FG Promises Completion of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road in 14 Months
The Federal Government has announced that the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriageway will be completed in 14 months. This was confirmed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the inauguration of the rehabilitation of Section 1 (Abuja to Kaduna) of the road on Thursday.
The road is divided into three sections: Section 1, from Abuja to Kaduna; Section 2, from Kaduna to Zaria; and Section 3, from Zaria to Kano. The rehabilitation involves scarifying and pulverizing the existing bituminous surface for use as sub-base material and filling embankments. Additionally, the works include the provision of crushed rock material with stabilization, reinforced concrete-lined drains, and other hydraulic structures where required.
The scope also covers the installation of median barriers, median drains, and the provision of CRCP (Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement) to a thickness of 200mm on both the carriageway and shoulders.
Idris emphasized that the government is fully committed to completing the road project on time. He shared that President Bola Tinubu has given firm instructions for the road to be finished within 14 months, a much faster timeline than the former contractor’s estimated three years. To expedite the project, the road has been divided into three sections to facilitate quicker construction.
Umahi, the Minister of Works, further explained that there would be extensions to the Aminu Kano International Airport and an additional 5-kilometer stretch on the Abuja-Lokoja side of the road. Section 1, which starts at the Zuba Interchange and ends at the Kaduna Western Bypass, will be equipped with solar-powered lighting and is expected to last between 50 to 100 years.
Umahi noted that the road between Abuja and Kaduna had deteriorated significantly over time, with issues such as cracks, potholes, poor drainage, and other forms of damage. To mitigate the impact on commuters, emergency repairs are currently underway across four stretches of the road.
The contract for Section 1 was initially awarded to Julius Berger, but Umahi explained that the company had significantly reduced its work pace and requested a contract increase from N797 billion to N1.5 trillion, a hike the government could not accept. After extensive discussions, a selective tendering process was initiated, inviting six contractors, including Julius Berger, to bid for the project.
The six contractors invited for the bidding process are: M/s Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, M/s Hitech Construction Company Limited, M/s Infouest Nigeria Limited, M/s CBC Nigeria Limited, M/s CCECC Nigeria Limited, and M/s CGC Nigeria Limited.
