News
FG inaugurates N137 billion road projects in Borno
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday flagged off N137 billion rehabilitation work on the Bama–Banki and the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala roads in Borno.
He said during the ceremony that the roads, when fully completed, would boost trade and agricultural activities and enhance efficiency in security operations.
The project area borders the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon.
The existing road is a single-carriageway with two lanes, 49.15km in total length, and begins at Bama town at the Cameroon border.
Mr Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the roads were key to restoring trans-Saharan trade between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon, which had been disrupted by the insurgency.
“Bad roads are also a security risk. A corridor that is difficult for citizens to travel is equally difficult for security personnel to patrol and protect
“Promises acquire meaning when citizens can drive on the roads, move their goods, reach their families and live with greater security,” he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the president of the Dangote Group, and the contractors handling the projects said his group had 12 major roads covering over 1,000km across the six geo-political zones.
Mr Dangote said the projects put together cost the federal government about N3 trillion under the roads infrastructure tax credit scheme.
He stated that the Bama-Bank road and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala road would open up Nigeria’s economy, facilitate military operations, thereby improving security and attract investors.
In his address, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said that the projects were first awarded in 2021 at a combined cost of about N55 billion, but construction was delayed due to insecurity-related challenges.
Mr Umahi said the projects were later reviewed, with phase I estimated at N70 billion and phase II at N67 billion.
He said the projects would adopt the concrete technology system, which offered superior performance, long lifespan, reduced maintenance requirements, and gave greater value for money.
According to him, the scope of work also includes the construction and maintenance of bridges along the route, road furniture, traffic safety facilities and other ancillary works to improve road usage.
He said that the Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala road was part of the trunk 95.A3 major North–Southerly route, which started at the road-over-rail bridge on the Port Harcourt township boundary and continued to Aba-Oktupa–Oturkpo–Alaide–Makurdi-Lafiya-Akwanga-Jos–Bauchi-Kari-Potiskum-Maiduguri and -Dikwa–Gamboru-Ngala, the Nigerian border to Cameroon.
The minister stated that, when completed, the roads would enhance the movement of farm produce and trade, improve transportation quality, boost businesses, and provide greater access for security agencies in their operations.
In his remarks, Governor Babagana Zulum also said the interventions were vital to the state’s recovery efforts, adding that the roads would expand economic activity to Chad, Cameroon, and the Niger Republic.
(NAN)
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 15 kidnap victims and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations across Edo, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states.
An operational report indicated that the operations were conducted between October 1 and 2.
In Edo State, the report said the troops of 195 Battalion, responding to a kidnap incident along the Ekor-Ikakumo road in Akoko-Edo, rescued three victims.
It said the troops exploited the kidnappers’ withdrawal route and rescued the victims, including the driver of a passenger bus travelling from Makurdi to Ibadan, Oyo State.
In Kaduna State, the report said the troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), foiled a kidnap attempt along the Godogodo-Gidan Waya road in the Jema’a Local Government Area.
It added that the intervention forced the kidnappers to abandon a victim who sustained gunshot wounds and flee.
According to the report, the victim was evacuated to the General Hospital, Gidan Waya, for treatment, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
“In another operation, troops of the same sector arrested two suspected kidnappers at Makasa Village in Sanga Local Government Area.
“Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) rescued six kidnapped victims in separate operations in Benue and Kogi.
“In Katsina-Ala, Benue, troops responded to kidnapping activities at Gbise, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon three victims,” it said.
The report addedthat troops operating in conjunction with vigilantes rescued three kidnapped herders at Agbadu Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
It added that the criminals fled following the troops’ intervention, abandoning the victims and 21 cattle, which were also recovered.
In Rivers State, the report said the troops of 16 Brigade, in conjunction with 5 Battalion, discovered 60 sacks containing about 3,000 litres of illegally refined products and a drum at Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
The report added that therecovered items were handled in line with extant regulations.
(NAN)
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