Under Bridges Are Not Market Places - Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, CON, has reiterated to Lagos residents that under bridges built in the state are not market places but are built for ease of vehicular movement, movement of goods and services and for the benefit of humanity. Speaking during the inspection tour of the recently burnt Eko bridge and also at a press briefing on the rehabilitation and repairs of Eko Bridge burnt section (Apongbon and Ijora Olopa section), Fashola noted that tough laws are needed as regards the protection of bridges and that such Laws must have Federal Government backing and support. “If you don’t give tough laws, things will not be done.  You have our support, under bridges are not places of cooking or a residing place and it’s not only endangering their lives but also the lives of other people.  Illegal way of living must be put to an end”. He said. “We are appealing to the Lagos State government to ensure that all trading activities under the bridges in the state must as a matter of urgency be brought to a stop. We seek the cooperation of the Ministry of Transportation, Environment, Local Government Law enforcement agencies to help us preserve our bridges.” He said. The Minister emphasized that the aspect of stopping people from trading under the bridges, is a collective task and effort, as government put laws asking people to stop selling under the bridge, buyers should as well automatically stop patronizing sellers at such unhealthy locations. “This is also a generational effort, people should stand and say; this kind of a thing will not happen on our bridges again, I refuse to sell and I also refuse to patronize, no more trading that endangers lives again, the purpose is to ensure that this infrastructure continues to deliver for us”.  He said. The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Olufemi Hamzat warned the citizens to desist from doing business under the bridge and live the right way for the interest of others.   The Deputy Governor said that the state government is willing to support in any way that will ensure quick compliance by citizens to stop illegal use of the under bridges. Olufemi said: “The State Government will be available to monitor the process and provide assistance where necessary to ensure that the contractor have a smooth operation. In the aspect of people trading under the bridge, we will communicate with appropriate department to ensure that the issue is addressed.” The Director Highways (Bridges and Design) Engr. Oluropo Oyetade explained that as a result of the fire incident on the bridge, the section of the bridge has been closed and the Contractor has been directed to carry out technical evaluation of the bridge to ascertain the extent of the damage.  The Ministry’s Engineers have also been directed to carry out a thorough inspection of the burnt bridge and come up with a technical report pending the Technical Evaluation. Speaking on the extent of the damages, Managing Director, Messrs. Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd., Engr. Enile Aboohabib said that most of the bearing of the bridge needs to be changed, jacketing of damaged piers, removal of damaged expansion joints, unclogging of drainage gullies e.t.c some parts he said are about to collapse if not for the quick intervention of the Federal Government. Enile said: “We have commenced the rehabilitation exercises but now we are shifting some of our materials to the newly burnt Ijora section of the bridge as directed because of its busy nature than the Agbogbon section, the scope for total completion will be by June 2023.    “We are committed to the vision of the Federal Government and we have record of delivering project in record time. We have categorized the affected areas into 1 to 5 and work is ongoing. Now that we are allowed to close the bridge completely it will make the work easier and faster." ...

Boost In Transportation Infrastructure for Kano, Jigawa as FG Approves Dualization, Reconstruction of Section Two of Kano-Hadejia Road •      Over 350 jobs expected as dualization/reconstruction work begins on the Section II of the 82 km single and dual carriageways •      The road will open up settlements within the project vicinity and provide access for the evacuation of goods and services, says Fashola In pursuance of its objective of improving transportation infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones of the country, the Federal Government has approved the dualization and reconstruction of the Kano-Kwannar-Danja-Hadejia Road traversing Kano and Jigawa States in the North West Zone of the country. The approval given by the Federal Executive Council covers the 82-kilometre Road, which is a composition of both single and dual carriageways of two and four lanes respectively as Section II, comprising 58 KM single carriageway and 24 KM dualized carriageway length with the dualized section located in Kano City. The FEC approval which was sequel to a memorandum dated October 31, 2022, and presented to it by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, covers the Section of the road which begins at Yankaba Roundabout located in Kano City, traversing through Gunduwawa, Jogana, Gezawa, Guruma, Kagadama, Kawo, Gabasawa, Unguwan Ari, Limawa and terminates at Tsalle Village linking both Kano and Jigawa States. Stating the reasons for seeking the approval for the contract worth N94.14 billion, Fashola, said the road when completed would open up settlements within the project vicinity and provide access for the evacuation of goods and services adding that the socio-economic life of the host communities would also be enhanced. The Minister explained to the Council that the Ministry had earlier on February 21, 2022, requested and obtained from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) the approval and a Certificate of “No Objection” for the procurement procedure for the contract adding that the BPP granted the approval vide its letter dated April 8, 2022. Fashola also informed the Council through the Memorandum that Due Diligence/Post Qualification conducted on the company showed that it is capable to execute the contract and is duly registered under the Nigerian law and fully compliant with the Nigerian Local Content Policy. While itemizing the Scope of work on the road, the Minister said the road would also improve the socio-economic lives of the people within the stretch of the different communities in the project areas adding that the condition of the existing road pavement is characterized by failures such as potholes, loss of shoulder material and alligator cracks with complete loss of pavement structure at the other sections. The Minister said there was also need to bring the dual carriageway section formerly constructed by the Kano State Government to the Ministry of Works’ standards and specifications, listing some of the construction improvements required on the existing road to include clearing on both sides of the road, provision of natural occurring materials that meet the specification as fill materials and provision of suitable laterite as base. Other improvement materials required, the Minister stated, include provision of 60mm asphaltic concrete wearing course on carriageway junction and laybys as well as provision of new and replacement of access culverts at major turnings and junctions along the road, among others. ...

Community Agog As Buhari Commissions Bridge The people of Ajassor community in Cross River State, a border Community between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that of the Republic of Cameroon were all jubilant, excited and full of commendation as President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and his Cameroonian counterpart President Paul Biya commissioned the two-lane border bridge over the Cross River at the Nigeria-Cameroon border and the joint border post. The new border bridge linked Nigeria and Cameroon at Mfum/ Ekok across the Cross River and the new Joint Border Post at Mfum. The project which was jointly funded by the Governments of Nigeria, Cameroon and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), began in 2017 and was completed in 2021. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the representative of the community and the Head of Ajassor clan, His Royal Highness, Ntufam Anthony Ntui Etta II said that, the people of Ajassor clan are indeed very happy and grateful to God and the two countries that made it possible for the project to be completed. He also thanked all the facilitators, engineers and financiers for the landmark project. According to him, the project would strengthen the already existing bond of affinity between their communities and their kiths and kins of Ekok border community in Cameroon and beyond. " It will further enhance easy accessibility, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence as well as boost trans-border commercial activities." he said Continuing, he listed the benefits of the project to include; creation of wealth for the teaming youth and economic empowerment of the people of the community. Accordingly, he thanked the government of Nigeria and Cameroon, pointing out that for the people to enjoy the full benefit of the project, a provision should be made for public utilities such as health facilities and expansion and dualization of the multi-national highway to ease traffic congestion. Removal of multiple security checkpoints set up by various security agencies, provision of efficient security patrol team and post amongst others, were also necessary, he added. ...