The federal government has reassured that work on the 375.4 Abuja-Kano Road (AKR), particularly at sections 2 at 3 (Kaduna-Zaria-Kano), will be completed and commissioned before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on May 29.
This assurance was given by the duo of Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola during their pre-commissioning visit to the on-going project works, Tuesday.
Fashola said at the end of the inspection of the AKR project works that sections 2 and 3 covering over 210 kilometers from Kano to Kaduna would be completed and commissioned before the end of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency next month.
With regard to section one of the project, that is, Abuja to Kaduna, the minister said the portion of the project lost about an operational year due to the seriously disruptive activities of criminal elements in the area, and also due to the necessity to resolve pending issues of right of way and compensation for affected communities by the client to enable the contractors work without any hindrances.
Fashola, however, added that a drive through section one shows the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, still working on the road even with the aforementioned real constraints and challenges to their operations in the area.
The honourable minister therefore again assured the public that despite the operational hiccups occasioned by the security challenges and the issues of right of way and compensation to affected individuals and communities, the succeeding and incoming federal administration will of a certainty complete section 1 of the AKR project also.
“All we need going forward is to collaborate with the honourable minister of the FCT, the Governments of Niger and Kaduna states, to enable us resolve pending issues so that the works can move faster and smoothly,” said the minister of works.
Professor Gambari used the occasion to state Buhari’s unparalleled, patriotic commitment to project completion and delivery as he announced that Julius Berger has also now completed and delivered the construction of the 2nd River Niger Bridge, another Buhari legacy project, which he said is slated for commissioning, soon.
Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Lars Richter, was at the head of the company’s team to recieve the visiting high-ranking government officials during their visit to the AKR works.
Also on the Managing Director’s team in Kano were the AKR project Director, Engr. Benjamin Bott, Engr. Abubakar Gimba, and Prince Moses Duku, amongst others.
