Connect with us

Economy

Umahi Calls for Stronger Multimodal Transport System, Says Roads Infrastructure Remain Backbone of Nigeria’s Economic Development

Published

on

Umahi

Umahi Calls for Stronger Multimodal Transport System, Says Roads Infrastructure Remain Backbone of Nigeria’s Economic Development

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq.,has called for a stronger collaboration amongst stakeholders in the road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors to develop an efficient, intermodal transportation system capable of driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Eereporter.com

Goronyo made the call on Wednesday 2 September, 2026 at the 19th National Council on Transportation with the theme, “Developing Effective Transportation Systems for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation,” in Abuja.

He described roads and bridges as essential lifelines of trade, commerce, and human mobility, noting that robust, expanded, and durable road networks connect rural agricultural communities with urban markets, facilitate access to seaports and rail terminals, and enable mobility across the country.

The Minister of State said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was giving unprecedented attention to infrastructure development through the Renewed Hope Agenda, with substantial investments and innovative financing mechanisms being deployed.

He highlighted the Federal Government’s major road infrastructure projects, particularly its four legacy projects, which cut across the six geopolitical zones.
These include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja (Trans-Sahara) Highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri-Yola corridor with a spur from Jos to Ibi in Taraba State. Goronyo explained that the projects were designed not merely as road construction initiatives but as strategic investments that would promote connectivity, stimulate commerce, create employment opportunities, and strengthen national integration.

They are investments that will earn carbon credits for the country through the use of environmentally friendly cement instead of asphalt in construction, the building of dams for irrigation and renewable energy, solar-powered street lighting, and windmill technology along the littoral corridor.

According to him, the completion of the projects would significantly ease transportation across the geopolitical zones, enable farmers to move their produce to markets faster, improve industrial access to raw materials and markets, and provide safer and more comfortable movement for Nigerians. He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Works was also embracing rigid pavement technology as part of efforts to construct durable roads capable of withstanding heavy traffic and high water tables, thereby reducing road failures.

Goronyo said the approach was particularly important given the pressure placed on the nation’s roads by heavy-duty vehicles, emphasising that effective rail transportation would complement this by moving a significant portion of the heavy freight.

The Minister of State also urged Nigerians to protect public infrastructure, warning against vandalism, and theft of road and bridge furniture, and other critical assets. He called on communities to take ownership of the infrastructure in their areas and assist government agencies in protecting public assets.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, commended the Federal Government for the level of resources being committed to road infrastructure under President Tinubu. He described road infrastructure as critical to national development, adding that no country achieved sustainable economic growth without a good road network.

He applauded the theme of the Council as timely, as it provided an opportunity for stakeholders in land, water and air transportation to harmonise policies and develop a sustainable intermodal transportation strategy for the country.

He assured that the National Assembly would continue to support initiatives aimed at developing a reliable and efficient transport network across the country.

Representing the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, at the Council, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Abdullahi Idi, highlighted significant progress recorded in Nigeria’s aviation sector under the present administration.

He stated that the administration had focused on improving aviation safety and security, upgrading infrastructure, supporting local airlines, developing human capacity, strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional aviation hub.

According to him, Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation score of 91.45 per cent in the April 2026 ICAO Safety Audit, describing the result as a significant milestone for the sector. He revealed that the administration was also reviewing and strengthening Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with strategic international partners to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and tourism, attract investment and create employment opportunities.

He stressed that the ultimate measure of success would be the extent to which aviation policies translate into jobs, investment, trade, tourism, affordable connectivity, increased cargo capacity and sustainable economic growth.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, FNSE, disclosed that the Ministry was working towards strengthening enforcement mechanisms leveraging technology to ensure that traffic offences were properly captured and sanctioned. He explained that technological systems would enable the authorities to identify vehicles and drivers involved in traffic offences and facilitate the prompt enforcement of penalties.

Adebiyi said the objective was to develop a system where offenders would not easily evade penalties, while ensuring that due process was followed before sanctions are imposed. He reassured that the proposed measures were aimed at improving compliance, road safety and responsible driving behaviour across the country.

A representative of Global Foremost Impressions Ltd., Prof. Emmanuel Chijioke Ogbonna, described the integrated transportation model being promoted by the Federal Government as innovative and transformative.

He said the discussions at the Council had provided valuable insights into how the integration of road, rail and other transportation modes could address Nigeria’s transportation challenges. Ogbonna expressed optimism that effective implementation of the policy would transform Nigeria’s transportation sector and deliver a more efficient, affordable, safe and seamless transport system.

Umahi

Ministry of Works

The 19th National Council on Transportation brought together key stakeholders from the road, rail, aviation, maritime and other related sectors to deliberate on policies and strategies for developing an efficient, integrated and sustainable transportation system for Nigeria.

The Council reaffirmed the commitment of stakeholders to greater collaboration, strategic investment, and coordinated policy implementation towards building a seamless transportation system capable of supporting economic growth, national integration and improved quality of life for Nigerians.

Mohammed A. Ahmed,*
Director, Information and Public Relations.
3rd November, 2026.
Eereporter.com

Crime

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

Published

on

By

Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers

The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com

The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.

The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations

Troops Destroy 56 Illegal Refining Sites

Oil

The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.

ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO

Navy Captain

Director Naval Information

Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com

Continue Reading

Economy

NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation

Published

on

By

NNPC

NNPC Ltd Offers N66 Fuel Discount Throughout the Nation

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has unveiled a nationwide ₦66 fuel discount promotion for customers using the NNPC Fuel App.
Eereporter.com

In a post obtained from its X handle on Friday, the promotion, which runs from October 1 to 7, is being held across NNPC stations nationwide as part of activities marking the period.

“The ₦66 Discount Promo is ongoing & the excitement is already happening across our stations nationwide!

“All over Nigeria, our customers are getting in on the action & there’s still time for you to benefit!

The promo runs from 1–7 October on the NNPC Fuel App,” the post read.

NNPC said customers across the country have already begun participating in the promotion, with highlights from the first day showing activities at several stations.

“Keep fueling, keep transacting and keep your eyes on our pages,” the post read.

NNPC

NNPC

NNPC also shared moments from the first day of the promotion and said more pictures and activities from stations across the country would be released.

The company urged customers not to miss the opportunity to participate before the promotion ends on October 7.

The ₦66 discount offer is available through the NNPC Fuel App during the stated promotional period.
Eereporter.com

Continue Reading

Economy

President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You

Published

on

By

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

President Tinubu Tells EFCC: You Have Justified my Confidence in You

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the efforts and performance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country, stressing that it has justified the confidence reposed on it.
Eereporter.com

He gave this commendation on Friday, October 2, 2026 in Awka, Anambra State at the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. The President pointed out that there are evidential proofs of the success of the Commission in convictions, recoveries and other landmark achievements

Represented by Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker, House of Representatives, Tinubu noted that “supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult. The agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed on it is well founded. Without mincing words, the evidential proof of the EFCC’s success speaks loudly in convictions secured, assets and properties recovered”

He affirmed that the strides of the Commission are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

“When we came in three years ago, I highlighted nine major focal areas of my administration. Two of which are reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth and promotion of good governance. The anti-graft agency compliments this agenda as they are focused on accountability and transparency and appropriate deployment of resources”, he said.

At the commissioning, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede restated the commitment of the Commission to preventive frameworks in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in the country.

According to him, the Commission will continue its focus on making corrupt practices difficult by blocking avenues through which they may happen.

“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, it will be high on corruption prevention. It will engage government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and communities. It will educate stakeholders, build relationships and mobilise the people to own the fight against all forms of corrupt practices in the zone”, he said

He assured Nigerians that the EFCC would not relent in the pursuit of its mandate, recalling the achievements of the Commission in the last 34 months and describing them as impressive progress.

“The pursuit of our mandate has been our dominant engagement and in the past few years, we have made impressive progress. Between October 2023 and July 2026, the Commission received 49, 673 petitions, investigated 39, 615 cases, filed 14, 476 cases in court and secured 10, 872 convictions. This gives a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 percent. In the first half of 2026 alone, we recorded 1, 370 convictions from 1, 889 filings. The Commission also recorded recoveries of N1, 233, 612, 040, 411. 11, $684, 478, 457. 32, £373, 905. 78, €9, 343, 803. 66 inn addition to recoveries in other currencies”, he said.

He noted that at the institutional level, the Commission has made radical reforms that have been yielding optimal results as there are consequential improvements in the agency’s processes and procedures, which partly explains the impacts the EFCC has made and will continue to make in all the matrices of law enforcement.

“Reforms that have strengthened the Commission during the period include new guidelines on arrest and bail, a review of sting operations, the establishment of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, the Security Department, the Immigration and Visa Section and the Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre”, he said.

While charging Ndi Anambra on whistleblowing, the anti-graft czar said that the Commission has established channels through which members of the public can submit petitions and provide information. He noted that the Commission’s Eagle Eye App allows citizens to provide details of suspected wrongdoing and makes the provision of an informant’s personal details optional. “However, whistleblowing must be responsible and based on facts. It must not become an instrument for settling scores”, he said.

EFCC Arraigns Gidado Ibrahim

EFCC

He thereafter said that Anambra and Imo States deserve effective and responsive institutional presence as they are renowned for enterprise, innovation, commerce and an extraordinary culture of industry, adding that these legitimate activities must be protected from fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud, diversion of public resources and other forms of economic and financial crimes. “Therefore, our coming to Awka is beyond geographical expansion. It is about taking the mandate of the EFCC closer to the people and closer to the economic activities we are meant to protect”, he said.

In their remarks, His Excellencies, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State and Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State said that they were pleased with the activities and management of the EFCC under the leadership of Olukoyede. They pledged their support to the Commission as it opened a new Zonal Directorate in their domain.

The commissioning of the new Directorate witnessed massive turn out of distinguished Nigerians, including members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, community leaders, students, media among others.
Eereporter.com

Continue Reading

Trending