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According to Fashola, FG Owes Contractors Approximately N11tn.

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The Federal Government owes contractors about N11.16tn for the construction of various highways across the country and certificates of completion.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who made this disclosure while defending the proposed budget of his ministry in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, said his ministry had currently awarded 1,642 highway contracts for 1,632 projects at a total sum of N10.395tn.

Fashola, while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Works in Abuja on Tuesday, with the lawmakers asking him to “take a bow and go” after his presentation, stated, “The main challenge to highways development in the country remains inadequate funding. As at date, the government is committed to highway contractors to the tune of about N10.4tn, while a total of about N765bn are unpaid certificates for executed works.

“Secondly, the shortage of younger engineers/technical officers in the ministry as a result of embargo on employment is affecting proficient project supervision at the sites. It is expected that more sources of funding of highway projects be explored as well as lifting the embargo on employment of needed engineers/technical officers at middle level to enhance supervision of projects.”

Reading from his written presentation to the committee, the minister noted that the regime had built roads with a cumulative distance of about 8,000 kilometres out of the about 13,000 kilometres under (re)construction.

He stated that the ministry had documented creation of 339,955 jobs across road projects, saying, “These are the human activities behind the kilometres (of road constructed).”

He further said that some of the jobs were created through lane marking covering 1,663,954 linear meters, “which was not visible on our roads before but you can now see them beginning to emerge.”

The minister also noted that 250,583 road signs were missing on the roads as of 2015.

According to Fashola, the construction companies had used 1,002,960,851 litres of diesel for various projects.

“Construction companies don’t buy diesel; they buy from the market. All of these suppliers are small businesses who benefit from and are impacted by what we do.”

The minister also said the contractors had used 1.6 million tonnes of cement, adding that, “These are activities going on, impacting people beyond what we do here.”

He stressed that 512,000 tonnes of reinforcement, 3,371,000 tonnes of bitumen, among other materials, had been used for the projects.

Fashola further said, “It is to be noted that as at October, 2022, the ministry had a cumulative unpaid certificates in the sum of N765.017bn for ongoing highway and bridge projects. Apart from the pressure of resources to pay, there is the inadequacy of annual budget provisions where N100m or N200m was provided for roads costing N20bn or more.

“In spite of all odds, 20 major highway projects have so far been completed in 2022 and are ready for commissioning. The total cost of the completed projects is in the sum of N444.322,123,808.61 and they cover a total length of 379.677km. Additionally, there are 59 major highways/bridges priority projects that are at advanced level, to be completed within 2022-2023, with a total contract sum of N60,961,187,130.71.”

Fashola also noted that the ministry had initiated an intensive bridge maintenance programme to ensure serviceability of the major assets, adding that bridges were critical structures that guaranteed connectivity across the federal road network.

“Some bridges have never been maintained since they were constructed over 40 years ago. Furthermore, illegal commercial (human) activities, which are detrimental to these national assets, contributed to their deterioration,” he stressed.

The minister said while the overhead cost of the ministry for 2022 was N627.001m, with N365.750m  released for the period of January to July, representing 58.33 per cent, with an outstanding sum of N261.250m.

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UNBEARABLE BURDEN: Nigerians Groan As Cooking Gas Hits Unprecedented ₦2,000 Per Kilogram.

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Despite a significant shift toward domestic production and a drop in imports, the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has surged to ₦2,000 per kilogram in various parts of Nigeria. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) indicates that local facilities—including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery—have become the primary suppliers of LPG between April 2025 and April 2026, with daily domestic supply reaching 4,500 tonnes by April 2026. Conversely, imports have plummeted, falling from 1,600 tonnes per day in November 2025 to just 200 tonnes per day by March 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Market Challenges and Consumer Hardship

Even with consistent local output, consumers are facing prohibitive costs and localized shortages, leading many households to abandon gas in favor of charcoal and firewood. Key issues contributing to the crisis include:

  • Supply Chain Barriers: Marketers report that sourcing the product has become increasingly difficult, and they are now paying between ₦25.2 million and ₦26.2 million for 20 metric tonnes of LPG.

  • Economic Impact: The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) stated that these high costs are causing severe hardship for families, food vendors, and small businesses.

  • Policy Setbacks: Stakeholders warn that these trends threaten to reverse years of progress in promoting clean energy adoption and may lead to increased environmental damage.

Infrastructure Progress

While market prices remain high, the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company reports that several critical projects designed to improve gas transportation are nearing completion. As of the latest data:

  • The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project is 93.40% complete.

  • The OB3 River Niger Crossing stands at 93.88% completion.

  • The ELPS Midline Compressor Project has reached 94.45% completion.

  • The Odidi-Warri Expansion Project is 70.28% complete, while the Escravos-Odidi project is in its early stages at 17.49%.

Despite this infrastructure progress, industry experts emphasize that addressing distribution bottlenecks remains essential, as increased domestic production alone has so far failed to lower retail prices for the average Nigerian.

Is there a specific aspect of this situation—such as the infrastructure projects or the marketers’ stance—that you would like to explore further?

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REVOLUTIONIZING THE SKIES: How Nigeria’s New $7 Billion AfDB Deal Will Transform Air Travel Forever!.

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Nigeria has officially signed a Letter of Intent with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to advance aviation development across the continent. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, formalized the agreement during a dialogue in Brazzaville, Congo, where he served as the African Champion of the AfDB’s Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During the session, Minister Keyamo showcased President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” emphasizing the need for capital to support key infrastructure and the newly established Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company. To attract this investment, the Minister highlighted Nigeria’s recent regulatory reforms, including the domestication of the Cape Town Convention and updates to insurance frameworks. In response, AfDB President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah pledged the bank’s support for the programme, signaling a shared commitment to strengthening aviation finance and infrastructure throughout Africa.

Nigeria Moves to Boost Aviation Sector Through AfDB Partnership

Nigeria has taken a major step toward modernizing its aviation industry by signing a Letter of Intent with the African Development Bank (AfDB). Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, representing the country in Brazzaville, Congo, utilized the platform to present Nigeria’s aviation roadmap under President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

A core focus of the discussion was the Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company, which is expected to improve aircraft financing for local operators. Minister Keyamo assured stakeholders that Nigeria is ready for increased investment, citing significant reforms such as the domestication of the Cape Town Convention and modernized insurance policies. The AfDB has signaled strong support for these initiatives, agreeing to collaborate on the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme to drive sustainable growth for Nigeria and the wider African aviation market.

Option 3: Short & Punchy (Best for social media or newsletters)

Nigeria is accelerating its aviation growth through a new partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB). Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo recently signed a Letter of Intent in Brazzaville to unlock funding for the sector, specifically targeting the new Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company. By implementing key reforms—like the domestication of the Cape Town Convention—Nigeria is positioning itself as a hub for aviation investment. The AfDB has officially pledged its support, marking a key milestone in efforts to modernize air travel infrastructure across the African continent

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Economy

Massive Relief For Nigerians: Dangote Refinery Dumps Diesel Prices In Shock Move!.

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In a move aimed at easing market pressure, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed the price of diesel by ₦200 per litre, dropping it from ₦1,800 to ₦1,600 at the depot level effective May 26. This price reduction is attributed to increased competition and supply following the arrival of new imported fuel shipments into Nigeria. Industry observers anticipate that if this trend continues, it could significantly lower logistics and operational costs for businesses reliant on diesel.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Option 2: Focus on Market Impact The downstream oil sector is seeing increased competition as new imported fuel cargoes enter the Nigerian market. Consequently, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has adjusted its diesel price down by ₦200, setting a new depot rate of ₦1,600 per litre. This development, which follows recent discussions regarding import licensing, is expected to provide much-needed relief to businesses struggling with high production and transportation expenses, provided these lower prices remain stable.

Option 3: Professional/Report Style Effective May 26, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced its Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) price by ₦200, adjusting the depot rate from ₦1,800 to ₦1,600 per litre. According to the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, this adjustment is a direct result of increased supply from recent imported fuel shipments. Market analysts note that this shift—driven by both local supply and the entry of new imported products—could alleviate operational burdens on businesses if the current price level is sustained.

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