THE Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that the Abuja-Lokoja highway will be completed and commissioned for public use in April 2026.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Minister, who disclosed this on Saturday while inspecting road projects in the North Central region, criticised the contractor for the slow pace of work but commended the quality of the section visited.
He said contractors will be paid for jobs completed based on milestone targets, while those unable to meet federal government deadlines will have their contracts revoked and reassigned.
He noted that the President has assured that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation projects must continue, albeit under revised terms.
“We are going to agree on what you can finish in the next year, and then we will agree on milestone completion. If you complete from here to here, you get paid. From here to here, you get paid. Those who cannot meet up, we will divide their jobs and give them to those who can. So, we are giving you advanced notice, and the advanced notice is that you should start another gang,” he said.
He added, “If I come again in November and the work is still at this pace, I will discontinue the job. The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace is nonsense. Is that okay? You are performing even more poorly on the Benin-Warri road, but that is for another day. Next week, we are going there. But the quality of the work is excellent.”
Umahi noted, “The amount is ₦56bn, and the job has to be completed in April 2026. It was to be done on asphalt, but the contractor suggested concrete. We worked it out and agreed that concrete can cover the entire 53 kilometres at the same cost. That’s what we are doing.”
Earlier, speaking on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, he said the highway will be completed in June 2026. The road, divided into three sections, requires an estimated ₦761bn to complete.
“We have informed the President that the time of completion for the project is 14 months for sections 1, 2, and 3. For sections 1 and 3, a total of 118 kilometres was budgeted at ₦252bn, with 30% (around ₦60bn) already paid.”
“Section 2, about 72 kilometres, will feature reinforced concrete with 15 kilometres of flexible asphalt pavement, costing ₦507bn, with 30% (over ₦150bn) paid. If we combine the two projects up to Kano, it is about ₦761bn, which is highly commendable, and I commend the President for his interest in building these roads,” he said.
Umahi explained that the road was prioritised by President Bola Tinubu, who has shown passion by funding it as a priority project.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, commended the President for his commitment to road projects and for allowing NNPC funds to be diverted to continue work.
He added, “None of the projects will stop. This is one president who has really shown interest in his people.”
He therefore appealed to contractors to double their efforts. “Deliver this project on time, because we will not accept any excuse.
“The money is available, and there is a clear timeline. Nigerians are yearning for good roads and infrastructure, and Mr President is committed. We need to support him to deliver on his dream, the dream of a renewed Nigeria,” he said.