Business News
Kano-Niger rail line will service landlocked countries around Nigeria – Amaechi
Speaking during a televised interview, Minister Rotimi Amaechi has highlighted the benefits of the proposed Kano-Niger rail line.
The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi says that the Kano-Niger rail, is favorable to Nigeria as it would enable Nigeria to service landlocked West African nations through the movement of cargoes to Lagos and also make Nigeria compete with other coastal West African nations.
The Minister made this known in an interview with Arise TV on Thursday evening.
READ: Lagos-Ibadan railway will be completed on or before January 2021 – Rotimi Amaechi
People ask about the commercial benefits of the Kano – Maradi rail line. With that line we can compete favourably with other coastal countries of West Africa in servicing the landlocked countries around us in the area of movement of cargoes, to make the Lagos seaports very viable pic.twitter.com/rCBkSg2ObJ
— Chibuike.R. Amaechi (@ChibuikeAmaechi) October 1, 2020
READ: China Development Bank, Sanwo-Olu sign $629m facility to complete Lekki Deep Seaport
Nairametrics reported last week that the Federal Executive Council has approved the disbursement of $1.96 billion, for the railway line from Kano in Nigeria to Maradi in Niger Republic.
Mr. Amaechi said; “Most coastal economies are competing better than us, in terms of cargo, we decided to join the market and compete to make the Lagos seaport viable. Since they ( Niger republic) are not going to use the roads because they are afraid of crime, customs and police checkpoints, we introduced the Kano-Maradi line so that they can convey their goods from Maradi to Lagos seaport”.
READ: China Development Bank, Sanwo-Olu sign $629m facility to complete Lekki Deep Seaport
The Minister added that the FG is looking forward to the approval of the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri rail line by the cabinet hopefully by next week. The Bonny Seaport is already approved by the President, while Lagos – Calabar is still on the table.
We are looking forward to the approval of the Port Harcourt – Maiduguri rail line by cabinet hopefully by next week, with the Bonny Seaport already approved by the President. Lagos – Calabar is still on the table. pic.twitter.com/NhQYnofSvQ
— Chibuike.R. Amaechi (@ChibuikeAmaechi) October 1, 2020
Economy & Politics
Breaking: Senatorial, State House of Assembly bye-elections postponed – INEC
Senatorial and State House of Assembly bye-elections slated to hold on October 31 in 11 states have been postponed by INEC.
The 6 Senatorial and 9 State House of Assembly bye-elections slated to hold on October 31 in 11 states of the Federation has been postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The vacancies were as a result of death and resignation of previous members.
According to the statement issued by its National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye Esq., INEC said the decision was taken after meeting with the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Thursday.
Breaking News: #INEC Postpones Bye Elections in 6 Senatorial Districts, 9 State Constituencies. pic.twitter.com/RWiUomBsC6
— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) October 22, 2020
Though the commission did not categorically state the reason for the postponement, feelers are that it may not be unconnected with the raging #EndSARS protests across the nation.
Details shortly…
ENDSARS
#EndSARS: President Buhari issues stern warning to hoodlums
The President has issued a warning to hoodlums who have hijacked the #EndSARS protest to promote unrest.
President Buhari, in his state of the Nation address to Nigerians this evening has warned hoodlums and the conflict entrepreneurs who have hijacked the #EndSARS protest to promote unrest.
The President explained that the choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution and other enactments.
“I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),” he said.
President Muhammad Buhari frowned against the desperate and inhumane actions of mobsters, arsonists and hoodlums which has led to the loss of human lives, sexual violence, attacks on correctional facilities, as well as public and private properties which were completely destroyed or vandalized.
He explained that these bad actions will not be tolerated, as it is not in line with the legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of the country. He reiterated that the Government shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens, are protected.
What you should know from the President’s State of the Nation address
The President reiterated that the government has the obligation to protect lives and properties, and ensure that the citizens go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.
However, he appealed to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.
The President, however, warned the youth that doing otherwise will amount to undermining national security as well as law and order, which under no circumstances will be tolerated.
President Buhari thus called on the youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage the government in finding solutions, as their voices have been heard loud and clear.
ENDSARS
#EndSARS: President Buhari tells Youths to discontinue street protests
The President has advised the protesters to discontinue the street protests, but rather, engage the government in finding solutions.
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the #EndSARS protesters to discontinue their street protests and rather constructively engage the government in finding solutions.
The President disclosed this during his national broadcast on Thursday.
He said, “I call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.
“The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.
“And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect.”
The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; …
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 22, 2020
Breaking: Senatorial, State House of Assembly bye-elections postponed – INEC
#EndSARS: President Buhari issues stern warning to hoodlums
#EndSARS: President Buhari tells Youths to discontinue street protests
#EndSARS: President Buhari asks international community not to make hasty decisions on developments
Breaking: Some Nigerians mistook promptness of FG response as sign of weakness – Buhari
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Daily Parallel Market Exchange Rate – ₦461/$1
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