Federal Government Approves Over N840 Billion for Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway Rehabilitation
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved a massive sum of over N840 billion for the rehabilitation of the 82-kilometer Section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway. The funds will also be used for the construction of the Bodo-Bonny Road with bridges across the Opobo Channel, Route 430, in Rivers State.
According to a statement signed by the Minister’s Special Adviser (Media), Orji Uchenna Orji, the rehabilitation project is expected to be completed within 14 months. The minister, David Umahi, made the disclosure at a meeting with representatives of the main contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, in Abuja.
Umahi emphasized the importance of fast-tracking the completion of the projects, citing the premium placed on them by President Bola Tinubu. He urged the contractor to mobilize and complete the job within the given timeframe, considering the current economic situation and inflation rate.
The minister also called on contractors handling Federal Government projects to prioritize corporate nationalism in price negotiation, given the daunting economic challenges facing Nigeria. Umahi stressed that there must be an end to negotiation and expressed readiness to pay Julius Berger fresh mobilization to underscore the interest of the President in the project.
The rehabilitation project involves the re-scoping and downward review of the contract for the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, with a revised estimated total cost of N740 billion. The Bodo-Bonny project, on the other hand, has been agreed upon at a new contract sum of N280 billion, with a 12-month completion period.
Umahi hoped that the contractor would be able to sign the addendum to the contract on Monday, and appealed to them to mobilize in a minimum of three locations to complete the job within the given timeframe. With this massive investment, the Federal Government is taking significant steps to improve the country’s infrastructure and economic prospects.
