The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mike Onolememen

  • Benin-Ore Road getting better

    SIR: The much-condemned Benin-Ore Expressway is getting better and better. The Federal Government should be given a pass mark for making this impassable road almost passable. The road is over 70 per cent completed and we are impressed with the finishing.

    We hereby call on the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that the remaining part of the road is completed before the rainy season. The contractors should be duly empowered and monitored to ensure quick completion. We advise that the Minister of Works Arch. Mike Onolememen and his monitoring team pay unscheduled visit to make sure that the right job is done to avoid abandonment or delay.

    We also advise motorists not to use the well-tarred expressway carelessly. It has been observed that some motorists drive at break-neck speed – at 140-160km/h on the road. This is too dangerous for occupants of such vehicles. We have observed that men of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) are not always available to caution the drivers/owners of such vehicles. The government must rise up to the challenge to save lives on this road and others across the country.

    We urge transport companies/unions to train their drivers/members before giving them jobs. Not anybody can be employed as a commercial driver. Be sure such a person is psychologically and emotionally fit. A lot of drivers are not. They are angry at the slightest provocation.

    If the Benin-Ore road is 100 per cent completed, motorists, including trailer and tanker drivers are controlled, then the government must have scored a goal that will serve as a legacy not only for it, but also to the people of the southwest and east.

    • Prof Jacob Etinagbedia,

    Director-General,

    Institute of Chartered Administrators and Researchers of Nigeria, Lagos.

  • Minister: surveying, mapping will promote national growth

    Surveying and mapping if “well utilised”will promote national development, the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen has said.

    Speaking at the 27th Working Week of the International Federation of Surveyor in Abuja, the minister said: “No leader in Nigeria can afford to lose interest in the activities and importance of surveying and mapping in national development. It has not only been recognised as an indispensable factor in achieving the goals and objectives of government’s policies, but has in recent times been involved in effectively and responsibly driving the realisation of the targets of our transformation agenda through Vision 20:2020, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other good government programmes.

    “I have come to admit that surveying is indeed the bedrock of national physical development. My government expects to derive benefits from its role in natural resource exploration, exploitation, management and conservation.”

    Onolememen said the theme of the event: Environment for sustainability, aptly highlights the need to address the effects of environmental disasters in the country, such as climate change, desert encroachment, flooding, gulley erosion, water pollution and food insecurity.

  • FG scraps FERMA

    FG scraps FERMA

    …  Federal Road Authority to replace body

    The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, disclosed that the Federal Road Authority will replace the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

    The minister disclosed this at a two-day workshop to consider the Road Sector Bill in Abuja.

    He stated that FERMA was a stop gap and not meant to be permanent.

    Onolememen said, “In 1996 when the conference on reforming the road sector was conveyed, it was agreed that a road authority should be created, along the line interest came in and FERMA was created.

    “It is in the light of the forgoing that on the October 18, 2011, I inaugurated the committee for Road Sector Reform, this of course came up with two draft bill.

    “The first bill, the Draft National Road Fund Bill establishes the National Road Fund to be supervised by a National Road Fund Board and the second bill is the Draft Federal Roads Authority (FRA).

    “This sets up a semi authonomous road agency that will be responsible for the efficient construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of federal roads as well as providing the overall framework and advice for the coordination and the cornerstone of the nation’s economy.

    “Best practice around the world indicates that Nigeria cannot overcome its road infrastructure development challenges unless necessary reforms are embarked upon to reposition the road sector and bring it in sync with its technical specification of national roads including state and local government roads,”

    The minister maintained that FRA is in line with international best road management practice.

    The organization, according to him, will provide advice to the minister on road transportation and road infrastructure matters.