ABUJA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a Chinese construction firm, has commenced work on a critical road project aimed at addressing perennial gridlock and connectivity challenges in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
The project, known as Collector Road C01, was officially flagged off on Friday and has been designated an "emergency road project" by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration. CCECC is expected to complete the project within a six-month timeline.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said the road project is of strategic importance, designed to link Abuja's institution and research district, including the complex of the Body of Benchers, Nigeria's highest legal institution, and the heavily populated academic corridor.
Wike said that the project was not part of the government's annual budget but was approved by President Bola Tinubu under an "emergency procurement" arrangement to resolve the severe traffic congestion affecting access to key national institutions in the area.
The technical scope of the project includes extensive site clearance and earthworks, the construction of modern underground drainage systems, box and pipe culverts, high-quality asphalt-paved roads, and a three-span bridge.
Affirming the company's commitment to swift and high-quality delivery, Guan Shuai, managing director of CCECC Nigeria, said at the ceremony that the firm would continue to work hard to justify the trust and confidence placed in it by the Nigerian government. ■