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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, at the weekend, commissioned Gwada-Shiroro Road, in Niger State, one of the 260 emergency projects inherited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking after the commissioning, Federal Controller of Works, in the state, Engineer Aluko Eyitayo, who represented the minister, said that the road is an arterial road that connects the community with Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station.
The project, according to him, is two projects in one—–the emergency repair and the construction of a collapsed pipe cover.
“Where we are standing presently used to be a one-cell pipe cover. So, it was very, very inadequate. It collapsed, and we had to come around to intervene.
So, before the intervention, the connectivity from Gwada was a nightmare. So, we were able to reconstruct and improve on what was here before by introducing a two-cell box cover. So, as you can see, it’s completed and the traffic is flowing.
“Also, we did sectional repair of bad sections, bad portions of the roads from here. There were a lot of bad sections of the roads that reduced the travel time. So, we were able to repair all of them from here.
“And the scope of work includes reconstruction of the embankment washouts into the construction of a box cover, laying of asphalt, draining course, and stone base. All the works have been completed. It was awarded to two contractors.
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“One of them is Messres Wisepin and the other one is the Hi Engineering Construction Limited. The project has been substantially completed, and it has been put to use. We are here today to commission the two projects” he said
Attesting to the quality of construction, Chairman, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), in Niger State, Dr. Bala Saliu who attested to the quality of construction, also added that the road has boosted the economy of the community and has saved lives.
“We don’t need to say much. You can see the community is happy. As remote as this area is, the economic benefits, the social benefits, and a lot of benefits attached to it, cannot be overemphasised. Of course, the community remains very, very grateful for this very timely intervention” he said.
Also, speaking, Secretary General, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Niger State chapter, Engineer Abubakar Kawu, attested that apart from reducing travel time and boosting the economy, the road will also reduce the spate of accidents and deaths.
“It (road) will reduce a lot of accidents that happen along this road, and also, it will increase more economic activities, because this place is known as an economic area, and it’s also the road that leads to Shiroro Hydroelectric Power—–the major hydroelectric power generation in Niger State and that covers all other places.
“And with this intervention, it will affect even the power energy sector. So, we are very grateful that the government came and put these projects in order” he stated
Other ongoing projects in the state include, Minna-Zungeru-Tejina, Kotangora. This road is a vital link between the north-central and the north-west
Construction is also going on along Bida-Zungeru Road, being undertaken by Messrs Nigeria Limited.
