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FG approves 13 road projects worth N1.44tn, purchases 7,887 dialysis consumables

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The Federal Executive Council on Monday revisited and approved 13 road projects in various states of the federation worth about N1.455tn.

The projects were mostly those the Council stepped down on July 10 due to a lack of funding.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this while briefing correspondents on the outcome of Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Umahi said that even though some other projects were similarly stepped down in Monday’s session, the council approved several others.

Umahi said, “The first one is the rehabilitation of Abeokuta-Iboro-Ilaro Road in Ogun state. It’s a contract sum of N57bn approved by FEC today for Strabic Construction

“The second one is the road from Mubi to Maiduguri Road section three. The contract is approved for a total sum of N89bn and this is an NNPC project, it is being reviewed and approved for N89bn total contract sum and that is for MESSRS Decency Associates Limited.

“Then the third project approved today was Mubi to Maiduguri (Section Two). But this section is also very bad. So, we had to re-procure it on rigid pavement. The relocation is approved for 42km at a contract sum that was awarded before. It has not increased. It is N67bn and was inherited from the past administration.”

The others include Benin-Akure-Ilesha Road a 300km concrete pavement dual carriageway with a contract sum of N525bn awarded to HiTech Construction; Benin-Akure, by Ilesha (section 2), a 66km road to be dualised by HiTech Construction for N286bn and the Angingali-Udobi-Udona-Umo-Uwana-Ubalaka road in Imo state being undertaken by the NNPCL, with a contract sum reviewed from N14bn to N26.46bn.

Umahi added, “We have another NNPC project, rehabilitation of Aba-Owerri Road, NNPC depot expressway in Abia State. The project has been reviewed in favour of Rudo Nigeria Limited in the sum of N21bn.

“We have another project going from Odukpani Itu in Ikot-Ekpene in Cross Rivers State, and it’s being handled by CCECC. This project has been reviewed from N50bn to N79bn because the terrain is very bad. We decided to use reinforced concrete pavement for the two carriageways.

“Then we have the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt again by CCECC. They started the project about four years back at the Port Harcourt axis, and they’re going towards Aba. The project was revised from N63bn to N83bn in favour of CCECC.”

The minister also announced other projects, which included the Igomu bridge to be rehabilitated by Buildwell Nigeria Limited for N19.87bn; the last section of the Ikot-Ekpene road from Akwa Ibom, whose project sum was reviewed from N54bn to N90bn. The project is to be executed in reinforced concrete by Julius Berger.

“And we have the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road, which is under special intervention due to flooding. It is 24 months long and has a total contract sum of N134bn in favour of CBC Nigeria Limited, which will use concrete because of the terrain.

“Lastly, we have the Ofin-Oreta Road, Ikorodu in Lagos state. That project is in favour of GRB for a construction period of 18 months for N27.9bn,” he stated.

The Council also stepped down three projects, which will be reviewed at its next meeting. One is the Natalla-Boru Road in Kano State, which was stepped down because “there are no funds for it.” Umahi said his ministry would “Liaise with the National Assembly if they will give us funds.”

The Ojo-Odum-Okuku Road in Benue State was also stepped down for review at the next FEC meeting, as was the Umuahia-Aba road project by Arab Contractors, which is “85 per cent in completion.”

Meanwhile, the Council approved the purchase of 7,887 dialysis consumables to enhance healthcare access for Nigerians with kidney diseases.

The Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Work, Ali Pate, who addressed State House correspondents, said the approval aims to address the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

The consumables will be distributed across seven federal tertiary hospitals, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital in Abuja.

Pate harped on the importance of prevention alongside treatment, revealing plans for public health screenings and lifestyle modifications to reduce future cases of kidney disease.

He explained, “In continuation of the President’s efforts including reducing the cost of access to health care services considering the vast non-communicable disease that we experience in Nigeria, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, several vascular diseases, the council today approved the one of purchase of 7,887 sets of dialysis consumables, for the use of Nigerians who are suffering from chronic disease in seven of our federal tertiary hospitals.

“These hospitals are the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, the Federal Medical Center in Ebuta Metta, the Federal Medical Center in Owerri, the National Hospital, Abuja, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, the University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.”

Pate said the effort is geared towards making the cost of treatment affordable for those who suffer from integral disease through dialysis.

He said, “It’s a start. However, dealing with kidney disease requires not only dialysis but also prevention. That’s part of the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that we prevent cases of hypertension, and diabetes that progress to kidney disease. We’re looking at screening so that Nigerians will be able to screen themselves for hypertension and diabetes but also get the lifestyle modification so that we have fewer and fewer people requiring dialysis.

“But for those who are affected, we know that the cost of access to that is a major impediment. This effort by Mr. President is to bring relief within the context of several other policy measures to ensure that Nigerians have access to critical healthcare services.

“With this approval, we’ll provide those and I think it will bring relief to many Nigerians and their families for accessing dances, and services. They’re very much needed in our country.”

The Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, had earlier explained in July that the projects were inherited from past administrations and, therefore, required augmentation. He said that before additional funding, the President had directed a thorough examination of the projects to ensure probity, proficiency, and diligence in their execution, explained the had earlier on July 10.

Govt fully prepared to turn things around – Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has again called on residents of Abuja to be calm and have patience with the Tinubu administration.
Wike spoke on Monday while carrying out an inspection visit to the construction site of the nine-kilometre Paikon Kore-Ibwa rural road in Gwagwalada Area Council.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the site.
Wike stated that the project was one of the roads that the president directed that must be completed in the satellite towns, stressing that the contractor has also promised to complete the road and hand it over by December this year.
He said: “I’m very happy and the contractor has promised that by December, they would have completed and handed over. This is a nine-kilometre road.
“It’s interesting because this is one of the roads in the satellite towns that Mr President instructed must be completed.”
Wike also stated that the road project, when completed, will improve access to farmlands and markets in rural areas, adding that it will also help to address the challenges of food insecurity in the country.
He urged the communities around the area to be patient.
“I will continue to urge them to be calm, to be patient. This government is fully prepared to turn things around,” he said.
Govt fully prepared to turn things around – Wike

Hunger protest: This is beyond Asiwaju coming to do a miracle

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Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Monday, warned that there is a perception that some political elements are striving to use the anticipated August 1, to 10, #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest as a subtle coup d’etat to provoke the military into overthrowing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

This was even as the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party expressed conviction that no political leader could revive Nigeria’s ailing economy in one year.

Fayose disclosed this when he was featured as a guest on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He said, “There is a perception out there that it (protest) is a coup. That is the perception everywhere. Now they are giving the impression that they want to use this coup for the military to come in. If you are not hearing anything, you have to put your ears to the ground.

“There is no leader that will allow them to come and topple his government. It is good that Asiwaju himself has admitted that protest is good. But the people protesting should remember the consequences of politicising it.

“No man can turn this country around in one year? Let us leave all these talks about APC and PDP. I am not here to hold brief for anybody. The moment your finances are so bad, it is difficult. Today, it is not easy to turn Nigeria into the original state or turn around the situation so easily. And I mean what I’m saying.”

The demonstration, scheduled to run from August 1 to 15, has continued to generate tension and elicit mixed reactions from Nigerians

Several groups who indicated interest in championing the campaign said the call for protest was provoked by the soaring cost of living and economic hardship in the country.

Speaking further, the former governor warned that both the government and protesters need to exercise a lot of restraint and not allow the issue to get out of hand.

He also stressed that stakeholders and political leaders would not sit back and watch the country go up in flames.

“Both the government and protesters need to exercise a lot of restraint. During my time as governor of Ekiti, I was one of the vocal people who put the (federal) government in check. But at no time did I call out people to go and do things that can bring the country down. We need to be very careful. We are in a critical stage of our life.

“It doesn’t matter if we protest. When you protest, you will come back to still find that the situation is the same. If Jonathan is not good, Buhari is not good and Asiwaju is not good. Then there is a fundamental problem we all have to address. This is beyond Asiwaju coming to do a miracle.

“We will not look away and allow this country to go down. Already we are in a critical situation, very critical. Let me give you an illustration. When an aircraft is about to land and, at some point, there is an emergency, there are certain levels that the aircraft would have gone for it to land. Otherwise, the aircraft will crash. I pray Nigeria will not crash,” he stated.

OAU asks varsity community to be law-abiding

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The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has urged members of the university community to go about their civic responsibilities with a “high sense of commitment and vigilance.”

In a Monday circular issued by the university’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, Adetunji Bakare, the management gave the advice amid the planned nationwide hunger protests scheduled to begin Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Bakare enjoined students who had completed their examinations to go home and be with their families while those who are still writing their examinations should remain peaceful and law-abiding.

“A nationwide protest is being planned to commence on August 1, 2024. In view of this, the Vice-Chancellor has enjoined staff and students of Obafemi Awolowo University to prioritise their individual and collective security, not neglecting that of the university properties. They are also advised to be law-abiding before, during and after the planned protest,” the registrar said.

“Members of the university community are enjoined to go about their civic responsibilities with the highest sense of commitment and vigilance. The security unit in the university has been directed to keep surveillance over the entire university estate,” the statement added.

A student, Kazeem Olalekan, told According Online that he and some other students would be protesting peacefully, which according to him, is a tradition of OAU students.

“We are known as the only school where students go on protest without vandalising public properties. The management has just reminded us to be law-abiding as we embark on the protest which is the essence of the circular. The university management has just made the public know that, as students, we will be law-abiding before, during and after the protest which is the essence of the circular,” he said.

Kazeem said the police had assured them of security.

On Monday, a non-governmental organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, called on the federal government to ensure the rights and safety of Nigerian youths planning the nationwide protest.

The organisation emphasised the importance of citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and protest.

On Sunday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urged Nigerians to be patient and give President Bola Tinubu more time to address the nation’s economic challenges.

Tunji-Ojo, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, emphasised the complexity and historical depth of the nation’s economic issues.

“Mr President, to the best of my knowledge, never campaigned to be a magician; he campaigned as a statesman. He campaigned based on ‘Renewed Hope’. Before hope could be renewed, it had dwindled,” Tunji-Ojo stated.

He highlighted that solving economic problems rooted in decades of mismanagement could not be achieved overnight.

Protest: Coalition condemns FG’s silence on hardship

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The Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance, CCSGG, expressed concern on Monday over the continued silence of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the hardships in the country.
The group maintained that the government ought to have engaged with the citizenry on the situation in the country.
According to the coalition, the lack of communication between the people and the government, particularly in the areas of policies, had further heightened tensions across the country.
Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre in Akure, Ondo State capital, on the planned nationwide protest, the coordinator of the coalition, Dotun Ajulo, stressed that the nature of the protest calls for concern due to its facelessness.
He said: “We are all aware that the democracy in the country was borne out of protest. But the interesting thing about those forms of protest is that they all have a name for them. The simple question that we might like to even throw out there is: What face can we put on the looming protest? There is no face.
“We are not sparing the federal government. The federal government has not done enough, and in all fairness, that is least expected of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu. They have not done enough to engage the masses. The Ministry of Information has not done enough to engage us. You can’t be taking or driving me to a destination that I don’t know.
“The success of every government is its ability to communicate with the people in a language they understand. We, as Nigerians, are used to suffering in terms of policies, but incurring the cost of that pain might require surgery.
“So, the policy of the government as it is today for those of us that could take the pains to read through their actions is such that it will have a long-term effect, and honestly, it is going to come up with unbearable pain.”
Protest: Coalition condemns FG’s silence on hardship

Biden unveils plans for US Supreme Court overhaul

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US President Joe Biden unveiled plans Monday to reform the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, in a bold but long shot bid to make a mark with his last six months in power.

In proposals backed by Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic election nominee, Biden called for 18-year term limits for the top court’s justices and an enforceable ethics code.

The 81-year-old also wants a constitutional amendment to reverse the court’s recent ruling backing Republican nominee and former president Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity.

Biden told reporters that the Supreme Court “needs reform,” as he left the White House to head for Austin, Texas where he will give a speech on his plans.

The president’s move comes after a series of shock Supreme Court decisions — such as the 2022 repeal of the nationwide right to abortion — and following a host of scandals involving the top court’s lifetime-appointed justices.

The plans have almost no hope of getting through a deeply divided US Congress but could motivate Democratic voters in the November 2024 election, from which Biden dropped out just over a week ago.

He separately said in an opinion piece in the Washington Post that his proposals would reflect that “no one is above the law.”

“What is happening now is not normal, and it undermines the public’s confidence in the court’s decisions, including those impacting personal freedoms,” Biden said in the piece.

Biden had confirmed he would seek the reforms during an Oval Office address last week outlining his priorities for his remaining months in the White House.

Harris said in a separate statement that both she and Biden were “calling on Congress” to pass the reforms.

“These popular reforms will help to restore confidence in the Court, strengthen our democracy, and ensure no one is above the law,” she said.

– ‘Close to zero’ –
Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, declared Biden’s Supreme Court plans “dead on arrival.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the proposal would “tilt the balance of power and erode not only the rule of law, but the American people’s faith in our system of justice.”

Legal expert Steven Schwinn warned that Biden had a “close to zero” chance of getting the plan through.

But Biden was probably trying to “raise public consciousness” and “introduce the Supreme Court as an election issue,” Schwinn, a law professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, told AFP.

The Supreme Court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, plays an outsize role in determining the lives of ordinary Americans from everything from reproductive health to the environment.

Trump appointed three justices during his 2017-2021 presidency and Democrats have warned that with a second term he would be able to name even more.

Biden had previously resisted calls to overhaul the court but has changed his mind after it dealt several blows to his policies in recent years.

The court stunned the world when it overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that had underpinned the federal right to abortion. At least 20 states have now brought in full or partial abortion bans.

It has rolled back the power of federal agencies, blocked Biden’s signature student debt forgiveness plan, and partially ruled in early July in favor of Trump’s immunity claims.

Trump is now using that ruling to challenge his recent criminal conviction in a porn star-hush money case and a series of other prosecutions.

Meanwhile the Supreme Court has been rocked by ethics scandals involving arch-conservative justices.

Justice Clarence Thomas recently admitted that two luxury vacations he took in 2019 were paid for by a billionaire Republican political donor.

Thomas, the longest-service justice on the court, has also ignored calls to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 election, after his wife took part in the drive to keep Trump in power despite his electoral loss.

And Justice Samuel Alito has rejected calls to recuse himself from some Trump-related cases after flags linked to the former president’s false election fraud claims were discovered to have been flown outside his home and vacation property.

AFP

Adhere to rules of engagement, FG tells INGOs

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The Federal Government has urged international non-governmental organisations to stay in its operational areas and follow the established rules of engagement, emphasising that violations will not be tolerated.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, said this at a one-day interactive forum with the INGOs community and other stakeholders themed, “Enhancing Cooperation and Coordination of the INGOs’ Community” held on Monday in Abuja.

The non-governmental organisations comprising 58 members are actively providing humanitarian assistance to populations affected by conflict in the North-East and other affected states.

Bagudu said the purpose of the event was to enhance our coordination and collaboration structures, align our efforts with national priorities in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding areas, and find sustainable solutions to overcome bureaucratic and administrative challenges.

The minister represented by his special adviser, Dr Bolaji Onalaja, affirmed the current administration’s goal to create an environment that promotes sustainable development and ensures the well-being of all citizens.

He explained that cooperation is essential for successfully coordinating developmental programs by INGOs in Nigeria and ensuring that they contribute effectively to the nation’s socioeconomic development.

He said, “It is also pertinent to note that INGOs in Nigeria are diligently working across all 36 states and the FCT to bridge gaps that the government alone cannot fully address. They provide vital social and development services in sectors such as health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, human capital development, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, youth citizenship, governance, gender-based violence, protection, and economic empowerment. Currently, members of this forum are actively providing humanitarian assistance to populations affected by conflict in the North-East and other affected states.

“The contribution of INGOs to our national development aspirations is truly invaluable. They have been instrumental in complementing government efforts by delivering critical services and support to vulnerable populations. Their work has significantly impacted the lives of countless Nigerians, helping to build stronger and more resilient communities.

“I, therefore, urge you to adhere to the established rules of engagement and also to strive for even greater levels of collaboration and innovation that will amplify the impact of your efforts.”

On her part, the Director, Nigeria INGO Forum, Lynn Van Beek, sought the cooperation of the government for the seamless implementation of its humanitarian programmes and the need to eliminate the bureaucratic process hindering the smooth operation of its plans.

She noted that these programs provide critical support to vulnerable populations across the country,

“Our collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, as well as other government stakeholders, is essential for the seamless implementation of our programme s. These programs provide critical support to vulnerable populations across the country, and our shared goal is to improve the quality and reach of these efforts.

“The landscape in which we operate is constantly changing, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Recent challenges in the regulatory environment have underlined once again the necessity of providing a platform for meaningful dialogue between INGOs and government authorities.

“In carrying our work, INGOs experience bureaucratic hurdles such as delay in renewal of Host Country Agreement, Visa restrictions and issues with multiple taxation at the federal and state levels and resource constraints and we seek better understanding to resolve these problems.”

INGOs have had a series of collaborative partnerships with the government on cutting across humanitarian, peacebuilding and development sectors.

In 2022, 49 INGOs implemented 267 projects across 169 local governments in 23 states in Nigeria and strengthened the health system, as well as the education sector In the north-east

FEC approves purchase of 7,887 dialysis consumables for 7 hospitals

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The Federal Executive Council, FEC, on Monday, approved the purchase of 7,887 dialysis consumables to make healthcare more accessible to citizens suffering from kidney diseases.
Minister of Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Work, Ali Pate, revealed this to correspondents after the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the gesture aims to address the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
The consumables will be distributed across seven federal tertiary hospitals, including the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and the National Hospital in Abuja.
Pate stressed the importance of prevention alongside treatment, highlighting plans for public health screenings and lifestyle modifications to reduce future cases of kidney disease.
He said: “In continuation of the President’s efforts, including reducing the cost of access to health care services considering the vast non-communicable diseases that we experience in Nigeria, including hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and several vascular diseases, Council today approved the one-off purchase of 7,887 sets of dialysis consumables for the use of Nigerians who are suffering from chronic disease in seven of our federal tertiary hospitals.
“These hospitals are University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre in Ebuta Metta, Federal Medical Centre in Owerri, the National Hospital, Abuja, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.
“This is an effort to make the cost of treatment affordable for those who suffer from integral disease through dialysis.
“It’s a start, but dealing with kidney disease requires not only dialysis but also prevention. That’s part of the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that we prevent cases of hypertension and diabetes that progress to kidney disease.
“We’re looking at screening so that Nigerians will be able to screen themselves for hypertension and diabetes, but also get lifestyle modification so that we have less and less people requiring dialysis. But for those who are affected, we know that the cost of access to that is a major impediment.
“This effort by Mr. President is to bring relief within the context of several other policy measures to ensure that Nigerians have access to critical health care services. And with this approval, we’ll provide those and I think it will bring relief to many Nigerians and their families in accessing dialysis services. They’re very much needed in our country.”
FEC approves purchase of 7,887 dialysis consumables for 7 hospitals

Mbappe to buy second-tier club in France — Report

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France captain, Kylian Mbappe, is set to become the majority owner of second-division club, Caen, French media reported on Monday.

Mbappe, 25, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, will spend 20 million euros ($21.6 million) to buy an 80 per cent stake in the Normandy outfit from American investors, Oaktree, according to newspaper Le Parisien.

The 2018 World Cup winner almost joined Caen as a teenager before eventually signing for Monaco.

Caen finished in sixth place in Ligue 2 last season and their former players include Mbappe’s France teammate N’Golo Kante and ex-Les Bleus defender William Gallas.

The two-time Ligue 2 champions, established in 1913, start the new campaign by hosting Paris FC on August 17.

AFP

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FEC ratifies prisoner, fugitive swap policy with Spain

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said on Monday that the meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, deliberated extensively on holistic crime-fighting and anti-corruption policy and approved a prisoner swap policy with Spain.
Fagbemi, while briefing State House correspondents on the memos presented at FEC, said: “As you all know, there are three stages. The first one is the investigation aspect. The second one is the prosecution and sentencing and [the third is] ensuring that the sentence is served as deterrence. Before now, there have been what you called trans-border inhibitions, where somebody who is wanted in Nigeria, for example, goes beyond the borders of Nigeria. To get him arrested, suppose you need any document that is not within but you know where he can be reached. How do we get this document? Somebody is trying to escape justice; how do you get him back? And after sentencing, some countries have a policy that ‘Okay, let the convict come back home’.
“These three stages are being addressed. We will do it country by country; but for today, the ones dealt with were the ones concerning the Kingdom of Spain―Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain. So we have three memos in quick succession, one dealing with the exchange of information, including investigation.
“We have an agreement that was signed way back in June 2022. After the agreement, what the law requires is that you come back and have it ratified. And it was presented to Council today.”
He continued: “The second one had to do with the exchange of assistance to bring back fugitives, people trying to escape from justice. Either you bring them to justice or take justice to them. This second aspect of this mutual assistance has been ratified.
“The third in the series has to do with, ‘after conviction, what do we do?’ Some will say, ‘Okay, if you have these convictions, can you bring the person back home to serve his sentence here?’
“So we have an agreement that we can exchange persons sentenced to serve their sentence here or there. This has significantly shown that there is no hiding place for criminals. If they go outside the shores of the country, they can rest assured that the arm of the law is long enough to reach them.”
FEC ratifies prisoner, fugitive swap policy with Spain