Tinubu revitalizing national road networks for sustainable economic prosperity – Umahi

The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi CON has commended President Bola Tinubu for setting high standards in road construction, and for intentional revitalizing the national road network for sustainable economic prosperity.

The minister described road and bridge infrastructure as critical indicator for national GDP growth.

This was as he said that Tinubu’s interventions and innovations in road construction will stand the taste of time.

Umahi spoke after inspection visits to sections of the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, Abuja- Lokoja, and Lokoja- Benin roads.

Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji , Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works in a statement made available to the Daily Times on Monday indicated that the President’s decision to prioritize the funding of the outstanding sections of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road was underpinned by his desire to have the road completed in record time.

“We gave Mr. President 14 months to complete both sections I and III,and section II. The sections I and III, which are a total of 118 kilometers, were awarded at a total cost of N252 billion. Mr. President has fully paid 30%, which should be about 60 something billion Naira. Section II is about 72km by 2, which is on reinforced concrete.

“And I think 17, 15 kilometres is going to be on a flexible asphalt pavement.The total cost is N507 billion. 30% has been paid, which is over N150 billion. Now, if you combine the two projects up to Kano, you will see that this project is N761 billion.

“I commend Mr. President very highly for his interest in building this road. We tagged the building of this road, the building of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has so much passion to get this project completed. And he’s funding it as a priority project.

“And we are happy for the sections completed on concrete.In the past, we witnessed construction of roads, which never lasted up to 10 years. But this time, it’s building of roads that will last between 50 to 100 years,” said the minister.

While inspecting the projects on Abuja- Lokoja road, Umahi expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work being executed on the Zuba- Abaji road project by Messrs GRB Construction Co. Nigeria Limited.

He commended the indigenous contractor for standing tall in the quality execution of the project awarded to them, assuring that the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President is favourably disposed to encouraging indigenous contractors through the ‘Nigeria First’ policy.

He also commended the quality works on the inherited NNPC preoject on the Abuja bound of Abuja-Lokoja route in Kogi State handled by Messrs Trucrete but urged the contractor to increase the pace of work as the Federal Ministry of Works hoped to get more funding as soon as possible.

“I bring you good news. The President said NNPC projects must continue, and this time around, when we rescope it, we are going to agree on milestone completion. So, I want the contractor to start another section on shoulders. Let the carriageway continue,mixers can be used on the shoulders,” he said.

He placed on record that road construction under Mr. President is built to last for up to 100 years, noting that the concrete technology introduced by Mr. President has timeless legacy, and the construction method encourages local content in all its forms.

The Minister of State for Works, Rt Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo Esq thanked the President of Nigeria for his commitment to completing the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project, which he noted would ease the movement and travel time of the road users when completed.

He commended for deploying his professional knowledge and experience in ensuring the completion of the road in record time.

Parts of the projects inspected are; the completion of outstanding works on Abuja-Kaduna – Zaria – Kano, Sections II (Kaduna – Zaria) Road in Kaduna State being handled by Messrs Infiouest International Limited. 72.08km dual (CRCP); the reconstruction of Abuja-Lokoja Road (Section I & II): Zuba- Abaji road being handled by Messrs JRB Construction Co. Limited. 22.20Km; the provision of Culverts and Drains at Flood Prone Areas on Federal Road Network in North Central Zone: Section 2 (3km: Ch13 – Ch16). Abuja – Lokoja, Kogi State being handled by Sadogi Nigeria Limited. 3.0km; the rehabilitation of Abuja – Lokoja Section A4 (Ch 23+400 – Ch 26+395) in Kogi State being handled by Venus Construction Co. Ltd. 3.0Km.

Others are; the reconstruction of Kotonkarfe–Abaji Road (47.862km:Ch.82+000-Ch.129+862) Abuja Bound along Abuja – Lokoja Route in Kogi State being handled by Messrs. Trucrete. 47.862km; the reconstruction of Existing Pavement and Completion of the Additional Pavement on the Dualization of Abuja – Lokoja Highway, Section III (Ch. 82+000 – 131+362): Abaji – Koton Karfe Road in Kogi State being handled by Messrs. Geld Limited/Triacta Nig. Ltd. 50.797km; Dualization of Lokoja – Benin Road, Section I, Phases I& II: Obajana Junction – Okene Road in Kogi State being handled by CGC Nigeria Limited. 59.104 Km (Dual).