The former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, affirms that the building and construction industry under his watch would prioritize the use of local content in the delivery of its works.
Umahi made this known in Abuja on Monday while addressing Directors, Heads of Departments, and other staff members on his assumption of office as the Minister of Works.
It would be recalled that Umahi is among the ministers inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as members of the Federal Cabinet.
Umahi, who came in the company of his wife and children, said local content was the way to go and that concrete was in abundance in the country.
Umahi, who came in the company of his wife and children, said local content was the way to go and that concrete was in abundance in the country.
“I will challenge our engineers on the issue of concrete technology even with the challenges of forex and petroleum prices and the abundance of limestone in our country.
“We will activate local content during our tenure in administration. I have indicated to see the contractors, meet with them and that will be after taking briefings from the heads of departments.
“I am not an office person, I am a field person. For some of you in that department, we will be inspecting the Lokoja-Benin, Lokoja-Abuja road,” Umahi said.
Umahi noted that he would also place priority on the welfare of staff but urged them to work with him to achieve the renewed hope that the Tinubu’s administration stood for.
Earlier in his welcome address to the minister, Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr Folorunsho Esan, representing the Permanent Secretary, Mr Mahmuda Mamman, congratulated Umahi and noted that they were professional colleagues.
Esan pledged the ministry’s total support to him in ensuring that he achieved his aim of building the nation’s infrastructure, and wished him a successful tenure.
