By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
A huge relief is underway for people of Zuru emirate who had to make do with deplorable Koko/ Zuru/Mahuta and Dabai road as Kebbi State government on Thursday officially sealed contract agreement for the construction of Koko/Zuru road with three reputable construction companies.
The signing of the historic contract which was held at Kebbi State Ministry of Works was witnessed by the participating companies namely GNIC, ZBCC and Habib Engineering Company each with a specified kilometres to cover as specified in the contract agreement and/or documents.
Earlier, the host, Commissioner for Works, Kebbi State Ministry of Works, Alhaji Abdullahi Muslim who thanked governor Idris for the remarkable feat described the road construction as timely saying it will ease transportation squabbles being faced by commuters before and as well opened business activities as the road is international connecting not only the state capital Birnin Kebbi but other neighbouring countries who constantly ply the route for various trades.
Muslim urged the three contractors to stick to contract specifications and not add a kilometre without permission from the ministry’s supervising engineers at site.
“Having carefully selected you people during the contract bidding and having gone through your records of quality services we expect a solid execution from all of you and we will not delay your payments as long as we are satisfied with your job as governor Idris never owes contractors”.
Koko/ Marafa will be handled by GNIC 37kml at N27bn, while Habiba Engineering is in charge of Mahuta GGC 25km at N18bn, and ZBCC will handle Dabai/ Mahuta GGC 25km at N18bn respectively.
Speaking on the sidelines, the representative of GNIC pledged to complete their part within the stipulated 18 months period with quality job all through, Engineer Garba Abdullahi who represented ZBCC also commended Governor Idris for awarding the contract and as well pledged a quality job to be delivered within the agreed time.
In his closing remarks, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Engineer Sa’ad Musa described the governor as the saviour of Zuru emirate who endured long processes of re-awarding of the contract just for the love of people of Zuru emirate and entire Kebbi people.
Koko/Zuru is a federal road now taking over by Kebbi government due to constant construction delays and its economic importance to Kebbi and Nigeria.