FG tasked on stalled Bali-Serti-Gembu road project

  Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Babangida Nguroje has urged the Minister of Works and Housing, Engr. Dave Umahi to take action over the stalled Bali-Serti-Gembu road reconstruction, in Taraba State. Nguroje in a letter addressed to the minister on Tuesday expressed concerns that the current situation has caused untold hardship […]

 

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Babangida Nguroje has urged the Minister of Works and Housing, Engr. Dave Umahi to take action over the stalled Bali-Serti-Gembu road reconstruction, in Taraba State.

Nguroje in a letter addressed to the minister on Tuesday expressed concerns that the current situation has caused untold hardship on the people and affecting economic activities in the area.

He said that the contract awarded to a construction company on 11th July, 2018 with an agreement signed on 18 May, 2022 which was valued then at over N95.2bn has being stalled.

He expressed concerns, on behalf of the community that the completion period of the 24 months for the 235 kilometer road with 90.2 kilometer from Bali to Serti designated for rehabilitation and 144.9 kilometer from Serti to Gembu with an expected completion date of 28 March, 2024 has become impossible and since elapsed on the grounds of the inability of the construction company to proceed.

He said that the work progress on the reconstruction stands at 19.5 per cent concerning 18.8km of binder course and 11.5mm of wearing course.

“You will recall your Excellency, that the Bali-Serti-Gembu road, when completed has the potential of rebooting the unlocking the economic prosperity of the area and unlock its hidden potentials in no small measure therefore, the excitement that had earlier greeted this road construction was beyond words.

“However, the inability of the construction company to proceed with the completion of this project, especially the Maisanari-Nguroje-Gembu road has become a nightmare for the people especially now that the rains are already here,” Nguroje said.

He, therefore, urged the minister to intervene in a manner that will return the contractors to site, giving the importance and strategic nature of the road that links to other neighbouring states.