The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has urged contractors handling various road projects in the territory to ensure their speedy completion.
Bello said this while inspecting the Inner Southern Express Way (ISEX) interchange road project, near the AYA junction on Wednesday in Abuja.
He expressed the hope that the portion of road interchange would be open to motorists by the end of July.
“The road which is about 97 per cent completion, would break the gridlock at AYA and bring a significant lease of life for motorists coming from both Nyanya-Keffi axis and Kubwa road.
“The ISEX way which leads into the Central Area fits into the programme of this administration which aims to complete ongoing projects that have the greatest benefits for the greatest number of people, ’’ he said.
According to him, other road projects which are at various stages of completion include the Outer Northern Express ONEX Road (the Murtala Mohammed Express Road) Lots 1 and II, including the Villa Roundabout, which also leads to AYA.
The minister said that about 24 other projects, most of which had been abandoned or suspended had received a boost from the present administration.
He commended the management and staff of Salini Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project for their efforts to deliver the road within the three months’ time frame agreed on.
Bello said that his administration had paid all outstanding obligations to the contractors to the tune of about N57 billion.
The minister said that the contractors handling Roads B6 and B12, Constitution and Independence Avenues abandoned over eight years ago had returned to site.
“The roads, which are located in the Central Area, by the front of the World Trade Centre and behind the Diplomatic Drive, had also been abandoned for over eight years now.
“The Bill Clinton Bridge and interchange on the Umar Musa Yar’Adua Express Road had also been completed on record time by this administration.
“Thus, ensuring the free flow of traffic for motorists going into the Airport and those coming from the Gwagwalada Axis, ’’ he added.
He, however, said the 15 kms Apo – Karshi Road awarded by the former administration was abandoned not long after the hype of its commencement.
Bello added that his administration had kept to its contractual obligations to the companies in order to alleviate the difficulties being faced by commuters from Mararaba, Nyanya and Karu axis.
“What residents do not know is that the road ended in Wasa, more than 6 kms away from the Apo Roundabout.
“However, in order to pull the road up to the heart of the City, the present administration awarded the contract linking it from Wasa to Apo Roundabout.
“So, it is a major interchange to free up traffic flow in and around Apo and Guzape Districts of the City,’’ Bello said.
He said other projects receiving attention include water projects such as the construction of two layout water tanks at the Hill Layout and Dallas Estate.
Bello listed others as the Tanks 1 and 6 and their associated trunk mains to service unreached areas with pipe borne water.
He also called on the contractors to reciprocate the gesture of the administration in the payment of contractual obligations by ensuring they deliver the projects on schedule. (NAN)
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