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Ethnic Youth Leaders’ Forum Condemns Dissolution of House Joint Committee on the Oil Sector

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2024

Nigerian youths under the aegis of Ethnic Youth Leaders’ Forum (EYLF) have condemned in strong terms the dissolution of the House of Representatives ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

In a press statement signed by EYLF’s National Coordinator, Comrade Godwin Meliga, the Forum stated that the sudden, arbitrary and inexplicable dissolution of the House ad-hoc Joint Committee shortly after it commenced its assignment was a brazen attempt by the leadership of the House of Representatives to silence the committee’s courageous exposure of wanton corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL); the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and by extension the nation’s oil and gas industry.

“Only recently, the media space was inundated with allegations that the investigations of the committee were ruffling feathers in the NNPCL, hence the oil regulatory body was making frantic efforts to financially influence the House leadership to achieve the disbandment of the committee. The House Deputy Spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, also called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Group CEO of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari; as well as the CEO of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, for allegedly stifling the nation’s economic growth due to the oil sector crisis. In our candid opinion, the timing of the committee’s dissolution tends to lend credence to these grievous allegations,” stated Comrade Meliga.

Expressing firm confidence in the Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie jointly chaired committee’s capacity and commitment to thoroughly investigate and proffer practicable solutions the niggling challenges in the nation’s oil and gas sector, the Forum demanded that the committee’s allegations of corruption in the NNPCL must be thoroughly investigated rather than swept under the carpet, adding that the arbitrary dissolution of the committee grossly undermines probity, transparency and accountability within the NNPCL and NMDPRA, as well as the fight against corruption in the country.

Consequently, the Forum further demanded the following:

A clear and concise explanation by the Honourable Speaker, of the reasons behind the unilateral and arbitrary dissolution of the Joint Committee, in order to dispel mounting allegations of compromise against the leadership of the House in the public domain.
The immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the Joint Committee, as well as a level playing ground to enable it continue and conclude its investigations into the rot in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Assurances of government’s protection for whistleblowers within and outside the NNPCL.

Recall that the House of Representatives ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee was inaugurated two weeks ago, with the mandate to conduct legislative forensic investigation into the nations’ oil and gas sector. Details of the committee’s mandate include investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues. The committee was supposed to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.

However, in a knee-jerk reaction the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, yesterday announced the dissolution of the committee without giving reasons for its action, stating that it would be succeeded by a newly constituted ad-hoc committee with the same mandate.

“Nigeria’s future depends on our collective fight against corruption. The dissolution of the House of Reps ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee by the Honourable Speaker has the capacity to create escape routes for looters of our common patrimony, particularly in a season when Nigerians are protesting against hunger and bad governance in the country. We will not be silenced again by leaders who hold the mandate of the people,” stated Comrade Meliga.

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FG Commits To National Development With Major Contract Agreements — Umahi

Published

19 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has again signed landmark contract agreements with four (4) construction firms to execute critical road projects across the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The contract signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, marks another major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable, sustainable road infrastructure that enhances connectivity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.

The four contractors and their respective projects are as follows:

1. Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited – Reconstruction of Mando (Kaduna) – Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,

2. Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited – Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun States,

3. Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State and

4. Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo States.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the projects as strategic national infrastructure designed to boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen national integration. He noted that the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna) –Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State holds special significance, as it was one of the key infrastructure development commitments made by His Excellency, President Tinubu during the 2022/2023 electioneering campaigns. According to the Minister, the present administration remains resolute in its determination to deliver world-class infrastructure that will stand the test of time. “Our vision is to build roads that will last for generations. Under the Renewed Hope administration, we are determined to deliver infrastructure that can serve Nigerians for up to 100 years through the adoption of rigid pavement (concrete) technology,” Umahi stated.

The Minister commended the selected contractors for their competence, track records, and proven capacity, emphasising the Federal Government’s confidence in indigenous contractors. He particularly praised Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited, Truecrete Solutions Limited, and other indigenous firms for their commendable performances on previous projects across the country.

Umahi charged all contractors to mobilise to their respective project sites immediately and commence work without delay, stressing that the Ministry expects measurable progress within the stipulated timelines.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, who formally signed the contract agreements, described the occasion as the successful completion of the procurement process and the official commencement of project implementation.

He commended the leadership of the Ministry for its commitment to ensuring that projects reached the execution stage and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to effective monitoring, quality assurance, and timely delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Clement Ogbuagu, presented details of the awarded contracts as follows:

1. Reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna State

Contractor: Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited

Contract Sum: ₦178,116,787,162.00

Length: 122 Kilometres

2. Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, Oyo and Ogun States

Contractor: JRB Construction Company Limited,

Contract Sum: ₦295,996,609,992.77

Length: 114.5 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent)

3. Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road, Osun State

Contractor: Truecrete Solutions Limited

Contract Sum: ₦101,806,585,825.90

Length: 70 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent) and

4. Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road, Osun State

Contractor: Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited

Contract Sum: ₦114,854,477,607.93

Length: 73 Kilometres

All the projects will be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to building durable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure nationwide.

The ceremony represents another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road network and accelerate national economic development.

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