By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The Governor of Niger state, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of 118 km rural roads, comprising three diffrent road projects in Kontagora, Niger-North Senatorial district.
The road projects which is is part of the administration's Urban Renewal Policy included the reconstruction of the 90km Kontagora-Rijau road, 19.4 km Kontagora western by-pass ring-road and the 8.7 km Kontagora eastern by-pass ring-roads.
Speaking at the short ceremony to mark the groundbreaking, Governor Bago said the Kontagora-Rijau road reconstruction is to be executed by Triacta Nigeria Limited while the western and eastern by-pass ring-roads are to be handled by Brosini Nigeria Limited.
Governor Bago who expressed his preparedness of his administration to transform Niger state within the shortest possible time, said he has so far in less than one year in office, constructed 1, 000km of road projects across the state out of which 400km are federal roads.
Bago said he's aware that accessible road networks bring about speedy development, adding that the said road constructions engendered in the society while he is also concerned about the safety of road users hence the resolve to invest heavily on road projects to ameliorate the sufferings of citizens plying the roads.
Against fears that the state government may not be able to recover funds spent on therein, Bago said the reconstruction of the Kontagora-Rijau road has been approved by the federal government as it is a trunk 'A' road.
The federal government has also given the state government the go ahead for the reconstruction of the 41km dualization of the Kakkaki-Minna road and 91km Rofia-Borgu roads which are all federal roads that traverse the state.
Describing Kontagora local government area as being central to the growth and development of the state, Governor Bago said 'Niger-North Senatorial District is the centre of Commerce'.
As centre of the state, only good road network will attract investors to improve of infrastructure which will in turn create jobs and improve movements of goods and services across all nooks and crannies of the state.
Contractors for the projects were carefully selected based on their track records and they would be put on their toes to ensure that they deliver standard jobs and within specified time.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Works, Suleiman Umar, said the road project forms part of the Governor Umaru Bago led administration's plans to make the state one of the most economically viable in Nigeria and by extension, reduce hardship.
The Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammad Barau Mu'azu II in his remarks, expressed gratitude to Governor Bago for embarking on the even development of the state. He added that the road projects will facilitate growth and development of local government councils under Kontagora Emirate and as well improve supply chain to meet domestic needs of the people.
Among dignitaries present at the groundbreaking event is the Senator representing Niger-North and former Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello and the Speaker Niger State House of Assembly, Hon. AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji who in their separate remarks, described the determination of Governor Bago to make a difference as highly commendable. NNL.
