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Tinubu To Inaugurate Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Next Phase, August 

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The Federal Government has announced plans to inaugurate the next phase of Lagos- Calabar Coastal highway from Cross River to Akwa Ibom.

This is in continuation of the government’s efforts to sustain the on-going infrastructural developments drive in line with its Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this at the stakeholders engagement meeting held at Ibom hall in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

In a statement by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Edet Ekpenyong, yesterday, the minister was quoted as saying, “We are here to introduce Section Three and Four of the famous Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway.

“We started and awarded Section One which started in Lagos and terminated at deep port in Lagos and is at 47.4km.

“There is Section Two that is starting at Lekki Deep Sea Port and taking it to the famous Dangote Refinery.

“The President has graciously directed that Section Three and Four must start at Cross River and stop at Akwa Ibom.”

Umahi added that “Section Three has 27 km on Akwa Ibom land 38 km on Cross River State. While Section Four is entirely on Akwa Ibom that is 80km. When you add 27km and 80km, you have 107km. So, you are benefiting from maximising this coastal highway.

“When we complete the procurement process and award this Section Three and Four, work will start in many sub- sections of this section all at the same time.

“Tinubu is a man who matches his words with actions. So we are happy with the level of commendations and support we received from Nigerians and so many benefits of the coastal highway.”

Meanwhile, Umahi has asked construction giants, Julius Berger, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company and the Raynolds Construction Company to mobilize to the site or risk termination of their contracts.

Umahi said this while speaking during the Stakeholders’ Engagement on Alignment of 3b and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway held at Ibom Hall, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.

The minister said after the expiration next week of the 14 notices earlier given to the contractors, any of them who failed to mobilize to the site will have its contract terminated.

Umahi expressed disappointment that the contractors had been giving excuses of non-payment of compensation as reasons for not mobilizing to the site while noting that the Akwa Ibom State Government had already settled the compensation issues as it concerns Calabar-Itu road.

He said, “If you talk to them, they will say it is because of compensation and this governor, Akwa-Ibom State, had settled compensation issues, so we are giving them a marching order to ECECC to mobilize at least 3 sections of that road.

“Mr President has given enough money to fund the projects. The same thing with Julius Berger, by the end of this coming week, if Julius Berger fails to remobilize to the site and the ECECC fails to mobilize to at least 3 sections of the road, the jobs will be terminated.

“The worst of the road in the entire South-South remains this Akwa Ibom to Cross River through Itu and Odukpani and also the section that is being done by RCC. RCC had collected over N40bn on that road 15 kilometres of roads, N156bn inherited from the past administration, they are playing tricks. We have been on them to change their mindset, and by the end of next week, our 14 days notice of termination of the contract will elapse, and we will terminate the projects and give to those who have mastery of laying concrete.”

Also speaking at the event, the Senate President, Senator, Godswill Akpabio, expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for listening to his plea to start Section Three and Four of the coastal highway in Cross River State to Akwa Ibom.

He called on the Akwa Ibom State Governor , Pastor Umo Eno, to give maximum support to the Federal Government.

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Nigeria Partners UK, Germany, Others On Green Industrial Dev’t

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Nigeria is partnering with the United Kingdom(UK), Germany and the World Economic Forum towards the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s plans for a green industrial development of the country.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, Wednesday in Abuja, said that the meeting with the leadership of the UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNAIF) centred on enabling a private sector-led, public sector-enabled programme.
“We (also) hosted a virtual discussion with the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Center for Nature and Climate, Ms Gim Huay.
“We agreed to actionable next steps that will ensure greater collaboration with international investors and DFIs in accordance with our green industrial roadmap.
“On Wednesday evening, we hosted a fruitful session with a delegation from the German Embassy led by its Head of Climate Negotiations, Ambassador Johannes Lehne.
“Specific steps toward deepening collaboration on hydrogen and wind energy development were agreed upon with a follow-up next week,” he said.
The Tide’s source reports that in May, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee to oversee the Green Economic Initiative, known as the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.
Tinubu also approved the appointment of Chief Ajuri Ngelale as Special Envoy on Climate Action and will retain his role as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.
The committee was part of a strategic move of the President to ensure the advancement of his administration’s climate and green economic initiatives.
The committee is to coordinate and oversee all the policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.
The UKNIAF is a technical assistance programme (2019 – 2025) that aims to transform Nigeria’s capacity to plan, finance, deliver and maintain climate-smart. critical infrastructure.
It aims to achieve transformation through technical support in two component areas: Power and Infrastructure Finance.
The key counterparts are the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies; selected state governments; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Nigeria (FCDO); the wider development and development finance institution groups.

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Nigeria To Host Africa’s $5bn Energy Bank– Minister

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Nigeria has been granted the hosting right for the African Energy Bank (AEB) after beating Ghana, Benin Republic, Algeria, South Africa and Cote D’Ivoire in a keenly contested bidding.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), told newsmen in Abuja yesterday, that the award of hosting right for the bank highlighted Nigeria’s robust energy sector.
He said “the award of the hosting right also highlights the country ‘s strategic vision for Africa’s energy future.”
Lokpobiri expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the support extended during the course of the bidding.
He also thanked the Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) for the confidence in Nigeria’s capability.
The minister highlighted the collaborative spirit of the APPO members and their shared vision for a united, energy-secured Africa.
He emphasised that “this decision reflects our collective ambition to create African solutions to Africa’s energy challenges.
“The African Energy Bank will be instrumental to providing the necessary financial backbone for energy projects that will drive growth and development across the continent.
“The decision is a significant step for the continent’s energy sector and underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s energy landscape.”
The minister assured Nigerians and Africans at large that the establishment of the African Energy Bank would mark a transformative era in meeting energy needs.
He said that the initiative aligned with the broader objectives of African Union’s Agenda 2063, aiming for a prosperous and self-sustaining Africa.
“We are committed to ensuring that the bank did not only move Nigeria forward, but becomes a beacon of progress for the entire continent.
“Our goal is to foster sustainable energy solutions that are both innovative and inclusive.”
The Tide’s source reports that the bank is expected to facilitate access to funding for energy projects, thereby catalysing economic growth and enhancing energy security.

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Your Prayer Is Sustaining Us, Fubara Tells PFN

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The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has commended the PFN for the prayers of Christians across the State, which has sustained his administration.
Governor Fubara made the commendation while speaking as Special Guest of Honour during the dedication of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Secretariat Complex in Port Harcout, yesterday.
Sir Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, applauded the brethren and PFN for upholding the State in prayers and for constructing the PFN State Secretariat for use to the glory of God.
“I appreciate the leadership of PFN for toeing the path of wisdom, vigour and strength. I thank the General Overseer of the Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, for taking up the responsibility and all Christians, we are indebted to you for leading and ensuring the work of God is done.
“Rivers State is termed a Christian State because of your laudable activities. Be assured of Rivers State Government’s support in your activities because we know that your prayers over the years have been sustaining us. And we need your prayers today more than ever before. This government will never betray the trust you have reposed on us, “ he stated.
Anchoring his words from Exodus 20, Isaiah 6:1 and later Mark 11: 24-25, the National President of PFN, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, admonished Christians to be courageous and finish their God given tasks as they toe the paths of Jesus Christ. He prayed God’s peace upon the Government and people of Rivers State as he encouraged all to chase peace with all men.
“Let us follow peace with all men, without peace, we can’t see the Lord and when we stand praying, forgive. There is greater glory ahead for Rivers State,” Bishop Oke stressed.
The General Overseer of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, and Chairman of the Project Committee thanked God for the grace to embark on the project, and thereafter handed it over to the State PFN.
The dedication service was attended by renowned men of God, including the National Deputy Secretary, PFN, Bishop Bakare, The National Vice President, South-South, Apostle Zilley Aggrey, Rivers State Chairman of PFN, Rev. Dr. Minaibi Dagogo Jack, the Rivers State Chairman of CAN Archbishop Boma Kaladokubo, President of Ministers Prayer Network, Rev. Mosy Madugba, amongst others.

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