The Niger State government has appealed to residents, particularly motorists living in areas where road constructions or rehabilitation work are ongoing – to bear with the inconveniences associated with moving around; pending the completion of the projects which are geared towards giving the State an infrastructural face-lift.
The appeal was made on Wednesday by the commissioner of budget and planning, Mustapha Ndajiwo who alongside the commissioner of works an infrastructure , Umar Suleiman and other government functionaries from both ministries led a team of journalists on an inspection tour of projects being executed in Minna, the Niger State capital, under the urban renewal initiative of Farmer- Governor Mohammed Umar Bago as well as other outstanding projects completed after he assumed office and those stalled for various reasons.
The first point of call for the team was the Chanchaga axis of the Minna metropolis where Mr. Bop Leez, a representative of the CCECC – the firm handling the road project close to the IBB Specialist Hospital, briefed the team on the progress made thus far and how the company intends to deliver within the expected timeframe and specifications as funding has not been an issue.
Other sites visited by the team included the Limb-Prosterium road, Tagwai Dam road, site of ongoing over-head bridge construction at a portion along the Chanchaga road where the city gate was formerly situated as well as a rehabilitated section of Eastern Bypass Road. The team also visited completed and yet-to-be executed projects under the ‘Number of Five’ roads around the school of Midwifery axis of Minna.
The commissioners who were largely impressed by the quality of work being done particularly at sites under Urban Renewal projects, stressed the need for contractors and consultants to be mindful of specifications and the purpose each project is meant to serve while embarking on construction or rehabilitation work.
The only project that left the team with a bit of concern was the delay in completion of the first phase of the Minna-Bida dual carriage highway, where it was noted and acknowledged by the contractors, Dantata & Sawoe that financial disbursement had exceeded physical progress on the site.
The Monitoring resolved to hold a meeting in due course so as to arrive at a position to advise Government on the next course of action with regards to the issue bordering on the Minna-Bida Road.
Highlights of the inspection tour which ended at the CCECC facility in Minna included a photo session of commissioners, permanent secretaries, directors and other functionaries from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and Ministry of Budget and Planning – respectively
A briefing with contractors handling stalled projects is expected to hold on Monday