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Contractors on Abuja-Kaduna Highway Project Face Strict Deadline

Let’s get right into it—things are heating up on the road construction front. The House of Representatives Committee on Works has issued a stern warning to contractors working on the Abuja-Kaduna highway project. If these contractors don’t toe the line and adhere strictly to the contract terms, they’re going to feel the heat. This isn’t a drill, folks; the committee means business.

Julius Berger’s Exit: A Bumpy Road

Now, here’s the backstory. The reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway was initially entrusted to Julius Berger, a giant in the construction world. But guess what? They didn’t deliver as promised. Because of their inability to meet the project’s demands, the Federal Government pulled the plug on their contract in 2024. That’s right, Julius Berger was out, and the project needed a new player.

Infiouest Steps In: A New Chapter Begins

Enter Infiouest Construction Company. The baton was passed to them, and they were handed a 14-month deadline to complete the project. Talk about pressure! But this isn’t just any road we’re talking about. This highway is a lifeline for countless Nigerians, and its importance cannot be overstated.

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Akin Alabi Speaks: The Buck Stops Here

During an oversight visit, Committee Chairman Akin Alabi laid it all out. He emphasized the road’s critical role in the nation’s infrastructure and how it connects people and economies. He didn’t mince words when he said, “We all know the importance of this road. We’ve seen the controversies it’s sparked, and we understand its significance to this administration, road users, and the parliament. Over the decades, we’ve poured a lot of resources into this road, yet the results haven’t matched our expectations.”

Alabi continued, “Remember, this road was once under Julius Berger’s watch. They didn’t live up to their end of the deal, and despite numerous meetings and interventions, their contract was terminated. Now, Infiouest has the baton, and they have a monumental task ahead of them. We expect them to outperform Julius Berger. It’s a tall order, but it’s one they must meet.”

A Collective Responsibility

Alabi wasn’t done yet. He stressed the importance of accountability, saying, “As a committee, we’ve promised to ensure that every single kobo allocated to the Ministry of Works for every project is accounted for. We want tangible results for every penny spent. Now that the contract has been awarded, we’ll be keeping a close eye on this project. We’re committed to ensuring quality and adhering to the timeline. We’ll do our part to ensure they have no excuses. Funds will be made available, but they must show us results for the funds allocated.”

Committee’s Plan of Action

Alabi outlined the committee’s plan: “This is just the beginning. Every two to three weeks, we’ll be on-site to monitor progress. When we return, we don’t want to see the same issues. Success on this project isn’t just for the committee or the government; it’s for all Nigerians. And for Infiouest, success here could open doors to bigger projects in the future.”

He added, “What we’ve seen so far is promising, but we need more than just a strong start. We’ve seen companies start strong only to falter later. We’re here to ensure that doesn’t happen.”