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Iwo Road interchange project will be delivered under one year – Makinde
The government of Oyo State is set to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on the management of traffic within the State, the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has said.
The Governor expressed the commitment of his administration to collaborate with the agency on how to manage traffic gridlock on the roads and proffer solution for easy vehicular movements in the State.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying these while receiving the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, who paid him a courtesy visit in his Office.
Makinde maintained that the state government under his leadership will continue to support the activities of the FRSC in the State.
“Let us keep the cordial relationship going. We need a lot of support to lift the situation in our State- ideas and things that you have been able to provide solutions to at the federal level. We also want to key into them so that we do not make the same mistake all over again. I believe this is going to be the beginning of our working together,” Governor Makinde said.
The Governor said his administration is committed to finding lasting solutions to the gridlock at the Iwo Road Interchange, which has been causing a lot of problems for the users of the road in that area, noting that the project would be executed within nine months.
He said: “Also, at Iwo Road, it’s the same thing but we do have solution to that. What they are doing around that axis right now are just palliatives to make the place motorable. We have a serious plan for the road. Meanwhile, I have even been castigated on why I want to spend such amount of money on that interchange but it is a project that we believe will change the face of that place and sanitise the area.
“The Honourable Commissioner for Works is working on it and we need to follow the due process. So, it’s a little bit slow but I believe, within the shortest possible time, we can get this project underway and delivery has been given to us at nine months. Once we flag it off, within nine months, we believe we will be able to decongest the area and everyone will be proud of it.”
The Governor, therefore, stressed that he would consider urgently the modern trailer park project, noting that it was not ideal for trailers to cluster around the highway, saying, however, that the only justification to remove them would be to provide a modern park for them.
Governor Makinde added: “What you mentioned about a trailer park will be sorted out. Before now, I have had discussion with the sector commander and Chairman of OYRTMA and I asked them to, first of all, clear that Toll Gate axis. About two weeks ago, I was going to Oyo and I saw illegal trailer parks along the road similar to what happens in Ogere. I was actually alarmed that once that kind of facility takes roots, it becomes difficult to uproot again.
“So, it’s something we are also committed to fixing. Ideally, we should not be seeing trailers along the road. All along the express way, from Toll-Gate to Ojoo, we still have where trailers are parking at different points along the road, but once we have trailer parks for them, we can be justified to relocate and disallow them by stopping them parking indiscriminately along the road.”
Earlier, Dr. Oyeyemi appealed to the Oyo State Government to give priority attention to the construction of a modern mega trailer park in the state, noting that the project would greatly help to reduce traffic gridlock in the state, “as Ibadan is strategic to vehicular movement across the nation.”
While stressing the need for collaboration with the corps to abate instances of road mishap during the ‘ember months,’ the Corps Marshal also implored the Governor to equally work on the Iwo road interchange and disallow street trading on the Ibadan-Iwo road, Ibadan-Ife road and other major roads in the state.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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