Abuja-Kaduna highway reconstruction set for 2024 completion, says Umahi

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has affirmed that the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway reconstruction project will be completed by the end of 2024.

During a visit to Kaduna on Thursday, Umahi assured Governor Uba Sani that the Federal Government remains committed to rehabilitating deteriorating federal roads.

Umahi explained that his visit to Kaduna was prompted by a directive from President Bola Tinubu to evaluate ongoing road projects across all six geopolitical zones of the country.

He highlighted that this tour underscores the significance President Tinubu places on the North West region, noting, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed me to personally inspect this project and report directly back to him, which is why we are here.”

“Yesterday, we had a meeting with the South West contractors. Tomorrow, we will have a meeting with all the contractors working in the North West region. On Saturday, we will focus on North Central, and on Sunday, we will turn our attention to another region,” Umahi stated.

Acknowledging the Kaduna state government’s focus on citizen-centric policies, the minister lauded their notable achievements across various sectors, despite their relatively recent administration.

“We are very confident in Kaduna State. My big brother El-rufai has done quite a lot. I am very confident that the new Governor will further improve Kaduna State based on how he has handled it so far,” he asserted.

Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, representing Governor Uba Sani, expressed hope over the resumption of work on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria road project.

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She appealed to the federal ministry of works for a swift project completion to enhance security.

During the meeting, the deputy governor appealed to the minister for the consideration and completion of the long-standing Kaduna Eastern Bypass project. This project, initiated in 2002, revised in 2017, with an initial deadline of 2021, provides an alternate route for travelers between Southern States and Abuja, thus easing pressure on Kaduna’s inner roads and reducing travel time.

She extended congratulations to the minister on his well-deserved appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to oversee the Ministry of Works and Housing, citing his commendable performance as a governor in Ebonyi State as the basis for the President’s trust and confidence.