Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of work on the ongoing Port Harcourt Ring Road project assuring the people that in 36 months the project which he described as a Signature project of his administration will be delivered.

He spoke at the end of his inspection visit to the project site to assess the extent of work that has been achieved just as the Managing Director of Nigeria’s foremost engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter revealed that appreciable progress has been made on the project and that the company will meet agreed completion deadline.

Speaking to news men at the end of the inspection, Governor Fubara explained that the contract for the Port Harcourt Ring Road project was the first of such agreement that he signed with the driving objective of making sure that it is delivered to Rivers people. The Governor whose convoy drove on the stretch of the road from Airport road access through Jesuit Memorial School down to Rumuosi and Uzoba Communities before terminating the inspection tour at UTC junction said, “I think we are good considering the understanding that we have with Julius Berger.”

Gov Fubara continued: “We signed off that in 36 months this project will be done and delivered, and with what we are seeing here today, they are meeting up with that target. I am satisfied. Although we have few issues. The price rate at that time and current one is not the same. However, whatever it is, I have assured them that we will give them all the necessary support to make sure that they deliver. You know this project is very important to us; it’s one of the first projects that I signed off when I came in as Governor of this State. Whichever way anybody wants to look at it, for me, it is a signature project. We signed up for it and we are paying dearly for it. Also, it is one of the objectives of this administration to make sure that we deliver it to our people. Thank you.”

In his remarks the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, who conducted the Governor round the project site said work has advanced after piling and laying of beams on the first flyover, which started on January 15, 2024, and accomplished two months after.

Richter who explained that why they have intensified work on the second Flyover with beams ready to be laid, significant strides have been achieved in laying down the road and the drains for accelerated construction.

“As we drove along the project route, we saw several spots where we are working; on the road construction and even on the two flyovers. Just after the Easter break we will start the laying of the first beams of one of the flyovers, on the other flyover we will finish drilling,” Richter said.

He continued; “We are using two drilling rigs to complete the piling; and then we are moving to the third flyover already. So you can see the fist flyover we started on the 15th of January, two months later, we are already laying the beam. So we are on track; we are on schedule as we promised his Excellency. I am really satisfied with the work, and with my team of course. And also, I am very satisfied with his Excellency for his support and the fact that we had the opportunity today to inspect together and to discuss the challenges for example compensation, allocation. He assured me that everything will be done as soon as possible and that he will assist us to meet our timeline.  All I can say is that I am really happy and satisfied with the work done here.”

All along the route of the inspection visit ecstatic residents of communities on the project corridor hailed and sang praises of the Governor and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc shouting, “na good collabo“ which means the collaboration between the Governor and the company is for the good of all.

On Julius Berger’s Team at the working visit were; Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, Technical Assistant to the Managing Director, Engr Benjamin Bott; Project Manager, Engr Finn Drosdowski, Operations Manager, Engr Ulrich Stahl, Region South East Project Coordinator, Chief Sam Ngbor and Deputy Regional Manager, Region South East, Engr. Rimon Marisho.

Emulate Otti, obey court judgment stopping pensions to ex-govs, SERAP tells Tinubu

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to emulate the good example of governor Alex Otti of Abia State by immediately obeying the judgment ordering the Federal Government to recover pensions collected by former governors, and to challenge the legality of states’ pension laws permitting those involved to collect such outrageous pensions.”

The judgment, dated 26 November, 2019 was delivered by Honourable Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo following a suit by SERAP.

Mr Otti last week signed into law the bill to repeal ‘The Abia State Governors and Deputy Governors Pensions Law No 4 of 2001’, following the passing by the house of assembly. Under the repealed law, former governors and deputy governors in the state were paid lifetime salaries and got houses in Abia and Abuja.

In the letter dated 23 March 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “We urge you to emulate the good example of governor Otti by urgently obeying the judgment, something which former president Muhammadu Buhari blatantly failed to do.”

SERAP said, “Unless the judgment is immediately obeyed, former governors and their deputies including those now serving as ministers in your administration and members of the National Assembly who receive pensions would continue to evade justice for their actions.”

The letter, read in part: “SERAP agrees with former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s conclusion that states’ pension laws are ‘acts of daylight robbery’, and his call for such laws to be abolished by other state governors.”

“Immediately obeying the judgment would show the sovereignty of the rule of law in Nigeria and go a long way in protecting the integrity of the country’s legal system.”

“Obeying the judgment would also show you as a defender of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the rule of law, and public interest within government.”

“Nigeria’s democracy needs courts so that public officials and private actors including former governors and their deputies collecting life pensions, exotic cars and other allowances from their states can be held accountable for any infraction of Nigerian laws.”

“Mr Buhari turned a blind eye to the judgment. State governors have failed to provide names of former governors and their deputies who have collected and continue to collect pensions from their states and the amount so far spent on these ex-officials.”

“Constitutionalism and the rule of law are not in conflict with democracy; rather, they are essential to it. Justice Oguntoyinbo’s judgment has pointed the way for your government to provide the leadership to ensure the reform of pension laws allowing former governors and their deputies to collect lifetime salaries and allowances. It is now time for your government to restore the rule of law systemically.”

“Like pension laws of several states, the repealed Abia state pension law stipulated that former Abia governors and deputies are entitled to 100 percent of the annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy; their cooks, stewards, drivers, and gardeners are to be paid by the state; and are entitled to three police officers and two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).”

“Justice Oguntoyinbo in her judgment granted ‘AN ORDER of mandamus compelling and directing the Attorney General to urgently identify former governors and their deputies collecting pensions from their states and to seek full recovery of public funds from those involved.’”

“Justice Oguntoyinbo also granted ‘AN ORDER of mandamus compelling and directing the Attorney General to urgently institute appropriate legal actions to challenge the legality of states’ laws permitting former governors, serving as senators and ministers to enjoy governors’ emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices.’”

“Justice Oguntoyinbo also indicated that double emoluments for former governors are unacceptable, unconstitutional and illegal.”

“SERAP also notes that former president Olusegun Obasanjo this week correctly asked state governors to emulate governor Alex Otti in repealing laws supporting the payment of pensions to former governors and deputies in their states. Mr Obasanjo described life pension laws as ‘rascality’ and ‘acts of daylight robbery’”

“Over N40 billion have reportedly been collected by former governors serving as ministers and members of the National Assembly.”

“Justice Oguntoyinbo who recently retired from the bench expressed ‘regret’ during a valedictory court session held in her honour that the judgment has not been obeyed.”

“Justice Oguntoyinbo stated: ‘I remember with pride my landmark judgment in SERAP vs. The Attorney-General. Regrettably, that order is yet to be obeyed. I find it very disappointing that Court orders are often not obeyed. If there’s anything I wish to change, it is the impunity towards judicial decisions and the disrespect for the bench.”

“Immediately obeying the judgment would demonstrate your oft-repeated commitment to the rule of law, and respect for the judiciary as the guardian of justice in this country. A democratic state based on the rule of law cannot exist or function, if the government routinely ignores and/or fails to abide by court orders.”

“Many of the former governors serving as ministers in your administration and as members of the National Assembly are reportedly enjoying pensions from their states while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices.”

“SERAP is concerned that while many Nigerian workers and pensioners have not been paid by state governors for several months and struggle to make ends meet, former governors continue to collect double emoluments and enjoy opulent lifestyles.”

“According to our information, those who are reportedly receiving double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states include: Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Theodore Orji (Abia).”

“Others are Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Jonah Jang (Plateau).”

“At least 22 states starting from Lagos State have reportedly passed life pensions laws for former governors and other ex-public officials. Other states include Akwa Ibom; Edo; Delta; Ekiti; Kano; Gombe; Yobe; Borno; Bauchi; Abia; Imo; Bayelsa; Oyo; Osun; Kwara; Ondo; Ebonyi; Rivers; Niger; Kogi; and Katsina.”

“The 20-page judgment in suit no: FHC/L/CS/1497/2017 signed by Honourable Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo reads in part: ‘The Attorney General has argued that the States’ laws duly passed cannot be challenged. With respect, I do not agree with this line of argument by the Attorney General that he cannot challenge the States’ pension laws for former governors.’”

“In my humble view, the Attorney General should be interested in the legality or validity of any law in Nigeria and how such laws affect or will affect Nigerians, being the Chief Law Officer of the Federation.”

“I have considered SERAP’s arguments that it is concerned about the attendant consequences that are manifesting on the public workers and pensioners of the states who have been refused salaries and pensions running into several months on the excuse of non-availability of state resources to pay them.”

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

24/3/2024

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

23rd March 2024.

Press Release

CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST THE PERSON AND THRONE OF ELEGUSHI OF IKATE KINGDOM

The Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, has watched with embarrassment, various posts on social media by all manner of characters, in an attempt to tarnish the image of His Royal Majesty and bring the throne to disrepute.

Ordinarily, we have remained silent as we find it ridiculous joining issues with these reckless individuals, firstly, because the Police are continuing in its investigation into the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, (Mohbad) and also out of respect for the bereaved family.  It is our belief that the rights of the family should be respected, even as they come to terms with the painful death of their son.

However, these individuals continue to go on various platforms to link Mohbad’s death to the palace and His Royal Majesty, using unprintable words against the person and stool of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, even when there was no record of any meeting or relationship between the palace and late singer or any member of his family, including his wife, Wunmi

Our lawyers have been briefed in Nigeria and overseas, and they are working with law enforcement agents, locally and internationally, to invite these individuals to come and substantiate their allegations against the stool and the person of Oba Saheed Elegushi.

Let’s not be mistaken, no one will be victimized or harassed; we have the names and contacts of many of these individuals, who continue to hide behind their phone cameras to spread wide allegations and cause unimaginable embarrassment to the palace and traditional ruler. They will be invited in the next few days to substantiate their claims and assist the police in their on-going investigation.

On behalf of His Royal Majesty, we want to thank all those who have reached out to us to express their solidarity and also urge us to take necessary action in seeking redress against this cyber attacks and bullying.

The law will definitely take its course.

Signed:

Temitope Oyefeso

Special Assistant, Public Affairs to HRM