Abuja, Nigeria: The Federal Government has announced a bold financial commitment of ₦761 billion to complete the reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano highway, a critical transport corridor in northern Nigeria.
Umahi disclosed this on Saturday while inspecting the road project.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has been informed about the completion time. Sections 1, 2, and 3 will take 14 months.
“For sections 1 and 3, a total of 118 kilometres was given at a total price of N252 billion. The President has paid 30 per cent, which is around N60 billion.
“Section 2 is about 72 kilometres by two, which is reinforced concrete with 15 kilometres; it is going to be flexible also on the pavement.
“Total cost is N507 billion, and 30 per cent has been paid, which was over N150 billion.
“If we combine the two projects up to Kano, it is about N761 billion, which is highly courageous, and I commend the President for his interest in building these roads.”
Umahi said the project was tagged as “Rebuilding Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road by President Bola Tinubu.”
According to him, the President is passionate about completing the road and is funding it as a priority project.
“We are happy with the section completed on the concrete. Before, it was the construction of a road that lasted for 10 years, but now we are building roads.”
The minister assured that the roads being built by the administration of President Bola Tinubu would last for over 100 years.
He described the feat as a legacy that the present administration would leave for incoming generations, as there would be no need for rebuilding those roads again.
“This explains why we have to talk to the contractors to do a good job, as the President has directed that the Ministry should replicate the quality of roads applicable in the Western world.”
He added that the ministry would do his bidding. He commended the contractors for a job well done and urged them to meet the completion date target.
He urged Nigerians and young engineers to understand the new trends and innovations in road construction and capitalise on them.
“Roads and bridges are the indicators that grow our GDP; it is on this GDP that other sectors of our economy grow based on durable roads and bridges.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, urged contractors to work fast to meet the deadline.
He added that they should work quickly to make up for the time lost during the rainy season, as people were anxious for the project’s timely completion.
