The Nation Newspaper

Tag: projects

  • Embark on meaningful projects, commissioner tells LG bosses

    Ogun State  Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, has urged the chairmen of the 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state to embark on meaningful projects that would alleviate the suffering of the people at the grassroots.

    He spoke during an assessment tour of LCDAs in the Ogun West Senatorial District as part of his efforts to monitor the LCDAs.

    Chief Ojuko praised the Iju/Atan/Ilogbo LCDA executive and members of staff led by Hon. Jamiu Yakub Ajayi  for its people-oriented projects that have turned around the community in less than 17 months.

    He said the council had performed well by consolidating on what the state government had started by reaching out to public schools in the area and  touching the lives of members of the community through various projects.

    He urged political office holders to support government programmes and policies for the sustainability and enhancement of socio-economic development of the state and improvement of the living standard of their people, adding that that would make rural areas more conducive for people and reduce the rural/urban migration through which the residents  would feel the impact of government.

    ‘’On this note, I urged political office holders, the career officers and indigenes of the local council development areas across the state to complement the efforts of both the state and local government through the projects done,’’ Ojuko said.

    In their various responses, the Chairman of Imeko-Afon LCDA, Hon. Tosin Adeluyi, Hon. Obafemi Edun of Yewa South Local Government Area and Hon. Rahman Alebiosu of Yewa North Local Government Area appreciated the commitment of Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s government to get dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the state through the creation of LCDAs.

     

  • BAIP flags off 2018 projects

    The Beauty of Africa International Pageant (BAIP) has flagged off its campaign for 2018 with the theme, ‘Ambassador for tourism, peace and friendship’ at a recent press conference at their office on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

    In his speech, Kenneth Ighodalo, PR/Marketing Consultant to BAIP, said stakeholders should take advantage of the pageant to promote their goods and services.

    “BAIP’s 12th edition promises to be explosive as it is in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture,” he said.

    “As expected, this year edition, will attract an audience of more than 20 million persons, at the pre-event, press conferences, camping and grand finale which will play host to the crème de la crème of the corporate world, top government personnel, showbiz gurus, celeb, brand owners, top models, fashionista and all credible stakeholders that matter in the industry. The grand finale is scheduled to hold on October 6th 2018, at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos.”

    Speaking, Mr. Daniel Opuene, President of BAIP, said: “Registration is officially open to all young Nigerian women who are between the ages of 17 to 26 years of age” at www.beautyofafricaint.org for registration.”

    Opuene said BAIP aims to align pageantry in Nigeria with global trends, attract investment and improve the local content of the Nigerian modelling industry and disclosed that screenings would take place in Abuja on July 14, Edo State on July 18, Enugu on July 21, Port-Harcourt on July 25 before berthing in Lagos on July 28.

    He said the star winner gets a brand new car, a cash prize, one-year wardrobe allowance and represents Nigeria at the Miss Tourism International 2019 finals while the first runner-up gets a cash prize, wardrobe allowance and represents Nigeria at the Miss Supranational 2019 finals. The second runner-up also gets a cash prize, wardrobe allowance and represents Nigeria at The Miss Globe 2019 finals while the third runner-up gets a cash prize and represents Nigeria at Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2019 finals and lastly, the fourth runner-up gets a cash prize and represents Nigeria at the Look of the Year 2018 finals. The winner and runners-up also get a one-year modelling/marketing contract.

  • ‘APC-led Fed Govt committed to its projects in Osun’

    ‘APC-led Fed Govt committed to its projects in Osun’

    The member representing Obokun Constituency in Osun State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration at the centre is responsive and responsive.

    The lawmaker said the commitment the Federal Government had demonstrated to its projects in the state proved this.

    In a statement in Osogbo, the state capital, Oyintiloye, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, lauded the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for rehabilitating and repairing Gbongan-Iwo-Oyo Road.

    He said: “The Federal Government says it has spent N2.8 billion on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gbongan-Iwo-Oyo Road. Similarly, it gave an assurance that it would complete the Ojutu Bridge at Ilobu estimated at N537 million.”

     

  • 118 Enugu communities receive N5m each for development projects

    118 Enugu communities receive N5m each for development projects

    One hundred and eighteen autonomous communities in Enugu State yesterday received N5m cheque each from the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for development projects of their choice.

    The communities were those who were able to fulfill the requirements for the release of the fund, as the first tranche of the N10 million earmarked for every community in the state to execute development projects of their choice.

    The 118 autonomous communities that received their cheques, according to the Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Gab Onuzulike, were among the 450 communities approved by the Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO) that have opened accounts with designated banks.

    He added that the remaining communities will receive theirs as soon as they open bank accounts and send the details to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters/Rural Development.

    Ugwuanyi while presenting the cheques to the Traditional Rulers and the President Generals of Town Unions in the communities stated that the decision was in line with his administration’ resolve to empower each autonomous community in the state with the sum of N10 million  to carry out projects that would address their “peculiar and immediate development needs”.

    The governor added that the government decided that the choice of the projects and their execution were left “entirely” to the discretion and at the disposal of the stakeholders of each individual community.

    He said: “This was in fulfillment of our promise to promote participatory democracy and extensive rural development in the state as well as the involvement of all local communities in the implementation of government policies and programmes”.

    Ugwuanyi, who disclosed that the exercise was the first time in the history of the state, explained that the projects to be executed by the communities are different from those being done in various communities by his administration through the Community Development Project (CDP), the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    According to him, “to march words with action, the State Executive Council on the 22nd of November 2017, approved the release of the sum of N2.25 billion to cover the first tranche of N5 million to be given to every community in the state so as to enable them commence work on their self-chosen projects. The communities were also asked to open bank accounts for the lodgment of the said funds”.

    While thanking the communities that received the cheques for their support and eagerness to participate in “this historic scheme”, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed explicit confidence that they will utilize the funds for the identified purposes for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of their people, reassuring that his administration will not relent in its development efforts until the fruits of good governance are felt in every community in Enugu State.

    The Igwes and the Town Unions’ Presidents-General, the Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for the “innovative, unique, socio-economic and new developmental strategy for Enugu State”, saying that they are happy to have him as a governor.

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Town Unions, Hon. Paully Eze had described the release of the fund as a pleasant surprise, saying that the governor has wiped away the tears of the people in so many communities, who he said had never experienced any development project in their areas.

    He maintained that the grassroots development programme, will ensure that government presence is registered in all the over 450 autonomous communities in the state, commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for his passion for the wellbeing of the people.

  • ‘State House to complete on-going projects in 2018’

    ‘State House to complete on-going projects in 2018’

    The Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Jalal Arabi, on Friday said the 2018 budget proposals of the State House will focus on completing all on-going projects.

    He spoke while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties to defend the 2018 budget proposals and the utilisation of the 2017 budget releases.

    Arabi, in a statement by the Deputy Director (Information), Attah Esa, noted that several ongoing projects have been stalled or delayed due to funding constraints.

    The Permanent Secretary said the budget proposals were anchored to deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP) 2018-2020, adding that the budget ‘‘will maximise scarce resources in a manner that we function optimally and ensure that security of the State House is not compromised.”

    He urged the Committee to note that the State House administration caters for the offices of the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Chief Security Officer to the President, the State House Medical Centre and the State House Liaison office in Lagos.

  • Reps hail CBN’s intervention projects

    Reps hail CBN’s intervention projects

    The House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency yesterday applauded the intervention project of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Administrative Staff College (ASCON), Topo, Badagry Lagos.

    Speaking during the oversight visit of the Committee to CBN intervention projects in the South West geo-political zone, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Jones Onyereri, who led other members of the Committee, said that the Committee was impressed with the progress made in delivering on the project and the use of Nigerian  contractors in the project “We are impressed because we didn’t think we can get this kind of outcome judging from our first visit which shows that it will be indeed nice to patronize Nigerian contractors”. 

    Hon. Onyereri also commended the quality of job done by the contractors and noted that the CBN interventions at ASCON would create a conducive environment for learning, stating that they are worthwhile.

    Also in the inspection team were CBN’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, and the Deputy Director in charge of the Projects, Oluwole Owoeye.

  • ‘MDAs’ IT security projects largely compromised’

    The Management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has lamented that 95 per cent of the information technology (IT) security projects in Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are compromised.

    It however said it has taken measures to arrest the development.

    Its Director-General, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami said part of the measures would be the licensing of all IT contractors and service providers for the purposes of procurements, public private partnerships and other forms of engagements.

    Pantami said: “The management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) would like to bring to the attention of all Information Technology (IT) contractors, MDAs, other government establishments, the organised private sector and the general public that it has put measures in place to register and license all Information IT contractors and service providers for the purposes of procurements, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and other forms of engagement with government establishments and private sector.

    “The Agency is dismayed at the raising number of failing IT projects within federal MDAs and other government establishments.

    “NITDA’s investigations revealed that over 90 per cent of IT projects in MDAs and other government establishments failed and more than 95 per cent of their security is compromised.”

  • Wike: why I embark on projects

    Wike: why I embark on projects

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said he embarked on projects to raise people who will defend their votes next year.

    He said he had no disagreement with the command, but insist that the police abide by the ethics of professional policing.

    Wike spoke at the weekend at the command’s thanksgiving in Port Harcourt.

    He warned the police and other security agents against offering themselves as tools for election manipulation.

    The governor said he would improve his relationship with the people by ensuring they enjoy good governance.

    He said: “I won’t tell you to rig elections for me, because I know my projects will count.

    “I’m doing projects across the state because I know people are waiting for you (police). When you want to rig, the only security I have are the people.

    ”I have projects spread everywhere.  This is the sacrifice we have made. I am monitoring and inspecting projects everyday, because I will continue to build my friendship with the people.”

    Wike said the onus of electoral defence was on the people who were beneficiaries of his good programmes.

    ”Whether you are wearing black or t-shirt, Rivers people will be there. Whether you come with armoured vehicles, Rivers people will be there. This time, you will see women. Let me see how you will kill them that day. I am recruiting Rivers people to protect democracy,” he said.

    The governor hailed the police and other security agents for their roles in crime fighting.

    He said his administration would support their operations.

    Wike assured the people that the government will assist the command to acquire land and build befitting barracks.

    Police Commissioner Mr. Zaki Ahmed said cultism was the greatest security challenge.

    He said the police were partnering other security agents to ensure security.

    Outgoing General Officer Commanding 6 Division Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh thanked the governor for facilitating the successes of security agencies through his support.

    He said there was a synergy among security agencies, which has resulted in better operations.

  • Akpabio was not properly informed about projects’

    Akpabio was not properly informed about projects’

    Facts have emerged as to why Senate Minority Leader Senator Godswill Akpabio alleged that his successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state had abandoned projects started by his administration in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

    Akpabio had last week during a Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) stakeholders meeting of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district held at the Independence Hall Abak, cried that his star projects such as the Four Point Hotel in Ikot Ekpene and the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene Road had been abandoned by the current administration.

    But the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko said during an interview with our correspondent at the weekend that the ex-Governor made the statement because he did not have updates on the condition and constraints of projects in his senatorial district.

    Nwoko, who said Akpabio’s comments at the stakeholders meeting was not meant to undermine the Governor, explained that the Governor has specifically and severally directed the Commissioner for Housing and Special Duties, Mr. Akan Okon to ensure the completion of the Four Point Hotel at Ikot Ekpene for last Christmas activities.

    “I can tell you as an Exco member that since June last year the Governor has been on the neck of the commissioner for special duties because he gave him December deadline that he wants to use the hotel in Ikot Ekpene for the functions of Christmas and there was no monthly Exco that the Governor did not put the commissioner on the spot”.

    He was said since Akpabio was not a member of the State Executive Council it was not obligatory for the Governor to brief him on ongoing projects in the state.

    Asked if there was a communication gap between the Governor and Senator Akpabio, the commissioner said, “ there is no communication gap between Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Akpabio “.

    He however said, “ The Senator is no more in government in the state ; he is not in the Exco; he does not sit down at our various meetings to hear the  efforts put in place and nobody including the Governor owes him that daily responsibility of briefing the Senator.

    “As at today Akpabio knows more about the efforts towards bringing the hotel in Ikot Ekpene to functionality. He heard that the Governor had a meeting with the Mariok Group in Dubai. The Group has even indicated interest to take up the hotel”.

    Nwoko assured that Akpabio and the whole of Ikot Ekpene senatorial district are solidly behind the Governor’s reelection in 2019, adding there was no alternative to Governor Emmanuel.

     

  • Why we conduct EIAs on projects, by World Bank

    The World Bank has urged its Project Management Unit with the Transmission Company (TCN), to always find out what effect its projects have on communities where its power projects are being implemented.

    The Coordinator of Environmental, Resettlement and Social Unit (ERSU), of the World Bank  Aromeh Adole, urged stakeholders, including members of the civil society organisations and the media to volunteer their candid opinion about the TCN, to the World Bank Group.

    Adole, who spoke to the press, in Abuja, said in carrying out these projects, the bank is aware that the projects will have impacts on the communities where these projects are executed.”

    He recalled that they had problems in the past with their projects because they did not consult enough with the community.

    He said the World Bank  has told the NEGIP to consult with the communities, and also engage the media, insisting that the people need to know “what you are doing and they need to be carried along. That is why we are holding this consultation to hear from the communities how our projects are impacting in them.”

    Adole said  NEGIP was having issues with communities in 9th Mile in Enugu State as a result of discussion with the wrong people before the genuine owners of the location later emerged to evict the contractors from the site.

    He said that the consultation forum was therefore predicated on the experience and to explain to the stakeholders what they are doing.

    He said the World Bank has always insisted on the projects having their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before the commencement of the execution.

    Adole said NEGIP is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the EIA is the standard requirement by the World Bank.

    He said: “If the Federal Ministry of Environment does not clear the environmental aspect of your project, the bank will not spend one Naira on it,” pointing out that there was a particular project that was concluded without the environmental aspect which the World Bank rejected upon submission on the basis of EIA.

    “We have  four project implementation units now that are implementing projects that are funded by four donor agencies: The Nigerian Electricity and Gas Implementation Project (NEGIP) that has gathered us here today is being funded by the World Bank,” he said, adding, “we have other PIUs, there is one that is being funded by the French Development Agency and  another that is being funded by the Islamic Bank and yet another that is being funded by African Development Bank.

    “These are project implementation units that are implementing projects that are being funded by all these donor agencies and the aim is to ensure that we don’t have issues of delay in disbursement, in making payments after signing contracts.”

    Adole said the bank is working with donor agencies and all the funds are available from day one. You don’t need to start waiting for appropriation and the budgeting process which takes a long time.