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The Federal Minister of Works and. Housing, Engr David Umahi

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2023

Abuja-Lokoja Highway: Umahi Stops Contractor Over Poor Job, Insists On Standard

....As He Recommends Flyover On Flood-Prone Spots

By Uche Sunny

The Federal Minister of Works and. Housing, Engr David Umahi, has expressed disappointment over the quality of work done by contractors on the Abuja-Lokoja Highway.

Umahi who registered his concern while meeting with stakeholders in his office on Wednesday said he was not impressed with the eight projects he inspected on Abuja-Lokoja Highway and that of Lokoja-Benin, citing lack of standard quality among a few others.

Upon inspecting the Gada Biu Bridge along the Abuja-Lokoja Road, the Minister who complained that the retain walls among others were faulty and failing, ordered the contractor to stop work and report at the office for evaluation and review, to determine whether he would continue or relieved of the contract.

“It will not be business as usual whereby contractors would get contract and delay or fail to deliver. If any contractor is found wanting in any projects, other contracts awarded to him will be revoked and given to competent ones,” he said.

While thanking the Kogi State Governor for fixing a greater part of the flood ravaged Ganaja corridor of the Lokoja-Benin Road, the Minister assured that the road would be reconstructed with concrete, even as he recommended that flyovers may be considered for spots experiencing persistent floooding as a permanent solution, adding however that it is subject to the outcome of his discussion with the president afterwards.

On Tuesday the Minister hit the ground running in his new assignment as he kick-started with an inspection tour of the Abuja-Lokoja and the Lokoja-Benin Highways shortly after meeting with the management of the ministry,
heads of agencies and parastatals, contractors among other stakeholders for briefs at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Umahi upon assumption of office at the Works ministry on Monday, declared his intention to kickstart with a tour of road projects across the six geo-political zones of the country.

The minister, who headed straight to the Federal Ministry of Works after his inauguration alongside other ministers by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja, said he would embark on the inspection of the Lokojo-Benin, Lokoja-Abuja roads the next day.

The former governor of Ebonyi state also charged engineers to embrace the use of concrete technology amid FOREX challenges and petroleum crises and declared that his office would encourage the use of concrete technology and patronise local content in building roads so as to stir economic growth.

Speaking after receiving the briefs from stakeholders, the Minister who restated his position on standard, concrete, and local content, expressed his readiness to work with contractors and support them, adding however that delay in delivery would not be condoned.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

21 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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