Nearly six years after the federal government initiated the reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, the project remains unfinished. Awarded on December 20, 2018, alongside the Kaduna-Zaria and Zaria-Kano sections by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the contract had an initial completion timeline of three years.
Originally budgeted at N155 billion, the cost of reconstructing the 375.9km dual carriageway from Abuja to Kano was revised in 2021 to N642.2 billion, and further increased to N797.2 billion. In January this year, the current Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, stated that the contractor, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, requested an additional increase to N1.35 trillion, which the government found unaffordable.
The contractor has frequently halted work on the Abuja-Kaduna section, leaving motorists to navigate a deteriorating road. This highway is crucial as it connects the southern part of the country with the North West and North East regions, facilitating the movement of people and goods. Despite funding through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, progress on the Abuja-Kaduna section has been minimal, while the other sections near completion.
Last Thursday, Daily Trust reporters traveled from Zuba, 58km from Abuja, through over 150km to Gonin Gora, 14km from Kaduna, documenting the road’s condition. They interviewed drivers, passengers, and residents about the ongoing delays and state of the road.
The road is a mix of newly tarred sections, abandoned segments, and old parts filled with potholes. Commuters face daily back pain, spinal issues, and accidents due to the rough conditions. Reporters counted 78 minor potholes and 47 major ones in just over 150km, with many sections causing significant driving challenges.
From Zuba Park to the military checkpoint near Zuma Rock, seven potholes were noted. Further along, Gauraka community had even more potholes, turning into ponds with recent rains. At Diko junction in Niger State, the reconstructed road ends, leaving drivers to navigate large craters filled with water.
In Tafa, Niger State, the road continues to feature potholes, while a reconstructed section in Kaduna State ends a few kilometers before Maraban Isa. Diversions, created by construction, are filled with water and craters, causing frequent accidents.
In Jere, Kaduna State, the road is similarly riddled with potholes, forcing drivers to abandon the outbound lane. However, after Rijana, the road improves significantly until Olam Farm and Hatcheries. Despite some activity at the contractor’s outpost in Rijana, the main focus is now on the Gonin-Gora section near Kaduna.
Residents and motorists shared their frustrations. Abdulhadi Saleh at Maraban Isa described how they fill potholes with stones to reduce accidents. Aliyu Abubakar, fixing potholes in Jere, noted frequent accidents due to road conditions. Ibrahim Ladan’s truck overturned at Diko Junction due to poor conditions, costing him N2 million in repairs.
The Minister of Works, Umahi, assured that the project would be completed within 12 months, following a budget procurement. He attributed previous delays to funding issues and directed contractors to focus on completing one carriageway at a time. The completion timeline has shifted multiple times, with previous assurances of completion by the first quarter of this year.
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