Kaduna Govt. Denies Engaging Incompetent Road Contractors

The Kaduna State Government has denied engaging incompetent contractors for the ongoing 31 road projects across the state.

The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Suleiman Richifa, also denied the rumour that some of the contractors had abandoned work on the roads.

Richifa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna that the government was meticulous in the selection of the contractors.

He said the contracts, awarded in November 2012, were given to tested contractors who had undertaken similar road projects in the state.

Richifa said no contractor had abandoned site, saying:``as at today (Feb. 7) contractors were all working on various sites and they have achieved various percentage of the projects.''

The commissioner said the state had only paid 25 per cent advance payment to the contractors.

Richifa blamed the recent protest by youth affected by the Romi- Karatudun road project, on misinformation.

``The consultant ordered the contractor on the Romi-Karatudun road project to stop work, but all rifts had been resolved and work is going on at the site,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Richifa has said that the state government was yet to conclude plans to ban the operations of commercial motorcyclists, also known as ‘Okada riders’ in the state.

The commissioner said the government had not presented the bill to ban their operation to the state House of Assembly for legislation.

He said, however, that the government had purchased 700 tricycles, which would be distributed to the commercial motorcyclists, once the issue was concluded.

Richifa also assured residents that the 50 buses purchased by the state government would soon be inaugurated, to reduce transportation difficulties in the state. (NAN)

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Dana Air Crash: Insurance Chief Lauds Industry On Claims Payment To Victims

Mr Fola Daniel, the Commissioner for Insurance, on Thursday, commended the local insurance industry on the payment of claims to families of victims of the crashed Dana Airline. Dainel, who gave the commendation in Ilorin at a seminar for finance and bu...

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Kaduna Refinery Empowers 405 Youths

The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), has offered skills training to 405 youths as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Its Managing Director, Mr Bolanle Ayodele said on Thursday in Kaduna that the beneficiaries were trained under the company's Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme, started in 2008.

He said at the presentation of certificates to 105 participants of the 2012 programme, that the company had set up a grant with a micro finance bank in Kaduna to be accessed by any of those trained to establish their own businesses.

Ayodele explained that the partnership with the bank was due to the ``low success rate'' recorded in assisting those who graduated earlier.

The managing director expressed appreciation to the host communities for providing ``harmonious and peaceful environment'' for the company's operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants acquired skills in 10 trades, including construction, poultry and fisheries.

In his speech, Gov. Mukhtar Yero commended the KRPC for its support in addressing the unemployment challenges in the state, and pledged to tap its experience in the implementation of similar programmes by the state government.

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