FG reiterates commitment to providing quality roads

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to providing quality road infrastructure across the nation.

He stated this during an inspection visit to the sections I and II of the ongoing dualisation/expansion of Abuja–Keffi– Akwanga road construction project.

Fashola, who was in company of his state counterpart,  Abubakar Aliyu, said the quality of road construction across the nation could not be compromised as the ministry had the manpower and the technical know-how to build good roads of international standard.

The minister noted that all the nation’s highway projects were critical and strategic, describing the Akwanga-Makurdi road, linking the North Central and North-East as strategic and as such the Federal Government was doing all that is possible to complete it to standard and not rushing them to avoid shabby work.

“The essence is to make life better for the people, ease traffic flow for the commuters and promote economic activities of the citizens,” he stated

Earlier, the project consultant informed the minister that they have made a lot of progress with an aggregate of 45.8 per cent completion of work in Section I (Abuja-Keffi) and 41 per cent completion in Section II (Keffi-Akwanga)

Breaking down the work progress, the consultant stated that, 90 per cent has been achieved in the construction of culverts and drainages, 60 per cent attained in bridges and 40 per cent in the pavement construction

He also listed relocation of utilities (telecom, water and electricity), compensation, COVID-19 lockdown and outstanding payment as part of their challenges

In his contribution, the Federal Controller of Works, Nasarawa State,  Daikwo told the ministers that the progress of work on the road is encouraging even as the COVID-19 had affected its progress

He informed the ministers that the land acquisition and compensation process is at an advanced stage, while relocation of existing services away from the proposed road corridor is still pending and requires client action.

“The 220 kilometre Abuja- Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia- Makurdi road project is 85 per  cent funded by the Chinese Export-Import Bank and 15 per cent counterpart fund from the Federal Government which is a budget issue

“For those who have issues with the borrowing, they can now come and see what it has done. All the people who work here would probably not have work to do if not for the borrowing,” Fashola said

The project is being implemented by the Road Sector Development Team (RSDT) unit of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

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