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Minister Confirm Abuja Rail Transit Project Is 5% Away From Completion—-The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike says the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) project is 95 per cent completed and will be ready for inauguration in May.

Wike stated this when the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Pieter Leenknegt, visited him in Abuja on Wednesday.

The minister explained that the feat was part of efforts to improve public transportation in the federal capital, Abuja.

“When we came on board, we found out that the Abuja Light Rail was not functional and we felt that it will be a good thing for the people, if we decongest the city by putting it to function.

“So, President Bola Tinubu directed that whatever can be done, should be done, so that in his one year in office, the light rail will come on board for the use of the residents.

“The people can use it going out of the city, going to the airport and other area councils, and instead of going with their vehicles they can take the train.

“I can announce to you that we are almost there. The company handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is almost 95 per cent completed.

“By the grace of God, we believe that in May, Mr President will inaugurate it,” the minister said.

Wike added that discussion was on-going with private investors to change the mode of public transportation in the FCT.

He acknowledged that the deficit in public transportation constituted a security challenge in the city, adding that most of the operators were not registered.

He expressed concern that most residents did not know the vehicle they were boarding, adding that efforts were on-going to ensure all public transport operators were registered.

The minister added that the government had concluded plans to build taxi and bus terminals where residents could patronise registered and identified operators.

He further said that the construction of the terminals would commence in the next one month, with the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

The minister also said that discussion was on-going with the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Services, and cattle herders on ways to stop open grazing in the city.

He explained that the discussion was to get the herders to understand why they should not rear cattle within the city.

“I can tell you that it is not what we want, but believing that the matter will be resolved and alternative will be provided for the herders to rear their cattle,” he said.

Wike also sought partnership with the Belgian government on security and agriculture.

Earlier, the Ambassador said that the visit was to get to know the minister’s plans in mass public transportation, update on the Abuja Light Rail project and the stand on open grazing in the city.

Leenknegt expressed satisfaction with developments in the FCT, particularly the green vegetation and trees as well as less traffic.

He said that the Belgian government was open for partnership on areas of mutual benefits.

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JUST IN: Kellyrae Wins BBNaija Season 9 No Loose Guard N100m Grand Prize [VIDEO]

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Kellyrae

JUST IN: Kellyrae Wins BBNaija Season 9 No Loose Guard N100m Grand Prize [VIDEO]—-Kellyrae, Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ housemate, has been crowned winner of the season.

TCN reports that Kellyrae was announced with on the 71st day of the show.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, host of the show, Ebuka, announced the winner on Sunday.

The eight housemates who made it to the finals were Soj, Anita, Nelly, Onyeka, Wanni, Victoria and Ozee.

As the competition winner, Kellyrae goes home with N100m of prizes.

Watch the moment below

Click HERE to watch

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Bobrisky: NCoS Anticipate Investigation outcome, Clarifies Inmate Admission Process

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Bobrisky

Bobrisky: NCoS Anticipate Investigation outcome, Clarifies Inmate Admission Process—-The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed an ongoing investigation into allegations surrounding convicted cross dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky’s accommodation, with findings pending.

Abubakar Umar, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

Umar also highlighted the service’s commitment to rehabilitation and safety through its comprehensive inmate admission process.

NAN recalls that Bobrisky was convicted for mutilating the naira in April and was sentenced to six months in jail.

NAN also reports that Mr Vincent Otse, social media influencer and human rights activist known as Very Dark Man (VDM) published an audio recording which captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he spent his jail term in a private apartment.

The audio also captured Bobrisky allegedly saying that he paid N15 million to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials to drop charges of money laundering against him.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, On Monday, Sept. 30,  inaugurated an independent investigative panel to prove allegations of corruption and gross violations of standard operating procedures within the NCoS.

The Minister Of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who inaugurated the committee said that the committee must also look at the recent allegations that some correctional service personnel had provided alternative accomodation for Bobrisky.

Umar, however, explained that inmates undergo comprehensive assessments to determine security risks, needs, and responsivity issues when brought to custodial centres.

According to him, the admission board evaluates each inmate to ensure safe housing and effective rehabilitation.

Umar who, outlined the service’s rigorous admission process for inmates, added that adherence to human rights principles through the approach was also paramount.

“Well, upon conviction of every offender from court, either awaiting trial or convicted, once they are brought to our facility, there is a process they go through before and during admission.

“Let me say during admission, there is what we call admission board, which comprises the officer in charge, the second in command, the medical officer in charge of the custodial center, the record officer and other relevant officers.

“They will go through the information contained therein in the warrants, also, before he will be allocated cell, there is what we call, determination of security.

“Determination of security refers to one’s risk assessment. The person risks self harm, safety of other inmate and officers. We also have what we call needs assessment, which is focused on criminogenic need areas.

“These are behaviours that may cause, criminal behavioural and other criminological needs.These are the things that we look into before an inmate is allocated cell.

“Furthermore, we also look at what we refer to as responsivity issues. There are things that can affect his participation in intervention or make it difficult for him to adjust to custodial life.

“So, having worked all this in, then it will be determined which cell such inmates will be allocated to,”he maintained.

According to Umar, during Bobrisky’s court appearance and subsequent admission to our facility, he was asked to declare his gender and he identified himself as male, but do not forget that, there are some other features that are on him.

“So because of those determination, I mean, what I refer to as classification and also determination of security of the custodial center, he was given an appropriate cell where he was kept.

“This is to also ensure that, he is not under threat within our custodial centers and he is kept safe also.

“Well, one thing I want to say here is that, the Minister of interior, has set up a committee to investigate the said alleged Bobrisky staying outside our custodial center.

“So until the determination of such or the outcome of such investigations, I think we should let it rest.

“I am only telling you that once an inmate or people are convicted, or are brought to our custodial centres, we have a standard of treatment to them during admission.

“They will be put through checks and these checks guide us on determination of security of such person both to the person and to the custodial center.

“But as to whether he was kept in our custodial facilities or he was kept outside the facility, until the determination of the outcome of the investigation on the allegations, I won’t be able to speak further on that,”he maintained.

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