By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Dual Carriage Way will be ready for use in 14 months.
Idris made this known at the inauguration of the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Dual Carriage Way, Section 1 ( Abuja to Kaduna) Rigid Pavement on Thursday at Abuja-Kaduna Road.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while Section 1 of road is from Abuja to Kaduna, Section 2 is from Kaduna to Zaria, and Section 3 is from Zaria to Kano.
The description and scope of works include, Scarification and Pulverization of existing bituminous surface as sub-base material and filling of embankments.
Other are, Provision of approved crushed rock material (wet or dry) to 100mm thickness with three per cent stabilisation in shoulders and carriageway reinforced concrete lined drains and other hydraulic structures where necessary
Similarly, other description and scope of works are Provision of median barriers and median drains where necessary, and Provision of CRCP 200mm thick on carriageway and shoulders.
Idris said the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi has explained extensively and put the politics of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road to rest.
“President Bola Tinubu is very committed and determine to ensure that this road from Abuja to Kano is completed in record time of 14 months.
“This is the reason the government cancelled the road contract with the former contractor who said it would complete the road in three years and the government refused and insisted on 14 months.
“And also, that is why it was broken into three segments for ease of construction. Nigerians, especially those plying this road are anxious to see that the road is completed.
“The Honourable minister of work, the Permanent Secretary and his team and the National Assembly that is given them support are also eager to see that this road is completed on schedule.
“Delay of any kind will not be accepted. President Bola Tinubu has given a matching order and the National Assembly is also given them the necessary cooperation and there will be no issues.
“Within 14 months, we are going to have a brand new road,.plying from Abuja end to Kano,” Idris said.
Meanwhile Umahi further explained that there is an extension of the road to reach Aminu Kano International Airport and another five kilometre extension on the Abuja-Lokoja end of the road.
He said, Section 1 of the Abuja –Kaduna Project Road starts at Zuba Junction, Zuba Interchange and terminates at Kaduna Western Bypass in Kaduna State Capital.
He noted that the road, which will have have solar lights would last between 50 and 100 years.
“Note that the existing pavement between Abuja to Kaduna has undergone different levels of deterioration over the years, causing failure due to Alligator Cracks, Corrugation, Shoving, Underground pumping, Rutting, Raveling, Potholes and poor drainage.
“The Ministry quickly intervened by commencing palliatives/emergency repairs on this stretch in order to ameliorate the suffering of the road users. The maintenance work is in progress in four different stretches simultaneously in order to fast track the repair works.
“We strongly believe that the detailed explanation presented here will bring to an end the politics of this project. We want the public to hold us responsible for the goals we have set for ourselves in completing this important project,” Umahi said.
NAN reports that dignitaries at the inauguration of the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano include , Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Sen. Mpigi Barinada, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Tourism, Sen. Anthony Okorie Ani and many others.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA