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FEC Okays N15bn For Second Niger Bridge Link Road, €3.7m For Power Projects

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The federal executive council (FEC) has approved N15 billion for the construction of an access road linking the Benin-Asaba expressway to the second Niger Bridge.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, announced the approval on Wednesday when speaking to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

Mohammed said the completion of the road would help achieve the dream of inaugurating the bridge before Buhari leaves office on May 29.

“The minister of works presented a memo seeking approval for the award of contract for the construction of an access road from the existing Benin-Asaba expressway to approach the link road to the second Niger bridge in Delta,” he said.

”As you are aware, the government is determined to inaugurate the second Niger bridge before the expiration of this administration.

”We can tell you that the bridge itself is substantially concluded, but the contract that was awarded today, although the work has started before now, is actually to connect the Asaba-Benin end to the new bridge.

“The contract was awarded to Julius Berger at a sum of N15 billion. They have started the work but they said it is only proper that they have a contract.

”We can assure you that the road will be finished in good time for us to inaugurate the 2nd Niger bridge.”

The minister also said the council has approved N16 billion as a variation for the dualisation of Suleja-Minna road in Niger state.

On his part, Abubakar Aliyu, minister of power, said the council approved €3.7 million as a contract variation for the Transmisson Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Aliyu said the amount was meant for the procurement of some equipment and to complete the construction of two sub-stations that would help boost the electricity supply in the country.

“Today, I presented a memo on behalf of the Transition Company of Nigeria to the Council and it approved the variation,” he said.

”This was due to the escalation of prices for the supply of equipment and the construction of 132 33KV substations at Nnewi and 132 KV line bay extension at Onitsha, both in Anambra.

“The approved amount for the variation is 3.7 million euros plus N1.137 billion inclusive of 7.5 percent value-added tax, with a completion period of 18 months.”

Aliyu said the contracts started in 2006 but were abandoned due to a lack of budgetary provisions.

Clem Agba, minister of state for budget and national planning,  who also spoke with journalists, said the council approved six medium-term development plans for Nigeria, which would run from 2021-2050.

Agba said the plans were designed to create a stable and predictable macroeconomic environment.

BIG STORY

US Agency To Probe Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ System After Pedestrian’s Death

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The US government is set to launch an investigation into Tesla’s “full self-driving” system following reports of four crashes in low-visibility conditions and the death of a pedestrian.

According to international media, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the announcement on Thursday, citing incidents where multiple Tesla vehicles encountered poor visibility environments, including sun glare, fog, and airborne dust.

In addition to the pedestrian’s death, another crash resulted in an injury, the agency stated.

Investigators will examine the capability of “full self-driving” to “detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, and if so, the contributing circumstances for these crashes.”

The NHTSA said the probe will cover approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from the 2016 to 2024 model years.

The agency also plans to determine whether any other similar crashes involving “full self-driving” have occurred under low visibility conditions.

The NHTSA is also seeking information from Tesla regarding any updates to the system that may have influenced its performance in these environments.

“In particular, his review will assess the timing, purpose and capabilities of any such updates, as well as Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact,” the agency said.

Tesla has already recalled “full self-driving” twice following investigations by the NHTSA, which in July gathered information from law enforcement and the company after a motorcyclist was struck and killed by a Tesla using the system near Seattle.

Reports from the Associated Press indicated the recalls were due to the system being programmed to run stop signs at low speeds and other violations of traffic laws.

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BIG STORY

Students Set Kebbi College Provost’s Residence Ablaze Over Alleged Extortion

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Students at the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have “set the residence of the Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, on fire” and “vandalised his vehicle.”

The protest began due to allegations that the college management “extorted N23m from the students” for “index registration for 250 graduating students.”

According to a source, the controversy started with a newly introduced Public Health programme initially affiliated with the Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria.

The college then merged the programme with the Department of Environmental Health, leading to a demand for an additional “N65,000 from each student for index registration,” on top of the “N30,000 already paid.”

In response to the allegations of extortion, the students resorted to violent actions, including “stoning vehicles and setting the provost’s residence on fire.”

Several staff members fled before security personnel arrived.

The provost, Saidu-Sauwa, described the allegations as “fictitious, baseless and mischievous,” denying any involvement in extorting students.

He stated that the college uses a “Single Treasury Account” where all funds are deposited, and “no one has access to the account, including me.”

He further claimed that the protest was fueled by an anonymous source attempting to discredit the college, urging students and staff to “exercise restraint” while the cause of the unrest is fully investigated.

Following the intervention of security agencies, normalcy has returned to the college.

The Kebbi State Police Command indicated that more details will be provided after a report from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega is available.

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Army Seeks Nigerians’ Support In War Against Terrorism, Says “We Can’t Do It Alone”

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The Nigerian army has urged the public to provide support in the fight against terrorism. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, noted that Nigeria is facing “asymmetric warfare” with non-state actors operating in various parts of the country.

In a video message on Friday, Musa emphasized that while the army is dedicated to restoring peace, success requires a “whole-of-society approach.”

He mentioned that Nigeria has a significant history of peacekeeping efforts both in Africa and internationally. Musa outlined the country’s current security challenges, including “Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast,” “banditry in the northwest,” “pipeline vandalism and sea piracy in the south-south,” and IPOB’s push for “secession” in the southeast.

Despite these ongoing issues, the armed forces are fully committed to ensuring peace across the nation. Musa also highlighted efforts to enhance “troop welfare” and training, aimed at creating a sense of normalcy in markets, schools, and the economy, especially in affected regions.

He reassured Nigerians that the military is a professional force focused on fulfilling its mission to restore “peace and security.” Musa urged the public to continue supporting the “government, the armed forces, and other security agencies” in this effort.

He concluded by stating, “We cannot do it alone… Together, we will succeed.”

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