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East-West Road At 80% Completion, FG Claims
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said since his inception in office as the minister, he has been able to scale up completion of the East-West Road construction from 8per cent to 80per cent.
Akpabio disclosed this at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs handover/update on the East-West Road section i – iv construction to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Abuja.
According to Akpabio, the 80per cent completion of the road, covers sections i – iv, noting that the ministry awaits the payment of N10.4billion, which he said will be handled by the Ministry of Works and Housing.
He said, “The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs took over the construction of the East-West Road in 2009 from the then Ministry of Works at about 8per cent. The road was awarded in 2006 by the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo. The road is about 338 kilometres in length and starts from Effurun in Warri and ends up in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
“As at the time I came into office and took over in August, 2019, we were able to scale up the completion of the construction of the road from 8per cent to 80per cent.
“The sum of N10.4billion is awaiting release to the Niger Delta, but I have directed that it should be paid to the East-West Road account that will be controlled by the Ministry of Works. We agreed that we will not touch any part of the money, and I also directed that no amount will be removed from the money to upset any old debts, we will ensure we would transfer the N10.4billion as it is.”
He further addressed the issue of the 18-kilometre road from Eleme junction to Port Harcourt, saying that the section was not part of the contracts awarded in 2006, and no money was released, but he noted that with the takeover by the Ministry of Works, work will continue, also noting that it accounts for the remaining 20per cent of the completion of the East-West Road.
“Section 0 -15 which starts from Eleme junction to Port Harcourt is about 18 kilometres, this is the section that affects the people of Ogoni directly. That section was not part of the original contract in 2006, because at that time, the section was already dualised into functional bridges.
“But because of wear and tear as of 2018, they noticed cracks in one of the bridges and the road had suffered depreciation and then the Federal Executive Council awarded a new contact for the reconstruction of the 18-kilometre road.
“However, no money was released, but from the money, the Federal Government released to us in 2019, by 2020, we mobilised RCC to begin that section with N4.9billion, we became worried but they came back to us that there were some impediments on the road and it needed a redesign. It is this section we will focus on and I am positive the Ministry of Works and Housing will see to this,” he stated.
Also speaking, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said his team of engineers would continue to work with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to ensure effective and speedy work.
He warned communities around the East-West Road like the Ogoni to live in communal peace, stressing that the Federal Government cannot do much if there is no cooperation and collaboration from the communities.
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.