Borno awards N4.3 billion flyover bridge contract

The Borno State government has awarded the contract for construction of the first flyover bridge in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The contract awarded last December to Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC) at the sum of N4.3 billion is expected to be completed by June 2021.

Governor Babagana Zulum, who disclosed this at the foundation laying ceremony, said the project will ease traffic in Maiduguri metropolis.

According to him, the flyover will connect three routes; linking Maiduguri metropolis to Dikwa and Ngala border communities with Cameroon and Chad.

“Motorists will drive on top and below the bridge at the Customs Roundabout, while the 2.4 kilometres bridge will combine two opposite lanes on top and bottom of bridge§’, he said.

Zulum, who spoke at the Customs Roundabout project site, stressed that the flows of traffic will exit through Bama and Dikwa roads.

“This bridge is inevitable, because of the increasing number of motorists instigated by population growth, occasioned by forced migration of families because of their displacement during decade long Boko Haram insurgency.” He added.

The governor also stressed that N1.3billion has been paid as 30 per cent mobilization fees to the contractor.
The state as a policy in 2020, he said, is poised to review commitments towards rebuilding and expanding the roads network.

“The flag-off of the project is part of the strategy for the development of township road networks in the state”, he added.

“We’ll undertake the construction of Jiddari Polo, Mala Kyari-Zannari-Gwozari road.”Other the governor said roads to be constructed in Maiduguri metropolis, include Jiddari Polo, Umarari Ngarnnam and Abuja Talakawa roads.

He further assured that the rebuilding of Pulka-Ngoshe and Monguno, Biu, Askira and Ngala Township roads would be completed this year.

“We will ensure work is carried out on 135km Maiduguri-Gambouru, Maiduguri-Banki and Damboa-Chibok-Mbalala roads” said Zulum.

He assured that the contractor has been mobilized to site with the release of N1.3 billion fees to commence construction.
Speaking on another flyover bridge, he said: “We’ve in the pipeline another flyover at the Post Office area,” disclosing that the bridge will commence in the first quarter of next year.

He said that with completion of these bridges; they will provide a new facelift of Maiduguri metropolis without any gridlock of traffic.”

He, however, urged residents to cooperate with the company, as heavy-duty vehicles at the project site could cause inconveniences to motorists and pedestrians.