*MINISTER OF WORKS AND HIS FINANCE COUNTERPART JOINTLY INSPECT ABUJA- KADUNA- ZARIA- KANO HIGHWAY, BRAINSTORM WITH JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ON STRATEGIES AND MILESTONES FOR DELIVERY OF THE PROJECT WITHIN A RECORD TIME*
In keeping with the Presidential innovations on inter-ministerial coordination, cooperation, and collaboration in the tackling of sectoral problems under the Renewed Hope administration of *His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,* the Hon. Minister of Works, *His Excellency Sen.Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON* and his counterpart, the Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, *Chief Adebayo Olawale Edun*, were on inspection visit to Abuja – Kaduna -Zaria-Kano Highway on 12th January 2024.
The dual carriageway which has been a source of concern to road users because of the many dilapidated spots and security challenges, was awarded to Julius Berger Plc but could not be completed because of security and funding challenges. But the administration of Mr. President views the road as very critical for the socio-economic advancement of the nation and is therefore committed to completing the project on a record time.
While brainstorming on strategies and milestones for fixing the road, the Hon. Minister of Works assured the contractors that funding would not be a problem going forward. “We have got a commitment from the Honourable Minister of Finance to make payment, and I am very sure if we pay Julius Berger Plc according to the commitment on funding, it will complete the job “
The Minister also said “ we have issues of reviewing the contract sum, and we will sort that out. We sent our technical team to re examine the sub grade, which will be the basis of our redesign, let me emphasis that this is the first project we are touring in this place, and Mr President in his Renewed Hope Agenda has expressed his deep concern on the completion of the project and he has directed that everything must be done to get the entire project completed”
On his part, the Hon. Minister of Finance assured of the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government in the timely funding of the project in line with the agreed milestones. “Under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are both here on inspection to hear the commitment of the contractor handling the project and to support them, to as soon as possible complete this all important reconstruction of the Abuja- Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Road.”
The Finance Minister described the works sector as one of the most strategic sectors that will add value to the economic development agenda of Mr. President and would always be given priority attention. “We want to urge the contractor to do more.Infrastructure is a critical priority of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is how we can get food prices down. Through transportation and easy transportation of agricultural products, we want to move freely across the country. To bring down the prices and inflation,we will be doing more on the funding. ”
On the inspection team includes directors from both Ministry of Works and Finance , Managing Director Julius Berger Nigeria Plc , Engr Dr Lars Richter who conducted the two ministers round the projects and several other stakeholders.
*Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji*
( Special Adviser ( Media) to the Hon. Minister of Works)
