By Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan

In an effort to boost the economy, the Oyo State government has resuscitated the Pacesetter Quarry and Asphalt Limited, located at the Ijaiye area of the State.

Governor Seyi Makinde made this known when he paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the site of the Firm, in company of a former Governor of the State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

Governor Makinde said that the revival of the Firm, which is now back to full production, is an indication that his administration’s economic expansion agenda is working.

Makinde, who stated that he was pleased to see that production is ongoing at the Plant, said the Company was already contributing to the economy of the State by generating revenue, providing jobs and raw materials needed to construct roads.

He said: “It is a Public-Private Partnership model. They are fully in charge. They are planning on expanding the facility so that they can do more. We don’t want pot-holes on our roads. So, this will assist us to achieve that objective.”

Earlier, the former Governor, who had started the Plant during this tenure, lauded the Makinde administration’s resuscitation of the Company, which had been abandoned by two successive administrations, as heartwarming and commendable.

He stated that the effort, which, he noted, would boost the economy of the State, had made his dream for the project and the State come true.

Ladoja stated: “It is a dream come true. The work of the Governor is to dream, get people around him to execute the dream. We dreamt and it came into fruition at that tenure and it was working. Now that this administration came in, and they made it work, what do you think I should do? How do you think I will feel? I am very happy that my dream did not die.”

The former Governor affirmed that the Plant had contributed to the economy of the State and helped bring down the cost of road construction materials, which enabled the construction of more roads in the State, during his tenure.

“The people in this area are benefitting. The State is benefitting, because the cost of road construction must have gone down. 100 or 200 people are working and getting their daily meals from there. When we are talking about unemployment, this is part of the solution to it,” he said.

Ladoja expressed his gratitude to Governor Makinde for making sure that the Company is working again and pledged support for the continuation of the success of the Company.

The State government had handed over the Pacesetter Quarry and Asphalt Plant to Carboncor International Technology Limited, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

Confidence Okwuchi

By Shiktra Shalangwa, Abuja

The Nigerian Minister of Transportation,  Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has reiterated the need for an urgent solution to curb trucks blocking access roads to the ports towards achieving the clearing of goods on time with less human contact.

The Minister made this known while inspecting the Tin Can Island alongside the Managing Director of Nigerian Port Authority,  Hadiza Usman and Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers Council, Hassan Bello, adding that this will solve the lingering congestion at the port.

Meeting with Relevant Agencies
Mr Amaechi however, said he would meet with all relevant agencies on January 19 to find a permanent solution to the challenges.

The Nigerian Port Authority, NPA Boss, Hadiza Usman said that by January 2021,  an electronic clearing system for cargoes would be introduced that would resolve the issue of  gridlock at the Port.

According to her, the agency is working with Lagos State government to create truck parks at designated areas.

Designated Truck Park
She said that the Lagos State government plans to give a designated truck park at Orile where trucks will park until their cargo is cleared electronically before they can proceed into the port.

“We are planning to deploy an E-call-up system in January 2021. We will provide an electronic call-up system within the Ports and designation truck parks. No more trucks parking randomly on the road, we are going to have a designated trucks park; when you are called upon you can enter the Port.

“The electronic call-up system will be across all platforms on phones. You can monitor when the consignment arrives and when you have been assigned to pickup  your  cargo. The E-call up will also remove human intervention and eliminate corrupt practices,” she explained.

She said that the only thing that would be needed for clearing is the barcode that would be scanned at the entrance of the port to enable them enter the port.

However,  Nigerian Shippers Council Boss, Hassan Bello said that everyday the council have tried to proffer temporary solution to the gridlock at the Port.

He said that with the festive period a lot of goods were expected to be imported into the country which calls for urgent actions.

Confidence Okwuchi

By Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan 

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has launched the HeForShe Initiative, saying his administration has been doing its best in empowering women and catering to the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

The Governor stated this while receiving the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, who was on an advocacy visit to his Office, at the Courtesy Room of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Makinde said his government would continue to engage more women and Persons Living With Disabilities PLWDs.

He said his administration is the first to appoint a female as Secretary to the State Government and there are many women at the Local Government level, due to the policy of having at least one female and one physically challenged person among the members of the caretaker committees.

The Governor disclosed that his administration had reduced the number of out-of-school children by cancelling school fees and levies and giving subventions to schools in place of the levy on parents and that school enrolment had improved by 10% since the inception of his government.

“Here, we have a Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, because we are not just talking about women affairs; people that are disadvantaged, the groups that have visibly been forgotten or are being left behind, we bring them in. So, we have done quite a lot in terms of social inclusion, by engaging disadvantaged groups and even on the “HeforShe” on the health side”, he said.

Women development
While launching the ‘HeForShe’ Project, Governor Makinde expressed the readiness of the State to partner the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development on the development of women in the State, urging women to boldly participate in politics so as to contribute their quota in uplifting the Country.

Earlier, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Tallen, said the visit was aimed at discussing issues that affect women, girls and boys in the State and the Nigeria society in general.

She said: “It is my hope that this visit will further stimulate partnership between my Ministry and the State in the provision of better services and enabling environment for the advancement, empowerment, protection and participation of the teeming population of women and girls, including the survival of children and other vulnerable groups in the State.”

Tallen commended Makinde for supporting women and promoting women’s rights, empowerment and advancement in the State, as he had appointed a female Secretary to the State Government, a female Head of Service, two female commissioners, five permanent secretaries, Director-General of Due Process and others, among the women in top positions in the State, while asking for more because she believes women deserve more.

“From the response of the Governor, I am fully satisfied that a lot more appointments will come soon, starting from the Local Government level to the State. And I wish Oyo State all the best. There will be more progress and development if more women are engaged in governance, as well as the support for our children to receive the necessary support they deserve” , the Minister added.

Nneka Ukachukwu