The newly sworn-in Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, upon his assumption of office, has pledged to challenge his fellow engineers on the issue of concrete technology even amid the forex challenge and petroleum crises.
Director (Information) Press & Public Relations Unit of the Ministry, Lere-Adams Blessing disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, August 21, 2023.
Lere said the Minister was received with a rousing reception by the Management Staff of the Ministry.
The former Governor of Ebonyi State, and also the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, now Minister as nominated by Mr President immediately assumed duty after the inauguration of the Federal Cabinet by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today 21st August, 2023 at the State House Villa Banquet Hall, Abuja.
Addressing a cross-section of staff of the Ministry, Umahi called for professionalism and seriousness to work, advocating for change from the existing style to innovations and the use of local content.
“I will challenge my fellow engineers on the issue of concrete technology even amid forex challenge and petroleum crises, the nation is endowed with natural resources so we should be prepared for the renewed hope of the present government anchored on change’’, he said.
The Minister stated that his administration was not to seat in the office but to be in the field, inspecting ongoing works and effecting the needed saying that the fortunes of the nation were determined by the attitude of its professionals.
Umahi added that he would not tolerate people who will want to reset the clock backward but people who wanted to be part of history, stating that he is a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not Minister of Ebony State or South East alone and his best friends are those who were in line with the aspirations of Mr. President’s renewed hope and the expectations of Nigerians.
He promised by the special Grace of God to replicate the good work of God in Ebonyi State to the federal roads, he urged all staff to be prepared to work for the good of all:
“God gave us a lot of Grace in Ebonyi State and each time people talk about me, I say no talk about God, I don’t know how it happened. I cannot do it alone and it’s not about me but about us as a nation’’, he said.
The Minister said he will be briefed by every Departmental Head in the presence of all the staff so that all the staff will know what is on board.
To this end, he charged the staff of the Ministry to put in their best and be part of history, he thanked everyone for making out time to welcome him and promised to be there for everyone.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mahmuda Mamman represented by the Director Highways, South West, Engr. Adedamola Kuti thanked the Minister for his show of commitment and love on his appointment, while also promising that the Ministry’s staff will do their best to support his vision and mandate, he thanked all staff for coming out en mass to welcome the Minister.
