FG Approves Full Reconstruction Of Abuja- Kaduna- Kano Road

The Federal Government has approved the full reconstruction of Abuja- Kaduna- Zaria -Kano Road, Managing Director of Julius Berger Plc Dr. Lars Richter has said

This is just as Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has called for peace from all stakeholders to enable the contractors handling the project, Julius Berger to continue with the great quality job the company is clearly implenting on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.

“The scope of works for the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, also known by the acronym AKR, for reason of superior considerations regarding durable and lasting quality of its final delivery, has been altered from adhoc rehabilitation of broken segments to comprehensive reconstruction by the client, the Federal Government” Richter announced

He revealed during a presentation made at the Town Hall meeting held at the Kaduna State University Main auditorium in Kaduna

Richter explained that the scope of work has been broken down into three sections: Section 1 stretching at 165.5km from Abuja to Kaduna; Section 2 comprising a length of 73.4km from Kaduna to Zaria; and Section 3 with a distance of 137.0km from Zaria to Kano.

He added that construction works was going on simultaneously on all the three sections of the road.

According to him, the A2 Highway is one of the most important highways, running from North to South through densely populated areas and the AKR is a critical part of the highway system, and therefore plays a tremendous role in industrial growth and socio-economic development.

Those present at the Town hall meeting include, The Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Minster, of Works and Housing, His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, Distinguished Senators and Honourable members of the House of Representatives, Community leaders, members of Julius Berger’s Executive Management and project implementation team.

On the status of the works, Dr Richter highlighted that the project includes reconstruction of 2×2 Dual Carriageway with new technology; drainage works for Rural and township areas; and immediate and continuing palliative works to ensure commuters continue to ply the road route for their legitimate businesses without hindrance.

On the major concern of stakeholders with regard to avoidable accidents along the project route, the Julius Berger MD said that road traffic management concept and safety assurance procedure has also been put in place with clear diversions across all work zones in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission, while appeallingt to road users to comply with road signs and diversions provided by Julius Berger to ensure safety of lives and equipment on the road at all times.

Meanwhile the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to completing the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway at the town hall meeting of stakeholders in Kaduna.

Fashola emphasized that President Muhammadu Buhari is more passionate about the successful completion and commissioning of the AKR as well as other priority projects of his administration, adding that “whatever measures it would take, the Buhari administration is determined to complete the project, especially during this administration’s tenure in office as a beneficial legacy for Nigerians”.

Similarly Honourable Minister of Finance, Hajija Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed on her part said that while the completion of the project on paper is slated for 2025, the Federal Government will certainly work to actualise and commission the project as a legacy landmark for citizens beneficial use within the tenure of the Buhari administration.

However, in his remarks,Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduja, urged all stakeholders and host communities to stick with what is good and give security and peace a chance for Julius Berger to continue doing the great quality job they are doing on the road.

“We in Kano are very satisfied with the excellent quality of the ongoing works on the road”, said the Governor.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari who represented President Buhari at the meeting and who had earlier inspected the works, also said the quality of the ongoing works on the project is manifestly very good.

He said President Buhari is determined to address the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria in spite of paucity of funds.

“The priority infrastructural projects of the Buhari administration will by all means necessary be accomplished within the tenure of President Buhari’s administration”, Gambari said.

The Town Hall meeting was organized and convened by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to the President