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Tag: Umahi

  • Umahi hails outcome of Ebonyi South Senatorial by-election

    Umahi hails outcome of Ebonyi South Senatorial by-election

    David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has expressed satisfaction with the victory recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi during the Saturday’s by-election in the state.

    In his congratulatory message to Ani on Sunday, the Minister emphasized that this victory signifies the people’s confidence in the ability of the APC and the winner to provide effective governance.

    He however implored Ani not to let down the constituents who entrusted him with the mandate to represent them in the 10th Senate.

    He said: “Indeed, this heartwarming news of your victory and the proportional scores of the Political Parties are eminent testaments to the popularity of our great Party, the APC in Ebonyi State. 

    “I applaud the good sense of judgment of the people of Ebonyi South Senatorial District who freely chose to vote for the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC based on their convictions of his moral and intellectual capacity to represent his people in the 10th Senate and their confidence in the Renewed Hope administration of our dear President, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the People’s Charter of Needs of the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. 

    “I appreciate the leadership and structure of our great Party at all levels for their tenacity of purpose that brought victory to our great Party.

    “My dear brother, I have no doubt that you will represent the people of Ebonyi South effectively and defend the cause of their unity and progress. 

    “I wish you the best as you move to represent our people at the nation’s red chamber.”

  • Kogi group hails Umahi over repairs, urges more actions on abandoned Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road

    Kogi group hails Umahi over repairs, urges more actions on abandoned Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road

    A socio-political organisation, Yagba Action Group (YAG),  has appealed to the Federal Government for the reconstruction of the collapsed Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin federal road, which has become a haven for bandits unleashing terror on those who live and travel along the road.

    YAG, a pressure group based in Kogi State, noted that the federal road, which was constructed about 50 years ago, has received attention 33 years after, when it was rehabilitated through the initiative of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

    However, the group commended the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for the inclusion of a section of it in the current palliative repairs of federal roads across the country.

    YAG extended its commendation to Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) and member of House of Representatives for Yagba Federal Constituency, Leke Abejide for their roles in the inclusion of Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road in the 2024 Appropriation Bill, while urging proactive action towards finding a lasting solutions to the bad road through improved budgetry funding.

    In a statement by its General Coordinator, Engr Toba Adebayo Belushi, YAG also made a solemn appeal to Mangal Industries Limited, owners of the newly established Mangal cement factory in IluHagba, Kogi State, to, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) join in the efforts to fix the road. 

    While it admonished Senator Karimi and Hon Abejide not to relent in the joint efforts at lobbying the Federal Government and Mangal Industries Limited for immediate action, YAG enthused that the repair works in Yagba axis between Mopamuro and Yagba West Local Councils, which commenced in the last quarter of 2023, came as a huge relief to motorists and residents of the area, while also serving as an elixir for the socioeconomic woes of Yagba people occasioned by the deplorable condition of the road.

    The group commended the contractors for doing a good job, while also calling for expedited action to ensure the repairs are completed during the dry season.

    The statement partly reads: “According to the Works Ministry, this is just a palliative job, pending when the construction will be done. Lump sum provided for award of quick-wins for rehabilitation works during the dry season. Three different contractors are handling the job(s) in Mopamuro axis. YAG understands that the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road is in the 2024 appropriation bill, but due to the shrinking federal purse, alternative models were considered such as this special palliative repair programme initiated by the Hon Minister of Works, His Excellency Dave Umahi to ensure delapidated roads nationwide are motorable until funding is available for outright construction. This is in fulfilment of the announcement by the Hon Minister from earlier that palliative works on failed federal roads would commence on December 1, 2023.

    “Through extensive lobbying by our representatives in the National Assembly, the section from Iluhagba to Ejiba was listed among other failed roads in the country earmarked for special palliative repairs while talks are ongoing for alternative funding for complete reconstruction.

    “It is heartwarming to see the quality and pace of the work from Ejiba township heading to ECWA Seminary, about 5kilometres stretch. Similarly, work is ongoing in Mopa axis. We have information that in November 2023, additional N500m was allocated into the budget by the senate to ensure that the palliative job extends beyond Ejiba to Egbe this year. For travellers and residents who have endured the pains of coping with the hazardous impact of the dilapidated road over the years, the current action is a thing of joy and elixir of hope.

    “We pray that the main construction will be done, going by budgetary allocations. In the likely best solution, we pray it will be concrete construction like Kabba Junction to Obajana. Information at our our disposal shows that the main plan is to concession the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road construction project to a private company on tax waivers. Towards this end, in the last quarter of 2023, our representative in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Sunday Karimi had led the Managing Director, Mangal Cement Industries, Engr Fahad Mangal to broker a meeting involving the Hon Minister and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Ali Ndume in continuation of discussions on the concessioning that would see Mangal handle the construction of the road from IluHagba to Ilorin. 

    “The arrangement, to the best of our knowledge, however, is yet to be firmed up. Once again, we are using this opportunity to appeal to all parties, the federal ministry of works, our representatives in the National Assembly as well as Mangal Industries Limited,  to expedite action that could lead to the conclusion of the arrangement in good time”.

  • Tinubu will not accept substandard job on East-West road- Umahi

    Tinubu will not accept substandard job on East-West road- Umahi

    The Minister of Works David Umahi has warned contractors handling the construction and rehabilitation of Federal government roads that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not accept substandard construction.

    He said the resolve of the President informed his decision to suspend Mrss Reynolds Construction Company  (RCC)  Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the 15km Eleme to Onne Junction on the East-West Road, Rivers State during his visit to the project site at the weekend.

    The Minister suspended the contractor due to observed violations of the construction specifications.

    However, in a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, the Minister instructed the contractor to return to the site and recommence work promptly after resolving the issues in a meeting.

    Umahi reiterated that any further work on the project must strictly adhere to the contract specifications.

     The statement reads: “The Minister had ordered the suspension of work on the project due to substandard jobs and invited the management of the company to report to the Ministry for resolution of technical issues.

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    “The Minister further directs the contractors handling the project to resume work on the four sections of the project and in strict compliance with the contract specifications.

    “They are also required to liaise with the  Permanent Secretary and the Director in charge of construction to engage with the representatives of the host communities on issues bothering on alleged infringement on the contractors’ right of way which according to them slows down the project.

    “The Minister of Works is determined to see to the speedy and quality delivery of  Federal  Government’s jobs across the nation in line with the vision of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and he is unbending in his resolve not to accept the delivery of jobs that fall short of standard”.

  • N8.6b Microfinance bank payment report mischievous, says Umahi

    N8.6b Microfinance bank payment report mischievous, says Umahi

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has described a press statement by Tracka alleging corruption regarding a payment of N8.6b to a Microfinance bank as mischievous.

    He said it was an attempt to distract him from his task of revolutionizing road infrastructure in the country on behalf of the Federal Government.

    In a statement by the Head of Tracka, Ayomide Ladipo, it was alleged that Umahi paid N8.b to a microfinance bank for 62 road projects between June and December 2023.

    According to Tracka: “Some of these projects, as revealed on the Govspend platform, include the payment of N1.4 billion in September 2023 for the construction of Yaba-Yangoje Road in the Federal Capital Territory; the payment of N1.2 billion in October 2023 for the rehabilitation of a 2km road from Oriawo- Boroboro-Oke-Medina School of Science Road in Atiba, Oyo State; the payment of N1.2 billion in October 2023 for the rehabilitation of Kosobo-Awe Junction Road in Oyo East LGA in Oyo State; and the payment of N1.2 billion between August and November 2023 for the rehabilitation of Ejule-Otukpo Road in Benue State to mention a few.

    Ladipo alleged that the payment to the microfinance bank breached the Procurement Act, 2017 while calling on the Bureau of Public Procurement to review the transactions and serve appropriate sanctions for breaches where identified.

    The Minister, who responded while on the inspection of Enugu-Port Harcourt Road on Friday night affirmed that the report was not only mischievous but aimed at distracting him from his job.

    He ascribed the campaign of calumny to faceless groups who were against the innovations he introduced for sustainable road projects in the country because most of the projects mentioned were completed and paid for before he assumed office.

    He said: “Let me also use the opportunity to debunk something ongoing in social media.

    “That is ongoing and this social media group is monitoring the budget of Federal governments and I saw where they put my picture.

    “I see that we paid N8.7b to the microfinance bank against several projects in some States.

    “I say these payments were done between June and December. In June, I was in the Senate. If I’m correct, these projects would have been awarded while I was still a governor, not a Minister.

    “Number two, in June, I was in the Senate, in July I was in the Senate, up to the 20th of August, I was in the Senate.

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    “But there are issues when a contract has done his or her work, the money becomes his money, he can say pay to this bank.

    “So this has been very mischievous.

    “If they are asking whether the job was done or not, that is the only right they have but they don’t have the right to say where a contractor will say his money will be paid.

    “So whether it’s paid in Microfinance bank or not, without prejudice to the fact that I don’t have the facts about the jobs, but they have no rights to say it was paid into microfinance bank.

    “Their right is to go and verify if the jobs were done, if the jobs were done then it doesn’t matter where the money is paid to.

    “So it’s just a distraction and some of the bad contractors are using them to fight back but I refuse to be distracted.

    “The jobs were never awarded by me, the payments were not done by me, and even if they were done by me and the jobs were done and the certificates generated and then deployed to the platform and it was appropriated and money was released again at the project, they have no right to question where it was paid.”

  • Umahi meets Kefas, Dangote, Elumelu on funding gap for roads

    Umahi meets Kefas, Dangote, Elumelu on funding gap for roads

    Works Minister David Umahi yesterday continued the Federal Government’s exploration of alternative funding for federal roads.

    The government is involving governors and private sector operators in the initiative to fix the deteriorating road network across the country.

    Umahi met with Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, Dangote Group Chairman/Chief Executive Aliko Dangote, and Heirs Holdings founder Tony Elumelu.

    The Nation learnt that the Abuja meeting was to strengthen public-private partnership and explore alternative funding methods for the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of federal highways through the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

    A statement by the minister’  media adviser Uchenna Orji, reads: “In keeping  with the road infrastructure initiatives of the Renewed  Hope administration  of  the President  of the Federal Republic of  Nigeria, His Excellency  President  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Nweze David Umahi has been engaging with concessionaires and other private sector organisations on the need for private sector investment on our road infrastructure as done in advanced economies of the world.

    “This informed the closed-door meeting the minister had with the Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the founder/CEO of Dangote conglomerate, Alhaji  Aliko Dangote, the founder/chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu this 24th day of January, 2024, at the Federal  Ministry  of Works.

    “It would be recalled that the Hon. Minister of Works  in his zeal to change the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria had set up three committees to work on the contracts executed by some concessionaires with the Federal Ministry of Works to reviewing the scope and cost implications of the projects they undertook to execute under the Highway Development  and Management  Initiative (HDMI).

    “This private sector initiative will fast-track road infrastructure revolution and bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management, and maintenance of federal highways.

    Read Also: Roads: Umahi meets Taraba gov, Kefas, Dangote, Elumelu on funding gap

    “The governor of Taraba who retired as a military professional was a one-time chairman, Governing Board of Directors, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), before he became governor.

    “The founder and CEO Dangote Group is one of Africa’s  foremost captains of industry who have made ambitious investments in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria, just like his counterpart and chairman of Heirs Holdings who is also one of Africa’s  leading investors who have shown manifest commitment in the transformation of Nigeria’s infrastructure through long- term investment in strategic  sectors of Nigeria’s economy,  including  financial  services, and infrastructure development.

    “It is hoped that  investors, local  and international would  take advantage  of the will power of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration and the  private sector experience  and professional capacities of the minister to invest in the over 35,000 Km of the national road network being  managed by the Federal Government of Nigeria as this network carries more than 70 per cent of the vehicular traffic making it a critical infrastructure for the movement of goods and services across the nation. “This initiative will trigger economic development, job creation, local content development and wealth creation for Nigerian population.

    “Mr. President means business with his efforts to prosper our country and make it the pride of African continent. Your support is critical”.

  • Roads: Umahi meets Taraba gov, Kefas, Dangote, Elumelu on funding gap

    Roads: Umahi meets Taraba gov, Kefas, Dangote, Elumelu on funding gap

    The federal government is intensifying efforts to explore private-sector funding options for the deteriorating road network in the country, involving state governors and private-sector leaders in the initiative.

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, on Wednesday, January 24, in Abuja, held a meeting with Taraba state’s governor, Agbu Kefas, Aliko Dangote, the founder of the Dangote Group Conglomerate, and Tony Elumelu, the founder of Heirs Holdings.

    The purpose was to enhance relationships and explore alternative funding methods for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of numerous federal roads across the country through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

    This was contained in a statement by the minister’s special adviser on media, Uchenna Orji.

    It reads: “In keeping with the road infrastructure initiatives of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has been engaging with concessionaires and other private sector organizations on the need for private sector investment in our road infrastructure as done in advanced economies of the world.

    “This informed the closed-door meeting the Hon. Minister of Works had with the Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the founder and CEO of Dangote  Group Conglomerate, Alhaji  Aliko Dangote GCON, the founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings, Chief Tony Elumelu this 24 day of January 2024 at the Federal  Ministry of Works.

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    “It would be recalled that the Hon. Minister of Works in his zeal to change the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria had set up three committees to work on the contracts executed by some concessionaires with the Federal Ministry of Works to review the scope and cost implications of the projects they undertook to execute under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).

    “This private sector initiative will fast-track road infrastructure revolution and bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management, and maintenance of Federal Highways.

    “The Governor of Taraba who retired as a military professional was a one-time chairman of the governing Board of Directors Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) before he became Governor.

    It further stated: “The founder and CEO of Dangote Group is one of Africa’s foremost captains of industry who has made ambitious investments in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria, just like his counterpart and Chairman of Heirs Holdings who is also one of Africa’s leading investors who have shown manifest commitment in the transformation of Nigeria’s infrastructure through long- term investment in strategic sectors of Nigeria’s economy, including financial services, and infrastructure development.

    “It is hoped that investors, local and international would take advantage of the willpower of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration and the private sector experience and professional capacities of the Hon. Minister of Works to invest in the over 35,000 Km of the national road network being managed by the  Federal Government of Nigeria as this network carries more than 70% of the vehicular traffic making it a  critical infrastructure for the movement of goods and services across the nation.

    “This initiative will trigger economic development, job creation, local content development, and wealth creation for the Nigerian population. Mr President means business with his efforts to prosper our country and make it the pride of the African continent. Your support is critical.”

  • Works, Defence Ministries, Army explore collaboration on insecurity challenge

    Works, Defence Ministries, Army explore collaboration on insecurity challenge

    The Federal Ministries of Works and Defence and the Nigerian Army (NA) are collaborating on a comprehensive approach to tackle the insecurity challenges confronting parts of the country through road infrastructure enhancement and expansion, it emerged on Friday.

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi said the collaboration is part of the strategic and holistic security roadmap of the Federal Government.

    Umahi stated this in a statement by his Spokesman, Uchenna Orji, following his closed-door meeting with the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja in office.

    According to Umahi, the focus of the collaboration is on strengthening collaborations towards improving the nation’s internal security through revolutionising road infrastructure development.

    Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing individuals with demonstrated professional expertise and a commitment to service delivery in addressing the country’s security challenges, the Minister lauded the interactive meeting as a Renewed Hope initiative that would enhance the implementation of the security roadmap under the current administration.

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    He also expressed optimism that the president’s interventions in revitalising the nation’s road infrastructure would contribute to a significant boost in military operations across the country.

    “Yes, we have discussed certain infrastructure as it concerns my Ministry to enhance their performances, and our minds are working together.

    “The main focus of Mr. President, when it comes to road infrastructure, is the interstate routes that are linked to security operations nationwide, the palliative jobs, and the roads that are linked to markets, industries, and factories, etc…

    “Road is everything. If you improve the roads, you have improved security, agriculture, education, and commerce, and you have improved the happiness of people. 

    “And this is just what Mr. President is doing. We have started to be in the field to repair over 320 roads that Mr. President directed us to do”, Umahi was quoted as saying.

    Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, COAS Lt. Gen Lagbaja also emphasised that the essence of the meeting was to discuss with the Works Minister elements of national power support to the military field operations with a focus on the role of infrastructural upgrade in the enhancement of military operations across the country.

    “We have discussed extensively, and we are glad that the Hon. Minister of Works is disposed to some of the suggestions that we have made on the need to focus on some critical roads that will impact positively on military operations across the country,” the COAS was quoted as saying.

  • Umahi felicitates Uzodimma on second inauguration

    Umahi felicitates Uzodimma on second inauguration

    Minister of Works David Umahi has described Governor Hope Uzodinma’s second term inauguration in Imo State as historic and a testament to the widespread acknowledgment of the exemplary leadership displayed during his administration over the past four years.

    Umahi yesterday in a congratulatory message ahead of the governor’s swearing-in today said the governor’s re-election symbolised a heartening development, indicating growing solidarity and support not only within Imo State, but also across Southeast for the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said: “I feel elated to receive a letter of invitation to your second tenure inauguration and swearing-in slated for January 15, 2024.

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    “It is my pleasure, therefore, to offer my profound felicitation to you on this auspicious and historic moment of your renewed mandate as governor of Imo State.

    “I am happy that the excellent hallmark of leadership demonstrated by your administration in the last four years is receiving a resounding appreciation by the good people of Imo State, as demonstrated through their overwhelming votes for your excellency, during the last governorship election in the state.

    “The increasing solidarity of your state and indeed Southeast to the cause of the Renewed Hope administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and their unflinching support to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), are heartwarming evidence of their common vision for a prosperous and progressive state that shines forth in the comity of states.

    “I wish Your Excellency more glorious milestones as you step into the second term of your social contract with the good people of Imo State.”

  • Supreme Court judgment vindicates APC as Ebonyi people’s choice – Umahi

    Supreme Court judgment vindicates APC as Ebonyi people’s choice – Umahi

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi has described the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the electoral victory of Governor Francis Nwifuru as the governor of Ebonyi as the vindication of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party of choice of Ebonyi people.

    In his congratulatory message to the governor on Saturday, Umahi, who was the immediate past governor of the State, urged Nwifuru not to relent in deepening the development of the State.

    He said: “I received with the deepest gratitude to God Almighty the heartwarming news of the affirmation of the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB, GGCEHF, as the winner of the 2023 Governorship election by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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    “Indeed, this judgment of the Apex Court is a vindication of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Party after the heart of the people of Ebonyi State.

    “I am therefore enthused to convey my heartiest felicitations to my dear governor for this glorious moment.

    “Your Excellency, I thank God Almighty for  His abiding grace upon you and indeed the Divine Mandate family and for reestablishing  His supreme will in you as the bearer of the mandate of the good people of  Ebonyi State.

    “I salute the profound erudition of the learned jurists, the sagacity of the legal team, and the solidarity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful all through the full circle of the legal battles.

    “I have no doubt that this victory will spur you in your burning desire to deepen the prospects of development in Ebonyi State in line with the People’s Charter of Needs.”

  • Umahi, Edun inspect Abuja–Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway

    Umahi, Edun inspect Abuja–Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway

    On January 12, the minister of works, David Umahi, and his counterpart, minister of finance and co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, inspected the Abuja–Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway.

    A statement released by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji explained that President Bola Tinubu views the road as very critical for the socio-economic advancement of the nation.

    Orji said: “The dual carriageway which has been a source of concern to road users because of the many dilapidated spots and security challenges, was awarded to Julius Berger Plc but could not be completed because of security and funding challenges.

    “But the administration of Mr. President views the road as very critical for the socio-economic advancement of the nation and is therefore committed to completing the project on a record time.”

    Umahi assured contractors that funding would not be a problem.

    He said: “We have got a commitment from the Honourable Minister of Finance to make payment, and I am very sure if we pay Julius Berger Plc according to the commitment on funding, it will complete the job

    “We have issues with reviewing the contract sum, and we will sort that out.

    “We sent our technical team to re-examine the subgrade, which will be the basis of our redesign, let me emphasize that this is the first project we are touring in this place, and Mr President in his Renewed Hope Agenda has expressed his deep concern on the completion of the project and he has directed that everything must be done to get the entire project completed”

    Edun assured of the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government in the timely funding of the project in line with the agreed milestones. 

    He said: “Under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are both here on inspection to hear the commitment of the contractor handling the project and to support them, to as soon as possible complete this all-important reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria -Kano Road.”

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    Edun described the works sector as one of the most strategic sectors that will add value to the economic development agenda of President Tinubu.

    He said: “We want to urge the contractor to do more. Infrastructure is a critical priority of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is how we can get food prices down.

    “Through transportation and easy transportation of agricultural products, we want to move freely across the country. To bring down the prices and inflation, we will be doing more on the funding.”

    The inspection team included Directors from both the Ministry of Works and Finance, Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr Dr Lars Richter who conducted the two ministers round the projects, and several other stakeholders.