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Tag: Lai Mohammed

  • 2019: APCON concerned over illegal practices

    The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria has shared its concerns over the various unethical and illegal practices being employed by politicians and the media in the race for the 2019 general elections.

    The group said this at the Stakeholders Forum on Political Communication hosted by APCON, which took place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Thursday Oct. 11th.

    Prof. Umaru A. Pate from the Faculty of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, who gave a presentation at the forum, stated that the desperation of politicians to win elections has led to many taking crooked actions to achieve their goals.

    “This is the season of high wire politics characterized by intense political advertising, political public relations and media and general communication activities all over the country,” he spoke.

    “The media need politicians as authoritative sources of information and robust advertisements; politicians need the media for publicity and exposure

    “Advertisements containing hate speech have been published in papers and online; political candidates of the ruling political parties discredit, damage, and insult one another.

    “There is politicization and mismanagement of ethno-religious identities, tendencies for inappropriate, unethical and illegal behaviors, fragile polity with challenging indices: army of unemployed angry talented youth, pervasive poverty, high level and widespread corruption, and much more.

    “Even the media engages in selective representation.”

    Read Also: 2019: I am candidate of the people – Ezekwesili

    The professor acknowledged the relevant role media plays in advertising political candidates and pleaded with the various media houses and bloggers not to repeat the same mistakes made in the general elections of 2015.

    “In 2015, APCON observed that electioneering campaign communications were largely pedestrian, combative, provocative and insensitive in language and style

    “APCON also observed the tendency by political candidates and their supporters to abuse their freedom of speech and engage in spurious promotional campaigns that exploited the public and undermined societal harmony and well being.

    “We warned that these actions threatened Nigeria’s democratic process and national security. The APCON’s Code on political advertisement was undermined and neglected.”

    Pate implored the media advertisers to adhere to the APCON code of advertising in order to maintain stability and peace in 2019.

    “There is a need to balance the national interest and the business interest of advertisers in portraying their principals,” he said.

    “Advertisers should stick to APCON guidelines on political advertisements and all regulatory requirements like securing approval before exposure.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Isu Gekpe, who represented the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, reminded advertisers that the Nigerian Broadcasting code as well as the APCON code require that political advertisements deal with issues and not personalities, limit their messaging to what candidates have to offer the electorate, rather than making disparaging reference to their opponents.

    “We have observed a number of advertisements which have not satisfied these provisions of the code and are to that extent, unhealthy for our social and democratic progress.

    “I am informed that contrary to the demands of the law and code of advertising, these unwholesome advertisements were not submitted to the vetting and approval process of the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) which is a statutory and representative organ of APCON empowered to vet and approve advertisements before they are exposed to the public.

    “I therefore appeal to individuals and organisations particularly, political parties, election candidates and their supporters who engage in the design and deployment of advertisements to ensure compliance with the law and code of advertising.

    “I would like to join APCON in requesting media owners to play their gate keeping role by demanding the ASP certificates of approval before accepting advertisements for exposure in their media.

    “By so doing, we would be securing the media space and airtime from being used to spread hate, create social conflicts and assault the sensibilities of the public.”

  • Fake news undermines peace, national unity – Minister

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Saturday appealed to all Nigerians to join efforts with government to combat the menace of fake news.

    The minister made the appeal while speaking at the inaugural lecture of the Guild of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria (GPBN) in Lagos.

    The News Agency of the Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the lecture was “Combating Fake News in the Cyberspace”.

    Mohammed said the collective efforts of all Nigerians were needed in view of the threats fake news posed to peace and unity of the country.

    He explained that most of the security issues confronting the country, such as herders/farmers were caused by the misrepresentation of facts in both the mainstream and social media.

    The minister said the spread of fake news had also promoted ethnic and religious suspicions among Nigerians.

    He said the media, especially, had a huge responsibility to check the problem in view of their strength and reach, calling on professionals to always verify their facts before sending out information.

    “The media have a responsibility to verify the facts before they share, because once they share, it is always very difficult to retract.

    “You see most of the issues we have about herders/farmers clashes, killings are being fuelled by fake news.

    “Look at the farmers/herders’ clashes, the truth is that they are being caused largely by population explosion, climate change and pure criminality.

    “So, it has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity.

    ”Nigeria at Independence only had 45 million people  but today, we are 190 million people.

    “You can imagine the same water, same air and same arable land available for 45 million people at Independence are now being shared by 190 million people.

    “It is like a room that can take 45 people, you now bring 190 people, you can imagine what will happen.

    ”So, that is the honest truth about population explosion.

    “Then, the other is climate change. We read about earthquakes and flooding in different parts of the world.

    ”These are manifestations of climate change.

    “So, how does it affect Nigeria?

    ”The Lake Chad that used to cover a surface area of 25,000sq km and 35 million people from six nations, including Nigeria, Cameroun and Chad depend on the water for fishing, agriculture, irrigation and so on.

    ‘The same water has shrunk to 2000 sq km.

    ”So, these 35 million people have to look for water elsewhere.

    ”That is why we have all these clashes.

    “Of course, I must state the issue of criminality too, but we must stop presenting the issues as if it is Muslims against Christians or Hausas against Ibos. That’s not true.

    “So, we should stop this narrative of Christians/Muslims or North/South.

    ”We are dealing with pure criminality, population explosion and climate change and that is the way we should look at it.

    “If we continue to post fake news attributing different reasons to the real causes of these issues, a stage will come when Muslims will be suspicious of Christians, Christians become suspicious of Muslim for no reason.

    ”And that is not good for our unity,” he said.

    The minister said the government was partnering different media organisations to check the problem of fake news.

    He listed some of them as the News Agency of Nigeria, Nigeria Television Authority, Vanguard Newspapers and Television Continental (TVC)

    Mohammed said the government was also collaborating with local and international social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to tackle the problem of fake news.

    He described bloggers as critical stakeholders in the media industry in view of their number and capacity to influence others.

    While stating the readiness of government to collaborate with them on the threats of fake news, the minister urged them to uphold the ethics of the profession to ensure they disseminate only credible information.

    He commended GPBN for the lecture, saying the initiative would go a long way to deepen professionalism among its members.

    In her lecture, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos said the media was powerful because of their capacity to influence others and bring about change.

    She said it was, therefore, expected of stakeholders in the industry to always uphold the ethics and report the facts.

    “The fourth Estate of the Realm must never relent in its quest of being the watchdog of the society.

    ”This duty of the media is one that cannot be underestimated .

    “In this era of social media, it behoves of the media to ensure that their platforms are not compromised, no matter the cost involved,” Ogwezzy-Ndisika added.

    The don, who was the Chairman at the lecture, described fake news as a threat to the society and development.

    She urged media professionals to pursue conscious efforts to ensure that the threats of fake news were checked.

    As the 2019 approaches, Ogwezzy-Ndisika urged the media to always verify whatever they were putting out in order not to cause unnecessary tension before, during and after the election.

    She said most of the “fakes” were disseminated through social media and online platforms.

    The don advised bloggers to work at the credibility problems in the online media by ensuring whatever they were publishing had all the elements of credibility.

    Earlier, Mr Chris Nwandu, President, GPBN, said media platforms could pass integrity test only if they were credible.

    He said it was important for bloggers to ensure they publish truthful information always because that was the right thing to do.

    Nwandu said he knew the legal consequences of sharing fake news having been arrested by police and remanded in Ikoyi Prison in 2015 for sharing a Facebook post.

    He said though the charge of spreading fake news was later withdrawn from court after 18 days in prison, the episode opened his eyes to the laws against fake news and the need to verify information before sharing.

    Nwandu said the association was formed to set standards for members and make sure they comply with the ethics of the profession.

    “The basic idea behind GPBN is to set up a body that will set standards for the practice of blogging just like every other profession in the world,” he said. (NAN)

  • PDP condemns APC’s virulent attacks on Atiku

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned what it described as virulent attacks on its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The party also flayed similar comments by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as well as other officials of the Buhari Presidency.

    At a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, decried what he viewed as deliberate efforts by agents of the ruling party to impugn on the character of Atiku Abubakar.

    Ologbondiyan said the APC and the Presidency are intimidated by the successful conduct of the PDP presidential primary and the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the main opposition party.

    Ologbondiyan said, “They have gone into panic mode and ignobly resorted to trading on rumour and spurious allegations, having failed in their evil machination to scuttle our presidential primary ambition.

    “The PDP is aware of how the unnerved and intimidated Buhari Presidency has unleashed its officials, spin doctors and hack writers with billions of naira, siphoned from our national treasury, to fabricate lies, spurious allegations and smear campaign against our presidential candidate.

    “While it is understandable that President Muhammadu Buhari is discomfited and afraid to face a popular candidate in any elections due to his incompetence, for which Nigerians earnestly seek his replacement, engaging in smear campaign, as a means of survival, is completely reprehensible and cowardly.

    “President Buhari and the APC, in their desperation, should not attempt to confuse personal economic prosperity that comes from hardwork, as in the case of Atiku Abubakar, with corrupt enrichment. That President Buhari failed in leading a successful personal economic life does not mean that others cannot succeed without being corrupt.

    “Furthermore, unlike President Buhari, who has failed in managing both private and public enterprises; who also confessed his failure to successfully manage his own farm and has made no personal contribution to our national development, our Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is internationally known as a hard working, resourceful, versatile and successful private entrepreneur, a vast employer of labour; an ingenious citizen, who has made immeasurable contribution to our national development both in public and private lives.

    “It is therefore a heinous perversion for Lai Mohammed, who has earned himself a notoriety, to the extent Nigerians now replace his first name, ‘Lai’ with ‘lie’, to attempt to suggest that the choice of Atiku Abubakar is a return to era of corruption, whereas President Buhari is internationally reputed to be presiding over the most corrupt administration in the history of our nation”.

    The PDP spokesman reminded Alhaji Lai Mohammed that while Atiku has never been indicted for corruption or facing any corruption charge, President Buhari is overburdened by indictments and allegations of humongous corruption, for which he has failed to provide explanations.

    Continuing, the PDP said, “Since Lai Mohammed is talking about era of corruption, we charge him to speak up on the leaked memo detailing the stealing of N9 trillion ($25billion dollars) through underhand oil contract at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Ministry of Petroleum, under President Buhari’s direct supervision.

    “Lai Mohammed should speak up on the alleged siphoning of N1.4 trillion through sleazy oil subsidy regimes and those benefitting from the alleged N58 hidden tax per liter which Nigerians have continued to bear since the fuel price increase from N87 to presumably unsubsidized cost of N145.

    “Lai Mohammed should speak up on why the Buhari Presidency is suppressing investigation into alleged use of 18 unregistered companies to lift and divert N1.1 trillion worth of crude oil in 2017 and the President’s alleged link with the beneficiaries of this fraud.

    “Can Lai Mohammed tell Nigerians how the Buhari era allegedly presided over the stealing of over N18 billion from the funds approved for rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rebuilding of six northeast states ravaged by insurgency?

    “Can Lai Mohammed tell Nigerians how over N25 billion meant for health needs of Nigerians was stolen by the Presidency cabal from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and how the same cabal siphoned the $322 million repatriated by Switzerland, under the guise of sharing the funds to the poor?”.

    The main opposition party added that it’s only in an administration like the Buhari Presidency that thrives in lies and deception, that characters like Lai Mohammed, with his proclivities, can be appointed a Minister.

    “This is the same person, who nearly caused a national crisis when he, in May 2015, accused former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP of frustrating the activities of then Transition Committee only for the head of the APC team, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, to declare that that the team had all the cooperation from the PDP.

    Read Also: 2019 elections: Fresh controversy trails INEC budget

    “This is the same Lai Mohammed, who, in 2014, alleged that the PDP denied a plane carrying a state governor from landing in Ado Ekiti to attend the APC Governorship election rally in the state, only for the State Government to debunk the lie stating that the governor did not travel to Ekiti but was attending official functions in the state.

    “This is the same Minister that has not been able to explain the circumstances surrounding his attempt to obtain over N13 million from the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) under the mask of a ‘loan’, against budgetary approvals and principles of the Treasury Single Account (TSA)”.

    The PDP said that in as much as it remained committed to issue-based campaign ahead of 2019 elections, it will not by any means tolerate further lies and fabrications from the Buhari Presidency, particularly from agents “who have no ethical substance” to make allegations against any Nigerian.

    The party counseled the Buhari Presidency and the APC to shed their resort to lies, falsehood and smear campaign and get prepared to face an inevitable crushing defeat, come 2019.

  • Independence Day: Our resolve to remain united tested – Osinbajo

    Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said that our resolve as a nation to remain united has been tested severally.

    This he said has been in the different phases of Nigeria’s history, from the colonial phase, independence, the first republic, the political crisis, the coup etc.

    He said that each phase has tested our resolve to maintain the integrity of the country known as Nigeria. Testing the commitment of the country’s leaders to the project Nigeria.

    Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the photo exhibition to mark the 2018, Independence Day celebration, Osinbajo added that we have not always excelled or have not always done as well as we should. But that is not the story.

    His words, “There are three reasons at least why this historical excursion is important. The first is that it helps us to recognize the incredible leadership of our political leaders, from the colonial days till the moment. All of these incredible leaders – men and women who have shown such great wisdom and wit at various times; such dedication and courage at various times; this exhibition celebrate them.

    “The second is that we are reminded of the twists and turns of our history. The colonial phase, the independence, the first republic, the political crisis, the coups  and countercoups, the civil war,  the short restoration of civil rule and another military incursion and then civil rule since 1999.

    Read Also: Osinbajo visits flood victims in Zugeru

    “Each phase has tested our resolve to remain united, to maintain the integrity of the country known as Nigeria. Each phase has tested the commitment of our leaders to the Nigerian project; it has tested their ingenuity and their wisdom in navigating the frequently tortuous and turbulent waters of our national story.

    “With the benefit of hindsight, I think that it is evident that at every turn we clearly saw strength of the Nigerian resolve to build a nation and the valiant attempts of the leadership at state building.

    “We have not always excelled or have not always done as well as we should. But that is not the story. The story is that we have never lacked the courage and will to keep trying, and to do so with greater resolve and greater commitment.

    “The third reason for the importance of this historical excursion is perhaps the most important. How we approach history. History could be a crutch; it could be an excuse for not doing as well as we could, or a strong shoulder to stand on. It could be a tyrant reminding us of how we got it wrong; or it could be a reminder that our future is greater than our history.

    “I am pleased to say on behalf of the Nigerian government and people that we have chosen to say that our history will not determine our future; our history is the least that we can ever be; our future is much greater; our history is only a precursor to a greater Nigeria; to a Nigeria that is prosperous, united and where all of us are treated fairly and justly. Our history is only the beginning of that great Nigerian story that all of these people who have won awards represent; that they are going to be better  than those of us who sit here today, these young people represent that history and pride that our nation represent.”

    Minister of Information and Cultural, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that the exhibition showcases Nigerian history from pre-colonial era till date.

    He added that the Independence day celebration is always a day of thanksgiving because it serves as Nigeria’s footprint.

  • 2019: Group to mobilize thousands of Kwara youths for APC

    The All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF), the youth wing of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state is set to mobilize thousands of youths across the state to ensure APC emerges victorious in the presidential, governorship elections and all other positions across the state in the 2019 elections.

    The group added that “That this is the time to liberate the people of the state from the grip of tyrannical leadership.”

    State Coordinator of APYF Tunde Salau added that the forum is “looking forward to organizing an interactive forum with the aspirants; wherein the governorship aspirants will have a face-to-face discussion with the youths on issues or challenges affecting the youth and how they (the aspirants) plan to tackle such challenges if they eventually occupy the number one seat in the state.

    Comrade Salau hailed Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the state APC chair Hon. Bashir Bolarinwa, for organizing a successful parley for all APC governorship aspirants in the state.

    Read Also: Kwara teachers protest unpaid salary

    APC on Wednesday this week organized a parley with all the 12 governorship aspirants in the state.

    Salau said members of the forum were impressed with the success of the programme being the first of its kind in the history of not only in Kwara, but in Nigerian politics.

    “We believe that there was no place in the history of Nigerian politics where aspirants of the same political party were given an opportunity to present their manifestos to the electorates in an organised setting.

    He added that “This singular act demonstrates the uncommon leadership charisma of the minister and the party chairman Bashir Bolarinwa for encouraging transparency, accountability and unity in the party and among the aspirants who saw themselves as brothers and partners in progress during the programme.”

     

  • Farmers/herders killings declining drastically, says minister

    There have been drastic decline in the farmers-herders killings across the country, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said.

    Mohammed attributed the drastic reduction to the various measures and actions of the government in tackling the crisis headlong.

    Speaking at the sixth Special Town Hall meeting on Farmer-herders clashes in the country held in Gusau, Zamfara state yesterday the minister also reiterated that the clashes have never been of religious or ethnic but an act of banditry.

    He therefore urged Nigerians to repudiate those who are trying to introduce religious and ethnic coloration into the crisis.

    While declaring the meeting open, the minister assured the gathering that government efforts at taming the situation was yielding result.

    He said: “Let me say straight away that the killings, resulting from farmers-herders clashes, cattle rustling, trans-border crimes and banditry, among others, have fallen drastically. Unfortunately, this has not received the kind of media coverage that was given to the killings. I appeal to the media to correct this.

    “The drastic fall in the killings resulted from concerted and committed actions by the Federal Government. Measures taken to curtail the farmers-herders clashes, cattle rustling and other acts of banditry include:- Deployment of a Joint Military Intervention Force (JMIF), comprising; Regular and Special Forces personnel from the Army, Air Force and Navy, and working in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force,

    Department of State Security (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC),  Establishment of the Army’s 2 Battalion Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kanfanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

    Read Also: Yet another presidential theory on farmers versus herdsmen

    Establishment of a new Area Command and two additional Divisional Police Headquarters in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. – Establishment by Nigerian Air Force of Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, and deployment of Special Forces to these Quick Response Wings. The inauguration, by the Nigeria Police Force, of a new Mobile Squadron in Takum, Taraba State.

    And Operation ‘Whirl Stroke’, operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara states, to tackle the menace of armed herdsmen, cattle rustlers, communal militias, kidnappers and other bandits.

    “I have no doubt that the good people of Zamfara can testify to the drastic reduction in the activities of cattle rustlers and other bandits in the state since the Federal Government assembled a 1000-strong military force, comprising the army, air force, police and the civil defence, to launch fierce attacks on the bandits terrorizing the villages and towns of Zamfara State. The situation will continue to improve until the violence has stopped.

    “Your Excellency, Honorable Ministers, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by repeating what I have always said: The killings that we have witnessed in the country have nothing to do with ethnicity or religion. As I have always cited, those rustling cattle in Zamfara are largely Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Those whose cattle are rustled are largely Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Where is ethnicity? Where is religion in this? And in Kebbi, more than 70 per cent of inmates in the state prison are there because of farmers-herders clash. Yet, the farmers are mostly Hausa/Fulani and Muslim, and the herders are mostly Hausa/Fulani and Muslim. Ethnicity and religion play no role!

    “Those who are bent on exploiting our national fault lines have distorted the narrative to give the killings ethnic and religious coloration, and this has aggravated the killings. We must repudiate them, even as the Federal Government continues to consolidate on the successful efforts to end the killings.”

     

  • APC not threatened by PDP’s noise, says Lai Mohammed 

    Minister for Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not threatened by what he termed the noise of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led opposition.

    Mohammed, who insisted the APC would win the 2019 general elections, said there was no viable opposition to the party yet.

    The minister spoke in Bénin City at the wedding ceremony of the son of Edo Commissioner for Budget and Economy Planning, Hajia Mariam Abubakar.

    Mohammed noted the PDP that would have provided a “kind of opposition” is in disarray.

    According to him: “I don’t see fear of opposition in the elections. The opposition is in disarray.

    “We believe that the people will vote for performance and to that, we are very confident; government has not stop working, we will continue to work for Nigerians to see.

    “Basically, I don’t see any opposition from the PDP. It is a section of the media that has constituted themselves to the opposition party.”

    Speaking on the issue of fake news, the minister said the war against the menace was being won.

    “We have seen fake news gone under, we have been able to drag it under the table, bring it to the open.

    “We must not forget however that fake news is a global phenomenon.

    “It is not peculiar to Nigeria. If not checked however, it will pitch the people against themselves.

    “Federal government launched the campaign against fake news because it realised some very unscrupulous elements have been exploiting the frontline of ethnicity trying to put a wedge against the government and the people,” he stated

     

  • Fed Govt okays $1.3b for five critical projects, says Lai Mohammed

    SOME $1.3 billion dollars (about N468 billion) have been set aside from the National Sovereign Investment Fund (NSIF) to finance five critical infrastructure projects, the Federal Government said yesterday.

    Information, Culture & Tourism Minister Lai Mohammed, who broke the news while appearing as a guest on a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) programme – “Stepping Up”.

    He listed the five ongoing projects to benefit from the fund as Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Second Niger Bridge; East-West Road; Abuja – Kano Expressway and Mambilla power project.

    The minister restated President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration commitment to infrastructure development, assuring that all abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration will be revived.

    He said: “We believed that rather than starting new projects, it will benefit Nigerians to complete all inherited abandoned projects.

    “To appreciate the commitment of the administration to infrastructure: In 2014, Nigeria spent N14 billion on transportation, N34 billion on water resources and agriculture, and N106 billion on power works and housing.

    “In 2017, this administration spent N107 billion on transportation, N130 billion on agriculture and water resources and N325 billion on Power, Works and Housing.

    “The administration, in a manner unprecedented in the history of the country, spent a total of N2.7 trillion on capital projects in 2016 and 2017 alone.”

    Mohammed also listed the Oyo-Ogbomosho Expressway being funded by Sukuk bond, the 240-kilometre Enugu-Port Harcourt roads among the numerous ongoing projects of the government.

    He said the administration had completed the reconstruction of the failed Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa Road which had been abandoned for over 10 years.

    The minister identified the 69 Federal Government ongoing projects in the Southeast region, adding that the administration was miffed by the false allegation that the region was abandoned in infrastructure development.

    On rail projects, Mohammed said the 156 kilometre Lagos -Ibadan standard gauge was ongoing, adding that the government in April signed an agreement with a consortium led by General Electric to revamp the 3,500-kilometre narrow gauge between Lagos and Kano.

    The minister said the 49.2-kilometre Abuja Light Rail project was recently commissioned by the President.

    Mohammed said: “When we came in the light rail project was 53.8 per cent completed. Within 18 months we are able to complete it 100 per cent.

    “This is the first integrated rail transportation mode in Africa that allows transportation by rail from the city to the airport to go by air.

    “It is being run by two coaches now and the government has placed order for 48 more coaches to cover the entire Abuja.

    Mohammed said the Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge was working and the government had in the pipeline, rail projects for all parts of the country.

    The minister said the Buhari government was on track and would continue to develop critical infrastructure for national development.

     

  • 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

  • Community urges Lai Mohammed to take rightful position

    The Sanmora community, near Omuaran, in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara has enjoined the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to take his rightful political leadership position in the state.

    Oba Mathew Ajiboye, the Eleju of Ejuland, Sanmora made the appeal on behalf of his community at a Chieftancy installation ceremony in Sanmora.

    Mohammed was in the community to grace the installation of a popular film marketer, Abdulmaroof Afolayan as the Oloba of Ejuland, Sanmora.

    Oba Ajiboye who spoke in Yoruba language said: “it is time to return home and take charge of the political sphere of Kwara.

    “I am ready to support you and the Sanmora people are also behind you.

    “This time around, I will personally follow you from home to home being the political head we are looking onto at the national level”.

    The monarch said the community has decided to give the Minister the Chieftancy title of “Oluomo” of Ejuland, Sanmora and the installation ceremony would hold before the end of the year.

    Read Also: Lai Mohammed: Kwarans ready to wrest power from Saraki

    The minister thanked the King and the entire community for the recognition and honour bestowed on him.

    He said his father hailed from Sanmora and he would ensure that what is due to the community like every other Kwara towns would be delivered to them.

    The minister disclosed that discussion was ongoing on the construction of Ajase-Sanmora-Iludun road because of its importance to the development of the towns and improvement of living standard of the people.

    Mohammed said he accepted the honour of the chieftancy title given to him but the installation should come after ending his service as a federal minister.

    He explained that they were given a caveat by the administration not to take chieftancy title while serving as federal cabinet members

    NAN