Construction works at the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital as well as Government Girls Science Academy both situated along airport road in Kasarawa area in Sokoto state have been assured to be completed within the deadlines given by the Sokoto state government.
The site engineer, who is also the Managing Director of the construction firm handling the project, Calder Construction Company, Kabiru Mahmud Sarki, said that construction work at the Government Girls Science Academy had reached 80% and would be completed by September this year.
The site engineer, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Daily Star Nigeria at the construction site, debunked the rumour that the project had stopped, adding that, the work had never stopped since its commencement in September 2020.
When asked whether or not the work would be affected by the hike in construction materials, the MD said:
“It’s no longer news that prices of construction and materials at the market have skyrocket [sic] generally, when we were awarded the contract, the prices were low, but now that they went up, we had to source funds elsewhere just to meet the expected completion time”, the engineer said.
On the issue of funding, Engr. Sarki commended the Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, adding that they were never short of funds, adding that the Governor had provided all the necessary funding they needed for the project.
He added that their company engaged the host communities in terms of employment of labourers, food vendors amongst others in order to provide job opportunities and to give them a sense of belonging.
Sarki added “We also patronise our local companies like cement, gravels, door, window and electrical fittings.
“Even on the roofing sheets, we engaged a local company which molds it for us, and that has gone a long way in empowering and encouraging local businesses”.
In terms of security of the workers on the site, he said they had provided a number of armed police personnel who constantly patrol the site to ensure a safe environment for the workers and the people within the surroundings.
Architect Jerry Idoko, representative of the chief Architect in charge of engineering works at the site, said all the engineering works were ensured to be of maximum required standards.
He said, “Here at this site, all professionals are assigned to their respective areas of professional specialisation.
“An architect stays in the architectural field so also civil engineer, surveyor amongst others.
“The engineering works follow international standards here. The required mixing ratio of cement and sand amongst other standards are being fulfilled at the site under constant and strict supervision because we don’t want to compromise quality”.
Correspondent of the Daily Star went round the site to assess the work progress and to confirm the disclosures made.
The eleven structures met under construction at the academy site are: Administration Building, Hostels (2,000 capacity), Mosque, Kitchen and Dining, Classrooms, Overhead/ Surface tank, Staff Quarters, Corper’s Lodge/Quarters, Clinic, Laboratory and Library/CBT Centre.
At the construction site of the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital, it was observed also that work was on-going without any hindrance and all the necessary needed materials were seen to have been on ground.
The MD said the duration of the project is three years and it is expected to be completed by September 2023.
“If you observe, you’ll find out that the Hospital is almost 3 times the school therefore their duration cannot be the same”, he added.
He said that the project, which has over 12 structures, was at an average of 45% completion in less than a year of commencement.
The structures currently under construction at the hospital site are: Six General Wards, Clinics (A and B), Physiotherapy, Dialysis and Radiology labs.
Others are Administration block, Morgue, Pharmacy, Trauma Ward and Clinic, Accident and Emergency.
Others are General Out Patient Department (GOPD), Link Corridor, Fencing Department, Visiting Doctor’s Structure, Corper’s Lodge, Maintenance Department amongst others.
Workers at SOSUTH Radiology Lab construction site
When completed, both projects are expected to significantly boost the educational and health sectors of the State.
