News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has vowed the speedy completion of Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Section I) in Borno State despite security and logistical challenges. During the media tour of the Northeast zone in Maiduguri, the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Engr. Salihu Adamu assured Nigerians that the project will be completed irrespective of persistent security and logistical constraints.  "The biggest challenge faced by the contractor is insecurity. There are pockets of attacks on the highways, and this forced them to take longer and safer routes to source construction materials," he said.  The project was initially awarded in 2018 to QUMECS (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of ₦21.73 billion, traversing 105.6 kilometres. Following a technical review and scope adjustment, the project was revised to incorporate a flexible pavement structure with asphaltic concrete shoulders, bringing the current contract sum to ₦28.37 billion to reflect pre...

The police have opened up on the intricacies surrounding the Wednesday bomb explosion at Bayelsa State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa.  Findings indicated that the explosion, which occurred at about 6:00am, prompted swift action from security operatives to prevent colossal damage.  An eye witness revealed that the Bayelsa State Government ordered a temporary four-hour suspension of activities at the secretariat.  Also, the Head of Service, Dr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer directed the civil servants to keep away from the scene pending the completion of security checks.  Though the area was cordoned off immediately after the explosion, activities gradually returned to the area after police inspection.  But in a statement, the Command Spokesperson, Musa Mohammed said that operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Unit were able to contain the explosion and recovered one other unexploded device. The statement reads: "The Bayelsa State Police Command wish to inform th...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Ministry of Works has disclosed that the rehabilitation of Section l, Potiskum–Jakusko–Gashua road in Yobe State will be ready by second quarter of the year.  Pegged at ₦75.47 billion, the project was awarded to Messrs JRB Construction Limited in 2024, with a scheduled completion date of 14 May, 2026.  This was even as the ministry assured the people of Yobe of the timely completion of key Federal road projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At the commissioning of emergency/special intervention projects, the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Yobe State, Engr. Nasir Dauda said that the interventions will restore failed roads, improve access, and support economic and social activities. The project, which covers 79.4 kilometres, is constructed on Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).  Dauda explained that work commenced from Chainage 49, identified as the most critical section of the roa...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has revived strategic roads linking to communities in Bauchi State, with the aim of curbing flooding, erosion and other environmental crisis.  Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi stated this at the Northeast National Media Tour and Commissioning of Emergency/Special Intervention Projects n Bauchi.  It kicked off with a visit to the ongoing rehabilitation of Bauchi–Gombe road, a vital corridor linking Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba States.  The 35-kilometre section of the alignment was awarded in 2024 to Messrs Triacta (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of N39,999,177,118.59.  Also, the rehabilitation works aim to restore a major transport artery that was marred by frequent accidents and prolonged travel times, as the ongoing project have already reduced road crashes.  As part of its efforts toward the provision of motorable roads to Nigerians, the Federal Ministry of Works commissioned two comp...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As part of its agenda to improve national connectivity and economic growth, the  Federal Government has renewed hope for communities in Plateau State through strategic road interventions.  This manifested at the commissioning of completed emergency road interventions and inspection of ongoing  Lafia–Shendam road and Babban Lamba–Sharram road projects in the state.  It was done in continuation of the Federal Ministry of Works national media tour of the North Central region, aimed at showcasing completed emergency repairs and ongoing road projects, while  highlighting its commitment to delivering critical infrastructure under the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.  Upon assumption of office in May, 2023, the APC-led administration inherited 2,064 ongoing Federal road projects, many of which were abandoned due to funding constraints.  Committed to the welfare of Nigerians, the Federal Government approved 260 emergency ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE     Nnamdi Kanu The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has directed total cancellation of sit-at-home across the Southeast. IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful said in a statement on Sunday that the sit-at-home directive has been officially and permanently cancelled with effect from Monday, 9 February 2026. He said: "This directive comes directly from Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself, who has once again staked everything on the line to ensure that our children return to school every Monday and that our people go about their lawful businesses without fear, intimidation, or molestation." Powerful argued that anybody in doubt of the cancellation should visit Kanu at the Sokoto prison for confirmation.  "There is now no need, excuse, or justification for anyone to stay at home on Mondays. "All markets, schools, offices, transport services, and economic activities must resume fully and normally. From tomorrow, the Monday sit-...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja    Engr David Umahi The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has threatened to terminate the contract awarded to Chinese companies over shoddy jobs and delays in the execution of projects despite receiving mobilisation funds.   At a high-level meeting with the officials  of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and its sister company, China Harbour Operation and Maintenance Company (CHOMC) in Abuja, Umahi said that the decision was a decisive step meant to address public complaints and enforce contractor accountability.  Both companies are the concessionaires on Mararaba-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Dual Carriageway. During the meeting, several concerns relating to CHEC and CHOMC’s projects were reviewed, just as the government warned the companies to safeguard public health and ensure quality project in order to protect government's investment. Umahi disclosed that the ministry received a formal petition over the ongoing ...