Bello kick starts Apo-Wasa dual carriageway project

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Minster, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello yesterday kicked off the construction of the Apo-Wasa dual carriageway, in furtherance to his resolve to implementing projects that would improve the living conditions of FCT residents, especially the rural dwellers.
The road which is part of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), would pull up the Apo-Karshi road, currently under construction, to the heart of the city.
To ensure speedy completion of the projects within a 12-month timespan, the two carriageways have been awarded to different construction companies namely M/S CGC, (Nig) Ltd – for Left-Hand-Side carriageway of 15km and Gilmor (Nig) Ltd – for Right-Hand-Side carriageway measuring 5km.
And the contract sums for both roads are N6.17billion and N2.45billion respectively.
The FCT Minister, disclosed that the Administration was considering other strategies for completing the other part of the expressway measuring 52km, ending at the Abuja-Lokoja highway.
According to him, one of the strategies, include a Public-Private-Partnership initiative with interested investors.
Also, on full scope development, this segment of OSEX would run through Wasa District and Kuje Town before ending up at Gwagwalada.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, noted that the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) is one of the Regional Road Networks provides for in the Abuja Masterplan and provide access to the City Centre from the Southern axis of the FCT.
It covers 73km, and runs from the Villa Roundabout at its intersection with the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) right on to Abuja-Lokoja Road at Gwagwalada.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that the OSEX stretch defines areas designated for the land-swap scheme.
Also, the project would also fast-track the relocation of Apo Traders and mechanics as well as open up Takushara settlement, location for a national heritage site identified as the first historical iron smelting place in West Africa by the renowned British archaeologist, Prof. Thurston Shaw.
It could be recalled that the FCT Minister, upon assumption of office undertook to speed up the completion of the Karshi-Apo road which was planned to terminate in Wasa, as an alternative route to the city for commuters from Karu, Jikwoyi, Karshi and other contiguous communities.
The flag off is symbolic of the next phase of the Administration’s roadmap for infrastructural development and provision of social services in the satellite towns and rural communities as the Minister indicated recently while swearing-in the newly appointed Mandate Secretaries and political aides.