The Gap of our Infrastructure Needs is Steadily Being Bridged -FASHOLA The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,  Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has reiterated that the gap of Nigeria's infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways which has reached the Federal Polytechnic,Ede, Osun State. Fashola disclosed this while  handing over a rehabilitated  2km internal road and construction of culverts at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State. While speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Minister who was ably represented by the Federal Controller of Works Osun State,Engr. Olawale Kehinde said, "Currently, there are 43 such interventions in internal roads within tertiary institutions across Nigeria. To date 18 (Eighteen) out of the 43 (forty three) interventions have been completed and today we hand over this in Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State" Fashola said, "With  the current intervention in the tertiary institutions quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and  the learning environment, and it will renew students' enthusiasm to attend classes ,because some impassable roads have become motorable." Expantiating on the economic importance of the project, the Minister divulged that no less than 38 (thirty eight) people were employed during  the execution of the  project which contributed enormously to the job creation initiatives of the Federal Government. He, enjoined the school management and host community to ensure that the project was effectively maintained. Speaking earlier, the Rector Federal Polytechnic Ede, Dr. John Taiwo Adekolawole, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, (Admin), Mr. I. T. Adelabu, said the project consists of 2km road in the North and the South campus. I am sure both the students and the staff are very happy with the construction of the road. In his words, "In deed management is very appreciative of the new road as it has changed tremendously the landscape of our campus." He further maintained that with the cooperation and support of  the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, other road projects will be approved for construction especially  the Ogberin-Logun-Sekona road. "We hope the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing will also be positive on other collaborations and on other projects especially our perimeter fencing of the South Campus," he said. The Rector who was so delighted with the kind gesture expressed his sincere appreciation  to the construction company (Messrs Q System Venture Ltd) that undertook the project with high sense of responsibility and completed the road in record time. Adekolawole also expressed his sincere appreciation to all the Directors of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, for the their efforts. In his closing remarks, the Dean, School of Applied Science, Dr. S. A. Amusan, sincerely appreciated the kind gesture by the Federal Government to their institution, also thanked the Honourable. Minister,  Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN for what he has done to the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. In his remarks, the President of the Students Union Government (SUG), Mr. Quazeem Ajibade, said he was so pleased with the road project and under his tenure the project would be highly protected and maintained. Ajibade said it has made the school environment more conducive for learning. ...

FG Receives Accolades On Rehabilitation Of Internal Roads At UNN The University of Nigeria Nsukka community has expressed joy  and appreciation  to the FG for the  rehabilitation of Internal roads in the university community. The university community showed their appreciation at the handing over ceremony of 2.2km  internal roads rehabilitated in the university  by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. The Minister who was represented  at the event by the Federal Controller of Works, Enugu State, Engr. Olufemi Oyekami, said that the rehabilitation of some roads in the university was to enhance quality of education in the institution and to bring succor to the users. According to Fashola, ‘’We are steadily reducing the gap of Nigeria’s  infrastructural needs by the gradual process of repair, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the school.” Fashola noted that 18 out of the 43 on-going road intervention projects had been completed. He said, “Today we hand over this one as a critical contribution to support education.” He added that no fewer than 27 people were directly employed in the course of the job thereby contributing to the job creation initiative of the  Federal Government. The Minister disclosed that similar road rehabilitation projects were going on at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu and the Federal University of Health and Dental Technology, Enugu, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR deserved to be applauded.  He urged the university community to ensure that the roads were properly used and maintained. In his response, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsuka,Prof.Charles ArinzeChukwu Igwe  ably  represented by  the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, UNN, Prof. Pat Okpoko described the rehabilitation project as laudable and beneficial. Prof.Igwe added that the rehabilitated internal roads would ease access  within the campus, improve communication, the ambiance of the environment  and  restore the dignity of man. He demanded for more Federal Government road intervention in the institution as some  other roads in the school were dilapidated due to age.  “Our infrastructure is weak due to age.  The Federal Government may wish to consider our size and age in sharing the number of roads intervention among tertiary institutions across the nation.” Prof. Igwe said that the institution’s resources were minimal.  He requested for more of these kind  gesture to be done for the institution to promote seamless academic process.  He thanked the Honourable minister for the kind  gesture and pledged that the university community would ensure that the projects were maintained  to last long. The President of the Student Union Government, Comr. Chimezie Fortnatus thanked the Minister on behalf of the students saying that the project has brought relief to over 40,000 well meaning students of the institution who are positive minded.   He said that appreciation is an application for more, requesting the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to rehabilitate and build more internal roads for them to ease movement  in the campus. The Three rehabilitated roads in the institution are: 1,040 meters Ikejiani Road, 400 meters Ugwuegede Road and 580 meters Engineering to Odim gate road. ...

Find New Ways To Bridge The Road And Housing Gap In The Country - Fashola The Honourable Minster of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has called on participants at the National Policy on Development, (N-PoD), summit to use the occasion to identify new ways to tackle the numerous problems responsible for road and housing infrastructure gap in the Country. The Minister who was represented by the Hon. Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar D Aliyu made this call while delivering the key note address at the second edition of the National Policy on Development summit in Abuja today. Fashola disclosed that as part of efforts to bridge the infrastructure gap the Ministry of Works and Housing had intervened in the construction of internal roads in 44 tertiary institutions. He added that the intervention forms part of the over 500 roads and bridge projects currently being undertaken by the Ministry. On the housing deficit in Nigeria the Minister said, “The Ministry is concerned about mitigating the deficit and ensuring that Nigerians wherever they reside have access to affordable, conducive and hygienic housing.” He further said “The National Housing Programm is ongoing across the country with over 2,500 units completed in 34 States of the Federation.” Fashola further revealed that the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Federal Housing Authority were increasing the housing stock to Nigerians through several programmes such as rent to own, mortgage finance ownership and so on. The Minster of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello, who was represented by Professor M.T Usman praised the organisers of the summit for bringing together stakeholders to brainstorm and galvanise ideas on how best to move the nation forward. He described the theme of the summit “Actualizing The Next Level Agenda, Strategies, Prospects And Anticipated Challenges” as apt saying that the FCT administration was working hard to ensure that Nigerians felt the impact of good governance. On his part, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba stressed the need for the National Orientation Agency to work assiduously to encourage Nigerians to patronise made in Nigerian products. He said otherwise Nigerian oil will continue to create jobs and wealth for other nations because of the preference for foreign goods over made in Nigeria goods by Nigerians. The Minister also decried the attitude of Nigerians to work as some Nigerians consider certain jobs degrading even as income from such jobs could meet their needs.  He said, “The only way we can take people out of poverty is if we can change them from mere population to working force.” He argued that Nigeria is blessed with everything that other developed nations have and would rise to greater height if the citizens change their attitude. The Summit was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Secretary to The Government of The Federation, Mr. Andrew David Adejoh. Also present at the occasion were the Minister of Defence, Representative of the Kano stat Governor, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Stakeholders from the organised Private Sector and Labour Union representatives. ...