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Tag: Babatunde Fashola

  • FG redeems pledge to Clemens Westehof 28 years after

    FG redeems pledge to Clemens Westehof 28 years after

    The Federal Government has redeemed its pledge to one of the 1994 Super Eagles Team members 28 years after by handing over the keys of a 3-bedroom bungalow to Mr Clemens Westerhof, former Coach of the team.

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola handed over the keys to Westerhof at the prototype housing estate along Gwagwalada-Kuje road, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He was represented by Mr Solomon Labafilo, Director, Department of Public Buildings and Housing.

    Fashola said that the government came up with the scheme called prototype housing scheme  in Lagos, Abuja, Port-harcourt and other parts of the country.

    “The programme was started in  2014 and we have phases I and II while the total houses completed and occupied are 206.

    “The phase II is where the allocations for the two coaches were made, Jo Bonfrere has house 1A and Clemens Westehof has unit 1B,” Fashola said.

    Fashola said the government was committed to rewardiing citizens who made sacrifices to project the good image of the country.

    “It will interest you to know that government’s pledge to the 1994 Super Eagles was not fulfilled until when President Muhammadu Buhari approved that all the members be handed over their houses.

    “Westehof was allocated his in the prototype housing scheme here in Gwagwalada and other beneficiaries were allocated their homes in the respective states of their choice in the National Housing Programme estates across the country.

    “We handed over keys and Certificate of Occupancy today to former coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles who led the 1994 Team, Clemens Westehof.

    “This is to show government’s resolve to ensure that Nigerians, irrespective of time, who made sacrifices to project the good image of the country are recognised and encouraged to keep working for the corporate benefit of all.

    “We have entered a season of completion and handover of keys to beneficiaries in 35 states and the FCT to Nigerians who have successfully subscribed for houses built under the National Housing Programme (NHP) through the ministry’s website: Https:nhp.worksand housing.gov.ng.

    Fashola said the web-portal was launched on Nov. 12, 2021, adding that over 13,000 applications had been received from Nigerians who have  created personal account profiles on the website.

    The minister, therefore, called on all Nigerians to avail themselves with the opportunity of owning a house in the 35 states and FCT that have been completed except for Lagos State.

    Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Bashir Alkali, represented by Mrs Lucy Uzodimma, said the ministry was able to fulfill the pledge by the government with the completion of the National Housing Programme estates in 35 states and the FCT.

    Alkali said: “Nigerians should be aware that other members who had collected their houses did so in the National Housing Programme sites across the country.

    “The philosophy behind the NHP is the provision of pilot scheme that is affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the National Housing Policy.

    “The approach to the design and use of materials take cognisance of the cultural and climatic peculiarities of the region’s while responding also to the tenets of Building Energy and Efficiency Code (BEEC).”

    Westehof, represented by Mrs Charity Biwet commended the  Federal Government for fulfilling its promise after so many years, adding, ”it was something noteworthy.

    “I stand in here with great joy to receive these keys to this beautiful edifice, I love the building and am sure the owner will love it.

    “It is a promise kept and it is really encouraging to see that efforts are being recognised and rewarded. We appreciate this and I will convey the goodwill of the president and the minister to Mr Westehof.”

    Other beneficiaries who had since collected their keys and title documents to their homes were: Alloy Agu, Uche Okafor, Emmanuel Amunike and Thompson Oliha.

    Others were: Peter Rufai, Efan Ekoku, Isaac Semitojo and Austin Eguavoen, among others.

  • Second Niger Bridge opens to traffic December 15

    Second Niger Bridge opens to traffic December 15

    Mr Jimoh Olawale, the Federal Controller of Works in Delta says the new Second Niger Bridge will be opened to traffic on December 15.

    Olawale, who spoke in an interview on Wednesday in Asaba, however, said that the bridge would be opened for only 30 days.

    According to him, the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, ordered the opening of the bridge, which is 95 percent completion stage, to ease traffic during the Yuletide.

    “As we know, during the Christmas celebration, commuters suffer hardship accessing the old Niger Bridge due to traffic jam but with this arrangement, traffic congestion on Asaba-Benin Expressway will ease.

    “We have notified the state government on this arrangement and we are working with the Federal Roads Safety Corps to ensure a hitch free vehicular movement.

    “Motorist going towards Owerri direction would divert through the access road near the old Niger Bridge to the new bridge,” the controller added.

    Olawale debunked claims by a group alleging that Federal Government had abandoned the payment of compensation to property owners along the access road to the second Niger Bridge.

    He explained that the government had not taken possession of any property along the 17 kilometre Okpanam-Ibusa-Asaba-Oko bypass to the new bridge, but only served notice that their structures were within the government right of way.

    The controller assured that the modalities for payment of compensations were being worked out.

    “The federal government has appointed a consultant, Messrs C.O. Akpabor and Company to enumerate the properties for compensation.

    “Each claimant has an attorney that liaises with the consultant, so there is totally no need for protest, more so that the federal government has not taken possession of the properties nor commenced construction work on the access road.

    “As at moment, nobody’s structure or property has been demolished.

    “Federal government verification team have visited and submitted its report to Abuja and government will pay all compensation before work will commence on the access road,” he said.

    Olawale assured that government would complete construction work on the 17 km access road before May 29, 2023.

    The controller said that contract for the 110.63km Sapele-Eku-Agbor road dualisation project would be reviewed in line with current realities.

    Olawale added that the N64 billion project, which began in November 2017, has been at 12 percent completion level.

    He added that the federal government recently completed and inaugurated a ring road project connecting communities in Isoko area of the state.

    On the Yuletide, the controller advised motorists to maintain 100km per hour speed limit in order to get to their destinations safely.

  • FG shuts additional section of Lagos bridge to avert disaster

    FG shuts additional section of Lagos bridge to avert disaster

    The Acting Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Forosola Oloyede on Saturday announced a further shutdown of an additional section of Eko Bridge to avert disaster.

    Recall that Oloyede had on Friday night informed the public of damage to the Ijora Olopa section of the bridge as a result of fire.

    She also announced a partial closure affecting the Apongbon-Ijora section of the Costain bound lane of the bridge pending inspection and results of integrity tests on the infrastructure.

    However, in another statement on Saturday, she raised further concerns over the structural safety of some parts of the bridge leading to the closure of the opposite lane.

    She said: Upon further assessment with the ministry’s Bridge Consultant; On behalf of the Honorable Minister of Works and Housing- Mr Babatunde Fashola,  I want to inform the public that both bounds of the bridge, the Apongbon– Ijora Olopa and the Ijora Olopa–Apongbon sections will be closed to motorists.”

    She said the closure would last till comprehensive inspection and integrity tests were carried out.

    “The reason for this is to avert any catastrophe and safeguard the life of pedestrians and motorists. The Inspection and Integrity tests are planned to be carried out as soon as possible. Further updates on the closure will be communicated as events develop,” she said.

    Oloyede advised motorists to use alternative routes and cooperate with traffic management agencies who would be on the ground to direct and manage movement.

    “We regret the inconveniences this may cause the public,” she said.

  • FG owes contractors over N11 trillion – Fashola

    FG owes contractors over N11 trillion – Fashola

    The Federal Government owes contractors about N11.16tn for the construction of various highways across the country and certificates of completion.

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who made this disclosure while defending the proposed budget of his ministry in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, said his ministry had currently awarded 1,642 highway contracts for 1,632 projects at a total sum of N10.395tn.

    Fashola, while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Works in Abuja yesterday, with the lawmakers asking him to “take a bow and go” after his presentation, stated, “The main challenge to highways development in the country remains inadequate funding. As at date, the government is committed to highway contractors to the tune of about N10.4tn, while a total of about N765bn are unpaid certificates for executed works.

    “Secondly, the shortage of younger engineers/technical officers in the ministry as a result of embargo on employment is affecting proficient project supervision at the sites. It is expected that more sources of funding of highway projects be explored as well as lifting the embargo on employment of needed engineers/technical officers at middle level to enhance supervision of projects.”

    Reading from his written presentation to the committee, the minister noted that the regime had built roads with a cumulative distance of about 8,000 kilometres out of the about 13,000 kilometres under (re)construction.

    He stated that the ministry had documented creation of 339,955 jobs across road projects, saying, “These are the human activities behind the kilometres (of road constructed).”

    He further said that some of the jobs were created through lane marking covering 1,663,954 linear meters, “which was not visible on our roads before but you can now see them beginning to emerge.”

    The minister also noted that 250,583 road signs were missing on the roads as of 2015.

    According to Fashola, the construction companies had used 1,002,960,851 litres of diesel for various projects.

    “Construction companies don’t buy diesel; they buy from the market. All of these suppliers are small businesses who benefit from and are impacted by what we do.”

    The minister also said the contractors had used 1.6 million tonnes of cement, adding that, “These are activities going on, impacting people beyond what we do here.”

    He stressed that 512,000 tonnes of reinforcement, 3,371,000 tonnes of bitumen, among other materials, had been used for the projects.

    Fashola further said, “It is to be noted that as at October, 2022, the ministry had a cumulative unpaid certificates in the sum of N765.017bn for ongoing highway and bridge projects. Apart from the pressure of resources to pay, there is the inadequacy of annual budget provisions where N100m or N200m was provided for roads costing N20bn or more.

    “In spite of all odds, 20 major highway projects have so far been completed in 2022 and are ready for commissioning. The total cost of the completed projects is in the sum of N444.322,123,808.61 and they cover a total length of 379.677km. Additionally, there are 59 major highways/bridges priority projects that are at advanced level, to be completed within 2022-2023, with a total contract sum of N60,961,187,130.71.”

    Fashola also noted that the ministry had initiated an intensive bridge maintenance programme to ensure serviceability of the major assets, adding that bridges were critical structures that guaranteed connectivity across the federal road network.

    “Some bridges have never been maintained since they were constructed over 40 years ago. Furthermore, illegal commercial (human) activities, which are detrimental to these national assets, contributed to their deterioration,” he stressed.

  • Water Minister blames States for flooding

    Water Minister blames States for flooding

    The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has blamed state governments for ignoring early warnings that could have averted the impact of this year’s flooding.

    He made this known yesterday during a briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Adamu, who acknowledged that there is no way flood can be stopped, asserted that there was adequate information regarding the enormity of the disaster and states that would be affected but they were ignored.

    At a joint presentation to FEC by his ministry and that of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Adamu said the present administration is already working on a flood management masterplan that will take at least three years to complete.

    He also blamed tree felling and degraded soil for the massive impact of this year’s floods in the country.

    Similarly, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola absolved the Federal Government of any blame for not providing temporary shelters for citizens in vulnerable flood plains, maintaining that it is the responsibility of states and local governments.

    According to him, his ministry has identified 154 places across the country that had been damaged by the recent floods.

  • Money laundering: Why Ex-Lagos Attorney-General, Olasupo Shashore was granted N50m bail

    Money laundering: Why Ex-Lagos Attorney-General, Olasupo Shashore was granted N50m bail

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail in the sum of N50 million to a former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Olasupo Shashore, who was in court on Thursday to answer to a money laundering charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Shasore served as the Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Commissioner for Justice during the administration of former governor Babatunde Fashola.

    He was arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on a four-count charge bordering on money laundering.

    The prosecution accused the defendant of inducing one Olufolakemi Adetore to accept cash payment without going through a financial institution.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    After his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Bala Sanga, urged the court to order a remand of the defendant in custody pending trial.

    However, the defence counsel, Mr C.A Candide-Johnson (SAN) who appeared with Messrs Muiz Banire (SAN), Adesegun Adebola (SAN) and Chijioke Okoki (SAN), prayed the court to allow the defendant bail on self-recognition.

    The defence counsel averred that the defendant personally walked into the court for his arraignment this morning without any reminder, compulsion, or force.

    He also informed the court that the defendant had cooperated with the anti-graft agency whenever required, as he had always made himself as well as documents requested from him available whenever required.

    Besides, the defence counsel added that an investigation of the matter had been on for the past three years, adding that the defendant is not a flight risk

    He, therefore, urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of defence.

    The prosecutor on his part said that he was not opposed to bail, but added that the concern of the prosecution is only for the defendant to be available to stand trial as lawfully required.

    Following the submissions by counsel, the court stood down the matter for a while, so as to deliver a ruling on the bail application

    In his ruling, the court, later on, held: “There is no doubt that the court must strike a balance based on the evidence before it, between the constitutional rights of the defendant to liberty and presumption of innocence and the rights of the state to prosecute its erring citizens.

    “Hence, the overriding need by the court to ensure that the complainant/respondent is not incapacitated in the discharge of its function by not releasing the defendant on bail,” he said.

    The court held that exercising its discretion in granting bail in favour of the applicant, would better serve the course of justice, as an accused is presumed innocent until guilt is proven.

    “The defendant’s application for bail succeeds and the bail is accordingly granted in the following terms:

    “Defendant applicant is admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

    “The surety must be a serving director or a permanent secretary in the service of the federation or the Lagos State Government.

    “Surety to produce two copies each of his or her recent passport photograph and evidence of payment of tax or tax clearance.

    “The defendant’s international passport with the complainant shall be deposited with the registrar of this court pending trial; This is the ruling of the honourable court,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the court did not make any remand orders on the defendant who was already on bail.

    The court, however, released him to his lawyers pending the perfection of his bail.

    The judge adjourned the case until Nov. 24 for trial.

    In the charge, the former A-G was alleged to have made a cash payment of 100,000 dollars to one Olufolakemi Adelore through one Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.

    He was alleged to have committed the offences on or about Nov.18, 2014.

    The EFCC also alleged that the defendant made a cash payment of 100,000 dollars to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.

    The offences contravene the Provisions of Sections 1(a) 16(1)(d), 18(c) and 78(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

  • Second Niger Bridge lit up ahead of opening in December

    Second Niger Bridge lit up ahead of opening in December

    As its completion inches closer, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the construction firm handling the Second Niger Bridge, has carried out a test run of the streetlights to ensure their workability.

    Former governor of Lagos State and present  Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has given his assurances that the Second Niger Bridge will be commissioned and opened to vehicular movement in no distant time.

    The Second Niger Bridge, a federal government project, is being managed by the federal ministry of works and housing in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

    Construction on the bridge began in September 2018 b President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    The bridge spans from Asaba in Delta state to Ozubulu and Ogbaru areas in Anambra state and the Far East regions of the country.

    Acting Controller of Works in Anambra, Seyi Martins, said in an interview with newsmen days ago and also assured that the bridge will be available to travellers by the yuletide period of the year.

    Martins said that the first phase of the Second Niger Bridge measuring 1.6km, had reached 95 per cent completion.

    He said motorists would not be subjected to gridlock experienced on the existing bridge during Yuletide this year.

    “The first phase of the project, which was the bridge itself, is substantially completed. The bridge project is 95 percent complete and it is expected to be ready by December 2022.

    “The steel guard rails are complete, the roads are set for vehicle traffic; the toll plaza area is almost,” he said.

    The Controller said the bridge could be accessed from the interchange at Obosi on the Onitsha-Owerri road and that a road was being constructed to connect traffic on the Asaba-Benin expressway to it pending the completion of the second phase.

    “The second phase of the project is yet to commence, but the government has deemed it fit that upon completion of the first phase it will be open to traffic.

    “At the Onitsha end, there is an interchange at Obosi along the Onitsha – Owerri highway where you can access the bridge.

    “On the Asaba end, there is a link road we are constructing to enable travellers to access the bridge from Benin-Onitsha road,” he said.

  • Local contractors with low quality work risk losing gov’t patronage – FG

    Local contractors with low quality work risk losing gov’t patronage – FG

    The Federal Government says local contractors with low quality of work risk losing patronage.

    Minister of works and housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has charged local contractors to improve the quality of road projects or risk losing contract opportunities.

    He stated that though the government was ready to give opportunities, it would not compromise on its standard.

    Fashola made the remark while on an assessment tour of some federal roads and bridges under construction in Oyo and Osun states as contained in a statement made available to journalists, weekend.

    The statement was signed by the director of press and public relations, Mrs Blessing Lere-Adams.

    Fashola said, “I have pointed out some areas where I think our local contractors can improve upon.

    “They are not structural but aesthetic. So far, so good, the standard has not been compromised but to have some equipment for smooth finishing on some concrete works, they just have to improve.

    “However, Mr President is committed to engage local contractors. That is the purpose for Executive Order No.7, i.e. Local Content and Contractor participation on Road Infrastructure Development.”

    Also Read

    Fashola discusses future of Nigeria’s democracy at 2022 TheNiche Lecture Thursday

    During the inspection tour of rehabilitation of outstanding sections of Iseyin- Okeho Road including two bridges in Oyo State , he promised the local contractor handling the road, Messrs. HMF Construction Ltd that when 2023 budget and 2022 Sukuk are being considered government would be able to accommodate the N4billion needed by the contractor to complete the remaining part of the construction works on the road.

    The minister charged Messrs Kopek Construction Company, on the reconstruction of Ibadan–Ife-Ilesha Dual Carriageway in Oyo /Osun states not to stop work and to make some sections of the road motorable during the ember months.

    While inspecting the dualisation of Oyo–Ogbomosho road, he remarked, “Relief will soon come the way of the road users, though the rainy season has slowed down the construction works on the project, the earthworks will improve as soon as the rains subsides.”

    He said dualisation of the road is being funded through Sukuk and the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme for Roads, therefore, there wouldn’t be a funding challenge in delivering the road.

    He enjoined commuters not to abuse the roads and maintain road speed limits when the roads are completed.

    Oba Rafiu Adeitan II, the Onjo of Okeho who appreciated the minister during the inspection visit within his jurisdiction, thanked him for the good job the contractor is doing on Iseyin- Okeho Road.

  • Fashola discusses future of Nigeria’s democracy at 2022 TheNiche Lecture Thursday

    Fashola discusses future of Nigeria’s democracy at 2022 TheNiche Lecture Thursday

    Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, will, on Thursday, September 8, deliver the 2022 edition of TheNiche Annual Lecture.

    The lecture, an annual intellectual fiesta, which is aimed at proffering solutions to some of Nigeria’s most daunting problems is organized by TheNiche newspapers, an online media platform.

    The lecture will hold at the Agip Recital Hall of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
    Fashola, former Governor of Lagos State and a learned silk, will speak on the theme, “2023 elections and the future of Nigeria’s democracy” while Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, veteran First Republic politician, human rights activist, former Liaison Officer to late President Shehu Shagari and founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), will chair the event.

    Many high profile political and business leaders, including Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as well as leading presidential candidates in the 2023 elections are expected to grace the occasion.

    A statement by Ikechukwu Amaechi, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of TheNiche, said this year’s lecture which holds exactly two weeks from the flag off of the campaigns for the 2023 elections was timed to sensitise Nigerians on the issues that should inform the leadership recruitment exercise next year.

    Amaechi, who said the “choice of both the lecturer and chairman was a product of painstaking deliberations,” also emphasised that, “beside the two tested democracy giants, a panel of five discussants drawn from the academia, media, civil society, political class and the INEC will interrogate Fashola’s lecture in real time.”

    The panelists include, Prof. Victor Chukwuma, Fellow, Astronomical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Physics, and Mr. Martins Oloja, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian newspaper.

    Others are Dr. Dakuku Peterside, former Director-General NIMASA; Mrs Ene Obi, Country Director ActionAid Nigeria, Convener Situation Room, and Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.

    The discussions would be moderated by erudite scholar, Mr. Anthony Kila, experienced lecturer and public speaker, Jean Monnet professor of Strategy and Development, Director at the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS).

    This year’s lecture will be the third in the series which started in 2018 with Prof. Kingsley Moghalu speaking on “Development reporting and hysteria journalism in Nigeria,” and 2019 when Nigeria’s foremost interdisciplinary scholar, Prof. Anya O. Anya, a leading light of the intellectual community, statesman, scientist and boardroom guru, professor of Biology who is distinguished for his work in parasitology, Nigerian National Medal of Merit awardee, spoke on “Business and accountable governance: The obligations of leadership.”

    The lectures could not hold in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gathereing.

    Amaechi said Fashola had, beforehand, assured that this year’s lecture will be a rich intellectual harvest.

  • FG to deliver Lagos-Ibadan Expressway before Christmas – Fashola

    FG to deliver Lagos-Ibadan Expressway before Christmas – Fashola

    Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has assured Nigerians that the gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway will soon disappear by the time the road is completed.

    Fashola reiterated the Federal Government’s desire and commitment to delivering infrastructural projects to Nigerians, saying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project will be completed before December 25, 2022.

    Fashola made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s political program Sunday Politics, where he commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

    Asked when the project will be completed, the Minister said the Federal Government plans to deliver the project before Christmas.

    “People used to do a one-week trip for a whole day so that is progress. We plan to finish this year,” the minister said.

    Fashola however said that the government is waiting for the Oyo State Government to play its role to aid the speedy completion of the project.

    “It is less than two hours now to go to Ibadan, you can do Ibadan and come back twice a day now and we haven’t finished. We don’t want to finish and the road is open again.

    If you see, the lane marking is already going on, the road furniture is simultaneously being installed road marking is going on and we are waiting for Oyo State. Governor Makinde and I will resolve that pretty soon,” he stated