Minister of Works, David Umahi Inspects Abuja-Lokoja Road

• Urges contractors to explore use of concrete on all roads nationwide.

 

The Minister of Works, David Umahi has commenced road inspection, twenty four hours after his inauguration starting with Abuja-Lokoja express road and advocated for concrete roads construction for longevity and durability.

Umahi made the call on his first inspection of the Abuja-Lokoja express way alongside the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The Minister assured that there will be a review and redesign of road contract, urging the contractors to explore the use of concrete on all roads in the country, because the use of concrete in road construction is less expensive and that it will last up to 50 years without maintenance.

Accordingly, the Minister call on contractors to bring their quotations for concrete roads, stressing that concrete is the key because it is durable to withstand pressures from vehicles and trucks plying it.

“By the grace of God the Ministries have pledge to work with all the contractors.

“We must also create opportunities, we must also be ready to accept bureau changes and have study the goods at face enormous challenges.

“Mr, president is also aware of all the challenges. Is like a woman that is in pains while giving birth once she sees the child all the pains will be forgotten, Asiwaju is giving birth to a new Nigeria so he will experience labor pains.

“So Nigerians should understand that Mr, president here is the blessings of God so anybody that didn’t know now should begin to know.

“All we need to do is to change our ways of index. if we are making 100 percent profit in a project that will last 20 years while don’t you make a smaller percentage in a project that should last for 50 years and less maintenance,” the minister said.

The Minister hinted that he was a business person before joining the public service, noting that all not every public servant is a politician, while commending Mr, president for his ingenuity and his appointment.

He pointed out that modern technology and innovation used in the western world should also be deployed into the Nigeria roads.

He added: “We are going to be using the modern technology that we have outside this country.

“How do we bring solar light especially in various areas where there is no sun? So that we can have light on our roads.”

On his part, the Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello stated that fixing roads is better than giving palliatives.

Bello argued that construction of roads and provision of other critical infrastructure by the President Bola Tinubu administration will serve the people better than pallatives.

“By fixing roads across the country, it will alleviate poverty and that is better than giving out palliatives,” he said.

He said the Abuja- Lokoja road was critical to the socio-economic lives of the people as it links the southwest, south-south and southeast regions to the Federal Capital Territory and the northern parts.

While commending President Tinubu for appointing Umahi as Minister of Works, Bello explained that the Minister is a field man and will deliver the Renewed Hope project of this Administration.

“He is not a media show man, he is a realistic man who works round the clock. He has done it as a governor in Ebonyi and he will do it again as a minister of works,” he added.

Bello, therefore, advised civil servants to work with sincerity and commitment in making sure that his former colleague deliver quality road the Nigerian.