The Federal Government has given the contractor in charge of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano motorway N17 billion, to expedite the project’s completion.
The FG said that the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway will be finished in 24 months in its entirety.
This was revealed by Works Minister David Umahi on Friday during a highway inspection between Abuja and Kaduna.
Accompanied by Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Umahi stated that the government arrived at the revised schedule following negotiations with Julius Berger Construction Company, the road’s contractor.
A week prior, the minister had pledged to finish the road this year, echoing multiple promises made on multiple occasions to finish the project since the contract was given on December 20, 2018.
The road, which was supposed to be finished in its entirety, continued until the conclusion of Fashola’s administration, with just the Kaduna to Zaria segment finished out of the three.
Speaking during the inspection, Umahi attributed the hold-up to a lack of funding but reaffirmed the government’s pledge to complete the road on schedule. He also mentioned that the payment of N17 billion had been granted and that further funding will be released eventually.
He said:
“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.
“We are looking at 24 months to finish the project, it can only be Berger that will finish in 24 months. So with an assured financing model by the Minister of Finance, it will be completed. The total section of 290km dual way is uncompleted but if we look at the total four sections, we are looking at 15km completion every month, which is very serious and a tall order.
“The total road length is 375km, which is equivalent to 750km of dual lane. Now, Kaduna to Zaria is completed. We have only 20km left between Zaria and Kano. We are looking at redesigning it, with concrete pavement. Already the contractor is aware. I know we have the issue differences in terms of reviewing the contract price but we’ve sorted all that out and I’m happy we have progressed. We’ve sent the geotechnical team to re-examine the strength of the subgrade,” he added.
cc: Punch Ng
