Fresh Update Emerge On Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road Project
The Federal Government has announced that the dual carriageway connecting Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano is expected to be completed within 14 months.
This information was shared by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the inauguration of the rehabilitation project for Section 1 of the road, which extends from Abuja to Kaduna, on Thursday.
Naija News reports that Section 1 covers the route from Abuja to Kaduna, while Section 2 runs from Kaduna to Zaria, and Section 3 connects Zaria to Kano.
The project entails various tasks, including the scarification and pulverization of the existing bituminous surface to serve as sub-base material, as well as the filling of embankments.
Additional work includes providing approved crushed rock material, either wet or dry, to a thickness of 100mm with three per cent stabilization in the shoulders and carriageway, along with the installation of reinforced concrete lined drains and other necessary hydraulic structures.
Furthermore, the project scope encompasses the installation of median barriers and median drains where required, as well as the application of CRCP with a thickness of 200mm on both the carriageway and shoulders.
Idris noted that the Minister of Works, David Umahi,had thoroughly addressed the political aspects concerning the road project.
“President Bola Tinubu is very committed and determined to ensure that this road from Abuja to Kano is completed in record time of 14 months.
“This is the reason the government cancelled the road contract with the former contractor who said it would complete the road in three years and the government refused and insisted on 14 months.
“That is also why it was broken into three segments for ease of construction. Nigerians, especially those plying this road, are anxious to see that the road is completed,” he said.
The Minister stressed that delay of any kind would no longer be tolerated.
“The President has given a matching order, and the National Assembly is also given them the necessary cooperation and there will be no issues.
“Within 14 months, we are going to have a brand new road from Abuja end to Kano,” Idris said.
On his part, Umahi elaborated that there has been an extension of the roadway leading to Aminu Kano International Airport, along with an additional five-kilometre extension on the Abuja-Lokoja segment of the road.
He indicated that Section 1 of the road commences at Zuba Junction, proceeds through Zuba Interchange, and concludes at the Kaduna Western Bypass in Kaduna.
He further stated that the road, which is designed to incorporate solar lighting, is expected to have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years.
“Note that the existing pavement between Abuja to Kaduna has undergone different levels of deterioration over the years.
“This has caused failure due to alligator cracks, corrugation, shoving, underground pumping, rutting, ravelling, potholes and poor drainage.
“The ministry quickly intervened by commencing emergency repairs on this stretch in order to ameliorate the suffering of the road users.
“The maintenance work is in progress in four different stretches simultaneously in order to fast-track the repair works,” Umahi said.
