From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Minister of Works Engineer David Umahi has disclosed that rebuilding Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road would cost the federal government a total of N761 billion and the project would last for 100 years.
Speaking during the inspection of the three sections of the road at the weekend, Umahi said that the project is divided into three sections—1, 2, 3.
For sections 1 and 3, a total of 118 kilometres was given at a total price of N252 billion and the president has paid 30 per cent, which is around N60 billion. Section 2 is about 72 kilometres which is a reinforced concrete with 15 kilometres going to be on flexible asphalt pavement.
The total cost of it, according to him, is N507 billion and 30 per cent has been paid which is over N150 billion.
“If we combine the two projects up to Kano, it is about N761 billion, which is highly courageous and I commend the president for his interest in building these roads.
“We tagged the project as rebuilding Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road by President Bola Tinubu. He has so much passion that the road be completed and he’s funding it as a priority project.
“We are happy for the section to be completed on concrete. Before the road was constructed by the other administrations it lasted for 10 years. Now, we are very happy and assured that the roads being built by the present administration will last for over 100 years and it is a legacy we will leave for incoming generations as there will be no need for rebuilding those roads again. This explains why we have to talk to the contractors to do a good job.
“The president has directed that we replicate what we have in the West around here with all accompanied facilities and we will do his bidding.
“We want to commend the contractors and we also want to frown seriously because my integrity is at stake if we don’t complete the project in 14 months,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians and young engineers to understand the new trend and innovation in road construction, noting that the president has directed that no Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) project should be stopped.
“We are going to prioritise it. We are going to put forward what a contractor will do in the next one year. We are going to work on milestone and not on certificate.
“Roads and bridges are the indicators that grow our gross domestic product (GDP). It is on this GDP that other sectors of our economy grow based on durable roads and bridges,” he noted.
On his part, Minister of State for Works Muhammad Goronyo thanked the contractors for the quality of job done so far and urged them to do more in order to meet up the deadline and cover up the time wasted during the rainy season. “People are anxious for the timely completion of this project,” he said.
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