FG to Complete 700-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road with N777 Billion
The Federal Government has announced that a total sum of N777 billion will be utilized to complete the ongoing reconstruction of the 700-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road.
The project, which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns, is expected to be completed within a 14 months deadline.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Sunday, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, stated that the N777 billion allocation would be used to complete the remaining 282 kilometres of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria road project. The contract for the road was initially awarded to Julius Berger in 2018 at a cost of less than N155.7 billion with a 36-month completion date. However, the cost rose to over N600 billion, and six years after, less than 50 per cent of the road had been completed.
The government revoked the contract with Julius Berger, citing that it would only pay N740 billion. The new contract for the completion and reconstruction of sections 1 and 3 of the road, totaling 118 kilometers, has been awarded to Infiouest Construction Company at a cost of N252 billion.
Umahi assured that the project, which is a concrete reinforcement pavement, would be delivered in record time. “The company is trusted and has the competence to do the work. The concrete road has commenced; I have seen the quality and have no regret in recommending them to do this work,” he said.
The Minister commended the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for his efforts in the project, noting that it would reduce the rate of accidents and heavy traffic when completed. He also thanked the governor for uniting Kaduna State and taking everybody as one, as well as working with the National Security Adviser (NSA) to ensure that residents sleep with two eyes closed.
Governor Sani, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, said that the road would catalyze economic growth, creating job opportunities and significantly enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and political landscape.
“We are here to commence the reconstruction of one of the most important roads in Nigeria. The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road is a vital artery for the people of Northern Nigeria,” he said.
The governor described the project as a pivotal road, saying that it has been a long struggle to get the federal government to complete the project. He praised President Tinubu for demonstrating commitment to addressing the infrastructural deficits in the Northern region of Nigeria.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including former governor of Kaduna State, Ramadan Yero, and former senator representing Kaduna North Senatorial District at the eighth senate, Suleiman Hunkuyi.
