By Adamu Yusuf
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the Kaduna Western Bypass, with members of the presidential project inspection team expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the strategic highway.
The assurance was given during the fourth leg of the regional infrastructure inspection tour tagged “Gani ya Koriji” (Seeing is Believing), an initiative aimed at showcasing ongoing Federal Government projects across Northern Nigeria.
Speaking during the inspection, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said the tour was designed to counter claims that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had neglected the northern region in terms of infrastructure development.
According to him, the inspection has demonstrated that several major projects across the North are progressing steadily, contrary to claims that federal infrastructure development is concentrated in other parts of the country.
Abdulaziz explained that the Kaduna Western Bypass, a 21.5-kilometre dual carriageway, was originally awarded under the Federal Government’s tax credit scheme but recorded little progress before the present administration reviewed the arrangement and directed contractors to accelerate work.
He said the intervention by President Tinubu compelled the contractors to intensify construction, with one carriageway now nearing completion while work on the second carriageway is advancing rapidly.
The presidential aide noted that the bypass will provide a major alternative route for motorists travelling between Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Abuja and the southern parts of the country, thereby reducing congestion within Kaduna metropolis.
He added that upon completion, the road would significantly reduce travel time, improve road safety, lower vehicle maintenance costs and enhance commercial activities across Northern Nigeria.
Project Manager of Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company, Engineer Cumhur Kesan, said work on the project was progressing according to schedule despite challenges posed by the rainy season and traffic along the construction corridor.
Kesan explained that the company had put in place measures to address the challenges and remained committed to delivering the project by December this year.
He said the contractor continued to execute the project in line with the approved engineering specifications while maintaining the required quality standards.
Also speaking during the inspection, the Chief Resident Engineer Western Bye-pass, Engineer Jibril Zubairu expressed satisfaction with the current level of work, noting that although the project started slowly, significant progress had been recorded in recent months.
He stated that the contractor was adhering to the approved specifications and that the quality of construction met the expected standards.
The inspection team also highlighted progress on other key Federal Government infrastructure projects, including the Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto Road, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna, Kano Gas Pipeline and the Kano Northern Bypass, describing them as evidence of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development across the northern region.
The inspection formed part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to monitor the implementation of critical infrastructure projects and ensure their timely completion for the benefit of Nigerians.
