The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing,
the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and other relevant stakeholders to investigate Executive Order 007 of 2019 (Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme) as an alternative funding source for the reconstruction of Niger State’s Bida-Lemu-Wushishi-Zungeru Road.
It directed the Works, Finance, and Legislative Compliance Committees to assure
compliance.
These resolutions followed the approval of a motion by Saidu Musa Abdullahi on the necessity to establish an Alternative Funding Source for the Reconstruction of the Bida-Zungeru Road in Niger State.
The 92-kilometer Bida-Zungeru ‘Truck A’ Road, which was built by Costain West Africa in 1962 during the first republic and renovated by former President Ibrahim Babangida’s administration in 1989, was highlighted by the House.
It was also highlighted that, other than the recent maintenance on failing sections of the road by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) through the COVID-19
Intervention, no rehabilitation has been carried out on the road and its bridges (one-lane Bridge) for over 30 years.
The House stated that it was aware that Zungeru town is home to the Federal
Government of Nigeria’s ongoing $1.3 billion, 700 megawatts Hydro Electric Power
Station project, which is part of the Federal Government’s strategies to reposition power generation in the country in phases and, upon completion, will be designated as a strategic National Asset.
Concerned that the road leading to the Zungeru Hydro Dam is in a severe state of
disrepair, resulting in frequent road accidents and substantial post-harvest losses,
reducing farmers’ capacity to monetize their farm produce;
The House is further concerned that, despite the Minister of Works and Housing’s
permission for the road’s redesign and rebuilding, the amount included in the 2023
Appropriation Act for the road is extremely inadequate and would have no meaningful influence on the Project.
