COVID-19: Nigeria extends phase-2 of eased lockdown by 1wk due to Sallah

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July 27, 2020

IMG_20200727_185531 — Head of Nigeria's COVID-19 response team- Presidential Task Force and Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha at the daily COVID-19 briefing in Abuja, Monday, July 27, 2020.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the second phase of easing COVID-19 lockdown regulations due to breach of guidelines and non-pharmaceutical measures put in place.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha made this known during the daily briefing on Monday.

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) expressed fear that: “Majority of Nigerians irrespective of status, creed and level of education continue to live in denial on the virulent nature of the virus and consistently breach the guidelines and non-pharmaceutical measures put in place”.

The SGF, who noted that the PTF, having reached an advanced stage of the process, has considered extending the second phase of eases of lockdown by one more week.

“Due to the upcoming Sallah (Eid El-Kabir) festivities which coincides with the expiration of the current phase it would be prudent to extend by one week, from 29th July, 2020 till Thursday 6th August, 2020. It has accordingly secured permission to retain the existing guidelines till that date.

“Our analysis has shown that people over 50 years of age especially those with underlying factors remain most at risk. This position is backed by the fact that 65% of fatalities recorded in Nigeria are in this category, Mustapha said.

I’m his advise to Nigerians, the PTF chairman said: “If you do not need to go outside your home, please stay indoors. Avoid large gatherings and observe all the measures.

“As we prepare for the Eid El Kabir celebration, we also want to urge all our Muslim Brothers and Sisters and indeed all Nigerians to continue to observe all measures, he said.

Recall that the first phase of the relaxed lockdown was extended by two weeks and elapsed midnight June 1. The second phase commenced on June 2 and was to elapse midnight, June 29. During the PTF briefing of that day, Mustapha announced that President Muhammau Buhari had approved that the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020, through Midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020.

Although, some of the regulations have been lifted, such as reopening of domestic flight operations and resumption of interstate travels, and state governments have modifications, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown are as follow:

The nationwide curfew of 10:00 P.M.
4:00 A.M. daily.

Healthcare workers and journalists are
exempted from this curfew.

Banks may resume normal working hours.

Government offices will be open between
9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Monday – Friday.

The ban on interstate movement except for
agricultural produce, petroleum products,
manufactured goods, and essential services (now lifted).

All airports remain closed to domestic and
international travel, except for emergency
flights. (Domestic flight operations now
resumed).

The PTF is considering plans to reopen
airports for domestic flights by June 21, 2020 if proper protocols are put in place by the
aviation industry. (Now implemented).

Kano State is approved to enter phase one of eased lockdown.

Face masks or coverings are mandatory in
public settings and handwashing/sanitizing
practices must continue to be followed.

Ban on gatherings of more than 20 people
outside of a workplace.

Relaxation of restrictions on places of
worship based on guidelines issued by the
PTF and State governments.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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Photos: Buhari participates at a virtual meeting of ECOWAS leaders

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 27, 2020

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FB_IMG_1595864740078 — President Muhammadu Buhari at the virtual meeting of ECOWAS leaders. July 27, 2020. Photo: Femi Adesina

President Muhammadu Buhari today, Monday 27th July participates at a virtual meeting of the Extraordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in State House, Abuja.

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Buhari celebrates Ace Newscaster, Julie Coker, at 80

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Abuja Bureau

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July 27, 2020

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President Muhammadu Buhari weekend warmly felicitated with multi-talented artiste and veteran broadcaster, Julie Coker, on her 80th birthday, joining the creative industry to celebrate the iconic culture ambassador, musician and author

Buhari congratulated Yeye Eto of Lagos for a sterling career in journalism and performing arts, coming into limelight as a one of the pioneer female broadcaster in Africa’s premier television station, Western Nigerian Television (WNTV, Ibadan), which started transmission on October 31, 1959, and sustaining the legacy in Nigerian Television Service, (NTV, Lagos), now Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Multi-talented artiste and Female Broadcaster, Julie Coker.

As a former beauty queen, Miss Western Nigeria Competition, 1958, and runner-up at a Miss Nigeria contest same year, the President believed Coker’s talent brought her into the spotlight at an early age, and has consistently sustained her growing influence over the years, both within and outside the country.

Buhari rejoiced with family members, friends and professional associates of the exceptional broadcaster, who continues to project the country to the world by accepting leadership roles in culture and tourism in the United Kingdom and United States of America.

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed God to grant Coker longer life, good heath and more grace to pursue and actualise her dreams of making life better for others.

By Idowu Sowunmi

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NIDCOM celebrates Nigerian Lt. Agunbiade of US Navy as good ambassador

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 27, 2020

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images (16) — Nigerian Lt. Victor Agunbiade of the US. Navy.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa has applauded the exemplary conduct of Lt. Victor Agunbiade, a Nigerian serving in the US Navy.

The NIDCOM boss In a congratulatory message, described Agunbiade as a good ambassador whose excellent and outstanding behaviour earned him a medal of commendation for his meritorious service from the US Navy.

Agunbiade was honoured for successfully serving as cash Disbursing Officer at the US Navy Camp, Lemonnier in Djibouti, between October 2019 and July 2020.

Dabiri-Erewa noted that Agunbiade also managed 100 per cent accountability of 23 million dollars equivalent to eight point seven billion naira across six rigorous inspections and independent audits with zero discrepancies.

Having marked the annual Nigerians in Diaspora Day on July 259 the NIDCOM Chairman added that Agunbiade reflects a positive image for Nigeria and Nigerians in the diaspora.

This is not the first time Agunbiade will be making Nigeria proud with his exemplary character. In 2018, he was named the US Navy Officer Recruiter of the Year alongside 17 others, and honoured at the annual Recruiter of the Year ceremony in Washington D.C.

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COVID-19: 14 airports reopen for domestic operations – Aviation Minister

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 27, 2020

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The Nigerian Government has approved the full reopening of 14 airports in the country for domestic operations from July 8 to July 24.

The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, made the announcement in his official Twitter handle, @hadisirika, on Sunday.

Sirika pointed out that the inspection on the airports had been completed.

“Glad to announce that the following airports are open for full domestic operations, hence ministerial approvals in and out of them is not required.

“These include private and charter operations. We will keep you informed on the other airports in due course, please,” he said.

According to the Minister, the reopened airports, are Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport; Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Victor Attah Airport, Uyo.

Others are Maiduguri Airport, Margaret Ekpo Airport, Calabar, Kaduna Airport, Yola Airport, Sultan Abubakar Airport, Sokoto; Birnin Kebbi Airport, Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos and Benin Airport.

These approvals for resumption of domestic flight operations, Sirika said was given for at different dates from July 8 to July 24.

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Federal Government extends N-Power application deadline

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 27, 2020

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images (14) — Nigerian Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouq

The Federal Government has extended the N-POWER Batch C online application by two weeks.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Deputy Director Information, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Rhoda Iliya.

According to the statement, the extension became necessary to provide an equitable and level playing field to all eligible Nigerian applicants and also avail opportunity to applicants who might have difficulties gaining access to the registration portal.

The online application process, which began on Friday, June 26, 2020, was to have ended Sunday, July 26, 2020.

It stated that over 5 million applications have been received .

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Edo Guber: Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu go down on their knees for support

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 26, 2020

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A mild drama played out on Sunday in Edo State as a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, and the APC governorship candidate in the September 19 election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, went down on their knees, pleading for support from the traditional rulers and the people of the state.

Oshiomhole, who’s also a former Edo State governor, knelt down along with Ize-Iyamu at the palace of His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, Enigie of Egbaen town and President of Enigies in Benin Kingdom.

The governorship candidate used the occasion to present his SIMPLE agenda manifesto to the traditional rulers.

Ize-Iyamu said his manifesto highlighted some of the measures designed to tackle insecurity, particularly the rising cases of kidnapping, through careful investments and partnership with community heads and traditional rulers for crucial local intelligence.

“We will replace the elitist and detached approach of the present government with a functional and true government of the people, by the people, and for the people with felt policies and achievements at the grassroots,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the Enigies for their prayers, blessings, and warm reception.

By Idowu Sowunmi

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SERAP urges NASS to release 20yr probe reports, more trouble for NDDC

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 26, 2020

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A legal and advocacy organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has invoked the Freedom of Information (FoI) law to demand the publication of completed public hearings and corruption probes since 1999 from the National Assembly.

In a statement issued by SERAP Sunday morning, the organisation asked the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and his counterpart at the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila “to tell Nigerians the number of probes that have resulted in indictment of suspects, name the suspects & send reports to anti-corruption agencies”.

SERAP in its FoI request stated that: “We urge you to sponsor a resolution to stop lawmakers from directly getting involved in the execution of projects by MDAs to ensure the proper and effective exercise of oversight functions, in cases such as the NDDC and NSITF public hearings & probes.

“We also urge you to use the opportunity of the ongoing corruption probes to influence Nigeria’s anti-corruption agenda, including by immediately amending section 52 of the ICPC Act, to expand & strengthen the powers of independent counsel to prosecute grand corruption cases”, SERAP said.

Meanwhile, there seems to be more trouble for the Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the House of Representatives on the strength of queries by the Auditor General of the Federation over certain expenditures at the interventionist agency.

The ongoing probe of the activities of the commission by an ad-hoc committee of the House has already exposed many alleged shady deals at the commission, which has triggered the anger of many Nigerians calling for a decisive action to punish anyone found culpable in the alleged multi-billion Naira embezzlement.

According to a report from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF) to the House Committee on Public Accounts on the finances of the commission, more damning revelations was reported to be coming.

The embattled leadership of the NDDC is opposed to call by the National Assembly that the commission be returned to the Presidency for supervision as was the case in the past.

The AuGF’s report on NDDC covering the period 2008 to 2012 raised questions over extra budgetary expenditure, award of emergency contracts and paying for unexecuted contracts.

While responding to the questions raised, the commission only stated that the resort to the award of emergency contracts was to ensure that peace prevailed in the regime, and that there was no way it could identify projects such as roads and other infrastructures which might need emergency attention.

Some of the queries by the AuGF are:

Payment of N199.5 million by the commission for the supply of school desks in Delta State.

It said that there was no evidence that desks were supplied to schools in Ethiope West, Warri North, Isoko North, Sapele and Warri South local government areas of Delta despite payment to the contractors.

The use of unbudgeted contracts, which the Commission explained that “as an interventionist agency it is mandated to intervene in critical areas.’

The commission added that: “the project was awarded under a global budget emergency repairs, Corporate Social Responsibility and strategic access road… It is not feasible to determine roads, bridges or other infrastructure that may require our urgent attention.

On alleged non-deduction of VAT from recently completed contracts for which mobilisation payments were made before 2008.

The value of the contacts was put at N936.77 million.

The Commission said “VAT is a tax burden to the commission and hence VAT due to contractors and consultants on projects, supplies and other services are calculated and paid to the relevant tax authority at the end of each month. It is not a deduction from contractor’s bill unless specified in the bill of quantity or suppliers invoice. It is an addition to project cost and hence, overpayment to contractors will not arise in any way because of VAT”.

Again, the Auditor General observed what it called “unrecognized oil company’s contributions into final account N3.280 billion”, to which the Commission said “all contributions received from oil companies were paid directly into our Union Bank Account in Port Harcourt and the Off shore account in the United Kingdom and in recent years, a few were remitted into the First Bank account in Port Harcourt and the offshore account in the United Kingdom… the process of ascertaining the actual companies that made contributions into these banks could be difficult sometimes due to insufficient information which could, in few cases, lead to wrong posting.”

However, while the audit query stated it identified tax deduction on payment vouchers without evidence of remittance of N10,027,330,926.17, the commission insisted that “we have remitted all taxes to the appropriate authority.

Also of concern was multiple contract awards and payment of mobilisation detected, but the NDDC management said it was looking into this with a view to relocating one of the contractors to another site, but the mobilisation paid is safe since they are backed by bank guarantees.

The AuGF accused the commission of making unauthorised transfer of funds to the personal account of some individuals as well as some undisclosed accounts, stating that the sum of N40 million was transferred by the commission to the personal account of a former director.

Also the sum of N87, 331,331.11 was reported to have been transferred from Access Bank account of the Commission to an undisclosed account.

In an attempt at explaining the alleged illegal transfer, the commission did not address the issue raised, it only stated that “the balance arose from the domiciliary account opened at the early stage of the commission to pay contractors and other payables”.

Meanwhile, NDDC has kicked against the the National Assembly’s recommendations that prayed for the return of the commission to the supervision of the Presidency.

NDDC’s Acting Executive Director, Projects, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, was reported to have said that the activities of some national lawmakers were constituting a stumbling block to the operations of the commission and should be critically examined for the country to move forward.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery: Don’t abandon home, Buhari tells Nigerians in Diaspora

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 26, 2020

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images (12) — File Photo: Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari speaks with Nigerians In Diaspora, United Kingdom.

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to actively participate in the country’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.

In a video message to commemorate this year’s Diaspora Day, observed on July 25 of every year, the President appealed to his compatriots, whose home remittances exceeded $25 billion annually in three years, not to abandon their fatherland in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Over the past three years, Nigerians in the diaspora have brought in over $25 billion annually as home remittances to the Nigerian economy through official and non-formal channels.

President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, during a Video Message to commemorate the annual Diaspora Day, July 25th, 2020.

“This is about 6.0 per cent of our annual GDP and upwards of 80 per cent of our annual budget. This has impacted on livelihoods of Nigerians in terms of education, health, housing and estate development, industry, trade and investments, agriculture and technology/skills transfer.

“In terms of diaspora home remittances, Nigeria is rated as number one in sub-Saharan Africa and this is still growing especially with the advocacy and mobilisation programmes of the newly established Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).

“Nigerians in Diaspora are also known to be engaged in skill transfer in ICT and industry. They are also active in our universities as lecturers, and in carrying out medical missions.

“It is, therefore, my sincere hope that even with the depressed economy under stress in the year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerians in the Diaspora will rise up to the occasion of not abandoning their country of origin, but be active in our post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts,” Buhari said.

The President told participants from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania at the webinar event that his three-point agenda for the Nigerians in Diaspora remains the same and particularly relevant on the auspicious occasion.

Reiterating the agenda, the Nigerian leader said: “You are our Ambassadors-at-large by your behaviour and character in your host countries.

“Whatever legitimate endeavour you choose, you must excel and be the best.

“Do not forget home, Nigeria, by giving back and engaging in her development.”

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also used the occasion to commend the support and contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, recounting fond memories of his several interactions with them at town hall meetings.

While congratulating them on this year’s celebration, Buhari said the Federal Government set aside July 25 of every year to celebrate Nigerians in Diaspora estimated to be over 17 million.

According to him, “The day is also to facilitate networking among the Diaspora with the ministries, departments and agencies, the government, the Diaspora State Focal Point Officers and other private and civil society organisations in the implementation of a practical framework for the effective engagement of the Diaspora for national development.”

Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Leveraging Diaspora Resources for National Development in a COVID-19 Era,” NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the focus of the 2020 celebration is indicative of the mandate of NiDCOM as well as what the agency has accomplished since its creation.

“Since its establishment a year ago, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has a lot to celebrate. This is because the passion and consistency that saw to the establishment of the commission have been maintained and sustained.

“The activities we have executed, those ongoing, and the ones that are yet to take off are all definitive, of the theme. Our interaction today is expected to mobilise you to key into some of the programmes and chart improved or better ways on how to achieve them,” she said.

On Diaspora voting, Dabiri-Erewa announced that the commission was working with the National Assembly to make it a reality.

Among other initiatives, she said NiDCOM is partnering with the OPS WASH – the umbrella body for private engagement to support the declaration to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2024.

“We plan to mobilise millions of Nigerians in the Diaspora to fund a toilet per household. A global project will soon be launched and we look forward to all Nigerians in the Diaspora to participate in this most needed project,” she said.

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, said the ministry would continue to stress the importance of engaging with Nigerians in the Diaspora at the state, national and international levels in advocating the Diaspora potentials in the post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.

The minister thanked members of the Diaspora who have donated to the COVID-19 response, especially those that were channelled to the grassroots through the states.

Photos:

By Idowu Sowunmi

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Sanwo-Olu inspects work on Third Mainland Bridge, urges motorists be patient

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 26, 2020

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•600 Mass Transit Buses Coming In August – Gov

•Pen Cinema Bridge Gets October Completion Date

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appeared has appealed to motorists plying the partially shut Third Mainland Bridge to be patient and cooperate with traffic management personnel deployed on the routes, while meandering through the carriageways, as the Federal Government repairs the failed segments of the bridge.

The Governor made the appeal to commuters on Saturday, while on an inspection of the bridge and alternative routes rehabilitated by the State Government.

The Governor also toured various highways where junctions and roundabouts have been redesigned to diffuse traffic, including Allen Junction, Maryland Junction, and Lekki’s first and second roundabouts, among others.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the bridge’s repair was long overdue and could no longer be postponed as it would portend danger to the residents.

Urging commuters to explore the option of waterways as faster alternative, the Governor said the State Government has strengthened the capacity of the ferry services and currently building six additional jetties across the State.

“I am here to supervise the repair activities and to monitor the effect of the closure of the bridge on the vehicular movement, with the aim to enable us focus on where improvement could be made. However, what we need to communicate to the road users is patience.

“Our traffic management officers are on ground to make their journey hitch-free.

“The contractor handling the repair work will be fully on site by Monday. In the next three months, repair work would have been completed on the first lane, while they will move to the other lane.

“While we urge road users for patience, we also advise them to look at the option of waterways transportation in commuting to and from the Island. We have just opened the Ilaje jetty for public use and we are delivering additional six jetties across the State to ease movement”, the Governor said.

During his inspection of the newly designed Allen Junction on Obafemi Awolowo Way, the Governor said he was satisfied with the project, expressing optimism that the new layout would relieve the highway of gridlock.

Governor Sanwo-Olu however disclosed that the State Government, by August, would roll out 600 buses to ply various routes, including Ikorodu, Abule Egba-Oshodi, and Ikeja.

“We are rolling out 600 buses in high and medium capacity.

“The buses will be deployed next month and they will be seen across busy roads. The medium capacity buses will be plying Obafemi Awolowo Way. Oshodi inward Abule Egba will be priority. We will also be increasing bus capacity from Ikorodu to Tafawa Balewa Square,” he said.

The Governor used the opportunity to explain the slow pace of work on some ongoing capital projects, including the Pen Cinema Bridge in Agege, which, he said, was disrupted by Coronavirus pandemic.
The Pen Cinema Bridge, he said, would now be delivered in October.

The Governor was accompanied on the long-hour tour by some cabinet members, including the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, his Transportation counterpart, Dr. Fredric Oladehinde, Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye and Special Adviser on Transport, Hon. Toyin Fayinka.

Sanwo-Olu also inspected drainage at Eric Moore Road, Eko Bridge and Lekki-Epe Expressway.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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