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Nigerian govt signs MoUs, contracts for eight major road projects nationwide

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The Federal Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding and contract agreements for eight major road projects across the country.

The signing ceremony, which took place at the Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja, brought together government officials, contractors, and stakeholders in what has been described as another milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road infrastructure and strengthen the economy through strategic investments.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, described the projects as part of the growing legacy of President Tinubu’s administration.

“Today is another event that adds to the great work that President Bola Tinubu is doing,” Umahi said.

The minister revealed that the Federal Government has already procured the first 123-kilometre single carriageway of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway, stretching from Calabar through Ebonyi State to the Benue border.

According to him, the newly signed section covers another 173 kilometres through Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, ending at the Oweto Bridge.

He further disclosed that the government would soon procure the second carriageway of about 300 kilometres from Ndibe Beach to Oweto in Nasarawa State.

Umahi said the project would significantly reduce travel time between the South-East and Abuja while boosting economic activities in the region.

“I want to say this without any apology: the South-East people will reciprocate what the President has done for them. What happened in 2023 was an accident of history, and in 2027, we will show our appreciation,” he stated.

“I was a governor, I was a deputy governor, and we never witnessed Federal Government projects in the South-East. But Today, we may not be the first, second, or third, but definitely we are not the last.”

“So, we are very proud of what the President is doing in the entire South-East, and I pledge on behalf of the entire South-East that we are going to reciprocate because, with this project, from any part of the South-East, you can get to Abuja in three to four hours. And this is a plus for our commercial activities.”

The minister noted that five companies competed for the project before INFOUEST emerged successful, adding that the same transparent procurement process was adopted for the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project.

Umahi also spoke on the progress of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying the project had moved from scepticism to national admiration.

“When we started the 750km coastal highway, people did not believe it would become a reality. Some who knew it would become a reality, out of envy and jealousy, started criticising the project,” he said.

“But Today, the entire country is waving flags for President Bola Tinubu because that project is a beauty to behold. It is an economic catalyst for the nation.”

According to him, by November, motorists will be able to travel from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Sections One, Two, and part of Section Four to Ondo State on completed portions of the road.

He added that Sections 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states are ongoing, while Section Five, covering 165.6 kilometres, has also commenced.

Describing the coastal highway as more than a road project, Umahi said it was a long-term national investment designed to last for decades.

“This is not just a road project. I have always said that this is an investment that the President is making, and this is a road that is going to last for another hundred years with little or no maintenance,” he said.

He commended HITEC Construction Company for what he described as speed, capacity, and commitment to delivery, noting that the company has built a reputation for constructing up to one kilometre of road daily.

Umahi also explained that the cost of the projects includes extensive drainage systems, reinforced pavement, concrete works, and other durable engineering components.

“And for those asking about the cost per kilometre, we are talking about an average of N7.5 billion per kilometre for a standard carriageway,” he explained.

“But this one even comes with a lot of road architecture. You see the concrete poles, the drainage, the culverts, the reinforcement, and the pavement. So, it is not just a road. This is an investment.”

The minister further revealed that investors are already showing strong interest in the completed sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

“Just like Section One in Lagos, a lot of investors are already asking to be given the section to toll and return our money even before they start tolling,” Umahi disclosed.

“So, it is an investment, and it is only a person like President Bola Tinubu that can do this.”

On the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Umahi said Section IV, covering the Oyo axis, spans 360 kilometres, explaining that the project demonstrates the government’s determination to spread development across all geopolitical zones.

“The President is President for the entire country. His four legacy projects are spread across the six geopolitical zones,” he said.

He also highlighted progress on the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road project, explaining that President Tinubu insisted on changing the original asphalt design to concrete pavement to ensure durability.

“The President said, ‘No, we want to do a concrete road so that when we build it, it will last for a hundred years,’” Umahi stated.

The minister said the Federal Government would provide 30 percent counterpart funding for the projects, while 70 percent would be sourced through loans. He added that tolling and strategic land acquisition along the roads would ensure long-term returns on investment.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.

“We neither review timing nor rates. The moment we sign, as we have done now, that is the end of the matter,” he said.

The four major legacy project sections signed include the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway, Section II: Ebonyi State Border–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa states; Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Section IV: Oyo State; Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Section V: Akwa Ibom State; and the dualisation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road, Section II: Gombe–Biu.

Other projects signed include the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna)–Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State by Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited; dualisation of the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun states by Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited; construction of the Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State by Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited; and construction of the Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo states by Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, described the signing ceremony as the successful conclusion of the procurement process and the formal commencement of project implementation.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, the Chief Executive Officer of HITEC Construction Company, Dany Abboud, assured the Federal Government of timely delivery and quality execution.

“Our commitment is always on the table. We are committed to delivering these jobs before the thirty-six months awarded.

“We also commit to delivering a standard even better than what we achieved on Coastal Highway Section One,” Abboud said.

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Oyo APC guber candidate, Alli alleges attack on wife, others 

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The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has raised the alarm over an alleged attack on his wife, Mrs Tawakalitu Alli.

Alli also disclosed that some hoodlums attacked the party’s Oyo South senatorial candidate, Remi Oseni, and its House of Representatives candidate for the Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Folake Olunloyo-Oshinlowo.

Alli made the claim in a statement signed by the director of his campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele, made available to DAILY POST on Thursday.

He explained that some hoodlums attacked his wife during a programme at Ibikunle Palace in Ibadan on Wednesday.

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He added that some miscreants also attacked Oseni and Olunloyo-Oshinlowo at separate locations in Ibadan on Wednesday.

Reacting, Alli described the attacks as unwarranted and barbaric.

“As the chief security officer of the state, Governor Makinde carries the responsibility to protect all residents, irrespective of their political leanings.

“The SSACO calls on security agencies to fish out these perpetrators of violence and bring them to book in order to serve justice to the victims and also serve as a deterrent to violence in our dear state,” he said.

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2027: INEC Begins Voter Register Verification, PVC Distribution

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the display of the preliminary register of voters and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue across the country.

Scheduled to run from October 9 to October 15, 2026, the seven-day exercise will allow registered voters to verify their personal details, submit claims and objections where necessary, and collect their PVCs from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise conducted between August and December 2025.

The exercise is taking place at Registration Area centres in Plateau and Sokoto states, with the commission urging eligible voters to participate and ensure that their information is correctly captured in the voter register ahead of the elections.

INEC said the verification process was necessary to improve the accuracy of the register and give registered voters an opportunity to correct errors before the next general elections.

In Plateau State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Sam Egwu, announced that the commission would conduct the exercise simultaneously across all 207 Registration Areas in the state.

Egwu disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Jos on Thursday.

He said the exercise would include the display of the preliminary register, the handling of claims and objections, and the collection of PVCs by eligible voters.

He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, Plateau State, wishes to inform the good people of Plateau State that the commission will commence display of the Preliminary Register of Voters, attend to the hearing of claims and objections as well as collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) simultaneously in all the 207 Registration Areas in the state, from the 9th to 15th of October 2026 (7 days and weekends inclusive). Time is 9 am -3 pm daily.”

The commission called on registered voters to visit the designated centres during the exercise and confirm that their registration information was accurate.

Voters are expected to check their names, photographs, dates of birth, polling units and other details supplied during registration.

Those who discover errors or have legitimate objections can use the opportunity to bring them to the attention of the commission within the stipulated period.

The Plateau REC stressed the importance of an accurate voter register to the conduct of credible elections.

“All registered voters are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to carefully check information they provided, such as their names, photographs, date of birth, polling units and other relevant registration details to make necessary claims and objections within this stipulated period as an accurate voter register is important for free and credible elections,” the REC said.

Egwu also confirmed that PVCs issued through the first phase of the CVR exercise, which ran from August 18 to December 10, 2025, would be available for collection during the verification period.

INEC Officials PVCs
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The arrangement is expected to give voters who registered during that phase an opportunity to obtain their cards before the 2027 elections.

In Sokoto State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Garba, also announced the commencement of the exercise while briefing journalists on INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Garba spoke at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Sokoto, where he outlined the commission’s plans for the display of the preliminary register and distribution of PVCs.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission will commence the display of the preliminary register of voters for claims and objections, as well as the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards from the 9th to the 15th of October 2026,” Garba said.

He explained that the exercise would cover PVCs arising from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration programme. However, cards relating to lost or damaged PVCs, voter transfers, updates and registrations completed during the second and third phases of the CVR exercise were not yet ready for collection.

According to him, INEC would announce a collection date for the outstanding cards once they became available.

Garba added that the commission would continue distributing PVCs at its offices in the state’s 23 local government areas after the display exercise at Registration Area centres ended on October 15.

“This will enable eligible voters who could not collect their cards at the Registration Area level to do so,” he said.

The extension of collection to local government offices is intended to provide another opportunity for eligible voters who are unable to obtain their cards at the designated centres during the seven-day exercise.

Garba also spoke about security arrangements surrounding voter registration and preparations for the forthcoming elections.

He said the commission had taken the advice of security agencies into consideration throughout the recent registration process, adding that their involvement contributed to a safe exercise.

“Throughout the registration of voters held recently, the commission took the advice of security agencies very seriously. This contributed to a safe process without any casualties,” he said.

The REC assured voters that INEC would continue working to ensure that eligible residents across Sokoto State received their PVCs.

He also addressed the participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs), saying the commission was engaging security agencies to establish the number of displaced persons in the state and determine how they could participate in the 2027 general elections.

“The commission is always talking with security agencies to ascertain the number of IDPs in the state. We are working to ensure that they vote once they are in official and recognised camps,” he said.

Garba further disclosed that INEC would announce the total number of registered voters in Sokoto State at the appropriate time.

 

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