Of Umahi and Nigeria’s infrastructure revolution
12 November 2024 |
3:03 am
Sir: It was in a bid to ensure that his administration delivers excellent outcomes in the infrastructure score that President Bola Tinubu appointed a hands-on engineer as the Minister for Works.
Sir: It was in a bid to ensure that his administration delivers excellent outcomes in the infrastructure score that President Bola Tinubu appointed a hands-on engineer as the Minister for Works.
Senator Nweze David Umahi’s coming as Works Minister raised public expectations on how determined President Tinubu was to walk the talk of revitalising critical infrastructure in the country. Over and above that promise, as governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi had transformed his state through massive infrastructure development by his sheer engineering wizardry.
But, barely six months on the saddle as Works Minister, entrenched political interests, ethnic jingoists and business-as-usual contractors put up hurdles across the path to the Renewed Hope Agenda infrastructure train.
Every move the minister makes to repeat the engineering marvel he prosecuted in Ebonyi State across Nigeria, has been met with one controversy or another. From his insistence that contractors must keep to the terms of their contract, through rigorous supervision to resolve on meeting contract timeliness, Umahi continues to encounter man-made obstacles.
Recently, I was nonplussed at the orchestrated attempts to pitch the Minister and property owners over the payment of compensation for the right of way in the signature Lagos to Calabar Coastal Highway Road project.
As one who had seen how focussed Umahi can be to deliver on his mandate, I believe he should be allowed to concentrate on his job without politically motivated distractions. Opposition politicians should also reckon that for the reason that he makes himself ever accessible at every project site should not be used as avenue to issue threats, plan physical and verbal attacks against his person. The plot may be to frighten the minister to discard his policy of strict personal supervision that road projects deserve.
The workaholic engineer insists on being at project to see things for himself and provide guidance before things go awry. As a precision minded official, he is so meticulous to the point of irritation to staff and contractors. Apart from time consciousness, the minister will stop at nothing to ensure international best practices. He is a stickler for price efficiency, best quality and aversion of asset depreciation.
Umahi could be said to be in a hurry to meet the expectation of his principal and the Nigeria public. As a genius in mathematics, the Works minister does not fail to crosscheck every figure presented before him without exceptions. With calculator always handy and his pen on the ready, no contractor dares bamboozle him with crazy engineering drawings, befuddling designs or contrived computations.
At all times, our decisions must be guided by the need to secure the greatest good for the greatest number. That is the standard in utilitarian calculus and the very essence of democracy. Let us support government to provide similar critical infrastructure that we admire overseas.
Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, a community leader, wrote from Abakaliki.
Related
Latest
25 mins ago
Designed to merge tradition with modern fashion under the thematic preoccupation of “Old Money vs. New Money”, Arivla, an e-commerce platform for indigenous fashion has announced Asoebi Party and Fashion Show to celebrate the creativity of Nigerian Fashion and lifestyle, while making Nigerian cultural fashion a global sensation. The event which is billed to take place on Friday,…
34 mins ago
The constant evolution of fashion in all its forms never fails to come to life during each of GTCO Fashion Weekend’s runways from inception, but this year’s edition breathed elegance and class into simple everyday wears for men and women of all ages, as featured designers turned style ordinariness to extraordinariness. Speaking while in awe during…
47 mins ago
NOW that election campaign promises, shenanigans, and peccadillos are over, it is a time to engage the Governor and Governor-elect of Ondo State on managing distractions from the so-called godfathers who would normally seek jobs for their people who ‘helped’ to secure victory the other day. In all modesty, I know our country enough to…
48 mins ago
The Innovation Support Network Hubs (ISN) has celebrated its 5th yearly gathering where it showcased its achievements so far and set ambitious new targets for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. Established in 2019 with just 75 hubs, ISN disclosed that it has grown into a network of 207 hubs across 30 states, supporting thousands of Nigerian entrepreneurs and…
59 mins ago
At just 24, First Klaz is bridging the past and future of Afrobeats with his unique fusion of traditional Nigerian sounds and modern Gen-Z vibes, making him one of the most exciting artists to watch. Justice Esla might be a zoomer, but he’s undeniably one of the most talented 24-year-old fusionists bridging the past and…
1 hour ago
The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced a strategic partnership with Ascend Studios, a creative-industry organisation providing capacity building, mentorship, social, educational, and economic empowerment to women and youth in order to propel Nigeria’s creative sector. This partnership will catalyse additional funding to strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning Nollywood industry with…
1 hour ago
QORAY Mobiity and the Isimi Wellness & Polo Country Estate have announced a partnership deal aimed at driving sustainable mobility in the country’s premier eco-conscious community located in Lagos. The partnership, formalised at a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, Friday, November 15, will position Isimi Lagos as a leading destination for luxury and sustainability.…
1 hour ago
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced plans to launch a groundbreaking initiative, the Special Intervention in Medical Simulation and Innovation, as part of its 2025 Intervention strategy. This innovative programme aims to revolutionise medical education and training in Nigeria by providing state-of-the-art simulation facilities and promoting cutting-edge research in medical innovation. By doing…
1 hour ago
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said tinted car windows are still illegal in Nigeria despite lifting restrictions on the permits earlier this year. This confirmation comes after an X user, Fyne, reported on Saturday that her car was impounded for having tinted windows without prior notice. Fyne in a post tagged the police, asking,…
1 hour ago
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO) men’s volleyball team on Friday defeated the Ministry of Petroleum Resources at the ongoing Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highly mobile Information team won resoundingly in two straight sets (15-4, 15-6),…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.