By Faridat Salifu
In a proactive move to enhance road safety and accessibility, the Federal Ministry of Works has commenced urgent repair works on the Abuja-Kaduna Dual Carriageway.
This development was shared by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, in a press statement issued on Sunday.
The repair project, undertaken by Messrs H&M (Nig.) Ltd, officially commenced on October 2, 2024. This initial phase, designated as Section I, covers a stretch from Zuba, FCT (kilometre 0 + 00) to Tafa, the border with Niger/Kaduna States (kilometre 31 + 200).
With a stringent completion deadline of two weeks, the project primarily focuses on addressing existing potholes and repairing critically damaged sections of the highway, with a contract sum of N366 million.
During an inspection visit on Saturday, officials including the Director of Highways for the North Central Zone I, Mohammed Goni, and the Director of Special Projects (North), Olufemi Adetunji, emphasized the importance of adhering to the contract terms, making it clear that no extensions would be permitted for this project.
Goni highlighted the significance of the dual carriageway, describing it as a crucial link between Nigeria’s Northern and Southern regions, which plays a vital role in driving economic development.
The He reassured Nigerians that further repairs on the remaining sections from Tafa to Kaduna are planned for the future, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to improving key road infrastructure across the country.
Mr. Lawrence Emmanuel, Project Supervisor for H&M (Nig.) Ltd, reported steady progress on the site, where work is currently focused on cutting and reshaping the damaged sections leading up to Dikko Junction in Niger State.
He noted that asphalting work is set to begin on Monday but expressed concern that heavy traffic could affect the pace of ongoing repairs. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about meeting the project deadline.
Adding to the oversight, Yakubu Usman, the Federal Controller of Works for FCT, pledged to conduct daily inspections to ensure the project’s integrity and timely completion.
While repairs takes place, road users are encouraged to exercise patience and comply with traffic management measures to facilitate smooth operations.
