Abuja-Kano road to be completed in November

The Federal Government says the remaining 164km of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway will be completed by November.

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Monday when in his office in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He spoke when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by its President, Babatunde Akinteye, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Umahi said the Federal Government had spent more than N200 billion on the project, adding that the current phase, alongside other components, had received more than 80 percent payment.

He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to completing critical road infrastructure across the country, describing the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor as one of the major legacy projects of the administration.

He said: “The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road is 375 kilometres by two, 750 kilometres.

“The President funded part of this project. 

“We have spent over N200 billion on that project.

“We are back here with the remaining 164 kilometres, 82 kilometres by two.

“Both of these projects are costing us N752 billion under the President. 

“Over 80 percent has been paid. 

“We believe that by November, the entire stretch will have been completed.”

The minister, who expressed concern over the rate of vandalism on federal highways, emphasised the need to take drastic measures to end it.

Umah said that solar streetlights would be installed at intervals along the highway as part of measures to improve safety and visibility.

He said: “I just came back from Lagos when we inaugurated the coastal highway guard. 

“We are going to inaugurate the same on this Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria, Kano Superhighway.

“This is because I saw people digging the concrete to remove rods and vandalising the construction.”

Umahi also said the Federal Government was executing several other major road projects across the country, noting that concrete pavement was being adopted on some strategic routes.

He said the government had expanded the scope of some legacy projects to improve connectivity among communities and facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services.

The minister urged Nigerian youths and students to take an active role in monitoring federal projects and holding public officials accountable.

He said the ministry was ready to work with NANS and other youth organisations to monitor projects, warning that there should be no blackmail or intimidation of contractors.

He said: “We need to be accountable. 

“If you help us to monitor these projects, please, no blackmail, no intimidation, no altercation with contractors.

“If you do this intelligently and honestly, we are partners.”

Umahi also encouraged young Nigerians to develop skills and engage in productive activities rather than relying solely on government assistance.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖