President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Federal Highway, a critical road vital to the socio-economic life of Northern Nigeria.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration awarded the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road project to Julius Berger. Still, work stopped as the present administration revoked the project and awarded it to another contractor.
However, some sections of the road were completed.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the President, Governor Uba Sani described the road as a major artery linking the Federal Capital Territory to over 12 states across the North Central, North West, and North East geopolitical zones.
At the event at Jere in Kagarko local government on Sunday, Governor Sani noted that the road had suffered neglect for several years, costing lives and hurting economic growth.
Governor Sani described the road as the busiest in the north and second busiest in Nigeria, after the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, lamenting that the people watched helplessly as its condition worsened over the years.
“The reconstruction of this road will undoubtedly bring much-needed relief and development to our communities. It will create job opportunities and boost security, transforming our region‘s socio-economic and political landscape,” he added.
Sani recalled that as a senator, he had pushed for the road’s completion by mobilising fellow lawmakers, organising a town hall meeting, and engaging directly with President Tinubu.
The governor said the contractor‘s reason for not completing the project, apart from funding, was the insecurity prevailing along the Kaduna-Abuja road at that time.
Sani noted that the non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity is bearing fruits, as motorists can ply the road without fear of being attacked.
The governor commended the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for stabilising the security situation along the route by effectively coordinating security agencies and implementing the Kaduna Peace Model.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, assured Nigerians that the 700-kilometer road with concrete-reinforced pavement would be completed within 14 months.
Umahi said the road’s standard will be like the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and that the president has added 11 kilometres to the 280 kilometres at the Kano section, extending to the Aminu Kano International Airport.
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