It also declared that all sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway would be completed in 24 months.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this while inspecting the Abuja-Kaduna section of the highway on Friday. Umahi, accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Wale Edun, stated that the government established the new timeline following an agreement with the road contractor, Julius Berger Construction Company.
A week before, the minister pledged to complete the road this year, echoing numerous assurances made since December 20, 2018, when the contract was awarded.
In October 2022, the former minister of State, Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, anticipated completion of work on the Kaduna-Abuja highway and Zaria-Kano road by early 2023 to mitigate adverse effects on road users.
Similarly, the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in April 2023, explained that the past administration couldn't fulfill its promise due to security challenges in 2022 and the relocation of some communities on the Zaria section of the 265km road project.
The road, intended to be completed according to design, persisted until the end of Fashola’s tenure, with only the Kaduna to Zaria section completed from the three sections.
During the inspection, Umahi attributed the delay to a lack of funds but assured of the government’s commitment to concluding the road on time. He added that the approval of N17 billion had been granted for payment, and other finances would be endorsed in due course.
“This is the second time I have inspected this road since we came in, and it shows you how much Mr. President is in touch with happenings all over the country. He directed us to move in and provide lasting solutions here.”
“And I can inform you that The Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority has been informed to pay the contractor the outstanding certificate of N17bn. then another certificate of N23bn is already being processed and so we assure you that funding will no longer be a problem.”
