Transport
Gov Explains Revocation Of Road Contracts
The Governor of Jigawa
State, Muhammad Badaru, Saturday, said he revoked the road contracts awarded by his predecessor due to incompetence and delay manifested by contractors handling the projects.
The governor, who said this in a statement issued in Dutse by his Special Assistant on Media, Malam Muhammad Zaki, explained that the action was not meant to stall projects initiated by the immediate past administration in the state.
He said that the state government took the decision to terminate the contracts, based on technical advice given by the supervising ministry.
The governor said that the advice indicated that the contractors handling the projects had failed to meet stipulated standards and completion period.
According to him, the contractor collected more than a billion naira which was not commensurate with work done on ground.
The governor explained that Gagarawa-Bosuwa road of 29.75kilometres was awarded on December 16 2014 , at a contract sum of N3.7billion with an 18 month completion period.
He said that the 42-kilometre Budinga-Rambazau- Tsangarwa-Maruta-Zandam Nagogo road, was also awarded on December 16,2014 at a contract sum ofN5billion.
He said that the first phase covering Budinga- Tsangarwa had a completion period of 12 months and both contracts were awarded to one company.
According to the governor, the company collected over Nl billion as mobilisation fee for the two projects.
“To date, only 18 kilometres of site clearing and 6.3 kilometres of filling have been carried out on Gagarawa-Bosuwa ,more than six months after mobilisation.
“ On Kila – Tsangarwa road, only five kilometers of site clearing and five kilometers of filling have been achieved, when the contractor should have reached 50 per cent completion, having been on site for six out of the 12 months completion period”, the governor said.
He said that the state government had no choice than to terminate the contract, recover public funds collected, and re-award same to a more competent and tested contractor.
Badaru said that this was being done in the interest of the communities the roads would serve.
He said that the rehabilitation of Gwaram – Basirka road, awarded in December 2014, was yet to commence because the contractor had not been mobilized to the site, and therefore, the contract had was also terminated.
Badaru stated that the action taken was necessary due to raining season that had commenced.
He said that as a result of the delay in completing the projects on schedule and the continuous rise in price of materials, govem:ment had been incurring further losses due to price variations.
Transport
Immigration Steps Up Anti-Touting Vigilance
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Passports Command, Ikoyi, has increased its surveillance on touting in a bid to check extortion within its jurisdiction.
Speaking in an exclusive chat with The Tide in Lagos, last Friday, the Immigration Comptroller, Passports Office, Ikoyi, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Liman A.I , said the negative impact of touting on the nation’s economy would not be allowed to continue under his watch.
He said ,”we are applying persuasion, dialogue and seeking the support of all well meaning stakeholders in this area to spread the anti-touting message and dissuade people from unlawful acts. However, we could apply coercive power as the need arises.
“With the selfless leadership shown by the Comptroller General, Alhaji Mohammed Babandede, we at the PCO, Ikoyi, Lagos, have decided to re-dedicate ourselves to duty and complement the efforts of the CGIS.
“We are prepared more than ever to wage the anti-miscreants war relentlessly.
Liman assured the general public of friendly environment for legitimate transaction in an effort to strengthen the national economy, warning deviants to shun touting and other related vices.
According to him, “the command has keyed into the various strategies including the use of ICT in gathering of intelligence, among others.
“The service believes that the fight against miscreants within its corridor cannot be undertaken by the service alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring that the passport seekers do not patronise touts to defraud them. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total”.
On her part, the Public Relations Officer of the command, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Mrs Adetoun Shiyindemi, commended the Deputy Comptroller Liman, for his selfless service, pointing out that he has really given the officers and men of the command a sense of belonging.
“Since the Comptroller came in, it has been a servant-leader relationship here at Ikoyi PCO and we are all motivated to put in our best with what the CGIS has given us, you will see a new immigration service”, she assured.
By: NkpemenyieMcdominic, Lagos
Maritime
Union Urges NIMASA, RSG To Dredge PH/Bonny Jetty
The Bonny Maritime Transport Association (BMTA) has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Rivers State Government to dredge the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty to enhance marine operations.
The union said the low shore of the river hampers its operations and grounds boats.
The Marine Safety Officer, BMTA, Comrade Kings Don, who made the call, said the low shore of the jetty was not helpful to marine operations.
According to him, drivers and passengers find it difficult to ply the route whenever the tide is low, thus wasting man hours.
“Sometimes, we push the boat to a level it would afloat due to low tide suffered in the jetty. We are appealing to NIMASA and the state government to assist and dredge the jetty for more efficiency”, he pleaded.
Don described the Port Harcourt/Bonny Jetty as the gateway to Bonny Island and other riverine communities, and called on NIMASA and the state government to intervene and make the marine sector viable in the area.
He said that the prompt dredging of the jetty would enhance water transportation in the state and improve its revenue generation.
He, however, commended the security agents, especially the Nigerian Navy and the marine police, for rescuing the waterways and creeks from all forms of criminality.
Comrade Don appealed to the security agents to engage in 24-hour patrol of the routes and other channels to save lives and property.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Maritime
Boat Mishaps: Ship Owner Blames Absence Of Safety Regulations
A renowned ship owner in the country, Alhaji Aminu Umar, has decried lack of standardisation and enforcement of safety measures on the nation’s inland waterways by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
He also blamed lack of will to enforce regulations, safety, standard and regulations on overloading, night voyage, rickety and old craft as causes of mishap on the inland waterways.
Alhaji Umar, who is a former president, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), said in Minna, Niger State, recently that enforcement of safety and standard on the nation’s inland waterways was weak.
Reacting to incessant boat mishaps in the country, Umar said, “there is no standard applied on movement of people, as all kinds of boat are being used. It is important that we standardise, because lack of safety and standard will increase accident.
“I think, the task of NIWA is to standardise conditions and procedures on the nation’s waterways”.
He also called for the regulation of movement of badges and passenger boats across the port environment.
“It’s a huge risk allowing badges moving containers around the port area side by side with boats carrying passengers.
“Moving people and containers at the same time is a huge risk, and a safety concern.
“NIWA and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should see to this and tackle the menace”, he said.
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