House ad-hoc committee moves to ensure completion of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the delay in the completion of the 375-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway has commenced work to unravel the reason for the delay in the completion of the strategic federal highway since it was re-awarded in 2020.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Hon Abdussamad Dasuki, said the investigation was not to witch hunt anyone but to resolve the challenges delaying the completion of the project.

Hon Dasuki, who led members of the ad hoc committee on the oversight of the road project, said the investigation was also to ensure that all specifications in the projects were complied with.

During the inspection tour, the committee was however dissatisfied with the progress of work and expressed concern about the 2025 completion date given by the Ministry of Works.

An official of the firm handling the project admitted that the progress of work was slow due largely to insecurity.

The committee consequently summoned the contractors and ministry officials to explain, why despite the huge amount of money released so far, the project was far from the completion target.

At a meeting with the officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, Dasuki demanded the status of work on the project.

Dasuki said: “Before us now is a matter of concern to the House of Representatives and Nigerians. To that effect, a motion with regards to the completion of the Abuja to Kaduna to Kano Highway was brought to the House, where we were mandated to sit down with the relevant agencies and come back within four weeks with the reason why we have the delay in the completion of that road.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Mamuda  Mamman, told the committee that Sections 2 & 3 of the Highway were near completion.

He however acknowledged that the Abuja-Kaduna section of the road had been largely affected by funding and insecurity. Section 1 (Abuja – Kaduna) of the road is less than 20% completed.

The permanent secretary however assured the committee that the road project would be completed by May 2025.

Mamman stated: “The Abuja-Kano dual carriage expressway was among the first that I inspected upon assuming my role in the ministry.

Given the road’s importance, I personally assessed its physical condition and situation. We observed the challenges and the contractor is committed to completing the construction aspect by May 2025, assuming all goes well”

He mentioned the challenges that hinder the early completion of the road were mainly the issues of security and funding before it was placed under the presidential infrastructure development fund.

Most of the challenges have been addressed, which is why the contractor made the commitment.”

The ad-hoc committee’s investigation is ongoing, and a report is expected to be submitted to the House within the four-week timeframe mandated by the House.

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