Govt, Engineers Raise Concern Over Slow Pace Of Road Project

The Nasarawa State Government, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), have raised concern over the slow pace of work on the Keffi–Nasarawa–Toto road project.

They urged the contractor handing the project, WIZCHINO Engineering Limited, to
accelerate construction.

The Federal Controller of Works, Nasarawa State, Engr Ishaku Mamri, who gave a brief of the project, said it was it was intially awarded in 2018 but re-awarded by the current government.

However, speaking during a tour to Keffi- Nasarawa section of the project on Thursday, the Chairman of the NSE Lafia Branch, Engr. Simeon Obaju, said the professional body had visited the road project several times and consistently advised the contractor on the need to adhere to engineering specifications.

He expressed concern about the slow progress of work, noting that commuters and residents along the corridor had complained about delays.

“One thing we are worried about is that the road construction is very, very slow because the last time we came we asked them to speed up the work because of the commuters.

“People are complaining and I want to believe that if they can heed that advice, the work will be faster,” he added.

Also speaking, COREN representative, Engr. Ahmad Tijani Aminu, stressed the need for proper engineering standards in the execution of the project, especially considering the heavy vehicular traffic on the route.

According to him, the nature of vehicles using the road requires careful attention to soil compaction and asphalt thickness to ensure durability.

He advised the contractor to ensure that both the company and its professionals are properly registered with COREN before further work continues on the project.

On his part, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transportation, Mu’azu Gosho, who volunteered to join the team, also urged the contractor to speed up the work to meet public expectations.

“However, let me call on the contractor to speed up his job. Mr. Contractor, please give me your attention. You need to speed up the job because the people living along this corridor are eager to see this road completed within the time frame,” Gosho said.

He stressed the importance of completing critical sections of the road before the onset of the rainy season.

The commissioner also expressed dissatisfaction with the progress recorded since his last visit to the site.

“I was here last year to ensure that this job is speed up, but you have not gone beyond where I am now. Because that time you were doing only earthwork. You have not even started stone basing,” he said.

Gosho further questioned the construction method being adopted, especially the use of a grader for spreading stone base.

“I don’t know why you are using grader to spread your stone base. I don’t know why. And that is why I will charge the Resident Engineer to ensure that the right equipment are used in laying whatever you are doing,” he added.