College Provost Commends FMWH for Another Intervention .....Says College's Staff quarters built by FMW in 1974 Provost of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, Dr A.B Cirfat has commended the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for yet another intervention in the College. The provost, spoke during the formal handing over of 1.04 km internal road rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in the Federal College of Education, Pankshin. Dr Cirfat revealed that it was the same Federal Ministry of Works and Housing that built the College’s Staff quarters in 1974 when the College was established. " The major intervention when the College was established in 1974 was by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing that built the Staff quarters. The buildings still carry the inscriptions of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing " he said In his hand over address, Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola stated that, the importance of infrastructure to learning environment and quality of education cannot be under estimated, hence the Federal Government has remained committed to bridging the infrastructure gaps in the country, including those of institutions of learning.   He said " It is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment" Fashola was represented at the occasion by the Federal Controller of Works in Plateau State, Engr Usman Abubakar Accordingly, the Minister explained that government was steadily bridging the infrastructure gap by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways, which had now reached the schools. He revealed that the Federal government has provided 83 internal road intervention projects in various Federal tertiary institutions across the country and the completed ones were being handed over now, of which FCE Pankshin is among. The road projects according to Fashola, benefited not only the students and the institution's community but also provided jobs for youths, stating that 34 people were employed in the process of the rehabilitation of the road in the FCE Pankshin. The College Provost who was represented by Deputy Provost, Dr (Mrs) Christiana Zumyil appreciated the Ministry of Works and Housing for always remembering the College, saying that, the entire College Community were excited with the project. " The entire College staff and students are grateful to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. We appreciate the Ministry for always remembering the College by coming to our aid whenever we needed it" he said Dr Cirfat said that the rehabilitated road has now given the College a new good look, urging the Ministry to still come to the aid of the College by building shoulders of the main road across the main gate in order to stop further damage of the road during the raining season. In his remarks, the College Director of Works, Arc Miri Gofer commended the speed with which the rehabilitation work was carried out, saying that the work has really eased traffic in the college. He also commended the first major intervention, building of staff quarters by the federal Ministry of Works when the College was established in 1974, urging that the remaining internal roads in the college would also be considered in the next intervention Master Betfa Innocent, an NCE 2 Student of Business Education described the road intervention in the College as face saving for the College Community, saying that movement in and out was now much easier. Master Innocent thanked the federal government and the Minister of Works for such great concern and action in the College The 1.04 km road in the FCE Pankshin links the Academic area in the College with the administrative block, Convocation square, staff quarters and student’s hostel. ...

Federal Government Commissions National Housing Programme in Enugu State .Enugu State Government Commends FG for project.. The Federal Government as part of its developmental agenda has commissioned 70 housing units Comprising of 16 units of three-bedroom, 24 units of two-bedroom, 24 units in condominium and 6 units of one -bedroom apartments in Enugu State. The commissioning ceremony took place at Amankpaka Autonomous Community, Ugwogo Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state under Phase One of the National Housing Programme of the Federal Government. President Muhammadu Buhari represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Geoffrey Onyeama expressed delight over the completion of the housing project as a fulfillment of the promise of change this administration made to the people at its inception. President Muhammadu Buhari appreciated Enugu State Government for the intergovernmental collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing through the provision of the land for the project, which was once left fallow, but today has come alive to shelter ordinary Nigerians.  He described it as “One of the developmental approaches across levels of governments to improve the human condition." Buhari reiterated that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which drive our economy, won the contracts to build these houses. Not only did their successful bids offer an opportunity for these companies and their employees both skilled and unskilled workers through them, and we have also unleashed a value chain of economic activities that has improved the conditions of the ordinary Nigerian." "These are some of the people our country remains committed to move towards prosperity and away from poverty and we are already reaching them by providing opportunities for employment for those who were hitherto unemployed”, he added. He directed that in the fulfillment of promise of change made by this administration that 22 units of the houses be reserved for the 1994 Olympic medalists in fulfillment of a pledge made to them 28 years ago by the then Federal government to encourage others that wish to sacrifice for their country. In his goodwill message, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi , commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN for the laudable initiative of providing these houses for the teeming rural communities in the state  which he said was the first ever National Housing Scheme in the state “. Represented by the Commissioner of Works Enugu State, Engr. Gregory Nnaji, the Governor noted that provision of shelter anywhere brings development and improve livelihood and for that they appreciated the government of President Buhari for providing the houses. While making his remarks, The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Director Housing of the Ministry, Arc. Iquo Lucy Uzodinma, stated that the 70 housing units under Phase 1, comprising 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units, completed and being commissioned were the outcome of a survey conducted throughout the federation. "In terms of design, this project is the outcome of a national survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to find out the type of houses Nigerians desire," he said. Fashola explained that the survey revealed a preference for bungalows in Northern Nigeria and flats in Southern Nigeria, adding that the survey also showed the need for space which, according to him, “Is why the one-bedroom units are 60 - 70 square metres and two-bedroom units 76 - 103 square metres while three-bedroom units are110 - 137 square metres." Fashola also disclosed that the housing units are offered to the public through the National Housing Portal at https://nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng to ensure that interested buyers are not inhibited by any “artificial obstacle and allocations are made on the basis of those who apply and pay on a first-come- first-served basis." The Minister added that Nigerians would witness many more commissioning of completed projects across the nation as President Buhari's tenure wines down, adding that many more projects would soon start to bear fruits. The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali who was represented by the Federal Controller of Housing, Enugu State, ESV Emmanuel Eijie, stated that the Ministry was promoting local content in building construction in line with Executive Orders 3 and 5. According to Alkali, at least 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under Phases I, II and III of the housing programme since 2016 and over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs have been created. “During this period, the Ministry has been undertaking the construction of at least 6,000 housing units at 45 sites out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 34 States and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said. In a goodwill message, His Royal Highness, Eze Akpata 1 of Amankpa Nike Autonomous Community Ugwogo, Enugu, Engr. Damian Ikechukwu Edeh thanked the Federal Government for the project and the State government for siting the project in his domain. He added that the physical infrastructure has developed the area. The royal father noted that  the area which used to be a hideout of robbers and kidnappers has been cleared. The President General of the Amankpa Community, Hon. Joseph Onu added that the community needs employment for their unemployed youths and urged the community to rejig the existing infrastructure for the betterment of their community. One of the beneficiaries under the Federal Government fulfillment of the promise made to the 1994 Super Eagles Team members who won the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia 1994, Mr. Christian Chukwu while delivering the vote of thanks expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government for this unforgettable gesture. He said he is delighted to have taken full possession of his own semi-detached three-bedroom bungalow. The housing estate has internal roads, drainages, water reticulation and a central borehole with overhead tanks and   electricity. ...

FG Flags-off the dualisation of 132 km Kano- Kongolom Road Project. Under the Innovative Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme adopted by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal government has yet again, flagged-off a critical road dualisation, a 132 km Kano- Kongolom Road. Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola performed the ministerial flag-off, supported by his counterpart in the Ministry of Water Resources, Engr Suleman Hussain Adamu. The Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) intervention that enables the Federal government leverage on Private Sector capital and efficiency for the construction and refurbishment of critical road infrastructure on key economic areas in Nigeria. It was provided for under Executive Order 007 which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019. The Kano-Kongolom Road project traverses Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States, and the venue of the flag-off was Anguwan Tudu in Gwiwa local government area in Jigawa State. In his address, Fashola reiterated the determination of the Buhari administration to address road Infrastructure gap in the country even at the twilight of the administration's tenure. He also pointed out that the continued participation of the private sector in the road tax credit scheme was a statement of confidence for the administration. Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the huge economic importance of road construction to include; job creation, reduced travel time and cost among others. He appealed to Traditional Institutions in the area to talk to their subjects who are occupying the right of way within Government's roads to vacate in order to give the contractors hitch free movement during the construction. In his good will message, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleman Adamu thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for this laudable project in the North West, which he said would have great economic impact on the people.   Engr Adamu also promised to provide all the necessary assistance to the contractors to deliver the road as specified. In his remarks, the Minister of State, Works and Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would not leave any stone unturned in terms of such developmental projects. He appealed to motorists to patiently bear with understanding all the inconveniences during the period of construction. The Group Executive Director of BUA, International Limited, the Construction Company handling the project. Alhaji Kabiru Rabiu also appreciated the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for the contract and promised that his Company would deliver quality job and on time too. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Bashir Nura Alkali, represented by Director Highways (North west), Engr. Wasiu Taiwo stated that, the roads Infrastructure tax credit scheme was one of the great funding innovations of the Federal Government in its resolve to tackle Infrastructure deficit in Nigeria. The representative of the Emir of Kazaure, the Makaman Kazaure, Alh. Umar Aliyu, who spoke at the occasion appreciated President Buhari and the Minister, Raji Fashola for the laudable project which he said, would have great impact on the people in many more ways. The 132 km road originates from Dawanau round about in Kano town and terminates at Kongolom, a border town with Niger Republic. The road covers 61.15km across Kano State, spans 28.85km through Jigawa State and 41.50km through Daura to Kongolom border town in Katsina state. Party of the project scope includes; three bridges at; Ungogo (Kano), Kazaure (Jigawa) and Daura (Katsina), with eight number pedestrian crossings at different locations along the corridor of the project. ...