There is no doubt that the current minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi is a round peg in a round hole if what he did in Ebonyi State as governor is anything to go about.

The former governor did not only performed but gave the state a unique look. Many people were not aware of his exploits in Ebonyi because he is not the kind of person who likes to showcase his projects in the media except when they are ready to be commissioned unlike some who will bring the media even when the project is to be flagged off or why it is being constructed.

Not forgetting in a hurry, the Police Command in Abakaliki, the numerous roads, bridges and roundabouts with fountains across the state. The interesting aspect is the unique colour the projects are being painted.

Meanwhile, when the Senator was first announced as one of the nominees for ministerial appointment, there was joy in the air and when he was given the ministry of Works, many commended President Tinubu for putting a right peg in a round hole. One of those persons is the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Charles Soludo. The former CBN Governor said he is confidence that Umahi will perform magic on Nigerian roads just like he did with Ebonyi State.

Expectations are very high and many people are already looking forward to seeing him unleash his magic wands. Infact, some have started hoping that from his first day one in office, roads will start taking shape across the country.

Interestingly, many road constructions that were abandoned long ago have started receiving attentions while those that were supposed to have been completed are already putting finishing touches to them.

Umahi has also shown capacity and the kinds of things to expect from him by taking a tour of projects across the country. He has also made his stand known to contractors that he is settling for concrete and no longer asphalt roads.

Meanwhile, there are some things that need urgent attentions that the minister should as a matter of urgency and deliberate policy put in place. They are as follows:

1. East-West road
Though, the East-West road is the project of the Niger Delta but there is need for the Minister of Works to supervise the project since it is within his purview. He is an engineer and will do a better job that will last longer because of the peculiarity of that area (swampy).

2. Competent Engineers/FERMA
This might not sound well in the ears of the staff of the Ministry, but investigations have shown that there are deficiencies on the parts of some of the engineers. There is need for Engineer Umahi to screen the engineers in the ministry. For instance, there were faults in the design of the Nyanya-Keffi road. They were corrected on several occasions before it was partially rectified. Secondly, the failed portions of the road between Mogadishu barracks and Kugbo furniture area were reconstructed on several occasions, (more than two times in a year). It is either the people handling it are incompetent or confused. That area has started giving way again.

It is the same story with the Federal Road Management (FERMA). Most of the roads managed by FERMA have gone worst especially the Okene-Okpella, Ekpoma-Benin and Ekpoma-Agbor roads. Despite the maintenance works, almost on monthly basis, the roads have remained unpassable. This is one of the reasons why many experts are commending the minister for insisting on concrete roads.

3. Abuja-Lokoja road
One of the roads that need serious attention is the Abuja-Lokoja. Ever since the road was approved for dualization in 1999, it is yet to be completed. Many administrations have come and gone, about 24 years after, the road is still unfinished. All efforts to complete the road by previous administrations have proven abortive.

The minister should use his good office to complete the road which has already started suffering wear and tear. The disturbing aspect is that travellers spend the night on the road during festive periods because of the state of the road and criminals are capitalising on that to rob innocent victims of their personal effects.

4. Another road begging for urgent attention is the Okene-Okpella. The state of this road is pathetic because the road is no longer motorable for vehicles especially smaller vehicles. The worrisome part is that there is indiscriminate parking of trailers and other heavy-duty trucks by the road hence narrowing the road. The same is also noticed at Obajana junction along Lokoja-Okene road, Lagos-Sagamu road, just to mention a few. Heavy duty trucks are supposed to be off the road.

5. Agbor Road
Agbor-Ekpoma road has been abandoned after the road became unpassable. The road is so deep that vehicles no longer make use of it again, they have resorted to passing through Onisha-Ugbo road. The same is the case with Ekpoma-Benin road. Infact most of the road leading to Edo and Kogi State are the worst hit in the country.

6. Concrete Roads
Kudos must go to the minister for bringing the idea of concrete road. That is what is needed for the roads across the country especially on roads usually patronised by heavy-duty vehicles. The Obajana-Kabba road is a typical example of concrete road and the road is still intact despite the numbers of heavy duty trucks plying the road.

Asphalt is no longer beneficial because of the swampy or texture of the areas. Most affected are the riverine areas while some are being affected by erosion especially in the southern parts of the country.

7. Markets by the road
It has been discovered that some markets operate along major roads. The minister should as a matter of urgency send the traders packing from the road because they are not only causing traffic gridlocks as motorists are trying to patronise them but also littering the road with refuse. Some of the heavy truck drivers and their conductors also urinate on the road thereby messing up everywhere.

8. Road Markings and Signs
One of the factors contributing to road crashes is the absence of road markings and signs. Road Markings will help to guide motorists on their lanes while signs will help to give directions to them especially for those plying the road for the first time. It also help motorists on safety/precautions.

Street lights
9. During a trip from Accra to Takoradi, it was discovered that their roads were well-lighted with street lights. The Nigerians amongst us were surprised that federal roads which were well constructed is also lighted. We can achieve the same with the Silent-Achiever (Senator Umahi) we have as Works Minister.

10. Drainages
Lastly, there is no doubt that one of the reasons why Nigerian roads go bad easily is because of lack of drainages. Most roads don’t have drainages hence when it rains, they are flooded and gradually affect the road. The minister can embark on a deliberate drainage construction to safeguard the roads that are still existing without drainages.

The minister has gone round and must have seen things by himself including the bridges that are failing and he knows more than the writer because he is a professional to the core but urgency is required in some of the roads.

However, for the inspection and actions he has taken thus far, we are confident like Mr. Soludo and others that Umahi will not only do well but perform excellently and might eventually surpass every other minister that had had their time in the ministry. But if he fails to perform, God forbid, we will also call his attention and remind him through our write-ups.