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Tag: Roads

  • Why I won’t demolish buildings for road expansion –Abiodun

    Why I won’t demolish buildings for road expansion –Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said the state government will not destroy any buildings as it embarks on road expansion in the state.

    Abiodun said this on Monday while examining Ikola-Navy-Osi-AIT road in the Ado-Odo/Otta Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor said the state government had decided to highlight the completion of the road connecting the area with Lagos.

    On the construction of walkways on the road, Abiodun said it would need the demolition of more structures, saying his administration was not ready to do so.

    He added, “We are here to inspect construction work which is at the final stage. Members of the community are saying they would have preferred to have walkways.

    “Unfortunately, we had to jettison it despite its inclusion in the original design, because we do not want to demolish anybody’s building and cause them pain.

    “We shall be inaugurating the road which is about seven metres wide with drainage.”

    A former representative of Ogun West at the Senate, Senator Akin Odunsi, and the Onikotun of Ottun-Otta, Oba Abdulhakeem Odunaro, applauded the governor for adopting a process where roads would be constructed without the demolition of buildings.

     

  • [Full List] FG undertaking 524 highways, bridge projects nationwide – Fashola

    [Full List] FG undertaking 524 highways, bridge projects nationwide – Fashola

    The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has updated the Federal Executive Council on the ongoing road and bridge construction/rehabilitation projects nationwide, highlighting 80 of them as priority projects scheduled for completion in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

    Fashola, who gave the updates in a presentation he made before the Council, said a total of 524 road and bridge projects were currently going on across the country, adding that every State in the Federation, including the FCT has at least three such ongoing projects.

    He listed those on priority to include 27 financed with Sovereign SUKUK Fund, 47 scheduled for substantial completion in 2020/2021 and other priority projects, two roads leading to the ports and four major bridges.

    Giving reasons for the prioritization of the 80 projects, the Minister who explained that it would improve the ease of doing business in the country, declared, “The projects on completion will bring about reduced travel time, lower vehicle operating costs and improve the comfort of road users as well as improve the ease of doing business in the country and ultimately boost the Nigerian Economy”.

    He noted that Federal roads and bridges (categorized from A1 to A9) are major arterial routes that connect all states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the routes and bridges linked cities with high economic activities and carried majority of Heavy Goods Vehicles which gradually dispersed through the link routes to different parts of the country.

    The Minister listed the roads to include Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Jebba-Kotangora-Jega-Sokoto-Niger Border as A1; Warri-Benin-Lokoja-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano-Daura-Niger Border as A2; Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Okigwe-Oturkpo-Makurdi-Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri-Gamboru as A3 and Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Katsina Ala-Jalingo-Yola-Bama-Maiduguri as A4.

    Also listed are Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta-Ibadan as A5; Onitsha-Ihiala-Owerri—A.3 Junction at Umu Uyo as A6; Chikanda, Kosubosu-Kaiama-Kishi-Ilorin as A7; Mayo Belwa-Ganye-Serti-Mayo Selbe-Gembu as A8 and Jibiya-Katsina-Kano as A9.

    Prioritized road projects being funded through the Sovereign SUKUK Fund, Fashola said, include Abuja-Abaji Road(Section 1,International Airport Link Road Junction-Sheda Village Junction), Abuja-Lokoja Road Section IV (Koton Karfi-Lokoja), Dualisation of Obajana Junction-Benin Phase 2: Section 1 (Obajana Junction to Okene) , Construction of Oju/Loko-Oweto Bridge to Link Loko and Oweto with approach roads, Reconstruction of Bida-Lambata Road in Niger State and Dualization of Suleja-Minna Road Phase 11 in Niger State.

    They also include Kano-Maiduguri Road (Section ii, iii and iv), rehabilitation of outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway: Amansea- Enugu State Border, Dualization Of Obajana Junction-Benin Phase 2: (Section ii, iii and iv), Rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section iv: Aba-Port Harcourt, and Dualization Of Yenegwe Road Junction-Kolo-Otuoke-Bayelsa Palm (20km).

    Others include Dualization of Ibadan-Ilorin (Section ii) in Oyo State, reconstruction of the outstanding Sections of Beni-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu Expressway Phase iii, pavement strengthening and asphalt overlay of Ajebandele- Ijebu Ode-Shagamu Road in Ogun State.

    Some of the projects scheduled for substantial completion in 2020/2021 and other priority projects, according to the Minister, include rehabilitation of Alesi-Ugep (Iyamoyung-Ugep) Section in Cross River State, construction of Yenegwe-Okaki-Kolo-Nembe-Brass Road and completion of rehabilitation of Ada-Okere-Ukoni-Amedokhiom Old Road, Uromi, Edo State.

    Also included are the rehabilitation of Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road in (Section i) and Odukpani-Itu Bridge Head in Cross River State, construction of Bodo-Bonny Road with a bridge across the Opobo Channel, in Rivers State, rehabilitation of Odukpani Junction-Akpet Central Section of Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja Road in Cross River State, rehabilitation of Oshogbo-Ilesha Road in Osun State, Dualization of Abeokuta-Ibadan Road, and reconstruction of Apapa-Wharf Road in Lagos State, among others.

    The four bridges under the priority projects are construction of Ibi Bridge, completion of construction of Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari Road in Taraba State, construction of Ikom Bridge in Cross River State and emergency rehabilitation/maintenance of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, while the two roads leading to ports are the construction of Agaie-Katcha-Barro Road in Niger State and construction of Baro Port to Gulu Town in Niger State.

    The brief also provided a detailed record of ongoing road and bridge projects in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Some of the tertiary institutions where the Ministry is currently intervening on roads, according to the report, include the University of Benin where work is ongoing on the rehabilitation and Asphalt Overlay/Construction of Reinforced Concrete Drains and Kerbs and Asphatic Surfacing of three Car parks of 1.1KM Internal Road.

    Similar work include the ongoing Rehabilitation and Asphalting at Bayero University, Kano State, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, University of Maiduguri, in Borno State, Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Federal College of Education, Katsina, Katsina State, Federal University of Technology, Owerri and the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Others include Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State, Internal Road at Federal University Gashua, Yobe State and rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of 2.3 km Internal Road at Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, among others.

    The Minister, however, told Council that in order to accomplish the objective of completing the prioritized projects in scheduled time, an additional N255.6 billion would be needed to close the funding gap for the projects, pointing out that the amount was the difference between the appropriation for the project in the 2020 Budget, which stands N157.05 billion and the actual estimate for the completion of the projects which stands at N412.64 billion.

  • JUST IN: FRSC Bars Dangote Trucks on Roads from 7am to 7pm

    Worried by the incessant road crashes involving trucks from Dangote Group, which have led to deaths of many motorists, the management of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has directed the company’s drivers not to ply any road in the country from the hours of 7 am to 7 pm.

    In a statement obtained released on Tuesday, the agency threatened to impound any truck belonging to the firm violating this directive.

    “Dangote Trucks not allowed to drive from 7 am to 7 pm, any of the company’s truck found around that time will be impounded at sight,” the statement said.

    It said further that, “Foreign number plates on the company’s trucks to be replaced with Nigeria Number Plates before 31 December, 2019,” adding that, “Periodic and random driver’s eye check should be conducted for the fleet drivers.”

    Also, FRSC ordered that, “All Dangote trucks to be fully installed with Speed Limiting Device before December 31, 2019,” while the company is expected to “provide details of any driver who commits traffic infraction to FRSC for subjection to Emotional Stability Test.”

    Dangote is further required to “provide details of any driver who runs away after a crash to FRSC for flagging on the database so as to track such drivers and prevent reissuance of NDL,” while “FRSC and Dangote Group [are] to commence a joint effort to ensure that all abandoned or broken down Dangote Trucks are towed within the next 30 days commencing from September 18 to October 17, 2019,” with all Dangote trucks expected “to have at least a mini first aid box.”

    According to reports, the decisions were reached after a meeting between the road agency and the conglomerate.

    In the statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, the meeting was part of the ongoing concerted efforts by the corps to reduce the rate of occurrence of crashes involving articulated vehicles and also ensure prompt removal of broken-down vehicles on the highways.

    “There is need for the company to be strict in its recruitment process for drivers; requirements such as age for both entry and retirement should be made a priority issue to avoid under age driving and maintain a fixed age for retirement,” Mr Kazeem quoted the Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, as saying during the meeting.

    To achieve the aforementioned, Mr Oyeyemi charged the group to establish more driving schools and also make it open to the public so that drivers and would be drivers can apply for training as this will go a long way in making the highways safer for all to use.

    Responding, head of the delegation, Mr Juan Carlos Rincom, appreciated the FRSC for its unwavering commitment to sanitising the highways and pledged the company’s willingness to carry out all resolutions made in the meeting

  • Lagos begins fixing potholes on 87 major roads

    The Lagos State Government has begun immediate repairs of potholes across the state, with over 87 major roads enlisted for intervention.

    Special Adviser, Lagos State Public Works Corporation and Drainage, Engr. Temidayo Erinle, in a statement on Friday, said the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode had directed that the Corporation should commence immediate rehabilitation of critical roads across the State.

    He said the roads mapped out for repair were presently in terrible state, and that the situation was impeding free flow of traffic in those areas with its attendant consequences.

    “We have received quite a number of complaints from residents and motorists on the State of the roads and how it was directly affecting travel time which in turn has negative effects on the ease of doing business in the State.

    “The Governor has therefore directed the Public Works Corporation to move immediately and commence repair on those roads to ameliorate the traffic that residents have been going through as a result of the State of the roads,” he said.

    Erinle, however, appealed to residents and motorists to bear with the State Government, urging them to drive carefully while the roads are being fixed.

    He assured that in the next few weeks, all the potholes would disappear on Lagos roads.

    Some of the roads captured for immediate repair include Ikotun-Egbe, Ijegun Roads, Alimosho and Dopemu Roads, Aka-Kemberi Road, Amuwo Odofin, Marina Beach Road, Apapa, Olaniyi Road in Ifako Ijaiye, Acme-Oba Akran Road and Ikeja.

    Other roads also listed include Ijede Road, Sabo market Road in Ikorodu, Costain Road by Brewery, Glover Road, Herbert Macaulay Road in Mainland Local Government, Itire-Ogunlana drive intersection, Itire-Lawanson, Babs Animashaun Road in Surulere, Alakija/WAEC Road, Somolu, Obalende Road, Eti-Osa, among others.

  • 2019 Budget: FG Needs N10trn Bond for Roads, Power – Fashola

    2019 Budget: FG Needs N10trn Bond for Roads, Power – Fashola

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja
    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says Nigeria needs at least N10 trillion bond to develop key infrastructures such as roads and power.
    Fashola gave the hint on Monday during a budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Works, chaired by Hon.Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) at the National Assembly.
    The Minister, who was reacting to questions by members of the Committee over failing roads in Nigeria, noted that funding remains a major constraint behind road construction and maintenance.
    According to him, only a long term infrastructure bond, backed up with viable legislative framework, would take care of failing infrastructure in the country, and thus drive critical aspects of the economy.
    He also advised for caution on the application of the Road Fund Bill, recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, so as not to “raise expectations above realities.”
    “We have to challenge ourselves to access revenue to fund our roads. But since the budget is limited, we must subscribe to realities.
    “I want to say that Nigeria needs N10 trillion infrastructure bond, through legislative approval, to effectively fund our roads and power.
    “Critical infrastructures, such as roads, are national social investments meant to encourage the growth and development of other aspects of the economy,” Fashola told the lawmakers.
    Earlier in a remark, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), had said the Road Fund Bill provided a take-off point for road funding initiative in Nigeria.
    Other lawmakers as Sunday Karimi (PDP, Kogi) and Sani Abdu (APC, Bauchi), both members of the Committee, also raised issues over the Kabba-Obajana, Bauchi-Alkaleri, and Enugu-Port Harcourt roads, saying Nigerians expected miracles from the Minister given his precedents as Lagos governor.
    They further appealed to him to ensure that the second phase of the SUKUK bond initiative is directed towards the completion of pending road projects littered across the country.

  • Yuletide: No ‘blood-sucking demons’ on Nigerian roads – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has cautioned against the belief by some people, including commuters, of the existence of blood-sucking demons that kill travellers on the road during the yuletide.

    Mr Samuel Obayemi, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RF9 Enugu, gave the caution in Owerri on Thursday, during the flag-off of this year’s “ember month” campaign.

    Speaking on the theme, ‘Safe Driving, Safe Arrival,’ the zonal commanding officer described such belief as erroneous, and said human factors were responsible for most of the road crashes in the country.

    “There are no blood-sucking demons on the road to kill you; stop believing that someone from your village wants to send accident to you through the air.

    “If you drive safely, you must arrive safely.

    “That is why we are sensitising the public, especially for this year’s yuletide, which is fast approaching,” he said.

    Obayemi gave the number of road crashes in the zone for September and October as 26 and 34 respectively.

    He said 51 persons were injured in road crashes in September while 108 were injured in October.

    “In addition, 44 lives were lost in September, while October claimed 206 lives,” he said.

    According to the road safety boss, the campaign is targeted at reducing road crashes by 15 per cent and fatality by 30 per cent.

     

  • Plateau Govt. awards contracts for 22 roads for 3rd anniversary

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau said his administration has awarded contracts for the building of 22 roads.

    Lalong announced this on Tuesday in a State broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day and the 3rd anniversary of his administration.

    The governor said that the roads which were evenly spread across the 17 local governments were selected by stakeholders in the areas.

    He stated that the contractors have already been mobilised to the sites.

    The governor said that his administration has placed priority on the provision critical infrastructure and has adopted the principle of continuity.

    Lalong said that the principle has enabled his administration to complete and commission several projects abandoned by previous administrations at great cost to the people of the state.

    One of the projects was the Jos-Bukuru Mararaban Jama’a road, which was recently commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Others are Plateau Hospital-Dental Clinic-Dogon Large Road, Zololo-Nasarawa Gwom- Dutse Uku, Dualisation of Old Airport-Rayfield Road with spur to Dongon-Karfe-Kugiya Bwanfang and New Government House among many others, ” he said.

    On security, the governor said his administration, with the support of the Federal Government, now has a Police Mobile Squadron in Longvel, Shendam Local Government Area (LGA) and the 205 Combat, Search and Rescue Operation Unit of the Nigerian Airforce in Kerang, Mangu LGA.

    “These are testimonies of our synergy with the Federal Government.

    “We shall continue to support the security agencies towards it’s sustenance as recently done with provision of 53 logistics vehicles.

    “Given the imperative and constitutional duty of government to protect life and property of every citizen, we shall continue to dedicate resources and energy towards these responsibilities,” he added.

    The governor commiserated with the families of all those who lost their lives and properties to the tragic activities of herdsmen in some localities.

     

  • C’ River Govt. to complete 300km of roads by 2019

    C’ River Govt. to complete 300km of roads by 2019

    The Cross River Government says its target is to complete the 300 kilometres of road projects it has embarked upon across the state by 2019.

    The state Commissioner for Works, Engr. Dane Osim-Asu, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar.

    Osim-Asu said the roads were being constructed with a view to linking together more communities and promoting economic activities in the state.

    “The Ministry of Works has undertaken 300 kilometres of road construction targeted to be completed within the first tenure of Gov. Ben Ayade.

    “There is no project that we are carrying over to the next administration.

    “The project that will transcend into the next administration is the 274 kilometre super highway and the Bakassi deep sea port.

    “We have completed over 150 kilometres of roads in three years. I can assure Cross rive people that by 2019, we will hit the target of 300 kilometres of roads across the state.

    “We have other projects including the Arthur Jarvis University road in Akpabuyo Local Government Area (LGA) and the Ikot Effangha road in Akamkpa LGA.

    “There are also the Akpet Central road leading to Ogbe in Biase and the Ovukwa Junction road in Obubra Local Government Area, among others.

    “All these roads have reached an appreciable stage because the priming, stone base and asphalting have equally been done,’’ he said.

    He listed the completed roads ready for inauguration as the Usung-Usuk road in Odukpani LGA, Prof. Ben Ayade Boulevard in Ugep urban and the state Housing Estate road, Ishibori, Ogoja LGA.

    Osim-Asu said that the state government was determined to ensure that all local government areas in the state benefitted from rural road construction.

    He told NAN that the road in Boki LGA which linked Boki East and West, giving communities in BOki East access to the local government headquarters in Boje, was 90 per cent completed.

    According to him, in spite of the limited revenue accruing to the state from the Federation Account, the infrastructure was provided to give the people a sense of belonging.

    On local content, he said that the ministry had engaged indigenous companies in over 70 per cent of the jobs.

    The commissioner said that the ministry had also used direct in executing projects due to its limited resources.

    Osi-Asu said that slow response of some contractors to government’s call to maintain steady presence at their project sites was a big challenge to progress of work in the ministry.

     

  • Fashola rejects completed houses, roads in Kebbi

    Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola on Tuesday warned that the Federal Government would not accept the 74 housing units and Jega-Yauri road project due to shoddy job.

    Fashola who inspected the two projects in Birnin Kebbi, told the contractors to undertake the project within specification otherwise the government would not accept them

    He observed that most of the roofing of the bungalows in the Federal Housing Estate and road culverts were not done properly.

    “The roofing is not standard and road culverts are not properly done. They have to reconstruct some of these buildings because we cannot accept them; their roofs are not well constructed,” he said.

    Similarly, Fashola told the contractor handling the Jega-Yauri road that he was not satisfied with the narrow culverts constructed along the road.

    “I am not satisfied with these culverts, you have to reconstruct them.

    “The government has overcome the challenges of funding but is now faced with the challenge of getting the project done in compliance with contractual agreement.

    “With all clear intention, we cannot do the work, we have to entrust the contractors to do the work for us, hence they should do it according to the agreement,” the minister said.

    Mr Walid AbouJaoude of TRIACTA Nigeria Limited handling the road project pledged that the company would do all the necessary corrections and complete the project on time.

    He said that the company had since completed the first phase of the 186 kilometre road project, which began from Sokoto, through Jega, Yauri and would terminate at Birnin Kebbi.

    NAN

  • FEC approves N377b for roads, power, education, others

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday approved over N377. 53 billion for projects covering roads, power, education, water, health among other projects, after over six hours deliberations.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the FEC meeting is to be continued on Thursday (today).

    Ministers of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Power Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, Water Resources Suleiman Adamu and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mohammed Bello briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Fashola, said council approved the completion of Police Service Commission headquarters in Abuja.

    He said: “That project was approved for variation to enable its completion over the next six months. The initial cost was N3.486 billion and it has been increased to 3.925 billion, it is a variation of N439.113 million.”

    He said council also approved Nnamdi Azikiwe Mausoleum in Anambra State. The project was started but not completed by the previous administration.

    “Council approved the additional funding to complete it from N1.496 billion to N1.953 billion”.

    He said council approved road projects, which include Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria to Kano, at the cost of N155.7 billion and Efire-Araromi-Aiyede-Aiyela road to connect Ondo and Ogun State at cost of N14.4 billion.

    The minister said for the Amansia section of Enugu-Onitsha highway, council approved the variations of the cost of N38.74 billion to enable the contractor progress with the work.

    Fashola said council also approved money for the intervention of education and healthcare.

    It approved the provision of the independent power plant to nine universities and one teaching hospital as the first phase of the pilot programme to cover 37 universities at the cost of N38.965 billion to provide dedicated power to the universities, which include street lighting and workshop to train the students post-completion.

    Adamu said council ratified augmentation of funds to complete Adada dam, Igbo-Atiti LGA in Enugu State, with the aim of providing water to the university town of Nsukka.

    It comprises of a dam, some kilometres of pipeline, water supply to some communities along the route and to water treatment plant.

    The Enugu State government, he said, is expected to take the conveyance system from where we stop from the water treatment plant into Nsukka town and provide the necessary distribution, storage and reservoirs.

    He said: “The project was started in 2010. This project has been augmented and council approved that the project be completed now at N5.6 billion by the end of 2018.

    Amaechi said council approved production and distribution of core text books for early education classes 1-3 and for primary 4-6 in public schools nationwide.

    According to him, the government has resolved to investigate distribution of textbooks to schools in the country between 2009 and 2011 before commencement of the distribution of the new textbooks.

    “Council also gave approval for Jos Central Library and the construction of the faculty of animal sciences and engineering,” he said

    Amaechi said: “For Ministry of Transport, we had approval for two vessels called pilot cutters to escort vessels into the seaport. Prior to this time, they were hiring now. We have approval for NPA to buy theirs at the cost of N1.9 billion.

    “Also council approved another two vessels of 17 meters in the eastern port that will help monitor and assist vessels into the seaport at the cost of N1.2 billion.

    “Council also approved the award of contract for direct procurement of installation and commissioning of Wide Area of multilateration for the Gulf of Guinea at the cost of N3.9 billion. This is to help capture those equipment flying below the radar, for us to be able to pick them because it will be dangerous if we cannot because a lot of them use helicopters.

    “There was also an approval for the consultancy services to construct a new terminal building at Mallam Aminu Kano Airport. We just want to complete the payment, which is at N621 million.

    “Council also approved the purchase of flight calibration inspection at the cost of N111.6 million.

    “One other key project that was approved is the engagement of consultants for the project management, monitoring and evaluation including media and public relations services of the UNEP report.

    “The president has also directed immediately that remediation should start and so the processes for remediation should come to council within the next six months so that we can commence the activities of reclaiming the land from the disastrous stage that it is now. The President reminded the cabinet that he was in Ogoni during the campaign and had promised that the UNEP report will be carried out.”

    The FCT Minister said council approved the completion of the Goodluck Jonathan Way in the FCT that links traffic from Keffi-Nyanya into the city.

    “We got an augmentation of an additional N3.8 billion and with the funding, the road will be completed any moment from now.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu said that the FEC which will continue today, has gone halfway into the over 40 memos for consideration.

    According to analysis of the various projects later released by Shehu, the road projects are coming at a time when the administration has increased the pace of the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and is considering increasing the scope of work on the East-West expressway, Port Harcourt to Lagos, the Second Niger Bridge and other roads.

    “The first two years of the government have witnessed a drastic reduction of the number of stalled road projects and the commencement of new ones all over the country. At the rate it is boosting infrastructure investments, roads, rail and power, the Buhari administration has undoubtedly found the road to glory,” he stated.

    He said the meeting was extended to today to enable the council deliberate and take decisions on pending issues.

    According to him, the Federal Government plans to make Nigerians happy by providing tangible and meaningful projects to uplift their quality of life.