Jonathan approves recruitment of 500 engineers, technicians

Posted by admin Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Presidency Friday, October 21st, 2011

The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen says President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the recruitment of over 500 young engineers and technicians to increase performance in the ministry.

He said on Thursday at the two-day retreat organised by the ministry in Uyo that the new recruitment would provide the enabling environment for the ministry to further work on its various projects across the country.

The theme of the retreat is “Improving road sector infrastructure for socio–economic transformation’’.

Onolememen said the development would also address the issues of unemployment and poor designs of roads in the country.

According to him, the retreat will drive the social change in the road sector even as the expectations of the public are becoming higher.

He said there were already reforms and directives by the ministry that would guide all consultants and contractors handling jobs for the ministry.

Onolememen said that directives had been given for the review of the capacity/ capability of all consultants currently working for the Ministry with a view to retaining only those competent for the design of roads.

“The ministry is no longer ready to make payments for substandard jobs, only the intrinsic value of services rendered by consultants will henceforth be paid for by the ministry.

“The era of omnibus payment to consultants that add no value to our work is over.”

The minister also said that mandatory laboratories were being created for all road and bridge projects for effective assessment of materials meant for the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the country.

Onolememen warned that the ministry’s engineers and representatives would be held accountable for any shoddy work done by any of the ministry’s contractors.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, said that focus would be on transformation, reforms and partnership.

He appealed to the staff to ensure that a holistic approach to good governance, concentration and focus with the stakeholders, contractors and the civil service work force were not left out in all their transactions.

Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Goodswill Akpabio, represented by his deputy, Mr Nsima Ekere thanked the Ministers and stake holders in the sector for the honour done them.

He assured the ministers that his administration would not relent in infrastructure development in the state as they provided the backbone to any growing economy.

Akpabio solicited the ministry’s support and partnership to effectively ensure even development in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a communique would be issued at the end of the technical sessions deliberating on road challenges, management and reforms in the sector. (NAN)

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