Federal Government Begins Demolition Of Properties Affected By The Right Of Way On Section 1 Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway, Says Exercise Shall Have A Human Face The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Senator. (Engr) Dr. Nweze David Umahi CON has assured that the construction of Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway being handled by Federal Government under His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR would mark a major milestone in the Renewed Hope roadmap towards economic diversification. He gave this assurance during the flag-off of the demolition of properties affected by the right of way on section 1 of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd. He said, the Federal Government is passionate about the plight of the people and would, in the exercise of the right of way, put a human face in the demotion of properties that were required to give way for the construction of the coastal highway, noting that the Federal Government was considering the most economically viable way to pass the coastal road without much damages. He further reassured that there would be no delay in the payment of compensation to the property owners entitled to compensation but solicited their cooperation to the timeline of the demolition exercise. He said, "We are doing some minor adjustments, and our commitment is to stay within the coastline. When the initial demolition order was passed to all the affected investors, so to speak, I graciously increased the period to another seven days and yet another 4 days, and here we are because the project stopped because of the part of this demolition, and I want to commend the likes of Mr Bolaji." While flagging -off the demolition exercise, he said, "This demolition is going to have a pure human face and so with the utmost fear of Gid, gratitude to God Almighty and commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in our infrastructural development in particular, I wish to flag-off this demolition exercise to get a right of way within the coastal corridor which is the legitimate right of the Federal Government." The Honourable Minister, however, called on all those to be affected by the demolition exercise to take it as a sacrifice for the ultimate impact of the project on the economic prosperity of the nation. He highlighted the socio- economic benefits of the project, including the money it will save for businessmen and women and the stability it will bring to the economy. For those playing poltics with the economic enhancing project, he said, "Those who are playing poltics with this can go ahead. My job is simple, just to pass the coastal road and those who are into politics can continue.." Speaking during the event, one of the affected property owners, Mr. Balaji Ariyo ( Mami Chula), said the demolition would no doubt affect his business but he had no option than to make sacrifice for the greater good of millions of Nigerians whose livelihood would be impacted by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway which has a spur that connects South to North. He urged all those to be affected by this critical infrastructure to see it as a sacrifice for the good of all Nigerians. He said," Yeah, some of us are affected, no doubt about it. But some of us are not up to 0.1% of the millions of people that we enjoy the coastal road. That's why someone like me and some others also have taken it to heart to also support Mr. President and the Honourable Minister to ensure that this road comes to life." He noted that the coastal highway has the potential to create greater vistas of opportunities for businesses and other human development initiatives that would benefit a greater number of Nigerians. He said, "As humans, those affected will feel the pain, but the future of the country must be put first.And some of us are paying the price in good faith. So we are human, we feel the pain. But at the same time, if you look at the longer picture, you realize that it's the benefit of everyone. It's more than the benefit of one person. Yes, we are sitting on a lot of money, a lot of money being recouped here. But at the same time, it is not worth the enjoyment or the free access of every other Nigerian that will apply the road. So Mr. Minister has already lectured me so well and has consoled me so many times."
The demolition exercise continues as the Committee of the Federal Ministry of Works on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Section 1 Compensation, headed by the Federal Controller of Works Lagos State, Engr. (Mrs.) Olukorede Iyabo Kesha. works round the clock to ensure that payment of compensation to the affected property owners begins in earnest in a matter of days.
Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway: A Renowned Policy Analyst Describes Cost of Project as One of The Most Effective Project Figures in The World, Says Sen. Umahi's Negotiation Power is Second to None Blueprint Newspaper Written By Bode Olagoke A think tank body of policy analysts on the platform of the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) Wednesday justified the N2.8trn to be expended on the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. The group said the cost of construction of the highway "is appropriate." It also faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's criticism of the project, saying there is enough proof to support the cost of the mega project. IMPI in a statement by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, in Abuja Wednesday said its study of the situation shows that all the claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate were off the mark and targeted at discrediting the project. The think tank group acknowledged the track record of the project handling firm in constructing coastal highways with reinforced concrete in many countries, citing the successful handling of the Bar Beach Shoreline protection. On Atiku's criticism of the cost of the project, the policy group insisted that a cost analysis of road projects similar to the Lagos-Calabar highway in some parts of the world show that the cost of the project was appropriate. The statement reads: "We note that there is no unified standard pricing template for the cost of building a kilometre of road anywhere in the world. The realities of road building have much to do with several variables: location, train, type of construction, number of terrain, lanes, lane width, surface durability, and the number of bridges, to name a few. "Yet, for engagement, we reviewed some cost estimates in some other countries to establish the context of fraud or otherwise that Waziri Abubakar is trying to throw up. "To build a 2-lane road of 12 metres wide of each lane with no bridges in states of North Eastern United States of America is $3.34m per km (when converted to Naira using the N1200/$ adopted by Umahi, it comes to N4.08bn per km) while the same 2-lane road in South Eastern USA with no bridges is $ 3.78m per km (N4.53bn per km) "According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the average cost of building a concrete road in rural areas is around $2.5m per mile, while in urban areas, it can costs upwards of $5m per mile. "In California, the estimated cost of building a concrete road ranges from $3 million to $6 million per mile, depending on the location and other factors. In Australia, average road project costs were around $5.1m (N6.12bn) per lane kilometre in 2017. "But in Bangladesh, according to the World Bank, the estimated cost of construction is $6.6m (N7.92bn) per kilometre for the Rangpur-Hatikumrul highway, $7m (N8.4bn) per kilometre for Dhaka-Sylhet highway, $11.9 million (N14.28 billion) per kilometre for Dhaka-Mawa highway. This underscores cost differentials in road construction because of peculiarities in terrains." ...
Honourable Minister of Works Inaugurates Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section 1 Compensation Committee, Gives 10 Days Deadline For Completion Of Assignment 1. In keeping with the established rules on compensation and the ideals of transparency of the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi CON has constituted a committee to review the report on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in respect of compensation for section 1, Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project. The committee made up of 19 members is required to interface with stakeholders and property owners that will be affected by the project with a view to recommending those who are entitled to receive compensation from Federal Government as required by law. The Honourable Minister directed that the commitee should work strictly with the terms of reference, which is to verify and authenticate the list of those to be compensated and submit a report within 10 days effective 18th April 2024. He said, "We are setting up a review committee to look at the work done by the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA,) and the works to be reviewed by this committee is very simple, and it's just to interact with the property owners that are going to be affected, and then in their presence, in the presence of the committee and the ESIA Consultant and the contractor, look at the compensation as enumerated to be paid, and where possible, you visit the site. We are using the federal rates to do our enumeration. I know very well that there is nobody that is ever enumerated that is ever satisfied with how much is to be paid, but we are bound by the law, and so we are using federal rates." 2. The Honourable Minister promised to ensure a seemless and timely payment of compensation on the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project but warned that only those legally entitled to compensation would be shortlisted. He said, "The moment the property owner signs, and then we have a form that we give to them to fill, and indicate the bank account; the moment that is done, within 72 hours, we authorize payment. The contractor is going to be paying directly to all those who are affected, and this we are committed to doing. This verification will start Wednesday in Lagos, and of course, we have to make it very clear that 250 meters legally belong to the Federal Government. So if you have a title within these 250 meters and it's not a title from Federal Government, then it is encumbrance, and only Mr. President can give a waiver if he feels so for the person to be paid." 3. The meeting which was held via zoom in the Honourable Minister's conference hall Mabushi-Abuja with the affected property owners and other stakeholders, was in furtherance of the resolutions earlier reached in the stakeholders engagement meeting held by the Honourable Minister of Works in Lagos on 11th April 2024 whereof opinions were ventilated from different groups of stakeholders and decisions were reached on the need for a review of the report on the enumeration by the Consultant on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the affected areas. The committee members were constituted to reflect the different groups of stakeholders, including Lagos State Government, affected Local Government Areas Traditional Rulers, estate developers and residents, as well as professional bodies. 4. The committee members are as follows: 1. Engr (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha (FCW, Lagos State) - Chairman 2. Rep. of Director, Bridges and Design. - Engr Oladele Sola 3. Rep of Honourable Minister of Works. - Barrister Joseph Ekumankama 4. Engr Olufemi Dare. - FMW, Lagos 5. ESIA Consultant. - Dr. Eugene Itua 6. Rep 1 ESIA. - Suv. Popoola Lateef 7. Rep 2 ESIA. - Emmanuel Eneh 8. Rep. of Oba Oniru. - Mr. Yemi Stephen. 9. Rep. of Oba Elegushi. - Mrs. Peju Omotayo 10. Rep. of Oba Ojomu of Ajiran land. - Hon. Jide Akintoye 11. Rep of Oba Onibeju of Ibeju - Mr Agbaje Adesegun 12. Rep. of Eti Osa Local Government. - Adeola Adetoro 13. Rep. of Ibeju Lekki Local Government. - Hon. Moruf Isah 14. Olawale Ojikutu (Min of Lands, LASG) - Secretary 15. Rep. Of LASG Surveyor General. - Moyosore Faji 16. Rep. Min of Physical Planning LASG. - Kunle Bello 17. Rep 1 Hitech. - Mr. Willie 18. Rep 2 Hitech. - Mr. Ashton 19. Rep DLS. - Mrs Igboko ...
ARMED FORCES FULLY BACKING THE RENEWED HOPE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVES, DESCRIBE ROAD AS CRITICAL TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND AS A CATALYST FOR SUCCESSFUL MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST BANDITRY The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has been assured of the full backing of the Nigerian military in his efforts towards realizing the lofty road infrastructure objectives of the Renewed Hope administration of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. This assurance was conveyed by the Chief of Defence Staff, Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR during a courtesy call to the Honourable Minister of Works, held at the Ministry's conference hall, Mabushi-Abuja on 16th April 2024. Speaking during the courtesy call the Defence Chief commended the glaring determination of the Honourable Minister of Works to return Nigeria's road infrastructure to the part of glory knowing the importance of road to the socio-economic transformation of the nation. He placed on record the strategic importance of road to national security and its place in achieving successful military operations against acts of banditry. He said, "We are following your activities on the internet, and we know you're almost everywhere. I want to commend you for the efforts you are putting in. We know how determined you are to ensure that our roads are back. We all know that without roads, there can be no peace. That's true for rural areas and urban areas. Roads are significant and very important to the growth of any nation. Despite all the challenges, we’ve seen how comments have been made, both professionally and unprofessionally, to your person, but you’ve been strong. I want to encourage you, sir that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is solidly behind you. We will continue to provide every necessary support that you require. We are just a phone call away. Whatever there is, that you would want us to do for you, be rest assured, we will be there, because we know the relevance and importance of having good roads in any society." The Chief of Defence Staff also appealed to the Honourable Minister to take into consideration the need for interventions on the deplorable condition of some roads in the North East where bandits are taking advantage of the poor conditions of roads in the area to defy and relegate security operations. He noted that the areas where the military were recording high casualties of both manpower and equipment, especially in Maiduguri, were the areas the bandits use Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in their attacks knowing fully well the deplorable conditions of the roads in those areas. He said, "So for us, roads are critical to our success in our operations. I want to appeal to you, whatever it is, whatever it takes, if we can fix most of these roads that we have, it will greatly assist us in carrying out our operations. Once we have good roads, the funny thing about North East, especially Borno State, will be resolutely tackled. Most of the distances are not that long." In his response, the Honourable Minister of Works thanked the Defence Chief for the wonderful work the Armed Forces are doing to rejig the security architecture and rid the nation of banditry. He particularly thanked Mr. President who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the successes he has recorded in the fight against banditry in Nigeria. He said that the military deserves the cooperation, support, and solidarity of all Nigerians in their efforts and sacrifices to secure the citizenry. He decried the recent brutal killing of the military personnel in Okuama Delta State and thanked the military for their sense of maturity in the face of the needless provocation. "Let me offer my deepest condolences to you for your personnel that were brutally murdered at Okuama in Delta State while doing everything to ensure peace and security in the area. It's quite very unfortunate. Let me thank Mr. President for the maturity and thank the military led by you for the maturity. Those personnel who were killed are children of parents. They have children, and they have wives. Our hearts go out to you and their families, and we condemn that very terrible and barbaric act. We caution those who are making very unhealthy statements on the matter, as if the lives that were lost were the lives of animals" The Honourable Minister assured the Defence Chief of the preparedness of the Ministry in addressing the concerns of the military on the conditions of roads, especially in the areas of their operations in the North East. He said, "Let me appreciate your concerns over our roads, especially as it affects your programmes in North East. And let me assure you that when we get those routes and your major concerns, we are going to analyze them to know the ongoing projects among them, and then know why the projects are slow in their execution. It could be for the reason of funding. Everything has become a priority in our road sector development. We would like to analyze it and together we will take it to Mr. President, who has put the security of life and property ahead of any other thing." He further said, "I'm very sure that Mr. President, as usual, will give it the desired attention. It's not his will that any person will die for the reason of a bad road. So I'm reassured by the character and the content of Mr. President that something will be done. We have to get our designs and figures right, and together, we can do that." ...
New Permanent Secretary Works Yakubu Kofarmata Assures of Innovation to Achieving Renewed Hope Agenda
The newly deployed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Works has given assurance that subsequent new innovations in the Ministry shall be geared towards achieving Mr. President's Renewed Hope Agenda in infrastructural development, especially in road construction and rehabilitation for ease of doing business in all sector of the Nigerian Economy. He made this remark after signing and receiving the hand over notes in the Ministry. The new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Works Mr. Yakubu Kofarmata, was extremely glad to be back to the Ministry, haven served preiviously in the Ministry as an Asst. Director.
He was Particularly delighted seeing a good number of female leaders and architects still present, adding that it was an indication that the Ministry of works is a place that can bring the needed change in the country.
Mr YAKUBU KOFARMATA said in his words “I come here as a brother, friend and colleague and so we have to work together to help the President as well as the Honorable Minister to achieve all that they have spelt out in their agenda”.
Kofarmata further expressed optimism that his leadership would be a new beginning that would bring about innovation for the Ministry and the Country at large.
Remarks By H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN At the Virtual Commissioning of Three Bridges, Three Secretariats and One Road on Tuesday 23rd May 2023
Mr. President, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of the Honourable Minister of State, Ibrahim Umar El-Yakub, and other Ministers of States who have served with me, the Permanent Secretary and former Permanent Secretaries, Directors serving and retired and all the staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing, I am pleased to welcome you all to this momentous day.
A day where the Federal Government of Nigeria, working with the State Governors, Senators and House of Representative members, Traditional Rulers and with the people of Nigeria, unveils 3 (THREE) major bridges the Loko-Oweto, Second Niger and Ikom bridges, a completed Section of over 200 kilometres of Kano-Kaduna Highway and three new Federal Secretariats.
Today, Mr. President will connect Benue to Nasarawa on the Loko – Oweto Bridge, Cross River to Benue on Ikom Bridge and Anambra to Delta on the Second Niger Bridge, and literally connect many parts of Nigeria to themselves.
In the same vein, we link Kano to Kaduna on the Kaduna-Kano highway and impact Zamfara, Bayelsa and Anambra directly through the Secretariats.
This is a story of development and a story of people, all of which cannot be fully told here.
But I will try; starting from the President and the Commander-in-Chief whose leadership, support and opportunity afforded us to serve has made all these possible.
The story of the cabinet members from the Vice-President and my colleague ministers whose support for the various memoranda in Council made these projects possible.
Some of those memoranda you spent hours to debate and approve have yielded some fruit.
Our legislators in both chambers of Parliament were part of the story. They appropriated, they approved where necessary and oversighted all through the project; but they never obstructed.
The State Governors, their Commissioners and their Traditional Rulers are a story that must be told, about how Federal, State Government and Traditional Institutions can, and must work together to deliver development and prosperity.
The story of the men and women who worked on these construction sites is an unforgettable one.
Not only were these sites places of employment for them to earn a living to support their families; I saw in them men and women, boys and girls involved in the dignifying and patriotic work of nation building.
The story of the economic activity that took place at these sites is also most compelling.
Thousands of tonnes of construction materials, sand, cement, diesel, reinforcement, bitumen, aggregates were bought, sold and transported over the period.
This was a period of boom for small and family-owned businesses who supplied the contractors.
It is the clearest narrative about how infrastructure benefits the people and how this drives the services sector of the economy that employs the most people.
It is the story of how the Muhammadu Buhari policies meet the people at their point of need even if many of these people will never meet Muhammadu Buhari in person.
Another story to tell is that prosperity is already being delivered by these projects.
Travel time is reduced by more than 50% in many of the places we surveyed.
Property values of landowners have appreciated by up to 30% in the surveys conducted on land values where we have delivered infrastructure.
These are some of the attempts by Government to pushback against multi-dimensional poverty; because Loko-Oweto reduces travel time to Abuja by 4 (FOUR) hours and with the Second Niger Bridge it will take a few minutes, instead of hours to cross the River Niger, a crossing of approximately 1.5 Kilometres.
The Calabar port now has a story of improved patronage to tell, and efficient import and export business can only help in the push back against poverty.
With regards to the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, I want to tell the story of a successful working relationship with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) under the previous Managing Director, Uche Orji, and the present one, Aminu Umar-Sadiq and the management team.
They were worthy custodians and managers of the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.
I cannot forget the story of my working relationship with your Excellency’s office through your Chiefs-of-Staff, the late Abba Kyari of blessed memory and the amiable Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
With their collaboration, the Attorney-General and the Minister of Finance, we delivered the Second Niger bridge, 200 kilometres out of the 365 kilometres of the Kano-Abuja highway and 114 kilometres of the 127 kilometres Lagos-Ibadan highway.
Mr. President it is now my pleasure to invite you Sir to dedicate and hand over the following projects for public use:
a. Zamfara Federal Secretariat, Gusau
b. Bayelsa Federal Secretariat, Yenagoa
c. Anambra Federal Secretariat, Awka
d. The Ikom Bridge, Cross River
e. Loko-Oweto Bridge (Nasarawa/Benue)
f. Muhammadu Buhari 2nd Niger Bridge (Anambra/Delta)
g. Two hundred kilometres of Kano-Kaduna dual carriageway.
HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS, HIS EXCELLENCY SEN. ENGR. NWEZE DAVID UMAHI, CON, WITH OTHER DIGNITARIES DURING THE OFFICIAL HANDOVER OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT, MADE UP OF 47.47 KILOMETERS DUAL CARRIAGEWAY, TO HITECH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LTD
Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, with other dignitaries during the official handover of the first phase of the project, made up of 47.47 kilometers dual carriageway, to Hitech Construction Company Ltd
HON. MINISTER OF WORKS, HIS EXCELLENCY SEN. ENGR NWEZE DAVID UMAHI CON (RIGHT) WITH THE DIRECTOR, INFRASTRUCTURE AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, MIKE SALAWOU HELD AT THE OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS, THIS 5TH MARCH 2024.
Hon. Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr Nweze David Umahi CON (Right) with the Director, Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salawou held at the office of the Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Works, this 5th March 2024.