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Contractors appeal to CBN to release funds to Niger Delta Ministry, NDDC, to pay for completed projects
By Our Correspondent
Niger Delta contractors have appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Ministry of Finance to release monies to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to fast-track their outstanding payments for projects executed in the oil-rich region.
According to sources, the contractors who had recently pleaded with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Effiong Akwa, to complete the payment of contractors, have now discovered that their monies are tied up in the CBN.
Responding to the plight of the contractors, Akpabio had pushed the blame to International Oil Companies, IOCs, positing that the entities owe the NDDC over $4bn.
The contractors also pleaded with the Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency to inaugurate a permanent board for the NDDC in place of Interim Management Committee headed by Mr. Akwa.
This, according to the contractors, would pave way for a seamless transmission of policies that would in turn fast-track the disbursement of their monies.
Recall, in a statement issued recently by its Chairman and Secretary, Engr Kelvin Douglas and Preye Briggs, the coalition said their members “are dying on a daily basis as result of pressure from banks loans, harassment and intimidation”.
They added that some other contractors have developed High Blood Pressure already.
To this end, they also begged the Presidency to intervene in the matter, stressing that some contractors completed their jobs two years ago or more and are yet to access payment from the commission.
The contractors recalled that weeks ago, Akwa assembled some contractors with payments below N100million, “assuring them of payment but until now nothing has been paid”.
While making a passionate plea for the payments to be fast-tracked, they noted that billions are still being owed contractors.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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