Niger State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Works and Infrastructure Urges Contractors to Accelerate Progress.
The Niger State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Works and Infrastructure, led by its Chairman, Hon. Arc. Abubakar Suleiman Gomna, who represents the Bosso Constituency, has called on contractors to expedite their work on ongoing road construction projects in Zone ‘A’. This directive was issued during an oversight visit to assess the progress of various road projects as part of the Committee’s constitutional duties.
During the visit, the Committee inspected several road construction projects, including the Minna-Bida Road, which is being managed by Dantata and Sawoe Nigeria Limited, and the Bida Ring Road, a 44km dual carriageway constructed by Arab Contractor Nigeria Limited.
Other projects inspected included a 5km Gbako Township Road by Q-systems Nigeria Limited, the 5km Edati Township Road, and the 5km Lavun Township Road, both handled by Pacific Investment Limited.
Notably, the upgrading and dualization of the Minna-Kataeregi-Bida Road project involves three contractors: Lot 1 (15km), managed by Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company (Nig.) Ltd; Lot 2 (40km), managed by Triacta Nig Ltd; and Lot 3 (27km), managed by Arab Contractors O.A.O Nig. Ltd/Arab Contractors O.A.O Egypt (JV).
According to Hon. Arc. Gomna, the purpose of the oversight visit is to ensure that public funds are used judiciously.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the various projects inspected and underscored the importance of ensuring high-quality work and timely completion of all road projects funded by the State Government.
The Committee commended contractors such as Dantata and Sawoe Nigeria Limited, Triacta Nigeria, and Arab Contractor Nigeria Limited for their efforts, while encouraging them to uphold high standards in accordance with their contractual agreements.
However, the Committee noted a slower-than-expected pace of work by Dantata and Sawoe Nigeria Limited, whose contract was awarded in 2020 and remains incomplete.
In response, the Project Manager of Dantata and Sawoe Nigeria Limited, Engr. Mohammed Ghozy, explained that the contract was initially awarded for the reconstruction of the existing carriageway from Kpakungu to Bida at a contract sum of N23.9 billion, which was later reduced to N17 billion.
He thanked the State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, for approving the price variation and assured the Committee that once the agreement is signed, they would expedite the remaining work.
Other contractors, including Engr. Mohammed Emir of Arab Contractor Nigeria Limited and Engr. Bala Farin-wata of Q-systems Nigeria Limited, expressed their gratitude to the Committee for the visit and pledged to deliver high-quality projects to the State.
The Commissioner of Works and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Umar Suleiman, represented by the Director of Public Buildings, Arc. Salihu Wonigi, assured the Committee that the Ministry will closely monitor all ongoing construction projects to ensure that they meet the expectations of the State Government and its citizens.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with contractors to deliver infrastructure projects of high quality.
