By Joy Idam & Sharon Akuboh, Abuja
Nigeria’s newly inaugurated Minister of Works, Senator Engr David Umahi, upon assumption of office at the Works ministry on Monday, declared his intention to kickstart with a tour of road projects across the six geo-political zones of the country for on the ground assessment.
The Minister of Works, headed straight to the Federal Ministry of Works, located at Mabuchi district Abuja, after his inauguration alongside other ministers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja. He declared that he would embark on the inspection of the Abuja- Lokoja, Lokoja – Benin roads on Tuesday 22nd August 2023.
The former governor of Ebonyi state also charged engineers to embrace the use of concrete technology amidst forex challenges and petroleum crises and declared that his office would patronise local content to develop the Nigerian economy.
According to Senator Umahi “ I am not an office person, I am a field person which means, we are going to make changes, we are starting inspection tours to inspect ongoing projects and to know the ones to come up with next. So we’ll be touring the six geo-political zones to see things for ourselves”.
“I will challenge my fellow engineers on the issue of concrete technology even amidst forex challenges and petroleum crises, the nation is endowed with natural resources so we should be prepared for the Renewed Hope of the present government anchored on change”.
He further stated that “I have indicated to see the contractors and meet with them, and after taking briefings from the Head of Departments, we will meet with the contractors. I am not an office person, I am a field person. For some of you in that department, we will be inspecting the Abuja-Lokojo, Lokoja-Benin, roads tomorrow (Tuesday, 22nd August 2023).
He also vowed that under his watch files would not stay beyond two hours to be treated, but on the contrary, the erring Officers must explain why they are delayed.
‘’Under my leadership, no file will stay for more than two hours. In two weeks, I will be in the field and I will settle down only when I have seen things and assessed them for myself as a core Engineer. We will activate local content during our tenure in the administration,” Umahi reaffirmed.
Earlier, the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr Folorunsho Esan, had welcomed the Minister and pledged the ministry’s unflinching support toward a successful tenure in the ministry.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Prof. Grace Umezuruike extolled the achievements of Umahi as Ebonyi State Governor. “Umahi’s achievements as a governor qualified him as Minister of Works”.
According to the SSG, “Umahi took time out to supervise projects awarded in his government, called on the staff of Ministry of Works to be ready to work at the pace of Umahi.
She reeled out the infrastructural edifice constructed by Senator Umahi as a governor, to include “Flyovers, Concrete Roads, The Airport, World Class Olympic Stadium, State of the Art Markets to mention a few. He has been given Ministry of Works to redeem Nigeria from infrastructural decay. Works staff should be ready to undergo your military training in executing projects”.
Speaking at the reception held in honour of Senator Umahi by the Ebonyi State Government, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, expressed confidence in Umahi’s ability to deliver on his mandate, saying that at the end of his tenure, Umahi may emerge as the Best Minister of Works in the annal of history.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Monday, declared the readiness of the 10th National Assembly to support infrastructural development across the country.
Rt Hon Kalu, who spoke in Abuja at the reception held in honour of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi in Abuja, also pledged the support of the Federal lawmakers to the minister to succeed in his new assignment.
The reception, which was organised by the Ebonyi State Government had Chief Bisi Akande, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Former Senate Presidents Senator Ken Nnamani and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Nigeria’s Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, former and serving governors, deputy governors and legislators, the diplomatic community, Contractors among other dignitaries in attendance.
The Deputy Speaker, who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Umahi as a Minister, tasked the Minister to employ a collaborative approach with the State House of Assembly as he did as the governor of Ebonyi in the discharge of his duties.
To this end, he urged Senator Umahi to key into the Road Investment Fund as a method of financing his road projects and also urged him to project the privatisation approach as part of his methods as Minister of Works.
Earlier in his Welcome Address former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who was the Chairman of the occasion appreciated President Bola Tinubu for “nominating the very best the South East has and a former Governor whose track records are there for all to see. We have no doubt that he will deliver on this assignment.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, in his address lauded the choice of Umahi as the Works Minister, saying that he used his expertise to transform Ebonyi State, and has no doubt he would do same in the new assignment of fixing Nigerian road networks.
The Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum also the Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, stated that Umahi as former governor of Ebonyi state had demonstrated the capacity to deliver on his new mandate, evidences available for all to see.
In his good will message the Kogi State Governor, Governor Yahaya Bello, The White Lion, said “I’m excited that my state is going to be the first beneficiary of the good works of the Works Minister, reason being that Kogi is the Gate Way between the East and the North hence the need to commence from Abuja-Lokoja and Lokoja-Benin roads. It is my prayer for God to grant you sound health and protect you as you transverse Nigeria to fix our roads. I look forward to receiving you in Lokoja”.
Responding, Senator Engr Umahi expressed his gratitude to God and President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the nation, saying that he is a Minister for all Nigerians and pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in him.
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