Reps urge speedy completion of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road

The House of Representatives has called for the completion of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project to address the worsening insecurity, loss of lives as well as economic losses brought about by the slow pace of work on the road and delay in completing the project.

It called for the provision of funds in the 2025 budget for the speedy completion of the project.

This followed the resolution on a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo at the plenary on Wednesday.

While presenting the motion, Jallo said Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road is one of the most significant highways in Nigeria which connects Abuja, to the key cities of North West and North East states and serves as a critical artery for trade, transportation, and national integration and as such needs urgent intervention.

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He added, “The rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road were first captured in Nigeria’s 2018 Appropriation Act under the Buhari administration with the aim of addressing its worsening condition but progress has been slow and significant portions of the road remain incomplete.

“The road’s deteriorating state, coupled with slow construction progress has created multiple hazards, making it one of the most dangerous highways in the country today.

“It has become a prime target for kidnappers and armed robbers, who exploit the delays and breakdowns to attack stranded travellers. It’s now a death trap for travellers going to the north-western states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states as well as north- eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe.

“Due to the road’s poor condition, vehicles, especially trailers, frequently break down, blocking major portions of the road for extended periods. This leads to severe jams, with vehicles stuck for hours, forcing so many road users to spend the night on the road.

“The economic impact of these delays is significant, with businesses losing millions of naira due to delayed deliveries and increased transportation costs, affecting both local and national commerce.”

Rep. Jallo said several motions had been moved and passed by the house for the completion of the project but to no avail.

He added that the completion of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road will greatly improve the safety of travellers, reduce the number of accidents and ease traffic congestion.

The house adopted the motion and urged the federal government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing to prioritise the completion of the Abuja-kaduna-Kano Road by directing immediate release of funds and ensuring the enforcement of strict timelines for its completion.

It also urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately commence the temporary rehabilitation of the major potholes in the Abuja-Kaduna Kano Road.

The house mandated its committee on appropriation to make budgetary provision for the completion of the road in 2025 budget estimates.

It also mandated the Committee on Works and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works and relevant agencies to ensure the speedy completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.