Work Did Not Stop On 2nd Niger Bridge - Obi

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has described as erroneous reports in some national dailies that the Federal Government had stopped work on the Second Niger Bridge.

Reacting on phone to the alleged stoppage of work to newsmen, Obi said that work did not stop, neither was the Federal Government contemplating stopping work on the bridge for any reason.Speaking further, Obi, who stopped over in London, en route to Rome as part of the Federal Government delegation to the Vatican for the canonisation of Pope John Paul II today, said that he was incidentally with the Managing Director of Julius Berger PLC, the firm handling the project, Engr. Wolfgang Goegseh, who immediately confirmed to him that work had never at any time since the flag-off of the project stopped, neither did the Federal Government ever tell them to stop work for any reason.

Obi stated further that the Environmental Impact Assessment was progressing on very well, describing the project as strategic to the economy of the country and appealed to all organisations, persons and organs of government directly or indirectly connected to the project to give it maximum support saying that it would be, when completed, one of the greatest legacies of President Goodluck Jonathan.

It would be recalled that the project was flagged off on March 10, 2014, during which the President assured that everything had been put in place for the construction of the bridge.

At the event, the Minister for Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said the project was part of the transformation agenda of Mr. President, aimed at improving the infrastructural and socio-economic activities of the nation.

The minister explained that the Federal Government would execute the project under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for a concessional period of 25 years through design, build, finance, operate and transfer, DPFOT, model.

The Second Niger Bridge, he explained, was 1,590 metres long and forms part of the 11.90km length project which construction cost was put at N117,860,700,741.82 vat inclusive.

[Daily Times Nigeria]

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Work Did Not Stop On 2nd Niger Bridge - Obi
2nd Niger Bridge, anambra state, nigeria, Peter Obi

Weighing the Implications of Delayed Power Projects

The federal government has been unwavering in its push to achieve set power targets. However, it appears some contractors are yet to key into the vision, considering the delay in delivery of some critical power projects. JULIET ALOHAN of LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS examines the implications of these delays on the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

The federal government’s power projection targets may not go as planned if the delay in the completion of some power plants under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) and the Kaduna power plant is anything to go by.

Click here to read the full story.

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Weighing the Implications of Delayed Power Projects
NESI, nigeria, NIPPs, power projects

Jonathan Commissions N100 Billion Cement Industry Expansion Project

President Goodluck Jonathan has performed the ground-breaking of the N100 billion expansion project for Ashaka cement’s new 2.5 million metric-tonne capacity cement production line in Gombe, North East Nigeria.

The project, which will be completed within three years, is expected to increase the company’s current production capacity of over one million metric tonnes to about four million metric tonnes while creating a lot of hobs.

President Jonathan, who was ably represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the new investment was a testimony of global investors’ growing confidence in the Nigerian economy as well as the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the Nigerian economy, leaving out no region.

According to him, the government has commenced plans to bring down the price of cement.

The President reiterated that the current administration would continue to provide a good environment for investments in the sector to thrive.

“The cement industry is a perfect example of the transformation that can happen in an industry based on the focused implementation of a well- thought out policy and a continuous partnership that harnesses the expertise of the private sector and the capacity of the public sector.

“The commencement of the capacity expansion of AshakaCem Plc’s cement production project further buttresses the confidence that global investors have in the Nigerian economy, which is now the largest economy in Africa,” President Jonathan said.

He pointed out that as at 2002, local cement industry had the capacity to barely produce two million metric tonnes per annum, but by 2013, this had grown to 28.5 million metric tonnes.

President Jonathan stressed that the government would continue to support investments in the sector to ensure that it reached an installed capacity of about 39 million metric tonnes by the end of 2014.

“Today, the Nigerian cement industry has attracted $8 billion in both local and foreign investments and supports approximately 1.6 million jobs. The industry also serves as the fulcrum of the housing and construction sectors.

These sectors now contribute 11.13 per cent to Nigeria’s forecast Gross Domestic Product for 2013,” he said.

Jonathan noted that Nigeria had become a net exporter of cement, saying that “this is something that we all should be proud of.”

He pointed out that the Federal Government had commenced a plan of action that would promote the exportation of cement, enhance skills development and innovation in the industry and bring down the price of cement.

[Daily Times Nigeria]

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Jonathan Commissions N100 Billion Cement Industry Expansion Project
Ashaka Cement, Cement Project, Gombe State, nigeria, Olusegun Aganga

World Bank Unfolds N1.28 Trillion Project Implementation Plan in Nigeria

The World Bank on Friday unfolded a plan to invest about $2 billion yearly in the next four years (about N1.28 trillion) in the implementation of various projects under its Country Partnership Strategy, CPS, in Nigeria.

The plan would increase the bank’s development assistance to Nigeria for job creation, social service delivery and governance through the support of its affiliate financing agencies, the International Development Association, IDA, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD.

The new CPS, covering the period 2014 to 2017, involves the introduction of a change in the country’s borrowing status based on the declaration of Nigeria as credit worthy for IBRD financing in 2013.The country would officially enter a blend status from July 1, 2014.

This CPS has been prepared in the context of the World Bank’s renewed commitment to the twin goals of reducing extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity in Nigeria and globally.

Equally, it would fully align with Nigeria’s development agenda under the Vision 20: 2020, and its medium-term strategy for realizing that vision through the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda.

To support these objectives, the Bank said the CPS programme was structured specifically to focus attention on promoting diversified growth and job creation through the reform of the power sector, enhancing agricultural productivity, and increasing access to finance.

The programme would also help improve the quality and efficiency of social service delivery at the state level to promote social inclusion, while strengthening governance and public sector management, with gender equity and conflict sensitivity as essential elements of governance.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, said the CPS would help by developing more effective mechanisms for social service delivery, including social protection

programmes, education, health and water service delivery.

The Country Director said the CPS represents the joint World Bank Group’s programme under a common donor platform, the Country Assistance Framework, CAF.

She said the programme would work in close cooperation among development partners to enhance the effectiveness and transformational impact of national efforts and avoid duplication of tasks.

“This approach of the CAF is proving as very effective for better coordination and synergies among partners’ strategies of support to Nigeria,” the Director said.

The World Bank Task Team Leader for the CPS, Indira Konjhodzic, said the bulk of the financing programme would focus on increasing installed power generation and transmission capacity and improving the efficiency and governance of electricity delivery.

“Boosting agricultural productivity, improving farmers’ linkages with agro-processors, and increasing access to finance including long time financing to the citizens particularly women is a major focus of this partnership strategy,” Mr. Konjhodzic said.

The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the new CPS would go a long way to support the Nigeria’s efforts to create jobs for its youth and improve infrastructure needed for economic growth that would impact on majority of the people.

[Premium Times]

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World Bank Unfolds N1.28 Trillion Project Implementation Plan in Nigeria
Country Partnership Strategy, nigeria, World Bank

World Bank Supports Nigeria with $250m to Provide Water

The World Bank has approved a credit of $250 million from the International Development Association (IDA) to aid Nigerian government is efforts at increasing access to water supply services and to improve the financial and management viability of existing water utilities.

The funds will target the poor, urban population living in state capitals and their surroundings, while about two million people will also benefit from it.

It stated that the credit supports the Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project and responds to the government of Nigeria’s goal of developing more effective mechanisms for social service delivery, particularly water service, as a means to address inequality in income and opportunities.It also stated that, the funds would help to rehabilitate and build the water delivery infrastructure and institutional systems needed to expand access to water supply services for people in selected cities in Bauchi, Ekiti and Rivers states, noting that a portion of the project was performance-based and would include incentives for improving the performance of the water supply institutions in the three states.

“Today’s project builds on past experience which has shown that building water infrastructure without strengthening the capacity of the institutions responsible for managing water supply to the targeted areas does not lead to sustainable results,” said Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria.

She stated that, “We, therefore, hope that the new strategy which puts more emphasis on this integrated approach will contribute to l improve the health and economic well-being of the country’s poorest and more vulnerable particularly women and girls who spend a lot of time fetching water.

According to her, a second project component would provide technical and financial assistance to the state governments and water utilities in Kano, Gombe, Benue, Jigawa, Ondo, Abia, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Plateau states, to help prepare them for large water supply investments that could be financed in the future. She noted that the government’s Federal Ministry of Water Resources, tasked with providing sustainable access to safe and sufficient water to all Nigerians, would also benefit from strengthened capacity to monitor and benchmark the water sector’s performance and accordingly, increased accountability from the States for their performance.

“Women and children in Nigeria spend hours each day carrying water for their family’s use,” said Miguel Vargas-Ramiìrez, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the Project, noting that “By improving water service delivery, this project will help open up time for the poor to pursue education and income-generating activities, and provide them with a better chance to boost themselves out of poverty.”

“The many activities funded by today’s project will also contribute to improving Nigeria’s progress towards meeting its Millennium Development Goal with respect to access to improved water supply service,” said Hassan Madu Kida, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the Project.

[Nigerian Tribune]

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World Bank Supports Nigeria with $250m to Provide Water
nigeria, Water Project, World Bank

I Am Now a Project Management Graduate, What Next?

If you are graduating soon or have just graduated, you might be thinking “What next?” If you do not already have a career plan, it can sometimes be hard to figure out what you should do immediately after university. But if you are confused and do not know where or how to start, do not panic! You are not the first and you definitely won’t be the last.

Many project management graduates take time to find their career path, and sometimes it is hard to work out what kind of job or career is right for you. Here are some handy tips to help you on your road to success:

Create Your CV: Take some time to develop your CV. Make it relevant towards the position you would like to be chosen for. If you feel you are lacking experience in an area, add as much relevant work, skills and educational experience as possible. After brushing up your CV, there are online recruitment, human resources and talent management agencies where you can submit your CV or fill in your resume. Some of these agencies have got a wide reach and cover most of the major sectors and industries.

Get Work Experience Through Volunteering: Volunteering, though it is an unpaid work, is one of surest ways of landing your dream jobs. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training which gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization. It can also help you make new friends, expand your network, get experience in your area of interest and meet professionals in the field. Eyitayo Ogunmola, Founder of PM Hub Nigeria, in a story with Biodun Awosusi, said that he built his project management skills through volunteering for HACEY Initiative, Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development Initiative (YALDA), Students Economic Development Initiative and Project Management Institute.

Build Your Online Presence: Do you have a LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter account? The social media is having a huge impact on the world of recruitment. It is changing the way companies hire employees. LinkedIn and Google+ are high impact professional social networks. You want to make yourself available for prospective recruiters or employers to contact you while also presenting yourself as a top quality candidate. Setting up these social media accounts will make sure your one step ahead of your competition. After setting your accounts, you need to search and follow the right people and the companies that are interesting to your career. Also, you can utilise job search engines such LinkUp®, TwitJobSearch and CareerBuilder to search for jobs on the web.

Start Networking: Never underestimate the power of networking because it is one of the widely and most accepted ways of finding a job. Search and join relevant groups and companies pages on social media. These social media groups allow you to get connected with people who could make a difference in your professional life. Frequently contribute to relevant discussions and never underestimate what you can learn from these discussions or the connections you can make, they tend to open a lot of doors. If you are interested in building your career in project management, you can join our Project Management Nigeria group on Google+ and Facebook, and follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with trends in the project management industry.

Further Your Studies: If you are not ready for the transition from being a student to the world of work or your chosen area of work requires an additional qualification, you might consider doing a further study such as getting a masters degree or obtaining a professional certification. Professional certificates that Project Managers can obtain to boost their CV include the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certificate, the PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2)® certificate, and the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) certificate. In terms of employability, many graduate employers do value additional qualifications.

Which ever path or combination of paths you choose to follow depends on your career plan. Do not allow uncertainty about what career you ultimately want to pursue prevent you from taking action now.

LinkUp® is a registered trademark of JobDig, Inc.

PMP® is a registered certification mark and trademark of the Project Management Institute Inc.

PRINCE2® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS limited.

To stay current on all projects and project management news and updates in Nigeria, follow @Project_Nigeria on Twitter, and join our social media groups on Facebook and Google+.

I Am Now a Project Management Graduate, What Next?
Project Management Career, Project Management Graduate, Project Management Job

Why You Should Join Our Project Management Nigeria Group on Facebook

Are you an aspiring, new, experienced or professional project manager?

There is every chance that if you are reading this post, you are either a project manager or interested in the project management profession. So, just for you, we have created a dynamic project management group on Facebook for aspiring, novices and experienced project managers alike.

Here are some of the major reasons why you should join the Project Management Nigeria (PMN) group on Facebook:

Group Screenshot on Facebook App

1. Networking: Joining our project management group will put you in touch with others in our profession. You can communicate, engage and get connected with other project managers in Nigeria and around the world.

2. News and Updates: You will be kept up-to-date on issues and developments on project management happenings around the world. PMN is currently the only group on Facebook that shares and discusses the latest news and updates on various projects in Nigeria. We cover the entire industries and sectors in Nigeria where projects are being planned or executed, and project management is being practised.

3. Personal Branding: Being active, commenting and contributing to relevant information in the group discussions can earn you the status of being among the “thought leaders” in the project management industry.

4. Events Notification: You will be constantly informed on upcoming conferences, seminars and workshops on project management around the world.

5. Career Opportunities: Business owners, company directors, human resource managers and recruiters who are seeking for candidates to fill various project management positions, especially within Nigeria, are being asked to post the job listings on the group wall.

6. Ideas and Knowledge Sharing: Market your own knowledge and tap into the knowledge and experience of other project management professionals in our group.

7. Well-Managed Group: Irrelevant posts, comments and adverts are being deleted, and if such members continue with the act, they will be deleted or banned from the group.

Jerry Ihejirika is the Founder and Manager of the Project Management Nigeria group on Facebook. He is looking forward to building the most dynamic and active project management group on Facebook. The group’s Twitter handle is @Project_Nigeria.

Are you a member of the Project Management Nigeria group on Facebook?

Why You Should Join Our Project Management Nigeria Group on Facebook
facebook, Jerry Ihejirika, project management nigeria

You Can Now Share Your Project Management Life Story on Jerry's Blog

I have just added a new category on my blog titled PM Life Stories. This category will contain true life stories of Nigerian and African project management students, professionals and practitioners. They will share with us how, when and why they got involved in project management.

If you are a true African: Are you currently studying project management? Are you a recent graduate in project management? Are you a certified project manager? Or do you have at least two years working experience in the field of project management irrespective of the sector or industry? If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, then you are eligible to post your project management (PM) life story to us and I will examine and publish it on my blog.PM Student: Tell us how you got to hear about project management, why you decided or accepted to study PM, where you are currently studying the course, and how you think it would benefit your future career.

Recent PM Graduate: Tell us how you got to hear and what led you into studying project management, how you value PM as a skill, how you are looking forward to pursuing your PM career, if you have any professional PM certification, and which industries or sectors you would like to practise your project management profession.

Certified Project Manager: We will only accept to publish stories from Africans who have either the PMI USA, APM UK or IPMA certifications. We will also contact any of these bodies to verify if you are truly certified before publishing your story. So tell us why you decided to get certified in PM, which certifications you obtained and in what year, how you are looking forward to pursuing your PM career, and which industries or sectors you would like to practise your PM profession.

Experienced Project Managers: You should have at least two years working experience in the field of project management irrespective of the sector or industry. So tell us how or what led you into the world of PM, how long you have been involved in PM and in what sectors or industries, if you have any PM certifications and the year you otained it, how you value PM as a career choice, and what can be done to improve the standard of PM practices in your country or Africa at large.

The world wants to hear from you. They want to read your own story, and do not forget that this category will attract lots of recruiting specialists, human resource managers and even talent management professionals from around the world. You never can tell how your story will land you that dream job.

Email your story to jerryihejirika[@]yahoo.com. Do not forget to remove the [] signs.

I am looking forward to publishing and sharing your PM life story with the world.

To stay up to date on all projects and project management news and updates in Nigeria, follow @Project_Nigeria on Twitter and also join our Project Management Nigeria Group on Facebook.

You Can Now Share Your Project Management Life Story on Jerry's Blog
Africa, nigeria, PM Life Story, PMP, PRINCE2, project management