Minister of Works David Umahi says the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road reconstruction project will cost N761 billion to complete.
Mr Umahi disclosed this on Saturday while inspecting the road project.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has been informed about the completion time. Sections 1,2, and 3 will take 14 months.
“For sections 1 and 3, a total of 118 kilometers was given at a total price of N252 billion. The president has paid 30 per cent, which is around N60 billion.
“Section 2 is about 72 kilometers by 2, which is reinforced concrete with 15 kilometres; it is going to be flexible also at the pavement. The total cost is N507 billion, and 30 per cent has been paid, which is over N150 billion.
“If we combine the two projects up to Kano, it is about N761 billion, which is highly courageous, and I commend the president for his interest in building these roads,” Mr Umahi said.
Mr Umahi said the project was tagged as “Rebuilding Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road by President Bola Tinubu.”
The minister assured that the roads being built by Mr Tinubu’s administration would last for over 100 years.
He described the feat as a legacy that the present administration would leave for future generations, as there would be no need to rebuild those roads again.
“This explains why we have to talk to the contractors to do a good job, as the president has directed that the ministry should replicate the quality of roads applicable in the Western world.”
He added that the ministry would do his bidding.
The minister urged Nigerians and young engineers to understand the new trends and innovations in road construction and key into them.
“Roads and bridges are the indicators that grow our GDP; it is on this GDP that other sectors of our economy grow based on durable roads and bridges,” Mr Umahi stated.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, urged contractors to work fast to meet the deadline.
He added that they should work quickly to cover the time wasted during the rainy season, as people were anxious for the project’s timely completion.
(NAN)