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Fashola flags off N90bn Akure/Ado-Ekiti road reconstruction, says we’ll keep awarding contracts till May 28

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2 weeks ago

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Fashola flags off N90bn Akure/Ado-Ekiti road reconstruction, says we’ll keep awarding contracts till May 28

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said that the Muhammadu Buhari administration will not stop working including awarding contracts until midnight of May 28.

The administration will on May 29 hand over power to a new government headed by Bola Tinubu.
Fashola said this on Thursday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, while flagging off the N90bn dualisation of the 49km Akure/Ado-Ekiti highway.

He was responding to critics, saying, “People are asking why we are still awarding contracts when we have just a few days to go. Should we stop this road now and wait for the next government?
”It is a juvenile conversation. They forgot, among other things, that the term of this administration ends at midnight on May 28.
“This road really represents the paradox of governance, about roads, and about public debts.”

Why the road project was delayed

The minister also spoke on the delay in commencing the project.
He said, “All kinds of stories have been told about me, but none of them bothers me. They just dedicate me to my job and tell me to do it as best I can.

“All lies have been published that Fashola does not like Ekiti and Ondo states. That is absolute nonsense.
“There were suggestions that we should asphalt and rehabilitate the road, and I said no, that we will dualize the road and we are going to reconstruct.
“Before we could do that, we had to first do the design, which took some time. But many were ignorant about this. It is not as easy as it looks.”
The minister explained that infrastructural development could only be actualised through borrowing or taxation, said that the project costing N90bn would be taken care of by the NNPCL through the tax credit policy of the federal government.
According to him, the project, awarded to Samchase Nigeria Ltd. and Kopeck Construction Company, is slated for completion within the next 24 months.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State for Transport, Ademola Adegoroye, praised Fashola for his efforts towards ensuring that the construction of the  road commenced.

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DSS arrests Emefiele

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June 9, 2023

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The battle for freedom has begun for the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. He was arrested by DSS on Friday.

The arrest was reported shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele.

According to the president, Emefiele was suspended due to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.

Prior to Emefiele’s suspension, the DSS, on December 7, 2022, in an exparte application with reference no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022, sought an order to arrest the CBN Governor.

The security agency accused Emefiele of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice J.T Tsoho, however, refused to grant the application of the DSS.

The court said such an application should have been accompanied with the presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.

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I Could Have Slapped Kwankwaso At Aso Rock – Ganduje

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42 mins ago

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June 9, 2023

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2023 Hajj: NAHCON sets June 20 as last day to transport pilgrims

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5 hours ago

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June 9, 2023

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2023 Hajj: NAHCON sets June 20 as last day to transport pilgrims

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has said that all arrangements to transport 2023 prospective pilgrims to Saudi Arabia must be completed latest by June 20.

This is contained in a statement issued by the commission’s Deputy Director of Information and Publication, Mousa Ubandawaki, on Friday.

Mr Ubandawaki said that all states that are scheduled to fly are on course to do so without any disruption related to visa procurement.

“We want to reiterate our commitment to transport every eligible Nigerian pilgrim to the Holy land not only in good time, but also in comfort and best welfare service.

“Our attention has been drawn to a news story that over 45,000 Nigerian pilgrims may miss this year’s Hajj as a result of non-availability of travel visas to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“The report is not only misleading, but mischievous and aimed at causing panic and apprehension among intending pilgrims in particular and the public in general.”

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Mr Ubandawaki, however, admitted that there was a technical problem relating to visa processing.

“But it has been resolved at the moment, as visa processing is ongoing. In the last two days, visas to state pilgrims have been steady, and no flight has been cancelled due to visa issues.

“Therefore, over 35,000 Nigerian pilgrims are in the Holy Land, while the remaining pilgrims are expected to be transported in the next 10 days.

“It is interesting to note that out of 75,000 slots, more than 58,000 visas are being processed for Nigerian pilgrims. Of these, 20,000 visas were issued between Thursday and Friday while the remainder will be processed by Saturday.

“Despite the hiccup, the commission is committed to concluding the airlift operation to Saudi Arabia before June 20.”

Mr Ubandawaki said the commission had resolved to transport all pilgrims to visit Madina before Arafat, and synchronise the transportation with the available accommodation in the city.

“And not to overcrowd the place, the commission is cautious of pushing more pilgrims out.

“We want to urge our partners in the media that while it is critical for them to push the interest of Nigerian pilgrims, they should also be conscious of the fact that they might be indirectly creating worry and anxiety for the hapless pilgrims.”

2023 Hajj: NAHCON sets June 20 as last day to transport pilgrims

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