Mar

04

2024

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

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

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

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

Feb

29

2024

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

…..BUA Cement restates commitment to reduction in price

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

27

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

22

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

20

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DETAILS OF THE COMMUNIQUE 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

18

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

16

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

14

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan

31

2024

WORKS MINISTER ALLAYS FEAR ABOUT THE STATE OF BRIDGES IN LAGOS, SAYS NO NEED TO WORRY

* Umahi orders relocation of those cooking under Carter bridge

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, has allayed the fear of road users in Lagos about the integrity of the Third Mainland bridge, Eko and Carter bridges, saying “there is no need to worry.”

Explaining the work to be done , he said “Some of the elements which are defective are going to be fixed. But there's nothing to worry about. We are going to reinstate those defective slabs with the new the design.”

Speaking to journalists Wednesday after the joint assessment tour of the three bridges in company of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister explained that “over the years, after the construction of the bridge, there was no serious maintenance,” He therefore assured that the failure of the bridge would be addressed. “So, we are working on the problems about the bridges.”

On the state of the Lagos shoreline, Sen. Umahi stressed that the shore protection on the marina needs urgent attention, noting that the Lagos railway project, the blue line might be threatened if nothing is done to address the matter.

At the end of the exercise in Lagos, the Ministers who  agreed there was need for rehabilitation work to be carried out, noting that the impact created by the current of water under the bridges and on the shoreline need intervention.

On the ongoing rehabilitation of the third mainland bridges, the Minister revealed that some comprehensive works would be done especially in area of provision of street lights on and under the bridge and installation of CCTV. While praising the work being done by the Contractor, he assured that the bridge would be opened to road users soon.

On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun commended the Minister of Works and his team of officials for their efforts at rehabilitating the roads and bridges as he described them as very important for economic development.

While answering questions from reporters, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government was looking to raise revenue to finance infrastructure, pointing out that “what we are targeting and working towards is a 77% increase in internally generated revenue for the Federal Government. So that is where the funding particularly is going to come from”, he submitted.

Meanwhile, during the inspection tour, the Works Minister upon citing those cooking under the Carter bridge, ordered that security be mobilised to stop the menace, adding that they be relocated immediately to avoid any serious damage to the health of the bridge.

In continuation of the inspection of Federal road projects in Lagos, the two Ministers also visited the Lagos - Calabar coastal highway and met with the contractor to review progress work on the project. The project when completed is expected to go through the shoreline linking Lagos with Calabar .

In the inspection were senior government officials from the Ministry, officials of Julius Berger and some journalists.

Jan

27

2024

WORKS MINISTER DEBUNKS CLAIM OF FRAUDULENT PAYMENT OF FUNDS TO A MICTOFINANCE BANK, SAYS IT IS A DISTRACTION

* To work with Governors to certify job completion before payment to contractors

The Honourable Minister of Works Sen. Engr. Nweke David Umahi, CON, has debunked the claim that funds for construction of roads was fraudulently paid into a Microfinance Bank contrary to extant regulations.

According to the Honourable Minister, “Let me also use the opportunity to debunk something that is ongoing in the social media. I don't know what they call the group, Is it Tracta Budgit or something which claims they're monitoring the budget of federal government; said that we paid 8.7 billion to the microfinance bank.

Speaking to some journalists today in Rivers State during the inspection of  the Enugu-Port Harcourt  dual carriageway being reconstructed  by Arab Contractors  Ltd, Sen. Umahi disclosed that the organisation “went ahead and said, that the 8.7 billion were paid against a number of projects in Ekiti State, in Kaduna State, Kastina State and Borno State between June and September, 2023.

The Honourable Minister while debunking further the erroneous claim by Tracka Budgit stated that as at June 2023, “he was in the Senate. So, if they are correct, it means the contracts would have been awarded while I was still a Governor, so not a minister.”

Concerning the payments to a Microfinance bank, the Minister explained that as at July, “I was in the Senate Up to the 20th of August”. 

He, however explained concerning the payments to a Microfinance Bank that “when a contractor has done his or her work, the money becomes his money. He can say pay it to any bank of his choice."

Sen. David Umahi described as very mischievous the claim by the organisation stating that they should have investigated “whether the job was done, that is the only right they have. But they don't have the right to say where a contractor will say his money will be paid. 

He submitted therefore that “whether it's paid in microfinance bank or macrofinance bank, what is paramount to establish if the funds were rightly paid for good work done.”

The Honourable Minister averred that it was an attempt to distract his commitment to delivering on the Renewd Hope Agenda of President Tinubu for the road sector development in Nigeria.

“And so, it's just a distraction. And then, some of the bank contractors are using them to fight back. But I refuse to be distracted, he restated.

On his efforts to ensure quality delivery of road projects through partnership with the States, Sen. Umahi said “let me also say that in all the states, it's our policy that the state governors, through their appointed officials, must mark off any project, especially the emergency, palliative projects. 

According to him “when a contractor has completed a job, no matter how big it is, my advice is for the state governor to come to the site and look at it and then mark off the job before he gets to office for payment. 

He strongly affirmed that “Where this procedure is not done, I will not sign any generated certificate”.
 

Jan

24

2024

WORKS MINISTER, SEN UMAHI HARPS ON PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN BRIDGING THE GAP ON FINANCING OF NIGERIA'S ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE, MEETS GOVERNOR KEFAS OF TARABA STATE, ALHAJI ALIKO DANGOTE AND HON. NDUDI GODWIN ELUMELU

In keeping with the road infrastructure initiatives of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has been engaging with concessionaires and other private sector organizations on the need for private sector investment on our road infrastructure as done in advanced economies of the world. This informed the closed door meeting the Hon. Minister of Works had with the Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the founder and CEO of Dangote Group of Conglomerates, Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, and Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, former Minority Leader, Federal House of Representatives.

It would be recalled that the Hon. Minister of Works in his zeal to change the ugly narrative of road infrastructure in Nigeria had set up three committees to work on the contracts executed by some concessionaires with the Federal Ministry of Works with a view to reviewing the scope and cost implications of the projects they undertook to execute under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). This private sector initiative will fastrack road infrastructure revolution and bring order, accountability, and profitable entrepreneurship to the operations, management, and maintenance of Federal Highways.

The Governor of Taraba who retired as a military professional was a one-time chairman Governing Board of Directors Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) before he became Governor. The founder and CEO Dangote Group is one of Africa's foremost captains of industry who have made ambitious investments in the development of infrastructure in Nigeria and he has shown manifest commitment in the transformation of Nigeria's infrastructure through long- term investment in strategic sectors of Nigeria's economy, including financial services, and infrastructure development.  Hon Ndudi G. Elumelu is a well-travelled politician and contemporary public administrator, and also a product of Harvard Business School, Boston.

It is hoped that investors, local and international, and other organized bodies would take advantage of the will power of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope administration and the private sector experience and professional capacities of the Hon. Minister of Works to invest in the over 35,000 Km of the national road network being managed by Federal Government of Nigeria as this road network carries more than 70% of the vehicular traffic, making it a critical infrastructure for the movement of goods and services across the nation. This initiative will trigger economic development, job creation, local content development and wealth creation for Nigerian population. Mr. President mean business with his efforts to prosper our country and make it the pride of the African continent. Your support is critical.
 

Jan

16

2024

ROAD  INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLUTION UNDER THE RENEWED HOPE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR, WIN -WIN SITUATION FOR ALL STATES

- As Benue State Governor  visits the Hon. Minister of Works

Photo  speaks

The Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR  has proven to be a grandmaster  of inclusive and impactful governance that embraces  the desires of the federating States. The federal government  under Mr. President  carries along all the  States   in her road infrastructure  development plans. Just recently, the President of Nigeria  released  funds  for the commencement  of nationwide  palliative interventions  on our road infrastructure in addition  to the  budgetary  and extra budgetary  funds provided for the execution of the 2024 road  projects.

The 36 State Governors have been working  progressively  with the APC led federal  government, notwithstanding party affiliations or ideological inclinations, to ensure that  roads of socio-economic  priority  in their  States are captured in the infrastructure roadmap of the Federal Ministry of Works.  

Today, 16th January 2024, the Governor of  Benue State, His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Alia visited  the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency  Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON  in his office. The meeting was obviously  not unconnected  with the desire of the Governor  of Benue State to change  the infrastructural  landscape  of Benue State through  tapping  into Mr. President’s Renewed  Hope  infrastructure  initiatives across  the  nation.

His Excellency Hyacinth  Alia is the second  Catholic Priest to be elected as Governor in the history of Nigeria. He emerged victorious in the Benue State Gubernatorial election held on March 18 , 2023, and on Monday, the 8th day of January 2024, the Supreme Court upheld his election and dismissed the appeal of Mr. Titus Uba of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), who was his rival on the 18th March, 2023 poll. He is proudly a member  of All Progressives Congress,APC.

Jan

13

2024

New Permanent Secretary Works Yakubu Kofarmata Assures of Innovation to Achieving Renewed Hope Agenda

The newly deployed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Works has given assurance that subsequent new innovations in the Ministry shall be geared towards achieving Mr. President's Renewed Hope Agenda in infrastructural development, especially in road construction and rehabilitation for ease of doing business in all sector of the Nigerian Economy. He made this remark after signing and receiving the hand over notes in the Ministry. The new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Works Mr. Yakubu Kofarmata, was extremely glad to be back to the Ministry, haven served preiviously in the Ministry as an Asst. Director.

He was Particularly delighted seeing a good number of female leaders and architects still present, adding that it was an indication that the Ministry of works is a place that can bring the needed change in the country.

Mr YAKUBU KOFARMATA said in his words “I come here as a brother, friend and colleague and so we have to work together to help the President as well as the Honorable Minister to achieve all that they have spelt out in their agenda”.

Kofarmata further expressed optimism that his leadership would be a new beginning that would bring about innovation for the Ministry and the Country at large.
 

Jan

09

2024

Honourable Minister of Works Inaugurates Committees to Fast- Track the Implementation of HDMI Programme, Tasks Concessionaires on Best Standard on Road Construction.

In keeping with the avowed commitment of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR towards road infrastructure revolution, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, has inaugurated three committees to fast-track the implementation of the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). The programme which is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the construction, operations and maintenance of highways, is designed in such a way and manner that the emergent concessionaires will recoup their investments through toll and non- toll revenues as may be negotiated.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works harped on the need for the committees to work effectively and concertedly bearing in mind the expectations of Nigerians, in terms of transparency, standard and efficiency in contract negotiations. He noted that contract with some concessionaires had been consummated but said that the current economic dynamics and the new policy direction of the present administration would require a review of the scope of work and cost implication. He charged the concessionaires to abide by the criteria set and the timeline for the projects.

"We own the design; you will own the cost of the project while we carry out verification on the cost of the projects; the idea is to scope the projects. We want to have a standard road infrastructure to toll. Our business is to ensure that your design conforms with the Ministry's standard of design, that is why we are making the Director of Roads and Bridges of the Ministry to be the Chairman of the committee on Scoping and Design. We don’t want to do just a patch on the road and give it to the public for you to toll. The public will resist. We want to have a standard road to toll".

He said “we have to provide alternative road because by law you cannot toll road if there is no alternative route to it. It is very important that every of the projects must have alternative routes.  The number of toll gates and toll stations will be determined by Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). We also have to put CCTV Camera, Solar Light and Security on our roads. Whatever that will make our roads safer is very important to us. All these must be considered part of the business."

The three committees set up by the Hon. Minister for the actualization of the Federal Government’s HDMI programme are: Scoping and Design, Financial Due Diligence and Agreement Review.

While constituting the Due Diligence Committee, the Hon. Minister said “We must have a figure to begin to work with under Due Diligence committee, we want to hand over all these sites to people who are serious by the end of March 2024.  Enough of these meetings, enough of the bureaucracy “.

Sen. Umahi said of the Agreement committee, " I have given a template on how to review agreement and I think the legal department can do this on their own “.

He told the concessionaires of the consequence of not meeting up with the rules of engagement. “I must say that in case timelines were set and any company couldn't meet up with the timelines, we may not continue processing anything with that company."

Sen. Umahi further stated, “in all our biddings in 2024 going forward, every cost element must be disaggregated. The procurement law has set up profit for the contractors.  We will verify the cost in respect of concessionaires. We have to ensure that the cost you are putting will do the job. We don’t want you to engage and come back and say there is inflation after we engage you on the project. We have to ensure that concessionaires have all what it takes to do the job. The Ministry of Works and the concessionaires must ensure that we are on the same page so that the citizens will not suffer.  Patriotism demands that we must not allow the citizens to suffer. We have to be realistic and honest. We don’t have all the money as government to do these jobs.

The Hon. Minister however, expressed happiness for the progress made by 9 concessionaires in finalizing their designs and documentation to achieve  a financial  close  by the first  quarter  of 2024 and charged  them to diligently  work  with the Ministry's  committees for the final processes.

Earlier, speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary at the meeting, the Director Highways and Bridges, Engr. Awosanya Onatuga said the Directors and the concessionaires were ready to work concertedly to move HMDI project forward. He remarked, "the contract has been consummated but there are certain dynamics that will necessitate a review of the scope of work that will dovetail into the cost of each project, and the Hon. Minister is desirous to fast-track this process, so that the second phase can take off".

Jan

05

2024

FG to Tackle Road Challenges Headlong in 2024

The Federal Government has promised to address all obstacles hindering delivery of road projects in the country   to ensure actualization of the road projects to the benefit  of  Nigerians before the end of 2024.

Work Minister, David Umahi who made the promised during his meeting with Directors in Abuja on Thursday urged them to be on their toe in working to ensure that vision for sustainable road infrastructure development in the country by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration in line with Renewed Hope Agenda is achieved.

The Minister proposed a review of agreements, cost, geo-technical evaluation among others of some of the existing contracts with a view to addressing the bottlenecks that have delayed or hindered execution of road projects across the country in the past.

Speaking further on the road projects, he said Mr. President approved huge, large sum of money for the Ministry in the appropriation in order for the Ministry to deliver its mandate. "

" We’ve some supervisions work to be done on roads, the Directors and the Consultants must work together and any erring contractors that don’t keep to contract agreement would be penalized”.

According to him, “I won’t be able to go back to Mr. President and Federal Executive Council for re-scope of work and contract if the contractors deliberately delay the progress of road construction".

Reiterating his commitment to the welfare of the workers, Umahi said what matters most is how much of roads has been constructed or made motorable to ease the sufferings of Nigerians when it comes to mobility, adding that irrespective of position or social status, any worker who is found wanting in terms of performance risks being kept aside or outright replacement.

The Minister told directors that there is a difference between his ministry and other ministries, departments, and agencies, MDAs, is due to the fact that the Works Ministry is measured in terms of the how much and the impact of the roads constructed.

“The difference between us and other MDAs is that ours is what you can achieve in terms of roads, not speech. And our office is not the normal civil service office where you spend eight hours and close, at times you need to even work at weekend,” he assured that anyone who works would be appreciated.

Umahi appealed to directors to be God fearing in handling the assignment of the ministry, while disclosed that the President had made available the needed funds for execution of road contracts, but that there was need for review of the contract terms due to previous experiences.

The Minister tasked the directors and contractors on integrity, identifying bad construction method, poor supervision, substandard materials as the foremost challenges of road contract execution in Nigeria. “18 retired security personnel are to be engaged in supervision and monitoring for each of the six geopolitical zones of the country”, he said.

The representative of Permanent Secretary at the Meeting, Engr O.O. Awosanya earlier thanked the Honourable Minister for creating enabling environment for staff to function well through provision of incentives and welfare, said " Since I have been in the ministry this is the first time i will be seeing a minister so dedicated to staff welfare provisions".

Director Highways Southwest Engr Adedamola Kuti while responding to the minister’s remarks assured the Minister that both the staff and the consultants would work in synergy to deliver on the mandate of the Ministry.

Mar

05

2024

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

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

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

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

Mar

01

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

29

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

23

2024

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

20

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

19

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

17

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

15

2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feb

13

2024

FG TO STRENGTHEN OPERATIONAL MODEL OF HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE TO ENSURE QUALITY DELIVERY AND EFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

In his efforts towards rejigging the operational model of the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON has introduced parameters that will strengthen the quality delivery and management of road infrastructure under the Public Private Partnership model of road infrastructure development known as Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) and ensure efficient utilization of the completed projects by road users.

The Honourable Minister gave this indication during a meeting with the Public Private Partnership unit of the Federal Ministry of Works and Messrs. Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Ltd (APPNL) concessionaires for  the Benin-Asaba and Lagos-Abeokuta road corridors in his office on 12th February 2024. In the meeting, which had in attendance the team of the PPP headed by Ugwu-Chima Nnennaya (Mrs.) and the team of APPNL lead by Mr. Dipo Lawore and Mr. K. V. Rao, there were discussions on the way forward for achieving a more effective operational model for the HDMI programme and more efficient contractual relations between the Federal Government and Concessionaires.

The meeting which dwelt on the review of the project parameters for the Benin-Asaba and Lagos-Abeokuta road corridors as negotiated in 2022 by Messrs. Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Ltd (APPNL) was necessitated by the heightened inflationary pressures, exchange rate concerns, reduced vehicular traffic on the highways occasioned by the increase in fuel pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Speaking on the need for quality delivery of road projects and efficiency in project negotiation, the Honourable Minister listed what he termed Renewed Hope model of the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) and said the parameters would be finetuned, agreed upon and adopted in all contractual relations between the Federal Government and concessionaires going forward. He highlighted the parameters to include:

a.    The design of the project to be in line with the specification of the Federal Ministry of Works and investor can only improve upon the design made by the Ministry.
b.    A reasonable construction period must be agreed upon.
c.    There shall be no variation on the project.
d.    100% of one carriage way must be completed before tolling by concessionaires.
e. The business plan must be in line with the  socio-economic dynamics.
f.    Terms of tolling of road projects must be in accordance with the Laws of the Federation, and standard contract conditions must be followed.
g.    Contingency and variation on Price (VOP) shall be utilized only by the express and written permission of the client.
h.    Bill of Quantities shall be verified and adopted in line with the prevailing market prices.
i.    Road count on traffic shall be carried out by the investor and where such data has been provided by the client, it is the duty of the investor to accept or verify and where the investor accepts, it shall be binding on all.
j.    It shall be the duty of the investor to sensitize the public on the toll programme in every project.
k.    The client shall have the right to terminate the job of the investor for failure to comply with the time of road project completion.
l.    Every road construction for highways must be in accordance with the highway standard prescribed by the Laws of the Federation.

In their separate responses, the team leader of the APPNL and the head of the PPP unit of the Federal Ministry pf Works assured the Honourable Minister of their commitment  to the innovative initiatives of the  Federal Ministry  of Works on road infrastructure and thanked  the Hon. Minister  for pointing  out that  there was a dire need to review not only the cost of the  concessioned project, but also the scope of the project to meet with the standard of road construction in accordance with the innovations introduced by the Ministry under the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GGFR. They expressed their commitment towards a robust negotiation on the project  review that would lead to a financial close so that work could commence without further delay. They promised to carry out further technical analysis on all the issues raised  in the meeting and re-present same to the Honourable Minister for consideration.

Jan

30

2024

WORKS, FINANCE MINISTERS UNDERTAKE INSPECTION OF ONGOING REHABILITATION OF THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE 

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, and his counterpart, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun have undertaken the inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Third Mainland bridge in Lagos.

While Inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation work this Tuesday, the Ministers took time to examine different aspects of the rehabilitation work, commending the contractor, Messrs CCECC for their good efforts so far.

Sen. Umahi particularly gave good attention to the ongoing  relaying of asphalt pavements of the bridge which commenced at the Owornshoki end of the 11.8kn bridge, noting the quality of work by the contractor, encouraging them to maintain the quality of work.

On the installation of the solar based street lights and the CCTV cameras on the 3rd mainland, Engr Umahi described solar lights as very useful and will be strategic for road users. He however told the contractor to ensure the right quality materials are utilised to ensure value for money.

In the inspection team of the two ministers were other senior government officials and the Contractor handling the project.

It would be recalled that the Ministers of Works and Finance had early in January this year visited the ongoing construction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road projects to  assess the status of the project

Jan

25

2024

PRESIDENT TINUBU'S ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLUTION  ON COURSE, DIRECTS  RELEASE  OF FUND TO TACKLE  CRITICAL  ROADS IN ALL THE  GEO-POLITICAL ZONES OF THE FEDERATION

The Hon. Minister of Works has reassured  Nigerians  that the Renewed Hope administration  of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is on course  in it's  determination  to rejig the road infrastructure  which  is a key catalyst  for  the actualization  of the needed economic growth and development of  our nation.

The Hon Minister  gave this indication in Markurdi, Benue State on 25th  January 2024 during  his inspection  visit  to the Keffi- Akwanga- Lafia-Makurdi road reconstruction  project via Maraba, New karu, Asokoro, Ado, Goran road,  the  Lafia By-pass and the dualization of the Markurdi- Otukpo - 9th Mile Enugu road projects. 

He thanked  the President of Nigeria  for approving  the release  of funds  for the commencement  of work on the critical highways across  the six goe-political  zones, including  the Abuja- Kaduna- Zaria - Kano highway,  the Lagos- Ibadan expressway and the two by-pass roads at the 2nd Niger Bridge.

”So let me use this opportunity to also thank Mr. President. Just about three days ago, he approved that work should immediately commence in many sections; in Abuja,- Kaduna,-Zaria- Kano road. It's a very good and cheering news for me. We were having some problems with funding. But Mr. President has solved that problem and  directed the immediate release of funds so that the projects will continue. The same thing is  applicable to the Lagos Ibadan and the 2nd Niger Bridge two bypasses. Mr. President has directed the immediate release of money for the projects. As you see me, I am rejoicing like a newborn baby.”

Speaking during  the  inspection  visit  to the Markurdi  axis of the road, the Governor of  Benue  State, His Excellency, Fr. Hyacinth Alia called for support  to the administration  of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.He described the President's  national  development plan as purposeful and progressive and with the propensity  of  promoting  sustainable  and stable national  development. He  praised  the  new spirit of dedication  and  quality  service  delivery in the  Federal Ministry  of Works and expressed  hope that  Nigeria  would experience  a new dawn in  road infrastructure development  under the Renewed Hope administration.

”We are quite pleased that you are beginning the second phase of Abuja- Keffi - Lafia 9th  Mile Enugu road. I'm very excited to hear that you have already incorporated the prayers we presented to you"

"We thank Mr. President for his thoughtfulness and good heart for the common masses. He's someone who doesn't like to see people suffer. He spends sleepless nights to ensure that we get it right at this administration.  We remain quite indebted to him.”

The Honourable Minister  of Works undertook  a driving  distance  of about 446 Km from Abuja to Enugu  through  the bad spots of Otukpo- Nsukka- Uboloafor Enugu  road and that  afforded him the opportunity  to give policy  direction to the Engineers and contractors on site on the new initiatives on scopping  and construction and on the dimensions  of Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI). He also identified  areas  within the major junctions  of the  road project that require flyovers, especially  the axis after  Abacha Barracks in Abuja  and the Markurdi  axis of the  road project, where  road users  experience  heavy  traffic.

Jan

21

2024

Hon. Ministers of Works, Defence, and Chief of Army Staff meet on areas of Collaboration to Improve Internal Security, Focus on Road Infrastructure as an Important Predictor

...ACTIVITIES OF CONTRACTORS TO FOCUS IN THIS DIRECTION

As part of the strategic and holistic security roadmap of the Federal Government under His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi, CON had a closed door meeting with his counterpart, the Hon. Minister of Defence, His Excellency, Mohammed Badaru Abubarkar,CON, and the Chief of Army Staff
(COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in his office at the Federal Ministry of Works, this 19th January 2024, and the focus was on strengthening collaborations towards improving the nation’s internal security through revolutionalizing road infrastructure development.

The Hon. Minister of Works praised the interactive meeting as a Renewed Hope initiative that would add value to the implementation of the security roadmap of the present administration. He commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for appointing men of proven professional capacities and passion for service delivery to tackle the security challenges facing our country, and expressed hope that with the interventions of Mr. President towards rejiging the nation’s road infrastructure, military operations across the nation would assume greater imptetus.

"I commend Mr. President very highly, and I thank members of the public who have also supported in different dimensions. Yes, we have discussed certain infrastructure as it concerns my ministry to enhance their performances, and our minds are working together. The main focus of Mr. President, when it comes to road infrastructure, is the interstate routes that are linked to security operations nationwide, the palliative jobs, and the roads that are linked to markets, industries, and factories etc. And so, this is one of the mandates that Mr. President has given to us. And so, we are going to hasten this mandate and to ensure that the desire of Mr. President, as far as road infrastructure is concerned, is achieved"

"Road is everything. If you improve the roads, you have improved security, agriculture, education, and commerce, and you have improved the happiness of people.  And this is just what Mr. President is doing. We have started to be in the field to repair over 320 roads that Mr. President directed us to do."

Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, the Chief of Army Staff said that the essence of the meeting was to discuss with the Hon. Minister of Works elements of national power support to the military field operations with a focus on the role of infrastructural upgrade in the enhancement of military operations across the country.

"We have discussed extensively, and we are glad that the Hon. Minister of Works is disposed to some of the suggestions that we have made on the need to focus on some critical roads that will impact positively on military operations across the country. And so, the Minister of Works has made some promises, and we look forward to seeing activities of contractors and other agents focus in this direction in the field, and the military will support them going forward. Overall, improved security is our objective, and we will continue to pursue that."

Jan

13

2024

Minister Of Works and His Finance Counterpart Jointly Inspect Abuja- Kaduna- Zaria- Kano Highway, Brainstorm with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on Strategies and Milestones for Delivery of The Project Within a Record Time

In keeping with the Presidential innovations on inter-ministerial coordination, cooperation, and collaboration in the tackling of sectoral problems under the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen.Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON and his counterpart, the Hon.  Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Adebayo Olawale Edun, were on inspection visit to Abuja – Kaduna -Zaria-Kano Highway on 12th January 2024. 

The dual carriageway which has been   a source of concern to road users because of the many dilapidated spots and security challenges, was awarded to Julius Berger Plc but could not be completed because of security and funding challenges. But the administration of Mr. President views the road as very critical for the socio-economic advancement of the nation and is therefore committed to completing the project on a record time.

While brainstorming on strategies and milestones for fixing the road, the Hon. Minister of Works assured the contractors that funding would not be a problem going forward. "We have got a commitment from the Honourable Minister of Finance to make payment, and I am very sure if we pay Julius Berger Plc according to the commitment on funding, it will complete the job “

The Minister also said “we have issues of reviewing the contract sum, and we will sort that out. We sent our technical team to reexamine the sub grade, which will be the basis of our redesign, let me emphasis that this is the first project we are touring in this place, and Mr President in his Renewed Hope Agenda has expressed his deep concern on the completion of the project and he has directed that everything must be done to get the entire project completed”

On his part, the Hon. Minister of Finance assured of the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government in the timely funding of the project in line with the agreed milestones.  “Under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are both here on inspection to hear the commitment of the contractor handling the project and to support them, to as soon as possible complete this all-important reconstruction of the Abuja- Kaduna - Zaria - Kano Road.”

The finance minister described the works sector as one of the most strategic sectors that will add value to the economic development agenda of Mr. President and would always be given priority attention. "We want to urge the contractor to do more.Infrastructure is a critical priority of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is how we can get food prices down. Through transportation and easy transportation of agricultural products, we want to move freely across the country. To bring down the prices and inflation,we will be doing more on the funding. " 

On the inspection team includes directors from both Ministry of Works and Finance, Managing Director Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr Dr Lars Richter who conducted the two ministers round the projects and several other stakeholders.

Jan

11

2024

MINISTER OF WORKS DIRECTS CONTRACTORS TO GO BACK TO SITE, SETS TIME FRAME FOR PROJECTS DELIVERY

The Honourable Minister of works His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has charged the contractors under the Federal Ministry of Works to brace themselves for the standard of work and delivery time frame required of every contractor under the Renewed Hope administration the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

The Hon Minister gave this charge in a meeting with the Directors of the Ministry and the contractors held at the Ministry's headquarters Mabushi-Abuja, this 11th day of January, 2024.

The Honourable Minister emphasized that going forward, contractors must take into account the plight of Nigerians and the Renewed Hope Initiatives on road infrastructure development in executing their projects. He maintained that the Ministry of Works means business and would not take excuses from contractors. He assured them that the Ministry would consider the review of contracts previously consumated in line with set parameters and prevailing economic situations, and that all generated certificates would be verified and paid accordingly, while urging them to ensure that all issues of contract variations were brought to the notice of the relevant departments of the Ministry. He thanked Mr. President for the prompt release of funds for palliatives works.

”The Bureau of Public Procurement has approved over 80% of requests for palliative projects. Those who indicated interest in the palliative project should please come to the Ministry to collect award letters and complete documentation. Mr. President has graciously released 50% of funds on palliative work, and so he wants to see action in all the 36 States and Abuja.”

The Honourable Minister used the opportunity to announce the re-organization of the supervision structure for the Special Projects across the nation and introduced a special mechanism for tracking of certificates generated by contractors and expressed hope that with the new initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President, each State of the Federation would record not less than 150km roads in the Federal roads network in the year 2024, in addition to the special road projects funded through different extra budgetary platforms.

4. Earlier in his remarks, the representative of the Permanent Secretary and Director Highway, Bridges and Design, Engr. Awosanya Onatuga, stated that the meeting of the Directors and contractors with the Honourable Minister was agenda setting for the year 2024, and the essence was to take the task of performance that would help them move the Works sub-sector forward in accordance with the innovative plans of Federal Government under Mr. President. He thanked the Honourable Minister for the relief given to road users toward the Xmas and New Year seasons. 

"We can say we did very well towards the end of last year. There were no adverse reports on any blockage, people sleeping on the road. Yes, we have not done so much; we are not where we are supposed to be, but with the spirit of the Hon Minister, the can-do spirit, and it's not slowing down, we are on the right track"
 

Jan

09

2024

Our Plan on Road Infrastructure Development is Holistic and Sub- Nationally All- Inclusive

This is the policy direction that drives the synergy between the Federal Ministry of Works and sub- national governments in tackling accumulated road infrastructure challenges across the nation.

The Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi, CON is committed towards making all the States have a feel of the positive impact of the Renewed Hope administration of our dear President His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on road infrastructure, which is a catalyst for the socio-economic development of progressive nations. This was disclosed during the visit of the Governor of Katsina State, H.E Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, in his office today, 9th January, 2024.

Although it was a closed-door meeting, the visit was not unconnected with the zeal of the Governor of Katsina State to tap into the innovative road infrastructure agenda of Mr. President in the Works sub-sector.