The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has stated that the construction of the Loko-Oweto Bridge across River Benue has offered shorter route for travellers and reduced travel hours to its barest minimum and facilitated redistribution of wealth in the local communities.
Fashola stated this during an inspection tour to the project with his counterparts from Ministries of Informational and Culture, Lai Mohammed (Alh.), Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, George Akume (Sen.). He stated that the Bridge Provides a shorter route cutting off about four to five hours for people coming from Cross River to Abuja by road.
He added that apart from the Loko-Oweto bridge project, work was going on at the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Ikom Bridge and 37 other bridges across Nigeria are being constructed, repaired or rehabilitated by his Ministry. Adding that some of the bridges being constructed, rehabilitated and repaired were: the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos, the Murtala Mohammed Bridge in Koton Karfi and the Isaac Boro Bridge in Port Harcourt.Others were Chanchangi Bridge in Niger state, linking Niger and Ilorin and the Tambuwara Bridge in Kano.
Fashola further stated that this administration, in spite of very limited resources and having to borrow is simply doing almost the near impossible in terms of infrastructure and that Mr. President continues to give his support and commitment to infrastructure. Adding that his understanding of the purpose of infrastructure for growth and development is very clear.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed (Alh.) was enthusiastic with the completion of the bridge, the South-South and the South-East will be connected to the North and this would save five hours of travel time on the road. He stated that Benue state would automatically be the food storage of the Federation by drawing people from every part of the nation while generating economic growth on one hand it would advance social cohesion on the other hand.
He stated that foreign loans are borrowed and that the administration is making judicious use of the loans and that these loans have a life span of 20-50 years and that the roads constructed will have 50-60years lifespan and outlive many of us.
The Minister for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations, George Akume (Sen.) urged the people to maintain peace and order among the various communities where the project is sited, owing to the fact that the project was a huge one intending to serve not just Benue and Nasarawa states but also the larger Nigerian population.
The Emir of Loko, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Sabo Sarikin Loko and Second-Class Chief of Agatu HRH Chief Godwin Ngbede Onah expressed appreciation to the Federal Government over the construction of the Loko- Oweto Bridge which has impacted on their lives positively. The Loko- Oweto Bridge Project is 97.37% completed. (Edited by Deborah)
Boade Akinola
Director (Press& Public Relations)
