By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
Federal Government has signed a contract with Infiouest International Limited for the construction of section I of the third legacy road project of the Renewed Hope administration from a point on the Enugu/Abakaliki/Ogoja Highway, Africa Trans-Sahara route, cutting across Cross River, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa States and terminating in Apo in Abuja.
The awarded project which involves reconstruction of the existing jointed asphalt concrete and laterite surfaced road pavements from Ndibe beach, traversing through Eke Market, Abaomege, Onueke, Achiagu, Umuoghara/Onu Nwafor, Ukwuachi, Ishieke, Odomoke to terminate at Mbeke in Ebonyi spans 118.85km and it is to be constructed on Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement ,CRCP.
Speaking during the contract signing ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister, Sen. Nweze David Umahi, thanked the Mr President for his inclusive leadership and for considering diverse perspectives in the distribution of the dividends of democracy under his administration.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Minister’s media aide, Barr. Orji U. Orji.
The Minister noted that the 3rd legacy project was strategic for boosting the transportation ecosystem along the economic corridors of the South East and North Central, thus stimulating trade and agricultural development along thereat and fostering inter-regional cohesion, cooperation and collaboration.
According to him, the four Renewed Hope Legacy Projects are not just transformational projects, but are critical investments that would turn around the socio-economic fortunes of the country, stimulate economic diversification and enhance a more sustainable transportation ecosystem.
Umahi said, “Mr President has engaged in four critical investments, which we call Renewed Hope Legacy Projects, with Lagos – Calabar 750 kilometers sections 1 and 2 construction already going on, despite all the envy and jealousy by people that even took us to court.
“But that project is a must. We’re supporting Mr President to have that project accomplished. I’ve always said it’s not just a project. It is an investment. Very soon, we are starting 3A and 3B, which is in Cross River and Akwa Ibom. And then we’ll also start with Ondo State.
” He further stated, “There is Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, 1,068 kilometres. Two sections are already ongoing. The very lengthy one; the biggest any state got in these four legacy projects, is the Kebbi section, 258 kilometers and ongoing.
“We’ve flagged off, and we have paid the first mobilisation fee. The work is ongoing there, and of course, Sokoto, 120 kilometres, work is also ongoing.
“He also spoke of the third and fourth Legacy Projects, “This is the third legacy project, and this one is passing through the South East extending to Cross River, and then comes to Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja. We also have a project we inherited from the past administration, which is Makurdi to the 9th mile. And this one is crisscrossing it. And so this is very good for the country and this is what Mr. President is doing in every part of the country.
The fourth legacy project is the 439 km Akwanga-Jos- Bauchi, Gombe road. This project was awarded before now to CGC under the funding of China Exim Bank, but nothing could happen. So the President directed that the projects be redesigned using reinforced concrete, which we are concluding now.
“And so our aim in 2025 is that part of the counterpart funding of the federal government should be used to kickstart this project just like every other project on the EPC plus F. The President has not stopped any of the inherited projects”.
In his Remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Yakubu Adam Korfamata, expressed delight over the presidential approval for the award of Section I of the 3rd legacy project, noting that it was a proof of Mr President’s commitment to the democratic ideals and inclusive governance.
Speaking after signing the contract, the Managing Director/CEO of the company handling the project, Mr. Joseph Abou Jaounde, promised to justify the confidence reposed in them.
“Honourable Minister, first of all, I want to say thank you for the trust. I know this trust in Infiouest is a load on our shoulders. We have to carry on with this goal, and we have to prove that we trust in the right place,” he said.
