WORKS MINSTER DRAWS THE CURTAINS ON COUNCIL MEETING The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Engr. David Umahi has noted that the National Council of Works meeting will propel acceleration of completion of projects in Nigeria. Umahi, stated this while addressing the closing session of the National Council of works held at Abakaliki, Ebonyi state. The Minister who lauded the Council members for their commitment, noted that the gathering has been an invaluable platform for deliberation, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas. He noted that, their contributions and insights are critical to Nigeria's shared mission of enhancing and sustaining our nation's infrastructure. According to him, "over the past few days, we have engaged in robust discussions on several key areas critical to our work. We have reviewed the progress of ongoing projects, identified challenges, and mapped out strategies to overcome them. Our discussions have been guided by our unwavering commitment to building infrastructure that is durable, efficient, and inclusive. "I am pleased to share some of the significant outcomes from these meetings. One, Project Acceleration and Completion: We have agreed on measures to expedite the completion of ongoing projects, particularly those that are crucial for connectivity and economic growth. This includes enhanced coordination among federal, state, and local governments. "We have Innovation and Technology: We have endorsed the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in our infrastructure projects. This will not only improve efficiency but also ensure that our infrastructure is resilient and future ready.  "Moreso, Sustainability and Environment: Environmental sustainability has been a cornerstone of our discussions. We have committed to integrating sustainable practices in all our projects to minimize environmental impact and promote long-term ecological balance". The Honourable Minister, explained that, the Council meetings have also yielded Public-Private Partnerships and stressed that they have recognizing the importance of collaboration and  have laid out plans to strengthen public-private partnerships.  "This will leverage private sector expertise and resources to complement our efforts in delivering world-class infrastructure.      "We have recorded capacity building and Workforce Development: We have outlined initiatives to enhance the skills and capacity of our workforce. This is essential for ensuring that our projects are executed to the highest standards and for fostering a culture of excellence in the sector. "The outcomes of these meetings will serve as a roadmap for our future endeavours. They reflect our collective vision and determination to provide infrastructure that meets the needs of our people and supports our nation's growth. Senator Umahi urged all stakeholders to remain engaged and committed adding that the success of our initiatives depends on our continued collaboration and dedication. "Together, we can achieve remarkable progress and create a legacy of robust and resilient infrastructure for future generations" he noted. Earlier, the Governor of Ebonyi state, the RT. Hon. Francis Ogbona Nwifru disclosed that his administration has embarked on the construction of 700 km roads projects across the three Senatorial districts stressing that his administration's determination to execute quality projects is yielding good results. Nwifru who commended the Federal Government for choosing to hold the National Council of Works in Ebonyi State, noted that, Ministry of Works is a tripod, which other sectors stand upon. He however appealed to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works to complete some of the federal road projects abandoned in Ebonyi state to ease the pain of his people. While drawing the curtains on the 29th National Council on works, Engr. Umahi proposed that the year 2025 edition could hold in either of Nasarawa or Benue states, but this is subject to interests.   ...

Permanent Secretary charges Council to offer technical support  The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works, Yakubu Adam Kofarmata (PHD) has urged members of the Council of Works to provide technical support to unlocking infrastructure potentials in Nigeria. Kofarmata stated this while speaking at the 29th meeting of the National Council on Works holding at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The Council which commenced on Monday 15th July, 2024 has the theme: UNLOCKING INFRASTRUCTURAL POTENTIALS AND OPPORTUNITIES AS CATALYST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE RENEWED HOPE AGENDA. The Permanent Secretary said: " the objective behind the choice of this theme is to ensure that all memoranda from stakeholders and the general public are strictly based on as well as informed by those issues and subject matter that address the thematic areas of the various sub- themes derived from the Council's theme held the previous day. "I am pleased to note that these strategic sub- themes include; policy formulation and implementation, institution strengthening, adoption of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) in road construction in Nigeria, integrated financing and alternative funding for roads and bridges projects in Nigeria ". Kofarmata also noted other sub-themes include emergency preparedness and response in road maintenance and sustainability, tackling road infrastructure deficit through strategic partnership and use of alternative technologies, and development of a national infrastructure data bank: a veritable tool for road infrastructure delivery in Nigeria. He said that the meeting of the Permanent Secretaries of Ministries of works across the States in Nigeria is coming after the meeting of the Directors and experts earlier held, purposely to enable them to have high level of technical session to deliberate and adopt drafted technical reports generated from the previous session of experts. "I therefore urge you to passionately apply due diligence in your consideration of the draft technical report with a view to doing justice by being objective to enable us deliver this national assignment seamlessly, without fear or favour. "We must focus our eyes on the ball, having at the back of our minds the ultimate goal, which is the preparation of a comprehensive, credible and a good draft technical report admissible by the National Council on Works (NCW) at the end of the day", he said. Abdullahi Mohammed Assistant Chief Information Officer. For: Acting Head, Information and Public Relations    ...

10 DAYS TO THE 2024 BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF A MAN OF GREAT INTUITIVE SAGACITY AND STEWARD LEADERSHIP, AN INGENIOUS INNOVATOR AND DOYEN OF HUMAN CAPITAL TRANSFORMATION   The hall of fame of people with transformative powers in contemporary Nigeria's democratic leadership trajectory surely flourishes with records of people who have made remarkable impacts in inspiring positive transformation in all spheres of territorial governance. I am proud to speak to the great attributes of the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON and his contributions in positively changing the narrative of every domain of national and subnational territorial governance where he has the opportunity to serve humanity. Born on 25th July 1963 to the humble family of late Elder and Deaconess Joseph Umahi Nweze in Umunaga Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Sen. Umahi, by nature, nurture and inclination, is a humble servant leader and innovator, a passionate problem solver and development strategist, and an exemplary leader with transformative powers. He is best described as a man of great intuitive sagacity and steward leadership, an ingenious innovator and rare doyen of human capital transformation. Sen. Umahi's impacts as a successful captain of industry, Deputy Governor, Governor of Ebonyi State for 8 years, Chairman of South East Governors' Forum for 8 years, Chairman  of Southern Governors' Forum, first Deputy Majority Leader of the 10th Senate and Chair of the Senate's Integrity Group, and now Honourable Minister of Works, Federal  Republic of Nigeria, have added a significant value in the development  milestones  of our country. He is a great benefactor as many have received his magnetic and magnificent inspirations of love, compassion, mentorship, philanthropy, and empowerment. He is a gem of inestimable value, a wealth creator, and a great political stabilizer; he is a seasoned advocate and proclaimer of justice, equity, and good conscience; he is a nationalist, bridge builder and patriot. Among his landmark triumphs in his political  sojourn is his vision to become Governor, which was perfected by God alone in the most historic and symbolic  manner, and his  record-breaking  performance as Governor that thrilled human imaginations; his prophetic declaration for national  mainstreaming  through  the progressive platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) at a time the journey seemed suicidal and his victorious flags and flying  colours  that outwitted all legal and extra-legal recourses  that ambushed  his generous political calculations. Thank God for the inherent rights of appeal that saw him through in both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Thank God also for the mutual fidelity between him and his successor, who provided the unshaken foundational support that saw him through during the battles. In his new office as Honourable Minister of Works, the waves of road infrastructure transformation and policy innovations are creating greater hopes and returning the desired confidence of road users nationwide in line with the visionary aspirations of the Renewed Hope administration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the grand initiator of concrete technology in Nigeria. All these are virtues that deserve our celebration. Thursday, 25th July 2024, is  a great day in the hearts of all who have benefitted  in one way or the other from the large and kind heart of His Excellency, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, Commander of Order of the Niger, Fellow Nigerian  Society  of Engineers, Fellow Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering, and Great Grand Commander Ebonyi Hall of Fame, as he shall turn 61 years of impactful life. It is a day to especially remember our benefactor and his family in our prayers and to share our joy, extend our best regards, and convey our best wishes to him, glorifying God for his rewarding service to humanity and his stewardship which he anchors gloriously. Indeed, 25th July is always memorable in our hearts. Hearty cheers in advance to the Honourable Minister of Works. ...