Business Archives - Page 11 of 83

FG begins reconstruction of Eastern rail line corridor – NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation says the Federal Government has begun reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Eastern railway corridor.

The Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Enugu, Mr Victor Adamu, stated this while responding to a national survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria, on abandonment of railway lines in the country, in Enugu on Wednesday.

Adamu said that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the narrow gauge tracks had commenced from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Aba, in Abia State.

According to him, the narrow gauge traversed the eastern district, from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Borno State and other parts of Nigeria.

“This district covers Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers and part of Egbede in Benue State, which is our boundary with the north central district of about 110 kilometers.

“I am very happy to state that the segment of the contract was handed over to NRC on Nov. 28, 2024.

“We have our coaches that are running from Port Harcourt to Aba and back to Port Harcourt, five days in a week,” he explained.

He acknowledged that there was a suspension of work from Aba in Umuahia down to Enugu.

Adamu, however, said that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the construction and rehabilitation on the remaining part of the contract commence soon.

The district manager explained that, through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, work on the narrow gauge had resumed.

“This is a project that the Southeast and other parts of the country will benefit from.

“The Federal Government is doing a lot to see that the rail lines are working again.

“Sometime in April, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu and we had some meaningful discussions with the governors of Abia and Enugu States.

“I believe that the visit will really bring out a lot of things that are going to happen on this corridor,’’ he said.

According to Adamu, there is a policy introduced by Tinubu’s administration that allows state governments to invest in railways.

He disclosed that the Anambra, Abia and Enugu state governments were ready to key into the policy.

“With this, I believe that very soon, we will start seeing the dividends from these policies,” Adamu said.

He, however, described the activities of vandals as the biggest challenge to NRC, especially as it concerned their track materials and other facilities.

According to him, in securing the railway infrastructure, NRC is working with the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, military and vigilante groups.

Adamu said that through the collaboration of the NRC, police, military, and NSCDC, they made arrests of suspected vandals, and some of them were already facing trial.

“There are some suspected vandals who were arrested in Imo, Rivers and Enugu states.

“We are doing these because these facilities are meant for Nigerians, and we are expected to own them as Nigerians. This will go a long way in keeping them intact.

“Our officials are still going around to see that these facilities are protected,’’ the district manager said.

NAN reports that railway operations stopped in Enugu for over two decades.

NAN

Dangote hails Tinubu on infrastructure, flood control

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has publicly hailed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its “visionary leadership” in infrastructure development and flood control initiatives.

In an open letter, Dangote expressed appreciation for the President’s efforts, particularly highlighting the transformative Bar Beach Land Reclamation project (Eko Atlantic City) and the ongoing nationwide superhighway constructions.

Dangote’s commendation, tagged, “Open Letter To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR: Appreciation”, was shared by the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, via his X handle on Wednesday.

In his open letter, Dangote drew a parallel between the success of the Eko Atlantic City project and the recent flash flooding incident in Kerr County, Texas, USA, which claimed over 100 lives.

He praised Tinubu’s “foresightedness” in initiating the Eko Atlantic City, a modern city spanning 1,000 hectares and protected by an 8.5-kilometre-long sea wall, which has effectively shielded Victoria Island from coastal erosion and provided new land for development.

“Your Excellency, this success story, which is now being used for residential, business, and recreational purposes, is amongst your many legacies, and those of us who live in Victoria Island are much better off for it,” Dangote wrote, applauding the President’s “exemplary intervention in ending the era of ocean surge and in continuous tackling the issue of perennial flooding affecting areas such as Ahmadu Bello Way, Akin Adesola Street, Bishop Oluwole Street, Amodu Ojikutu Street, Adetokunbo Ademola Street and Karimu Kotun Street, among others.”

Beyond flood control, the Africa’s richest man commended Tinubu for kickstarting major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway.

He particularly noted the latter’s significance as a “resurrection of a 48-year-old project,” both of which are being handled by the “first-rate construction and civil engineering firm in Hitech Construction Company Limited.”

Dangote further highlighted the resemblance of Nigeria’s land reclamation efforts to similar successful projects in Zeeland, Netherlands, where submerged land was transformed into usable dry land, primarily for agriculture and settlement.

This, he stated, “is a testament to the Dutch ingenuity and perseverance in managing water resources and creating a habitable landscape in a challenging environment. The same ethos resonates in the Bar Beach project, for which I salute you!”

In a gesture of corporate social responsibility, Dangote Industries Limited also extended condolences to the families affected by the Texas flooding incident.

The letter concluded with an announcement that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would soon “be announcing plans of contributing to a Climate Fund that will target those vulnerable parts of our country which are susceptible to this natural disaster.”

Reacting to the commendation, Onanuga noted that Dangote’s position offered “an honest assessment of Tinubu’s leadership, contrasts sharply with opposition claims that the president has achieved nothing in the past two years.”

A’Ibom gov approves N20,000 allowance for NYSC members 8th July 2025

The students of Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic are currently protesting at the main gate of the institution, located on Sango/Eleyele Road in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PUNCH Online had reported that the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of the late former governor of the state, Omololu Olunloyo, who died at the age of 89.

Despite the earlier warning by the institution’s management that the students should shelve their planned protest, a large number of students came out to express their grievances, calling on the governor to rescind his earlier decision.

Academic and other activities in the institution are now put on hold, while the Sango en route Eleyele axis is temporarily blocked.

Details later…

Ortom demands transparency in Benue LG allocations

The immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has called on his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, to account for the state and local government funds.

The former governor was reacting to the statement attributed to a faction of the All Progressives Congress, which he suspects is affiliated with the governor, an excerpt of which Kula Tersoo, media aide to Governor Alia, posted online recently.

This statement read that the governor “has increased local government security votes from the one million naira paid by his predecessor to ten million naira monthly…”

However, Ortom in a statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, took a swipe at his successor, requesting that he declares how much his administration is receiving as monthly local government allocations from the federation’s account before announcing how much he is giving the councils as security votes.

Ortom equally demanded that Governor Alia should go a step further and explain why he is still the one providing the third tier of government funds, despite the Supreme Court judgment granting full financial autonomy to local governments.

“The fact that none of the 23 local governments under him has constructed even a single culvert shows how they have been starved of their own funds,” the former governor said.

The former governor decried the situation that his successor, who is in his third year in office had never responded to calls for transparency and accountability regarding the huge resources accruing to the state following the removal of fuel subsidy.

“He has suddenly decided to celebrate a claim that he has increased security votes for local governments in the state.

“The starting point should be for Governor Alia to declare how much he is receiving as monthly local government allocations from the federation’s account before announcing how much he is giving the councils as security votes.

“The question to ask Governor Alia is, given reports that the Federal Government is now sending 500% increased allocations to the local governments in Benue State, which automatically makes a council such as Gboko receive a monthly allocation of N624,447,191.53.

“Why is Gboko only receiving a mere N10 million out of over N624 million as security vote? Where is the rest of the money going?

“When the Benue State governor is done accounting for how much the 23 local governments are receiving from the federation’s account in the subsidy removal era.

“He should extend the accountability to the state coffers and tell the people how much his government is receiving and what is being done with the funds.

“This explanation should include the over N3 billion he is reported to be taking every month as security vote in the face of frequent attacks and killing of hundreds of Benue people by Fulani terrorists.

While Alia denied that under his watch, only N1 million was being released to local governments in the state as security vote, Ortom claimed that he granted autonomy to the local governments.

He said that was the reason all of the councils were actively executing projects and tackling insecurity in their respective domains.

Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, on Sunday, responding to a similar request made by a group known as Benue Advocacy Network, directed those interested in knowing the financial obligations to the state to approach the Budget Office in the state.

Oborevwori defends multibillion-naira flyover projects amid criticism

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has defended his administration’s plan over the ongoing flyover projects in Warri and Effurun.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, was reacting to criticisms by former Ethiope West Local Government Chairman and All Progressives Congress chieftain, Chief Wilson Omene.

The APC chieftain had, in a recent interview, described the ongoing flyover projects in Warri and Effurun as “ill-informed and misleading.”

Defending the project, Oborevwori said the flyover and road expansion projects were strategic interventions aimed at decongesting traffic in Warri and Effurun.

Oborevwori said, “The flyovers, road expansions and sleepway interchange are not cosmetic.

They are long-term investments in urban mobility, ease of doing business, and economic growth.

“These are gateway cities connecting the ports, industries, and the hinterland. The projects are unlocking commercial potential and creating an enabling environment for further private-sector participation. Perhaps, Chief Wilson Omene may have to check the meaning of enabling business environment,” the statement read.

The governor argued that the Warri-Effurun corridor served a fast-growing population and played a pivotal role in Delta’s economy, stating that only those out of tune with modern urban planning would fail to grasp the significance of the projects.

Responding to Omene’s claim that such funds should have been channelled into building industries in Delta Central, the governor labelled the argument as narrow-minded and sectional.

“Delta State is bigger than any single senatorial district. The M.O.R.E agenda—Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security—is being implemented equitably across Delta North, Delta Central, and Delta South. No part of the state has been left behind,” the statement read.

On the governor’s defection to the APC, Ahon said the decision followed wide consultations with political leaders and stakeholders across Delta and was geared towards attracting federal support and deepening development.

“Governor Oborevwori’s alignment with the APC was not for personal benefit but to synergise with the Federal Government in delivering more dividends of democracy to Deltans.

“Chief Wilson Omene is merely acting out a script written by those who view the governor’s move as a threat to their political interests,” the statement added.

Ahon urged Omene and other critics to embrace constructive engagement rooted in facts, rather than divisive commentary and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and lasting infrastructure.

“Constructive criticism is welcome, but it must be rooted in facts and guided by a sincere desire to move Delta State forward,” he concluded.

NNPC donates 35 CNG buses to presidential initiative 8th July 2025

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd has handed over 35 hybrid Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas.

During a brief ceremony held at the NNPC Towers on Monday, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, reiterated the Company’s commitment to support the Federal Government’s gas aspirations.

The GCEO stated that the move was in line with NNPC Ltd.’s efforts to drive the adoption of CNG as a cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable fuel alternative.

He added that the company has recorded significant progress on gas supply, infrastructure, distribution, and retail outlets.

“I am proud that NNPC Ltd is playing a pivotal role in driving the Federal Government’s gas agenda towards energy transition,” the GCEO stated in a statement signed by the

NNPC Ltd on Monday in Abuja.

Earlier in his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the CNG buses represent not just vehicles but serve as instruments of economic relief, social equity, and environmental responsibility.

“They signal a future where the ordinary Nigerian can commute safely, affordably, and efficiently,” he added.

The Minister described the initiative as a direct reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a bold step to reduce the cost of transportation, lessen dependence on petrol, and ensure the utilisation of the Nation’s abundant natural gas resources for the benefit of the people.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Ltd, Mumuni Dagazau, said the adoption of CNG as a fuel alternative has significant economic benefits for the Nation by reducing reliance on PMS and AGO as automotive fuels which also leads to substantial cost savings and supports the growth of local gas industry.

The Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said through the initiative, NNPC Ltd was advancing and shaping a new energy future that will purposefully serve people, communities, and the planet.

The Programme Coordinator/CEO, Presidential CNG Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, commended NNPC Ltd for supporting the Initiative, stressing that the company has been a reliable partner for the Initiative since its commencement.

TCN laments vandalism, urges Kaduna communities to protect facilities

The General Manager, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Kaduna Region, Nasir Mansur, has urged communities to act fast in curtailing vandalism, saying that the firm was overwhelmed by vandalism.

He made the call on Monday during a sensitisation and public awareness campaign tagged: ‘Encroachment of the TCN Right of Way and Vandalisation of High-Tension Installations’, at Mando, Kaduna State.

He stated that vandalism was the greatest challenge in Nigeria’s power sector, saying, “Traditional leaders and the members of the communities are critical stakeholders that will help in curbing the menace.

“This trend is dangerous, if we continue like this, I am afraid, electricity cannot be sustainable.

“The consequences of vandalism include interrupted power supply, huge losses, and other associated damages; we expect all patriotic citizens to protect these facilities,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that technical presentations were done by the Health, Safety and Environment’, Electrical and Maintenance Department, as well as Systems Lines Departments of TCN.

Mr Yakubu Abdulrazak from EMD, explained that the right of way for high voltage power lines were 25 meters left and 25 meters right, adding that it was dangerous to farm or build on the right of way.

“People encroaching the company’s right of way may suffer electrocution, fire hazards, and structural collapse, leading to deaths and loss of properties, ” he said.

Also, traditional leaders at the event, pledged their support for the cause, saying they would ensure the dissemination of information to their subjects and collaborate to report any issue of vandalism.

One of them, Adamu Saleh, the Sarkin Jaji, commended TCN for the sensitisation programme, saying it has armed the community leaders with information on the dangers of encroaching right of way, as well as vandalisation.

Saleh said, “Security must be strengthened along these facilities; traditional leaders and security must collaborate to fight against encroachment of right of way and vandalism.”

Another ruler, the Sarkin Mando, Sani Musa, stated that his Palace had been reporting suspected moves to vandalise TCN equipment or erect a structure on the right of way.

“We will continue to support authorities in ensuring businesses and houses on the right of way are evacuated to avoid tragedy, ” Musa said.

NAN reports that TCN provided hotlines to report damages or vandalism, to call or send emails, which include: 07016839880 or affairs.public@tcn.org.ng.

Aiyedatiwa seeks more support for NDDC to tackle Niger Delta challenges

Ondo State Governor Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa has called on the stakeholders to come together and give more support to the Niger Delta Development Commission in order to address the challenges facing the Niger Delta region of the country.

The governor also commended the ongoing President Bola Tinubu administration for its commitment to the development of the region by ensuring that the NDDC received the needed support to deliver its mandate.

Aiyedatiwa stated this on Sunday, at the Thanksgiving service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the commission, held at St. Thomas Anglican Church, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

According to the governor, the NDDC had made significant impacts in the development of the mandate areas, but said much still needed to be done, hence the call for more collaboration.

He said, “Let me use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to Mr. President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region. His interest in the NDDC and its activities has been more than passing, and we appreciate his leadership in ensuring that the commission receives the support it needs to deliver on its mandate.

“As we celebrate the silver jubilee of the NDDC, it is imperative that we acknowledge the progress we have made and also recognise that there is still much work to be done as the Niger Delta region continues to face significant development challenges and we must work together to address these issues.

“I urge the NDDC to continue to improve on its activities, ensuring that projects are tailored to the needs of the communities we serve. Let us work together to unlock the potential of our region, promote economic growth and enhance the lives of our people. We are partners in progress, unity and development.”

The governor also commended the NDDC board and management for their outstanding work. He lauded the representatives of the state on the board of commission for their dedication, saying, “I look forward to continued collaboration and progress in the years ahead.”

In his remark, the Managing Director of the DDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the commission had undertaken major road construction and rehabilitation projects to improve connectivity and accessibility in the Niger Delta region.

He noted that the commission had prioritised youth empowerment through training programs, educational scholarships, and capacity-building workshops to equip the local workforce with necessary skills.

“Ondo State was chosen for the anniversary because of its principle, which believes that ‘Work is the Antidote for Poverty’. We are also here to spread the dividends of renewed hope. We have been accountable and we will be accountable at the end of our tenure,” the MD said.

Soludo engages Anambra diaspora on accountability, inclusive governance 6th July 2025

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is engaging with Anambra indigenes in the United States and North America as part of his tour on accountability and inclusive governance and his administration’s progress report to professionals and business leaders and other citizens of the state living in those countries.

In a statement released on Saturday, Soludo’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said the US/North America meeting is a continuation of the governor’s noble tradition, which demonstrates that he sees governance as a continuous contract with the people, not just a seasonal obligation tied to election cycles.

Aburime said the Diaspora meeting is a strategic engagement that reinforces Soludo’s belief in participatory governance, adding that Anambra’s global citizens deserve to be carried along in the state’s progress, and this meeting ensures they remain stakeholders, not just spectators from afar.

He said that as the 2025 Anambra State governorship election draws closer, while opposition candidates are deep in campaign mode, Soludo is taking a different approach, one that demonstrates his commitment to good governance over routine politics.

This, he said, demonstrates how statesmen and visionary leaders are separated from politicians, adding that visionary leaders are mindful of leaving an enduring positive impact while politicians are desperate to just win the next election.

The statement read in part, “On Sunday, July 6, the governor will engage with the Anambra Diaspora community in the US and North America at a town hall meeting in Maryland. This is not an election campaign stop; it is another chapter in his administration’s untiring dedication to accountability and inclusive governance that has been the trend in the past three years.

“Soludo’s decision to embark on this Diaspora engagement at a time when others would be focusing solely on the upcoming election speaks volumes about his leadership philosophy.

“Unlike typical politicians who flood the airwaves with their usual empty promises as elections approach, Soludo is choosing to let his record speak for itself. His administration has held similar town hall meetings this year: first in Lagos, then Abuja, and later in the UK/Europe, where he presented his achievements, addressed concerns, and outlined his vision for the future of Anambra State.

“This upcoming US/North America meeting is a continuation of that noble tradition. It demonstrates that Prof. Soludo sees governance as a continuous contract with the people, not just a seasonal obligation tied to election cycles. While his opponents are busy making grand declarations or criticising his government, Governor Soludo is busy reporting back to the people, proving that his administration values transparency and performance over political theatrics.”

According to Aburime, since the assuming office, Soludo has pursued an ambitious “Solution agenda” anchored on economic transformation, security, infrastructure, and human capital development.

He pointed out that the governor’s administration has made a significant impact in areas such as security, massive road construction and urban renewal projects, education, overhauling the public school system, economic growth, empowering youths, among others.

“These achievements are tangible results that directly impact the lives of Anambra citizens. By engaging the Diaspora, Soludo recognises their critical role in the state’s development. In fact, many Ndi Anambra in the US and Canada are key investors, professionals, and philanthropists whose contributions can further accelerate the state’s growth.

“This town hall is an opportunity to align their expertise and resources with the state’s developmental goals. Moreover, it sends a powerful message that Governor Soludo is not a leader who governs in isolation. He listens, he reports, and he collaborates.

“While opposition candidates scramble for attention with their usual empty promises, Governor Soludo’s confidence in his performance allows him to focus on governance. He understands that true leadership is not about loud campaigns but about measurable impact.

“As he meets with Ndi Anambra in Maryland with his scorecard, the message will be ringing loud and clear: performance will always outweigh propaganda. It is also a reaffirmation that accountability should never take a back seat, even in an election season. In the end, that is what will matter most to the people of Anambra State,” the statement added.

Investors eager to fund Lagos-Calabar highway, others – Umahi

The Federal Government has said a number of financial institutions have shown eagerness to participate in the execution of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and similar landmark road projects.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, made the disclosure while addressing journalists after inspecting the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and some bridges in Lagos.

“I have had meetings with a lot of financial institutions, and they are very eager to participate.

“We are doing everything to complete Section 1 by December and have it approved, and that will open a floodgate for other financial aids.

“One thing that I must commend the President for and, of course, beat my chest and say glory be to God, is that the international funders came and they saw the quantum of the job we are doing.

“That, for me, is a pass mark,” Umahi said.

He said that the recently-inaugurated 30km portion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would not be opened to motorists until completion of an additional 17.47km portion of the Section One, Phase One, of the road project.

“We completed 20km at the beginning, and then we completed 10km,” Umahi said.

He noted that the contractor, Hi-Tech Construction company, was working hard to complete the 17.47km.

Umahi said, “This is what we are working to join, and when we have joined it, if you are travelling from Ahmadu Bello Way to the Lekki Free Zone, then you can use the coastal highway.”

The minister said that the road would be tolled to ensure constant maintenance.

“Whether these roads are tolled or not, they need constant maintenance,” he added.