By Daniel Tyokua
Contractors handling the ever busy Mararaba-Keffi Road in Nasarawa state and Abuja-Kaduna (81km section 1) axis pledged speedy completion of the work.
Speaking separately during the inspection tour of the projects on Tuesday, the project manager for Infiouest Nigeria Limited, Robert Turner said section one of the Abuja-Kaduna, which starts from Zuba- Jere will be delivered in April, 2026.
Recall that the project was revoked in 2025 and re-awarded to the current firm in the first quarter of the same year.
Giving an overview of the road, the federal controller , Chukwuma Kalu, said 6km has so far been completed while 17.5 kilometre is at the verge of completion.
Regarding the importance, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Works, Mohammed Ahmed, said the road connects the Federal Capital Territory with the Northern part of the country, and the federal government is keen on it considering the significance.
On the Mararaba -Keffi being handled by China Harbour Engineering construction company, the reconstruction and expansion of the 43.65 kilometre will be completed in June, 2026, according to the project manager Ahmadu Reuben.
The road project is under the Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit scheme awarded April 19, 2026, at the cost of N73.8 billion for a duration of 30 months .
He said the project length which covers 43.65 kilometre meets all standards, commending the ministry of works for setting standards that will last longer.
The project data indicates that N35.8 billion of the total contract sum has been certified while N37.9 billion which is 51 per cent awaits approval .
The project profile also shows that an advanced payment of N15.8 billion has been granted and advanced payment recovered stands at N9.3 billion .
It also indicates that so far, the project completion stands at 90 per cent while elapsed time stands at 87 per cent.
The scope of work on the road project included site clearance, scarification and pulverization of existing stone base and asphaltic bituminous layer, cut to fill to approved cross-section, borrow to to fill approved cross-section, laying of stone base 200 millimeters on carriageway and 100mikineters on shoulders .
It also includes laying of 60 millimeters asphaltic concrete binder, laying of 40 millimeters asphaltic concrete wearing and excavation and provision of trapezoidal reinforced concrete line drain.
The document outlined challenges of chaotic heavy traffic at Maraba axis of the project, over speeding and disregard to caution and warning signs as well as delayed payment for certified works
