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‘Finally, 2nd Niger Bridge Ready For Commissioning’
Finally, the Second Niger Bridge whose contract sum is over N206billion will be ready this year.
Giving the assurance, yesterday, in Abuja, at the 7th Edition of Africa Road Builders—-Trophee Babacar Ndiaye Inaugural Conference 2022 in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr Uche Orji said that the 2nd Niger Bridge which was 84per cent completed also gulped part of the N311.8billion Abacha loot together with other frontline projects of the government.
The projects which benefited from the Abacha loot include Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mambilla Hydro project and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road.
While confirming Orji’s statement, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria plc, Dr. Lars Richter, said that the second Niger Bridge, a stretch of 11.6 kilometres, is 91per cent completed and will be delivered before the end of the year.
Also to be ready this year, is the N134billion Lagos-Shagamu Road which is now about 80per cent completed.
In his remarks, the Acting Director General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr Michael Joe Ohiani, who was represented by Dr Amanze Okere, said that between 2010 and last year, the government has awarded contracts worth over $17billion under Private Public Partnership (PPP) projects and 52 eligible projects worth about $22billion for 2022.
“Between 2010 and 2021 under the regulatory guidance of ICRC, our government has awarded under the PPP arrangements, projects worth more than $17billion and as at February, this year, we issued more than 17 outline certificates for projects as well as 47 full business case compliance issued for PPP projects in Nigeria.
“We gazetted 51 projects. In a couple of weeks we are going to gazette the one for 2022 as required by law and 52 eligible projects worth about $22billion for 2022.
To build capacity to do this, the ICRC also established the Nigerian Institute of infrastructural and Private Partnership and we have been going around training people, upscaling the skill, building capacities for us to deliver PPP and bankable projects as well as structure them.
“This development plan says government is going to spend N348.1trillion from last year to 2025. But government is looking at more of private sector engagements in this because we are hoping that the private sector will contribute about N298.3trillion.
“The Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) which is a 12-corridor project by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is being done through Private Public Partnership and through what we call Value Added Concession. This project is valued about $891billion. The current stage is that the requests for projects are being evaluated”, he 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.