FG Reaffirms Commitment to Completing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway .... As works on the 127 kilometre road progresses appreciably The ongoing rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of Lagos -Ibadan dual carriage way has reached an appreciable level of completion and the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing it on schedule. This was disclosed by Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, the Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing during the on-going visit to the project site over the weekend to assess the progress of work done. On the quality of work on the project, the Director said, "We are satisfied with the quality of work going on and we are working to increase the pace of the work. You can see that work is going on simultaneously on all sections of the dual carriage 127 km Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. " Adebiyi explained that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria and pointed out that it is a trunk A road located in the South-West region of Nigeria. Adebiyi further explained that because of the strategic importance of the road which connects the Northern,  Southern and Eastern parts of Nigeria, the Federal government would do all that is necessary to see that the project is completed on time. "The project is a strategic infrastructure development of Mr. President in bridging the Infrastructure gap of the nation and this demonstrated that the present administration is poised to developing our highways," he said. Speaking on the traffic gridlock that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, the Director explained that it was caused by break down of vehicle and not by the ongoing construction work. He therefore appealed to drivers to be patient and to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before they make use of the road. On the level of work done so far, the Director of Highways South-West, Engr. Kuti Adedamola said: "We have made a lot of progress. You can see that works on the two sections are going on simultaneously, 35km of the 47km of Section l has been covered giving us about 49.6 percent completion level,  while 55.39 kilometers of the 84km of Section II has been covered as well giving us  about 56.8 percent completion level." On the quality of work, Engr. Kuti said, “I am impressed with the level of work going on.  You can see progress made when compared to the last time we visited.  Work has been progressed in the two sections of the expressway. " He further explained that Federal Government was committed to deliver the project on time for the benefit of road users. Speaking on the scope of work, Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Umar Bakare stated that the scope involved rehabilitation and widening of the existing expressway, drainage works and provision of expansion joints, hand rails on bridges. He added that the scope will cover repairs of existing bridges and construction of new ones as well as building of toll plaza and installation of street lights. ...

New Works and Housing Permanent Secretary Resumes The newly redeployed Permanent Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Alhaji Babangida Hussaini has resumed office. Alhaji Babangida Hussaini was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence before his redeployment to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to take over from Mr. Ernest Umakhihe who was moved to Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. At a brief handing and taking over ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry in Mabushi, Abuja, the new Permanent Secretary assured management and staff that his leadership will encourage team work anchored on mutual respect. He said "We all come from different backgrounds with different experiences and perceptions but the objective is one; service delivery anchored around serving the people to achieve the agenda of the government." Hussaini, who was the Director Special Projects Unit in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing before his appointment as Permanent Secretary, recalled that he had worked assiduously with the staff of the Ministry under the able leadership of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. He said that he would build on the successes, integrity and transparency entrenched in the ministry by his predecessor, Mr.Ernest Umakhihe, as no one was an island of knowledge in service to our father land. Hussaini  described his predecessor, Mr. Earnest Umakhihe as a friend, a brother and an adviser and assured all that he would add value to the achievements already recorded by him. He further assured Umakhihe of continued cooperation and support. "We will be working together  for the good of our nation because no man is an island,  we must interrelate and interdepend on each other." Earlier in his remarks the outgoing Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr. Earnest Umakhihe described his tenure in the Ministry as short and worthwhile. He said, "its being a short but worthwhile journey.  I have learnt a lot from the crop of professionals we have here." Umakhihe urged the staff to accord the incoming Permanent Secretary the cooperation that was given to him. While wishing the incoming Permanent Secretary success,  he assured him of his support, adding that they are pursuing the same purpose of achieving Mr. President's mandate for the country . In a vote of thanks on behalf of the management, the Director Human Resources Management of the Ministry, Mr. Abdullahi Umar Utono assured the new Permanent Secretary of the cooperation and support of staff while wishing the former Permanent Secretary success in his new office. Alhaji Babangida Hussaini, a seasoned administrator and technocrat attended the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Ahmadu Belio University, ABU Zaria and Federal College of Arts Suleija. He served the nation in different capacities  including working with international donor agencies. He hailed from Kazaure in Jigawa State. ...

COVID 19: Works Ministry Disinfects Complex, Urges Staff to Strictly Observe Protocol The entire building complex of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing in Mabushi Abuja had over the weekend been disinfected against the second raging wave of the Covid 19 in the Country. The Offices and surrounding of the building complex in both work and housing blocks have been disinfected and fumigated to stem the rising wave of the Corona virus which hit the Country of recent, with Lagos and Abuja FCT being the worst hit cities in the world. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Ernest Umakhihe said that the Minister Babatunde Fashola approved that the Ministry should not leave anything to chance in the current fight against the virus as such directed with immediate effect that all necessary Covid 19 preventive measures be put in place in the Ministry. To this effect, the Ministry has provided hand washing facilities and sanitisers in all offices and temperature check at relevant public places in the complex, in addition to displaying at strategic places the Covid 19 protocol requirements for public guidance. It would be recalled that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Musa Bello has reissued directives to all residents of FCT, offices and commercial environments to guard against violating the safety measures put in place by the NCDC since June 2020. Of recent also, some States including Lagos and Niger States have already directed their Civil Servants to work from home as a result of resurgence of COVID 19 Mr Umakhihe therefore directed Staff of the Ministry to ensure wearing of face masks in and outside their offices and also adhere to all the existing safety measures put in place by the NCDC ...