News

‘Concrete Has Come To Stay’ – FG Issues Fresh Directives On Road Construction

Published

8 months ago

September 7, 2023

Editor

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that the use of concrete technology in road construction had come to stay.

He also directed the contractors working on federal roads, especially in the South-East region, to prioritize the completion of carriageways first before working on the spurs (side roads) to ensure speedy project completion.

Umahi gave the order while inspecting the ongoing construction work at the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States by MTN Nigeria Communication Plc.

Other projects inspected include: the rehabilitation of Old Enug-Onitsha Road, among others in the South-East.
These were in a statement by the Director (Information) Press & Public Relations Unit, of the Ministry, Lere-Adams Blessing, in Abuja, on Thursday.

She said the minister also ordered that the remaining portion of the roads still under construction be done using concrete pavement as he noticed that some of the road shoulders are already cracking because the quality of bitumen in use is of low quality and adulterated.

The Director quoted Umahi as saying, “I will allow the portions already laid with asphalt but the failing road shoulder should be replaced with concrete carriage.

“I know what I am saying; the quality of bitumen in this country is low and adulterated.

“We will not give up the fight till we get to the level where after construction, the road stays for 30 to 50 years before we talk of maintenance.”

Concrete tech

He maintained that the use of concrete technology in road construction is cheaper, safer and reduces the longer time contractors have to stay on site trying to patch failed portions after the project completion, and that with the use of concrete pavement, no one goes back to check if the road is failing or not because road failure when concrete is in use is laughable.

“It is safer doing it on concrete and cheaper. I believe strongly that when a project is so expensive it keeps the contractor a longer time on site because he will keep delaying to get all his payment, meanwhile there is no money to pay him so he keeps staying on site doing nothing.

The Minister subsequently directed all contractors that have left their site because of payment to quickly and immediately move back to site or he will terminate the contract.

He noted that the monies released already to the contractors from what he was told is suppose `to complete the carriageways before requesting for additional money.

He said: “I am optimistic that the money available will complete the work. Come with your bill of quantity so we review it and give you proper directive.

“Move back to site immediately to continue your work within seven days or I terminate the contract. You cannot say we are owing you and because of that you stop work.”

Umahi promised the contractors that funds would be made available as long as they played their part in ensuring project delivery in line with agreements reached.

He added that he will be meeting with the funding partners and the one being financed through appropriation, all will be given attention.

According to him, “You said there is no money to complete the project. It is my duty to chase the debt, it is yours to go back to site. I guarantee that the money will be paid.

“I will meet with the financers and we will do what we are suppose to do.”

The Minister demanded that the Director, Highways, South-East, Engr. Bede Obioha, bring up the entire project for review to see how they will put ideas together to ensure that all the outstanding projects be completed and be open for usage.

While briefing the Minister and his team, the Operations Manager, Niger Cat Construction Company Ltd. Engr. Fadi Mosaad, commended the Minister for his directives on the use of concrete pavement saying it’s going to help considering the soil texture and the terrain of the zone.

The projects visited were rehabilitation of old Enugu–Port Harcourt Road (Agbogugu–Abia Border spur to Mmaku, Rehabilitation of Oji–Achi – Mmaku – Awgu – Ndeabgor Road section 1 in Enugu State);

Construction of Ugwueme – Nenwenta – Mkwe – Ezere – Awunta – Obeagu – Mgbidi Nmaku Road in Enugu State; construction of Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States; the rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra).

In a related development, the minister said the battle to enforce the use of concrete technology will continue because the present administration wants Nigerians to get value for money.

He made the pronouncement in a chart with reporters during his inspection tour of the rehabilitation of outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme – Contract no 7629 on September 6, 2023.

News

Police Reacts To Trending Video Of Woman Feeding Baby Alcohol,Vow To Fish Out Mother [WATCH]

Published

5 hours ago

May 15, 2024

Editor

The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has stated that the police will fish out a nursing mum filmed feeding her baby alcohol.

The disturbing video showed the woman who spoke in Yoruba, hailing her baby girl as she gulped the alcohol.

Reacting to the video, Adejobi wrote: ‘’Another assignment for us. This is too bad. We will fish her out. Thanks. @PoliceNG”

News

EFCC Arrests 13 Fake BDC Operators In Lagos

Published

8 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested thirteen fake bureau de change operators in Lagos.

They were arrested for operating BDC without an appropriate licence.

The suspects are: Abdulahi Musa, Garba Abdullahi, Dauda Hussaini, Jubril Musa, Abdulwaheed Iliyasu and Abubakar Mohammed.

Others are: Umar Saidu, Nurudeen AbdulAzeez, Hamidu Usman, Yusuf Isa, Musa Ishaka, Liman Makki and Idris Mohammed.

They were arrested during sting operations by EFCC’s operatives between May 10 and 13, 2024 at different parts of Lagos, following credible intelligence received by the Commission about their illicit business activities.

Also, a suspected currency racketeer, Kafayat Lateef was also arrested over for alleged involvement in the sale of the Naira notes in different denominations.

A sum of N2.1 million was recovered from her at the point of arrest. A statement by EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said that the suspects would soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

News

Ex-CBN Gov, Emefiele Faces Fresh Charge Over Printing Of Naira Emefiele

Published

10 hours ago

May 14, 2024

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has preferred a fresh charge against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, over an allegation that he illegally printed Naira notes while he held sway at the apex bank.

The anti-graft agency, in the four-count charge it entered before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, equally accused the former CBN boss of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of about N124.8billion from the consolidated revenue fund.

According to the EFCC, the defendant, acting in violation of law and “with intent to cause injury to the public,” okayed the printing of naira notes without the approval of both the former President, Muhammadu Buhari and the board of the CBN.

Emefiele, who is already facing multiple charges both in Abuja and Lagos, is expected to take his plea before trial Justice Maryann Anenih.

Specifically, the charge against him, read: “That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1, 000, at the total cost of N11,052, 068,062 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000 pieces of colour swapped N500 (Five Hundred Naira) Notes, at the total cost of N4, 471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 (Two Hundred Naira) Note, at the total cost of N3, 441, 005, 280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124, 860, 227, 865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu had on June 9, 2023, suspended Emefiele from office as the head of the apex bank.

He was later arrested at his Lagos residence by DSS operatives.

The former CBN boss was subsequently transferred to the custody of the EFCC, which on November 28, 2023, docked him on a six-count charge that bordered on his alleged involvement in procurement fraud.

Though Emefiele, who initially spent 151 days in custody of security agencies, was later granted bail to the tune of N300million and ordered to produce two sureties that the trial court stressed must be Abuja residents that have landed property within the Maitama District, the defendant could not perfect the conditions till December 23, 2023, when he was released from Kuje prison where he spent about 34 days.