Metro

FG Orders 37 Contractors To Deliver 260 Emergency Road Projects In Three Months

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

The Federal Government has given about 37 contractors handling its 260 emergency road projects across the country three months to deliver, threatening failure to meet the deadline will result in contract termination.

Most of the defaulting contractors are handling emergency road projects in Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Abia, Anambra, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers States.

It also reiterated it was not obligatory to pay mobilisation fees to contractors for emergency road projects.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, stated these on Monday during a meeting with the contractors in his office.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, the Minister explained that this action became necessary because the Renewed Hope emergency road projects were funded through the 2023 Supplementary Budget to provide immediate intervention on critical, completely failed Federal roads nationwide.

Noting that the goal was to restore the serviceability of these roads, the Minister complained that the 37 contractors have made little to no progress since being awarded the contracts while warning that they must mobilize effectively to the site by Wednesday, July 10, 2024, or face contract termination.

“If after the deadline for mobilization to the site, any contractor fails to comply, the job shall be terminated by effluxion of time as the contract is for a time limit of 3 months.

“Any contractor whose job has stayed for more than 3 months without completion after the issuance of award letter must seek and obtain approval for extension of time from the Federal Ministry of Works,” he said.

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The Minister warned the defaulting contractors that the projects awarded to them must be delivered within three months, adding that no excuse, including security challenges or lack of mobilization funds, will justify the delays causing road users to suffer.

He asserted that contractors that failed to meet the deadline will be blacklisted for hindering the Renewed Hope administration’s efforts to revolutionize road infrastructure for Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

He said: “The people are suffering, the President is having sleepless nights in his efforts to fix our road infrastructure to help our economy, and people will be given jobs and they are telling us stories.

“There have been jobs awarded by this Ministry in the past and money paid, and the contractors would hold the money, and they would say it’s a security problem.

“Didn’t you know about the security situation before you got the job?”

Regarding mobilization fees, the Minister stated that under the Standard Conditions of Contract, mobilization funding is not a prerequisite for contractors to begin work on-site.

According to him, it is at the Ministry’s discretion and will only be provided to contractors who commit, through an affidavit, to complete the job within three months of mobilization.

“Our new policy is that if you want mobilization and we are happy to give you, you will abide by the conditions. One is that there will be no review of any component of the mobilization given.

“Two, we will give you 30% and you will do 30% of the work before we can give you another money. So please, mobilization is not compulsory. Is that clear? Again, emergency projects are not mobilized.

“The rule is that in emergency projects, you will go and do it 100%, and then you submit your papers.

“We now pay you 80% and send your documents to BPP. When they approve, we pay you the balance of 20%,” he noted.

The Minister also directed the Federal Controllers of Works to ensure proper supervision of projects in their sites and be abreast with the contract awarded, amount, date of award, timeline, review date, extension of time, argumentation granted and whether the contractor is on site.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.