FG Shuts Alaka Bridge Linking Eko Bridge In Lagos For Emergency Repairs The Federal Government on Tuesday night shut the Alaka Bridge linking Eko Bridge in Lagos for repairs to prevent  its total collapse, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN reports that officials from both Lagos State Ministry and Federal Ministry of Works and their Transportation counterparts converged on the bridge at about 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday for the emergency closure. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, told NAN in a telephone interview, that the emergency closure was to prevent total collapse of the bridge. “We are all here closing the Alaka to Costain portion of the Eko Bridge because some bearings are bad. “We just discovered that the bearings are broken and we are here to shut it down for the safety of motorists. “We are shutting it down now so that we can carry out full investigations on the extent of damage to the bearings to begin the repairs,’’ Kuti said. He explained that only Alaka flyover portion from Alaka to Costain section of the Eko Bridge was bad but from Costain Bus stop area beside the National Theatre is in good condition. The Controller said that the traffic regulatory agencies were on ground to ensure that impact of gridlock as a result of the closure was minimized when commuters use the road on Wednesday morning. He advised motorists going to Lagos Island to connect the Eko Bridge through the service lane at Alaka through Iponrin to Costain Bus Stop area to connect the bridge. He also advised use of the National Theatre, as alternative route to connect the Eko Bridge on the other side. (NAN)   ...

UNIMAID Students Appreciate Buhari, Fashola for Internal Roads Students of the University of Maiduguri (Unimaid) have expressed appreciation to   Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN  and President Muhammadu Buhari over the rehabilitation of some internal roads in the University. The appreciation was made during the formal handing over of 1.653 km roads rehabilatated by the Federal  Ministry of Works and Housing under its intervention initiative. The project also included asphalt overlay of 0.303 km road in the University. University of Maiduguri is among the 18 Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria that  benefited from the first phase of  the  internal roads intervention project of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, spearheaded by Fashola. Speaking on behalf of the Students, the President of the Students Union Government, Comrade Abdulrahman Zanna said that the intervention  brought the much needed impact on  the education sector and would greatly enhance  learning  and boost the morals of the students in the pursuit of knowledge. Zanna explained that Unimaid has been witnessing increasing number of students from the entire north east region coming for studies and requested for more of such intervention for the University. He explained that the effort of President Buhari in the provision and improvement of infrastructure in the nation's tertiary institutions was  a clear demonstration of his commitment to close the infrastructural deficit in the country. Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba said that the road was the busiest road on the campus day and night because it connected the students' hostels and the commercial center on the campus. He said, "Motorists have now found succor plying the road. Prior to the rehabilitation, the experience on the road was bad." The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN was represented at the handover ceremony by the Borno State Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Yahaya Ali. Fashola 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 schools." He also explained that the quality of education would no doubt be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment, pointing out that the feedback from students in the institutions that benefited from such intervention attested to that. "The intervention by Federal Government will improve the ambience and environment of Federal Tertiary Institutions to enhance academic activities," he said. The Vice Chancellor assured the Minister that the road would be taken care of, adding that, "There is greater need for more road to serve the University because of it's expansive land." Among the dignitaries present at the handing over ceremony were the Pro- Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the University, Professor Biodun Adesanya and other management staff of the Institution. Professor Adesanya, in a good will message, commended the Federal Government and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN for coming to the aid of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria, describing it as a good initiative that would greatly grow the education sector.   ...

The Gap of our Infrastructure Needs is Steadily Being Bridged -FASHOLA The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,  Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has reiterated that the gap of Nigeria's infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways which has reached the Federal Polytechnic,Ede, Osun State. Fashola disclosed this while  handing over a rehabilitated  2km internal road and construction of culverts at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State. While speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Minister who was ably represented by the Federal Controller of Works Osun State,Engr. Olawale Kehinde said, "Currently, there are 43 such interventions in internal roads within tertiary institutions across Nigeria. To date 18 (Eighteen) out of the 43 (forty three) interventions have been completed and today we hand over this in Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State" Fashola said, "With  the current intervention in the tertiary institutions quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and  the learning environment, and it will renew students' enthusiasm to attend classes ,because some impassable roads have become motorable." Expantiating on the economic importance of the project, the Minister divulged that no less than 38 (thirty eight) people were employed during  the execution of the  project which contributed enormously to the job creation initiatives of the Federal Government. He, enjoined the school management and host community to ensure that the project was effectively maintained. Speaking earlier, the Rector Federal Polytechnic Ede, Dr. John Taiwo Adekolawole, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, (Admin), Mr. I. T. Adelabu, said the project consists of 2km road in the North and the South campus. I am sure both the students and the staff are very happy with the construction of the road. In his words, "In deed management is very appreciative of the new road as it has changed tremendously the landscape of our campus." He further maintained that with the cooperation and support of  the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, other road projects will be approved for construction especially  the Ogberin-Logun-Sekona road. "We hope the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing will also be positive on other collaborations and on other projects especially our perimeter fencing of the South Campus," he said. The Rector who was so delighted with the kind gesture expressed his sincere appreciation  to the construction company (Messrs Q System Venture Ltd) that undertook the project with high sense of responsibility and completed the road in record time. Adekolawole also expressed his sincere appreciation to all the Directors of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, for the their efforts. In his closing remarks, the Dean, School of Applied Science, Dr. S. A. Amusan, sincerely appreciated the kind gesture by the Federal Government to their institution, also thanked the Honourable. Minister,  Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN for what he has done to the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. In his remarks, the President of the Students Union Government (SUG), Mr. Quazeem Ajibade, said he was so pleased with the road project and under his tenure the project would be highly protected and maintained. Ajibade said it has made the school environment more conducive for learning. ...