Almost six years after the federal government awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, the project has still yet to be completed and portions of it have become nightmares for travellers.
The contract for the Abuja-Kaduna section of the project was awarded alongside the Kaduna-Zaria and Zaria-Kano sections on December 20, 2018, by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and had an initial completion period of three years.
The reconstruction of the 375.9km dual carriageway from Abuja to Kano was first awarded at the cost of N155 billion. But the cost was reviewed in 2021 to N642.2 billion. Again, it was increased to N797.2 billion.
In January this year, the current Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, said the contractor, Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, had asked for a further upward review to N1.35 trillion, an amount the minister said the government could not afford.
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The contractor handling the project had de-mobilised from the Abuja-Kaduna section of the road project severally, even as motorists continued to drive through difficulties.
The ‘Trunk A’ Abuja-Kaduna Highway links the southern part of the country with the North West and North East geopolitical zones, and serves as the major artery for the movement of people, food items and other goods.
The project, which was contracted, and is being funded through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, has seen little progress on the Abuja-Kaduna section, though the other two sections are nearing completion.
Daily Trust commissioned its reporters on Thursday last week to take a drive from Zuba, which is 58km from the Abuja city centre, through a stretch of over 150km to Gonin Gora, a settlement that is 14km away from Kaduna, and they reported about the state of the road.
They also sampled the views of drivers, passengers and residents of settlements along the way about the state of the road, as well as the delay in reconstructing it.
Our reporters said the road is now a mishmash of new-tarred portions, with some parts abandoned midway, as well as old sections replete with potholes.
Further findings by our reporters show that on a daily basis, commuters plying the twin-lane road frequently suffer from back pain, spinal issues, and posture-related problems due to the constant jolting and vibrations at various points, and that it is also replete with recurrent accidents, which result in loss of lives and property.
Over 100 potholes dot road
Our reporters recorded 78 minor potholes and 47 major ones within the slightly above 150km they journeyed on the Abuja-Kaduna section of the road during their drive on Thursday.
They said the cracks on many parts of the road impede normal movements as drivers have to accelerate with caution.
“For instance, seven potholes were counted from Zuba Park to the military checkpoint adjacent the Zuma Rock, while a further movement to Gauraka community exposed more potholes of different sizes.
“Motorists took turns to swerve around the holes, which recent rains have turned into ponds.
“A few meters out of the community and at Zuma barracks, motorists connect with the first reconstructed part of the highway, with its smoothness tempting many to increase their speed.
“The reconstructed part terminates a few kilometres to Diko junction in Niger State. This part is one of the most dreaded for truck drivers as the two U-turn points are severely bad due to huge craters on the road, which are filled with water.
“This is evident with two trucks that have broken down on the road. One had its content spilled on the ground while the other had its axle damaged”, they said.
