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JUST IN: FG Orders Installation Of CCTV On Nine Highways

Published

1 year ago

January 9, 2024

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed the installation of closed-circuit television cameras, solar lighting, and security on nine highways franchised to private investors under the Highway Development and Management Initiative.

He also inaugurated three committees to fast-track the implementation of the initiative, according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media Orji Uchenna, on Tuesday.

The PUNCH reports that in May 2023, the government reached an agreement to leverage private-sector investment to improve facilities and operations on selected routes and revenue generation of over N11.54 trillion in the 25-year concession period.

The programme, which is a Public Private Partnership arrangement in the construction, operations, and maintenance of highways, is designed in such a way that the concessionaires will recoup their investments through toll and non-toll revenues as may be negotiated.

However, eight months after the approval was given, the contractors have yet to proceed to the site, infuriating the minister at a meeting with directors last week.

He said, “This issue has lingered for four years and six months now but this January, we must conclude everything about the successful companies this month. Those companies who are jokers will be taken out. if we have one or two serious contractors, we engage them to take over the project site.”

But speaking during the event held at the ministry headquarters in Abuja, Umahi harped on the need for the committees to work effectively and concertedly bearing in mind the expectations of Nigerians, in terms of transparency, standard, and efficiency in contract negotiations.

He also directed a review of the scope of work and cost implications to accommodate current economic dynamics and the new policy direction of the present administration and charged the concessionaires to abide by the criteria set and the timeline for the projects.

He said, “We own the design, you will own the cost of the project while we carry out verification on the cost of the projects; the idea is to scope the projects. We want to have a standard road infrastructure to toll.

“Our business is to ensure that your design conforms with the ministry’s standard of design, that is why we are making the Director of Roads and Bridges of the ministry the Chairman of the Committee on Scoping and Design. We don’t want to do just a patch on the road and give it to the public for you to toll. The public will resist. We want to have a standard road to toll.

“We have to provide an alternative road because by law you cannot toll road if there is no alternative route to it. Every one of the projects must have alternative routes. The number of toll gates and toll stations will be determined by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.

“We also have to put CCTV Camera, Solar Light and Security on our roads. Whatever that will make our roads safer is very important to us. All these must be considered part of the business.”

According to the statement, the three committees set up by the minister for the actualisation of the HDMI programme are, “Scoping and design, financial and the due diligence and agreement review committee.”

While constituting the Due Diligence Committee, the minister said, “We must have a figure to begin to work with under the Due Diligence Committee, we want to hand over all these sites to people who are serious by the end of March 2024. Enough of these meetings, enough of the bureaucracy.“

Headline

Renowned American Actor Jonathan Joss Shot Dead

Published

11 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Editor

A 59-year-old American actor widely recognised for his work on the animated series, King of the Hill, Jonathan Joss, was shot and killed on Sunday, during a dispute with a neighbour, BBC reported.

According to a statement released by the San Antonio Police Department on Monday, the actor was allegedly shot by 56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez. Alvarez has since been arrested and charged with murder.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the circumstances leading to the fatal altercation. The investigation remains ongoing.

“Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that the Mr Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation.

“Investigators handle these allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information.

“Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly,” the police said.

Joss was known for his voice role as John Redcorn on King of the Hill and had built a respected career in film and television, particularly for his representation of Native American characters.

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Trump Says Putin ‘Playing With Fire’ In New Jab At Russian Leader

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2025

Editor

US President Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin Tuesday that he was “playing with fire,” launching a fresh broadside at his Russian counterpart over stalled Ukraine peace efforts.

Trump’s latest comments came after he called the Kremlin leader “CRAZY” over the weekend following a mass Russian air attack on Kyiv, and warned that Moscow risked new sanctions.

“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realise is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD,” Trump said on his Truth Social network Tuesday.

“He’s playing with fire!”

Trump did not specify what the “really bad” things were or make any specific threats.

REA ALSO: Trump Revokes Harvard University’s Right To Enroll Foreign Students

But the Wall Street Journal and CNN both reported that Trump was now considering fresh sanctions against Russia as early as this week, while stressing that he could still change his mind.

Trump had told reporters on Sunday he was “absolutely” considering increasing sanctions on Moscow.

The US president’s recent rebukes mark a major change from his previous attitude towards Putin, whom he often speaks of with admiration and has previously held off criticising.

Trump has, however, expressed increasing frustration with Moscow’s position in deadlocked truce negotiations with Kyiv.

That frustration boiled over at the weekend when Russia launched a record drone barrage at Ukraine, killing at least 13 people.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday night.

Russia’s attacks have continued despite a phone call between Trump and Putin eight days ago in which the US leader said the Russian president had agreed to “immediately” start ceasefire talks.

Moscow on Tuesday accused Kyiv of trying to “disrupt” peace efforts and said its aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent days were a “response” to escalating Ukrainian drone strikes on its own civilians.

AFP

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Check Out World’s Richest King With 38 Private Jets, 300 Cars, 52 Golden Boats

Published

1 week ago

May 25, 2025

Editor

While there are countless billionaires around the world, few match the regal wealth and extravagant lifestyle of King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand—better known as King Rama X. According to The Business Standard, he is considered the richest king in the world, with a staggering estimated net worth of Rs 3.7 lakh crore (approximately USD 43 billion).

Unlike typical billionaires, King Vajiralongkorn’s wealth is rooted in centuries-old royal lineage and further amplified by modern investments. His fortune, inherited largely after the passing of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016, has since been expanded through stakes in Thailand’s major companies and real estate holdings.

The monarch owns over 17,000 properties in Bangkok alone, making him one of the largest landowners in the country. His luxury collection includes over 300 high-end cars, 38 private jets, and a fleet of 52 golden boats, which are used exclusively for royal ceremonies and reflect the opulence of Thailand’s monarchy.

Born in 1952, Vajiralongkorn is the only son of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. He received military education in the UK and Australia and is a trained jet and helicopter pilot. He graduated from the University of New South Wales with a degree in military studies and served in the Royal Thai Army, even taking part in anti-insurgency operations during the 1970s.

Despite his controversial personal life, including four marriages and frequent media scrutiny, King Vajiralongkorn remains a dominant symbol of Thailand’s royal legacy, luxury, and power.

Meanwhile, in India, Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani continue to dominate the billionaire charts. As of May 2025, Ambani, with an estimated net worth of USD 92.5 billion, holds the title of India’s richest person. Adani follows with USD 56.3 billion, with investments spanning energy, ports, and infrastructure.

In contrast to corporate billionaires, King Vajiralongkorn stands out not only for his immense wealth but also for a lifestyle that rivals any global celebrity or monarch.

Source: Financial Express