Jun

28

2018

FG Flags-Off Reconstruction Of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road

The Federal Government has flagged-off the reconstruction of the 375.4 - kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, a vital link between the South and the North of the country.

The existing road which has outlived its service life span of 20 years was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on December 20, 2017 to Messrs Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc at a contract sum of N155, 470, 626, 078.07 (One Hundred and Fifty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy Million, Six Hundred and Twenty- Six Thousand, Seventy-Eight Naira and Seven Kobo) with a completion period of three years.

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, performed the flag-off ceremony on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, at Chiromawa Town, Kano State, recently.

Fashola pointed out that President Buhari requires the support of well meaning Nigerians to deliver on the mandate of rebuilding the nation. According to him, ‘’one of the objectives of the Economy Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the present Administration, lunched by Mr. President in 2016, is in fulfilment of the  promise to make Nigeria a globally competitive country’’.

He added that a major critical action point of the ERGP was to renew, improve and increase the stock of infrastructure, particularly in the road sector. He stressed that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project will reduce the cost and time of travelling, as well as stimulate economic and social development in the country.

The Minister noted that in the face of limited resources, the President approved the SUKUK bond to improve economic activities on 25 arterial roads spread across the six geo-political zones, adding that construction works are ongoing with teeming population of youth gainfully employed on these road projects being funded by the SUKUK bond.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing, Alh. Mohammed Bukar, while thanking dignitaries that graced the flag-off ceremony, stated that the Ministry is vigorously pursuing the mandate of this Administration in the delivery of critical infrastructure across the nation.

Alh. Bukar noted that the inauguration of the road project is a milestone achievement in the effort of the present Administration in bridging the infrastructural gap in the country. He said “the completion of the reconstruction works will no doubt reduce vehicle operating cost, improve travel time, reduce road accidents and stimulate the socio-economic growth and the general security of towns and cities along the corridor.”

The Managing Director, Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc, Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch, in his vote of thanks at the occasion, stated that the road is a high priority infrastructure of national significance which form an important part of the nation’s highways. He assured that with a strong and experienced workforce coupled with adequate equipment to fast track the execution of the project, the Company will deliver on schedule.

In attendance, were the two Ministers of State I and II, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri and Surv. Sulieman Hassan Zarma, mnis respectively, the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by the Deputy Governor Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was represented by the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hajiya Balaraba Aliyu Inuwa, the Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator (Arc). Kabiru Gaya, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu represented by Hon. (Engr) Maren were among the high profile dignitaries that graced the occasion.

His Royal Highnesses in attendance took turns to deliver goodwill massages, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi II commended the Federal Government for the project and urged the Ministry and Contractor to speed up the delivery of the project. Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Alh. (Dr). Shehu Idris also pledged his support and that of his people to safeguard the significant infrastructure. They both appreciated President Buhari and the Ministry in the award of the project and urged the Federal Government on road maintenance.

Members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Tanker drivers who were well represented at the ground breaking occasion made an appealed to the Minister for a separate parking space.

Jun

11

2018

Remarks By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 28th Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting Hosted By Kaduna Distribution Company

Once again, permit me to welcome you all to another monthly meeting of operators in the Power Sector.

This is the 28th monthly meeting and it is hosted by Kaduna DisCo,  to whom we are grateful for accepting to host us.

In the last few months, I have used the opportunity of this meeting to focus attention of Operators, GenCos, Transmission Company and DisCos, who are the points of public interface, on the need to pay more attention to service delivery, repairs, and maintenance of equipment.

My focus in this meeting will not be different. We are beginning a different weather season that will see more rainfall, thunderstorms, lightening and windstorms.

All of these will affect regular supply one way or another. Trees will fall and disrupt lines, poles and lines may be damaged, and service will be disrupted.

In all these situations, we must prepare our staff to anticipate, plan, and respond.

Most importantly, we must inform the public about the problems and what we are doing to restore service whenever there are disruptions.

As a consumer myself, nothing gives me more comfort than when my service provider shares information about service disruptions.

It tells me quickly that at least somebody knows that there is a problem, and gives me hope that something is being done about it.

Apart from service issues of supply, there is the bigger and compelling issue of estimated billing and lack of meters.

Meter supply has become the big issue of the moment that consumers want us to resolve.

As a Government, we hear them loudly and clearly, and as service providers, we hope that you can hear them too.

As power supply continues to increase in Generation, Transmission and Distribution, the demand for meters will increase because more power supply and consumption will likely result in increased  bills.

Estimated billings in these circumstance will become a major cause of distrust and conflict between consumers and DisCos, and meters are the easiest way to build the bridge of trust.

On the Executive side of Government, we are responding by taking advantage of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulations to deploy a fund of N37bn towards supplying meters through private sector.

I urge all DisCos who have not taken benefit of this opportunity to quickly do so, or make their own funding arrangements to contract  their own meter providers to supply and install  meters.

On the Legislative side of Government, there is a clear intention to intervene by Legislation.

The Executive and Legislative response show that Government is committed  to  addressing this issue of meters.

Let me be clear that every DisCo is affected, and every DisCo needs to respond by providing meters quickly and seeking to end estimated billing, which is subjective, discretionary, and prone to abuse.

In closing, let me also point out that our commitment to better service delivery by improving infrastructure, as mandated by President Buhari, continues.

Yesterday, I visited the historic city of Zaria to commission the 60MVA Transformer added to the Zaria 132 KV substation to increase the transformer capacity from 140 MVA to 200 MVA.

This will improve service to customers of Kaduna DisCo, our host, in places like Zaria City, Sabon Gari, Samaru, Giwa, Yakawada, Tudun Wada, Markafi, to mention a few.

This morning, I also visited the Power House 132 KV Transmission Substation in Kaduna to commission 2 X 60 MVA Transformers to increase the transformer capacity from 190 MVA to 240 MVA.

This will hopefully improve service of Kaduna DisCo to customers in places like Kaduna Township, Rigasa, Kakuri, Rigachukwu, Chikun, Sabon Tasha, to mention a few.

I must commend TCN for these interventions that are being undertaken nationwide.

Substation by substation, one by one, city by city, we are bringing incremental power close to the people, and this is change.

Thank you all for attending, and for your attention.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works, and Housing

May

31

2018

Abeokuta Substation Gets New 60MVA Transformer To Improve Electricity

The yearning to ensure qualitative and stable power to Nigerians has made the Federal Government to upgrade the 132/33KVA Abeokuta Transmission Substation with the installation of a new 60 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) capacity transformer to boost electricity supply in Abeokuta and its environs.

Addressing the Minister of State II Power, Works and Housing, Surveyor Suleiman Hassan Zarma, who was on an inspection tour to the substation recently, the Assistant General Manager Transmission, Papalanto Sub – Region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Adeonipekun Adesina said the transformer upon its complete installation would complement the three existing ones at the station.

According to him, the station has 3 transformers of 30MVA each, making a total of 90MVA. But with the new one, the station will now have a 150MVA wheeling capacity.  “It used to be a 90MVA Substation. But with the introduction of the new transformer, there will be more power to deliver to the masses and there will be steady supply of electricity”, Adeonipekun said.

Adeomipekun disclosed that the transformer when energized, would improve power supply to Abeokuta Township, Imeko, and Lagos Road, part of Sagamu and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. In his address, the Minister re-affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing power supply in the country. Saying “the Federal Government is investing in the expansion of transmission capacity through the TCN by building more substations and expanding existing ones”, adding that the transformer which is installed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), under the National Integrated Power project (NIPP) of the Federal Government is aimed at driving the industries, boosting the economy, creating employment opportunities to our teaming youth in Abeokuta and the country in general.

May

22

2018

Minister Scores Osun NHP High

Minister of State 11 for Power,Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma has expressed satisfaction over the quality and speed of work at the National Housing Programme (NHP)site located at Abere, Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State and commended the team leader, Arc Mrs Lola Onwubalili and her team for a good supervision and execution of the project.

Speaking after inspecting the project in continuation of his inspection tour of the Ministry’s projects in the South-West Zone, the Minister said the site is a “big success story”, adding that it is really a site to visit. He noted that “Osun NHP is near delivery and I can see active Nigerians on ground here”.

The 68 units housing comprise: 4 nos 1 bedroom, 44 nos 2 bedroom units and 20 nos 3 bedroom units including a 1 no Condominium block consisting 24 of 1,2, and 3 bedroom units

The Minister reiterated his stance against the building of perimeter fencing at the NHP sites, explaining that security is not about walling but about exploring other proactive measures to stay secured. According to him, “fencing is not in our thinking but think of other ways to secure the site”.

Zarma further explained that the essence of the National Housing Programme is to build communities that will integrate with one another both within and around the estates.

The Minister also expressed delight at the pace of work of the infrastructure projects at the site. These include: the water project which has attained 90 per cent completion, electricity and the road network which are on- going.

Team leader of the project, Mrs Lola Onwubalili described her success story commendation by the Minister as a result of dedicated contractors who worked tirelessly and obeyed supervising directives to deliver quality and timely projects and also the commitment of members of her team and the entire workforce.

She said the project is 75 per cent completed with a slight delay on the Condominium which is on the second floor already and hoped that in the next two months, the Condominium would be completed 8 out of the 12 contractors have already completed and handed over their houses while the remaining 4 are at various finishing stages.

May

22

2018

FG Committed To Even National Development – Fashola

The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammad Buhari to even national development as opposed to partisan politics and would be willing to work with all state governments irrespective of their party affiliations or ethnic divide.

He made this remark when he paid courtesy calls on Governors of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Anambra State, Chief Willi Obiano, at their various Offices during his three-day working inspection tour of Federal Government projects in the South East zone of the country.

Fashola commended the Governor of Ebonyi state for keying into agricultural initiative of the Federal Government while assuring him of the present administration’s readiness to link Ebonyi and Cameroon through road boarders, which would facilitate international trade for the South Eastern States. The Governor in his response thanked the Minister for his visit and pleaded with the Minister to facilitate the payment of fund owed his state, which was incurred for maintaining the Federal roads within his domain.

While at the Enugu Government house, the Minister enjoined the Governor to work in mutual cooperation with Electric Distribution Company of Nigeria (DISCO) towards having regular supply of power as Federal Government has provided a window for states and corporate bodies to buy power directly. He also added that the window also provides for individual or state production of private power up to 1 megawatt without conditions attached.

Similarly, in Anambra State, the Minister gave account of all the Federal Government projects he had inspected in the state, and on the indebtedness of Federal Government to the state on Road maintenance, the Minister said that what is left is appropriation from the National Assembly. He, however, warned that states must observe due process before they embark on rehabilitation of Federal roads to avoid loss of their investment.

Projects inspected in the South East before rounding off his working visit included National Housing Programme in all South East states, Energising Economy Electrification of Ariaria Market in Aba., Rehabilitation of Calabar -Itu-Ikot Ekpene -Aba Road ,Section III, Enugu -Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section II among others.
The Site of Zik’s Mausoleum and Library Complex in Awka including Second Niger Bridge in Anambra State were also inspected.

May

15

2018

Remarks By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At 27th Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting Hosted By Yola Distribution Company

I welcome you all very warmly to this meeting, which is the 27th in the series of monthly meetings that has taken us to virtually all parts of Nigeria.

I thank the Managing Director of Yola Distribution for hosting us.

Many of you will remember that in 2015, Yola DisCo was the only one of the 11 (eleven) privatized DisCos that was given up as being unviable.

But this Government did not give up on Yola DisCo. The Government appointed Engr. Mustapha to manage this DisCo.

Month after month, from reports we have all received about performance and monthly rating of DisCos, it is obvious that Engr. Mustapha and his team have proven that Yola DisCo is not unviable.

At this forum, I will repeat what I have said about change, that it is not a matter of chance but a matter of choice.

Similarly, it is not an event but a process that involves the application of methods and the making of choices, some of which are difficult, but very often resourceful, even if sometimes misunderstood.

The story of Yola DisCo epitomizes change and it speaks eloquently to our roadmap of incremental power.

From my very first visit to inspect the resumption of work at the Maiduguri TCN substation, which had been damaged by insurgents, to the completion of the Mayo-Belwa TCN substation and the installation of Distribution Infrastructure by Yola Disco, incremental power is returning to the customers within the Yola DisCo franchise.

Eighty per cent (80%) of damaged 33KV lines have been restored in areas like Damboa, Madagali, Maiduguri, Damasak, Gombi, Mubi, Wukari to mention a few.

Change means providing incremental power against the odds, and nothing is truer than the story of one Agricultural enterprise in Adamawa, whose proprietor visited to tell me that since the completion of the Mayo-Belwa sub-station, he has drastically reduced his purchase of diesel and the use of his generator.

For him, change means reduced operating cost at his farm, and for consumers of his Agro products, change means reduced food prices.

As you will have heard in the news, economists are predicting a further reduction in inflation and they are attributing it to reduction in food inflation and food prices.

As you might have also heard, I visited Kebbi last week to inspect our road projects, and the Governor,  Atiku Bagudu, reported that most of the local governments in his State are getting 18 to 20 hours of power supply, from Kaduna DisCo.

This is what change means, and it is consistent with our roadmap of incremental power.

While we are inspired by the news of progress, especially coming from those who receive the service, we remain mindful of those we have not yet reached, and remain committed to get to them, whether on the grid or off the grid.

In this regard, let me report some progress made within the last month, as I usually do, in order to keep all of us abreast of what our members are doing and what the industry as a whole is experiencing.

I am pleased to inform the meeting formally that a substantive Chairman, in the person of Professor James Momoh, is now in place for the NERC, following confirmation by the Senate, and his swearing in on the 3rd day of May 2018.

This means that another issue under our Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), relating to Governance, has now been resolved.

Also, within the last month, particularly, on the 7th of May 2018, I had the privilege to Commission the Odogunyan Transmission Substation completed by TCN to serve customers in Lagos and Ogun States, under the Ikeja DisCo franchise.

I can also report that we are making progress on the Federal Government’s planned intervention in the Distribution Value Chain to help deliver the 2,000MW that is constrained by distribution equipment.

The advertisements for quotation by original equipment manufacturers for Transformers, Breakers, and Associated Equipment compiled by the DisCos have been published, and we await responses.

The Azura Power Plant is now fully completed and ready for commercial operation to deliver more power to boost incremental power.

On the off-grid side, His Excellency, the Vice President, recently commissioned a market intervention in Ondo State, delivered by Rural Electrification Agency, another boost to our incremental power and provision of access to previously unserved people.

The progress we are making will require us to increase our commitment to further improving service.

This will be more demanding as the rains come down in the next few months.

The rains will bring more water supply to the Hydro Electric facilities, and they will bring more challenges to Transmission and Distribution by way of storms, heavy winds, falling trees, damage to towers, lines and installations.

We must rise up to these challenges better than we have done in the past.

Some of what we must do are:

Promptly issue notices when there are known damages that interfere with power supply;
Promptly send our maintenance men out to repair and replace damaged equipment or clear fallen trees;
Send information to the public on multiple platforms of conventional and social media to report faults that we may not be aware of;
Painstakingly hold ourselves out as available, ready, and willing to resolve customer problems and provide better service.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our journey of change and incremental power continues, and I thank you all for your commitment.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

May

11

2018

Keynote Address by the Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, At the 4th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG

To the National Executive Council of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG, I say thank you for inviting me to deliver this keynote address at your 4th Quadrennial Delegates Conference.

I also wish to thank you for attending in large numbers, the one-day stakeholders meeting my Ministry convened in Abuja recently, to discuss our policies about how to make your work easier and your businesses more efficient, through the management of the Federal Highway Right of Way and the enforcement of axle load regulations.

As I said to you at the conference, while those who cheat by overloading axles may make quick gains, in the long run, it is everybody that loses when the roads fail.

This is the background of our previous relationship and interactions from which I intend to discuss the subject of the keynote address, which is: ‘Road Infrastructure in Nigeria: Impact on Petroleum Product Distribution’.

I think the proper place to start is the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan launched by President Muhammadu Buhari, in which he identified Energy Sufficiency and Infrastructure Development as critical action points.

These action points are not accidental; on the contrary, they reveal a clear thinking and understanding of what must be done to rebuild our economy and underline the interconnectivity between availability of quality infrastructure and the delivery of energy from petroleum products to drive our economy.

But it is one thing to have a plan, and yet another thing to commit to a faithful implementation of that plan.

If you think this is not important, let me remind you that in 2015, only N18 Billion was budgeted for all Nigerian roads in the Ministry of Works. Only N9 Billion was funded at the time, when Nigeria’s oil was selling at close to $100 per barrel.

This was at the time of the Transformation Agenda, when commitment fell significantly behind stated objectives.

What has changed under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) is that the Buhari Government has committed close to N300 Billion to roads, and funded about N260 Billion at a time when oil prices are manifestly below the 2015 figures.

So, if people ask you what change means, please tell them it means doing more with less.

What are the results of this change?

The results mean reduced journey times on the sections of roads where work has now resumed.

Those of you who ply Ilorin-Jebba will now admit that from spending 7 (seven) days on that road, you now spend less time while works are rapidly progressing, not only on the road but also in the Emergency Repairs on the Tatabu Bridge, which suddenly collapsed as a result of massive rainfall, flooding, and lack of maintenance.

Those of you who ply the Suleja-Minna Highway where there are strategic NNPC Depots at Minna and the PPMC Depot at Diko, will now acknowledge that the contractor is back to work.

I must, of course, acknowledge the support we have received from the Niger State Government, and the impact of the Sukuk, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, wholesomely supported by Mr. President.

Those of you who take products from the NNPC Depot at Gusau will acknowledge that our contractor is now back to work after years of absence due to lack of payment for work done on the Zaria-Gusau-Sokoto Road.

Those of you who use the NNPC Depot in Ibadan will also now acknowledge that our contractor is back to work on the Ibadan-Abeokuta Highway.

And work has been completed on the Enugu-Abakaliki and Kaduna-Jos Roads to provide access to the NNPC depots at Enugu and Yola.

So, if they ask you what change means to tanker drivers, please tell them that it means the revival of construction works and the return of contractors to access roads to petroleum depots, from which you do business and support your families.

Tell them that your journey times on these roads is gradually improving and the presence of contractors at the work site gives you hope that it will get better.

Ladies and gentlemen, I know that they will ask more of you as they seek to enlist your support.

When they do, please tell them that you are right thinking and well meaning Nigerians who also see a commitment to support pubic transport with Rail.

Tell them that you see change in the work that the Ministry of Transportation is undertaking on the Lagos-Ibadan-Kano Rail.

Tell them that after many years of broken promises, the Buhari Government has acted by starting the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan section of the project which will link to the Apapa Port.

Tell them that change means the employment of about 7,000 Nigerians now working on that section of the project, and that you now believe that those who started it are better positioned to complete it.

Tell them that you see change because there is a clear difference between unfulfilled promises of yesterday and a commitment that is backed by visible action today.

Tell them that while you did not believe what you heard in the past, you cannot disbelieve what you can now see.

If there is anyone of you who still doubts the importance of Road Infrastructure to Energy Security and its impact on Petroleum Products Distribution, I believe the list of some of these critical Roads where work is going on, and recent announcements of additional works on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway must erase the doubt.

Although this is a summary from a very long list of critical roads that support Petroleum distribution, I cannot fail to mention the recent award of the Ikorodu-Shagamu Road that services Mosimi Depot, where work will soon commence.

Similarly, our Ministry is working to finalise the procurement and award of the Apapa, Tin Can, Mile 2, Oshodi to Oworonshoki Highway.

But the impact of Road infrastructure to your business does not start and end with access to good roads and improved journey times.

The commitment to infrastructure development and renewal by President Buhari also means more demand and supply of petroleum products which means more trips for tanker drivers and more income.

I just returned from road project inspection in Kebbi and Jigawa States last night where our contractors informed me that Bitumen producers and suppliers are now struggling to cope with demand.

These are clear signs of a business boom and employment not only for transporters of the products like your members, but also for the manufacturers.

I must now conclude by stating that the Buhari Government understands your contribution to the National Economy and is acting to improve the ease with which you do business.

While the results are beginning to manifest, the type of harvest you will reap depends on the choices you will make in the near future.

Think well, and choose wisely.

Thank you for inviting me and for listening.

I wish you fruitful deliberation at this 4th Quadrennial Delegates Conference and a very successful election.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

May

04

2018

Protection Of National Assets: A Pinnacle To Nation’s Development

The Honourable Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Surv. Sulieman Hassan Zarma, mnis, has called for community participation in the ownership of public assets and critical infrastructures in the country, stressing that people in the communities need to be sensitized to take personal responsibility for the protection of public infrastructures.

He added that at a time like this, the federal government still consider as a matter of priority, spending the nation’s meagre resources to provide its citizens with necessary and critical infrastructures.
Hassan stated that ‘It is sad to note that there are lots of damages and inadequate maintenance of these public assets which are yet to meet the need of the citizenry’.

Declaring the workshop opened, the Minister said this at a one Day Stakeholders Conference on Preservation, Protection and Community Ownership of Public Assets and Critical Infrastructure organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abuja.

He commended NOA for choosing the topic for discussion, adding that the forum will help inform, educate and enlighten the people on the efforts the government is making towards the provision of adequate infrastructures and the need to encourage stakeholders to cherish and preserve them for posterity.

The Minister also stated that the Ministry will continue to make concerted efforts in ensuring that the three Sectors meet up with the mandate of delivering critical infrastructures to Nigerians in the areas of improved power generation, adequate funding and resuscitation of abandoned/new road projects and provision of mass housing across the country.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr. Garba Abari, stated that infrastructure development, preservation and protection are critical element in measuring the level of development of a nation.

According to Abari, ‘’If we accept this as a fact, it then stands to reason that no nation can be said to be truly developed, unless it continues to invest not only in the development of new infrastructures, but also in the protection and preservation of existing ones’’.

The NOA boss called for collaboration and synergy between stakeholders in Nigeria’s infrastructure and the National Orientation Agency, for the protection and public ownership of national infrastructures in the country.
The function was graced with notable discussants who presented relevant papers on the topic and key note addresses.

Apr

23

2018

Indigenous Construction Contractors Commend FG For Transparent, Stress-Free Payment At Works Ministry

* This is one of the things that Change means to us - FASHOLA
* Says Indigenous Companies comprise all companies registered under the Nigerian law to do business in the country
* Advocate improvement in the capacity of the local contractors in terms of equipment  and specialization in order compete
* AICCON President says there is no member that did not receive at least two payments last year without lobbying anybody

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, was on Monday presented an award of recognition by the Association of Indigenous Construction Contractors of Nigeria (AICCON) for the regular payment of Federal Government construction contractors in the last one and a half years even as the Minister described the development as one of the pointers to the Change philosophy of the administration.

President of AICCON, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, who led the Association on a courtesy visit and presentation to the Minister, said the award was in recognition and appreciation of the fact that for the first time in many years, the Contractors were getting paid after submission of their invoices without having to lobby anybody or come to the Ministry to canvass for it.

In his brief remarks before the presentation, Otunba Osifeso said, “There is none of our members working with the Federal Ministry of Works, for the first time in a very long time, who did not receive at least two payments last year and none of us came to the Ministry to talk to anybody or lobby anybody. So in that respect, Sir, we think you deserve an award and recognition”.

Receiving the award, the Minister, who thanked the Association for the gesture, expressed delight that some people appreciate the “modest” contributions the Ministry was making in rebuilding the country adding that while the gesture showed that there were right-thinking and well-meaning Nigerians who value service, it also challenged the Team to do more.

The Minister, who handed the recognition plaque to the Permanent Secretary Works and Housing, Mr. Mohammed Bukar, noted that every member of the team has a role to play in the work being done.  “Our sense here is to build a team and show that Change means something. So this is one of the things that Change means to us; that Contractors don’t need to lobby our government to get paid for the work that they have done and we will continue to do more of that”, he declared.

Earlier, while responding to the opening remarks of the AICCON President, Fashola commended the Association for the contributions they have made and are still making in the overall effort to rebuild the country, which, according to him, is at the core of President Buhari’s commitment and undertaking as made clear by the President in his New Year Address.

Fashola recalled that Mr. President had in his New Year Address made it clear that as part of its diversification strategy for the economy, his Government would be focusing, not only on Agriculture and Mining but also on Infrastructure adding that as already acknowledged by the AICCON President, the Executive Order Five issued by the President placed high priority on local content and local capacity, which, according to him, is where the Indigenous Construction Contractors come in.

He, however, observed that given the general conception and use of the word ‘Indigenous’, there was need to throw more light on the conception adding, “It is important to define who really is an indigenous company; because to the best of my knowledge, I doubt whether there is any company that is not registered under our laws that does business here.

He declared, “Unless we intend to change our laws, once you are registered as a Nigerian company with certain amount of shareholding, I think about 51 per cent, you are a Nigerian company. So with that background, who chooses the Managing Directors of the companies?”

Pointing out that if a Nigerian owns a company and takes a foreigner as Managing Director, it was not the responsibility of the government to choose that for him, the Minister told the Association, “So I think you should look into the mirror and ask yourselves some of these questions”, adding that some of the Nigerian owned companies register and employ foreigners as their Managing Directors while they sit as Chairmen with the role of leveraging business to the companies while the Managing Directors and Technical Partners do the execution.

“If a company registers and wins a bid to do construction work in the country, it was not in the rights of the government to now say it could not execute such project for any other reason other than it was not registered as a Nigerian company”, he said adding that even if there was such a provision, there was also the consideration for specialization.

Using the Medical and Legal Professions as examples, Fashola posited that there are certain projects that require specialized execution and would, therefore, need the handling of a company specialized in that area adding, “You cannot rule out specialization in any industry, even in football”.

“So let us understand that within the realm of open and competitive bidding, that certain specifications will require us to ask for certain specialization”, the Minister said adding that even among the members of the AICCON, there were differentiations in terms of experience and equipment.

He added, “What I want to see and what Mr. President wants to see is a continuous improvement in capacity. We want to see more buildings, we want to see more roads, we want to see more infrastructure built by Nigerians and that means then that you must have the right equipment”.

Fashola suggested to the contractors that they should look seriously into the idea of equipment leasing that would help in providing easy access to equipment adding that it would enable the indigenous contractors to then compete adding that sometimes the difference between one company and another was the difference in equipment and sometimes equipment and previous experience.

The Minister, however, assured the Association of Government’s support in areas where they have capacity adding that government would appreciate it more if they get the right equipment . He noted that another area where massive scope exists for partnership was in the Maintenance sector where, according to him, the Ministry was already working on setting up a maintenance framework. “Whatever we build is built to a design life subject to certain types of maintenance and that is an area that we haven’t really done enough”, he said.

Fashola, who disclosed that the Ministry was working to develop a pilot maintenance framework starting with government buildings and from there build out, adding, “Hopefully may be in 2019 Budget, if we are lucky, we will be able to put a sizeable global Maintenance Budget for the first time and see how to engage labour and contracting companies to help grow the economy”.

Advocating improvement within the framework of the indigenous companies, the Minister declared, “You have to compete and you have to improve your capacity”, adding that in defining who was really an indigenous company, there was need for the AICCON to research the existing construction companies who, he noted, have Nigerians on their boards.

Earlier in his opening remarks, President of the Association, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, said the Association was on the courtesy visit to the Minister to both commend him for the paradigm shift within the construction industry under his watch in terms of regular payment of contractors, a situation which, according to him, was an experience coming after so many years.

Otunba Osifeso, who put the size of the Construction Industry in Nigeria at one Trillion Naira annually with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing contributing in excess of N200 Billion  annually, noted that unfortunately most of the sum was lost through capital flight as a result of non-patronage of local contractors over the years.

He posited that if the indigenous contractors were adequately patronized and made to participate increasingly in the industry, capital flight cases would drop by as much as 60 per cent and would boost the economy and increase employment opportunities within the country adding that it would impact the Gross Domestic Product of the country and boost government investment.

He declared, “Our mission is in line with Mr. President’s Executive Order Five that clearly supports the participation of the indigenous construction contractors by the government by way of commitment to patronage”, adding that on the long run, the Association’s aim was to build a formidable indigenous construction industry that is capable of attracting funding from financial institutions locally and internationally.

Accompanying the AICCON President on the visit included the General Secretary of the Association, Otunba Muyiwa Ibeun, Head of Public Relations of the Association, Mr. Ibrahim Sukobir, Mr. Chinedu Igwonye (Member), Chief Mrs. Essien (Member) and Mr. Yomi Obitola, among others while with the Minister to host the visitors were the Permanent Secretary Works and Housing, Mr. Mohammed Bukar, Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Oluyemi Oguntominiyi and Director Highways Planning and Development, Engr. Chuks Uzo represented by Engr. Funso Adebiyi. Others are Director Highways, Designs, Engr. Adetokunbo Sogbesan, Special Adviser Works, Dr. Femi Hamzat and Special Adviser Housing, Mr.  Biodun Oki, among others.

Mar

27

2018

PDP's Apology To Nigerians: Move To The Next Step, Return Looted Funds - FG

The Federal Government has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to go the whole hog with its apology to Nigerians by returning all the funds looted from the public treasury under its watch during its 16 years in power.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also challenged the party to show the genuineness of its apology through a discernible change of.attitude.

''The PDP presided over an unprecedented looting of the public treasury, perhaps the worst of its kind in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. Therefore, the best evidence of penitence for such a party is not just to own up and apologize, but to also return the looted funds. Anything short of that is mere deceit.

''Even with the paucity of funds, this Administration has spent anunprecedented amount of money on infrastructural development and Social Investment Programme, among others. Returning looted funds will provide more money for these programmes and make life more meaningful for Nigerians. There is no better apology than that,'' it said.

Alhaji Mohammed also reminded the PDP of the quote: ''If you find your self in a hole, stop digging,'' saying it applies to the PDP at this time.

''PDP, press the reset button. Stop sabotaging the work of this Administration, which is packing the mess you left behind, through your reckless statements and unfounded allegations. Play responsible opposition politics. Put Nigeria's interest over and above partisan interest. Temper your desperation to return to power. Spend quality time in the purgatory and you will be forgiven,'' he said.

Mar

19

2018

Welcome Address Delivered By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, San At The One-Day Public Enlightenment On Developments In The Road Sector At Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja On Monday 19th March 2018

On behalf of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, I welcome you all very warmly to this one day public enlightenment meeting on developments in the road sector.   

Especially, I welcome the representative of the President, Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government.

This meeting is critical to the achievement of our common goal for shared prosperity.

It is a meeting to reflect and agree on the need for change about how we have used our Road infrastructure.

Our Economic growth, National productivity and job opportunities will be impacted by the conclusions and resolutions of this meeting.

For example, how do we optimize the opportunities that lie in road networks like Trans-Saharan highway that connects Nigeria to Chad, Niger, Tunisia, Mali and Algeria; the Lagos- Abidjan Highway through Benin, Togo and Ghana, or the Enugu- Cameroon Highway through Abakaliki – Ogoja , Ikom and Mfum.

For the benefit of those who may be unaware there are now existing treaty obligations within the West African sub region and beyond that regulate the amount of load any goods vehicle can put on an axle and by extension on the road in order to do business within ECOWAS and beyond.

I must thank you Mr. President for finally signing the instruments of ratification as soon as it was brought to his attention, after many years of delay prior to his tenure.

Our compliance with these regulations will open a massive door of opportunity and prosperity of cross-border trade to Nigerians engaged in the transport business.

This is why this meeting was convened; because when President Buhari once said that “we will change our habits and we will change Nigeria,” I believe this is one of the things he had in mind.

While it is true that we could have done better by way of massive investment in our transport infrastructure during the windfall of income from oil, this Government is now rapidly and aggressively addressing road transport infrastructure repairs, rehabilitation and construction as many of you who travel regularly will attest.   

There is no state in Nigeria today, where you will not see our contractors busy at work.

And I must acknowledge what the State Governments are also undertaking with regard to states and some federal roads.   

The crux of this meeting is to first acknowledge the President is only one man who cannot be everywhere, and secondly to recognize that we are the actors of the change that is required to take us to prosperity and thirdly to recognize that, the way we use the roads when finally completed will determine how long they last and whether they deliver prosperity or not.

All over the world, one common thread of prosperous societies is their level of compliance with laws and regulations.   

So in those societies, you will see trucks parked in proper parks which creates jobs, and not on the highways, which impede access and opportunity.

In those societies, you will see trucks carrying specified tonnage of cargo because it protects the road, and allows for it to be used again and again.

Therefore, while the temptation to overload and carry more with one truck, against regulation and good practice may be appealing it is ultimately a barrier to prosperity.   

Such practices may provide cheap and perhaps corrupt riches and income, but they do more damage to the roads from which the cheap income is made.

This means that in the short run, the road is lost, the opportunities diminish or are lost totally or they become very expensive to access until the road is rebuilt.

The expense and cost to all of us, when the road is damaged by misuse or abuse, manifests in longer travel hours, more fuel consumption, expensive delivery of goods and services which every member of the community including transporters have to bear.   

This is not what we want. The process to change this has begun with the construction of roads but it will not be complete unless we embrace change.   

We must now hearken to our President and some common sense by resolving from this day to change ourselves, about how we use our roads and transport infrastructure.

Our Ministry is convinced that voluntary compliance by stakeholders takes us further and nearer to the prosperity that is beckoning; and this is why we convened this meeting before the process of enforcement commences.

We are pleased with your enthusiastic attendance and look forward to your commitments to voluntary compliance.

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for your attendance, and in anticipation of your active participation as we continue to engage later today and beyond.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Mar

13

2018

Remarks By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 25th Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting Held In Uyo

I welcome you all once again to our monthly meeting, and I thank our hosts Ibom Power and the Government and people of Akwa Ibom.

I am happy to again chair this month’s meeting because our Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), the set of policies, actions and programmes meant to solve the Power Sector problems, continues to make progress and deliver results.

Over the last one month since our last meeting, I am pleased to report the following progress.

A) Financial: We have secured the World Bank approval for $486 Million TCN transmission expansion funding, while progress is being made with the same bank for the Rural Electrification and Distribution Expansion Funding.

B) Operational: TCN has completed the following sub-station transmission expansion to improve their capacity to supply power to the DisCos : Uyo, Calabar, Keffi, Karu, Abeokuta, Nasarawa to mention a few.

C) Distribution: While it is no longer news that we have reached a 7,000 MW Generation Capacity and have a 5,000 MW Distribution Capacity, what is newsworthy is that in the last month, we have met with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), DisCos, and GenCos on how to implement the Eligible Customer Policy and increase connectivity to the 2,000 MW that is available.

The meeting was productive and we are seeing positive responses. Reports reaching me indicate that what is outstanding is an agreement on the tariffs that will be paid by the eligible customer.

In many parts of the country connected to the grid, citizen feedback is positive, even though all the problems are not solved. Citizens acknowledge more power in dry weather, reduced hours of running their generators and reduction in fuel (diesel and petrol) purchase to power generators.

D) Off-Grid Power: In terms of off-grid supply, I am happy to report that citizens are already embracing the mini-grid policy and regulations to provide power for different uses.
    i) In Ogun State, a renewable energy project was completed and commissioned last month.
    ii) In Kano State, I commissioned a 73KW Solar Hybrid System developed by Rumbu Industries to support its mat production in a factory that employs 1,400 people.
    iii) Within the same period in Kano, I inspected the Solar system being deployed in Sabon Gari Market, that has 12,000 shops.  About 3,000 shops have registered, and 486 shops have been connected to cheaper and more efficient solar power. More shops are being wired by 120 technicians employed by the project.
    iv) In Abia State, work has commenced to connect and meter 31,000 shop owners in Ariaria Market to cleaner and more efficient power.
    v) We are moving away from theorizing about power to actual provision of efficient power to support trade and business, especially small and medium enterprises, who are the drivers of our economy.

E) Meter Asset Provider: On the meter supply side, I am happy to announce that NERC has concluded the Regulations that will provide the framework to license a new class of meter asset providers to complement the efforts of DisCos to supply meters to citizens.

Government decision to pursue an out-of-court settlement on a meter contract awarded since 2003, which was held up in Court until 2017, has made available about N39 Billion to kick off this process.

I am aware that Yola DisCo is already positioning to take up 400,000 meters once the contract and process formalities are concluded. I am told that Abuja, Ibadan, Kano, Ikeja and Benin DisCos are also embracing the initiative, which has reserved a 30% local content for the meters to be supplied under the Regulations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our incremental power initiative is well underway. Some results are manifesting, and the promise of steady power is real. If we persevere, I am certain that we will witness uninterrupted power, which is the final destination of our journey.

But (and this is a big BUT), our journey will not be without difficulties, and some of them are self-made.

Lately, I have read reports that some Generation Companies (GenCos) (not Ibom Power) have gone to court, filing claims against the Government. That is their right and their prerogative. It is better than self-help, and it is consistent with the rule of law, which underpins our democracy.

While they seek refuge in a court of law, they must be ready to face scrutiny in the court of public opinion.

The court of public opinion is a court of conscience and morality. In the court of public opinion, they must be ready to tell the citizens how they felt when other groups went to court to stop the implementation of Tariffs approved by NERC in 2016.

They must explain to this public court whether they went to court before government approved a N701 Billion payment Assurance Guarantee to pay their monthly power bills.

They must disclose to this court that they owed debts, from the pre-Buhari era, because their income had reduced to less than 50%.

They must disclose to this court that they now receive about 80% income, and that this Government is now paying them revenues collected from international customers from the Republics Benin, Niger and Togo, in Dollars, as against the Naira payment they used to receive.

In both courts, they must disclose how they felt when some DisCos went to court to stop the enforcement of Provision of Promissory Notes, which was a condition that denied them access to the CBN NEMSF low interest loans.

They must tell the court of public opinion that the reason for going to court is because Government is making 100% payment to a new GenCo who has a different contract with a Partial Risk Guarantee, which they do not have.

They must also disclose to both courts that they held a meeting with Government and tabled their demands, which Government promised to look into one week before they went to court.

They must, in good conscience, tell the two courts whether one week was enough time, to go to court and whether this action at the time when the sector is making progress does not suggest an intention to blackmail Government and hold the citizens hostage.

Let me say very clearly to all operators that I get reports of many of the clandestine meetings that some of them are holding with a view to disrupt supply for political capital.

I will close by imploring those that are truly ready to run the business they have acquired voluntarily to continue to do so with the assurance of Government support and partnership.

As for those who entered the business without understanding it, please brace up for hard work and help us rebuild this country.

Those who choose to hide temporarily in the courts of law can do so, but the court of public opinion will scrutinize you and its verdict may be very scathing, unkind, and enduring.

I say this because you may not have noticed that Nigerians are increasingly taking their destiny in their hands.

This is the essence of privatization. If you bother to look up and around you, you will see solar panels on rooftops. The mini grid regulations allow them to procure 1MW without license. This is bigger than what many traditional generators supply. There is no law that compels them to take public power.

I am not afraid of the law courts, and will meet you there to vigorously defend our position.

Thank you for listening.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works, and Housing

Mar

05

2018

"Funding Key To Infrastructure Development" - Engr. Mohammed

Adequate funding has been identified as a key ingredient to road development and, indeed, all aspects of development. This was disclosed by the Director, Highways, North East, Engr.  Rufa'i Mohammed, while on an inspection of on going construction works on Federal roads in the Zone.

2. While briefing Mediamen, at the end of the Tour of Duty, the Director opined that past Administrations paid lip service to road development financing, stressing that "the entire 2015 Capital Allocation to the Works Sector was a mergre N18 billion compared to over N200 billion in 2016 and N... for 2017., hence the accelerated development of road infrastructure being witnessed, nationwide."

3. Engr. Rufa'i observered that though the personnel responsible for planning, supervision, monitoring and development of road infrastructure in the country, in the Ministry and the construction industry remain, largely, unchanged, the financing has significantly changed.

4. The Director, Highways, North East Zone further disclosed that, apart from increased budgetary allocations, the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has, recently, released additional funds to select 25 - road and brigde projects, under the Sukuk (bonds), a novel financing window hitherto unexplored in the provision of critical road infrastructure, in Nigeria.

5. Recurring decimals from all the Federal road projects visited in the Zone were increased tempo of work occassioned by adequate funding, out pouring of ecomious on the Federal Government from the contractors, motorists, benefiting communities, construction workers and service providers and, most importantly, reduction in travel time and the cost of vehicle maintenance. None of the Federal Controllers of Works in the States visited nor the Contractors complained about lack of paymen for certified jobs executed.

6. Some of the projects visited are, but not limited to ; Dualisation of Kano - Maiduguri Road, Sections II ( Shuwarin - Azare in Jigawa and Bauchi States ), III ( Azare-Potiskum in Bauchi and Yobe States ), IV  ( Potiskum - Damaturu ) and V ( Damaturu - Maiduguri in Yobe and Borno States ) and the Rehabilitation of Gombe - Numan - Yola Road, Phase II ( Gombe - Kaltungo in Gombe State) and the Emergency Reinstatement of Failed Sections of Gombe - Bauchi Road in Gombe State. Others include the Rehabilitation of Damaturu - Biu Road in Yobe and Borno States, Rehabilitation of Nguru - Gashua - Bayamari Road, Section I, Phase I ( Nguru - Gashua in Yobe State ), Rehabilitation of Nguru -Gashua - Bayamari Road, Section II, Phase I ( Gashua - Bayamari in Yobe State ), Construction of Ningi - Yadagungume - Fuskar Mata Road, Phase III in Bauchi and Plateau States, Construction of Burga - Dull - Mbatt ll - Tandum - Gobbiya - Badagari - Gwarangar - Sum Road in Bauchi State and the Construction of Yalo - Bashar - Dengi Road in Bauchi and Plateau States

Feb

12

2018

Speech by the Honourable Minister Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola san during the Commissionning of 100MVA, 132/33kv Transformer at Katampe Substation on February 12, 2018

Protocol

Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is responsible for conveying electricity from the Generation Companies (GenCos) who produce at power stations in various locations to over seven hundred trading points where the Distribution Companies (DisCos) receive it and distribute it to consumers nationwide. The GenCos can now produce 7,000 MW, with more capacity coming. This Administration’s focus on delivering Incremental Power requires that TCN build and maintain the capacity and operational flexibility to transmit more than the GenCos can produce, to ensure stable and reliable power delivery to the DisCos and other customers connected directly to the National Grid.

As part of the program, another milestone has been achieved here in the capital city of Abuja with the installation of additional 1x100MVA Transformer at Katampe and another of the same capacity at Apo. The capacity of the Katampe 132/33kV substation, prior to this installation, was 120MVA. Therefore, with this installation, the capacity has been raised to 220MVA. Similarly, the Apo 132/33kV substation has been raised from 190MVA to 290MWA.

The two transformer projects, executed by Messrs. MBH Power Limited, are part of the Nigeria Electricity and Gas Improvement Projects (NEGIP) financed by the World Bank.

With the commissioning of the two 100MVA, 132/33kV Transformers, the communities listed below are expected to experience remarkable improvement in power supply. Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Jabi, Kado, Wuye, Maitama, Mpape, Katempe 1 and II, Jahi, Mabushi Garki, Gudu, Guzape, Asokoro, Apo Resettlement, Wumba, Apo Mechanic Village and part of Lugbe and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport all located within the FCT Abuja.

With this development, TCN has not only established adequate Transformer capacity to serve these parts of Abuja but has also provided the necessary redundancy in line with the requirements of N-1 reliability criterion at both Katampe and Apo substations.

The installation of the two 100MVA, each at Apo and Katampe will also increase the total wheeling capacity of TCN, which was last simulated in the December 2017 to slightly above 7,000MW.

TCN also has advertised for upgrading the capacity of Central Area 132/33kV Substation. This project is part of the Nigerian Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) financed by the World Bank as a successor to NEGIP.

TCN is also implementing the Abuja Transmission Scheme (ATS) financed by Agence Francaise De Development (AFD). The procurement process for the projects under the scheme has reached an advanced stage.

Five new Substations and a the third 330kV transmission line into Abuja in addition to Shiroro-Abuja and Ajaokuta-Abuja 330kV transmission line will be constructed as part of ATS. Two of the new Stations 330/132/33kV Substations under ATS will be sited at the West Main (Lugbe) and New Apo, while the three new 132/33kV substations will be sited at Lokogoma, Kuje and Gwarinpa. They are expected to cater for the transmission needs of Abuja in a long while.

I wish to thank the Honourable Minister of FCT for the cooperation he accorded TCN, which made this commissioning possible. TCN and the Ministry will continue to rely on the support and cooperation of the Honourable Minister of FCT, as we strive to meet the electricity requirements of Abuja, which is gradually transforming into a mega city. There is need to plan for the future expansion of Power Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure in the city.

Let me use this occasion to recognize the important collaboration that exists between FGN and Government of Japan under which Capacitor Banks worth over $10 million are being installed at Apo and Keffi substations. The Capacitor Bank in Apo, rated 22.5MVar is currently 80% completed. It will significantly improve the quality of power supply from Apo substation. The same collaboration is expected to also completely rehabilitate Apapa, Akangba, Isolo and Ikeja West Substations in Lagos.

In conclusion, on behalf of my colleague-Ministers and indeed the entire staff of the Ministry of Power, Works and housing, I congratulate TCN for successfully installing the 1X100MVA Transformer at Katampe and for the installation of another at Apo substation. The Ministry will continue to support its agencies, including TCN, to deliver Incremental Power to Nigerians.
Thank you.

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Feb

06

2018

Azura Power Plant, A Statement Of FG’s Commitment To Improve Power Generation, Diversify Economy – Fashola

* Katsina will happen and so will Kashimbila and a lot of others at different levels including mini-grids, Minister says

* Over 1,500 Nigerians engaged on the Azura IPP with positive impact on host community

* Also inspected Section IV of Benin-Lokoja Road Dualization Project, Ehor-Benin City, says FG is laying critical foundation for economic revival and growth through infrastructure

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, at the weekend inspected the 450MW Azura Independent Power Plant in Benin, Edo State, describing the project as a proof of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving power generation and experience for the purpose of diversifying the nation’s economy.

Fashola, who spoke while interacting with news men after the inspection of the Power Plant built by Azura Power, a private developer and financier of Independent Power Plants (IPPs) across Africa, said it was also a statement of “very clear intent” about the commitment by President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfill his promise of improving power generation.

The Minister, who also described the project as a statement about the commitment of the administration “to do everything it can to enable the Private Sector to deliver on its own specialty which is to make investments such as this”, pointed out that the description was in the context that the project was facing very many approval difficulties before President Buhari came into office in 2015. 

Recalling his first visit to the project, when, according to him, the foundation was being laid, Fashola stated that between then and his current visit, the Azura IPP and other surrounding communities have transformed adding, “The members of the communities who are providing water, food and all sorts of services to the workers who are here, have experienced a new economy”.

Other benefits that have accrued to the communities as a result of the project, the Minister said, include facelifts to the roads leading to the project noting that even the road works the Government was undertaking from the Benin- Agho Road was affected by the development as, according to him, the drive time was shorter than when he first visited in 2016.

Thanking the development partners, JV Siemens and Azura as a brand, for its commitment and belief in the nation’s economy, Fashola also noted, as another benefit, that over 1,500 Nigerians worked on the project.

“But beyond the hard work, beyond the economy, there are also jobs. You’ve seen people moving from one company to another. Some of the guys I spoke to in the Control Room used to work with government, some with GE, NDPHC and others, still they moved here because there are new job opportunities, and more of this will come, without a doubt in my mind”.

“When we started, I talked about incremental power, this is it”, the Minister said, expressing the hope that the President would be there on completion of the project later this year to officially commission this project and add it to the stock of power. He added that although work was yet to finish on the project, it is already generating power.

Pointing out that the project was one of the commitments the President made in his address in January this year, Fashola declared, “This is one of the Power Plants; Katsina will happen and so will Kashimbila and quite a lot of others at different levels. Some of them may not be too visible in terms of Mini-grids which are being installed in the villages and communities to increase access to electricity. So we mean business and we are moving”.

The Minister also visited the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) owned 460MW National Integrated Power Plant (NIPP) in Ihovbor and the 330/132KV transmission substation evacuation facilities in Benin North where he was told that although the two lines with 1,000MW carrying capacity, would not have the capacity to carry the power from Azura, the company was currently constructing another line from the Ihovbor transmission station to Benin North to join the line coming from Onitsha in order to carry the power generated by the Azura Plant.

NDPHC Managing Director, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, who conducted the Minister round the facility, told him, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) are building two new 330KV lines out of Benin North that will connect the station to the grid at Ajaokuta 330KV Substation in Kogi while NDPHC is also building a 330KV line out of Benin North that will connect the station to the grid at the two locations namely the nearby Old Benin Main Substation and Onitsha 330/132KV Substation in Anambra State”.

“In order to ensure that we transport power from the Benin Generation Company which is different from Azura, we are constructing another line from this transmission station to Benin Mains and then join the line coming from Onitsha. So that will enable us transport additional power from here and ensure that the power generated by Azura and from here we will be able to put on the grid for the benefit of Nigerians. It will happen and on time”, he said.

Also fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the Phase 1, of the Section 1V of the Benin-Lokoja Dualization project, Ehor-Benin City in Edo State later, Fashola said Government was committed to infrastructure development as a critical foundation for the nation’s economic revival and growth adding that it would determine how much fuel was burnt on the roads by drivers, how much time wasted on the roads and how that would affect the cost of goods and services, including food.

Also recalling that this was one of the commitments made by the President in his New Year’s Speech, the Minister declared, “So as this road moves, we expect to see shorter journey times, more efficient fuel use and that is money being saved in commuters’ pockets and we expect to see more competitive prices of goods and services. That is our economic journey; and we will deliver”.

He said the 47 kilometre road failed because of its muddy nature adding that the contractors, Reynolds Construction Company, was currently engaged in excavating the top muddy soil to be replaced with laterite. He said the company was also constructing two drain chambers to drain water from the top soil adding that the company had committed to making the section motorable before the Rainy Season.

“This was a very difficult road to travel last year. We are actually standing on the drainage facility at the lowest point of the road. Last year it was not motorable. But now the drain channel, the box cell to move water has been cast; another one has been committed for further down the road. But this road was not motorable last year”, Fashola said adding that government had to make some emergency interventions that made it motorable.

“But the work going on here is that this entire place was mud and that was why this section fails. This is about kilometre 15 which was really horrible to navigate last year. Now they have taken out all the mud. They have excavated all the bad soil and they will now fill it with fresh laterite to establish the level of the road and continue their work”, the Minister said adding that the road started from around Ramat Square into Benin City.

The Construction Company, he said, had already completed about 15 kilometres and the remaining would be completed late this year adding that while the company was busy on the 47 kilometre section of the road, Dantata and Sawoe were handling another section while Mothercat was handling another section till the end of the road “because our roads are long”.

Noting that government has paid all the contractors now engaged in road projects across the country, Fashola declared, “No contractor has any excuse to delay our work. Any contractor that does not perform we have our remedies. It promises to be a profitable Dry Season that heralds a motorable rainy season. This is what Mr. President committed to in his January speech that you will see this government busy with infrastructure that will lay the critical foundation for economic revival and growth; and it is infrastructure that does it”. 

The Minister was received and conducted round the on-going road project by the Federal Controller of Works in Edo State, Engr. Oke Owhe and senior personnel of RCC, the Construction Company.

Jun

29

2018

BRF At 55 : Greying Gracefully, Going On With Gusto
By HAKEEM BELLO

In November 2010, in a tribute to Stephen J. Solarz, a former nine-term New York congressman, Douglas Martin wrote that he was a “torrent of activity” supporting it with a statement issued by the late lawmaker’s office that “during his first six months in Congress, he made 12 speeches on the House floor, co-sponsored 370 bills, held 11 news conferences, made 24 trips to his district and attended 99 events there, visited 23 subway stations, sent constituents 513,720 pieces of mail and took an 18-day tour of the Middle East.”

In October 2015, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, was honoured amongst seven distinguished personalities with an award named for Stephen J Solarz by the International Crisis Group.
From his eight-year tenure as the governor of Lagos State to his two-year-plus as Nigeria’s minister of Power, Works and Housing, our own BRF has, as the global conflict-prevention organisation acknowledged in conferring the honour on him, been a “relentless fighter for the improvement of people's lives….” 

Barely a month after the global recognition of BRF’s “commitment to resolving social, economic and security challenges in one of the world’s most challenging urban environments”, President Muhammadu Buhari tapped him to join him in tackling the nation’s multifarious infrastructural challenges.

Ever since, the three-in-one ministry has witnessed a “torrent of activity” towards the making life more meaningful for Nigerians of all strata.

Has he lived up to the recognition of the ICG and the confidence reposed in him by President Buhari to deliver?

His 55th birthday on 28 June affords us the opportunity to not only answer that question but also look at The Essential BRF. 

For BRF, results rather than excuses should count towards measuring a leader’s gravitas. So, not for him any argument which suggests that , comparing an executive position with an appointive capacity within a complex federation such as Nigeria is like comparing apples with oranges. Not even if you illustrate with the now-common fiasco over the national budget as an example of a barrier to effective delivery of much-expected services to the people.

Any unbiased but informed observer would, unhesitantly, proffer that, within those constraints, and with the unwavering support from his principal, the minister has demonstrated unflinching commitment to reducing Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit to the barest minimum, one project at a time, across Nigeria’s 36 states.
One thing you can’t take away from BRF is his penchant for, to use a favourite word of his, dimensioning any problem, no matter how seemingly gargantuan. He is the master of drilling down. His staff at the ministry will attest to how, from the day of his inauguration, he has been engaging everyone in marathon consultations, sometimes into the night, to be able to put every problem in proper perspective and then ensuring that the job gets done - without any short-cut.

A DEVELOPMENT MATRIX
For him, nothing should be done superficially. Let’s take work on roads. He starts with the premise that good roads will help reflate and grow the nation’s economy, reduce travel time, cost of transportation of goods and services, and create jobs which will provide the economic means for the worker to live meaningfully. To achieve this, in the short term, would mean starting with roads which can be quickly completed to facilitate connectivity. This should further be guided by choosing first the roads which connect states together and bear the heaviest traffic such as the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and working the way across Nigeria gradually. By sticking religiously to, and developing this plan, enunciated with his team in the Ministry with necessary policy and budgetary support from the Cabinet led by the President and National Assembly, albeit, with all the “constituency complications,” Fashola has been delivering on his mandate.

On Power, Fashola believes that predictable supply achieved through incremental, stable, and, ultimately, uninterrupted supply of electricity, availability will be a critical and defining component of our economic renaissance, job creation, GDP growth and reduction of income inequalities. This has formed the basis of the Federal Government’s Roadmap to Power with the accompanying policies and plans like the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) aimed at strengthening the responsibility of the Ministry as a regulator through the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), so that the GenCos and DisCos can be held to their contracts with citizens; getting the support needed to complete stalled power projects in the generation, transmission and distribution value chains; and improving the liquidity in the sector.

Coming with a practical experience from Lagos, Fashola believes the construction of houses will complement the economic growth drive by direct and indirect jobs in the housing value chain from construction companies, to artisans, labourers, vendors and many more. The Federal Government’s housing project is currently going on in 34 States of the Federation which have provided the required suitable land for the programme, currently at its pilot stage and poised to address the issues of affordability, acceptability and climatic/cultural diversities which have been the bane of the previous housing programmes. 

What used to be the standard question about how one man can cope with the leadership of three ministries comes less frequently in its monotony now because Fashola has continually demonstrated that tackling challenges is his second nature. Never mind that he has had to sleep less than the averagely-required hours and do unusual things - for instance in 2017 during an inspection of projects in the North East, he led the team to drive on the road by the dreaded Sambisa Forest in the thick of the night - whilst greying graciously but achieving results. By the way, Hamza Idris of the Daily Trust, who was on the trip, had asked him what gave him the courage to travel at that time, he answered as only a BRF would: “Well, I don’t think it is courage. I have a job to do and it has to be done well. If you are building and managing roads, you can’t manage them from slides, you can’t manage them remotely. You must at least see how good or bad those roads are. It gives a sense, either of urgency, enthusiasm, or a combination of both, to be able to really deal with it. The Ministry of Defence is aware that we are here, but the security arrangement is just precautionary. We have seen ordinary Nigerians travelling in their buses. I have seen the Taraba Mass Transit Services, Adamawa Express, Bauchi Express and others. So, life is going on and we just have a job to do.”

There is no better way to end this birthday tribute to this quintessential man who is extremely loyal to his principal, political party and his principles, than quoting his answer to another question on that North East inspection trip:    “I am never satisfied with anything I am involved in; I just keep going. It’s difficult to satisfy me, and if you ask me to assess myself, I would continue to push myself.”

Jun

21

2018

FG DIRECTS IMMEDIATE REMEDIAL WORKS ON  COLLAPSED BRIDGE IN TARABA STATE

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, wishes to notify commuters and the general public of a bridge collapse at Maraban Gassol in Taraba State which occurred towards the evening hours of today Wednesday 20th June, 2018 after a heavy downpour. The bridge links Jalingo and Wukari and further into Benue State.

Fashola has directed the Federal contractor on that axis to mobilize immediately to site and commence emergency remedial works by tomorrow, Thursday 21st June, 2018 in order to normalize the flow of traffic.

Motorists are advised to use the alternate route through Jalingo - Garba Cheda - Bali - Takum - Katsina Ala.

Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has deployed Road Marshals from Mutum Biyu Unit Command to divert, control and ease traffic on that route.

Motorists and the general public will be informed of further developments on the route as work will commence immediately.

Jun

11

2018

FG Restates Its Commitment To Deliver On East West Road - Niger Delta Minister

The Federal Government has once again reiterated its commitment to deliver on critical infrastructure especially the East West road despite lean resources that is being generated.

According to the Minister of Niger Delta, Usani Uguru Usani, the Federal Executive Council has given preference to the timely completion of the East West Road because of its importance to the region and the nation at large. He added that government is poised to deploying available resources towards its actualization and delivery, hence, the setting up of an inter-ministerial committee comprising, Ministries of Power, Works and Housing, Niger Delta Affairs, Transport and Aviation and Information and Culture to see to the speedy completion of the road.

While conducting journalists on a road tour of the alignment, Usani stated that contrary to the general opinion that work is not progressing on the road, ‘you can see for yourself driving from Warri, Delta State where the road begins to section iv which is Oron, Akwa Ibom State, that substantial work has been achieved’.

The Minister added that though there are some remedial works to be carried out on some of the completed sections of the road, he could attest to the fact that there is an improvement and immense progress recorded compared to 2016 when the inter-ministerial committee visited.

He also acknowledged in his address that section v, which is the last section of the East West road will soon be awarded, stressing that government might in future consider the inauguration of the completed sections of the road as work progresses.

Usani was accompanied by his colleague, Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rotimi Ameachi, Permanent Secretary, Niger Delta, Alhaji Aminu Bisalla alongside with Director, Highways South-South, Engr. Charles Okonmah from Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Director, Infrastructural, Engr. Uche Uzoegbu, Ministry of Niger Delta and other government officials.

The East West road is an arterial route conveying heavy traffic of goods and services especially those used in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in the Niger Delta region. The road is connecting Warri in Delta State to Oron in Akwa Ibom, through Kaiama in Bayelsa State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

The 338Km dual carriages equivalent to (676km single carriage way has 4 nos bridges) was initially awarded in 2006. The project is in four sections.

Section I of the road is 87.4km from Warri to Kaiama was awarded to Sectraco Nigeria

Section II, 101km is from Kaiama to Port Harcourt was also awarded to Sectraco

Section III with 99km is from Port Harcourt to Eket is been handled by RCC Nigeria Ltd, while

Section IV with 51km from Eket to Oron was awarded to Gitto Construczioni Nigeria Ltd.

The dualization of the East West road was transferred from the defunct Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) to Ministry of Niger Delta (MNDA) in 2009 to fast track the progress of work and the development of the Niger Delta region.

It is important to note that, the major challenges confronting the completion of the road is due to the short dry season period and unavailability of fund, as budgetary provisions alone cannot meet up with the demand and magnitude of the project.

May

23

2018

Up Your Game, Zarma Urges Indigenous Contractors

- Osun Government Commends FG on Massive Infrastructure Delivery

Minister of State 11, Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan Zarma has urged indigenous contractors handling Federal Government projects to “up their game” by improving on their pace of work in order to deliver their projects on schedule.He said Government has much confidence on indigenous contractors and disclosed that the present administration is determined to encourage and promote indigenous contractors.

The Minister who is on inspection of the Ministry’s projects to the South-West Zone, however expressed displeasure at the slow pace of work at the the 27.6Km Oshogbo- Ilesha Road, Section 1 handled by  Messers Horizon Construction Limited. He said it was appalling for a 27Km road Rehabilitation project awarded since 2010  to exceed its completion date by 104 per cent in 2018. He asked “if it takes you 8 years to rehabilitate a road, how many years will it take you to build one”.

Zarma challenged the contractor to prove his capacity to deliver the job and stop giving excuses for the delay. He said, ‘government gave you the job with the assurance that you can deliver, you asked for extension after a long delay, your request is not approved, you have to mobilize every resource to meet up the extended October 2018 completion date”.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been highly commended for the massive execution and monitoring of its infrastructure projects across the nation particularly on roads, housing and power. Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Minister to the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Tomori, said the Minister’s inspection of on-going projects in the state and across the nation laid credence to the commitment of the present administration to deliver basic infrastructure to the people. She said, “your visit to the state has confirmed the seriousness the federal government attaches to road construction in the state and the nation at large”. She  further applauded the Minister for undertaking the tour by road to see things for himself and ensured that the contractors are working.

The deputy governor disclosed that the state was also complimenting the federal government effort by constructing over a 1000km of roads across the state. According to her, the state governor was well known to be a “ constructor of roads”.

Briefing the Minister at the Oshogbo- Ilesha road inspection, the Federal Controller, Works, Engr Omorekpe Njoku said, that the contract was awarded in 2010 at a contract  sum of .N2.69b but was later reviewed  to N2.88b to accommodate the drainage works on the road. He affirmed that the contractor is indeed slow in delivery on the project.

The Contractor, Messers Horizon Construction however explained that the reason for the prolonged delay in the completion of the project was due to the non budgetary appropriation for the project by past administrations for about three years leading them to stop work at a time. He however commended the present administration for including the project in its appropriation since last year and promised to mobilize fully to meet the completion deadline.

May

22

2018

FG Commences Rehabilitation of Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, Says It Will Boost Economy

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Monday said the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road would boost agriculture and the economy of Lagos. Fashola said the road was strategic to industrailisation and agricultural development which were the priorities of the Buhari administration. He added that the road was strategic and would promote the growth of agricultural activities, boost business for industries in the axis and create employment opportunities. He listed the Odogunyan Industrial Estate, the NNPC Mosimi Depot and other firms as some of the beneficiaries of the project.

“The present government is very strong on agric and very strong on industrialisation and, indeed, on energy,” he said. According to him, the project had a national outlook and urged politicians to shun sentiments and focus on the developmental goals when constructing projects. “President Muhammadu Buhari has said I should tell you that not only are you getting Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, work has also started on Lagos-Ota Road to Abeokuta. And work would continue on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. “And if we get approval in the 2018 budget, hopefully, we would be able to start work on the last part of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway,” he said. He said the contractors’ first priority was to stabilise the road before the rains start.

He urged residents to be patient and cooperate with the contractors as the construction was likely to cause them some inconveniences. General Manager, Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited, Mr Wael Salem said, “We would try our best to make the road motor able.” The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, the traditional ruler of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, represented by Otunba Ayodele Elesho also thanked President Buhari for making the project a reality. “I have the mandate of Kabiyesi to thank you,” he said. He assured the contractors of the cooperation of residents of the community. Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, President Buhari’s senior special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mr Jimmy Benson, Federal House of Representatives member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and others commended the Buhari administration.

They all noted that the important road had been abandoned by previous administrations and appealed to the contractors to deliver the project on schedule. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 30.1-kilometre road links the Ikorodu round about in Lagos and Sagamu in Ogun State. The project is being handled by ARAB Contractors Nigeria Limited and has a completion period of 36 months.

Source: (NAN)

May

22

2018

Minister Decrys Contractors’ Low Level Engagement Of Nigerian Engineers On Projects

The Honourable Minister of State I for Power, Works and Housirang, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has admonished contractors handling various road projects in Nigeria to engage more indigenous Engineers.
The Minister stated this while on official tour to road, housing and power projects in the Norths East geo-political Zone comprising Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa,Taraba,Yobe and Borno States, recently in order to supervise as well as make sure that government’s mandate concerning the development of critical infrastructure is achieved.

Baba Shehuri expressed his displeasure over the low level of employment to Nigerian Engineers “I am disappointed that you employ a few Nigerian Engineers. There are qualified graduates and Government has embarked on these projects to meet the needs of Nigerians, as well as, reduce the high rate of unemployment among the youth”.

The Minister, who was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Director, Highways, North East Zone, Engr. Mohammed Rufai, Ag. Zonal Director, Housing, Arc. Waziri Micah Mshelia and other top Officials of the Ministry explained that the focus of the present Administration is for the contracts to be local content oriented by employing qualified engineers and artisans on the various construction sites, thereby boosting the socio-economic activities of the host communities.

Hon. Shehuri inspected the following projects within the zone;
1. Bauchi States - the construction of roads on Burga-Dull-Mbati-II-Tandum- Gobbiya-Badagari-Gwarangar-Sum, Ningi-Yadagungume-Fuskar Mata, Phase III, Tudun Wuss-Wundi-Baraza-Durr-Zumbul- Polchi-Dot-Kwanar.
2. Gombe State - the rehabilitation of Bridges and roads along Bauchi and Gombe road, Emergency re-instatement of a failed section between kilometer 33 + 800 and kilometer 37 + 700 on the Gombe- Bauchi road.
3. Adamawa State - Completion of Gombe-Numan-Yola road, Phase II, the Rehabilitation of Yola-Hong-Mubi Road, the Rehabilitation of Numan-Jalingo Road Rehabilitation of Gombe-Biu Road. Borno State - the Rehabilitation of Damaturu- Biu Road.
4. Borno State-Inspection of the Construction of Sub-Station and Installtion of 1x150MWAat Bama Local Government Area (LGA),Inspection of Dualization of Kano-Maiduguri Road, Section V (damaturu-Maiduguri) in Borno State. C/No 5880, Inspection of Dualization of Kano-Maiduguri Road, Section IV (Potiskum-Damaturu) in Yobe State. C/No 5881, Inspection of Dualization of Kano-Maiduguri Road, Section III (Azare-Potiskum) in Yobe State. C/No 5871, Inspection of Dualization of Kano-Maiduguri Road, Section II, Azare-Shuarin.

According to the Minister, the Government, determined to address housing deficit in the country, developed a National Housing Programme by constructing affordable houses that will also take care of socio-cultural setting of Nigerians. The houses, which are at different stages of completion, include One Bedroom, Two Bedroom, Three Bedrooms and Semi Detached Bungalow. The construction sites inspected are; the National Housing Programme (NHP) site along Ningi Airport Road, Bauchi, NHP, Sangere Village, along Yola-Numan Road, NHP, Auno, Borno State.

Power Projects inspected includes the 49 megawatts Hydro Power Project in Dakin Kowa, Yamaltu- Deba Local Government Area, the installation of 2 x 60 MVA transformers, 132 KVA Substation at Billiri, Maiduguri TCN at Molai.

Various constraints and challenges experienced by the Roads, Housing and Power Contractors, particularly those working in Borno axis, include security, non-availability of materials, as well as payment. The Minister promised to look into all the issues raised, he, however, urge them to work according to the projects specifications and timelines.

While on the inspection, the Minister paid courtesy visits on His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and his counterpart in Adamawa States, Alh. Bindow Jubrilla. Governor Abubakar hailed the School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government, saying that it has conquered hunger in the rural environment.

His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Mr.Martin Babale appreciated the Federal Government for siting various projects in the State, while calling on Nigerians to support the good work of President Buhari by re-electing him 2019.

Various indigenous and non-indigenous vendors took their turns to appreciate the effort of the Federal Government in improving their lives. Many reported upgrade in socio and financial status and commended President Buhari for a work well done

May

11

2018

FG Threatens To Terminate Abaji-Koton-Karfe Dualisation Road Project

The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing  on Wednesday threatened to terminate the contract for the dualisation of the Abaji-Koton-Karfe road due to “negligence” by the contractor for five months.
The Director of Highways Constructions and Rehabilitation of the ministry, Mr Dayyabu Mamman made the recommendation on Wednesday during an inspection by the Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Zarma.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister in the company of some ministry’s officials was on an inspection of the Federal highways projects in Kogi state, including housing projects.

The project which is being handled by Bulletine Construction Company Ltd at the cost of N15. 1 billion is part of the dualisation of the Abuja-Lokoja Road; section III (Abaji-Koton-Karfe) C/No.5884.

The 49.40 km road construction which began on Oct. 12, 2006 with initial completion date of April 11, 2009 but extended completion date of March 12, 2014 has 159.72 as per cent time lapse. “The site has been inactive since December 2017, labourers have not been deployed on site, I recommend for the termination of the project. “The project is giving us sleepiness nights, all effort to make them work to hasten the completion of the dualisation proved abortive for the past five months,’’ the Director noted while briefing the minister.

Mamman, also the North-Central Zone Director noted that the contractor who has spent 12 years on the project with only 54.48 per cent completion and has applied for extension of contract period. “The contractor has an advance payment of N1.6 billion only to pay back. None rendering approved services which the contractor has received payment for also amounted to the sum of N414.2 million,’’ he said.

He identified another challenge facing the project as the “Rutting on the carriage way’’ report which the department of Materials and Geotechnic has conducted pavement evaluation test to certify the reason for the failure but has not been submitted. The Engineer also ascribed delay in the project to high rate of accidents on the road due to untidiness of the site.
Mamman recalled that the contractor has been issued warning letters for poor performance and series of meetings have equally been held with the contractor to encourage increase performance but it yielded no result. Meanwhile, thethe company’s site agent, Mr Peter Omenye confirmed that the contract was abandoned because of labour related issues concerning workers salaries and entitlement. According to him, the workers have refused to work until they are paid all their entitlements.

Reacting to this, the minister noted that there was every reason to terminate the contract because the contractor has not been on site for five months because of domestic issues. “It is not because we have any issue with them, we do not have any issue with them rather they have issues with their employees; I understand that they have not been paid salaries or allowances. “We do not owe, so we want construction to continue, we have no reason to be held hostage by any contractor in an event where we are not in default. However, Zarma who is also a Surveyor noted that in terms of contractor’s conditions, the ministry would go into the documents to look at the contractor’s conditions before making categorical statement.

Zarma also inspected the dualisation of Abuja-Lokoja road, section IV (Koton-Karfe-Lokoja) Obajana junction, C/No. 5885 being handled by Gitto Construction Company with 61 per cent completion. The minister had earlier inspected the dualisation project of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road (section 1), contract No. 5862 including spur to Airport junction. He lauded the road work progress, emphasising that there was fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to fix infrastructure deficit in the country. He said road project were always costly due to outsourcing of raw materials such as granite and cement including conducting soil test before actual project execution commenced.

NAN reports that the percentage completion of the project being handle by Dantata and Sawoe construction Ltd. as at April 2018 is 90 per cent while the financial expenditure as at January 2017 is 88 per cent. The major works completed include the construction of new road (11.4km) along Airport road Spur, rehabilitation of existing road (10.04KM), and construction of interchange at Giri and Gwagwalada among others.

Source: (NAN)

May

11

2018

Minister Summons Road Contractor Over Poor Performance

The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri has summoned the contractor handling rehabilitation work on Bauchi-Gombe road, Enerco Nigeria Ltd., over poor performance.

Shehuri gave the order on Thursday in Bauchi during an inspection of ongoing Federal Government projects in the North-East. He expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on the project, adding that Nigerians were becoming impatient with unserious contractors. “We have visited other construction sites in the state before we arrived here, while I am satisfied with the level of work by other contractors, I am disappointed with the pace of work here.

“I have summoned the contractor to come over to Abuja to sort out issues because if they are not ready for business they should let us know. “Nigerians are becoming very impatient, they need this project because apart from the road, we are also interested in the employment content and other benefits that will come with it,” he said. Mr Charles Ezike, the Federal Controller of Works, Bauchi State, said that the 81.5 kilometres rehabilitation road project was awarded in 2017 with completion period of 24 months.

He said that the contractor was adequately mobilised and had achieved 1.88 per cent completion after 49.72 per cent time lapse. “This to us is a dismal performance because when the contractor primed the first stone base section, they were unable to cover it with asphalt. “This resulted to deterioration on the surface that we are witnessing and the reason is that the contractor’s asphalt plant is not in working condition.
“They have been battling to fix it and I have severally advised that if their own cannot function well that they should buy asphalt from other company,” he said. Mr Jamil Nasser, the Project Manager, Enerco Nigeria Ltd blamed the delay in the project on the bad state of the company’s asphalt plant.

He said efforts were being made by the management to change the plant and pledged that the new plant would be ready for work within days.
Source: (NAN)

May

04

2018

Fashola Inaugurates NERC Chairman, Charges Commission On Customer Service

* Says having fully constituted NERC with the inauguration of the Chairman, the focus would now be on Metering
* Expresses delight that between 2015 and now, many consumers have  experienced better, longer power supply
* Azura Power Plant now ready to go into full operation says the Minister
* New Chairman promises collaboration with Commissioners, Ministry and legislature to take Power Sector to the next level

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Thursday inaugurated the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) charging the Commission to focus more on Customer Service as the critical component that would move the Power Sector forward.

Speaking after the brief but colourful ceremony at the Conference Room of the Ministry, Fashola, who said Customer Service was a challenging bridge that must be crossed, said it was the duty of the Commission to make Consumers understand what was going on with their metering, what are their rights and so on and so forth as well as who to hold accountable when things went wrong with service delivery.

The Minister told the new NERC Chairman, Professor James Momoh, “Consumers must understand what is going on with their metering, what are their rights and so on and so forth; who do they hold accountable, where are the NERC field offices to which they can complain; what is the process of getting remediation for service that is not in sufficient quantity and of quality?”

Promising to make himself available to render assistance in terms of “policy guidelines, policy directions and helping to move the wheel of bureaucracy to make progress to get the work done”, he added that the Commission also had to do a lot of enlightenment among the customers in terms of making them understand who and where to complain when they needed service.

“I want to thank the Permanent Secretary and all the members of the team. I continue to receive those text messages; I like to thank the Director of Distribution and her team; they are the ones I send those texts of complaints, ‘Our meter has failed, etc’ and they respond as best they can all over the country and I get feedbacks from those who have received service”, he said.

Fashola, who described the Commission as the Policeman of the Power Sector, expressed delight that it now has the full complement of its membership with a Chairman, added, “I am one of the happiest people today and I will tell Nigerians why. Since Privatization took place, one of the things that have happened is that the size of the Ministry of Power shrank significantly”.

“I think our staff strength before I came was in the region of 15,000 and all of that is now less than a thousand people because most of the staff some retired as a consequence of the Privatization and transfer of ownership to the GenCos and the DisCos. Today, unlike the old Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), this Ministry does not own any Gencos or DisCos”, he further explained adding that the Ministry only supervises the Yola Disco where, according to him,  privatization became problematic and force majeure was declared.

According to the Minister, “The truth is that we don’t buy meters and we don’t supply meters. Really and truly our role now is just to make policies; our quality of energy, type of energy; whether it is hydro, thermal, and solar or wind and to make sure that if there are problems we go and solve them. And that is in terms of government activities”.

Reiterating that owners of the power assets today are the GenCos and DisCos, Fashola pointed out that the power industry was now a business where the aforementioned investors are now responsible for providing electricity to Nigerians, adding, “The owners of the DisCos are the ones who now have the challenge and responsibility of distributing electricity to Nigerians”.

The Minister added that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), owned by the government, was now run as a business to transmit electricity pointing out that all of the organizations, both private and public, were subject to the regulatory power of NERC whose Chairman was being inaugurated. “So that is the Policeman of the Power Industry”, he said.

Describing Metering as a “big issue” in the industry, Fashola, who noted that the Commission has already issued regulations concerning the problem promised that government was working hard on how quickly meters could come, adding that for those people not connected to the grid, NERC has also issued regulations for mini-grids and how it would happen.

The Minister thanked the Commissioners of NERC for their collaborative working relationship without a substantive Chairman adding, “I value the work that you do; but sadly I just have to ask you to do more. Nigerians need to experience the full benefit that Privatization can bring. I am convinced that it will happen. Irrespective of what we see, what matters most now is what people are experiencing”.

He expressed delight that between 2015 and now, many consumers have  experienced better supply by way of having power for longer hours compared with before, buying less diesel and running their generators for shorter periods adding, however, that in some places people would still say that their experience was not good. “So that means there is still a lot of work to do”, he said.

On the progress being made in the sector, Fashola declared, “By increasing generation to 7,000MW, increasing transmission to over 7,000MW and increasing distribution from 2,690MW to an average of 4,900MW and 5,000MW, clearly that is progress and that is what we must do more”.

The Minister, who acknowledged that there were challenges that came with the Privatization of the industry such as metering and governance issues, said that was why government came up with the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP) as a component of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) to solve the challenges and put the sector on the path of sustainable growth.

“What we see is that like every policy, Privatization will have its challenges. We have gathered all the challenges together and that is what we have put in the PSRP; from meters to governance and one of the governance issues is the full constitution of the NERC with the appointment of the Chairman and today one item in the list of to-do items of the PSRP is now completed and we can proudly report that”, he said.

The Minister said, having solved that governance problem, other items to be faced include metering and expansion of distribution network adding that although there is an existing  capacity of 2,000MW of power that could not be distributed, government was working to see what it could do quickly to solve the problem before the end of the year.

He disclosed that the Azura Power in Edo State just sent a message that their plant was now completed and was ready to run full operation, adding, “That is 459 MW of power. We are expecting another 240 MW from Afam and another 215 MW from Kaduna and also from Kashimbila. There is a lot of power coming. So, the distribution end is where our real challenge lies”.

The Minister, who noted that the mini-grid regulations issued recently by NERC have started producing results with impacts in markets, pointed out that later this year, places like Sura Market in Lagos, Sabon Gari Market in Kano, Ariaria Market in Aba and about 13 other markets across the country were going to be energized.

“So the progress we are making inspires us to continue. It reinforces the methods that we have formulated and the choices that we have made, that clearly we are on the right part. This is clearly an elephant and so we are going to break it bit by bit because you can’t eat an elephant whole”, he said.

Thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for the choice of Professor Momoh as Chairman of NERC, Fashola also thanked the Chairman for deciding “to find his way home to come and be part of fixing what may be wrong instead of pointing fingers at what is wrong”.

“I think that it is always easy to complain about what is wrong; but it is much more challenging to volunteer to be part of the problem solving team and that is what Professor Momoh has done in accepting this nomination to serve his country”, the Minister said adding that the new Chairman while needing the help of God in fulfilling his oath of office would also need his own resolve, the help of his wife, friends and family for the same purpose. 

Also singled out for special thanks were the Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Sanusi Garba, who also acted as Chairman in the absence of the substantive Chairman, Mr. Frank Okafor, Mr. Musiliu Oseni and other commissioners of the Commission who held the fort till the inauguration as well as the Senate who, according to him, although they delayed the confirmation, “It is better late than never”.

In his acceptance remarks, the new Chairman, Professor James Momoh, pledged to abide by the oath of office which he had earlier taken, adding that he was proud to return and serve his country in the capacity he had been chosen after serving in the United States for so many years.

“I understand that I have been given a trust. My job is a trust. I want to assure you that I am a team player. I will work with the Commissioners of NERC; I will work with the Ministry and I will work with the legislative arm of government so that together we will forge a relationship where we understand we have been given a trust to move the power sector to the next level”, he said.

Also present at the occasion were the Vice Chairman of NERC and other Commissioners of the Commission while on the Ministry’s side were the Permanent Secretary Power, Mr. Louis Edozien, Directors and Special Advisers to the Minister.

Apr

09

2018

Remarks By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At The 26th Monthly Power Sector Operators Meeting At The Ohiya Transmission Substation, Umuahia, Abia State  On Monday The 9th Of April 2018

I am pleased to chair this month’s Power Sector meeting and to welcome all of you here present.

This is the 26th meeting we are holding and its continuing nature is consistent with our road map of incremental, stable and, eventually, uninterrupted power.

We are on a journey to a destination of promise and eventual prosperity and I use this occasion to salute the efforts and contributions of all those who have brought us this far.

Even if those who were most vocal in condemnation when the situation appeared very dire are now uttering some muted acknowledgment that it has improved, we must continue to draw inspiration from well-meaning and right thinking Nigerians who were gracious enough to publicly acknowledge that:

They are saving some money from Diesel they used to spend for generators;

They are running their generators for fewer hours; and

They are getting comparably more power than before.

It is because of those gracious and well-meaning and right thinking Nigerians that we must dig deeper, work harder and be more determined to improve service delivery.

In order to improve service, we must accept our respective responsibilities and this is important for the purpose of identifying our respective roles and tasks.

At the risk of repetition and for the sake of clarity, let me state that since the privatisation process of 2013, Generation of Power and Distribution, which is supply to homes, offices and markets, factories and consumers generally is now a private sector business.

The exceptions are the NIPP Projects, which the Federal Government is trying to complete and dispose of, and Yola Distribution Company, which the investor surrendered.

Otherwise, the role of Government is to buy Bulk Power through NBET and vest in Distribution Companies to retail to consumers, and to transport the power from the generation companies to the distribution companies.

Government, through NBET and TCN, is executing these tasks by signing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Prospective Power Generators, where the terms are agreeable.

It is investing in the expansion of the Transmission Capacity through TCN, by building more Substations and expanding existing ones, to improve service capacity where the Consumer demand has increased, and reinforcing the capacity of existing transmission lines.

At the moment, there are over 90 (ninety) TCN projects for transmission expansion, which TCN will be commissioning nationwide in the next few weeks and months. Some are completed and some are nearing completion.

Today, we will commission two of such projects, namely:

a. The expansion of Umuahia sub-station with a new 40MVA transformer to increase transmission capacity from 80 MVA to 120MVA to  serve  Umuahia, Isikwutor, Isukwuato, Bende, Umunneochi, Ikwano, Obowo, Ohafia and parts of Arochukwu  among other places ; and

b. The expansion of Aba Sub-station with a new 60MVA to increase service capacity from 127. 5 MVA to 187.5 MVA to serve Aba North and South, Ukwa East and West, Osisioma, Obioma-Ngwa,  Isi ala Ngwa  and environs.

And these are examples of our commitment to service delivery.

The same is also true of NDPHC, who have over 100 (one hundred) Distribution Projects in various stages of completion, under the NIPP.

Over the next few weeks and months, they will be going out to commission and energize those projects.

They will help the DisCos improve power supply and service delivery to those communities, and I appeal to the DisCos involved to take ownership of these facilities and put them to use.

On my part, I will do my best to keep track of developments and report them to the meeting.

NBET, on its part, must also improve on the timelines it takes to process payment to the DisCos and, in addition, adopt a business orientation of ensuring that it collects as much as it can from the DisCos, who help her to retail the Bulk Power.

The truth is that if NBET cannot pay her bills to the GenCos, the DisCos will have no business because the bulk of their power comes from NBET.

Therefore, the DisCos must, in their own very best interest see NBET as the goose that lays their golden egg, who must not die.

While NBET, TCN and NDPHC act for Government to implement its enabling role, the immediate tasks of the DisCos, in my view, are to:

A) Improve the quality and capacity of the distribution equipment to improve power supply and service to stimulate consumer willingness to pay;

B) Improve collection of revenues without extortion through estimated bills or hostility;

C) Remit what they collect in accordance with the agreement with NBET;

D) Take ownership of the Meter Asset Provider Regulations to improve supply of meters; and

E) Respond to consumer complaints and resolve them in a business-like manner.

On this last matter of consumer complaints, let me say that we are getting a number of them in the ministry in Abuja, from different parts of the country.

They should appropriately go to the DisCos and the private investors who own them.

Government has handed over these assets as a business and no longer collects revenue for power from consumers since the sale of PHCN in 2013.

Those who bought the DisCos and bill consumers must rise up to the responsibility of resolving consumer complaints.

Ladies and Gentlemen, these are some of the things that we all must do to improve service delivery, but they are not exhaustive.

Citizens and communities where we are building transmission lines must help to give us access to land.

I am happy to say that some Governors have responded admirably across party lines.

While it will be invidious of me to try to catalogue what different Governors have done, let me here acknowledge what Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has done with his team to help us link a power provider with the traders and consuming business community in Ariaria Market, comprising of 30,000 shops.

Progress is being made on that project, under the joint supervision of Rural Electrification Agency and Abia State Government, and it should be completed this year.

The same is true in Sabon Gari Market in Kano, and Sura market in Lagos.

For these traders, stable power supply for their businesses will no longer be a mirage. It will happen.

It will happen because President Buhari is prepared to work across party lines to serve the ordinary people who work very hard daily and contribute to the task of building Nigeria.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my closing comment in these remarks is to the DisCos.

Get your employees out on the field.

Get them to inspect lines, breakers, transformers and other distribution equipment.

Get them to visit consumers and ask if they have problems, and fix them.

Get them to do preventative maintenance and notify your consumers in advance if it will result in disruptions of service, and state very clearly how long it will take.

I know that it may be difficult, but that is why we took our jobs; to do difficult things and improve people’s lives against the odds.

I know that you can do it, and I wait eagerly with other Nigerians as you roll out to prove us right for vesting these assets in you.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Monday 9th April 2018

Mar

20

2018

Stakeholders Laud FG For Improvements In Nation’s Road Sector

* As Fashola presents Federal Highways (Control of Dimensions, Weights and Axle Load) Regulations 2018
* NURTW, NARTO, PTD, other transport unions applaud FG for the on-going rehabilitations and reconstruction of roads across the country, pledge support
* The road sector in the country never had it as good as is being currently experienced despite the shortfall in the nations revenue generation NURTW National President
* From 2015 to date, my administration has constructed several hundreds of kilometres of inter-state federal roads and bridges- Buhari

Stakeholders in the nation’s road sector, Monday in Abuja lauded the improvements on the roads across the country, commending the Federal Government, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, and his team for the innovative approach to road management since the inception of the Buhari Administration.

Speaking at a One-Day Public Enlightenment on the Developments in the Road Sector, the stakeholders, who included the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association among other road users, noted that the Minister has done a lot to restore confidence of Nigerians on the nation’s road sector.

In his goodwill message at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre venue of the event, President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najimdeem Yasin, congratulated the Minister for his  efforts in executing the 2017 budgetary proposals as regards to the development of road network across the country.
Represented at the occasion by Alhaji Nasiru, the NURTW President also expressed appreciation to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the prudent management of the nation’s scarce resources noting that since the beginning of the present administration, the road sector in the country never had it as good as is being currently experienced despite the shortfall in the nation’s revenue generation.

The NURTW boss, however, pointed out that as the efforts and actions of the government to improve the roads were being applauded, it was also necessary to direct its attention to a lot more of the roads that still needed urgent attention  urging the Minister to put in place a mechanism to institutionalize the culture of construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of Federal roads as well as putting necessary instruments that would guide against the abuse of the roads by the road users.

Such mechanisms, the Union leader said, included weighbridges, transit parks and provision of other road furniture adding that as a transport workers’ union occupying the leadership of the International Transport Federation (ITF) and the Global Vice President, the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers had taken the sensitization and training of its members very seriously as it could not afford to operate short of international standard.

Disclosing that the NURTW, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) regularly organized series of enlightenment campaigns for the union members in order to encourage them to maintain good driving culture, the Union boss declared, “I want to assure you of our continuous support and loyalty to every initiative that will improve the safety and sustenance of roads in the Federation”.

In his goodwill message on behalf of his association, the President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Kassim Bataiya, expressed appreciation to the Minister for matching his words with action recalling that on the first of February 2018, the Minister, at a meeting with the various transport unions in his office, did promise that he would convoke such an enlightenment Workshop.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Union, Mr. Aloga I. Okpobo, the NARTO President, who was last week elected President of the African Road Transport Union in Marrakech, Morocco, commended the Minister for keeping his words applauding him for the on-going rehabilitations and reconstruction of roads across the country.

Noting that the government was currently raising  funds from various sources to meet the required funding of roads in the country, the union President declared, “This has demonstrated that in a very short time  Nigerian roads will meet the expectations of Nigerians”.

He also recalled that during the last meeting with the Minister, the unions made various recommendations including the issue of Axle Load, which, according to him, was on the front burner of the discussions adding that the recommendations which were both in the short, medium and long terms, included the banning of the importation of 60,000 litres capacity trucks into the country as they were negatively impacting the roads in the country.

Alhaji Bataiya also recalled that the Unions recommended to the Minister that those constructing such trucks above 60,000 litres in the country should be warned to desist forthwith adding that the Unions also asked government to give a five year moratorium to enable owners of such vehicles to recoup their investment before the final phase out.

Other recommendations, he said, include that the Federal Government should ban the use of steel trucks and replace them with aluminum trucks “because aluminum trucks are lighter in terms of weight capacity” and for the Government to continue the road rehabilitation and expansion it has earlier started as, adding that while the ban of the use of steel trucks would address the issue of axle load, the rehabilitation and expansion of roads would “go a long way in bringing relief to Nigerian roads”.

Pledging the support of the association to the Federal Government “in all its efforts to put Nigerian roads on course”, the NARTO boss declared, “We are also here to say that we are totally in support of this workshop and to commend the Hon. Minister for putting the workshop together because in doing so he has matched his words with action”.

In his own goodwill message, the National Chairman of the Petroleum Tankers Drivers Association, Mr. Salimon Akanni Oladiti, commended the Minister for “his courage” in organizing the Workshop pointing out that it is only when one is courageous and doing something right that such a person could invite the public to brief them of such action.

Noting that the workshop would give participants a further insight into the developments in the road sector, the Chairman declared, “As major stakeholders in the Nigerian road sector, we have in recent times witnessed tremendous efforts on the part of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing which has made us to believe that the dark and horrible days of bad roads will soon be over”.

“It is also important to use this opportunity to commend the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing under the headship of Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, for the increased strides his Ministry has been making since he mounted the saddle as the Hon. Minister in his stride to improve the road network. His efforts to reactivate road signage for the safety of road users is unparalleled in the history of Nigerian roads”.

Others who gave good will messages included the President Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria,  High Chief Musa Shehu Isawere, represented by Comrade Henry Ejioffor, who also commended the Minister for the innovations he has introduced into the management of the nation’s road sector and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who said in identifying with the convocation of the Workshop, he would be the ultimate beneficiary pointing out that the impressive turnout of the trade unions only signified the fact that they were in full support and in alignment with the Minister adding, “ It means less agitations and strikes”.

In his Keynote address, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Gida Mustapha, said the convocation of the Workshop was an indication of the important role that road transportation plays in the nation’s economic development adding that the critical place of road transportation in the country’s evolution and the national life had never been more alive than presently.

“Presently the haulage of industrial goods, agricultural produce and industrial raw material, petroleum products, power plant components and other economic materials required in the manufacturing sector, are carried out using the road network”, the President noted adding that it was this realization that underscored the promise of change by the present administration in May 2015 with infrastructure as a priority.
Pointing out that this has been fulfilled by the administration “by policy and action, President Buhari further declared, “It is on record that this administration has raised the budgetary allocation for Capital project from 15 per cent to a minimum of 30 per cent and committed to physical stimulus targeted at infrastructure”.

“The result is the revival of construction activities and other projects nationwide. From 2015 to date, my administration has constructed several hundred kilometres of inter-state federal roads and bridges to ease the movement of persons, goods and services”, he said adding, however, that in order to take the full benefit of the projects, when finally completed and get value for the investment “we must change our ways and this government has signed on for that change”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, said the Workshop was meant to reflect and agree on the need for change about how Nigerians have used their Road infrastructure adding that the country’s Economic growth, National productivity and job opportunities would be impacted by the conclusions and resolutions of the meeting.

Noting that there are now existing treaty obligations within the West African sub region and beyond that regulate the amount of load any goods vehicle can put on an axle and by extension on the road in order to do business within ECOWAS and beyond, Fashola said the only way to optimize the opportunities that lie in road networks like Trans-Saharan highway that connects Nigeria to Chad, Niger, Tunisia, Mali and Algeria; the Lagos- Abidjan Highway through Benin, Togo and Ghana, or the Enugu- Cameroon Highway through Abakaliki – Ogoja , Ikom and Mfum was to sensitize road transporters and imbibe the existing treaties.

The Minister, who thanked the President for finally signing the instruments of ratification as soon as it was brought to his attention, after many years of delay prior to his tenure, added, “This meeting is critical to the achievement of our common goal for shared prosperity. Our compliance with these regulations will open a massive door of opportunity and prosperity of cross-border trade to Nigerians engaged in the transport business”.

“This is why this meeting was convened; because when President Buhari once said that “we will change our habits and we will change Nigeria,” I believe this is one of the things he had in mind. While it is true that we could have done better by way of massive investment in our transport infrastructure during the windfall of income from oil, this Government is now rapidly and aggressively addressing road transport infrastructure repairs, rehabilitation and construction as many of you who travel regularly will attest”, he said.

Fashola, who noted that there is no state in Nigeria today, where contractors would not be seen busy at work, added, “The crux of this meeting is to first acknowledge the President is only one man who cannot be everywhere, and secondly to recognize that we are the actors of the change that is required to take us to prosperity and thirdly to recognize that, the way we use the roads when finally completed will determine how long they last and whether they deliver prosperity or not”.

In a Communiqué issued after the Workshop, participants expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the on-going rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads across the country, affirming the need for enforcement of axle load limit to safeguard the nation’s road infrastructure while also emphasizing the reintroduction of toll gates on federal highways as a means to improve revenue generation for the maintenance of roads.

Realizing the damaging effects of overloading on the nation’s road network, participants advocated that all Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) owners and operators should abide by the the new Axle Load limit regime in Nigeria in line with the ECOWAS Supplementary Act/SP.17/02/12 relating to the harmonization of standards and procedures for the control of dimensions, weight and axle load of goods vehicles within the ECOWAS Member States.

Other highpoints of the Communiqué are reaffirmation of need to operationalize the weighbridge stations on Federal roads to check overloading, recognizing the need for adherence by motorists to road signage for safety, need for all stakeholders to join hands to halt the abuse on Nigerian roads and agreement that tank farm owners and sea port operators should comply with the axle load limits by installing weighbridges at their depots/ports.

Also present at the occasion were the Minister of Transportation, Right Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Anthonia Ekpa, FCT Minister represented by the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr U.G. Jibrin, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, among other dignitaries and stakeholders

Mar

14

2018

FG Inaugurates Governing Council For Federal School Of Surveying

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has urged the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo to be mindful of the purpose for which they were nominated and ‘be problem solvers, solution finders and peace builders” in the onerous task ahead of them.

While inaugurating the Governing Council on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, Fashola explained that the Council will be responsible, as provided by the Act establishing the School, for the general management of its affairs, control of its properties and finances. He added that the purpose of the Schoo, is to “provide instructions, training and research in survey and related courses”.

The Minister explained that the objective for which the School was established, which is to produce technical, professional and other skilled manpower necessary for surveying and  mapping, requires it to function properly in carrying out its mandate. He further added that part of the Ministry’s mandate to formulate and implement the policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria is to survey and map out both internal and international boundaries and this, he said would require appropriate contributions from skilled manpower, without which the task will be difficult to achieve.

Fashola urged members of the Governing Council to always deal with the challenges of producing skilled manpower and professional surveyors. He reiterated President Buhari’s commitment to infrastructure development, citing the security challenges facing some schools as there would be need to plan how to rebuild, merge and protect such schools, especially those destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East. He encouraged them to cultivate the spirit of team work, reflect transparency and accountability so as to properly represent the Federal Government.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Honourable Minister of State II, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma stated that as an Alumus of the School, its standards has drastically dropped, thereby charging the newly inaugurated members to do their utmost zest in restoring the past glory of the School.

The Chairman of the Governing Council and Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surv. Ebisintei Awudu, in his acceptance speech, on behalf of other members, thanked Mr. President as well as the Ministers for the confidence repose in them, while promising that the Council will not disappoint the Ministry in carrying out its assignment.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mohammed Bukar, Directors of the Ministry and family members of the newly inaugurated Governing Council were in attendance at the occasion.

Mar

13

2018

FG Creates Long Time Funding For Infrastructural Development- As Fashola Inspects Roads And Mass Housings Projects

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has said that the federal government is working hard to ensure the creation of infrastructural funding to finance roads, power and mass housing projects among others across the nation. According to him, ‘’funding of critical infrastructure will prevent the inherited and reoccurrence of abandon projects due to lack of budgetary provision’’. He added that departments of government agencies are already working closely to put in place, a structure for long time funding of federal projects.

The Minister on arrival in Kano paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abdulahi Ganguje and commended the state government for its critical role in economic development of the country. He stated that the construction of the 360 kilometers Abuja-Kaduna-Zaira-Kano roads has been awarded to Julius Berger, adding that while the contract is been formalized, a routine maintance is been undertaking by the Metropolitan and Mothercat construction companies.

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Kano, Prof. Adis Abubakar, on behalf of the governor, thanked the Minister for significant federal government ongoing projects in the state and expressed the readiness of the state government to continue to partner with the ministry.

Fashola also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Mohammad Sanusi Lamido in his palace, stating his mission is to attend a Top Management Retreat organised by the ministry in Kano and that he has deemed it necessary to pay homage to him. He stated that on his way to the palace, he stopped over to inspect the Tamburawa Bridge project which has been damaged by artisanal and illegal sand mining activities and erosion. He enjoined the emir to appeal to the illegal miners to move farther away from the construction location to enable the contractor undertaking the repair works deliver appropriately on the project.   

In his response, His Royal Highness, Mohammad Sanusi Lamido applauded the efforts of President Mohammadu Buhari for paying attention to critical infrastructural development projects across the country since assumption of office. He added that electricity and power generation has significantly increased, which has translated into the creation and revival of more industries in Kano and the country at large.

According to him, ‘’Kano as a city and state, is experiencing about 16 to 18 hours uninterrupted power supply in the last one year or so’’.

In a similar development, the Minister also inspected the National Housing Programme undergoing construction at Rigachchukwun, Kaduna North. He said that government is running a pilot scheme of housing prototypes to test the level of acceptability and affordability of Nigerians before embarking on a large scale construction of mass housing programme.

The Minister added that the gains of the present administration is getting people to work and restoring their dignity. He cited the case of one of the labourer in Kaduna site called Ado, who has earned a living and even married a wife by productively engaged in the construction of the housing project some 8 months ago. ‘’We are starting an eco system of activities such as sand; paint, gravel and roofing sheet’’. According to him, ‘’if you imagine 10 of these sites in Kaduna and 10 in each state of the federation and thousand of Ado who can go to work every day, that is a victory to me and I can say to the government’’.

Mar

01

2018

FG To Utilize Infrastructure Bond Instrument To Finance Critical Road/ Bridge Projects-Fashola

In its bid to fast track road/bridge projects development nationwide, the Federal Government is to utilize Infrastructure Bond Investment from finance institutions and investors.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola while receiving Institutional Investors, inclusive of HSBC, China group 3 and 4 led by the Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Damola Sogunle, in his office on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

Fashola explained that to finance road/bridge projects through Tax Relief and Islamic banking “Sukuk” cannot be enough to provide infrastructure development in Nigeria, adding that Infrastructure Bond Instrument will complement government efforts at providing the needed critical infrastructure to end users.

He stated that the inability of Nigerian government to appropriately in the past informed the present administration, channeling its energy towards economic recovery through agriculture.

In the same vein, the Minister expressed the need for a reset in the housing sector in the country. He emphasized that the “financial establishment must stand as the vanguard of the reset” by borrowing a leaf from countries that have successfully utilized similar investment practice, such as United Kingdom.

Fashola disclosed that the Pilot Home for the National Housing Programme of the present administration has taken off in 33 States of the federation. This, he said is made up of one to three bedrooms model which are expected to be valued accordingly, considering the standard and infrastructure.

The Minister, further disclosed that the Federal Government who is currently holding 40% equity in the power sector, is of the opinion that privatization is logical, arguing that it has been successful in the media, banking, aviation sectors amongst others.

According to him, the Ministry will optimize on existing capacity even as government has approved distribution extension programme in power. He added that investors in the power sector should be able to bring in value by looking at areas where investment is actually required; saying that supply of meters will improve service delivery and end user confidence in the DISCOs.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Damola Sogunle, explained that the investors were interested in financing projects that will impact positively in infrastructure. He added that the visit will enable the investor in Nigeria have information and good understanding of what is happening in the Ministry and the country at large in order to make proper investment decision.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State 1, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, the Permanent Secretary, (Power Sector), Engr. Lious Edozien, Director of Finance, (Works and Housing Sector), Alhaji Ibrahim Tumsa and other Directors in the Ministry.

Feb

12

2018

FG Sensitizes Staff On Dangers Of Corruption, Say It Is An Impediment To Sustainnable Development

The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since inception has place high premium on the fight against corruption and has enjoined Government Agencies, Private Sector, Non-governmental Organizations, Media and indeed all Nigerians to join forces to fight this age-long menace hindering sustainable developmental goals and projects in the nation. According to Mr. President, ‘’If you don’t kill corruption, corrupt will kill you’’.

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing through its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACTU) held a sensitization workshop at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja to sensitize staff of the Ministry on the dangers of corruption within the system.

Declaring the workshop open, the Director Human Resource Management, Mrs Morayo Alimi, who represented the Permanent Secretary Works & Housing, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, enjoined participants, including Directorate Cadre Officers and other officers to take advantage of the seminar and learn more about the negative effects of corruption in the public sector.

Alimi noted that ‘’we can never stop talking about anti-corruption judging by the posture of the present administration which has zero tolerance for corruption’’. According to her, ‘’we need to keep sensitizing people about it to help them internalize the concept and as such cause a shift to a service free of corruption’’.  She added that anti-corruption crusade runs across every cadre and the ministry is determined to discourage it at all levels.

Also speaking at the event, the representative of the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr Justine Kuatsea, an Assistant Commissioner and Head, Anti-corruption Unit of the Commission, thanked the Permanent Secretary and the management of the Ministry for making the occasion a reality by facilitating the sensitization workshop. He noted that ICPC is not relenting in sensitizing the public sector in adopting a systemic approach in tackling corruption in the country.

Kuatsea further stated that in working with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing, ‘’we shall together roll back the blanket of corruption in the public service and indeed in Nigeria for sustainable development’’.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Ministry, Barr. Sunday Inyang, noted that the purpose of organising the workshop is to basically share experiences, impart knowledge, broaden and deepen participants’ understanding of ACTU’s activities and programmes.

According to him, ‘it is interesting to note that the theme of this sensitization seminar, which is ‘’Corruption as an Impediment to Sustainable Development’’ is not only apt, but also timely considering the fact that Corruption continues to be the bane of most African countries, Nigeria in particular’.

Barr. Inyang urged the executive arm of Government to push for the implementation of key anti-corruption protocols and good governance principles in public and private institutions. On the part of the National Assembly, Inyang, implored them to expeditiously pass into law the two Executive Bills before them that are considered critical in making the fight against corruption effective, these are the Special Criminal Courts Bill and Whistle Blowers and Witness Protection Bill, meant to protect whistle blowers and witnesses from injury, death, economic sabotage, job termination, among others.