David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has announced November this year as deadline for the completion of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria- Kano highway project, which he said has gulped over N200 billion.
Umahi disclosed this while addressing a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja on Monday.
According to the minister, over about 480 kilometers have been completed from the 750 kilometers project, adding that over 80 percent of the project funding has been settled.
He said, “Now you will say that the subsidy was removed, and people ask, where is the money? It’s quite amazing, because the money is here. The Abuja to Kaduna to Zaria to Kano is 375 kilometers by 2, it is 750 kilometers. The president funded part of this project under Julius berger. We have spent over 200 billion under Julius berger. We have achieved 240 kilometers by 2, that is 480 kilometers, remaining 140 kilometers by 2, that is 280 kilometers.
For the first time, we are able to complete 118 kilometers of concrete pavement within 13 months. It has never happened. And today we are battling with the remaining 164 kilometers. That is 82 kilometers by 2. Both of these projects are costing us N752 billion under the president.
“Over 80 percent has been paid. We are believing that by November the entire stretch would have been completed.”
Umahi noting the efforts of the government towards ensuring that road projects are protected from vandals, said that the government has recently launched the coastal highway guards to strenthen security and protect critical i frastrucyure along the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, stating that same willbe replicated along the Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, superhighway.
“Because I saw people digging the concrete to remove rods. But I’ve said that they can commit that level of energy, just half of it to a meaningful job. They will earn much more than digging all day long to get one rod.
He urged the leadership of NANS to immediately mobilize students union in each geopolitical zone on inspection of the projects being constructed by the Tinubu-led administration.
“And I want to approve your budget to go around the entire country. Now, why are we doing this, it is transparency , and to underscore the fact that you are our leaders. We have turned these projects to ICPC, they have gone round. We are ready for constructive criticism, and we’ll make amends.We have written to EFCC to also go round, we have nothing to hide and so, the third leg is the students.
“You are stakeholders, you are very important, you are critical in the development of this country. This is very key. And so, to do this, I have said that I have approved your budget to do this. In addition, I want you to organize a talk. Let me defend this administration, organize it, let me come. We will pay for you to move students all over the zone to a point that we can talk to them and address them.
“This is very important. We have to debate on the issue, ask some questions, and we’ll be able to answer. We need to do this. We need to take a stand. We need to be properly guided.”
Umahi further stressed that Nigerians must begin to hold ministers accountable for delivery of projects under tneir watch instead of pointing fingers to the president.
“The President gave me responsibility to be in charge of roads and bridges. If I don’t do it, I should be the one to be blamed and not the President. The President has divided himself into a number of his appointees and so these appointees should be the ones to answer and take responsibility,” he added.
In his remarks, Akinteye Afeez, President of National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) said that the visit to the minister is aimed at forging partnership and alliances with the ministry, such that will afford the students ,the opportunity to tour round the legacy projects of the Tinubu administration executed under the leadership of the Minister .
“We are here to recognize hardwork and immeasurable service to humanity. Your landmark achievement in road infrastructure will open up our economy and create jobs for the teeming youths.
“Road infrastructure are particularly significant for our students as it will ease movement to examination venues for students, provide access to educational locations and reduce long hours of various vehicular movements across Nigeria and ensure that timeliness is achieved.
“Your appointment is a vote of confidence and as one of the main drivers of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and we will support you on this journey.
“We have a duty to contribute to the development of this country and to that extent we make bold to say that the scale of road projects completed under your leadership is worth recognition and we look forward to a long partnership that will be in the interest of Nigerians,” he said.
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