Chinese construction giant, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited says it has successful completed the expansion of the 5.4km Abuja-Keffi expressway and the dualization of the 220km Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road project noting that the road is now under a concessionary phase of maintenance that would last 25 years
Speaking with newsmen who were on tour of the project at their site office in Lafia, the project Manager, Li Qiang Qiang said although the company went through a lot of challenges during the construction phase, it was able to overcome all of them to ensure that the project was delivered within the contractual time frame.
“For a project of this magnitude, we are happy that we delivered within a time frame, meeting our contractual obligation to the Federal Government of Nigeria irrespective of challenges. The project was signed in April 2019 and that was the year we had a global shutdown as a result of Covid-19.
“This was a major drawback to the smooth take off of the project. There were land acquisition and right of way issues; we had to relocate power lines and water pipes. There were difficulties, but we are happy that we were able to overcome all of them and still deliver this road within four years thereby meeting our contractual obligation.
“Initially people thought that it was a joke considering similar projects in other parts of the country that takes decades before completion but we have been able to prove skeptics wrong. You can see the quality of the road.
“Before now it took more than nine hours to drive from Abuja to Makurdi but now it takes just about four and half hours. That’s a remarkable improvement. Imagine the time and resources saved. It is not surprising that business activities are booming in many communities along the road corridor”, he said.
The project Manager noted that CHEC has now entered a concessionary phase of maintenance of the road infrastructure saying “under this concessionary phase China Habour is charged with the maintenance of the road for the next 25 years. The road would be one of the best in the country, that I can assure you”, he said.
Meanwhile, Nigerians in separate interviews with our correspondent commended CHEC for the project, which connects the Federal Capital Territory to Nasarawa, Benue, and Enugu states.
Terfa Terungwa, a commercial bus driver plying the Keffi-Makurdi route said the project has not only enhanced the overall infrastructure of the area but has positively impacted his transport business.
“I commend CHEC for their exceptional work upgrading this vital road network. The result is a smoother and safer travel for both myself as a bus driver and my passengers. The improved road conditions have reduced travel time and minimized vehicle wear and tear, leading to a more efficient and reliable transportation service,” he said.
