Umahi Bars Contractors from Using Laterite for Constructing Nigerian Roads

Published

11 months ago

October 7, 2023

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has cancelled the use of laterite as a base in road construction in Nigeria.

A statement by the ministry’s Director of Information, Blessing Lere-Adams, said Umahi also directed that henceforth, contractors should use ‘lumps, sharp sand and stone base’ before the laying of concrete or asphalt pavement.

The minister spoke at the inauguration of the committee for the supervision of the reconstruction of Benin – Warri dual carriageway and the ‘dualisation’ of East – West Road, Port Harcourt – Onne Port junction road in River State.

Umahi noted that laterite has a limited load bearing capacity and that it is susceptible to erosion and weathering especially in areas with heavy rainfall.

According to him, this could lead to degradation of the road surface over time, create maintenance challenges and quick dilapidation.

“We are giving very serious attention to the roads between Benin and Warri. The road between Eleme and Onne Port, we are mindful of the site conditions of these roads.

“There are water conditions and there are boreholes instead of potholes on these roads. There will be no more laterite. Contractors are now to use lumps, sharp sand and stone base in place of laterite,” he stated.

The minister directed the newly inaugurated road taskforce team to ensure that there is continuous maintenance of all the roads under construction until the end of the project.

Besides, he enjoined them to make sure that the contractors are duly informed of the development, in line with President Bola Tinubu ‘s order to fix Nigerian roads for the citizens to have ease of movement.

The committee must implement the contract agreement with maintenance culture as key. Committee members are to monitor the contractors closely to make sure things are done right.

“Our contractors can now understand that we are not insisting that things have to change without a reason, but that the society is demanding for sustainability and integrity of the work they are doing,” the minister added.

Umahi disclosed that road infrastructure remains one of the key factors for the revolution of commerce, education, security and power in the country.

He stressed that the president is committed to road infrastructure improvement and that the ministry is on a mission to uphold the ‘renewed hope’ agenda of the administration on road infrastructure provision.

“I want to say that road infrastructure is one of the key factors for the revolution of our commerce, education, security and power in this country and Mr. President is committed to our road infrastructure. So, we are on a mission and we must take back our country,” he stated.

The minister further mandated the committee on daily proper supervision and documentation of what the contractors are doing and ensure the new methods of construction are followed, including maintenance.

He noted that anything contrary to the instruction would attract punishment.

We are not at war with the contractors, but they should not put the public to suffering. Proper daily supervision and documentation of what the contractor is doing is compulsory. They must ensure the new method of construction is followed and maintenance follows too because it is part of the elements of the contract and any offence is punishable,” he said.

Umahi ordered that contracts must be stable and no variation on contracts will be accepted.

He charged the contractors using asphalt pavement to ensure that their work is sustainable and can stand the test of time, warning that the ministry will not go to Federal Executive Council (FEC) to ask for increment because of the fluctuating price of bitumen.

He insisted that the ministry will not go beyond the N6 trillion set aside for the ongoing projects completion.

“Those contractors using asphalt concrete and have achieved 80 per cent completion can go ahead but there is no cost variation because I cannot be going to the National Assembly on weekly basis asking them for increment of contract sum,” Umahi warned.

The minister added that before mobilisation fund can be released to any contractor, the contractor must have mobilised 50 per cent of its equipment and personnel to site.

He noted that the ministry will respect the rights of contractors, urging the contractors to also respect the rights of the citizens.

News

Presidential Spokesman Goes On Indefinite Leave of Absence

Published

22 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Ezekiel Tijani

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media & Publicity, has announced an indefinite leave of absence.

This decision comes after consulting with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home. Ngelale submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday, notifying him of his leave.

Ngelale’s leave affects his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit. The leave of absence takes effect immediately, with no specified date for his return.

“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit,” Ngelale said. He respectfully asked for privacy for his family during this challenging time.

One Of God’s Power Brokers, I’m Immune From Harm, Tragedy Or Untimely Death — Dr Chris Okafor

Published

1 week ago

August 29, 2024

roamannews

Founder and senior pastor of the Grace Nation Church International, Dr Chris Okafor says his status as one of God’s major power brokers makes him immune from any untoward and unsavoury happenstances that could question his dedication and commitment to His service as an anointed minister.

According to him, his confidence derives from the immortal words taken from the Bible in Hebrews 11: 6 which says God is a “rewarder of those who dutifully and diligently serve him.”

The cleric, while expounding on the message, “Benefits of Soul-Winning” during a recent Sunday service said he had never at any time in his over 20-year work with God had cause to worry or fret over his safety or of those related to him because he considers himself immune from the buffettings of the devil and his children of wickedness.

This, he says, is because he has reached a level in his walk with God that he can be referred to as a power broker who must necessarily enjoy God’s protection at all times and in all ramifications.

“This might sound presumptuous to some people for me to say I’m a power broker in God’s kingdom. But when you have been privileged to be the conduit through which God’s virtues of prophecies, healing and deliverances have flowed all through the years, it is only right to state the obvious,” he said.

“The Bible is clear about the benefits that accrue to those who win souls to God’s kingdom. See, nothing God values more than soul winning. Soul-winning is to God what money is to man. I have come to discover that when we diligently apply ourselves to serving God in truth and in spirit, particularly working assiduously to ensure that we win souls to His kingdom, He pays our bills. He blesses us, he shields us from untoward happenings, and all kinds of tragedies and calamities.

“Above all, he makes us fruitful and elongates our lives. The scripture cannot be broken. God’s words in Exodus 23: 25 -26 remains true even till this day. It says, “So you shall serve the Lord, your God and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.

“No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.”

“God has confirmed that scripture in my life on several occasions. A lot of people are aware how I survived a hail of bullets that ripped through the car I was traveling in when I was kidnapped on my way from a crusade in the eastern part of Nigeria some years ago.

“I survived more than 50 days of captivity in those kidnappers’ den. In all of that time, most people, including members of my congregation had given me up for dead. Yet, through God’s hands of mercy, I was rescued and I am still alive today, more than over a decade after the incident.

“What about another time I survived a plane crash? I was in a flight returning from one of the foreign crusades I went some years ago when our aircraft developed a fault. The situation was so bad that the plane was falling and plummeting dangerously towards the earth. Infact, we were already seeing the ground as everyone was in a distressed mood, calling for God’s intervention.

“I had stood up, and prayed a simple prayer, reminding God that no one who diligently served Him should see untimely and an unwarranted death. He heard me and we were all saved on that occasion.

“So, as a power broker — one who has offered himself as a vessel of honour for God’s wondrous works time and time again, it will be out of character for me to experience any form of harm, tragedy or untimely death,” he added.