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The newly inaugurated leadership of the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque (LSCCM), Alausa, has pledged to strengthen stakeholders’ engagement, improve religious structures, and expand community-focused programmes to promote harmony and development.

Speaking after he was sworn-in for a second term, LSCCM Chairman, Abdulhafis Toriola, assured worshippers of the leadership’s commitment to sustaining the mosque’s legacy.

Toriola, an engineer, who’s the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, said: ‘We are going to continue to assess the mosque to look at areas of improvement in order to sustain this edifice. With Allah’s guidance, we have been able to carry stakeholders along through our three-tier structure of governance – the executive, board of trustees and mission board.’

According to him, the Imams have also been exposed to regular trainings to improve the quality of their khutbah (sermons).

‘Our message to the Muslim community is to continue to believe in Allah, obey His rules and be good ambassadors of Islam,’ he said.

LSCCM Vice Chairman and Chairman of Shamsideen Adisa Mosque, Dr. Ismail AbdusSalam, stated the need for unity and financial support from the Muslim community.

‘This is a call to serve Allah, and we cannot do it alone. We need cooperation in the form of prayers, financial support, and active participation in our projects. With this, we can harmonise the community and achieve the objectives of the mosque,’ he stated.

He urged Muslims to remain steadfast, contribute to the mosque’s programmes, and continue to pray for the leadership so that ‘Allah accepts our efforts as an act of worship.’

LSCCM Women Affairs Secretary, Hajia Jelilat Abdulhamid, said the mosque runs weekly women’s forum that provides spiritual guidance, vocational training, and counselling services. Hajia Abdulhamid, who is the Deputy Director at the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), added that the forum addresses the needs of single sisters by providing platforms for marital connections, educational sponsorship programmes and support young women some of whom are currently in universities.

‘We need upright women to nurture children and strengthen families. Our society can only thrive if women return to their primary roles of building the home and raising responsible children,’ she said.

The recent arrest of notorious armed robbery kingpin, John Samuel, in Epe, Lagos State, underscores the crucial role of surveillance in modern policing. Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showed Samuel shooting at victims before robbing them, proving once again how technology can make the difference between impunity and justice.

This is not an isolated case. On January 14, 2021, CCTV cameras in Lekki captured a thief breaking into a home and carting away valuables from electronics to a car. Yet, in many parts of the country, crimes go unrecorded, unreported, and unanswered.

Precisely, on September 23, gunmen riding 50 motorcycles attacked villages in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State. They killed a pregnant woman, abducted six others, and operated freely for four hours without resistance. Such incidents highlight the consequences of ungoverned spaces and delayed responses by security forces.

Across the nation, criminals have become emboldened, ambushing security personnel and inflicting heavy losses. According to Daily Trust, at least 50 security operatives were killed in the last two weeks alone. Citizens cannot continue to live at the mercy of these attacks. Protection must extend to every Nigerian life, not just the elite.

Why CCTV and drones matter

Globally, CCTV installations and surveillance drones have proven vital in combating terrorism and organized crime. These technologies can deter crime by making offenders think twice when they know they are being watched. They identify suspects through recorded evidence and prevent attacks by enabling pre-emptive surveillance and swift response.

A surveillance drone retrieves vital information from criminals hibernating in the forest, mountain, and savannah areas, and further analysis would enable seamless arrest.

The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) can fulfil a variety of roles, offering superior safety and blast protection for the occupants against direct and indirect weapons, mines, and improvised explosive devices to protect personnel.

Unfortunately, Nigeria still lags. Only a handful of states-Lagos, Edo, Oyo, and Akwa Ibom-have functional Command and Control centres, and coverage is far from state-wide. Drone deployment remains inadequate, leaving criminals free to exploit unmonitored areas.

In the present digital age, criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in organized crime or cyber threats and rely on false identities to operate undetected. However, identity tracking is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the country that can monitor and verify individuals and reduce opportunities for crime.

To be fair, government interventions have strengthened the Nigeria Police Force in recent years. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has provided over 200 Buffalo patrol vehicles, protective vests, helmets, and renovated police stations and barracks. Between 2021 and 2025, the NPF also received 328 operational vehicles, thousands of ballistic vests, 50 Sudanese horses, and advanced training for over 10,000 personnel in counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and hostage negotiation.

The Ministry of Police Affairs has added tactical vehicles, vests, and other equipment. These efforts reflect genuine commitment-but they are not enough to match the scale of Nigeria’s security challenges.

A mere trip through roads from Abuja to Sokoto, Lagos, and Calabar manifests the contribution of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund through the buffalo patrol vehicles on our highways in Nigeria. Also, reflecting is renovation of barracks and new pilot smart divisional police stations in Mpape-Abuja, Akaeze-Ebonyi, Ekinrin-Adde-Kogi, renovation of 57 police stations and 14 barracks across the country.

The way forward for a meaningful change, Nigeria must:

a. Expand CCTV coverage across states and local governments.

b. Deploy surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs), to enable proactive operations in forests, mountains, and highways without resorting to endless roadblocks.

c. Equip Divisional Police Stations with advanced gear for pre-emptive action.

d. Integrate identity technologies such as the Nigeria Police Crime and Incident Database Centre (NPCIDB), WAPIS, and Interpol i24/7 for tracking false identities and cyber threats.

e. Promote collective security by partnering with the federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, and citizens to install cameras in public places and areas without governance.

As Nigeria pursues the devolution of powers to local governments, especially financial autonomy, it must accompany this with the empowerment of local government chairmen to take responsibility for security in their domains and the improvement of the capacity of Divisional Police Stations to be accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.

All criminals in the country must be on the run from the continuous onslaught of the well-kitted security personnel backed up with deployable surveillance and attack drones mounted on Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPVs) simultaneously in the states in the country to curb the migration of criminals.

In conclusion, Nigeria has the manpower and the will, but it lacks the surveillance infrastructure to stay ahead of criminals. Investing in CCTV, drones, and modern command centres is no longer optional-it is urgent. The time has come for all tiers of government to work together, patronize local manufacturers of Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles, and empower our police with the tools they need to deliver Renewed Hope Policing.

Renowned peak performance coach and leadership consultant, Dr. Shogo Oyeniyi, is set to host a Guinness World Record attempt for a vision board gathering.

The event will take place on November 1 at The Podium, Lekki, with participants joining in person and virtually.

Tagged: ‘Dream It, Plan It, Live It,’ the initiative seeks to bring together of dreamers, doers, entrepreneurs, career professionals, creatives, and students, who will simultaneously create vision boards-a powerful act of mapping out goals and aspirations.

‘This is more than a world record attempt; it is the birth of a global movement,’ said Dr. Shogo.

‘We want the world to see that Africa is not only a land of possibilities but also a stage where bold dreams are born and realised.’

With participants travelling from across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, as well as thousands more connecting online, Lagos is set to become the epicenter of vision, ambition, and action. The event will fuse creativity, empowerment, and transformation, igniting intentional living and purposeful goal-setting.

Organisers emphasised that the gathering is not simply about setting a record, but about inspiring people everywhere to dream bigger, act bolder, and take control of their future.

On November 1, the world will not just witness history-it will watch thousands of visions come alive.

Managing Director of Daylight Microfinance Bank, Princess Adeola Ladigbolu-Ilozobhie, has been conferred with a honorary doctorate in Management by London Bridge Business School, United Kingdom.

The conferment took place in Accra, Ghana, where she was also inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of Africa Institute of Public Administration.

The degree was presented on behalf of Vice President, Middle East and Africa at London Bridge Business School, Prof. Mahesh Pillai, by Dr. Deodaté Adenutsi, programme coordinator for Ghana.

Organisers said Mrs Ladigbolu-Ilozobhie was deserving of the dual honours because of her ‘impactful contribution to management despite her strong roots in banking.’

They praised her ‘efforts in mentoring young people in banking and management,’ which, they noted, have continued to inspire a new generation of professionals.

The honouree, one of the children of Emeritus Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, leads Lagos-based Daylight Microfinance Bank, a subsidiary of NNPC Staff Cooperative.

Her citation highlighted her career journey, starting from United Bank for Africa in 1990, to her leadership roles in Blue Ridge Microfinance Bank, Personal Trust Microfinance Bank, and now Daylight. It also underscored her reputation as a result-oriented and decisive leader with success in market identification, strategic repositioning, and operational efficiency for billion-naira portfolios.

Beyond her professional record, she was also recognised for her contributions to industry associations.

She was a one time Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Microfinance Banks, Lagos chapter, immediate past Treasurer of the South-West Zone, a member of the Association of Professional Women Bankers, and an alumna of the School of Africa Microfinance in Kenya.

Mattresses, pillows, and other sleep products manufacturer Mouka Limited has unveiled the Mouka Comfort Garden, the first structure of its kind in Nigeria, thus spotlighting the link between quality sleep and wellness.

Located on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, the Comfort Garden features a striking glass-enclosed bedroom setup, designed to captivate motorists and passersby while reimagining the meaning of rest, comfort, and healthy living.

The Comfort Garden marks another milestone in Mouka’s six-decade legacy of innovation, blending artistry, lifestyle, and health advocacy into a visually arresting public installation.

Whether stuck in traffic or strolling by, Lagosians are offered a daily reminder to slow down, recharge, and value sleep as a necessity rather than a luxury.

At the centre of the Comfort Garden is Mouka’s flagship Royal Luxury Pillow Top Mattress, an opulent, multi-layered innovation designed with memory foam, high-performance springs, and premium fibre to deliver a five-star sleep experience.

Unveiling the structure in Lagos, over the weekend, Mouka’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Dimeji Osingunwa, underscored the brand’s mission to elevate the quality of life of Nigerians through better sleep.

He said: ‘In a country where the average adult sleeps fewer hours than recommended, this structure is our way of reminding Nigerians to prioritise sleep for good health, better productivity, and improved quality of life

‘We want Lagosians and Nigerians at large, to pause, reflect, and remember that no matter how fast life moves, everyone deserves to rest, and to rest well on a Mouka.’

Also present at the launch was Mouka’s brand ambassador and legendary actress, Sola Sobowale, popularly known as the ‘King of Boys.’

She hailed the initiative as ‘a bold and beautiful reminder that true luxury begins with how well we rest.’

Taking a tour of the installation, Sobowale affirmed her personal belief in the power of good rest: ‘As someone whose career demands both mental and physical energy, I understand how vital sleep is.

‘Mouka has always stood for quality, and this Comfort Garden is a bold and creative statement that says: your body deserves good rest, and rest deserves the luxury of Mouka. I’m proud to be part of this journey.’

In his closing remarks, Osingunwa noted: ‘As you drive past Oregun and catch a glimpse of this installation, we hope it makes you smile, reflect, and, most importantly. go home inspired to take your sleep health seriously.’

Founded in 1959, Mouka is now part of the Dolidol International Group, and the brand continues to push boundaries in delivering comfort, innovation, and value across Africa and beyond.

Stakeholders have expressed grave concern over the crisis between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical, warning that the effect could cripple the nation.

According to stakeholders, the trade dispute has put Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s refining hub to test.

They warned that a prolonged dispute could push up fuel prices, strain households and businesses, and discourage local and foreign investors.

They, however, called for a final resolution to avoid such industrial disputes from escalating into a national emergency.

Also, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) expressed grave concern over the action by PENGASSAN, warning that the action amounts to self-help and tantamount to sabotage capable of derailing the country’s fragile economic recovery.

In a statement in Lagos, the Director-General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, emphasised that a conflict is an inevitable feature of the labour ecosystem, and Nigeria has statutory and institutional frameworks to address any, including the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) and National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

‘Any action capable of discouraging investment, undermining enterprises sustainability, or harming the workers that the unions claim to protect will be counter-productive. While trade unions have the legitimate right to embark on industrial action, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law.

‘It is unacceptable for any union to conscript or coerce those not interested in its action or disrupt the operations of legitimate businesses not party to the dispute. Treating institutions of labour administration with disdain and resorting to self-help is not only absurd but also against all known Conventions and Recommendations. When employers or workers are aggrieved, there are institutions created to adjudicate or arbitrate in such matters. Nigeria’s recovering economy cannot be sacrificed on the altar of actions and pronouncements that are alien to global and local industrial relations practice,’ he said.

He noted that uninformed and disruptive actions that could jeopardise the nation’s economic survival are neither envisaged nor acceptable in global labour practice.

He said: ‘NECA will not be a passive onlooker as the foundation of Nigeria’s labour ecosystem is trampled upon. While we acknowledge the right to strike, such rights cannot infringe on the rights of others or threaten the survival of enterprises.’

Citing international labour instruments, including ILO Conventions 87 and 98, Oyerinde reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to upholding global labour standards, decent work and responsible business conduct, while not negotiating employers’ rights to manage their enterprises and investments within the ambit of the law.

He stressed that the protection afforded to union officials under international conventions does not extend to sabotage, coercion, or actions that undermine legitimate businesses or threaten national security.

Oyerinde called on the Minister of Labour and Employment to stop the wanton and wilful denigration of the industrial relations system.

He said: ‘With Nigeria sending one of the highest delegations to the ILO conference annually, it is curious that basic industrial relations principles, Conventions, and Recommendations remain poorly applied.’

He called for a resolution through lawful and constructive channels, warning that failure to act decisively could have far-reaching consequences for economic sustainability, job creation and preservation, investment attraction and promotion and national development.

Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, said shutting down the oil and gas sector could cripple the nation, describing it as ‘the lifeblood of the economy’ in terms of energy, foreign exchange, and revenue.

He warned against risking national stability for the interests of a few workers, calling PENGASSAN’s action unjustifiable.

‘What about those who have invested? What about consumers and other investors in the value chain? Their interests matter too. The union should not be this selfish, inflicting such pain and disruption on the economy,’ he said.

Yusuf estimated the economic losses at billions of naira.

‘You shut down and disrupt the entire process. By the time you resume, you must start over. The same goes for power stations, which depend on gas. This kind of impunity must not continue just because some people have power over strategic sectors,’ he said.

Prof. Chiwuike Uba, a Development econo­mist as well as Governance, and Public Financial Manage­ment (PFM) expert, said the dispute is not merely an industrial rela­tions issue; it poses significant risks to economic stability, energy security, governance credibility, and the well-being of millions of Ni­gerians.

He said: ‘This crisis is a litmus test of Nigeria’s gover­nance capacity. It examines whether legitimate worker rights and corporate governance can be reconciled with the public interest in essential services.

‘Fiscal authority and social policy must be de­ployed quickly, transparently, and effectively to protect the most vulnerable.

‘At the same time, public institutions must up­hold the rule of law while preventing a narrow industrial dispute from escalating into a national emergency.

‘How Nigeria responds will signal its ability to govern strategic sectors responsibly, protect cit­izens, and maintain credibility in domestic and international markets.’

He said globally, countries with large-scale refining infrastructure, such as India and the U.S., treat disruptions in national refineries as strategic emergencies, often mobilising contingency im­ports, stock releases, and immediate negotiations with unions.

He said the government’s handling of the Dangote crisis would thus be watched not only domestically but by investors and development partners assess­ing institutional reliability.

Also, a lawyer and expert on labour matters, Paul Omoijiade, said Dangote could not prevent his employees from joining the unions.

Noting that the capitalists could not do anything without labour, which is one of the four factors of production, he warned against the implications of trampling on the right of workers to unionise.

Also, a development economist at Governance Professional, Prof. Chiwuike Uba, called for immediate action, noting that industrial disputes should not escalate into a national emergency.

He urged that a neutral tripartite framework, including the Ministry of Labour, NNPCL, Dangote management, PENGASSAN, and an independent arbiter, should negotiate a suspension of supply disruptions while contested dismissals are reviewed.

According to him, contingency supply measures must avert scarcity, including transparent releases of strategic stocks and emergency imports.

Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho has said that the centrality of Abuja coupled with its rich agro-allied potential is germane to strengthening NPA’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to continuously grow non-oil revenue by connecting local value producers in the non-oil value chain to identified international clusters of demand for their goods.

According to him, the position of Abuja as the centre of the country is strategic to the NPA’s renewed trade facilitation focus that places a high premium on port-hinterland connectivity, which Abuja’s centrality accentuates, presents a seamless linkage with the comparative advantages inherent in all regions of the federation that can be harnessed to sustain growth in the volume and value of Nigeria’s exports.

He said NPA, as Nigeria’s foremost trade facilitation platform, is always proud to be associated with the noble cause the Abuja International Trade Fair represents, especially seeing that trade remains the most veritable tool for actualizing most of Nigeria’s economic aspirations.

He used the opportunity of the ‘NPA Special Day’ to invite the entire trading and investing public to explore the tailor-made simplified export processes and other vistas of opportunity present at the Nigerian Ports Authority.’

According to him:’as some of us are aware, in our bid to contribute to the strengthening of the domestic economy through the promotion of balance of trade we established the Export Process Terminal (EPTs) to simplify the hitherto burdensome process of exporting Nigerian goods.’

Dantsoho explained that the EPTs were conceptualised to serve as a one-stop-shop for cargo consolidation, stuffing, documentation, packaging, certification and onward shipment through electronic call-up to the Ports in quick turnaround time thus eliminating the duplications and bureaucratic overlaps that previously rendered Nigerian exports uncompetitive in the international marketplace.

He said to facilitate the port-hinterland connectivity and create pathways for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to play in the export value chain; the EPTs have been structured to have a seamless handshake with the Domestic Export Warehouses (DEWs) in synergy with the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC) as well as the Inland Dry Ports.

‘To align with the economic stabilization resolve of the Federal Government and the theme of the year’s fair ‘Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives and Taxation’ we are unifying our various operational channels into a singular transaction gateway known as the Ports Community System (PCS) which lays the groundwork for the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) which sustainably eliminates all forms of opacity and attendant delays associated with undue human interference,’ he stated.

Dantsoho added that the NSW is the global best practice for delivering the greatest value with the greatest ease by connecting all stakeholders in the trade value chain for seamless interaction at the push of a button, saying NPA has put measures in place to link value creators in the remotest part of the hinterland with the farthest clusters of demand anywhere on the globe.

He assured the stakeholder that the doors of NPA are always open for partnerships even beyond the trade fair, urging them to visit the NPA’s fully interactive online real time website www.nigerianports.gov.ng to access our growth offerings.

Nigeria’s longest-running law reporting publication, the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports (NWLR), has assured Nigerians that the publication has remained consistent with the vision and focus of its founder, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).

Established on October 1, 1985, by Chief Fawehinmi, the NWLR has remained consistent for four decades, making it the longest consecutive weekly law report in Nigeria and across Africa.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the Nigerian Law Publication House in Ikeja, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee and Editor of the NWLR, Mr. Oluwole Kehinde, said the publication has stayed true to the vision of its founder.

‘Chief Fawehinmi dreamt that the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports would continue even after his demise, and since September 5, 2009, that dream has been sustained,’ Kehinde said.

To mark the milestone, a public lecture will hold on October 9, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chairing the event, while a former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), will deliver the keynote address.

The lecture, with the theme: Safeguarding the Legacy of Law Reporting and Embracing the Future in a Technological Era, will examine the role of law reporting in judicial history while charting a path forward in the digital age.

The NWLR has undergone a lot of transformation. Before independence, colonial courts issued official law reports, while private initiatives such as the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (1964-1977) struggled with sustainability.

By the late 1970s, access to Supreme Court judgments was limited to a privileged few. Fawehinmi petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Chief Justice over the practice, which led to a historic 1984 declaration that Supreme Court judgments are public property.

This paved the way for the birth of the NWLR the following year.

Since then, the NWLR has been published uninterrupted for 40 years and has earned recognition beyond Nigeria, especially across Commonwealth countries that practice common law.

In 2019, the report went online, broadening access for legal practitioners, academics, and the general public worldwide.

Kehinde said the publication’s focus is to preserve Nigeria’s legal heritage while embracing innovation in an increasingly technological era.

The board of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Chukwuma Nwokocha as the substantive Group Chief Executive of the group. The appointment took effect yesterday, after the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

Nwokocha’s appointment followed the completion of Dr Adekunle Adedeji’s tenure as Acting Chief Executive, during which time the board undertook a formal appointment process in accordance with regulatory requirements.

However, Adedeji will continue in his role as Executive Director and Chief Finance and Value Management Officer of the company.

Chairman, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs Sola David-Borha, said the board was delighted with Nwokocha’s appointment, highlighting his strong track record in board governance, financial oversight, strategic transformation as well as regulatory engagement.

She also extended the board’s deep appreciation to Adedeji for his exemplary leadership and dedication; and for steering the affairs of the company and group during the transition period.

She said: ‘It is worthy of mention that under Dr Adedeji’s leadership, the group recorded its best financial performance since inception. The group also successfully completed its rights issue programme which ensured that its banking subsidiary met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation requirements ahead of the 31 March 2026 deadline’.

Nwokocha is a seasoned banking executive and chartered accountant with over three decades of leadership experience across Africa.

He has held several Chief Executive and Board-level roles in leading financial institutions including Chief Executive, Standard Bank, SA; (the Mozambican subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group), driving strategic growth, governance, and operational excellence. His expertise spans retail and corporate banking, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

The Board is confident that Mr. Nwokocha’s leadership would be instrumental in driving the growth strategy of Stanbic IBTC Group into the future.

The Federal Government has promised to complete the ongoing Abuja-Keffi road rehabilitation by December 2026.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, gave the assurance while inspecting the Maraba-Nyanyan section site yesterday.

He said the project, which started in December 2023, spans 43.6 kilometres from the Keffi-bound section, with 41 kilometres completed up to Binda, representing 50 per cent progress.

The project, being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme and funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), was awarded on April 19, 2023, started on December 20, 2023, and was initially scheduled for completion in May 2026.

Goronyo described the Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway as one of the busiest routes into the Federal Capital Territory FCT), as it serves thousands of commuters daily.

The minister noted that the major challenge facing the project is the Abuja-bound section, particularly a three-kilometre stretch of the road that is prone to flooding.

‘A lot of people coming from the Keffi-Nyanya axis experience serious difficulty crossing into Abuja city. We immediately directed the contractor to put in palliative measures and create a route to ease movement,’ he said.

According to him, work on the section will be carried out mainly at night to reduce traffic disruptions.

‘The contractor must fully mobilise to site. We are not happy with the suffering commuters face daily on this arterial road. It is a key corridor for civil servants and residents, and people must have ease of movement,’ Goronyo said.

The minister, who was accompanied by ministry officials and representatives of the contracting firm, said the government would ensure strict monitoring of the project to guarantee its timely completion.

‘We don’t want to see this problem persist. The contractor must finish within the stipulated period,’ Goronyo added.

The Project Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company, the contractor handling the project, Dong Hong, assured the minister that the firm remained committed to meeting the deadline.

‘We have the confidence to finish this project on time with the highest quality. Much of the work is now being done at night to meet the schedule,’ he said.