Work to start on Akwanga road dualization after paying contractor 50 percent-Governor Sule

…To construct underpass in Lafia

Governor Abdullahi Sule has revealed that work will commence on the dualization of the the Ismaila Abbas petrol station- Akwanga round about- AYM Shafa petrol station in Akwanga, after his administration approved 50 percent of the cost to the contractor handling the project.

Governor Sule disclosed this during the commissioning of the Gaji Luxury Hotels built by a private investor, McDaniels Jika, in Akwanga, on Saturday.

The Governor explained that following the approval by the Federal Ministry of Works for his administration to start the work, he quickly approved 50 percent of the contract sum to enable the contractor handling the project to immediately commence work.

“Just yesterday (Friday), we have done something that we don’t usually do. When we give a contract, we usually give the contractor 30 percent mobilization. But because Nasarawa State is blessed now, just like so many other places, as a result of improved revenue, yesterday I approved 50 percent of the money to the contractor to ensure that he will do this work in time.

“That would give him the opportunity to buy all the materials to be able to do something. I told him before I come back from my trip that I want to see some significant amount of work that is being done.

“I know a lot of people have certain things in mind when I said we are doing this in Akwanga. We are not doing this in Akwanga because of the votes. We are not doing this in Akwanga because of any individual. We are doing this in Akwanga because Akwanga is central to the development of Nasarawa State.

“By the time we finish the design that we are doing at this roundabout, as a result of this construction work, a lot of people may not be interested in taking the bypass, they may want to pass through the town to see the development coming to Akwanga. And for us, that is the idea. That is the dream. That is what we are doing. Not for us today, not for anybody today, but for tomorrow when we are no longer here,” he stated.

He used the opportunity to highlight on some of the projects being undertaken by his administration in Akwanga to include three township roads, the Baba Arago-Taal road, Dankazo-Akwanga Modern Market road, and the road linking the newly constructed bridge on Andaha road.

The Governor said his administration has already completed the VIP lodge, another event centre, as well as the youth club that was previously in a terrible shape.

“We have not only completed the youth club, we have also awarded the contract for the construction of the road to that area,” he said.

He added that his next big project is to build the first ever underpass in Lafia as is obtained in advanced countries.

He said the design for the Lafia underpass is already with the Federal Ministry of Works for approval.

“The next big project that I have in mind is building the first underpass in the history of Nasarawa State. That underpass is going to be in Lafia. Lafia is going to have an underpass similar to what obtains in advanced countries. The design is awaiting approval also by the Federal Ministry of Works,” he added.

Commenting on the event, congratulated McDaniels Jika for sighting his hotel in Akwanga, particularly appreciating the entrepreneur for also constructing a 500m access road with drainage to allow easy access to the hotel and neighbouring communities.

Governor Sule was accompanied to the event by his immediate past predecessor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West), member representing Akwanga/Nasarawa-Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency, Hon Jeremiah Umaru, Commissioner, Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon Kwanta Yakubu, Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Area, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha and state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Aliyu Bello, amongst others.

While congratulating the proprietor of the Gaji Luxury Hotels for keying into the investment drive of Governor Sule, the former governor assured all and sundry of their resolve to remain united towards the realization of the vision and expectations of the people of Nasarawa State.

“Nothing gladdens the mind of a leader more than seeing his followers having a synergy with his vision. Yes, we give credit to the owner of this hotel, but we also give higher credit to a man of vision who has created conducive environment to encourage businesses to flourish in Nasarawa State,” Al-makura said.

Senator Wadada said the unity and understanding between past governors and Governor Sule are what determines the peaceful coexistence of Nasarawa State.

The lawmaker congratulated the proprietor of the new hotel, stressing that the feat was only made possible because Governor Sule created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

In his remarks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Gaji Luxury Hotels, McDaniels Jika, said the idea to build the hotel came after he realized that Akwanga is a confluence town, a link between the North and South.

Jika added that he decided to construct a 500m road with drainage as part of his corporate social responsibility.

According to him, the resort also has a standard football pitch that footballers from across the state could use for their training as part of his contribution to develop the game and younger talents.