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From John Adams Minna
The Chairman of Suleja local government area of Niger State, Alhaji Isiyaku Bawa Naibi, has vowed to enforce the purported ban on the sales of alcohol by the state liquor license board despite directive by the state governor Rt. Hon. Umar Bago that the state government did not give any restriction on the sales and consumption of alcohol in any part of the state.
The Chairman said he would not only enforce the ban on the sales of alcohol in his local government council and its environs, he would also see to it all hotels operating below standard in the council area close down while a new tax regime will be visited on those that would be allowed to operate.
The Chairman’s position is coming on heels of denial by the Governor through a statement that the government did not order any ban on the sales of alcohol in the state as that was not the immediate priority of his administration.
The State Government in a statement in Minna vehemently denied imposition of ban on alcohol sales and consumption of the alcohol in any specific areas in the state, especially Suleja local government area of the state.
The government categorically dismissed as baseless such assertions, saying that the Governor never issued any directive on the ban of alcoholic drinks in any part of the state.
The governor further pointed out that the statement attributed to the Secretary of the Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board, Ibrahim Mohammed, did not emanate from the government, adding that no such board has been formed under his administration.
In addition, the Governor instructed security agents to apprehend the author of the statement, Mohammed Ibrahim, the self-appointed Secretary of the non-existent board, to investigate the motives behind the false pronouncement.
While emphasizing the commitment of his administration to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of religion, the Governor assured residents that such misleading information has no merit in the policies of his government and therefore urged citizens to continue their lawful activities without undue concern.
But the Council Chairman while meeting with hotels and beer parlour operators at the council secretariat made it clear that his council was going ahead with the enforcement of the ban on the sales of alcohol in his council.
He directed all beer parlour operators to shut down their operation with immediate effect or the law will be visited on them.
FG earmarks 260 roads nationwide for construction in 2024
From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka
The Federal Ministry of Works has earmarked a total of 260 roads to fix nationwide as part of palliative.
This is even as the ministry says it has started works in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda. Minister of Works, David Umahi, said his ministry had set a steady roadmap toward making Nigeria ‘the best country in road infrastructure in African continent’ in line with Mr. President’s vision.
Umahi said his ministry was working on fixing 260 roads across Nigeria as part of the palliative interventions of Mr. President.
He said the programme was aimed at ensuring that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works fixe at least 150 Km roads per State, including FCT in 2024.
He said the ministry was working to set up a technical framework for benchmarking project delivery, adding that out of 200,000 km national road network, he was drawing a long-term master plan on tackling 35,000 km Federal Government roads and more to be developed in the future.
His words: “We are introducing innovative strategies for the implementation of funding strategies for Special Projects, including,.SUKUK Bond Funding, Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, PIDF and Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme”
He further disclosed that the Highway Development and Management Initiative, HDMI, will also be brought to life to ensure speedy and accurate implementation of the road infrastructure roadmap.
“The ministry is bringing local content and efficiency in road construction management and that will make Mr. President and Nigerians proud’, he added.
APGA hails Supreme Court over recent judgments, laud Tinubu’s leadership style
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), yesterday, commended the Supreme Court for its recent judgments which were favourable to the sitting governors of Abia, Kano, Plateau and Zamfara States.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, in a statement, said that the Justices of the Supreme Court had, by those rulings, strengthened the country’s drive towards democratic consolidation.
The statement reads in part: “The judgments at the Supreme Court have again shown that there is a reawakening that has justified our continued faith in the greatness of Nigeria.
“To all the beneficiaries of yesterday’s judgement, we call on all of them to see Nigeria away from the prism of their political biases. Beyond politics, there is a country to grow and a people to build. This has been the stand of APGA as a party founded on true progressivism.
“At every point, APGA is more concerned about the welfare of our brothers and sisters, especially the teeming majority whose only chances of survival is government and good governance.”
The party commended President Bola Tinubu “for once again renewing our hope in the democratic process. His non-interference in the judicial process is a testament to his commitment to ensuring the birth of a new Nigeria where the rule of law reigns supreme.”
APGA further lauded the President for the ongoing fight against corruption saying that it was happy that the President started the war from his cabinet.
The party said that Anambra State government under its control was working hard to reduce the cost of governance in the state.
“The Anambra State Government in the first one month of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo led administration, reviewed the cost of facility management from N137 million monthly to N11 million monthly, saving the state a whopping N126 million of taxpayers’ money now deployed to other productive ends.
