The Federal Government has directed contractors handling the Abuja-Keffi Expressway expansion to begin night construction to reduce the daily gridlock faced by commuters along the busy route.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, gave the order on Thursday during an inspection of the project, saying the decision was necessary to ease the hardship of motorists, especially around the Nyanya-Maraba stretch.
He explained that while work had progressed on the Keffi-bound section, a three-kilometre portion of the Abuja-bound carriageway remained a major challenge due to flooding and waterlogging.
“This trouble area is precisely three kilometres, and there is a lot of water flooding this section. Many people from the Keffi and Nyanya axis face serious problems crossing into Abuja. We directed the contractor to carry out palliative measures and provide a route where water can pass, but this work cannot be done in the morning or afternoon. So, we instructed that the contractor must focus on night work to ease traffic and deliver results quickly,” Goronyo said.
The Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway, a 43.6-kilometre road, is one of the busiest entry routes into the Federal Capital Territory. The project, awarded in April 2023 at the cost of N73.9bn, is being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme. It is funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Construction began in December 2023 with an initial completion date of May 2026. However, the government insists it must be delivered by December 2026. So far, 41 kilometres of the Keffi-bound side have been completed, representing 50 per cent progress.
Goronyo stressed that the December 2026 deadline remains non-negotiable, warning that no excuses would be accepted.
“The completion period is sacrosanct. This road is too important to Nigerians for delays. The contractor must fully mobilise and ensure timely delivery. We don’t want to see this persistent hold-up continue,” he said.
Project Manager of China Harbour, Dong Hong, assured the government that the company would meet the deadline.
“We are confident we can finish this project on schedule and deliver the highest quality. Much of our work is now being done at night to meet the target,” Hong stated.
The Abuja-Keffi expressway remains vital for thousands of civil servants, traders, and residents commuting daily from Nasarawa State and neighbouring towns into Abuja. The government says timely completion is crucial to easing the burden of road users.
