Chinese construction giant, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited says it has successfully completed the expansion of the 5.4km Abuja-Keffi expressway and the dualization of the 220km Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road project.
The firm confirmed that the road is now under a concessionary phase of maintenance that would last 25 years.
Addressing journalists during a tour of the project , the project manager of CHEC, Wang Jujin said, Chinese funds have endeared massive investments in roads, bridges, and railway lines across Africa.
These infrastructure has helped connectivity and endeared the growth of local economies and businesses. This is in line with the Chinese vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
He said, the completion of the expansion and rehabilitation of a major road artery running through the middle belt of Nigeria by China Harbour Engineering Company CHEC, has given a major lifeline to road users and residents on the road corridor.
The $532 billion road project was funded through a facility from the Exim bank of China which provided 85 personnel for the facility While the Nigerian government provided 15 per cent as counterpart funding.
“It is a thing of joy to see the completion of this road after four years of hard work. The scope of work included the excavation and reconstruction of the existing road, repair of damaged parts of existing culverts and bridges , improvement of existing drainage facility, restoration of lighting facilities and traffic safety facilities among others”
He noted that the construction of the project has greatly improved the status of road traffic in the region and accelerated urbanisation of the project area which has greatly improved the status of road traffic in the region and accelerated economic activities from the capital city of Abuja to the surrounding area. He said that before now it took a minimum of seven and a half hours to drive between Abuja and Makurdi but now it takes only about four and a half hours.
“You can begin to imagine the economic impact of the improved travel time and security of commuters. CHEC deployed its engineering skills and experience to even out all the rough edges and dangerous bents on the road, especially around Angwan Wire, which used to be an accident hot spot. We took great care in the realignment and readjustment of the road to achieve safety and comfort for road users. We are very happy with what we have achieved.
This project is a further testimony to the positive development of China Nigeria bilateral economic and trade relationship, CHEC is happy to be a part of this vision. We thank the Federal Government of Nigeria for trusting us with this project and giving us the opportunity to prove yourself,” he said.
In the last decade, China and African nations have deepened economic and political ties based on mutual trust and understanding. Both sides have made concerted efforts in building the Belt and Road Initiative and forging closer ties in building a China-Africa community with a shared future.
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