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Lawmakers Solicit Empowering Indigenous Contractors In Construction Industry

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2 years ago

November 11, 2024

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By Gloria Ikibah

Members of the National Assembly have called on the need to empower indigenous contractors in the construction industry to boost national development.

Lawmakers made this call a summit organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works on Monday in Abuja, with the theme: “Empowering Local Contractors for National Development: Bridging Gaps and Building Partnerships.”

In his remarks the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, who stressed the importance of empowering indigenous contractors, highlighted the challenges local contractors face, including limited financing, inadequate equipment, and insecurity.

Mpigi who who decried that indigenous contractors have not been given opportunities over the years in the nation’s infrastructural sector, suggested innovative solutions like tokenization of assets and tax credits to bridge the financial gap.

He said, “Our local contractors face significant challenges that hinder their potential to contribute to national goals. Challenges such as limited access to long-term financing, inadequate equipment, lack of insurance facilities, and issues of insecurity have long been obstacles to their growth and success.

“Globally, other nations have implemented strategic measures to support their local contractors. From government financing and public-private partnerships to streamlined procurement processes, these countries have recognised the importance of providing practical solutions to empower local businesses. We must follow suit by promoting fair procurement processes, engaging with local communities, and prioritising environmental sustainability, ensuring that our infrastructure projects are built with the future in mind.”

To bridge the financial gap between local contractors and their foreign counterparts, he urged the Securities and Exchange Commission to step in by exploring innovative approaches, such as the tokenisation of assets.

“This process allows local contractors to convert their assets into digital tokens, facilitating access to funds from a broader pool of investors. By unlocking these new financing opportunities, tokenization can empower local contractors to raise capital, enable fractional ownership, and improve liquidity in the sector.

“The Federal Inland Revenue Service can play a crucial role in supporting our local contractors by introducing easier access to tax credits, which will ease their financial burden. Such incentives can encourage investment in the sector, providing them with much-needed relief and fostering growth.,” he added.

Also Speaking, Chairman, House Committee on Works, Rep. Akin Alabi, stressed the need for partnerships prioritizing local contractors.

He said, “Today, we gather with a shared purpose to strengthen the bridges between the government, stakeholders and our local contractors and construction companies, fostering partnerships that will empower our indigenous industries and transform our country’s infrastructure.

“Nigeria has a diverse landscape which holds immense potential for growth and development. However, to truly unlock these potentials, we need an approach that maximises local resources, skills and talents. It is time to make the call to embrace our local contractors not only as stakeholders but as partners in our journey to national development.

“We need a construction industry that is driven by local content, benefitting our people and fortifying our economy. Today’s summit provides an opportunity to address challenges, explore solutions and deepen collaborations between indigenous contractors, construction companies and key policymakers.”

In her goodwill message at the summit, the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Margaret Oguntala, highlighted the importance of collaboration among the various stakeholders in the country’s infrastructural sector.

Represented by the President, Association of Consulting Engineering in Nigeria, Kam-Salem Bukar, Oguntala called attention to the principles of Executive Order 5 signed by former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“As policymakers, legislatures are tasked with crafting laws that empower local content and infrastructure initiatives. By reinforcing the principles of Executive Order 5, they can ensure that Ministries Departments and Agencies prioritise Nigerian professionals and resources in public procurement,” she said.

Apart from local contractors, the NSE President also identified professional consulting engineers and engineering regulatory bodies as important partners with significant input in the infrastructural arena.

Oguntala while commending the organisers of the event, called for regular dialogue, training and capacity building as well as regulatory oversight to promote Nigeria’s infrastructural development.

The summit aimed to address challenges, explore solutions, and deepen collaborations between indigenous contractors, construction companies, and policymakers.

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BREAKING: Senator Narrowly Escapes Death As Gunshots Rock APC Primaries

Published

39 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Gunshots disrupted the senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo Central Senatorial District on Monday following the invasion of some voting centres by suspected political thugs.

The incident occurred in parts of Ondo State, particularly at Ward 5, Okelisa, Amudipe Street, Akure, where hoodlums reportedly attacked supporters of Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire.

Adegbomire, who is seeking the APC senatorial ticket, reportedly escaped unhurt after his vehicle came under gun attack during the chaos.

The suspected thugs were alleged to be loyal to one of the aspirants participating in the primary election.

Witnesses said the assailants fired several gunshots into the air and also shot at the senator’s vehicle before security operatives hurriedly evacuated him from the scene.

The development caused panic in the area as journalists covering the exercise, traders, and pupils of Ebenezer Primary School fled for safety.

The attackers were also said to have wielded machetes while assaulting voters and disrupting the counting process at the ward.

Speaking with journalists after the incident, Adegbomire alleged that the primary election was deliberately sabotaged.

The senator claimed the exercise appeared to be favouring him before the disruption occurred, alleging that thugs were deployed to prevent his supporters from participating in the process.

According to him, voting had commenced at his ward with supporters lining up behind their preferred aspirants before the violence erupted.

He explained that while the counting process was ongoing, the attackers stormed the venue, fired gunshots, attacked people with machetes, and disrupted the exercise.

Adegbomire further alleged that similar incidents were recorded in other parts of the senatorial district, claiming that some voters believed to be supporting him were prevented from accessing polling venues.

He also accused the perpetrators of using intimidation and violence to influence the outcome of the exercise.

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Just in: Ex-Reps member, Ogbeide-Ihama defeats serving Senator Imasuen, Pastor Ize- Iyamu Edo APC Senate primaries

Published

41 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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A popular former member of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Omorgie Ogbeide-Ihama has floored a serving Senator, Ned Imasuen and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in Edo South Senatorial District All Progressives Congress APC primaries.

Ogbeide-Ihama, an Engineer who vied into politics two decades ago has a reputation of beating his political rivals seamlessly since 2015.

This he has exhibited again in the Edo South Senatorial District primaries flooring two political heavyweights in one swipe.

He was a two-term member of the HoR 2015-2023

Local Government Areas results:

Oredo: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 3,950

Imasuen: 1,974

Ize-Iyamu: 986

Ohuonmde: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 2,626

Imasuen: 1,314

Ize-Iyamu: , 657

Ovia North East: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 3,514

Imasuen: 1,759

Ize-Iyamu: 878

Ovia South West: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 4,263

Imasuen: 2,759

Ize-Iyamu: 1,065

Ikpoba Okha: Ogbeide-Ihama 5,517

Imasuen: 2,759

Ize-Iyamu: 1,378

Orhionwon: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 3,058

Imasuen: 1,529

Ize-Iyamu: 765

Egor: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 4,226

Imasuen: 2,114

Ize-Iyamu: 1056

Oredo: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 3,950

Imasuen: 1,974

Ize-Iyamu: 986

Ohuonmde: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 2,626

Imasuen: 1,314

Ize-Iyamu: , 657

Ovia North East: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 3,514

Imasuen: 1,759

Ize-Iyamu: 878

Ovia South West: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 4,263

Imasuen: 2,759

Ize-Iyamu: 1,065

Ikpoba Okha: Ogbeide-Ihama 5,517

Imasuen: 2,759

Ize-Iyamu: 1,378

Orhionwon: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 3,058

Imasuen: 1,529

Ize-Iyamu: 765

Egor: Ogbeide-Ihama polled 4,226

Imasuen: 2,114

Ize-Iyamu: 1056
[5/18, 3:47 PM] Emman Ovuakporie: Grand total: Ogbeide-Ihama 27,154

Imasuen: 13,580

Ize-Iyamu: 6,785

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Building Collapse: Wike Orders Investigation, Seals Off Premises(Photos)

Published

2 hours ago

May 18, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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…Developer, engineer face arrest

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday ordered a full-scale investigation into the building collapse in Abuja that claimed four lives, directing that the premises be sealed off immediately.

Wike also disclosed that an engineer linked to the collapsed structure had been arrested, while the developer would equally face arrest and a panel set up to unravel the cause of the collapse.

The Minister, who visited the scene the collapsed building on Monday, described the incident as “very pathetic,” stressing that the government would not compromise on the safety of residents.

“From the report I got, we lost four people and some lives were saved. It’s very pathetic. Nobody is happy when you lose somebody,” Wike said.

“The Department of Development Control has sealed off the premises. We are going to set up a panel to really look at what happened. One of the engineers has been arrested already. From there, we’ll get to the developer, and the developer will also be arrested.”

He said the FCT Administration was taking over the matter, while the Department of Development Control would carry out preliminary investigations pending the outcome of the panel’s findings.

Wike warned developers against obstructing officials of the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) from carrying out routine supervision of construction projects.

According to him, some developers often resort to blackmail whenever government agencies attempt to enforce compliance with building regulations.

“Sometimes when we come to a site like this, the press has not been kind to us. Instead of finding out why government is taking that decision, some people will go to blackmail government officials,” he stated.

The minister stressed that strict compliance with building standards, including soil tests and the use of quality materials, remained critical to preventing future disasters.

“In construction of buildings, we must know the quality. What materials are they using? Are they doing the soil test? What is the result of the soil test? Can it allow for two floors or three floors? All these are very key,” he said.

He maintained that government’s primary responsibility was the protection of lives and property, lamenting that the lives lost in the collapse could never be replaced.

“How can you buy back these lives? They are gone. That is the responsibility of government: to protect life and property,” Wike added.