The Minister of Finance and Co-Ordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has assured contractors availability of funding for the early completion of Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Dual Carriage road project.
Edun who gave the assurance while accompanied his counterpart from the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr David Umahi on inspection of the Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Dual Carriage Way, noted that the dual road is a viable project.
The Minister who was satisfied with the level of work done promised that the fund for the completion of the project was being worked out and would be made available to the contractors, reiterating the need for the speedy completion of the project.
Edun while commending the level of progress made on the project said the on-going attempt was to improve domestic resources mobilisation available to highly viable projects such as this.
According to him, “We are here today on an inspection tour under mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to examine and hear from the contractors and see their commitment, encourage, support them to the early completion of important project and to urge them to do more.”
He reiterated that infrastructure was a critical priority of the President Bola Tinubu led administration “In order to get food prices down, ease transportation of agricultural produce, movement of people freely across the country, and stabilise the economy.”
Edun added that he has no doubt about the completion of the project on time by the contractors. He said, “We have come, we have seen the level of commitment of the contractors to the completion of the project as soon as possible.”
Earlier the Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.) David Umahi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that, “They must ensure that work is completed on this project in 24 months.”
Umahi added, “The two ministers are sorting out the payment modalities and ensuring milestone completion of the project.”
While commending the Minister of Finance and Co-Ordinating Minister of the Economy on the reassurance of the release of fund for this road and other infrastructure projects also thanked him for taking critical decisions about the completion of the projects.
According to Umahi, “We have set specifications that will make the projects stable and stronger” noting that the contractors had been directed to concentrate on major carriage ways, adding that Nigerians were going to have sigh of relief.
Umahi is optimistic of the 24 months completion period of the project with the assurance of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy on the expeditious release of funds.
He added that, “Our plan for Nigerians is for good roads that they can use at any time, emphasizing that the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy is more committed than us.”
Benjamin Butt, Programme Manager of Julius Berger, the contractor handling the project while highlighting the stages of development of the road project disclosed that the company was using Construction Methodology as Recycling Technology in the rehabilitation of the Dual Carriage Way.