FG Committed to Bridging Infrastructure Gap in Schools - Fashola The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has restated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to bridging the infrastructural gap in tertiary institutions across the country. Speaking at the handover ceremony of the 1 kilometer road constructed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozala in Enugu State, the Minister said that the gap of the nation’s infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs and construction and it has reached the tertiary institutions. Fashola who was represented by the Controller of Works, Enugu State, Engr. Olufemi Oyekanmi explained that the intervention by the Federal Government in the development of infrastructure in the tertiary institutions was to boost quality of education and give students a renewed hope and enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to motorability. He said: “It is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some feedbacks from the students of the schools where this type of intervention has taken place.” Accordingly, the Minister noted that the 1.0 kilometer road network constructed in the teaching hospital was a laudable project as it would ease movement of both students and staff of the institute within the hospital. Fashola said: “Though the road might be a civil work project, it is an investment in education and the students are expressing renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because some defective roads have been restored to good condition.” The Minister noted that, the project, apart from impacting on the learning environment, has also provided employment opportunities for Nigerians as 40 people were employed in the process contributing to the job creation initiatives of the government. Earlier In her remark, the Chief Medical Director/Chief Executive, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla, Dr. Obinna Onodugo commended the Federal government for the road intervention, saying that it was a good fortune for the institution to be benefitted from the intervention because the government had so many road interventions to attend to across the nation. ‘‘For this to happen in the institution is highly commendable”, he said. He described the road before the intervention as deplorable, pointing out that the road was a death trap before the intervention which no one dare to use at night because of its deplorable condition but now the reverse is the case. “ As a community we are grateful to be remembered by the Federal Government. Personally, I am very grateful that this is happening in my time and I  pray for more of such intervention,” he said. ...

Oko Poly Commends FG for 1.23km Roads Intervention The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State, Dr Francisca Unoma Nwafulugo has commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for the 1.23 kilometer roads constructed in the permanent site of the Federal Polytechnic Oko. The Rector stated that the project would impact the quality of education and the learning environment at the institution. The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is constructing internal roads in 43 tertiary institutions in Nigeria under it's Road Intervention Program. Fashola was represented at the commissioning and handover of the completed road to Oko Federal Polytechnic by the Project Supervisor of Second Niger Bridge, Engr Oluwaseyi Martins, who represented the Hon. Minister. The Minister said, "The 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 school" Fashola explained that to date twenty-one (29) road intervention projects have been completed with seventeen (17) already handed over in 2020, describing the Oko Poly internal road being handing over today as a critical intervention to support education. According to the Minister, twenty-five Nigerians were employed during the construction of the road with several other artisans and traders earning income at the site of the construction. This he said, contributed to the job creation initiatives of the Federal Government. Fashola enjoined the school to ensure putting the asset in to proper use and not to be abused. The Rector who thanked the Minister and the Federal government for the completed project, requested for more infrastructural development in the School in order to open up the other side of the undeveloped lands within the campus. She said, “Though there was no follow up from the School on the road contract yet the scope of work was covered and they did not cut corners or used shoddy materials for the construction, the project was completed on point schedule the challenges of Covid 19 pandemic” Anambra State Commissoner of Works Engr Marcel Ifejiofor represented by Engr Dr Ikedi Eze observed that the standard and quality of the roads and drainage were of good standard. The Director Medical Services of the Oko Federal Polytechnic, Dr Ifeoma Monago said ‘The road is a very standard one, we are very happy with the Federal Government for remembering us and building these wonderful roads in this institution. The roads are the best we have so far in this school, we appreciate government and the effort of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing”. The Executive Director of Sagez Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyinka Amosun on behalf of the contractor said ‘The road was constructed in line with the Bill of Engineering Measurements and Evaluation (BEME) and met all standards of civil engineering in road construction’ In his reaction, Eduzor Chiamaka Favour, a National Diploma student of Home and Rural Economics said, “I have never seen a road like this standard in my entire life, so beautifully designed with bright colours. Okoli Cyril, a student of  Science Laboratory Technology said “ I am happy to see this type of roads in my school, since I was admitted in 2018 nothing like this ‘’ ...

Global Safety Organisation Honours Permanent Secretary The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Babangida Hussaini has been honoured as a Fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, Nigeria at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mabushi, Abuja The Awardee, Babangida Hussaini who expressed appreciation over the recognition emphasized the importance of safety in every organization, describing it as a serious issue especially when it concerns the human capital. The Permanent Secretary further said that human beings were the biggest asset of every organization. “It takes years of hardwork to train staff, losing them is a great set back”, he said. He promised to give necessary support to the organization to enable them achieve more. The Permanent Secretary further gave the assurance that he will be working closely with the Director, Central Workshop and Equipment in the Ministry, Engineer Christian C. Onyibo who is also the Vice President, FCT Unit of the association to provide the support that will strengthen the impact of the organization in the Ministry of Works and Housing. The Nigeria Regional President of the association, HRH Dr. Aderemi Olusegun, represented by the Chairman, Council of Fellows of the organization, Dr. Dalhatu M.Ahmed noted that the Permanent Secretary is  critical to the association as the policy engine room of the Ministry. He expressed confidence that the coming of the Permanent Secretary into the association will usher in greater cooperation and achievement for both the ministry and the association as he is now going to drive the programme in the Ministry especially as the Honourable Minster of State, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Abubakar D. Aliyu is also a fellow of the association. The Regional President said the organization has done a lot of safety work in Nigeria, adding that it was in consideration of this that the Federal Government gave them an office at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja. The Nigeria Regional Administrator of the Association, Engineer Ewalaka Emmanuel who made a presentation on the association disclosed that the Occupational Safety and Health Association, (OSHA Association UK-Nigeria) is an independent professional association with international membership and regional chapters worldwide committed to supporting individuals and corporate organisations around the world in achieving zero fatalities and accidents at work places. Engineer Emmanuel said the organization which has been in Nigeria for over a decade has been going to various countries to share knowledge on safety measures. He added that in line with President Muhammadu Buhari's effort to protect Nigerians from COVID-19, the association has been working seriously to see that COVID-19 guidelines are complied with. According to the citation read by the Director Central Workshop and Equipment in the Ministry of Works and Housing, Engineer Christian C. Onyibo, Babangida Hussaini who was born on the 6th of February, 1964 in Kazaure, Jigawa State, holds a BSC and MSC degrees in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna respectively. He began his public Service career in 1987 with the Kano State Government in 1991. In 2011 he transferred his service to the Federal Civil Service and rose to the position of a Permanent Secretary in year 2020. He assumed office as the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Defence in September, 2020 before his redeployment to Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as the Permanent Secretary in December, 2020. ...