Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, says its flight heading to Abuja from Benin could not continue the trip due to a technical snag the aircraft encountered shortly after takeoff.

In a notice on Monday, Ejike Nduilo, head of corporate communications, said the 12:50pm flight returned to Benin due to necessary safety measures.

He said passengers disembarked normally after the aircraft landed in Benin.

The airline spokesperson also said an alternative aircraft was made available to avoid disruptions.

“Our maintenance team are currently troubleshooting the cause of the snag,” Nduilo said.

“We are deploying replacement aircraft to Benin for us to minimise the disruptions and ensure passengers continue their journeys as soon as possible.

“We appeal for understanding of the passengers affected and others whose flights will be delayed as a result of this unforeseen development.”

Air Peace said it remained committed to upholding safety standards.

On May 30, Air Peace discontinued one of its foreign trips due to a low-pressure tyre.

The aircraft which was in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, disrupted flights bound for Gambia and Senegal.

On April 25, Air Peace said its Port Harcourt-Lagos flight landed at the destination airport earlier than scheduled, following a presumed fire incident on the aircraft.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.

The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance Dr. Hauwa Nuru.

“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented mininum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said.

“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers.”

The statement added that workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency (KWSRRA) should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.

The statement said labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salary and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.

“Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of Kwara workforce,” Dr. Nuru stated.

The Lagos state government has announced the diversion of traffic in the Mile 2 area to allow for the construction of a transport interchange.

In a statement on Monday, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the commissioner for transportation in Lagos, said the diversion will commence on November 11 and last for fifteen months.

The commissioner said the transport interchange terminal will integrate rail, bus, water and non–motorised transportation.

“The Lagos state government has announced that traffic will be diverted at Loop 1 on the Apapa bound lane and Loop 4 on the Badagry bound lane at Mile 2 for a duration of 15 months for the construction work of the Transport Interchange Terminal that will integrate Rail, Bus, Water and Non–Motorised Transportation,” the commissioner said.

“The commencement date for the construction is scheduled from Monday, 11th November, 2024, to Monday, 16th February 2026. Consequently, Motorists are hereby enjoined to use alternative routes as follows:

“Motorists heading to Oshodi from Apapa will have through traffic and vice versa.

“Motorists heading to Badagry from Apapa will continue their journey on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway and take a turn into Akinwande Road to link Coker and access the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to continue their journeys.

“Motorists heading to Lagos from Badagry will also have through traffic and vice versa.

“Motorists heading to Apapa will be diverted into Durban Road to link Amuwo Odofin Estate and connect Apapa-Oshodi Expressway to continue their journeys.”

Osiyemi assured motorists that officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will oversee traffic flow.