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Zulum Says Dry Inland Port Will Begin Operations in Maiduguri in Six Months

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Zulum Says Dry Inland Port Will Begin Operations in Maiduguri in Six Months

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has stated that the Maiduguri dry inland port will begin operations in six months.

Zulum made this known on Wednesday in Lagos while addressing journalists after a courtesy call to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Pius Akutah.

The Governor expressed confidence that the establishment of the NSC, while providing job opportunities to young people, would also boost the state’s economy.

He said: “Establishing the inland dry port in Maiduguri will bring many opportunities to the government and people of Borno state. It will generate employment, taking thousands of young children off the street. This is very important.

Zulum added that: “Borno State shares border with three countries, namely Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The inland dry port will enhance trans-border trade. This is what we are looking for. The relationship between our border countries will improve, the economy of the nation will grow very well, and our GDP will increase.

He also said: “We are trying to divert our attention from mono-economy, which is oil, by investing in other opportunities. I think Nigeria will be great soon.”

The Governor stated that: “The Federal Government is working to ensure rail lines are rehabilitated under President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives. They are in the process of rehabilitating all the roads, and thousands of trucks are entering Maiduguri daily.”

He however noted that: “Establishing a good road system will fast track the process. Even in the absence of rail, the efficiency and effectiveness of the road transportation system are okay for now for the inland dry port. “We expect the project to be ready in six months.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Pius Akutah, noted that if established, the Maiduguri Dry Inland Port would boost transborder trade, considering that Borno is neighbouring three countries of Cameroon, Char and Niger Republics.

The NSC CEO said: “Like the Governor has said, it is important for Borno State as a border town to these three countries, to have an Inland Dry Port. The benefits that will accompany such cannot be overemphasised.

“With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in place, you cannot overemphasize the need to have this kind of critical infrastructure in a place like Maiduguri, Borno State that has boundary with three countries within the area.

“I have been to Borno and I have seen the consistency of his Excellency in terms of his words and his passion for development of Borno State.

“When he said six months, I believe him and I know the work will be done. For instance, the transit park area the Excellency has developed has one of the critical infrastructure to even service the proposed IDP.

“Now, what needs to be done is for those involved to look at the political will of His Excellency to see how they can quickly agree among themselves for the project to become a reality

“This is business and the initiative is not for government to drive the day to day running of the inland dry port. It is a public private dimension and therefore, private sector driven. So the two entities involved should come together and fast track the process of harmosing and agreeing among themselves.”

Zulum Sqys Dry Inland Port Will Begin Operations in Maiduguri in Six Months

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Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road

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Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Nine passengers have died on the spot after their vehicle a Borno Express commercial bus heading to Maiduguri crossed its lane recently to collide with an on coming heavy duty vehicle headed for Damaturu.

The devastating crash occurred at Auno community area on Friday, at about 1530 hrs said the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) Commander Usman Mohammed.

The Sector Commander told this reporter that while eight of the commuters died on the spot, one died in the specialist hospital obviously after profuse bleeding making the total casualties to be nine which is the highest figure for this year in Borno state.

“The breakdown of the crash was the loss of Five adult Males, one adult female,, Two boys and One girl child not beyond the age of about 10.” Said the commander.

The sector commander noted that out of the total number of passengers in the hummer bus, seven others sustained various injuries and were rushed to the Maiduguri specialist hospital for treatment.

“The crash involved two vehicles a Toyota Hummer bus belonging to Borno Express carrying loads of papers possibly for a non governmental organization from Kaduna and a commercial Trailer heading towards Yobe.

“The hummer bus had stopped at Potiskum to drop some passengers he had from Kaduna and took another set for Maiduguri which was his ultimate destination with the cargo.

” The obvious cause of the crash is attributed to over speeding which resulted into loss of control which took him to the wrong lane.

” Sadly, you know that Auno is a dangerous zone on that route which is why many commuters refused to stop on the way to help them even after eight passengers died on the spot while the ninth one perished in the maiduguri Specialist hospital.

“This is the worse crash we have had this year unlike what we had early this year at Beneshek in which four people lost their lives on the spot.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased. The motoring public are urged to exercise caution on the road while traveling.” Said commander Musa Adamu.

Nine passengers perish in Ghastly vehicular crash on Maiduguri Damaturu road

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Flash Flooding: Betara Clears Drainages, Gives Relief Materials in Biu

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Flash Flooding: Betara Clears Drainages, Gives Relief Materials in Biu

By: Michael Mike

Member representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu has swiftly responded to the devastating flood in his constituency by mobilizing emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.

After a sudden flash flood that has hit several wards in Biu local government area, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure, the lawmaker mobilized people to clear the drainage to forestall future reoccurrence.

He equally dispatched truckloads of relief materials to be shared to people affected by the flood.

The flood which was triggered by heavy rainfall recently, making overflowed bridges and inundated homes in various parts of the Biu.

According to recent of Biu town, Dauda Yusuf: “Rt. Hon. Muktar Betara Aliyu, the federal lawmaker representing Biu, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo, and Shani federal constituency in his usual manner has swiftly responded to the disaster that ravaged parts of Biu.

“He mobilized emergency relief efforts to repair damaged areas and provide support to affected residents.

“We could not have asked for better representative, Betara has always been supportive in all situations, in times of troubles just like this present flood and in times of celebration during Ramadans and many Sallahs, he always found something to give.”

A statement from Betara Youth Team (BYT) at the weekend, read that: “The feedback from the community resident was inspiring, and it is clear that this intervention will have a lasting impact on the lives of those who live there.

“Rt. Hon Muktar Betara Aliyu is committed to continuing to bring the benefits of democracy to his people and he will continue to work tirelessly to improve their lives.”
End

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Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies

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Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled an attempted infiltration by terrorists into Monguno town through the Charlie 15 axis in Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the attempted attack occurred at about 0255 hours on Sunday but was swiftly repelled by alert troops who engaged the insurgents in a firefight.

The source said that during pursuit, the troops observed blood stains along the withdrawal route of the fleeing terrorists, suggesting that some of them may have sustained injuries.

Items recovered from the scene included seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one PKT machine gun belt, an empty AK-47 rifle magazine, an RPG bomb, spaghetti, and a pair of slippers.

There was no casualty on the side of the troops, and there was no further contact with the terrorists as they retreated into the bush.

Troops repel attempted terrorist infiltration in Monguno, recover arms and supplies

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