Road Infrastructure, Catalyst to the Nation's Economic, Social, and Environmental Development – Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN said that road infrastructure promotes the nation’s economic, social and environmental development which has necessitated increased investment in road infrastructure by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Honourable Minister disclosed that while delivering his keynote address at the National Council of Works meeting at Bristol Palace Hotel in Kano, Kano State with the theme, “Infrastructure, The Season of Completion.” Fashola reiterated that the theme of this year’s council is timely as it provides the opportunity for the Council to put policy framework that would create enabling environment to complete several road projects initiated by the administration of Mr. President as he completes his second tenure in 2023. ‘’The theme is timely as it provides the opportunity for the Council to put policy framework that would create enabling environment to complete several road projects initiated by the administration of Mr. President as he completes his second tenure in 2023. It is pertinent to note that the effects of road infrastructure on economic development, productivity and growth cannot be over -emphasized due to its impact at National, State and Local government levels,” he said. The Minister disclosed that the success of the Nigerian government in providing road infrastructure will not be measured by the amount of funds invested but by the extent to which road infrastructure contributes to the nation's economic, social, and environmental goals. Fashola noted that road infrastructure investment should be viewed as a means to an end and not an end itself. “It is important to note the increased investments in road infrastructure which is evident by the number of completed roads and   the need to manage such investments sustainably. The Minister revealed that the anticipated benefits of the investments in the road sector cannot be achieved without timely completion of the road projects as the theme of this year’s Council on Works reflects. He noted that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded several new road projects in addition to the inherited ones of which many have been completed and commissioned across the six Geo-Political Zones of the Federation while others are yet to be completed. Fashola disclosed that  the investments of the Federal Government in road transport infrastructure has continued to impact positively on communities across the country as President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the first phase of roads in the following locations: Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontagora-Makera Road, the Vandeikya- Obudu Cattle Ranch Road, the Nnewe-Oduma Road, the Kano- Maiduguri Road Section III (Azare-Potiskum) and the  Kano-Maiduguri Road, Section II (Shuwarin-Azare) connecting Jigawa and Bauchi States in the last quarter of 2021. “The Federal Government also commissioned the second phase of road projects in 2022 which include: Efon-Alaaye Erinmo – Iwaraja Road in Ekiti and Osun States; Isoko Ring Road in Delta State, Hadejia – Nguru Road Phase II, Kirikasama – Nguru in Jigawa State; Gombe – Numan – Yola Road Phase II (Gombe – Kaltungo) in Gombe State; Nguru – Gashua – Bayamari Road Sections I & II, Phases I & II in Yobe State; and Lafia – Obi – Awe – Tunga Road in Nasarawa State,” he said. The Minister noted that significant progress was recorded in road development in the year under review in line with the Ministerial Mandates set for the Ministry through the execution of many road projects spanning over 13,000km of roads and bridges nationwide and urged states and other stakeholders to compliment the efforts of the Federal Government in the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria. He urged that we must maintain the infrastructure we build to preserve their live span and get the best value for the money spent on them. He highlighted alternative funding options initiated by the present administration to tackle critical roads across the nation apart from the ministry’s budgetary allocation such as: Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund; SUKUK fund; Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (RITCS); Multi-lateral loans/grants; Collaboration with other Government Agencies e.g The North East-Development Commission. He urged the delegates to contribute meaningfully during the Council deliberations bearing in mind that their recommendations will have far reaching impact on Nation building that will help the highways to become safer and more comfortable for all and serve as means of sustained economic growth and development of our nation. He also noted that the nation’s economy will be revamped and sustained through continuous and deliberate actions of government at all levels in completing all on-going projects. He expressed his heart felt gratitude to the Kano State Government for accepting to play host of this year’s National Council on Works comprising all other states and other stakeholders, he thanked the governor immensely for that. During his opening address at the Council meeting, the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje thanked the Federal Government for the provision of various intervention infrastructure projects across the state looking forward for more of such interventions such as: the replacement of road intersections with flyovers particularly at various junctions connecting the ongoing Western Bypass Road and other road and housing infrastructure in the state. Governor Ganduje noted that before the coming into power of the present administration, many Federal highway projects in the state were abandoned, but now they are receiving commendable attention from the Federal Government. He thanked the Minister for accepting to host the Council meeting in Kano and assured all delegates maximum security and safety during their stay in Kano State. While delivering his address, the Chairman House Committee on Works, Hon. Abdullahi Kabir Abubakar stated that this year’s theme “Infrastructure, the Season of Completion” is suitable and well timed because this is indeed a season of projects completion and commissioning in the life of this administration as it is determined to complete as many projects as possible, the projects it inherited and the projects it initiated are highly commendable. He commended the administration for introducing many interventions such as: SUKUK, Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) and the TAX CREDIT SCHEME to compliment the Ministry’s budget in providing funds to develop over 1000 contracts covering over 13,000km of roads across the nation. Hon. Abubakar appealed to state governments, private organizations and government agencies to support the federal government in the area of compensation to local communities because delay by state governors to compensate the local communities for the Right of Way delays speedy completion of road projects. The Kano State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, Engr. Idris Wada Saleh welcomed the delegates to the 28th Meeting of the National Council on Works and expressed gratitude to the Honurable Minister of Works and Housing, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Kano State for accepting to host this year’s Council on Works and providing the enabling environment for the event in the beautiful city of Kano “The center of Commerce” and wished all delegates fruitful deliberation and a peaceful stay . During his closing remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakubu opined that the recommendations made at this meeting will re-enforce our resolve to complete and deliver more infrastructure that will not only have far reaching impact on the socio-economic well-being of the citizenry but also generate employment and stimulate economic growth. Hon. El-Yakub thanked the government and people   of Kano state for taking the responsibility of hosting the meeting.  He expressed profound gratitude to all delegates from the states, regulatory and professional bodies for their tireless efforts in making the Council a memorable and successful event. The 28th Meeting of the National Council on Works was attended by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing;   the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, The Executive Governor of Kano State ; the Permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Commissioners of Works from States of the Federation;  Permanent Secretaries of Works from 36 States of the Federation and FCT;  Heads of Federal and States Agencies in the road sector, Heads of Regulatory and Professional Bodies, Representatives of the Federal Roads Safety Corp (FRSC) and Department of Roads Traffic Services (DRTS), amongst others. ...

FG's Determination For Successful Completion and Commissioning Of Highway Projects in the Country on Top Gear – Nura Alkali The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali has reiterated  that Federal Government’s determination for successful completion and commissioning of highway infrastructure projects across the country  is on top gear. Alkali stated that in Kano, Kano State at the meeting of Permanent Secretaries at the on-going 28th Meeting of the National Council on Works with the theme, "Infrastructure, The Season of Completion.” Alkali said that the timing of the Council meeting is very auspicious and apt as it affords the delegates opportunity to think through and make necessary arrangements, meaningful contributions as well as take critical steps to ensure that road infrastructure projects are completed on time and commissioned. “In order to ensure that the target of completing and commissioning of these projects is achieved, it has become necessary for all stakeholders to consider and provide creative and contemporary ideas and policy suggestions that will support the attainment of the above target,” he said. Alkali reminded the Permanent Secretaries that they are expected to have the objectives of the National Development Plan 2021 - 2025 in mind as they look at ways of ensuring that road projects are completed and commissioned in order to galvanize national growth and sustainability. He added that the recommendations of the meeting should focus on restoring economic growth, the ease of doing business, investing in our people and creating a competitive economy through the provision of good  road networks across the country. He also charged the body of Permanent Secretaries to ensure that money spent on roads and bridges improves the economy and imparts on the citizens positively. The Permanent Secretary appreciated the government and people of Kano State for hosting this year’s Council on Works. “I must quickly thank our host, the Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR (Khadimul Islam) and the good people of Kano State for the gesture of receiving us to deliberate on this crucial theme that was carefully chosen to ensure that the massive spending of public funds by governments at all levels in highways and other roads infrastructure to ensure smooth mobility and access is duly accounted for through completed and commissioned roads across the country,” he said. Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Development Kano State, Engr. Idris Wada Saleh said that it is desirable for government at all levels to strive hard to complete ongoing infrastructural projects within the remaining periods of their tenures. In order to ensure successful completion and sustainability of highway projects Engr.Saleh urged   successive administrations to take it as a duty to complete outstanding infrastructural projects that might be left uncompleted before the end of the tenures of the present leadership to ensure judicious utilization of public funds and continuity. He welcomed and congratulated the delegates for having the unique opportunity to attend the highly educative meeting to contribute to national development and wished the delegates fruitful deliberations and a peaceful stay in Kano, the state capital. The meeting of Permanent Secretaries reviewed 46 memoranda submitted by stakeholders under six (6) Thematic Syndicate Groups: 1.    Policy Formulation and Implementation 2.    Completion of infrastructure and economic growth: The role of maintenance 3.    Institutional strengthening 4.    Completion of infrastructure as a policy priority policy and funding priority of ease of doing business 5.    Sustainable funding as a catalyst for completion of infrastructure in Nigeria 6.    Socio-economic impacts of the completed infrastructure   A presentation on New Innovations on the use of Alternative Technologies in Roads / Infrastructure Development was presented at the meeting.       ...

FG Reiterates Determination to Complete More Road Infrastructure Projects Across the Country El- Yakub The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to complete more highway projects across the country for the benefit of Nigerians and members of the Public before the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration. The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El- Yakub gave the assurance in Kano, Kano State during an inspection tour of phase one of the Kano-Katsina dual carriage way over the weekend. El-Yakub said, "We will give all the necessary support to ensure all road infrastructure projects across the country are completed so double your effort to deliver on time." Hon. El-Yakub noted that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is known for investment in highway infrastructure development. The Minister added that road and other infrastructure development projects have generally gotten more boost from this administration than previous ones. "I believe that most roads and other infrastructure development projects in the country have gotten more boost from this administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who is known to invest in infrastructure development and to ensure completion of infrastructure projects that were started by previous administrations in this country." The Minister stressed the need for the installation of road markings and signages on the already completed sections of the road for smooth and safe driving on the road. " I understand you have enough materials at your disposal to do the markings and the signages.  We expect to see that is done because they are very essential in ensuring smooth and safe driving on roads," said El-Yakub. He reiterated that the Ministry would not relent in ensuring that the quality of work on all road projects across the country are in line with acceptable standards. As the 73.10km dual carriage road project is now being funded by Sukuk, the Minister added that funding is no more a challenge.  He promised the contractor that all the necessary support needed would be given for timely completion of the project. " The Federal Government has solved the funding problem by putting the project under SUKUK funded projects," he said. The Minister of State encouraged the contractor to keep up with the pace and the quality of work on ground.  He further urged them to intensify more efforts to complete the road project   on or before the agreed completion date. "I can see the reconstruction work. You have achieved a lot.  That is appreciable despite some challenges. The work will continue to progress. We intend to complete this road hopefully before the end of this year, but you said next year but I want us to challenge ourselves and try to finish the project before the end of the year because you have done more work," said the minister. The Director Highways, North West Engr. Adetayo Taiwo said the road project inspected had progressed smoothly leaving no stone unturn. "The contractor has left no room for any form of condemnation, they are working the way they should work," he said. The Project Engineer Messrs China Engineering Construction Company Ltd (CECC), Engr. Ren Shao Shuai said the project would be delivered on time. He added that they were working in line with the laid down specifications. He thanked the Federal Government for the opportunity to work in the country. Another road inspected was the construction of a 38.7km Yakasai- Badune-Damargu-Marken Zaklli Single Carriage Way in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State being handled by the same contractor. ...