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Grid collapse: EFCC probes electricity contracts
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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, on Tuesday, attributed the country’s epileptic power supply to corruption within the power sector.
He said the commission initiated a probe into the sector, adding that what it uncovered during its investigations would make Nigerians shed tears.
Speaking during the visit of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Olukoyede lamented that contractors awarded projects to supply electrical equipment often opted for substandard materials.
He said this practice was a major cause of frequent equipment failures, outages, and grid collapses.
Olukoyede said, “As I am talking to you now, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears.
“People who were awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment, instead of using what they call 9.0 guage, they will buy 5.0.
“So, every time you see the thing tripping off, gets burnt, and all of that, It’s part of our problems.”
He also stated that during its investigations, the commission discovered that in the last 20 years, capital project implementation and execution in the country were not up to 20 per cent.
He said the country could not achieve infrastructural or other forms of growth under such conditions.
“We discovered that in the last 15 to 20 years, we have not done up to 20 per cent of our capital project implementation and execution.
“And if we don’t do that, how do you want to have infrastructural development? How do you want to grow as a nation?
“So our mandate this year is to work with that directorate and with the National Assembly to see if we can meet up to 50 per cent of execution of our capital project for the year.
“If we do 50 per cent, we will be fine as a nation. The lack of implementation of this capital project, capital budget, is one of our major problems in Nigeria.
“If we can tackle that effectively, we will make progress as a nation. So we are doing everything to see how we can achieve that with your support.”
The anti-graft boss said the commission received over 17,000 petitions, adding that over 20,000 cases were currently under investigation.
He said, “We have several cases filed in court, apart from the conviction, running to thousands.
“In the last year, we have received over 17,000 petitions in EFCC. And right now, as I’m talking to you, we are investigating over 20,000 cases.
“Between last October and now, we have opened over 4,800 new cases. And what is our staff spread? We are less than 5,000 and now, with the additional responsibility of over 700 MDAs, 36 states, 774 local governments, and all of that.”
The Chairman of the committee, Obinna Onwusibe, called on the EFCC to collaborate with the judiciary to expedite the trials of suspects and reduce the number of inmates awaiting trial.
He said, “At this point, let me add that recently, on oversight visits to the maximum and minimum correctional centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State, numerous suspects have been awaiting trial for over one year, and yet we are all acquainted with the saying that justice delayed is justice denied.
“It is on this note that we call on the EFCC, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the judiciary to improve and ensure that the administration of criminal justice works in collaboration for an effective and efficient system that will bring about justice delivery to victims and society.”
He also urged the EFCC to ensure transparency and accountability in its operation.
“The negative maxim being peddled in certain quarters is that the agency is often being used to settle political scores, and this must be corrected by the EFCC,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has called on the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the bill establishing state police, saying the growing wave of kidnappings across the country highlights the urgent need for decentralised policing.
Tinubu made the call on Monday while reacting to the abduction of teachers, students, and pupils from schools in the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The president said cases of kidnapping and insecurity in underserved communities have made the creation of state police increasingly necessary.
He noted that state police would strengthen local security architecture and improve response to criminal activities in remote areas.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu also sympathised with Governor Seyi Makinde, the government, and the people of Oyo State for the incident and assured them that the federal government will collaborate with the state government to rescue the victims.
He stated that security operatives are working around the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend the bandits and their collaborators within the community.
IEDs planted by bandits kill security operatives on rescue mission in Oyo
I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.
Imo APC primaries: Three senatorial aspirants step down for Nwabueze
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Bandits invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff, students, and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery, and Primary School and L.A. Primary School.
One of the abducted teachers was killed by the bandits in captivity on Monday.
Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje has lost the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Gombe Central Senatorial District for the fifth term.
In the direct primary election conducted Saturday in Akko and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas, two LGAs that make up the district, DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd) clinched APC in the Senatorial District.
The Returning Officer of the Election, Dr Habu Dahiru, declared that DCP Ahmed scored 42,785 votes against Senator Goje’s 10,425 votes.
Ahmed was earlier picked as the consensus candidate of the APC for the Senate seat in Gombe central.
Senator Goje, has been representing the zone since 2011, after his two terms as governor of the state.
The result would mark a significant shift in Gombe Central politics.
Speaking with journalists after the primaries, DCP Ahmed said the process was conducted without disruption, saying the atmosphere reflected the growing support for change in Gombe Central.
He said party members and residents were enthusiastic about the possibility of having a stronger representation for the zone at the National Assembly.
“You can see the excitement among the people. Many believe the time has come for Yamaltu-Deba to have a stronger voice at the national level,” he stated.
The APC’s candidate added that his ambition was not aimed at denying anyone the right to contest, “but was driven by the desire of the people for a new direction.”
When contacted, Goje’s aide declined comment, he said he would seek clearance from his principal before he could talk with journalists.
Constituents and party faithful turned out en masse on Monday, May 18, for the affirmation of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the candidate for the Senate seat in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
Akpabio who was returned unopposed as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, took part in the primary election at his Ward Centre at Methodist School Ukana, Ukana West 11, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
Although he was the only aspirant, his kinmen trooped out to the Ward Centre to support their son whom they said had given them effective representation in all the previous offices he had held having served as Commissioner, Governor, Minority Leader of the Senate, Minister and presently the President of the 10th Senate.
The venue wore the look of a carnival with party faithful singing and dancing to herald the election. Party members described the exercise as peaceful, orderly, and transparent, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, civil society groups, and other stakeholders monitored the process.
The Returning Officer, Mr Gabriel Ekong acknowledged the massive turn out of party members and thanked them for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
Other APC stakeholders said Akpabio’s support base further strengthened the ruling party’s preparations ahead of the general elections, especially as the APC intensifies consultations and mobilization efforts across the state.
In his remarks, Senator Akpabio expressed gratitude to party faithful for the confidence they have always reposed in him, assuring constituents of continued quality representation and effective leadership at the National Assembly.
The Senate President reaffirmed his commitment to advancing development initiatives, promoting unity within the party, and supporting the policies of the APC-led Federal Government for the benefit of the people.
Senator Akpabio urged the people to extend their support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and indeed all candidates of the APC. He pledged to continue to work harder to attract more dividends of democracy to the people.
Tinubu breaks silence on Oyo abduction, asks NASS to fast-track State Police Bill
Just in: Goje Loses Fifth-Term Bid as Inuwa-Backed Candidate Clinches APC Senate Ticket
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