News
Highway, Transportation Engineers proffer solution to bad road network in Nigeria
… Task Govt to localize roads construction, infrastructure management in reference to standardised codes
By Matthew Denis
The Nigeria Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE) has fine-tuned solutions to the problem of bad roads in Nigeria.
Speaking to Journalists at the end of the four days training workshop on “Managing Road Infrastructure Assets” by the Nigeria Institution of Highway and Transportation Engineers (NIHTE) in collaboration with the International Road Federation (IRF) on Friday, the National Chairman of NIHTE, Engr. Saidu Hassan said, “We have capable trained engineers that can manage the road assets but our basic problem that we highlighted in this seasoned and thought-provoking programme is funding because it’s the major constraint and we’ll not get the right funding on the road until we have done the road reforms.
“If the road reforms are done then we’ll get the right funding and when we get the right funding our roads will be in good shape. Just like any infrastructure we allow our roads to wind off their lifecycle before we start thinking of maintenance.
“Road Maintenance starts from day one but our policy makers and leaders have not paid so much attention to maintenance. We, as engineers don’t provide the funds but work for government agencies and the private sectors therefore, the government budgetary provision should make provision for maintenance.
“Why we are talking about road reforms is because it will provide an opportunity for the private sector to be involved in maintenance and construction so that it won’t be the issue of the government alone.”
The Chairman compared the road situation to the previous NITEL and MTEL in the telecommunication sector noting that everybody today has access to telecommunication when it was unbundled as private sectors invested for profit delivery with effective and efficiency through reformation.
He said, “if road reforms are done the private sector will be interested in investing to ensure monitoring and maintenance for service delivery. There is no way you can run from bad road if the right thing is not done.”
The NIHTE Boss tasked engineers to operate within the ethical standard of the profession in ensuring that road projects are executed within the specifications.
He said, “In all our practices we are guided by codes, standard and specifications, contracts agreement and scope. All Engineers should operate within this framework to ensure road projects are qualitative to meet the durable time in such a way that they don’t compromise, but do the right thing. We are guided by standard, that’s the gospel we’re always preaching to them.”
The National Secretary General, NIHTE, Engr. Bola Mudasiru, said, “We had a very deep and robust brainstorming training session during the programme, and so I expected every participant to have increased their knowledge in terms of Roads Infrastructure Assets Management (RIAM).
“This is based on analysis of road data in relation to inventory, condition, traffic, cost, road deterioration models, expectancy of roads design life; and what is deliverable expectation in reference to the past, present and the future of roads and infrastructures.”
In comparison of Nigerian roads with global standards, Pioneer National Chairman of NIHTE, Engr. Dr. Isa Emoabino said, “on highway acquisition the problem we discovered is that our roads Infrastructures are below the international standards, and so we meet to proffer remedies to meet that standard.
“It is obvious that you cannot compare the roads that were constructed about 10 years ago to now but we are working assiduously and collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that our roads contracts are qualitative and meet the standard.”
On the expectations of Nigerians on experiencing better roads network in the future, Engineer Mudasiru emphasised, “We expect that the public demand for more in terms of professionalism and I want to say that we are capable of managing any form of road project in terms of construction and maintenance; and we are ready for any form of professional challenges in terms of contracts executions with the full backing from the government at all level.”
He stressed that Nigerian Engineers are recognised internationally and have what it takes for any design and construction, therefore solutions to solving road and infrastructure challenges should be localised by government agencies thereby patronising the indigenous engineers.
“Of course, construction and managing road infrastructure should be localised in reference to codes and standards. The adherence to professionalism, specifications, codes, standards are the basic ingredients for sustainable road infrastructure delivery.
“As situation here are conditioned with regards to climate change, environment, axle loads, prevailing subgrade conditions, maintenance scheme during the pavement lifecycle, construction processes and supervision, funding for project/disbursement and construction materials selection are different from other climes, so it’s important that we localise solutions to Nigerian problems in projects delivery.”
The Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission Hussani Ishaq Magaji, SAN, has approved the distribution of palliatives (foodstuff) to the entire Staff of the Commission nationwide.
This commendable act took place yesterday at the Commission’s Headquarters.
Presenting the items to Staff, the Director Human Resources Mrs. Olayemi Oyeniyi who represented the Registrar-General revealed that the RG’s magnanimity was in line with his promise to prioritise staff welfare as captured in his 4-Point Agenda as well as his own way of felicitating staff on the recently observed Eid-el Adha celebrations.
Staff from various Departments and Units who were elated by the gesture expressed their gratitude to the RG and wished him the very best as he continues to pilot the Commission to greater heights.
…We won’t disappoint on judicial procedures – CJN assures Tinubu
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, led the groundbreaking for the new Court of Appeal complex in Dakibiyu, Abuja, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s judicial infrastructure development.
The state-of-the-art five-storey building will house ten courtrooms and offices, greatly expanding the Court’s capacity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Justice Ariwoola expressed profound gratitude to Minister Nyesom Wike and the Federal Capital Development Authority for their visionary leadership and support.
“We appreciate the government’s commitment to strengthening the judicial system, ensuring access to justice, and promoting the rule of law in Nigeria,” he said.
FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made judicial infrastructure a top priority.
“When I presented the memo, the President’s immediate response was ‘Approved!’ That speaks volumes about his commitment to the judiciary,” Wike said.
The Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, expressed concern that the judiciary has become inaccessible to all but the wealthy, while the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, commended Wike for fulfilling his promise and noted that the edifice will facilitate swifter justice in Nigeria.
NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, thanked Tinubu and Wike for initiating the long-awaited complex, 48 years after FCT’s creation, despite 16 past ministers neglecting the judiciary’s needs.
“Justice is essential to human existence, and we urge Court Justices to remain focused and eagle-like in administering justice to citizens,” Maikyau said.
“The new facilities will greatly enhance the Court’s functionality, and the judiciary is committed to utilising them effectively to serve the nation. The project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year, and FCDA has pledged to maintain world-class engineering standards.
“This 37-billion-naira project has already been allocated 30 billion naira in the budget. I’m committed to delivering it within the scheduled time frame, not in two years as usual. We’ll get it done as planned, thanks to Mr. President’s vision and support,” Wike pledged.
Honourable Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, expressed gratitude to Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT, and FCDA management for their support and vision. She also thanked guests, partners, and stakeholders for their contributions, acknowledging the organising team’s hard work.
She concluded by urging everyone to remain committed to justice, fairness, and the rule of law as they look forward to the completion of the Appeal Court complex in Abuja.
Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, in his address of welcome and project overview said the project is awarded to Messrs Visible Construction Nigeria Limited and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
He emphasised the project’s importance in fulfilling the administration’s commitment to providing a conducive working environment for judicial officers, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The complex will feature ten courtrooms, suites for justices, administrative offices, file rooms, and conveniences, ensuring a comprehensive and efficient judicial system. FCDA has pledged to maintain world-class engineering standards, urging the contractor and supervision team to deliver high-quality work and meet the expected timeline.
By Esther Agbo
Retirees from the now-defunct Nigeria Airways have formally requested President Bola Tinubu to reinstate them into the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), aligning their pension benefits with those of other sectors.
In a letter endorsed by Stephen Onuh and Ahmed Sulugambari, the Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively, and addressed to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the retirees outlined their appeal.
The letter argued that re-enrollment in the DBS would ensure they receive pensions comparable to other retired civil servants.
Operating under the banner of the Airways Retired Workers of Nigeria, the retirees highlighted that until the airline’s dissolution in 2004 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, they were participants in the scheme. They contended that their removal from the DBS post-liquidation was contentious.
The petition emphasised that, contrary to expectations, the pensioners were not fully compensated and should receive payments for life. The group includes those who retired before and those affected by the 2004 liquidation.
“The N45 billion paid to our members were part-payment of our accumulated pension arrears for over 10 years. We were on the monthly pension payroll before the liquidation in September 2004.
”In pursuance to make sure that the pensioners are paid monthly pension, relevant government authorities have made interventions, directing that the pensioners be pay-rolled into the monthly pension scheme of the Federal Government,” the petition read.
It further mentioned that governmental bodies have previously intervened to ensure monthly pension payments for these retirees.
The Senate conducted a public hearing on pension matters in 2012, subsequently resolving that the retirees should be immediately added to the Federal Government’s monthly pension scheme. Additionally, in 2013, the House of Representatives urged the government to integrate these retirees into the monthly pension payroll.
However, the group claims this directive has been ignored by the authorities.
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