Minister of state for works, Bello Goronyo, says the N72 billion dualisation of the Abuja-Keffi Road will be completed in June 2026.
He stated this yesterday during an inspection tour of the road project being handled by Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Nigeria Limited.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace of work and assured the contractor of timely release of funds.
He said the project which has attained 42 percent completion would open up the corridor and economic activities.
“This road is very critical because it’s criss-crossing a lot of states from Abuja to Nasarawa to Benue all the way to Enugu and Port Harcourt. We have completed from Keffi to Makurdi. This one from Mararaba to Keffi is ongoing and Makurdi to Enugu is ongoing, achievable progress has already been made. What we are expecting is that by June next year, the entire stretch of this road from Abuja to Port Harcourt will be completed,” he said.
The minister said completion of the project would open up economic activities and by extension reduce travel time.
“From the assessment so far, I can say comfortably that they have made appreciable progress because they have achieved over 40 percent completion. Because this contract was awarded in June 2023 with a completion period of 30 months and they started work on 20th of December last year. Now you can see that they have gotten up to 42 percent completion so what it means is that by June next year, the project is going to be completed along with other projects along this corridor so that by the end of June 2026, Mr President will come and commission this project for Nigerians.
“Let me assure Nigerians that this project will not have any issue of cash challenges because once the certificate is ready, we are ready to pay, the money is there, it doesn’t wait for budget,” he said.
Earlier, the federal controller, FCT Works, Engr. Yakubu Usman, highlighted the progress and challenges associated with the project.
He said, “Chaotic heavy traffic at Mararaba axis of the project is actually affecting the progress of work but enough caution signs are installed to regulate the flow of traffic. Also, the Abuja-bound traffic is diverted to the Keffi bound lane to assist the contractor to improve the progress of work.”
He decried overspeeding, disregard of caution/warning signs by motorists and non-payment of certified works.
“The issue of relocation of electric poles has been approved, but the fund is yet to be released by the contractor, Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd; and lack of project vehicles for the ministry’s staff to enable effective supervision and project monitoring,” he added.
He, however, noted that approval was recently granted by the minister for the re-scoping/rate review of the contract. The re-scoping was limited to the original contract sum, and the revised scope of works only covers the completion of the Keffi- bound carriageway including the maintenance of the Abuja-bound carriageway.
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