AfDB partners Cross River state on road construction
Udoh Etefia, Calabar
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has agreed to partner with the Cross Rivers state government of Nigeria to contribute 7.1 billion Naira constituting 34.5 percent of the total civil works for the construction of rural access roads.
The construction of 474 kilometres rural roads is valued at 20.3 billion Naira.
Under the agreement, the remaining cost of 13.3 billion Naira amounting to 65.48 percent will be contributed by the state government.
The project is estimated to cover 28 communities across the state under the Cross River Rural Access and Mobility Project.
Propelling economic growth
At the signing ceremony, Governor Liyel Imoke said the road construction represented a major step in the administration’s desire to serve the people because of its potential of propelling economic growth and creating wealth.
The governor lauded AfDB for supporting the state to achieve its aim, adding that the decision of government is to ensure the economic wellbeing of the roads because of their potentials to turn things around in the rural communities.
He said the state used international procedure as guidelines during the procurement process of the contract which is an indication of transparency in the exercise.
The governor expressed the hope that the good relationship between AfDB and the state would be strengthened.
Commissioner for Works in the state, Mr. Venatius Ikem said the rural transport infrastructure has been identified as a crucial component for the economic development of the state by linking the rural communities to the urban areas.
Qasim
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