From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The House of Representatives’ Committee on Works has raised concerns on some failed portions of Keffi-Akwanga (Nyanya) Expressway being dualised and expanded by China Harbour Engineering Company.
The expansion of the 5.4 kilometre Abuja- Keffi Expressway and the dualisation of the 220 kilometre Keffi-Akwanga-Lifia- Makurdi federal roads in the North-Central geo-political zone of the country is a tripartite project of China Exim Bank (CEXIMB), China Harbour Engineering and Federal Government.
While 85 per cent of the funds was borrowed from the bank, the federal government provided 15 per cent of the fund. The project was divided into two phases for easy implementation and completion.
During the road inspection, the Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, explained that it was part of the committee’s responsibilities to carry out regular oversight functions on critical infrastructure projects of the Federal Government in order to give value to the money spent on projects, pointing out that on this particular road project, government has spent billions of naira.
On the funding of the project, he confirmed that it was a joint funding arrangement between Nigeria and China.
Taking the team on this tour of the project, the chairman said that the project was very important as it connected the three states of Nasarawa, Benue and Enugu.