More Jobs Coming as FEC Approves Award of Urgent Repairs, General Maintenance Contracts on Some Roads Nationwide ....Roads include Gorgaram – Guri; Buni Gari – Gulani in Yobe State; Water Corporation Drive and Trinity Avenue in Lagos ....The objective is to improve conditions of federal roads, restoring nation’s road network in line with National Development Plan 2021 - 2025, says Fashola ....Substantial number of jobs to be generated through the projects In pursuance of the Federal Government’s commitment to developing the nation’s road network in the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved contracts for urgent repairs and special general maintenance of some roads nationwide worth N48.519 billion.   While presenting the Memo, as one of three considered from his Ministry at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN explained that the aging state of federal roads nationwide has warranted the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to procure the projects in its Amended 2022 Appropriation. He added that the projects would enhance Federal Government’s objective of restoring the nation’s road network as part of the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021 -2025. The roads for which the Minister got approval for the award of contracts for urgent repairs, and special general maintenance included the construction of Gorgaram - Guri Road in Yobe state, in the sum of N40.907 billion, with a completion period of 36 months and the rehabilitation of the 90-kilometre Buni Gari - Gulani road also in Yobe state in the sum of N4.785 billion with a completion period of 36 months.  Approval was also received for the reconstruction of Water Corporation Drive and Trinity Avenue in Victoria Island, Lagos State. This was approved in the sum of N2.826 billion with a completion period of 36 months.’ The approvals, which were sequel to the Memoranda submitted to the Council by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, showed that the construction of Gorgaram - Guri Road in Yobe state will be executed by Messrs Mothercat Limited, the Buni Gari - Gulani road will be rehabilitated by Messrs Hikam Engineering and Consultancy Limited, while the reconstruction of Water Corporation Drive and Trinity Avenue will be carried out by Messrs Wizchino Engineering Limited.   In terms of creating job opportunities, it was noted that due diligence and post qualification checks were carried out which showed that the companies have the capabilities to execute the contracts with a substantial number of jobs generated for Nigerians. Advancing reasons for seeking the approvals, the Minister explained that “these roads have been reported to be in very bad condition and requiring urgent intervention to enable road users’ access to economic activities along the routes.” ...

FG Seeks The Support Of El- Rufai On Right Of Way The Federal government has called for the support and cooperation of the Kaduna State Government to ensure that the few obstructions  on the road towards the Rigachukwu and Raba road which is part of  section 1 of the Abuja - Kaduna - Kano road construction and rehabilitation project are removed so that the contractor can have access to work. The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Honourable Umar Ibrahim El - Yakub made the call when he paid a courtesy visit on the Governor at the Government House,  Kaduna on Friday  October, 21,2022. The Minister informed the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr.Hadiza Sabo Balarabe that he was on an inspection tour of the Abuja -Kaduna - Zaria - Kano road to assess the progress of work  by the contractor. He told the Governor that the work which was suspended at section one of the road due to security threat will soon resume fully as the security situation on the road had improved significantly. He praised Governor El - Rufai for the infrastructural development he championed in the state. The Minister said,"Under the leadership of Mallam Nasir El - Rufai's  very dynamic and purposeful government,  Kaduna has seen alot of transformation." While emphasising the significance of infrastructure  El- Yakub said, " It is an essential part of economic development because economic activities thrive when you have developed  infrastructure." Responding on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister for coming to inspect the road.  Dr. Balarabe expressed optimism that the construction and rehabilitation of the road will ease movement of people and goods, ease the security situation in the areas and boost the economic activities of the people.  Later while briefing newsmen,  the Minister disclosed that  section 2 of the road which begins from Zaria to Funtua is about 56 kilometres out of which 7 kilometres  is a dual carriageway. He added that the contractor has promised that by next month the 7 kilometers carriageway would be completed. He expressed happiness over the quality of work. He stated that the project is being funded under the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme which is one of the innovative ways introduced by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for financing infrastructure. El - Yakub also inspected the Rigachuku and Dumbi bridges. He informed journalists that currently only one of the dual carriageway of the Rigachuku brigde is functioning, he however said  that  the contractor has been mobilised to  work on it. He added that the Dumbi bridge is still functioning fully but the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is just being proactive to ensure that any weakness in the bridge is rectified. Engineer Alex Onaji who is the Engineer's Representative on  section 2 of the project said work was progressing on the project and only 13 percent was remaining to get it completed, adding that the contractor was committed to the project.   ...

FG Reiterates Commitment To The Completion Of Abuja - Kaduna -Kano Road. ....Work on Abuja - Kaduna road to resume fully The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians of its commitment to the completion of the Abuja- Kaduna- Kano road. The Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Hon. Umar Ibrahim El- Yakub gave the assurance while inspecting   the road from Abuja to Kaduna eastern bypass on Thursday, October 20, 2022. The Minister said the contractor suspended work on the first section of the road due to the security threat especially after the train attack in March this year will soon resume  work fully on the road because of the obvious improvement on the security in the area. He said contrary to the speculation that the contract was abandoned, palliative work was being done after it was discovered that the road had deteriorated due to the effect of rainfall.  He added that the contractor has been working on the second and third sections of the road which have reached appreciable level and would be delivered on schedule. The Minister said, " We are still optimistic that sections two and three of the roads will be finished between now and first quarter of next year. However, section one will be longer than that for obvious reasons." El-Yakub said work on the three sections were moving simultaneously before the train attack and over fifty percent of the work on section one was achieved before the contractor suspended the work due to the security problem. Speaking on the progress of work at the eastern bypass in Kaduna, the Minister lamented that the contract which was awarded by the previous administration in 2002 was neglected until the advent of  the President Buhari led administration who has placed premium on infrastructure development across the nation due to its significance to the development and prosperity of the people and the country. He disclosed that the bypass has a total of ten bridges: four land bridges, five river bridges and one bridge over the railway line. He commended Mr. President, the Chief of Defence Staff and the entire security operatives for their tireless efforts in ensuring the security of life and properties of the people. The Minister who reassured Nigerians that maximum attention will be given to the work on the road to ensure its completion as soon as possible, observed that no administration in recent times has committed so much efforts and resources on infrastructure be it road, rail, airport, health or digital communication. Similarly, the Honourable member representing Tudunwada - Doguwa Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, Honourable Alhassan Ado Doguwa who was passing by during the inspection commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ministers of Works and Housing for their commitment to the work on the road, adding that when completed it would ease the security threat in the area. He also praised the commitment of the President and security architecture in the country for their efforts in addressing the security problem in the country especially in recent times.  The Federal Controllers of Works for the Federal Capital Territory and that of Kaduna State expressed gratitude for the encouragement by the management of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and gave the assurance of the commitment of the contractor to the project.   ...