The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has flagged off the construction of the 73 kilometre Apo-Wasa dual carriageway, with a total cost of N8.62 Billion.
The road which is part of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), would pull up the Apo-Karshi road, currently under construction, to the heart of the Abuja city.
The minister said, while flagging off the commencement of the construction of the road today, Monday, that the segment of OSEX would run through Wasa District and Kuje Town and end at Gwagwalada, which he hoped would open up the major parts of the Territory for economic activities and estate development.
He said that to ensure speedy completion of the projects within a 12-month times pan, the two carriageways have been awarded to different construction companies namely: M/S CGC, (Nig) Ltd – for Left-Hand-Side carriageway of 15km and Gilmor (Nig) Ltd – for Right-Hand-Side carriageway measuring 5km.
He said that the contract sums for both roads are N6.17billion and N2.45billion respectively.
The minister said that his government is thinking of engaging in Public-Private Partnership initiative with interested investors for the purpose of completing the other part of the expressway, measuring 52 kilometres. It ends at the Abuja-Lokoja highway.
The minister said that the flag off of the first phase is symbolic of the next phase of the Administration’s roadmap for infrastructural development and provision of social services in the satellite towns and rural communities.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, said that the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) is one of the Regional Road Networks provided for in the Abuja Masterplan and makes access available for the City Centre from the Southern axis of the FCT.
He said that it covers 73 kilometres, running from the Aso Villa Roundabout at its intersection with the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) right on to Abuja-Lokoja Road at Gwagwalada.
The Executive Secretary said that the OSEX stretch defines areas designated for the land-swap scheme, adding that the project would fast-track the relocation of Apo Traders and mechanics as well as open up Takushara settlement.
Takushara is a national heritage site identified as the first historical iron smelting place in West Africa by the renowned British archaeologist, Professor Thurston Shaw.
[myad]
