Tag: Works Minister

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal government to road infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister reiterated the commitment on Tuesday during his inspection tour of the Keffi-Gitata-Kaduna (Kadina State border) road and the Keffi-Gitata-Shendam (Plateau State Border) road in Nasarawa State.

Accompanied by FERMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Emeka Agbasi, the Minister highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment anchored on the Renewed Hope agenda that has been driving the road infrastructure revolution that the country has been witnessing.

In a statement issued by the agency’s director of information and public relations, Maryam Sanusi, the Minister noted that the road maintenance projects were executed through a combination of contract and direct labour maintenance as part of the 2022-2024 budget.

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Saying that the initiative covered 193.62km of road repairs and recovery in Nasarawa State, the Minister stressed, “This clearly demonstrates why citizens consistently call on the Federal Government for continued intervention in road infrastructure throughout the year”.

In his remarks, FERMA managing director, Agbasi expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Minister for their unwavering support.

He acknowledged the agency’s ongoing efforts to address challenges such as the high cost of construction materials, road misuse, workforce training needs, the procurement of operational vehicles, and budgetary constraints.

Agbasi also reaffirmed FERMA’s commitment to delivering quality road infrastructure and improving transportation networks across Nigeria to enhance the lives of citizens.

Earlier, while briefing the Minister, Nasarawa State Federal Roads Maintenance, Aliyu Mohammed, emphasized that the State Field Office had prioritized key federal road interventions.

He said included preventive maintenance, reinstatement of distressed road sections, embankment stabilization, desilting, and the construction of drainage and hydraulic structures to mitigate flooding and preserve road longevity.

The Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, has commended the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and China, describing it as a catalyst for advancements in infrastructure, transportation, mining, and knowledge transfer. 

Speaking at the CAETE Exhibition in Africa (Nigeria) and the 18th China Engineering and Technology Expo in Abuja on November 28, 2024, Goronyo highlighted the mutual commitment of both nations to foster sustainable development through strategic collaboration.  

The Minister emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), a long-term framework aimed at raising the GDP contribution of infrastructure from 30-35% to 70% by 2043. 

According to a statement on Friday by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the Minister noted that the plan prioritizes investments in critical sectors, including transportation, energy, healthcare, and water systems. 

Goronyo praised China’s pivotal role in transformative projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna Railway, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and renewable energy initiatives, which have significantly enhanced connectivity, commerce, and capacity building across the country.  

Reflecting on the importance of green infrastructure, smart cities, and innovative financing, Goronyo underscored the need for technical training and public-private partnerships to sustain progress. 

He said: “This long-term strategic framework prioritizes investments across key sectors, including transportation, energy, water, irrigation and healthcare infrastructures

“NIIMP will promote innovative financing models, public-private partnerships, as well as enhance collaboration with global partners like China to deliver on sustainable and inclusive infrastructure. 

“Through this plan, it is hoped that Nigeria will build robust infrastructure, which will drive industrialization, improve the quality of lives and position the nation as a hub for trade and investment in Africa. This is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Abubakar Sa’id Alkali, in his keynote address, lauded the Nigeria-China partnership for its contributions to the rail, road, and maritime sectors. 

He highlighted the Abuja-Kaduna Railway as a prime example of the tangible benefits derived from this collaboration.  

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dun Hai, described the partnership as a model for South-South cooperation, showcasing the transformative potential of engineering and technology. 

He reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening ties with Nigeria in ways that spur economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development. 

Read Also: Why we redesigned, re-scoped inherited road projects, by Works Minister

Chairman of the Chinese Community in Nigeria, Mr. Erie Ni, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries has been mutually beneficial. 

“Chinese enterprises, engineers, and investors have played an integral role in Nigeria’s development, particularly in construction, telecommunications, energy, and transport,” he said.  

Director General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration, trade, and cultural exchanges to solidify a prosperous future for both nations. 

He stressed that continued cooperation will ensure innovation, growth, and sustainability in the years to come.

The federal government has expressed concerns over the early failure of some completed roads, saying that it has taken responsibility for redesigning and re-scoping inherited road projects to improve their durability.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is implementing stronger construction measures to address pavement failures and years of neglect on the East-West Road in South-South Nigeria.

This is part of the commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda, aiming to provide all regions with the environment to achieve their full economic potential.

He said the federal government is using reinforced concrete technology in the redesigned projects to end persistent pavement failures and long-standing road neglect in the wetland areas of the Niger Delta.

The minister made the statements during his visit to the project sites on East-West Road section II: Kaiama-Ahoada in Rivers/Bayelsa states, emphasising the construction of multiple box culverts at flood-damaged locations.

The minister informed that some sections of the East-West Road from Lokoja to Benin were also re-scoped and redesigned using reinforced concrete.

According to him, the height of the road was increased above the flood level, and the redesign factored the peculiar environment, geomorphology and soil characteristics which were responsible for the failures of flexible pavement used over the years by successive administrations.

On the ongoing work on the Kaiama-Ahoada section, the Minister was quoted as saying, “When we came on board, the job was already awarded by the past administration.

“And so the only new thing in all these locations under President Tinubu is the relief culverts that these two local contractors are putting, and are proving themselves to be of a very high reputation in terms of their works.

“We are encouraging many more local contractors to come and work because there’s so much to work.”

He also observed that the impact of climate change was largely responsible for the flood that came over the two sections of the road but commended the two contractors handling the relief culverts for their deep commitment to the intervention work despite having not been paid.

“And so our directive is that the contractor shouldn’t open more relief culverts. Let us contain the floods by working with NDDC. And I commend the MD of NDDC for the fantastic work they are doing,” he said.

The Minister also commended Rock Results for undertaking emergency works beyond their scope and commended the 29 Battalion and other paramilitary outfits for managing the traffic, a task that will continue for the next two to four weeks.

He sought patience from road users and assured them that a permanent solution was underway, as the project aims to elevate the road above flood level with a 12-inch reinforced concrete overlay.

The Minister also visited KM 15 Section 3A of the East-West Road (from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction), handled by RCC Nigeria Ltd l, where he commended the quality of work but urged the contractor to re-mobilize in at least six sections of the project to ensure timely delivery.

He warned that failure to do so would result in the other carriageway being awarded to another contractor.

He said: “It is Presidential order that this road should be given the maximum attention, and that’s why he asked me to come and look at it, and then give him a report.

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“So we’re looking at December for project delivery, but certainly not at the pace that RCC is going.”

Reacting to a statement by a clergy, Buba Isa on the condition of federal roads, the Minister reiterated the Renewed Hope administration’s commitment to addressing inherited ongoing projects and backlog of road infrastructure deficits caused by years of neglect.

While commending President Tinubu for the notable improvements in road infrastructure under his administration, which road users have acknowledged, Umahi called for patience and understanding.

He emphasised that the Renewed Hope administration has reinvented enduring solutions to road failures, assuring that Nigerians will soon enjoy sustainable infrastructure delivery.

The Federal Government has hinted that the construction of coastal routes in Nigeria has the potential to attract foreign investment and contribute to a stronger naira.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the hint at the unveiling of the new design routes for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to Umahi, the government’s plan to improve infrastructure is ultimately to aim for an economic revolution in Nigeria.

He said: “We talked about our economy, that it needs foreign investments.

“These roads are going to be constructed with concrete pavements and it’s CPC+ F, which means that there is foreign investment that will come in and this foreign investment will strengthen and stabilise the naira.

“  I’m very happy that the President has directed me to begin the design of one of the spurs linking to this coastal routes and that is the Sokoto-Badagry which was conceived by the President Shagari administration.

“It’s going to connect the ongoing routes, Lagos-Badagry routes that is being done by the federal government and state government.

“There is also another route which is the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja-Cameroun-African Trans-Sahara routes. The coastal routes is also going to connect.

“The Sokoto-Badagry is 1,000 kilometre from the spur of the Trans-Saharan trade  routes down to Apo in Abuja is 461 kilometre.

“It means that anyone that is travelling from Sokoto to Lagos will do it in about 10 hours and travelling from South-East to Abuja, will do it in a maximum of about five hours.

“These are the benefits of the coastal routes.’’

The minister also addressed criticism surrounding who gets credit for developing the coastal routes in Nigeria.

He said that some people were upset that President Bola Tinubu was associated with the project saying, the criticism is misplaced anger and a way to attack Tinubu without understanding the bigger picture.

Umahi said: “Some people are already bitter as to why it should be President Bola Tinubu that is the one to develop these coastal routes as tt will be a lasting legacy for generations to come.

“That is just their own anger. So, they look for an avenue to attack. But it’s all about darkening counsel without knowledge.’’

He argued that the project’s long-term benefits outweighed political squabbles, which according to him, weill leave a positive impact for future generations.

Furthermore, Umahi explained how the coastal routes, envisioned by Tinubu when he was then governor of Lagos State, would significantly improve the functionality of the Lagos deep seaport.

He said that the coastal routes, which would facilitate trade within Nigeria and potentially boost economic growth, would allow ships to directly access the deep seaport, eliminating the need for expensive transloading due to insufficient water depth.

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“And many ship that were payed for transloading right now from Togo, from the way the sea had insufficient water depth, we’re going to be sending them money because this coastal route is going to be an evacuation corridor for that deep seaport.

“ So, no more transloading. They go straight to the deep seaport and are offloaded and you can have your goods. If you’re going to Northern part of Nigeria, you just come straight to Badagry and then now to Sokoto.

“And this Sokoto is cutting across Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and so on and so forth; that of the South-East is cutting across Benue, Kogi and Nassarawa- Enugu-Ogoja routes.

“These are tough decisions and these are for economic revolution.’’ Umahi said.

(NAN)

Friends and associates of the Minister of Works, David Umahi have described the conferment of a Doctorate Degree Honoris causa by Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki on him as well deserving considering his track record as a public servant.

The award ceremony that took place on 20th April 2024 at the University’s main campus in Abakaliki drew the creme de la creme of the Nigerian society from all walks of life from former Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi (HRH) to the Chairman of Heirs Holding, Tony Elumelu among others.

The well-wishers described Umahi as a goal-getter who made his marks everywhere he was called to serve, from the private to the public sectors, from when he was a governor of Ebonyi to his current position as Nigeria’s Minister of Works.

Uchenna Orji, a former Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State and the current Special Adviser on Media to the Works Minister, described the governor as a life coach and a benefactor of immeasurable value, saying, “it is heartwarming and indeed gratifying that your transformational records as Governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023 were recognized, honoured and celebrated even beyond the contemporaries of leadership history

“A great achiever and master strategist, a game changer, the great conqueror. Innovation is your passion and industry is your flavour.

“We feel most obliged to identify with you always and to share in the testimonies of your inestimable contributions to the advancement of our State and humanity.

“May God honour you with his unstoppable powers as you navigate through the ladders into the Olympian heights of service to humanity”.

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On her part, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement Southeast, Chioma Nweze noted that the award was more deserving considering Umahi’s evident track records as the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State are glaringly written on blueprints.

“The scorecards, the legacies and the standards you left behind underscore you as an innovative lord, a master planner, and a trailblazer. Your contributions are felt daily and your impacts on the State glooming”, she noted.

Others, including Federal government road contractors, also sent their congratulatory wishes to the Minister