Connect with us

News

Account For Spent N1.3trn, PDP Challenges FG

Published

on

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a swipe at Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who earlier in the week, said the current administration spent the sum of N1.3trillion on the execution of capital projects in 2016 alone.
In series of tweets on its official Twitter Handle @OfficialPDPNig., the party tasked the Vice President to explain to Nigerians how the said sum was spent and what projects were executed.
“We are alarmed and highly bewildered to hear from Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo that N1.3trillion was spent on capital projects in 2016. N1.3 trillion on capital projects and nothing to show for it is unacceptable,” wrote the PDP in one of the tweets, asking: “Should we assume the Vice President was misquoted?”
The PDP further noted that since the assumption of Muhammadu Buhari as President, the APC has failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“Apart from the infrastructures handed over to the APC-led government by the PDP, nothing has been done in the last two and a half years.
“We believe the Vice President, Professor Osinbajo will provide clarifications on how N1.3 trillion was spent on capital projects in 2016,” it wrote in yet another tweet.
Meanwhile, four out of the seven states that had their chapters of the PDP dissolved at the Special Non-elective convention held penultimate Saturday have already complied with the resolutions reached at the convention.
Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi stated this yesterday while addressing newsmen at a meeting with the Kwara State chapter of the party in Abuja.
Stating reasons for convening the meeting, Makarfi said Kwara cannot afford to be left behind while other states were already putting their houses in order in the interest of the larger PDP family.
“Kwara is the only state we are meeting like this. As I speak to you, we already have submissions from four states and they are ready to work together in the overall interest of the party. This means that they have already complied with the position of the party,” he stated, describing Kwara State as a “highly politically mature and active to prevent this type of isolation.”
On the progress so far made in Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Kwara, Borno, Kebbi and Adamawa States which had their Executive Committees’ dissolution ratified at the convention, Makarfi said states yet to find a common ground on the way forward had requested the NCC for more time, stressing however that in no distant time, all parallel factions would join hands together as one family to move the PDP forward.
“We are making big progress in compliance with the resolutions of the conventions. States are complying and making submissions. Some have asked for more time,” based on understanding, adding that there have been a lot of interests from many quarters to join the party after the convention.
He, however stressed the importance of putting the house in order as the party embarks on massive membership drive across the federation, adding that states that are yet to harmonise will do so after the Sallah break.
“It is good to expand but it is important to put the house in order before expansion,” he counselled.
On the delegation were prominent politicians including former Minister of National Planning, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Senators Solomon Ewuga, Simeon Ajibola and a host of others.

Continue Reading

News

RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects

Published

on

The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.

 

The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.

 

Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.

 

The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

 

Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.

 

With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.

 

He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.

 

“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.

 

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.

 

She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.

 

The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.

 

On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.

 

“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”

 

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.

 

Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.

 

 

Continue Reading

News

Fubara Reassures Rivers People Of Completion Of PH Ring Road Project

Published

on

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.

 

The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.

 

Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

 

Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.

 

“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”

 

The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.

 

Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.

 

“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.

 

Continue Reading

News

Use Service Year To Build Capacity, Fubara Urges Corp Members

Published

on

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to  use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.

 

Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.

 

Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.

 

“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.

 

“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.

 

The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.

 

“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.

 

In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.

 

He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.

 

The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending