The Niger State Government says it has expedited action on several road projects embarked upon across the state in order to improve the socio-economic development of its rural and urban communities.

The Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy to the governor, Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo, on his Facebook page, stated that the projects are aimed at ameliorating the plight of the citizens and improving their livelihood.

He explained that one of the major components of this endeavour is the upgrading and dualisation of the Minna-Kataeregi-Bida Road Project (82 Km) in Niger State.

This, according to him, includes its river crossings, such as major bridges and minor side and cross drainage structures, as well as undertaking related technical supervision, consulting services, and social intervention in some communities along the project corridor.

Ebbo further revealed that the road project entails the construction of pedestrian bridges, toll gates, and an interchange construction at Minna and Bida towns. The Minna-Kataeregi-Bida Road Project is divided into three lots.

He added that the Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve the inter-connection of the road corridor to enhance major economic and social activities for optimal productivity in the state.

Other objectives are to improve road quality, increase road capacity, aid linkage to federal roads, increase the movement of goods and services, improve travel time, reduce accident rates, generate revenue, and improve access to health facilities and markets for agricultural produce.

According to Ebbo, it is envisaged that when the project is completed, there will be a significant reduction in travel time, better traffic control, and lower maintenance costs for commuters’ vehicles.

The Special Adviser hinted that before the award of the Minna-Kataeregi-Bida Road Project, commuters along the route spent an average of two and a half hours to travel from Minna to Bida, a distance of 82km, but that will soon be a thing of the past as the project nears completion.

Ebbo maintained that the three lots of the Minna-Kataeregi-Bida Road Project were divided to ease construction and supervision activities. These include Lot 1 from Kpakungu to Garatu (CH0+000 – CH15+000), awarded to Messrs DANTATA & SAWOE Construction Company (Nig.) Limited.

Lot 2 is from Garatu to Kakapkangi (CH15+000 – CH55+000), 40km, awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited, while Lot 3 is from Kakapkangi to Bida (CH55+000 – CH82+000), 27km, awarded to Messrs Arab Contractors O.A.O Nigeria Ltd./Arab Contractors O.A.O Egypt (JV).

He added that each of the lots is financed by the Niger State Government, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, respectively, noting that all three contractors are on-site and work is ongoing without hitches.