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All contractors will return to site under my supervision – Wike
All contractors will return to site under my supervision – Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says he will get all contractors back to site under his direct supervision.
Wike, who stated this at the opening of a meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT, added that Abuja would soon become a construction site as promised.
“After our inauguration, we outlined our short, medium and long-term plans to reposition the capital city, after which we went out to inspect projects that were awarded before us but abandoned for one reason or the other. Now time has come for action.
“First of all, on the metro light train, President Bola Tinubu has given us a matching order that he wants to ride on the metro light train. So, it is a key project that we must achieve,” he said.
Wike added that Tinubu had equally complained about abandoned projects, particularly roads which were part of critical infrastructure.
Describing road networks as “key infrastructure” that makes a city, the minister pointed out that the issue of sanitation, streetlights and shanties were being addressed.
“But the roads are very key and so, we are trying to see how we can map out strategies and structure funding so that we do not have problems with completion.
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“I am determined to get every contractor back to site with direct supervision from my office and the office of the Minister of State.
“The major problem we are having in this country is the problem of supervision and so we are not going to tolerate anything below standard.
“If there are people you have been working with that have compromised standards, too bad, too bad; not with me. I am not going to accept anything that is below standard,” he said.
The minister said that together with the contractors, they would restructure how to fund projects so that all contractors could go back to site and work.
He added that the ministry would not fund projects depending only on the national budget, adding that projects would also be funded with resources from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“I want to achieve results so I will not award a contract when I do not have money to fund it.
“We are going to fund you and you will tell us the time within which the project will be completed. If we agree three months, it is three months; If I give six months, it is six months.
“We do not want to hear this happened and this did not happen. I do not want to hear any excuses at all,” Wike told the contractors.
He assured the commencement of all abandoned projects in all sections of the FCT, stressing that the measure would create employment.
He noted that when contractors are working, they create more employment but sack staff when they are not working, thereby creating problems for the country. (NAN)
News
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
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