FG Poised To Commission Abuja Kano Expressway The Federal Government has given the assurance that section 2 and 3 of the Abuja - Kano expressway will be completed and  commissioned by President Muhammad Buhari before the end of his tenure  this year, May, 29th. 2023. This assurance was given by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari who was taken on a  press - inspection tour of the road by the Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN. The Chief of Staff who expressed satisfaction with the work done said, "Both section 2 and 3 will be completed and ready for commissioning by President Muhammad Buhari before the end of the tenure of his administration". He disclosed that another legacy project of the President, the 2nd Niger bridge will also be commissioned by the President before he leaves office. He recalled that the bridge had been opened for road users during the last Christmas season to ease the hardship that people had  suffered for years now  The COS praised the President for his outstanding and commendable commitment to infrastructural development across the country. "We want to commend Mr President for making the resources available so that this kind of progress can be made", he said.  The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN  explained that section 3 of the road which is from Kaduna to Kano is 137 kilometres, which is longer than the Lagos - Ibadan expressway which is 127 kilometres while section 2 of the road which stretches from Zaria to Kaduna is 73 kilometres.  He added  that though  the Lagod - Ibadan expressway started earlier both projects are being completed around the same time.  On why work on  the section 1 of the road which is from Abuja from Zaria was not progressing like the other two, the Minister attributed the reasons to criminal activities which stalled the work for about a year in 2022, issues about right of way because of the need to relocate buildings, markets electricity installations, utilities all of which must be addressed before the contractor can do his job.  He said  that work on that section of the road was ongoing just as the required collaboration between the Ministry and the Federal Capital Territory Minster and the Governors of Niger and Kaduna states whose territories are connected to the 265 kilometres road is going on.  Fashola gave the assurance that the section will be completed by the next administration as soon as possible as funding which is being provided by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority is readily available.  The Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr Aminu Umar Sadiq affirmed his organisation's commitment and readiness to provide the funding for the project. ...

Road Completion: Nigerians Should Be Proud Of Loko Oweto Project- Fashola  The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN affirmed that the  “ Loko- Oweto bridge is 200 metres longer than the 2nd Niger Bridge , how many African countries are able to do this ? Nigerians should be very proud of this project”. He made this remark during the pre–inspection of the bridge for commissioning in Nasarawa State . Fashola further remarked “In January I was here to asses the level and  progress of work  so far done and at the  end of March.  I am here today when the contractors indicated that  they have completed work and all our officers reported it as well ,  they deserve commendation from Nigerians for the job.”  The Minister said “this is the bridge that crosses river Benue and links the North to the  South , adding that  “ the bridge will reduce travel time , it will reduce travel cost and greatly enhance the   ease of doing business”  Speaking further, Fashola said the report of this working visit to the site of the  bridge  would be sent to the Presidency where the date of the commissioning of the bridge  would then be decided. While commenting on the Lagos – Ibadan road , the Minister appealed for continuous perseverance and understanding of all road users, as traffic had to be diverted  during construction  adding that the road is among the busiest in the country, he  told journalists that the Lagos – Ibadan road would be completed in April of  2023 as planned , in addition , he also  said that in May of 2023 the  2nd Niger bridge would be commissioned and opened to the traffic as well. The Federal Controller of Works Nasarawa State , Mr Idah Daikwo who accompanied the Minister on the inspection of the Loko Oweto  bridge said “ the speed of completion  and quality  of works on  the bridge is second to none , I commend the Honourable Minister for this laudable Legacy project” ...

FG Completes and Hands Over Internal Road Project at Akanu Ibiam -Fed Poly …. School Filled with Excitement and Commendation The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has rehabilitated and handed over a 2-kilometre internal road to Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana Afikpo in Ebonyi State, to ease movement and make teaching and learning conducive for lecturers and students on campus. Speaking at the official handover ceremony of the rehabilitated road to the school management in Afikpor, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN revealed that the ministry had successfully intervened in 64 internal road projects in various federal tertiary institutions across the nation as at January 2023 and a total of 38 numbers still on going and at different stages of completion. Fashola who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Ebonyi State, Engr. Steve Oluwadun said that the intervention work aimed at improving quality of education was gradually bridging the gap of our infrastructure needs in our tertiary institutions. ‘’ The gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the school”, he said. The Minister described the project as an investment in education and noted that over 46 of such internal road projects have been handed over in some other universities and tertiary institutions across the nation. “The quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place. He disclosed that during the reconstruction of the road at Akanu Ibiam Federal Ploy, 35 persons were employed, thus contributing to the job creation initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Fashola urged the institution's authorities to ensure proper use of the road, while embracing a proper maintenance culture. Earlier in his address, the Rector Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Uwana Afikpo, Dr. Felix Attah, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and described the road intervention as laudable and commendable. The Rector added that it would ameliorate the suffering of staff and students, improve the quality of education, more so the learning environment. Represented by the Deputy Rector Academics, Dr. Ezichi Kalu also requested for more interventions on the deplorable roads in the campus and pledged to provide the needed co-operation and environment during such intervention works to accelerate the smooth movement of people as well as reduce accidents rate within the polytechnic community. During an interview session the Public Relations Officer of the Institute, Mrs. Samuel Nwamaka who was full of excitement thanked the Minister for considering the school among the beneficiaries of internal road infrastructure across tertiary institutions in the country. She noted that the road has given aesthetic value to the school and made trekking into the school less tasking. Delivering the Vote of Thanks, the Dean School of Environmental Design and Technology, Surveyor, Iduma Aka Ibiam expressed gladness over the road intervention project by the Federal Government, saying that the road construction has brightened and bloomed the school environment. He described the road intervention as a wonderful and   brilliant intervention that gave the school a beautiful look. ...