Today Nigerians from different parts of the country can
attest to the fact that the federal ministry of works is recording
phenomenal success in transforming the road sector, signs of a better
road development are becoming clearer by the day. Although there more
work to be done
Show-case of completed projects and on-going projects (with pictures) by Federal Ministry of works under Arc. Mike Onolememen
BENIN-ORE-SHAGAMU DUAL CARRIAGE WAY
AFTER BEFORE
The
minister of works honorable Arc. Mike Oziegbe Onolememen, at a media
briefing at the ministerial platform to commemorate democracy day and
one year in office of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said:”The future
is very bright for Nigerian roads as the foundation for world class
roads is being laid, and for us at the Federal Ministry of Works, the
task of making Nigerian roads better and safer, is a task that must be
done.”
Here is the minister’s press briefing on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at the national press Centre, Radio House, Garki, Abuja
INTRODUCTION
Gentlemen of the Press
It
gives me great joy to be here again to present to you the achievements
of the Federal Ministry of Works in the past one year under the
administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR.
You will recall that on September 6, 2011, when I stood here during the celebration of the first hundred days of
the administration of Mr. President, I listed a number of interventions that the Federal Ministry of Works under
my leadership was making on Nigerian roads to make them motorable, safer and pleasurable for road users
Today, about one year after, Nigerians from different parts of the country can attest to the fact that the Federal
Ministry of Works is recording phenomenal success in transforming the road sector within this time-frame,
even as signs of a better road development are becoming clearer by the day.
At the inception of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration and on our assumption of duties as
Honorable Minister of Works and Honorable Minister of State for Works, we at the Federal Ministry of Works
identified a number of challenges facing road development in the country.
These include:
Inadequate Planning;
Poor Design;
Ineffective Supervision;
Bureaucratic Project Management Structure;
Lack of Strong Quality Assurance;
Inadequate Funding.
We
moved quickly to address these challenges by restructuring the Ministry
to provide the needed capacity through the decentralization of the
bureaucratic project management structure which we inherited, for better
delivery of road projects.
Six Zonal Directorates of Highways were created to better manage and supervise construction
works on sites within the geopolitical zones.
Independent
Zonal Monitoring Teams for the six geopolitical zones were also
constituted with membership drawn from the private sector to provide
independent report on projects and activities in the zones. This measure
coupled with the activities of the newly created Department of
Materials, Geotechnics and Quality Control has led to better service
delivery in the sector.
Specifically, from the 160 Nos. of ongoing projects we inherited, we have pursued the diligent
execution of the prioritized projects, ensuring that adequate progress is being made towards
completing the projects on schedule, and in line with specifications.
Projects
I will now dwell on some of the major priority projects in the Federal Ministry of Works under my supervision:
APAPA-OSHODI DUAL CARRIAGE WAY
The
Apapa-Oshodi Expressway which was becoming an embarrassment and a
source of agony to many Nigerians before the administration of President
Goodluck Jonathan because of its deplorable condition has been improved
upon tremendously in the past one year. . Only last weekend, I led an
inspection of the ongoing works on this road and the current expansion
of the road, drainage works, construction of Trailer Park and the
construction of a dedicated bridge leading into Tin-Can Island Port from
Liverpool Round-About, were very re-assuring
The
Benin-Ore-Shagamu highway is another project where we have achieved a
major milestone in the past one year. The highway is 262.5km long. The
contract for the reconstruction of the road project is being executed by
Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited and Borini Prono &
Company Nigeria Limited. Before the intervention on this road by
President Jonathan’s administration, Nigerians will recall how motorists
spent over 9 hours to travel from Benin to Lagos or vice versa. But,
thank God today that the travel time has now been reduced to 4 hours or
less even when the project is still ongoing. Works are almost completed
at the Benin-Ofosu-Ore parts of the road where motorists hitherto
suffered prolonged delays occasioned by perennial failed section.
BENIN-ORE-SHAGAMU DUAL CARRIAGE WAY
A
major part of the road has been asphalted and I receive phone calls
from numerous Nigerians everyday expressing their appreciation over the
works that have been carried out on the road. The marked improvement on
this road that connects the South-West to the South-South and the
South-East, has led to the reduction of air traffic between Benin City
and Lagos, as citizens now prefer to drive on the largely improved
highway. One of the key performance indicators in the road sector is
improved travel times on the road; and this we have achieved on this and
other roads in the past ten months.
BEFORE | 
AFTER |
ABUJA-ABAJI-LOKOJA DUAL CARRIAGE WAY
The
Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja dualization road project is an arterial highway
linking South-East, South-South and South-West from the nation’s capital
city of Abuja. The Abuja-Lokoja section of the road is 196km long and
was awarded in 2006 in four sections to; Dantata & Sawoe
Construction Company Limited (Section I), Reynolds Construction Company
Limited (Section II), Bulletine Construction Company Limited (Section
III) and Gitto Construzioni Generalli Limited (Section IV). Due to poor
funding in the past, the project recorded low progress. However, in the
past ten (10) months, the Federal Ministry of Works has concentrated
efforts and resources on this road resulting in marked improvement on
the motorable condition of the road. This road which was notorious for
its high accident rate has witnessed a reduction, following the opening
of the Giri and Gwagwalada Bridges, as well as completed Sections of the
road to vehicular traffic. With enhanced funding from the Subsidy
Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) the Federal Ministry of
Works plans to complete the project by October, 2014.
Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja Dual Carriage way
BEFORE | 
AFTER |
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KANO-MAIDUGURI DUAL CARRIAGE WAY
The
Kano-Maiduguri Dualization road project is the major arterial highway
connecting Kano to Borno States, via Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe states. The
road is 553km long and was also awarded in 2006 in five (5) sections to
Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company Limited (Section I); Setraco
Nigeria Limited (Section II); Mothercat Limited (Section III) CGC
Nigeria Limited (Section IV); and CCECC Nigeria Limited (Section V). The
project witnessed increased progress of construction works in the past
ten months. The Federal Ministry of Works plans to accelerate the pace
of works towards completing the project by December 2014, with
additional resources from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment
Programme, (SURE-P).
Kano-Maiduguri Dual Carriage Way
ONITSHA-ENUGU ROAD
The
Onitsha-Enugu road project is 108.6km long. The contracts for the
rehabilitation were awarded to CCC Nigeria Limited and Nigercat
Construction Limited. Like other major road projects, the slow pace of
work on the road in the past was attributed to inadequate funding. But
with enhanced funding from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment
Programme (SURE-P), full work has resumed on the projects as target date
for completion is December, 2013.
Onitsha-Enugu Road
IBADAN-ILORIN ROAD
The
Ibadan-Ilorin Road is a Section of Route A1, a major North-South
Arterial highway. It is 151.5km long and it passes through major towns
such as Oyo and Ogbomosho. Contracts for the dualization of the road
were awarded in three Sections. Section I [Ibadan-Oyo] and Section III
[Ogbomosho-Ilorin] were awarded to PW Nigeria Limited and RCC Nigeria
Limited respectively, in 2001. Section III has since been completed
while Section I is nearing completion. In order to complete the
dualization of the road, contract was awarded to RCC Nigeria Limited in
2010 for the remaining Section II [Oyo-Ogbomosho], and appreciable
progress has been made on this section in the last ten months.
Ibadan-Ilorin Dual Carriage
BEFORE | 
AFTER |
COMPLETED & ONGOING PROJECTS
In the last six months, the following road projects have either been completed or substantially completed:
� Construction of Gombe-Bye-Pass in Gombe State.
� Rehabilitation of Katsina-Daura Road, Katsina State
� Rehabilitation of Aba-Owerri road in Abia State
� Construction of Eleme Junction Flyover and the Dualisation of Access Road to Onne Port, Phases I & II in Rivers State
� Rehabilitation/Construction of Ijebu Igbo-Ajegunle-Araromi-Ife-Sekona Road, Section II in Ogun and Osun States
� Emergency Reinstatement of Collapsed Section of Gombe-Potiskum Road [Km.12] in Gombe State.
� Completion of the construction of Mararaba-Bali road in Taraba State.
� Rehabilitation of Hadejia-Nguru Road, Phase I [Hadejia-Kirikasama] in Jigawa State
� Dualisation of Onitsha-Owerri Road [Section I] and Onitsha Eastern Bye-Pass Section I in Anambra State
� Completion of the Rehabilitation of Obiozara-Uburu-Ishiagu-Awgu Road, Phase I, in Ebonyi and Enugu States
� Construction of a bridge at Lafenwa in Ogun State
� Rehabilitation of 8 Nos. Expansion Joints on 3rd Mainland Bridge [Phase I] in Lagos State
� Dualisation of Ibadan-Ilorin road Section I [Ibadan-Oyo] in Oyo State
LOKO-OWETO BRIDGE
The
Loko-Oweto Bridge is another major project that is very dear to the
administration of President Goodluck Jonathan because of its strategic
importance in the national road network. The Bridge is located across
River Benue linking Nasarawa State to Benue State. When completed, the
1,970m long Bridge will increase commercial activities in that part of
the country as it will provide a short link, and therefore reduce travel
times between the Northern and Southern part of the Country. The bridge
is being constructed by Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited.
The project duration is four years but the Federal Ministry of Works
plans to fast-track the project so that it can be completed in three
years with enhanced funding from the SURE programme.
Loko-Oweto Bridge
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ONITSHA HEAD BRIDGE
The
Onitsha Head-Bridge end of Onitsha-Enugu highway up to Upper Iweka
Junction is an area the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan
has done a great deal of work in the past one year. The rehabilitation
of the road and the complete recovery of the service lanes that have
been expanded to 3 lanes on both sides, have improved travel times along
the route, and significantly reduced the traffic bottle-neck that was
hitherto experienced in the area. Motorists in Onitsha and the
Government of Anambra State have commended the efforts of Federal
Government on the road in recent times. Today, due to the success
recorded on this stretch of road, coupled with the phenomenal
improvement on the Benin-Ore-Shagamu road, it is now possible to leave
Onitsha and arrive Lagos in six hours.
Onitsha Head-Bridge
Before | 
After | |
Exclusive (2 of 3 )
Action Minister Mike Onolememen says making Nigerian roads better and safer is a task that must be done
…
Gentlemen of the Press, I am glad to say that the efforts of the
Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works have also led
to the completion
and opening of the Kano Western Bye-Pass/Flyover in Kano State to
motorists as part of the ongoing dualization of the Kano-Maiduguri road.
KANO WESTERN BYEPASS
Gentlemen of the Press, I am glad to
say that the efforts of the Federal Government through the Federal
Ministry of Works have also led to the completion and opening of the
Kano Western Bye-Pass/Flyover in Kano State to motorists as part of the
ongoing dualization of the Kano-Maiduguri road. Although security
challenges on this road have recently slowed down the pace of
construction work, efforts are ongoing to surmount the challenges and
regain the momentum of construction work on the road. |  |
BEFORE | 
AFTER |
LAFIA-AWE-OBI-TUNGA ROAD
The
84-kilometre Lafia-Awe-Obi-Tunga Road in Nasarawa State is also a major
concern to this administration. Though the project is being hindered by
paucity of funds, the Contractor, Triacta Nigeria Limited has
constructed about 10 kilometres from earth work up to surface dressing
since January 2012.
Lafia-Awe-Obi-Tunga Road
WASHOUTS
The
threats of Washouts and Gully Erosion on the nation’s roads have become
a recurring decimal in parts of the country. The Federal Government
through the Federal Ministry of Works has risen to the challenge with
prompt reinstatement of affected roads in the past one year. Notable
among them include -
GOMBE-POTISKUM ROAD WASHOUT
Gombe-Potiskum
road Washout in Gombe State. The Federal Ministry of Works awarded the
construction of a 5-span Bridge of 75 metres long in October 2011. The
progress of work has now reached 80%.
Gombe-Potiskum Washout
BEFORE | 
AFTER |
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AUCHI-OKENE EXPRESSWAY WASHOUT
The
Auchi-Okene road Washout in Edo State, which contract was awarded in
September, 2011, has also been reinstated and opened to traffic. The
highway which was also cut into two during the disaster has been
completely recovered and re-opened, as motorists plying the road have
not stopped showing appreciation to the Federal Government on what
initially seemed insurmountable to them.
Auchi-Okene Washout
BEFORE | 
AFTER |
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AYOGWIRI ROAD WASHOUT
The Ayogwiri road Washout in Edo State has also been fully recovered and the road opened to motorists
By
far the most important policy intervention that will impact positively
on the road sector, under my leadership is the proposed reforms in the
road sector.
Prior to my assumption of office last year, earlier
initiatives to reform the road sector were not accorded the needed
attention. In view of the Federal Government’s inability to wholly
construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate and/or maintain roads in the
country due to the global economic recession and its attendant
consequences to our environment, I set up a Road Sector Reform Committee
in October 2011, comprising international experts, professionally
experienced and credible Nigerians
THREE WASHOUTS ALONG ONITSHA-ENUGU HIGHWAY
�
Onitsha-Enugu road Washouts at Km 6, km 30 and km 35 in Anambra State
have also been recovered. These three Washouts which were a menace to
the Federal Highways have been reinstated.
WASHOUT ALONG ONITSHA-ENUGU HIGHWAY (KM 30)
BEFORE | 
AFTER |
PROJECTS FUNDED BY MULTI-LATERAL AGENCIES
The
Ministry is collaborating with multi-lateral agencies like ADB, World
Bank, etc in financing the rehabilitation of the following critical road
projects:
� Enugu-Abakaliki road (flagged-off in January 2012)
� Abakaliki-Ogoja Junction road (Nearing Completion);
� Ogoja Junction-Ikom road (flagged-off in February 2012);
� Ikom-Mfum road [Completed];
� Gombe-Biu road [Design review stage];
� Mokwa-Bida road [Design review stage];
� Akure-Ilesha road [Design review stage]; and
� Bridge over Cross River from Cameroun to Mfum [review of bidding document stage].
Hon. Minister of works Arc. Mike Onolememen flagging-off
53 kilometres Ogoja Ikom road project in February 2012
� Ikom-Mfum road (Completed);
� Gombe-Biu road;
� Mokwa-Bida road;
� Akure-Ilesha road and
� Bridge over Cross River.
Additionally,
the following roads are variously undergoing routine maintenance under
the road development programme through the collaboration between Federal
Ministry of Works and the World Bank:
� Jebba-Lafiagi Road in Niger State
� Takai-Albasu-Gaya Road in Kano State
� Nafada-Gombe-Abba Road in Gombe State
� Hong-Mubi Road in Adamawa State
� Kurfi-Charanchi Road in Katsina State
� Okpala-Igwurita Road in Imo State
� Ado Ilum-Ikare Road, Section 1 in Ekiti State
� viii Dingaya-Rungo Road in Jigawa State
� Rumukurushi-Chokocho Road in Rivers State
� Akure-Benin Road in Ondo/Edo State
� Ado Ilum-Ikare Road Section 2 in Ekiti State
� Lafiagi-Mokwa Road in Niger State
� East West-Odi Road in Bayelsa State
� Lafia-Doma Road in Nasarawa State
RENOVATION OF FMW HEADQUARTERS IN ABUJA
The
Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters Building in Abuja has also been
renovated to give it an improved corporate appearance especially with
the recent restructuring of the departments which has impacted
positively on the morale of the staff. Major work towards the final
completion was actually carried out in the past ten months since taking
over the reign of leadership in the Ministry.
Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters in Abuja
JEBBA BRIDGE
The
rehabilitation of the Jebba Bridge which includes hydrodemolition and
replacement of expansion joints, asphalting, road furniture and street
lighting has almost been completed under the past one year of President
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration
JEBBA BRIDGE
THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE
The
contract for the repair/replacement of the Expansion Joints of the
Third Mainland Bridge Phase II was awarded in December 2011 to Borini
Prono & Company Nigeria Limited. The Contractor has mobilized to
site, and the contract is expected to be completed before the end of
2012.
Third Mainland Bridge
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PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
�
The road network in Nigeria is about 200,000 kilometres. Out of this
figure, the Federal Roads is about 35,000 kilometres. The pressure on
the Federal Government to provide additional kilometres of roads to the
network and rehabilitate existing ones is presumably high. This is
because the Federal roads serve as major arteries to economic centres
like sea ports, airports, petroleum depots and refineries, etc. The dual
carriageways linking the six geo-political zones are owned by the
Federal Government, and a major priority of the Federal Ministry of
Works is to ensure that the six geopolitical zones are connected by
unbroken chain of dual carriageways in good and motorable condition all
year round.
� To sustain this increasing demand for good and
sustainable road network, it has become pertinent to involve the private
sector as it is now fashionable all over the world. It is also
important to note that roads all over the world are fast becoming big
businesses because of the demand to keep them in perfect conditions all
the time.
� It is in this regards that the Federal Government
through the Federal Ministry of Works has been working round the clock
to produce a private sector driven road development programme in
Nigeria.
� We have been engaging the international community on the desirous need for them to invest in Nigerian roads.
�
Late last year, the Federal Ministry of Works called for Expression of
Interests from willing private sector investors in the concession of the
following:
� Second Niger Bridge linking Delta and Anambra States;
� Bridge Over River Niger at Nupeko, Niger State; and
� Expansion and Upgrading of Apakun-Murtala Mohammed International Airport road in Lagos State.
So
far the responses have been very encouraging and the Federal Ministry
of Works intends to deliver world-class road concessions on these
Federal Roads
� Second Niger Bridge linking Delta and Anambra States;
� Bridge Over River Niger at Nupeko, Niger State; and
� Expansion and Upgrading of Apakun-Murtala Mohammed International Airport road in Lagos State.
�
So far the responses have been very encouraging and the Federal
Ministry of Works intends to deliver world-class road concessions on
these Federal Roads.
ROAD SECTOR REFORMS
� By far the most
important policy intervention that will impact positively on the road
sector, under my leadership is the proposed reforms in the road sector.
Prior
to my assumption of office last year, earlier initiatives to reform the
road sector were not accorded the needed attention. In view of the
Federal Government’s inability to wholly construct, reconstruct,
rehabilitate and/or maintain roads in the country due to the global
economic recession and its attendant consequences to our environment, I
set up a Road Sector Reform Committee in October 2011, comprising
international experts, professionally experienced and credible Nigerians
Exclusive (3 of 3 )
Action Minister Mike Onolememen says making Nigerian roads better and safer is a task that must be done
…The
Agency, as at today, has 38 newly acquired FP5 Bergkam Pothole Patches
for the effective maintenance of Nigerian roads nationwide. The trucks
have been deployed to major highways in the six geo-political zones of
the country.
The Committee has worked assiduously to review
existing institutional frameworks and policies on road infrastructure
development in our country. The Committee’s Report, among others,
recommended for the establishment of the National Roads Fund and the
Federal Roads Authority. | 
Six
mobile laboratories have also been acquired out of which two are fully
equipped. These are for material testing and quality control to guide
against sub-standard works. |
FERMA
The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency has flagged off its Preventive Maintenance and Road
Surveillance Programmes on Abuja-Kaduna, Benin-Onitsha and Onitsha-Owerri highways in the
past few months.
FERMA MOBILE LABORATORIES
The
Agency, as at today, has 38 newly acquired FP5 Bergkam Pothole Patches
for the effective maintenance of Nigerian roads nationwide. The trucks
have been deployed to major highways in the six geo-political zones of
the country.
The
Agency, as at today, has 38 newly acquired FP5 Bergkam Pothole Patches
for the effective maintenance of Nigerian roads nationwide. The trucks
have been deployed to major highways in the six geo-political zones of
the country.
MODERN POTHOLE PATCHERS
FERMA
has also commenced cold asphalt production with a cold asphalt
production base at Kuje which is a new technological innovation.
COLD ASPH
It has increased the number of road rehabilitation
and repairs across the country since the inception of the
administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. With FERMA’s emergence as
a modern Road Maintenance Outfit, the issue of potholes on our roads
will soon be a thing of the past, as the Agency recently flagged off a
programme that will eliminate potholes from the Nation’s major arterial
roads.
CONCLUSION
Distinguished
Gentlemen of the Press, the last one year in the road sector has been
quite challenging but rewarding as a lot of issues, programmes and
initiatives have been set rolling to make Nigeria join the league of the
first 20 developed nations as encapsulated in the vision of our dear
President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda. Like I have always
assured Nigerians, the future is very bright for Nigerian roads as the
foundation for world class roads is being laid. And for us at the
Federal Ministry of Works, the task of making Nigerian roads better and
safer, is a task that must be done.
I thank you for your attention.
Thank You
Arc. Mike Onolememen, MNIA, MNIM
Honourable Minister of Works |
CONCLUSION
Distinguished
Gentlemen of the Press, the last one year in the road sector has been
quite challenging but rewarding as a lot of issues, programs and
initiatives have been set rolling to make Nigeria join the league of the
first 20 developed nations as encapsulated in the vision of our dear
President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda. Like I have always
assured Nigerians, the future is very bright for Nigerian roads as the
foundation for world class roads is being laid. And for us at the
Federal Ministry of Works, the task of making Nigerian roads better and
safer, is a task that must be done.
I thank you for your attention.
Thank You
Arc. Mike Onolememen, MNIA, MNIM
Honourable Minister of Works
NigeriaPolitico |
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