Minister of State for Works and Housing, Muazu Sambo, says there is a provision of N3 billion Sukuk fund by the federal government for the rehabilitation of Numan- Jalingo Road in Adamawa and Taraba states.

Mr Sambo announced this on Saturday during an inspection of federal road projects within Taraba and Adamawa states.

He assured that once the Sukuk fund was accessed within a short time, there would be remarkable progress at the construction site.

“The 103 kilometre Numan-Jalingo road is part of the Maiduguri –Calabar Highway,” Mr Sambo said.

The minister said that he would not blame the contractor for the slow pace of work, attributing it to the insufficient budgetary provision in the past and the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however,  said that with the current improved funding provision, the contractor was expected to service its equipment and be more serious about the construction work.

While briefing the minister on the progress of work on the Numan- Jalingo road, a senior civil engineer at the site, Maria Zirrah, representing the Federal Controller of Works Adamawa,  said insecurity, said lack of construction materials and funding were responsible for the slow pace of work on the project.

Also, Frank Koshihuk, who spoke on behalf of the contractor, said inflation, funding, and insecurity were the significant challenges in the construction work.

Mr Koshihuk promised that as soon as the funding pattern for the rehabilitation improved, the work would be completed within eight months.

(NAN)