News
Operation zero potholes: FG, Kogi partners for free flow of traffic during yuletide
The Federal Controller of Works Kogi State, Engr Kojogbola J. Olatunde has announced the intention of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to partner with Kogi State Ministry of Works to deliver on the “Operation Zero Potholes” agenda of His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello in this Yuletide season.
Engr Kojogbola made this known today in Lokoja while receiving delegation of the Honorable Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar S. Ohere, led by the Head of Civil Department, Engr Simon Oguche.
Earlier Engr Oguche revealed that his Team was here according to the directive of the Honorable Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar Ohere to ascertain the condition of Highways and work progress in the State as the Christmas period is fast approaching. “Most especially work progress on Murtala Bridge in Janata.” He added.
Oguche further reiterated that the passion of Governor Yahaya Bello to deliver on the ” Let’s Do More” mantra on road infrastructures in the State is keenly driving us in the State Ministry of Works and Housing.
Recall that Governor Yahaya Bello on a working visit to the site at Janata expressed dismay when he was informed that the removal of surface asphalt on the Murtala Bridge has taken three months without substantial progress on work done
The Governor after making his enquiry from site Engineers however, assured that the Federal Government would give immediate attention to the road as he would convey the slow pace of work to the respective quarters.
Responding, Engr Kojogbola said he is working assiduously to make sure there would be no Pothole on all the Federal Highways in the State before the Yuletide season.
He further hinted that all the flash points in the State are currently receiving serious attention including the Jamata Bridge.
” Serious work is ongoing at Felele road, even on Ajaokuta road, we have commenced asphalt overlay and on Lokoja-Ganaja road contractors have been mobilized to site with three months duration to complete”
Kojogbola also assured that Jamata Bridge Will be opened in the festive period for free flow of traffic.
Asked whether the section1of Ganaja road will be done before the festive period, the controller said the particular place that the road was over-flown by water to opposite side was the section 1 and because the contractor was not ready to commence his job, the contract was revoked and a new contractor will commence work soon.
The controller further said “seeing the effort of both the State Governor and the Honorable Commissioner for Works, we will also join the “operation zero Potholes” agenda of the state”
At Jamata, the representative of the contractor on site, Engr Martins Adeyinka noted that his job is not just scarification of asphaltic wearing course but total overhauling of the Bridge which will take two years before completion.
Engr Martins hinted that for the sake of the festive period, his Company is working both day and night to make all the road users happy, noting that before the end of the first week of December, everybody will have smooth drive on the the both Lanes of the road.
Martins revealed that the pressure from the road users would not make him do substandard job, stressing that the installation of Expansion Joint and the abutment alone will take alot of time but because of the Yuletide season “we shall extend all of that to the month January for free traffic flow on the both sides of the road”
In the same vein, at Gitto Project site in Felele, The project Director Engr Frank Rizzo also revealed his work plan and the timeline for this festive period.
He promised to make the road passable on both Lanes for the travellers in this Yuletide season.
Engr Rizzo apologized for his slowness on the job but attributed the cause to the presence of underground water which was later stabilized by addition of sharp sand.
He assured the Team that the road will be opened to traffic on both sides with upto four kilometers asphalt overlay before the second week of December.
Finally, the Team Leader, Engineer Oguche charged the contractors to be more committed to their jobs stressing that the only thing that is expected of them is quick and thorough job that could make an accident free road in this festive period.
We are nearing the endgame leading to an attack on Iran’s nuclear program – or to serious new nuclear negotiations.
US President Donald Trump against backdrop of Iranian missile (illustration).(photo credit: Canva/DavorLovincic, Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker)
It’s been several weeks since US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran giving it two months to arrive with him to a nuclear deal or it would likely face military force.
No one knows exactly how Trump will calculate the deadline: two months from when the letter was sent, two months from when the Islamic Republic received the letter, two months from when it responded, or two months from when talks may start.
But after Trump’s deadline, European countries Germany, France, and England (the E-3), set June as a deadline for Tehran to reach a nuclear deal lest it face global sanctions being snapped back on it according to a provision of the 2015 nuclear deal it signed with the West.
So whether his deadline is early May or closer to early June like the E-3, we are down to one to two months for a new Iran nuclear deal or for some significant interim progress sufficient to extend the deadline.
Why is Iran facing increased pressure on its nuclear program?
The increased tensions are not just based on Trump’s deadline threat.
In recent days, including again on Sunday, Trump threatened Tehran more explicitly with being attacked, including, “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.”
His latest threat was also unusually ambiguous in that some interpreted it not merely as giving Israel a green light to strike the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, but potentially having the US participate as well.
In a different atmosphere this might be seen as a bluff, but Trump has put forth a large and sustained series of airstrikes against the Houthis of Yemen now for multiple weeks.
This, and the fact that Trump ordered the targeted assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the former Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force chief, in 2020, makes the threat of US participation on some level suddenly real.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei not turning the other cheek
Meanwhile, Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not turning the other cheek.
He and his lieutenants have said unmistakably that if their nuclear program is struck by anyone, even if it is “just” by Israel, that they will retaliate by attacking every single US base in the region.
They then went out of their way to broaden that definition to even include bases the US shares with other countries, such as the UK Diego Garcia Base in the Indian Ocean and American bases even in countries like Turkey.
This would be in addition to the more obvious US troops in Middle Eastern countries like Syria, and in addition to attacking Israel and Gulf countries like the Saudis, all of whom Khamenei has ordered attacked in the past.
Iran is signaling in public that it will make no new concessions beyond what it was willing to make to the Biden administration and that it will not negotiate under pressure, but the fact is that it is saying it will consider indirect negotiations at a time that Trump is threatening it will bombing and instituting a host of tougher sanctions.
Khamenei knew that Biden would try to hold Netanyahu back from attacking Iran’s nuclear program as he did on April 19, 2024 and October 26, 2024.
However, he also knows that either Trump will definitely give Netanyahu the green light to attack at some point if there is no deal, or is deeply worried that Trump would approve such a dramatic game-changing strike.
Not only that, but with Iran’s five S-300 air defense systems all destroyed by Israel in 2024, it knows that the Israeli air force’s capability to destroy or deeply harm and delay the nuclear program has moved from a difficult challenge to being close to a certainty.
Also, Khamenei has seen that Israel was able to shoot down most of its hundreds of ballistic missiles on two separate occasions. Does Khamenei really think his threats of a ballistic missile response will block Israel or the US or both from acting?
All of this makes negotiations much more likely.
Real negotiations between US, Iran will have to begin next month
In terms of when Khamenei must start negotiations and by when he would need to agree to a sufficient enough interim deal to gain a further reprieve, this is harder to say.
Probably real negotiations need to start in around the next month.
Reaching an interim deal could drag out longer, until September, given that the global sanctions snapback does not expire until October and that Trump’s deadline was somewhat arbitrary.
But there is no question that we are either nearing the end game leading to an attack on Iran’s nuclear program or to serious new nuclear negotiations which will kick the can down the road a few months, but not much farther than that.
The clock is ticking.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle extends heartfelt congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his 73rd birthday. The Minister commended the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the realm of national security, which has been bolstered by the unwavering dedication of the Nigerian Military.
Dr. Matawalle acknowledged the President’s exceptional leadership and decisive actions that have significantly enhanced the safety and security of Nigerians across the nation in a remarkably short period. He stated, “President Tinubu has taken bold and transformative steps that are already yielding positive results in our collective pursuit of peace and safety.”
The Minister emphasized that history will undoubtedly recognize President Tinubu for his courageous and intentional efforts to reset and reposition the country across various sectors for a brighter future. The positive outcomes of these initiatives are becoming increasingly evident.
“On this special occasion of his birthday,” Dr. Matawalle continued, “I, on behalf of my family, the Ministry of Defence, and all Nigerians, wish the President long life, good health, and the fortitude to continue making the courageous decisions necessary for our nation’s development during this pivotal time.”
Your transformative policies strengthens our faith in Nigeria. Mr President, I salute your excellence.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has arrived the ancient city of Kano on a condolence visit over the gruesome killing of 16 hunters on Thursday 27th March, 2025.
The governor was received by his counterpart inKano, Abba Yusugu o Monday afternoon.
Earlier, Governor Okpebholo visited the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau whomis also an indegene of Kano, disclosing that 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing.
According to him, those arrested have been moved to Abuja for further interrogation.
Okpebholo was received in Kano by Governor Abba Yusuf and some of his cabinet members.
-
Foreign1 week agoHouthis declare Ben-Gurion Airport ‘no longer safe’ after renewed Gaza fighting
-
Security2 days agoNew Commissioner of Police in Niger, Elleman sends strong warning to criminals
-
News2 days agoKogi Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo salutes Tinubu at 74
-
News1 day agoAbia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
-
News1 week agoUmeh denies receiving $10,000 with other 42 Senators to support state of emergency in Rivers
-
News2 days agoPlateau LP stakeholders endorses Barr Gyang Zi’s defection to APC
-
Sports1 week ago2026 World Cup Race: Ekong says Eagles feel great to be back in contention
-
News1 week agoAgain, explosion rocks gas facility in Rivers