Senate Asks Buhari to reintroduce toll booths

Alarmed at the frightening level of decay witnessed on the na­tion’s highways, the Nigeri­an Senate on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reintroduce toll gates to enable government rehabilitate the roads.

It would be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo abolished toll gate fees collection on the nation’s highways about 12 years ago.

Obasanjo, who said that toll gates had outlived its usefulness, had on December 30, 2003 dis­banded them across the country with effect from January 1st, 2004.

He pointed out that the scheme was imposing un­necessary financial bur­den on the federal govern­ment and Nigerians who were also overburdened by other demands.

Consequently, the up­per chamber yesterday mandated its Commit­tee on Works to carefully study the toll gate policy together with other rel­evant stakeholders on ef­fective and efficient ways to carry out the policy aimed at producing a ho­listic package to generate funds for roads mainte­nance.

In December 2015, the Senate passed a motion calling on President Mu­hammadu Buhari to rein­troduce toll gates across the country in order to reduce the burdens on the roads. After waiting for ten months without any re­sponse from the President in respect of their demand, the red chamber renewed its move yesterday when it passed the resolution.

The resolution was se­quel to a motion moved by Senator Suleiman Nazif on the need for the re-estab­lishment of toll gates on our federal highways.

SOURCE: Thebreakingtmes

#ChangeBeginsWithMe: President Buhari To Re-Launch War Against Indiscipline

President Muhammadu Buhari, when he was sworn in as Nigeria’s President 29 May, last year, will re-introduce War Against Indiscipline with a mantra, an organisation that was introduced in 1983 when he was military head of state.

President Buhari declared war on national “indiscipline”, recreating a “task force” that will supposedly ensure orderly queues, clean streets and punctual meetings across the country.
National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari said the President Buhari’s administration has declared the intention to relaunch the Brigade for better performance, as well as to bring its activities to the fore.

“It’s great pleasure that I have the opportunity to meet with the leadership of WAI, for the first time since my assumption of office about two months ago. This meeting is meant to discuss the re-positioning of the WAI Brigade in the current dispensation of change.” Abari said.

Abari also said “The ills and woes that bedeviled the nation at that time are still very much with us today. That is why, when the NOA was established in 1983, the WAI Brigade was automatically drafted to be part and parcel of the agency to fight against indiscipline, disorderly behaviour in public and private places, disobedience to traffic rules and regulations, disrespect for constituted authorities, filthy environment, bribery, corruption and other social vices.”

The President is expected to launch the programme on Thursday 8/9/2016 in Abuja where 170,000 volunteers task force across Nigeria are expected to wage President Buhari’s new campaign against “indiscipline.

SOURCE: NTAng

Boko Haram ready for peace, will announce Chibok girls’ whereabouts in 24hours – Aisha Wakili

One of the trio declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for concealing information on the whereabouts of the Chibok girls, Aisha Alkali Wakil, has revealed that the Boko Haram terrorist group is now ready for peace.

According to her, the group may make a big announcement about the kidnapped Chibok school girls within the next 24 hours.

The lawyer with the National Human Rights Commission told the Nation that, “Since I came back, I have been on their neck.

“They have now agreed to come out and discuss with the government and bring back the girls.

“I am for the Chibok girls and all the captives. They are ready for peace. This is what they told me.

“I think they might post some information on YouTube within 24 hours,” Aisha stated.

This is coming barely one week after President Muhammadu Buhari said his government was ready to negotiate with genuine Boko Haram leaders to release the missing school girls.

SOURCE: Dailypostng

No Plan to Increase Fuel Price - Nigerian Govt

The federal government has denied reports of an imminent increase in pump price of fuel.

There had been speculations of a fresh raise, two months after the government increased the price of petrol from N86.50 to N145 a litre.

Reports said the government was considering new rates as Nigeria's foreign exchange crisis continues to hamper importation of products.

But speaking to journalists on Tuesday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, said the government had no such plans.

"I have not been directed to increase pump price, even the other price was based on recommendation from the regulated body," he said.

"I'm not aware that they are planning to do any increase; you know there are several factors that necessitated that especially the issue of exchange rate that has moved and we don't expect any serious changes.

"So far the request for forex for importation of gasoline popularly called petrol has been met, and our own supply situation is robust, we are meeting demands. We have over 1.4 billion liters on ground.

"So I don't see any basis for increase. However, the review could be done by the right body, you should contact PPPRA; that is the regulatory body as far as petrol pricing is concern."

SOURCE: Premiumtimesng

“We are happy our daddy is back hale, hearty”

President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday returned to Abuja, saying he was completely healed, stronger, more energetic and now fit to resume presidential duties. Recall that the president penultimate week proceeded on a 10 day leave and later jetted out to London, United Kingdom where he had gone to treat a persistent ear infection. He was due to come back to the country on Thursday but failed to do so.

The Vice President as the Acting President then told Journalists that the president would be returning to the country on Sunday (Yesterday) as he needed to rest after the medicals. The president whose aircraft touched down at exactly 5:35 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday said he was now fit. In a sure-footed manner, the president spoke to the State House Correspondents after inspecting a guard of honour by the Nigeria Armed Forces. 

“You have seen me. You saw me when I was going. You can do the assessment yourself. “I am okay. You can see me inspecting the guard of honour. You can see I am taller than you. Do you want to wrestle with me, you can do so”, he said. 

Also, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said he would resume duty today. “Mr President is fit and will resume work on Monday”, he said. 

On his part, the Chairman of Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari expressed gratitude to God for bringing the president home safely. “We thank God for bringing him (Buhari) back to his country. 

It is a good thing he went on break and returned to his people hale and hearty.” “Our daddy is back. He has gone to take a rest we are happy that he is back”, he said.

 Meanwhile, among government officials who were on hand to welcome the President were members of the cabinet including the Minister of the Environment Amina Mohammed, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of the Niger Delta affairs, Usani Usani. Others included Minister of Water Resources, Minister of State for Education, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; Minister of Budget and National planning, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Interior, Gen. Dambazzua; Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

 Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and Chief of Army Staff, Bruntia were also on hand.
SOURCE: Vanguardngr