FED. MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING ASSURES OF TIMELY COMPLETION OF KADUNA-PAMBEGUWA-JOS ROAD REHABILITATION ..... Quality Of Work Is Satisfactory, Says Engr F. Esan

Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN

"We are trying with what we have, to ensure that the project is completed within the next 12 months." Engr. Esan.

.... Encourages contractor to continue with the pace of work as whatever challenge they may encounter, will be attended to in good time.

The Director, Highway Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Folorunsho Esan has assured the completion of Kaduna-Pambeguwa-Jos Road in Kaduna and Plateau state, within the next 12 months.

The Director made this known during an inspection tour on the road recently, in a statement issued and signed by Blessing Lere-Adams, the Director Press and Public Relations Department of the Works and Housing Ministry, to ascertain the progress and level of work done so far, by the contractor.

Engr. Folorunsho Esan, who is optimistic that the rehabilitation work on the road will be completed in due course, expressed his satisfaction with the quality and pace of work on the road.

"Yes, the quality of work is satisfactory. We have 35km of binder and if you do not look properly, you would think the job is finished. We are still expecting another layer on top the 18% that has been done currently because, 35km out of 190km is 18%, which shows there is a lot of progress from the date the contract was awarded," he said.

The Director confirmed that the funding of the project is not a problem as the source of funding the project has already been mapped out.

"Everything is together. When you think of the time of completion, you would think of the funding that is available; the funding has to match the time frame and we are trying with what we have, to ensure that the project is completed within the next 12 months," he said.

Engr. Esan encouraged the contractor to continue with the pace of work noting that, whatever challenge they may encounter, will be attended to in good time.

"They should not stop work, they should continue working. Whatever is the problem would be solved and they should just keep up the pace of  work."

At the inspection of the road too, the Director, Highway, North West, Engr. Adebayo Taiwo disclosed that the road has added value and economically impacted on a lot of communities along the road corridor. 

"You can see that this road cuts across many states, starting from Kaduna and going towards Jos border and there is also a spur to Bauchi. Therefore, there is a lot of economic impact. Agricultural areas are being more accessible, rural communities too are now being well connected." Taiwo stated. 

He pointed out that the road has helped the local communities to have easy access to bigger cities like Kaduna, as it will enable them to sell their farm produce.

"You can see that this particular location we passed now, where there is a settlement, with drainage and proper layout makes easy access to Kaduna and, if they want to go to Jos too, they can easily connect to move their agricultural products," he said.

While explaining the progress of work done so far, the contractor handling the project Messrs Setraco Nig. Limited, represented by the the project Manager,  Engr. Jabir Mustapha, appreciated the Ministry for the award of the contract and confirmed that funding of the project has not been a challenge.  

He noted that all the communities along the road, are cooperating with them.

He promised that the road project will be delivered on time but noted that the rainy season might reduce the pace of work but stressed that the specifications and the standard must be maintained.

He thanked the Ministry for regular release of funds.  He also appreciated the nearby communities for their security support.

The Engineer's representative on site, Engr. Eyitayo Aluko gave the project description saying that, the existing road is approximately 199.50km in length.  The project begins from Maraban Jos to Tudor Fulani in Plateau State border 189.9km, while spur begins from Saminaka junction to Bauchi State border 9.6km.  

The road, according to him, serves as a link road from Kaduna State and other North Western States to Plateau and other North Eastern States of the country.