From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Structural and Highway Engineers, in the country, on the aegies of Forum of Integrated Engineers in Public Works (FIEP), have lauded President Bola Tinubu’s plan to fix roads in the country..
The forum, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Farouk Ibrahim, said the President Tinubu’s road regeneration agenda, is the only way to guarantee a blueprint for durability and cost effectiveness, as well as, curb corruption in road construction and maintenance in the country.
The group also commended the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for his tour of major roads, in the country, to undertake a first-hand needs assessment in line with the Federal Government commitment on road infrastructure in the country.
According to the Forum, “such professional approach is strategic for effective need-specific planning, policy decision making, target-oriented budgeting, check corruption and ensure efficient and cost-effective delivery of roads projects across the country; in line with the desire for durable and safer highways in the country.
“The absence of such strategic analysis is mostly responsible for inaccurate federal budgeting and policy decision on roads; create openings for waste and corruption, resulting in poor quality roads and abandonment of projects with their attendant hazards and negative consequences on commuters and the economy of the nation.
“Also, the approach adopted by the Minister of Works will not only deliver quality, safe and durable roads but also ensure even distribution of federal roads in the country. It will also enable government to effectively measure performance and guarantee prompt delivery of projects”.
The engineers noted that Umahi has has shown capacity and clear understanding of the vision of the Tinubu administration to transform Nigeria’s road network and infrastructure. They stated that this ” is already at play with the introduction of reinforced concrete road technology in various parts of the country.”