FLASH POINT

By John Musa

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing reconstruction of the Kaduna Western Bypass before the end of the year, describing the project as critical to easing traffic congestion and improving transportation across Northern Nigeria.

The Federal Controller of Works in Kaduna State, Engineer Ulagu Loveday, disclosed this during an assessment tour of the project corridor, where he outlined progress made and challenges encountered since work began.

He explained that although the contract was awarded in 2021, construction activities suffered setbacks in the early stages due to technical difficulties linked to the use of concrete pavement technology, which is relatively new in the region.

According to him, full-scale work only gathered momentum in 2023 after necessary facilities such as batching plants and operational site offices were put in place by the contractor handling the project.

The road project, which stretches about 21 kilometres from Command Junction to Kawo, was initially designed to serve as a bypass for heavy trucks transporting goods from Abuja through Kaduna to Kano and other northern states. However, rapid population growth and increased commercial activities along the axis have transformed the corridor into a busy urban route.

Engineer Loveday revealed that contractors have already completed major portions of the left carriageway, while work is progressing steadily on the opposite side. He noted that the concrete pavement system requires longer curing periods compared to asphalt roads, making the process more time-consuming but more durable in the long run.

He stressed that the ministry is prioritising quality over speed, noting that the road is expected to last for decades once completed.

The Controller also appealed to motorists and residents living around the construction zone to cooperate with workers and obey traffic regulations. He warned against reckless driving, especially by some commercial motorcyclists and tricycle operators, saying their actions contribute significantly to accidents recorded on the route.

He further disclosed that the Ministry of Works had set up a joint task force involving stakeholders to manage traffic flow and improve safety around the construction area.

Engineer Loveday maintained that despite the temporary inconvenience being experienced by road users, the project would ultimately bring lasting relief by reducing traffic gridlock and improving movement of goods and passengers across the state.