Suleja - Minna, Agaei - Baro Roads For Completion May 2023 - FG The Federal Government has given the assurance that work on section II of the ongoing dualization of Suleja - Minna road and construction of the  Agaei - Baro  road will be completed by January  and May 2023 respectively as planned.  Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Folorunsho Esan gave the assurance during an assessment inspection of the roads, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Both roads are being funded  by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the Tax Credit Scheme introduced by the federal government. While speaking to journalists, the Director Highways expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work.  On the Suleja - Minna road he said "My impression is  that the contractor is on site making progress and we can see the various aspects of work, the earthwork, the pavement work and even the asphalt laying is going on smoothly, the only challenge is that of security but it's being taking care of with the presence of security agents". Speaking on the 52 kilometers Agaei - Baro Port road which connects the Lambata - Bida highway, Engineer Esan said, " work is progressing, 14 kilometres have been asphalted, earthwork is up to 32 kilometres and the rest which is about 18 kilometres is still outstanding, but we have the assurance that the work will be delivered on target". The Director said the road when completed will boost the economy of the Nation and the North Central region in particular as it leads to the Baro Port through which goods and services can be brought into the country and exported to other countries.  Team Leader of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Tahir Ahmed who took part  in the inspection exercise to asses the quality and progress of work also expressed satisfaction with the work done so far.  He said NNPC is funding the construction of the roads under the Tax Credit Scheme of the Federal government that allows corporate organisations to invest the tax that would have been paid to the Federal Government into infrastructure development, stating that the work will aid the progress of their business, the economy and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.  Mr. Tahir also stated that the roads were among the other critical roads selected to be funded by the NNPC  because of their importance to the economy of the nation through which Petroleum products are being conveyed to other parts of the country. The contractors working on both sites expressed confidence that the projects will be completed and delivered on target as funding is readily available.  Some residents of Takalafiya community along Lapai  - Bida road who recalled the hardship and accidents that were experienced on those roads,  praised the Federal Government for the job. Muhammed Abdullahi said, " we use to see different kinds of accidents on this road, now that they are reconstructing the road we are very happy because we are satisfied with the work going on. Another resident of the area, Abdullahi Audu said, " We were facing problems on this road but now we have started having some relief because the people working on the road are trying seriously" " Now driving from here to Lambata is done with ease,  before it would take up to 2 hours or more but now it will take only about 30 minutes. Federal Government is trying, we are happy" he added. ...

FG Commissions Erosion Control Project in Taraba State The Federal Government has commissioned the completed Erosion and flood control project at the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital. President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu'azu Jaji Sambo as the Special Guest of Honour observed that the project was approved under the ecological intervention projects in 2020 to address the perennial problem of erosion in the area so as to enhance the comfort of the youth corps members during their orientation programme. Sambo emphasized the zeal with which the Buhari led administration had been executing infrastructural projects across the country since inception. He said, " Since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration various government Ministries and Agencies have taken steps to boost infrastructural development for the wellbeing of the citizenry." He explained that the commitment of the administration to infrastructural development was informed by the social economic role that it plays in enhancing connectivity, safe mobility and the provision of opportunities, all of which add value to the living standards of the people. The Minister described the project as well envisioned and positioned, adding that it underscores the administration's sincerity of purpose and responsiveness in tackling the challenges of its citizens thereby making life more meaningful. He praised President Buhari for carrying every part of the country along in the distribution of social amenities. The Minister commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and the Ecological Project Office under the leadership of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aisha Lawal for ensuring timely and speedy completion of the project and many others across the country in fulfillment of government promises to the people. The Taraba State Governor, Architect Darius Ishaku who was represented by the Commissioner Taraba State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development Mrs. Napisa Clara Ibrahim commended the Federal Government for executing the project which will bring relief to the benefitting community. In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Ecological Project Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal said the project was executed by the Ecological Project Office to tackle the erosion and flood problem as well as enhance the road sustainability by constructing concrete drain networks within the camp. She disclosed that the contractor, Messrs. Peters and Partners Inter-Global Limited worked assiduously and conscientiously to ensure that the project was completed on time and in accordance with the specifications contained in the contract document. The Permanent Secretary stated that the purpose of the commissioning and handing over of the project to the benefitting community was to enable them exercise ownership and to ensure its care, protection as well as sustenance. She therefore implored the residents of the NYSC orientation camp and its environs to jealously guard the facility. Dr.Lawal applauded  the exemplary and towering leadership qualities of the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing. The Director General of the NYSC, the Chairman Taraba State NYSC Governing Board and the Taraba State Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment were represented at the occasion. ...

Press Statement The attention of the Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to the activities of the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), a transition committee created by law to undertake routine management of the ARCON upon expiration of tenure of its statutory council and pending the constitution of a new council. 2.            In spite of presidential approval for the inauguration of a new council, it has not been possible to inaugurate the council as a result of litigation instituted by members of the Architecture Profession seeking to stop the inauguration. 3.            In the face of this self-induced stalemate, the Management Committee is purporting to exercise powers which only a full committee is permitted by law to exercise. 4.            Such conducts are clearly not only in violation of their enabling statute but could also attract criminal sanctions. These activities include:  a plan to organize the 2022 Colloquium for architects in Nigeria from Monday 23rd –Thursday 26th May, 2022 and a plan to undertake Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE) Exercise. These are core functions of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria and not that of the Management Committee. 5.            In order to forestall any breach of law and guide the Management Committee of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, the stakeholders, and members of public appropriately, it is pertinent to make the following clarifications in line with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act (Cap A19 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004). 6.            The membership composition of the Council is spelt out in Section 2 (2) of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act, Cap A19 L.F.N 2004 which provides for the constitution of a 49-member Council of ARCON. 7.            It is this Council that the Act vests with the performance of the core functions of ARCON as provided for by Section 2 (1) (a- c) of the Act. These functions can only be undertaken by the Council when there is a quorum of the membership of the Council.  This is expressly stated in Section 4 of the First Schedule to the Act, thus: “The quorum of the Council shall be ten, so however that, at least one of the persons appointed by the Institute and five of the representatives of the States of the Federation are present at the particular meeting and the quorum of any committee of the Council shall be determined by the Council'' 8.  The Ministry is not unaware of the provisions of Clause 1 (5) of the First Schedule to the Act, which provides that: “Notwithstanding that the term of office of a member of the Council has expired by the effluxion of time, a person appointed as the President, Vice-President or Treasurer of the Council shall continue in that office until a fresh appointment is made to the office.” It is the position of the Ministry that this provision does not entitle the President,  Vice-President or Treasurer who now constitute Management Committee to assume the role of the Council having regards to the statutory provision of Quorum of the Council. Clear guidance is provided by Section 27 of the Interpretation Act Cap. 123 L.F.N 2004, Thus: “any act or thing which a statutory body is authorized or required to do  shall only be done by a majority of members of such statutory body or a quorum of them.'' 9.           A compound reading of the provisions of Section 4 (on the Quorum of the Council), Clause 1(5) of the First Schedule to the Act and  Section 27 of the Interpretation Act clearly indicates that, the President, Vice-President and Treasurer of ARCON do not constitute a quorum for the purpose of carrying out the core functions of the Council. It therefore, follows that the President, Vice-President or Treasurer who now constitute Management Committee can only oversee the routine management of the Council. Moreover, Section 7(3) of the First schedule to the Act further provides that: A decision of the Committee shall be of no effect until it is confirmed by the  Council. 10.    The attention of the Ministry of Works and Housing has been drawn to the  activities of the Management Committee particularly the  newspaper publication  in The Guardian Newspaper of 16th May 2022 in respect of the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE). These are core statutory functions of the Council when properly constituted and therefore ultra vires the functions of a Management Committee to act upon. 11.       Consequently, in exercise of the supervisory powers of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing pursuant to the provision of sections 3 and 4 (1) of the Act, as well as Clause 2(2) of the First schedule to the Act, I have been directed by the Honourable Minister to convey the following to the Management Committee of ARCON that the Committee should: i.             refrain forthwith from all activities which constitute statutory functions of the Council as enumerated in Section 2 (1) (a- c) of the Act until a new properly constituted Council is in place; ii.            only oversee the routine administrative management of the Council until a new properly constituted Council is in place; iii.          Retract recent statement in the advert by the Committee on the Architects Professional Competency Evaluation (APCE); iv.          intensify efforts to reconcile the warring factions to embrace dialogue in resolving issues leading to the stagnation of the Profession rather than engage in   needless litigation that created the current impasse; and v.           ensure that the issues that led to the litigation that created the current impasse are speedily and amicably resolved in the best interest of the Architecture profession and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. DATED THIS MONDAY, 23RD DAY OF MAY 2022. Signed: Bashir Nura Alkali, FCA, FCTI Permanent Secretary For: Honourable Minister     ...