The federal government has engaged 20 indigenous contractors for the ongoing construction of 80 housing units at Kwannawa in Dange Shuni local government area of Sokoto state.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola disclosed this while in Sokoto to inspect some ongoing projects being executed by the federal government in the state.
The minister said the essence of awarding the contract to the indigenous contractors was to boost their capacity, create jobs and boost the nation’s economy.
"As you can see all the contractors and their workers are local people; so also the food vendors at the site," he said.
Fashola who was represented by the Director of Highway in charge of the northwest in the ministry, Engr. Busari Sikiru, expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work done so far and the compliance to the local content executive order.
The contract which was awarded at the cost of N1.3 billion including infrastructures, the minister said would be completed in the next few weeks.
Fashola added that the second phase of the 500 housing unit would commence in the state soon.
Minister has also directed the contractor handling the 133.5 kilometres Sokoto-Jega road to complete the project before the raining season.
The road which also leads to the Southwest region was awarded in 2013 at the cost of N10.5 billion.
Inspecting the Tambuwal bye-pass road as part of the project, the Minister said the project had suffered delay due to poor budgetary allocation in the past.
He noted that the contractor had no reason not to complete the project on time because he was getting his money promptly.
In his remarks, the Comptroller of Works in Sokoto state, Engineer Anthony Animelu said their men were working with the contractors to ensure that all the materials used are of high and acceptable standard.
The Project Manager of Triacta Nigeria Limited, Engr. Walid Joude said all the materials being used for the project were locally sourced.
He added that over 20 Nigerians including three engineers were working for the company in line with the presidential executive order.