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Anambra enforces road setbacks, approves ₦16.7bn for infrastructure projects

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The Anambra State Government has awarded various contracts worth a sum of about ₦16.7bn for road, electricity, and other key infrastructural projects aimed at driving social cohesion, economic growth and improving the lives of its citizens across the state.

This is just as the state government, through the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the ‘OCHA Brigade’, has commenced the enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly constructed dual carriageways.

According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the projects were approved and other significant decisions made during the first Anambra State Executive Council meeting in 2026, held at the ‘Light House’, Awka, on Monday.

Mefor said several other key decisions were taken during the meeting, among which include that the Christmas and New Year celebrations called ‘Onwa Dezemba’ programme, has come to stay as an annual event and will be made into something that Ndi Anambra and the world will look forward to every yuletide.

The statement read in part, “At the first Anambra State Executive Council meeting of the year 2026, held at the ‘Light House, Awka, on Monday, the council relished the Christmas and New Year celebrations and reiterated that the ‘Onwa Dezemba’ programme has come to stay as an annual event and will be made into something that Ndi Anambra and the world will look forward to every yuletide.

“The council also reviewed the state of security in the state and the restoration of Anambra as the most secure state in Nigeria, and resolved to continue to promote inter-security agency collaboration and the strengthening of security agencies, such as the 30 Hilux vehicles recently given to the Anambra State Police Command by the state government.

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“The council established a committee to determine the best way to give Nnewi a further facelift, in line with the ongoing urban regeneration policy of the Soludo administration. The council also firmed up the plan to give Nnobi a further facelift. The main objective is to revitalise and realign the two strategic urban centres in the state.

“The council mandated the Ministry of Environment and the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the ‘OCHA Brigade’, to commence enforcement of standards for road setbacks in the newly-constructed dual carriageways.

“These standards have been set at 1.5 metres for built-up areas and three metres for other areas. The setbacks were re-established as a minimum from drainage on all the new dual carriageways for motorised and non-motorised (NMT) users.

“These setbacks from the dual carriageway align with global best practices, which include provisions for pedestrian walkways and other road provisions for pedestrians.”

According to him, the contract sum worth ₦16.7billion approved by the council would be for the dualisation of 33-Nsugbe-Aguleri Road, supply and installation of 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje, Nteje Oyi LGA, among others.

“To achieve massive traffic decongestion in the Onitsha and Nkwelle axis and drive development in that direction, the 33-Nsugbe dual carriageway was awarded by the council.

“This will bring the Anambra Beltway and the Solution Government’s policy to dualise all ‘Trunk A’ roads, state and federal, to a fuller completion and further open up the state and ease up Onitsha and its environments.

“Release of the sum of N15,956,407,246.25 only for the construction and dualisation of the 33-Nsugbe to Aguleri road with a 1-span bridge, awarded to Ferotex Construction Company Ltd.

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“Release of the sum of N56,386,718.69 only for the supply and installation of 500 kVA, 33/0.415 kV transformer at Irueyim Community, Nteje, Nteje Oyi LGA, awarded to Kennolly Enterprises.

“The release of the sum of N159,599,775.14 only for the supply and installation of solar street lights along the Oye Market Road, Isuofia, awarded to Vigeo-Dome Ltd.

“Release of the sum of N497,033,367.38 only for the reclamation/rechannelisation/& remediation of the gully erosion site at Umugama-Ire Village, Abba, Njikoka LGA, awarded to P & K Int’l Ltd.”

Punch Online on November 2025, reported that the Anambra State Government awarded various contracts worth a sum of about ₦4.7bn for road, electricity, and other key infrastructural projects aimed at improving the lives of its citizens across the state.

According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said the projects were approved, and other significant decisions were made during the 23rd Anambra State Executive Council meeting held at the “Light House,” Awka.

Mefor said several other key decisions were taken during the meeting, and one of them includes plans to give Ndi Anambra the most memorable December festivities experience ever, branded “Onwa Dezemba”.

He said the “magnificent festivities” to be held at the Solution Fun City, Awka and the reconstructed and remodelled Ekwueme Square, in Awka, are planned as a “Christmas unlike any other”.

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PHOTOS: Gunmen k!ll three in fresh Jos attack

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Armed assailants have k!lled three people and injured one in Gyel Nyango Community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred on Friday, April 3, 2026.

It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the community, shooting sporadically before escaping into the darkness.

Residents said some locals sustained injuries during the attack which has heightened tension in the area.

Spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack on Saturday, describing it as “one too many” senseless assaults on innocent citizens.

“Just yesterday night, some persons came to Gyel community, which resulted in the d3ath of three persons,” he said.

“This cycle of attacks on our rural communities must stop.”

He called on security agencies to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

He urged residents of rural communities in Jos South, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas to be vigilant.

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident said the attack occurred at about 9:20 pm when the victims were returning from a mining site.

Alabo said the State Command immediately deployed a patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer of ‘B’ Division Bukuru.

He noted that the injured victim was promptly evacuated to a hospital and is currently receiving treatment.

The PPRO explained that the State Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and the Community, describing the incident as a “senseless loss of lives.”

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He added that the commissioner ordered the immediate enforcement of a statewide ban on night grazing and night mining, as well as the total ban on commercial motorcycles within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

Alabo also noted that a ban on commercial tricycles, popularly called Keke-Napep, had been imposed for Sunday, 5th April 2026.

He urged residents to comply with these directives and avoid unnecessary movements, particularly at night.

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Iran hangs two convicted of links with Israel in pre-war protests

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Iran executed two men on Sunday, convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States during a wave of anti-government protests earlier this year, the judiciary said.

“Mohammad-Amin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast were hanged after the case was reviewed and the final verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said.

The two men were involved in the anti-government protests that peaked in January, it added.

The demonstrations broke out in late December over rising living costs before spreading nationwide and evolving into anti-government protests that peaked on January 8 and 9.

Iranian authorities said the rallies began peacefully before turning into “foreign-instigated riots” involving killings and vandalism.

Iran has carried out multiple executions in recent days of people linked to the protests or opposition groups, including members of the banned People’s Mujahedin (MEK).

The executions come against the backdrop of Iran’s war with Israel and the United States, which erupted on February 28 with strikes that killed the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

On Saturday, Iran executed two members of the MEK after four other convicted members of the group were put to death earlier in the week.

On Thursday, it also executed a man convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States during the protests, following similar executions of three others last month.

Tehran has said more than 3,000 people were killed during the unrest, including members of the security forces and bystanders, attributing the violence to “terrorist acts”.

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The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), however, said it had recorded more than 7,000 deaths, the vast majority of them protesters, adding that the toll could be higher.

AFP

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Doctors begin indefinite strike Tuesday – See Why

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has declared an indefinite nationwide strike beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, citing what it described as the Federal Government’s plan to halt the implementation of the revised Professional Allowance Table, a key component of agreements reached after its 2025 industrial action.

The decision, which threatens to disrupt healthcare services across public hospitals in Nigeria, was reached at the end of the association’s virtual extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, NARD National President, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the development as “unfortunate,” blaming the Federal Government of Nigeria for pushing doctors towards another industrial action.

“The National Executive Council was informed about the Federal Government’s decision to remove the Professional Allowance Table, a development deemed unfortunate,” he said.

“Following extensive deliberations, the NEC resolved to embark on a total industrial and comprehensive strike beginning at 12:00 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.”

The crisis stems from the implementation of a revised Professional Allowance Table negotiated between NARD and the Federal Government following a prolonged strike in 2025. The agreement included improved remuneration packages for resident doctors, covering call duty allowances, shift allowances, rural posting incentives, and non-clinical duty payments.

Although implementation was initially scheduled to commence in January 2026, delays pushed the rollout to February. However, NARD alleged that the government was planning to discontinue the process by April, a move the association said undermined trust and violated prior agreements.

Healthcare analysts note that disputes over allowances and welfare have been a recurring issue in Nigeria’s health sector, contributing to frequent strikes by medical unions, including the Nigerian Medical Association. These disruptions often reduce access to healthcare services, particularly in public hospitals that cater to the majority of Nigerians.

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Outlining the association’s demands, Ibrahim called for the immediate reversal of the government’s decision and settlement of all outstanding entitlements.

“We demand the reversal of the decision to cease the implementation of the PAT starting in April 2026,” he said.

“There must be immediate payment of promotion arrears and salary arrears in affected centres, as well as the prompt conclusion of the process of paying the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund.”

“We also insist on the immediate processing and payment of the outstanding 19 months’ arrears of the Professional Allowance.”

He further urged members of the association nationwide to remain united.

“The NARD leadership calls on its members to unite in the fight against this injustice and to pursue it to a logical conclusion,” Ibrahim added.

The planned strike raises concerns about the potential impact on Nigeria’s already strained health system. Resident doctors form the backbone of service delivery in tertiary hospitals, handling a large proportion of patient care.

According to health sector data, Nigeria faces a severe shortage of medical personnel, with doctor-to-patient ratios far below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standard of one doctor to 600 patients. Estimates suggest Nigeria’s ratio is closer to one doctor per 5,000 patients, particularly in underserved areas.

An indefinite strike could lead to the shutdown of outpatient services, delays in surgeries, and increased pressure on private healthcare facilities, raising concerns among patients and health advocates.

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