Works Minister Inspects Lagos Bridges Minister of Works Engr. David Nweze Umahi was on a working visit to Third Mainland, Carter, Falomo, Iddo, Eko, Marina and Iganmu Bridges in Lagos State.   The Minister inspected the bridges alongside some Directors in the Ministry with contractors on Saturday 28th, October 2023.   Umahi, while briefing the Press, pointed out problems on the Third Mainland Bridge which was built in two sections Sixty years ago by an Italian Company and Julius Berger.   He said the reason for deflection on the bridge was lack of maintenance from the national level, other than the last administration where intervention came from and the State Government especially when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in office.   The Minister said due to the technicality of the job on Eko Bridge where the Bridge deck would be open, equipment worth one point two million Euros would be imported into the Country that would be used in maintaining the aspect of the bridge.   He commended the last administration's work on the bridge, the bridge suffered two problems. " Eko Bridge suffered two problems such as lack of maintenance, and the bearings eating up, lots of the pair gaps have serious issues but the last administration did a very good and wonderful work."   "Work is on going, it will finish in 2024 because we are pushing for increase in the number of workers and equipment to site, they are doing a beautiful work”.    Umahi said "Without Eko Bridge, we will not have any truck coming into Island so that is our saviour."   Engr. Umahi, thanked the President and the National Assembly for looking at Infrastructure strategically in Lagos State, the financial capital of the country which has lots of national infrastructure that tremendously add to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) therefore it cannot be neglected. He added.   The works Minister congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima on their victory at the supreme court  and urged the  leaders in the country to put the nation ahead of all interest  and the region. ...

Concrete Pavement Better than Asphalt Pavement - Umahi   The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Nweze David Umahi has reiterated that concrete road pavement is better, cheaper and will last longer than asphalt pavement in the construction of roads in some part of the country because of the terrain.   He stated this at a meeting with Directors of the Ministry held for purposes of clarification by the Minister that the use of concrete is not a cast on iron but has been tested to be better than asphalt. The meeting took place at the Ministry’s conference room on Tuesday October 3, 2023.   The Minister noted that there are a lot of advantages using concrete in road construction stressing  that roads built with concrete can last for 50 years without having issues of portholes or washout, concrete roads have a longer lifespan, it can withstand heavy traffic loads, low maintenance, less affected by temperature fluctuations.   “A lot of advantages accrue to the use of concrete to construct roads, concrete roads lasts longer compared to asphalt roads reducing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance, it’s stronger and can withstand heavy traffic loads, it also has low maintenance”.   Umahi maintained that nobody is insisting that all on going road construction in the nation should be changed to concrete but that can happen under the following conditions; all roads constructed with asphalt pavement must be on concrete shoulder; alternative design on the road shoulder, no shoulder on roads with surface dressing.   “Nobody is insisting that all ongoing jobs will be on concrete, but anyone that wants to continue with asphalt can continue under the following conditions: no shoulder on surface dressing, alternative design on shoulder all road of asphalt pavement must be on concrete shoulder”.   He added that some of the contractors are still working with obsolete and old machines the number of machines on site is hard to get up to 50% of needed machines to carry out the project including personnel.   He encouraged the directors to fill free to come to him for any suggestion or logical argument saying that the mission of Tinubu’s administration is to improve on the road infrastructure across the nation for the good of all.   “I am appealing to our consciences to see ourselves as people going to the same direction and pursuing the same agenda for the betterment of all.  All those in the field are the same with people in the office. Services in the office is what is keeping the services in the site". ...

63 Hearty Cheers to Our Fatherland - Nigeria 1. It is with a deep sense of honour that I express my profound felicitations to the President and Commander-In- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and indeed all Nigerians on this grand occasion of the celebration of 63 years of the Independence of Nigeria, this 1st day of October, 2023.   2. This year’s Independence Anniversary is remarkable as it is historic; it is an event that marks the first Independence Anniversary celebration under the administration of a leader par excellence and living legend who made inestimable sacrifice for the survival our nationhood.  We remember with nostalgia the great zeal with which our fore bearers received the Charter of Freedom from our colonial masters on that glorious day and the turbulence that greeted our journey to nationhood till this administration came on board. Today, the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President has come with a Divine purpose for the actualization of the dreams of our founding fathers and the aspirations of Nigerians.   3 Although the challenges are well accumulated and humongous, we vouch that with Mr. President who is a man of honour, courage and great integrity, the glory of our nation shall return to its pride of place. We pledge to work concertedly to improve the quality of life of Nigerians and prosper their livelihood. It is a mission that must be accomplished and a determination that requires the cooperation all Nigerians and the collaboration of all stakeholders for us to succeed. Let's together renew our covenant with God and confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President in this onerous task.   4. As we celebrate a new anniversary of our nationhood, may God continue to bind us together in love, unity and faith and may we progress in bounds in our determination to transform the socio- economic narrative of our nation. Please, accept always the assurances of the esteemed regards and best wishes of my family, the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works.   Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, CON, GGCEHF Hon. Minister of Works ...