The federal government has inaugurated the 118-kilometre first lot of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, while work on the 164-kilometre second lot “is nearing completion”, an official said.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Kano during the inauguration of a section of the expressway.
Mr Umahi said 148 kilometres of the second lot had been completed, leaving less than 20 kilometres outstanding.
”The project is being executed with reinforced concrete pavement to enhance the durability of the road and improve connectivity along the strategic transport corridor.
”President Bola Tinubu directed the ministry to ensure completion of the outstanding sections after contractors initially handling some portions indicated their inability to continue with the reinforced concrete pavement technology.
”The federal government subsequently took steps to complete outstanding works. The first lot valued at about N252 billion had been fully completed,” he said.
The minister said the president had also directed the installation of solar-powered streetlights along the 375-kilometre expressway to improve visibility and enhance safety of motorists travelling at night.
Mr Umahi commended the Kano State governor for his contribution to infrastructure development, particularly the extension of the road towards Aminu Kano International Airport.
He said the federal government was also executing several road projects across the North-West to improve transportation and facilitate economic activities.
”The projects include Kano Northern Bypass, Kano-Kongolam Road, Kano-Katsina Road and Sokoto-Zamfara-Zaria Road.
”This administration is committed to completing inherited road projects alongside new ones to improve connectivity and ease movement of people and goods,” he said.
He further explained that the federal government had also completed several emergency road projects in the North-West as part of efforts to address critical infrastructure needs in the region.
The minister added that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway remained an important transport corridor for the movement of passengers and goods between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and major commercial centres in the North-West.
Mr Umahi expressed optimism that the completion of the outstanding sections would further improve road transportation and support economic activities along the route.
”The federal government has also scheduled completion of the wider expressway project for December, according to the Federal Ministry of Works,” he said.
(NAN)
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