The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has
said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the people of Rivers State have
benefited immensely from infrastructural strides occasioned by the President,
Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), led administration.
He also disclosed that Nigerians would be able to use the
Bodo-Bonny Road by December 2023 when the project would be completed.
According to the minister, the President has demonstrated
commitment to infrastructure development in all the regions of Nigeria, Rivers
inclusive.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the ministry’s
spokesperson, Mrs Blessing Adams-Lere on Thursday.
Fashola, who was on an inspection tour of the Bodo-Bonny
project, said that the N200 Billion historic 37.9 km single-carriageway road
project with nine bridges has reached a 70 per cent level of work.
He further assured that funding has been made available to
ensure its completion even when the tenure of the President expires.
He said, “It is instructive to point out that this very
project is being executed by the Federal Government.
“I hear some people comment that the Federal Government is
not doing anything in Rivers State.
“Bodo and Bonny are
in Rivers State. This is a 200 Billion Naira investment in one state.
“The amount is not the issue but the short and long-term
significance of the project is addressing the problem of poverty and how to
lift people out of poverty.
“This place was also engulfed in conflict but this project
has brought about peace and stability among the communities that are now
working together.
“I can say that for the first time in human civilization and
the history of mankind, people can actually walk on their way between Bodo and
Bonny communities and it is almost done.”
Speaking on behalf of the Bodo and Bonny communities, the
chairman of the Peace committee for the road project, Chief Salama LongJohn,
thanked the federal government for taking the bold steps to construct the road
and provide them access to other parts of Nigeria, stressing that it will bring
prosperity to the land.
He said, “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN for this project. Our hopes as a people are
alive now because the project will create a lot of economic opportunities for
our people. We are happy. As you have remembered us, we will remember this
government led by the All Progressive Congress.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has temporarily removed
barricades on the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highways to allow for free traffic flow for
motorists plying the routes during the festive period.
This development means the two lanes of the over 380
kilometres will be open for commuters’ use between now and January when the
contractors are expected to be back from break.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com