A Chinese construction firm has formally commenced the construction of a road to open up rural areas in Nigeria's northeastern state of Gombe, aiming to boost the local economy.
The road construction, handled by the Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC) Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the China Railway Construction Corporation, will open up at least three communities in Yamaltu/Deba local government area of Nigeria when completed.
The 9-km road project, linking three farming communities in the area, Boltongo, Nono and Deba, will be completed within 15 months, according to local officials.
Amid traditional music and dance, hundreds of local people trooped out en masse to welcome the Chinese construction engineers to an opening ceremony of the project on Thursday, reports Xinhua.
Ahmad Usman, the emir and paramount ruler of Deba, said more nearby communities will benefit from the construction and this will spur economic development and growth in the area.
Before the commencement of the road construction, local farmers had a big challenge transporting their farm produce to urban areas.
During rainy seasons, the situation gets worse as they find it difficult moving on the terribly muddy road.
The road construction will bring convenience to the people and end the long-suffering, said Usman.
More than 100 road projects with a total length of about 2,400 km have been executed by the EEC since entering the Nigerian construction market in 1999.