Category: Infrastructure

FG Halts Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Realignment Over Submarine Cables

24May

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Communication, Infrastructure, News, Nigeria

FG Halts Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Realignment Over Submarine Cables

Lagos, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially abandoned plans for the proposed realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, citing the presence of critical submarine cables along the coastline as the primary reason for this decision. This announcement was made during the 3rd Stakeholders Meeting in Lagos by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi. Key Concerns Over Submarine Cables Minister Umahi detailed that the planned diversion of the highway, which would have traversed through coastal areas, posed significant risks to the submarine cables. These cables are essential for the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, and any disruption could lead to severe network outages across Nigeria. In response to these concerns, telecommunication companies had previousl...

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis

22May

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African Development, Environment, Infrastructure, News, Power, South Africa

South African Coal Plant Closure Delayed Amid Energy Crisis

South Africa's public power utility, Eskom, has announced a delay in the closure of several coal-fired power plants, citing the ongoing electricity crisis as the primary reason. The Eskom board has approved the continued operation of the Camden, Grootvlei, and Hendrina power stations until 2030, local media outlet Engineering News reported on Monday, May 20. Originally, these power stations were scheduled to be retired between 2023 and 2027. However, South Africa experienced one of its worst electricity crises last year, with daily power cuts lasting up to ten hours. These outages severely impacted the country’s economy, which is Africa's most developed. The decision to keep these plants operational is a direct response to the urgent need to stabilize the national grid. “The electri...

CNG Vehicles Will Fail Without Proper Infrastructure – Babachir

20May

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Infrastructure, Nigeria, Petroleum, Transportation

CNG Vehicles Will Fail Without Proper Infrastructure – Babachir

In a recent interview on Trust TV's Daily Politics, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr Babachir Lawal, expressed skepticism about the viability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles in Nigeria. Lawal argued that without the necessary infrastructure, the federal government's directive to convert petrol and diesel-powered vehicles and generators to CNG could be disastrous. "The government needs to put in place necessary infrastructure that will lubricate the effectiveness of the CNG vehicles, or else it will be catastrophic," Lawal stated emphatically. President Bola Tinubu has directed various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to commence the conversion to CNG as part of his strategy to ensure energy security, enhance utility, and reduce high fuel costs...

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

16May

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Africa, African Development, Environment, Finance, Infrastructure, News, Safety

ADB Commits $2 Billion to Clean Cooking Access in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a monumental $2 billion over the next decade towards enhancing access to clean cooking solutions in Africa. This commitment was announced during a landmark summit on Clean Cooking in Africa held in Paris, where the Bank's President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, emphasized the critical importance of safe cooking alternatives beyond just culinary needs, highlighting the profound impact on dignity. The significance of this commitment lies in its potential to save the lives of approximately 600,000 individuals annually, predominantly women and children. The AfDB plans to allocate 20% of its energy project financing towards promoting safe cooking alternatives, aiming to address the prevalent use of charcoal, wood, and biomass for cooking in Africa. ...

House of Representatives Probes Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Contract, Afenifere Demands Project Review

10May

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Corruption, Infrastructure, News, Nigeria

House of Representatives Probes Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Contract, Afenifere Demands Project Review

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the controversial Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. The probe focuses on the procurement process and contract award, which are suspected to violate existing infrastructure regulations. Additionally, the prominent Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere has urged the federal government to cease the project, advocating for a critical review of its economic and environmental implications. Alleged Procurement Violations The House of Representatives initiated the investigation upon a motion presented by Hon. Dr. Austin Achado. He alleges that the Federal Ministry of Works, led by Minister Dave Umahi, awarded the 700km highway and rail project to Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Limited throug...

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project Followed Due Process – Umahi

8May

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Infrastructure, Lagos News, News, Nigeria

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project Followed Due Process – Umahi

The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, defended the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project against accusations of nepotism in its procurement process. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar raised concerns over the contract awarded to HiTech Construction without public bidding, alleging favoritism due to the president's personal ties with the company's chairman. Umahi dismissed these allegations, stating that the project strictly adhered to the Procurement Act's guidelines. See Also: David Hundeyin: Coastal Road Project Awarded to Company Tied to Convicted Criminal According to Umahi, the project followed the EPC+F procurement process, wherein the investor provides designs, financing, and construction services, while the government pays counterpart funds. The bid for the project went...

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

7May

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Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, Security, South Africa

Desperate Search Continues in South Africa After Building Collapse

Death toll rises to 7 11 trapped workers rescued. In George, South Africa, a frantic rescue effort persists into the night as over 30 individuals remain trapped beneath the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building. The construction site, bustling with 75 workers, suffered a catastrophic collapse on Monday afternoon, claiming at least 7 lives. Colin Deiner, leading the provincial Western Cape disaster management services, conveyed the intensity of the rescue operation, expecting it to extend for at least three days. "We are going to give it the absolute maximum time to see how many people we can rescue," Deiner emphasized during a press briefing, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue teams maneuvering heavy machinery near trapped individuals. Earlier assessmen...

5 Dead and 49 Missing as Building Collapses in South Africa

7May

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Environment, Infrastructure, News, Safety, South Africa

5 Dead and 49 Missing as Building Collapses in South Africa

In a devastating turn of events, a multi-story apartment complex under construction collapsed in a coastal city in South Africa, leaving 5 persons confirmed dead and dozens of construction workers trapped under the debris for over 12 hours. The incident occurred in George, a city located about 400 kilometers east of Cape Town on the south coast. "Rescue teams have been working tirelessly through the night to reach those trapped under the rubble," stated Colin Deiner, the chief director of the provincial Western Cape Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services. "It's a very tough operation… There's a lot of concrete… so we think it will still take quite a while." According to authorities, the collapse, which transpired on Monday afternoon, has resulted in a tragic death toll of ...

Breaking: FG Reduces ElectricityTariff for Band A

6May

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Infrastructure, News, Nigeria, Power

Breaking: FG Reduces ElectricityTariff for Band A

The Federal Government has approved a reduction in electricity tariffs for Band A customers to N206.80/kWh, down from N225/kWh in Nigeria. Band A customers are defined as electricity consumers receiving a minimum of 20 hours of power supply daily. See Also: Power Tariff Hike: FG Discontinues Electricity Subsidy In a notice issued to its customers on Monday, Ikeja Electric announced the tariff adjustment, stating: "Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh effective May 6, 2024, with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily. The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged." Further details on this development are forthcoming.

David Hundeyin: Coastal Road Project Awarded to Company Tied to Convicted Criminal

3May

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Corruption, Infrastructure, Justice, Lagos News, News, Nigeria

David Hundeyin: Coastal Road Project Awarded to Company Tied to Convicted Criminal

In a startling revelation, investigative journalist and writer, David Hundeyin, has voiced serious apprehensions regarding the recent awarding of the Coastal Road Project to Hitech Construction, a company owned by Gilbert Chagoury, a convicted criminal with ties to heroin trafficking, under the leadership of Bola Tinubu. The project's extravagant cost and dubious timeline have ignited controversy within the Nigerian public sphere. Hundeyin has shed light on the swift progression from the project's awarding to the initiation of property destruction along the proposed right of way, dubbing it potentially the quickest contract mobilization in Nigerian road construction history. Furthermore, he has underscored Hitech Construction's dismal track record, suggesting it appears ill-prepared to...