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Rivers State Govt Reawards Andoni Road Project New Contractor
…Warns Communities Against Sabotaging Project
The Rivers State government has reawarded the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity road project to a new contractor, Monier Construction Company (MCC), more than six weeks after the contract was revoked.
READ ALSO:Rivers Govt, Julius Berger Sign N195.3B Ring Road Contract
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had on June 11, 2023, revoked the contract after paying an unscheduled visit to the road, which when completed, will link communities in Andoni local government area to other parts of the state.
LEADERSHIP observed the unity road project, which was initiated about 24 years ago by the administration of former Governor Peter Odili, had the Ogoni and Opobo sections of the road completed while the Andoni section, awarded to Rafaul Construction Company is yet to be completed.
Addressing traditional rulers and other stakeholders of Andoni, at Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, Fubara said although it was painful to the state government to reaward the contract considering that amount involved, he said it was the sacrifice the state government had to make for the happiness of the people of the area.
The governor urged communities in the area not to sabotage the road project, through kidnappings and other criminal acts, saying that the stars government will pull out of the project if things get out of hand.
He said: “About two years ago, we had this meeting at the Rivers State Executive Council Chamber where the immediate-past governor discussed with Andoni people and leaders on the way forward on that your road. In that meeting, the contractor was asked several questions.
“It got to a stage that we even offered him what it will take; it was a blank check. I was Accountant-General of the state then, so, I was privy to that meeting. And he (contractor) said he needed a certain amount of money to complete the project.
“The commissioner for Works was also in that meeting. We agreed and made that allowance for him. The monies for the project were all paid except the retention fund, which was about a billion naira.
“But, it is really unfortunate that there was no progress in that work. The road was not progressing, there was always stories here and there. When we came for campaigns, we did promise you and I promised that if there is one project I will do for you is to make sure that the road is completed.
“When we invited the contractor again, he was not showing any serious sign that he wants to do the job. We were left with only one option but to cancel that project, which you were all aware. I came there myself and said that project is cancelled and that we are going to reaward it to a more serious contractor.
“So, we are here today to let you know that the project has been reawarded to MCC. It pains us as a government because a project that had been paid 90 percent and now, we reaward the project for completion spending same amount of money again.
“You are aware of what the contractor has done; although the person behind the contractor is your brother. But, he is also my brother, but we are not going to that. That is what we have used to do sacrifice for your people.
“But, this time around, we are not going back on that project, we must complete that project. We are not just saying we want to complete it, we have already paid 30 percent of the new contract sum. We have paid the contractor and he is ready to enter the site any moment from now.
“Let me say this, we will need you support to achieve this project. But, if there is any act of sabotage; sabotage, I mean, trying to frustrate the contractor, through kidnap or whatever, and it gets to that point that it is really bad, we are pulling out and my administration will not talk anything about that road again. But, I don’t want us to get to that point.”
Credit: LEADERSHIP
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The police chief, however, directed the Kano State command of the force to obtain the monarch’s statement in the State regarding the incident.
Egbetokun, who gave the directive through the spokesman of the police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the withdrawal became imperative following the intervention of some stakeholders in the country.
The top cop also said his resolve was in line with the police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted.
The Inspire Her Conference & Awards 2025, set to take place in Abuja on 17th April, promises to be a celebration of female leadership, resilience, and achievement across Africa.
The event will be led by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Honourable Minister for State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, alongside other influential women leaders.
The conference and awards, organised by the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative & Magazine and Rest Logic Nigeria, will honour a diverse group of exceptional women for their contributions to society and leadership.
Among the distinguished recipients of the Inspire Her Award are Halima Buba, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Trust Bank; Hajiya Umma Getso, the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of NEXIM Bank; and Engr. Fatima Umar Farouk, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs.
The conference will also highlight the achievements of other accomplished female leaders, aiming to inspire women across the continent and encourage resilience, inclusion, and progress.
With the theme “Accelerate Action: Building Resilience,” the conference will address key issues such as gender equality, leadership inclusion, human capital development, work-life balance, and poverty eradication.
In addition to the award ceremony, the event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, creating a platform for dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing African women today.
Attendees will have the chance to engage with top female leaders from both corporate and private sectors, share ideas, and explore potential solutions to enhance women’s roles in leadership and societal progress.
Amb. Jeremiah Agala, Executive Director of the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative, and Co-Convener Dr. Joy Franklyn Ekemezie, emphasised that the conference would highlight the excellence, hard work, and resilience of African and Nigerian women.
“This year’s conference will feature the Inspire Her Fire Chat, a new addition designed to provide deeper insights into the journeys of our honourees and inspire the next generation of women leaders,” Agala said.
The event, which is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, will take place at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja, with a diverse audience that includes female youth leaders, students, women’s organisations, decision-makers, and the international community.
With a limited number of slots available, organisers are urging those interested to register early, as admission is strictly by registration.
The conference promises to be a powerful event, one that will not only celebrate the success of African women but also create pathways for future empowerment and leadership.
Early Sunday, a missile barrage targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, injuring at least three individuals and igniting multiple fires, according to the city’s mayor. This attack occurred just two days after a Russian strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that emergency services were dispatched to two districts within Kyiv, while the Ukrainian air force confirmed that missiles had penetrated the northern Chernihiv region.
“Explosions have been reported in the capital, and air defense systems are currently engaged,” Klitschko stated on Telegram. He urged residents to seek shelter, warning, “The missile assault on Kyiv persists.”
So far, three injuries have been recorded, with fires erupting in non-residential structures and damage inflicted on eight vehicles.
This onslaught coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, over three years into Moscow’s extensive invasion, while also seeking to mend relations with the Kremlin.
Poland’s military announced that it, along with allied forces, had taken to the skies in response to Russian strikes near the western Ukrainian border, with ground-based air defense systems on high alert.
“Due to the heightened activity of long-range Russian aviation targeting locations within western Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft operations in our airspace have commenced,” stated its operational command on X. “These measures are intended to ensure security in regions bordering the threatened zones.”
On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its air defense units had intercepted and destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones.
**Zelensky Critiques U.S. Response**
On Saturday, President Zelensky criticized the U.S. embassy for what he termed a “weak” statement that failed to hold Russia accountable for the recent deadly missile strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig.
The missile impacted a residential area near a children’s playground in central Ukraine, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine children, aged between three and 17. In a heartfelt social media post, Zelensky called out the U.S. embassy for its reluctance to name Russia as the aggressor.
“Regrettably, the American embassy’s response is surprisingly disappointing: such a powerful nation, yet such a feeble reaction,” Zelensky remarked. “They hesitate to even mention ‘Russian’ when discussing the missile that claimed the lives of children.”
Zelensky’s remarks followed a post by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink on X, expressing horror over the missile strike near a playground and restaurant. In his evening address, Zelensky emphasized, “It is both incorrect and perilous to remain silent about the fact that it is Russia perpetrating these crimes against children with ballistic missiles. This only emboldens the perpetrators in Moscow to continue their aggression and disregard diplomatic solutions.”
The president, who hails from Kryvyi Rig, where the pre-war population was approximately 600,000, conveyed his condolences and called for a three-day mourning period on April 7, 8, and 9.
“This is nothing short of a mass murder of civilians,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rig military administration.
Images shared by rescue services depicted several victims, with one body found near a playground swing. In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it executed a “precision strike” against a meeting of military commanders and Western instructors in the area. The Ukrainian army’s General Staff countered that Moscow was attempting to obscure its heinous actions and disseminating false information, labeling Russia’s actions as “war crimes.”
While Trump continues to encourage both sides to pursue a ceasefire, his administration has struggled to mediate a mutually acceptable agreement. Zelensky remarked that the missile attack underscored Russia’s lack of interest in halting its full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian president reported “significant progress” following discussions with British and French military leaders in Kyiv on Friday. They explored plans for a “reassurance” force from London and Paris to be deployed to Ukraine if a resolution to the conflict is achieved.
Zelensky shared on social media that the meeting with British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard yielded “the initial details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed.” This initiative represents one of the latest efforts by European leaders to coordinate a response after Trump initiated direct negotiations with the Kremlin, sidelining them.