Next govt will complete Abuja-Kano highway – Fashola

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has revealed that the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway will be completed by the next administration.

He stated that the present administration could due fulfil its promise due to security challenges experienced in 2022 and the relocation of some communities on the Zaria section of the 265km road project.

The reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway is divided into three sections.

In a statement signed by the works ministry spokesperson, Blessing Lere – Adams, on Tuesday, said the minister disclosed this after an inspection tour of the highway with the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

It added that sections 2 and 3, which are 210 kilometres combined, would be completed and commissioned by President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) before he leaves office in May.

He said, “We have promised to deliver this project before the end of this administration and by the grace of God we will do that.

“Section II (Kaduna-Zaria), which is 73 kilometres, will be completed before this weekend as assured by the contractor. Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) will continue beyond the tenure of this administration, we lost about a year in 2022, due to criminal activities and rights of way.”

On his part, the Managing Director of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, affirmed his organisation’s commitment and readiness to provide the funding for the project.

He noted that it was important to resolve issues of right of way and security for the projects to proceed according to schedule.