Tag: Umahi

Minster of works David Umahi said the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure Project of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is designed to cover eight years. 

He declared that the President has seven more years to deliver roads projects in Nigeria.

Umehi spoke in Lafia while speaking to all the north central Governors and stakeholders  on the Federal Government proposed construction of Cross River-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Apo superhighway to be fully funded by the Tinubu administration.

According to him: “I request  that you buy into it and support Mr President who still has about 7 more years to deliver these projects. We believe that within these 7 years, the three legacy projects shall be delivered.”

The former Ebonyi Governor informed he 477km superhighway is a legacy project of the Tinubu administration which would bring a lot of benefits to Nigerians, particularly to the residents of the benefiting States and boost economy. 

The proposed new roads, which would be an offshoot of the Lagos-calabar coastal highway has Nasarawa covering 95km; Kogi 111km; Benue 66km, while the FCT has 12km totalling 477km.

The Minister noted President Tinubu’s commitment to ensure the completion of the Lagos-Ondo-Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom-Cross Rivers and the Sokoto-Kebbi-Niger-Kwara-Oyo-Ogun-Badagry superhighways.

According to him: “There are a lot of benefits because of these three superhighways. I want to assure that this is beyond road construction, but it is an investment. This is  because it is a catalyst that is going to revive the entire economy of the country.  

“I request that you buy into it and support Mr. President who still has about seven more years to deliver these projects. We believe that with these seven years, these three legacy projects shall be delivered.”

The Minister further disclosed that all the road projects would be reinforced with concrete to enable them last up to 50 years before any maintenance is required.

“Each of these sections are going to be on reinforced concrete. Each of these sections has six lanes. It also has a train track. We are also using solar streetlights.

Read Also: Renewed Hope: Umahi holds talks on 130kms Tinubu legacy projects in Cross River

“The benefits of these three legacy projects cannot be overemphasized. It is going to be done in concrete. Sokoto-Badagry has 53 dams on that section. Any road properly constructed on concrete, for the next 50 years, you will not touch it. Lagos-Calabar has a lot of potentials. In fact, we are aiming at finishing the first section 47.7km by May next year and we will be tolling it immediately,” he explained.

The Minister further informed the Governors and other North Central stakeholders the Federal Executive Council had directed that federal government projects spread across states that have remained uncompleted for a long period of time should be determined and prioritised. 

On their parts, Governors of the North Central geopolitical zone, as well as critical stakeholders particularly those of Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi States, commended President Bola Tinubu for conceiving the idea of the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure Project.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi said that the route of President Bola Tinubu’s Legacy Projects in Cross River State has been unveiled.

Umahi made the declaration in Calabar on Sunday, June 30, at a stakeholders’ engagement for the construction of the three Renewed Hope Legacy road infrastructure projects in Cross River state.

The projects include section 3A of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and 92 kilometres segment of the Calabar-South East- North Central- Apo Abuja Superhighway passing through the State.

Umahi enjoined residents and stakeholders not to build on the intended routes of the projects, with the intent of attracting compensation as there’s no plan for compensation to be paid.

He said available funds are only for the construction of the projects and would not be channelled into compensation, in order not to sabotage the delivery of the projects.

Responding, stakeholders including the state Governor, Bassey Otu, who was represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, pledged Cross River’s total support for the projects and called for interventions on federal roads across the state: Odey said: “The Governor has assured Maximum Corporation needed.”

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In an appeal, Alphonsus Ogar, Cross River APC State Chairman, appealed that the Odukpani-Biase stretch of the Calabr-Ikom-Ogoja Highway should be attended to.

Immediate past Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, expressed optimism in the delivery of the project, saying, “I do not doubt that these projects would be achieved, because of the person (President Tinubu), who is handling it.”

Umahi disclosed that Cross River owns 130 kilometres of the President’s legacy Projects.

A statement from the Federal Ministry of Works shows that the three Renewed Hope Legacy Road Infrastructure projects when completed shall have historic national interconnectivity that will crisscross the major transportation routes of the Northern and Southern States of Nigeria.

The projects shall further connect the Sokoto – Badagry Superhighway (SBS): a 1,000-kilometer highway connecting Sokoto in Northern Nigeria to Badagry in Western Nigeria, passing through 7 States and connecting to the Lagos-Calabar coastal (LCCH) highway at Ahmadu Bello way Lagos; Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: a 700-kilometer coastal highway connecting from Lagos State to Cross River State through 8 States; and the Calabar- South East- North Central- Apo Abuja 477-kilometer Superhighway connecting from Calabar to Ebonyi, Benue. Kogi, Nasarawa States and ending at Apo in Abuja.

Minister of Works, Sen David Umahi, says  the Federal Government would terminate contracts with Julius Berger, CCECC and RCC firms on two lingering South South road projects if they fail to show commitment to duty within a week.

Umahi spoke announced this yesterday in Uyo while addressing Akwa Ibom stakeholders, including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on President Bola Tinubu’s eagerness to flag off Calabar-Akwa Ibom Sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by August.

The Minister listed the affected federal projects as the Eleme-Onne Section of the East-West Road project in Rivers state being handled by RCC and the Calabar-Itu Road where Julius Berger and CCECC are engaged in handling separate sections.

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According to him, the trio of contractors have stayed on the projects for too long without meaningful portions completed, adding that project abandonment has become a habit of most federal road contractors, many he accused of lobbying government top shots to put pressure on the works ministry to shun sanctioning them.

On the non-commitment of contactors on the Calabar-Itu Road, the Minister said, “By end of this coming week, if Julius Berger fails to re-mobilise to site and CCECC fails to re-mobilise to at least 3 Sessions, their jobs will be terminated.”

On Eleme-Onne Section on the East West Road, Umahi said, “The worse of the roads in entire South South is that Section on the East West Road. RCC has collected over N40Billion. 15km of Road, N156Billion inherited from the past administration.

“We’ve been on them to change their ways. And by the end of next week the 14 days’ notice of termination will elapsed and we will terminate the contract.”

Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, referred the Minister to other critical federal roads projects so abandoned in the state, urging Umahi to further prevail on contractors assigned to return to site to complete the jobs to ease life for the populace and travellers.”

Minister of Works David Umahi admonished Nigerians to reflect on the significance of Eid el-Kabir, emphasizing that the festival’s core values—sacrifice, gratitude, charity, compassion, devotion, unity, and the quest for national harmony are central to the celebration of the Festival of Sacrifice observed by Muslims worldwide.

Read Also; Umahi emerges one of top performing ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet

Umahi, who hosted the Muslim community and other stakeholders in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, commended the unity and love among all ethnic nationalities in the state. He urged them to continue supporting and praying for the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Tinubu ‘who is working diligently to restore the country to a path of honor and glory’

The minister also sought their support for Governor Francis Nwifuru’s inclusive administration and his steadfast implementation of the People’s Charter of Needs.

David Nweze Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, has been recognised as one of the top-performing ministers in President Bola Tinubu‘s administration.

The Nation had reported that the trio of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister for Interior; Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace and David Umahi, Minister of Works, jointly won Ireland based newspaper, The Street Journal ‘Super Minister’ award in President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.

David Umahi is the father of popular Nigerian Business man, Osborn Nweze.

Umahi, who has an extensive background in engineering and governance, previously served as the senator representing Ebonyi South from June to August 2023, and as the governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023.

He also held the position of deputy governor from 2011 to 2015.

Analysts including Johnson Kolawole, Jide Ojo, and Bell Ihua from the Africa Polling Institute have lauded Umahi’s performance, placing him at the forefront of Nigeria’s federal cabinet.

The positive assessment of David Umahi’s work has bolstered public support for President Tinubu, who appointed him as the first Igbo Minister of Works in Nigerian history.

Umahi’s tenure as governor of Ebonyi State was marked by significant infrastructure development, including the construction of over 20 flyovers despite limited resources.

 His engineering expertise, with over 30 years of experience and recognition as a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, has been pivotal in his role as Minister of Works.

His achievements have been particularly notable given Ebonyi’s status as one of Nigeria’s poorer states. 

As Minister of Works, Umahi has continued his focus on infrastructure, overseeing the construction of concrete roads nationwide and inspecting various road projects.

His efforts were recently highlighted with the reopening of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos after extensive maintenance, a project praised by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Read Also: Tunji Ojo, Keyamo, Umahi win ‘Super Minister’ Award

Umahi’s appointment by President Tinubu is seen as a strategic move to address Nigeria’s infrastructural deficits.

His selection was based on his merit and proven competence, marking a departure from the traditional practice of misaligned appointments. 

Umahi’s leadership is expected to foster political, religious, and ethnic unity while driving substantial infrastructural transformation across Nigeria.

As David Umahi continues to deliver on his mandate, his work stands as a testament to his ability to bridge physical divides and unite the country, provided he receives the necessary support to function effectively.

…promises rewards for whistleblowers on destroyers 

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has condemned the destruction of the expansion joints used to absorb thermal expansions on the recently commissioned 2nd Niger Bridge by unknown vandals.

Describing the act as a cruel sabotage of a national asset, the Minister expressed regret that the bridge was being vandalized by those who were meant to benefit from it. 

While he expressed deep shock over the vandalization that was recorded despite the presence of a private security outfit deployed by the federal ministry of works to guard the area, the minister assured that a more formidable security arrangement would be deployed to watch over the national asset. 

While promising bounties for whistle blowers on the destroyers of the nation’s road infrastructure, going forward, the Minister assured that no effort would be spared to apprehend the perpetrators and their accomplices. 

In a statement on Tuesday, June 4, by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, the Minister advised all road users, residents, and authorities around the vicinity of the bridge to help watch over and protect it against vandals.

The statement reads: “The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen Engr. Dr. Nweze David Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, CON is in receipt of a report on the activities of vandals on the superstructure of the 2nd Niger Bridge, particularly the cruel and cowardly incident of destruction of the expansion joints used to absorb the thermal expansions of the 2nd Niger Bridge. 

“He expresses deep shock that reports of vandalization are still being recorded despite the presence of the private security outfit deployed by the Federal Ministry of Works to man the area.

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“The Honourable Minister condemns in the strongest terms this ruthless destruction of the expansion joints as a deliberate act of sabotage on a key national infrastructure that has immense socio-economic benefits to the contiguous States and indeed the entire Nation. 

“It is saddening that a human being with the right senses could destroy such a critical and strategic treasure that catalyses Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.”

“The Honourable  Minister notes that the 2nd Niger Bridge which was handed over to the Renewed Hope administration on 12th December 2023,  after its completion, is one of the PIDF projects intended to bridge the gap in the road infrastructure yearnings of the people of the area and boost economic activities by expanding access into the southern part of Nigeria, creating vistas of tourism and trade opportunities and improving road safety along the corridor. “But it is heartrending that the facilities are being vandalized by those who are meant to own the benefits it serves.”

“The Honourable Minister appreciates the public for the zeal of their concerns, particularly the patriotic young  Nigerian who raised the desired alarm that trended widely in media platforms, and he assures the public that a more formidable security architecture is being activated to forestall further havoc on the facilities, while a technical team has been directed to inspect, evaluate and reinstate the damaged parts of the superstructure. 

“He enjoins all road users, residents and authorities within the 1.6km concrete box girder bridge of the 2nd Niger Bridge, the two secondary bridges of 21.7m each on Amazon village road, the cloverleaf interchange at Onitsha-Owerri road and the approach roads between Asaba, Delta State and Onitsha, Anambra State, to help keep watch against persons who vandalize, attempt to vandalize or tamper with the road infrastructure facilities on the project, and arrest or report such persons to the nearest police station or call our hotlines – 08030986263 (SA Media)-08033389700 ( Controller of Works FMW Anambra State)- 08067736638 ( Controller of Works, FMW Delta State) or 08037056860 (Director Highways, Bridges and Design FMW). 

“The Federal Ministry of Works shall promptly and handsomely reward any person or group who nabs or gives useful information on the identity of perpetrators of vandalization of facilities on the 2nd Niger Bridge or on any of our road infrastructure facilities nationwide, and shall not only ensure that such perpetrators face the full wrath of the law of the land but shall also wield the long arms of the law on those who buy or patronize such stolen facilities.

“States and communities are nonetheless required to own and protect Federal  Government’s infrastructure sited in their respective domains.

“The Honourable Minister reiterates the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration of  President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR  in changing the road infrastructure narrative of Nigeria.”

Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has denied snubbing newsmen who honoured his ministry’s invitation for a news conference in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls the minister allegedly walked out on the newsmen during his turn to present this ministry’s score card after one year of President Bola Tinubu Presidency.

However, Umahi, while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki after participating in activities marking Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s one year in office described the allegation as untrue.

The minister said he only wanted to appreciate selected media houses for their commendable coverage of his ministry’s activities.

“They all worked hard for us during President Bola Tinubu ‘s inauguration of projects in Lagos and I wanted to thank them profusely.

“I wanted the appreciation to be surprising to the selected media houses but my media aide didn’t handle it properly.

He said the event was fixed for 2.pm on May. 28 but his aide told him that those set of journalists were covering an inauguration.

“We then shifted the event to 3.pm though my flight to Ebonyi for the governor’s inauguration of projects was also slated for the same time.

“My aide informed me that the event was set by 3.30pm but when I got to the ministry’s hall, there was no single camera.

“The only camera on sight was from my ministry and I became very angry with the aide,” he said.

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Umahi said he demanded that the event be shifted to Monday, June 3 because if it had been held, the surprise element would be defeated.

“I will also be faced with a number of journalists that I couldn’t handle so my media aide did not handle it properly.

“Reports of shunning journalists, therefore, do not exist because I cannot invite and shun them at the same time,” the minister said.

He said that he would still offer appreciation to the group of media houses he considered special to the ministry.

(NAN)

The Minister of Works David Umahi has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s critique of the Lagos-Calabar SuperHighway is driven by cheap political calculations and ambition

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja through his Special Adviser (Media), Hon. Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi accused Atiku of spreading misleading analogies to discredit the bidding process that resulted in the awarding of Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

Orji said: “I wish to categorically state that such viewpoints are false analogies, conceived by the fertile imaginations of the former Vice President and which are clearly superficial, hypocritical, diversionary, and undoubtedly motivated by ambitious political calculations.”

Orji also responded to claims by Atiku that the contract was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Limited because of the personal relationship between the President of Nigeria and the Chairman of Hitech, Chagoury.

He said: “These accusations or rather, viewpoints, are, to say the least, intrinsically superficial, baseless, self-serving and politically motivated to imprint malice in the minds of unsuspecting members of the public, especially the gullible.

“The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Dr. Nweze David Umahi CON, has in different media fora decapitated the insinuations of the former Vice President and other desperate persons when he gave insights into the award process, the unit cost comparisons, the project review dimensions, the demolition notices and compensation plans as well as those affected by the demolition.

“For the avoidance of doubt, th Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project complied 100% with the provisions of the Procurement Act and was awarded based on the EPC+ F procurement process, that is to say, the project is an unsolicited bid done on EPC+F.

Read Also: Umahi: Lagos-Calabar road contract followed due process

“Under this model of procurement, the investor provides all the designs, part of the financing and construction, while the FGN pays counterpart funds.

“The bid of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project came through this process. The Ministry received the bid, worked on it, and sent the same to the Bureau of Public Procurement ( BPP).

“The BPP worked on it in accordance with the stipulations of the Procurement Act and came up with a competitive price slightly lower than the Ministry’s price and even lower than the cost of similar projects awarded five years ago, including the Bodo-Bonny project awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.”

The Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) has initiated a process to resolve the dispute between the Federal Ministry of Works and contractors handling Federal government road projects, specifically regarding the signing of a new contract for the N870b Abuja-Lokoja-Benin highway rehabilitation project. 

According to the Federation, the development has caused delays in the project’s progress, negatively impacting road users. 

Minister of Works, David Umahi,  recently directed the contractor to sign the new contract between April 25 and 26 or risk forfeiting the project.

The contractors that were at the meeting and given the marching order by the Minister include Mothercat Nigeria Ltd, CGC Nigeria Ltd, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) and Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Ltd.

The contractors were  working on the 480km-long project under the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) Tax Credit Scheme, which the Minister stated had expired due to various reasons, necessitating a new contract. 

However, during a meeting with the Minister, the FOCI delegation, led by its President, Vincent Barrah, expressed concerns the new policy requiring contractors to sign a reviewed contract document was hindering progress on various sites. 

According to FOCI, the impasse has already caused delays in construction work nationwide, which was supposed to have commenced. 

Barrah emphasised that the purpose of the meeting was to find a solution that minimises the impact on Nigerians while ensuring the nation benefits ultimately. 

At the meeting held for almost an hour behind closed doors, the Federation discussed its concerns about the new contract signing and impact on the pace of work with the Minister who just returned from a field trip to Lagos and Rivers States. 

Barrah declined to address reporters on the meeting’s outcome, simply stating: “The delegation had a fruitful discussion with the Minister” .