The federal government has on Monday commissioned several emergency and special intervention road projects across Kaduna.
This followed inspection activities aimed at assessing progress on key federal highways.
The projects inaugurated included the 4.3 kilometres repaired Taban Sani road in Makarfi LGA, Mahuta NNPC Pipeline Road to Nigerian Army Post Service Housing in Chikun LGA and Sabo Rail Bridge road to Command Junction.
The inspection began on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, where contractors were found fully mobilised and work progressing satisfactorily, with assessment reports already prepared.
From there, the delegation moved onto the Eastern Bypass via the Kachia Interchange, covering about 34 kilometres already completed before stopping at Chikaji Bridge, identified as the corridor’s major challenge.
Speaking at the Chikaji bridge section, Yunus Salihu, project manager of Exciogullari Construction Company Nigeria Limited, said the bridge being constructed is about 324 metres long, with all pillars already cast.
Mr Salihu explained that the entire Kaduna Eastern Bypass is a virgin construction, which requires rigorous engineering processes, especially in connecting the bridges to the main carriageway. He lamented that irregular funding and security challenges had slowed down progress on the project.
He appealed to the Minister of Works and President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to ensure the completion of the Chikaji Bridge so the Eastern Bypass can function optimally.
The road project was awarded in 2002 and has since faced a series of challenges, including funding and security issues.
Another road inaugurated was the Sabo Rail Bridge Road to Command Junction, described as a major relief to residents after years of traffic congestion and road failure.
The delegation proceeded to the Western Bypass, where about 19.57 kilometres of full carriageway have been completed, while other outstanding works continue.
Jonathan Obrusu, representative of Dangote Group, said the company remained committed to delivering the road in line with federal standards and timelines.
Mr Obrusu explained that the Western Bypass is a strategic corridor designed to decongest Kaduna metropolis and improve regional traffic flow for both commercial and private users. He said about 19.57 kilometres of full carriageway had already been completed, while other outstanding sections and auxiliary works were progressing steadily.
Mr Obrusu added that Dangote Group was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Works to maintain quality control and adhere strictly to approved specifications.
The team also visited Pambeguwa Road, which is complete at 77 kilometres, with guardrails and safety installations, and scheduled for commissioning within one month.
In Zaria, attention focused on the Wusasa–Turunku–Maraban Jos Road, Phase One, which has reached about 68 per cent completion, with an abandoned flyover still outstanding.
Phase Two of the project, valued at about N30 billion, according to the federal controller of the works ministry in Kaduna, Ulagu Loveday, has been awarded to extend the road from Pambeguwa to Jos.
(NAN)
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