As the December holiday season nears, the Federal Government has awarded a ₦366 million contract for the palliative repair of the first failed section of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway. The project, which covers the dual carriageway from kilometer 0 + 200 in Zuba, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to kilometer 31 + 200 at the Tafa border (between Niger and Kaduna States), was confirmed on Sunday.
The contractor, Messrs H&M (Nig.) Ltd, mobilized to the site on October 2, 2024, and has been given a two-week completion period for the current phase. The next phase of repairs is expected to be awarded upon completion of this section. The Federal Government has emphasized strict compliance with the contract terms, stating that no deadline extensions will be entertained.
In a statement from the Ministry of Works, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, outlined the scope of the repairs, which include patching potholes and reinstating critically damaged sections. The ministry’s directors, Mohammed Goni (Highways, North Central Zone I) and Olufemi Adetunji (Special Projects, North), reiterated the government’s commitment to completing this critical infrastructure project, which is essential for connecting the Northern and Southern parts of the country.
The project supervisor for H&M (Nig.) Ltd, Lawrence Emmanuel, noted that significant progress has been made, with repairs reaching Dikko Junction in Niger State. Asphalting of the cut sections is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 7, 2024. However, he expressed concerns about heavy traffic hindering the pace of work but assured that the project will still be completed on time.
Additionally, the Federal Controller of Works for the FCT, Yakubu Usman, pledged to maintain close supervision of the repairs with daily inspections. The government also assured the public that once this phase is completed, contracts for the remaining failed sections from Tafa to Kaduna will be awarded.
