Bauchi Govt Awards N8.88bn Road Contract
The Bauchi government has awarded an N8.88 billion contract for the construction of 58.4 kilometers road projects in Tafawa Balewa local government area of the state.
The road projects will cover, Yalwan Duguri-Badaran Dutse, Birim-Bajama-Kumbala, Kundak-Wurno-Burga to connect Tafawa Balewa and Alkaleri councils.
At the flag-off ceremony of the project in Burga village, the state governor Bala Mohammed said the government has embarked on massive urban and rural development as part of the electioneering promises to initiate infrastructural development projects.
Bala said the government would ensure adequate monitoring of the work for a timely delivery. He said the project would contribute to the socio-economic growth of the state; reduce insecurity and pave way for easy transportation of agricultural products to the market.
“The road is 58.4kilometers and is awarded to a competent contractor. The total cost of the contract is N8, 884,346,856. To ensure a robust cash flow arrangement, we have already advanced to 50 per cent amount, which is a total of N4.4billion. It is vigorous to start this project during the raining season, so I have actually agreed with the contractor to commence the project in October to achieve durable road.
“ l must congratulate and salute the courage of the people of these communities for patiently waiting for a long time to see the day of the execution of these projects.
“This is not because there is no money. The contractor has also agreed with the 50per cent of the money that we have paid –he would advance the work to 90 per cent within one year”, Bala said.
The Permanent Secretary, State’s Ministry of Works and Transport, Stephen Abubakar said the road when completed, would increase access to social amenities and other opportunities associated with improving road transportation.
He explained that the road was designed to have a length of 58.4km with a total width of 10.3m, which comprise a carriageway of 7.3m and 1.5m shoulders on each side.
Abubakar stated that there would be the provision of four bridges, 45 box culverts and 70 pipe culverts of different sizes, adding that the project would be completed within 24 months.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Tafawa Balewa local government, Kefas Magaji who spoke on behalf of the benefiting communities, said the gesture is a welcome development.
