Zulum establishes N3b quarry plant, procures trucks to build more infrastructures

Zulum establishes N3b quarry plant, procures trucks to build more infrastructures

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has announced the establishment of a N3 billion quarry plant and the procurement of 70 heavy-duty trucks to build more infrastructural facilities and houses in the state.

The plant, sited at Pulka, aimed to reduce the riding costs of building materials for road networks and housing estates.

Zulum made the disclosures on Monday while flagging off the distribution of 70 brand-new Howo pickup trucks to the Ministry of Works and the State’s Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) at the Government House, Maiduguri.

According to him, the Howo imported trucks are to boost the operational capacity of the Works Ministry and its supervising agencies at the various roads and housing project sites across the state.

Beyond the setup of the quarry plant, the governor further revealed: “The procured trucks will enable the swift deliveries of the various construction and building materials to projects’ sites”, adding that the prompt delivery of the building materials will expedite the quick rehabilitation of several dilapidated roads and highways in the local council areas.

According to the governor, the quarry plant will also provide locally sourced materials, including granites, gravels and certified sharp sand, to support ongoing and future road projects.

“Our local sourcing of construction and building materials will reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and cut costs of completing the roads and houses,” he noted.

Regarding infrastructures in the other sectors of the economy, he said: ““We have achieved a lot in the health, education, agriculture, security, and road construction sectors.

“However, we still have security challenges when constructing roads within the state, especially in rural communities affected by the approximately 17-year Boko Haram insurgency,” Zulum said.

He said that the Pulka quarry plant has the capacity to process 120 tonnes of stone chips and gravel used in roads and housing constructions.

He stated that the state government has expended approximately N3 billion on the establishment of the Pulka quarry plant. The state government spent at least 3 billion to establish the quarry plant,” he added.

According to the governor, due to the prevailing insecurity situations, most of the contractors are not willing to work in Borno State.

On what informed the government in setting up the Pulka plant, Zulum said, “No serious contractor will take the risk of deploying his equipment to most of the implementing areas, so this is the reason we are here,” the governor reinstated.

“So, we have no option but to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Works and BORMA, under special projects, to monitor departments and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are responsible for road construction.”