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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Federal Government, today, said that all sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway will be completed in 24 months.
Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi made the disclosure during an inspection of the highway at the weekend.
Umahi who was accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Economy, Wale Edun, said that the government took the position after reaching an agreement with Julius Berger Construction Company, the contractor handling the road.
Umahi blamed the delay on lack of funds but assured the government’s commitment to finish the construction on time.
According to him, Julius Berger has agreed to complete 15 kilometers daily until the road is fully completed.
“We are looking at 24 months to finish the project. It can only be Julius Berger that will finish it in 24 months. So, with the assurance of financing model by the Minister of finance, it will be completed” he said
The Minister assured that the total kilometers of road from Abuja to Kaduna is 165 kilometers out of which 45 kilometers have been completed while 120 kilometers are being worked on.
“The total road length is 375 kilometers which is equivalent to 750 kilometers of single lane. Now, Kaduna to Zaria is completed. We have only 20 kilometers left between Zaria and Kano.
“We are looking at redesigning it, to add concrete pavement. Already, the contractor is aware. I know we have differences in 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 said, adding that funding is no longer an issue for the contractor as the government has approved N17 billion and other finances would be approved in due course.
On his part, Edun said that the government has plans to increase its revenue and ready to fund all critical roads across the country.
“As the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are here to get commitment from the contractor and encourage them” he said.
He added that Infrastructure is a critical priority of this administration and a source of getting food prices down through good transportation, easy transportation of agriculture products.
“We are headed for a dry season and eventually the harvest season. So, we want the goods to move freely across the country. That will bring down food prices; that will bring down inflation and then stabilize the economy and then we’ll be doing more” Umahi explained.
