FG re-awards Anambra - Kogi road at N43.26b

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By Madu Obi

The Federal Government has re-awarded the Otuocha-Nzam-Inoma-Iheaka-Abaji road connecting Anambra and Kogi states at a revised cost of N43.26 billion.

The 30-kilometre road that was first awarded on December 3, 2009 at a cost of N5.8 billion by the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was to be completed in 24 months.

The project had raised the hope of residents of Anambra West local government area that their local government headquarters, Nzam, would soon measure up to others, but not long after work commenced, their joy was cut short as the project was stopped.

Apart from its huge economic potential for Anambra State, the road, when completed, would ease the evacuation of farm produce from the benefiting communities.

It was gathered that despite the N3.43 billion paid to the contractor, Niger Construction Ltd, between October, 2018 and May, 2019, the project was abandoned after more than half of the contract sum was collected.

The Zonal Director in charge of South East states in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Bede Obioha said the contract was reviewed with new design, pointing out that the revised contract sum would cater for additional works and other incidentals to address the unusual circumstances.

“Due to so many indices in the nation's economy of recent, there have been market increases in the prices of goods and services and the construction industry is no exception,” he said.

The Commercial Manager of Niger Construction Limited, Julien Shahinen said they were able to achieve first binder asphalting of 7km out of the 30km road before the project stopped.