AMILOADED MEDIA HUB NEWS UPDATE
The Kogi State Government has commended Mssr. TEC Engineering Limited for returning to the site to continue the ongoing road projects in the state.
This commendation was conveyed in a statement issued by Chief Emmanuel Obasi, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Federal Project Implementation, following an on-the-spot assessment of the Lokoja-Shintako-Dekina-Ayingba Federal Road Project recently.
Chief Obasi also assessed the Dekina-Olowa-Abocho-Ugbabo road project and the section from Odenyi Y-Junction to Ogwuma and noted that no work has commenced along those axis.
The statement read: “The 134.2km road project, awarded to Mssr. TEC Engineering Ltd in February 2022 with a two-year duration, is expected to be completed by February, 2024. However, less than 0.1% of the work had been completed by the time of the assessment visit, despite approximately 3% of the contract sum having been released to the contractor by the Federal Government.”
According to the statement, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, upon assumption of office, paid courtesy visits to the Federal Ministry of Works in Abuja on February 27 and March 11, 2024, to appeal to the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, to address the dilapidated state of many federal roads in the state and consider initiating new projects.
Governor Ododo emphasized his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that contractors have enabling environment to carryout their projects for the benefit of the people of Kogi State.
It should be recalled that the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Dr. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, had previously visited the site and directed the contractor to return to site after abandoning the project.
The statement also noted: “The Lokoja-Shintako-Dekina-Ayingba road, passing through Ganaja, is the shortest route to Kogi East Senatorial District from Lokoja, the State capital. Unfortunately, lack of a bridge between Lokoja and Shintako has made access to the state capital difficult for the people of Kogi East Senatorial District. However, ongoing engagement with the Federal Ministry of Works by His Excellency Alh. Usman Ododo, FCA, has led to positive developments regarding the bridge project.”
“On July 9, 2024, the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi, CON, announced that the Federal Government has finalized discussions with Julius Berger Plc on alternative financing for the construction of the Lokoja-Shintako Bridge. This decision was made during a meeting with Julius Berger’s Business Development Strategist, Filipe Nuno Lopes, and development partners Deutsche Bank Africa. This development indicates significant milestone for the people of Kogi State in general and Kogi East in particular, under the leadership of His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA.”
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