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Oyo govt approves N43.1bn for Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso road contract
The Seyi Makinde – led Oyo state government, has approved the award of the contract for the construction of the 76.7km Iseyin/Fapote/Ogbomoso road at the cost of N43.1billion.
Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, the Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, who made this known on Friday while briefing journalists after the executive council meeting held at the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the construction is expected to be completed in 13 months.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, indicated that the road was awarded to two coctractors to ensure timely delivery.
The commissioner said: “Today, at the 14th meeting of the Executive Council of Oyo State, we approved the award of the construction of Iseyin/Fapote/Ogbomoso Road, which is 76.7kilometres.
“The road is split into two simply because we want the road to be completed on time and to have quality construction. We also want it to be completed within 13 months.
“The first half is from Iseyin, where we have the Ansarudeen Mosque at Atori junction to Apinwo village, which is about 38.1kms.
“The other half is from Apinwo village to Randa Ogbomoso, which is about 38.7km. These two roads have two bridges, one each. The one on the Iseyin to Apinwo Road is 65 metres span, while the other one at Apinwo/ Randa axis is about 45 metres span with an underpass at the end of the Ogbomoso side.
“The total value for the road is about N43.1b. “The first half is N20b while the other is N23.1b. “The commencement of the process is immediate because the government is going to give an advance payment of thirty per cent to the contractors.
“In January, we will also advance them another 20 per cent so that they must have done almost 75 per cent of the job before they can request for any other payment from the government.
“We are also trying to expedite the work during the dry season so that before we get to June/July, the substantial part of the work would have been done.
“The first part of the road is awarded to Messrs KOPEK Construction and the second part is awarded to Messrs Kremborg construction Ltd. These two contractors will be mobilised next week and hit the ground running on the job.”
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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