The managing director of Calder Construction Company, Kabiru Sarki has assured that the construction of Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital and Government Girls Science Academy, would be completed on schedule.
The managing director, who is also the site engineer said that the construction work at the Government Girls Science Academy had reached 80% and would be completed by September this year.
According to Sarki the rumor that the project had stopped was false, adding that the project had never stopped since its commencement in September 2020.
Reacting on the rising prices of building materials, he 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 funding, Sarki said governor Aminu Tambuwal had provided funds for the project, adding that the company had fully engaged members of host communities to provide labour.
“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,” Sarki said.
The representative of the chief architect in charge of engineering works at the site, Arc Jerry Idoko said all engineering works were of prescribed specification.
“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,” he said.
The structures under construction at the science academy 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.
Work is also ongoing at the site of the teaching hospital.
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.
