The Minister of Works, Mike Onelememen has said that significant impact has been made by the Works Ministry in road projects across the country. He made this remarks at the commencement of the 2013 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja on June 3, 2013.
"In 2011, roads were death traps, nightmares and abandoned for commuters in Nigeria. Changes and reform in polices, management and road development were engaged to bring the state of disrepair of the roads to the present status. Travel time has been reduced, pot holes removed and breath of fresh air introduced on the roads as outcomes from the transformation agenda," the Minister expressed.
Mike Onelememen explained that successes recorded has supported economic growth, national development and integration. The Highway Department for Construction and Rehabilitation has been created to cater to quality control, design, management and training which has brought manpower development and work ethics rehabilitation in the ministry.
On collaboration with the private sector, he noted that good service delivery has resulted to road rehabilitation, expansion and construction of 32 road projects across the country through the “Operation Safe Passage” which came on board in the 4th quarter of 2012 saying failed portions of federal roads were recovered in the road from Ilorin to Jebba, Lafia to Makurdi, Aliade to Otukpo, Otukpo to 9th Mile, Enugu to Port Harcourt, Kano to Katsina, Lokoja to Okene, Okene to Benin, Lagos to Ibadan and Odukpani to Itu.
He said that two major projects are ongoing on the Enugu-Abakaliki Road and the Ogoja Junction-Ikom Road while other projects have been completed under the Nigerian Road Development Programme (NRDP) and the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT) with collaboration from multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, ADB and JICA).
During his presentation at the Ministerial Press Briefing, the Minister of Transport, Idris Umar posited that as part of the on-going reform in the transport sector, the ministry embarked on the review of the laws establishing NRC, NPA and NIWA to incorporate and strengthen private sector, state and local government participation. "Bills proposed for the National Assembly have included the Railway Bill, Ports & Harbour Bill, Inland Waterways Bill and the National Transport Commission Bill. A single track narrow gauge line covering 1067mm (3ft 6in) and single track standard gauge line of 435mm (4ft 8.5in) has been constructed with 64 overhead and over pass bridges and 74 under passes, "he explained.
Other rehabilitation projects executed by the ministry, Idris Umar mentioned are the mainline from Ebute Metta Junction to Apapa Local Station by NRC; the sidings and loop lines to enhance operational efficiency along the western line as well as 300m link between the Apapa Port Complex and the National line; the spur line to the Kaduna Power Plant Complex and the track rehabilitation of sidings and loop lines from Lagos to Kano, modernisation of signalling and telecommunication system to automatic train warrant (radio - based control) from Lagos to Kano and the ongoing Eastern line (Port Harcourt to Maiduguri) track rehabilitation.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku on behalf of staff and management of the ministry expressed welcome to Nigerians within the country and abroad who are following the 2013 briefing on the electronic and social media. He also expressed gratitude to God for keeping the country going and President Jonathan for agreeing to open up the forum, saying for the first time in Nigerian history, the ministerial platform has provided opportunity for all the Ministers to give account of their stewardship.
Labaran Maku indicated that the objective of the platform is to portray democracy as the government of the people which must involve the people. "Government doesn't build a nation but creates enabling environment . It is the people that build the nation," he said.
The Minister reiterated that the Nigerian President has decided to carry the people along and involve them in governance, noting that oftentimes government can become arrogant by refusing to open up to the people on account of its activities. The platform, he averred is actually to let Nigerians know government's plans and project execution in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
"On the 29th of May, President Goodluck Jonathan pledged the mid term report of the programme of activities to Nigerians which would be the summary of the achievements of the country. He called on Nigerians home and abroad to access the performance of government through these reports. Transport is the engine room of every nation. Any nation that progresses gives importance to the transport sector. Nigerians should listen to the presentations by the ministers, " Maku said.
He further remarked that achievement in the transport sector for the last two years has never been attained by any government of the country. He revealed that the last few months' tour conducted for good governance conducted around the country enabled the matching of performance with promises and inspections were made on rail, roads and infrastructure projects.
"The promise to dredge the Niger has been done, railways which were down for decades are now moving again. Thirty two road networks were delivered in 2012. The President is matching action with words, " he observed.
Members of the media reacted to efforts made to implement the National Transport Policy, conflict between the Government of Lagos State and commuters on toll gate practices, movement frequency on the rail transport system, abandoned projects cost of projects and clearing up dirt on the dredged portions of the Niger Bridge, the constant dredging of the Calabar Port, need to build railway lines in the Eastern part of the country, 24 hours freight forwarding clearance, traffic congestion along the Abuja - Keffi Expressway, monitoring of projects in opposition states, time-frame for completion of projects and neglect of the Ikom - Calabar Expressway.
Responding, the Works Minister, Mike Onolememen said the Enugu - Port Harcourt Road and the Kaduna Refinery were directed by the federal government; adding the Warri - Onne as well as the Katsina - Kaduna Road have been rehabilitated.
"There is a current project portfolio of N800 million for the dualisation of roads and the programme of the Works Ministry in the next two years is to embarked on prioritised projects. Toll gates along federal roads are presently not operational, but under the private-public system, this serves as measure for revenue generation to enhance development, depending on the approved policy," Onolememen averred. He said that the Umuahia - Ikot Ekpene Road was considered as one of the non-performing contracts and FERMA has been directed to handle completion of the road project.
He further noted that about N145 Billion has been earmarked for construction, development and rehabilitation of the 32 road networks amounting to about 200,000 km of tarred roads. He also stressed that 39.8% of the roads are in good condition , linking economic melting points, airports and institutions. "Six projects under SURE -P have been completed, comprising the Onitsha - Enugu, Benin - Ore - Shagamu, Kano - Maiduguri, Abuja - Abaji, Lokoja bridge and the Second Niger Bridge. The Abuja - Keffi Road requires FCDA to provide a ring road at the outskirts of the city for alternative access. Youths were implored in the different road projects to boost employment generation, " Onolememen noted.
Also responding, the Minister of Transport, Idris Umar reiterated that an ongoing committee on a robust development programme is working to produce exceptional reports. He indicated that the National Transport Policy is ready to be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for approval. "Trains currently operate on a narrow gauge of 7km to 8km per hour. A standard gauge is being planned to carry up from 70km to 80 km per hour. Security challenges along the waterways are presently being tackled. The lower Niger River channel is like a road which allows vessels to sail through and grasses along the river, do not obstruct the sailing of vessels," he disclosed.
On proposal for development of the eastern line, he said that the project will be undertaken under public-private partnerships, stating that the Calabar channel will be sustained and made viable under the present arrangements.
Speaking on the call for the institution of 24 hours clearance of freight, the Minister added that the Nigerian Customs Service will review clearing practices to reduce the number of clearing dates in the ports. He pointed out that the Nigerian Ports Authority, NIMASA and stakeholders have been informed through collaborative efforts to implementing this.
In a closing remark, Information Minister, Labaran Maku stated that the Good Governance Project was adopted by all the 36 states of the federation at the National Governance Forum. He further commended the Ministers of Works, Minister of Transport and their stakeholders for attaining 70% increase in good road construction delivered in 2012. " With SURE-P and the coming of the railways, the country is due to benefit from the federal government's development efforts. Sine 1964, no new rail tracks have been developed, which have weakened road networks because of heavy equipments and other usages," Labaran revealed.
He added that the most impressive development in the period is the construction of the Ibadan - Lagos modern rail line as money boosting venture. Accessing investments in the different sectors - Agriculture, Aviation, Education, Health, he expressed that there is indication that a lot of projects have been engaged in the country on its path to national transformation and change .
The Permanent Secretary in the Information Ministry, Kehinde Ajoni in her vote of thanks applauded the achievements of the two ministries and thanked the presenters, the media, stakeholders and other participants for their presence.
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