WRTA Looking for Feedback in Advance to Adjust Schedule

Wanjiru Waweru, Jadetimes Staff

W. Waweru is a Jadetimes News Reporter covering American News

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Image Source: Spectrum News

Worcester, Massachusetts — The Worcester Regional Transit Authority is considering almost two dozen schedule adjustments, and looking forward to riders to step in. The WRTA reported about the complaints frequently have to do with Buses running late with only at least 61% coming on time from July 2023 to June 2024.

The authority credits about the adjustment would change the reliability and early performance of the bus service. Riders could participate in a majority of meetings, the headline would be located at the Senior Center on January 7, 2025, at 2 pm.

Other public meeting sites including the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, the Worcester  Public Library, and the Worcester Housing Authority. A virtual meeting would be arranged for January 27, 2025 at 5 pm.

The entire list of new schedules could be appeared on the WRTA website. The schedule would be the official until they made a final decision or voted on the WRTA Advisory Board at the following meeting on February 20, 2025.

If you could be able to attend a public meeting, comments could be address to direct to the WRTA via email at comments@therta.com.

ECOWAS Denies Niger's Claims of Terrorism Sponsorship, Stands by Nigeria

By Badamasi Bello, Jadetimes Contributor

B. Bello is a Jadetimes news reporter covering African News

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lmage source: ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States has strongly dismissed accusations by Niger Republic's military rulers that Nigeria and some ECOWAS member states, in collaboration with France, are sponsoring terrorism in the Sahel nation.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Joël Ahofodji, ECOWAS branded the allegations "unfounded and unsubstantiated," while restating its solidarity with Nigeria and other accused member states.

"The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) expresses deep concern over allegations made against Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states. The Commission stands firmly by Nigeria and ECOWAS member states against the allegations that they are sponsoring terrorism," the statement read.

Niger's Allegations on Nigeria, France Declared Baseless

The accusations first emerged early this week, when Niger's military Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tchiani accused both Nigeria and France of being in a plot to destabilize that country. He said the French troops were stationed at the Lake Chad area in Borno State with Nigeria's collaboration, allegedly to carry out attacks on Niger.

Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, denied the accusations, describing them as unfounded. "Nigeria would never undermine its neighbor or allow threats to emanate from its territory. Even during colonial times, Nigeria resisted foreign troops within its borders, unlike Niger, which accepted them. Why would we change our stance now?" Ribadu said.

Image source: Office of the National Security Advisero

Ribadu further challenged journalists to verify the claims and urged Niger’s junta to reconsider their position, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to addressing shared security challenges.

Nigeria’s Government Reacts

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in turn, denied the accusation. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained, "What is being insinuated is, to say the least, a figment of imagination; Nigeria never entered into, overt and covert, with France or other countries to destabilise Niger Republic. ''Those claiming so exist and live merely in that their wild Imagination.

Specifically, the Minister cited the continued efforts of Nigeria for peace and security in West Africa. Saying that this commitment has been demonstrated with the successes being recorded under the MNJTF, a Task Force to which Nigeria plays host.

ECOWAS also urged all member states to refrain from making baseless accusations and instead focus on dialogue and cooperation to resolve regional challenges.

Tensions Rise Amid Credibility Questions

General Tchiani’s claims have sparked criticism and ridicule within Niger and beyond, with many questioning his credibility and understanding of geopolitics. Social media footage circulating among Nigerien citizens shows individuals mocking his statements, calling them implausible and unsubstantiated.

Analysts have noted that this would further heighten the tension in the relationship of Niger with its neighbors, and regional cooperation on these common security challenges even further becomes difficult. Ribadu cautioned the military rulers against replacing one foreign power with another, saying this has only moved the challenge rather than trying to resolve it.

Sokoto Governor Reacts to Civilian Deaths in Military Operation as Military and Advocacy Group Demand Investigations

By Badamasi Bello, Jadetimes Contributor

B. Bello is a Jadetimes news reporter covering African News

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lmage source: NNigeria Defence Headquater

The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, has expressed deep concern over the killing of civilians during a military operation targeting terrorists in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa villages of Silame Local Government Area. About 10 persons were said to have been killed in the operation that happened on Christmas Day during airstrikes targeted at neutralizing terrorist threats within the region.

Aliyu has, in a statement, said that he reached out to the leadership of the Nigerian Army for proper investigation into the sad incident. He then called for support from the state government to the affected families and further called for measures that can prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents.

Defence Headquarters Clarifies Incident

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters explained in detail what happened. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, said civilian casualties were a result of secondary explosion during the airstrike.

The airstrike was a precision-guided operation to neutralize a terrorist logistics base, Buba said. He explained that the secondary explosion, caused by the detonation of materials like hand cartridges and explosives housed at the terrorists' base, led to the casualties.

lmage source: Facebook

Buba added that extensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations were conducted prior to the strike to confirm terrorist activities in the area. The operation was delayed to minimize civilian casualties.

"This operation commenced with intelligence, surveillance missions to confirm terrorist activities in the area. The results of the intelligence and surveillance were confirmed by human intelligence sources. Subsequently, the air operation was executed with precision munitions for neutralization," he said.

Buba stated that destruction of terrorist infrastructure and neutralization of a few combatants were subsequently confirmed by ground forces, adding that survivors from the terrorist group fled in disarray.

Advocacy Group Demands Independent Probe

In response to the incident, the Northern Star Initiative-a northern advocacy group-has joined in condemning the bombing as a tragic mistake. The Group's Director-General, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, decried in a statement issued in Kaduna the loss of innocent lives and called for an independent investigation into the incident.

What exists are conflicting accounts from villagers, state officials and the military, but what cannot be denied is that there had been innocent civilians who were killed in the airstrike," Idris said, calling for a high-powered investigative committee by the federal government to establish the truth.

He further alluded to a similar incident that occurred last year in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, when civilians were bombed in celebration of Eid-el-Maulud. He described the "errors" as unacceptable and demanded that something be done immediately to avoid such tragedies.

"What is required is an independent investigation into this dastardly act, followed by the punishment of the culprits and adequate compensation for the families of the victims," he added.

Call for Accountability and Reforms

The incident contributed to the wider debate on the behavior of military operations in civilian areas. While the military insisted that the action was based on credible intelligence aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, the advocacy groups and local leaders called for more caution in order to avoid harming civilians.

While investigations by relevant agencies continue, Governor Aliyu and other stakeholders have called for increased collaboration between military authorities and local communities to avert such tragedies, while all eyes are on the federal government to ensure justice is served and such unfortunate incidents do not recur.