Jan

29

2021

Keynote Speech Delivered By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The Special Luncheon To Celebrate 6 (Six) UniBen Alumni Elevated To The Rank Of Senior Advocates Of Nigeria On The 28th January 2021 At The Banquet Hall Of The University Of Benin

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, let me start my speech today by wishing all and one who are with us here today a very Happy New Year albeit belatedly, on the 28th day of the first month of the year 2021.

It is a matter to be extremely thankful for, because not a few people have sadly departed this planet in the throes of a virulent virus that changed our world in 2020 and which still continues to thrive in spite of efforts to bring it under control.

To all the dear departed, known and unknown, may their souls rest in peace and may their memories be a blessing to our civilization. In spite of the virus, we gather today for a very important purpose beyond wining and dining.

It is my humble view that this is a gathering to celebrate many values and virtues that make life really worth living and which are now regrettably not in enough supply. It is those values that I will speak about in this keynote address.

Let me start with the first that comes to mind, namely HONOUR; (in the sense of the VERB), and in this respect, the kind gesture of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lillian I. Salami, and the Alumni Association comes to mind.

I therefore would like, on behalf of all the Honorees (about whom I shall speak later), to thank the Vice Chancellor and the Alumni Association for the grace that informed this decision to honour our colleagues. I pray fervently that honour will never depart from the Vice Chancellor, the Alumni Association and all those unseen men and women who put this luncheon of honour together.

One of the things for which my wife, Abimbola has been a crusader about, is the need to celebrate the success of others, to Honour them, as an inspiration for promoting common Good.

We must therefore be, and are all, truly thrilled by this Gesture of Honour.

The other virtue about which I will speak is SELFLESSNESS. In a world where consideration for self now takes pre-eminence over selflessness, in a world where selfies (as in photographs) now dominate our conversation, I urge that we seek to enthrone more selflessness in our lives.

In this regard, I ask all of us to reflect and ask whether we will be here to celebrate senior advocates, if there were first no lawyers, and if we could celebrate lawyers without law graduates, and indeed if they could have been law graduates without successful law students.

The extended question in reflection is this: where would we all have been without our teachers in primary and secondary schools, in the University and the Nigerian Law School?

To all those teachers (lecturers if you like) living and dead, serving and retired I say thank you, I could think of none other as a symbol of our collective gratitude and appreciation of your selflessness than Professor Itsejuwa Esanjumi Sagay, SAN.

Professor Sagay was not alone; he had many good men and women who shared the burden with him and it would be invidious of me to attempt to name all of them.

Not only would such an effort be fraught with errors of omission, the time it would take suggests that our lunch would get cold, by the time I am done.

Therefore, to Professor Sagay I return, as the pioneer Dean of the faculty of law of the University of Benin, and it is his selflessness and that of those who worked with him that ultimately brought about this day and the success we gather to celebrate.

He and his team gave so much of themselves, so that we could become.

The elements could not have converged better than for six (6) graduates of the faculty he birthed, to be honored in 2020, the same year Professor Sagay turned 80.

Covid-19 made a party very risky, to celebrate Professor Sagay’s birthday, but I believe that I speak the minds of all who are here that we could never celebrate or thank Professor Sagay and his team enough.

Thank you very much Sir.

The next set of virtues and values I want to address are HARDWORK and DEDICATION. Without them, success such as we congregate to celebrate today is not possible.

To:
1.    Chief (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN
2.    Mr Adedapo Osariuyime Tunde-Olowu, SAN
3.    Mr Lotanna Chuka Okoli, SAN
4.    Mr Peter Adogbejire Mrakpor, SAN
5.    Mr Nureini Soladoye Jimoh, SAN
6.    Mr Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, SAN

A thunderous applause for your hard work and dedication.

Many, including my humble self, have walked your path. If it was difficult at the time I was preferred in 2004, I can only now imagine how much more difficult it must have been. There are many more qualified lawyers seeking the rank and therefore the competition is immensely magnified. The conditions that I have looked at for prequalification are more stringent. 

For your dedication, hard work and ultimate success I doff my hat in admiration.

To all those in Uniben Law Alumni who are still aspiring, the magnitude of HARD WORK and the span of dedication it requires to succeed is not intended to deter but to challenge you to aspire. Afterall, you are the products of the great Uniben.

This brings me to the next subject of my focus in this speech which is COMMITMENT.

As I understand it from history, the University of Benin is the product of the farsighted and visionary commitment of men and women who sought to develop Nigeria’s human capital.

That vision has fructified manyfold, and it is still bearing fruit as is evident from the many products of this university who have, and are still occupying positions of leadership and responsibility in the private and public spheres of our nation.

That list is long and growing and I doubt that there could be a better tribute to the vision of the founders than what we gather to do today; to celebrate six (6) products of University of Benin who ascend to leadership role in the legal profession in the year 2020 when University of Benin commemorated its 50th (FIFTIETH) year of existence.

Of course, the rank brings fame and privileges, but it also imposes a huge responsibility of LEADERSHIP, to be used to improve the cause of justice and enthrone law and order for the peace, order and good government of Nigeria and her people.

You and I who are the beneficiaries of this rank must therefore always remember that we are products of Uniben. We must fly her flag proudly with our rank. We must not be afraid to break new grounds in the development of the law.
There perhaps would be no better time than now, in the 60th year of Nigeria’s independence to practicalize the motto of our university by putting all of our knowledge to the service of our Nation.

There are many ways to do this. But one that readily comes to mind is to offer our services in the Training and Development of the next set of Law students, Law graduates, Lawyers etc.

For the cause of law and order, no matter how difficult it is, we must find the courage to shatter any glass ceiling that stands in our way.

This is the Spirit of Uniben, where every good thing must be possible.

The spirit paved the way for all of us, when our chairman for this event, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN broke the glass ceiling in 2000, by becoming the first law graduate of this university to take the rank.

To our chairman, the Obasuyi of Benin Kingdom, I say thank you for your pioneering effort.

It is impossible to capture the essence of your pioneering effort in English, so permit me to do so in Yoruba by saying: “Tí orí kan bá sunwọ̀n, á ran igba.” The closest possible literal translation in English is that “when one person succeeds, it spreads a thousandfold.”

We have all benefited from your pioneering efforts, and although we are not yet one thousand senior advocates of Nigeria from the University of Benin, I believe that the day will not be far off.

My last word today, is to especially thank Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho SAN, an outstanding alumnus of this school for continuously organizing the periodic celebration of Senior Advocates of this university year in year out, even when he himself was then not successful in his application.

I am certain that when we have 1000 senior advocates, he will blow the trumpet for a celebration worthy of the occasion.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, learned Senior Advocates, thank you for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister, Works and Housing

Jan

27

2021

FG’S Intervention On Roads Has Improved The Quality Of Learning In Our Institutions- Prof. Angela Miri

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Prof. Angela Miri, has lauded Federal Government for the construction of internal road in the University which she said had improved the quality of learning in the institution.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the roads to the institution by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN on Tuesday 26th January, 2021 in Lokoja, Miri said that the road has not only made vehicular and human movement within the university easy but added value as well as placing it above its equals within the country in terms of provision of infrastructure.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the University Librarian to the institution, Mrs. Sarah Daura Yank, further requested that the Minister of Works and Housing should consider replicating this gesture of constructing internal roads network at the University’s Permanent site at Felele Lokoja, Kogi State.

“The extension of roads infrastructure in Nigerian tertiary institutions by the Federal government will create a conducive learning environment that will improve attainment of qualitative education in Nigeria.” She added.
In his speech, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN disclosed that the 1.67 kilometers road was constructed by his ministry at the institution to improve learning.

Mr. Fashola, who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Kogi State, Engr. Kajogbola Olatunde, said that availability of good infrastructure in a learning environment would enhance students’ morale towards learning and the quality of education acquired by them.

He said:  "It is un- debatable that quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from the students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place."

He noted that though the road projects might be civil works, they are investment in education, adding that the students' zeal to attend classes have been renewed because of the restoration of the deplorable roads within the institutions.

"A point must be made that although this is a civil works project, it is an investment in education and the students are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to good condition," Fashola stated.

He explained: "Currently, there are 43 number of road interventions within tertiary institution across Nigeria" and "to date 29 No. of the road intervention projects have been completed with 17 already handed over in 2020. Today we handover this one in Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State as a critical intervention to support education."

According to Fashola, the Infrastructure gap in the country was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and now it had reached the schools. Pointing out that the road construction was part of the Federal Government’s Tertiary Institutions Internal Road Intervention Programme and was supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The Minister said that   the construction work was not only impactful on the learning environment but had also provided employment opportunities for Nigerians in line with the present administration's vision of creating jobs for Nigerians.

"During the construction 25 people were employed in the process thereby contributing to the job creation initiative of the present government," he said.

Jan

19

2021

Roads: Our Intervention in Tertiary Institutions, Renews Students Class Attendance Enthusiasm - Fashola

Works and Housing Minister, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji  Fashola , SAN has said that the road intervention programme of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in tertiary institutions nationwide has boosted  Students class attendance enthusiasm

Fashola said, “Currently, there are 43 number road interventions within tertiary Institutions across Nigeria, and the Students are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes, because some defective roads, have been restored to good condition"

The Minister, represented by the Ag, FCT Federal Controller of Works, Engr Usman Yakubu spoke at the formal commissioning/hand over of 1.92km internal road rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, FCT, Abuja.

Fashola explained that the road intervention program initiated by his Ministry was  an investment in education aimed at improving infrastructures in the education sector

"It is undebatable that quality of education w be impacted by the quality of Infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from students in the schools where this type of intervention had taken place " he said

"A gradual process of repairs, renewal and reconstruction in major Highways had reached the schools" he said.

Similarly, the Minister stated that eighty-five (85) people were employed during the construction of the internal road in the Bwari Law School, thereby contributing to the job creation initiatives of the government, and enjoined the school to ensure that the asset is properly used and maintained.

Explaining further, the Minister said that, twenty-nine (29) road interventions projects had been completed, seventeen (17) of them already handed over in 2020 and now additional twelve (12) are ready as critical intervention to support education, which the one at the Bwari Law School was among.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, represented by the Secretary to the Council, Mrs. Elizabeth Max-Uba, expressed profound appreciation and gratitude to the Federal Government for the intervention.

He commended the Federal Government and the Contractor for the quality of work done and the good supervision by the engineers in the Ministry of Works to deliver the road of high standard.

Professor Isa also appealed to the government for more of such interventions in other campuses of the law school in Kano, Yola, Enugu and Yenagoa.

Giving details about the scope of work, the Director of works in the school, Engr Sunday Bala explained that, the 1.92 kilometers road covered roads 3 and 11, the school ring road hostel A and B and the school recreational center.

He explained that culverts and drainages were also constructed in the rehabilitation work.

In their remarks, some members of the School community; Bello Babatunde, Chinedu Ukekwe and Mrs Stella Nosike, respectively, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Works and Housing, H.E. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN for the intervention, saying that, the reconstructed road had facilitated easy access to the various parts and buildings in the school, which according to them enhanced the working atmosphere in the school community for both the students and staff

Jan

17

2021

Apapa-Oworonshoki Road Project to Be Delivered by End of 2021

The Federal Director of Highway construction and rehabilitation, Engr Funso Adebiyi has reassured Nigerians that the Apapa/Oshodi Oworpnshoki Expressway project would be completed by the end of 2021.

It could be recalled  that Mr. President flagged off the project on 17th November,  2018 to address the heavy grid lock on the expressway with the promise to deliver  it in two years.

During an inspection of the 4 sections  project over the weekend,  Adebiyi  said that the road had achieved varied  levels of  completion on the four sections of the road.

Addressing journalists,  he said : " About in overall 61 percentage  have been achieve as of today,  in the first phase covering  27km ever busy road project. "

Breaking  the figures down,  he said : "On section 1, we have achieved  about 70 percentage completion and on section 3, we have achieved 63 percent.

Continuing,  he said: "Section 4 has recorded about 41 percent, which means work is going on in that section.  The contract for section 2, has been awarded and work would commence there soon."

The Director explained that before the intervention of Federal Goverment through the Ministry of Works and Housing,  the road was in deplorable state and this hindered free flow of traffic on the  road.

"But from what we have seen so far on the finished portions of the road, I want to assure you that bad days are over,  we have good days here now and better days  are ahead of us.  So Nigerians should bear with us,  we are making progress and I can assure you that by the end of this year,  Apapa port users would have the best road because we have made significant progress, " he explained.

Adebiyi noted rhat the current traffic gridlock experience on some sections of the road is not due to the construction but the illegal parking of trailer drivers on the bridge, adding that trailer drivers should make use of the trailler parks along the Corridor and the newly constructed one for transit to the port.

On the economic benefit of the project,  the Director of Highway,  South-West Engr.  Kuti Adedamola said that, adding to the ease of traffic on the road, the project has created about 600 direct jobs and over 1000 indirect jobs,  thereby improving the Livehood of Nigerians and this is a further support to Mr.  President's dream of moving 100 million Nigerians out of poverty to the ladder of prosperity.

On the quality of the job, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos,  Engr.  Kayode Popoola  explained  that several layers if construction  went underneath, with up to eight inches  thickness of concrete to make the rigid pavement strong for durability.

Jan

08

2021

Ongoing Reconstruction of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road has Progressed Appreciably - Engr Adebiyi

The ongoing reconstruction work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road project has been progressing appreciably and would be completed in the life of this administration.

Engr Funso Adebiyi, the Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing stated this during the ongoing visit to the project site to assess the progress of work on the project

"We are satisfied with the quality of work going on and we are working to increase the pace of the work. You can see that work is going on simultaneously on all sections of both lanes of  the dual carriage  375km longroad from Abuja-Kaduna- Kano" he said

Adebiyi explained that the work was initially for rehabilitation but now full reconstruction work is ongoing. He  appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the government in it's commitment to deliver a qualitative work that would stand the test of time

Similarly, he also appealed to the road users to bear the discomfort being experienced everyday as a result of blockages and diversions, pointing out that it was  a necessary action in a construction work of such magnitude above all on such busy road with high traffic volume and axle load.

On the level of work done so far, Engr Adebiyi said  " we have made a lot of progress. You can see that over  100km though not at a stretch, have been completed under section one to three (Abuja-Kano) , 40km completed under section two (Kaduna-Zaria), and 70km completed under section three (Zaria-Kano)"

He pointed out  that while some sections of the road are also at different levels of completion, palliative/remedial work are being carried out on the sections that are critically bad to facilitate ease of passage for motorists"

Reacting to the allegation of delayed  work, Engr Adebiyi said "It is important that I correct the wrong impression by the people  that work is not moving. We are working to meet up with the deadline and at the same time subjecting all the work to quality assurance test to deliver a good job"

He assured Nigerians of the commitment of the government to completing the work. " Government is desirous of completing this project , as such is not leaving anything to chance, that is why we are here regularly  tracking the progress of work with a view to sorting out any identified challenges"

Engr Adebiyi stated that the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, San and the Hon  Minister of State  Engr. Aliyu  D  Abubarkar had demonstrated a strong passion to this project and others across the country in order to ensure the  fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s  promise of bridging infrastructure gap in the country.

On the speed of work on the road, the Director Bridges and Design, Engr Adeoye  urged the contractor to increase the pace of work by deploying more men on sites to work simultaneously on both lanes

The team of engineers in the Ministry  led by the Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr Adebiyi were on a routine assessment inspection of the various ongoing road projects across the country in order to ensure quality work delivery and meeting the completion deadline

The team carried out an engineering measurement and evaluation of some key components in road construction among others ; storm water drainages, shoulders, right of way, concrete slabs, U-turns, culverts reinforcement pipes.

TheAbuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano roa reconstruction project was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on 20th December, 2017 and the project commenced on 21st May, 2018 with the 36 months completion period

Dec

21

2020

COVID 19: Works Ministry Disinfects Complex, Urges Staff to Strictly Observe Protocol

The entire building complex of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Mabushi Abuja had over the weekend been disinfected against the second raging wave of the Covid 19 in the Country.

The Offices and surrounding of the building complex in both work and housing blocks have been disinfected and fumigated to stem the rising wave of the Corona virus which hit the Country of recent, with Lagos and Abuja FCT being the worst hit cities in the world.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Ernest Umakhihe said that the Minister Babatunde Fashola approved that the Ministry should not leave anything to chance in the current fight against the virus as such directed with immediate effect that all necessary Covid 19 preventive measures be put in place in the Ministry.

To this effect, the Ministry has provided hand washing facilities and sanitisers in all offices and temperature check at relevant public places in the complex, in addition to displaying at strategic places the Covid 19 protocol requirements for public guidance.

It would be recalled that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Musa Bello has reissued directives to all residents of FCT, offices and commercial environments to guard against violating the safety measures put in place by the NCDC since June 2020.

Of recent also, some States including Lagos and Niger States have already directed their Civil Servants to work from home as a result of resurgence of COVID 19

Mr Umakhihe therefore directed Staff of the Ministry to ensure wearing of face masks in and outside their offices and also adhere to all the existing safety measures put in place by the NCDC

Dec

11

2020

How We Are Mitigating the Impact of Covid 19 - Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has revealed the contribution of his Ministry to the efforts of the Federal Government to overcome the economic downturn occasioned by the impact of Covid 19.

Fashola made this disclosure in his address at the 26th National Council on Works in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State which took place from December 7- 11,2020.

Fashola said the impact of the disease on livelihood and the global economy led countries across the globe to design and implement measures and policies to keep their economies going and reflate them.

The Minister said the Federal Government under   President Muhammadu Buhari developed the Economic Sustainability Plan in order to provide work, increase opportunities and sustain productivity with the Ministry of Works and Housing as one of the focal MDAS for the implementation of the policy.

Fashola said by May, 2020 11 of the biggest contractors of government returned to work in 26 states in addition to maintenance work by the Federal Road Maintenence Agency in 92 locations across 24 states of the Federation.

All these according to Fashola contributed greatly to economic recovery with an increase of 41.81% in7 quarrying and other mineral deposits, 11.96% in cement manufacturing and 2.64% in construction.

He added that there is an increase in wealth distribution as a result of increased economic activities and job creation in communities where construction works are going on.

In his speech, the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike who expressed happiness over the opportunity given to his state to host the event said, "Because most developed countries understand the critical link between transport infrastructure and economic advancement, they have successfully built their economic prosperity on the back of investing in adequate and modern transport infrastructure."

Governor Wike said Nigeria cannot be an exception if it must realise basic developmental goals and make life more meaningful for the people.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Adamu Aliero in his remarks commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Buhari for initiating various financial mechanisms such as the SUKUK Fund, the Presidential Initiative on Infrastructure Development Fund for road construction and rehabilitation to complement budgetary provisions which was grossly inadequate.

He expressed the determination of the National Assembly to continue to support the developmental initiatives of the government.

Dec

10

2020

FG Reaffirms Commitment to Complete All Iconic Road Projects Across the Country

The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to complete on-going iconic road infrastructure across the country.

The Permanent Secretary made this known this morning while delivering a speech at the on-going 26th National Council on Works in Port Harcourt, Rivers State which started on Monday, December 7, 2020.

Mr Umakhihe said, "The Federal Government is committed to completing some iconic projects such as the 2nd Niger Bridge, Bodo-Bonny Road, Abuja-Kaduna- Kano Express Way and Obajana-Kabba Road in Kogi State."

"In the same vein, Government is also committed to completing the Sukuk Bond financed roads projects across the six geo-political zones of the country and maintain schedule maintenance of 5,000 kilometers of roads annually."

He disclosed that the Ministry has over 700 on-going road projects across the country including road intervention projects in higher institutions of learning.

Mr. Umakhihe explained that the commitment of government was premised on the determination to reduce poverty by creating wealth through road infrastructure development in both rural and urban areas of the country, adding that the objective of this year's Council was to propose viable actions to impact positively on national economic development in the country.

Earlier in his address, the Rivers State Commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi Esq stated that the Rivers State Government was delighted to host the meeting because the theme of the Council meeting echoed one of the policy thrust of the Rivers State Government, which is road infrastructure development.

Citing the saying of the Chinese thus "If you want to be rich, build roads first" the Commissioner said his state government was aware that every positive step taken in the area of road infrastructure development impacts on the entire nation and its citizens.

Tasie- Amadi further said the indices upon which the development of a nation is judged are based on the happenings in the states that make up the nation added that Rivers State Government was adding value to the development of the nation.

He said, "For every infrastructure project we embark upon, we are fully aware that these contribute to the National Economic Growth be it a state or federal project."

The Council meeting continues tomorrow with the meeting of Commissioners of Works in the 36 States and FCT to be Chaired by the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.

Dec

07

2020

26th National Council on Works kicks off in Port-Harcourt

The 26th National Council on Works has kicked off in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital with the theme: "Road Infrastructure Development, Job Creation and National Economic Growth." The Council will end on Friday, December 11, 2020.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony of the technical session, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Jide Ode- Martin's reminded participants that the meeting of the National Council on Works is the highest policy making organ of the Works Sector where stakeholders deliberate on critical issues concerning the sector with the view to proffering sustainable solutions.

The Director stated that the 2-day technical meeting of directors and other stakeholders would create a solid and resourceful foundation through diligent review of memoranda submitted by stakeholders and would be fine-tuned during the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries for presentation to the Council.

He called on all the participants to rise up to the occasion by contributing their best to deliver the assignment successfully.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works Sir Clifford Ndu Walter who delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Rivers State Government said that the theme of the Council was apt and significant to the socio-economic development of the nation.

Sir Walter said: “Road construction opens the door for network of development at every level as it provides avenue for job creation that drives national growth.”

He added that the meeting would rejig and articulate policy that would guide the path of boosting durable road construction and infrastructural development especially as massive road construction is ongoing in the country.

He disclosed that his Ministry would ensure that very high quality of Works are maintained and works completed within record time as the state government would engage in the provision of road infrastructure especially bridges.

In attendance at the meeting were stakeholders from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, representatives of Federal Government organisations and the private sector.

Nov

23

2020

Stealing Public Trust

...Premium Times’ Low Premium Reporting.

The stupidity of the THOUGHT that a public officer will take such money on a consistent and repeated basis with impunity reveals the mindset of Premium Times about what they can do in such circumstances.

The pen writes what the mind thinks.

That stupidity is magnified by the thought that the public officer who is trying to steal would be paying the money into his bank account where it can be found.

The stupidity initially informed my decision not to respond to Premium Times in their latest publication headlined under my Name. It is a continuing line of a series of Attack FASHOLA.

Regrettably, what Premium Times has done is to damage its reputation as a news medium for those who seek the truth.

Clearly, no investigation was undertaken in respect of this publication as the report was from “Open Portal.”

If it was from the Open Portal then there was nothing to hide.

If Premium Times had conducted any investigation it will find and report that payments like this occurred in many other ministries and have been a source of concern reported in other media by Compliance Authorities.

If Premium Times investigated, it would have found and reported that Ministers do not manage accounts and finances of Ministries.

A little investigation would have shown Premium Times that Directors of Finance and Accounts (DFAs) are those who do this job and they are staff of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and seconded to the Ministries as part of financial controls.

IPPIS

If Premium Times investigated it would have found and reported that government in 2007 initiated a payment platform called Integrated Payment Platform and Information System (IPPIS).

Any well meaning and right thinking member of the public will recall that this administration has been engaging all sectors of Government to fully migrate to the IPPIS platform.

What has happened is that not all Government Officials who, from time to time, needed to be paid for approved expenses were registered on the platform.

In order to ensure that government work was not hampered, the DFAs sought and obtained approval of the Accountant General to pay these monies through the Accounts of an Approved few who were on the platform.

Those so approved then collect the money and disburse to the beneficiaries who sign Receipts all of which are retired and available for verification as approved by the Accountant General.

The Accountant General has recently issued new guidelines to deal with this process because not all public officials have fully enrolled on IPPIS and the DFAs have the mandate to comply and not FASHOLA.

In all, no money was stolen or is missing. There is No Smoking Gun to criminalize Fashola.

If anything has been stolen it is the Trust of the public by Premium Times.

I will not believe anything they write again.

This is not investigative Journalism. It is Irresponsible Journalism.

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA, SAN

HON. MINISTER OF WORKS AND HOUSING

Nov

23

2020

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Federal Government Committed to Completing the Project- Fashola

…. Says Government will complete the road project even if oil price drops to zero

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to completing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project despite the scarce resources as a result of sharp drop in oil price.

The Lagos-Ibadan Highway is a trunk A road located in the South-West region of the country and was contracted in two sections (I and II) to Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Messrs Reymond Construction (RCC) Limited respectively.

At the interactive town hall meeting with stakeholders at Ogere in Ogun State over the weekend, Mr Fashola stated that Section I of the project was the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway of about 43.6km commencing from old-toll gate at Oregun/Ikosi-Ketu Lagos and terminates at Shagamu Interchange in Ogun State.

He stated also that the Section ll which is about 84km starts from Sagamu Interchange to Ibadan and is being handled by RCC.

According to Fashola, the rehabilitation, construction and expansion of Lagos- Ibadan dual carriageway, construction of 2nd Niger bridge and the rehabilitation, construction and expansion of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriageway are strategic infrastructure development projects of Mr. President.

“These Highway projects are financed with the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) funded from the Sovereign Wealth Fund and they are National Priority Highway projects,” he said.

He said that the Ogere town hall meeting was the third, in a series, his Ministry has organized in order to address the critical conditions militating against the timely completion of the projects explaining that this goes to show that the Buhari administration is committed in bridging the road infrastructure gap of the nation in demonstrating an unfettered funding attention to road projects.

Responding to questions from stakeholders at the town hall meeting on the delay in completing the project and other issues bothering on safety of the road users which have become a major problem, he appealed to the contractors to accelerate work to ease traffic flow especially during the forthcoming Christmas Season.

He also called on the contractors to build signages and hazard warning signs. “You contractors should remember that you do this work for the people and that you must be passionate in doing it by easing the trauma people go through while on the road, “he added.

While calling for the cooperation and patience of the road users, Fashola gave a matching order to truck drivers to move away from the road at the Ogere parking point. He explained that their activities along the Highway was constituting a menace to the road itself.

“Truck parking operation is a business, you must plan your parking space, you cannot run your business at the discomfort of other people.

Park away immediately today because parking on the Highway is a violation of Highway code.’

Delivery his welcome address, the Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation of the Ministry, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi noted that the Town Hall Meeting essentially was to enable the benefitting communities see themselves as co-owners and to partner with the Federal Government in achieving this laudable project aimed at cushioning the effects of gridlock on the corridor of the Highway.

He added that the initial contract was only for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of Section l (Lagos to Shagamu interchange) and Section ll (Shagamu Interchange – Ibadan and also the rehabilitation of existing bridges on the road.

He stated that considering the heavy traffic on the highway, both contract was changed to include the construction of new flyover bridges, Interchanges and Pedestrian bridges which made the contract sum to be at the tune of N134,861, 785,702.80 and N176, 503,901,413.68 for both Sections 1 & 2 respectively.

While explaining the progress of work on the expressway, the Managing-Director of Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria (RCC) Limited Mr. Nabeel Esawi stated that work was moving on well, he added that the total asphalt length in both direction of the road is 95km.  He promised that the work would be delivered on schedule.

He lamented the vehicular congestion on the road due to indiscriminate parking by articulated vehicles, vehicular and road traffic accidents, congestion due to inflow of traffic during peak periods etc.

Presenting his progress report, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Plc, Dr Lars Richter said the project had been a much-anticipated national infrastructure with immense socio-economic benefits for the adjoining states and the entire nation.

He said,” The Section l (One) has the highest traffic volume in Nigeria.  On this stretch of highway not only is there a high way volume of traffic with large commercial activities, but also a large number of commuters who travel in and out of Lagos daily”

He explained that despite the challenges, immense level of progress of work has been achieved and the target completion date of third quarter of 2022 would be achieved.

In attendance at the town hall meeting were the Minister of Works and Housing, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Director NSIA, Mr Uche Orji, Representative of Lagos State Governor & Special Adviser Lagos State Governor on Works Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, and other stakeholders which include, Traditional Rulers, representatives of Igbo and Hausa communities and representatives of Civil Society Organisations.

Nov

21

2020

FG Reiterates Commitment to Completing Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria -Kano Dual Carriageway

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to completing the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway.

He stated this at the town hall meeting of stakeholders organised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing held in the Kaduna State University Conference hall, Kaduna on Thursday.

Fashola said, “ Mr. President is more passionate and concerned about finishing this road and many others before his constitutional term ends.”

He also said the objective of the town hall meeting was to expose the realities and explain the challenges involved in the construction of the road.

Responding to various questions from stakeholders who wanted to know why the construction work on the road was taking too long, the Minister explained that one of the reasons why work could not commence early on the road was as a result of the request made by the some members of the National Assembly to expand the road from two lanes to three lanes.

In his words, “Shortly after we flagged off the road, we received a letter from the Senators in the National Assembly asking the Federal Government to expand the road from two lanes to three lanes, that was not from us ,it was from the National Assembly,  the Senators and they wrote to the President and copied my Ministry.

Explaining further, Fashola stated that based on the directive from the Presidency to undertake that expansion, “we needed to redesign an expansion to accommodate about 40 different bridges on this road to align with the lanes.

"So if they are going to expand from two to three lanes, a new design needed to be created. The process for doing that required us to hire a design consultant. We had to follow the procurement process established by the National Assembly,” he said

Accordingly he said, the procurement process is a long one which entails advertising, waiting for a period of six weeks after advertisement, reviewing of tender, picking of consultant and going to the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and finally to the Federal Executive Council for approval to hire a consultant to do the design requested.

The Minister also disclosed that, after going through all the processes of procurement for redesigning to three lanes, the Ministry received another instruction to revert back to two lanes due to paucity of fund.
 
Fashola also attributed the delay in completion to the total length of the road and the process of construction.

He explained, “Each Lane is 375km. So if you multiply that by four, we are building a thousand and five hundred kilometres of highway. No matter how hard you tried to work, if there was 25 hours in one day to do this work, we will commit to it, but the truth is that materials take time to react, minimum and maximum processes must be observed. “

Responding to a question on the Kaduna  Western By-pass, the Minister explained that the Kaduna State government  initially requested it to be transferred to  the State and the request was granted, but later due to the inability of the state to raise the financing for it , the commencement of the work was stalled.

He added that, a recommendation to put the project under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme was later considered and approved.

He explained, "As far as the Western By-pass is concerned, let me also say that it is on record, Kaduna State was the first State to apply for the transfer of Federal Road to them, that I recommended to the Federal Executive Council and Council approved and I transferred it to the State Governor in his first term. It was after the unsuccessful attempt by the Kaduna State government to raise financing that we recommended that it be put under the Infrastructure Tax Credit  Scheme.”

In her response to some of the questions raised at the the town hall meeting, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs  Zainab Ahmed stated that her ministry would work closely with the Ministry of Works and Housing and Messrs Julius Berger to expeditiously work on the reconstruction of  the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway in order to ensure completion before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

She explained that the issue of funding has been addressed because the Ministry of Finance has given Six hundred and fifty million US dollars ($650,000,000 USD)  to the National Sovereign Investment Authority  (NSIA) whose responsibility is to generate additional fund to ensure that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway and other designated projects are fully funded.

In his address, the leader of the delegation and Chief of Staff to President Muhammad Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, assured the people that  President Muhammad Buhari’s “commitment is real and is going to be realizable before the end of his tenure.”

The Managing Director of Messrs. Julius Berger, who also made presentation at the town hall meeting, revealed that the company has introduced a new innovative Cold Recycling method of constructing roads in Nigeria, which he said is being used for the first time on Nigerian roads for the on going  reconstruction of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway way.

He listed the benefits of Cold Recycling as achieving shorter construction time, conservation of resources, cost effectiveness,  enhancing road safety and impacting positively on the environment.

The Managing Director also stated that the scope of work on the roads have been divided into  three sections which are; Section One,  Abuja to Kaduna road with 165.5km;  Second Section is Kaduna to Zaria with 73.4km and the Third Section is Zaria to Kano with 137.0km .

In attendance at the town hall meeting were the Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe who represented the Governor, representatives of the Niger State Governor, Commissioner for Works and Housing and that of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Engineer Shehu Hadiza Ahmed.

Other Stakeholders at the meeting were legislators from both the National and State Assemblies from the concerned states ,  representatives of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Community and traditional institutions.

Nov

05

2020

2021 Budget: Our Focus Remains Completion of Priority Projects - Fashola

Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has restated that the focus of his ministry in the 2021 budget is completion of some priority road projects, especially those on routes A1-A9.

Mr. Fashola spoke during the 2021 budget defence of his ministry before the House Committee on Works, Thursday, November 5, 2020.

"The focus of the 2021 Budget Proposal of the Ministry remains the completion of some priority road projects, especially those on routes A1-A9" he said.

The Minister explained to the committee that the disparity between the liabilities in unpaid certificates and the budgetary provisions over the years, compels the ministry to prioritize it's 2021 Capital Proposals in order to make appreciable impact.

"Given the wide disparity between the liabilities in unpaid certificates in the total sum of N 392, 019, 827, 093.87k and the budgetary provisions over the years , it has become imperative that the Ministry prioritised it's 2021 Capital Proposals in order to make appreciable impact within  the period 2021-2023, that can be physically experienced by road users" he said .

Accordingly, the Minister said  " Mr President had during the presentation of the 2021 budget proposals repeatedly emphasised the necessity to focus the budget on completion of projects. Therefore , the Ministry has given priority first to eighteen (18) roads/bridges projects that have already attained some appreciable physical achievement for completion within a 12-15 months period by (December, 2021)"

Explaining further , Fashola  stated that, among the prioritised road projects are roads and bridges that lead to ports and major agricultural hubs across the six (6) geo-political zones, pointing out that focus was also made on roads that attained seventy (70%) completion in order to achieve substantial completion levels.

In the same vein, the Minister told the Committee that his Ministry has categorised the total of the 711 highway projects currently being undertaken  over the six geo-political zones of the country according to funding mechanism.

He listed the funding mechanism as:projects financed with Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), Highway Projects financed with Sovereign Sukuk Fund, , Highway Projects financed under Tax Credit and Highway Projects funded from Multilateral Loans.

Speaking on the other targets for 2021, the Minister said " The Ministry has selected two (2) roads and a bridge per zone for enhanced funding in the 2021 budget to achieve appreciable progress on the projects. Also targeted for adequate funding is the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Counterpart Fund for the projects financed by the China Exim Bank "

Speaking on the challenges, Fashola said " The major challenge to the ministry's efforts towards the timely completion of projects is inadequate budgetary provision and releases for projects to sustain annual cash-flow requirement levels "

The Minister added that, the additional funding from the PIDF and SUKUK Bond has helped to bring some form of funding relief in addition to the Tax Credit Scheme.

He, However, said that the Ministry's exposure continues to expand as the roads age and deteriorate and require attention.

Oct

24

2020

2021 Budget:  FG To Focus On Completion Of Priority Road, Bridge  Projects, Says Fashola

* As Minister begins defense of budget for his Ministry before Senate Committee on Works
* Calls for review of regulations guiding release of Funds for ongoing projects in order to pay for works done
* Commends the Minister of Finance for committed efforts to raise funds for project execution
* Receives commendations from Committee members for execution of projects in various parts of the country

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Wednesday began the defense of the budget proposals for his Ministry in the 2021 Budget with the assertion that focus would be on  the completion of priority road projects, especially those on the routes A1-A9.

The routes, which are those leading to ports and major agricultural hubs across the six geopolitical zones, Fashola said, include 18 road and bridge projects which have already attained some appreciable physical achievements for completion within a 12-15 months period (December 2021).

Making his presentation, which encompassed the defense of the Ministry’s 2020 Budget Performance and 2021 Budget Proposals, before the Senate Committee on Works, the Minister, who said focus would also be on roads that have attained 70 per cent completion to enable such projects achieve substantial completion levels, added that the Ministry has also taken the maintenance of bridges as a priority “to avoid further deterioration of these critical structures”.

He told the Committee Members, “What you will see of these roads, which crisscross our country from East to West and from North to South, is that they connect most of the important sectors of our economy. They connect our fuel depots so that we can move our fuel, they connect our manufacturing agro-industries so that we can get agricultural goods from farm to market for processing, they connect our ports so that we can do export and import business”.

Saying that 18 of such roads had been identified by his Ministry, Fashola, who said the projects cut across the six geopolitical zones of the country declared, “If you accept our proposals, we should finish them between 12 and 15 months and take them of our list”, adding that on a graduating basis they were at different stages of completion.

Listing some of the Bridges to include the Third Mainland Bridge with an Average Daily Traffic of 122,978, the Bodo Bonny Bridge, the Koton Karfe Bridge and the Makurdi Bridge among others, the Minister, who said they were part of about 50 Bridges being rehabilitated simultaneously among others, added that some of the bridges require replacement of expansion joints and hand rails while others require major underwater repairs of exposed piles, pile caps and piers.

He said the Ministry also intends to complete the construction of Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari Road and Ikom Bridge along Calabar-Ikom Road within available fund allocated to it adding that provisions had been made to ensure that the rehabilitation of the listed bridges was not hindered during the budget year.

Fashola, who solicited the support of the law makers “to achieve these national objectives” , pointed out that in the course of each year there was need to address washouts and erosion envisaged  with the subsiding discharge of floodwaters nationwide.

“We are mindful of the limitation of resources but the frequency of these natural disasters caused by climate change and aging infrastructure must compel us to think of making provisions for emergencies”, the Minister said adding that Best Practice was between 5-10 percent of the Capital Budget.

He said the Ministry has also selected two roads and a bridge in each of the six geopolitical zones as target projects for enhanced funding in the 2021 Budget to achieve appreciable progress on the projects adding that also targeted for adequate funding is the Federal Government of Nigeria Counterpart Fund for the projects financed by the China Exim Bank.

On the interventions which the Ministry made between 2018 and 2019 on roads in tertiary institutions, the Minister, who noted that 18 out of a total of 43 such projects nationwide have been completed, however, added that the amendment in the 2020 Budget which cut the budget by about 17.35 percent, made it impossible to pay Contractors who have completed their projects as well as to complete the remaining projects, putting the amount owed the contractors at N3.4 billion while the amount needed to complete the rest stands at N3.54 billion.

Calling for a review of regulations guiding the release of funds allocated for the execution of projects, Fashola who blamed the delay in funds release for the slow pace being experienced in the completion of the various projects, said most of the contractors were being owed significant amounts for completed projects adding that most of those still working on sites were doing so on trust.

“The major challenge to the Ministry’s efforts towards the timely completion of projects is inadequate budgetary provision and releases for projects to sustain annual cash-flow requirement levels”, the Minister said adding that although the additional funding from the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), the SUKUK Bond and the Tax Credit Scheme had been helpful in bringing some form of relief, “the Ministry’s exposure continues to expand as the roads age and deteriorate and require attention”.

He said although the total sum of N276.244 billion provided for Highway projects in the 2021 Budget was an improvement over the N154.2 billion allocated to the sector in the 2020 Budget, it was still inadequate to address the funding challenges of highway projects where, according to him, the year 2021 project cash flow requirement was estimated at about N1.2 Trillion.

Expatiating on the expansion of the exposure of the Ministry, Fashola, who again called for a halt to the introduction of new projects while old ones were yet to be completed, pointed out that various demands for new projects were still being made adding that currently and in spite of the dearth of resources, the Ministry was contending with 711 uncompleted projects, up from 601 last year.

The Minister, who commended the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed for her committed efforts to source funds for the execution of capital projects, said in order to enable the Ministry make a significant impact in the improvement of the Federal road network “so as to boost economic activities and create more jobs”, it was imperative to improve the funding of highway projects by enhancing the release of funds for projects under the Amended 2020 Budget to defray the outstanding payments.

He said there was also a need to enhance the budget ceiling for Highway projects in the 2021 Budget proposal to cover the execution of works during the year and leverage on other alternative funding sources like the SUKUK Bond and the PIDF.

During the question and answer session, some Committee members, including the Chairman, Senator Adamu Aliero, commended the Minister and his team for the good works and the impacts they have made in project execution across the country.

On the question of equity in the allocation of funds to projects which some of the members raised, Fashola clarified that some of the projects which seemingly had low allocations compared to others were being funded by other sources of funding like the SUKUK while the one with seeming high allocation was funded through China Exim Bank with Nigeria contributing a small percentage as Counterpart Fund.

Earlier in his Welcome remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adamu Aliero, said the Senate Committee was focusing on the Infrastructure based on the emphasis laid on that sector by President Muhammadu Buhari during his 2021 Budget Presentation adding that although allocation to the Ministry of works remained one of the highest, it was still not enough to address the challenges of infrastructure development in the country especially the road network.

Some Committee members present included, Senator Gabriel Suswan, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Kabiru Gaya, among other distinguished Senators while the Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe and Directors from the Ministry.

Oct

22

2020

Safety Is A Key Factor for All Workplaces – Aliyu

The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu has reiterated that in order to promote the wellness of both employees and contractors in the ministry, safety is a key factor in all construction sites.

The Minister made this assertion at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on Specialized Health and Safety, Training for Engineers/Officers of the Federal Ministry of Works in collaboration with the Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSH Association UK Nigeria – Region with the theme “Safety First in the Construction Site) on Thursday 22nd October 2020 in the Ministry.

Abubakar Aliyu, who was ably represented by the Director Human Recourses Management, Umar Utono stated that the objective of the workshop was to equip the engineers and field officers in the ministry with the knowledge and skills that will help them discharge their duties in the worksites and ensure safety of workers during construction activities in the country. Continuing he said that at the end of the workshop, the Engineers and officers would be equipped with the necessary knowledge and managerial skills to supervise construction sites without risk of accidents.

The Minister noted that one major factor responsible for accidents and deaths at workplaces was poor safety attitudes of workers, contractors and supervisors in charge of projects.  He said improving safety at worksites had now become government priority to ensure change of attitudes of workers and contractors working at sites.

According to him, globally over 63,000 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related illnesses while 317 million accidents occur on the job annually.  He stated that the global statistics by the International Labour Organization (ILO) were worrisome and government is committed to reducing accidents and fatality rates in construction sites.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry would like to partner with professional institutions like Occupational Safety and Health Association UK – Nigeria Region being one of the leading organizations in the field of Occupational Safety & Health that strive to achieve the mandate of the Ministry towards zero fatalities at worksites.  He requested OSHA to work closely with the relevant Departments of the Ministry on capacity building and training of staff on Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE)

Aliyu pledged government total commitment towards implementing safety best practices in every activities of the Ministry.

Earlier in his opening remark, the Director of Engineering Services, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Julius Olunrinola said the Ministry have stepped up inspections and enforcement actions hence the need to deploy safety Engineers/Officers to all construction sites to enforce HSSE Policy.

Also speaking at the event is the President of OSH Association UK – Nigeria Region, Dr. Dahatu Mohammed who affirmed that safety was fundamental, basic and everyone’s business.  He added that this safety workshop was very important to the Ministry as 90% of work done by the Ministry is basically construction.  The creation of awareness to workers is meaningful to be able to achieve zero accident in construction sites.

Safety tips were highlighted by the Deputy Director, Central Workshop & Equipment Unit, Engr. Augustine Okwudiafor, as follows:

In time of emergency –

a)    Do not panic
b)    Stop all you are doing
c)     Leave calmly at the pace of the person in front of you
d)    Do not use the lift
e)    Assemble at the designated muster point

Jan

29

2021

FG Inaugurates the Sector Skills Council on Construction

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Sector Skills Council on Construction with the core mandate of tackling the skills and productive needs of the construction industry. 

While delivering his speech at the occasion, the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu, (FNSE), who performed the inauguration pointed out that the establishment of the Sector Skills Council is a deliberate decision of the Federal Government to address the challenges of skills gap, skills supply, skills quality and skills demand of the building sector in the construction Industry.

The Minister spelt out the scope of their mandate as follows: Establishment and maintenance of strategy for the coordination and incorporation of emerging trends in skills development, Development of competency standards and qualifications, Developing a sector skill development plan and maintenance of skill inventory, influence how training is delivered in Nigeria, productivity improvement and consistency in reducing skills gaps and shortages.

The Council is also expected to inherit the National Occupational Standards in some critical trades, a labour market information system and a secretariat with modest personnel from the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), he added.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Husseini enjoined members of the newly inaugurated Council to justify the confidence reposed on them by their appointment while urging them to think out ways that the sector can reduce  the problem of youth unemployment. He commended the Honourable Minister Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN and the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing for the various intervention programmes they have introduced toward the attainment of the Ministry’s mandate.

In his welcome address, the Chairman Inauguration Committee of the Sector Skills Council on Construction, Dr. Samson Ameh Opaluwa disclosed that the National Board for Technical Education had obtained an approval of Government through the Federal Ministry of Education to implement and regulate the National Skills qualification Framework (NSQF) in Nigeria in 2014.
He revealed that in constituting the Sector Skill Council, deliberate efforts were made to ensure the representation of a broad spectrum of the stakeholders in the construction industry in Nigeria adding that it was expected to be a stakeholder and private sector –led as two third of the nominees were representatives of the Private Sector while one third  was made up of relevant government regulatory bodies and actors in the construction and housing sector.

Chairman of the newly inaugurated Council, Engineer Gianfranco Albertazzi who is also  joint Managing Director Borini Prono & Co Nig Ltd  pledged that the council will do Nigeria proud by  qualifying and equipping  a very large  number of citizens to contribute more consciously to the county’s development as well as create an informed middle class, trained in the art of building. He called for the support of stakeholders both from the government and private sector to achieve their mandate.

Members of the Sector Skills Council include: Federation of the construction Industry (FOCI), representatives of Artisans, Indigenous Contractors, one from each geo-political zone, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Representatives of Awarding Bodies (NIOB), Representatives of training providers, one from each geo- political zone, Facilities Management Consultants, Builders Structure Consultants and Service Consultants.

Others are National Board for Technical Education, (NBTE), Director of building services, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Standard Organisation of Nigeia (SON), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Family Homes Funds Ltd (FHFL), Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Architects Registration Council (ARCON), Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) and Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBONI).
 

Jan

29

2021

We Create Jobs through our Tertiary Institutions Road Intervention Programme -  Fashola

Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN has stated that the Tertiary Institutions Road Intervention Programme under his ministry has provided employment opportunities to some Nigerians and contributed to the job creation initiatives of the Federal government.

Mr. Fashola, represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Katsina State, Engr Babagana Tahir, spoke during the handover and commissioning of the reconstructed 2 kilometers road at the old site of the Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina State and the 100 meters drainage at the new site of the University.

" During the construction in FUDMA, some people were employed in the process contributing to the job creation of the government, and it is hoped that the school would now ensure that this asset is used properly and well maintained" he said.

The Minister explained that forty-three (43) road Intervention projects within the tertiary institutions across Nigeria were currently ongoing, out of which twenty nine (29) had been completed so far.

He added that seventeen (17) of such projects were handed over in 2020 and the twelve (12) are currently being commissioned of which FUDMA was among.

The 20 km Internal road intervention in FUDMA started from the main gate of the old site and covers the various roads on the campus connecting the Senate Building and parking surrounding slot, School Clinic, lecture classes, Post Graduate School library and other key buildings in the school.

The 100 meters drainage constructed at the new site of the University has three concrete culverts that provides smooth passage along the road linking Faculty of Sciences, Faculty Agricultural Technology and the Students Hostels.

Responding, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Armaya'u Hamisu Bichi, represented by the Dean Post Graduate School, Professor Lawal Abdul Saulawa, specially expressed the sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Federal Government and the Hon. Minister for the laudable project.

He said that, FUDMA, being a young University was among the twelve new Universities established in 2010, as such needed more of such road interventions especially at its new site.

While congratulating Mr. Fashola for successful completion and handover of the project to the University, Professor Bichi also urged the Minister to consider constructing some internal roads at the new site of the University to smoothen it's daily operations.

Comrade Peter Seri, Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSN), FUDMA chapter, who was a pioneer staff of the University expressed joy at the project.

The Students Union Government (SUG) Acting President, Comrade Nasir Ahmad Batsari, in his reaction, thanked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for coming to the aid of the School with what he described as a face-saving project to the university.

Chairman of the FUDMA ASUU chapter, Comrade Ahmed Muhammad, appreciated Federal Ministry of Work and Housing for doing a lot of work in the University, urging the government to do more to inspire learning , research and excellent academic activities.

" We used to park our cars outside the School at the inception of the University, but now you can see our cars all over the places around the buildings" he said.

Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion from the university community were: The Registrar, Deans of Faculties, Directors and other management staff.

Jan

24

2021

Delivery of Quality Road Infrastructure Enhances Academic Environment - Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN has stated that provision of quality road  infrastructure in tertiary institutions would enhance academic environment and  develop  the education sector in the country.

Mr. Fashola made the statement while handing over the 2km internal road project which his Ministry rehabilitated and reconstructed at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State.

The Minister was represented  at the event by the Federal Controller of Works in Benue State, Engr, Charles Olasupo Oke.

Fashola said, "It is undebatable that quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from students in the schools where this type of intervention had taken place."

He also explained that the  infrastructure gap  in the country was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has now reached the schools.

The Minister stated that there were currently 43 number of road intervention projects within tertiary Institutions across Nigeria being executed by his Ministry, pointing out that, the students were expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads had been restored to good condition.

He added that the road Intervention project had not only impacted on the condition of learning in the schools but had also created jobs and generated employment for Nigerians.

Fashola urged the school authority  to take ownership and ensure that the  road asset was properly utilized and maintained , assuring that the Federal Government would do more to the development of Federal Institutions.

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Professor A.R. Kimbir, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN for the road intervention project.

He said that the commissioning of the road project came in less than two months after a 8.25MW Solar Hybrid Power Plant was commissioned in the School.

"The eloquent message from these projects is that the gap in infrastructural needs of the University is being steadily bridged by the Administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. The University is really deficient in the quantum and quality of adjectives to convey her true feeling of gratitude and happiness," he said.

Explaining further the VC said, "The positive impact of this project on campus life was highly invaluable as it addresses Infrastructural needs of the University with direct bearing on the quality of learning environment, easy movement on the campus for staff, students and members of the host Community."

Professor Kimbir stated his commitment to ensure carefull use of  the road infrastructure and requested for more of such gesture from the Federal Government.

"The commitment of the University is that the infrastructure would be protected for maximum utilization, suffice, however, to state that many more of such campus roads are crying for rehabilitation, adding that it is imperative to say that these campus roads have not been maintained since inception of the University over the last three decades."

Though the school is not in session, some  400 level students of the university who attended the commissioning ceremony: Onwe Samson and Onmonya Paul,  expressed gratitudes to the Federal Government and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN for the road intervention project.

They solicited for more of its kind especially the road that will link the school to the town direct without going through the roads in the villages which they said would help to curb security challenge.

In attendance at the brief handover ceremony were traditional rulers and some members of the University Governing Council.

Jan

18

2021

State's Encroachment Affecting Progress of Our Work- Engr. Adebiyi

The Director of Highway  Construction and Rehabilitation of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,  Engr. Funso Adebiyi has said  that the encroachment on the Rigth-of-way of the Fedeal  road projects in Oyo State and Illega mining activities along the new alignments has impeded  the. Construction and the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ilorin road section 2 Oyo-Ogbomosho road projects.

Engr. Adebiyi stated this at the weekend during the inspection of the 56.00km green field road project.
He stated that the project was initially awarded in 2010 to Messrs RCC Nigeria limited and was later reviewed after augmentation on November, 2020 with a completion date of November, 2023.

Speaking during inspection of the project, the Director disclosed that the level of completion was 76 percent before the contract was reviewed by the Federal Executive Council which now brought the level of percentage completion to 40 percent as a result of additional works approved by Federal Executive

He described the quality of job done as standard pointing out that it was of international standard. However, he pointed out that the activities of illegal mining and building activities were undermining the progress of work on the project. “Any such structure within the right of our way is illegal and that government would not pay any form of compensation. You cannot build on someone's land and still expect compensation," he explained.

He appealed to Oyo State Government to help stop the illegal encroachment on federal government's right-of-way "We discovered that the State Goverment was giving approval to build and mine along the same alignment of the road and this has created a huge problem for the progress of work because the earth materials we would have used has been mined away, it is not good and must be stopped," he said.

Adebiyi also cautioned drivers for their reckless driving.

The Federal Controller of Works, Oyo state, Engr. kayode Ibrahim, said that the contractor was working massively at the bridge locations and at various stages of completion on the five bridges adding that 21.80km of asphaltic binder has been accomplished.

Jan

17

2021

FG Reaffirms Commitment to Completing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
.... As works on the 127 kilometre road progresses appreciably

The ongoing rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of Lagos -Ibadan dual carriage way has reached an appreciable level of completion and the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing it on schedule.

This was disclosed by Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, the Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing during the on-going visit to the project site over the weekend to assess the progress of work done.

On the quality of work on the project, the Director said, "We are satisfied with the quality of work going on and we are working to increase the pace of the work. You can see that work is going on simultaneously on all sections of the dual carriage 127 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. "

Adebiyi explained that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria and pointed out that it is a trunk A road located in the South-West region of Nigeria.

Adebiyi further explained that because of the strategic importance of the road which connects the Northern,  Southern and Eastern parts of Nigeria, the Federal government would do all that is necessary to see that the project is completed on time.

"The project is a strategic infrastructure development of Mr. President in bridging the Infrastructure gap of the nation and this demonstrated that the present administration is poised to developing our highways," he said.

Speaking on the traffic gridlock that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, the Director explained that it was caused by break down of vehicle and not by the ongoing construction work.

He therefore appealed to drivers to be patient and to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before they make use of the road.

On the level of work done so far, the Director of Highways South-West, Engr. Kuti Adedamola said: "We have made a lot of progress. You can see that works on the two sections are going on simultaneously, 35km of the 47km of Section l has been covered giving us about 49.6 percent completion level,  while 55.39 kilometers of the 84km of Section II has been covered as well giving us  about 56.8 percent completion level."

On the quality of work, Engr. Kuti said, “I am impressed with the level of work going on.  You can see progress made when compared to the last time we visited.  Work has been progressed in the two sections of the expressway. "

He further explained that Federal Government was committed to deliver the project on time for the benefit of road users.

Speaking on the scope of work, Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Umar Bakare stated that the scope involved rehabilitation and widening of the existing expressway, drainage works and provision of expansion joints, hand rails on bridges.

He added that the scope will cover repairs of existing bridges and construction of new ones as well as building of toll plaza and installation of street lights.

Dec

31

2020

New Works and Housing Permanent Secretary Resumes

The newly redeployed Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Alhaji Babangida Hussaini has resumed office.

Alhaji Babangida Hussaini was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence before his redeployment to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to take over from Mr. Ernest Umakhihe who was moved to Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At a brief handing and taking over ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry in Mabushi, Abuja, the new Permanent Secretary assured management and staff that his leadership will encourage team work anchored on mutual respect.

He said "We all come from different backgrounds with different experiences and perceptions but the objective is one; service delivery anchored around serving the people to achieve the agenda of the government."

Hussaini, who was the Director Special Projects Unit in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing before his appointment as Permanent Secretary, recalled that he had worked assiduously with the staff of the Ministry under the able leadership of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.

He said that he would build on the successes, integrity and transparency entrenched in the ministry by his predecessor, Mr.Ernest Umakhihe, as no one was an island of knowledge in service to our father land.

Hussaini  described his predecessor, Mr. Earnest Umakhihe as a friend, a brother and an adviser and assured all that he would add value to the achievements already recorded by him.

He further assured Umakhihe of continued cooperation and support. "We will be working together  for the good of our nation because no man is an island,  we must interrelate and interdepend on each other."

Earlier in his remarks the outgoing Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Earnest Umakhihe described his tenure in the Ministry as short and worthwhile. He said, "its being a short but worthwhile journey.  I have learnt a lot from the crop of professionals we have here."

Umakhihe urged the staff to accord the incoming Permanent Secretary the cooperation that was given to him.

While wishing the incoming Permanent Secretary success,  he assured him of his support, adding that they are pursuing the same purpose of achieving Mr. President's mandate for the country .

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the management, the Director Human Resources Management of the Ministry, Mr. Abdullahi Umar Utono assured the new Permanent Secretary of the cooperation and support of staff while wishing the former Permanent Secretary success in his new office.

Alhaji Babangida Hussaini, a seasoned administrator and technocrat attended the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Ahmadu Belio University, ABU Zaria and Federal College of Arts Suleija.

He served the nation in different capacities  including working with international donor agencies. He hailed from Kazaure in Jigawa State.

Dec

17

2020

Works Ministry Sensitises Staff on Anticorruption

A one-day Sensitisation Seminar on Anticorruption Policy was organised for the staff of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing by the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Ministry.

With the theme " Whistle Blower Policy, Ethics and Compliance" the Seminar was intended to sensitise the staff of the Ministry on the provision of the Anti-corruption policy, as part of the functions of the ACTU to educate and enlighten the public servants on and against corruption.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ernest Umakhihe, represented by the Director Human Resource, Abdullahi Umar Utono, said that the public servant who holds power, authority and trust for the people, must lead the vanguard of the crusade against corruption.

He stated that the Ministry of Works and Housing is committed to implementing the Anticorruption provision to the letter, reason why the Ministry's ACTU was given all the necessary support to perform it's functions, one of which is the Sensitisation Seminar.

Head of the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit of the Ministry, Barrister Sonny Inyang, stated that emphasis on corruption was the bane of every country in the world and that was why the United Nations Anti-Corruption Committee made it mandatory for all member nations to establish a body that would regulate the conduct and management of economic affairs of the countries, in line with best practices.

Barrister Inyang disclosed that Nigeria as a member nation established the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) which further gave birth to the Anti-corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

The ACTU according to Barrister Inyang had been set up in all the Ministerial Departments and Agencies of the government by ICPC as one of the implementation mechanisms for its mandate on prohibition and prevention of corruption especially in the public service.

Among its functions, he numerated were; to educate and enlighten public servants on and against corruption; promote ethics and ensure compliance with ethical codes; as well as monitoring of budgets implementation.

Barrister Inyang said the one-day seminar was to see how the ministry could forge ahead to initiate a colloquium within the contest of best practices and brainstorm on its theme and at the same time proffer solutions.

Highlights at the Sensitization seminar were papers delivered on; Strategic Corruption Control And Institutional Integrity by Dr. Jaiyeola Akindipe; Ethics And Compliance Score-Card In MDAs by Barr, Obialor Ifeanyi and Whistle Blower Policy by Mr. Justin Kuatsea.

This was followed by the official unveiling of Domestication and Code of Ethics Booklet of the Ministry by the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Director Human Resources Management Abdullahi Umar Utono

Dec

10

2020

Keynote Address Of The Hon. Minister of Works And Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, San, At The 26th Meeting Of The National Council On Works With The Theme, “Road Infrastructure Development, Job Creation And National Economic Growth”

On behalf of the Federal Government, I convey the appreciation of the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Government of Rivers State and Governor Nyesom Wike, for Hosting this 2020 edition of National Council on Works.

The commitment to host this was made last year when the Cross River State hosted the 2019 edition and when nobody foresaw the outbreak of a devastating viral pandemic called COVID-19.

The impact of the disease on livelihoods and the global economy has led countries across the world into different stages of negative economic growth and recession.

The need to address the economic challenges has prompted countries and Governments to design and implement various measures and policies to keep their economies going and to reflate them.

The Muhammadu Buhari Administration developed and has started implementing an Economic Sustainability Plan, that incorporates and challenges Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ramp up activities, inspite of COVID-19; in order to provide work, increase opportunities and sustain productivity.

The Ministry of Works and Housing, as a critical infrastructure provider of the Federal Government, is one of the focal MDAs assigned with responsibilities for sustaining and expanding the economy during and beyond the COVID period.

This in part explains the theme of this year’s Council which is, “Road Infrastructure Development, Job Creation and National Economic Growth”.

While the public looks forward mainly to the quality of the Highway pavement, the Government sees a larger economic impact of infrastructure and the way it helps to legitimately distribute wealth to the people at the bottom of the pyramid.

Road construction employs a large number of the urban poor, skilled and unskilled labour and vendors who depend on daily or weekly wages.

The lockdown period was a difficult period for them and it was not surprising that as soon as lockdown eased, the Agriculture Sector and Road Construction were the first to resume work.

Eleven (11) of the biggest contractors of the Federal Government were allowed to return to work in May 2020 in 26 states.

This was closely followed by the resumption of maintenance works in 92 different locations across 24 states by FERMA.

The Government then decided to increase the scope for local content, labour and materials by:

a) Advocating for the increased use of cement, stone and concrete which are all locally available

b) Advocating for the local production of Bitumen since we have large deposits of the raw material.

I am delighted to inform you that many of these policies are at different stages of implementation with consequences on the economy.

With safety guidelines for Social Distancing, face mask and sanitation issued to construction companies, construction work has resumed almost full time across the country even though the virus is still with us.

Although the Third Quarter GDP result is still negative at -3.62%, it shows growth in the following sectors:

a) Quarrying and other minerals production   41.81%
b) Cement manufacturing                               11.96%
c) Construction                                                  2.64%

With the sustenance of construction activities, a strong contribution will be seen on the road to economic recovery.

Regarding the need to use more cement, more stone and concrete, the Ministry had to produce a design manual for Rigid Pavement in consultation with all the stakeholders in the industry.

I am happy to Report that the Sub-Committee led by the Honourable Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, and the Director of Bridges and Design, Engr. Emmanuel Adeoye, have produced the first Rigid Pavement Manual for Nigerian Roads.

There could be no better place to unveil it than at the National Council for Works, where all State Governments and other stakeholders are present.

This should also form the basis for implementing the Government policy for more labour-intensive Road Construction to stimulate employment drive, and more use of locally available materials of stone, cement and concrete for improved economic productivity.

It is impossible to discuss roads and economic development without discussing:

a)   capital appreciation of 30-40% that infrastructure provision adds to the value of land;

b)   the supply chain of food, lubricants, construction materials like laterite, cement, Reinforcement (steel), Water, Energy (Diesel) that is positively affected by infrastructure;

c)   the sub-specialities of subcontractors such as Lane Marking, Highway Signage and Electrical fittings,

all of which benefit from the Construction of a Road.

I am aware that all the States are executing one infrastructure project or the other and this is how it must be. I was in Rivers State recently to commission a Bridge project undertaken by the State Government.

Our collective National Spending on infrastructure will contribute in no small way to our recovery from recession, but also propel inclusive and beneficial growth.

Examples abound of the positive impact of the investment in infrastructure through a value chain of inclusive wealth distribution that is immediately activated when one of our construction sites utilises 5,000 trucks of laterites at N30,000 per truck.

Such a value chain would include the owner of the quarries, the operators in the quarries, the truck owners and truck drivers, among several others.

When one of our contractors also recently paid N500 million to his diesel suppliers, another inclusive wealth distribution value chain got activated or sustained.

In closing this speech permit me to highlight the challenges we still encounter in some states and communities with respect to claims for compensation, which hinder our contractors’ ability to work.

Challenges in the area of compensation require further collaboration and for States to play a lead role.

The need for an interactive forum between State Commissioners and Federal Ministry of Works, which will occur more frequently than the annual Council, as recently suggested by the Honourable Commissioner for Works from Kwara State will also hopefully be considered at this Meeting.

I thank you all for your attention.

Dec

07

2020

Introductory Remarks By The Director, Planning Research And Statistics, Mr. Jide Ode-Martins At The Technical Session Of The 26th Meeting Of The National Council On Works 7th-8th December, 2020

Protocol

Permit the singular honour on behalf of the Organizing Committee, to welcome you all to the 26th Meeting of the National Council on Works on the theme:”Road Infrastructure Development, Job Creation and National Economic Growth” holding here in Port-Harcourt from today Monday, 7th – 11th December, 2020.

2.    As you are aware, the Meeting of the National Council on Works is the highest policy-making organ of the Works Sector, where stakeholders in the Works Sector deliberate on critical issues concerning the Sector with a view to proffering sustainable solutions.

3.    It is pertinent to highlight that the Council Meeting is heralded by a 2-Day Technical Meeting of the Directors and the Meeting of the Permanent Secretaries. The responsibility of the Technical Meeting of the Directors as you are aware, is to create a solid and resourceful foundation by the diligently reviewing the memoranda submitted by stakeholders and fine-tuning the recommendation made by the Meeting of the Permanent Secretaries for presentation to the Council.

4.    In view of the foregoing, I would like to urge all Directors present to rise to the occasion as usual. This is a task most of us here are very competent at and committed to doing year in year out. I am therefore, very confident of our ability to timely deliver on this assignment.

5.    At this juncture, I would like to assure you that all necessary logistics have been made to ensure the success of this year’s Council Meeting. The Secretariat is available to attend to enquiries and render any assistance needed.

6.    On a concluding note, I wish to express our profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, the Honourable Minister of State Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, FNSE, the Permanent Secretary, Ernest UmakhiheFCA,fnim for providing the enabling environment for the success of this Meeting. I also appreciate the support of all Directors and entire staff of the Ministry whose efforts made today a reality.

7.    Once again, welcome to the 2-Day brainstorming Session preceding this year’s National Council Meeting on Works. I wish all of us fruitful deliberations.

8.    Thank you and God bless you all.

Nov

27

2020

FG Doing A Lot Under the Special Projects Unit –Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde R Fashola, SAN has disclosed that the Federal Government is executing a lot of projects under the Special Projects Unit.

The Minister made the disclosure during an interactive session with a group of journalists under the auspices of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), Press Corps who paid him a visit at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Mabushi, Abuja.

The Minister said a total of 3,109 projects had been executed between 2016 and 2019 consisting of 1,100 classrooms, 179 road projects, 79 maternity and healthcare centres and 6,656 solar light projects installed across one hundred and four locations as well as some solar powered water facilities.

The Minster who explained that currently, rehabilitation and maintenance work on highways is going on across the nation said, out of 35,000 kilometres road networks in the country, 13,000 kilometres were currently at various stages of repair. Adding that work on some roads have been completed and being used.

Disclosing that the reason for the delay in Auchi – Okpella Road is ecological and environmental, Fashola added, “The contractor is funded but there is a drainage problem there, if we choose the option we have, it will flood an entire community. The alternative is to build a bypass around the community, it becomes a longer road that has to be designed. It is an environmental and ecological problem we have to find a way to solve it”.

The Minister explained that because roads and road materials will behave differently in different parts of the country as a result of ecological and environmental conditions that was why concrete roads were being introduced in some places.
While speaking on bridge construction and repairs the Minister said that a surveillance of all bridges in the country had been conducted and work had started from the most critical ones.

He gave examples of the Kotonkarfe Bridge, Tambuwal Bridge, Eko Bridge, 3rd Mainland Bridge, Marine Bridge, Chachangi Bridge and the old Niger Bridge which he said were being maintained while work is ongoing in the new bridge.

Earlier, the chairman of the Corps Mr. Jide Orintunsi who works with the Nation Newspapers said they were in the Ministry to interact with him on the activities of his Ministry as part of stewardship in public administration.

Nov

23

2020

FG Assures Completion of Bodo-Bonny Road, Bridges on Schedule

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the construction of the Bodo-Bonny road would be completed on schedule as funding would no longer be a challenge.

This was disclosed by the Director Highway Road Design, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Omotayo Awosanya during an inspection tour of the project to ascertain the level of work done and update Nigerians on what the present administration had achieved so far on the project.

According to Engr.Awosanya the project had a counterpart funding mechanism when it was awarded in 2014, 50% from the Ministry and the remaining 50% from the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited.

He stated that funding would no longer be an issue in the execution of the project because the Federal Government is adopting the Tax Credit Scheme with the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited to completely fund the project.

Out of the 37.9km road, Engr.Awosanya disclosed that 31km has been completed. He said that with the speed of work put in by the contractor,Julius Berger Nigeria Plc recently, the project would be delivered in November 2021 as scheduled.

He further stated that the project was important to President Muhamadu Buhari as it would open up Bonny Island in particular and generally lead to economic empowerment of the country as a whole.

Speaking during the site visit, the Project Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Thomas Haug said since commencement of work two years ago, his company had completed all the parapets, started work on eight mini bridges and constructed 200m long pipeline crossing bridge. He said two mini bridges had been constructed and 1.4million cubic meters of sand dredged to the point of the inspection.

Mr. Haug disclosed that they would be constructing the major bridge at  Opobo next.

Also speaking, His Royal Highness, Chief Benson Egwenre, a community leader from Andoni said the community was happy especially with the prospects of economic benefits from the project.  He said as per local content, the contractor has promised to employ youths of the community from January next year.

However, a total of 587 persons have been employed by the Contractor, out of which 438 (consisting of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour) are from the immediate host communities while more people will be employed from the host communities by the main contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria and subcontractors as the work progresses.

Nov

22

2020

2nd Niger Bridge: 2022 Delivery is Sacrosanct – Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has given assurance that the 2nd Niger bridge will be completed and delivered in year 2022 as promised despite delay caused by the impact of covid 19 and disagreement with some people from the communities around the project before they were resolved with the intervention of the Governors of Anambra and Delta States as well as some traditional rulers from the area.

Fashola gave this assurance while speaking at a town hall meeting with stakeholders of the project held at the bridge site in Asaba. He said, “Clearly 2022 will be the delivery date for this project as already planned, we might miss a few weeks here and there but nothing substantial.” Let me assure you of Mr. President’s commitment and the Federal Government’s commitment to this.”

The Minister,however, stressed the need for peaceful coexistence, sacrifice and patience to ensure the completion of the project. “We need peace to finish this work, we need peaceful coexixtence to finish this work, we need also some sacrifice, we have to give some things in order to get some things and we need some patience”, he said.

Fashola disclosed that the total cost of the project is four hundred and fourteen Billion naira. He explained that while the cost of bridge is two hundred and six billion, the 2A and 2B roads will cost two hundred and eight billion naira. He added that the Buhari administration is making the commitment even though the price of oil is now about forty dollar per barrel.

While speaking on the economic benefits of the project to the people of the area the Minister said in order to build this bridge the contractors will be buying 644 thousand tonnes of aggregates. They require four Million cubic metres of sand, sixty eight thousand tonnes of cement, 19 Million litres of diesel all of which will be bought from people around the area who deal in such businesses. He further said that the contractor employed over one thousand four hundred workers who are indigenes of the area.

On the issue of compensation, the Minster appealed to the Governors of Anambra and Delta states to help engage with the communities to make it easier for the Federal Governmnt to come to agreement with them. Fashola promised that the Ministry will look into the ecological and environmental consequence of the project.

Speaking at the occasion, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by the Secretary to the state government expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government for the project while urging the Minister to expedite action on some federal roads in the state.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State who deliverd the vote of thanks expressed gratitude to President Buhari for keeping his words on the project and commended the Minster for his commitment to the work. He assured that he will ensure that there is peace in his state.

Earlier in his address, the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Las Weiser described the project as a key national infrastructure with immense economic benefits. He said when completed it will minimize traffic congestion and strengthen the region by boosting trade and commerce nationally and internationally.

The Meeting which was well attended was graced by many traditional rulers some of which are: the Obi of Onitsha, , Eze of Okpo Kingdom and Eze of Obosi.

The Minister also inspected the progress of work at the bridge and visited the Zik Mausoleum where he promised that effort will be made to preserve the mausoleum and keep it in the pristine condition that it deserves.

Nov

08

2020

Budget 2021: FG To Prioritize Completion Of Ongoing Road, Bridge Projects In Order To Boost Economic Activities, Create More Jobs, Says Fashola

* 18 Roads, Bridges earmarked for completion within 12-15 months across the country
* Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, 2nd Niger Bridge, Ilorin-Jebba, Jega-Tambuwal-Sokoto and Enugu-Port Harcourt, among the list
* The Ministry to take as priority the maintenance of Bridges to avoid further deterioration
* Also selects 2 roads and a bridge geopolitical per zone for enhanced funding
* House Committee Members commend Minister for commitment, dedication in pursuit of infrastructure development

The Federal Government will focus on the completion of ongoing road and bridge projects in the country rather than beginning new ones, in the implementation of the 2021 Budget, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has said in Abuja.

Fashola, who spoke during the defense of his Ministry’s proposals in the 2021 Budget; listed roads whose completion would be prioritized during the budget year to include those categorized as A1-A9 adding that 18 of such road projects, which have reached appreciable level of completion have been identified across the country for completion within 12 to 15 months.

The roads and bridges, the Minister said, include those leading to the ports and major agricultural hubs across the six geopolitical zones of the country adding that the decision to prioritize those projects was in line with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom, he recalled repeatedly emphasized the necessity to focus the Budget on completion of projects.

According to him, other categories of road and bridge projects on which the Ministry will focus for completion during the budget year also include those that have attained 70 per cent completion adding that subject to the availability of funds, such projects would be completed as early as possible.

The Minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe, Directors and other top Ministry officials, said the Ministry would also focus on the maintenance of about 50 Bridges nationwide as a measure to avoid further deterioration of the structures, which he described as critical.

Pointing out that some bridges which connect several geopolitical zones and Federal roads had not been maintained for several years before this administration, Fashola added that some of the Bridges required replacement of expansion joints and hand rails while others required major underwater repairs of exposed piles, pile caps and piers.

“Bridges like the Third Mainland Bridge, the Koton Karfe Bridge and the Makurdi Bridge are part of about 50 bridges being rehabilitated simultaneously among others”, he said adding that the Ministry also had its focus on the completion of the construction of Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari Road in Taraba State and Ikom Bridge along Calabar-Ikom Road.

Expressing the need for the support of the National Assembly in realizing the stated objectives, Fashola, who put the estimated cost of rehabilitating all the bridges at N80.984 billion, however, pointed out that there was need, in the course of each year, to address washouts and erosion envisaged with the subsiding discharge of flood waters nationwide.

“We are mindful of the limitation of resources but the frequency of these natural disasters caused by Climate Change and aging infrastructure must compel us to think of making provisions for emergencies”, he said adding that the international Best Practice for such Emergencies was between 5 and 10 per cent of the Capital Budget.

Fashola, who said the Ministry has also selected two roads and a bridge in each of the six geopolitical zones for enhanced funding during the budget year, also listed for adequate funding the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Counterpart Fund for projects financed by the China Exim bank.

On the Ministry’s interventions on internal roads in Federal Tertiary institutions across the country, the Minister, who said out of the 43 such projects 18 had been completed, explained that inadequate budgetary provisions had stalled the projects which, according to him, the Ministry started since 2018/2019, adding that the 17.35 percent cut in the 2020 Budget made it impossible to pay Contractors who were being owed N3.31 billion while the money required to fix the remainder is N3.54 billion.

Reiterating that the major challenge of the Ministry in completing ongoing projects on time was inadequate budgetary provisions, the Minister explained further that aside the fact that the funds were inadequate, there was also the problem of timely release of funds to sustain annual cash flow requirement level adding that although funds from the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) and SUKUK Bond had helped to bring some funding relief, the Ministry’s exposure had continued to expand due to annual addition of new projects.

He said although the sum provided for Highway projects in the 2021 Budget was an improvement over the 2020 Budget provision for the Sector, it was still inadequate to address the funding challenges of Highway projects pointing out that with about N1.2 Trillion as the Year 2021 projected cash flow requirement, funding for works planned to be executed on the projects in 2021 would have to be “efficiently optimized”.

Fashola said in order, therefore, for his Ministry to make significant impact in the improvement of the Federal road network and boost the nation’s economy, there was urgent need to enhance the release of funds for the projects under the Amended 2020 Budget to defray the outstanding payments; enhance Budget ceiling for Highway projects in the 2021 Budget proposal to cover the execution of works during the year and leverage on other alternative funding sources as well as make provision for emergencies to enable Government respond to damage and destruction caused by natural disasters, Climate Change and other unforeseen events.

The alternative funds, he explained include the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), which is being used to rehabilitate, reconstruct and expand the Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriage way, Construction of Second Niger Bridge and rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway.

They also include the SUKUK BOND being used to fund a total of 44 road and bridge projects, which are mainly dual carriageways on major arterial routes A1-A9 on the Federal road network using the 2020 Sovereign SUKUK Issuance and Tax Credit Scheme being used in the construction of Bodo-Bonny Bridge across Opobo Channel in Rivers State and the construction/rehabilitation of Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba-Ilorin Road Section II in Kwara and Kogi States, among others.

On the issue of delay in project completion raised by Committee members during the interactive session, the Minister said aside the twin challenges of inadequate funding and delayed releases, there was also the fact that some of the roads carry heavy traffics which had to be managed while construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation was going on adding that it was necessary to put some measures in place for the safety of both the workers and commuters.

The Minister told them, “When we talk about delay of projects, I would have loved you to have specifics of what is considered as delays. It is important to understand what happens at the construction site, especially on highways where we are reconstructing and commuters still have traffic”, adding that ideally on a construction site traffic should be shut down.

He cited as examples the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos with an average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 122,978 vehicles, the Koton Karfe Bridge with Average Daily Traffic of 11,942 vehicles and the Makurdi Bridge adding that the Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan carries the heaviest daily traffic in the country followed by the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road.

On why the SUKUK could not be expanded to fund other road projects as a means of overcoming the problem of inadequate funding, he explained that at every issuance there was a specific amount which the Government could withdraw adding that no money would be left as reserve SUKUK fund.

In his contribution during the session, the Minister of State, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, explained that the seeming delay in the completion of some of the road projects in the North East was as a result of security challenges citing the Yobe-Maiduguri Road where insurgents attacked the CCECC and burnt their equipment.

Some of the Committee Members, including the Chairman, commended the Minister for his commitment to and diligence in the pursuit of the Presidential mandate of Infrastructure Development across the country.

Nov

05

2020

NIHTE Inaugurates its Abuja Chapter

...Members pledged to uphold and defend Memorandum and Articles of Association

The Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE) has inaugurated its Abuja Chapter with the aim of upholding and defending the Memorandum and Articles of the Association.

At the inauguration  and investiture  ceremony of the new members in Abuja on Wednesday 4th November,  2020 the National Chairman of the Association,  Engineer Oludayo Oluyemi, FNSE said that the Abuja Chapter would assist the Government  of the Federal Capital Territory and the nation in formulating good policies in the area  of Highway and Transportation Engineering, pointing out that their professionalism would come to bear in FCT Highway development.

He said, “The city of Abuja is very important in the history of Engineering in Nigeria and more particularly in the roles our members here have played in NSE and the infrastructural development in Nigeria."

Continuing, he said that the investiture of the Chairman for the NIHTE Abuja Chapter and its Executive would drive the affairs of the Chapter for two calendar years.

He therefore charged the newly constituted EXCO to serve the society with all their might and be fair to all in the discharge their duties.

According to him, the NIHTE division since its formation six years ago, had made tremendous achievements. " We are poised in keying into the new strategic plan and vision of the Nigerian Society of Engineers," he said.

Delivering his Vote of Thanks, the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Abuja Chapter, Engineer Musa Saidu, FNSE pledged and sworn on behalf of other members the to uphold and defend the Memorandum and Articles of Association of NIHTE.

He added that they would conduct their engineering practices with discipline, sincerity and fairness as well as to show interest in the affairs and welfare of their fellow engineers and members.

Oct

22

2020

FG To Focus on Completion Of Priority Road Projects In 2021 - Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has said that the focus of the 2021 Budget Proposal of the Ministry remains the completion of priority road projects in the country.

The Minister who stated this during the Presentation and Defence of the Ministry’s 2021 Budget before the Senate Committee on Works said that given the wide disparity between the Ministry’s liabilities in unpaid certificates and the volume of road projects, it has become imperative for the Ministry to prioritize its 2021 Capital proposal in order to make appreciable impact in road infrastructure development.

He said that Ministry was currently undertaking a total of 711 Highway Projects spread over the Six Geo-Political Zones of the country. The 711 on-going road projects were categorized according to funding mechanisms which included; Highway Projects financed with Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), Highway Projects financed with Sovereign Sukuk Fund, Highway Projects financed under Tax Credit and Highway Projects funded from Multilateral.

Speaking on Highway Projects financed with the Sovereign Sukuk Fund, he explained that the Ministry was financing a total of 44 roads and bridges across the country using the 2020 Sovereign Sukuk issuance. He added that the roads were mainly dual carriageways on the major arterial routes A1 to A9 on the Federal road networks.

On the 2021 Budget proposal, he said that the focus of the Ministry remained the completion of some priority road projects especially those on routes A1 to A9 saying that these roads and bridges lead to ports and major agricultural hubs across the six Geo-Political Zones of the country.

In furtherance to this, he said Mr. President has repeatedly emphasized the need to focus budget on completion of projects. “Therefore, the Ministry has given priority first to about 18 road and bridge projects that have attained some appreciable level of completion. We are focusing on roads that have attained 70 percent completion levels,” he said.

Fashola appealed to members of the National Assembly and other well-meaning Nigerians to build a national consensus as adults to stop the agitation for new road projects but to agree on completion of ongoing road projects that cut across the six Geo-political zones of the country due to budgetary constraints.

On the impact the proposed 2021 budget would have on the economy and its citizenry, he said: “In order to enable the Ministry make a significant impact in the improvement of the Federal road networks to boost economic activities and create jobs, it is imperative to improve the funding of Highway Projects by releasing funds for the projects under the Amended 2020 Budget to defray the outstanding payments,” he said.

He also appealed that budget ceiling for Highway Projects in the 2021 Budget proposal be made to cover the execution of works during the year as well as leveraging on other alternative funding sources like the  Sukuk Bond and the PIDF.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Adamu Aliero stated that although budgetary allocation to the Ministry remained one of the highest, but was not enough looking at the humongous work to be done on the nation’s roads and the current debt profile of the Ministry.

The Chairman assured the Minister that the Committee would continue to work with the Ministry to ensure that it succeeds.  “The Committee is poised to work in line with the principles of the 2021 Budget. We will strengthen the outcome of our oversight duties,” he said.