Today's Headlines: New information minister pledges not to tell lies: Rivers: Five electrocuted,

New information minister pledges not to ‘tell lies’

Photo credit: Punch paper

The newly appointed Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the ministry will not tell lies on behalf of the government.

Speaking to the press after his inauguration, Idris said the President has given him a matching order to speak the truth, which is now a new covenant between the government and the people of Nigeria.

He said, “As a minister of Information and National Orientation, I have the duty of telling Nigerians the true picture of what transpired about the various programmes and projects of the administration in all sectors.

“Being truthful and effective as minister of Information is essential to engender the trust of the people on various programmes and projects of the administration.”

Rivers: Five electrocuted, four hospitalised while erecting billboard, police begin probe

Photo credit: Punch paper

No fewer than five persons were electrocuted while trying to mount a billboard in the Obiri-Ikwerre area of Rumuosi in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the Rivers State on Monday.

Also, four others who received life-threatening burns are currently battling for their lives at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital where they were rushed to for treatment.

The PUNCH gathered that the billboard, a major outdoor advertisement with a metal frame, reportedly touched a high-tension cable, thereby causing a spark.

The nine men were said to have lifted the gigantic structure when its metal component touched the cable and immediately conducted an electric current.

The electric current gripped and shocked five of them to death while four others were said to be in critical condition.

The victims were said to be private businessmen contracted to mount the billboard for a new generation church.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate.

She said, “Yes, we are aware. It is very unfortunate. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain what really happened. “

Adelabu assumes office, pledges ‘stable’ power supply

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The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will empower them through ‘stable and accessible’ power.

The minister who gave the assurance when he assumed office on Monday in Abuja stressed that every home, industry, school, and business will benefit from the government’s efforts.

To achieve the feat, Adelabu said the ministry will leverage the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023 to boost the power supply in the country.

The Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023 provides a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the operation of a fully privatised, cost and service-reflective tariff, contract.

The Act also provides a rule-based competitive electricity market in Nigeria and repeals the following Acts: Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.

According to him, the ministry will diligently provide optimal solutions for Nigeria’s power needs across the nation.

He said that the task was not merely a requirement, but an expectation from both the President and the Nigerian populace who had endured years of power challenge.

Environment minister promises research-based reforms

Photo credit: Punch paper

The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Ishaq Salako, has promised positive changes to the country’s environment sector and research-based reforms.

Salako said this on Monday in his address when he assumed office at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Salako said the ministry will take the lead in ensuring environmental sustainability, and a greener environment for Nigeria’s future generations.

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