Abuja-Kano Road Project Valued at N752 Billion Expected to Reach Completion by November, Says Umahi

The Federal Government has announced that the remaining portions of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway are slated for completion by November, with the overall cost of the ongoing project now estimated to be around N752bn.

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David Umahi, the Minister of Works, made this revelation in Abuja on Monday, stating that over 80 per cent of the cost for the two major sections being handled by the current administration has already been settled.

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The minister also disclosed that the government is in the process of installing solar-powered streetlights along the highway, with plans to deploy "superhighway guards" to protect the road from vandalism, following instances of individuals attempting to remove sections of the concrete pavement.

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This announcement was made when Umahi was being decorated as the Patron of the National Association of Nigerian Students by the union's leadership at the Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja.

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According to Umahi, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route spans 375 kilometres in one direction, which translates to 750 kilometres when considering both carriageways.

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The minister explained that the Federal Government had previously allocated more than N200bn for the portion of the road being handled by Julius Berger, with the contractor completing 240 kilometres on each carriageway, amounting to a total of 480 kilometres.

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He noted that another 140 kilometres, or 280 kilometres when considering both carriageways, remains to be completed, with the current administration having completed 118 kilometres of the road with concrete pavement within a span of 30 months.

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Umahi stated that work is ongoing on the remaining 164 kilometres, which is equivalent to 82 kilometres on each carriageway, with the two sections being executed by the government valued at N752bn.

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Umahi mentioned that "the Abuja to Kaduna to Zaria to Kano is 375 kilometres by two, that's 750 kilometers," and that "the President funded part of this project under Julius Berger, with over 200 billion spent, resulting in 240 kilometres by two, that's 480, and remaining 140 kilometres by two, that's 280 kilometres."

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He emphasized that "for the first time, we are able to complete 118 kilometres of Route 118 on concrete pavement within 30 months, which has never happened before," and that the government is "battling with the remaining 164 kilometres, that's 82 kilometres by two, with both projects costing us 752 billion under the President."

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Umahi expressed confidence that "over 80 per cent has been paid, and we believe that by November the entire stretch would have been completed," while also highlighting the installation of solar lights, with "every 30 meters, you have four poles."

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The minister also announced plans to inaugurate "superhighway guards" to protect the road, drawing from his experience in Lagos where coastal guards were recently inaugurated, as he had witnessed individuals digging up the concrete to remove roads.

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The Federal Government is determined to protect its significant investment in the highway from vandalism and other acts that could undermine the road after completion, with the proposed guards set to complement the government's infrastructure protection efforts.

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Umahi also used the occasion to justify the administration's spending on infrastructure, arguing that these projects are generating jobs and opening up economic opportunities across the country, with every major construction site creating direct and indirect employment.

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He stressed that infrastructure investments should not be viewed solely as government expenditure, as they have a broader impact on the economy and society as a whole.