News
RCC Blamed for Snail Pace Work on East-West Road as Dutch Drown Escaping from Bandits
Reynolds Construction Company of Nigeria, RCC has been handling the over 1,000 kilometre road project, stretching from Akwa Ibom to Lagos, and criss-crossing four other states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo.
With the completion of the Akwa Ibom section of the East-West road in 2023, the construction giant was expected to have completed the remaining aspects of the project, from the Onne junction down to Mbiama, Warri and Edo axis of the road late last year.
The latest incident happened last Monday night, at the Okulu-Aleto Bridge in the Eleme local government area of Rivers state, where a white Hilux vehicle belonging to the state government owned Cassava Project Limited, in an attempt to escape the pursuit by alleged kidnappers skidded off the uncomplicated bridge into the river with its occupants, believed to be company workers.
Following an intensive search by a combined team of the Navy, the Police and other specialist agencies, the lifeless body of Mr. Gibson Reuben, a Netherlands National and Managing Director of the Cassava factory and the Toyota White Hilux, have been recovered, about 24 hours after the incident.
The Southern Examiner gathered that immediately on receiving reports of the attack, culminating in the incident, the Chairman of Eleme local government area, Chief Brain Gokpa mobilised officials of the Navy and other rescue operations team as well security personnel in search of the vehicle and its occupants.
Reports say with over N33 billion already sunk into the project, it remains to be seen the extent to which the project had been executed, with travellers on the road being exposed to grave danger of Kidnappings and armed robbery.
Julius Berger Plc, which had initially pulled out of site due to incessant attacks and threats to the lives of their company workers, especially foreigners by Niger Delta militants, are said to have returned and handled parts of Delta, Edo down to the Lagos end of the East-West road project.
In recent times, following the snail-speed of the construction work, there have been increasing cases of accidents, armed robbery, and kidnappings on the Onne axis of the road, leading to Ogoni, as well as the Andoni and Opobo local government areas.
It was gathered that since the commencement of work on the reconstructed bridge, and considering the deplorable condition of the bridge head, kidnappers have turned the area to a death trap where their victims are Kidnapped and ferried away across the river to an unknown destination before asking for ransom from their families.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepolu, with his team, rushed to the accident scene on Tuesday morning for an on the spot assessment of the situation, and immediately ordered an investigation into the incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to justice.
The Southern Examiner reports that since his assumption of office in Port Harcourt as the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, the Eleme-White Hilux vehicle incident may appear to be his litmus test in his capability for tackling crimes in the state.
Mr. Adepolu who also mobilised the police rescue team to join in the search for the vehicle and the bodies of the occupants, spoke through his Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Grace Iringi-Koko, that the mobile police personnel attached to the foreigner, escaped alive.
Impressed by the proactive reaction of the Eleme Council chairmen towards the incident, the police commissioner was full of praise to him. It was learnt that the Netherlands National drove the Toyota White Hilux vehicle that plunged into the river.
Residents and travellers along the road linking the newly rebuilt Port Harcourt Refinery, the Onne Seaports, and other federal government facilities have bemoaned the deplorable condition of the Onne, Eleme axis of the East-West road.
Mr. Joseph Obele and Pastor Peter Hanco, both chairman and secretary of property owners along the Expressway, alleged that the delay in the completion of the East-West road was intentional and a clear display of incompetence, insisting that their action negates the terms of the contractual agreement on the project.
Besides, the property owners officials, who also hailed from Eleme, said the action of the construction giant was an act of sabotage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, and urged the federal government to ensure the quick completion of the road.
Governor Similaiye Joseph Fubara of Rivers State yesterday reacted to the tragic incident involving an agricultural expert who was engaged by the state government to boost the state agricultural agenda.
The governor expressed worry that such an unfortunate development could still happen in the state at a time when everyone was concerned about the development and production of foodstuffs.
After observing a minute of silence in honour of the Netherlands National during the Armed forces’ remembrance day yesterday, the governor who was visibly pain by the death of Mr. Reuben, in an attempt to escape from kidnappers, announced that his administration would thoroughly investigate the incident.
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Agricultural Production and Services has issued a warning, stating that agencies under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security could face zero allocations in their 2025 budgets if their Chief Executive Officers fail to appear in person to defend the proposals.
Chairman Senate Committee, and Bello Kaoje, his counterpart from the House of Representatives, expressed their dissatisfaction with the absence of agency heads, particularly given President’s directive that all heads of agencies should attend the budget defense sessions.
Their frustration was specifically directed at the absence of Dr. Vincent Isegbe, Director General of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, during the budget defense for the agency.
Senator Mustapha told the DG’s representative that there was no valid reason for the absence of the accounting officer, and insisted Dr. Isegbe must appear to defend the budget by no later than Monday, January 20.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says President Bola Tinubu-led government lacks credible individuals to explain the administration’s policies to Nigerians.
Sanusi, a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, said this at the 21st Memorial Lecture of Gani Fawehinmi, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch in Lagos, on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Sanusi, the chairman of the event, said he would no longer offer advice to Tinubu’s administration on how to tackle the country’s economic challenges.
He stated that he had initially tried to help the government but had now resolved not to do so again.
Sanusi said: “I have decided not to speak about the economy or the reforms, nor to explain anything regarding them. If I explained, it would only benefit this government, and I don’t want to aid this government.
“I choose not to help this government. You see, they are my friends. If they fail to act like friends, I will not act like one.
“I observe their actions, and they lack credible individuals who can effectively explain their policies. However, I’m not here to assist them. I began by offering support, but I’ve decided to stop.
“I will not discuss the matter any further. Let them come forward and explain to Nigerians why the policies they have pursued have been implemented. Meanwhile, I am enjoying a nice movie with popcorn in hand.”
The Emir further stated that he would not offer advice to the federal government or comment on ongoing reforms.
He added: “I will say one thing. What we are going through today is at least in part, not totally, at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were warned decades ago that if they continued down this path, this is where they would end up. They chose not to listen.
“Is everything being done today, correct? No.”
The event was attended by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, (SAN); the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN); the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN); and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN); among others.
News
Abuse of office: Group faults NAHCON’s director of admin over reappointment of Mr. Kumo after resignation
…demand thorough probe disciplinary measures
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Civil Integrity Initiative and Transparency, Accountability and Democracy value in Nigeria has petitioned the Director of administration, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mr. Babagana Bukar for gross misconduct and abuse of office regarding the return and posting of Mr. Usman Kumo to the federal civil service and NAHCON after resignation from office.
Spokesperson of the group Comrade Musa J. Kumo in a recent press release expressed with dismay the reinstatement of Kumo who had resigned from the civil service on two separate occasions to pursue political ambitions to be brought back by Mr. Babagana Bukar.
Kumo described the act as not mere procedural oversights but total gross misconduct, blatant violations of the Public Service Rules (PSR), and a direct betrayal of the trust Nigerians place in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
His words: “Mr.Kumo resigned from the Federal Civil Service to engage in partisan politics, first under the All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2019 and later under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.These campaigns stand in clear violation of Public Service Rules 030402 (g) and 030423, which categorically prohibit serving civil servants from active political engagement.
“The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) formally posted Mr. Kumo to the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) around 2022. Following his resignation, the NEDC confirmed in writing to the BPP -via a letter dated April 18, 2022 ,with reference number NEDC/SS/PER/025/1/33-that Mr.Kumo was no longer in service. Notwithstanding this unambiguous communication, Mr.Bukar,who was then Director of Administration at the BPP, ignored or otherwise concealed this information, effectively paving the way fo Mr. Kumo’s eventual (and improper) return to the civil service. In other words, Mr.Bukar was fully aware of Mr.Kumo’s resignation and subsequent ineligibility for public service yet deliberately took no action to finalize his separation.
“Despite incontrovertible evidence of Mr. Kumo’s resignation and political engagements, Mr. Bukar- now serving as Director of Administration at NAHCON- arranged for Mr. Kumo to be posted to NAHCON from the BPP on November 22, 2023. This contravenes not only standard civil service protocols but also basic ethical standards.
“Furthermore, Mr. Kumo’s CV lists Mr. Bukar as a referee, indicating a personal connection that calls into question Mr. Bukar’s impartiality.* By any measure, this scenario raises serious concerns about whether official channels were sidestepped to benefit Mr. Kumo.
“It has also come to our attention that since Mr.Kumo’s posting in September 2023, he has effectively been absent from duty without leave, discipline, or any form of censure. Rather than address this glaring non-compliance,Mr.Bukar has turned a blind eye-an omission suggesting complicity and underscoring a disturbing lack of accountability within NAHCON. As it stands, Mr.Kumois”working in absentia,” yet appears to remain on NAHCON’s rolls. By failing to address or report this infraction, Mr.Bukar has effectively granted Mr.Kumo a free pass to shirk his responsibilities, further undermining public trust in the Commission.”he added.
They however demanded a comprehensive investigation into Mr. Kumo’s return, disciplinary measures against Mr.Bukar, and immediate review of Mr.Kumo’s employment status with blatant actions if demands are not met within 7 days.
“We respectfully request that you address these issues and commence the stipulated investigations within seven (7) days of receiving this petition, and make the outcomes public.
“Failure to do so will leave us no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies.We stand prepared to initiate litigation to hold each complicit party accountable, protect the public interest, and ensure that no one in NAHCON or any federal agency can arbitrarily circumvent established guidelines for personal or political gain.
“Your prompt response or lack thereof will send an unmistakable message about whether NAHCON upholds-or undermines-the transparency, integrity, and accountability that form the bedrock of our nation’s civil service.”. they added.
NASS Threatens Zero Allocation If CEO Of Agric Agencies Fail To Appear For Budget Defense
You don’t have credible officials to explain policies-Sanusi tells Tinubu
Abuse of office: Group faults NAHCON’s director of admin over reappointment of Mr. Kumo after resignation
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