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More Allegations Against Akpabio As Joy Nunieh Explodes, Speaks On Why She Refused To Give Minister $1m, Girlfriend Who Supplied Diesel, Other Issues

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Former Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Joy Nunieh on Monday raised a fresh allegation against Godswill Akapbio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

Nunieh alleged that Akpabio attempted to inflate the NDDC budget during her reign as Managing Director.

She made the disclosure while appearing on Arise Tv, on Monday.

Nunieh disclosed that Akpabio ordered her to include some projects from the refugee commission in the budget of the NDDC.

She said: “Akpabio wrote to me to put a list of projects from the refugee commission in the budget of NDDC. Refugee commission is another federal government commission for IDPs.

“How do you tell me to put some of their projects in the NDDC budget when we have so many things to do in the Niger Delta? How do you explain that?”

Nunieh had accused Akpabio of removing her from office because she refused to do his alleged fraudulent bidding.

“When I was the acting MD, I stopped having meetings with Akpabio outside my office and his office because of sexual advances. He knows I am telling the truth. Why was he talking about my four husbands? Does he want to be my fifth husband? I don’t have four former husbands. He spoke on my dignity. That is why I am talking now. I didn’t say anything then because I handled him effectively”.

She also accused the former Akwa Ibom Governor of using his girlfriend as a front “to take money out of NDDC”.

“Akpabio’s girlfriend is the one supplying diesel to NDDC. Because of that, they refused to fix our light. He also directed her to go to the National Assembly to insert a few things into NDDC Budget.

She told me that Akpabio sent her to do that and I shouted at her to leave the place immediately”.
Nunieh, who revealed that she had instructed her lawyer to sue Akpabio for defamation of character, said the minister directed his Chief of Staff and some directors to write her memos requesting for financial assistance. “Of course, I did not reply to them”.

Nunieh said it was not true that she spent N44 billion while in office. “We only spent N8 billion”.
Displaying some documents, she declared that there was no forensic audit going on at the commission.

“It is not true. There is nothing like forensic audit going on. There is only a verification exercise, unlike what Akpabio said. I have no intention of going back to the NDDC but the interest of Niger Deltans must be protected.

“Immediately I assumed office, Akpabio told me to give him $1 million and I said ‘where will I get that from’? He also promised some people in Abuja that he would give them hundreds of millions of naira just for him to be in total control of NDDC.

“What people should ask him is: As Niger Delta Affairs Minister, what has he achieved since he was appointed?

“He also told me to include refugee projects in NDDC budgets. I refused because we have Federal Government agencies doing that. He stinks of corruption. He got 30 contracts just for himself”.

She advised President Muhammadu Buhari to stop appointing people with political interests to NDDC or as Niger Delta Affairs Minister. “Once they get there, the only interest they have is how to amass wealth to prosecute their political ambition.

On oath taking, Nunieh said: “It was at a meeting in Abuja. He told those present that I refused to swear to an oath. I know the implication of that. That was why I didn’t listen to him.”

BIG STORY

Lagos State Government To Concession Red And Blue Line Rails For Sustainability, Loan Repayment

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to concession the operations of the Red and Blue Line rail systems to the private sector in order to ensure their sustainability and repay loans taken for the rail projects.

This announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during a recent TVC News interview, where he discussed the measures being implemented to ensure the continued viability of the state’s rail systems.

Osiyemi explained that the concessioning process would involve transferring the operations of the rail systems to private sector players for a defined period. This approach is intended to ensure the continued operation and effective management of the rail projects.

“The ultimate game is for all our rail systems we’ve done—that is, the Red Line and Blue Line—there is going to be some concessionairing with the private sector for a period of time to ensure sustainability and continuity,” he stated.

He added, “The concessioning would help pay back the loans taken for the rail projects.”

The commissioner emphasized that the concessioning strategy aims to ensure efficient operations and long-term financial sustainability, in line with the state’s vision for a world-class transportation network.

  • More Insight

Osiyemi further highlighted the substantial financial and technical challenges involved in operating rail systems, describing them as capital-intensive projects that require significant resources and specialized expertise.

To tackle these challenges and build local capacity, he noted that the Lagos State Government has enlisted foreign partners to temporarily manage the operations of the trains.

These partners are expected to not only ensure smooth operations during their tenure but also transfer critical skills to Nigerian personnel. The plan includes a structured training program lasting one to two years, after which the management of the rail systems will be fully handed over to local operators.

“What we have done is we have consulted foreign partners who, of course, would run these trains for a particular period of time and train our people—that is, transfer of skills.”

“They will train our people for one to two years, then hand over for our own management,” Osiyemi explained.

  • Things You Should Know

The Lagos State Government, under its Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan, has set out an ambitious vision to develop a network of rail systems across the state.

Currently, only the first phases of the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems have been completed, with passenger services already in operation.

The Blue Line is a 27km electric rail line designed for sustainable operations. Its first phase, covering 13km from Lagos Marina to Mile 2, was completed in 2023 and began commercial operations in September, carrying over 2 million passengers to date.

The Red Line, spanning 37km from Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo in Lagos, operates on diesel. Its first phase, a 27km stretch, includes eight strategically located stations: Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, and Oyingbo.

The construction of the second phases of both the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems is being managed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which also oversees the operation of the trains.

Beyond the Red and Blue Lines, the state has plans for additional rail systems, including the 68km Green Line (Lekki Free Trade Zone to Marina), the 85.7km Purple Line (Redemption Camp to Ojo), the 48km Orange Line (Ikeja CBD to Agbowa), and the Yellow Line, all aimed at enhancing the state’s transportation network.

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BIG STORY

Lagos Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab Condoles With Families Of Epe Accident Victims

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Condolence Message from the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred in our community, Epe, claiming the lives of two promising young adults, a dedicated tricycle driver, and leaving several other people injured. This heartbreaking accident has left our hearts heavy, as we mourn the loss of these young souls who were full of hope and dreams, and an industrious individual who worked tirelessly for his livelihood.

As a member of this community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends affected by this terrible loss. I can only imagine the pain you must feel, and I want you to know that you are not alone in this moment of grief.

Let us honor the memories of these individuals by advocating for safety and awareness on our roads. As we move forward, may we find comfort in community and strength in one another. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find solace and healing in the days to come.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Monday Okpebholo Sworn In As Edo State Governor

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Monday Okpebholo, a serving senator, has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State.

Okpebholo took his oath of office at about 1pm on Tuesday during the inauguration ceremony in Benin, the state capital.

As the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo won the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in the state.

He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second with 247,274 votes.

Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), came third with 22,763 votes.

Dennis Idahosa was also sworn in as the deputy governor of Edo.

Dignitaries, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, chair of the governors’ forum; Philip Shaibu, reinstated deputy governor of Edo; and other governors from the party, were present as Okpebholo took the oath of office.

The new governor later rode in an open-top van around the stadium, acknowledging cheers from supporters.

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