The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has stated that all sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway will be completed in 24 months.
Engr. Umahi made the disclosure during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna section of the highway on Friday, January 12, 2024.
Umahi who was accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Wale Edun, said the government made the new timeline after reaching an agreement with the contractor of the road, Julius Berger Construction Company.
Speaking during the inspection, Umahi blamed the delay on a lack of funds but assured the government’s commitment to end the road on time.
He said Julius Berger had agreed to complete 15 kilometers daily, the reason the new date was agreed on.
“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.”
He added that the total kilometers of road from Abuja to Kaduna was 165km out of which 45km had been completed while 120 was being worked on.
“The total road length is 375km which is equivalent to 750km of single lane. Now, Kaduna to Zaria is completed. We have only 20km left between Zaria and Kano.
“We are looking at redesigning it, to add 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”, the Minister said.
He added that funding was no longer an issue for the contractor as the government had approved N17bn and other finances would be approved in due course.
On his part, Edun said there were plans to increase revenue and were ready to fund all critical roads across the country:
“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”, he said.
He added that infrastructure was a critical priority of this administration and a source of getting food prices down through good transportation and easy transportation of agricultural products.
“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”, Edun said.
