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Olabode Adaramola
Niger state government has sent a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency , ensure the completion of the Suleja – Minna dual carriage road project before the commencement of this year’s raining season.
The appeal was contained in a Press statement made available to the news men in Minna yesterday by the state commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, adding that the state government was concerned over the delay in the completion of the road.
Vatsa however expressed his fears that the the deplorable condition of the road may further be worse and completely impassable if the rains cut up with it in its present condition.
He also pointed out that the excuse by the federal government that the Minna Airport was not chosen as alternative to the closed Abuja Airport, no undergoing repairs was due to the bad condition of Suleja – Minna road was not tenable, saying that the presidency should have deployed more hands to ensure the completion of the road project within two to three weeks.
He said, “We are more concerned and worried that the work on the Suleja – Minna road is at a very slow speed and it would be difficult for motorists and commuters alike to ply the road as it is now during raining season.
It is therefore imperative for the Niger state government to call on the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatude Fasola to give priority to the completion of the projects before the rains set in”.
Vatsa stressed that with the considerable level of support from the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello in ensuring that the road project was successfully completed , argued that the works on ground is s not still encouraging and that there was the need for the contractors to hasten up work.
He further argued that the Minna Airport would have been more convenient for travelers when the Abuja Airport was closed for repairs, following its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory , adding that when the Minna- Suleja road is fixed , it will takes only about 1hour drive to get to Abuja from the Minna Airport.
He thereby stressed the need for the federal government to open up the Minna International Airport to commercial and cargo flights on the completion of the Abuja Airport as was envisaged in the policy that established it.
