The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to complete the Abuja/Kaduna/Kano/Katsina projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda within a record time.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the declaration during a courtesy visit of the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, to his office in Mabushi, Abuja.
Umahi said he had the President’s directive to present a programme that could see to the completion of the project within the next year, assuring the governor that the project, which was inherited from the past administration, would commence in three sections as soon as possible.
He explained, “We are going to have the first section of 38 kilometres by two (which is 76 kilometres) done with concrete by Dangote Group of Companies on Tax Credit.
We will leave the next 82 kilometres for Julius Berger to handle.”
“Then the last 20 kilometres by two (which is 40 kilometres) will be handled for BUA with concrete also. We can assure you that the job will begin in these three sections this May.”
The minister, therefore, commended the governor for the peace and development being witnessed in Kaduna despite inherent challenges.
According to him, the ministry also has the President’s directive to design the 1,000-kilometre Sokoto/Badagry highway, noting that the project would cover the old African trade route of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, connecting to Badagry.
Umahi also hinted that a proposal was being made to link the South East to the North through the Trans-Sahara highway that would pass through Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and end in Abuja.
Earlier, Governor Sani had extolled the vision and will of the President in revolutionising road infrastructure, which is a catalyst for socio-economic development.
He commended the President’s initiative to construct the Lagos/Calabar road and the Sokoto-Badagry road, noting that the projects would enhance growth, as well as government’s intervention in the Eastern bypass in Kaduna, the Mando/Benigwari road connecting the North West.
