Niger State in the North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria has been in the news in recent times over the heightened spate of banditry attacks and abductions in the state particularly in recent months.
This has had a negative effect on the socio-economic well- being of businesses as well as citizens in the state manifesting in cold blooded murder of innocent citizens, sudden unplanned displacement of people, abductions, pervading fear, loss of property and limited business activity.
The good news however is that as far as the federal road Projects in the state is concerned, steady appreciable progress is being made in spite of the distraction by criminal elements who regularly unleash fear and mayhem in the state.
According to the Federal Controller of Works in Niger State, Engr. Eyitayo Aluko, the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and security agencies have been able to forge a synergy which has enabled contractors handling major federal road projects in the state to continue to work albeit slowly but steadily.
Aluko made the disclosure while speaking to journalists, who had undertaken an inspection tour of federal government projects on Gwada- Shiroro road, Bida- Wushishi- Zungeru Road and Minna-Tegina-Kontagora road.
While noting that the spate of attacks on the state had led to suspension of work on some occasions, he stressed that the government working in concert with security agencies has been able to restore the confidence of the contractors to continue working at the various sites.
On the Gwada – Shiroro road some bad spots which one of the community leaders referred to as formerly a “death trap” had been fixed and was commissioned to the delight of motorists and community members who showered praises on the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They emphasised the strategic importance of the road explaining that it connects a very important national power infrastructure located in Shiroro.
“We commissioned emergency repairs of some bad sections from Gwada to Shiroro road,” Aluko said.
“We also went to Bida-Zungeru-Wushishi road, presently being constructed by Gerawa Nigeria Limited.
“The total length of that road is 29.5 kilometers. The contractor has done satisfactorily well because out of the 29.5 kilometers they’ve done, they’ve accomplished about 16 kilometers asphalting. And the contractor is on site. The quality of work is satisfactory.”
“Also we have Minna-Zungeru-Tegini-Kontagora. This road is a vital link between the North Central and the North West.
“It links the North Central to the North-West through Kebbi State. The road is divided into two phases. Phase one presently is from Minna to Tegina and it’s being undertaken by MESA HMF Nigeria Limited.
So far so good. The total length of that road is 94 kilometers and so far so good. The contractor has been able to achieve about 38 kilometers of asphalting by that course.
The contractor is on site and presently the work is ongoing. The quality of work is also satisfactory. Then the phase two of this project is from Tegini to Kontagora.
“The contractor is on site but due to the high level of insecurity around that area, that’s really really slowed down the progress of work. But through the concerted efforts of the government, the Executive Governor of Niger State and security agencies, the contractors have moved back to site and the work is ongoing. So far so good.
“Out of the 95 kilometers of the total length, the contractor has been able to complete about 18 kilometers. 18 kilometers of asphalt at that final course.”
On the Suleja Minna road, the Controller explained thus, “this project is shared into two phases.
“This one is about 40 kilometers. This one was awarded in 2010 while the phase 2 was awarded in 2015. Recently the two phases were terminated due to non-performance by the contractor MESA Nigeria Limited.
“So presently the two phases have been procured and to be re-awarded to two contractors. So very soon we’ll see activities on that road.
Prodded by journalists, Aluko expressed optimism that one of the projects will be ready for commissioning by May this year.
“We just went to Bida-Zungeru-Wushishi being undertaken by MESA Nigeria Limited. You can see the pace of work on that road and the accomplishments so far”, Aluko stated.
“I can tell you that in the next two to three months, that road will be completed because out of the 29.5 kilometers of that road, the contractor has achieved about 17 kilometers asphaltic binder course and then within the next four weeks, the wearing course, the final course will come in.
So I’m very, very sure that that project will be completed before May 29 and ready for commissioning”, he assured.
At all the sites visited, representatives of the Nigerian Society of Engineers were present and they attested to the high quality of the works.