‘Baseless and false’ — Agunloye refutes Obasanjo’s allegations on Mambilla power project – Newstrends
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‘Baseless and false’ — Agunloye refutes Obasanjo’s allegations on Mambilla power project

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‘Baseless and false’ — Agunloye refutes Obasanjo’s allegations on Mambilla power project

Olu Agunloye, former minister of power and steel, has denied the recent allegations against him about the Mambilla power project.

In a recent interview with TheCable, former President Olusegun Obasanjo challenged Agunloye to tell Nigerians where he derived the authority to award a $6 billion contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd in respect of the Mambilla hydropower project in 2003.

Sunrise Power is currently in arbitration with Nigeria at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Paris, France, over an alleged breach of contract by the federal government.

Sunrise is asking for a compensation of $2.3 billion, claiming it had spent millions of dollars on financial and legal consultants before the contract was jettisoned.

The company is also asking for a $400 million settlement being the terms of the agreement it entered with the federal government in 2020 to end the arbitration.

Nigeria is fighting the claims on the grounds that Agunloye, who “suspiciously” awarded the contract one week to the end of his tenure as power minister in 2003, acted “illegally”.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the former minister refuted the claims as baseless, false, and malicious.

According to Agunloye, the nature of the initial contract for the Mambilla power project, was awarded as a “build, operate and transfer (BOT) contract in May 2003 under his watch”.

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“Under this model, the contractor, Messrs Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (Sunrise), was responsible for sourcing funds and executing the project with its own funds,” the statement reads.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) was not obliged to pay any amount to Sunrise.”

Agunloye also explained that the investment required for Sunrise to construct the hydroelectric project up to completion was estimated at a maximum of $6 billion by four ministers of power and former President Obasanjo before his own tenure.

He stated that the allegation by the former president that he awarded a $6 billion contract (N800 billion in 2003) to Sunrise was inaccurate and misleading.

The former minister added that for 20 years, he was never questioned or interrogated about awarding any unauthorised Mambilla contract by any Nigerian president, including Obasanjo.

He also raised concerns about the change of contract model for the Mambilla power project after his tenure, noting that Obasanjo split it into smaller components.

“On the 28th of May 2007, a day before handing over power to President Umaru Yar’Adua, President Obasanjo changed the terms of the Mambilla project from Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT), which would not have required any investment from the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to a fully funded FGN EPC contract,” he said.

TheCable understands that Agunloye and some officials of the ministry of justice have been quizzed over the Sunrise affair and may soon be charged in court.

‘Baseless and false’ — Agunloye refutes Obasanjo’s allegations on Mambilla power project

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Things will get better, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu assure Nigerians

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Things will get better, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu assure Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Monday, admitted that Nigerians are experiencing social and economic difficulties, assuring that the situation will soon change.

While Tinubu insisted that his government was on the right track, he argued that solutions to complex problems could never be as instant as coffee.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, who called for prayers, described the current leadership as tough men working to get Nigerians through difficult times.

Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, spoke at the 70th birthday of Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community, Pastor Tunde Bakare, PTB, organised by the Citadel Global Community in Lagos.

Those present included former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon  (retd), represented by Evangelist Austin Kemie; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong  Attah; former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amechi; former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, represented by Ogwa-Olusan of Warri, Chief Mene Brown; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), represented by Asoya of Isoya Ife, Oba Muraina Adedini; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo III.

Tinubu, in his speech, said: “The President acknowledges that times are hard, but at the end of it all, there is always light. And solutions to complex problems can never be as instant as coffee, but we are on the right track.”

On the celebrant, the President described him as a spiritual leader and advocate for truth who had left an indelible mark, not just on those who follow his teachings, but on the nation as a whole.

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said: “We are here to celebrate a true man of God, a most precious human being. It gives me great joy to honour a man whose life has been an embodiment of passion, integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. PTB has been a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless in our society.

“His decades of service and dedication, principles of honesty, transparency, and fairness have been in the respect and admiration of many across this nation. His life journey reflects our commitment not just to spiritual growth, but also to the social and political development of our country.

“I acknowledge your relentless passion for better Nigeria, a country where equal justice and good government prevails. This celebration is a testament to a life of strength and courage, of powerful messages and fearless advocacy, deep volumes of your dedication to lifting humanity.

“It is these values that allow you to make such a difference. As you unveil your token of growth, the vast but definitely not the least, we look forward to gaining insights into the endless experiences that have shaped you into the formidable figure we see today.”

It’s tough time, public servants need prayers – Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu, in his address, said: “We that are in public service, we need all your prayers. It’s tough times, but you see, we are also tough men, and we know that at the end of the tunnel, there will be a bright phase.”

On the celebrant, the governor said PTB was not just a father to all, noting: “He is a man that is completely detribalised. He is a man that, with all the complexities of understanding people, stands up for fairness, equity and justice. There’s still a whole lot that God is still going to use you for, not only to this nation, but to the world. We thank God for who you are. You are a vessel of God.”

PTB testament to Ogun legacy of trailblazers – Abiodun

Abiodun, in his remarks, said: “We join him in reaching the remarkable 70. Considering the brevity of life, reaching 70 is not easy. PTB has made life one of purpose and significance. I have had the privilege of drinking from his wealth of knowledge. He stands as a testament to the Ogun State legacy of trailblazers. He is among the distinguished ambassadors of our state. As a spiritual guide, he has mentored many. PTB has touched lives.”

Let’s put nation first – Bakare

Meanwhile, Bakare, in his vote of thanks, urged Nigerians to put the country above personal needs, saying: “I want to appeal to you on this day that let us think of nation first. Let’s be less concerned about what we can get out of this nation. Let us think of how to make this nation a better place to live.”

 

Things will get better, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu assure Nigerians

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Obaseki inherited N55bn debt, left N410bn behind – Transition report

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Obaseki inherited N55bn debt, leaving N410bn – Transition report

The Transition Committee of the All Progressives Congress has recommended a probe into N410 billion in local and foreign debts allegedly owed by the Edo State government.

The committee made the recommendation on Monday in its report presented to Monday Okpebholo ahead of his inauguration on Tuesday as Edo’s fifth democratically elected governor.

Presenting the document, Pius Odubu, the chairman of the committee, said the committee was presented with N410 billion in debts as against the N55 billion inherited by the outgoing government in 2016.

“For those of you who have the capability to fact-check, you will find out that the indebtedness today is much more. It is over N500billion,” he said.

Odubu, an erstwhile deputy governor, said the committee also recommended a review of memoranda of understanding on the management of Central and Stella Obasanjo hospitals.

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“All employment carried out in the recent past should be cancelled, while the governor should investigate the true ownership of the Ossiomo power plant and Radisson Blu Hotel.

“The same with the Museum of West Africa Arts-MOWAA. We deserve to know the state’s equity in these companies as the outgoing government went blank on these enquiries.

“We also demanded a comprehensive review of the World Bank-funded EdoBest programme, and a probe should be instituted to uncover its rather opaque operations,” he said.

Odubu added, “All major contracts issued by the state government under the Ministry of Roads and Bridges should be reviewed as they appear not to have followed due process, including the payment advance awarded to the contractors.

“The procurement agency indicted the government in its own report to the transition committee. Hence, we have advised the incoming governor to take a critical review.”

The committee chairman also called for streamlining the ICT ecosystem in the state, which he said appeared to be a duplication of duties.

“The outgoing government didn’t provide audited financial statements published or unpublished. Hence, the committee is advising the government to institute an inquiry into this.

“The government couldn’t account for the number of teachers in the state. Hence, we demand a proper teacher headcount,” Mr Odubu said.

The committee chairman said the document, comprised of a 24-page report and 800 annexures, was a product of three weeks of rigorous assignments, meetings, interactions, engagements and analyses of the documents presented to the committee.

 

Obaseki inherited N55bn debt, leaving N410bn – Transition report

(NAN)

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Atiku contributed to Nigeria’s economic woes, his solutions rash – Tinubu

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Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar

Atiku contributed to Nigeria’s economic woes, his solutions rash – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has verbally attacked his one-time ally, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, as offering rash solutions to the country’s economic problems.

He also accused him of contributing to the economic woes millions of Nigerians currently face.

The presidency said the former vice-president’s idea of “consulting upon entering office” stemmed from his ignorance of the state of the economy when Tinubu assumed power.

“The economy was in dire need of urgent action; Tinubu had to quickly adopt a firm action,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement.

The statement read in part: “We can only speculate what detrimental impact Atiku’s proposed lengthy town hall and Village Square meetings would have had on Nigeria’s economy if he had been elected president and taken such an approach.

“The country needed a proactive leader such as Tinubu, who immediately set to work to address economic challenges rather than one who would have squandered precious time on consultations and a questionable privatisation agenda.”

The presidency described Atiku’s excoriation of the president as “harebrained propositions devoid of realistic alternatives,” pointing out that the ex-vice-president must reckon with “the decades of mismanaged economy” inherited by the current administration, including exorbitant subsidy expenditures far exceeding government earnings from crude oil.

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“We expect Atiku to commend what the Tinubu administration has done concerning revenue generation for the Federation,” stressed the statement.

He said Atiku’s proposal to privatise the four government-owned refineries, which collectively could only meet a fraction of the nation’s daily fuel consumption when activated, lacked originality.

“The Tinubu administration focuses on revitalising these refineries while supporting modular refineries and the Dangote Refinery, which has greater capacity.

“This approach will guarantee domestic production and stabilise retail prices by reducing foreign exchange challenges. It includes selling crude oil to the refineries in naira, enabling potential cost reductions that could reflect in retail prices,” said the statement.

The presidency alleged that as vice-president, Mr Atiku oversaw the sale of the nation’s assets to private individuals and cronies at low prices and that most public enterprises Mr Atiku sold had been stripped and had become dead assets.

The presidency urged Mr Atiku to stop “pushing for unrealistic timelines” but should “recognise the necessity of President Tinubu’s bold reforms.”

“Let me emphasise that the citizens who cast their votes in the 2023 presidential election are well aware that I did not lose,” Mr Atiku stated on Tuesday. “Rather, we find ourselves in this predicament because the election was criminally stolen from the Nigerian people,” Mr Abubakar stated.

The politician criticised Mr Tinubu’s government for lacking concrete governance plans, claiming that “Tinubu’s government is anchored to a mere Tea-plan, which can only lead to a T-pain.”

Mr Atiku added, “Like many fellow Nigerians, I firmly believe that we find ourselves in this current economic turmoil due to the Tinubu administration’s hasty ascent to power, devoid of a coherent plan.”

Mr Abubakar’s remarks mark the latest exchange between his camp and Mr Tinubu’s over the country’s worsening economy and attendant hardship.

Atiku contributed to Nigeria’s economic woes, his solutions rash – Tinubu

(NAN)

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