The Federal Government has announced that it will spend a total of ₦777 billion to complete the ongoing reconstruction of the 700-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony held on Sunday. He said the project will be delivered within 14 months, with the remaining 282km of the road to be handled by Infiouest Construction Company under a concrete pavement model.
Umahi explained that section two of the road, which spans a major portion, has been awarded to Infiouest at a cost of ₦525 billion. He also confirmed that 30 per cent of the funds have already been released to the contractor.
“This company is competent and trusted,” Umahi said. “They have already started laying the concrete road, and I’ve personally inspected the work. I have no regrets recommending them.”
The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project has been in the works since 2018 when the contract was first awarded to Julius Berger at ₦155.7 billion, with an initial delivery period of 36 months. But due to delays and changes, the project cost ballooned to over ₦600 billion. Despite this, only about 50 per cent of the job was completed in six years.
According to Umahi, the contractor later requested that the total contract sum be reviewed to ₦1.5 trillion, a figure the government rejected. Instead, the government capped its commitment at ₦740 billion before revoking the deal and reassigning the job.
“Sections 1 and 3 of the project—totalling 118km—have now been re-awarded at ₦252 billion,” Umahi added.
He also revealed that President Tinubu has approved an additional 11km to extend the road to the Aminu Kano International Airport, along with the installation of solar-powered streetlights along the entire stretch of the road.
“The full road length, including the extension, will now be 711km,” he said.
Engr. Umahi commended Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for his support on the project, jokingly calling him a “smart governor” for helping to secure such a large sum. He also praised the governor for uniting the state and working closely with the National Security Adviser to ensure peace in the region.
In his remarks, Governor Sani, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, described the road as one of the most important in the country. He said its reconstruction will boost economic activities, reduce insecurity, and improve the overall wellbeing of citizens across the northern region.
“This project has been a long struggle,” the governor said. “Back in the 9th Senate, I mobilised fellow lawmakers to put pressure on the Federal Government to complete this road. Today, that effort has paid off.”
He also stressed that the road will create both direct and indirect employment, stimulate local economies, and enhance movement of goods and people.
“I urge communities along the route to support the contractors so that work can go smoothly and on time,” Sani added.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including former Kaduna State Governor, Ramadan Yero; former Senator for Kaduna North, Suleiman Hunkuyi; and other notable stakeholders.
