Abuja-Kaduna highway to be completed in 24 months – Minister

The Nigerian government has promised to complete the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual Carriageway in 24 months from now.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi stated this when he and the Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun inspected a part of the Abuja-Kaduna section of the dual Carriageway.

He explained that the government and the contractor, Julius Berger Company in charge of the project have agreed to complete at least 15 kilometres stretch of the road monthly for the next 24 months.

“We have discussed with Berger and we have come up with a faster construction method that will not just deliver 15km but deliver up to 20km per month, that’s what we assure Nigerians. It’s only Berger that can do it. With assured financing from the Minister of Finance , they are going to do it.”

The Works Minister further commended Julius Berger for the palliative work done on the road but noted two bad spots on the road that needs attention.

“Some people sent message commending Ministry of Works for the palliative done on the road, I want to thank them (Berger). They have done quite well. They are just 2 spots that they need to give some attention and we’ll be happy while the job is going on.” Umahi said.

The Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun explained that the government intends to raise the money for the project and other road projects across the country from different sources.

“We expect an additional stream of funding even beyond what was budgeted for this year. And alongside that, we have a very sophisticated financial market we are implementing, for example, an Executive order signed by Mr President that is expected to bring in, not just the cash outside the system, foreign currency outside the system but is also expected to along the lines of a second Executive order provide for Nigerians and others to also provide additional funding in naira and in foreign currency. 

“In addition to that, we are expecting that in a more stabilised environment, funds will come in not just directly into debts instruments but also into equity and this will provide what we believe will enable us to fund this and the other projects that the Honourable Minister of Works mentioned; completion of the second naira bridge and of course the Lagos-Ibadan express way,” Edun said.

The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual carriageway which is a total of 375 kilometres in Northern Nigeria was awarded to Julius Berger company in 2017.

The stretch of the road between Kaduna and Zaria of 20 kilometres has been completed.

Out of the 165 kilometres between Abuja and Zaria, 40 kilometres have been completed so far on one side of the road.

The section between Zaria and Kano has not been done.