The Nigerian government has assured that the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Dual Carriageway will be completed and ready for use within fourteen months.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during the inauguration of the rehabilitation of Section 1 (Abuja to Kaduna) rigid pavement of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Dual Carriageway, at Tafa, Niger State.
The dual carriageway consists of three sections: Section 1 from Abuja to Kaduna, Section 2 from Kaduna to Zaria, and Section 3 from Zaria to Kano.
Idris maintained that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to completing the road within the stipulated time.
“President Bola Tinubu is very committed and determined to ensure that this road from Abuja to Kano is completed in the record time of 14 months. This is the reason the government canceled the road contract with the former contractor, who had proposed completing the road in three years. The government refused and insisted on 14 months, which is why the project was broken into three segments for ease of construction. Nigerians, especially those who use this road, are eager to see it completed,” he said.
The Information Minister warned that delays of any kind will not be tolerated, emphasizing that the road must be completed in half the time initially proposed by the former contractor, Julius Berger.
“Delay of any kind will not be accepted. The President has given the minister a marching order, and the Senate is behind him. Within fourteen months, we will have a brand-new road. The construction method is time-tested, and the minister is an engineer himself. He said the techniques and technology used for the construction will ensure the road lasts between 50 to 100 years,” he added.
The road was originally awarded to Julius Berger Plc, but the contract was revoked and given to another contractor due to Julius Berger’s failure to adhere to the terms of the agreement.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, explained why the contract for Section 1 was revoked from Julius Berger, stating that the company drastically reduced the pace of work on-site and had requested a review of the contract cost from N797 billion to N1.5 trillion-an increase of 88.21%, which the government was unwilling to pay.
He also noted that a selective tendering process was used, inviting six contractors, including Julius Berger, to submit their bids.
However, Julius Berger did not honor the invitation. The other five bidders submitted their bids, and Messrs Infouest Nigeria Limited was selected by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) with an approved bid of N252.89 billion for Section 1 (Abuja to Kaduna).
“The section 1 will be completed with Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP), while Section 3 will be completed with asphaltic pavement,” he explained.
Senator Umahi emphasized that the road project has been extended to reach Aminu Kano International Airport, and the Abuja-Lokoja section of the road has also been extended by five kilometers.
According to the Minister of Works, Section 1 of the Abuja-Kaduna Road project begins at Zuba Junction and terminates at the Kaduna Western Bypass in the Kaduna State capital.
The road, which will have solar lights, is expected to last between 50 and 100 years.
“Note that the existing pavement between Abuja and Kaduna has undergone different levels of deterioration over the years, causing failure due to alligator cracks, corrugation, shoving, underground pumping, rutting, raveling, potholes, and poor drainage.
“The Ministry has intervened by commencing emergency repairs on this stretch to alleviate the suffering of road users. Maintenance work is ongoing in four different stretches simultaneously to fast-track the repairs.
“We strongly believe that the detailed explanation presented here will end the politics surrounding this project. We want the public to hold us accountable for the goals we have set to complete this important project.”
Other aspects of the project include the provision of median barriers, median drains where necessary, and the installation of CRCP 200mm thick on the carriageway and shoulders.
Dignitaries at the inauguration included the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Mpigi Barinada; the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, Senator Anthony Okorie Ani; and other government officials.
Comments are closed.