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Roads will improve our economy
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Being Text Of A Press Address By The Hon. Commissioner Of Information And Orientation, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Mustapha Aliyu, On The Occasion Of The Signing Ceremony Of Contracts For The First Phase Of The Construction Of Major Roads In Nasarawa State, Thursday, 20th March, 2008
Gentlemen of the Press.
1. It gives me tremendous pleasure to welcome and address you all on this historic occasion of the signing ceremony of the first phase of contracts for the construction/rehabilitation of some major roads in the state. In the ceremony just witnessed, contracts were awarded for six major roads in the state.
2. This event marks a giant step in the determined efforts of this Administration to transform the lives of the people.
3. You would recall that at the inception of this Administration on May 29, 2007, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of
Nasarawa State, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, OON (Garkuwan Doma) enunciated the policy thrust of his Administration in a 13-point development agenda. A cardinal aspect of the agenda is the construction of standard all-season network of roads intended to open up our rural areas to commercial and economic activities.
4. You are aware that I have addressed you on various occasions on other aspects of this Administration's efforts at fulfilling the 13-point agenda. Today’s press briefing is however focussed on the monumental steps taken by this Administration soon after the signing of the 2008 budget by His Excellency, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, OON (Garkuwan Doma) on 18th March, 2008.
5. The idea to embark on the massive construction and rehabilitation of network of roads in the State was conceived at the inception of the Administration. A survey of the entire state was carried out to determine the entire road needs of the state. Consequently, 6 major roads were identified for immediate construction and/or rehabilitation as the first phase of our road network development strategy.
6. Accordingly, with the signing into Law of the 2008 budget, Government has taken swift action to embark on the construction and rehabilitation of the following major roads in the State.
7. The roads are:
Project No. 1: Rehabilitation/Construction of Gitata-Panda-Karu Road - 64Km
Contractor: Ceezali Nig. Ltd
Contract sum: N3,700,761,801.00 (Three Billion, Seven Hundred Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-one Thousand, Eight Hundred and One Naira.
Completion period: 18 months.
Project No. 2: Construction of Doma - Akwatta - Angbashi -Benue Border Road. Phase 1 of the project consisting of Doma - Akwatta Road is being awarded today - with its length at 50Km
Contractor: P.W. (Nig) Ltd
Contract sum: N3,776,216,374.00 (Three Billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-six Million, Two Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-four Naira).
Completion period: 18 months.
Project No. 3: Rehabilitation of Toto - Umaisha Road - 50Km.
Contractor: Bulletine Construction (Nig.) Ltd
Contract sum: N1,230,638,062.50 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-eight Thousand, Sixty-two Naira, Fifty Kobo.
Completion period: 6 months.
Project No. 4: Construction of Doma-Agyaragu; Kadarko-Giza-Keana; Agaza-Agwatashi and Obi-Assakio Roads - 88Km
Contractor: Golden Construction Company Ltd
Contract sum: N3,990,359,772.00 (Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-two Naira).
Completion period: 18 months.
Project No.5: Construction and Rehabilitation of Keffi/Kokona Junction - Agwada - Udege Beki - Mararaba Road. Phase 1 consists of Keffi/Kokona Junction - Agwada - Udege Beki - 52Km.
Contractor: Carretera (Nig.) Ltd
Contract sum: N2,662,467,491.25 (Two Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty-two Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety-one Naira, Twenty-five Kobo.
Completion period: 18 months.
8. Government has also considered the status of the Nasarawa Eggon - Mada Station road and has terminated the contract due to unsatisfactory performance. Government has therefore approved re-award of the contract as follows:
Project No. 6: Construction and Rehabilitation of Nasarawa Eggon - Mada Station road - 30Km.
Contractor: Messrs Sharafa Brothers (Nig.) Ltd
Contract sum: N619,616,025.00 (Six Hundred and Nineteen Million, Six Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Twenty-five Naira).
Completion period: 9 months.
9. The total length of all roads for which contract has been awarded today is 352Km.
10. Other roads slated for consideration in the next phase are:
Adudu -Azara - Wuse - Akiri - Plateau State Border Road and;
Gudi Junction - Anguwan Zaria - Nunku road.
11. These roads are being designed and contract for their construction will be awarded after their design.
12. Ladies and Gentlemen, the total sum of all projects which contracts have just been signed is Fifteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million, Fifty-nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-two Naira, Seventy-five Kobo (N15,980,059,522.75) This easily represents the highest amount of money ever dedicated to road construction in the state.
13. The roads which contracts have been awarded today shall be of standard gauge, with good drainage and adequate culverts and bridges. All the roads will be tarred to second coat surface dressing and of durable standard.
14. It is necessary to point out that in order to ensure high quality of work and to have value for money, His Excellency has directed strict and effective monitoring and supervision of construction work on the roads. To this end, Government has appointed two reputable firms of Engineering Consultants, namely, Messrs AR - AR and REMEPLAN to work with officials of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in supervising the projects to completion.
15. It is fascinating to note that the Consulting firms have satisfied all general conditions for engagement such as experience, key staff qualifications and legal status, amongst others.
16. For ease of supervision, the consultancy firms have assigned Three (3No.) roads each. REMEPLAN Engineering will supervise the construction of Gitata - Panda - Karu road; Toto - Umaisha road and Keffi/Kokona Junction - Agwada - Udege Beki road. AR - AR Engineering will oversee the construction for Doma - Akwatta road; Doma -Agyaragu - Kadarko - Giza - Keana - Agaza - Agwatashi and Obi - Assakio road. The last road in this category is the Nasarawa Eggon - Mada Station road.
17. I need to reassure you that Government is determined to ensure that these roads are completed on schedule. This is why Government has taken all necessary steps to ensure that contractors mobilise to site immediately.
18. It must be stressed that these road projects are the first phase of a major plan by this Administration to provide standard roads throughout the State for the benefit of all. Government hopes that all communities living in the areas where these road projects are located will extend their maximum cooperation to the contractors.
19. Let me assure you that this Administration believes in the principles of due process, transparency and accountability. Consequently, as already stated in the opening remarks of the Hon. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, the contracts were subjected to due process before they were awarded. The contractors were chosen based on proven experience, quality of mechinaery and personnel, as well as work carried out in many parts of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory.
20. In conclusion, I want to call on all and sundry to cooperate with the Government in the implementation of the 2008 budget which has been carefully packaged to uplift the state into enviable heights among the comity of States.
21. I thank you all for listening.
22. God bless.
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