Chukwueze out for one month

The Federal Government has announced that it would implement the cashless tolling system for the Abuja-Keffi expressway. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known while inaugurating a committee for the project, as well as the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Road. Umahi said the cashless tolling system was a strategic programme under the Highway
Nigerian Govt to implement cashless toll collection for Abuja-Keffi Highway

The Federal Government has announced that it would implement the cashless tolling system for the Abuja-Keffi expressway.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known while inaugurating a committee for the project, as well as the dualization of the Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi Road.

Umahi said the cashless tolling system was a strategic programme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) aimed at promoting a strong and sustainable transportation ecosystem.

“This is one of the cardinal strategies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards realising the desires of our people in the road sector development,” Umahi said.

Recall that a point of Keffi-Akwanga-Makurdi was done on EPC + F, and funded up to 85% by China Exim Bank, and the federal government paid 15% counterpart funding and the job was executed satisfactorily by China Harbour Ltd.

The minister hailed President Tinubu for the vast strategic economic recovery initiatives of the Renewed Hope administration and expressed hope that the committee will leverage on ideals of the Terms of Reference handed to them to develop a robust implementation masterplan.

He also urged the committee with the terms of reference which, among other things, are to develop the cashless tolling system implementation framework, make appropriate recommendations on the potential of relief stations and good physical environment along the corridors, and proffer practical solutions to the challenges of implementing cashless toll collection in the Nigerian environment.

“We must also, as part of the assignment, develop relief stations. Relief stations are what you see in overseas expressways, where you have a lot of stations where you have a supermarket, you have a small clinic, you also have security outfits, and several other facilities, including parks, wheel lorries, vehicle parks, and tow-vans.

“The idea of Mr President is that we should have a maximum of 10 minutes of response time on our highways, meaning that in the full development of this route, part of the assignment will be how we can install CCTV cameras, and also have solar light all through the entire route of the project.

“And so, we will be able to put security on our roads, and then we have a station at the relief centre, where they will stay and watch the vehicles so that within 10 minutes of any incident along the route, the security people will be able to be there – within 10 minutes response time. This is the idea of Mr. President, and for our major highways,” he stated.

Nigerian Govt to implement cashless toll collection for Abuja-Keffi Highway

The Minister of Health And Social Welfare, Ali Pate says the federal government has adopted the Sector-Wide Approach, SWAp in the health sector to ensure “one plan, one budget, one report, and one conversation, in revitalising healthcare across the country. The Minister explained that the strategy unifies its efforts and those of its partners and
Nigerian govt leveraging sector wide approach to improve health outcomes – Minister, Pate

The Minister of Health And Social Welfare, Ali Pate says the federal government has adopted the Sector-Wide Approach, SWAp in the health sector to ensure “one plan, one budget, one report, and one conversation, in revitalising healthcare across the country.

The Minister explained that the strategy unifies its efforts and those of its partners and stakeholders, maximizing impact, enhancing
accountability and eliminating redundancies.

The Minister represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, made the remarks at the 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists in Abuja.

Kachollom said the minister commended health journalists for their invaluable contributions to shaping public perception, influencing health-seeking behaviours, and holding stakeholders accountable.

He noted that the federal government through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, HSRIl, aims to revitalize the health sector by focusing on Primary Healthcare, PHC systems to deliver efficient maternal and child health services, tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDS, address Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and confront infectious diseases.

He said, ”the Primary Healthcare systems, bolstered by the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), has significantly increased access to vital services in underserved communities.

”The Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative, MAMII, exemplifies these efforts by offering free cesarean sections to eligible women, thereby improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Additionally, our interventions targeting neglected tropical diseases, NTDS, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are meticulously designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and leaving no one behind”.

Pate said the federal government plans to continue leveraging partnerships and robust surveillance systems to protect the health of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, Dr Patrick Dakum, in his remarks at the conference emphasised the importance of collaboration to strengthen health systems such that no one is left behind.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Sector Wide Approach Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media” is timely, President of the Association, Joseph Kadiri noted that SWAp’s effectiveness relies heavily on the active engagement of various stakeholders.

He noted that despite SWAp’s potential to improve the sector, many challenges persist, including limited access to health information and data, inadequate training or capacity building for health journalists, and insufficient funding for health reporting and programming.

He said, ”Our association annually holds conferences to examine critical health programs and policies aimed at improving health outcomes for Nigerians. This year’s conference, themed “SWAp Effectiveness in Addressing Poor Health Outcomes: The Role of the Media,” is particularly timely given the numerous challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector, including inadequate funding, inefficient resource allocation, and poor service delivery. ”

Nigerian govt leveraging sector wide approach to improve health outcomes – Minister, Pate