NEWS
Umahi Advocates 30% Ministry’s Budget be Set Aside as Emergency Roads Fund

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi on Monday requested that 30% of the budget of the Ministry be set aside as an emergency fund for addressing unforeseen emergencies on the country’s roads nationwide.
The minister, who made this request during a budget defence session before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works noted that the emergency fund, if approved, would be used to address unforeseen emergencies that regularly occur on the road network especially during the rainy season.
Umahi also requested for an increase of the Ministry’s present budgetary allocation of N 657,228,251,596 to about N1.5 trillion, to complete at least ten selected critical roads and bridges in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.
He sought further for urgent review of all certified debts to contractors and if possible, convert the same to Promissory Notes to contractors so that we can get properly focused in using any fund appropriated to us to pursue the Ministry’s set objectives.
Umahi noted that following the worsening inflation in the country, many contractors were presently out of sites because they had exhausted their contract VoPs and needed the project unit’s rates to be reviewed.
He therefore suggested that all VoPs and augmentations of all the projects be reviewed and those owed be converted to promissory notes, while unit rates regime would take effect on contractors in line with the current realities of the construction industry.
Also, the Minister recommended to the joint National Assembly Committee, that more eligible companies should be encouraged to key into the Road Tax Credit Scheme, to increase the number of private sector interventions, explaining that this would mean front-loading their tax liabilities to solve the nation’s present challenges.
He equally suggested the raising of bonds from the capital market, to finance road development in the country just as he urged the government to create an enabling environment by fixing the roads so that the deployment of the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) could be effective.
Umahi called on the lawmakers to look into the issue of appropriations for projects, so that it would be such that no projects when started should last for more than four years.
His words: “From the fore-going, I would like to recommend as follows: The provision of an Emergency Fund of about 30% of the Budget Provision to cater for unforeseen emergencies that regularly occur on the road network especially during the rainy seasons;
“An increase of the Ministry’s present budgetary allocation to about N1.5tr to complete at least 10 selected critical roads and bridges in each of the six geo-political zones of the country;
“Urgent review of all certified debts to contractors and if possible, convert same to Promissory Notes to contractors so that we can get properly focused in using any fund appropriated to us to pursue the Ministry’s set objectives;
“Inflation- Many contractors are presently out of sites because they have exhausted their contract VoPs and needed the project unit’s rates to be reviewed. It will be good that all VoPs and augmentations of all the projects are reviewed and those that are owed be converted to Promissory Notes, while the unit rates regime will take effect on contractors in line with the current realities of the construction industry.
“More eligible companies should be encouraged to key into the Road Tax Credit Scheme to increase the number of private sector interventions. This means front-loading their tax liabilities to solve our present challenges;
“Raising of Bonds from the Capital Market to finance road development in the country;
Creation of an enabling environment by fixing the roads so that the deployment of the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) can be effective; and
That appropriations for projects be such that no projects when started should last for more than four years.”
On the controversy about the use of asphalt and concrete in road construction, the Minister of Works said: “It would be my great pleasure to clarify the misunderstanding of the Ministry’s new policy direction regarding the use of rigid pavement on her projects.
“I have to state categorically that no contractor is prevented from executing the scope of works originally signed with the client once certain conditions are observed, which are provision of a 15-year shelf-life Insurance Guarantee for the works and a maximum of 5% of Variation of Price (VoP) in the Contract.
“The Ministry’s new policy is to prevent excessive augmentation of contracts considering the scarcity of forex and weakening of the Naira against the Dollar which makes the cost of bitumen (which is fully imported) increase in geometric progression against the arithmetic progression rise in cement prices in concrete road pavements. In these times of rising inflation and scarce resources, the country needs to look inwards to conserve foreign exchange.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senator Committee on Agriculture and Co-chairman of the joint Committee, Senator Mpigi Barinada, raised the alarm that there are so many abandoned road projects across the country, which the contractors had collected reasonable somes of money.
He said: “The contractor handling the rehabilitation of Aba-Owerri Road, through NNPC Depot expressway, Abia State; he has been mobilised. As we speak, he has not done any job. We don’t have to mention his name here. He has collected the sum of N76 million.
“The rehabilitation of Argungu Road in Kebbi State; it is being handled by the Setracco. He has collected over N400 million but he is not on site. The rehabilitation of another road in Ogun State; the contractor has collected over N25 million but he is not on site. The construction of Asaba-Agbo Road; the contractor has collected the sum of N50 million but with zero performance.”
Senator Barinada, after drawing the attention of the Minister of Works to numerous road projects across the country, which the contractors abandoned after collecting huge sums of money, urged the Umahi to look into the issues and ensure that the contractors were compelled to return to site.
NEWS
NBA Slams Ibom Air over Passenger’s Undignified Treatment

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the treatment of Ms Comfort Emmanson aboard Ibom Air, describing it as reckless, unlawful and a grave violation of her right to dignity.This is contained in a statement signed by the NBA President, Mr Afam Osigwe (SAN) and the General Secretary, Dr Mobolaji Ojibara.
Report says that on Aug. 10, an incident occurred aboard an Ibom Air flight involving Emmanson. NBA described the manner in which Emmanson was removed from the aircraft as dehumanising.NBA noted that video footage showed an Ibom Air hostess blocking Emmanson’s exit from the plane.The association noted that the conduct could constitute false imprisonment and provocation, potentially escalating the situation.NBA expressed outrage over allegations that Emmanson was publicly stripped of her clothing, humiliated, filmed and had the footage circulated online.The association viewed the photographing, dissemination and online circulation of indecent images of her as both degrading and a serious invasion of privacy, constituting a criminal act.“Even if the incident had to be reported, the footage should have been blurred or edited in a way that did not expose her nudity to the public,” NBA said.The association stressed that those responsible for capturing and distributing the unedited footage must be identified and prosecuted.They warned that such acts erode public trust and undermine the rights of all citizens to be treated with dignity and respect.NBA considered the lifetime ban on Emmanson from flying Ibom Air or any other, as heavy-handed, legally and morally indefensible, and in breach of the principle of fair hearing.The association argued that only the relevant statutory regulator had the authority to suspend or restrict a passenger’s flying privileges, not private entities or airlines.The NBA demanded that Ibom Air lift the lifetime ban on Emmanson and issue a public apology.NBA urged the Minister for Aviation, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and sanction those responsible.The association pledged to provide Emmanson with pro bono legal support to protect her rights and seek redress for the violations she suffered. (NAN)NEWS
NLC Urges Crude Sales to Dangote in Naira

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State chapter, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise selling crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in Naira. Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sesi, made the appeal during a Tuesday tour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Ltd.
by Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) members and NLC officials. Sesi said compelling the refinery to import crude or buy locally in dollars undermined the promise of reduced fuel prices for Nigerians. “This country has crude oil in abundance. Why is Dangote still importing crude or paying in hard currency for locally produced crude?” she asked. “If the government truly wants to lower fuel prices and support local refining, it must sell crude oil to Dangote in Naira,” she added. According to her, sourcing crude locally in local currency would significantly reduce operational costs and lead to a sustainable drop in fuel prices. The union leader praised Dangote Ltd. for creating a transformative national asset that helps bridge Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, creates jobs, and boosts industrial capacity. She said the scale and strategic importance of Dangote Group’s investments were already delivering measurable benefits to Nigerians. “Today, we have seen the refinery, the fertiliser plant, and other investments in this axis. The size and impact are enormous and impressive,” she said. She described the projects as clear efforts to improve essential product availability, create jobs, and advance Nigeria’s industrialisation. Following the removal of petrol subsidies, Nigerians faced a sharp rise in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) costs. She said Dangote’s refinery entry helped stabilise prices. Sesi noted that Dangote’s operations had significantly lowered PMS and other refined product prices, demonstrating private sector leadership in the industry. “With a 650,000-barrel daily capacity, this refinery can serve Nigeria and West Africa. We also saw large vessels exporting fertilisers to other countries,” she said. She praised Aliko Dangote for building a fully operational, world-class refinery that meets domestic and regional refined petroleum needs. Sesi also commended the production of Euro-5-compliant fuel with reduced sulphur content, aligning with global environmental standards and enhancing Nigeria’s market reputation. “This is the pride we want — a Nigerian company producing at global standards, changing the narrative, and boosting our global standing,” she said. She also lauded Dangote Fertiliser Company, which already exports to international markets, urging government support to improve food security and reduce imported agricultural inputs. Dangote Industries Vice President, Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery was addressing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products. He said it was setting a foundation for a sustainable, competitive refining industry that would benefit the national economy. Edwin revealed plans to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks to distribute refined petroleum products nationwide. He said the CNG trucks would ensure domestic refining benefits and lower fuel prices are fully passed to Nigerian consumers. According to him, the CNG fleet would reduce logistics costs — a major contributor to pump prices. “The deployment of 4,000 CNG-powered trucks will help pass down domestic refining benefits and lower product prices to consumers,” he said. He clarified the aim was to improve distribution efficiency, not displace existing operators. Edwin added that CNG trucks are environmentally friendlier and cheaper to run, helping to make refined products more affordable nationwide. (NAN)Foreign News
Gaza: UNESCO Condemns ‘Unacceptable’ Killing of Journalists

The United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has strongly condemned the killing of six journalists in Palestine by an Israeli drone on Sunday.UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.“I condemn the killing of journalists Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Al-Khaldi and call for a thorough and transparent investigation, she said.
Five of the six worked for the influential Qatari-based media organisation, Al Jazeera. Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh were on-air correspondents, while Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal and Moamen Aliwa worked as camera operators.Mohammed Al-Khaldi was a freelance photojournalist.They were reportedly killed by an Israeli attack on a tent used by media personnel at the entrance of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) alleged that the 28-year-old al-Sharif was a serving Hamas operative.Al Jazeera strongly denies this, describing the attack as an “assassination” and “yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom.”The UN Human Rights Council-appointed independent expert on freedom of expression had on July 31 denounced an Israeli military spokesperson’s “repeated threats” and “unfounded accusations” against Al-Sharif.The council had described the allegation as “a blatant attempt to endanger his life and silence his reporting” in Gaza.Two Special Rapporteurs on Tuesday described the killings as “an attempt to silence reporting on the ongoing genocide and starvation campaign” in Gaza.“It is outrageous that the Israeli army dares to first launch a campaign to smear Anas Al-Sharif as Hamas in order to discredit his reporting and then kill him and his colleagues for speaking the truth to the world,” they said.The experts demanded an immediate investigation into the killings and full access to international media, which Israel currently bars from entering Gaza.Special rapporteurs and other independent experts are appointed by and report regularly to the Human Rights Council.They work in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and receive no payment for their work.UNESCO chief Azoulay stressed that targeting journalists reporting on conflicts is unacceptable and violates international law.She also reiterated her call to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222, which was unanimously adopted in 2015 to protect journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel in conflict situations.UNESCO reports that since Oct. 2023, at least 62 journalists and media workers have been killed in the line of duty in Palestine.This excludes deaths in circumstances unrelated to their work, while OHCHR reports that at least 242 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the same time frame. (NAN)