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N3.17bn Federal Secretariat in Bayelsa for Completion June

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The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola
  • N3.17bn Federal Secretariat in Bayelsa for Completion June

Barring any unforeseen contingency, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing’s secretariat complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, commissioned about six years ago, is due to be completed in June this year.

When inaugurated, the secretariat, which boasts 400 offices, nine committee rooms, a conference hall, eight staircases, two ramps and three large courtyards, will ameliorate the accommodation problems faced by workers in the Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

At present, the federal secretariat, whose cost is put at N3.17bn, including variations and additional works, is being handled by a wholly-indigenous contracting firm, Trenur Nigeria Limited, and is currently at the stage of internal painting, services fittings and external works.

The project, which commenced in 2012, with an expected completion date of 100 weeks (about two years), has yet to be completed due to some challenges.

Conducting journalists round the complex located near the Ox-Bow Lake area of Yenagoa on Friday, the Federal Controller of Housing, Bayelsa Field Office, Mr. Nwachukwu Achebe, expressed optimism that the secretariat would be delivered in June.

He said the project began in 2012 with the completion period of roughly two years but some challenges made it impossible to meet the initial completion period.

Achebe mentioned foundation redesign, piling (496 auger piles, bored and cast in site up to 18 metres), sand filling, retailing walls and the 2012 national flooding as some of the causes of delays in project completion.

The controller said, “Right now, we have achieved over 75 completion overall because we are already painting. As of the last report we wrote and the valuation of progress and contract, we are very hopeful that by June, we should hand over the project to the users.

“In terms of quality of materials, we have had a good report from every evaluating and monitoring team that has come to inspect this project that the standard is good.

“The challenges have been enormous. The project was conceptualised on a national basis. We have six federal secretariats commissioned at the same time, one for each geopolitical zone. This one is for the South-South geopolitical zone. And it’s the same design all over the nation.”

He added, “But on coming here, the first challenge we had was that the foundation design for the structure could not be implemented here; the topography of this place is different from any other part of Nigeria.

“It’s almost at sea level, it’s swampy, it’s waterlogged and it is a low-lying area. So, the soil type is not something that the bearing capacity will be able to carry the structure. The first challenge was that the foundation had to be redesigned. The project had to wait while the redesigning was ongoing.

“We had the national floods in 2012. This whole place was submerged; no vehicle could come in or go out. After the floods, we had to wait for the site to dry up so that heavy machinery could come in. It took us quite some time. There was some cost effect but we have gone beyond all of that now.”

Achebe added that the design concept of the new federal secretariat was set out to address some problems that the ministry observed in the previous and older secretariats.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Trenur Nigeria Limited, Umekwe Onwe, said the project had reached 90 per cent completion.

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EFCC Declares Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, Wanted Over N80.2 Billion Money Laundering Allegations

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Yahaya Bello

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has escalated its pursuit of justice by declaring former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted over alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.

In a first-of-its-kind action, the EFCC announced Bello’s wanted status in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds during his tenure as governor.

The commission, armed with a 19-count criminal charge, accused Bello and his cohorts of conspiring to launder the hefty sum, which was purportedly diverted from state coffers for personal gain.

The declaration of Bello as a wanted fugitive came after a series of failed attempts by the EFCC to effect his arrest.

Despite an ex-parte order from Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, mandating the EFCC to apprehend and produce Bello in court for arraignment, the former governor managed to evade capture with the reported assistance of his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.

This latest development shows the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions.

However, it also demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the EFCC to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is served, irrespective of the status or influence of the accused.

In response to the EFCC’s declaration, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, issued a stern warning to Bello, stating that fleeing from the law would not resolve the allegations against him.

Fagbemi urged Bello to honor the EFCC’s invitation and cooperate with the investigation process, saying it is important to uphold the rule of law and respect the authority of law enforcement agencies.

The EFCC’s pursuit of Bello underscores the agency’s mandate to combat corruption and financial crimes, sending a strong message that individuals implicated in corrupt practices will be held accountable for their actions.

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Concerns Mount Over Security as National Identity Card Issuance Shifts to Banks

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NIMC enrolment

Amidst the National Identity Management Commission’s (NIMC) recent announcement that the issuance of the proposed new national identity card will be facilitated through applicants’ respective banks, concerns are escalating regarding the security implications of involving financial institutions in the distribution process.

The federal government, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), introduced a new identity card with payment functionality, aimed at streamlining access to social and financial services.

However, the decision to utilize banks as distribution channels has sparked apprehension among industry stakeholders.

Mr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, clarified that applicants would request the card by providing their National Identification Number (NIN) through various channels, including online portals, NIMC offices, or their respective banks.

Adegoke emphasized that the new National ID Card would serve as a single, multipurpose card, encompassing payment functionality, government services, and travel documentation.

Despite NIMC’s assurances, concerns have been raised regarding the necessity and security implications of introducing a new identity card system when an operational one already exists.

Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, questioned the rationale behind the new General Multipurpose Card (GMPC), citing NIMC’s existing mandate to issue such cards under Act No. 23 of 2007.

Ogunbanjo highlighted the successful implementation of MobileID by NIMC, which has provided identity verification for over 15 million individuals.

He expressed apprehension about integrating the new ID card with existing MobileID systems and raised concerns about data privacy and unauthorized duplication of ID cards.

Moreover, stakeholders are seeking clarification on the responsibilities for card blocking, replacement, and delivery in case of loss or theft, given the involvement of multiple parties, including banks, in the issuance process.

The shift towards utilizing banks for identity card issuance raises fundamental questions about data security, privacy, and the integrity of the identification process.

With financial institutions playing a pivotal role in distributing sensitive government documents, there are valid concerns about potential vulnerabilities and risks associated with this approach.

As the debate surrounding the security implications of the new national identity card continues to intensify, stakeholders are calling for greater transparency, accountability, and collaboration between government agencies and financial institutions to address these concerns effectively.

The paramount importance of safeguarding citizens’ personal information and ensuring the integrity of the identity verification process cannot be overstated, especially in an era of increasing digital interconnectedness and heightened cybersecurity threats.

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Israeli President Declares Iran’s Actions a ‘Declaration of War’

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Israel Gaza

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has characterized the recent series of attacks from Iran as nothing short of a “declaration of war” against the State of Israel.

This proclamation comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations, with Iran’s aggressive actions prompting serious concerns within Israel and the international community.

The sequence of events leading to Herzog’s grave assessment began with a barrage of 300 ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran towards Israel over the weekend.

While the Israeli defense forces managed to intercept a significant portion of these projectiles, the sheer scale of the assault sent shockwaves through the region.

President Herzog’s assertion of war was underscored by Israel’s careful consideration of its response options and ongoing discussions with its global partners.

The gravity of the situation prompted the convening of the G7, where member nations reaffirmed their commitment to Israel’s security, recognizing the severity of Iran’s actions.

However, the United States, a key ally of Israel, took a nuanced stance. President Joe Biden conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that, given the limited casualties and damage resulting from the attacks, the US would not support retaliatory strikes against Iran.

This position, though strategic, reflects a delicate balancing act in maintaining stability in the volatile Middle East region.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian cautioned against further escalation, emphasizing the potential for heightened tensions and provocative acts to exacerbate the situation.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Nigerian government issued a call for restraint, urging both Iran and Israel to prioritize peaceful resolution and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.

This appeal reflects the broader international consensus on the need to prevent further escalation and mitigate the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

As Israel grapples with the implications of Iran’s aggressive actions and weighs its response options, President Herzog reiterated Israel’s commitment to peace while emphasizing the need to defend its people.

Despite calls for restraint from global allies, Israel remains vigilant in safeguarding its security amidst the growing threat posed by Iran’s belligerent behavior.

The coming days are likely to be critical as Israel navigates the complexities of its response while international efforts intensify to defuse the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.

The specter of war looms large, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic engagement and concerted efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.

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