The minister of works, Dave Umahi has reiterated the determination of the federal government to revamp the nation’s economy through Renewed Hope Agenda with a good road network being a critical component.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s determination to reverse the depressing road situation in the country was the catalyst for the Ministry of Works hitting the ground running from the inauguration of ministers.
The minister, in a statement on Friday, December 1, by his spokesman, Uchenna Orji made the declaration when he hosted Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, and the governor-elected Ododo where he commended the state government for addressing road deficit and insecurity within the state.
He said: “We inspected the road from 11 am on my first day in the office and I got back to Abuja by 2 am, it shows the passion you have for the State.
“It is not by chance that my first working day was in Kogi State and I saw the acceptability and show of true love among the villagers for you. Your people are people of gratitude. I remember the ovation that greeted our inspection visit to Murtala Muhammed Way Bridge in Kogi state.”
The minister assured the governor that the Kogi Federal Highway was part of the federal roads listed for palliative intervention by President Tinubu
He added: “I want to assure you that Mr. President has instructed our Ministry to go and start that portion of the road and you will soon see a lot of concrete structures on several sections of that road that are challenged.”
The minister also used the opportunity of the visit to appreciate Governor Bello for his commitment to the ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his doggedness that saw the party through in the recently concluded governorship election in Kogi state.
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He said the victory was a testimony of the work done by the outgoing governor and the acceptability of the ruling Party by the people of the State.
Commending the governor for his governance inclusiveness and nationalism in the State, Umahi said: “I thank you for being nationalistic I know a lot of South Easterners that have made your Cabinet, I also know a lot of people that had security challenges; that were kidnapped far away but you helped in rescuing them even across the state.”
Earlier, Governor Bello commended the minister for the transformation and innovation he has brought on board to accomplish the Renewed Hope road infrastructure agenda of Mr President and the passion with which he follows Mr President’s directives on road revolution.
He stated: “The very first day you resumed the office that was the day you hit the ground running.
“You have been inspecting roads ever since then you are not resting, there was no budget, no money for you, yet we see work going on across the country.
“Contractors have returned to the site. Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is working, you are also responding to calls and messages and you are so responsive, you are a leader that all of us are proud of.”
He also commended the political astuteness of the minister in uniting Nigerians, saying: “You are a politician but you are an elder statesman.
Bello added: “You are always uniting the Governors across the party line that was why it was easy for me to predict that you were going to join us because your mind is progressive; your mind is always progressive that was why you were able to govern Ebonyi state.
“With the little and meagre resources you turned the State around and Ebonyi is wearing a new look today. You mentor leaders that is why it is not surprising the assistance I received from you in coming up with another leader to take over from me in Kogi state.”