Minister of Works, Senator Nweze David Umahi has directed all Federal Controllers of Works (FCW) to dismantle all speed breakers or bumps on federal highways in their respective states.
Although, there is nothing wrong in mounting such bumps, there should be approval and standard design and specifications guiding such endeavours, he said.
According to him, the availability of good road network is instrumental to achieving food security, ending poverty, improving security, enhancing economic growth and job creation.
Speaking while declaring open a two-day retreat organised for highway engineers and management staff of the ministry with the theme, “Ensuring delivery of Mr. President’s agenda on road infrastructural development”, Umahi said that the massive infrastructural development embarked upon by the present administration across the entire six geo-political zones of the country is premised on stimulating the economy and improving the lives of the citizenry.
He re-affirmed the present administration’s commitment towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of failing major highways across the zones, which will provide robust road infrastructure, as well as alleviate the sufferings of the citizens.
The minister, earlier maintained that bad roads are tantamount to keeping people in prison, as it hinders their movement. He also called on highway engineers to change their modus operandi and work professionally, imbibing internationally-recommended engineering standards and practices, to achieve the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. Umahi directed that henceforth, contractors must mobilise to the site before requesting for mobilisation fee. Acknowledging the need for continuous capacity building for engineers, as an enabler for improvement in service delivery, he promised that such exercises would be institutionalised.
In a statement, Minister of State for Works, Muhammadu Bello Goronyo, eulogised the personality of the minister, whom he referred to as a go-getter, intelligent, hardworking and highly professional.
He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the success of the present administration, particularly in the provision of critical road infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Engineer Olufunsho Adebiyi, called for rapid transformation in service delivery in the road sector while presenting to the ministers, a team of transformed engineers, who are willing to support the government achieve its Renewed Hope Agenda.
