Top News in Nigeria This Afternoon (8/11/2020)

Top News in Nigeria This Afternoon (8/11/2020)

Police arrest End SARS WhatsApp group administrators in Osun

The Osun State Police Command has arrested two administrators of End SARS WhatsApp group in the state.

According to DAILY POST report, the police are still hunting for some individuals in the End SARS WhatsApp group.

Recall that Nigeria youths last four weeks protested against police brutality, extra-judicial and bad governance in Nigeria.

The protest was hijacked by hoodlums and looting of private and public property erupted across the country.

One of the group’s admin, Fisayo who was released on bail while speaking with DAILY POST in a phone conversation said she was arrested alongside Babawale for being administrators of one of the major groups of the End SARS Movement in Osun State.

“We are on bail and will be reporting back to the station on Monday, ” she added.

When contacted, the state police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the arrest of the WhatsApp group admins.

Source: Daily Post

Protests: NARTO, NUPENG, NURTW demand compensation

Transporters and farmers under different groups have demanded compensation from the three tiers of government for the vehicles, produce, goods and lives that the EndSARS protesters caused their members to lose last month.

The groups are the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the NUPENG, National Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) and Amana Farmers and Grains Suppliers’ Association of Nigeria (AFGSAN).

They made their demands in a communique issued at the end of a meeting at the NARTO secretariat in it.

“We condemn the act of looting, arson, maiming and killing by hooligans and called on the government at all levels to identify, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators immediately.

“The Federal Government should intensify its war on bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and insurgents so that people can move from one place to another without any fear.

“Members are unanimously demanding that government at all levels should determine and pay compensations to all those whose vehicles, produce, goods and other assets were vandalized, stolen, or destroyed to alleviate their suffering.”

Source: The Nation

FG needs N6.26 trillion to fix 711 roads in 2021- Fashola

The Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola said to complete 711 highway projects in 2021, his ministry will require over N6.26 trillion.

The Minister said the 2021 budget provision of less than three hundred billion for the projects, was a drop in the ocean.

The Minister raised his concerns, during a 2021 budget defence session before the Rep. Abubakar Bichi-led Committee on Works.

“The sum of N77.955 billion was released to the highway (Works sector) from the budget aside the sum of N162.559 billion for the Sukuk issuance.

The Sukuk is to be drawn down for works certified only in respect of 44 roads and bridges and the Ministry is still awaiting the payment of the first tranche of N54.8 billion is for work done as at 16/10/2020.

“The ministry is currently administering 711 number of contracts nationwide and as of 1st October, 2020 the ministry has cumulative unpaid certificates in the sum of N392.020 on ongoing highway construction projects,” he noted.

He called for the amendment of the Public Procurement Act to accommodate small and medium construction companies, adding that the extant law does not provide for the award of contracts with low financial capacity.

Source: Vanguard

Kalu congratulates US President-elect Joe Biden

Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate Senator Orji Kalu has congratulated the candidate of the Democratic Party, Joe Biden, who emerged winner of the Presidential election in the United States of America (USA).

Describing the victory of Biden as a victory for the world, Kalu emphasised the role of the United States of America ( USA) in global development.

The business mogul turned politician, stressed that the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the USA has deepened over the years, adding that both entities have sustained their economic and political ties.

Kalu, while commending voters in the USA for their commitment to the democratic process, the former Governor urged the political class in Nigeria and other parts of the world, to emulate the democratic virtues of the USA.

“The electoral process demonstrated in the US presidential election is worth emulating by other countries across the globe.

“Democracy must be sustained in all parts of the world for the sake of global peace and stability.

“The victory of the candidate of the democratic party is indeed well-deserved, remarkable and historic.

“The duo of Biden and Harris have the goodwill to lead the USA.”

Source: The Sun