Contractors, Skill Labourers Praise Governor Eno For Contract Boom In Akwa Ibom

Contractors, skill labourers praise governor Eno for contract boom in Akwa Ibom…we now struggle to find skill labourers says private contractors.

Pastor Umo Eno’s infrastructure development is creating a buzz in Akwa Ibom State, with workers praising the Governor for a contract boom across the 31 local government areas of the State

Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Governor Eno’s administration has been focused on implementing the ARISE Agenda which envisions a vibrant, inclusive, diversified, and highly industrialized economy with lifelong opportunities for the improvement of social welfare conditions and broadly-shared prosperity.

Some skilled labourers in Uyo who spoke with journalists yesterday, praised Governor Eno’s administration for its commitment to infrastructural development which has led to a surge in projects across the state.

Narrating the dividends of the Governor’s infrastructural revolution in the state, Aniefiok Udoh, a skilled carpenter working at the site of the ongoing Ewet luxury estate in Uyo, said:

“Governor Eno’s administration has been a blessing to us. Before now, we used to stand at the labour market along four lanes without jobs, but since Governor Eno assumed office, we now move from one site to the other. We have never had it so good. The numerous construction projects have provided us with good paying jobs and steady income”.

Also speaking, Enobong Johnson, a skilled mason recounted his gains: “private contractors used to pay us between three and four thousand naira per day, but since we started working with Government contractors, we smile home with at least eight thousand naira every day. May God bless our dear Governor.”

Meanwhile, facts-finding tours to some construction sites within Uyo metropolis revealed that over 500 skilled labourers are currently engaged by Western Legacy, contractors handling the Ewet luxury garden while over 600 workers often spotted at the different departments of the ongoing Arise park handled by Buletin construction Nigeria Limited.

Similarly, over 1,000 skilled labourers were also spotted at the sites of the ongoing dualization project of Uyo village road, dualization of the new Ring road from Idoro road to Ibiono Ibom and at the Elderly Citizens center handled by Amitec Construction Limited, Hensek Integrated services and U & K Nigeria limited, respectively.

On the flip side of this development, the contract boom has also had an unintended consequence on non-government contractors who are now struggling to find skilled labourers.

Skill Labourers Praise Governor Eno

“Many of our skilled labourers have been lured away by government contracts.” Said Mr Ekpo, the MD of build box Nigeria, a private contractor.

“Government contractors seem to pay skilled labourers higher hence, we are finding it difficult to complete our projects on time, because of the shortage of skilled workers,” he added.

Without equivocation, there is no local government area in Akwa Ibom State today, that does not have at least one major road construction ongoing in addition to either a model primary school or a primary health center.

From the Arise Compassionate homes targeted at each of the 368 wards of the state, to other strategic housing development and aviation hub expansion, Akwa Ibom State can best be described as a construction site with Akwa Ibomites gainfully engaged as core professionals, skilled workers and suppliers of one building material or the other.

The contract boom in Akwa Ibom is a testament to Governor Eno’s commitment to infrastructural development and job creation.

As the state continues to experience growth and development, skilled labourers remain appreciative of the opportunities provided by Governor Eno’s administration, with several other projects still lined up for flag-off in view.

Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Foreign Ministers To Visit Russia, Efforts To Strengthen Ties

Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso foreign ministers to visit Russia, efforts to strengthen ties. The foreign ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger Republic will visit Moscow this week as part of efforts to strengthen ties with Russia.

A statement issued on Tuesday said the ministers would arrive in Moscow on April 3 and meet Sergei Lavrov, their Russian counterpart. The statement noted that the visit is at Lavrov’s behest.

The ministers are undertaking the visit under the aegis of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a breakaway bloc from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), formed in retaliation to the sanctions imposed by the regional body to reinforce democracy in the junta-led nations.

Last week, the AES imposed a 0.5 percent import levy on ECOWAS nations, disrupting free trade within the region and heightening tensions with the bloc.

The new group has also shunned traditional Western allies like France and the United States and turned towards Russia for military support.

“The Moscow meeting represents an important step in establishing strategic, pragmatic, dynamic, and supportive co-operation and partnership relations in areas of common interest between the AES and Russia,” the statement said.

The statement referred to this week’s visit as the first session of “AES-Russia consultations”.

Foreign Ministers To Visit Russia

Russia has been accused of playing a role in the overthrow of democracy in the French-speaking Sahelian countries through diplomatic backing and information operations.

The Moscow alleged role includes spreading anti-Western sentiment and promoting pro-Russian narratives through disinformation campaigns.

Earlier this year, Lavrov said Russia would establish additional embassies in Niger, Togo, Gambia, and Liberia by 2026.

Government Urges International Oil Companies To Raise Investments

Government urges international oil companies to raise investments. The minister said, “The ball is in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions.’’

The federal government has urged International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria to increase investments in the oil and gas sector, highlighting the country’s investment-friendly fiscal policies and incentivised investment opportunities.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, made the call at the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held in Florence, Italy, organised by IOCs operating in Nigeria.

The meeting focused on challenges, expectations, and strategies to enhance the sector’s contributions to domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mr Lokpobiri, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, emphasised that the President Bola Tinubu administration had provided necessary incentives to ensure seamless and profitable operations.

Speaking at the event, Mr Lokpobiri explained that while IOCs had identified engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, EPCs would only commit when they observed strong investment decisions from industry players.

“The government has done its part by providing the requisite and investment-friendly fiscal policies, including the President’s Executive Order incentivising deep water investments. Now, the ball is in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” the minister said.

He emphasised the need for IOCs to support local refining efforts, noting that more refineries were coming online and would require a steady supply of crude oil.

According to the minister, ramping up production would enable Nigeria to meet both local and international obligations.

In line with the federal government’s drive to boost production, Mr Lokpobiri reiterated that it would begin implementing the “drill or drop” provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) where necessary.

He said, “We cannot continue to have assets sitting idle for 20 to 30 years without development. If you are not utilising an asset and it remains underdeveloped for decades, it neither adds value to your books.

“Nor does it add value to us as a country. We encourage industry players to explore collaborative measures such as shared resources for contiguous assets, farm-outs, and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production. Otherwise, like any responsible government, we will take back these assets and allocate them to those willing to go to work.’’

International Oil Companies

The minister also urged operators to consider farm-out agreements for assets close to existing infrastructure rather than incurring high costs on new floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units.

The Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Osagie Osunbor, commended the minister on his direct engagement with industry players and for the federal government’s continued efforts in advancing the sector.

“We appreciate the government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for investment. The minister’s engagement has provided critical insights and has also challenged us as industry players to step up efforts to increase production,” Mr Osunbor stated.

The federal government remains committed to ensuring a thriving oil and gas industry and expects operators to match its commitment by making tangible investment decisions that will drive growth, sustainability, and national energy security.