The Federal government has called for the support and cooperation of the Kaduna State Government to ensure that the few obstructions on the road towards the Rigachukwu and Raba road which is part of section 1 of the Abuja – Kaduna – Kano road construction and rehabilitation project are removed so that the contractor can have access to work.
Minister of State for Works and Housing, Umar Ibrahim El – Yakub made the call when he paid a courtesy visit on the Governor at the Government House, Kaduna.
The Minister informed the Governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr.Hadiza Sabo Balarabe that he was on an inspection
tour of the Abuja -Kaduna – Zaria – Kano road to assess the progress of work by the contractor.
He told the Governor that the work which was suspended at section one of the road due to security threat will soon resume fully as the security situation on the road had improved significantly.
He praised Governor El – Rufai for the infrastructural development he championed in the state. The Minister said,”Under the leadership of Mallam Nasir El – Rufai’s very dynamic and purposeful government, Kaduna has seen alot of transformation.”
While emphasising the significance of infrastructure El- Yakub said, ” It is an essential part of economic development because economic activities thrive when you have developed infrastructure.”
Responding on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe expressed gratitude to the Minister for coming to inspect the road.
Balarabe expressed optimism that the construction and rehabilitation of the road will ease movement of people and goods, ease the security situation in the areas and boost the economic activities of the people.
While briefing newsmen, the Minister disclosed that section 2 of the road which begins from Zaria to Funtua is about 56 kilometres out of which 7 kilometres is a dual carriageway.
He added that the contractor has promised that by next month the 7 kilometres carriageway would be completed. He expressed happiness over the quality of work.
He stated that the project is being funded under the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme which is one of the innovative ways introduced by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for financing infrastructure.
El – Yakub also inspected the Rigachuku and Dumbi bridges. He informed journalists that currently only one of the dual carriageway of the Rigachuku brigde is functioning, he however said that the contractor has been mobilised to work on it. He added that the Dumbi bridge is still functioning fully but the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing is just being proactive to ensure that any weakness in the bridge is rectified.
Engineer Alex Onaji who is the Engineer’s Representative on section 2 of the project said work was progressing on the project and only 13 percent was remaining to get it completed, adding that the contractor was committed to the project.
