The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially revoked Julius Berger’s contract for the construction of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, citing significant delays and irregularities in the cost of the project.
This development was announced yesterday, Thursday, October 17, by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during the inauguration ceremony for the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Minister Umahi explained that the decision to terminate the contract is part of a broader initiative to review and ensure the timely and cost-effective execution of crucial infrastructure projects across the country. The government is taking steps to ensure that projects are completed efficiently, especially those with a direct impact on national development and transportation.
The original contract, awarded in 2018 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was valued at N391 billion. Umahi stated that while notable progress had been made on certain portions of the road, particularly the Kaduna-Zaria and Zaria-Kano sections, the Abuja-Kaduna stretch of the highway had not been completed at the expected pace, leading to dissatisfaction within the government.
According to Umahi, the slow progress on the Abuja-Kaduna section of the project had caused frustration, particularly since other segments of the road have either been completed or are nearing completion. The government expected the project to be further along, given that six years had passed since the contract was awarded. The termination of Julius Berger’s involvement on this section underscores the government’s commitment to addressing delays and ensuring that public infrastructure projects are delivered within agreed timelines and budgets.
