Road Infrastructure: Panacea For National Development - Umahi .....Cautions contractors to improve or lose opportunities The Honorable Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi has reiterated the importance of road infrastructure to national development be it in the movement of hospital equipment, school children going to school, and also for commercial activities to thrive.   He stated this at his first meeting with contractors handling South West Geo-Political roads in the country held at the Ministry’s conference hall Mabushi, Abuja.   The Minister said the Lokoja – Abuja Road is a death trap for commuters as the road that is still on-going is gone bad already because of shabby jobs done by some contractors handling the 200km of the road project describing it as man inhumanity to man.   “The Lokoja road I inspected already is a death trap, the road shoulders are gone while the project is still on-going, this is man inhumanity to man and every life lost because of accident or kidnapping, people responsible will account for it on the last day.  People should have the fear of God because the fear of God brings good things” he said.   Umahi directed all contractors to do things right as agreed and urge them to speak out if there is any challenge encountered or their certificates of contracts awarded in other places will be ceased.   “I will not stop people benefiting but let the people breath first, if you have problem in one project, I will cease the certificate of others”.   The Minister advised Directors of the Ministry to put in more efforts towards their responsibilities and encouraged them to be visiting project sites because they will not understand what is going on except, they go to site.  He added that he will appoint coordinating officers for each geo political zones for things to be moving normal.   He noted that no hope can be renewed without a change of mind. ...

Better Days Ahead in Infrastructural Development - Sen. David Nweze Umahi. The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr David Nweze Umahi (FNSE, CON) has assured road users that his tenure as the Minister of Works will ensure that the roads are put in proper conditions for all Nigerian.   The Minister stated this in his address at a reception in his honor by the Ebonyi State Government in Abuja.   He thanked President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for finding him worthy of the appointment. "Let me thank Mr. President so much, I also ask the people of the South East to thank him, Mr. President has shown us love, Mr. President has shown us inclusiveness, Mr. President has challenged us", he said.   The Minister pledged that Nigerians will witness vigour, diligence and commitment to road Infrastructural development under his watch. He added that any road constructed under his leadership will stay for more than six years without need of maintenance.   Umahi appreciated Ebonyi State Governor for organizing such an event in his honor.   Senate President, His Excellency, Godswill O. Akpabio, CON who was represented by the Deputy Senate President Sen. Barau Jibril, eulogized the Minister and expressed confidence that he will make a remarkable achievement in his Ministry.   In his goodwill message, His Excellency, Nwifuru Francis Ogbonna the Ebonyi State Governor, thanked the President for appointing an Ebonyi son to oversee the Ministry of Works while congratulating the Minister and the people of Ebonyi State for the opportunity.   "My profound appreciation goes to Ahmed Bola Tinubu for assigning our own to chair the affairs of the Ministry of Works", he said.   The Governor assured the President on behalf of the government and people of Ebonyi that the choice of Umahi is one of the best as he will deliver and give Nigerians the best haven like he changed the face of Ebonyi state.   Speaking earlier, Imo State Governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma thanked God Almighty for the gift given to the South East and urged the Minister to replicate in the Works Ministry the good work he did in his state while he served as the Governor and even do more for Nigeria.   Sen. Umahi served as Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the 10th Assembly in 2023, and as a Governor of Ebonyi State from 2015-2023, and Deputy Governor from 2011-2015. He is a certified Engineer.   Other dignitaries at the occasion included: Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Chief Bisi Akande, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, some former Governors, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Engr Folorunsho Esan and Directors of the Ministry. ...

Umahi Resumes as Minister Amidst Cheers from Workers. The newly sworn-in Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has resumed at the Works Ministry. He received a rousing reception .He was received by Management Staff of the Ministry. The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mahmuda Mamman represented by the Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Folorunsho Esan led Management Staff.   The former Governor of Ebonyi State, and also the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, now Minister as nominated by Mr. President immediately assumed duty after the inauguration of the Federal Cabinet by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today 21st August, 2023 at the State House Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja.   Addressing a cross section of staff of the Ministry, Umahi has called for professionalism and seriousness to work, advocating for change from the existing style to new innovations and the use of local content.   “I will challenge my fellow engineers on the issue of concrete technology even in the midst of forex challenge and petroleum crises, the nation is endowed with natural resources so we should be prepared for the renewed hope of the present government anchored on change’’ he said.   The Minister stated that his administration is not to seat in the office but to be in the field, inspecting on going works and effecting the change we want saying that the fortunes of the nation are determined by the attitude of its professionals.   “ I am not an office person, I am a field person which means, we are going to make changes, we are starting inspection tours to inspect ongoing projects and to know the ones to come up  with” he said.   Umahi added that he will not tolerate people who will want to reset the clock backward but people who want to be part of history stating that he is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not Minister of Ebony State or South East alone and his best friends are those who are in line with the aspirations of Mr. President’s renewed hope and the expectations of Nigerians.   He promised by the special Grace of God to replicate the good work of God in Ebonyi State to the federal roads, he urged all staff to be prepared to work for the good of all.   “God gave us a lot of Grace in Ebonyi State and each time people talk about me, I say no talk about God, I don’t know how it happened.  I cannot do it alone and it’s not about me but about us as a nation’’.   The Minister said he will be briefed by every Departmental Head in the presence of all the staff so that all the staff will know what is on board.   To this end, he charged the staff of the Ministry to put in their best and be part of history, he thanked everyone for making out time to welcome him and promised to be there for everyone.   Also, the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr, Folorunsho Esan joyously welcomed the Minister warmly as a professional colleague and pledged the Ministry’s unflinching support towards a successful tenure in the Ministry.   In his closing remarks, the Director Highways, South West, Engr. Adedamola Kuti thanked the Minister for his show of commitment and love on his appointment, while also promising that the Ministry's staff will do their best to support his vision and mandate, he thanked all staff for coming out en -mass to welcome the Minister. ...