Governor Ikpeazu Commends FG On Road Infrastructure Development Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has commended the Federal Government for the development of road infrastructure in Abia State and other states across the country. Governor Ikpeazu made the commendation at the handing and taking over ceremony of a 2.1 kilometre internal roads constructed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing at the Nigerian Institute for Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia State. The Governor who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwudi said, "We are indeed happy and excited  that the project has been successfully completed and is being commissioned and handed over today to the glory of God and for the benefit of the Institute on one  hand and the general public on the other hand."  Ikpeazu further said, "We cannot but sincerely commend and appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria for her commitment and dedication to addressing the huge infrastructure gap in the road network sector across the country. We are particularly grateful that today, we are witnessing the uncommon will and wisdom of the Federal Government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to facilitate the resolution of internal road inadequacy  with a view to enhancing road network aesthetics of the Institute." The Governor pleaded with the Federal Government to also fix some federal roads in Abia State such as: the Opobo-Azumini road, Aba-Port Harcourt Express Way around Ariara and the Umuahia- Ikot Ekpene Highway which are critical to the economic development of Abia State and the general public. He also expressed  assurance of his state government to partner and complement the efforts of Federal Government and its agencies in the overall interest of Abia citizens in particular and Nigerians in general. While commissioning and handing over the 2.1kilometre internal roads to the management of the Nigerian Institute for Nigerian Languages, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, represented by the Abia State Controller of Works, Engr.Bede Obioha said, "While it is true that alot  needs to be done in many sectors of our national life including education, the Buhari Government has stepped up to lead the process of getting that work done." Fashola added, " As at today, 29  numbers of the road intervention projects have been completed with 17 numbers already handed over in 2020.Today we handover this one  at the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Aba in Abia State as a critical intervention to support education." The Minister disclosed that during the construction work a total number of forty people were employed  thereby contributing to the  job creation initiatives of government. It is hoped that the school would ensure proper use of the road assets. In his remarks,  at the ceremony, the Executive Director of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages Aba, Abia State, Prof. Obiajulu Elumejulu said, "The unprecedented intervention has indeed raised the profile of our institute and confirmed to the naysayers that we also are a Federal Government owned tertiary institution. This brand new road network is now complementing our brand new  NCE programmes and both the old and new students  as well as staff now feel that they belong, that they too have Abraham as their father. Prof.Emejulu noted that the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on the institute's internal roads network was like manna from heaven. The Executive Director of the Institute also requested for the extension of the internal roads by 400 metres with drainage to stem erosion and connect other critical portions of  the vast land in developing the campus. To show their level of appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, the host communities of the Institute honoured him with a Chieftaincy Title of  Ekwueme 1 of Akumaimo Ancient kingdom, which means,"You live by your words." The Chieftaincy installation ceremony was performed by His Royal Highness, Eze Wilson Onwunali on the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing through his representative, Engr. Bede Obioha, the Abia State Controller of Works. ...

Your Road Intervention First in Four Decades - Rector told Mr. Fashola The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Surveyor, Dr Abdullahi Alhassan said that the 2 km road intervention executed in his Institution by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing was first of its kind in the history of the Polytechnic since its establishment in 1983.  "Today, we are receiving very important dignitaries from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, who are here to commission a 2 km road project executed by the Federal Ministry of Works, which of course, is the first of its kind in the life history of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, since its establishment in 1983," he said.  Surveyor, Dr Ahmed stated this on Thursday 18th February, 2021 during the formal commissioning and taking over of the 2-km internal road project reconstructed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. " I must confess to you that the Federal government has rescued our Polytechnic from so many challenges with this construction of 2 kilometers road" he added. Surveyor Ahmed also expressed joy for the construction of the roads and drainages which had been a major challenge to the Institution over the years. In their separate reactions, Director Academic Planning, Dr. Yahaya Bello and Dean of Students Affairs, Jacob Olotu both expressed appreciation to Federal Government and Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola for coming to the aid of the Institution with the project which they said would continue to be remembered in the Polytechnic for a long time to come. The Student Union President (SUG), Comrade Adamu Jamilu described the road Intervention in the Polytechnic as a great relief to both students and staff in terms of access and cost of transportation to the Institution.  The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN was represented at the handover of the road to the Polytechnic by the Federal Controller of Works Nasarawa State, Engr. Isaac Daikwo. He explained that the road Intervention in the school had contributed in the job creation initiative of the Federal government as over forty people were employed in the course of the work.    ...

FG Committed to Bridging Infrastructure Gap in Schools - Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has restated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to bridging the infrastructural gap in tertiary institutions across the country. Speaking at the handover ceremony of the 1 kilometer road constructed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozala in Enugu State, the Minister said that the gap of the nation’s infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs and construction and it has reached the tertiary institutions. Fashola who was represented by the Controller of Works, Enugu State, Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi explained that the intervention by the Federal Government in the development of infrastructure in the tertiary institutions was to boost quality of education and give students a renewed hope and enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to motorability. He said: “It is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some feedbacks from the students of the schools where this type of intervention has taken place.” Accordingly, the Minister noted that the 1.0 kilometer road network constructed in the teaching hospital was a laudable project as it would ease movement of both students and staff of the institute within the hospital. Fashola said: “Though the road might be a civil work project, it is an investment in education and the students are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to good condition.” The Minister noted that, the project, apart from impacting on the learning environment, has also provided employment opportunities for Nigerians as 40 people were employed in the process contributing to the job creation initiatives of the government. Earlier In her remark, the Chief Medical Director/Chief Executive, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla, Dr. Obinna Onodugo commended the Federal government for the road intervention, saying that it was a good fortune for the institution to be benefitted from the intervention because the government had so many road interventions to attend to across the nation. ‘‘For this to happen in the institution is highly commendable”, he said. He described the road before the intervention as deplorable, pointing out that the road was a death trap before the intervention which no one dare to use at night because of its deplorable condition but now the reverse is the case. “ As a community we are grateful to be remembered by the Federal Government. Personally, I am very grateful that this is happening in my time and I  pray for more of such intervention,” he said. ...