Infrastructure Development is to Boost Learning - Fashola .... Emulate Fashola and Buhari in Building Infrastructure - HRH Eze Ali The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Rivers State, Engr. Olufemi Adetunji remarked that, "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 made this remark during the handing over ceremony of an internal road constructed by the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Works and Housing at the Federal College of Education (Technical) FCE (T) in Omoku, Rivers State. Earlier, the Head of Usomini Kingdom of Egbaland, His Royal Highness Eze Dr. King Eze advised, " Those who want to come to power after President Muhammadu Buhari administration next year should emulate him and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN in building infrastructure." King Eze said, "This administration has been useful to the community by building road in the school that linked the community which in turn is beneficiary to the economic and social activities of this area." The School Provost, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri said, “This College now has good road crisscrossing the two campuses making movement of staff, students and members of the public very comfortable." A lecturer in Home Economics, Dr. Matilda Igbeni, said " It is a facelift. We can connect the entire school now because of the road, easy access is now there." A lecturer in the College who teaches English Education, Mr. Albert Ireoma said they are grateful to the Federal Government. He noted that where the new road is built used to be called 'Bush Path to Farm' now the place is an open access. "Students and lecturers are able to access their classrooms and halls   without going through bush paths. This new road has been a welcome development to FCE[T) Omoku. It has given the school a face lift." The Students Union President of FCE (T) Ugem Hope said, " The positive impact of the road is that it has expanded the space in the school and bad students don't have where to lurk anymore, their hideouts used to be where this beautiful road is built, in the past it was muddy and inaccessible." A Student of Business Education FCE(T), Okorda Blessing said, "The road is of good quality. It has given us access to other departments from my faculty. We don't have to go through express road again before linking other areas in the school. We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for this initiative." A snacks and food vendor on campus, Roseline Isreal said, “When the road construction works started my sales improved considerably because workers were coming to patronize me. I am thanking Mr. President and the minister for the good road." A painter who was among the artisans who worked on the road, Goldstone Emmanuel said, "Working on the road improved my income. I thank the Federal Government for giving me the opportunity to earn a better income." ...

Bodo-Bonny Road Project: Works at Substantial Level of Completion- Fashola ... President Buhari has connected us with the rest of Nigeria- Chief Longjohn Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has said that works on the Bodo-Bonny Road Project has reached a substantial level of completion and that it would be completed by December, 2023. Inspecting the 37.9 km single carriageway with thirteen bridges on Wednesday, Fashola said it would boost the economic opportunities and activities of the region. While assuring Nigerians on the new date of completion, he said funding has been made available to ensure its completion even when the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari expires. According to Fashola the present administration of President Buhari has demonstrated commitment in infrastructure development in all the regions of Nigeria. " It is instructive to point out that this very project is being executed by the Federal Government.  I hear some people comment that the Federal Government is not doing anything in Rivers State. Bodo and Bonny are in Rivers State. This is a 200 billion Naira investment in one state. The amount is not the issue but the short and long terms significance of the project is addressing the problem of poverty and how to lift people out of poverty." He said that the purpose of the inspection was to see the level of work done and to administer solutions to any identified problems so that the road and bridges would be open for use for Nigerians by December, 2023. Addressing journalists after the inspection, he said, “There was urgent need to fast tract the completion of the road project pointing out that such infrastructure project would address both the monetary and multi- dimensional poverty of the people and the nation at large. " People are engaged at the sites, contractors, suppliers are busy working and making money. This place will be opened up in a way that it will be breath taking. It should be on record that the seed of ending poverty has been sown by President Buhari by this project." On his part, the Bodo Bonny Road and Bridges Project Peace Committee Chairman, Chief Osobonye Longjohn said that the project has connected Bodo -Bonny to Nigeria, stressing that it will bring prosperity to the land. " I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN for this project. Our hopes as a people is alive now because the project will create a lot of economic opportunities for our people. We are happy. As you have remembered us, we will remember this government led by the All Progressive Congress (APC)," he said. Earlier, the Project Manager of Julius Berger Plc, Thomas Haug said that the project has progressed tremendously and would be completed by December, 2023 pointing out that funding would not be a challenge. He said that the firm has completed major engineering works under water surface, adding that about thirteen bridges both minor and major ones have been completed. ...

Ember Months: FG Removes Barricades on Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highways .... To ease traffic flow for motorists during festive season   As part of the ember months programme, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has announced removal of barricades on the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highways to allow free traffic flow for motorists flying the routes during the festive period. Engr Folorunso Esan, Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation in the Ministry made this announcement in Zaria during an inspection visit of the ongoing work, Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 " This is part of our Ember Months programme, there was a directive by the Minister that all barriers at road construction sites where major works have been completed be removed by 15th of December to allow for free movement this season" he said Engr Esan stated that he was on the visit to specifically make the pronouncement for the removal of the barricades and opening of diversions as directed by the Honourable Minister. Accordingly, he explained that the usual gridlock motorists experienced during festive season necessitated the directive to the Contractors to remove barriers on the sections where major work has been completed and close for end of year break to resume early in January. In the same vein, the Federal Controller of Works, Federal Capital Territory, Engr Yakub Usman stated that, sequel to the directive of the Honourable Minister, palliative repairs and patching of potholes are ongoing at both Abuja and Kaduna end of the highway. " Palliative work are ongoing. Barrier cannot be removed in the works zones yet to be completed. However, the Contractor has been directed to carry out repair works on all the diversions as part of the palliative repairs" Engr Usman said Engr Usman revealed that the Abuja -Kaduna section of the project has eight diversions, saying that they are collaborating with the Contractor and relevant agencies such as FRSC to address unforeseen emergencies for effective traffic control during the yuletide. On his part the Supervising Project Controller of Zaria - Kano section of the highway, Engr Ibrahim said "We are opening up all the work zones where the works have attained binder course level. There is only one diversion left following the opening up of the work zones. Pothole patching is taking place at bad spots along the road" He also stated that they are working closely with FRSC and Kano traffic agency KAROTA for effective traffic management during the season, adding that the Contractor has put in place a tow truck and pay loader to facilitate clearance operations as required. Engr Esan was accompanied on the inspection by Director, Federal Highways, North -west, Engr Taiwo and the media team of the Ministry ...