North-East Commission To Construct 116km Alhaleri, Kirfi In Bauchi
BY KHALID IDRIS DOYA, Bauchi
As part of efforts to explore the economic potentials the Bauchi State Government has called on the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to intervene in the reconstruction of the abandoned 82km Alkaleri – Futuk road whose contract was earlier awarded at the cost of N32b.
Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir said that the federal government had awarded the contract, but the contractors refused to mobilize to site due to non-mobilization fee by the government.
Speaking in Futuk while leading the NEDC Management team led by the MD/CEO, Dr. Mohammad Goni Alkali to inspect the road, the governor said, “You can recall that Mr. President announced that the road will be constructed when he came to inspect the ongoing oil exploration in the area but since then, we have not heard anything again”.
The Governor said, “We then consulted the NEDC knowing that it is part of its mandate and I am glad to inform you that the NEDC team is here to help us reconstruct the road. In fact, the sum of N1.5b has been approved to mobilize the contractor to site,” he said
He explained that when reconstructed, the road will open up the area to the outside world considering the abundance of mineral resources in the area, particularly oil and gas that has been discovered commercial quantity.
While addressing people of the area, the NEDC MD/CEO, Dr. Mohammad Goni Alkali assured that the Commission will look into the request of the Governor for the reconstruction of the 82km road which he said is a viable venture.
Alkali also announced that the commission will reconstruct the 34 kilometer Kirfi – Gombe Abba road in the state, stressing that the road is of economic value to the people of the entire Northeast sub-region.
“The Commission has its criteria before considering going into such a road construction venture. Driving from Alkaleri to Futuk, I have discovered that the area is endowed with mineral resources and agricultural produce, it is therefore qualified for the intervention of the Commission
“I am here with some of the management team, we have seen the need and we will go back to present a position to Mr. President for approval so that the project can commence,” the NEDC boss assured.