The Federal Government has performed the flag-off ceremony marking the official commencement of rehabilitation works on the Ilorin – Kabba – Obajana road, Phase 11.
The exercise was performed by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen in Kabba, Kogi State.
According to the Minister, the 80 kilometre stretch of road which serves as a major economic artery by providing access to not only the biggest cement plant in the continent of Africa, Obajana Cement Factory, also provides access to the Nation’s premier Steel Plant in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. Furthermore, the road connects Kogi and Kwara States while also serving as a connector-highway that links the North-South Arterial route A1 (Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Kaduna-Katsina) to the North-South Arterial route A2 (Warri-Benin-Lokoja-Abuja-Kaduna-Katsina).
Onolememen stated that on completion of the road project, which was awarded to Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited , travel time and cost of vehicle maintenance will be reduced while socio-economic activities in the country will increase, thereby contributing to an improved National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which currently stands at 510 Billion dollars.
The Minister also said that the road will be completed within 36 calendar months at the cost of N8.22Billion marking the commitment of the present administration to providing standard motorable roads to commuters nationwide.
Earlier, in his speech, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, promised to provide all necessary security and support to the contractors to ensure successful completion of the project. He however called for compliance to the terms of the contract and asked the contractor not to cut corners but stick strictly to specifications.
Senator Smart Adeyemi and the Obaro of Kabba Land, HRM Oba Michael Olabayo in whose constituency and kingdom the road traverses, promised to provide support in form of accommodation, manpower, security among other requests as may be required by the company until the completion of the project.
The highway is a 2 lane 7.3metre single carriageway with 2.5metres wide shoulders on both sides.
