President Jonathan says investment in infrastructure yielding positive results

ABUJA (Office of the Vice President Report) – President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that the ongoing massive investment in infrastructural development in the country is yielding positive results.
 
The President stated this on Thursday June 12, 2014 in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the celebration of the work commencement on the Rehabilitation and Expansion of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) of the Federal Capital Territory. President Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo said that the concerted efforts of Government are yielding positive results, adding that the whole world is paying attention to the Nigerian Government. He further observed that for that reason, international assessments in the past weeks did formally announced Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy. 
 
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to the provision of 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 to the faces of Nigerians from across these geopolitical zones.  The President added that the 6.75km OSEX Road Project was aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by residents and visitors to the FCT by reducing pressure on other roads. While assuring timely completion of the project, he charged the contractors to deliver it according to specifications, allotted time-frame and financial allocations.
 
Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed represented by the Minister of State for 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 intensified 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, street lighting and meeting globally recognised standards.
 
In the highlight of the occasion, a goodwill message was offered by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen congratulating the FCT Administration for their commitment to infrastructural development as good agents of the Transformation Agenda. Other speakers at the event included: the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on FCT – Rapheal Igbokwe, the FCT members of the House of Representatives –  Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo and Isa Ega Dobi.
 
In his remarks, the Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Adamu Yunusa Baba, who is the Ona of Abaji appealed for the expansion of the Nyanya – Keffi Road. The climax of the event was the performance of the ground-breaking ceremony by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo.