FCTA commends Airport Road reconstruction work progress

Idu Jude, Abuja

The Minster, Federal Capital Territory (FCTA), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has expressed delight with the pace of work at the ongoing Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport road reconstruction project. Bello was pleased that work on such a major arterial road, also known as Bill Clinton Drive, linking the Airport to Umar Musa Yar’Adua Express Road was being undertaken with minimal damage to vegetation and utilities, improvement on services, on schedule and without any major hindrance to traffic. His words, “our major concern had been how we were going to execute such a major infrastructure work without posing a major obstruction to traffic as well as preserving the trees and street lights. I am happy that we have been able to accomplish this work without doing damage to the environment and utilities.”
According to the Minister, the Administration was proactive in taking up the reconstruction project as it was evident that the road was beginning to show signs of deterioration. It, therefore, had to act quickly to stem a possible collapse. He noted that the pattern used in the ongoing Bill Clinton Drive reconstruction project, which included advocacies and stakeholder consultations, would set the standard for future reconstruction works in the city. He lamented the damage done to the trees that lined up the Umar Musa Yar’Adua Express Road, during the project for its expansion into a ten-lane express road, and assured that such a mistake would not be allowed to repeat itself. The Minister, who was led on the inspection visit by the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority – FCDA, Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, noted that the project is a reflection of the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s belief that infrastructure is the bedrock of any national development.
He commended the team of engineers from FCDA as well as the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, for the excellent work they were doing, while exhorting them to ensure adequate laybacks and to make provisions for bus-stops to service the adjoining residential areas. Briefing the Minister on the Project, the Director Engineering Services FCDA, Engr. Hadi Ahmad said that work on the 7km road involved scarification, stabilization of earth work and “Dunlop” asphalts. He disclosed that the team has been able to effectively manage the diversion of both inbound and outbound traffic in a seamless manner. Engr. Ahmad disclosed that the outlook of the road has been improved with better kerbs, wider road shoulders and adequate drainage system.
He expressed hope that the completed side of the road would be opened to traffic by Wednesday next week while work would move to the other side of the drive way. The Federal Executive Council last year approved the sum of N1.7 billion for the reconstruction of the Bill Clinton Drive in order to stem the possible collapse of the road which as at then had far outlived its life span. Work commenced last September with a deadline for completion set for seven months, which is April 2019, following the winning bid by CCECC.