EAST WEST ROAD: PRESIDENT TINUBU'S ADMINISTRATION COMMITTED TO ENDING PAVEMENT FAILURES AND YEARS OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE NEGLECT IN THE REGION, SET TO DELIVER POPULAR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME In keeping with the Renewed Hope agenda of giving all regions the environment to attain their full economic potentials and guarantee a sense of self-actualization among Nigerians, the administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has introduced a more formidable measure of construction to end pavement failures and years of infrastructural neglect on the East West Road of South-South Nigeria. This was revealed  by the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON during his visit to the project  sites at East West Road section II: Kaiama-Ahoada in Rivers/ Bayelsa States; the construction of Multiple  Box Culverts at flood damaged locations along  the dualization  of East West Road handled by Messrs Rock Results Nigeria  Ltd and the dualization  of East West Road, Section II ( sub section II) handled  by SETRACO Nigeria Ltd dated 22nd July 2024. Speaking after the inspection of work progress, the Honourable Minister said that Federal Government redesigned the inherited ongoing project, using reinforced concrete technology to end the perennial pavement failures and years of road neglect across the wetland Niger Delta.  He said that some sections of the East-West Road starting from Lokoja to Benin were also rescoped and redesigned in reinforced concrete, and that the height of the road was increased above the flood level, and that the redesign factored the peculiar environment, geomorphology and soil characteristics which were responsible for the failures of flexible pavement used over the years by successive administrations.  On the Kaiama-Ahoada section, he said, "When we came on board, the job was already awarded by the past administration. And so, the only new thing in all these locations under President Tinubu is the relief culverts that these two local contractors are putting and are proving themselves to be of a very high reputation in terms of their works. We are encouraging many more local contractors to come and work, because there's so much to work." He observed that the impact of climate change was largely responsible  for the flood that came over the two sections of the road but commended the two contractors handling the relief culverts for their deep commitment to the intervention work despite having not been paid.  He stated, "And so our directive is that the contractor shouldn't open more relief culverts. Let us contain the floods by working with NDDC. And I commend the MD of NDDC for the fantastic work they are doing." He thanked Rock Results, who also did emergency works, even though it's outside the scope and the 29 Battalion with other paramilitary outfits for the management of the traffic which he said would  continue for the next two to four weeks.  While seeking for patience on the side of the road users, he assured that permanent solution was underway  as the project was being procured to raise the road above the flood level while reinforced concrete of 12 inches would be used to do the overlay. The Honourable Minister who also visited the KM 15 Section 3A of the East- West road (from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction) handled  by Messrs  RCC  Nigeria  Ltd, commended  the quality  of work being  done but urged the contractor to re-mobilize at least in 6 sections of the project to ensure timely  project  delivery or be prepared  to relinquish  the other carriageway for award to another  contractor. He stated, "It is Presidential order that this road should be given the maximum attention, and that's why he asked me to come and look at it, and then give him a report. So, we're looking at December for project delivery, but certainly not at the pace that RCC is going." While reacting to the statement credited to a Clergy, Buba Isa on the state of some federal roads, the Honourable Minister reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration in fixing all the inherited ongoing projects and backlogs of road infrastructure deficits nationwide orchestrated by  many years of neglect.  While commending President Tinubu for the glaring deference in road infrastructure under his administration which road users are attesting to, he called for patience and understanding as enduring solution to road failures had been reinvented  by the Renewed Hope administration and very soon Nigerians would enjoy sustainable infrastructure delivery.   ...

WORKS MINSTER DRAWS THE CURTAINS ON COUNCIL MEETING The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Engr. David Umahi has noted that the National Council of Works meeting will propel acceleration of completion of projects in Nigeria. Umahi, stated this while addressing the closing session of the National Council of works held at Abakaliki, Ebonyi state. The Minister who lauded the Council members for their commitment, noted that the gathering has been an invaluable platform for deliberation, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas. He noted that, their contributions and insights are critical to Nigeria's shared mission of enhancing and sustaining our nation's infrastructure. According to him, "over the past few days, we have engaged in robust discussions on several key areas critical to our work. We have reviewed the progress of ongoing projects, identified challenges, and mapped out strategies to overcome them. Our discussions have been guided by our unwavering commitment to building infrastructure that is durable, efficient, and inclusive. "I am pleased to share some of the significant outcomes from these meetings. One, Project Acceleration and Completion: We have agreed on measures to expedite the completion of ongoing projects, particularly those that are crucial for connectivity and economic growth. This includes enhanced coordination among federal, state, and local governments. "We have Innovation and Technology: We have endorsed the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in our infrastructure projects. This will not only improve efficiency but also ensure that our infrastructure is resilient and future ready.  "Moreso, Sustainability and Environment: Environmental sustainability has been a cornerstone of our discussions. We have committed to integrating sustainable practices in all our projects to minimize environmental impact and promote long-term ecological balance". The Honourable Minister, explained that, the Council meetings have also yielded Public-Private Partnerships and stressed that they have recognizing the importance of collaboration and  have laid out plans to strengthen public-private partnerships.  "This will leverage private sector expertise and resources to complement our efforts in delivering world-class infrastructure.      "We have recorded capacity building and Workforce Development: We have outlined initiatives to enhance the skills and capacity of our workforce. This is essential for ensuring that our projects are executed to the highest standards and for fostering a culture of excellence in the sector. "The outcomes of these meetings will serve as a roadmap for our future endeavours. They reflect our collective vision and determination to provide infrastructure that meets the needs of our people and supports our nation's growth. Senator Umahi urged all stakeholders to remain engaged and committed adding that the success of our initiatives depends on our continued collaboration and dedication. "Together, we can achieve remarkable progress and create a legacy of robust and resilient infrastructure for future generations" he noted. Earlier, the Governor of Ebonyi state, the RT. Hon. Francis Ogbona Nwifru disclosed that his administration has embarked on the construction of 700 km roads projects across the three Senatorial districts stressing that his administration's determination to execute quality projects is yielding good results. Nwifru who commended the Federal Government for choosing to hold the National Council of Works in Ebonyi State, noted that, Ministry of Works is a tripod, which other sectors stand upon. He however appealed to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works to complete some of the federal road projects abandoned in Ebonyi state to ease the pain of his people. While drawing the curtains on the 29th National Council on works, Engr. Umahi proposed that the year 2025 edition could hold in either of Nasarawa or Benue states, but this is subject to interests.   ...

Permanent Secretary charges Council to offer technical support  The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata (PHD) has urged members of the Council of Works to provide technical support to unlocking infrastructure potentials in Nigeria. Kofarmata stated this while speaking at the 29th meeting of the National Council on Works holding at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The Council which commenced on Monday 15th July, 2024 has the theme: UNLOCKING INFRASTRUCTURAL POTENTIALS AND OPPORTUNITIES AS CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE RENEWED HOPE AGENDA. The Permanent Secretary said: " the objective behind the choice of this theme is to ensure that all memoranda from stakeholders and the general public are strictly based on as well as informed by those issues and subject matter that address the thematic areas of the various sub- themes derived from the Council's theme held the previous day. "I am pleased to note that these strategic sub- themes include; policy formulation and implementation, institution strengthening, adoption of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) in road construction in Nigeria, integrated financing and alternative funding for roads and bridges projects in Nigeria ". Kofarmata also noted other sub-themes include emergency preparedness and response in road maintenance and sustainability, tackling road infrastructure deficit through strategic partnership and use of alternative technologies, and development of a national infrastructure data bank: a veritable tool for road infrastructure delivery in Nigeria. He said that the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of works across the States in Nigeria is coming after the meeting of the Directors and experts earlier held, purposely to enable them to have high level of technical session to deliberate and adopt drafted technical reports generated from the previous session of experts. "I therefore urge you to passionately apply due diligence in your consideration of the draft technical report with a view to doing justice by being objective to enable us deliver this national assignment seamlessly, without fear or favour. "We must focus our eyes on the ball, having at the back of our minds the ultimate goal, which is the preparation of a comprehensive, credible and a good draft technical report admissible by the National Council on Works (NCW) at the end of the day", he said. Abdullahi Mohammed Assistant Chief Information Officer. For: Acting Head, Information and Public Relations    ...