The Nation Newspaper

Tag: roads

  • Roads without markings

    Road markings are as important as traffic signs in directing or guiding road users on how to use the road safely.

    It is, however, unfortunate that the federal and state governments have not paid adequate attention to road markings in Nigeria. This negligence is responsible for a lot of chaotic driving and accidents on the roads.

    I have carried out a lot of research and did a comparative analysis on the pattern of driving on roads with markings and roads without markings. Although the level of road safety education by all classes of drivers in Nigeria is very low, my observations revealed the absence of road markings made driving more disjointed and chaotic on such unmarked roads.

    Just as the Transparency International (TI) is accusing the governments of some countries of committing offence against humanity, I will accuse the governments of negligence for failing to appropriately mark roads and also maintain such markings. This is an offence against humanity.

    By not marking the lanes appropriately, drivers are left to their judgement on where to position their vehicles when moving straight and when changing lanes. Many drivers are either not experienced in lane management or not concentrating enough to appropriately judge where to position his or her vehicle. Normally, the road markings, if present, would have provided a clear guide to road users, thereby reducing the incidence of lane indiscipline, and avoidable crashes.

    The absence of road markings also fuels lane splitting, a case of seeing five lines of vehicles on a three-lane road not knowing who is driving on his or her lane. I have witnessed unguided and dangerous maneuverings at higher rates on roads without markings than on roads with clear markings.

    I hereby plead with the Federal and state governments to pay more attention to road markings the same way they should prioritise traffic signs. My plea specially goes to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to refresh the faded road markings on Abuja roads. The road markings, when properly put in place, will surely contribute to the desired reduction in the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on the roads.

  • FEC okays N35.613b for roads, bridges 

    THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting has approved N35.613 billion for roads and bridges.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola briefed State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He was with the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed.

    According to Fashola, N8.9 billion was approved for construction of Ikom bridge and roads in Calabar, Cross River State.

    The roads and 330 meter bridge, which will be completed in 24 months, he said, will create access to the port for trucks to move freely with their containers.

    “This will help to facilitate further activity in the Calabar port and ease the challenges being faced,” he added

    The minister said N11.78 billion was approved for the 37 kilometres of section two of Nguru-Gashua-Biamari road project in Yobe State and N8.6 billion was approved for section one of Ilorin-Igbeti-Kishi road project in Kwara State.

    N5.4 billion was approved for re-award of section one of Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia road project in Abia State.

    Fashola said: “The previous contractor was unable to satisfactorily execute the project in terms of capacity and equipment. And therefore we terminated and re-awarded the project to a new contractor.” he stated

    He added that N933.7 million was approved for automatic meter reading machine and services for Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    “This is to facilitate remote meter reading of wholesale meters at the custody and trading points. This is different from remote reading of retail meters used by consumers like you and I.

    “If this is successful implemented, it will eliminate all of the delays. It will also help in dispute resolutions because data can be then produced quicker online,” he said.

    On what he is doing to enforce supply of retail electricity meters to Nigerians, he said: “The control that the Minister of Power before me, before 2013, had over PHCN and all its assets have been taken by the privatisation of the sector.

    “But as a people as a government, we are not helpless. Powers that the minister used to have are now vested in NERC.

    “But the minister has the power to direct NERC to do its job. There are clear statutory and legal  limits to what I can do as minister in order not to send a wrong message to investors,” he said

  • FEC okays N230.28b for roads, mining

    THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday approved N230.28 billion for roads projects and mining data.

    Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and Minister of State for Mines and Steel Bawa Bwari briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “Also approved today is a contract for the link road and associated infrastructure for the Second Niger Bridge. The link road is about 11.9 kilometres. The contract was awarded to Julius Berger at N206 billion. The bridge is linking Anambra and Delta states.

    “If you remember, the contract was awarded by the last administration under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, which failed.”

    According to him, N11.58 billion was approved for re-award of rehabilitation of Oji-Achi-Maku-Agu-Ndiabi section in Enugu State.

    “What happened was that the contract was awarded earlier to the company that failed and Setraco has now been re-awarded that section of the road, the minister said.

    According to him, $92 million was approved for gas pipeline project.

    He said: “Also approved is the total cost of Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the OB3 Gas Pipeline Project.  This is a project that has been awarded, but there is a need for redesigning.

    “The project is important because of delivery of gas from the Eastern part of the country to power turbines and to improve our power supply.”

    According to him, Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun also presented three memos, which were approved by the council.

    The three memos, he said, included ratification of the multilateral competent authority agreement on automatic exchange of financial accounting information, ratification of the Africa 50th Articles of Association and the approval for the financial transparency policy guidelines.

    Bwari said the FEC okayed N12.7 billion for exploration and consultancy projects in the mining sector.

    The projects, he said, would help in getting accurate mining data, which will attract local and foreign investments.

    He said: “Our major challenge in diversification programme of the government in the mining sector has been that of data. Today, the Federal Executive Council approved the contract for exploration and consultancy on some of our targeted minerals like gold, industrial minerals, earth metals, iron ore for four companies in exploration and four companies in consultancy side of it and this contract is worth N12.7 billion.

    “And with this, we will encourage both local and foreign investors  to come in. Our major challenge is the bankable data. Most mining companies will not want to come into your country when they are not sure of what they are going to meet. “

  • Lagos gets new look with roads

    The infrastructural renewal in Lagos State, is edging forward as the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD) unveiled plans to link an adjoining community to the Third Mainland Bridge.

    The road, located in Odunsi Street, Bariga Local Council development Area (LCDA), a 1.5km stretch, with an approved width of 18m, begins from Ashogbon Street  terminating at Alhaji Ariyo and Akinbayo streets. From its design, the road is expected to integrate the Bariga community with the Third Mainland Bridge and Oworonshoki community respectively. On completion, it is expected to resolve thevtraffic bottlenecks along Jagunmolu and Tijani Ashogbon streets, which are always jammed at the peak period on a daily basis.

    The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rotimi Ogunleye, said the road will complement the upgraded/ reconstructed Pedro, Igi-Olugbin and Okuta streets, while the totality of the network of roads will bring improvement and succor to the citizenry.

    He stressed the state government’s resolve to continue the develop-ment of the landscape, so as to make life conducive for all. Ogunleye assured that the road will be completed on schedule and solicited the cooperation of the community and the youth.

    The Commissioner, at a stakeholders’ meeting before the commencement of construction work in the area, assured the residents that property owners on the street need not to entertain any fear, as plans have been put in place for enumeration, valuation and compensation. He said government will send directives to them on the necessary steps to take to get compensation.

    The Vice Chairman, Bariga Local Council Development Area, Mrs. Adeola Kuponiyi, thanked the state government for bringing development to their locality, assuring the government of the community’s resolve to continue to support the government and cooperate with all stakeholders in the construction of the road. “The road is very important to us at Odunsi Street. We will cooperate with the contractor to hasten the project,” she said.

    A Member of the State House of Assembly representing Shomolu Constituency 2, Rotiimi Abiru, appreciated the state government for executing the project during his tenure. He urged the community to keep up and further intensify their support and cooperation with the state government; he assured  them that government would most certainly pay compensation to those whose properties would be affected with the exercise. He urged the contractor to carry the community’s youth along during the construction period.

    A representative of CPELSTRAT Limited, the contractor to the project, Mr. Eric Osagiobare, assured that: “We will build the road to specification and after the completion you will be convinced of our quality. What we need to actualise this ambition is the cooperation of the community especially the youths, landlords and landladies,” he said.

    The chairman of Seriki Kusehin community development area, Chief Adeniji Adegboyega, appealed that all sands derived from the construction should be used to fill up the potholes of the adjoining streets. His counterpart from Orile Kusehin community development area, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Adebowale, wished the government and the contractor speedy construction.

    A resident in the area since 1996, Prince Rasak Eshinlokun, said this project has been long overdue. He admonished everybody within the community to give maximum cooperation and support to the government and the contractor.

    He urged government to be flexible in its documentation for compensation and ask for other means of identification because most landlords and landladies on the street does not have certificate of occupancy.

  • FEC okays N61b for roads, seaport, others 

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N61.464 billion for roads, dredging of seaport and building of houses.

    Minister of Works, Power, and Housing Babatunde Fashola, and his counterparts in Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau; Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Education, Adamu Adamu and  Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President Garba Shehu made this known to reporters after the FEC meeting.

    The meeting was chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Amaechi said the council approved N13 billion for the dredging of Escravos Warri Seaport and the replacement of bad navigational aids.

    Fashola said his ministry got approval for three contracts. These are: Babalampa – Sharam road in Plateau State for N19.92 billion, Lagos – Ota – Abeokuta road revised upward by N22 billion  to N56.7 billion and Enugu -Port Harcourt Expressway for N6.31 billion.

    Fashola said: “One was for Baban Lamba-Sharam Road in Plateau state for the contraction of 44.625 kilometers for N19.392 billion. The second was for Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road 81 kilometers. That road was first awarded in year 2000 and it has since been left uncompleted because they want no budgetary provisions for it.

    ”The third approval was for the section four of the Enugu Port Harcourt Road, the part between Abia and Port Harcourt, particularly in Port Harcourt that has been problematic and has failed severally. We have a contractor there but we needed to change the design because of the storm water drainage needs and the high water tables there so that the road does not fail.

    ”So that requires a revision of the scope of work to include retaining sidelanes and also drainage facilities in the sum of  N6.309 billion.” he said

    Danbazzau said N234 million was approved for the construction of two buildings, cadet mess and cafeteria.

    ”FEC approved contract for the completion of two faculty buildings and Cadet Mess and Cafeteria for Police Academy in Kano. The reason being that there is minimum requirement  to be met by the academy before accreditation of programmes.

    ”In May 2010, a memo was submitted for the approval of a draft bill when it was upgraded to a decree awarding institutions. So the total amount of the contract is about l N234 million. Once it is completed, we will invite the NUU to have a look at some of the programmes that are yet to be accredited.” he said

    Adamu said FEC approved the establishment of a Nigeria Army University in Biu, Borno State.

    Although he gave no detail about take-off time and others, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai had in March announced that the Nigerian Army would upgrade the Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies to a full fledge University of Technology and Environmental Studies.

    The Water Resources Minister said: “We highlight the fact that urbane water supply is regressing, access to improve sanitation has also decreased over time that we have not be able to meet the Millennium Development Goals and that works services in the rural areas are unsustainable, and spending on water sector has declined by .7% to .72% of the GDP in 2010.

    “We submitted a memo to council to approve an action plan on how to address these issues. We had three prayers for the council to approve the action plan: to declare a state of emergency on water and sanitation sector; to approve the establishment of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund for the country. This fund will be one that federal, states and international donors can put in money so that we can begin to address the crisis water and sanitation sector in the country.

    ”We also requested that henceforth the budget for water and sanitation in the country to be significantly increased so that we will be able to face these challenges. Council accepted our prayers and we will move on.”

    Mallam Garba Shehu said the  Minister of Women Affairs, briefed council on women empowerment programme undertaken, capacity development  for women, promotion of human rights, fighting violence against women, rehabilitation of victims of gender violence, promoting the health of women and children, and efforts on the rescue of Chibok and Dapchi girls.

    He said that Council commended the Women Affairs Ministry for a job well done.

    down the wall that screens out Nigerians in the military engagement in the northeast, the role played in the prompt release of the Dapchi girls and have instituted town hall meetings, 11 of which have been held so far across the country. He said the town hall meetings are ways of getting feedback from the country. He also spoke about the national sensitization campaigns on insecurity in the country.

    “He spoke about the institution of regular interaction with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists and other relevant bodies.

    ”Also interaction with International Press Institute that are coming into Nigeria for their World Congress in June this year. They have made progress with the digital switchover campaigns.

    ”At the end of the day, the council decided to set up an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out a marshal plan for the communications for the ministry to sit down and advise government on how policies and programmers can be better disseminated. In particular to advise government on how the ministry and its agencies can deliver on its own mandate.

    ”The ministers on the committee are finance, agriculture, budget and national planning, power, works and housing, transportation, communications, Information and Culture, petroleum and Niger Delta

    Speaking with State House correspondents after briefing FEC, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs Hadiza Bala Usman, said “I am at the State House today requesting FEC to approve the dredging works for escravos channel in Warri and its navigation. Is a challenge we have had in the Nigerian ports we need to ensure that the the channels into the Warri ports are dredged.”

    On the economic implications of the project, she said “It will fundamentally change the fortunes of Warri ports, it will expand the utilization of our eastern ports, we believe in the need to ensure that all ports locations are given the seamless access by providing dredging works and that is what we are here to do today.”

    According to her, she has been able to execute transparency and elimination of corrupt practices in the NPA.

    “We serve the need to ensure that whatever government legal with an entity there is full compliance. We have noted the Treasury Single Account, we have had entities complied to the TSA, we have also made our budget very transparent.

    “We believe in building institutions and we have done tremendous work in deploying Human Resources capacities within our systems.”

    Asked if corruption is fighting back in the NPA, she said “Oh definitely corruption is pushing back, its fights back all the time. We have had instances where corruption is pushing back and we have remain resolute with the support of Mr. President in assisting us to fight corrupt practices in Nigerian Ports Authority.

    On how much saved in the fight against corruption, she said “I will say we have saved billions of dollars in terms of ensuring that corrupt practices are eliminated. One of the key things the government has been able to do is to remove the monopoly of the oil and gas cargo, now in the Nigerian oil and gas you are able to take cargoes anywhere leading to any location in the country. Hitherto designated terminals got priority considerations to the extent that only those terminals had access to oil and gas cargo which made exploration of oil and gas in the country very expensive.

    “This has tremendously assisted, we have saved billions and billions of dollars in crude exploration following the removal of the monopoly by President Muhammadu Buhari of oil and gas cargo designation.” she stated

  • Ambode connects Ogun with 21 roads, two bridges

    LAGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday praised tax payers for performing their civic duty as he opened 21 roads and two bridges to mark Easter in Alimosho, the largest federal constituency in the country.

    He said the projects, which are in four different locations within Alimosho, were part of the continuous bid to transform the axis and build a new economy around it.

    Ambode said: “This is what is called dividend of democracy. We are making this Alimosho axis economically viable and also livable. We don’t need to travel far to earn a living. By opening up the whole network stretching 27.4km, we have brought economy back to this place.

    ‘’With the walkways and street lights, these communities are becoming safer and there is more to do. By expanding the infrastructure around this axis, you can travel as far as to Ojo or Badagry without necessarily passing through the express road. That is what you voted for and that’s why we are returning  here to say we have kept all our promises.”

    Ambode hailed All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for activating the transformation of Alimosho when he was governor,  with the construction of LASU-Iba Road and former Governor Babatunde Fashola for taking the project up to Ipaja.

    He said: “What we are doing today is historic and of great importance that we must send the message rightly so that people can understand why we are celebrating on Easter Monday the change in the life of our people which the resurrection of Christ symbolises.

    “First, we salute all our political leaders starting with Asiwaju Tinubu for starting the vision of making Alimosho a place of pride with the construction of LASU-Iba Road such that taking off from Badagry, you can drive through LASU-Iba Road up to Igando, Egbe and so on, and you have a pleasurable ride. My predecessor, Governor  Fashola took it up to Ipaja all in a bid to build a new economy in this particular axis.

    “We have taken it from Ipaja to Ayobo, Command Secondary School Gate, Abesan, Aboru Bridge and roads. What we are doing today is momentous as we are connecting over 60 communities together and we are happy we have achieved this.”

    Ambode said the roads were alternative routes to decongest traffic from the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, adding that they  could be used to access Ipaja up to Badagry without using the expressway.

    “It is an alternative route, we don’t need to congest ourselves on the Lagos-Abeokuta express when you drive from Gateway Hotel and start driving through Ojokoro, Ipaja and so on. Now, you can take this alternative route and go all the way to Ipaja and Badagry without having anything to do with the expressway,” the governor said.

    The government, he said,   completed the projects using the taxes paid by the people.

    “These projects are made possible by the tax payers. Your taxes made it possible for this administration to improve on the economy and solve traffic challenges in the state.

    “So, when you understand that this was not done with Akin Ambode’s money; When you realise that I did not put a kobo there apart from my own taxes. When you realise that it is the taxes that you have contributed that we have used to improve on this particular economy, then you will be able to support our commitment to make every part of Lagos economically viable and livable, so that all the people in this area can have the same kind of life that others are enjoying in the other axis of Lagos. The idea of the project is to open up all our suburban communities, reduce traffic congestion and then create better life for the people,” Ambode said.

    As part of the continuation of the axis’  development, the governor promised to dredge Ilo River, rehabilitate Adekoya Road, Makinde Road, Suberu Oje Road, Old Ota Road and Ishefun-Ijan Road, which will be connected to a jetty through which people can ride a boat  to connect  Marina on Lagos Island in 20 minutes.

    He also said  a modern bus terminal and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor would soon be constructed in the area.

    “We would do more, based on the budget for 2018. There are other infrastructure we have to put in this community… We want to do economic integration of all the Southwestern states and the nearest to us is Ogun State and that’s why we are expanding the road network to enter into the boundary of Ogun State.

    “We are doing something similar between Epe and Ijebu-Ode to enter into the Ijebu-Ode-Ore Express road. That is what economic integration means, that is how to expand commerce, that’s how to create jobs for our people and by this project people in this community will benefit from the jobs and also benefit from the commerce and that is what inclusive governance is all about,” the governor said.

  • States to get refund on roads

    STATES are to get the cash they spent on federal roads, it was learnt yesterday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari dropped the hint during his visit to Zamfara State after Governor AbdulAziz Yari’s request for the refund of the N56 billion being owed the state on federal road projects it executed.

    The President said he had directed Power, Works & Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola to compile all outstanding payments of refunds to the states that implemented federal projects to specifications.

    He expressed the hope that the refund would go a long way in addressing the security problems facing Zamfara state.

    Yari, who doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), called for additional deployment of security personnel to the state to check incessant cases of armed banditry across 13 out of the 14 local government areas of the state.

    In a presentation, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), Prof. Abdullahi Mohammed, gave an overview of the security challenges in the state in the last eight years, resulting in loss of lives and property.

    According to him, the state has been witnessing three types of security crisis, namely cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom and reprisals attacks.

    The SSG explained that Zamfara State had identified eight major flashpoints and made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to deploy more security in the state.

    House of Assembly speaker Sanusi Garba said a fact-finding committee inaugurated last year had enumerated the number of causalities recorded as a result of the activities of bandits in the state.

    Zamfara has witnessed cases of attacks by armed bandits with hundreds of innocent people killed and property worth billions of naira carted away or destroyed.

    The recent attack by bandits at Birane village in Zurmi Local Government area of the state left over 50 people dead.

    President directed security agencies to improve their strategies of intelligence gathering, surveillance and accuracy in deployments, and ensure that criminal activities were brought to an end across the country.

    Speaking during an interactive meeting with political leaders, traditional rulers, elders and victims of criminal attacks in Zamfara State, President Buhari assured all security agencies of improved conditions that will facilitate apprehending criminals that steal, maim and kill innocent Nigerians.

    He said: “As far as I am concerned, our security agencies have recorded some successes, but they need to do much more.

    “They are not to oppress anyone, but they have to gather and send intelligence and warnings when something is about to happen.’’

    The President commended the security agencies for eliminating a dreadful criminal, “Buhari general”, who had for many years initiated killings and destruction of properties.

    Before “Buharin-daji”, who calls himself a general, there was a criminal who killed many people and he was killed; “Buharin–daji’’ has followed him and others like them should also follow,’’ he added.

     

     

    The President said the threats to lives and properties will be significantly reduced with improved relations among community leaders, citizens and the security agencies.

    He said: “I have come here to commiserate with you over loss of lives and properties. We will continue to do our best to improve the security situation. However, those committing atrocities live with you.

    “Some of these people are not reported because you don’t trust the security outfits, instead you report back to the criminals. We should give priority to security,’’ he said.

    The President warned that the ongoing war against corruption would be reinvigorated and sustained until public officers, who abused their positions, faced the wrath of the law.

    He told the elders and traditional rulers that properties that had been confiscated by security outfits from some suspected corrupt public officials will be sold out, after the completion of court procedures.

    Buhari urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector, pointing that the era of depending on petrol will one day come to an end.

    On herdsmen attacks, the President said there was a need to revisit and review the old grazing area arrangements that guaranteed harmonious relationship between farmers and herdsmen, where differences were amicably resolved through the law without violence.

    Governor Yari said the state government had deployed resources that were initially designated for development into fighting criminal activities.

    The governor, who commended the security outfits for working hard to protect the state, pleaded with the Federal Government to improve the funding of operations, increase the number of security men working in the state and reimburse the state for monies spent on some Federal Government projects like roads, which he said was a major priority in fighting  criminals.

    Listing the eight major flashpoints, the SSG that 1,321 lives had been lost since 2011, while 1,881 people sustained various injuries from attacks, with about N14 billion spent on fighting the menace.

    The traditional rulers, elders and leaders of the affected communities also pleaded with the government to ensure immediate security intervention in order to save lives.

    The President in company of his aides, landed at the Gusau helipad at about 10.40a.m after taking off from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua international airport in Katsina.

    Governors Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) some ministers, traditional and religious leaders, top government officials were among those that received the president.

    President Buhari reviewed a parade mounted by the Army and Air Force.

  • Kano okays N4b for flyover, roads

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has approved N4 billion for an underpass and flyover bridge.

    The bridge and underpass are expected to connect Zaria Road/Silver Jubilee and Zoo road in the metropolis.

    Commissioner for Information, Youth, and Culture Muhammad Garba spoke in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    The statement reads: “Governor Ganduje, after presiding over the 11th State Executive Council meeting, said the projects would reduce carbon emission and minimise accidents.

    “The government had been engaged in the reconstruction, expansion, rehabilitation and upgrading of existing roads, which included the construction of an underpass at Sharada/Panshekara junction (inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari), and the construction of multiple underpasses on Katsina road (almost completed).”

    Garba added that the government is also completing inherited projects, including the Murtala Muhammed Way flyover (inherited from the previous administration at 15 per cent completion stage), Gadon Kaya underpass/Yahaya Gusau Road, among others.

    The council also approved $36,000 as payment of project fees to 18 state-sponsored students in El-Razi University, Sudan; procurement of bedsheets for 31 secondary health facilities at N39 million; reconstruction of Dawakin Kudu-Lahadin Makole Road in Dawakin Kudu council at over N748 million.

    Others include expansion/repairs of Giginyu-Kawo-Eastern Bypass Road in Nasarawa council at N588 million and the rehabilitation/upgrade of Fagwalawa Primary Healthcare Centre to Cottage Hospital at N230 million. 

     

  • Fashola: Fed Govt will repair its roads in Ekiti

    Fashola: Fed Govt will repair its roads in Ekiti

    The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has said the Federal Government will soon begin the repairs of its roads in Ekiti State.

    Fashola spoke at the weekend during a fact-finding visit to some roads President Muhammadu Buhari approved recently for repairs in the state.

    He said it was the resolve of the Buhari administration that all federal roads must be made motorable to Nigerians.

    Represented by the Southwest Zonal Director in the ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Adeoye, the minister said priority would be given to the Federal road linking Ifaki Ekiti and Ikole Ekiti road network.

    Fashola said most of the roads currently witnessing major repairs had long been awarded but their repairs stalled due to non-receipt of further mobilisation by contractors.

    The minister said the government’s concern for those using the roads made it to consider the return of contractors to sites, after paying them the due mobilisation.

    He urged motorists to use the roads well, adding that the residents should avoid illegal activities, such as cutting the roads or setting bonfire on them to guarantee their durability.

    Also, the representative of Kopek Construction Company, the contractor handling the Iwaraja-Erinmo-Efon federal road axis rehabilitation project, Mr. Pascal Harfouch said the contract was originally awarded to his company since 2011 at a total cost of N3.5b.

    He said the job which covers a distance of 21.8 kilometre was stalled as a result of unpaid certificates amounting to over N1 billion.

    However, he said the company had to return to site to complete the job, having received mobilisation from the Buhari-led government.

    This was coming just as he called for an upward review of the contract sum which he said was no longer in tune with the economic realities of the present day Nigeria.

    Welcoming the team, the Vice Chairman of Ado-Ekiti branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Olumide Ogundipe and the state’s head of the ministry, Mr. Ezekiel Kehinde, said they would continue to monitor the progress of work on the project which they said had reached over 86 percent completion stage.

  • ‘Safety on roads, everybody’s responsibility’

    ‘Safety on roads, everybody’s responsibility’

    The Corps Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Olaseni Ogunyemi, has urged road transport stakeholders in the country to cooperate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other traffic management agencies to end insanity on the roads, saying “ road safety is a shared responsibility”.

    He spoke in Abuja during a celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the FRSC.

    He said the traffic agency was in support of the FRSC on the speed limiter to prevent overspeeding by motorists.

    He called on the general public, governments and private organisations not to see traffic agencies as enemies, adding that “they should be seen as partners working for the safety of all Nigerians.”

    He said the TRACE recorded 20 per cent reduction in accidents between 2016 and 2017.

    He said there would be a remarkable reduction in accidents through the rigorous public enlightenment and training of drivers, among  other efforts.

    He said: “In Ogun State, we discourage night driving and selling of alcohol in motor parks in order to prevent accidents.

    “Besides, we do register and properly monitor activities of members of the NURTW, RTEAN, ACOMORON, AMORON and others who have one business or the other on the state roads.”