By Stella Odueme
Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, has inaugurated members of the Office of the Deputy Director General (ODDG), Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation, of the 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), to strengthen the documentation and publicity of the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects nationwide.
Umahi, who is the Deputy Director General for Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the campaign council, inaugurated the team during its inaugural meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
He described the meeting as an opportunity to promote collaboration, mutual understanding and effective working relationships among members in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The minister urged the team to work with a shared sense of purpose and commitment, stressing the need for coordinated communication on infrastructure developments and their impact on Nigerians.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed, he explained that the team was expected to identify, document, compile and publicise infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal Government through ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies (MDAs).
According to him, although the Federal Ministry of Works accounts for a significant proportion of the government's infrastructure investments, the team's responsibilities must extend to other MDAs to provide a comprehensive picture of infrastructure development across the country's six geopolitical zones.
Umahi consequently charged the Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement for the six geopolitical zones, who were appointed as zonal coordinators, alongside other members and the secretary of the office, to work together in identifying and documenting relevant projects within their respective areas.
He said the exercise should capture projects undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Works and other MDAs to provide a comprehensive overview of infrastructure investments and the developmental initiatives of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Administration.
The minister clarified that existing publicity activities by the ministry and the Senior Special Assistants would continue, adding that the ODDG would establish a broader framework for coordinating information on infrastructure projects at zonal, sub-national and national levels.
He emphasised that proper documentation and effective communication were necessary to ensure that Nigerians had access to accurate information about government infrastructure investments.
Umahi also highlighted the importance of infrastructure development to economic growth, national development and community integration.
According to him, infrastructure investment stimulates economic activities, connects communities, creates opportunities and supports the growth of other sectors of the economy.
On road construction, the minister highlighted the Federal Government's adoption of continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology, saying it was helping to reduce dependence on imported bitumen while promoting the use of locally available resources and expertise.
He explained that the technology supports local economic activities, reduces foreign exchange demand associated with imported road construction materials and promotes more durable and sustainable infrastructure delivery.
The minister charged members of the ODDG to demonstrate diligence, professionalism and responsibility in carrying out their assignments, noting that effective communication and public sensitisation were essential to accurately documenting and disseminating information on infrastructure projects.
The inauguration marks an initial step towards strengthening coordination, mobilisation and public sensitisation on infrastructure development within the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council.
L