The Federal Government has awarded a contract to the tune of ₦366m for the first phase of palliative repair of Abuja-Kaduna highway. The repair work will take charge of the failed section of the dual carriage way.
The phased emergency repairs of the failed portions of the dual carriageway begin from kilometer 0 + 200 at Zuba, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and end at kilometre 31 + 200 (Tafa, Niger/Kaduna States’ border).
The contractor, Messrs H&M (Nig.) Ltd, who had since Wednesday, 2nd October 2024 mobilised to the site has a two-week completion period for the project after which the next phase is expected to be awarded.
The government stressed that strict adherence to the contract terms is non-negotiable, and no extension of the completion deadline will be considered.
These emerged in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, who said the scope of the contract consists of patching existing potholes, as well as the reinstatement of critically failed sections of the said alignment.
According to the statement, while speaking during a tour of the project on Saturday, 5th October 2024, the Directors, Highways, North Central Zone I, Mohammed Goni and Special Projects (North), Olufemi Adetunji urged the contractor to adhere to the terms of the contract, as no extension of the completion period will be entertained.
Describing the project as a catalyst for economic growth and a vital artery connecting the Northern and Southern parts of the country, the officials reiterated the resolve of the government to provide critical road infrastructure.
They assured Nigerians that with the successful completion of the contract, the remaining failed parts from Tafa-Kaduna will also be awarded.
The Project Supervisor, H&M (Nig.) Ltd, Lawrence Emmanuel disclosed that work is ongoing with the cutting and shaping of the failed portions reaching Dikko Junction in Niger State, while the asphalting of the cut points is expected to start on Monday, 7th October 2024.
The contractor expressed concerns over the heavy traffic on the road, which has been hindering the progress of the work but reassured that the project will still be completed by the scheduled date.
Meanwhile, the Federal Controller of Works for the FCT, Yakubu Usman, pledged to conduct daily inspections and maintain close supervision of the project.
