News
Highway Engineers seek Senate decision on use of Concrete, Asphalt roads
…We’ll review FG decision on use of Concrete roads – Senate
By Matthew Denis
The National Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers
(NIHTE), Engr. Saidu Hassan has called on the National Assembly to intervene in providing lasting solutions on the use of Concrete roads and asphalt roads in the country.
He appealed to the Senate to ensure that Government Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) stick to their mandate and adhere to contractual agreement in roads construction across the country.
The National Chairman during a courtesy visit to the Senate Committee on Works in Abuja on Wednesday argued that any project to be truncated and converted
to rigid pavement will be a violation of contractual agreement and this will lead to litigation.
He said ” our prayers is that MDAs should stick to their mandate and adhere to contractual
agreement.
“We urge the Senate to facilitate the Presidential assent to the Road Sector Reform Bills (that is the Federal Road Authority and National Road Fund Bills), which would provide sound governance structure based on sectorial professionalism, as well as creating sustainable and robust funding for road development and maintenance in the
country.
Speaking on the burning issue of concerning the adoption of Rigid pavement (concrete roads) by the Federal government against the Flexible pavement (Asphalts Roads), Engr. Hassan stressed that both have advantages and disadvantages depending on professional advices on the environmental location of the projects site.
He said ” As critical stakeholders in Highway and Transportation in Nigeria,
the Nigerian Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers has made its input on the ongoing discussion on the use of Rigid and flexible pavements in Nigeria.
“Rigid Pavements (Concrete Road) are not totally strange in Nigeria as both flexible pavements (Asphalts Roads) and rigid pavements (concrete roads) have their advantages and disadvantages. Either of them should be used where it is necessary and the choice of
pavement should be based on engineering judgement.
“At the moment, there are 2,604 Road Projects totaling 18,000Km at a total cost of N 14 trillion according to the Honorable Minister of Works. We note that for any project to be truncated and converted to rigid pavement projects will be a violation of contractual agreement and this will lead to litigation.
” Furthermore, the experiences garnered over the years, asphalt plants and other items of equipment’s used for the construction of flexible pavements would be discarded and this will amount to a huge loss to the country.
“To adopt the proposed concrete roads, ample time is required for the importation of new equipments and the training of the relevant manpower.
According to him For the existing flexible pavement to be converted to rigid pavement it will require the BPP to fix new rates for the concrete pavement,
revise the contract sum and subsequently seek FEC approval.
The Chairman explained that it is pertinent to point out that the durability of a road pavement whether flexible (asphalt) or rigid (concrete) depends on good design, supervision and maintenance as this can be achieved by
adhering to the provisions of the design manual, conditions of contracts and general specification.
“Also of considerable importance, asphalt recycling method of the
existing flexible pavements provides cost saving for a given project
which should be encouraged.
Engr. Hassan applauded the National Assembly for the prompt intervention to suspend the uniform adoption of concrete Road pavement policy by the Federal Government especially at this
period when the public space is inundated with policy statements
on the suitability of Flexible and Rigid Pavements in the road sector.
He emphasized that while the Institution of Highways and Transportation Engineers is not against the use of concrete roads, such a policy should have been subjected to the scrutiny of highway stakeholders to ensure that the appropriate engineering procedures and processes are strictly followed, and proper implementation strategies adopted.
“the adoption of any of the Highway pavement type is a function of Engineering science and economics.
We are concerned with the paucity of funds available to the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA from the Federal budget to execute road projects capable of ameliorating the suffering of Nigerians.
According to him It has always been the opinion of Highway experts that the solution to the poor state of the network of roads in Nigeria lies with the reform in the road sector.
While responding members of the Senate Committee on Works starting with Senator Gbenga Daniel Representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly calls the attention of the Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Patrick Ndubueze saying ” the Highway Engineers have raised vital and cogent points that requires further consideration to address the issue partnering to the issue on concrete roads and use of asphalt roads.
” These important issues they have raised as an Engineer I can tell you that all over the country we have asphalt plants and if all of a sudden we now decide that we don’t want asphalt roads then what becomes of those plants which are quite huge.
“I think they have made a valid point and I’m not surprised in our profession we Engineers are practical and I want to commend them that the suggestion they make should be given further consideration.
On his part, Senator Hussaini Babangida Senate Committee on FERMA and member of the Works Committee said ” the points raised by Highway Engineers should be commended by the committee and the litigation implications of abandoning the asphalt roads will have effect.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Patrick Ndubueze Representing Imo North said ” the committee have heard your prayers on the adoption of concrete pavement by the federal government and we’ll find appropriate time to invite you and other stakeholders to this chamber to deliberate on lasting solutions to the lingering issues on the use of concrete roads and asphalt roads.
Other Senators in the Committee that were present during the visit includes Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole representing Edo North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District among others.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced that the monthly allowance of corps members will be increased once the ongoing negotiations on the new minimum wage are completed.
Ahmed made this known on Saturday while addressing 2,762 corps members of Batch B, Stream One, at the Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp in Sagamu.
He congratulated the corps members for making it to the orientation camp, noting that many of their colleagues had not been so lucky academically.
“Let me also remind you of the camp rules that you are not allowed to post the camp activities online or on social media. Three of your colleagues elsewhere were found breaking these rules and posting camp activities on social media, and they have been decamped,” Ahmed warned.
He also cautioned against night journeys, emphasizing the importance of seeking permission and finding safe accommodation before traveling. “We don’t want to lose any of you. You are special and dear to us,” he said.
Regarding their allowance, Ahmed reassured the corps members, “Don’t worry, as soon as the ongoing negotiations on the minimum wage are concluded, you can be sure that your allowance too will definitely go up. There is no way the government will forget you because you are really special.”
The DG also urged the corps members to consider a career in the military, praising their military skills displayed during the parade guard mounted for him. He appealed to them to take their security seriously, noting that while the camp has provided tight security, they must also be cautious not to endanger themselves.
Ahmed further advised the corps members to respect the culture of the communities they will be posted to for their primary assignment and to discharge their duties responsibly as worthy ambassadors of the 51-year-old scheme.
In his welcome address, the Ogun State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Olayinka Nasamu, said the camp, which opened on Wednesday, June 26, has a total of 2,762 corps members, comprising 922 males and 1,423 females. She highlighted the camp’s efforts to prevent the outbreak of cholera, including the provision of handwashing stations and sanitizers.
Nasamu also listed the needs of the orientation camp, including the sinking of additional boreholes, provision of additional water reservoirs, inadequate bunks and mattresses, lack of functional ambulance, and provision of proper food store.
By Esther Agbo
In a stern address at the National Press Centre today Saturday, July 6, 2024, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris criticized the Daily Trust over what he described as “reckless reporting” on Samoa Agreement report that threatens national security and stability.
The Minister, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized the administration’s commitment to press freedom while condemning what he termed as abuses of such freedoms.
Idris highlighted the President’s longstanding advocacy for democracy and human rights, emphasizing on the government’s tolerance of media criticism and protection of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. However, he expressed concern over what he termed a “pattern” of irresponsible journalism, particularly by the Daily Trust.
He said, “This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.
“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.
“The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar. On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.”
Idris pointed to episodes where the Daily Trust allegedly spread false claims about government actions, including the renaming of a major expressway and involvement in international military agreements, without providing credible evidence. He accused the newspaper of causing disaffection and raising tensions, notably with recent unfounded allegations regarding LGBTQ rights.
“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.
“We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.
“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story thereby raising tempers,” Idris asserted, noting the ensuing public uproar fueled by the report.
Despite these grievances, Idris reiterated the government’s commitment to handling the situation with civility and adherence to the rule of law, refraining from punitive measures against the press. He announced the government’s intent to formally lodge complaints with the Nigerian Press Association Ombudsman and pursue legal action against the Daily Trust.
“This afternoon, I have the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning to provide more clarity on this issue.
“But beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting.
“In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law,” Idris added.
Meanwhile, Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for ethical journalism and free speech, cautioning against the dissemination of fake news and misinformation that could jeopardize national peace and security.
“The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and it’s national security lightly.”
NYSC allowance to increase after minimum wage negotiations – DG
Ondo Govt. releases N1 bn for gratuity arrears of retired LG workers, teachers
