Finance Minister assures Nigerians of quality funding on infrastructures
By Matthew Denis
The Minister of Finance and Co-Ordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has assured Nigerians of quality funding of infrastructural development in the country to boost the economy.
He made the disclosure while joining his Federal Ministry of Works counterpart, Senator (Engr.)David Umahi on the inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriage Way.
The Finance Minister said, “We are here today on an inspection tour under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to examine and hear from the contractors and see their commitment, encourage and support them to the early completion of this all important project and to urge them to do more.”
Edun reiterated that infrastructure was a critical priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, “In order to get food prices down, ease transportation of agricultural produce, movement of people freely across the country, and stabilise the economy.”
Edun assured of availability of funds for the early completion of the road project.
The Finance Minister and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy noted that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriage way is a viable project. He added that he has no doubt about the completion of the project on time by the contractors.
He said, “We have come, we have seen the level of commitment of the contractors to the completion of the project as soon as possible.”
The Minister who was satisfied with the level of work done promised that the fund for the completion of the project was being worked out and would be made available to the contractors, reiterating the need for the speedy completion of the project.
The Minister who commended the level of progress made on the project said the on-going attempt was to improve domestic resources mobilisation available to highly viable projects such as this.
Earlier the Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.)David Umahi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that, “They must ensure that work is completed on this project in 24 months.”
Umahi added, “The two ministers are sorting out the payment modalities and ensuring milestone completion of the project.”
While commending Edun on the reassurance of the release of funds for this road and other infrastructure projects also thanked him for taking critical decisions about the completion of the projects.
According to Umahi, “We have set specifications that will make the projects stable and stronger” noting that the contractors had been directed to concentrate on major carriage ways, adding that Nigerians were going to heave a sigh of relief.
Umahi is optimistic of the 24 months completion period of the project with the assurance of the Minister of Finance on the expeditious release of funds.
He added, “Our plan for Nigerians is for good roads that they can use at any time, emphasising that the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy is more committed than us.”
Programme Manager of Julius Berger, Mr. Benjamin Butt, the contractor handling the project while highlighting the stages of development of the road project disclosed that the company was using Construction Methodology known as Recycling Technology in the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriage Way.
