News

All contractors will return to site under my supervision – Wike

Published

9 months ago

August 29, 2023

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom 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

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

Published

9 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Nigeria has stirred up disquiet at the British High Commission in Abuja, as their presence went unacknowledged by relevant officials.

Despite the couple’s arrival in the populous nation and various welcoming activities, including meetings with military authorities and dignitaries, the British High Commission’s social media handles remained silent on their visit.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, clarified in an interview that the visit was in a private capacity and not arranged or facilitated by the commission. Hence, they were not representing the UK government’s work during their time in Nigeria.

During their visit to Kaduna, Prince Harry emphasized the importance of sports in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, focusing on meeting with Nigerian armed forces veterans.

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The couple’s decision to step down as senior royals in 2020, amidst frustrations over media intrusion and restrictions on developing their brand, “SussexRoyal,” was highlighted. They retained their titles but relinquished their royal highness status and Harry gave up his military titles.

Allegations surfaced regarding Prince Harry’s absence from a flight that carried other royal family members to visit Queen Elizabeth II before her passing. Reports suggest an argument ensued due to Harry’s insistence on bringing Meghan Markle to Balmoral, causing him to miss the flight.

The visit to Nigeria served as an opportunity for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to engage with wounded veterans and promote rehabilitation efforts, despite the absence of official acknowledgment from the British High Commission.

British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria

News

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

Published

9 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

On returning to Okuama-Ewu community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, following the withdrawal of the Nigerian Army, many residents, particularly mothers, collapsed upon seeing their homes in ruins.

A report by Vanguard which visited the community revealed a distressing scene as some residents experienced a sudden rise in blood pressure upon witnessing the extent of the destruction, requiring hours to recover. Amidst the chaos, returning villagers expressed bewilderment and sorrow over their situation.

Sixty-five-year-old Maria Adam, who fled Okuama-Ewu in March only to return in May, described her shock, saying, “On arrival when I saw the level of destruction, I fainted and was revived because I suffered hypertension.” She recounted the loss of her belongings and appealed for government assistance, expressing uncertainty about rebuilding their lives.

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Similarly, Vero Joseph, a 68-year-old farmer, shared her dismay upon seeing the devastation, stating, “On arrival at the community and seeing the devastation, I fell terribly sick; nothing is left here.” She detailed the destruction of homes and essential items, emphasizing the challenges of starting anew but expressed a preference for returning to her hometown over seeking refuge elsewhere.

Fifty-two-year-old farmer Florence Ekiroro collapsed at the jetty overwhelmed by the realization of their homelessness, saying, “I collapsed at the jetty because we have become homeless.” She described the loss of essential belongings and rejected the idea of relocating to an IDP camp, citing the unfavorable conditions compared to their community.

Victoria Paul, a 58-year-old trader and farmer, recounted her ordeal, stating, “On arrival and seeing the gravity of damages, I fainted but was revived.” She lamented the destruction of her provisions business and personal belongings, despite finding solace in her community and beginning fishing to sustain her family.

Grace Okoye, a 55-year-old trader and farmer, expressed deep distress over the loss of her possessions, including her children’s academic documents and savings. She said, “On return, I feel very distressed and because everything I have had been destroyed. What pained me most were my children’s results and my building. I lost my boxes of wrappers and N200,000 cash in the house.

”I only escaped with the wrapper on my waist, which is what I have also returned with. Only God can assist me in start all over but one cannot run away from my community. I cannot stay in another town, I am happy to be back, and I have mastered staying here. I cannot compare here with the forest; it is my home. ”At night, we sleep in the church here, we have started fishing and that is how we are managing now.

Grace added, “Our youths caught some of the thieves. While we were away; they were busy harvesting our produce and immediately the army left, they came to scavenge. We have yet to hear from the government since returning.”

The Okuama returnees also called on the state government, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and others to come to their aid to help them pick up the pieces of their lives after all that happened to them.

Soldiers killing: Okuama returnees collapse on seeing destroyed homes

News

Fuel scarcity will be over soon, says Senate leader

Published

9 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele

Fuel scarcity will be over soon, says Senate leader

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele provided reassurance to Nigerians that the ongoing fuel crisis will soon be resolved, expressing this commitment during an interview at the Oil Technology Conference in Houston, Texas.

Bamidele emphasized the legislature’s dedication to addressing fuel scarcity and long queues at filling stations, highlighting plans to engage additional private-sector entities in constructing new refineries.

“The Senate is working to ensure that more private-sector players are licensed to own and operate refineries. This is to support other smaller ones that are springing up in several parts of the country.

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“In addition to licensing new refinery operators, the Federal Government and Senate are working to ensure that the existing refineries are turned around with repairs and replacement of parts carried out where necessary,” he said.

Bamidele said the Senate had received an assurance from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited that two of its refineries in Warri and Port Harcourt would come on stream before the end of the year.

He also noted that the commitment to licensing new refinery operators and revitalising existing refineries remained vital for increasing domestic oil production.

Opeyemi maintained that the focus was to ensure that Nigeria meets its OPEC production quota.