FG Reiterates Determination to Complete More Road Infrastructure Projects Across the Country El- Yakub The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to complete more highway projects across the country for the benefit of Nigerians and members of the Public before the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration. The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El- Yakub gave the assurance in Kano, Kano State during an inspection tour of phase one of the Kano-Katsina dual carriage way over the weekend. El-Yakub said, "We will give all the necessary support to ensure all road infrastructure projects across the country are completed so double your effort to deliver on time." Hon. El-Yakub noted that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is known for investment in highway infrastructure development. The Minister added that road and other infrastructure development projects have generally gotten more boost from this administration than previous ones. "I believe that most roads and other infrastructure development projects in the country have gotten more boost from this administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who is known to invest in infrastructure development and to ensure completion of infrastructure projects that were started by previous administrations in this country." The Minister stressed the need for the installation of road markings and signages on the already completed sections of the road for smooth and safe driving on the road. " I understand you have enough materials at your disposal to do the markings and the signages.  We expect to see that is done because they are very essential in ensuring smooth and safe driving on roads," said El-Yakub. He reiterated that the Ministry would not relent in ensuring that the quality of work on all road projects across the country are in line with acceptable standards. As the 73.10km dual carriage road project is now being funded by Sukuk, the Minister added that funding is no more a challenge.  He promised the contractor that all the necessary support needed would be given for timely completion of the project. " The Federal Government has solved the funding problem by putting the project under SUKUK funded projects," he said. The Minister of State encouraged the contractor to keep up with the pace and the quality of work on ground.  He further urged them to intensify more efforts to complete the road project   on or before the agreed completion date. "I can see the reconstruction work. You have achieved a lot.  That is appreciable despite some challenges. The work will continue to progress. We intend to complete this road hopefully before the end of this year, but you said next year but I want us to challenge ourselves and try to finish the project before the end of the year because you have done more work," said the minister. The Director Highways, North West Engr. Adetayo Taiwo said the road project inspected had progressed smoothly leaving no stone unturn. "The contractor has left no room for any form of condemnation, they are working the way they should work," he said. The Project Engineer Messrs China Engineering Construction Company Ltd (CECC), Engr. Ren Shao Shuai said the project would be delivered on time. He added that they were working in line with the laid down specifications. He thanked the Federal Government for the opportunity to work in the country. Another road inspected was the construction of a 38.7km Yakasai- Badune-Damargu-Marken Zaklli Single Carriage Way in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State being handled by the same contractor. ...

Fashola Inaugurates COREN Board Members, Charges Them on Professionalism. .... Reiterates Federal Government's Commitment to Infrastructural Development. Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has inaugurated the 9 Member Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), today Tuesday 9th August, 2022, charging them to ensure that the ethics guiding the Engineering profession are upheld. Fashola reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to the development of infrastructure.  He said, “As you are all aware our government has committed to infrastructure and as you all know infrastructure brings development to the country, it boosts our economy, it creates employment and it enables the nation to compete for continental and global space." The Minister noted that members of the Engineering profession have been and will continue to play a significant role in this regard and stressed the need for COREN to ensure that professionalism is at its peak. He charged them to uphold the moral and ethical standards of the profession, adding that true professionals always do the right thing no matter the situation and will not compromise standards in the face of pressure. One of the Council members and immediate past President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engineer Babagana Mohammed said the new Council members are coming with a lot of experience and dedication to protect the ethics and standards of the Engineering profession. He said, we are going to emphasize on the dos and don'ts because so many things are happening. Some people do not understand the regulations, so we need to make people understand and obey the regulations." He added that it will form the focus of the ongoing conference of COREN. Speaking in the same vein, another member, Professor Zekeni Robert Yelebe who gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the Council members praised the infrastructural drive of the Buhari administration and pledged that they will ensure that standards are upheld in the profession. He said, "We can see that this government is serious in terms of infrastructural development and as a Council, we will make sure that engineering activities especially infrastructural development is done with all engineering ethics." He added that the Council will also look at the curriculum of institutions offering Engineering courses to see if there is need for changes or improvements to be made. He disclosed that accreditation issues will also be appraised to ensure that the products of the Engineering Institutions can compete with their counterparts in any part of the world. The newly inaugurated Council Members are: Dr. Muhammed Danlami Jibrin, representing North West, Dr. Idiat Ibironke Arogundade, representing the North Central, Professor Baba Shehu Waziri, representing the North East, Professor Zekeni Roberts Yelebe, representing the South South and Professor Gabriel Obafemi Shonaike, representing the South West. Others are: Engineer Babajide Ojedele representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ademola Isaac Olurunfemi also representing the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Tasiu Wudil and Engineer Babagana Mohammed both representing the Nigeria Society of Engineers. ...

Permanent Solution to Completion of East West Road Underway - Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has assured Nigerians that steps are being taken to provide a permanent solution to completion of section 4 of the East West Road measuring 15 kilometres from Onne Port junction to Eleme Port junction in Rivers State. The Minister gave this assurance during a meeting with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana in his office at the Ministry's Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja on Thursday, August 4,2022. Due to public concerns the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry who handed over the supervision of the road to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing early this year wrote to inform the Minister of Works and Housing of their decision to do some remedial works on the road through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). However, based on advice of Directors from Federal Ministry of Works and Housing who inspected the road last month and discovered that its cardinal problem is lack of drainage, Fashola decided that a permanent and holistic approach should be taken so that the problem is put to rest because without the drainage whatever work that is done on the road will not last. Already request for additional funding to complete the work has been sent to the Bureau of Public Procurement to obtain a Certificate of No Objection (approval) expeditiously so that the work can be completed. Fashola assured the people of the area and other road users that the Federal Government is committed to the completion of the road as well as other roads across the Nation, this he opined is President Muhammadu Buhari's Administration's priority to enhance impactful Socio-Economic development and therefore craved the patience and understanding of Communities along the East West Road axis. ...