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FCT: We can’t accept variation – Wike blacklists contractor
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has once again reiterated that the FCT Administration will not accept any form of variation of contracts awarded by the FCTA.
The FCT Minister, while inspecting some projects in Abuja on Wednesday, even blacklisted some contractors for this purpose.
Wike, particularly spoke against the backdrop of a request by Setraco Construction Company for variation of the contract for the construction of the Southern Parkway from Christian Centre to Ring Road 1, to include provision for streetlights, warned that the FCTA will not entertain such requests.
Wike noted that the FCT administration had earlier agreed with contractors on the funding pattern that will enable them to complete ongoing projects in the FCT by May this year, adding that the Administration has also made payments as agreed.
He said the request for variation was therefore not tenable and stressed that the FCTA may be forced to blacklist contractors if they fail to complete the project within schedule.
According to the minister, “When I came on board, I had to call most of these companies and I asked them, would you be able to complete some of these projects so that as part of Mr. President’s one year, it will be inaugurated and they all agreed. We agreed on the funding pattern and I can tell you authoritatively, we have not failed.
“In fact, as far as that road is concerned (construction of Southern Parkway), we have paid not less than 97 percent. So, when I asked about the streetlight, he talked about variation. Of course, you know I will never accept that because we funded the projects very well without any failure on our own part.
“So, I’m still being categorically clear, there cannot be any variation on that project and if they don’t complete it on time, I’m going to blacklist the company. That is the truth of the matter. Nobody will toy with us; nobody will try to outsmart us. We are not going to accept it. Of course, the Managing Director was there and he knows we are serious about it.”
News
Police To Resume Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement In January
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday said enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy will resume on January 2, 2026.
Force spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, announced this in a statement, citing a surge in vehicle-related crimes.
Hundeyin said the decision “follows a careful review of emerging security concerns and the need to ensure the safety of all citizens”.
While clarifying that no court order has restrained the police from enforcing the law on tinted glasses, the Force spokesman said police authorities had voluntarily suspended enforcement after a court matter in October to give motorists time to regularise their documents.
“Recent trends, however, reveal a disturbing rise in criminal activities perpetrated with the aid of vehicles fitted with unauthorised tinted glass,” the statement reads.
“Some individuals and organised criminal groups have exploited this gap to conceal their identities and facilitate crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent crimes.”
He quoted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, as assuring that the enforcement will be conducted professionally, with respect for citizens’ rights and in line with the law.
Hundeyin called on motorists needing permits to apply through approved channels to ensure compliance.
In October, the police temporarily suspended the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy.
The police spokesperson added that part of the reason the police suspended enforcement of the policy was out of consideration for Nigerians and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Hundeyin reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to enforcing all existing laws with fairness, transparency, and respect for citizens’ rights, while maintaining effective collaboration with key stakeholders in the justice system.
The NBA had in September sued IGP Egbetokun, over the tinted glass permit policy, labelling the move as illegal.
In April 2025, the IGP introduced a policy, instructing the public to apply for and get annual motor tinted glass permits from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for a stipulated amount.
A platform was launched for the application to be processed.
However, during the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association at its pre-conference NEC meeting held on August 23, 2025, the association said it would challenge the legality of the Nigeria Police Force tinted permit policy in court.
It described the move as a violation of the rights of the citizens and has “raised several other genuine concerns including the validity of the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act (Decree 1991), a military-era law under which the Police has sought refuge”.
News
Reps Issue 72hrs Ultimatum To Benin, Port Harcourt, Ibadan Discos To Appear Over N100bn Payment Default
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has given a 72-hour ultimatum to the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) to appear before it over outstanding debts estimated at more than N100 billion owed to the Federation Account or face sanctions for legislative contempt.
Chairman of the House Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, issued the directive during a public hearing on Monday in Abuja, after noting that the affected Discos had failed to honour several previous invitations.
The resolution followed consideration of an interim report presented by the chairman of the subcommittee, Rep. Mark Chidi Obetta.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that on August 20, 2025, the PAC summoned 11 electricity distribution companies over a cumulative debt of N2.6 trillion owed to the Federation Account.
But the management of IBEDC, BEDC, and PHEDC have consistently failed to appear before the committee to account for their outstanding liabilities, as detailed in the Auditor-General’s reports for the 2021 and 2022 financial years.
The committee expressed displeasure over what it described as deliberate acts of legislative contempt by the three Discos and warned that stiff sanctions would be imposed should they fail to appear before the committee on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Speaking at the hearing, the Committee Chairman expressed deep concern over the long-standing nature of the debts, noting that some of the liabilities have remained unpaid for over a decade.
He emphasised the need for urgent and decisive action to recover the funds and ensure they are properly accounted for in the interest of the Nigerian government and the public.
The committee subsequently reiterated its directive, giving the management of the affected Discos until Thursday 18th December, 2025 to appear and provide explanations for the outstanding payments.
News
Reps Move to Calm Downstream Oil Sector, Order Truce Between Dangote Refinery and Regulator
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources covering the downstream and midstream segments has intervened to defuse fresh tensions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The intervention followed rising public concerns, allegations and counter-allegations involving the Dangote Refinery Group and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The committee summoned both sides to appear before it to present their grievances and ordered an immediate halt to media exchanges until its inquiry is concluded. Lawmakers said the investigation would be fast-tracked and resolved within days.
The joint committees, chaired by Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Rep. Henry Okogie, disclosed the decision after an emergency meeting convened in response to what they described as mounting tensions that could threaten the fragile stability recently restored in the sector. They noted that concerns had been raised by several stakeholders across the industry.
The lawmakers explained that the swift action was necessary to prevent the situation from escalating further, particularly at a time when both government and industry players are working to stabilise fuel supply, pricing and regulatory oversight in the post-subsidy environment.
Ugochinyere said: “The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting was the growing tension that has returned to the downstream sector as a result of concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA.
“This is coming at a time when the committee is jealously guarding the stability that has been achieved in the sector.”
He said the committee resolved to formally invite both the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the leadership of the NMDPRA to appear before it and provide detailed explanations on the issues fueling the dispute so that the committees can come out with the needed decisions and resolutions that will resolve the matter.
The lawmaker explained that only a clear understanding of the underlying problems will enable the National Assembly broker lasting solutions without fear or favour.
“We can only find sustainable solutions when we identify the critical issues leading to this tension. That is why the committee resolved to write to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA chief to meet with us and give insights into what is driving these allegations and counter-allegations,” he added.
In a firm move to calm the situation, the committee also appealed to both parties to halt public exchanges and media comments while legislative intervention is ongoing.
“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially media comments, so that the situation does not escalate furthe.
“The committee has the capacity to wade into this matter and find solutions once and for allr,” Ugochinyere noted.
He revealed that the committee has already received petitions touching on critical industry concerns, including the issuance of import licences and questions around whether domestic refineries have the capacity to meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum needs.
“These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, others to whether local refineries can produce enough to satisfy national demand which the investigation been undertaken by the committee will resolve” he said.
Ugochinyere emphasised that all outstanding matters will be thoroughly examined when key stakeholders in the refining and regulatory space appear before the committee.
“By the time Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the NMDPRA and other stakeholders meet with the committee, we will get the real gist of what is happening and come up with resolutions that provide sustainable solutions for the sector.
“We are pleading with them to cease further attacks on each other,whether from the regulatory agency or the refining community,while the committee sorts out these issues,” ,” he assured.
According to him, the decisions reflected the outcome of the committee’s closed-door deliberations.
The intervention comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, particularly as expectations remain high around local refining capacity, regulatory clarity and stable fuel supply.
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