The Nigerian Senate has instructed its Committee on Works to engage with the Minister of Works to ensure the timely completion of the Wudil-Gaya-Duste dual carriage road along the Kano-Maiduguri expressway.
Senate resolution followed the adoption of a motion on “Urgent need to expedite completion of Wudil-Gaya-Duste dual Carriage road on Kano Maiduguri road.”
The motion was sponsored by Senator Kawu, Suleiman (NNPP- Kano)
Senator Suleiman in his motion said that “the Kano-Maiduguri expressway, was a critical artery for transporting people and agricultural goods the northern corridor.”
He said the contract was awarded by the Nigerian Government 17 years ago under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Senator Suleiman, however, said successive administrations have failed to complete the vital project.
“Also notes that in 2018, the President Buhari-led administration’s commitment to improving road transportation led to the award of so many road contracts to restore many of the dilapidated roads in the country.
“Among these projects was the renewed contract for the dualisation of the Kano-Maiduguri road.
“Aware that a major transportation upgrade is on the horizon! A brand new two-lane highway will be built, along with improvements to the existing road.
“To tackle this ambitious project, it’s been divided into five manageable sections.
“The first section focuses on the Kano-Wudil-Shuarin road, while subsequent sections cover progressively connect Shuarin to Azare, Azare to Potiskum, Potiskum to Maiduguri, and finally, Maiduguri to Benishek,” the lawmaker explained.
Senator Suleiman said one of the section was the most extensive, spanning roughly 202.73 kilometers, stressing that an international route linking Nigeria to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, the Kano-Maiduguri road facilitates cross-border trade.
According to him, Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract for section one of the road, saying despite initial work, the project appears to be behind schedule.
He said; “Worried that the unfinished section between Wudil and Gaya in Kano state is particularly dangerous.
“One lane of the planned dual carriageway is complete, forcing drivers to navigate a single lane in both directions,this significantly increases the risk of accidents.”
Senator Suleiman expressed worry that the unfinished section between Wudil and Gaya in Kano state poses grave danger to commuters.
He said; “the only one lane completed on a planned two-lane road, forces vehicles traveling in both directions to navigate a single lane.
“This is a recipe for disaster, and immediate action is required to finish construction and ensure driver safety.”