Sep

08

2021

FG Has Not Abandoned Birnin - Yauri- Rijau- Zuru -Daki Takwas Road

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMW& H) has assured the road users of her commitment to fix Birnin -Yauri- Rijau- Zuru -Daki -Takwas Road in Kebbi State and make it safe for the public as, H & M Nigeria Limited, a Civil Engineering Company, Kau International (Nig) Ltd and Great Northern International Construction Company were engaged by the Ministry to deliver the project as proposed.

Speaking, on the receipt of a report from road users that the Federal Government has abandoned the road, the Director, Highway Construction and Rehabilitation (FMW& H), Engr. Folorunsho Esan noted that, although the contractors had achieved various levels of progress but had suspended activities due to challenges poised by banditry, however with the reduction in activities of bandits in the area, all the contractors have decided to resume work on site.

While commending the understanding of the motorists over the temporary stoppage of construction works and its attendant inconveniences, the Federal Government assures the members of the public and the road users that, all necessary supports will be put in place to ensure that the road is delivered on scheduled.

Aug

14

2021

Jebba-Mokwa-Tegina Road Not Cut Off - FG

The attention of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to an online story over the weekend, stating that a bridge along Jeba -Mokwa road had collapsed resulting in total closure of the road

" This is totally false as the recently constructed Talabu bridge along the road that was claimed to have collapsed is intact contrary to the online report" 

Faulting the story, the motorists flying the Jeba-Mokwa road who were interviewed confirmed that the road has not been cut off anywhere, as their movement has not been affected in any way as claimed in the story 

In view of this, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini, hereby assures motorists that the road is safe and passable, urging them to disregard the story and not to panic

Mr. Babangida further reassured the public that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is working tirelessly to provide good roads for Nigerians, as such called on the citizens to give the government necessary support and encouragement

He explained that the Ministry has Controllers of Works in every state that will quickly inform the Ministry of any emergency of such nature on our roads for immediate intervention.

Mr. Babangida therefore appealed to Nigerians to verify stories received on social media before sharing such.
 

Aug

03

2021

Perm Sec Works Appeals Against Destruction of Public Utilities  

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini has appealed to   the public to desist from destroying public utilities, imploring them to help the government in it's effort to preserve them for the good of the nation.

Hussaini gave the warning over the weekend during a routine inspection of the ongoing Abuja - Kano road project and coincidentally saw some women burning tyres under the bridge of a railway crossing along Zaria-Kano section of the expressway.

He queried " where are you destroying our bridges, our roads and public utilities, this is putting the government and public life in danger "

The Perm Sec was on inspection of the ongoing reconstruction work of the road when he suddenly saw some women burning tyres under the bridge of the railway crossing along Zaria-Kano section of the road and suddenly braked to address them.

Hussaini told them that their action was putting the citizens life in danger and a waste of resources of the government, thereby drawing back the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari at  providing quality road infrastructure for the good of Nigerians.

While expressing his visible anger, he also sounded a strong warning to them to desist from such activities henceforth. He implored them to see government's properties as their personal property so that they protect and preserve them jealously.

In their reactions, one of the women caught in the act said that, they only saw some other people burning tyres under the bridge and that they only joined without knowing the implication.

She expressed regrets over their actions, telling the Perm Sec and his entourage that  "we have to obey our leaders"

Aug

02

2021

Governor Bagudu Commends President Buhari For Completing Legacy Road Projects In The State

The Excutive Governor of Kebbi State, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commended President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR, for completing one of the legacy roads his administration inherited; the Sokoto-Tambuwa-Gwandu-Aliero-Jega-Yawuri-Kotongora road.

The Governor said this over the weekend when the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, FNSE paid him a courtesy visit.

He said: “The road is one of the most important roads, not only does it link other states with the Federal Capital Territory, but it is the main gateway to Lagos.”

Continuing, he said: “I remember in 2015 when we came in before the completion of the road, whenever we were having security council meeting, it was a nightmare for the Emir of Yauri to come, but today, he even looks forward to coming for the meetings.”

He commended the efforts of the Ministry that made it possible for Mr. President to complete the road saying that it was one of the numerous uncompleted roads that were inherited by the Buhari’s administration.

Speaking on the importance of the road, the Commissioner of Works and Transportation, Alhaji Chika Ladan commended Mr. President also saying that it has saved the road users more travelling time.

“Traveling from Yauri to Birnin Kebbi used to take about five hours traveling time, but today, it takes less than two hours on the same road,” he said.

The Minister, who was in the state to verify the claims of refund on the Federal Government roads undertaken by the State Government, said that out of the total distance of road we have in the country, about 34,000 kilometres of the distance is under the jurisdiction of Federal Government.

“Out of the 34,000 kilometres, we are currently working on over 13,000 kilometres simultaneously with over 800 contracts currently going on all over the country, covering all the Six Geo-Political Zones” he added.

The long distance Sokoto-Tambuwa-Gwandu-Aliero-Jega-Yawuri-Kontogora road is divided into two sections. The Kebbi section of the road is about 171km with an origin at Jega township roundabout with a standard 7.3m carriageway. While the Sokoto section is about 133km with additional 8.0km Bye pass and it originated from Sokoto Airport roundabout through South West direction passing through Bodinga-Shagari-Tanbuwal, Aliero and terminates in Jega town at the Birnin Kebbi-Koko roundabout.

The overall percentage completion of works to date is 100% in Sokoto section and 99.94% in Kebbi State section respectively.  Lane Marking in the Kebbi section is in progress.

Aug

02

2021

Special Townhall Meeting: Fashola Renders Impressive Account Of Ministry’s Activities

…Says Infrastructure Legitimate Way to Grow the Economy, Deliver Prosperity to the Citizenry.

*With 895 On-going Highway and Bridge contracts across the country, the rehabilitation of Internal Roads of 43 Federal Tertiary* *Institutions,  construction of Six new Federal Secretariats in Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Osun and Zamfara States and Construction of Housing Estates in 34 States of the Federation under the National* *Housing Programme (NHP) among others, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN on Thursday rendered an impressive account of the Federal* *Government’s infrastructure programmes under his Ministry.*

Speaking at  Special Townhall Meeting organized by Business Hallmark Public Policy Forum with the theme," Nigeria's Infrastructure Revolution: Road to a New Future,”* the Minister explained that activities involved in infrastructure development are the sure and legitimate way of growing the economy and delivering prosperity to the citizenry.

This reality, Fashola explained, informed the decision of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to make massive investment in Infrastructure a matter of choice and necessitated the expansion of the budget of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing from N18bn by the previous administration in 2015 to about N260bn despite the fact that the price of crude oil  which sold at an average of $97.98 between 2009 and 2014  fell to an average of $65.23 per barrel from 2015 to 2021.

According to the Minister, the priority given to infrastructural development, informed the need to improve road transport infrastructure assets, formulate policies to address the problem of deteriorating public assets while taking advantage of the socio-economic opportunities created by the maintenance of such assets and to develop a National Strategy for sustainable Maintenance of all Public Infrastructure Assets in the country.

Fashola noted that due to paucity of fund, government had to look for alternative sources of funding which include the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, SUKUK fund, Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (RITCS), Multi-lateral loans/grants and collaboration with other Government Agencies like The North East-Development Commission in order to achieve the objectives of the Economy Recovery and Growth Plan ( ERGP) as it concerns the Ministry.

Fashola also listed the rehabilitation of 60 Bridges across the country, scheduled maintenance of 5,461.88KM of roads and 8,000KM of Highway maintenance which include vegetation control, desilting of drains, Sleeves and ducts by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the rehabilitation/Maintenance of 24 Federal Secretariats across the country as some of the results of the investments in infrastructure.

Fashola explained that on the result and economic impact of the infrastructure investment of the Federal  Government, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) benefit immensely from infrastructure projects as  a lot of activities such as designing, award of contract for supply, direct employment, banking and so on that take place, generate income for the people any time an infrastructure project is ongoing, pointing out that the small firms and enterprises were engaged in supplies of cements, diesel, laterites and others in the course of construction activities.

The Minister noted that the narrative in the past about no federal government presence in some state has been replaced by a new narrative about when the ongoing projects will be completed in such states.

The Minister also reminded Nigerians that the recession alarm raised in 2012 by the then Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala was the recession that the Buhari administration inherited and was able to overcome it despite the impact of Covid – 19 through the massive investment to renew and expand the nation’s infrastructure at a time when the country was earning much less from oil.

The Chairman, Busines Hallmark Forum, Sir Marc Wabara disclosed that the aim of the Townhall Meeting was to ensure that public policy met the basic standard of service delivery to the public.

He expressed satisfaction that the event was holding at a time when the nation was going through the path of growth and development.

The occasion was chaired by the former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, the Guest of Honour was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha. Other speakers at the occasion were the Minsters of Federal Ministries of Water Resource and that of Power; Engr. Suleiman Adamu and Engr. Saleh Mamman respectively.

Jul

28

2021

Nigeria / Cameron Border Bridge Will Facilitate International Trade- Fashola

The completed border bridge at Mfum community between Nigeria and Cameroun and the Ikom bridge will facilitate international trade between the two countries when inaugurated.

The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,  SAN  made the remark while inspecting the two -lane bridge over the Cross River at the Cameroun and the Nigeria new Border at Ekok /Mfum and the new Ikom Bridge  in Cross River State.

“This is the A-4 Axis coming from Calabar to Maiduguri through Ogoja to Katsina-Ala. So you will expect more volume of trade. And it is no accident that Cross River State bears its name.  It is actually the River that named the state. That River opens to the sea and the Gulf of Guinea.  And so high impact on international trade is expected”, he said.

Fashola also said, "We have had very strong relationship with Cameroun in terms of trade and business and if you go to Aba, Enugu, Abakaliki, for example, this is the route that facilitates trade, agro produce, merchandise, manufactured goods from Aba in Abia State.''

The Minister explained that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration's strategy of planning and execution of infrastructure projects was yielding results through successful completion.

“This is a very strategic infrastructure to take Nigeria to the future for many more decades to facilitate relationship between brothers and sisters in Cameroun and Nigeria and to strengthen the bond of relationship in a joint development with the Republic of Cameroun and Nigeria.” Fashola said, adding that ‘’We are now entering the season of completion of infrastructure projects.”

The Minister while speaking with journalists after inspecting both the Nigeria /Cameron Joint Border Bridge at Mfom /Ekot and the New Ikom Bridge at Ikom in Cross River State noted that these bridges would increase the prosperity of the people, facilitate hundreds of jobs, movement of agro produce and manufactured goods, joint border patrol that would lead to security efficiency and position both nations to take the benefit of the free trade zone agreement.

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade who was represented by the State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Dane Osimasu at the sites of the inspection said the Minister is a conceptualizer ,  implementor and committed to road development in the state. He assured the Honourable Minister that counterpart funding from the state would always be provided where it is necessary in infrastructure development projects.

The Director Highway Bridges and Design Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Emmanuel Adeoye said during the inspection of Ikom bridge, "The project was awarded in October 2018 and it is due to finish by 7th November, 2021."

The Director said, "The rate at which the contractor is working, by the end of October it should be finished. Right now as we speak, the job is 92% completed, with the time lapse of 68%. We are moving faster than the scheduled time, so by end of October we should be done with the bridge."

According to him "the Road Lane Marking has also been done.

The Federal Controller of Works in Cross River State, Engr. Bassey Nsentip disclosed that several road projects were progressing without hitches in the State.

The Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Council Cross River State, Hon. Nkom Etuk praised the Ministry of Works and Housing for the remarkable job done on the bridges.

The Ajassor Community Representative, Hon. Victor Njor said the border bridge has enhanced joint border patrol linking Cameroun and Nigeria within their community and the people shall come out en mass when the bridge will be inaugurated soon.

The border bridge between Nigeria and Cameroun is funded by the African Development Bank while the Ikom bridge is through the Sukuk bond.

Jul

10

2021

FG Hailed Over Ongoing 2nd Niger Bridge, Other Landmark Projects In Southeast

• As Achina Community in Anambra State pays “Thank You” visit to Fashola
• Says the people are appreciative of the quantum of projects ongoing in the Zone
• President Buhari means well, has good intentions toward the people of Nigeria – Minister

The Achina Community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Friday paid a “Thank you” courtesy visit to the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, expressing appreciation to the Federal Government over the quantum of ongoing projects in the Zone, especially the Second Niger Bridge.

A delegation of the Community, led by Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, also expressed gratitude to President Buhari for deeming worthy of appointment a son of the Community into the newly constituted Board of Directors of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Describing Fashola as a detribalized Nigerian, the delegation recalled that the Minister had always supported the Community even when he was Governor of Lagos State, pointing out as example the establishment of  Adem Industrial and Commercial Complex in Lagos by the Community, which it said currently accommodates about five thousand people.

In his remarks, Fashola reaffirmed the good intentions and commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari towards Nigerians saying the President has underway so many good projects conceived to better the lives of Nigerians in various sectors, especially roads, bridges, effecting solutions to erosion and other ecological problems.

Pointing out that the President needed competent and patriotic people to help in actualizing his policies and programmes for the nation, Fashola declared, “Make no mistake about it, the President needs every good hand and every good mind to give effect to not only his policies and commitment to the Nigerian people but also to their expectations”.

Stressing on the need to have competent hands to help in executing the various projects and programmes nationwide, the Minister, who received the delegation in his office in Abuja noted, “No matter how well intentioned he can be, the President cannot be in every room and in every state. He, therefore, requires good men and women who will be part of the solution and not the problem”.

He commended the patriotic and selfless commitment of Chief Modestus Umenzekwe to the development of his area and people; “he has been faithful to this cause. He has asked nothing to be done for himself. If he asked for anything at all it would always be for his community”, he said.

On his appointment to the Board of FHA, Fashola, who urged him to bring to play the same zeal and commitment towards the development of his community as he assumes office as a member of the Board of FHA, added, “Honourable Umenzekwe has been faithful and committed to the cause of the present administration”.

Jul

07

2021

FG Restate Commitment To Promote Energy Efficiency And Security For All

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the commitment of his administration towards promoting energy efficiency and ensuring energy security to all Nigerians.

The President stated this at the official commissioning of the 1.52 MWp/2.28 MWh Solar Microgrid System built by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said that the 1.52 MegaWatts Solar System is a project that delivers on so many of the Federal Government’s commitments at the Local and International levels.

The President explained that the Solar Microgrid System is part of Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Climate Change Agreement which he signed on behalf of the country to reduce carbon emission globally.

He commended the Ministry of Works and Housing, saying that the project has placed the Federal Government as a champion on the use of renewable energy, not just off-grid and for the last-mile, but also within urban contexts for commercial users.

Similarly, the President noted that the project has added to government objective of economy Plan of Ease of doing Business which is a major objective of the Federal Government economic plan to grow the economy and create jobs.. He urged other MDAs to key into the initiative.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola,SAN said that the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council on the 20th March 2019 at the time the Ministry of Power was part of Works and Housing.

“I express our appreciation to members of the Federal Executive Council who voted to entrust our Ministry with this project,” he said.

Explaining the scope of the project, Fashola said the Ministry has delivered a 1.52 MegaWatts Solar System based on the mandate of the Federal Executive Council, and it would provide uninterrupted power supply to 5 blocks housing the Ministry of Works and Housing and Ministry of Environment and Lands.

In fulfillment of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of creating jobs, the Minister said that the project employed 382 artisans and 176 skilled workers throughout its duration.

Continuing, he said that the project would see to the reduction of average diesel consumption from 764,248 litres per annum to 166,825 litres per annum and cost saving of NGN270,945,000 over 20 years and contribute towards the reduction of government operational expenses and reduction of recurrent expenditure.

“With this investment we have built our own Mini-Grid, in consonance with our Administration’s policy to promote off grid option, thereby making more of the on-grid power available to ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford the cost of investing in off-grid power,” he said.

The impressive event also received goodwill messages from the Honourable Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar and the Deputy Secretary General of United Nations, Hajiya Amina Mohammed.

Jun

30

2021

Works And Housing Staff Receives 2021 Public Service Awards

Four staffers of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing have received 2021 Public Service Awards for diligence, commitment and dedication to service.

The recipients of the award were; Arc. Suara Akinola, Deputy-Director, Special Projects Unit, Engineer Ebere Izunobi, Assistant Director, Highway Planning and Development, Haruna Rakiya of the Public Building and Housing Development and Anemba Terhemeni of the Human Resources Management Department.

The Award was in commemoration of 2021 Public Service Week organized by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation annually.

The Director Human Resources of the Ministry, Abdullahi Umar Utono presented the awardees to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Babangida Hussaini, after they had been honoured by the Head of Service of the Federation at a ceremony in Abuja.

Receiving the awardees, the Permanent Secretary, Babaginda Hussaini congratulated and charged them to work harder in order to justify the award saying, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

The Permanent Secretary described the award as an acknowledgement of one’s outstanding service to the Ministry in particular and the nation in general.

 “Once you are recognized and awarded, you do not have a hidden place anymore. More is expected of you and please do not rest on your oasis.” He said.

Hussaini said that he was satisfied with their nomination for the prestigious award because he could attest to their competence and commitment to duty. “If I have to do the exercise again, I will select the same four officers for the award because they are tested and trusted,” he said.
In his remarks, the Director of Human Resources Management, Umar Utono said that the committee set up by the Ministry to evaluate nominees for the award did a thorough job in bringing up the four nominees for the award, adding that they were selected based on the input from their various Departments.

 “Their selection met the criteria we look forward to in Civil Servants. We commend their contributions and urge them to work harder,” he said.

Utono also said that the award would serve as amotivation to other Civil Servants to work harder in order to benefit from subsequent awards.

Responding on behalf of the Awardees, the Deputy-Director, Special Project Unit, Arc. Suara Akinola thanked the Permanent Secretary for nominating them for award, saying that they will do more to justify his trust on them.

“It is a call to do more and I am pledging on behalf of the other awardees our total commitment to do more and that our selection for the award was not a mistake by the Ministry. We shall work harder to win more awards,” he said.

Jun

23

2021

BRF Gabfest 5: Discussing the Ways to Curb the Human Factors Involved in Road Accidents
Lagos, Nigeria, June 22, 2021 — For the 5th edition of the Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) GabFest, an event created to discuss the role of the youth in Nigeria’s future, the theme is “Arrive Alive: Building a Road towards better driving culture”.
Statistics show that Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29. Around the world, road traffic injuries cause 1.25 million deaths and up to 50 million injuries each year. Surprisingly, data shows that the top causative factor for road accidents are not bad roads but speeding, loss of vehicular control, wrongful overtaking and generally poor driving culture. To discuss this pandemic, and explore ways to curb the human factors behind such accidents, six speakers across two panels will offer constructive insight at the event, on the 28th June, 2021.  

The speakers will cut across both the public and private sectors, and offer the audience the chance to engage on the subject matter. They will discuss matters ranging from road safety traffic measures and how accidents occur, to what to do in the event of an accident, insurance, drinking and driving responsibly, and also breaking users cycle of road accidents. The aim is to realize the factors that we have control over, and how to take a collective responsibility over them to improve the future. Attendees would also be allowed to ask questions after the Panelist discussion. 

The confirmed line-up of speakers includes Dr Yazid Omotayo -Head, Medical Unit/Pre-Hospital Care Unit, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Ms Bethia Idoko -Head of Business Development, Gidi Traffic, Mr Oluseye Banjoko MCIArb (Uk)- Partner, CLP Legal and Fred Akinmuyisitan - Head, Marketing Strategy and Planning, The Heineken Company. The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi will offer insights on the statistics coming in from Federal Highways across the country. 

 It will be a platform for these leaders to share their expertise as pertains to Road Accidents. “It is imperative to find opportunities to convene and discuss ways in which we can push forward as a people, and reduce these casualties” says Terfa Tilley-Gyado, Director of Communications of The Temple Company, who will also be addressing attendees of the event. The programme will end with a closing remark by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event will be conducted virtually over ZOOM, and is open to the public to register via https://bit.ly/gabfest5. The entire session will run for a duration of two hours. 

Jun

07

2021

Stop the Destruction of our Common wealth, Fashola pleads at Town Hall Meeting

The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has appealed to those vandalizing government properties in the country to desist from doing so.

The Minister made the appeal during his presentation at the Townhall Meeting on Protecting Public Infrastructure organized by the Federal Ministry of Information, which took place today 7th June 2021 at NAF Conference Centre Abuja.

Fashola, who noted all that no nation grows beyond the capacity of its infrastructure, lamented the level of damage and vandalization of public properties in the nation.

The Minister said, "our ability to grow, to develop and to prosper, to get education and essentially to live a good life is tied to quality and quantity of Infrastructure that we have, explaining that properties damaged under the purview of his Ministry included bridges across the nation such as Otedola and Kara bridges in Lagos, Tamburawa Bridge in Kano among others which would respectively cost 203M, 605M and 1.8 Billion naira to repair.

Noting that these money could have been expended on other sectors such as health, education etc. Fashola disclosed that another form in which the bridge was abused included the conversion of spaces under the bridge to shops and the use of parking spaces for businesses, adding that the Ministry had started the process of recovery of all these spaces with the aim of ensuring that they are utilized for their legitimate purposes.

The Minister also condemned the vandalism of signages on the Federal Highways across the country. He explained that "Signages have begun to reappear on the nation’s highways but these signages have become targets of some people and turned to billboards for campaign." He added that some of them were out rightly carted away.

Fashola further condemned the abuse of the right of way by some people who raise structure on them, explaining that 45.72 metre from the centre line of both sides of the road lies within the right of way.
The Minister also decried the building of bumps on Federal Highways which he noted are dangerous to unsuspecting road users, adding that the public buildings are also not left out by vandals.

The Minister noted that though there are existing laws to punish these criminal acts but they were no longer realistic in view of the economic changes that have taken place since the time they were enacted and now and therefore called for quick amendment of the laws so that offenders could be adequately punished.

Fashola also called upon the citizens to take responsibility over government properties and stand up against vandalism and willful destruction of the common wealth of the country.

In his welcome Address, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Muhammed said the aim of the Townhall meeting was to bridge the gap between the Government and the people.

The Minister said infrastructure deficit was one of the challenges facing the country and the current administration had invested hugely on it despite the lean resources available to it.

"Despite a drastic drop in revenues and competing priorities especially that of tackling insecurity, the Federal Government had invested heavily in providing new infrastructure in addition to reconstruction and rehabilitating of existing ones."

However, he lamented that in recent times such laudable efforts of the government were being thwarted by some unpatriotic citizens through wanton destruction of critical infrastructure thereby depriving the greater citizenry for whose benefits these projects and services are provided.

The Ministers of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Muhammed Bello also took turn to reveal the negative impact and cost of vandalism and destruction of public properties under the purview of their respective Ministry.

As a way of overcoming the problem, stakeholders present at the occasion suggested that stiffer laws against  such crimes should be passed by the National Assembly,  Traditional Rulers should be involved in the security of public properties,  State governments should be made to partake in securing federal government projects within their domain, security agents should be encouraged to be more vigilant and massive sensitization of the general public should be carried out to engage the citizens in the ownership and protection of these properties.

Also present at the occasion were the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Mr. Ali Patani, the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D .Aliyu and Heads of Federal Agencies.

May

30

2021

FG Opens Bid On Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) 

The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing will officially open the bid for *Value Added Concession* under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) on *Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 at 11a.m West African Time. * The bid will be witnessed by the *Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), * other interested partners and stakeholders.

It will be recalled that Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, received the *Certificate of Compliance* for the *Outline Business Case* for the HDMI in December 2020, followed by the official launching of the *E-portal (https://hdmi.worksandhousing.gov.ng)* by the Honourable Minister on 29th March, 2021.

Applications were received from interested prospective concessionaires in response to the *Request for* *Qualification (RfQ )* and the bid will be opened on the *1st June, 2021*.

The Highway Development and Management Initiative was created by the Ministry of Works and Housing to develop and manage the Federal Road network through *sustainable Private Sector investment*, maximizing the use of assets along *the right of way*.

The twelve roads to be concessioned under the first phase of the HDMI are:

*Benin – Asaba*

*Abuja - Lokoja*

*Kaduna – Kano*

*Onitsha – Owerri – Aba*

*Shagamu – Benin*

*Abuja - Keffi – Akwanga*

*Lokoja – Benin*

*Enugu – Port Harcourt*

*Ilorin – Jebba*

*Lagos– Ota – Abeokuta*

*Lagos – Badagry*

*Kano – Shuari – PortisKum – Damaturu*

This initiative is aimed at creating alternative source of financing road development and management in the country while unlocking the massive economic potential of the project routes with attendant job creation

Apr

16

2021

Ife-Ifewara Road Project: No Money Was Paid During My Tenure Fashola Responds To RCCG Petition

“Ministry of Works and Housing deserves an apology from us and because the whole world is listening to us, I tender that apology “Unreservedly”, Petitioner

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has clarified the issue of payment to Cartil Construction Nigeria Limited in respect of the rehabilitation of Ife-Ifewara road in Osun State even as the Redeem Christian Church of God apologized to the Ministry for its allegation that payment was made to the Contractor by the Ministry for the rehabilitation of the road which was done by the Church between 2016 and 2019.

Speaking on Thursday 15 April, 2021 at the Public Hearing of the the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Minister clarified that no payment had been made by the current administration with respect to the rehabilitation of the road.

The Minister stated that the contract was awarded to Messrs. Cartill Construction Nigeria Limited five years before the Buhari Administration and six years before he was appointed as a Minister of Works and Housing.

Countering the allegation by RCCG that monies were paid to the contactor, Fashola debunked the allegation saying that the then Minister of Works only approved the mandatory 15% mobilization fee on 31st March, 2011 and another payment was made after the work had reached about 26.21% on 29th December, 2011. “These payments were all made four years before the Buhari’s administration,”, he explained.

Responding further to the petition, the Minister stated that the Ministry did not make any payment to the contractor as a refund or certify any work done between 2016 and 2019, adding that the road in question was not a federal road but the contract was initiated as Parliamentary Constituency Project which was domiciled in the budget of the Ministry, hence the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

While he thanked the Chairman and other distinguished members of the committee for its impartial and dispassionate consideration of the petition, Mr. Fashola said that there was no basis for the petition by way of facts or evidence.

While commending the leadership of RCCG for intervening in the rehabilitation of the road, Fashola explained that there were procedures to be followed in intervening on Federal and State roads.

Responding on behalf of RCCG, the Petitioner, Pastor Niyi Adebanjo apologized to the Minister saying that the petition was not targeted at him, but was meant to expose some perceived sharp practices.  He said that they thought that the Federal Government was to approve another payment for the road which was rehabilitated free by Pastor Encoh Adeboye as part of the church’s social corporate responsibility.

He said: “The rehabilitation of the road was awarded and paid for by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, hence any further claim by any company should be seen as illegal and unjust.”

“Ministry of Works and Housing deserves an apology from us and because the whole world is listening to us, I tender that apology “Unreservedly”, Petitioner

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman, Senator Patrick Akinyelure, commended the Minister for his presentation and for correcting the impression that some monies were paid during the Buhari led administration.

He said that the purpose of the public hearing was to clear all grey areas regarding payments that were alleged to be paid by the Federal Ministry and not to witch-hunt anybody.

While commending the RCCG for the intervention and for crying out for the perceived wrong doing, he charged them to follow due procedure and guideline in future intervention to avoid a repeat of such occurrence.

Mar

30

2021

*“Stop the abuse of roads”, FG appeals to road users.*

The Federal Government has appealed to road users to stop the misuse of roads as it threatens their safety and leads to unnecessary loss of lives and properties. The Director of Highway Construction and Rehabilitation in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Funsho  Adebiyi  made this appeal while speaking to some correspondents in  Abuja on the  state of federal roads.

Adebiyi speaking specifically on the Enugu - Onitsha expressway complained that drivers were using  pavements of the highways which are being mistaken for a third lane while heavy duty trucks park on them sometimes for days to carry out maintenance work and change diesel thereby pouring some on the roads, a practice which he described as a threat to the safety and life span of the roads.

Engineer Adebiyi said, “The Heavy duty trucks park on the shoulders of the road and carry out maintenance work thereby spoiling it. The parking on the road is a threat to the safety of our roads, in addition our people still over speed.”

The Director pointed out that from the reports of the Federal Road Safety Commission reckless driving accounts for about 35% of road accidents while bad roads account for only 1.3%.

Engineer Adebiyi said when the roads were bad people were clamouring for the repairs but now that they are being fixed over speeding, overloading and reckless driving have become threats to life.

The Director also spoke on the misconception by some members of the public that the Umuomi  - Awka road in Anambra State  was a  3 carriageway. He explained that what makes it look like a 3 carriageway was the pavement which had been redesigned to strengthen the shoulders of the road into hard core due to heavy duty trucks plying the road. Engineer Adebiyi said “Because of the heavy duty trucks  that pass there we now redesigned the pavement so that the shoulders are now hard core.” "They are designed to carry the same weight as the 2 carriageway."

He further said, “What we have in the current situation is that the drivers now run on the shoulder but as they approach the flyover, it closes down into 2 lanes, they don’t realize that what they were using was not actually a carriageway but a shoulder and erroneously conclude that the Engineers were reducing the width of the road to 2 instead of 3 carriageways.”

The Director who also noted that people were complaining that the pavement was not marked said binders are not marked until pavement is completed just as a house is not painted until plastering is done. He explained further that the reason why the pavement is opened  for use even as work is yet to be completed is to ensure smooth traffic flow and test running of the under laying materials while using it so that if there is any error it would be detected and promptly corrected while the engineers were still there.

He disclosed that the Ministry was taking steps to do the shoulder markings, adding that a mini speed breaker would also be put in place to check over speeding.

Engineer Adebiyi  said that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housig had projects in virtually every section of the trunk A roads which run across the country with Engineers in each of the sections working simultaneously. He added that every state of the Federation had a Federal Controller of Works who reports to the Zonal Controller who in turn reports to him, adding that the structure allows  steady delivery of work.

Mar

24

2021

FG reaffirms Commitment to UN-Habitat Activities

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to contribute to the successful implementation of the Un- Habitat activities in the country. 
Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr Abubakar D Aliyu, (FNSE), made the reaffirmation this morning when a delegation from the UN-Habitat Mission paid him a courtesy visit at the Heaquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mabushi, Abuja.
The Minister assured the UN –Habitat that the Ministry of Works and Housing would continue to ensue more of Federal Government voluntary contribution to its activities. 
Engineer Aliyu added that the agenda of establishing a regional Multi Country office, West Africa in Abuja for the organization was being pursued by the Ministry.
He expressed Nigeria’s desire to initiate the establishment of a broad based Multi Sectoral National Habitat Advisory Committee that would be charged with the responsibility of advising the government on the domestication and implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) in Nigeria, seeking intervention programmes for implementation pertaining to the NUA and mobilizing sources of donor to UN – Habitat activities.
While urging the UN body to fast track the Yobe Project because of the slow procurement process, Engr Aliyu  also stressed the need to coordinate the implementation of the HAPSO and African Urban Agenda Work plans. 
" We are able to restore normalcy in the area, I urge you to fast track the Yobe project which we discussed earlier, the procurement process is slow " he said 
Earlier, the leader of the delegation Mathias Spaliviero who is also the Senior Human Settlements Officer, Regional Office for Africa, informed the Minister that his team was in the country to engage national partners with respect to the proposed and on-going COVID- 19 intervention projects and implementation of the New Urban Agenda as well as the Sustainable Development Goals amongst other activities. 
He gave the status of the on-going Karu Swedish International Development Agency, SIDA/UN-Habitat project and its replication in the North East especially Yobe State before taking it to other areas of the country as a National Programme of intervention.
He stated that already the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) has made available a grant of USD220 to carry out emergency wash, health and other Urban Planning interventions in Karu peri-urban settlements in Nassarawa State to mitigate the negative health and social –economic impacts of COVID – 19 pandemic.
 

Sep

14

2021

FG Begins Immediate Repairs On Sections Affected By Flooding In Five States

* Others to receive attention soon.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN Tuesday directed the immediate Emergency Repairs on Sections where failure had occurred due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall in five states across the country.

Fashola who gave the directive at a briefing meeting in Abuja named the roads for immediate intervention to include Ibadan – Ife Road, Gombe – Bauchi Road, Gombe – Darazo; Bauchi – Ningi, Bida – Lambata, and Tsamiya bridge in Jigawa State, also assured of continuous attention to other roads with similar problems.

The Minister said that the Federal government is committed to infrastructure development and will respond promptly to complaints from citizens.

He however, appealed to commuters to be patient with the government as the excessive rains being witnessed has negative effect on road construction and rehabilitation.

He expressed his Ministry’s commitment to do all within its means to ease the hardship of commuters.

Aug

24

2021

Minister Assures Motorists For Prompt Intervention On Gashua - Potiskum Damaged Road
 
Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr Abubakar Aliyu has assured motorists plying the Gashua-Potiskum axis of prompt intervention by the government to restore to normal the flood damaged parts of the road.

The Minister disclosed this during an on-the - spot assessment of the portions of the road damaged by the flood, assuring motorists that government is already taking urgent steps to remedy the situation.

Engr Aliyu spoke through the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State, Engr Olusegun B. Akinmade, whom he delegated to visit the site said the Gasua-Potiskum Federal highway was recently damaged by massive flooding as a result of heavy downpour.

 " The ministry would deploy the relevant agency to attend to the affected parts of the road in no time" he said, adding that the most affected part of the highway is a stretch between Garin Gada to Tarajim along the Gashua-Potiskum highway.

While commending the understanding of the motorists over the incidence and its attendant inconveniences, Engr Aliyu reaffirmed that the federal government would do all it could to remedy the situation as well as taking measures of averting future occurrences.

He said " President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to road infrastructure is unprecedented, as evidenced by his administration’s huge investments in road reconstruction and rehabilitation across the country" .

Accordingly, the Minister said the prompt assessment of the damaged portion of the highway is a demonstration of the leadership commitment of his ministry working round the clock to deliver on its mandate. 

Yobe State Commissioner for Works, Engr Umaru Wakili Duddaye, was among the team that inspected the damaged portion.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted that about 25 states, including Yobe, would experience flood in 2021

Aug

09

2021

FG Assures Motorists Of Commitment To Road Infrastructure

The Federal Government has assured the Public of its commitment to infrastructure development in the country, adding that all roads affected by flash floods are noted and are receiving required attention.

Speaking in the Ministry after receiving an interim report of on- the -spot assessment of  the Abuja -Lokoja flash flood and the bridge in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Babangida Hussaini, stated that the Ministry was looking into all the issues of flooding on the nation’s roads

On the Abuja -Lokoja road , he said the flash flood at the weekend was caused by excessive rain and that as soon as the rain subsided , the flood receded,  and the road has been opened to traffic since Saturday.

On the bridge in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State the Permanent Secretary noted the prompt response of Jigawa State by diverting traffic to an alternative route and commenced repair works on the bridge immediately, he therefore commended the state governments and the stakeholders for their efforts in supporting Mr. President’s commitment to road and infrastructure development.

He assured the Jigawa State Government of the Ministry’s technical support as at when needed. He said the professionals in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing are always available to provide technical support to states in all the roads and bridges construction activities.

Aug

03

2021

Fashola Inspects Federal Road Projects Executed By Yobe State Government

...Minister promises to submit his findings for consideration by FG

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, on Monday inspected the Nguru - Machina and Gashua - Yusufari, federal road projects that the Yobe State Government executed for which they are requesting reimbursement.

While speaking to journalists during the inspection, the Minister said President Muhammadu Buhari promised that refund would be made to all states that intervened in Federal Roads though such interventions took place before the advent of this administration in 2015.

He explained that some State Governments got their own refund in the first term of this administration while some others got theirs late last year. However, States like Yobe and Kebbi who were yet to get their own sent their requests to the Federal Government which led to the reconstitution of the Presidential Committee to assess the claims by the State Governments and submit their reports for consideration.

Fashola said in response to a question on the possible amount being expected by the State, " You know that there are standard prices for materials and also standard design, we will file our report based on what we find, we have a method for making quantification and we will send it to the government Cost Control Centre and they will then advice government as to appropriate payment ".

Speaking on the impact of the ongoing special repair of the heavily flooded area in Zangwon Kanwa on Nguru - Machina Road by the Federal Government, Fashola described the work as a relief measure for the Community because due to the excavation of some of the construction materials from the area, it was burrowed thereby turning it into a pond which has become the lowest point in the place, a situation that brought a lot of challenges to the people.

He said the current work by the Government is a temporary measure which would be followed by a permanent solution that would be considered by both the State and Federal Government.

The Secretary to Yobe State Government, Baba Mallam Wali expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister for coming to assess the projects and hoped that he had seen quality work.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State, Engineer Olusegun Babalola Akinmade informed the Minister that the repair work in the flooded area in Zangwon Kanwa on Nguru - Machina road will intensify after the raining season. He said the water in the pond will be rechannelled while the capacity will be increased downward by 2 metres just as it is done in residential houses when Septic Tanks are emptied.

The Controller said the situation was so bad before work commenced in the area to the extent that some residents were evacuated.

The Minister was received at the border between Jigawa and Yobe by the Federal Controller of Works in Yobe State, Engineer Olusegun Akinmade and a high-level delegation comprising the Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Lawal Mirwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Umar Wakili and some traditional rulers.

He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Director Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Folorunsho Esan and the Director Highways, North East, Engr. Celestine Shausu among others.

Aug

02

2021

FG To Reinburse Road Projects Done By Kebbi State - Engr Aliyu

Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu has said that Federal Government would refund the monies spent on Federal Government’s road projects by Kebbi State.

The Minister said this over the Weekend when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kebbi State Sen. Abubakar Bagudu.

Aliyu told the Governor that they were in the state to verify claims for reimbursement submitted by Kebbi State Government for the Federal Government’s road projects undertaken by Kebbi State adding that the Cabinet Committee set up by Federal Government would look into their claims for refund.

“We are here for the verification and after that, we are going to report back to the main Committee for consideration,” he said.

The visit was sequel to the directives of Mr. President to the Cabinet Committee to review the requests from states seeking reimbursement for the road projects executed by them.

The Committee had earlier inspected the two selected road projects built by the Kebbi State government that were slated for reimbursement.

It could be recalled that the Federal Government had made reimbursements of N477 billion to twenty five states in 2016 based on the recommendation of the Committee.

Similarly, another disbursement of N143 billion was made to additional five states by the Federal Government in 2019 making a total of N620 billion refunded to States for Federal Government’s road projects undertaken by States.

Accordingly, the Minister disclosed that the President had approved the reactivation of the Committee to look into the additional requests for disbursements on the 17th May, 2021, for Yobe, Taraba and Kebbi States.

Kebbi State Government is seeking reimbursement for the 42 kilometers Melando-Garin Baka-Ngaski Wara and the 87 kilometers Dabai-Mahuta-koko federal road projects.

The State was claiming over N2bn reimbursement for the 87km long Dabai-Mahuta-Koko road, which the Minister said, was why the committee came to verify.

“We are here today to verify the claims by the state and get back to the Committee,” he said.

Responding, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagugu commended the federal government for the bold step it has taken in refunding States the monies spent in executing Federal Government road projects.

The Governor said that the debt of over 500 billion naira paid by this administration were inherited debts.

“Yes, we are one of the states that have done federal government roads. I am happy that you have come to verify our claims and we shall be grateful if your report will lead to refund so that we will do more,” he said.

Speaking further, he commended Federal Government for completing the Sokoto-Tambuwa-Gwandu-Aliero-Jega-Yawuri-Kontogora road, saying that  the road was one of the most important roads and one of the numerous uncompleted road inherited by President Muhammadu Buhari.

 “The road does not only link us with the Federal Capital Territory, but also serves as our main gateway to Lagos" he said.

 “The road passes through a vast area of farm lands and many farming communities of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States will benefit from it,” he said.

The Cabinet Committee has the Minister of Works and Housing as the Chairman and the members include; Ministers of Transportation, Education, Finance, Works and housing (State), as well as the Permanent Secretaries of Works and Housing and that of the Cabinet Office and the Director, Bureau of Public Procurement.

The Committee's delegation to Kebbi State for the verification was led by the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, and the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

Jul

29

2021

Federal Ministry Works & Housing Sets Up Ministerial And Departmental Task Team To Enforce Covid-19 Protocols

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini has given a strong warning to those violating the Covid 19 Prevention protocols in the Ministry to desist from such or stay away from the Ministry.

The Permanent Secretary gave the warning earlier today while inaugurating a Ministerial and Departmental Task Team on Covid-19.

Mr. Babangida said that the Task Team was to ensure compliance with prescribed preventive measures and curtailing the spread of Covid-19 Virus, adding that every aspect of Covid-19 control mechanism and crowd control must be adopted and enforced.

He also urged the newly inaugurated Task Team to generate massive awareness campaign on the consequences of the breach of prescribed Covid-19 preventive Protocols and put in place adequate sanctions against violators.

The Permanent Secretary noted with concern the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the last few weeks and charged the team to save the government from unnecessary expenses associated with uncontrolled spread of the pandemic, adding that lives of Nigerians are considered very important by the government.

He ordered that henceforth, the team should monitor staff’ and visitors’ compliance to the protocols and punish offenders to deter others.

He therefore, directed that patrol along the corridor in the Ministry should be ramped up and that a reporting template should be put up as well as activating all sanitary facilities within the Ministry.

The Committee which was a ten- man team was chaired by the Ministry’s Director Human Resource Management, Mr. Umar Abdullahi Utono

Jul

16

2021

GOODWILL MESSAGE BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING, MR BABATUNDE FASHOLA, SAN AT THE PLENARY SESSION OF THE NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT ORGANISED BY THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS ON THURSDAY 15TH JULY, 2021 AT NICON LUXURY HOTEL, ABUJA

I bring good tidings to the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) at this Plenary on National Infrastructure Summit.
I am enthused by the theme which is:- “Towards a Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Maintenance and Management in Nigeria.”  If this was a shooting competition, I would say that the NSE has hit the Bull’s Eye with the theme.
Infrastructure Development, Maintenance and Management lie at the core of the Buhari Administration’s strategy for growing the Nigerian economy, creating jobs and prosperity, and lifting people out of poverty. The stock of infrastructure and the commitment to grow them is the real measure of a Nation’s desire for growth and prosperity.

A Nation cannot grow bigger than the capacity of its infrastructure and President Buhari’s commitment to infrastructure leaves no one in doubt about his desire to rapidly grow Nigeria’s economy. The outline of that infrastructure development is made clear by the fact that the Ministry of Works and Housing is currently managing over 800 contracts for Roads and Bridges covering over 13,000 Kilometres of the 35,000 plus Kilometres of Federal Highways and Bridges.

 In every state of Nigeria today there is either a Road project, a Bridge project or a Housing project or all combined under construction. This is a critical driver for employment of professionals for design, surveys, and construction practitioners.  It also galvanizes other sectors like mining for gravel, sand, laterite, crushed stones to mention a few, while it drives the demand and supply of lubricants like diesel, and oils, as well as bitumen production and supply.

The transport sector is also driven by the need to ferry these inputs across distances from production sites to construction sites by thousands of Trucks employing drivers. At the construction Sites, the urban poor earn their daily living from supply of skilled and unskilled labour by working the materials to finished products. But this is only a small piece of the pie. Design, Construction and Governance account for only about 30% of Jobs in the Built Industry.
It is maintenance and operation that provides 70% of the sustainable jobs long after construction has ended. This is why the Buhari Administration must take the credit for approving the first ever FGN Facility Management and Maintenance policy in March of 2019. Implementation is now bearing fruits with 24 Federal Secretariats now fully rehabilitated and under a facility management contract. Thirty-seven Bridges nationwide are now undergoing maintenance and repairs, some of which have been due for decades.

NSE’s plenary and the theme have therefore struck the right chord. It would therefore be with bated breath that the Ministry of Works and Housing will await the outcome of today’s conversation on how to scale up and deepen what has already started.
In closing I only wish to point one that a significant number of projects such as the Lagos – Ibadan, Enugu – Port Harcourt , Abuja- Kano, Kano- Maiduguri, Enugu- Onitsha, Oyo – Ogbomosho, Ilorin – Jebba, Abeokuta – Ibadan , Calabar – Itu , Second Niger Bridge, Ikom Bridge, Loko – Oweto Bridge, Ibi Bridge and Bamenda – Mfun Bridge, Chanchangi Bridge, Bodo Bonny Bridge and many more, which were recommended for development in the 2013 National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan have now taken off, are progressing, nearing completion or have been completed. The Buhari Government has now commenced the process of developing a new Infrastructure Master Plan up to 2030 and this has progressed significantly. 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I have no doubt in my mind about the positive direction Nigeria’s economy is heading with these investments in Infrastructure. They are the key to reduced journey times, to efficient and competitive productivity arising from the ease of doing business.

I therefore wish you a very engaging and productive deliberations.   

 BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN
MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING

Jul

07

2021

Off-Grid Power: Efficient Public Service Delivery Will Improve Ease Of Doing Business - Buhari

·      As President commissions 1.52 MWp/2.28 MWh Solar Micro-grid System and Energy retrofitting in FMW&H
·      “This project enables Nigeria fulfill commitments made with other leading countries of the world”, he says
·      Investment is in consonance with the Buhari Administration’s policy to promote off grid option-Fashola
·      UN Deputy Secretary, Ministers hail FMW&H for leading the way on Off-Grid

President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday commissioned a 1.52 Megawatts Solar Mini-grid System and Energy retrofitting of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja saying the project was in line with his administration’s pursuit of off-grid as its focal policy.

President Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said in addition to policy implementation, the project also enables Nigeria fulfill commitments made with other countries of the world under the Paris Climate Change Agreement which he signed on behalf of Nigeria.

Recalling that a global resolve to reduce carbon emissions by committing to the use of renewable sources of energy was at the heart of the Paris Agreement, the President declared, “This 1.52 megawatts solar farm which, I am told, is the largest solar project for any public building in Africa, will enable us reduce carbon emission, and it is something to be proud of that we are contributing to saving this planet for future generation”.

“Another reason why I am pleased about this project is the impact of reliable energy on the ability of our public servants housed in these buildings to efficiently discharge their responsibilities to members of the public”, he said adding that as critical enabler of the Private Sector, the improved efficiency in public service delivery should translate to an improvement in the ease of doing business.

The President, who pointed out that ease of doing business “is a major objective of our economic plans to grow the Nigerian economy and create jobs”, further assured Nigerians of his administration’s commitment towards promoting energy efficiency and ensuring energy security to all Nigerians.

He disclosed that the Government has just embarked on the competitive procurement of up to 150 Mega Watts of solar power along the Maiduguri axis to help address the issue of electricity supply while enhancing grid stability through the provision of clean renewable energy.

The President commended the Ministers and staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Contractor for the successful delivery of the project which, according to him, “hopefully is jus t the first of many more to be delivered across Nigeria in the public and private sectors”.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said the investment in Mini-Grid by the Ministry was in consonance with the Buhari Administration’s policy to promote off grid option as a way of making more of the on-grid power available to ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford the cost of investing in off-grid power.

Fashola said, based on the mandate of the Federal Executive Council, which, according to him, gave approval for the project on March 20, 2019, a 1.52 Mega-Watts Solar System has been delivered that would provide uninterrupted power supply to five blocks housing the Ministry of Works and Housing and Ministry of Environment and Lands.

The Minister said in fulfillment of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of creating jobs, the project also employed 382 artisans and 176 skilled workers throughout its duration adding that the project would see to the reduction of average diesel consumption from 764,248 litres per annum to 166,825 litres per annum.

According to him, such huge reduction in diesel consumption would translate to cost saving of N270,945,000 over 20 years of the life of the system while also contributing towards the reduction of government operational expenses and reduction of recurrent expenditure.

Other deliverables from the project, he said, include the upgrade and retrofitting of the Ministry’s electrical appliances by replacing 400 old Air-conditioning units with 400 new inverter-based energy efficient Air-conditioning units and replacing 2,600 old light fittings with energy efficient LED ones, which according to him “are energy saving because they consume 40 percent less energy.”

In terms of local content, Fashola said the contract has engaged five STEM candidates to work throughout the solar PV lifecycle of the project with two candidates trained in engineering design and another two in project construction while one candidate got trained in engineering project management.

Urging other government agencies to follow the same path, the Minister declared, “With this investment we have built our own Mini-Grid, in consonance with our Administration’s policy to promote off grid option, thereby making more of the on-grid power available to ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford the cost of investing in off-grid power.

“All I need now say is that other government buildings can follow this path and our team will be most enthusiastic to provide the support, and share our experiences and lessons learned, working with the Ministry of Power”, he said adding that the Ministry of Finance has already indicated interest and the team has begun the energy audit of the Ministry.

He expressed deep appreciation to the contractor, Messrs. EM-ONE Energy Solutions, “for the efficient execution and more importantly for the sacrifice to complete this project in spite of the wide disparity between the foreign exchange rates in 2019 when the project was awarded and now, notwithstanding high importation costs of the parts”.

Fashola also acknowledged the contributions of Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi and Engr. Femi Akinyelure, two young people whom the President appointed to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and who were part of the project at different stages from inception to completion recalling that the two, along with their colleagues, were involved in the energy audit and design of the project.

“They represent the positive impact of youth involvement in public service”, the Minister said as he also commended Engr. Julius Olurinola, the Director of Engineering Services, “whose role I liken to that of a midwife, supervising, monitoring and reporting the progress of this project from incubation to delivery”.

Inviting the President to commission the project, Fashola declared, “I have the pleasure to now invite you Sir, to perform the official commissioning of the 1.52 Mega-Watts Solar Power project to provide uninterrupted power to your staff in the Ministry of Works and Housing and Environment to improve their working conditions”.

In his goodwill message, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, commended the Minister and the Management of the Ministry of Works and Housing for the successful completion of the project noting that it would enable the user Ministries to improve in productivity.

Describing the project as a wonderful achievement, the Minister commended the resilience and diligence of the Ministerial Team led by the Minister in completing the project and urged other Ministries and government agencies to follow suit “in line with Climate Change”.

Also in her goodwill message, the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and former Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, commended the Minister of Works and Housing for the successful completion of the project pointing out that it is a demonstration of Nigeria’s adherence to the global efforts towards zero emission.

Noting that the installation of Solar energy across the world was creating three times more jobs than the use of fossil fuel, the former Environment Minister added that more countries needed to embrace solar, especially in Africa.

She said the successful completion of the project, aside improving productivity, highlights Nigeria’s development and leadership in the area of renewable energy in the African Continent.

Earlier, in his Welcome address, the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, said the successful completion of the project has brought solution to the Ministry’s challenges brought about by the use of fossil fuel.

Jul

06

2021

Speech By His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Commissioning of Solar Power PV Plus Microgrid System and Energy Retrofitting of The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Headquarters Mabushi Abuja, Tuesday, 6th July, 2021

PROTOCOLS

I am delighted to perform the virtual commissioning of the 1.5megawatt Solar project that serves the 4 blocks of offices housing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on one hand and the Federal Ministry of Environment on the other hand, in the Mabushi Area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

2.    This is a project that delivers on so many of our commitments at local and international levels.

3.    For many years and indeed decades, our pursuit of electrical energy solutions have followed a single track of on-grid power, until recently, when off-grid power became a focal policy pursuit of this Administration.

4.    The impact of that policy shift is that access to small scale and off-grid electricity is increasingly becoming available to Nigerians in marketplaces, universities, and business premises as is the case with other parts of the world; and it is therefore pleasing that Government is also taking its own medicine, by building its own off-grid power.  This is a worthy option for other Agencies of Government to consider.

5.    In addition to policy implementation, this project enables Nigeria fulfill commitments made with other leading countries of the world under the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which I signed on behalf of Nigeria.

6.    At the heart of that Agreement is a global resolve to reduce carbon emissions by committing to the use of renewable sources of energy.

7.    This 1.5megawatt solar farm which I am told is the largest solar project for a public building in Africa, will enable us reduce carbon emissions, and it is something to be proud of that we are contributing to saving this planet for future generation.

8.    Another reason why I am pleased about this project is the impact of reliable energy on the ability of our public servants housed in these buildings to efficiently discharge their responsibilities to the members of the public.

9.    As critical enablers of the private sector, the improved efficiency in public service delivery can only be expected to translate to an improvement in the ease of doing business, which is a major objective of our economic plans to grow the Nigerian economy and create jobs.

10.    I want to reassure you of this administration’s commitment towards promoting energy efficiency and ensuring energy security to all Nigerians. We have just embarked upon the competitive procurement of up to 150 Mega Watts of Solar power along the Maiduguri axis to help address the issue of electricity supply along that axis, while enhancing grid stability through the provision of clean renewable energy.

11.    I commend the Honourabe Ministers and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and their Contractor for the successful delivery of this project which hopefully is just the first of many more to be delivered across Nigeria in the public and private sectors.

12.    It is now my pleasure to commission this project for improved service delivery, and economic development.

13.    Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Jun

28

2021

BRF At 58 : A Return To The Mind’s Infrastructure

By Hakeem Bello

Twelve years ago, in his Year 2010 budget presentation to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, 3 November 2009, as Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, had said, in part, “…while a lot of work has been done in our attempt to bridge the infrastructure gap and a lot of projects, too numerous to mention will be completed before the end of this year and in the first and subsequent quarters of next year such as schools, health facilities, roads, water supply facilities and so much more. We believe that we are now at the most challenging phase of our journey to a bright and rewarding future.

“For too long, we seem to have evolved survival strategies for dealing with chaotic and unplanned living that we now seem afraid to approach orderly living predicated on law and order.

We are at the point where we must build the most enduring infrastructure. This is the infrastructure of the mind. This is the infrastructure that empowers people to seek new levels of excellence that demands new attitudes that commits to greater ideals. We recognise that while the buildings, schools and roads can be easily pulled down and rebuilt, the human mind is the most difficult to rebuild, although it is the most enduring.”

A rigorous enforcement of the law and multi-dimensional public awareness campaigns followed that declaration and characterised the rest of the administration.

Six years into his assignment as a minister responsible for the renewal and expansion of our country’s infrastructure, he had repeatedly stated a fact: there is no state in the country where the Federal Government is not building or rehabilitating a road or bridge or house, or to use a phrase he had used while governing Lagos State, doing “infrastructure catch-up” with population growth.

Progress has certainly been made.

By 21 June 2021, when he made a presentation titled, “The Politics of Economy and the Economy of Politics: Infrastructure Development; the Progressive Way" at the first APC Youth Conference in Abuja, infrastructure deliverables had shot to 895 ongoing Highway and Bridge projects, internal road rehabilitation in 43 federal tertiary institutions, construction of new Federal Secretariats in six states and rehabilitation/maintenance of 24 Federal Secretariats across the country, construction of housing estates under the National Housing Programme in 34 states, rehabilitation of 41 bridges, scheduled maintenance of 5,461.88Km of roads and 8,000KM of Highway maintenance by FERMA, all across the nation while Government established the first ever National Building Maintenance Policy for the country, leading to the creation of the Department of Federal Public Asset Maintenance (FPAM) with the Ministry.

Earlier in an interview published in African Business of 6 April 2021, Fashola told the magazine’s Publisher Omar Ben Yedder: “The point to make here is that the outline of the infrastructure commitments of this government are very clear now. The wheels are also turning and what people should expect to see is more developments on the ease of doing business. Infrastructure is very important too for enabling and achieving that.  We’re refurbishing public infrastructure highways, and we are beginning to build our maintenance economy because it is a very important economy that really has not taken off. This is where we will be, this will be a decade of infrastructure renewal and expansion. It will be an exciting space to play.”

Fashola turns 58 today, and the theme of the Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) Gabfest (held yearly in the last five years to commemorate his birthday by discussing the role of the youth in Nigeria’s future) is “Arrive Alive: Building a road towards better driving culture.”

From verifiable data by traffic management authorities, it is becoming clear that with better road infrastructure, motorists now overspeed and are becoming generally less compliant with road safety rules and regulations.
In a recent submission to the Federal Executive Council, Fashola had noted: “Consistently over the years and this data is available, the impact of bad roads and accidents was less than 2%. As big as that may be, it is less than 2%. (Whereas) overspeeding, loss of control, wrongful overtaking cumulate to over 70%.” This is huge.

For Fashola, this cannot be overlooked; the numbers must be drastically brought down.

For him, it is time again to focus on building the infrastructure of our minds.

As he puts it further in that submission “our focus as a government is that we've agreed that the driver has a role to play, starting from education and certification….”

Thankfully, the Federal Government has recently inaugurated the National Road Safety Advisory Council with Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, as chair, to “ensure the effective implementation of the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy Version 2, 2021-2030, which centres on a safe system approach to road safety based on global standards,” to quote the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.

Besides education and certification, which will be executed by the Ministries of Education and Information, FRSC, state and local governments, Fashola has noted that installation of road traffic signs and patrol of the highways will be intensified. So also, it is a good development that one of the key elements of the recently signed National Health Act is the development of emergency life support system. As Fashola noted: “Road traffic crashes happen everywhere in the world. The problem is: can you bring it down?  and should a road traffic crash lead to death? So, emergency life support is critical.”

Fashola has, over the years, demonstrated that law and order have a human face and could be imbibed as societal norm through the cross-pollination of education and enlightenment, in addition to effective law enforcement and a transparent justice system.  This means that both those who enforce law and order and the populace among whom they are enforced must come to a clear understanding and agreement as to their necessity in the growth and development of the society.

In 2017, Fashola told the executives of The Guardian Newspapers in an interview. “When failures happen in developed societies, they call them scandals. When the parliamentarians in the United Kingdom were found stealing funds and all that, they called it ‘Political Expenses Scandal’. When Lionel Messi was involved in tax evasion, they called it Tax Evasion Scandal. The reason is that they have focused so much on law and order that non-compliance is the exception. Society is (definitely) scandalized by non-compliance.”

With hope, this 5th edition of BRF Gabfest will come up with ideas and workable solutions on how to build the infrastructure of the minds of motorists and other road users.

Fatalities on our Roads have to be an exception not the Rule.

It is obvious that BRF is scandalized by every single life that is lost to road crashes. GABFEST 5 is a call for action to end it.

Somehow, BRF himself may have thrown up one consideration for the Gabfest participants because just last week while hosting a delegation of the FCT Council of the Scout Association of Nigeria in his office, he spoke very strongly about the urgent need to resuscitate the various youth clubs and associations which formed the building blocks of societal values and ideals in the past such as the Boys Scout Movement, the Girl Guides and the Boys' Brigade.

He told the delegation: “I am particularly enthused to have you here today because you represent a critical building block of society, a block that builds values and morality for young men and women that society seems to have left behind. The block has to be repositioned very urgently as a cornerstone of rebuilding of our nation, as a nation, not only of a high human resource capacity but of a human resource that has the highest value and morality.

Urging the association to work with other affiliates like the Girl Guides and the Boys Brigade, among others, Fashola said that such collaboration was necessary in order to give young people the choice to join noble, moral clubs to expend their energy, to build their optimism and dream great dreams, adding that if those clubs were not available, they would be recruited by other clubs with less noble intentions.

For Fashola, finding practical ways to restore positive values among Nigerians would be the best 58th birthday gift.

●    Mr Hakeem Bello, FNGE, is Special Adviser, Communications to the Hon. Minister

Jun

10

2021

FG Flags-off N62.7bn Construction of Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi Federal Highway

The Federal Government has flagged-off the construction work of the 90.65km Kano-Gwarzo-Dayi Federal Highway linking Kano and Katsina States, Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Kano.

The contract for the reconstruction of the road to dual carriage way was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in November 2020 at the cost of N62.711b with the completion period of 24 months.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini, in his welcome address stated that the contract was awarded on December 1st, 2020 to Messes CGC Nigeria Limited.

The Permanent Secretary was represented at the flag-off ceremony by Engr Folorunsho Esan, Director Highways (North -West) in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

He explained that the 90.65km dual carriage way has a total number of three bridges, with additional 7.3 meters width and 1.5 meters shoulder width and an outer shoulder width of 2.7meters.

Already the Kano State Government had dualised 7.2km of the road from the Bayero University Kano (BUK) axis. The construction started from the BUK junction and terminated at outskirt of Dayi town in Katsina State.

Hussaini disclosed that the road would be completed with all the furnitures such as lane markings, kilometer signs, signages etc., adding that the road would last not less than 20 years.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje described the project as gigantic, important, socially and economically of great benefits to the people of Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States.

The governor also explained that the reconstructed road would also contribute in addressing the security challenges along the area.

Accordingly, Governor Ganduje said that, as requested by the Federal Government, Kano State Government is ready to pay the compensation for the facilities and utilities that would be affected by the dualisation of the road

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for all the projects he brought to Kano State, stating that the President has paid back the Kano people for the massive votes they always give him during elections.

Governor Ganduje listed among others, a number of projects which the Federal Government brought to Kano to include: Maiduguri- Yobe- Kano Road; Kano- Kaduna-Abuja Road, Kano-Katsina Road, Kano- Katsina- Jibia- Maradi rail project, Lagos- Ibadan- Kaduna- Kano rail project and now Kano- Gwarzo- Dayi Road and construction of new wing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

Ganduje told the gathering that, with all the projects, commercial and business opportunities had increased in Kano as well as improved security.

In his remarks, the Senator representing Kano North Senator Barau Jibrin commended the Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, Minister of State, Engr Abubakar Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary, Babangida Hussaini.

Senator Barau reminded the gathering that, the project was a promise they made to the people during their campaign tour with the Governor, stating that it was now time to thank God for making it realisable.

Also, the Executive Director of Messes CGC Nigeria Limited, the Construction Company handling the contract, Mr Fan Xiaojing thanked the Federal Government and Kano State for the opportunity given to his company to handle the project, stating that it was an indication that their expertise in handling such project was recognised.

He stated that with the cooperation of all the stakeholders the job would be delivered on scheduled.

Royal fathers of the day that graced the occasion wer:, His Highness the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero and Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Abubay Ii the Emir of Karaye Al in Kano State.

Jun

02

2021

Road Concession: FG Committed to Transparent, Competitive Bidding

The Federal Government has stated that it is committed to a transparent, fair and competitive bidding process for the 12 Pilot Road corridors earmarked for concession through the Value-Added Concession programme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) Project Life Cycle.

This was stated by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini during the official virtual Request for Qualification (RfQ) bid opening ceremony held at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Tuesday, June 1st, 2021.

 The Request for Qualification Bid Opening Ceremony signaled the commencement of the Value-Added Concession Evaluation Exercise.

The Permanent Secretary said, “The Ministry shall ensure that the procurement process is in line with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) act and approved Public-Private partnership guidelines.”

At the ceremony, the Value-Added Concession online portal was accessed for the first time since the portal was opened to receive submissions in line with existing guidelines. It was revealed that 75 companies successfully responded to the RfQ. The names and representatives of all the companies/consortiums were read out and duly recorded.

Hussaini further explained that every proponent who indicated interest at this Request for Qualification stage and meets the basic prequalification criteria would be shortlisted and subsequently invited for the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.

Speaking on the initiative, the Head of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) of the Ministry, Mrs. Abimbola Asein explained that the Highways Development & Management Initiative was created by the Ministry with the objective to attract sustainable investment and funding in the development of road infrastructure and maximize the use of assets along the right of way.

She explained that the rationale behind the private sector engagement was to provide alternative funding source for road development and management, pointing that the Ministry was working jointly with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMFB&NP) amongst other stakeholders to see to the realization of the project.

“The buy-in of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Assembly had been obtained, and the nation is looking forward to a robust procurement process that will attract capable concessionaires that will develop and manage these routes.

The 12 corridors under the first phase of the Highway Development and Management Initiative are: Benin – Asaba, Abuja – Lokoja, Onitsha – Aba – Owerri, Shagamu -Benin, Abuja -Keffi – Akwanga, Kano – Maiduguri, Kano- Katsina, Lokoja – Benin, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Ilorin-Jebba, Lagos-Abeokuta, and Lagos-Badagry.

The Ag. Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr. Micheal Ohiani said that the (ICRC), as a regulatory commission had issued a Certificate of Compliance to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to proceed with the procurement process of the Value-Added concession under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).

He assured participants of his commission’s role in ensuring transparency in the process pointing out that the initiative would develop Nigeria's network of federal highway corridors and boost economic development along the Right of Way.

Mrs. Shulee John-Mark, representative of NGO-Network who witnessed the process described it as transparent and credible. Over 170 other stakeholders also participated in the bid opening ceremony virtually.

Apr

16

2021

Petition over Ife-Ifewara Road: RCCG Apologizes To Works and Housing Ministry

·      As Fashola says no payments were made in respect of rehabilitation of  the road between 2016 and 2019 
·      “The Ministry of Works and Housing deserves apology and I tender it unreservedly” – Petitioner
·      Minister explains that amount paid to contractor in 2011 was four years before Buhari’s administration
·      Says there is move to sanction recalcitrant contractors

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Thursday in Abuja tendered an “unreserved apology” to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing over its allegation of “false claims on the rehabilitation of Ife-Afewara Road in Osun State” saying it was based on a false premise.

The RCCG, in a petition to the Senate, had claimed that it had good reason to believe that the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing had paid N151.51 million to Messrs. Cartill Construzioni Nigeria Limited for the rehabilitation of Ife-Ifewara Road, a work which, according to the petitioner, was indeed carried out by the Church.

In the petition dated 24th March, 2021, Secretary to the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Niyi Adebanjo, claimed that the Church, after carrying out the rehabilitation of the road, learnt that the aforementioned company, which was awarded the contract since 2010 and had abandoned the work for over six years, had been paid by the Ministry for the work praying that the Money be retrieved from the company.

But responding to the allegation at a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, said there was no proof to support the position of the petitioner that an unjust claim was made by Contractor or paid by the Ministry between 2016 and 2019.

Fashola, who explained that the road in question was a State Road, added that the contract for its rehabilitation was awarded by the Federal Government in 2010 as a Parliamentary Constituency Project and domiciled in the budget of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, hence the intervention by the Ministry.

Clarifying that both the award of the contract and payment of the said contract sum were made between 2010 and 2011, four years before the Buhari Administration came to being, the Minister explained further that the contract was awarded on December 21, 2010 to the contractor in the sum of N662, 760,771.75 with a commencement date of March 7, 2011 and completion date of November 7, 2011.

On the sum of N151.51 million paid to the Contractor, he explained that the payment made in two tranches, was statutorily made adding that while the first payment of N99,414,115.76, made on March 31, 2011, represented 15 percent of contract sum, the second payment of N52,094,785., made on December 29, 2011, was based on submission of an Interim Statement.

Fashola said the contractor achieved only 26.21 percent project completion before abandoning the project adding that the contract was as a result recommended for termination “for breach of contract” after warning letters were served on the Contractor first on March 5, 2014 and final warning on June 15, 2015.

Noting that before any payment was made to any contractor, there has to be actual work done, measured and certified and recommended for consideration for approval for payment, Fashola, however, added that since the contract awarded to Messrs. Cartill had not been formally terminated, there has been budgetary provision for the road since 2010, except in years when it had zero budgeting, but the budgeted sum has never been processed since 2011 following the dismal performance of the Contractor.
The Minister, who hinted on plans by the Ministry to sanction recalcitrant contractors by opening a “black book” for them based on appropriate legal advice, declared, “It is clear that contrary to the claims of RCCG, the Contractor, Cartill Nigeria Limited, did not make a claim for a refund for the cost expended on the rehabilitation of the road between 2016 and 2019”, adding that the Ministry also did not make any such payment to the Contractor.

“The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing did not certify any work done on the road by the Contractor between 2016 and 2019”, he said reiterating that the two payments made to the Contractor were made in March and December 2011 respectively, “four years before the commencement of this Administration in 2014”.

Maintaining that the Ministry did not consider or grant approval for anyone to intervene on the road, Fashola, who said the RCCG did not seek or obtain such approval further declared, “the federal Ministry of Works and Housing is not liable to make any refund to anyone in respect of the Road which is the statutory responsibility of the Osun State Government”.

The Minister explained further that although the RCCG could be commended for the work done, there are procedures and processes for such interventions be they on Federal or State Roads, adding that the Petitioner could have sought clarification either from the Ministry of any other relevant agencies of government instead of petitioning the Senate.

The Petitioner, Pastor Adebanjo, in his response expressed deep regrets for taking the matter to the Senate saying it was not, however, meant to embarrass the Minister or his Ministry but in the spirit of fighting corruption by ensuring that the money paid to the contractor was retrieved and paid to the federal Government coffers.

However, on realizing that the claims he made in his petition had no factual proof and as noted by one of the Senate Committee members who advised that he should do the needful on account of available evidence, Adebanjo said, “For the fact that the Ministry of Works deserves an apology and because the whole world is listening to us, I tender that apology unreservedly before this Senate Committee”.

In his submissions, the Chairman of the Committee commended the Minister for coming personally, “as always when we invite you” to respond to the petition and throwing more light on the whole issue adding that other officials of Government should borrow a leaf from him. 

Other members of the Committee, who spoke, also commended the Minister for his diligence and commitment to every assignment pertaining to his responsibilities. They also noted with satisfaction that there was move by the Ministry to bring recalcitrant contractors to book.

Also accompanying the Minister to the hearing were some Directors, Special Advisers and other top officials of the Ministry.

Mar

31

2021

FG Committed to Building Quality Roads - Fashola

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government in providing quality road infrastructure across the nation.

The Minister stated this during an inspection visit to the sections I and II of the ongoing dualisation/expansion of Abuja–Keffi– Akwanga road construction project

Fashola was in company of the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar Aliyu during the inspection.

He said that the quality of road construction across the nation cannot be compromised as the Ministry had the manpower and the technical know-how to build good road of international standard.

The Minister noted that all the nation’s highway projects are critical and strategic, describing the Akwanga-Makurdi road, linking the north central and north east as strategic and as such the Federal Government is doing all that is possible to complete it to standard and not rushing them to avoid shabby work.

“The essence is to make life better for the people, ease traffic flow for the commuters and promote economic activities of the citizens" he stated

Fashola explained that a lot of activities are involved in road construction, such as excavation, cutting down of trees, relocation of existing structures to have clear access for construction.

He explained that during the road construction citizens' rights are highly considered and their right of ownership protected in terms of compensation and related matters

“We respect human activities along the road, we have to meet them, talk to them and agree with them. We have to remove electrical installations and all that for our work to move on “he said.

Earlier, the Project Consultant informed the Minister that they have made a lot of progress with an aggregate of 45.8 percent completion of work in Section I (Abuja-Keffi) and 41percent completion in section II (Keffi-Akwanga).

Breaking down the work progress, the Consultant stated that, 90 percent has been achieved in the construction of culverts and drainages, 60 percent attained in bridges and 40 percent in the pavement construction.

He also listed: relocation of utilities (telecom, water & electricity), compensation, Covid-19 lockdown and outstanding payment as part of their challenges.

In his contribution, the Federal Controller of Works, Nasarawa State, Engr. Daikwo told the Ministers that the progress of work on the road is encouraging even as the Covid-19 lockdown had affected its progress.

He informed the Ministers that the land acquisition and compensation process is at an advanced stage, while relocation of existing services away from the proposed road corridor is still pending and requires client action.

The 220km Abuja- Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia- Makurdi road project is 85% funded by the Chinese Export-Import Bank and 15% counterpart fund from the Federal Government which is a budget issue.

“For those who have issues with the borrowing, they can now come and see what it has done. All the people who work here would probably not have work to do if not for the borrowing" Fashola said.

The Project is being implemented by the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT) Unit of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing

Mar

25

2021

We Allocate Sukuk Road Funds Equally Among Zones -FG

The Permanent Secretary of Works and Housing, Mr. Babangida Hussaini, has stated that allocation of funds under the SUKUK Roads Funding is done equally across zones.

The Permanent Secretary spoke through Engr. Funso Adebiyi, the Director in charge of Highways Construction in the ministry during an interactive session with the media while on a routine inspection of Dualization of Suleja-Minna Road and Construction of Lambata-Lapai-Bida Road in Niger State, yesterday.

The statement was a reaction to correct insinuations that the Federal Government was spending more money on projects in the North than in the South.

He explained that variety of factors were involved in the construction of a road to determine the cost, among which are: level of deterioration before the intervention, topography of road alignment, soil texture of the area, the water table, the nearness to borrowed construction materials and the cost of haulage. ‘All these had costs implications on road construction’ he said.

Explaining further, he disclosed that the SUKUK assisted funding was shared equally across the geopolitical zones.

“The amount provided for South-West was the same for the North-West but the length of kilometres you would cover with that same amount in North-west was by far more than if it were in the South-South. The landmass up North is by far more than what is in the South and these are factors that determine the cost of road construction’ “Government is not biased, we are doing our best”, he added.

On the Suleja-Lambata-Minna road, Engr. Adebiyi said the road was an important route linking part of the North-Central and North-West zones of the country to the Federal Capital Territory and also links to Abuja/Kaduna highway at Dikko Lambata.

Accordingly, he said the road also linked to one of the Trunk ‘A’ roads and a major haulage for petroleum products, farming and other commercial activities.

He expressed satisfaction at the level and standard of work so far on the Suleja-Minna road which has reached 80% completion while 20% completion was achieved for the newly awarded Lambata-Lapai-Bida road.
He pointed out that with favourable weather, the contractors would achieve more progress on the work to meet up with the schedule.

On palliatives, Engr Adebiyi stated that it is part of the component of this project to make the road motorable, while the project was going on and this he said cuts across all the ongoing projects simultaneously in the nation.

The Project Manager of Salini Nigeria Limited in charge of Suleja-Minna road dualization, Daniel Kassa informed the inspection team that Phase I of the project was at 82% completion while Phase II, has recorded 20% completion; the remaining work was progressing.

Kassa disclosed that they have a target to complete Phase I, Dikko Interchange and another 4km from km 33 to 77 including its asphalting work while in Phase II, they still have 3km to be completed and another 4km ahead to catch up with before the rains come.

Subsequently, the Lambata-Lapai-Bida road Project Manager of CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Tang Pengwen, said that CGC was determined to complete the project successfully and provide good road network for the Ministry and the nation as a whole.

“This is a 124.8km stretch of single carriage way but double lane project. We are reconstructing a relatively new road awarded in 2018 to be completed in 2022. We have achieved 20% completion, 30km is already asphalted and a few other kilometers are going through reconstruction process. Plans are underway to complete another 15km” he said.