Repairs on Murtala Muhammed Bridge: FG Assures of Timely Completion The Federal Government has assured road users that the repairs on Murtala Muhammed Bridge along Kotonkarfe - Lokoja road will be completed on schedule despite the challenges caused by the corona virus and the rise in the tide of the River Niger. The assurance was given by the Director of Highways and Bridges in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Emmanuel Adetunji Adeoye who was at the site to access the progress of work on the bridge. The Director said, “ Before the rains came, around May and June they did a lot of under water works and at that time the public was not noticing.” “Because the water has come up now and they cannot really do much of the underwater works, that’s why they are doing the surface work that everyone is seeing but when we get towards November and December they will go on to continue the underwater works”. Looking at the time and the work they have done so far, I believe they are still within the schedule.” Engineer Adeoye added that although the contract was awarded on the 10th of March, 2020 but due to the Covid 19 pandemic, work commenced on the 11th of May, 2020 and the work is expected to be completed by 10th May, 2022. He appealed to the public to show understanding and be patient as government was committed to the repair of the bridge. The Director said, “My appeal to road users is they should be patient and know that government is committed to the repair of the bridge.” He advised people to follow the instructions of the security personnel on ground so as to enjoy free flow of traffic. The representative of the Contractor Engineer Ebenezer Princewill said the company, Hallekem Limited was prepared to deliver the contract within schedule as long as funds were provided. On local content he said available local materials were being used while most of the workers were from within the area. He said, “In this community we are training people on the project. We are also empowering the youths and have employed about thirty Nigerians for the job.” ...

A Better Urban Future Is Within Our Reach-Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has assured Nigerians of Federal Government’s commitment to deliver a better urban future despite the prevailing challenges within the housing sector. He made the statement at the virtual commemoration of the 2020 World Habitat Day (WHD) celebration held on Monday at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with the theme:” Housing for all: A better Urban Future.” Mr. Fashola acknowledged the adverse effect the Coronavirus pandemic had made on an already difficult situation, but he reeled out activities set out to improve access to affordable housing, mobility, sanitation, jobs and socio-economic opportunities despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. He said the approach for implementing this was multifaceted “from house refurbishment loans to mortgages with reduced service conditions, direct housing construction, improved speed of titling and Issuance of documents with plans underway to unlock unused properties as well as accelerate advocacy for reduced rent demands”. He also emphasized that a people-centred approach was key to addressing housing issues which would be the basis for character shape and socio-economic vibrancy of cities, as it is in all the urban centres around the world. The Honourable Minister said the Federal Government was committed to delivering “Housing that is obtainable, healthy, inclusive and adequate, safe and affordable as this was the key to sustainable and transformation of societies and communities.” He further disclosed that to relieve citizens from economic challenges,  President Muhammadu Buhari has initiated the development of an Economic Sustainability Plan of 2.3 Trillion naira to improve payroll support, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Collateral Fund, Loan re-strengthening for businesses, industries support and agricultural support to mention but a few. He gave assurances of his obligation to the realisation of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan and hoped to strengthen partnership with the private sector and other government agencies at all levels to effectively deliver on the mandate. Speaking earlier the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe in his welcome address said the World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/202 of 17th December, 1985 and was first celebrated in 1986. He said first Monday of every October was recognised as World Habitat Day, a day set aside to focus on the state of human settlements and the basic rights for all for adequate shelter and to remind all that we are responsible for the habitat of the present and future generations. Mr. Umakhihe said the celebration would wrap up with the observance of the World Cities Day on 31st of October 2020 with the Focal Theme: Better Cities, Better Life and a Sub-Theme:  Valuing Our Communities and Cities. The central celebration was going on in Surabaya, Indonesia, he added. He was certain that during the dialogue session, the well selected resource persons would deal extensively on affordable housing delivery and urban development as economic revival strategies in the COVID19 era in Nigeria, initiate innovative and transformative actions to seek pragmatic solutions to overcome them. He was optimistic that we could build a better life and a better future for all Nigerians. The high points were the different presentations on:Towards A Sustainable Housing Delivery:Optimizing The Opportunities; Providing Affordable Housing In Cities; The Role Of Partnerships, Advocacy And Community Mobilization; And Financing Options For Affordable Housing Delivery In Africaamong others. ...

FG To Support Infrastructure Development of Niger State The Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has said that the Federal Government would support infrastructure development of Niger State as articulated by the State Government because of the state’s economic activities and its strategic North-South connectivity. The Minister stated this when the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers led by His Royal Highness, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, the Etsu Nupe paid him a courtesy visit in his office. Speaking on the importance of Niger State to the nation, the Minister stated that amongst the nine areas of commitment of the Buhari led administration as announced during the recent Presidential Retreat in Abuja, fuel supply and power supply were strategic areas related to Niger State. Continuing, he said that apart from the fact that the state is well known for its commerce, it also hostedone of the nation’s hydro power plants. “We cannot therefore achieve anything if we do not support the development of Niger State as articulated by the governor,” he stated. Fashola stated that there are fifteen projects in Niger State inclusive of construction and rehabilitation of road and bridge projects pointing out that most of the roads that pass through the states are A1 roads. He promised to expedite works on the projects adding: “We are mindful of the important role Niger Statehas to play in national development and Mr. President is determined to continue to invest in infrastructure development like roads and bridges across the country.” Earlier, the Chairman, Niger State Council of Rulers and the Etsu Nupe,His Royal Highness, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, CFR said that the purpose of their visit was to thank the Federal Government for on-going notable road projects in Niger State. He said some of the projects, which included the award of the dualisation of Mokwa bypass when completed, would be a great achievement as it would relieve the people in Mokwa town from traffic hardship. Speaking in the same vein, he said that the award of Bida Nupeko, Sachi, Patigi road when completed would be of a great relief to the Nupe kingdom in Niger and Kwara States. While calling  on the Federal Government to complete all the awarded projects in the state, the Monarch appealed to Federal Government to look into the dilapidated Lambata, Lapai, Agaie, Bida roads which are major links between the North Central, the South West Region and the country at large. ...