By Daniel Tyokua
The federal government has given insight into the completion date for the ongoing dualization of Suleja -Minna, Agaie-Baro roads in Niger state.
Director highways construction and rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Engr Folorunsho Esan said the roads would be completed by January and May, 2023.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Director Press and Public Relations, Blessing Lere – Adams, Esan gave the deadline during inspection of the roads.
It explained that both the roads are being funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) under the Tax Credit Scheme introduced by the federal government.
According to the statement, “My impression is that the contractor is on site making progress and we can see the various aspects of work, the earthwork, the pavement work and even the asphalt laying is going on smoothly, the only challenge is that of security but it’s being taking care of with the presence of security agents”.
On the 52 kilometers Agaie – Baro Port road which connects the Lambata – Bida highway, the Director said, ” work is progressing, 14 kilometres have been asphalted, earthwork is up to 32 kilometres and the rest which is about 18 kilometres is still outstanding, but we have the assurance that the work will be delivered on target”.
Esan said the road when completed will boost the economy of the Nation and the North Central region in particular as it leads to the Baro Port through which goods and services can be brought into the country and exported to other countries.
Team Leader of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Tahir Ahmed who participated in the inspection exercise to asses the quality and progress of work, also expressed satisfaction with the work done so far.
He said NNPC is funding the construction of the roads under the Tax Credit Scheme of the Federal government that allows corporate organisations to invest the tax that would have been paid to the Federal Government into infrastructure development, stating that the work will aid the progress of their business, the economy and improve the wellbeing of Nigerians.
Tahir also stated that the roads were among the other critical roads selected to be funded by the NNPC because of their importance to the economy of the nation through which Petroleum products are being conveyed to other parts of the country.
The contractors working on both sites expressed confidence that the projects will be completed and delivered on target as funding is readily available.
