From Paul Orude Bauchi
Bauchi State government is to spend the aum.of M10.3 billion for the dualisation of the 11-kilometer GSS Ningi-Gudduba road in Ningi Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed disclosed this at the flag-off ceremony in Ningi on Sunday.
Mohammed, disclosed that the contract was awarded to Mothercat Nigeria Limited and would be jointly supervised by a team of engineers from the State Ministry of Works and Transport and the Federal Ministry of works.
He said that his administration placed priority on road development in the state.
He explained that the dualisation of the GSS Ningi to Gudduba road was due to its strategic nature.
He said he honoured the request of the Emir of Ningi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya to carry out the exercise because of the high regard he has for the monarch and the neglect from previous administrationns.
He said his administration has received the approval of the federal government for the dualisation of the road.
Th3 governor added that although he wanted the federal government to do it, his government was too anxious and decided to execute the project.
Governor Mohammed noted that roads were important component of economic activities not only in the developed world, but also in developing countries,.
He stressed that the GSS Ningi- Guddaba road when completed would facilitate access to employment, education and opportunities for all other productive activities.
The Governor said that Ningi emirate and the central zone had been deprived by previous administrations of good road networks.
He pointed out that his administration was correcting the anomalies in terms of creating engagements, inclusivity and respect for the yearnings and aspirations of every sector of the state.
“There is so much neglect of the Ningi emirate and it is not that easy for one administration to address them, but I will definitely try my best as the Turaki Ningi,” he observed.
“We therefore hit the ground running on the day one of our first tenure by awarding road projects to a number of reputable road contractors.
“This particular one that we are doing in Ningi, is in recognition of what the people of Ningi have done to us as PDP, from myself the governor, you voted for me, voted for all those who contested under the PDP.All the elected offices in Ningi emirate were given to the PDP.The Only way to say thank you is the Dualization of Ningi town”
“This road project is a reciprocation of what you have done to us and we will continue to do it and take one aspect of what you need to the other.
“The project like other numerous project embarked upon by this administration were conceived as a fulfillment of our campaign promises to provide essential infrastructures in order to emeriorate the transportation difficulties by our people who face serious challenges to transport their agricultural produce to the markets.
“By and large, It is expected that in the course of the construction, the project will create direct jobs to engineers, labourers, artisans and indirectly to food vendors, suppliers, transporters and many others in the construction value chain.When the project is completed, it will significantly transform the lives of thousands of residents of the state”
In their separate remarks, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon Ibrahim Gambo Galadima
and Representative of the contracting firm, Mothercat Nigeria Limited highlighted some components of the project to include 7.3 mitres carriage way and 2 mitres wide shoulder.
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the Emir of Ningi Alhaji Yunusa Muhammadu Danyaya and the Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen Ibrahim Zubairu commended the Governor for considering the long awaited project in his rural and urban development initiative, saying that the project was timely considering the fact that the emirate had long desire good road network.
An elated emir announced that the emirate had decided to honour the governor with the traditional title of Turakin Ningi.