- By The Editor
Inability of the Federal Government to provide necessary logistics is delaying construction work on the Akure-Ekiti highway.
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had at the twilight of Buhari’s administration flagged-off reconstruction of the road.
The Akure-Ekiti highway through the Ikere axis is supposed to be a journey of 45 minutes but the poor state of the road made the journey to extend to almost two hours drive.
Many motorists plying the road now opt to take other longer routes.
The former Lagos Governor, while flagging off construction of the 49km Akure-Ado-Ekiti road, explained that the former contractor could not start work because the Sukuk fund that was to be does not pay mobilisation to contractors.
He said the road was being constructed by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited under the Tax Credit Policy at a cost of over N90bn.
Two contractors were engaged to construct the road.
The 18.438km Akure axis was awarded to Samchase Nigeria Limited.
A visit to the road showed that the contractor had begun carrying out remedial work from the Ado Garage in Akure up to Jegele Community.
It was gathered that adequate logistics have not been provided for the contractor to begin full work.
At Jegele community, the contractor was seen working at a very bad spot.
A senior staff of Sam Chase said they were only trying to make the road motorable for road users.
He confirmed that they have not been provided logistics.
When asked to explain the term logistics, he said, “You should know better. We are doing our best but we are waiting for logistics.”
Some motorists at the Ado garage in Akure said they would continue taking the longer route until the road is fixed.
Source: The Nation.
