Niger Delta
Edo Assembly Summons Federal Controller, FERMA Over Bad Roads
The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday summoned the Federal Controller of Works in the State and Director, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Edo State, to appear before it on July 25 over the deplorable condition of federal roads in the State.
The summon followed a matter of urgent public importance moved by Kaycee Osamwonyi (PDP, Uhunmwode).
Moving the motion, Osamwonyi decried the deplorable condition of all federal roads in the State, which, he said, had caused untold hardship to Edo people.
He noted that most of the roads had caused avoidable accidents resulting in the loss of so many lives.
“Most of the failed portions now serve as hideouts for criminals to perpetrate their evil acts.
“If these failed portions are fixed, it would reduce criminal activities and accidents on the roads”, he said.
In his consequential motion, Osamwonyi called on the two officials to commence repairs on the failed portions of the roads.
Contributing, the Deputy Speaker, Maria Edekor (PDP, Esan North East II), noted that the State internal roads had been destroyed by articulated trucks in the process of trying to navigate through towns and villages in Edo central.
“The prices of goods, especially food items, have gone up because the roads have become impassable. Articulated trucks carrying perishable foodstuff sometimes get stuck for days as a result of bad roads.
“Kidnappers are taking advantage of the failed portions of these roads to kidnap people on a daily basis,” she said.
Edekor said she supported the call for a declaration of a state of emergency on all federal roads in the state.
Other lawmakers who supported the passage of the resolution, said Edo had been completely cut off due to the failed portions at all entry points into the state.
The Speaker, Blessings Agbebaku, therefore, summoned the Federal Controller of Works and FERMA Director in Edo to appear before the House to explain why all the roads were in such a deplorable condition.
Meanwhile, at the plenary, a bill for a law to enact the Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology Law 2023 also scaled through second reading on the floor of the House.
The Delta State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on the State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
The Tide’s source reports that the public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.
“We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.
“We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process”, she said.
Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.
It also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.
They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.
The Federal Government has handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg ‘garri’ to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo, the State Capital.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, the Head, Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom State office, Umar said the donation was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable households.
Umar said that the president’s promise was the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country.
“We are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the intended beneficiaries in the communities”, she said.
The NEMA D-G said that the food items should be shared in the communities through properly constituted committees at the local government levels.
She said membership of the local government committees should include the council chairman, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the traditional institutions.
Umar said 20 per cent of the food items for each council area should be given to religious groups, and that three per cent of it should be given to boarding schools in the area.
Receiving the items, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Offor said that the gesture was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure that the items were given to the intended beneficiaries.
A group, Concerned Obidient Movement, has declared support for Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, told newsmen in Benin that the election transcends individual personalities.
“It is a critical moment that will shape the future of Edo. The PDP is creating a climate of renewed political energy that promises sustainable progress.
“Its candidate, Ighodalo, and the deputy, Osarodion Ogie, possess the vision and qualifications that align with the aspirations of Edo people,” he said.
Igbinevbo highlighted the candidates’ deep understanding of the State’s challenges and potential which, he said, positions them to lead the state into a new era of prosperity and responsible governance.
He urged Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora, to unite in their support for the PDP and its candidates ahead of the election.
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