Abuja-Kaduna, Zaria-Kano roads will be completed in 10 months, says FG

The federal government has given May 29, 2025, as the deadline for the completion of the 375.9 kilometres (km) Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway projects.

David Umahi, minister of works, spoke on Saturday during the site handover of the 38-kilometre (km) dual carriageway section of the road to Dangote Group in Zuba, Abuja.

According to NAN, the projects will be completed by Dangote, Julius Berger and BUA construction companies.

Umahi said the event also included handing over the 38-kilometre (km) dual carriageway to Dangote Group and launching of the “Operation Free Our Roads” project.

“The project started with a mere rehabilitation under the past administration for N155 billion and later the scope was expanded and the price was increased to N655 billion,” NAN quoted Umahi as saying.

“When we came on board in September last year Julius Berger made request for a reviewed price of N1.5 trillion and that’s where the quarrel started.

“However, we have been able to agree, and then we got an independent consultant, who reviewed the project between Berger and the ministry of works and that was about nine months back.”

He said the project cost was revised to N888 billion which is N640 billion less than Julius Berger’s estimate for the three-lane road.

Umahi said Julius Berger will complete their 82km section for N320 billion.

The minister said the Dangote section, 38km, will cost N126 billion, while the BUA section, 17.32km will cost N41.9 billion.

“However, the Dangote’s section is going to increase in terms of scope and we are reviewing the rate I agree with them because of the cost of things,” he said.

“We have agreed in the ministry of works that we are going to review it to the price that is reasonable so that they will do the job.

“It is not offering the price that is the issue, but we have to come to a compromise between the contractors and the ministry of works bearing in mind the economic situation.

“When we have reasonable price, the work will be done and then more scope would be covered but if I have unreasonable price, then it becomes a problem which we will not achieve much.”

Umahi told the companies handling the three sections to commit fully to completing the project.

He assured the companies the ministry would consider a rate review to address increased material costs since the last assessment nine months ago.

“So the first section of the work is starting today, with palliatives and earthworks, and then they will now start to put reinforced concrete pavement,” he said.

“So what we will be discussing with Berger is what we can do to finish this job within May 29. This is very important because we don’t want to stay here beyond May 29, 2025.”

Umahi said if Julius Berger cannot complete the road, the federal government will hand it over to Dangote under tax credit and for reinforced concrete pavement.