FG vows to implement national infrastructure maintenance programme

The Federal Government(FG) on Monday, vowed to pursue implementation of the National Infrastructure Maintenance Programme recently approved by the Federal Executive Council(FEC).

This was even as it launched a compendium documenting all projects, executed by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing since the assumption of the Minister, Babatunde Fashola

Speaking at the book presentation titled: “Proof of Infrastructure Delivery Across Nigeria” in Abuja, Fashola said in line with the approval, the FG would commence maintenance work on a public building in the Federal Capital Territory( FCT).

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“We will start with public buildings especially our offices and secretariats in Abuja and other parts of the country. This our new look Conference Hall is an example of what is possible if we embark on repairs and maintenance.

“By repairing toilets, fixing broken doors and items of furniture, replacing electrical fittings, painting buildings and undertaking the general repair, we will deliberately be creating jobs for people at the bottom of the pyramid such as masons, carpenters, plumbers, welders, painters and other artisans,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry has cleared its backlog of unsigned consent to land transactions and issuance of certificates of Occupancy.

According to him, 1,417 consents to land transactions and 2,400 certificates of occupancy have been issued.

While also stating that the administration has delivered on its agenda in the Power, Works and Housing sector, Fashola noted improvements in the power sector compared to 2015 but identified issues of estimated billings, meter supply, incremental and steady power supply as a work-in-progress.

He further stressed the need for the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government as a matter of urgency strategise on how to ease the cumbersome procurement process if awarding contracts, saying this will help overcome challenges often faced in the delivery of the urgently needed national infrastructure.