Umahi Pledges Lasting Road Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has stated that the ministry will construct lasting road infrastructure with the most effective design at the lowest possible cost.

In a statement released by the Special Adviser (Media) to the minister, Orji Orji, on Monday, it was revealed that Mr. Umahi led a delegation to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway section IV (Aba-Port Harcourt) on Sunday.

“President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has expressed commitment to building lasting road infrastructure with the most effective design at the lowest possible cost,” he said.

The construction is being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC).

The statement highlighted that some of the ideals in the Renewed Hope mantra under the 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.

Umahi urged contractors to always consider the sufferings of the road users as they set up their work plans.

Commuters can use the road.

Mr. Orji said the minister encouraged contractors to ensure that the roads they are working on are made passable for commuters during the rainy season.

He mentioned that the minister thanked President Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated leadership in ensuring the projects are completed.

“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.”

“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 a commitment to his Renewed Hope agenda, which we all embraced,” he stated.

The statement explained that the delegation during their last inspection at Asaba discovered a defective design.

Mr. Orji stressed that the discovery helps the ministry to save about N300 billion.

“And just only two days back, with these leaders, we went to Asaba 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 stated that Mr. Umahi inspected the Upgrading of the 15km section of the East-West road section III: (Port Harcourt – Eleme Junction to Onne Junction in Rivers State).

Others include the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3, Enugu-Lokpanta, and the rehabilitation work at the collapsed bridge site at the New Artisan Bridge near NNPC mega fillings station Enugu Capital City.

“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 stable, 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,” he explained.

Appreciations

Mr. Orji said the stakeholders from South East, who accompanied the Honourable Minister, thanked Mr. President for appointing a round peg in a round hole and for taking a bold and reassuring step to recover the economy of the country.

He said they enjoined Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

Mr. Orji said that the Deputy Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, Onyekachi Peter Nwaebonyi, who is also the Deputy Chairman Public Accounts and member, Works Committee of the 10th Senate celebrated the laudable achievements of the minister.

“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,” he said. 

The statement added that stakeholders appreciated the efforts of the minister towards alleviating the suffering of commuters.