The Federal Government has has approved the immediate funding of 30km dualization of three sections of the road, which is to be funded under Tax Credit Scheme by the company BUA Group.
Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi disclosed this during a meeting with all the contractors handling the Benin- Lokoja Federal Highway, Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole and some stakeholders from the area.
While in a bid to provide urgent and accelerated intervention on the critical sections of this highway, the Minister said his ministry took some steps to review the texture of the pavement of the project to conform to the new innovation introduced by Renewed Hope administration to ensure best standards and durability.
“I went through the road in September, I was very satisfied that BPP and the Ministry did very fantastic work. But all I did was to keep the project but review the texture of the pavement. And so we allowed the existing carriageway to be on asphalt and then reviewed the new carriageway to be on concrete”, he explained.
Umahi added, “Being satisfied, so we went through the process of notifying the BPP, and from there, we went to FEC, and graciously, FEC approved, and so we’re in the process of signing an addendum to the contract.”
“Meanwhile Mr. President has approved that BUA Group should do 30km of the road in 3 locations multiplied by 2, that is 60km on Tax Credit”, the Minister disclosed.
Umahi who applauded the BUA Group for their interest to handle the construction of the 30 km carriageway under Tax Credit Scheme, said the intervention was targeted at the critical sections of the road as already isolated when he last visited.
He said, “Let me commend BUA plc very highly, because on their own they had indicated interest to do about 30km of the road on tax credit. That was one of the reasons I decided to go and revisit the road to know the section they needed to do and also to open the road.
“So, we had to open the road. We appealed to the road transport workers, that work would start Monday, the next week. That was 18th, and indeed, we briefed the President, and then Senator Adam Oshiomhole now came with the full weight of his person.”
Speaking on behalf of the people, the Senator double as the Chairman, Senator Committee on Interior, Oshiomhole eulogized the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in changing the socio-economic narrative of the nation through aggressive road infrastructure transformation.
He showered praises to the uncommon commitment of the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi in achieving the vision of Mr. President on road infrastructure development.
The Senator who came in the company of the All Progressive Congress APC Party Candidate in the forthcoming Edo Guber election, double as Senator rep Edo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Monday Okpebholo expressed his profound pleasure over the new paradigm in Federal Ministry of Works.
He noted that the Ministry under Sen. Umahi has recorded unprecedented performance in the road infrastructure development within the shortest period of time.
Oshiomhole said, “I was shocked that within 72 hours this Minister did not only hear the word of the President, he packaged what I have seen from the briefing to be a doable and workable approach to solving a problem that four or five ministers before him could not solve. So I wish to ask us to appreciate his energy, his drive, and his focus, without which we will not be here today.”
In his words, the Edo APC Guber Candidate, Sen. Okpebholo said the President rekindled the Edo people hope. “Just within shortest time of our request to the Minister, magic has been done, if this is how Nigeria works; everybody will want to come back home, nobody will want to ‘japa’.”
On his part, the Group Executive Director of BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu, assured of the commitment of the company in delivering the project within a record time.
While giving vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Yakubu Adam Kofaramata appreciated Mr. President for the new narrative in the Federal Ministry of Works, which is made possible by the appointment of a workaholic and highly committed Honourable of Works.