The Federal Government has approved funding for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway and the construction of the Bodo-Bonny road, including bridges across the Opobo Channel.

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, also urged Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc to expedite these critical infrastructure projects.

This was revealed in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Special Adviser to Umahi on Media, Orji Uchenna Orji, after a meeting with Julius Berger (Nig.)Plc represented by its Executive Director, Projects, Engr. Benjamin Bott and the Head of Contract Management, Omonigho Brown, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

During the meeting, Umahi said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved revisions to the contracts for both projects on September 23, 2024.

The total contract sum for the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway is now set at N740.8bn, while the Bodo-Bonny road project is pegged at N80.1bn.

Umahi emphasized the urgency of the projects, particularly the 82-kilometer Section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route, and called on Julius Berger to mobilize resources across all project sections to ensure completion within 14 months. He clarified that of the approved N740bn, approximately N340bn remains to be disbursed for the remaining work.

The Minister urged the contractor to mobilize in the four sections of the Abuja – Zaria – Kaduna – Kano project to finish the job within 14 months.

Umahi also noted that the prices given on the said projects were the best in view of the economic reality of the time.

He harped on the need for JBN Plc to mobilize in multiple locations of the two projects to complete them in record time.