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Bill to Amend NRC Act Passes Second Reading

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Bu Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Senate has passed for second reading a bill to amend the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Act.

The bill’s progression followed the presentation of its general principles by the sponsor, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun), during a plenary session on Thursday.

In his lead debate, Sen. Adeola noted that the bill was first read on July 20, 2023. He explained that the bill aims to amend the NRC Act to include an insurance fee, thereby providing adequate insurance coverage for passengers and goods against any damage that may occur while transacting with the railway corporation.

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Adeola highlighted the resurgence in railway transportation in Nigeria, citing the modernization of the rail system across the country.

He mentioned that passengers now board trains as an alternative to other modes of transportation on routes such as Abuja to Kaduna, Lagos to Ibadan, and more recently, Port-Harcourt to Aba.

Additionally, goods in bulk are being transported by trains on the nation’s rail tracks.

However, Adeola pointed out a critical gap in the current rail system: the lack of comprehensive insurance coverage for passengers and goods using the services of the NRC. He recalled the March 28, 2022, incident where bandits attacked a train service from Abuja to Kaduna at Katari in Kaduna State.

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The train derailed, causing damage to the rail tracks and coaches, and resulting in the kidnapping of some passengers and the deaths of about eight people. He emphasized that there was no insurance coverage for the passengers as the NRC Act does not provide for such.

“It is worthy of note that most sectors of the transportation system offer some form of insurance protection,” Adeola said. “On Nigerian roads, most commercial vehicles, like buses and taxis, are required by law to carry passenger liability insurance. This insurance offers financial compensation to passengers in case of accidents, injuries, or even death.”

Adeola stressed the glaring gap in the absence of mandatory insurance for train passengers using NRC services. He argued that a robust insurance scheme would incentivize the NRC to prioritize safety measures.

“Knowing passengers and cargo are insured could lead to improved service delivery. This, in turn, could boost confidence in the railway system, potentially attracting more passengers and cargo volume for the NRC,” he said.

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He urged lawmakers to support the second reading of the bill.

Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over the plenary session, commended the sponsor of the bill. He expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu would assent to the bill, aligning with international best practices in rail transportation when it is finally passed.

Barau consequently referred the bill to the Committee on Land Transport for further legislative inputs, with a report expected back to the plenary in four weeks.

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Abia bans unauthorised free medical outreaches

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The Abia State Ministry of Health has reacted to the hospitalisation of some persons who attended a free medical outreach in Abiriba, Ohafia LGA, on Saturday, saying that the distribution of drugs to the public by uncertified persons was without the authorisation of the state government.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, who said this in a press release on Sunday, said that the organisers of the medical outreach did not obtain approval from the state government before embarking on the exercise.

He therefore announced that any medical outreach without authorisation from the Ministry of Health is illegal and can put the health of Abia people in jeopardy, warning that those who do so would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

DAILY POST recalls that many people were rushed to the hospital on Saturday at Abiriba after developing some medical emergencies on return from the medical outreach organised by a group.

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According to Processor Uche, preliminary reports indicated that medications distributed during the outreach may have caused adverse drug reactions among unsuspecting recipients, even as he said that the identified victims of these untoward medical events are currently receiving medical attention at designated public health facilities within the state.

“Our dedicated healthcare personnel are working assiduously to stabilise and treat affected people. The Abia State Ministry of Health is deeply concerned by the dire consequences and high risk posed by unauthorised healthcare activities. We wish to hereby warn the public to be cautious of individuals and groups organising unapproved healthcare events,” said the health commissioner.

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Many Pastors Are Not Enjoying Their Marriages Due To Wives’ Behaviours – Bamiloye

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Renowned Christian filmmaker and evangelist, Mike Bamiloye, has raised concerns about the challenges some pastors face in their marriages, attributing these struggles to the behavior of their wives.

Bamiloye shared that many pastors are unable to fully enjoy their marriages because their wives use their husbands’ pastoral roles against them. He explained that some pastors’ wives feel secure in the knowledge that their husbands, being men of God, are unlikely to consider divorce or other drastic measures. This, according to Bamiloye, emboldens them to act in ways that strain the marital bond.

He pointed out that such behavior not only affects the pastors but also impacts their ministry, as they are expected to maintain exemplary relationships in the eyes of their congregations.

In addressing this issue, Bamiloye emphasized the need for mutual respect, understanding, and open communication in pastoral marriages. He urged pastors and their wives to prioritize their relationship and seek counseling when faced with difficulties.

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“Pastors’ marriages should be a beacon of light and a model for others. When the relationship at home is troubled, it can hinder the effectiveness of their ministry,” he noted.

Bamiloye’s observations have sparked important conversations within Christian circles about the unique pressures pastoral families face. His call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of building healthy relationships and seeking support to ensure that ministry work does not come at the cost of personal happiness and marital stability.

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FG eyes 25,000 jobs from Lagos textile, garment economic zone

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The Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, has said the Lekki Textile and Garment Special Economic Zone project located in the Eyin-Osa area of Epe, Lagos State, will generate 5,000 direct and over 20,000 indirect jobs when operational.

Ogunyemi made the remarks while disbursing cash compensation to the seven Eyin-Osa families that contributed the 240.09 acres of land for the Federal Government project.

A statement issued by the NEPZA Head, Corporate Communications, Martins Odeh, disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja.

The MD, represented by Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, Director of Zone Operations, said that the community would be continually regenerated, adding that the benefits that would accrue from the gestures would spill over to several generations.

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The beneficiaries included families of Olayinka Salami, Aderenle village, Muhammed Balogun, Bashorun Seidu, Iyanda, Matanmi Mobolaji, as well as the Agara Onileyan respectively.

“The space will generate 5,000 direct and over 20,000 indirect jobs for the country, just as it will serve the export markets of the South-West region.

“There are many benefits to gain from the SEZ, including employment generation, especially to the local community, the opportunity for backward linkage, improvement of infrastructure network around the project, and others too numerous to mention now,” he said.

Ogunyemi further said that the development was in line with the goals and objectives of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

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He, however, stated that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is not just interested in attracting Foreign Direct Investments through the Free Trade Zone Scheme but was also interested in the development of all the host communities.

“This exercise is to commence the application of the Authority’s new concept of Community Social Regeneration in order to open a new chapter of cooperation and mutual understanding to foster unhindered progress of the free trade operations across the country.

“NEPZA has since re-aligned its mandate with the administration’s economic policy to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.

“NEPZA will not shy away from leading the country on the path of economic growth. The Lekki Textile and Garments SEZ project is already attracting investment interest to this remote area of Lagos.,” Ogunyemi said.

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Ogunyemi also explained that the Federal Government had taken steps to replicate the economic scheme across the six geopolitical zones, adding that more states should leverage the speedy development potentials of the scheme.

According to him, the Lekki Textiles and Garment SEZ will also serve as hubs for Information and Communication Technology, Agro-industries, as well as world-class sports and community development centres.

On his part, the president of Eyin-Osa United Kingdom Development Association, Muftau Shittu, the umbrella association for the host community, said that the area had been occupied by their forefathers for over 500 years.

He said that at the beginning, the enclaves and villages that constituted the community had lived in peace practising economic activities such as farming, hunting, fishing, brewing of hot drinks and timber lumbering.

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Shittu however, said that trouble started in mid-year 2003 when groups of land grabbers started claiming ownership of Eyin-Osa lands from the original and rightful owners.

According to him, in May 2008, without due diligent information, the lands were expropriated to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, and the journey for adequate compensation with the Lagos State Government began.

“We are delighted today for this humane approach of the federal government through NEPZA. The community can only imagine these good gestures as most of the earliest promises were not kept. We now have NEPZA management and government that are serious about regenerating the Eyin-Osa land.

“We are happy to cede the total of 240.09 acres to NEPZA for the economic emancipation of our land. We pray that this cooperation and the steps to regenerate our people become permanent,” he added.

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