Niger State Government has signed 556km of road contracts with 37 construction companies.
The contracts which will spread across the 25 Local Governments of the State, were sealed at the Government House, Minna.
The Commissioner for Works, Suleiman Umar signed on behalf of the State Government while representatives of the contracting firms signed for their respective companies.
Speaking at the event, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago stressed that the execution of the projects became necessary to engender development across the State in line with his Urban Renewal Policy.
He observed that the State is having a huge infrastructural deficit hence, his administration is poised to construct 2,000 kilometres of roads in the next four years adding that about a trillion naira funding has been secured to cater for infrastructural development in the State.
The Governor explained that the award of the contracts was in collaboration with all the Local Government Chairmen adding that the contractors were carefully selected following their track records.
He however cautioned them to maintain standards in their work and keep to the agreed time frame as any contractor that compromises quality will have his contract terminated.
The Governor also reminded them of the need to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the local communities pointing out that the CSR should be done in consultation with the government to avoid duplication of projects.
He also encouraged the contractors to patronise local content and relate with relevant Ministries to get a list of reliable youth that can be engaged to better their lots.
The Governor then assured the contractors that the State would liaise with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the security of their lives and equipment while tasking them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
Lead Consultant, Olatunji Ajayi disclosed that 330 firms applied for the contracts and after evaluation of bids, 37 were selected for 37 lots of the project which has 252 roads in total.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Mu’azu Hamidu Jantabo said his Ministry has already engaged a consultant who will provide the technical know-how to follow up on the Projects and assured that the Ministry will also ensure that the benefiting communities take ownership of the projects so that the desired objective will be achieved.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works Hassan Etsu and the Chairman, of the New Niger Development Project Mustapha Aliyu Bida while acknowledging the huge benefit of the project to Nigerlites, solicited support from all and sundry for a better State.
Some of the Contractors who spoke to journalists appreciated the Niger State Government for finding them worthy of executing the projects and reassured their commitment to carrying out the projects according to specifications.
The contracts include township and inter-State roads, dual carriage as well as ring roads.
