FG to complete Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway in 2 years –says Umahi

By Chris Ochayi

All sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway projects will be completed in the next two years, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has said.

Engr. Umahi, who disclosed this during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna section of the highway on Friday, blamed the delay being experienced in completion of the project on lack of funds.

He was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Wale Edun.

The government he said made the new timeline after reaching an agreement with the contractor of the road, Julius Berger Construction Company.

Umahi however assured that the government’s commitment to complete the road project on time.

He said Julius Berger has agreed to complete 15 kilometers daily, reason the new date was agreed on.

“We are looking at 24 months to finish the project, it can only ne Berger that will finish in 24 months, so with assured financing model by the minister of finance it will be completed.”

He added that the total kilometers of road From Abuja to Kaduna is 165km out of which 45km has been completed while 120 is 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 to review 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 added that funding is no longer an issue for the contractor as the government has approved N17bn and other finances would be approved in due course.

On his part, Edun said the has plans to increase its revenue and 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 added that Infrastructure is a critical priority of this administration and a source of getting food prices down through good transportation, easy transportation of agriculture 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.”