News

FEC approves roads construction in Kebbi, Sokoto, Lagos, Abia, others

Published

4 months ago

September 25, 2024

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the construction of 14 roads and bridges, which were badly affected by floods, in Ekiti State, Adamawa, Kebbi and Enugu states.

Works Minister David Unahi said this while addressing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting.

He said the others are in Cross River State, Ondo State, Osun State, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states.

He said the roads were awarded, in addition to a contract for the repair and rehabilitation of Gamboru Bridge along Gambor-Ngala/Kala-Balge Road in Borno.

The minister said FEC also approved a new contract for the rehabilitation of Maraban-Kankara/Funtua Road in Katsina State and the construction of a 258-kilometer three-lane carriageway, a component of the 1,000 km Sokoto/Badagry Super-highway, Section 2, Phase 2A.

Likewise, he said FEC approved the contract for the construction and dualisation of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road in Ebonyi, Abia and Imo States (Section 2).

He said FEC similarly approved the contract for Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers, to be executed by Julius Berger.

“FEC approved additional N80 billion to complete that project, bringing the total cost to N280 billion.

“The next is the Third Mainland Bridge, which was executed under emergency work,” he said.

He said at the time the present government assumed office, the Third Mainland Bridge was a nightmare.

“The deck had pavement differential of over one foot; that was causing a lot of accidents and hold up, and constituting dead load to the Third Mainland Bridge.

“So, that has been done and it also extended to Falamo and Queens Drive. It came with solar light, CCTV cameras, and relief stations, to eliminate road blockage,” he said.

He explained that when he came on board, Julius Berger sought to review the entire project.

“Don’t forget that the initial cost of the projects was N155 billion and the past administration reviewed it to N797 billion.

“Berger insisted that the reviewed contract sum should to N1.5 trillion. We didn’t have that money and the Coordinating Minister for the economy and myself went through the road and had strategic meeting with Berger,” said Umahi.

He said he eventually sought the approval of the president to break the projects into three so that two sections could be done on tax credit and Julius Berger could do one.

“So, the first section is 38 kilometre. It has not been brought to Council. It’s to be done with concrete.

“The second section is to be done by Berger and that is 82 kilometers by two, and it’s to be done with asphalt that they have been working with and the third section, which is just 17 kilometres is to be done on concrete,” he said.

He said FEC approved that of Julius Berger for a total contract sum of N740 billion. However, he said the other two were not presented for approval.

“If you remove approximately N400 billion paid by the last administration, then what is left is about N340 billion. That is what the contract sum for the 164 kilometre will be and that’s what FEC approved today,” Mr Umahi said.

The minister said the service lane on Lekki Deep Seaport road was approved for construction by FEC.

Lastly, he said he discovered that over 3,000 fuel trucks queuing to lift fuel at Dangote Refinery were all parked on the newly constructed Lekki-Calabar coastal highway.

“Technically and by design, the roads were never built for static loads, and so it has a lot of effects,” he said.

He said FEC approved that the federal government’s land in the area should be concessioned, so that concessioners could build a park.

“It’s a park that will be tolled so that all the trucks can safely park over there and the pavement of such a park is quite different from the pavement of the road,” said Mr Umahi.

(NAN)

News

Commissioner fired By Kano Gov Dumps NNPP For APC

Published

3 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

L R: Chairman of the APC in Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, former commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, Hon Abbas Sani Abbas and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin when the ex-commissioner joined the APC at the residence of Senator Barau in Kano on Friday.

Abbas Sani Abbas, former Commissioner for Rural and Community Development in Kano State, has officially dumped the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The announcement was made during his visit to a prominent APC leader in Kano, where he pledged his allegiance to the ruling party.

Hon. Abbas, known for his grassroots mobilization and dedication to community development, explained his decision to switch parties.

“I believe the APC offers the platform to achieve the vision of a better Kano and a stronger Nigeria. My move is guided by a desire to contribute more effectively to good governance and development,” he stated during his visit.

The defection was celebrated by top APC leaders in Kano, including the party’s state chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, popularly known as Ɗan Sarki, Jikan Sarki, and other key stakeholders.

Welcoming Hon. Abbas to the party, the APC leader commended his decision and assured him of full support. “Hon. Abbas Sani Abbas is a dedicated grassroots mobilizer and a leader committed to the service of humanity. We are proud to have him join our great party,” he remarked.

Speaking further, the APC leader emphasized the party’s commitment to inclusivity and development. “Together, we will continue to promote the values of good governance, inclusivity, and service to humanity. This is a significant moment for our party in Kano as we strengthen our ranks with capable individuals like Hon. Abbas,” he added.

Prince Abdullahi Abbas also expressed confidence that the former commissioner’s experience and dedication would add value to the party’s efforts in Kano State and beyond.

Party loyalists and political observers in Kano have hailed the defection as a significant boost for the APC, particularly in its grassroots mobilization efforts. Many believe Hon. Abbas’s entry into the APC will solidify the party’s influence in rural communities across the state.

Hon. Abbas concluded by expressing optimism about his new political journey. “I am fully committed to working with the APC leadership to ensure a brighter future for Kano State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

News

Tinubu Jets Out Of Abuja On 5-Day Trip

Published

6 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Bola Tinubu is expected to leave Nigeria for an international event in Abu Dhabi.

He is expected to participate in the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025).

In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential spokesman on Friday, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, invited President Tinubu to attend the Summit, which will take place in the emirate from January 12 to 18.

“The Summit will bring together global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and advance socioeconomic progress.

The event, ‘The Nexus of Next; Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ will enable policymakers, business, and civil society leaders to explore pathways to fast-track the transformation to a sustainable economy and evolve a new era of prosperity for all.

“ADSW, a testament to the power of collaboration, has been held annually for over 15 years. It provides a global platform to foster multi-stakeholder cooperation in addressing global challenges and accelerating growth.

“It has birthed high-value agreements and strategic partnerships between governments, industry leaders, and clean energy pioneers worldwide, driving impactful alliances and advancing the sustainability agenda worldwide.”

Onanuga said the President would use the summit to stress his administration’s reforms, including those related to energy sufficiency, transportation, public health, and economic development.

The Nigerian leader and his entourage would also meet with the emirate’s leadership to discuss issues of interest affecting the two nations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other senior government officials will accompany the President.

“He will return to Nigeria on Thursday, January 16.” Onanuga said.

At the time of filing this report, Preparations to take off were being made.

News

Just in: Finally, EFCC summons Okoya’s sons over abuse of naira

Published

6 hours ago

January 11, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Finally, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Subomi and Wahab Okoya, sons of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, for questioning regarding alleged naira abuse in a viral video.

The summons, issued by Michael Wetkas, acting director of the Lagos office, mandated their appearance at the agency’s special operations office on Awolowo Road, Lagos, at 10 am on Monday, January 13, 2025.

The viral video, which sparked widespread criticism, shows the Okoya brothers dancing to a song while a police officer flaunts bundles of N1,000 notes.

The video, meant to promote a new song, was perceived as a disregard for the Nigerian currency.

Many Nigerians expressed outrage, describing it as inappropriate and unethical.

The Nigeria Police Force has already acted on the matter, detaining the officer featured in the clip.

Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, confirmed the officer’s arrest and stated that disciplinary measures would be taken against him for misconduct.

The police reiterated their commitment to upholding professional standards and warned against further abuse of public trust.