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By Olukayode Babalola
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has inaugurated a 3.2-kilometre Loko Link and Township Roads project worth N2.8 billion in Nasarawa Local Government Area.
Sule, who performed the inauguration on Tuesday in Loko, described the project as one of the most personally fulfilling of his administration.
He said that the road project fulfilled a long-standing promise he made to the people of the ancient town before assuming office.
The governor recalled the difficulty of accessing Loko in the past, noting that a journey from Nasarawa Town through Ajaga-Tunga-Bakyano axis once took him about 12 hours.
According to him, the project is beyond infrastructure, as it represents a personal commitment he made to the late father of the Emir of Loko.
“I promised that if I became governor by God’s grace, I would construct this road. Though he is no longer alive, I am glad to fulfil that promise,” Sule said.
He noted that the road complements an earlier electricity project inaugurated in the community about two years ago.
Sule explained that the project was not just an access road but a complete township ring road connecting key areas, including the market and Gidan Liman, to enhance socio-economic activities.
He urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure and ensure its protection.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the Loko General Hospital, assuring that the project would be delivered before the end of his tenure.
He said that the delay in completing the hospital was due to ongoing health projects across the state, including facilities in Akwanga and Azara.
Sule emphasised that his administration would not inaugurate the hospital until adequate personnel and equipment were in place.
He further disclosed that the Loko road project, like others executed by his administration, was funded without borrowing.
According to him, improved revenue from federal allocations has enabled the state to undertake capital projects through internally available resources.
Earlier, Mr Chen Shuai, the Managing Director of Rockseed Engineering Nigeria Ltd., said the project was awarded in October 2024.
Shuai said that the initial contract sum of N2.3 billion was revised to N2.8 billion to accommodate additional works, including concrete structures and riverbank realignment.
He added that the scope of the project included construction of the 3.2-kilometre road, a spur and hydrological structures.
The contractor also disclosed that another project under his company, the 7.3-kilometre Gbude-Nakere Road, had reached about 80 per cent completion.
He expressed optimism that the project would be ready for inauguration by June.
Also speaking, Mohammed Wada-Yahaya, the Managing Director of Nasarawa Urban Development Authority (NUDA), said the road was designed to meet standard engineering requirements.
Yahaya said the project incorporated appropriate gradients and drainage systems to effectively manage stormwater and surface runoff.
He added that the road was designed to improve connectivity within Loko township and link it to the broader road network.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by traditional rulers, members of the State Executive Council, community leaders and residents.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Ukpoju
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