Category Nigeria News

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has commended the quality and pace of ongoing federal road projects in Rivers State, while warning that the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty trucks on highways could damage the infrastructure.

Umahi made the remarks on Saturday during an inspection tour of key road construction projects, including sections of the East-West Road. He praised the construction firm, RCC, for delivering high-quality work despite funding challenges that temporarily slowed progress.

He expressed satisfaction with the engineering standards, noting that the project involves complex processes such as deep excavation, sandstone base reinforcement, and concrete layering.

Speaking on the Onne axis of the East-West Road, Umahi stated that the contractor remains fully mobilised and that the government is not indebted to RCC on the project.

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He explained that the perceived slow pace of work is due to the technical nature of the construction, assuring that quality will not be compromised in the pursuit of speed.

The minister disclosed that the initial timeline to commission parts of the road by May may be extended to allow for additional features, including solar-powered street lighting, tree planting, and the construction of retaining walls.

Umahi also projected that the first phase of the project will be completed by August, while subsequent phases involving flyovers and bridges are expected to be finalised within the year. He credited President Bola Tinubu for redesigning the project from asphalt to concrete, a move he said will ensure durability.

Providing further updates, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Tarilade Enwerema, also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work. She revealed that the right-hand carriageway (Eket-bound) has been fully completed, while construction on the Port Harcourt-bound section is advancing steadily.

Enwerema added that the Onne Flyover is also on track for completion by May 2026.

“The progress is very impressive. We are working on the Onne Flyover, and everything is going as planned. Hopefully, by May, all work will be completed,” she said.

Umahi raised concerns over the increasing habit of truck drivers parking on completed sections of the road, warning that such actions could lead to rapid deterioration.

“No road project anywhere in the world is designed for static loads. These parked trucks will destroy the roads,” he said, urging the public to protect government investments estimated at over ₦230 billion for the project.

He called for improved discipline among road users and stressed the need to develop designated parking areas for trucks, adding that public cooperation is critical to preserving the infrastructure.

The minister and his team also inspected the 43-kilometre Port Harcourt–Aba Road project being constructed by JRB and expressed satisfaction with the level of work done.

Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli towns wounded more than 100 people on Saturday, medics said, after Israeli air defence systems failed to intercept the projectiles.

The two direct hits tore open the fronts of residential buildings and carved craters into the ground.

Magen David Adom first responders said 84 people were wounded in the town of Arad, 10 of them seriously, hours after 33 were wounded in nearby Dimona.

Iranian state TV said the missile attack on Dimona, which houses a nuclear facility, was a “response” to an earlier strike on its own nuclear site at Natanz.

AFP footage from Arad showed rescue workers sifting through rubble for wounded people in a bombed-out building.

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Fire engines with their lights flashing were at the scene along with dozens of members of the emergency services.

The Israeli military said it would investigate the failed interception.

“The air defence systems operated but did not intercept the missile, we will investigate the incident and learn from it,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin wrote on X.

The local fire service said there was “extensive damage” in Arad, with three buildings affected and a blaze sparked in one of them.

Medic Riyad Abu Ajaj described “extensive destruction” at the site of the strike, in a statement from the organisation.

“There was a lot of chaos at the scene,” he said.

The rescue operations came not long after similar scenes in Dimona, around 25 kilometres (15 miles) to the southwest.

AFPTV footage from the scene showed a large crater gouged into the ground next to piles of rubble and twisted metal.

Surrounding buildings had their windows blown out and facades heavily damaged as emergency workers combed through the site.

Medics said they treated 33 people injured in the town, including a boy with shrapnel wounds who was in serious condition but conscious.

Dimona hosts a facility widely believed to possess the Middle East’s sole nuclear arsenal, although Israel has never admitted possessing nuclear weapons.

Israel has maintained a policy of ambiguity about its nuclear programme, and the plant officially focuses on research.

After the strikes in the south, Israel’s education ministry ordered all classes to move online, scrapping in-person instruction in the few remaining places that still had it.

Iran has fired repeated barrages of missiles at Israel daily in retaliation for the US-Israeli attacks that started on February 28.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue striking Iran and its allies after what he called a “very difficult evening”.

Katsina State Government has pledged to do everything possible to restore peace and normalcy, as well as to protect the lives and property of the residents and the sanctity of every community in the state.

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Governor Dikko Radda made the promise at the sidelines of the 2026 historic Katsina Eid-el-Fitr Durbar, also called “Hawan Sarki,” held at the Old Government House, Katsina.



He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving the rich cultural values of the state while promoting peace and development.

During the durbar, attended by at least 17 foreign diplomats from 25 countries, the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Katsina State were showcased.

It’s the celebration of the people and their colorful cultural heritage, signifying the end of Ramadan Fast.

There was a parade of horse riders making their way into the Old Government House in the city centre of Katsina state.

This Durbar is celebrated twice in the year, and attracts thousands of people from within and outside not only Katsina but the country at large.

The Durbar kicked off from the Katsina Emir’s house to the Katsina Old Government House, as a mark of respect for the governor.

Besides the richly attired emir and his district heads, there were also warriors showing off their skills.

Historians trace the beginning of Hawan Bariki Durbar to 1907 during the reign of the then-emir of Katsina, King Muhammadu Dikko.

This celebration is considered as a dual purpose occasion aimed at promoting unity among people and offers an opportunity for the government to highlight the achievements it has recorded so far since its inception.

Earlier in his address, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, commended the governor for embarking on several developmental projects across the State.

He, however, urged him to remind President Bola Tinubu on the need to ensure speedy completion of the long existing, uncompleted Katsina-Kano Road and other federal road projects, including the famous historic Dikko College.

“You are doing well, Your Excellency, and from our own part, we will continue to support you with advice to succeed in your administration. Please remind the president to ensure the speedy completion of the long-existing Katsina-Kano Road and other Federal road projects, including the famous and historic Dikko College.

“Religious leaders must always learn to tell the truth to people. People must be in their senses. This short time life should stop deceiving you people.

Governor Bassey Otu has described the aftermath of the explosion at a gas station in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, as huge damage.

Otu spoke when he visited the scene of the explosion that occurred on Saturday morning at Edibe Edibe in Calabar South local government area of the state.

During the visit, the governor assessed the extent of the damage and expressed deep concern over the destruction, noting that both lives and property were affected.

“What I’ve seen here is shocking. It’s a huge, huge damage,” Otu said.

He also raised concerns about the location of such facilities within residential areas, emphasizing the need for stricter safety measures to prevent a recurrence.

“I know very well this kind of facility should not be in a residential area, but unfortunately, this one is here. I believe that steps must be taken to prevent this kind of occurrence in the future,” he stated.

The governor disclosed that several victims were currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while numerous homes have been either destroyed or badly damaged.

He assured residents that the state government would respond promptly to the situation.

“We have several casualties in the hospital, and people’s houses have been damaged. Government is going to act quickly,” he said.

Governor Otu further announced that the government would provide free medical treatment for all affected victims and consider compensation for those who suffered losses.

“We will take care of them. We are providing free medical treatment for those affected and will also look into compensation to help them return to their normal lives as quickly as possible,” he assured.

Several residents were injured following the explosion which also triggered panic in the area.

The explosion occurred at a filling station, leaving victims with varying degrees of injuries, while nearby buildings and property were affected by the blast.

The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday inaugurated over 20 committees for the party’s national convention slated for March 29 and 30.

They include the screening, accreditation, publicity, transport and logistics, medical, and security committees.



The event, which was held in Abuja, was attended by party chieftains, including Mohammed, the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; Senator Natasha Uduaghan-Akpoti, among several others.

The committees are expected to ensure that the planned convention is executed smoothly, and substantive leadership of the party is elected to pilot the affairs of the party into the 2027 general elections and beyond.

According to the Mohammed-led caretaker committee, the party is organising the planned convention on the strength of the latest judgment of the appeal court, which invalidated the Taminu Turaki-led national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, last year.

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PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis that has led to the exodus of members from the party.

The party — which held sway in Nigeria from 1999 until 2015 — was factionalised by the struggle shortly after it lost the 2023 presidential election.

While a faction backs the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, the other faction is loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Already, many PDP members — including some governors — have left the party due to the internal crisis, amid concerns that it could force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the party from presenting candidates in the 2027 elections.

Nine governors have left the party since it lost the 2023 presidential election.

They include the governors of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara states.