POLITICS
FEC Okays N759bn for Obajana–Benin, Isheri-Ogun Roads
By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu approved the sum of N759 billion for the Obajana-Benin Road and the Isheri-Ogun Road.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who briefed alongside his colleagues explained that the council approved additional N757 billion as augmentation for the dualisation of the 489km Obajana-Benin Road, N2.
23 billion for the Isheri-Ogun Road and N114 billion for Outer Marina shoreline protection.He explained, “Today we’ve got augmentation approved for Obajana in Lokoja to Benin Road, a total of 244km and 489km dualized.
Recall that in 2012, this project was awarded to four contractors: CGC, Mothercat, Dantata & Sawoe and RCC at a total cost of N122 billion, and that was for light rehabilitation.“Around 2018, the past administration reviewed the project and dualised it and that’s why you have a total of 489km and then now got ‘No Objection’ from BPP. When I came on board in August, we were supposed to present the no-objection to FEC in line with due process and we decided to review the project, one, to determine whether the dualisation was desirable in view of the economic challenges and two, to see the texture of the soil and what to do.
“So we had to restore the project now, but we didn’t increase the cost. We got approval for argumentation from N122 billion to N897 billion. The contractors were off-site because they would not be working and they would not be paid based on the new basic rate. So we got them back to the site and Today we got approval.”
Umahi said the Council also approved N2.23 billion for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency for the rehabilitation of the road from Isheri North to Ogun state.
“Now, under FERMA, we got approval for the construction of Isheri north, Lagos route, which is to connect Ogun state. This is an alternative route to Lagos – Shagamu Road and we’re going to toll this Lagos-Shagamu when completed. But by law, you only toll a federal road when you have an alternative.
“This approval of about N2.23 billion to connect Isheri North to Ogun state. It is a breakthrough that has freed the Lagos-Shagamu for tolling,” he revealed.
Explaining the Council’s approval for the N114 billion Outer Marina shoreline protection, Umahi said, “The shore protection was done over 50 years back with sheet piles and we had to take the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on a tour with Julius Berger through the entire shoreline of 3.92km.
“We took the tour with Julius Berger, CCECC, CBC and BuildWell, and demanded for them to inspect and then give us their proposal. Only BuildWell and CCECC brought their proposals.
“Whereas CCECC was quoting on 3.2km at N134 billion, BuildWell was quoting on 3.9km at N114 billion. We sent the two to BPP and BPP found merit in BuildWell because of cost and, of course, the latest technology in doing shore protection using interlocking concrete, which will not be subject to rusting. So we got approval for Build Well in the sum of N114 billion.”
The minister, speaking on the shoreline protection project, said it was necessary given its proximity to the recently inaugurated Red Line and other existing structures in the area. He added that his ministry sought to leverage the low-water levels of the dry season to drive piles down the shore.
Umahi on Wednesday explained that contrary to the beliefs, the rising cost of production was responsible for the recent cement price hike, and not its concrete road policy.
He added that his insistence on concrete roads will not phase out traditional asphalt roads as it was only an alternative for sites with high water tables and poor conditions.
“This assertion is highly misplaced because the policy has not even taken off,” said the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, when he briefed State House Correspondents after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
He was reacting to warnings by the Cement Producers Association of Nigeria that the FG’s plan to introduce concrete roads will raise the price of cement from N5,600 to N9,000 per bag.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives had invited top manufacturers, Aliko Dangote Rabiu Abdulsamad, among others for discussions on the high cost of the product.
The House’s resolution was a sequel to the adoption of a motion titled “Arbitrary increase in the price of cement by manufacturers of cement in Nigeria,” moved by a member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Mr Gaza Gbefwi, and his counterpart representing Shomolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye, during plenary on Wednesday.
Fielding questions on the issue, Umahi cited recently released documents showing that Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc and Lafarge Africa Plc spent N598.14 billion on power during the full year ended December 31, 2023.
He explained, “I just got a document this morning where three companies producing cement, Dangote, BUA and Lafarge, said in 2023, the total cost of their gas rose by over 42 per cent. So, if the cost of their gas rose by 42 per cent and then the import duty exchange rate also gone up, it is expected that the cost of cement would go up.”
“But Mr. President has discussed with them and I think there are a couple of incentives being made available to them which should reduce the cost of cement. In Sokoto, where I visited recently, the BUA Executive Director said that the ex-factory was N6000. And that was down from 8000. We are getting there because Mr. President has directed them to reduce the price and they have to comply and I think Mr President has also offered some incentives to them.
“So it’s not because we are going from asphalt to concrete. And we are not totally leaving the asphalt. It is just an alternative, especially where we have a very high water table and then a very poor sight condition.”
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Nigeria’s voter register has risen to more than 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while speaking at a strategic workshop for media executives.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Partnership Among Editors, Civil Society and Electoral Institutions,” was organised by INEC in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Amupitan said more than 10.6 million Nigerians took part in the commission’s three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
He said INEC had completed the public display of the preliminary register, giving citizens an opportunity to raise claims and objections.
The commission, he added, had also concluded the final cleanup of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
Amupitan announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would begin on October 9.
He urged Nigerians who registered during the exercise to collect their PVCs and prepare to participate in the 2027 elections.
The INEC chairman also said the commission would continue to improve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to strengthen the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
“The ultimate arbiter of electoral integrity is public trust,” Amupitan said.
He called for stronger cooperation among INEC, media organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders ahead of the elections.
According to him, INEC is prepared to listen to concerns raised by editors, address operational challenges and provide timely information to prevent misinformation from filling communication gaps.
Amupitan said the commission would also give editors direct access to verify field incidents, logistical developments and security reports in real time.
He proposed a sustained editorial feedback mechanism between INEC and the NGE to review the commission’s operational progress and address emerging challenges throughout the 2027 election cycle.
The chairman said closer engagement with the media was important to ensuring that voters receive accurate information, especially during periods of heightened public interest in electoral activities.
Also, DAI Team Leader, Rudolf Elbling, said credible elections depended not only on effective electoral administration but also on professional, ethical and fact-based journalism.
Elbling identified electoral integrity, election technology, the safety of journalists and voters, and information disorder as some of the key challenges facing the media ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said journalists had a critical role in providing voters with accurate information while holding electoral institutions and other stakeholders accountable.
The workshop brought together electoral officials, editors, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and improve public communication ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has commended the quality, experience and capacity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting the 2027 elections in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Jonathan made the remarks at his residence in Yenagoa when he received a high-powered delegation led by the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.
), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, PhD.The delegation visited the former President to formally present the APC candidates to him as a mark of respect and honour, particularly as a former President of Nigeria and a prominent leader from the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Presenting the candidates, Rear Admiral Jonah appealed to Jonathan to extend his goodwill and support to them, describing the candidates as individuals with the requisite capacity, experience and character to provide effective representation if elected.
He expressed confidence that they would serve the interests of their constituents and contribute meaningfully to the development of the district and the state.
The candidates presented included HRH. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Hon. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, PhD, for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency and Barr. Jude Amidator Rex-Ogbuku for the Ogbia Federal Constituency.
Also presented were the APC candidates for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Hon. Oteigbanyo George Braah for Nembe Constituency 1, Hon. Edward Brigidi Irigha for Nembe Constituency 2, Hon. Alalibo West for Nembe Constituency 3, Hon. Daniel Charles for Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Timi Agala for Brass Constituency 2 and Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere for Brass Constituency 3.
Others were Hon. High Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain for Ogbia Constituency 1, Hon. Godknows Obein for Ogbia Constituency 2 and Hon. Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Ogbia Constituency 3.
Responding to the presentation, Jonathan expressed his appreciation for the quality of the candidates, noting that virtually all of them were people who, in his assessment, could be trusted in terms of capacity, performance and experience.
He gave the candidates his blessings and encouraged them to remain committed to serving their people if elected to office.
The former President urged the candidates to see politics as a means of improving society and attracting positive development to their respective constituencies.
He also admonished them and other stakeholders to sustain peace, unity and oneness in Bayelsa State, which he said remained important to the state’s continued development.
The visit brought together APC leaders, candidates, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders from across the Brass, Nembe, and Ogbia Local Government Areas as part of ongoing consultations and engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated two political support groups in Okpe Local Government Area to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups, Concern Otirhue Movement for Sheriff and Tinubu, and Otirhue Progressive Movement for Sheriff and Tinubu, were inaugurated at a ceremony held in Mereje, Okpe LGA.
The groups were founded by the Chairman of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Hon.
Joseph Otirhue.Speaking at the event, Otirhue said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structures and mobilising support for Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
He said the groups would mobilise voters for APC candidates contesting seats in the State and National Assemblies, with the ultimate objective of securing victory for the party at all levels.
Otirhue urged members to remain loyal and committed to the APC, while intensifying their engagement with residents and communities across Okpe.
Inaugurating the groups, the Delta APC Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, charged members to work diligently for the success of the party.
Arenyeka urged them to pursue the APC’s “five-over-five” objective by mobilising support for all the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
He also tasked the groups with taking the party’s message to the grassroots and maintaining active structures across the various communities in the local government area.
Other party leaders at the event called for unity and sustained grassroots mobilisation, stressing that continuous engagement with voters would be crucial to the APC’s performance in the 2027 elections.
The event also featured the empowerment of more than 250 beneficiaries by Otirhue, which he described as the fifth phase of his empowerment programme.
According to him, the programme was designed to provide support to party members and other beneficiaries, adding that those who were not included in the latest phase would be considered in subsequent editions.
Among dignitaries at the ceremony were former Minister of Culture and Information, Okakuro Prof. Sam Oyovbaire; Chief Robert Onome; member representing Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Okakuro James Augoye; and Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Okakuro Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa.
Others included former Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha; Austin Ayemidejor; APC State Secretary, Okakuro Efe Uko; Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission, Chief Rose Amioku; APC State Organising Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor; as well as other party leaders and stakeholders.
The inauguration marked another step in the APC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts in Okpe, with members of the two groups pledging to strengthen their structures and mobilise support for Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
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