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Just In: Oyo govt. to revoke four road contracts – Commissioner hints
No fewer than four contractors that have been allegedly failed to meet up with performance specifications and time lag in Oyo State will soon have their contracts terminated.
The State Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Prof. Rapheal Afonja on Monday hinted at his office in Ibadan.
Governor Seyi Makinde has recently said the administration was compiling list of non-performing contractors in the State as he lamented the agony being experienced by the people living in the affected areas where road construction works were ongoing.
According to Afonja , “we have got complaints across the State about pace and quality of work done by these contractors, His Excellency the governor also inspects the pace of work during the day and even in the night, I can tell you now that soon, termination notice will soon be given to four non-performing contractors.
“Complaints have come across the State and when we came on board, we had to do a contract review and we realized that the quality of work done by some of these contractors were low, we also realized that most of the agreements have also relapsed and none of them had performance bond in their files, the performance bond is a way to tell a contractor that if you don’t do a good job, you will be penalized.
“So we gave them time, which is the past five months which was to see if they could impress the government, we gave them our standard, our requirements, some of them have not lived up to it while some have, so with the approval of the governor, the next step is to issue termination notice to some of them.”
Among the contracts inherited by the present administration and are still ongoing as at time of this report is the dualization of Idi-Ape-Basorun-Akobo-Odogbo Barracks road in Ibadan and dualization of saki township along Oke-Ogun Poly-Ilesha-Ibariba road in Saki.
Others are Eleyele Junction-Akufo-Ido-Eruwa road, reconstruction of Moniya-Iseyin road and Agodi-Gate-Old Ife Road, Adegbayi in Ibadan.
Meanwhile the State government has said that the introduction of a new Park Management system in the State was aimed to plug holes in the income of of the State and not for political reasons.
The Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Prof Raphael Afonja said this while answering questions from journalists who were at his office after the inauguration of Park Managers for public motor parks in the State on Monday.
The Commissioner asserted that the people of Oyo State were happy that leaks in the State’s income were plugged while individuals appointed would work with trusted consultancy firm to generate income for the State, using technology to monitor activities and accountability of all players while all funds generated would go into the State coffers.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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