General
Lagos-Badagry Expressway Expansion Ready 2019—Ambode
By Dipo Olowookere
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday assured residents that the ongoing Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion project would be completed before the end of 2019.
The Governor, who spoke shortly after embarking on extensive inspection of ongoing projects across the state, said the project was a major economic catalyst for Lagos and therefore his administration was totally committed to seeing it through.
Recalling that his recent visit to Denmark was to finalise plans with APM Terminals to fast-track the commencement of work on the $2.6 billion Badagry Deep Sea Port, Mr Ambode said it was important for the road network to be completed within schedule to accommodate the anticipated increase in economic activities within the axis.
“On the part of government, it is imperative that the project is accelerated and completed on schedule. It is a 10-lane expansion project with a provision for rail,” he said.
Governor Ambode said that though the project was awarded to Okokomaiko, his administration was almost at financial close to give it to a concessionaire who is expected to extend the project from Okokomaiko to Seme Border.
“We believe strongly that the contractor has done a good job here. We have given him the right of way and it is our belief that the one that has been awarded should be completed on schedule. I am committed to this project; I am committed to the expansion of the economy of the East axis of Lagos. That is the surest way to go.
“By doing this project, we would also expand the real estate value of this axis and the tourism potentials of the Badagry axis. I am confident that in no time, we should have a complete project before the end of 2019,” he said.
Explaining the progress of work done so far, General Manager of Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), South West, Mr Guan Shuai, said extensive work had been done on three Flyovers and Interchange Bridges in Alaba, Agboju and Alakija.
He noted that the challenge of relocating pipes and cables belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which hitherto slowed down the project had been resolved through the intervention of Governor Ambode.
While inspecting the stretch of link road from Agbelekale off Ekoro Road to Abesan Estate via Church Street, Giwa and Aboru, Governor Ambode expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project so far, but charged the contractor and supervisors to ensure the delivery of the project within the first quarter of 2017.
The Governor, who was received amidst fanfare by residents who displayed placard of various inscriptions commending him for the project, said the bridge being constructed as part of the project had to be extended from 240meters to 360meters due to the nature of soil in the area.
He said: “Just about five months ago, we were here to see the progress of this project. This road is designed to connect all the people living in the Aboru area to Iyana-Ipaja and also to the LASU-Iba road and all the people living within the Ajasa Community. You will recall also that just about three months ago, we were here to open up the Ajasa Command road and this is another project to complement the opening up of the Alimosho community.
“Like the contractor has promised, we hope to finish this project by the end of January next year. We have also found out that we need to extend this bridge by an additional 120 meters because of the nature of the soil in this area. I had earlier promised that this project would be delivered by the end of this year but I’m pleased with the progress being made on this project. I want to urge the contractors and the supervisors to ensure that we meet the completion date and that within the first quarter of next year, all the people in Alimosho will enjoy this facility,” he said.
At Irede Road in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Governor Ambode was briefed by the Commissioners for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson and Housing, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, who narrated the inter-ministerial work being planned for the axis.
Mr Lawal said a 30 hectare land at Ado Trade Fair had already been designated for a 500 Housing Units which would be constructed in partnership with the private sector.
He said the project, which is a transit oriented development, would open up the area for economic activities and real estate, adding that it would complement the 13 stations of the Blue Line Rail Project and 10-lane Lagos-Badagry Express road.
In his response, Governor Ambode expressed displeasure with the state of Irede Road, assuring that work would start on the road within the next four weeks.
He said: “It is very clear that this Irede road is in a very deplorable condition. I have come personally to see it and I have received complaints from people of this community. I also see that the economic value that we stand to benefit from upgrading this road is unquantifiable.
“Beyond the fact that we will open up the road to the Lagos Badagry Expressway, we also intend to expand our housing policy and the rent-to-own scheme to this neighbourhood. So, I like to just clearly state that work would commence on Irede Road within the next four weeks,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it recorded a 30 per cent reduction in gas imbalance on the country’s Western Network following the conclusion of its first-half 2026 Nigerian Gas Network Reconciliation (NGNR) Workshop.
The workshop brought together gas transporters, suppliers, shippers and off-takers to reconcile gas volumes traded between January and June 2026, while introducing a Network Entry/Exit Point Measurement Infrastructure Audit Template aimed at improving metering accuracy and accountability across the gas transmission network.
In a communiqué issued after the workshop, the authority said participants also reviewed the performance of the Nigerian Gas Transmission Network, assessed progress on major pipeline infrastructure projects, and received updates on the ELPS Gas Shrinkage Factor and Hydraulic Modelling Project.
Discussions focused on addressing metering gaps, improving network visibility through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) integration, and enhancing system reliability ahead of the commissioning of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline System.
The workshop adopted key resolutions, including the execution of outstanding Network Exit Agreements, mandatory submission of measurement audit templates and closer collaboration among industry stakeholders to improve network pressure management.
Speaking at the closing session on behalf of the authority’s chief executive, Mr Rabiu A. Umar, the Director of Transportation Systems and Networks, Mr Joseph G. Musa, said the biannual reconciliation exercise had become critical to promoting equitable gas transactions, transparency, investor confidence and efficient network operations.
Mr Musa noted that since the NGNR process was introduced in 2023, it had significantly improved gas measurement, strengthened regulatory compliance through consequence management, reduced operational imbalances and contributed to a more reliable domestic gas supply.
The workshop concluded with participants adopting the reconciled H1 2026 gas volumes, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to a transparent, efficient and reliable domestic gas market.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An investment that supports growing food and agriculture companies across Africa that strengthen agricultural value chains has been made by Swedfund.
The organisation is putting down about $12 million to strengthen climate resilience in African food systems through the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II (ARAF II).
By improving access to markets, finance and essential services, these companies help smallholder farmers become more resilient to climate and economic shocks.
Over 30 million smallholder farmers operate across Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 80 per cent of all farms and producing 70 per cent of the region’s food (IFAD). Yet many face limited access to finance, quality inputs, reliable buyers and market information. At the same time, they are among those most exposed to climate change and weather-related shocks, which threaten harvests, incomes and food security.
The investment has an ambition to reach around four million smallholder farmers through ARAF II’s portfolio companies. It also aims to meet the criteria of the 2X Challenge, which promotes investments that support women’s economic empowerment.
ARAF II invests in businesses that address key gaps in agricultural value chains, from improving market access and reducing post-harvest losses to expanding financial and digital services for farmers. By helping these businesses grow, the investment aims to improve productivity, strengthen local value chains and increase the resilience of food systems.
Swedfund invests alongside other development finance institutions and investors to help mobilise long-term capital for businesses that often struggle to access financing despite their potential to strengthen food security, climate resilience and economic development across Africa.
“Climate change is already affecting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across Africa. Investing in businesses that improve access to markets, finance and agricultural services helps farmers strengthen their resilience, increase productivity and build more stable incomes. That is essential for more resilient food systems,” the Investment Director of Food Systems and Strategic Investments at Swedfund, Ms Helen Hagos, said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order a probe into the alleged diversion, disappearance and misapplication of more than N6.79 billion in public funds within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The grave allegations are documented in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on September 9, 2025.
SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
In the letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
SERAP said: “The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
According to the group, “The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The letter, read in part: “The report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Some of the others include: N499,875,500.00 for the construction of Police College Phase II, Bashar, Plateau State; N12,931,000.00 for the rehabilitation of Block B, Department of Logistics and Supply (Works) building, Garki; N111,635,864.64 for the construction of 12 one-bedroom transit camp units and rehabilitation of the administration block at the NPF Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre, Kudana, Kaduna State; N4,011,627.89 inserted as taxes to inflate a contract; N1,938,299,452.00 for 14 ongoing projects that were abandoned; N5,050,000.00 in monetary exhibits released without proper authorisation; N112,026,424.00 for outstanding allowances paid to officers to cover 2020 liabilities; and N6,000,000.00 as annual payment to the Inspector General of Police’s Senior Special Assistant on Revenue and Tax Matters.
Others include N10,080,000.00 as cash advances for the provision of office equipment and accessories for the NPF Database Management Centre; N438,066,845.73 for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and procurement of a Styr Punch Vistar troop carrier; N18,000,000.00 for the training of women in cosmetology and provision of empowerment kits in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ondo State; N258,989,999.75 for the procurement of 10 JAC patrol vehicles for NPF outpost stations in Kano State; N30,853,250.00 as security allowances for personnel attached to the Ministry of Police Affairs; N681,406,593.18 for the settlement of insurance claims through insurance brokers; N1,628,108,434.18 for outstanding insurance policy liabilities for 2020/2021; N57,484,515.30 for the procurement of video cameras, customised umbrellas, gift bags and customised towels for the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office; N7,760,409.56 in withholding tax and value added tax that was not deducted from contracts awarded.
