Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has on Thursday flagged off the construction and expansion of over 20 kilometer dual carriage way worth about N10.8 billion .
The projects which were contracted to Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC) and Obtuse Tech Engineering Company Limited have duration period of 12 months to be completed.
N8.076 billion contract was awarded to EEC and N2.8 billion awarded to Obtuse Tech Engineering Construction Company limited respectively.
While flagging off the construction works, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State said the projects were meant to provide succour to the residents of the areas and reduce hardships from tragic congestion always associated with the areas by Motorists following increase in population and high rate of vehicles and tricycles plying the roads.
The roads and drainages which are to be completed within a period of one year will also have two bridges and solar energy street lights as contained in the construction specifications and guidelines approved for the contracts.
The govenor added in an interview with journalists that the road projects are part of his government 10 point agenda and targeted at improving the socio economic conditions of the people by providing easy access within and around the areas while compensation has always been considered for those structures that may be affected, hence, Government does not intend to cause any hardship on anybody while providing dividends of democracy to the electorates.
Cutting the second tape to flag off the construction work at Baga road, Zulum said the ongoing construction of roads and drainages networks with fly over bridges were in line with his electioneering campaign promises made to the people of the state.
He however urged the contractors to ensure they carry out a good job as government will not compromise poor construction of any road project while calling on the management and staff of State Ministry of Works and Site Engineers to properly monitor and supervise the projects from the beginning of the projects to the completion stage.
Zulum said,” I am glad to unveil the dualization and construction of about N11 billion roads and drainage within Maiduguri metropolis.
“The projects were allocated to an International and Indigenous construction firms which are Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC) and Obtuse Tech Engineering Company limited.
“The massive ongoing construction of roads, drainage networks with fly over bridges witnessed under the present administration were inl ine with my electioneering campaign promises i made to the people of the state.
“I therefore enjoin the contractors to ensure good job as government will not compromise poor execution of projects.” Zulum said.
The Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Works, Alhaji Lawan Goni conducted the govenro and his entourage roundthe locations if the works where constructions have already commenced at some sites, especially, the projects at Texaco junction Baga road to Jajeri area and Gwange bridge in Bulabulin area linking Gwange and Bama road junction by Cemetery area.
Lawan added that, “the first slot of the road projects is the 5.324km combined dualization with drainages and two bridges at Ahmadu Bello Way to link Bama road, Shehu Sanda Kura road at the cemetery junction linking the El kanemi Roundabout through to El kanemi Bridge, down to Lagos junction and Bolori Roundabout to Mogoram Junction down to Lafiya road which was awarded to EEC at the cost of about N8.076 billion.
“The second slot, is the 8.2km road construction, consists of Baga road market- Jajeri – Umarari- Bulabulin with another one linking Texaco- Churchkime – Abdu One road at the total cost of about N2.8 billion which was awarded to Obtuse Tech Engineering Company limited.”
Lawan recalled that, in September last year 2021, a tender/bid documents in respect to these projects were advertised in some national dailies, after which, companies were invited for the bid, adding that, EEC and Obtuse Tech Engineering Company won and considered to execute the projects.
“We commend the foresight of governor Babagana Zulum for approving these projects as these roads are very vital to the people of the state.
“I want to assure the government and the people.of the state that our Engineers from the Ministry will always be on sites to offer professional advice(s) as the need be to ensure good job.” The Permanent Secretary stated.
The flag off ceremony took place first at Post Office Round about for roads linking Bama road and Lagos Street through the El Kanemi road at the Monday market down to the Government House road while the second flag off took place at Texaco Filling Station Junction, Baga road down to Jajeri area
Responding, the Project Engineer of EEC, Mr. Li Chao Qi and Managing Director, Obtuse Tech Engineering and Construction Company, Engineer Umar Sheriff Lawan thanked Borno State Government for considering worthy to execute the road projects and assured that they will do everything possible to meet specifications and complete the work within the time frame.
