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Oyo govt. begins repair of flooded section of reconstructed N9.9bn Moniya-Iseyin road
Oyo state government on Monday directed the contractor handling the Moniya-Iseyin road to begin repair works on the flooded section of the road.
It would be recalled that road users waited hours last Friday as flood took over a section of the reconstructed N9.9 billion
Moniya-Iseyin road by the Seyi Makinde administration.
According to a statement by the state’s commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Wasiu Olatunbosun on Tuesday, the government’s directive was as a result of complaints from motorists plying the road, whose movements were restricted by the flood that crossed the road, which prompted the officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to embark on an immediate inspection tour to the area to assess the level of damage on the affected area.
Olatunbosun explained that the road which was commissioned by May 2021 has been a relief to the people of Oke-Ogun and its environs as it has allowed them to travel within less period from Ibadan to Iseyin, as different from the situation before the reconstruction.
In the statement, he added that during the inspection at chinage 47.750km of the road, the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Kehinde Sangodoyin made it known that the cause of the damages was a result of the continuous heavy rain due to climate change and that It was not particular to only Oyo State, but all over the world.
The Commissioner explained that “we were informed that during the heavy downpour on Thursday and Friday, there were some issues as the water overflew and caused some damages by the side road, we are here to examine and assess what happened and what can be done.
“The first thing discovered is the overflow because the culverts there have been sealed up by mud, then the chainage that should be able to address the free flow of water has a problem on the other side of the road, it is not new because there is climate change all over the world, so we should prepare for it, not only in Oyo State but Nigeria as a whole.
“Work will start on it today, on the right-hand side, the channelization and on the left-hand side, retaining the walls and shifting of the culvert, in the long term, during the dry season, if we find out from weather forecast that we will have a heavy rainfall like this next year we will have to change the size of the culvert.
“The Consultant and the Contractor are with me to assess it together and we found out that it is not a serious issue but climate change that is affecting everybody all over the world, including vegetation and other things.
“I have instructed the contractor to mobilize their machine immediately so that the work can start on the channelization and to retain the wall and I can assure you that the work will start before we finish the inspection, I am assuring our people that our road is intact as it was when commissioned last year, the only damage there is on the shoulder and from today, work will start on it so that it will not hit on the road”, the statement read.
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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