NEWS
Edo Approves Payment to 10 Contractors
From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
The Edo State Government has approved the payment of funds to 10 contractors engaged by the immediate past administration for continuing work and ensuring timely execution of projects across the state.
In addition, the Council approved the termination of 10 road contracts, which, according to the Council, will be reviewed to ensure uniform standards, avoid overlaps, and appropriately re-scope them for speedy completion.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
He said, “The government has agreed to pay 10 contractors from the previous administrations who are still working in the state, to the extent of the work they have done, to ensure there are no delays in the execution of projects.
“This is to defray the cost of the work already done and any other payments accrued. The government is not terminating them as punishment. Rather, the volume of work completed will be assessed, and payments made accordingly. This shows clearly that the governor is fair-minded, follows due process, and is committed to rewarding performance.”
Ohonbamu further stated that the Executive Council also ratified major contracts and approved the renovation of some public schools, as well as the reconstruction of roads in Ovia North-East, Esan North-East and Oredo Local Government Areas.
He explained that the Council ratified major contracts earlier awarded by the State Tenders Board and the Chairman-in-Council—being the Governor—prior to the inauguration of the current Executive Council.
The Commissioner confirmed that since the contracts had passed through the State Procurement Law and received Tenders Board certification, the Council found it necessary to formally ratify them.
“Approval was also given for the purchase of vehicles for the Edo State Oil and Gas Development Commission. These include four Hilux vans and four Prado Jeeps,” he added.
Ohonbamu reiterated that the termination of the 10 road contracts was to ensure uniformity of standards, eliminate overlaps, and re-scope the projects appropriately for timely completion.
“The Council also considered it prudent, in line with the governor’s disposition, to assess the affected contracts to determine the extent of work done by the contractors for the purpose of making payments as deserved,” he noted.
The State Executive Council further approved the renovation of dilapidated public schools across the state in line with the government’s drive to provide a better learning environment.
It is worth recalling that the state government inherited public schools in deplorable conditions and has therefore taken steps to provide a conducive atmosphere for learning.
“There was also Executive Council approval for the variation of some ongoing contracts in line with prevailing conditions to ensure that projects executed meet required standards and that no contractor causes delays or wastes government resources.
“In just four months, the governor has laid a solid foundation for sustainable infrastructure and human capital development for the people of Edo State,” Ohonbamu concluded.
Hundreds of youths in Benue on Sunday took to the streets to protest the continuous attacks, killings, and displacement of people in the state.The protest followed the killing of scores at Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area on Friday night.The protesters who converged at the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi called on the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility, which is to protect all the citizens within its sovereignty.
They also urged security agencies to redouble their efforts to ensure that all displaced people return to their ancestral homes and continue with their normal lives. Speaking to newsmen, Mr Brahms Ikuan said the state was under siege for a long time and there were not sufficient efforts for the government to address the menace.Ikuan regretted that even when they had useful information about the movement of the attackers and reports to authorities, nothing was still done to avert the attacks.He further accused the authorities of maintaining a conspiratorial silence on the ongoing genocide, adding that Benue may cease to exist if urgent steps are not taken to end the killings.“We cried, sent messages and opened letters, but nobody listened to us. Nobody came to our aid. At this moment we are not sure if there will be any place called Benue tomorrow.“Despite the attacks and killings in Yelwata yesterday, up till now, no word from the government or any prominent person. They have abandoned us.“We want the world to know that Benue is being wiped out on the face of the earth and nobody cares about what is happening,” he said.Also, Mr Gideon Inyom accused the government of giving the herders unfettered access into the Benue communities by relaxing the state anti-open grazing law.Inyom said all they wanted was security of lives and property, adding that such was the primary responsibility of every government worldwide.However, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emenari Ifeanyi, told newsmen at the scene that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over the security of the state.Ifeanyi said that the IGP has already deployed special forces to the state to end the attacks and killings.The CP added that security agencies were on top of the situation and urged the youths and Benue people to give the new forces a chance.“What you saw happening in Yelewata yesterday is because we have taken over Apa, Gwer West, and are moving seriously in Agatu. They just want to do something to show that they are in control while they are not and will never be.“We are feeling more pains than you. We are here to protect lives and property. We have security everywhere now; even in Yelwata there are tactical teams in the bush even before the attack.“Give the special forces and tactical teams a room to work. If you prolong your stay here, you are giving the enemies more time to plan.“We have intelligence reports of their movement, and we are blocking them, and you will see the end result,” he said.Ifeanyi further disclosed that Gov. Hyacinth Alia has given them all the logistics support needed to restore peace in Benue.Report says that a military helicopter was spotted in the sky at Wurukum Roundabout as the protest against herdsmen killings intensified. Report further says that the protesters turned down the Deputy Governor Dr Sam Ode’s request to address them. (NAN)
The Chairman, Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue, Mr Melvin Ejeh, has imposed an immediate and comprehensive ban on all forest logging activities in Agatu West.Ejeh, in a statement on Sunday, said that the declaration was another resolute effort to address the escalating security concerns that have beset the LGA.
The chairman said that the directive takes immediate effect and it was imperative that all stakeholders and residents adhere to the policy with utmost seriousness. “The decision to impose this ban is informed by the alarming rate of insecurity that has plagued our area, largely exacerbated by the unregulated activities of loggers.“The incessant logging has not only led to severe environmental degradation but has also created avenues for criminal elements to operate with impunity.“The resultant effect is a heightened sense of insecurity, which has become a source of grave concern for us all.“In light of this, it has become imperative for us to take decisive action to safeguard the well-being and safety of our residents.“The ban on logging activities is a proactive measure aimed at mitigating the security risks associated with unregulated logging,” he said.Ejeh stated that the ban would also contribute to the preservation of the environment and the protection of natural resources for future generations.The chairman emphasised that the ban was non-negotiable, and any individual or group found engaging in logging activities without proper authorisation would face the full weight of the law.According to him, all logging activities henceforth requires clearance from the local government chairman himself.He urged all residents to comply with this directive and report any logging activities to the council authorities.“Your cooperation and vigilance are crucial in our collective efforts to create a safer and more secure environment for all.“I assure you that Agatu Local Government Council remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.“We will continue to work tirelessly to address the security challenges facing our area and implement measures that promote peace and stability,” he added. (NAN)
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has urged President Bola Tinubu to priotise teacher’s values and welfare to make the profession more attractive for younger generation.The National President of NUT, Comrade Audu Amba, made the appeal in an interview in Abuja.He urged the government to make teacher a model and recognise the teaching profession as a pillar of societal advancement.
Amba frowned at the current situation where teaching is made a “Hobson’s choice” among admission and job seekers – an option not because it’s your preferred choice, but because it’s the only option available after others have been filled. He said deliberate policies should be made to place teacher’s seat in frontal rows of other professions and teaching profession a preferred choice for youths.Amba said many students had little or no passion for teaching profession and this was most demonstrated when a candidate scores low marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).According to him, when a candidate scores below the cut-off marks of first and second choice courses, he or she is often compelled to study education in other not to loose admission for the year“Today in our secondary schools everybody is scrambling to get 300 and above in the UTME so that he or she can read medicine.“The university system made it clear that before you read .Medicine, you must score 300 marks and above. Why is such rules not applicable to Education?“Those students that want to read Medicine to become Doctor, who taught and will still teach them, is it not the teacher?,” he retorted.According to him, if the teacher is not sound, how could he or she impact the needed knowledge and training the child needs to study medicine?“It should be that the best candidate that got 300 scores that should study education and teach.“That is what is happening in some of the countries that have decided to change their direction, and that’s why they are getting it right.“A teacher should be very intelligent, knowledgeable and should be the best, to impact knowledge,” he saidAmba urged the government to take cue from other countries like Finland where teaching profession is highly valued, respected and made to attracts many applicantsAccording to him, Finland priotises education and has systems that ensure teachers are respected professionals with a very high emolument and a strong sense of autonomy, stability and security in their work.“In fact, if you go to Finland today, you’ll be proud to be called a teacher because the issue is that, teaching is not just lucrative, but even more challenging.“But today in Nigeria, parents don’t even encourage their children to go into teaching profession, even the students themselves.“Go to classrooms, just ask little children in primary school, who wants to be a teacher? Hardly will you see anybody raising his or her hand.“But ask, Who wants to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer? They will raise their hands.“Why is it so? Because they feel those are the professions that are valued, respected and well remunerated,” he said.Amba, therefore urged the government to put policies in place to change the trend and psyche by making the teacher a role model and encouraging its best to become a teacher(NAN
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