General
FG, Akande-Sadipe, Community Blast Contractor Handling Olomi-Ijebu Road
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The contractor handling the Olomi-Ijebu Road, which links Oyo State to Ogun State, DC Engineering Nigeria Limited, has been lambasted for allegedly carrying out an unimpressive job.
During a tour of the road on Sunday by officials of the federal government and the House of Representatives member from Oluyole Federal Constituency, Mrs Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, it was stated that the 25 km Olomi-Ijebu Igbo Road was in deplorable conditions.
Mrs Akande-Sadipe, while speaking during the tour, submitted if the road is properly rehabilitated, it would stimulate economic activities, attract local and foreign investment, improve the quality of the road network and reduce the hardship on her constituents.
The lawmaker, who lamented the untold hardship commuters along the 25 km Olomi-Ijebu Igbo Road face on account of its present deplorable condition, also expressed displeasure at the present state of Liberty-Academy Road within her constituency.
She urged the Federal Ministry of Works to prevail on the construction company on the Olomi Road project to perform its obligation on the road in the interest of the people of the state.
“We have gone round and you have seen the Olomi road. It is deplorable and completely unacceptable. The design is flawed, it has been more of a death trap and has led to several deaths and Loss of property.
“How can a bridge on this kind of expanse of the road not be a dual carriageway,” she queried
“I appreciate the fact that the Ministry under the leadership of Mr Raji Fashola honoured our request for succour for Oluyole, as our road between Olomi and Ijebu Ode is extremely bad. The contractor, DC Engineering Limited has done a very poor job and has been too slow after so many years, with many portions of the road un-motorable,” she said.
“The officers of the Ministry should please ensure that the funds allocated are well spent and a satisfactory job delivered,” she added.
Mrs Akande-Sadipe, who chairs the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, noted that roads awarded in the state about three years ago when the Olomi-Ijebu road was awarded, have been completed, adding that within two years, the tarred parts of the road had developed problems, pointing to the poor quality of work.
On his part, the Commissioner, Public Complaint Commission, South-West, Mr Folawiyo, who joined the inspection, assured that the agency will ensure that the issues are dealt with and the contractor called to order.
He explained that the institution has jurisdiction to oversee federal government, state government and local governments projects and would do the needful with regard to this road. The Commissioner added that the agency is set to intervene in the delayed completion.
He asked the community to copy him in all complaints, adding that the commission will urgently assess such complaints, including those where the contractor solicited and received money from the communities in carrying out responsibilities on the project.
In his remarks, the Comptroller, Ogun State, Mr Umar Bakare, said the Ministry has taken it upon itself to technically inspect the road which he noted was in a very bad state. He promised speedy delivery of the mandates, saddled upon the Ministry in record time.
Thus, the inspection of the road, under the directive of the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Min. Raji Fashola will yield progress.
According to him, the Ministry will monitor the construction of the road and bridges, to ease the movement of traffic.
While thanking Mrs Akande-Sadipe for her interventions, he pointed at the lack of a proper drainage system and link roads to communities.
Meanwhile, community members also decried the substandard job executed by DC Engineering Limited, the Contractor on the site. They mentioned that the contractor skipped the Olomi market portion of the road, and abandoned the maintenance and upgrade at the Fatusi bridge end of the road.
On the other road inspected, the Liberty Academy Road, in her remarks, the South-West Zonal Coordinator, FERMA, Mrs Mary Adeniran, explained that as part of its duties, the agency will see to the maintenance of federal roads within Oluyole Federal Constituency.
She promised to follow up with a critical inspection of the road up to the Ogun State border towards further rehabilitation of the road.
The Baale of Olomi, Mr Samuel Oyewale, showered encomiums on the lawmaker for the constant infrastructural commitments to the constituency, including the provision of transformers.
Amongst issues raised was the statement made by the contractor that a former member of the House of Representatives had collected money paid on the project from him. The community members clarified that the Contractor had made this statement in the year 2018.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigerians have been urged to use the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr to intensify prayers against the challenges confronting the nation.
This appeal was made by the independent non-executive director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya.
Mr Gaya described the current situation in the country as a test of citizens’ spiritual resolve and faith, tasking Muslims to reflect on the deeper significance of Eid-el-Fitr, noting that the festival symbolises sacrifice, obedience to Allah, and compassion for the less privileged.
“Every Muslim finds joy in observing the Ramadan fast, a fundamental obligation in Islam. We should not lose sight of the lessons it teaches: obedience to Allah, sharing our blessings with the needy, and being our brother’s keeper,” he said in a statement issued by his media assistant in Kano.
Speaking on the forthcoming general elections, Mr Gaya advised the electorate to vote for selfless leaders committed to national service and the welfare of Nigerians, describing the polls as a choice between progress and regression, stressing the need for voters to support candidates with verifiable achievements rather than empty promises.
He also urged Nigerians to remain mindful of their civic responsibilities by choosing leaders who demonstrate integrity, sincerity, and dedication.
According to him, the country’s future depends on the electorate exercising their voting rights wisely to elect leaders who understand the responsibilities of public office and approach them with humility, competence, and genuine commitment to service.
Mr Gaya expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for His mercies and felicitated with the people of Ajingi, Gaya, and Albasu Local Government Areas, as well as Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Nigerians at large, on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Three African subsidiaries of global advisory firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), have been debarred by the World Bank Group for 21 months after being found guilty of manipulating procurement processes for a major cross-border electricity project.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Washington-based multilateral lender said PricewaterhouseCoopers Associates Africa Ltd, based in Mauritius, along with its Kenyan and Rwandan affiliates, engaged in “collusive and fraudulent practices” linked to the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, a flagship initiative to transmit hydropower from Ethiopia to Kenya.
The decision sidelines PwC from lucrative World Bank-funded projects on the continent, dealing a blow to one of the region’s most influential audit and advisory firms.
This development could reshape competition for high-value consulting work across emerging markets, potentially disrupting startups and tech firms reliant on World Bank funding, as scrutiny over governance and compliance tightens.
The World Bank, through its private sector arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC), offers grants and low-interest loans to startups across emerging markets.
Earlier this week, the IFC committed $20 million to invest in high-growth startups in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
“The debarment makes PwC Associates, PwC Kenya, PwC Rwanda, and any affiliates they control ineligible to participate in Bank Group-financed projects and operations,” the World Bank said. “It is part of a settlement agreement under which the three companies admit culpability for sanctionable practices.”
The determination was based on the company’s conduct between 2019 and the award of contracts for consultancy services and asset valuation work for the Ethiopian state power utilities.
According to the World Bank statement, the firm obtained confidential procurement documents to improperly influence the award of a contract for the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards at the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.
They also attempted to steer a separate contract for a fixed asset inventory and revaluation for the power utility towards PwC Associates. During the bidding and execution of that contract, the bank found that the company misrepresented the availability and qualifications of key experts and failed to disclose the full list of subconsultants involved.
According to the World Bank, the debarment is shorter than would otherwise apply because PwC admitted misconduct. The advisory firm also agreed to a series of remedial measures, including internal investigations, disciplinary action against responsible staff, terminating relationships with all subconsultants involved, and additional staff training.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK‑based Asset Green Limited to advance the development of a $496 million large‑scale integrated dairy livestock production and processing platform set to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry and strengthen national food security.
This was signed on Tuesday in London ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit. The MoU outlines the framework for collaboration and the project‑development cost commitments leading up to the formal shareholders’ agreement.
It will combine 20,000 hectares of climate‑smart, regenerative crop and forage production with a modern 10,000‑milking cow dairy operation, supported by a state‑of‑the‑art processing plant capable of producing fresh milk, milk powders, butter, cream, and up to 15,000 metric tonnes of infant formula annually.
Designed to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported milk powder, the project aims to modernise agricultural practices, improve nutrition, and integrate up to 10,000 rural households into the supply chain through inclusive out‑grower schemes. Once operational, the platform is expected to generate over $620 million annually and create 2,500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs nationwide.
Speaking on this, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, said, “Over a decade ago, the UK provided pivotal support to Nigeria in establishing the NSIA, offering legal and financial expertise that helped lay the foundation for its successful launch and strengthening its governance and credibility. That early institutional investment has paid dividends, helping to build a resilient Nigerian institution capable of creating jobs and driving transformational, long‑term development.
“The NSIA and Asset Green partnership is a powerful example of how that groundwork continues to deliver impact – a full‑circle moment that reflects the long-term economic cooperation between the UK and Nigeria and the shared commitment to deepening sustainable, private‑sector‑driven growth.”
The NSIA Managing Director, Mr Aminu Umar‑Sadiq, said, “NSIA is pleased to partner with Asset Green on this transformative investment. With a project size of almost US$500 million, this is one of the most ambitious initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food and nutrition security in a generation. By combining climate‑smart farming, advanced processing capacity, and inclusive out‑grower participation, we are laying the foundation for a modern, competitive dairy sector that reduces import dependence, creates meaningful jobs, and delivers long‑term value for Nigerians.”
On his part, Asset Green’s Director & Agrium Capital Ltd chief executive, Mr Rod Bassett, explained that the partnership between NSIA and the firm is the business and investment innovation required to unlock the potential of the agriculture sector in Nigeria, with the development of such a future (dairy) food system.
“The foundation of the approach is one of collaborating with NSIA and their shared vision and purpose to establish a platform to catalyse the development of such a national strategic priority. We are incredibly proud to partner with Nigeria’s premier investment institution.”
“The development of greenfield projects has consistently played a major role in our history, establishing industries or nurturing young businesses that are able to deliver catalytic transformation. This $500 million greenfield investment in Nigeria’s dairy industry allows for the development of advanced and necessary infrastructure spanning the full production and supply system to enhance local production, reduce the reliance on the huge imports of dairy goods into Nigeria, deliver environmental services and strengthen national food sovereignty and nutritional resilience,” he added.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn