Arthur Eze Endorses Soludo For Second Term, Donates ₦5b To Anambra State, ₦300m To Churches

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November 28, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

Anambra State-born business man, Chief Arthur Eze, has endorsed Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, for a second term in office.

Soludo is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

The business man, who is at home with every, and any Government in power at the Federal level, dating back to the Military Regimes of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and late Sani Abacha, made the endorsement during the celebration of his 75th birthday in Abuja on Monday, November 27, 2023.

The celebration took place in his sprawling Abuja residence and was attended, to his surprise, he said, by a number of high profile guests including Soludo, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, other Religious Leaders of the Roman Catholic and Baptist Churches, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations, Senator Tony Nwoye, LP Anambra North, and some more.

Chief Eze, commended Soludo’s Government in Anambra State, his native State. He said the first time he met Soludo was aboard an Aircraft which belonged to the now defunct Okada Airline and that Soludo held a Bible and was busy reading it.

In support of Soludo’s work in the State, Chief Eze donated the sum of five billion Naira to the Anambra State Government. He also donated ₦100m, each, to the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Methodist Churches.

Chief Arthur Eze is of the Anglican Faith, and hails from Dunukofia, Ukpo Anambra State.

He owns the Atlas Oranto Petroleum, rated as the largest privately-owned Petroleum and Production Company in Nigeria.

Zenith Bank To Open Branch In France, Signs MOU

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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November 28, 2023

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Zenith Bank Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the French Government to establish a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc in France. The MoU, which was signed by the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, and the French Minister for Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Olivier Becht on Friday, November 24, 2023, will enable Zenith Bank, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Zenith Bank, UK, Limited, to seek and secure the requisite regulatory approval from the Autorite’ de Controle Prudentiel et de Resolution, ACPR, to establish a strategic presence in France.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Nigeria and Zenith Bank. I am indeed very delighted about the signing of this MoU with France. For me, it is an honour to do this on behalf of the bank, and we look forward to securing the licence and starting operations in early 2024”. He thanked the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann and her colleagues at the French Embassy in Nigeria for their efforts towards improving French-Nigerian business relations.

Also speaking during the ceremony, the French Minister for Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Olivier Becht, said: “I want to thank you very much for your decision to open a branch of Zenith Bank in Paris. We are thrilled to welcome in France Zenith Bank’s first office inside the European Union. For us, that’s a very good signal, and it is undoubtedly a demonstration of mutual confidence. No doubt also that your vision on international finance guided you to decide to open this branch and this decision in many respects can also be regarded as a milestone in French-Nigerian economic relations and an illustration of our friendship”.

He noted that the government of President Macron had adopted a pro-business agenda in order to make France more attractive by undertaking several reforms in labour law, simplifying a lot of procedures and cutting business taxes, corporate taxes and production taxes by more than 25 billion Euros, adding that “we hope that the opening of the branch of Zenith Bank in France will also be an occasion to boost the French-Nigerian business in order to have more French companies investing in Nigeria and also to have more Nigerian companies investing in France”.

Zenith Bank has continued to distinguish itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service offerings, unique customer experience and sound financial indices. The bank remains a clear leader in the digital space, with several firsts in deploying innovative products and solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed, and safety of transactions. Zenith Bank also has subsidiaries in Ghana, Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited; Sierra Leone, Zenith Bank (Sierra Leone) Limited; The Gambia, Zenith Bank (Gambia) Limited. The Bank also has a Representative Office in The People’s Republic of China.

Rivers Crisis: Fire On The Mountain; Ijaws Will Not Allow Wike To Mess Up Fubara-Joseph Evah

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James Orji

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November 28, 2023

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The Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the feud between the state governor, Siminalaye Fubara, and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor.

Joseph Eva, IMG Coordinator has warned Wike against an attempt to mess up the governor, saying such a plan will be resisted.

The governor and Wike, on whose crest the former rode to power have thrown the oil-rich state into a serious political crisis over their quest for the control of the soul of the state.

A hitherto silent political battle blew open on November 1, 2023 after Governor Fubara botched an attempt by the State House of Assembly to impeach him.

Not a few posit that the impeachment plot was instigated by the former governor now the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister.

In spite of the intervention by some prominent Nigerians, including President Tinubu, the duo appears to be far from reconciliation.

Those monitoring the crisis say the state could be engulfed in a fire if the crisis is not quickly nibbed in the bud.

Speaking on Tuesday on Channels Television, Eva stated that Wike should allow the governor to do his job.

In spite of the rift, the IMG boss said the governor is still loyal to his predecessor, warning Wike to resist the attempt to control the governor who, he said, is trying to build on his legacies.

Eva said, “Fubara is loyal to Wike. Fire is on the mountain in Rivers state. We want Tinubu to intervene. Ijaw people will not fold their hands to watch anyone mess up the governor.”

Governor Fubara is an Ijaw man even though Wike recently questioned his ancestry.

Edo: Political Re-alignment Looms As Shuaibu Moves To Reconcile With Oshiomhole; Rift With Obaseki Worsens

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James Orji

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November 28, 2023

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Phillip Shuaibu, Edo State Deputy Governor says he’s planning to apologise to Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state over some comments he made during the 2019 governorship election in the state.

In his quest to support his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s re-election bid, Shuaibu had made some disparaging comments against the former governor, including that Oshiomhole, who used to be his political ally was trying to play God.

Shuaibu also slammed Oshiomhole for trying to impose a governor on the state, saying the era of political godfatherism has ended in the state.

But speaking on a Channel Television programme on Tuesday, Shuaibu said he’s now ready to make up with his former ally, Oshiomhole.

According to him, it took him this long to make the move because Governor Obaseki forbade anyone in government from reconciling with Oshiomhole. Now that the governor has reconciled with Oshiomhole by “inviting him’ to state events, Shuaibu stated, he will also do so by apologising to the former governor for insulting him.

“I will apologise to Oshiomhole. I will find time to apologise to Adams Oshiomhole”, now that Obaseki “has made the move to be inviting him to programme,” he said.

Shuaibu said further: I will find the time to apologise to him for some of the words used during the last election.”

The state’s deputy governor spoke as the rift worsened between him and Governor Obaseki over the former ambition to contest next year’s governorship election in the Heart Beat State, as Edo is widely known.

Not a few insist that his decision to reconcile with Oshiomhole is aimed at securing the former governor’s support to win the governorship next year, as well as shore up his support base ahead the critical election, particularly as the governor has insisted that he will not support him.

Governor Obaseki is backing another candidate in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and has described his Deputy’s quest to become governor as overambitious.

On Monday, Shuaibu formally declared his interest to become the state’s number citizen, saying nobody can stop him.

Edo 2024: Shaibu Says He Is Unstoppable, Governor Obaseki Eyes Asue Ighadalo

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 28, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, says he is unstoppable in his quest to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki in office. He says he is sure of victory.

Unshaken by the alleged sabotage by Governor Obaseki over the cancellation of his Eterno Hotel booking for his Governorship Ambition Declaration, Shaibu formally threw his hat in the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election Ring. He is running under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

However he is on a collision course with Obaseki who has already looked beyond him. Unconfirmed reports said that Obaseki has his eyes focused on Lawyer, Banker, Business man and Entrepreneur, Asue Ighodalo.

Shaibu who made his declaration Monday at the Biohop Kelly Centre, Benin City, Edo State Capital, boldly dared Obaseki and declared: “I am unstoppable.

He said as a home boy of the State who has, always, felt the pains of the people, he is poised to develop the state.

“I am unstoppable in the forthcoming 2024 election, because I am going all out to achieve my ambition and change the fortunes of the State positively.

He said he had worked with Governor Obaseki in the last seven years to lay the foundation for the development of Edo state, and he is leveraging on this to further develop the State.

Shaibu called on the people to support him in actualizing his ambition of becoming the next governor of the state.

Shaibu, a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, hails from Edo North Senatorial District. He has been at loggerheads with his Obaseki since he muted the idea of succeeding the Governor who believes his Deputy is over ambitious.

Despite the rancour between Shaibu and his Principal, Obaseki, Shaibu has always reiterated his loyalty to Obaseki, who hails from Edo South, but insisted that he will contest in the poll.

Asue Ighodalo, Obaseki’s strongly speculated choice as successor,hails from Edo Central.

Tinubu Sacks Margery Okadigbo As NNPCL Chair, Replaces Her With Pius Akinyelure

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The Source

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November 28, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

The Board sacked by Mr President, was constituted by former President Muhammadu Buhari. It headed by Margery Okadigbo, a Lawyer, and wife of late former Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo.

In place of Mrs Okadigbo, President Tinubu appointed Chief Pius Akinyelure as NNPCL’s Non-Executive Chairman. He, also, appointed other members of the Board, but retained Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer.

The new appointments take effect from December 1, 2023.

This was announced in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Ajuri Ngelale, issued on Friday. It reads:

“PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NNPC BOARD AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

“In compliance with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) with effect from December 1, 2023:

(1) Chief Pius Akinyelure — Non-Executive Board Chairman

(2) Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari — Group Chief Executive Officer

(3) Alhaji Umar Isa Ajiya — Chief Financial Officer

(4) Mr. Ledum Mitee — Non-Executive Director

(5) Mr. Musa Tumsa — Non-Executive Director

(6) Mr. Ghali Muhammad — Non-Executive Director

(7) Prof. Mustapha Aliyu — Non-Executive Director

(8) Mr. David Ogbodo — Non-Executive Director

(9) Ms. Eunice Thomas — Non-Executive Director

Furthermore, President

“Tinubu approved the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries:

(10) Mr. Okokon Ekanem Udo — Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance

(11) Amb. Gabriel Aduda — Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources

“President Tinubu anticipates the fullest measure of compliance with the performance-driven and results-oriented mandate of his Renewed Hope administration in the implementation of energy policy that will monetize all available oil and gas resources of today while paving the way for the total exploitation of new and cleaner energy sources of tomorrow by this distinguished team.”

Ekiti Knowledge Zones Gets Boost, AfDB Grants $80Million Loan

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Ayodele Oni

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November 27, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Coming against backdrop of call by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to world financial institutions to stop granting loans to states in Nigeria, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank, (AfDB) Group has approved an $80 million loan to finance the Ekiti Knowledge Zone project in Nigeria.

The Zone seeks to promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship, generates 26,000 jobs, and contribute some $14 million annually in net economic benefits.

The Ekiti Knowledge Zone is a Federal Government-backed and State led Special Economic Zone with fiscal incentives to attract private sector investment in the digital technology and knowledge economy value chains.

A source from the bank, quoting Lamin Barrow, Bank Group Director General of the Nigeria Country Department, said: “The Ekiti Knowledge Zone Project design responds to the requirements of technology firms and prospective investors as indicated during the preparation phase.

“Lessons learnt from similar Bank-financed projects such as the Cabo Verde and Senegal technology parks, and drew insights from good practices of similar initiatives in the continent and globally.

“The project will attract technology firms and investors, including anchor investors from the private sector, to form part of a Special Purpose Vehicle that allows multiple investors to pool financing. This structure will enable investors to manage the operations of the Zone.

“It also aims to attract businesses, including tech start-ups, business process outsourcing firms, fabrication and production companies, research institutes and corporate back-office operations, to locate in the Zone.

“The Ekiti Knowledge Zone’s incubator programme will support promising start-ups with pre-seed and seed funding. It will also offer skills-enhancement training in information and communication technology targeting the youth in Ekiti and neighbouring states.

“The Ekiti Knowledge Zone was conferred “a free zone” status by the Federal Government under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority Act in April 2023.

“It will thus offer various incentives for private investors, including: free repatriation of capital, profits and dividends by foreign investors, rent-free land during the construction phase, tax holidays, waivers on import and export duties, and expatriate quotas for companies operating in the Zone.

“The total project cost is estimated at $94.8 million; the Ekiti State government is providing $14.8 million in counterpart funding. The Bank’s financing will leverage other development partners’ programmes in the state.”

The Bank’s financing will support the development of world-class infrastructure, including a 20-hectare green technology park and such services infrastructure as roads, electricity, water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. The project will provide information and communication technology training to youth, nurture innovation and enhance entrepreneurial skills.

The project also advances government-enabling policies and establishment of the Ekiti State Innovation Fund to provide pre-seed and early growth stage funding to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment. The Fund is expected to mobilize investments into more than 50 seed and early growth start-ups.

The Ekiti Knowledge Zone targets more than 19,000 youth and seeks to attract investment commitments from at least fifteen firms with the potential to generate revenue of about $10.8 million.

The African Development Bank’s active portfolio in Nigeria comprises 48 operations valued at $4.4 billion. These include 24 public sector projects amounting to $2.5 billion and 24 private sector operations valued at $1.9 billion.

“Leadership Recruitment Process, Africa’s Most Critical Deficit” – Obi At Commonwealth Summit”

By

The Source

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November 27, 2023

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■Says Accountable And Responsible Leadership Needed

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25th election, Peter Obi has said that the leadership recruitment process is the biggest challenge facing Africa and limits the harnessing of opportunities in the continent.

Obi said in opening remarks he made in the United Kingdom on Monday titled ‘Harnessing the African Opportunity’ at the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London that “Of all the factors required to properly Harness the African Opportunities, the most important requiring all the support from strategic partners such as Commonwealth is the Political Leadership Recruitment and Sustenance Process”

The LP standard bearer said that Africa’s most important deficit remains a deficit of leadership. The effective and sustainable harnessing of the opportunities in Africa through an agenda/framework rooted in the African Consensus will require the enthronement of accountable and responsible leadership across Africa. This will be the most effective way through which our internal coherence and external connectedness can be properly harnessed for the sustainable and inclusive growth and development of Africa”

He listed what he called a few low-hanging fruits that the African Consensus should pursue in collaboration with the Commonwealth. i. creation of a special fund for the development of infrastructure and African SMEs, ii. Special incentives to promote the export of products and services from Africa to other Commonwealth countries and the world. iii. Intentional but aggressive knowledge and skill development exchange between Africa and the Commonwealth. iv. Crafting of an African Development Agenda/Framework that is African-oriented and globally very attractive.

Obi noted that even with the immense potential and opportunities in Africa, many challenges remain and they are related to widespread leadership failures, limited access to funding, inadequate infrastructure, rural-urban migration, limited women and youth empowerment and regulatory barriers are pervasive.

“Africa is home to many people living in extreme poverty, and there are significant deprivations and disparities in income. While these challenges question the sustainability of the progress being made, there is a growing belief that Africa can be on the cusp of a major transformation with the opportunities that abound if the right reforms are pursued” Obi remarked.

According to Obi, “there is no doubt as to the immense opportunities across Africa, the challenge is on the best framework to harness the opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth and development of Africa even as he recognized Africa’s potentials in emerging technologies, Entertainment, and Agriculture.

“Since we live in a global economy, harnessing African opportunities will require partnerships of different forms that can be broadly categorized into internal and external partnerships. While the internal partnerships include robust public-private and public-public collaborations within and outside African countries, the external partnerships cover collaborations such as Africa and the Commonwealth, Africa and Europe, Africa and the United States of America, Africa, and China, Africa and the rest of the world.”

Obi stated that despite the challenge of leadership Africa remains a continent of incredible richness, not just in terms of its natural resources but also its human capital. As the second largest and second-most-populous continent of the world with a population of over 1.4 billion people, Africa is home to a youthful and dynamic workforce with the largest concentration of working-age population of about 1.1 billion people. This demographic advantage, with an abundance of natural resources ranging from minerals to over 874 million hectares of arable land for agricultural revolution, positions Africa as a key player in the global economy.

He said the continent’s economic potential cannot be overstated noting that some of the countries are already experiencing rapid economic growth, with several African economies consistently outperforming global economic growth averages.

“Of the top twenty countries with the highest growth projections for 2024, twelve are in Africa. The rise in population and an expanding middle class with about 53% of income earners falling within the age group of 16 to 34 years presents a vast consumer market, creating opportunities for investment and trade. While every socio-economic sector in Africa presents immense potential and opportunities, let me use just four sectors- technology, entertainment, natural resources, and agriculture to further illustrate the emerging opportunities”

Obi insisted that Africa’s current development crisis is not really that of resources or opportunities. “We know the opportunities and where they exist. While some African leaders are commendably developing and growing their respective economies, what is required is the enthronement of responsible and purposeful leaders across all African states to create the required support and ownership for the robust formulation and implementation of the African Consensus Development Agenda.

He finally charged the Commonwealth with its long years of experience in political leadership in Africa to partner to support Africa to instill Accountable and responsible political leadership which has remained the most critical requirement for the harnessing of the immense opportunities in Africa for the benefit of Africa, the Commonwealth, and the global economy.

‘Let The Will Of The People Of Enugu State Prevail’ – Labour Party

By

The Source

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November 27, 2023

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The Labour Party has again reiterated that the ruling of various Election tribunals and the Court of Appeal against its gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, and some members of the party-state legislators in Enugu state do not reflect the electoral position of the people of Enugu state.

The party said in a statement on Monday that the election tribunal in Enugu and Court of Appeal in Lagos rejecting its weighty evidence that it won the March 18, 2024 governorship has left many political and judiciary watch stunned.

What are these evidences?

That PDP’s Peter Mbah was at the time of the election not qualified to contest the election into the office of Governor of Enugu State having presented a forged NYSC discharge Certificate to INEC in contravention of Section 182(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution As Amended. Evidence to prove this came from the NYSC Director of Certification who was subpoenaed by the tribunal to say that Mbah was parading a forged NYSC certificate. Earlier before this the Director General of the NYSC Brig Gen. Y.D. Ahmed had gone on national Television, ARISE TV to say that Mbah was parading a forged NYSC certificate.

The Labour Party Candidate also tendered an NYSC disclaimer letter dated 2/2/23 which was admitted as Exhibit EPT01/8A& B. PW2 from the legal firm Omas & Partners also a subpoenaed witness. And who was the person who wrote NYSC for confirmation of Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate? She tendered in evidence the original disclaimer letter from the NYSC and her letter to the NYSC.

Also tendered was a Letter of appointment dated July 14 2003 appointing him Chief of Staff to the then Governor of Enugu State Dr Chimaroke Nnamani when he claimed to be serving in Lagos as a Corps Member.

Also tendered as evidence from INEC staff was Mbah’s Form EC9 (Nomination Form and Affidavits of Personal particulars) and it was confirmed the said forged NYSC Certificate was attached to his Form EC9.

Also tendered but rejected by the tribunal and court of Appeal as not enough the various witness statements confirming over-voting, the act of non-compliance complained by our candidate in Nkanu East and Igboeze North LGAs and the failure of INEC to cancel the results in places where there were incidences of over-voting as demanded by the Electoral Act.

In Enugu state, we need to remind Nigerians and all lovers of democracy that the Labour Party won 2 of the three Senate seats, Seven of the Eight House of Representatives seats, and 14 majority of the 24 state House of Assembly seats but INEC and Judiciary are trying to give the governorship to another party.

Our position is that if this stands at the Supreme Court, four major and dangerous things will happen: the will and desire of Enugu people as demonstrated in their voting pattern on March 8 will be undermined, forgery of the NYSC certificate and indeed other certificates will be legalized, NYSC as a credible national institution in the country will be destroyed and the military who oversees the NYSC as a paramilitary body will be dented.

Our Appeal therefore is for the Apex Court to look judiciously at all the evidence and the law in the Enugu case and do Justice and nothing short of that.

Signed

Malam Umar Farouk
National Secretary
Labour Party

Umahi Announces Commencement Of Work On Failed Federal Roads By December

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 27, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has urged Nigerians not to be disturbed by the State of failed Federal Roads in the country, as rehabilitation and palliative works will commence on the Roads in the next few days, specifically December 1st, 2023.

The former Ebonyi State Governor reeled out plans made by the Federal Government for actualising a sustainable road infrastructure throughout the country.

Making this disclosure via his personal social media handle, X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, the Minister said his response was based on the complaints by commuters and residents on dilapidated federal roads.

He highlighted the roads that will be attended to include: the Makurdi-Nsukka 9th Mile Road, East-West Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Benin bypass road, collapsed bridges of Enugu- Port Harcourt road, collapsed bridges of Shandam-Plateau State, Abuja-Kaduna- Zaria-Kano road and Gombe- Bauchi among others.

He promised to tackle road infrastructure issues head-on, not minding the heavy volume of debt burden inherited from most of the ongoing road projects.

He said, “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Works has been drawn to the concerns of the public on the deplorable situations of some sections of the Federal roads throughout the Federation as reported in many media platforms, especially social media and newspaper pages.”

Umahi explained that N300bn funding in the 2023 supplementary budget dividend will be divided into N100bn for immediate palliative works on all roads in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory and N200bn for completion of most inherited ongoing projects would provide succour for Nigerians.

“Without prejudice to all the good efforts of the past administration on road infrastructure development which they tackled within the limit of their resources, the work to be done to change the ugly state of our roads is quite enormous.

“Mr. President is not complaining of the challenges he inherited in nearly all sectors of the economy, especially as it concerns our road infrastructure and he has directed that works in those palliative projects must commence before 1st December 2023, while observing all due process.

“On the sections being frequently complained of by the public in all regions of the North and South of the country, Mr. President has equally isolated them and directed immediate actions on them and indeed work has started on all such roads. The public can crosscheck our claims and report back to us,” Umahi added.

The Minister also requested the general public to assist the ministry by supervising contractors that will be engaged in palliative works of road infrastructure adding that genuine informants would be periodically recognised publicly in a public engagement forum.

He urged that all poorly constructed roads should be photographed and reported immediately to the following contacts: 08030986263, 08037086137, or 08106423197; showing the name of the contractor, the location and type of contract and defects observed.

“The public is hereby requested to assist the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA by supervising the contractors that will be engaged in these palliative works and indeed all ongoing projects. It is the right of every Nigerian to have value for their money deployed to the road infrastructure sector and therefore must show both interest and passion in all the ongoing projects.

He added that all poorly constructed roads should be photographed and reported immediately to the following contacts: 08030986263, 08037086137, or 08106423197; showing the name of the contractor, the location and type of contract and defects observed.

“The Federal Ministry of Works will document such reports, verify and take effective action to correct such infractions. The Ministry shall also periodically recognise publicly those who made such reports that are genuine in a public engagement forum to be hosted quarterly and will sanction such erring contractors publicly too.”

Speaking further, Umahi clarified that the federal government didn’t emphatically ban the use of asphalt in road construction and at no time directed that only concrete pavement be used in the development of road projects nationwide.

He, however, stated a new policy that provides guidelines on the use of concrete and asphalt pavements in road construction projects nationwide.

According to the new policy, contractors for all ongoing projects are simply requested to have a choice to continue to use asphalt or have their projects redesigned on concrete at no extra cost to the government.

“On the use of asphalt: contractors shall stick to only a 5 per cent Variation on Price in line with the signed contract agreement throughout the project and the signed contract shall not be subject to review, especially on bituminous items.

“The thickness of the asphalt pavement as designed must be strictly adhered to by all such contractors and the design shelf life for the asphalt (at least 15 years) shall be guaranteed by issuing an insurance bond through a reputable insurance company in favor of the Federal Government.

“For the use of concrete, contractors must abide by the 5 per cent VOP, and 50-year design shelf life using concrete grade 40.”

Umahi further added that persons complaining and demarketing the concrete technology policy are simply those who do not wish Nigeria well stressing that, “They are the same people that use adulterated bitumen in their projects while putting pressure on our Naira through the importation of adulterated bitumen instead of developing our abundant God-given bitumen deposits in Ogun State and other parts of Nigeria.

“This new policy has not violated any law and the Ministry is forging ahead with this new policy. As of today, most of the ongoing projects are still ongoing with asphalt pavement in line with this new policy while some are redesigned on concrete pavement, depending on the terrain and with full understanding of the affected contractors of those projects,” the statement concluded