Ekiti govt followed due process in award of contracts – Comm for Information, Olatunbosun.

Ekiti govt followed due process in award of contracts – Comm for Information, Olatunbosun. 

The Commissioner for Information in Ekiti State, Rt Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun,has dismissed insinuations in some quarters that contracts awarded by the state government, including road contracts, were shrouded in secrecy.

He also emphasised that the processes of award of all the contracts were in accordance with the provisions of the procurement laws of the state.

The Commissioner made the clarification at a roundtable media parley with the Correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti state council, where he noted that all the projects were properly advertised before they were contracted out.

” I stand before you here without any fear of contradiction and with all honesty that government has been following the provision of the laws of procurement detailing the processes.

“Before any contract for project is awarded, it will be advertised.

There is no road that we have contracted out in this state under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji that has not been properly advertised.

“There are administrative procedures and nobody can circumvent any of them.

” I have details of every contract of roads in this state, figures are very clear, and we have contacts of the contractors.

“We have been following due process, it is non-negotiable.”

Speaking on the interlink roads, he said, “We are working seriously on them but you know, government is a serious business too, and it requires planning.

“The Omisanjana /Shepard/Ajebandele road, the Agric Olope/ Odo Ado roads are both link roads that government initiated their reconstruction and this administration is very strategic in ensuring free flow of traffic for socio-economic development.

“We cannot forget the proposed flyover from Ajilosun to Okeiyinmi that is expected to ease traffic on the ever busy road along the Ijigbo roundabout through the new Bus terminal and the market area to first bank.

“The Ring Road is also strategically designed to allow drivers who have no business in the city center to bypass Ado metropolis without compounding the traffic congestion.

“The Igede/ Ilawe gives access to drivers from Ilorin axis of the north to pass through Ekiti without adding to the traffic congestion in the State capital by going through Ilawe to Igbara Odo out of the State to Akure side or Lagos.

“Government will continue to do this within the limit of available resources.”

Olatunbosun also clarified that the partnership with Lagos state on the local manufacturing of Dino Bins for waste management was to allow

transfer of skill and technology to the people, create job opportunities for them, and make Ekiti clean.

“People accused us that we brought in strangers from Lagos state to produce Dino Bins for us. No! What we are doing is transfer of skill and technology in line with global best practices and we must remember that we have Local content law of the government which is to prevent capital flight and help our local artisans develop.

“These people have the expertise and our own people are tapping into that at the work site where they are fabricating the bins so that they can learn from experience.

“They are currently in training and they are identified. The reasons they are there are to turn them to experts in making the Dino bins, making the bins more available and cheaper to acquire and providing job opportunities.

“It is, however, very important for people to take responsibility and desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse. It makes it difficult, if not impossible to keep the State clean if the residents refuse to adhere to basic principles of environment sanitation.

But, there has been an improvement; government is doing everything to ensure that we sanitize the State capital and nooks and crannies of the state.

“Government recently approved the procurement of three 4×2 hook-arm garbage trucks and 20 Dino bins that will be put in strategic places to stop arbitrary and indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the roads and medians.”

On the issue of water, the Commissioner said government has made a lot of progress in this regard.

“Government has made a lot of progress in the area of provision of potable water. Remember that the SURWASH programme is still ongoing with Ekiti being the only State in the South West region of the country benefiting in the World Bank assisted programme.

“We have also improved electricity supply to the State with the reconnection of some areas to the National grid after over a decade in darkness. The improvement in supply of electricity has in turn assisted in pumping water to the communities thus enhancing water supply.

“We have started pumping water in some places and already commenced process of changing the very old asbestos pipes towards improving water distribution network to the people.”

Sharing his thoughts on the area of tourism in the state, Olatunbosun expressed that the sector has witnessed tremendous change.

“The tourism table and business have changed, investors are coming to Ekiti State. The face of Ikogosi-Ekiti has changed, it is boosting the economy of the people and the state ”

Commenting on the recently inaugurated Independent Power Project (IPP) in the state by the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, Olatunbosun said “it is to provide electricity for government establishments and some private concerns, for efficient services.

“It is a PPP, 3.6Mwatt, which will serve some government institutions, such as

Ekiti State University (EKSU), government offices, Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) etc.”

Multinationals leaving Nigeria not genuine investors – Uzodinma.

Multinationals leaving Nigeria not genuine investors – Uzodinma.

Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said Shell, Mobil, Chevron and TotalEnergies are not genuine investors in the Nigerian oil sector.

Uzodimma stated this while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The governor, during the programme alleged that some people he called cabal were trying to sabotage the efforts of President Bola Tinubu aimed at sanitising the nation’s economy.

When he was asked to state if the cabals were also responsible for the relocation of investors from Nigeria, Uzodimma replied that those leaving Nigeria were not real investors.

According to him, Shell and other oil giants have no regard for environmental laws in Nigeria, asking why they leave the onshore oil business for offshore.

Uzodinma said, “Let’s take the oil and gas industry for instance, is there anywhere in the world you go, and you see any filling station, you want to refill your car and you don’t see Shell, Mobil, Chevron, Total? How many of them are operating filling stations in Nigeria? Why are we isolated, and you call them real investors? Why have they taken to offshore operation, abandoning onshore operation if they are genuine?

“You go to Houston, landing Houston Airport, you see oil locations, you see vegetables planted all over there, habitable for human existence.

“Fly to Warri, as you are landing Warri Airport, look at oil locations. Look at the sea, all the fishes, nothing existent, no fish there. The environment is degraded to criminal level.

“Are they what you call investors, people who have no regard for our environmental laws? Are those investors? People who are into double standard; applying different applications in other countries, applying degrading application in Nigeria. Is that what you call investors? Please if we don’t take our destiny in our hands, we will be doomed for it.”

According to the governor, those leaving Nigeria are not investors but those who are benefiting from the cabal system.

He alleged that the investors were “leaving because they can no longer benefit from foreign exchange disparity. They can no longer benefit from crude oil theft. They can no longer benefit from petroleum subsidy, pretending to be importing fuel when they were not importing anything

“Again, it is a blessing in disguise because the more they leave, the more opportunities the indigenous companies would have to participate. There is no rocket science . No foreign investor, who is comfortable in his country that wants to leave his country and come here.

“And at the same time, the good investors who are Nigerians, who have been denied opportunities to practise and invest, they now have opportunities to do so.

“I think the earlier the artificial and fake investors leave, the better for Nigeria”.

Shell Plc recently “reached an agreement to sell its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited.”

The SPDC is to be sold to Renaissance, a consortium of five companies comprising four exploration and production companies based in Nigeria and an international energy group for $2.4 billion. 

The PUNCH reported in December that no fewer than five multinationals left Nigeria in the last 10 months. 

Credit: PUNCH Newspaper. 

FG mobilising MDAs to reduce inflation, stabilise naira— Minister.

FG mobilising MDAs to reduce inflation, stabilise naira— Minister.

The Federal Government on Sunday said it is mobilising its Ministries, Departments and Agencies to “bring down inflation, stabilise the foreign exchange rates and create an enabling environment for business and investment.”

This is as it said, Nigeria’s economy is receiving investment inflows worth $14bn from Indian businesses that pledged to invest in the country at the G20 Summit held last September.

While describing the recent killings in Plateau State as “regrettable,” it vowed that its perpetrators must face justice.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed these in a statement he signed on Sunday, titled ‘Amidst challenges, Nigeria will forge ahead.’

Idris noted, “Regarding the economy, all relevant Ministries and Agencies of the Federal Government are working in a coordinated fashion to bring down inflation, stabilise foreign exchange rates, and create a truly enabling environment for business and investment.

“The Nigeria that President Tinubu seeks to build is one where no one is left behind. Impactful interventions are being rolled out, including a Students’ Loan Scheme, a Presidential Initiative to deploy lower-cost CNG mass transit buses to provide alternatives to petrol and diesel, and various low-interest loan schemes for businesses.”

Idris said the CNG interventions will reduce the cost of transportation by more than 50 percent, urging Nigerians to take advantage of these opportunities as they emerge, as they have been designed for the benefit of all.

On security, the FG acknowledged the recent spate of kidnapping and killings across the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country, including the massacre in Plateau.

At least 30 people were killed in renewed violence in the North Central State on January 24. Despite a 24-hour curfew imposed on Tuesday in Mangu local government area, The PUNCH understands that places of worship, schools and homes have been torched in more attacks.

But the FG said, “The resurgent crisis in Plateau State is indeed highly regrettable, and we assure that all perpetrators of violence there, and everywhere else in the country, are being brought to book. Justice will be done, and peace will be restored in all affected communities.”

It commended the gallantry of security and intelligence agencies, which it said, “are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we are safe in our homes and on the highways and that criminals have no breathing space.”

On Foreign Direct Investment, the Information Minister said, “The Indian businesses that pledged $14bn in new investment in Nigeria on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India in September 2023 have since started making good on those pledges.”

On September 6, 2023, President Bola Tinubu commended Indian investors for significant investment pledges amounting to nearly $14bn committed during the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in New Delhi, India.

“We are ready to give you the best returns for investment possible; there’s nowhere else like our country. Nigeria offers the best returns for investment today, so invest now,” Tinubu told Indian business leaders from the pharmaceutical, power, petrochemical, and agricultural sectors.

He said, “Among these new investments, Indorama Petrochemical Limited has pledged a new investment of $8bn in the expansion of its fertiliser production and petrochemical facility in Eleme, Rivers State.”

Although Mohammed did not specify which entities were already making good on their promises, The PUNCH reported that Jindal Steel and Power Limited, one of India’s largest private steel producers, is among companies that pledged to invest $3bn in Nigeria following discussions with Tinubu.

As an offshoot of the discussions, the founding President of SkipperSeil Limited, Mr. Jitender Sachdeva, announced that he is investing $1.6bn to establish 20 100MW power generation plants across several states in Northern Nigeria, amounting to 2,000MW of new power within the next four years.

Another Indian firm, Bharti Enterprises, a major first-generation corporation in India with interests in telecom, space communications, digital solutions, insurance, processed foods, real estate and hospitality, had also committed to investing an additional $700m in Nigeria, with work set to begin immediately.

The FG said while it is not “downplaying the reality of the challenging season” that the nation is experiencing, it argued that “that is only part of the story.”

Therefore, it cautioned citizens against receiving and propagating misinformation from those it called divisive elements.

It said, “Even as we tackle our challenges with urgency and dedication, it is also necessary to remind all Nigerians of the need to resist all forces and narratives of misinformation and division.

“For example, it is not true that the relocation to Lagos of the Headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and of certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria, are political moves aimed at marginalising a section of the country.

“These allegations are unfounded. Instead, these are pragmatic administrative steps to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs.”

Idris urged “all Nigerians to be especially mindful of all persons and groups at home and abroad, who specialise in making false and inciting claims on radio, TV and social media, as well as in peddling altered videos and images for viral dissemination.”

The minister called on citizens to “stand together as one, against these forces that constantly seek to test and break the bonds that hold us.”

Credit: Punch Newspaper. 

FG knocks contractor on East-West Road after N33bn payment.

FG knocks contractor on East-West Road after N33bn payment.

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of reconstruction work at the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Umahi said the order became imperative following the use of sub-standard materials by the contractor handling the project.

The minister also expressed sadness over the slow pace of work even after the government had made an advance payment of N33bn to ensure that no sharp practices would be tolerated.

Umahi explained that the work had to stop pending when some irregularities concerning the project would be resolved, saying with the pace of work by the contractors the work could not be completed even if given five years.

According to him, “The project must benefit the people; the rainy season is coming in two months and the people will be subjected to suffering.

“You have our N33bn. Do you know what the interest rate is every month on the bill? The President had to order me in September to come here and ordered the payment because some Rivers State people went to see the President and we paid you N33bn, since that time till now.

“I saw that the sand they are using is not river sharp. What we paid for is river sharp sand.

“I’m not satisfied. The idea is that when you place the lumps, the lump is good. But when you place the river’s sharp sand there are some voids between the lumps. And so the sand will go and fill it and it becomes a compact monolithic pavement structure. When I saw that sand I wasn’t happy.

“And I took that sand and put it on my palm and poured water and I was squizzing it, and at the end of the day, there was nothing left. That confirmed that it is very clear. So I directed that the company should be written and they should ensure that they remove the sand.

 “I was very shocked that instead of removing the sand they had continued with the sand. The contractor is carrying out the job but at a snail’s speed. If we allow him even another five years he will not finish. So we are not going to allow him.”

The minister, however, said he had scheduled a meeting with the contractor to look at the anomalies after which the errors would be X-rayed and a new timeline would be given to ensure the project was completed.

Guinea edge 10-man Equatorial Guinea to 16th Round.

Guinea edge 10-man Equatorial Guinea to 16th Round.

Mohamed Bayo headed a 98th -minute winner as Guinea reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea, who had earlier missed a penalty.

Equatorial Guinea midfielder Federico Bikoro was dismissed 10 minutes after the break for catching Bayo in the ribs with his studs.

The National Thunder were awarded a spot-kick midway through the second half after Sekou Sylla caught Iban Salvador, but captain Emilio Nsue hit the base of the right-hand upright.

And, with the game set to head to extra time, striker Bayo stooped to guide Ibrahim Diakite’s cross from the right flank just inside the near post in the final minute of added time.

Guinea had barely made their one-man advantage count in the final 35 minutes, although goalkeeper Jesus Owono was forced to tip a header from striker Serhou Guirassy over the bar in the closing stages.

Yet Bayo’s dramatic late goal broke the resistance of the Equatoguineans and sent Syli National into the last eight for the first time since 2015, as Guinea triumphed for the first time in seven appearances in the knock-out stages at the finals.

Equatorial Guinea had been the surprise package from the group stage, winning Group A ahead of Nigeria and hosts Cote d’Ivoire as Nsue netted five goals to top the scoring charts.

The first half saw scant action in the final third, with Bayo sending an effort into the side-netting early on and Guinea team-mate Morgan Guilavogli firing over from long range.

Nsue blasted a volley over the bar from 12 yards two minutes after the restart, but the complexion of the game changed when Bikoro was shown a straight red after following through with a clearance in midfield and catching Bayo with some force.

Equatorial Guinea were handed a glorious chance to take the lead when the Video Assistant Referee intervened to send Omar Artan to his screen on the touchline, and the referee decided Sylla had caught Iban Salvador on the back of the leg after the midfielder had controlled a pass and awarded a penalty.

But veteran striker Nsue, who plays in the third tier in Spain, could not add to his tally at the finals despite sending Guinea keeper Ibrahim Kone the wrong way.

Aside from substitute Guirassy’s header, a tame effort from right-back Diakite was all Guinea could muster before the board for eight minutes of added time went up and Bayo won it at the death.

Equatorial Guinea had reached at least the quarter-finals on their previous three appearances at AFCON, but Juan Micha’s side could not repeat that achievement as 34-year-old Nsue was left to rue his costly miss while Guinea celebrated at the final whistle.

The West Africans, managed by one-time Arsenal striker Kaba Diawara, had finished behind holders Senegal and Cameroon but progressed to the knock-out stages as one of four best-ranked third-placed sides. Referee Omar Artan reached straight for his red card to send off Federico Bikoro, but awarded Equatorial Guinea a penalty following a VAR check.

FG to inaugurate tripartite committee on minimum wage Tuesday.

FG to inaugurate tripartite committee on minimum wage Tuesday.

The federal government will on Tuesday, inaugurate a 37-man Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage with a mandate to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country.

A statement issued by the director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, the planned inauguration of the Committee is sequel to the approval of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the statement, the inauguration is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 30th of January, 2024, by 12:00 noon, at the Council Chamber of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The committee, under the chairmanship of Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which cuts across federal government, state government, private sector and the Organised Labour are as follows:

“From the federal government, the members include the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, representing the Minister of Labour and Employment; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Budget Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs) Folasade Yemi-Esan; the Permanent Secretary, GSO. OSGF, Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri; and Ekpo Nta, Esq, Chairman/CEO, NSIWC – Member/Secretary.

“Also from the State Government, Alh. Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor, Niger State- representative from North Central; Sen. Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State- representative from North East; Alh. Umar Dikko Radda, Governor Katsina State- representative from North West; Prof. Charles Soludo, Governor, Anambra State- representative from the South East; Sen. Ademola Adeleke, Governor, Osun State- representative from South West; Mr. Otu Bassey Edet, Governor, Cross River State- representative from South West.

“From the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)- Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General, NECA; Mr. Chuma Nwankwo; Mr. Thompson Akpabio with also members from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) include Asiwaju (Dr) Michael Olawale-Cole, National President; Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Rabiu, National Vice President and Chief Humphrey Ngonadi (NPOM), National Life President.

“The membership from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (NASME) are Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, President & Chairman of Council; Hon. Theophilus Nnorom Okwuchukwu, Private Sector representative; Dr. Muhammed Nura Bello, Zonal Vice President, North West and also from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are Mrs. Grace Omo-Lamai, Human Resource Director, Nigerian Breweries; Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director-General, MAN; Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Managing Director, Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited.

“From the organised labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, NLC; Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni; Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale; Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji; Comrade Benjamin Anthony and Prof. Theophilius Ndukuba.

“Also, membership from the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) include Comrade (Engr) Festus Osifo, President, TUC; Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, PhD, Deputy President I, TUC; Comrade Kayode Surajudeen Alakija, Deputy President II; Comrade Jimoh Oyibo, Deputy President. III; Comrade Nuhu A. Toro, Secretary-General and Comrade Hafusatu Shuaib, Chairperson Women Comm.

“Accordingly, members are advised to be early to process their clearance at the Security Gate and should be seated at the Council Chamber by 11.30 am. In addition, a shuttle bus will be available at the Pilot Gate to convey members to the venue.

“In addition, members of the Committee are to contact the Head of the Secretariat, Mr. Chiadi Adighiogu, Director (Compensation) in the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for information,” the statement said.

FG establishing ‘mushroom’ varsities with no funding options – ASUU.

FG establishing ‘mushroom’ varsities with no funding options – ASUU.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Sunday accused the Federal Government of establishing “mushroom” varsities with no funding options.

The union also noted that the universities have now become crisis centers with little to no hope of management.

It was reported that plans were made to establish no fewer than 32 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.

The issue of the proliferation of universities by the government at all levels has also become a matter of concern for stakeholders.

Speaking in the statement issued on Sunday, the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, urged the government to jettison the “politicisation” of universities.

Speaking on the promise to release the withheld salaries of members of the union by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the academic union noted that any further delay in the release of the monies might lead to a complete mess of “what is left of the already devalued worth of the money”.

“One major fallout of our last struggle was the government’s decision to stop the salaries of our members as a ploy to force us back to work even when the substantive issues in the strike action had remained unresolved. Curiously, the seven-and-a-half months’ salaries remain unpaid even after we have done the work for which those salaries were held.

“It is hoped that the process of payments is fast-tracked before the unmitigated inflationary trends in the country make a complete mess of what is left of the already devalued worth of the money.

“Proper funding and running of the public universities – State and Federal – remains at the heart of our struggle for a university system which can drive national development and compete internationally.

“This informs our concern, among others, with the issue of the unbridled proliferation of state universities, which State Governors were fastly turning to mere constituency projects.

“We have several instances of states that are unable to fund their existing universities going ahead to establish more. In the process, such state governments only succeeded in creating crises centres rather than centres of excellence.

“Unfortunately, the Federal Government appears to have been bitten by the bug of mushrooming universities without giving thought to how to fund them. This sour point is still a work in progress for our union to combat.

“If our university system is to maintain the integrity of credible universities, as known in other sane climes, more work is required to get Nigerian politicians to embrace the idea of developmental universities as against the prevalent over- politicisation of university education,” the statement read.