…Appeals for progress on Eastern bypass.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has expressed satisfaction with the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria Road project, appealing to the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite the completion of the project to improve motorists’ security.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Minister for Works, Mr. Nweze David Umahi, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.
Dr. Balarabe told the visiting Minister that Government and people of Kaduna State are appealing to him to consider and ensure completion of the Eastern Bypass, which was commenced in 2002, reviewed in 2017 and had a completion deadline of 2021.
She said, “Mr Minister, that road provides an alternate route for commuters passing through Kaduna from the Southern States and Abuja, thus reducing pressure on Kaduna Township roads as well as save travel time for travelers.”
She also congratulated him on behalf of the Governor, Government and people of Kaduna State on his well-deserved appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to oversee the Ministry of Works and Housing.
According to her, the appointment is a testament of the trust and confidence the President has on him, as adjudged by the minister’s “sterling performance in Ebonyi State,” as Governor, according to a statement issued and made available in Kaduna late Friday.
Earlier, Mr. David Umahi stated that they were in Kaduna due to a presidential directive to tour all senatorial districts and assess the status of ongoing road projects.
He emphasized that their presence in Kaduna is a testament to the importance the president attached to the region.
“President Tinubu Ahmed instructed me to personally inspect this project and report directly back to him, which is why we are here. He issued the same directive for the Abuja-Kaduna Road, where we were present on Tuesday,” he said.
“Yesterday, we had a meeting with the South West contractors. Tomorrow, we will have a meeting with all the contractors working in the North West region. On Saturday, we’ll focus on North Central, and on Sunday, we’ll turn our attention to another region,” Mr Umahi stated.
The minister, however, commended the Kaduna State Government for its people-centered policies, noting that despite being relatively new, the government has already made significant achievements in many sectors.
“We are very confident in Kaduna State. My big brother, El-Rufai, has done quite a lot. I am very confident that the new governor will further improve Kaduna State, based on how he has handled it so far,” he stated.
