The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to finish the outstanding segment of the Abuja-Kaduna road by the year’s end.
Despite the contract being awarded on December 20, 2018, the completion of the project has faced numerous delays, with various promises made.
Former Minister of State for Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, asserted in October 2022 that efforts would be made to conclude work on the Kaduna-Abuja highway and the Zaria-Kano road by early 2023, aiming to alleviate hardships faced by road users.
However, former Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola, in April 2023, expressed the administration’s inability to fulfil its commitment due to security challenges in 2022 and the relocation of communities along the Zaria leg of the 265km road project.
In a recent meeting with the ministry’s directors in Abuja, Minister of Works David Umahi assured that the ministry is prepared to overcome contractual obstacles and deliver the Abuja-Kaduna Road project for the benefit of Nigerians before the close of 2024.
Umahi stated, “We have about 1.7 kilometres left of Abuja-Kaduna in two sections. The ministry has some supervision work to be done tomorrow on that road, and we will be advised on the real designs of the two sections.”
Addressing funding challenges for the Abuja-Kaduna Road, Umahi mentioned discussions with the president about the road’s significance for Northerners. He highlighted the need to re-scope the project due to the escalating cost, with the contractor now requesting N1.35 trillion, an amount deemed unaffordable by the government.
“Funding is also an issue because it is under the presidential development fund initiative gotten from looted funds. I have had to discuss with Mr. President the importance of the road for all Northerners.
“But I won’t be able to go back to him until we re-scope it because the project was N165 billion before and a review brought the cost to N655 billion, but today the contractor is asking for N1.35 trillion and the government cannot afford it.”
Umahi emphasised commitment to completing the road in the current year, exploring options such as involving Dangote in constructing the first 40km under the tax credit scheme, potentially using concrete pavement.
The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway’s reconstruction, managed by Julius Berger and funded under the Presidential Development Fund initiatives, is divided into three sections.