FG Receives Brief on Lagos/ Abidjan Highway Construction. The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nwaeze David Umahi has been briefed on the ongoing construction of the Lagos – Abidjan Highway initiated by Heads of States and Government of five ECOWAS Member States.   This took place at the Minister’s office. The ECOWAS delegation led by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization Engr. Sediko Douka took place recently in Abuja.   The Minister said that for ease of work and speedy completion, the highway project should have processes for its achievement like sectioning the project, considering the peculiarities of the areas across the corridor and also noting that some areas might be viable while some may not be.   “I think for ease of work and speedy completion, the project should be sectioned and put a process in place to make the project achievable because some section might be viable while some other sections might not be” he said.   Umahi underscores the importance of the highway project saying that the road project would propel rapid integration of the region, boast commercial activities, and improve social development among member states.   Umahi also advocated for the use of concrete pavement on the Nigerian corridor noting that there are a lot of advantages using concrete in road construction without having issues of portholes or washout, concrete roads have a longer lifespan, it can withstand heavy traffic loads, low maintenance, less affected by temperature fluctuations and that this has been adopted by the Nigerian government.   “A lot of advantages to use concrete to construct roads, concrete roads last longer compared to asphalt roads reducing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance, it’s stronger and can withstand heavy traffic loads, it also has low maintenance, and this has been adopted by the Nigerian government” he said.   Umahi said that while adapting to feasibility result and technical studies, Nigeria would fast track the completion of her own section of the highway describing it as laudable and would enhance rapid growth.   “We should fast track the completion of our own section following the feasibility result and technical studies and design.  A laudable project for rapid growth and development.   Earlier in his remarks, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Mr. Sediko Douka thanked the Minister for granting them audience.  He noted that Africa’s economic integration is hampered by large deficits in its transportation infrastructure and thus the 2050 ECOWAS vision seek to enhance infrastructure development recognized as a factor for economic growth and integration of people that will greatly contribute to the creation of a regional environment favorable to the free movement of people and goods.   He said the 1,028 km road project was initiated by the Heads of States and Government of the Corridor Member States namely: Benin 128km, Cote d’Ivoire 155km, Ghana 576km, Nigeria 79.5km and Togo 89.2km in Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire on 28th February 2013.   He added that the steering committee of the project is made up of the Ministers of Work of Corridor Member States and commissioner for Infrastructure of the ECOWAS Commission and the Minister is automatically a member.  Their role, he said is to provide oversight guidance for the implementation of the project and each of the Minister’s reports back to their respective Head of Government.   Also speaking, the Director Infrastructure Department, ECOWAS, Engr, Malik Ashoke revealed that the link bridge between Nigeria and Cameroon has been completed and commissioned, nevertheless scanning machine and weigh bridges are yet to be put in place, and are therefore requesting that the Nigerian Minister of Works may graciously aid in obtaining  FG directive for ease of clearance of the equipment from the wharf. ...

Federal Government Commences Work at The Collapsed Bridge at New Artisan Flyover Enugu/Ph Expressway, Enugu State 1. The Federal Government has approved the immediate commencement of palliative works at the collapsed bridge at New Artisan Flyover/NNPC Mega Station along Enugu/PH Expressway , Enugu State. This was contained in a statement made by the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi during his inspection visit to the collapsed bridge on this 9th day of November,2023. He directed the immediate take- off of the palliatives and hoped that in the next 10 days one lane of the bridge would be reinforced so that road users can start making use of the road "The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Sen Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has also through the 2023 Supplementary  Appropriation released some money that we can use to start the rebuilding of these two bridges and other bridges by the depot and also a flyover by that  location".   2. The Hon. Minister of Works reiterated the determination of Mr President in bringing immediate intervention to the dilapidated road infrastructure across the nation and assured the government and people of Enugu State of having a fair share of the approved interventions by Mr President. "Mr President has released money for palliatives for over 260 roads across the 36 States of the Federation and FCT."   3. While appreciating the leadership will of the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in turning around the economic development prospects of the State and his support for the good leadership of Mr President, he assured him of the partnership of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in rejigging the road infrastructure of Enugu State. " I know the Governor is very eager to build that Federal Road and he has concluded the design, and he is going to start soon. While he is doing that, we will do the flyover  and some road works to complement the work he is doing on that Federal road" The Hon. Minister assured Nigerians of even spread of the palliative works on our road infrastructure and in doing so would ensure that all such palliative works are designed and quantified and the State Governors through their Commissioners for Works would be involved. "They would help in monitoring the works to be done and would always sign off the sheets before contractors are paid".   4. Earlier, the Governor of Enugu State thanked the Hon. Minister of Works for the interest, passion and speed with which the Ministry had attended to the challenge posed by the collapsed bridge." As you know, the last time we came here the Hon. Minister was also here to inspect and to identify areas of quick intervention and I am happy now to announce to you that the Hon.  Minister has come here to inform us again that work is going to commence here tomorrow." ...

Umahi Inspects Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway.   The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi has inspected the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos recently. The superhighway shall be funded and constructed by HiTech Construction Company under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.   The Minister explained that upon completion, the coastal highway will go through to Lekki Deep Sea Port Road, then to Port Harcourt, to Calabar with two spurs, one of the spurs is under phase II going from a point along the coastal road to the ongoing Badagry - Sokoto Road and another spur too along the Ogoja axis of the Trans Sahara trade route.  The phase one he added will be about 650km which consists of two service lanes with four carriageways both sides and a provision for a rail line in the middle of the road.   “The highway shall have multiple spurs that will connect major towns and cities, including a spur connecting Ogoja-axis of the trans Sahara trade route. The phase one he added will be about 650km which will consist of two service lanes with four carriage ways on both sides with a rail line in the middle of the road” he said.   Umahi added that the project is going to be a major breakthrough under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has asked him to “fast track this project because it is going to be a catalyst towards the economic development of this country”.   The Minister pleaded with the Lagos State Government on the permission to acquire the Right of Way on the road corridor to prevent encroachment and possible disturbances during and after construction.   He said the project would promote tourism, have industrial clusters including hotels, factories, housing estates and several other facilities. “So, this is beautiful, it will promote tourism, have industrial clusters including hotels, factories, housing estates and several other facilities” he said.   Umahi disclosed that the highway is going to be built on concrete road pavement which he said will bring the concrete road construction to the next level and it is happening during this administration.   Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat stated that the project is of public interest, a laudable and a welcome development that will serve Nigeria and its citizens enormously.   He noted that the provision of right of way is the state’s responsibility and must be released for a sustainable road to be delivered for the Nigerian citizens. He admonished the general public to desist from building on right of way because all right of ways in the state has been gazetted by the state House of Assembly.   He thereafter expressed his satisfaction with the Federal Government on the construction of the Coastal Highway saying it will boost the economic growth of the country in general.   With the Honourable Minister at the inspection were the Director Highways Southwest, Engr. Adedamola Kuti, the Director Bridges, Engr. Awosanya, The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs.) Korede Kesha; and the Managing Director of HiTech Construction Company. ...