Abuja-Lokoja road to be completed by March 2014, says Minister

The 200km road is being dualised.

The Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda, on Saturday in Lokoja said the Abuja-Lokoja highway would be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

Mr. Yuguda said this while inspecting ongoing work on the Abuja-Lokoja and Obajana-Okene-Auchi roads.

He said the four sections of the Abuja-Lokoja road consist of 200 kilometres but that work on 150 kilometres has been completed.

“By the end of the first quarter of 2014, this particular road’s dualisation will be completed.

“We have certainly attained 80 per cent of work on the road and, having achieved this, I am sure the ministry will surely deliver as assured,’’ Yuguda said.

The minister explained that part of the funds from the Subsidy Re’-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) were being used to fund the project.

“The programme is benefiting from SURE-P. With that I am certain that money constraints will not be a problem,’’ he said.

While expressing satisfaction with the quality of work done so far on the road, Mr. Yuguda called for a speedy completion of work on major routes.

He said this would enhance a free flow of traffic during the upcoming yuletide period.

The minister said the project was part of the present administration’s effort at opening up the country’s six geo-political zones through the construction of arterial roads.

(NAN)