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Oyo Govt. To Recall Ajimobi’s Road Contractors Over Alleged ‘Shoddy Jobs’
Oyo State government has said that it would summon road contractors of the immediate past administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi to site over what was termed ‘shoddy jobs’ across the State.
The State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof Raphael Afonja disclosed this during an inspection tour of Taki and Odo-Oru-NEPA roads in Ogbomoso township yesterday.
Ogbomoso township road, Saki’s Poly to Ijale-Oda road and Oyo township roads were among road projects embarked upon by the Ajimobi-led administration but some of the projects, according to him were not completed.
Afonja expressed displeasure at what he called the state of the roads constructed by the previous administration which he said were already dilapidated under two years and less because they were not properly planned and constructed to stand the test of time.
“The roads were not designed properly for the purpose they are meant to serve and as such, the failure of the roads are of great concern to us, therefore, we will look for the contractors that did the road works and bring them back to site to complete the jobs or be made to refund government money back to its coffers.
“The inspection of the roads was to yield to calls made by people for government’s intervention on the roads, as a responsive government, we owe the people the responsibility to come and see things for ourselves and proffer possible solutions.
“We are assuring the people of Oyo State that any road construction project embarked upon by the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration will stand the test of time to serve as example to others.”
At the Palace of Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, where the government team made a courtesy call on the royal father. The monarch charged the federal and the State government on speedy completion of both the federal and the State roads in Ogbomoso axis, charging them to also construct roads of good standards to make life easy for road users for which he said they would be remembered for long after their tenure.
The visit was also extended to the palace of Onpetu of Ijeru land in Ogbomoso where Oba Sunday Oyediran commended the lofty ideas and programs of the Seyi Makinde-led administration, urging the present government not to rest its oars in order for the people to further enjoy the dividends of democracy.
The State governor had recently re-awarded the 65 kilometers Moniya-Iseyin road to KOPEK Engineering Company over what was referred to as the incompetence of the contractor handling the contract during the last administration.
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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