The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has assured Nigerians that the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriageway will be completed within 14 months.
Speaking during the inauguration of the rehabilitation of Section 1 of the road, covering the Abuja to Kaduna segment, on Thursday, Idris emphasized the government’s commitment to delivering the project on schedule.
“President Bola Tinubu is very committed and determined to ensure that this road from Abuja to Kano is completed in record time of 14 months,” the minister stated.
The project, which was split into three sections for efficient execution, includes Section 1 from Abuja to Kaduna, Section 2 from Kaduna to Zaria, and Section 3 from Zaria to Kano.
According to Idris, this segmentation was necessary to expedite construction and ensure smooth progress.
“This is the reason the government cancelled the road contract with the former contractor, who said it would complete the road in three years. The government refused and insisted on a 14-month timeline,” Idris explained.
Idris highlighted the critical importance of the project to Nigerians.
“The President has given a matching order, and the National Assembly is fully cooperating to ensure there are no issues,” he added.
The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, also played a pivotal role in advancing the project, having addressed and resolved controversies surrounding the road’s previous delays.
“With all hands on deck, within 14 months, we are going to have a brand-new road from the Abuja end to Kano,” Idris confidently declared.
The rehabilitation work involves a comprehensive overhaul of the road infrastructure, including scarification and pulverization of the existing surface, embankment filling, and provision of reinforced concrete-lined drains.
The scope also includes the installation of median barriers, hydraulic structures, and a 200-mm thick continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) on the carriageway and shoulders.