BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Federal Government has vowed the speedy completion of Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Section I) in Borno State despite security and logistical challenges.
During the media tour of the Northeast zone in Maiduguri, the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Engr. Salihu Adamu assured Nigerians that the project will be completed irrespective of persistent security and logistical constraints.
"The biggest challenge faced by the contractor is insecurity. There are pockets of attacks on the highways, and this forced them to take longer and safer routes to source construction materials," he said.
The project was initially awarded in 2018 to QUMECS (Nigeria) Limited at a contract sum of ₦21.73 billion, traversing 105.6 kilometres.
Following a technical review and scope adjustment, the project was revised to incorporate a flexible pavement structure with asphaltic concrete shoulders, bringing the current contract sum to ₦28.37 billion to reflect prevailing realities and enhanced engineering specifications.
Phase 1 of the project covers 30 kilometres. Significant progress has been recorded, with approximately 5.8 kilometres completed up to binder course level and about 8 kilometres of stone base executed.
Clearance works have also extended beyond 15 kilometres, while shoulder construction is ongoing in line with the ministry’s revised policy, which replaces surface dressing with asphaltic concrete shoulders to provide stronger structural protection for the carriageway and enhanced pavement durability.
As security remained the major constraint on the Maiduguri–Monguno corridor, the state continues to operate under emergency conditions, with base and sub-base laterite sourced from Ngamdu near the Yobe State border (about 150 km away).
Also, stone materials were hauled from Shira town in Bauchi State (approximately 450 km) due to restricted access and security considerations like the ban on blasting of rocks in Borno.
The Project Manager of QUMECS (Nigeria) Limited, Engr. Bukar Kadai confirmed that the contractor remains fully mobilised on site with two active teams handling shoulder construction and stone base operations simultaneously, while asphalt laying is scheduled to commence soon following the delivery of bitumen to the site.
Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Maiduguri Branch, Engr. Mohammed Shettima expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that the rehabilitation will ease transportation challenges for residents and road users.
Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Borno State Council, Abdulkarim Haruna inaugurated the completed limited rehabilitation of Kaga–Gubio Road, Sections I and II outside Benisheik town, on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.
He described the road as strategic for economic empowerment and social inclusion.
Haruna added: "Roads are a means of empowering the people. This road connecting to Benisheik, which serves as a gateway to Maiduguri and Yobe state is a very positive development."
He urged the media to continue sensitising Nigerians on ongoing infrastructure reforms and national development efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.
The FCW described the Kaga–Gubio road as a critical intervention that will facilitate the movement of agricultural produce into Maiduguri and other parts of the zone, strengthening commercial activities within the corridor.
He explained that the project formed part of a broader emergency and special works designed to safeguard existing infrastructure, improve mobility, and support economic stability in areas facing security challenges.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed in Abuja.
Comments
Post a Comment