Gov. Bello flags off reconstruction of 13.71km itakpe junction – Kabba Junction

…tours ongoing projects at CUSTECH

Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello on Tuesday flagged off a 13.71km road constructions spanning across itakpe junction – Kabba Junction – Total Junction, which is expected to be completed in one year.

The governor while flagging off, pointed out that although the road is a federal government highway, the yearly difficulty faced by travellers and community members as well as the bad image it confers on the state necessitated the decision of his government to undertake the project.

Governor Bello stated that over the years, submissions have been made to the Federal Government and several of its corresponding ministries and Agencies which fell on deaf ears.

The governor pointed out that he has received the commitment of CCECC Nigeria Limited, the construction company to deliver a world standard road and that upon completion it would be the cynosure in the rankings of road constructions in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Housing, Hon. Samson Bako said that the rehabilitation of the 13.71km roads is in line with governor Bello’s pattern of development of world class infrastructures and utility which also is one of the thematic area of his government.

The commissioner narrated that the Ongoing dualization of Lokoja – Okene – Ajaokuta Junction – Auchi- Benin road by the FG whose alignment veered off at Itakpe Junction has subjected these other roads to neglect for years leading to its deterioration.

This condition according to him has constantly led to traffic lock jam and several untold hardship to inhabitants and road users along this particular corridor especially commuters going to the south and Northern part of the country asserting that Kogi state’s intervention would permanently resolve this challenge.

He added that work scope for the construction included, the total scraping and construction of 8.7km itakpe junction – Kabba Junction, the rehabilitation and asphalt overlaying of 5.1km Kabba Junction – Total Junction, provision of hydrolic structure, crush rock, stone base of 150 millimetre thickness, provision of Asphalt, concrete binding and wearing as well as reclaiming of gully.

The Chief of Staff, Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu in his remarks affirmed that the road project meant a great deal to the southern and the Northern part of the country, because Kogi state remained the gateway between the two parts of the nation.

He added that the governor has pledged to putting the resources of the state to good use and this particular project is yet another pointer to fulfilling such pledge. Pharm. Asuku also thanked the contractor and the host community for their cooperation.

Andrew Zhou on behalf of the Contractors, CCECC Nigeria Limited assured that the project would be completed in record time and the quality of the project would be guaranteed.

Governor Bello had earlier before the flag off, made a brief stop at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Okene to inspect the ongoing projects in the higher institution.