** Kano-Maiduguri Road: SURE-P Committee Displeased With Contractor

March 5th, 2013

For job performances below expectations, the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Committee has expressed displeasure with the CGC, the contractors handling the dualisation of 96.240km section 4 (Potiskum-Damaturu) of the Kano-Maiduguri road project.

This is even as the Committee threatened to with-hold further payment approvals to the contractor until visible progress work is done to match previous payments for the project execution.

These facts emerged recently when a team of SURE-P officials led by Committee member and Convener on Roads and Bridges sub-committee, Alhaji Kassim Bataiya carried out a joint project verification exercise on the project with officials of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU)of the Federal Ministry of Works.

Prior to the joint verification exercise, the CGC had raised and sent to the SURE-P Committee certificate no. 12 requesting payment approvals for over NI billion (N1,085,092,575.84) as claims for progress site jobs achieved.

But Alhaji Bataiya, after careful verification of the works claimed to have been done said the jobs fell below the progress of work expected to have done by the contractor for more funds.

According to the SURE-P Roads & Bridges Convener, “we in the SURE-P expected that CGC would have done more work on site with the over N3 billion approved and paid to them before asking for additional payments. The works they are claiming payments for in the certificate before the SURE-P is not convincing that they lacked funds to continue working. They must show us that they can substantially deliver with our funds as they have promised. They must justify that they have worked with initial payment”.

Spokesman of the contractors and also the Project Implementation Unit Engineer representative, Engr. Festus Naiyeju had earlier briefed the team that the works done on site for which payment claims is being requested included completed laying of wearing course from km 6 to km 25 and from km 31 to km 85 on the new road alignment .

He said the contractor also carried out progress work on the old road by achieving the clearing and removal of Shrubs from km 6 to km 26, scarification and removal of Bituminous surfacing from km 6 to 25, completed Sub Base and stone Base works as well as construction of eight single pipeand one double culverts between km 6 and km 14.

Engr. Naiyeju added that” the two bridges in Mamudo at km 9 and in Damagun at km 29 along the new carriageway have been achieved up to 96 percent completion”.

Meanwhile in the course of the verifications of works claimed to have been done, the contractors were told to revisit the issue of visible cracks on some of the completed pipe culverts as well as to ensure that the reinforcement at km 8.82 be urgently done.

The contractors were equally advised to ensure that the open drainages along the road be covered to avoid unnecessary accident while issues of poorly made shoulders should be redone.

The contractor requested for an additional security support that SURE-P can render as insecurity in the area is still a major challenge to the timely delivery ofthe project

http://www.sure-p.gov.ng/index.cfm/media-publication/press-release/roads-sure-p-committee-displeased-with-contractor/

** Loko-Oweto Bridge: SURE-P Verifies RCC N917M Job Payment Request

Feburary 8 th, 2013

The sub-committee on Roads & Bridges of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Committee recently paid a visit to the Loko-Oweto Bridge site to verify certificate no.2 (amounting to over 917 Million Naira) which was recently raised by the project contactor-Messrs RCC Nig.Ltd.

The convener of the sub-committeen, Alhaji Kassim Baitaiya led the SURE-P team on for a joint verification exercise to Loko (Nassarawa state) in company of officials of Federal Ministry of Works Project Implementation Unit (FMWPIU).

Bataiya explained that the visit to site is part of the committee’s process and policy strategy of ensuring transparency and accountability; and also a culture of instituting integrity in the management of the programme.

“The SURE-P team has come to the site to see the works that have been done and for which RCC wants our committee to approve their request for payment. We want you to know that SURE-P will not approve any payments without sighting or verifying the claims of jobs done”, the SURE-P member clarified.

Among the work items inspected for quality were 25 bored piles, earthworks, and sand filling.

Earlier on arrival at the site at Loko end of the project, the Chief Engineer of RCC, Sharon Simchar, while taking the team round the jobs done disclosed that certificate no.2 covered works carried out from October to December, 2012.

Sharon said “within the period of October to December, we were able to conduct and complete activity in deep soil investigation, complete site clearance works onthe 3.8km approach road to the bridge, finished boring and casting of 25 number of piles, casting of a pile cap, sand filling of 1.230km of swamp and culverts”.

Speaking further on the status of the Loko-Oweto bridge project, Director, Bridges in Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Effiong told the SURE-P team that a phased design approach of the bridge elements has been adapted to fast-track construction activities.

Effiong who further disclosed that the drawings were produced by an international expert said they contained the revised bill yet to be approved.

He said “I am aware that when SURE-P came here last time, the complete design was not ready. But now three complete sets of drawings have been delivered by the bridge designer.
Working drawings are being produced as they are needed on site”.

The Loko-Oweto bridge is one of the Federal Government projects for SURE-P intervention. The sum of N5 billion was allocated to it in the SURE-P 2012 budget.

The contract was awarded to RCC Nigeria limited on 2nd November, 2011 with a completion period of 48 months. However, its take-off was delayed due to changes in the bridge alignment in the original design.

The work to be carried out by the contractor include the construction of a 1.970km long bridge across river Benue and 22.36km of approach road as to link Loko in Nassarawa state to Oweto in Benue state.

http://www.sure-p.gov.ng/index.cfm/media-publication/press-release/loko-oweto-bridge-sure-p-verifies-rcc-n917m-job-payment-request/

** 3,000 Employees Of SURE-P In Oyo Set To Receive Monthly Stipends Directly From Abuja

08 April 2013

The allowances of beneficiaries of the Subsidy Reinvestment & Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) are paid directly into their accounts by the Federal Government, contrary to speculations in some quarters.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Oyo State SURE-P on the delay in the payment of allowances of beneficiaries of the programme from the state.

According to the statement, signed by the Chief Information Officer to Oyo SURE-P, Mr Akin Adelusi, and made available to the Nigerian Tribune, “allowances of the beneficiaries of the programme are not paid to any of the officials’ account as rumoured by some people.”

“I wish to point out here that the chairman, Oyo State SURE-P, Mr Dare Adeleke, has no direct access to the allowances which are paid directly into beneficiaries accounts by the Federal Government let alone putting it in a fixed account,” the statement stated.

The statement read further: “Having completed the necessary documentation and verification by SURE-P office in Oyo State and same sent to Abuja for payment, I can say with authority that the allowance will be paid as soon as possible.

“I am directed to appeal to the beneficiaries to excise reasonable patience and refrain from spreading rumours that can destroy the good intention of the Federal Government in the state while all bottlenecks are removed.”

SURE-P was introduced by the Federal Government to mitigate the impact of the partial subsidy discontinuation policy on the poor and vulnerable as well as to lay the foundation for building a robust social safety net mechanism in the country.

Presently, SURE-P is an ad hoc programme and that is why its beneficiaries are only given one year to participate after which they will be relieved.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/news/item/9152-oyo-sure-p-explains-delay-in-payment-of-allowances

** 3,000 SURE-P Employees Begin Work In Ekiti

Wed, 27/03/2013 - 7:39pm | ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI

The first 3,000 beneficiaries of the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme(SURE-P) Community Services, Youths and Women Employment Scheme have started work in Ekiti State, with an assurance from the Chairman and Coordinator of the State Implementation Committee, Rt. Hon. Femi Akinyemi that the second batch of 2,000 will be employed before the end of June. Working tools like wheel-barrow, shovel, digger and reflective jackets were presented to community leaders, who had provided the services to be rendered by the 3,000 new recruits in their various communities.

Speaking while unveiling the 3,000 beneficiaries at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) secretariat in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Akinyemi said he was happy that; “3,000 Ekiti youths will now be sure of having food on their tables courtesy of the SURE-P Community
Services, Youths and Women Employment Scheme.” He said; “the first 3,000 beneficiaries that were chosen from the over
30,000 job seekers that obtained the forms are the ones we are unveiling today, and as from today, these 3,000 youths will be sure of having foods on their tables.

“With 3,000 Ekiti youths off the labour market today, we are sure that crime rate in the State will be reduced and problems of unemployment solved considerably.

Also, N10, 000 stipends to 3,000 youths per month
will amount to N30 million coming into Ekiti State from the Subsidy Fund per month, and one can begin to imagine the impacts on the economy of the State.

“That is aside from the services that will be rendered by the
beneficiaries and those that will be employed under the Graduate Internship Scheme.

“Before the end of June, the second batch of 2,000 will be employed bring the total beneficiaries of the scheme in Ekiti State to 5,000.”

On how the beneficiaries will be paid, the Chairman said; “payment of the N10, 000 monthly stipend to the beneficiaries will be made through e-payment. Already, data-capturing of the beneficiaries have been done
by a first generation bank in the country.”

He reaffirmed that the programme was not a free wheel programme, but an intervention arrangement specifically designed as part of the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal
government for the eradication of poverty, up-liftment and development
in Ekiti State and the country as a whole.”

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/51023/2013/03/27/3000_surep_employees_begin_work_ekiti.html

** Kebbi SURE-P engages 3,000 youths

Posted by: Khadijat Saidu on March 20, 2013

The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE–P) in Kebbi State has launched empowerment programme for the youth. The programme will train 3,000 youths and subsequently enroll them to work under the state’s environmental sanitation, traffic and security scheme.

The state coordinator of the programme, Alhaji Samaila Haliru Dan Kasa disclosed this during the launch of the SURE–P programme at the Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area secretariat.

He said that under the scheme, 142 youths in each of the 21 local government areas have acquired skills in environmental sanitation, vigilance work and road traffic control.

Dan Kasa further said that out of the 3,000 people already engaged, 50 per cent of them are youths; 30 per cent are women while 20 per cent are persons with disability.

According to the coordinator, the programme in all the local government areas has full support of traditional institutions and the leadership of thestate House of Assembly.

In his remarks, the chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan Illela said that the launch of the scheme was timely as it would reduce the rate of unemployment among the youth. He called on youths to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the programme to be productive members of the society.

Earlier, the Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, expressed concern over the high rate of unemployment in the state, saying that the scheme would help in reducing the burden of unemployment on government.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news-extra/kebbi-sure-p-engages-3000-youths/

** SURE-P: FG deploys 3,000 youths in Edo

February 25, 2013 | 10:16 pm
BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN—THE Federal Government has commenced the deployment of 3,000 unemployed youths in Edo State under its Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P.
Former Edo State deputy governor and chairman of SURE-P in the state, Chief Lucky Imasuen, who spoke during the flag-off of the deployment exercise in BeninCity, explained that the commencement of the payment of N10,000 known as ‘Goodluck alert,’ was delayed due to the processes of registration of the beneficiaries, which includes opening of bank accounts for them.

Denying allegation that the forms were being given to only Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members in the state, Imasuen said the beneficiaries, include youths, HIV/AIDS victims, indigent students cutting across the three senatorial districts of the state, adding that after the deployment of the 3,000 youths, the Federal Government will commence additional deployment of another 2,000 youths making it 5,000 in every state.

“We have ensured that 30 per cent of the beneficiaries are women as directed by the Federal Government,” he said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/sure-p-fg-deploys-3000-youths-in-edo/

Laughable.

** SURE-P Registers 3,000 In Benue

31st March, 2013

The federal government’s Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programmes (SURE-P) said on Thursday that it had registered 3,000 participants in Benue.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants were registered under the Community Service for Women and Youth Empowerment(CSWYE).

The Benue Coordinator of the programme, Mr Samuel Utoo, said while inaugurating the programme, in Makurdi that it was aimed at reducing poverty in the state.

“This programme is intended to take you off the streets by providing you with a means of livelihood, you must therefore, utilise the assistance, to serve your communities to the best of your capabilities.’’
Utoo said the programme started late in the state owing to administrative hiccups.
He however assured that another batch of 2,000 participants would be recruited in July.

The coordinator charged the participants to be committed to their assignment, warning that laxity would not be condoned.

The Chairman, Makurdi Local Government, Mr Godwin Donko, urged participants to be hard working, to justify the resources of government.

Represented by the Deputy Chairman, Mrs Victoria Ayoosu, Donko said the programme was not a local government programme where “people will stay at home and collect salaries at the end of the month’’.

The traditional ruler of Makurdi, Chief Sule Abenga, represented bythe District Head of Walomayo, Chief Dominic Akaahan, said the programme would address youth restiveness in the country.

He commended the federal government for the initiative.
“Before the end of this administration, youth restiveness in any form would have been completely tackled through this programme.’’

The ceremony was attended by the zonal directors of the scheme in the state, including officials of the National Directorate of Employment.


http://www.nigerianpilot.com/sure-p-registers-3000-in-benue/

** 3000 SURE- P Jobs For Youths In Katsina- FG

March 6, 2013

About 3,000 jobs have been created for youths, women, disabled among others, under the Federal Government’s Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in Katsina State.

Chairman of Katsina State Implementation Committee of SURE-P, Garba Kurfi, has said the programme has so far recruited 3,000 people across the 34 council areas.

Kurifi said some local governments had more people selected for the programme than others due to larger population and consideration for number of urban and rural communities.

He said 30 percent of the jobs were reserved for women, 20 percent for those living with disabilities and 50 percent for the youths.

He said the e-accounts of the beneficiaries were currently being processed and would be forwarded to the head office for documentation.

Kurfi said the youths will be engaged in jobs such as roads rehabilitation, teaching in primary schools as well as home management for women.

He maintained that every council area would select three communities for such projects and that the beneficiaries are over 18 years of age but not more than 35 years old.

He said the programme is aimed at creating employment for the unemployed youths as it would prevent them from indulging in social vices.

http://www.naijafreejobs.com/3000-sure-p-jobs-for-youths-in-katsina-fg/

** Benin-Ore Road Rehabilitation Funded From SURE-P -- Works Minister

Monday, 25 February 2013 08:41

The Minister of Works Mr. Mike Onolememen, on Sunday disclosed that the Benin-Ore road (Benin-Ofosu Road), rehabilitation was made possible by the injection of funds from the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

He disclosed this when he took the National Good Governance Tour (NGGT) team led by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku on a tour of the road project.
Mr. Onolememen added that the rehabilitation has reduced travel hours from 12 to four hours from Benin to Lagos State.

According to him "Section 1 of the road (Benin-Ore-Shagamu road) from Ofosu from kilometre 75 to kilometre 50 has actually been completed. This section is a continuous stretch through Ovia River and beyond to Ofosu, Edo State border".

The minister explained that "with this construction (Benin-Ofosu Road), Section 1 of the Benin-Ore-Shagamu Road project), journey time has been reduced from 12 hours to 4 hours to Lagos and it will get better. Once this project is completed by the end of this year, the travel time from Benin to Lagos will be brought back to the 3 hours that it used to be".

"In the course of constructing the road (Benin - Ore Road) we realized the river was endangering the road. So, we had to be proactive within the ongoing contract to try and save the road by doing some embankment here", Onolememen said.

The completion of the road project Benin according to Federal Controller of Works, Mr. Dennis Orji, led to drop of passengers patronising airlines flying into the  Benin airport.

"Section 1 of the road (Benin-Ore-Shagamu road) from Ofosu from kilometre 75 to kilometre 50 has actually been completed. This section is a continuous stretch through Ovia River and beyond to Ofosu, Edo State border"
He said "this is one of the roads that links the South-East and the South-South. Benin-Ore road is responsible for most of the commercial activities from the South-South to Lagos and vice versa and also the South-East".


http://www.frontiersnews.com/index.php/news/2995-benin-ore-road-rehabilitation-funded-from-sure-p-works-minister

@OP
Who should I believe between you and the Official Website of The Federal Republic of Nigeria www.nigeria.gov.ng ?

** Enugu-Onitsha RoadTo Be Funded By SURE Programme – FG

Tue, 04/09/2012 - 12:54am | NNAMDI MBAWIKE

The federal government has said that the ongoing rehabilitation work on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway would be partly funded by the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment (SURE) programme.

This was just as it disclosed that it was targeting December 2013 for the completion of the Enugu portion of the road.

Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda disclosed weekend during an inspection tour of the two stretches of the dual carriage road from Enugu to Onitsha and Onitsha to Enugu.

For the other portion of the road, he explained that they were discussing with the contractors to know their problems and to address the challenges before setting a deadline for them.

The minister, who was guided on the inspection tour by the contractors handling the project, assured that with the improved funding of the project, the federal government would ensure the completion ofthe project on time.

Yuguda added that President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to completing Enugu-Onitsha road and other federal highways in the South-East geopolitical zone.

According to him, the inspection visit was a follow-up of the visit by President Goodluck Jonathan to Anambra State last week to commission some big projects for the development of the country.

“We are very happy to inform Nigerians that this road is very critical to our nation. It is going to be funded partly by the SURE programme. I have come. I have done the inspection. We are having few challenges, but of course with the improved funding on this road, definitely, we are going to deliver,” he said.
He stated that what they were trying to do was to make sure that “we open up all the sections that are finished because of the coming season (Christmas) for the high traffic period”, adding that “somebody driving now from Upper Iweka up to the Bridge head can see the expansion that has been done”.

The minister expressed happiness on the collaboration with the Anambra State government on the road.
“The major challenge again on this road has been addressed because as I am talking to you now, the contractor has been fully paid. All his outstanding certificates have been fully paid. On this section of Enugu bound,the contractor has just confirmed that to me,” he said.

It could be recalled that the contract for the rehabilitation work on Enugu-Onitsha road was awarded in 2008 by the federal government with a completion date of 30 months, which elapsed in November 2011, without the project making any meaningful progress.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/34090/2012/09/04/enuguonitsha_road_be_funded_sure_programme_fg.html

** SURE-P Revives Lagos- Kano Train Services For Nigerians

27th December, 2012

The Subsidy, Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), has inaugurated the Lagos to Kano rail services in order to boost that mode of transportation in the country.
The transport service is the first major infrastructural dividend to Nigerians in which SURE-P committed about N1 billion.

Speaking at the inauguration in Lagos last Friday, the Chairman of SURE-P, Dr Christopher Kolade, said that his committee’s intervention in railways stemmed from the attendant benefits to the nation’s economy and Nigerians.
Represented by a member of SURE-P committee, Mr Chike Okogwu, he said that the intervention was a huge avenue of investing the federal government’s savings from the partial removal of subsidy from petroleum products and providing vocational training skills for rail tracks maintenance.

Kolade said that the successful flag-off of regular rail services between Lagos and Kano vindicated President Goodluck Jonathan’s establishment of the innovative socio-economic intervention committee.

The Chairman pledged that the fruits of SURE-P intervention in the critical sectors of the economy would become visible to Nigerians in the years ahead.

He also urged Nigerians to be patient with SURE-P, and stressed that the committee members remained committed towards the building of a sustainable socio-economic foundation for Nigerians.

Earlier, the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said that the flag off of the Lagos to Kano rail services was part of the federal government’s phased implementation of the 25 years strategic vision for the Nigerian Railways (NRC).
Umar said that government’s commitment in the rehabilitation of the existing western narrow gauge followed its strategic importance in the nation’s economic development.

http://www.dailyngnews.com/2012/12/sure-p-revives-train-services-for.html
http://dailyindependentnig.com/2012/12/sure-p-fg-resuscitates-lagos-kano-train-service-with-n1b/

Thanks Sincere, you've won me over finally. I'm definitely voting Jonah for 2nd term!

Roll on 2015!

Sincere, can you please add Tonto Dike to the topic so the Mods can move it to front page.

** SURE-P Committee Tell Contractors to Accelerate Work on Abuja-Lokoja Road Construction

September 17th, 2012

The subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Committee has told the four contractors handling the dualisation of the Abuja-Lokoja road construction to accelerate work on the sites allotted to each of them before end of the year, given recent payments to them. This is even as the Committee also wants contractors to do everything within their capacity to progress the construction works to a level that will remove or lessen the traffic congestion yearly suffered by travelers during Christmas and New Year rush. Meanwhile, the committee assured the contractors that it won’t delay on payment of certificates of jobs done as soon as such gets to it.

Making the demand on the contractors during a recent assessment of the road project which contract spanned since 2006, Deputy Chairman of the SURE-P Committee, Maj. Gen. Mamman Kontagora (rtd), said it has become imperative for the contractors working on the road to expedite action on seeing to it that they deliver their sections properly constructed in a manner that will bring about free flow of traffic during the Christmas and New year season. At separate interaction with each of the contractors, the former Federal Minister of works reminded the contractors of the need for them to utilize the intervention funds coming from SURE-P for the purpose of the job it was disbursed.

Committee member and Sub-committee convener on “Roads and Bridges”, Alhaji Kassim Bataiya who was also in the team told the contractors that they need to justify through their works that they have capacity to spend the SURE-P funds already programmed for their use in the 2012 budget. He said if they are able to justify expending the initial payments they have received from SURE-P, future payments will be made promptly without hindrance. He said what the contractors have shown on the jobs done so far on the sections they are handling was encouraging but added that SURE-P need them to add more speed to the project because the road is very critical in the country’s road infrastructure development. “I am highly impressed with the manner the contractors mobilized to site after they received payments from SURE-P on some of the certificates”.

Bataiya said Speaking on progress work Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company would make before December on section 1(Zuba-Sheda village)to ensure free traffic flow, Roy Hungushi said “we will do our best for the travelling public. We are fully mobilized to site and prepared to move the work on Gwagwalada interchange faster to ease the traffic one-half. Definitely we assure of traffic flow during the Christmas rush” On section 2 (Sheda-Abaji), being contract award to RCC Nigeria Ltd, the Engineer representative, Engr. Eze Dozie said “the contractors are ready to finish this project faster and earlier than the period given under the contract.
Before December, the plan is to finish 40km (20km on each side of the carriageway) out of the 54.7km.

The Managing Director of Bulletin Construction Company on his part assured the SURE-P team that his company which is handling the section 3 (Abaji-Kotonkarfi) project of the road would by December have most sections covered in terms of usage and possibly have the two bridges on the section opened for use. He added that “by December, we will be having about 40km of the 49.362km road completed”. On section 4 (Kotonkarfi-Lokoja), being a project under Gitto Construzzioni, the Engineer Representative, A.R. Ajani explained that the company hopes to complete bridges 8, 9 and 4 as well as the median barriers from 49.700 to 17.300. This is in addition to carrying out the road work to asphalt level.

Earlier the contractors had highlighted some of the challenges confronting them to include delayed payment of certificates on completed jobs, incidences of high water table along the road alignment, poor sub-grade material along the road alignment as most of the sub-grade materials are below specification, delayed release of compensation funds to allow for demolition of structures along the right of way.

http://www.sure-p.gov.ng/index.cfm/media-publication/press-release/sure-p-committee-tell-contractors-to-accelerate-work-on-abuja-lokoja-road-construction/

Thanks Sincere, you've won me over finally. I'm definitely voting Jonah for 2nd term!

Roll on 2015!

** 30,000 jostle for 3,000 SURE-P Jobs in Ekiti

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Over 30,000 job seekers have applied to benefit from the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) Community Services, Youths and Women Employment Scheme in Ekiti State.

Chairman of the State Implementation Committee (SIC), Femi Akinyemi, said the first 3,000 to be recruited from the applicants would be made public before the end of this month, adding: “They will receive their first salary in February.”
Akinyemi, who debunked insinuation that forms were only given to members of the People’sDemocratic Party (PDP) in the state, said: “We distributed the forms free to beneficiaries in palaces of traditional rulers in the state to show that the programme is meant for everyone, irrespective of political affiliation.

“Also, the state director, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Abimbola Oni, is the vice chairman of the implementation committee and that should be enough to show that the programme is not for members of any political party.

“Therefore, those insinuating that the programme was for members of a particular political party are only playing dirty politics aimed at denying Ekiti youths the opportunity of benefitting from the well-thought-out programme of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government, but they won’t succeed.”

In a release signed by Akinyemi, he said the three senatorial coordinators of the programme, Tosin Aluko (Central), Kayode Ogunsakin (South), and Dare Olaosebikan (North) and the state director of NDE, Abimbola Oni, personally monitored the forms distribution to ensure thatit got to everyone.

Akinyemi, who said Ekiti State, like other states in the country, was allocated 15,000 beneficiaries in the scheme, informed that 3,000 beneficiaries would be recruited this month, while another 2,000 would be recruited in February.

According to him, “What we saw at the Obas’ palaces in the headquarters of all the 16 local councils in the state where the forms were distributed last week further reinforced the importance of this scheme and we are sure that by the time 15,000 youths are employed, crime rate in Ekiti will be reduced and problems of unemployment solved considerably.”

He, however, said the beneficiaries would offer community services on the basis of which they would be remunerated.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/city-file/city-file/50613-30000-jostle-for-3000-sure-p-jobs-in-ekiti

Ode jati jati!

** SURE-P Fast Tracking Ongoing Works On The Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Narrow Guage And Abuja-Kaduna Modern Standard Guage Rail Lines

18th January, 2013

“That is why the rehabilitation of the Eastern line is moving at a pace such that by the end of this year, ifthat SURE-P intervention is sustained, if the pace of the release of money is sustained, we will have trains running between Port Harcourt and Maiduguri. Similarly, the Abuja to Kaduna standard gauge project is now 40 per cent complete, and if this level of funding which the President has directed is sustained, the Abuja to Kaduna line would be fully operational by the end of 2014. What we are saying now is that these interventions need to be sustained not just for the rehabilitation, but also for the maintenance and operations of train’s services to a point where NRC can become self-sustaining and a point where the private sector would be required to take over train operations”, he said.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/port-harcourt-maiduguri-rail-line-will-be-on-track-this-year/136720/

Boda Sincere, E ku ise

** 3,000 youths, women in Lagos benefit from SURE-P empowerment project

Written by Sylvester Okoruwa-Lagos Tuesday, 02 April 2013

In line with the Federal Government economic transformation agenda, the Lagos State Coordinating and implementation committee of SURE-P, Onike, Yaba, has kicked off the commencement of the community services for 3,000 Youths and women in Lagos State.

The youth employment project would see 3,000 youths and women from 225 wards of 20 local government areas in Lagos State engaged in sanitation and community services across the state.

The Chairman of the state implementation committee, Alhaji Bode Oyedele, while speaking at the event said that the aim of the Subsidy Reinvestment and empowerment programme known as SURE-P was to bring relief to the under-privileged and increase the standard of livelihood of millions of Nigerians threatened by employment and poverty.

He urged the registered and documented beneficiaries to be dedicated and discipline in their different areas of assignments.

The deputy chairman of the state implementation committee, Mr. Joseph Modey said that the 3,000 youths and women employed, registered and documented were aleady engaged to render sanitation services across the state as a stipend rated at 10,000 would be paid monthly into their account opened for them.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/community-news/item/8687-3-000-youths-women-in-lagos-benefit-from-sure-p-empowerment-project

** SURE-P engages 3000 youth in Enugu

January 24, 2013

The SURE-P has engaged more than 3000 youths, women and vulnerable persons in Enugu State under the Federal Government’s Community Services Women and Youth Empowerment programme,an official said.

SURE-P was set up to engage the poor in community services and reduce youth unemployment. Mr. Nnamdi Asomugha, the State Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday that the selection was going on simultaneously in the 17 local government councils in the state.

He said the programme was meant to help the poor and vulnerable, adding that the directorate, in collaboration with an implementation committee set up by the Federal Government, ensured that only the right people got the jobs.

Asomugha said he and the committee had set up checks and balances to ensure that the programme was not hijacked by politicians.

He maintained: “We are in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State to specifically select unemployed women, youths and persons with vulnerability which includes widows, albinos, people living with HIV and AIDS, blind people and so on and so forth.

“We are selecting 3000 persons who belong to these categories into the community services women and youth empowerment programme of the SURE-P programme of the Federal Government.

“We expect that between now and tomorrow, across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State we will be able to select 3000 unemployed youths, women and vulnerable persons.’’

He said the programme would last for a year in the first instance with the possibility of expansion. The coordinator said those selected would be captured biometrically because their stipend of N10,000 would be paid direct from Abuja. He called on those selected to reciprocate the gesture by performing the tasks assigned to them by their communities

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sure-p-engages-3000-youth-in-enugu/

** SURE-P engages 3000 youth in Enugu

January 24, 2013

The SURE-P has engaged more than 3000 youths, women and vulnerable persons in Enugu State under the Federal Government’s Community Services Women and Youth Empowerment programme,an official said.

SURE-P was set up to engage the poor in community services and reduce youth unemployment. Mr. Nnamdi Asomugha, the State Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday that the selection was going on simultaneously in the 17 local government councils in the state.

He said the programme was meant to help the poor and vulnerable, adding that the directorate, in collaboration with an implementation committee set up by the Federal Government, ensured that only the right people got the jobs.

Asomugha said he and the committee had set up checks and balances to ensure that the programme was not hijacked by politicians.

He maintained: “We are in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State to specifically select unemployed women, youths and persons with vulnerability which includes widows, albinos, people living with HIV and AIDS, blind people and so on and so forth.

“We are selecting 3000 persons who belong to these categories into the community services women and youth empowerment programme of the SURE-P programme of the Federal Government.

“We expect that between now and tomorrow, across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State we will be able to select 3000 unemployed youths, women and vulnerable persons.’’

He said the programme would last for a year in the first instance with the possibility of expansion. The coordinator said those selected would be captured biometrically because their stipend of N10,000 would be paid direct from Abuja. He called on those selected to reciprocate the gesture by performing the tasks assigned to them by their communities

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sure-p-engages-3000-youth-in-enugu/

Meritbaba: Boda Sincere, E ku ise

E ku igbadun

@scincere, badt guy! this is how to shut, nay Sayers up, more grease bro, wonderful job

complete with sources

even from the mouths of the nay Sayers themselves

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news-extra/kebbi-sure-p-engages-3000-youths/


well done bro.

** SURE-P Intervention On Third Mainland Bridge: Re-surfacing, markings and fixing the lighting system in collaboration with FERMA.

Source: NTA and Channelstv

** FG's SURE-P Graduate-Internship Recruitment 2012

Aug 25 , 2012

https://www.nairaland.com/1028547/fgs-sure-p-graduate-internship-recruitment-2012

** Gov. Aliyu appoints Hassan Nuhu as SURE-P Director-General in Niger for timely implementation of projects with the state's share of SURE-P

4th April, 2013

Gov Babangida Aliyu of Niger has appointed Malam Hassan Nuhu as Director-General of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Agency in the state.

A statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, said the Director-General would ensure effective and timely implementation of projects to be executed with SURE-P funds.

It said the agency would pursue people-oriented programmes to improve the quality of life of the people in line with the state’s vision of becoming one of the top three economies in the country by the year 2020.

The governor had announced that part of the monies in the SURE-P account would be used to facilitate job creation for unemployed youths.

According to the statement, Nuhu’s appointment takes immediate effect

http://itvradionigeria.com/news/gov-aliyu-appoints-hassan-nuhu-as-sure-p-director-general-in-niger/
http://premiumtimesng.com/regional/128298-governor-aliyu-of-niger-appoints-sure-p-boss.html

** SURE-P spends N21bn on East-West roads

2012-11-20

Eket - The Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) says it has so far intervened to the tune of N21 billion in the East-West Road projects.

Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, a member of the SURE-P committee, announced this on Monday in Oron during an inspection tour of section 4 of the East West Road.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team, led by Ohuabunwa, drove on the 50 km stretch of the road from Oron in Akwa Ibom to Ogoni in Rivers.

Ohuabunwa later told newsmen that the programme’s intervention had remarkably fast tracked the pace of work on the contract, awarded in 2006.

He said the intervention was funded from the Federal Government’s share of 41 per cent proceeds from the partial removal of petroleum subsidy in January.
He explained that SURE-P guaranteed contractors of prompt payment for work done and therefore an incentive for speedy delivery of projects.

"Our intervention approach is to assure contractors of availability of funds to pay for completed jobs and once the certificate of job completion is generated and verified, we pay the contractors promptly.

"We were here in August and we are here to access the extent of work done since our last visit. From what we have seen, we shall settle the last bill that the contractors provided," he said.

Prof. Kunle Wahab also said that the team was pleased with the progress of work in section 4 of the project.
He said the road was already providing relief to motorists, adding that a section of the road would be inaugurated in January 2013.

Another member of the committee, Alli Bukar, said the intervention had addressed the funding constraints which delayed the project beyond its completion date of April 2010.

Reacting to the perceived delays in the project, Mr Ghanem Rasbieh, the Site Agent of Gitto Nig Ltd, the contractor handling the section of the road, said extended rainy season in the region was an obstacle.
He explained that the dry season lasted only three months within the region.

Rasbieh gave the assurance that the project, which had attained 52 per cent progress, would be completed within one year.

The contract for the project was awarded on Sept. 28, 2006 for N26 billion and reviewed to N37.53 billion

http://m.news24.com/nigeria/National/News/SURE-P-spends-N21bn-on-East-West-roads-20121120-2

** N30billion SURE-P funds earmarked for construction of Second Niger Bridge

February 23, 2013


The Federal Government has yesterday announced that it has completed the procurement process for the construction of a 2nd Niger bridge with Julius Berger/ AIIM Consortium emerging as the preferred bidder.

The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen while briefing journalists on the progess made so far in Abuja yesterday after enclosed meeting with the consortium, disclosed that Julius Berger/AIIM Consortium emerged after slugging it out with other world class construction companies which include, ARM Consortium, Bouygues Consortium, China Harbour Consortium and Johnson-Matiere Consortium.

Niger Bridge
The project, which is packaged under Public Private Partnership arrangement for a period of 25 years will be delivered under design, finance, built, operate and transfer model.

Onolememen said the Federal Government has earmarked N30billion for the 2nd Niger bridge under the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment, SURE-P programme as part of its contributions to the project.

“I am glad to announce that Julius Berger emerged as thepreferred bidder for the 2nd Niger Bridge”
He continued, “With this now, we will now move into the second phase that will necessarily lead to preliminary site work.”

Onolememen who said the ministry has obtained a no objection from the Infrastructure Concessioning Regulatory Commission, ICRC, which regulates all transactions under PPP, stated that with no objection, the ministry has launched into the second phase of the project which included detailed Hydrological and Topological Survey, Geotechnical Survey, detailed Environmental Impact Assessment and Indepth Traffic Survey of the project.

The minister said,” We have gone through painstaking procurement process that has lasted for about 13 months and at the end of the procurement, a preffered bidder has emerged and we have since obtained a no objection from the ICRC, the regulatory authority for all PPP transactions in our country and no objection also provided that we move into the 2nd phase of the transaction discussions.”

He remarked that building the 2nd Niger bridge was one of the election promises of President Goodluck Jonathan to the people of Nigeria, stressing that getting a world class construction company to handle the project signaled the commencement of the journey toward the actualisation of the project.

The President had at the inception of his administration promised to deliver the 2nd Niger bridge and the emergence of a preferred bidder for its construction, is first bold step towards the realisation of the project.

The minister informed, “With the dilapidating state of the 1st Niger bridge, there have been calls, particularly from the people of the South-East of Nigeria, for the construction of a 2nd Niger bridge”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/fg-concludes-procurement-for-2nd-niger-bridge/