FG, Africa Road Builders Delegates Inspect On-Going Works on Abuja-Keffi Highway

• President Buhari is committed to infrastructure development in Nigeria- Sambo
• The massive on-going works on this highway is evidence of ARB’s objective-Barthelemy Kouame

The 7th Edition of the Africa Road Builders-Trophee Babacar Ndiaye Inaugural Conference 2022 held in the nation capital of Abuja came to an end on Friday 1st April, 2022 with a project site visit by the Africa Road Builders (ARB) delegates/ Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

A statement signed by Stephen Kilebi, Deputy Director Press & Public Relations of the ministry, noted that inspected was the construction, expansion and rehabilitation of Abuja-Keffi (sections one and two) respectively. Section one is the 5.4 kilometres from  the Abuja Expressway that starts from Kugbo West and the 220 kilometres road located in Nasarawa and Benue States which is further divided into sections 1,2 and 3 respectively.

Inspecting the project site, the Honourable Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo said that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR places more emphasis than other previous administrations on infrastructure development be it road, rail, airport and other critical sectors of the economy.

He said that infrastructure is the bedrock of socio-economic development of any nation, adding that by the time the project is completed by April, 2023, travel time would be reduced and business activities  boosted.

Describing the project as massive, he said that it was going to create jobs for over a thousand of people along the corridors of the road project. “The good thing about this kind of project is that travel time will become short thereby saving time and money as well as creating jobs for over a thousand of people from the communities along the road project, he said.

He said that the project was being funded by China Exim Bank contributing 85 percent of the funding, while the Federal Government is contributing the balance of the 15 percent funding.

Road under inspection

In his response, the General Commissioner, CEO of ACTUROUTES, Mr. Barthelemy Kouame commended President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for the massive construction and rehabilitation works going on the Nation’s highways, saying that it was evidence of what Africa Road Builders stands for.

He said that Mr. President won the 2021 Africa Road Builders-Trophee BabacarNdiaye as a result  of clear demonstration of his commitment to bridging the road infrastructure deficit of his country.

He said, “I thank Mr. President and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing and the Minister of State of Works and Housing for providing the leadership quality and direction to see that the goal and objective of Africa Road Builders is actualized in Nigeria.”

The road is being constructed by China Engineering Habour Company (CEHC).