Infrastructure investment yielding positive results- Jonathan

By Etuka Sunday

The President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan yesterday said that ongoing massive investment in infrastructural development in the country was yielding positive results.

The President stated this while performing the ground breaking ceremony of works on the Rehabilitation and Expansion of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), Phase I, of the Federal Capital Territory.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Umar Sani said that Jonathan spoke through the Vice President, Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo.

Jonathan said, “Our concerted efforts are yielding positive results and the whole world is paying attention to us. For this reason,

international assessments last week, formally announced Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy.”

He reaffirmed government’s commitment to putting smiles on the faces  of Nigerians, through spirited pursuit of the provision of much needed infrastructure, as enshrined in the Transformation Agenda, saying “works on the Lagos-¬Ibadan Express Road, Benin-Ore Road, the North-East Road, the East-West road and the Second Niger Bridge have all brought smiles on the faces of Nigerians from across these geopolitical zones.”

The President said that the 6.75km OSEX road project was aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by resident and visitors to the FCT by reducing pressure on other roads. While ensuring the timely completion of the project, he charged the contractors to deliver it according to specifications, and within the allotted timeframe and financial allocations.

Earlier, the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, represented by the Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide noted that the project which will cost about N40 billion, with a completion period of 36 months, was to rehabilitate and expand the existing road from the Villa Roundabout to Ring Road 1 from the current two-lane road to a ten lane road.

She added that the road constructed in the early 80s, when completed would have eight bridges, four pedestrian bridges as well as other necessary infrastructure, including telecommunication ducts and street lighting and will meet globally recognised standards.

Goodwill messages were offered by the Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen, who while congratulating the FCT Administration for their commitment to infrastructural development said they were good agents of the   Transformation Agenda.