The Federal Government announced on Friday that it had released the sum of N17billion to the contractor handling the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway in a bid to expedite action on the project.
During the inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, David Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed that all sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway would be completed in 24 months.
Umahi, accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Wale Edun, said the government gave the new timeline after reaching an agreement with Julius Berger Construction Company in charge of the road contract.
The minister had promised, a week earlier that the highway project would be completed in the current year. According to him, since December 20, 2018, when the contract was awarded, assurances were given on several occasions on when the project would be completed.
In October 2022, the former minister of State, Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, said work on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, and Zaria-Kano road would be completed in early 2023 to reduce negative effects on road users.
In April 2023, former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, stated that the past administration could not fulfill its promise due to security challenges experienced in 2022 and the relocation of some communities on the Zaria section of the 265km road project.
The road which would have been completed, according to design, dragged on till the end of Fashola’s tenure with only the Kaduna to Zaria section completed from the three sections.
Umahi had blamed the delay on a paucity of funds but assured of the government’s commitment to end the road on time, adding that payment of N17bn has been approved and other finances would be endorsed in due course.
He said, “This is the second time I have inspected this road since we came in and it shows you how much Mr President is in touch with happenings all over the country. He directed us to move in and provide lasting solutions here.
“And I can inform you that The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority has been informed to pay the contractor the outstanding certificate of N17bn. then another certificate of N23bn is already being processed and so we assure you that funding will no longer be a problem.”
On why the project completion was postponed, the former Ebonyi governor disclosed that Julius Berger agreed to complete 15 kilometers every month.
He stated, “We are looking at 24 months to finish the project, it can only be Berger that will finish in 24 months. So with an assured financing model by the Minister of Finance, it will be completed. The total section of 290km dual way is uncompleted but if we look at the total four sections, we are looking at 15km completion every month, which is very serious and a tall order.
“The total road length is 375km, which is equivalent to 750km of dual lane. Now, Kaduna to Zaria is completed. We have only 20km left between Zaria and Kano. We are looking at redesigning it, with concrete pavement. Already the contractor is aware. I know we have the issue differences in terms of reviewing the contract price but we’ve sorted all that out and I’m happy we have progressed. We’ve sent the geotechnical team to re-examine the strength of the subgrade.”
Edun stressed that the timely completion of the road remains a top priority for President Bola Tinubu, who views road infrastructure as a key element in revitalising and stabilising the nation’s economy.
He added that infrastructure is a critical priority of this administration and a source of getting food prices down through good transportation, and easy transportation of agricultural products.
Edun said, “As the Coordinating Minister of the economy in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are here to get commitment from the contractor and encourage them.
“We are headed for a dry season and eventually the harvest season so we want the goods to move freely across the country. That will bring down food prices; that will bring down inflation and then stabilize the economy and then we’ll be doing more.”
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