Contrary to the speculations that the present administration did not what to identify with the road projects of the past administrations by canceling them, the minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday said President Mohammandu Buhari did not cancel any project of the past governments, but rather completed some of them.
This is as the minister hinted that the federal government is targeting Christmas period for the reopening of the second Niger bridge for easy movement of the people during the festive period.
Fashola who gave President Mohammandu Buhar’s Scorecard under his ministry in Abuja Wednesday, said the administration prioritised some critical road projects and brought them into near or total completion.
He said the reason for some delayed or untouched road projects, was limited funding, the area he assured that would be taken care of before the end of the present administration.
Foshola who did not deny the fact that some roads across the country are still in a bad shape, however said contracts were given for the rehabilitation of the roads and would soon be delivered.
He said the administration has, amongst others, constructed roads to airports, seaports and others to boost commercial activities in the sector, and by extension impact positively on the nation’s economy..
The minister used the forum to assure Nigerians that the second Niger bridge would be opened before the end of the year.
He however said that the impediment now is the current flood that has covered the bridge area, making it difficult for the contractor handling the project to give the finishing touches to it.
He assured that, definitely, when the flood subsides, final work will be done on the bridge, and would be ready for commissioning.
The minister said what was delaying the commissioning was the construction of the link road to the bridge from both the Asaba and Onisha axes.
“I can confirm that the second Niger Bridge itself is finished. People can walk through it now. What remains now is the link roads.” he said
On Housing, the Minister said that the National Housing Programme that was initiated by the Ministry of Works and Housing at the onset of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration had affordability and accessibility as key considerations.
He said “the National Housing Programme is now delivering on its objective of stimulating the economies of the 35 states and the FCT. Jobs have been created in the communities where the construction of the houses are being built. Such needs for artisans, builders, engineers, and other skilled persons in the built industry, the construction sites have been and remain centres of supply for building materials and other commodities”
He explained that with the Programme now in a season of completion, many of the houses have been completed and are now being handed over to the beneficiaries who follow the allocation procedure set out in the National Housing Programme web portal (nhp.worksandhousing.gov.ng)
“The National Housing Programme has therefore produced new home owners but in the process also produced citizens who found economic fulfilment as contractors, suppliers of various construction items and artisans,”, he said.
