News

FCTA approves N9.8bn for rehabilitation of Abuja airport’s presidential wing

Published

5 hours ago

November 2, 2024

The Executive Council of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has awarded the sum of N9.8bn to Julius Berger Plc for the rehabilitation of existing link roads and other facilities at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The Council gave the approval following the 9th Executive Council meeting held at the FCT Secretariat in Abuja on Friday.

The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Shehu Ahmad, who briefed the press after the meeting, explained that the contract was awarded to Julius Berger for the sum of N9,874,326,036.10, with a completion deadline of six months.

He noted that the contractor had previously been responsible for managing the facility.

He added that the contract would cover the rehabilitation of the link road, the access road to the Presidential Kitchen, the hangar housing the presidential aircraft, and the holding centre for visiting presidents.

“The second memo presented by the FCDA concerns some rehabilitation work, specifically the construction of the existing link road from Bill Clinton Drive to the Presidential Wing. If you have travelled that road, you would know it is in a state of disrepair, and other facilities within the Presidential Wing have shown signs of distress and dilapidation, so they are to be rehabilitated.

There is a presidential kitchen located within the Presidential Wing, but there is no access road from the main road to this area. We plan to provide that road and also rehabilitate the hangar housing the presidential aircraft.

“These are some of the facilities to be addressed, and additionally, there are runway lights on the side of the Presidential Wing, as well as a guest house – a holding centre for visiting presidents and other dignitaries,” he said.

The Secretary also announced that the Council approved the award of a contract for the construction of an access road to the new site of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Giri to Messrs Levant Construction Limited, at the cost of N7,825,379,618.57, with a completion period of nine months.

Among other memos and contracts considered and approved were the contract for the construction of access roads to Kugbo and Mabushi Bus/Taxi Terminals in the FCT, awarded to Messrs Planet Projects Limited for N7.22bn with a completion period of 12 weeks; and the design and construction of ten staff quarters for the Nigeria Law School in Bwari, Abuja, awarded to Messrs Austlinks Energy Services Limited, at a contract sum of N2.19bn, with a completion period of nine months.

News

Bill Seeking Provision Of Guidelines for Judgment Debts Payment Scale Second Reading 7

Published

2 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking the provision of guidelines for the payment of judgment debts owed by the Federal Government and its agencies.

The bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to provide guidelines for the payment of Judgment Debts Owed by the Federal Government and its agencies and for other related matters thereto,” was sponsored by Rep. Miriam Onuoha, member representing Onuimo/Okigwe/Isiala Mbano Federal Constituency of Imo State.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Rep. Onuoha noted that over the years, the country faced increased financial liabilities from judgment debts.

According to he, These payments have been managed without consistent guidelines, proper documentation, or transparency, and this has led to government agencies paying judgment debts on a discretionary basis, without due consideration for the order of judgments, public interest, or the need to respect court orders.

She said, “The current lack of a legal framework in handling these obligations has created room for

negligence and misconduct. Often, the actions of public officers, unchecked by clear consequences, lead to avoidable litigations.

“Therefore, the Judgment Debt (Payment Guidelines) Establishment Bill, 2023 is a necessary response to these challenges. It introduces a structured approach to managing judgment debt payments by the Federal Government and its agencies, ensuring accountability, compliance, and financial discipline.”

The objectives of the bill include to “Establish guidelines and procedures for the payment of judgment debts by the Federal Government and its agencies;

“Deter negligence and promote professionalism within government agencies, ensuring that officials act responsibly to avoid unnecessary litigation and foster transparency and accountability by mandating that judgment debts are included in the annual budget, subject to the oversight of the National Assembly.”

The lawmaker clarified that the bill does not intend to repeal the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act, rather, “It complements existing legislation by providing specific

guidelines tailored to the payment of judgment debts owed by the Federal Government and its

agencies.

“This Bill is narrowly focused on ensuring that payments are managed transparently, fairly, and with respect to established priorities, without undermining the broader framework of the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act,” she added.

Contributing to the motion, Rep. Ademorin Kuye, member representing Shomolu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, sought clarification in the difference between the provisions of the bill and the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act, particularly in relation to the personal responsibility of government officials.

He said, “Let us get the clarification so that the bill does not become superfluous. It appears to me that the bill she is proposing has been taken care of by the Sheriff and Civil Processes Law.

“If an officer of government leaves office and another one comes in, who is going to be held responsible for debt entered into” he asked.

The duo of Rep. Ahmed Jaha and Rep. Iduma Igariwey, from Borno and Ebonyi States respectively however urged their colleagues to support the bill, saying more clarifications on the bill would be made at the committee level or during public hearing.

“Let us not terminate this bill at this level. Stakeholders will give further clarifications on areas that are not very clear during the public hearing on the bill,” Mr Jaha said.

But Rep. Igariwey said, “Let us allow the bill to go through a second reading so that when we get to the committee level, officials of the Ministry of Justice can provide the needed clarifications.”

Providing further insights, Mrs Onuoha added that the bill would help make public officers sit up and be more accountable.

She added, “Judgment debts have been shielded in secrecy. As a parliament, we have not had the privilege to scrutinise debts-how much is owed, how much is to be paid and all that. This bill will help build inclusivity and public trust.”

Following its adoption, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Justice for further legislative action.

News

Police burst organ harvesting gang in Ebonyi

Published

4 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Police in Ebonyi have busted an organ harvesting ring responsible for the death of at least three persons in the state.

Spokesperson of the Police, Joshua Ukandu, stated this in Abakaliki yesterday.

He noted that four suspected members of the organ harvesting ring were arrested following a painstaking investigation and credible intelligence into the matter.

The spokesperson said the suspects confessed to being responsible for the murder of Chikezie Idenyi, a Dubai based businessman.

According to him: “One Mrs. Blessing Chikezie Onyekachi had reported to the command of her missing husband, Mr. Chikezie Idenyi, who left home on 14th September, 2024 on a supposed business trip to Lagos but was not heard from again.

“Police investigation led to the arrest of one Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi who made useful statements that led the police to arrest Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter.

“They confessed to killing Chikezie Idenyi, Chibu Odii and Eze Fabian on different dates while trying to extract their blood/organs to use it to cure a cognitively impaired person (Down syndrome).”

He noted that the corpses of Chikezie Idenyi and Chibu Odii were subsequently recovered while efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim.

Ụkandu stated this while giving update on Police crime fighting activities in October, 2024

News

INEC accredits over 700 journalists for Ondo gov election

Published

4 hours ago

November 2, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced accrediting 112 media organisations ahead of Ondo State governorship election scheduled to hold November 16.

Yakubu Mahmood, the INEC chairman, disclosed this Abuja, on Friday, adding that the accreditation of the media organisations include over 700 journalists, technicians, and support personnel to facilitate the poll.

He said, “The Commission is glad to announce the accreditation of 112 national and international media organisations (newspaper, radio, television and online) deploying over 700 journalists, technicians and other personnel to facilitate their coverage of the election.

“The detailed breakdown of the media organisations and the number of personnel to be deployed will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,”

He, however, called on the professionals to be factual in their reports as part of ensuring peaceful poll.

The INEC Chairman stated, “I appeal to the media to intensify your accurate reportage that will ensure peaceful elections, especially now that campaign by political parties and candidates is in full swing in the State.

“I also appeal to you to continue to serve as a counterforce against fake news, misinformation and disinformation.”

The commissioned disclosed earlier that 72 per cent of registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards.

Yakubu revealed that by November 6, a mock accreditation exercise in selected polling units for to test result uploads on its result viewing portal would held.

He further noted that it would partner with security agencies to avoid any disruption of the poll.

He stated, “However, we are aware of flashpoints in some local government areas to which we have already drawn the attention of the security agencies.”