News From Nigeria
Flag-off Ceremony of Arterial Road N5, Abuja
. As usual, we’ll deliver as promised, says Managing Director Lubasch
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has praised top-notch engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for its quality and timely delivery on assigned projects declaring that the company remains the best in the country’s engineering construction sector.
Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony of the development of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road 111 in the Federal Capital city Friday, the minister traced his relationship with Julius Berger right from his days as Rivers State governor, and declared; that’s why I have always said I enjoyed the best, that is why I always go to Julius Berger to do construction work for us because I know they are the best whether everybody likes it or not.
The road is approximately 4.4 km inclusive of box culverts, one river bridge and the junction at N3/N30 to be delivered within 18 months construction time.
According to Wike, he had never been to the part of the FCT where the project was flagged off. However, he revealed that from the several messages he had received on the state of the road in the area and given what he later saw on ground, the need to rework the road was not in doubt.
As a minister I have never been to this part. I thought the junction they were talking about was Life Camp; that is the other one you take going to our official residences. No wonder every time I get text messages asking when we will do this Life Camp route. The text messages were always saying, the traffic is chaotic; and seeing the number of persons who are around today, tells you this neighbourhood is heavily populated, and that is why we thank God Almighty that we are starting this road and giving it to the constructions giant Julius Berger, Wike said.
The minister was not done as he recalled how the need for his administration as state governor in Rivers state gingered him to amend critical procurement policies to accommodate the quality services of Julius Berger.
He continued; let me tell you, one company that made me to move from amendment to procurement law in Rivers state was Julius Berger. How? When I knew that the law permitted 15 to 30 percent up for the variation fee, I realised there would be a problem; and that problem would be, by the time the 15 to 30 percent is paid and another milestone to variation certificate is being submitted, we may not have the money to pay. All I did was to seek the support of the State’s House of Assembly to amend the Procurement Law to allow the Executive Council to pay up to 70% if they believe that the firm or company is competent to carry out the job without running away. And I know Julius Berger is on ground. If you go to where they are living you will know that they will never live this country again. So, we amended the laws. And I could say that in every job that I did with Julius Berger then, we paid 70% upfront; that was how we were able to do 12 flyovers in four years.
The minister disclosed that his foregoing revelation was on purpose, to tell most of the National Assembly members among others that, part of our predicament and that our major headache is the Procurement Law. The law we know is to protect and make sure our money is safe; but again, if you look at it, it brings us backward. That is why in most cases you put procurement for almost four months before it is approved; before it goes to the Federal Executive Council and before you know it, six months have gone; six months for procurement alone; that is half of the year already.
Thanking the FCT Administration, FCTA for the contract award, the Managing Director of Julious Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr Dr Peer Lubasch said, on behalf of the entire management and Board of Directors of Julius Berger, I thank you for your trust and for giving our company the opportunity to deliver on these projects
Lubasch said that the contract stands on the long-lasting relationship the company has with the FCT Administration, the company’s partner for progress, even as he commended the FCTA for its vision and foresight in its true investment in infrastructure for progress and we are honoured to be the chosen partners for the realisation of this vision
Lubasch assured the administration and people of the FCT of quality and timely delivery on the project.
The representative of the Senate President and Senator of the Federal Republic, Ibrahim Bomai later flagged off the road construction thanking the FCT administration of Wike and the construction company.
At the event to witness the flagoff, were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio represented by Senator Ibrahim Bomai, Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, Senator George Skibo; House of Representatives member representing Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, Abaji FCT, Abdul Rahman Ajiya among others.
Team Julius Berger at the flag-off included the outgoing Managing Director, Engr Dr Lars Richter, Head Corporate Communications Department, James Agama and Happiness Moses of the Media Relations Department
A group of political leaders under the aegis of Edo State Political Leaders Forum (EDPLF) on Friday met in Auchi, Edo North Senatorial District, describing the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Monday Opebholo, as a man of integrity and principle.
“Many qualities separate Monday Opebholo from other candidates: vision, courage, character, loyalty and sincerity. He will chart the right course and provide a clear focus for where the people and the state want to be and how to get there” the leaders said.
At the meeting to perfect strategies towards ensuring the emergence of Opebholo as the next governor of Edo State, the leaders said Okpebholo remains the best for Edo State”
‘’We want a governor that can unite the people, provide security and good roads throughout the state. Okpebholo will not step on the toes of Edo people. He will fast track development in all the communities, embark on large housing development for low-income earners, create the enabling environment for investors within and outside to invest in Edo State in order to create more job opportunities for the people’’
In a statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Dr. Kenneth Agweh, the leaders urged Edo indigenes at home and abroad to think about the future of the state and reject the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for contributing to the state’s adversity.
‘’We are building critical alliances with the various communities. We are dialoguing with major players in the country. We are talking with opinion leaders, influencers in Edo State and Edo indigenes abroad. We are in touch with traditional rulers, market women, youth leaders and professionals. Okpebholo will win the September governorship election’’
They described the APC candidate as a good leader, competent administrator and one of the most influential and uniting figures in Nigerian history.
“Monday Opebholo symbolizes the very best. He will boost the tourism sector, provide for the well-being of our people, deepen the mechanics of governance and service delivery in the state” the leaders said.
They praised the APC governorship candidate for his exceptional qualities, impeccable honesty, competence and humble lifestyle.
They also praised him for having the type of empathy and direction the state needs.
“Monday Opebholo is well known for his innovative ideas and clean image. He is down to earth, clear sighted about issues facing the state.”
The APC candidate, a cerebral, competent manager and good example of leadership in Africa, is expected to win the governorship election in September.
“We are sure of victory” the leaders said.
EDPLF is a political group striving for the enthronement of accountable and responsible government in Edo State.
Political leaders from Etsako West, East and Central, Owan East and West and Akoko-Edo were present at the meeting.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio over “the failure to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, and to recall Senator Abdul Ningi who blew the whistle on the allegations.”
Mr Akpabio is sued for himself and on behalf of all members of Nigeria’s Senate.
It would be recalled that whistleblower Ningi last month was suspended for three months over his allegations that the 2024 budget was padded by over N3 trillion and that the country is operating two budgets.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/452/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to immediately take steps to ensure the reinstatement of whistleblower Abdul Ningi who was suspended from the Senate over his allegations that the lawmakers padded the 2024 budget by irregularly inserting projects worth N3.7 trillion.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to put in place transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the trillions of Naira budgeted for constituency projects are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “Granting this application would serve the public interest, encourage whistleblowers to speak up, improve public services, and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.”
SERAP is arguing that, “Directing Mr Akpabio to refer these allegations to appropriate anticorruption agencies and to reinstate whistleblower Abdul Ningi would be entirely consistent and compatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The allegations by Senator Ningi amount to public interest disclosures and can contribute to strengthening transparency and democratic accountability in the Senate in particular and the country as a whole.”
According to SERAP, “Suspension of Senator Ningi by the Senate followed a seriously flawed process and it amounts to retaliation.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Senator Ningi’s status as a whistleblower is not diminished even if the perceived threat to the public interest has not materialised, since he would seem to have reasonable grounds to believe in the accuracy of the allegations of budget padding and corruption in the Senate.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Mrs Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “It is in the public interest and the interest of justice to grant this application. No whistleblower should ever be penalised simply for making a public interest disclosure.”
“Directing Mr Akpabio to refer the allegations to appropriate anticorruption agencies would help to address the lingering problem of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects.”
“Directing Mr Akpabio to refer the allegations to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would also ensure probity and accountability in the budget process.”
“Investigating and prosecuting the allegations of budget padding and corruption would end the impunity of perpetrators. It would build trust in democratic institutions with the ultimate aim of strengthening the rule of law.”
“Years of allegations of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects have contributed to widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services.”
“Allegations of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects have also continued to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens in several communities and the public interest.”
“Combating budget padding would improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of ministries, departments and agencies to effectively and efficiently discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.”
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
“Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the National Assembly including the Senate to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
“Section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution and sections 13 and 18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act constrain the ability of the National Assembly to unilaterally insert its own allocations in the budget without following the due process of law.”
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.”
“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the National Assembly including the Senate to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.”
“Article 33 of the Convention requires government institutions including the Senate to ensure the protection of whistleblowers against any unjustified treatment. Granting this application would ensure that these commitments are fully upheld and respected.”
“Senator Ningi is a whistleblower, who is protected under article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Senator Ningi is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged budget padding and corruption in the Senate in the context of carrying out his work as Senator.”
“According to our information, Senator Abdul Ningi, the former Chairperson of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), recently told BBC Hausa that the lawmakers sought the service of a private auditor and discovered irregularities in the budget.”
“Senator Ningi reportedly said, ‘For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion but after our thorough checks, we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for?.’”
“According to BudgIT, a total of 7,447 projects culminating in N2.24tn were indiscriminately inserted in the 2024 budget by the National Assembly. 281 projects worth N491bn, and 3,706 projects within the range of N100–500m, worth 759bn were inserted in the budget.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
7/04/2024
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202