Nigeria saved N300 billion by designing a bypass for the Second Niger Bridge – Umahi
The Second Niger Bridge bypass road’s original design was changed at the last minute, saving N300 billion in tax payer money, as revealed by Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi.
Umahi disclosed this information on Sunday during an inspection visit to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd.’s (CCECC) Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway segment IV (Aba-Port Harcourt) rehabilitation project Umahi.
“And just two days ago, we went to Asaba to look at the design of the bypass of the second Niger bridge, and we went to Onitsha,” the speaker remarked. And with just one swift motion, we realized the design was flawed and decided on a different style. the was how the one-of-a-kind migration to that spot helped us save the nation almost N300 billion.
This was said in a statement made on Monday in Abuja and signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji.
The minister reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to leave a legacy of sturdy road infrastructure that was constructed at a cost to guarantee that taxpayers receive value for their money.
According to him, the administration is working to ensure Nigeria’s future and her steady ascent to economic success.
The administration of President Tinubu, he claims, “is committed to building everlasting road infrastructure with the most effective design at the lowest possible cost” through its Renewed Hope initiative.
“Some of the ideals in the Renewed Hope mantra under his Ministry include: design and cost effectiveness, speed and standard of job delivery as well as innovations that would guarantee zero maintenance and durability of road infrastructure in Nigeria,” Orji stated. “The Honourable Minister was accompanied by a member of the Senate Committee on Works and Deputy Chief Whip of the 10th Senate, as well as other leaders across political divide from South East. Umahi”
“He urged contractors to set up their work plans with the suffering of other road users in mind at all times.”
Additionally, the Minister gave contractors strict instructions to make sure the roads they are renovating remain usable for commuters throughout the rainy season.
He thanked the President for providing the means to rewrite the history of Nigeria’s road system.
Umahi stated, “We will not accept anything less than two to three sections working,” in reference to the CCECC portion. In order to lessen commuter misery, I have also granted this specific lane—the higher bound lane—seven days to be completely fixed. I have deep sympathy for them.
“After traveling this path, you will now require many painkillers. It’s not what you want. Therefore, I’m pleading with CCECC, the controller, and the engineers to make every effort within the next seven days to establish a smooth sail on this side.
“I want to thank Mr. President, so much,” he continued. He has significantly improved our road system.
He is a man who desires the quickest possible completion of all the roads. Let me reassure him, though, that I’m doing all within my power out of a fear of God and a dedication to his mission of Renewed Hope, which we have all accepted.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the work being done when he visited the following locations: the New Artisan Bridge near the NNPC mega fillings station in Enugu Capital City, Enugu State; the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3; and the Upgrading of the 15km section of the East-West road section III (Port Harcourt – Eleme Junction to Onne Junction in Rivers State), which was handled by RCC.
However, in order to meet a deadline before the rainy season, the minister ordered contractors to pick up the pace.
Umahi stated, “We are upgrading the 15km road between Eleme flyover to Onne junction,” in reference to the ongoing Eleme refinery road project. In order to stabilize all of the failing portions, we are beginning with excavation. And we erect the boulders once we reach a stable location.
We place sharp sand after the stones, and then we compact the sharp sand. Following the compaction, we apply the first layer of stone base, which is 20 cm thick and will be stacked on top of another 10 cm thick layer of stone base. We leave it out for traffic after compacting.
“to achieve the highest level of compaction.
Subsequently, we added 10 centimeters of 5% cement to stabilize and strengthen it. As a result, the road will be extremely sturdy and long-lasting.
The President’s appointment of “a round peg in a round hole” and his audacious and comforting move to revive the nation’s economy were praised by South East stakeholders who joined the Minister on the visit.
They urged Nigerians to maintain their trust in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope government.
“This is what we were lacking before, like he said here, he is not an office Minister,” stated Sen. Barr. Onyekachi Peter Nwaebonyi, the 10th Senate’s deputy chief whip and deputy chairman of the works committee.
He visits different locations to make sure the tasks are completed in accordance with the specifications. This nation aspires to it, and I applaud Mr. President for considering him deserving. As this is the first time this ministry has been led by an expert, I want to reassure Nigerians that they will see a change in all of our initiatives very soon.
“I want to remind you that the day the Honourable Minister took oath of office, he had a reception and I chaired it and I reassured Nigerians that he would exceed their expectations,” said Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, who was also the former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
This trip, in my opinion, is a follow-up to that guarantee that he is, in fact, exceeding my expectations. And it’s great, I can assure you of that. His enthusiasm and knowledge have an influence on the project’s design, quality, speed, durability, and even execution style.
And in the two days that we’ve been traveling, nothing has been the same. In addition, I would want to express my pride in him for going above and above. And I’d like to add that I’ve been proven right in believing that the President made no mistakes. Like my brother, I want to underline once more that there are situations where a square peg fits into a square hole. I’m grateful, Mr. President.
“I want to state clearly, publicly what I have seen in the past two days,” stated Chief Olisa Metuh, the former national publicity secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in his statements.
“In the past two days, I have seen things regarding Nigerian road construction—particularly on these roads—that I never realized were conceivable. The Honorable Minister is the one I’ve chosen.
“I have seen, and I am satisfied. It seems like a case of a round peg fitting into a round hole. We ask that the hope be genuine, Mr. President, and that the Minister be supported and paid as long as he is in charge.
“Mr. President, your name will live on in the pages of our history for many centuries to come. This will serve as a point of reference for what he has done around the nation on our roadways.
For Nigerians, this initiative is a legacy. In my opinion, what matters most is not just the standard of the roads we have seen, but also the fact that they are being built for the least amount of money.
“What the Honorable Minister is doing to save the nation, save the budget, and save the country at the President’s request cannot be measured.
This exemplifies democracy at work. I sincerely thank you, Mr. President. We express our gratitude to both the President and the Honorable Minister.
