The Federal Government has flagged off the dualisation of Ajaokuta Junction -Okene -Okpella – Auchi – Ekpoma – Benin Road in Kogi and Edo States.
This followed the termination of the contracts for Sections II, III, and IV of the Dualisation of Obajana Junction – Benin Road due to non-performance and effluxion of time last year and their re-award.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi while performing the ceremony,q said roads construction under the administration of President Bola Tinubu have a 50 – 100 years guarantee.
In a statement by the Director, Information in the Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, the Minister, during the flag-oqff ceremony in Ekpoma, Edo State, gave a brief pathetic history about the road, which moved President Tinubu to order a permanent solution on the road using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology with a 50-100 years guarantee.
According to him, commuters and motoristsq have been going through hardship due to the failure of the road and high traffic volume, hence the dire need for its dualisation.
He stated that the project has lingered for too long with attendant consequences on the road users.
Umahi added that he has been visiting the road since his assumption of duty and has held several meetings with the former contractors but nothing changed.
“Upon reporting back to Mr President, he ordered for immediate and permanent solution to alleviate the suffering, which led to the termination of three, out of the four sections of the entire alignment,” he said.
The minister stated further that the road as an adjoining part of the East-West Road, is very dear to President Tinubu .
“It is as well, a vital link to the Federal Capital (Abuja) and other Northern States with the South-East, South-West, and South-South geo-political zones of the country, thereby helping to connect and improve economic activities,” he added.
Umahi commended the Governor Monday Okpebholo and the people of Edo State for the display of team spirit on the project.
He disclosed that the Governor does not only supervise state government projects but also extends his monitoring to those belonging to the Federal Government.
While appreciating President Tinubu for his concern for the plight of the people plying the road, as well as those living along its corridor, the Minister pleaded with them for patience during the period of constructing additional lanes and reconstruction of the existing alignment.
He directed the contractors to expedite action on the work, warning that delays will not be tolerated.
The dualisation of Lokoja – Benin Road is in four sections, but three sections of the road project fall under Edo State.
Section III which is about 54.224km long, starts from Auchi – Ehor, while Section IV, which starts from Ehor – Benin is about 67.9km long.
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