MY N14M MONTHLY EARNING NOT ENOUGH – ORJI UZOR KALU
Dons Eze
- October 18, 2024
NEW ENUGU BUS TERMINAL: PROPERTY OWNERS TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION
NEW ENUGU BUS TERMINAL: PROPERTY OWNERS SET TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION Ahead of the commencement of construction of a new and modern transport Interchange (bus terminal) at Market Road, Enugu (Enugu Central Station), popularly known as Holy Ghost, the leaser of properties at the site will, from today, start receiving their compensations as agreed with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, the lessor. The commencement of payment was made known to the Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor, on Monday. Recall that the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, had, on 19th October, 2023, met with critical property owners and stakeholders on the proposed Enugu Central Station. At the meeting, Mbah explained that the proposed Enugu Central Station was part of the larger infrastructure plan, which also includes other major modern transport interchanges at Garki, Abakpa Nike, and Nsukka. The aim, he said, was to alleviate the perennial traffic congestion, enhance safety, preserve road assets, optimise transport efficiency, and address various needs of transport sector operators in the state. He, therefore, sought their cooperation towards the realisation of the project. Citing similar world-class developments in other parts of the world like Dubai, and Singapore, among others, Governor Mbah said there was no reason Holy Ghost bus terminal could be allowed to continue in its present state of decay, perennial traffic congestion, and high-level crimes when such overseas feats could be replicated through conscious efforts and planning. Sequel to the meeting, the Commissioner for Transportation had on October 20, 2023 letter formerly notified each individual occupant over a six-month notice of the government’s intention to use the location, while the lessors, the Railway Property Management Company Ltd. equally served the leasers notices of recovery of property to the on 22nd April, 2024 in line with their term of the lease. In a copy of one of the letters by Railway Property Management Company Ltd. entitled “Notice of Recovery of Railway Land Along Market Road, Enugu”, referenced as T/P. 1794/VOL.1, signed by the Director of Land and Estate Services, A.O Abdulsalam, for the company’s Managing Director, it said the Federal Ministry of Transportation had agreed to release the said portion of Railway land to the Enugu State Government for a modern bus terminal. The letter reads in part: “We refer to your lease of Railway land along Market Road, Enugu with Ref. No. T/P. 1794/VOL. 1 dated 02/08/2017. “Please, be informed that the Federal Ministry of Transportation, on behalf of the Federal Government has agreed to release the portion of the NRC land, which was earlier allocated to you as referenced above, to the Enugu State Government to construct a modern transportation hub under the Transport Infrastructure Project. “In line with our contractual agreement, the Enugu State Government has agreed to compensate you for the structures (s) constructed on the land based on an independent valuation of your structure on the land. “Therefore, you are kindly requested to provide us with your account details through our Enugu Zonal Manager on or before 26th April 2024 to enable the Enugu State Government to credit your account with the necessary payment. “Furthermore, as a kind gesture, the Enugu State Government has agreed to do the following: To provide you with an alternative temporary location to ease your business pending when the project is completed; to also give you the right of first refusal to return to the newly completed structure.” Throwing more light on the development, Enugu State Commissioner for Transportation, said the temporary places had since been allocated to the affected businesses, with some already developing the new place. “But importantly, I can say with certainty that they will start receiving alerts latest from Tuesday based on the compensation advisory sent to the state government by the…
GOV UZODINMA BREAKS 16-YEAR JINX, PAYS GRATUITY TO OVER 3,000 IMO PENSIONERS
GOV UZODINMA BREAKS 16-YEAR JINX, PAYS GRATUITY TO OVER 3,000 IMO PENSIONERS In a landmark achievement, Governor Hope Uzodimma has successfully broken the 16-year-old jinx of unpaid gratuities in Imo State, bringing relief to over 3,000 pensioners who had waited patiently for their entitlements. This significant breakthrough marks a new era in the state’s history, demonstrating the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare, lives, and livelihoods of Imo workers and pensioners. The last time Imo State pensioners received their gratuity was in 2008, and since then, successive governments had struggled to address the issue, allowing the bills to pile up. However, Governor Uzodimma’s administration has taken decisive action, prioritizing the payment of gratuities to deserving retirees. In the first batch of payments, over 3,000 pensioners who retired since 2006 with gratuities not exceeding two million Naira received their entitlements. Additionally, all permanent secretaries who retired since 2006 were also included in this initial payment. This move has brought immense joy and relief to these senior citizens, who can now enjoy their golden years with greater financial security.Governor Uzodimma has reiterated his unwavering commitment to the welfare of Imo workers and pensioners, assuring that the second batch of pensioners with gratuities exceeding two million Naira will be paid as soon as possible. The promise has instilled hope and confidence in the hearts of those still waiting for their payments.
A COASTAL HIGHWAY OF MISPLACED PRIORITY & ABUSE OF DUE PROCESS – PREMIUM TIMES
A COASTAL HIGHWAY OF MISPLACED PRIORITY & ABUSE OF DUE PROCESS – PREMIUM TIMES Construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has begun amid a myriad of fiscal and due process concerns. But indifference is the response of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the challenges. The 700-kilometre stretch of road infrastructure, which will span eight years to complete, will gulp a staggering N15 trillion. This figure is tentative, given the country’s inflationary spiral. The project might well have significant economic benefits for the country but there are real questions involved, especially as regime spokespersons have repeatedly reiterated the fact that our economy is bankrupt, of which there is no question. The pilot phase of the construction has started at the Eko Atlantic City and it will terminate at Lekki Deep Seaport, for which N1.06 trillion has already been released. It is a highway of 10 lanes, which will cost N4 billion per kilometre, and would be the first of its kind in Africa, says the Minister of Works, David Umahi. His zealousness in its implementation brooks no dissent, and sometimes it gets spiteful. The first set of victims, whose properties were demolished to pave the way for the construction, were paid N2.75 billion in compensation last week. There are similar road networks in the offing, in the Sokoto-Badagry Coastal Highway and the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja-Cameroon Highway, in what seems like a geo-political balancing act. As a spur, the latter will course through Oturkpo in Benue State, to Nasarawa State and end at Apo, in Abuja. On the second project, Mr Umahi said, “We have started the design and I’m sure that as soon as the Federal Executive Council approves it, we will be starting at the Sokoto side.” Given its 1,000-kilometre length, it will surely gulp over N20 trillion. The political ecosystem is already astir on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with the circumstances surrounding its award. Adherence to due process has been raised by some critics, causing waffling in official quarters. The point has to be made: the project did not go through a competitive bidding process, which is imperative for such a huge venture, in line with the 2007 Public Procurement Act, as enunciated in Section 16 (1) (1) and (d), to create transparency, accountability and value for money. As the minister admitted, the award sidestepped the public tender competitive bidding process. This raises the question of how the cost was arrived at. -Was it a favour to a friend of the administration? -Or is the government bidding farewell to the transparency and accountability of public tender and the competitive bidding process? -In addition, why was the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) phase of the project not done before work began? We know this through a letter dated 18th April that emanated from the Ministry of Works, soliciting residents living in the Section 1 and 11 areas of the highway in Lagos, to attend a workshop organised for a scoping study that will generate this all-important data, after the project implementation had commenced. This action, the letter reads in part, will “ensure that the project is developed in a responsible and sustainable manner, in line with regulations in Nigeria as well as international standards and frameworks.” No, this is sophistry! The country’s statute and global best practices do not uphold putting the cart before the horse in the award of a contract, as the ministry’s letter exemplifies. The ESIA precedes any contract. How the project will be financed is still mired in obfuscation. On 23 September 2023, Umahi disclosed that Hitech – the construction company for the work, would fund the project, precisely under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. However, in a volte-face recently, he said that the government will provide 50 per…
TINUBU’S SON, SEYI, DIRECTOR IN CDK, PRESIDENCY ADMITS
TINUBU’S SON, SEYI, DIRECTOR IN CDK, PRESIDENCY ADMITS The presidency has admitted that President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, joined the Board of Directors of CDK in 2018. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had in a statement on Sunday accused the President of conflict of interest in the award of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Hitech Construction Company, which he claimed is owned by Chagoury family, because the President’s son sits on the board of CDK, a tiles manufacturing company, based in Sagamu, Ogun State. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement issued Monday wondered how Seyi’s membership of the board of CDK conflicts with Hitech Construction Company’s work on Lagos-Calabar Coastal superhighway. He said: “It is important to state clearly that Seyi Tinubu is a 38 year-old adult who has a right to do business and pursue his business interests in Nigeria and anywhere in the world within the limits of the law. “The fact that his father is now the President of Nigeria does not disqualify Seyi from pursuing legitimate business interests. “For the records, Seyi joined the Board of Directors of CDK in 2018, more than six years ago. He is representing the interest of an investor company, in which he has interest. He is not a board member because his father is a friend of the Chagourys. “Information about owners and shareholders of CDK is a matter of public record that can be openly accessed from the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission and CDK’s. “Atiku and his proxy did not need a little-known journal to recycle open-source information to make a fallacious argument.“The Chairman of CDK and the highest shareholder of the company is respected General TY Danjuma (rtd). The Chagourys are minority shareholders in the company, and only one member of the clan is on its five-man board.”
FAULTY AIRCRAFT ABORTS VP SHETTIMA’S US TRIP
FAULTY AIRCRAFT ABORTS VP SHETTIMA’S US TRIP Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is regrettably unable to leave Nigeria to attend an earlier scheduled event. The Vice President could not attend the US-Africa Summit 2024 due to technical issues with his aircraft. Shettima was slated to depart Abuja for Dallas in the United States on Sunday night to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa. According to a statement released on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Shettima was set to represent President Tinubu at the business summit. However, an update on Monday from the presidency disclosed that Shettima couldn’t make the trip due to technical issues with his aircraft. In Shettima’s absence, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, will represent President Bola Tinubu at the event, while Shettima will continue with other national duties. The statement reads: “In light of a technical issue with his aircraft, Vice President Shettima is unable to attend the US-Africa Summit 2024. In his absence, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar will be representing President Bola Tinubu at the event.” “Due to a technical issue with his aircraft, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was initially set to accompany the President on the trip, had to alter his plans and take an alternative route based on the advice of the Presidential Air Fleet.”“The Vice President will carry on with other national duties.”
AGAIN, RIVERS ASSEMBLY VETOES GOV FUBARA’S BILL
AGAIN, RIVERS ASSEMBLY VETOES GOV FUBARA’S BILL The political face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly is showing no signs of reprieve as the House is tackling the governor over the state’s Public Procurement Law. At plenary on Monday, the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, accused the governor of financial irresponsibility and recklessness in the way he spent money without appropriation. One of the items on the agenda for the day’s sitting was the governor’s handling of state financing which the Speaker condemned. The Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol, asked his colleagues to veto the governor on the state public procurement amendment bill. Of particular concern was the issue of Emohua Local Government where the staff were yet to be paid their March salaries. With a banging of the gavel, the Speaker signalled the passage of the second reading of the Rivers State Public Procurement Amendment Bill 2024. This was the latest in the political saga involving Governor Fubara and the House of Assembly. The latest veto is coming on the heels of five previous vetoes during which the Assembly has overridden the governor to enact laws.In April, the Rivers State House of Assembly vetoed Governor Fubara and enacted an amendment to the Rivers State Local Government Law.
DARKNESS IN SOUTHEAST: IT’S NOT OUR FAULT -EEDC
DARKNESS IN SOUTHEAST: IT’S NOT OUR FAULT- EEDC The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has said that it could not be blamed for poor electricity supply in the southeast. EEDC disclosed this in a statement on Monday. The firm stressed that the region’s problem was caused by all players in the country’s electricity value chain, including the Transmission Company of Nigeria and Generation Companies. EEDC also refused the claim that it received N100 billion from the Anambra State government. It stated that the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed with Anambra State was to boost efficient power supply within the state. Similarly, EEDC said the claim that TCN restricted it due to N12 billion debt was false. “It, therefore, will be unfair to blame EEDC for not providing adequate electricity in the South East, a situation beyond its control. “In response to the misinformation circulating on social media, we would like to clarify that there has been no transaction involving the payment of over 100 billion Naira to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) by the Anambra State government within the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Any claims suggesting otherwise are false, mischievous, and deliberately intended to mislead the public. “Similarly, assertions regarding the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) restricting EEDC’s access to its facilities due to an alleged debt of over 12 billion Naira lack merit. Such claims reflect a misunderstanding of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) operations and lack factual basis. “We urge individuals to exercise discernment and refrain from lending credence to such unfounded allegations, which serve only to mislead and distort the truth”, EEDC stated.Recall that a pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra had blamed EEDC for the epileptic power supply in the southeast, asking it to leave the region if it remains unproductive.
PRESIDENT TINUBU SET TO RETURN AFTER REST IN LONDON, PARIS
PRESIDENT TINUBU SET TO RETURN AFTER REST IN LONDON, PARIS President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to return to Nigeria after a brief respite in London and Paris, following a series of intensive cross-country meetings between the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, credible sources have said. Despite his absence, the President has reportedly been in constant communication with Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who recently departed for the United States to attend an Afro-centric business meeting. Sources close to the Presidency said that President Tinubu had remained engaged with all his senior aides, diligently preparing for the upcoming first anniversary ceremonies later this month. “Despite the demanding nature of his recent engagements abroad, the President’s commitment to the affairs of the nation remains unwavering.” According to insiders, President Tinubu’s return would be the start of another highpoint to fulfilling his duties and responsibilities to the Nigerian people. His proactive approach to staying connected with his administration and overseeing crucial preparations for significant events climaxes his leadership style and commitment to the nation’s progress.As the President gears up to mark his first anniversary in office, expectations are high for the celebration, with anticipation building among sections of the citizens eager to witness the achievements and plans of the administration under his leadership.
FG ORDERS DOWNWARD REVIEW OF ELECTRICITY TARIFF FOR BAND A CUSTOMERS
FG ORDERS DOWNWARD REVIEW OF ELECTRICITY TARIFF FOR BAND A CUSTOMERS The Federal Government has approved a downward review in electricity tariff for Band A customers (those with a daily supply of minimum of 20 hours). Under the approved review, Band A customers that were hitherto charged N225/Kwh are now to pay N206.80/Kwh. The decision to crash the tariff may not be unconnected with public outcry over the increase in electricity which industry observers, CSOs, labour unions have described as insensitive. Already, electricity distributors are sending the reduction notice to their customers. In a notice to its customers on Monday, Ikeja Electric said “Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. ”The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”
SIX STRANGE THINGS ABOUT CALABAR-LAGOS COASTAL ROAD
SIX STRANGE THINGS ABOUT CALABAR-LAGOS COASTAL ROAD The Calabar-Lagos coastal road appears to be perennially swallowed in controversy since the first day of the project’s unveiling. Over the weekend opposition leader and former vice president Atiku Abubakar added fuel to the fire when he revealed that the president’s son Seyi is on the Board of the firm given the gigantic contract and alleged that President Bola Tinubu appears to more concerned about lining the pocket of friends and family. Analysts say there is a lot more about the huge deal than the government is able to disclose so far. The analysts are shocked by the utter lack of transparency and empathy with which the construction is being handled and they have raised six mins boggling questions: 1. Nigeria seeks to build a Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Of the places it could possibly start off from is Lagos, it just has to start off from Eko Atlantic, which is or will be the preserve of the privileged, ultra monied elite. Why? 2. The original coastal road as the people were told during the construction of the Lekki expressway/toll gates, was the Water Corporation road. Nigerians were told it was going to be an alternative route to the tolled road. Today, a large expanse of that road has been abandoned and is virtually an eyesore. But, we have chosen to ignore it and instead start a brand new “Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway”. Why? 3. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is such an ‘urgent’ project that work on it commenced even before it was announced to the public. Quite a feat and highly unusual for any government project in this part of the world. Typically, such projects are slow to take off and are riddled with delays. In this case it’s so very different. What’s the great, big hurry and why? 4. This is the only project of this magnitude Nigerians have ever seen/heard of where an EIA stakeholder meeting is being convened AFTER the project has commenced. It appears the views/concerns of stakeholders and the potential environmental impact of the project are of absolutely no concern to the project owners/sponsors. This is particularly strange given the centrality today of ESG factors to project financing and investment decisions. 5. Globally, there are major concerns over the impact on coastal cities of rising sea levels, erosion and climate change. According to some reports, Lagos is particularly at risk from rising sea levels. Yet our government appears to be embarking on constructing a coastal highway at a cost of N4B per KM with no hard evidence of having conducted a proper EIA. Why? 6. The opacity about the source of funds and the nature of the handshake between government and the private sector in the funding arrangements makes it all even more worrying. First the contractor was going to self-fund and then suddenly, – change of plan – the government is now going to fund. But we don’t know the full cost, nor was any competitive bidding done. Why? Many questions but no one’s giving any answers and as we speak, the demolitions have started. What exactly is the reason for the apparent obfusacation and difficulty with (or is it reluctance to provide) providing full disclosure of information that should be in the public domain? The people are afterall being told the road and accompanying demolitions are for the greater good and in the public interest.