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FG flags-off N22.7bn Lokoja-Benin road dualisation project

By on February 15, 2013

As part of efforts to open up the country’s arterial roads and boost economic activities throughout the nation, the Federal Government yesterday flagged-off the dualisation of section one and two of the Lokoja-Benin Expressway.

While section one of the project, Obajana to Okene; estimated to cost N11.663 billion will be handled by CGC Nigeria Limited, the second section, Okene to Auchi, also valued at N11.086 billion, will be dualised by Mothercat Nigeria Limited.

This was even as the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, assured that the taking over of the dualisation of the Abuja-Lokoja highway by the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, would accelerate speedy completion of the project.

Onolememen, who spoke during the flag-off ceremonies of the two sections of the dualisation project, noted that the move was in continuation of the on-going dualisation of part of the Route A2, Abuja-Lokoja, and a part of the fulfillment of the present administration of opening up the six-geopolitical zones of the country through motorable arterial roads.

His words: “When the project is completed, Mr. President would have delivered on his promise to link the six geopolitical zones with dual carriageways; and with availability of funds, it is expected that this project will be completed within the next 30 months.”

While he urged the two contractors handling the project to make use of local human resources, he appealed to the leaders of the two states, Kogi and Edo, to take possession of the project through effective supervision.

In particular, he admonished local communities along that axis not to bug down the contractors with “frivolous litigations,” stressing that the road project was structured to improve their economic activities and ease vehicular movement.

“To this end, we call on traditional institutions and the good people of Kogi and Edo States to give the contractors all the necessary support for the full realisation of this project.”

Speaking during the flagoff of the first section of the road, the governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, lauded the renewed commitment of the present administration to road infrastructure.

 

 

[National Mirror]