FG Flags-Off Reconstruction Of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road The Federal Government has flagged-off the reconstruction of the 375.4 - kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, a vital link between the South and the North of the country. The existing road which has outlived its service life span of 20 years was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on December 20, 2017 to Messrs Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc at a contract sum of N155, 470, 626, 078.07 (One Hundred and Fifty-Five Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy Million, Six Hundred and Twenty- Six Thousand, Seventy-Eight Naira and Seven Kobo) with a completion period of three years. The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, performed the flag-off ceremony on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, at Chiromawa Town, Kano State, recently. Fashola pointed out that President Buhari requires the support of well meaning Nigerians to deliver on the mandate of rebuilding the nation. According to him, ‘’one of the objectives of the Economy Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the present Administration, lunched by Mr. President in 2016, is in fulfilment of the  promise to make Nigeria a globally competitive country’’. He added that a major critical action point of the ERGP was to renew, improve and increase the stock of infrastructure, particularly in the road sector. He stressed that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project will reduce the cost and time of travelling, as well as stimulate economic and social development in the country. The Minister noted that in the face of limited resources, the President approved the SUKUK bond to improve economic activities on 25 arterial roads spread across the six geo-political zones, adding that construction works are ongoing with teeming population of youth gainfully employed on these road projects being funded by the SUKUK bond. Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing, Alh. Mohammed Bukar, while thanking dignitaries that graced the flag-off ceremony, stated that the Ministry is vigorously pursuing the mandate of this Administration in the delivery of critical infrastructure across the nation. Alh. Bukar noted that the inauguration of the road project is a milestone achievement in the effort of the present Administration in bridging the infrastructural gap in the country. He said “the completion of the reconstruction works will no doubt reduce vehicle operating cost, improve travel time, reduce road accidents and stimulate the socio-economic growth and the general security of towns and cities along the corridor.” The Managing Director, Julius Berger (Nigeria) Plc, Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch, in his vote of thanks at the occasion, stated that the road is a high priority infrastructure of national significance which form an important part of the nation’s highways. He assured that with a strong and experienced workforce coupled with adequate equipment to fast track the execution of the project, the Company will deliver on schedule. In attendance, were the two Ministers of State I and II, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri and Surv. Sulieman Hassan Zarma, mnis respectively, the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by the Deputy Governor Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was represented by the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hajiya Balaraba Aliyu Inuwa, the Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator (Arc). Kabiru Gaya, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu represented by Hon. (Engr) Maren were among the high profile dignitaries that graced the occasion. His Royal Highnesses in attendance took turns to deliver goodwill massages, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammadu Sanusi II commended the Federal Government for the project and urged the Ministry and Contractor to speed up the delivery of the project. Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Alh. (Dr). Shehu Idris also pledged his support and that of his people to safeguard the significant infrastructure. They both appreciated President Buhari and the Ministry in the award of the project and urged the Federal Government on road maintenance. Members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Tanker drivers who were well represented at the ground breaking occasion made an appealed to the Minister for a separate parking space. ...

FG DIRECTS IMMEDIATE REMEDIAL WORKS ON  COLLAPSED BRIDGE IN TARABA STATE The Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, wishes to notify commuters and the general public of a bridge collapse at Maraban Gassol in Taraba State which occurred towards the evening hours of today Wednesday 20th June, 2018 after a heavy downpour. The bridge links Jalingo and Wukari and further into Benue State. Fashola has directed the Federal contractor on that axis to mobilize immediately to site and commence emergency remedial works by tomorrow, Thursday 21st June, 2018 in order to normalize the flow of traffic. Motorists are advised to use the alternate route through Jalingo - Garba Cheda - Bali - Takum - Katsina Ala. Meanwhile, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has deployed Road Marshals from Mutum Biyu Unit Command to divert, control and ease traffic on that route. Motorists and the general public will be informed of further developments on the route as work will commence immediately. ...

FG Restates Its Commitment To Deliver On East West Road - Niger Delta Minister The Federal Government has once again reiterated its commitment to deliver on critical infrastructure especially the East West road despite lean resources that is being generated. According to the Minister of Niger Delta, Usani Uguru Usani, the Federal Executive Council has given preference to the timely completion of the East West Road because of its importance to the region and the nation at large. He added that government is poised to deploying available resources towards its actualization and delivery, hence, the setting up of an inter-ministerial committee comprising, Ministries of Power, Works and Housing, Niger Delta Affairs, Transport and Aviation and Information and Culture to see to the speedy completion of the road. While conducting journalists on a road tour of the alignment, Usani stated that contrary to the general opinion that work is not progressing on the road, ‘you can see for yourself driving from Warri, Delta State where the road begins to section iv which is Oron, Akwa Ibom State, that substantial work has been achieved’. The Minister added that though there are some remedial works to be carried out on some of the completed sections of the road, he could attest to the fact that there is an improvement and immense progress recorded compared to 2016 when the inter-ministerial committee visited. He also acknowledged in his address that section v, which is the last section of the East West road will soon be awarded, stressing that government might in future consider the inauguration of the completed sections of the road as work progresses. Usani was accompanied by his colleague, Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rotimi Ameachi, Permanent Secretary, Niger Delta, Alhaji Aminu Bisalla alongside with Director, Highways South-South, Engr. Charles Okonmah from Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and Director, Infrastructural, Engr. Uche Uzoegbu, Ministry of Niger Delta and other government officials. The East West road is an arterial route conveying heavy traffic of goods and services especially those used in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in the Niger Delta region. The road is connecting Warri in Delta State to Oron in Akwa Ibom, through Kaiama in Bayelsa State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State. The 338Km dual carriages equivalent to (676km single carriage way has 4 nos bridges) was initially awarded in 2006. The project is in four sections. Section I of the road is 87.4km from Warri to Kaiama was awarded to Sectraco Nigeria Section II, 101km is from Kaiama to Port Harcourt was also awarded to Sectraco Section III with 99km is from Port Harcourt to Eket is been handled by RCC Nigeria Ltd, while Section IV with 51km from Eket to Oron was awarded to Gitto Construczioni Nigeria Ltd. The dualization of the East West road was transferred from the defunct Federal Ministry of Works (FMW) to Ministry of Niger Delta (MNDA) in 2009 to fast track the progress of work and the development of the Niger Delta region. It is important to note that, the major challenges confronting the completion of the road is due to the short dry season period and unavailability of fund, as budgetary provisions alone cannot meet up with the demand and magnitude of the project. ...