₦airaland Forum

Mambilla Power Project and the Unanswered Questions


In many correspondences, the firm has insisted that it was awarded the contract to build, operate and transfer (BOT) in 2003, has dragged the federal government and its Chinese partners before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France.



In the beginning

As part of the plans to solve the perennial problem in the power sector, the Obasanjo/Atiku administration had proposed Mambilla Project in the early part of its first term in office. According to a document obtained by THISDAY, prior to the official tender process, a Nigerian company, Sunrise Power Transmission Co. Limited assumed the front seat in promoting the project.

To harmonise all stakeholders in the project, the firm had reportedly engaged the offices of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as well as the Nigerian Embassy in China and that led to the first state visit of then President Obasanjo to China in 2001 and Vice President Atiku in 2002.


However, shortly after it has begun work, the firm received a shocking letter on September 3, 2003 from the Ministry of Energy (FMOE) claiming that the Federal Executive Council did not approve the memo recommending Sunrise for the project and directing Sunrise to tender for the project when it is advertised.

The crisis reached its peak under the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua when it enmeshed in another controversy over the way a Presidential adviser allegedly took millions of dollars in bribes, and eventually led to the removal of the official and the termination of the $1.46billion civil works contract.


https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/06/mambilla-power-project-and-the-unanswered-questions/

Atiku pledges to construct Mambilla Hydro power dam, if elected


Abubakar, who made the pledge at the PDP Presidential campaign in Jalingo, said that the current administration had promised to construct the dam but failed to keep its promise.

“If elected president of Nigeria on Feb. 16, I will complete the Mambilla Hydro Electric Power Dam within my tenure in office, to solve the problem of electricity in the state and the country. “I will also construct Federal Government roads in the state as well as refund the money Taraba spent in constructing federal roads in the state.”


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/atiku-pledges-to-construct-mambilla-hydro-power-dam-if-elected/

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has endorsed the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the February 16 presidential election.

The National President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, who led a delegation to meet the Chairman of Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Drugs Abuse, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), on Monday, said President Buhari deserved the endorsement because he was trustworthy.

He said the president had not hidden his commitment to ensuring a stronger and autonomous local government administration in the country.

He expressed hope that Mr President would match his statement with action after emerging victorious on February 16 as part of the mandate given to him for the endorsement.


Comrade Khaleel, who said the nation’s quest for stability at all levels could not be achieved without strengthening the local governments as a critical tier of government, pledged to mobilize their members across the country to work for the victory of President Buhari.

“Based on what we agreed, we have done our part. We will mobilise our members. You have our support on the issue of President Buhari project because we feel he is trustworthy,” he said, while pointing out that NULGE had to partner with political organisation to stop the decay in local government system.

He said, “If we are to ask ourselves, is the local government meeting the expectations of citizens like us? Why are our local governments malfunctioning? It is because of the interests that lie therein. We are aware that the Constitution of Nigeria recognises the local government as a full fledged tier of government.

In his remarks, Brigadier General Marwa (rtd), who is a former military administrator of Lagos State, promised that President Buhari, who had been supporting workers’ friendly policies, would live up to their expectations.

Earlier, Gen Marwa had tasked NULGE to support the federal government in to rid the nation of drug abuse especially among youths and women, adding that two generations risk being wiped out because of the challenge.

He said it took the coming of President Buhari to tackle the issue of drug abuse frontally by setting up a committee under his leadership, seeking the assistance of NULGE to curb the menace at all levels.

The meeting was attended by the former deputy governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen; Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the BSO Coordinator, Dr Mahmoud Mohammed among others.


https://cdn.dailytrust.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017_4large_NULGE-300x176.jpg

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nulge-endorses-buhari-says-nigeria-cant-enjoy-stability-with-weak-lgs.html

71 RETIRED GENERALS BACK BUHARI’S RE-ELECTION BID

… MY OBJECTIVE IS VERY CLEAR: TO DO THE BEST FOR NIGERIA, SAYS

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his main objective in contesting elections four times and ending up in Supreme Court three times, before he finally won the election in 2015.

Receiving retired army generals, admirals, marshals and former military governors/administrators in a courtesy call at State House, Abuja, on Monday, the President declared:

“God has made this country great. We have human and material resources, and may God continue to give us the right leaders. My objective is very clear, and I will continue to do my best.”

Recalling what he said in his days as military head of state that; “We have no other country but Nigeria. We will stay here and salvage it together,” President Buhari noted that even if one was blessed enough to send children for training abroad, “after such training, they will still have to come back here. We must, therefore, give our best for our country. The patriotism imbued in us by the military will ever remain relevant. Let’s do our best for this country.”

Describing Nigeria as “a fabulous country,” the President said if it were not so, “the country could not have survived the damage done to it materially and morally in the past,” glorifying God that after 30 months civil war, with over two million lives lost, “we are still one country.”

President Buhari prayed that Nigeria would not lack people who can exploit its human and material resources, adding: “The higher you go in Nigeria, the hotter it becomes, and not the other way round. But I can’t complain. I tried so hard to be here three times, ending up at the Supreme Court. So, I can’t complain over anything I am going through now.”

He described the military as an institution that gives amazing opportunities to know the country, its different peoples and cultures, “and I am very grateful that you have claimed me back as one of your own. I was governor of North-east, which is now six states, Minister of Petroleum for over three years, head of state; I was arrested and detained, but did not lose my rank, because nothing was found against me.”

Leader of the delegation, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, who was military governor in Borno, and later military administrator of Lagos State, said the retired top officers thought it right to visit the President, “to say that you have represented your constituency very well. You announced a simple three-point agenda upon assumption of office namely security; fighting corruption, and the economy. You have kept your words as an officer and a gentleman.”

Gen Marwa added: “We the retired armed forces officers, representing 99.9% of our colleagues say that we are proud of you; proud to be associated with your administration; and proud to witness this era of Nigeria rising again under your able leadership. We support you fully and totally in the presidential elections next week and will do whatever we can within the law to contribute to your emergence as the victor in the election in order to take Nigeria to the next level.”

The most senior of the retired officers, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla, a former Chief of Naval Staff, who said future generations would acquit President Buhari “most creditably,” added: “On behalf of the generals here today, I congratulate you on the tremendous work done by this administration, and wish to state unequivocally that we are proud of you and fully behind you in the presidential elections next week. We pledge our full support and continued loyalty.”

The delegation was made of one Vice Admiral, two Lt-Generals, 15 Major Generals, two Rear Admirals, eight Air Vice-Marshals, 12 Brigadier-Generals, three Commodores, nine Air Commodores, and 17 former military governors/administrators, among others.


https://cyboknews.com/71-retired-generals-back-buharis-re-election-bid/

A Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday rejected the request of a former governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, to adjourn his trial to Friday to enable him attend President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential rally on Thursday (today).

The trial was earlier slated on Thursday and Friday.

Mr Shekarau is standing trial for allegedly recieving illegal campaign funds of about N950 million in 2015.

At the commencement of the trial on Thursday, counsel to Mr Shekarau, Jibrin Okutepa, pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to Friday to enable his client attend Mr Buhari’s reelection rally in Kano.

“My Lord, Mr President is coming to Kano today. My client is a politician and wants to attend the rally,” he said.

However, the judge, Lewis Allagoa, rejected Mr Shekarau’s request and ordered the commencement of the trial.

Turned down again
Later, Mr Okutepa moved another application seeking adjournment, saying Mr Shekarau, being a senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) ought to be at the event.

“In view of the predicament of my client who is billed to be among the entourage of Mr President campaign rally, I want apply to My Lord to adjourn the matter to tomorrow (Friday),” he pleaded.

The judge rejected the request again.

Trial
When the matter was called up on Thursday, counsel to the EFCC, Samuel Chiwe, presented a staffer of the anti-graft outfit, Mahmud Tukur, as his first witness.

Mr Tukur told the court the EFCC received intelligence report that N23 billion was deposited by the former Minister of Petroleum (Allison Diezani) at the Fidelity Bank in Lagos, out of which N950 million was directed to be given to Kano PDP.

He added that the money was received by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali and Mansur Ahmad on March 26, 2015, two days to the presidential election.

“I visited Fidelity Bank Kano on April 27th, 2016 where I interviewed the business manager, Aliyu Da’u Aliyu and operations manager, Saheed. In the course of the interview, they confirmed that on night of March 26th, 2015 they gave 2nd and 3rd defendants (Aminu Wali and Mansur Ahmad) the sum of N950 million. They provided us with the receipt of payment alongside the identification document of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.

“We invited them, interviewed them and obtained their statements. The 1st defendant (Mr Shekarau) wrote a statement on May 12th, 13th and 14th, 2016, the 2nd defendant (Mr Wali) wrote a statement on May 5th, 2016 and the 3rd defendant (Mr Ahmed) wrote a statement on May 13th, 2019,” Mr Tukur said.

The court admitted three exhibits against the accused persons.

They were statements obtained at EFCC, receipts of bank payment and a letter from the bank.

The proceeding, which lasted for two hours was interrupted by two recesses called by trial judge.

The judge then adjourned the case to Friday February 1.

Mr Shekarau was a former Minister of Education under former President Goodluck Jonathan prior to 2015 general elections.

He is now contesting for Kano central senatorial seat under the ruling APC.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/309158-n950m-fraud-judge-rejects-shekaraus-request-to-attend-buhari-rally.html

ABUJA (Reuters) - A Nigerian appeals court ruled on Wednesday that a code of conduct tribunal can try the country’s top judge, who has been suspended for allegedly breaking wealth declaration rules, according to a Reuters witness.

The legal case has raised fears of interference in the Feb. 16 presidential election, after President Muhammadu Buhari last week suspended Walter Onnoghen from the position where he would have a key say in resolving any disputes after the vote. Onnoghen has not responded to the allegations.

https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN1PO1NJ-OZATP

https://www.today.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/19093734-696x464.jpg



The Zobe Regional Water Supply Scheme in Katsina abandoned for 27 years has been revived, completed and delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dam, which was started in 1992, was revisited by the present administration to improve access to potable water for Katsina metropolis and environs.

At an inspection visit to the site on Friday, the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu restated the desire of the present administration to complete all abandoned water projects.

According to him, the Federal Government is excited about progress made in the LOT 1 of the project, expressing hope that the State Government will hasten the processes to reticulate the water to homes.

“I came for inspection and celebration, because this project was started in 1992, and we want to celebrate the collaboration with the State Government that we have been true to our words in completing all ongoing projects.

“I was so pleased that this has happened, we are excited that water will start flowing into Katsina and its environs before the end of January, and that has been accomplished.

“This project has been waiting for 27 years, we are glad that we are coming to the tail end of this project. There is still work to be done, but there is sufficient water to start flowing into the communities,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim Mai-Maje, Consultant of the scheme, said the Zobe Water supply scheme was specifically targeted at bringing water from Zobe River to Katsina Local Government Areas.

He said three years ago, an MoU was signed between the state government and FG to bring water from Dutsinma, saying the water pumps, treatment plants, among others, had been completed and tested.

Mai-Maje said no fewer than six LGAs of Dutsinma, Kankia, Charanchi, Katsina, Bindawa, Kurfi would benefit, adding that no less than 37,000 cubic metres of water would be treated and pumped to homes.

“What is needed now is the Katsina State Government’s responsibility, this has been done since 1992, there is supposed to be an outlet that takes water into the state, then from there to other parts.

“The remaining connection from Dutsinma and to other Local Government Areas is the responsibility of the State Government and they have reached an advanced stage for the consultant to complete the work,” he said.

He added that the State Government was aware that it ought to put in remaining valves and fittings toward proper water reticulation.

Mai-maje said the pumping into main Katsina tank have been tested and washed to test distribution channel network to the state, adding that the State Government has begun processes to see that water gets to the populace.

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, commended the efforts of Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari for extending support towards completing all ongoing and abandoned water projects in the country.

‘We thank the President and the ministry for giving this project life and bringing it to this stage, we will also do our own part.

“It is certainly a project that we must honour our own part of the agreement, because the Federal Government has honoured her own part.

“Really, this is going to bring a lot of relief, not only to Katsina and Dutsinma, but also to all the towns along the routes,” Yakubu said.

NAN reports that the Federal Government had released N12 billion for onward implementation of Zobe Dam in Katsina State as part of its efforts to boost water supply across the country.

Zobe dam has the potential to irrigate about 8,000 hectares of arable land and also be used for regional water supply.


https://www.today.ng/news/politics/president-buhari-delivers-dam-project-abandoned-27-years-190516

https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Umahi.jpg



[b]Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would be welcomed to the state by at least 2000 members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Umahi has also allowed the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium, Abakaliki for the party’s presidential rally on Jan.30.

He disclosed this on Friday at Ugbodo, headquarters of Ebonyi Local Government Area, during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship rally.

He said the President would be accorded all necessary courtesy.

“We would take our rallies on that day to our three senatorial zones while we allow them (APC) to use the stadium,” the governor said.

He sought the permission of the PDP supporters to allow some members to be at the stadium to receive President Buhari.

“At least, 2, 000 PDP members would receive the President at the stadium while you go about your rallies in your various zones.

“I have identified those who will receive the President; so, when you see our people at the stadium, don’t be angry, because it is my arrangement.

“We would even help them (opposition) with buses to get people from Enugu and Abia,” he said.[/b]

He thanked the people for the support for his administration and pledged to deliver more dividends of democracy such as infrastructure and health care services, if re-elected.

“I urge our party supporters not to destroy posters of the opposition party because we have the crowd and are on ground,” Umahi said.

Sen. Sam Egwu (PDP—Ebonyi North) said the large turnout of people at the event was an indication that people have accepted the governor.

Egwu, who is the first civilian governor of the state, noted that Ebonyi had been a peaceful state and should remain so before, during and after the elections,” he said.

Chief Goddy Ogbaga, Former Minister of State for Power, who hails from the area, commended the governor for his numerous infrastructure provisions to the people.

“We also thank you for appointing our people into strategic government positions and have resolved to reciprocate these gestures by voting massively for you and all PDP candidates at the elections,” he said. (NAN)

http://thenationonlineng.net/2000-pdp-members-will-welcome-buhari-ebony-umahi/

An event organised by the Center For Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) inviting the People’s Democratic Party vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has been cancelled.
Prior to its final cancellation, the date of this event was moved from January 15th to January 22nd, 2019.

“Note, the event on 1/22 featuring H.E. Peter Obi, the Nigerian vice-presidential candidate, is now canceled,” CSIS tweeted Sunday evening.

The group did not reveal why the event was finally cancelled.

The vice presidential candidate was billed to speak at the event in Washington D.C. on the economic and security objectives of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan and nonprofit policy research organization that was established over 50 years ago in Washington, D.C.

The CSIS provides strategic insights and policy solutions to help decision makers chart a course to better the world.

PassingShot:
Ohanaeze and Afenifere are registered members of PDP

PMB will not dignify Atihiefku with a debate and he will win the election. And you can then buy otapiapia thereafter

Only losers run up and down shouting on top of their voice for a debate.

Very simple matter: If PMB fails to debate, keep your votes. Simple as APC.

The Atiku Campaign Organization has faulted the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano over his seeming overt support for the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, accusing him of betraying the collective and corporate interests of the Igbo people.
The Director-General of the Atiku-Peter Obi Campaign Organization (APCO) in Anambra State, Dr. Harry Oranezi in a statement issued to Tribune Online in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, shortly after an emergency meeting of the party at the party office yesterday night expressed worry with the pro-Buhari posture governor Obiano with utter disregard to his penchant to marginalise and discriminate against the people of the Southeast geopolitical zone and Anambra state in particular.


Oranezi said: “Atiku- Obi Presidential Campaign Organization, Anambra State chapter has decried the uncritical adulation of President Muhammadu Buhari by Anambra State governor, Chief Wilkie Obiano over the fangled development of Southeast geopolitical zone, which can at best be described as a subtle campaign of undeserved goodwill bearing in mind the injustice, inequities and discriminatory propensities of the Buhari court against the Southeast geopolitical zone.


https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/183346/

Optional09:
You’re not asking where is the president, Osinbajo is playing vise and president at the same time.

Your people are suffering and you’re smiling all around town