Fashola Inaugurates 1.8 Km Internal Road for Federal University Birnin-Kebbi .... Road intervention special in our history - VC Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Wednesday, January 11, 2023 inaugurated the 1.8-kilometer internal road constructed by the Ministry in the Federal University in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. The Minister, in his address said, Federal government has provided 83 internal road intervention projects in various Federal tertiary institutions across the country. The Minister was represented by Engr. Bugu James Federal Controller of Works in Kebbi State office. The Vice chancelor of the University, Professor Muhammad Zaiyan Umar described the road intervention as very special in the history of the institution, in addition to beautifying the environment and making movement easier within the institution. Fashola stated that the Federal Government remained committed to bridging the infrastructure gaps in the country including those of institutions of learning, in view of the importance of infrastructure to learning environment and quality of education. He said " It is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment". Accordingly, he explained that the gap in infrastructure was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways, and had now reached the schools. The Minister said the Ministry has successfully intervened in 64 internal road projects in various Federal Tertiary institutions and handed over a total of 46 as at March 2022, with another 18 were ready to be handed over, while 19 roads in similar institutions were currently being attended to across the country, making a total of 83. The Minister said the road project had not only benefited the students and the school community but also provided jobs for youths, stating that 33 jobs had been created in the process of construction in the Federal University in Birnin Kebbi. In his remark, the Vice Chancellor, Professor. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar said that, the University has been enjoying the support of the Federal Government, and that this tremendous support has made it possible for the institution to achieve academic excellence as well as massive infrastructural development. Professor Umar expressed profound gratitude to H.E, President Muhammadu Buhari for the timely release of funds, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and the Ministry's field officers in Kebbi State for effectively supervising the construction of the road. " The project would impact greatly on the lives of the entire university community while enhancing easy access within the institution" he said. In his testimony, the Deputy Registrar. Abubakar Abdulkadir thanked the federal ministry of works and housing for helping in developing the new institution. " Before now, the area was a forest and was not accessible and no one can believe this area was part of the University.  But today the road project has linked the new Senate Building, College of Medicine, Sports complex, students hostel among others " he said. Professor Abdulazeez Shehu, a lecturer in Economics Department described the intervention as impactful on the University as difficult areas were now accessible and the security issue in the sorrounding community has now been solved. The President, Students Union, Commarade Muhammad Muhammad Majo, a student of Industrial Chemistry in the University commended the Federal Government and the Minister for the road intervention. He said " The University permanent site was a forest and un accessible before this road intervention.  But now you can see students having free movement from hostels to faculties the sports complex and the new senate building" thanks to the ruling government. ...

Federal Government Set to Resume Work on Major Highways … Barricades to be restored to ensure safety at construction sites Recall that barricades were removed at all construction sites on December 15,2022 for ease of movement to reduce travel time during the yuletide season. Contractors are now set to resume work on major highways especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (from OPIC to the old toll gate) and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway (around Kawo on the Kaduna-Zaria Section). To this end the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has directed that construction barricades be returned at construction sites for safety purposes with effect from Tuesday, January 10,2023. The Second Niger Bridge will, however, remain closed for public use with effect from Sunday, January 15,2023 for continuation of work on the completion of the access roads to the bridge. The Honourable Minister seeks the patience and understanding of motorists and members of the public on this action aimed at completing the on-going projects. ...

Fashola Lists Benefits of Loko-Oweto Bridge, Road Project …Says the project would be commissioned soon Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, said the Loko-Oweto bridge and the linking roads when fully completed would be of great benefits to the communities along the corridors of the project, motorists and commuters that use the route. Fashola listed many benefits of the project while on inspection. He disclosed that the bridge had been   completed and what remained  was the approach roads to the bridge. Fashola said, "This is about my fifth visit here since 2016 when we started out as Power Works and Housing Ministry. There was essentially nothing here. We now have a bridge over the River Benue, 70 Kilometers road linking Benue State to the bridge and we also have another 74 kilometers of road linking Nasarawa State into the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. “This Bridge has been finished about two or a year and a half years ago but we are waiting to connect the link roads. The link roads are substantially finished now and I think I can comfortably go and report to Mr. President that this bridge is now ready to be formally commissioned and opened to traffic.” Speaking on the benefits of the project, he said that the Loko-Oweto bridge would provide a shorter route for commuters and motorists. He said that despite the fact that the project has not been officially opened for use, it has offered shorter routes for travelers and reduced travel hours to its barest minimum. “I remember it used to take about four and half hours from Mabushi in Abuja to get here. The main problem was the 74-kilometre road part of which we are standing on now.  That road is essentially finished so it took about 30 minutes to get here from the approach road. The journey from Mabushi to here now is two and a half hours from four hours,” he said. Still speaking on the benefits, the Minister said the project has further demonstrated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to infrastructure growth and development of the nation saying, no nation can produce without infrastructure and that it was the legitimate means of distributing wealth of the nation. He said: “But it is important to inform Nigerians that those who speak about production, the economy, should come here and learn what infrastructure can do. You cannot produce without infrastructure. You cannot drive an economy without infrastructure. So, they should come here because this bridge is actually a test case that demonstrates the commitment of Mr. President to infrastructure as a way of boosting our economic growth.” Speaking on behalf of the Emir of Loko, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed, Sabo Mai- Loko and the entire community, the Area Council Chairman of Loko, Honourable Shaibu Umah expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari on the construction of the Loko- Oweto bridge which he said has impacted their lives positively. “We thank the Honourable Minister and Mr. President on the Loko- Oweto bridge and the adjoining roads which are near completion. When fully completed and commissioned would provide business opportunities to our community." ...