FG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO  TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE EXPANSION OF ABUJA (MARARRABA)-KEFFI ROAD PROJECT -ASSURES OF COMPLETION BY JUNE 2026 The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the timely completion of the Abuja (Mararraba)-Keffi Section of the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Dual Carriageway. This was the outcome of the inspection conducted on the project site today, Saturday, 10th May 2025 by the Honourable Minister of State for Works (HMS), Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho O. Adebiyi and other officials. While fielding questions from the media, the Minister confirmed that the project constitutes Section I of the contract, which spans 43.65 kilometres on one side and totals 87.3 kilometres for both carriageways.  According to him, this road corridor is a critical segment of the larger Abuja–Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu–Port Harcourt route designed to enhance mobility, reduce travel time, and stimulate economic activities across the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Abia, Imo and Rivers States. Commenting after the inspection, Goronyo expressed satisfaction with the current pace of work, having achieved 42% completion. He remained optimistic that by the June 2026 dateline, the project would be completed, assuring Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering life-transforming infrastructure that will enhance economic growth, improve regional connectivity, and enhance the quality of life. “This is a commendable progress. Our goal is to ensure that the full stretch from Abuja to Port Harcourt is completed by June 2026. We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for prioritising this critical and life-changing infrastructure that would significantly enhance the national economy and facilitate the movement of goods and services,” the Minister disclosed. He also assured that funding will not hinder the project’s execution. “This is a priority project under a special funding arrangement. Once certified payment claims are submitted, the Ministry is ready to process and disburse funds without delay,” he further stated. Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works (FCW) for the FCT, Engr. Yakubu Usman provided a technical update on the project.  It features a two-way six-lane structure with outer shoulders but lacks inner shoulders, which the reconstruction aims to improve for better traffic flow and safety. According to him, they have done the site clearing, and scarification, while the stone base and binder coarse are at 80% completion.  “We are also advancing work on the median drains and rigid shoulders,” he said. Acknowledging challenges posed by high traffic and densely populated areas along the corridor, the Controller disclosed that they are partnering with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other law enforcement agencies to ensure a free flow of traffic while carrying out their job. He also informed the audience that the contractor has resorted to working only at night in critical areas to minimise disturbances to public activities during the daytime. The Project Manager, China Habour Engineering Company (Nig.) Ltd. (CHEC), Mr. Ronald Liao, expressed confidence that with the support from the Ministry and relevant stakeholders, the company will deliver the project in a record time, according to the project’s design.   ...

THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT FOR INSPIRING GENERATIONS OF NIGERIAN NATIONALITIES WITH  A PURPOSEFUL AND ALL- INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP. YOUR STATE VISIT TO ANAMBRA STATE ON 8TH MAY 2025 UNDERPINS YOUR SENSE OF EGALITARIANISM -WORKS MINISTER, SEN.UMAHI The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON  profoundly thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his State Visit  to  Anambra State, South East of Nigeria, on 8th May 2025. Mr. President's sense of inclusive leadership and commitment  to an egalitarian nation speaks  volumes  in  his words during the event, "Anambra has huge potential, and with Soludo, we can all work together to fast-track the vision." "We will continue  to partner with your State to deliver shared prosperity to Ndi Anambra and all Nigerians." The Honourable Minister  deeply  appreciates Mr. President and assures him that as a people  of gratitude,  Anambra State  and indeed  South East will continue  to cherish and honour  him  and will overwhelmingly reciprocate  his unwavering love for Ndigbo come 2027 General Elections. He expresses gratitude  to Mr. President for prioritizing South East in the national development architecture  of the Renewed Hope administration and for guaranteeing  its actualization in policy and implementation. By Mr. President's  words in Anambra State," We are working to build critical infrastructure — roads, rail, and power — and ensure that every corner of Nigeria, including Anambra, feels the impact of governance that works. The Presidential Power Initiative and the ongoing digital economy drive will open more doors for the resourceful people of this State," he has continued  to inspire generations of Nigerian nationalities with a purposeful and inclusive leadership and this underpins his sense of egalitarianism. God bless Mr. President. ...

ENGINEERS CHART NEW COURSE FOR NIGERIA’S FUTURE AS MINISTRY DRIVES STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON INNOVATION, REGULATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT The 45th Conference of Directors of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Departments from the Federal Ministry of Works and States’ Ministries of Works/Infrastructure took place in Abuja from May 5 to 7, 2025.  This event brought together federal and state engineering directors, retired professionals, and key stakeholders. Under the theme “Application of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Tools for Economic Growth and Sustainability,” the conference provided a vital platform for discussions on engineering innovation, regulatory compliance, energy transition, as well as workforce development. The Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunsho O. Adebiyi, FNSE, represented by the Director of Highways, Planning and Development, Engr. David Yiltong declared the conference opened. He commended the Directors for their unwavering commitment to national infrastructure development and expressed his deep appreciation for the conference's role in enhancing professional collaboration and generating policy-driven solutions.  He emphasised the Ministry's commitment to supporting the implementation of resolutions reached, particularly those in alignment with national development goals. The Conference Chairman and Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (EMS), Engr. Bukar D. Mohammed praised the collaborative spirit among the delegates and urged them to align their contributions with the nation's aspiration for a resilient, self-reliant, and technologically advanced engineering sector.  He highlighted the importance of updating technical knowledge, building regulatory capacity, and integrating sustainable tools and practices into engineering operations across the country. Goodwill messages framed the discussions. A retired Director of Engineering Management Services, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Felix Ebuzeome applauded the leadership of the organising committee and encouraged future conferences to be held outside the Federal Capital Territory to promote national inclusivity.  Engr. Joshua Olurinola, another retired Director of EMS, challenged the delegates to become the change Nigeria requires. He reminded them of their privileges and responsibilities as engineers and, specifically urged the Department to collaborate with the Highways Department in deploying road signages across all federal roads. Among the major technical highlights was a presentation by Bozimo E. Joseph, Federal Delegate and Higher Technical Officer (HTO), titled “Engineering Innovation, Workforce Development, and Professional Inclusion for Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Sustainability.”  The delegate advocated for the formal recognition of emerging engineering disciplines, such as Environmental Engineering and AI-integrated systems, which are currently unaccredited by COREN and excluded from the Civil Service career structure. He proposed the establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion training workshops in the Ministry’s Technical Schools to support the national goal of converting over one million vehicles by 2027. His presentation also called for reforms in curricula, modular training pathways, and digital certifications aligned with the industry’s needs and aspirations. Engr. Itodo Emmanuel's presentation reinforced the importance of regulatory compliance and safety standards in national development. Referencing frameworks like the National Building Code, COREN’s Engineering Regulations Monitoring (ERM), and various safety codes, he identified enforcement gaps, substandard materials, and low regulatory awareness as significant challenges.  He recommended mandatory registration, periodic inspections, sanctions for violators, and the promotion of local fabrication through training schools, including initiatives such as streetlight pole manufacturing. He called for stronger collaboration between institutions and continuous professional development to maintain quality and integrity in the sector. Engr. (Dr.) R.O. Raheem emphasised the necessity for robust training institutions, enhanced instructor capacity, expanded engineering curricula, and policy reforms prioritising engineering graduates in public sector recruitment. He advocated for partnerships with the private sector to improve technical capabilities to bridge human capital gaps. Energy security was a key focus in Engr. John Chukwuemeka's presentation on solar photovoltaic integration and grid optimisation. Using the Ministry’s 1.5MW solar micro-grid project as a case study, he illustrated how decentralised solar solutions can prevent national grid collapses, reduce energy costs, and ensure uninterrupted power supply to critical infrastructure.  He urged the Council to support broader adoption of solar microgrids, engineer retraining, and curriculum revisions to align with renewable energy goals. Another thought-provoking paper presented was the “Economic Impacts of Engineering Innovations in Nigeria” by Engr. Oyinloye Adekunle examined how indigenous technological advancements could reduce dependency on imports and stimulate local industries.  Engr. Olaore O. Isaac presented a timely paper on the “Development of Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Transport Systems in Nigeria: Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadmap for Sustainable Mobility,” offering practical policy recommendations for transitioning Nigeria’s transportation sector into the clean energy future. In another critical submission, Engr. Benneth O. Obiajulu spoke on “Intelligent Traffic Management and Control Systems,” emphasising the need for real-time traffic data integration, smart infrastructure deployment, and inter-agency collaboration to reduce congestion and improve road safety. These papers, amongst others, underscored the depth and diversity of engineering insights shared at the conference. The conference concluded with a unified call to action. Delegates recommended to the Council for the formal recognition of emerging engineering disciplines, adoption of standardised CNG conversion training across the Ministry’s  Technical Schools, and the establishment of pilot training centers for national scale-up.  The directors also urged strengthened regulatory enforcement, expanded COREN accreditation, and institutional capacity building as essential levers for progress.   ...