Restrictions of Keke Napep, most difficult decision -FCT minister

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said that the restriction placed on commercial tricycle operators to certain parts of the city was one of the most difficult decisions that the FCT administration had to make.

Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, in a statement on Sunday, said Bello disclosed this during the presentation of the FCT’s 2020 statutory budget to the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the

The minister said that the decision was imperative because commercial tricycles by law should not operate on the express and highways along with vehicles as they pose dangers to both passengers and riders.

According to Bello, most roads within the Federal Capital City, were expressways and thus could not accommodate the presence of the commercial tricycles and motorcycles.

He, however, said that the FCTA was not unmindful of the challenges commuters were facing as a result of the policy, adding that strategies were being put in place to improve on the public transportation situation in the FCT.

Bello said that the FCTA was working closely with the commercial tricycle association to explore the possibility of upgrading their operations to taxi cabs.

On the 2020 FCT statutory budget, the minister said the FCT was proposing to spend the sum of N232,875,365,947.

“This sum is made up of N53,876,241,095 (23.15 per cent) as personnel cost, N57,070,343,435 (24.50 per cent) as overhead costs and a proposed capital expenditure of N121,928,781,417 (52.35 per cent) as capital expenditure.

“The proposal also indicated reductions in personnel and overhead costs, with N53,876,241,095 proposed in the 2020 budget as against the N55,543,090,041 in 2019 for personnel and N57,070,343,435 as against N57,610,188,661 in 2019 for overhead.

Tension In Uruagu Nnewi As Community Leaders Dare Soludo,Defy Court Order

The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli aka Organizer, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have swept Soludo's directive to the gutters, by reason of their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community's youth forum, led by Ejike Ifejiofor, and subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum. The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of "immediate suspension" of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry,...

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic. Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation. Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

Federal Polytechnic Oko Holds Two-Day Recruitment Interview to Address Staff Shortages

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has begun a two-day interview exercise aimed at recruiting qualified personnel to fill vacant positions arising from staff retirements and other forms of exit from service. The exercise commenced on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and is being overseen by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, who personally announced the names of shortlisted candidates. Addressing the applicants, Dr. Awuzie cautioned that while many candidates were invited for the exercise, only a limited number would eventually be engaged, citing budgetary constraints facing the institution. She urged the candidates to remain patient and understanding throughout the process. According to the Rector, the recruitment exercise was structured to ensure transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with approved financial limits. Speaking with journalists at the interview venue, the Acting Registrar, Chief Dominic Nwagwu, explained that the exercise became necessary...