The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, Thursday, assured that the Federal Government would deliver the uncompleted section of the Abuja-Kaduna before the end of the year.
Umahi, who spoke at a meeting with directors of the ministry in Abuja, disclosed that the contractor handling the project, Julius Berger Construction Company is requesting N1.35trn to complete works on the Abuja-Kaduna section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway.
The minister, who noted that funding was one of the challenges on the projects, said the road which was initially contracted for N165bn was reviewed to N654bn.
Recall that the Federal Government had made promises on several occasions to complete the project since December 20, 2018, when the contract was awarded.
In October 2022, the former minister of State, Works and Housing, Umar El-Yakub, while on the inspection of the Kaduna-Abuja highway, and Zaria-Kano road pledged that it would be completed in early 2023 to reduce negative effects on road users.
The immediate past minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had in April 2023 admitted that the present administration could not fulfill its promise due to security challenges experienced in 2022 and the relocation of some communities on the Zaria section of the 265km road project.
However, Umahi assured that his ministry was ready to conquer all contractual obstacles and ensure the delivery of the project for the benefit of Nigerians before the end of 2024.
“We have about 1.7 kilometers left of Abuja-Kaduna in two sections. The ministry has some supervision work to be done tomorrow on that road and we will be advised on the real designs of the two sections.
“Funding is also an issue because it is under the presidential development fund initiative gotten from looted funds. I have had to discuss with Mr president about the importance of the road for all Northerners.
“But I won’t be able to go back to him until we re-scope it because the project was N165bn before and a review brought the cost to N655bn but today the contractor is asking for N1.35trillion and the government cannot afford it.
“What they are asking is very wrong. So we are looking at existing sub-grade and see what we can do about it. We are also looking at the first 40km to be constructed by Dangote under the Tax credit scheme to do it on concrete pavement but I am very committed to completing that road this year. No matter what happens, that road will be done this year.”, he said.
