Following the abrupt halt in the dualisation of Kano-Katsina Road, Katsina Elders’ Forum has appealed to the federal government to complete the project.
It expressed concerns that the work, which was hitherto progressing steadily, had been stopped for the last three months and contractors had moved away equipment without any explanation.
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The forum appealed to the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to direct the contractors handling the project to return to the site and complete the project.
Alhaji Aliyu Sani Mohammed, the secretary of the forum who made the appeal during an interview with journalists in Katsina, said the road project was about 65% completed.
“We are concerned about the Kano-Katsina Road, which we have noticed work has stopped completely and the contractors have packed their equipment and relocated to another place with no explanation whatsoever.
“How could they abandon such an important project? This project is very important to the country, being that the Kano-Katsina Road is a major gateway to and from the Niger Republic.
“So, we are pleading with the minister to please ask the contractors to come back and finish this job. What is left is just about 30-35%. He should please bring them back to complete this project in good time,” Mohammed appealed.
Recall that in September 2019, N29.6bn was earmarked for the phase two of the Kano-Katsina Highway from Gidan-Mutun Daya town to Katsina Steel Rolling Mill roundabout.
However, unconfirmed reports said the delay might not be unconnected with the failure of the federal government to pay compensation to the persons affected by the project.