By Seun Adams
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has reiterated that the Ministry’s Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) will guarantee world class infrastructure for the country.
He noted that the National Council of Works meeting will propel acceleration of completion of projects in Nigeria.
Umahi, stated this while addressing the closing session of the National Council of works held at Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.
He lauded the Council members for their commitment, noted that the gathering has been an invaluable platform for deliberation, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative ideas.
The Minister noted that, their contributions and insights are critical to Nigeria’s shared mission of enhancing and sustaining our nation’s infrastructure.
According to him, “over the past few days, we have engaged in robust discussions on several key areas critical to our work.
“We have reviewed the progress of ongoing projects, identified challenges, and mapped out strategies to overcome them.
“Our discussions have been guided by our unwavering commitment to building infrastructure that is durable, efficient, and inclusive.
“I am pleased to share some of the significant outcomes from these meetings. One, Project Acceleration and Completion: We have agreed on measures to expedite the completion of ongoing projects, particularly those that are crucial for connectivity and economic growth. This includes enhanced coordination among federal, state, and local governments.
“We have Innovation and Technology: We have endorsed the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in our infrastructure projects. This will not only improve efficiency but also ensure that our infrastructure is resilient and future-ready.
“Moreso, Sustainability and Environment: Environmental sustainability has been a cornerstone of our discussions. We have committed to integrating sustainable practices in all our projects to minimize environmental impact and promote long-term ecological balance”.
“This will leverage private sector expertise and resources to complement our efforts in delivering world-class infrastructure.
“We have recorded capacity building and workforce development: We have outlined initiatives to enhance the skills and capacity of our workforce. This is essential for ensuring that our projects are executed to the highest standards and for fostering a culture of excellence in the sector.
“The outcomes of these meetings will serve as a roadmap for our future endeavours. They reflect our collective vision and determination to provide infrastructure that meets the needs of our people and supports our nation’s growth.
Umahi, urged stakeholders to remain engaged and committed, adding that the success of our initiatives depends on our continued collaboration and dedication. “Together, we can achieve remarkable progress and create a legacy of robust and resilient infrastructure for future generations” he noted.
Earlier, the Governor of Ebonyi state, the Mr. Francis Ogbona Nwifru, disclosed that his administration has embarked on the construction of 700 km roads projects across the three Senatorial districts stressing that his administration’s determination to execute quality projects is yielding good results.
Nwifru, who commended the Federal Government for choosing to hold the National Council of Works in Ebonyi State, noted that, Ministry of Works is a tripod, which other sectors stand upon.
He however appealed to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Works to complete some of the federal road projects abandoned in Enonyi state to ease the pain of his people.
While drawing the curtains on the 29th National Council on works, Umahi proposed that the year 2025 edition could hold in either of Nasarawa or Benue states, but this is subject to interests.