Economy
IRSDEUN Demands SON’s Dissolution, Restructuring Over Rising Building Collapses
IRSDEUN Demands SON’s Dissolution, Restructuring Over Rising Building Collapses
IRSDEUN demands SON’s dissolution, restructuring over rising building collapses. The Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) has urged the Federal Government to dissolve and restructure the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) as a long-term solution to the frequent building collapses across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Chief Gbenga Awoyale, National President of the Union, criticized SON’s decision to reverse the shutdown of 18 companies linked to the production of substandard building materials, particularly iron rods.
He blamed alleged government interference for the decision, raising concerns about weak enforcement of quality standards in the construction sector.
Awoyale condemned the widespread use of inferior materials, which he said has led to multiple avoidable building collapses, including at least three incidents in January 2025 alone. Describing the situation as a national embarrassment, he urged the government to take bold steps to hold regulatory bodies accountable.
“The government must act decisively to prevent further loss of lives and property. Dissolving SON and restructuring its framework is the only way to ensure accountability and enforce standards,” he stated.
He also pointed out that despite SON’s legal mandate to prosecute manufacturers of substandard materials, enforcement has been hampered by corruption and collusion within the system.
“The law stipulates prosecution, yet corrupt officials allow violators to escape consequences, fueling this dangerous cycle,” Awoyale added.
The union had made a similar appeal in 2024, but no concrete action was taken, allowing unscrupulous manufacturers to continue flooding the market with inferior materials while exporting high-quality products to countries with stricter regulations.
Citing data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild, he revealed that Nigeria recorded 47 building collapses across 14 states in 2024, with Lagos State alone accounting for 56% of cases.
The House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development also raised alarms over rampant quality violations, exposing cases where iron rods were deliberately undersized, such as 7.56 mm rods being sold as 10 mm and 9.25 mm rods as 12 mm.

IRSDEUN
Calling for urgent reforms, Awoyale stressed that dissolving SON and replacing it with a stronger regulatory agency was not just a necessity but a moral obligation.
“The time for empty promises is over. The government must prioritize public safety over the interests of a few unscrupulous businesses,” he concluded.
Akwa Ibom
Governor Eno Assures Seplat Energy of Sustained Partnership, Investment Protection
Governor Eno Assures Seplat Energy of Sustained Partnership, Investment Protection
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured investors of his administration’s continued support and partnership, stressing that the state remains committed to protecting investments and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
Eereporter.com
Governor Eno gave the assurance when he received the management of Seplat Energy, led by its Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Uyo.
The Governor congratulated the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Effiong Okon, on his appointment and assumption of office, noting that his new position carries responsibilities beyond the interests of Seplat Energy to also contribute to the development of Akwa Ibom State.
He commended Seplat Energy for its sense of responsibility and collaboration with the state government, particularly its engagement with host communities.
Governor Eno urged the company to sustain its efforts and develop more initiatives capable of improving the welfare of its host communities and contributing to the overall development of the state.
He attributed the peaceful atmosphere in Akwa Ibom to deliberate collaboration among the government, security agencies and residents, assuring Seplat Energy that his administration would continue to work with the company to sustain peace and create an enabling environment for investment.
The Governor also commended Senator Udoma, whom he described as one of the great sons of Akwa Ibom, while expressing confidence in the new management of Seplat Energy to achieve its objectives and make a greater impact across its host communities.
Earlier, Senator Udoma commended Governor Eno for what he described as visionary and impactful leadership in the state.
He explained that the delegation was at the Government House to formally introduce the company’s new CEO, Engr. Effiong Okon, to the Governor and strengthen the relationship between Seplat Energy and the state government.
In his remarks, Engr. Okon expressed delight at returning home to contribute to the development of Akwa Ibom while also discharging his responsibilities to Seplat Energy.

Umo Eno
Other members of the Seplat Energy delegation included the Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Chioma Afe; Managing Director, Offshore Operations, Ikponwonsa Ogunwonyi; Vice President, Human Resources, Emo Udobong-Ntia; and Vice President, Joint Venture Operations, John Itsueli.
Members of the Governor’s team at the meeting included the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; members of the State Executive Council and other government officials.
Eereporter.com
Crime
How Bauchi Accountant-General Transferred State Funds to Private Company – Witness Explains
How Bauchi Accountant-General Transferred State Funds to Private Company – Witness Explains
Trial of the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sirajo Muhammed Jaja continued on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu with a witness revealing how Jaja diverted state funds to a private company.
Eereporter.com
Jaja is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , alongside Aliyu Abubakar, Abubakar Muhammed Hafiz, Ari Manga and Muhammed Aminu Bose, for alleged corruption.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended five-count charge of money laundering, diversion of public funds, and criminal misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1,635,270,350.9 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-five Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Naira, Nine Kobo).
Prosecution counsel, Ekele E. Iheanacho, SAN told the court that the matter was for trial before calling in the first witness, PW1 to testify in the court. The prosecution witness, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa, UBA, said her line of duty include among others receiving requests from law enforcement agencies, responding to enquiries and any other duty assigned to her by the bank’s Chief compliance officer.
The EFCC produced the state account statement and written statement of the bank to support its claim in the court.
It is alleged that the defendants, as signatories to Bauchi State sub-treasury accounts transferred monies from the state Sub-Treasury Accounts to JASFAD Resources Enterprises managed by the first defendant, Aliyu Abubakar.
When the prosecution counsel asked the witness to explain the transaction that happened on 29 October 2024, as well as further transactions, she said, “My Lord, on the 29 of October 2024, we have three credit transfers into the account of JASFAD from the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account. We have a transfer of N13,144,500, we also had a transfer of N17,169,300, and there is a transfer of N46,030,500.
Providing details of the transactions in the account, the UBA staff said: “On the seventh of November 2024, we had a credit transfer of N17,886,250, but the teller’s details were not captured. It just showed that transfers were made. On 15 November, we had two credit transfers transferred by order of the Sub-treasury, Bauchi Account the amount is N12,215,000 and N16,919,750 respectively.
“ On 19 November, 2024, we had another transfer by order of the sub-treasury Bauchi account for N90,373,550. On November 22,2024, we had a credit transfer from sub-treasury Bauchi account for N140,087,500. Then on 24 December, 2024, we had two credit transfers by order of sub-treasury Bauchi Account, the first one is for N24,192,000 and the second transfer is N48,892,500. On 27 December, 2024, we had two credit transfers by order of sub-treasury Bauchi account into JASFAD, the first is N335,040,000 and the second transfer is for N300,000,000.
“On the 31 December, we had two transfers by order of the Sub-treasury Bauchi Account of N14,285,527.20k. The second transfer is for N26,975,000.
“On 25 February, 2025 we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi Account to JASFAD Resources of N19,840,000, and N13,020,000. On March 3, 2025, we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi account for N16,105,223.70k. On March 5, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N56,642,500. On March 7, 2025, we had a credit transfer of N45,923,790, on March 10, 2025, we had a transfer of N11,253,500. On March 12 2025, we had two credit transfer from sub-treasury Bauchi account to JASFAD Resources Enterprises, the first transfer is for N49,280,000, the second transfer is for N30,720,000, while on March 14, 2025, we had a credit transfer by order of sub-treasury, Bauchi account of N28,262,500.”

EFCC
The witness informed the court that on 25 February, 2025, there were two credits from the Sub-treasury Bauchi account to JASFAD Resources account. According to the witness, the first transfer was of N19,840,000 while the second transfer was for N13,020,000. She said “On December 27, 2024, there were three transfers, the first one is N335,040,000, the second one is N300,000,000 while the third is N26,975,000.
Counsels to the defendants said they would take another date to cross-examine the witness.
Justice Egwuatu thereafter adjourned the matter to October 22, 2026, for continuation of cross examination of the witness and continuation of trial.
Eereporter.com
Economy
TCN Successfully Repairs Four Vandalised Power Lines in Rivers
TCN Successfully Repairs Four Vandalised Power Lines in Rivers
The Transmission Company of Nigeria has commenced the rehabilitation of four transmission tow vandalised along the Afam-IPP-Elelenwo 132kV Double-Circuit Transmission Line.
Eereporter.com
TCN disclosed this in a statement signed by its management on Monday, noting that the affected towers were discovered during an inspection by its engineers from the Port Harcourt Region.
The affected structures, identified as Towers T50 to T53, were vandalised after their tower members were removed and carted away.
The latest incident is the fifth reported vandalism attack on the same transmission line in recent times.
According to the statement, the vandalism was discovered on August 6, 2026, after the company’s engineers inspected the line.
“The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently rehabilitating four towers vandalised along the Afam-IPP-Elelenwo 132kV Double-Circuit Transmission Line. The incident was discovered on August 6, 2026, by the company’s lines engineers from the Port Harcourt Region,” TCN’s statement partly read.
The company identified the affected structures as Towers T50 to T53, saying their tower members had been removed and taken away.
“Towers T50 to T53 were affected, with their tower members removed and carted away,” the statement added.
“This is the fifth vandalism attack on the same line in recent times,” the company continued.
The transmission company said rehabilitation work was ongoing, while urging stakeholders to support efforts to prevent further attacks on transmission infrastructure.
“As rehabilitation work progresses, we enjoin all stakeholders to join hands to curb the menace that is threatening the stability of the national grid”, TCN concluded.

TCN
The Afam-IPP-Elelenwo line forms part of the transmission infrastructure used to move electricity within the power network in the Niger Delta region.
Damage to transmission towers can disrupt the ability of the network to safely and reliably transmit generated electricity, making the protection and maintenance of such infrastructure important to grid stability.
TCN’s latest rehabilitation effort comes amid continuing concerns over the vulnerability of electricity infrastructure to vandalism, with the company relying on inspections, maintenance and rehabilitation to restore damaged transmission facilities and sustain the reliability of the national grid.
Eereporter.com
-
Crime1 year agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News1 year agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime2 years agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 years agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?
