Federal Government in Discussion with African Development Bank (AFDB) Over Funding of Sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways for Greater Regional Transport Environment and Economic Integration   1. As part of the action plan of the  Federal  Government to increase  the economic opportunities of the nation and enhance  the transnational investment process as envisioned by the Renewed Hope administration of the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has  opened  a discussion with African Development Bank on possible funding for  the construction of some sections  of the Coastal  and Trans- Sahara Highways in parts  of Nigeria. He stated this in a meeting with a delegation from Africa Development Bank (AFDB) led by the Director, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salawou held at the office of the Honourable Minister Federal  Ministry  of Works, this  5th March 2024.   2. This project, which the Honourable Minister said would be a measure to provide enduring infrastructure and industrialization along the corridors, is expected to carry a large network of paved highways that will create a good transport environment and trade routes for moving goods and services along the North- South corridors.  The Honourable Minister  said opportunities of investment on infrastructure  development abound along the coastal and trans-sahara routes, including opportunities  for investment  in the hospitality  industry, tourism, agricultural production, estate, park, and industrial business He said that  funding  would  be required  to tackle the sections  of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways not yet constructed, awarded, or taken over by concessionaires under the  Highway Development and Management Initiative(HDMI). According to him "The coastal road is 700 km. That is phase one and it is running from Lagos through Ogun State to Ondo State, passing through the coastal States of Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, and ending in Cross River in 700 kilometers. We have spores to the Ogoja road, the one you did, the African Trans- Sahara Road that is going to Cameroon."  He further said."We are sectioning the roads. Just last week, we awarded section one, phase one, and phase one is 47.47 kilometers. It's already awarded to Hi-tech Construction Limited. We have phase two, which is about 57 kilometers, taking us from the end of phase one. Phase one ends at Lekki Peninsula. It takes us from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki deep seaport. Phase two takes us to the boundary between Ogun State and Ondo State. That's about 57km"“. And also said, "it's going to be available for a number of funders under the lead investor, That's Hi-tech Construction Nigeria Limited. So that is available, and when discussion comes up, then there will be a need for us to meet with Hi-tech and the Honourable Minister of Finance Coordinating Minister of the Economy".   3. Earlier in his mission statement, the spokesperson of the team from Africa Development Bank. (AFDB) and Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development said the bank has a mandate to contribute to the sustainable economic development and social progress of its regional members individually and jointly and is therefore prepared as a multilateral institution to offer a robust partnership to the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially by providing technical and financial support for the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria.  He said, "So as the African Development bank, we are ready to assist you. To make it easy for us, we need to have any studies available to make sure how we can support you on this project. So we are ready, we can see where we can find the resources to support you in structuring the different projects" He further added" And the third one, the dualization of the road between Nigeria and Cameroon will foster regional integration between the two counties, because I believe Nigeria is Cameroon's number one trade partner So, we need to reinforce the modernized infrastructure there." ...

Works Minister Committed to Speedy and Quality Delivery of Road Infrastructure Nationwide, Says The Policy of No VOP on Mobilization is a Measure to Ensure Value for Money and  Timely Completion  of Projects   1. The Honourable Minister of Works. His Excellency, Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has restated the commitment of the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in ensuring that all the Federal Road projects are executed speedily and delivered in best standards.  The Honourable Minister gave this assurance during  his inspection  visit  to the rehabilitation  work at Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4( Aba-PH) executed  by China  Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd(CCECC).He commended  the contractor handling  the project for showing  purposefulness, and he therefore  announced  the revocation of the warning letter issued  to  CCECC  a fortnight ago over their delay in mobilizing  to the site despite the government's  directive."The warning letter  given  to CCECC  for slow pace of work  is hereby  revoked. The new pace of work is excellent, the job quality is excellent, and the Controller sends me progress reports every day. "   2. The Honourable  Minister, who also inspected the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu- Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2 ( Umuahia Tower- Aba Township Rail/ Road) in Abia State, handled  by  the Arab Contractors; the East West  Road section 111( Eleme-Onne junction) in Rivers State handled  by  Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Ltd; the Rehabilitation  of  Enugu- Port Harcourt  Expressway Section 3( Enugu -Lokpanta) in Enugu State handled  by CGC, said he was impressed  by the progress  of work on the respective projects. He said of RCC" I want to commend RCC openly and with all sincerity. I will also take the quality of work going on to Mr. President because he directed me. I was just barely one week in office when he directed me to go and flag off this project because the leaders of Niger Delta came to visit him, and they complained bitterly about the road. " He spoke of the good job by the Arab Contractors and said," I am very happy that the Arab Contractors has done a good job. I commend the contractor. Anybody who wants to see a good job should come here. The Controller of Abia State is doing extremely well together with his engineers." While at the CGC project site, he said, "I have seen the work they are doing, they are doing a very beautiful work. The job quality is very good and the speed is also very good. They are among the contractors that have the highest number of equipment in any of their project sites. So I commend them very highly. "   3. The contractors who spoke during the inspection visit to their respective projects said they were committed to the new order in road infrastructure development in Nigeria and assured the Honourable Minister that they would ensure  quality  and speed  in the delivery  of their road projects. The Project Manager of CCECC in charge of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway, Mr Henry Shaw said, "I am going to assure you that the Honourable Minister, His Excellency is a professional Engineer with a great difference. He knows everything, so nobody can cheat him." ...

Works Minister Visits Zamfara Governor, Says Dualisation of Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto Highway on Course   …..Umahi says no variation on 30% mobilization advanced to contractors   “Mr. President has not stopped the dualization of Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto highway rather, the projects will be completed, and the design would even be improved upon.”   “There were rumors that Mr. President has stopped this project and even the NNPCL tax credit; that is not the truth at all. In fact, he has given more life to the tax credit of NNPCL.”   Adding “though the NNPCL projects are not funded by NNPC 100 percent. We still have a funding gap of over N2.7 trillion to get them completed”.   The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, made the disclosure today at Government House Gusau when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.   Affirming the position of the Federal Government, he said “Mr. President has approved that we should take the funding gap to the National Assembly for approval. So, it's not just committed to the commitment of NNPC, but it's committed to the entire completion of the projects.   Continuing, he said “he is the one that has asked us to visit this project, just like other ones, they are very important and key to Mr. President.   Commending the contractor handling the Sokoto - Gusau road, Sen. Umahi said “we have not seen everything they are doing, but the little we've seen is excellent. in fact, that project, the neatness and quality looks excellent”.   Explaining the delay in the progress of work, Sen. Umahi disclosed that “my directive was what slowed down the job. But I have redirected having come and examined the projects.”, he reassured his audience.”   On the issue of payment of compensation to those affected by the dualization of the roads, the Honourable Minister called on the relevant State Government to follow the commitment of Sokoto State which has agreed to settle all payments regarding compensation to the people concerned.   Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister, while speaking to some journalists along the Gusau - Funtua Road, after inspecting the ongoing work by Setraco, warned contractors that there would be no variation on 30% mobilisation advanced to them.   According to him “the contractors must know that I will never pay variation on mobilized funds or works that are delayed.” “Because if we do not obey the timetable, inflection and time will catch up with us.”   Stressing “it’s the Federal Government that is losing. That's why if we have little money to complete the project and we prolong it, then the Federal Government is unable to further source for funds”, he reasoned.   During his remarks, the Governor of Zamfara State, praised the vision of President Bola Tinubu for the road sector, noting the commitment of the Honourable Minister has truly helped to realize Mr. President’s goals.   He expressed his joy about the news that the construction of the Zaria - Gusau - Sokoto was still on course.   He therefore pledged the support of his administration to the Federal Government, while requesting Sen. Umahi to look into the rehabilitation of Gusau-Dansadau road.   Sen. David Umahi was accompanied to the Government House by former Governor of Sokoto State, now Senator representing Sokoto Central Senatorial Zone, Aminu Tambuwal and other senior government officials. ...