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Corruption Work Play On Yol-Mubi Rd Rehabilitation — Stakeholders Raises Alarm
A one hundred and ninety-four (194) kilometers road from Federal Girls Government College Yola to Mubi was awarded to AG Vision Construction Company Limited for rehabilitation, a critical Stakeholder in Adamawa, Hamisu Idris Medugu lamented the chameleon movement for the work awarded in 2017.
The road which is four feet wide was given to AG Vision to have a completion period of two years during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari awarded to the tone of twenty-one Billion Naira (N21,841,578,000.00.)
According to Hamisu five years after AG Vision couldn’t do up to thirty percent of the road work and in 2022 a threat of contract revocation on AG Vision compelled them to mobilize to the site but they lamented the exchange of Dollars for a Naira was the reason of the slow work.
The road contract was later reviewed on 22nd June 2022 to be completed at the cost of twenty-nine billion naira (N29,826,449,000.00) in four months duration time.
Our Correspondent traveled who traveled to Mubi From Yola and saw AG Vision heavy-duty trucks working on the road in a slow space.
He witnessed the gory experience when embarking on a journey on the road to be a whole lot of work for any commuter or person to travel from Yola to Mubi, the Adamawa commercial town as the road is hard to plight.
Our Correspondent saw a self-helper, Malam Sama’ila who availed himself of the potholes on the road between Maraban Mubi to Mubi by easing the navigation of the road by drivers.
Samaila worried that AG Vision has not done much in trying to help the communities of Adamawa State and the level of work done is below expectation.
A business Man, Sani Hamma Fablus in Mubi granted an interview to our Correspondent and lamented how the road became a nightmare for everyone using it. He said one has to spend hours from wherever or whichever direction you are coming from or going out of Mubi.
He worried that the delipidated nature of the road was hampering businesses from thriving and claiming the lives of many Adamawa people daily.
Hamisu while drawing the attention of the Federal Government said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has reviewed the money upward and dateline for job completion, he worried that the work done is not up to Fifty percent and it is four months left going by the extended time.
Hamisu said it’s corruption at play and AG Vision is becoming a conduit pipe of some few Nigerians using the road as a milking cow at the detriment of millions of people.
“Despite many efforts made by the two past Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), many notable Nigerians, especially those from Adamawa to see to the completion of the road, nothing much is being done to finish. It’s just corruption at work and the beneficiaries are using the AG Vision.” He said
He alleged that AG Vision which was supposed to be a construction company with proven integrity has become corrupt by using Nigerian’s tax payer’s money to enrich themselves.
Hamisu, a business Man and a politician who contested the Adamawa Northern Senatorial seat asked several questions; when is AG Vision to complete the work? Why is the slow work? How is it possible for AG Vision to finish the Fifty percent remaining work within four months after seven years of the commencement of the work?
“This is corruption at work, a sign that our State is mortgage by some people and AG Vision is the conduit pipe of enslaving us, it’s high time to talk and we will never agree with this act of criminality., Hamisu said
He called on the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revoke the contract and AG Vision to be investigated by anti-corruption agencies.
“Let’s Economy and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission thoroughly investigate this company else they can also be seen as culprits.” He Said
He said the construction company has grossly injured millions of Adamawa State indigenes in many ways and that continuing the work is a waste of time if after seven years of awarding the contract is done in a chameleon movement.
Our Correspondent sent an email to the following address (Info@Agvisionconstruction.Com) for a response to no avail after waiting for three days.
He made several calls to the organization’s senior officer who refused to introduce himself but agreed to communicate back after consultations, before Press Time he simply responded with a “No comment” statement after several time of waiting by our reporter who gave him a call back demanding his response.
“No comment, I can’t respond please, the ministry will reply you.” He said
Joseph Tegbe, director-general (DG) of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), says Nigeria will soon sign a deal on ‘Digital RMB’ with China to enable a direct conversion of naira to Chinese Yuan.
The digital renminbi (RMB) is a central bank digital currency issued by China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China.
Speaking at the digital asset markets strategy masterclass series held recently in Lagos, Tegbe said the agreement is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on the United States dollar.
He described the pact as a major step in Nigeria’s transition from a trade relationship with China to a mutually-beneficial development partnership.
The NCSP DG also said Nigeria has secured over $30 billion in investment commitments and 300 expressions of interest from Chinese companies within the last five months.
Tegbe also noted the importance of leveraging Chinese technology, particularly in the digital asset market and knowledge transfer, adding that the NCSP remains committed to supporting the globalisation of Nigeria’s capital market.
The director-general outlined the objectives of the partnership, which include driving infrastructure development, scaling up Chinese investments, strengthening trade and economic ties, promoting transparency, and advancing cultural exchange between both countries.
Also speaking at the event, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the state is developing a securitisation policy to monetise idle assets and raise green bonds to fund infrastructure needs.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Abayomi Oluyomi, the commissioner for finance, said Lagos will become the first sub-national in the country to implement such a policy.
In his remarks, Nicholas Okoye, convener of the masterclass and a global investment advisor, said the digital transformation ushered in by the fourth industrial revolution has impacted all sectors and will open new frontiers of wealth for investors, institutions, nations, and sub-nationals.
“The most strategic ecosystem of this digital transformation has got to be ‘Digital Asset Markets’, which includes investment in cryptocurrencies as well as the tokenisation (digitisation) of traditional asset classes,” Okoye said.
“The proposed full adoption of ‘Digital Asset Markets’ in Nigeria’s capital markets and subsequently across Africa is going to be a game changer for wealth creation and economic growth sustainability.
“In addition, it will completely redefine the future of African finance, investment and capital market industries.”
Okoye said the digital assets present a unique opportunity for Africans to build wealth regardless of location or profession, providing for the first time, an accurate reflection of Nigeria and Africa’s true wealth position.
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
Making the event that marked the Nigeria Union of Journalists at 70, the Taraba State chapter of the NUJ Honour chief David Sabo Kente as the philanthropist man of the year
The award presentation was held in Jalingo, the state capital, at the grand finale of the NUJ Press Week celebration.
Speaking at the ceremony, the state chairman of NUJ, Mr Eliud Jen, noted that the awards were carefully chosen base on concrete evidence of performance in various categories and meant to spur the awardees to do more.
Chief Kente, who was the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress APC, in 2023, has used his foundation, The DSK foundation, to help thousands of Taraban through scholarship, Small Medium Enterprises and lot more.
While congratulating the union for attaining 70 years, Kente called on government investors and everyone to give the union a support hand to enable its members to continue discharging their duties effectively.
Others who were awarded for outstanding performance are His Excellency Dr, Agbu Kefas the governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Yakubu Jafaru Chiroma, member representing Bali/Gassol Federal constituency, Dr Aisha Adamu, the CMD of Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, Hon. Aminu Hassan, ALGON chairman in the State, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini, former Speaker of Taraba State and Professor Sunday Bako, Vice Chancellor Taraba State University Jalingo, the state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development Mrs Mary Sinjen, Commandant 6 Brigade Jalingo Gen. Kinsley Uwa and several others were also given recognition as friends of the press.
Kente further appreciated journalists for finding him worthy to be honour, emphasizing that the award will spur him to do more.
The Concerned Christian Youth Forum has strongly denounced the ongoing violence in Nigeria’s Plateau and Benue states, describing the attacks by bandits as an “affront to natural justice” and a violation of human dignity.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the group’s convener, James Paul Adama, the forum called for an immediate end to the “relentless onslaught” against innocent civilians.
“This human carnage must stop,” Adama said, urging the government to take swift action to halt the attacks and support affected communities in their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The group demanded that the perpetrators of these “atrocious acts” be brought to justice, stressing that all Nigerians deserve safety and security.
“The time for action is now,” the statement added.
While commending the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies, the forum called for intensified measures to curb the violence.
“We ask that they redouble their efforts to nip this menace in the bud,” Adama said, acknowledging the sacrifices of security personnel.
“Your courage and commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of our citizens are an inspiration to us all.”
The statement also highlighted the constitutional duty of the government and security forces to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians, describing the violence as a threat not only to the affected communities but to the nation’s survival.