News
Senate Summons Fashola Over N120bn Bodo-Bonny Road
Worried by the abandonment of Bodo-Bonny Road, which links the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in Bonny, Rivers State, in the last 15 years, the Senate, yesterday, mandated its Committee on Works to summon the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to explain the rationale behind the non-completion of the road.
The Senate has particularly directed its committee to ask Fashola to explain the circumstances surrounding the Federal Government’s inability to partner the NLNG management for the urgent completion of the road project.
The Senate also asked its Committee on Works to carry out an independent comprehensive evaluation of the Bodo-Bonny Road project and report back within four weeks.
The 35km road project was awarded for N20billion in 2002 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion by Senator George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East) and co-sponsored by Senators Osinakachukwu Ideozu (PDP, Rivers West) and Magnus Abe (APC, Rivers South East).
Presenting the motion, Sekibo recalled that the road project in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, which links the NLNG in Bonny, was awarded by the administration of former President Obasanjo for a cost of N20billion in 2002, re-awarded by the administration of former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, in 2014, at contract revalidation value of N120billion after years of abandonment.
The Tide source indicated that out of N120bllion, only N20billion was appropriated for the project in the 2015 budget, which was, however, not cash-backed.
According to him, the initial cost of the project, which stood at N20billion in 2002 was reviewed to N120billion in 2014 by the Jonathan’s administration, adding that no money was expended from N20 billion appropriated for the project in 2015.
According to him, “to worsen matters, the all important road project was not captured in the 2016 budget, thus making the lack of understanding of the importance of the road for national economic development obvious.”
He lamented that though the road project was captured in the 2017 budget, only a meagre vote of N9billion was earmarked for it, which according to him, will lead to continued abandonment of the project.
According to him, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, had to approach the management of NLNG for collaboration with the Federal Government on the execution of the project upon which the company accepted to contribute a sum of N60billion (50 per cent) of the contract value, after it was reviewed, while the Federal Government was yet to pay its part.
Sekibo said that despite the good disposition of NLNG to partner the Federal Government on execution of the road project, Federal Government which has business concern worth $13billion has not taken the needed steps to actualize the proposal and commence the execution of the project, which after completion, would earn it more revenues through the NLNG than any other government facility.
All the senators who contributed to the debate, however, supported it by concurring with the prayers as adopted by the Senate.
In his remarks, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, confirmed that the NLNG while on a courtesy visit to his office, had indicated interest to finance 50 per cent of the project cost.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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