BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Works has disclosed that the rehabilitation of Section l, Potiskum–Jakusko–Gashua road in Yobe State will be ready by second quarter of the year.
Pegged at ₦75.47 billion, the project was awarded to Messrs JRB Construction Limited in 2024, with a scheduled completion date of 14 May, 2026.
This was even as the ministry assured the people of Yobe of the timely completion of key Federal road projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
At the commissioning of emergency/special intervention projects, the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Yobe State, Engr. Nasir Dauda said that the interventions will restore failed roads, improve access, and support economic and social activities.
The project, which covers 79.4 kilometres, is constructed on Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).
Dauda explained that work commenced from Chainage 49, identified as the most critical section of the road due to erosion and flooding challenges.
The Project Manager, Engr. Kabir Fatai confirmed that over 1.5 kilometres of the pavement have already been completed, with work prioritised on vulnerable sections ahead of the rainy season.
Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Damaturu Branch, Engr. Mustapha Abdullahi described the choice of rigid pavement as appropriate and confirmed that tests showed a pavement thickness of 200 millimetres.
He noted that the project will boost economic activities, reduce road accidents, and shorten travel time.
The inspection team also commissioned an emergency road project at the College of Administration, Management and Technology (CAMTECH) Potiskum.
Dauda stated that the 490-metre access road was executed to ease movement for staff and students and was completed within three months, adding that the intervention reflected the Federal Government’s concern for the wellbeing of students.
The Rector of the Institution, Mallam Ibrahim Bomai Zarma thanked the Federal Government for the project, which he said conformed with engineering standard, appealing for additional projects.
The Chairman of NSE observed that the road will improve transportation within the institution and support academic activities.
Also, two additional projects were commissioned in Potiskum town namely the CABS/Graveyard road and the limited rehabilitation of Hayin Gada road.
The projects formed part of the Federal Government’s 260 Emergency and Special Intervention projects nationwide, designed to restore access, improve safety, and ease movement within the communities and their neighbours.
Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Yobe State Council, Mr. Usman Mohammed commissioned the projects on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.
He commended the Federal Government for the timely interventions in the state.
Mohammed also commissioned the 8.8-kilometre Damagum–Gubana road, which Engr. Dauda disclosed was contracted to Messrs Petropan Energy Limited at the cost of ₦1.49 billion and completed within one year.
He explained that the road links several agrarian communities and has tremendously improved the transportation of farm produce.
The Yerima of Fune and District Head of Damagum, Alhaji Idris Mai Saleh was excited about the project, and was optimistic that the road will ease the movement of goods and support the livelihood of locals.
Another project inspected was the Kaleyeri–Damaturu road, a 54.5-kilometre Federal highway awarded in 2019 to Messrs Ric Rock Construction Limited.
The Controller confirmed that the contractor has returned fully to the site.
Project Engineer, Ayodele Ajibogi disclosed that earthworks are ongoing in two sections, with three kilometres of binder course completed, assuring that the project will be delivered as scheduled.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A.Ahmed in Abuja.
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