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Tinubu Government, Two Firms Set To Construct $60bn Speed Rail In Nigeria

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Kaduna Train Attack

Tinubu Government, Two Firms Set To Construct $60bn Speed Rail In Nigeria

Tinubu government, two firms set to construct $60bn speed rail in Nigeria. According to him, the project will connect Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

The federal government, De-Sadel Nigeria Ltd. and China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited are set to commence construction of a 4000km high-speed rail across six states of the federation.

This was disclosed during the presentation of the $60 billion proof-of-funds to secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, by the two firms in Abuja on Tuesday.

The occasion was attended by the minister of transportation, Sa’idu Alkali and the minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as well as a representative of the attorney-general of the federation, among others.

Speaking at the event, the chief executive of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, Samuel Uko, said that the company had presented an official proof-of-funds from the Asian Development Investment Bank to the federal government for the first phase of the project.

According to him, the project will connect Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, covering about 1,600 kilometres at the initial stage.

“This administration has given us almost 90 per cent of the necessary approvals.  We have now submitted the proof-of-funds through our financial and technical partners.

”Construction will be in phases. Once we complete the sections, Nigerians will begin to enjoy the train service before the entire 36-month schedule is completed,” Mr Uko said.

He stated that the rail system would require substantial power supply, which in turn would depend on the availability of gas, hence the linkage between the project and the oil and gas sector.

In his remarks, the SGF, while describing the meeting with the investors as ‘stimulating’, said that the proof-of-funds document, which had been submitted, would undergo scrutiny to confirm its amount and authenticity.

“We do not doubt them, but it is standard procedure for government to verify large financial commitments.
”President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made reforms to ease the cost of doing business, and if investors are ready, Nigeria is ready,” Mr Akume said.

The minister of transportation also said that the project aligned with the ministry’s mandate to provide safe, secure and affordable transportation as well as with the president’s directive to attract foreign investors.

Firms Set To Construct $60bn Speed Rail In Nigeria

Firms Set To Construct $60bn Speed Rail In Nigeria

On his part, Mr Ekpo assured the investors of adequate gas supply for the project, noting that Nigeria had proven reserves of 210 trillion cubic feet of gas, with an additional 600 trillion cubic feet in deep-sea deposits.

“Gas is a precursor for this project, and investors will not face shortages,” he said.
Director-general of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, said that the submission of proof-of-funds was a mandatory requirement for the projects.

“They have now presented $60 billion in proof-of-funds from China. The next step is for us to review and validate their claims to ensure the project’s viability.

“This is in line with the president’s vision that Nigeria is open for serious business,” Mr Ewalefoh said.

Abuja

Wike Orders ‘Heightened’ Security In FCT, Reactivates ‘Operation Sweep’

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FCT Traders Decry High Shop Rent

Wike Orders ‘Heightened’ Security In FCT, Reactivates ‘Operation Sweep’

Wike orders ‘heightened’ security in FCT, reactivates ‘operation sweep’. Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and strengthen security operations across Abuja, the nation’s capital, as part of renewed efforts to curb criminal activities in the territory.

Speaking on Tuesday at the formal resumption of “Operation Sweep”, Miller Dantawaye, FCT commissioner of police, said the minister had provided the logistics and operational support required for the exercise.

Dantawaye said the operation is being carried out by a joint security team comprising the military, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies already deployed across strategic locations in the capital city.
The police commissioner said the team has been tasked with working more aggressively to prevent kidnappings, banditry and other crimes, especially as the festive season draws nearer.

He added that service chiefs and the inspector-general of police (IGP) have also granted full approval for the renewed operation.
“The FCT minister, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, has given complete support, especially in terms of logistics for this operation,” Dantawaye said.

“By the time we leave here today, the funds for fuelling and servicing of vehicles, as well as allowances for personnel, will have dropped into an account we can access.”

Operation Sweep

Operation Sweep

Dantawaye also said part of the renewed operation will focus on profiling individuals loitering around the city under the guise of begging, noting that some of them have been found to engage in criminal activities.
“We know that amongst the people who claim to be beggars, some are not exactly beggars. Most come with criminal intent,” he said.
“We are going to profile them and take off the streets those who are criminally minded, even if they claim to be beggars.”

He added that the police will work with relevant agencies, including the Abuja environmental protection board (AEPB), to determine the appropriate legal steps to manage street begging and ensure overall safety in the city.

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Abuja

Army Bosses To Wike: “The Soldier’s Reaction Is The Courage Of A Disciplined Soldier”

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Army Bosses To Wike

Army Bosses To Wike: “The Soldier’s Reaction Is The Courage Of A Disciplined Soldier”

Army Bosses to Wike: “The Soldier’s reaction is the courage of a disciplined soldier”. Here is the view of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) about the stand-off between Wike and Yerima in Abuja.

“Every soldier has an element of madness…
For while the right thinking man withdraws from danger, a soldier charges towards it

GENERAL OO OLUYEDE OFR

CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF”.

The Nigerian Defence Academy does not produce docile officers. The officer’s response reflects admirable composure and emotional intelligence-qualities that lie at the heart of military leadership training.

His ability to remain calm, firm, and respectful under verbal provocation demonstrates discipline and professionalism.

Army Bosses To Wike

Army Bosses To Wike

Nevertheless, it is both unfortunate and inappropriate for a federal minister to use such language toward a serving officer of the Armed Forces.

Public officials should model civility and restraint, especially when addressing those in uniform who embody national service and sacrifice”.

Notwithstanding, the case is subject to my scrutiny.

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Abuja

Orji Kalu Backs Trump, Says “Nigerian Christians Subjected To ‘Mass Slaughter’ By Jihadists”

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Orji Kalu Says

Orji Kalu Backs Trump, Says “Nigerian Christians Subjected To ‘Mass Slaughter’ By Jihadists”

Orji Kalu backs Trump, says “Nigerian Christians subjected to ‘mass slaughter’ by Jihadists”. Senator Orji Kalu has backed American President Donald Trump’s allegation that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for massacre by “Jihadists”.

Senator Orji Kalu has backed American President Donald Trump’s allegation that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for massacre by “Jihadists”.

Mr Kalu made this statement when asked on Tuesday at the National Assembly about his take on Mr Trump’s recent comments on alleged Christian genocide in the country.

“What Donald Trump said, “is it a lie? It is not a lie because Donald Trump said the Truth,” replied Mr Kalu.
In a social media post in October, Mr Trump said, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it.”

The senator noted, however, that “Nigerians are being killed, whether they are Christians or Muslims”.

“If they (terrorists) kill in Plateau, those they kill are Christians. If they go to Benue, the majority of people they’ll kill are Christians,” explained the former Abia governor. “If they go to Zamfara, the people they will kill in the mosque are Muslims. These people are jihadists. These people just want to destroy Nigeria. We should blacklist them without pity so that they will be smoked out.”

Mr Kalu added, “Before President Trump says a word, the American intelligence community must have found out where these terrorists are located. You can see that the Nigerian Air Force is already acting, possibly using information shared by the U.S. to bomb terrorist hideouts. That’s how it should be.”

Orji Kalu Says

Orji Kalu Says

Following up on his initial post, the U.S. president said, “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the k1lling of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”

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