The Federal Government has commenced the dualisation of the 375.9-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Highway. Works Minister, David Umahi, flagged off the project and handed over a 38-kilometre stretch to the Dangote Group for construction on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Umahi charged the contractors handling the various sections of the road to prioritize project completion. He acknowledged the rising cost of materials and promised to review project rates to mitigate the impact on contractors.
According to a statement by the minister’s spokesperson, Uchenna Orji, Umahi said, “The first section, spanning 38 kilometres, will involve initial palliative and earthworks, followed by reinforced concrete pavement construction.”
The minister also unveiled ‘Operation Free Our Roads’, an initiative to make federal roads motorable during the rainy season. He said, “We will fill potholes and stabilize failed road sections to ensure smooth traffic flow. One carriageway will remain open to traffic while work progresses on the other.”
Umahi emphasized the importance of the project and urged ministry engineers and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure its success. He commended Julius Berger for its early work on its section and reiterated the government’s target of completing the entire project by May 2025.
The minister also discussed plans to accelerate the project’s completion with Julius Berger and explore handing over unfinished sections to the Dangote Group under a tax credit scheme.