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FG To Pay Julius Berger N280bn To Complete Abuja- Kano Highway

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The Minister of Works, Sen David Umahi, has said that the federal government will pay Julius Berger Construction Company N20 billion monthly to complete the 82km section it is handling on the Abuja-Kano highway for the next 14 months.

The minister, during a meeting with the company to review all road contracts it is undertaking, lamented the paucity of funds to complete all major roads it inherited.

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In a statement by his media, Orji Uchenna Orji, the minister stated that the roads included Abuja-Kaduna- Zaria- Kano; Phase 2 of Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Second Niger Bridge; Third Mainland Bridge, Iddo Bridge and Carter Bridge.

The statement read in part: “In keeping with the directive of the Federal Executive Council with respect to all inherited and new projects being handled by a number of multinational companies being delayed due to issues of price differentials or poor funding, the Federal Ministry of Works has opened a decisive discussion with Julius Berger Plc on all the inherited and new projects handled by them.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Drama As Tinubu’s Minister Disrupts Event, Arrests Organiser

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With a view to appraising their performance and take decisions on funding and milestones completion of all such awarded projects as part of the measures of the Renewed Hope administration to mitigate the suffering of road users at this moment of economic challenges.”

The minister urged the contractor to be open to a mutually agreed modality for milestone execution and funding of the projects at reviewed rates as might be agreed upon and approved by the Federal Executive Council.

The statement further reads: “On the section of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road agreed to be handled by Julius Berger Plc, he commended the quality of work being done but directed the contractor to stick to one carriageway at a time within the scope and conclude their works. The contractor was further directed to, within three weeks, fill the two carriageways with stone base and level it to alleviate the sufferings of road users. He further agreed that the project, within their own corridor, will last for 14 months. Project execution should be deployed in four sections, and we will be paying Berger N20bn every month to get the job completed.”

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Chelsea Keeper Petrovic Joins Bournemouth

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Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic joined Bournemouth in a deal worth a reported £25 million ($33 million) on Wednesday.

Petrovic agreed a contract that will keep him at the Vitality Stadium until June 2030.

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The 25-year-old had been at Chelsea since joining from MLS side New England Revolution in 2023.

READ ALSO:Chelsea Thrash PSG 3-0 To Win FIFA Club World Cup

Petrovic, who spent last season on loan at French team Strasbourg, made 31 appearances for the west London club.

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I’m really happy to be here. I came to Bournemouth because I want to grow and I want to play at the best level,” the Serbia international said.

Together with this club, with these facilities, I think we can achieve it. I want to help the team get the results, improve every day and be a better player.”

READ ALSO:Full List: UEFA Fine Chelsea, Barcelona, Three Others For Breaking Financial Rules

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Bournemouth had Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea last season.

The Spain keeper has since joined Arsenal on a permanent basis, while Cherries back-up Mark Travers signed for Everton on Tuesday.

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Lagos To Reinstate Psychiatric Tests For Traffic Offenders

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to reinstate psychiatric assessments for traffic offenders within the state.

Mr. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, disclosed this during the official presentation of the communiqué from the second Lagos Traffic Conference, held on Wednesday.

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The conference also marked the 25th anniversary of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Giwa said the decision followed strategic discussions and key recommendations aimed at enhancing traffic management and road safety across Lagos.

He noted the recommendations were designed to improve LASTMA’s effectiveness, mandate, and moral standing.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO: Lagos Bus Driver Sets Vehicle, LASTMA Officer Ablaze

For the mental health assessment of offenders, the agency should reintroduce psychiatric evaluation for those caught driving against traffic,” Giwa said.

He explained the measure aligns with previous road safety strategies to instill discipline and deter errant road users.

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Giwa also stated that LASTMA officers would undergo international training to meet global traffic management standards.

Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA General Manager, spoke about a 20-year blueprint for a technology-driven traffic system in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki confirmed the agency was progressing well in its vision for improved traffic regulation.

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READ ALSO:LASTMA Unveils 24-hour Toll-free Customer Service Centre

He said the agency began compiling detailed traffic incident data last year, including crashes and other road events across Lagos.

“This deliberate approach gives us a credible database that allows the government to plan better and make informed decisions,” he said.

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The blueprint also includes a focus on improving LASTMA officers’ welfare to enhance performance and service delivery.

He highlighted Lagos State’s increased use of Information Technology Systems (ITS), as seen around Allen Roundabout and other areas.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: LASTMA Rescues Two Accident Victims In Lagos, Blames Brake Failure

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“The ITS tools monitor, control, and enforce traffic behaviour in real time,” he said.

He said surveillance cameras had been installed on the Third Mainland Bridge and around Alapere to promote speed control and road safety.

Bakare-Oki added that the camera installations followed incidents of road rage after rehabilitation of the bridge.

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Since deploying the cameras, road crashes on that stretch have declined,” he said.

READ ALSO:Fake LASTMA Officer Jailed Two Years

He stressed the initiative was not for revenue generation but to safeguard lives and property and assured that residents would soon witness major improvements in LASTMA’s operations.

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Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, also congratulated LASTMA on its 25th anniversary.

Represented by Mr. Nonso Okechukwu, he described LASTMA as a beacon of traffic management excellence in Nigeria.

He urged LASTMA to lead engagements with private transport operators in line with state traffic policies.

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Gbeleyi noted that Lagos’ vision of a smarter, safer city could be achieved through strategic partnerships.

He affirmed the Bureau’s readiness to provide policy support, PPP advisory, and institutional guidance.
(NAN)

 

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NIS Inaugurates Digital Expatriate Residence Permit Platform

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will inaugurate a new digital platform for the application of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) on August 1.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, on Wednesday in Abuja.

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Akinlabi said that the development was in line with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reform the NIS and enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of its services.

He said that the new portal, accessible at https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng, was designed to enable applicants submit their CERPAC applications online without the need for physical forms.

READ ALSO: UK Immigration Crackdown Jolts Nigerian Youths

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According to him, effective from August 1, the use of physical CERPAC forms will be discontinued.

All CERPAC applications after July 31 must be submitted solely through the online portal, ‘’ he said.

The NIS spokesman noted that the digital transition was aimed at improving the user experience and ensuring a seamless application process for both individuals and corporate organisations taking immigration responsibility for expatriates.

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Akinlabi advised applicants who have paid but have yet to submit their CERPAC forms to do so on or before July 31, to avoid losing their application status and associated payments.

READ ALSO:Nigeria To Roll Out Electronic Visas To Curtail Corruption In Immigration Service

Similarly, individuals and companies with pending submissions are strongly encouraged to complete all processes within the stipulated timeline to avoid any inconvenience.

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“Any form not submitted before the deadline will be rendered void and invalid.

“All enquiries and correspondence related to this transition should be directed to the service through the office of the Public Relations Officer,” he said.

He, however, reaffirmed the service commitment to delivering more efficient and technology-driven immigration services in line with global best practices.

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