FG okays N820.9b for Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Bodo-Bonny roads

• Begins emergency repairs on Abuja-Kaduna highway
• Fixes Lagos-Badagry-Seme border dual carriage

The Federal Government has approved funds for rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, and construction of the Bodo-Bonny highway, including bridges across the Opobo channel.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, also urged Julius Berger (Nig) Plc to expedite work on these critical infrastructural projects. A statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna Orji, quoted the minister as saying during a meeting with German construction firm, represented by its Executive Director, Projects, Benjamin Bott, and Head of Contract Management, Omonigho Brown, in Abuja.

During the meeting, Umahi said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved revision to the contracts for both projects on September 23. The total contract sum for the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway is now set at N740.8 billion, while that of Bodo-Bonny highway is pegged at N80.1 billion.

He stressed the urgency of the projects, particularly the 82-kilometre Section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route, and called on the contractor to mobilise resources across board to ensure completion within 14 months.

The minister explained that out of the approved N740 billion, about N340 billion remains to be disbursed for the remaining work. His words: “Then, we have Section II, which is 82 kilometres by two, which is the section that JBN Plc is working on. And so, if you check what FEC approved on the 23rd of September, FEC had approved that the total contract sum within the scope of Berger would be N740 billion, which means that if you remove N391billion paid already, you now have about N340 billionn remaining, which is the scope of their work for the 164 kilometres.”

He urged the contractor to mobilise in the four sections of the Abuja – Zaria – Kaduna – Kano project to finish the job within 14 months.

Umahi noted that the prices given on the said projects were the best in view of the economic realities of the time.
SIMILARLY, the Federal Ministry of Works has begun emergency repairs on the deteriorating sections of the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway, a major route connecting the northern and southern regions.

According to a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, yesterday, the rehabilitation would improve the state of the road for users.

Ahmed said the contractor, Messrs H&M (Nig) Ltd, mobilised to site on October 2, and has been tasked with completing work on Section I of the expressway. He clarified that Section I, which spans from kilometre 0 + 00 at Zuba (FCT) to kilometre 31 + 200 near the Tafa border between Niger and Kaduna states, is to be completed within two weeks.

“The scope of the contract includes patching existing potholes and reinstating critically failed sections of the roadway. The approved contract sum is N366 million,” he added.

Also, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has undertaken extensive road maintenance along the Lagos-Badagry-Seme border dual carriageway. The project, which spanned the stretch between Iyana Shashi, Customs and Morogbo, was completed by direct labour under the Lagos II West Field Office to improve safety and ease transportation within Lagos State.

The maintenance work included patching of potholes, desilting of drains, repair and recovery of damaged sections for structural stability. According to the Federal Road Maintenance Engineer, Lagos West Field Office, the repairs were to maintain the structural integrity of the road, which serves as a crucial route connecting Lagos to Seme border to facilitate both local and international trade. The agency said the works were in tune with the vision of its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi.