NAN-H-92
Bridge
By Monday Ijeh
Loko (Nasarawa), Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), the contractor handling Loko-Oweto Bridge project, has assured that the project will be completed on schedule, if the Federal Government sustains funding.
Mr Egass Nassar, RCC project manager, gave the assurance on Friday in Loko, near Nasarawa, during an inspection visit to the project site.
According to Nassar, the project, scheduled to be completed in 2018, is currently 61 per cent completed.
He said that the cost of the project was reviewed upward from N36.1 billion to N51.6 billon.
Nassar said that the project, awarded in 2011 with a completion period of 48 months, had been delayed due to changes in the project alignment.
He said that difficulty in transportation of equipment constituted a challenge in the execution of the project.
“The project is currently 61 per cent completed and with funding, we will complete the project in 2018 as scheduled.
“The present government has really shown commitment towards the execution of the project and on our part, we will ensure that it is completed in good time.”
According to him, with the completion of the project, travellers from the North to the eastern part of the country may not need to go through the Abuja-Lokoja road.
He further said that travellers from Abuja to the East could do a return trip the same day as the completion of the road would significantly shorten the distance.
Meanwhile, Mr Wasiu Taiwo, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and head of supervision team of the project, commended the contractor for doing quality work.
Taiwo said that the project had undergone all the needed tests and certified for the next stage.
He attributed the successes recorded in the execution of the project to the engagement of youths in the host communities — Loko in Nasarawa and Oweto in Benue States. (NAN)
IMC/NKO/NKO
============
Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo
=====================