MINNA – Niger state government says it has expedited action on the ongoing roads projects, the Minna-Bida road in particular to ease transportation difficulties rural communities face in transporting food items from rural to urban areas to boost the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
One of the topmost agenda of the Mohammed Umar Bago led administration is to stem rural-urban migration by providing social amenities, including good road network to encourage especially youths to engage in modern farming instead of waiting for non-existing government paid jobs for survival.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, Alhaji Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo stated this as he gave an update on some ongoing road projects across the state.
Ebbo said one of the major components of the new Niger agenda is the upgrading and dualization of the Minna-Kataeregi-Bida road project (82Km) in Niger state including proper channelling of major river crossings bridges and minor cross drainage structures.
Other areas the state government is focusing on he said includes undertaking related technical supervision and consulting services and social intervention in some communities living along road project’s corridors.
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Details of some of the road project entails construction of pedestrian bridges, toll gates, and interchange construction within Minna metropolis and Bida town, adding that the Minna- Kataeregi-Bida road project is divided in to three segments.
The new order, Projects Development Objective (PDO), Alhaji Ebbo hinted is aimed at improving inter-connection of the corridor of road to enhance the state’s economic and social activities for optimal productivity.
Before the award of Minna- Kataeregi-Bida road project commuters along the route spent average of two and half hours to move from Minna to Bida a distance of 82km but that will soon be a thing of the past as the project get completed.
The Special Adviser said each of the three lots is financed by Niger State Government, Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development respectively, adding that all the three contractors are on site and ongoing without hitches.
Ebbo who gave details of the three (3) lots said; Minna-Kataeregi-Bida road project was divided to ease the construction and supervision activities, lot one from Kpakungu – before Garatu (CH0+000 -CH15+000) was awarded to Messrs DANTATA & Sawoe Construction Company (Nig.) Limited..
Lot two is from Garatu – Kakapkangi (CH15+000 – CH55+000) 40km was awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited while lot 3 from Kakapkangi–Bida (CH55+000 – CH82+000) 27km was awarded to Messrs Arab Contractors O.A.O Nigeria Ltd./ Arab Contractors O.A.O Egypt (JV).
