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Anambra State flags off construction of MTN-funded Nigeria’s pioneer smart road project

Charles Soludo, Anambra state governor
Funso Olojo 

A conclave of security and safety agencies in Anambra State including the Police, Navy, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) took place at the Conference Room of Police Headquarters Awka Saturday, June 8th,2024, where they brainstormed on how to superintend the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway currently under reconstruction.
This initiative is geared towards fulfilling the dream of a smart road that would serve the people and economy of the area.
The high-profile meeting which was at the behest of Crown Crest Global Engineers (CCGE) Ltd, the
Consultants to MTN Communication Nigeria Plc. on Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Community Liaison, was attended by the top brass of the various security and traffic management agencies in Anambra State.
Welcoming participants, the Anambra State Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fidelis Ogarabe who represented the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Obono Nnaghe Itam, expressed immense gratitude to MTN Nigeria for funding the road project which he saw as a crucial factor, since not everybody could afford to travel by air.
 He pledged the support of the Police in Anambra State towards the actualization of the objectives of the summit.
The Coordinator of the MTN/CCGE/Community Liaison Initiative (CLI), Dr. Reginald Facah, in his keynote address, enunciated the focus of the meeting which is bringing all stakeholders up to speed on the concept of a smart road and the expected roles of the various agencies in delivering a safe secure, standard and user-friendly road complete with all the modern technological accessories in keeping global standards.
 According to him: ” the smart road concept is the current trend in road traffic management and the Enugu – Onitsha road project being funded by MTN Communications Plc. promises to be Nigeria’s premier smart road where technological innovations would drive road and traffic management on the highway
 Speaking further he said that: “in line with global best practices, the safety and wellbeing of road-users, adjoining communities and the entire citizenry capture the main focus in the design, construction and operation of the new Enugu-Onitsha Highway.
“MTN Nigeria as the funder has continued to demonstrate absolute commitment to delivering a world-class project for the good of the people of Southeast and the Nigerian economy.
Key important elements that participants of this meeting must come to terms with include:‌user-friendly road, ‌absence of obstructions,‌smart thoroughfare imbued with a security system that is compliant with the road-users desires, ‌deployment of technology and eco-friendly systems to enhance security as well as the ‌relevance of mobile patrols as against fixed security checkpoints. ‌
The foregoing paved the way for the lead paper titled: titled “Concept of Smart Road and Smart Policing on a Modern Highway” delivered by a top brass from the FRSC, Deputy Corps Commander Regina Agbor Awasaam.
According to her, a smart road differs from every other highway in that it incorporates electronic technologies like autonomous vehicles, street lights, traffic lights, speed limit trackers, security camera systems, drones and ambulance services.
She noted that building and operating a truly smart road requires a lot of investment on the part of the government and the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders.
The lead paper was followed by a robust discussion segment during which Navy Captain MD Jarma, Commander Navy Base Onitsha; Deputy Corps Commander Okora  Awassan of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); Chief Superintendent of Corps Aguoji Ifeanyi of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps; DC Okeke Obinna, Director of Training and Emergency Response of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA); CSP Odumu Williams, Operations Officer of the Nigerian Police Force, Anambra State Command and DCP Fidelis Ogarabe, Nigerian Police force, Anambra State Command.
Also in attendance was Dr. Reginald Facah MTN/CCGE/CLI Coordinator;    Chinenye Okwuosa, MTN/CCGE/CLI Enugu State and Chimezie Ibedu, MTN/CCGE/CLI Anambra State.
Issues bordering on the type and frequency of security checkpoints, traffic management, prevailing security situation and the need to put the well-being of road users uppermost in operations were discussed during the parley.
The meeting arrived at the consensus for all the relevant agencies to work in tandem to make the road corridor safe, secure, efficient and convenient for usage by commuters and adjoining communities.
 The security agencies were of the opinion that for now and due to the security concerns in the southeast, static road checkpoints would remain in place; but would be systematically replaced by the mobile patrol road security as the road project is completed in phases.
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Customs

Group confers “continental” award on Adeniyi over customs’ phenomenal revenue record

Adeniyi, CGC
Funso OLOJO
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, C.G.C Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, has been nominated and approved to be honoured with “The Continent Man of The Year 2024” Award by Board of Editors and Publishers of Continent magazine.
This resolution was announced by the spokesman of the group, Mr David Oladimeji, at the end of group’s meeting held on Friday, September 13th, 2024 in Abuja.
The meeting was organized by” The Continent “Magazine to deliberate on a personality and organisation deserving of the Award.
The Board’s attention was drawn to the statement made recently by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (C.B.N) and sitting Governor of Anambra state, Prof Chukwuma Soludo,who told his constituents in Awka that the Customs and F.I.R.S have sustained the nation’s economy from collapse since February this year, when the NNPCL stopped remittance of statutory revenue to the Federation Account for onward disbursements to the three tiers of governments.
Oladimeji said “the Board noted that this is not an easy task to be achieved under the astute and dedicated leadership of C.G.C Adeniyi, considering the fact that the Customs and it’s officers have been perceived by the public as corrupt and fraudulent”
” In a bid to commend and encourage leaders of the customs and F.I.R.S as well as their lieutenants not to rest on their oars, the Board resolved to honour the C.G.C, his Command Controllers and Revenue Collectors who had made significant sacrifices and excelled in their national anti-smuggling, revenue collection assignments with “The Continent Man of The Year” and “Pillars of Nigerian Economy 2024″ Awards”
As plans are geared towards the  celebration of the international and national icons at a date to be announced soon, “The Continent” special edition will publish the profile and achievements of the deserving recipients that earned them recognition and honour.
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NIMASA secures support of Bank of Industry for enhanced capacity building in maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has broker a partnership with  the Bank of Industry (BOI) to enhance its capacity building effort in the maritime industry.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba, made this disclosure during a visit by the Management of the Bank of Industry, led by Executive Director of Large Enterprises, Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala.

 He stated, “In addition to safety, security, and maritime labor, the Agency’s mandate encompasses capacity development aimed at growing the sector.”
He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaboration as a vital tool for achieving its mandate.

“The aim is to actualize the vision of the Federal Government to reposition the maritime sector, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, he said.

On her part, the Executive Director of Large Enterprises at BOI, Mrs. Uz’Okpala, affirmed the Bank’s readiness to support NIMASA.

She also emphasized the importance of collaboration in implementing a robust capacity-building initiative that will contribute to economic growth in Nigeria.

Bank of Industry Limited is Nigeria’s oldest and largest Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently in operation.

It is owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.80%), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (5.19%) and private shareholders (0.01%)

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Headlines

NIMASA secures support of Bank of Industry for enhanced capacity building in maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has broker a partnership with  the Bank of Industry (BOI) to enhance its capacity building effort in the maritime industry.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba, made this disclosure during a visit by the Management of the Bank of Industry, led by Executive Director of Large Enterprises, Mrs. Ifeoma Uz’Okpala.

 He stated, “In addition to safety, security, and maritime labor, the Agency’s mandate encompasses capacity development aimed at growing the sector.”
He also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to collaboration as a vital tool for achieving its mandate.

“The aim is to actualize the vision of the Federal Government to reposition the maritime sector, especially with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, he said.

On her part, the Executive Director of Large Enterprises at BOI, Mrs. Uz’Okpala, affirmed the Bank’s readiness to support NIMASA.

She also emphasized the importance of collaboration in implementing a robust capacity-building initiative that will contribute to economic growth in Nigeria.

Bank of Industry Limited is Nigeria’s oldest and largest Development Finance Institution (DFI) currently in operation.

It is owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) Nigeria (94.80%), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (5.19%) and private shareholders (0.01%).

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