Edun: Fixing Nigerian Roads Will Help Lower Inflation
• Umahi pledges to complete Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano in two years
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has said that fixing Nigeria’s many dilapidated roads will eventually help lower the country’s biting inflation.
Speaking during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway, alongside the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, Edun stated that when agricultural produce are transported on good roads, prices will fall and the current 28.2 per cent inflation rate will be lowered.
He assured of the commitment of the federal government in the timely funding of the project in line with the agreed milestones, according to a statement from the Special Adviser on Media to the works minister, Uchenna Orji.
Edun noted that having been mandated by President Bola Tinubu, they were on the location to ascertain the commitment of the contractor handling the project and to support them, to as soon as possible, complete the reconstruction of the road.
The finance minister described the works sector as one of the most strategic sectors that will add value to the economic development agenda of the president, saying it would always be given priority attention.
“We want to urge the contractor to do more. Infrastructure is a critical priority of the administration of President Tinubu. That is how we can get food prices down.
“Through transportation and easy transportation of agricultural products, we want to move freely across the country. To bring down the prices and inflation, we will be doing more on the funding,” he said.
On the inspection team were directors from both the ministries of works and finance and Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Lars Richter, who conducted the two ministers round the projects.
In his remarks, Umahi stated that dual carriageway which had been a source of concern to road users because of the many dilapidated spots and security challenges, was awarded to Julius Berger.
He said it could not be completed because of security and funding challenges, but stressed that Tinubu views the road as very critical for the socio-economic advancement of the nation.
The works minister assured the contractors that funding would not be a problem, going forward.
“We have got a commitment from the minister of finance to make payment, and I am very sure if we pay Julius Berger Plc according to the commitment on funding, it will complete the job,“ he said.
Umahi stated that all sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway would be completed in 24 months, saying that Julius Berger had agreed to complete 15 kilometres daily, reason the new date was agreed on.
“We are looking at 24 months to finish the project. It can only be Berger that will finish in 24 months, so with assured financing model by the minister of finance it will be completed,” he noted.
He added that the total kilometres of road from Abuja to Kaduna is 165 kilometres out of which 45 kilometres had been completed while 120 kilometres were being worked on.
“The total road length is 375km which is equivalent to 750km of single lane. Now, Kaduna to Zaria is completed. We have only 20km left between Zaria and Kano.”
“We are looking at redesigning it, to add concrete pavement. Already the contractor is aware. I know we have the issue of differences in terms of reviewing the contract price, but we’ve sorted all that out and I’m happy we have progressed. We’ve sent the geotechnical team to re-examine the strength of the subgrade,” he added.
He explained that funding was no longer an issue for the contractor as the government had approved N17 billion and other finances would be approved in due course.
