FG FLAGS OFF DUALISATION OF AJAOKUTA JUNCTION - OKENE - OKPELLA - AUCHI  - EKPOMA - BENIN ROAD IN KOGI AND EDO STATES  -Road Construction under President Tinubu has 50-100 Years Guarantee Sequel to the termination of the contracts for Sections II, III, and IV of the Dualisation of Obajana Junction - Benin Road due to non-performance and effluxion of time, last year, and their re-award, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. (Engr.) David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE has flagged off the said projects. The ceremony was held on Wednesday, 19th February in Ekpoma, Edo State. During the flag-off ceremony, Engr. Umahi gave a brief pathetic history about the road, which moved Mr. President to order a permanent solution on the road using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology with a 50-100 years guarantee. According to him, hitherto, commuters and motorists have been going through hardship due to its failure and high traffic volume, hence the dire need for its dualization.  He stated that the project has lingered for too long with attendant consequences on the road users. He added that he has been visiting the road since his assumption of duty and has held several meetings with the former contractors but nothing changed. Upon reporting back to Mr. President, he ordered for immediate and permanent solution to alleviate the suffering, which led to the termination of three (3) out of the four (4) sections of the entire alignment. As an adjoining part of the East-West road, it is very dear to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Umahi posited. It is, as well, a vital link to the Federal Capital (Abuja) and other Northern States with the South-East, South-West, and South-South geo-political zones of the country, thereby helping to connect and improve economic activities.   He commended the Governor and the good people of Edo state for the display of team spirit on the project. Umahi disclosed that the Governor does not only supervise State Government works but extends his monitoring to those of the Federal Government. He also expressed his gladness for the governor’s humble disposition and for the quantum of projects going on in the state within a spate of 100 days in office, which was being celebrated on the same day. While appreciating Mr. President for his concern for the plight of the people plying the road, as well as those living along its corridor, the Minister pleaded with them for patience during the duration of the construction of the additional lanes and reconstruction of the existing alignment. He directed the contractors to expedite action on the work, as delays will not be tolerated.  In his remarks, the representative of Mr. President and Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Sen. Monday Okpebholo praised Mr. President and the Minister of Works for coming to the aid of the people of Edo State. According to him, with this kind gesture of Mr. President, light has entered the state. He promised, on behalf of his people, unalloyed support for Mr. President’s re-election in 2027. Also, the Governor of Kogi State being represented by the Deputy Governor thanked Mr. President for the fatherly gesture, assuring him of reciprocity during the elections. In a Goodwill Message, the former Governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North, Sen. Adams Oshomole hailed the magnanimity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the untiring spirit of Engr. David Umahi, while thanking God for witnessing the day. It is worthy of note that the dualization of Lokoja - Benin Road is in four Sections, but three sections of the road project fall under Edo State. Section II starts from Okene to Auchi, which is about 63.70km long; Section III starts from Auchi – Ehor, which is about 54.224km long, and Section IV, which starts from Ehor - Benin is about 67.9km long. The Section I (Obajana Junction-Ajaokuta Junction) of the project, which is ongoing, is being handled by Messrs CGC (Nig.) Ltd. They were also awarded Section II, while Section III is being given to Messrs Bua Construction (Nig.) Ltd. and IV to CBC (Nig.) Ltd.   ...

Minister Applauds FERMA Staff for Determination and Resilience  The Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq has complimented the determination and resilience of the management and staff of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in the discharge of their responsibilities. He stated this on Tuesday, 18th February, 2025, while addressing staff of the Agency in Lafia, headquarters of the North Central Zone, during a one-day familiarisation visit and inspection of ongoing works on the Keffi-Gitata-Shendam/Plateau State Border road in Nasarawa State. Goronyo acknowledged the resourcefulness of the FERMA’s personnel in fixing Nigeria's roads despite the inadequacy of annual budgetary allocations. He disclosed that pressures are being mounted on the Agency now, more than ever, from various quarters to maintain the roads despite the mergre resources. Goronyo cited as an example the Lokoja - Abuja Dual Carriageway,  sections of which are in bad shape, prolonging travel time from 1 hour 30 minutes to 4 hours. In contrast, the Minister revealed that his journey from Abuja to Lafia was smooth, as well as joyful due to the good road. He said "This is hope being renewed and everybody must be on their toes. The President is determined to move the nation forward and we must support him to actualise his vision and mission." The Minister, who emphasised the determination of the Ministry of Works to resolve all the challenges being faced by the staff, stressed that they should ensure they sensitize the public against packing and abandoning vehicles, especially trucks on the roads. He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to support the Ministry’s efforts by safeguarding Federal roads across the country.  He informed them that the Managing Director/CEO is addressing issues related to their welfare, while urging them to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring that the Agency continues to deliver on its mandate. The Minister added that the stakeholders across the country have been commending the Agency for their dedication and patriotism in maintaining Nigerian roads despite challenges of funding and security in some parts of the country. He noted that the Government alone cannot maintain all the roads due to the high level of deterioration, calling for a collective effort to ensure safer and motorable highways. Goronyo urged the road users, as well as benefiting communities to protect the infrastructure by not digging holes or creating demarcations. He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is ready and determined to ensure that all Nigerian roads are in good conditions for improved economy and assets. The Minister also reiterated the Federal Government's resolve to enhance road maintenance and urged all stakeholders to support the administration's initiatives aimed at achieving safe and durable roads, nationwide. Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO, FERMA, Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasiuu, Ph.d expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the rehabilitation projects in Nasarawa State. He reaffirmed the Agency's commitment to delivering high-quality roads and enhancing travel experience, in line with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. Engr. Agbasi also guaranteed field workers training and retraining to equip them with 21st-century construction trends. He added that despite issues of insecurity in the North Central zone, they should not relent in their collective efforts to maintain Nigerian roads. He stated that FERMA is doing its best despite inadequate funding, stressing that it will soon take delivery of brand-new equipment, while the grounded ones would be repaired and put into use. Also, in his opening remarks, the Zonal Head of North Central II, covering Benue, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa States, Engr Halilu Umama highlighted the strategic importance of the region as a vital link between Northern and Southern Nigeria. He noted that many projects in the zone are being executed through direct labour between 2022 to 2024 and he outlined major challenges including the high costs of construction materials, equipment rental, low budgetary allocations, and road abuses such as the erection of illegal speed breakers and encroachments on Federal highways. In his Closing Remarks, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer for Nasarawa State, Engr. Aliu Muhammad voiced gratitude for the progress made in the past seven (7) months. He commended the leadership of the Ministry and that of FERMA for their commitment to improving road infrastructure and ensuring better conditions for field workers. ...

Over 35,000 Kilometres of Federal Roads Need Alternative Funding - Goronyo The Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, Esq has noted that over 35,000 kilometres of the Federal Government road network across Nigeria could not be funded through Annual Budgets alone, hence the need to source for alternative funding outside the government’s coffers. Goronyo stated this on Monday, 17th February, 2025, while addressing the Management and Staff of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Kogi State Field Office at Lokoja during a maiden visit alongside the MD/CEO, Engr Chukwumeka Agbasi. He reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to fix all the roads to ensure a drastic reduction in the level of unemployment, rate of crimes, and insecurity. According to him, " Let me commend President Tinubu, GCFR for his determination. I have never seen a President so committed to sustaining physical assets nationwide. The administration gives priority to various road projects scattered across the country. This shows that he is a patriotic Nigerian. He is undertaking these projects so that our economy can be improved, and the rate of unemployment, poverty, and crimes will be reduced. We are seeing the Super Highways from Ilelah to Sokoto to Badagry and another from Lagos to Calabar." Goronyo, who commended the staff of FERMA for their resilience and hard work over the years, noted that despite insecurity, and inadequate funding, Nigerians have been commending them for their excellent work. He urged them to bear with the Ministry of Works over their entitlements, disclosing that their requests for adjustment and increment in consequential salaries have been forwarded to the Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission for consideration and approval. Speaking further on funding for the maintenance of roads, Goronyo stressed that "about 35,000 kilometres of roads cannot be funded and maintained overnight. We have to look for alternative sources of funding so that we can continue to maintain our physical assets, which are the roads.  We have to create new ways of funding and new alternatives. He assured that the Government is focused on ensuring that projects are completed in a timely and efficient manner with robust oversight and contractors’ compliance.  He also added "I am calling on all of you to support us to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu succeeds in his mandate to deliver on the 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda. We must put Nigeria first before our interests. Let us fix our roads, we must think positively." Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of FERMA, Engineer Chukwumeka Agbasi commended the Ministry of Works for its determination to ensure that the 8-point agenda of President Tinubu are realised, especially road projects across the country.  He informed the Staff that before the end of the year, there would be an increment in their salaries and appealed to them to continue to support and partner with the Ministry to achieve their targeted goals. In his remarks, Engineer Muktar Abdurahim, the Officer in charge of the Kogi Field Office, informed the Minister that the office has thirty-seven (37) staff with 25 permanent and twelve (12) casual workers. He disclosed that Kogi State has sixteen (16) Federal Government roads with a total of 1,263 kilometres, emphasising that the 2024 nationwide flood incident did not affect any of the roads in the state.    Engr. Abdulrahim revealed that out of six (6) roads under construction in the state, five (5) have been successfully executed, while one (1) is at 60% completion. He informed the  Minister that they are facing challenges such as insecurity, and hyperinflation on the cost of construction materials, amongst others. Furthermore, the Director, North Central Zone I, Engr Omotayo Awodun commended the Federal Government’s commitment to fixing all the Federal roads across Nigeria, especially those in his zone, he also applauded the leadership style of the Honourable Minister of Works for his innovation, where new techniques and stricter supervision are being enforced, like what we are witnessing, today. ...