The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has terminated the contract awarded to Levant Construction Limited over its failure to deliver on the Benin–Sapele–Warri road project.

The road, a major federal highway, is being reconstructed under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.

Speaking in Abuja after a meeting with contractors handling various sections of the project, Umahi accused Levant of abandoning its section of the road despite multiple warnings and a final termination notice.

According to a statement signed by his media aide, Orji Uchenna, on Wednesday, the minister disclosed that despite intervention by the Edo State Government on the worst sections of the road, Levant failed to mobilise to its portion of the site, leaving critical areas unattended.

“We even begged the Edo State Governor to fix the worst-hit parts while Levant handled the remaining. While the governor delivered on his 23km stretch for N35bn, Levant abandoned its section.

“They received multiple warning letters, including a final notice, but chose not to return to the site,” Umahi said.

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Umahi directed the Permanent Secretary to finalise the contract termination, initiate a joint measurement for completed works, and write to the company’s bank for the recovery of the Advance Payment Guarantee.

He warned that failure to refund the public funds could lead to prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

In contrast to Levant’s performance, the minister praised Geld and SKECC for agreeing to return to the site following renegotiations.

He noted that a project review has been approved to accommodate inflationary pressures, including the rising cost of asphalt, now pegged at ₦30,000 per square metre from a previous ₦9,000.

“I’m pleased with Geld’s commitment. For their other job on the Lokoja-Abuja road, we’ve agreed to a price review. The same applies to the Itoki–Ikorodu road. We are happy to see movement again,” he said.

He also lauded the efforts of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, for stepping in to fund critical sections of the federal road.

“We are grateful. These governors are doing very beautiful work,” he said.

READ ALSO: 52% Of Ongoing Road Construction In Northern Nigeria – Umahi

Reacting to recent claims by some Northern groups accusing the Tinubu administration of favouring the South in road projects, Umahi described the allegations as “malicious and uncharitable”.

He stressed that project distribution under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has been fair, inclusive, and based on inherited commitments and current needs.

“In this ministry, we don’t count regions. We follow the President’s example—he inherited projects and chose to continue them irrespective of location,” Umahi said, citing the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road project as a case in point.

He noted that under the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme alone, Niger State accounts for 26 per cent of the project portfolio, while the South-West and South-East combined barely get 9 per cent.

In his detailed response, Umahi listed several ongoing projects in the North, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road (Sections I & III) worth N252bn, with 30 per cent already paid.

He said, “Section II of the same highway, 164km long, valued at N525bn, with another 30 per cent (N152bn) already disbursed. Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina–Kaduna 750km road at N825bn, started under President Tinubu.

“There are Dangote-backed Tax Credit projects in Borno, including 49km in Bama and 52km in Dikwa. The N958bn dual carriageway project in Kebbi, with a second phase heading to FEC for approval. The 439km Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe superhighway is being redesigned to a six-lane concrete pavement on Tinubu’s directive.”

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He added that under the Renewed Hope legacy projects, the North is receiving 52 per cent of the investments, while the South gets 48 per cent.

On the controversial Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi said the project is not designed to favour any region, explaining that comparable investments are being made in the North with the same quality and cost standards.

“For instance, the Kebbi section alone, with just one carriageway, is costing about N958bn. When the second lane is approved, that’s nearly N2tn—comparable to Lagos-Calabar segments,” he said.

Addressing criticisms on the slow pace of work on the Eleme–Onnexis of the East–West Road, Umahi said the contractor, RCC, has since improved performance after initial issues. He clarified that asphalt work being done on a completed lane was to maintain traffic flow around flyover sections.

“Let the critics go and verify. We’ve done one carriageway. Where asphalt is being reapplied, it’s around flyover intersections for smooth movement,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed his commitment to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s road infrastructure, saying, “We want Nigerians to feel the impact of governance.

“President Tinubu is investing heavily in roads—North, South, East and West—because he understands the economy runs on infrastructure. I have never seen such a unique President.”
(PUNCH)

A total of 542 senior Non-Commissioned Officers retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces on Thursday after 35 years of service.

The retirement ceremony, held at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre in Oshodi, Lagos, included 362 soldiers from the Nigerian Army, 134 from the Navy, and 46 from the Air Force.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Major General Aligbe Obhiozele of TRADOC, praised the retirees for their dedication.

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Obhiozele stated, “Today we celebrate your courage, discipline and selfless service to our great nation. Your 35-year journey embodies the finest military traditions of resilience and patriotism.

“As you transition to civilian life, we urge you to uphold these values and become pillars in your communities.”

He also urged the retirees to avoid financial mismanagement and neglect of their health, warning that society expects them to continue to uphold the discipline they displayed during service.

NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Mamman, said the centre had trained over 53,000 personnel since its establishment.

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Mamman thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving major improvements such as bigger starter packs for retirees, digitisation of records, e-learning upgrades, and new workshop equipment.

“These interventions have significantly enhanced our capacity to prepare servicemen for civilian life,” Mamman noted.

Retirees, who were trained in various vocational skills, received discharge certificates to the cheers of their families. Some described the moment as emotional, but hopeful.

Sergeant Musa Bello said, “The training has prepared me well for civil life. I was trained in farming. I hope to invest my gratuity in it. I am proud of my service years.”

The event ended with the traditional lowering of flags, marking their formal exit from military service.

Tunde Odesola

Long before man dug a hole in every inch of the earth searching for oil, the crab had been in the business of oil drilling. The crab’s house – I mean its burrow – not its shell, is an oil rig at work.

For many Great Akokites, the most beautiful site in the University of Lagos isn’t the 13-storey Senate Building or the golden auditorium – it’s the Lagoon Front. The Lagoon Front is the wide-armed rendezvous where the vast Lagos Lagoon kisses Akoka’s scholarly shoreline, ohing and ahing as water caresses the bank…swoosh, slosh, splosh.

By day, the Lagoon Front is home to thinkers. By night, it’s a love nest to Romeos and Juliets exploring a soft-lit Eden. I was both thinker and wanderer, often tracing the scenic curvy road past the Lagoon Front toward the vice chancellor’s lodge, feet shuffling, thoughts flowing. Great Akokites! Great!

As a student, I was a regular daytime visitor to the Lagoon Front. There, I encountered the crab in its natural habitat. Its burrows were filled with oil water, and I always wondered what the crab had to do with oil. It never occurred to me to research the phenomenon.

But the song of Adawa King, Admiral Dele Abiodun, the Juju maestro, keeps whispering to me, “Epo ti alakan won se, lati bi odun mejo, ko i t’agolo ofo lo ja si,” meaning: “The palm oil being produced by the crab since three years ago, has not filled a single tin – wasted labour.”

Does the crab produce palm oil? I have answers now. The crab does not produce oil. Science says the claw-bearer burrows into mudflats, mangroves or brackish wetlands, where there’s a high amount of decaying organic materials like leaves, algae, or animal waste.

As these materials decompose, they release natural oils, fatty acids and hydrocarbons, forming the shiny or oily film that cloaks the crab’s burrow. Also, some crabs produce mucus-like substances to reinforce their burrows or line the walls. These secretions can reflect light and appear oily, especially when wet. Science washes oil off the burrow.

However, a morality tale in African mythology tells a story of the crab known locally as Akan or Alakan. The Akan isn’t just an armoured crawler, it’s a drunkard, a debtor, a trickster, who frequents the bar of Adaba the Dove, a brewer and merchant of enjoyment.

Regularly, the crab crawls sideways to the dove’s bar, drinks and stands up to go. “Where’s my money?” the dove asks. “I’ll pay you when I come tomorrow,” the crab replies.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:[OPINION] 2027: Tinubu And The Snake

The next day, Mr Crab, carrying his pincers like armoured tanks, comes visiting, drinking and enjoying himself. Dove: “Where’s the money for the drinks?” Crab: “I’ll pay you tomorrow.” Days turn into weeks, and Akan fails to fulfil his promise. A qshouting match ensues one afternoon. Then, friends advise Akan to go and tell a debt collector — the slithering, cold-blooded Ejo the snake, whose business nomenclature is ògò – debt collecting.

The snake agrees to help Adaba retrieve its money from Akan. So, before Akan arrives the next day to binge, the snake is already seated. After drinking, the crab gets up and heads for the door. “Hey! Where’s my money?” “I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” The dove pounces and calls on the snake to help retrieve all his money. Wahala!

No one has seen the crab run so fast. Maybe the drink was anabolic steroids to its 10 legs. But the snake followed in hot chase, with the dove flapping behind them, cooing, “Bere mu kun-kun, bere mu kun-kun,” meaning – Grab it tightly! Grab it tightly!” But the crab narrowly makes it into its burrow. And, the dove becomes even more agitated, cooing wildly, “Bere mu kun-kun, bere mu kun-kun.”

This is a tricky test for the debt-collector, who pauses outside the burrow. Eventually, the snake inches its head into the burrow slowly; there was darkness and silence, then a sharp snap – ‘pai’ – and the snake swirls back outside in severe pain, writhing on the ground without its head. The debtor decapitates the debt collector; the crab has done its worst.

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Nigeria is a crab republic. Since 1999, corruption wore a green-white-green agbada and sat in the saddle of democracy inside Aso Rock, aiding and abetting the crabs called leaders. Nigerian crabby leaders share similarities with the storied crab. Both sets are debtors, drunkards and tricksters.

Though aeons set the fabled crab and Nigeria’s crab-leaders apart, both are experts in fakery – producing fake oil, selling fake hope, and repaying kindness with evil. Nigerian crab leaders are meaner than the devil.

Where else but in the crabholes of Nigeria do herdsmen slaughter villagers by the hundreds without a single arrest? The crab government knows the killers, but peasant lives don’t matter in the burrows, nor do they matter in Benue, the current scene of bloodshed. Herdsmen are gods. Peasants are dogs.

The serpent swallowed its tail a long time ago when Jona-Dumb looked for his shoelace while the nation burnt, and the skeletal tyrant handed over the country to herdsmen before heading to Katsina ranch. Now, the mafia lord, cigar between clenched lips, presses down his Chicago boots on the masses’ neck, toasting to his impending 2027 electoral victory. “It is my turn!”

Since Olusegun Obasanjo’s reign, herdsmen have painted Nigeria red. Yet no killer has ever worn handcuffs (except once), no machete has been brought to court. But the DSS – Department of Supression and Suffocation – is hounding the call for a shadow government.

There is a WIKEd crab in Abuja, roaming freely and wildly – claws up, ready to fight even its own shadow. He epitomises the crab mentality that defines Nigerian politics – drag others down, cling to power, oppress the oppressed, kill and loot.

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For security purposes, the mythical crab safeguards its carapace with its protruding eyes, “oju ni alakan fi n sori,” but the crabs lording it over Nigeria don’t give a hoot if herdsmen level a whole state since they have armed escort, armoured cars and their hands in the till.

If you think that Nigerians don’t know that President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue was just a photo opportunity aka photo-op, which will not stop the next bloodbath, take a look at the photo of the mother sitting by the wounded child’s bedside in the hospital when the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, came calling. Her stare was icy, helpless and distant as if Akume and his well-fed band never existed. The picture captures Nigerians’ regret and loss of hope in the Tinubu government.

Popular social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, visited Yelewata and interviewed an unnamed resident in the aftermath of the pogrom. The resident said the police engaged the killers, who later used another route to enter Yelewata and massacre.

Specifically, the resident mentioned Fulani herdsmen as the perpetrators of the mass murder carried out on the rainy night. Yes, rain fell, blood flowed, and the government yawned.

As national leader of the All Progressives Congress, I remember Tinubu disagreeing with those accusing herdsmen of being the killers of the daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti in 2022. Tinubu had asked, “Where are the cows?” But the police later arrested the killers, and the court sentenced them to death.

I implore Tinubu’s DSS to carry out a nationwide investigation to unravel if the herdsmen rode into Yelewata on cows. Maybe they will find some chewing cud beside the burnt corpses.

In Nigeria’s crab empire, cows roam, killer herdsmen thrive, lands abound without food, and oil wealth is meaningless. What is the name of a big-for-nothing country?

Email: tundeodes2003@yahoo.com

Facebook: @Tunde Odesola

X: @Tunde_Odesola