Connect with us

Business

Yusuf launches construction of N27bn interchange bridge, flyover in Kano

Published

on

Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Friday performed the official launch of the construction of Tal’udu and Dan-Agundi interchange flyover and bridge in Kano city.

Speaking at the ceremony, Yusuf said that the project was aimed at ensuring free flow traffic in the municipal to enhance socio-economic activities in the state.

He said that the project was initiated to reduce traffic congestion, ease travel, beautify the city, control pollution, and develop infrastructure in the ancient city.
He said that Kano as a mega city deserved massive infrastructure transformation to catre for the needs of over 10 million inhabitants and improve their socio-economic well-being.

Yusuf called on the contractor handling the project to ensure timely completion, adhere to the contract specifications and ensure the use of quality materials as the government would not condone sub-standard work.

He said that the project was being funded through the state joint account, managed by the state and local government councils, as the case with the previous administrations in the state.

He appealed to residents of the area to exercise patience for the inconveniences the execution of the projects might cause them, assuring of the government plans to create alternative routes for easy traffic flow.

He said the contract for the project was awarded to Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited at the cost of N27 billion to be jointly financed by the state and local government councils.

Yusuf called on the contractor to ensure timely execution of the project, adding that the state government would carefully monitor the project to ensure strict compliance with the contract agreement.

ALSO READ:  Gunmen shoot judge dead in Mexico

“We are operating a responsible government that will continue to accord priority attention to the well-being of the governed,’’ he said.

Yusuf urged the public, especially residents of the municipality to cooperate with the field workers to ensure smooth execution of the projects.

Earlier, Alhaji Marwan Ahmed, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Housing, lauded Yusuf for making the project a reality.

He said that the two project would enhance smooth movement of motorists in the metropolis.

“We will carefully monitor the contractor handling the projects to ensure strict adherence of the contract agreement,’’he said.

Alhaji Musa Ishayaku, a resident of Dan-Agundi commended the governor for making the project possible by providing enough funding.

“We appeal to the contractor to ensure timely completion of the project,’’ he said.(NAN

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Uba Sani: Least Paid Worker In Kaduna Earns N72,000

Published

on

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says no worker in the state earns less than N70,000 as salary in compliance with the new minimum wage.

Sani spoke on Thursday at Murtala Square in Kaduna on occasion the Workers’ Day celebration.

The governor said the least paid worker in the state earns N72,000, noting that he believes in the dignity of labour, adding that the issue of incremental adjustment of salaries would be addressed soon.

“I have been involved in the struggle for labour rights, workers’ rights. That is my antecedent. Because of my background, I sat down with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC),” Sani said.

“I made it clear to them that though we have met the minimum wage requirement but there is something called incremental adjustment which is discretionary.

“Because of my relationship with both NLC and TUC, I asked them that we should sit down and come up with a formular that will make every worker in Kaduna state happy, irrespective of his or her status and they came up with three different options.

“Today, I want to reaffirm to all of you here that by the grace of God, we will look at the incremental adjustment and ensure that even senior civil servants will benefit because we have to make our workers happy.’’

The governor added that his administration also prioritises improving the living conditions of pensioners.

He said the state government has released N3.8 billion to settle outstanding gratuities, death benefits, and accrued rights under the contributory pension scheme in April.

ALSO READ:  Nyesom Wike’s impressive giant strides in FCT management

“Since the inception of our administration, we have cumulatively paid the sum of N10.4 billion in gratuity, death benefits, and accrued rights in the Contributory Pension Scheme,” Sani said.

The governor said the payment of such a huge sum to pensioners is “unprecedented.”

Commenting on the ongoing industrial action by the Kaduna State University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Sani said his administration has done everything to reposition the school.

According to him, more than 60 percent of the courses were not accredited when he assumed office, but his administration spent over N300 million to secure National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation.

The governor said the striking lecturers’ demands had accumulated over 17 years, with about three of his predecessors unable to settle the liabilities, which now total between N5 billion and N6 billion.

“In spite of this, the lecturers want us to settle these liabilities now, and I said no. I said that we have to sit down and have a dialogue. I then asked them, where were their voices in the last 17 years?” he said.

He promised that the problem would be addressed owing to the importance of education, which he described as the “greatest leveller”.

Continue Reading

Business

PETROAN Asks FG To Prioritise Welfare Of Oil, Gas Workers

Published

on

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has asked the government to prioritise the welfare of oil workers, given the hazardous nature of their work.

In a statement on Thursday, Billy Gillis-Harry, PETROAN’s president, hailed oil and gas workers across the country on Workers’ Day.

According to Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, Gillis-Harry, while addressing journalists in Abuja, appealed to the government and stakeholders in the industry to improve welfare packages and expand health insurance for oil workers.

“Studies have shown that workers in areas where gas flaring is prevalent are at high risk of several health challenges, which can affect them physically, mentally and even increase cancer risks,” Gillis-Harry was quoted as saying.

The association said gas flaring remains a serious problem in Nigeria’s energy industry, exposing workers and nearby communities to harmful health and environmental effects.

The group said the impact of gas flaring highlights the urgent need for better health protection and general welfare for those working in the sector.

According to the statement, Gillis-Harry urged regulatory bodies to strictly enforce existing laws aimed at stopping gas flaring in the country.

“It’s imperative that we prioritise the health and well-being of our workers and protect the environment from the harmful effects of gas flaring,” the president said.

The spokesperson said PETROAN believes ending gas flaring would reduce its harmful impact on workers and host communities and help build a more responsible oil and gas industry.

Obele said PETROAN commended governors who have started paying the new minimum wage, especially those paying above the set rate.

ALSO READ:  Taraba State Gov't Collaborate with German Embassy to Unlock Potentials in Solid Minerals, Agriculture

“Billy Gillis-Harry called on governors who are yet to comply to do so in the shortest possible time, emphasising the need for workers to receive fair compensation for their labour,” he said.

He said the association also reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to support oil and gas workers and ensure safe and healthy working environments.

Obele said PETROAN is of the view that better welfare and an end to gas flaring would boost productivity, reduce accidents, and raise performance across the industry.

Continue Reading

Business

MTN Nigeria posts N1trn revenue surge

Published

on

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc generated N1.0 trillion in service revenue in the first quarter of 2025.

This marks a 40.5 per cent increase from the N752.99 billion earned in Q1 2024.

The company confirmed this in a corporate filing with the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Tuesday.

Profit after tax dropped by 134 per cent, falling to N133.7 billion from N392.7 billion in the same period of 2024.

Its total subscriber base grew by 8.2 per cent to 84.1 million, with 3.2 million new additions in Q1 2025.

Active data users rose by 13 per cent to 50.3 million, following the addition of 2.6 million users.

EBITDA climbed 65.9 per cent to N492.7 billion, while EBITDA margin improved by 7.2 percentage points to 46.6 per cent.

The company recorded free cash flow of N209.9 billion and earnings per share stood at N6.38.

MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, expressed satisfaction with the Q1 2025 results, citing strong strategic execution and resilient service demand.

He said momentum from Q4 2024 had helped put the firm on track to restore profitability and achieve a positive net asset position.

He added that regulatory approval for price adjustments was essential to sustain investment and maintain service quality.

This approval enabled N202.4 billion in capital expenditure, up 159 per cent, aimed at expanding capacity and enhancing user experience.

Toriola said the 40.5 per cent growth in service revenue underscored strong demand and commercial discipline.

He noted that Q1 results do not yet reflect the full impact of price changes made late in the quarter. (NAN)

ALSO READ:  Goronyo Appoints Mahmud As SA On Media and Publicity
Continue Reading