Better Travel Experience Ahead As FEC Approves N260.5b Additional Funds for Repair Works on Sections of East-West Road Affected By Flooding ....Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction) -Onne Port Junction, Port Harcourt – Ahoada , Ahoada – Kaiama,  Eket – Oron , Eket – Oron Bypass included ....Due Diligence / Post Qualification checks carried out to ensure that companies have capabilities to execute projects and fully compliant with the Nigerian Local Content Policy ....Projects to cover request of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for inclusion of additional works and review of unit rate for the outstanding works required to complete the East – West road projects which the President directed the Ministry of Works and Housing to revalidate, take over In furtherance of its commitment to improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure, restore its road network as a means to create employment and boost the economy, while responding to the aftermath of the recent flooding in the Niger Delta, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N260.5B as variation order for repair works and completion of various Sections of the East - West Road projects. The approval was sequel to a memorandum by the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN to the Council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo SAN. The memorandum document dated October 27, 2022, covers the request of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for inclusion of additional works and review of unit rate for the outstanding works required to complete the East – West road projects which the President directed that the Ministry of Works and Housing be engaged to revalidate the proposal. Following the Presidential directive, the Ministry of Works and Housing constituted a Task Allocation Committee (TAC) comprising its officers and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) which conducted a site inspection on Sections I – IV of the East – West Road projects from 14 - 16 October, 2022 to assess the need for the augmentation and additional works to complete the projects.   It would be recalled that 13 years after it was taken away from the Ministry of Works and Housing, President Muhammadu Buhari had in May directed the MNDA then under Senator Godswill Akpabio, which had been handling its construction to return the challenging East-West Road to the Works and Housing Ministry. According to the memorandum, the contracts for the dualization of East – West Road projects Sections I – IV from Warri – Port Harcourt – Eket-Oron (338) were awarded at different dates and are at different levels of completion. However, the Sections covered in the Federal Executive Council’s approval included Section III: Port Harcourt (Eleme Junction ) – Onne Port Junction in Rivers State in the sum of N156.7B being handled by Messrs RCC Nigeria Limited and Section II: Subsection I (Port Harcourt – Ahoada) in Rivers State in the sum of N64.3B being done Messrs Setraco Nigeria Limited as well as Section II: Subsection II (Ahoada - Kaiama) in Bayelsa and Rivers States in the sum of N144.7B being handled by the same construction company. Others are Section IV: Eket – Oron Road in Akwa Ibom State in the sum of N64.3B being handled by Messrs Gitto Nigeria Limited and Section IV: Eket – Oron Bypass in Akwa Ibom State in the sum of N76.8B being handled by the same construction company. With the approved variation order, the contract sum for the East - West Road project Sections I – IV has changed from N246 billion to N506 billion. The memorandum showed the scope of work necessitating the requests for augmentation in the various sections to include outstanding works, asphalting of inner and outer shoulders, repair of settlement on carriageways, construction of additional drainage and culvert works, construction of flyover and repair of distressed bridges among others. While presenting the memorandum which was in line with the Federal Government’s continued engagement in bringing succor and resolving issues around the recent flooding, the Hon.  Minister of Works and Housing explained that the approval would enable the contractors to carry out repair works with respect to Sections of the East - West Road in the Niger Delta affected during the recent flooding in parts of the country.   The table showing changes in basic item rates in each of the Projects were clearly itemized, while Fashola also gave extensive details of the procurement processes which the participating Companies went through that culminated in the certification and issuance of a Due Process Certificate of “No Objection” for each of the Projects by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). According to the Minister, due diligence and post qualification checks were also carried out which showed that the companies have the capabilities to execute the contracts and are fully compliant with the Nigerian Local Content Policy. ...

Border Bridge Between Nigeria And Cameroon Will Curtail *Insecurity-President Muhammadu Buhari The new Border Bridge linking Nigeria and Cameroon at Mfum/ Ekok across the Cross River and the new Joint Border at Mfum has been officially commissioned on Wednesday the 3rf of November, 2022.  The project was jointly funded by the Governments of Nigeria, Cameroon and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the project begin in year 2017 and was completed in year 2021. Commissioning the Bridge, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, (GCFR) said that this new Border Bridge between Nigeria and Cameroon would go a long way to curtail insecurity.  President Buhari who was represented at the ceremony by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada said: “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria also expects that this Joint Border Bridge and Border Post will enhance security patrol and cooperation in this part of the border with Cameroun and also hope that it will complement the current efforts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Cameroun to combat the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in our region.” Speaking further he said the project is important because the activities of violent extremists have continued to present major challenges to the development of our countries and our regions. “Their activities have continued to deter our economies and the maximization of the potential of our countries as well as cause political upheavals and menace in our regions. Hence it is our hope that the commissioning of this project will accelerate the efforts our gallant security personnel who are already doing very well in securing our territories’, he said.  He added that the project which is part of the Nigeria-Cameroun Multinational Highway and Transport Facilitation Programme will remain a visible testimony to the continuing cooperation and good neighborliness between our two countries as well as regional economic communities. “This Bridge and the Joint Border Post are proof that when Africans work with African institutions of standard, critical regional developmental projects can be achieved in record time,” he said. Expressing his joy on the commissioning, he said: “I am glad that both Nigerians and Cameroonians living around these axises have remained jubilant since the completion of this Bridge and Joint Border Post. Such excitement symbolizes the resolve of our peoples and governments to remain connected in spite of our seemingly artificial boundaries. The completion and commissioning of this project could not have come at a more auspicious time when Nigeria has signed and ratified the African Continental Free Zone Area Agreement.” The President said he is optimistic  that the commissioning of the Border Bridge and Joint Border Post will not only strengthen the existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon but it  will also enhance cooperation between ECOWAS and ECCAS countries adding that the project has the potential to enhance the volume of economic activities in the regions especially as it will  facilitate the movement of goods and services within the countries along these Corridor. It will also serve as a vital link between the West and Central African Regions.  The joint Border Bridge is one of the projects under the Transport Facilitation Programme for the Bamenda-Enugu Corridor otherwise known as the Nigeria/Cameroon Multinational Highway and Transport Facilitation Programme. It was embarked upon by  both countries as part of the confidence building measures aimed at improving relations between both countries through the facilitation of movement of people, goods and services between both countries and also as a major economic route connecting the ECOWAS countries and their counterparts in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) thereby facilitating trade and growth in the region. In his remarks, the President of Cameroon, His Excellency Paul Biya said that the Programme for the transport facilitation of the Bamenda-Enugu road corridor was conceived by the founding fathers as a confidence building measure to strengthen relations between Nigeria and Cameroon following the strained relations arising as a result of the Bakassi Peninsula issue. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the President who was represented by the Minister of Public Works of Cameroon, Mr. Emmanuel Nganou Njoumessi explained that 443 kilometers long Bamenda-Enugu corridor comprises the Cameroon Bamenda-Mamfe Ekok road sections, the Nigerian road sections of 240 kilometers, the bridge over the Munaya River in Cameroon and the border bridge of 230 meters over the Cross River. On the importance of the project, he said that it is expected to help increase trade and also strengthen cooperation between countries of the Economic Community of Central African States and those of the Economic Community of West African States in general, and between Cameroon and Nigeria in particular. He said: “The direct beneficiaries of the programme are the transport services users, as well as the 11,000,000 inhabitants (3,000,000) IN Cameroon and 8,000,000 in Nigeria) in the programme area representing 7% of the tota population of both countries.” He added that the programme will reduce overall transport cost and improve the living conditions of the populations living along the road. Delivering his welcome address, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON commended the vision of the founding fathers and with gratitude ackwonledged the roles played by the funding partners, the Ministry’s engineers/ Directors and also the host communities of Nigeria and Cameroon. He said: “I can say with pride that our job has been done for the benefit of the people of Nigeria and Cameroon which the bridge connects.”  Continuing, he said that the most important thig about the project is that the bridge not only connect Nigeria and Cameroon but it begins a journey of a Trans-Africa connection.  “The Nigeria/Cameroon Multinational Highway from Enugu in Nigeria to Bamenda in Cameroon is also part of the Dakar-Lagos-Mombasa, Kenya Trans-African Highway and this is the significance of this project,” . In an exclusive interview with  His Royal Highness Anthony Ntui Etta II, the host community  of Ajassor clan, he highly commended the two countries and said that the Ajassor clan are indeed very happy and grateful for the project. He said, the significance of the project cannot be overemphasized as it will strengthen the bond of affinity which already exist between their community with their kiths and kins of Ekok border community in Cameroon and even beyond. He added that the project would further boost trans-border commercial activities. It was a very colorful commissioning ceremony that was well attended by stakeholders such as the EU, Africa Development Bank Group, ECOWAS. ECCAS, Senator representing Cross River Central, Distinguished, Senator Sandy Onor,  the representative of the Governor of Cross River State  the Hon. Commissioner of Works .Engr. Dane Osim-Asu, the Minister from Cross River State in the Federal Exceptive Council. Mr. Goddy Jeddy-Agba,  Minister of State, Transportation, Nigeria. Prince Ademola Adegoroye,  Ministers from Cameroon, Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Ambassador Gabriel Olunisakin, Traditional and Paramount Rulers and Mayor's, Local Government Chairmen, members of the Military and Paramilitary Agencies. The event was spiced with cultural Traditional dancers from both countries.   ...

President Buhari Commissions Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Border Post And Bridge, Reiterates Need For Neigbourliness President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Mfum, Cross River State, called for more neighborliness and mutual understanding between African states in order to enhance trade, security and promote development of the continent. The President, represented by the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, at the commissioning ceremony of the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Border Post and Bridge, said the 1.5km project would enhance the interconnectivity of “our people and communities, improve living standards, reduce barriers to inter-regional trade and strengthen border security.’’ “It is with great sense of satisfaction that we are witnessing the official Joint Commissioning of the Mfum/Ekok 1.5km Bridge and Joint Border Post (JBP). Let me begin with commending the Leaderships of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Government of the Republic of Cameroon that worked closely to realize this project, as well as the African Development Bank (ADB) that provided funding for the execution and completion of this 1.5km Joint Border Project,’’ he said.  President Buhari noted that the projects will deepen the inextricably linked cultural and traditional fraternal bonds that already exist between Nigerians and Cameroonians living around the border communities. “Let me also underscore that in order to maximize the benefits of these projects, the Nigerian and Cameroonian officials that would be saddled with the responsibility of manning the Joint Border Post, in particular, must act in the most professional manner, as well as in line with the global best practices, effective from today,’’ he added. President Buhari affirmed that the completion of the project had made both Nigerians and Cameroonians living around the area jubilant.   “Such excitement symbolizes the resolve of our People and Governments to remain connected in spite of our seemingly artificial boundaries. “The completion and commissioning of this project could not have come at a more auspicious time than when Nigeria has signed and ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. Therefore, we expect that the commissioning of this Joint Border Bridge and Post will not only strengthen the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Cameroon, but also enhance cooperation between the ECOWAS and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). “Under the AfCFTA, this project has the potential to enhance the volume of economic activities in our regions, as well as facilitate the free movement of persons, goods and services within the countries, along the corridor. It would also serve as a vital link between the West and the Central African regions.  “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria also expects that this Joint Border Post and Bridge will enhance security patrol and facilitate effective cooperation in this part of our border with the Republic of Cameroon. While expressing our confidence that this project would accomplish the set targets, it is also our hope that it would complement the current efforts of the Governments of Nigeria and Cameroon to combat the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in our region. “This is important because the activities of violent extremists have continued to present major challenges to the development of our countries and regions,’’ he added. The President said the menace of insecurity had continued to threaten economies, impede the maximization of the strategic potentials of our countries as well as cause political upheavals and menace in our sub-region. “Hence, it is our hope that the commissioning of this project will accelerate the efforts of our gallant security personnel who are already doing very well in securing our territories.   “We also pray that this project would enhance the interconnectivity of our people and communities, improve living standards, reduce barriers to inter-regional trade and strengthen border security. We are certain that these projects will deepen the inextricably linked cultural and traditional fraternal bonds that already exist between Nigerians and Cameroonians living around the border communities,’’ the President stated.   He noted that the project, which was part of the on-going Nigeria/Cameroon Multinational Highway and Transport Facilitation Programme (NCMH&TFP), will remain a visible testament to the continuing cooperation and good neighbourliness between both countries, as well as Regional Economic Communities. “This bridge, and Joint Border Post, are proofs that when African countries work with African Institutions, outstanding and people-centred cross-regional developmental projects can be achieved in record time,’’ he said. The President thanked all the Institutions and Agencies that made the project possible. “I recall in this regard, that the Government of the Republic of Cameroon cooperated with us in granting joint waiver to the Expatriates that were employed by the construction company that handled the project, despite the global COVID-19 lockdown. The cooperation and support of H.E. President Paul Biya, as well as the Government and people of Cameroon, ensured that this project was completed on schedule. “Let me also extend the gratitude of the Government and people of Nigeria to the African Development Bank for the role it played in financing these projects. Under the leadership of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the Bank has become, by all standards, a reliable beacon of support in all matters relating to Africa’s development. Indeed, we are very proud of the performance of the current Management of our continental Bank which has confirmed that we truly have “African solutions to African problems”. “Let me also commend the leadership and staff of the ECOWAS and ECCAS for their untiring efforts in ensuring the timely completion of this project. It is necessary to underscore that visible projects such as these, as well as other critical and life changing infrastructure are the type of projects that the citizens of our sub-region have been yearning to see. It is the hope that under the leadership of Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, ECOWAS will continue to deliver on the expectations of our citizens.   “Finally, let me conclude by extending our deepest appreciation to the contractors, CGCOC, that have shown uncommon commitment to the execution and delivery of this high quality project, within a reasonable period. To all of you who have contributed in one way or the other to this epoch–making and memorable occasion, I convey my warm appreciation,’’ President Buhari said. In his remarks, the Minster of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the value of the new bridge transcended connection between Nigeria and Cameroon, boosting the larger effort of connecting Africa. He said efforts will be sustained to improve networking among Africans, which ECOWAS and the African Union had been pursuing over many years, with earlier plans dating back to 1969.  Fashola said consistency in building roads and bridges will improve relations among Africa countries, where people can drive from Lagos to Mombasa.  The Cameroonian Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, who represented President Paul Biya, appreciated the contributions of various stakeholders to the project, assuring that the Nigeria/Cameroon relations will explore more possibilities for partnership. ...