As the December holiday season approaches, the federal government has awarded a ₦336 million contract for palliative repairs on the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway. The project targets the first failed section of the road, spanning from Kilometer 0 + 200 at Zuba, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to Kilometer 31 + 200, located at the Tafa border between Niger and Kaduna States.

The contractor, Messrs H&M (Nig.) Ltd, began mobilizing on-site on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. The company has been given a strict two-week deadline to complete the repairs, after which the next phase of the project is expected to be awarded.

A statement from the Ministry of Works, delivered by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, emphasized that the project involves patching existing potholes and reinstating critically failed sections of the road. The ministry insisted that the completion deadline must be met, and no extensions will be granted.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, October 5, 2024, Mohammed Goni, Director of Highways for North Central Zone I, and Olufemi Adetunji, Director of Special Projects (North), reiterated the government’s stance on timely completion. They stressed the importance of the Abuja-Kaduna road as a critical link between the Northern and Southern regions, calling it a catalyst for economic growth.

The officials assured the public that upon the successful completion of this phase, repairs for the remaining failed sections from Tafa to Kaduna will be awarded.

Lawrence Emmanuel, Project Supervisor for H&M (Nig.) Ltd, stated that work is progressing at the Dikko Junction in Niger State, with the shaping and cutting of failed portions nearing completion. The asphalting of these areas is set to commence on Monday, October 7, 2024.