Former Head of State calls for intermodal transport for ports’ efficiency

Abuja – A former Head of State, Retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Monday called for intermodal transportation system to improve cargo evacuation and the overall efficiency of the country’s ports.
Abubakar made the call at the first regional conference of the International African Ports and Harbour (IAPH) themed: “African Ports and Hinterland Connectivity,” in Abuja. Abubakar, who chaired the conference, said ports investors should tap the opportunities in connecting the ports with the hinterlands through various means of transportation.

“We can now imagine African potential if there are visible means of transportation connecting the entire countries. “There is need for the development of the supply chains for the hinterlands through optimal utilisation of the rail, road and waterways as viable mechanisms for conveying cargoes to various locations. “African countries should also include the strategy of hinterland connectivity in their ports’ master plans in order to ensure seamless evacuation of cargoes at the ports, ” Abubakar said. He stressed the need to improve the movement of cargoes to various destinations to remove the existing gridlock on ports’ access roads. The former head of state added that funding was paramount in achieving the main objective of hinterland connectivity. He urged participants to come out with innovative strategies and practical methods that would facilitate the efficiency of hinterland connectivity. In his goodwill message, the Olu of Warri, Ogiamen Ikenwoli, said the movement of cargoes through rivers and sea was the bedrock of industrial development and rapid growth. He commended the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, for making Niger/Delta rivers vibrant, and appreciated the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for working to improve hinterland connectivity. The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who was represented by Chief Nurudeen Agoro, the Ojomu of Lagos, urged government to decongest the port access roads, which he said extended to major roads in Lagos. Akiolu said the constant traffic logjam on Lagos roads had affected the business operations of the city. The traditional ruler urged government to improve on the interland connectivity in order to stop the gridlock caused by trailers parking on the highways.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/former-head-of-state-calls-for-intermodal-transport-for-ports-efficiency/

Boko Haram’s killing of aid worker extreme barbarism – Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the heinous and despicable killing of Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, an aid worker, describing the act as extreme barbarism.
Saifura was kidnapped about six months ago at the Rann camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) by Boko Haram terrorists. The terrorists have equally threatened to harm others, including the lone Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu, still in their custody. In his reaction, President Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said: “The government of Nigeria strongly condemns this reprehensible and inhuman act. “No religion permits the killing of the innocent. Saifura who worked for the Red Cross, a humanitarian organization tirelessly working to bring succor to all the victims of violence irrespective of the sides of the conflict.” The President also appealed  to Nigeria’s international partners and everyone with an influence on the terrorists to prevail on them “to stop these acts of extreme barbarism.” He assured that his administration will seize every given opportunity, with both arms and to use all means available to bring home all citizens held against their will by the Boko Haram terrorists. President Buhari extended condolences to the family of Saifura, the Red Red Cross and UNICEF over the loss of this selfless and hardworking mother.

EFCC did not freeze Adelekes’ accounts – Spokesman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied freezing the bank accounts of Senator Ademola Adeleke and those of his family members, including popular musician, Davido. 

Adeleke is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 22 governorship election in Osun.

Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement on Sunday, said media publications alleging the account freeze by the EFCC were false.

“The commission calls on members the public to disregard the report, which is patently false and contrived to dress the agency with a partisan garb in the unfolding political contest in Osun State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did the EFCC place a freeze order on any account belonging to members of the Adeleke family.

“The purported freeze order which has unfortunately been amplified by pliable sections of the media without any attempt at confirmation, is alien to the commission and another example of fake news.

“The EFCC frowns at the seeming attempts by faceless forces to drag it into the political fray,” he said.