EMPOWERING ENGINEERS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN TRAINING TO DELIVER SAFER AND STRONGER ROADS The Federal Ministry of Works, under the strategic leadership of the Honourable Minister, Engr. David Umahi, CON, and the Honourable Minister of State, Hon. Bello M. Goronyo, Esq., organised a three-day zonal capacity-building training for engineers, technologists, and technicians in the North Central zone. As part of this initiative, the training commenced on Tuesday, 24th June 2025 at the Pavement Evaluation Unit, Sheda, Kwali Area Council, the FCT, where participants gathered for intensive knowledge-sharing and technical skill enhancement tailored to the evolving demands of modern infrastructure delivery. In his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, FNSE, emphasised that the programme, approved by the Honourable Minister, aims to address the widening generational and capacity gaps caused by the recent retirement of a significant number of senior engineers and the anticipated exit of more within the year. He noted that organising the training on a zonal basis ensures efficient resource management while encouraging broader participation across the federation. The training refreshes core competencies in highway and bridge design, project and contract management, and applicable quality assurance procedures, while promoting cross-functional exposure to develop versatile, all-around professionals. Highlighting the importance of dynamic field experience, the Permanent Secretary underscored the need to rotate engineers across different regions and departments, stating that long-term stay in a single location or unit limits professional growth and technical adaptability. Addressing the recruitment gap within the service, he explained that a comprehensive personnel audit had been conducted and submitted to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for further consideration. He also called on young professionals to invest in self-development and embrace competence as a prerequisite for employability in a modern public service environment, where performance now drives progression. Reaffirming the Ministry’s zero tolerance for misconduct, he noted that the civil service has well-established disciplinary frameworks across all cadres and that infractions will be met with appropriate sanctions through existing regulations. The technical sessions featured expert-led lectures, including “Effective Supervision of Federal Highway Projects” by Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi, PhD, emphasised the urgency of addressing workforce overload and called for increased manpower to support the rising volume of national projects, while urging field engineers to uphold discipline and deliver consistently despite constraints. Engr. C. Shausu delivered a session on “ _Effective Communication Skills,”_ highlighting the critical role of communication in project coordination and interdepartmental collaboration. Additionally, “Ensuring Safety in Project Sites” was delivered by Engr. A.A. Adebiyi stressed the importance of enforcing safety protocols and maintaining high standards to protect lives and infrastructure. Speaking on the broader significance of the programme, the Director, Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong Dechi, described the training as a demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment to the professional development and technical performance of its workforce, urging participants to embrace their roles with renewed dedication and a stronger sense of national duty. From the participants’ perspective, the training was described as enriching and transformative, with attendees affirming that the sessions provided valuable insights into professional best practices and identified key areas for improvement to enhance effective project delivery. In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary reminded participants that the training was not merely academic, but a moral and professional awakening. He called on engineers to recommit to excellence, uphold ethical standards, and demonstrate the technical leadership the Ministry represents. “Let this engagement reset our priorities and rekindle our pride as engineers. We must rise above complacency- we must deliver,” he charged. This training forms part of a broader national initiative approved by the Honourable Minister to strengthen technical capacity, reinforce professionalism, and ensure that the Federal Ministry of Works remains at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure development across Nigeria.   ...

HON MINISTER OF WORKS, DEPLOYS MINISTRY’S PERSONNEL, MAINTENANCE TEAM OF  CONCESSIONAIRE TO THE RECENTLY FLOODED SECTION OF COMPLETED LAFIA-MAKURDI ROAD, TASKS THEM ON PERMANENT SOLUTION TO FLOODING ALONG THE CARRIAGEWAY -APOLOGIZES TO MR. PRESIDENT, ROAD USERS FOR THE EMBARRASSMENT CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OF THE CONCESSIONAIRE WHOSE DUTY IS TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE ROAD. In a passionate response to the flooding situation that occurred along Lafia-Makurdi road that severely disrupted traffic flow on 18th June 2025, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON has directed the immediate deployment of the Ministry’s personnel and the maintenance team of China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company, concessionaire for Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road to bring effective and permanent solution to flood disturbances along the road. In a Press Statement made in his office on 19th June 2025, the Honourable Minister condemned the unfortunate negligence by the concessionaire whose duty under the Highways Development  Management Initiative (HDMI) of the Federal Government is to operate and maintain the road. “We have got information on the unfortunate flooding of a section of Keffi-Makurdi road which is under HDMI, that is, a PPP with China Harbour. We know that the project has been completed and it is tolled, but unfortunately yesterday there were a lot of debris that covered an existing culvert there and that led to flooding but in the midst of that rain we deployed our Ministry of Works personnel in Makurdi State and also the China Harbour personnel and they had to go to the inlet of the culvert and removed all the debris and the flood has been totally evacuated.” That section of the road has been reinstated He directed the concessionaire to critically assess the primary cause, provide a permanent solution to flooding along the carriageway, and take all steps necessary to prevent future occurrence. "We apologize very profusely to Mr. President and  Nigerians, for the embarrassment, this unfortunate incident caused him and Nigerians." He commended the President for his fatherly intervention in the unfortunate incident in Benue State. "We also commend Mr. President very highly for his fatherly role in Benue State. His visit there has made a lot of impact in the lives of the people of Benue State and everyone living in that place. With God on his side, Benue people shall see sustainable peace and progress." Speaking earlier during the courtesy visit of the Managing Director/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, Nneka Enwereji, the Honourable Minister  highlighted some of the initiatives of Federal Government of Nigeria under the present administration to improve the quantity and quality of the road assets in Nigeria, especially the initiative to construct the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects which are critical road infrastructure necessary for the economic advancement of the nation. He sought for the partnership of the bank by investing on any of the Renewed Hope Legacy Projects “I'm happy to have Citibank Executives here in my office today to discuss how they can partner with us over the four Legacy Projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and also other infrastructural developments in the country. We have had a very fruitful meeting, and I am very happy that the efforts of Mr President on external inflow is yielding desired result and that the international community has commended him very highly on his transformative reforms. This project shall be realized by the courage and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.” In her mission statement, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Citibank Nigeria Ltd, expressed the willingness of the Bank to partner with  Federal Government of Nigeria through sustainable investment and funding in the development of those projects that would make a positive impact to the progress of the country. She expressed pleasure over the impressive strides of the Renewed Hope administration, which are necessary to build investor’s confidence. “We are here as Citibank to discuss how we can effectively partner with you,to know the project you are undertaking, and see how we can leverage the access that we have to support some of those projects and make a positive impact to the progress of the country. We want to discuss some of the specifics and some of the projects that we are already looking at in the country. We are very impressed with the big strides that you are making. And we want to support that as much as we can.” Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works ...

PPP IS SOLE DRIVER OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT -Barrister Goronyo The Nigeria Public-Private Partnership  (PPP) Summit 2025,  hosted by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), had the theme: Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda". Its aim was to assemble policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to engage in insightful discussions about the evolving landscape of infrastructure in Nigeria and its global implications. The Summit, which held on June 17 and 18 at the State House Banquet Hall and Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Nigeria, also explored how collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors can drive transformative change. The Federal Ministry of Works, which is a major stakeholder in this initiative, was represented at the event by its Minister of State, Barrister Bello Mohammed Goronyo, who presented to the Summit, the perspective of his ministry on Highway Development and Management Initiative ( HDMI) and various concessions  under PPP arrangements like the 227.2km Akwanga-Lafiya -keffi and the recently signed 127km Benin-Asaba Barrister Goronyo actively participated in and impacted on.the panel discussion, where he emphasised the commitment of the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinibu to fix Nigeria's  infrastructural deficit, revealing that Nigeria has over 200,000km of roads 35,000,km of which are of Federal. He told the Summit that the current government inherited over 2,600projects, with a total worth of about 19 trillion, explaining that since the nation's  budget cannot fund  these projects, there is a necessity for PPP as a feasible option.  The Minister pointed to the need for concessionaires to be open and transparent in their agreement because "we cannot in the name of PPP,  mortgage our country by signing agreements that tend to favour concessionaires." Barrister Goronyo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for recognising infrastructure as key driver of economic growth and development. ...