By Emmanuel Elebeke

The Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, has approved a massive N252.89 billion for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kano road.

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This project will focus on Section I and part of Section III, with the chosen contractor being Infoust Nigeria Limited.

According to the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umeahi, the project will utilize cutting-edge construction methods, including Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) for Section I and asphaltic pavement for Section III.

The BPP’s approval is a significant step forward, but the project still needs to be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for final approval.

Once approved, the project aims to be completed within 12 months, funded by the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.

He said this development is part of the larger Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road project, which aims to improve connectivity between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, enhancing transportation, trade, and economic growth.

The Infouest emerged the ordered bidder out of five other bidders to emerge winner for the road construction, after Julius Berger Plc. declined to submit bid.

For section II, Umahi said the project which was originally awarded to Julius Berger Plc to complete at a total cost of 349bn, having terminated the project and having gotten “No Objection” from BPP for selective tendering, will be opened for bid by the end of January for six contractors to bid including Julius Berger Plc.

He explained that the scope is to complete 164 Km of section II (Kaduna) with Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) within 14 months. He added that procurement will be concluded in January 2025 and work will commence by the first week of February 2025.

Also, he noted 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. The work is being executed by Messrs H&M Construction Nigeria Ltd.

“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,” the Minister said.

In his remarks, the Minister of information, Mohammed Idris, appealed to Nigerians to give the Minister of Work the necessary support to actualize the project.

He also appealed to the public to give the President the he requires and come together to ensure the completion of the work in a timely and efficient manner.

Recall that the project was inherited from the past administration and was awarded to four contractors. The four contactors were sacked by the ministry of works and eventually the whole length of the road totalling 375km (dual) was re-awarded to Julius Berger which was sub- divided into three sections: Abuja-Kaduna 165km; Kaduna-Zaria 73km and Zaria- Kano 137km, all dual carriage way.

The sections 1-3 were awarded in 20th December 2017 with project commencement date on 21 May, 2018 and initial completion date of 21st May, 2021 (36 months).

According to the minister, the project was reviewed from an initial Contract sum N155bn to N797bn on 11th March, 2021.

As at the time this administration resumed in August 2023, JBN had completed about 510km representing about 68% of the certified amount at N391bn.