The Periscope reporter
Borno state government has awarded the contract for the construction of a flyover bridge in the state to the Eighteen Engineering Company ( EEC) at the cost of N4, 289 billion to be constructed in Customs area, Maiduguri, the state capital, with the completion period 18 months.
While signing the contract on behalf of the Borno state government at the Musa Usman Secretariat on Tuesday, the state commissioner for Works, Arch. Yerrima Saleh said when completed, it would be the first flyover bridge ever in the entire northeast.
“Today we are going to witness a historic ceremony of the signing and awarding of contract for the construction of the firstist ever flyover bridge in the Northeast at Customs area in Maiduguri at the cost of N4, 289 billion to the EEC to be completed in 18 months starting from December 2019.”.
“The construction of the Flyover was as a result of his Excellency’s concern about the people challenged by the nauseating traffic in Post Office and Customs areas.
“It could be recalled that immediately after his swearing in, the governor took a visit to Post Office area where he promised to construct a Flyover. Today in fulfilment of that promise we are witnessing this occasion.
“The contract for the construction of the flyover is approved by the State Executive Council in its last meeting that the project should commence immediately.
“We’ve had a meeting with the management of EEC and agreed to execute the contract in 18 months without additional cost according to the design at the stipulated time and quality,” Saleh added
Speaking during the occasion, the Borno state Commissioner for Finance Alhaji Adamu Lawan congratulated the construction company for winning the contract.
“I congratulate the EEC for wining this contract. The state government is willing to pay as at when due. We are not going to default in payment. With the construction of flyover in Maiduguri, the state capital is going to migrate from rural to modern city”.
In his remarks, the Borno state commissioner for information, Alhaji Babakura Abba Jatau, urged Maiduguri residents to exercise patience during the period of the construction, as the project would temporarily disrupt their activities.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Engr Ibrahim NJidda said ”the signing and awarding of the flyover contract was a great landmark in the history of Borno state and the Northeast in general, as it would be the first ever flyover in the region.
Responding, on behalf of the EEC, Mr. Qin Weiguo thanked the Borno state government for considering them worthy for the contract. He promised an excellent work.
“I assure you that we’re going to do our best to construct a befitting flyover in custom area within the stipulated time and quality.
“We’ll work hand in hand with the state government to ensure successful and timely completion of the contract,” Qin said.