The Federal Government has announced plans to commence emergency repairs on a critical portion of the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway to ease vehicular movement and boost national economic activities.

Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, made the announcement over the weekend during an inspection visit to the severely damaged section of the road.

The Abuja-Kaduna section of the expressway is part of the larger Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road project, which was first initiated in 1987 and completed in phases.

The reconstruction contract for the Abuja-Kaduna stretch was awarded in 2018 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

Initially intended as a rehabilitation project covering 92.5 kilometers in three sections over 36 months, the scope was later revised to full reconstruction in 2020.

Although the project was to be funded through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), it encountered delays, including the contractor demobilizing from the Abuja-Kaduna section.

In April, Umahi disclosed that the full Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway reconstruction would cost N777 billion.

He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the completion and reconstruction of sections 1 and 3—covering a total of 118 kilometers—for N252 billion, with 30 percent of the amount already paid to Infiouest, the contractor.

The minister’s recent commitment, although not tied to a specific timeline, followed his latest inspection tour of the expressway.

Representing Umahi during the visit, Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, noted that the damaged portion—approximately 500 meters near the Federal Cooperative College at the Abuja junction in Kaduna—poses a significant challenge to the movement of people, goods, and services.

“This vital corridor is a major link within the nation’s socio-economic zones, and its failed condition has greatly increased the hardship of motorists and disrupted economic activity,” Goronyo stated.

He emphasized that the current administration remains committed to making Nigerian roads safe and motorable, despite funding constraints.

“The President has made it a priority to ensure swift interventions where necessary to ease the suffering of Nigerians,” he added.

Goronyo assured that the Ministry has assessed the damaged section and will begin emergency repairs immediately. He described the action as part of a broader agenda to strengthen road infrastructure and establish an efficient national transportation network.

In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, the Minister appealed for the patience and understanding of road users.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering durable roads and bridges that will support Nigeria’s accelerated development.