Engr. Umahi Flags Off Construction of Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway  - Describes project as a jinx broken and true testament of Mr. President’s love for the North  The Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. (Engr.) Nweze David Umahi has described the award of the contract for the construction of Sokoto - Badagry Superhighway as a forty-eight year jinx being broken and a show of love for the people of the Northern part of the country by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He disclosed this at the flag off ceremony for construction works on the Section I, Phase 1A of the project in Ilelah town, Sokoto State on Thursday, 24th October, 2024. Engr. Umahi informed the gathering that the idea of the project was first muted during the first tenure of former President Shehu Shagari but could not be started earlier than the present, describing it as a payback to the people of Sokoto for the massive support given to the Tinubu Presidency at the 2023 polls, while also soliciting for same and much more during the 2027 elections. He further described the epoch-making event as a manifestation of one of the Legacy Projects of Mr. President, spanning over 2,000 km with the North having 52% and the South 48. The Minister revealed that the choice of rigid pavement i.e. concrete in its design and construction is informed by longevity, while that of the contractor, Messrs Hitech Construction (Nig.) Ltd is premised on capacity to deliver according to specifications and on schedule due to availability of both brand new equipment and requisite manpower. It has done a similar pavement work on the Apapa - Oshodi Expressway in Lagos State and is doing same on the Lagos - Calabar Coastal Highway. While appreciating the unwavering commitment and support of Members of the National Assembly for the President’s infrastructure renaissance, he equally thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for the promise to provide security for the entire stretch of the corridor, while the work lasts. In welcoming guests at the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Sokoto State and Commissioner of Works, Hon. Idris Mohammed Danchadi alluded the project to “a dream come true” for the loyal people of the State. Briefing the massive crowd at the Ceremony, the Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Bakare Umar and the representative of the Director, Highways, Bridges and Design, Engr. Musa Seidu described the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto - Badagry Superhighway as a Trade, Transport and Security (TTS) Greenfield corridor traversing Sokoto state through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and terminating in Lagos State. They opined that the project seeks to reduce transportation costs, improve trade, connectivity, efficiency and economies of scale around the corridor and beyond. The 120-kilometre, 6-lane highway, 3 lanes on each side is to be separated with beautiful median landscaping, solar street lighting and modern digital signages, adding that it will link various existing inter-border towns and routes, provide quick access, enhance border settlements for trade, security support and enablement. The length of Section I, Phase 1A starts from Km. 0 + 000 (Ilelah, Sokoto State) and ends at Silame on the Sokoto/Kebbi State border, according to them. In separate Good Messages, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, H.E. Sen. Abubakar Bagudu disclosed that at a Town Hall Meeting in July, 2024 at Birnin Kebbi, the Minister spoke about plans to embark on the project. He said that the flag-off represents the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to transform Nigeria and a proof that building viable and lasting infrastructures is possible.  Also another former Governor of Kebbi State and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, H.E. Sen. Adamu Aliero stated that upon completion of the Superhighway, travel time between Sokoto to Lagos will be drastically reduced by 48 hours, adding that dams for irrigation and electricity generation and rail lines are amongst its integral parts. The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. (Barr.) Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi dubbed the Minister of Works as “Mr. Projects,” further assuring Nigerians of getting value for their money. While the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Usman Banye said it was a rare honour and a privilege to be a part of the epoch-making ceremony, also described the project as a catalyst for economic growth and a testament to Mr. President’s desire to better the lives of the citizenry. Speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Barr. Mohammed Bello Goronyo revealed that the project is a clear testament of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present Administration. He further stated that, as a Member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), he has heard the Minister spoke about the project in Council for a record three times, which is a demonstration of his, as well as the President’s love for Northern Nigeria, also a passion for infrastructure development. On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Sa’ad Abubakar promised to gather brothers and sisters in Sokoto and its environs to assist the Ministry in the delivery of the project, which is very dear to the people of Northern Nigeria. He used the opportunity to admonish leaders to, always, prioritise the welfare of the populace in their deeds. In his Speech, the Sokoto State Governor, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, FCNA, who flagged off the project, on behalf of the President, was full of praises for the Federal Government. While mentioning that the gigantic road project, when completed, will link the state with the Central and Western parts of Nigeria, he promised to provide adequate security cover throughout the length and breadth of the alignment within his jurisdiction. The Executive Governor also, specifically, expressed the sincere gratitude and best wishes of the entire people of Sokoto to Mr. President for adding yet another Ministerial slot to the State in yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle.   ...

JULIUS BERGER PLC URGED NOT TO RENEGE ON THEIR COMMITMENT TOWARDS COMPLETING THE REHABILITATION OF THE 82 KM SECTION II OF ABUJA-KADUNA- ZARIA- KANO ROAD.  - AS THE WORKS MINISTER, SEN. UMAHI CHARGES THE NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JB PLC TO BRACE UP FOR A REALISTIC CONTRACT PRICING IN DEFERENCE TO NATIONAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLANS. The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON has for the umpteenth time called on Julius Berger Plc. to show corporate patriotism by accepting the Federal Government’s approved reviewed total contract sum of ₦740, 797,204,713.25 (Seven Hundred and Forty Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, Two Hundred and Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Naira, Twenty Five Kobo for the completion of the rehabilitation of the 82 km section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, contract No.6350. This call was made during the courtesy visit of the new Managing Director of Julius Berger Plc, Dr. Pier Lubasch, who was accompanied by the outgoing Managing Director, Dr. Lars Richter at his office, Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters, Mabushi Abuja on 22nd October 2024. He lamented that the delay in mobilizing to the site despite the approved funds by the Federal Executive Council is causing untold hardship to the road users and that the Federal Government is at the receiving end of the situation.   In the Honourable Minister’s Words “So if Berger is not doing it, then let's have other people to do the job and within the time that we can control price. We've had more than 20 letters from Berger on this. It is a ping pong game from Julius Berger. The prices rose from ₦710 billion to ₦740 billion because of these delays. And if we continue the delays, it is the problem of the Ministry of Works.” The Honourable Minster expressed dismay that Julius Berger Plc, which has had years of patronage by Federal Government and sub-national governments, is not  realistic in the contract pricing, especially at this time of Nigeria’s economic challenges. He therefore urged the contractor to within 7 days accept or reject the approved reviewed contract sum for the completion of the rehabilitation of  section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road or face contract determination as Federal Government cannot be held to ransom by the desire for unrealistic pricing and augmentation by contractors.  He said, “This offer is not subject to any condition. It's not subject to any condition that is being dished out here. It's taken as given after more than 14 months. I'm sorry, I have to sound this way because there must be an end to negotiation. If anybody says there shouldn't be an end to negotiation, then that person is not a business person. If you have negotiated for 14 months without any result, you should terminate the negotiation.” While welcoming the new Managing Director of Julius Berger Plc, the Honourable Minister reiterated the need for construction companies working with the Federal Ministry of Works to prepare to make sacrifices in terms of value for money and realistic contract pricing, so as to encourage the much needed road infrastructure revolution for the nation’s economic transformation which is a cardinal agenda of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR He said, “already a number of Berger projects have been terminated because the site has been abandoned. And we needed to do something about it because Nigerians are suffering. Nigerians are crying, and they are insulting the President. We cannot allow that to be happening.” The new Managing Director promised to revert as soon as possible on the issues sought to be addressed and hoped that consensus would be reached for the project to take off without further delay. The outgoing Managing Director, however, noted that the essence of the courtesy call to the Honourable Minister of Works was to introduce the new Managing Director of the company.   ...

UMAHI FORMALLY FLAGS OFF REHABILITATION WORKS ON SECTION I OF THE ABUJA - KANO DUAL CARRIAGEWAY  One of the key areas of focus under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of road infrastructure to enhance economic growth and social development. One such road projects is the Abuja - Kaduna Dual Carriageway, which has been under construction for many years. The economic importance of this road cannot be over emphasised, as it links the Federal Capital, Abuja to the Northern part of the country, as well as facilitate the movement of people, goods and services. To this end, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. (Engr.) Nweze David UMAHI, CON, FNSE, FNATE officially flags off the rehabilitation works on the Abuja - Kaduna road on Thursday, 17th October, 2024. Speaking at the epoch-making event, the Minister stated that the road project is in three sections: Abuja - Kaduna (Section I), Kaduna - Zaria (Section II) and Zaria - Kano (Section III). The Zaria - Kano section is substantially completed with about 17 kilometres remaining and has recently been expanded by about 5.3 kilometres to the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano with solar street lightings. This is being handled by BUA (Nig.) Plc. The Kaduna - Zaria section is being handled by Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc.  However, due to the slow pace of work on Section I, Engr. Umahi admonished the original contractor, Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc to stop playing games and pushing the Administration around but concentrate on delivering the project according to the reviewed contract sum of N740 billion, insisting that no further review would be entertained.  The Minister further disclosed that if Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc are not willing to continue with the project at the agreed amount, they may as well come out plain, as the Ministry is ready to do it on concrete, while maintaining the same quality with that of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway or the Apapa - Oworonshoki Expressway, which is built to last for between 50 - 100 years. Engr. Umahi also maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has directed two prompt actions to be taken on the road to ease the plight of road users: palliative works to be effected on the failed portions, and the contractor have since mobilised to site and is expected to finish by the middle of November, as well as its total rehabilitation.  “When completed, you can travel from here to Kaduna with your eyes closed," he humorously remarked. A portion of Section I of the road is awarded to Messrs Dangote Industries Plc, who sub- contracted it to Messrs Hitech (Nig.). The Minister, while flagging off the project, appealed to them to commence the work in three sections and, most importantly from the end where the road is critically bad. He commended the infrastructural initiative of Mr. President, stating that infrastructure, nationwide, was in a terrible state of decay on his assumption of office.  In his welcome address, the Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Umar Bakare, disclosed that the original contract was awarded to Julius Berger PLC. in 2018 and was divided into three (3) sections for ease of construction.  Section II is substantially completed, while Section III is at an advanced stage of completion but Section I is only about 27% completed. Due to the importance of the road as a major link to the FCT and its economic importance to the country, it has become imperative to fast track the completion of the outstanding sections of the Dual Carriageway.  Engr. Bakare also informed that the length of the project is 38 kilometres (dual) within the Section I of the original contract. The scope of work consists of scarification, pulverization and compaction of the existing distressed pavement as sub- base. Provision of new stone- based to be stabilised with cement (3%) and provision of CRCP (continuously reinforced concrete pavement) on both the carriageway and the shoulders.  It also includes the provision of hydraulic structures (culverts, lined drains etc.) The amount for the contact is N145. 8 billion and it is expected to be completed within fourteen (14) months. The financing model is under the Tax Credit Scheme of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Speaking at the ceremony, the representative of Dangote Group, Alh. Bukar Abba, thanked the Federal Government and, particularly the Minister for the confidence reposed in the Dangote Industries Ltd., while assuring that they would align very well with the project’s specifications and the proposed completion period. The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Onyekachi Nwebonyi and  His Excellency, Sen. Adamu Aliero were full of praises for the Administration for coming to the aid of road users, while urging the contractor to deliver according to specifications, as well as the dateline. Other dignitaries at the flag off ceremony include, Senator (Prof) Anthony Annie and the SSA to Mr President on Stakeholder Engagement, South East, Barrister Chioma Nweze. ...