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Tag: Project

  • No reelection without evidence of projects, Wike warns Rivers LG chairmen

    No reelection without evidence of projects, Wike warns Rivers LG chairmen

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has told local government chairmen seeking reelection in the forthcoming April poll to show evidence of their projects.

    The governor insisted that only the council bosses adjudged to have performed in the office could be considered for reelection.

    Wike, however, said such yardstick would not invalidate any existing arrangements and agreements in most council areas especially where such positions were on a rotational basis.

    The governor spoke on Saturday at the inauguration of Bolo Town’s internal road network, performed by the former Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwanbo.

    Wike said it had become important to allow competent people to ascend elective positions so that they could work for the good of the people and communities.

    He said: “On this local government election coming, let me say clearly, I cannot continue to see the situation where most responsibilities of local government are given to the state. It has made most of them abandon their own responsibilities.

    “I will not agree to that again. Anybody who wants to go back for chairmanship must show us what he has done in that Local Government.

    “I have told our leaders not to come and tell me these are their boys. We must bring people who are willing and are committed to working for the people. This is the time to work for the people.

    “Now, even if that chairman wants to go back, you must also consider your local peculiarity”.

    The governor acknowledged the cooperation Bolo people gave to the local contractor that handled the road project that traversed all the communities within the town and said it was proof that they loved development.

    Wike also announced the award of contract for the reconstruction of the bridge linking Bolo Town to their neighbours.

    He said Ausphepz Nigeria Limited, the local contractor that handled the Bolo Town internal roads would be engaged to do the bridge.

    He said: “When we came for the campaign, I asked the people and they said roads are important for them. We thank God today that the roads are reconstructed to link all the communities in Bolo Town.

    “Now, nobody will say they are left out of the 7km of concrete road in all the communities that make up Bolo and this is part of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.

    “About the damaged bridge linking you to Gokana and Tai Local Government areas, I will ask the Special Adviser on Special Projects to go and scoop it.

    “He should see whether the contractor that handled the Bolo internal road project can also do that. We have to encourage and empower our own local contractors because they have done a good job here.

    “Bolo people have supported us. Continue to work together, it will bring you a lot of projects. Communities that support contractors to complete projects and not demand money from them will benefit more. We will continue to fulfil, by the special grace of God, all promises we have made to you,” he added.

    Inaugurating the network of internal roads, Dankwanbo noted that the road infrastructure put in place by the governor would open up Bolo Town and allow its people to enjoy the benefits of development.

    He considered himself privileged to be in Bolo Town to see how such hinterland had been touched by the administration of Wike.

    He said: “Development comes in several ways. From what I have seen, coming to this part of the State was very easy. Seeing the internal roads that have been constructed, totally about 7kmwirh drainages, is a rare achievement and very commendable.

    “Roads open development. I want to, therefore, urge the people of this community to use this facility that has been provided to ensure that they grow the economy of this place. More youths should be employed and ensure that all the farmland are cultivated, and the product easily evacuated to the market,” he said.

    In his remarks, Dax George-Kelly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects said the job was awarded and completed within the contract period of 12 months.

    “This road crisscrossed all nooks and crannies of Bolo Town. There is expansion, development, and new buildings coming up. The people are very happy about it,” he said.

  • Gov. Abiodun releases grants for projects in 20 LGs in Ogun

    Gov. Abiodun releases grants for projects in 20 LGs in Ogun

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Friday, says his administration has given grants to all the 20 local government councils in the state to immediately embark on, at least, three projects each in their respective areas.

    Abiodun stated this during the inauguration of 50 open market stalls at Ashero and a public toilet at Isale Ijeun, both in Abeokuta South Local Government area of the state.

    The governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Afolabi Afuape, noted that there was no local government that had not embarked on a minimum of three projects.

    “Local governments are no more for paying salaries alone, but to bring more projects to the people.

    “There is no local government that has not embarked on a minimum of three projects, and when you multiply three by 20, it will give us 60. This is to complement the efforts of the state government.

    “When we were campaigning, we promised that our local governments would not just be salary-paying centres, but ones that would be functional, and that is exactly what we are witnessing today,” he said.

    Abiodun assured that governance at the local government level would be active again through empowerment and be alive to their responsibilities.

    He stressed that his government would ensure that people at the grassroots were not left out in its ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda.

    In his address, Mr Ayomide Somide, the Transition Committee Chairman, Abeokuta South Local Government, commended the governor for his efforts at ensuring equitable distribution of dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “The governor gave us the privilege to do these projects, like the way it used to be in the past. Local government administration is having a new face and part of his promises is to revive the local government.

    “These projects became the initiatives of the local government as a result of the challenges we are facing at Adatan market because of the traders trading on the road.

    “We are trying to decongest the Adatan market by bringing people here to come and trade.

    “The public toilet constructed at Isale Ijeun is to put an end to open defecation in that axis.

    “This is just the beginning. We have ongoing projects across the local government, part of which is the construction of a modern shopping complex at Itoku market,” he said.

  • Edwin Clark’s company denies abandoning Niger Delta ministry project in Rivers

    Edwin Clark’s company denies abandoning Niger Delta ministry project in Rivers

    Panama Construction Company Limited, a Delta State based construction company owned by prominent Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark has reacted to allegations of abandoning contracts awarded to it by the Niger Delta Ministry since 2011 after allegedly receiving downward payments.

    According to a statement signed and released by one Engr. Okiemute Omo-Udoyo for the company, the contract in question valued at the sum of N1,434,400,664.69 was run in phases based on released funds so far.

    Omo-Udoyo further explained that budgetary provisions for the contract stopped since 2015 and efforts to revive it proved abortive. However, funds were finally released early this year but work could not commence because of the COVID-19 lockdown. Upon the easing of the lockdown, mobilisation to the site commenced.

    Read full statement below:

    The attention of Panama Construction Company Limited has been drawn to a malicious, unfounded and mischievous news circulating on some social media platforms. Although this will not be the first time such falsehood is being peddled against our Company, Panama Construction Company Limited, we have deemed it necessary to respond this time, for as stated by the Nazi Joseph Gobbles “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth” and the “illusion of truth can be a dangerous weapon in the hands of propagandists”, especially when most of these propagandists, can avail themselves of the true story, if they chose to be fair and impartial because they have the opportunity of reaching all sides in the matter.
    Panama Construction Company Limited is a limited liability Company in which Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, has interest.
    The Company was awarded a contract for Land Reclamation and Shoreline Protection at Amadi Ama, in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council of Rivers State, in March, 2011, for the sum N1,434,400,664.69, by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
    In accordance with the requirements, Panama Construction Company Limited obtained an Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) for the job. Anybody who is conversant with APG, knows that expenditures on such projects are carried out under the supervision of the Bank.
    In October, 2013, Panama Construction Company Limited submitted Interim Payment Certificate (IPC) No. 1 for the sum of N78, 215, 815.13.
    In June, 2015, Panama Construction Company Limited submitted IPC No. 2 for the sum of N156,683,034.24.
    No budgetary provision was made for the project since 2015, despite repeated appeals to the Ministry.
    It was only in December 2019 and March, 2020, just before the Covid-19 lockdown, that part releases were made for the two IPCs.
    As soon as the Covid-19 lockdown was relaxed, we started mobilising to site and the Ministry is aware of this.
    Some traducers had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, some time ago on this matter. The anti-graft agency carried out its investigation and did not find the Company wanting in anyway.
    These rumour mongers have started again, still saying that Chief Clark collected the sum of N200 million, but has abandoned the job, without doing anything.
    We want to sound a note of warning to all those who are spreading and commenting on these libellous and false news, that they should be prepared to substantiate their allegations in the Court.
    Signed:
    Engr. Okiemute Omo-Udoyo
    for Panama Construction Company Limited.

  • No state in Nigeria without ongoing FG project – Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday restated that the Federal Government had achieved a lot in all sectors of human development and democratic process.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osinbajo spoke at the 2017/2018 Barewa Old Boys Association annual lecture in Sokoto.

    The vice president said that Policians had nothing to show for the lesson of the failure of the past administrations in the country as it happened.

    “There is a lot of impunity that have been defined to public office in Nigeria, especially grand corruption which had been sanctioned under the present administration.

    “I said grand corruption because our society had a problem of extended corruption affecting all government institutions and today has never been the case.

    “Nigeria had in the past faced so much challenges of corruption in public offices with a lot of government money being stolen by individuals which the present administration blocked such instances,” he said.

    Osinbajo added that the present administration under leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari had recorded tremendous success in the areas of security, agriculture, judiciary, legislature, among others.

    “There is not a single state in Nigeria that is not undergoing a measure of FG project under the ministry of power, works and Housing.

    “More so, clearly we have not done all we want to see, but if we are to ask our brothers and sisters from the North-East of what Boko-Haram seize 14 local government in their state, you will agree with me that they have seen some change.

    “If we are to ask the farmers enjoying the credit and support by the FG programmes and getting a more suitable supply of fertilizer, perhaps they may say that they have seen some change.

    “The over 500,000 graduates which have been employed under N-power programme, which is direct government employment, have been training in various fields to be useful for themselves.

    “Also traders who are getting direct credit from the government to support their small scale businesses, they may say that we have seen some change,” he said.

    The vice president further restated that the relationship between the executive and the National Assembly remained in good condition, as the executive had never stepped in to the affairs of legislative conduct.

    “There had never been any attempt under the present administration to stamp the legislature as was experienced in the past administration.

    “Moreover, Nigeria had five Senate Presidents between 1999 and 2007, which is very easy to forget. All of this and many more took place in very recent history.

    “So, you will agree with me that a lot had changed at least with regard to political understanding,” Osibanjo added.

    Earlier, the Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Gummi, presented a paper with a title “The challenges of Democracy to Judiciary: The Nigerian Perspectives.”

    “We are yet to cultivate the right attitude that is needed to stabilise the process for our advance in democracy.

    “The stunted growth that we are presently witnessing in our democracy is as a result of lack of discipline and non adherence to the basic tenets of democracy by our successive governments, over the years,” he said.

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, commended the vice president for attending the event and the organizers for the choice of the state.

     

  • l’ll complete, deliver all ongoing projects before leaving office – Fayose

    l’ll complete, deliver all ongoing projects before leaving office – Fayose

    Gov. Ayodele Fayose said on Tuesday said that all the ongoing capital projects will be completed and inaugurated before vacating office on Oct. 16.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the governor, made the promise while speaking at 2018 edition of the Annual Udiroko Festival in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

    The governor said he had resolved to complete all ongoing projects in consonance with his promise while being sworn-in for a second term in office not to abandon any project embarked upon.

    According to him, his critics who were allegedly saying he embarked on employment of new hands into the state public service at the tail end of his tenure should also have asked him not to continue with projects he started.

    He listed the capital projects so far completed and ongoing to include the One-Kilometre overhead bridge in Ado Ekiti, the new state High Court complex, the new Governor’s office and the new Ministry of Finance complex.

    He listed others to include the new Ultra-Modern Kings Market in Ado Ekiti and the Amphi Theatre, the Banquet Hall at the Ewi’s palace and the dualization of virtually all the 16 Local Goverment Headquarters among others.

    NAN reports that he had, at about 3:00p.m arrived the venue into the waiting hands of cheering crowd of residents singing his praises.

    Fayose said there was no known law in the country that says a sitting governor must stop performing the functions attached to his office once his party his preparing to wind down or have election decided agaist it.

    He told the gathering that the about 200- lock up shops at the new Kings market would be shared to willing traders before the end of the week.

    He pledged that those traders initially displaced as a result of the fire incident that razed the old market would be given preferential treatment.

    NAN reports that the governor appreciated the people of Ado Ekiti for standing by his party during the last governorship poll, regretting, however, that certain forces allegedly did not allow their votes to count.

    He assured them that the ruling party in the state led him would use all normal and legal means to reclaim the stolen mandate.

    In his response, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe thanked the governor for what he termed as “sudden turn around” of the state capital, saying close to 80 per cent of the projects carried out by Fayose during his second term in office were concentrated in Ado Ekiti, thereby making his reign memorable.

    Also speaking, legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola Universiyy, Chief Afe Babalola, who is also a leading son of the ancient city, expressed delight at the volume of the people that trooped out to celebrate the festival.

    Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman , National Caretaker Committee of the Ado Ekiti Progressive Union, Chief Bayo Ogunmodimu said the Udiroko Festival marked the begininig of another traditional year for the sons and daughters of Ado Ekiti.

    He said that it was also being used as a rallying point and unifying factor for all age groups and all local associations and clubs in the town.

    He thanked the state government for the modern strucures erected in the palace and wished the outgoing governor well in his future endeavours.

    NAN

  • Melaye condemns burning down of his school projects in Kogi [Photos]

    Melaye condemns burning down of his school projects in Kogi [Photos]

    Sen. Dino Melaye on Wednesday condemned the burning down of a block of four classrooms he donated to Government Girls Secondary School, Sarki Noma, Lokoja by unknown arsonists.

    Melaye, who spoke with journalists shortly after inspecting the burnt section of the classroom block at the school premises, described the incident as barbaric and uncivilised.

    He also condemned the vandalisation of a block of four classrooms he built at UBE Junior Secondary School at Lokongoma area in Lokoja by hoodlums, urging the police to bring the perpetrators to book.

    Melaye, who is representing Kogi West Senatorial District, said that the action of the hoodlums was an embarrassment to the state that was well respected for its exploits in education in Northern Nigeria.

    He wondered why some people would want to bring down the state for selfish reasons , pleading with the hoodlums and their sponsors to stop smearing the image of the state.

    Melaye promised to rebuild and repair the burnt and damaged blocks of classrooms, saying that no amount of intimidation and harassment would divert his attention from providing qualitative representation to the people.

    He also said that the incident would not stop his planned one -week thank you tour of the senatorial district and inauguration of some of the 143 projects he had executed in the past three years at a cost of N7 billion.

    The senator later inaugurated the two blocks of four classrooms he built at LGEA Primary School, Tawari, and LGEA primary School, Manyare, the 10- kilometre Manyare -Gegu Beki road and the 15-kilometre Orehi – Irovomi road, all in Kogi Local Government.

    He charged the people of the communities where the projects were located to protect them from vandals and make the best use of them.

    Melaye, who also inaugurated a borehole he built at Felele area of Lokoja, said other projects to be inaugurated in the next few days include classroom blocks , rural roads, boreholes, skills acquisition centres as well as rural electrification schemes.

     

  • Reps commences probe of $22bn NNPC’s Brass LNG project

    Reps commences probe of $22bn NNPC’s Brass LNG project

    The House of Representatives, on Thursday, resolved to set an ad hoc committee to investigate the expenditure and implementation of the $22 billion Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project.

    This followed a motion by Rep Chinda Ogundu (Rivers-PDP) at the plenary on the urgent need to investigate the implementation of the project.

    Recall that the Brass LNG Project was originally set up in 2003 with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) owning 49%, while other affiliates namely, Conoco Phillips, ENI, and Chevron hold 17% each.

    Moving the motion, Ogundu said the House noted that there had been several allegations of abuse and mismanagement of funds totaling about $22 billion meant for take-off and running of the project.

    “We are also aware that the project has been stuck in the planning stage for more than a decade, with some Western partners having pulled out because of tough operating conditions and unfavourable investment environment.

    “We are cognisant that the Federal Government’s investment in the Brass LNG project is too enormous to be treated with kid gloves, swept under the carpet or simply put aside with a wave of the hand,” he said.

    The lawmaker added: “With the provisions of Section 88(l)(a), (b)(i)&(ii) and (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which confers each chamber of the National Assembly power to conduct or carry out investigations into matter(s) such as this.

    “The Senate in January 2018, raised an alarm over massive fraud in the NNPC as it relates to the Brass LNG project and voted to investigate same, but nothing happened thereafter.”

    He said if the matter is not investigated, the essence of the fight against corruption would be defeated and the Nigerian economy and indeed teeming Nigerian masses would be worse for it.

    Ogundu, therefore urged the House to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter for posterity sake.

    When the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, put the motion on voice vote, majority of the lawmakers, across party lines, voted in favour.

  • Zamfara Govt. expends N9.2b on water projects

    Zamfara Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari has said his administration has spent over N9.2 billion on 30 water projects across the state.

    Yari disclosed this in Gusau on Tuesday while speaking at the 2018 Democracy Day Celebration held at Zamfara Trade Fair Complex, Gusau.

    He said since water was considered as a necessity of life, his administration had since inception in 2011, came up with a special water policy to address the problems of water scarcity in the state.

    “We copied an underground water system from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) water project executed in the state and selected 30 towns and villages across the 14 local government areas of the state that benefited from project”, he said.

    According to him, other sectors that the state government gave emphasis to within his seven years of stewardship are in the area of education, health, agriculture and road.

    He said as education remains bedrock for future development of every society, his government have invested extensively in the sector.

    “Among the projects we executed under the sector were renovation of 18 Senior and Junior Secondary Schools across the state at the cost of over N4.7 billion.

    “We also spent over N3.7 billion for renovation of 112 primary schools, local government education secretaries’ offices and three Model Primary Schools in Gusau and Talata-Mafara local government areas.

    “Over 20 years after the state creation, the present administration came up with a policy to establish the state university which is going to be located in Talata-Mafara; we earmarked N8 billion for the project.

    “We have already secured approval from the National Universities Commission; we are making efforts to ensure that the institution takes off next year.”

    Yari added that the administration had built 130 mosques and Islamic schools at the cost of over N1.6 billion, spent N6.8 billion on fertilizer and over N3.6 billion on the renovation of health facilities.

    “We are making arrangement to establish three referral hospitals in Gummi, Kaura-Namoda and Tsafe towns”, he said.

    The governor further said that the administration had under the period of review spent over N2.2 billion to link 218 communities with national grid and N651 million on the construction of eight fire service stations across the state.

    Yari also said various projects had been executed across the 14 local government areas including the construction of 20 kilometers of township roads in each of the local councils.

     

  • Dasukigate: Dokpesi did not execute any project for N2.1bn received – Witness

    Dasukigate: Dokpesi did not execute any project for N2.1bn received – Witness

    The trial of a former Chairman, DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, continued on Friday before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with Abubakar Madaki, the twelfth prosecution witness (PW12), revealing how the defendant received funds from the Office of National Security Adviser, under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), for services not rendered.

    Under cross-examination by Kanu Agabi, counsel for Mr. Dokpesi, the EFCC operative, stressed that the defendant “did not do any contract but was paid”.

    “This was what led to his prosecution, and the funds involved is N2.120 billion, which went out from the national security account,” he said.

    Mr. Madaki, who told the court that he never at anytime saw the budget of the NSA as he was not asked to investigate it, noted that funds which in the account, “were there for purposes and some of the beneficiaries of the said money, did genuine contracts and got paid”.

    “Dokpesi did not do any contract, but was paid,” he added.

    He said: “The funds were found in his account and there was no reason for it. No services rendered. The funds have a purpose. Other beneficiaries did genuine contracts and got paid, but the two defendants (Dokpesi and DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd) here did not do any contract to be paid for”.

    Mr. Dokpesi alongside DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower are being prosecuted by the EFCC, on a six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust.

    He is alleged to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, between October 2014 and March 2015, which was used for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential media campaign.

    Justice Tsoho, thereafter adjourned to April 13, 2018 for “continuation of cross-examination”.

  • Tambuwal inaugurates 80kw solar electricity project

    Tambuwal inaugurates 80kw solar electricity project

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has inaugurated the 80kw solar mini-grid electricity project which will provide uninterrupted power supply to Kurdula community in Gudu Local Government Area.

    Malam Imam Imam, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor, said this in a statement issued in Sokoto on Sunday.

    The statement quoted Tambuwal as saying at the inauguration that more than 500 households made up of 4,000 residents would enjoy enhanced access to electricity supply.

    “Today’s event marks the beginning of a great collaborative effort toward ensuring sustainable growth through renewable energy sector development.

    “It has now become absolutely necessary to take advantage of the ongoing renewable energy effort to ensure self-sufficiency in energy for economic development.

    “Mini grid powered by renewable sources is the best option for us to expand electricity access in the rural areas where the national grid is not available,” the statement quoted Tambuwal as saying.

    He added that his administration will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to expand areas of cooperation for the benefit of the citizenry.

    Tambuwal, however, urged community leaders and residents to ensure adequate security for equipment.

    He said the project was a key component of his administration’s rural development initiative being co-funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the German International Development Agency.

    The German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Dietmar Kreusel, had expressed optimism that the introduction of solar mini grid would expand access to electricity not just in Kurdula, but in other areas of the country.

    The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Ketil Karlsen, said that over 1.5 billion people globally lacked access to electricity.

    He also noted that many Nigerians do not have access to cheap, affordable and steady electricity.

    In his remarks, the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Sulaiman Zarma, said the Federal Government was ready to work with partners on energy solutions.

    He said the Kurdula mini grid electricity project was one of the six currently supported by Nigerian Energy Support Programme in six states of the federation.