Sep

04

2019

Driving National Development Through Research And Innovation, Being The Text Of Keynote Address Delivered At The Lagos State University’s 1st Research Fair And Endowment Of Research

It is fit and proper to start by expressing my appreciation to my host, Professor Olanrewaju A. Fagbohun, SAN, the Vice Chancellor and by extension the LASU university community, for inviting me to speak at this RESEARCH FAIR AND ENDORSEMENT OF RESEARCH GRANTS FUND.

The theme of conversation is “Driving National Development through Research and Innovation” as chosen by the DIRECTORATE OF RESEARCH MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION.

I consider it eminently well- conceived at this time when we are confronted with several choices about what to do, to overcome our developmental challenges and what to do in order to propel ourselves to the Nigeria of our collective dreams.

Let me say that I entertain no doubt about the possibilities and promise that lie ahead of Nigeria.

The question therefore for me has never been whether Nigeria will fulfil and realize her promise; on the contrary the question has been when it will happen.

Therefore, I have always held the view that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria; and that what perhaps has been wrong, are some of the things we have done or failed to do, and when we have done them or failed to do them.

In other words, what has or have informed our decision making or choice making processes, have we measured the impact or consequences of what we have done or failed to do?

Have we monitored how our choices have impacted our journey of national development?

This is the context in which I seek to speak about “Research” and “Innovation” which is the theme of this research fair.

What is “Research” and what is “Innovation”?

These are the opening questions I pose and seek to answer; and by so doing, I hope to link them to our national development and hopefully relate them to a few cases of study and conclude with my own humble recommendations.

The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines “Research” as:

     “a careful study of a subject …in order to discover new facts or information about it.”

And “Innovation” as:

     “the introduction of new things, ideas or ways of doing something…”

With these working definitions, I will proceed to make a connection between research, innovation and national development; by reference to some things that we all know.

We all know that All Progressive Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari won in 2015 by defeating an incumbent president in an unprecedented election.

Has any university or research institution conducted a research (published); that is a “careful study” of why Nigerians voted for President Buhari’s message of:

     * Tackling Insecurity
     * Growing the economy
     * Fighting corruption?

I have chosen to start with our democracy and election, because they have consequences on national development.

I know of no published work by any Nigerian university that answered the question. But I know how President Buhari came up with that message.

The answer is simple. The APC when it was formed chose to innovate.

In other words, as shown from our definition, APC chose to introduce a new thing or idea or way of doing something – contesting an election in Nigeria.

APC chose to research, that is, to conduct a careful study of a subject, our election. I was involved in the process at a very high level, as chair of the Strategy Committee in 2014. We commissioned a study of what the Nigerian people wanted.

We used a sample size of 20,000 people and administered 60 (sixty) questions to each person on a questionnaire in face to face interviews.

It took months, and cost money, (and I will come to this later because this is not only a “Research Fair” but also an Endowment of Research Grants Fund) but the rewards of success at the election more than justified it.

The outcome of the research showed that majority of those interviewed were not happy about:

     * Security in the country (Insurgency and Bombing)
     * The economy that was said to be growing and leaving people behind (jobless growth)
     * The way issues of corruption were being handled.

Working with data analysts, we used the data from questions 1,200,000 (60 x 20,000) to craft an electoral message that responded to the front burner considerations of the electorate.

This is one example of research and innovation in relation to national development.

The other examples I will share relate to events in Lagos.

They are Oshodi Clearing; and the Lekki Expressway Toll Plaza contrasted with the Lekki Link Bridge Toll Plaza.

OSHODI

Many commuters around the Oshodi Area would remember how difficult it was to commute through the area.

Those who needed to use the airport had become accustomed to leaving home many hours ahead than was necessary, only because the traffic and commuting experience had become a nightmare.

The Lagos State government under my tenure was committed to solving the problem.

We sent a study team there to ascertain the cause of the gridlock.

We found that it was about 500 traders who chose the rail line as their market that were largely responsible for the problem.

They come from many states within Nigeria and from outside Nigeria.

Pedestrians crossing the Agege Motor road were also an impediment to free flow of traffic.

The impact of the gridlock was not limited to commuters, it affected property owners in the nearby Ikeja GRA, whose property values were diminishing and some of who were relocating to other parts of the state.

The gridlock also affected;

     * Healthcare
     (a) Because there was high carbon mono-oxide Pollution from vehicular fumes causing upper respiratory tract infections;
     (b) Improper waste management led to vector settlements of rats and roaches who transmitted disease;

     * Safety
     (a) Because the large static population led to high crime incidents of robbery, rape, assault and sometimes murders;

Our study results recommended:

     * Relocation of the traders, so we built a new market in Isopakodowo

     * Separation of pedestrians from motorists so we built a new pedestrian bridge

     * Crime deterring aids, so we installed street lights in Oshodi

The results were transformative.

     * Traffic moved

     * Crime rates dropped when we checked with the Oshodi Police Station and compared incidents before and after

     * Property values steadied and rapidly rose in GRA Ikeja as reported by estate valuers

     * Incidents of vector borne diseases reduced as reported by our teaching hospital LASUTH.

People wondered aloud how we achieved such a feat where no gun shot was fired or life lost or indeed anybody injured.

The answer is simple, we researched and we innovated. Again, it took time and cost money but it led to development.

And please bear in mind that I am not aware that any university has published any results of research on Oshodi before and after we intervened.

LEKKI EXPRESSWAY AND LEKKI LINK BRIDGE TOLL PLAZAS

Not a few will recall that the Lekki Expressway was in some state of disrepair before 2007 when the Lagos State government chose to reconstruct the 60km highway using private sector funds and concessioning the road.

This was itself innovative because that made it the first government owned road to be funded by private capital in West Africa.

There was also some study, which meant that innovation accompanied research. But one item that was probably not studied at all or enough was how people will react to the payment of tolls.

I say this because, there were town hall meetings with the residents and I recall there were town hall meetings held at the Lagoon restaurant and in the Governor’s office involving some property owners and chieftaincy families along the corridor.

They received the project information enthusiastically but we never discussed how much the toll would cost and their willingness to pay.

Needless to reiterate, the protests that greeted the commencement of tolling have now been well documented to bear repetition.

It was a useful lesson that served us in good stead when the Lekki Link Bridge tolling was commenced a few years later.

While the Lekki Link bridge was under construction and nearing completion, we commissioned a study about people’s willingness to pay and how much they were willing to pay.

The results informed the pricing of the toll and when the bridge opened there was no protest about the cost.

As you probably all know, the bridge has become a favourite destination for pedestrians and vehicle owners alike.

Our study showed amongst others that the crossing from Lekki to Ikoyi took 3 minutes approximately to traverse, without traffic if you use Link bridge, and over 20 minutes if you went through Falomo to the same point where the bridge lands on Alexander Avenue Ikoyi.

These are just a few examples of research and innovation in the Transportation sector of national development, -

There have been others in my time in government, such as

     * The cost of Electric power using generators as compared with taking power from DisCo;

     * The number of vehicles traversing various highways in Nigeria;

     * The difference in journey and travel times on major highways before and during the Buhari government intervention on road infrastructure and

     * The type of housing that Nigerians in different states will accept to live in, to mention a few.

I must not fail to mention the selfless work of Professor Olumide Olusanya whose research and Innovative recommendations led to the creation of the MUSON under pass at Onikan to relief traffic.

But I will proceed to now raise questions about innovation and research in other areas of our compelling national challenges;

     * Security
     * Health
     * Education
     * Economy

Why is there no published research about the pattern and morphology of our security challenges with results offering different solutions and new ideas by way of innovation to overcome these challenges?

Why have all the experts focused only on law enforcement capacity and resourcing, which are important?

Has its occurred to us that we are not just dealing with crime but with organized crime?

Has it occurred to us that our security challenges are providing vast economic rewards for those who organise to hurt us and that there is a lot we can do to support government and protect ourselves?

I have just completed a paper on this subject which I will publish soon.

Have we commissioned any study about the decade long industrial disputes in different parts of the country and how they affect:

     * Health care delivery
     * Education quality
     * National productivity and our economic development?

There are vast areas of activity for research and innovation which I commend for consideration.

This is what many universities do across the world and these are Thesis subjects for the award of degrees and very valuable data from which universities raise money by selling the data to private and public institutions.

This is how knowledge centres (like universities) contribute to national development, and as they say, this is how the gown meets the town.

We have heard statements from unverified data that:

     * Nigeria has a 17 million housing deficit
     * Nigeria has 10 million children out of school
     * Nigeria has a 200 million population

While there are challenges with housing supply, is the problem the same in rural and urban centres or only in the latter?

With the 2006 census popularly discredited and judicially annulled in about 11 local governments in Lagos State by the census tribunal, how can these figures be anything more than uneducated guesses or extrapolation?

Yet we seem to have accepted these figures without question.

National development through the provision of adequate facilities, sufficient infrastructure, adequate manpower such as teachers, doctors, nurses and other medical staff will struggle without verifiable data.

As they say, you cannot manage it, if you cannot measure it.

You might be interested to know that while there is a shortage of housing, there are also empty, and unoccupied buildings in almost every major city in Nigeria. Are these factored into the deficit?

How many people in the public and private sector who go to work from 8a.m to 4p.m, a  period of 8 hours, actually do 4 hours productive work each day?

How does this affect national productivity and economic growth and what would Nigeria’s story be like if everybody actually worked for 4 hours only i.e. 50% of the contrasted time?

How many of us have taken time to advance the innovative works of Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti and Professor Babatunde Fafunwa on primary preventive healthcare and mother-tongue instruction in basic education.

Have we considered the impact on our children, of our mode of teaching by giving instructions, dictating notes by way of their getting used to taking instructions?

Have we studied what can happen if we start teaching them to solve problems by working in groups to stimulate their creativity and stir their curiosity?

Is this connected in anyway with why all of us are waiting for a messiah type leader to tell us how to solve our problems, when we can be the solution if we were trained to solve problems?

Can we study and develop solutions to monitor every item of fertiliser, anti-microbes, and other ingredients used to grow food on each farm?

Can we develop solutions to identify each yam produce; Which day it was planted; When it was harvested; Which farm it came from and the soil component as to make it acceptable for export to and consumption in every part of the world.

Before I go to how to fund research and innovation, let me deal with some specific issues: -
    
(a) Brookings Institute Report on Global Poverty.
Let me be clear that my comments do not suggest that there is no poverty : Poverty is a global phenomenon which every society tries to manage and reduce. But given what I know about India and Nigeria I was curious about the conclusions that “ Nigeria is the Poverty Capital of the World.”

I commissioned some checks on the report and I found out that:

According to World Data Lab’s Poverty Clock, about 90 million people in Nigeria live in extreme poverty.  In monetary terms, the World Poverty Clock defines poverty as living on less than $1.90 per day. In effect, anyone living on less than N684 is living in extreme poverty.

The Report has been criticized by different countries and experts on the way it measured poverty in terms of earnings-per-day benchmark. The following are some of the limitations of the report as admitted by the researchers themselves.

1.    Baseline
In arriving at its conclusion, the Clock used baseline data for 2013 and forecast assumptions. In other words, the report did not take into consideration the economic interventions that have taken place between 2014 and 2015.

2.    Basis of the Report
The report also used the General Household Survey from 2012/2013 and not the Harmonized Living Standards Survey. The reason for the adoption of GHS is that “it is more recent and believed to be of higher quality.”

3.    Challenges of Estimating Poverty
The report also admitted that “the challenges in estimating poverty in Nigeria stem from the fact that Nigeria is not a homogenous country. There are distinct differences in economic conditions between the South and the North. National averages conceal these differences and surveys are not sufficiently representative at the State level to draw firm conclusions.”

4.    Effect of Civil Unrest
The Report also admitted the effect of civil unrest impacted the study. In its methodology it admitted that: “Nigeria has also been suffering from civil unrest and conflict in selected Northern areas where Boko Haram has been active.” Despite the fact that it recognized that: “such unrest will indubitably have a negative impact on poverty,” it downplayed its impact by stating that “…but there is insufficient data to quantify this.”

(b) While I was concluding this paper, two (2) reported research results caught my eye which are worthy of mention:

i) On 28th August, 2019, Sky News announced the results published by University College London about Smoking Habits in England over a period spanning 2011 – 2018. It showed that there was a drop of 24.4 % in the number of Cigarettes smoked and a 21.1 % drop in the sale of cigarettes.
These are useful numbers to review the impact of policies made to improve Healthcare and prolong life.

     * On the same date TVC News in Nigeria announced the result of Research by the University of Jos, of the production of an Anti – Snake Venom from plant Seeds with no Side Effects. This is ground breaking to prevent loss of lives from Snakes bites in that part of the Country where such incidents are reportedly frequent.

(c) Finally on this point, I wish to share the Report of a study about Ethnic and Religious division which I commissioned in 2017 and repeated in 2018 at a time, when the conversations about “how divided we were” along these lines were gaining momentum and Restructuring was to be the cure.

72% of those surveyed chose to identify themselves first as Nigerian Citizens, 11% chose their Religious Identity, 9% chose their Clan or Tribe, 5% chose their Regional Identity and 2% chose their ethnic group.

How to fund Research and Innovation

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I could go on, but I think I have made the case about the compelling opportunities for research and innovation in our day to day life, without even going into more detailed specialities like medicine, information technology, automobile engineering, to mention a few.

The next question of cause will be how will all these be funded?

The truth is that data gathering, which is the result of studies and research is already a big global business and Nigeria is not left behind.

As I have shown earlier, while in Government, our Government in Lagos commissioned several studies and paid the companies for them.

Although we used several companies, one of them was owned by Idowu Sobowale , a professor from LASU, whose reports helped in decision making during my campaign for the office of governor in 2007 and in preparing our first budget in 2008 based on a study of what the people wanted.

Today, many conglomerates are paying good money to research and data firms for information about consumers to help them stay ahead of their competition.

This is one area of possible funding.

Many of these companies are not likely to be aversed to funding endorsements to fund research; and I recall that during my time the Lagos State Government made a provision in one year’s budget to the tune of N1 billion to fund various areas of research but this was in the last year of my second term.

1.    Endowment of Professorial Chair

The time has come to develop framework for healthy collaboration between the gown and the town. Gown in this case being university, and town representing the industry. Universities are factories for ideas, they are centres of innovations and researches. Our universities need to develop products and services that are useful not only for academic purposes but which are also useful for industrial and commercial purposes. A country’s GDP is a reflection of its product.

Annually, the National Academy of Inventors publishes a list of top 100  worldwide universities granted by the United States Utility Patents. The essence of the list is to underscore the fundamental role of universities as a laboratory of functional ideas. In the words of the President of the Academy, Paul Sandberg, “the patents our universities produce represent important processes and collaborations which have the potential to make a significant impact on society on a local, regional, national and global scale.”

One of the ways universities in Nigeria can get into this competitive list of owners of patent is by encouraging industries to see the utilities and values of their researches and innovations. The industries can also encourage universities to undertake researches that can add value to their own businesses. This can be done through Endowment of Professorial Chair by individuals and institutions.

In some universities, quite a number of professors you are likely to meet are holders of professorial chairs endowed by individuals and corporations. The Nigerian historian, Prof Toyin Falola, for instance, is Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Professor. John N. Parden, the author of Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria is Clarence Robinson Professor of International Studies.

The time has therefore come to start having endowed professorial chairs in LASU and other universities in Nigeria.

And, this is a win-win situation for all the parties. For the company that endows a chair in LASU, it is certainly a way of positively branding the company. Thus, anywhere Prof Lanre Fagbohun, SAN is mentioned, his professorial chair will be mentioned alongside the name. Any paper he writes or delivers will have the name of the company in bold print. For example, Prof Lanre Fagbohun, SAN, XYZ Bank Professor of Commercial Law.

Such endowment will also underscore the company’s corporate social responsibility as a citizen with bias for intellectual researches.

More importantly, it is an avenue for the donor institution to specifically use the endowment to address a particular research issue that may add value to its business or provide a solution to a social problem. By way of example, a Chief Ajayi Ojo Professorial Chair in Public Transportation might have as part of its terms of reference, researches into challenges of intermodal transportation in Lagos State. You can therefore imagine the multiplier effect of a single endowment.

2.    Endowment and Taxation

The good news about donations and endowments to universities in Nigeria is that it is tax deductible! That means that for the purpose of ascertaining the profit or loss of a company, the company is allowed to deduct the amount of any donation made to statutorily approved institutions. This is by virtue of section 25 of the Companies Income Tax Act. And for your information, universities are expressly mentioned in the 5th Schedule to the Act.

I consider this as a big incentive to encourage corporate bodies to donate, out of their profits, to charitable causes of which education is certainly one.

3.    Higher Education and Research Act

One holistic way of addressing the challenge of research and innovation is through legislative intervention. If we may borrow a leaf from the United Kingdom, there is a need for a legislation similar to the Higher Education and Research Act. As you are no doubt aware, it is this law that set up the United Kingdom Research and Innovation. One of the core mandates of UK Research and Innovation is to facilitate, encourage, and support research into science and technology, humanities and new ideas.

With such a body in Nigeria, there will be a specialized fund dedicated to supporting research infrastructure in institutions of higher learning across the country. This will also assist us as a country to benchmark our investment in Research and Development against our GDP. The reality is that there is a direct relationship between a country’s GDP and the investment in R&D.

We already have such an intervention body in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). TETFUND’s enabling law can be amended to ensure that it is made to focus on funding researches and innovations.

The Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees of the National Assembly on Science, Technology and related fields can be approached to initiate such legislation

These are matters over which State House of Assemblies also have powers, being under the Concurrent list in item 21 and 22 of  Part II  of the second schedule of the 1999 Constitution.

4.    LASU Alumni Endowment Fund

As a university, LASU today has produced an uncountable number of alumni who have gone to excel in various fields. The university has produced leaders at national and sub-national levels. You have produced leaders in entertainment. You have produced celebrated writers and thinkers. If charity begins at home, endowment must also begin with alumni.

Most universities in other climes have bodies incorporated for the sole purpose of managing its endowment fund. The Princeton University Investment Company is the vehicle set up to manage endowment funds of Princeton University. In 2013, Yale’s Endowment generated 12.5% return which translates to an investment gain of $2.29 billion. Between 2003 and 2013, Yale Endowment grew from $11.03 billion to $20.78 billion.

As an institution, does LASU have a comprehensive database of its alumni from inception to date? Do we engage with these alumni? Do they see themselves as an extension of the school? There must be a strategic arrangement to leverage on the alumni network for the purpose of endowment funding.

5.    Student Engagement

I understand that this year, LASU graduated over 14,000 students. This is an impressive figure by any standard. More than half of this number will be productively engaged in the next few years. In a decade, a substantial number of them would have become middle-level officers in whatever field they are in. If we are strategic about it, year in and year out, we can continue to have a ready pool of alumni who will be interested in contributing their quota to the development of the school that produced them. Many old students are always proud to sport their school ties, lapels, scarfs, colours and other symbols representative of their school.

6. Charities  and Not-For-Profits

Another veritable source of funding for research and innovation is the values embedded in charitable organizations and institutions. As you are aware, companies limited by guarantee are statutorily charitable in their essence. The Corporate Affairs Commission has a database of these companies. Many of them have educational improvement as part of their objectives. With proper coordination, they can be a viable partner in providing funds for researches and innovations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, these are my thoughts and recommendations on Research, Innovation , our National Development, the opportunities, and how to optimize them.

Thank you for listening.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of  Works and Housing

Aug

29

2019

FG To Complete Ongoing, Abandoned Projects - Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to the completion of all on-going and abandoned projects across the country.

Speaking on Thursday when the Management team of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FCMB) paid him a courtesy visit in his office, Fashola said the policy direction of the present administration was on completing all on-going and abandoned projects.

The Minister, who was responding to the remarks of the Board Chairman of FMBN, Dr. Adewale Adeeyo, on the uncompleted re-capitalization of the Bank, said the Ministry would see that the process was completed as the government of the day placed importance on Housing and Consumers Credit. According to him, ”It is one of those areas of urgent focus by the President as a way of creating prosperity and as a way of enhancing the dignity of Nigerians”.

Fashola said there was a lot that could be jointly done by the Ministry and the Bank in the actualization of the Next Level Agenda of Mr. President assuring the Bank of the Ministry’s readiness to look at its projects that are on-going and fashion out ways of completing them.

Charging the Bank to do more on publicity as most Nigerians were currently not well informed that the Bank grants construction loans with more competitive interest rate than those offered by commercial banks, Fashola declared, “You must find a strategy to pass information on platforms that people take information from and that include, not only the conventional platforms like television, newspapers and radio, but also markets, places where people gather; sports clubs, social clubs and so on. You must reach out”.

“You must also engage the appropriate skill sets in getting this message out”, adding that the bank must also seek to reach the people at the bottom of the pyramid who, according to him, “also save money in their small businesses, in their small cooperatives”. “ So why not open accounts for them too”, he said.

Earlier, Dr.Adeeyo, who led the team of the top Management of the Bank on the visit, had solicited for the completion of the re-capitalization process of the bank

Aug

16

2019

FG Committed To Delivering Effective Power Supply To Nigerians – Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday reassured Nigerians that Federal Government was committed to ensuring effective and cost reflective power supply in the country.
Osinbanjo gave the assurance during the official inauguration of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation and associated 132KV transmission lines in Abeokuta, Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the vice president inaugurated the 2×60MVA, 132/33KV relief substation for Abeokuta; line bay extension works at Otta, Papalantoro and old Abeokuta 132/33KV substation.

According to Osinbajo, this commissioning is an important part of  government effort to improve supply and quality of power to homes and businesses in Nigeria.

“In past few years, resolving the power problem has been top priority of government of Nigeria.

“Today, we have about 13,427 megawatts installed capacity and available capacity of 8,342 megawatts.

“This was achieved through the effort of government and private sector partnership on rehabilitation of turbines in Shiroro Egbin, Delta, Sapele, among others,” he said.

He assured Nigerians that before the end of 2019, new generation was expected to be injected into the national grid to boost and increase power supply in the country.

Osinbajo said the distribution capacity in the 11 Discos were significantly low, hovering at around 4,000 megawatts on average with a peak at about 5,400MW.

He added that despite all the availability of about 8,000MW of generation and 7,000MW of transmission capacity, the lack of Disco infrastructure to absorb and deliver grid power to end-users had  largely restricted generation to an average of about 4,000MW, and sometimes even falling below 4,000MW.

“It is evident that despite all efforts that has been put into trying to expand the grid, the structure of the market today cannot deliver on government’s promises to provide power for domestic and industrial use.

“A substantial change of strategy is necessary. There is clearly need for a change of strategy.

“What we have done in the past has taken us to a point where there is clearly a change of strategy,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NDPHC, Mr Chiedu Ugbo, said he the new 2×60MVA, 132/33KV substation of Abeokuta, when fully come on stream, would provide reliable power off-take via six 33KV distribution feeders to the state capital (Abeokuta) and its environs.

He explained further that the 1×60MVA transformer at Otta would  provide additional power supply via three 33KV feeders to Otta and its environs.
Besides, Ugbo underscored the importance of the projects and said they would impact positively on power supply to Abeokuta, Otta axis and Papalanto.

“NDPHC’s contribution to the tansmission grid system has transformed the hitherto radial 330Kv/132KV grid into a more robust grid system with significant provision of alternative power flow routes which now serve as redundancies and which has resulted in a more reliable and stable Nigeria grid.

“Of note in these respects are the commissioning of the over 220KM long 330KV Double Circuit (DC) lines providing alternative supply route into Abuja and the FCT from Geregu.

“Through a new Lokoja substation, a new Gwagwalada substation into the existing TCN Katampe and Apo substations with several significant expansion works on existing substation developments along this route,” he said.

Agbo said electricity supply to those parts of Ogun along the axis of Otta right up to Abeokuta the state capital were initially via a double circuit 132kV line into Otta, from the mega 330/132/33kV transformer substation at Ikeja west which serves as a marshalling station for several power plant inflows into Lagos.

*A 2X40MVA 132/33kV substation was built at this Otta location for supply to Otta and environs.

“Out of Otta, a single circuit lower capacity 132kV line was built to connect Abeokuta via an intermediate 132/33kV Substation at Papalanto within the premises of Lafarge Cement Company.

“The Abeokuta Substation was also equipped with 2X40MVA 132/33kV Transformers for supplying Abeokuta and its environs.

“Over time, all these facilities became overloaded and lacking capacity to cater to growing demands in these locations, necessitating NDPHC intervention.

“A schematic overview of the old status and NDPH intervention is attached for visual clarity,” he added.

The NDPHC boss said the company constructed a total of 77.5kms high capacity 132kV transmission Lines, thus providing near quadrupling of the supply (wheeling) capacity out of Otta (from 70MW to 250MW) and thereby eliminating supply constraints and attendant load shedding that had existed before at Otta, and Abeokuta.

He said that additionally, the NIPP 2X60MVA 132/33kV Substation at New Abeokuta provided reliable 6nos. 33kV distribution feeders to Abeokuta environs, while the added 1X60MVA 132/33kV Transformer at Otta provided additional 3nos. 33kV feeders to Otta environs.

The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr Usman Mohammed, said 1.66 billion dollars had been secured from the World Bank and other multilateral financing agencies on network projects.

Usman said the financing was raised for the expansion of the national power grid.

He said  the Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project, which sought to redress certain deficiencies and operating constraints of the power transmission system, was financed by the World Bank and was worth 486 million dollars.

“The project is in three stages; two phases have passed pre-qualification state while the third is still on pre-qualification stage.

He said the pre-qualification of the Northern Corridor project being funded by the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) was almost completed.

Mohammed said: “The project will cover the closing of loop in-between Sokoto to Kaura Namoda and Katsina.

“Environmental Impact Assessment is on-going, verification for compensation for the right of way is also on-going. The project loan is 300 million dollars,” he said.

According to him, the Lagos-Ogun transmission project, which is worth $238m, is being financed by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Usman said the project design, EIA studies, technical studies and resettlement action plan had been concluded.

He said compensation request had been forwarded to the Bureau of Public Procurement for due diligence which was expected to be concluded in the third quarter of the year.
Source: (NAN)

Jul

23

2019

Remarks By H.E President Muhammadu Buhari At The Meeting With Mr Joe Kaeser, Ceo/President Siemens AG At The State House On Monday 22nd July 2019

1. Thank you all for coming today and for the roles you have all played in planning what we hope will be a significant project to dramatically improve the quality of our electricity supply.

2. I recall my meeting in late August, last year, with Chancellor Merkel here in Abuja, when both our Governments committed to future cooperation to support economic growth and development in Nigeria. We were clear that fixing the power sector was a key priority for this administration.

3. It was during that event that Mr Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens AG committed to working with Nigeria to develop a feasible roadmap to modernise our electricity grid with support from the German Government.

4. We all know how critical electricity is to the development of any community or indeed any nation. And in Nigeria, whilst we are blessed to have significant natural gas, hydro and solar resources for power generation, we are still on the journey to achieving reliable, affordable and quality electricity supply necessary for economic growth, industrialization and poverty alleviation.

5. Ladies and Gentlemen, there have been many attempts at solving the electricity problem in our country. Previous Governments have explored State funded solutions through the ill prepared National Independent Power Projects. They also explored the installation of large emergency power projects. There was also the partial privatization of the power generation and distribution sectors.

6. These various interventions to solving the electricity problem have yielded an imbalance between the amount of power generated and the amount available for consumers. Despite over 13,000 megawatts of power generation capacity, only an average of 4,000 megawatts reliably reaches consumers.

7. Now, we have an excellent opportunity to address this challenge.

8. This Government’s priority was to stabilise the power generation and gas supply sector through the Payment Assurance Facility, which led to a peak power supply of 5,222 MW. Nonetheless, the constraints remained at the transmission and distribution systems.

9. This is why I directed my team to ask Siemens and our Nigerian stakeholders to first focus on fixing the transmission and distribution infrastructure – especially around economic centres where jobs are created.

10. Whilst it was evident that more needed to be done to upgrade the sub-transmission and distribution system, our Government was initially reluctant to intervene as the distribution sector is already privatised.

11. I am therefore very pleased with the positive feedback from private sector owners of the distribution companies, who have all endorsed Government’s intervention to engage Siemens on this end-to-end plan to modernise the electricity grid.

12. Our goal is simply to deliver electricity to Nigerian businesses and homes. My challenge to Siemens, our partner investors in the Distribution Companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Electricity Regulator is to work hard to achieve 7,000 megawatts of reliable power supply by 2021 and 11,000 megawatts by 2023 – in phases 1 and 2 respectively.

13. After these transmission and distribution system bottlenecks have been fixed, we will seek – in the third and final phase – to drive generation capacity and overall grid capacity to 25,000 megawatts.

14. With our strong commitment to the development of Mambilla Hydroelectric and the various solar projects under development across the country, the long-term power generation capacity will ensure adequate energy mix and sustainability in the appropriate balance between urban and rural electrification.

15. Our intention is to ensure that our cooperation is structured under a Government-to-Government framework. No middlemen will be involved, so that we can achieve value for money for Nigerians. We also insist that all products be manufactured to high quality German and European standards and competitively priced.

16. This project will not be the solution to ALL our problems in the power sector. However, I am confident that it has the potential to address a significant amount of the challenges we have faced for decades.

17. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is our hope that as the power situation improves, we will improve investor confidence, create jobs, reduce the cost of doing business and encourage more economic growth in Nigeria.

18. I thank you for coming today, particularly those of you who have had to come from outside Nigeria. I wish you all safe stay in Abuja and safe journeys back home.

19. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

May

28

2019

Please Complete The Good Works We’ve Started - Fasola Charges Staff

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has urged the management and staff of his Ministry to try as much as possible and complete the outstanding works he did not finish from 11th of November he resumed office till his exit on 28th May 2019. He also enjoined them not to undermine President Mohammadu Buhari’s quest to deliver quality service to Nigerians in his next level to improve and move the economy forward.

Fashola gave the charge today in his Ministry’s Headquarters, Abuja during the valedictory Meeting the Management Staff held in his honour and that of the Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Honourable Mustapha Baba Shehuri.

Fasola and Shehuri respectively commended the Permanent Secretary (Works and Housing Sector), Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, his counterpart, (Power Sector), Engr. Louis Edozien, the Management and Staff of the Ministry for the co-operation and support given to them during their tenure as Ministers.

While appealing for forgiveness from Staff whose toes were stepped on in the course of carrying out their duties, the Ministers appealed for extension of support and co-operation to anyone that might be appointed as the next Minister, stressing that government is a continuum.

The various Directors and Heads of Agencies in the Ministry who delivered goodwill messages saluted Fashola and Shehuri for their team spirit, doggedness, resourcefulness and innovativeness in carrying out the mandate of the Ministry.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (Works and Housing), Alhaji Mohammed Bukar extoled both Fashola and Shehuri for superintending and piloting the affairs of the Ministry in the most efficient manner which ushered in an increase and unprecedented increase in the budgetary allocation of the Ministry.

In his closing remark, Engr. Louis Edozien stated that the two Ministers had left legacies and indelible marks on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing so difficult and challenging to surpass in the near future. He prayed that the Almighty God will continue to guide and strengthen them in their future endeavours.

Feb

11

2019

Minister Guarantees Continuous Funding Of Second Niger Bridge Construction

The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has guaranteed Nigerians of Federal Government’s determination to continue funding on-going construction works on the 2nd Niger Bridge linking Asaba, Delta State with Onitsha, Anambra State. He gave the assurance while on an inspection visit to the site.

2. Hon. Shehuri reiterated that since the present Administration came on board, its priority has, essentially, been on infrastructural development. He added that this has placed a huge obligation on the construction of an additional bridge to compliment the existing one built in 1965 as a crucial link between the Eastern and Western regions of the country.

3. Hon. Shehuri said the Federal Government will stop at nothing to ensure that funds are released, as at when due, to the contractor in order to  accomplish the project for ease of vehicular traffic and socio - economic enhancement.

4. The Minister revealed that since the commencement of the Main Works for the construction of this national infrastructure in 2017, after the completion of Early Works, Phases I - IV, there has been no delay in payments. This is evident in the appreciable progress achieved so far.

5. On the issue of compensation, the Minister appealed to the affected communities to co-operate with the Federal Government as the project, when eventually completed, would be of benefit to them, in particular, and Nigerians, as a whole.

6. Speaking earlier, the Federal  Controller of Works, Anambra State, Engr. Ajani Adeyemo established the fact that the Ministry has already paid compensations to the tune of N3.5Billion for claims on the project corridor. He also disclosed that compensation was paid from Km 23 - 34.9 of the project,  though there were still pockets of claims coming in from time to time. These  outstanding claims have already been forwarded to the Ministry for consideration and settlement, he added.

7. Engr. Adeyemo, while allaying the fears of Nigerians on the scheduled delivery of the project, further explained that the 2nd Niger Bridge, alongside two other Federal Government projects, are specially funded from the National Sovereign Investments Fund (NSIF) and as such will not experience paucity of funding. The Federal Controller, gladly, informed the Minister that, while the completion period for the contract is 42 months, it is presently at 17%  within 4 months.

8. The Project Director, Julius Berger (Nigeria) Limited, Mr Frederick Weiser stated that his Company has received payment on work done thus far and the communities have been co-operating as well. The major threat to the project, according to him, is the River Niger itself. He believes the river was going to rise between 10m to 12m as the rainy season was fast approaching. This, he said, calls for intensive work, 24 hours of the day, seven days a week to ensure it progresses before the River level rises.

Feb

07

2019

FG Reopens Apapa/ Leventis Bridge, Pledges Repairs On Third Mainland Bridge

After closure for over one year, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing on Wednesday reopened the Apapa/Leventis Bridge to traffic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the bridge was closed for emergency repairs in August 2016 after a portion of the bridge deck damaged by fire caved in.

Some of the reinforcement rods on top of the bridge’s centre had become exposed as the asphalt covering them had been eroded.

It was re-opened to light traffic after the emergency repairs and later shut in 2017.

The permanent repairs began in 2018 after Julius Berger, the contractor on the project, imported some materials to aid the repairs.

The 40-year-old bridge links Nigeria’s premier port to both the Lagos Mainland and Island.

While performing the tape cutting ceremony to open the bridge, the Director Highways, South West, Mr Funsho Adebiyi said that the opening would ease gridlock on the Apapa axis.

“It is my pleasure to open this bridge in the name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Today we are having a new bridge as well as a new access road. So, hopefully gridlock will end here,” he said.

He said that government was going to take drastic action against all forms of abuses that would cause damage to bridges in Lagos.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti said that the bridge was damaged in 2016 due to “activities of some miscreants living under the bridge’’.

“When the contractor came on board and removed the slab, that is the deck that got damaged, we discovered that the beams carrying the weight of the slab itself had been affected by the fire.

“So, there was no way we could go ahead with the replacement of the slab, other than for us to start from the beams. So we had to produce new distress beams, and then, of course, the slabs.

“And we have also done the surfacing of the other adjoining slab close to the damaged one,’’ he said.

He thanked residents for their patience during the period of closure of the bridge and pledged Federal Government’s commitment to continued maintenance of all the roads and bridges in Lagos.

He listed bridges that had been repaired to include the Marine Beach Bridge, Coconut Bridge and Ijora 7Up Bridge.

He added that work was ongoing on the Alaka Bridge in Surulere and the Third Mainland Bridge.

He further explained that repair works were ongoing on Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta, Lagos-Ibadan, Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressways and some other federal roads in the metropolise.

Kuti said that materials for total rehabilitation of the Third Mainland bridge had been imported and that permanent repair works would soon begin on some damaged expansion joints alongside the ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge.

“We have completed the Adeniji Adele bound, we are working on the Mainland bound. So the repair works on the Third Mainland will start very soon because our materials are on the way,’’ he said.

Speaking on the newly installed beams on the Apapa/Leventis Bridge, Mr Thomas Balzuweit, Julius Berger’s Regional Manager, said that experts were used to get “a comprehensive design study to get high quality materials“.

Balzuweit added that various quality control checks were done before installing the beams to ensure structural integrity of the bridge to cater for the huge vehicular traffic on the axis.

Alhaji Wasiu Olowuntoye, President, Container Truck Owners Association, who led a delegation of truck drivers to witness the opening, said that the hardship to truck owners would be minimized.

“We are happy today because our members have suffered so much, they spend several days and sometimes weeks trying to go in or out of the ports but with this bridge opened, there will be good for traffic flow,’’ he said.

Source: (NAN)

Feb

04

2019

Infrastructure- Key To A Sustainable Economy And Development- Fashola

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, has reiterated President Buhari’s commitment to renew and expand the Nigerian economy through the provision of critical infrastructure, which is the gateway to a sustainable economy and development across the globe.

The Minister said this when he received members of Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria (FOCI) who paid him a courtesy call in his Office today.

Fashola  emphasized that all gratitude should go to President Buhari who merged the three ministries namely; Power, Works and Housing so as to create rapid development  in infrastructural growth of the nation as well as maximum impact on the economy.

He explained that the Ministry is almost completing 34 pilot National Housing programme in the States that have provided land for the take-off of the programme, adding that rehabilitation and reconstruction of Federal Secretariats are also going on in Bayelsa, Anambra, Zamfara and Nasarawa States.

The Minister stated that power generation has increased from 4, 000 megawatts in 2015 to 8, 000 megawatts in 2018. He noted that Nigerians now spend less on fueling of generators and plants because of frequent and improved electricity supply nationwide.

He said that President Buhari’s led Administration is rebuilding and expanding the Nigeria economy policy decision through building of infrastructure, adding that the Federal Government recognizes the efforts of the Association in helping to galvanized the quarry and mining industry due to the volume of construction going on in the built environment and the road sector.

He said “’When I first met you, there were complains of non- payment for three to four years before the coming of this Administration. But I can confidently say there is not one year since the beginning of this Administration that contractors have not been paid, the money move round the economy.”

Fashola also explained that Executive Order 5 seeks to achieve local participation for Nigerians and Nigerian companies, stressing that the Ministry is already compiling list of Nigerians working on sites, arguing that government is set to protect its citizens as is a global practice.

He further explained that the latest Executive Order 7 signed by the President is a driver to Industrialization, adding that this will expand construction work and manufacturing jobs that will evidently create more jobs and improve the economy.

The Minister noted that the essence of these Executive Orders is government’s commitment to create next level jobs, employment, infrastructure and manufacturing.

Earlier, the Director General of the association and leader of the delegation, Engr. Mrs Olubunmi Adekoje appreciate the Ministry for the support given to the Association and timely intervention in the area of finance to boost the activities of the industry.

In attendance was the Permanent Secretary of Power, Works and Housing, (Work and Housing) Muhammed Bukar and Directors from the Ministry

Feb

01

2019

Speech Delivered By H.E, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At Press Briefing On National Infrastructure Maintenance Framework At Federal Ministry Of Power, Works And Housing Headquarters Mabushi, Abuja

I welcome you warmly to this press briefing to share information about two very important developments that occurred in the month of January 2019.

The first was that on the 9th January 2019, the Federal Executive Council, Nigeria's highest decision making organ of the Executive arm of government approved a National Maintenance Framework for public buildings.

The second is that on the 24th January 2019, President Muhammad Buhari signed into law a bill to prohibit discrimination against persons living with disabilities which included provisions for specific actions that must be taken within a period of 5 (FIVE) years to provide opportunities for such persons to live as normal a life as possible.

This briefing is meant to discuss what these developments mean for Nigeria and Nigerians, and to highlight the possibilities that they offer for our way of life and our economy.

National Maintenance Framework for Public Buildings

Let me start with the National Maintenance Framework on Public Buildings and first point out that for now, this only applies to public buildings but will ultimately extend to other public assets like roads, bridges, rail, power installations and other infrastructure of a public nature.

What the FEC approval means is that after decades of agonizing about lack of maintenance, the Buhari government has chosen to act.

This is policy decision of enormous profundity because the records do not indicate that any such policy decision has previously been taken at the federal level.

The decision was provoked by a memorandum from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing that challenged the conventional thinking that "Nigeria does not have a maintenance culture".

The memorandum argued and FEC agreed, that maintenance of infrastructure whether public or private, is not a cultural issue but an economic one.

The memorandum showed that in the built industry, only about 23% of the workforce is employed by Design (6%) and Construction (15%), Governance (2%) , while the remaining 77% are employed by Maintenance and operation.

Council was persuaded to accept that while skill training and vocational centres exist almost nationwide for training artisans like plumbers, painters, bricklayers, welders, tilers, electricians etc., there is a lack of National policy that makes the practice of these vocations economically worthwhile on a sustainable basis.

The available data showed that many people trained in these vocations often resort to earning a living by resorting to other vocations in which they do not have a training, such as riding motor-cycles and tri-cycles in order to make a living.

Therefore, the federal government’s decision on maintenance is an economic one, to empower Nigerians at the base of the economic pyramid who are artisans, those at the middle of the pyramid who own small businesses, SMEs who are involved in manufacturing of building and allied materials.

What it entails is that:

* Site assessment of the affected buildings will have to be conducted, measurement are to be taken, valuation conducted and data is collated. This on its own requires the employment of people to carry out this process and therefore jobs will be created from the very first step.

* It will also provide for credible data such as lettable space, value of the property and so on which can form the basis of the economic decisions or even actions in emergency periods.

* Condition assessment is the next step that requires people to be trained and employed to assess the conditions of affected buildings from foundation to roof and for mechanical and electrical sustainability for purpose.

* In one of our sample buildings leading up to the memorandum to FEC, we found out that out of 63 air-conditioning units, 11 required replacement or repairs. We also identified windows, doors, tiles, roofing materials, plastering works that required replacement or repair.

* The maintenance program is then developed from these assessments as to what jobs need to be done to restore the building to fitness, what needs to be replaced and what needs to be repaired.

* This is the basis for the award of the maintenance contract following the existing procurement law.

* This provides a window of opportunity for small businesses who are into facility management and for young graduates of building tech, architecture, engineering and even technical schools to register for these contracts.

* Successful bidders are then in a position to employ artisans to execute the maintenance contract they have won in the bid.

* Each ministry, department and agency will be responsible for its own procurement for its own building  after training of their designated personnel by the staff of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing who will guide them through the framework approved by FEC.

* Because data is critical to the programme, each MDA will file data with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing who will centrally manage data and use it to advise government and brief the public, while the MDA reserves the right to keep its own data.

* The award of contracts will not only drive employment for artisans, it will drive demand of manufacturing and suppliers of parts like wood, pipes, paint, tiles, electrical fittings, windows and tools, in addition to those of  cleaning items like soap, detergent, polish, varnish etc.

This is the economy that we see ahead as we set out to implement this approval starting from buildings, and as I said, and extending to roads, rail, bridges etc. as we progress.

Our pilot programme covered 9 buildings  comprising a Federal government college, a Federal Hospital,  a Federal Court building, a federal prison, a federal secretariat and our office buildings at our headquarters here in Mabushi.

The pilot survey showed that these 9 (Nine) buildings will cost N40.3 billion to reconstruct, while it will cost N922.8m per annum to maintain them which is about   2.3 % of the cost of replacement.

Just these 9 (NINE) buildings will require about 448 people to keep them well maintained a year. For example, the school will require at least 30 people to be employed per school for maintenance; and the federal government owns 104 Unity schools which potentially will require 30 X 104 = 3,120.

So you can see the economy we see when this extends to all our hospitals, all our courts, all our prisons, all our police stations, all our universities and covers all public buildings.

This is an economic choice by this government to drive the small business sector, to drive skill utilization and to move the economy from growth without jobs to growth driven by new jobs that reward services.

But as if this was not enough, President Buhari raised the bar for construction, services and a new way of life for Nigerians when he signed the law to protect people living with disability from discrimination and exclusion.

We have 5 years to comply, and this requires that all our buildings must have lifts and ramps. (By this I mean well designed ramps for people confined to their wheelchairs, not hills they cannot use on their own).

We must modify all our toilets with support for our brothers and sisters who are living with disabilities, as we must build sidewalks for them to use our roads without colliding with vehicles.

Our airports and parking lots in buildings must become compliant with international best practice by providing corridors and facilities for people living with disabilities at arrival and departure points, while a minimum number of slots clearly designated must be provided for vehicles owned by people living with disabilities.

This is another opportunity for jobs to re-design, to re-model, to retrofit all our assets nationwide to comply with the law as signed by Mr President.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Nigeria that beckons upon us from today and the immediate future. A Nigeria where public infrastructure works because they are maintained.

A Nigeria where everybody has a secure sense of belonging because they can use their skills and labour to earn a decent income and retain their dignity.

A Nigeria where government cares for the people living with disability by providing the basic minimum facilities that gives them a sense of belonging to demonstrate their ability.

Government has taken the leadership role to provide the policy and the how to make this Nigeria possible.

It is now your responsibility and mine to take ownership of this platform of opportunities and make it work for all of us.

Thank you for listening.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing

Thursday 31st January 2019

Jan

25

2019

FG Commissions The Zik Mausoleum: Says Edifice Will Promote Nationalism, Patriotism And Public Service

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration has once again made a landmark achievement in his effort to ensure provision of critical infrastructures across the nation.

The President was in Onitsha, Anambra State to officially commission the Nnamdi Azikiwe Mausoleum (The Zik Mausoleum), a public building of national and international significance and a monument to honour the late Nigeria’s first President and a nationalist, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. 

In his speech, President Buhari noted that the building will serve the purpose of promoting nationalism, patriotism and public service while urging Nigerians to emulate the best values that the foremost nationalist espoused in knowledge, service and leadership. He said the late legend will be remembered for his comradeship, brotherhood and engaging politics.

President Buhari also noted that “rather than Zik choosing to be a local, he chose to be a nationalistic, he embraced all the territory of Nigeria”, adding that his legacies will remain evergreen.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, expressed with delight that the completion and commissioning of the Zik Mausoleum was a dream come true and mission accomplished.

He said that Mr President’s mandate to the Ministry to complete as many abandoned and uncompleted federal projects is a reality today, but regretted that the national monument and tribute to patriotism was subordinated to private interests that did not benefit the Nigerian economy as a result of corruption.

Fashola stated that for the period of 19 years (between 1996 to 2015) when the Zik Mausoleum project was conceived, oil income and proceeds accrued to Nigeria were in the hundreds billions of United States Dollars, yet there was no significant progress on the building until this administration came into power.

The Minister however added that the construction period of the project generated economy activities in the state by engaging the services of suppliers, transporters, drivers, food vendors, bricklayers, carpenters, welders and ordinary hardworking Nigerians whose livelihood was taken away by corruption. 

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for delivering the monument which successive governments lacked the political will to complete.

Obiano stated that it is indeed remarkable that 23 years after the Great Zik of Africa died, he’s finally given a befitting mausoleum as a resting place, adding that the Great Owelle of Onitsha has now joined leaders like Kwanme Nkrumah of Ghana and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania and others whose mausoleum have become a major tourist destinations in Africa.

He appealed to President Buhari to declare Zik’s birthday, November 16, a National Day in Nigeria, nothing that this will be in keeping with the honour and dignity conferred on other great and illustrious leaders in Africa.

Appreciating the Federal Government on behalf of the Ziks’ family, one of the Sons of Dr Azikiwe, Ambassador Emeka Azikiwe, described the monument as a wonderful legacy initiated in honour and recognition of his father’s immense contributions to the nation’s independence, democracy and national development. ‘’As we celebrate the commissioning of the Zik Mausoleum and Conference centre, the historic legacies left by him are numerous and vital to the revitalization of the development potentials in Africa’’.

The Zik Mausoleum is located in the city centre of Onitsha, comprising of the main Mausoleum and the Administrative/Conference building. Construction works commenced in 1997 and was conceived to serve as a national monument and a tourism centre in memory of the late legend and foremost Nationalist globally recognized as the Father of African Nationalism.

Jan

14

2019

Mambila Power Project : The Fictional Allegations Of Leno Adesanya  Contradict Logic

The attention of the Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN has been drawn to the spurious and unfounded allegations of Leno Adesanya with regards to the ongoing Mambilla Power Project.

It has therefore become necessary to debunk the lies and resist the unjustified and malicious attack on the person of the Hon. Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN and save the innocent members of the public from the rather misleading and offensive publication widely circulating in various media platforms, authored and sponsored by Mr Adesanya  in order to damage good name and  reputation of the Minister to  claim   undue  credit and attract unwarranted   attention  and  sympathy.

Nothing is more further away from the truth than the claim that the loan negotiations have stalled since 2017 because of an attempt to utilize $600 Million (equivalent of N219 Billion) from the 3,050MW hydropower project for a “pet project” not hitherto considered by the Federal Executive Council.

There is currently no budgetary provision or cash provision of $600 million or the N219 Billion in any budget of the Federal Government for the Mambila Project.

Therefore you cannot attempt to divert what does not exist.

For the avoidance of doubt, the China Exim Bank disburse money to specific projects and on conclusion of negotiations, the loan will be devoted to the construction of the Mambila Power Project, which has been on the drawing board for close to 40 years before the advent of the Buhari administration which is now working assiduously to get the project off the ground.

The latest publication of fictional claims by Mr. Leno Adesanya in a national daily and the social media is the desperate attempt by him and his political sympathisers to destabilize a project that they could not bring to fruition.

The antics of Leno Adesanya and his ilk would readily explain why the project has taken so many years without lift-off.

Since Mr. Adesanya has chosen to go to court, he would be required to prove his baseless allegation in court.

The Federal Executive Council which is the highest decision making organ of the Executive Arm of Government never awarded a contract for the project to Mr Adesanya.

The allegation with regard to stalling the Mambilla project is  untrue , baseless and a figment of Adesanya's imagination .  The events and relevant facts will show that because Mr. Fashola first presented a memo on the Mambilla Power Project to the Federal Executive Council in August 2017; which was the first ever Federal Executive Council approval given to the Mambilla project in favour of a Chinese Joint venture.

The Minister has also accompanied the President twice to China on trips that had the project as one of the headline agenda.

The Hon. Minister in June 2018 attended, alongside officials of the Ministry of Finance, a meeting of the China Exim Bank to negotiate the terms of the loan for the project further.

And only this week, after the Federal Executive Council meeting, he briefed Nigerians about the approval of contracts for surveyors to demarcate the areas for the project.

These are the first contracts to start preparatory work on the project after 40 years delay.

These actions are not consistent with delay falsely being alleged against the Minister by Mr Adesanya.

Indeed, available evidence does not support the claims of Leno Adesanya and well-meaning Nigerians will be well advised to ignore him.

We hereby state, that no amount of negative effort to distract, intimidate or threaten the Hon. Minister in the performance of his duties in line with the pledge of the present Government to the Nigerian people on the provision of adequate infrastructure in all relevant sectors of the economy will succeed.

Dec

18

2018

Fashola Reiterates FG’s Commitment To Infrastructural Development

The Honorable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has reiterated the commitment of President Mohammadu Buhari’s Administration to providing basic infrastructure needed for the overall development of the entire nation.

Fashola disclosed this Yesterday in his Mabushi Office when he received in audience the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola who paid him a courtesy call.

He described Adeboyega Oyetola as a brother and friend whom he shared common ideas with, adding that they never knew that divine providence would have them in exalted positions as Governor and minister respectively

While congratulating him for his emergence as the Governor of Osun State, he wished him the very best in Office as Adegboyega enunciates his various programmes to develop Osun State. He also assured him of his readiness to assist the Governor when called upon.

Earlier, the Governor disclosed that the purpose of his visit was to plead for the refund on the Federal roads his state has rehabilitated on behalf of the Federal Government. He specifically solicited for the speedy completion of the Iwo –Oshogbo road, the Oshogbo-Ilogbo-Ogbomosho road and the Oshogbo-Ilesha road which are under construction but becoming impassable, stressing that the present condition of the roads has paralysed the economic activities in the state.

He further requested for the rehabilitation and upgrading of Dams in the state in order to generate power. He called for the Ministry’s support in Rural Electrification and completion of the construction of Primary Health Centres within the State.

The programme was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (Works and Housing Sector),Mohammed Bukar and his counterpart in Power and Housing Sector Engr. Louis Edozie, Directors of the Ministry and it’s Agencies.

Dec

15

2018

FG’s N72 Billion Distribution Expansion Programme Is A Commitment Towards Enhancing Power Distribution-Fashola

* Says amount was arrived at in consultation with the DisCos as to their priority investment areas within their franchise to improve evacuation of power to consumers
* Although the power sector Operation is now in private hands, Government is concerned, he assures
* Calls for consistency and understanding saying decision to privatize is a matter of policy and policies take time to take effect
* Lists Mini-Grids, Meter Asset Providers, among others as initiatives aimed at tackling post-privatization challenges

The Minister Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Wednesday reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the distribution segment of the Power value chain saying the approval of a N72 Billion Distribution Expansion Programme by the government was a clear demonstration of that commitment.

Speaking at the December 2018 Nextier Power Dialogue in Abuja, Fashola said the Government, as a 40 per cent shareholder, had to make the approval in order to enhance the distribution of power across the country pointing out that although operationally there is 7,000 Megawatts of electricity ready for deployment, the operation was still constrained at the distribution end.

Reiterating the concern of government towards correcting the anomaly, the Minister, however noted that the decision to intervene was done after asking the DisCos where they would want to spend their money within their franchise, if they have it, that could evacuate “some of the power that is available and that can yield a maximum collection report” adding that it was with that data that Government put the amount together that it would inject into the Distribution sector.

The Minister, who quoted the 3rd Quarter Report of the National Bureau of Statistics as revealing that Electricity made the highest contribution of 18 per cent to the 1.8 per cent growth in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recalled the “Thank You” visit of the Gora Community of Nasarawa State to his office early in the week to express their gratitude to the Federal Government over the provision of Solar Power to their Community saying it was a testimony to the growth in electricity supply and increasing accessibility to the rural communities.

The Community delegation, led by its Traditional Head, Alhaji Jafaru Adamu, thanked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the rural electrification programme and the Minister for driving it adding that since the installation of the Solar electricity, the Community has consistently enjoyed several benefits hitherto not known to them, especially in the areas of social life, Education and Health.

Also the Minister seized the opportunity of a question to clear the air on an alleged statement made by him in 2014 as to his ability to solve the nation’s power problem in six months explaining that the statement attributed to him was made in 2015 in Lekki in respect of distributing power to the Lekki community within six months from the residual power in an Independent Power Plant earlier commissioned by him to power some government Water Works and Street lighting on the Island.

He declared, “I think it was in 2015 during the run up to the elections and I was in Lekki where we had gone to commission the Lekki IPP. It was Sam Amadi who gave us a license to do an IPP dedicated to power our Water works in Lekki, our Water Works in Victoria Island and our Water Works in Oniru and the street lighting in Lekki Phase 2.

“When we switched on that power plant that night and all of the street lights came on, as I was leaving, the residents accosted me and said “Governor you can’t go; we like this; but how would we get it into our houses”. I explained that it was Eko Distribution Company’s franchise and if they wanted the power in their houses, there was reserved power still in the IPP and if they could tell NERC to issue him a license, he would do the distribution and connect the Lekki residents in six months. That was what I said”.

The Minister recalled that the policy outline laid by his Ministry at inception set out a roadmap to first get incremental power and then go to steady power and then to uninterrupted power, which, according to him, “is not just a function of how much power you have”, but also “how you manage the power”.

“I think that if you followed the policy outline, we set out our roadmap first to get incremental power and then we will go to steady power and then to uninterrupted power and uninterrupted power is not just a function of how much power you have; it is also a function of how you manage the power. So in terms of our first leg of incremental power, we have delivered what we promised. We have increased the power on all sides”, he said.

Fashola pointed out the amount of diesel that he used to power his residence was now less than two years ago adding, “The man who buys the diesel knows and the man who supplies the diesel knows that I don’t buy as much as before. And that is the story from many parts for people on the grid. But that doesn’t mean that there are no problems”.

Responding to a question posed by a participant during the Interactive Session concerning the supply of transformers, Fashola, who reiterated that all the assets that the Ministry of Power used to control for power distribution have been sold by the last administration pointed out that the people now operating the Generation and Distribution segments of power sector are now privately owned companies.

The Minister added, “I am here because I am concerned. If your telephone is not working, it is not the Minister of Communication that you go to; let us be very clear. My role is regulatory, oversight and policy”, adding, however, “I cannot separate myself from the problem; I am trying to get involved to do what the law allows me to do. So the people you should be talking to about transformer is not me; the Ministry does not supply transformer anymore”.

In response to another question bordering on whether or not to cancel the Privatization policy and hand back power to the government, Fashola, who called for caution, declared, “Let’s be careful what we wish for. We wished, many years ago, after 60 years or so of government run power, we wished and decided that Private Sector should take over this Power. That was our decision. No sooner had we decided, five years after, we are now asking government to take it from them. Is that what we really want?”

“So let’s be consistent here and let us understand that the decision to privatize is a matter of policy. When policy is made, it takes time to take effect. When it begins to take effect, its impact takes time to spread. And that is why we can share here that five years ago nobody could talk about mini-grid, we are talking about it now; five years ago nobody was talking about Meter Asset Provider, we are talking about it today, five years ago who dared to go into the military formation to meter them; the President has directed that all the military formations must be metered”.

The Minister said ministries and agencies of government now pay their electricity bills regularly adding, “I just signed the letter for this month because our office is the collection warehouse. This wasn’t happening five years ago. So we are making progress and let no one downplay that”.

“Can we move faster, certainly we can”, he said adding, however, that if the consensus was that government should take it over the power sector from private hands, then there was need to “go back to Parliament and repeal the law; because I asked you, do you want a five-year old to have a moustache?”

Arguing against the reversal of the Privatization Policy, Fashola, who again reiterated the existence of challenges in the sector which, he assured were being dealt with, declared, “But you must decide in this country whether you want to continue to see devils or angels. I like to see angels; my glass is always half full and problems are opportunities for me to show that nothing is wrong with us and to benchmark what I have achieved. There are problems no doubt and we must deal with them”.

According to the NBS Report for Budget 3, the 3rd Quarter GDP result was 1.81 per cent growth; up from 1.50 per cent in Q2 with Electricity as the biggest motivator scoring 18 per cent, Metal Ores 17 per cent, Telecoms 14 per cent, Transportation 11.9 per cent Quarrying and Mining 3 per cent and, for the first time in about six consecutive quarters, the Services Sector grew by 2 per cent.

“It is not enough”, Fashola said adding, “But it means we are heading in the right direction back up. What is also important to share is that the growth was driven by non-Oil Sector and that is important because the growth came in a quarter when oil prices have not done well and that is what this team set out to achieve; to diversify the economy. We welcome the Oil money, but when the oil money suddenly disappears, our prosperity will not go with it and that is important”.

The Minister added, “So, in a period when oil prices began to flounder Nigeria’s economy did not flounder and that is important. But more importantly, who drove the growth? It means that if we continue with the foundations that are being laid-infrastructure- the jobs that all of us want to see will multiply. That is where we are”.

Dec

11

2018

FG Commends Contractors On Quality Of Roads; Advocates For Alternative Funding Sources

The Federal Government has commended contractors handling various road and housing projects in the South South region for doing a good and quality job.

2.      The Honourable Minister of State I for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri expressed satisfaction on the quality of road   rehabilitation and construction, as well as the construction of mass houses under the present administration,  since its inception three years ago. He added that contractors are now fully back to sites with attendant effects on rejuvenating the economy and enhancing human capital development.

3.      Shehuri noted that in tackling infrastructural deficits across the country, there is a dire need for alternative and innovative sources of funding beside the usual annual budgetary allocations, adding that government is presently using the SUKUK (bond) funding option and Public - Private - Partnerships (PPP) to bridge infrastructural gaps in the country.

4.      The Minister stated this in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State during a working tour to the South South geopolitical zone to inspect ongoing projects being embarked upon by the Ministry.

5.      Earlier in his tour, the Minister inspected the Dualisation of Lokoja – Benin road, Section II: Okene – Auchi, Section III: Auchi – Ehor, as well as Section IV: Ehor – Benin City.

6.     He also visited the ongoing Dualisation of  Sapele - Ewu road, sections I and II, Sapele - Agbor and Agbor - Ewu, respectively.

7.      The Honourable Minister expressed satisfaction in the level and quality of work being carried out, especially in Bayelsa state inspite of the difficult terrain. He said this while inspecting ongoing construction works on Yenegwe – Okaki – Kolo road and the Dualisation of Yenegwe Road Junction – Kolo – Otuoke – Bayelsa Palm road.

8.      While in Rivers State, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. J. O. Fadire briefed the Minister on the progress of work on the Rehabilitation of Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, Section IV, Aba - Port Harcourt, as well as the 39 - kilometre Bodo – Bonny road with bridges across Afa, Opobo and Nanabie Creeks, the only one to link the Ogoni people with Bonny Island.

9.     Engr. Fadire stated that though there are challenges affecting the pace of work such as  the environment, compensation and youth restiveness,  he, however, commended the contractor, Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Ltd. for the progress made within a short period of time. He further assured the Minister that the project will be delivered as scheduled because funding is not an issue as the major financiers, Messrs NLNG Ltd. is committed.

10.     The Minister visited the  construction sites of houses under the National Housing Programme (NHP), the second of its kind in the history of the nation since the President Shagari Low Cost Housing of the early 1980s, in Benin City, Edo State, Asaba, Delta State, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and Calabar, Cross Rivers State. He also inspected the ongoing construction of the Federal Secretariat in Yenegoa, Bayelsa, where the Federal Controller of Housing in the State assured the Minister that the project will be completed by February, next year.

11.    Hon. Shehuri noted that with the construction of these affordable Mass Housing Estates across the country, the present government is delivering on its campaign promise of bridging the housing deficit in the country, creating jobs and  generating wealth.

12.    The Phase I of the NHP projects, according to the Minister, have reached advance stages of completion and will be due for commissioning in the first quarter of next year, stressing that the houses are for all interested illegible Nigerians.

13.     The Minister further disclosed that the procurement processes for the second phase of the Programme will soon be concluded and contracts awarded for its commencement in all the states that have provided the Ministry with land.

14.     During the course of the Tour of Duty, the Honourable Minister also visited the 132 KVA Transmission Substations at Uyo and Calabar in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, respectively, where the present Government installed and commissioned an additional 1 * 60 MVA Transformer each, in April.

15. While conducting the Minister round the Uyo Facility, the General Manager, Port Harcourt Region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Solomon Uyouko lamented that out of the 144 megawatts capacity of the transmission infrastructure, the DisCo utilise a meagre 2% daily, leaving most of the generated and transmitted power idle.

16. The story is almost similar at the 132 KVA Transmission Substation in  Calabar, where the Acting Assistant General Manager, Engr. Nasiru Bello stated that out of the 192 megawatts  transmitted daily, the DisCo evacuates between 20 - 30%.

17.      Commenting on the unfortunate state of power distribution infrastructure in the country, Hon. Shehuri said the present scenario is unacceptable, while admonishing the DisCos to up their game or pave way for those with requisite capacities. He further urged Nigerians to start blaming the DisCos for lack of electricity, not the Federal Government.

Nov

29

2018

FG To Carry Out Remedial Works In Major Arterial Roads Across The Country- Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has disclosed that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N1.85b to carry out remedial works on the major arterial roads across the country for ease of movement and also reduce travelling hours during the ember festive period.

He said that money will be released to the 37 Federal Controllers of Works to effectively carry out the reconstruction works in the identified heavy traffic routes frequently used.

Fashola stated this while declaring open the Capacity Building Workshop for the Federal Controllers of Works with the theme: “Learning and Development for Greater Stature”, organized by the Ministry recently in Kaduna.

The Minister encouraged the Federal Controllers to apply the principle of emotional intelligence and project management taught during the workshop, adding that Zonal Directors of Works from the Ministry would be deplored to all the zones to oversee their activities and performances during this period.

Speaking earlier at the workshop, the Coordinator and Director Highways, North East Zone, Engr. Rufai Mohammed, said that part of the aims of the workshop was to discuss ways to tackle the challenges of the ember months and make necessary repairs where applicable. He noted that the workshop was to enable them achieve the set goals and accomplish government programmes and get value for money.

In a related development, the Minister also visited the Kaduna Power Plant project site to assess the progress of work aimed at providing additional 215 megawatt to the nation’s power grid. He expressed satisfaction on the level and quality of job being carried out in the last one year.

Sep

10

2019

FG To Operationalize Weighbridges

The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Ragi Fashola SAN has disclosed that the first set of weigh bridges will be rolled out across the Country to protect Nigerian roads by guarding against excess cargo weights..

The Minister made this disclosure when he received the Board members of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency,(FERMA) led by its Chairman, Mr Babatunde Lemo in his office.

While acknowledging FERMA’s mandate to maintain roads, Fashola urged them to pay more attention to the protection of road while carrying out the maintenance. He warned road users against willful damage of roads through overloading. He also said thatonce the weigh bridges were in place, excess loads would be offloaded and owners surcharged.

He noted that the country was at the peak of the raining season where the roads were prone to damages. The Minister explained that, the consequences of bad weather were harmful to every country's infrastructure architecture leaving behind devastating effectsand assured that the government was aware of these challenges and responding to them, even though the rains have slowed down activities in the construction sector generally.

While urging FERMA to collaborate more with the Federal Controllers of Works in the state to improve the quality of Nigerian roads, he also promised to empower the Controllers to take ownership and full responsibility of the Ministry's strategy of road protection to secure lives and properties, adding that FERMA should leverage on the wealth of experience of these controllers in road repairs and maintenance.

In the words of Fashola, "Maintenance of highways is very crucial to government, as this would facilitate economic growth and job creation. FERMA is an important component of the government strategy for maintaining the road network".

Earlier, the FERMA Board Chairman, Mr  Babatunde Lemo assured the Minister of the Board’s continuing partnership and collaboration with the Ministry to attain its objective

He requested the Ministry to factor in the Agency's role in all road investments, stressing the need for the Ministry's continuous support in ensuring adequate appropriations and budget releases from time to time.

Among the team from the Ministry that received the Governing Board Members were: the Minister of State Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary Alhaji Mohammad Bukar as well as the management staff of the Ministry.

Sep

01

2019

Fashola Warns Against Use Of Fake Facebook Account In His Name

…Urges members of the public not to fall victim of the antics of scammers

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has again disclaimed as fake a Facebook account set up in his name alongside his picture warning members of the public against being deceived by dupes and scammers.

Fashola, who on several occasions in the past disclaimed such fake accounts, reiterated that his verified Facebook account remains @BABATUNDEFASHOLA. With several reported and deleted in the past , the latest addition to the fake accounts set up in the former Lagos State Governor’s name along with his picture reads “FasholaRajiFashola” and the scammers wrote that the Federal Government was giving out the sum of N700,000 to youths and young adults to enable them pay school fees, set up businesses and invest in businesses, among others.

Part of the publication written in very poor English by the scammers read, “All the Nigeria Citozings of All the and Local Government in Nigeria Are Beneficiary of the Federal Government Money Enpwoerment to Empower the Youth to Pay There School.  Adult to do Business Etc. Contact Number 09035339533). Good News…To All Nigeria Youth and Adult… Federal Government is Giving Out N700,000 Free Cash Transfer To All To Empower the Youth Further Their Educations, Open Good Business and Learn Good Works. Call Mr. Adebayo Kola , the Federal Government Cashier on 09035339533. All the Nigerian Citizens of All the States and Local Governments …”

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the Minister described as unfortunate the fact that despite repeated warnings and disclaimers, certain unscrupulous elements still engage in the act of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through different social media platforms falsely linked to him. The call, he said, coming perhaps for the umpteenth time, had become necessary in view of the increasing activities of the scammers .

Advising members of the public to always clarify with the appropriate agencies of government at all levels before engaging in any dealings with people purportedly working for them, the statement urged people to report to the law enforcement agencies so that those involved in the nefarious acts could be brought to justice.

Aug

23

2019

There’s A Lot Of Work Ahead Of Us, In Spite Of What We’ve Done Before, Says Fashola

* As he assumes duty as Minister of Works and Housing
* Calls for readiness among staff of the Ministry to work towards achieving Presidential mandate of economic prosperity for all
* Expresses joy that staff have continued some of the projects left behind at the expiration of last administration
* Suspends all travels, leave of absence to ensure the working out of the budget for the Ministry in the next two weeks

The new Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has called for readiness among the staff of the Ministry in order to achieve the mandate of the Federal Government for economic growth and development as well as job creation in the country expressing his resolve to provide the needed leadership.

Fashola who was the immediate past Minister of Power, Works and Housing, said the need to achieve the mandate was in line with the clear mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari who in his speech, while swearing in the Ministers earlier, had made it clear that he wanted the Ministers to further grow and stabilize the nation’s economy.

Addressing the senior management staff of the Ministry at the Conference Room in Mabushi soon after the inauguration at the State House, Fashola expressed joy that the staff had remained faithful to some of the works left behind by his team during the last administration but warned that that there was still work to be done to consolidate on the foundation so far laid.

The Minister declared, “I am happy to see that some of the works we left you have remained faithful and that is in the spirit of continuity and development which is what the nation needs”. He added, however, “There is still a lot of work ahead of us in spite of what we have done before and I offer myself ready and willing to do my part by providing leadership and I trust that all of you are ready as well”.

“The mandate of Mr. President is very clear and it derives from his mandate to the people of Nigeria. And if you watched the Swearing-in ceremony today and listened to his speech, he wants us to be his eyes and ears and his agents to serve all the people of Nigeria and that is what we must set out to achieve”, Fashola said pointing out that the President was unequivocal on the urgent need to stabilize the economy.

According to the Minister, the President was clear about the need to sustain the growth already experienced in the economy, adding, “The economy has grown from recession and out of recession and it has grown for consecutive eight quarters. But we need to double that growth and even multiply it , but that will depend on how we work this time. The central purpose is to create prosperity and to create jobs and I think this is possible”.

Fashola, who said the immediate need was to work out a budget for the Ministry in the next two weeks, urged all the agencies and departments of the Ministry to work closely with the Permanent Secretary to achieve the feat adding that the budget remained the article of faith between the government and the governed.

He declared, “One of the first things we have to do is to quickly work out the budget for the Ministry of Works and Housing and we have to do that in the next two weeks”, adding that because the budget was the article of faith in governance, all agencies and departments of the Ministry must work together to produce a budget worthy of note by the Ministry.

Pointing out that the leadership of the National Assembly has expressed commitment to conduct all the budget defenses in the month of October, Fashola said in order to ensure that this was achieved and all documents were made ready for the defense, all leaves, travels and other less compelling engagements must be put aside for now.

He stressed the need for the nation’s professionals to be more committed and dedicated to the service of the country pointing out that the fortunes of every nation was determined by how their professionals engage in national service. He said the central purpose of public service was to create prosperity and deliver better life to the people.

Welcoming the new Minister of State, Engineer Aliyu Abubakar, Fashola, who expressed joy that he is reuniting with the new Minister , “in the service of our fatherland” after many years, disclosed that aside working with him at the level of Governors' Forum they also worked together in the formative years of the All Progressives Congress.

Describing him as a very strong Party Man, Fashola, who said the speech rendered by the Minister of State was the longest he ever heard him give, added, “What is instructive about it is that he has laid himself bare to those of you who don`t know him. This was plain in all he has said.”

The Minister said in terms of professional qualifications, the new Minister of State was bringing a lot of experience that would be beneficial to the Ministry, adding, “I heard a very rousing applause when he said he is a civil engineer and also when he included his water engineering background. And so, of course, he brings a lot of experience that is beneficial to the Ministry.”

The inaugural meeting with management staff of the Ministry was attended by the Permanent Secretary Works, Directors, heads of departments and agencies of the Ministry as well as Special Advisers and other top government functionaries.

Aug

16

2019

Our Priority Investments In Infrastructure Paying Off - President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration’s investment in infrastructure like rails, roads, bridges and waterways have started yielding positive results with tangible evidence for all to see.

Speaking at the commissioning of the reconstructed Shinkafi-Yandaki-Gafiya—Abdallawa-Dankaba road in Katsina, as part of activities during his visit to the state, the President said the special attention given to infrastructure by his administration will be intensified, since the investments had been justified with more people benefiting.

“Infrastructure is vital to economic development. As you are aware, this administration has given special attention to infrastructural transformation of our country.

“This is in consonance with the change philosophy of the administration. Such projects and programs form part of our contribution to national development, which are tangible for all to see,” he said.

He commended the strategy by Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s administration to make roads motorable throughout the year for citizens, adding “we all know that the economy of Katsina State is agrarian. Our wealth is farming and livestock rearing. Hence the need to open it up through and across all communities so as to maximally tap the abundant agricultural and livestock resources the state is endowed with.”

In his remark, Governor Masari said the government “had all along been mindful of the need for infrastructural development across the nooks and crannies of the state.’’

He said the decision had “efficiently and effectively facilitated smooth movement of people, goods and services on trade and commerce, not only within Katsina State but across other neighbouring states.’’

The governor noted that the economy of the state and wellbeing of the people had improved with the focus on infrastructure.

President Buhari will commission more projects in the state on Thursday.

Jul

18

2019

Perm Sec Works And Housing Urge Civil Servants To Be More Productive And Goal Oriented

The Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Mohammed Bukar, urged staff of the Ministry to be goal oriented and more productive with their time.

This was at the Productivity Lecture series organized by the National Productivity Centre (NPC) in conjunction with the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, for middle level officers in Abuja.

The Perm Sec who was represented by the Deputy Director (HRM) Mrs. Aderonke Jaiyesimi, said in furtherance to transforming the Public Service, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation had fashioned out initiatives such as efficient, productivity, incorruptible and citizen-centred transformation programme.

The concept of Productivity according to her was crucial to the success of the Public Service and an epicentre in the current reforms programme of the present Administration; It is a level of efficiency in combing inputs to achieve maximum output by employees in the work places.

She therefore urged the participants to embrace knowledge through interacting with the resource persons to make the desired impact on their jobs which would be beneficial to the Ministry in the long run.

Speaking at the Lecture, Director, Current Affairs and Information, National Productivity Centre, Mal. Hassan Abdullahi buttressed the fact that productivity was an attitude of the mind and therefore required “doing the right thing and doing things right”. The key words were efficiency, effectiveness, quality, competitiveness and motivation.

He further recommended the adoption of the Japanese 5s Housekeeping Practice tools - Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize and Sustain to improve productivity in the work place.  He added that the staff productivity level could increase through managing their time, working smarter, improving the efficiency level, getting organized, encouraging teamwork as well as setting SMART targets.

Papers presented at the Lecture were Overview of Productivity and Time Management for improved productivity and the objective of the programme was to stimulate the awareness of staff to the imperative of sharpening their competencies for improved productivity and efficient service delivery.

Feb

20

2019

FG Denies Plans To Stop Payment Of Shortfalls To GENCOS

Following a report in a national daily newspaper, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Wednesday denied that the Federal Government has stopped the payment of shortfalls to Electricity Generation Companies (GenCos), describing the report as both false and unfounded.

The report, contained in the Wednesday edition of Punch Online media, held that the Federal Government on Tuesday ordered power generation companies to find customers and sell their power directly to the identified customers as, according to the report, “plans are on the way for it to ultimately exit the monthly payments to Gencos to help cushion the revenue shortfalls on the books of the power generators as a result of the poor remittances from the power distributors”.

The report titled, “FG to stop payment of shortfalls to Gencos” and attributed to the Permanent Secretary (Power) in the Ministry, Engr. Louis Edozien, emanated from the remarks of the Permanent Secretary at a Workshop organized by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Tuesday, 12th February, 2019 on the Eligible Customer Regulation.

But in a Statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in person, the Ministry asserted that at no point in his remarks did the Permanent Secretary state that "FGN is to stop payment of shortfalls to Gencos", pointing out that the Payment Assurance Programme of the Federal Government that authorized the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) to guarantee payment for any power it has contracted from generation companies on the national grid had not been reversed.

The Statement read in part, “The Payment Assurance Programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria that authorized NBET to borrow N701.9 billion to guarantee payment for any power it has contracted from generation companies on the national grid and their gas and other suppliers has been in operation since January 2017. The amount NBET is authorized to borrow is not yet fully drawn. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the programme. FEC has not taken any decision to stop it. FEC is the appropriate authority to comment on the Programme’s tenure and borrowing ceiling”.

In order to set the records straight, the Statement clarified that at the workshop organized by NERC on the Eligible Customer Regulation, the Permanent Secretary urged generation companies to more aggressively take advantage of the regulation to sell the power they can generate, of which 2,000MW is now stranded, to Eligible Customers who need it and are willing and able to pay for it.

Insisting that it would be better than waiting for NBET to pay for it or to guarantee it, for which NBET needs support from the Federal Government due to shortfalls in payment by distribution companies, the Permanent Secretary decried that though the Minister issued the policy direction to NERC that gave rise to the regulation in May 2017, and NERC has issued the regulation, none of the interested consumers and their generation company suppliers have been given licenses to buy and sell power as Eligible Customers. He encouraged NERC to accelerate and simplify the licensing process.

He further stated that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) should continue to support the regulation by making targeted investments in the national grid, as needed to service specific contracts with generation companies and Eligible Customers to transmit the power, with penalties for failure to transmit, adding that TCN could finance such targeted investments with the expected revenue from such bilateral transmission contracts.

Encouraging electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to embrace the policy, the Permanent Secretary argued that if the DisCos were satisfying the power supply needs of their consumers of bulk power adequately such consumers would have no reason to generate the power by themselves or to want to become Eligible Customers adding that by embracing the regulation, the DisCos could partner with investors and generation companies to build new distribution infrastructure to better serve specific paying customers.

“They can buy power directly from generation companies and contract with TCN to deliver it, and give premium service to selected customers or customer groups”, the Permanent Secretary said adding that in such cases the distribution company must be willing and able to guarantee the payment for the power they buy, “because the shortfalls in payment which characterizes their power purchases from NBET, would not be possible in such bilateral contracts”.

The Permanent Secretary then enjoined dissatisfied consumers to take advantage of the Customer Care platforms set up by all the distribution companies in compliance with the provisions of their license, and escalate unresolved complaints to the NERC Consumer f Forum offices, as provided for in regulations, emphasizing that dissatisfied consumers could take advantage of the Mini-Grid Regulation, NERC's up-coming Franchising Regulation and the Eligible Customer Regulation to get premium power that meets their needs.

The Workshop revealed that the Ministry has received forty four (44) expressions of interest with a total demand for 600MW from underserved and unserved consumers desirous of becoming Eligible Customers. Of these, 14 have submitted license applications to NERC, two have fulfilled all NERC's conditions and expect to be licensed imminently.

The Ministry enjoins the public to discountenance the false report, and requests that the news outlets purveying such fake news cease and desist.

Feb

10

2019

Hon. Shehuri Gives Directives on Smooth, Safe Passage

The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has directed the Contractor handling rehabilitation works on the 9th Mile - Orokam road in Enugu State to focus more attention on the pothole - riddled sections of the alignment. He gave the directive, while on a working visit to Federal highways projects in Enugu and Anambra States.

2. Speaking with the Project Manager, Messrs RCC (Nigeria) Limited, Engr. Harel Vaknin, at the road rehabilitation site, the Minister directed that further palliative measures should be provided immediately to ensure that the rough portions of the road are completely rehabilitated to ease the sufferings of road users, stressing that the President Muhammadu Buhari's Administration places high premium on providing succour to Nigerians. While commending the Contractor on the pace of work, Hon. Shehuri called for more proactive measures before the rainy season  sets in.

3. The Minister also inspected the on going rehabilitation of outstanding section of Onitsha - Enugu Expressway (Amansea - Enugu) in Enugu State, where he assured the Contractor, Messrs RCC (Nigeria) Limited that funds would be made available when the necessary processes are completed.

4.The Minister enjoined the contractor to speed up the tempo of work in order to deliver the projects as at the time due without prejudice to engineering designs and specifications.

5. While briefing the Minister on the two projects, earlier, the Federal Controller of Works, Enugu State, Engr. Femi Oyekanmi stated  that remarkable progress has been made on the 9th Mile - Orokam road compared to how it was in December 2018, promising that the Ministerial directive will be carried out to the latter.

Feb

06

2019

No Nation Develops Without Building Its Infrastructure - Fashola

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to providing the necessary roads, bridges, rails and electricity that will, in no distant time bring about the overall social economic and political development of Nigeria inspite of visible and sharp decline of oil revenue.

Fashola disclosed this late yesterday, when he received in audience the Management, 18 facilitators and 57 participants of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, who paid him a courtesy call in his Mabushi office.

He commended the effort of NITT for including Transport Planning and Logistic works in their curriculum which is useful in the chain of production and distribution of goods and services in Nigeria, adding that the present administration needs the services of the institute and that Mr President is providing a very useful laboratory material for members of the institute to thrive.

The Minister described members of NITT as stakeholders and partners in the wheel of progress and development of the Nigeria economy, noting that ‘’ the elements of national development and prosperity have come together at the appropriate time’’. He therefore enjoined members of NITT to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to achieve his mandate of providing the basic needed infrastructure for the overall benefit of Nigerians.

Earlier, the Acting Director General and Chief Executive of NITT, Dr Abimbola Odumosu stated on behalf of his institute that the reason for their visit was essentially to seek for partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in the development of manpower as regards transport and logistics which is NITT’s  area of specialisation, stating that collaboration between NITT and the Ministry will provide the nation with the needed impetus for sustainable growth and development.

Dr Abimbola disclosed that NITT was established in 1986 as a Management Development Institution to among other things provide management training for personnel employed in all modes of transport and Serves as a Transport Intelligence Centre for monitoring transport and logistics system and to conduct research in all modes of transport in Nigeria

Feb

01

2019

FG’s  Maintenance Policy Is To Empower Nigerians At The Base Of The Economic Pyramid, Enable Small Businesses Grow- Fashola

* As Minister addresses the Press on Infrastructure Maintenance Framework for Public Buildings recently approved by FEC
* Says Buhari’s signing law to protect people living with disability from discrimination, exclusion also offers job opportunities to redesign, remodel, retrofit assets nationwide

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Thursday in Abuja, briefed the Press on the recently approved  National Infrastructure Maintenance Framework saying it is a choice of the Buhari Administration to drive the small business sector, skill utilization and to move the economy from growth without jobs to growth driven by new jobs that reward services.

Addressing newsmen at a conference, attended also by Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Parastatals and Members of the National Assembly, among other stakeholders, Fashola said, however, that the Framework, which applies to public buildings for now, would ultimately extend to other public assets like roads, bridges, rail, power installations and other infrastructure of a public nature.

The Minister, who said the Framework was approved on January 9, 2018, explained that the Federal Executive Council’s approval meant that “after decades of agonizing about lack of maintenance, the Buhari government has chosen to act”, describing it as “policy decision of enormous profundity”, as, according to him, “the records do not indicate that any such policy decision has previously been taken at the federal level”.

He said the decision to approve the Framework was provoked by a memorandum from the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing that challenged the conventional thinking that "Nigeria does not have a maintenance culture", adding, “The memorandum argued and FEC agreed, that maintenance of infrastructure, whether public or private, is not a cultural issue but an economic one”.

According to him, the memorandum showed that in the built industry, only about 23 per cent of the workforce was employed by Design (6%), Construction (15%) and Governance (2%), while the remaining 77 per cent were employed by Maintenance and Operation adding, “the Council was persuaded to accept that while skill training and vocational centres exist almost nationwide for training artisans like plumbers, painters, bricklayers, welders, tilers, electricians etc., there is a lack of National policy that makes the practice of these vocations economically worthwhile on a sustainable basis”.

The Minister said available data showed that many people trained in vocations such as Plumbing, Carpentry, Tiling, Masonry, Painting, Bricklaying, Welding, Electrical installations etc often resort to other vocations in which they do not have training such as riding motorcycles and tricycles in order to make a living.

Giving details on what the Framework entails, Fashola said the first step would be to conduct Site Assessment of the affected buildings involving measurements, valuation and data collation, all of which, he noted, require the employment of people to carry out the process thereby creating jobs even from the very first step, adding that it would also provide for credible data such as lettable space, value of the property and so on “which could form the basis of the economic decisions or even actions in emergency periods”.

The next step, the Minister said, would be Condition Assessment which would also, according to him, require people to be trained and employed to assess the conditions of affected buildings from foundation to roof and for mechanical and electrical sustainability for purpose adding that the maintenance programme would then be developed from the assessments as to what jobs would need to be done to restore the building to fitness while award of maintenance contract, also based on the assessments, would then be following the existing procurement law.

Citing an example, Fashola, who said the Ministry carried out a pilot programme on nine buildings comprising a Federal Government College, a Federal Hospital, a Federal Court building, a federal prison, a federal secretariat and four office buildings belonging to the Ministry, pointed out that in one of the sample buildings leading up to the memorandum to FEC, out of 63 air-conditioning units, 11 required replacement or repairs while windows, doors, tiles, roofing materials, plastering works were also identified that required replacement or repair.

And in another building, he said, out of about 30 toilets or so, about 12 were not functional, providing jobs for those in the Plumbing business, pointing out that buildings owned by parastatals, airports and others were yet to be reached where such jobs were likely waiting for skilled workers.

“This provides a window of opportunity for small businesses who are into facility management and for young graduates of building technicians, architecture, engineering and even technical schools to register for these contracts”, he said adding that successful bidders would then be in a position to employ artisans to execute the maintenance contract they have won in the bid.

Fashola said each Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) would be responsible for its own procurement for its own building after training of their designated personnel by the staff of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing who would guide them through the framework approved by the Federal Executive Council, adding that because data is critical to the programme, “each MDA will file data with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing who will centrally manage data and use it to advise government and brief the public, while the MDA reserves the right to keep its own data”.

Reiterating that the implementation of the Framework would start with public buildings, the Minister, who noted that the award of contracts would not only drive employment for artisans but the demand of manufacturing and suppliers of parts like wood, pipes, paint, tiles, electrical fittings, windows and tools, in addition to those of  cleaning items like soap, detergent, polish, varnish etc, declared, “This is the economy that we see ahead as we set out to implement this approval as we progress”.

On the cost of implementation, Fashola said the pilot survey showed that the nine buildings would cost about N40.3 billion to reconstruct, while it would cost N922 million per annum to maintain them, which is about 2.3 per cent of cost of replacement, adding that if maintenance was pursued the buildings could last their lifespan of between 50 and 60 years and instead of using N40 billion to replace existing buildings it could be used to expand and provide more buildings for the nation’s growing population.

“Just these nine buildings will require about 400 people to keep them well maintained a year. For example, the school will require at least 30 people to be employed per school for maintenance; and the federal government owns 104 Unity schools which potentially will require 3,120 maintenance staff. So you can see the economy we see when this extends to all our hospitals, all our courts, all our prisons, all our police stations, all our universities and covers all public buildings”, the Minister said.

Comparing the new economic initiative to the Lagos Green Economy, Fashola declared, “This is an economic choice by this government to drive the small business sector, to drive skill utilization and to move the economy from growth without jobs to growth driven by new jobs that reward services”.

The Minister also disclosed that President Buhari also in January signed the law to protect people living with disability from discrimination and exclusion thereby “raising the bar for construction, services and a new way of life for Nigerians”, adding, “We have five years to comply, and this requires that all our buildings must have lifts and well-designed ramps for people confined to their wheelchairs, not hills they cannot use on their own.

“We must modify all our toilets with support for our brothers and sisters who are living with disabilities, as we must build sidewalks for them to use our roads without colliding with vehicles. Our airports and parking lots in buildings must become compliant with international best practice by providing corridors and facilities for people living with disabilities at arrival and departure points, while a minimum number of slots clearly designated must be provided for vehicles owned by people living with disabilities”, he further explained adding that this was another opportunity for jobs to re-design, to re-model, to retrofit all assets nationwide to comply with the law as signed by Mr President.

“This is Nigeria that beckons upon us from today and the immediate future. A Nigeria where public infrastructure works because they are maintained; a Nigeria where everybody has a secure sense of belonging because they can use their skills and labour to earn a decent income and retain their dignity, a Nigeria where government cares for the people living with disability by providing the basic minimum facilities that gives them a sense of belonging to demonstrate their ability”, the Minister said.

Pointing out that Government has taken the leadership role to provide the policy and the how to make the present Nigeria possible, Fashola urged all and sundry to take ownership of the platform of opportunities and make it work. “It is now your responsibility and mine to take ownership of this platform of opportunities and make it work for all of us”, he said.

Responding to questions during the interactive session with the media and other stakeholders, Fashola explained that the maintenance contracts that would emerge from the implementation of the framework would be funded through appropriation adding that the members of the National Assembly were invited to also take note of the Framework and work out modalities in the annual budgets.

On how to engage artisans and technicians who are already in government and those outside governments, the Minister explained that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation would provide clarification adding that there are certain levels of entry that government has dispensed with and some of the artisans fall within those entry levels while the services are now contracted out.

Also responding to the question on whether or not there would be sanctions for non-compliance, Fashola said the implementation would be largely by voluntary compliance adding that just as an individual would not wait for sanction before repairing broken down domestic utilities, MDAs would not need sanctions before embarking on maintenance of their facilities.

Earlier in their goodwill remarks, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation who was represented at the occasion and the Director General, National Orientation Agency hailed the Framework as highly commendable in a country where maintenance culture had been jettisoned for decades while the Chairmen, House Committees on Works and Housing in the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Abubakar Kannike and Hon. Mahmud Mohammed respectively, commended the Ministry for coming up with the Maintenance initiative pledging to play their role in ensuring that it gets consideration in the nation’s annual appropriations.

Jan

29

2019

FG Flags Off Multi Billion Naira 73km Rehabilitation Of Odukpani-Ikom-Ogoja Road In Cross River

The Federal Government once again has reiterated its commitment and effort towards bridging the infrastructural gap across the entire six geo-political zones of the country with the aim of stimulating economic growth ease of doing business as well as providing improved standard of living to its citizenry.

Towards the realization of the Ministry’s mandate by Mr President to complete and rehabilitate all exiting road projects in the country,   the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, formally flagged off the Rehabilitation of 73 kilometres single carriage way stretching from Odukpani Junction through Ikom to Ogoja in Cross River State at the contract sum of over 14 billion naira awarded to an indigenous contractor, Messer Sermatech Construction Company.

Fashola, who was represented by the Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Mustapha Baba-Shehuri, said that the present administration is investing heavily in the provision of critical infrastructure with at least one on-going road project per State in Nigeria.

The Minister stated that the project completion period is within twenty-four months, adding that the federal highway links the industrial and agricultural towns of Akamkpa, Biase and Yakurr. The frequent plying of the 44 year old road by industrialists and haulage of agricultural produce has led to its deterioration with shoulders completely eroded’’.

Earlier in his speech, the Chief Host and Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayande appreciated President Buhari for his support and goodwill to the state regardless of political differences, adding that the state is enjoying the dividends of democracy by partnering with the Federal Government.

Representing the Governor at the occasion, the Commissioner for Works in the state, Engr. Dane Osim-Asu noted that one of the major policy thrusts of Cross River state government is industrialization, noting that this cannot be achieved without good and motorable roads which will create a nexus between these two to grow the economy of the state.

The Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitations from the Ministry, Engr. Yemi Oguntominiyi, in his opening address commended President Buhari for his commitment to the project and support to the Ministry in the course of the procurement process and eventual award of the contract by the Federal Executive Council in November, 2018.

Oguntominiyi further stated that the completion of the rehabilitation works on the corridor will, no doubt, reduce vehicle operating costs; improve travel time, reduce road accidents and also stimulate the socio-economic growth and general security of towns and cities in the state.

The Minister and his entourage also inspected some completed and ongoing rehabilitation projects along the road corridor of Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja federal highway led by the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Mr Bassey Nsentip

Jan

15

2019

Hon. Mustapha Shehuri Warns Contractors Against Delay in Project Delivery

The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has warned the contractor handling rehabilitation works on Yola - Hong - Mubi road against delay in the delivery of the project.

2. Hon. Baba Shehuri gave the warning on Saturday, while on an inspection tour of Federal Government's ongoing road projects in Adamawa State.
He expressed dismay over the slow pace of work by the contractor, Messrs AG Vision (Nigeria) Limited. Baba Shehuri described the road as a vital artery to the socio-economic development of area, the entire State and beyond, hence the need for urgency in its delivery.

3. The contract, which commenced in May, 2017 with a 24 - month completion period, is presently at a dismal 15.10% completion, which the Minister described as unacceptable. 

4. According to the Contractor, the major cause for the delay is insecurity  occasioned by activities of Boko Haram Insurgents in the area and inadequate funding. Hon. Baba Shehuri, who did not hide his displeasure with the Contractor, agreed that though the project was facing some security and funding challenges, he reminded him of the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring security of lives and properties, while the Ministry is making frantic efforts to ensure that  certificates are being paid. 

5. The Minister urged the Contractor to expedite action on the project by improving on its capacities, stressing that the project is already running out of time. While also commending the communities along the corridor and road users alike for their cooperation and understanding, he reiterated the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari's Administration towards the provision of critical infrastructure.

6. In his briefing on the project earlier, the Federal Controller of Works, Adamawa State, Engr. Salihu Abubakar revealed that the  contract sum is N21.8 billion, the Contractor fully mobilised to site in 2017 and presently has a total of N6.3 billion unpaid certificates.

7. In the same vein, Hon. Baba Shehuri has summoned the Contractor handling the rehabilitation of Mararrabar Mubi - Michika - Madagali road, Messrs Rhas (Nigeria) Limited to his Office for apathy to work. The Minister, who was visibly livid with anger, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Contractor for abandoning the project despite being fully mobilised. He added that  based on the tempo of work on the site, the fate of this all - important project is already jeopardised.

8. The Minister also used the opportunity to express misgivings over claims by the Contractor that the project was initially delayed due to non - availability of working drawings.

9. According to the Federal Controller, the 90 - kilometre road with 3 bridges, which were distroyed by Boko Haram Insurgents in 2014, has a completion period of 18 months, which had already elapsed and the project at a mere 1.7% completion.

10. However, the case of the Contractor handling the rehabilitation of Cham - Numan road project in Gombe and Adamawa States is different, as the Minister was highly impressed with the level of  work achieved thus far.  Eventhough the Minister  applauded the pace of project, he still urged for increased tempo, while assuring the prompt release of funds to meet the project's timeline.

Dec

21

2018

Fashola Eulogizes Colleague For Outstanding Performance

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, on behalf of the management and staff of the ministry has congratulated the newly appointed Minister of Environment, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, mnis, who until his appointment by Mr President, was the Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing.

Fashola eulogized the outgoing Minister of State II for his outstanding performance and display of discretion at which he carried out tasks and assignments within the shortest period he served in the Ministry.

In his farewell statement, Fashola said ‘you have done very well here and we wish you very well for what you are going to do in the Ministry of Environment, we will miss you dearly, even though you are leaving us in the ministry, we will not leave you alone.’’

He added that the Minister will still be relevant to the Ministry because in building roads, power and housing projects; it will require environmental impact assessment studies, survey planning and social settlements plans.

The Minister stated this at the valedictory session held in honour of Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, who is now a substantive Minister to the Ministry of Environment following his pronouncement and appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashola noted Mr President’s commitment to the cleaning up of the oil spillage in Ogoni Land for the benefit of the people in that region and the country at large and therefore solicited the cooperation of the Ministry of Environment and the newly appointed Minister to achieve this huge project.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing sector, Mohammed Bukar and his counterpart in the Power Sector, Engr. Louis Edozien noted that Surv. Zarma was an embodiment of managerial competence, hardwork and a model to be emulated, adding that his adaptation to work since assumption of duty is amazing and marked with outstanding achievements.

There were good will messages from Directors and Top Management team, attesting and eulogizing the former Minister of State II for his brilliant contributions to the ministry and the nation at large.

In his response, Zarma appreciated the Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretaries, Directors of the Ministry and other Top Management for their kind words.

According to him, ‘’I have benefited so much from the wealth of experience from Mr Fashola throughout my stay at the ministry,’’ adding that the knowledge and experienced gained in the ministry will certainly assist him in his new assignment to bring about the desired impact.

He also thanked the Permanent Secretaries and Directors of the ministry for their loyalty and unwavering support shown to him and prayed for God’s guidance in the discharge of duties in everyone’s various fields of endeavor.

The Minister is expected to resume work at the Ministry of Environment with immediate effect.

Dec

17

2018

Infrastructure: Buhari Creating Wealth, Securing The Future, Building Foundation For Employment, Prosperity – Fashola

* As Minister inspects the Loko  Oweto Bridge, connecting Road amidst praises from beneficiary communities
* Says project is uniting people, Loko-Oweto  farming communities, Traditional Rulers, the country
* Describes Infrastructure as most dependable fortress against tomorrows bad weather

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has described infrastructure as the foundation for national prosperity and unity saying it is the most dependable fortress against tomorrow’s bad weather, bringing people together and laying the foundation for job creation, economic growth and agricultural development among others.

Fashola, who spoke at the Loko-Oweto Bridge and road project site while on the inspection of the project, said by investing in infrastructure renewal, President Buhari was creating wealth and securing the future of Nigeria as well as building a solid foundation for employment and for prosperity.

The Minister, who had earlier inspected projects in Anambra and Benue States,  told the large and excited gathering of the Loko and Oweto Communities, including Traditional Rulers, who gathered at the project site as early as 8.00 a.m. to receive him, “President Buhari has demonstrated commitment to infrastructure renewal, building roads and bridges like the Loko-Oweto Bridge, the Loko – Oweto Road, the Enugu-Otukpo Road, the Township Road in Otukpo, the Second Niger Bridge, the Federal Secretariat in Awka. That is the foundation for prosperity”.

“Infrastructure built the American Nation out of the Great Depression and Recession; whether it is the Second World War or Marshal Plan in Europe; whether it is the ascent of the Chinese Empire today, the backbone is infrastructure-Road and Rail and Airports. It was after that they could host the Beijing Olympics to show off what they had built”, the Minister said.

Reiterating that infrastructure is the foundation of unity, Fashola declared, “It is an unfailing foundation. It is the most dependable fortress against tomorrow’s bad weather, tomorrow’s oil prices going back and forth. Once you invest in what President Buhari is doing, that is what creates wealth, that is what secures the future; that is the foundation for wealth, for employment, for prosperity”.

The Minister thanked the contractors, Messrs Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), and Federal Controllers of Works for Benue, Engr.  Celestine Shausu and Nasarawa State, Engr. Wasiu Adetayo Taiwo  as well as the Director North Central, Engr. Dayyabu Mamman for their untiring work in helping to rebuild the country adding, “Work continues here. If you hear those (politically opposed) people tell you that the country is divided tell them they divided it. If they had built this road, there would have been unity”.

“This road unites two traditional rulers-the Ada Agatu (of the Agatu Community of Oweto in Benue State)  and the Mai Loko (of the Loko Community in Nasarawa State) . It is uniting farmers; so infrastructure is the basis for national unity. It brings people together, it brings prosperity, it is the foundation for jobs, it is the foundation for Agriculture, it is the foundation for industry and this is what President Buhari is committed to. Very soon and very soon this road and this bridge will connect and unite Nigerians forever irrevocably”, he said.

Earlier, while welcoming the Minister to the site, the Federal Controller of Works, Nasarawa State, Engr.  Wasiu Adetayo Taiwo explained that the Loko-Oweto Bridge connects Nasarawa State at Loko with Benue State at Oweto adding that the Bridge has reached 91 per cent completion; the main bridge is 1.835 kilometre length while the smaller bridge is 220 metres bringing the total length to 2.055 km.

He said the contractor has been doing a good job on the project pointing out that the Loko bound (Eastern) portion of the bridge had been completed including the parapet walls and the walkways and other accessories while the Oweto (Western) portion has just about three pier axis to be connected to round off work on it.

According to him, the two smaller bridges had been completed structurally leaving only the connecting roads from Oweto and to link it to the Loko Road coming from the other side. He said the road, when completed, would reduce travel time to the South Eastern part of the country by not less than two hours adding that it would be the best road linking the South Eastern borders with people of the Northern Central and the entire Northern zone.

“It will also increase agricultural produce and, as you know, the people of this area are agrarian. So it is going to be a very big achievement for the Federal Government and the Loko and Oweto people”, the Controller said adding that trade would be enhanced especially in agricultural produce as traders across the country would have reduced travel time and better travel experience connecting the communities to purchase the commodities.

Other community leaders who spoke at the brief but impressive briefing of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing and his Agriculture and Rural Development counterpart, Chief Audu Ogbe, were the Traditional Ruler of Loko, Mai Loko Abubakar Ahmed Sabo, the Chairman of Oweto Community, Mrs. Achoda Comfort  Alhassan and the President, Oweto Farmers, Ada Agatu Chief Godwin Onah all of whom testified that the project has impacted positively on the two communities and commended the Buhari administration’s resolve to complete the Bridge.

The contract for the construction of Loko-Oweto Bridge was awarded to R.C.C. Nigeria Limited on November 2, 2011 with an initial completion period of 48 months but take off was delayed by issues bordering on change of project alignment which affected the original design.

The change in alignment/design was aimed at relocating the bridge closer to Loko-Oweto communities with the attendant economic benefits, reduce length of approach roads from 22.4 kilometres to about 6 km and its diversion from swampy terrain, reduce proximity to Guto-Bagana Bridge and increase the original bridge height necessitated by the impact of the 2012 nationwide severe flooding during the rainy season of that year which presented a new High Water Level.

Aside the bridge construction, the works also include the construction of 3,850 metre-long approach road at Loko end, 3,090 metre-long approach road at Oweto end, and 550 metre-long road linking the two bridges at the Island separating the Southern and Northern bridges. The overall progress is 91per cent.

Dec

13

2018

More Rural Communities To Get Access To Electricity - Fashola

The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola says the Federal Government is determined to the provide critical infrastructure that will boost the economy as well as impact positively on lives of Nigerians.

The Minister revealed that more rural communities are having access to electricity by the policy of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. He made the remark when he received in audience, the the Village Head of Gora Community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state in his office. The delegation was led by Hajia Kareen Fatimah Mohammed.

He said “One of the reasons I have you here is that you are the faces of electricity under this Administration: Dozen communities are having access to electricity whether on mini grid or off grid like Gora community and this demonstrates that the government is working”.

Fashola further revealed that the rural electrification plan enabled government to access about 200 million dollars to run a pilot in 70 communities in 5 States of the federation, adding that the data of the communities yet to access electricity would be gathered so as to ultimately extend access to them.

He explained that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration is running an all-inclusive government by also appointing young people to leadership positions. He also said that young Nigerians under 40 years of age presently constitute the membership of the Board of the Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency (NREA) including the Managing Director, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, starting that “it is the young people who have done the work, the unsung heroes of Buhari’s government”.

Fashola said that apart from providing electricity to the Community, they are also connected to roads, rail and bridges, maintaining that “what is good for the people in the cities, must be good for people in the rural communities”. He pointed out that the rural and farming communities are “the most critical pillars of diversity of Nigerian government, being treasures store of food and construction materials.”

The Minister pointed out that Nigerians are now more united than ever before, adding that the projects such as this has connected men, women and communities across Nigeria, citing the case of Hajia Kareem Mohammed who though hails from Gombe State, yet solicited for electricity for Gora Communities where her farm is located.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Hajia Mohammed and the Head of Gora Community, Alhaji Jafaru Adamu took turns to appreciate the government, saying that the communities have benefited immersely in improved education, health and day to day activities of the people.

Alhaji Adamu, however requested that the solar power be extended to other communities in the State

Dec

04

2018

Nigerians Will Remain Grateful To The Fallen Heroes - Fashola

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN has Stated that Nigerians will remain ever grateful by remembering the supreme sacrifice paid by our brothers and sister who laid down their lives for the service of our father’s land, Nigeria.

Fashola made the statement, on Monday, in his Mabushi office when he received in audience the National Planning Committee of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) 2019 who decorated him and also commended him for his immense contributions during the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

While been decorated alongside the Minister of State 1 for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri, Fashola noted that the seeming peace which is being enjoyed in Nigeria is as a result of commitment and sacrifices of our fallen heroes who fought gallantly and fearlessly to defend the integrity of our father land. He however commended the Nigeria Armed Forces for being combatant ready and for exhibiting professionalism at all times.

The Minister maintained that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration is an important event which should be made more elaborate by calling on all well-meaning Nigerians, friends and well-wishers to contribute generously to an endowment fund that will cater for the families who lost their beloved ones. He also suggested for an improved production and redesigning of the Emblem so as to be more appealing to the eyes while the basics and the fundamental messages remains.

Earlier , Major Issa Abdulhamid who represented the Chairman , National Planning Committee of the 2019 Armed Forces  Remembrance Day Celebration, Major General Edward Chijioke Obi, disclosed that the reason of their visit was to identify with the Ministers in order to raise funds for the families of our fallen heroes and by so doing alleviate their plight and predicaments.
Major Abdulhamid also thanked the Ministers for attending to members of his committee in spite of their busy schedules.