News From Nigeria
South-West Nigeria is one of the most culturally and economically vibrant regions of the country. However, as important as each state within the region is, equally important is how connected they are. This connection allows the free flow of commerce and trade, and road networks play a big part in that.
In some cases, you can measure the level of development within a city or region by the extent of its road network. Great road networks boost economic growth by connecting companies to each other, connecting suppliers to off-takers and connecting businesses to their customers. They also facilitate the transportation of raw materials and finished products from one destination to the other. When properly developed, road networks reduce transportation costs by shortening the amount of time and money people spend in transit.
One of the major roads connecting the South-West region of Nigeria is the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, considered the country’s busiest highway. It is also the major route to the northern, southern, and eastern parts of Nigeria. A considerable portion of it stretches from Lagos to Shagamu – measuring 43.6 kilometers long. That portion is currently under rehabilitation and reconstruction by Julius Berger.
As a significant part of Nigeria’s road network, a tremendous amount of traffic flows through the Lagos to Shagamu expressway every day, including heavy load-bearing traffic, which can create a lot of wear and tear on roads. Therefore, the work being done must account for such transportation volumes. Julius Berger has catered to this need by developing an enhanced asphalt design based on findings from its parameter studies. This asphalt-mix design makes the expressway more durable to heavy load-bearing traffic.
The most recent count on this highway puts traffic flow at 40,000 vehicles per day. During peak hours, more than 3,000 vehicles ply the road per hour. These figures have increased significantly in recent years, with the construction of new townships, residential developments, and industrial complexes. The Lagos-Shagamu Expressway is also home to the camp venues of religious organizations like the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), and Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), among many others.
Julius Berger has developed and implemented a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) to ease the flow of traffic. This includes setting up a 24-hour emergency response system and cutting down response time by establishing lines of communication between various emergency response and traffic management agencies. It also includes maintaining traffic diversions where necessary and clearing traffic accidents at different locations with speed.
The project’s scope, which currently provides close to 600 construction jobs, includes expanding the highway to three lanes on both sides of the road, maintaining and constructing ten pedestrian bridges and three new flyovers, constructing a new drainage system, and upgrading four underpasses. It is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2022.
Back in 2006, Sir Rod Eddington did a comprehensive report on the impact of transport infrastructure on the economy for the UK government. We can apply some of its learnings to our local context. This report concluded that a country’s transport system could be a catalyst for continued productivity and competitiveness. It also said that a five per cent decrease in business travel time on the UK’s roads could lead to a £2.5 billion reduction in wasted business costs. Applying this to a local context, we can safely conclude that investing in road infrastructure with the simple aim of reducing the amount of time that people spend in transit will improve Nigeria’s overall productivity.
Julius Berger has been in the business of connecting Nigeria for over 50 years, especially within the South-West region. Its first major project in Nigeria was in 1965 when it was awarded the contract for constructing the “Second Mainland Bridge”, now known as Eko Bridge. The company also delivered the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, a 1.36 km cable-stayed bridge, in 2013 as well as the ring road system around the city center on Lagos Island in 1975, among other iconic projects. The company is also responsible for building several roads and infrastructural projects around the country, contributing massively to Nigeria’s economic prosperity and ensuring the continuous movement of people, resources, and ideas.
EID EL KABIR: PRESIDENT BUHARI EXTOLS THE SACRIFICES OF NIGERIANS, URGES PATIENCE AS GOVERNMENT ADDRESSES HARDSHIPS
President Muhammadu Buhari sends Eid greetings on the occasion of Eid El-Adha that is being celebrated across the world.
In his message marking the auspicious Muslim occasion, the President restates the determination of his administration to create a just, harmonious and prosperous country in which the safety of life and property is assured.
Reflecting on current challenges facing the country, the President states that “COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the economies of all countries, including Nigeria, in addition to the fact that floods have caused large scale destruction to agricultural farmlands, thereby impacting negatively on our efforts to boost local production in line with our policy to drastically reduce food importation.”
This, he explains, has led to food inflation which the government is working hard to address.
According to President Buhari, “no government in our recent history has invested as heavily as we are doing to promote local production of about 20 other commodities, through the provision of loans and several other forms of support to our farmers.”
He says, “apart from the destruction caused to rice farms by floods, middlemen have also taken advantage of the local rice production to exploit fellow Nigerians, thereby undermining our goal of supporting local food production at affordable prices.”
“As an elected president who enjoys the goodwill of the ordinary people that gave us their mandate, let me assure you that we are continuing with measures to bring relief to Nigerians, including making fertilizer available at affordable prices to our farmers,” he tells Nigerians.
The President also notes that the current insecurity in the country “has produced severe and adverse effects on agriculture because farmers are prevented from accessing their farms by bandits and terrorists.”
“Let me also use this opportunity to reassure Nigerians that we are taking measures to address our security challenges. We have started taking delivery of fighter aircraft and other necessary military equipment and hardware to improve the capacity of our security forces to confront terrorism and banditry,” he adds.
Speaking on the significance of the Eid El-Kabir celebration, the President appeals to Muslims “to demonstrate the good virtues of Islam through personal examples and practices:
“Taking advantage of the celebration to exploit fellow citizens through outrageous prices of food and rams is inconsistent with fine virtues of Islam.
“As practising believers, we shouldn’t seek obscene profits by making life difficult and miserable for others. We should not seek happiness at the expense of others. Remember that Islam is a religion of charity that urges us to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.
“I urge all Muslims to continue to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Nigerians of other faiths in the spirit of peaceful coexistence. Let us pray for the progress of Nigeria at all times. Let us expose undesirable elements among us who are creating security problems for the country.”
Garba Shehu
(Senior Special Assistant to the President)
(Media & Publicity)
July 19, 2021
July 19, 2021
Press Statement
Eid el Kabir: PDP Felicitates With Nigerians, Urges Selflessness
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates all Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid el Kabir and calls on citizens to use the occasion to strengthen their trust in God as the divine source of sustenance as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Ibrahim.
The party stresses that Eid el Kabir presents the nation and indeed humanity with boundless occasion to recommit to the virtues of selflessness, love and care for one another, especially in the face of economic, political and social challenges facing our nation.
The PDP urges leaders at all levels of governance to use the occasion of the Eid el Kabir to show more sacrifices towards the people and pursue only those things that will improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
Our party is however troubled that most Nigerian families are celebrating the Eid el Kabir, under very serious economic despair but urged them not to surrender to despondency but to keep hope alive as we collectively work to rescue our nation.
The PDP therefore calls on the citizens to reach out, share with and uplift one another so that the joy of the Eid el Kabir is spread among all. The party urges them to remain security conscious and observe COVID-19 protocols during the festivities.
The PDP felicitates with Nigerians and wish them a happy Eid el Kabir celebration.
Signed:
National Publicity Secretary
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
EID-EL-KABIR: SANWO-OLU CONGRATULATES MUSLIMS, URGES RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE WITH CAUTION
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated Nigerians, especially Muslims across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir festival.
Governor Sanwo-Olu while rejoicing with Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir celebration urged them to celebrate with caution in the wake of the third wave of coronavirus infections in Nigeria. He also advised them to keep to all the COVID-19 protocols.
Sanwo-Olu in his Eid-el-Kabir message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, advised Lagosians, especially Muslim faithful to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the peace, stability, unity and progress of the country.
The Governor said there is strong connection between peaceful coexistence of all tribes and religions and development, noting that as Lagosians, every resident must live together peacefully.
“On behalf of my family and government of Lagos State, I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in the State and in Nigeria happy Eid-el-Kabir, which comes with significant lessons for mankind.
“Eid al-Adha has become a symbolic event in the history of mankind, following the events that led to the sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim, who held tenaciously to his faith in God despite his unpleasant circumstances at the time.
“The festival, therefore, reminds us that there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience in trying periods; persistence in prayers and tenacity in our belief, as well as sacrifice for the progress of mankind and development of our society,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu while seeking Lagosians’ support for development and growth of Lagos State, urged residents to support his government’s efforts in building a ‘Greater Lagos’ that will work for all through the THEMES developmental agenda of his administration.
The Governor also implored Nigerians to support governments at state and federal levels in building a better society that is free from violence, insecurity and other social vices.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 19, 2021
GETTING 100 MILLION NIGERIANS OUT OF POVERTY CYCLE IS REALISABLE, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI, URGES MORE SYNERGY FOR RESULTS
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Suduje-Daura, Katsina State, said the vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of the poverty cycle within ten years can be done, with more synergy between government and the people, and diligence in diversifying the economy, with agriculture as the backbone.
President Buhari, who commissioned the first National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) Integrated Farm Estate in Suduje-Daura, noted that reliance on oil had turned a draw back on the economy over the years, with unpredictable and fluctuating global prices that made it more difficult to effectively plan budgets, implement and measure outcomes.
The President said the mainstay of the Nigerian economy remains agriculture, where the country already commands a competitive advantage, with good weather conditions for crop and livestock farming, available manpower and willingness to learn new skills, and good soil types for all season farming.
“I wish to restate my commitment that getting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty is realisable. The country is robustly blessed with good weather conditions, good soil, human and material capacity, and a resilience to make a difference by all the hardworking youths.
“We can do it, and we will do it. No excuse will be good enough to remain a mono-economy with all the challenges in oil production and fluctuating global prices when we have vast opportunities in crop and livestock production,’’ he said.
President Buhari noted that a globalized world places more emphasis on competitive edge of the economy for relevance, and Nigeria would always play a leading role in the agricultural sector, with the vastness in experience, crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and more recently, a rising youth interest.
“As the world becomes more globalized, countries will continue to draw from their competitive advantage to remain relevant. My belief, and it is also shared by many Nigerians, is that our country has a special advantage in food and livestock productions that we must harness and promote to feed ourselves, and build a firm structure for exportation.
“Our vision of a robust agricultural economy continues to provide amazing results. Across the country today, we are seeing rising public and private interests in agriculture, especially among the youth, and a steady migration from subsistence to commercial farming.
“With the support of public institutions, like the Central Bank and Bank of Agriculture, old tools are giving way to more mechanized styles of farming, credit lines are becoming more accessible, and farming is becoming more acceptable and fashionable. Indeed, we are witnessing a revolution in the agricultural sector,’’ the President added.
He said the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) was resuscitated to meet growing needs in the agricultural sector for exploring available potentials of job opportunities, entrepreneurship and marketing, home and abroad.
According to the President, “The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) was already moribund when we assumed office. We had to resuscitate it to meet the growing needs of the country. I am happy to see that the directive to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, and his management team when I launched the National Young Farmers Scheme (NYFS) in November 2020, is gradually taking shape.
“At the launch of the National Young Farmers Scheme, I recall that I told the management that I have directed that all NALDA’s abandoned farm estates be retrieved to enable thousands of our young men and women to be engaged in farming.
“This Administration will be achieving agricultural mechanization through this scheme and I am confident that Nigeria under my watch, we will achieve food security in producing most of what we eat. In good harvest years we may even export our surpluses and earn foreign exchange.”
The President commended the zeal and patriotism of the NALDA team in achieving quick and sustainable results like the Integrated Farming Estate, which had pooled the strength of men, women and youths in 13 communities and channelled them into different kinds of farming in one location.
“The Integrated Farming scheme, again, opens up more opportunities for employment, and most importantly creates communal-based system that promotes food security, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
“I am impressed to see that this NALDA Integrated Farm Estate is purely organic and it further expresses my desire for Nigeria and Nigerians to have food sufficiency and begin to earn more foreign income through agriculture. As a government, what I am seeing here today shows my administration’s desire is genuine and realizable that our peoples’ orientation to farming can be changed for good,’’ he noted.
President Buhari directed all Federal Government institutions to work in synergy in lifting and diversifying the economy, and NALDA should be given all the support it needs to expand the Integrated Farm Estate across the 109 senatorial zones in the country.
While appreciating the governors, who were at the event to witness the historic commissioning, particularly Governor Aminu Bello Masari of katsina State for providing a 100 hectare land for the project, the President urged them to provide more support to Federal Government institutions that have been mandated to work assiduously in engaging more minds and hands to turn the economy around for good.
In his remarks, the Katsina State Governor thanked the President for the initiative of resuscitating NALDA, noting that agriculture had always being the strength of the Nigerian economy until the 70s.
He said with proper management of the project and a strong irrigation system the integrated farm would serve its full purpose, with benefits to the people and economy of the state.
Kebbi state Governor, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, said all the 36 states of the federation and FCT had benefited from the administration’s policy of always targeting grassroots with development projects.
He said the closure of the border to neighboring countries further demonstrated President Buhari’s seriousness in lifting the Nigerian economy, adding that Nigeria remains sensitive to the plight of neighboring countries.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the financial regulatory body will start giving special attention to NALDA, while listing some of the laudable achievements of the administration through the Anchor Borrowers scheme for farmers.
“Your Excellency, Mr President, as you told me during the inspection and I agree with you that this is the best way to spend money,” he said, “You are doing everything that is possible to bring the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.”
The NALDA Executive Secretary noted that the Integrated Farm Estate had a capacity for 400 birds in the poultry, 200,000 fishes, 500, 000 cows and goats, 540 litres of honey per harvest, 120 units of one bedroom apartment, clinic and a school.
Ikonne said the recycling process on the farm and domestication of tools and skills of workers will guarantee sustainability and 1, 500 farmers will be empowered every year to start their business after learning.
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, thanked the President for always projecting the best of the community in his office.
“We are proud of you. We are proud of the legacy you continously project,” he said.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 19, 2021
RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENCY TO THE STATEMENT MADE BY BISHOP KUKAH BEFORE THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
It is unfortunate, and disappointing, for citizens of Nigeria to bear witness to one of their Churchmen castigating their country in front of representatives of a foreign parliament.
We are all too familiar with these overseas political tours that opposition politicians take – visiting foreign leaders and legislators in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe. So, the argument goes, if they are heard seriously abroad, then Nigerian citizens back home should surely listen to them too.
But in order to be heard at all, and to maximise media coverage back home for their activities, inevitably these visits involve painting the worst possible picture of our country before their chosen foreign audience.
Soon enough we inescapably hear an identical list of racist tropes against northerners, how one religion dominates governance above all others, how the government is doing nothing to address herder-farmer disturbances, and how the government spends money on infrastructure to benefit everyone but the group and religion of the speaker. Of course, in order not to disappoint their western audience, regardless of fact, the list is always the same-and always slanted for whoever wishes to cross-check.
Nigerians expect this from their unimaginative opposition – but it is troubling when a so-called man of the Church copies the worst excesses of those seeking personal advancement in public office.
Only this government has put forward the first and singular plan in nearly a century to address herder-farmer challenges – a fact recognised by international NGOs, including the International Crisis Group. To declare to a foreign audience that this government does nothing is an incredible falsehood.
To suggest that investment in infrastructure between Nigeria and Niger is wasteful and biased – when a similar infrastructure project between Lagos and Benin has revolutionised the two neighbouring economies to the advantage of both our countries – is quite disturbing.
There is no bias in this government when the president is northern and Muslim, the vice president southern and Christian, and the cabinet equally balanced between the two religions. But neither is there anything in our Constitution to state that political posts must be apportioned according to ethnicity or faith. It takes a warped frame of mind for a critic to believe ethnicity is of primary importance in public appointments. It is yet more troubling to hear a Churchman isolating one group for criticism purely on ethnic lines.
With due respect to the esteemed position he holds, the Bishop’s assertion that only Christian schools are being targeted by bandits or terrorists is not supported by the facts on the ground. It is sad to say but also true that victims of crime, kidnapping, banditry and terrorism cut across all strata of the society. Sad but true that Kankara students in Katsina State were stolen by bandits of the same Islamic faith as those they took away. The same may be true of those who are still holding the 134 students of the Islamic School at Tegina in Niger State. The nation witnessed the sad incident of the female students abducted by bandits at Jangebe in Zamfara State and the over 100 predominantly Muslim students of the Federal Government Girls College Birnin Yauri in Kebbi State who are currently in captivity- and the nation’s security agencies are hard at work to release them unharmed.
The attack on Christian students is sad and unacceptable; so also is the abduction of students of other faiths. The claim that only Christian schools are being targeted is totally untrue.
As a nation and a people, we must together define evil as evil. We must not allow our religious differences to divide us. No one gains but the evil doers when we divide our ranks according to ethnicity and religion in confronting them. The bandit, kidnapper and terrorist are the enemies of the people who should be confronted in unison.
To be clear, The Bible is definitive on matters of ethnicity and racialism: In Romans 2:9-10, it says: “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good”; And in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Whether Christian or Muslim, we stand by these beliefs and are steadfastly committed to them in governance.
There is no place in mainstream civil discourse for those who actively, negatively, and publicly label an individual ethnic group, especially before a foreign audience. These are not the views expressed or opinions held by the vast majority of the citizens of Nigeria. For all our challenges as a nation, nearly all of us seek to live together in harmony, celebrating differences, and finding common ground as Nigerians above all. But people like Kukah are doing their best to sow discord and strife among Nigerians.
More than any other set of people, leaders – in politics or religion who preach respect for truth have a duty to practice it. It is a moral and practical responsibility.
Going by the history of the Church as is well known, it will stand up publicly for the truth.
It is time others did the same.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 18, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
REPLICATE APC VICTORIES IN OUR LG POLL, SANWO-OLU TELLS CANDIDATES
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday charged candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming local government elections to replicate the political victories of the party being witnessed across the country in the poll.
Governor Sanwo-Olu who stated this at the handing over of party flags to the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas chairmanship candidates ahead of the local government poll at the All Progressives Congress secretariat located in Ogba area of the state, said the party’s current successes across the country, culminating in the mass defections of political top echelons to the party showed the acceptance of the party by the people.
He said, “This is a very important and significant event, which is the official handing over of our flags to all of our candidates. We are handing over the flags to the chairmen and the vice chairmen, of course supported ably by the party’s LGA chairmen so that they all can go back and do the same with their councillors and ensure that we have a resounding victory on the 24th of July, 2021.
“They are to go forth to the various local governments and campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the state. We are believing that this significant event will signpost our seriousness in our next local government election. And we are certain that the success we’re are currently enjoying at the national and states will also be translated at the local government elections as well.’’
The governor added that the local government is a critical arm of government, saying “We have three tiers of government and everybody has their roles and responsibilities. But as a state government we will continue to ensure that our development agenda is spread across the state and because we own all the local governments we will ensure it is reflective in all local governments and that is what we are doing.
“So what we expect from them is to key into our agenda. So that when they come in, they can also hit the ground running in all of the wards that we have. We expect them to start work immediately. The state government will carry out some projects in the wards but we expect complimentary roles from these chairmen; we expect them to compliment that and do more.
“There will be quarterly monitoring of their activities. The deputy governor and Speaker have that responsibility, and we expect this to create a healthy rivalry among the councils.
“We pray that APC will come tops; we hope these candidates will do well and they will not disappoint the people that would vote them in.”
Earlier, the party’s Caretaker Chairman in Lagos State Honourable Babatunde Balogun said the party is optimistic of sweeping the local government poll in the state.
Balogun said the ruling party led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the state has endeared the party to the electorate through massive infrastructure development and provision of basic amenities to the residents of the state, saying the party expects the electorate to reciprocate the gestures with votes.
“We expect all of you to be victorious in the next six days with the support of the Lagos electorates by the grace of God.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 18, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
NANS CONGRATULATES SANWO-OLU FOR WINNING VANGUARD NEWSPAPER’S PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD
…Says Award Is Clear Testament Of Governor’s Sterling Leadership To Lagosians
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has congratulated Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for winning the Vanguard Newspaper Personality of The Year Award, saying the well-deserved award is a clear testament of the governor’s sterling leadership qualities and his service to the people of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
NANS in a congratulatory message issued and signed by its President, Comrade Asefon Sunday Dare, said the award is a token in return of the goodness Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership has given to humanity.
The NANS President also assured Governor Sanwo-Olu of the association’s continued support in his quest to achieve the Greater Lagos vision for the residents.
“We write to specially congratulate you on winning the Best Governor of the year 2019 Award. We believe that this honour is not only deserving but also a clear testament of your Sterling leadership to the people of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
“As the Executive Governor of Nigeria’s Most Dynamic State, we are proud of the unprecedented support you have shown to the student community in Lagos State and Nigeria at large. We believe this award is a token in return of the goodness your leadership has given to humanity,” the statement reads in part.
It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu on Saturday night received the prestigious Vanguard Personality of the Year Award. He personally received his award certificate during the event, which was held at Eko hotels and Suite.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 18, 2021
LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
PRESS RELEASE
GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU WINS VANGUARD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu Saturday night received the prestigious Vanguard Personality of the Year Award. Other recipients in this category are Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum and business icon Mr. Femi Otedola.
Governor Sanwo-Olu personally received his award certificate during the event, which was held at Eko hotels and Suite.
The Governor disclosed on his social media pages that the award meant a lot to him as it would constantly remind him and his team to work harder for Lagosians.
He said: “I feel highly honoured to receive the Vanguard Personality 2019/2020 by the Vanguard Newspapers Group. The awards means a lot to me. This prestigious award will be a constant reminder to me and my team to perform better to out do ourselves in the current year for efficient service delivery to the good people of Lagos State.”
Dedicating the award to Lagosians, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieve the Greater Lagos vision in line with the THEMES agenda. He also thanked organisers of the award as well as the citizens for believing in the current administration, pledging that the government would not let them down.
“I wish to dedicate the awards to every Lagosian out there for believing in our administration’s vision of a Greater Lagos. We will not relent in our efforts to achieve this and other set goals along with our THEMES agenda.”
“My special thanks goes to the Vanguard Newspapers Group for the honour. Again, I thank Lagosians for standing by our government through the many phases since the beginning of the administration. Be assured that our best is yet to happen,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Governors of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-rufai, his Ekiti State and Ondo State counterparts Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as well as Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu won the 2019 Vanguard Governor of the year category.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was accompanied to the occasion by some of his cabinet members, including the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Housing Mr Moruf Fatai-Akinderu, Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi and Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke among others.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
JULY 18, 2021
19th July 2021
Press Statement
EID-UL-ADHA: ELEGUSHI PREACHES PEACE, TOLERANCE
As Muslims in Nigeria, join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-ul-Adha, prominent Lagos monarch, the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi has admonished Muslims to use the celebration to continue to promote peace and co-existence between all Nigerians, regardless of their faith or ethnic background.
Oba Elegushi in his Sallah message reminded the Islamic faithful of the significance of the Sallah celebration, which is sacrifice and obedience, noting that as Muslims, they must continue to show love to one another, as well as to people of other faith and also ensure the continue to obey the laws of the land as well as respect for authorities.
The monarch, while acknowledging the challenges confronting the nation, also advised the government to increase its capacity to address these challenges and bring an end to the ugly trend of banditry, kidnapping and insecurity currently threatening the peace of the country and has created a mistrust between the citizens and the government.
Oba Elegushi while congratulating Muslims on another Sallah festival, reminded them to celebrate with caution and continue to adhere to all safety protocols, put in place to prevent a third wave of the covid-19 pandemic.
Signed:
Temitope Oyefeso
Special Assistant, Public Affairs to Oba Elegushi
PRESS STATEMENT
Why we voted for e-transmission of results with conditions – Senate President
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has advanced reasons to justify the position taken by the Senate on the electronic transmission of election results.
The Senate on Thursday, while considering the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill, voted that “The Commission(INEC) may consider electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly.”
Lawan explained that the Upper Chamber voted the way it did in defence of about half of the Nigerian voters whose votes may not be counted with immediate deployment or application of electronic transmission of election results.
The Senate President spoke to journalists at the weekend while on a constituency visit to his Yobe North Senatorial District.
Asked to comment on the passage of the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill, Lawan said: “I’m happy that we have been able to pass the amendment even though some people are complaining of what we have passed in the Senate and probably what the House of Representatives has also passed.
“When the majority of Senators voted against immediate application or deployment of electronic transmission of results from the polling units, to the ward, to the local government, states and federal, they didn’t say they do not believe in electronic transmission (of election results).
“All of us in the Senate, 109 of us, believe that at one point, our electoral process must deploy electronic transmission so that it eases and enhances the electoral process and give it more credibility and integrity.
“But you see, when you have not reached that stage where you could deploy the electronic transmission from every part of the country, then you have to be very careful. And no matter what anybody may say, you cannot have about 50 percent of Nigerian voters not participating or not getting their votes counted in elections and say it doesn’t matter, that we have to start the electronic transmission.
“We know the evils of not transmitting results electronically but compare the evils of electronically transmitting just half of the electoral votes from Nigerians and say you have elected a President with 50 percent only.
“And others have voted but their results or their votes could not be electronically transmitted. This is disenfranchising Nigerians and we are not going to support this kind of thing because essentially, we are supposed to be fair to every part of Nigeria and when we voted, every part of Nigeria voted for and against(the amendment).
“What I mean here is that, you have Senators from northern part of Nigeria who voted for electronic transmission. Maybe that is their belief or their environment is ready for electronic transmission. And you have Senators from southern part of Nigeria who voted against immediate deployment of electronic transmission but they support that the electronic transmission of results should be allowed after certain conditions are met and the conditions are simple: The National Communication Commission(NCC) had provided the technical information that only NCC could give – that only about 50 percent of the Nigerian environment, the polling units, in the country could possibly have their results electronically transmitted.
“So what happens to the other 50 percent. So we believe that all of us in the Senate were aiming at the same target but chose to go through different routes and that is why in my concluded remarks in the Senate after the debate and voting, I said there was no Victor, no Vanquish because we all meant well.
“And for those Nigerians who still feel that the electronic transmission should have just been allowed to take effect, I said well, this is how democracy works. Democracy is to allow those minority views to be expressed and democracy provides that the majority views will always prevail.”
The Senate President faulted some media reports that insinuated that only the APC Senators voted against immediate application of the electronic transmission of results.
He said the votes cast on either sides of the subject matter cut across party lines and regional divides.
“In this respect, it was not just APC. I have seen it reported in the media that only APC Senators voted against the immediate deployment of electronic transmission.
“There are PDP Senators who voted against that but it appears that some people want to target at APC Senators. There were PDP Senators who voted against immediate deployment. I’m using the word ‘immediate’ with an emphasis.
“Nobody said don’t use electronic transmission at all. You use it when we reach there and only NCC can give you information. That is the main reason why, in the Senate version, clause 52(3), there is that provision to contact the NCC because INEC will not know until they go to NCC.
“So NCC will be the only institution to give that information because they are competent and it’s within their jurisdiction. And we say the National Assembly should approve of it.
“It is not when they want to do transmission that they will have to go to National Assembly that we want to do transmission. No. That once NCC has told INEC is now ready. INEC should come to the National Assembly with the NCC and say we are now ready.
“There is no way any National Assembly, not even this Ninth National Assembly will deny INEC the use of electronic transmission as part of our electoral process when we are ready for it,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said it was wrong to conclude that Senators who voted for electronic transmission with conditions did not like the results transmitted electronically.
“I want to take this opportunity to debunk that insinuation or outright castigation of Senators that voted against immediate deployment of electronic transmission that they don’t like electronic transmission. It is not true.
“Even though I didn’t vote. But I believe that what my colleagues did is binding on all of us in the Senate. 28 against 52…l believe that what we have done requires that the Senate and the House will each constitute a conference committee. What we call harmonisation for the two sides. When we harmonise, then we will send it to Mr President,” Lawan said.
Signed:
Ola Awoniyi
Special Adviser(Media)
to President of the Senate
Sunday, 18th July, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES OLUSEGUN AWOLOWO ON ELECTION TO LEAD TRADE PROMOTION ORGANIZATIONS IN WEST AFRICA
President Muhammadu Buhari lauds Executive Director/Chef Executive Officer of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, on his election as President of National Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member States.
The President says Awolowo’s unanimous election is testament to the confidence reposed in him, and in Nigeria, by Chief Executive Officers of trade promotion organizations in West Africa, and urges him to serve to the best of his ability, and do the country proud.
President Buhari notes that an ECOWAS TPO Network holds great possibilities for Nigeria and the sub-region in the areas of exchange of commercial information and business opportunities, adding that the domiciling of the Secretariat in Abuja would open vistas of opportunities for Nigeria.
The President wishes Mr Awolowo well in his new assignment, expressing confidence that Nigeria and ECOWAS would benefit a lot from his expertise in trade promotions.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 16, 2021
Okpe Nation has to be recognized in DESOPADEC, NDDC – Okpe Union Leaders
Notable Okpe leaders on Sunday continued the campaign of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality in Nigeria.
‘’ The Okpe Union strongly affirms that Okpe is Okpe and not a sub-group or a clan of any other ethnic nationality. The letter of Udogun Okpe is an example of a person cutting his nose to spite his face. The Udogun Okpe letter has brought the Okpe Kingdom to global ridicule’’.
A publication authored by the Udogun-Okpe last week made several spurious statements discrediting the letter of the Okpe Union addressed to the Governor of Delta state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on the 22nd of June 2021 requesting for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
But the prominent leaders in Okpe Kingdom on Sunday reaffirmed Okpe Union’s commitment to the agitation for the reinstatement and recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
‘’The NEC received the Udogun Okpe open letter to the Governor with shock, disbelief and regret as such a poorly worded piece, which contained several expressions intended to pit some Okpe nationals against others, is claimed to have emanated from the highest traditional authority of Okpe’’.
In a communiqué of the Okpe Union from the emergency meeting of the national executive council, held on July 15 and 17, 2021, the union vowed to intensify its sensitization activities in Okpe Nation regarding the fact that Okpe is a distinct ethnic nationality as well as the benefits of recognizing Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
‘’NEC shall continue its liaison with the Government of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and the Delta State House of Assembly for the restatement and recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. The attainment of Okpe Identity is a sacred historical mission of the Okpe Union’’ the leaders stated.
Signed by the Okpe Union President General, Professor Igho Natufe and General Secretary, Barrister Akpederin Kingsley, the union urged the Okpe traditional ruler to reconcile his present position with the position he brilliantly espoused in defence of Okpe Identity in his Keynote Address at the 3rd AGM of the Okpe Union of North America on September 1, 2007, at College Park, MD, USA.
“Your activities have helped tremendously to positively define, sustain and advance the place as well as the interest of Okpe in the comity of Nigerian nationalities’’
The Okpe monarch was quoted as saying that Okpe Kingdom was a unique ethnic nationality.
‘’Located in the central senatorial district of Delta State in Nigeria, Okpe is a unique ethnic nationality. It has distinctive roots in ancient history, tradition, culture, custom and language. The historical tract of the Okpe people is conclusive. The Okpe people are the most populous monolithic ethnic nationality in Delta State. Our people are rooted in migration from the Bini Kingdom. This historical experience is similar to most other ethnic nationalities of the Western Niger Delta. Of all these nationalities however, Okpe history, language, tradition, and culture are closer to those of Bini which form part of the Edo group of languages.”
The Okpe leaders noted that the authors of the Udogun Okpe rejoinder clearly have no understanding of the benefits of recognizing Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality
‘’The Okpe people will immediately occupy their pride of place in the comity of ethnic nationalities in Delta State and Nigeria as the misconception that Okpe is under another ethnicity would be buried forever. As an ethnic nationality that exclusively owns at least two local government areas in Delta State, the Okpe Nation shall immediately be recognized in DESOPADEC and therefore be entitled to an exclusive Commissioner and an Executive Director like our neighbour oil producing ethnicities of Delta State. The advantages of this include direct budget for the area, specific slots for different empowerment programs and policies e.g., bursary awards for Okpe students which they now share with Urhobo students under crass discrimination and many other direct allocations’’. ‘
The Union went further to say that ‘’ the development and teaching of Okpe language in all schools in Okpeland and beyond can generate immediate employment for Okpe language teachers which other fully recognized ethnicities currently benefit’’
The Union enlightened that the ‘’Okpe language will occupy its place in public broadcast be it radio and television as well as interpretation in churches and other public places’’
‘’Okpe music, traditional masters of ceremonies and orators shall flourish thereby generating more local employment. The development of the Okpe language will promote the survival of the language and also enhance literary advantages in the academics of Okpe children as African languages have proven to have an appreciable impact in the arts generally. The self-esteem for Okpe nationals that the recognition of Okpe ethnicity will bring about is unquantifiable. A robust self-esteem is a sine qua non for success in businesses, politics, and several other vocations. Politically, Okpe shall become a recognized bloc which is negotiated with on its own recognition with the cards placed on the table objectively and equitably. The crisis of identity which has been faced by Okpe nationals, who have, since colonial times, rejected the burden of a false identity, will finally be lifted from the shoulders of the Okpe people’’.
The angry Okpe leaders said the Okpe Union was registered to function with an unambiguous constitution
‘’The Okpe Union has the highest respect for the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. The Okpe Union affirms that the Udogun Okpe is the apex Traditional Council of Okpe Kingdom. The Okpe Union is the apex Socio-cultural organization and membership-based organ of all Okpe, legally registered to so function with an unambiguous constitution. Okpe Union shall continue to execute this function in Okpe Nation across all the 13 Districts. The registered office of the Okpe Union is No. 67 (new No. 65), Moshalashi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. This secretariat building of the Okpe Union named “Okpe House”, Obalende, Lagos is the property of the Okpe Union and the fact that it is the registered office of the Okpe Union can be verified with the Corporate Affairs Commissio
n. It is true that the Union had in principle agreed to build a befitting headquarters in Okpeland, which is still a work in progress’’.
The Okpe Union leaders declared that ‘’the dissolution decree of October 3, 2020, is a breach of the sacred history of unbroken democratic transition in the Okpe Union in the over 91(ninety-one) years of existence and an unconstitutional action by the Orodje to convert the Okpe Union into an administrative arm of the Palace’’.
‘’The October 3, 2020 purported dissolution of the democratically elected leadership of the Okpe Union and banning of NEC members from contesting elective positions by HRM, Orhue 1, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom is ultra vires and a violation of the Okpe Union Constitution’’
‘’As a legal entity, the procedure for dissolution or removal of any elected official of the Okpe Union and election of a National Executive Council of the Union is clearly provided for in its constitution. Therefore, any action by any person or group of persons purporting to remove or dissolve the democratically elected Okpe Union leadership outside the provisions of its Constitution is not binding, void and of no effect whatsoever’’.
The union condemned the attempt to return to the deceased concept of the divine rights of kings.
The leaders commended the courage of members of the Okpe Union from branches all over the country whose delegates met in the General Assembly of the Union on the 14th of November 2020 which resolved to reject the 3rd October, 2020 decree by the Orodje and opted for democratic elections.
‘’The Okpe Union recognizes the elected Okpe Union National Executive Council led by Prof. Igho Natufe that emerged during the national elections of the union at the Okpe Union General Assembly of May 15, 2021 and the purported nine man interim regime imposed by the Orodje on October 3, 2020, lacks the authority and legitimacy to speak on behalf of the Okpe Union and the Okpe Nation. It is an illegal entity and a disgrace to democratic practice. It is important to highlight the fact that only two out of the nine persons imposed interim group are members of the Okpe Union. It is therefore a contraption unknown to the Okpe Union’’.
According to the union ‘’The democratically elected leadership of the Okpe Union that emerged at its General Assembly possesses both historical and legitimate rights to speak on behalf of the Okpe Union and the Okpe Nation.
‘’ The capacity of the Okpe Union to speak on behalf of the Okpe people was clearly acknowledged in the open letter to the Governor of Delta State written for Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe and the Udogun Okpe on the 13th of July 2021’’.
The union leaders continued ‘’It is necessary for the Okpe public and friends of the Nation to know that for over six months from the date of the October 3, 2020 Orodje’s decree, the Okpe Union elected leadership had sought mediated ways out of the differences which were all rebuffed by the palace’’.
‘’Since its inception on May 16th, 1930, the Okpe Union played and continues to play critical roles in the growth and development of the Okpe Kingdom. The restoration of the Okpe Monarchy in 1945, after almost 200 years of interregnum, was due primarily to the fearless and selfless agitations and leadership of the Okpe Union. Thus, the Okpe Union birthed the modern Okpe Monarchy. The Okpe Union has been an independent organization from the administrative control of all Orodjes since 1945. This separation of powers has served Okpe Kingdom very well’’.
The leaders affirmed that ‘’the Orodje and the Udogun Okpe are not the ultimate authority to decide the fate of the Okpe people, without consulting the Okpe Agbamua-eni (Okpe People’s Assembly) which comprises the Udogun Okpe, representatives of all Okpe communities, and the Okpe Union’’.
‘’We remind the Orodje of the efforts of the Okpe Union in getting Nigerian post-secondary institutions to recognize Okpe students associations in their respective campuses. We hate to contemplate the difficulties and setbacks the letter of Udogun Okpe of July 13, 2021, is going to cause to our children’’.
The leaders eulogized the founding fathers of the Okpe Union for raising the Okpe Kingdom to an enviable height.
‘’The Okpe Union reaffirms its selfless services to the Okpe people and Okpe Nation as it has done over the decades with some notable successes which include the prosecution of landmark cases to retain the ownership of Sapele and other areas of Okpeland; the sponsorship of several Okpe sons overseas with Okpe Union scholarships, and the launching of the fund-raising process which saw the building of the modern Orodje of Okpe Palace, Orerokpe’’.
The leaders appealed to all members of Okpe Union and Okpe people the world over to be calm and law abiding as the vision of the founding fathers of the Okpe Nation for a stable and constitutionally limited monarchy which serves only the interests of the Okpe Nation shall never be extinguished’’.
SERAP gives Buhari govt 24 hours to withdraw gag order on reporting of terrorist attacks
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his leadership position “to urgently instruct Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to withdraw the directive containing a sweeping gag order banning journalists and broadcast stations from reporting details of terrorist attacks and victims across the country.”
The NBC had in a letter dated 7 July, 2021 issued a directive asking journalists, television and radio stations in Nigeria to stop “glamourising and giving too many details on the nefarious activities of terrorists and kidnappers” during their daily newspaper reviews.
Reacting, SERAP in a letter dated 17 July, 2021 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “The contents of the directive by the NBC to journalists and broadcast stations are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
SERAP said: “We would be grateful if the repressive directive is withdrawn within 24 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, the SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.”
The organization expressed “grave concern that the contents of the NBC directive would impermissibly restrict the rights to freedom of expression, information, and victims’ right to justice and effective remedies that are central to public debate and accountability in a democratic society.”
SERAP said: “Reporting on the growing violence and killings in many parts of the country is a matter of public interest. The NBC directive to journalists and broadcast stations to stop reporting these cases, coupled with the possibility of fines and other punishment, would have a disproportionate chilling effect on the work of those seeking to hold the government accountable to the public.”
The letter, read in part: “The broad definitions of what may constitute ‘too many details’, ‘glamourising’, ‘divisive rhetoric’, and ‘security issues’ heighten concerns of overreach, confer far-reaching discretion on the government, and suggest that the NBC directive is more intrusive than necessary.”
“These words and phrases do not indicate precisely what kind of individual conduct would fall within their ambit.”
“The vague and overbroad definitions of ‘too many details’, ‘glamourising’, ‘divisive rhetoric’, and ‘security issues’ also raise concern that the NBC directive unduly interferes with the rights to freedom of expression and information, and is disproportionate to any purported legitimate governmental aim. Ill-defined and/or overly broad directives are open to arbitrary application and abuse.”
“The use of these words and phrases by the NBC, given their opaque and ambiguous meaning, leaves open the possibility for application beyond unequivocal incitement to hatred, hostility or violence. Such words and phrases may function to interpret legitimate reporting by broadcast stations, journalists, and other Nigerians as unlawful.”
“Exacerbating these concerns are growing restriction of civic space, the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, and the attempts by your government to push for the amendment of the Nigeria Press Council Act and the National Broadcasting Commission Act, to further suppress media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information.”
“Allowing the media to freely carry out their duties is essential to building a secure society and leaving no one behind. Conversely, imposing impermissible restrictions on broadcast stations, journalists and other Nigerians undermines the security that builds a healthy and vibrant society.”
“Article 19(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights establishes the right to freedom of opinion without interference. Article 19(2) establishes Nigeria’s obligations to respect and ensure this right, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, and through any media of one’s choice.”
“Under article 19(3), restrictions on the right to freedom of expression must be ‘provided by law’, and necessary ‘for respect of the rights or reputations of others’ or ‘for the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health and morals’.”
“Although article 19(3) recognizes ‘national security’ as a legitimate aim, the Human Rights Council, the body charged with monitoring implementation of the Covenant, has stressed ‘the need to ensure that invocation of national security is not used unjustifiably or arbitrarily to restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression.’”
“Since article 19(2) promotes so clearly a right to information of all kinds, this indicates that your government bears the burden of justifying any restriction on reporting of cases of violence and killings, and withholding of such information as an exception to that right.”
“Any restrictions should be applied strictly so that they do not put in jeopardy the right itself. The NBC directive to broadcast stations fails to meet the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.”
“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of restrictions such as those being imposed by the NBC, with the aim of ensuring that restrictions target a specific objective and do not unduly intrude upon the rights of targeted persons.”
“The interference with the constitutional and legal duties of journalists and broadcast stations cannot be justified in the context of the right to information, as the NBC directive has not shown that their reporting would impose a specific risk of harm to a legitimate State interest that outweighs the public’s interest in such information.”
“The NBC directive may also create an environment that unduly deters and penalizes broadcast stations and journalists, and the reporting of government wrongdoing more generally.”
“The Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom expression has concluded that national security considerations should be ‘limited in application to situations in which the interest of the whole nation is at stake, which would thereby exclude restrictions in the sole interest of a government, regime, or power group.’”
“SERAP notes the collective interdependency of the compendium of constitutional and international human rights, which function to collectively complement and enhance the advancement of the security and rights of each individual in society.”
“We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your actions in acting to ensure that Nigerian journalists and media can freely carry out their constitutional duties as contained in Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.”
“While your government has the obligation to maintain national security, this obligation is not set apart from the obligation to protect and ensure human rights. National security is a necessary and integral part of the right to security guaranteed to each person individually.”
“According to our information, the NBC called for ‘caution’ by broadcasters while reporting security challenges in the country. The directive, titled: ‘Newspaper Reviews And Current Affairs Programmes: A Need For Caution’, was signed by the Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Francisca Aiyetan, on behalf of the new Director-General of the Commission, Balarabe Ilelah.”
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
18/7/2021
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202
National Chairman of PDP Prince Uche Secondus remarks on NASS position on Electronic Transmission of Election Results.
Protocols,
Gentlemen of the Press,
APC HAS MURDERED DEMOCRACY
We have called you this afternoon to join our voices and anger with that of Nigerians and all lovers of democracy in condemning what happened in the National Assembly yesterday Thursday and today Friday.
How a representative of the people enjoying their mandate blatantly turned their back on them and toed the line of a political party interest that is clearly against the people.
By the choice of the All Progressives Congress, APC to put party interest before National interest, they have vividly murdered democracy by the actions of their members in the two chambers of the National Assembly yesterday and today. For us in PDP, today is a Black Friday for democracy.
It’s an established fact in all democracies world wide that a free, fair and credible election is the tripod of any democracy. The action of APC in swaying their members against Electronic transmission of Election Results clearly undermines and shows in unmistaken terms that APC is not ready to face the Nigerian electorates.
It also shows that the dilly-dallying of APC all the while in amending the Electoral Act is deliberate as they never wanted from inception to do anything that will deepen democracy in our country.
This is notwithstanding that the party is a huge beneficiary of Electoral Reform carried out by the PDP administration.
We therefore unequivocally condemn and reject the amendment of Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly and urge President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his anti-corruption crusade and see this as corruption and the big scam.
The PDP will take all necessary legal steps to ensure that this APC scam is not allowed to stand in any way.
We therefore call on all lovers of democracy who see free, fair and transparent election as vital, to stand up against this fraud.
Before I end these remarks gentlemen of the Press, let me commend members of the PDP in the two chambers for standing up for democracy. History will be favourable to them.
I like to also urge the Press as vanguard in the democratic struggle to take up their arms against this anti-democratic action.
Thanks for your attention and God bless. Happy Sallah in advance.
GOODWILL MESSAGE BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING, MR BABATUNDE FASHOLA, SAN AT THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT ORGANISED BY THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS ON THURSDAY 15TH JULY, 2021 AT NICON LUXURY HOTEL, ABUJA
I bring good tidings to the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) at this Plenary on National Infrastructure Summit.
I am enthused by the theme which is:- “Towards a Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Maintenance and Management in Nigeria.”
If this was a shooting competition, I would say that the NSE has hit the Bull’s Eye with the theme.
Infrastructure Development, Maintenance and Management lie at the core of the Buhari Administration’s strategy for growing the Nigerian economy, creating jobs and prosperity, and lifting people out of poverty.
The stock of infrastructure and the commitment to grow them is the real measure of a Nation’s desire for growth and prosperity.
A Nation cannot grow bigger than the capacity of its infrastructure and President Buhari’s commitment to infrastructure leaves no one in doubt about his desire to rapidly grow Nigeria’s economy.
The outline of that infrastructure development is made clear by the fact that the Ministry of Works and Housing is currently managing over 800 contracts for Roads and Bridges covering over 13,000 Kilometres of the 35,000 plus Kilometres of Federal Highways and Bridges.
In every state of Nigeria today there is either a Road project, a Bridge project or a Housing project or all combined under construction.
This is a critical driver for employment of professionals for design, surveys, and construction practitioners.
It also galvanizes other sectors like mining for gravel, sand, laterite, crushed stones to mention a few, while it drives the demand and supply of lubricants like diesel, and oils, as well as bitumen production and supply.
The transport sector is also driven by the need to ferry these inputs across distances from production sites to construction sites by thousands of Trucks employing drivers.
At the construction Sites, the urban poor earn their daily living from supply of skilled and unskilled labour by working the materials to finished products.
But this is only a small piece of the pie. Design, Construction and Governance account for only about 30% of Jobs in the Built Industry.
It is maintenance and operation that provides 70% of the sustainable jobs long after construction has ended.
This is why the Buhari Administration must take the credit for approving the first ever FGN Facility Management and Maintenance policy in March of 2019.
Implementation is now bearing fruits with 24 Federal Secretariats now fully rehabilitated and under a facility management contract.
Thirty-seven Bridges nationwide are now undergoing maintenance and repairs, some of which have been due for decades.
NSE’s plenary and the theme have therefore struck the right chord.
It would therefore be with bated breath that the Ministry of Works and Housing will await the outcome of today’s conversation on how to scale up and deepen what has already started.
In closing I only wish to point one that a significant number of projects such as the Lagos – Ibadan, Enugu – Port Harcourt , Abuja- Kano, Kano- Maiduguri, Enugu- Onitsha, Oyo – Ogbomosho, Ilorin – Jebba, Abeokuta – Ibadan , Calabar – Itu , Second Niger Bridge, Ikom Bridge, Loko – Oweto Bridge, Ibi Bridge and Bamenda – Mfun Bridge, Chanchangi Bridge, Bodo Bonny Bridge and many more, which were recommended for development in the 2013 National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan have now taken off, are progressing, nearing completion or have been completed.
The Buhari Government has now commenced the process of developing a new Infrastructure Master Plan up to 2030 and this has progressed significantly.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I have no doubt in my mind about the positive direction Nigeria’s economy is heading with these investments in Infrastructure.
They are the key to reduced journey times, to efficient and competitive productivity arising from the ease of doing business.
I therefore wish you a very engaging and productive deliberations.
BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING
Press Statement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed majority of Nigerians are shocked over the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Senate to undermine our electoral process by refusing to approve the demand by Nigerians across board for electronic transmission of election results without conditionalities.
The action of the APC senators is an atrocious assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians, who looked up to the Senate for improvement in our electoral process in a manner that will engender free, fair and credible process.
It is outrageous that the APC and its Senators, in their desperate bid to annex the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seek to route a statutorily independent commission to the approval of an individual masquerading in the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC); an agency under executive control in addition to an extra endorsement of the legislature, before conducting elections.
This action of the APC senators is a direct affront, novel in its recklessness and a defilement of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which clearly conferred operational independence to INEC to conduct elections, free from interferences and regulations from any other agency of government.
The decision of the APC Senators therefore amounts to a suspension of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which is a recipe for crisis that could derail our democracy and destabilize our nation.
It is, to say the least, a preparation for mass rigging of elections across Nigeria by the APC, which must be firmly resisted.
Our party, standing with Nigerians, however commends the PDP senators as well as other democratically minded senators in the chamber for their resilience in voting for unconditional electronic transmission of results, in line with the wishes and aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair, clean and credible election.
The PDP however notes the efforts being made in the House of Representatives and urges lawmakers to return to the chamber tomorrow and save our nation from the machination of the APC as being pushed in the Senate.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
Speaker Gbajabiamila mourns Lagos APC Treasurer, Sumbo Ajose
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described as painful the passing of Mrs. Sumbo Ajose, the Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) caretaker committee in Lagos State.
Gbajabiamila said with Ajose’s death, APC has lost one of its finest and committed members not just in Lagos State but in the country at large.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said Ajose’s invaluable contributions to the APC in Lagos State would remain indelible in the sand of time.
Gbajabiamila sent his condolences to her family, the government and the people of Lagos State, especially the APC family, over the painful loss.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of late Sumbo Ajose, whom he described as a committed state executive and politician who had the interest of the people at heart.
Signed:
Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE RIGHT HON ALBAN SUMANA KINGSFORD BAGBIN, SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT OF GHANA, TO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON WEDNESDAY JULY 7, 2021 IN ABUJA, NIGERIA
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Majority and Minority Leaders and Leadership of the House
Leadership of various Committees and Caucuses of the House
Hon. Members of this House
Distinguished invited guests
Our partners from the media
Ladies and gentlemen!
I bring you felicitations from the President of the Republic of Ghana and Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), His Excellency Nana AddoDankwaAkufo-Addo. I also extend to you all warm and hearty greetings from the entire membership ofGhana’s Parliament and the good people of Ghana, who indeed, are your kith and kin.
Ghana salutes His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the amiablepeople of Nigeria for your participation in the recent Statutory ECOWAS Summit, which extended the Chairmanship of Ghana’s President of the Community.The bold and decisive position Nigeria took at the Summit represents to me a statement of our joint commitment to consolidate our democratic gains across the sub-region. It manifests our joint resolution to fight anti-democratic tendencies, terrorism and related vices that appear to be on the rise in our sub-region.
Permit me to also seize this opportunity to applaud the efforts of His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan in leading the ECOWAS Mediation team to find a solution to the political instability in Mali.Above all, my deep respect and appreciation also go to my good brother, friend and colleague, Rt. Hon.Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, for his cuttingurge parliamentary diplomacy and visionary initiative of cementing the already great and cordial historic diplomatic relations between Ghana and Nigeria. I do not have the appropriate words to describe his gracious invitation to host me and for us to continue with efforts to actualize the vision, but also to address thedistinguished Members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. This ishistoric, a momentous feat unparalleled by any Speaker of the Houses of our two countries in our post-independence democratic history. This honor, no doubt, is a practical step towards cementing the bonds between our two great nations, particularly our legislatures.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, kindly indulge me for a few minutes, to introduce members of my delegation to the House. I am accompanied on this trip by my wife, some senior members and staff of Ghana’s Parliament. Let meacknowledgemy wife, the person who made it possible for me to survive and win eight consecutive elections from 1992. The person who made sure I had the unwavering support and votes of my constituents and MPs to be in Parliament for 28 years and still counting. I am referring to no other person than my lovely and adorable wife, Mrs. Alice AdjuaYornas.
Rt. Hon speaker, the senior members and staff of Ghana’s Parliament with me include:
Hon. Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Chairman, Committee on Trade and Industry
Hon. Emmanuel ArmahKofi-Buah, Ranking Member, Committee on Trade and Industry
Hon. Bryan Acheampong, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Hon. Samuel OkudzetoAblakwa, Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mr. Cyril KwabenaOtengNsiah, Clerk to Parliament
Mr. Richard Kwame Acheampong, Head of Parliamentary Relations and Protocol
Ms. Anita Shirley Quartey-Papafio, Head of the Speaker’s Secretariat
Mr. Justice DansoNorvor, MyAide
History of Ghana-Nigeria relations
Rt. Hon. Speaker, relations between Ghana and Nigeria predate our attainment of political independence. Ithas been characterized by our shared socio-political history and culture. Many Nigerians and Ghanaians don’t know the West African Students Union (WASU) was founded by twenty-one law students led by LadipoSolanke and Herbert Bankole-Bright, both of Nigeria. Yet they called on a PhD student from Ghana, Dr. J. B. Danquah to be the First President of WASU. Two champions of print media in the Gold Coast were Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria who later became Governor-General of Nigeria and Wallace Johnson of Sa Lone now Sierra Leone, who founded the first labor Union in Nigeria in 1931.
We note the pioneering and inspiring role played by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his colleague young student activists since the Pan-African Conference of 1945 in Manchester that gave the final push towards the liberation and independence of African nations. That unity of purpose and infectious solidarity which characterized that era ensured that colonialism and imperialism were defeated. That solidarity and brotherhood must underpin our contemporary relations.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, I can go on and on with verifiable examples to establish that we are one and the same people. We are now for good historical and natural reasons made up of numerous and varied ethnic and tribal groups and people but from a background of a common official language, educational system, currency, air carrier and adjudicatory system at a point in our colonial history. These significantly contributed to our ability to work together in many spheres of endeavors. The symbiotic nature of our relationship as a result of this cannot be gainsaid. This explains why within the sub-region, even though we do not share geographical boundaries, we share the same ideals. We see ourselves as one people with a common destiny.
Indeed, history tells us that a numberof ethnic groups in Ghana migrated from Nigeria. I am referring to the Gas in Greater Accra Region and the Mole-Mamprusi- Dagbani ethnic groups in the Northern part of Ghana. Their languages and traditions reflect those of the Yorubasand the more than 21 languages spoken in Gombe and Bauchi states. It is therefore not strange why our culture andtraditions with particular reference to our cuisine, dances, values and aspirations remain identical. A clear evidence of the artificiality of our borders occasioned by the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 which partitioned Africa amongst the imperialists.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, despite all these commonalities, it is important to mention at this stage, that relations between our two countries have not always been smooth. Consistent with the tongue and teeth metaphor which has it that even though the tongue and teeth play complementary roles in the digestive process, they come into conflict occasionally. Similarly, our relations have had its own challenges every now and then.
The events of 1969, when through the Aliens Compliance Order, Ghana expelled a large number of Nigerians and the 1983 Ghana must go, which saw Nigeria deporting about one million Ghanaians, are dark days in the history of our two countries. These actions were destructive to the socio-economic and fraternal relations between Ghana and Nigeria and stretched the fabric and strands of bonds beyond measure.It is no wonder that successive leaders of our two countries have, since then, vowed never to allow those incidents to ever recur.
The issue of Nigerian traders in Ghana
It is on this basis that I commend my brother and colleague, Rt. Hon.Gbajabiamila, and my predecessor, Rt. Hon. Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, for their noble efforts in pursuing Parliamentary Diplomacy towards finding a lasting solution to the trade impasse between some Ghanaian and Nigerian traders in Ghana. This impasse followed the full implementation of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013 (Act 865), which occasioned the closure of shops belonging to some foreigners including some of our brothers and sisters from Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. Speaker your visit to Ghana in September 2020 demonstrated a significant commitment on your part and the leadership of our two legislatures to strengthen the bonds that exist between us, as one people and with it the development of our two countries.For that reason, you and your counterpart defied the threat posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic to reach out to one another, at a time when the global community was living in fear of such physical contacts.
The conclusions you arrived at, which were encapsulated in the joint communique issued after the visit, provided the basis for redefining our relations, in terms of our history of cooperation, to forge a better future for the citizenry of our two nations.These conclusions were reinforced by the communique issued after the recent meeting between our ministers responsible for Trade on the sides of the Extraordinary ECOWAS Summit on the Political Situation in Mali held on 31st May 2021 in Accra.
As I have repeatedly stated on various platforms, if COVID-19 has taught us any lesson, it is that no country, no individual and no group of persons can succeed on its own efforts.Given the nature of global emerging challenges which tend to be trans-territorial and trans-generational, we need, as people and nations to forge and bond together.If we want to survive in peace and prosperity, we have no alternatives than to work together to find common solutions in this global village.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, Ghana and Nigeria are forerunners in this respect. Our history of oneness, kith and kin, and good relations makes it imperative for us to make all necessary efforts at forging together in peace and harmony on all fronts of our socio-economic life.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, I am here just to help bring finality to the impasse. I pledge my commitment and that of the Parliament of Ghana, to contribute in every way possible to end the impasse between traders of our two sister countries.
The Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act
In furtherance of that, under my leadership, the Parliament of Ghana has appointed a seven-member committee as Ghana’s delegation to the Joint Committee of Eminent Persons of our Legislatures. They will interact with their Nigerian counterparts towards passing the “Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act”. The Act will set up the proposed “Ghana-Nigeria Business Council”, which is intended to provide the legal and institutional framework to sustain the continued friendship and business interests of our people. I am particularly glad to indicate that they are with me on this trip and are ready to engage with their counterparts towards realizing the intentions expressed in the Act.
The communique of 31st May 2021 meeting, suggested in part a ring-fencingof some of the thorny requirements of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 2013(Act 865). This was a laudable suggestion.Of particular mention, in this regard,is the reconsideration of the one million United States-Dollar minimum capital requirement for trading enterprises under section 28 (2) of the Act. This is to facilitate regularization of the businesses of the affected Nigerian retail traders in the trade impasse.Equally commendable is the special concession to be applied to the requirement for the payment of 0.5 per cent Stamp Duty on the capital investment required by both the GIPC and the Registrar-General’s Department in respect of investment by foreign nationals.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, it is understandable that the meeting resolved to apply all other aspects of the legal requirements in respect of foreigners’ participation in retail trade in Ghana and Nigeria. Recent and emerging security imperatives necessitate that while we seek to deepen cooperation among citizens of our two countries, we must not fail to prevent opportunists from taking undue advantage of loopholes in our systems that might tend to jeopardize the economic fortunes of our respective countries.
Nigeria’s prohibition list
Rt. Hon. Speaker, we are making progress in resolving the concerns of the Nigerian traders in Ghana. It has been a joint effort between our two countries. That is always the way to go if we are interested in the peace and development of our countries. I am confident that the intervention of our two legislatures in this effort will yield results.
Whilst at it, it is said that it must be peace without victory.Only peace between equals can last. To this end, it will be highly appreciated if the Government of Nigeriawill review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific goods and commodities into the Nigerian market, from countries including Ghana. This request is underscored by the resolution as captured in the communique of 31st May 2021 referred to supra. I have no doubt, Rt. Hon. Speaker, under your sterling leadership of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an institution of measureless might and majesty, Nigeria can fine tune the prohibition list to align with contemporary international trade practices.
The coming into being of the African Continental Free Trade Area signals that we are open for business and mutually beneficial investments. Indeed, Africa’s prosperity depends largely on intra African trade. Increase in trade volumes is the surest way to deepen regional integration in Africa. The low levels of trade among African countries as compared to trade with other parts of the world constitute one of the defining characteristics of our continued poverty.Data available from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) indicates that in 2019 Africa’s total volume of trade was about US$460billion, however only US$69billion of this huge volume of trade was transacted among African nations. What is even more worrying is that most of these imports traded can be produced and procured in Africa. This unfortunate trend hinders prospects of bringing the needed prosperity to our people. It results in the frailty of our security situation given that the rising youth unemployment on our continent which is the world’s youngest continent, occasioned by this unpleasant development, provides handy tools to those so minded to perpetrate all acts of vandalism, hooliganism and violent extremism.
Conclusion
Rt. Hon. Speaker, let me conclude by affirming my readiness to contribute to deepening the Parliamentary Diplomacy that have been commenced to deal with all current and future challenges that our continent may be confronted with. I am particularly excited about the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CoSAP) initiative to pursue the cancelation of the rising debt situation in Africa, occasioned by the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am of the firm conviction that with effective Parliamentary Diplomacy in support of theExecutive arms of our government, as well as our development partners, this initiative will seea resounding success. Our history is replete with instances where Ghana and Nigeria have confronted and overcome our challenges. Working together, this seeming mountain before us shall be a pebble behind us.
Rt. Hon. Speaker, as for the debate on which of us has the best soccer team and the best jollof, I believe that rivalry will continue unabated even though you all know where I stand on that debate.
On this note, Rt. Hon Speaker, Hon Members of the House of Representatives, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, God bless Ghana- Nigeria relations.
I thank you all for the audience
PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS GANDUJE, STRESSES ON COMPLETING PROJECTS
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for imbibing the culture of completing projects of importance in order to save time and cost overruns without minding which administrations began those projects.
Speaking in commendation of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during a courtesy call on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Thursday in Kano, the President said the completion of projects started by his predecessors was a sign of strength and good leadership on the part of the Governor.
In stressing the need to create such culture among the general public, President Buhari said he is pleased to see the Governor initiate and complete projects, adding that he is equally happy seeing him completing projects initiated by his predecessors.
“It shows that he is not wicked or malicious,” said the President.
The President said he was glad with the many projects the Governor is putting in place, adding that this is the only way to justify the resources that are being managed on behalf of the people.
Governor Ganduje in his remarks expressed the gratitude of the government and the people of Kano for the care and love lavished by the President as manifested by key appointments as well as the many ongoing federal projects, including the Kano-Kaduna modern railway project, which construction the President kicked off in the city in the morning.
Emir Aminu Ado Bayero welcomed the President to the Palace which he said has always served as his home. He commended the President for carrying out so many infrastructure projects in the state and across the nation in spite of the global economic meltdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, but urged that more attention be paid to the problems of security, poverty and food inflation.
He equally urged his subjects to pray and show patience and understanding towards their leaders.
Before his presence in the Place, the President had commissioned a very impressive three-layer bridge in the city, put up by the Ganduje administration to alleviate excruciating traffic hold-up on a major road crossing beside the state Secretariat.
President Buhari was welcomed, as usual by mammoth crowds that lined his routes.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 15, 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI URGES STRONGER SYNERGY WITH STATES TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE, CALLS ON NATIONAL ASSEMLY TO PASS WATER BILL
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Dustin-ma, Katsina State, called on state governments to build stronger partnerships with Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to provide infrastructure that will meet the growing needs of Nigerians, while urging the National Assembly to pass the National Water Resources Bill.
Speaking at a ceremony for the commissioning of the Zobe Regional Water Supply Scheme in Katsina State, the President said the project was initiated by a previous administration in 1992, and the Federal Government had to work in collaboration with the state to ensure completion.
“I am particularly delighted to be physically here today for the commissioning ceremony which has been on hold for over one year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“As you all know, the implementation of this very important project that commenced in 1992 suffered neglects under past administrations primarily due to lack of attention that resulted in poor funding and ultimate abandonment.
“It is therefore gratifying to note the positive efforts made by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to salvage the project leading to its completion and eventual commissioning today.
“I have also noted the effective collaboration between the Ministry and Katsina State Government for execution of different components of the project as enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by both parties way back in October 2017 when the project was resuscitated,” he said.
President Buhari enjoined other sectors to emulate the good practice of federal and state governments’ partnership to accelerate infrastructure development.
The President said the administration will work towards ensuring that all Nigerians, irrespective of location in the country, have access to adequate potable water supply and sanitation facilities as enshrined in the SDG target.
“However, for this national aspiration to be realized, we need to mobilize funds from all sources including the private sector. This is where the need for quick passage of the National Water Resources Bill that made provision for the National WASH Fund, as well as regulatory environment for private sector involvement in the sector, become relevant.
“I therefore call on the National Assembly to give attention to the Bill towards its passage into law as soon as possible,” he added.
The President noted that from the inception of the administration there had been a serious commitment to the development of the water sector through various efforts.
“Approval of the National Water Resources Policy by the Federal Executive Council in September 2016; Approval of a 15-year Roadmap developed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in 2016; Approval and Launching of Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program in November 2016; Approval of the National WASH Action Plan for the revitalization of the sector and declaration of a “State of Emergency” on the sector in November 2018 and Launching of the “Clean Nigeria Campaign” in 2019 to make Nigeria Open Defecation Free by 2025.”
He said Executive Order Number 9 was signed in support of the Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation and improved funding of the sector from special sources.
According to President Buhari, “the transformation being witnessed in the sector under the above listed efforts is highly commendable. I enjoin the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to continue the good work towards meeting our national aspirations as well as meeting the targets for water supply and sanitation under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
He urged the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, who signed an agreement ceremony to take over the project from the Federal Government, and community leaders to operate the facility efficiently, and jealously guard against vandalization.
In his remarks, the Kastina State Governor said the Federal Government had shown strong commitment to the development of communities, pointing out that the Zobe Regional Water scheme will address a major concern by supplying water for households, businesses and farms.
He said the project had to be separated into two phases in 2016 to enable completion, noting that by 2018 the first phase had been completed to provide more than 50 million litres of water to some communities in the state.
The governor called for more partnership to develop the state, adding that the government will keep providing the enabling environment.
Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Hussein Adamu, said 106 water projects were left uncompleted by various administrations, and the Federal Government would keep working hard to ensure that Nigerians get adequate supply of water.
He said the Zobe multi-purpose dam will provide the needed water that will be treated to meet acceptable national and global standards.
Deputy Governor of Katsina, Mannir Yakubu, who is the Chairman of the water project scheme and Emir of Kastina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, thanked President Buhari for his intervention.
“He who gives water gives life,’’ the Emir said.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 15, 2021
Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman receives Adedoyin’s praises
Lagos politician, Hon Adeyinka Adedoyin, on Thursday eulogized the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Surulere, Hon Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman.
Adedoyin who spoke with reporters after meeting with youth leaders in Surulere acknowledged Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman’s honesty, competence, humble life style and commitment to service.
He described the APC chairmanship candidate as a man of integrity and principle.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman possesses the ability, courage, the sincerity and the guiding philosophy to provide the right leadership for the betterment of the affairs of Surulere
The Lagos APC chieftain spoke of the candidate’s contributions to social and economic emancipation of the poor and his unwavering commitment to building bridges of unity between the privileged and the less privileged members of the society.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is a man with a vision and mission. He has a good understanding of the workings of government ’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin is backing the APC candidate because of his record in private and elected offices and commitment to issues affecting the good people of Surulere.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is not flippant with public funds. The good people of Surulere want someone who is not flippant with public funds, someone who is humble. They want a government that will deliver the dividends of democracy. In terms of performance, keeping money in safe hands, managing the meager resources and developing Surulere Local Government, Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is the right man for the job’’ Adeyinka Adedoyin said.
He urged the good people of Surulere to continue to support Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman
‘’The July 24 chairmanship election in Surulere is a done deal. We are ready for the chairmanship election’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin advocated violence-free elections.
‘’We thank the good people of Surulere for rejecting the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties’’
HOW THE SECOND RIVER NIGER BRIDGE WILL IMPACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA FROM THE SOUTH- EAST
Every day, millions of people journey from Asaba to Onitsha and back through the iconic Niger Bridge, which has become a symbol of national enterprise. Atop the Asaba side of the bridge reads the sign, “Welcome to the land of progress.” The mere sight of it sparks the image of the entrepreneurial Nigerian building a future for themselves and their family.
On the other side of the bridge is Onitsha, Anambra State, home to the biggest commercial market in West Africa. Merchants in Onitsha Market deal in every type of product you can imagine — mobile phones, foodstuff, clothing items, toiletries, bathroom fittings, etc. Every year, an estimated $5 billion worth of goods pass through that market. Onitsha is also home to 51 Iweka Road, one of the largest distribution networks for Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar movie industry, Nollywood.
Thirty minutes (or 22 km) away from Onitsha is a small town called Nnewi. According to Forbes, it “has bred more naira billionaires than any other town in Nigeria, and possibly Africa”. Nnewi is also famously a hub for automobile spare parts dealers, manufacturers of household goods, and many of the largest transport companies in Nigeria. Several of these business activities happen across states and require hours commuting from the East to the West of Nigeria. However, the snag is that most of this economic activity flows through one bridge.
The current Niger Bridge is a 1402.08-metre steel truss bridge that connects Onitsha to the rest of Nigeria. It is over 56 years old, dating back to 1965. The bridge is part of the Trans-African Highway between Lagos and Mombasa, Kenya, and is also the primary connection between Eastern and Western Nigeria, two highly industrious regions. So, one cannot overstate its importance to Nigeria and Africa’s prosperity.
Over the years, the need for a second Niger Bridge has arisen. Since the construction of the first Niger Bridge, Nigeria’s population has grown by over 400%, and the amount of people travelling through Asaba and Onitsha has also skyrocketed. This creates a heavy flow of traffic for the travellers and residents of both cities.
Speaking to the New York Times earlier this year, Patrick Okigbo, a policy analyst, said about the current state of traffic on the Niger Bridge, “…it impacts the cost of doing business. It impacts lives. If they can afford it, nobody travels by road anymore. If you can’t, then you go on a prayer.” In answer to the needs and yearnings of the people, the construction of a new bridge will ease the traffic burden enhancing the free flow of access to work, business centers, markets and other places that have social and economic significance to the people.
The Second River Niger Bridge is the product of a Public-Private Partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF), and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The project is a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) model. This means that the government owns and finances the project’s construction while Julius Berger, a company with a track record of excellence over 50 years, designs and builds.
Back in 1970, Julius Berger was called upon to repair the dilapidating Onitsha bridge, which was accomplished in just seven weeks. The company has also delivered an impressive number of iconic projects that have supported Nigeria’s economy over time.
The scope of Julius Berger’s work for the Second River Niger Bridge includes constructing two secondary bridges at Amakom Village Road and Atani Road, as well as approach roads from Asaba and Onitsha, a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road, and a toll station.
Currently, work on the bridge includes the incremental launching of the superstructures for both the western and eastern approach roads. For the access roads, earthworks and road pavements are underway, as well as the installation of culverts and stormwater drainage. In addition, the current flyover at the Owerri interchange is being demolished and replaced with a new flyover bridge with culverts and a standard drainage system.
The Second River Niger Bridge is already enabling progress in the region and would do even more upon completion. The project employs about 1700 people and is scheduled for completion in 2022.
PRESIDENT BUHARI COMMENDS GANDUJE, STRESSES ON COMPLETING PROJECTS
President Muhammadu Buhari has called for imbibing the culture of completing projects of importance in order to save time and cost overruns without minding which administrations began those projects.
Speaking in commendation of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during a courtesy call on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, on Thursday in Kano, the President said the completion of projects started by his predecessors was a sign of strength and good leadership on the part of the Governor.
In stressing the need to create such culture among the general public, President Buhari said he is pleased to see the Governor initiate and complete projects, adding that he is equally happy seeing him completing projects initiated by his predecessors.
“It shows that he is not wicked or malicious,” said the President.
The President said he was glad with the many projects the Governor is putting in place, adding that this is the only way to justify the resources that are being managed on behalf of the people.
Governor Ganduje in his remarks expressed the gratitude of the government and the people of Kano for the care and love lavished by the President as manifested by key appointments as well as the many ongoing federal projects, including the Kano-Kaduna modern railway project, which construction the President kicked off in the city in the morning.
Emir Aminu Ado Bayero welcomed the President to the Palace which he said has always served as his home. He commended the President for carrying out so many infrastructure projects in the state and across the nation in spite of the global economic meltdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, but urged that more attention be paid to the problems of security, poverty and food inflation.
He equally urged his subjects to pray and show patience and understanding towards their leaders.
Before his presence in the Place, the President had commissioned a very impressive three-layer bridge in the city, put up by the Ganduje administration to alleviate excruciating traffic hold-up on a major road crossing beside the state Secretariat.
President Buhari was welcomed, as usual by mammoth crowds that lined his routes.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 15, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Dustin-ma, Katsina State, called on state governments to build stronger partnerships with Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to provide infrastructure that will meet the growing needs of Nigerians, while urging the National Assembly to pass the National Water Resources Bill.
Speaking at a ceremony for the commissioning of the Zobe Regional Water Supply Scheme in Katsina State, the President said the project was initiated by a previous administration in 1992, and the Federal Government had to work in collaboration with the state to ensure completion.
“I am particularly delighted to be physically here today for the commissioning ceremony which has been on hold for over one year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“As you all know, the implementation of this very important project that commenced in 1992 suffered neglects under past administrations primarily due to lack of attention that resulted in poor funding and ultimate abandonment.
“It is therefore gratifying to note the positive efforts made by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to salvage the project leading to its completion and eventual commissioning today.
“I have also noted the effective collaboration between the Ministry and Katsina State Government for execution of different components of the project as enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by both parties way back in October 2017 when the project was resuscitated,” he said.
President Buhari enjoined other sectors to emulate the good practice of federal and state governments’ partnership to accelerate infrastructure development.
The President said the administration will work towards ensuring that all Nigerians, irrespective of location in the country, have access to adequate potable water supply and sanitation facilities as enshrined in the SDG target.
“However, for this national aspiration to be realized, we need to mobilize funds from all sources including the private sector. This is where the need for quick passage of the National Water Resources Bill that made provision for the National WASH Fund, as well as regulatory environment for private sector involvement in the sector, become relevant.
“I therefore call on the National Assembly to give attention to the Bill towards its passage into law as soon as possible,” he added.
The President noted that from the inception of the administration there had been a serious commitment to the development of the water sector through various efforts.
“Approval of the National Water Resources Policy by the Federal Executive Council in September 2016; Approval of a 15-year Roadmap developed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in 2016; Approval and Launching of Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program in November 2016; Approval of the National WASH Action Plan for the revitalization of the sector and declaration of a “State of Emergency” on the sector in November 2018 and Launching of the “Clean Nigeria Campaign” in 2019 to make Nigeria Open Defecation Free by 2025.”
He said Executive Order Number 9 was signed in support of the Clean Nigeria Campaign Implementation and improved funding of the sector from special sources.
According to President Buhari, “the transformation being witnessed in the sector under the above listed efforts is highly commendable. I enjoin the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to continue the good work towards meeting our national aspirations as well as meeting the targets for water supply and sanitation under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”
He urged the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, who signed an agreement ceremony to take over the project from the Federal Government, and community leaders to operate the facility efficiently, and jealously guard against vandalization.
In his remarks, the Kastina State Governor said the Federal Government had shown strong commitment to the development of communities, pointing out that the Zobe Regional Water scheme will address a major concern by supplying water for households, businesses and farms.
He said the project had to be separated into two phases in 2016 to enable completion, noting that by 2018 the first phase had been completed to provide more than 50 million litres of water to some communities in the state.
The governor called for more partnership to develop the state, adding that the government will keep providing the enabling environment.
Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Hussein Adamu, said 106 water projects were left uncompleted by various administrations, and the Federal Government would keep working hard to ensure that Nigerians get adequate supply of water.
He said the Zobe multi-purpose dam will provide the needed water that will be treated to meet acceptable national and global standards.
Deputy Governor of Katsina, Mannir Yakubu, who is the Chairman of the water project scheme and Emir of Kastina, Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, thanked President Buhari for his intervention.
“He who gives water gives life,’’ the Emir said.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 15, 2021
Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman receives Adedoyin’s praises
Lagos politician, Hon Adeyinka Adedoyin, on Thursday eulogized the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Surulere, Hon Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman.
Adedoyin who spoke with reporters after meeting with youth leaders in Surulere acknowledged Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman’s honesty, competence, humble life style and commitment to service.
He described the APC chairmanship candidate as a man of integrity and principle.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman possesses the ability, courage, the sincerity and the guiding philosophy to provide the right leadership for the betterment of the affairs of Surulere
The Lagos APC chieftain spoke of the candidate’s contributions to social and economic emancipation of the poor and his unwavering commitment to building bridges of unity between the privileged and the less privileged members of the society.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is a man with a vision and mission. He has a good understanding of the workings of government ’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin is backing the APC candidate because of his record in private and elected offices and commitment to issues affecting the good people of Surulere.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is not flippant with public funds. The good people of Surulere want someone who is not flippant with public funds, someone who is humble. They want a government that will deliver the dividends of democracy. In terms of performance, keeping money in safe hands, managing the meager resources and developing Surulere Local Government, Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is the right man for the job’’ Adeyinka Adedoyin said.
He urged the good people of Surulere to continue to support Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman
‘’The July 24 chairmanship election in Surulere is a done deal. We are ready for the chairmanship election’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin advocated violence-free elections.
‘’We thank the good people of Surulere for rejecting the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties’’
HOW THE SECOND RIVER NIGER BRIDGE WILL IMPACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA FROM THE SOUTH- EAST
Every day, millions of people journey from Asaba to Onitsha and back through the iconic Niger Bridge, which has become a symbol of national enterprise. Atop the Asaba side of the bridge reads the sign, “Welcome to the land of progress.” The mere sight of it sparks the image of the entrepreneurial Nigerian building a future for themselves and their family.
On the other side of the bridge is Onitsha, Anambra State, home to the biggest commercial market in West Africa. Merchants in Onitsha Market deal in every type of product you can imagine — mobile phones, foodstuff, clothing items, toiletries, bathroom fittings, etc. Every year, an estimated $5 billion worth of goods pass through that market. Onitsha is also home to 51 Iweka Road, one of the largest distribution networks for Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar movie industry, Nollywood.
Thirty minutes (or 22 km) away from Onitsha is a small town called Nnewi. According to Forbes, it “has bred more naira billionaires than any other town in Nigeria, and possibly Africa”. Nnewi is also famously a hub for automobile spare parts dealers, manufacturers of household goods, and many of the largest transport companies in Nigeria. Several of these business activities happen across states and require hours commuting from the East to the West of Nigeria. However, the snag is that most of this economic activity flows through one bridge.
The current Niger Bridge is a 1402.08-metre steel truss bridge that connects Onitsha to the rest of Nigeria. It is over 56 years old, dating back to 1965. The bridge is part of the Trans-African Highway between Lagos and Mombasa, Kenya, and is also the primary connection between Eastern and Western Nigeria, two highly industrious regions. So, one cannot overstate its importance to Nigeria and Africa’s prosperity.
Over the years, the need for a second Niger Bridge has arisen. Since the construction of the first Niger Bridge, Nigeria’s population has grown by over 400%, and the amount of people travelling through Asaba and Onitsha has also skyrocketed. This creates a heavy flow of traffic for the travellers and residents of both cities.
Speaking to the New York Times earlier this year, Patrick Okigbo, a policy analyst, said about the current state of traffic on the Niger Bridge, “…it impacts the cost of doing business. It impacts lives. If they can afford it, nobody travels by road anymore. If you can’t, then you go on a prayer.” In answer to the needs and yearnings of the people, the construction of a new bridge will ease the traffic burden enhancing the free flow of access to work, business centers, markets and other places that have social and economic significance to the people.
The Second River Niger Bridge is the product of a Public-Private Partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF), and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The project is a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) model. This means that the government owns and finances the project’s construction while Julius Berger, a company with a track record of excellence over 50 years, designs and builds.
Back in 1970, Julius Berger was called upon to repair the dilapidating Onitsha bridge, which was accomplished in just seven weeks. The company has also delivered an impressive number of iconic projects that have supported Nigeria’s economy over time.
The scope of Julius Berger’s work for the Second River Niger Bridge includes constructing two secondary bridges at Amakom Village Road and Atani Road, as well as approach roads from Asaba and Onitsha, a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road, and a toll station.
Currently, work on the bridge includes the incremental launching of the superstructures for both the western and eastern approach roads. For the access roads, earthworks and road pavements are underway, as well as the installation of culverts and stormwater drainage. In addition, the current flyover at the Owerri interchange is being demolished and replaced with a new flyover bridge with culverts and a standard drainage system.
The Second River Niger Bridge is already enabling progress in the region and would do even more upon completion. The project employs about 1700 people and is scheduled for completion in 2022.
Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman receives Adedoyin’s praises
Lagos politician, Hon Adeyinka Adedoyin, on Thursday eulogized the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Surulere, Hon Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman.
Adedoyin who spoke with reporters after meeting with youth leaders in Surulere acknowledged Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman’s honesty, competence, humble life style and commitment to service.
He described the APC chairmanship candidate as a man of integrity and principle.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman possesses the ability, courage, the sincerity and the guiding philosophy to provide the right leadership for the betterment of the affairs of Surulere
The Lagos APC chieftain spoke of the candidate’s contributions to social and economic emancipation of the poor and his unwavering commitment to building bridges of unity between the privileged and the less privileged members of the society.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is a man with a vision and mission. He has a good understanding of the workings of government ’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin is backing the APC candidate because of his record in private and elected offices and commitment to issues affecting the good people of Surulere.
‘’Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is not flippant with public funds. The good people of Surulere want someone who is not flippant with public funds, someone who is humble. They want a government that will deliver the dividends of democracy. In terms of performance, keeping money in safe hands, managing the meager resources and developing Surulere Local Government, Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman is the right man for the job’’ Adeyinka Adedoyin said.
He urged the good people of Surulere to continue to support Bamidele Yusuf Suleiman
‘’The July 24 chairmanship election in Surulere is a done deal. We are ready for the chairmanship election’’
Adeyinka Adedoyin advocated violence-free elections.
‘’We thank the good people of Surulere for rejecting the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties’’
HOW THE SECOND RIVER NIGER BRIDGE WILL IMPACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA FROM THE SOUTH- EAST
Every day, millions of people journey from Asaba to Onitsha and back through the iconic Niger Bridge, which has become a symbol of national enterprise. Atop the Asaba side of the bridge reads the sign, “Welcome to the land of progress.” The mere sight of it sparks the image of the entrepreneurial Nigerian building a future for themselves and their family.
On the other side of the bridge is Onitsha, Anambra State, home to the biggest commercial market in West Africa. Merchants in Onitsha Market deal in every type of product you can imagine — mobile phones, foodstuff, clothing items, toiletries, bathroom fittings, etc. Every year, an estimated $5 billion worth of goods pass through that market. Onitsha is also home to 51 Iweka Road, one of the largest distribution networks for Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar movie industry, Nollywood.
Thirty minutes (or 22 km) away from Onitsha is a small town called Nnewi. According to Forbes, it “has bred more naira billionaires than any other town in Nigeria, and possibly Africa”. Nnewi is also famously a hub for automobile spare parts dealers, manufacturers of household goods, and many of the largest transport companies in Nigeria. Several of these business activities happen across states and require hours commuting from the East to the West of Nigeria. However, the snag is that most of this economic activity flows through one bridge.
The current Niger Bridge is a 1402.08-metre steel truss bridge that connects Onitsha to the rest of Nigeria. It is over 56 years old, dating back to 1965. The bridge is part of the Trans-African Highway between Lagos and Mombasa, Kenya, and is also the primary connection between Eastern and Western Nigeria, two highly industrious regions. So, one cannot overstate its importance to Nigeria and Africa’s prosperity.
Over the years, the need for a second Niger Bridge has arisen. Since the construction of the first Niger Bridge, Nigeria’s population has grown by over 400%, and the amount of people travelling through Asaba and Onitsha has also skyrocketed. This creates a heavy flow of traffic for the travellers and residents of both cities.
Speaking to the New York Times earlier this year, Patrick Okigbo, a policy analyst, said about the current state of traffic on the Niger Bridge, “…it impacts the cost of doing business. It impacts lives. If they can afford it, nobody travels by road anymore. If you can’t, then you go on a prayer.” In answer to the needs and yearnings of the people, the construction of a new bridge will ease the traffic burden enhancing the free flow of access to work, business centers, markets and other places that have social and economic significance to the people.
The Second River Niger Bridge is the product of a Public-Private Partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF), and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The project is a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) model. This means that the government owns and finances the project’s construction while Julius Berger, a company with a track record of excellence over 50 years, designs and builds.
Back in 1970, Julius Berger was called upon to repair the dilapidating Onitsha bridge, which was accomplished in just seven weeks. The company has also delivered an impressive number of iconic projects that have supported Nigeria’s economy over time.
The scope of Julius Berger’s work for the Second River Niger Bridge includes constructing two secondary bridges at Amakom Village Road and Atani Road, as well as approach roads from Asaba and Onitsha, a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road, and a toll station.
Currently, work on the bridge includes the incremental launching of the superstructures for both the western and eastern approach roads. For the access roads, earthworks and road pavements are underway, as well as the installation of culverts and stormwater drainage. In addition, the current flyover at the Owerri interchange is being demolished and replaced with a new flyover bridge with culverts and a standard drainage system.
The Second River Niger Bridge is already enabling progress in the region and would do even more upon completion. The project employs about 1700 people and is scheduled for completion in 2022.
HOW THE SECOND RIVER NIGER BRIDGE WILL IMPACT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA FROM THE SOUTH- EAST
Every day, millions of people journey from Asaba to Onitsha and back through the iconic Niger Bridge, which has become a symbol of national enterprise. Atop the Asaba side of the bridge reads the sign, “Welcome to the land of progress.” The mere sight of it sparks the image of the entrepreneurial Nigerian building a future for themselves and their family.
On the other side of the bridge is Onitsha, Anambra State, home to the biggest commercial market in West Africa. Merchants in Onitsha Market deal in every type of product you can imagine — mobile phones, foodstuff, clothing items, toiletries, bathroom fittings, etc. Every year, an estimated $5 billion worth of goods pass through that market. Onitsha is also home to 51 Iweka Road, one of the largest distribution networks for Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar movie industry, Nollywood.
Thirty minutes (or 22 km) away from Onitsha is a small town called Nnewi. According to Forbes, it “has bred more naira billionaires than any other town in Nigeria, and possibly Africa”. Nnewi is also famously a hub for automobile spare parts dealers, manufacturers of household goods, and many of the largest transport companies in Nigeria. Several of these business activities happen across states and require hours commuting from the East to the West of Nigeria. However, the snag is that most of this economic activity flows through one bridge.
The current Niger Bridge is a 1402.08-metre steel truss bridge that connects Onitsha to the rest of Nigeria. It is over 56 years old, dating back to 1965. The bridge is part of the Trans-African Highway between Lagos and Mombasa, Kenya, and is also the primary connection between Eastern and Western Nigeria, two highly industrious regions. So, one cannot overstate its importance to Nigeria and Africa’s prosperity.
Over the years, the need for a second Niger Bridge has arisen. Since the construction of the first Niger Bridge, Nigeria’s population has grown by over 400%, and the amount of people travelling through Asaba and Onitsha has also skyrocketed. This creates a heavy flow of traffic for the travellers and residents of both cities.
Speaking to the New York Times earlier this year, Patrick Okigbo, a policy analyst, said about the current state of traffic on the Niger Bridge, “…it impacts the cost of doing business. It impacts lives. If they can afford it, nobody travels by road anymore. If you can’t, then you go on a prayer.” In answer to the needs and yearnings of the people, the construction of a new bridge will ease the traffic burden enhancing the free flow of access to work, business centers, markets and other places that have social and economic significance to the people.
The Second River Niger Bridge is the product of a Public-Private Partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF), and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The project is a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) model. This means that the government owns and finances the project’s construction while Julius Berger, a company with a track record of excellence over 50 years, designs and builds.
Back in 1970, Julius Berger was called upon to repair the dilapidating Onitsha bridge, which was accomplished in just seven weeks. The company has also delivered an impressive number of iconic projects that have supported Nigeria’s economy over time.
The scope of Julius Berger’s work for the Second River Niger Bridge includes constructing two secondary bridges at Amakom Village Road and Atani Road, as well as approach roads from Asaba and Onitsha, a new cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri Road, and a toll station.
Currently, work on the bridge includes the incremental launching of the superstructures for both the western and eastern approach roads. For the access roads, earthworks and road pavements are underway, as well as the installation of culverts and stormwater drainage. In addition, the current flyover at the Owerri interchange is being demolished and replaced with a new flyover bridge with culverts and a standard drainage system.
The Second River Niger Bridge is already enabling progress in the region and would do even more upon completion. The project employs about 1700 people and is scheduled for completion in 2022.