The House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed grave displeasure over the abandonment of the N74.649 billion for the construction of Kaduna Eastern Bypass road project.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo, who solicited for the House intervention.
In his lead debate, Hon. Jallo observed that the proposed Kaduna Eastern Bypass Project is expected to be a massive 48 kilometres stretch of road that connects the Kaduna Metropolis with the Federal Capital Territory and about 11 other states in the country.
“The House also notes that the contract for the construction of the road was initially awarded in 2002 to an indigenous firm at the cost of N16 billion, but was later abandoned until 2017 when the Federal Government upscale the cost to N38.19 billion and set the deadline for completion at 2021.
“The House is aware that in 2019, the Federal Executive Council considered and approved an augmentation to increase the contract with the sum of N36.459 billion, thus bringing the total cost of the project to N74.649 billion.
“The House is also aware that after the train attack of March 2022, the contractor suspended work on the first section of the road citing security threats.
“The House is concerned that despite the huge funds dedicated to the construction of the road and obvious improvement of the security in the area the project remains abandoned to date.
“The House is cognizant that road infrastructure is critical to the development and prosperity of the people and the country as a whole,” he said.
In the bid to ensure accountability and judicious utilisation of tax payers’ money approved for the project, the House urged Federal Ministry of Works to ensure completion of the Kaduna Eastern Bypass project.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Works to investigate the release and utilisation of the funds approved for construction of the Kaduna Eastern Bypass from 2017 to date to ensure that all factors frustrating the completion of the project are resolved and the project is completed within the shortest time, and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
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