It was ovation upon ovation by Nigerians today as the Hon. Minister off Works, His Excellency, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi commences tour of Federal road projects in South West Zone. Residents of Lagos and part of Ogun State where the Hon. Minister visited this 29th August 2023 were in high spirit seeing marathon inspection of road projects by the Hon Minister.
While the members of public were seen heaving a sigh of relief, the staff of Federal Ministry of Works and the contractors came to terms with the new spirit of the new administration of President Tinubu and the pace of work supervision by the Hon. Minister who is seen as a passionate implementer of the Renewed Hope ideals of President Tinubu on Infrastructural development in Nigeria.
In all the points visited, the Hon. Minister was seen taking the contractors and the technical department of the Federal Ministry of Works through the new engineering skills that will make our roads durable as seen in advanced nations of the world.
The users of the roads we visited were excited that a public servant of that class can stoop and give details on the way forward on the new concrete technology that will save Nigeria’s economy, create job for Nigerians reduce import problem, patronize local content, draw attention of government to potentials of our solid mineral deposits, reduce insecurity and road accident and above all improve economic growth and foster peace and prosperity in Nigeria.
The Hon. Minister expressed confidence that with concerted efforts of all and sundry, Nigeria will surprise the world positively..
According to the Hon. Minister,very soon his office would convoke a conference to discuss the importance of construction of roads in Nigeria with rigid pavement as against the old order of flexible pavement .
Testimonies are already overwhelming on the durability and cost effectiveness of rigid pavement. The Ebonyi State example where over two thousand km roads were done in rigid pavement, the Apapa-Oworonsoki- Ojota road done by Dangote Industries Ltd, the Deep-Sea Port access road via Epe to Shagamu in Lagos State are among the facts that speak for themselves on the new concrete technology..
Details of projects visited by the Hon. Minister of Works this 29th August,2023 are:
Rehabilitation of Outer – Marina – Bonny Camp Road and Eko bridge through Apongbon Bridge with Access Ramps by CCECC Nigeria Limited.
Rehabilitation work on Eko Bridge in Lagos State from Company and Liver pool Bridge by Bulkwell Plant and Equipment Industries Limited.
Reconstruction of Apapa – Oworonsoki – Ojota Expressway Section 1: Sub – Sections A,B,D and Sections 2,3 and 4 by Dangote Industries Ltd.
Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Expansion works on Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Section 1 (Lagos – Shagamu) in Lagos State by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Reconstruction and Asphalt Overlay of Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagame Dual Carriageway Phase IV: Ajebandele-Shagamu; KM 162+586 (Ondo State) to KM 261+000 (Ogun State) in Ondo/Ogun States by Reynolds Construction Co. Nig. Ltd.
Rehabilitation of Ikorodu – Sagamu Road by Arab Contractors O.A.O. Nig. Ltd
The Construction of Deep- Sea Port Access Road in Lagos State through Epe to Shagamu – Benin Expressway (54.24km) in Lagos and Ogun States, by Dangote Industries Ltd.
Rehabilitation and Expansion of Lagos Badagry Expressway Agbara Junction – Nigeria/Benin Border in Lagos State, by CGC Nigeria Limited.
Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, former Aide to the former Governor of Ebonyi State, now Minister of Works, who was physically present during the tour and wrote in to Weekenders magazine.