The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • FG sites Police Academy in Anambra

    The Federal Government has sited Police Academy in Anambra State to fight insecurity and unemployment in the Southeast

    Its delegation led by Okey Imoatu visited the site at Umuchukwu, in Orumba south local government area of the state at the weekend.

    The donor of the recently approved Police College and Academy in Anambra State, Dr Godwin Maduka, said it was a good development for Southeast.

    He said the Federal Government would use institutions to create employment for young people in the south east region.

    Maduka, a United States Medical Doctor and pain manager, said it would help youths and other school leavers with no meaningful employment to enroll and sharpen their skills that would help them to be absorbed in the police force.

    Maduka said the academy would also help to phase out crime through the use of modern crime fighting techniques.

    According to him: “I decided to attract this project to Umuchukwu as a way of helping youths gain employment and also fight corruption in our society.

    “The project would be sitting on 50 hectares of land, which I have already procured as you see and from the inspection which we have undertaken today with members of the Police Service Commission, you can see that they are pleased with the arrangement so far.”

    Imoatu, who is the chief consultant of the commission, said the project would help in intelligence gathering and enhance the police force in carrying out its jobs efficiently.

  • Bello seeks help from FG to tackle flooding in Niger

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has solicited help from the Federal Government to tackle incessant flooding in the state.

    Mr Jide Orintunsin, Media and Publicity Coordinator to the governor made this known in a statement on Monday in Minna.

    Bello said floods had weakened roads in the state and led to the collapse of seven bridges on some critical and strategic roads.

    He said many villages had been submerged by flood while several others faced the threat of being submerged since the commencement of the rainy season.

    The governor said the financial implications of the flooding were beyond the capacity of the state and called for support from the Federal Government to deal with the situation.

    According to him, “natural disaster is beyond everybody, especially now with the effect of global warming and climate change, we are worst hit in Niger state.

    “The flooding we are experiencing at the early stage of rainy season is a big threat to communities in riverine areas of the state .

    “At the moment, we have seven bridges that are cut off in the state due to heavy rain and flooding. We have some villages submerged in water.’’

    He said downpours in the last few days had destroyed some strategic roads.

    “Aside from the debilitating effect of flooding that has rendered our roads weak, the volume of trailers and overweight articulated vehicles plying these roads have further worsened the roads.’’

    Bello said some of the roads were up to 30 years old and needed to be rebuilt, adding that this would require a lot of money that the state could not afford.

    “We have been consulting with respective federal agencies.

    “With the magnitude of what is happening now, we will write reminders with pictures and video clips of the devastation so that Federal Government can come to our aid,” he said.

    The governor, however advised people living in flood prone areas to be vigilant and proactive by ensuring that their lives were safe .

    He directed the state Emergency Management Agency to be prompt in responding to distress calls. (NAN)

  • FG releases list of ongoing 69 projects in South-East

    …To use recovered fund to finance infrastructure

    The Federal Government (FG) has released the list of the 69 ongoing road and bridge projects in the South-east.

    This is as the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed also hinted on the possibility of using recovered loot to fund developmental projects.

    In a statement in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said though the contracts for many of
    the roads were awarded before the advent of this Administration, they were either poorly funded or not funded at all, hence work on the roads has lingered.

    The Minister said the 69 roads and bridges, which are spread across the five states in the South-east, are now in different stages of completion, thanks to the funding sourced by the present Administration from budgetary allocations, the Sukuk Bond and the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.

    He said the government is also looking into the possibility of using a part of the recovered looted funds to fund the development of infrastructure across the country.

    S/N Zone Project Title Data of Award Location Name of Contractor Contract
    Sum (N)
    ABIA
    1 South East Construction of Nkporo-Abiriba-Ohafia Road in Abia State C/No. 6130 30-May-12 ABIA Dutum Construction Nigeria Limited 2,739,105,600.20
    2 South East Rehabilitation of Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia Road,C/No. 5821 in Abia State 3-Oct-05 ABIA Niger Construction  Limited 2,093,033,385.88
    3 South East Rehabilitation of Bende – Arochukwu – Ohafia Road Section II ABIA Hartland Nigeria Limited 199,475,325.00
    4 South East Rehabilitation of Bende – Arochukwu – Ohafia Road Section I in Abia State 11-Jul-18 ABIA Hartland Nigeria Limited 5,490,680,078.33
    5 South East Emergency Repairs of Failed Section in Umuahia-Ariam-Ikot Ekpene Road 8-Feb-18 ABIA Desak Construction Coy Nigeria Limited 156,469,825.05
    6 South East Construction of Ahiakwu-Amangwo-Umuahia-Ngwa-Ngwa Road in Abia State C/No. 6094 23-Dec-10 ABIA La Ann Engineering Nigeria Limited 589,554,307.65
    7 South East Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section I: Lokpanta-Umuahia Tower (CH. 61+000-CH. 120+500) in Abia State. C/No. 6208 21-Aug-13 ABIA Setraco Nigeria Limited 39,548,900,597.79
    8 South East Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section II: Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge Crossing (CH. 120+500-CH. 176+600) in Abia State. C/No. 6209 21-Aug-13 ABIA Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited 50,892,770,722.04
    9 South East Construction of Olokoro-Isiala-Oboro-Nnono Junction Road in Abia State C/No. 6091 21-Dec-10 ABIA Bok Company Nigeria Limited 515,315,493.00
    10 South East Construction of Olokoro-Aluaukwu-Itaja-Okwu-Obuohia-Ikwuano Road C/No. 6063 10-Mar-10 ABIA Rhas Nigeria Limited 990,673,340.00
    11 South East Construction of Abriba-Arochukwu-Ohafia Road in Abia State, C/No 6158 13-Dec-12 ABIA Beks Kimse Nigeria Limited 2,265,982,372.50
    12 South East Construction of Ohafia-Oso Road in Abia/Ebonyi States, C/No 6160 13-Dec-12 ABIA Uniglobe Construction Engineering Limited 2,293,965,030.00
    ANAMBRA
    13 South East Limited Rehabilitation of Umana-Ndiagu-Ebene-Amansi Awka Express Road,C/No. 5874 in Anambra State 27-Sep-06 ANAMBRA Master Holdings Nigeria Limited 734,039,288.90
    14 South East Rehabilitation of Onitsha bound Carriageway of the Onitsha-Enugu Road (Phase II, Section I) in Anambra State, C/No. 5929A 3-Dec-09 ANAMBRA CCC Construction Nig. Limited 4,613,734,090.35
    15 South East Construction of the Main works including Associated Infrastructure for the Second Niger Bridge linking  Anambra and Delta States C/No.6475 4-Jul-18 ANAMBRA/
    DELTA    		 Julius Berger Nigeria Plc 206,151,693,014.87
    16 South East Emergency Repairs of Existing Niger Bridge at Onitsha/Asaba in Anambra/Delta States C/No 6206 6-Aug-13 ANAMBRA/
    DELTA    		 Matiere-Johnson Consortium Limited 8,005,181,313.52
    17 South East Construction of Ihiala-Orlu Road in Isseke Town-Amafuo-Ulli with Spur (Ihiala-Orlu-Umuduru Section) in Anambra State, C/No. 6220 30-Oct-13 ANAMBRA Tomline Nig. Ltd. 711,888,234.75
    18 South East Construction of Ikemba Drive Spur on Oba-Okigwe Road Through Permanent Site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Anambra State C/No. 6218 30-Oct-13 ANAMBRA Jireh Hibitation International Services Nig  Ltd. 625,690,820.37
    19 South East Rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi Road section I in Anambra State, C/No. 5986 14-May-09 ANAMBRA CCC Construction Nig. Limited 3,794,656,941.08
    20 South East Rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Road Route 429 Section II: Anambra/Imo States Border-Ibinta-Okigwe Road, C/No. 5986A 5-Jun-09 ANAMBRA Bullettine Construction Limited 2,572,473,142.28
    21 South East Construction of Oseakwa Bridge in Anambra State, C/No. 6043 6-Oct-09 ANAMBRA Horizon Construction Co. Ltd 896,863,529.10
    22 South East Rehabilitation Of Spur From Onitsha-Owerri Road To Okija-Ihembosi-Afor Ukpor-Ebenator-Ezenifite In Nnewi South LGA in Anambra State C/No 6112 17-Aug-11 ANAMBRA Ffordiac Engineering Company Limited 1,786,546,349.60
    23 South East Rehabilitation of Dual Carriageway and Roads from Upper Iweka to Zik Roundabout and Dual Carriageway from Amawbia Roundabout – Amansea Bridge in Anambra State 30-Oct-13 ANAMBRA IDC Construction Limited 10,636,799,741.81
    24 South East Rehabilitation of Otoucha-Ibaji-Nzam-Innoma-Iheaka Ibaji Section of Otoucha-Ibaji-Odulu-Ajegwu Road in Anambra State, C/No. 6024 3-Dec-09 ANAMBRA Niger Construction Limited 7,173,909,755.40
    25 South East Rehabilitation of Ekwulobia-Oko-Ibinta-Nnobi with spur to Isuofia and Nanka Road,C/No. 5904 in Anambra State 4-Apr-07 ANAMBRA Master Holdings Nigeria Limited 1,872,132,617.25
    26 South East Rehabilitation of Okija-Oguta-Imo State Border (19km) Route 406 (F. 228) in Anambra State, C/No. 6058 9-Feb-10 ANAMBRA Roudo Nigeria Limited 599,926,404.00
    27 South East Emergency Repairs of Ihiala-Orlu-Umuduru Road 8-Feb-18 ANAMBRA Samchase Nigeria Limited 98,541,899.25
    28 South East Rehabilitation of Igwe Ilika-Eke-Uke Road Idemili North LGA, in Anambra State C/No. 6244 24-Sep-14 ANAMBRA Fractal Construction Nigeria Limited 980,435,032.50
    29 South East Construction of Omor-Umulokpa Road in Anambra and Enugu States, Section I: km 0+000 – km 6+500, C/No. 6277 22-Dec-14 ANAMBRA/ENUGU Arrays Global Services Limited 979,889,663.45
    30 South East Early Works IV (EW IV) of the 2nd Niger Bridge project linking Anambra and Delta States, C/No. 6296 21-Dec-16 ANAMBRA/DELTA Julius Berger Nigeria Plc 14,446,010,410.16
    EBONYI
    31 South East Rehabilitation of Abakaliki-Afikpo Road Section I: Abakalilki-Onueke-Abomega Road in Ebonyi State, C/No. 5989 14-May-09 EBONYI Uniglobe/Bullettine Construction Limited 2,987,774,166.30
    32 South East Emergency Repairs of Abakalike-Oferekpe Road Due To Erosion 8-Feb-18 EBONYI Kemmasphere Reality Company Nigeria Limited 99,996,911.74
    33 South East Rehabilitation of Abakaliki-Afikpo Road Section II: Abomega-Afikpo Road in Enugu State, C/No. 5989A 14-May-09 EBONYI CCECC Nigeria Limited 3,500,000,000.00
    34 South East Construction of Nnenwe-Uduma-Uburu Road. Section I (26.27km), and Section II: Spur to Ishiagu-Mile 2 Road(14km), Enugu/Ebonyi States C/No. 6148 14-Nov-12 EBONYI/
    ENUGU    		 Setraco Nigeria Limited 11,603,191,818.53
    ENUGU
    35 South East Rehabilitation of Enugu bound Carriageway of the Onitsha-Enugu Road, Phase I of Section I), C/No. 5929 in Anambra State 6-Apr-09 ENUGU CCC Construction Nig. Limited 7,351,344,974.40
    36 South East Rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Portharcourt Road (Agbogugu-Abia Border Spur to Mmaku) C/No.6458 13-Jun-18 ENUGU Setraco Nigeria Limited 13,933,953,708.62
    37 South East Rehabilitation of Inyi-Akpugoeze to Anambra Border  C/No.6461 13-Jun-18 ENUGU/
    ANAMBRA    		 Anbeez Services Limited 2,695,755,677.42
    38 South East Emergency Repairs of  Onitsha-Owerri  Road 8-Feb-18 ENUGU/IMO IIC Construction Co. Ltd 423,850,665.00
    39 South East Umulungbe-Umuoka-Amokwu Ikedimkpe Egede-Ojieyi Awhum Road C/No.6459 13-Jun-18 ENUGU IDC Construction Limited 6,245,100,307.91
    40 South East Rehabilitation of Amugo Uno-Oriemba Market-Amugo Isiorji Onuani Road in Enugu State C/No 6221 30-Oct-13 ENUGU Beks Kimse Nigeria Limited 850,575,495.00
    41 South East Construction of Oji-Achi-Mmaku-Awgu Road With Spur To Obeagu-Ugbo in Enugu State, C/No. 6269 11-Dec-14 ENUGU Golden Construction Company Limited 994,661,294.55
    42 South East Rehabilitation of 9th Mile-Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway in Enugu/Abia States, C/No. 6018 14-May-09 ENUGU CCC Construction Nig. Limited 9,675,130,731.00
    43 South East Rehabilitation of Ozalla-Akpugo-Amagunze-Ihuokpara-Nkomoro Isu-Onitsha(Enugo-Onitsha) Road with spur to Onunweke In Enugu State
    C/No. 6078    		 10-Nov-10 ENUGU Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited 6,796,939,488.99
    44 South East Construction of Ugwueme-Nenwenta-Nkwe-Ezere-Awgunta-Obeagu-Mgbidi Nmaku Road Project Enugu State. Contract No. 6293 15-Mar-17 ENUGU IDC Construction Limited 14,693,277,138.75
    45 South East Rehabilitation of 9th Mile-Orokam Road in Enugu State  Contract No.6290 ENUGU RCC Nigeria Limited 38,034,539,413.79
    46 South East Rehabilitation Of Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section III: Enugu-Lokpanta in Enugu State C/No.6251 11-Dec-14 ENUGU CGC Nigeria Limited 32,317,082,596.26
    47 South East Rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway Section II (Anambra State Border- Enugu) in Enugu State, C/No. 5988 14-May-09 ENUGU Niger Construction Limited 7,251,451,515.00
    48 South East Rehabilitation of Oji-Achi-Maku-Awgu Ndeabor Road in Enugu State, C/No. 6037 3-Dec-09 ENUGU Master Holdings Nigeria Limited 4,805,288,034.75
    49 South East Rehabilitation of Oji-Achi-MMaku-Awgu Ndeabor Road Section I in Enugu State, C/No. 6476 4-Jul-18 ENUGU Setraco Nigeria Limited 11,558,069,376.90
    50 South East Rehabilitation Of Outstanding Section Of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway: Amansea- Enugu State Border in Enugu State, C/No. 6266 17-Dec-14 ENUGU RCC Nigeria Limited 24,243,308,789.82
    51 South East Rehabilitation of Nsukka-Obollo-Ikem-Ehamufu-Nkalagu Road in Enugu State, C/No. 5962 3-Dec-09 ENUGU Mife Construction Nig. Limited 6,446,051,729.71
    52 South East Construction of Ogrute-Umuida-Unadu-Akpanya-Odoru Road in Enugu/Kogi States, C/No 6170 13-Dec-12 ENUGU P.W. Nigeria Limited 12,951,207,018.75
    53 South East Rehabilitation of Umana-Ndiagu-Agba-Ebenebe-Amansi Akwa with spur to Umumba Road Section II (Umana Ndiagu-Umunba/Nkwa-Ezeagu express Obelegu section) in Enugu State, C/No 6169 17-Dec-12 ENUGU CGC Nigeria Limited 10,370,810,187.53
    54 South East Construction of Aguobu-Owa-Mgbagbu Owa-Ebenebe (Anambra State Border) with Spur to Awaha-Oyoha-Oyofo-Iwollo Road in Enugu State, C/No 6153 13-Dec-12 ENUGU Coduc Nigeria Limited 3,035,439,907.50
    55 South East Completion of the Limited Rehabilitataion of Umuna-Ndiagu-Agba Umuna-Ebenege-Amasi Awka Express Road with Spur from Umuna – Ndiagu (Agba-Ebenebe) Section I in Enugu State, C/No. 6194 17-Dec-12 ENUGU Master Holdings Nigeria Limited 995,369,082.81
    56 South East Construction of Nenwe-Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara Road with spur to Obeagu Oduma Road in Enugu State C/No. 6317 22-Mar-17 ENUGU Arab Contractors OAO Nigeria Limited 6,437,166,957.38
    57 South East Rehabilitation of Akpasha (Umuatugbuoma)-Obijioffia, Amodu Road in Nkanu West LGA in Enugu State, C/No. 6315 22-Mar-17 ENUGU Slok Nigeria Limited 3,278,317,359.89
    58 South East Rehabilitation and Asphalt Overlay of 2.2km Internal Roads at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus, Enugu State 21-Feb-18 ENUGU Qumecs Nig. Limited 124,726,901.18
    IMO
    59 South East Rehabilitation of Owerri-Umuahia Road with Road About at Imo in Imo State, C/No. 6060 9-Feb-10 IMO Bolive Nig. Ltd 199,758,174.00
    60 South East Rehabilitation of Owerri-Umuahia Road Section I, II & III Imo/Abia States, C/No. 6126 9-May-12 IMO Zerock Construction Nigeria Limited 4,207,774,864.51
    61 South East Rehabilitation of Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Road Route 429 Section II: Anambra/Imo States Border-Ibinta-Okigwe Road, C/No. 5986A 5-Jun-09 IMO/ANAMBRA Bullettine Construction Limited 2,572,473,142.28
    62 South East Rehabilitation and Asphalt Overlay of 1.72km Internal Roads, including Construction of Reinforced Concrete Drains at The Federal University of Technology Owerri 21-Feb-18 IMO Procon Construction Nigeria Limited 124,914,441.08
    63 South East Construction of Mbaise-Ngwa Road with Bridge at Imo River, Phase I in Imo/Abia States, C/No 6157 13-Dec-12 IMO Mangrovetech Nigeria
    Limited    		 2,943,534,543.18
    64 South East Construction of Ikot Ekpene Border-Aba-Owerri Dualisation Road, Section I, Phase I (11.26Km from Owerri End) in Akwa Ibom/Abia/Imo States C/No 6155 13-Dec-12 IMO Arab Contractors OAO Nigeria Limited 3,780,988,125.00
    65 South East Repairs of Mbaise-Umauahia Road 8-Feb-18 IMO City International Dimension Construction Limited 102,545,783.88
    66 South East Repairs of Owerri-Okigwe Road 8-Feb-18 IMO Lion Unisco Limited 127,253,148.75
    67 South East Repairs of Owerri-Onitsha Dual Carriageway (Route No.25A) 8-Feb-18 IMO Rahama Civil Works Nigeria Limited 229,982,151.00
    68 South East Emergency Repairs of  Onitsha-Owerri  Road 8-Feb-18 IMO/ANAMBRA IIC Construction Co. Ltd 423,850,665.00
    69 South East Rehabilitation of Amanwaaozuzu-Uzoagba-Eziama orie Amaohia Road in Imo State, C/No. 6234 27-Nov-13 IMO Vic Phranc Nigeria Limited 1,275,747,419.10

  • FG inaugurates N22.69bn road project in Adamawa

    The federal government yesterday commenced work on the Mayo-Belwa-Jada-Ganye-Toungo road in Adamawa valued at N22.69 billion.

    The project was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Mustafa Shehuri in Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa.

    According to Shehuri, work on the 112 kilometres road is in fulfillment of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration’s promises to people of the area.

    “This project is in fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to address the infrastructure deficit in the country, which  is aimed at providing the much needed impetus to stimulate  economic growth and the ease of doing business.

    “The 112 kilomtres road which terminates at Toungo, serves as a vital link between Taraba and the Republic of Cameroon, as well as to the Mambilla Hydro Power Plant, the Gashaka-Gumti National park and several agricultural communities.

    “Consequently, due to the strategic nature of the important towns and cities it cuts across, the road attracts high vehicular traffic all year round,” Shehuri said.

    He said the contract was awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria ltd., and was expected to be delivered within 36 months.

    In his remarks, Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa commended the federal government for the project which he said would go a long way in transforming the state in various sectors.

     

     

  • FG orders remedial works on road washouts

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has directed that immediate repair of embankment and road washouts at five different locations across the country be carried out.

    The embankment washouts include km 7+250 from Bida, along recently awarded Lambata-Lapai-Bida road project to Messrs CGC Nig. Plc, immediately after the Nigerian Cereal Institute in Niger State. The contractor has commenced immediate mobilization to site on the directive of the ministry and will commence emergency reinstatement work by tomorrow to enable free flow of traffic.

    In Niger State, the Armco Pipe collapse at km 16 along  Bida – Minna,  Niger State road is also to be done. The Niger State Government has commissioned a federal contractor on that corridor, Messrs Triacta Nig. Plc to restore the anomaly for safe passage.

    Other washouts are at Kwaita bridge along Abuja – Lokoja carriage way where the subsisting contractor, Reynolds Construction Company has been directed to commence immediate remedial works; embarkment washout at Bayo LGA on the road linking Gombe – Biu in Borno State where FIK Construction Company on the corridor has been directed to move in and commence palliative measures and finally the embankment washout at Jabbi-Lamba Village along Yola – Mubi road before Girei LGA.

    Fashola has appealed to motorists and other road users to be cautious on the mentioned locations and adhere strictly to safety instructions of the Federal Road Safety Corps who have been drafted along these corridors.

    He enjoined citizens to immediately report any such occurrence on the Federal Highways as this season marks the peak of the rainy season in order to avoid loss of human lives and properties.

  • FG, FIFA agree on working terms

    The Federal Government has embraced a working agreement that will see the country’s soccer administrators accept the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA’s) statutes for the smooth running of the game, NationSport can reveal.

    The Federal Government on Saturday dispatched a letter to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, detailing the agreement reached between both bodies, making it imperative on the world soccer ruling body’s chieftains to drop the proposed sanctions on Nigeria from noon today, if the leadership of Amaju Pinnick is not allowed to do its jobs at the Glasshouse of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), following the legal tussle in the country’s polity.

    NationSport further scooped that FIFA chieftains are impressed with the progress made in the negotiations with top government officials leading to the drafting of the letter from Nigeria and are ready to work with the country which is a key stakeholder in global soccer, especially the young Nigerians plying their trade in Europe and the Diaspora.

    Not much was divulged to NationSport about the content of the FG letter except for the fact all our national teams and club sides are to prepare for their matches and win laurels for the country like they have been doing in the past.

    FIFA had some time last month written a letter to the NFF and the Nigerian government, on the need to resolve the crisis in the federation, especially the trend of taking football matters to the civil courts, which the world soccer ruling body frowns on.

    “In line with article. 16, paragraph. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, the Bureau of the FIFA Council decided that if by Monday, 20 August 2018, at 12:00 (CET), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offices are not handed back to the legitimate NFF executive committee under President Amaju Pinnick, who was duly elected on 30 September 2014, the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect for contravening art. 14 par. 1 i) and art. 19, as well as art. 14 par. 1 a) of the FIFA Statutes,” the FIFA statement said.

    “The suspension would be lifted only once the NFF, under President Amaju Pinnick and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, confirms that it has been given back effective control of the NFF and its offices.”

    “Furthermore, the Bureau decided that if the suspension of the NFF takes effect, the Nigerian team currently competing in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 will still be allowed to continue to participate in the tournament on an exceptional basis given that the tournament is underway.”

  • FG restates commitment to end insecurity

    The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to end the current insecurity facing the country.

    The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance in Talata-Mafara, Zamfara, during a one day visit to inaugurate multi-billion Naira projects in the state.

    He assured that the current security challenges will soon be over as the Federal Government was doing everything possible to tackle the menace

    Osinbajo, who particularly mentioned the effort being made in Zamfara to combat criminal activities especially armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling, said with the recent deployment of 1, 000 troops to the state by the federal government, most of the bandits were being neutralized.

    “I want to inform you that, just yesterday, many of these criminals terrorizing our communities in Zamfara were killed by men of the Nigeria Air Force under Operation Diran Makoda.

    He said the operation will continue with all the deserved seriousness until the peace we used to know is restored, “he maintained.

    He said it was in order to check the issue of insecurity in the country that the federal government introduced measures that opened more employment opportunities especially to the youths so that they would be gainfully employed.

    Earlier in his speech, the state governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari commended the federal government for responding to the state government’s calls to address the security challenges bedeviling the state.

    Yari said his administration gave priority attention to roads construction and rehabilitation, agriculture, health care and education so as to improve security and boost the economy of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Acting President had earlier inaugurated water, roads, health and education projects worth billions of Naira which were executed by the Yari administration in the last one year. (NAN)

  • FG launches N431m erosion control, water projects in Yola

    THE Federal Government has launched erosion control projects in Ganye and Jada local government areas of Adamawa State valued at N431million.

    The projects, executed through the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) were part of the 27 ecological interventions approved by the President to salvage ecological challenges in different parts of the country.

    Speaking at the inauguration at the weekend in Yola, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said the significance of the intervention is to improve livelihood of the rural dwellers, especially farmers and other small business holders in the host communities.

    The project cost was put at N431, 538, 058.23.

    The minister explained that the indugurated erosion control in Ganye Local Government Area and the reconstruction of Jada Water Works System projects were approved at the second quarter of 2017.

    Aside, Adewole indugurated Ganye-Yelwa Erosion Control project and 11 kilometres road project.

    The project, he emphasised would address the devastating effects of all erosion, flood and water supply challenges in the communities.

    “This lunching is in faith with the present administration’s promise that no part of the country will suffer any neglect owing to its geopolitical location or political consideration,” the minister said.

    Adewole urged the dwellers in Ganye-Dabora Daksam and Jada communities to take ownership of the intervention.

    In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, EFO, Dr. Mrs. Habiba Lawal, described the intervention as timely, taking into cognisance the erosion and potable water problems confronting the people.

    She commended Celylon Construction Services Limited for timely project delivery.

    Lawal, represented by Deputy Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control, Awwal Sani, said the project was known to have provided the communities access to conveying their agricultural produce as well as provision of clean water for human consumption.

    “The induguration and handing over of this project to the benefiting communities is intended to achieve full ownership of the project by the Ganye-Dabora – Daksam and Jada communities respectively and to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.”

    The contractor, Lasith Dantata, said the project commenced in April, 2017 and was completed in six months.

    The Jada water project, he noted involved procurement of 40hp pump, powered by 120 solar panels of 320w each totaling 40kw of solar power installed newly at a contract cost of N221million

    “The project comprises an earthen road connecting Ganye and Daskam spanning a distance of 9.8km with seven culverts and 400m of reinforced drains. Contract cost is N143million.

    “The project for the rehabilitation of Jada water supply system comprises the installation of two nos 7hp submersible pumps each powered with a set of solar panels rated at 10kw each.

    The two pumps are used to fill a 300cubic meter ground tank also constructed by us.

    The water in the ground tank is then pumped to the town using a 40hp variable frequency 3 phase pump via existing 6inch DCI pipeline,” he said.

     

  • FG to drive economic development with Executive Order No 5 — Onu

    The Federal Government yesterday said that it was determined to re-position the nation’s economy through the Presidential Executive Order No.5.

    Dr Ogbonnaya Onu made the assertion in Abuja in an address at the “North Central Dialogue on the Presidential Executive Order No.5”.

    The Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette Presidential Executive Order No.5 is for Planning and Execution of Projects, Promotion of Nigeria Content in contracts, Science, Engineering and Technology.

    Onu said that the implementation of Executive Order 5 towards technology-driven would lead to global competitiveness.

    According to him, the order 5 is one of the series of such economy-dedicated orders of the present administration.

    “The Executive Order No. 5 is the instrument which the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has deployed to redirect economy from being resource-based to new sustainable and inclusive path, as well as being a knowledge and innovation-driven economy.

    “It is expected that in the next 10 to 20 years, Nigerian companies will be competing with the very best in other parts of the world for projects and contracts, in international tenders.

    “The government will, henceforth, place superior emphasis on the use of indigenous professionals and firms, in the design and execution of projects involving national security,” he said.

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    According to him, foreign experts will only be engaged on condition that such expertise is not available in Nigeria.

    Onu noted that if the foreign experts were engaged, Nigerian professionals would be attached to understudy them.

    “The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, under the Economy Recovery Growth Plan (2017-2020), will promote the ‘Made in Nigeria’ goods.

    “The ministry will harness science, technology and Innovation (STI) to drive national competitiveness, productivity and economic activities in all sectors,” the minister said.

    Mr Bitrus Nabasu, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said on the occasion that government would establish centres for acquisition of technology in the six geopolitical zones of the country .

    He noted that the centre would also promote technology utilisation, reduce poverty and make Nigeria to be self-reliant in producing and utilising goods produced locally.

    Nabasu said that the executive order would increase the quantum of value created in Nigerian economy.

    “The government recognises entrenching STI in everyday life as key to achieve nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy, particularly in STI Strategy 2024 and 2063, SDG 2030 and Vision 20: 2020,” Nabasu said.

  • PDP alleges plot by FG, APC to unseat Saraki, Ekweremadu

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claimed yesterday that  the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Federal Government were  shopping for  an interim court order to unseat  Senate  President Bukola Saraki, following his defection to the PDP.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Kola Ologbondiyan, alleged plan by  “cabals in the Presidency and APC” to file an action to challenge the validity of Saraki’s seat for the purpose of securing a fraudulent injunction to force him out of office pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    He said:“further intelligence available to us shows that once they are able to secure the injunction from a particular compromised judicial officer, they intend to arraign and detain the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on trumped up charges and ensure he is not granted bail so as to keep him out of circulation while their men would move in to effect an illegal leadership change in the Senate.

    Ologbondiyan said  the  alleged plot to destabilise Nigeria’s  democracy confirms  “our earlier stand that President Buhari’s supposed London vacation is a ploy to absolve himself of responsibility for the political terror they have plotted to unleash on the opposition, especially the National Assembly.

    “Although they denied it as usual, Nigerians can bear witness to the fact that there is nothing the APC government denied that they did not eventually execute. Indeed, there has never been any impunity they executed that they did not deny.”