Motorists and other road users have commended the Federal Road Maintenance Agency as it stepped up action on the rehabilitation of federal roads in the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State. Maintenance of the federal roads in the area was put on hold for a while due to reported cases of kidnapping, banditry and other vices. But the agency, disturbed by the reported cases of road crashes and other occurrences attributed to the deplorable state of roads in the state, resumed the rehabilitation of roads in the Oke-Ogun axis.

FERMA, at weekend, kicked off rehabilitation works on Kishi and Ago-Are/Saki roads, a project that is being executed through direct labor. The rehabilitation exercise, according to some of the motorists, would drastically reduce the reported carnage on the roads and as well reduce the cost of transporting farm produce to the various markets in the area.

A leader of the motorists, Abdulraman Maruf Abiola, commended FERMA for its decision to resume rehabilitation of federal roads in Oke-Ogun, described the intervention as a welcome development. “The state of the roads in the Oke-Ogun area is appalling. The situation has resulted in the geometric increase on the prices of commodities as well the reported cases of the crashes on the roads. The cost of transporting the farm produces to the neighboring markets, in recent times, have witnessed a geometric increase as a result of the deplorable condition of the roads. Also, most of the road crashes recorded in the area have been attributed to the deplorable condition of the roads. However, with the intervention of FERMA, there will be drastic reduction in the reported cases,” he said.

Abiola further stated that periodic rehabilitation of some of the roads in Oke-Ogun will reduce reported cases of road accident, high cost of transportation and other mishaps. He said there were other bad portions of the Kishi/Igbeti Road that needed to be fixed, and pleaded for the intervention of FERMA and other relevant agencies, both at the state and federal levels.

In his remarks, Engineer Olutunde Adepoju of FERMA, Oyo State Field Office, blamed the neglect of the federal roads in the Oke-Ogun axis on insecurity. He lamented that most of the roads being rehabilitated were constructed around 1979 and 1980, adding that they have not been adequately maintained by the users. “Maintenance is one of the things that we are lacking in anything that we do. We need to come back to that basis to ensure that all these items are being attended to at the appropriate time,” Adepoju said.

He stated that the President Bola Tinubu administration was already working on roads to ensure that things are done the way they ought to be. “The main constraint is finance and I believe that the House of Representatives Chairman on FERMA, Honourable Remi Oseni, together with all other members of the Senate Committee on FERMA are already working on how to increase the allocation given to the agency. There is nothing we can do if fund is not available and I believe that all those who are concerned are already advocating for it. We just pray that God will continue to help the president with the reform the New Hope Agenda is pursuing.”

Providing details of the ongoing work, Adepoju explained, “We are currently working at Kishi Town and the total area we are covering is about 1,110 square meters which is approximately about 111 meters of asphalt. More or less, what we are doing here is sectional repairs. Our own concern is how to make the road motorable for the community. So we have to carry out the rehabilitation of the place. Like I told you, it is a sectional repair within the corridor as you all know. From here, we will move to Ago-Are. Ago-Are axis spans from Iseyin. The total kilometer is about 306 kilometers of road. The section we are repairing currently is about 268 kilometers and our own work we have only covered approximately two kilometers that we are currently repairing.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made this known while receiving the Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke and delegation during a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan said the visit underscores the strong relationship between the electoral body and the Air Force, noting that logistics and security remain critical to the successful conduct of elections in Nigeria.

He commended the Nigerian Air Force for its consistent support to INEC, particularly in providing airlift services and security assistance during elections across the country.

According to him, the collaboration has been instrumental in ensuring that electoral materials and personnel are delivered promptly to remote and hard-to-reach areas, thereby enhancing the credibility of the electoral process.

The INEC chairman disclosed that the Commission has already released the timetable for the 2027 general elections following the passage of the Electoral Act 2026.

He explained that presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 16, 2027.

Amupitan said preparations for the elections were already underway and assured that the Commission would share its detailed operational plans with the Air Force to ensure seamless coordination.

He also praised the Air Force for its support during recent electoral exercises, including the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election, the Federal Capital Territory area council elections, and several by-elections conducted across the country.

The INEC chairman stressed that efficient logistics remain a key factor in delivering credible elections.

“As we prepare for the upcoming elections, we acknowledge the challenges ahead. However, with the continued support of the Nigerian Air Force, we are confident of creating a secure and orderly environment that will enable Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights,” he said.

Amupitan further revealed that INEC would conduct off-cycle governorship elections later this year, beginning with Ekiti State in June and followed by Osun State on August 15.

He described the polls as important preparatory exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections and called for sustained collaboration with security agencies.

In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, reiterated the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to supporting INEC in delivering credible elections.

He said the Air Force considers its partnership with the electoral commission an important contribution to democratic governance and national stability.

Aneke assured that the Air Force would continue to provide airlift support for both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, particularly in areas that are difficult to access by road.

He added that the service was working to ensure that its aircraft fleet is fully operational ahead of the election period, with some aircraft currently undergoing maintenance to enhance airlift capacity.

“We remain ready to provide support whenever required. Once there is a suitable landing area, the Air Force can deploy materials and personnel to the location,” he said.

The Air Chief also emphasized the importance of modern technology in strengthening election security.

According to him, the Air Force has developed capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance using drones and other aerial platforms, which could be deployed to monitor areas of concern during elections.

He further proposed joint preparatory exercises and simulation drills between the Air Force and INEC to test operational plans ahead of the polls.

Abubakar noted that such rehearsals would help identify potential challenges and improve coordination among agencies involved in the electoral process.

He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between INEC, the Nigerian Air Force, and other security agencies would further strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.

The industrialization agenda of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has received a major boost with the commencement of construction of a 100-megawatt power plant and a 300-metric-tonnes-per-day Liquefied Natural Gas facility at the Taihu Industrial Park in Ologbo Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

The strategic energy projects, being developed by Taihu Industry Park Ologbo Company Limited, a subsidiary of the China Clean Energy Technology Company, are expected to significantly enhance energy supply, stimulate industrial activities and strengthen the state’s growing reputation as a destination for investment and manufacturing.

At the groundbreaking ceremony held on Monday, March 9, 2026, Governor Okpebholo described the project as a significant step toward strengthening the state’s industrial base, improving energy security and accelerating economic transformation. He emphasized that his administration has deliberately pursued policies that create an enabling environment for investors, noting that the state is focused on attracting genuine investments capable of delivering long-term prosperity.

Okpebholo noted that rather than relying on symbolic agreements, his government is focused on projects that comply fully with the law and translate directly into tangible development outcomes. The governor also linked the initiative to the economic vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that reliable electricity remains the backbone of industrialization and a critical driver of economic expansion.

“With this power plant, we are creating an environment-friendly ecosystem for manufacturing, job creation and sustainable economic growth in Edo State,” he said.

Okpebholo urged the host community to continue demonstrating the hospitality for which the area is known, stressing that peaceful coexistence between investors and local communities remains essential for long-term development. He assured investors that the Edo State Government would continue to protect investments and provide the enabling conditions needed for businesses to thrive.

The Managing Director of Taihu Industry Park Ologbo Company Limited, Jiang Fan, said the projects represent a major milestone that will drive economic development and support Edo State’s expanding industrial ecosystem. According to him, the power plant and LNG facility are designed to energize industries within the park, extend energy access to surrounding communities and contribute to long-term economic growth.

“We break ground today and tomorrow we will power industries, energize communities and fuel growth. These projects will be completed within six months from today,” Jiang Fan said.

He also acknowledged the role played by the Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Eric Sino Osawaru, for facilitating engagement with the host community and ensuring smooth collaboration that enabled the project to commence. “We want to express our appreciation to the Honourable Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, Hon. Eric Sino Osawaru, who has been our torchbearer to the Ologbo community, holding our hands in managing all community issues,” he stated.

The company’s managing director also commended the people of Ologbo Community for their cooperation and support, noting that their partnership remains essential to the success of the project. He assured that the company will uphold responsible operational practices, environmental sustainability and strong community engagement throughout the life of the project.

Jiang Fan further expressed confidence that the collaboration between the Edo State Government, the local government authority and the host community would enable the Taihu Industrial Park to attract additional high-value investments and gradually evolve into a major industrial hub in the region. The industrial park is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Edo State’s industrialization agenda while serving as a model for regional economic development. The projects are scheduled for completion within six months, with a commissioning date tentatively fixed for September 9, 2026.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Hon. Eric Osawaru, described the groundbreaking ceremony as a major milestone for the local government, Edo State and Nigeria’s energy sector. He noted that the project represents the positive impact of collaboration between government, private investors and host communities, adding that it would create employment opportunities, promote skills development and stimulate infrastructure growth within the area.

Speaking on behalf of the host community, Deacon Osazuwa commended Governor Okpebholo for creating an investor-friendly climate that has encouraged major investments in the state. He said the decision to site the project in Ologbo would significantly boost economic activities and improve livelihoods in the community.

Edo State Commissioner for Power, Paul Usebor, described the project as a strategic step in the state’s drive to become a hub for reliable power generation and industrial development. According to him, the 100MW power plant will strengthen electricity supply within Edo State and surrounding areas, while the 300-metric-tonnes-per-day LNG facility will enhance cleaner energy production, improve gas utilization and boost energy security.

The first phase of the Taihu Benin Industrial Park project will occupy approximately 29 hectares in Ologbo and is being developed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, which is also serving as the major contractor. Upon completion, the facility is expected to provide reliable energy support for regional industrial development and significantly strengthen the power supply infrastructure within the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.