Apr

24

2024

BODO-BONNY ROAD:  FG ORDERS JULIUS BERGER TO RETURN TO SITE WITHIN 14 DAYS OR FACE SANCTIONS

The Federal government has ordered the contractor handling the Bodo- Bonny road construction to return to site within 14 days or risk appropriate sanctions.

Works Minister, His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Engr. (Dr) David  Umahi gave the marching order today at a meeting with the handlers of the road project, Julius Berger  PLC , as well as representatives of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas NLNG and Royal Fathers from Bonny Kingdom  and  other members of host  communities in Abuja.

According to the Minister, the Bonny-Bodo road contract which was initially awarded at the cost of N120 billion in 2015, was later varied at N199 billion with a completion dateline of December 2023, which has since elapsed.

The Minister deplored the unilateral stoppage of work by Julius’ Berger, describing the action as unacceptable.

While rejecting in total, Julius Berger’s request for variation based on fluctuations in exchange rate and increasing cost of material, the Minister said government does not award contract based on exchange rate.

He pointed out that no contractor will come to government for a downward review of the cost of any project if the exchange rate becomes one naira to one dollar, adding that government cannot anchor contract cost based on exchange rates variations.

Senator Umahi was particularly unhappy that the timelines for the completion of the project were not adhered to, maintaining that if the project were  completed in December 2023,   as contained in the contract agreement , issues  of high exchange rate and increasing cost of materials would not have arisen ‘

He however promised that he would make a presentation to Mr President and commander in Chief His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a marginal augmentation to ensure that the project is completed on or before December 2024, particularly in the Spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the love President Tinubu has for Bonny Kingdom and other host communities in the Niger Delta Region.

Earlier in his presentation, the Managing Director, Julius Berger Plc    Engr Dr. Lars Richter called for the variation of the contract which he said has become necessary in view of the declining value of  the Naira and rising cost of construction materials in the country.

The Managing Director drew the attention of the Minister to the time lag when the contract was awarded in 2015 when the exchange rate was N305 to a dollar, adding that the cost of building materials has since risen by over 1000%.

Contributing, the Deputy Managing Director of NLNG, Olakunle Osobu pointed out that the contract which is being funded through the Tax Credit Scheme is intended to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, calling on all parties to the project to remain patriotic as well as make the necessary sacrifices for the actualisation of the project.    

On their part, Roya Fathers of Host Communities led by Chief Abel Attoni, Palace Secretary, Bonny Kingdom expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the decision of the Renewed Hope administration to ensure that Bodo-Bonny road is completed.

His Royal majesty applauded the commitment of the Works Minister to the road project especially coming at a time the Nation is experiencing economic difficulties.

Apr

19

2024

Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway: A Renowned Policy Analyst Describes Cost of Project as One of The Most Effective Project Figures in The World, Says Sen. Umahi's Negotiation Power is Second to None

Blueprint Newspaper
Written By Bode Olagoke

A think tank body of policy analysts on the platform of the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) Wednesday justified the N2.8trn to be expended on the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. The group said the cost of construction of the highway "is appropriate." It also faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's criticism of the project, saying there is enough proof to support the cost of the mega project. IMPI in a statement by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, in Abuja Wednesday said its study of the situation shows that all the claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate were off the mark and targeted at discrediting the project. The think tank group acknowledged the track record of the project handling firm in constructing coastal highways with reinforced concrete in many countries, citing the successful handling of the Bar Beach Shoreline protection.

On Atiku's criticism of the cost of the project, the policy group insisted that a cost analysis of road projects similar to the Lagos-Calabar highway in some parts of the world show that the cost of the project was appropriate.

The statement reads: "We note that there is no unified standard pricing template for the cost of building a kilometre of road anywhere in the world. The realities of road building have much to do with several variables: location, train, type of construction, number of terrain, lanes, lane width, surface durability, and the number of bridges, to name a few. "Yet, for engagement, we reviewed some cost estimates in some other countries to establish the context of fraud or otherwise that Waziri Abubakar is trying to throw up.

"To build a 2-lane road of 12 metres wide of each lane with no bridges in states of North Eastern United States of America is $3.34m per km (when converted to Naira using the N1200/$ adopted by Umahi, it comes to N4.08bn per km) while the same 2-lane road in South Eastern USA with no bridges is $ 3.78m per km (N4.53bn per km)

"According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the average cost of building a concrete road in rural areas is around $2.5m per mile, while in urban areas, it can costs upwards of $5m per mile.

"In California, the estimated cost of building a concrete road ranges from $3 million to $6 million per mile, depending on the location and other factors. In Australia, average road project costs were around $5.1m (N6.12bn) per lane kilometre in 2017.

"But in Bangladesh, according to the World Bank, the estimated cost of construction is $6.6m (N7.92bn) per kilometre for the Rangpur-Hatikumrul highway, $7m (N8.4bn) per kilometre for Dhaka-Sylhet highway, $11.9 million (N14.28 billion) per kilometre for Dhaka-Mawa highway. This underscores cost differentials in road construction because of peculiarities in terrains."
 

Apr

16

2024

ARMED FORCES FULLY BACKING THE RENEWED HOPE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES, DESCRIBE ROAD AS CRITICAL TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND AS A CATALYST FOR SUCCESSFUL MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST BANDITRY

The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has been assured of the full backing of the Nigerian military in his efforts towards realizing the lofty road infrastructure objectives of the Renewed Hope administration of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

This assurance was conveyed by the Chief of Defence Staff, Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR during a courtesy call to the Honourable Minister of Works, held at the Ministry's conference hall, Mabushi-Abuja on 16th April 2024.

Speaking during the courtesy call the Defence Chief commended the glaring determination of the Honourable Minister of Works to return Nigeria's road infrastructure to the part of glory knowing the importance of road to the socio-economic transformation of the nation.

He placed on record the strategic importance of road to national security and its place in achieving successful military operations against acts of banditry.

He said, "We are following your activities on the internet, and we know you're almost everywhere. I want to commend you for the efforts you are putting in.

We know how determined you are to ensure that our roads are back. We all know that without roads, there can be no peace. That's true for rural areas and urban areas.

Roads are significant and very important to the growth of any nation. Despite all the challenges, we’ve seen how comments have been made, both professionally and unprofessionally, to your person, but you’ve been strong.

I want to encourage you, sir that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is solidly behind you. We will continue to provide every necessary support that you require.

We are just a phone call away. Whatever there is, that you would want us to do for you, be rest assured, we will be there, because we know the relevance and importance of having good roads in any society."

The Chief of Defence Staff also appealed to the Honourable Minister to take into consideration the need for interventions on the deplorable condition of some roads in the North East where bandits are taking advantage of the poor conditions of roads in the area to defy and relegate security operations.

He noted that the areas where the military were recording high casualties of both manpower and equipment, especially in Maiduguri, were the areas the bandits use Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in their attacks knowing fully well the deplorable conditions of the roads in those areas.

He said, "So for us, roads are critical to our success in our operations.

I want to appeal to you, whatever it is, whatever it takes, if we can fix most of these roads that we have, it will greatly assist us in carrying out our operations.

Once we have good roads, the funny thing about North East, especially Borno State, will be resolutely tackled. Most of the distances are not that long."

In his response, the Honourable Minister of Works thanked the Defence Chief for the wonderful work the Armed Forces are doing to rejig the security architecture and rid the nation of banditry.

He particularly thanked Mr. President who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the successes he has recorded in the fight against banditry in Nigeria.

He said that the military deserves the cooperation, support, and solidarity of all Nigerians in their efforts and sacrifices to secure the citizenry.

He decried the recent brutal killing of the military personnel in Okuama Delta State and thanked the military for their sense of maturity in the face of the needless provocation.

"Let me offer my deepest condolences to you for your personnel that were brutally murdered at Okuama in Delta State while doing everything to ensure peace and security in the area. It's quite very unfortunate.

Let me thank Mr. President for the maturity and thank the military led by you for the maturity. Those personnel who were killed are children of parents.

They have children, and they have wives. Our hearts go out to you and their families, and we condemn that very terrible and barbaric act.

We caution those who are making very unhealthy statements on the matter, as if the lives that were lost were the lives of animals"

The Honourable Minister assured the Defence Chief of the preparedness of the Ministry in addressing the concerns of the military on the conditions of roads, especially in the areas of their operations in the North East.

He said, "Let me appreciate your concerns over our roads, especially as it affects your programmes in North East.

And let me assure you that when we get those routes and your major concerns, we are going to analyze them to know the ongoing projects among them, and then know why the projects are slow in their execution. It could be for the reason of funding.

Everything has become a priority in our road sector development.

We would like to analyze it and together we will take it to Mr. President, who has put the security of life and property ahead of any other thing."

He further said, "I'm very sure that Mr. President, as usual, will give it the desired attention. It's not his will that any person will die for the reason of a bad road.

So I'm reassured by the character and the content of Mr. President that something will be done.

We have to get our designs and figures right, and together, we can do that."
 

Apr

08

2024

PRESIDENT TINUBU PRAISES CONCERTED EFFORTS OF SOUTH-EAST LEADERS IN PEACE BUILDING AND GOVERNANCE

1.  The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has commended the leaders of South-East for their concerted efforts in harnessing their collective experience, knowledge and relationships to advance developmental ideals, peace building and robust democratic governance in South-East. The President made this commendation during the burial ceremony of late Deaconess (Mrs) Theresa Osinachi Omoke JP, the mother of his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, South East, Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Nweze, CEHF.

2.  The President, represented by the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi. FNSE FNATE, GGCEHF, CON, particularly thanked the Governor of Ebonyi State,  His Excellency,  Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB,  GGCEHF for  raising  the bar in the peace  and security  of the State and for deepening the cause  of development of the State and all who live in it. He said, "You have taken every challenge of Ebonyi State as the challenge of the people, and you have raised the bar in advancing the People's Charter of Needs of Ebonyi State. The President is very excited about your performances."  In his condolence message to the family of the deceased, the President described the late mother  of his SSA on Community Engagement as a woman with  exemplary virtues who made immeasurable contributions  to the advancement of the  cause of humanity, and enjoined her and the entire Omoke family to take solace in the accomplishments of her age. "I would like to condole with you and the entire  Omoke family on the death of your beloved mother, an icon and the matriarch of your family who sadly passed away on 18th of December, 2023 at the age of 75".

3.  The Honourable Minister of Works  used the opportunity  to clear the air on misrepresentations  on  media platforms  over the government  that handled the much commended  rehabilitation  of Third Mainland Bridge Lagos, which is now opened  for road users. "The Third Mainland Bridge was not done by Lagos State Government. No, it was done by the Federal Government as directed by President Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Everything about the  funding  was entirely done by Mr. President through his Minister  of  Works." He also used the opportunity to thank the leaders and people  of South East for their support to the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President. He said, "I want to send a message of thanks from Mr. President to the people of South East, for their support;  I want to thank the Governors and  appreciate  them for their  support, which is beyond party lines." He revealed, "In a very short moment, leaders of South East will  come together to openly, publicly, and heartily appreciate Mr. President, and let Nigerians and the world know that we stand with the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President.

4.  In his address  during  the event, the Governor of Ebonyi State thanked Mr. President  for his fatherly  disposition  to all the States of the federation  and his inclusive governance, which has renewed the hope of Nigerians  in actualizing  positive  trajectories in the political  and socio- economic  history  of the nation. He offered  his deep condolences  to the deceased  family  and his compassions to the cause of the family  and community who would deeply  miss her  love and charity.  While praying  for the repose of her soul, he  expressed commitment  towards immortalizing the good name she bequeathed. He said, "As government, we must do a very  significant thing  today. The State Government  will build  a befitting pavilion in this field, and that  pavilion  will be named after  the late mother of Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Nweze. The road leading  to this field will be constructed  as a mark of honour to  late Deaconess (Mrs) Theresa Osinachi Omoke JP"

Mar

22

2024

Federal Government Approves Funding of 30km Dualization of Three Sections of Benin- Lokoja Highway Under Tax Credit Scheme by BUA Group

1. In a bid to provide urgent and accelerated   intervention on the critical sections of the Benin- Lokoja Federal Highway, the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has approved the immediate funding of 30km dualization of three sections of the road, to be funded under Tax Credit Scheme by BUA Group. The Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON made this known during a meeting with all the contractors handling the Benin- Lokoja Federal Highway and some stakeholders from the area.  The Honourable Minister said that the Ministry took some steps to review the texture of the pavement of the project to conform to the new innovation introduced by Renewed Hope administration to ensure best standards and durability According to him, "I first went through the road in September, and when I went through it, I was very satisfied that BPP and the Ministry did very fantastic work. But all I did was to keep the project but review the texture of the pavement. And so we allowed the existing carriageway to be on asphalt and then reviewed the new carriageway to be on concrete. Being satisfied, so we went through the process of notifying the BPP, and from there, we went to FEC, and graciously, FEC approved, and so we are in the process of signing an addendum  to the contract." "Mr. President has approved that BUA Group should do 30km of the road in 3 locations multiplied by 2, that is 60km on Tax Credit"

2. The Honourable Minister  commended  BUA Group for their interest to handle the  construction  of the  30 km carriageway under Tax Credit  Scheme and said the intervention was targeted  at the critical  sections  of the road as already  isolated when he last visited the  Benin- Lokoja road. He stated, "Let me commend BUA plc very highly, because on their own they had indicated interest to do about 30km of the road on tax credit. That was one of the reasons I decided to go and revisit the road to know the section they needed to do and also to open the road. So, we had to open the road. We appealed to  the road transport workers, that work would start  Monday, the next week. That was 18th, and indeed, we briefed the President, and then Senator Adam Oshiomhole now came with the full weight of his person. "

3. Speaking  on behalf  of the people  of the area, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District and Chairman, Senator  Committee  on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole praised the determination  of the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President  in  changing the socio-economic narrative  of the nation through  aggressive  road infrastructure  transformation and the  uncommon commitment  of the Honourable Minister of Works in achieving  the vision  of Mr. President  on road  infrastructure  development.  The Senator who came in the company of  the APC   Candidate in the  Edo State September  2024  Governorship election and Senator representating Edo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Monday Okpebholo expressed  his profound pleasure over the new paradigm in the Federal Ministry of Works,  noting  that the Ministry  under Sen. Umahi  has recorded unprecedented  performance in the road infrastructure  development  within the shortest period of time. He said, " I was shocked that within 72 hours this Minister did not only hear the word of the President, he packaged what I have seen from the briefing to be a doable and workable approach to solving a problem that four or five ministers before him could not solve. So I wish to ask us to appreciate his energy, his drive, and his focus, without which we will not be here today."

4. In their separate remarks, the  Governorship  candidate  of APC in Edo, Sen Monday Okpebholo said, "Mr. President has rekindled our hope. Just within the shortest time of our request to the Honourable Minister, magic has been done, if this is how Nigeria works; everybody will want to come back home, nobody will want to 'japa'." On his part, the Group Executive Director of BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu, assured of the commitment  of the company in delivering the project within a record time. In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works,  Yakubu Adam Kofaramata,PhD, appreciated Mr. President for the new narrative in the Federal Ministry of Works, which is made possible by the appointment of a workaholic and highly committed Honourable of Works.
 

Mar

10

2024

Federal Government Addresses Concerns on Benin- Ekpoma- Auchi Okpella-Okene- Lokoja Road, Gives a Marching Order to Contractors To Justify The Funds Released  to them or Risk Termination  of Their Contracts

1. The Federal Government  has issued a marching  order to all the contractors handling the Benin- Ekpoma- Auchi- Okpella- Okene- Lokoja road to immediately commence accelerated  work on the rehabilitation of the road or face termination  of their contracts. This directive was handed over to the contractors by the Hon. Minister of Works,  His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON during  his inspection  visit  to the various  project sites in Edo State on 9th March 2024.. The Hon. Minister  who disclosed  that the Federal  Government  under the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR had released  funds to the contractors handling  the  federal projects, warned that  contractors who fail to fully mobilize and commence  immediate  accelerated rehabilitation  works on the projects would have their  contracts  terminated and such contractors blacklisted.

2. Speaking  after a meeting  with the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency . Goodwin Obaseki, the Minister described  as unacceptable  the delay of the  contractors in fully  mobilizing  to site and effectively commencing  rehabilitation  work despite Mr. President's prompt release of funds to them for the projects. On the recent protest  along the Jattu axis of the  Benin- Auchi highway  by the residents  of the area,which  disrupted  vehicular  movements, the Hon. Minister said that his meeting  with the Governor  was to brainstorm  on the drastic  measures  to tackle the issues affecting the progress of work in the area."  I have had a very serious  meeting  with the Governor here. We are concerned about what is happening between  Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi- Okpella and the axis of Kogi State. That is what we have been brainstorming on. I have worked  with him throughout  last night to direct that the road should be unblocked, and if you see  the grievances of those people  you will not blame them  so much, because  people  are dying, trucks are falling."

3. On his part, the Governor  thanked  the Hon. Minister of Works for his deep sense  of  commitment to the development  of road infrastructure in Nigeria.  He assured of the unwavering  support  of his administration  to the concrete  technology initiative introduced by the Renewed Hope administration, which  he said was the best model  for the  road infrastructure  along the  East West  and indeed parts of the country. "First, let me thank  my brother and very good friend, the Honourable Minister of Works, who you know  is an engineer  par excellence, for the concern he has shown. Same time last year when I cried  for help ahead of the rainy reason,  we didn't  get this kind of response. " He harped on the need to remove encumbrances to the construction  of enduring  road infrastructure in Nigeria. "We shall not continue  to use expensive  asphalt  to do our roads. We should use  sustainable  local materials; we produce  cement  and steel, there is no reason  why we can not begin  to move towards utilizing more concrete  in building  our roads for sustainability so that our roads can last longer.'

4. The Hon. Minister  who also inspected the Lokoja – Benin Road Dualization Projects, section IV: Benin – Ehor road in Edo State handled by RCC Nig. Ltd; the section III: Ehor – Auchi in Edo State handled by Dantata & Sawoe Nig. Ltd; and the section II: Auchi – Okene in Edo/Kogi States handled by Mothercat Nig. Ltd tasked them on the best standard and timely  delivery  of the  projects. He further  moved to the spot where the residents  were blocking  vehicular  movements and addressed them on the efforts  of  Mr. President  in improving the condition  of roads  in the State." Mr. President has directed  me to go round the entire 36 States and brief him on the state of the  roads. No contractor  is being  owed a kobo from Warri down to Kogi State. We are readdresing  the situation here, you will see action from Monday"
 

Mar

07

2024

FG Commences Construction of 700 Km Lagos- Calabar Coastal Road and Maintenance of Piers and Other Under Bridge  Works of Critical Bridges in Lagos  

1. As part of strategic plans for holistic economic recovery, the Federal Government has commenced the construction of the 700km Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning 9 States with two spurs leading to the Northern States.  This was expressed by the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, during the official handover of the first phase of the project, made up of 47.47 kilometers dual carriageway, to Hitech Construction Company Ltd, and which is to be constructed in concrete pavement.

2. The Hon. Minister who was in company with the Federal Ministry of Works' Controller in charge of Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs) O. I. Kesha, emphasized the need for all contractors handling Federal Government’s road projects to deliver within a record time, noting that the government would not allow variation arising from delays or slow pace of work once mobilization had been done. He, however, commended very highly Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Ltd for being reputable for quality and speedy delivery of jobs. He acknowledged their efforts in starting work immediately after the contract was awarded. He said, " They have completed some filling of 1.3 kilometer from the day the project was awarded to them. It shows the speed they are going to deploy to this project. Within a couple of weeks, we awarded the project to them, they mobilized a lot of dredging equipment, and you can see that they have recovered 1.3 kilometer of section one of the phase".

3. The Honourable Minister  who also visited  project  sites at the Queen's Drive Ikoyi, the Third Mainland  bridge top deck, the  underwater, the Eddo bridge,  the Eko bridge  and Carter  bridge expressed  the determination  of the Federal  Government  to carry out a comprehensive  rehabilitation  of the  bridges which  he  said are critical links between  the  Mainland  and the  Island  of  Lagos,  the economic  hub of the country. These repairs are expected to cover not only the top of the bridge but also the under-bridge works. He said, " At the Third Mainland bridge, we have three or four critical elements to be rehabilitated. The first one is the deck, and the deck is about 11 kilometers × two. That is dual carriageway, including the ramps, and it has been done by CCECC. They have done very beautiful jobs, but we have not concluded.  Before the end of March, we'll be concluding the asphalt milling and the reasphalting.  He further said, "But that is not all our commitment there. We are installing the guardrails, we are replacing the lights with solar light, we are going to put some decorative lights too, and then we are going to put CCTV camera both on top and under the bridge to check insecurity and illegal mining of sand, which is causing scouring on the piles and the pipe bits. The second job is that some sections of the slab are deflected, and so what we have done is to get an expert to understudy the level of deflection. That's the tendons of the slab that deflected. And so, we are going to cut open the slabs, enter and then look at it, scoop it, and then reinstate the tendons of the slab. There's nothing to worry about. It's been done at a Eko bridge by Buildwell. So, this one is not a threat to us at all.

4. He commended what Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd is doing already, which is restoration of deteriorated peirs and peir caps including the cover of peirs and peircaps themselves, and said the piles which he also inspected  were the most  critical of the works to be done.

5. Earlier  in their  respective  remarks, the State  Controller,  Federal Ministry of Works  and the representatives  of  Hitech Construction Nigeria Ltd, Julius Bergger  Nigeria  Ltd, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd,  and. Buildwell Nigeria  Ltd assured  the Honourable Minister  that they would continue to work in line with the   spirit  of excellence, which the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR  is known for.

Mar

04

2024

Works Minister Committed to Speedy and Quality Delivery of Road Infrastructure Nationwide, Says The Policy of No VOP on Mobilization is a Measure to Ensure Value for Money and  Timely Completion  of Projects

1. The Honourable Minister of Works. His Excellency, Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has restated the commitment of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in ensuring that all the Federal Road projects are executed speedily and delivered in best standards.  The Honourable Minister gave this assurance during  his inspection  visit  to the rehabilitation  work at Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4( Aba-PH) executed  by China  Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd(CCECC).He commended  the contractor handling  the project for showing  purposefulness, and he therefore  announced  the revocation of the warning letter issued  to  CCECC  a fortnight ago over their delay in mobilizing  to the site despite the government's  directive."The warning letter  given  to CCECC  for slow pace of work  is hereby  revoked. The new pace of work is excellent, the job quality is excellent, and the Controller sends me progress reports every day. "

2. The Honourable  Minister, who also inspected the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2 ( Umuahia Tower- Aba Township Rail/ Road) in Abia State, handled  by  the Arab Contractors; the East West  Road section 111( Eleme-Onne junction) in Rivers State handled  by  Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Ltd; the Rehabilitation  of  Enugu- Port Harcourt  Expressway Section 3( Enugu -Lokpanta) in Enugu State handled  by CGC, said he was impressed  by the progress  of work on the respective projects. He said of RCC" I want to commend RCC openly and with all sincerity. I will also take the quality of work going on to Mr. President because he directed me. I was just barely one week in office when he directed me to go and flag off this project because the leaders of Niger Delta came to visit him, and they complained bitterly about the road. " He spoke of the good job by the Arab Contractors and said," I am very happy that the Arab Contractors has done a good job. I commend the contractor. Anybody who wants to see a good job should come here. The Controller of Abia State is doing extremely well together with his engineers." While at the CGC project site, he said, "I have seen the work they are doing, they are doing a very beautiful work. The job quality is very good and the speed is also very good. They are among the contractors that have the highest number of equipment in any of their project sites. So I commend them very highly. "

3. The contractors who spoke during the inspection visit to their respective projects said they were committed to the new order in road infrastructure development in Nigeria and assured the Honourable Minister that they would ensure  quality  and speed  in the delivery  of their road projects. The Project Manager of CCECC in charge of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway, Mr Henry Shaw said, "I am going to assure you that the Honourable Minister, His Excellency is a professional Engineer with a great difference. He knows everything, so nobody can cheat him."

Feb

29

2024

Inspection of Ongoing Federal Roads Rehabilitation in Northwest Zone: We Know Concrete Road Technology Will Be A Huge Success, Says Works Minister

…..BUA Cement restates commitment to reduction in price

We know that concrete road technology is going to be a huge success for the benefit of our people, says the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON.

According to him, we are sure that utilizing  concrete road technology is the right decision and so we have not made any mistakes insisting that concrete road technology should take its root, especially in some of these key projects.”

The Honourable Minister disclosed this today in Sokoto while fielding questions from journalists after the inspection BUA Cement facility which is part of his inspection of ongoing rehabilitation of highways in Sokoto State.

Speaking on his visit to the State, Sen. Umahi disclosed that “first, I'm here to inspect as you know, a very ambitious road project being embarked upon by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Nigeria, Senator Tinubu Ahmed.

He added that the Federal Government was “constructing 372 kilometers of roads, multiplied by two, which means its dualization. One road is an existing one, which we are doing complete rebuilding, and then a brand-new road, again, of 372; a total of 744 km roads.

The Honourable Minister revealed that “Mr. President wants this road very fast, but wasn't too sure if we can get the volume of cement to use. So, we are constructing the first 372 kilometers running from Kaduna, Zaria, Zamfara, to Sokoto, with asphalt as the carriageway, and then the shoulders will be concrete”.

Adding that “but the entire new lane, carriageway, will be constructed with concrete.”

Stressing the agenda of President Tinubu for the road sector, Sen. Umahi reiterated that “I know very well that Mr. President's still desires that the public should get something much better. And he's giving all the support, so we still expect that you will fulfill the promise you made to Mr. President as we're going back to the status quo so that the public can benefit.

“The very massive housing project Mr. President has embarked upon will definitely see the light of the day. And also, the massive road construction Mr. President has embarked upon will also benefit from this initiative.”

Commenting on his impression of facility tour of BUA Cement, Sen Umahi said “So we have gone there, we have seen, and it's quite amazing, the complexity of the cement factory of BUA in Sokoto.”

“We saw very organized industrial setup, no single dust. There was no need to use a nose mask. There was no loitering of workers, everything being in automation.”

While speaking to journalists about the cooperation of BUA Group with the Federal Government on the reduction of price of cement, the Group Executive Director, BUA Cement, Alhaji Kabir Rabiu while thanking the Minister, told them his company stands by their commitment made to the Federal Government two weeks ago.

He said further that “then we gave a commitment, not only on the pricing, but also on additional capacity to go to the market, reassuring that with 165 additional trucks on a daily basis from our Sokoto cement allotment, we're putting almost 400 trucks by day of cement into the market.”

“We believe this additional capacity is going to have a serious positive effect on the supply and demand issue in the country, he emphasized.

He reaffirmed that “we also gave in our commitment that we don't believe cement should sell more than 7,000 Naira anywhere in Nigeria.

He thus promised that “we will continue to do our best to support this administration, to support Mr. President's agenda in ensuring that Nigerian economy is back on its feet and is doing so much better than it is doing at the moment.”

On his part, the Senate Chairman of Committee on Housing, Senator Aminu Tambuwal noted that cement product is very critical and a major component towards delivery of housing projects by the Federal Government by state governments and even by the private sector in our country.

The inspection visits by the Honourable Minister to Sokoto and Zamfara States will see him inspect four projects across four States; which includes Katsina and Kaduna States.

Feb

27

2024

Works Minister Pledges Robust Engagement with COREN on Development of Engineering Practice

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr) Nweze David Umahi, CON, has pledged robust engagement with the Council for the Reregulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) on the development of engineering practice in Nigeria.

“It is our intention to work with COREN and all other engineering affiliates, we will like to work with you as we have so far carried you along very well incorporating into a number of our committees and you have responded positively”.

The Honourable Minister gave the pledge today when the leadership of COREN led by the President and Chairman of Council, Engr. Prof Sadiq Zubair Abubaker, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Sen. Umahi, who spoke to the delegation in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, stressed the importance of partnering with the engineering body, noting that it has become expedient for COREN and other stakeholders to work for the development of the profession; especially the need to uphold professional ethics and excellence.

Emphasizing the role of COREN, he said “I do believe strongly that the engineering body is not doing what should be done; there is supposed to be action where professional ethics are breached.”

Continuing, he opined that “there should be punitive action taken that will help in promoting professional ethics and ultimately leading to promoting engineering service as in the case of other professions like Law.”

On the need for the regulators to upscale their impact on the practice, he stated that “If the engineering bodies should do their work of ensuring the discipline of our profession, then we can get a better practice, a better society. The people you fail to supervise today are going to be the ones to build the bridges we will use tomorrow; that is the danger if we don’t do our own part to ensure that the professional ethics are enforced,” the Minister submitted.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of COREN, Engr. Prof Sadiq Zubair Abubaker expressed his delight on how the Honourable Minister has in the last few months changed the narration in the critical sector of infrastructural development in the country. He reassured the Honourable Minister of continuing partnership with the Ministry in the interest of the development of the engineering practice in the country.

In the delegation of COREN were the Registrar of COREN, Engr. Prof. Adisa Bello; the Head of Finance and Accounts, Lawan Mariri. Others include Engr Ahmed Kutigi, and Engr. Teah Andrew Onyilo.

Feb

22

2024

Works Minister, Senate Committee on Finance Re-Affirm Commitment Towards Implementation of Tax Credit Scheme

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON and the Senate Committee on Finance have re-affirmed their commitment to continue with the implementation of the tax credit scheme as contained in Executive Order 07 issued by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

This was the position taken this Thursday at the end of the interactive session between the Senate Committee on Finance; chaired by Senator Mohammed Sanni Musa, the Federal Ministry of Works and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, (NSIA) on the funding of critical roads, NNPC Funding and Infrastructure Development & Refurbish Investment Tax Credit Policy Initiative.

The Honourable Minister who expressed the determination of the Tinubu administration to complete the designated road projects under the tax credit scheme, told the Committee members that “we have not initiated new projects, because the President has not granted permission to do that.”

Speaking further, Sen. Umahi noted that there was the challenge of inadequate funding especially the non-release of funds by NSIA as expected for the implementation of the scheme.

The Honourable Minister assured that the Ministry is up to the task of actualizing the objective of the scheme as he announced that starting from next March, the Ministry would begin publishing details about ongoing projects. He said, “I can assure you that from the month of March, we will be publishing in the dailies the cost of projects, progress made for that month and other necessary information.”

In his own remarks, the Senate Committee Chair on Finance, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa disclosed the support of the Committee for the scheme, stating that the objectives of the scheme were commendable.

While lauding the initiative and the need to sustain the scheme, he averred that the Senate was not against the continuous implementation of the scheme as contained in the presidential, He thus “appeal to NNPCL, the Federal Ministry of Works and the contractors handling the projects covered by the scheme to ensure those projects are completed.”

Commenting on the role of NSIA in the funding of the scheme, the Senate Chair remarked that “the Committee will recommend to the Senate to pause that initial agreement between the Ministry and NSIA; “so then NSIA can now concentrate more on other investments. Let them leave the issue of road projects because road projects is an emergency and requires emergency attention,” he affirmed.

Pledging the support of the Senate for the Federal Government initiative, Senator Musa, said “however you will be able to get the funding on the side of the Senate, appealing that “I want to appeal to the Federal Ministry of Works to seriously look at the issue of funding; on the side of the Senate I hope we will be able to do everything to get funding for the projects,” he reassured.

The Honourable Minister was accompanied to the interactive session by senior government officials from the Ministry.

Feb

20

2024

Federal Government and Cement Manufacturers Meet Over Escalating Price of Cement, Brainstorm on Challenges Facing Cement Manufacturing, Agree on a Price Range of N7,000- N8,000/ 50 Kg Bag

1.  The Federal Government has agreed with the cement manufacturers on the modalities to tackle the escalating price of cement in Nigeria. This was the outcome of the meeting of the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi GON the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the cement manufacturers and the Cement Producers Association. The meeting held closed door at the office of the Honourable Minister of Works. Mabushi, Abuja, had in attendance, the representatives of Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc, Larfage Africa Plc and Cement Producers Association.

2.  In their separate remarks, the Honourable Minister of Works said the meeting was aimed at addressing the concerns of Nigerians on the escalating cost of cement in Nigeria marked by the disparities between the ex-factory price and the market price of cement. He expressed hope that the meeting would proffer enduring solutions to the unabating increase in cement price.

3.  Also in her remarks, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment said it was worrisome that the price of cement was surging despite her Ministry's regulatory policies and the Backward Integration Programme (BIP) introduced to manage cement price and development, and expressed surprise that the whole idea of the BIP on the management and development of cement manufacturing industry is not bearing the desired fruit.

4.  A communique was issued after the meeting and was read by the Honourable Minister of Works as contained in the appendix hereunder. The two Honourable Ministers also used the opportunity to re-assure Nigerians that the Renewed Hope Administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR is committed to addressing the economic challenges facing the country and shall leave no stone unturned in addressing the escalating prices of commodities, including the price of cement in Nigeria.

5.  Confirming the communique as the true reflection of their deliberations, the spokespersons to the cement manufacturers and the Cement Producers Association thanked the two Honourable Ministers for their  sense of devotion to the  cause of national development and expressed their confidence  in the timely  intervention  of the Federal Government  to the  challenges facing cement manufacturing in Nigeria. The spokesperson of Dangote Cement Plc and GMD/CEO, Mr Arvind Pathak added, "the Honourable Ministers gave us a kind hearing, and we have agreed for a window of 30 days in which we re-assemble and see how best we can move on that."

The spokesperson of BUA Cement Plc and Group Executive Director, Mr. Kabiru Rabiu said. "And another thing that I need to also add is that BUA is committed to bringing an additional 6 million tons of cement in the next few weeks, and that will seriously dampen the pressure of supply in the market, and we will continue to commit to this engagement." The spokesperson to Lafarge Africa Plc and Commercial Director Mr. Gbenga Onimowo said " it was very timely, honestly, listening towards the challenges that we all face as manufacturers, I think we appreciate that, and we do look forward to the solutions coming, the support they're going to give within the next coming days."

The President of Cement Producers Association, Prince David Aweta, added. "I am actually here to advocate for the six other players to join in the industry because practically, we can feel that the operators in the cement industry at the moment are so few and that is why we are having this perennial problem of cement hikes particularly during dry seasons."

DETAILS OF THE COMMUNIQUE 

Meeting of Cement Manufacturers – Dangote Cement Plc, Bua Cement Plc, Larfarge Africa Plc & Cement Producers Association with the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite and the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON Held at the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works, Mabushi, Abuja on Monday, 19th February, 2024

1. The meeting noted the challenges of the manufacturers like:
    a.    Cost of gas;
    b.    High import duty on spare parts;
    c.    Bad road network;
    d.    High foreign exchange; and
    e.    Smuggling of cement to neighbouring nations.

2.    The government noted the challenges and reacted as follows:
a.    Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to seek some remedies from Mr. President on cost of gas and import duties.

b.    Federal Ministry of Works to give more attention to fixing of the roads, especially around the locations of the manufacturers.

c.    On the issue of smuggling cement, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to deepen the already started engagement with the National Security Adviser on how to stop the smuggling.

3.     The cement manufacturers and the Government noted that the current high price of cement is abnormal in some locations nationwide.  Ideally, cement retail prices should not cost more than ₦7,000.00 to ₦8,000.00/ 50kg bag of cement.  Therefore, the three cement manufacturers: Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc and Larfarge Africa Plc have agreed that cement cost will not be more than between ₦7,000.00 and ₦8,000.00/50kg bag depending on the location. 

4.    Going forward, Government advised cement manufacturers to set up a price monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance, and manufacturers have willingly accepted to do so and to sanction any of her distributors or retailers found wanting.

5.    Government expects the agreed price to drop after securing government's interventions on the challenges of the manufacturers on gas, import duty, smuggling, and better road network.

6.    The meeting agreed to reconvene in 30 days to review progress made.

Feb

18

2024

Umahi Gives Termination Notice to Contractor Handling a Section of Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway for Non-Performance

....Minister commends President Tinubu for funding highway rehabilitation, construction projects.

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, has directed that 14 days termination notice be issued to Messrs. China Civil Engineering Construction (CECC) which is handling the Abia Section of Enugu-Port Harcourt Highway currently undergoing rehabilitation for reason of non-performance.

The Honourable Minister gave the directive this Sunday when he inspected the progress of work at Ozuaku, after Imo bridge along Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway.

According to Sen. Umahi “I've just directed that they should issue them 14 days termination notice using all due process on construction. After 14 days, if they fail to do what we have asked them to do, then we will have to do the termination notice.”

 
Adding “We will no longer tolerate the situation where contractors will put blank ranks on site. And they will be escalating construction costs by delaying the completion of project date.”

Continuing, he said “and we have reached an agreement in Ministry of Works that in the coming weeks, all non-performing contracts using due process will be terminated and re-awarded.”, he disclosed.

The Honourable Minister explaining the reason why contractors should demonstrate commitment said, “We let them know the suffering of Nigerians. We are here to help them, and we will do everything to help them,” he stressed.

Sen. Umahi then observed that “the cost of non-completion of this project has a lot to do with contractors. Where contractors stay on projects over and over and be pretending, thereafter, they come to request for augmentation every year refusing to leave the site.”

He however assured that “we will force them out of site either on the terms of completion or on the terms of termination.This is what we are going to do.” Stressing the imperative for the Ministry to deliver quality and good highways to Nigerians, the Honourable Minister averred that “it is very important to appreciate all the efforts of Mr. President who has been providing funds for our road infrastructure projects; which is very, very good.”

Sen. Umahi added that despite over 3,000 road projects inherited by this administration, President Tinubu must be commended for providing huge resources for our road network stating, “so it's kudos to Mr. President and it shows that Mr. President is very, very sensitive to our road infrastructure needs. And so we must do everything to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, irrespective or notwithstanding any blackmail,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister has lauded Arab Contractors, the contractor carrying out the ongoing rehabilitation of work on the 56km Abia State section of the Enugu -Port Harcourt highway for quality of work done with words of encouragement.

He said “the moment a contractor is performing very well, then you are a friend and that's the bottom line,” he submitted.

In the same vein, the Honourable Minister has described as excellent the job performance of Messrs CGC Nig. Ltd handling Enugu State axis of the dual carriage after his inspection of the roads.

While commending the contractor, consultant and the Controller of Works for job quality, Sen. Umahi praised the contractor for the quality of work and equipment, while requesting that  the ongoing work on one section of the highway must be completed by middle of March as agreed.

Feb

16

2024

Implementation of Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit (Tax Credit) Scheme on Course

The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has restated the commitment of the Federal Government in the implementation of the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit (Tax Credit) Scheme. The Honourable Minister made this clarification   in a Press briefing after a meeting he had with the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue, (FIRS) Mr. Zacch Adedeji, FCA and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, represented by the Chief Financial Officer, Umar Isa Ajiya in his office on 16th February 2024.

Speaking to Press men, the Hon. Minister said that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has not only said that the implementation of the Tax Credit Scheme should continue, including private, NNPC and NLNG, but has also approved the review of the projects under the Scheme due to inflation. The Minister said that the statement of the Chairman of FIRS that the project would be completed but would not be expanded was misconstrued by some media quarters as saying that the projects under the Scheme would be stopped.  He further reiterated that the Scheme is highly beneficial and that the implementation framework is encapsulated in the Executive  Order No. 007 of 2019 of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Part of their agreement was that " all the NNPC projects on road infrastructure as started, should not be expanded, but should continue to the tune of N2.59 trillion. It was also agreed at the beginning of this Executive Order, and it was very clear that the N2.59 trillion was not the total cost of the project. Sometimes it's about 40% funding, sometimes it's about 50% funding. So, ab initio, the cost of the project up to completion was not N2.59 trillion. Now, we have scoped the entire project and then put a review on it, and the funding gap is N2.7 trillion."

"We agreed that three of us would make a joint memo to Mr. President to suggest that the N2.7 trillion funding gap be channeled to the National Assembly for approval and then the method upon which we get the money."

While thanking the Chairman of FIRS and the GCEO NNPCL for their commitment to the Scheme, he noted some of the challenges they discussed such as the problem of methodology for programme implementation and their resolve to adopt a more robust approach to solve the problem. He also said that part of their resolution was that non-performing contracts shall be terminated.

 He said "contractors should go back to site and  we are going to unequivocally terminate contracts that are not performing in the coming weeks and this we  will do definitely and we are going to encourage even the local contractors especially those who can do concrete roads to come forward and register and we patronize them".

While commending  FIRS for the funding,  he further expressed, " We are happy that this NNPCL project will be completed, we have agreed  on the private Tax Credit and he has also given a blessing  that it should not be expanded  beyond  the  last seven projects that were initiated by the last administration and that we should go ahead to review  the likes of  Dangote,  BUA, MTN and then close it."

Feb

14

2024

FG Tasks Concessionaire on the Revitalization of Central Workshop Ijora Lagos for Optimal Delivery in its Mandate of Public Works

The concessionaire interested in investment in the rehabilitation and management of the Central Workshop Ijora, Lagos under Public Private Partnership has been tasked on the need to leverage on the private sector initiatives of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to invest on technologies that will promote best construction standards in Nigeria, bearing in mind the mandate of the Central Workshop which is essentially public works as provided by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission.

The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON stated this during a concession review meeting with the Public Private Partnership unit of the Federal Ministry of Works led by its head, Ugwu- Chima Nnennaya (Mrs) and Messrs. BETA Transport Nigeria Ltd led by its Director, Nana Fatima Paturel, dated 13th February 2024. He urged them to see the partnership as an opportunity to develop technologies that would help in the building and maintenance of the government's infrastructure, especially buildings, road construction, bridges, rail tracks, harbours, and aerodromes. 

He highlighted the importance of the Federal Government's approval for the concession of the Central Works Ijora, Lagos and expressed confidence that if fully rehabilitated and put into optimal use, it would create job opportunities and help in the training of Nigerian youths, artisans and craftsmen that would close the gap in the human capital formation needed to drive the construction and manufacturing industry.

Considering the report on the processes leading to the finalization of the concession agreement with Messrs BETA Transport Nigeria Ltd, the Honourable Minister expressed reservations over the strength of negotiation that gave rise to the financial close, and therefore constituted  a five- member committee to re- evaluate the negotiation  outcome and make appropriate  recommendations with a view to achieving  value for the federal government. The Committee  is made up of the following members:
1. Director Highway Construction  and Rehabilitation - Chairman 
2. Director Highway Panning &  Development - member
3. Director Engineering  Services 
4. Director  Legal  Services
5. Head Public Private Partnership  - Secretary 

Responding on behalf of the committee, the Chairman thanked the Hon. Minister for his sense of commitment to the cause of national development and for the  ethical standards he introduced  in the conduct  of government  businesses  in the Federal Ministry of Works and assured  him that the committee  would  deliver on a record  time in the assignment  given to them.

Apr

25

2024

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS GIVES ULTIMATUM TO CONTRACTORS HANDLING THE DUALIZATION  OF LOKOJA-BENIN ROAD,  OBAJANA  JUNCTION- BENIN IN KOGI AND EDO STATES TO SIGN THE REVIEWED CONTRACT OR FACE JOB TERMINATION

- AS HON MINISTER DIRECTS THE MINISTRY TO WITHIN 7 DAYS  AUDIT ALL  ONGOING  PROJECTS, INCLUDING PERSONNEL  AND EQUIPMENT

The Honourable Minister  of Works, His Excellency,  Sen. Engr. Dr. Nweze David Umahi CON has directed  the   contractors handling  sections I- IV of Lokoja- Benin, Obajana Junction- Benin roads in Kogi and Edo States to immediately  sign the new contract  as reviewed under the Renewed Hope administration  of  President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR or face the termination of their job by the Federal Ministry of Works in accordance with the condition of service. 

This directive was given to the contractors  in a meeting  with the  representatives of  Mothercat  Ltd, CCECC Ltd, Dantata & Sawoe Ltd, CGC Ltd and RCC Ltd held on 25th April 2024  at the Ministry's Headquarters, Mabushi-Abuja. 

He further directed  the Ministry  to, within  7 days , carry out a comprehensive audit of the ongoing  projects with a view to  knowing  the  status of work done, the capacity  of personnel  and equipment being used by the contractors.

Speaking  during the meeting, the Honourable  Minister frowned at the pranks of the contractors who were part of the process of re-scoping and reviewing the contract specifications but failed to sign the review  contract  documents after signing that they would do the job based on the new specification. 

He said “The project was initially N121 billion, but before the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the project was already reviewed to about over N870 billion. 

When I came in as Minister, I saw that the project was over-bloated, and I refused to take the No Objection to FEC. I had to go through the road  myself, and I realized that some sections of the road could not survive asphalt. 

So, we started meetings that took us over five months with all the contractors, and in the meetings, we agreed to re-scope the project. We re-scoped the project where we said okay, the new lanes should be done on concrete and the other ones done on asphalt. 

We kept the contracts up and we all signed the documents and based on signing the documents, we took it to BPP and from BPP we went to FEC, and before we went to FEC, we demanded for them to approve that they can do the job. 

They all gave us letters of approval.” He  wondered  why  contractors were given jobs without having the required manpower and equipment to do the job, and warned that henceforth any contractor signing a contract must sign alongside the basic rate and timeline. 

He said,” So the position of the government is that if you are not signing the contracts between today and tomorrow, you will forgo the jobs. You can go to court. We will not enter into any condition for further negotiation. 

This contract is over N2 billion per kilometer. You don't have equipment to do the work. Let me even assure you that if you are signing the contract, you will sign it alongside the basic rates. You sign it alongside the timetable, and you deploy in three sections, or I will terminate the job. Enough of playing with the psyche of the people." 

He further stated that the Ministry would  not allow  any contractor  to hold the country to ransom or to impose their conditions  on the Ministry. "You don't want to work, leave the job. It's not compulsory that you must be the one to do the job. You cannot be on site, and the people are dying. The vehicles are falling down, and you're playing politics with the lives of the people. And we fold our hands and leave you for what? You can't be on site....So if you are not working, pack your things out of that site."

In his remarks,  the Director,  Highways (SP) South, Engr. C.A Ogbuagu  gave account  of  the  technical processes undertaken by the Ministry before  Federal  Executive Council approved the  augmentation of the  project,  which the contractors accepted,  and letters of award were given to them. He wondered why the contractors refused  to sign the new document.

He said," After the FEC's approval of the argumentation, the legal department was brought in so that this new contract will now be executed so that work will continue on site. So, for about two weeks now, the draft addendum has been with the contractors, and none of them has positively responded, except  RCC."

The CGC in his reply, expressed commitment to the directive of the Hon. Minister and said, "for our side, and firstly for our section, and currently we are seriously working. 

And secondly, we have a sent the draft to the Head Office And there is any issue, we have answered them and may be later tomorrow morning, we can get the approval from them so we can go ahead."  It is hoped that the other contractors will sign the new contract latest Monday 29th April, 2024. and mobilize effectively to the site.
 

Apr

23

2024

Those Criticizing the Ongoing Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway Project Being  Done by  The Renewed Hope Administration Of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu  Either Have Little Knowledge of the Concept of EPC+F On Project Financing Or  Are Deliberately Sacrificing The Cause Of  Development  At The Altar Of Politics

The trending posts of   criticisms by some notable  politicians on the propriety and priority of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project being executed  by the Renewed  Hope administration  of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR are no doubt baseless thoughts of critics who are either bereft of the knowledge of the workings of the project  initiative or they deliberately  want to sacrifice the modest developmental efforts  of Mr. President  at the altar of  their political ambitions. It is unthinkable  that such highly  placed people fail to understand  the various  elucidations provided  by the Honourable Minister  of Works,  His Excellency,  Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON  on when the project  was conceptualized, the various  administrations that attempted   but failed to carry out the project, the economic  and technical  considerations that gave rise to the commencement  of the project under the Renewed Hope administration, the funding  and procurement details  and indeed the dimensions, importance, priority and propriety of the projects  in the national developmental trajectory.

For the avoidance  of doubt,  the Lagos- Calabar coastal highway  project is being done under EPC +F. What does this type of funding  entail? This is a project financing mechanism in which EPC+F contractors also arrange financing for the project. EPC+F is Engineering, Procurement  and Construction plus Financing. Engineering  here includes design and specification. This initiative provides  a fixed  price, fixed date, and transfers risks to the contractor. This type of funding requires only a counter- part funding  from the Federal Government. Such funds  are sourced  by contractors where they have confidence  in the  economic policies of government, which essentially entails  allowing  the participation of the private  sector  in the road infrastructure  development through  PPP or EPC+F.  

In the recent  Inauguration  of the Committee  on Compensation  of owners of properties that will be affected  by section 1 of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway, the Honourable Minister emphasized the nature of the project funding  and the workings of EPC + F when he said, "And graciously, Mr. President had approved that this section three will start from Calabar, which is the end point of the project, and start running towards Akwa Ibom. So, the 700 km is procured  under phase one, in phases, and it's EPC +F. EPC+F is engineering, procurement, construction, and finance. And so, under this kind of arrangement, the contractor is expected to bring in a certain amount of money, and Federal Government is expected to pay certain counterpart funding."

No patriotic  Nigerian  should discourage  this kind of project  where funding is substantially  from the contractor. There is no doubt  that Mr. President  is aggressively  tackling  the backlogs  of uncompleted  road projects. In the 2023  Supplementary Budget,  Mr. President  approved funds for intervention on the over 260 dilapidated roads nationwide.  The 2024 appropriation  made provision for capital  investment  on our critical  roads across  the 6 Geo- political  zones of Nigeria. The Honourable Minister  has already  made a great difference  in the road infrastructure development  roadmap of this administration through his new innovations on road construction  and rehabilitation, his power of supervision, and his contract negotiation power which  is second  to none in the history  of the Federal Ministry of Works. He has been touring around and supervising   the various  ongoing  projects  of the  federal government, and the difference  is already  there. The people  are testifying of the quality  and speed of road projects being  executed by the Renewed Hope administration. He has proven track records on road  infrastructure development.  He is not into rhetorics like many politicians who talk high but can do only less. The administration of President  Tinubu  is doing roads that will stand the test of time. The  roads he is fixing  will  facilitate economic  recovery.  The patriotic  Nigerians are already  applauding  the good efforts of Mr. Presidentt, but professional  politicians  are busy criticizing  a landmark  project  that will launch Nigeria into the league  of the best economies of the continent. 

On the importance  of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project  to the economy  of the  nation, it is clear that the coastal highway, when completed, will foster national economic growth. Notably,
 all roads in the country are  important as reflected by the interventions of this administration on road rehabilitation across the nation, but the coastal highway offers much more economic benefits to the nation because  of its connectivity  to the North  and South through  the existing spurs. The road, when completed, has the potential to increase Nigeria’s GDP and trigger industrialisation, create trade, enhance the  transportation  of goods and services, and  safety of road users.The road is going to be the biggest super highway in Africa in terms of the structure and solidity as we all as utility value, having ten lanes with a rail track designed for concrete technology, covering 700 kilometers. It is going to attract foreign direct  investment to Nigeria, and it is going to trigger economic development. It is going to develop the potential of our coastal businesses, especially  at the local economic corridors, and boost tourism and marine businesses. 

Apr

18

2024

Honourable Minister of Works Inaugurates Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section 1 Compensation  Committee, Gives 10 Days Deadline  For Completion Of Assignment

1. In keeping with the established rules on compensation and the ideals of transparency of  the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Honourable  Minister  of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has constituted a committee  to review the  report on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in respect  of compensation for section 1, Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project. The committee  made up of 19 members is required  to interface with stakeholders  and property owners that will  be affected by  the project with a view to recommending  those who are entitled to receive compensation from Federal Government  as required  by law.  The Honourable  Minister   directed  that the commitee should  work strictly  with the terms of reference, which is to verify  and authenticate the list of those to be compensated and submit a report within 10 days effective 18th April 2024. He said, "We are setting up a review committee to look at the work done by the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA,) and the works to be reviewed by this committee is very simple, and it's just to interact with the property owners that are going to be affected, and then in their presence, in the presence of the committee and the ESIA Consultant and the contractor, look at the compensation as enumerated to be paid, and where possible, you visit the site. We are using the federal rates to do our enumeration. I know very well that there is nobody that is ever enumerated that is ever satisfied with how much  is to be paid, but we are bound by the law, and so we are using federal rates."

2. The Honourable Minister  promised to ensure a seemless  and  timely  payment  of compensation on the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway  project but warned that only those  legally  entitled  to compensation  would  be shortlisted. He said, "The moment the property owner signs, and then we have a form that we give to them to fill, and indicate the bank account; the moment that is done, within 72 hours, we authorize payment. The contractor is going to be paying directly to all those who are affected, and this we are committed to doing. This verification will  start Wednesday in Lagos, and of course, we have to make it very clear that 250 meters legally belong to the Federal Government. So if you have a title within these 250 meters and it's not a title from Federal Government, then it is encumbrance, and only Mr. President can give a waiver if he feels so for the person to be paid."

3. The meeting  which was held via zoom  in the Honourable Minister's conference  hall Mabushi-Abuja with the affected property  owners and other stakeholders, was in furtherance  of the resolutions earlier  reached in the stakeholders engagement  meeting held by the  Honourable Minister of Works  in Lagos on  11th April 2024 whereof opinions were ventilated from different  groups of stakeholders and decisions  were reached on the need for a review  of the report  on  the enumeration by the Consultant on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment  of the affected  areas. The committee members were constituted to reflect  the different  groups  of stakeholders,  including  Lagos State Government,  affected  Local Government  Areas  Traditional Rulers, estate developers  and residents, as well as professional  bodies.

4. The committee  members  are as follows: 
1. Engr (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha (FCW, Lagos State)    -  Chairman
2. Rep. of Director, Bridges and Design.  -  Engr Oladele Sola
3. Rep of Honourable Minister of Works.  -  Barrister Joseph Ekumankama
4. Engr Olufemi Dare.  -   FMW, Lagos
5. ESIA Consultant.  -  Dr. Eugene Itua
6. Rep 1 ESIA.  -  Suv. Popoola Lateef
7. Rep 2 ESIA.   -   Emmanuel Eneh
8. Rep. of Oba Oniru.  -  Mr. Yemi Stephen.
9. Rep. of Oba Elegushi.  -   Mrs. Peju Omotayo
10. Rep. of Oba Ojomu of Ajiran land.  - Hon. Jide Akintoye
11. Rep of Oba Onibeju of Ibeju  -  Mr Agbaje Adesegun
12. Rep. of Eti Osa Local Government.   -   Adeola Adetoro
13. Rep. of Ibeju Lekki Local Government.  -  Hon. Moruf Isah
14. Olawale Ojikutu (Min of Lands, LASG)  -  Secretary
15. Rep. Of LASG Surveyor General.  -  Moyosore Faji
16. Rep. Min of Physical Planning LASG. - Kunle Bello
17. Rep 1 Hitech.     -       Mr. Willie
18. Rep 2 Hitech.     -      Mr. Ashton
19. Rep DLS.    -    Mrs Igboko
 

Apr

09

2024

ROAD PROJECT DELIVERY UNDER PRESIDENT TINUBU DONE WITH INCREDIBLY LOWEST COST AND GREATEST QUALITY, AND SPEED

...Works Minister Describes The Statement Credited To The Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar On The 700km Coastal Highway As A Gross Misrepresentation Of Facts And Figures, And A Ploy To Mislead Nigerians By Darkening Counsel Without Knowledge

The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi, CON has expressed that despite the skyrocketed cost of materials in the construction industry caused by the dynamics of commodity price inflation and supply chain disruptions, the administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has remained unmatched in prudence, cost effectiveness, speedy and quality delivery of road projects.  

He made this comment during his inspection visit to the on-going rehabilitation of Enugu - Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4 (Aba - Port Harcourt) handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC) on 8th April 2024. 

The Honourable Minister who also visited the construction of a 23-span flyover bridge project at Eke-Obinagu Junction (NNPC Depot), along Enugu Abakaliki Road, Enugu State handled by Reinforced Global Resources Ltd, the rehabilitation work at the collapsed bridge site at the New Artisan Bridge near NNPC mega fillings station Enugu Capital City, Enugu State handled by CCECC, the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3, Enugu- Lokpanta handled by CGC, the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2 (Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/ Road) in Abia State, handled by the Arab Contractors and the reconstruction of the dualized 15km section of the East-West road section III: (Eleme Junction- Onne Port  in Rivers State  being executed on reinforced concrete pavement like the coastal road) handled by RCC, said that the administration  of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed  to a diversified and sustainable economic  future  of Nigeria, and this he is doing in the works sector through aggressive  infrastructure  development that would provide access  to  trade, tourism, industrialization and safety, especially along the local economic  corridors.

While reacting to a statement credited to the former Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on the 700 km coastal road projects, the Honourable Minister described the analysis he made on the coastal road project figures and the economic importance of the all-important coastal highway project as a gross misrepresentation of facts, and figures and a ploy to mislead Nigerians by darkening counsel without knowledge. "He doesn't understand figures.

I am going to run figures for him to understand, and he will understand how prudent the administration of President Tinubu has been. He will understand how prudency is taking the centre stage in this administration.

The President has once queried me on the cost of on-going projects nationwide. I had to analyse every basic rate of construction materials to arrive at our unit rates. I showed it to Mr. President. He still thinks I should bring down the cost of projects. At the same time, the contractors are crying that I am oppressing them so much by reviewing the costs of their projects downwards.

They lamented that what they were getting before, they are no longer getting it now. They cried out. But when I run the figures, Nigerians will see what this present administration is doing. So, I'm not here to run the figures now. I will do that in a press conference on my visit to Lagos from 10th April 2024 to 12th April 2024.”

On the economic importance of the coastal highway, he stated, "I will tell you the economic benefits of the project and how the coastal road is tying the entire country together. It's not tying just South-South and South- West. It is tying the North and South together.

We are starting a project from Badagry to Sokoto, and we have a spur on this coastal route to that route and the African Trans Sahara Road that is passing from Enugu to Abakaliki to Ogoja to Cameroon which has a spur to the North".

His Excellency, former Vice President Akitu Abubakar, may not know that the third section of the project is starting in Calabar by July 2024.

The Honourable Minister commended the pace and quality of work on the projects he visited but harped on the need for the contractors to heed the project delivery timeline. On the progress of work at the East West Road section III, he said, "The reinforcement is very good, the concrete is very good, the speed is not very good, so they have to increase their speed. If RCC doesn't increase their pace, I will take out a portion of this road and give it to another contractor. We will not want contractors to stay on a job like this 15km dualization for two years or more."

Apr

04

2024

Lagos 3RD Mainland Bridge Reopens Today 

The Lagos 3RD Mainland Bridge is to reopen to traffic today in the coming hours. 

Minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator David Nweze Umahi in a phone call in the early hours of today,directed the Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr Mrs O.I.Kesha to open the Bridge to traffic inorder to ease the stress which motorist have been subjected to, during the period of the first phase of Rehabilitation works on the Bridge Speaking to journalists soon after the directive, the Minister of Works  said, the successful completion of the first phase of the Rehabilitation works which was started and completed by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration is a clear Indication that President Tinubu is working .

Senator Umahi called on all Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President ,maintaining however, that nothing good comes so easy. 

The Minister revealed that work has already begun on the underwater damage to the bridge, which is the second phase of the Rehabilitation works on the bridge. 
Similarly, the Minister said, Rehabilitation works will commence on the Carter bridge in the coming weeks, adding that the contractor has already been mobilised.

Mar

12

2024

Governors of Kwara and Kogi States Visit Hon. Minister of Works, Seek Federal Government's Intervention on The Ilorin - Lokoja Dualization of the Federal Highway

1.       The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has assured  that the Federal Government  under the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed  to addressing  the accumulated road infrastructural  needs of the country as that would contribute  progressively to the reinvigoration  of the  national  and sub-national economies. This was contained in the message of the Hon. Minister of Works during  the courtesy visit  of the Governor  of Kwara  State and Chairman, Nigerian Governors' Forum, His Excellency, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the Governor  of Kogi State, His Excellency Ahmed Usman Ododo at the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi-Abuja on 11th March 2024.

2. The Honourable Minister said that holistic  attention  is being  given  to the Federal  roads in all the States  of the Federation by Mr. President, and this could be seen in the numerous road projects going  on in the country under  the Renewed Hope administration. "In all honesty, the roads are very terrible. But if you look at what we had when I took over in the month of August and what we are doing now,  you will see a lot of commitment by Mr. President, not just on that stretch..., but all over the country. That's why he directed that I must visit all the States and all the projects."  He assured the Governors who visited  that the Ministry  would  look at the funding mechanism to kick-start  the project once approved by Mr. President, as it is not contemplated  by the  budget. "And so, for coming and you had discussed this project with Mr. President, he does not joke with the welfare of Nigerians. He's one person that is  infrastructure committed right from when he was Governor. Even on his own personal businesses, you'll see the development of infrastructure. So, he's very much interested. He understands that the road is everything in this country. It will improve security, improve agriculture, improve commerce and so on and so forth."

3. Speaking on behalf  of the  Governors that visited,  the Governor  of Kwara State said the purpose  of their visit was to bring  the condition  of the Ilorin-Lokoja  road to the attention of the Federal Government  for possible  intervention, adding  that  the road which  also stretches  to Markurdi, Gboko up to the Republic  of Benin is key not only to the enhancement of the economy, but also to the development  of solid  mineral and agriculture in Nigeria. He expressed  delight  in the abundant interventions of Mr. President  on road infrastructure across  the nation and hoped that with the outcome  of their meeting, the Federal Government  would look into ways and means to fund the  Ilorin-Lokoja dualization.  He stated, "The primary purpose of this visit is to encourage the Federal Government to look into the Ilorin-Lokoja dualization of the Federal Highway. And it's  a very major important road, which is not just an economic road, it is a belt of solid minerals in Nigeria and agricultural belt. So that road will open up the entire region for business, for commerce, agriculture."

Mar

09

2024

Indigenous Contractors Nationwide to be Given a Pride of Place in the Construction Industry Under the Renewed Hope Administration of President  Tinubu with more Opportunities  for  Road Construction  on Concrete Technology

1.    In the vision to promote  local content as a major game changer in the economic  recovery plans of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Honourable Minister of Works,  His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has assured  that his Ministry would  promote indigenous  resources, skills and capacities through  creating more opportunities for local contractors in the construction industry, especially  in the new innovation  of concrete technology  being  used in   tough terrains across  the nation. The Hon. Minister  stated  this when he paid  inspection  visits  to some flood sections along the East  West Road in Delta  State undergoing  remedial  work by an indigenous contractor, Messrs.  True Tech Nigeria  Ltd.

2.    The  Honourable Minister, who was very impressed  by the good job being  done by True Tech Nigeria  Ltd said  his Ministry  would  do everything  possible  to ensure  value for money, create wealth and jobs for indigenous professionals and technicians,  introduce  engineering solutions that are more economical and discourage  delays  in project delivery. He said of the project, "  We have about 10 different washouts, which we are providing multiple culverts in place of a decompile, which would have been much more expensive. But our solution is very economical, and it will solve the engineering problems. And then we're raising the road level above the flood level. And we are also using a concrete pavement to do it."  He said also that solar light would  be put on the axis  when the  project  is completed. "We're also going to put  solar light, at least let it be the signature of Mr. President, and that will be the microcosm of the macrocosm of what Nigerians should expect on our roads under the administration of Mr. President".

3.    Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister of Works  has directed all Controllers of Works  to ensure that all contractors use 70% stone base aggregate  with only 30% dust base to form the base of the  road construction  jobs. He gave this  directive  when he inspected the dualization of Sapele- Agbor road, route no. 3 in Delta  State  handled  by CGC Nigeria  Ltd. He, however, commended  the construction company  for their good  job. " CGC is known  for a good job. I commend  you for the  one I have seen. It's  good, so we will do everything  to assist  you, but listen to our directive. Follow  the existing  asphalt, pulverize it, and put 20cm stone base. Don't  use dust base. "

4.    The Minister, who also inspected  the rehabilitation of  Warri- Sapele road via route no. 2, section  3 in Delta  State, handled  by  SKECC Nigeria  Ltd; the  Benin- Warri road  rehabilitation, section  2, Sapele- Imasabor, handled  by Geld Construction  Nig  Ltd/ Tracter  Nigeria  Ltd in Delta  State; Benin- Warri road, section 1( Imasabor- Benin  in Edo State,  handled  by  Levant Nigeria  Ltd; as well as the Benin- Agbor route no 4 and Benin By-pass route  5 all in Edo State, gave and ultimatum  directing Geld Construction  Nigeria  Ltd/ Tracter Nigeria Ltd  to within  14 days justify  the mobilization  received  or have their job terminated. "After 14 days  of this warning notice and there's  nothing  happening, I will come and terminate the job.". 

Mar

05

2024

Federal Government in Discussion with African Development Bank (AFDB) Over Funding of Sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways for Greater Regional Transport Environment and Economic Integration

1. As part of the action plan of the  Federal  Government to increase  the economic opportunities of the nation and enhance  the transnational investment process as envisioned by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has  opened  a discussion with African Development Bank on possible funding for  the construction of some sections  of the Coastal  and Trans- Sahara Highways in parts  of Nigeria. He stated this in a meeting with a delegation from Africa Development Bank (AFDB) led by the Director, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salawou held at the office of the Honourable Minister Federal  Ministry  of Works, this  5th March 2024.

2. This project, which the Honourable Minister said would be a measure to provide enduring infrastructure and industrialization along the corridors, is expected to carry a large network of paved highways that will create a good transport environment and trade routes for moving goods and services along the North- South corridors.  The Honourable Minister  said opportunities of investment on infrastructure  development abound along the coastal and trans-sahara routes, including opportunities  for investment  in the hospitality  industry, tourism, agricultural production, estate, park, and industrial business He said that  funding  would  be required  to tackle the sections  of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways not yet constructed, awarded, or taken over by concessionaires under the  Highway Development and Management Initiative(HDMI). According to him "The coastal road is 700 km. That is phase one and it is running from Lagos through Ogun State to Ondo State, passing through the coastal States of Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, and ending in Cross River in 700 kilometers. We have spores to the Ogoja road, the one you did, the African Trans- Sahara Road that is going to Cameroon."  He further said."We are sectioning the roads. Just last week, we awarded section one, phase one, and phase one is 47.47 kilometers. It's already awarded to Hi-tech Construction Limited. We have phase two, which is about 57 kilometers, taking us from the end of phase one. Phase one ends at Lekki Peninsula. It takes us from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki deep seaport. Phase two takes us to the boundary between Ogun State and Ondo State. That's about 57km"“. And also said, "it's going to be available for a number of funders under the lead investor, That's Hi-tech Construction Nigeria Limited. So that is available, and when discussion comes up, then there will be a need for us to meet with Hi-tech and the Honourable Minister of Finance Coordinating Minister of the Economy".

3. Earlier in his mission statement, the spokesperson of the team from Africa Development Bank. (AFDB) and Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development said the bank has a mandate to contribute to the sustainable economic development and social progress of its regional members individually and jointly and is therefore prepared as a multilateral institution to offer a robust partnership to the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially by providing technical and financial support for the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria.  He said, "So as the African Development bank, we are ready to assist you. To make it easy for us, we need to have any studies available to make sure how we can support you on this project. So we are ready, we can see where we can find the resources to support you in structuring the different projects" He further added" And the third one, the dualization of the road between Nigeria and Cameroon will foster regional integration between the two counties, because I believe Nigeria is Cameroon's number one trade partner So, we need to reinforce the modernized infrastructure there."

Mar

01

2024

Works Minister Visits Zamfara Governor, Says Dualisation of Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto Highway on Course

…..Umahi says no variation on 30% mobilization advanced to contractors

“Mr. President has not stopped the dualization of Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto highway rather, the projects will be completed, and the design would even be improved upon.”

“There were rumors that Mr. President has stopped this project and even the NNPCL tax credit; that is not the truth at all. In fact, he has given more life to the tax credit of NNPCL.”

Adding “though the NNPCL projects are not funded by NNPC 100 percent. We still have a funding gap of over N2.7 trillion to get them completed”.

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, made the disclosure today at Government House Gusau when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.

Affirming the position of the Federal Government, he said “Mr. President has approved that we should take the funding gap to the National Assembly for approval. So, it's not just committed to the commitment of NNPC, but it's committed to the entire completion of the projects.

Continuing, he said “he is the one that has asked us to visit this project, just like other ones, they are very important and key to Mr. President.

Commending the contractor handling the Sokoto - Gusau road, Sen. Umahi said “we have not seen everything they are doing, but the little we've seen is excellent. in fact, that project, the neatness and quality looks excellent”.

Explaining the delay in the progress of work, Sen. Umahi disclosed that “my directive was what slowed down the job. But I have redirected having come and examined the projects.”, he reassured his audience.”

On the issue of payment of compensation to those affected by the dualization of the roads, the Honourable Minister called on the relevant State Government to follow the commitment of Sokoto State which has agreed to settle all payments regarding compensation to the people concerned.

Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister, while speaking to some journalists along the Gusau - Funtua Road, after inspecting the ongoing work by Setraco, warned contractors that there would be no variation on 30% mobilisation advanced to them.

According to him “the contractors must know that I will never pay variation on mobilized funds or works that are delayed.” “Because if we do not obey the timetable, inflection and time will catch up with us.”

Stressing “it’s the Federal Government that is losing. That's why if we have little money to complete the project and we prolong it, then the Federal Government is unable to further source for funds”, he reasoned.

During his remarks, the Governor of Zamfara State, praised the vision of President Bola Tinubu for the road sector, noting the commitment of the Honourable Minister has truly helped to realize Mr. President’s goals.

He expressed his joy about the news that the construction of the Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto was still on course.

He therefore pledged the support of his administration to the Federal Government, while requesting Sen. Umahi to look into the rehabilitation of Gusau-Dansadau road.

Sen. David Umahi was accompanied to the Government House by former Governor of Sokoto State, now Senator representing Sokoto Central Senatorial Zone, Aminu Tambuwal and other senior government officials.

Feb

29

2024

How Sen. Umahi's Extra-Ordinary Project Supervision Power and Zero Tolerance for Waste Resonate in the Delivery of a Quality and Enduring Road Infrastructure Nationwide

 …..Last Inspection Visit to Enugu and Abia and Port Harcourt in Focus

1. As the appointment of an ingenious civil engineer, accomplished captain of industry and seasoned public administrator of many years standing as Works Minister by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR continues to receive commendation from Nigerians, the Hon. Minister of Works, H.E. Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has continued to justify the confidence reposed on him.

2. This is evident in the innovations he introduced  in road  construction, maintenance, and management as well as concrete technology; his initiatives  on project  scoping  and design, extra-ordinary contract negotiation powers, and precision; his new policy on having a COREN registered Engineers on project sites, working  with the State Government's  Works  department for joint evaluation  of  projects awarded by Federal Government within the boundaries of their States and a thorough  inspection  of all projects embarked  upon by the Federal Ministry of Works. The Hon. Minister of Works is a man who matches words with action. Since he came on board, he has continued to make it a point of duty to inspect ongoing projects, and the people are already seeing the difference, and this underscores the fact that Mr. President means business. The last project inspection visit of the Honourable Minister of Works was to road projects in Rivers, Abia, and Enugu States, which he inspected between 16th and 18th February 2024. 

3. In the last inspection visit, the first port of call of the Honourable Minister was the dualization of East- West Road Section 11(Sub- Section 11) Ahoada- Kaiama (Rivers/ Bayelsa States) handled by Rock Result on three flood prone locations. The Honourable Minister, who arrived at the project site at about 6pm, commended the company for complying with specifications. He said, "........" This was also the impression expressed by the Senate Deputy Whip and member Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Distinguished Sen. Barr. Onyekachi Peter Nwaebonyi. "......"

4. The Honourable Minister continued his inspection visit the following day to see the ongoing upgrading of the section of the East- West Road section 111, from Eleme junction to Onne junction in Rivers State, handled by Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Ltd where he commended the improvements made by the company on the work specification. He tasked them with having a milestone performance before the rainy reason. "The Hon. Minister also made a stop over at Koroma Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State to solidarize with the Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Distinguished Senator Mpigi Barinada, PhD on his thanksgiving service in celebration of his successful election into the Senate. The programme which had in attendance who is who in the 10th National Assembly to have a feedback on the excitement of the people of the  area on the quality  of job done in the ongoing project in the area.

5. On the 18th day of February 2024, the Hon. Minister of Works covered five project locations along the Enugu- Port Harcourt Highway. He first visited the rehabilitation work at Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4(Aba- PH) handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). At the project location, the Hon. Minister frowned at the slow pace of work and the inability of the company to mobilize effectively to the site. He therefore directed the Ag. Controller of Works Rivers State to follow due process and issue 14 days Termination Notice within which if the company fails to mobilize, due process would be followed to terminate the contract.

The Hon. Minister proceeded to the Aba axis of the expressway where he stopped over to inspect the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2, Umuahia Tower- Aba Aba Township Rail/ Road Crossing in Abia State.  The Hon. Minister commended the speed and quality of job done and urged them to keep it up. ""....."

This was followed by his inspection of the Rehabilitation of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3, Enugu- Lokpanta handled by CGC. The Hon. Minister also appreciate the progress of work "........"

He ended the inspection with a visit to the rehabilitation work at the collapsed bridge site at the New Artisan Bridge near NNPC mega fillings station Enugu Capital City, Enugu State and the construction of 23 Span flyover Bridge project at Eke-Obinagu Junction (NNPC Depot), Along Enugu Abakaliki Road, Enugu State to decongest movement of gridlock in southeast.

Meanwhile, the CCECC has been issued with the notice to fully mobilize to the site by the Controller of Works, Rivers. It is expected that by the time the Honourable Minister comes back in the nearest time, the company would have substantial work. Road infrastructure development across the nation is having commendable improvement.

Nigeria will soon see that Mr. President means business with Nigeria's prosperity.

Feb

23

2024

Federal Ministry of Works Finalizes Discussion with Janson Bridging International, Netherland on a €25-Million Grant for Construction of 28 Priority Bridges in Nigeria, Set to Fine-Tune Processes and Documentations with Federal Ministry of Finance to Realize the Project

1. In keeping with the initiative to think outside the box in rejiggling the nation's economy by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has finalized discussions with investors from Netherland to attract a grant of 25 million Euros for the construction of priority bridges in Nigeria.

2. This was disclosed after a meeting of the Honourable Minister of Works with a team of investors from Netherland led by the Nigerian Ambassador to Netherland, His Excellency Oluremi Oliyide. The Honourable Minister assured the team of the positive disposition of the Federal Government towards accessing international interventions from donor agencies and other development partners to address the infrastructural deficits inhibiting economic development in Nigeria. He said that an increase in partnerships and collaborations was necessary to support the funding of the critical sector of the economy for the promotion of robust and equitable economic growth. He assured the investors that once due diligence was carried out, he would present the proposal to Mr. President for approval. He said" We have a number of projects that we can do together. But I think the best thing to do is to conclude this one, which is a grant, then get the process started, and at the point of agreement and project selection, we shall refer to Mr. President for his approval".

3. In his earlier remarks, the Nigerian Ambassador to Netherland said the team was in his office to discuss the offer of a grant of 25 million Euros by Janson Bridging International for investment in road infrastructure in Nigeria. According to him, "Janson Bridging is the largest modular bridge manufacturing and bridging company in continental Europe and the largest bridge rental company in the world. " He promised to assist in fast tracking the agreement implementation process on the side of the company as soon as all formalizations were concluded.

4. On his own part, a member of the team and International Business Consultant, Eric Okunde, said the investors were ready  with the proposal  and that they  were technically  prepared  to work  with the Federal Ministry of Works in the mapping  and design  of the projects as well as the formulation of the template for the execution of the project.

Feb

20

2024

Civil Servants in the Federal Ministry of Works Celebrate Sen. Umahi For Quality Leadership and Commitment to the Welfare of Workers

1. It was a day of joy, eulogies and encomiums as civil servants in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi-Abuja rolled out their drums to celebrate and honour the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON for his quality leadership and sense of devotion to the welfare of the workers of the Ministry. The workers under the aegis of Joint Union, Federal Ministry of Works took the Honourable Minister by surprise as they converged at the Ministry’s Main Hall on Tuesday, 20th February 2024 and sought an audience with him through their Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofaramata.

2. The Honourable Minister, in his usual unassuming mannerism and deep sense of responsiveness, came down to see his workers and behold it was a mammoth crowd of over 1500 workers in the Ministry's headquarters who were seated to thank him for the quality leadership and devotion to the workers well-being which they have continued to enjoy since he came on board as Hon. Minister of Works.

3. The Honourable Minister was honoured with a 'Pragmatic Leadership Award' by the Joint Union of the Ministry. The workers also danced a treat with the Honourable Minister in demonstration of their love for his leadership style, which they said was unprecedented in the history of the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Works.

4. Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works thanked the workers for the surprise reception by the workers and the award of honour given to him by the workers. He particularly thanked the leadership of the Joint Union of the Ministry for their sense of happiness and thankfulness, which they demonstrated through their surprise reception. He promised to continue to serve the purpose of his appointment with the deepest sense of responsibility and in undiluted collaboration with the workforce. He announced the commencement of training programmes for the Ministry's workers from grade level 14 and above and the establishment of the Ministry's Welfare Fund for the staff to enhance their happiness, effective March 2024. He also announced the involvement of the Ministry's staff in the monitoring and evaluation of the projects executed by the Ministry nationwide and the reactivation of the whistle blowers’ desk of the Ministry to assist in reporting jobs not done in accordance with the Ministry's specifications. He urged civil servants all over the country to take Nigeria first in the dispensation of their public duties, adding that the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR means well for Nigeria and deserves from all the support and cooperation needed for him to achieve enduring solutions to our socio-economic problems. He said, "I want to assure you that Mr. President feels your problems, and he's working out something day and night to give a solution to the teething problems facing the country. You see, the problem of our country is the problem of all of us. We need to bring back to society what we've taken from society. We need to do that. It's not the blame of the President, it's not the blame of the past President. Americans will always say America first".

5. Speaking on behalf of the entire staff, the Permanent Secretary praised the professional and administrative capacities of the Hon. Minister of Works.  The Permanent Secretary described him as a super intelligent, action-packed, and vision -driven Minister who recognizes and values the potential of the workers. He said, “The workers, and indeed, Nigerians, are happy with Mr. President for appointing a round peg to head the Federal Ministry of Works. We assure you that we will continue to work loyally with the core values of honesty, integrity, industry, and objectivity for the good of our Ministry.

6. Presenting the award of honour to the Honourable Minister, the Chairman of the Joint Union, Mr. Omobolanle Kuti stated that the event was organized for all the workers to give honour to whom honour is due. He stated that the Hon. Minister has shown a good example of a compassionate leader who cares for the welfare of his people and the progress of his fatherland.  He continued" You have shown a great difference in the way you care for our welfare, in the way you attend to mails, in supervising the projects executed under the Ministry, in your power of contract negotiations and assuring best standards in the delivery of road projects. You even supervise projects on weekends and public holidays, you come to the office early and go very late. No mail delays in your office for more than 24 hours.  We are proud of you. "

7. In his vote of thanks, the Director, Human Resources Mr. Aliyu Abdallahi appreciated the Hon. Minister for his selfless service and care for the wellbeing of the civil servants in the Ministry and described him as a special breed of politician who works for the good of all persons despite their place of origin. He also described him as a leader who builds the capacities of workers irrespective of their grade levels or competences. He prayed God to continue to prosper the Hon. Minister with greater innovative powers and benevolence of heart as he works to actualize the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Works.

Feb

19

2024

Meeting of Cement Manufacturers – Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc, Larfarge Africa Plc & Cement Producers Association with the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite and the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON held at the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works, Mabushi, Abuja on Monday, 19th February, 2024

1. The meeting noted the challenges of the manufacturers like:
    a.    Cost of gas;
    b.    High import duty on spare parts;
    c.    Bad road network;
    d.    High foreign exchange; and
    e.    Smuggling of cement to neighbouring nations.

2.    The government noted the challenges and reacted as follows:
a.    Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to seek some remedies from Mr. President on cost of gas and import duties.

b.    Federal Ministry of Works to give more attention to fixing of the roads, especially around the locations of the manufacturers.

c.    On the issue of smuggling cement, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to deepen the already started engagement with the National Security Adviser on how to stop the smuggling.

3.     The cement manufacturers and the Government noted that the current high price of cement is abnormal in some locations nationwide.  Ideally, cement retail prices should not cost more than ₦7,000.00 to ₦8,000.00/ 50kg bag of cement.  Therefore, the three cement manufacturers: Dangote Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc and Larfarge Africa Plc have agreed that cement cost will not be more than between ₦7,000.00 and ₦8,000.00/50kg bag depending on the location.

4.    Going forward, Government advised cement manufacturers to set up a price monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance, and manufacturers have willingly accepted to do so and to sanction any of her distributors or retailers found wanting.

5.    Government expects the agreed price to drop after securing government's interventions on the challenges of the manufacturers on gas, import duty, smuggling, and better road network.

6.    The meeting agreed to reconvene in 30 days to review progress made.

Feb

17

2024

President Tinubu Directs Works Minister to Interface with Cement Manufacturers Over Increase in Price

.....Umahi re-inspects Contractor’s work on East-West Road.

President Bola Tinubu has directed an immediate interface with major cement manufacturers in the country over rising price of cement, says the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON.

Speaking to journalists Saturday after the latest round of inspection section 3 of the ongoing rehabilitation of East-West highway, the Honourable Minister disclosed that President was seriously concerned with current situation of increase in cement prices.

Sen. Umahi observed about the current price of cement that “some are still selling sometimes, you know, 10,000 naira sometimes 12,000 naira; and so, on and so forth.”

He added that “So it's not healthy for us. So, Mr. President has directed that we should interface with them, look at their problems, and then see who is, you know, ripping off Nigerians and see how we can help them, the transporters and then the manufacturers.”

“And that's what we're going to do on Monday,” in the meeting with Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, Lafarge Plc and others.

While commending the level of work on the East-West highway, he informed that “our job as a ministry is to encourage the contractor to do a good job according to design and according to the expectation of Nigerians.”

Continuing, he noted the impact of new engineers deployed by the Contractor, “he is a very well qualified, registered engineer. And we have met on other projects and technically he is very good. So, I am very happy for that.”

On the need to expedite work on the project, the Honourable Minister said “there is an increase in the number of sections that we are working on, because of how urgent this job is, we should have more sections. They have opened about five sections. We should have almost all the sections being worked upon.”

Commenting on the percentage of work done by the Contractor, the Honourable Minister said “well, we can't talk in terms of percentage. If we get all the quality jobs like this, then I'll go to sleep, because this is the major.”

According to him, “the foundation of every structure is more important than the structure itself. So, we are more interested in getting this done.

“When this is done, to lay the concrete, it's not going to be difficult at all. But this is the most difficult.”

He assured that the coming of rains should not be a stumbling block to the progress work, noting that a different design would be deployed, “and that's what we are doing in a lot of our interventions on the East-West Road.”

Sen. Umahi used the opportunity to reiterate that the tax credit scheme is still continuing saying “it is very obvious, and we've said it, you know, that the President never stopped any of the project, not NNPCL tax credits. He never.”

“In fact, he has also, based on the first module, given approval that we can review the projects,” he stressed.

The Honourable Minister however emphasized that “we are bound to review it. And we've started reviewing it. And we've reviewed this one. Fortunately for us, the contract of this one has not increased, even though we have redesigned it”.

Earlier, the Honourable Minister, Sen. Umahi attended Senator Barinada Mpigi’s thanksgiving service held in his hometown, Okoroma in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State. Senator Mpigi represents South-East senatorial zone of Rivers State in the Senate.

Feb

15

2024

Works Ministry, Engineering Bodies Resolve to Strengthen Partnership on Road Sector Development

The Federal Ministry of Works and the two foremost engineering bodies in Nigeria, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, (COREN) have resolved to strengthen existing partnership in the bid to work together for the realization of the Renewed Hope Agenda for the road sector.

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Yakubu Kofamata stated this Thursday in Abuja when the Executive Committee of the NSE and COREN paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.  

Speaking about the importance of the partnership between the Ministry and the engineering bodies, the Minister noted that working in synergy with relevant regulatory and professional organisations in the sector should surely impact road infrastructure development in the country.

 He emphasized that the Ministry’s collaboration in the area of training and re-training of Engineers is very important as “the collaboration will enable home grown Nigerian Engineers to work for the government and for the success of Nigeria’s infrastructural development as embedded in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

According to him “in every consultancy service that we need concerning the construction and maintenance road network, we will always request for the input, contribution and the expertise of your organisations”.

On the removal of the Federal Government funding from regulatory agencies like COREN, the Honourable Minister informed the delegation that the Ministry was working on the matter, explaining that it was indeed a government decision which was not directed at any particular agency.

Assuring on the strengthening of the existing partnership with the two bodies, he said further “I want to assure you that this Ministry will work for our common good. In fact, I want to stress that our door is open anytime for consultations.

Earlier in her remarks, the leader of the delegation and President of National Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Oguntala, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of Sen. Engr. David Umahi, noting that the effect is already being seen in the road sector.

She lauded the Honourable Minister’s immediate impact on the sector through the use of professionals as consultants which she described as long overdue. Engr. Oguntala also called on the management of the Ministry to avail itself of the recently developed engineering database for professional services, stating it would assist greatly in strengthening their partnership.

 In the delegation to the Ministry were Engr Margaret Oguntala, the President of NSE; Engr. Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, President of COREN; Engr. (Prof) Adisa Bello, Registrar (COREN);

Others are Engr. Joshua Egube, Engr. Valene Agberagba, Engr. Saidu Hassan, Engr. (Dr.) Halimed Adeniran, Barr. Tom Ebgele, Lawan Abdo Mariri, and Andrew Francis Onyibo.