FG sets new date for Abuja-Kano highway completion
By Barbara Bako, Abuja
The Federal Government will complete Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Dual Carriage Way by 2026 as plans are ongoing to release fund to the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
This was disclosed in a statement signed on Saturday and copied to DAILY COMMERCE by Stephen Kilebi Director, Press and PR of the Minister of Finance.
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The statement read further:
“The Minister of Finance and Co-Ordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun and his Federal Ministry of Works counterpart, Senator David Umahi have embarked on the inspection of the Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Dual Carriage Way.
The Finance Minister in his remarks said ,”We are here today on an inspection tour under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to examine and hear from the contractors and see their commitment, encourage and support them to the early completion of this all important project and to urge them to do more.”
Edun reiterated that infrastructure was a critical priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration “In order to get food prices down, ease transportation of agricultural produce, movement of people freely across the country, and stabilise the economy.”
Edun assured of availability of funds for the early completion of the road project.
The Finance Minister and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy noted that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriage way is a viable project. He added that he has no doubt about the completion of the project on time by the contractors.He said, “We have come, we have seen the level of commitment of the contractors to the completion of the project as soon as possible.”
The Minister who was satisfied with the level of work done promised that the fund for the completion of the project was being worked out and would be made available to the contractors, reiterating the need for the speedy completion of the project.
The Minister who commended the level of progress made on the project said the on-going attempt was to improve domestic resources mobilisation available to highly viable projects such as this.
Earlier the Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.)David Umahi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that, “They must ensure that work is completed on this project in 24 months.” Umahi added, “The two ministers are sorting out the payment modalities and ensuring milestone completion of the project.”
While commending the Minister of Finance and Co-Ordinating Minister of the Economy on the reassurance of the release of fund for this road and other infrastructure projects also thanked him for taking critical decisions about the completion of the projects.
According to Umahi, “We have set specifications that will make the projects stable and stronger” noting that the contractors had been directed to concentrate on major carriage ways, adding that Nigerians were going to have sigh of relief.
Umahi is optimistic of the 24 months completion period of the project with the assurance of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy on the expeditious release of funds. He added, “Our plan for Nigerians is for good roads that they can use at any time, emphasizing that the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy is more committed than us.”
Mr. Benjamin Butt, Programme Manager of Julius Berger, the contractor handling the project while highlighting the stages of development of the road project disclosed that the company was using Construction Methodology known as Recycling Technology in the rehabilitation of the Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano Dual Carriage Way.”
