Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State flagged off the construction of a N4.3 billion interchange flyover in Katsina metropolis on Wednesday.
He said the contractor had been paid 50 per cent of the cost of project and that it would be delivered within 12 months.
The governor explained that the project, the third of its kind in the state, would reduce traffic congestion in the Government Reservation Area of Katsina metropolis.
“In 2015, we established a committee for urban renewal, especially in Katsina, Funtua, Daura, Malumfashi, Dutsinma and other major big towns of the state.
“In Katsina, our plan is to improve traffic flow at the major entrances, especially at Kofar Kaura, Kofar Kwaya, Sarki Abdulrahman Road and at Kofar Guga.
“We thank God that we are here today at Sarki Abdulrahman Road to flag off this project, and within this period.
“Before May 29, 2023, God willing, we will be able to complete it, including the improvement of traffic flow at Kofar Guga.
“Due to the volume of traffic at Kofar Guga Roundabout, we may not have a similar arrangement like this, but we will produce an arrangement that will improve traffic flow,’’ he said.
Masari added that his administration had done much in terms of development projects notwithstanding economic challenges occasioned by the fall in crude oil prices, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He expressed regret that serious security challenges had consumed a lot of Katsina State’s resources.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Alhaji Tasi’u Dandagoro, said the project would cost N4,327,129,296.55.
He added that the Kofar Kaura Underpass project had reached 80 per cent completion, while the project at Kofar Kwaya had reached 40 per cent completion.
The two projects would be completed within the next three-and-half months, he said.
In his remarks, representative of the construction company, Mr Maruen Ghostine, apologised to traders at the site area over the inconvenience they’d suffer during project execution.
He assured the traders of speedy execution of the project. (NAN)