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Group To Sue FG Over Abandoned Bonny-Bodo Road
A non-governmental group, “the Bonny Kingdom Advancement Front (BKAF)”, says it will explore legal and civil means to ensure the Federal Government accepts its part on Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) offer to provide 50 percent of the funding (about N60 billion) for the completion of Bodo/Bonny road.
In a press statement signed and made available to The Tide, it lamented that the failure of the Federal Government to approve NLNG offer to complete the road, started by the military President Ibrahim Babangida administration has put untold hardship on the people, and a waste considering the huge amount already expended on the project.
They further observed that failure to complete the road has exposed the people to frequent security and safety challenges ranging from sea piracy, kidnapping and loss of persons to turbulent sea voyages in outboard boats.
It said, “NLNG offered the Federal Government N60 billion for Bonny-Bodo Road on February 3, 2016. NLNG called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to partner it in the development of Bonny-Bodo road, a long-standing government project which will help improve the infrastructure in the Niger Delta.”
The body recalled that before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta in Abuja made fresh call to complete the project, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited(NLNG) had restated its offer to provide 50 percent of the funding, worth N60 billion, provided the partnership was accepted and matched by the Federal Government.
According to them, during a visit of Bonny Kingdom led by King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple XIII and his delegation to the Presidential Villa during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, the former president promised to look into the stalled project.
Recalling that the ex-president had complained of lapses in the first procurement of the Bodo Bonny road, as responsible for the stalling of the project, first awarded 11 years ago under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, he said this led to its eventual cancellation under his administration.
However, it regretted that the project was yet to be completed after 12 years.
“In any project, a time frame is established by the bidders. The winning bid is obliged by the contractual laws to complete it on schedule, and before you publish a bid, the project should have a final design. You do not go to the construction phase without a final design,” the statement said.
The body said the failure to complete the project was an indication that Bonny people have been marginalized.
“We have been measured, scaled, weighed and then prioritize. We call on the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister of transportation to look into the Bodo/Bonny road, resurrect all efforts for its completion, and muster the political will and sincerity to liberate the Bonny kingdom and the plight we have suffered for more than 15 years.”
While enumerating some of the Federal Government abandoned projects in Bonny, the body pointed out that all capital projects that would be of great benefit to the Bonny people have either been abandoned or uncompleted.
These include: Federal Housing Estate Bonny, Bonny Ring Road flagged off but abandoned, including the Federal Polytechnic(Oil and Gas), which is 90 pet cent completed but currently not operational, among others.
“This is really sad for a kingdom that contributes so much to our National GDP, and if these issues raised are left unaddressed, we would no longer keep mute and watch. Bonny people might resort to legal, civil and democratic means to drive home our demands.
We call on all agencies involved to act fast and now, Bonny kingdom refuses to be prioritize”, the statement further said.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.