The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of its commitment to completing the uncompleted section of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway before the year ends, despite facing hurdles and cost reviews in the project’s execution.
Okay.ng reports that having promised completion multiple times since the contract award in December 2018, the government has faced delays and challenges in delivering on this commitment.
The project has seen several assurances from past ministers, including Umar El-Yakub and Babatunde Fashola, citing reasons such as security challenges in 2022 and community relocations along the Zaria section of the 265km road.
Addressing all directors of the Ministry of Works in Abuja, the current Minister of Works, David Umahi, reaffirmed the government’s determination to overcome contractual obstacles and ensure the project’s completion by the end of 2024, for the benefit of Nigerians.
Umahi highlighted the remaining 1.7 kilometers of the Abuja-Kaduna road, split into two sections, stressing the ministry’s upcoming supervision work to advise on the actual designs for these segments.
He emphasized the funding challenges, citing the initial cost increase from N165 billion to N655 billion and now to a contractor-requested N1.35 trillion, a figure the government finds unsustainable.
Expressing commitment to finding solutions, Umahi mentioned discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the project’s significance for the Northern region, yet indicated the need to re-scope the project due to escalated costs.
The Minister also disclosed efforts to explore alternative construction methods, including Dangote’s Tax Credit Scheme for the first 40km to be built with concrete pavement. He emphasized his unwavering dedication to completing the road within the year, reiterating that regardless of challenges, the project will reach completion.
The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway’s reconstruction, handled by Julius Berger, is financed under the Presidential Development Fund initiatives and divided into three sections.
