Bauchi Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, on Sunday, flagged off the construction of an 11-kilometer dual carriageway project at the cost of over N10bm.
The dual carriageway is to stretch between Ningi-Gudduba with the aim of opening up the area when the project is completed for the growth and development of Bauchi.
The project is to be executed under the state government infrastructural development initiative aimed at enhancing economic development and improving the quality of life of people.
According to the Governor, while performing the groundbreaking of the project, his administration embarked on the construction of roads across the state despite the dwindling state of the economy in order to make movement easy for the people.
He also added that when the project is completed, the roads will boost the economic status of the state as well as Ningi town in particular.
Bala Mohammed assured the people of Ningi and the entire Bauchi State of further developmental projects for the growth and transformation of the State enjoining the entire Bauchi people for continued support for the success of his administration.
The Governor also said the contract was awarded in view of its strategic importance which serves as a gateway to the commercial city of Kano and other northern parts of the country noting that the move would also reduce the high rate of accidents resulting in loss of lives and properties.
Bala Mohammed who said that already the mobilization fee of 30 percent has been paid to allow for the commencement of the work experienced confidence that when completed it would ameliorate the transportation challenges being experienced in the area.
While noting that the project would be supervised by a team of engineers from the State Ministry of Works and Transport and the State Projects Monitoring Unit, the Governor warns the contracting firm on strict compliance to the project specifications.
He said that his administration places priority on road development as other forms of development in the state also hinge on road Networks, adding that the contract will executed through direct contract award to Mothercat Nigeria Limited which will be jointly supervised by a team of engineers from the State Ministry of Works and Transport and Federal Ministry of Works.
He also said that his administration had already received the approval of the federal government for the construction of the road, adding that his government wanted the federal government to do it, but his government was too anxious and decided to execute the project.
Bala Mohammed noted that roads are very important component of economic activities not only in the developed world but also in developed countries, stressing that they facilitate access to employment, education and opportunities for all other productive activities.
The Governor said that Ningi Emirate and the Central Zone have been deprived by previous administrations of good road networks, pointing out that his administration is writing the wrongs and correcting the anomalies in terms of creating engagements, inclusivity, and respect for the yearnings and aspirations of every sector of the state.
According to him, “As the Chairman of the local government has said that there is so much neglect of the Ningi emirate and it is not that easy for one administration to address them, but I will definitely try my best as the Turaki Ningi”.
Bala Mohammed added, “We therefore hit the ground running on day one of our first tenure by awarding road projects to a number of reputable road contractors, this particular one that we are doing in Ningi, is in recognition of what the people of Ningi have done to us as PDP, from myself the Governor, you voted for me, voted for all those who contested under the PDP. All the elected offices in Ningi emirate were given to the PDP. The only way to say thank you is the Dualization of Ningi town”.
He stressed that, “This road project is a reciprocation of what you have done to us and we will continue to do it and take one aspect of what you need to the other.”
According to him, “The project like other numerous project embarked upon by this administration were conceived as a fulfillment of our campaign promises to provide essential infrastructures in order to ameliorate the transportation difficulties by our people who face serious challenges to transport their agricultural produce to the markets.”
“By and large, It is expected that in the course of the construction, the project will create direct jobs to engineers, labourers, artisans and indirectly to food vendors, suppliers, transporters and many others in the construction value chain.When the project is completed, it will significantly transform the lives of thousands of residents of the state,” he assured.
In his appreciation, the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Muhammadu Yunusa DanYaya, commended the Governor for the project which he said was coming during his reign.
A visibly happy Emir of Ningi announced the Conferment of Bala Abduladir Muhammad with the traditional title of Turakin Ningi, considering the significant improvement he has brought to the state through his administration.
In their separate remarks, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Works and Transport and Representative of the contracting firm highlighted some components of the project including a 7.3-meter carriageway and 2-meter-wide shoulders.
The Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ibrahim Zubairu appreciated the Governor for considering the long-awaited project in his rural and urban development initiative.
Various speakers expressed their gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed for his remarkable initiatives in regard to his vision and the worth of reading his developmental projects across the state.
The contractor assured that the project will be completed within the stipulated time frame and that it’s going to be a project that will last for a longer period of time and add more value and worth to the state at large. The project is to be completed within eighteen dry months.
. TheWitness
