Headlines
No Evidence of Road Projects in South East, Says Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reaffirmed his commitment to make a positive change in road infrastructure development, saying there is no concrete evidence of road projects, especially in the SouthEast region.
Umahi stated this during a meeting with 46 contractors handling road projects in the South East and other contractors from the North East over the weekend at the ministry’s headquarter, in Mabushi, Abuja.
He explained that under his watch, road construction, starting from design and actual construction, must meet required processes to be done right, adding that Nigerians are yearning for motorable roads in the country.
Umahi said: “We will get it right; the time to do a good job is here. If you were doing a bad job before, this period is not for you. We must work 24 hours to do a good and acceptable construction that will last.”
The minister advocated the use of concrete technology in road pavement, because it is durable, affordable and can last without much maintenance, urging contractors to decide on the use of Asphalt or concrete.
He, therefore, maintained that the Federal Government would continue to use them, stressing that they will sign an undertaking that if the roads fail, the contractor will bear the burden.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, have been enjoined to adhere to approvals granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
A section of aggrieved contractors of the ministry, led by Vitalis Chikwendu, accused Umahi of deliberate attempts to frustrate the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda by stalling the progress of work through non-payment.
They alleged that Umahi has concluded plans to tamper with contracts already awarded by FEC under the guise of review, insisting that the minister’s motive was to re-award some of the contracts to himself or close cronies.
The contractors accused the minister of stalling the progress of work by deliberately refusing to treat files, sidelining civil servants who have institutional memory.
Consequently, they appealed to the President to urgently redeploy Umahi, insisting that his short stay as minister has grounded activities in the ministry.
Chikwendu, who was flanked by other contractors, including representatives of their foreign counterparts, alleged that the minister has about 80 different companies, some of which he plans to use in executing projects once his plans to tamper with contracts scale through.
The Guardian
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
