecting to put the structure of equal amount on top of it there.”
The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, AMMBAN, has warned that its members might be forced to raise service charges due to the recent telecommunications tariff hike.
Ogungbayi Ganiyu, the National Public Relations Officer of AMMBAN, made this statement on Monday, January 20, in response to the Federal Government’s approval of a 50 percent increase in telecom services tariffs.
Ganiyu explained that AMMBAN members primarily rely on telecom services, particularly data, for their operations, and will therefore be significantly affected by the hike.
However, he mentioned that POS operators may attempt to absorb the increased cost of telecom tariffs themselves.
“The telecom tariff hike will impact the operations of our members. I am afraid this may also have a multiplier effect on service charges.
“We have not sat down and looked at the latest tariff hike,” he stated.
On Monday, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, NATCOMS, pledged to take legal action against the Federal Government over the 50 percent increase in telecoms tariffs.
It is worth noting that the last time telecoms tariffs were raised was in 2013.
Governor Namadi swears in five new special advisers
Aviation Minister inaugurates $10m Xejet’s flight support, engineering hub in Abuja
50% telecom tariff hike: POS operators threaten to hike charges
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