Federal Government Sets 14-Month Deadline for Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road Completion

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the timely completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, with a revised deadline of 14 months.
During a site inspection in Tafa, Niger State, Idris emphasized the government’s determination to deliver the critical road, which connects the Federal Capital Territory to Kano and other key states. The inspection was attended by several high-ranking government officials, including the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, and members of the Senate and House Committees on Works.
Idris explained that the initial contract, awarded to Julius Berger Plc, was revoked due to significant delays and increased costs. Julius Berger had proposed extending the timeline to three years and increasing the contract sum from N797 billion to N1.5 trillion. This led the government to reassign the project to a more efficient contractor. The road project has now been divided into three sections to accelerate construction, with a clear focus on completing it within the revised 14-month period.
The Minister emphasized that President Tinubu is determined to prevent further delays and ensure the project is finished promptly. He stressed that the road’s completion would improve transportation, boost economic activities, and enhance safety for Nigerians. Idris also mentioned that the Ministry of Works had set a target, and the public would be able to hold the Ministry accountable for meeting this goal.
In a separate update, Senator Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, revealed that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) had approved a contract sum of N252.89 billion for the project. The contract includes significant additions, such as 10.6 kilometers of road leading to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, a further 5 kilometers towards Kogi State, and the installation of full solar lighting. Umahi expressed confidence that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) would approve the contract in its next sitting, reinforcing the government’s commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure for Nigerians.