Cross River Tricycle Riders Protest Extortion, Multiple Taxation

Cross River tricycle riders protest extortion, multiple taxation. The tricycle operators claimed they were being compelled to pay unexplained levies at different locations within the city.

Tricycle operators in Cross River State on Thursday picketed the streets of the Calabar metropolis to protest alleged extortion, multiple taxation, and harassment by ticket agents and task force groups.

The tricycle operators, popularly known as “Keke Riders,” claimed they were being compelled to pay unexplained levies at different locations within the city.

One of them, Johnson Obi, told journalists that they were forced to buy multiple tickets from sanitation, local government, and union agents.

“Some of the tickets expire within hours. The tickets are too many; riders purchase up to six or seven different tickets daily,” he said.

Mr Obi further said tricycle operators were compelled to even buy ‘burial tickets’ issued through union channels, saying, “Defaulters risk having their tricycles seized.”

Another rider, Emmanuel Asuquo, told journalists during the protest that some groups controlling passenger loading points collected taxes from operators.

He said riders who refused to comply were often prevented from operating in certain areas.

“It is even annoying that some of the groups collecting these taxes are linked to non-government groups,” he said.

He urged the state government to investigate the activities of those involved in the illegal collection of taxes from tricycle operators.

When contacted, Ekpenyong Akiba, the special adviser to the governor on general duties, commended the operators for conducting themselves peacefully during the protest.

Cross River Tricycle Riders Protest

Mr Akiba said the government had taken note of their complaints and would present the issues to the governor for action.

He announced an immediate suspension of all ticketing and task force activities affecting tricycle operators pending further directive from the state government.

Mr Akiba also invited representatives of the tricycle operators to a meeting with state government officials.

Commercial bus drivers in Calabar recently embarked on a similar protest.

Tinubu Government Demonstrates Commitment To Quality Road Infrastructure Delivery During FCT Media Tour

Tinubu Government demonstrates commitment to quality road infrastructure delivery during FCT media tour. The Federal Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to delivering durable, high-quality road infrastructure nationwide, as senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Works conducted a media tour of ongoing and completed projects within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Federal Controller of Works (FCW), FCT, Engr. Yakubu Usman, stated that the projects reflect the Federal Government’s determination to enhance transportation and infrastructure as catalysts for economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Mararaba–Keffi Dual Carriageway Nears Completion

At the reconstruction and expansion of the 43.65-kilometre Mararaba–Keffi Expressway (Keffi-bound), Engr. Usman disclosed that the project, awarded in 2023 to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), has surpassed 90 percent completion and remains ahead of schedule.

The scope of work, according to the FCW, includes site clearance, scarification and pulverization of the existing pavement, cut-to-fill and borrow-to-fill to approved cross-sections, laying of 200mm stone base on the carriageway and 100mm on shoulders, 60mm asphaltic binder course, 40mm asphaltic wearing course, excavation and construction of reinforced trapezoidal concrete-lined drains, and installation of median barriers and guardrails. Key milestones achieved on the project are the completion of milling, pulverization, and compaction along the 43.1km alignment, full provision of stone base, binder, and wearing courses, and concrete shoulders on major sections of the carriageway. Also, significant portions of the median trapezoidal-lined drains, and

The installation and painting of concrete median barriers and guardrails across extensive stretches have been completed.

The contractor mobilised to the site immediately after the contract was awarded, with an initial 30-month completion timeline ending in June, 2026. However, given the accelerated pace of work, the project is expected to be delivered within the next few weeks.

Engr. Usman noted that while the main carriageway has been completed, ancillary works such as median drains, side drains, and capstone are ongoing. Additionally, in line with the directive of the Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, innovative construction methods have been adopted, including in-situ casting of capstone for enhanced durability and the introduction of rigid shoulders to safeguard the carriageway and prolong its lifespan. Two flyovers have also been incorporated to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along the busy corridor connecting the FCT with Nasarawa State.

The Project Manager, CHEC, Engr. Amadu Ruben, assured that the road is being constructed to last between 50 and 100 years, reaffirming the contractor’s commitment to quality and sustainability.

Engr. Usman further disclosed that a separate 40-kilometre rehabilitation project on the Abuja-bound carriageway being handled by JRB Construction Limited is progressing satisfactorily. The scope of work involves milling the existing asphalt surface, cement stabilization, and application of binder and wearing courses. Approximately 10 kilometres have been completed up to binder level, with full completion expected within the next six months.

A road user, Mr. Matthew Daniel, commended the Federal Government for addressing long-standing challenges along the corridor, noting that the improvements have significantly reduced travel time, revitalised economic activities, and encouraged residents, who had relocated due to congestion and poor road conditions to return.

Abuja–Kaduna Expressway

The Federal Controller Engr. Usman explained that following the termination of the previous contract due to poor performance and the effluxion of time, the project was re-awarded to Infiouest International Limited under the Ministry’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Renaissance. The project was redesigned from an asphaltic pavement to a continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) to guarantee long-term performance, considering its strategic importance as a major economic artery linking the North-West and the North East zones to Abuja and the Southern part of the country.

The Engineering Representative of the project, Engr. Chukwuma Kalu, confirmed substantial progress across multiple sections, with completed asphalt stretches and ongoing concrete pavement works.

He reported that Section I (Tungar Maje – Jere) of the project in the FCT and Kaduna State is scheduled for completion by the end of April, with day and night shifts being deployed.

Senior Project Manager, Mr. Robert Turner, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality and timely delivery, emphasising the road’s significance in enhancing mobility, trade, and national integration.

Commissioning of Emergency Repairs and Special Intervention Projects

The Limited Rehabilitation of Child Care Trust Road in Bwari, the Construction of Roads and Drainages at Flood Prone Areas of CRD, and Winner’s at Airport Road in Lugbe and the Construction of 5 Adjoining Roads in Gwagwalada was commissioned by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, on behalf of the Minister.

The rehabilitation of a 1.1-kilometre road in the Bwari Area Council, the FCT commenced in 2024 and was completed the same year by Gerawa Global Engineering Limited. The project involved preliminary site clearance to prepare the area for construction activities.

This was followed by the filling of the carriageway to the approved cross-section to ensure proper road alignment and structural stability. Then, the scarification of the existing bituminous surface to facilitate rehabilitation and improve bonding for subsequent layers. In addition, excavation of line drains and culverts was carried out, as directed, to enhance the effective passage of water along the corridor.

To also support water flow management, the project provided 900-milimetre diameter concrete pipe culverts, as well as reinforced trapezoidal concrete line drains, ensuring adequate drainage infrastructure and improved durability of the road.

David Umahi

The construction of roads and drainage in flood-prone areas of Lugbe was done by Messrs Next Level Modern Innovative Engineering & Technology Limited. It included scarification of failed sections, desilting of drains, construction of reinforced concrete box culverts with wing walls, aprons, and toe beams, provision of kerbs, stone pitching, laterite subgrade and sub base, crushed stone base, prime coat, and 50mm asphaltic wearing course.

Comrade Ike assured that the media would continue to report objectively, acknowledging government achievements, while holding institutions and personalities accountable. She emphasised that well-constructed and maintained roads significantly enhance safety, commerce, and citizens’ overall well-being.

Government Reaffirms Commitment

The Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed, reiterated that the ongoing projects underscore the administration’s strategic focus on infrastructure renewal as a foundation for national development. He assured Nigerians of the Ministry’s continued monitoring, strict quality assurance processes, and commitment to the timely delivery of all projects.

“The Federal Ministry of Works remains steadfast in its mission to provide resilient, world-class road infrastructure that supports economic growth and improves the quality of life for all Nigerians.”

Mohammed A. Ahmed
Director, Information and Public Relations..

CAS Visits Port Harcourt, Reinforces Protection Of Nigeria’s Oil, Gas Assets

CAS visits Port Harcourt, reinforces protection of Nigeria’s oil, gas assets. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, DFS, on 5 March 2026 undertook a strategic operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he commissioned critical infrastructure projects, inspected key operational facilities, and reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s vital oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta.

The visit forms part of the CAS’s ongoing nationwide engagements aimed at strengthening operational readiness, improving personnel welfare, and assessing frontline capabilities across NAF units.

During the visit to the 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), the home of the Nigerian Air Force’s combat helicopters, Air Marshal Aneke commissioned newly constructed and renovated facilities including a modern briefing room complex and other building blocks designed to enhance operational planning, command coordination, and administrative efficiency. He also inspected critical operational infrastructure including the runway and apron VIP areas, the aircraft hangar, and the Nigerian Air Force Hospital, emphasising that “modern and functional infrastructure remain essential to sustaining high operational standards and effective mission execution”.

As part of his engagements in the State, the Chief of the Air Staff paid a maiden courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, where he expressed appreciation for the State Government’s sustained support to the Nigerian Air Force presence in Rivers State. The CAS particularly acknowledged the State Government’s contributions, including the handover of an Agusta 139 helicopter to the Nigerian Air Force, the rehabilitation and resurfacing of the runway and aprons at NAF Base Port Harcourt, the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the Base, and the provision of two blocks of twelve two-bedroom residential accommodation units for NAF personnel. According to the CAS, “these interventions have significantly strengthened the Air Force’s operational readiness and its capacity to respond effectively to emerging security challenges within the Niger Delta region”.

In his response, Governor Fubara reaffirmed the Rivers State Government’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in ensuring peace and stability within the State. He commended the Nigerian Air Force for its critical role in protecting strategic national assets and combating economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, noting that “security remains a prerequisite for economic growth and development”. The Governor assured the Chief of the Air Staff of his administration’s continued support in strengthening the operational presence of the Nigerian Air Force in Rivers State, adding that “the collaboration between the State Government and the Service will continue to contribute to safeguarding lives, protecting critical infrastructure, and advancing the prosperity of the State and the nation”.

NAF

Addressing officers, airmen and airwomen during a durbar at the Base, the CAS reiterated his command philosophy: “to enhance and sustain a highly motivated, professional, and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces for the realisation of national security objectives.” He noted that personnel welfare remains central to operational effectiveness, stressing that “the Nigerian Air Force is accelerating accommodation and infrastructure development across its bases nationwide to address housing deficits and improve the living and working conditions of its personnel”.

Air Marshal Aneke also commended the leadership and personnel of 115 Special Operations Group for their operational achievements, noting that the Unit executed 495 missions in 2025 in support of counter–illegal bunkering operations, protection of critical oil infrastructure, and other national security tasks.

He urged personnel to remain vigilant and continue to “fly smart” by ensuring that all operations are anchored on timely and actionable intelligence, emphasising that every mission must be purposeful and deliver measurable operational results in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic assets.

Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information,
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.