Minister of works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, has said the federal government has saved N300 billion by redesigning the bypass of the Second Niger Bridge.
He stated this during an inspection visit to the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway section IV (Aba-Port Harcourt) handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC) on 24th March 2024.
Umahi in a statement by his special adviser on media, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, said the federal government was committed to building everlasting road infrastructure with the most effective design at the lowest possible cost.
The minister said some of the ideals under his ministry include design and cost effectiveness, speed and standard of job delivery as well as innovations that would guarantee zero maintenance and durability of road infrastructure in Nigeria.
He said, “And just only two days back, with these leaders, we went to Asaba, Delta State to look at the design of the bypass of the Second Niger Bridge, and we went to Onitsha. And by that singular movement, we saw that the design was defective and we agreed on a new kind of design. That was how we saved the country over N300 billion by that singular movement to that location.”
He urged the contractors to always consider the sufferings of the road users as they set up their work plans.
Umahi also enjoined contractors to ensure that the roads they are working are made passable for commuters during the rainy season.
Umahi speaking on the section being handled by CCECC directed, “We will not accept anything less than two to three sections working. And I’ve given seven days for this particular lane, that is, the upper bound lane to be totally repaired, to ameliorate the sufferings of the commuters. I feel for them very highly. When you go through this road, you now need to take a number of painkillers. It’s not desirable. So, I’m begging CCECC, the controller, and engineers to do everything possible in the next seven days and create a smooth sail on this right-hand side.”
He continued, ” I want to thank Mr. President, so much. He has done a lot in our road infrastructure. He’s a man who wants all the roads to be completed as soon as possible. But let me assure him that I’m doing the best that I can with the fear of God and with commitment to his Renewed Hope agenda, which we all embraced.”
The minister also visited the upgrading of the 15km section of the East-West road section III: (Port Harcourt – Eleme Junction to Onne Junction in Rivers State) handled by RCC, the rehabilitation of Enugu- Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3, Enugu- Lokpanta handled by CGC and the rehabilitation work at the collapsed bridge site at the New Artisan Bridge near NNPC mega filling station Enugu Capital City, Enugu State.
He expressed satisfaction with the job being done but charged contractors to step up their pace to cover a milestone ahead of the rainy season.
He said, “We are upgrading the 15km road between Eleme flyover to Onne junction. We are starting with excavation to fill all the failed sections to make them stable. And when we get to where we are, we build up the boulders. After boulders, we put up sharp sand, and after the sharp sand, we compact. After the compaction, we put the first layer of stone base, 20cm first layer that will build up against another 10cm of stone base, we compact. After compacting, we leave it out for the traffic. So that it gets maximum compaction. After that, we put 10 cm with 5% cement to stabilize it and make it very strong. That will make the road very stable and it will last for a long time. ”
The stakeholders from South East, who accompanied the minister thanked the president for putting a round peg in a round hole in the appointment of minister of works and for taking a bold and reassuring step to recover the economy of the country.
They enjoined Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The deputy chief whip, Senator Onyekachi Peter Nwaebonyi, who is also the deputy chairman of Public Accounts and member, Works Committee of the 10th Senate said, “This is what we were lacking before, like he said here, he is not an office minister. He moves from site to site to ensure that the jobs are done according to specification. That is what we want in this country, and I want to commend Mr. President for finding him worthy. This is the very first time an expert is leading this ministry, and I want to assure Nigerians that very soon, they will see the difference in all our projects.”
The former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said, “I want to remind you that the day the minister took oath of office, he had a reception and I chaired it and I reassured Nigerians that he would exceed their expectations. I think this trip is a follow-up to that assurance to satisfy myself that he’s actually exceeding expectations. And I can tell you that it’s amazing. “His passion, his expertise impacts the design, the quality, the speed, the durability, and, in fact, impacts the style of project implementation.
And for the two days we’ve been on the road, it’s been like never before. And I want to say that I am proud that he is exceeding expectations. And I want to say that I have been vindicated that the President did not make any mistake. Again, I want to reemphasise, like my brother, there is a case of square peg in a square hole.”
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