Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has told Nigerians to expect more completion and delivery of road projects across the country.
Buhari gave the assurance in Azare, Bauchi State at the inauguration and handing over of the 106.341 Km Kano -Maiduguri Road, Section III (Azare-Potiskum) in Bauchi and Yobe States.
The Director of Press and Publicity, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH) Mrs Boade Akinola disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
The President was represented at the commissioning ceremony by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Maryam Katagum.
Buhari reiterated the commitment of his administration to Infrastructural development and gave the assurance that Nigerians would be witnessing more completion and delivery of projects.
The President who emphasised his administration’s commitment to economic growth through infrastructural development, appealed to road users to desist from acts that could damage the road.
According to him, activities such as overloading of vehicles and trucks, spilling of petroleum products on the roads and conversion of road shoulders to permanent parking places damages the road and reduces its life span.
“We must all do our best to avoid these practices, report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them,” he said.
The Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Muhammed, commended Buhari for approving the dualisation and extension of two major highways that connect the state’s metropolis.
The highways are the dualisation and extension of Kano Road, from Giwa Academy, Abubakar Tafawa University Main Campus, Nigerian Air Force Base- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport with a distance of 17.7kms and the expansion of Maiduguri-Awala- Bauchi State University.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Baba Tela, noted that the roads were near completion and expressed optimism that the state government would be reimbursed by the Federal Government as soon as the state of the economy improves in the country.
He further applauded the collaborative effort between the Federal and Bauchi State government to restore the Bauchi-Ningi Road and Bogoro- Bauchi -Dawaki Road damaged by flood during the last rainy season.
He also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Works and Housing Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola for bringing the project to conclusion.
In his address, the Minister of Works and Housing, represented by the Director, North East, Mr Celestine Shausu, stated that the SUKUK funding option which the Federal Government adopted was currently aiding the progress of work on 44 roads across the nation.
“The SUKUK is currently contributing to progress of work on 44 roads across Nigeria and as we complete them, events like this will hold,” he said.
Fashola commended all the stakeholders both in private and public institutions who have contributed to the actualization of the project.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Babangida Hussaini, said that the Kano-Maiduguri Section III (Azare -Potiskum) connects four local government areas in Bauchi (Azare and Dambam) and Yobe (Nangere and Potiskum) States respectively.
He was represented at the occasion by the Federal Controller of Works Mr Salihu Ahmed.
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Dr Umar Farouq II, commended the Federal Government for completing the road which was abandoned for more than 20 years by previous administrations.
He said that the road was important to the socio-economic development of the benefiting communities.
He lauded the administration of President Muhammad Buhari, for completing the projects he met on ground when he came on board, adding that governance should be a continuous process.
Various members of the community and road users on the project spoken to expressed appreciation and gratitude to President Buhari and the Minister of Works and Housing, for ensuring the completion of the road, stating that the work had brought a lot of relief to them and improved their socio-economic activities in many ways.
While delivering the vote of thanks, General Manager, Messrs Mothercat, Mr Raffi Kevorkian, thanked the Federal Government for finding the company worthy of carrying out the construction work and also appreciated the community for their cooperation during the construction work.
He pledged the company’s cooperation with the Federal Government of Nigeria in the delivering of quality and durable roads for her citizens.
The commissioning and hand over of Azare- Potiskum Section III (Azare – Potiskum) is the fourth in the series after the Sokoto – Tambuwal -Jega -Kontagora – Makera Road in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Others are Vandeikya -Obudu Cattle Ranch Road in Benue and Cross River states, and Nnewe-Oduma Road Section in Enugu and Ebonyi States.( vitalnews/NAN)
