Fifteen years after the award of contracts for the dualisation of the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja highways projects, the Federal Government Is yet to show any commitment toward the completion of the most important road in Nigeria that link the entire southern part to the country to the Federal Capital Territory, the other road from Abuja to Kaduna is receiving the speedy attention from the same government which has also confirmed the negligence of North Central by the Buhari lead administration.
Checked by the OBSERVERSTIMES reveals that to ensure speedy delivery of construction works in the country, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has taken delivery of new equipment and machineries for the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project.
At a brief ceremony in Lagos, SCOA Nigeria Plc took delivery of the equipment for further handing over to the construction company in its Isolo, Lagos facility.
At the event, Group Managing Director, SCOA, Dr. Massad Fares Boulos, said his company is pleased to enter “a rewarding relationship with Julius Berger”, adding that the equipment that will assist in the construction of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.
He said: “SCOA entered into the partnership with Julius Berger Nigeria, in bringing in such huge quantities of trucks and other machineries. These equipment will enable the construction company to handle the contract in a timely and professional manner as well as have positive economic and social impact on the communities and Nigeria.”
Boulos said Julius Berger would be the first to engage the new technological equipment, Wirtgen, which is uniquely environmentally friendly in road construction. a
“What you see here today is a tip of the iceberg. A part of the items delivered through Port Harcourt and Warri ports; and more are yet to arrive Nigeria, and even as we speak at this ceremony, more equipment are coming from the ports.”
According to him, the trucks and equipment are needed for one of Julius Berger’s projects, the AKR project, which the company is constructing to bring prosperity to the country.
Richter, who was represented by Commercial Manager of Abuja- Kano roadwork, Mr. Ralf Brendicke, said the company realised that the load of traffic borne daily by this highway makes it susceptible to damage, so much so that Julius Berger has deployed a state-of-the-art road construction technique.
The German Consul-General in Nigeria, Dr. Bernd von Münchow-Pohl, extolled the partnership, stressing that it will guarantee quality deliveries in Nigeria.
Personalities has once called on federal Government to give speedy attention to Lokoja/Abuja road , among is Dr Samson Ayokunle, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, who called on Political leaders to stop exhibiting the habits of abandoned projects and lampooned, he made the statement in March 2021 in lokoja.
He said this by making reference to the Federal Government for not completing about 200kms Abuja-Lokoja highway 15 years after its flag off.
“Lokoja-Abuja highway is a shame of the country. Do something and remove this shame, 15 years constructing a 200kms road is a shame,” he lampooned.
”Nigeria is a complex nation with different ethnic, religious and socio-cultural background, adding that with its endowed human and materials resources if properly harnessed together, the country would join the comity of great states, and dust off the present hardships that has bedevilled the nation.
Acccording to him, for the country to be great, it needs justice, fairness and mutual respect for one and another in e every aspect of the country.