(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_00192-300x199.jpg) In its determination to ensure steady development of all sectors of the Nigerian economy, the Federal Government says it will continue to partner with states on various projects especially on road construction.
As part of that commitment, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Government of Zamfara State are jointly executing the construction of the Anka-Mayanchi- Dakitakwas-Gummi Federal road in the State.
Speaking at a section of the project site, the Minister of State Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda said it is a federal road and strategic to the promotion of the solid mineral resources of the state. "Zamfara State is blessed with solid minerals and this is one of the roads that lead to site for these", he said.
According to Yuguda "As part of the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, Mr. President has deliberately mandated the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure that all our economic corridors leading to our infrastructure are taken care of by the Federal Government.
"If you remember Honourable Minister, Your Excellency the Governor, the Federal Ministry of Works has worked on all the roads leading to our refineries in the country.
"The Federal Ministry of Works is also working on the roads leading to the sea ports. Now the next most important aspect of our economy is the development of solid minerals. In the light of that we are collaborating with the Zamfara State Government to develop part of this road.
The Minister stated that the first 10 kilometers on the Anka-Mayanchi- Dakitakwas-Gummi Federal road has been awarded and completed by the Federal Ministry of Works through one of its contractors. "It is at the extreme end of the road from Anka",he explained.
The other aspect of the road which is about 118km is being done in collaboration of the Works Ministry but financing and construction done by the Government of Zamfara State.
"Normally the Federal Government encourages this kind of collaboration based on guidelines and rules approved by Mr. President", Amb. Yuguda added.
Speaking, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara said "we are in office for the sake of development. Our people have confidence in us and that is why they gave us their mandate", explaining the reason for intervening on the road.
(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DSC_0023-300x199.jpg) (http://fmi.gov.ng/nggtour-fg-partners-zamfara-on-anka-mayanchi-dakitakwas-gummi-road-for-solid-minerals-sector-development/dsc_0023-2/)Mayanchi Anka Dakitakwas road, Zamfara State He said the road in the 80s was a popular route for the transportation of cattle through Kontagora to Lagos noting that the road following the advent of military rule deteriorated.
The Governor however recalled that during the President Obasanjo administration the road was awarded to a company called Mercury which he said began the construction of a portion of the road but did not complete the job due to "some problems", adding that from 1999 – 2001 no money was appropriated for the project. "
Yari further stated that when he came into office he pledged to collaborate with the Federal Government to complete the road project.
"As God so had it the Ministry of Works gave the go ahead to work on the road and for us to be reimbursed", said the Governor.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku described the project as a good story of collaboration by different tiers of government to realise results for the people.
"Federal Road are state roads. When we build a road in any state it is for the people of that state. It is not as if the President has some other citizens who will come and use the roads. So all our projects are for the states, whether it is Agriculture whether it is health, anything we do in any state is for the people of that state.
"The Federal Government as I keep insisting is a service provider for the development of states and when the states are strong then the Federal Government is strong. When the states are developed then Nigeria is developed. So that is what the Federal Government does in a federation- helping states to grow.
"That is why it is always important that states and Federal Government cooperate on every development agenda, and that collaboration is not competitive. It is mutually helpful to all of us and for the good of the country", Mr. Maku reiterated.
Recalling that he had announced Federal Government's decision at the Federal Executive Council meeting to allow states to intervene on Federal roads, the Information Minister further explained that "What we want is when a state government has money to intervene on a Federal Road there is a process which should go through the Federal Ministry of Works" noting that Federal Government alone could not fix all the roads. "It is not possible", the Minister stressed.
He equally hinted that Government was also exploring the prospect of engaging the Private Sector on road construction.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
I love the way the Federal Government is partnering right now. It feels to good to know that they have their citizens at heart