Abuja-Kaduna highway 80% completion, set to open April end

The Federal Government has announced that the long-awaited Abuja-Kaduna highway is now 80 per cent complete, with 60 kilometres of its redesigned concrete pavement already delivered and the remaining sections slated for completion by the end of April.

During an inspection tour on Tuesday as part of the National Media Tour, the Ministry of Works disclosed that the remaining 21 kilometres of the Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement are being fast-tracked for delivery within weeks.

The project, originally handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, was terminated and re-awarded to Infouest Nigeria Limited, with the government opting for a more durable rigid pavement design over the initial asphaltic layer.

Chukwuma Kalu, the Controller of Works overseeing the project, described the highway as the “heartbeat of the nation,” stressing its importance as a vital link between the North-Central, North-West, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“This road is so important that this government thought it wise to have it done once and for all. That is why it was redesigned from asphaltic to rigid pavement—to ensure durability and longevity,” Kalu said.

Providing a breakdown of progress, Kalu revealed that the 6.63-kilometre dual asphalt carriageway in Kano, including the airport link road, has been completed and fitted with streetlights. He added that the 17.3-kilometre asphalt section leading to the Kano-Zaria road is approximately 80 per cent finished.

“Out of the 81 kilometres of CRCP, we have completed 60 kilometres. We have 21 kilometres left, and we are confident of delivering before the end of April,” he stated.

Kalu also addressed concerns from road users about visible progress, explaining that work is ongoing in previously omitted sections and that construction teams are operating in day and night shifts to meet the deadline.

Robert Turner, Senior Project Manager at Infouest Nigeria Limited, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the project on schedule, noting that finishing Section One on time would pave the way for Section Two.

“It is our privilege to complete this project in time. It will serve the country economically, socially, and in terms of connectivity,” Turner said.

The Abuja-Kaduna highway remains one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors, linking the capital to northern states and serving as a key route for commuters and freight. Prolonged delays and deteriorating conditions had sparked public concern, prompting a strategic redesign and contract review.

If completed as scheduled in April, the project is expected to boost confidence in the government’s infrastructure agenda and improve travel safety and efficiency along the strategic corridor.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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