FG Patners With Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas To Build Bodo-Bonny Road With Bridges As Fashola Signs Tripartite Agreement The Federal Government through the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has signed a tripartite agreement with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (JBN) to build the Bodo-Bonny Road with Bridges across the Opobo Channel Routes 430 in Rivers State. The Honourable Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, on behalf of Government, signed the over 120 billion naira project awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (JBN) at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja. Fashola stated that the Bodo-Bonny Bridge is a major infrastructural   project that linked Nigeria to where so much resources are produced, adding that the signing of the tripartite agreement signifies the commencement of construction work and government’s commitment to clean up, build up and repositioned the Niger Delta as a major contributor to Nation’s resources. The Minister further stated that, this is in fulfilment with the present Administration’s promise to deliver on critical infrastructural projects across the nation and put the economy back on the path of growth and development. Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, Mr Tony Attah on behalf of Management and Staff of Nigeria LNG appreciated the Federal Government and the Minister for the signing of the tripartite agreement and the opportunity for the part-funding of the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road project. Attah further stated that the provision of the road will no doubt expand the scope of economic opportunities and secure livelihoods for the rural and riverine communities. He added that the construction of Bodo-Bonny road will invariably usher the accomplishment of long held dream of connecting Bonny Island to the rest of Nigeria. On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Wolfgand Goetsch thanked the Federal Government and Nigeria LNG for the trust and confidence reposed on the company, assuring that the project will be completed within the time stipulated and in accordance to specification. The project which was first awarded in 1993, suffered series of delays and abandonments. The Ministry thereafter terminated the contract due to the dismal performance of the contractor and re-awarded the project to JBN which has proven experience in handling projects in difficult terrains of mangrove/swamp forest and creeks. The expected date of completion of Bodo-Bonny project is in 2019.   ...

Peaceful Co-Existence Will Boost The Nation’s Economy - Surv. Suleiman The Honourable Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, mnis, has called on the nation to peacefully co-exist together as this will boost and take the nation’s economy to a greater height. He said that, this is a call for leadership at various levels of government in the country. The Minister stated this during his official visit to Gombe State. Sulieman noted that the peace in the North East is as a result of the resolute and unwavering determination of the Administration of President Buhari to tackle insurgency in the nation headlong. According to him, the celebration of Eld-El-Kabir calls for peace among tribes and nations across the world, adding that people are now celebrating in the North Eastern part of the country because of the drastic reduction in the activities  of the insurgents. He enjoined the people within the region to be part of the confidence building by reporting any strange activities within their community and locality. The Minister also stated that government is doing a lot in road construction and building affordable and adaptable mass housing across the nation with value chain returns. He said that government is also looking at a model that will put the housing needs of the people into consideration as well as their capacity and the power of purchase. He added that this will in effect make the houses affordable and accessible to all Nigerians. Sulieman added that the Buhari Administration is leaving no stone unturned in the fight against corruption. According to him, ‘‘if you fight corruption, the economy will thrive. If you fight corruption, security will thrive, because all of them are anchored on the same thing. We can see that corruption is now at the minimum.’’ He further said that before now, people celebrate corrupt persons, adding that today; it is difficult for someone to come and flaunt a wealth that is illegally gotten. The Minister noted that government through the instrumentality of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Whistle Blowers’ Programme has saved the country a lot, assuring that tackling corruption is prospering the economy. While in Gombe State, the Minister paid courtesy visits to the Emir of Gombe, H.R.H Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III and other Emirs within the state. He however urged them to be patient with the present government and be hopeful of a new Nigeria. ...

FG Partners Private Companies To Rehabilitate Apapa-Wharf Road The Federal Government through the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, has officially handed over the construction works on the rehabilitation of Apapa – Wharf road to AG-Dangote Construction Company Limited. The Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, performed the handing over ceremony of the 2 kilometres stretch of the road in Lagos to ensure free movement of residents living in Apapa area and cargo moving in and out of the Apapa Port to the inter-land. He noted that the rehabilitation of the economic road which had deteriorated over the years will be co-funded by the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc and Dangote Group of Company. Fashola acknowledged the leadership role of Dangote Groups and Flour Mills Nigeria Plc for stepping forward to work with the ministry in finding a lasting solution to the road without any tax relief or deduction coming from federal government. According to the Minister, the ministry has evolved an appropriate design to fix the drainage problem which over the years has been the major cause of deterioration.. The rehabilitation work on the Apapa – Wharf road is expected to last for the period of one year and will cost over 4 billion naira which will be co-funded by Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Dangote Group and NPA working together. The Minister further stated that this is just the first part of government intervention in Apapa, adding that other federal roads within Lagos State will receive government attention as budget is funded. He appealed to all road users within the area to be patient as construction work advances due to sections of the road that would be closed down and other infrastructures such as water and electricity that will be affected during the process of the reconstruction. In his remarks, the Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Engr. Joseph Makoju, thanked the Minister for giving Dangote Group the opportunity to embark on the rehabilitation work  and promised that the concrete road when completed will last for between 30 to 40 years. Makoju added that the company always provide some form of social infrastructures to empower their host communities economically wherever the company is located. He appealed to the government to always create an enabling environment for private sectors to thrive as this will encourage other companies like them to embark on other capital projects in the country. The Managing Director of Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Mr. Paul M. Gbededo, noted that Apapa-Wharf road is a major road in the country that generates a huge sum of money on a daily basis and should not be handled with levity. He enjoined all the stakeholders and road users to cooperate and be disciplined in order to achieve the one year time line completion period. ...