President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with former Permanent Secretary, Georgina Ehuriah-Arisa, on the occasion of her 60th birthday.
The President joins family and friends in celebrating the accomplished civil servant, who kept an enviable record in the civil service, rising through the ranks to the peak of her career as Permanent secretary, Ministry of Interior, where she retired in October, 2020.
The President commends the Uzoakoli born-writer for documenting her unique set of experiences from childhood to adulthood, as well as expertise in the civil service, into literature.
President Buhari trusts that the reflections on the life’s journey of the amazon will continue to inspire more womenfolk to play prominent roles in the public service.
President Buhari wishes the former Permanent Secretary all the best in the future, and more years of health and impactful living.
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
INFRASTRUCTURE : RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GETTING NIGERIA OUT OF POVERTY ALREADY BEING ADDRESSED, SAYS FASHOLA
- As Minister presides over 2022 EMBER Month Programme’s Press Briefing in Abuja
- Confirms opening of the 2ndNiger Bridge for use during yuletide period
- Also barrier and diversions to be removed from Abuja-Kano, Lagos-Ibadan Roads to ease traffic during the festival period
- Appeals for patience and strict observance of the national speed limit of 100 Km per hour by road users
- FRSC, NARTO, PTD, Contractors, other stakeholders pledge cooperation to enable free flow of traffic, guard against avoidable accident
Pointing the way forward in the light of the recent National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recommendations for getting Nigeria out of poverty, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Thursday declared that such recommendations were already being addressed by the Muhammadu Buhari administration with its massive investment in infrastructure renewal and expansion.
The NBS in the report released in November on poverty index had recommended investments in Health, Education and Infrastructure among others as viable means to take the people out of poverty.
But while presiding over the 2022 Ember Month Programme’s Press Briefing of the Ministry, Fashola, who noted that many people had been quoting the Report in terms of the poverty rate, explained to the audience of transport stakeholders who gathered at the Conference Room of the Ministry, “That (Infrastructure) was already happening before the recommendation came. President Buhari had started investing in infrastructure. That is why you and I are here”.
Explaining that poverty has different dimensions including, monetary and multidimensional poverty, the Minister pointed out that the importance of infrastructure lay in the fact that it not only addresses monetary poverty but also multidimensional poverty which, according to him, includes absence of access, choice and efficiency.
“And so for me, why is infrastructure so important? It is addressing poverty in the monetary and multidimensional modes because it provides jobs during construction and makes life better after construction. And as we have seen, as construction is going on journey time is getting better year-on-year”, he said.
Stating that the Buhari administration “is on the right track” as far as addressing the poverty issues are concerned, the Minister, who noted that results would manifest in due course, added that people who express anxiety over the seeming delay in the results of the investments should commend the administration for investing the nation’s resources for the benefit of the people.
He recalled that there was a time before the present administration when funds were being taken out of the country and also from an agency of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to fund elections in the country, adding, “If they took away funds meant for national development, that was one of the causes of poverty.”
“NNPC is now investing N621 billion in road construction but that was the money some people used to fund electioneering campaigns and provide cars for friends in the past. Buhari has put back the money where it belongs. These are things that are heading in the right direction”, Fashola said.
The Minister declared, “When there is a problem it takes time to design a solution and when you apply the solution it takes time to get the final results. But ours is past the design stage because we are already seeing the results”, adding that if people who were saying it took them days to travel to a destination are now saying it takes them a few hours to make the same destination, “it means we are heading in the right direction”.
Noting the various innovative ways the administration has introduced to fund the investments in infrastructure, the Minister explained that when crude oil prices crashed at the onset and revenues fell, this government found other funding sources. “So, we now talk of the SUKUK; we are now talking about the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, we are now talking about the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund”, he said.
Fashola, who recalled that the President went abroad, early in the life of the administration, to request for the repatriation of those stolen funds from the countries in which they were being kept to enable him fund critical infrastructure like the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano Road and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway among others adding that the execution of the road transport infrastructure projects are now going on.
The Minister declared, “When the President committed in his June 12, 2019 remark that he was going to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty, perhaps, not many people thought it was possible. But that process has started.
“All of these construction companies would ordinarily be out of work if the infrastructure programme is not being implemented; there would be no work for the people. And then the people who depend on construction for their businesses; those who own quarries, those who own construction equipment, trucks, tractors, bitumen, cement, without construction they will be out of job”.
The Minister, while reiterating his challenge to the opposition for a debate on the role of infrastructure development in achieving economic growth and poverty eradication, noted the opposition’s penchant for celebrating the negative figures often thrown up by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and similar bodies without being able to connect investments in infrastructure as the long term solution due to its numerous benefits such as creation of direct and indirect jobs as well as businesses which lead to the creation of a vibrant economy and legitimate distribution of wealth through the value chain.
On the opening of the Second Niger Bridge, Fashola explained that the Bridge would be opened to traffic from December 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023, pointing out, however, that the access would only be for traffic going from the West to the East of the country adding that the flow would be reversed on January 15, 2023 to benefit traffic from the East to the West of the country.
Emphasizing that work on the access road to the Bridge was not yet finished, the Minister who said the reason for the temporary opening was to ease pressure on the first bridge which was usually congested as a result of the huge traffic on it during the yuletide period added that the access roads linking the surrounding towns to the bridge are yet to be finished.
“I believe it is good news so I can confirm it. As I have told you we have completed work on the Bridge. So, as it is now you can walk from one end of the bridge to the other; you can drive from one end to the other. But the connecting roads that link the bridge are what we are working on; that has not finished”, he said.
The Minister attributed the delay in completion of the entire work on the access routes to the bridge to the flooding occasioned by the predicted heavy rains and the fact that contractors could not work on Mondays in the South East leading to the loss of 52 days in a year. Fashola, however, said that the flood that occurred in the area during the season was also a blessing explaining that the original level for the design of the access road had to be changed.
“We had to raise the height of that road. So that flood has made the design to be reviewed and that is good for us. Happily and thankfully, it did not affect the bridge in any way…”, he said.
Buttressing the positive impact of infrastructure, the Minister asked, “Why do we need the Second Niger Bridge; is it not because we have outgrown the first bridge? Is it not because people spend days there just to go for Christmas?” He added, “That is part of poverty. That is the multidimensional poverty which this President said “I will relieve you of it and provide you a choice”.
“You don’t have to sleep overnight on the bridge because you want to go home for Christmas. That is part of what we are talking about. And he has also approved that since the bridge is finished, we should create a temporary access so that in the journey this Christmas you can begin to experience what it will look like when the bridge is finally finished and we open it”, the Minister said.
Fashola assured that the Ministry’s Director of Bridges would work in collaboration with the contractors and the FRSC to work out and publicize more on the arrangement adding, “We still have time of about a week and we will be working round the clock to make sure this plan works”.
The Minister said the impact of the Second Niger Bridge arrangement would also be felt on the Abuja-Kano Road and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where, according to him, the contractors handling the projects have been asked to remove the barriers and diversions restricting traffic flow for the period of the festivities.
“Let me explain the reason why we divert; we cannot build a 100 km road at once. So we close sections of five, six to 10 kilometres on one side and divert traffic to the other side so that we can complete it. Once we open that road, that section is completed and we open it to traffic”, the Minister explained, adding that the Director in charge of Construction and Rehabilitation had sent the message to all his Controllers and all the contractors to pass the message to their staff.
Noting that the directive was, “Don’t open up for construction of any new sections anymore,” the Minister said, “that is what we have done; by the 15th of December, remove the barriers, provide signage, reflective signs and flood lights to guide people through so that it is a free passage”.
According to him, on Abuja-Kano, from Kaduna to Zaria there will be no diversions at all. And from Zaria to Kano, which is over 130 km, there will be only one diversion. And from Abuja to Kaduna, which is about 165 km there are going to be four diversions. So, from Abuja to Kano, which is 365 km, there are going to be only five diversions.
Explaining that the five diversions are necessary for operational purposes Fashola added, “I think this is significant and the contractors are working to provide valid access. There are places where we are just going to patch so that you can drive because we are coming back to remove it for full construction which is the main contract”.
“So when you see such things don’t go back to say it has failed, it has not failed, we have not built it, we have just provided relief. When you get to the built section where we have finished, you will see the quality of work we have done there, lane marking and everything and you will know this is the constructed part”, the Minister further explained.
On the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, he said the instruction to the contractors was no diversions or obstructions on the Lagos-Shagamu end from the 15th of December adding that on the Ibadan end there would also be no diversion.
Appealing to the commuting public for patience, Fashola said, “So what I will then say is that you will expect efficient, reduced travel time if we use the road properly. So sometimes you have heard there will be religious events, cross over nights, sometimes traffic might slow down; FRSC is there to move it”.
“Please be patient; don’t be in a hurry and face oncoming traffic because it will just build up the whole place and that is what will cause gridlock and not our work but impatience as it is”, he said adding that he will interact with the FRSC during the period and give the necessary support to ensure smooth traffic flow on the road.
Reiterating the importance of patience among commuters, the Minister added, “Where there is slowdown, bear with us. We don’t intend it but these things can happen with the best of plans. The reason why we are here is that we have come here to plan for the worst and we are now hoping for the best. And the best can only come from the way we use the road”.
To truck drivers, the Minister appealed, “Try and keep your trucks in good condition. Don’t overspeed, if you are tired, take a break and sleep because this is what causes accidents and obstructions. Mostly I want to appeal that the maximum speed on federal roads is 100km/hour not 101 km. So I’d rather you drive below 100km/hour because we want you to arrive safely”.
Appealing to the FRSC for more stringent monitoring of the traffic, Fashola who reiterated that no driver without a valid driver’s licence should be allowed on Nigerian roads, added, “We are having too many road crashes and we are losing too many lives. In the month of September the data that I got was better than August but it is still not tolerable. We lost over 400 people on the roads. We have to bring that number down”.
“I am glad that FRSC is here. One of my appeals to FRSC is to do random checks, ask people for their driver’s licenses, if they don’t have arrest and prosecute them. Only certified people will drive on our roads. The President has approved patrol vehicles for you, use it to control traffic.”
Julius Berger Commiserates and rallies to the aid of flood victims across its operational areas….as Company Donates Food to Flood Victims
- State governments laud company for food donations
In continuation of its determination to touch the lives of communities and with its strong commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has again donated food items to flood victims at its different operational regions, namely Abuja-Kano Road, Bayelsa and Port Harcourt.
Julius Berger donated bags of rice to help ameliorate the effect of the devastating flood incident on the lives of the affected people.
At Bayelsa, Julius Berger’s Team lead to donate the rice in Yenagoa, Regional Project Coordinator, Chief Sam Ngbor said, “the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc wishes to commiserate with the government and good people of Bayelsa State over the flood incident that has enormously disrupted lives and economic activities in some parts of the state. It is without doubt this incident has resulted in untold hardship and unbearable conditions in recent times.” Continuing, Chief Ngbor said, “…as part of our efforts to support the government and good people of Bayelsa state in this trying time, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc hereby donates one hundred bags of rice to the flood victims to help ameliorate the effect of the unfortunate natural disaster.” Julius Berger, said Chief Ngbor, donated the bags of parboiled rice to support the efforts by the state government on reassuring flood victims in the state of better life ahead. He prayed for God’s continued intervention in permanently comforting the victims of the floods.
Speaking after receiving the donation, Bayelsa state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Iselema Gbaranbiri thanked Julius Berger “for (Julius Berger’s) efforts in dealing with aftermath of the ravaging floods which was unprecedented and affecting Ijaw land deep into our communities.” With the Commissioner to receive the food donation in Yenagoa was a member of the Bayelsa State Flood Management Committee, Mr. Mac-Ake Prince, and the Commissioner’s Personal Assistant, Mr. Princewill Azaru.
In Port Harcourt the Rivers State Capital, the exercise was similar with the presentation of the donated items by Chief Sam Ngbor.
Receiving the donated items on behalf of Rivers State government in Port Harcourt, a senior official of the State’s Flood Management Task Force, Mr. Dabrabaye Briggs thanked Julius Berger “for (the company’s) kind gesture and I pray that God rewards you always.”
At the Abuja-Kano road project corridor, the team lead of Julius Berger CSR Team, Engr. Yusuf Ibrahim explained that Julius Berger’s tradition is to continually reach out to its host communities through multi-pronged emergency and palliative interventions or its planned long-term community empowerment and development schemes. He said: “We remain committed partners to the Nigerian development project. We would continue to do more to ensure that we give back to society through the platform of our CSR.” He said, “…this donation is part of the company’s deliberate way of making positive impact in the lives of not just homes but its hosts communities.”
The Village Head of Birnin Yaro Community, Kaduna State, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Rajab, received the food items with excitement saying, “…we are very excited for the compassionate steps taken by Julius Berger. These donations will put smiles on people’s faces and bring happiness to homes. The flood came destroying farmlands and leaving homes hungry. We want to sincerely thank the company for its very healthy sense of Corporate Social Responsibility by which it gives back to benefit its host communities. This is indeed an outstanding contribution. We now have food items to help families these festive periods. We thank the Management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. On behalf of my people, we say Thank You”.
At the Bebeji L.G.A, Kano State, Julius Berger’s CSR efforts were also commended and gratefully acknowledged by the village Head and community. The District Head of Bebeji, Alhaji Tijjani Abdullahi Kuki, who was present at the event said, “I want to thank the construction leader, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the kind gestures and contributions made to our community”. He recalled that “Julius Berger also last year, came to the community’s hospital and donated large number of beds for the use of the hospital, during the covid-19 lockdown. Julius Berger again, he said, donated palliatives to aid families and now another donation made to aid families affected by the flood. The company has given a lot of assistance to our community”. He expressed gratitude to Julius Berger saying, “…we will continue to support the company as we have always done. On behalf of the people, we extend our gratitude to the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for these acts of kindness. ”
The Julius Berger delegation to the AKR food donation to flood victims included Engr. Yusuf Ibrahim, Michael Ashofor and Olivia Uzoma, amongst others.
The food donation to flood victims is a continuing implementation of the company’s ‘Food for our Communities’ campaign as well as its ‘Emergency response’ initiative, both of which are key pillars of Julius Berger’s operational CSR strategy.
