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Kopek vows not to compromise quality, as Moniya-Iseyin road project reaches 40% completion
Kopek Construction Company, handling the reconstruction of Moniya-Iseyin road, on Wednesday reassured that it will not compromise quality and standard to get the job done.
Kopek, also confirmed that work on the 65-kilometre Moniya/Ijaiye/Iseyin road in Oyo state, has reached 40 per cent completion.
It will be recalled that the immediate past government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi had in February 2018 awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the road at the cost of N7 billion, out of which N2 billion was paid to the contractor who could not deliver on the terms.
Governor Seyi Makinde had to revoke the contract after lamenting the slow pace of work and shoddy job being done.
According to the state government, through its Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja, the reviewed road reconstruction work would cost N9.9 billion, noting that several key components in the road project had been upgraded for it to be qualitative, long-lasting and fitted to serve the state better.
Addressing journalists during an inspection tour of the road project on Wednesday, the Project Manager, Engr. Paul Chamoun assured that despite COVID-19 impacts and the unfavorable weather due to rains, work is progressing at the project site. He maintained that the project which was awarded in January, 2020 is billed for completion in twelve months without compromising its quality.
Reacting to the impacts of COVID-19 on the ongoing road project, Chamoun lamented, “‘truly, COVID-19 deadly pandemic has disturbed our planning for sure just like everybody in all the world. 4-5 weeks that we stopped, the problem was that it was in the dry season, so if you want to count it per day (5weeks), we say its only like 40 days. But, 40 days or 30 days in dry season, its not like the 40 days in the rainy season; because what we can achieve in 40 days that we stopped, you can consider it as 2 months during the rainy season.
“You know we cannot work everyday with the same pace of work that will be achieved on a daily basis as planned because of the rain. And, as everybody knows, we are concern with the quality, we are not going to compromise with the quality. So, if there is rain and there are some jobs or activities that cannot be done because it will affect the quality, we will not do it.
“Before COVID-19, my target was to finish as planned, based on that, we have mobilised. With this our plan, we will finish in twelve months. You know that the job is 65km, it is not a small job at all. COVID-19 came, it was unplanned and unexpected, we have lost more than one month and after that, the rainy season, who knows later on what will happen? Now, I have doubled my efforts to compensate the days that were lost”.
He continued, “you know the percentage can be varied. If you want to take it as money or you want to take it as completion of works because there are some items that will take too much time like the concretes. It is less in money than the asphalt.
“The asphalt is very fast and the money is more. We are working on items that will take time and the other one will be more easy for us. Now, we are at 38% of completion of works and by God’s grace, we will reach 40% next week (July Ending)”.
The Project Manager, however informed that Kopek will be responsible for the maintenance of the road, at least for twelve months, after commissioning.
“God forbid, if something happens, it will show on the road, during this one year of maintenance, and we will fix it. Almost 6 months of rainy season, 6 months of dry season, all the possible cars and transport will pass on this road. As everybody knows, Kopek will not compromise with the quality. At the end of the day, we are taking care of the maintenance for one year, so its not nice to compromise now and repeat the job again”, he explained.
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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