20th December, 2022.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola recently commissioned the second Niger Bridge, as part of the federal government’s effort to link the south-east with south-south and to boost the economy of the nation.

However, I want to use this medium to remind the minister about the N348.59 billion approved by the government around 2018 for the dualisation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi and Gombe roads. Sir, though the government was said to have approved the money yet, there is nothing in place for over five years now.

The road is crucial to the northeastern region of the country that has been facing the challenge of poor road networks, especially from Plateau to Bauchi and Gombe states. The road linking Jos to Bauchi is one of the busiest roads in Nigeria recording a high number of passengers daily but not in a good shape resulting in accidents and robberies daily.

Again, the majority of the people in the two regions are farmers and herdsmen who are using the roads to transport their farm produce and cattle to the South South, South West and South East to sell.

Besides, dualising the roads linking the two regions, will facilitate the nation’s agribusiness in many aspects as well as ease movement of people within that axis.

It is thus painful that four years, since the contract for the project was awarded and the money approved by the government, yet there is no hope for its completion before the end of the life of this administration. We recall that the minister said the project would be completed in 48 months so what exactly is the problem?

I want to call the attention of the minister of works and housing to please check on the contractors and find out the reasons why the project is not progressing all these years.

Let me hasten to remind the minister that hastening the completion of the road would bring relief to millions of people in the region and they will ever be grateful to this government.

Yusuf Bukar Kaka, Department of Mass Communication, Borno State University

https://dailytrust.com/on-the-n348-59bn-approved-for-akwanga-jos-bauchi-gombe-road/

What has Apc got to campaign with in the NE?

Audio Mambilla (from same Fashola who once said contractors we're already working onsite only for a new Minister to say that site preparation was not even done and now this), coming from people who see the north as nothing more than a vote bank, I won't be surprised.

Shine ya eyes.

The problem with this buhari government is that monies are allocated for projects but there no strict supervision to know exactly what's going on

Abuja to kano expressway is facing similar problem. Despite the fact that more than 300billion have so far been released for the project.

Abuja to kano gas pipeline is facing thesame issue aswell. The government told everyone that the project will be completed by December of this year but the reality is that they still have a very long way to go

Even the second niger bridge that they are making so much noise about is still far from being completed it was just opened to traffic for political reasons (election)

You see when Igbos shout about injustice, this is just one of them, the second Niger bridge cost 336 billion, yet the south east will pay for the bridge for the next 45 years, so even if the the money is met in 10years, they will keep paying with an excess of 35 years extra, but this project of 348 billion, the funds were released in full because it is in the north and they have not still delivered

BENIN


AUCHI


LOKOJA


ABUJA

road is one of the worst roads you could ever ply. This country get govt so? Spits!

Omihanifa:
The problem with this buhari government is that monies are allocated for projects but there no strict supervision to know exactly what's going on

Abuja to kano expressway is facing similar problem. Despite the fact that more than 300billion have so far been released for the project.

Abuja to kano gas pipeline is facing thesame issue aswell. The government told everyone that the project will be completed by December of this year but the reality is that they still have a very long way to go

I don't think funds were released for some of the projects, they probably just said it to generate excitement from people in those places.

It looks like the admin priotized projects in the SW at the expense of other places. Lagos-Ibadan rail and expressway are nearing completion while counterparts such as Kano-Kaduna rail was just started, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano is no where nearing completion, Lagos-Calabar is is still on paper and Port Harcourt -Maiduguri is still a campaign promise.

Brendaniel:
You see when Igbos shout about injustice, this is just one of them, the second Niger bridge cost 368 billion, yet the south east will pay for the bridge for the next 45 years, so even if the the money is met in 10years, they will keep paying with an excess of 35 years extra, but this project funds were released in full because it is in the north and they have not still delivered

I don't think tolling is the issue, the roads should be provided of the right quality. Left to me, all federal roads should be tolled, this would enhance efficiency in the management of infrastructure in the country (so long as the funds are managed appropriately), you don't need to borrow or wait for 10 years to construct a road plus it will also free up the govt to do other things with money that should be spend on roads (in the overall interest of the citizens).

Raheeqilmaktoom:


I don't think tolling is the issue, the roads should be provided of the right quality. Left to me, all federal roads should be tolled, this would enhance efficiency in the management of infrastructure in the country (so long as the funds are managed appropriately), you don't need to borrow or wait for 10 years to construct a road plus it will also free up the govt to do other things with money that should be spend on roads (in the overall interest of the citizens).

Then why didn't they do the same with the Bauchi Gombe road?

Brendaniel:


Then why didn't they do the same with the Bauchi Gombe road?

Road that's not even constructed yet?

Besides, it's like you don't travel. You are not tolled officially but every road block charged you something (commercial buses), as for those carrying goods, it's almost mandatory to 'pay' every now and then.

If it costs around 100k to move goods from say Jigawa to Enugu, you need to carry at least 50k more to settle people Manning the roads.

You won't pay that much when tolls are in place and the good infrastructure(road) reduces the stress and cost of moving the goods (less time spent on road - hence less fuel and less servicing cost for vehicles plus b int able to make more trips within a very short period.

Raheeqilmaktoom:


Road that's not even constructed yet?

Besides, it's like you don't travel. You are not tolled officially but every road block charged you something (commercial buses), as for those carrying goods, it's almost mandatory to 'pay' every now and then.

If it costs around 100k to move goods from say Jigawa to Enugu, you need to carry at least 50k more to settle people Manning the roads.

You won't pay that much when tolls are in place and the good infrastructure(road) reduces the stress and cost of moving the goods (less time spent on road - hence less fuel and less servicing cost for vehicles plus b int able to make more trips within a very short period.

It still doesn't change my point of equity...

Brendaniel:


It still doesn't change my point of equity...

Well, you probably find comprehension difficult.

Raheeqilmaktoom:


Well, you probably find comprehension difficult.

let's assume you have a brother and you both want to start an UBER business, your father then outrightly purchases a nice car worth 10 million naira for your brother to drive and maintain it himself without paying back a dime, then brings another car for you at 8 million for you to pay at higher purchase for the next 10 years at a fixed amount every month, even if after 2 years you have out paid the total cost of 8 million, the agreement is you must pay for 10 years, so you will end up paying an excess of the total amount, that also includes you maintaining the car from your profit.

Are you going to call that fairness from your father?

Sorry but it is you that lacks comprehension...

Brendaniel:



let's assume you have a brother and you both want to start an UBER business, your father then outrightly purchases a nice car worth 10 million naira for your brother to drive and maintain it himself without paying back a dime, then brings another car for you at 8 million for you to pay at higher purchase for the next 10 years at a fixed amount every month, even if after 2 years you have out paid the total cost of 8 million, the agreement is you must pay for 10 years, so you will end up paying an excess of the total amount, that also includes you maintaining the car from your profit.

Are you going to call that fairness from your father?

Sorry but it is you that lacks comprehension...

It's liek you didn't read the article. The construction has not even started not to talk of providing funds and the status of the money.

Besides, you seem to have this notion that the country is skewed against you only (your region), if everyone starts telling you what he goes through, you will realize that yours may be a joke.

Raheeqilmaktoom:


It's liek you didn't read the article. The construction has not even started not to talk of providing funds and the status of the money.

Besides, you seem to have this notion that the country is skewed against you only (your region), if everyone starts telling you what he goes through, you will realize that yours may be a joke.

READ THE ARTICLE, MONEY HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR IT, THAT IS WHY THE MAN IS COMPLAINING...

When you realise that's in 8 years Fashola couldn't complete a mere 35kms of Lekki epe road despite tolling the road then you will learn to expect less from him as minister

Brendaniel:


READ THE ARTICLE, MONEY HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR IT, THAT IS WHY THE MAN IS COMPLAINING...

Money has been approved, nothing on ground to justify money has been approved. The only evidence he had for saying money has been approved is putting the Minister to his own words: if you say money has been approved what stops work from commencing, if money was not approved then it means you were lying to us.

Besides, there is no project in Nigeria that the govt releases 100% funding at a go, even the 2nd Niger bridge was captured in different budget cycles with money released in tranches.

Raheeqilmaktoom:


Money has been approved, nothing on ground to justify money has been approved. The only evidence he had for saying money has been approved is putting the Minister to his own words: if you say money has been approved what stops work from commencing, if money was not approved then it means you were lying to us.

Besides, there is no project in Nigeria that the govt releases 100% funding at a go, even the 2nd Niger bridge was captured in different budget cycles with money released in tranches.

Which ever way, what is good for Paul should also be good for Peter...