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Minister Orders Removal of Speed Breakers on Highways Nationwide

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The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has ordered the removal of speed bumps on the country’s highways to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on major roads.

Umahi gave the directive during a two-day Retreat for Federal Ministry of Works Highway Engineers and Managerial Staff on Friday in Abuja.

The retreat with the theme “Ensuring Delivery of Mr President‘s Agenda on Road Infrastructural Development,” was organised by the ministry.

The minister said the order to dismantle the speed bumps was necessary because some were haphazardly done causing accidents and elongating travel time.

“I came through one of the federal routes and for a journey that is supposed to last like one hour within that stretch, it lasted like three hours because  every 20 metres you will see a bump.

“Although there is nothing wrong with speed bumps in certain designated locations. But there is an approved technical design for bumps.

“There are also allowable locations for bumps and that is what we want to do. So the National Assembly has directed that these speed bumps should be dismantled.”

Umahi said the ministry had noticed some speed bumps were a menace and causing multiple accidents and deaths.

“Some speed bumps are high, touching the bottom plates of vehicles; that is not desirable. It defeats the aim.

“So, this is what we are saying; and that is what the National Assembly is saying; the ministry as well as motorists want them to dismantle it.”

Umahi said subsequently for any speed bump to be constructed, applications would be made  to controllers for the locations through the Permanent Secretary and to the minister for approval after meeting technical compliance.

He added that there must also be a safe side distance of not less than 100 metres and warning for motorists to beware.

Speaking on infrastructure development, Umahi said President Bola Tinubu’s massive infrastructure development is aimed at providing the much needed impetus to stimulate the economy and improve the lives of the citizenry.

He therefore, said the retreat is aimed at educating  participants to properly understand the president’s renewed hope agenda with specific reference to road infrastructure development among others.

The Minister of State for Works, Mr Bello Goronyo, commended the president’s infrastructure development agenda, saying that it was putting  smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

“Let me  urge you to use the knowledge that you will acquire today in ensuring that you come up to speed with the modern technologies and innovation  so that our country will be better in terms of roads, infrastructure.

“Without the road infrastructure, there cannot be economic growth, and there cannot be prosperity,” he said.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Olufunso Adebiyi,  said the Federal Road Safety Corps’ record revealed that accidents  were traceable to reckless driving, drunk driving, disregard for road instructions and unauthorised crossing of the road among others.

“It may surprise you that the percentage of accidents caused by bad roads were less than 10 per cent.

“The bad roads are traceable to inefficiency on the part of the engineers, poor supervision of our road works among others.”

Adebiyi urged the engineers to step up and curb some of the irregularities, noting that the ministry was committed to building their capacity to deliver on the administration’s agenda.

The Chairmen, Senate and House Committees on Works reiterated their commitment to supporting the ministry to deliver on its mandate.

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FG Puts Up Two Presidential Jets for Sale in Switzerland

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The Federal government has listed for sale two aircraft from Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, including a nearly two-decade-old Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ), through Swiss-based AMAC Aerospace in Basel.

According to reports, the BBJ—acquired in 2005 during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration for $43 million—has become increasingly expensive to maintain and raised safety concerns, especially following a mechanical incident during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.

The aircraft was officially listed for sale on U.S.-based aviation marketplace Controller.com, though no asking price was made public.

The jet has served Nigerian presidents for 19 years and was recently replaced by a refurbished Airbus A330-200, acquired in mid-2024 for approximately $100 million.

Despite undergoing partial refurbishment in July 2024, including C1-C2 inspections, updated carpeting, and upgrades to the first-class seating area, the BBJ remains costly to operate.

It is also not enrolled in any engine maintenance program, with its two CFM56-7BE engines currently operating under “on condition” status, meaning they are not guaranteed by a performance coverage plan.

The aircraft features a five-zone interior configuration with capacity for 33 passengers and eight crew members.

Highlights include a VIP stateroom with a bed and private lavatory, a four-seat conference area, full-service forward and aft galleys, four lavatories, and Ka-Band Wi-Fi powered by a Honeywell MCS-7000 system.

Entertainment options include several large monitors across different cabin sections, while avionics include advanced communication, navigation, and safety systems from Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, and other top manufacturers.

The BBJ is also fully compliant with ADS-B, CPDLC, FANS-1/A, and RVSM standards.

Powered by two CFM56-7BE engines with over 3,800 hours of flight time each, the aircraft also features an intercontinental range, thanks to eight auxiliary fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 70,000 pounds.

The BBJ is undergoing B1-B2 inspections in Basel, Switzerland, where it retains its original 2005 paint scheme—white with green accents symbolizing the Nigerian flag.

In addition to the BBJ, the federal government is reportedly planning to list a second aircraft from the fleet, although details have not been made public.

Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet, overseen by the Nigerian Air Force and Office of the National Security Adviser, includes 10 aircraft—seven fixed-wing jets and four helicopters. At least three of the fixed-wing aircraft are said to be unserviceable.

Both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations had pledged to streamline the air fleet for cost efficiency amid economic challenges and public scrutiny.

Since February 2025, President Bola Tinubu has been flying aboard a San Marino-registered BBJ (T7-NAS) pending the final delivery and customization of the Airbus A330-200, which was recently sent to South Africa to receive a new livery and additional refurbishments.

Relorts further said the AMAC Aerospace, which facilitated the Airbus purchase, is also handling the sale process for the BBJ-737.

Interested buyers have been asked to contact the firm directly for pricing and further inquiries.

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Senator Natasha Vows to Resume at Senate on Tuesday

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The Federal High Court in Abuja voided her suspension and ordered her immediate reinstatement, describing the disciplinary action by the Senate as “excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of her constituents’ rights.”

Justice Binta Nyako fined Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan N5 million for contempt of court due to a Facebook post that violated an interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025.

This injunction barred all parties from making public or social media comments about her suspension.

The court ruled that the senator’s Facebook post from April 27, which was a satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, violated a court order.

Natasha’s legal team argued the post was unrelated to the case and referred to personal sexual harassment allegations made on live television.

However, the court disagreed, stating the post was tied to the ongoing proceedings.The court overturned the suspension, stating that the Senate’s disciplinary action lacked constitutional validity and called for a revision of its internal procedures to align with democratic norms and the rights of elected representatives.

Justice Nyako noted that legislators must attend at least 161 sitting days per legislative year and emphasised that the six-month suspension denied the people of Kogi Central effective representation.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March after a dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate and later accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment, escalating political tensions.

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Adeleke Debunks APC Defection Rumours, Reiterates PDP Membership

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and denied reports of his decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The state governor noted with concern the widespread rumour and has reassured his supporters and admirers that he remains a member of the PDP and the leader of the party in the state.

Governor Adeleke, who restated his preoccupation with the implementation of the administration’s five point agenda urged Osun people to ignore fake news, promising more delivery of good governance and democratic dividends.

“I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party”, the governor was quoted as clarifying.

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