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ECOWAS approves increased compensation for passengers affected by flight cancellation

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved a higher compensation rate for passengers whose flights are cancelled or delayed across member states.

The approval is contained in the final communique of the ECOWAS Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Summit.

According to the statement, the bloc, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, discussed the severe negative impact of high air transport costs on the growth of the region’s aviation industry as well as ECOWAS’s larger economic and regional integration agendas.

The communique said in order to lower the severe impact of the cost of air transport services in the community, the ECOWAS authority adopted the supplementary Act to the regional common policy on aviation charges, taxes, and fees.

“The Authority also endorses the regional strategy which includes, among others, a 25% reduction of passenger and security charges and the removal of taxes applied to air transport, in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) principles and procedures on Taxes, Fees and Charges, which prohibits taxing of air transport services based on the non-relatedness, transparent and related pricing principles,” the communique reads.

“To ensure a holistic improvement of the region’s air transport industry, the Authority also approves the Regulation establishing a common framework for Aviation Security and the increased rate of compensation for passengers who are denied boarding of flights through an amendment of Article 4 of the Supplementary Act on delayed boarding, flight cancellations and denied boarding.

“The authority directs ministers in-charge of Air Transport and the Commission to coordinate and monitor the effective and uniform application of the Supplementary Acts and Regulations in all Member States, while ensuring that Airlines also comply with cost reduction obligations to ensure that ticket prices reflect the reductions to benefit all Community citizens and populations.”

In the communique, ECOWAS commended the progress made in completing the technical engineering designs and other preparatory arrangements for the construction of the 1028-kilometre (km) Abidjan-Lagos corridor highway.

“The Authority further commends the progress made in completing the financial and technical studies for the Praia-Dakar Shipping and Maritime Link and the alignment definition of the Dakar-Abidjan Highway,” the communique added.

The authority said it was aware of the consultations initiated with the African Development Bank (AfDB), ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, and other partners to raise the investment finance required to construct the highway and establish the shipping line.

ECOWAS also directed the commission to undertake extensive resource drives with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and AfDB to raise private and public financing for implementation mobilisation.

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Eight passengers injured as bus crashes into median in Lagos

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At least eight people sustained varying degrees of injuries after a commercial bus, popularly known as a Molue, crashed into the road median at the Ahmadiya axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Friday.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Taofiq explained that the accident occurred when the bus driver veered off the road in an attempt to avoid colliding with pedestrians standing at the bus stop.

He added that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash into the median and overturn, leading to injuries among the passengers and the driver.

Taofiq stated, “The accident was triggered when the vehicle, registered as KTU 801 XM, lost control due to excessive speed, reportedly caused by driver impatience.

“In an attempt to avoid colliding with another LT commercial bus and pedestrians waiting at the roadside, the driver veered sharply, resulting in the bus crashing into the expressway median and overturning.

“Eight individuals, including five men and three women, sustained varying degrees of injuries. Among the injured was the bus driver, who suffered a fractured left arm.”

“The injured victims were taken to Ile-Epo General Hospital thanks to the swift response of LASTMA personnel and officials from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

“LASTMA officers promptly arrived at the scene, executing a coordinated and efficient rescue operation.

“All victims were immediately handed over to LASAMBUS medical personnel and transported to the General Hospital at Ile-Epo for urgent medical attention,” Taofiq added.

Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, through Taofiq, sympathised with the injured and urged motorists to prioritise safety at all times.

“He emphasised the paramount importance of adhering strictly to traffic regulations, particularly compliance with speed limits as prescribed by the Lagos State Government.

“Mr Bakare-Oki also implored both commercial and private vehicle operators to prioritise regular vehicle maintenance, especially of critical systems such as brakes, to prevent avoidable accidents,” Taofiq noted.

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Groom hospitalised after bride poisons food at wedding in Jigawa

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The police command in Jigawa has arrested a woman for allegedly poisoning the food at her wedding.

The incident reportedly led to the death of one of the guests, with the groom left critically ill and hospitalised.

Lawan Adam, the Jigawa police command spokesperson, said the incident occurred in Jahun LGA, adding that an investigation has commenced.

He said the bride and another woman are being interrogated by the criminal investigation department of the command.

“We received a report that the bride had tainted the food served at the wedding reception, leaving the groom critically ill,” Adam said.

“Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged food poisoning incident that occurred during a wedding ceremony in the state.

“The command is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and we will provide more details as soon as possible.

“For now, we can confirm that the incident occurred, and we are working tirelessly to unravel the facts.

“We urge the public to remain calm and assured that justice will be served. We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.”

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Abuja to experience blackout in January over relocation of transmission towers

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The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced that power supply in Abuja will be disrupted from January 6 to 21.

In a statement on Friday, AEDC said the expected blackout is due to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) relocating feeder and transmission line towers along the outer southern expressway.

“Please be informed that there will be power interruptions from January 6 – 21, 2025, due to FCDA relocating the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Expressway,” AEDC said.

“The following areas will experience outages during the period of this exercise: Lugbe & environs, Airport Road, Kapwa, NNPC, Games Village, National Stadium, Eye Clinic, Indoor Complex, Christ Embassy Church, American International School, Spring Court, American Embassy Quarters, EFCC HQ, Coca Cola, Railway, FMC, Parts of Apo, Parts of Gudu, Gbazango & environs, Parts of Kubwa, Bwari & environs, Parts of Jahi, Parts of Jabi, Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba, Keffi & environs, and other parts of Abuja.”

The AEDC apologised for any inconvenience and expressed appreciation for the people’s understanding.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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