The Federal Government has resumed work on the dualization of the uncompleted sections of 375.9km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway, targeting May, 29, 2025 completion date.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, stated this Saturday during the flag-off of the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway and the site handover of the 38km dual carriageway section of the road to Dangote Group of Companies at chainage 0+000 in Zuba.
Umahi, in a statement by his Special Adviser Media, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, speaking during the flag-off, charged the three companies handling the three sections of the project to show absolute devotion to the completion of the project.
The Minister noted that the Ministry of Work would look at the need for project rate review to cushion the effects of the increase in material costs, given the last review that was done about nine months ago.
He said, “So the first section is 38 kilometers by two, which is 76 kilometers. The work is starting today, with palliatives and earthworks, and then they will now start to put reinforced concrete pavement,” he stated.
The Minister also launched the federal government’s ‘Operation Free Our Roads’ project, which is aimed at making sure that all the Federal Roads under rehabilitation were made motorable starting from this rainy season.
He said, “So we are using this as a point of contact to flag off ‘Free Our Roads’ all over the country. And so, they will use stone base to put and free all the potholes. In failed portions or where we have potholes, they will all be filled, both carriageways. Then, they will continue to maintain one carriageway for vehicles to follow while they consistently walk on one carriageway.”
He emphasised the need for the Ministry’s engineers to take the task seriously, including those of FERMA.
He continued, “And this operation ‘Free Our Roads’ is not only for the Ministry of Works, but also for FERMA. We’re going to put our eyes, all the directors, and all the Zonal engineers of FERMA must take this thing very seriously. And so I will, on behalf of Mr. President, with all gratitude to God and the cooperation of everybody, flag off ‘Operation Free Our Roads’ and flag off the completion of Abuja to Kaduna, to Zaria, to Kano Road, to the glory of God. Amen,” he added.
He commended Julius Berger Plc for already starting work and doing a good job, and maintained that the federal government expected the entire project to be completed and delivered by May 2025.
He stated, “So what we will be discussing with Berger is what can we do to finish this job within May 29th. This is very important because we don’t want to stay here beyond May 29th, 2025. And so what Berger can not finish, we would also have to take it over and give to Dangote under Tax Credit and for reinforced concrete pavement.”
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