BENIN-LOKOJA HIGHWAY: FG LAUDS COMMITMENT OF BUA GROUP ..... Approves Funding Of 30Km Dualization Of Three Sections Of Under Tax Credit Scheme

The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has been commended for the pace of ongoing reconstruction work on the Benin-Lokoja Federal Highway particularly with Mr President's approval for immediate funding of 30km dualization of three sections of the road, to be funded under Tax Credit Scheme by BUA Group. 

This commendation was from no less the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, Adams Aliu Oshoimhole on Thursday 21 March 2024 when he, alongside stakeholders from his Edo North paid a visit to the Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabuishi Abuja.

Mr President's approval for the immediate funding of 30km dualization of three sections of the road, to be funded under Tax Credit Scheme by BUA Group was revealed at the Minister of Works during his meeting with the delegation from Edo North and all the contractors involved in the Benin-Lokoja Federal Highway project. 

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Works, under his supervision, took some steps to review the texture of the pavement of the project to conform to the new innovation introduced by administration to ensure conformity with best standards and durability.

Addressing the gathering, Engr. Umahi explained that his first visit was in the month of September 2023 when he passed through the route.

He said: "I first went through the road in September, and when I went through it, I was very satisfied that BPP and the Ministry did a very fantastic work. I kept the project but a review of the texture of the pavement was effected.

"We allowed the existing carriageway to be on asphalt and then reviewed the new carriageway to be on concrete. Being satisfied, we went through the process of notifying the BPP, and from there, we went to FEC, and graciously, FEC approved.

"Presently, we are in the process of signing an addendum to the contract." Umahi further stated.

"Mr. President has approved that BUA Group should do 30km of the road in 3 locations multiplied by 2, that is 60km on Tax Credit."

The Minister of Works, dubbed as "Mr. Works" commended BUA Group for their interest to handle the construction of the 30 km carriageway under Tax Credit Scheme and said the intervention was targeted at the critical sections of the road as already isolated when he last visited the Benin-Lokoja road. 

He stated, "Let me commend BUA Plc very highly, because on their own they had indicated interest to do about 30km of the road on tax credit. That was one of the reasons I decided to go and revisit the road to know the section they needed to do and also to open the road. We had to open the road and also, appealed to  the road transport workers, that work would start Monday, the next week. That was 18th, and indeed, we briefed the President, and then Senator Adam Oshiomhole now came with the full weight of his person."

Speaking on behalf of the people of the area, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District and Chairman, Senator Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole praised the determination of the Renewed Hope administration of Mr. President in changing the socio-economic narrative of the nation through  aggressive road infrastructure  transformation and the uncommon commitment of the Honourable Minister of Works in achieving the vision of Mr. President on road infrastructure  development. 

The Senator, who accompanied by the APC Candidate in the Edo State September 2024 Governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, expressed his profound pleasure over the new paradigm in the Federal Ministry of Works, noting that the Ministry under Sen. Umahi has recorded unprecedented performance in the road infrastructure development within the shortest period of time. He said: "I was shocked that within 72 hours this Minister did not only hear the word of the President, he packaged what I have seen from the briefing to be a doable and workable approach to solving a problem that four or five ministers before him could not solve. So I wish to ask us to appreciate his energy, his drive, and his focus, without which we will not be here today."

In their separate remarks, the  Governorship candidate of APC in Edo, Sen Monday Okpebholo said, "Mr. President has rekindled our hope. Just within the shortest time of our request to the Honourable Minister, magic has been done, if this is how Nigeria works; everybody will want to come back home, nobody will want to 'japa'." 

On his part, the Group Executive Director of BUA Group, Kabiru Rabiu, assured of the commitment of the company in delivering the project within a record time.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofaramata, appreciated Mr. President for the new narrative in the Federal Ministry of Works, which is made possible by the appointment of a workaholic and highly committed Honourable of Works.

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