FG PUSHES AHEAD WITH STRATEGIC ROAD PROJECTS IN BORNO DESPITE SECURITY CHALLENGES The Federal Ministry of Works has restated its avowed intention to rehabilitate the Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Section I) in Borno State, as work progresses steadily despite prevailing security and logistical challenges. As the nationwide media tour of the North East Zone continues, the Federal Controller of Works in the State, Engr. Salihu Adamu assured Nigerians that the project will be completed despite persistent security and logistical constraints. “The biggest challenge faced by the contractor is insecurity. There are pockets of attacks on the highways, and this has forced them to take longer and safer routes to source construction materials,” he stated, while addressing the media at the project site in Maiduguri. The project was initially awarded in 2018 to QUMECS (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of ₦21.73 billion, traversing 105.6 kilometres. Following a technical review and scope adjustment, the project was revised to incorporate a flexible pavement structure with asphaltic concrete shoulders, bringing the current contract sum to ₦28.37 billion to reflect prevailing realities and enhanced engineering specifications. Phase 1 of the project covers 30 kilometres. Significant progress has been recorded, with approximately 5.8 kilometres completed up to binder course level and about 8 kilometres of stone base executed. Clearance works have also extended beyond 15 kilometres, while shoulder construction is ongoing, in line with the Ministry’s revised policy, which replaces surface dressing with asphaltic concrete shoulders to provide stronger structural protection for the carriageway and enhanced pavement durability. As security remains the major constraint on the Maiduguri–Monguno corridor, Borno State continues to operate under emergency conditions, with base and sub-base laterite sourced from Ngamdu near the Yobe State border (about 150 km away). And stone materials hauled from as far as Shira town in Bauchi State (approximately 450 km) due to restricted access and security considerations like the ban on the blasting of rocks in the state. The Project Manager for the company, Engr. Bukar Kadai, confirmed that the contractor remains fully mobilised on site with two active teams handling shoulder construction and stone base operations simultaneously, while asphalt laying is scheduled to commence following the delivery of bitumen to the site, soon. Also speaking on the same project, the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Maiduguri Branch, Engr. Mohammed Shettima expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that the rehabilitation will ease transportation challenges for residents and road users. In another vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, Abdulkarim Haruna, inaugurated the completed Limited Rehabilitation of Kaga–Gubio Road, Sections I and II outside Benisheik Town, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE. He described the road as a strategic one for economic empowerment and social inclusion. He stated, “Roads are a means of empowering the people. This road connecting to Benisheik, which serves as a gateway to Maiduguri and Yobe state, is a very positive development.” He further urged the media to continue sensitising Nigerians on ongoing infrastructure reforms and national development efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The FCW described the Kaga–Gubio Road as a critical intervention, facilitating the movement of agricultural produce into Maiduguri and other parts of the zone, strengthening commercial activities within the corridor. He explained that the project forms part of a broader emergency and special works designed to safeguard existing infrastructure, improve mobility, and support economic stability in areas facing security challenges.
FUTA VC Applauds FG For Rehabilitation Of Internal Roads Intervention The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State, Prof. Joseph Adeola Fuwape has applauded the Federal Government for the initiative of intervention in the internal roads construction in the institution. The VC made the commendation while officially taking over 1.80 kilometers internal roads rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. He appreciated the Honourable Minister Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN and the entire Ministry for the internal roads intervention project at the institution. Prof. Fuwape solicited for the Honourable Minster, for the engagement of the students of Civil and Engineering Department of the institution in the Ministry's highway and housing projects in the state for practical experiences, adding that such partnership would help the students acquire the nitty gritty of roads and housing construction before graduation He however pleaded that more internal roads of the institution should be included in the second intervention phase of the project to increase it to 2.8 kilometer from the present one. He said," We are excited about this, we want more like Oliver Twist." In his remarks at the handing over ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who was represented by the Acting Controller of Works Ondo State, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr. Olajide Hussein said that the gap of Nigeria's infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools. Mr. Fashola said that the internal road project at the Federal University of Technology Akure is an investment in education by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. The Deputy Vice President of the Federal University of Technology Akure Students Union, Caroline Felix said that she was impressed by the internal road intervention project at the institution, adding that with this development, students would be able to attend lectures with ease. ...
VC Commends Fashola For Internal Road Intervention Project In University The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Professor Andrew Haruna has commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SANfor the internal road intervention project he executed in his University. The highly excited Vice Chancellor said, " I am excited, excitement is the summary here. In fact any other adjective I use now will water down my joy." The Minister was represented at the handover ceremony by the Federal Controller of Works Yobe State, Engr. Akinmade Babalola. Fashola, in his address at the handover ceremony, said, "Thee gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools." Fashola said that the quality of education would no doubt be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment, pointing out that the feedback from students in the institutions that benefited from such intervention attested to that, "The intervention by Federal Government will improve the ambience and environment of Federal Tertiary Institutions to enhance academic activities,"he said. Federal University Gashua is among the 18 Federal Tertiary Institutions that benefited from the Federal Government Road Intervention Project executed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under phase I and ll. Professor Haruna also said, "If one must say the truth, without any embellishment, one can say, if all agencies of the Government will take the steps taken by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in investing a little here and a little there, this University will, within the next few years, have it's share of massive infrastructural development. It is for this reason that I stand here to appreciate the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for their initiative and intervention." Accordingly, the Vice Chancellor appreciated the kind gesture of the Federal Government for the concern and committment shown to towards the development of the citadel of learning under the prevailing austere times in the country. Representative of the Students Union Government (SUG), Comrade Mahammad Haruna, who is also the Financial Secretary Zone C of the Union, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN for such projects in tertiary institutions. Comrade Haruna said, the projects are not only dear to the Federal University of Gashua but to the entire national body of students union because of the positive impacts they would have on education in the country. The completed internal road project in the Federal University of Gashua comprised of rehabilitation and asphalt overlay, construction of reinforced concrete drainage and patching of potholes of 300 meters. So far eighteen (18) out of the forty-three (43) road intervention projects procured under phase I (2017) and phase ii (2018) appropriations had been completed across tertiary institutions nationwide. ...
Fashola Assures AFRIGIST of His Support The Honourable Minister for works and Housing Babatunde Ragi Fashola has assured the Africa Regional Institute for Geospatial Information, Science and Technology, (AFRIGIST) of his support to solve some of the challenges confronting it. The Minister gave the assurance while receiving the management of the institute who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. Fashola noted that the statutory activities of AFRIGIST were pivotal to unlocking the potential of member countries and Africa in general. He said, “ I cannot overemphasize the importance of this agency especially in regards to the recent adoption of the free trade agreement among the African countries”. Fashola further said, “Africa Regional Institute for Geospatial Information, Science and Technology has become too critical for the engagement of the future for human civilization”. The Minister who said the world was increasingly becoming information dependent, emphasized the relevance of the agency to the growth of trade, health care, defense and aviation. Fashola directed the Surveyor General of the Federation Surveyor Taiwo Samuel, who led the delegation on the visit to make appropriate recommendation to the Ministry for its intervention. Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of the Institute, Dr. Adewale Akingbade disclosed that the Institute which was established in 1972 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, (UNECA), had eight members such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameron, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, the host country. The Director who praised the Nigerian government for promptly paying its dues said the Institute had supported the county in providing training for defence intelligence such as the Nigerian Customs, Immigration and police. Dr. Akingbade sought the assistance of the Honourable Minister in championing the conference of the Ministerial Committee of the agency. In attendance were the Minister of State for Works and Housing Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu and some Directors of the Ministry ...
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
DRIVING NIGERIA’S FUTURE: CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP AND THE LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY MILESTONE
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1
MID -TERM REVIEW MEETING ON THE IMPLIMENTATION OF THE DECISIONS REACHED AT THE 29TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON WORKS (NCW) DAY 1