By Angela Atabo
An engineering expert, Clement Ogbuagu, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise investment in road infrastructure in order to grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
Ogbuagu, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Works, who bowed out of service, made the call at a send-off ceremony in Abuja on Thursday.
He praised the Minister of Works for introducing innovations in the road sector, particularly the adoption of concrete pavement technology, which he said, had improved the durability and quality of federal highways.
Ogbuagu, who described road infrastructure as a major driver of national economic growth, urged the government to pay more attention to road infrastructure through adequate and timely funding.
“You can see that most of our roads are now on concrete pavements and that has really improved the quality of the road in Nigeria.
“I want the federal government to pay more attention to the road sector because it is the road sector that grows the GDP of any nation because without road, there will be no meaningful development.
“It is with road that you can be able to do a lot of things. Federal Government should pay more attention, release funds when appropriate for the road sector to continue to strive.”
Speaking on the ongoing reforms, he noted that the Federal Civil Service had made significant progress through the Federal Civil Service Implementation Plan (FCIP), particularly in the area of digital transformation.
“Today, almost every ministry goes digital. Very soon, paper files will become obsolete.
The reforms under the FCIP should continue to receive the necessary support and funding to ensure their successful implementation,” he added.
Ogbuagu expressed gratitude to God for achieving a successful career and thanked the Federal Government for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation.
“I thank God for giving me the strength to go through the service, and I also thank the Federal Government for giving me the opportunity to serve,” he said.
He said his years in the federal civil service provided a rare opportunity to work with people from every part of the country.
“Serving at the federal level has made me interact with people from virtually every tribe in Nigeria.
“I can confidently say that I have become a full-fledged Nigerian because there is hardly any part of the country where I did not meet people during my years of service,” he stated.
Ogbuagu also advised civil servants to remain committed to the ethics of the service by adhering strictly to rules and regulations.
“My advice to my colleagues is to uphold the legacy of the federal civil service, remain diligent, and ensure that their conduct and performance are beyond reproach.
“That is the only way they can retire with honour,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, described Ogbuagu as an outstanding public servant whose dedication and professionalism would be greatly missed by the ministry.
“The ministry is sad to see him retire because he is leaving behind very big shoes to fill. He is humble, hardworking and diligent.
“We celebrate a man whose career exemplifies dedication, commitment and selfless service,” the minister said.
He also recalled Ogbuagu’s cheerful disposition, saying the retiring director remained calm and optimistic even under pressure.
“I always say he is a smiling director. No matter how challenging the situation was, he always wore a smile and made himself available to everyone. That positive attitude defined his leadership,” he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Rafiu Adeladan, emphasised that dedication, focus and self-reliance remained essential qualities for success in the public service.
“Anyone who wants to succeed in the civil service must be dedicated, self-reliant and focused. These are the values that sustain excellence in public service,” he said.
He commended Ogbuagu for his dedication and commitment to service of the ministry and the nation at large.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab