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House of Representatives Member, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe and the Federal Comptroller of Works, Ogun State, Engr. Umar Bakare has expressed disappointment at the poor quality of work done by DC Engineering Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling Olomi-Ijebu road.

The House of Representatives Member, has therefore tasked the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on the rehabilitation of federal roads across Oluyole Federal Constituency.

Akande-Sadipe said that if rehabilitated, the controversial 25 km Olomi-Ijebu Igbo road and 35 km stretch of Liberty Academy road which connects Oyo State with neighbouring Ogun state, would stimulate economic activities, attract local and foreign investment, improve the quality of road network and reduce the hardship on her constituents.

The Oluyole Federal Constituency Representative at the Green Chamber made the remarks on Sunday when she embarked on a joint inspection of the roads with officials from the Federal Government establishments and the affected communities.

Akande-Sadipe, who lamented the untold hardship commuters along the 25 km Olomi-Ijebu Igbo Road face on account of its present deplorable condition, also expressed displeasure at the present state of Liberty-Academy Road within her constituency.

She urged the Federal Ministry of Works to prevail on the construction company on the Olomi Road project, Messrs DC Engineering Limited, to perform their obligation on the road in the interest of the people of the state.

She said: “We have gone round and you have seen the Olomi road. It is deplorable and completely unacceptable. The design is flawed, it has been more of a death trap and has led to several deaths and Loss of property.

“How can a bridge on this kind of expanse of road not be a dual carriageway”, she queried

“I appreciate the fact that the Ministry under the leadership of Hon. Minister. Raji Fashola honoured our request for succour for Oluyole, as our road between Olomi and Ijebu Ode is extremely bad. The Contractor, DC Engineering Limited has done a very poor job and has been too slow after so many years, with many portions of the road un-motorable”, she said.

“The officers of the Ministry should please ensure that the funds allocated are well spent and a satisfactory job delivered.”

Akande-Sadipe who Chairs the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs also lamented that other roads within the State contracted out at the same time three years ago have been completed.

She added that within two years, the tarred parts of the Olomi road had developed problems, pointing to the poor quality of work.

The Commissioner, Public Complaint Commission, South-West, Mr. Folawiyo who joined the inspection said that the Commission will ensure that the issues are dealt with and the contractor called to order.

He explained that the institution has jurisdiction to oversee federal government, state government and local governments projects and would do the needful with regard to this road. The Commissioner added that the agency is set to intervene in the delayed completion.

He asked the community to copy him in all complaints, adding that the commission will urgently assess such complaints, including those where the contractor solicited and received money from the communities in carrying out responsibilities on the project.

In his remarks, the Comptroller, Ogun State, Mr. Umar Bakare, said the Ministry has taken it upon itself to technically inspect the road which he noted was in a very bad state. He promised speedy delivery of the mandates, saddled upon the Ministry in record time.

Thus, the inspection of the road, under the directive of the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Min. Raji Fashola will yield progress.

According to him, the Ministry would monitor the construction of the road and bridges, to ease the movement of traffic.

While thanking Hon. Akande-Sadipe for her interventions, he pointed at the lack of proper drainage system and link roads to communities.

Meanwhile, community members also decried the substandard job executed by DC Engineering Limited, the Contractor on the site. They mentioned that the Contractor skipped the Olomi market portion of the road, and abandoned the maintenance and upgrade at the Fatusi bridge end of the road.

On the other road inspected, the Liberty Academy road, in her remarks the South-West Zonal Coordinator, FERMA, Mrs. Mary Adeniran explained that as part of its duties, the agency will see to the maintenance of federal roads within Oluyole Federal Constituency.

Speaking during an inspection of Liberty-Academy road, she promised to follow up with a critical inspection of the road up to the Ogun State border towards further rehabilitation of the road.

The Baale of Olomi, Chief Samuel Oyewale showered encomiums on Hon. Tolu Akande-Sadipe appreciating her for the constant infrastructural commitments to the constituency, including the provision of transformers.

Amongst issues raised was the statement made by the contractor that a former member of the House of Representatives[url][/url][url][/url]https://thereflector.com.ng/2021/07/13/rep-min-of-works-calls-out-contractor-handling-olomi-road/ had collected money paid on the project from him. The community members clarified that the Contractor had made this statement in the year 2018.

http://www.thereflector.com.ng/don-t-let-efcc-sink-further-ogunseye-urges-fg
The President of the Forum for Good Governance and Probity, Mr Jacob Ogunseye has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to rise to the task of governance and impose on the leadership of the Economic And Financial Crime Commission and its chairman to avoid actions that will make the anti-graft agencies become political tools.

http://www.thereflector.ng/rafael-benitez-to-remain-as-newcastle-manager
Rafael Benitez has agreed to stay at Newcastle United after holding positive talks with owner Mike Ashley regarding his plans for next season.

The Magpies clinched the Sky Bet Championship title on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Barnsley as Benitez successfully led the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

The former Real Madrid boss signed a three-year contract with Newcastle last May but had hinted he could leave if he and Ashley were not on the same page in terms of the development of the club.

The Spaniard was flown by helicopter to the Midlands' HQ of Sports Direct, where he met Ashley face to face and the club have now confirmed Benitez is staying.

A statement from Newcastle said: "Newcastle United can confirm that a meeting has taken place between the club's owner, Mike Ashley, managing director Lee Charnley, and manager Rafa Benitez.

"It was agreed by all parties that the meeting was very positive and constructive. Mike again congratulated Rafa and his team on gaining promotion to the Premier League as champions.

"Plans for next season were discussed, including the purchase and loan of players to add to the squad in readiness for the Premier League season."

It was revealed that Benitez has been promised in excess of £70m to spend on new players with Ashley happy for him to have access to all funds generated from promotion, once the cost of running the club is deducted.

Speaking after the meeting, Mike Ashley said: "I've confirmed to Rafa and Lee that they can have every last penny that the club generates through promotion, player sales and other means in order to build for next season."

Benitez was given full control of player recruitment last summer after agreeing to stay on following Newcastle's relegation.

The 57-year-old oversaw the departures of Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnaldum, Andros Townsend and Darryl Janmaat among others while adding the likes of Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle and Mohamed Diame to strengthen Newcastle's push for immediate promotion.

But Benitez knows Newcastle's squad will need to be significantly strengthened if the club is to retain its top-flight status next season.

"I'm pleased with how the meeting went and the positive approach we are all taking together to build on what we have started this season," Benitez confirmed.

"There will be challenges ahead, of course, the summer will not be easy, but the hard work has been going on for some time and we can now continue positively with the development of the squad ahead of the start of the new season. I wish fans an enjoyable summer!"

http://www.thereflector.ng/senate-summon-ministers-agf-firms-over-immigration-deals
The Nigeria Senate on Saturday summoned the attorney general, accountant general, minister of interior and four companies to appear before a committee of parliamentarians over allegations that revenues were withheld from the immigration service.
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http://www.thereflector.ng/osun-s-debt-burden-exaggerated-aregbesola
Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described as mere exaggeration the alleged heavy burden of debt hanging on the neck of the state.

Aregbesola said the N165billion debt being touted as huge debt is nothing compared with the development that the state has witnessed in the last six years.

A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, quoted the Governor as making the observation yesterday while declaring open a one day seminar organised for information officers in local government and local council development areas and area offices across the state.

Aregbesola said if those spreading the rumour of huge debt by the state understand what governance is all about with little that God has done through his government in the state, they would know that the debt is nothing to write home about.

He stated that if the so-called N165 billion debt is divided by the 4 million population of resident of the state, the burden each person out of this debt is N2,031.25 annually.

“To analyse this alleged 165billion debt, Osun is made up of 4million people. Four million residents are here in Osun and this debt anyway has been transformed largely to a bond organised by Federal Government that would last for twenty years.

“Let us now divide N165billion by 4 million people for 20 years. To help you mathematically. This will give N2,031.25 as cost of N165billion debt to every resident of Osun per annum.

“Ironically, this debt that people are shouting and crying about summed up to N5:56K per person daily. This practically means that every Osun resident carries a burden of N5:56K per day.

“This government we are talking about that puts burden of N5:56K to every citizen of the state, thus feeds every pupil in the public school with N70 every school day.

“That government guarantees security for every citizen and the cost for security can not be determined. That government ensures that roads are increasingly getting better.

“That government provides access to rural areas. That government ensures that Osun school functions at the best form. That government guarantees water supply.

“That government guarantees sanitation. That government guarantees so much. That in practical economic terms, is far beyond what individual must have to give on a daily basis.”

Meanwhile, the governor has charged Information Officers at the local government level to see themselves as information specialists and adequately report government activities on the nooks and crannies of the state.

With the theme, “The Impact of a New Partnership in Information and Management for Sustainable Development in the State of Osun,” Aregbesola also charged the information officers to supply robust information about their communities at all times.

He said government has decided to put the seminar together because it will help develop their zeal and passion to write and make people understand and believe in them.

He explained that the major achievements of the present administration were recorded at the local areas, lamenting that it is worrisome that the progress made by the present government has not been adequately reported by information officers at the local government level.

He said, “Since the creation of the local councils about a year ago, we are proud to say that a lot of developments have taken place in this areas and they have witnessed more of government activities.

“As at today, we can beat our chest to the fact that a foundation for effective administration has been laid down by our government at the local government level, but it’s a pity that it is being under reported.

“We have put this together because we want people who are in charge of informing the people from the grassroots to be well equipped and have the prerequisite knowledge of what is being expected of them.

“We must hear from you, we want to know what is going on in your domain, how do you feel about people not hearing you? The truth is that if you don’t blow your trumpet nobody will blow it for you.

“Our major achievements have been done in the grassroots and local areas and this requires adequate reportage.”

http://www.thereflector.ng/buhari-storms-sambisa-forest-next-week
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to declare open this year’s Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship in Sambisa forest in Borno.

Maj.-Gen. David Ahmad, the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army headquarters, disclosed this at a news conference on the championship in Maiduguri on Friday.

Ahmadu said the event was slated for March 27 to 31 at the former stronghold of the Boko Haram insurgents.

He said that the championship was part of the training activities of the Nigerian Army aimed at sharpening marksmanship of its personal.

“The Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship otherwise known as NASAC is part of the training activities scheduled for 2017.

“It is a championship among the formations of the Nigerian Army, the objective of the event is to sharpen the marksmanship skills of the army personnel,’’ Ahmadu said.

He said: “All formations of the Nigerian Army will be competing with the best carting away the prestigious Chief of Army Staff trophy.’’

Ahmadu said that the championship was aimed at consolidating on the total defeat and routing out of Boko Haram terrorists from their operational headquarters in camp zero in Sambisa forest.

“Furthermore, the championship will also mark the commencement of the ongoing plan to move speedily and make the Sambisa forest general area safe for habitation.

“It is also to make the place an area for the Nigerian Army training activities,’’ he said.

Ahmadu said: “To this end provisions had already been made for the reopening of more roads, construction of culverts and bridges by army engineers to facilitate easy movement to the general area.

“There is no gain saying that the championship is set to another epoch making event that will further emphasise the Nigerian Army efforts and resolve in meeting its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation,’’ he said.

http://www.thereflector.ng/ado-ekiti-people-deserve-political-reparations-kole-ajayi

A Governorship aspirant under the umbrella of APC, Barrister Kole Ajayi a.k.a Aberekolokunludi has stated that Ado-Ekiti people should be considered for political reparation in the next dispensation in view of enormous sacrifices they have made as indigeness of the state capital.

In a press statement released by his media aide, Mr Ifedayo Iyaniwura, Barrister Ajayi, who revealed this in a meeting with party stalwarts in Igede Ekiti over the weekend lamented the economic losses of Ado-Ekiti people as landlords in the state capital saying that more than 70% of the entire Ado-Ekiti land has been acquired by our brothers and sisters from other towns in Ekiti.

Although according to him, this is a very healthy development but he further opined that for once an Ado-Ekiti indigene should be considered to govern the fountain of knowledge in the coming dispensation.

Aberekolokunludi who was reacting to agitations from the south senatorial zone on the Governorship position, opined that Ekiti is a culturally homogeneous state with identical ways of life and mother tongue hence according to him, zoning Ekiti politically is strange to an average Ekitiman on the street.

Ajayi opined further that it's only the God chosen that can be the Governor and such a person can emerge from any zone, or town or village advising all co-aspirants to seek the face of God instead of having the sole belief that it is only a function of money.

In his own remarks, the Director General,Kole Ajayi Campaign Organisation Mr Gbenga Oluwatuyi revealed that Barrister Kole Ajayi will very soon commence his campaign consultations in all the wards in Ado-Ekiti as charity begins at home saying that at this stage the rule is still strictly consultative because ban on rallies and open campaign are not yet lifted.He said

http://www.thereflector.ng/chelsea-youngster-set-to-play-for-nigeria

Chelsea youngster, Ola Aina is said to be in talks with Super Eagles handlers to play for the country of his parents’ birth, Nigeria. The youngster is wanted by Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr as he considers his international future with England.

Aina, with his family watched the Nigeria vs Senegal match which ended 1-1 at Barnet FC’s The Hive Stadium in London. The lad was seen cheering on Nigeria, as Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho equalised, after an earlier Moussa Sow strike put Senegal ahead.

The 20-year-old was born in London and has made dozens of appearances for England at youth level, but a lack of appearances at Chelsea is hindering his chances of further progress.

According to Goal, Aina has left himself out of the picture for England’s Under-21s team while he makes a decision on who to represent at international level.

Although a definitive decision has yet to be made by him, talks have been ongoing between Nigeria and the player for months.

The Super Eagles’ head coach Rohr was asked to clarify his intentions concerning Aina after his side’s 1-1 draw with Senegal on Thursday.

“It is normal to have this situation, when we have very good player [like Ola Aina] who can pick two teams,” Rohr said in response to Goal. “We always leave the door open to young talent.”

Goal also reported that Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel admitted back in October that he has been trying to convince him to swap England for Nigeria as the pair trained together on the fringes of Antonio Conte’s first-team squad.

Aina signed for Chelsea as an under-11 and made his youth team debut as a schoolboy in the 2012–13 season and went on to start in both legs of the semi-final and final of the FA Youth Cup.

The full right-back signed a new four-year contract on 6 July 2016, ending the rumors of him leaving the London side. After signing a new contract, Aina was included in the traveling squad to Austria and the United States.

Aina was given his professional debut by manager Antonio Conte in a 3–2 victory over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup on the 23rd of August 2016.

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