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South-East Former Governors Unite, Hail Tinubu’s Massive Infrastructure Push
Joel Ajayi
A new platform bringing together experienced leaders has been formed in Southeast, Nigeria.
In a statement issued by on Tuesday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works. Francis Nwaze reveals that, the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, joined other former governors in Enugu to formally launch the South East Former Governors Forum.
Speaking after the forum’s maiden meeting, Senator Umahi explained the purpose of the forum:
“You must have been wondering what is going on. What was going on and is still going on is that we now have the birth of a forum of former South East governors. Today, the April 7, 2026.”
“Many of the former governors, some are outside the country for medical checkup and some engagement but in our next meeting, we are sure that over 90 percent of the former governors of South East will be in attendance.”
According to him, the forum is meant to work hand-in-hand with serving governors:
“The body is to support our presiding governors of South East and advise them on key zonal and national matters.
The forum shall be for all former governors, irrespective of party affiliation, so far they have been governor in South East.”
He also commended current governors in the region: “We commend the great works that our governors of South East are doing for the benefit of our people.”
The forum praised President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for ongoing development across the country, especially in infrastructure:
“We commend Mr. President, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR very highly for all the appointments, some of them very key, that is given to sons and daughters of South East, and for infrastructural revolution in South East, just like what he’s doing in other regions of the country.
We also thank Mr. President for the assistance to the governors of South East. We are grateful to Mr. President.”
He further stated:“We boldly say that all the governors of South East are supporting Mr. President reelection and we will continue to give them support.”
Looking ahead, he said more former governors will join in the coming weeks:“Our next meeting, will embrace most of the former governors, in the next weeks.”
He added that the forum will engage with current governors to strengthen cooperation across the region.
The forum later paid courtesy call to the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah.
Among those present at the meeting were HE Dr. Sullivan Chime, HE Chief Martin Elechi, HE Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, HE Dr. Chris Ngige, and HE Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
News
PWA demands forensic audit of pipeline surveillance contract , says current contract monopolistic, violation of PIA
Cyril Ogar
A leading advocacy group in Nigeria under the aegis of People’s Wellbeing Association (PWA) has said that the current pipeline surveillance contract is a gross violation of the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA), calling for a forensic audit of the contract from inception.
It should be recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, led by Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), in August/September 2022.
The contract, valued at approximately ₦48 billion annually, aimed to curb oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The PWA’s Head of Communication Unit, Comrade Abba Abubakar said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Abubakar who called for equitable distribution of the contract to host communities, said the present structure of the pipeline surveillance contract remained skewed, benefitting a few other than the major stakeholders.
“The current pipeline surveillance contract is a violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) with regards to the effective participation of host communities in protecting oil facilities located in their domain.
“The present arrangement where the pipeline security was entrusted in the hands of a few companies violates section 257 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which states that host communities must be directly involved in protecting oil facilities located in their ancestral lands,” he said.
Abubakar who reiterated calls for forensic audit of the contract, said Pipeline protection should involve indigenous stakeholders from the ethnic nations and communities where these facilities are located.
According to him, the present structure reflects an unhealthy concentration of opportunity and influence, leaving many oil-producing ethnic nations with little or no meaningful participation.
He said that the monopolistic arrangement of the pipeline security framework has instead created rancour, resentment thereby undermining unity in the Niger Delta region.
Abubakar vehemently condemned the contract of exclusion, saying that any system that excludes many of the host communities from pipeline protection undermines fairness and regional stability.
The PWA Communication Unit Head regretted that the federal government made a huge financial commitment in the area of pipeline surveillance over the years, yet the nation’s crude output is minimal compared to what it used to be.
Abubakar however called for a forensic audit of the ₦4 billion monthly pipeline surveillance contract, due to brazen instances of economic exclusion and calls for better regional distribution.
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