Better Days Ahead in Infrastructural Development - Sen. David Nweze Umahi. The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr David Nweze Umahi (FNSE, CON) has assured road users that his tenure as the Minister of Works will ensure that the roads are put in proper conditions for all Nigerian.   The Minister stated this in his address at a reception in his honor by the Ebonyi State Government in Abuja.   He thanked President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for finding him worthy of the appointment. "Let me thank Mr. President so much, I also ask the people of the South East to thank him, Mr. President has shown us love, Mr. President has shown us inclusiveness, Mr. President has challenged us", he said.   The Minister pledged that Nigerians will witness vigour, diligence and commitment to road Infrastructural development under his watch. He added that any road constructed under his leadership will stay for more than six years without need of maintenance.   Umahi appreciated Ebonyi State Governor for organizing such an event in his honor.   Senate President, His Excellency, Godswill O. Akpabio, CON who was represented by the Deputy Senate President Sen. Barau Jibril, eulogized the Minister and expressed confidence that he will make a remarkable achievement in his Ministry.   In his goodwill message, His Excellency, Nwifuru Francis Ogbonna the Ebonyi State Governor, thanked the President for appointing an Ebonyi son to oversee the Ministry of Works while congratulating the Minister and the people of Ebonyi State for the opportunity.   "My profound appreciation goes to Ahmed Bola Tinubu for assigning our own to chair the affairs of the Ministry of Works", he said.   The Governor assured the President on behalf of the government and people of Ebonyi that the choice of Umahi is one of the best as he will deliver and give Nigerians the best haven like he changed the face of Ebonyi state.   Speaking earlier, Imo State Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma thanked God Almighty for the gift given to the South East and urged the Minister to replicate in the Works Ministry the good work he did in his state while he served as the Governor and even do more for Nigeria.   Sen. Umahi served as Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the 10th Assembly in 2023, and as a Governor of Ebonyi State from 2015-2023, and Deputy Governor from 2011-2015. He is a certified Engineer.   Other dignitaries at the occasion included: Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Chief Bisi Akande, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, some former Governors, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Engr Folorunsho Esan and Directors of the Ministry. ...

Umahi Resumes as Minister Amidst Cheers from Workers. The newly sworn-in Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has resumed at the Works Ministry. He received a rousing reception .He was received by Management Staff of the Ministry. The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mahmuda Mamman represented by the Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Folorunsho Esan led Management Staff.   The former Governor of Ebonyi State, and also the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, now Minister as nominated by Mr. President immediately assumed duty after the inauguration of the Federal Cabinet by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today 21st August, 2023 at the State House Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja.   Addressing a cross section of staff of the Ministry, Umahi has called for professionalism and seriousness to work, advocating for change from the existing style to new innovations and the use of local content.   “I will challenge my fellow engineers on the issue of concrete technology even in the midst of forex challenge and petroleum crises, the nation is endowed with natural resources so we should be prepared for the renewed hope of the present government anchored on change’’ he said.   The Minister stated that his administration is not to seat in the office but to be in the field, inspecting on going works and effecting the change we want saying that the fortunes of the nation are determined by the attitude of its professionals.   “ I am not an office person, I am a field person which means, we are going to make changes, we are starting inspection tours to inspect ongoing projects and to know the ones to come up  with” he said.   Umahi added that he will not tolerate people who will want to reset the clock backward but people who want to be part of history stating that he is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not Minister of Ebony State or South East alone and his best friends are those who are in line with the aspirations of Mr. President’s renewed hope and the expectations of Nigerians.   He promised by the special Grace of God to replicate the good work of God in Ebonyi State to the federal roads, he urged all staff to be prepared to work for the good of all.   “God gave us a lot of Grace in Ebonyi State and each time people talk about me, I say no talk about God, I don’t know how it happened.  I cannot do it alone and it’s not about me but about us as a nation’’.   The Minister said he will be briefed by every Departmental Head in the presence of all the staff so that all the staff will know what is on board.   To this end, he charged the staff of the Ministry to put in their best and be part of history, he thanked everyone for making out time to welcome him and promised to be there for everyone.   Also, the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr, Folorunsho Esan joyously welcomed the Minister warmly as a professional colleague and pledged the Ministry’s unflinching support towards a successful tenure in the Ministry.   In his closing remarks, the Director Highways, South West, Engr. Adedamola Kuti thanked the Minister for his show of commitment and love on his appointment, while also promising that the Ministry's staff will do their best to support his vision and mandate, he thanked all staff for coming out en -mass to welcome the Minister. ...

Permanent Secretary - Mamman Charges COREN .....Halt Building Collapse Now. The Permanent Secretary FMW&H, Mahmuda Mamman has charged the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to strategize and ensure a halt to incessant building collapse in Nigeria henceforth. The Perm. Sec made this disclosure during a courtesy visit of members of the council led by its Registrar, Engr. (Prof) Adisa Bello to the Ministry’s Headquarters office in Abuja.   Mr. Mahmuda Mamman speaking further said that, COREN being a Federal Government Recognized Regulatory Body is vested with the elaborate Mandate and Powers to check and control building standards in Nigeria. To this end he opined that there should be no more cases of building collapse which he frowned at and termed a bad situation that must be brought to a stop.   The Perm. Sec, said there seems to be a disconnect somewhere between Nigerian Engineers and COREN and that COREN as a matter of urgency proffer an urgent solution to this situation.   Mamman also advised that all Regulators in the Engineering body should come together and seek audience with the Ministry of Finance especially as regards the recent Federal Government Policy directive of self-funding for all such bodies . He further spoke to the idea of the consideration of levies as a way of generating revenues to assist the council. He thereafter charged the council to come up with implementable plans and guide lines by going back to the drawing board for them to be able to reposition COREN for better performance and impactful services to Nigerians.   Mamman appreciated the visit which he said was very fruitful and he is better informed now than before on the activities of COREN, while also directing that proper checks and registration alongside mandatory monitoring be carried out on construction activities that will end up in Nigerians living in well-built solid buildings with confidence without any fear of building collapse, come rain, come sun shine nationwide in Nigeria.   Earlier, the Registrar of COREN, Engr. (Prof) Adisa A Bello, said they were in the Ministry to brief the Perm.Sec on the activities of the Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria. The Registrar said COREN is a statutory regulatory organ of the Federal Government of Nigeria, established by Decree No. 55 of 1970 amended by Degree No. 27 of 1992, now Engineers (Registration).   The Registrar also confirmed that by the promulgation of Decree 27 of 1992, COREN was merely a Registration body of Engineers, and it was then known as Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria. However with the expansion of its functions in 1992, which now includes Regulation and Control of the Engineering Family, COREN's name was changed to what it is now, but still retaining the acronym, COREN.   Amongst COREN ‘S MANDATE ARE: It is empowered to: 1.    Regulate and control Engineering practice in Nigeria with all its aspects and ramifications, 2.    Ensure that Engineering is practiced by industry, Government and professionals according to acceptable and prescribed standards and abiding by the ethics and cannons of the profession 3.    Ensuring that only registered Engineers head Engineering departments and Units 4.    Ensuring that without proper registration with COREN, Engineering Practitioners do not progress or function beyond legally prescribed levels among other key mandates of COREN.   Also in attendance were relevant Directors of Engineering Departments of the Ministry who also contributed to the very meaningful discussions. ...