Govt Inaugurates Emergency, Special Intervention Roads In Kaduna

The federal government has launched three emergency and special intervention road projects across Kaduna State and reaffirmed its commitment to rehabilitating critical federal road infrastructure, easing traffic congestion and strengthening economic connectivity in the North-West.

The projects were unveiled during an inspection tour led by the federal controller of Works in Kaduna State, Engr. Ulagu Loveday, who said the interventions were part of the government’s emergency and special intervention programme aimed at rehabilitating roads that had deteriorated to dangerous levels.

According to him, the commissioned roads include the 4.3-kilometre Sabo Rail Bridge–Command Junction corridor along the Western Bypass in Chikun Local Government Area; the 1.2-kilometre Mahuta NNPC Pipeline–Nigerian Army Post Service Housing Road, also in Chikun LGA; and the 4.5-kilometre Taban Sani Road in Makarfi local government area along the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Highway.

The delegation also inspected key federal corridors, including the Abuja–Kaduna Highway as well as sections of the Eastern and Western Bypass roads, which are designed to decongest Kaduna metropolis and improve regional traffic flow.

At the Chikaji Bridge section of the Eastern Bypass, Ulagu disclosed that the 58.5-kilometre project was awarded in 2002 but had been delayed due to funding challenges.

“The project was initially awarded at N16 billion, later augmented to N38 billion and further revised to N74.649 billion in 2017. So far, about N28 billion has been released to the contractor, while outstanding payment certificates are currently being processed”.

The project manager of Eksiogullari Construction Company Nigeria Limited, Engr. Yunusa Salihu, explained that the road involves virgin construction with complex engineering works, including multiple bridges and interchanges.

He said about 36 kilometres of the road have been constructed, out of which 24 kilometres are already open to traffic, adding that physical completion stands at about 57 per cent while financial completion is approximately 48 per cent.

Representing the Dangote Group, Engr. Jonathan Obrusu, said the company provides technical and financial support to ensure the delivery of a durable road that meets approved standards.

Also, the senior special assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North-West Zone, Abdullahi Tanko Yankasai, said the inspection and inauguration of the roads underscored the administration’s determination to connect communities, open up economic corridors and reduce hardship through sustained infrastructure development.

He added that the emergency intervention roads were designed to provide immediate relief to road users, while major reconstruction works continue on strategic highways across the region.