The Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umar Radda has officially performed the ground breaking for the commencement of dualisation of the Kofar Tsoro to Kofar Guga road which is part of his urban renewal programme aimed at expanding and modernizing the Capital city.
Speaking at the occasion on Wednesday, Governor Radda said while Government takes the bold step to widen the road by dualising it despite the cost implications of paying compensation for structures to be affected by the construction work, his administration has taken into cognisance of some historical buildings along the road and decided to maintain them there.
To this end, he said, a spur road to serve as alternative route will be constructed from the Galadanci sharp bend to Late Chiroman Katsina Residence to behind Central police Station, adding that the alternative road will give road users a chance to divert and avoid the usual congestion or road blockage at Kofar Tsoro especially during Sallah festivities and other similar large gatherings on special occasions.
The Governor appreciated the resolve and pledge of the Contractor, Mother Cat Nigeria limited to complete the project even before the 18 months completion period, calling on all residents in the affected area to endeavour to give the contractor all the necessary support and cooperation needed to complete the work on time.
The State Commissioner of works, housing and transport, Sani Magaji, in his address at the occasion, disclosed that the project was first awarded at the cost of over 2 billion Naira and subsequently abandoned by the previous administration because no funds were made available for the project, but was later re awarded and reviewed to a little over 3 billion Naira by the Dikko Radda administration with additional works such as the spur road and redesigning of the street lights to solar powered ones.
The Commissioner further explained that the Kofar Toro to Kofar Guga road dualisation is one out of about ten number road projects recently approved and awarded by the Dikko Radda administration in addition to release of outstanding monies owed to the various contractors handling other inherited road projects from the previous administration which will also be continued vigorously up to completion stages.
In a remark, the Representative of the Contracting company, Mr. Maroun Ghostine thanked Katsina State Government under the leadership of Governor Dikko Radda, Gwgwaren Katsina for giving the company the opportunity to contribute in the development of Katsina State.
He appealed for support and cooperation of people of the area towards the successful and timely completion of the project.