The Nation Newspaper

Tag: infrastructural

  • FG restates commitment to sustained infrastructural development drive

    FG restates commitment to sustained infrastructural development drive

    President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to continuing infrastructural development across all geopolitical zones to foster accelerated economic growth.

    According to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, this commitment underpins the President’s innovative approach to road reconstruction and rehabilitation aimed at boosting industrialisation and generating employment.

    The minister stated this at the ongoing stakeholders’ engagement meeting for the North-Central Zone which included Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue on 5th July 2024 in Lafia.

    The meeting brought together stakeholders to discuss the progress and plans for the legacy projects, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government and state governments to deliver infrastructure development.

    While commending the President’s innovative approach to road reconstruction and rehabilitation, targeted at boosting industrialisation for employment generation, the minister encouraged all the stakeholders to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration on the infrastructural development drives.

    Read Also: It’s shameful we are still generating 4.5GW electricity – Tinubu

    In a statement yesterday, Vin-Obi Uchenna Glory, on behalf of the Ministry of Works’ Head of Information and Public Relations Department, the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo acknowledged President Tinubu’s efforts benefiting Kogi and Nigerians while commending the Minister of Works for focusing on the Abaji and Lokoja roads.

    Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State also commended President Tinubu for completing long-abandoned projects and praised the Minister for his effective work.

    In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Nasarawa Council of Chiefs, Hon. Justice Sidi Muhammad, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to deliver good governance.

    He praised the President’s decision to appoint Umahi as Minister of Works and assured that the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs would continue to support the Federal Government.

  • Piracy, infrastructural challenges hindering maritime sector

    Piracy, infrastructural challenges hindering maritime sector

    The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has identified piracy, illegal fishing, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory bottlenecks as factors hindering the sector from realising its potential to drive growth and transformation.

    The group pointed out the need for the industry to be utilised as the country boasts a coastline of 853 kilometres along the Gulf of Guinea which provides ample opportunities for maritime trade and economic development.

    Th group stated this during its pre-29th Nigerian Economic Summit (Nes29) webinar with the theme “Sailing to success: harnessing Nigeria’s maritime potential.”

    A Board member of the NESG, Mr. Nnanna Ude, said maritime activities are critical in facilitating global trade and  growth.

    Ude reiterated that a thriving maritime sector could contribute to diversification and inclusion. He emphasised that one of the industry’s critical challenges is a lack of comprehensive data that hinders policymakers from  understanding the sector and its contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    He commended the establishment of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, stating that it is a pivotal shift from the past, and this underscores the government’s intention to have a more coordinated approach that could make the sector a catalyst for transformation and development.

    Chief Operating Officer, Maritime Innovations Hub, Princess Ronke Kosoko, said maritime trade in West Africa contributes significantly due to its strategic location for moving goods to and from Europe, Asia and the Americas.

    Read Also: Stock Exchange to mobilse capital for Fed Govt’s agenda

    Senate Committee Chairman on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, said the committee would employ modalities by embarking on actions that would attract private investment to inland waterways.

    He urged stakeholders to collaborate to ensure the growth and development of the sector.

    Also, the Senior Engineer, Julius Berger, Engr. Sena Daramola said that poor infrastructure is a significant problem because there is a deficit between infrastructure and the development of the ports. She reiterated the need to develop road networks, improve rail systems, and improve inland waterways to serve the ports and the maritime sector.

    The 29th Nigerian Economic Summit, with the theme ‘Pathways for Sustainable Economic Transformation and Inclusion’, is scheduled to hold on the 23rd and 24th of October, 2023 in Abuja.

  • Hamzat unveils infrastructural plans for Lagos

    The Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Lagos State, Dr Obafemi  Hamzat, has said the state may do away with roundabouts in the metropolis for a more efficient road management. He, however, added that the situation will be subjected to further studies before eventually settling for the best model to adopt.

    Hamzat, who was a former Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure in the state, made this known in a chat with The Nation, while speaking on his plans for the state. According to him, research studies have shown that there are about 61 gridlock points in Lagos, with the biggest of them experienced at toll points along the Lekki/Ajah Estate.

    Furthermore, he revealed that studies showed that about 21 per cent of vehicles on Nigerian roads are domiciled in Lagos, leading to an upsurge in vehicle renewals in recent times. This, he said, lends credence to the need for intermodal transportation system in the state. Indeed, the need for this model of transportation has been on the rise, given the hectic traffic situation being experienced. Perhaps this accounts for the rise in water transportation in the state. For instance, from 14, 000 daily passenger movement by ferry in 2005, a record 144, 000 passengers now commute daily by this means.

    Hamzat, therefore, assured that if voted into office, his administration will improve on the model by engaging bigger ferries to ply the waterways, or by subsiding the cost of water transportation to make it more affordable for the populace.

    On the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), Hamzat said: “We will provide large volume of buses and work on providing more dedicated routes for them. We will coordinate their activities. Our business is to ensure that movement of people and goods flow freely.  We will work on our inner roads  by  lifting the Public Works Department.  When we go full swing into construction of our roads,  we can employ 118,00 people  annually and that will stimulate the economy of the state because construction is a huge job creator,” he explained.

    Hamzat, while responding to a question on housing, said low cost housing does not exist anywhere as there are no low cost iron rods or cement. Rather, he explained, government will work on a sustainable housing system that will benefit the populace, especially first time home owners, young graduates and couples.

    On the perennial flooding in the state, the APC deputy governorship candidate explained that since the state lies two metres below sea level, the cases of flash flood being experienced is nothing to worry about because once there is a channel for water to flow such floods will disappear in no time.

    Hamzat explained that government will always work on desilting  and opening up of the drainage which they usually do two months before the onset of rains.

    Speaking on the challenge of refuse disposal, he said the greatest mistake made was to subjugate the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). He maintained that LAWMA will continue to be the regulatory agency as far as refuse management is concerned while PSP operators will  function in areas they have capacities.

  • Ogun earmarks N73.5 billion for rural infrastructural devt

    Ogun earmarks N73.5 billion for rural infrastructural devt

    Ogun State government has said 21.3 per cent or N73.5 billion of its N345.42 billion 2018 budget is for rural and infrastructural development/employment generation, and to facilitate new infrastructural projects and fast-track the completion of ongoing ones.

    The Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, disclosed this while presenting the 2018 Appropriation Bill entitled: ‘’Budget of Accelerated Development’’on the floor of the state House of Assembly recently.

    Amosun, who restated his administration’s readiness to construct more urban, semi-urban and rural roads to ensure, listed some would-be beneficiaries of the allocation to include the 26-kilometre Sagamu-Ogijo Road; 28-Km Ikangba-Ilese-Itele Road and 26-km Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye Road.

    Others are the 36-km Abeokuta – Sagamu interchange road; 24-km Atan-Agbara rRoad; 42-km Sango-Ojodu Road; 5.5-km Enugada-Adatan Road; 3.5-km Itoku-Ajitadun-Iberekodo Road and 10-km Adatan-Alabata-Camp Junction.

    Amosun, who was quoted in a statement by the head of media, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, also noted that 171 rural roads and 25 semi-urban roads have been earmarked for construction while three bridges at Ilaro, Oju Ore in Ota and Lusada Junction, in Ado/Odo Ota Local Government Area, would be constructed.

    “The provision of adequate infrastructure will always be a critical part of this government’s drive for development of its people. As the Gateway state we will use all the resources at our disposal to ensure that our business, people and residents alike enjoy continuous improved mobility in and around our state,’’ he said.

    Amosun assured that government will not relent in its efforts at ensuring the development of the Olokola Deep Sea Port and the Olokola Free Trade Zone, urging well meaning investors to partner government in its bid to developing the state’s free trade zone in Tongeji Island, in Ogun West Senatorial district.

    The governor disclosed that with the commencement of work by the Federal Government on the Lagos -Ibadan rail line, the state is set to benefit as the project would create several stations in the state as well as a rolling stock yard in Kajola in Ifo  Local Government Areas.

    “In addition the Federal Government has located a new dry port in Papalanto, in Ifo local government area, aside from the main station in Abeokuta. This development will enhance our position as the Gateway state as it will enhance the trade opportunities, reduce cost of doing business and make Ogun State even more attractive destination for residents and businesses,” Amosun remarked.

  • Expo to proffer solutions to infrastructural deficit

    Organisers of an international construction and building exhibition, Elan Expo, have expressed their readiness to use the forthcoming exhibition to explore bilateral relationships that will provide sustainable solutions to infrastructural challenges in the built industry.

    Scheduled for November 2 to4, 2017, the exhibition, it is expected to open up investment opportunities in the built industry as well as other value chains.

    The expo is expected to attract exhibitors from 12 countries, including Turkey, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, India, Egypt, China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirate (UAE). Over 17 foreign companies have confirmed their participation, according to the expo Project Coordinator, Mr. Jude Chime.

    He told The Nation  in Lagos that the expo would not only bring together building professionals in the country, but also international manufacturers, services and technologies providers to explore opportunities in one of the fast-developing sectors in the country.

    He added that there has been  rapid growth in the last 20 years in the construction industry, and important projects in the country.

    The General Manager, Elan Expo International Trade Fairs, Mr. Nihat Suer, explained that this year’s expo is hinged on stronger international partnership with delegations from participating countries.

    “It will bring together important professionals around the world. This event will give us opportunities to network with foreign investors and explore other areas of investments apart from oil. The workshops have also been certified by professionals,” he said.

    Speakers from the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NISTRUCTE), Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), and Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) are billed to take part in the workshops.

  • Infrastructural dearth bane of bioinformatics underuse

    Nigeria has consistently under-explored the  inherent potentials of bioinformatics due to dearth of infrastructure in the Information Communication Technology, Prof Samuel Oranusi has said.

    The don, a keynote speaker at a training on bioinformatics organised by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) in collaboration with Inqaba Biotec West Africa Limited, said the country was lagging behind in the adoption of the field of research for pragmatic solutions owing to erratic power supply, inadequate investment in inquiry and poor internet facility occasioned by inadequate broadband penetration.

    The interdisciplinary field of science bothers on the development of methods and software tools, applying knowledge of computer science, statistics, mathematics and engineering to analyse and interpret biological data.

    Oranusi also underscored the fact that the discipline suffered lack of an independent framework with a thoroughly designed curriculum for its research purpose.

    He noted that while many universities treat it as a component of their coursework, there were few substantial projects to proof the study.

    Apart from the job creation potential abound in its aspects of software development and real life applications, he said, the benefits including molecular medicine, personalised medicine, waste management initiatives, climate change management and preventive medicine could be derived from bioinformatics.

    He called on the government to ensure disciplinary collaboration among the requisite fields.

    FIIRO Director-General Prof Gloria Elemo represented by Dr Yemisi Asagbra, said bioinformatics was the next big thing in the area of molecular biology and was only apt for the institute to create its own unit.

    “We already have a state-of-the-art molecular laboratory which will be used for the bioinformatics. It will project science and people will have to come here for analysis. This would help researchers and academicians in their research work,” she said.

  • Aspirant promises infrastructural development

    A Chairmanship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming local government election in Lagos State, Hon. Adesina Williams, has said she will provide infrastructural projects that will lift the Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), if she is elected.

    Hon. Williams, who had served a term in the LCDA as chairman, pledged her loyalty to all residents of the LCDA, including women, youths and monarchs. She promised to adjust wherever she had made mistakes during her first tenure.

    She said she would ensure that all the ongoing projects were completed, adding that she would start other projects that would benefit the residents.

    She spoke at a meeting with youths and the women wing of the ruling parting (APC) at her office in Igando.

    She promised to run an all-inclusive government, carrying everybody along to ensure harmonious relationship among party members.

    She said she renovated many roads, schools, hospitals as well as took care of the monarchs within the LCDA during her last tenure. She noted that many of the projects embarked upon were yet to be completed, appealing to the electorate to vote for her to enable her to complete her vision of making the LCDA one of the best in the state.

    She pledged to organise workshops that would enable youths and women to become productive and self-reliant.

    Williams assured the residents of the LCDA that her administration would continue to bring succour to the plights of the residents and do more in infrastructural provision as embarked upon in her first term in office.

    She implored residents, the party’s contestants and the opposition to continue to support Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in his efforts to transform the state to a mega city.

    She urged them to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    She praised Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu whom she described as a great leader and mentor of all members in the party.

  • Lagos tackles infrastructural challenges in 35 rural communities

    Lagos State government has tackled infrastructural challenges in 35 rural communities.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, who addressed reporters in Alausa, said “these communities are facing difficulties in the areas of good roads, health facilities, schools, flooding control, among others.

    He said the government received complaints from the communities requesting intervention, adding that they were assisted with the needed infrastructure.

    The special adviser said the government extended financial succour to individuals with challenges, particularly in health, accommodation, education, multiple birth and unforeseen incidents, such as fire outbreak and road accidents.

    Joseph said N163, 258,980 was approved by the governor for disbursement to 1,477 indigent residents to help them.

    He urged Lagosians to change their apathy towards participating in elections, saying their participation in the forthcoming local government poll will influence the outcome because they have the power, through their individual votes, to determine the eventual winners across the state.

    Harping on public protests despite the existence of Civic Engagement Office, Joseph lamented that many of the protests were being staged due to lack of understanding of the channels of engagement with the government.

    He said: “Some protests are unnecessary as the issues involved can easily be resolved by establishing a communication line with the concerned authority

  • Our train of infrastructural development on the move, says Ambode

    Our train of infrastructural development on the move, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said yesterday that the train of infrastructure development and rehabilitation was on the move.

    He spoke at the inauguration of reconstructed 10-storey doctors’ quarters at the General Hospital, Lagos and refurbished Onikan Health Centre.

    The governor, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Tunji Bello, added that plans were at an advanced stage to upgrade health care facilities, including secondary health care facilities in Apapa, Epe, Ifako-Ijaye, Agbowa and Lagos Island Hospital.

    He restated his administration’s determination to reduce disabilities and maternal and child morbidity.

    “Since the inception of our administration, which will be two years in a couple of weeks, we have committed ourselves to infrastructural renewal and development that will enhance productivity and boost public servants’ morale to improve service delivery.

    ”I have confidence in the ability of our health care personnel to deliver excellent service comparable to what obtains in developed countries. As we strive to upgrade our health facilities with the provision of modern infrastructure and equipment, we shall continue to prioritise welfare and human capital development,” the governor said.

    He said the present administration would raise and sustain the confidence of the public in its health care service delivery.

    Ambode described Onikan Health Centre as a foremost medical facility established by the government, which had been overstretched by population growth.

    He said its upgrading became necessary following the standard policy of a functional secondary health care facility in each local government, as advocated by the Federal Government.

    Health Commissioner Dr. Jide Idris said the government will introduce the health insurance scheme this year so that Lagosians can access medical care.

  • ‘Buhari should fast-track infrastructural development’

    THE President of the Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), Mr. Augustine Chukwudum, has urged President Muhamadu-Buhar-led Federal Government to fast-track infrastructural development in the country. He said that in this interview during the week while assessing the performance of the government and the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region.

    On Buhari’s presidency, he said: ‘This is over one year the president has been in office and the only area I can say he has performed is the anti-corruption fight. In terms of development, he has not done anything. We expected that by now he would have fast-tracked development like infrastructure, roads, hospitals, pipe-borne water, housing and so on. He should embark on this infrastructure immediately. That is why he was voted for him in 2015. Jonathan before he got into office in 2011, we thought he would be the messiah. But when he got in we did not see anything. The only thing we saw was corruption here and there, billions of dollars being looted on daily basis. So in 2015 Nigerians needed a change. It is quite unfortunate that the change we voted for we have not seen it materializing. So we want the president to start fast-tracking development immediately so that the common man on the streets will feel the impact of this government.

    I am fully in support of the anti-corruption war. Those who looted money should be arrested, prosecuted and money must be recovered. Because what they have stolen is our commonwealth. But this must not stop development. Various ministries should be given marching orders by the president to fast track development immediately since the budget has been approved. All these money should be released and government should monitor them and make sure they are used for what they should be for. Nobody should be giving any excuse. President Buhari has been slow in this first one year and three months. Nobody is happy with the government, that is the actual truth. The president should wake up and have direction where the government is going. He should not give us any excuse anymore. Nigerians are tired of excuse saying past leaders did this or that. We know that Jonathan stole money. His government was really corrupt. This is a government that withdrew $15 billion in the name of arms deal only to divert the money for campaign issue. It is only in Africa that you can see such nonsense. In civilized countries, someone like Jonathan should be in prison by now. It is unfortunate in Nigeria nobody steals N1000, but rather billions of dollars. 15 billion dollars can develop this country to the extent that it can become the New York of Africa, but some people think it is chicken money. My point is that government should fast-track development immediately and continue to recover the money and let them tell us the truth about the money they have recovered, so Nigerians would know how much has been recovered.

    He also commented on the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region, saying, “The Government should match the militants fire for fire because these people have declared war against the country. How can you be going to agitate for some and here is a channel for that, but you are rather blowing up pipelines, destroying your farmlands and creating more problems. You are complaining that your area is not developed but at the end of the day you go there and commit economic genocide. I hear our production of oil has dropped drastically. And when you watch it you discover that the masses are suffering. Those people blowing up pipelines should know that it does not affect Buhari, it does not affect the governors, it does not affect National Assembly members. They move about in their sirens and go any part of the world they like, but we the masses are the ones suffering. So I will advise the president to match them fire for fire. Let the government release every equipment and fight this people. If anybody has anything let him come out. Violence is not the best way to express or to agitate for something. I would also advise President Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu because he has not committed anything. That is one of the conditions given by these militants but they should not use Nnamdi Kanu issue to be creating problems.