David Umahi, minister of works, has directed the contractor handling the Yola-Gombe federal road project to ensure speedy completion of the job to ease the hardship faced by commuters plying the road.

The minister stated this during an inspection visit to the washout portion of the road at kilometre 45, between Adamawa and Gombe states, in Lafiya Lamurde Local Government, Adamawa, on Wednesday.

He commended the CGC Construction company for constructing what he described as a good road and assured them that the ministry would support them for the speedy completion of the project.

The minister, also blamed the company for not completing the ongoing bridge in the first place before other works at the site.

“The road quality is excellent; you have about 12 kilometres and this bridge to do; we will support you and take the report back to Mr President.

“And I will appeal to him to put the money in the 2024 budget as amended, plus the NNPCL funds to get this project completed.

“We know that the rates have changed. If you bring the document, we will look at it so that the project can be completed before the end of February 2025. we want to come and commission it immediately,” he said.

He also directed the contractor to install solar lights to enable the workers to work day and night to ensure easy passage of the commuters safely under the control of security personnel for people’s safety.

Earlier, Dimas Tuwai, Adamawa acting controller with the federal ministry of works, explained that the damage was the washed-out portion of the diversion due to the ongoing construction of a bridge on the road.

He assured the minister at the end of the day, vehicles would pass on the road.

Atiku Atiku, Adamawa commissioner for works, appreciated the minister for his urgent intervention.

According to him, the situation has temporarily affected socio-economic activities in the state.

Ke Youcheng, CGC’s business manager, said they were doing their best to make the potion of the road motorable for easy passage of vehicles before the end of the day.

The washed-out portion rendered commuters stranded for days.

(NAN)