President Bola Tinubu has approved a new plan to redesign the remaining 127 kilometers of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road using a stronger material called Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement instead of asphalt.
This decision aims to make the road more durable and improve transportation between the capital and northern states.
The original project was awarded in 2017 to Julius Berger Nigeria for N155.7 billion, with a completion deadline of 36 months. However, six years later, only one section, the Kaduna-Zaria stretch, has been completed. The other sections are still in poor condition, with Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) facing severe wear and tear.
According to a statement from the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the road’s poor state and the delays have impacted travelers and the economy.
In response, the Ministry of Works redesigned the road project into phases, with the first phase covering 38 kilometers awarded to Dangote Industries, which then subcontracted it to Hitech Africa Construction.
To keep the project moving, the government has issued a final contract amount of N740.7 million to Julius Berger with a seven-day deadline to accept. If the company fails to proceed, the contract may be terminated.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, emphasized that the government is ready to complete the road with high-quality concrete, similar to what’s used on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He noted that this type of construction could last 50 to 100 years. Umahi also shared that President Tinubu is eager for progress, saying, “President Bola Tinubu is very worried about the delay on this important road and wants to see it resolved.”
