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. ...

Fashola Inaugurates COREN Board Members, Charges Them on Professionalism. .... Reiterates Federal Government's Commitment to Infrastructural Development. Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has inaugurated the 9 Member Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), today Tuesday 9th August, 2022, charging them to ensure that the ethics guiding the Engineering profession are upheld. Fashola reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the development of infrastructure.  He said, “As you are all aware our government has committed to infrastructure and as you all know infrastructure brings development to the country, it boosts our economy, it creates employment and it enables the nation to compete for continental and global space." The Minister noted that members of the Engineering profession have been and will continue to play a significant role in this regard and stressed the need for COREN to ensure that professionalism is at its peak. He charged them to uphold the moral and ethical standards of the profession, adding that true professionals always do the right thing no matter the situation and will not compromise standards in the face of pressure. One of the Council members and immediate past President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engineer Babagana Mohammed said the new Council members are coming with a lot of experience and dedication to protect the ethics and standards of the Engineering profession. He said, we are going to emphasize on the dos and don'ts because so many things are happening. Some people do not understand the regulations, so we need to make people understand and obey the regulations." He added that it will form the focus of the ongoing conference of COREN. Speaking in the same vein, another member, Professor Zekeni Robert Yelebe who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the Council members praised the infrastructural drive of the Buhari administration and pledged that they will ensure that standards are upheld in the profession. He said, "We can see that this government is serious in terms of infrastructural development and as a Council, we will make sure that engineering activities especially infrastructural development is done with all engineering ethics." He added that the Council will also look at the curriculum of institutions offering Engineering courses to see if there is need for changes or improvements to be made. He disclosed that accreditation issues will also be appraised to ensure that the products of the Engineering Institutions can compete with their counterparts in any part of the world. The newly inaugurated Council Members are: Dr. Muhammed Danlami Jibrin, representing North West, Dr. Idiat Ibironke Arogundade, representing the North Central, Professor Baba Shehu Waziri, representing the North East, Professor Zekeni Roberts Yelebe, representing the South South and Professor Gabriel Obafemi Shonaike, representing the South West. Others are: Engineer Babajide Ojedele representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ademola Isaac Olurunfemi also representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Tasiu Wudil and Engineer Babagana Mohammed both representing the Nigeria Society of Engineers. ...