News
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Unity road project to a new contractor, Monier Construction Company (MCC), more than six weeks after the contract was revoked.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 Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has engaged in a high-level security meeting with a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced anti-terrorism and high-tech defence equipment, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The meeting, which took place in China, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the nation’s security apparatus to combat insurgency and other threats.
According to a statement signed by the minister’s Personal Assistant (Media), Ahmad Dan-Wudil, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the engagement focused on formalising a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s defence framework.
The MoU outlines a robust partnership, with the Chinese company committing to significant investments in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure.
According to the statement, Key components of the agreement include the transfer of cutting-edge defence technology, the establishment of local manufacturing capabilities for advanced military equipment, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical skills of Nigerian personnel.
“This move is seen as a step towards building a self-reliant and globally competitive military-industrial base.
Dr. Matawalle emphasised that the partnership represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda.
“This collaboration will not only strengthen our fight against terrorism but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in defence technology,” he stated.
The minister highlighted the government’s determination to leverage international partnerships to address the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Under the terms of the agreement, new production lines will be established for various ammunition types, including 7.62x51mm ball cartridges, 7.62x51mm blank cartridges, 9x19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun ammunition.
Additionally, manufacturing workshops and facilities will be set up in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, to produce essential defence components such as brass casings and bullet jackets.
The partnership extends beyond production, encompassing the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and the provision of military engineering services.
These efforts are expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, enabling them to respond more effectively to security threats within the country and across the region.
The minister’s visit to China follows a series of engagements with international partners, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
In a recent meeting with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dr. Matawalle called for increased support in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts, underscoring the need for global cooperation to tackle insecurity.
The agreement with the Chinese firm has been hailed as a critical step towards achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises security, economic development, and private-sector involvement.
The minister reiterated the government’s openness to foreign investment in critical sectors such as defence, steel, and energy to drive technological advancement and job creation.
Gamblers are staking millions of dollars to predict who will emerge as new pope as betting sites place odds on the candidates as the Catholic Church cardinals sweat to pick a new pontiff.
Polymarket, an American cryptocurrency-based betting site, has placed odds on candidates who will emerge.
Similarly, Kalshi, another American betting site, is coordinating predictions on who emerges as the new Catholic pope.
On Polymarket, over $21 million worth of bets have been staked in the conclave election, in which Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the leading candidates.
Mr Parolin leads with 27 per cent odds, while Mr Tagle comes second with 23 per cent odds. Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Peter Erdo came third, fourth and fifth with 11, 10 and 7 per cent odds, respectively.
On Kalshi, where over $8milliom has been staked, Mr Parolin leads with 29 per cent odds, followed by Mr Tagle’s 22 per cent odds and Mr Pizzaballa’s 10 per cent odds.
This comes as 133 cardinals from across the globe commenced a conclave to decide who would emerge as the new pope on Thursday.
Though conclave elections have been highly unpredictable for years, gamblers throw in thousands of dollars for a possible kill should their candidate emerge.
In 2013, contrary to projections on the possible emergence of Cardinal Angelo Scola, who was then regarded as the favourite, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, thick black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of the cardinals, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday. A new pope will poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process.
Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the formation of a Presidential Task Force aimed at eliminating numerous checkpoints that impede free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, revealed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are commencing with the Seme-Badagry Corridor. A committee has been established under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon begin addressing this matter.
“We have taken note of all the concerns raised, and I assure you that the Nigerian government will tackle the other issues mentioned subsequently.”
Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the excessive checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which adversely affect the seamless movement of individuals and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu emphasized, “This is the most trafficked border in West Africa regarding the flow of goods, people, and services. If free movement is to be effectively implemented in West Africa, it will be evident at this border.”
Motorists attending the meeting expressed their frustrations about the numerous checkpoints and the extortion practices by security personnel along the route.
In response, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that any fees paid by motorists should be accompanied by official receipts.
He expressed concern that the proliferation of checkpoints and the extortion of citizens within member states undermine ECOWAS’s goal of fostering a more integrated region.
“While we must inspect passengers and road users, we should move beyond arbitrary charges that lack receipts. If payments are necessary, they should be properly documented.
“It is one thing to request that someone open their bags for inspection, but it is entirely different to demand payment that is not receipted.”