News

FG Threatens To Revoke MTN’s N202bn Enugu-Onitsha Road Contract

Published

8 months ago

January 30, 2025

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a stern warning to telecommunications giant MTN over delays in the N202 billion Enugu-Onitsha Expressway project. The Ministry demanded that MTN commits to paying contractors at least ₦15 billion monthly for the next 10 months or face termination of the contract.

The project is being executed under the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Scheme and handled by RCC Ltd.

The warning came after a high-level meeting in Abuja, chaired by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and attended by members of the Anambra and Enugu Caucus of the 10th National Assembly, along with representatives of MTN.

A statement issued by Hon. Orji Uchenna Orji, the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, read in part:

“The Federal Ministry of Works will write to MTN demanding an irrevocable commitment to pay contractors a minimum of ₦15 billion monthly for the next 10 months to fast-track the completion of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. Failure to comply will result in the termination process being initiated.”

The Ministry expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work and financial delays, which have reportedly caused a cost escalation of over 100%.

Further resolutions included: Engaging three contractors to complete the 79 km section of the road within the initial ₦202 billion contract sum.

Awarding the remaining 72 km to other contractors through due process, with MTN and RCC eligible to bid.

The Ministry noted that MTN’s handling of the project did not align with the Tax Credit Executive Order. Officials warned that continued delays could increase the project cost by over 200%, which is unacceptable to the Federal Government.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including:

MTN Representatives:

Ikechukwu Uchendu, General Manager

Ifeoma Nkata, Manager of Federal Affairs

Engr. Chris Okoye, Community Liaison

Onioha Dike and Tochuckwu Onuorah, Project Managers

C.J. Caleb, Legal Adviser

Ministry Officials:

Engr. C. A. Ogbuagu, Director of Highways Construction and Rehabilitation

Engr. B. U. Obioha, Director of Highways Bridge and Design

Engr. M. Saidu, Acting Director of Highways Road and Design

The ultimatum underscores the Federal Government’s renewed resolve to complete critical infrastructure projects and hold stakeholders accountable for delays.

News

Boko Haram Once Nominated Muhammadu Buhari As Negotiator – Jonathan Revealed

Published

2 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday, disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents once nominated the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari as their negotiator.

Jonathan said Boko Haram chose Buhari to negotiate with the Nigerian government on their behalf.

He made the disclosure while speaking at the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (retd.), in Abuja.

Jonathan said the insurgents named Buhari after his then-administration set up several committees to explore dialogue with the group.

Jonathan said: “One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government.

“So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and had a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.”

Jonathan noted that the inability of Buhari to eradicate Boko Haram terrorists showed that the crisis was more complex than often portrayed.

News

Edo: Pandemonium As NDLEA Operatives Chase Escaping Driver With Shooting

Published

4 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

There was pandemonium at Oka Market, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, Friday, as operatives of the State Command of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) shot sporadically in chase of an escaping driver.

In the course of the commotion, traders and residents took to their heels, probably to avoid being hit by stray bullets, while others were confused, not sure of what caused the sporadic gunshots.

The sporadic gunshots which lasted more than five minutes at the gate of the NDLEA Head Office, by Oka Market, followed a hot chase of an articulated vehicle driver who was said to have brushed their (NDLEA) vehicle.

The driver, who reportedly brushed the NDLEA vehicle refused to stop for negation, which prompted officers at the scene to alert their colleagues who waited at the alert.

According to eyewitnesses, as the escaping articulated driver approached the NDLEA office, officers who were said to have been alerted by their colleagues pursuing the trailer began to shoot.

Seven of the tyres of the trailer were deflated by bullets of the NDLEA operatives yet the driver refused to stop.

The officers continued to shoot while pursuing him, until he was caught.

A source said that the driver brushed their vehicle on the way, and that every effort by the officers to stop him so they could settle the matter proved abortive; hence the gunshots and deflation of the tires.

“It was a simple thing; they jammed our men, but the officers tried to stop him so that they could settle, but the driver refused to stop. That is why the men have been shooting to stop him. Even after bursting about seven tires, he was still running, but we caught him and they are bringing him back to our office,” he concluded.

Calls and messages sent to the commander, Edo State NDLEA Command, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, were not responded to as at when filing this.

News

JUST IN: Court Bars Police From Enforcing Tinted Glass Regulation

Published

6 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri has issued an order directing the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to maintain the status quo in the ongoing case concerning the controversial tinted glass permit.

The case, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025: John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Inspector-General of Police & Nigeria Police Force, came up for hearing today.

Delivering the interim order, the Court directed the police authorities to respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.

Confirming the development, Kunle Edun, SAN, who led the legal team, noted that the directive is a major step in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld while the substantive issues in the case are being determined.

Details of the ruling and the next adjourned date are expected shortly.

Further updates coming soon…