Gov Lalong flags off construction of British America flyover bridge: “Says his administration did not politicise development.”

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos.

Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong on Friday said his administration does not, and will not politicise development.

Lalong made this know while speaking at the flagging off of the construction of the fly over (interchange) at British – American junction as well as the dualisation of the road to Lamingo Junction in Jos the Plateau state capital.

“I want to remind our people that our Rescue Administration does not, and will not politicise development, From the projects I have embarked upon, it is evident that we have not only executed projects (both inherited and new ones), but ensured that every part of the State is touched irrespective of whether the people voted us or not.

“We have put behind us the era of carrying out projects to favour ethnic, political or religious affiliations” Lalong further said.

The Governor who appreciated the citizens of Plateau State for their patience, trust, support and prayers in this administration’s effort to rescue the State said “you would recall that when we were elected into office in 2015, we vowed to leave Plateau State better than we met it.”

He added that “Indeed our initial 5-pillar policy gave us the guide for resetting the myriad of problems we inherited from the previous administration. Our people will remember that I made a promise that the Rescue Administration will make an impact in their lives through the provision of critical infrastructure in all parts of the State.”

“In particular, I emphasised that we will not abandon inherited projects especially those which have direct bearing on the lives of the people because doing the contrary will amount to waste of public funds.”

Lalong further added that “This explains why the most part of our first tenure was pre-occupied with completion of abandoned projects by the immediate past administration and those of previous governments which it refused to touch. “We however chose to change the narrative by completing most of these projects despite the fact that we inherited them from a government of an opposition party. To us, the interest of the people is bigger than party or personal ego.”

Lalong added that his administration has for far maintained this trajectory even in it’s recasted 3-pillar policy vision of Peace Security and Good Governance; Sustainable Economic Rebirth; and Infrastructural Development.

“In our efforts to consolidate on achievements in road infrastructure, the total sum of about N12 billion naira has so far been expended by our administration on payment of outstanding cost of projects unfinished by the previous administration and billions of naira on numerous projects awarded by our Rescue administration. ,These include payments on some projects which were not completed but hurriedly commissioned at the twilight of the previous Government.”

“Some of the numerous uncompleted projects hurriedly commissioned by the Jang administration for which this administration had to bear the burden of paying the contractors to complete include:

The old Airport – Rayfield-Bukuru with spur to Chong; Dualisation of Bukuru-Kugiya-Rahol Kanang with spurs; Dualisation of Lamingo to JUTH; the new Government House Infrastructure; Bisichi-Korot-Mangu Halle and spurs to mention but a few.”

Lalong further added that “Many people will also recall that the Rehabilitation and reconstruction of Mararaban Jama’a to British American Junction Road was abandoned causing untold hardship to people coming into Plateau State or passing through from the Abuja axis. “We made it a priority to complete the road and the fly-over at the Secretariat Junction by settling all outstanding liabilities to the contractor and funding it to completion. This fly over was commissioned by the President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2018.”

Speaking further Lalong said,” some of the completed and commissioned roads with outstanding payment in favour of the contractors include: Dualisation of Polo-Farin Gada with fly-over at Kabong; Dualization of DB Zang-JD Gomwalk-Polo Round About; Bukuru-Shen Road; Rayfield-Gut Road; Dualization of Rukuba Road among others.”

“After settling some of these abandoned projects, my administration awarded various projects some of which have been completed and commissioned while others have reached advanced levels of completion. These include: Miango Road-Federal Lowcost-Wild Life Park-Rafiki with Spur as well as Tudun Wada and Old Airport Roads.”

The Governor further added that also, 12 township roads were reconstructed across the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis and many other roads rehabilitated and asphalted under the Operation Zero Potholes, thereby easing the frustration of our citizens.”

“Because of our passion to spread development across the entire State and in the spirit of equity, fairness and inclusivity, we awarded contracts for road projects in the three senatorial districts. Some of them include: Dokan Tofa- Ba’ap-Kurgwi Road; Shendam Township Roads: Mangu Bye-pass Road; Rukuba Road; Miango-Vom-Farin Lamba Road; Langtang-Garkawa–Yelwa Road; Shendam-Yelwa-Nyak- Mato-Taraba State Border; Kwande-Shimankar-Mato road; Tenti-Manguna Road; Demshin Angwan Dadi Road; Fobur-Maijuju road; Zarazon-Fobur Road among others. Some of them are almost completed and will soon be commissioned. This administration is committed to funding and completing these projects before leaving office in 2023.”

“In order to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the State and the need to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, this administration embarked on the installation of solar powered street lights within Jos and Bukuru metropolis under the Operation Light up Plateau at the initial cost of N2.9 billion covering 72km.” This has greatly enhanced the security of lives and property and impacted on the beauty of the metropolis. We are making efforts to continue with the next phase of the project to ensure that our major cities and towns are lit up.”

“The gain recorded in the development of these critical infrastructures is the reason we are gathered here today to flag-off the construction of the British-America fly-over and dualization of Lamingo Junction Roundabout. We are all aware of the nightmare citizens of the State and other road users go through to commute through this corridor. Our decision to take the construction of this fly over and dualization up to Lamingo junction is borne out of the need to place the State on a pedestal for economic growth knowing that the long hours people spend on traffic impedes commerce.”

“Besides, this same road is a major carriageway that links the Northeast Region to the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country. At the end of the day, this project will fit into the Reconstruction and the Dualisation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road which is part of the Dualization of Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road being carried out by the Federal Government. While we eagerly await the commencement of the Akwanga through Jos to Gombe segment of the project, the construction of this Fly-over is an intervention by Plateau State on a section of this Federal Road.

Lalong further added that he has directed the State Ministry of Works to Liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that conditions for intervention are fulfilled in addition to a joint-supervision to meet up with the standards and specifications that are set for such interventions to enable the state get reimbursed for this work.

“This is the first road project that my administration has carried out using the Public Private Partnership option in funding, Because of our governance style and ability to generate confidence and earn the goodwill of the private sector, the contractor, Craneburg Construction Company Ltd. brought along a finance partner, Access Bank Nigeria Plc. to provide all the funds with the State Government providing the guarantee.” Following the signing of the agreement, the funding partner has mobilised the contractor with substantial funds and commitment to continue with further payments on presentation of certificates of valuation from the supervisory Ministry.”

He commended the contractor, Craneburg Construction Co Nigeria Ltd. and the financier, Access Bank Nigeria Plc. for this partnership which has not only opened a new vista in project funding for the State, but also affirmed the success of the administration in restoring confidence in Plateau State and rebuilding the economy.

The Governor assured citizens of the State and other road users that with this guaranteed funding arrangement and the commitment so far demonstrated by the contractor, the project will be completed and commissioned by my administration before leaving office in May 2023.

Lalong commended the Ministry of Works and the Compensation Committee for the diligent work and constant engagements with stakeholders along the corridor which is a Federal Highway and thus falls within the Federal Right of Way.

He warned citizens that build on Right of Way to desist from such actions stressing that some token will be paid to the developers along the path of this project even though in the true sense of it, they are illegal structures.

“Henceforth Government will not hesitate to demolish any property built on the Right of Way of either a Federal or State road within the State ,Government officials found to have compromised or acted with negligence in allowing illegal structures on the Right of Way will not be spared. Our effort is aimed at building a city in line with the original master plan and in accordance to laid down guidelines,” the Governor further added.