Reps panel demands timely completion of Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road

The house of representatives committee on works has asked contractors working on the Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road to ensure timely completion.

Abubakar Kabir, chairman of the committee, made the demand in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa, during an inspection by lawmakers.

Kabir said the project, which cost about $542 million, must be completed by April 2023 — the delivery deadline. 

“There should be no compromise in terms of quality, standard and timely delivery,” he said.

“I said this because we made adequate budgetary provisions for this project in the 2022 appropriation, so there should be no excuse as to why the work would be delayed any further.

“The 2023 budget will come in any moment from now, and this oversight is necessary for us to know how what was allocated last year was utilised for us to determine what’s needed and how to give approval.”

The lawmakers questioned why certain sections were being skipped and constructed in an “uninformed” manner.

Henry Usor, an official of the road sector development unit of the federal ministry of works, said “compensation issues were responsible for such staggering implementation”.

“The job would be completed in record time, going by the progress we have achieved so far. I believe we should be able to complete it by the time we come to the end of the project duration in April 2023,” Usor said. 

“When completed, it would have a lot of advantages. If you are moving from Abuja to the south-east and southern part of the country, this would be a better option for you to take through.”

Li Qaingqiang, the project manager, said when completed, accidents would reduce on the road. 

“We are aiming to complete the project by April 2023 with sufficient budget allocation next year, and we would ensure the road is in proper condition before it is handed over,” he said.