Bennett Oghifo
An ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives recently inspected the Lagos-Sagamu expressway and the second bridge over the River Niger to determine whether the company complied with relevant laws establishing the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, (PIDF).
Before the physical inspection of the projects, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ademorin Kuye said their mission was to investigate some key infrastructural projects being funded by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), employing the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) nationwide.
“Nigerians ask for roads, they have a masterpiece of a good road connecting the country here. But we know that when you give them a road, they will begin to ask for the costs. And that is why we are embarking on this oversight duty to ensure that everyone complies with relevant laws establishing the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund,” said Hon. Kuye while inspecting the Second Niger Bridge.
Hon Kuye said, “The essence of our duty is to ensure that the funding by NSIA was judiciously spent. We are impressed so far. Very soon, work on this road will end and effective road use will begin.”
He lauded Julius Berger the work done, saying, “What you have done is commendable, very commendable, but we have to explain to Nigerians the process that birthed this wonderful edifice, including the challenges of that process.”
He said, “We are impressed by what we saw at the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway and also at the Second River Niger Bridge.”
Earlier when the team inspected the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway, it underscored the significant expertise employed by Julius Berger for the effective construction of the ever-busy highway with the chairman declaring that, “…we all know the importance of this road towards the overall economic development of the country. Nobody can doubt that Julius Berger has done a great job here. The good engineering works of the project speaks eloquently of top quality and durability. The company has done well.”
Accompanied by other members of the House Ad hoc Committee, the Chairman at the end of their investigative inspection of the project, expressed satisfaction with the job done by Julius Berger so far even as he encouraged communities along the project corridor to be at peace with Julius Berger adding that, the project will be completed this year.
On the Committee’s team were Hon. Ademorin Kuye, Timiehin Adelegbe, Hon. Isa Muhammed Anka, Hon. Umar Yabo, Hon Festus Akingbaso and Hon. Nasiru Isika.
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) was represented by Mr. Kola Owodunmi, Dr. Adepoju Anthony and Nduka Okoronkwo while the Project Manager, Engr. Clemens Mueller of Julius Berger led other officials of the company to receive the House adhoc Committee Chairman and members at the site of the Second Niger Bridge.
