FG Restates Its Commitment To Deliver On East West Road - Niger Delta Minister The Federal Government has once again reiterated its commitment to deliver on critical infrastructure especially the East West road despite lean resources that is being generated. According to the Minister of Niger Delta, Usani Uguru Usani, the Federal Executive Council has given preference to the timely completion of the East West Road because of its importance to the region and the nation at large. He added that government is poised to deploying available resources towards its actualization and delivery, hence, the setting up of an inter-ministerial committee comprising, Ministries of Power, Works and Housing, Niger Delta Affairs, Transport and Aviation and Information and Culture to see to the speedy completion of the road. While conducting journalists on a road tour of the alignment, Usani stated that contrary to the general opinion that work is not progressing on the road, ‘you can see for yourself driving from Warri, Delta State where the road begins to section iv which is Oron, Akwa Ibom State, that substantial work has been achieved’. The Minister added that though there are some remedial works to be carried out on some of the completed sections of the road, he could attest to the fact that there is an improvement and immense progress recorded compared to 2016 when the inter-ministerial committee visited. He also acknowledged in his address that section v, which is the last section of the East West road will soon be awarded, stressing that government might in future consider the inauguration of the completed sections of the road as work progresses. Usani was accompanied by his colleague, Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rotimi Ameachi, Permanent Secretary, Niger Delta, Alhaji Aminu Bisalla alongside with Director, Highways South-South, Engr. Charles Okonmah from Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Director, Infrastructural, Engr. Uche Uzoegbu, Ministry of Niger Delta and other government officials. The East West road is an arterial route conveying heavy traffic of goods and services especially those used in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in the Niger Delta region. The road is connecting Warri in Delta State to Oron in Akwa Ibom, through Kaiama in Bayelsa State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The 338Km dual carriages equivalent to (676km single carriage way has 4 nos bridges) was initially awarded in 2006. The project is in four sections. Section I of the road is 87.4km from Warri to Kaiama was awarded to Sectraco Nigeria Section II, 101km is from Kaiama to Port Harcourt was also awarded to Sectraco Section III with 99km is from Port Harcourt to Eket is been handled by RCC Nigeria Ltd, while Section IV with 51km from Eket to Oron was awarded to Gitto Construczioni Nigeria Ltd. The dualization of the East West road was transferred from the defunct Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) to Ministry of Niger Delta (MNDA) in 2009 to fast track the progress of work and the development of the Niger Delta region. It is important to note that, the major challenges confronting the completion of the road is due to the short dry season period and unavailability of fund, as budgetary provisions alone cannot meet up with the demand and magnitude of the project. ...

FG Commences Rehabilitation of Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, Says It Will Boost Economy The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Monday said the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road would boost agriculture and the economy of Lagos. Fashola said the road was strategic to industrailisation and agricultural development which were the priorities of the Buhari administration. He added that the road was strategic and would promote the growth of agricultural activities, boost business for industries in the axis and create employment opportunities. He listed the Odogunyan Industrial Estate, the NNPC Mosimi Depot and other firms as some of the beneficiaries of the project. “The present government is very strong on agric and very strong on industrialisation and, indeed, on energy,” he said. According to him, the project had a national outlook and urged politicians to shun sentiments and focus on the developmental goals when constructing projects. “President Muhammadu Buhari has said I should tell you that not only are you getting Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, work has also started on Lagos-Ota Road to Abeokuta. And work would continue on Lagos-Ibadan expressway. “And if we get approval in the 2018 budget, hopefully, we would be able to start work on the last part of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway,” he said. He said the contractors’ first priority was to stabilise the road before the rains start. He urged residents to be patient and cooperate with the contractors as the construction was likely to cause them some inconveniences. General Manager, Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited, Mr Wael Salem said, “We would try our best to make the road motor able.” The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, the traditional ruler of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, represented by Otunba Ayodele Elesho also thanked President Buhari for making the project a reality. “I have the mandate of Kabiyesi to thank you,” he said. He assured the contractors of the cooperation of residents of the community. Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, President Buhari’s senior special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mr Jimmy Benson, Federal House of Representatives member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency and others commended the Buhari administration. They all noted that the important road had been abandoned by previous administrations and appealed to the contractors to deliver the project on schedule. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 30.1-kilometre road links the Ikorodu round about in Lagos and Sagamu in Ogun State. The project is being handled by ARAB Contractors Nigeria Limited and has a completion period of 36 months. Source: (NAN) ...

FG Committed To Even National Development – Fashola The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammad Buhari to even national development as opposed to partisan politics and would be willing to work with all state governments irrespective of their party affiliations or ethnic divide. He made this remark when he paid courtesy calls on Governors of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Anambra State, Chief Willi Obiano, at their various Offices during his three-day working inspection tour of Federal Government projects in the South East zone of the country. Fashola commended the Governor of Ebonyi state for keying into agricultural initiative of the Federal Government while assuring him of the present administration’s readiness to link Ebonyi and Cameroon through road boarders, which would facilitate international trade for the South Eastern States. The Governor in his response thanked the Minister for his visit and pleaded with the Minister to facilitate the payment of fund owed his state, which was incurred for maintaining the Federal roads within his domain. While at the Enugu Government house, the Minister enjoined the Governor to work in mutual cooperation with Electric Distribution Company of Nigeria (DISCO) towards having regular supply of power as Federal Government has provided a window for states and corporate bodies to buy power directly. He also added that the window also provides for individual or state production of private power up to 1 megawatt without conditions attached. Similarly, in Anambra State, the Minister gave account of all the Federal Government projects he had inspected in the state, and on the indebtedness of Federal Government to the state on Road maintenance, the Minister said that what is left is appropriation from the National Assembly. He, however, warned that states must observe due process before they embark on rehabilitation of Federal roads to avoid loss of their investment. Projects inspected in the South East before rounding off his working visit included National Housing Programme in all South East states, Energising Economy Electrification of Ariaria Market in Aba., Rehabilitation of Calabar -Itu-Ikot Ekpene -Aba Road ,Section III, Enugu -Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Section II among others. The Site of Zik’s Mausoleum and Library Complex in Awka including Second Niger Bridge in Anambra State were also inspected.   ...