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‘Concrete Has Come To Stay’ – FG Issues Fresh Directives On Road Construction
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said that the use of concrete technology in road construction had come to stay.
He also directed the contractors working on federal roads, especially in the South-East region, to prioritize the completion of carriageways first before working on the spurs (side roads) to ensure speedy project completion.
Umahi gave the order while inspecting the ongoing construction work at the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States by MTN Nigeria Communication Plc.
Other projects inspected include: the rehabilitation of Old Enug-Onitsha Road, among others in the South-East.
These were in a statement by the Director (Information) Press & Public Relations Unit, of the Ministry, Lere-Adams Blessing, in Abuja, on Thursday.
She said the minister also ordered that the remaining portion of the roads still under construction be done using concrete pavement as he noticed that some of the road shoulders are already cracking because the quality of bitumen in use is of low quality and adulterated.
READ ALSO: Road Projects: FG Stops Payments To Contractors In South-East
The Director quoted Umahi as saying, “I will allow the portions already laid with asphalt but the failing road shoulder should be replaced with concrete carriage.
“I know what I am saying; the quality of bitumen in this country is low and adulterated.
“We will not give up the fight till we get to the level where after construction, the road stays for 30 to 50 years before we talk of maintenance.”
Concrete tech
He maintained that the use of concrete technology in road construction is cheaper, safer and reduces the longer time contractors have to stay on site trying to patch failed portions after the project completion, and that with the use of concrete pavement, no one goes back to check if the road is failing or not because road failure when concrete is in use is laughable.
“It is safer doing it on concrete and cheaper. I believe strongly that when a project is so expensive it keeps the contractor a longer time on site because he will keep delaying to get all his payment, meanwhile there is no money to pay him so he keeps staying on site doing nothing.
READ ALSO: Nigera Founding Fathers Should Be Blamed For Poor Job – Jonathan
The Minister subsequently directed all contractors that have left their site because of payment to quickly and immediately move back to site or he will terminate the contract.
He noted that the monies released already to the contractors from what he was told is suppose `to complete the carriageways before requesting for additional money.
He said: “I am optimistic that the money available will complete the work. Come with your bill of quantity so we review it and give you proper directive.
“Move back to site immediately to continue your work within seven days or I terminate the contract. You cannot say we are owing you and because of that you stop work.”
Umahi promised the contractors that funds would be made available as long as they played their part in ensuring project delivery in line with agreements reached.
He added that he will be meeting with the funding partners and the one being financed through appropriation, all will be given attention.
According to him, “You said there is no money to complete the project. It is my duty to chase the debt, it is yours to go back to site. I guarantee that the money will be paid.
“I will meet with the financers and we will do what we are suppose to do.”
The Minister demanded that the Director, Highways, South-East, Engr. Bede Obioha, bring up the entire project for review to see how they will put ideas together to ensure that all the outstanding projects be completed and be open for usage.
While briefing the Minister and his team, the Operations Manager, Niger Cat Construction Company Ltd. Engr. Fadi Mosaad, commended the Minister for his directives on the use of concrete pavement saying it’s going to help considering the soil texture and the terrain of the zone.
The projects visited were rehabilitation of old Enugu–Port Harcourt Road (Agbogugu–Abia Border spur to Mmaku, Rehabilitation of Oji–Achi – Mmaku – Awgu – Ndeabgor Road section 1 in Enugu State);
Construction of Ugwueme – Nenwenta – Mkwe – Ezere – Awunta – Obeagu – Mgbidi Nmaku Road in Enugu State; construction of Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in Enugu and Anambra States; the rehabilitation of Old Enugu – Onitsha Road (Opi Junction – Ukehe – Okpatu – Awhum, Abor –Udi – Oji to Anambra).
In a related development, the minister said the battle to enforce the use of concrete technology will continue because the present administration wants Nigerians to get value for money.
He made the pronouncement in a chart with reporters during his inspection tour of the rehabilitation of outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme – Contract no 7629 on September 6, 2023.
News
VIDEO: Why I’ve Never Tried Convincing My Christian Wife To Convert To Islam — Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he has never attempted to convince his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, to convert to Islam, stressing his belief in love, religious freedom, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.
Speaking on Saturday at the funeral service of Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwada, Tinubu said his marriage to a Christian pastor has never created any conflict in their home.
The president, who arrived in Jos, Plateau State around 2 p.m. for the ceremony at the COCIN headquarters church, said he inherited Islam from his family and has always upheld the principle of freedom of religion.
READ ALSO:Benin Monarch To Tinubu’s Daughter: Do You Know Role Of Iyeki In Benin Culture?
He noted that both he and the First Lady serve the same God and would ultimately be answerable to Him, adding that what matters most are people’s deeds, character, and love for others.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, emphasising that hate should never have a place in the country.
He also prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Lydia Yilwada and asked God to grant comfort and blessings to those she left behind.
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He said, “Hate is not an option for us. Love is what you preach, that we should love one another.
“Nobody, nobody determines what God has ordained. God’s ordained action and his promises are what matter. I inherited Islam from my family. I didn’t change. But my wife is a pastor. She prays for me.
“No conflict. And I never did at any single time try to convince her or convert her. I believe in the freedom of religion.
“We are praying to the same God. We are answerable to the same almighty God. We will answer to him. We will account to him. Our deeds, our character, our love for our fellow beings are what are important.
“May the almighty accept the soul of Lydia and give all that she left behind blessings and glory, so we say, may her soul rest in peace.”
News
UK Police Quiz Six After Fatal Synagogue Attack
Six people arrested on suspicion of “terrorism”-linked offences after a fatal car-ramming and knife attack on a UK synagogue remained in police custody on Saturday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged people not to take part in pro-Palestinian protests.
Two people were killed and three others seriously wounded in Thursday’s attack in northwestern Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.
Police shot dead the assailant, Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old UK citizen of Syrian descent, within minutes of the alarm being raised.
Three men and three women are in custody.
The attack has heightened fear among Britain’s Jewish community.
Police said they were patrolling places of worship across the city “with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities”.
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The attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in north Manchester was one of the worst antisemitic incidents in Europe since the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel led by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed at least 66,288 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to health ministry figures in the occupied territory that the United Nations considers reliable.
The Gaza conflict has inflamed passions in Britain, with frequent pro-Palestinian rallies in cities that some critics allege have stoked antisemitism.
A “global movement for Gaza UK” protest went ahead in London late on Thursday, with police making 40 arrests.
London’s Metropolitan Police asked organisers delay another planned demonstration backing the banned Palestine Action group later on Saturday.
However, organisers Defend Our Juries rejected the calls.
READ ALSO:US Faces ‘War From Within’, Trump Tells Generals
A spokesman said the group “stood in solidarity” with the Jewish community over the attack.
– Accidental shooting –
Starmer urged protesters not to join the pro-Palestinian rally.
“I urge anyone thinking about protesting this weekend to recognise and respect the grief of British Jews. This is a moment of mourning. It is not a time to stoke tension and cause further pain,” he said on X.
During the attack, Shamie was seen “with a big knife, banging his knife into the glass, trying to get through”, synagogue chairman of trustees Alan Levy, who helped barricade the doors, told ITV News.
“The heroes of the congregation who saw what was happening then came to the doors because he was trying to break the doors down to get in,” he added.
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A UK police watchdog, meanwhile, said it would look at the police shooting of Shamie.
The probe would also look at the shooting of a second victim who suffered a fatal gunshot and a third person who was shot but survived.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no evidence anyone other than police used firearms at the scene.
“Our independent investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of Jihad Al-Shamie,” it said in a statement.
“A post mortem has today (Friday) concluded another man who died at the scene suffered a fatal gunshot wound.”
IOPC investigations are standard practice in situations where the use of force by police may have resulted in the death of a member of the public.
News
Edo Inaugurates Committee On Drug Abuse, Healthy Living
Edo State Government has inaugurated Drug Control Committee for the state and local governments, aimed at curbing the menace of drug abuse in the state.
Inaugurating the committee, Governor Monday Okpehbolo said the committee was not only saddled with the responsibility of curbing the menace of illicit substances, but to promote healthier living across communities in the state.
Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Okpebholo described the initiative as “a vital step in our unwavering commitment to stopping the menace of drug trafficking and substance use among youths.”
The governor, who bemoaned the rising tide of drug dependency and its impact on society, pointed out that the committee’s creation aligns with the national drug master plan and represents a bold stride toward protecting Edo future generations.
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On his part, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, represented by ACGN, Fidelis Cocodia, Zonal Commander, Zone 13, emphasised grassroots interventions, awareness campaigns, and support systems as the backbone of the fight against drug abuse.
Edo State commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed that while national drug use prevalence stands at 14.4 percent, Edo state surpasses the average at 15 percent.
He noted that the state is one of the hardest-hit states in the country, warning that the trend has fueled crime and heightened youth vulnerability.
READ ALSO:Idahosa Lauds Edo Specialist Hospital Facilities
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole pledged to make Edo a model in drug control through rehabilitation, youth enlightenment, and second-chance opportunities for recovering addicts.
Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, described drug abuse as a pandemic, noting that “you hardly see a crime without drugs being involved.”
She added that women’s empathy and influence must be harnessed in the campaign against drug abuse.
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