The Niger State Government has signed a contract with 37 companies for the construction of 556km of roads across the 25 local government councils of the state.
The contracts, sealed at the Government House, Minna, the state capital, were signed, on behalf of the Niger State Government, by Commissioner for Works Suleiman Umar and the representatives of the contracting firms.
Speaking shortly after the signing, Governor Mohammed Bago stated that the execution of the projects became necessary to fast-track development across the entire state in line with his urban renewal policy.
“The state has a huge infrastructural deficit; that is why our administration is out to construct 2,000 kilometres of roads in the next four years. At the moment, about a trillion naira in funding has been secured to cater for infrastructural development in the state.
“The award of contracts for the 2,000 km road projects is in collaboration with all the local government chairmen, and the contractors were carefully selected following their track records,” the governor said.
Bago, however, cautioned the contractors on the need to maintain standards in their work and keep to the agreed time frame, as anyone who compromises quality will have their contract terminated.
The governor also called on the contractors to patronise local content and relate with the relevant ministries to get a list of reliable youth that can be engaged to better their lots.
He then assured the contractors that the state would liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the security of their lives and equipment, while also tasking them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Alhaji Mu’azu Hamidu Jantabo, in his remarks, said his ministry has already engaged a consultant who will provide the technical know-how to follow up on the projects.
He also assured that the ministry will ensure that benefiting communities take ownership of the projects so that the desired objective will be achieved.
