The Agaie-Katcha-Baro Road Project’s contract was awarded in January 2015. The N17.5 billion project had a 12-month completion period. Thus, by January 16, 2016, the 30-kilometer road was to be completed.
However, in 2019, the Niger State Government put the Federal Government on blast for what it describes as the total abandonment of the road project. In response, the Federal Government said that had they received at least a 30% mobilization fee, the project’s construction would have progressed.
Upon completion, the Agaie-Katcha-Baro Road Project was to serve as the gateway from Baro Inland Port. Moreover, it had the potential to open as well as boost the economy of the north to other parts of the country. The project’s Site Engineer to GR Building and construction Nigeria Limited confirmed that they still had not got the 30% mobilization fee.
Mohammed Kamil further noted that the project’s stalling is due to funding, which is, as he put it, “our major problem”.
Reported On 24 March 2015
Nigeria inaugurates US$87.9m Agaie-Katcha-Baro road construction project
Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen has launched the Agaie-Katcha-Baro road construction project. It is due for completion in January 2016.
The US$87.9m project will begin from Agaie town at a T junction along Lambata–Bida federal highway. Then, terminate at Baro inland port. Construction of the road will involve the 28.7km Agaie-Katcha section into a 7.3 meter wide asphaltic concrete carriageway. It will also have a 2.75-meter wide surface on both sides. The last five kilometers will be a rigid pavement.
According to the Minister, the road construction project was primarily awarded to M/S Impresit Bakalori plc in 2009. However, it got cancellation in 2012 due to poor performance. Now it will be by M/S GR Building & Const. (Nig) Ltd after the company was awarded the tender in 2014. On completion, the road project will ease the free movement of goods from Baro port to northern Nigeria.
“The construction of this road becomes very imperative due to anticipated high vehicular traffic. Resulting from the dredging of the river Niger. Alongside, the consequential increase in import activities at Baro Inland Port,” he added.
Nigeria has also initiated a number of other road construction projects. These include the Northern roads to stretch from Epe in Lagos State stretching to the Nigerian border with the Camerouns. The president recently approved US$182m for road construction projects.
