President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the swift completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriageway, reducing the project timeline from the initial three years proposed by Julius Berger PLC to 14 months. The decision comes with the revocation of Julius Berger’s contract for some sections of the road and reassignment to another contractor to expedite progress.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the project site in Tafa, Niger State. He was accompanied by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi; the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Works, Senator Mpigi Barinada and Hon. Akinola Alabi; and other senior officials.
President’s Determination
“Mr. President is extremely determined to see the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project. We will not allow any contractor to hold us to ransom on this project or any other project,” Idris said. “We do not have the luxury of waiting another three years for this road to be constructed.”
He added that the project has been segmented into three sections to ensure seamless progress, emphasizing that Tinubu’s directive is aimed at delivering the critical infrastructure in record time.
“For those politicizing this road project, please keep politics aside. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to complete this major artery linking the Federal Capital Territory to Kano and other states,” Idris stressed.
Key Developments
Senator Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, highlighted the government’s efforts to secure funding and approvals to meet the revised timeline. He revealed that the ministry had obtained a “No Objection” approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for a N252.89 billion contract sum, which includes additional features such as 10.6 kilometers of road extension to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, five kilometers toward Kogi State, and full solar lighting for enhanced operation and maintenance.
“We added these components to prepare the road for operation and maintenance concessioning,” Umahi said, noting that the contract would be presented for ratification at the next Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Umahi also commended President Tinubu for providing unwavering support to the ministry and assured Nigerians of timely delivery.
Stakeholder Commendation
Idris praised Umahi and his team for their dedication, citing the minister’s commitment during 14 months of negotiations with Julius Berger, which initially sought to raise the project cost from N797 billion to N1.5 trillion and extend the timeline to three years.
“We salute the determination of the Minister of Works, the Permanent Secretary, the National Assembly, and all stakeholders. Nigerians can hold the ministry accountable; the President has given them every support they require,” Idris stated.
The project’s completion is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano, boosting economic activities in the region.
