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BREAKING: Minister of Works, David Umahi responds to Atiku over Lagos-Calabar Costal Road contract, says the contract followed due process

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Minister of Works, David Umahi, in a note, said the 700-kilometre, 10-lane Lagos-Calabar highway was conceived as an Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Financing (EPC+F) project.

– Umahi said the model (EPC+F) entails part-funding by the Federal Government.

– Umahi said the approval process went through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BBP) after consideration by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as prescribed by law.

– Umahi added that the project is an unsolicited bid on EPC+F.

– Umahi explained that under this model, the investor provides all designs, part of the financing and construction while the Federal Government provides the counterpart funding.

– Umahi revealed that the ministry received such a bid, worked on it and sent it to BPP.

– Umahi added that the BPP worked on it according to the Procurement Act and came up with a price slightly lower than the ministry’s price and even lower than the cost of similar projects awarded five years ago like the Bodo-Bonny project.

– Umahi said BPP issued a certificate of no objection on the project to the Ministry of Works in line with the Procurement Act.

– Umahi added that the Ministry of Works took the certificate of no objection to FEC and FEC debated and approved it.

– Umahi also cleared the air on the Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report, saying that preliminary approval was issued in December 2023 by the Ministry of Environment and renewed in January.

– Umahi said the ESIA certification is progressive and they have a certified ESIA to start the project.

– Umahi added that they redesigned the route to put a human face to the decision and to minimise demolition of permanent infrastructure.

– Umahi said the process of ESIA involves constant stakeholders’ engagement of which many have taken place and he even participated in two in Lagos.

– Umahi maintained that the removal of properties along the route is subject to the rule of law and clarified that only property owners with proven titles will receive compensation.

– Umahi said shanties and those with property within the 250-meter shoreline setback without a Federal government title would not be compensated as it is a legal matter.

– Umahi added that the committee is not in charge of ramp or anything else but to verify those to be paid compensation, authenticate and pay. He said where there is a title problem, it will need a presidential waiver for such to be paid.

– @ThisIsAdemuyiwa (X)

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Even our prophets have felt president Tinubu’s impact. Most Men of God Who Used To Prophecy What Will Happen Have Just Gone Silent – Shehu Sanni

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Even our prophets have felt president Tinubu’s impact.

Most Men of God Who Used To Prophecy What Will Happen Have Just Gone Silent – Shehu Sanni

In a notable observation about Nigeria’s religious dynamics, former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has drawn attention to what he perceives as a significant change in the practice of annual prophecies by religious leaders.

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New Year: Peter Obi pays visit to IBB to discuss national issues

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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, on Thursday, visited former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, at his Minna residence in Niger State.

The former Anambra State governor who announced the visit in a post on his X account on Thursday, said it came after his meeting with Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi.

Obi said his discussions with Babangida revolved around key national issues.

“After leaving Jigawa State, I traveled to Minna, Niger State, to visit a father figure, elder statesman, and leader, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence. It was an opportunity to wish him a Happy New Year and exchange thoughts on national matters.

“General Babangida’s wisdom and insights remain invaluable, and I always cherish the opportunity to meet him and benefit from his guidance and advice,” Obi shared.

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Councillors impeach two Edo LG Chairmen

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Councillors impeach two Edo LG Chairmen
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Councillors impeach two Edo LG Chairmen

Two chairmen in Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas of Edo State have been impeached by their councillors.

The events were marked by accusations of violence, illegal actions, and political interference.

A similar situation also unfolded in Owan East, where the chairman and his deputy faced what they described as an unconstitutional impeachment process.

In Uhunmwonde, the impeachment process turned violent as armed men attacked bystanders, leaving several people injured.

The council chairman, Kenneth Adodo, accused the attackers of being policemen sent from the government house.

In Orhionmwon, the councillors impeached the Leader of the House, Daniel Osariemen, on Wednesday.

They claimed Osariemen was working to remove the council chairman, Newman Ugiagbe, and his vice, Midwest Ogbebor.

Following his impeachment, Osariemen allegedly led unknown persons to take over the council secretariat in Abudu.

He reportedly resumed work there as the acting chairman, but Ugiagbe dismissed his actions as illegal.

In Owan East, the chairman, Prince Aminu Okodo-Kadiri, and his vice, Clement Ojebuovbo, were also impeached.

Okodo rejected the impeachment, calling it unlawful and saying it did not follow proper procedures.

He argued that the law requires a seven-member investigative panel to handle such cases, but no panel was formed. He also claimed he was not given a chance to defend himself.

Okodo further pointed out that the mace used during the impeachment was not the official one for the Owan East Council, which he said made the process invalid.

He accused two suspended councillors of being part of the impeachment, even though they had not been reinstated officially.

The chairman also responded to allegations from the state governor that council chairmen misused ₦50 million meant for salaries.

Okodo said these claims were false, explaining that monthly salary expenses in most councils are higher than ₦50 million.

He added that all salaries had been paid up to November and that bank records showed no mismanagement of funds.

Okodo described the impeachment as politically motivated and vowed to take legal action.

He expressed confidence that the court would overturn the decision and restore his position.

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