3 hours ago
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ABUJA – The House of Representatives ad hoc committee overseeing the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road project has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress on the Kaduna-Abuja stretch, pledging to take steps to expedite the completion of the road for public use.
This commitment came during an oversight visit led by Committee Chairman, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, who inspected the Abuja-Kaduna Highway alongside committee members over the weekend.
During the visit, Hon. Jaji assured road users of the committee’s resolve to accelerate the work, in line with the contractual agreement. “Our goal is to hold all parties to the terms agreed upon,” Jaji stated. “We’ll do everything within our legislative power to ensure that progress is made, and the delays are addressed.”
He further highlighted the importance of cooperation, stating, “This project demands a concerted effort among the National Assembly, the contractors, and the Ministry of Works to ensure successful completion.”
This oversight comes in the wake of recent comments by Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who, in response to the sluggish pace of work, warned the contractor to return to the site within a week or face a possible contract revocation.
The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road project, awarded six years ago, has seen minimal progress, causing frustration among stakeholders and road users who rely on this economically significant route.
Hon. Jaji addressed these frustrations, saying, “We are committed to finding out the root causes of these delays and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to facilitate timely completion.” He added, “The public deserves a road that is safe and serviceable, and it is our responsibility to ensure that.”
According to him, “We have requested all relevant documentation from the Ministry of Works and will engage with other agencies involved in the current palliative work on the Abuja-Kaduna road.”
He urged patience from the public, promising that the committee would act swiftly to bring the road into a serviceable condition. “I am a regular user of this road myself,” he said, “and fully understand the frustrations of other users who endure the traffic and other challenges on a daily basis.”
Reflecting on the scope of the oversight visit, Jaji reiterated, “Our objective is to review project milestones and evaluate the impact of ongoing palliative efforts by the government.” The committee, beginning at Zuba, stopped at multiple points along the route to Kaduna State to examine developments firsthand.
Commenting on the quality of the palliative measures, Hon. Jaji remarked, “While the economic significance of these palliative works cannot be understated, we are not fully satisfied with the current state of repairs. There’s a need for better coordination and a higher standard of quality from the contractors to adequately meet the needs of road users.”
The ad hoc committee was constituted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to ensure close monitoring of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road project and to hold all stakeholders accountable. Hon. Jaji expressed confidence that the committee’s intervention would yield positive outcomes. “Whether it’s funding, technical challenges, or bureaucratic issues, we will identify and address them,” he stated firmly. “The House is determined to ensure that this vital route is completed in due course.”
