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Tag: road

  • Excitements over launch of Road to LA 2028 initiative in Abuja

    Excitements over launch of Road to LA 2028 initiative in Abuja

    In a historic step toward elevating African badminton, the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA), has launched the ground-breaking “Road to LA 2028” program in Abuja, Nigeria.

    The initiative, aimed at securing Olympic and Paralympic success for African athletes at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, emphasizes early preparation, resource mobilization, and talent development.

    The launch event, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Sunday, December 1, 2024, brought together key stakeholders from across the continent, with Nigeria leading the charge as host.

    The program reflects a united commitment to rewriting Africa’s badminton story on the global stage and Kingston Mulenga (Zambia), Deputy President of the BCA, explained the unique nature of the initiative:

    “In Africa, we rarely plan four years ahead for the Olympics due to challenges like funding and resources. Nigeria’s leadership in hosting and championing this program is ground-breaking. This initiative offers a roadmap for other African nations to emulate, ensuring that our athletes are prepared to compete at the highest level.”

    Francis Orbih, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) and a BCA Council member, reflected on the inspiration behind the program: “Eniola Bolaji’s bronze medal at Paris 2024 was a watershed moment for African badminton. It showed that with the right preparation and support, Africa can succeed on the global stage. This program is about sustaining and surpassing that success. Starting early and pooling resources are critical to achieving our goals.”

    Orbih also emphasized the importance of partnerships: “Transforming African badminton requires a collective effort. With support from the government, corporate sponsors, and individuals, I believe we can make Africa a global badminton powerhouse. Success attracts more success, and now is the time to invest in our athletes and their future.”

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    Engr. Habu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, stressed the value of starting preparations well ahead of the Olympics: “To win at the Olympics, you need years of consistent training, planning, and investment. The BCA’s initiative sets a powerful example for other sports federations. The Nigeria Olympic Committee will do everything possible to support this program with scholarships and resources to help our athletes excel.”

    Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, reaffirmed the government’s support: “This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision to elevate Nigerian and African sports. The achievements in Paris 2024 proved that we have the talent; now, we must provide the infrastructure and funding to turn potential into podium finishes. We are committed to creating an enabling environment for success.”

    Eniola Bolaji, Africa’s first Paralympic medallist in badminton, expressed her determination to achieve even greater success: “Winning bronze in Paris was a proud moment, but it also motivated me to aim higher. This program gives us the tools we need to succeed. With the right training, resources, and support, I’m confident I can bring home gold in Los Angeles.”

    Team Nigeria captain and two-time Olympian Anuoluwapo Opeyori spoke about the program’s significance: “This initiative is a game-changer. It’s not just about medals; it’s about inspiring athletes to perform at their best. With consistent training, mentorship, and global exposure, we can raise the bar for African badminton.”

    Spanish Dina Abouzeid Sarinena, an international coach for BCA and BFN, reiterated the importance of preparation: “We prepared for one year before Paris 2024, but now we have four years. That gives us the opportunity to fine-tune techniques, improve tactics, and create an ideal environment for success. This program is a golden opportunity for African athletes to compete at par with their global counterparts.”

    The “Road to LA 2028” initiative promises to revolutionize African badminton by nurturing talent, empowering coaches, and creating a sustainable support system for athletes. It calls on governments, private sponsors, and sports enthusiasts to join hands in propelling Africa to Olympic glory.

    With Nigeria setting the pace, the continent is poised for a badminton renaissance, ensuring that African athletes are not just participants but strong contenders on the global stage.

  • ‘Lagos-Sango-Ota Road to be reopened within 10 days’

    ‘Lagos-Sango-Ota Road to be reopened within 10 days’

    Federal Government has begun asphalt overlay work on the Lagos-Sango-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway and is ready to open the road to traffic within the next 10 days.

    Federal Controller of Works in  Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha,  gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  in Lagos, while addressing concerns about road repairs.

    Federal Government had, in September, begun emergency palliative repairs on a seven-kilometre stretch of the road within Lagos State.

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    The palliative works involved filling of drum holes, laying stone bases and applying a binding layer to ensure a smoother road surface.

    Kesha said: ”There is work going on there; asphalt is being laid on the road. We were doing preparatory work when people started complaining.

    “Before we could put asphalt, people started complaining that we wanted to choke them with dust, but that was not the intention.

    “We just wanted to do that stone base and then make sure the rains have subsided. That is what we wanted to avoid.

    “Now, asphalt overlay is ongoing, so we will seal it, and then open the road and divert traffic back to that lane.”

  • Bayelsa govt approves N61bn variation on Nembe-Brass road

    Bayelsa govt approves N61bn variation on Nembe-Brass road

    • •Diri tasks FG on project’s second phase

    The Bayelsa State Executive Council has approved N61bn as variation cost on the Nembe-Brass road project.

    Diri, who made this known yesterday during an inspection of the project, said the council at its meeting on Wednesday approved a review of the construction cost, bringing it to N115bn.

    Twenty of the 21km of the first phase of the project has been sand-filled, 6.5km stone base laid and sand stabilised while work on the second bridge out of the 10 has commenced.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying he was impressed with the extent of work done by the construction company, Setraco, unlike when he last visited the project site in March this year.

    Diri also said he was satisfied that funds released for the project were being judiciously utilised and urged the company to deliver the contract as scheduled.

    The governor also expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s promise that the federal government would partner with the state government on the second phase of the project would be fulfilled.

    He said: “The Commissioner for Works informed me that you wanted to suspend work because of the variation. The variation you brought was higher than the initial contract sum.

    “I was very skeptical but he tried to convince me that the variation was not just that the contractor was looking for money but that it was because of the changes in our foreign exchange rates.

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    “So, we approved the variation in the last State Executive Council Meeting, which brought the project cost up to N115billion. That means you must justify and deliver this job as planned.

    “You have achieved so much progress on the 21km stretch, with the first bridge completed and about to commence the second major bridge, which is 120 metres long.

    “I’m also happy to hear from you that 6.5km of the road is ready for asphalting and that sand-filling on the road has reached the 20km mark.

    “On the second phase of this road, I had met Mr. President and also communicated to him. He directed the Minister of Works to do the needful. We are still awaiting action.

    “But I am convinced that with the interest shown by the President, the second phase would be awarded by the federal government.”

    The Project Manager of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Mr. Hazen Nadjab, stated that the company would fulfill its part of the contract and commended the state government’s effort in ensuring the smooth construction of the road.

    Nadjab disclosed that the company had requested for extension of the completion date due to changes in cost of construction but assured the government that by December this year, six kilometers of the road would be asphalted.

    Also, the Commissioner for Works, Moses Teibowei, stated that with the commitment of the state government and the availability of funds, the project would be completed within the shortest possible time.

  • Bayelsa closes Opolo-Elebele road from Sept 9 for dualisation

    Bayelsa closes Opolo-Elebele road from Sept 9 for dualisation

    The Bayelsa State government has sought the cooperation of motorists, commuters and residents alike on the proposed closure of Opolo/Elebele road in Yenagoa, the state capital, from September 9 (Monday).

    Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, made this known in a statement yesterday.

    The Commissioner said the dualisation of the major road, which would begin from the Opolo market area had started and part of the road would be closed to traffic from Monday.

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    He said the closure would enable the contractors, Julius Berger, to carry out the expansion/dualisation of that section of the road.

    Teibowei said the area to be closed is from the roundabout on Isaac Boro Road towards Opolo market as serious work would commence on both sides of the road as scheduled.

    The Commissioner said: “Consequently, those whose vehicles are parked within the span of 450 metres from the Opolo roundabout are advised to remove them with immediate effect.

    “Similarly, motorists and residents are advised to make use of other concrete internal roads within the Opolo Market Road to access other parts of the state capital.

  • Breaking age-long barriers in Ogun road infrastructure

    Breaking age-long barriers in Ogun road infrastructure

    • By Olaniyi Ajibola

    Since its creation on 3rd February 1976, from the defunct Western State comprising  various provinces, Ogun State had been carrying dual  infrastructural burden; while it struggled to cater for its increasing population, the State inevitably faced with constant influx of Lagosians who considered Ogun as alternative  place of abode due to its proximity to the Centre of Excellence and lesser cost of living.

    Another major issues that seriously overstretched the infrastructural facilities in Ogun State are  localisation of industries , as the State adjudged to have accommodated the largest numbers of industries in Nigeria, coupled with its longest borders, traversing almost all the States in the Southwest and the West African corridor.

    Since every government at any stage of authority is constrained by limited resources available for capital project, Ogun State in its over forty eight years of existence suffered accumulated road  infrastructural deficit, especially on those roads  belonging to the Federal Government as well as the ones at the Lagos-Ogun border communities.

    While it remains unclear the thinking of the successive administrations at the Federal level, which made them looked away from the State despite its significant contributions to the economic growth of the nation, it is also unexplainable why past administrations in the State also paid little attention to roads at the border communities.

    Obviously,  the condition of road infrastructure in the State remained incredibly pathetic, despite the overrated performances of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s immediate predecessors at the time the Prince of Iperu came on board as the sixth civilian Governor of the Gateway State.

    Coming into the saddle with clear vision of dynamic governance, Prince Abiodun was armed with satisfactory private sector experience spanning decades as well as good  understanding of public sector dynamics; he was also moved to perform better than his predecessors based on the huge pessimism exhibited by his political adversaries on his capacity, in the struggle for the gubernatorial seat.

    From all indications, the boardroom guru was ready to surprise everyone and deliver dividends of democracy to his people beyond the expectations of all, as he predicated his developmental drive on ISEYA, which among others prioritizes infrastructural development.

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    Recognising the profound significance of the 70km Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Expressway, which cuts across about four local governments in the State and connects the leading industrial hubs of Ota and Agbara, which had remained uncompleted since it was awarded for construction in 2003, and fastly deteriorated to the point of impassable thereafter, the Governor swung into  action to take over the road immediately upon assumption of office.

    Unfortunately,  the Federal Government superintended by President Muhammadu Buhari at that time, through the Ministry of Works under Babatunde Raji Fashola did not see what Abiodun was seeing or decided to ignore the seeming frustrations of Nigerians plying the road daily.

    Strangely, Raji Fashola insisted that Governor Abiodun must not reconstruct the  road not minding the suffering of the people,  claiming an existing  contractual agreement with a certain contractor and the need to continue waiting till eternity.

    All efforts and entreaties of Prince Dapo Abiodun to convince Fashola and his Principal to toe the path of reasoning and sensitivity were in vain, these principalities at the Aso Rock Villa remained adamant at the detriment of millions of road users, particularly the people around Sango-ota axis, whose plights  on the road could better imagined than experienced.

    Being a resilient and dogged personality that he is, the man who doesn’t understand the sound of No and would never take it for an answer, Dapo Abiodun resumed  his voyage to take over Lagos-Abeokuta road for construction to ease the sufferings of his people and other road users alike; this time around, he was pleading with people with listening ears and capacity to reason beyond illogical sentiment and callous bureaucratic protocols.

    The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is perfectly in tandem with the request of Prince Dapo Abiodun and the Federal Ministry of Works under His Excellency,  Engineer Dave Umahi,  and the years of pleadings and waiting by the people of Ogun State led by their Governor eventually paid off.

    Speaking at the flag off ceremony of the  70km Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Road on Friday, at Itori, in Ewekoro Local Government of the State, a very elated and fulfilled  Governor Dapo Abiodun pledged to complete the road in 18 months, saying  the road is significant not only to Ogun State but also to Lagos State and the nation at large, as it provides a thoroughfare for people going to the neighbouring countries.

    Governor Abiodun  remarked:  “The plan for the reconstruction of this road did not just start today because we have the interest of our people at heart. We know this is a Federal Government road, and the State had to follow the due process before getting the required approval to commence the reconstruction.

    “This road was awarded 2003, but since then, it has suffered insufficient funding, resulting in contractors working and many times abandoning the road at times for a year by when the roads would have suffered degradation. Our people have suffered too much  travelling on this road, but today Hope is Renewed.

    “I am glad to inform you that work is beginning on the road immediately. The excuse then was that there was a sitting contractor on the road. The best the State could do at that time was to carry out palliative works on the critical sections along the road axis. We re-opened our appeal to the Federal Government to reconstruct the road upon the inauguration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who graciously, through the Honourable Minister for Works, handed over the reconstruction of the road to Ogun State.

    “I want to use this medium, therefore, to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for obliging our state’s request by granting the approval and releasing the Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango/Abule-Egba Road to us for reconstruction.

    “My sincere appreciation also goes to the Federal Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for his support and cooperation in ensuring our State got the necessary approval to reconstruct the road.

    “Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango Road has been adjudged  to be the second busiest road in Nigeria and is vital to the economy of the people of Ogun State and Nigerians at large. It connects Abeokuta and its hinterlands to Lagos State, and links Ilaro in Ogun West connects  to Sagamu in Ogun East through the Sagamu-Interchange-Papalanto-Ilaro road.

    “On the Ota side, it also connects the Sango-Atan-Owode-Idi-Iroko road, leading to border towns and the Benin Republic.

    The road serves as a critical artery for numerous industrial hubs in Ota, including the Lafarge Cement Factory, Ile-Ise Awo, various schools, and higher institutions. The communities along this corridor are densely populated, and the road’s strategic location has a significant impact on trade and economic activities.

    “To fast-track the reconstruction of the road, five reconstruction teams will be involved, and each team will handle one of the following zones: Ota/Ifo, Papalanto, Ewekoro/Itori, Abeokuta, and the team allocated for palliative works to ensure smooth traffic along the project alignment during the construction duration.

    “Each zone covers a distance of approximately 15 km. The Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango/Abule-Egba Road project is expected to be completed in eighteen months”.

    The Governor’s speech explicitly depicted a combination of accomplishments and  determination, it directly spoke to the deliberate and intentional resolve of a political leader to make life abundantly comfortable for his people and provide enabling environment for economic advancement.

    Indeed, “Great Leader Knows How To Translate Vision Into Reality, Even When One Person’s Vision Seems Like A Dream”. Of course,  Prince Dapo Abiodun will remain indelible in the consciousness of his people as a great leader.

    • Ajibola wrote from Abeokuta

  • A road no longer to be travelled

    A road no longer to be travelled

    Ancient wisdom teaches that you do not go revisiting a path on which you had pulled the curtains for lack of prospects therein. If it was tried before and was abandoned because it didn’t work, it doesn’t make much sense contemplating a revisitation. That is the challenge Hardball has with a recent proposal by the Nigerian Senate that government should explore the prospects of negotiating with bandits.

    Concerned about escalating insecurity in the Northwest and Northcentral zones, the Senate requested President Bola Tinubu to raise a task force that will evaluate the effectiveness and implications of negotiating with bandits. The task force, according to the red chamber, will analyse short-term gains against long-term consequences of such option. The Senate adopted the resolution following a motion by Senator Nasiru Zangon Daura (APC, Katsina North) on urgent need to review security approach to dealing with banditry menace in Northwest and Northcentral states.

    The lawmakers, of course, proposed other measures including reintroduction of patrol spots across affected states to deter bandit incursions, review of operational methods of security agencies, deployment of additional security personnel and special task forces to identified hotspots to ensure safety and protection of lives and property, and collaboration among the relevant security agencies, state governments, local communities, traditional leaders and stakeholders towards gathering intelligence that will enhance security operations in affected areas. The Senate also urged security agencies to adopt proactive and innovative strategies to secure farmlands, so that farmers can safely return to their farms in affected areas.

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    Governors of states in the Northwest had about mid-last year served notice of their toeing a new path in dealing with the menace of terrorism and banditry in the zone. Kaduna’s Uba Sani said governors currently in the saddle in the zone had resolved to “have a common approach to the issue, and we have to move away from the mistakes made by some previous governors that decided to compromise the operation in the past when they started giving money to the bandits and negotiating with them.” He spoke against the backdrop of previous governors like Katsina State’s Aminu Masari and Zamfara State’s Bello Matawalle having voiced frustration with their own efforts to bring bandits to reason through negotiation; and Kaduna’s Nasir el-Rufai’s advocacy of a hard hand against the criminals including carpet-bombing their forest hideouts. Only in March, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda said negotiating with bandits was a doomed approach to addressing the menace of banditry because of multiplicity of layers of their operational command and diversity of their objectives.

    Negotiating with bandits is so proven to be a dead end that senators needn’t contemplate exploring its potential application, much less recommending it.

    •This article was first published on July 14, 2024

  • FG allays fears over completion of ongoing road projects

    FG allays fears over completion of ongoing road projects

    The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to overcoming the challenges hindering the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects, announcing that no new projects will be proposed for the 2024 fiscal year.

    It said the decisive move is aimed at focusing resources on finishing key initiatives that are crucial to the nation’s development.

    Highlighting his Ministry’s scorecard in the past year, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, emphasised on Thursday in Abuja that the government remains resolute in its mission to complete its four Legacy road projects as they are vital to enhancing the socioeconomic well-being of the population and improving the country’s overall infrastructure.

    Umahi noted that the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration is evident in the vigorous efforts being made to advance the road projects inherited from previous administrations.

    While the focus remains on completing existing projects, some strategic new ones have been introduced to further enhance the movement of people, goods, and vehicles across the nation, he added

    Underscoring the government’s strategy to prioritize impactful projects that will deliver long-term benefits to the country, he stressed that the government is determined not to be distracted from the completion of these critical road projects, which are pivotal to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria.

    According to him, the new policies adopted by the Ministry in road project execution represent a significant paradigm shift aimed at delivering a quality and enduring road network for Nigerian road users.

    He however emphasized that the changes are not only designed to ensure safer and more comfortable travel but are also expected to significantly boost the socioeconomic standing of the populace and the government.

    However, the Minister acknowledged that despite the progress made, certain challenges still need to be overcome to fully realize the goals of the Renewed Hope Road Infrastructure revolution, while expressing the government’s determination to address these obstacles, ensuring that the ambitious plans for transforming Nigeria’s road network come to fruition.

    He listed the challenges as including poor funding of highway projects, including the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for effective road maintenance.

    According to him, the agency was allocated N52bn in 2024 for capital projects, which is grossly inadequate to maintain the existing 36,000km of the Federal road network

    Also, he pointed to the poor life span of completed projects before this administration as well as public destruction of road infrastructure (drainages, bridge parapets, bridge decks, burning of tires on the road, indiscriminate parking, cutting of road, dumping of refuse on road median/drains).

    Additionally, he said inflation has affected the execution of highway projects, which requires review to reflect current realities, in addition to delays in project execution by some contractors

    Regarding efforts over the past year, the Minister said that as of May 29, the government inherited 2,064 projects spanning 18,932 kilometres, with a total contract value of nearly N15 trillion.

    Of this amount, N4.7 trillion has been certified, with N3.1 trillion paid and N1.6 trillion certified but unpaid.

    The sum of N300b was provided in the 2023
    Supplementary Budget of the Federal Ministry of Works for some ongoing and new emergency projects

    260 emergency projects were provided for in the 2023 supplementary Budget to address distressed sections of roads on the Federal Road network nationwide at a total cost of N217.3b

    According to him, the 2023 supplementary budget contained 44 new projects while 101 new projects were contained in the 2024 budget

    He said besides national budgets, the projects and the funding gaps are addressed with various funding models such as the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), Sovereign SUKUK issued by the Debt Management Office (DMO), Road Tax Credit Scheme (NNPCL, NLNG, Dangote, BUA, MTN, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited GZI Industries) and the use of Multi-lateral loans, Public Private Partnership (PPP) Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI) and the newly established Renewed Hope Infrastructure Funding model.

    He, however, expressed optimism that there are promising prospects for funding with the introduction of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, which is designed to serve as a sustainable source of finance for road projects.

    Another prospect, according to him is the creation of a conducive atmosphere for tolling
    of Nigerian roads with the creation of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the approval of the Tolling Policy.

    He also said the introduction of the four Legacy road projects is a catalyst for economic growth, in addition to the 24-hour approval, on-demand, by State governments to construct Federal roads and use the Federal Ministry of Works’ HDMI programme to toll the road for mutual benefits of States and the Federal Government.

    “Where funds are available, contractors could be paid 30% mobilization and more funds approved for them under strict conditions to mitigate incessant project fluctuations as is the practice in some States of the Federation.

    “The successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, in the road sector, will require effective collaboration between Federal, State, and Local governments, as well as private sector stakeholders.

    “Additionally, the focus on maintenance and rehabilitation will ensure that the road projects are sustainable, reducing the need for costly repairs and ensuring that the benefits are long-lasting,” he added.

    While assuring that the Ministry will enhance the execution and completion of Mr. President’s Legacy Projects – the Lagos–Calabar (750km) Coastal Road Corridor; Construction of Sokoto–Badagry (1,068km) Road; Calabar–Abuja Superhighway Project (482km) (Trans Saharan Road); and
    Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Road (439km), the Minister affirmed that the litigation over the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway would not stall the project.

    He said the government had conducted thorough due diligence on the project and has no concerns about it being stalled by legal disputes.

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    He said: “We are paying compensation. We are following the corridor right of way. We are following the corridor that is legally allowed for the Federal government. so, we don’t know what they are taking to court.

    “The project was approved by the Federal Executive Council under the Restrictive Procurement Act.

    “I’ve had to run even the cost of the project at N4 billion per kilometre, yet, people still come to say, oh, this number of lanes in Egypt is 1.8 billion and it is 300 kilometres.

    “We have the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificates on the project. That’s number one. Number two, was the project listed in the appropriation list? The project is in the 2023 supplementary appropriation.

    “If they want to unduly benefit from the project by going to court, they are wasting their time. I fought many battles as governor of my state. And so, my name is David. And I’m not afraid of bad people”.

    He also disclosed that no new road projects will be proposed for the 2025 fiscal year unless President Tinubu decides otherwise, saying, “We will not propose new projects for the 2025 fiscal year unless otherwise dictated by Mr. President.

    “I’m going to tell the Ministry of Finance to provide funds for us to complete ongoing projects.

    “Right now, we have over 4,000 ongoing projects and a funding gap of N16tn, most of them were inherited by this administration.

    “Some of these projects were awarded when the naira was exchanged for N150 to $1 and inflation has contributed significantly to the rising cost of most of these projects, and it would be in the nation’s best interest for them to be completed”.

  • Lagos announces diversion on Sura road

    Lagos announces diversion on Sura road

    The Lagos State Government has announced a night traffic diversion plan on Sura Ramp inward Osborne to facilitate asphaltic laying of the section of the road.

    The repairs are scheduled for between 10.00pm and 4.00am today, and tomorrow.

    To manage the traffic inflow to the affected section during the repairs, motorists from the Third Mainland Bridge will not be able to turn right to access Osborne.They will move straight to Obalende or Onikan to continue their journeys.

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    Similarly, motorists from Sura will not be able to access the ramp. They will turn right to connect Onikan and continue their journeys.    

    The government advised motorists to be patient with the on-going rehabilitation works and asphalt pavement of the road section.

  • Fed Govt terminates Kano-Maiduguri road contract by Dantata & Sawoe

    Fed Govt terminates Kano-Maiduguri road contract by Dantata & Sawoe

    The Federal Government has officially terminated the contract for Section 1 of the Kano-Maiduguri road project, which had been awarded to Dantata & Sawoe Ltd since 2007.

    The termination, the Minister of Works, David Umahi revealed, was due to the expiration of the contract’s timeframe, just as he highlighted the government’s push to ensure that long-standing infrastructure projects meet their intended deadlines and deliver value for money.

    This is just as the government assured the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed of immediate intervention to repair a flood-damaged section of the Kano-Maiduguri federal road within the State.

    The road was recently severed by floodwaters following a heavy downpour, leaving the local Malori-Guskuri community in Katagun Local Government Area cut off and severely impacting their livelihoods.

    Speaking during a performance review meeting on road projects under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, over the weekend, in Abuja with representatives from Dangote Group of Companies, BUA Group of Companies, and Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, Umahi revealed the government’s plan to revisit and revise the liability period for all federal projects to guarantee durability and optimal value for public funds.

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    In a statement issued yesterday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media Uchenna Orji, Umahi emphasised the importance of accelerating the completion of critical infrastructure projects, particularly those funded under the Tax Credit Scheme, which includes major roadways vital to the nation’s economy.

    “Going forward, there will be a clear agreement on milestone completion timelines for ongoing projects under the Tax Credit Scheme. My position as the Minister of Works is that everybody must take responsibility. We will no longer fold our hands and allow the projects we have awarded and even reviewed to continue to linger,” he said.

    The Minister also highlighted the President’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians due to poor road conditions, stressing that the government will not tolerate delays in completing vital infrastructure projects.

    “Nigerians are suffering on these roads, and President Bola Tinubu is doing everything possible by giving the road sector special attention. It would be a failure on our part to allow contractors to delay these projects while ignoring the people’s suffering,” he stressed.

  • Agbado Oke-Odo assures on road project 

    Agbado Oke-Odo assures on road project 

    Chairman of Agbado Oke Odo LCDA David Famuyiwa has reassured residents that ongoing projects will not be abandoned.

    He gave this assurance during the kick-off of the reconstruction of Olawale-Cole Street in Abule Egba.

    He appealed to residents to be patient and support the contactor for a timely completion of the project.

    The council boss said the jinx of the road project had been broken.

    He said the road would have street lighting and proper drainage channels, appealing to residents to pay their taxes for more developmental projects in the area.

    According to him, the legislative arm of the council contributed immensely in ensuring people-oriented projects for the area.

    He also thanked the management team for their support.

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    Supervisor for Works Akinola Olalekan expressed the hope that the construction would be completed in due course.

    On behalf of the contractor, Skiddo Construction & Engineering Limited, Oluwaseun Emmanuel, who is the project manager, said the 400-metre road was part of the redevelopment of the area.

    He promised to work according to the job specification and solicited the support of all to complete the project in 10 months.

    The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr. Ernest Kasumu, assured the construction company of support of residents.

    Kasumu drew the attention of  the council boss to the need to complete the road at Omi Ata Bus-stop.