The Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway restoration project has received President Bola Tinubu’s approval to use Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) instead of asphalt for the remaining 127 kilometers.

According to a statement released yesterday by Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations, the contract, which was split into three pieces, was given to Messrs. Julius Berger (Nig.) plc on December 20, 2017, for an initial value of N155.7 billion with a 36-month completion time.

Only Section II (Kaduna-Zaria) has been finished and partially turned over, according to the report, while Section III (Zaria-Kano) is only partially finished. Section I, on the other hand, is still in a terrible condition that has been made worse by ongoing wear and tear and the whims of the weather.

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According to the ministry, the portion was modified and re-scoped to lessen the suffering of road users along the alignment. More importantly, it is in  accordance with the current administration’s aim to improve transportation and key infrastructure as growth accelerators.

Federal Govt To Terminate the Contract With Julius Berger

Source: Inside kaduna/Facebook

The project redesign follows the federal government’s decision to terminate the construction company Julius Berger’s contract for the Abuja-Kaduna dual carriageway road project due to noncompliance with the scope of work, excessive cost, and work halt.

“It was divided into two  phases with section 1, phase 1, covering 38 kilometres, redesigned to be built with CRCP and awarded to Messrs Dangote Industries Ltd., who subcontracted it to Messrs Hitech Africa Construction Ltd.

“However, due to the slow pace of work and abandonment of the remaining 127 kilometres, also considering the plight of road users and, most importantly, its socioeconomic impact as a gateway to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the North, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has, continuously engaged the company to accept the final revised contract sum and remobilise to site.

“The lackadaisical  approach to the project by the company, despite several variations and augmentations, prompted the Ministry to convey the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for a Final Offer of a reviewed contract sum of N740.7.

“They were asked to accept the offer within seven days or the contract will be terminated. The ultimatum expired on the 4th of November, 2024 and the company had already been served a 14-day notice of termination of contract,” the statement added.

At several forums, the minister had made hints that the ministry was prepared to proceed with the abuja-kaduna dual carriageway project on concrete, so they might as well abandon it if Julius Berger refused to continue at the agreed-upon cost.

It further stated that it will continue to be of the same caliber as the Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway or the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which are both constructed to last for 50–100 years.

According to Umahi, President Bola Tinubu is anxious to see the standstill on the remaining portion of the abuja-kaduna carriageway crucial project resolved so that construction may start.