by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The construction an 11-kilometer dual road project, Ningi-Gudduba, in Ningi Local Government Area of the Buachi State, worth N10.3 billion, has been flagged-off by the State Governor, Bala Muhammad.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the project on Sunday, the governor said, his administration places priority on road development as other forms of development in the state also hinge on road networks.
He explained that, the contract will be executed through the direct contract award to the Mothercat Nigeria Limited, which will be jointly supervised by a team of engineers from the State Ministry of Works and Transport and Federal Ministry of Works.
According to him, his administration has already received the approval of the Federal Government for the construction of the road, adding that his government wanted the Federal Government to do it, but the state government was too anxious and decided to execute the project.
Governor Bala Muhammad noted that the roads are very important components of economic activities not only in the developed world, but also in developing countries, saying, “It facilitates access to employment, education and opportunities for all other productive activities.”
He stressed that, Ningi Emirate and the central zone have been deprived by previous administrations of good road networks, pointing out that his administration is writing the wrongs and correcting the anomalies in terms of creating engagements, inclusivity and respect for the yearnings and aspirations of every sector of the state.
“As the Chairman of the Local Government has said – that 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 stated.
According to him, “We, therefore, hit the ground running on the Day One of our first tenures 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,” he said.
The governor stated that, “The project, like other numerous projects embarked upon by this administration, were conceived as a fulfillment of our campaign promises to provide essential infrastructures, in order to ameliorate 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,” he stressed.
In their separate remarks, the State Commissioner Ministry of 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 meters “carriage way” and 2 meters “wide shoulder.”
Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammadu Danyaya, and the Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, 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 desired good roads network.
There were goodwill messages from notable members of the Emirate that include Senator Abdul Ahmad Ningi, Representative Hashimu Yakubu and the Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, Dan Galadiman Ningi, among others.