By Oluwaseun Sonde
It was celebration galore, over the weekend in Jigawa State when the Federal Government commissioned the completed phase 2 (Kirikasama-Nguru) of the Hadejia- Nguru-Gashua road linking Jigawa and Yobe States.
The commissioning of the completed section took place over the weekend in Birniwa town, Birniwa local government headquarters in Jigawa State.
The commissioning tagged ''Season of Completion and Delivery of Projects' was performed by President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu.
In his address, the President said, "it is our commitment to improving road transport infrastructure. It is also our determination to improve the ease of doing business, create jobs, wealth and prosperity in order to lift citizens from poverty "
President Buhari described the over 33 Kilometre Road, which links Hadejia-Kirikasama in Jigawa State as a very important road that connects agrarian and trading communities, which to a large extent will ease the movement of their farm produce .
He said, the road became a critical component of national road network for linking communities together, pointing out that the travel time has now reduced with the completion of the road.
Accordingly, the President called on all road users not to abuse the road, pointing out that forms of road abuses such as: overloading of vehicles and trucks accelerates pavement damage, also spilling of petroleum products dissolves all the road components and allows penetration of water, worst still, converting the road shoulders to permanent parking places results in quick onset of road failure from the shoulder.
The President pleaded with all road users to take responsibility and play their part in ensuring that they avoid these unwholesome practices, and make every effort to report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them.
"Now that we have this new and well-built road, we owe it as duties to ourselves and to other road users to protect these facilities. One of those duties is to ensure that we drive in accordance with the law as stipulated in the Road Highway Code, " he said.
In his remarks, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, said that the phase 2 (Kirikasama-Nguru) of the Hadeja-Nguru Federal road project was among the other projects lined up for commissioning in the second phase under the season of completion and impact which started in the last quarter of 2021
The Minister who was represented by the Zonal Director Highway (Construction & Rehabilitation) North West, Engr Wasiu Adetayo Taiwo said the projects represent major investment in road Transport infrastructure, which is a commitment of the Buhari led-administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity.
He described the projects as visible and incontrovertible Assets and as proof of what Nigeria’s resources are being invested into from a combination of earned resources and borrowings.
Accordingly, Fashola listed the other roads lined up for commissioning across the geo-political zones to include: Isoko Ring Road (Section II) covering Aviara -Uzere in Delta State; Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari (section I, phase II) covering Nguru-Gashua in Yobe State; Lafia-Obi-Awe-Tunga Road in Nassarawa State, and Gombe -Numan-Yola Road (Phase II) covering Gombe- Kaltungo in Gombe- State.
In a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Bashir Nura Alkali, represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Jigawa State, Engr. Atewolora Oladele Gabriel, said the project was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing road infrastructural development across the length and breadth of Nigeria
He said, "Federal Government has a policy direction which was focused on the completion of several on-going projects to stimulate economic development, job creation and promoting local content. The focus is to link the major arterial roads to Refineries, Ports, tertiary institutions and high volume commercial centres with a view to reducing travel times, cost of vehicle maintenance, safety and security of commuters."
Alkali disclosed that the Ministry has successfully completed several roads and maintained several bridges to ensure that road users have a rewarding road travel experience, adding that several roads and bridges are at various stages of completion.
He listed among other projects: the 2nd Niger Bridge and its approaching road, Dualization of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, Loko-Oweto Bridge linking Nasarawa to Benue States, dualization of Enugu-Por-Harcourt Expressway, Bodo-Bonny Brigde, and Lagos-Ibadan Dualization projects.
In his remark, Jigawa State Governor, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the numerous projects executed by the administration of President Muhamadu Buhari in Jigawa state.
Governor Badaru was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Alhaji Umar Namadi .
He stated that the road being commissioned today was a nightmare to the people before the intervention of the Buhari's administration, pointing out also the many other roads being constructed by the Federal Government in Jigawa State.
"What do we have to say to Mr President. The many interventions by the Federal Government in Jigawa State has improved the lives of the people. Jigawa State is grateful for all the Interventions, including the Social Interventions, N Power, Trader Money etc " he said
The Governor also commended the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for what he described as his commitment in making things happened for the visibility of the Buhari Administration, stating that the Interventions have improved the social lives and economic status of his people.
House of Representatives Member representing Kirikasama/Birniwa/
Guri Federal Constituency, the location of the project, Hon. Dr. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, appreciated the Federal Government for the many laudable projects in Jigawa State.
Dr. Fulata said, "the road project being commissioned today had defied many administrations for almost four decades. The road project budget was alot of money without commensurate result. President Buhari has now completed the road within a reasonable time. We are grateful to Mr President. Jigawa State is grateful for benefiting from the Federal Government's projects"
In a goodwill message, the Emir of Hadejia and Chairman Jigawa State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness Alh. Adamu Abubakar Maje expressed delight witnessing the commissioning of the project in his Emirate
The Emir who was represented by the Galadiman Hadejia, Alh. Usman Abdul'aziz, commended President Muhamadu Buhari for ensuring completion of the project which he described as critical and important to the economy of the society.
He said the road was critical and has opened the Hadejia Emirate to Yobe State and by extension to Borno State, adding that other projects such as water project, tomatoes factory and siting of some higher Institutions in the stated were also commendable.
"We all know the importance of roads to the economic and social existence of every community and every society. We are grateful for the infrastructural projects. Hadejia Emirate got a large share of it. We also wish and pray for more" he said.
In his vote of thanks, the Project Contractor, Mothercat Limited, Fady Khoury Hanna, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and to the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, for the ample opportunity given to them to handle the project.
Fady appreciated Jigawa and Yobe States Government for their cooperation, hospitality and making them feel at home during the construction, assuring the Federal Government of their commitment to deliver quality work at any time in any project they undertook.
Testimonies from the people of the community and road users were also full of commendation and appreciation.
Mallam Ali Alaska, a transporter narrated how terrible and difficult the road was before the rehabilitation. He appreciated the Federal Government for the road project. He said that there was no doubt the contractor has done a good work and the travel time has drastically reduced.
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