The central government has instructed companies involved in the Abuja-Keffi Expressway extension to begin working during nighttime hours in order to reduce the daily traffic congestion experienced by thousands of people traveling along this essential road into the Federal Capital Territory.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, issued the instruction on Thursday while inspecting the project, stating that this step became essential due to the increasing traffic jams, especially in the Nyanya-Maraba area.
He emphasized the government's dedication to finishing the project by the scheduled deadline of December 2026.
The Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway, one of the most heavily used access routes into Abuja, acts as a vital link for thousands of government workers, merchants, and locals traveling daily from Nasarawa State and nearby areas into the FCT.
For many years, the road has suffered from traffic congestion, waterlogging, and inadequate drainage, causing constant annoyance.
Goronyo stated that although considerable progress had been achieved on the Keffi-bound portion, a three-kilometre part of the Abuja-bound road posed a major issue because of flooding and water accumulation.
He mentioned that the government recognized the challenges experienced by commuters and had consequently directed the contractor to implement urgent actions, such as working during nighttime, to alleviate the difficulties encountered by those using the roads.
As you know, this project began in December 2023 and is expected to be finished within a set period. It involves a 43.6-kilometre road starting from Keffi, with 41 kilometres already completed up to Binda, indicating 50 per cent completion.
This problematic region is exactly three kilometers in size, and we found that flooding has impacted it significantly. Numerous individuals from the Keffi and Nyanya corridor are facing various challenges when entering Abuja city.
"Immediately, we instructed the contractor to implement temporary solutions and create a path for water flow, allowing road users to have smoother access. However, this cannot be carried out during the day as it would increase traffic jams. Hence, the contractor needs to focus on working at night to expedite the process," Goronyo said.
He emphasized that the completion timeline is inviolable, cautioning that the government would not accept any postponements.
"The completion deadline of December 2026 is non-negotiable. This road is too crucial for Nigerians to allow any justifications. The contractor needs to fully commit and ensure timely completion. We are present with the ministry's controller, the acting director of the North-Central Zone, and the contractor to review progress and provide clear instructions. We do not wish to witness this ongoing delay persist," the minister added.
The N73.9bn initiative, covering 43.6 kilometers, is being carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
It is supported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and received approval in April 2023. Work commenced in December 2023, with an original target completion date set for May 2026, although the ministry remains determined that it should be finished before the December 2026 deadline.
Of the entire stretch, 41 kilometers of the route heading to Keffi have been finished, marking 50 per cent of the work done.
Alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Works and the contractor's representatives, the Minister pledged that the government would increase oversight to make sure passengers start experiencing improvements.
From his side, Dong Hong, the Project Manager at China Harbour, assured that the company would adhere to the deadline.
"We are sure we can complete this project on time and provide the best quality. A significant portion of our work is currently being carried out during the night to reach the goal," he stated.
The Abuja-Keffi Expressway is among various significant road developments being carried out under the tax credit initiative, a strategy designed to promote private sector investment in essential infrastructure. As Abuja grows, traffic is anticipated to increase even more, and authorities emphasize that finishing the project on schedule is vital to alleviating the daily challenges experienced by thousands of drivers.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
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