GORONYO COMMISSIONS ROAD PROJECT IN LAGOS The Honourable Minister of State for Works, HMSW, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq, has on Tuesday, 3rd December, 2024 commissioned a recently recovered critically failed road at Ijora Causeway situated within the Apopa- Ijora Local Government Area of Lagos State.  The road, built on rigid pavement through direct labour, was completed up to about 80% under the supervision of the Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). Speaking at the occasion, the HMSW noted that the road will impact positively on the economic well-being of the community, it will also help to mitigate youth unemployment, insecurity and threats to communal peace. While commending FERMA for its prompt response to the plight of the community, he charged them to react proactively to ensure the remaining portion of the road is fixed before the end of the year, as it aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who according to him is running an infrastructure-friendly administration. He enjoined the leaders and people to take full ownership of the facility to prevent it from abuse. The representative of the Ojora of Ijora, who was unavoidably absent, Chief Samsudeen Ojora expressed the appreciation of His Royal Majesty and the indigenes of the community for the recovery and reconstruction of the road, which, as he emphasised, was hitherto impassable, terrible and an eyesore.  He appealed to the Minister and FERMA to ensure the speedy completion of the remaining portion of the project. He further pledged the unalloyed support and continuous prayers of the Oba for the Federal Government. The MD/CEO of FERMA, Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi commended the Oba of Ijora and the people residing in the community for their good manners, support and cooperation, while the project was ongoing. Dr. Agbasi promised that FERMA will continue to do their best in adding value to road management in the country.   ...

CALL ERRING CONTRACTORS TO ORDER... GORONYO CHARGES FERMA. The Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Works, HMSW, Mohammed Bello Goronyo Esq, has charged the Managing Director/ CEO of Federal Emergency and Roads Maintenance Agency, (FERMA), to warn contractors who fail to deliver on their contract awards to desist.  He said the era of abandoning projects is over. These contracts are awarded and paid through the tax payers money who desire value for their money.  The list of defaulting Contractors must be made available to the Headquarters not later than next week. He also proposed the need for a strong Technical Committee that will criss-cross the country to monitor FERMA projects with a view to ascertaining the quality of their deliveries. The Honourable Minister made these remarks on Monday 2nd November, 2024, during his familiarisation tour of the South West section of FERMA, where the State Coordinators made presentations before the HMSW on the progress, challenges and expectations in the cause of the discharge of their duties. Goronyo commended the Federal Road Management Engineers, ( FRME), from the South-West States, assuring them that all issues raised will be looked into to make FERMA great and successful.  He was quick to add that though the challenges are real, huge and enormous, they are not insurmountable. “The country must tighten up its belt and combat the challenges frontally.  We have been drawing from a well without water for so long. We now have a President who is willing to face the challenges head on without complaining. We must be ready to support one another and do things differently. We must all support His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver on his mandate.” He remarked. The HMSW pledged to pay unscheduled visits to contract sites to have a first hand knowledge of the commitment of contractors to projects, while also assuring that Staff Welfare is a paramount issue of concern which will not be toyed with.   ...

MINISTER COMMISSIONS SOLAR-POWERED STREETLIGHT PROJECT IN LAGOS The Honorable Minister of State for Works (HMSW), Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq, has commissioned a solar- powered streetlight project in Lagos on Monday, 2nd December, 2024.  The streetlights being provided by the Federal Emergency Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), are a relief and a welcome development for the residents of the community of Isale- Eko in Lagos State. Goronyo identified the benefits of the project to include improvement in the socioeconomic well-being, as well as mitigating insecurity challenges confronting the area. “This aligns well with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” he added. The Minister further urged residents to take full ownership of the project with a view to safeguarding it from vandalization by unscrupulous elements. The HMSW, on an earlier Courtesy Visit to His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Akiolu, in his Iga Idugaran Palace, noted that the initiative is part of a conscious effort by the Federal Government at investing in renewable energy solutions, stating that “as a responsible Government, we have to continue to do more to improve the wellbeing of our teeming communities.” He solicited for prayers and support of His Royal Majesty and indeed Nigerians to be able to do more for the overall growth and development of the nation. Speaking at the Palace, the Managing Director/CEO of FERMA, Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, thanked the Oba for the warm reception accorded the entourage, also stated that the installation of the solar powered lights will provide extended hours for trading and, therefore, arrest unemployment among the youth. While commending the community for providing an enabling atmosphere for the installation of the facility, Engr. Agbasi, cautioned against vandalisation, pledging that FERMA has resolved not shirk in its responsibility to ensure adequate maintenance, as well as deliver value in road maintenance in the community and the state. Responding, HRM Oba Akiolu, appreciated the Honourable Minister for the visit, noting that FERMA has been wonderful and cooperative in the discharge of its duties to the community. His Royal Majesty also used the occasion to warn miscreants and criminals to desist from vandalising public goods and infrastructure, assuring that Nigerians will laugh soon as the Government of the day is responsible and working very hard to put things right. Patience, the Monarch emphasised, is the keyword, while appealing to Nigerians to give peace a chance.   ...